help me, darling. help me, please.

[rosestolilies]

[ So much to think about, and the clouds are no escape for your fine Queen today.

"Their own love in their rightful Queen can be strengthened. Compassion will show you both the way, I am certain. Some girls just want to ride the wind wear ever it takes them, and live life to the fullest."

Oh dear oh dear oh dear. Such a mess, it's all become such a mess! ]

- ♡ -
[ The mirror is recording as the Queen stands at the shoreline, the long stretch of the dunes at her back, the sheer plane of water before her. And overhead the clouds are still flashing with lightning, even as the serpent's bones rain down and warriors close in upon the ship. The storms are banished first, brushed aside with nothing more than an impatient motion. The ship will have to come down next, and she reaches upwards, pausing for only a moment when the High Priestess appears, her feet wet when the tide rolls in, and her head shaded beneath a paper parasol. She says something that can't be heard and the Queen nods distractedly, beginning then to reel down the Labrys as if she has caught it round with a lasso. The Pirate Queen appears at the rails, looking startled and irritated, calling out gruffly,]

Ready to open your mouth, woman?

[ Her majesty sighs, stating very deliberately, ] We do need to talk, yes.

[ The ship hits the ground with a spray of sand and sea, but the gangplank is lowered, and the Queen steps onto the ship, leaving the High Priestess standing at the edge of the tide. A squadron of large brown bears take up positions around the site. The Warrior Princess does not take long in joining them, her face cut and streaked with ash and blood. She does not take her eyes off of the ship, not even for a moment.

When the Queen reappears to see her there, she smiles bashfully. ]

High Priestess, you still have those bottled little folk, don't you, my dear?

[ Whatever the expression on the High Priestess' face, it is not pleasure, but she inclines her head obediently. Soon enough, a cat can be seen walking slowly down the beach, a rope in its mouth that is tied to a floating crate. The faeries inside rattle in their bottles, lights flashing within.

The Pirate Queen crows something rude and self-aggrandizing from the rails, grinning, and the damsels are led up from below deck by an honor guard of battered skeletons. The Queen opens her arms to them. ]

Darlings! I'm so glad to see you safe!

[ The Damsel goes to her, if no one else, and even she has soon moved on, hurrying across the sands to greet the Warrior Princess with a hug that is not returned.

The gangplank of the Labrys recedes when the crate is safely onboard, and though the ship does not seem to be moving, some of the skeletons wave cheerfully from the decks, giggling in that eerie way of theirs. ]


[[ooc; We will leave the comments open for all of you, but there will not be any NPC interaction on this post.]]

Comments

[of_the_highest_caliber]

[ Subaru just nods to Kris, watching after her a moment.

She focuses on the cleaning, not lifting her eyes from the task at all. ] Does that mean what I think it does? What we talked about the other day... [ Subaru doesn't dance around a lot of subjects, but this is one of them. ]

[ritsu_kouyou]

...you're going to have to remind me what we talked about because a lot of what was a couple days ago to you was a year ago for me.

[of_the_highest_caliber]

Eheh, right right. Sorry. [ She looks up at Akiha's face. ] I mean... with your blood. Or, maybe I should say, do you need... someone else's? Right now, I mean.

[ritsu_kouyou]

I never need it; it's a craving.

[Akiha averts her gaze and doesn't say anything else.]

[of_the_highest_caliber]

[ Subaru nods. ] I didn't know that, but even so, I know about what happens when you don't ... have it. [ So it wasn't a need for Akiha, but it was one for the safety of others. ]

[ritsu_kouyou]

[Akiha had taken to treating her blood lust like a drug addiction. It was the best way of describing it.]

I... am. Hungry.

[of_the_highest_caliber]

Mm. Have you asked Kris...?

[ritsu_kouyou]

I'm not asking anyone. I haven't had fresh blood from another in a year.

[ported]

[And back! With some spare Akiha clothes.]

Should we get Akiha changed?

[of_the_highest_caliber]

[ Color her surprised. And... relieved, too. ] That long? That's gr—!

[ Oh, there's Kris again. Subaru is a little startled at her arrival. ] Yes, that's a good idea. The shoulder bandage should be changed tomorrow just in case, but really, I don't think it's going to be bad after that.

[ She rises from her crouching position. ] The rest should probably be properly cleaned and wrapped, too, just in case... but a good wash should come first. Even if it'll sting a little.

[ritsu_kouyou]

[Akiha glances at Kris before back to Subaru.]

I said fresh blood.

[Back home, she managed with bagged blood.]

I want to take a bath. I keep smelling it.

[ported]

[Kris ponders but just for a moment.]

Do you need help with a bath? Subaru or I could help.

[Volunteering other people...]

[of_the_highest_caliber]

[ Oh. Well... she's still relieved. She'll have to bring it up to Katina, too, so she won't be worried. Subaru shakes her head. ] I don't think you need me around for that, do you? I don't want to be overbearing! [ And she knows Akiha seems to be touchy about being, well, touched. By her, at least. ] I know you can take care of the rest from here, Kris.

I should see if anyone else back at the beach needs any help, too.

[ritsu_kouyou]

[Hopefully Subaru doesn't take it personally; Akiha doesn't like being touched when she's dealing with her dyspnea by anyone but Kohaku.]

Kris...

[Akiha didn't even have the energy to make her chastising have bite.]

Thank you, Subaru. You can go.

[ported]

[Kris shrugs. No, not even getting a reading on the situation at all.]

Thanks for helping Akiha.

[of_the_highest_caliber]

[ She smiles. ] Of course. Anything for my friends! [ Though, really, she would have helped just about anyone, today.

She steps back and gives a little wave. ] Do you want me to stop by tomorrow for breakfast? [ Figuring that Akiha could use some space right about now. ]

[ritsu_kouyou]

Please. I doubt I'll be leaving bed much for the next few days.

[ported]

And I'll take good care of her in the meantime! I'll stay awake all night if I have to.

[of_the_highest_caliber]

Ahah, don't push yourself too much, Kris. Will you need me to nurse you both back to health? [ Not that she wouldn't but it would be a bit of trouble for the other two. ]

I'll see you in the morning but... not quite so bright and early. [ Subaru is probably in for a long night, too, at this rate. She steps out of the room with another wave. ] I'll show myself out. Bye-bye for now!

[ritsu_kouyou]

Tomorrow then.

[ported]

[Kris leaves her off with a wave.]

Let's get you to the bath. I don't think a shower will be good for you.

[ritsu_kouyou]

I said a bath, didn't I?

[Yeah... trying to stand up now. This is a slow process.]

[ported]

[Kris puts her arms in non-wounded spots so she can help support Akiha.]

I can never know with you.

[ritsu_kouyou]

I would think when I say 'bath' it means taking a bath, and when I say 'shower' it means taking a shower.

[Easy does it. Akiha needs the help. She's just. SO. TIRED.]

Now, when I say 'bathe' it could mean either.

[ported]

Whatever you mean, you're going to the bathtub.

[Taking it SLOW]