Two worlds, one family--

[mombastic]

[ It's strange to be in a world with not one set of memories from another world-- not two, but three, not that Otome can really discuss this with anyone. It's difficult enough, when she wakes up these days, and can't remember if she's in her own home, or her apartment. If she needs to call Fumi to check on preparations for the day, or...

But no. This is her world. And not a school day, so she's stuck trying to focus not on what she's missing or what she's lost, but on what lies ahead.

What that actually is, she doesn't know, but she's out and about today, and there's a strong breeze. Maybe today will be a good day for clearing her thoughts. ]

Comments

[discard]

[Usually he has more self-preservation than this... but right now he's not all there, and he's more confused than anything.]

I can make it to class.

[He blinks a few times to get rid of the blackness at the edge of his vision.]

I'm not that badly off.

[That's when he's going to try sitting up again and....that's when he's going to have to grab to Otome's shoulder very suddenly to stay upright. Urgh..... okay maybe not.]

[mombastic]

[ Otome... isn't very impressed. Slightly surprised, but not very impressed. As she kneels there and feels him grip her shoulder, she offers him a very level stare-- and then gently grasps his hand to push him back into bed. ]

If you're using me for support, you're definitely badly off. Not to mention, I'm sure we've been over this in class, but a fever tends to be when the body is most contagious. I'd rather not have anyone else put at risk simply because you wish to be stubborn.

[ It's perhaps a little harsh, but she's worried, and she's still keeping her movements soft when she brushes back his bangs again. ]

[discard]

[Oh.

What she's saying does get through to him then; it's only logical that he can't go if he's going to infect other people, and...she's right, he remembers that from class. He hesitates only a brief moment longer before he slumps properly back against the pillow.]

... Of course. I understand.

[Even so--]

That does not explain why you would remain here. [Go to teach, mom.......]

[mombastic]

Resting is the fastest way to recover, but making sure you eat something and stay hydrated is just as important. It'll be easier on both of us if I'm here to help.

[ How can she teach when her kid is sick??? ]

[discard]

[... Honestly, his brain mostly caught onto one thing.]

Easier on... both of us?

[How would that possibly be the case? He can't see how her having to take care of him would be easier on her.]

[mombastic]

I'd be too distracted wondering how you were doing, and I wouldn't be as valuable a lecturer. That wouldn't be fair to my students.

[discard]

[... Oh.

Leon's not used to this. People going out of their way to take care of him when he's not feeling well... just being taken care of in general, honestly.

It's strange and new.]

...Do what you want. [He's too tired to fuss or argue; he feels like he wants to sleep for a week.] But if you do decide to go in for your lectures, I will not complain.

[Just...so she knows!!]

[mombastic]

You rarely do. [ fondly. ]

For now, I think you ought to get more sleep. I'll bring you some water and see if I can work on getting that fever down on my end.

[ But rest will help him the most. ]

[discard]

[He's quiet for a moment longer at that, but... it's only at first because he's sleeping. A moment later, it's because he's legitimately dozing off again, slumped back against the pillows, drifting off exhaustedly.

Okay, mom wins.

As ever.]

[mombastic]

[ As ever. She'll get to work, though-- getting a compress for his forehead, leaving a small pack of throat lozenges and a glass of water on the nightstand, fussing with his blankets. ]

I'm sure I don't have to ask, but watch over him for me, please. [ ... to Chaltier, of course. She's going to take on okayu. ]

[discard]

[she definitely doesn't have to ask, and she can't hear him, but Chal responds nonetheless; it's only evident by the light glow on the Swordian's lens, but even so, it's there.

As for Otome, she'll be able to peacefully attempt okayu for awhile, because Leon is passed out.

Though if she doesn't successfully manage it in an hour or two, he'll blearily start to stir despite himself.]

[mombastic]

[ Well. She'll have succeeded by the time he stirs, at the very least, so if he wakes up enough, he'll find her quietly reentering with a bowl of rice porridge balanced on a tray. ]

...

[ She can't actually tell if he's awake yet. ]

[discard]

[Only vaguely and hazily.

His sleep is pretty restless; he's uncomfortably hot in one moment and then uncomfortably cold in the next, moving under the covers unhappily.

So when she comes into the room, his eyes do end up fluttering open again, and completely childishly, he groans and grabs his pillow to cover his face with it.]

[mombastic]

... Leon, I'm happy you and the pillow are getting along so well, but you really ought to eat something.

[ Please stop making out with it. ]

[discard]

[It takes a moment for it to sink in, but then he's spluttering, pushing the pillow away.]

Otome.

[That's said almost whinily too.................... seems like it just took him being ill to finally pull out the sixteen year old in him.]

[mombastic]

You look a little more energetic. How are you feeling?

[ At least he's got the indignation alive and well. ]

[discard]

[And, sniffly and hoarsely, he gives her the only answer he ever gives anyone in regards to that question--]

I'm fine.

[He sounds terrible.

Unsurprisingly, since it'd have to be pretty bad to keep him off his feet.]

[mombastic]

You sound terrible. [ And she'll just say it sincerely, setting the tray down on the nightstand to test his forehead again. ]

And you're covered in sweat...

[ Ugh, this poor kid. ]

[discard]

[...ew, gross.... he is all sweaty, she's right.]

I'll... get cleaned up. Just a moment...

[He's really not all present today, is he.]

[mombastic]

Stay put. Can you sit up?

[ ... Well, she can prop him up, but she definitely wants to get some nutrition in his system. ]

[discard]

Yes, of course.

[He says.

As he doesn't try to sit up.

Because he's not sure his stomach will stay put if he does. Just...give him a moment.]

[mombastic]

...

[ She will. But she'll also help him sit up if this continues to be a valiant battle for him. ]

[discard]

[It is a bit of a valiant battle.

And he does need her help.

And even when he's sitting upright, he just ends up slumping against her a bit, unaware even that he's doing it.]

[mombastic]

[ ... This poor child. It's okay, Otome's fine with keeping him semi-upright, murmuring in soft concern as she moves a hand to stroke his hair. ]

Goodness... were you feeling bad yesterday?

[discard]

[He's quietly for a long moment, leaning into Otome's touch despite himself. It's soothing and comforting... and it's another thing he doesn't really realize he's doing.]

... No... I suppose I wasn't entirely myself, but I did not think I was getting sick.

[Leon's dumb though so...]