Now for something completely different

[bluesofpeace]

[For the past five days, the Nexus has seemed... a little quieter, somehow. The kitchens suddenly don't look like a tornado has blown through them around dinner time, and healthy young ladies and gentlemen can walk around with much less potential for harrassment

Comments

[neurotic_insect]

[Luckily for Kaz, there are psychics in Nexus. Psychics who can read minds and move things about and sense when there's something sinister going down. It also helps that this particualr psychic isn't terrifically homicidal. He errs towards the side of malice, yes, but mostly as a consequence of his personality.]

[It wasn't too surprising to sense someone behind the door as he walked on by, but was a touch alarmed when he sensed the person behind it was in a bit of peril. An effect room, no doubt, with a nasty effect.]

[With little subtlety, he ripped the door of it's hinges, tossing it aside before hovering in the doorway. A room that was dangerous to one was dangerous to all and therefore, wont to be destroyed.]

Are you able to speak, Kazuhira?

[bluesofpeace]

[Kaz stirs from his half-awake state at the piercingly loud noise, his heart racing a mile a minute in shock. His exposed eyes widen significantly and his hand moves to rest on the holster at his hip-- which isn't there but instead on the floor by the foot of the bed. He forgot he put it there.]

Who are you...?

[His voice is soft and sounds wrong to his own ears.]

[neurotic_insect]

[Peering into the room, he dares to cross the threshold, cautiously approaching the bed.]

Dimitri. [Sagged skin... Pale... Weak... This man hasn't eaten in days. No way of telling how long ago he ended up in this room.] I could sense someone was in here.

[He picked up the gun holster from the bed, laying it down next to the man. There was no threat here. Kaz was too weak to speak, let alone move.] If you're willing, I can attempt to transport you to the hospital. We're two floors down from it. [The psychic sat down on the bed and brushed a few stray locks out of the larger man's face, pressing two fingertips to Kaz's temple so he could feel his pulse.]

[bluesofpeace]

[Kaz tiredly watches the movement of his gun, but doesn't show much of a reaction to it. He tilts his head away from the touch but doesn't push Mantis away.]

I can't leave the room on my own. Can you take me out of here?

[It's not a great idea to trust a stranger, but Kaz is beyond being picky.]

[bluesofpeace]

!

Wh-- put the gun down...!

[Kaz's weary eyes meet Liquid's, his fingers flexing in the sheets. Is he dreaming this? His posture fully displays his exhaustion, his other hand lazily resting on his bare belly. His shirtlessness probably added all the more to Liquid's temporary confusion.]

Why are you here?

[bluesofpeace]

Of course not...

[His smile is weak but there. Slowly, he sits up from the expensive-looking sheets and sighs following the effort. Kaz is so tired, he's not sure his body has ever been in such a sorry state without injury.]

... I haven't eaten in five days. Can you get me out of here...?

[No point in dancing around the truth. He knows he's been slowly dying and his savior might just be standing before him.]

[fancy_shooting]

[Ocelot happens to be poking through some rooms...]

[...Okay, not exactly. He's looking for Kaz. He doesn't expect the man to be around 24-7, but over three days without a word is concerning for anyone. Kaz has long ago proven his use, and the idea of losing him now unsettles Ocelot.]

[Actually opening a door and seeing Kaz on the other side is an unexpected and sudden success. Ocelot stares for a long moment at the disheveled figure on the bed, before clearing his throat and tapping the wall to get his attention.]

What's the matter with you, Kazuhira? Why would you hide in here? Don't you know that Liquid gets worried?

[bluesofpeace]

[Kaz noticed the disturbance in the room from the moment the doorknob turned. This room is too quiet and by this point he'd notice almost anything that was different. His unfocused eyes might make Ocelot think his attention is elsewhere, though.]

I'm not hiding...

[He coughs awkwardly at the odd sound of his own voice as if to clear it.]

Come here.

[fancy_shooting]

What's the matter with you? [He repeats it, almost angrily, as he strides into the room, and gets a better look at him.]

[His smooth gloved fingers firmly grip Kaz's chin, forcing his head to turn so Ocelot can study his face thoroughly. He can feel the prickle of stubble through the gloves, and notes the distant look in his eyes and the malnourished concaves below his cheekbones.]

How long have you been in here? Were you here this while time? ...Did someone do this to you?

[bluesofpeace]

[Kaz blinks slowly and shifts his torso to lean against Ocelot. He takes in the warmth of his body, his subtle, familiar scent... Kaz has clearly been alone too long.]

I can't leave, the room won't let me.

[He slowly brings an arm up around Ocelot's waist and buries his face in his jacket. His stomach rumbles at an alarmingly loud volume.]