Feed a fever, starve a cold?

[shinra_dog]

Who: Albel and Reno
What: Player Plot: Down with the Sickness
Where: Throughout Aqures Ixen, in their homes or the homes of their caretakers
When: Albel, May 16 -- ? ; Reno, May 21 -- ? (yes, during Diamond Weapon too, uh oh!)
Warnings: Language as always, hallucinations (possibly including body horror), severe anxiety, will add more if they come up. Headers will be labeled.

[Multiple threads and varying severity are fine, just put Reno or Albel in the thread header for who you want.]

Albel

As if revisiting the Lunar Gate wasn't stressful enough, whatever meltdown Sephiroth had just had was the last straw. Well, to be more specific, opening the can of worms that was Terra was the worst of it, especially when neither man was an especially good communicator as it was. Adding alcohol was just more fuel for the fire. So the Behemoth challenge was like a blessing. Albel could go, beat the thing senseless, and work out his frustrations.

At least that was the plan. But apparently using his Beastmaster job didn't count as "single combat" if he got help from his dragon. He would have beaten the damn thing, too, but for that technicality. Tch, stupid. Now Albel was even more stressed for having lost.

He sneezed. Again. Ugh, so annoying.

... Except it got worse. Sneezing became sniffling, sniffling became coughing, it all became a pounding headache with sweats and chills. Apris, it felt like the mountains of Airyglyph, he was so cold! Could this get any worse?


Reno

Reno blew his nose again. Ugh, gross. The girls had already preemptively quarantined him to his room -- apparently a weird flu had been going around and it was super contagious. But this was just a little cold! It couldn't possibly be that bad.

Colds sometimes had fevers, right? Sometimes? Maybe? Whatever, it wasn't even that high.

At least K-chan could still stay with him. But he didn't have time to be sick right now! The Assassins needed him! Surely this would all go away on its own in a couple of days, and then he'd be fine. It was just that gross sewage air, that was all. It was definitely not going to stop him from hunting down Diamond Weapon. That was too important.

Reno jumped, his heart suddenly racing as he thought he saw something out of the corner of his eye. Breathe, he told himself, trying to calm down. Just a shadow, just a trick of the light.

There were no gods or goddesses to curse him here. There were no gods or goddesses to curse him here...

Comments

Albel

[ninjainviolet]

Of course it could get worse. He could have Sheena looking after him--which he did. Not that she was bad at taking care of others; it was almost second nature to her.

But she could be a little bossy at times. Especially when concerned. And she was definitely worried right now. She knew there was some kind of illness going around, but this looked bad, very bad.

And the note that had brought here there hadn't mentioned that. Stubborn idiot.

Pulling his blanket over him tighter, she placed one of the cool cloths she had on hand on his forehead. "Come on, Albel, you have to eat," she told him with a nod towards the soup she had brought.

"It'll help."

Re: Albel

[wickedone]

Albel closed his eyes with furrowed brow. "What would help is if the room would stop spinning..." he grumbled, then groaned. He wasn't sure if closing his eyes made things better or worse.

He blinked up at Sheena. This was awful. Not only did he feel awful... but this sickness was making him weak! He didn't like depending on other people! It was beyond uncomfortable... he was a burden.

He hated it.

[ninjainviolet]

Gently lowering herself on to the bed to sit next to him, Sheena placed a hand lightly on his cheek. "If I could get it to do that for you, I'd do it in a second."

When he looked up at her, the ninja gave him an understanding look. They were a lot alike in other areas, so why not be the same in this situation? She hated being sick and didn't want to be a burden to others, so why wouldn't he feel the same?

Besides, he hadn't actually asked for her help; she had freely given it.

"I know you're hating this, Albel, but just bear with it, okay?" She stroked his cheek lightly. "I'm not going anywhere." Translation: she didn't think he was a burden, and never would, but she was going to help him however she could. In her bossy, stubborn way.

[wickedone]

Albel closed his eyes and sighed -- just barely suppressing an actual whimper. But he leaned into her touch.

"You wouldn't," he murmured wryly. Sheena was as stubborn as he was. But, as he stayed with the uncomfortable knot wringing in his stomach, miserable for being weak in front of her... nothing happened. And slowly... it started to fade. It made him confused. It made him angry, instinctively, in self-preservation -- because he couldn't possibly be thinking that she really cared, could he?

Could he?

His brow furrowed, his jaw clenched.

[ninjainviolet]

And she continued with that touch, her strokes remaining light and caring.

She chuckled softly in admission. "No, I probably wouldn't. But unless I miss my guess, I'd probably be told the same thing I just told you." By him. Especially if she were in the shape he was in. At least he hadn't tried to get up. Well, while she was there, anyway.

Seeing his expression, she brushed his hair back from his face, her concern deepening. Is he getting worse?

"Albel? What is it? What's wrong?"

Oh, she cared, Albel. She really did, so go ahead and think it.

[wickedone]

Albel squinted up at her, brow furrowed with his thoughts. Surely she was sick of this by now, but he couldn't help it.

"If you knew my past, you wouldn't be here," he said, his voice scratchy from the coughing. "If you knew me, you wouldn't be like this... you wouldn't like me."

[ninjainviolet]

If she was sick of it, she wouldn't be there, now would she? She had accepted that it was a part of Albel a long time ago, so he should stop worrying about it.

"Your past? You're worried about your past?" She sighed and continued brushing his hair back. "Not everyone's past is perfect, Albel. Mine included. So I don't have the right to judge you based on that. Besides, the past is the past, it can't be changed."

But the person can.

Albel: hopefully this is okay.

[dammit_flynn]

"Yo, you don't look so well," Yuri replied as he approached the other. Another person from the vision that he supposedly knew well then. Honestly, he doubted that they would want to get cozy after what happened. He can't even explain how terrible that sort of vision was but it's been months. Hopefully neither of them will have to bring it up.

Yuri was walking with Repede when he almost bumped in Albel on the way back to his home. He gave the other a once over, noticing that he didn't look well and he wanted to see if the guy was okay. Of course, who knew what sort of buttons he might be pushing by asking but it couldn't hurt to ask. Yuri was genuinely a caring person when he wanted to be.

He also didn't think the person should be on their own in their current condition.

sorry for late! it's great

[wickedone]

Albel wobbled slightly and squinted. "Yuri?"

He hadn't seen the other man in awhile... In passing, sure, everyone saw nearly everyone else. But they hadn't really spoken since that vision. Albel knew in the sage's "future" they were relatively friendly. And he'd remained cordial toward Yuri in the meantime... well, as cordial as he could be. But things had not gone well during that vision. Not at all.

Sheena had died. And the rest had gone to hell.

Albel wiped his forehead. He had a headache, and was slightly dizzy... was he sweating? Probably. Ugh. "I'm... fine," he lied. Poorly.

It's all good XD I'm slow too forgive me

[dammit_flynn]

"Yeah-- least you can tell who I am."

Means he's not too far off. He still looks terrible. Yuri rested a hand on his shoulder trying to see if he was stable enough to continue on his own. He wasn't the type ot leave people to rot on the concrete even if there were awkward exchanges and such between them in some weird vision. It might be weird to actually even be confronting the person he hadn't really talked to at all but hey it's the way it is. There's nothing he can do about it.

Everything was a mess in the vision and Yuri didn't want to talk about it or bring it up. He certainly didn't think Albel wanted to either.

"You sound like a dead cat, here at least let me get you home."

He replied.

[wickedone]

Was that really an indication of health? ... Maybe. Considering how hazy everything else was at the moment. Albel tried to shake off Yuri's hand and just ended up veering off to the side, dizzy again. His arms spread to steady himself before he stumbled and he groaned.

"I don't -- urgh..." Albel closed his eyes. Giving in would be weak. But... at this point he was starting to question how he'd make it home alright. He just hated accepting any help.

[dammit_flynn]

Yuri walked over to crouch and lift him off the ground if he allowed it-- well Yuri was going to be stubborn and press it as much as he can until Albel either shoved him off or figured out a way to get himself away from Yuri. He's not going to leave a sick person on their own.

"If it helps, you don't have to think of me as a person-- maybe a crutch for you to get home. Seriously, you look like crap-- or do you want to fall over here and have more people stare at you and judge you?"

He's not going to stop obviously.

[wickedone]

"Wh-what are you doing, fool?!" Albel slapped and pushed at Yuri, albeit weakly, wide-eyed at the attempt to lift him. "Stop! I'm not -- coughcough -- I'm not an invalid!"

Yet.

Albel sighed. Clearly, Yuri wasn't going to leave him alone. And Albel hated to admit it, but maybe that wasn't a bad thing.

"You can... walk me home," he conceded with a grumpy sniffle. "But you need not carry me!" He was not a blushing bride.

Reno

[unyieldingspirit]

The way people were getting sick definitely seemed strange, but K'pandolu wasn't letting it stop her from visiting. She had enough feeling for Reno to bring him some soup as well- anyone would appreciate that, after all.

She stopped at the door, balancing the bowl on her hip to knock. "Reno?"

Re: Reno

[shinra_dog]

Reno blinked. "Come in?" he called, picking up K-chan. The already surly cat had become rather protective of the Turk.

He didn't recognize the voice right away, but obviously the other person knew him. And since Reno was determined not to be sick, he wasn't about to turn away visitors. He was fine.

Re: Reno

[unyieldingspirit]

Invitation received, K'pandolu pushed the door open. Her ears rose up on seeing the cat, but she puffed a breath out after a moment and shook her head, passing on the thought for the time.

"I thought all of the house might appreciate a little soup," she said by way of explanation, bringing the bowl forwards again.

[shinra_dog]

K-chan started to bristle, and Reno shushed him. "Be nice." He set the cat on the bed beside him again but kept a watchful eye on the mischievous thing.

"That's super thoughtful of you." He smiled at K'pandolu. Yeah, that made more sense -- she was probably friendlier with Alice, or Minfilia. She might have been friendly with Tifa. So bringing everyone soup, just in case, with all the sickness going around... It was nice.

"What kind is it?" he asked, reaching for the offered bowl.

[unyieldingspirit]

K'pandolu flicked her tail, but kept most of her attention on Reno. She wasn't particularly worried, but to come in on a pet cat still seemed a little funny to her.

She smiled back, ears perking up again. It was true she was friendlier with Minfilia, but she'd seen Reno around a few times and it only made sense to reach out, and bring enough for everyone with a little stretching of the ingredients. "It's a basic vegetable soup," she said.

[shinra_dog]

The bowl was warm against his cold fingers and the steam felt good. Just the sight of food reminded him he was hungry.

"If my nose wasn't all stuffed up, I bet this would smell amazing," he said, his voice somewhat distorted by the congestion. "Thank you, really."

Digging in, he closed his eyes as he swallowed. Even if he couldn't taste it exactly right, it was good. The heat alone going down through his chest was the best. He might not be able to eat all of it, but just getting something in him would help.

"How's everyone else?" he asked. "Minfilia and Alice aren't sick, are they?"

Because if they were, then this quarantine was ridiculous. Not that Reno felt like getting out of bed at the moment anyway.

[charming_jerk]

The sudden strong knock on the door probably isn't helping Reno's nerves, either. At least that's not a figment of his imagination, as a few moments later, the door opens slightly and Johnny's head poked in.

"Hey. How ya feelin', man."

Apparently he's come here straight from "work", carrying his guitar case on his back. He's holding a bag, which he holds up.

"Ya hungry at all?"

[shinra_dog]

Reno jumped; K-Chan meowed plaintively. The sight of only Johnny, at least, was a relief.

"Hey..." He smiled and rubbed his eyes. Must just be tired, maybe he dozed off with his eyes open. "You brought that for me?"

K-Chan rubbed against Reno's back and peered out at Johnny suspiciously.

[charming_jerk]

Johnny scratched the back of his head, looking almost a little embarrassed.

"Yeah. Heard you were down with the flu, like half the Heroes seem to be right now. Good thing I never get sick."

Except that one time. But let's not talk about that.

"I had to cook anyway, so I made some soup. What's better when yer sick, right? It's just vegetable, it's all I had on hand, but hey, it's healthy."

He digs a bowl out of the bag and sets it down nearby, along with a spoon.

"I didn't get a chance to eat any yet, so if it sucks, sorry. I haven't made a lotta soups before."

[shinra_dog]

Not only had Johnny brought him food... he'd made it? Reno was pretty much amazed. He hadn't expected anything like this. K-chan was already straining to reach the soup on the table, either to test for Reno's security or because he was suddenly a sick kitty too. Reno put him on the floor and he bristled.

"That's... wow. Thanks."

He grinned. "You still get t' try it first."

[charming_jerk]

He shrugs. "It's nothin'. Gotta make sure ya get better. If the Empire gets wind of so many Heroes bein' down for the count, we're all in trouble."

Sure, that was a good enough excuse for his fussing.

He grins too as he opens the container of soup.

"Okay, yer highness, I'll check 'n make sure it ain't poisoned." He takes a taste, wrinkling his nose, thinking about it. He shrugs again.

"Eh. Could use some salt, I guess." It's not bad for a first try, really.

[shinra_dog]

Reno chuckled (then coughed, and sniffled) at Johnny's reaction. "That was a 'just some salt' face?" he teased.

But he really was thankful. And he was hungry, now that he was reminded about it with food. He wasn't sure if he had eaten that day. Most of it he'd spent being miserable about being sick, or angry about feeling sick.

He smiled and reached for the bowl. "But it's not poison, so it's good."