The Fourth Rose [Video]

[idkmybffkyouya]

...Why?

[The word is half-whispered. Tamaki isn't actually looking at the PCD. Someone is in shock.

Luckily for Adstringendum at large, he's still at the clinic. Who knows how long that'll last.]

Comments

[Video]

[kyasdaughter]

[She doesn't know him, and her own expression is still slightly haunted. She just has nothing better to do than keep an eye on the PCD, however.]

Are you alright?

[Video]

[idkmybffkyouya]

Me?

[It's a little distracted, as if that was the last thing he expected anyone to ask.]

[Video]

[kyasdaughter]

You're still kind of new here, aren't you?

[Video]

[idkmybffkyouya]

W-Well, yes, but...

voice

[gotbackupagain]

What's wrong?

voice

[idkmybffkyouya]

[There's only silence on this end. He's staring at the PCD, incredulous that someone could ask a question like that, as if it isn't blatantly obvious.]

voice

[gotbackupagain]

[Staring right back. ...Eyebrow. Look okay she's used to this kind of stuff.]

voice

[idkmybffkyouya]

Everything.

[Voice]

[reflectivedawn]

You should stop watching.

[Voice]

[idkmybffkyouya]

That doesn't stop-

[No, he can't keep going. That tiny popping sound is him covering his mouth with his hand.]

[Voice]

[reflectivedawn]

It will stop when this week is over.

[Voice]

[idkmybffkyouya]

But- But you people won't.

[Offline]

[buntails]

[She sees the video, and shuts off her PCD. She's been thinking exactly that, asking Rei exactly that.

So she shuts off her PCD, and Eternal Sailor Moon comes from the latest victim healed, to knock on Tamaki's door. Her voice is soft, gentle, soothing.]

May I come in? It's- [She falters just barely, at which name to say. But it's pretty obvious by this week - snatches on the video feeds, her being here at the clinic as both, transforming at need.]

It's Usagi.

[Offline]

[idkmybffkyouya]

[He scrambles for the door, and when he opens it, he's smiling. It's an unstable one though, and it's painfully clear that it's fake.]

Usagi-chan! You- You look stunning today. Are they overworking you?

[Offline]

[buntails]

[She makes a vague negative sound, and shakes her head.] I'm alright. I'm just visiting people right now.

[She wants so much to reach out and put a true smile on that face. Her own is in place, but subdued; sincere but quiet.]

[Offline]

[idkmybffkyouya]

That's so like you. Always looking out for everyone.

[Offline]

[idkmybfftamaki]

[Ugh. He is terrible at this.

But Kyouya is always there when Kyouya needs to be, so he's there -- leaning in the door frame, his own PCD in his hand. He looks as unruffled as he always does, but there's something odd in his eyes -- this place is hell and no one belongs here, much less people like them.

But he pushes himself off of the frame to turn Tamaki's PCD over, so the camera and the screen is off.]

Asking stupid questions is a waste of time, Tamaki.

[But even Kyouya can't put the right amount of dismissive irritation into his tone. Something is missing.]

[Offline]

[idkmybffkyouya]

[He only looks up when Kyouya sets aside the PCD.]

Kyouya...

[But then his expression contorts - teeth clenching, nose scrunching, complexion feverish, eyes glazing over with not-quite-shed moisture.]

What else is there?

[Offline] 1/2

[idkmybfftamaki]

[Kyouya opens his mouth slightly, to dismiss Tamaki's fears. That's normally his job, right? To just -- have an answer.

The problem is that Kyouya has no answer. Not a legitimate one, anyway -- and while Kyouya is certainly comfortable with lying through his teeth with a smile that would charm Queen Elizabeth II into giving him her kingdom, he certainly isn't comfortable with lying to Tamaki. Not over something as serious as this.

It's so frustrating.]

[Offline]

[idkmybfftamaki]

Do you play chess?