Even the Reaper can get sick...

[fusedstars]

 Characters: Hei and you
Setting: Cafeteria
Format: Prose, but taggers choice afterwards
Summary: Hei starts being stubborn and tries to fix himself up.....and fails.
Warnings: sick Hei

Being sick and useless never sat well with Hei. After a few days battling this illness and rest, there was no improvement, his condition growing worse. And with constant fatigue and a running fever, of course he was bound to make both logical and illogical actions. He couldn't rely on anyone taking care of him. No one ever did that. There was help, sure, but actually taking care of him? Aside from memories of his sister, Amber, and even Yin helping him, there was no one he could fully trust. Kirika maybe, but he also didn't desire to be a burden either.

So there he was in the kitchen, fixing up a lot of things he gathered from hunting. Surprisingly, he was not dizzy from it all...yet. Naturally, there had been the meat he had hunted from the deer, and he wore his mask. It was the only thing he could use to make the food without sneezing on it. As for meat, well, it was important to get in some protein. And without things like peppers and other vegetables, options were more limited. Chicken soup would have been the best thing. Even orange juice would be good.

He holds his head as he flips the meat. It was clear the guy was getting dizzy after moving around so much. He sighs heavily, hand wanting to massage his temples, and couldn't thanks to the damn mask. He made a mental note to make a mouth and noseguard mask for this situation. So much for being in shape to prevent more illnesses.

Then again, it was obvious the scientists were at fault. 

Comments

[rewindingly]

Mm. I live alone.

[ Her answer is quick and sharp. She flips the meat again, then moves it to a plate when it passes inspection. ]

And don't misunderstand my actions. I needed the stove for myself. I needed you to finish up quickly. Here.

[fusedstars]

No parents, or are they the business type.

[If he didn't know any better, he could swear Homura was a Contractor.]

Guessing the former, considering how much you have hardened yourself.

[Either that, or seen much tragedy to become numb. Hei knew that more than most people.]

[rewindingly]

It's irrelevant.

[ Though how long has it been since she last saw her parents? Homura hasn't gone out of her way to so much as speak to them. ]

I'm able to get by on my own. That's all that matters.

[fusedstars]

[Most likely has her parents, considering her school outfit; doubtful a child can afford to stay in school unless she had foster parents or a relative. Just a guess though.

And given her abilities, she had to have been distant, seen things to put her into this state. There was more to this dangerous young girl.]

You're certainly mature for your age. Reminds me too much of myself when I was a kid.

[And that was not a good thing in many ways, yet a bit good, considering she could handle herself.]

[rewindingly]

Mm. Maybe we're alike.

[ She's not too interested in confirming it, anyway. Now that she's done here, she begins preparing her own gathered ingredients to make a soup. ]

Though it is not that I'm mature.

[fusedstars]

It's that life forced you to grow up faster than you would have liked, correct?

[And he eats into his steak as he said that.]

[rewindingly]

Perhaps. Growing is for those who continue down the same path of time.

[ She shrugs. ]

So that, too, may be untrue.

[fusedstars]

Time alone doesn't restrict growth. Experiences and those around you can also change you.

[rewindingly]

... mm. I suppose.

[ She looks down at her soup. Minimalistic, but it will keep her body warm without wasting magic. ]

So you think that I am similar to you as a child? Why?

[fusedstars]

You seem detached a bit, yet focused all the same. A trained marksman, unable to show fear in facing a creature that may have threatened your own life, and no signs of losing stability while in this tower.

Your emotions are few in number, just like how I once was. Well, the original Hei at any rate.

[A killer, yet not quite. At least Homura did not have to kill thousands of people.]

[rewindingly]

Is that so?

[ So that's how people view her now. Those are the traits that Madoka apparently dislikes... ]

So that is how you were.

[fusedstars]

I was worse, in my opinion.

The life led was one of a puppet with a knife. In the world, there were beings similar to us, thinking only in logic and nothing else, to ensure their survival and not be distracted by feelings, a Contractor.

I may not have any idea what you have fought, but it was clearly not normal, or possibly even human. I was only about 10 years old before I learned how to kill.

However, it was all to protect Bai, my sister. Unfortunately, she died, leading me to try to find her, ignoring everything else and focusing on a single goal. Many died in the process, and in the end, that Hei was left alone, and probably still is.

[He eats into piece of his steak, quickly eating it.]

In the end, we are imperfect, and quite honestly, can be stupid. You recall the battle with the shadow months ago, correct?