Setting
Default Location for Weather Girls
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The Chrysanthemum is a part of 
Weather Girls.
2 Characters Here
Elise von Hresvelg [625] "Hide away from the light, the rain is the only refuge."
Winter Matsuri [625] As gentle as the falling snow.
Start Character Here »
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❝I put my arms around myself and I'm unbreakable.❞
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA】
|| Dear Winter || AJR ||
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA】
|| Dear Winter || AJR ||
"Ezra!" Winter's cheeks flushed when he mentioned her outfit. "I like it," Gray said, was it Winter's imagination or were her cheeks pink? "It makes you look battle ready." Winter nodded, but subconsciously covered her legs a bit more with her jacket. "Let's get the show on the road," she gestured for Gray to lead the way. They would march through the city, well, Winter would roll, as cars would only provide Merlin with more metal that he could use to bend and twist around them. Ezra was the one with the best chance against Merlin. Metal and rock were both from the earth, they had similar strengths, but also similar weaknesses. Serenity and Carter revealed that Merlin had goaded them into following the Doc's plan. Winter shivered in recollection of seeing her body like that. She placed a hand against her chest, knowing that if one of her organs went into failure or acute rejection, there was a high likelihood that all of them would follow suit.
It was Merlin's fault that this had happened. It was also Merlin's fault she was still alive. How much of this had he orchastrated? Was he the true puppet master behind the Chrysanthemum? Her hands balled into fists, she needed to stay calm, but she could feel the ice creeping out underneath her cushion. "We'll have our chance at redemption soon." After all, they all had an advantage over the others. "Winter, be careful. I sense that Merlin isn't working alone," Yuuki warned her. She nodded. She had a feeling that Merlin wasn't stupid enough to face a wave of soldiers alone. "We need to focus on getting Elise out and destroying the motherboard. If you can, avoid sparing against Merlin himself." Winter instructed the other Vassals. Merlin knew too much about her, Winter realized then.
He had kidnapped her and nearly killed her, he had been assigned to shadow her, he had been working with the Slither's when they had impregnated her. Who was Merlin? Why did he want to interfere so much in her life? Her hands shook as she came to this realization. Who had pulled her out of the bombing during the concert after she had covered the arena in ice? Who had stood guard outside of the hospital door when she had surgery on her leg? What did Merlin want with her? Why did he keep trying to hurt all of them? They reached the house made of metal, the sudden stop jerking Winter from her thoughts. "Ezra, no!" Too late, he had run at the house, hurling rocks and stones at the metal walls until a tear formed. "Ezra! Get back here!" Too late, a metal pole had embeded itself into his adomen.
"Ezra!" He now held both Ezra and Elise hostage. Winter's hands shook, her rage growing. The ice continued to creep out underneath her. "Winter, focus." Yuuki whispered, Merlin was talking to her. "Over my dead body," she rose from her chair. "Spirit armor," her outfit transformed. Serenity and Carter too, tranformed behind her. The soldiers moved out of their way as they stalked forward, knowing that standing in front of them could mean death. "We'll be taking both of them back," Carter's sand whip struck the side of the house, decimating a wall in one blow. Carter too, was an earth user, but he wasn't as strong as Ezra. "It's four against one Merlin. You are out gunned and out manned. Hand Elise and the mother board over and we'll leave. Peacefully. If you try to resist, I won't rest until every limb on your body has been removed."
He was no different from the monsters that plagued the Boundary. Merlin was no different from the Doc, no different from the Slithers. "You ruined my life. Now I'm going to ruin yours."
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❝Do you know where you are?❞
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E】
|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E】
|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||
"We're holding the line!" Admiral Gray yelled as the monsters continued to press in from the sides. The soldiers formed a line of bodies behind Winter and the vassals. Until they all stopped breathing, not a single monster would break through and interrupt Winter's fight against Merlin. He proposed an ultimatum - give up Ezra, and they would be able to save Elise but anyone that knew Winter would know she was not the kind of person to make sacrifices. She would save them both, that's just how Winter works. Merlin's face slackened, going blank for a moment when Winter announced her intentions. "I see." He smiled, then clapped his hands. "Too bad then!" Without warning the bomb went off in Ezra's midsection, with a burst of gristle and blood the Rock Vassal was gasping, his ribs exposed to the elements. His breaths rattled in his chest, his eyes rolling up to the whites.
Serenity let out a howl of despair, breaking through Carter's grip and rushing forward. "No! How could you do that?! We're all Vassals, aren't we supposed to be on the same side?" Merlin's smile was very gentle as he leaped down, Elise still in his grip. He touched Serenity's cheek lovingly. "But what about us being Vassals means we need to be a team? Humans are all individuals, we're free to make our own decisions." He reached to grab Serenity's head when Carter pulled her back using his sand whip, panic in his eyes. "Aww, drat, I almost snapped your neck." Merlin chuckled, looking up at his heir. Zoku, with salt and pepper hair and heterochromatic eyes, she was definitely a strange looking heir. "You can't deny this is a little fun though, right? Try to enjoy it, it's not often you get to fight like this, Vassals." Zoku laughed like a hyena, shrill and high.
"Come on, stop me already. Aren't I the big evil villain you were waiting for?" Merlin casually moved his knife closer to Elise's face, holding her as if she were his lover. The knife plunged into her face, her ruby red eye distended on the end of the blade. "Guess I'll take the other -" A rock was hurled at his head. "St-...op!" Ezra growled, somehow clinging to life, too angry to die. "She needs... those eyes!" Merlin casually deflected the rock with a smile. "Really though, do you think you can save her just by destroying the motherboard? It's very sensitive. Breaking it will make it explode." No, you needed to be very careful with the motherboard. "You need to input a password on the motherboard to access the safe release option."
Carter grit his teeth, tired of all of these games. For now he was using a sheet of sand as a makeshift bandage to stop Ezra's bleeding, but he was in serious condition right now. "What do you want, Merlin? Why are you doing any of this?" Merlin closed one eye, winking. "Didn't I already tell you? It's just good fun, nothing personal, kiddo." He lowered the now one-eyed Elise onto the ground then, smiling. "The password is 123." Carter and Serenity stared at him in disbelief, their jaws dropping. "What, don't believe me? Good luck saving her then, since messing up the password will also trigger the explosion!" He jumped backwards with a twirl, a bright look on his face. You could almost say he was quite mad.
"Well, I have a meeting to attend, so I must be going. Please, let me know if Elise's head blew up or not, I'm so curious about what you'll decide!" He escaped then while Serenity ran to cling to Ezra, as Carter shivered in anger and rage. "...What do we do, Winter?" He asked, trying to sound strong. "Do we trust his password?" He retrieved the motherboard, which had a number pad on the side, with three input slots. Could it really be as simple as 123?
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❝I put my arms around myself and I'm unbreakable.❞
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA】
|| Dear Winter || AJR ||
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA】
|| Dear Winter || AJR ||
He was afraid of them, Winter realized, but why? "Enter it," she ordered. "I don't think he's lying." They bore him, that was why he was leaving, that was why he gave them the password. To Merlin, this game was no longer fun because he was in real danger. "I'm going after him-" Gray grabbed her shoulder. "Not without backup," she nodded to Serenity and Carter. "You two, go with her. We'll take care of Elise and Ezra, don't worry." Winter nodded, glad that Gray was not going to try and stop her. "Come on," they followed her, the three of them speeding off to catch up to Merlin. They cornered him on a hill, the other side leading to the beach. There were no man made structures in this part of the city. "Haha, looks like I'm in danger." Merlin laughed, raising both hands.
"Serenity, move!" Winter shoved her, the two of them flying as something suddenly exploded. He had touched her before, no doubt he had planted a bomb. Carter wasn't going to let him get away, he stopped Merlin, sand whip around his ankle. "Don't think you can get away so easily." Merlin sighed, "looks like I'll actually have to fight." He rolled his head around on his shoulders, his spirit suit manifesting. Suit, not armor. Winter grinned, it was just as she had suspected. "Why? Why did you do this to us?" She asked, keeping her hands steady. "Because it's fun," he strode forward, Winter's staff at his throat. He stopped, his grin maniac. This was no human, Winter realized. No, Merlin had given up his humanity. "Get down-" metal burst from his body. "I love watching you all squirm like rats in a trap! Trying to figure out your destiny!" He laughed, blood running down his body.
"Winter," Yuuki appeared before her. She nodded, "I know." Merlin was suddenly face to face with her, grabbing her by the throat. "You're still too weak!" He spat, throwing her to the side. She flew into a tree, her spirit armor protecting her. "Oh no you don't!" Carter had the sand from the beach, he used it to trap Merlin, to make him start to sink. Serenity blinded him, using light that bounced off of his metal, heating it up to an uncomfortable temperature. Merlin laughed, flicking his wrist. Carter and Serenity were suddenly thrown a mile away. "It's just as now little Winter." Her head was spinning, her lungs burning. She needed to end this, now. She wasn't going to get another opportunity if he got away. "You've been watching me from the beginning, haven't you?" Winter asked as they sparred, her staff against his metal rod.
"Of course!" Merlin beamed, "Who do you think made sure you could never get adopted? Who do you think gave clearance for the psychologist to clear you to play at the Opal? I've been watching you Winter, for a long time. You were my first real doll." She thrust forward, staff turning into a sword. It sliced through his middle, Merlin laughing as he coughed up blood. "But you're too broken to play with anymore. One gust of wind and you'll bowl right over!" He struck her, metal scraping against her skin. She jumped back, Merlin twisting the metal around himself. It wasn't perfect, Winter could see an opening. "I've been a vassal longest of all! I knew your parents, your Grandparents! It's a shame really, they would have survived the bombing if that shrapnel hadn't gotten them."
Shrapnel? Winter had never known how they died, only that their bodies had been too mutilated to view at the funeral she wasn't allowed to attend. "You killed them?" She whispered in horror, her hands shaking. "I had to! They wouldn't let me just take you-" she was seeing red. Her vision bubbling at the edges. "Oh? This is interesting. I killed them Winter! Your Mother too! Smothered her to death with a pillow! Zoku told me who the other vassals would be, she showed me the cards!" Her breathing became labored, her chest hurting. "Winter, stop!" Yuuki ordered, but she couldn't.
Merlin laughed, his eyes suddenly wide. His head rolled several feet as the rest of his body crumpled in the sand. "Winter, stop!" Yuuki begged as she fell to her knees, screaming. "Winter!" They were calling her name, but she was in too much pain to hear them, her body in agony. "It's okay!" Serenity tried to soothe, petting her head. "It's gonna be okay, you're-" she passed out before Serenity could finish.
"I've never seen anything quite like this," Winter groaned, the lights dimmed. She tugged at the oxygen looped underneath her nose, her entire body in agony. It was as though someone had set it on fire. "Oh, good, you're awake." The lights became brighter, Winter looked around the room, in one of the medical bays. There were two soldiers standing at the door to guard it. "How are you feeling?" Julian asked as the nurse walked around Winter, adjusting pillows. "Horrible." Winter replied, her throat sore. "I imagine, as you've got quite a lot of inflammation in your lungs. Your kidneys are looking a bit worse for wear too." She closed her eyes, sucking in the trickled oxygen. "Are they going into rejection?" She asked, afraid to hear the answer. "No, not yet at least." He brought up a holo projection, "you're not to stress your body anymore until the inflammation dies down."
She nodded, wincing. "How are Elise and Ezra?" She asked, her voice soft, scratchy. "Ezra had a few skin grafts, but seems to be responding well. Elise had an eye transplant, along with an artificial cornea. She's yet to wake up, but I think it should be very soon." Winter nodded, sighing with relief. "You'll be transfered back to your room soon, I should think you'll be more comfortable recovering and commanding from there." She watched him leave, wanting to go back to sleep already.
"Winter!" Yuuki appeared beside her. Someone was with him, someone she didn't recognize. It was a girl, with salt and pepper hair and two different colored eyes. She looked away, crossing her arms. "Yuuki, who's your friend?" Winter rasped, wincing. She needed a drink. "That's what I came here to explain. You see, when you sliced Merlin's head off, you had exposed wounds and his blood... went into your body." What did that mean? "It wasn't enough to gain his power, so don't worry, but it was enough that Zoku seems to be somewhat attached to you now."
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❝I am not the wonder of anyone's world, I am simply me.❞
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E】
|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E】
|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||
Quite a lot of things were being hidden from Winter's eyes as she awoke. There was an incident that took place during the raid on Merlin's home, but no one wants to tell Winter yet. They did not want to add additional stress to the girl. Mechanical drones swarmed the noble compound, whirring, their lasers ready to strike the sick, the invalids, the patients in the medical wards who could not fight back. Commander Swanson tried as he might, but his soldiers were only guarding the front entrance. As the reports from inside the compound became more severe, a drone appeared right in front of his face, requesting an audience with the leader. With Winter gone to battle, Jeralt had to step in and see the demands of this new enemy. Swanson did not expect to see an old face on the camera, looking back at him.
"General Edmund? So you're still with the Chrysanthemum?" General Edmund, the Chrysanthemum's most decorated and highly valued military official, nodded, his blonde hair gleaming in the light of the holocam. "Still? More like, I stayed loyal to my city. I'm still ashamed that you and Gray betrayed your own homelands." Swanson growled, grinding his teeth. Like an old boar, he knew when he was outnumbered, but he wasn't happy about it. "Times are changing, old friend. You need to put the drones away and realize who you're working for." General Edmund did not take kindly to that, of course. "I'm working for our citizens, and the people of the Chrysanthemum. You simply ran to the biggest paycheck. When have those nobles done anything to help anyone?"
Jeralt frowned, understanding where General Edmund was coming from, but that did not mean he liked it. "So the President ordered you to attack us?" Edmund nodded, a dark look on his face. "You're all rebels, so naturally, we had to act. Even if Winter Matsuri is supposedly in charge, we know she's in league with you Hresvelgs." A girl appeared on the camera then, a face that surprised Jeralt even. A face he once considered a friend of Winter and Claude. "The President requests that you all formally surrender." Mercedes Edmund said with a righteous smile. "All you have to do is return the Vassals to us, and allow the citizens to return to the Government that will protect them, rather than exploit and abuse them."
"Why are you working for the President, Mercedes?" Jeralt asked, genuinely confused. "You're a Vassal, aren't the vassals all on the same side?" Mercedes sighed, looking almost regretful. "I wish that could be the case, but your family is brainwashing Winter. The Edmund family has long been the spear of the Chrysanthemum. It's my ancestor's duty and my duty to fight for our President, to believe in the Chrysanthemum, and to defeat anyone that would hurt our beautiful city." Mercedes sighed, taking a deep breath. "Please surrender. We will wait three days for you to make youre decision. In order to avoid further bloodshed, all you need to do is surrender." The transmission ended, the drones returned from whence they came, but the message was clear.
The Chrysanthemum was done waiting around.
.........
Ruby eyes - one real, one fake - blinked blurrily up at the ceiling above her. Her vision swam, it was dizzy. How was she able to see? Elise remembered it, the hell of having someone own her body, use it for his own selfish and perverted desires. She shivered, trying to huddle under her blanket. "How do I..." How did she move her body? Her voice came out slightly slurred, her mouth felt like an alien trying to move. Her limbs did not feel as if they belonged to her. "Oh, you're awake!" Claude smiled, taking her hand. "Welcome back, sister. You're finally back." Was she really? She did not feel like herself. She felt as if she were an alien inhabiting a human body. "Dirty." She mumbled, remembering how even when sedated, Garrel was violating every part of her. His words echoed in her mind.
"Your shining hair, your beautiful eyes, your wonderful lips, shaped just for me..."
"Claude... am I still..." She forgot how to cry, the tears refusing to form. OR maybe she was beyond the point of crying? She looked away, her body still shaking. "It'll be okay. I'm here." He raised an eyebrow then. "Oh, you seem a little different. What happened to acting arrogant all the time?" Elise made a pathetic little whine, staring at her hands that refused to move. "It was... just... a mask." She mumbled, a weak blush on her face. "I am still... afraid of everyone." She just got better at hiding it. "I am still..." Her eyes settled on her reflection, horror filling her chest, choking her throat. The scars, she could still... "You're perfectly pretty, El-" More fear built up in her chest and she shut her eyes, as if trying to block out the world.
Claude fell silent, and then held her hand more tightly. "Sorry, I should have known, comments like that aren't helping right now." His voice was gentle, caring. What kind of face was he making? "I'll go tell the others you're awake. Try and get some rest, okay??" She nodded, keeping her eyes shut. What sort of face would she wear? What sort of mask would she put on? The black eagle with her wings clipped and torn, would she still be able to bear that arrogant smile like she did before?
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❝I put my arms around myself and I'm unbreakable.❞
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA】
|| Dear Winter || AJR ||
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA】
|| Dear Winter || AJR ||
Winter was in no shape to go to war. She was carefully moved back to her room, using the back halls so as to evade anyone that might be waiting around. Tomorrow was the concert, she was supposed to play. She hadn't even gotten to practice. "I'm sure it must be nice to be in your own bed," the nurse said as she adjusted the oxygen tank. Winter's head was spinning. "Yes," she murmured. The pain medicine was making her sleepy, she had thrown up several times on the way back to her room. Jeralt knocked on the open door, Lisa was coming with lunch, but Winter wasn't hungry. "Come in," she murmured. "Winter, we have something we need to discuss." They had three days to make a decision as to whether or not they would surrender, or go to war with the Chrysanthemum. "I'm sixteen Jeralt, I can't make decisions like this." Winter whispered as she leaned her head back.
"I know, but they're all looking to you. They believe in you," believed in her? "They're all putting their faith in a child." Jeralt shrugged, "Humans are fickle things. You have the confidence to take the head off of a grown man, what makes you think you can't challenge an entire government?" He asked, his hand resting on top of her's. "I feel like an old man," it was bad enough that she had to walk with a cane before. "What do you want to do Winter?" Jeralt asked, his voice soft, but tone urgent. "I don't want to be in their hands again," Winter realized. "I don't want to go back." Jeralt rose, "then we fight till our last breath." She shook her head, "We'll lose. They have an actual military, we just have defectors and rich people who've never held guns in their lives."
"And majority of the vassals." Jeralt reminded her, "I can't fight. Julian basically said if I don't rest this week, I'm done for." She gestured around her, to the IV, the oxygen, the dialysis. "I'm dying Jeralt." His hand squeezed her own. "Would the Chrysanthemum know how to fix you?" He asked, "Probably. They know everything about me. They've had enough time to grow organs that would be a better match." Jeralt nodded and rose. "Then we surrender. If it means not losing you, Elise, or Claude, we will relenquish our stance." She stiffened, "No." Jeralt seemed sad, "I'm sorry Winter. I'm trying to make the best decision, not as a leader, but as a Father." No, no, no. Yuuki was beside her, "Winter, calm down." She threw the blanket off, trying to follow him, falling immediately to the ground. "No," ice was growing out from under her. "Winter!" Yuuki couldn't touch her, but it was clear he was trying to help her up.
"Ms. Winter, I've come with- Winter!" Lisa rushed to her side. "You shouldn't be moving around so much, if you need to use the bathroom, you can call me." She lifted Winter back into bed, fluffing the pillows and adjusting them around her. "I need to speak to Admiral Gray." She felt nauseous again, it must've been in her face as Lisa placed the bucket next to her. "I'll get her now," Lisa said, going to find her. "Winter, you need to be careful." Yuuki warned, looking stern. "Why?" Zoku asked, perching herself on the end of the bed. "She's already hit rock bottom. She has nothing more to give, didn't you notice Yuuki? How desperate she is." Zoku reached out as though to ruffle her hair, hand passing right through her. "You don't know Winter like I do." Yuuki growled, shoving Zoku away from her.
"Gray," Winter was relieved to see her. "Don't let Jeralt surrender to the Chrysanthemum. Please, you need to stop him." She begged, feeling pathetic. Gray looked away, "The General and Nobles had a vote." Gray said softly, it was clear there was regret in her eyes. "They voted to make Jeralt the leader until you're better. Julian was forced to tell them everything and they deemed you unfit to lead." It was because she wasn't a noble, wasn't it? "When did this happen?" Winter whispered, feeling sick again. What little semblence of control she had, had was slipping away. "This morning, they made their decision this morning." Winter's hands balled into fists. "Do they know Jeralt is planning to conceede to the Chrysanthemum?" She asked, her nostrils flaring in anger.
"Yes, they agreed that it would be better to go peacefully so that the Chrysanthemum would let them keep their status." They had blindsided her. Of course, they never intended to follow her. The moment she showed any weakness they struck, putting someone else on their throne. "Winter, you need to calm down." Gray reached out, the machine reading her vitals beginning to spike as her panic rose. Winter shook her head, "Don't touch me!" She slapped Gray's hand away, spikes of ice rising behind her. Julian and the nurse came rushing in, ice crept out from around her. "I think it would be best to sedate her for now. We'll use IV Ket until the transfer is done." Julian reached for the IV. "No!" Winter tried to stop him, but Gray grabbed her, wrapping Winter's arms in an X against her chest, holding her still like a petulant child until Julian could set up the Ket. "Shhh, it's going to be alright." Gray tried to soothe as the world spun and she saw stars, her body slumping weakly.
"When will the Chrysanthemum officials get here?" Gray asked worriedly. "In approximately two hours."
"Then we have two hours to hide all of the vassals."
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❝I am not the wonder of anyone's world, I am simply me.❞
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E】
|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E】
|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||
Claude returned shortly after the nurses finished checking her vitals, fear clear on his eyes. Why was he so shaken? Elise began to tremble again, trying to weakly clutch at her sheets to she could hide under them. "El, our dad... he's doing something insane. He's about to make a big mistake." Big mistake? What was he... Elise listened, increasingly pale, as Claude told her what he overheard. They were going to surrender to the Chrysanthemum? But they all fought so hard just to escape and stay out of their clutches, no, the Chrysanthemum was the reason why this whole apocalypse started in the first place. "No... we cannot... I do not want..." Claude noded, taking her hand in his, squeezing it tightly. "I know. We can't trust the Chrysanthemum, we saw what happened last time." He shook his head, rare anger in his eyes. "What is father thinking? Last time the Chrysanthemum took you, you and Winter were killed! Why does he think it's a good idea now?"
"M-maybe I can... I may be able to..." Was it their only hope? Then she was going to have to try. "We'll both make an appeal. Father might listen to us, it's worth a shot." Claude looked at her, clear worry on the furrows in his brow. "...Will you be okay?" Elise tried to hold back a whimper. A lot of her mask had worn away, and it was going to take time for her to be able to really put it on again. Still, right now, silly emotions like trauma did not matter when their lives were at stake. "I have... to try." She sniffed, holding back her tears. Claude helped her onto a wheelchair and took the handles. "Then let's hurry. There's no time to waste." He took her through the halls, trying to reach Jeralt before it was too late to make a difference.
Jeralt was making a beeline towards the front entrance when Claude was able to intercept him, Elise shivering in the wheelchair, looking smaller than she normally did, and she was already petite to begin with. "Claude, Elise..." Jeralt's expression hardened. "Don't bother. I made my decision." Claude grabbed his father's arms, nails digging into his wrists. "This isn't your decision to make! We can't let the Chrysanthemum have them! Don't you remember what they did before? They killed them!" Claude, who was always calm and in control, had lost his composure, openly yelling. "Winter was the leader! She freed us from Garrel Lawson! And now you're throwing her efforts back in her face?" Why was Claude crying now? "She gave us El back... and this is how you repay her?"
"The President... has no regard... for human life." Elise gulped, trying to stop her shaking. How did she do it before? Did she smile arrogantly? Did she stare with unwavering eyes? Why was it so hard to put on the mask? "S-so... we... I..." Her voice trailed off, cracking from the strain. "Well, what other choice do I have? As a father, how can I protect my family and keep them alive?" The strain was hard on him too, the stress lines were only growing worse on his face. It hurt to see, Jeralt was always so jolly and carefree. Now he bore the weight of the world on his shoulders, and with Cynthia invalid, he had no one to support him. "We have two platoons versus the entire Chrysanthemum military. Our three strongest Vassals are in no condition to fight, and Carter and Serenity are still too far behind to make a significant difference." Winter's body was breaking down, Ezra was in too much pain, and Elise could barely control her body. They were their best hope, but all three were incapacitated.
"I'm sorry. But I have to take a chance, and this is the only way that there's a chance my children all live to see the dawn after the dark." Ever since the apocalypse began, it was as if the sun no longe rshone on the streets of the Chrysanthemum. An emotional darkness filled the streets with dread and fear, and these nobles were not equipped to handle this kind of weight. "I have to go. I'm... I'm sorry." Jeralt stepped past them, leaving Elise coughing and dry-sobbing and Claude stunned. For all of their combined intelligence, they were not able to pull this off. "Th-then what do I..." She did not want to go back, not after finally getting her body back. What would the Chrysanthemum do next? Spy on her, look at her in the bath, have doctors change her clothes? As the siblings desperately tried to find an answer, another voice entered their conversation.
"Then come with us." Gray said, holding out a hand, Julian and a few others with them. "We have one last trump card, but we're running out of time."
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❝I put my arms around myself and I'm unbreakable.❞
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA】
|| Dear Winter || AJR ||
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA】
|| Dear Winter || AJR ||
Winter was fast asleep, sedated, her breathing shallow. Gray and Julian had hatched a plan in under an hour, they had very little time to enact it. Carter held Winter while Serenity pushed Ezra in a wheelchair. "Well, are you coming?" He asked, grinning that fiendish grin. "You too Claude," Gray gestured to him. They had very little time to get out, already the Chrysanthemum was closing in on them. "So are you a Slither spy?" Carter asked as they followed Gray and Julian through a secret hallway. "Not a spy, no." Julian replied, "I worked for them, once upon a time. I defected when I realized that my ideals didn't align with theirs." Now he was going back, not because he wanted to, but in order to save the remaining vassals. "Wait here," Gray said, getting them a convoy. They could push the wheelchairs right on it, two bunches lining the inside.
"Try not to move too much," Julian warned as he set up Elise's IV bag above her head. He fixed Ezra's too before settling Winter on the floor. Carter and Gray strapped the chairs down so that they would not shift during transport and shut the screen so that no one could see through. "Try to stay quiet," Gray warned. She took the front seat, Julian sitting beside her. He would be giving her the directions to the Slither's hide out. Even in the back, you could hear Gray speaking as she reached the gate of the compound. "Admiral Gray, where are you going?" The soldier asked, "And Doctor Julian? The Chrysanthemum officials will be here to intercept all convoys within the hour." The soldier's voice was surprised, if anything, to see them. "Doctor Julian and I need to make a run to the hospital to pick up essentials for a few of the patients so they'll be comfortable during transport."
"Alright," the soldier seemed skeptical. "Open the gates!" Gray gunned it, the convoy zooming off as soon as there was room for it to get through. "We're not in the clear yet," she warned, as there were several checkpoints they had to pass. It was a tense few minutes as they passed through each one, at last returning to the public streets. Gray sighed, "Alright, we're all clear." She announced, driving in the direction Julian told her to. "How are you feeling Elise?" Serenity asked, her voice nervous, but clearly having good intentions. "I'm sure it must be strange to have your body back, I can't even imagine what you must have gone through." Ezra nudged her in the side, as though to get her to shut up. "S-sorry, you probably don't want to talk about that." Serenity, normally so sweet and kind, seemed shyer then normal. Was it a result of the apocalypse?
"What do you think the Slither's are going to do with us?" Carter asked, his expression grim. He was holding the oxygen tank Winter was connected to, not wanting it to roll around on the ground. "And why did he come?" Carter asked, gesturing towards Claude with his head. Julian pat the canvas, telling them to quiet down again. They could hear him talking to someone, but their words were garbled. The truck went a little bit farther before stopping once more. "Halt!" Serenity and Carter both stiffened, the Canvas was unzipped. Should they get ready to fight? They looked between one another, Ezra's teeth grit. Oliver stood on the other side, grinning, his hands on his hips. "I knew it was only a matter of time before you joined our side. Welcome to Those Who Slithe in the Dark." He gestured behind him, the late winter air blowing into the convoy.
"We'll need to inspect you all for weapons, of course." Gray could be heard yelling as she was stripped of her guns. "Wait, those are essential medications-" Julian reached for the syringes, but they were crushed underfoot. "Elise, Ezra, nice to see you both awake and not nude." Oliver glanced distastefully at Winter, asleep. "Still wasting resources I see." They backed the convoy up onto a docking bay to unload the wheelchairs. "Oliver, you're in the way." Someone in a hood said, Oliver stepping aside. "Alright, single file, this way. You'll each be inspected before you can enter the building."
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❝I am not the wonder of anyone's world, I am simply me.❞
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E】
|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E】
|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||
What a sorry bunch, huddled together as they tried to reach the west side of town. Claude found a masquerade mask and placed it over her eyes. "If that helps you feel more like yourself." Claude made a bit of a smile and Elise acepted the gift gladly. With three wheelchairs, the group escaped the confines of the east side compound. Their destination? To Those who Slither in the Dark to hope that terrorists were somehow kinder than the Chrysanthemum was. The car made it through the streets, navigating roads, finding paths where cars were not piled up on top of each other as people desperately tried to escape the city during the early days of the apocalypse. It was a quiet silence as they traversed the city's landscape, seeing old sights and how much they were changed now.
Finally, they arrived. Dark robed people were watching them from the walls above. The black market and the slums were both here, behind those newly erected walls. The people with the most reason to want to rally against the Chrysanthemum were now gathered under the snake and bird flag that signifeid the Slithers. "Who would have imagined it'd come to this." Claude's voice was pitched, his eyes narrowed. The canvas was unzipped, and there was Oliver Ender himself, the Slithers' vassal. "W-Winter needs-" Claude spoke up for her when Julian's syringes were crushed. "I hope you have some way to replace those meds, since Winter will die without them." Oliver smiled, grinning. "Of course, who do you think we are? But I'm not about to trust would just just as easily be bombs." Another Slither stepped in, ordering them intl a single file line. A Slither was assigned to each of the three wheelchairs, and Elise did not like a stranger taking her wheelchair like that.
"Welcome back, Ezra, it's really been quite some time." An orange haired woman giggled. Elise remembered her vaguely, was her name not Kronya? She was the public speaker, the mouthpiece for the Slithers. She was of high authority, but not as high as Oliver's father, Elise knew that for sure. "Looks like you succeeded in your mission! Good work, I'm proud of you!" Ezra growled, no doubt trying to claw at her. "Stand down!" The Slithers aimed their guns at Ezra, forcing him to remain still. "We're taking you in as refugees, but don't make us regret our generosity." Elise couldn't help but whimper as it was her turn to be inspected, as the hands strafed her clothing.
"Hey, she just had a trauma, so-" Claude was shut up by a shushing sound. "We don't care." A Slither growled. "Everyone gets checked, no exceptions." Elise sniffled, trying not to cry as she shivered as the hands made sure she was clean of any weapons. "You really became pathetic, Elise. I remember when you were stronger than that." Oliver snorted, no doubt finding her situation to he humorous. "And you're just as disagreeable as ever." Serenity countered, crossing her arms. Back at the Chrysanthemum, Oliver was surly, preferring to avoid contact with the others. "You're one of the ones who voted to let Winter get cut up, so I don't think you have the right to talk down to me." Oliver was the most vehement against using Winter like that, but he was outvoted by everyone else being swayed by Merlin and the Doctor.
After they were all processed, Ezra suddenly spoke up, having a question. They were being lead into the underground base now, where it used to be a nest full of criminals and poverty rats. "Oliver, what happened to the Doctor? Was he killed after I broke his limbs?" Oliver looked at him, then laughed as if he heard a funny joke. "Oh, no, no, he's alive. But after what we did to him, I made sure he wishes he were dead." So the Doctor was being held here with the Slithers. Oliver undoubtedly had a lot of rage towards him and Elise was glad that at least someone was making sure justice was being served. "Remember, by joining us, you're making a decision." Oliver said as the iron gates shut behind them. "The Slithers fight for justice. We see the evil those in power do, and it's our job to be righteous and take them down."
Justice warriors. Was that another word for a terrorist from a different lens? Elise did not know, but she would wisely keep her mouth shut, wanting Claude to take her handles again.
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❝I put my arms around myself and I'm unbreakable.❞
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA】
|| Dear Winter || AJR ||
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA】
|| Dear Winter || AJR ||
Those who needed it were taken to the medical ward, the others were shown their new appointments. Dorm rooms with bunk beds. "Dinner is at 0600, so just make sure you're there you won't get anything." Oliver explained with a wave of a hand as he was called to do something. "Oh and don't bother asking for a private room. Those are reserved for the high ranking staff." He walked off, footsteps echoing down the hallway. The Slither compound was strange, it was both old and new at the same time. Dirty and clean, if that was possible. "I'll go with you three," Julian said, not wanting to lose track of Ezra, Winter, and Elise. "I'll go with the other three," Gray said, meaning Claude, Serenity and Carter. "We'll all meet up at dinner, alright?"
The medical ward was its own building, there was a glass bridge you crossed to get to it. The building itself was old on the outside, unassuming, but the inside was full of highly technical machinery, some of which was experimental, others considered illegal. There were private rooms in the medical ward, in case there was ever an outbreak. "Doctor Julian, welcome back." A woman with a black bun pulled tightly in the back of her head and a severe frown said. She adjusted her glasses, "Lidia," Julian tipped his head in respect. "These are my three patients-" she held up a hand. "With all due respect Julian, they are now my patients. This is my ward and I will not be undermined by a traitor." He nodded, "Of course, but I think you should know what you're in for."
There was a terrible sound above her. Winter's eyelids fluttered open, realizing that the space she was in was small. She was strapped down, her entire body pinned to a small table. "Let me out," Winter said breathlessly, her head spinning from the effort. "Someone-" the sound stopped. A voice came on through the headphones. "Don't move," something burned in her veins and her head began to spin again. Winter closed her eyes, falling back to sleep. When she awoke once more, she was in a bed. Her nightgown was replaced with a hospital gown. There were machines buzzing and whirring around her, the sound making her wince. "Winter, you're awake!" Yuuki said excitedly, leaning over her. "Yuuki, where are we?" Winter whispered, her throat still sore.
"The Slithers have you now, you've been out for two days. Useless imp," Zuko was clearly upset. "How did I get tied to such a weak vassal?" She murmured, shaking her head and disappearing before Yuuki could yell at her. "Slithers? I thought the Chr-" she started coughing, blood spattering the sheets. The door slid open, the hydraulics hissing, a woman in a lab coat and glasses entering. "Ah, Ms. Matsuri, you're finally awake." Winter was looking poorly. Her skin was pale and despite the sleep, there were dark bags beneath her eyes. "Who are-" she started coughing again, her voice rasping. "Try not to speak, you're in the first stages of rejection. Julian was an idiot for agreeing to transplant all of those organs at once."
She sank back against the mattress, her head spinning. Yuuki stood beside her nervously, listening. She had survived this long, she wasn't going to let something like organ failure take her out now. "Luckily, I've transplanted your cells into ghost organs. It will take a week, but with a regime of injections for the first six months, your new organs should thrive." That was good news, Winter thought. "Bad news?" She rasped, waiting for it. "It is likely your pain will never go away." She nodded, that was something she could handle. She had always had pain in her bad leg, after all. "Others?" Winter wanted to know, needed to know. "The other vassals are safe. Elise and Ezra are being treated in neighboring rooms, although I expect to discharge them soon." That was good news, she sighed with relief.
The door opened again, the last person Winter expected to see standing in the doorway. "Oliver, you don't have the clearance to be in here." Lidia's expression was serious, but Oliver waved her away. "I do," he held up a holo pad. "My Father gave me permission to visit, not that I expected her to actually be awa-" he paused when he saw Winter's eyes were open, that she was up and alert. "Oliver, she's in no mood to talk, you need to leave." Doctor Lidia tried, but he waved her away, his expression serious. "Leave us," she hesitated, then nodded, the door opening and shutting with a hiss as she exited the room. "What do you-" she stopped, coughing. "I know you killed Merlin and Garrel." He stood by the bedside, holding the railing. "How? You're barely five feet tall and weigh as much as a toy poodle."
Winter didn't have the strength to answer. "You, a runt, we all took bets on what your card said." He hung over the railing now, far too close. "What?" She tried to push herself further away, but Winter found she hardly had any strength in her arms. "I said the dead. Apparently I was wrong," he grinned. "So, what does it actually say? I'm curious because it's clear that you're secretly crazy strong. Is it secret weapon? Or perhaps dog?" A spike of ice shot upwards, a centimeter from his throat. "Ooh, so you still have some fight left in you?" He laughed. Winter was breathing hard, there were stars in her eyes. The oxygen, she realized, he was leaning on the oxygen cannula, nearly bending it in half.
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❝I am not the wonder of anyone's world, I am simply me.❞
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E】
|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E】
|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||
Elise was not sure if she was lucky or not. Her room, while adjacent to Winter's, was close enough that she was able to eavesdrop on the Officers as they discussed the days' events. She heard about the battles and skirmishes taking place between the Chrysanthemum and the Slithers. Right now, it was hard to say which side had the momentum but now that the Vassals were gathered here, things may be beginning to change. It was nice to have a source of news she could listen to in order to keep updated, at least, in between the times when she was forced to take part in physio therapy to regain control of her limbs. "You have some of the highest combat ability. We saw your data, you have very high potential." Ender grinned toothily at her as she panicked and tried to hide under her sheets. "You'll be taking part in advanced training to bring your self back to peak condition." She was going to be put to battle, in other words. Did Elise even have any fight left in her? Having Garrel controlling her body seemed to take a lot of it out of her.
"So, what happened to you, black eagle?" Ender asked, grabbing at her wrist as she whimpered and tried to pull away. "What happened that caused you to become so pathetic?" She was pale and hyperventilating as she tried to pull her wrist back, to get his hands off of her. Doctor Lidia had been kind, guessing what had happened, but she was not able to say no to Ender's demands. Oliver's father was putting express interest in the young noble for whatever reason, and Elise wished he would put this attention to someone else. "N-no! Go away!" Everyone thought she was strong, but really, it was all just an act. Elise never stopped being the frightened little girl, she only wore a mask to pretend that she was strong.
"Run." Ender growled, putting her on the treadmill. Her legs would not work, they would not listen to her commands and she fell over, her breathing ragged. "What's wrong? I told you to run, didn't I?" She did not remember how to run. As he put her in another training room that same day, she was to fight one of the soldiers in a fist fight but she could not even stand. She cowered as the soldier kicked at her prone body while Ender watched. "What are you doing? Where is all the power you have? It won't stop unless you fight back." But Elise did not manifest her powers, she simply remained limp. She learned this was the best way to survive. If you stop fighting, if you give up, sooner or later, the enemy will get bored. How else did she survive having Garrel infest her body?
But even two days later, all of these tests ended up for naught. Elise was just as afraid as before, jumping at shadows and she could tell Ender was becoming frustrated. "Oliver told me that he was impressed by you." Ender's voice was a little softer this time as he entered her room. "The way your hatred for the Chrysanthemum was clear on your face, the way you refused to bend to their demands. Where is that now? Where is that hatred, Elise?" She trembled, trying to hug her knees, curling on the bed. "Gone." She let out a squeak, shivering violently. "No more hate. Only fear."
But Ender seemed satisfied with that for some reason. "Well, if there's a way to turn your fear into hatred, I'll find that. I'll bring you back to your old strength soon enough, Elise." She did not like the sound of that at all. He smiled menacingly at her, a crafty plan already building in his head. "I heard from the others. You had a control chip in your head? Is that what made you this way?" Was he suggesting that he would do the same if he could not tame her? "Please." She whispered, almost choking on her terror. "No! Not again! Please not again." After finally having her body returned to her, was she going to lose it again?
"Then you'd best find your old hatred, or maybe it will be again." He left the room, the door closing with an ominous hiss. Elise crumpled, clinging to her legs, barely noticing how sore and bruised she was all over.
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❝I put my arms around myself and I'm unbreakable.❞
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA】
|| Dear Winter || AJR ||
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA】
|| Dear Winter || AJR ||
Carter visited Winter later that day, he had been in Ezra's room, the two boys talking and laughing. It seemed that they had made up. "Hey, I heard you were awake so I thought I would drop by." He plopped down in the seat beside her bed. "Welcome," Winter replied, wondering what he was doing here. The two didn't exactly get along, even before he voted to have her torn apart. "Look I never really... apologized for being such a-"
"D*ck?" She supplied, to which Carter laughed. "Yeah, that. Um, Merlin kind of pressured us all into it. He approached us each, he told us that Zuko had told him things and that this was the only way to win against the monsters." Carter looked at his hands, twiddling his thumbs. "We didn't even realize we were being manipulated." He kicked the foot of the bed, startling her. "Sorry," he scratched the back of his head. "I didn't mean to scare you. I just feel so used," now he knew what Winter felt like. "Now you-" she stopped to cough, barely getting two words out. "Know," he nodded. "Have the others come to see you yet? I'm sure they'll be excited to find out you're awake." Winter shook her head in response, her head spinning. "Too exciting," she whispered. "Ah," Carter rose. "I should probably go then, don't wanna get you in trouble."
Winter watched him leave. It was awfully boring in the room, with no books or even a holo pad to keep her entertained. She found that she was tired though and drifted off to sleep. There was a new visitor when she awoke, standing quietly beside the door. "Did I disturb you from your slumber?" He asked, removing his hood. What was it with Slithers and cloaks? "I am Sir Ender, Oliver's Father." He held out a hand. Winter took it, weakly. "Cold," she heard him mumble. "Winter Matsuri," she replied, leaning back against the single pillow provided. It was hard too, almost like she was laying on Ezra. Ah, she remembered him now. The sleazy looking man that had impregnated her against her will. How had she not recognized him sooner? "I'll admit, I am impressed. I did not think you would amount to much considering the state I last saw you in."
"Your fault," she would throw something at him, if there was something to throw. He quirked a brow. "Leave others-" she coughed, "alone." He laughed, "And what will you do?" Ender inquired, coming closer. She could smell his cologone, it was overwhelming. "Once you're strong enough, you'll join the ranks of the other vassals. We are providing you with all of this care for free, after all." She knew what he was saying, that if she didn't fight for them, they wouldn't help her. She was, essentially, dependent on them. "Whatever," Ender rolled his eyes. "Teenagers, you're all the same." He left her then, allowing Winter to fall back to sleep.
She was bleeding when she awoke the next morning, practically choking on it. She reached for the call button, managing to push it before passing out. A nurse awoke her, turning her onto her side, allowing the blood to drip from her mouth and nose onto the sheets. She was barely lucid, her new organs deteriorating rapidly. She was sleeping a lot, hardly able to stay conscious. Still, everytime Winter awoke, one of her friends was by her side, as well as a new machine. Her lungs had completely given out, as had her kidneys. She was close to the end of the week, close to the new organs being ready. "Not even a sip?" A nurse tried to goad her into drinking a cup of broth, but all attempts ended in wretching. "Don't push it," Lidia's tone was firm, but kind. "Another two days, that's all you need to wait." Winter nodded, falling back to sleep. She couldn't speak without coughing blood.
"What if it doesn't work?" She heard Ezra's voice. "It's going to work," Lidia's voice was patient. They were moving, Winter realized. Had she slept an entire two days? Her body was sore, she tried to move, to indicate that she was awake, but her body was so weak she could barely wiggle her fingers. "We have a lot of experience with the implantation of ghost organs." There was something in her throat, she realized. "Don't touch it," Yuuki warned, as though Winter had the strength to tug at it. "Oh, you're awake. We're going into surgery now," Lidia assured her. "I had you put on a ventilator to give your body a rest. You'll likely be on it when you wake up too."
"Ezra, we have to part here. You cannot come further," Ezra grabbed her hand, squeezing it. He was warm. "I won't leave your side," he had a cheeky grin. "I'm your guard dog after all." Their hands were broken when the bed was moved and Winter watched him wave through the OR doors. It only took one person to move her onto the table, but several to arrange her accessories. Her eyes stung, was that blood? She wondered. "It's alright," a nurse assured her from behind a mask. She wiped the tears out of Winter's eyes. "I know it's scary, but you're in good hands." She heard Julian and Lidia arguing, then, both emerged, ready to operate. This was going to hurt, Winter knew, recalling the last time, the recovery involved. "Here, squeeze my hand." Julian slipped his hand into her own, his gloves starchy. She gave it a weak squeeze as the anesthesia started, her chest constricting as she began to panic and fall asleep simultaneously.
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❝I am not the wonder of anyone's world, I am simply me.❞
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E】
|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E】
|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||
Being terrorized day in and day out by Ender was not a pleasant experience. She was not a fool, she knew that he was trying to bring back her will to fight. The problem was that there was simply none of that left, she had no fight left in her. She knew that she was getting no visitors because Ender was isolating them to better fuel her anger, but it was not going to work. She was used to the seclusion, Elise thrived when allowed to be alone. While Mr. Stuffles might be dead and gone, she still could be content in isolation. But when Claude came to visit, finding a blindspot in the watchguards, it was a pleasant surprise. "Elise, I was finally able to see you. Come, let's get you out of this room for now." She was aware that she looked bad, but Clade's touch was gentle. He was the only one she would let touch, just like before.
"Ugly." She muttered, hiding in her sheets. "Can you help? Like before?" Her hair was not brushed, and she had none of her clothes here either. "I'll try my best, but my resources are limited." Unlike back at the east compound, none of their luxuries were here. Claude took a moment to fix up her hair, tying it up prettily with a half-up half-down style, and he gave her back the mask that the Slithers took away from her, a masquerade mask that went around her eyes with a butterfly motif. "Here, it's the best I could do. Is it okay?" She nodded, it was better than nothing after all. "Here, I'll help you out." He helped her into the wheelchair and she sat, trying not to tremble. "Do you want to talk about what Ender was doing to you?" She shook her head, looking down at the ground. No, she did not want to. Not yet, at least.
Claude took her to were most of the others were. "Winter's in for surgery, so we're waiting for her to get out." Claude explained with a bit of a smile. Carter gave a simple wave, Serenity nodded in her direction, but then Ezra bounded over like an excited dog having not seen its owner in days. "Brat! There you are, good as new! It's been too long!" Some of the doctors patrolling around gave him dirty looks for being too loud but Ezra was not the kind to care. "H-hello. I am here." She said, looking guiltily at Ezra who was happy to pat her head for some odd reason. "...I am sorry I could not keep the promise." The promise to be a team together with him and Winter, the one she was not able to keep.
"What do you mean? The fight isn't over you know." Ezra grinned. "There's still plenty of time to fight together with her." Elise nodded, feeling sick to her stomach. Could she still fight? Did she even want to anymore? She was not sure what the answer to that question was and it made her afraid. Would Ezra be disappointed if she could no longer fight? She still had never seen Winter yet, she still was not able to talk to her ever since being freed from Garrel's control. There was a lot to talk with her about, she had apologies to make, and thanks to give. "What... happened to Winter?" She asked, fretting about her friend. "Her organs aren't looking good." Serenity explained, grimacing. "I think they're changing them out with new ghost organs now." Elise saw the anxiety on Serenity's face. She was worried, not only for Winter, or for their situation, but for her family, who have been missing since the apocalypse began... and for the upcoming fight with Mercedes, her best friend since childhood.
"Were you... two made... to fight yet?" She asked, looking towards Carter and Serenity. They glanced at each other and shook their heads. "We were taken out to watch a few battles from afar, but it looks like we're being kept a secret for now." They didn't want the Chrysanthemum to know just yet that the Vassals made it here to the Slithers. "The Nobles have been taken in, but we don't know how they're being treated." Claude frowned, clearly somewhat stressed as he thought about it. "The deal was to trade the Vassals for their lives... I hope the Chrysanthemum isn't punishing them for what Gray and Julian did."
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❝I put my arms around myself and I'm unbreakable.❞
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA】
|| Dear Winter || AJR ||
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA】
|| Dear Winter || AJR ||
"Winter, Winter sweetie, wake up." Standing above her were two faces she never thought she would see again. "Grandma, Grandpa." Her eyes began to well up with tears, she bolted upright to hug them, finding that they were in a garden. "Am I dead?" She asked, realizing what this could mean. "Only for a few minutes, just while they replace your heart." Her Grandfather said, rubbing her back. "So we don't have much time," her Grandmother stressed, squeezing her hand. "What do you mean?" Winter asked, afraid. "You are so strong, we never thought we would have to see you go through all of this." They hugged her again, their touch warm despite this only being a dream. "I don't understand, why did you hide so much from me?" She asked quietly, not betrayed, but hurt. "You were only a child Winter, we couldn't tell you everything yet."
"That man approached your Mother the day after you were born." Merlin, they meant. Winter steeled herself, ready to listen to what they had to say. "He knew who your Father was-" she blinked. "Who is my Father? Is he still alive?" She cut in, having believed her Grandparents never knew him. "Your Father is a very powerful and scary man, your Mother ran away while she could. She came to live with us, but she died suddenly in her sleep after your birth. We know now, that man you called Merlin killed her." How long had Merlin been manipulating her life for? Winter didn't know. "I killed him," she hugged herself, the realization sinking in. She had killed not one, but two people. "We know," Her Grandfather hugged her again. "And we couldn't be more proud." Proud? But wasn't Winter a murderer?
"You stood your ground and did what you had to in order to protect those around you," her Grandmother's voice was kind. Winter never thought she would her it again. "I don't know how to protect them anymore, I've lost everything again." Her Grandmother smiled, "Don't be silly. You still have your friends, don't you?" She nudged Winter, pointing to a pond. The surface rippled, she could see them, her friends, waiting anxiously in the room outside of the OR. Elise was there too, someone Winter hadn't seen all week. "What will I do if I lose them?" She didn't know. "You fight Winter, you fight like hell. You're my granddaughter, aren't you?" Her Grandfather asked, her Grandmother laughing. Winter smiled, "Yes, I am." She shuffled for a moment, "Why did we move to the Chrysanthemum?"
"Your music teacher pressured us, she said if we cared about you at all, we would enroll you in music lessons in the city. I didn't want to, but your Grandfather said it would be a good change of pace. We see now, she might have been lying to us as well." Her Grandmother's expression was sober. "One thing that doesn't lie are those hands of yours! A gift from the Heirs themselves!" Her Grandfather squeezed them. "I lost Mom's gloves," Winter began to tear up, the delicate leather and pearl gloves her Grandmother had hand-made her Mother. "And your cane too, Grandpa." They waved away her sorrow. "Physical things don't matter, in the scheme of the world. What's important is that you remain safe." They were beginning to fade, no, she was beginning to fade, Winter realized.
"Wait! Will I ever see you again!" Winter tried to throw her arms around them, but she was disappearing quickly. "When your time comes, we'll welcome you with open arms!"
"The transplant was a success," Dr. Julian announced, pulling off his mask as he marched outside of the operating room. He had not expected such a crowd, although he knew Ezra and Claude at minimum were to be expected. "Winter will remain asleep for now, her body needs to heal." They would keep her asleep until she could breathe on her own, then slowly lift the sedation, but that could be another week or so.
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❝I am not the wonder of anyone's world, I am simply me.❞
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E】
|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E】
|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||
After making sure Winter was safe and sound and would be okay - Ezra was the hardest to convince, hounding Julian for a guarantee that Winter would be fine - they mingled for a little longer until Claude took Elise back to her room. The days passed on by of course, and Ender continued with the training regimen. Near the end of the week, he figured it was time. "Today will be a test." Ender said with a smile, looking down on her as he wheeled her from behind. It was a mercy he was not dragging her by a collar, forcing her to walk on her legs that forgot how to. She was taken to a room with fancy technology that she recognized. It was a special training room for Vassals, Elise remembered it because she had her father build it for her when she and Winter were training, in the short time Winter was a part of the Hresvelg family.
"Hey there, Elise. I hope you're willing to fight now. Father says he's been working on you since you arrived." Oliver pulled his hood down, flames wrapping around his arm, his wrist, with good control and power. "Get out of the chair. You are to fight my son until you remember your will to fight." Ender ordered, pushing her out of the chair. Elise fell on all fours, whimpering, barely knowing how to stand. A troubled frown was on Oliver's face as he watched her. "Are you sure this is okay?" He asked, clearly doubting the efficacy of this attempt. "Elise has a lot of potential for strength." Ender explained to his son, a hand on his shoulder. "We can save many lives if she remembers how to fight. For the sake of the innocent lives in this city, she has a duty she needs to remember." Why did Elise care about innocent lives? What did they ever do to help her? What reason did she have to fight again?
"Fine, but this better work. If I break her it'll be even harder to get her working again." Oliver growled, taking a combat stance. "Spirit Armor!" Red armor with the design of flames appeared on his body, like a knight of fire ready to charge into battle. "Sp-Spirit..." She could not do it, her powers would not come out. Not like before in the Boundary, but because she was holding back. No, it was best to just wait. When would they get bored? When would they realize she was already broken? "I used to be afraid of you, Elise. The way you stole Winter from us that day, you showed so much confidence." Oliver knelt down, pulling her head up. "Was someone like Garrel really enough to turn you into this? How fragile are you, really?"
Did they not realize that it was just a mask? Did they not understand that she wore masks for a reason? A mask allows you to present as something that you are not, but once it breaks, there is nothing but a pathetic little child underneath, trying not to be seen. Oliver sighed. "Father, she's not fighting back. Do I really have to do this?" Ender nodded, pointing his finger at her. "Just hurt her a little. Pain might give a reaction that sparks her hatred again. If you coddle her, she'll never grow." Was this an attempt at tough love? Was this what Elise did to Winter? She shivered, remembering how she used to treat her, that poor brainwashed girl. Was this how Winter felt?
If this really was how Winter felt, then Elise deserved this. The pain, the humiliation, she deserved it all. She was a terrible person after all, she must have known this for a while. Oliver sighed, reluctance written all over his face. "All you gotta do is put out the fire, okay?" He said gently. "It's not that hard. So... if you don't stop me, this is your own fault, alright?" He scorched her body, burned at her skin, making her shudder and shake, trying to catch breath. "Father, this isn't going to work." Oliver eventually put a stop to it, her writhing and clawing finally getting to him. Ender put a hand on his chin, deep in thought. Oliverlooked over, hearing a sound. "Elise? What are you saying? What river?" Her voice was faint, barely squeaking out the words.
"This experiment is over for now." Ender said with finality. "Oliver, have her arranged for burn treatment. We'll wait for her to recover, then we'll try again." Oliver picked her up with gentle hands and nodded as he deposited her into the wheelchair. "What do I tell the nurses?" He asked his father as he walked towards the door. "Tell them it was a training accident, nothing major. Try to make sure there are no scars, a vain girl like her would care a lot about that." Oliver rolled his eyes, nodding, as he stepped into the hall towards the medical wing.
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❝I put my arms around myself and I'm unbreakable.❞
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA】
|| Dear Winter || AJR ||
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA】
|| Dear Winter || AJR ||
"Oh, you're awake." Winter was barely conscious, her fingers attempting to grasp the blanket. She was breathing on her own against the ventilator, her body sore from having her ribs cracked and being sliced open a second time from chest to belly. "I'm going to get Doctor Lidia, don't move around too much, alright?" The nurse left, Winter drifting back off. She could see Yuuki standing in the corner of the room, impatiently tapping his foot. She awoke again to two nurses wheeling her somewhere. Her head lolled to the side, she was tired, as though all of the energy in her body had been sapped out. The nurses moved her carefully onto a table and strapped her down, Winter falling asleep once more as the whirring began. The next time she woke up, it was sun rise. The ventilator had been removed, but she was still on a trickle of oxygen. "Winter!" Yuuki bound over excitedly. "You're awake!"
"Yes," she whispered, her throat sore. She was still tired despite being asleep for who knows how long. Still, Winter fought to stay awake, knowing that it was essential. "Tired," Dr. Lidia arrived a few minutes later. "Well, well, look who's decided to join us." She pat Winter's leg, which was hurting. "How are you feeling?" Lidia asked, looking at her chart. "Like the dead," Winter admitted. "That's to be expected, you aren't going to have a fun time recovering from this one. Let's get you sitting up," she forced Winter to sit in a recliner beside the window, then evaluated her strength. "Once you're able, I'm going to be starting you in the intensive PT program." Winter nodded, having expected this. They wanted her to fight, otherwise she would be useless to their cause, another burden.
"I'd like you to attempt to eat today, we'll be starting with clear liquids. The faster we can get you working, the easier it will be." Winter nodded, wondering if Ender was going to push her into battle before she was physically ready. "I'll leave you in the nurse's care for now," Dr. Lidia left, allowing Winter to sit quietly in the sun while the nurse prepared a bowl of soup and a cup of water. "Not hungry," Winter murmured as the tray was placed in front of her. "You need to try, we've gotta wake your body up." With a trembling hand she picked up the cup, her hands shaking badly. "Here," the nurse helped her, cupping her own hands around Winter's. "Come on, just a few sips." It did not go well, she retched right after. "It's alright, we'll try again in an hour."
Claude came to see her, she wasn't sure how he knew she was awake, but he was the first to come. "It's good to see you out of bed," he took a seat across from her. "I would say it's nice to be up, but that would be a lie." It hurt to breathe, her ribs still on the mend. "I'm sure it must be nice to at least breathe without coughing," he recalled her unable to say two words without rasping for air. "Yes, that's true." Her voice was still hoarse from the ventilator. "How are they treating you? And the others?" She needed to know, of course. Winter was currently dependent on them for care, but the others weren't. They could escape at any time, if need be, shelter somewhere else. "Fine, but they're pushy. Ugh, they keep giving me duties to try and toughen me up." He made a gesture with his arms, flexing them. Winter laughed, then groaned. "Don't do that."
Claude laughed in response. "Elise? How is she? And Ezra?" Last Winter remembered, they were injured. "Elise is... Elise. She's having a hard time adjusting. They've been trying to force it, but I don't think it's gonna happen unless Elise wants to get better herself. Ezra is already butting heads with everyone who looks at him wrong." He scratched the back of his head, "Carter and Serenity are adjusting better, but Serenity won't wear the robes so she keeps getting stuck with cleaning duties." Winter nodded, for some reason she had expected that. "I'm kind of scared, to be honest. I don't think I can take much more," they were going to force her to fight, but her pain was bad.
"Julian's already got a contingency plan, although who knows if he'll let Lidia follow it." Claude leaned forward, "They've been butting heads almost as much as Ezra and Carter." Winter rolled her eyes. "How about Gray?" She rasped, reaching for her water, hand trembling. Her throat was so dry. Claude helped her, placing the cup in her hands and guiding it to her lips. "I haven't seen her. Either they're keeping her away, or she's busy."
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❝I am not the wonder of anyone's world, I am simply me.❞
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E】
|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E】
|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||
Elise was in a confused state as she was given the burn creams when someone barged into the room she was being treated in. "Ezra, Elise is in a delicate state right now, did you sterilize yourself yet?" Lidia asked, looking at him. She was carefully covered so none of Elise's open burns would run the risk of infection. "If you mean those white coats spraying me down, then yeah. What is happening? Why is she all burned up?" Ezra was glaring daggers at Lidia. It was easy to forget since he didn't have as much opportunity to spend time with Elise, who had been isolated for the most part, but he was equally protective over her too. "Was it Oliver? Was he hurting her?" Lidia frowned, turning away to continue applying the cream to soothe the wounds. "I'm not at a liberty to speak about it." She said simply. "But Sir Ender has a project to return her to her former strength."
Ezra groaned painfully. The guards stationed outside were supposed to keep him from interrupting treatment but it was evident that he was able to barge his way in with threats and physical violence. Ezra was not the kind of person to care about rules, especially when one of his friends was hurt like this. "Well if he's trying to force it, that's not gonna work! Tell that stupid Ender that Elise is too stubborn for this method to work, okay? Or I'll tell him for you!" He was grinding his teeth, angered but also staying far enough away just in case it put Elise more at risk. She was thankful to see him, even if she could barely understand what was happening. "That jerk Oliver really should've known better." Ezra looked at Elise then, still standing by the door. "Winter woke up, she's doing okay. You do your best too, the three of us are gonna live through this." Ezra was like a rock, and not just because that was his element. He had become one of the few supportive pillars in Elise's turbulent life, one of the few that could calm her down by thinking of him.
Partly because of how reliable he had proven himself in the Boundary, partly because he was rather simple minded. Someone like him would not come up with plans or plots. We was always very clear in his intentions and beliefs. He was someone you could trust your life in, and he would do his best for those he cared for. "Thank... you for..." She slipped back into unconsciousness again, her mind fading in and out. "Yeah." Ezra said with a wild grin, his voice sounding like it was coming from underwater. "Just keep doing your best, and we'll be here for you."
When Elise next awoke there was a visitor she did not want to see standing in front of her. Oliver Ender was here now. The Enders were bad news, always pestering and pressuring her. Why was he here? He gave her her food, since she lacked the ability to go to the cafeteria as of yet. "I was talking to the Doctors, and I convinced father to do a change of plans in your treatment." Oliver said, looking carefully straight into her ruby eyes with his own dull brown orbs. "Winter is scheduled for PT soon, and we'll add you to the sessions to help you regain your limbs. Maybe you'll remember your old strength if you can be in contact with someone you trust."
Being able to talk to Winter sounded like a good idea. Elise did not know about her old strength - it was all fake anyways - but a chance to make sure Winter was doing okay was always welcome. It had been too long since they had a chance to communicate. "Okay." She mumbled, trying to nod her head in agreement. "Sorry about yesterday. But it really is important that you get strong again. If you're on the battlefield, you'll be able to prevent a lot of deaths. Because of the apocalypse, too many people are dead. It'll make rebuilding after this is all over worse if any more die." Oliver wanted to preserve lives as much as possible. It would be nice if his father shared the same sentiment. "I'll leave you for now, but call someone when you finished eating, okay?" He stepped out, giving her a little wave.
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❝I put my arms around myself and I'm unbreakable.❞
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA】
|| Dear Winter || AJR ||
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA】
|| Dear Winter || AJR ||
"Good morning Winter," the nurse lifted the curtains, sunlight filtering in. Winter winced, the sun bright. She had been fast asleep since Claude had left, the nurse moving her from the chair to the bed at some point. "Ready for breakfast?" The nurse asked. "Sure," Winter groaned as the bed jolted, moving into the upright position. "We're gonna get you dressed today, Lidia wants you to start PT." Already? Breakfast was more soup and water. It went well today, for now. "I have no clothes," Winter said softly. "That's why I've brought you some," the nurse smiled, holding up a bag. A plain white shirt and pair of pants, not impressive, but better than the hospital gown. It hurt more than Winter thought it would to wear pants. "Come on, let's get you into the chair." The catheter bag was placed in her lap for the time being, an embarrassing display.
Winter tried to conceal, but moving more than a few inches at a time left her out of breath. "Where are we going?" Winter asked, having only seen the inside of her room and an operating room since she had arrived. "The physical rehabilitation area." The nurse assured her, "they're waiting for you there." Who was they? Another doctor? Julian? The last thing Winter expected to see was Elise. Why was she there? Hadn't she recovered already? Winter tried to think back to yesterday, but her talk with Claude was fuzzy considering how tired she had been. "Welcome Winter," a jovial woman in green scrubs clapped her hands together. "I'm Peona and I'm going to make you healthy again." Was that a joke? Winter wasn't sure. "Hello," Winter replied curtly. She glanced at Elise.
"While you and Ms. Hresvelg have been scheduled for the same times, you're both on different levels. You'll be seeing a lot of each other though." She handed Winter a weight, catching her off guard. It was a mere half pound and yet, Winter had to hold it in two hands. How was she this week? Two weeks ago she was fighting monsters, now, she felt as though she cut up and put back together. "How's that? Too heavy?" Peona asked. "No," Winter lied, out of breath. "Alright, good. Let's start with that then, we're going to do reps." Surely this had to be a form of torture? She managed to raise the weight above her head, breathing hard, her vision darkening at the edges. "Alright, now release." The weight fell to the floor, Winter clutching her chest.
"How... do... you... do... this?" She asked Elise, feeling like she was a child again, being tortured by the Chrysanthemum as they tested her limits. "Don't be so dramatic, that was barely half a pound." Peona said, putting a resistance band around Winter's legs. She made Winter lay on her stomach on the floor after, on top of a blue squishy mat. "Just try to roll onto your back." It took several attempts. She became tangled in the oxygen tubing, Peona untangling her and making her do it three times more. She barely had time to talk to Elise between forced reps, only breaking for lunch, which for Winter, was also taken in therapy. Her hands shook when she tried to feed herself, spilling soup all over her lap. When lunch was over and Elise returned, Winter knew they were going to work them hard again.
Still, she felt like a baby, invalid, uncapable. Her hands balled into fists, "If she can do it, I can too."
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❝I am not the wonder of anyone's world, I am simply me.❞
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E】
|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E】
|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||
Winter and Elise were on different levels, and Elise was expected to be finished therapy before Winter. Unlike Winter, whose muscles have most likely atrophied over time, Elise's muscles had been in good use when Garrel had controlled her. They only had to re-teach her how to use them again, while Winter had to do everything over again from scratch. Still, the black eagle felt determined. If she failed here, would Oliver and Ender hurt her again? She did not want that, so she had to at least try to survive here in PT. "I am... sorry." She murmured to Winter, having needed to say it so long ago. "For forcing us back to life." After coming back she realized it was a mistake. She would have been better off not been forced to live as Garrel's plaything.
Luckily the cream took care of the burns, Oliver was careful not to actually give her any serious injuries with his flames. She was not in particular pain, but it was definitely frustrating trying to make any progress. "Here, why don't you try this?" Elise was propped up between two ropes, and had mechanical legs attached to her own legs and a ring around her waist for extra support. "Try walking, and we'll see how much you're able to do." She and Winter would have different regimens, and it hurt her chest to see how much more progress Winter would have to make. Was this her fault? Was this torture because of Elise's stubbornness and desire to return to life? It was difficult to get her legs moving. They felt less like legs and more like octopus arms. The ropes were useless since she could not grab them with her arms. In short, it was a miserable attempt to get her working again. The weights were not good either. She had as much trouble as Winter did. "With practice... perhaps." Even now, trying to speak wore her out. She was not used to moving her mouth, working her vocal chords.
Still, it was better than being beaten and burned, so she was not going to complain. She was allowed to break at lunch, though she was not sure how she was going to eat the pasta sitting on her plate with her arms so useless. "I really do ... not remember ... how to do this." She insisted but Cocoa simply smiled encouragingly at her. "I'll give you the first bite, and we'll see if you can replicate the movements a little." The black eagle chose to not complain that they were not using the proper pasta spoon, or about how the napkins were not placed correctly for polite eating. "Um... I wanted to say... you were really... amazing. When you killed... him." Her eyes were downcast, trying not to remember too much about that time. "I never... should have looked down on you." After finally being on the side of weakness, she understood Winter better now.
Lunch ended quickly and it was back to work yet again. She was put back down on a mat, and Cocoa took her feet. "Here, this will help work the muscles in your legs so you start remembering how to move them." She said, helping Elise stretch by slowly extending one leg out at a time, aimed up at the sky. It hurt more than she expected, but after the Ender's treatment, this was perfectly managable. "I am a prodigy." She said to herself. "So why... is it difficult?" Cocoa was patient, very odd for a Slither. "Even prodigies have setbacks. No one is perfect." Her smile was kind. "But you're doing very well for your first day." She started coughing after a few more reps, and curled into herself, trying to contain the outburst. How was Winter doing? Was it a little cathartic to see someone who was once so uppity reduced to such a state? She hoped so, at least someone would get to enjoy it.
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❝I put my arms around myself and I'm unbreakable.❞
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA】
|| Dear Winter || AJR ||
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA】
|| Dear Winter || AJR ||
Winter rolled her eyes, "Too little too late for apologies." They should have stayed dead, the way Winter and Ezra wanted to but there was no point in apologizing when they couldn't go back. "Don't worry, I don't blame you, if that's what you're thinking." Winter added before she was dragged back to being tortured by Peona. "If you can talk, you can work." It was tough love, Winter understood, but she wanted nothing more than to go back to sleep already. At least she was so busy sweating, it was hard to feel embarrassed at how little she could move. Muscular atrophy was kicking her butt. She recalled her previous physical therapist saying that one day in bed equaled one week in PT. That would make... minimum fourteen days, perhaps more. "Are you listening?" Peona asked, waving a hand in front of her face. Winter blinked, "Sorry," she murmured as Peona helped her back into the wheelchair from the blue mat.
Elise returned after lunch, saying she had never looked down on her. Again, Winter waved it away. Sure, Elise had treated her like crap, but they were past that now. They were on even footing now. Elise knew what it was like to be walked all over and Winter knew what it was like to have an impossible burden on your shoulders. They understood each other more now and were better for it, Winter thought. "Come on, let's go practice in the bathroom." Winter's cheeks turned pink, "Do you have to say that so loudly!?" She squeaked, to which Peona laughed. "Don't worry, it's only a simulated bathroom." She explained, opening a door to a bathroom that had a bathtub, sink, and toilet. "We use this room for therapy to help patiennts who have less independence find adaptations to give them a bit more freedom. Our goal for you is to make you completely independent without adaptations."
Winter nodded, but it was all going in one ear and out the other today. "Don't worry, we'll set the bar low today, since it's onl yyour first day." She pushed the wheelchair inside and closed the door. The first step was transferring, Winter's arms shaking trying to move herself from the wheelchair and onto the toilet. It was painful and embarrassing when her arms caved the first few times. Peona wouldn't help her until Winter nearly fell to the floor. "Alright, I think we should call it here." She decided, "We can try again tomorrow." Winter nodded, out of breath, glad that she still had the oxygen. Peona piled Winter back into the wheelchair, "I think it would be best if we did some work in the pool tomorrow." She explained, pushing Winter back to her room. Winter waved to Elise on the way, relieved that she was done for now.
"Alright, but I don't have a bathing suit." She said tiredly, "I'll let Sir Ender know, don't worry." He was the one pushing for her to get up and moving as soon as possible, providing a bathing suit was the least he could do. "How did it go?" Julian asked, meeting them at the doors outside of the medical ward. "Horrible," Winter complained while Peona laughed. "We worked her hard," she allowed Julian to take the handles. "And we'll work hard again tomorrow, let Sir Ender know Winter needs to be supplied with a bathing suit," and hopefully a better fitting pair of pants. "I will," he pushed Winter through the doors and back to her room. Carter was waiting for her, she vaguely recalled him visiting her before. "Winter, you're back." He seemed to brighten up at the sight of her, why?
Julian helped her back into bed. "I had therapy with Elise today," she said, pulling the blanket over herself, feeling as though she was about to pass out. "How is she? None of us have been allowed to see her, except Claude sometimes." The last time Carter had seen her had been when Claude sneaked Elise out of her room. "Shush for a second," Julian waved his hand at Carter, listening to Winter's heart and lungs. "They sound good, we'll do another x ray at the end of the week." She nodded, watching him leave, taking the wheelchair with him, as though Winter could escape with it. "She looks miserable," Winter admitted once the door was closed. "And you?" Claude asked, "how are you feeling?" Was that genuine concern on his face?
"I feel like I got hit by a truck." He laughed.
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❝I am not the wonder of anyone's world, I am simply me.❞
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E】
|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E】
|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||
After apologizing her guilt away from Winter, sharing physiotherapy sessions with her was not as awkward as before. It almost became pleasant, if you could consider torture and exercise to be something pleasant. Elise was no stranger to some cardio to keep her trim figure, but this was more than she could handle. Winter seemed the type to handle this sort of conditioning far more, as she had better determination and resilience to this variety of treatment. Elise on the other hand was far less determined. She still could not find a reason to fight, a reason to begin wearing her masks again and going back to the way she used to act. "Sorry, it is still difficult." Elise muttered one day, panting after trying to use the walker and the exoskeleton legs and waist support. "No worries! Take your time, everyone progresses at their own pace." Cocoa shook her hands in an attempt to alleviate the concern.
Elise was not an idiot though, she knew full well she was behind schedule. She peeked at the original schedule on the holo and Cocoa's predictions that she would be able to walk without the ropes or waist support after a week, but it was already five days and she still was nowhere near ready to advance to the next step. Her fine motor skills were suffering as well, as writing practice failed and eating was always, embarrasingly, a mess. The low quality food did not help matters, as Elise's stomach was conditoned and accustomed to fancy gourmet meals with only the highest quality ingredients. She was still sensitive to anything else. The Boundary was a special case, as her physical stomach's adaptability did not factor into her ability to ingest with her spirit.
On the sixth day since starting PT, Ezra burst into their room, holding his arm. "I hurt my arm pretty bad in the last raid, so I'm gonna need some PT!" He declared, closing the door behind him with the arm he claimed was hurt. "Should you be here, Ezra?" Peona asked but Cocoa smiled, seeming to find it harmless. "Come in, come in! More company wouldn't hurt! Will you need someone to assist you?" Ezra shook his head, hooking his thumb upwards into a thumbs-up position. "Course not! I can handle myself just fine!" Elise felt as if she was dying as she was trying to walk and fell yet again, but it was nice to see Ezra. "Was this... your idea?" She panted at Winter. "Oh, let me try the walker thing!" Ezra wanted to give it a run so Cocoa, in the spirit of fun, helped Elise out then strapped him in. "I thought you had an arm injury?" Peona asked, but Ezra grinned wider.
"No, it was a leg injury, just look at my awful limp!" That was enough disruption for Peona to convince Cocoa to expel him from the room, but not before Ezra yelled some encouraging statements such as "If you work your best, I'll buy you a hat, brat princess!" and "I'll play the piano with my feet to congratualte you, Winter!" The agent of chaos was gone, with Cocoa barely stifling her laughter. "Anyways, let's get back to it. Here, do you want to try operating the holo, Elise?" Elise tried to reach for it with clumsy movements, glad to get to do a sitting exercise this time.
A holopad required many precise and complex movements to be able to operate the screen. It was most than just touching where you wanted to input commands, but you also needed to be able to swipe with your wrists, to pinch with your forefinger and thumb to make certain windows smaller, and other such manuevers. It was challenging, making her hands feel like they were cramping, but it was better than constantly falling and feeling so dizzy she wanted to vomit all of the little lunch she was able to eat.
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❝I put my arms around myself and I'm unbreakable.❞
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA】
|| Dear Winter || AJR ||
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA】
|| Dear Winter || AJR ||
Winter was progressing rather quickly, unlike Elise. She still had a reason to fight, knowing that out there somewhere was her Father. Did he knew about her? Did he care? Did he live inside of the Chrysanthemum or outside? Winter had so many questions. "Good job," Peona smiled as she transfered herself from the wheelchair and into the bathtub on her own. "Good job," every morning, Peona came into her room to help her with breakfast and dressing herself, then they went to swim until lunch. After lunch, Winter did more therapy on dry land until dinner time. "You're moving quickly," Peona complimented. "Not fast enough," Winter murmured as Peona pushed her to the blue mats. Ezra suddenly burst inside, making a fuss. "Ezra, what are you doing here?" Winter blinked, wondering what was going on. She glanced at Elise, wondering if she had noticed yet.
It was obvious to everyone around them that Ezra was harboring feelings for Elise. Why else would parade around in here and give her so much attention? He was trying to encourage her, no doubt he missed her. "Bye Ezra," Winter watched as he was forced out, practically shoved away by Peona and Coco. "Good grief," Peona held out her hands, helping Winter onto the mat. "He just wants attention, he's like that." Winter said, coughing as she laid flat. Peona adjusted the oxygen, moving the tank out of the way so Winter could roll without hitting it. "I think he wants attention from a certain someone," Peona wiggled her eyebrows in Elise's direction. Winter laughed, causing her to groan. Even with all of this, her ribs were still sore. "Come on, let's get to work."
She wasn't at sit ups quite yet, but Winter did something else where she hugged her knees against her chest and used her momentum to rock back and forth until she was sitting up. It hurt her ribs less. She also did toe taps, laying flat with her knees up and moving slowly from side to side. "One more," her ribs stung, she was short of breath, but Winter was determined. Was Elise watching her? Winter wasn't sure. The doors opened, the staff all standing upright, pausing in the middle of what they were doing to salute Sir Ender. Oliver was on his coattails, the two of them striding into the therapy room to see what was happening. He went to speak with Coco first, Peona kneeling back down to help Winter bring her legs straight up. "Try to control the movement, don't just let them flop down." Winter nodded, trying again.
Ender meandered over to them, looking like he had just eaten a particularly nasty tasting snake. "And you, Winter? How are you progressing?" He was addressing her, but looking at Peona. "Winter is doing well," Peona smiled. "She's working very hard. I suspect by the end of next week, she'll be out of the wheelchair." Ender nodded, seeming satisfied by these results. "Good, we'll start working you in earnest then." He went to speak with a few others, Oliver lingering for a moment to watch as Elise and Winter worked. "Don't think this means you're going to be as strong as me," was it Winter's imagination, or was Oliver's tone threatening? "Shut up Oliver, go follow your Daddy around, since that's all you know how to do." He growled, fire in his palm. Fire and ice, never quite getting along. Oliver lunged, Winter's staff suddenly at his throat.
His eyes widened. "I've killed two men twice your size, fought monsters every day while being dead, and was experimented on for most of my life. I don't know about you Oliver, but I think I'm pretty damn strong."
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❝I am not the wonder of anyone's world, I am simply me.❞
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E】
|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E】
|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||
After Ezra's surprise but welcome visit came to an end it was time for them to get back to work then. Fine motor skills, leg movements, walking, they put Elise through the wringer, but not without some teasing. Elise was not a fool, she knew what they were all hinting at, from Winter to Cocoa and even the less-laugh-prone Peona were happy to join in on the mockery. "Impossible." Elise said to herself, shaking her head. How could someone like Ezra like her? Someone so free of burdens that he could do as he pleased with no worry of the circumstances. A wild spirit, untamable by almost anyone, someone like him would never grow affections for someone like the black eagle, strict with rules she places on herself and those around her. It just was not practical, right? "Sometimes love defies the impossible!" Cocoa giggled, clapping her hands with enthusiasm.
Winter was still behind Elise, but she was progressing at a faster rate. Of course that was the case, right? Winter was the kind of person with the will to keep fighting no matter what knocked her down. Some people could bounce back after any downfall, while others crumpled at the first offset. "I do not see what is so appealing about romance either way." At least she was having an easier time speaking now, her mouth feeling more like a part of her body rather than a foreign appendage. "...Men will just smell your hair and touch you like an object." She shuddered, fear reflecting in her eyes, remembering what Garrel did to her each day and night. There was a brief pause as Cocoa looked confused and lost. She did it again, did she not? "...Sorry." The black eagle whimpered, her voice coming out with a sheepish smile. "I did not mean... to kill the mood... like that."
Near the end of today's work, they had two new visitors. Sir Ender, the leader of the Slithers, and his son, Oliver, were here to check on them. The two Enders came by Elise first, wanting a status report. "How is progress?" Ender asked, and Elise flinched away from his stare, looking down meekly at the grass. "Progress is going at a steady pace." Cocoa said with a diplomatic smile. She must have been a retail worker considering the amount of poise she had. "Every day she improves at regular intervals." Ender nodded, looking her over. "While steady is always good, I see she's still behind schedule. Try to increase the intensity without breaking her." Ender made a face of distaste. "Really, you're supposed to so much more than this, Elise." She knew, but pointing it out was not going to make a difference. Cocoa nodded, flashing a grin. "Yessir! Will do, sir!" How was she always chipper? Was Cocoa just a rare animal that was always in high spirits no matter the time?
"Work hard, but don't overdo it." Oliver said with a harsh stare, looking at her critically. "We're going to need your strength soon." Did she even want to go on the battlefield? Once they were finished appraising Elise they went to Winter, who decided to pick a fight near instantly. Did Oliver see her as a threat, seeing that Winter was able to defeat both Merlin and Garrel Lawsno? Was he afraid she might try the same on his father? "Oliver is able to use spirit armor like us." Elise said to Winter once the Enders finished their business here and left. "...They will not be as easy as Garrel or Merlin." What happened to her? How was Winter still able to fight when a prodigy like Elise had been turned into a docile lab mouse?
What was this feeling and why did it feel so much like shame? She used to be like Winter, able to continue resisting no matter what happened. Back when they were captives of the Chrysanthemum, Elise was the one who fought the Doctor at every step. So why was she so worthless now? Her first real smile since returning to Earth suddenly rose on her face, inexplicably. "...But did you see their faces?" Sir Ender looked alarmed at Winter's spirits, and Oliver was taken aback as well. No doubt they did not expect resistance from someone like Winter, who always had another surprise under her belt.
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❝I put my arms around myself and I'm unbreakable.❞
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA】
|| Dear Winter || AJR ||
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA】
|| Dear Winter || AJR ||
"Hey you two, break it up." Peona said, alarmed. Winter's staff disappeared and she lay back down, her lungs burning, but she refused to show weakness.Oliver seemed alarmed, as though he had not expected Winter to fight back. Sir Ender too, seemed slightly alarmed at Winter's unwillingness to back down. If anything he should've been happy for her. She still had her fighting spirit, after all. Ender smiled after a moment, Oliver's cheeks had turned bright red. "Keep that spirit Winter, you will need it." He said, taking his leave. It was only once they were outside that Winter allowed herself to take in a deep, gulping breath of her, panting. "I... hate... him," she could hear Coco laughing. Winter glanced over, it seemed that Elise and Coco had watched her entire display.
"I'm not going to kill him, if that's what you're thinking." When did Oliver learn to use armor? Did Serenity or Carter teach him? Certainly Ezra would never, since he had no patience to teach others unless he really took a liking to them. Winter had no time to think about it, Peona put her right back to work. She made Winter try to do a plank, but Winter had no strength left for that. Elise suddenly spoke to her again and Winter smiled. "Oliver looked like he was worried I was going to kick his butt." Peona suddenly hit her butt, startling her. "Speaking of butts, you better get yours back to work." She said, forcing Winter back up. Winter groaned, "Can't we just be done for the day?" Winter asked, groaning.
"No, we have one more exercise. Come on, maybe you can motivate Elise a little bit." Winter doubted that, since nothing seemed to motivate Elise anymore. She could see that Elise was beaten down, her spirit broken. Winter crawled across the blue mat, Peona glancing at her, wondering what Winter was trying to do. She picked up the oxygen tank, following her. Winter stopped crawling when she reached where Elise was sitting. This was the closest they were going to get to alone time. "I know you're afraid to care again, Elise." Winter said softly, "Garrel Lawson is dead, both in body and mind. He can never hurt you again." That's why Elise was afraid to hope, wasn't it? She feared that something similar would happen. "And if anyone tries to pull that again, Ezra and I will be on top of them faster than you can blink."
"I know you feel like you have no choice here, with being made to fight and all, but once this is all over, you can do whatever you want. You can go back to your room and no one will force you to come out. You just have to get through this. Just take it one day at a time, okay? Focus on making it through that day, until the next day comes, then the next." That's what Winter had done. They were the same, Winter and Elise. Winter knew what it was like to be hopeless, to not want to keep going. When Winter had nothing else to look forward to, all she would do was focus on getting through the day. "Alright, that's all the time we have for today." Peona sighed, looking at her watch, "but I suppose that little move was exercise enough." She lifted Winter up easily, carrying her back to the wheelchair and situating the oxygen between her legs. "Come on you little devil, Julian is waiting for you."
Little devil, that was a new one. Julian was indeed waiting for her, arms crossed. "I heard you threatened Oliver today," he looked none too pleased. "If you have energy for that, then you should have enough energy to finish your dinner tray." Winter groaned as he tooked the handles. "Why do you insist on torturing me?" She asked as he pushed her back to her room. "Because it makes you a better patient." He glanced at his watch, "it's time for your injection." He lifted her back onto the bed, her room surprisingly empty. She had been arriving to visitors most everyday. She rolled onto her back, Julian pulling down her pants. "Cold swab," he said as he wiped a spot on her cheek with alcohol, "1,2,3!" She breathed out, the injection stinging. It was over in a minute, Julian placing a band aid over the spot.
"Dinner," the nurse knocked, bringing in the tray. Mashed potatoes, boiled chicken, and lemon ice cream. Yuck.
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❝I am not the wonder of anyone's world, I am simply me.❞
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E】
|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#0C94CC ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #CC0C2E】
|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||
Everyone was relieved that Winter assured them she would not just go out and kill Sir Ender. She could not afford it in any case, not with her dependent on the Slithers for medical care because as awful as the Slithers were, it was better than going back to the Chrysanthemum. Anything was better than returning to their custody. After doing a little more work the girls had some spare time to chat, and Winter decided to spend that time giving Elise a pep talk. "I know he will not return.. and it is not as if I do not care..." She frowned, wondering how to best word it. "I am simply afraid. The strong me everyone saw was only an act, you know?" In fact, Winter was the one who inspired her to try wearing a mask to hide her true cowardly self. It was because of Winter, in part, that Elise was able to make it this far.
But she was not going to be able to reply on the mask anymore. She needed to become strong herself, but she did not know how. Was it possible to be strong when you were constantly trembling in fear? "They all expect so much of me! What do they think I can do, move a planet?" The sooner they ended this, and they put someone less evil in charge of the city, this would end. Who would they install? Elise did not know, but she was not going to trust the future to the Slithers. "Is that how you survived? One day at a time?" Winter was used to captivity, she lived her life in it after all. Was this how she was able to cope, little by little, living for each sunrise? Still, it was a little pathetic that she needed a commoner to talk to her like this, a noble and a prodigy. Was that not embarrassing?
Well, not that it really mattered that she was a commoner. Winter more than proved that commoners were not by default worse than noble. And Garrel proved that sometimes, nobles could be just as bad, if not worse, than a commoner. "Thank you. I will try... to be a little stronger." It would take time, she knew that. Trauma did not just go away from a pep talk, but maybe there was a little hope. If Winter could survive this whole time, it would be shameful if Elise could not bounce back as well. Maybe she would begin putting effort into the therapy sessions.
"Elise!" Ezra burst into her room once she was finished eating dinner and was trying to fall asleep. Somehow Ezra burst in and he locked the door shut while staff were yelling at him that he did not have the authority to enter. "What? What happened?" At first she was afraid that there was an emergency but instead there was just a big smile on his face. "I'm here to check on you! How are you?" Elise frowned, narrowing her eyes. "Not good. The food is bad and being in isolation is stressful when it is not by my choice." Self-isolation was fun, forced isolation was a chore. "Then I'll break in more often!" Ezra grinned, cracking a knightly pose.
He stepped closer, glad to see a little more energy in her. Elise had been akin to someone half dead for the past week, but now she had a little more color in her eyes. "You should eat more! I know, it's not as good as your fancy stuff, but it's not the worst!" Elise grimaced, her meal barley touched. "It hurts my stomach to eat low quality food." She admitted. It was not simply being picky, she was just not used to it. "Maybe we could get Winter in the kitchen?" Ezra suggested. "Once she's better. She'll definitely find a way to make use of the food to make it better!" While Winter was not a bad cook, Elise was not sure her real life stomach would be able to handle commoner food. Even smores may be too much for her.
"What do you mean? What does Winter have to do about this?" Winter was not a gourmet chef, but a good common cook. "Oh, you didn't know? She's from, what's it called? Good Smiles Produce? She's the granddaughter of that big farm!" Elise's eyes went blank for a moment, her face muscles tensing. And then she let out a very faint giggle, clearly delighted and surprised. "So Winter truly is a lesser noble?" Not an official noble family, but they were rich enough to be considered lesser nobles, and they were still part of the nobility. "Really! But she -" Winter was the type to jump into a river in the nude because she thought it was fun. Really nothing like how she imagined a noble to be.
But it made sense too. Winter definitely had talent, and she had a quiet sort of dignity about her. "But that might explain her talent." She paused, then looked at Ezra. "Well... not that talent and nobility have to be together. She is talented because she is Winter, not because of her blood." Ezra grinned, his eyes alight. "You really didn't know! Agh, I'm gonna tell her how you reacted!" He ran off then, as Slithers glowered at him, still yelling about how he should not break rules like that. Elise smiled a little, then wondered. Could it be true? There is no way someone like him could feel anything towards her, right?
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❝I put my arms around myself and I'm unbreakable.❞
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA】
|| Dear Winter || AJR ||
【ɗιαƖσgυє cσƖσя:#BDA0CB ♙ тнσυgнт cσƖσя #F7B3DA】
|| Dear Winter || AJR ||
Winter was trying to eat dinner when Ezra knocked. "Come in," she had been expecting him after hearing him burst into Elise's room. The door slid open, spraying him before he entered since Winter was still under contact precautions. "Stupid thing," he choked on aerosol sanitizer as he entered, shutting the door behind him. "Why didn't you tell Elise?" He asked, sitting on the edge of her mattress. "Tell Elise what? Why aren't you wearing shoes?" He wiggled his bare toes. "I threw them at a soldier to distract him so I could sneak." Ezra replied, looking at the roof. "Why didn't you tell Elise about Good Smiles?" He asked, watching her stirr mashed potatoes around on her plate to make it look eaten. He reached for her ice cream, but she slapped his hand away. "Not that one, I want it." He picked up the saltines from her plate instead.
"It wasn't relevant I guess. She's been busy doing her thing, I've been busy not dying, you know?" She asked as Ezra crushed up the saltines and put it in her mashed potatoes. "What'd you do that for?" She asked, glancing up at him. "Try it now," she sighed, taking a bite. Not as bad, she supposed. "She could barely believe it when I told her! She started alluding that, that's where your talent came from, then stopped herself." Winter laughed, "typical Elise. For someone as smart as her, she sure can be narrow minded." She shook her head, reaching for her ice cream, but Ezra stopped her. "Chicken first," he parented. Winter rolled her eyes, but took a few bites. It was dry and flavorless, considering she was on a bland diet. He handed her ice cream back, Winter popping the top open. It was nice and soft.
"When do you think you'll get out of here?" Ezra asked, swinging his legs. "I don't know, apparently therapy is going well, I can feed myself now." They were already at the end of week one and Winter was exhausted. She couldn't imagine another two, possibly three weeks of this. "I'd rather fill out paperwork than look at another weight ever again." She sighed, flopping back against her pillows, ice cream in hand. Ezra took her plate, finishing off her food for her. Good, at least Julian would be happy that someone was eating it. "Lidia says that once I'm finally on my feet, I'll have to be in my own room for safety reasons." Winter put air quotes around safety, she knew what Lidia actually meant was because Winter's immune system was shot after two transplants within the span of two months. She also might need supplemental oxygen while asleep, which could be noisy.
"I just don't want to go blind with rage and hurt myself again." She was stressed thinking about it, truth be told and the possibility that she could seriously injure someone, or kill them. "You'll be fine," Ezra assured her. "You're just lucky you don't have to share a room with Carter, ugh. He snores like a truck!" Winter laughed, she hadn't expected that. "Hey, have you seen Gray? Apparently no one's spotted her since they took her away." Ezra glanced around, there were three cameras in Winter's room so the nurses could keep an eye on her while she slept. Her bed was also alarmed, just in case she fell out. "Not here," Ezra mumbled and Winter understood. They were keeping her somewhere, weren't they? But why? Gray hadn't done anything wrong. Was it because she was a former military officer to the Nobles?
"Ezra," Julian opened the door, exasperated. "You can't just walk in here like you own the place, I've gotten six calls about you alone in the last hour." He didn't even flinch as he was sprayed down and waltzed right in. "Winter, why is Ezra holding your plate?" He knew exactly why, but he would let her answer. "He was hungry, so I let him have some of mine." Julian shook his head, "you were supposed to finish that." He pulled the ice cream from her hands, Winter glowered. "No sweets if you haven't had any proteins."