[catch all for luna!]

[survivaltricks]

Comments

[brokethefirst]

Oh... yes. I was just coming to look for you, actually.

Though... [She'll take a glance at the door, knowing very well who else was probably in there. She wants to ask if Chuuya's okay, but she knows that answer is probably going to be a no. So she swallows, folding her hands carefully in front of her.]

...Is there anything I can do?

[survivaltricks]

[. . . well. at that, he offers her an appreciative smile. but he closes the door behind him and shakes his head]

I think Chuuya needs a little bit of time. His relationship with Dazai-san was. . . complicated.

[but?]

Thank you, though. I'll tell him you asked.

[brokethefirst]

[She'll give a nod, slightly uncertain, but... she trusts Akira's judgement at this point.]

You're welcome.

How is your leg feeling? If you're not too tired... would you mind talking a walk to the garden for a little bit? I've been in the infirmary for most of the evening, so... I think the fresh air might feel nice.

[survivaltricks]

[he immediately perks up at the mention of the garden, because surprise!! that's his favorite place to be when outside. it's the part of him that worked at the flower shop]

I'd like that. And don't worry; I'm not hurting right now.

[he clearly hasn't made use of the prosthesis Hunter has given him just yet, but that's only because he's giving himself some time to rest first]

And I promise I can wobble down the stairs on my own.

[LIFTS A CRUTCH AND WAVES IT AT HER FOR EMPHASIS]

[brokethefirst]

[There's a quiet laugh as she nods towards the stairs.]

I'll go first, then. Watch your footing, okay?

[survivaltricks]

Aye aye, Doc.

[he limps after her, crutches assisting in his movements. and when he reaches the stairwell, he leans his weight against his good leg and braces himself against the wall with one hand, caaaarefully guiding his injured leg and the crutch along each step]

[he is focused!! he doesn't want to fall!!]

[brokethefirst]

[good because breaking your neck now would be trick to retcon

She'll stay a couple paces ahead, waiting patiently at the bottom of the stairwell and extending a hand when he runs out of wall for support.]

You're adapting so quickly... I'm so glad.

I'm really proud of you.

[survivaltricks]

[and on instinct, he reaches to grasp her hand with his own when he runs out of wall, using that support to help him the rest of the way down. oof. he made it!!]

Proud of me for figuring out how to manipulate a crutch?

[he seems a bit bewildered she'd say that over something that he feels is so mild]

[brokethefirst]

[Congratulations on reaching the floor! She'll let his hand go once he's back on his crutch, content on just walking beside him.]

Well, no, not just that. Your energy, your attitude... the fact that you're still trying, even with something horrible happening to you...

Not many people have that kind of fortitude. It takes a lot of inner strength.

[survivaltricks]

[and walk he does! he's figured out how to evenly distribute his weight between the crutch and his real leg, so. . . he is moving at a decent pace, albeit slower than one may normally walk]

Mm. . . well.

[he gives his head a small shake]

I can't let it keep me down. All I can do is stand up and learn how to live with it, you know. . .?

[another nod]

So that's what I'm doing. It happened, but life keeps going.

[and he keeps going with it]

[brokethefirst]

That you've accepted that in such an incredibly short time... it's really admirable of you. But please, don't push yourself. Even if the mind is ready to fight, the body needs time to adjust.

Ah... Here. I'll get the door.

[Chivalry schmivalry, only one of us has two working hands. Out we go, soldier.]

[survivaltricks]

[. . . snorts a little, a half-laugh, half-appreciative noise]

I'll pace myself. I promise.

And. . . thanks.

[for more than just opening the door, but he doesn't have to get into that now. OUTSIDE THEY GO. . .!]

[brokethefirst]

[It's the garden! Even with how late it's getting, Luna still seems to shed away a layer of her normal, distant melancholy the moment she steps outside into fresh air. She looks... oddly content.]

It's always so nice and quiet out here. I keep meaning to thank Pumpkin for all her hard work... I don't think this place would be bearable at all without a part of the great outdoors.

[survivaltricks]

. . . yeah. That first week we were here was torture.

[his cabin fever was SO BAD that week. . . he needed the fresh air like a fish needed water]

[and even with one leg, Akira manages to crouch down to the flower's level, bracing himself upright with one hand clutching the crutch as he reaches out with the other]

The flowers are here are really beautiful. [. . .] Just looking at them brightens my mood.

[brokethefirst]

It was, wasn't it... I kept hoping that they might open the windows of the conservatory. But... just being out on the balcony was okay for me, at least to start. Even just the trees outside the manor were enough.

[She'll stay on her feet, perfectly fine with looking out over all of the colors in the light of oncoming twilight. There's something charming in looking down to see the soft expression on his face, simply enjoying the plant life in front of him...]

Is this something you're used to, Akira? I always imagined Tokyo as a more urban type of landscape.

[survivaltricks]

[well, she isn't wrong. his hand falls away from the flower as he looks up at her, still smiling]

I'm not from Tokyo originally. I used to live in a smaller town surrounded by nature, so you could say I'm used to it.

[and, in addition to that?]

I also worked in a flower shop while I was living in Tokyo. I guess I got kind of used to being surrounded by them all day.

[brokethefirst]

O-oh, oh, that's right... I knew you moved there, but... I-I'm so sorry. [Aaaaaaaaaaa.......]

I always thought it would be nice to work somewhere like a greenhouse. Helping people choose things to make their homes look nice, or to cheer up someone they care about... and you'd get to spend time taking care of a whole world of living things.

I think it would be so... so nice.

[survivaltricks]

Why are you apologizing?

[he doesn't seem offended, just! lightly amused as he stands up and gestures to a nearby bench. time to sit!!]

I think you're a really good doctor, Luna. [but] But if you want to do something like that instead?

Then I think you should try, once we leave this place.

[didn't Luna say she was dead. EH. DETAILS]

[brokethefirst]

... I think I might really like that... but...

[Hm. She falls quiet as she crosses over to take a seat.]

Akira, did I ever tell you what year it was on Earth, the last I remember?

[survivaltricks]

[hn. . .? he blinks at her a few times as he lays his crutch across his lap]

You didn't, though I could tell it was some time far in the future compared to my world.

[brokethefirst]

It depends on your definition of far, I suppose. Considering your age and the year you remember... with a good life, I'm sure you might be around to see it.

It was January of 2074.

[survivaltricks]

[opens his mouth]

[closes it again]

[and then, his expression VERY SERIOUS]






I'm old enough to be your grandpa.

[AKIRA???]

[brokethefirst]

[She LAUGHS, a sudden and brisk noise.]

I-I... I don't think that's how it works...

How old do you think I am?

[survivaltricks]

[HMMM. . . he gives her a thoughtful expression, his gaze almost scrutinizing]

Early twenties?

[brokethefirst]

A good guess, based on my appearance. I believe I was built to appear twenty five.

But you have to remember that I'm not a human.