OTOME CATCHALL

[divineimpulse]

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Week 2, Thursday

[momming]

[ At some point, maybe before the movie starts or whatever, Otome is going to go check on Byleth and her reattached arm. This time, it's her turn to bring tea. ]

How are you feeling? Any pain I can help with?

[divineimpulse]

[byleth is listlessly relaxing within a pile of cushions and beanbags and blankets, and she takes the tea with her single working arm, balancing it carefully as she does.]

I wouldn't tell anyone else this, but I'm in incredible pain.

[momming]

[ Ruefully, she also uncurls her fingers from her palm to present a pack of painkillers. Give her a minute to get them free, so Byleth can just pick them up whenever she wants. After her tea, if she wants to savor it. ]

I really need to get more vouchers... this would be much kinder to you if I could heal again. I'm sorry I can't do too much for you right now.

[divineimpulse]

I don't mind.

I'm saving my heal for... later.

[she sighs, and manages to jimmy a painkiller free from the blisterpack, swallowing it with a mouthful of tea.]

Everyone with me was in the same state. I wouldn't dare complain.

[momming]

I think you telling me that you're in pain now was the most complaining I've ever heard from you.

[ she says it dryly, but a little fondly. ]

I know sometimes these... events appear to get us information, but if they're going to injure all of you so badly, I wish they wouldn't happen at all.

[divineimpulse]

I think we did get something from it, at least.

It was a piece of paper with the names of everyone that has passed away—killed and expelled—on it.

It was a "daycare sign-in sheet".

[momming]

... daycare sign-in sheet?

[ come again? ]

[divineimpulse]

Just as I said. A "Daycare Sign-In Sheet".

It makes it sound like there's...

...Somewhere else.

[momming]

... Somewhere that they're being held?

[ She breathes out, carefully. ]

A daycare is where you would gather children who were too young to attend actual school yet...

[divineimpulse]

[...]

Do you believe they might be alive?

[momming]

In a manner of speaking... rather, I really want to believe that's the case.

[ For so many reasons. ]

[divineimpulse]

[...]

If there's even a sliver of a chance...

I want to believe in it, too.

[momming]

Then let's do that. Honestly, it gives me hope and I think we need that.

[divineimpulse]

[she nods.]

I think that needs to be heavily discussed, too.

The more the information is disseminated, the better.

[momming]

... I agree. Also, I'm sorry... for snapping at you earlier.

[ feels bad. ]

[divineimpulse]

[she shakes her head.]

It's no problem.

Everything was just a bit more... raw.

[momming]

Mm... you went through a lot. I'm glad we were able to reattach your arm, but it's going to be a long period for a total recovery.

[divineimpulse]

It will be months before I can use it again.

[even she's aware of that.]

I'll have to improve my balance for swordsmanship.

[momming]

Maybe we can look into a stronger healing spell for it...

... Of course you're already thinking about fighting, though.

[divineimpulse]

[...]

I don't think I can afford not to...

[momming]

[ She reaches out to brush some of Byleth's bangs out of her face. ]

Just... let me know what I can do to help, all right?

[divineimpulse]

[she closes her eyes as otome moves the hair out of her face, and sighs. an actual byleth sigh.]

...Painkillers.

I know I won't be able to sleep without them.