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

( she doesn't let go, not yet. no, nene stays, though her embrace is a little less frantic and a little more assuring now as she shifts. she's quiet, and the air seems to still. when she breaks the silence, her voice is still soft. )

... Nothing can hurt you here. I'm here. You're okay...

[He's fine with letting the silence drag. He needs time to sort himself out, collect enough thoughts to start piecing the facts together.

"Too safe", was it...

... for now, at least, it seems to be fine. If Nene says he's okay right now... against his better judgment, he wants to believe her. She doesn't seem like the type to lie.

He tries once more to stand, but his legs won't budge. Perhaps he's not ready yet after all. He leans into Nene instead, staring down at the white anemones.]

There was someone else here... where is she? [softly, carefully. don't get invested in false hopes. it's probably just an aspect of this place, like the Hall of El. comforting illusions to let down your guard... but he still has to ask, just to confirm his theory. the alternative is simply too insane to accept.]

( nene closes her eyes and inhales- she

doesn't want to answer. please don't make her answer.

her hug tightens a little. it's more for her sake than his, now- it's not the same, not like when she was younger at all, when she was on the inside of such a hold.

a gentle breeze brushes the two, flowers swaying. )

She's part of the mist, now. ... She has been for a long, long time. ... Like I said, we can't... stay here too long, or we'll become the same.

[A nonsense answer. Well, what was he expecting, really? Nene is probably also a part of... whatever it is that's going on here. Mother couldn't be here if she's been dead for 300 years.

There must be a different meaning to it, if anything. A metaphor, a generalization... any explanation that means he hasn't lost her a second time.

He pulls the girl a little closer, a one-armed quarter of a hug. He's not supposed to be the one who needs comforting, anyway.]

I don't intend to. There are people who rely on me too much for that.

You shouldn't stay here, either. [he's already decided she's coming back with him, he will Not take no for an answer]

I won't. ... But I do come here a lot. Like I said. It's the only place that the forest isn't just... screaming in my head.

( she's oblivious to his plan- in her mind, she's beyond salvation, even if she still waits for rescue that won't come. she's been forgotten, after all. maybe only the ghosts of settlers past know who she really is now.

they should... go. they should. as safe as it is, it's too safe. not safe enough. however you want to look at it. she can't bring the flowers grafted onto her soul to mom, though.

and yet, she can't bring herself to break this moment. it's been so long since... )

[He hums quietly, frowning out of her view. Yes, he recalls she did mention the voices earlier... if it weren't for Elsword, he might be more skeptical about all of this. Unfortunately, he knows better.

Add pulls away from her this time, kneeling in the grass next to her. He brings a hand up to touch her cheek, gently turning her face towards his own. The veins and flowers alone are concerning, but does she have any bruises or other marks? Any other limbs or body parts that are missing? Is she eating alright? Thin, sickly? Are any of those bloodstains her own?

Regardless... he's a professional, and this is a professional assessment. He eases the worry out of his expression, replacing it with a gentle smile. It's okay. Nothing can hurt her here, either.]

I'm afraid I can't do much for voices, but I am a doctor. Is there anything that hurts? It looks like you've had a rough day.

( ... oh, add. nene's condition is so much worse than it seems once you take a closer look. the blood stains are most assuredly hers- likely from whatever happened to her legs, given the old rust-colored bandages that barely separate skin and wood.

there's a litter of rope- or vine- shaped bruises along her neck, like she'd been strangled or choked multiple times but not all at the same time- differently aged bruises and marks.

she's terribly gaunt and pale, like she hasn't eaten in ages and her exposure to the sun means nothing.

though her legs are the only wooden limbs, flowers seem to be sprouting everywhere. especially around her joints. they have the audacity to frame themselves like jewelry or something similar, but the bruising beneath the petals and leaves say more.

she stares for a moment before giving a shaky half-smile. )

You can say that. ... The forest- it... it's taken my legs. One of my lungs, I'm sure- it's... attached itself to everything it could. I don't... I don't think I can be cured...

( by all accounts, she should be dead. but the forest won't let her die. )

[His hand traces down to her neck before stopping again, surveying the rest with his eyes. It's not looking good. If a parasite has overtaken multiple organs, it's not as simple as removing the source. Something else has to take its place, or it has to be controlled and contained safely...

But this is his line of work. No, more than that... this type of harsh, hopeless situation is exactly what he thrives in. His gaze flicks back up to her own.]

I can't turn you back to how you were before... but, there's no such thing as an incurable condition. Only cures that haven't yet been found.

[He reaches for his medkit, one of the dynamos wiggling its way out of his jacket and into the air. He's not so foolish as to claim he can cure her now, but if he's to help Elsword, something like this should naturally come next. For now, though...

Three blue vials left. He slips one out to make it two, inserting it into Dynamo.] Can you hold still for a few seconds? I promise you, this won't hurt a bit.

[It only takes a few seconds to process the drug into a usable spray, guided by its master's hand to mist over Nene's injuries. It's not enough to remove scars or bruises, and he knows it won't affect the parasite... but this is about what he can do, in this moment.]

There. How do you feel now? Is it any better?

( nene watches dynamo curiously, almost enchanted- and then it starts to spray medicine? and- well. it's not going to fix anything at all, but the usually lingering pain abates, and thats a relief in and of itself. )

... Mhm. Thank you...

( add may also notice that the grip of some of the floral vines seems to slacken a bit. )

... Um- you're going to need supplies, right? I- I shouldn't return to the grove like this, i-in case I hurt someone, but... I can bring you stuff from the woods.

[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...

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