[Action/Open] Laying Awake

[koishi_komeiji]

WHO: Koishi and her visitors
WHAT: Revival after getting eaten
WHERE: Genessia Hospital
WHEN: Feb 9th
WARNINGS: Sad

The white light was peaceful. Bright, but overall pleasant. She didn't hurt. She didn't fear. She didn't need. It was like floating in warm, tranquil water. She knew what she wanted to give up, but this was a feeling she wasn't quite ready to abandon. Just a bit longer, then she would return. Satori was waiting for her.

***

It had been more than the usual several days since Koishi had gone into Fayren's woods. Koishi's revival had taken over a week. Nearly two. Back home Satori might find the seashell comb missing. A favorite prop used when they told stories on the mountainside and one of the only ones that had held up over the years without breaking.

The younger satori rolled over in the hospital bed, stirring slightly. She was restless, tensing, claws shredding the pillow and sheets and digging into the mattress under her. It wasn't long before her eyes opened, sitting straight up, looking around... and falling back into the bed. She draped an arm across her face, covering her eyes, taking a deep breath. Entirely in her youkai form, she didn't bother trying to shift, rolling onto one side and pulling the covers up over her head.

No doubt the doctors and nurses would be checking on her soon, but a strange inhuman sound warded them back, and they eventually left her alone entirely. It wouldn't last forever, but she wanted to be empty right now.

Youkai could only die when the concept that created them ceased to be. They could not truly die from physical trauma. Upon completely losing their corporeal form, a youkai might be reborn with new or adapted concepts or be heavily altered in some way or have new form entirely. It all depended on the beliefs of the humans around them. Sometimes the new being would have no memory. Sometimes they would feel malice for whomever brought their end. Sometimes they would simply not care.

None of these things had happened though. She knew she had been destroyed. Even more thoroughly than many other youkai. She had been unraveled in her entirety. But, somehow, she was okay. Her form and essence were in order and identical to how they were before, as far as she could tell. Her mind was unaltered. Her youki and mana were both topped off and stable. She was still her sister's other half, tarnish and all.

She knew it was good that she was entirely unchanged. She knew her sister would be happy, but there was already a tightness in her chest. A feeling she didn't understand. Even with no emotions to reflect, something hollow and noxious was slowly growing and burning inside of her.

She didn't want to get up. She didn't want to face anyone. She just wanted to sleep. At least until the emotion left her. So she did just that. Pulling the shredded blankets more tightly around herself she settled into a shallow, dreamless sleep.

(ooc: Satori or Mewtwo will likely be present in the room for all visitors)

Comments

[satori_komeiji]

Satori had known a certain feeling from the start. The feeling of loss was always one that weighed heavily on her, and being used to having little but her sister and pets the look after, such a fear was nothing new. It was never any easier to face losing Koishi to something else. She recalled the hazy, tear-filled memories of Koishi severing her Third Eye. The countless nights of sitting by her bedside as she lay, empty. The countless days of providing for her and trying her hardest just to understand her. To learn her sister's life all over again after her words and thoughts couldn't always reach her in the same way as they used to do.

But Satori was stronger than she looked. She learned. And in time, she knew her sister still loved her after all, even if she couldn't express it.

But that was just the problem. If a youkai's death had seen relatively little interference, there was the possibility she would reconstitute exactly the same way. It was a resurrection unlike the typical afterlives and reincarnations of the human sphere of things. Once again, Satori feared that if death hadn't fully taken her, that it would change her. That, once again, all the work she'd done and the time she'd spent...all of that would be worthless if her sister was reborn as something else. If she changed too much Koishi wouldn't be Koishi. And if her faults were healed and she returned to her lucid state, Koishi wouldn't be Koishi.

But in the strangest way, her little sister living unconsciously as she did, was more true to what she was than ever before. Perhaps it was the fact that she lacked a 'self' in the traditional sense, or that her mind worked (or didn't work) on an entirely different level.

As Satori made her way to the hospital, to the place where Koishi would no doubt be waiting, old worries resurfaced. Fretting over her sister like this was her duty.

All that mattered was the fact that Koishi would always be just that and nothing more.

Uncertain of what would await her, Satori entered into Koishi's room to find a pile of blankets to greet her. A pile of growling blankets. The staff had told her that Koishi hadn't wanted to be bothered, seeming thankful Satori was here to deal with her, instead. A lump formed in her throat as she spoke. Words she'd said only once, a long time ago.

"...Koishi? Can you...still hear me?"

[koishi_komeiji]

The mass that was Koishi stopped growling the moment she heard her sister's voice. Satori was able to glance a green glowing eye through the shredded remains of the blankets before the younger one shifted again, hiding. She finally settled, less tense, though that did nothing to lift the atmosphere of the room.

"I can hear you." Without her human guise, Koishi's voice was the tiniest bit altered; smoother with subtly harsher pronunciation. Still, it was nothing that Satori wasn't already familiar with.

Koishi remained hidden for a few more moments before, she shifted, a tendril lifting one corner of the blankets near the foot of the bed, revealing the little youkai curled up on her stomach, several tendrils wrapped loosely around her body. She had torn her sleeves off, her exposed arms crossed loosely in front of her, cheek resting lightly against one of them. She was idly picking apart the mattress with one clawed hand, the fingertips of the other resting lightly on her still-closed third eye. She was unwilling to meet her sister's gaze.

"... I did something stupid again..."

[prismaticdestruction]

[It took time, as Koishi's death had taken a toll on Flandre. She had spent some time withdrawing and hiding where she could. After while she took off, wandering around and asking questions. Which was why the vampire started bothering the hospital every other day to see if her friend had come back. When that finally paid off...She hovered at the door quietly, peeking in but never entering..

She didn't know what to say and was unsure if she ever would.]

[koishi_komeiji]

Koishi was sitting up in bed, picking at some food that looked homemade. Some sort of meat over rice in a wooden bowl. The room was absolutely saturated in her presence, the little youkai not bothering to disguise her inhuman form. The elder sister had sequestered herself in the far corner of the room, apparently reading. Perhaps both to stay out of the way or to keep watch. Every once in a while, she'd peer over the top of her book.

All eyes in the room flicked to the door as Flandre peeked in. Koishi lowered her bowl, glancing once to Satori, and then back to the door. "Miss Chimes? You can come in if you want."

[prismaticdestruction]

At first there is a startled squeak at being discovered. Flandre had not really wanted to be noticed but it was inevitable. She comes in slowly, hands behind her back for the moment but she sticks near the door. She wasn't afraid, just worried for her friend.

"Koishi...are you okay?"

She wanted to make sure everything was okay..staying away kept her own nature away for now.

[azaleafae]

When Azalea heard that Koishi had come back, she rushed over to the hospital. Being a dragon, there was nothing that would scare her away. She entered the room and perched herself on a table next to the bed.

"Koishi...I heard about what happened. How are you feeling?"

[koishi_komeiji]

Koishi was hiding under the blankets again. She wasn't asleep but her eyes were dim, though they did brighten when they focused on Azalea. "Oh. Hello there Little Dragon." Her voice was soft. It wasn't really frightening to see Koishi with such vastly inhuman traits, though it was unusual.

Satori lowered the book a little to keep her eyes on Azalea and Koishi. While wary of her sister's condition, she trusted this guest not to cause trouble. After a moment, she peaceably went back to reading.

"I'm feeling fine. More energetic than before, actually. I'm less pressed for energy."

[azaleafae]

Azalea let herself smile now. Koishi certainly looked better, despite returning from death.

"I'm glad. Richard Cypher had told everyone about what had happened...he told us that he managed to defeat that thing...whatever it was."

[psychic_supremecy]

It had taken a lot of time, persistence, and persuasion, but Mewtwo had finally convinced Satori to go home for a little bit. Feed the pets, sleep, that sort of thing. Koishi would not be alone, however, as Mewtwo had brought his device with him and was going over surveillance as he stayed with Koishi. He didn't say anything but he was there regardless.

[koishi_komeiji]

Koishi was watching Mewtwo from the bed. Se was sitting eerily still, the sheets draped gently over her shoulders. She still hadn't reeled in her aura, causing it to somewhat dampen Mewtwo's psychic abilities. It wasn't intentional, however, and he still had no trouble using his communication device.

It was about thirty minutes before. "Purple thing?" A pause. "You're twisted around a point, crackling and shivering. Are you mad at me?"

[psychic_supremecy]

When Koishi speaks, he shakes his head, a small sigh escaping his lips as his voice is projected through the device. "No, I'm not mad. Part of me is proud that you would be selfless enough to do this... however..."

He hesitates for a moment, thinking how to word how he felt. "Remember what you told me when I insisted on patrolling for the Death's Hand alone? Well... it's a two way street, Koishi. You should have told me."

[superficially_busy]

[Better late than never. Alice had been hard at work making a get well gift for Koishi.

She arrived at Koishi's hospital room with a bag and her two dolls floating beside her, stepping in cautiously in case she was intruding and needed to leave.]

"I'm not intruding, I hope? I brought you some gifts, Koishi."

[Alice will present them if her presence is welcome.]

[koishi_komeiji]

Koishi wasn't really busy, absently weaving the shredded blankets into... something. She looked up as Alice walked in, tilting her head slightly before looking back down at her work. A little mopey perhaps but not as upset as she had been.

Mewtwo glanced up from his device just long enough to register Alice's arrival before returning to his work.

"Hello Miss. You're not intruding at all. And you didn't have to get me any gifts."

[superficially_busy]

[Alice approached the bed casually since she was welcomed.]

"Perhaps, but I did it anyway."

[One by one, Alice pulled a short series of hand-made dolls from the bag, as per her usual generous routine, and setting them beside Koishi in her bed. The first doll was in the likeness of a Bulbasaur. The second, a Sliggoo, and third and final, a Kirlia.]

"It took me some time to research your pets, but I hope you like them."

[disdressing]

Nui strolls in like she owns the place and hops on the bed.

"Hey, what's up tentakid, heard you had a whoopsie!!"

[koishi_komeiji]

"Umm..." Koishi really didn't know what to say to that. She had been nibbling on what looked to be dried meat. She didn't seem to mind that Nui had hopped on the bed either.

"Tentakid?" She blinked. "Oh, it was another creature. But that's okay. I'm much better now. Thank you for visiting."

[disdressing]

"Oh yeah? Must have been really tough to get the drop on ya. What was it like?"

[trueseeker]

It wasn't difficult, finding out that Koishi had returned. He was hesitant to head to the hospital at first, uncertain what to say to someone who's returned from the dead, but she was a comrade in arms, now, too, and she deserved better than someone hiding from her as a coward.

It took him a while after arriving at the hospital to find her room. They didn't have any building like this where he came from, and Fayren didn't either. Still, he found it eventually, and knocked gently before opening the door.

"I hope I'm not disturbing anything."

[koishi_komeiji]

Koishi perked up a bit when Richard entered and then almost instantly froze. Of all the people she expected to see while she was moping around in the hospital, Richard was the last one.

Satori's own interest wasn't as immediately easy to notice. He was the bearer of the ill news of Koishi's demise, after all. She remained silent. Her gaze, though wary, contained, just barely, a hint of grudging recognition.

"No. You're not... I'm actually glad to see that you're okay Mister." She opened and closed her mouth, looking down at the shredded fabric. She hadn't really had time to think about what to say. Then again, she probably would never have the forethought to plan something like that so now was as good a time as any. Richard had killed the creature that destroyed her. It left her in a bit of an awkward position. She glanced at her sister once, biting her lip.

Satori returned Koishi's glance. Once again, the youkai wasn't always that easy to read. With a small tilt of her head and a glance in Richard's direction, the elder sister's gaze quietly switched between the both of them for barely a moment. To someone unused to her, it might appear something was off, or wrong...but sooner or later, she settled herself. Turning a page in her book, she chose to speak. "My sister's choices were her own." Another pause, now moving her eyes above the top of the book, again. "As were yours." A small, gentle shake of the head, as if scolding. "Respect and a cool head are both rare these days, you know."

[trueseeker]

Richard comes further into the room, easing the door shut behind him, and looking uneasy. He's visited people in the care of healers before, to wish them well, to bring them small gifts. As it stood, he'd brought with him a small card he'd seen in a gift shop on the way. He hadn't known what to say when he came, but the card said it well enough. He moved closer to the bed, holding the folded paper out to the younger youkai with a gentle smile. The card read Dreamers never stop. They only must pause once in a while for a rest.

He turned his attention to her sister momentarily with a gentle nod of his head. "You're right, it was her choice," and then he turned back to Koishi, that same gentle smile on his lips. "It was a very brave choice."

[beautifulmidboss]

It was the second time he'd come to see her in the hospital, wasn't it? Vyers sighed as he knocked lightly on the door, before making his way into the room. He half suspected to be shooed off, but if not, he'd quietly take a seat by the bed. The demon had brought a small tupperware box of sweet snacks with him, in the hope it would cheer her up.

"Koishi...I'm so sorry about what happened. How're you feeling, now? Can I get anything?"

[koishi_komeiji]

Koishi had managed to make a nest out of the shredded blankets, the little youkai curled up in an impossibly tight and uncomfortable ball in them. Or at least impossible for a human She picked up her head and stretched when he entered, glowing eyes tracking him through the dim room.

Mewtwo glanced up from his work, giving a cursory grunt of recognition before returning to the surveillance feeds.

Koishi inclined her head a bit at the question. "Feeling... I'm feeling something. It's unpleasant. Faint, sickening and bubbling. But it's something even if it is bad." Her voice was even. She didn't seem upset. Then again she didn't feel the need to put on much of a show for Vyers.

"I don't think I need anything. No. I'm just a bit in shock from all of this. Both that I could be so stupid and the overall method of all... this." She waved her hand. "Youkai come back from the dead but its a bit jarring to see that I'm unchanged from it. I'm certainly grateful... but... Well I was bracing for it."

[beautifulmidboss]

He'd give Mewtwo a polite nod in reply, before looking to the little blanket-nest that contained Koishi.

"I wonder if feeling horrible things can truly be considered better than nothing at all," he said quietly. Even after having lost and regained his own emotions, the crippling guilt and regret that came with his revival was definitely not a welcome feeling.

He didn't want to ask her what happened, not so soon after. "I imagine it must be quite a shock for you. Death and rebirth have a pronounced affect, that much is certain."

[lookprofessor]

Luke had spent a lot of time getting ready to visit. He wasn't even sure, now, how Satsuki knew Koishi was awake--had she called Satori? Had Satori contacted her? Rumor had it that Mewtwo was lurking about. Maybe he'd phoned. And through all of that, it was his the day of his lesson with Mayu, and trying to explain why he wouldn't be there had gone as well as when he'd found out about Koishi in the first place. It was nothing short of a miracle that Satsuki was available to clarify the situation for him.

Somehow this culminated in all three of them at the hospital, now standing just outside Koishi's room. Luke carefully cradled a box in his arms, brows furrowed. It had taken a fair amount of cajoling to get him this far--why not just visit when she went home? People are usually quite tired when they're in the hospital--but here they were.

Anxiety curled in his stomach and he stepped back, away from the door. "I...what if--"

Luke spun to the two behind him, eyes wide as saucers. Satsuki might recognize the hint of panic, this time not obscured by tears--this is real, it's happening right now, what do I do?

Ultimately, he inched as close as appropriate to Mayu, looking down at his feet. "I'm...I'm nervous," he mumbled, so quiet it was probably a strain to hear over the beeping machines down the hall. "C...can you go in first?"

[weavemyownfate]

When Satsuki meets with the group, she's adorn in a cream-color trench coat over jeans, blouse and sweater with boots. Mostly necessary since Junketsu is carefully draped over her forearm in a sealed, zip-up holder.

She too is feeling a bit anxious, though the hint of panic is responded with a slight raise of her brow at first. Her answer would normally be 'just do it', but she has another idea in mind.

"In Japan, we have a technique for overcoming nervousness." she murmurs, "I believe Nozaki-kun should know about it." At least she assumes he does since he lives with a bunch of actors, and refers to writing 'person' on the palm three times then 'swallowing' it. "I shall head in first; if you could teach it to him for me."

Hopefully she assumed correctly for, after rapping her knuckles gently against the door, "I am coming in." and she steps inside, the first step making a clack which sound echoes about the room.