Sleep With One Eye Opened
Who: Tear Grants and Kenshin Himura
When: During the first week of Rapture *VERY BACKDATED*
Where: The Fighting McDonogh's Tavern
Summary: Tear and Kenshin get to know each other while Tear insists that Kenshin should stop exhausting himself, even though she's in no better condition.
Rating: PG for safe keeping
Warnings: Nothing really
The Fighting McDonogh's Tavern had been cleared out fairly well--first by Spike Spiegle apparently as he'd already scavenged the booze and talked to them all from the bar. Then when the group Kenshin was traveling with (Hellion having dubbed them the 'wandering war band') came, they were able to secure and clear the rest of it. Some of the rooms had only been 'cleared', not fully explored, from enemies before they needed to rest.
One of the upstairs rooms had an intact mattress on a bed, and once the corpse had been pulled out, was a lot less macabre and more...welcoming. There had been a low couch too, and as the debris and clatter was moved out, the short red-head hoped that this would at least be okay to bring injured people to, as well as allow them some rest. Personally, he was going to face the door, back to a wall, and rest with one hand on his sakabatou all night... Or day... Or whatever time it was here.
As soon as Kenshin found himself comfortable, a brunette steps into the Tavern. Her hair hung over her shoulders like a curtain and in her hand, she grasped a staff that was her primary weapon. Looking outside for a few more seconds, making sure that the area was clear for now, she steps further into the room to spot the red head. Her feet glided across the rather distorted tavern in silence. She had to take each step carefully due to the lack of lighting and that anything she stepped on might cause her to lose her balance. Especially in a place looking as horrible as it did. Though, it was a good place to rest and watch as well as gather.
Tear herself was tired, but she had rested enough to keep moving. Despite her rather cold demeanor and seriousness most the time, the maiden was quite capable of worrying over her allies and their well-being. She spoke up in a low tone greeting the red head. She didn't want to draw unwanted creatures if she spoke too loud, "Kenshin."
Having scavenged a somewhat-clean-ish rag, Kenshin was wiping the furniture carefully free of obvious dust and debris, sakabatou never far from his hand as he turned to regard the healer-mage. "Tear-dono, hello. This one thinks this room will be suitable soon, for at least...some comfort for any who can make it and need rest." There was little he could do about stains...and Kenshin wasn't sure where they'd get any type of decent cleaning supplies...but the obvious chaos had been tamed and that would have to do for now.
She observed him for a moment in silence. He was wiping off the furniture that was in the area. It seemed like it was the best bet for people to use later as well. How very thoughtful of him. If they needed cleaning supplies, they were bound to run into some eventually. For now, whatever they could use would suffice. She set her staff down at a corner, since she had been holding it all day. Her knives were also another form of defense if she didn't have her staff. Either way she was armed for whatever came their way. She nodded her head to his greeting.
"Yes, it seems so. Despite the stains of course. It is thoughtful of you. Do you require assistnace?"
Sighing and huffing long red bangs out of his eyes, Kenshin tilted his head and surveyed his work. "...not anymore. This one thinks that's about as clean as it's going to get, for now. There was some useful stuff in here, it's been added into the kits, as well as the more...grisly relics removed." The corpse had been fun; Kenshin was reminded more and more of what it'd been like as a bodyguard during the bakumatsu, and as a hitokiri. Good thing he wasn't skittish.
Sitting on the low couch, he tested the cushion, finding out how soft it was before he nodded. Not the best, but it'd do. "This one thought any who were severely injured, we could place in here on the bed and couch."
"I suppose you're right."
It was rather amazing how it was cleaned. The maiden steps forward as she watches, "I see," she mused, then turned to him, her blue hues flickered with much seriousness. Tear was a soldier, so she had her limits just as this man did as well. His ideas were easily agreed on since Tear was that sort of person as well thinking of others before herself. Though, Kenshin ought to be resting right about now. She had not seen him actually set his foot down and close his eyes. If he went any further, he would collapse from exhaustion and that wouldn't be pleasant. The less exhausted and ill, the better. They still needed to figure out a way to get to the children as well. These children that were infected with something, and required a cure soon.
"Yes, anything soft would most likely be a good place for injured civilians," a slight pause, "have you rested yet, Kenshin?"
The question prompted a soft "oro?" before Kenshin laughed quietly and gave her a tired smile. "...just as stubborn as this one is, huh Tear-dono?" Not that Kenshin wasn't planning to rest; things just kept coming up, and no one else seemed to know what to do. He wasn't even sure he knew what to do really, but he knew enough from being in a war-zone and growing up in the midst of chaos before Hiko-shishou had found him.
"This one honestly isn't sure how much rest he'll get...too many potential enemies." The red head offered with a sheepish look. "If anything, I'm likely to just prop myself against a wall with my sword, and doze lightly. I've done it before..." It was curious, as Kenshin was both aware and not of how his speech slipped from polite to more casual; it was in the back of his brain that noticed, but that was to be expected. The back of his mind also knew this place was a war-zone, and was watching through battousai's eyes, not the rurouni persona he portrayed.
Tear can be quite stubborn if given the right time and place of course. She had to deal with another red head who constantly would cause much too trouble but she watched him all the same. It was Tear's Motherly/Sister side kicking in. She has always been like that towards many people, mainly young children and those who acted like children. Of course things came up, but eventually he needed to learn to say 'no' sometimes. Tear sighs a bit here as she looks at him again. That also meant that he hadn't rested yet. No wonder he looked tired.
"I can assure you that I'll keep guard while you rest, even if it is for a moment," the maiden replied sternly. Tear somewhat caught it but didn't pay too much heed to it. She didn't know him well enough to tell the slight differences, but of course once she got to know him better it would be a different story.
The stubbornness reminded him of Kaoru, but her manner was more like Megumi when she was being nice. Of course, Megumi would've been more likely to flirt him into submission, or try and 'drug' him, albeit not seriously. "...I...suppose for now I can rest. It's......not easy though. This place reminds me too much like an uneasy war zone." A headshake, Kenshin getting up to cross from the couch to lean against the wall, facing the doorway and windows, sword propped against his shoulder. "...not a direct war-zone, but one where the main conflict is over, and it's simply those remaining behind still fighting for survival."
"For now is fine. I can promise you nothing will happen. If it does, I'll alert you right away," the brunette replied as she watched him walk on over to the wall and leaning against it. Though, his words about this place being like war zone, Tear did not decline to that comparison, because it did seem like war zone where many have died. She was aware of that much. Most of her time as a soldier, she had seen deaths, injuries, and even the weakest struggle for life. Their fight for Auldrant was also a bloody path. There were so many sacrifices, so many deaths all because her brother wanted a world without the Score. It was unsettling and for now, at least it was over. Her brother was no longer of this world, and Auldrant was safe.
"Yes, I understand what you mean, Kenshin."
"The doctors seem to enjoy sticking all of us 'lab rats' into extreme situations. This one was kidnapped and dropped in the middle of London when last everyone was in Facility 3." Kenshin said tiredly, knowing that well--even when he'd left for Kyoto, he'd possibly been walking back into a potential situation like this. Maybe not outright war, but it would've been and still COULD be--if Shishi-O's plans came to fruition.
But there were others who were potentially from what was a 'future' Japan--the same future he fought for maybe? Or was that too optimistic? And if so, what had happened to the Meiji era? How could he know? "...Mou..." Kenshin intoned quietly, borrowing Kaoru's exclamation as it made his head hurt trying to think through all the what-ifs. Clearly he was getting tired. Or old. Maybe both.
"It is their past time, apparently. Unfortunately, there is little we can do about them. At least until they become vulnerable for us to strike," the maiden replied frowning. The fonist is still standing watch as she glanced back at the male, wondering what was bothering him, but she didn't question. For now, he should be resting and asking irrelevant questions isn't the smartest way to converse with someone. The room was still poorly lit. She made a mental note to go and try to find candles or something for light when she left this room again. That way they could at least see what they were walking on.
It would take Kenshin a while to actually 'rest' anyways...still too keyed up and wary. And even if he 'trusted' Tear, part of him in the back of his brain still didn't. That same part, the one that looked through Battousai's eyes, trusted very very few. It meant he was reluctant just yet, to rest fully despite the fatigue he felt. "How long have you been in this place, Tear-dono? Have they ever shown any vulnerabilities?"
It was relevant for the man to assume the worst and trust little, because this place was just that sort of place that trust was hard to obtain. Tear didn't trust people easily either, but she learned that in order to survive here, it was easier to have allies and companions than enemies. How long had she been here? She didn't really count the days accordingly, but she knew it was a few months at most, "I believe I have been here for a few months now. I don't quite remember the date, however, since dates are different in my world. I have yet to understand the dates of this Facility," she replied to his question.
"I see..." Kenshin honestly was more tired than he'd realized; as even leaning against the wall was comfortable. Having his sakabatou back in his hands also was familiar, and reassuring in a way that few might realize unless they knew why he carried it and about his past. Things he felt closer too, at least in part, because of the situation they were all in. Without his fully realizing it, he'd been slipping between his normal translated-humble speech and the more informal style. "...I was dropped in the middle of London, last time we were in this place. So...about a month? 2 months? I sort of figured it out, helping Samus-dono with her calendar--and I was taken on May 14th." He wasn't entirely aware that he kept fading in and out somewhat--his consciousness refusing to rest just yet, while the rest of him wanted to at least doze while it could. Tear was registered as safe-enough, recognized as 'ally' in his mind.
Tear used a nearby wall to lean against as well. She had been standing for most of the day and resting when she thought it was safe enough and somehow it ended up being safe enough to sit down. The maiden looks over at him as she waits for whatever else he had to say. Tear wasn't one to hide basic things, but she too had her own fill of secrets that she wouldn't be telling anyone any day soon. At least not at the moment. She was still developing her relationships with many. It was almost surprising how many people had befriended her and assisted in her time of need. Thanks to them, information gathering and such things alike were almost too easy. She noticed it this time, the sudden change in his speech. It's abrupt, but he must be tired was the thought she had in mind. She had been paying enough attention by now to recall his usual speech so far were usually very formal. She didn't question it though.
"I have also.... found myself in London upon my arrival. I suppose it must be around the same time as you, Kenshin."
That memory clicked in her mind now. The Akuma and the fight the third week there. It was all too much to take in right away, but she managed to adjust with some difficulties. Tear definitely was ushering the man towards rest.
"Aa..." Kenshin responded with a tired smile. "Thank you for all your help though, Tear-dono...it's..been strange." Definitely fading in and out and ready for rest. "...on the one hand, we're in a clearly hostile situation, in all the facilities...and yet it's been easy at times to make friends and allies." The whys and hows of that were enough for Kenshin's sleepy mind to ponder in silence, although part of him hoped Tear would voice her theories on it as well.
"Indeed we are. It seems to be more dangerous each time an experiment happens. I suppose everyone here has the same goal, to be free of this place. That's why we're eager to make allies, I suppose. Though, there are ones we can trust certainly and ones that we cannot, despite their friendliness," Tear replied with an agreement to his statement. She could see that the man was about to sleep soon, and keeping a conversation much longer wouldn't be a good idea. She would keep alert for the time being, however. At least he appeared as though he was resting. It was better than seeing him move around too much. They were humans after all and all humans had limits. Tear knew that but it didn't stop her from going over it sometimes.
When: During the first week of Rapture *VERY BACKDATED*
Where: The Fighting McDonogh's Tavern
Summary: Tear and Kenshin get to know each other while Tear insists that Kenshin should stop exhausting himself, even though she's in no better condition.
Rating: PG for safe keeping
Warnings: Nothing really
The Fighting McDonogh's Tavern had been cleared out fairly well--first by Spike Spiegle apparently as he'd already scavenged the booze and talked to them all from the bar. Then when the group Kenshin was traveling with (Hellion having dubbed them the 'wandering war band') came, they were able to secure and clear the rest of it. Some of the rooms had only been 'cleared', not fully explored, from enemies before they needed to rest.
One of the upstairs rooms had an intact mattress on a bed, and once the corpse had been pulled out, was a lot less macabre and more...welcoming. There had been a low couch too, and as the debris and clatter was moved out, the short red-head hoped that this would at least be okay to bring injured people to, as well as allow them some rest. Personally, he was going to face the door, back to a wall, and rest with one hand on his sakabatou all night... Or day... Or whatever time it was here.
As soon as Kenshin found himself comfortable, a brunette steps into the Tavern. Her hair hung over her shoulders like a curtain and in her hand, she grasped a staff that was her primary weapon. Looking outside for a few more seconds, making sure that the area was clear for now, she steps further into the room to spot the red head. Her feet glided across the rather distorted tavern in silence. She had to take each step carefully due to the lack of lighting and that anything she stepped on might cause her to lose her balance. Especially in a place looking as horrible as it did. Though, it was a good place to rest and watch as well as gather.
Tear herself was tired, but she had rested enough to keep moving. Despite her rather cold demeanor and seriousness most the time, the maiden was quite capable of worrying over her allies and their well-being. She spoke up in a low tone greeting the red head. She didn't want to draw unwanted creatures if she spoke too loud, "Kenshin."
Having scavenged a somewhat-clean-ish rag, Kenshin was wiping the furniture carefully free of obvious dust and debris, sakabatou never far from his hand as he turned to regard the healer-mage. "Tear-dono, hello. This one thinks this room will be suitable soon, for at least...some comfort for any who can make it and need rest." There was little he could do about stains...and Kenshin wasn't sure where they'd get any type of decent cleaning supplies...but the obvious chaos had been tamed and that would have to do for now.
She observed him for a moment in silence. He was wiping off the furniture that was in the area. It seemed like it was the best bet for people to use later as well. How very thoughtful of him. If they needed cleaning supplies, they were bound to run into some eventually. For now, whatever they could use would suffice. She set her staff down at a corner, since she had been holding it all day. Her knives were also another form of defense if she didn't have her staff. Either way she was armed for whatever came their way. She nodded her head to his greeting.
"Yes, it seems so. Despite the stains of course. It is thoughtful of you. Do you require assistnace?"
Sighing and huffing long red bangs out of his eyes, Kenshin tilted his head and surveyed his work. "...not anymore. This one thinks that's about as clean as it's going to get, for now. There was some useful stuff in here, it's been added into the kits, as well as the more...grisly relics removed." The corpse had been fun; Kenshin was reminded more and more of what it'd been like as a bodyguard during the bakumatsu, and as a hitokiri. Good thing he wasn't skittish.
Sitting on the low couch, he tested the cushion, finding out how soft it was before he nodded. Not the best, but it'd do. "This one thought any who were severely injured, we could place in here on the bed and couch."
"I suppose you're right."
It was rather amazing how it was cleaned. The maiden steps forward as she watches, "I see," she mused, then turned to him, her blue hues flickered with much seriousness. Tear was a soldier, so she had her limits just as this man did as well. His ideas were easily agreed on since Tear was that sort of person as well thinking of others before herself. Though, Kenshin ought to be resting right about now. She had not seen him actually set his foot down and close his eyes. If he went any further, he would collapse from exhaustion and that wouldn't be pleasant. The less exhausted and ill, the better. They still needed to figure out a way to get to the children as well. These children that were infected with something, and required a cure soon.
"Yes, anything soft would most likely be a good place for injured civilians," a slight pause, "have you rested yet, Kenshin?"
The question prompted a soft "oro?" before Kenshin laughed quietly and gave her a tired smile. "...just as stubborn as this one is, huh Tear-dono?" Not that Kenshin wasn't planning to rest; things just kept coming up, and no one else seemed to know what to do. He wasn't even sure he knew what to do really, but he knew enough from being in a war-zone and growing up in the midst of chaos before Hiko-shishou had found him.
"This one honestly isn't sure how much rest he'll get...too many potential enemies." The red head offered with a sheepish look. "If anything, I'm likely to just prop myself against a wall with my sword, and doze lightly. I've done it before..." It was curious, as Kenshin was both aware and not of how his speech slipped from polite to more casual; it was in the back of his brain that noticed, but that was to be expected. The back of his mind also knew this place was a war-zone, and was watching through battousai's eyes, not the rurouni persona he portrayed.
Tear can be quite stubborn if given the right time and place of course. She had to deal with another red head who constantly would cause much too trouble but she watched him all the same. It was Tear's Motherly/Sister side kicking in. She has always been like that towards many people, mainly young children and those who acted like children. Of course things came up, but eventually he needed to learn to say 'no' sometimes. Tear sighs a bit here as she looks at him again. That also meant that he hadn't rested yet. No wonder he looked tired.
"I can assure you that I'll keep guard while you rest, even if it is for a moment," the maiden replied sternly. Tear somewhat caught it but didn't pay too much heed to it. She didn't know him well enough to tell the slight differences, but of course once she got to know him better it would be a different story.
The stubbornness reminded him of Kaoru, but her manner was more like Megumi when she was being nice. Of course, Megumi would've been more likely to flirt him into submission, or try and 'drug' him, albeit not seriously. "...I...suppose for now I can rest. It's......not easy though. This place reminds me too much like an uneasy war zone." A headshake, Kenshin getting up to cross from the couch to lean against the wall, facing the doorway and windows, sword propped against his shoulder. "...not a direct war-zone, but one where the main conflict is over, and it's simply those remaining behind still fighting for survival."
"For now is fine. I can promise you nothing will happen. If it does, I'll alert you right away," the brunette replied as she watched him walk on over to the wall and leaning against it. Though, his words about this place being like war zone, Tear did not decline to that comparison, because it did seem like war zone where many have died. She was aware of that much. Most of her time as a soldier, she had seen deaths, injuries, and even the weakest struggle for life. Their fight for Auldrant was also a bloody path. There were so many sacrifices, so many deaths all because her brother wanted a world without the Score. It was unsettling and for now, at least it was over. Her brother was no longer of this world, and Auldrant was safe.
"Yes, I understand what you mean, Kenshin."
"The doctors seem to enjoy sticking all of us 'lab rats' into extreme situations. This one was kidnapped and dropped in the middle of London when last everyone was in Facility 3." Kenshin said tiredly, knowing that well--even when he'd left for Kyoto, he'd possibly been walking back into a potential situation like this. Maybe not outright war, but it would've been and still COULD be--if Shishi-O's plans came to fruition.
But there were others who were potentially from what was a 'future' Japan--the same future he fought for maybe? Or was that too optimistic? And if so, what had happened to the Meiji era? How could he know? "...Mou..." Kenshin intoned quietly, borrowing Kaoru's exclamation as it made his head hurt trying to think through all the what-ifs. Clearly he was getting tired. Or old. Maybe both.
"It is their past time, apparently. Unfortunately, there is little we can do about them. At least until they become vulnerable for us to strike," the maiden replied frowning. The fonist is still standing watch as she glanced back at the male, wondering what was bothering him, but she didn't question. For now, he should be resting and asking irrelevant questions isn't the smartest way to converse with someone. The room was still poorly lit. She made a mental note to go and try to find candles or something for light when she left this room again. That way they could at least see what they were walking on.
It would take Kenshin a while to actually 'rest' anyways...still too keyed up and wary. And even if he 'trusted' Tear, part of him in the back of his brain still didn't. That same part, the one that looked through Battousai's eyes, trusted very very few. It meant he was reluctant just yet, to rest fully despite the fatigue he felt. "How long have you been in this place, Tear-dono? Have they ever shown any vulnerabilities?"
It was relevant for the man to assume the worst and trust little, because this place was just that sort of place that trust was hard to obtain. Tear didn't trust people easily either, but she learned that in order to survive here, it was easier to have allies and companions than enemies. How long had she been here? She didn't really count the days accordingly, but she knew it was a few months at most, "I believe I have been here for a few months now. I don't quite remember the date, however, since dates are different in my world. I have yet to understand the dates of this Facility," she replied to his question.
"I see..." Kenshin honestly was more tired than he'd realized; as even leaning against the wall was comfortable. Having his sakabatou back in his hands also was familiar, and reassuring in a way that few might realize unless they knew why he carried it and about his past. Things he felt closer too, at least in part, because of the situation they were all in. Without his fully realizing it, he'd been slipping between his normal translated-humble speech and the more informal style. "...I was dropped in the middle of London, last time we were in this place. So...about a month? 2 months? I sort of figured it out, helping Samus-dono with her calendar--and I was taken on May 14th." He wasn't entirely aware that he kept fading in and out somewhat--his consciousness refusing to rest just yet, while the rest of him wanted to at least doze while it could. Tear was registered as safe-enough, recognized as 'ally' in his mind.
Tear used a nearby wall to lean against as well. She had been standing for most of the day and resting when she thought it was safe enough and somehow it ended up being safe enough to sit down. The maiden looks over at him as she waits for whatever else he had to say. Tear wasn't one to hide basic things, but she too had her own fill of secrets that she wouldn't be telling anyone any day soon. At least not at the moment. She was still developing her relationships with many. It was almost surprising how many people had befriended her and assisted in her time of need. Thanks to them, information gathering and such things alike were almost too easy. She noticed it this time, the sudden change in his speech. It's abrupt, but he must be tired was the thought she had in mind. She had been paying enough attention by now to recall his usual speech so far were usually very formal. She didn't question it though.
"I have also.... found myself in London upon my arrival. I suppose it must be around the same time as you, Kenshin."
That memory clicked in her mind now. The Akuma and the fight the third week there. It was all too much to take in right away, but she managed to adjust with some difficulties. Tear definitely was ushering the man towards rest.
"Aa..." Kenshin responded with a tired smile. "Thank you for all your help though, Tear-dono...it's..been strange." Definitely fading in and out and ready for rest. "...on the one hand, we're in a clearly hostile situation, in all the facilities...and yet it's been easy at times to make friends and allies." The whys and hows of that were enough for Kenshin's sleepy mind to ponder in silence, although part of him hoped Tear would voice her theories on it as well.
"Indeed we are. It seems to be more dangerous each time an experiment happens. I suppose everyone here has the same goal, to be free of this place. That's why we're eager to make allies, I suppose. Though, there are ones we can trust certainly and ones that we cannot, despite their friendliness," Tear replied with an agreement to his statement. She could see that the man was about to sleep soon, and keeping a conversation much longer wouldn't be a good idea. She would keep alert for the time being, however. At least he appeared as though he was resting. It was better than seeing him move around too much. They were humans after all and all humans had limits. Tear knew that but it didn't stop her from going over it sometimes.