silversnowfall | [63] [action]

[Ion will be worrying either way, but he won't say as much, instead opting to reach down and hold her hand in his.]

Can we get you anything? Perhaps something to drink?

[Seeing as she came in so dehydrated, chances were she would have some kind of cup of water around if she were able to drink on her own.]

[Only when Nephry beckons him does Dist finally approach her and hover by her side. Now that he knows she's in relatively good health, and shouldn't deteriorate anytime soon - he's been keeping an eye on all those monitors and readings - Dist actually feels the exhaustion setting in. It's a huge relief to know she avoided something Dist doesn't want to ever think about, and that relief weighs heavily on him.

But he'll do his best not to show how fatigued he is, and nod to Ion's words. She really should drink something.]

You should drink something, Nephry. Now that you're able, even a simple glass should suffice. [And if she was able to do that much, he'd suggest the staff remove the IV from her arm. It'd be unnecessary.]

[she seems to consider it for a moment before nodding.] I will. Is there water? I don't know if my stomach is ready for anything else.

[Ion's hand gets a gentle squeeze, and Dist gets a look of concern. Tell her he hasn't worried himself into an illness.] How long have the two of you been...when did you find me?

[With a nod, Ion glances around the room before finding a cup, complete with a straw, set out near the sink. He gives her hand a gentle squeeze in return before standing to go fill it for her. It's not as cold as iced water, but still nice and fresh. He'll even hold it for her so she doesn't have to move her arms.]

Not too long ago. [Just a few hours that felt like a few years. But there was no reason to trouble Nephry with that right now.] If you want more water, just let me know.

[Dist opens his mouth to answer, but Ion's far quicker, so he only nods, thankful the boy didn't tell the whole truth. Those hours did indeed feel like years, and...near the end... Dist looks away nervously, frowning. Yeah, that's never going to be admitted publicly, if he can help it. It was embarrassing enough that Ion fell asleep on him, but he couldn't find the courage to shove him off. It would be like kicking a small, sickly puppy.

Instead, he pushes up his glasses and clears his voice.]

I'm glad you returned when you did, Nephry.

[And not during the mayhem that occurred a few days ago.]

[Actually, she's feeling strong enough to sit herself up and take the water from Ion with her free arm. It's likely that both of them will either try to stop her or try to help her, but it should be evident from the way she manages to do it that it isn't a strain and she's not unsteady. She meant it, about feeling better.

After several sips of water, her voice seems stronger, too.]

When I did? ...What happened? [and, with another sharp look at both of them] Please sit. [That's what the chairs are for.]

[Ion doesn't protest when Nephry takes the water, but he will shoot a quick glance at Dist when he speaks up. What had happened the past few days in the village was horrible and not something Nephry needed to hear about right now... but even white lies were hard to tell to Nephry, let alone blatant ones.]

[He sits down as instructed, his hands resting on his knees.]

There was an incident in the village last week. One of the residents set out to attack the other villagers... I don't know much about what really happened, but a few buildings in the plaza were damaged and the clinic was destroyed.

[His eyes fall.] Luke was one of the ones attacked, but he was doing all right the last time I saw him. Although... the Malnosso kidnapped him not long after that.

[~~Read: Mommy, things sucked while you were gone.~~]

[Dist meets Ion's gaze for a moment and closes his eyes, pushing up his glasses again before taking a seat and crossing his legs. It was better this way. Nephry would have found out sooner or later, after all. She could just as easily check her own journal for what she missed, and come upon much grizzlier information. At least this way the bloody truth could get dulled somewhat.

But Dist does lift a brow in Ion's direction at the mention of the Luke replica. Hm...so he was injured and kidnapped soon after? That must be why the boy seemed so crestfallen lately.]

What the Fon Master said is the truth. Other have outlined the damage and casualties with greater detail - which you'll find in your journal - but the gist of it was a resident was returned in a chaotic mental state, thus saw all those who came across her as a threat in need of extermination. She had a substantial level of strength...but she was exterminated, and from what I hear the threat of another attack is unlikely.

[Though he still doesn't trust that one hundred percent.]

That's terrible. ...Awful. [Don't they go through enough? The Malnosso didn't need to unleash some sort of murderer on the village, did they? Especially one of their own, and most especially if it wasn't intentional on her part and she, too, had to die for it.

The hand that once held Ion's is now a tight fist on top of her sheet. And that is her only outward sign of anger, other than a tightness around her mouth and eyes that both of them might recognize because it belongs to her brother, too.

...Of course, there are other things in this room more than willing to give it up about how incensed she is.]

[Ion glances up at Nephry's expression before looking down at her fist. It was hard not to feel upset about what happened... for all the Malnosso expect out of them, in exchange for what? Experiments. Torture. Cruelty. Treating them as less than human without a single thought of concern for their well-being...]

He scoots his chair a little closer so he can reach out and set his hand on hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. Had Nephry been returned when that was all going on- no. He didn't want, nor really need, to think about that. She was back and she was going to be all right. And that was all that mattered right now.]

[He manages a small smile, hoping to save the mood despite the horrible things that have been going on while Nephry was gone. Though he will take a moment to look back at Dist, who was still sitting a little ways back. He won't say anything, but he shouldn't have to; that glance is him telling Dist he should be over here as well.]

[Dist's eyes monitored not only Nephry's hands, but the screens that showed her heart rate. It had increased, and from her expression, it was obvious what was on her mind. Awful? Oh yes, it was quite awful the things the Malnosso put them through....and for what? This so called "experiment" seemed more and more like a joke, or just sheer torture for the hell of it, every day.

And they couldn't even die, and end it all. ...Hmph. Immortality, but with a price. How ironic.

Dist approached after Ion's silent coaxing, and sat beside him, to close his eyes and sigh, softly.]

...That may be, yes, but I'm afraid that is irrelevant at the moment. The battle has passed, the dead will return, and the threat is supposedly neutralized. What we should be focusing on is making certain you are well, Nephry, and returning you home in good health.

I am fine, Saphir.

[But Ion's hand on hers, and the memory of that initial look on both of their faces, took much of the sting out of those words before she said them.] You may ask them yourself.

[Her eyes remain sharp, even as the rest of her relaxes and she turns her hand underneath Ion's, in order to hold onto it again.]

There is nothing we can do about any of it but take as many steps as we can to ensure it does not happen again.

[Ion nods in silent agreement, but he can't help but think there's little they could do to prevent something like that. She was turned that way by the Malnosso, wasn't she? No one in the village held much power over the actions of the Malnosso, after all... even prior to the most recent draft, it seemed as though any attempt to reason with them was akin to preaching at a brick wall.]

[With little else to add to the topic at hand, he'll pause before turning it back to Nephry:] ...have they said how long you'll be staying here in the clinic?

[Dist frowns, like he'd just been scolded for saying or doing something wrong. He was only worried about her! She had almost died for the...what was it third time? Dist was so very aware of hoe easily people could perish here in Luceti and if he ever had to...again--

He shut his eyes and rubbed his face, dismissing those thoughts entirely, and the memories attributed to them. Instead, he put up a mask of calm and nodded after Ion spoke.]

I'd like to know as well. It'd be good you have you with us, Nephry, but only when you're completely well. Fine though you may feel, I'd rather not repeat what occurred today. Or worse. I do hope you understand, my friend.

[Blunt, honest, and with very specific words chosen. He wants to get the point across.]

I do understand. [Would he have a problem with helping her again, if it happened again? She saw that frown and she knows the petulant attitude that goes with it.]

I would want nothing less for, or from, either of you. There is no reason for me not to accept the decisions of the doctors here. [she looks at Ion, then, with a helpless half-smile] But while they have told me that they expect only improvement, I haven't heard anything about when they plan to let me go.

[and who is lecturing whom now, Saphir? She looks him in the eye as she sets down her empty cup. It isn't a harsh look or even a particularly cold one. She wants him to understand that she was serious, too, and knows better than to overestimate how she feels. ...And to know that she can understand how he feels.]

I wouldn't waste your help so carelessly. [He's heard that before.]

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