[ bandage ] sender changes the bandages carefully, apologizing even when it doesnât hurt (Hi Axel how do you feel about *places Nozomi here next to Shuichi or Korekiyo*) for science B>
Somehow, that invader managed to slice him in nearly every part of his body that wasn't vital; his arms, legs, and backside had all been torn to ribbons, but his throat, stomach, and chest had managed to make it out rather unscathed.
There was a small moment of hesitancy when Nozomi offered to bandage the numerous cuts that now decorated his skin, but it was quickly brushed aside. This infirmary of theirs was nothing like the hospital he all but grew up in; however, it was kept meticulously clean by the young woman at his side, and it was likely the best place for him to be while millions of bacteria had the opportunity to crawl into every tear in his skin.
And that... was the beginning of his downfall.
The instant they stepped into the infirmary, the sterile scent hit his nose, and the metallic walls and orange lights transformed into pale white walls and headache-inducing, low-fluorescent lights.
It's blood loss. That's what he tells himself as he casts his eyes down, following Nozomi's footsteps further into this miserable pit. He's lost so much blood that he's hallucinating... and the more cooperative he is, the faster this will be over with, and he can leave.
That reassurance does little to calm his erratic heart nor ease the cold sweat that's seeping into his tattered clothes.
The antiseptic applied to the slashes didn't hurt-- not physically, yet he still recoiled from the touch and squeezed his eyes shut.
That's the scent that filled the air before they took Her away from him. Before she was wheeled off to some room and cut open, or injected with some manner of poison. He waited, alone, for hours-- no, not alone... his father was there; he signed the paperwork that gave them permission to torture her in desperate attempts to prolong her life. He was there... he just never spoke.
Agonizing hours would pass before she was returned to him, her body pale and her eyes distant.
Korekiyo attempts to even his breathing by wrapping his arms across his shoulders and digging his nails into his flesh. The sharp nails piercing clean flesh and the warm sensation of fresh blood pooling against his fingertips grounded him...
She is gone, and he is here to help reclaim Earth so that her ashes can be spread appropriately-- most of them, anyway. A small amount would go into an ash pendant that he could keep with him. He would travel the Earth they read about in their books.
That is still what you want, isn't it?
He thinks... only to be met with silence.
He hasn't heard Her since he came here. He could not have distractions, and he could not risk the others hearing him talk to a spirit only he could hear. If they thought he was unstable, or communicating with some form of invisible invader... and, perhaps, it was too painful for her to watch him go through these wretched battles.
Yes, yes... once these one hundred days are over, She will be with him again. She could never tolerate violence, and she loathed the sight of blood. She isn't here to console him now because She can't stand to see him covered in blood.
She hasn't abandoned him... She doesn't resent him for not being able to save her...
A softly spoken apology breaks through his psychosis-- and his eyes open wide.
I'm sorry. This will burn for a minute.
I'm sorry. You can't see her right now.
I'm sorry. There's nothing more we can do for her.
Hollow words-- each and every time. They were meaningless platitudes said in voices so rehearsed that they couldn't possibly convey any real sorrow.
Bloody fingernails are jerked out of his arms and quickly tear across his face.
That kind young woman who brought him here is gone from his sight. All he can see is that bed with the white sheet draped over a human-shaped silhouette. All he can hear is that cursed machine squealing in indication of a heart no longer beating.
"Apologize..." he pants as his body rocks back and forth.
"Apologize... Apologize... Apologize... Apologize...
He repeats over and over, his movements becoming faster and more forceful, until he finally collides the back of his skull with the cold steel that has him trapped in this hell.
