Fun in the library

[deus_per_libri]

Characters: Alfons Heiderich blau_rakete, Yagami Light deus_per_libri.
When: September 3rd.
Where: The library
Rating: PG
Summary: Light just wants a friend. No, really.

Comments

*Doesn't believe your summary. At all. :P*

[blau_rakete]

As he usually was, Alfons was almost buried in a pile of books that he'd found; the books had fallen off of one of the shelves in the back of the library and he was in the middle of trying to re-organize them onto the shelving again. He perked up when he heard his name, setting down a book and trying to step over some other texts so he wasn't so 'trapped'.

"Ja, it ist Alfons!" he called out. Though really, anything said in his accent would be enough to identify the boy. "Light?"

Ah, I wait for them on the FUNImation site on Thursdays XD;

[blau_rakete]

Alfons' brows furrowed slightly when he saw Light's expression change. He stopped what he was doing and turned to face him. "I... do not know, really," Alfons said with a small sigh. "I have not been close to anyvone that has died here. I have heard that vone does lose something, ja, but I do not know vhat. But... knowing the Animus, it cannot be anything gut."

*is shameless torrenter*

[deus_per_libri]

"I see," he said, glancing back at his hands as though he had only just now realising they had stopped moving. Sighing a little, he pushed the volume back where it belonged, and pulled out another one. "The Animus are the ones that rule this place? And they are some form of spirits? But where do the scientists come in?"

It was frustrating, how piecemeal and uncertain the information available to him really was. He would have to kill someone, then, to find out exactly what sort of things were lost. But it would have to be someone who could die of seemingly natural causes, and it would have to be someone he had had time to get to know well enough to be able to tell what they had lost, even should the loss be intangible, like a memory.

"I'm sorry to ask all these questions," he added, giving Alfons a slightly apologetic smile. "The topic isn't that much fun, is it..."

XD I used to DDL them, but I don't want to use up my computer space now, fff

[blau_rakete]

"I have to admit... I have not been paying nearly enough attention to some of the things that have happened here. I don't understand how the Animus und scientists are related. Maybe they are not at all. Maybe the Animus are like us, and vere pulled here from their own world, but they have powers vith vhich to amuse themselves. I... do not know," he said again with a shrug.

Glancing over at Light, Alfons managed a small smile and shook his head. There was something... off, in Alfons' eyes, but it quickly faded into nothing again. "Do not apologize," he said without hesitation. "You only vant to know about the vorld that you are living in now. It ist natural."

[[OOC: Another post or so, and Alfons coughs?]]

Computer space is always a problem, yeah. I've learned to be a brutal deleter

[deus_per_libri]

It was more than frustrating, it was insulting. How come nobody seemed to know or even care about what was actually going on? But then again, that was the way of things: people's incompetence was the main reason they needed his protection in the first place.

"Someone told me to focus on the good things instead," he said, his tone lighter, since it was obvious Alfons wasn't entirely comfortable. "Won't you tell me about those? I already know that people here seem very nice and helpful..."

[ooc: Sounds good!]

I do that, too. But so much room is taken by screenshots from FMA:B for my icons and graphics D:

[blau_rakete]

Alfons wouldn't say it aloud, but he was grateful that Light had changed the subject, not even bothering to wonder how uncomfortable he must have seemed for it to be picked up on by the other boy.

"Vell..." Alfons started in a lighter tone. "There ist the gut events. Like the beach. There vere even new shops vith svimming suits und toys for the vater und sand. Und... 'sun screen', I think it vas called?" he said, still a little unsure. "And the people... I really am amazed at how mostly everyvone here comes together to help vone another. Like anyvhere, there are a few... 'bad' people, ja, but it ist mostly gut here. Clinics set up, electricity made available to part of the city; it really ist amazing to think of vhat everyvone has done."

[[OOC: I'll do it next post, then~]]

This is a wise use of space! *nods sagely*

[deus_per_libri]

The mention of bad people felt like a small electric charge down his spine; he wanted to ask Alfons to elaborate, but since he'd just suggested a change of focus, it would be awkward. He smiled, his expression friendly, his stance relaxing a little.

"That's reassuring," he said, pulling out a book that was written in a language nothing like anything he'd ever seen. Puzzled, he stared at it for a moment, putting it aside for later inspection. "Everything gets better when people help each other, doesn't it?"

[ooc: Thumbs up for that! ^^]

Fff, I have half a hard drive full of screencaps OTL

[blau_rakete]

"Definitely," Alfons said with a nod. "Und I vas lucky enough that somevone from my vorld vas here before me, so I vas not completely alone. Some people that come here... they do not know anyvone at first, und they alvays look so... sad," he said quietly. "No matter how friendly ve all are or how much ve help, there ist no vay to replace a friend or loved vone. So I feel very lucky

Only half?! Work harder at the 'capping, young woman!

[deus_per_libri]

"Yes, I feel rather lucky too, for having someone I know here," Light said, easily. There was no point in hiding his connection with L; the facts would come out anyway, and silence on that point would just look odd. "He's not someone I -"

And suddenly Alfons was coughing, and looking oddly panicked. He stopped in the middle of pulling out yet another book and bent down, honestly concerned.

"Are you all right?" he asked, putting a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Should I get you something to drink? I think I saw an old drinks machine in the lobby..."

Pft, I download the 'caps, I don't take them D: I'd have no time for RP if I 'capped them XD

[blau_rakete]

Damnit...

He just had to stay calm. If he stayed calm, took deep breaths, he could stop things from getting worse. He just had to take deep breaths and--

There was a wet sound, deep in Alfons' chest when he inhaled next and suddenly he fell to his knees, finally giving in to the pain and letting the blood come up, quickly staining the sleeves of his jacket and the carpet beneath him. Almost as quickly as it had begun, the coughs trailed off, still sounding rather unsettling, but at least there wasn't any more blood.

Wiping at his lips, Alfons stayed silent, his eyes quickly losing their usual light. Hardly anyone knew about his illness... and even some of those that did know weren't aware of just how bad it was. And now, someone he barely knew, that had just arrived here days before... had seen him in one of his coughing fits, knew exactly how sick he was.

Oh, all right, then. You're forgiven. Only just. <3

[deus_per_libri]

His eyes widened in horror at the sight of the blood. Haemorrhaging from the lungs? And racking coughs... and Alfons was from the early twentieth century. The pieces clicked into place, and he patted the boy's shoulder, the touch very gentle.

"Can you stand?" he asked, concern in his voice. "We should get you outside, to stop the dust irritating your lungs more. And we can pick up something for you to drink on the way."

So, tuberculosis, then. That would do. He wondered how far the boy was gone; the best and safest option was obviously to let things progress naturally.

If I was busy 'capping, I couldn't be here, leading Alfons to his death <3

[blau_rakete]

Alfons closed his eyes and nodded. He could stand, he could walk... He could do almost everything, even after a coughing fit. He'd had to do everything for himself, because he didn't want others to know, to fuss over him, to worry...

Slowly, Alfons opened his eyes and got to his feet, unsteady for just a few seconds before he caught his balance. Without a word, Alfons pulled his coat off, using it to wipe the blood from his hands and mouth. He'd have to go to Alphonse that night, so that he could Alchemize the stains out. Again.

You make a strong case!

[deus_per_libri]

And Alfons was clearly embarrassed. This had to be negotiated carefully; if he was too mortified by what had happened, it could interrupt their budding friendship. That would not be an ideal development; he needed to get close to the boy before he died.

"I'm not sure how to act, or what to say, in order to make you more comfortable," he said, quietly, as they began to walk towards the exit. He kept his steps slow and measured, since exertion wasn't a good idea, in the circumstances. "Would you prefer me to simply pretend I saw nothing?"

Well, the boy won't just go and die on his own...

[blau_rakete]

Even just getting out of that small area they'd been in made it easier for Alfons to breathe. Really, he should have known that would have happened, should have realized and not done it.

When Light spoke, Alfons just blinked a few times. He'd... never had anyone react like that before. Light was still concerned like everyone else was, but... he wasn't trying to force his own worries and solutions onto Alfons. Finally, once he was sure that speaking wouldn't set off more coughing, Alfons cleared his throat a bit and spoke.

"Just... do not tell others about it, ja?" Alfons said quietly as he followed Light outside. "There are not many who know; Unohana, because she treats me, those who live vith me, und a few others. I just... I do not vant people to vorry, to feel sorry for me... I do not expect you to forget vhat you saw, but please, do not treat me any different than before."

Tch! So lazy of him.

[deus_per_libri]

Not many others who knew? The information set off small warning bells, but they stopped the moment Alfons went on. Unohana was the perfect witness; she was evidently a woman of some standing in the community, and was qualified to vouch for the fact that Alfons was, in actual fact, ill. There could be no logical reason for suspicion to fall on him, especially since what he intended to do was to wait it out.

"I won't tell anyone," he said, his tone calm and serious. "And I'll do my best to act as I would normally, though you must forgive me this..." Taking off his jacket, he placed it on a nearby bench, so the boy wouldn't get cold from sitting. "Just wait here, and I'll get you that drink." Turning on his heel, he disappeared into the lobby, returning a moment later with cold fizzy lemonade.

Huzzah! Back after over 12 hours of sleep >>; *Had been up for almost 40 hours before Dx*

[blau_rakete]

Alfons nodded, a slight smile on his lips. He knew there were some things that would change, when people found out about his illness. Some things had to change, really. But as long as the pity and help wasn't overdone, Alfons was fine. Laying his jacket out so that Alfons wouldn't get cold? That was perfectly fine. It was when people insisted on coddling the boy that he wouldn't tolerate it.

Sitting down on the bench, Alfons closed his eyes, taking in slow, deep breaths. It didn't take long for the cleaner air outside to clear out his lungs a bit and the lingering ache in his chest quickly faded to nothing. When he heard footsteps, Alfons opened his eyes and saw Light coming back over again.

"Danke," he said quietly, taking the drink from him. He popped it open and took a sip, then just stared at it. "Ve can go back inside," Alfons finally said. "Und finish vhat ve vere doing. So long as I do not breathe in too much dust again, I vill be fine. But ve can vait for another time, if you vould rather."