o1. video / optional action

[overclocking]

[Today, two unforgivable errors were made: the first, he let Rosette use the kitchen.

The second: He let Rosette use the kitchen.

When the feed blinks to life, the serenity of the figure facing the camera is directly at odds with the thunderous cacophony in the background. Chrono just smiles blandly at his unseen audience as a terrible burst of sparks makes itself visible in—is his back to the apartment's kitchen?]

I just had a quick question. [He might as well dive right into it, as a crash echoes around the apartment. He doesn't even flinch.] Does anyone here know how to repair electronics? A microwave, specifically? I think apartment number 304 could use your services.

[It's here that Rosette comes into view, hurdling around the corner as smoke billows in her wake; if Chrono were actually looking, he might think it seems appropriate for Rosette's definition of an entrance. It's unclear whether she's addressing Chrono or the tablet (even realizes he's talking to the tablet) when she bellows FIRE! THAT'S A FIRE! It's very likely the former based on how the serenity of Chrono's smile twitches into something that speaks silent danger for someone.]

Quickly, if it isn't too much trouble? [The feed doesn't cut off; evidently, his quiet fury is such that he completely forgets to turn off the tablet before hurling it across the room to go perform some manner of intervention.

It lands facing a ceiling that is growing increasingly smokey.]



action.

[Anyone who actually approaches apartment #304 will find an impressive cloud of black smoke billowing out of the open door that smells distinctly of burnt electronics and scorched metal. Rosette's voice will make itself known second, shouting about how the kitchen is out to get her and this isn't her fault.

If one actually ventures into the abyss (which speaks volumes toward a capacity for bad decisions, by the way), they'll find a frantic teenage girl and a long-suffering little kid trying to determine the best way to put out an impressive electrical fire.]

Comments

[soul_sister]

[She stirs a bit at the tiny disturbance, but doesn't seem to wake.

The face, thankfully, hasn't moved any further than it normally would in a day's time.]

[overclocking]

[He freezes when she stirs, just for a moment, before carefully putting the watch back and pulling away. The wave of relief is a welcome thing, considering the day's events.

He supposes he can allow her another ten minutes.]

[soul_sister]

Mmm?

[The soft sound is his only warning. Her finger hooks into the cuff of his sleeve and catches him mid retreat.] Five minutes already?

[overclocking]

[—Busted.]

Not yet. Go back to sleep.

[soul_sister]

Oh good...

[She shifts to lay on her side and... pulls back Chrono's sleeve in the process.





Those sure are some ugly burns.




That sure is a vice grip on his wrist.] EH?

[overclocking]

[EXCEPT NO? EVERYTHING IS f i n e

He holds very, very still. It works for small woodland creatures.]

Hey- you still have a few minutes left, you know!

[soul_sister]

[THIS DOESN'T LOOK LIKE FINE, NO MATTER WHAT THE SPACING MAY BE.

Rosette may not be a particularly patient predator, nor is she good at all about long term planning.

But in battle, she's unparalleled at working with every hint she's got. From the magic to the watch check to the actually offering to let her sleep.....


In one deft move, she has your jacket by the collar and only gets go of his wrist long enough to pull IT RIGHT OFF OF HIM.]

[overclocking]

[THE SCANDAL.

He flails a bit in protest, but she overpowers him easily. The burns are scattered just about everywhere, but only one or two near his hands are particularly severe. All in all, she's 100% more concerned about this than he is.]

Stop, hey- Rosette!

[soul_sister]

And when were you going to mention that?!

[Lets him go to reach for her watch.]

[overclocking]

That's because there's nothing worth mentioning! I'm fine—

[He makes an attempt to snatch his coat back, indignant-

And then quickly transitions to seizing her hand instead, stilling it.]

Stop that! Calm down!

[soul_sister]

That looks like arms full of something. Geez, how do you keep doing that to yourself?



I'm perfectly calm. I'm just going to crack the seal a little.

[overclocking]

[He won't point out that it only happened in the first place because she's an idiot...

But he's somehow lost too much control in this situation to be entirely comfortable; he hadn't even noticed the burns until she very literally stripped him, and that is in no way an acceptable use of her soul.

His fingers tighten around hers, insistent.]

I already told you I'm fine. It doesn't even hurt.

[soul_sister]

[That's the fine line though. Injured in battle would get him bitching, injured like this...?]

Can you even heal at all like this?

[overclocking]

Of course I can. ["Can," short for "cannot," because this human language is a silly thing anyway. He could try, of course, and probably manage it well enough, but the energy required would have to be restored somehow and-

And it really is better if he just wears his hoodie for a week or two.]

You're worrying too much, Rosette.

[soul_sister]

[She searches his face quietly for a moment, before at long last, the hand in his grip seems to relax a bit.

She sighs.]

Let me tend to it, at least.

[overclocking]

[That, at least, is a small and safe concession to make.

He lets his hand fall away.]

If you want.

[soul_sister]

I do. [Hopefully, Chrono realizes this is only postponing his doom.

She gets up, straightens her skirts and takes his coat with her to go get the first aid kit.]

I'll be right back.

[overclocking]

Mm...

[He waits until she's sufficiently out of eye- and ear-shot before slumping against the back of the couch, sighing. He rubs his temples wearily, but it doesn't do much to dispel the growing fatigue. He wonders if it's even dinner time yet, and whether he's actually going to make it to the end of the day without needing a nap, himself.

But for all that their apartment is in shambles and he's going to have to do more than his fair share of the cleanup, no one is seriously hurt and the seal on the watch wasn't cracked, so he can't actually complain.]

[soul_sister]

[For what little it is worth, he seems to have found the eye of hurricane Rosette, at least for the moment. She returns with the kit - one of their first agreed upon purchases in the city - and starts laying out supplies with an easy practice. The angle is different than tending her own, but the principle is the same.]

Hold out your left arm?

[overclocking]

[He does so, patiently.

He's done this for her enough times before that he experiences an odd sort of vertigo, being on the other side of it. Hours of harsh training sessions at the Order, tripping and falling down a flight of stairs, an exorcism gone wrong-

He blinks a few times and shakes his head, clearing it.]

[soul_sister]

[She works carefully and gently. It hasn't been too long, so cleaning is less of an issue than it could be. Mistaking the gesture as a stop, she pauses in wrapping the gauze around the worst burn on that arm.]

You okay?

[overclocking]

[He blinks in confusion, before realizing how his spacing out could be misinterpreted. Honestly- it's just a few bandages! There's no reason for him to lose his head over it.]

I'm fine. Honestly.

[soul_sister]

Okay... [That is the biggest liar smile ever. But instead of calling him on it, she just loosens the bandage a little and increases the width of the wrapping. She turns his wrist this way and that, inspecting the rest of his arm. Nothing else that breaks skin, those can have a bit of aloe.]

But tell me if any of them are too tight.

[overclocking]

[He doesn't flinch, cringe, make faces, or give any other indication that he's in any pain. They both know he's had far, far worse than this; it's not even a paper cut, in the scheme of things.

But he's smart enough to realize that she's probably beating herself up over the circumstances surrounding this bout of injuries, so he opts to save any quips for later.]

Better. Thank you.

[soul_sister]

[After a quick application of the soothing gel, she motions for his other hand.]

I'll change the dressings tomorrow.