CICONIA: WHEN THEY CRY

[insinning]

It's a holy night. Silent night.

All is calm.

Everything is b r i g h t.

Comments

[insinning]

[ Sinclair relaxes. This was definitely Oria]

Of course. It'd just be hosptial food in here, right?

[ Sitting down and scanning Oria over. Nothing notably wrong anymore...?]

[dissimulative]

[ Those odd dents throughout his body are gone, or at least whatever is visible, which... isn't much. His hospital attire has long sleeves, long pants, and a blanket that covers from waist down. His hands look fine though. Normal hands. No dents. ]

Ugh, yeah... I was actually stuck with nutrient IVs for several days because I was out for so long.

[ Oria doesn't seem to remember that he was barely conscious to text Sinclair that day. ]

Peeps will definitely rejuvenate me~ Ahhh~

[ feed him. ]

[insinning]

I can't imagine.

[ He feeds Oria willingly, holding the peep up to his mouth. It's a relief seeing Oria awake and not like death had come for him]

... still, you managed to send me messages even like that.

[dissimulative]

[ Munch. ]

I did?

[ He doesn't turn his Selcom on though. It was probably advised that he keep it off for a bit longer. ]

I don't remember it though... maybe I was half-asleep.

[insinning]

[ The chill sinks in again. But Oria was awake and here so he holds up another peep for him to take]

I thought so... since your messages came out weird. [ he's not going to bring up how unsettling they were]

Do you know how longer you need to be in here?

[dissimulative]

I must have typed a lot of nonsense.

[ He sighs. How embarrassing... He takes another munch of the peep. ]

I don't know for sure just yet. I'm definitely not well enough for Gauntlet Knight training though.

[insinning]

[ Sinclair avoids Oria's gaze for a moment, even as he reaches for the other snacks]

... that's alright. It'll be good for you to rest properly. I was really scared when you fell like that.

[dissimulative]

[ Oria has a tight-lipped smile. He sure didn't want that to happen, but that was certainly out of his control. ]

Sorry, for worrying you. I heard that it was some sort of virus going around, but you look fine... so I'm glad for that at least. What have you been doing lately? Other than worrying about me.

[insinning]

[ Sinclair shakes his head and squeezes Oria's hand. He can't tell the truth because there's no way Oria would be able to handle that well. "I spoke to someone in your body who knew me from before and they were creepy and now I'm trying to investigate things I have no leads on."

Yeah, no]

...I haven't been able to do much since no one is allowed to use their gauntlets right now. First thing they checked was the master key for everyone.

[He fidgets a little ]

So I've been doing simulation training instead and... I've been working with a doctor to unlock my memories. It's been hard though.

[dissimulative]

[ The part about the gauntlets make sense, but Oria looks concerned about the memories part. ]

Emotionally taxing?

[insinning]

Yeah, it's...like I've lost sight of what's real and what isn't. And that's scary

[ He looks down. Can he believe it ? Can he really believe that he had a family once?]

My name is unusual for someone born in the AOU isn't it?

[dissimulative]

[ Oria holds his hand as tightly as he can, which isn't much but he's trying. ]

I don't think so. One of the nations that AOU used to be was a melting pot of cultures, so many people all over the world came to this land. I tried tracing my heritage before and if my parents didn't settle here, I would have been from ABN.

[ Since Britain is from there too, apparently. ]

[insinning]

[ "Me too" is automatic. But that can't be right, can it]

...the ABN is very religious, isn't it? Do they...dislike factory born?

[ His head hurts]

[dissimulative]

[ Oria slightly tilts his head while thinking. Hm... ]

I'm not sure about their general opinion, but I know COU doesn't like the concept of it in general. ABN is pretty religious as you said and my life probably would have been really different if I was there, but last I heard, they're really gung-ho about religious freedom, so you can't slander any religion without facing consequences.

[insinning]

[ "It's blasphemous how--"

"The damned AOU freaks. Thinking they're all high and mighty."

His head pounds. Why is he remembering this?

"Sinclair, remember our deal. I'll help you if you..."]

I remember hearing that too. That... they had a lot of religious freedom but also, a lot of discrimination against certain groups of people.

[dissimulative]

Honestly, there's probably discrimination wherever you go.

[ Nationalism, tribalism, etc

Oria looks over at Sinclair and looks worried. ]

... Hey, what's wrong? You look like you're straining something.

[insinning]

[ Ah. Sinclair snaps out of it and shakes his head]

Sorry. I'm supposed to be here to check in on you and now...

[ That's embarrassing.]

No. I was just wondering if it'd change anything if it turned out I was from the ABN.

[dissimulative]

Huh? But didn't you say you were factory-born...?

[ ???

He keeps holding Sinclair's hand. ]

[insinning]

...I thought I was. That's what I was told.

[ He squeezes Oria's hand again, gently]

But...ever since I've gone to these sessions, it feels like...that was definitely a lie. I don't have anyone to celebrate siblings day with. I'm weirdly deferential to my elders even though I'm from the AOU right? There are things here I should know but I don't.

[dissimulative]

But...

[ Oria is at a standstill. He never thought lesser of factory-born children. A life is a life. He treats people based on his personal experiences with them, not because of their background.

Why does it feel like such a big deal now? Because reality has been turning on its head? Things Oria have known are suddenly not what they were? ]

Wait, someone over at Limbus should have your information, right? Then...

[ His voice trails off again. ]

[insinning]

...yeah. It's classified even to me. Stupid, right?

[He looks down, anxiety growing. Did this change things after all? Would Oria look at him differently.]

But if I try digging too much I get... angry. Angrier than you've ever seen me. I still don't know why.

[dissimulative]

[ With that, Oria perks up and his grip strength momentarily returns in squeezing Sinclair's hand. ]

They didn't hurt you, did they?

[insinning]

No. We stop the sessions when it seems like I'm getting too upset.

[ Even if most sessions leave him a teary mess after. He doesn't want Oria to know that though]

[dissimulative]

[ Sinclair doesn't have to tell Oria about being a teary mess when he already told him about how on the verge of him being upset would be. He knows Sinclair would cry if he got so upset to the point they have to pause the session. ]

What is the session even like? Hypnotism? How do you just... draw memories out?

[insinning]

I was working with Dr. Klara first [the infamous radical. Yeah] But her mirror therapy didn't really work for me because I don't have any clear memories. So I got referred to this new therapy where I get hooked up to some machines and... it's like I'm exploring my own mind? It's odd.