girlybruiser | 𝓵𝓪𝓫𝔂𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓱𝓾𝓶 ❀ 𝓲𝓷𝓫𝓸𝔁

She'll be alright. [ An immediate reassurance, warm and firm. ] I've heard from that group in Stellari that it'll take a few days before she regains consciousness, but she'll make a full recovery. You did the right thing.

[ He doesn't want Haru to feel guilty for even a second. Whether it was or wasn't the first time that she's had to attack a friend for their own good in this reality, it surely won't be the last. He'd done the same to Eren, after all.

A bird chitters softly just outside the sliding door, and Maruki chews the inside of his cheek for a moment as he rolls an offer he isn't sure he should make around in his head. ]

You can say no, of course, but...

[ One hand unwinds from around the mug so Maruki can gesture vaguely around, as if to encompass the whole house. It isn't as massive as Dolph's cabana, and perhaps it's not as large as the Okumura residence back in Tokyo, either, but it's certainly more sizable than the standard residences on this reality. ]

You're welcome to rest here. It's a peaceful place. We have a spare room, and no one will bother you. [ Half a wince as he quickly amends that: ] I won't let anyone bother you.

[ AKECHI GORO DNI. ]

Thank goodness. That also means Akihiko-kun will be alright, too...

[ She pats her chest in relief, letting out a little sigh at that before she reaches back for her mug to drink more of the coffee. ]

... oh.

[ She's not surprised by the invitation, Maruki is far too kind for his own good, but she needs a moment to ruminate on her decision, especially after...

A large wound, still healing, seems to prickle this time without provocation.

But as she sits in the room with him, enjoying the view of the garden, quiet noises of wildlife chiterring and flittering about, there's a calm that washes over her. ]

Actually, I would love to take you up on the offer this time. Thank you, Dr. Maruki.

[ This is Akira's home as well and she'll never stray far from him as long as she can. ]

It's been a long day. Unfortunately, Chihaya-san was not the only friend I had to face and using my Persona felt different this time around.

[ The sigh of relief that Maruki exhales doesn't last long. Glad as he is to have Haru agree to convalesce in a place where he knows she'll be safe, where he can keep an eye on her and ensure nothing and no one comes to bother her, much less do her harm–

That last bit brings his concern right back. ]

It felt different? How so...? [ Wait– ] Was this the first time you summoned it in this reality?

Yes, I haven't had my power back that long.

[ But it's not as if she had had Milady returned to her that long either back home. If anything, it felt as if their power was more stronger and intense when facing the Monarchs and fighting hordes of Shadows in the Jails. ]

It felt as if using certain skills took a little more out of me than usual. Perhaps it's because I'm using it outside a cognitive world?

[ But could this world be considered a cognitive reality anyway?

Ah, her head hurts trying to wrap around that idea. ]

[ Maruki nods at her postulation, thoughtful as his brows draw down to consider it. ]

That sounds like a solid theory. I wish I could say more definitively, but obviously I don't have any experience to draw from...

[ He wracks his mind for more possible differences beyond the metaphysical constraints of this reality, and after a moment his eyes light up again as they land on Haru's. ]

Did you wish for it to be returned to you as part of... ah, part of all this? [ Vaguely, Maruki gestures to the wishes scrawled all over his visible skin to indicate what he means. All this that's going on right now, their sudden ability to grant their own desires. ] Or did you go to the crystal? If it's the former, that might have something to do with it!

Oh! That's right...

[ Her expression is sheepish then; did she not promise Maruki she would tell him whenever she sought her power again? She pushes a few loose curls drifting across her face behind her ear. When her fingers brush against her temple, she feels some light scratches and bruising, where Chihaya had struck her.

It doesn't hurt at all. In fact, she may not even have noticed it until now. ]

It was right before I was on jury duty, too... [ She passes a hand across her face, apologetic. ] My apologies, Dr. Maruki! I have been so distracted, that I forgot to tell you I wished for Milady at the crystal before all this began.

No no no, don't apologize, please! [ It comes out immediately, both his hands unwrapping from around the coffee mug to wave in front of his chest. ] So much has been going on, I don't blame you at all if it slipped your mind! Trust me, I get it...

[ Still, that does poke a hole in his theory. Haru regained her ability from the crystal, just like the rest of them have. If it feels different for her than it did back in their true reality, in the cognitive world...

He tries to think of everything Akechi first taught him about stamina, and how he and Akira both confirmed that their own powers felt dampened. It must be like that. It does make some level of sense, but still– it's good to be conscious of. Okumura Haru is a fighter, he's more sure of that than ever, and if fighting takes more out of her than it did before, then Maruki will be extra watchful.

His brows crease as he gestures to Haru's temple, concern shifting fluidly from one target to the next. ]

Can I patch that up for you? We have several first aid kits, and I've gotten fairly good at using them.

[ To say the least. ♥ ]

[ When was the last time anyone ever offered to tend to her wounds? For her father, it had been years since he had put her up on the bathroom counter, consoling blubbering tears from a young Haru as he cleaned up her scuffed knee and put a band-aid on it, assuring her it would be alright.

It had been a while, because she was often careful, even when gardening. She thinks the last time might have been the hired help in the home, but at that point, she had taken care of it mostly on her own.

Then she awakened to her Persona, like the others, and was accused to healing skills and items. Maybe she had grown far too accustom to such power, as Owain had used his to heal her wounds up back in April. ]

It isn't too much trouble, is it? You've already graciously allowed me to stay over to recover.

[ But her shoulder does sting and if she has to go back out and face more Dreamers-turned-monsters, she needs to make sure her body isn't about to fall apart. ]

Wait, have you had to use them much in this world?

[ That might be a silly question, because this world keeps throwing them into life or death situations apparently. But, she's a bit worried... ]

It's no trouble at all.

[ A quick reassurance beneath her words, but entirely sincere in its warmth. Maruki moves to stand, knees creaking and back popping as he stretches his arms over his head for a moment before smiling back down at Haru. ]

What kind of host would I be if I said you could stay here to recover but then didn't help you to actually recover? [ His hands land on his hips, a fond shake of his head. ] Give me a minute to grab a kit, and I can tell you about how I got so good at using them. Alright?

[ She bows her head politely as Maruki is off, unable to contain a soft giggle at his point. How silly of her; of course he would offer to help.

While Maruki is rummaging around elsewhere for the kit, Haru turns her attention to the garden, a delightful sigh escaping her as she makes out some familiar wildflowers she's seen in her books.

It's a strange, comforting feeling to see plants and flowers that exist in their reality, in this foreign land. She wonders if they existed before any Dreamer ever arrived here, or if they simply exist because they are here. ]

So a grayleaf goldenrod and... false sunflower. Ah, I wonder if Dr. Maruki tends to this garden...

[ Or does Akira? He used to help her at Shujin, digging into the planters with her as they shared private conversations that could only be carried by the wind if it willed. No one else to hear her share her dreams and fears with him.

Her face is warm and red suddenly, and she cups her cheeks with both hands. Meanwhile, the flowers twitch a little and suddenly are facing the room, as if staring at something or someone. ]

Or maybe...

[ It doesn't take Maruki long – the machiya may be large, but the stockpile he and Akechi made all those many months ago is larger, and it's spread out over several closets and storage areas. He pokes into the nearest one for a kit, then the washroom to clean his hands and grab a spare cloth before making his way back to– ]

... Huh?

[ He's paused just before dropping down to crouch next to Haru, eyes on the flowers just outside the sliding door that seem to stare right back at him. ]

Did those... were they like that before?

[ Maruki's sudden reappearance shatters her fantasy and Haru startles, waving her hands in mild panic. ]

A-Ah! What?

[ The flowers then whip in the opposite direction. They do not wish to be perceived.

Haru's attention flickers between Maruki and the plants, noting they moved a little as she slipped into her silly daydreaming and her face is as red as an apple. ]

Oh! That was not intentional!

It's okay, really!

[ Honestly, Maruki's more curious than anything else. He unsticks himself to kneel next to Haru, leaning to look past her into the garden again at the flowers that are now giving him the cold shoulder, and soft laughter begins to eke out. ]

What an interesting power... is that new?

[ He props the box up on the table before them, pops it open to begin rifling through for antiseptic, ointment, bandages... ]

[ That's quite the inventory he has... she would wonder why Maruki seems so well-prepared, but then has to remember he's been here longer than her and has faced god only knows what.

If April and June are anything to go by, it might be best for herself to begin stocking up on first aid kits.

Nevertheless, she's grateful for the aid. ]

Um, yes!

[ She's idly playing with her fingers, embarrassed Maruki caught her staring off like that, like he even knows what was running through her head. ]

It's from the potion that was given to me. Right before I was able to regain my Persona, I decided to drink the potion and it gave me a sort of power over the plants.

[ It only makes sense, for someone as wholly focused on gardening as Haru. Maruki's long thought that the potions they receive, and the specifics things they can do, have more to do with their cognitions than one might think. So his enthusiasm is entirely genuine– ]

It's almost like you can talk to plants now... that's so neat!

[ –if entirely dorky, too.

He tears open an antiseptic wipe, nods to the injury at Haru's temple. ]

May I? And is there anywhere else you've been hurt...?

You think so?

[ A small smile touches the corner of her lips. ]

I can't make plants bloom instantly, it's quite a weak power right now, but I will say it's been helpful with gardening anyhow.

[ Haru stills for a second when Maruki inquiries about other injuries, her hand almost instinctively reaching to her shoulder, but stopping short of it. ]

... I sort of hurt my shoulder a while back and I think I agitated it against Chihaya-san.

Oh... did you strain it? Like a muscular injury?

[ If so, he probably can't do anything for that, but there's always his neighbor at the clinic... ]

[ His inquiry tells her all she needs to know; Akechi didn't inform Maruki, and possibly Akira, of their altercation in the hotel room.

Well, altercation might be putting it lightly. ]

... not quite.

[ She pauses, this time her hand actually touching the spot where Akechi had struck her with the knife. ]

Um, it was wounded some time ago. I did bandage it as best I could, though with two fights back-to-back I think I might have torn the skin a little again...

Really? Please, let me patch it up for you. It's not a good idea to let injuries linger in this reality.

[ You never know when things will go sideways, after all. As she's now experienced.

He'll start with her temple though, daubing the antiseptic wipe as gently as he can though he knows it'll sting regardless. He speaks quietly as he does, as if to distract her. ]

I would understand if you didn't trust the healing magic at the clinic... I didn't either when I first arrived.

[ He does his best, but the fresh scratches sting enough to make her jolt forward a tiny bit. She manages to keep herself seated at least, though her hands ball into tiny fists. ]

Ah...

[ She takes a deep breath, then exhales. The pain has already subsided, thankfully. ]

I would have asked a friend who's gained healing powers here, but I didn't want him to worry.

[ Owain has a strong heart and sense of justice; she doesn't doubt if he had seen the level of injury, or known its nature, that it wouldn't have sparked certain emotions from him. ]

Um... Dr. Maruki?

[ Maruki frowns when she jolts, murmurs a soft apology; hopefully the ointment that follows helps to soothe the sting somewhat.

He glances at her as he shifts to cut a piece of gauze for the bandage. ]

Hm? What's up?

Um, I would like to ask that you don't tell Akira-kun about any of this, please.

[ She hasn't breathed a word about what happened in the hotel room to him. All he knows is she was stuck sharing a room with Akechi.

Nothing else to note.

She couldn't have him fretting about that, not when it seems other matters plague his mind here. ]

... I don't want him to worry. He takes on a lot as it is, so...

[ Ah.

That's all Haru needs to say for him to make an educated guess on what the topic might be.

More importantly, though– ]

I won't. I promise.

[ He pauses with the gauze and bandage in hand, not finishing up the patch job just yet. This needs to be said. ]

Anything you tell me, I'll hold in confidence, Okumura-san. That's always true, no matter what.

[ A grateful smile is what Maruki gets in return. She probably didn't even need to ask in the first place, but she has to be sure. ]

I had a disagreement with Akechi-kun a while back.

[ Maybe it's putting it lightly, but Maruki can read between the lines. He's only apparently lived with the young man for a year now possibly; he probably knows more than she cares to. ]

[ He can indeed read between the lines – easily, and with more than a little experience being on the other side of disagreements with Akechi under his belt.

He nods, silent as he finishes up bandaging the wound at her temple, then scoots away a bit. ]

May I see what he did?

[ And then he turns, shielding his eyes. He knows all she has to do is tug down the top of a sleeve to show him her shoulder, but he's also loath to ever make Haru even slightly uncomfortable. ]

Only if you still want me to patch it up, of course.

𝓵𝓪𝓫𝔂𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓱𝓾𝓶 ❀ 𝓲𝓷𝓫𝓸𝔁

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

cw: slight graphic description of injury

(no subject)

cw: blood and death mention

(no subject)

we can wrap!

hehe wrapt