silversnowfall | [40][voiced/action]

It's freezing in here.

[sips the tea and looks...uncomfortable]

Even the tea isn't warm.

Perhaps you've run a fever? Chills, maybe.

[Dist also looked uncomfortable, but for a whole other reason. Nephry looked pale... After a bit of hesitation, he lays his palm against her forehead,frowning at what he feels. She wasn't hot, but cold. Much, much too cold for a summer day.] ...I'll fetch you another blanket, and refill your mug. Is there a thermometer in the house at all? To get an accurate reading of your temperature.

I'm not sure.

[shivers, pulling her blanket tighter] I don't f-feel ill. Just cold. [though the strangest pain is starting up in her stomach, so... And her kettle is still on the stove in the kitchen, but if he's smart he won't use that tea]

Well, I'd like to be sure your temperature isn't dropping, Nephry. If that's the case, you'll need more than just tea and blankets.

[Dist makes his way to get her another blanket first, coming back and handing it to her. He doesn't want to overstep his boundaries at all.

Excusing himself, Dist then goes to make tea, spotting the kettle first off. He's unsure how fresh it is and, thankfully, will refill it. In a few moments, he returns with a hot, fresh mug for her.] Here you are. Can you recall what you did today? Did you leave the house? It's possible you were near someone else who was ill...

No, I've...I-I've been inside. The other day I was out in the rain...

[she makes the mistake of finishing the tea in her initial cup first. Now she's frozen on the inside, too, and with a sharp breath she drops the cup and puts a hand to her chest]

Ah! It's t-too cold!

That could indeed be--Nephry!

[Dropping his things as well, Dist moved closer to her. He didn't know what was going on, not having opened his journal in favor of working undaunted on Anise's puppet. Finally, after switching from concern to action, he frowns darkly.]

This doesn't seem like a mere cold or flu. I'm taking you to the clinic right away. You need swift medical attention.

[she's shaking her head]

It's...y-you need to talk t-to... I forget his name. ...It's a-about...mushi.

[Well, he can't force her to a hospital if she doesn't want to go, though the thought is insanely tempting. Listening closely, Dist nods before standing. That's enough to at least call for help.]

I understand. I'll make a quick announcement right now. Excuse me a moment, Nephry. [Dist walks stiffly back to his room, trying desperately to calm his nerves, and returns a good few minutes later.] ...He's coming.

[A nod will have to be enough. It feels like she's frozen herself from the inside out - which is pretty close to what happened, actually - and the blankets aren't doing much good, because she lacks the warmth for them to hold]

[Dist goes near her, opens his mouth to say something, then disregards it. To hell with formalities and etiquette. His friend was quite literally freezing. Besides, he owed her for the time he almost froze, and she rescued him. The least he could do was this much.

Muttering a quick apology, the fontechnician seats himself next to Nephry and puts an arm around her, to keep her warm. Just that for now, in case she didn't want the contact. And he'll be avoiding her eyes as well.]

[If she could, she would tell him that there's no need to apologize for helping a friend. She does curl a little tighter, but it's not to get away from him - it's to try to conserve whatever heat she has left. She appreciates the help.]

[This was awkward for him, being so unused to any kind of contact what so ever, so her being quiet is helping his nerves something fierce. Dist does subtly pull her closer when he sees her curl into herself and glances quickly at his friend, from the corner of his eye.]

Y-You should...t-try to rest. I-I'll be here.

[This time she's looking back at him. She's cold enough to be concerned about what might happen to her if she did fall asleep, even with someone around. It doesn't even occur to her to wonder what might happen if Peony or Anise walked in on this, in the moments before they realized something was wrong.]

[Can you tell he didn't think of that at all? Dist's not very good at thinking most things through, especially when his mind is on something else. This time, it's on Nephry's health.

He glances back at her and offers a very faint smile. Forced though it may be, because of his nerves, it is honest.]

I'll...make a fire as well, i-if you need it.

The f-fire...it could b-be one of those...creatures. ...I think that's why... [why this all happened in the first place. If the fire became a mushi it would just make them both colder and that will get no one anywhere.]

[He blinks, then nods, looking closely at Nephry's face. She was pale and her her lips were starting to turn purple. He pulled her a little closer to his side and rubbed his hand up and down her arm, to get her warmed up more.]

Then I'm afraid this is the best I can do until that man shows up to help you. [And that is why he closed his eyes and looked away. He can't do anything to help, again. He didn't care if death wasn't permanent here. One person from his past lost was enough. He's not losing another.]

You should at least rest your eyes for a while, Nephry. I'll be here to rouse you if anything happens.

[She's not going to die. Away from the fire and not drinking the affected tea, she'll eventually get better. For now, she closes her eyes and lets her head fall against his shoulder.]

[Dist doesn't know this, though he'll make absolutely certain she doesn't. Once she leans onto his shoulder, he stiffens, looking down at her after a few minutes.

Without making a sound, and very carefully, Dist removes Nephry's glasses and sets them aside so she could sleep without the frames digging into her face.]

[After Ginko's come and gone, we are going to assume Nephry ought to be resting in her own bed for a while. You can have the job of helping her get there if you wish.]

[And he will indeed, assuming no one else has done so by now. Feeling he'd overstep his boundaries if he carried her - she is married after all - Dist allows the woman to brace herself against his side as they walk towards her room together.

He hadn't been present during the "treatment", so Dist is more than curious as to how his friend is faring.]

Are you all right now, Nephry? Do...Do you still feel the effects of that creature? You aren't in any pain at all? Discomfort?

Edited 2010-06-25 03:59 (UTC)

[she wouldn't appreciate being carried anyway; she likes to be as self-sufficient as possible, all the time. All she had to do was drink some medicine mixed with hot water, so while she is feeling better she's still pretty cold]

I'm sure I'll be fine. [note how that doesn't answer any of his questions, at all]

[Oh, he notices, and bites his lower lip to keep from pressing her further. Once they reach Nephry's room, Dist holds the door open for Nephry and ushers her inside politely.]

N--...All right. If you need anything at all, I'll have my journal open.

[she expected more questions, or for him to make her answer the first ones]

I could use something warm to drink, if you have the time.

[Dist had thought to, but bit it back. Nephry was an adult after all, and though he worried the most out of anyone - perhaps even Jade himself - he didn't want to press her buttons. He wouldn't be able to handle rejection again.]

Of course, excuse me a moment. [Dist returns not only with a steaming cup of mushi-free black tea, but an extra blanket for her bed, just in case she needed it.] Here you are. If...If you need anything else at all I--...I hope you feel well soon.

[her smile when he comes back with tea is faded, but genuine, and grateful. She can tell he's worried.]

Thank you, Saphir. I really appreciate your help.

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