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]

[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. ]

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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. ]

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[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?

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[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...]

[mombastic]

I see... I know you were quieter, but I hadn't realized it was a symptom... [ Since Leon isn't loud and energetic?? Otome sighs, though, shaking her head. ]

Let's just hope we can kick the worst of it by tomorrow. It'll require some work on your part, though.

[discard]

[Oh, she said the magic words. It's almost like she's giving him a task or a mission, and no matter how badly he feels, he straightens for that.]

Yes, of course. What is it?

[He's ready, he'll do whatever Otome asks him to do.]

[mombastic]

Report to me immediately if anything feels particularly off. You'll need to eat something and take some medicine, and I'll expect a status update every few hours.

[discard]

[... Oh. That's a lot.

Leon blinks at that. But on the other hand... Otome is being so fierce that he's not sure he's brave enough to argue it.]

... Very well. [He's definitely not well enough to argue it.] If that is what you would like me to do.

[mombastic]

It is. I think you'll find that it'll help you on the road to recovery a lot faster, too.

[ She would just say REST, but Leon might respond better this way. ]

[discard]

[He sure is responding, if nothing else. It stirs up the old knight missions in him that he hasn't forgotten at all, and his response, then, is equally proper and half-remembered.]

Very well then. I will be certain to report every few hours when necessary, as you've requested.

[mombastic]

Thank you, Leon. Will your stomach let you eat something now?

[discard]

I... will do my best.

[If... Otome went out of her way to cook for him?

It's not like he's going to say no. Even if he's also not sure it's edible then either.

At some point you have to just take a leap of faith.]

Thank you for cooking for me. [It's...sweet and he's still not entirely used to being taken care of properly, despite the entire "maids and servants" thing. Marian aside, they were more hands off, so this...is touching.]

[mombastic]

It's no trouble. I made absolutely certain it was edible, and okayu is made to be easy on the stomach, so it ought to help.

[ She won't tell him how much of a mess the kitchen is via her trials and tribulations of making a good few batches of it. But she'll just move the tray to rest on his lap now. ]

[discard]

[Poor Otome........ fight hard through those trials and tribulations.

Either way, he accepts the meal, shifting to lean against the headboard of the bed instead, blinking down at the meal. He's still sleepy and not entirely all present, but... even so, it's time to eat and he can recognize that. He won't spurn her efforts for him.

So he reaches for the spoon and takes a bite--and then another, so it seems Otome succeeded in the edible part of things.]

[mombastic]

... How is it?

[ Of course she's going to fret. ]

[discard]

... It's fine.

[He's still fighting through the nausea, but she was right that it's easy on the stomach; he just focuses on taking slow bite after bite, trying to eat as much of it as he can before his body nopes right out.]

And...it's appreciated.

[mombastic]

Thank goodness... [ THE KITCHEN WAS A WORTHY SACRIFICE IF LEON THINKS THIS IS EDIBLE. ]

[discard]

[He blinks at her then--before he awkwardly clears his throat.]

It...is not as though you are a complete disaster in the kitchen...any longer. You've learned to improve yourself.

[u did good mom!!!]

[mombastic]

I'm still no match for you, Leon. But I thought this might happen, so I'm very glad I worked at it.

[ More than worth it. Of course she wants to do all she can for him, especially when he's like this. ]

[discard]

[Mom......]

It... is not as though I am prone to illness, so do not concern yourself with that. I should be fine soon enough, and I will make sure this doesn't happen again.