PLEDGE. autoplay

dwarf, apt. 350.

[sterilesteel]

sanpatron​:

“ Unfortunately it’s a wee bit hard for me to completely negate it, especially when it comes to you. But I’ll do what I can. ” He gives the nurse a shrug at the mention of his apparent recovery. “ I suppose being out and about is something of a good sign. That being said, I’m not entirely sure this is really something I’ll pull myself out of. Feels permanent. Like I’ll be stuck with it for the rest of my days here. ”

          THIS   was, plainly speaking, just beyond her realm of expertise. After all, the duty of a nurse was rather straightforward: keep the patient alive. There were endless nuances to what that meant, especially in her current state... but what was the regimen for a patient who dies and comes back to life ?  This wasn’t a medical miracle. These patients didn’t expire for mere minutes and then regain a pulse. This was... unnatural. And regardless, this was a much deeper affliction than the physical wounds that had made him succumb to begin with. She doubts he is the only one still afflicted. 

     ❝   And perhaps you will.   ❞   Nightingale’s response is quiet, but not necessarily gentle. She was matter-of-fact, as always, despite her brows beginning to furrow deeply.  ❝   Some afflictions leave permanent marks on us. Even if we are the only ones that can see them, that doesn’t make them any less indelible. … Healing is an art. It isn’t perfect, no matter how much we wish it were.   ❞  No matter how much I wish it were.

[sterilesteel]

sanpatron​:

“ I think that goes for everyone. Don’t be too hard yourself though, okay? Take some time for yourself. If not for your sake then at least to calm down my concern for you. ”

    ❝   Your concern is noted, but unnecessary.   ❞   HAD   she been talking out loud again ?  Careless, but a difficult habit to break.   ❝   It’s a relief to see you’ve made something of a recovery. Not a full recovery... but your very presence is significant.   ❞

[sterilesteel]

     ❝   Truly, I paid no notice to my absence— much less my return. Perhaps I am a bit... out of sorts lately.   ❞

[sterilesteel]

hopeled​:

   ah. ah. do not scream. do not panic. do not show the slightest hint that she has just lied and Nightingale bought it in perhaps the worst way possible. do not laugh, do nothing except stand there and nod!

    “ Me…? A MILF….? “

  she’s going to die. nobody else heard that, right?! “ Aha, yep! Guess I am!! It’s only thanks to your guidance that I could become one!” 

          THERE   was a slight fluctuation in Master’s demeanor. It isn’t panic, nor is it humor... At least, Nightingale doesn’t think it’s either. It looks more like Ritsuka just got an instantaneous cold sweat. Are her palms clammy ?  Is she coming down with a seasonal virus ?  She should monitor her closely in the coming days; the more pressing matter for now was the Berserker’s own complexion, a little flustered by the praise.

      ❝   Ah, I’m not so sure... I’ve done nothing significant as a teacher for you. You’re a patient, after all, not a student. No, I think you possess the prime qualities of a ‘MILF’ inherently. Born or made, it makes no difference.   ❞

[sterilesteel]

sommiar​:

     “A title… I never heard either term before, I wonder why. Maybe it’s only said to certain people but it must originate from Pan-Human History. From what I read, their wording is… a bit eccentric.”

   ❝   Eccentric... Yes, everything about this era is rather eccentric. Both terms seem to be incredibly specific, but for whatever reason, no one quite wants to explain them when directly asked. … I wonder if they amount to some sort of... inside joke ?  ❞

[sterilesteel]

hopeled​:

   having to lie to Jehanne in a similar situation has prepared her for this! “ Of course! It merely means Most Incredible and Lovely Female! “

          SHE   seems to have bought it completely. She even seems relieved to finally have an answer. The Berserker nods deeply, and after a brief moment of consideration, offers a gentle smile. Shockingly gentle, in fact.

     ❝   I see. In that case, I can say with certainty that you’re a shining example of a ‘MILF’ yourself.   ❞

[sterilesteel]

hopeled​:

   “Hm…. I guess from looks alone you could fall into that category….”

    ❝   What bearing do my looks have on this ?   ❞   HER   gaze narrows.  ❝   So you know the meaning of the word, Fujimaru Ritsuka ?  Explain.   ❞

[sterilesteel]

sommiar​:

     “An affliction? I’m sorry for the intrusion, but do you know what the words ‘milf’ and ‘pog’ mean?”

    ❝   ‘Pog’ ?  This one is new to me. Even so, I doubt either are an affliction. ‘Milf,’ for its part, tends to be said with admiration or praise... It must be a title of some kind, but I’ve yet to uncover its origin. And now you mention another new term... Interesting.   ❞

[sterilesteel]

     ❝   This is now the third time I’ve heard that word. The first two times I was directly addressed, yet they’ve never explained themselves after using it. It matches no known affliction I’ve read about...   ❞

[sterilesteel]

cometform​:

          “— Hey, I wasn’t even around for that! No fair tryin’ to pull that on me!“

      ❝   Hmhm— even so, I couldn’t resist. You have to admit, it is a little ironic.   ❞

[sterilesteel]

cometform​:

          “Er— yeah, I guess… But I’m not sure if it’s fair to compare our predicaments.“ Rider’s a bit taken aback by Berserker for… a handful of reasons. At a glance, his first thought was to “who died?” But that smile of hers quickly threw that off the table. He clears his throat before resuming, feeling there needed to be a bit of clarification.

          ”That is— at least you tried to look your best here… And it’s definitely working, don’t get me wrong— but I just tossed this on as… kind of a joke. Geez, this is what I get for procrastinating too much…”

        ❝   I suppose I can understand that. I’ve always considered events like these far too stuffy, so I never really knew what to wear.   ❞

             TO   say she loathed them would be a bit too strong, but ‘stuffy’ also felt like a bit of an understatement. Truth be told... even without the madness enhancement she was well aware she possessed as a Berserker, she had always been a little too socially awkward for balls. If anything, the notion that his wardrobe was a joke only made her smile a little larger.

        ❝   If anyone asks, perhaps I should say my choice was also a joke. … That was a joke.   ❞

[sterilesteel]

cometform​:

          “That’s fine and all, people preferring veggies— but we can’t have plants imitating meat, it crosses too many lines! It’s trying to make a square peg fit in a round hole, or however that saying goes!“

       ❝   You seem rather passionate about this. Did you, perhaps, fall victim to a Trojan Horse of the food variety ?   ❞

[sterilesteel]

cometform​:

          “I dunno— plants, I think? But it’s just… wrong, having plants pretend to be fake meat!“

          SHE   isn’t sure that they’re on the same page here, but now there’s a whole new issue to tackle. 

     ❝   Not everyone wants meat in their diet, Rider; sometimes they can’t, medically speaking. Plant-based substitutes allow them to still get the nutrients they need. This is why reading the labels is important.   ❞

[sterilesteel]

      ❝   'Based’ ?  … Based on what ?   ❞

[sterilesteel]

    ❝   It seems we both found ourselves at a loss for what to wear.   ❞   AN   easygoing smile, shockingly so, is offered in greeting. She doesn’t seem terribly perturbed by his... peculiar choice in dress, but then again, who was she to judge ?  Her own dress was admittedly less somber than the black taffeta she would normally wear, but not exactly cheery. Nightingale supposes neither of them are completely at ease at an event such as this, but she has no doubt his outgoing personality would smooth out the rest. 

@cometform​ : a latesummer night’s soiree.

[sterilesteel]

sanpatron​:

“ Good grief. Didn’t think there was gonna be a funeral right after the party ended. ”

A very rude comment to make towards a woman who could legit break your spine in half with little effort, only to then place it back together. Somehow. We’re not entirely sure, but it seems about right.

“ ‘s a pretty dress though. You look good. Having fun at least? ”

@sterilesteel​ // Latesummer Soiree Starter Call

     ❝   Depending on what happens here, there may indeed be a funeral to attend.   ❞   IT   was a remark made in poor faith when it comes to those in charge of this island, but she supposes it serves doubly as a warning for his atrocious manners. Still, she understands. She was never one to dress particularly... Vividly in life, and sees little reason to start now. Still, ever since donning this mask, she doesn’t feel quite as out of place... Nor does her mind feel as preoccupied.

          So then, is she having fun ?  Actually...  ❝   Yes, I am... Somewhat.   ❞  Her gaze returns to the dance floor, where she’s been watching couples spin like tops. Smiling, laughing... No signs of illness whatsoever. Whatever turmoil awaited them beyond the castle’s heavy doors, they’ve left them there for the evening. It was... lovely.  ❝   I enjoy gatherings the best from a polite distance. And yourself ?   ❞

[sterilesteel]

cometform​:

     This festival stuff has been pretty cool so far! Though it’s a shame he doesn’t have a group of comrades to share the experiences with, the occasional friendly face does make each occasion all the more enjoyable. Festivals like this should always be enjoyed in groups— after all, laughter is all the better when there’s more than just one person doing it. But so far, tonight was intended to be a solo experience— just getting a good run in by the ocean, where these supposed “lightning bugs” hang around. Though he isn’t planning on taking a dip, he is dressed for the occasion— a white muscle shirt and bright orange trunks, which helps him stick out all the better at nighttime.

     Honestly, the ocean’s made him a bit more nostalgic than he expected, thoughts occasionally drifting back to his Mother… But thankfully, it seems a blessing is about to set his mind right. He managed to catch sight of a real bonafide beauty by the water— all by herself! And to make it even better, it’s another familiar face… … Truthfully— the past few scoldings at his expense have him a bit worried, but at least the view is more than making up for that.

           “Heya, Nightingale!“ Rider brings himself to a stop not far off, the glowing bugs seemingly undisturbed by the swift new arrival. “Ahh, I was wondering where ya been… I almost missed those daily health reminders of yours.” … Almost.

     ❝   Reassigned,   ❞   WAS   her simple explanation— and upon deciding to elaborate further:  ❝   it happens time to time in this place. I was gone for merely a blink of time, and suddenly had a new address to memorize.   ❞

          He was always so... buoyant. She’d read the Classics growing up, of course; she knew of his best and worst traits as they were portrayed on paper. Yet even knowing about his impulsivity, among other things, she never quite pictured the Grecian hero as this easygoing. Then again, compared to the times in which he’d lived, she supposes there isn’t much to be worked up about. … Bleaching of humanity aside, of course. Now, though, Nightingale has to admit she’s grown quite used to it; something about that breezy demeanor has her more prone to being talkative, she thinks. 

     ❝   ‘Almost’ ? I’m flattered to even hear an ‘almost’. I almost miss the utterly unique challenges that came with sharing an apartment with you— an icebox full of poor meal substitutes, for one.   ❞   She’ll never warm up to protein shakes, just as she’ll never forget what a sorry sight it was to see them by the dozens. She wrings out her hair as she speaks, watching the dim yellow glow reflect off his clothing out of the corner of her eye.  ❝   If you miss my daily health reminders, I can always send them to you digitally.   ❞   It was often difficult to tell from her perpetually even-handed tone, but that was most definitely a joke. … Well, a half-joke. Health reminders via text were admittedly a possibility she’d overlooked.