[semi-open] did u hear the joke about the dragon

[perfectstrike]

Who: perfectstrike & anyone who might have cause to try to call Peko to check up on her after the CERESTour!
When: just after the CERESTour into the next day (ic: 1/26-1/27)
Where: CERES Hospital
What: Peko got herself injured during the CERESTour and is patently confused as to why people keep visiting her.
Rating/Warning: Warning for blood and talk about injuries, but nothing gorey or gruesome.

---

[Immediately following the tour, Mosley had kindly ushered group three to the hospital for their sustained injuries. Peko, having gotten herself hit with the sharp end of a not-so-virtual dragon's claw, had needed to be rushed to get several nasty-looking gashes cleaned and stitched, along with some smaller burns treated. Swords aren't much good against things that can fly and breathe fire, after all.

Some time later, she can be found in the wing tended to by human and humanoid doctors (no androids here, please), seated quietly in one of the beds with her eyes closed as if she's asleep. The heart rate monitor is beeping quietly and steadily, and there's an IV hooked to her right arm to replenish some of the fluid she'd lost from bleeding everywhere earlier. All in all, though, she looks fine! If the ripped and bloody sailor suit in the corner and the fresh white bandages covering her left bicep and peeking out from above the cut of her hospital gown over her chest are any indication. At least the gown is cute, with happy little robots printed in a pattern along the fabric. To promote organic healing, of course!

Before the Cerevice goes down, though, she'll be answering calls with voice and just generally trying to rest and recover in the hospital. She's fine, though, really--!]

Comments

[perfectstrike]

[Peko's a little annoyed that her Cerevice has stopped working, though there's not much she can do about it besides just sit there and try not to strain her stitches too much. It rather looks like she's meditating in a flower garden, actually, thanks to Rock Lee's efforts to bring her flowers.

At the voice from the door, she just opens her eyes and turns her head, blinking a bit before nodding.]

I am, yes. [Her eyes dart to the bandages around his head, and while she doesn't verbally think to invite him in, hopefully that she's talking to him is enough?] How are you feeling?

[unionjackoff]

[when she speaks, England takes that as an invitation, and he enters. huh, lots of flowers in here. miss Peko must have a lot of admirers!]

I'm fine. A little sore, but I'll manage. [England's in better shape than the girl, at least. he feels guilty, because he was unable to protect the teens. complete fail] What about you?

[perfectstrike]

[Peko never asked for any of this. How does this keep happening to her, people caring about her?? It's weird and she isn't certain it's a good thing.]

I'm fine. [It's the same thing she'd told Jaune when he'd tried to apologize earlier, so take that with a grain of salt. If nothing else, she's not bleeding anymore, and she seems reasonably more alert than directly after being ejected from the diary.] I just do not want to aggravate my stitches more than necessary.

[Keeping her left arm stiff, she tries to push herself more upright with her uninjured arm, nodding toward a pile of flowers.] If you would like to take a seat, please feel free to move those out of the way. There may still be some tea in the pot if you would care for some.

[It's a simple green tea, not all that good thanks to being provided by the hospital, but there are some cups left there from her provided breakfast along with the kettle.]

Please forgive me for not pouring it for you.

[unionjackoff]

Oh, no. That's quite all right. I can certainly get my own tea. [and he does. though a look of disappointment crosses England's features when he tries some. hn, hospital tea. kind of flavorless. maybe England would have to stop by after work and bring in some good tea for Peko. she deserved it] Ah, do you want some?

[perfectstrike]

[She's shaking her head almost reflexively at the offer. Asking someone else to inconvenience themselves for her? No way. She'll wait until he's gone to worry about her tea.]

No, thank you.

[She exhales through her nose and looks to him more closely with a frown.]

I am... glad to see that you are alright, Kirkland. While splitting up allowed us to cover more ground... it may not have been the wisest choice.

May I ask where you learned to shoot like that?

[Maybe he's a fellow criminal? She knows guns are different in different countries, but still, he must be some kind of fighter, if not a member of a crime gang like she is.]

[unionjackoff]

[it wouldn't be an inconvenience, and England would tell her so if he knew that was what she thought! as it is, he will just suffer through this lukewarm cup of flavored water while pretending it tastes better.

the question takes him by surprise. he lifts his gaze in thought]

A lot of practice, mostly. [many, many years of practice] I was taught by a family friend when I was younger.

[perfectstrike]

Is that so...?

[She hums quietly, twining a bit of loose hair around one finger with her uninjured hand in careful contemplation. She looks like she wants to ask something, but pauses, closes her mouth, and instead asks,]

Was it much help, against what you and Yang uncovered?

[unionjackoff]

[ha. England looks away again, purses his lips together slightly, and then shakes his head before focusing on Peko once more]

Not one bit. We were... Forced to deal with earthquakes. All the weapon training in the world doesn't prepare you for natural disasters.

[perfectstrike]

...I see.

It seems our groups should have been reversed, then, as I believe you and Yang would have been more equipped to deal with the dragons. Were it not for Kamishiro... I am not certain either Arc or myself would be in as good condition as we are.

[unionjackoff]

Kamishiro... That's Rio, isn't it? [he scratches his cheek, the guilt biting at him again] That was quite a surprise. In fact, all of you were... Well, I wasn't expecting anyone to fight the way you all did.

[perfectstrike]

Correct. We work together, though I cannot say I knew her very well.

[She does nod in agreement, assuming his surprise to be about Rio. Especially considering her and Peko's mutual job is the cosplay café.. it's not something one normally associates with secret alien horrorterrors.

Then she just blinks at him with visible surprise.]

Is that so...? I admit I was somewhat familiar with Yang's skill already, though I was not acquainted with either of the other two's abilities.

But a sword is not much use against something that can fly.

[unionjackoff]

No, I... suppose it wouldn't be. [a sigh. and then, before he can stop himself] I'm sorry I wasn't there.

[perfectstrike]

[??? Peko actually sits up a little straighter at that, looking to him as if trying to figure out what he's apologizing for from his expression, because his words don't make any sense to her.]

There is nothing to apologize for. I agreed to the group without anticipating for our weaknesses. Arc and I are close-combat fighters, and Kamishiro's abilities are... difficult to quantify without more knowledge.

But...

[And she goes quiet again, pursing her lips.]

I do know someone who is very good at firearms. I am certain I could ask him to help me, but I do not want to take up too much of his time. Do you think... you could teach me how to use a gun?

[Between this guy and Kuzuryuu, she should be pretty set. Inconveniencing Kuzuryuu is definitely something she doesn't want to do.]

[unionjackoff]

[whoa! that's... another question that throws England off guard. he raises his head again, eyes a little wider]

You... want me to teach you? [even after he failed the group?!]

[perfectstrike]

If you could help me practice... I would, of course, pay you for your services.

[She doesn't see him as a failure, though! For all she knows, that gun of his would have at least gotten the dragons down to a level where she could fight them with her sword.]

I know the young master will help me, but... I will need quite a lot of practice to become proficient, correct? I have studied the sword my entire life. I do not particularly like guns, but... in circumstances such as this, I cannot afford to be limited.

[unionjackoff]

[whoa, whoa! England looks even more flummoxed when Peko says she'll pay him. he sits forward in his seat, holding up a hand]

You... don't have to pay me! I'd be happy to help you! [he's excited! Peko wanted him as a mentor!]

[perfectstrike]

Are you certain...?

[Surely this is a huge inconvenience for him, but she appreciates it.]

As I said, I will need to speak with the young master first... but I will be happy to learn anything you can teach me.

[unionjackoff]

[it's not an inconvenience at all! England likes children, wants to mentor them. he will jump at the opportunity to show off share his knowledge. besides, he feels he owes Peko, and the rest of his team]

Wonderful. Ah, do you own any firearms? [he's going to guess the answer is no, but it doesn't hurt to ask]

[perfectstrike]

No. I do not like them.

[But unfortunately, it seems like an necessity at this point. :c]

But I can purchase one.

[unionjackoff]

They can be expensive. [he's not mocking, or lecturing, merely offering insight] And I don't know what Cerealia has to offer. The gun I have was brought with me from home. It's a Glock 17, and it's only reserved for the British Armed Forces.

[perfectstrike]

Then I'll acquire one.

[She seems to have no qualms about stealing them... though she does show visible interest at that.]

The army...? Does that mean you are a soldier?

[unionjackoff]

[sometimes England just forgets who he's talking to. that's what happens when you're trying to keep a secret]

Oh... I... [he looks off to the side for a moment, seemingly nervous] S-sort of? [and then back to Peko] But it's not something I go around bragging about!

[perfectstrike]

[It's only reserved for the British Armed Forces, but he's only 'sort of' a soldier? And it's not something he brags about...

Maybe he's a secret agent!? Or some kind of government big wig. He doesn't look old enough to be a politician though, really, at least in Peko's somewhat-skewed estimation, so she's really at a loss. But as it doesn't seem to be something he wants to talk about, she won't push it.]

...I see. Forgive me for asking.

[unionjackoff]

[he is an enigma wrapped up in a mystery...! or something]

No, it's... quite all right. I'm the one who brought it up initially. [he sighs, gaze dropping down at the floor now] Sometimes I still think what I was on earth matters. But now that I'm here, it's like I have a whole new identity.

[perfectstrike]

[He's definitely a spy. Having a whole new identity....!!

.....wait.]

What... do you mean by that?

[And suddenly she looks a lot more uncomfortable than she had before, as if something about being different from "what he was on earth" is surprisingly important to her.]