.: July 25th - Late Evening :.
Mayu was as stagnant as any marsh. Still, quiet, and unchanged since that state of unconsciousness washed over her like turbulant surf. It was only by chance, mere chance really, that she stirred from slumber with but a simple noise. Were it spring time, with the sun ready to peek its warm rays over the mountainous horizon, she could have been mistaken for a baby bird fresh from the nest; audibly chirping her detest at the predicament she found herself in. Subtle motions of an arm signifying her awakening, limply thrown over her midriff to rid herself of blankets, were any so cumbersome to cradle her delicate frame. Weak lids were tugged open, ungrafting the sleep that dared them to remain sealed shut, allowing pools of dank ocean to scope their immediate surroundings. Which, given her position, was nothing more than a ceiling.- "..." -Her want to speak was silenced by her wanting of a drink; anguished by a dry throat.
Patience was something that was in and out. Katt didn't want to leave with Mayu's condition. She couldn't, and wouldn't, leave her. She was worried fiercely on things going on in the outside world. What was going on with Toby. He wasn't safe. Frowning her fingers brushed back and forth across the soft kitty ears. So much confusion laid in her that was very hard to unweave. Movement was noted from the corner of her eyes and her head all but jerked in Mayu's direction. Turning she quickly swept to the side of the bed. "(vsw) Mayu?"
It was all very melodramatic, the way Mayu turned her head down and over at the mentioning of her name. At first, she hadn't the faintest idea in the world what was going on. Or for that matter, where she presently was. A second shift of her arms allowed her hands the opportunity to press into the frame of the bed, and nudge herself up onto dressed elbows. The linen that stretched the expanse of noodle-thin appendages kept that bewildered look in her eye, and furthered onto Katt for her expert analysis on the situation. The risk of talking was far too great--or rather, the risk of talking without the assumption somebody stuffed a large bullfrog in her throat was far too great. Nothing but a look suggested she wanted to know what in the **** was going on.
The ears were lowered on the bed next to Mayu. Katt wanted to stop her from moving too much but stopped herself instead. Reaching over to the pitcher and glass she filled it with water and offered it to her. "(vsw) Try not to move too much. You are safe here. Honest." She smiled a bit sadly, concern hanging on her features.
Weight was applied to the furthest of arms so that she could snatch the glass of water as though it were a stolen piece of property. Or like it were an heirloom. Gulps of the cool liquid sank down her throat so loud, it was almost painful. When the contents were emptied, she sheepishly offered the glass back to her friend, eyes rising back up to the ceiling and around once more.- "...nn... w-where are we?" -That bewildered state carrying through every inch of her person, words laced with the emotion.-
"Hh..S..slow down.." Katt was going to make herself sick drinking like that. She bit her lip. She wasn't..suppose to be so motherly right? Taking the glass softly she turned her head and shook it slowly. "The church.." She moved to fill the glass for a second time, not really sure if Mayu would want it but it was better to be safe then sorry. Slowly her eyes drifted back to Mayu. "Do you..remember anything that happened?"
Now Mayu recognized it. The features of the church were a staggering mixture of modern with an rustic feel to it. A reach was made for the glass a second time, intent on refilling all that she felt was lost on her for the present time. Or to help aid the throb that pinched clusters of ache between furrowed brows. Holding off on consuming another large quanity of nourishment, she decided to answer first. "N-Not in particular, n-no... I r-remember asking a-about the m-mail wo-woman... but I t-think some-...somebody r-ran into me?" Certainly, Katt's question was met with an equal one. She hadn't the faintest idea.
Katt sat very carefully to the edge of the bed, holding the glass until she was ready. She glanced down to the ears thoughtfully. "You..really don't remember? Uh..No. We were attacked." Her brows started to furrow. It was her fault Mayu got hurt. Slowly her head tilted away and lowered shamefully. The ground would become interesting enough.
It seemed right then, as opposed to later, that taking another hefty drink would fit the situation right. And it was what Mayu opted to do, the large sums of water squeezing down her throat filling the air a second time around. Even after the most of the liquid was consumed, and nothing but the rolling of residue beads remained, she refrained from tugging the glass away; or to amuse the moment of enlightenment with further inquiries. The glass fell away from moistened lips, rolled between several fingers in nearly lost grip, and then offered back to Katt with a hesitant nod of her head, conveying her understanding. It also doubled to request she continue, were it appropriate to.
Katt didn't know where to go from there. There were so many questions and so much she needed to tell Mayu. Taking the glass a helpless look started to scroll across her face, lips parting and closing several times in attempt to find some place to start. "Do..you remember when I was kidnapped? I mean I know you don't know the details unless Toby had told you?"
"I don't think so," she immediately answered, wasting little time to draw on memories that refused to budge from their darkened abyss. She shifted on the bed until she was flat once more, the fluff of the pillow clutching her aching head in such a way that it was comfortable. She could nearly pass out again and not have a care the world. Granted, it wasn't plausible given the circumstances. Squinty eyes did their best to keep Katt in some sort of perspective, allowing them to convey her level of attention. Weary, but intact. "I remember some... minor discussion about it... b-but there wasn't a huge explanation given."
Katt nodded meekly and watched her from the very corner of her gaze. Maybe it was too much to afford to offer up in her state. "I was taken away..for a while. Tortured mentally and physically in a way that was by far an unnatural cruelty. This 'creature'...Tylor..He has a fascination with me." Her brows dipped then relaxed, her expression trying to find some grounds to settle into. "I ..made a promise to stay there so long as he didn't hurt you or Ixora. As ..long as he left you guys alone I stayed and endured it..I didn't..want you hurt." She refocused on her feet and kicked them slowly.
She'd recalled the fuss about that name in particular. But the reasons it was being brought up now made little, if any, sense. Mayu was as confused as a color blind child seeing double rainbows. "S-So... w-what does that have to do w-with...?" trailing off, allowing Katt to take the final of her sentence and apply it to an answer; hopefully one that she would be satisfied by.
Katt swallowed and she shook her head. "Toby saved me. We thought we had killed Tylor but..we were wrong. And he's..looking to ...have me back. I think..I think he plans on killing Toby ..and..maybe you if it means to break me." Her fingers clenched on the glass as she stared at the ground. "He attacked you in the marketplace. He was the one who left the box with Toby's dagger and vial. He..hurt you. And.." She grew quiet, not sure how to continue onto the next part. She didn't understand it...
Mayu's eyes grew slightly with anticipation of where the explanation was going. Despite not hearing the words for herself, it was evident to her what was taking place. "He's... g-got Toby...? W-What are y-you... what are you going t-to do if that's true...?" She shifted onto one side, angling herself so as to face Katt more directly. The wincing, what little amounts of pain that could blossom onto loli features, were tucked down immediately so as to not rile concern. Despite the fragile exterior, she was hardier than given credit, most of the time. "I m-mean... d-do you kn-know who to g-go to f-for this kind o-of thing?"
Katt turned her head, a hand leaving the cup to softly reach out. "You should..lay down..and rest." Her fingers stopped before actually touching. She always had a feeling Mayu didn't like to be touched. At least by her. Fingers curled into her hand and it slumped into her lap. Turning her head she shook it several times over. "(vsw) I know he has Toby.." Those words were filled with a lifetime worth of pain echoing behind it. Drawing her lips she was silent. What was she going to do. Jaw tightening she shook her head sharply and glanced over towards Mayu. "I am going to do whatever I must. I am going to save him. Even if it means .." She gave a soft sound which was followed by a sad smile. "I don't know where to go. But I know Tylor will come for me eventually." The smile faded. "I'm..sorry you got hurt."
At least the manner of why her face felt like it was broken down into fragments made a little more sense. The most of her frame loosenened beneath the comfort of the mattress she was on, fingers curling into the fabric of blanket and cotton as though it were a security blanket willing to wisk her away. But her intentions were different than those she displayed by visual representation. Lolling her head toward Katt, she provided a sturdy smile. "T-That's not your fa-fault... now I kn-know not to play 'fetch' with the mailman like I'm so-some kind of rabid mutt..." It wasn't the most fitting time to laugh, but the way it eased from her lips was far too quick for her to contain it. To followed with a weak sputter of coughs. Her lungs, or was it solely her chest? Something hurt fierce. "...nmm... a-ah... b-but you c-can't run off a-alone, you know... that's asking f-for s-something really bad to happen!"
"I can't take you with me. You are hurt." Katt reached out again, this time to smooth a hand against Mayu's shoulder, hoping the smaller female would accept the comforting warmth she was attempting to offer. There were no words on how she felt when Mayu said it wasn't her fault. There was a touch of joy..but also regret. It was her fault. Tylor was there..because of her. "I'll..be fine. I mean I've fought him before. And if I can get Toby out..well.." She realized that finishing that would probably have her scolded. This..this was the protection that Mayu said she didn't need from her. Should she repeat that? As if it were actually important. Her hand slid down. She really was worthless..wasn't she? "I..have something to ask you though.."
"Not me," she interjected, her features contorted with angst. She was the least likely candidiate to stage a rescue. She'd settle for one of those cheerleader roles that they all discussed back during the dueling years. Days? Day. The comforted shoulder slumped like putty beneath her warmth, accepting it graciously. Which, as it would stand, would have her sink further into the blankets she fondled like a filthy daydream. "...B-But... y-you do need s-somebody th-there with you. E-Even if it's t-to h-help put the o-odds i-in your favor. Y-You guys should know some st-strong people, r-right?" Clearly, she overlooked the mentioning of there being a question for her. The silence that overcame her was an opportune moment.
Katt could heal Mayu but that strength needed... She cringed at herself in disgust . Setting the cup aside she attempted to carefully tuck Mayu in. Strong people. Did she? Anyone that would actually be help and not ask questions? No.. She shook her head weakly. "I ..will be okay on my own. But ..just promise me that if something does happen..and I don't come back." She drew on her lips. It hurt to say the next words. "(vsw) Promise me..you will take care of Toby and yourself..okay?" She managed a smile, completely surprised at herself for being able to do it. "But ..I am not going to let that happen. I am going to get him back..." She was quiet again for a time, fiddling with the blanket. "(vsw) Mayu..? Why..didn't you tell us..you were Phantasneko?"
It was a struggle, as her body felt as heavy as a jet liner prepared to take off, but she was able to lift a hand in the air. It swept clean on a course for Katt's cheek, but was more like a brushing from the ends of a horse tail rather than a slap. Not that she would actually slap her dear friend. It was mostly in jest; a gesture, if anything. "D-Don't... be negative. ...I m-might not u-understand w-what's going on right now... b-but, it's important that you always stay positive... even in the w-worst of times. Or e-else you're go-going to eat yourself up..." Her words were quiet; barely an audible breeze that carried her kindness toward opposing ears. A revitialized silence overcame her as she blinked rapidly to the latter question. She'd never appeared so quizzical in all her days. "Why I... Phanwho'swhatso?"
The touch and words made her want to cry. To the point Katt had to press her lips together. Her stomach tightened with the fierce efforts to look and remain strong. It didn't do anything for her smile that was for sure. She couldn't tell her that ..she really didn't expect to return. If she could bargin her life for Toby's..she would. In a heartbeat. She already done it once for Mayu. Needless to say she'd do that again too! "(vsw) Apparently a lot of things want to eat me up. Maybe I am yummy or something?" She shook her head, pulling on the blankets a little more to make sure she was comfortable before moving her hands back. She..really didn't know? Brows furrowed when she realized this and a rather confused look was returned towards Mayu. "You..don't know?"
A delectable rolling of an elusive muscle between bubble gum lips implied Katt was more than just yummy! Given it was slightly uncharacteristic for the girl, it was easy to judge she sought to merely lighten the mood. It did get a girlish giggle to showcase itself; mirth fresh from Mayu's equipment. Curled fingers urged the blankets over exposed legs; hiding herself beneath the coils of heavy fabrics. She had to judge whether the bloodloss made her chilly, or the fact that she was without a wide assortment of clothing like she were used to. Brows rose high, inquisitive to Katt's question. "D-Don't know...? No, I d-don't think I know a-anybody l-like that at all. Who is it?"
"You..." Katt answered quietly. She shook her head slowly in her attempts to hide the faint crimson that the tease created. "I..don't know how to explain it either. When you were..fighting against Tylor you were like a totally different person. But when he ..won..you turned back to ..you. That is when I realized it was you. I've never..realized before. I mean she looked like you but she acts totally different and..and..you..you would never attack Toby.." It sounded as if it would of been more of a question then a comment.
"You're not... r-really making sense to me h-here..." she commented lightly, brows lowering back to their original placements, tucking inward that came complete with a frown. Mayu playful, blithe nature crumpled beneath the weight of Katt's words, exchanged for concern and anxiety. "W-What do y-you mean it's me...? I d-don't... I don't understand. Y-You said we g-got attacked by Tylor... I d-don't remember fi-fighting anybody... and w-when was Toby with u-us that I could attack him, as w-well?" The onslaught of information threatened those glistening pools of green to turn into swirly globs of confusion. Not that she wasn't already confused, of course.
Katt shook her head. "It was some time ago that she..you..er..Phantasneko first appeared and attacked Toby. Said he threatened peace and love." She watched Mayu's expression, realizing by the look on her face that she really didn't know. She smiled faintly and she shook her head. Though..if she could talk Phantasneko to helping.. She chewed on her inner cheek. That meant..putting Mayu in danger. She so didn't like that. "It can wait till another time..Um..here..You dropped these.." She scooped up the ears and waved them in the air gently before offering them over. "You should rest. I'll stay until morning but I should probably go and get some things together. You are safe here in the church.."
She glanced down to the offered head accessory, taking it up into hand with little delay. "Oh, gee... thanks! I di-didn't even realize I didn't have them..." which really was a worthless level of shock the girl carried with her. They dangled uselessly in her lap. ""I r-really don't know about all o-of that... I don't think I have the a-ability to at-attack Toby... o-or anybody..." Her training involved spiritual mending and cleansing. Her perplexion grew, but Katt's urgings left her incapable of feeding the hungry whale known as Knowledge. She'd be forced to chalk it up to continued confusion, spawned by the stresses of the present circumstances. "...r-right. J-Just... don't go off w-without saying something, all right? I... k-kinda don't have anybody or thing to run off to i-if you leave."
"I'm sorry, Mayu. I..really don't know how to explain it. I am still confused about it myself." Her brows dipped and she raised her chin in order to look over to the window. Staring out she sort of just stared out her worry to the scenery. "I won't. I mean I might go and collect my swords and stuff but I'll come back before attempting to find Toby and Tylor." Her hand shifted over the other, pushing the larger of two rings against her finger. "The church is safe for you...A..And you know people here right? Like Sister Matilda.."
Mayu trained gaze rarely left Katt once their conversation evolved from simple reassurances to something more profound and in-depth. Blankets continued to crawl over her lithe frame, hiked up about her shoulders to fully conceal every fiber of her being. "I'm v-very familiar with this a-area... these are m-my training grounds, after all." She eased a smile onto her features, finding it anything but difficult to demolish the frown that crippled her mood earlier. "I am an Agent of the Church, after all... I-I'll be all right here..." She paused rather than falling quiet all together. "But... i-it's a little better t-to be with p-people I like to b-be around, r-rather than with p-people wh-who only be w-with me be-because of my position."
Katt's eyes lowered for a moment to the ring then moved over towards Mayu. She smiled a bit. It was..easier when Mayu was smiling. "I know. And I really don't want to leave you. Honest. But..if I stay here then Tylor will come. I am sure of it. P-Plus..the long I just..sit around..W-Who knows..What he will do to Toby..has.." She struggled to the point her eyes glistened with tears. "-has done.."
There was no way around it. It'd mean she'd have to sit herself out of the equation. The way she carried herself when Toby wasn't around was nearly unbearable to watch. The clean, ivory fabric that framed her figure took up her attention, heaving a dejected sigh into them like they'd done something horribly wrong. "T-Then you sh-shouldn't dilly-daddle... I w-will be all r-right here for the time being. I'm s-sure Z-Zenny would be w-willing to look a-after me until t-the situation passes."
"Please...don't sigh." She reached out, fingertips softly tapping the smaller hand. "I.." She felt guilt rise. "I ..don't want to leave you alone. Honest. B-But..Toby.." She shook her head sharply and pulled her hand back. "When Tylor left earlier he ...he left the ring and earring I gave Toby. I ..It looks.." She didn't think she should say it. It might freak Mayu out.
It would most likely make her faint. And Mayu much preferred to remain conscious while they were all potential targets. "I... I k-know. R-Really, don't worry about it so much... I g-guess I just wanted to be selfish for a moment..." She glanced up to Katt, exchanging disdain with a rejuvinated, spindly grin. "I'll o-only get in your way, like that thing be-before with I-Ixora. T-There's not a lot I can do, you know? J-Just... do me a f-favor and remain positive... That's all I can ask for."
"Trust me. Knowing you are safe does me a world of good. I fret over you something fierce you know." Katt chuckled a bit and tried to smile. She just ..couldn't. She hated herself for being able to do that for Mayu. "Remain positive. I..I will try. Will...you cheer me on?"
Letting go of her blankets meant them tumbling from her figure entirely. The most she could muster was a firm nod of certainness and a widening grin. "You better believe it! I just know y-you'll come back together!"
"Hehe." She managed a smile, if just for Mayu. "Thank you. That means a lot to me. N-Now..until morning. Um..is there anything I can do for you, Princess Mayu?" She stood up slowly, her head feeling heavy. She didn't like it. Meant lack of sleep. She needed to push on. Forget she was sleepy.
"Hmm!" To put the girl in a position of power was a dangerous thing. And to top it off, deem her that "Princess" title? Cogs turned, ideas churned, and she had a mischevious grin that overtook nearly every emotion that riddled her full of negativity. Nothing came from those curved lips that was any bit disasterous, however. A waggling of fingers accompanied her words, "I will be just fine, Katt. IIf you want to sit with me, though, you may." Motioning to the edge of the bed and onward. "There's no n-need to be all distant."
Katt blinked, a little surprised by Mayu's words. No need to be distant. Almost numbly she moved over to the bed and settled next to her. It was carefully done so not to bother Mayu's wounds. "(vsw) I'd like that. Thank you." Her smile grew weak and she glanced down to the vial. She wished..it had some of the elixir. "M-Maybe I can talk to sister matilda about your wounds before I go. Maybe she can help you. (vsw) I don't..like seeing you hurt."
Surprising, the most of her wounds, following the bandaging, appeared to have already undergone a radical transformation. While not fully closed, they were nearly stitched of their own accord, or were heavily scabbed over to the point that no excessive bloodflow was present. The deep alterations of color to her flesh, blemished reds and violent purples, were faded; leaving her mostly intact and of her original figure. She took a moment to peek underneath the blanket before giggling. "D-Don't worry about me... I am sure they will have everything I need here so that I can be taken care of... I work under the eye of a woman here that is very adept at spiritual healing... she can more than likely help piece me back together!"
"Sometimes I wish I was better at healing. It takes too much for me to do it." She reached over slowly and attempted to brush Mayu's hair. If she could get to it. The blanket. It giggles! She smiled softly and tilted her head to one side. "She better. Otherwise I might have to get huffy with her!"
"Maybe you can get huffy with her, anyway!" A teasing little look offered to her friend before she threw her arms in the air to stretch herself out. She drifted from the pillow she rested her head on, turning fully in the opposing direction to face outward toward the wall; her favored right side to sleep on being taken up. "If you wind up needing to go... just go. But don't even think about not coming back for any reason... 'kay?"
Katt watched Mayu roll over and she slowly reached out to stroke the teal colored hair. "Don't think about not coming back for any reason?" The phrase sorta confused her. Maybe it was the lack of sleep. Maybe it with the situation and everything going on. Everything hurt her head to some extent. "Do..Do you want me to go get anything from your apartment for you? Anything at all?"
"I mean... when you wind up going," she emphasized her point by turning a glance over a narrow, scrunched shoulder when she felt the soothing touch line her scalp. "I don't... r-really think I need anything from there... I'll j-just change into some of my priestess clothes here, or something... t-that's really all I have from home that I c-care about. Clothes." Priotiries in order? Check.
Katt wanted to ask some things more personal but it wasn't her place. Nodding she tucked back a few hairs before letting her hand settle to her lap. "All righty then. And..d-don't worry. I will come back." She didn't promise it. She wasn't sure. But she could at least say that.
Mayu nodded a single time to convey her understanding; like it were a silent oath that was written in a blood not required to be spilt. Turning back, she hopped back and forth underneath the covers, above the mattress, to find a placement she could be most comfortable with. While it did still feel as though were ribs were ready to shatter into pure dust; she kept her quiet on the ordeal. Given the appropriate few hours, she knew that ache would diminish much the same as her entire coherence over the worry that everything was about go from bad, to worse.
Katt's lips parted in order to speak but slowly they closed. She really didn't like the idea of leaving her alone. Tylor would be more then happy to encounter her again. Hurt her again. Fingers curled tightly into her hands. Maybe..Mayu didn't want..or need her protection..But she couldn't just stand by. She would do what she had to in order to ensure the safety of the man she loved and the sisterly figure she was so fond of.
Sleep was one of those things that came easy to the girl, no matter the circumstance. Be it because she was still but a small child in a world of giants; or because she had just broken free from turbulant hours of aggression, who could be the judge of that? All that mattered was, for the present time, Mayu was underneath the watchful eye of many a protector; and safely snoozing away in some kind of untold, unmentionable fantasy that clutched her dreams.
Katt blinked when she heard the soft breaths and she looked over to Mayu. Reaching over she softly pulled the blanket up to her shoulders, tucking her in. "(vsw) Thank you, Mayu.." Even if it was a bit confusing, on several levels, it was okay. She was pretty sure she knew Mayu was sincere. Palm pressed to the back of her head she paused then pulled away. Sitting on the edge of the bed she would sit near for a few hours.
