☼ 003 ☼ | Filtered Video

[wilder]

[Filtered to Sheena, Emil, Allen, Cheria, Kallen, Asch, Jade and Nill]

[Kaneis has been busy since the virus started, between looking after his sister and his clinic duties. Both was causing strain, though it was his sister that had him more worried. Already he had to take her to the hospital, and with the news that the UE was behind this? There wasn't a lot of hope for the doctor's pulling out a miracle cure even if you were a trusting individual- which well, is the opposite of what Kaneis is on a good day]

[And so he's been looking for a solution on his own. A solution at the very least, to make sure Seles can stay alive until they find some cure. Thinking through every option, looking into every resource the clinic and hospital has to offer- there's not a whole lot. He's not about to trust offers over the network or from strangers, his world was way too full of people who would take advantage of situations like these. So in the end, his mind keeps falling back to one option he was most familiar with- the option he had really hoped to avoid. ]

[The filter is addressed to the list of people he's talked to before multiple times and knows could maybe possibly have some use. When the video feed comes up- while his eyes have no bags or redness, everything else indicates how tired he is, how deflated. And partly, how disgusted he is that he's been driven to this. ]

...I need help.

[Wow that was really odd to say and probably to hear for a lot of you. He has to take another breath before he can continue]

My little sister showed up this month. You see, ever since we were kids she's been sickly. It was bad enough that after our parents died, she was sent to an abbey in the countryside for her health. So you can imagine with this virus the UE sent... [Yeah, prognosis not so good] She's in the hospital right now, but I'm sure you all know how that place is faring.

[Not well. They could help her more than staying with him could, but...]

There was a treatment back home, something to help her. Our home was isolated for a long time from the rest of the world, but there was this group that'd bring in these things called Exspheres for trade. [He's not gonna talk about the mine, Regal doesn't deserve that kind of reputation connection when he didn't know] Exspheres work a lot like some of the weapons given by the Initiative- if they're equipped with an item called a keycrest they enhance a person's physical and magical capabilities. Think of it like being able to perform like you can when you're running on adrenaline, but all the time and without the extra strain to your body. For my sister, this meant she could actually do normal day activities without her health causing trouble and be less susceptible to illnesses.

Of course, it turned out later they came from something terrible. My sister's a bit ahead of me in the timeline, and she said the King rightfully ordered all Exspheres to be collected and disposed of, so she doesn't have hers anymore.

[There's a pause before he steels himself enough to reach into his pocket and pull out a green crystal and hold it out in his palm for the feed to see]

...But I still have one.

It still needs a keycrest, that's why I'm calling. I don't know if this world has the right kind of ore, or if anyone with the skill to make a keycrest- but I have to ask. If she can get one or some alternative to one, then at least she'd have a good chance of getting through this. Normally I wouldn't condone this, but...I can't really think of any other option. So if someone could make a keycrest or know someone who could or offer some other alternative to help her...

[he sighs and looks down, shaking his head. Even if he has slightly more trust than the random people on the network- it's not complete trust and it shows. Everyone has their own problems and agendas after all. He even wonders how many bothered to listen to all this.]

I know everyone right now have their own problems, so I don't expect catering. So if you help, I'll do whatever you ask in return. Work, money, favors- I don't care. I'm not sick and can be pretty useful when I want. Just ask and I'll do it.

Just please, help her.

...That's all I ask.

[And he'll cut out the feed there]

Comments

[bloodyashes]

[And this is Asch, now looking slightly panicked because first, dude you just pulled off a magic piercing. And then you started screaming. And we haven't even gotten to the fomicry part yet, and that's the part that Asch actually associates with suffering.]

What the hell?

[It's fairly quiet, but only because his throat won't let him make any more volume.]

[ardor]

[Kallen's already moving to support him so he doesn't fall over or something equally pathetic bad. The scowl on her face is laced with a little concern, but she doesn't vocalize that part. Not yet, anyway. Cursing under her breath, she guides him to a nearby place to sit-- bench, chair, couch, whatever.]

Dammit, you couldn't have prepared first? You're an idiot.

[clinical]

[Surprise is a very quick emotion. It is followed quickly by exasperation.]

Well, that was exciting.

[Guess what he really means by that.

He isn't a healer of any kind, and his beside manner is ridiculous, but he does step over to Zelos's side to, you know, check if that scream that sounds like dying is going to lead to death.] Do you require treatment, or was this expected? We have analgesics. [And will you try to warn them next time?]

[wilder]

[He really isn't in any position to argue with Kallen, so he gets guided to a chair. Oh goddess it hurts, it really really really hurts. Now he knew why none of the angels ever took off their keycrests. Maybe he should have thought this one through all the way]

[....Nah. He would've done it anyway. ]

[But at least he's stopped with the screaming, even if he's clearly still in a lot of pain. He wasn't expecting this, but Chosens are kinda great at dealing with pain like a boss. So he'll even managed to grit out words through his teeth that are clenched in pain]

I'll be fine-! [Okay he's not sure, but it really doesn't matter.] Just do what you need to do!

[bloodyashes]

[Fucking really, Zelos. Really.

If Asch missing from his bed doesn't call a concerned replica down on all of them, that scream certainly will. This is gurmpypants dumping himself into a nearby chair to keep an eye on the guy with the freaky-ass body jewelry.]

Are you planning on telling us what the hell that was about?!

http://i.imgur.com/cSw2MZW.gif

[chosenfake]

[Right on time, there's thumping from upstairs. A few seconds later, Luke comes rushing downstairs with his sword in hand. He's wearing nothing but a black belly shirt and pants, but his expression is fierce.

He stops and nearly slips (bare feet, you know) when he sees the gathering of people in the first floor of their house. It sure looks like someone's in pain. It sure looks like there are bad things going on here. REALLY. BAD. THINGS.]

What the hell is going on!? Why is Asch out of bed? Why is Kaneis-- why are any of you here?!

there better be sausage on at least one of those

[ardor]

[She's now leaning against the chair, one hand still clamped on to Zelos' shoulder. She blinks a little in surprise when another redhead comes rushing down, though she doesn't move.]

We're here to help him. [Head jerk towards the idiot in the armchair.]

aaand now I want pizza

[clinical]

[Another redhead. It feels like being in the middle of a bloodbath, but more stupid.

Jade barely glances at Luke.] Oh, good, you're here. Please get Asch's painkillers for Zelos, and perhaps a glass of water.

[Jade returns to the table where he sets down the keycrest. Putting his hands to the table, he gathers fonons together. A large glyph appears with the keycrest at its centre. The edges of the glyph almost reach Zelos and Kallen. And as the light fades away, a second keycrest appears beside the original.

Good. That went as well as he hoped. He glances briefly back at the Redhaired Sea.] You children keep each other occupied. I have to test these.

[He's not explaining this to Luke. Jade sets the keycrests down and starts going over them with his equipment.]

I ordered pizza last night and that didn't happen /disappoint

[wilder]

[Zelos meanwhile is only vaguely aware another redhead entered the room. He can't even notice the difference in his dulled senses really since he's just focused on trying not to feel the pain of not having his crystal. So no, you don't get an explanation from this one. He's just gripping the edges of the armchair looking like he has the world's biggest ulcer or something, while breathing heavily through his teeth- trying to resist the urge to scream again. ]

I'm in for pepperoni

[bloodyashes]

[Asch's attention goes to Luke, but then quickly to Jade - that sure was the quickest bit of fomicry he's ever seen. Then again, objects are infinitely simpler than the idiot on the other side of the room, holding a weapon.]

And put your sword away while you're at it.

[Just be glad that Asch isn't calling out your fashion choices for once, Luke. A look at Kallen in turn, since she actually seems to have some idea of what's going on - and "Zelos." It's not the first time Asch has heard that name, and twice isn't a coincidence. He knows Jade better than that.]

Explain.

[And there's a couple coughs. Luke, don't you even consider trying to get him back in bed.]

me too LOL

[chosenfake]

[Luke is still confused as hell, but at least he's putting his sword away. However, just as he's about to demand answers, the room lights up with a fonic glyph-- the likes of which Luke hasn't seen before.

That-- is definitely, definitely fomicry, judging by the new keycrest appearing next to the old one. He doesn't even know what that is, or where it came from. He doesn't know why Asch is out of bed, or why Jade is doing fomicry, or why Kaneis is in pain, and no one is saying anything.]

... ugh--!

[He is fuming openly, but he departs shortly to get the water and pills Jade asked for. He'll return in a minute.]

[ardor]

The thing we're looking at over there is basically a source of power for him. Imagine what it'd be like to rip off your own arm or leg. That's probably what's happening for him right now, since he's a complete moron who didn't even consider that fact. The sooner we get this do--

[She breaks off mid-sentence to reach over and grab a stray hammer, holding the handle out to Zelos.] Bite this so you still have a tongue when this is over.

[Back to the others!] They're making replica for his sister, so she can fight off whatever's going around. The sooner we get this done, the better it'll be for both of them.

[bloodyashes]

Or like having your fonons ripped out, I imagine.

[...Welp, so he was exactly right on the fomicry screaming. There's a moment's glance at Luke and the staircase, before Asch settles deeper into his chair and blanket, pulling one hand up to cover his mouth as he coughs a bit more.]

You're right. He's a moron.

[wilder]

[A moron with a sister complex!! But details- who had time to think up little details like that?! Either way, he's not contributing to the conversation because ow in a lot of pain right now. But he'll sure take that hammer like a good idiot and bite down on it. Which good call Kallen, he won't bite his tongue off now!]

[chosenfake]

[Luke returns as fast as his feet can take him, carrying two glasses of water and a bottle of painkillers. He's only managed to spill a little bit of the water. The first glass is for Asch and there's a couple pills too, and then he tries to shove the remaining water and pills at Kallen. He hesitates, though.]

You're Zelos, right?

[He glances over at the keycrests and Jade's work.]

Is that really safe? It's not just the fomicry I'm worried about-- I mean, Jade knows what he's doing, but... if it hurts that much to take it off, is putting it on someone who's already weakened a great idea?

[ardor]

No, I'm Kallen. [She pauses for a moment, then nods to the guy biting the hammer.] That's Zelos. He'll explain when things are done.

Basically, she had one before, and it helped her fight off illness. At least, that's what I can gather from all this. [Eyeing the meds, Kallen looks at Luke.] Any idea if these'll help?

[bloodyashes]

[Just going to take that confirmation and casually cut in on Luke's question.]

They take a while to kick in, but they do the job. It would probably be faster to just get the thing back on him.

[And on that note, leaning over and raising his voice as loud as he dares - ]

Jade, how's it coming?

[...Yep nope bad idea more coughing. This time with phlegm. oh glory days.]

[clinical]

Another four minutes at most.

[Then he has to do the tests on the replica keycrest, but given Zelos's state, he decided it best to start by getting the data he needed from the original so they could get that back to the idiot.]

[chosenfake]

... Oh... uh, okay. [He offers the glass of water and painkillers to the other other OTHER redhead. Now that Luke is close enough to see what's going on, he can see that the Chosen is in serious pain. Luke picks out the strongest painkillers, moves to gently place them in Zelos' palm.]

Here, take both of these.

[He doesn't have the soothing touch of a healer, but Luke is very careful, as if Kaneis might break. He hears Asch's hacking cough and looks up.]

I don't think Kaneis needs to be pushed any more than he already is. I can wait until he's better-- and Asch should be resting.

[wilder]

[He'll actually give Luke a glance when he puts the pills in his hand and talks to him. With a little nod, he'll remove the hammer so he can pop them into his mouth. Taking the glass, he'll wash it down and hopefully get those pills in before he starts coughing up on the water from swallowing too fast and shoves the glass back into Luke's hands. Ugh]

[He seems to be not choking to death though, so that's something? He'll wipe his mouth with his sleeve (because he was raised right dammit and you wipe your mouth) before putting that hammer back in his mouth ]

[Don't worry, you'll probably get a thanks when he's not feeling like he's dying]

[ardor]

[Kallen doesn't say anything else, gripping Zelos's shoulder again. Not much to do but wait.]

[bloodyashes]

I've been resting for days. This is more important.

[Look, Luke, you can encourage the guy to have friends, but when he does? He does shit like this.

Asch shoves his glass of water and meds back at Luke, too.]

I'm not supposed to take any more of these for another hour. I'll be fine.

[Especially once, you know, Kaneis is on his feet enough for the heals - if Luke's paying careful enough attention, he might notice the bit of cut poking out from under Asch's sleeve that really ought to have healed by now.]

[chosenfake]

[He sets the glass near Zelos if he wants it, then goes to his original.] If you don't shut up then you're going to need to-- [Wait, what the hell is that? He tucks the meds in the crook of his arm, then reaches out for Asch's wrist, trying to shove the sleeve back.]

You haven't healed from the duel, have you? You're pushing yourself like this and you're still hurt on top of it.

[He's mad, but also a bit guilty. There's two sick and hurting redheads in this room and only one nurse!Luke.]

[clinical]

[While those two behave as they naturally do, Jade concludes his testing and walks back over to Zelos with his keycrest.]

Nod if you want me to put it back on for you.

[He would normally just make the call that Zelos is in too much pain to do it himself and consider himself in the clear after all he has read on keycrests, but given the pain in it being removed, he does not want to accidentally make Zelos pass out from pain or something. So he will make the call of letting Zelos be in pain for about two seconds extra to make sure that there is not going to be Stupid Decisions, Part Two.]

[wilder]

[Let a professional guy who actually read about exspheres put it back on him, or risk doing it himself when he's in incredible amounts of pain so he might accidentally mess it up and get them all killed? Well, this is a tough choice]

[Within a second, have a definite nod from him]