✿ Twelfth Bud [Action]

[seiriald]

[Who knew if anyone bothered to come by this part of the village so early in the morning, with the light of the sun only just bothering to peek over the horizon. If there was anyone though, and if they happened to come by the playground behind the school such a person would be able to spot a brunette teenager, sitting on one of the swings that was swaying ever so slightly with her journal discarded a few yards off. She's not sleeping, and there are no physical injuries to be seen, but the near-dead look on her gray face should say more than enough that if she tries to move, she won't be getting very far.

Not that she even intends to try, her fear and absolute sense of helplessness will keep her from doing anything on her own for some time.]



((ooc: tags in earnest later in the morning after some sleep!))

Comments

[seiriald]

[That was something she would like to know herself, if she could even find her voice. No matter how hard she tries there is no sound coming from her mouth aside from a huff of frustration after a minute or so of trying.

As if she didn't already have trouble communicating, they had to take her voice as well?]

[allseeingdeath]

[ The girl didn't really reply. It looked like she was about to, but nothing came out. Shiki looked towards her, still pushing the swing. Something was very off about her. It was obvious this wasn't a place she normally went to (or anyone would, at this time of day), but felt like...

She couldn't say for sure, but this whole situation was just odd. ]

Don't wanna talk about it? That's fine. [ She pushed a little more. ] I don't really have a reason either.

[seiriald]

[Except that Kaori did want to talk about it, or at least hear Shiki continue to talk. It was the only way she could know for sure that she was back in the village, and if she managed to indicate answers to the right words, maybe she can help her back to her home here.

So she tries shaking her head again. Silence never sat well with her anyway.]

[allseeingdeath]

[ Another shake, which Shiki could only guess was directed towards her last question. So she did want to talk...but it was obvious now what the problem was. ]

You can't talk, can you?

[seiriald]

[Instead of shaking her head again, she responds with a nod. Even if she didn't understand that gesture, the distressed look on her face should be more than enough of an answer. Nevertheless she had felt relief that the other person at least understood that now.]

[allseeingdeath]

[ Shiki looked to the ground after her nod. Now this whole situation was just seeming even stranger. A girl alone at dawn, at the playground, who is mute. ]

Were you always like this? [ Maybe all of this was none of her business but...it bothered her. ]

[seiriald]

[And there is another shake of her head, knowing for sure that this wasn't normal for her. It had to be something the Malnosso did, or maybe it was due to the terrible memories that had been conjured up by being placed directly into the hands of scientists again.

Whatever it was, it makes her start shaking again.]

[allseeingdeath]

[ So she wasn't always mute. The situation finally began to dawn onto her. She had only been her four months, but she had heard of the things that could happen to people. Sudden disappearance, and when they return, they're different. Different personalities, something different about their bodies, in some way, no longer the same person. Her eyes narrowed, though she kept her indifferent tone of voice, as the girl began shaking. ]

The Malnosso, huh?

[seiriald]

[And again she nods her head, since thus far it had been the most effective means of communicating with this person. Her teeth clench when she hears those damn people called by their organization name, but it won't stop the shaking. Why did they want her with them again, or anyone honestly?]

[allseeingdeath]

[ Looks like she was right again. The girl's shaking wouldn't stop. Whatever they did to her, it had a lasting affect. She knew better than to ask what happened. It would change anything anyway. ]

Want a push?

[seiriald]

[The simple question had been unexpected, and almost seemed out of place as her eyes widened in surprise. Admittedly, that pale emotion was much more preferable than the lingering fear.

Quietly she nods again, even if she was only agreeing to it due to the rising bubble of curiosity. It had been a long time since she had been in a playground, after all.]

[allseeingdeath]

[ Shiki rose from her seat, when she saw the girl nod. To be honest, she wasn't sure why she asked her that question herself. It just felt better than any alternative. She got behind the girl, giving her a soft push. ]

I haven't swung on one of these in years.

[seiriald]

[Even the soft push startles Kaori, making her cling tightly to the swing enough that there would be little chance of her falling out unless she somehow managed to flip herself over. But once the initial shock of it was over, there is a faint feeling of giddiness forming in the stomach that just moments ago almost felt like it would have sunk into the ground if she hadn't held on.

Though hearing Shiki say such a thing leaves her expression full of wonder, nodding slightly again as an invitation for her to continue if she wanted. At the very least, she could feel no open hostility.]

[allseeingdeath]

[ As the girl returned to her, Shiki gave her another small push, noticing her nod at her comment. ]

Yeah, no one goes to a playground at my age anymore. I think the last time was when I was in elementary school.

[ Another small push. Hopefully, this would help the girl relax. ]