Video;

[innocent_royal]

[The video kicks on to show Anastasia at home, comfortably tucked in bed, curled in a sweet little ball with some of her favourite stuffed animals, such as Pan the Rolly-polly Panda.

She had been taking more naps lately for several reasons, but she was awake to strike up conversation.]

I still feel really tired. I did my art the best I can to help keep a path open for people to get to a safe house...

I know I shouldn't have put myself in danger like that, but I didn't want to be chased away again. I didn't want to cower in a closet.

I hope everyone else came out all right.

[Text to friends:Satsuki, Tony, Gale, Soma, Ayame]

Please let me know if you're all right.

Comments

[Text]

[yoyoboy]

Other than getting a few bruises from avoiding my emotions to get drained, I'm good.

[Not to mention that he's also exhausted as he's back in K&H Homes, lying down on his bed texting on his phone.]

And don't worry about it. You did manage to risk your life and emotions to help everyone else.

Re: [Text]

[innocent_royal]

I'm glad. Thank you for staying with me for as long as you could.

Re: [Text]

[yoyoboy]

No problem. The good thing about this right now is that neither of us got our emotions drained.

Although, I feel sorry about the others who were affected.

Re: [Text]

[innocent_royal]

Sadly, I'm not surprised others were...

Do you know many were affected? Or know who?

Re: [Text]

[yoyoboy]

No clue. But I did heard that most of the Fayren folks were affected.

Sorry if you learn about that.

[Private Text]

[zenoh]

[ Despite the earlier text asking about a name for a dog, Ayame has stayed silent for the most part. She figures sending that text out earlier would be enough to say she's alright, but she's been in hiding ever since. She's not at home or in her store, but somewhere else unknown to Anastasia. Ayame did see the text, and didn't think of answering it ]

private;

[orlokbutterfly]

Well, I've got this weird third appendage growing out my back. Know any solutions for that?

[He couldn't resist. He's not sorry.]

No but really, I'm fine. I just gotta stay out of commission for a couple days. You doin' ok?

Re: private;

[innocent_royal]

Yeah... [Her voice would've been so tiny right now. Hense why she is texting.]

I just feel really weak. It's the most magic I've used in years.

[Video]

[youfool]

[Ted looks pretty tired himself; drained but still hanging in there. It happens when you give up half your emotions like that. Thus, he only sounds partially anxious.]

"I can, heh, hardly believe Star let you do that, Ann. Why you never...*yawn*...leave these things to adults like myself I can hardly guess. Still, I'm glad you're all right. All's well that ends well, I suppose. Is there...is there anything you need at the moment?"

Re: [Video]

[innocent_royal]

[Her face up to her nose was obscured by her duvet.]

I didn't want to be chased away again. I wanted to be helpful...

I don't think I need anything at the moment, though. Nothing I can think of, at least.

Re: [Video]

[youfool]

I, heh, understand the feeling. But there are people who worry about you, you know. Myself included; suppose it's a wonder I haven't fainted yet.

Ah, speaking of which. When you're rested, may we talk? In person, mind. I sometimes wonder whether we use these phones overmuch.

Re: [Video]

[innocent_royal]

[She brings to the duvet down and reaches for her stuffed tiger to hold.]

I suppose I'm okay with that. Did you talk to Satsuki about this?

video;

[gamerrep]

Would it have been bad if you had just 'cowered'?

[Just something Chiaki is trying to understand, mostly because that was something she had to do.]

Re: video;

[innocent_royal]

It's not good for morale if a country's leader runs and hides at the moment of crises...

I know I'm no one's​ Princess, but it was something I was raised to believe.

video;

[gamerrep]

Sometimes there are situations where one has to. Either by being told by someone, or knowing there is nothing they can do to help the situation.

The reason I hid was because I knew I couldn't do anything or risk something worse happening. But...how you were raised shouldn't be an influence on your own actions if you think it's not the right action to do.

I guess that is what I am getting at.

Video

[lunarlegionnaire]

Don't apologize for pitching in. It's more than anyone could've asked of you, all things considered.

Re: Video

[innocent_royal]

[Still laying in bed, she plays with her stuffed Rolly-polly Panda by having it dance a little for the camera.]

Normally, adults wouldn't want me to get involved. As a Princess, I was so heavily guarded.

[Which is why she had been constantly wandering off without Satsuki's permission.]

It feels weird that I'm not being scolded for doing what I did.

Video

[lunarlegionnaire]

[This grizzled old ex-jarhead... actually manages the ghost of a grin. Aw.]

Well I would've, but you kinda scolded yourself already. So what's the point, right?

Re: Video

[innocent_royal]

[Her rolly-polly panda escaped her fingers and rolled away. Whoops. At least she has a fluffy soft tiger to hold on to.]

I did? I expected more. Like a grounding... But that would be pointless, since I can't go outside in this heat.

...I probably shouldn't give ideas for my own punishment.

[Video/Private]

[weavemyownfate]

[It's about a minute or so but Satsuki eventually responds.]

Anastasia.

[It's hard for Satsuki to be upset; it may have been a poor decision on Satsuki's part to let Anastasia push herself as hard as she did. On the other hand being thrown into the fire like that gave a true display of where her training has taken her thus far, even thought very little swordplay was likely involved.]

I am fine. I understand your conflict, but my lessons were not supposed to teach you that running and hiding is your only solution.

Re: [Video/Private]

[innocent_royal]

I know.

[A round panda, a tiger, and now a Surf Pikachu doll. She won't have enough stuffed animals to hold while she lays comfortably in bed.]

I was raised to believe in standing with the people. I stood with my people when our capital fell, but...even then, as a girl, my safety was prioritized with many others.

I pushed my power to it's limit here, though. If Tony or Gale hadn't found me when they did, I would've been helpless. Still, I apologize for putting myself in such a situation...

[She's certainly paying for it now.]

[Private Video]

[notquitedracula]

[It takes Soma a full day to respond - and when he does, it's with a video. He's... really not looking too good. Like he hasn't slept in about a week.]

I'm as well as I can be, given the circumstances. I've made some headway on that problem we talked about, but... perhaps it's best if we don't meet in person for a little while.

[Remember that glimpse of fangs back at the carnival? Yeah. They're back. And his eyes aren't quite the same color they used to be...]

Re: [Private Video]

[innocent_royal]

[Anastasia is still bedridden, but is getting her strength back. She has been able to stay awake for longer. Even now, she was sitting up in bed, still tucked in and leaning against the huge teddy bear she got from just the very person who called her.

She was reading a fairy tale when Soma called, picking up the phone to answer. She can clearly see he doesn't look the same as when they last met, and this concerns her.]

Are you okay? Do you want to talk about it?

[notquitedracula]

[He smiles, or tries to. It looks more like a pained grimace.]

All power has limits; this is mine, rearing its ugly head. I'm not okay, but there's nothing anyone here can do to help me. I think I'll be okay, though - I just need rest, and to not use my abilities for a while. Maybe a pint of blood from the bank in Everglade... no, I will not resort to that.

[...In case it wasn't obvious, he's in a really bad way. The vampiric nature of his power is imposing itself, trying to turn him.]

[innocent_royal]

I see... Like me. I used so much magic that I feel drained. I've been sleeping a lot.

[She covers her mouth to hide a yawn. She still felt sleepy, but not nearly as much as before. She completely missed the bit about the blood.]

I'm glad you replied. Some haven't, and it worries me.