ribbonbon | 004 [video/action] [Forward dated to Friday Morning]

[And while she's eating behind the school, Precis is going to notice her and walk up to her. It had been a while since they'd spoken over the journal, buuuut Precis saw her at the New Feather Party, too. So she definitely remembers Pilouette now.]

Hey! Pilouette, right?

[Precis might also be identifiable by the little round robot following her around.]

What's up?

[Hearing a familiar voice, she looks over, her shoulders slumped. She thinks for a second, trying to remember this person's name; it has been some time after all. However, she notices the little robot with her and Pils can only remember speaking to one person who with a robot and tries to give a half hearted little smile.]

Y-Yeah, that's me. It's Precis, right?

I just thought I'd try to get some quiet back here, you know? It's been some kinda day today.

[Get some quiet? Oh, maybe she should leave. Except not. Precis is so glad to see someone she knows on her walk that she doesn't even think about the implications of Pils words.]

Ohhh, yeah, totally. I live in a house with two guys, so I sneak out all the time. What's got you so down?

[Despite her words, Pilouette doesn't really mind Precis's presence. She just wanted to find a place where she didn't think she'd get in anymore little accidents.]

It's, um, just been kind of a bad day, I guess. Like, nothing super huge, but just one thing after another. That kinda thing.

[Is she going to mind terribly when Precis sits down next to her, setting Robbie on the ground? Hopefully not!]

Man, I hate days like that...what happened? Did something break?

Nothing broke...Not yet, anyway. Fell down the stairs, gave myself a black eye, totally ruined my hair and...well. If I list everything, I'll don't when I'll be able to stop.

[She looks down at the small paper sack full of cookies she's been downing for the last half hour and holds it out toward Precis.]

Want some?

Oh, I didn't even notice that! You look fine to me. I break more things before 8 AM than most people break all day, so I'm used to things like that. I kinda look like a mess sometimes.

[Precis kicks her feet as she looks into the sack.]

Did you make these? I mean, yeah, of course. They look really good.

Yeah, but when you break stuff, it's because you're like, actually doing stuff, right? You're not making a mess of yourself from going down the stairs...

[She glances back down the bag of cookies.]

I wish I made them! I gave it a try, but...yeah, the cookies I made didn't really turn out as well as I hoped they would.

I have days like that, too, though! I don't have stairs, but I'm always tripping over a misplaced steel bar somewhere.

[Going to take one and eat it, then!]

What went wrong with them?

...You make a good point. I guess everyone has a bad day once in a while.

I guess I was just so caught up in all the stuff that happened today and they were totally burned to a crisp! Blegh, they were like coal...!

I think everyone kinda lies, too. They happen more often than people let on.

Oh, where did you bake them at? Maybe it was your oven. I could always adjust it a little if something's wrong with it.

Huh. I didn't think about that! Maybe it was the oven. I haven't heard any complaint from anyone else on my floor, but...if you wanna take a look at it, that might be good!

I will, then! [She'll probably make it more awesome, too.] Which community housing building are you in?

Cool, thanks!

I live in building 4, on the second floor.

I'll do that, then! I don't have any tools with me, but I'll definitely stop by and take a look.

[And probably end up making it more powerful somehow. Ovens are kinda boring.]

Great! Just let me know whenever you wanna stop by!

And if there's anything I can help you with, just let me know! Like, seriously, I totally appreciate this!

I'll give you a heads up before I do, definitely.

I'm pretty busy with my secret project right now, though. Maybe we could just hang out instead?

Sure! We can hang out if you want! Actually that sounds great!

...And I know you said it was secret, but...what kind of secret project is it? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, though.

[But the word "secret" always seems to spark curiosity, doesn't it?]

Once I finish it, I'll have more time, but I still take a break every now and then.

I've told a few people, but it'll be cooler if I keep it a secret, right? I'll tell you soon, I promise.

Ahh, okay. Just let me know if you ever feel like hanging out while taking a break or something, okay?

[Pilouette grins and lets out a friendly giggle.]

And I get what you mean! Telling too many people about a secret takes all the mystery out of it!

Oh, I will, I will! It's going to get all boring-boring, since I've made this particular thing before. Luceti just kinda lacks one, so, gotta fix that.

[She laughs, too. This is fun.]

I'll probably throw a party or something to celebrate, so there's definitely plenty to do.

Now I'm really curious! It sounds like it's gonna be a pretty big deal...

It's nothing big like a new teleporter or anything, but it'll still be cool.

Even if it's not big, if it's as cool as you say, I bet lots of people will be really excited about it!

I'm pretty excited about it, so yeah, I can't wait to show it off.

[Pilouette grins. Through this conversation she has, at least momentarily, forgotten about the rotten day she's had. It's been a really long time since she's been able to just sit and talk with another girl and she's really enjoying herself. Between just talking about her day and the excitement brought by Precis's talk of her secret project, Pils really does feel a lot better.]

Well, when it's time to celebrate it, let me know if there's anything I can do to help out, okay?

Oh, oh, I know! When it's time for the big reveal, you can make cookies, okay?

Sure! I'll bake lots of them! And anything else that might be good, too! It'll be great, I just know it!

This sounds like a lot of fun! I'm really excited now. The more, the merrier and all of that.

[ooc; and for reference, her elevator will be finished sometime in April. /o/ And Pils will definitely be invited over.]

Great!

[She lets out an excited giggle before looking back to the other girl.]

Hey, Precis...Thanks. After talking for so long, I'm starting to feel a lot better!

[ooc: Suh-weeet~]

H-huh? Oh...it's no big deal, that's what friends are for. Right?

[Blushing a little, though. She's not used to having friends yet! It's all so exciting.]

Right!

[Having sorely missed her best friends back home, Pils is pretty excited herself to be making friends in Luceti. Still smiling, she stands up, dusting her pants off a little.]

If it's okay, I think I'll get going. After all, my homework won't get done if I'm sitting out here eating cookies, right?

Oh, right! Yeah, you should definitely get that done.

[And Precis might be a little jealous. She's considering signing herself up for classes soon. She stands as well.]

I'll see you later, alright?

Okay~! I'll see you around!

[And giving Precis a friendly wave, she begins to trot off, the events of the day weighing much less on her mind.]

[ There's another girl in the grocery store, although she's pretty obviously hovering around the food items that are more sweet or tasty or generally not too good for you if you eat too much of it. Aka Usagi is happily jumping around there, squealing over the food-- when she doesn't ntoice Pilouette and manages to bump into the girl, not even realising it's her. ]

A-- ah, sorry!

[Well, if Usagi didn't notice Pilouette then apparently Pils' plan to keep on the downlow is working a little too well. After being bumped, Pils stumbles back dropping a couple of the things she was holding; chocolate chips, a bag of flour...basic baking ingredients. With a sigh, she stoops down to pick it up, not bothering to see who it is that's bumped into her.]

No, no, it's fine...

Here, let me help with those!

[ At least Usagi's willing to be helpful, so she picks up some of the stuff from the ground too, handing them back over to her, and-- ... hey. ]

Wait.. We talked before, right? You seem familiar..!

Huh?

[She decides to actually look at who she's talking to, adjusting the cap she's wearing so the bill isn't blocking her view. She thinks about it for a second before...]

Oh! Hey, yeah! It's good to know you didn't get lost in the library...!

Right, right, I didn't! [ She salutes happily, although.. she mostly just ran in and out of the library since she really was scared of getting lost and dying, sob. ]

Usagi here is more durable than that, don't worry!

[Pilouette manages a small smile and lets out a soft, friendly laugh.]

Well, it's good to get some good news today...!

[ She hands over the last stuff she picked up to the other girl. ]

Some.. good news? What are you saying, that everything else wasn't good news?

Well...Kind of. I mean, it's just been like, one thing after another today, you know?

[She lifts up the bill of her cap a little more, allowing Usagi to see the black eye she has.]

W-- wah!!

[ Forgive her, she just shrieks a little at that before clasping her hands over her mouth and glancing around to see whether anyone else heard.. ]

H.. how did that happen..? [ at least she lowers her voice. ]

[She jumps at that shriek and quickly pulls the cap back down, her shoulders slumping. She guessing it look worse than she thought it did.]

Do you promise not to laugh?

[ Usagi noticably tries to calm down, even though it takes some effort - she nods. ]

I promise! Seriously, I won't laugh even a little!

Okay. I...

[She lowers her voice, her gaze drifting off to the side. She embarrassed to admit this, but...]

I tripped on my shoelaces and fell down the stairs.

[ She expected something more embarassing, really - this is slightly embarassing, but just sad too. So at least Usagi looks sympathetic. ]

Ah, that sound like it would hurt a whole lot..

Like, it totally did! At least I didn't bump my wings too hard. They stung for a while, though...!

But.. it's fine now, right? It doesn't hurt anymore?

Well, I talked to a doctor at the clinic and he said it was just sprained a little. It still kind of hurts, but not as much as it did before. I still have to go back in a few days so he can look at it again, though.

A sprain's not so bad. Like, it totally could have been worse, right?

Yeah, if you fell all the way..! [ trying to imagine it now, eep. ]

Still, that sounds like pretty bad luck to have that happen to you! I've never fallen like that before. ... Well, I've tripped, but just on the floor!

No kidding it's bad luck! I mean, it's like stuff just keeps happening today, you know? My hair, my wings, this...stupid black eye...! I hope I'm not like...cursed or something.

C-cursed?! Maybe it's the curse of the library ghost!

[ yes, she still remembers that whole talk and it's just.. downright freaking her out right now. ]

[Pilouette had been halfway joking about the curse thing, but now that Usagi mentions it...]

Y-You don't really think that...?! But I've never even been in the library!

[She's starting to get a little scared now. So much that she kind of...squeezes that bag of flour she's holding, causing the bottom to rip and sending all that flour spilling on to her shoes. She stares at her flour covered feet for a second before...]

A...AAAGH! W-What kind of jerk ghost curses someone it doesn't even know?!

I don't know..!

[ Usagi is jumping away once the flour falls, though - she doesn't want to get cursed as well now, eep!! ]

I-it's horrible though, being cursed by the library ghost.. We have to find some way to help you get rid of it!

Y-yeah...But I've got no ideas! I-I don't know anything about ghosts...! And what if it curses other people?! I mean, when someone or...uh...something figures out it can get away with stuff like this, it's just gonna keep doing it!

You're saying it could curse absolutely anyone in this place? E.. even me?!

[ freaking out more and more, it's a downward spiral at this point. ]

No waaay, I'm still too young to be cursed, have mercy! [ covering her head with her arms now. ]

I'm s-sure we'll be able to get rid of it somehow! Maybe those creepy scientists will do it before it curses too many people!

[Because they can't just let a ghost run amok around Luceti, right?]

...Hey...Maybe it only curses people who haven't been in there! Because really, it should have gotten people who have been in the library first, right?!

[Flawed logic, but...]

That sounds like it would be right.. [ oh, wait, that makes her realise another thing!! She grabs the other girl by her wrist, starting to run off with her already before explaining. ]

Come on, come on! If you go into the library, maybe it'll be cursed!

[Even with Usagi pulling her, Pils is pretty pokey and is kind of struggling to keep up.]

D-Do you really think so!?

Of course! If it only curses people who don't go to the library, then going in there while you're cursed will cure it, I'm sure..!

Hey! You're right! Maybe the ghost just wants more people to visit the library...! Like some kind of weird reading ghost!

A ghost that's trying to get people to visit the library by cursing them.. Aaah, I still think it's some sort of super scary story!

It's totally scarier than scary! Augh, that library just keeps getting worse, doesn't it?!

It's the source of everything scary here in Luceti..

... Oh, I got it..! Maybe it's Luceti's haunted house, or something like that! Except instead of a house, it's a library!

Haunted house...!

[She shivers just a little.]

Well as long as I get uncursed, I'm willing to go in! I hope we'll be okay in there, though...!

[ a nod. ]

We will be! The important part is just that the two of us keep sticking together no matter what..!

Right! Like Strength in numbers! A-And I think you're immune to the curse, so y-yeah we'll totally be fine!

[She's still trying to convince herself here, but Usagi is making her feel a little more positive.]

Of course I am! After all, I'm Sa-- [ ilor Moon-- NO WAIT CRAP SHE ISN'T SUPPOSED TO TELL PEOPLE.

Freaking out momentarily, we'll be back after these commericals.

Okay, no, she needs a distraction, um.. what around them is a good distraction.. OH, SHE KNOWS. ]

... O-oh, look! It's a tree!

Sa...?

[Some kind of nickname? Or something like that? "Safe?" "'Sagi?"
She's thinking pretty hard about this until Usagi mentions the tree. As they pass it she gives it a look.]

Uh...yeah, it's um, nice.

Isn't it, isn't it? [ QUICKLY DRAGGING HER ON, NOTHING HAPPENED, LALALA. ]

There are a lot of nice trees around here, I can't believe it!

Uh...Y-Yeah.

[THIS IS NO TIME FOR TREES, there are ~~baseless fears to calm~~ CURSES TO BE DISPELLED]

W-We should be nearly to the library, right?

Yes, I think it's.. um.. over there! [ pointing. ]

In fact, we're so close, nothing bad could still happen now, right?

[ now she's just tempting fate.. ]

Yeah! I mean, what's going to happen in the next few-

[Oh, hold on, coughing and hacking.]

...I think I just swallowed a bug...!

L-Let's just hurry! The sooner this curse is off, the better!

... Wait, did you just really swallow a bug?! [ oh god oh god oh god!! ]

Quick, hack it out..! Maybe it's poisonous!

[Apparently in Pils' head, the word "poisonous" erases the word "maybe." She stares for a second, completely horrified before frantically coughing, harder and harder, trying to get this HORRIBLE BUG OUT OF HER BODY OH GOD WHY]

I...I can't! Maybe if I drink a lot of water it'll flush out the poison! I can't die in this place! It's bad enough that I fell down the stairs and sprained my wing, NOW THAT STUPID LIBRARY GHOST IS TRYING TO POISON ME!

[ OH NO IF SHE'S FREAKING USAGI FREAKS TOO. It's like a domino effect, but even more horrible.. two girls freaking out in the middle of the plaza.. ]

How does the library ghost dare to do that..!? D-don't worry, I'll defeat him for you! Then his curse will go away and you'll be fine!

[Truly, they are the best of panic buddies.]

You can do that?! ...You're an exorcist?!

No way, I'm not an exorcist..! [ but she can't say she's Sailor Moon either since she almost gave herself away earlier.. ]

Just rely on the great Usagi Tsukino, okay? I'll take care of it for sure!

[Pilouette's expression turns dead serious.]

Okay! I'll trust you completely!

[What is it with injured people broadcasting over the journal system lately? It's awfully concerning.]

Hello? Are you okay?

[Wh-? Awww, stupid journal! She didn't even know it had been on! She's halfway convinced that they were purposely made to switch on at random. When she responds, her voice sounds a little nasally, as if it's stopped up.]

Oh! Uh...Y-yes! Um, I'm, uh, I'm okay! I think!

Are you sure? You don't sound well.

Y-Yeah, I, um, just took a little spill is all!

[Well, two of them, but...]

[Considering he saw her faceplant into the stairs, he's not inclined to dismiss that as 'little.'] That looked like a pretty bad fall to me. Are you bruised at all? Or dizzy?

I-I dunno about any bruises, but...Um, m-my nose is bleeding and my wings still kinda sting. My eye hurts a little bit, too... B-But I don't think it's anything serious! Really! I hope not, anyway...

[Oh, he's really hoping she didn't do something nasty to the wings. He hasn't seen them injured too many times before, but he's heard all manner of horror stories.] Can you still move your wings all right?

Um...

[There's a few moments of silence while she tests them out, followed by a small pained yelp.]

Ow...! Um, th-they still hurt a little bit, but um, I can move them pretty okay.

You should probably come down to the clinic and get them checked out. Just in case.

[She makes a small noise of reluctance.]

Do you really think so...?

Those wings are pretty fragile. If there's a chance that you could've damaged them, I'd like to have a look at them.

[Yep, he's a doctor, and a relatively paranoid one at that.]

I guess you're right...

[Plus, it wouldn't do for her to argue with an adult...]

Um, o-okay, I'll be there in a bit.

[Not too long after, she arrives at the clinic, dressed in a somewhat less girly manner than usual, sporting a large jacket and a baseball cap pulled low over her eyes. Aside from it just being a bad day, she's never been to Luceti's clinic and is just little nervous.]

Um...H-hello?

[Mornings at the clinic always seem to be either very slow or very hectic, and as this morning happens to be one of the former variety, Willock's seated in the lobby when she walks in, thumbing through a book. He rises, noting her nervousness and offering a smile.]

Hello. I don't think I introduced myself--I'm Dr. Willock. And you're..?

[She offers a polite nod.]

Oh, um...My name is Pilouette. I think we talked a little while ago?

Pilouette. Yeah, that was me. Right this way.

[And he'll lead her into one of the examination rooms, motioning for her to sit on the bed as he washes his hands. As he turns back he hands her a tissue for any blood that she still might have on her face, and he frowns as he notes the state of her eye.]

Oh, you've got a nice bruise forming there. I should get you some ice for that.

[She takes the tissue and wipes at her nose a little.]

Oh...does it look really bad? It's probably gotten worse since I started over here...

Not terrible. I don't see any major swelling or bleeding on the eye. But here, just a second.

[He steps out, returning shortly with an ice pack and giving it to her. Someone should really start stocking those things in the rooms themselves, considering that there aren't any nurses around for him to send running for supplies.]

All right, let's see those wings.

Thank you.

[Taking the icepack, she lifts up the cap she's wearing a little so she can get that pack on her eye. A little bit of her hair to fall out from under her hat. The end of it looks a little...singed?

She then removes the jacket she's wearing exposing the pink wings sticking out of the back of her shirt.]

[That detail does not escape Willock's attention, though he doesn't eye it for long. He comments absently as he spreads one of her wings, checking to see if anything was dislodged.]

Did you burn yourself this morning?

Huh?

[She thinks for a second before noticing the loose hair.]

Oh...Um. I thought maybe my hair would look cute if I straightened it and...well...

Ah. [He smiles again, sympathetically.] You're not having a very good day, are you.

[Her shoulders slump and she lets out a little sigh.]

N-No, not really. It's like, not even that long into the day and it's already been like, one thing after another.

We all have days like that now and then. I hope it gets better for you.

Tell me if this is painful. [He starts slowly manipulating her right wing near its attachment point. Some of the feathers are a little bent there, but it's difficult to tell whether the tissue underneath was affected.]

Th-Thanks.

[When he starts moving her wing, she jumps a bit and cringes.]

Ow! U-Um, it kind of stings a little.

[Yep, definitely something there. He brushes back the feathers, observing the beginnings of inflammation along the joint.]

I think you may have sprained it here. It doesn't look broken to me, but I'd like to do an x-ray to make sure.

[She never thought about the possibility of spraining a wing. It certainly makes sense, since once can sprain wrists and what not. She can't help but be worried about it.]

Um...you don't think I'm going to get all sick and stuff, do you? I mean, that's what happens when someone's wings get all messed up or whatever, right?

I doubt it. If you had some kind of open wound--like a compound fracture--I'd be more concerned. The accounts I've heard and read of people getting sick seem to be the result of part or all of a wing being amputated, which would provide an easy way for germs to enter the body.

[Yep, he's not about to make any fancy claims about the wings until he gains a better understanding of their structure. As far as he's concerned, they're just another set of limbs--limbs with a very high number of nerve endings, yes, but nothing really beyond that.]

[Huh. Hearing someone put that kind of logic behind the wings is actually...kind of comforting. Before now, all she knew is "We have wings and if they get hurt, bad things happen."]

Well, I guess if that's the case, maybe I shouldn't worry about it too much.

Yeah, don't worry. There's a lot of claims out there about the wings, but I recommend taking most of them with a grain of salt. [And even if she has more than a sprain, he trusts that he can set it and send her on her way. He walks back towards the door.] Let's just have them x-rayed and see what needs to be done.

[She nods. Hearing actual facts is reassuring enough, so she's going to try to be positive.]

Right! I bet I'll be just fine!

[As she says this, she stands up to follow him.]

[He leads her into a separate room where the equipment is set up. Because he's only looking at the wings, he doesn't need her to undress--he just puts one of the lead aprons on her to shield her pelvis, donning a long apron himself while he positions her in front of the camera.]

Move a little this way, shoulders up, wings extended...okay. Don't move.

[He steps back to the machine, adjusts the dials and presses the button. That done, he takes the apron off of Pilouette and retrieves the cassette with the film, motioning to a nearby chair.]

Have a seat. I'm going to go process this, and I'll be back in a little bit.

Um, okay!

[As he leaves, she sits down and, out of habit, swings her feet to and fro, glancing about at the room not looking for anything in particular. She usually tries to act like an adult, but at times she forgets herself.]

[It doesn't take long for him to develop the image--this is one piece of equipment he actually knew how to use prior to coming to Luceti, though he didn't have to all that frequently back home. When it's done, he brings the film out to show Pilouette, putting it up on a lighted screen and flicking off the room's lights.

The resolution of the image isn't fantastic, but he can still make out the bone structure of her wings. He eyes it for a few moments, then nods.]

Looks good. I don't see any fractures, so you must just have a sprain. I'll wrap it to keep it from moving and get you some more ice for the swelling, as well as something for the pain. It's not too bad--it should start getting better in two or three days.

[Pilouette has never seen an x-ray of any part of her own body before, much less one she shouldn't even have. It's weird. She stares at it for a moment before turning to him.]

I'm so glad that it's gonna be alright! I mean, with the stuff people say about these wing injuries I was really kinda worried for a little bit...

[He smiles, giving a dismissive wave of his hand. Oh, people and the things they say.] Most people don't have a good understanding of anatomy. If you ever have questions about something like that, I recommend you talk to me or one of the other doctors.

[From there, he takes her back into the examination room and winds a bandage around that part of her wing, careful not to crush any of the stiffer feathers or cut off her circulation. He makes a quick trip to the dispensary, fetching her a bottle of aspirin and an additional ice pack.]

Put the ice on it frequently--no more than fifteen minutes at a time, because I don't want you giving yourself frostbite. If the pain gets bad, you can take an aspirin, every four hours at the most. I'd like to see you back in two days, if that's all right.

[She listens carefully to his instructions before slipping on her jacket, doing her best to mind her sprained wing.]

In two days...Okay! Is there a certain time I should be here?

I'm here from nine to six and I don't believe I have any other appointments, so whenever you want to come in during my shift.

Okay! I'll see you tomorrow, then!

[She begins to leave, but stops and turns back toward him.]

And thanks for everything, Dr. Willock.

[He has to smirk a little at her.]

In two days, you mean. You're welcome, Pilouette.

[She lets out a sheepish little laugh. She had been thinking so much about the time, she forgot about the date...]

R-Right! S-See you, then!

[Groose can't help but laugh a little bit at this girl's clumsiness. But he remembers her from that party.]

Heh. Hey, you okay?

[Ffffffff- how many people saw that?! She is just...so embarrassed right now.]

Y...yes! I'm f-fine! Um, I...I think! Ow ow owowowwwww...!

[...yep, sure did just hear something go crash somewhere down the hallway. It's too loud to sound like someone just dropped something, so Shinji decides to check it out.

Of course, as he makes his way toward the stairs, he hears another crash. Wondering if they're still alive, he calls out to them.]

Um... Is everything okay out here?

[She calls out from the bottom of the stairs, her voice sounding a little nasally.]

Y-Yes! Well...No! Um, kind of! I think!

You think...? [She's not sure?! He starts heading down the stairs, but he doesn't see her yet.] What happened?

[She's cupping her hand around her nose, trying to keep from bleeding all over her shirt instead of trying to see who's talking to her.]

I tripped over my shoelaces and I fell down the stairs...then I tripped over my jour- Waugh, it's getting all over...!

What's getting all ov— [He turns the corner to head down the last flight of stairs, and after a moment, he notices a few drops of blood.] A-are you bleeding?

[She turns her head towards the stairs to call up to him.]

Uh, I-It's just a nosebleed! It's not that bad! ...Probably!

Are you sure? Do you need help?

W-Well, um...c-could you get me some tissues? O-Or a towel or something? Seriously, it's starting to be kind of a mess down here.

Y-yeah, just... hold on. [He turns to head back up the stairs, but he pauses after a few steps.] Um, if it doesn't hurt, try pinching your nose.

R-Right! Okay! And um, thanks!

[She pinches her nose to try and keep the blood from getting everywhere and tries tilting her head back.]

[Meanwhile, Shinji heads back upstairs to get some tissue. It doesn't take long, so after a moment, he's coming back to help Pilouette. Hopefully nothing else happened while he was gone.]

How is it?

U-Um...It's getting better! I um, think the bleeding might be stopping...!

[She sniffs loudly.]

Bleagh...

[He holds out the tissues. If nothing else, at least she could clean up with them.]

Here... Are you hurt? I could go get some ice.

Thanks.

[She takes the tissues from him, before turning to try and get a look at her wings, revealing that the bottom of her ponytail looks a little...burnt.]

I don't think I'm hurt. Not really bad, anyway...

[With her light-colored hair, it's definitely not hard to notice that weird dark... spot at the tip of her ponytail.]

Did something happen earlier?

Oh!

I thought maybe my hair would look nice if I straightened it, but...

Well...

...I guess it didn't work?

[He wouldn't know anything about hair straightening, so he's not really sure how that goes wrong, but...!]

[She lets out a kind of sheepish laugh, pressing the tissues against her nose.]

You got it. At least it's just the ends...! Probably should have read more about it, too.

It sounds like you're having a rough day.

Yeah.

I wanna say it can't get any worse, but...stuff just kind of keeps happening today.

[Yuck. A streak of bad luck.]

You should try to be more careful. You really could've broken something just now.

[She can't help but pout a little. She feels a little like a child being scolded by an adult.]

Yeah, I know, geez...!

Hey, don't get mad at me. [He is not impressed by that tone! Not that he should really talk.] Anyway... Where were you going?

I...

I was going to see if I could find some scissors.

S-scissors?

[That can't possibly go well!]

[She can hear the doubt in his voice and sighs.]

Don't worry, I've kinda given up on that idea. The way my luck is going, I don't trust myself enough to try and fix my hair on my own. I'll probably just leave it and figure it out later.

Are you sure? If it's just that little bit, I could probably...

[Wait, was that a weird offer to make? Oops. He isn't sure.]

W-Well, I dunno. Like I said, the way my day is going, something would probably happen. Maybe I'll just wait a day to see if my luck improves before messing with it.

You're probably right. I don't think it'd be a good idea to take a chance like that today.

Yeah...

[She looks down at the blood on her shirt.]

Blegh, I should probably go change into something that doesn't make me look like I've been in a fistfight...

[Still pinching her nose, she carefully starts up the stairs, but stops and turns back to him.]

Oh! And, um, thanks for your help!

Good idea. [He smiles a little at her gratitude.] Um, glad I could help.

What's "this"? Not a flu shot, I hope.

['Yeah, yeah, not letting something go, whatever.']

[And the embarrassment continues to grow!]

N-no! It's not a flu shot! I...I just had a little tumble, that's all!

Ah. Much better.

Mrrrghhh...I don't know if you think this is funny or whatever, but it's not!

To be clear, you mean that falling down the stairs and then tripping over a journal isn't funny?

No! Wait, I mean, yes! I-

[She lets out a frustrated sigh.]

No, it's totally not funny. It's like, super awful!

Are you okay?

...I'm fine. I've just got a little nosebleed. And my wings kinda sting a little bit.
But um, I think I'm okay. Probably. I'm just...

[Embarrassed.]

Could've happened to anyone.

You really think so?

Oh, I know so. I can easily picture one of my good friends doing that.

[She lets out a quiet chuckle.]

I guess that does make me feel a little better.

...Um, thanks.

Don't mention it. It's good you're feeling better.

Well, I really appreciate it...

Uh...

[This is a little embarrassing, but...]

I, um, don't think I ever got your name.

You don't remember my name, huh? Rather sad for me.

It's [oh look he said it], or, if you must, Kyon.

[Oh geez, she feels so bad right now. From the sound of it, he must have told her at some point, huh?]

W-Well, you can call me Pils. I mean, since you told me your nickname and all, it's only fair if you know mine, right?

[Nope, probably not.]

"Pils," huh? Like the kind of beer.

All right.

The beer...?

[Huh. Who knew?]

W-well, I'll make sure to remember your name from now on. I promise! And, um, thanks again!

Uh, never mind.

You're welcome. Don't let me down.

[Yuriko is wandering near the school, exploring when she spots Pilouette. For a while she'll just stare curiously from a distance, not sure if she should approach or not.]

[Pilouette doesn't notice the other girl at first. Rather, she stuffs a cookie into her mouth, forgetting her usual polite eating habits, caught up in her moping.]

[However, she stops mid-chew when she finally does spot Yuriko. Oh, gosh, this is embarrassing, being seen eating in such a way. She was kind of hoping no one would notice her back here. She hurriedly swallows the snack, before putting on a kind of strained smile and giving her a little wave.]

[Yuriko actually looks kind of surprised at the wave and isn't sure how to react, so she'll just awkwardly stare some more.]

[Pils just kind of awkwardly stares back. The other girl didn't even return the wave and Pilouette's self consciousness starts to bubble up. That girl probably thinks she's some gross weirdo, the way she inhaled that cookie. And this black eye she got from her earlier looks awful! What kind of impression is she making here?!

oh god she's still staring what to do

At a loss for any other ideas, Pils nervously kind of calls out to her.]

Uh...H-Hi...!

[Yuriko isn't really concerned with how fast you inhaled that cookie, Pilouette. ~~Though seriously, geez.~~ She has noticed the black eye, though.

She blinks at Pilouette's greeting and then hesitantly responds.] Hello.

[Not wanting to be rude, Pilouette stands up.]

Uh, did...um, do you need something?

No, I was just- [Being creepy?] What happened to your eye?

O-Oh, that. I just had kind of an accident this morning.

[An accident that a good amount of people probably saw but...]

Are you sure someone didn't hurt you?

[Pils just stares at her for a second, surprised. Wasn't expecting that.]

Yes. I mean, no. I mean, yes, I'm sure!
Not unless someone untied my shoelaces when I wasn't looking.

[Now that's kind of an amusing image. A rare smirk from Yuriko.]

You should be more careful.

[She gives a little pout. She's embarrassed enough as it is without people talking to her like she's a kid.]

Yeah, yeah, I know...I mean, I usually am! Really!

[Yuriko has nothing else to add, so figures she might as well introduce herself.]

My name is Yuriko. What's yours?

[Still standing slightly farther away than most people would for a chat, too.]

[Somewhat nervous, she nods politely. Pils wonders for a second if she should approach Yuriko.]

Um, my name is Pilouette. ...Nice to meet you.

[She totally should. Yuriko looks pretty lonely, and is feeling kind of awkward and considering just leaving.]

[Pilouette approaches her, holding open her small paper sack of cookies.]

Want some? They're really good.

What are they?

[Yuriko is somewhat taken aback. She's trying to be social, but she doesn't think she's ever been offered cookies before. She hesitantly reaches out and takes a cookie, eyeing it with almost-bewilderment.]

Uh...They're cookies? You know? I got them from the bakery.

[She picks one out of the bag and takes a bite out of it.]

They're good, really!

[Yuriko takes a tentative bite of cookie. The taste is familiar, stirring something somewhere in a long-forgotten memory best left that way.

She looks visibly pained at this feeling, but she isn't going to say anything.]

[The look on Yuriko's face alarms Pilouette a little, though what she assumes is a bit less serious.]

Are you okay? ...Oh, gosh, you're not allergic to something in these are you?! Omigosh, omigosh...!

[Yuriko looks up from the cookie to Pilouette. She's mildly confused at Pils' reaction, but perhaps it's better than it could have been.]

It's not an allergy. It's just... unpleasant.

O-Oh...

[Still, Pils can't help but be a little concerned. She's never seen anyone react to a cookie like that.]

Um. Are you okay?

I'm fine, I... [She looks down at the cookie and then thrusts it back at Pilouette.] I don't like this.

[Not knowing what else to do, she takes the cookie back and tries to think of something to say. She's a little intimidated by how serious this other girl is. A little apprehensively, she puts on a smile and tries to steer the conversation in a more positive direction. There's no harm in trying to make a new friend, right?]

Well, um...what kind of things do you like? If you don't mind me asking.

[Yuriko doesn't have a broad knowledge of food, but that didn't stop her demanding what she wanted back home.]

I like sushi, and ice cream. I haven't tried much food here.

You really should~! There are lots of people who are good cooks here! And they serve a lot of great stuff at Seventh Heaven. Not that I've eaten there all that much, but still...

Maybe someone there knows how to make sushi...

[Yuriko has seen other Japanese speakers on the journals. Someone must know how.]

What do you like to eat?

[There are way too many things. Give her a second.]

Well, I guess I like...cake. Brownies aren't bad either. Ooh, and eclairs! Uh, not that I eat a lot of sweets or anything!

I guess I really like potato soup, too. I can't get it quite right, though.

[It's okay, Yuriko totally likes sweets even if she's still acting surly.]

I've never had potato soup. You should make it for me.

[It's not every day that people ask Pils to cook for them, so she's a little surprised. However, she rarely cooks for anyone other than herself, so she's always really happy to have the chance.]

Sure! Once this streak of bad luck is over, I'd be happy to! I'll even make dessert, too!

[That doesn't quite get a smile out of Yuriko, but there's something there. She could say thank you, but instead?]

What kind of dessert?

[That's a good question.]

Maybe a cake...Ooh! Ooooh, or a pie! Yeah! And said you said you like ice cream, how about an apple pie? Nothing is better than a slice of warm pie with a big glob of vanilla ice cream, you know?

[A little smile from Yuriko.]

Good. You can contact me on the journal when you're ready.

[Pilouette you have made the weirdest friend ever. Congrats.]

[She's just glad to be making any friends.]

Of course! It'll be great, I promise!

Very well. [Yuriko nods.] Good bye then.

Whoa, geez... [The spontaneous, near-irrepressible urge to laugh is quickly stifled by genuine concern; that did look like a nasty spill.]

You okay...?

[She chooses to respond by voice; she's doesn't want people seeing her looking like this. Her voice sounds a little nasally, like she's holding her nose.]

Um...Y-Yes! I, uh, I'm fine! I think!

Uh... [He knits his brows, not particularly convinced; but, after a thoughtful pause, he gently presses on rather than taking her word for it and leaving things be as he tends to do.] ...Y'sure?

Y-Yeah! I just, um, t-tripped over my shoelaces, is all. I don't think I'm really hurt or anything...!

Oh... well that's good. Some days're like that, huh... jus' one bad thing after another.

[He offers a smile in an attempt to inject some cheer which may or may not be needed.

You take it easy, yeah?

...Yeah, okay. Who knows? M-Maybe the day will get better...!

Um, thanks.

Yeah... totally could. I mean, I- - [A snort interrupts his words.] I tripped runnin' up the stairs yesterday but the rest a' the day was pretty okay.

[He can't resist chuckling at his own clumsiness.]

So don' feel too bad.

[Pilouette can't stop herself from chuckling a little either. Even though she's using the audio function, she smiles a bit in response.]

You're a pretty tough guy, though, so you're not hurt too much, I hope.

Heh, well, it ain't too bad. Managed t'get m'hand out so I didn't end up bustin' m'face up real nice. Would a' been kind 'a embarrassin', explainin' how I looked like that, heh.

I can imagine! I bet it would be totally emba-

Uh...

[She's now remembering just how embarrassing it is that apparently her tripping twice in less than five minutes was just broadcast over the journals.]

O-Oh...

[Unsure of how to interpret her response, his first thought is that perhaps she was hurting worse from her fall than he thought.]

...Y'okay?

I'm fine, I guess.

I'm just starting to wonder just how many people saw that...!

Prob'ly better not to.

[Oh. Well, that was meant to be more reassuring than it sounds. Really.]

I mean, don' worry 'bout it too much. 'sides, all sorts a' embarrassin' things happen t'people all the time.

[Like the whole Little Mac Riding Hood event his brain insists on reminding him of every so often.]

I guess you're right...thinking about it will probably just make it worse.

[Pilouette will admit she has seen more than enough embarrassing things over the journals to substantiate Mac's claims but...]

It's still not exactly a great way to start the day. Especially looking like this...

Well, guess y'jus' gotta make up for it.

[If it's bugging you as much as it seems to be.]

Go do somethin' awesome~! Maybe you'll even f'get all about this.

[She's silent for a moment while she thinks about this. She has to admit, he's making sense here.]

Yeah...Yeah, I guess you're right! After all, nothing's going to get better if I just sit around, huh?

[He beams at having buoyed her spirits.] You got it.

Okay! I'm gonna get out and try to cheer myself up!

I'll see you around! Oh, and um...thanks.

No prob'm. I know y'would a' done the same thing f'me, if I was in y'shoes.

004 [video/action] [Forward dated to Friday Morning]

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