penance | ic contact.

[was that a squeak he heard just now? my, he truly hopes the church isn't getting mice. are there mice in Haven? perhaps there are now!! goodness!!

he's patting her shoulder gently, soothingly, like trying to placate a skittish horse or something. this is totally dignified.]

Of course you can! But you won't. Because I'm taking you~! Isn't that nice of me...?

[oh how nice it is

to wear these shoes

on his feet for once]

[there's like 1% chance of running into one, #trufax from the nitpicker's guide. and lbr the church is probably one of the BETTER places a mouse would want to hide in there, so HOW ABOUT THAT HUH??

oh

oh mister we are NOT going there]

That-- isn't necessary--

[did her voice just grow shriller because she has like really awful filters on everything ever right now as opposed to her usual METICULOUS AND FLAGRANT AMOUNT OF TOTAL UTTER SELF CONTROL??

...yes

TRYING TO GET UP NOW but wow she sure is stuck down there, what a terribly first-of-a-third world haven problem

(the score's still like 10:1 okay, FOR THE RECORD)]

[w o w Ciel wow this is just... you're practically making it so easy he'd almost feel guilty to take advantage!!

...almost. almost, being the key word here.

while it's terribly endearing, it's also something that has him worried for her; seeing the Sister this weak is... a rarity, to say the least. when her efforts to get up result in nothing more than an awkward shift, he's giving a small noise of protest.]

Ah-- hey... hey, take it easy! You're really in no condition to be going anywhere, Sister...! Please, just relax...

[he should've seen her sleep in on weekends during lesser strained times... MISSED OPPORTUNITIES]

Then stop-- [/~~pitifully~~ valiantly TRIES to clear throat!!] saying, ri--diculous things!

[as she physically

slumps

further

over

him...

(please god give her the strength to drag herself up because this TOTALLY ISN'T SQUISHY AND WARM AND COMFORTABLE AT ALL SHE NEVER NEEDED THIS BEFORE AND SHE CLEARLY WON'T START NOW!!!)]

[--hahaha... Ciel, you aren't really making any progress, here. do you realize this? no? well. that's okay. here, just let Abel more firmly situate his arm around her, trying to help support her further... she's practically dead weight, now; weak as a kitten it would seem...]

It's not ridiculous at all...! Look, even if you wanted to, there's no way you could even keep your feet, nevermind walk all the way out in the snow to the apartments...

[which is his cue to begin stirring himself. yes, that's right -- he's starting to get up, and his arm around her shoulders is soon being joined by the other gently sliding under her knees to pick her up in a cradle to his chest.]

And I wouldn't let you, anyway. You're in no shape for anything but bedrest... and that's exactly what you're getting. Please hang in there a little longer, okay...? Just close your eyes, Ciel.

[uh WHAT DID SHE SAY ABOUT THE KITTEN ANALOGIES LAST TIME??]

I just...

[...

okay yeah

yeaaah

she can FEEL what's left of her reason :|ing at her

she's really not getting out of this one, is she...

so.

there's a faint ~~mewl~~ sound of CLEAR DISPLEASURE, and if she was thinking any more consciously without a swimming head, she'd probably have cheeks glowing strong enough to rival ripe peaches. but right now, she doesn't care if her head is actually nestling in as she buries her nose into the folds of his cassock (smells like... soap and...). SO WHAT IF IT'S COMPLETELY CONTRADICTORY TO WHAT SHE'S BEEN SAYING... it's not like he ever heard her most trustworthy colleague say how her actions are always more honest than her words either, right??]

...Put me down, by the door...

[because she's pretty sure she shouldn't be ENTERING housing block #5 with him carrying her like this. ...even if the solid reason is sort of escaping her, right now...

she refuses to close her eyes, though. she might be curling up, but if he thinks she's gonna pass out like this, he's got another thing coming!!1!!1]

[ah.

as he feels her nestling into him where he's carefully plucked her up into his arms, there is a strange... twinge, in his chest; brief as though it may be, it's undeniable. he's looking down at her where her face is pressed into his chest... m... my. Ciel...

...]

[this is the single cutest
he can't
this is just
o-- ooohhhhhhhh my goddddd]

[he's using what he can of his coat to shelter her before he pushes the church doors ajar with his back, leading her out into Haven's streets and gathering his wits about him.]

No... there won't be any of that. I'm getting you in bed, and getting you something to eat and some water, mm~? You might as well save your breath if you're going to complain... you know how little good it'd do to sway me, right?

[this here

will be her fingers digging into the front of his shirt and a sad, sad attempt to knuckle him in the gut (spoiler: it's about as strong as a newborn pup bumping its nose into something).

...practically impossible to tell whether she's just hanging on tighter or trying to do something else, huh. since she kinda sorta has no means of articulating this in any remotely concise manner, only the brackets can spell it out, alas:

shut up and ~~drive~~ walk, abel. SHE'S NOT LISTENING TO HIM RIGHT NOW!!!1! and if she was any coherent, she'd also swear on everything ever to never have him catch her sick again!!!!!!!! q_q

nevermind that she has no idea whether this clinging is helping with that listless feeling of needing something... but given... circumstances and things, the differences are practically negligible either way, r...right...]

[really he has no idea that was supposed to be some kind of protest; it merely seemed like she were grappling to hold tighter in all honesty -- which just goes to further all those warm fuzzies she's been inadvertently causing, here. he's practically ready to squeal like a girl and call up his girlfriends to gush

you know how it goes.

but he's just chuckling, low; this is quite a unique situation to be in when it comes to Ciel, and while he hates to see her this way -- it is nice to be able to show her that being vulnerable once in a while doesn't mean the end of the world... the sky isn't falling; her world isn't collapsing -- and however much her pride might be ruffled, maybe she'll find it not so bad in the end...]

I'll get you some extra blankets. It's getting pretty cold these days, isn't it...? How long has it been since we saw real snow? Back in Mayfield... right...?

[sad that 'Mayfield' is said with nostalgia. when comparing one murder town to the next, living there hadn't been so bad considering the day-to-day comforts sadly missing here.]

[HOW UPSETTING... why is she so bad at this q_q

here's crossing her fingers (except not, because hahaaa like the idea can even occur to her right now) and hoping that she'll only have vague memories of this, once she gets back to her usual self!! HOW WILL SHE EVEN FACE HIM AGAIN IF SHE'S TO KEEP CRYSTAL CLEAR MEMORIES OF THIS, AS IF SHE NEEDED MORE AWKWARD EMBARRASSMENT IN HER LIFE (the answer is never)

...But when it comes down to it. Gah, does he need it spelled out that there is absolutely ZERO ZILCH NADA odds of her folding in any fashion comparable to this, if he of all people wasn't the one to come upon her in such a condition, if it was ANYONE else? she's stopped denying that humanity for a while, now. ~~she just still shoves it deep beneath when it wasn't convenient to have the girl hang around, a practice she's still actively guilty of~~ other connections helped, but at the root of it...

She doesn't have the strength or will for super self-conscious thoughts, so if he'll lean over to listen what ~deep~ and ~meaningful~ words she has to say with what little energy she could actively muster:]

You'd just... whine, about hot chocolate again...

[...

legit, amirite]

[...yeah totally legit, he just.

whistles at that, in a most decidedly innocent manner which might as well be him writing NO COMMENT in thick black bold lettering across his head...]

I do miss that hot chocolate, you know... why'd you have to go and bring that up--? I'm practically dying from sweet deprivation in this wretched city, a-- agh...

[a little light-heartedness won't hurt things, right? maybe distract her from her unfortunate condition as snow crunches underfoot and the priest takes great care where he walks, meandering toward her block. he would take her to his -- but he doesn't want to risk her experiencing the negative side effects associated with straying from 'home' for too long if she ends up falling asleep for longer than a few hours.]

[she knows him well. too well...

...]

You're... incorrigible.

[Distract her from what?? She's kind of been fixated on how he's being terribly... well, him, for the last 10+ minutes!! ...Granted, that's. Just a little distracting on its own, already as it is, h-hah...

So can she just "hang up" with a faint and muffled mumble, as she finally DOES close her eyes and sink herself a little deeper into the hold...]

[...there, that's better. relax, rest... it's what her body obvious is crying out for, even if Ciel might be too stubborn to willfully admit it.

he's going quiet as he sees her eyes close, just giving a quiet hum. before long, there is the transition from the bitter cold outside to the slightly lesser-so interiors of the new apartments; Abel is taking Ciel to her room and checking to ensure it isn't occupied. once he's sure they're alone for now and things are quiet, he's beginning to lay her with great care not to jostle her too much down upon the sheets.]

Ciel? ...Hey... Are you still with me?

[look she would've sat at the church and maybe gotten better after passing out for ??? amount of time, okay, if only he wasn't already there to bust her plans!!

...

but it's. Not like she's really actively complaining either, hm. The change of temperature isn't noted. If anything, it's how the wind's whisper in her ears quietening that registers.

She stirs faintly.]

Mm...

[...

Not that it was very strong to begin with, but. Her grip isn't lessening any, if he's paying any attention to that. He can likely... "detach" himself, if he tries even a little. You just can't really put someone down properly if they don't let go, right...?]

[...he does. if only because he begins to try to draw back, only to realize her fingers are still coiled into his clothing, like a clinging child.

...

silly girl...

he's gently brushing the hair from her brow, reassuring smile (reassuring? fond; affectionate) tugging at his lips.]

It's okay. I'll be right back... right back with you. It'll only be a minute, okay?

[she's going to be pointedly ignoring his gaze, okay, but does find herself leaning into his hand a little. ...hnng. there really isn't much in terms of rhyme and reason right now, is there? just...

It's something she knows and trusts, to hang onto. Already what should be a staggeringly costly luxury, is it any wonder in the end, that she's reluctant and maybe a little afraid to let go, despite it all?

...

So she's just keeping her half-lidded gaze firmly lowered, and maintain that questionably accurate impression of a porcupine rolled up over itself - while practically defensively attaching itself to something else, yes. ...Unsightly behaviour either way, right? She'll worry about excuses, later...]

[...ah.

it's hard to deny that he recognizes THAT look. it isn't something he's total stranger to, after all-- especially in his time in Mayfield, then Haven. the sight of someone feeling small and lost and afraid... it's simply particularly striking on this face in particular.]

...

[in the end, he doesn't have the heart to force her to let go. he can wait til she slips out to go and get a few things for her. so, he's sliding down to kneel beside her bed, letting her keep hold of him if she wants, and continuing to brush his fingers over her brow and into blue hair in a soothing pattern.]

Mm... maybe it can wait a bit... Maybe I'll wait here a while. How does that sound...?

[He could've tried ~~coaxing~~ convincing her a little more... or kicked a sick puppy... but thankfully he doesn't share in her occasionally heartless bad habits...

THAT IS

Her eyelids DO slide lower, not wholly closing, and some tension seems to dissipate from her small frame as her hold stays. It'll have to do, as an answer.

...]

I'm... sorry.

["For taking up your time". If her head was clearer, for doing so when he no doubt has countless others to look after would occur to her as well. The sentiment remains the same, however, even if she's still not managing to articulate it coherently.

She just. Knows she shouldn't be clingy now, but. It's hard to help it, alright...? It may be selfish, but it's really unfair too, how he's persistently remained by her side and clawed his way to a unique position that's made letting go, to her of all people, so difficult--!]

[he hesitates at that, an inkling of sobriety entering his expression... and the priest shakes his head, voice dropped to a murmur.]

Don't apologize... you of all people don't need to apologize for this.

[for a moment of weakness? please, she is entitled just the same as everyone else to stumble and fall when times are hard. bearing the world on her shoulders is far more a crime in his eyes than this.]

I'm happy. To take care of you... when you're well, when you're sick... or sad, or happy, or... anything in between. You silly girl...

[W-wow, not allowed to pull that card on her when he traipses around always trying to bear the world on HIS by himself!!

Not that she
1. has enough spoken things to work with and call him out
2. has half a mind to lecture him about hypocrisy right now
3. is ANY well-placed to lecture anyone about hypocrisy to begin with, whether or not he's actually the only one close to her level
4. GOING BACK ON SPOKEN THINGS.

Hnnnnnnnnnng why does he have to go ahead and say something like THAT--

Do you know what a sick AND flustered puppy looks like, Abel? You SHOULDN'T, because actual puppies don't get like that, and also because he lacks the self-awareness to recognize it, because there's no WAY he hasn't shown a similar expression in the past before.

The small noise at her throat could've as well been one of protest as one of effort - or god knows what, but her grip on his shirt does tighten. She proceeds to bury and hide the whole of her face in his chest (not proving his point, REALLY), as he'll feel a small jolt of electricity - no stronger than the byproduct of fabric static, thankfully - courses through him.

--She didn't mean to send sparks flying (literally...), okay, and power fluctuations is definitely something she's witnessed too, during the last few days. PLEASE LET HER KNOW so she doesn't do it again because she doesn't even realize, as things stand. See, the legitimate reasons for apologies just keep growing...!]

ic contact.

um that is rather clear here rookie.

ah the fence of course would you like the voltage doubled...

i feel like there's a pun here

wouldn't that be a ~shocking~ revelation

did you really just

what no need to jolt yourself over it...!

LMAO rookie no rookie NO ROOKIE; 1/3

2/3

3/3

it's a little too late to be ON THE FENCE ABOUT IT, DONTCHA THINK???

how many of these can you pull out, now i'm genuinely curious

wouldn't that be ENLIGHTENING to know (p.s.: i genuinely suck at those)

.............

slow down on the thunderous reception, huh............

quietly begins tabulating the running total

bolts away...

LOL.............................. damnit...

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