[Video] ⌘ Tired in more ways than one

[cantataofgrace]

... They're finally gone.

[ The young boy collapses a bit tiredly, clearly having trouble operating the SFC. His outfit is in shreds, tophat gone, and he looks thoroughly... exhausted. It's clear he had a hell of a time trying to fight the things off himself. He's breathing heavily, but seems otherwise alright. He's silent. ]... Does it really

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VIDEO.

[libraria]

Carl-san, I hope your door is unlocked.

[ She's walking out of her house and over to his as she speaks. It doesn't take her long, of course. ]

[cantataofgrace]

[ ... He's too tired to lock it, otherwise he'd ask her to butt out. ]

... Why? Do you want something, Miss Nodoka...? Y-you're... alright, aren't you? They didn't hurt you, did they?

[libraria]

I'm fine, but you're not. Please... Please let me in.

[ACTION from here on out /o/]

[cantataofgrace]

[ dgjkhkfhg MUMBLE fine fine telling his sister to move from the door okay. ]

... I'm fine. It's just a few after-effects...

[ When you come into the room, Nodoka, you will see a mess of various bottles that look suspiciously alchemical in nature laying around, and a broke window. Seems the zombies got into the apartment and he ended up fighting them off, or he came here to get away from them, one or the other. ]

[libraria]

[ Nodoka walks in and -- oh my gosh mess and danger and what has happened to my poor little siscon oh my goodness. She walks over to him quickly, moving to kneel by his side. ]

Carl-san, what happened?

[ She reaches out and puts her hand on his forehead then, after a few moments, on each cheek, checking his temperature gently. ]

[cantataofgrace]

Nothing, I'm fine.

[ RUNNING A HORRIBLE FEVER, of course. Trying to get up, and he kind of fails a bit. ]

A-ahhh... we overdid it a little bit, but it's not important. It isn't like it matters, anyway... They're gone now, so... I'll be okay--it's just a few scratches.

[libraria]

You are not fine!

[ Nodoka frowns and brushes his hair from his face gently. Turning around, she sighs. ]

Do you have a change of clothes?

[cantataofgrace]

[ STOP MOTHERING HIM HE CAN DO IT HIMSELF fkjhg--though for a moment he wonders if that redness is from the fever or not. Sighing, of course he has a change of clothes, neatly folded like a gentleman in his drawers. It's all rather Victorian-era looking: plain and white with a little purple bow, and a plain pair of dark shorts. Everything is meticulously put away, she'd find, if she opened his dresser. And perhaps a vial of some green liquid, looking suspiciously like the bottles lying around, one or two broken. ]

... O-of course I do, they're in the dresser...

[ And after a worrying moment his voice hardens. Kindness. Kindness is foreign; kindness is dangerous. Lying, people lied, even if he liked Nodoka, Carl's nerves were frayed, and he was insecure. ] I-I told you, please, l-leave me alone! I'll be fine! It hasn't fully worn off yet, so I'll be okay. If I couldn't fight them off, they might have hurt her... w-why are you so concerned with me? Do you... do you want something...?

[libraria]

Carl-san, don't be stupid! You won't be okay by yourself, not right now! I can keep you safe, alright? I don't think anymore are going to come right now and if they do I'll make sure you're safe!

[ Nodoka moves and goes to the dresser, opening it and taking out some clothes. She places them by his side and then starts picking up the bottles and things that are on the floor, cleaning up. Turning back, she smiles gently. ]

Please, change your clothes. Then you can get into bed and rest, okay?

[cantataofgrace]

[ ... He sighs. ]

I... I don't... understand it, Sis... she's so nice...

[ ... "Like you were." Is what comes to his mind. Silently, the child listens, though it's clear he's struggling to do a lot. By the time he manages to get out of the torn and slightly bloody clothes, he can hardly move. ]

I've always been fine... before... s-so... don't protect me. It's pointless anyway...

[ The boy looks depressed, really. ]

[libraria]

It is not pointless! Not at all!

[ She moves back, frowning at him. She is not pleased. ]

Carl-san, your health and your safety is important! You are one of my friends and that means I am going to look after you, no matter what! Please... D-Don't make this hard. I just want to look after you.

[ She moves to kneel in front of him. ]

Do you want help with your clothes?

[cantataofgrace]

... I'm capable enough of getting it myself! I don't need help... people only help because they want something in return, anyway...

[ ... No he can't. It's kind of cute in a childish way, really. ]

... You don't... you don't understand, I--the man I was looking for is here, but...

[ Managing to loosely pull his shirt over his head finally, the boy looks down at his feet after removing his shoes, eyes saddened. He's too drained to be mad for long. ]

[libraria]

Carl-san... [ She looks pained for a moment before she steps back. ] I don't want anything from you. I just want you to be warm and safe so you can get better. Is... I-Is that a bad thing for me to want?

[ She goes back to cleaning; if he won't let her help him directly maybe she can do it indirectly. ]

He... I'm sure he can wait until you are better.

[cantataofgrace]

... I can't fix her!

[ And he just slumps down, exhausted, unable to finish helping himself, and crying. He's finally broke down and he's exhausted. ]

[libraria]

Carl-san...

[ nodoka moves over, sitting beside carl. slowly, and very gently, she wraps her arms around him and huge him. ]

Everything will work out. I promise.

[cantataofgrace]

[ He doesn't know what to do anymore, honestly. ]

H-he... he was... my last... lead.

[ The hug is about as foreign to him as it could possibly be, and he stiffens slightly. ]

... I... I don't... I don't know what to do. I just--I just want her back to normal...