Visiting hours are from 8 AM to 8 PM

[lookprofessor]

Who: Luke and any visitors
Where: Genessia Hospital
When: Late March 22 until the end of the month
What: Luke survived the shadow world, but barely--he’ll be staying in the hospital recovering from some severe injuries and, seeing as he’s more than a bit freaked out, wanting some visitors.
Warnings: Blood/Healthcare stuff, mentions of violence probably.
Notes: Once Koishi finds out Luke is in the hospital she is going to be a constant presence. She may not be visible the entire time but she'll be there!



A sign of how badly injured Luke had been was that he willingly consented to every treatment the doctors have subjected him to. Another intravenous line? All right. More fluids or blood? Okay. Vital signs as frequently as the nurses’ pleased, being woken up often though he struggled to sleep—he allowed the staff in the hospital to do whatever they wanted.

When staff wasn’t at the bedside poking and prodding, changing dressings, giving him medicine or doing tests, Luke found himself buried beneath the blankets, hidden. Every sound in the hospital had him on edge. Beeping monitors, the squeaky wheels of carts down the hall, the nurses’ shoes as the make their rounds, knocks on doors, quiet murmuring voices in the room next door: it didn’t matter how familiar the sound became, it was all the same.

Any visitors will find Luke the same way: burrowed beneath every blanket he could get the nurse to give him (his current record is five), eyes squeezed tightly shut. It might be wise to knock and declare yourself—clearly—when coming in. The person you’re visiting is a little bit on edge.

Comments

[southpaw_senpai]

Once the medical team cleared out and any questions Ed had were answered, Akihiko makes his way up to Luke's room, keeping his cape pulled around his shoulders. He enters the room quietly, waiting for Luke to notice him before talking. The last thing he wanted was t scare Luke any more.

"Hey, I see they're taking good care of you. Luke, right? My name's Akihiko Sanada."

[lookprofessor]

Scared is, of course, the understatement of the century. But Luke's been treated. Medicated. Now hanging from his intravenous line is a bag of fluids and a bag of blood. Luke is half asleep, blankets tucked up to his shoulders thanks to the nurse.

From their earlier encounter, his coloring hasn't greatly improved--but the gash on his arm has now been carefully wrapped, his bloodstained clothes replaced with a hospital gown.

Dazedly, Luke blinks at the stranger, rubbing his eyes with his uninjured arm. "Mr. S'nada..." He slurs, medication, exhaustion and bloodless all combining to create less than perfect diction, "y...you 'elped me b'fore."

"Than...t-thank you."

[southpaw_senpai]

Akihiko pulls a chair up close so as to limit the need for volume, all while shaking his head. "I was just in the right place at the right time. The other guy, Ed, he's the one that found and saved you. Now... I know you probably don't want to think about it but... can you tell me anything about what you remember before Ed and I found you? I want to make sure whoever did this to you doesn't hurt you or anyone else again."

[lookprofessor]

"Y...you 'elped," he murmurs, plucking at stray strands of thread on the hospital blanket.

Akihiko's question brings to mind memories of the shadow world. Dark and labyrinth-like, a never-ending maze that he couldn't navigate, and filled to the brim with menacing creatures that seemed to want nothing more than to attack him--shrinking under the blanket Luke sniffed, looking to the wall.

"It was a big maze..." quietly, he tried to piece together something useful. Something helpful. "But...t'was... things--"

Vaguely gesturing with his free hand, Luke indicates a much larger figure, easily several times his size. "...c-came f-from nowhere..."

[southpaw_senpai]

This was all sounding far too similar to the case brief he'd seen on the Inaba case. Victims showing up hanging from high places after being thrown into the TV... and the description that Luke gave... sounded far too much like Shadows.

"These things that attacked you. Were they black blobs with the only thing that looked physical on them being a mask of some sort?"

[lookprofessor]

Luke nodded, the room spinning lazily around him as he did so. He placed a hand on the bed to steady himself, "lots were but...one'f 'em--"

The color drained from his face, pointedly looking down at his hands. "I kept tryin' t'hide from 'im...looked like m-me but w'diff'rent eyes." Visibly sliding under the blankets, Luke tried to make himself disappear. "N'matter where I went he found m-me."

[southpaw_senpai]

That settles it. He saw his Shadow. Maybe it was because of his age that he managed to get out. After all, he seemed to be about the same age as Ken was when he summoned his Persona under different circumstances. Akihiko gave a solemn nod, but his face was full of determination.

"I want you to know that what happened to you isn't unique, unfortunately. But I've been training for the better part of a decade to fight those things, and I've gotten pretty good at it, and there are others like me who have power specifically to combat those things. So I want you to promise me you won't worry about anything but getting better, okay? This isn't the first time I've fought them, and it's the same for the others. We'll make sure nobody else is hurt, and make sure you're not hurt again."

[koishi_komeiji]

It would be sometime before he noticed. The spirit perched on a chair next to his bed. It was impossible to know when she had arrived, but doubtlessly she had been there for some time. She was silent, watching over him, nearly invisible. None of the nurses saw her, nor the doctors. But Luke would. Eventually...

Koishi didn't seem very human. She was keeping up appearances okay, but the way she smoldered was something that Luke had never seen before. In fact, he probably had never seen her truly angry, but that's how she seemed now. Staring out the window, she was carrying a presence that was truly frightening.

At least... until she realized that Luke had noticed her.

Her aura dissolved in an instant, the little youkai darting over to his bedside, having to stop short and reel back to avoid upsetting some equipment. "Luke! I'm here, okay? I've been here for a bit. So I wont let anything else happen. I promise!"

[weavemyownfate]

Knock knock.

"I'm coming in."

The duo are soon joined by a third, and Satsuki is quite clearly not in a good mood. She had been about as long as Koishi, but was trying to gain whatever information she could from the doctors with little success. At least on the first go, and so enters annoyed and confused. Her expression falls more on the neutral side as she's relieved to see that Luke at least appears to be ok- Also it's good to see Koishi back to her normal...er.. self.

[lookprofessor]

Still too dazed--and partly too drugged--to truly react to what happened around him in a timely fashion, Luke doesn't process Koishi's presence until she's nearly knocking over the IV pole. He jumps at the clattering metal, unable to hide the pain the jerking movement sent shooting through him. "K-Koishi--?"

As for Satsuki, she'd find she didn't truly need the input of the physicians to know how the apprentice was doing. He was pale as a ghost and had several layers of bandages. There was a dressing wrapped around his arm and an IV line giving him fluids which Luke pointedly ignored. The left side of his neck bore a suspicious bruise, the size of a hand, as if he'd been struck...and beneath the blankets where he'd been carefully tucked in there were further injuries to be assessed.

He'd been lucky that Edward and Akihiko had been nearby.

Rubbing his eyes, Luke glanced at Satsuki, vision unfocused. "Miss Kiry'n...'m s-sorry..."

[koishi_komeiji]

Koishi was a bit more careful, fidgeting some, floating up, over the bed and sort of half crawling, half drifting over to the other side where there was less equipment. "Yes. I'm here. Okay? You were there when I was hurt so I'm here now when you're hurt, okay? I want to make sure you feel better." Her third eye was swaying nervously.

She glanced at the door when Satsuki walked in, her hands tightening on the frame of the bed momentarily before focusing once more on Luke. She carefully reached over, hesitating a bit, She didn't touch any of his injuries. After a moment she pulled her hand back, though she was still drifting closer.

"No, I'm sorry. I want to protect you Luke. I was unconscious this afternoon..."

[weavemyownfate]

Once Satsuki gets a good look at Luke, her heart sinks. Seeing her troops beaten up doesn't bring her much grief but this.. The boy never signed up for this. Somehow, she manages to keep her anger in check as that certainly isn't what he should be seeing right now.

Discipline.

"I am afraid I'm not very clear on what it is you are apologizing for." Satsuki replies as she folds her hands behind her back. "That aside, like Komeiji, I am here to aide in your recovery however I can."

[lookprofessor]

It's taking Luke a bit longer to process what he wants to say, but eventually he manages to get out: "I heard somethin' on t'main street I walk home on..." His hands are shaking even as he tries to just pull the blankets higher over his shoulders. "Was tryin' t'be careful but went a diff'rent way...someone was behind me--"

An involuntary shudder courses through him, and he looks down to the blankets, very nearly in tears. "I tried t'get away but they hit m'here." He weakly points to the ugly bruise on his neck.

His freer and uninjured arm covers his eyes, not quite able to hide the tears. "K-koishi, M's Kiry'n--'m...I...I'm s-scared."

[koishi_komeiji]

Koishi was fidgeting a little bit, her third eye floating down as Satsuki spoke, settling very lightly on the bed, resting itself lightly on the covers between his arm and stomach where there weren't any injuries. Though, it's gentleness contrasted with Koishi's grip which was causing the plastic handles on the bed to groan and crack in protest as Luke spoke.

Fortunately, the bed was spared further damage when Koishi saw what he was trying to do. The youkai quickly leaned forward, grabbing the corners of his blankets, drifting up so she could pulling them higher.

She lingered there for a moment, brushing a hand over his hair drawing it back. She hesitated, magic crackling at her fingertips momentarily. Koishi looked torn. "... Human affairs... Just..." She closed her hand. Whatever she had been thinking about doing dissipating along with the glow. Fortunately, he didn't see with his eyes covered as they were.

"Luke. I'm here, okay? You don't have to be scared. I wont let anything get you again. I promise I'll keep you safe. And if not me, then Miss White will." She looked to Satsuki for support, the dimmed glow making her distress very clear to see.

The clown car has arrived

[youfool]

If Ted did not physically burst into the room, he certainly did visually. He had his usual brightly colored attire, with a balloon in hand. "Good afternoon, Luke. I came as soon as I heard the news. First, banalities: how are you feeling?" While he got these introductory topics out of the way, he tied his gift to the nearest available bedpost. It was an odd balloon; dark purple, with a white Cheshire grin, red eyes, and horn-like protrusions at ten-o-clock and two-o-clock.

"Alas, I'm sorry I could not be your first visitor."

[lookprofessor]

If the balloon wasn't somewhat reminiscent of Gengar, Luke would likely have been more afraid of it. As it is, he just waves tiredly, rubbing his eyes.

"Hi, Mr. Ted." Heaven help him if Ted is as...talkative...as usual. Luke can't keep up with quieter visitors. As it stands, he's staring at Ted confusedly for a moment before responding: "oh...'m feelin' a bit better."

He blinks, trying to process, looking a bit dazed. Whatever medicine they're giving him, it's strong. "...s'okay--when I woke up Koishi'd gotten here, an' Miss Kiry'n."

Put those poutyfeets away, big-butted young man!

[youfool]

Afraid of balloons. Luke you got issues.

"Aha, those two are swift. I like the ersatz family you all compose. Goodness knows they've done me worlds of good. I wouldn't mind seeing you in a world of good myself; seems I'm always meeting you either overworked or imperiled. I'd have brought a few puzzles but you don't seem, ah, lucid enough just yet. That's all right; something to look forward to I suppose."

He tried to think of something else to discuss that wasn't along the lines of "So what happened?", even though there's nothing else he'd rather know. He had friends to avenge, here.

"How long's your stay?"

But kick feetsies icon ;_;

[lookprofessor]

Slowly, Luke nods. "Th'nurses say th'medicine'll make me sleepy," of course a necessary explanation for his inability to work on puzzles. There must be a reason beyond simple fatigue and injury--though the anemia alone was probably enough.

As for Ted's unspoken query, should he ask he wouldn't be the first or the last. Luke was a potential goldmine of information, after all. A very sedated goldmine, but still.

"Don't know how long but th'doctor checks every day t'make sure thing're gettin' better."

there's no time for that it's a haunted hospital

[youfool]

"...ah." Ted had fits of what he believed to be tact. He was in one now, which prevented from getting into the nitty-gritty of Luke's condition. This left him silently floundering for something else to speak of, but he could not think of anything very witty to one left witless by the ravages of modern medicine. Even the weather was off-limits indoors.

As silence filled the air, the balloon gradually changed. Arms and legs budded from the round base. It expanded, with a fuller, spikier back and thicker torso. In moments, though Ted took no notice, a limp ribbon was left on the ground with an all-too-familiar ghost at its head.

: You guys are boring. No one's bleeding or puking their guts out or getting their stuff amputated or anything cool.

Luke would like to remain in one piece kthanx Gengar

[lookprofessor]

Don't worry, Ted. Luke has noticed, and he's staring in obvious bewilderment. It takes him a moment to translate Gengar's speech, longer than usual, and then the color drains from his face at the Pokémon's suggestion.

"I don'--tha' wouldn' be cool!" Luke's speech to Gengar is slow and halting, a novice speaking a foreign language and quite unlike him. "S'me tha's 'ere, the patient and--if that happened, it'd be t'me and I've 'ad enough...right? I'm already stuck 'ere for days."

Re: Luke would like to remain in one piece kthanx Gengar

[youfool]

Ted was dumbfounded, both at the sudden appearance from his pokemon and the way Luke conversed with it. He still wasn't used to that. He bought that balloon from a stall...how--why--what?

Gengar, meanwhile, was pleased. He thought he'd get more oomph from his transformation, but apparently it was Luke's imagination that got the most mileage. It's part of the reason he likes Luke; being able to talk opened up whole new dimensions of merrymaking. His appearance is marked with a chillier air; Luke might want another blanket.

: I'm the authority on cool stuff, cause I'm the coolest. Greeting your best bud in the world like that is very uncool. It's like you don't even remember when I saved your bacon from those little lizard guys. But I know how you can make it up to me~

He twirled a tv remote in his palm. Was Luke thinking what he's thinking?

Late response is late

[nrgsvr]

[Mayu does make sure to knock and politely announce his presence. Luke's condition is disturbing, not that he could see much from beneath the blankets. Mayu doesn't want to interrupt his rest, since the younger boy needs it to recover. He quietly pulls up a chair next to the hospital bed. He brought a judo themed manga for Luke. He expects a long stay.]

<3

[lookprofessor]

[Luke is half asleep upon Mayu's arrival, not an uncommon occurrence for him with the amount of medication he's being given on a daily basis. Still, on the older boy's arrival he wakes with a start, eyes wide, evidently pulling at something in his side because of the wince and the way he grabs at it.]

M-Mr. Mayu--

[A moment later he settles, wrapping the blanket tightly around his shoulders, blinking at the older teen.] --hello.

<3

[nrgsvr]

Sorry.

[ There's a lot of guilt and fear in that one word. He doesn't mean to startle Luke, and his training was insufficient. Logically, he understands that martial arts training takes time. Luke managed to survive, even if it was just barely. ]

What...?

[ He is about to start questioning Luke over what happened, but changed his mind.]

You don't have to talk if it's too hard.

Uh...here.

[ Hands him the manga]

[inhisdebt]

[Mikasa had already dealt with all the stuff regarding her friends, but the moment she found out that Luke had been harmed, she'd raced over. So suddenly the door will slam open.]

Luke! Are you okay!? What happened?!