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[silversnowfall]

[Enjoying your hot day, Luceti?

Nephry isn't. Nephry isn't enjoying much of anything really. They've left her just a few feet away from the fountain this afternoon. She's barely even conscious, let alone coherent enough to try alerting someone that she's back. And really, she's not doing well in the heat.

At least, in such a well-traveled place, it probably won't be too long before someone finds her.]

Comments

[silversnowfall]

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.]

[distressedude]

[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.]

[its-rose-damnit.livejournal.com]

[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.

[silversnowfall]

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.

[distressedude]

[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?

[its-rose-damnit.livejournal.com]

[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.]

[silversnowfall]

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.]