rescuebullet | Cantarella

[Cantarella's throat is rather raw by Thursday night, so whenever she talks, her volume and tone are lower and much closer to a whisper.]

Did you decide to see if I was telling the truth, dear?

[She's lost track of the time, a bit, between walking through the haze over here, even if she did bring an umbrella, and the...everything else.]

There is something soothing about it.

[ She hears the difference in Cantarella's voice and gets the package of throat lozenges out and handing it over.

It's easy enough to ignore her own pounding headache in an effort to care about someone else. ]

Are you alright?

I'm quite fine right now. Just... reacclimating. [She leans over to accept the packet with a grateful smile.

It likely won't be comfortable, but...she also can't turn it down. So Cantarella unwraps the losenge and pops it into her mouth, in a way that Nozomi will definitely see the black waveform of her tacet mark on her tongue.]

I hope your throat feels better soon.

[ She does see the mark on her tongue and she stares maybe a moment longer than is appropriate before darting her eyes away and pretending like she didn't see anything strange at all.

It's rude to comment about birthmarks like that, right? ]

Thank you, Nozomi.

[Putting anything in her mouth does hurt, but she just swallows, holding the losenge there.]

But I've just been staying home and telling stories. You're the one bearing your wounds from your little adventure yesterday.

I didn't get nearly as hurt as the others. It's just a few bruises. They'll clear up in due time.

[She'll take a seat in one of the loveseats.]

That isn't why I'm asking. Is that the only kind of injury you bear?

[Not that Nozomi doesn't seem to be strong in both conviction and will. It's just...this thing might go deeper than bruises.]

[ Her head feels like it's being clawed from the inside out, but she tries to think. ]

... I don't like fighting, but I'll do it if I have to.

As much as I wish "have to" was a bygone possibility, that's a level-headed approach. I feel the same. I detest violence, especially when it's unnecessary...

[She stretches out on the other loveseat, her movements graceful, and glances to the clock on the wall.]

You care so much for others, Nozomi, but someone must remind you every now and then to care for yourself.

... Fighting is so scary, every time.

[ One day, maybe they won't need to fight anymore. That would be nice- if it's even possible. ]

But... everybody is doing what they need to. I can't do nothing.

Darling, you're brave...and I know I asked you to be. I think, without your help and quick thinking, all six of you might not have returned yesterday.

[Seymour did say that Nozomi was the one who patched him up with their supplies. Cantarella assumes she had a hand in keeping all of them together in one way or another.]

Thank you for looking out for them. [She shakes the losenge bag.] And me. Now, relax, and I can watch over you.

[ She doesn't look entirely convinced, but she also doesn't have it in her to argue.

It's terrifying to lose people, to fight. At least she could help somebody a little bit before they came back.

There's a soft appriciative look as Cantarella says she'll watch over her. If she brushes her sleeve over her eyes maybe it's because she's tearing up, or maybe it's because something got in them. ]

Thank you.

[ Said so genuinely. ]

[Cantarella lets Nozomi look away without interfering, simply folding her hands together over her lap.]

Save your thanks for when I have something to show for it. In the meantime...if it helps to get anything off your chest, you always have a place to share it. Remember what I said about our room. ... Though, it's always possible a researcher will overhear.

If you prefer, I can also just provide a lullaby.

You don't need to do sing. [ She heard how Cantarella sounded, the idea of making somebody sing with a sore throat is so mean she can't even entertain it. ]

I'll remember. [ Maybe one day, she will share the burdens of her heart, but... maybe not right now. ]

Please look after me tonight.

[ She can't imagine asking for more at the moment. ]

Oh, is that enough? But my voice is so delightful.

[She recognizes that it's currently weakened.]

Very well, then. [Though she hopes tonight will not prove a pattern...She'll try to at least stay awake until Nozomi falls asleep.

Cantarella

w2 thursday curfew

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quick question has this girl ever heard of a self-esteem

🙃

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