[Thread] All Better Now

[thieveryofstars]

Characters: OU!Jing, AU!C.C.
Where: Ast-Tessera
When: After C.C. wakes up, following this post
Summary: C.C. wakes from unconsciousness and Jing is relieved.
Warnings: none?

Comments

[veiledimpudence]

As Jing had sat besides the bed, C.C. felt the impulse to recoil, her eyes widening in fear of a form of violence as penalty. However, upon hearing his words, that reaction was quickly abated, her spine relaxing slightly.

If he wasn't angry, she silently noted, then maybe he wasn't intent on punishing her. In fact, he hadn't lashed out at her at all for the duration of their time together. This was a concept she could never forget and one she kept reminding herself constantly. It sent such relief - as well as elation - rippling through her. Yet, the reason she had fallen unconscious, was something she still had yet to explain. Regardless, she wasn't intent on hiding it. Even if her master was to be upset, it was better than keeping a secret and have him find out later.

"Master..." she began, tentatively, trying to keep her gaze locked to his eyes. "Master...I - was it alright for me to help the others fight..." She paused, trying to recall the names of her contenders. "...Help the others fight Belldandy and...and her ally?" She couldn't recall catching the second individual's name and, instead, settled for labeling him as "Belldandy's ally".

As she finished saying this, she drew back a few centimeters, carefully gauging his response.

[thieveryofstars]

Jing smiled a little at her tentative question. "Of course it was," he answered. "You made a decision to do that on your own, because it was what you wanted to do. I'm sure Belldandy and everyone else is glad that you wanted things to turn out for the best."

[veiledimpudence]

C.C. could feel her body relax as a small smile spread across her lips. "Thank you, Master..."

It was good to know Rock and the others were alright. Although, she mentally noted to be sure to stop by later to apologize, just in case. However, first, she needed to ensure Jing was alright, which brought to mind his previous order - to help tend his injuries. Almost instantly, she straightened, hastily swinging her legs to the other side of the bed and standing.

"I need to find you an ice pack...!" she exclaimed, partly to him, partly to herself, as she began to hurry across the room. Her body swayed slightly with her movement, having been rushing too quickly after awakening so recently.

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"Whoa, wait a minute!" Jing said, having gotten up almost as fast as she did when she leapt from the bed. "Be careful, you're still recovering!" He put his hands on her shoulders to steady her. "Icepack, what fo-- OH."

He remembered she'd been out looking for him when she'd collapsed. "That was quite a while ago, C.C. A few weeks ago. There are these comas here, they make people sleep for a long time. I think that's what happened to you. I'm not hurt anymore, so just... take it easy, okay?"

[veiledimpudence]

Halting, C.C. turned her head, meeting his gaze with a wild-eyed stare. As her brain began to process his words, she gave a small sigh of relief. "Yes, Master..." She paused once more, replaying his words in her mind.

"But...did you just say...a few weeks ago?" Her eyes widened slightly at the idea of having slipped into such a long coma. "Has that...ever happened to you?" The thought of her master falling asleep - and for such a long duration - was rather unnerving, sending faint chills down her spine.

[thieveryofstars]

"A few weeks," Jing confirmed. "And yeah, it's happened to me. Only once, though. I think it's affected almost everybody in the compound at one time or another."

He realized his hands were still at her shoulders. "You're okay though?"

[veiledimpudence]

C.C. gave a soft nod. "Yes..." She glanced away from him, finding herself unable to keep gazing into his face. "I'm...sorry if I worried you, Master..."

'If I worried you,' felt strange on her tongue, having never said them to any of her previous masters. After all, they hadn't cared for her, unlike Jing, and it was still a change she wasn't quite accustomed to, yet. However, it was something she'd never want to change.

[thieveryofstars]

"Of course you worried me," Jing chuckled. "I always worry about my friends when something's happened to them. But that's not something you need to apologize for."

He released her, retaking his seat. On the table was a sheet of paper; he'd been working on it before she awoke. "Was just trying to brainstorm a few ideas while you were sleeping, that's all. It's almost Hyv Joulua in my world, and the usual holidays here. Does your world celebrate in the winter too?"

[veiledimpudence]

Hearing the word 'friend' was another unusual sentiment to hear, but it was pleasing all the same. Although, it really was surprising - having a master who considered her an ally, not simply a slave.

Catching his question, she cleared her mind, focusing on his query. "My masters do," she answered, slowly. "It's often one of the busiest times for me...as well as for the others." By others, she had meant 'other slaves like herself,' but she didn't think to clarify. "Is there anything you would like me to do for the holidays, Master?"

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"Most worlds seem to," he nodded, as though confirming it to himself. Jing looked thoughtfully down at his notes.

"Want to help me decorate?" he said brightly.

[veiledimpudence]

"Decorate?" C.C. echoed, as if to assure herself she heard correctly. "...I would love to help you with decorating, Master."

In truth, it didn't sound like it'd take much exertion, particularly compared to the number of activities she often carried out in her previous world.

[thieveryofstars]

Jing beamed, pleased that she'd agreed. Also because she'd chosen new words to express her agreement -- it had been phrased as she wanted to do it, not that she was simply obeying him. In fact, that alone would've made him happy even without the agreement. To the thief, that meant C.C. was recognizing herself as a person instead of a servant.

"Great!" he said brightly. "Have you ever strung popcorn?"