tushanshu | 008 ✞ [VIDEO]

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008 ✞ [VIDEO]

[It took nearly three tries after stumbling out of bed for Midii to remember the proper button-pushing procedures, and clearly even longer to realize (and subsequently not care) that her hair was still a mess. A mess she was now publicly broadcasting, completely with a stiffened yawn and weary rub at her eyes.]

[Still clinging to the 24+ hours sleep she had unexpectedly succumbed to, her voice was groggy. Her mind, unfocused. Her words, uncensored.]

I fell asleep in the park. I think. But then I woke up here. I...don't remember anything else since then.

[There had been...a little girl crying. She remembered that much. What happened to that little girl? The paranoia began to sink in, and despite herself, she visibly frowned. Suddenly nervous.]

Is this another one of those magic things that keep happening around here?

((ooc: Midii was one of the people attacked by Bakura's summons. Her memories are a bit groggy at the moment, but as time passes, she might remember more and more of the incident.))

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I do not think you were exactly asleep.

Have you been drinking enough water? Now, after waking, I mean. I brought these.

[ He holds out the teas, and the food. ]

You were sprawled out in a park. I - sometimes keep an eye on those, to make sure that nobody is bothering children there.

[She reflexively reached for his offerings, staring blankly for a moment as both his words and implications sunk in. Water? She had water. She had food too. Not much--she had been out shopping when she'd fallen--but enough for a full meal. He hadn't known, obviously, or he wouldn't have gone so out of his way to make sure she did. She assumed.]

I just woke up.

[A lame response. But true. She's been so focused on finding out what had happened, she hadn't even realized the possibility of her body having gone without basic sustenance for so long.]

I was going to check on you after work. I - thank you, for making the announcement.

You will need to recover your body, after it's more or less starved, and... emphasize on liquids. Your kidneys and bladder will need the cycling.

[ Oh, right. The previous time when he came in here, they'd talked about lower body functions, too, hadn't they. ]

[As a matter of fact, they had. ~~Are you trying to imply something here?~~]

[Her lips parted slightly when he thanked her for the Network announcement. Why would he thank her? It hadn't benefited him in any way. Except, you know, to let him know the moment she'd woken up....]

[A lot of what he said in that moment went right over her head. Something kidneys and liquids and cycles. Oh. That's right. If she had been asleep for as long as she had, then none of the daily bodily functions everyone partook in had occurred. But it was only one day. Things shouldn't be that bad after only a day...right?]

It's alright, Damian.

Back home, I was used to going without for a while, remember? [Granted, that had been several months ago. Since her time on the Turtle, she'd taken to not only eating daily, but eating her full every meal. She'd even gained some weight the last few months] I'm sure I'll be fine.

[Of course, as she said this, she turned to find a place to set down the items he'd given her...and almost immediately stumbled over her own feet. Legs still weak from both lack of recent usage and energy.]

>Tt.< The best way to be sure is to take the steps necessary.

[ That wasn't even gruff. A mere statement of fact - if you wanted certain results, you had to take the actions that would lead to those results. Simple as that. ]

[ His motion was fluid as he stepped closer, an arm steady around her back, strong enough to hold her up, and yet loose enough that he could let go the moment she showed that the touch was unwelcome. ]

You can sit down, and I shall make you tea and set things around the kitchen. Is that acceptable?

[Physical contact, to her, was acceptable in two cases. One, when it was absolutely necessary for her well-being. Two, when the person making contact was somebody she trusted. This fit both of those so well that Midii didn't even flinch at the feeling of his arm wrapping around her.]

That...yes, that's fine.

[He wanted to help. She was still slightly light-headed. There was no reason to say no.]

Do you know where to find everything?

Thank you.

[ While not indicating deep personal gratitude, the words weren't a mockery. He did appreciate the fact that she wasn't fighting. Then he looked around the kitchen, setting her down in one of the chairs. ]

I will find what I need. You are orderly.

[ Which was a compliment. ]

...for what?

[She had heard him use expressions of gratitude before, though Midii wasn't entire sure what he was thanking her for this time. For giving him permission to use her kitchen? He was doing it for her, after all. She should be the one thanking him.]

[A shrug at the compliment, however, if only to keep herself from smiling. Recognizing it for what it was, and knowing how rare they were.]

Keeping things where they belong makes it easier to find. Even if I'm the only one who usually uses them.

[Damian being the only other person who's ever been to her quarters.]

[ A corner of his mouth twitched up. ]

For being reasonable. It is a rare quality in those who have recently had an unpleasant experience.

[ Damian busied himself with preparing tea and fresh food, nodding slightly at her response. ]

It is efficient and convenient, yes.

[ He was going to start asking questions about what she remembered... soon. But, food first. ]

I can be reasonable when I want to be.

[And when he was being reasonable right back.]

[Besides, what girl would argue with a home-cooked meal from somebody she...was fond of?]

And that is greatly appreciated.

[ Which he meant, yes, though the slight emphasis on 'greatly' suggested that there was a hint of humor to it, as well. Just a smidgen. ]

[ Damian busies himself with the preparations, breaking for a moment to set her cup of tea in front of her. ]

It is still hot.

[ He doesn't have to tell her, he's pretty sure. But he can't come up with small talk, and the silence is getting... sort of strange. ]

[Despite the warning, she not only took the cup into both hands, but brought it to her lips and took a large sip. Clearly unfazed by the heat.]

It's delicious. Brewed just right.

Thank you.

[ Despite himself, Damian grins a little at the speed with which she attacks the tea. Then, blandly. ]

You know. I once had a carer who felt she had to impart on me various superstitions. Why some people can handle - and drink - hotter objects or beverages was among one of them.

It made me realize just how much nonsense most of what she spoke was.

[She gave him an odd look, as if trying to figure out if he was joking or not. Then again, Damian wasn't really the joking kind.]

I always figured it was because I was used to drinking hot drinks. Campfires don't usually come with temperature control.

What's the superstition?

>Tt.< The most usual one she claimed involved not being afraid of your potential wife, for males, or mother-in-law, for females.

I found that very ridiculous.

[ At least it didn't occur to him to point out that, were that a fact, Midii should be afraid of his mother. Not in the least because, in a way, Talia al Ghul was dead to him. Or he wished she could be, at least. ]

[Not knowing Talia, the thought never occured to Midii, either. But what did occur to her was the potential implications behind this supposed superstition. The odd look didn't go away. Why was he telling her this? Or was it just a random attempt at making conversation, regardless of topic.]

[Very carefully, she placed her cup back in its saucer, staring absently at the liquid surface as she spoke.]

That doesn't really apply to either of us, anyway.

[ He rolled his eyes. ]

It applies to nobody. That is why it is superstition.

[ And, there was food, besides the tea. Ready for her. ]

Not necessarily. Superstitions exist for a reason, after all. Even if you don't believe in them yourself.

[Food. Equally aromatic. It wasn't until then Midii realized just how hungry she really was, and it took what little restraint she had not to immediately dive into her food. She had company, after all, and her Papa had taught her manners. Little bites. Pausing to take sips of her tea whenever possible. Chewing with her mouth closed. The basics.]

[ Damian's mouth tugged up into a smirk, at the sight of her 'digging in'. For all that he knew she'd done without - for all he suspected she still would do without, when she returned home - currently, in a way he felt responsible for the state she was in, so making sure she got what was necessary was, well. Satisfactory. ]

Superstitions, [ he remarked idly, picking at some salad of his own - a small amount, ] is made up by people who can not explain phenomena. They do exist for a reason, but we do not have to be bound by that reason, anymore. We have our own.

[ It wasn't a lecture. More a remark, a - an ease, for the fact that passage of time sometimes brought more information, better knowledge, further understanding. ]

[She nodded at the remark, neither patronized nor even annoyed at his commentary. It was almost...like a debate, in some ways. And she never shied away from a debate, let alone one with a peer.]

I never said we did.

Superstitions are for people who cannot understand something, and try to find an explanation they can in the meantime. I prefer to find as much out for myself as possible...but I'm starting to understand how, especially in a place like this, even that has its limits.

Besides...sometimes, they can hold more truth behind them than you think.

>Tt.<

[ 'More truth behind them' didn't match Damian's idea of things he should bother with knowing. ]

You know that I fight, yes?

[ He didn't quite wait for her to answer, instead barging in with his point, though he did treat it as debate, too, not as arguing. ]

When you are the tip of a sword, you cannot rely on vague maybe-truths, or uncertain, unreasonable message, passed down generations of people who might have unwittingly changed them, too.

You need facts. Cold, understandable facts. Strength, skill, weaknesses of your enemy. History, strategy, tactics.

Not superstition.

[She was gradually starting to understand Damian's >Tt< -ing, and had to resist the urge to smile at his latest one. The fact that he was not giving her the time to answer his initial question before diving into a specific example only further fueled it.]

Unless the person you are fighting against believes.

Then, there is always a chance you can use it to your advantage.

Edited 2014-03-05 13:15 (UTC)

[ Damian was really not that difficult to understand, all in all. Just difficult to want to try and understand. He raised his eyebrows at her. ]

But if they are as removed from facts as to rely on superstition, I would already have various advantages over them.

[ A small shrug. ]

I suppose if I ever run out of actual knowledge to acquire, I could learn superstitions, too.

[ That was, indeed, a small joke, there. That 'if' was pretty much impossible. ]

[Unfortunately for him, she was almost as bad at joking as he was.]

Damian Wayne, you are the only person I know who actually plans for the possibility of running out of things to learn.

[...almost.]

[ Paaaause. ]

>Tt.<

I am aware that such a situation is very highly unlikely, of course.

[ Yeah, she's definitely better. He has no idea how to react to that. ]

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