[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

[niceguypose]

[Later that evening, Rock Lee clambers in through the nearest window.

A gigantic bouquet of flowers are in one hand, and many more are sticking out of his oversized backpack.]

Peko-san, have I found your room?!

[perfectstrike]

[Wh...what. Peko gives a bit of a start against her pillow as she makes a reflexive grab toward her sword. Of course its sitting beside her bed within easy reach, but the sudden movement sends a sharp shock of pain down her whole left side, leaving her grimacing up at him.]

Lee?

[She exhales a sigh and releases the grip on her sword, relaxing back against the pillow.]

Yes, this is my room. Were you here to visit someone?

[That is so many flowers. Maybe he needed to use her room to sneak past the doctors on his way to someone else's room? That makes sense.]

[niceguypose]

[He gives a sad smile as he finishes clambering into the room and approaches her bedside.]

That is true. I am here to visit a very dear friend of mine. Someone whom... it hurts to see in such a condition! Right now, her speedy and youthful recovery is one of my fondest dreams! If you wonder this person's name, I shall tell you!! It is...

[He rolls along the floor to her bedside, then he stands up proudly.]

Peko-san!!

audio;

[perfectstrike]

[It's not too long after she's finally left alone in her hospital room that she picks up her Cerevice to call a certain yakuza heir. Nobody important, really.

As soon as he answers, she just asks,] How was the tour?

[S...traight to the point as always, Peko, good job.]

[perfectstrike]

[??? Who is he talking about?? It's kind of sad that Peko literally has no idea, watching him enter the room, and then roll with some bemusement.

...And then actual surprise as she stares up at him, a little uncertain.]

...Me?

[What...? Really...?]

[niceguypose]

You! [He smiles more fondly, but there's some tears in his eyes as well. As he speaks, he slowly erects a jungle of bouquets around her bed.]

Peko-san, don't you know that I care about you? I am here for you!

Jan 27

[unionjackoff]

[what the... why isn't his CereVice working? it must be a punishment. after he thinks about it, England supposes he is not that surprised. still, what a hassle! how is he supposed to let Prussia know that he's okay while he's in here?

after his head is bandaged up—he needed a couple stitches there—he gets up to wander the hallways and look for his teammates. he still has to stay in the hospital for a couple more days of observation, but he is given permission by the human doctors to move around that morning.

once he finds Peko's room, he stands outside the door and knocks. he will politely wait to be called in]

Are you awake? It's mister Kirkland.

[perfectstrike]

[What the-- what is he doing. Lee no. That can't be sterile. Lee. Lee...

Peko's just kind of watching him open-mouthed, not really sure how to respond to any of this. Maybe she's hallucinating from painkillers...?]

Is this... all for me? I... you do not need to do something like this.

[niceguypose]

[What is sterility. These are flowers of youthly goodwill! Hopefully they won't completely block her view of everything around her.]

Perhaps it is not needed. But it is what I want to do! Peko-san, as I have stated, my mission is to bring you good will! If any of this can help you recover even a little faster... I can't tell how happy that would make me!!

[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?

[perfectstrike]

This is...

[She's actually starting to blush a little. This feels really surprisingly nice, having someone visibly care for her like this.]

I, um... t-thank you. I... gratefully accept your kind gift, and will do my best to recover as quickly as possible!

[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.]

[niceguypose]

You are very welcome, Peko-san! I'm going to cheer you on!! [He flashes her a smile and gives her a thumbs up.]

Do you know how long it will be?

[perfectstrike]

...

[She doesn't have an answer for that. Being cheered for...]

Ah, that is... [Trying to get back on track even as she's still looking at all the flowers. They're so pretty--!] They want me to stay at least overnight to ensure that the stitches set properly and my fluids are replenished.

...Were you on the tour, earlier?

[niceguypose]

I see. It is fortunate that you will be free so soon! [He's a little happier at that. But he's still glad to be there for her. He knows what it's like to be stuck in a hospital bed. And how uplifting every last visitor, every last gesture can feel.]

I did not attend any tour, however... I was too focused on my training and missed an opportunity!

[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]

Whether they release me or not, I do not have time to waste in the hospital.

[Peko please. She was content to get treatment, but all this sitting around? She can do this at home.]

I see. That may be for the best. The amount of information we gained... I do not believe to have been worth the risk we were subjected to.

[It is so much easier to talk about this stuff than it is about Lee's good-natured gesture. It's confusing to her!]

[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?

[niceguypose]

Hmmm... I appreciate your conviction, Peko-san. And I will honor your best judgement!

[Peko is Lee's approval really an encouraging thing in this situation.]

Ah... But what sort of risks did you find? And what did you discover...?

[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]

Mm.

[No Peko, this is exactly what you were scolding Lee for before... don't be a hypocrite. But if she sees the irony, she doesn't comment, instead pausing and wrapping a stray bit of hair around one finger as she tries to decide how to phrase it.]

Myself and four others -- Kirkland, Yang, Arc, and Kamishiro, if you know them -- were able to investigate three "virtual diary" entries... somewhat like ViViD, but a recording by an intern of Vincere founding this city. The so-called 'virtual' monsters, however, were more than real.

[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.