[Action]bullet_danceSeptember 4 2010, 02:18:31 UTC
[It was getting dark, and Noel was still in the forest. Even though at this point she was getting the hang of navigating through the area... it was probably a silly idea to stay out for long; after all, she knew the potential dangers she risks facing for merely being alone out here.
Of all the people she'd encounter out here in the wilderness tonight, though, she didn't expect to see Miss Litchi. Alone. After a double-take, Noel looks at the woman, dumbfounded.]
[Action]not_meatbunsSeptember 4 2010, 06:31:47 UTC
[Litchi pauses, glancing over at Noel, her expression blank for a moment. Confusion flickers across her face briefly as memories struggle to line up correctly. The NOL girl that always comes by to visit -- wait, that girl she dressed up like a pirate that one time -- no, no, neither one of those is right...
A sharp pain from behind her eyes finally pulls her thoughts together. Her vision is already darkening, even from this distance. No...
Unable to fight down a wince, she tries to act as normal as possible despite how pale she's gotten.]
[Action]bullet_danceSeptember 4 2010, 06:42:49 UTC
[There it is again; that feeling is back. And all the same, Litchi looks ill. For a second, Noel's memories race back to the other day. Witnessing Litchi barely exit the apartment, Ragna's warning to stay away from her...
But Noel remembers her resolve -- wanting to help Litchi. Even though she hadn't expected to run into her so soon, it's probably now or never. She can't run away from this.
It doesn't mean she isn't nervous to do this, though. Still, Noel approaches.] I was just finished speaking with one of the Spirits here for today. [...] What are you doing here? You... don't look too well...
[Action]not_meatbunsSeptember 4 2010, 07:00:46 UTC
[The closer Noel comes, the darker the world gets, the louder the murmuring sound becomes. Cold fear dropping into the pit of her stomach, Litchi takes a step backward. No, no, don't come any closer...!]
It... it's nothing, really, I just wasn't feeling well... I was headed home.
[And how she got so far off-course of where she meant to go, she really can't recall.]
[Action]bullet_danceSeptember 4 2010, 07:32:14 UTC
[Noel catches it. Maybe it isn't a lie -- but then, why would Litchi of all people not know her way back home...?]
Do you need any help? [...no wait. She takes another step forward.] A-Actually, Miss Litchi, I... I need to talk to you about something, too. It's really important.
[Action]bullet_danceSeptember 4 2010, 07:51:04 UTC
[...?]
I-It's... about what happened back in our world. [A long pause. Noel's so nervous; for a moment, she wonders if she can get through this without backing out, but--] Why... Why were you at the gates with Te--...H-Hazama? [And everyone else. Tsubaki, that man, the... Imperator.]
[Action]not_meatbunsSeptember 4 2010, 08:03:20 UTC
[If Litchi looked confused before, it has nothing on the look on her face now.]
Hazama? He spoke to me at my clinic, but that was all I saw of him while I was back home.
[Although there's a memory resounding from somewhere that she heard from him again. A park... Lao Jiu peering up at her before bristling at the man approaching them... That sneering tone, the mocking words...
She presses a hand to her forehead as if trying to push back the steadily worsening migraine.]
[Action]bullet_danceSeptember 4 2010, 08:13:04 UTC
W-What? You don't... remember?
[Or rather, it didn't even happen yet. Suddenly, there's a small ray of hope. If they hadn't (apparently) become allies yet, then there was a chance that Noel could stop this before it happens again.
But if he already spoke to her...] Miss Litchi, that man... n-no matter what, you mustn't listen to anything he says! He's dangerous!
[Action]not_meatbunsSeptember 4 2010, 20:53:10 UTC
[Litchi shakes her head, still looking a little bewildered.]
There's no need to worry; I know he isn't someone to be trusted. He knows--
["--far more about me than he should," is what she almost says, but a coughing fit interrupts her mid-sentence. The handkerchief is far too bloodied at this point to escape notice, so she just covers her mouth with a sleeve.
Careful not to lower her arm enough that Noel would be able to see any flecks of blood, she clears her throat.]
...I-I'm sorry, I... really should get going home...
[Action]bullet_danceSeptember 4 2010, 21:06:26 UTC
[Noel fails to see the blood, but Litchi getting into a coughing fit like that... it definitely worries her.
Her eyes widen a bit when she tries to leave; she can't let Litchi go-- not yet--] No, please wait!
[The girl gets a little closer, desperation in her voice increasing gradually.] Miss Litchi... I know you're a good person. If... If anything were to ever happen, I... [She pauses for a second, wondering if she should say--no, it's fine--] Mr. Goroh told me a few weeks ago that "something was wrong with your magic." Does that have something to do with that man-- Hazama? Just... what is going on? Do you need any help?
[Action]not_meatbunsSeptember 4 2010, 21:37:51 UTC
[And as Noel steps closer again, once again Litchi backs away. The feedback has become something of a muted roar.]
N-no, it... doesn't have anything to do with Hazama. [And she does need help, she has to admit, but without Kokonoe here, her options are pretty limited.] Please... it's nothing to worry about. I'm sure I'll be able to get it under control again before much lon--ger--
[As she coughs again, keeping her sleeve over her mouth, her handkerchief flutters, unnoticed, to the ground.]
Of all the people she'd encounter out here in the wilderness tonight, though, she didn't expect to see Miss Litchi. Alone. After a double-take, Noel looks at the woman, dumbfounded.]
Miss... Litchi?
Reply
A sharp pain from behind her eyes finally pulls her thoughts together. Her vision is already darkening, even from this distance. No...
Unable to fight down a wince, she tries to act as normal as possible despite how pale she's gotten.]
Ah... Miss Vermillion...? What brings you here?
Reply
But Noel remembers her resolve -- wanting to help Litchi. Even though she hadn't expected to run into her so soon, it's probably now or never. She can't run away from this.
It doesn't mean she isn't nervous to do this, though. Still, Noel approaches.] I was just finished speaking with one of the Spirits here for today. [...] What are you doing here? You... don't look too well...
Reply
It... it's nothing, really, I just wasn't feeling well... I was headed home.
[And how she got so far off-course of where she meant to go, she really can't recall.]
Reply
[In fact, it's in the opposite direction. Miss Litchi... are you lying to her?]
Reply
A hint of panic sneaks into her tone. She's genuinely lost.]
I... suppose I must have turned the wrong way. I didn't even notice...
Reply
Do you need any help? [...no wait. She takes another step forward.] A-Actually, Miss Litchi, I... I need to talk to you about something, too. It's really important.
Reply
And Litchi staggers another step back.]
I... I should be just fine once I get home. What is it that you needed to talk about?
Reply
I-It's... about what happened back in our world. [A long pause. Noel's so nervous; for a moment, she wonders if she can get through this without backing out, but--] Why... Why were you at the gates with Te--...H-Hazama? [And everyone else. Tsubaki, that man, the... Imperator.]
Reply
Hazama? He spoke to me at my clinic, but that was all I saw of him while I was back home.
[Although there's a memory resounding from somewhere that she heard from him again. A park... Lao Jiu peering up at her before bristling at the man approaching them... That sneering tone, the mocking words...
She presses a hand to her forehead as if trying to push back the steadily worsening migraine.]
...What gates do you mean?
Reply
[Or rather, it didn't even happen yet. Suddenly, there's a small ray of hope. If they hadn't (apparently) become allies yet, then there was a chance that Noel could stop this before it happens again.
But if he already spoke to her...] Miss Litchi, that man... n-no matter what, you mustn't listen to anything he says! He's dangerous!
Reply
There's no need to worry; I know he isn't someone to be trusted. He knows--
["--far more about me than he should," is what she almost says, but a coughing fit interrupts her mid-sentence. The handkerchief is far too bloodied at this point to escape notice, so she just covers her mouth with a sleeve.
Careful not to lower her arm enough that Noel would be able to see any flecks of blood, she clears her throat.]
...I-I'm sorry, I... really should get going home...
Reply
Her eyes widen a bit when she tries to leave; she can't let Litchi go-- not yet--] No, please wait!
[The girl gets a little closer, desperation in her voice increasing gradually.] Miss Litchi... I know you're a good person. If... If anything were to ever happen, I... [She pauses for a second, wondering if she should say--no, it's fine--] Mr. Goroh told me a few weeks ago that "something was wrong with your magic." Does that have something to do with that man-- Hazama? Just... what is going on? Do you need any help?
Reply
N-no, it... doesn't have anything to do with Hazama. [And she does need help, she has to admit, but without Kokonoe here, her options are pretty limited.] Please... it's nothing to worry about. I'm sure I'll be able to get it under control again before much lon--ger--
[As she coughs again, keeping her sleeve over her mouth, her handkerchief flutters, unnoticed, to the ground.]
Reply
...Is what she wanted to say before she saw the handkerchief slip past Litchi's fingertips and onto the earth.]
Reply
Th... That's-- blood!?
Reply
Leave a comment