and who has THE TIME for that?

not to mention the rotten truth of what she could feel brewing beneath a story that the government was now looking to spin. it's the creation of a story, the bombing out and destruction of raccoon city needed a cover that might allow for most to simply blame umbrella, and move on. the decision to completely X out the city was a SURPRISE, even to ada, who's gaze flickered to meet the doctor's own. how could she tell someone, anyone, that there were now viruses that could raise the dead in the worst ways itself. not that he'd likely believe her. she felt him a practical man. and any person with sense would question what she'd survived out there... best to keep that quiet. wesker had already had his report. decompressing would come when she was alone.

do you have anywhere you can go after this? she had a painfully expensive hotel that she planned to expense back to the organization for her troubles. the six figures for the job had increased throughout each pain suffered within those WRETCHED SEWERS, turning her head, eyes closed. midriff first, then thigh. "i have a head injury, too. concussed, i suspect." the fall had been a rather dramatic one. it was really a wonder that she survived it at all. "but yes, there's somewhere to go after this. close enough that i'll be able to come in should anything go wrong." there's always something that does. her teeth gnaw at her bottom lip, dried, her everything made a mess since she'd emerged out of raccoon city. "... do you believe in life after death."

WHATEVER SHE DOES IS DEFINITELY BEYOND THE REALM OF NORMAL. Not normal as in every day civilians, but beyond normal even for those clients of his that lurked deep within the city's darkest shadows, the underbelly of a modern world. Those kinds of injuries were predictable. Gunshots, knife wounds, the odd burn from fire or acid, broken bones ( most common are noses, arms, or the clavicle. ) Hers are rarely so standard. One odd injury he wouldn't think much of. But she was more or less his patient that embodied EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED. Sometimes he was tempted to ask out of a mild curiosity - he never does. The most he pries is asking if an injury might have been caused by a rusty item or tool and nothing more. ( Not the why, not the how beyond possible angle or anything strictly necessary. ) It doesn't bother him ; a fleeting question that is discarded.

He gently easing torn fabric free from the wound and pushing it up her midriff as he began to clean the wound to help offer him a better idea of what he was PRESENTLY working with. Bad but manageable. Chishiya would not LIE if he was unable to handle something - a situation that has YET to occur beyond those who would have already died. Right now, he focuses on getting to work, eyes sharp with focus under the bright medical light above them. ( Unsurprisingly, he was correct in the items he had already gathered to address her injuries. )

" A head injury as well? " Chishiya frowns slightly, fixing her with a pointed stare of DISAPPROVAL. " You should have mentioned that first. The rest of your injuries won't matter if your brain bleeds. " Because you'll be dead - not stated, but heavily implied. " Then I'm saying you should stay here for the next 24 hours. Ordinarily you might be released after 8 hours, but I suspect you don't have anyone who's going to be able to monitor you in case you should take a dive. " Chishiya delivers his words with the same smoothness as the metal tools he uses now, needle and sutures ready after he numbs the area. " I trust your ability to assess your midriff and thigh injuries. However, brain injuries can easily take a turn without the person even realizing it. Even other doctors wouldn't go on their own. I wouldn't. " AND THAT'S QUITE THE ADMISSION.

a selection of dialogue prompts from the game who's lila? feel free to change pronouns / details as needed.

"must be really scary."

"so not existing is like being asleep?"

"you aren't making any sense right now."

"so you are your personality and your memories? is that what you're trying to say?"

"you see, there's a problem with what you just said."

"oh, i wouldn't trust the mirror, my dear. the ghosts on the other side may only look like us."

"the pupil can never see itself."

"you can analyse your memories and your personality, yet the real perceiver always stays in the shadows."

"in that sense, there isn't really a difference between you and other people."

"you have no ability to see what's inside someone's head."

"what's the definition of imaginary?"

"please, don't go closer. stay in the corner there, please."

"they are all dead, aren't they?"

"why did you tell me to stay home that day?"

"i'm sorry, i can't do this anymore. you have to leave."

"please, stop with this nonsense."

"you know, i can't leave you. but something has to change..."

"don't worry too much about it. it's important to keep a clear mind."

"no! don't touch me!"

"it's useless now. you think you've got the upper hand?"

"you are just delaying the inevitable."

"this is so wrong, isn't it?"

"do you love me?"

"i mean, i get it. if i were you, i wouldn't trust myself either."

"no, it's not about that. you just remind me of someone i knew."

"after what i did, i don't really deserve anything better, do i?"

"is that so? honestly, i feel a bit offended."

"what? if it's a joke, i don't get it."

"who's lila? some girl you like?"

"i'm alright. my face just doing its shenanigans again, i guess."

"what the hell's going on?"

"please be quiet. everything's alright. what's gotten into you?"

"this is what you get for trying to get rid of me."

"there's no need to scream. you look very cute today. don't scream."

"it's difficult for me to express emotions."

"i envy other people, they make faces naturally, but i have to make a conscious decision each time i move a muscle."

"every morning i go to the bathroom to rehearse what my face is going to show today."

"do you think we don't know what's happening between you two?"

"it's really not good to spread rumours. that's a sign of a very, very bad friend."

"so you wanted to see so badly? well. feast your eyes."

"well, are you satiated... now?"

"i do not desire to feed for now."

"your endeavours amuse me. but now it's time for us to cease."

"thanks for coming today. i rarely see you these days."

"you see, i've been studying you very intently."

"at the end of the day, i'd like to find out who you are."

"you amuse me. you really are nothing like those fools."

"oh, i expect an exquisite feast."

"we aren't going to talk here. meet me at a familiar place. i'll be waiting."

"well, if that's the game you want to play... let's do it."

"it is delightful to see your optimism."

"oh well, enough chit-chat. please, pick a card."

"i don't envy anybody. there's no use in comparing stupid glass shards, even if you think one of them is yours."

"hm, playful as usual, i see."

"don't worry. i won't stop until i find out."

"are you trying to be funny?"

"no need to be so hostile. after all, you are the one who came here."

"i couldn't help myself, i always come when someone calls."

"so it was you lot who stole all my food?"

"there doesn't seem to be a different way to do it. i'm so sorry."

"it's never that simple, is it?"

"you... you tricked me."

"your sorrow is exquisite."

"you are horrible."

"well, that's a harsh thing to say."

"you need to leave... i need a moment."

"not bad. you are much smarter than you look."

"no nourishment for me today, i guess."

"well, i'm sorry, but you won't trick me that easily."

"i don't believe you."

"was it your plan all along?"

"you don't have to be a genius to understand that there are multiple possible routes."

"you seem to think that some of the dreams you see are more important than others. i suggest you reconsider. all of them are equally ephemeral. all of them are nothing but dreams."

"you might not know it, but i've been watching you intently."

"so? did it help you?"

"if i'm being frank, i have almost no damn idea about what happened before or after this day."

"i appreciate your bluntness."

"to be quite honest with you, i feel a bit cheated."

"i'm not sure if the way it ended was a victory of good, or a terrible mistake."

"i... thought you'd be gone after that."

"does everyone see you the same way?"

"there are some who can see better than others."

"are you afraid of death?"

"i think death means different things to us."

"i've died many times, but all i was met with was a different dream."

"you are in a very special position right now. don't waste it."

"you have the opportunity to either jump into the wheel again, or be free of dreams forever."

"it's such a shame. i wish we could talk more like this."

"so, the trickster gets tricked, eh?"

"are we getting jealous?"

"what? i don't possess such feelings for anyone."

"what was that figure in the corner?"

"you love when it's about you, don't you?"

"i mean, i don't care, we can talk about something else if you'd like."

"you are so close to finding out the truth... do you realise that?"

"why are you saying that it's up to me?"

"come on. you are almost there."

"what a strange outcome that was."

"i wish i could do something about it."

"you do have the power to divert the way some events go."

"you won't lull me into a false sense of safety."

"i'm not sure if i can grasp the picture in its entirety yet."

she isn't surprised. in him, she sees a mirror, empty, he doesn't know himself, he is a sinking, black hole of a person, looking for something to grasp onto, but finding himself so engrossed in nihilism to know how to do it. everything is an effort made MONUMENTAL with the emotional burdens that came along with it, and given the absence of his, how could he find such a life tolerable? playing pretend didn't suit him well~ she's beaming, at the idea that he's grown into that understanding back in the real world.

"new scars? maybe life lessons~" did he like it? did he manage to reintegrate into life, in a way that he felt content with? her lips warm, ever so slightly. "of course i missed you~ you're not so EASILY FORGOTTEN. you were always someone who played this game better than anyone, but, it did reveal a part of your character i found interesting... your choice not to stay felt unexpected. you seemed like the ideal person to build and build and build to your heart's content, and you don't see people the same way. so why not play god?"

that's the real question she hopes to see answered by him this time. perhaps his own laziness prevented him, but he was a soul made sharp and hostile, and yet, wielded with such unbothered aplomb. he's a puzzle, a piece, a trick of a man that defied all expectation! how could alice not watch, with wide eyes and parting mouth. tell me, show me~ she suspected, he'd be as ELEGANT as anything. "who are you here for~?" maybe that's where it starts.

LIFE LESSONS? She might be on to something with that whether she is aware of it or not. That Niragi was right ; or maybe that changing is not easy nor as satisfying as he thought it would be. Everyone acts like it is a relief to change, but Chishiya has found it LACKLUSTER AT BEST. It does not earn him any sense of pride or relief to be a better person. That hollow abyss in his chest is still there. The indifference, the apathy. Going back had ultimately been AGONIZING in a way. Not at first ; not when figments of memories and dreams had simply clung to him like spiderweb threads. It hadn't been so bad then. But once he had truly remembered? It had been impossible to look at the world the same. An already boring world turned bleaker. In here Chishiya could be himself, ugliness more out in the open rather than hidden way.

" Yes. Don't get into a shootout with a gunsman. " Chishiya replies back with a smirk, dry humor that others often found INSUFFERABLE rising to the surface. How strange to hear the words that follow. Although he had offered the comment in jest, he hadn't expected confirmation. People don't miss Chishiya. " I do have a way of leaving a lasting impression. " He agrees. In here, most people had died for that ; their last sight that of cold, calculating gaze watching with a casual indifference to their suffering and agonies.

He doesn't disagree with her assessment. It had been a more unusual choice for him. Though by the end he had grown bored with many of the games, there was the undeniable fact he had met interesting people here in a way that he had never before in the real world. ( Other world? This world was just as real. More so in some ways, baring the soul and nature of those who found themselves here in ways the other world hid. ) But there had been practical reasons as well.

the response he got back was not what he expected, nor how it landed: it was brutal, it was clean, sliced down the middle. no rise in volume, no change in his lineaments. he even noted how the chopsticks in his hand cared not to shake. that was almost worse ⸻ the absence of tremor and the calm acceptance. his own mother's lineaments flashed up in his mind: calloused hands, tired spheres, the way pride had lit them the first time she had seen him stand tall in fights, even when she had hated everything that made him fight. on the outside, sett simply froze mid-bite, chopsticks hovering halfway to his mouth. his aurete spheres observed chishiya's side profile, catching the calm mask, the way his gaze slid off to the others at the table instead of staying on sett.

he swallowed his mouthful, throat suddenly dry, and forced his posture to stay loose. ❝ is that so... huh. ❞ he murmured, tone even, not infuriated. the surprise burned in his chest, but he laid it flat, smoothed it out, tucked it away. chishiya turned back to him, and for a second their gazes locked [ ... ] he just looked back, steady, neither pitying nor dismissive. if chishiya wanted it to mean nothing, sett would pretend along.

" That it is. " He confirmed after swallowing the mouthful of food. Sett is trying to - what? Keep calm? That much was obvious, though why he found IMPOSSIBLE TO FATHOM. Still, he found himself relieved that a scene wasn't caused over it. Their eyes had locked ; they both knew, and they both played Chishiya's game of pretend. That was exactly the desired outcome he'd wanted as soon as the topic had begun to come up.