chroma | catchall for atsushi

[countermeasures]

shrieks in capitalism

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[countermeasures]

Thank you.

[she'll get to work on that then!!]

For your hands, the numbing cream might help... please let me see them.

[moonlightbeast]

[He'll hold them up. At least this part he can move without too much trouble.]

I got pinned to the ground by knives.

[countermeasures]

...

[yikes. well, she'll clean out the knife wounds, numb the injury, and get them bandaged.]

How did that happen...?

[moonlightbeast]

I-

[...]

There was a cloaked figure trying to kill me. But I was faster than them, so we went around in circles for a bit. Them running and trying to stab me, me trying to catch them. Then they got me pinned to the ground so I couldn't chase them.

[countermeasures]

[oh... yikes.]

...I'm so sorry, Sir Nakajima. That sounds terrifying. How did you get free?

[moonlightbeast]

I didn't. I died.

[A pause.]

...I think? Because I'm alive now, but.

[Well. He gestures to himself. He definitely died of these injuries!]

[countermeasures]

...you're alive now, but the sensation of dying was real to you. I think that counts.

[...]

I'm so sorry.

[she said that once already, but - it bears repeating.]

[moonlightbeast]

[He nods. That's what it feels like to him: like the death was real, even if he logically knows it couldn't be. The words he heard, the fears he felt, they echo through him like the sharp nightmares of childhood that keep children awake at night. It leaves Atsushi feeling hollow, unable to fully appreciate the care that he's being given without feeling guilty for needing the attention in the first place.]

I don't even know why we went through all of that.

[countermeasures]

I can't even begin to imagine why...

[some parts of their strange experiences from last week make a certain amount of sense - not as much sense as she'd like, but some - but this...? she has no idea what might have prompted this.]

But whatever caused it... we'll take care of you. You'll all be alright.

[moonlightbeast]

...thank you.

[He's not saying 'sorry' there, but he sure is thinking it.]

I don't want to be a burden. So, after I'm healthier, let me help with whatever you need.

[countermeasures]

...well, alright.

But! I work my apprentices pretty hard, you know. Which means you'll have to cooperate and allow me to make sure you've fully recovered before I can put you to work.