& HEALTH.

  Words earn a scoff before eyes narrowed in a show of defiance. Their thoughts, though unknown to one another, could be something they shared. An annoyance found in each. Yet, what truly strikes him is the manner in which the woman chose to continue; even more so was his own reaction. A twinge in his lips, pulling into a scowl and resisting the urge to pull back. There’s a heat that plays beneath his skin, sitting at the face’s center and wishing to do that which was offered – to rip and tear. But not to heal, no, but a clear show of irritation. “A condition that has already been well buried over the years, and a pain that is – and shall always be – my own. Should you so much as attempt an action upon your words it will be your own arm in need of mending.”

    “I’ve no need of your unwarranted attention.”

   ❝  No need?  ❞ Backing down was not an action the Berserker was familiar with. ❝  You are mistaken. Just now you admitted it yourself — you have a condition.  ❞ Nightingale’s determination does not falter in the slightest at the stranger’s threats, no, instead her face softens momentarily as once again she speaks. For one to acknowledge they have a problem, that is the first step to recovery in her eyes.

•  Please remind me if I have any replies to get to! Notifications haven’t even been telling me about recent followers so there’s a big chance I missed something. 

•  If we’ve talked about plotting but haven’t gotten to it, let me know! I’ve been less focused because I don’t actually have any solid plots going on right now, and I would prefer to have some. Likewise even if we haven’t talked about plotting but would like to, let me know.

    “No such thing? You’re clearly mistaken. Strength is needed to fight for ones survival, lacking that is a show of weakness. Thus, leading to ones end. Medicine can only take you so far; can do so little.” The woman earns pause from him, briefly. “–that is of no concern to you, medicinal importance or otherwise.”

    ❝  I am not mistaken. People should not need to fight for their survival in the first place.  ❞Ah, this man was annoying. No, perhaps it is unfair of her to judge him so quickly— all she needs to do is enlighten him. ❝Of course it is of my concern. I am a nurse, it is my duty to be aware of the condition of every person, especially here. Your pain is my pain. Shall I rip and tear your wound open? I can mend it for you, it will be gone.  ❞

@disinfectcd

Concentric hordes appeared as if ripples to a sea of red, comprised of gruesome things with ghastly, rotten flesh that stained their uniforms. By chance or because his eyes were just that keen, he noticed a speck of vibrant red amidst the muddier shades surrounding it. At the center of the horrific creatures was a woman donning the exact same attire and, when he saw her, he had thought: even in a time like this, she’ll be fine. The terrors would be made quick work of. If his blood had turned colder yet with the terrors invading, hers should be of a blistering heat.

––but what was this? 

Stiller than he had ever seen, she stood with no signs of moving. No passion seized her and drove her to rush to those who needed her aid. “Hey.” Voice louder than usual, he called out to her on instinct. A few of the undead turned and, apparently empowered by another party’s presence, raised their arms with dreadful wails. The woman still did not turn.

“Florence!” 

Her surname, deemed a mouthful at present, was exchanged for a simpler way of attempting to grab her attention. Although, whether she reacted this time or not, he was already plowing through the throngs of soulless forms himself to haul her out of the way.

   Who would have imagined this is how this festival would unfold? Just days ago she was reprimanding party chasers and obnoxious crowds, but now— she does not know what she is even doing now. She can remember seeing red, too similar to the one she wears on her person. She remembers the anger and fury at the creatures that disrupted the peace, but something soon turned her lethargic.

  ❝ …  ❞

   Of course she doesn’t answer the first time he speaks, she doesn’t hear him. Her only focus is her own mutterings and the pain in her chest that threatens to tear her open. The only movement from her is her hand that occasionally goes to her satchel to remove bandages. Nightingale tries hard to focus but her head perks up at her name being yelled, who could be calling for her now…?

   ❝  Ah… ❞She only properly takes notice of the Berserker when his looming shadow comes closer, looking up from what she had been doing. She pays little attention to the large amounts of decaying bodies he destroyed to get this far. The confusion is clear on her face, as it takes her a few seconds to recognize him. ❝  …Cu Chulainn.  ❞ There is no strength in her voice. No yelling or lecturing. ❝  Would you mind waiting…? I need to fix this patient first…  ❞

@disinfectcd This is not how I want to be treated!

The hustle and bustle that more or less erupted as soon as the bonfire was lit had ushered him away from the crowds. Weakened or not, he was still making good progress on distancing himself––until his attention was seized by awful and shrill screams of terror. Odd, for something about the noise was familiar…

…ah. 

A vivid red, asserting its authority and practices no matter where it tread. A heated voice that covered the fearful cries, belonging to a woman whose blood boiled with passion ( a feeling he himself had long forgotten ). He was hardly given any time to register her form when the person she had been tossing around was flung into his direction. There was no window to evade, leaving him victim to a human body that soared through the air and slammed right into him.

“Oof.” Muffled, but an expression of shock nonetheless as he was tilted backwards onto his rear. As if he wasn’t displeased already. 

Momentarily dazed by the impact––the ragdoll of a human body was out cold, mercy be with them for crashing the party––he made no effort to rise to his feet. In her presence, he might as well stay down for now.

“Is this your idea of ‘celebrating,’ Florence Nightingale?”

   The only other thing she despised as much as diseases were those who broke the peace. Few already recognize her as the hospital director, and with that comes the knowledge of her personality and skills. However, there are those unfortunate enough to not know her face and continue on with their antics even after she gives proper warning. The small group of event crashers was quickly made work of, especially considering she singled out the one who appeared to be their ‘leader’ and flung the perpetrator away.

   There was a few claps for her as the others scattered away but she was obviously much more interested in the other Berserker nearby. Without worry she approached, her glances switched between the bitter figure and the one unconscious. ❝  Celebrating? No. I am doing no such thing. I am simply overseeing everyone’s health.   ❞

    “If one is to celebrate a life, they must recount death. Rejoice in the fact they are not among the fallen; the weak. The two topics go-hand in-hand, it’s a simple concept – like night and day. To think of it as anything more is almost ridiculous, this is simply human nature… or is that too hard to grasp?”

don’t test him, florence. :/

“Sickness…” A quiet chuckle passed Raikou’s lips. “I can assure you, it is nothing quite so dour, if perhaps not something quite uplifting, either…” 

She paused for a moment to give Nightingale a slight nod; a faint trace of embarrassment plain across her face, as she realized how odd it must have seemed, to announce her presence with words of correction, rather than a more polite and proper greeting.

As she continued, she gestured up towards the many branches that hung above their heads.

“The sakura tree’s flowers are quite short lived in their radiance, and thus they scatter to the winds almost as soon as they blossom. Or, at least, that is how it is supposed to be…” She sighed lightly, shaking her head ever so slightly. “Here, it seems that their nature is somewhat different. I’ve come here nearly every day, since the city’s grand renewal, only to find that the trees remain as lush and bountiful as ever. A consequence of this city’s never-ending oddities I’d assume.”

“I also would not consider using any part of the sakura as medicinal ingredients. The leaves are known to be toxic, when ingested in large enough quantities…” 

   Nightingale gave no signs of being startled or annoyed at the sudden appearance of the other woman. No, in fact she looks over as Raikou explains, clearly listening to what she has to say. Her gaze follows her gesture to the trees, continuing to watch the falling petals in silent admiration. ❝ Ah, I understand. In that case, it would be best to clean these up, yes? Are they dangerous to the wildlife too? If someone were to hunting an animal who ate the leaves… ❞

“Quite.” Hard for someone who doesn’t recognize the value of ordinary human life, in any case. Of course, he cares for people, but that care only extends so far and is not given to that of strangers. Especially in the case of those that are too weak, that break under the slightest pressure. While what she does is surely admirable and looked up to, to waste her talents on people who did not deserve them, well, it was a waste. “I suppose that way of thinking falls in line with your mad enhancement to an extent, hm?”

“To that end, I question what you would do if someone were to kill all of them.”

   It’s only natural that her body would stiffen at such words, her gaze narrowing at him in suspicion. ❝ If someone … were to kill all of them? My patients? ❞ Never had anyone dared entertain that idea to her before, many of them were already made nervous about her presence. So when the pharaoh speaks of such things, it’d only natural he would be met with haughty words. 

❝ I am afraid not. I am hardly wounded, though I appreciate your concern. However, if you would be so inclined, I would not mind a companion in fighting against this horde. ❞ Invisible aether struck another beast with ease. In truth, assistance was not so vital a thing in necessity, though he felt that perhaps with her at his side, matters might progress a bit easier. In sooth, Saber could continue his combat for as long as needed (there had been a time where he had fought a boar for a week straight–long stretches of combats with beasts was something of an acquired skill) though a bit of aid was not so abhorrent a thing.

Normally, he would not have asked for help, especially if it would inconvenience them–yet something about her demeanor spoke to him. Perhaps it was in her mannerisms, yet it seemed a testament to her being a rather capable sort.

    ❝  Oh…?  ❞ A companion in a fight? Yes, she could do that, especially if it would allow her to keep a close eye on this stranger. Fighting was not in a nurse’s nature, but if it should be to protect another, this Berserker would absolutely turn every aspect of her body into a weapon. After firing bullets, she would swing her limbs: a fist connecting to the skull of a creature or her knees smashing into ribs. It was violent, but to her is was necessary. A style much more rigid and frenzied compared to the blond’s. His appeared to be one of elegance and nobility.