sticksandbonesmods | Let's go in the garden...

[What?? Hello?? It did something???

He's still listening, honest, but he's also going to just... immediately forget all of that politeness and get up in her business. There was an unexpected change in the patient, so it's imperative that he study the results closely. Is it a reaction to the drug? Or something else? He leans in to stare at the vines.]

... response to pain, psychological... hrmm, could also be... no, it's too inconclusive. I need more test results. Ah, where's that needle...

[He keeps one hand on her shoulder, the other digging through his medkit... this is fine, probably. Unless she's afraid of needles. There's a big needle in there somewhere.]

It would be much easier if you came with me. Samples have limited uses... continued exposure would also risk undoing any progress. We should at least aim to reduce exposure if a clean break isn't possible. You wouldn't replace an alcoholic's liver if they're only going to return to the same behavior... ah, not that this is exactly comparable.

Have you eaten today? The body needs proper rest and nutrients to heal. We can start there.

( ah- she almost wants to laugh. her brother would have done the same. )

It... goes dormant, when I'm a bit more relaxed... But that's pretty rare for obvious reasons. That's why I like it here. It's soothing... so its grip eases up some. Not enough to get out, but I can pretend a little... the pain going away some helped.

( somehow she almost expected his line of thought. she doesn't flinch at the needle, but she does watch it a bit wide-eyed- not that she's not usually wide-eyed. though, nene does visibly falter at... everything he says, actually. )

I- no... the forest feeds me with photosynthesis. But it's not enough. It doesn't... I don't get a lot of chances to eat... a-and it can control me. I don't want to be around people, I don't- I don't want to hurt them.

( please don't leave her alone, though. please. )

I see. A response to stress... could be tension agitating the roots, or a reaction to chemicals such as adrenaline. Dormancy but no decline in the parasite's health, so it's needs are being met... [mumble mumble yes he is taking some blood, thank you. He's being gentle, but it might sting for a second... the Cure dose from a moment ago should help it heal up quickly, though.

Anyway... eventually, his attention wanders back. He tucks the blood sample away safely, then clears his throat while remembering how to act normal. Okay, back to the topic at hand—]

Humans weren't designed to survive like plants. You'll get sick if you keep this up...

You said you could fetch supplies, didn't you? Why don't we have something right here? It'll be just the two of us.

[and the mist... Add's cooking skills aren't amazing and they're literally in a big field, but it doesn't have to be complicated. Just a nice little family picnic. Something to help them both relax.]

Oh, no, it... wants me to be in pain. So that it's easier for it to do what it wants to me.

( she doesn't flinch when he draws blood- nor does she flinch at the viscous, inky-black quality mixed with otherwise normal red blood. she's known for too long what she's become.

quietly, nene nods in agreement- she's gotten sick plenty of times. but still she's forced to live this way, a puppet who can't die because the forest loves her too much.

"loves". )

It doesn't care. I belong to it now, so I live on its terms. ... My actual health is not a factor. It won't let me die, anyway, so it doesn't matter how it treats me.

But yes- I can find all the best wild fruits and vegetables, and sometimes I can get a trap to work... What do you need?

Plants absorb light from the sun with their leaves, but many species will close those leaves when conditions become sub-optimal. It's something like that, I imagine. [and he could ramble on about his theories for hours... but he's trying to be normal right now. Even if it's hard to stay on topic, with all these ugly details coming to light. Why is it even a question that they should try to understand it, control it? He doesn't care what a plant thinks.

He smiles a little harder, somehow.] Let's save that discussion for another time. I care about your health, so it's a factor to me.

What do you want to have? Outdoor cooking isn't my specialty, but Dynamo can make a stove with a metal plate.

... I've been the forest's for a very long time. I don't think I can be anything else anymore. ... But... I would. Like to see if you can change that.

( even if it hurts to hope again.

nene hums thoughtfully, before shrugging with an almost bashful smile. )

I- I'd take anything, at this point. I can go look for some things right now, but- um. If you start to feel funny, use the dirt path and step out. Once you reach the trees, call for me- don't go anywhere without me, or you can't get back home safe. Okay?

Of course. I'm not sure if I'd know the way back on my own anyway.

I'll be waiting for you until you return, I promise.

[And he seals that promise with a pat on the head... it feels right, for some reason. He's not going to question it right now.

...

anyway, as soon as she does leave... he hasn't said anything that was a lie, but he is, absolutely, going to scope this place out a bit better. Just to make sure he's not being lied to. He's a little shaky on his feet, but he can stand and walk at least that much. He'll just do a quick check of the perimeter, take a few soil and botanical samples, try to analyze that strange mist...

and if anything weird happens, he'll listen to her advice... after he's done taking detailed notes of his own condition. probably. maybe.]

Edited (words) 2023-08-06 03:22 (UTC)

( the flowers, even once he removes them from the ground, emit a too-relaxing aura. it almost buzzes. the dirt doesn't seem especially different at a glance, though further testing in better conditions will surely help. the mist, however, drifts away as he approaches, ever out of reach. it feels as if it's leading him in circles, at some point.

he will most assuredly feel his vision blurring at some point, or his head feeling fuzzy. if he lingers on his notes too long, his hand will begin to look transparent as he writes.

it's probably nothing. )

[The mist is the most suspicious part of this place, so of course it frustrates him the most. He even gets a dynamo in on it, spinning circles into the mist until it lands in the grass below. No matter what tactic he tries, he can never get close enough for an accurate sample, just going around and around and around...

but it doesn't really bother him, after awhile. There's still a warning alarm buzzing at the back of his mind, but he's been fine so far... he feels fine. Maybe he's being too cautious. Research like this takes time, so he shouldn't try to rush things.

He's used to staring into holoscreens all day. Something like a hand looking transparent... well, maybe he's just tired. He should lay back down for a bit, shouldn't he?

The grass is still so soft, and staring up at the trees... he wants to close his eyes, grasp this moment that feels so nostalgic, hold it firmly in his mind

it's... a little too easy

the alarms are blaring again, but it's starting to sound more distant. as the sounds drift further from his mind... he can start to hear his mother's voice...]

( yeah, he'll aslo hear nene's startled, panicked shriek and feel small hands tug on his clothes and yank-

and when he comes to once more, it's... not quite the misted garden, and not quite the forest. like a limbo between the two. he'll hopefully feel a bit more physical now, especially because nene's crouched beside him in tears with a basket of scattered vegetables, fruits and one poached rabbit around them. )

I told you to leave if something felt strange! Why didn't you- I can't lose you!

[for a moment, he's almost there. soft, familiar words dance in his head, the buzzing getting further and further. he feels light. he's so close. he tries to reach out, to touch her, to let himself be pulled into her warm arms...

something grasping his sides, his chest. he feels heavy again. jumbled. the alarm gets louder

something's wrong

he finally hears the shriek, not yet he's not home he's not

A hazy light returns to Add's eyes. He stares, still feeling half-asleep. One hand outstretched to grasp a strand of Nene's hair.

His brain needs a minute to catch up again, trying to remember how he got here. He was in the garden, he was helping Nene... he registers her tears before he can grasp the rest, his hand shifting to brush her cheek. He shouldn't be making her cry like that... Add smiles, still feeling the afterglow of the illusion.]

Shhh, it's okay. I'm right here... it's just a bad dream.

[... he's not disappearing, but he might be worse than he was the first time. whoops. give him another minute to wake up.]

( he can smile and try and console her all he wants- no, really, it genuinely does help, but she immediately wraps her arms around add, burying her face in his chest. he can't go. he can't. she can't lose him. she had to watch the village burn, watch them get dragged to their deaths with claws and thorns and bones, watch them resign themselves to destruction- and add is the first person she's seen in centuries. eons, even.

days and days going by, watching the stars and constellations shift, the seasons change without rest. the terrible loneliness of having only the forest's embrace for so long- how she remains sane she doesn't know, but... he can't go. he can't.

nene sobs. )

[This time, he returns the hug without hesitation. Rubbing small circles into her back, humming softly as his mother once would...

it's all a bad dream... it's over... they're fine, now, they can go back...

... back to...?

oh.

He's not sure how long it takes, but his mind eventually catches up. The humming stops, his hand wavering... but if she's still crying or upset, he can't just let her go. so.

He holds her close, giving himself another moment to collect himself before speaking again. Honestly, this is kind of embarrassing...]

... Sorry. It happened faster than I expected. [and boy is that a terrifying thought]

( eventually she lets herself pull back a little, wiping her eyes. she can't bring herself to look up at him, lest her resolve waver and when she speaks, her voice is broken- )

You- you have to go back. Forget about dinner, or- or take the provisions with you for the others, but you can't stay here.

[A pang of guilt. Ah, now he really fucked up. It felt like he'd made so much progress, but now...]

What about you? Where will you go?

I- I'll stay here. I always do- the forest won't let me die, and it won't attack you while you're with me, but that's all I can do, I can't- what if I'm not back in time again? And you already- you don't get to the Garden by accident...

Then how do I get to the Garden?

[He grips her arms tightly. The last thing he wants to do is leave her here—hell no, not after he's this close to getting more answers, especially not after that little episode. What if he never sees her again?

He tries to meet her gaze again, a stubborn look in his eyes. As far as he's concerned, there are only two valid options he can choose from.]

You said it can't be an accident. How did I make it here the first time?

You died. I brought you there to- to heal you, while there was time. But you can't stay or- or the mist-

( she's trying so hard to stay calm but it's so, so very hard when she just wants to cry some more. it's not fair. it's not- she shouldn't have hoped.

it hurts to breathe. )

[So if I'm close to death, I can meet you again?

He has just enough sense to shut his mouth, but the look in his eyes... probably still says enough. It's not a plan he'd like to fall back on, but if it comes to it... when has the risk of death ever stopped him from seeking answers? He can start by testing the limits, work his way up to bigger risks until something triggers...

But the other option is still more appealing. He sighs, grip loosening again.]

I am not leaving you behind. You're my patient.

( it certainly does say volumes, because nene pales even further and shakes her head rapidly. )

Don't you dare! Everyone will be sad! Elsword will be sad! I'll- I'll tell him! Every time you try, I'll go right to him and say so myself!

( it sounds like a desperate, childish plea. that's because it is. she grips part of her dress, white-knuckled despite everything as she looks away.

his patient... )

... I'm too dangerous for the Grove. I- I was there, the night it burned. The forest used me to do it. I can't. Just... please... go home.

... If you wanted to do that, you'd have to come with me, wouldn't you? [she can't tattle on him unless she comes to the Grove... checkmate.

Really, though... let's try not to upset her further, even if he's (sort of) joking. He softens his face, shifting back into a gentle smile. It's hard to see her as a threatening, dangerous person like she claims... but his mind goes to Elsword, and it's not so unbelievable. The parasite that hurts his arm and tries to control him with it... it sounds exactly like Nene's situation, unsurprisingly. If he doesn't do anything to stop it, Elsword will likely end up the same.

He can't allow that. It's not up for debate, full stop.]

Would you at least be able to visit? Just for a little while...?

[pretty please?]

I can get there without you and go back to the woods!

( INDIGNANT.

but the gentle plea does break through the upset- into more upset, yes, because she's terribly lonely and desparate and she doesn't want to be alone, but

it's safer for everyone if she is.

until her big brother can save her. maybe then she can finally rest. )

... I can lead you back. But it really is for the best that I don't...

Edited 2023-08-08 19:32 (UTC)

We could go back together.

[it's a bit funny looking with him still on the ground, but he holds out a hand to her... just one foot in the door, that's all he needs. he tilts his head.]

Please?

... I'm only taking you back. And... if it's grip is weak. Maybe I can visit. But that's it.

( despite the desperate uneasiness, her voice is firm.

she takes his hand, ready to break the barrier of the mist of the garden and the fog of the forest.

when they cross to the forest, however, add must pay a price. )

[Maybe is better than no. There's a spark in his eye as he stands, fingers wrapped tightly around her own, steps unsteady but determined. He has his in, he can make it work.]

It'd be easier than me visiting you. [He chuckles, and it's not a threat or a warning per se, simply a true statement... it would be more difficult for Add to do the visiting.

They enter through the fog, and he doesn't stop to look back... he doesn't have to, when Dynamo can take pictures for him. He hasn't forgotten about what else may be there, and if it's true...

nevermind that for now. He stares ahead, unwavering.

If he knew a price was coming, perhaps he would've been more prepared, expectant... but he puts one foot in front of the other, keeping pace with his shorter guide. The branches of the forest are thick and endless, reaching for them like a sea of clawed arms, swaying ever so slightly in the forest air. Like they're ready to reach out and grab them at any moment...

but they never do. is it his imagination, or do they pull back as he and Nene draw near...?

Staring at the branches makes him feel dizzy, after awhile... he must still be lightheaded from the mist. He focuses his attention on other things, such as holding Nene's hand firmly, not tripping in his heels, and, of course, discreetly hovering one dynamo out of sight so he can make a series of tiny laser-engraved trail markings as they go. You know. Just in case.]

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