[OPEN]

[daddyscythe]

Characters: OPEN
Location: Outskirts of Nevada
Rating: PG
Time: All day, Feb 27
Description: Shibusen offers a field trip to acclimate the guests to the Madness wavelength.


It's a perfectly pleasant day for the most part, if one is to look at the sky and maybe the horizon. For the attendees of the fieldtrip, however, things are naturally a lot more grim, if also lot more colorful. There are understandably no civilians in the area -- or any other signs of life apart from the group.

As promised, the location is extensively arranged to cordon off various areas of the place where Madness spikes have been identified. They are all properly labeled, both with text and visuals, and discreet agents kept an eye on all corners of the large field. The mirror by which the guest will come in is set in a corner, with some food provided next to it.

People are free to come and go, though the other end leads to the clinic instead of the Death Room. The rules are simple: venture into a level you think you can handle, and if you can't, someone will help.

In the afternoon, a light rain will come to add some variety to the endless desert. Make sure to take shelter in the open tents provided to protect you from the elements!

[ooc: Just put in open tags in the comments, [Character Name | Open/Close | Area/sort of madness targeted/whatever marker you want].

Plotting and information post was here.]

Comments

[pishirogane]

"Just remember this Kanji-kun. It's a kishin egg. It has killed others with little remorse so don't let its appearance fool you." Naoto was speaking from experience... mostly. Leo had snapped out of it at the smell and sight of carnage. Kanji could manage the same.

Naoto glanced over at the mirror and let out a weak nod. "Yes... We'll resume practice on a later date."

If they exposed themselves to another round of Madness, it would exacerbate their current conditions without a doubt.

[topgun_textiles]

The mission statement was pretty clear in the kishin eggs' intentions, but she had a point. He was still learning not to pull punches sparring with Tifa or even Lili because they were girls, but he wouldn't let up for something as remorseless as a kishin egg. ...Or let himself fall to whatever wiles they may try.

Kanji wasn't sure of Naoto's footing. Just in case, he gingerly bent down and looped out of her arms at his shoulders, a makeshift support as he'd go ahead to lead the way.

From the looks of things, the mirror led to the clinic, and Kanji sighed, shoulders stiffening a bit. He was heading to that place far more than he'd liked, but that burning pain in his arm reminded him that he should probably get that injury checked out a little better in the quiet of Kid's soul wavelength.

[pishirogane]

Naoto was sure Kanji was mostly a gentleman when it came to fighting against women, but those rules had to be set aside for now. She was sure Tifa would protect him though, but Naoto could offer her protection as well.

She shook her head; he didn't need to do this, but then she tripped over her feet, nearly going down.

The clinic again? It seemed as though visiting it was becoming a weekly thing. Still, anywhere right now was fine for Naoto. She just needed to lay down and allow her mind to cease its usual process for a few minutes, perhaps an hour or two.

[topgun_textiles]

Stepping through the mirrors always felt weird, like moving through an inch-thick wall of water, yet all Kanji was when he stepped through was sandy, grouchy, and spent.

...And a little uncomfortable. The Meister couldn't suppress a little shudder when he smelled the cleaner and saw all those white walls. He had to endure.

He just wished they weren't becoming a little popular among the clinic staff.

[pishirogane]

Naoto sighed as they were instantly spotted. And... oh god, it was her nurse from last time ushering them to a room. Just a small check up for the two of them before they could leave.

"I'm sure you can still sneak away, Kanji-kun."

[topgun_textiles]

Ohhh, he recognized that woman, looked a bit like a deer in the headlights at the sight of her. She didn't remember last time, did she!?

Sneaking away was tempting. Very tempting. But if he was going to get over this discomfort, he had to... had to put up with it.

"I-I ain't goin' anywhere," he insisted, just taking a seat on the neighboring bed in the room. He gingerly began rolling back the sleeve, revealing a bandage on his forearm.

"Damn it, this thing's buggin' me..."

[pishirogane]

That woman had the memory of a crow; of course she remembered Kanji. It would be in his best interest to be well behaved.

"I know being here is uncomfortable for you. It's fine..." Though she could do with some company, seeing him here all the time and cringing. Perhaps over time he would be able to become more accustomed or comfortable within the hospital setting, but it wasn't right now.

"When did you get that?"

[topgun_textiles]

...Scary crow lady. He'll behave this time.

He sat up straighter, and looked away. He'd always tried his best not to really show his discomfort about hospitals and the like, though he did outright confess this to her in the past.

"Well, what's runnin' from it gonna do, other than show I'm some kinda chicken?" He half-muttered, then looked down at his arm.

"Before I ran into you today. S'just some little thing, ain't a big deal."

[pishirogane]

"You're not being a coward. There are plenty of people who fear hospitals and the sort."

She frowned, unsure how to take his answer. That didn't really answer how he got it. "Kanji-kun..."

[topgun_textiles]

He looked away. He knew that tone. His bandaged arm seemed to sting a little more, but only because he'd tensed up a little.

Nearly a full minute later, Kanji broke. His shoulders hitched.

"...Some dude bit me." The scrawny little bastard. Surprise, surprise, he'd gotten himself into a fight.

[pishirogane]

Was that so hard?

"Someone bit you?" Now they definitely hadn't been in the right state of mind.

[topgun_textiles]

Well, n-no... though the Shirogane Stare helped bring things out a little.

"The Madness was a little stronger where we were. Didn't even go into the roped-off places before it all started. ...Then he bit me." And he may have punched the guy in the head a few times to get him away, but he was getting chewed on.

Kanji started picking at the medical tape. Weren't people's mouths seriously dirty? What if this bite wound was getting worse? He had to see.

[pishirogane]

That's usually the case.

"I... see..." That was somewhat disturbing. She rose to her feet and began helping him remove the bandages. The nurse would see to it when she returned, but what was its current state. It had been treated properly, right?

[topgun_textiles]

"Wh-what the-- don't worry about this, y-you should be in bed--" Even if he tried to squirm away, it was still too late.

On his left forearm, there was no mistaking the distinctive marks of human teeth, and they'd definitely broken the skin. There was much sign of healing yet, but it had been hastily cleaned and antibiotic ointment applied. He held his other hand over it to cover.

"Like I said, i-it ain't a big deal..."

[pishirogane]

Naoto examined the bite wound closely, finding it had been disinfected. It could probably go with another cleaning now that it was uncovered, but it appeared find otherwise.

She nodded and stepped back, resuming her sitting spot on the parallel bed. "Yes. It appears to be fine."

[topgun_textiles]

Kanji sighed, feeling maybe a little relief. It didn't seem to worry her, so he wouldn't let it worry him. It stung like hell, however, and he wasn't sure he'd keep his cool if he ran into Loki again.

"This shouldn't need stitches... I think." He lifted the wound closer to get a better look at it. He could just do them himself if need be. Satisfied with his examination, he turned and kicked back on his own bed, breathing a sigh.

"Man... that wiped me out. How the hell does anybody put up with Madness that high?" He hadn't felt anything that strong since Florence.

[pishirogane]

The next time he ran into Loki, hopefully Naoto would be there to act as some form of mediator. He seemed decent enough when she met him.

"... No, you don't. Just some cleaning and it should heal up on its own." She laid back on her own bed, hat low and eyes closing for a moment.

"I'm not sure, but they manage. We should try asking," she sighed. Her eyes opened again the moment the memories decided to surge through. She wouldn't stop seeing that now, would she?

[topgun_textiles]

There was always a comfort in a second opinion. If she says it should be fine, well, he trusted her. It gave him more time to practice before that day came where he would need to work on a living, breathing person.

He just hoped he could keep his cool then.

"I guess Kid might know, or that Spirit guy." Spoken quietly, letting the sting on his arm keep him from nodding off with everything still fresh in his mind. Damn it... he couldn't let this get to him! He'd be lying if he said none of it scared the shit out of him, but...

[pishirogane]

She would be the last person he wanted to practice on though and would do her best to avoid putting him on the spot like that.

"Yes... perhaps Albarn-san..." He was a finicky individual, but he had to have years of experience. Again, she closed her eyes, trying to remind herself she wasn't going to be attacked in her sleep abruptly.

[topgun_textiles]

That worried him most. Megumi was always pounding in his head that he had to stay calm, keep your head, idiot, or he had no chance of being able to work a stitch in any situation, dire or no. Would he be able to keep his cool should the situation turn a little more personal?

Kanji quietly nodded. Spirit was the reigning Deathscythe. It only made sense to ask him, though the last time they spoke, it was in regards to the Black Blood's effects, and before that how to wash scarves. ...He had weird conversations with people.

Naoto sounded a little tired, so he kept quiet, looking up at the ceiling. He knew nothing of what was going through her head right now, so he had to marvel at how easily she was nodding off when he couldn't get that awful scream out of his head among too many other things running through it.

[pishirogane]

He would be capable when the time came, but for now, perhaps best not to dwell on it.

Naoto rarely, if ever, spoke to actual members of Shibusen and that would surely have to change. As they sought to become more embroiled in the war, they had to find out whatever they could whenever they began taking more missions.

She kept her eyes closed, but only for a minute. When a third began to tick by, she turned uncomfortably on the mattress, a thin layer of sweat beading on her brow again. To be so close and to feel death caused her to shiver and rub her arms roughly. The chill wasn't diminishing so easily.

"... Kanji-kun?"

[topgun_textiles]

Kanji sighed through his nose, draping an arm over his stomach. It'd be easy enough to send Spirit a message later, figure out a game plan should any of them face severe Madness waves. After this field trip, he had a feeling a whole bunch of people would have nothing but questions for the locals. It was about time he started grilling one of his 'superiors'.

He was snapped from his thoughts when he heard his name, felt his face sting a little. He thought she'd fallen asleep; had he been spacing out this whole time?

Kanji turned his head, looked over. "Huh? Wh-what'sa matter, Naoto-kun?"

[pishirogane]

Don't mind her if she observed Kanji's technique and stepped in when necessary.

Naoto was back on her side, facing him. From beneath her cap, her face looked somewhat red and her eyes were focused on the sheets as her fingers clenched them. She was worried this might sound somewhat pathetic coming from her, but would this be alright? It was only going to be temporary until the feeling went away.

"... I-Is... could I...?" She trailed, biting her lip, but then took a calming breath before speaking again. "Would it be alright if I laid next to you?"

[topgun_textiles]

Any assumption that she was having an easy time sleeping was gone the minute she turned to face him. His brows knit, he began to prop himself up on an elbow, unsure of what to do, but he knew he had to do something--

And then the color red crept across his face. Oh.

His eyes turned to the floor, then to the wall. Kanji's hands lowered to the sheets, and with a wordless nod, he began to scoot over to make some room on the bed to the side opposing his bad arm. In the silence, the sound of the sheets shifting was almost deafening.

[pishirogane]

Her blood was pounding in her ears. Every slight movement they made sounded amplified in the small room as they shifted. From her legs sweeping out from beneath the blankets to her feet lightly padding across the ground between them, it all seemed to echo in her mind.

She was careful with her, movements slipping into the bed beside him, making sure to keep her legs from touching his and maintaining the maximum distance that could remain between them. Naoto face's was nearly as brilliant as his, but she remained low and covered, shrinking beneath the sheets. There was nothing odd about this right?