dappledleaves | CICONIA: WHEN THEY CRY

[what the f-

No, don't think like that. There's a reason for everything, right? Heathcliff grouches about the grunt work he has to do but he dumps Oria back inside onto the ground with no ceremony, giving Sinclair enough room to kneel by Oria and check on him. Luckily he wasn't the one scruffed this time...]

Oria, are you okay?

[The military officers are coming soon, but Sinclair isn't the one in trouble this time. Probably]

"My Sinclair."

[ It's clear that whatever happened in the past whatever moments wasn't really Oria and Sinclair will feel a hand on his cheek. It's Oria's hand, but it's not Oria that's behind it. His voice sounds quiet and soft instead of his usual boisterous tone. ]

"Do you remember now? And our promise...?"

[ Sinclair flinches a little but he steels himself. Not Oria. Just a program wearing Oria's face trying to make him lose it]

...there was no such thing.

"You still don't remember?"

[ He looks disappointed with a smidge of wistfulness in his expression. Whatever this is has assumed that Sinclair regained a lot of his memories. ]

"The coin... the sign... everything? You don't remember?"

[ Sinclair's expression tightens briefly. All of that was meaningless now anyway. Because 'that person' was dead, having succumbed to a fate far worse than Sinclair could have dreamed]

I remember. [ there was no sign. Just a bloodbath he was responsible for]

And it's all meaningless now.

"Is it? You always look like you're in pain when it's brought up."

[ The small smile has long since faded, but perhaps Sinclair can feel a void of that. There's a void of emotions. There should be something, but to see Oria so empty as he lowers his hand from Sinclair's cheek-- ]

... This is a pain. Get me some painkillers.

...who are you?

[ To see Oria, who was always so vibrant look like this...he knew what this meant. Sinclair looks at Rodya and Heathcliff who both shrug.

"Ten minutes, probably." Rodion says and Sinclair nods. He takes 'Oria's' hand]

Come on. I still have some leftover in my room. Though...you really should be in the medical bay now.

[ It looks like he's about to say something, but he shuts up when Sinclair gives that suggestion. ]

Then why am I not there, and still here?

[ He looks over at Heathcliff like, "you buffoon. you fool. you had only one job." ]

Because...you were being weird.

[ Sinclair doesn't know. He'll lead Oria to the medical bay. His room in the dorms isn't a refuge after all, not right now.

Heathcliff moves to lunge. Rodion drags him off.

"Bye kiddo~. Fau will investigate later."]

[ Bye heathcliff... He follows Sinclair, but his movements are a little janky. The adrenaline has worn off, so he's lost his strength and his limbs feel numb. After a stumble, he collapses on his legs and slumps on the floor.

... ]

Carry me there.

[ Investigate...Rodion meant Faust already knew and Sinclair was in for a Faust-scolding. He didn't really do anything this time though...

Sinclair tries to catch Oria, but other than keeping a hold of Oria's elbow, he can't keep Oria from slumping over completely]

Huh? Oh, okay...

[ Time to pull Oria into a piggy back ride then. Over Sinclair's back you go...!

Heavy...]

[ He's the heaviest ragdoll... Oria would have definitely squabbled over this, but this guy just looks like he doesn't care. Pride? Irrelevant. ]

... Thought you were one of the strongest. Why are you struggling?

[ He sounds so judging while being piggybacked. Help. ]

It's different carrying someone like this...when did you get so heavy?

[ He's worn down from the running??? Rude. It's not like he hasn't carried Oria before but...He takes a moment but once he's worked out how to handle Oria's weight over his back, he does better]

Probably from all the food Oria eats.

[ He is privy to Oria's eating habits despite... the build. It's fine. We don't think about it. ]

Shouldn't you get ready? When will they send you out for the war?

...I don't need to take that long. We'll be sent out to the front lines on Thursday.

[His voice goes a little distant]

You never said what your name was...

[ He notes the distant tone, but doesn't call him out on it yet. ]

I didn't answer your question the first time because I don't have one.

[Sinclair blinks. But he can't look at Oria right now, when he's on his back]

I thought all CPP developed their own identities and names on their own.

Not having a name isn't the same as not having an identity.

[ He lightly headbutts the back of Sinclair's head, but it just feels like he's burying his face into Sinclair's soft hair. ]

[Hey. Sinclair makes a noise of confusion at that gesture, trying not to fluster. This wasn't Oria]

...I guess not. But do you want a name? I can't call you Oria... that's not right.

I haven't really thought about it. Feel free to call me whatever you want.

[ Though the tone seems to imply that he has the right to veto whatever suggestion he doesn't like despite what he said. ]

You don't like what I did.

[ His tone is flat, but it's phrased like a question. ]

Oh, um...let me think...

[ That person he had seen... they really liked the fight, huh? Hm...even as he thinks of a name, his mind goes to the fiasco]

... I don't think what you did was wrong. But it wasn't good for you... either of you.

... I didn't want to do it, but I had to. Oria struck first, then he couldn't handle the taser gun. We share a body, but he's surprisingly fragile for someone who's supposed to be tough.

[ He sighs. ]

It still hurts though. How far is the place?

[ Sinclair knows how much tasers hurt. It's why he was surprised when Oria got up and kept going]

...Oria can be a little hot-headed too. [ pot kettle etc] It's not far. Just another hallway.

[ He makes a small affirming sound and goes back to being quiet. It's still difficult to control his limbs and muscle spasms so he twitches here and there while on the piggyback.

Right before going in: ]

Is he going to be detained?

[ Sinclair wishes he could be more helpful. Maybe if he had focused on his studies, becoming stronger, anything...

He already knows it's all useless wishful thinking. Even if he had been smarter, more capable, he was restrained by one simple fact:

He and Oria were not adults.]

...yeah. They could let a lot of things slide but not this one. They'll want to make Oria an example...

[He gently sets Oria down in the bed, as a young nurse with fluffy pink hair runs up to them in alarm. What happened? Oh, he definitely needed some ice packs, along with something for the pain. Oh no]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject