pullmeoutalive | Two worlds, one family--

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!kia,
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Two worlds, one family--

[ 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. ]

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[College treats Leon much better than attempting high school for the hot moment that he did ever did. He's only 16, yes, but he has the sort of discipline and work ethic that a lot of college students can only dream of, and he's intelligent enough to handle it; he settles in easily enough, and while he doesn't really have much in the way of friends, he at least seems engaged enough in the source material and classes.

So he's consistent.

Every day, he's up early to make breakfast for the both of them, to look over his homework once more and then to prepare to go to class. He doesn't really mess around, and his schedule is really consistent.

Until it isn't.

It's been cold, recently, and honestly, Leon's immune system hasn't seemed to have entirely recovered from...well, dying. Whatever bug he caught, it's knocked him right off his feet; the minutes drag on in the morning but he doesn't get out of bed, curled up in a ball of half-awake misery as he is.

Whoops.]

[ Whoops indeed. Otome's up and going over her notes, but when she walks into the main area and there's no breakfast smells - shamefully, she's almost gotten used to this being a daily thing - she can immediately tell that something's amiss.

She's at least nice enough to knock on the door first before she opens it, whether he answers in the affirmative or not. But spotting the miserable blanketed lump, she's quick to go go over there and drop to her knees beside the bed. Just one look tells her enough, but to make absolutely sure... ]

Let me feel your forehead.

[There's a vague grumble from the blanket pile.

And then he shifts enough to poke more than just messy hair out of the pile, blearily opening his eyes and peering at her. Still, seeing her face seems to properly make it sink in that something isn't going quite right this morning; his brow furrows, and then he hoarsely manages:]

Otome...? What time is it?

[Is he supposes to be getting up right now...]

Nearly nine.

[ Much later than usual, and as soon as she can see enough of his face, she's reaching out to touch the back of her hand to his forehead, sweeping his bangs out of the way. ]

[She's going to have to look out, because as soon as that hour processes into his head (which feels like it's stuffed with cotton), he's immediately sitting up abruptly.

Hopefully he doesn't knock heads with her.

But with how he's feeling, the vertigo immediately kicks in, and he winces as his head protests, and then he's slumping back to the bed, now full of regret. He...tried.

His forehead is definitely far too warm as well.]

I... I'm late.

[He needs to go to class!!!!]

[ It's fine, she's a pro at dodging panicked teenage boys, and she jerks her head back to avoid a painful collision (mostly for Leon, who looks like just that simple act had drained him of his vigor). The heat that clings to her hand has her making a swift decision and she draws it back, shaking her head. ]

You've got a fever. I'll call the college and let them know that neither of us will be in today.

[ Because she obviously can't leave him like this. She won't. ]

[It's all rather puzzling to him, honestly. The thought that he might have to skip class because he's sick...well, that's something that happens sometimes, he supposes. He's usually pretty healthy, and even when he was ill he tended to accomplish his missions unless he was utterly incapable. With the way he feels now, he thinks he'd be able to successfully make it through the day, if at half efficiency.

But... Otome?]

...What? [He's lacking in a lot of his eloquence right now, but his eyes are glassy and the fever is clearly messing with his head, so he's doing the best he can.]

That's not necessary.

It's entirely necessary.

[ He's staying put in bed and she's staying home to take care of him, and her tone of voice is very firm. She dares you to argue with her, Leon. Go ahead. Try. ]

[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.]

[ 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. ]

[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.......]

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??? ]

[... 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.]

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.

[... 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!!]

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. ]

[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.]

[ 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. ]

[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.]

[ 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. ]

[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.]

... 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. ]

[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.]

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

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

[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.]

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