11 // video

[stfuelly]

[The camera turns on as it's pointed up towards the cold, gray sky. It's early enough in the morning that the snow is still falling gently, leaving a few blotched drops obscuring the camera's view. The video suddenly goes dark as someone wipes the lens free of moisture and then tilts it back up to point at themselves. Vanessa is red-cheeked from

Comments

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[unsureazure]

Wh---Not you too!

[SOB ALL HER STRESS. First Alice, then Elliot, now Vanessa... With everyone running around despite being sick, Noel's starting to feel more like a babysitter than a housemate.]

Pardon my rudeness, but please go home, Miss Vanessa! I'll try to find some medicine after I'm done with work, so please get some rest.

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[stfuelly]

[Noel, calm your shit.]

Not me what?

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[unsureazure]

[HELL NAW GURL SHE REFUSES TO CALM HER SHIT.]

You're insisting on going out even when you're getting sick, that's what! You two really are siblings...

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[stfuelly]

I'm fine! It's just freezing out here!

[Duh.]

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[unsureazure]

And the fact that it's freezing will make you not fine if you keep this up.

[D u h .]

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[stfuelly]

How pathetic do you think I am, Noel? Honestly.

Just watch over Elliot for now. He's the one you should be worried about.

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[unsureazure]

[Noel was genuinely concerned about the older woman's well-being, despite how harshly Vanessa treated her (and everyone else). But she isn't going to answer that question, because she has the feeling that she might give the wrong answer and get yelled at or something.

She frowns at what Vanessa had to say next, though.]

... I'd like to look after him, but I promised that I would go to work if he agreed to stay home. The department is low on officers thanks to this epidemic... Besides, he has Leo.

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[stfuelly]

You...?

[She negotiated that for his well-being? Congrats Noel, you just leveled up with your not!sister-in-law.]

...I don't want all of his care to rest solely on that servant of his. He's still a child.

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[unsureazure]

[The impossible has happened. Too bad Noel is unaware of it. (yay)]

Leo's reliable, though. It helps me keep focus while on duty, because I know Elliot's in good hands. Of course, I intend to look after him too once I get home---

[Er, right. Noel almost forgot who she's talking to. She quickly adds:]

Th-That is, I hope you don't mind...!

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[stfuelly]

[Ugh. Why is she admitting this. Why is she admitting this. It's just cold and she's frustrated and Vincent is an ass and everything sucks and--]

No, I don't mind. At least in your case I know he's in capable hands.

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[unsureazure]

[Wat.

Did what just happened really happen? Did she really compliment Noel?]

... Eh?

[DOES NOT COMPUTE.]

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[stfuelly]

Did I stutter?!

[DEAL WITH IT.]

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[unsureazure]

I-I'm sorry...!

[NOEL ISN'T QUITE SURE WHAT SHE'S SORRY FOR... but it seems like a new topic may be needed if she valued her life.]

Um... Anyway! Please don't push yourself to hard and head home right away if you start feeling really sick. I-If you need an escort, please don't hesitate to call me...

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[stfuelly]

[Deeeep breath. Ugh, if this is the way that she's going to react to kindness, maybe she should just go back to being cruel all the time.]

I'll be fine. And I'm not coming back until I've found a place that still has medicine. I...I owe Elliot this much.

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[unsureazure]

[Huh. Noel didn't think of it that way.]

... I understand. But please don't push yourself, and if you need help, don't hesitate to call me.

[She pauses, and decides to add, on the risk of injury:]

And thank you.

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[stfuelly]

[For once, she doesn't look angry. If anything, she only looks sad.

The feed is cut without another word.]