[words do little to rouse him - even the concerned lilt to her voice breaks only the first hazy layer in his mind, puts a vague thought that I should respond to that. but he doesn't. he continues to lay there, a la useless sack of exhausted teenaged boy.]
[hadn't slept well before the mission due to night terrors and lingering paranoia; couldn't sleep during for obvious reasons; now, finally, after... exhaustioon had him in its grasp- was someone tugging at his shirt...?-- it'd carry him oh-so-sweetly to--]
[... someone was definitely messing with his shirt...]
[why was someone messing with his shirt?!]
... Hhfrh--ghhnHNNNH?
[he swats blindly behind him, hand sluggish and uncoordinated, single eye cracking and squinting upward at the world. more grumbling (she'd find naught more than scratches and standard-fare bruising), and if she persisted, he'd roll over in an unhappy bid to get her to stop. why was this happening--?! who was that black-haired shape? oh, no, don't say the manager was here, too...!]]
[Akame's mouth quirks a little at the undignified noises and movements he's making. She's more than just a bit reminded of a hungover Leone when pressed to wake up despite it being, like, twelve in the afternoon. Of course, she doesn't blame Hinata for being resistant.
This mission was no joke, and considering his orange cuff---
Akame's brow furrows sharply, and her expression falls.
Of course it had to be him, of all people, involved in setting the bombs. She knows he's been with the CDC for longer than she has; and she wonders. Just how many times have you've been ordered to do things like this? A normal boy, like you?
But, maybe now's not the time to dwell upon that too much. Holding his arm away, she promptly yanks his shirt upward just as he rolls over.
Bruises. Scratches. Nothing terribly extensive. She breathes a sigh of relief.]
Thank goodness...
[At least one good thing came out of this. She remembers Peter zonked out after gorging himself post-black box alongside her, and she thinks...he'd want her to laugh, rather than wallow, maybe even cry.
So she does what she usually did to Leone to get her to wake up.
She pokes Hinata a bit sharply on the side, chuckling tiredly, but genuinely.]
[no, couldn't be the manager, those words were too kind. and also directed at him. mostly the directed at him part meant it couldn't be the manager. oh. hm.]
[befuddled and grumpy, he rolls back over on his stomach, the uneven ground nothing more than a chilly annoyance through the roughed-up material of his uniform. more annoying was his uniform's plating, the metal bits getting in the way of truly flattening out, but even that seemed like nothing in the grand scheme of absolute exhaustion. maybe the presence would go away if he kept his eyes closed long enough... that wouldn't be so bad. though he swore he recognized that voice, even if it wasn--]
[n-nnGH!] Ooow, oowww, owowow whhhhhyyyyy...?!
[squirming pathetically after the jaw, that bloodshot eye once again cracked open to glare upward. who...? who--?!]
... kame...?
[what evil powers possessed her to try to rouse him so... and laugh at his pain, nonetheless!]
Why're you-- doing what you're doing, Akame? What gives...
[attempting to leverage himself up on an elbow, managing it for a brief second, and then once again collapsing down with a long, unhappy groan. s i g h. why. maybe he should get up, but--!]
You're blocking the moon, Akame. You're making it even colder than it already is!
[what a drama queen. too bad he was too focused on being a whiny brat to remember what made him fall here in the first place (or maybe that was fortune acting in his favor).]
[Okay, so he's being a bit of a pissbaby right now. Perfectly understandable---she did rather rudely awaken him, even if it was just to make sure he was, you know.
Alive.]
Ah. Sorry.
[Akame's smile becomes a little more wan as she takes in Hinata's haggard, exhausted state. She shifts as per his request to let the moonlight pour over him, though she still appears concerned.]
I just wanted to make sure you hadn't collapsed due to severe injury. But, your reaction tells me that you're fine...physically, anyhow.
[Mentally speaking, she knows he's probably leagues away from 'alright' or even just 'okay.' But she won't bring that up unless he does, and she also knows he won't.
She herself is still covered in dirt and ashes, with little cuts on her face, and it's a wonder she's even coherent. He comes first, however.]
If you're going to sleep outside, though, I'd think you'd be in the way here. I know a better spot, if you're willing to walk a little bit.
[She first hands him her storm jacket---she finds she doesn't need it---to at least somewhat cover himself with, as it's slightly big on her, and then extends a hand.]
[slightly big on her means slightly big on him, but the warmth is appreciated; he struggles toward sitting up, though even once he manages it, his head lolls forward.]
Should get to the rover... [except-- you know what, he would prefer not to be inside. too much time lately had been spent inside. rather, not enough time had been spent outside, and since they'd probably be back on the Neheda in not too long - Macha gone, and - stuck in a ship again.]
[how was his mind full of cotton, but she kept standing? couldn't leave her to stand alone.]
[up he swayed, storm jacket tightened around him, eyes yet vaguely unfocused. at least he seemed to be done being a brat.]
Never mind that. [firmly, insomuch as he could be. she had a place, right? that's what she'd said. so.] Where's this place? Let's go. I'd... like to go.
[Akame's brow creases in concern at how...drained Hinata looks right now. She wonders if he was involved in Ajna, as Ellie was, and he'd even insinuated that he'd been around longer than she herself has, the last time they saw each other. That would make this his second mission.
Maybe this was the second time he'd laid down the bombs, and she immediately feels a little sick inside. Like Peter, he...was made to do something he normally would be adverse to.
Akame nods, looking off to the side as she motions her head in an easterly direction. She made him get up; she may as well make it somewhat worth it to him.]
It's nice, I promise.
[When they walk, she makes sure to take a slightly slower pace than usual, looking around at the trees and foliage shadowed by the night, swaying lightly under the breeze.
It's so peaceful, but it's eerie. Even the moon looks pretty pallid and sickly, like the color of a corpse.
She chuckles sadly, as she turns her head to make sure he's able to keep pace.]
It's funny. I said I wouldn't mind returning to a forest.
[Her eyes crease with a weariness that...isn't like her. It's like the black box all over again, but now, it's harder to block out---Peter dying, the corpses of the neraki, the smoldering ruins post-bombing..]
Now, I'm regretting it a little.
[An understatement, but she needs to put on a brave face, for his sake, as well as her own. If she doesn't---her mind will head to places she doesn't want it to go.]
[long, halting inhale, interspersed by a yawn that came and went. his head remained at a low hang, though life steadily trickled back into his downcast eyes. vertigo took more than a moment to fight off - eventually, however, he managed it, just in time to catch and process Akam'e sad chuckle and glance back.]
[he kept up. didn't look like he knew where they were going, let alone that they were still on Macha, but he catches the added lines to her expression that hadn't been there before.]
[there's a few things one could say to that, he thinks. he starts with, feet hopping an extra step for their arms to brush one another:]
Why?
[the night cast an eerie glow. the more aware he became, the stronger it grew. a forest alive; a forest silent in the wake of eradication, surreal as a nightmare and twice as terrifying as a dream. familiar faces back at camp, familiar faces dead in the field, and sure, he'd stick close to Akame's side for as long as he could. any company was better than none, even if this company seemed held together by despair and a world-weariness that hadn't shown itself since she'd been a heap in a hallway.]
[regret. what a word.]
[there was a charred toy in his pocket and a charred neraki screaming with her last breath in his mind. he'd like to go back to sleep (he'd like if Akame could, too, and ease the crease between her brow).]
[Akame feels Hinata's arm brush against hers as he keeps pace, and briefly, she turns her head to the side, a slight grimace in her expression.
Peter could've been with them, too, even if she's sure he'd be in an even worse mental state than her, or Hinata himself. At least he'd be here, taking solace in the silence of the aftermath of brutal violence and mayhem. Or he'd be sleeping it off, probably.
But he's not, and she's left with a sense of emptiness and frustration that digs at her. She takes a deep breath, blinking a bit to settle her expression back into one that's less pained. Hinata's probably in enough anguish himself, as it is.]
For me, forests have always been...something of a sanctuary. My sister and I grew up in a forest; I find nature...calming.
[And then they reach the destination she mentioned. A small pond surrounded by tall grass and a few sprigs of flowers dotting the shrubbery. It's somehow remained intact.
Her expression finally calms fully, and she sits down by the water.]
I never thought I'd have to watch them burn; even the Empire back home viewed forests as valuable. It's like watching my own home burn----which...I suppose is the point.
[Akame hugs her knees, closing her eyes and shaking her head.]
Next time, I guess I should stay silent. I talked about it so much with others, enjoyed myself quite a bit here, as I recalled my childhood.
[She leans back a little, staring up at the moon, looking both nostalgic and wistful.]
My sister and I used to just rest in spots like these, and I'd hum her to sleep, which makes us lucky it's still intact. [Finally, she looks at Hinata, managing a half-smile.]
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no subject
[hadn't slept well before the mission due to night terrors and lingering paranoia; couldn't sleep during for obvious reasons; now, finally, after... exhaustioon had him in its grasp- was someone tugging at his shirt...?-- it'd carry him oh-so-sweetly to--]
[... someone was definitely messing with his shirt...]
[why was someone messing with his shirt?!]
... Hhfrh--ghhnHNNNH?
[he swats blindly behind him, hand sluggish and uncoordinated, single eye cracking and squinting upward at the world. more grumbling (she'd find naught more than scratches and standard-fare bruising), and if she persisted, he'd roll over in an unhappy bid to get her to stop. why was this happening--?! who was that black-haired shape? oh, no, don't say the manager was here, too...!]]
no subject
This mission was no joke, and considering his orange cuff---
Akame's brow furrows sharply, and her expression falls.
Of course it had to be him, of all people, involved in setting the bombs. She knows he's been with the CDC for longer than she has; and she wonders. Just how many times have you've been ordered to do things like this? A normal boy, like you?
But, maybe now's not the time to dwell upon that too much. Holding his arm away, she promptly yanks his shirt upward just as he rolls over.
Bruises. Scratches. Nothing terribly extensive. She breathes a sigh of relief.]
Thank goodness...
[At least one good thing came out of this. She remembers Peter zonked out after gorging himself post-black box alongside her, and she thinks...he'd want her to laugh, rather than wallow, maybe even cry.
So she does what she usually did to Leone to get her to wake up.
She pokes Hinata a bit sharply on the side, chuckling tiredly, but genuinely.]
no subject
[befuddled and grumpy, he rolls back over on his stomach, the uneven ground nothing more than a chilly annoyance through the roughed-up material of his uniform. more annoying was his uniform's plating, the metal bits getting in the way of truly flattening out, but even that seemed like nothing in the grand scheme of absolute exhaustion. maybe the presence would go away if he kept his eyes closed long enough... that wouldn't be so bad. though he swore he recognized that voice, even if it wasn--]
[n-nnGH!] Ooow, oowww, owowow whhhhhyyyyy...?!
[squirming pathetically after the jaw, that bloodshot eye once again cracked open to glare upward. who...? who--?!]
... kame...?
[what evil powers possessed her to try to rouse him so... and laugh at his pain, nonetheless!]
Why're you-- doing what you're doing, Akame? What gives...
[attempting to leverage himself up on an elbow, managing it for a brief second, and then once again collapsing down with a long, unhappy groan. s i g h. why. maybe he should get up, but--!]
You're blocking the moon, Akame. You're making it even colder than it already is!
[what a drama queen. too bad he was too focused on being a whiny brat to remember what made him fall here in the first place (or maybe that was fortune acting in his favor).]
no subject
Alive.]
Ah. Sorry.
[Akame's smile becomes a little more wan as she takes in Hinata's haggard, exhausted state. She shifts as per his request to let the moonlight pour over him, though she still appears concerned.]
I just wanted to make sure you hadn't collapsed due to severe injury. But, your reaction tells me that you're fine...physically, anyhow.
[Mentally speaking, she knows he's probably leagues away from 'alright' or even just 'okay.' But she won't bring that up unless he does, and she also knows he won't.
She herself is still covered in dirt and ashes, with little cuts on her face, and it's a wonder she's even coherent. He comes first, however.]
If you're going to sleep outside, though, I'd think you'd be in the way here. I know a better spot, if you're willing to walk a little bit.
[She first hands him her storm jacket---she finds she doesn't need it---to at least somewhat cover himself with, as it's slightly big on her, and then extends a hand.]
I'll help you. It's not far.
no subject
Should get to the rover... [except-- you know what, he would prefer not to be inside. too much time lately had been spent inside. rather, not enough time had been spent outside, and since they'd probably be back on the Neheda in not too long - Macha gone, and - stuck in a ship again.]
[how was his mind full of cotton, but she kept standing? couldn't leave her to stand alone.]
[up he swayed, storm jacket tightened around him, eyes yet vaguely unfocused. at least he seemed to be done being a brat.]
Never mind that. [firmly, insomuch as he could be. she had a place, right? that's what she'd said. so.] Where's this place? Let's go. I'd... like to go.
no subject
Maybe this was the second time he'd laid down the bombs, and she immediately feels a little sick inside. Like Peter, he...was made to do something he normally would be adverse to.
Akame nods, looking off to the side as she motions her head in an easterly direction. She made him get up; she may as well make it somewhat worth it to him.]
It's nice, I promise.
[When they walk, she makes sure to take a slightly slower pace than usual, looking around at the trees and foliage shadowed by the night, swaying lightly under the breeze.
It's so peaceful, but it's eerie. Even the moon looks pretty pallid and sickly, like the color of a corpse.
She chuckles sadly, as she turns her head to make sure he's able to keep pace.]
It's funny. I said I wouldn't mind returning to a forest.
[Her eyes crease with a weariness that...isn't like her. It's like the black box all over again, but now, it's harder to block out---Peter dying, the corpses of the neraki, the smoldering ruins post-bombing..]
Now, I'm regretting it a little.
[An understatement, but she needs to put on a brave face, for his sake, as well as her own. If she doesn't---her mind will head to places she doesn't want it to go.]
no subject
[he kept up. didn't look like he knew where they were going, let alone that they were still on Macha, but he catches the added lines to her expression that hadn't been there before.]
[there's a few things one could say to that, he thinks. he starts with, feet hopping an extra step for their arms to brush one another:]
Why?
[the night cast an eerie glow. the more aware he became, the stronger it grew. a forest alive; a forest silent in the wake of eradication, surreal as a nightmare and twice as terrifying as a dream. familiar faces back at camp, familiar faces dead in the field, and sure, he'd stick close to Akame's side for as long as he could. any company was better than none, even if this company seemed held together by despair and a world-weariness that hadn't shown itself since she'd been a heap in a hallway.]
[regret. what a word.]
[there was a charred toy in his pocket and a charred neraki screaming with her last breath in his mind. he'd like to go back to sleep (he'd like if Akame could, too, and ease the crease between her brow).]
no subject
Peter could've been with them, too, even if she's sure he'd be in an even worse mental state than her, or Hinata himself. At least he'd be here, taking solace in the silence of the aftermath of brutal violence and mayhem. Or he'd be sleeping it off, probably.
But he's not, and she's left with a sense of emptiness and frustration that digs at her. She takes a deep breath, blinking a bit to settle her expression back into one that's less pained. Hinata's probably in enough anguish himself, as it is.]
For me, forests have always been...something of a sanctuary. My sister and I grew up in a forest; I find nature...calming.
[And then they reach the destination she mentioned. A small pond surrounded by tall grass and a few sprigs of flowers dotting the shrubbery. It's somehow remained intact.
Her expression finally calms fully, and she sits down by the water.]
I never thought I'd have to watch them burn; even the Empire back home viewed forests as valuable. It's like watching my own home burn----which...I suppose is the point.
[Akame hugs her knees, closing her eyes and shaking her head.]
Next time, I guess I should stay silent. I talked about it so much with others, enjoyed myself quite a bit here, as I recalled my childhood.
[She leans back a little, staring up at the moon, looking both nostalgic and wistful.]
My sister and I used to just rest in spots like these, and I'd hum her to sleep, which makes us lucky it's still intact. [Finally, she looks at Hinata, managing a half-smile.]
I figured you'd sleep better if I took you here.