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(no subject)

Who: Relevant persons
Where: A second-floor apartment in Central Corehaven, Cepheus
When: King's Year 197, late spring
What: ~~Spam~~ Fushigi mysteries

* for what may be the first time in almost two years, the Core's Head Engineer hasn't reported in for duty in the last two days. *

* what do. *

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ssssteadying against the wall, one hand up in a gesture that could be either placating or soothing]

I-It's—okay. It's still just me. I-I'm sorry I scared you.

...Ceres...

* hand falling away, he backs one, two steps away from her. *

Shit. Shit, I... I'm sorry, I....

[sh-shakes her head]

It's okay. I should've said something first.

N-no, it's not...

* staring at his hands, fingers clawed and quivering with tension. *

I can't. I can't make it stop.

You're sick. You should have called for me.

You shouldn't be here. You could-- catch. Whatever the hell this... is.

I could have shot you.

I've been exposed anyway now, so I may as well stay.

You didn't, so it's fine.

...

* just. lowers himself to sit on the edge of the bed *

. . . How long have you been like this? When did you start seeing people?

...night before I stopped. Going to work.

* grasping at his fringe, the headband long since tossed in some corner of the room. *

Hours after I hit Raknos.

—And you didn't send for me yet? Have any doctors been up to see you?

...

I thought it would. Fade. If I just let it run its course.

* jerks his hand away. *

Can't have the doctors, they'll just tell admin before shipping me off for going insane--

You're not—! You're sick! You're sick and I—I-I need someone who knows sickness better . . .

No doctors. There's not one in Cepheus who won't-- certify unfit for duty. After something like this--

They'll never. Never let me back in. Too lightdamned... risky.

Then I'll call for a foreign— What about Red's friend? That Lacerta!

Red's...

* it takes a moment, but he looks up with heavily bloodshot eyes. *

...Feramis...?

Yes. The Lacertan doctor. He knows a lot about illnesses so maybe he can help!

...

If you can find him.

There's not... much choice, is there.

I can ask a Pyxis. There must be some in the city. They—one of them might know. They can send a message.

...tell him--

* his arms and shoulders spasm, briefly-- and he holds his hands together in a tight grip. *

Tell him Red can't know about this.

[lol no]

Alright . . . I'm going to go find one now. I'll be back soon, alright?

* leaps to his feet. *

Promise me!

[fdgjd lifts a hand in defense reflexively]

I-I promise!

* trembling like a leaf where he stands, fists clenched. *

Don't let him worry. Don't... make him come back. To this.

I won't!