Mitsuhide Lowen | Kiki | 042

[cavaliering]

[So he sadly didn't hear until much later. Kiki had been assigned to running drills (something she was particularly adept at, considering she could kick the collective asses of the royal guard--) while Mitsuhide, of course, had been at Zen's side.

But when he did hear, he was all panic and concern, leaving Zen without barely waiting for the acknowledgement, to burst into the clinic and--]

Kiki! I heard--are you all right?

[it's probably just a cold, Mitsuhide, chill.]

Comments

[cavaliering]

[don't be like that, partner... Mitsuhide just retrieves the cup and uses the pitcher to pour it full again, setting it aside but within her reach.]

I'm not hovering, am I?

[you're hovering.]

I'm just inspecting the clinic. It's about due for one. [:'D]

[succinct]

Is that it? You'd better go check that corner over there, then.

[ the one furthest from Kiki's bed. ]

[cavaliering]

If I didn't know better, I would think you were trying to get rid of me! But that would be too hurtful.

[but he does get up and make a show of inspecting the corner so.

there you go.]

[succinct]

[ If there's silence in regards to that comment, it's because Kiki is easing herself onto her back and closing her eyes to encourage the dizziness to go the hell away. Otherwise you know she wouldn't pass up the opportunity to be sarcastic at him.

But hey, she at least got him to turn his back so she could flop kind of not gracefully at all and he wouldn't start fussing over a "collapse". ]

[cavaliering]

[He's so onto you--okay so he isn't, but he suspected. And he heard the thump of her flopping, though he restrained himself from whirling around to make sure she's okay.

Of course she is. She's Kiki.]

Hmm...this corner seems to be in proper order.

[And then he turns, meandering back.]

Might as well get some rest while you're stuck in on the doctor's orders anyway, right?

[succinct]

I'm not tired. I'm just trying for a new position.

[ one that looks a lot like curling up. ]

[cavaliering]

Well, I'm sure you'll have to beat all of the palace guard again when you're back on your feet, so there's no harm in resting up to prepare for that exercise now.

It's only logical.

[sleeeeeep, kikiiii.]

[succinct]

[ ... She's half-convinced Shirayuki put something in that medicine for her to suddenly be this tired. Or maybe she'd worn herself out without realizing.

Either way, she only sighs. ]

Don't spend your whole time here, Mitsuhide. Zen still [ maybe ] needs you.

[ but give her a few minutes of raspy breathing and she'll be out. ]

[cavaliering]

[And Mitsuhide just looks at her fondly, shaking his head, and then proceeds to do all of the things he knew she wouldn't have let him do while awake--he pulls off her boots and tucks her under the sheets and organizes the medicine and makes sure her water glass is full. Then he fetches more water in the pitcher and finally goes to seek out Zen--

To tell him Kiki's condition and then quite eagerly follow his orders to make sure she is okay, which of course means that he ultimately ends up in a chair by her bedside.

He's got this worked out.]

[succinct]

[ Thanks to his fussing, she ultimately ends up sleeping longer, though she'll rouse after a couple of hours.

It takes her an additional moment to focus somewhat blearily on the figure in the chair. ]

Mitsuhide... [ wow her voice sounds kind of bad, ignore that. ]

[cavaliering]

[...yeah totally not ignoring that. At least he didn't spend the entire time in the chair--he did inspect the clinic, writing up a list of things that need fixing, all for Zen.

But that's mostly so he actually can tell Kiki he was doing his duty in staying.]

Oh, you didn't sleep long at all. How are you feeling?

[succinct]

Heavy. [ succinct enough. ] How long?

[cavaliering]

Long enough for me to finish my inspection of the clinic! Prince Zen will be pleased.

[sit down and stop working, kiki.]

[succinct]

Which means you'll be able to busy yourself elsewhere... right?

[ she's still a little groggy, so it's not as flat as it could be. ]

[cavaliering]

Not at all. Prince Zen has some other tasks for me that involve me staying right here.

But for now, you should take more of your medicine.

[And, a fountain of eternal cheer, he heads on over to hand her said medicine and her water.]

[succinct]

[ Zen, no. How could you do this to her, Zen?

Kiki accepts both things with not-very-good grace, but downs them without protest, just a grimace at just how bitter this stuff is. ]

You're telling me that Zen wants both of his aides in one place, doing absolutely nothing. [ she's not buying "tasks". ]

[cavaliering]

[Zen is a traitor to the cause.

But at least she's being obedient. Ish. Obedient isn't really a word that describes Kiki well, but--it's close enough so long as she stays in bed.]

That's correct! It isn't my place to question his orders, of course.

[nonsense, he's totally willing to question Zen's orders.]

[succinct]

You question his orders half the time.

[ Not Buying It. ]

[cavaliering]

[And he just. Gives a noncommittal hum to that.]

I'm here now, so why not just relax and accept it? I promise I won't disturb your rest.

[succinct]

I don't want you here.

[ okay, so Kiki can still sound sharp. ]

[cavaliering]

[Rude.

But Mitsuhide doesn't seem to mind.]

Unfortunately, I'll do my duty regardless. I hope you'll be able to rest without being bothered, Kiki.

[succinct]

If it's like this, I'll stay up all night.

[cavaliering]

[ . . . ]

Prince Zen wants someone to keep an eye on you, that's all. You were pretty ill when you first ended up here, no matter what you say.

[succinct]

And he doesn't think I can't take care of myself?

[ ... Well, Kiki, when someone collapses, it usually means they can't. ]

[cavaliering]

Well, you did collapse...

[...and then he looks innocent.]

You would have to ask him! I wouldn't presume to speak on his behalf.