towerofanimus | Holy water cannot help you know

Characters: [AU1] Chidori Yoshino; OPEN
Setting: Anywhere, everywhere
Format: Action, but I'll match if you prefer prose.
Summary: Chidori can't quite get back into simply existing in the tower, especially after the month she's had.
Warnings: Mentions of body horror, suicidal thoughts, righteous fury, possibly language if she gets worked up enough.

[Everything is still the same, and she's not sure whether it's depressing or infuriating.

In the month without them there, despite everything they've been forced to go through, how much they've been cut into, 'enhanced', mutilated for the sake of 'science- the tower remains just as she remembers it before leaving. Nothing has changed, save for the fact that some have gone and more have come in their place. Unsurprising, as most things in the tower were at this point- it was just another part of the routine, something to be seen, noted, and taken in stride. Nothing she couldn't do, and nothing she hadn't done before. The only thing that was different was that it seemed that some of the other residents of the tower had taken to emulating their captors, using the others against her will.

She could still feel a twinge where she'd been run through again.

Medea, for her part, has been nothing short of insufferable; the steady chatter of her derision a steady stream of sound in the back of her mind. Every day is an even greater failure to her, but as ever, Chidori ignores her and continues about her days as best she can. But the strain from the last few days is evident in the way she carries herself, the frost in her gaze and the derision in her tone, when she can be persuaded to talk. But she keeps the anger controlled, a seething roil of emotions held in check beneath her usual impassive mask.

It won't be too long before she can't keep her hold on it anymore though.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She'd been expecting one of the boys eventually- though she'd honestly been thinking it would be Jin before Ken. She's surprised by the way he doesn't even hesitate in putting his arms around her- which she hadn't seen coming at all- and it takes her a moment of mental blue-screening before she remembers to slip her arms around him in return. That's enough to loosen the floodgates, and before long, she's got him pulled tight against her, chin atop his head, arms giving the occasional squeeze.

He isn't the only one who needs this, though he's probably the only one with enough sense to realize he is.]

[To be fair, he'd had to convince himself, but he knew they both needed it. And so he had shown up. He just stands there for a minute, trying to come up with words, but there's nothing for a bit. He just holds her as close as he can.]

[Finally, though, he speaks.]

We'll find a way to get out. We'll get out and I won't let anyone hurt us again.

[She's got to squeeze her eyes a little tighter closed at that, letting out a heavier sigh than she'd intended. She gives another squeeze and pulls away a little, enough that she can look down at him, and shakes her head.]

It isn't about getting out of here. It's about the people who are keeping us here.

... True. But... I just want you to be safe.

[He has to protect the people he cares about. They have to be okay. He'll make sure they're okay. He has to be one of the strong ones, or at least try to be.]

I know. But unless we are rid of them, none of us will ever truly be safe.

[Chidori does appreciate the sentiment though, and tugs him forward to hug him again, running a hand idly through his hair. It pains her to see Ken like this, acting like he's the one that should be taking care of them.]

We're supposed to be watching out for you.

[And thanks to this place, they're failing miserably. She hates it.]

[He lets his head thump against her lightly, closing his eyes.]

Family's supposed to watch out for each other, though. And... I can't stand to lose any more family. So... so that's why I'm going to fight as hard as I can so that I don't lose any more.

[It almost physically hurts to hear him say that- not because of how determined he sound, but because he still doesn't know, it seems, how limited their lifespans are likely to be.]

It's a better reason to fight than most, Ken. But... you can't protect us from everything, and we can't do the same, no matter how we try. But...

[She sighs, fingers stilling in his hair.]

But I'm grateful you'd try. Just don't go getting yourself into trouble for it, okay?

[Unfortunately, he does know, or at least suspect, that they won't last long. It's why he's so desperate to hold onto them now. And he's determined to find a way to help them anyway.]

I know. And I'm trying not to get into trouble... it's just that it seems to just happen.

[He has the sense to at least sound grumpy at that. It's not like he wants to be in trouble. It just seems to happen.]

That's an unfortunate truth, here. Trouble doesn't need to be sought. Still... I'd like it if you were more careful, Ken-kun.

[She ruffles his hair a little, not-quite smiling- but close enough, for Chidori's standards.]

Though I suppose the same could apply for all of us, hmm?

Exactly. You guys... need to stop doing things like...

[He closes his eyes tightly and holds his breath, trying not to sob. It had been the second time he'd seen Minato and Jin out of control. It didn't matter that they hurt him... he was more worried about them.]

[Ken can't hold it in any longer, and he lets out a sob, pulling back a little to rub at his eyes with his sleeve furiously.]

Like...?

[She's not prepared for tears, and Ken's moving away to rub at his eyes catches her by surprise. She frowns a little, and then bends a little, putting a hand to his cheek and looking him in the eyes. She knows what he means- she knows- and she wishes she could do more than give empty reassurances.]

I'm sorry, Ken. I wish I could stop things like that from happening.

I... I do too. Th... this place is terrible... it keeps hurting people that don't deserve it...

[It's really starting to wear at him. He doesn't know when something else will happen, or where it'll come from. He just wants it to stop.]

[She sighs and nods, moving her hand back to card through his hair again. He really is doing so well with trying to stay strong.]

We will be alright Ken. We're stronger than this place.

I know we are. We'll beat them.

[He reaches up to catch her hand and hold it gently.]

One day, perhaps.

[That day may not be soon, but maybe, in the future... they will manage.]

Holy water cannot help you know

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