The Lobby, Sunday Afternoon

[endsthegame]

A rip opened in the middle of the dorms lobby-- but it was unlike any void the island had seen before. It didn't precisely shine, but white light did filter out, almost tentatively, like the rays of the morning sun. It did not pull or pluck at anything, and when it vanished, it would leave the dorms exactly as it had found them.

It was not a rift that would take; it was a rift that would give.

Give back the people it had taken, that is.

[[ for those who were formerly strewn across the multiverse, after they touch their part! come home, folks ]]

Comments

[glacial_queen]

Karla made sure that Yei wasn't in imminent danger of being squeezed or crushed and then reached out to hug Hinata fiercely in return. "I'm so glad you're okay," she whispered. "We were so worried about you. All of you. Thank the Darkness you're home."

[shyest-eyes.livejournal.com]

Hinata winced at the strength of the hug--her back was bandaged, but it still hurt. The dried blood stark against the white of her jacket--as she hugged back.

The contact was more important than the pain.

"We'll..." What to say to that? They weren't all okay. Not by a long shot. Emotionally, mentally... "We'll be alright," Hinata murmured, trying to give comfort back. "Now that we're home."

[glacial_queen]

"We'll help you," Karla said firmly. "However we can."

Clinging to Hinata as she was, Karla was able to see the blood on her jacket. "Mother Night, are you okay?" she asked, stomping down on the desire to whirl Hinata around and start Healing. "Is that your blood? May I see?"

[shyest-eyes.livejournal.com]

"It's been bandaged," Hinata said, automatically, even as she turned and swept her hair out of the way so that the slices in the jacket were more visible. As was the peek of bandage underneath the jacket. "But yes, it is my blood."

Hinata sounded very calm about that.

[glacial_queen]

"I can Heal that for you," Karla said. "If you want."

And then give her another hug afterwards. Possibly two.

She traced the slices with her eyes, trying to imagine what could have caused them. After this past weekend on the island, she could guess. "Oh, Hinata--I'm so glad you're all right!" she said, tears springing to her eyes.

It wasn't true, but it seemed a much nicer way than saying, "I'm so glad it isn't worse."

[shyest-eyes.livejournal.com]

"Karla?" Hinata glanced over her shoulder, alarmed at the tears. "P-Please, don't cry. It's not th-that bad. You... You can Heal it, if you're up to it."

Because even if Karla cried, Hinata would put her foot down if the other girl looked to be pushing herself past the limits just to heal her back.

[glacial_queen]

Karla shook her head, dashing away her tears. "I'm fine," she insisted. "Just a bit overwrought. A little more sleep and a few less missing friends and I'll be all right. I'm just...I've been so worried. It's relief more than anything, I swear."

[shyest-eyes.livejournal.com]

She let out a sigh and tried out a faint smile. This one stuck a little better.

"Shall I hold Yei then, while you determine my injuries?" Hinata said, keeping her voice soft. She was here, and she was well enough. The world had been horrifying but she'd survived.

[glacial_queen]

"If you don't take her, I'll end up spending more money on kitty toys and tuna for her," Karla said, handing the kitten over. "Besides, she's probably due some extra snuggles."

She directed Hinata over to a slightly more out-of-the-way location. She was going to have to pull up the back of her jacket and shirt and thought it might be a bit better to have a modicum of privacy for that.

[shyest-eyes.livejournal.com]

Hinata went, most of her attention focused on the wriggling ball of fur that was purring up a storm in her hands.

The jacket she managed to slip off with a wince and some creative cradling of Yei (who was very clearly not about to be put down at all) and shivered at the touch of air along her back. It was a simple black shirt she had on, but for the fact that the sleeves were fishnet as was anything above her shoulders.

It too was badly sliced up and bandages showed through the gaps.

"Even if she likely barely noticed I was gone," Hinata said, smiling at her kitten.

[glacial_queen]

"Only because I spoiled her rotten," Karla murmured from behind her. "You might have to do some creative rearranging to fit her new toys into your dorm room."

Buying toys in a panic meant Yei spent less time wandering around, meowing for Hinata.

"This shirt is already destroyed. Mind if I just cut the back off? I'd prefer not to push it up over your back if I don't have to." Karla had already called in a pair of scissors. "They're infected," she said. "Not too badly, which is a miracle, but still infected." She held her palm to Hinata's back, feeling the heat radiating up from the cuts.

[shyest-eyes.livejournal.com]

"I'd noticed that they'd hurt more this morning," Hinata said, keeping her voice level. "Cut the shirt, please. I'll not wear it again."

The jacket, too, would have to be trashed. She sighed slightly as she held it against her chest.

Shopping would have to be done for it.

[glacial_queen]

Karla began to hum quietly, calling up her Craft to probe gently at the wounds. Infection lurked, glowing red and ominous to her sight. Below that, torn flesh and skin, cuts made by weapons that were neither clean nor sharp.

"This might sting," she murmured, before humming again and beginning the Healing process. The first thing she did was ruthlessly kill of the infection, burning it out with burning lances of Craft. It was stubborn and tricky and Karla was sweating before she had finished. "Okay to keep going?" she asked.

[shyest-eyes.livejournal.com]

Healing hurt.

Healing always hurt. It was a way to remember the wounds and to teach herself to not get injured that way again.

Hinata's eyes were as calm as a summer lake on a windless day, even as her face paled at the sting.

"Please continue," she said, her voice serene though deliberate effort. Patience, tolerance, will power.

All three had their place here.

[glacial_queen]

"As you wish," Karla said quietly and did as she was bid. The next step was to knit the flesh back together. It was slow going, as Karla soothed sore tissue, repaired blood vessels, and removed every particle of filth she could find. Inch by slow inch, Karla sealed up Hinata's wounds, finishing one to move onto the next.

It took many long minutes before she was done, but when she was, Hinata's back was smooth and scarless. "There," she said, brushing her bangs out of her eyes and whisking the sweat away. "Done."