March Twenty-Seventh
(since RDI decided to eat my post)
108 days

Sleep eluded her once again and she was starting to feel the effects. There was no umph in her step and the want to smile barely existed. It was like something had draining the energy from her. It took all she had to get out of bed and go shopping for the dress she was going to demand her sister to wear for Beltane.

Leaving the inn left her with a small letter somewhere in the bags. A letter she felt a small measure of comfort from and yet at the same time didn't feel she deserved. On her way to the jewelry shop that she had visited earlier in the day she flagged a text her sister's way. It was also a bit of a comfort.

Text to Claire : Is your dress

Text to Serah: that? oh wow that's gorgeous...you think itll look okay?

Text to Claire : Do you think I would pick something out that wouldn't look positively beautiful on you?

Text to Serah: Well no. just you know me and dresses

Text to Claire : And shoes

Text to Serah: Oo shiny

Text to Claire : And these I am picking up right now but I took a picture of them earlier. I kind of needed to do something with myself

Text to Serah: Those are gorgeous. Everything okay?

Text to Claire : I opened my mouth like an idiot. Just one of those times I reach out and care and it bites my ass

Text to Serah: it happens sometimes, even if you mean the best. I'm sure you did, right?

The conversation went on but the guy behind the counter of the jewelry shop was trying to keep conversation with her at the same time. He was an elder gentleman and asked about the iPhone she was using to text and take pictures with. She didn't mind the questions and chuckled as she showed him the phone though it was a reminder that she had a phone to give Lenore but would she even take it now? Or take it and break it?

When the man asked her why she looked so sad she realized she had let her thoughts wander off and was quick to place on a smile. Once the final purchase was made she helped him wrap up the jewelry and tucked them in one of her bags. With a wave she was out the door.

There would be no visiting the inn tonight. Now that she was done shopping she figured her schedule consisted of going home, taking a nice long bath, and trying to sleep. Trying to sleep lately, however, meant laying down, tossing, and turning for hours before getting a book to read.

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March Twenty-Ninth
106 days

It took the ambulance nearly fifteen minutes to get there and Sherry was making sure to keep the wound staunched with her jacket best she could. When they took her she managed to grab out Serah's phone and began to look through it for someone to contact while she and the other girls hurried to the car.

She found an emergency contact and tried to call but there was too much going on in the car. It would of just of led to confusion so instead she sent a text.

Text to Claire : I don't know if you are related to DJ but you were under her emergency contact.

Text to Claire : DJ is being rushed to the hospital.

Text to Serah's phone: I'll be there in moment. What happened?

Once Claire sorted out exactly where Serah was being taken, it took Claire little time to cross town from Seaside, the Suzuki sport bike winding and weaving through traffic and short-cutting through alleyways en route to the hospital. Bitter wind nipped at her bare knuckles as she cranked the throttle, pushing the bike as hard (and as safely) as she could within city limits. Her phone had been stuffed back into her pocket without waiting for a response from whoever was texting her from her sister's phone, figuring she could hear about it when she got there.

. . . . . .

"23 year old female with a single gun wound to the chest. Crashed on the way in. Trauma room is prepped and team is on the way"

"Her breathing is shallow. Lets get her on the table!"

"We need a chest tube!"

"BP is 78 over 56"

"Where is that damn chest tube!"

"Here!"

"Left inferior pulmonary vein is bleeding into the chest."

"Clamp!"

"Here!"

"Got it!"

"Vitals are still falling."

"Where the hell is she still bleeding from?!"

"Her pericardium distended and she is bleeding into it!"

"It is constricting her heart!"

"Scissors!"

"Blood pressures dropping to critical!"

"Got it!"

"She's going into VFIB!"

"Paddles! Charge for ten!"

"Charged!"

"Clear!"

"Charge for 20!"

"Charged!"

"Clear!"

____________________________________

When Claire got to the waiting room she would find four girls there. One in a chair with her cheek on the shoulder of another sitting and two of them pacing. The one with aurburn hair had Serah's phone in hand and was texting in attempt to find out who was family. Who knew that DJ would have half-naked men on her phone!

A slow blink when she saw the girls occupying the waiting room. Though Claire could piece together who they might be, especially once she saw Serah's phone in the auburn haired girl's hands, she honestly couldn't think of names though. Serah's singing group, that's all she knew. Regret hit her and mixed with the anxiety already weighing down the pit of her stomach but she tried to manage a grim, tight lipped smile. "Hi, I'm um, I'm Claire. Serah's sister."

The one who was asleep popped up when the one she was leaning on jumped to her feet and suddenly Claire had three girls rushing in on her while the fourth was slow to join the party.

The auburn haired girl nearly bowled right into Claire. "Oh my gosh you look just like she said! Hi Claire! I'm Sherry!" She started pointing off the other girls while she named them, "Sharnl," she pointed to the blonde, "Ashely," to the darker skinned lady of the group, "And Mackenzie."

"Sorry we up 'nd have to meet up like this," Mackenzie added in.

Sherry nodded rapidly. "It is my fault she got hurt. I was mouthing off to some guy with a gun and she shoved me out the way."

"Oh bullshit. The guy was gunning for DJ. Was trying to steal her off I tell ya." Ashely chimed in while rubbing her eyes. She wasn't fully awake yet.

Claire's hands came up to brace herself against the barrage of introductions and women right in front of her, eyes widening momentarily until she got her bearings. One hand curled against the back of her neck as Sherry introduced each of them. Sherry, the auburn one with Serah's phone. Sharnl, the blonde with the mouth. Ashely, the darker one quick to call BS. And Mackenzie the apologetic. Noted and committed to memory.

"Hi um, nice to meet you all. Wait, gun?" Never mind the stealing her off part, that was a whole other level of infuriating, but the firearm was a more pressing matter. "This guy had a gun? Is she okay?" Stupid question, considering they were in the hospital and all.

"She was shot. They wheeled her into the ER like twenty minutes ago and we haven't heard news from them since." Sherry looked at Claire, concern in her eyes. "We don't know if she is okay. She was barely breathing when they put her in the ambulance."

Claire pressed her lips into a thin line, cheeks puffing up before she exhaled a slow breath. It took all she had not to panic and a few more steadily taken breaths helped some. She gave a small nod to Sherry before glancing for the check in desk. "I'll be right back." Perhaps she could get some sort of information. Swift steps took her to the desk and aimed to keep her voice as level as possible despite her knuckles turning white as she tightly held the edge of the desk. "Hi, my name is Claire Farron, my sister Serah was brought in about twenty minutes ago and I was hoping for an update if possible? I'm her emergency contact and the only family she has..."

"S-Sure." Sherry answered and Claire left the four girls to chatter among themselves as they watched her leave.

At the desk a small woman with a clipboard looked up and you could just see from her face it had been a really long day. "Serah? I'm sorry but she is still in surgery. You will have to wait until the doctor comes out. Oh look there he is now."

The woman stood as an elder man came from the twin doors leading to the back, a towel between his hands. She rushed over to him and passed the clip board over while speaking to him in quiet words. She points off to Claire who the doctor is soon looking to.

With a nod between them the doctor gestures Claire over. "Miss Farron, correct?"

"Okay, thank you." She was just about to turn away to go pace the waiting area or something when the woman pointed out the surgeon's arrival. A sharp glance cut across the space between them and as her eyes met the doctor's and he spoke her name, she nodded and quickly hurried over. "Yes, I'm Serah's sister."

He was an older gent by years on her own years and held a grim expression. "I'm Doctor Cannon. Your sister was brought in about forty-five minutes ago," there was an obvious gap between what the girls said and what the doctor said but he was going by the chart. "Your sister was brought in due to a gunshot wound to the chest."

Anxiously, she gnawed on the inside of her cheek, her fingers fidgeting with one another as the doctor spoke, peeling nail polish with her thumbnails while she tried her best to stay calm. "Th-thank you, Doctor." Deep breath in, slow exhale out. Gunshots to the chest were seldom a good thing and rarely an easy recovery if one made it past the initial trauma. "How bad is she? Can I see her anytime soon? I just...yeah...she's..." Her words trailed off as tears burned along her lashline and threatened to spill down her cheeks.

He reached out to touch her shoulder, using this simple touch to guide her to a pair of chairs so she could sit. "During the surgery she experienced cardiac arrest. We have her heart beating on its own again but we will need to keep an eye on her. Once she is cleaned up and settled the nurse will bring you back to see her. If you brought anyone else with you they should go home to rest. I'm only going to allow you to see her right now."

Pliable enough at the moment to be guided easily to one of the chairs, she dropped unceremoniously into the seat and and brushed the back of her hand over her eyes to try and stave off the moisture accumulating. Few words are quite as scary as 'cardiac arrest' and for a moment she felt like her own heart stopped. It took a second to remember to breathe and she gave a small nod of understanding. "I'll let them know. Please just...make sure you do everything you can, I...she's very important to me and...yeah, just...please."

"Of course we will. If you need anything don't be afraid to ask the nurse. Until she comes and gets you, however, please try to keep to the waiting room." He gave her shoulder a pat. "Excuse me." He straightened and headed back through the twin doors to check on the patient.

When Claire looked up she'd probably find herself being shadowed by the four in the waiting room, faces almost planted on the glass wall as if they could hear and see everything. Curious, worried minds and Sherry was the one panicking when she saw the look on Claire's face.

She exhaled a shuddering breath and bowed her head to try and calm herself down before she had to face Serah's friends. Unfortunately, they gravitated toward the window and she rapidly blinked back the sadness and rose to go face them. Coughing softly to clear her throat, she made it back into the waiting room.

"She made it through surgery and they're working on making sure she's stable and resting." Leaving out the more sordid details in hopes of placating them for the time being, fishing her phone out from her pocket. "Go home and get some rest, just put your numbers into my phone and I'll give you updates as I get them, okay?"

Sherry started to wail seconds before Claire came in and was chanting a mantra of sorry at her. With that gloomy look she thought Claire was coming in to tell them that DJ was dead! The wailing stopped when she heard Claire and like the others she nodded. Claire's phone was exchanged for Serah's phone while numbers were put into the contact.

"Girl if you need anything you just give a holler out, K? DJ has done a crap load for us! It is the least we can do to help her and you." Shanl said as her number was the last to be punched in and the phone was handed over.

"Seriously," Mack added in, "Anything just give a jingle."

Serah's phone was stowed in another pocket for safe keeping while she waited for the girls to program all of their numbers in, one fingering poked into her ear and wiggled to try and undeafen herself from Sherry's wailing. Girl had some pipes on her, though she figured that should be the case, singer and all.

"Of course, thank you all. I'll let you know as soon as I know anything. Go get some rest." She gave them all a forced smile and stuffed her phone into the opposite pocket, her pants suitably weighed down by the various technology before she dropped herself back into a chair to wait.

They were reluctant to and were all but dragging Sherry out who was demanding she stay and help out. Stubborn one that girl.

It would be about another thirty minutes before the nurse came to let Claire know that it was okay to see Serah. The small woman stood at the door of the waiting room, looking at Claire with a reassuring smile. "You can go see her now. She is heavily medicated so she might not be very responsive for a few hours still." It seemed that cases were all different so she couldn't speak as if she knew.

While she appreciated their loyalty and dedication, Claire didn't know how well she would have held it together had they stayed. An apologetic smile followed them out as they hauled Sherry off before Claire was left to play the waiting game.

Thirty minutes felt like days but as soon as the woman spoke, Claire was on her feet and heading for the doors back to the patients' rooms. "I understand, thank you again. I appreciate it." One more deep breath was taken before she could head back, inhaling the excessively sterile smell of the hospital like it might calm her. Nope, not really.

The nurse chased after her and even snuck past in order to lead the way to the room. It seemed Serah was going to have her own room and the nurse opened the door to usher claire in. The beeping of the machines hooked up to her could be heard from the hall. The nurses had taken the time to bun her hair back so it wasn't all over the place or got tangled in the tubes that were in place to help her breathing. Her eyes were closed and her chest fell and rose with each breath.

Claire rubbed at her eyes and sucked in another deep breath before slipping in as the nurse led the way. Beeping was good even if it was slightly terrifying. Her gaze swung over the room until it came to a stop on her sister and she winced at how little Serah looked in the hospital bed, all hooked up to monitors and oxygen, but at least she was alive and breathing. That had to count, right?

She whispered her thanks to the nurse before rounding the hospital bed and claiming the chair nearest her sister, sitting on the very edge of it so a hand could rest overtop of Serah's gently. "I swear, once you pull through this, I'm going to find whoever did it and make them pay in the worst way."

The nurse nodded and pulled the door closed. For the most part the room was quiet save for that beeping.

Feeling the warmth of her sister's hand she tried to wake more but she felt so heavy and so far out of the world. "Claire?" That single word sounded so far off and took so much effort to get out that she ended up huffing it out.

"Yeah, it's me. It's okay, just rest. I'm here." When Serah seemed to rouse, she gave her hand a small reassuring squeeze and pat. Her other hand came up to run carefully over her hair, smoothing out a bump here and there in the bun the nurses had put up. "Go ahead and sleep, I'll be here when you wake up. I promise."

"He's going to come back. Run, Claire." She squeezed her sister's hand back but her fingers loosened soon after and slacked to the point they were back against the bed. Exhaling loudly she managed to say one more word, "Run." before she lost conscious again.

Her brows rose but before she could try to question who Serah meant, her sister was out again. Claire sure as hell wouldn't be running, especially not from anyone who thought they could hurt Serah and get away with it. The smoldering rubble of a warehouse in dockside had proved that several months back. Keeping her hand over Serah's, here and there she glanced up toward the door just to keep an eye out. Perhaps Serah had known who did this after all though Claire would have to wait until her sister was okay to even consider asking.

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March Thirty-First
104 days

"How is she doing?"

"She is fine."

"Why isn't she awake?"

"Recovery and drugs are probably keeping her exhausted. Give her another day or two and I am sure she will wake up."

"Okay."

"I have a question I must ask, Miss Farron. Is your sister prone to suicide?"

"What?"

"She has scars that look to be self-inflicted on both her inner wrists."

"That is impossible!"

"See for yourself. If you will excuse me I have to return to my rounds. I'll be back later to check on your sister."

"Thank you, Doctor."

"....."

"Oh Serah. What did you do?"



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April Second
102 days

"Deeee Jaiiiiii"

The voice stirred her from her sleep and a eye slowly opened. Almost instantly a yip escaped her. Sherry was nearly nose to nose with her. There were giggles past her but it was impossible to see past Sherry.

"She's awake!" Sherry exclaimed cheerfully and threw her arms around Serah.

"Ow-ow-ow! Sherry that hurts!" she whined out and gently pushed her friend's arms away.

"Sorry sorry! Oh man we've been so worried about you!"

Sherry was so excited that the pitch of her voice kind of hurt. Serah just grinned and finally was able to see the others. All four of them were there! Shanel was busy putting the flowers with the others, Mack was in Sven's face either chewing his ear off or flirting. It was hard to tell from her position. Ashely was standing quietly with white box in her hands. "Hi guys. Sorry to worry you. I'm okay though."

"Sure you are! You are one of us and tough as a nail to boot." Ashely winked and offered the box over, "We all pitched in," she leaned over and whispered, "We know how the hospital food is."

The face she made caused Serah to laugh which in turned made her gasp and wince at the same time.

"Whoa! WHOA!" Sherry flapped her hands.

"Take it easy girl!" was Ashely almost in time with Sherry.

"I'm okay." Serah smiled sheepishly while peeking into the box. Cookies! A bunch of cookies! She started for one almost immediately but stopped herself. They could wait.

"How are you doing really?" Shanel asked seriously from the opposite side of the bed.

"I am really tired and sore but otherwise I am okay. The doctor has stopped by a few times but I was sleeping each time. I don't know much else right now. So I am just sleeping." She smiled meekly.

"They got you on some good pain medicine don't they?" Ashely was peeking over to the bag hanging on the IV.

She just shrugged a bit, "I guess."

"When will you be out? We can't have the show with one of us missing!" Sherry exclaimed and scooped up Serah's hand.

"What she means to say is we won't have a show without you."

She looked to Shanel, her eyes widening a bit. "You can't do that! You've had shows before I joined. You don't need to stop just because of me. You guys need the money and-"

"And we all agreed we will wait for you to get better." Ashely interrupted with a smile. Shanel and Sherry both nodded in agreement, "There is no point in arguing with them once their minds are set. You know that."

"True." She giggled and squeezed Sherry's hand. "Thank you all."

Sherry squeezed her hand back softly. "We are going to go but we will be back tomorrow morning. You rest. You look exhausted!"

"That is because keeping up with you takes a lot of energy, Sherry." Shanel smirked and went to pull Mack away from Sven.

Both didn't seem pleased with that but Sven winked to Mack and she grinned cheerfully. The group of females waved to Serah and filed out of the room.

Once the door closed she started to sink down into her bed, totally spent. She giggled when Sven flopped into his chair, looking just as exhausted. "Got your hands full huh?"

"What a woman!"

She spluttered out a laugh, waving a hand in the air while the other pressed carefully to her chest, "That is horrible, Sven!"

"You've got some good friends there, Serah!"

"Yeah. I have a bunch of great friends. Those were just some." She smiled wistfully.

"Stop with the long face. You will be back to bugging them in no time. So tell me. Is there a guy in your life I should be keeping an eye out for?"

She blinked over to him. "Whoa what brought that up?"

He grinned at her. "Hell if my girl was in the hospital I'd be coming in guns-a-blazing."

She giggled as she looked to the door, a nurse bringing in a tray of food. It was placed nearby and they exchanged a smile. Once the nurse had left she sighed, head shaking slowly. "I've got a bunch of guy friends but no boyfriend." Reaching out she pushed the tray towards him and snuggled down under the blankets. "Have at it. I'm not hungry."

"Naw. You should eat. Maybe after you sleep a little?"

"Maybe."

"You need to eat. To get your strength." He winked at her and resumed his guard post. That was his way of saying there was no room to argue.


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April Fourth
100 days

Shortly after dinner Sven came charging into the room with a bouquet of flowers that had just been delivered. Upon entering he was greeted by a shriek and the sight of Serah's naked everything. He ogled while muttering an apology.

"Sven!" She made a blind grasps for a robe while trying to use her arm to cover up. "Turn around and stop gawking!" With the bandages and the IV attached to her hand she didn't feel very fetching to look at but the way he was staring did get a rise of color in her cheeks.

Spinning around he cleared his throat, holding out the bouquet to one side. "You have more flowers delivered. I went downstairs to pick them up for you."

"Who is it from?" She struggled the robe on. Once it was tied she moved to collect the gift of red and black roses. Such an oddness for a get well gift. She plucked the note nestled in the bouquet while waiting for his answer.

"No clue." Sven shrugged, releasing the flowers to her care.

Opening the note she started to the bed. A gasp left her lips and the bouquet of flowers were released. In clutter the glass vase spilled its contents across the ground and she stared at the note.

Instantly Sven turned and moved to her. "Serah? What is wrong? Are you okay?!" Without waiting for an answer he took the note from her grasp and looked it over. Once read his expression became more serious, the matter of things coming to light. "Get in bed. I'll clean up this mess."

Numbly she nodded and moved into the bed. Just as she sat down the nurse came in, looking at the mess and scowling Sven who was cleaning it up. The nurse moved to Serah and smiled. "How are you, Miss Farron?"

She shook her head, answering the nurse in silence.

"I see. Well it is time for your medication." The nurse placed the needle to the IV feed and emptied the syringe.

Like every time before she felt a dizzy wave but this time it was different. Instantly she sat up and vomited over the side of the bed. The nurse was able to move away in time but didn't move far. Reaching out she rubbed Serah's back. "Oh dear it looks like they forgot to add the anti nausea. Here now get up and I'll put you down some fresh sheets."

Serah, barely able to stand on her own, fumbled out of bed with Sven's help. The medicine was making her lean almost all her weight onto him. Watching the nurse change the sheets was a foggy, forgetful experience and once she was done Sven had to tuck her into the bed. The Dilaudid had claimed her by the time she was fully tucked into bed.

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April Sixth
98 days

Gothrak had heard from a patron about the shooting some nights ago and had paid it little mind until he heard the name. Though the demon didn't honestly know the girl very well, he certainly didn't think she deserved to get shot. It angered him. The demon headed home to collect something before making a trip to the hospital.

She had been in the hospital for a few days now. Awake for only ..maybe..half the time. She seemed to be sleeping a lot but the doctor assured her that there was nothing wrong with that. In fact he seemed to encourage it. However right now? Despite the attempt there was no sleeping. Sven had taken to guarding outside of the door instead of insdie for a few hours to give her time to shower and attempt at feeling human. Walking was a slow effort, much like breathing. Done carefully but not so much so that she was hendering her healing. A shower and a fresh gown, she watched as the nurse even prepared fresh sheets. This done while holding the back of her gown like someone was about to burst through the door and see her rear.

Thankfully it was visiting hours and he was permitted to head for the room. He spotted the man out front and gave a nod of greeting, "Afternoon." he rumbled, holding up a stange glowing flower about the size of his hand, "Is this Serah's room?"

The mass that was Sven looked over to the man with a raised brow. "Sure is. Who are you?" There was no way, it seemed, Sven was going to allow Gothrak to get passed without a few questions being asked. After all, to him, Gothrak may very well of been the shooter. The man was just doing his job.

The demon flicked his eyes over the bodyguard and gave a grunt, he sort of understood the hesitation, from what he'd heard the shooter hadn't been caught. "I am Gothrak. A...an aquaintance of Serah's. In all honesty, I only just met her recently. I know her sister, Claire. She was my captain with Team Dirty." Gothrak didn't mind sharing information about who he was.

Sven nodded and held his hand up while opening the door with the other. Without looking in he called inside, "Serah. Some fella name Gothrak is here to see you."

"Omgawd Sven close the door I'm naked!"

"Shit! Sorry!"

Serah was giggling from the otherside, "Just joking! It is okay send him in. The nurse is just leaving so move!"

And there was the nurse at the door ready to leave, smiling to the pair of gentleman outside the door. She'd slip by and hurried off with the dirty sheets. Sven waved Gothrak in while stepping to the side to give him room, "Well you heard the lady. Go on in."

During this time she was slowly but surely positioning the IV unit and herself at the bed, scooting under the sheets but leaving them folded at her waist.

Of course the demon got a smirk on his face regarding the being nude comment even if it wasn't true. He oggled the nurse on her way out. When he was waved in, he smirked and headed inside. "Good to see you're not dead there, dear Serah."
He looked to the flower bouquets on the side table then at his single flower in his hand. "Uh...it isn't much but it is from my home so you won't find it here."

Gothrak making the nurses blush. She was never going to hear the end of it. She was going to have to get his number just to give to the nurses when they asked. Tilting her head she smiled meekly to him. "No not dead yet. Is that why you came? To make sure I wasn't." Pretty glowing flower in hand? She held out her hand for it. "Don't be rediculas. It is beautiful. Err..why is it glowing though? It isn't going to blow up or something is it?" She probably shoudn't be making jokes like that with Sven outside the door.

He chuckled, "Well, yes and no. I wanted to ensure you we going to be alright." Gothrak shrugged a bit, holding the flower out to her. It swirled with reds and oranges when the petals were touched, "No, there is no harm coming from them. Just a pretty flower from Hell 9."

"Hell 9." That sounds like she should be cautious about it but she took the flower regardless, marveling in the beautiful colors. She did even dare to touch the petals which caused a oooo from her lips. "This is awfully sweet of you, Gothrak, but you didn't have to go out your way." The flower was held gently between her hands and sh esmiled up to him. "How, um, did you find out? I was here I mean."

The demon shrugged, "I work at a bar...of sorts." Gothrak smirked, "and people talk...so, it was by accident that I discovered it." he folded his arms over his chest, "I am pleased that you are all right...well...not dead."

She bit her bottom lip and she glanced down to the flower. So people were talking about it. She didn't understand why but she'd nod. "I'm alright. There were complications when I first got here but the doctor said I am coming along just fine. I should be able to go home within a week or less." Lifting her eyes to him she broke out one of her sunny smiles. "Thank you, Gothrak. Your conern is very sweet."

Gothrak grinned, "You are most welcome. I suppose we'll have to put off that massage." he purred a bit, "You needn't put it into water...if you want it to live longer than a couple of days, a drop of blood on the stem end will appease it."

"It survives on blood?" She was trying not to focus on the fact he was bringing up the massage, her cheeks attempting to pinken but barely ghosting the color across her cheeks. "Unique. Much like the gifter." She smiled up to him. "I think it might be wise to put off the massage. I am not sure how much I can handle in my state. Plus I am pretty drugged up. Who knows what may happen."

"A prudent decision." Gothrak purred, a low rumble of a sound, "Indeex, it's a fire lily. There are flowers in my world that change color with sound ajd with touch. This one will change with touch to the petals but only variants of red anf orange."

A hand went up to brush some of her pink hair from her face as she listened to him. "The world you are from is called Hell 9?" Which really left to question what his world looked like. Fire and brimstone? He didn't look like he came from a quaint little village. Shaking her head she smiled. "So this is called Indeex. Do all plants from your world thrive off of blood?"

He nodded once, "Indeed, there are nine circles of Hell. The royal family and eldest demons reside in the Ninth. But no, not all hell flowers survive on blood. Very rarely do they need water though."

Her lips drew into a small circle and she looked at him curiously. Before she could reign in the question it spouted out from her, "Are you of royal blood?" He couldn't be an elder! He didn't have gray hair and wrinkles!

Gothrak blinked then chuckled, "No, I am not of the royal family. I was one of those first created from my Queen." he paused a moment then smirked, "It ahh...is all very confusing for people. Do you really care to know?"

"Ah." She blushed a bit and lowered her eyes to the flower. "Maybe it is best not to. I might not be able to grasp things very well being drugged up and I don't want to end up being rude in some manner." Settling back into the pillow she looked up to him again. "So you are old. Like old old.."

He chuckled and sat down in the chair by the bed, nodding once when she said he was old old, "Yes...I am old old. Perhaps when you're in less pain and on less drugs we can chat about it....I would like to be your friend. I know next to nothing of you and you know very little about me."

Her bright eyes trailed after him and what followed his statement wasn't really thought of. Not that the drugs were helping her. "Why do you want to be my friend?" It was an honest curiosity.

The demon raised an eyebrow, "Because I like talking with you?" Gothrak shrugged, "You are a nice person. Should I not want to be your friend?"

"I was just wondering if there was some other reason you weren't sharing. Besides getting into my skirt." Which she wasn't wearing right now but shh! "I like'd like to be friends. It is nice having friends actually." She began to fidget with the flower. "I don't feel as alone."

He chuckled, "Well, it is easier to get into bed with a friend than a stranger...but you have made yourself clear on the matter." Gothrak raised an eyebrow at her comment, "You feel alone?"

"Quite frankly there is a reason why I haven't been to bed with anyone since my arrival here." Tilting her head she looked to him and smiled, just a bit. It was a sad smile. "A little sometimes, yeah. I feel out of place and like I don't belong. I have felt that way since I've came here. But even before that. Even before that I was real lonely. My sister was never around much and she always sort of keeps me at a distance. Arms length that reaches miles. It has been like that since we were kids. I've started to feel more a burden to her then family." The flower was softly placed in an empty cup nearby that way it had some place to rest.

The demon's eyesbrows pulled down together a bit, "May I ask how long you have been here in Rhy'din?...You don't strike me as someone that doesn't fit in in the least....but I understand the feeling of loneliness, not a pleasant feeling."

"Over a year around. It seems...feels..longer." She sulked down in her spot. "I was brought here because our world was falling apart. Decaying. Lightning..Claire..she didn't want me to die that way so brought me here."

"Curious nickname." Was what he chose to fixate upon for a moment before frowning, "So you're coming here was not an accident as many who arrive here are....but, if your sister was the one to rescue you, clearly she cares a great deal for you despite that arm's length business."

"She does. I know she cares. And she feels responsible for my well being." Which lead to the whole burden feeling. "Most my time here in Rhydin I have been alone in everything. Every batshit crazy thing that has happened to me was mostly dealt with alone. The person who shot me-" she pointed to her chest, "Was one of the men who, last year, kidnapped me. I was gone for a month and I don't think anyone, not even she, noticed." Realizing how she said it he might get the wrong idea. "B-But I am not saying that is bad! She has a lot going in on her life. Noctis, duels, work."

Gothrak blinked a few times. Having only just met her, he certainly hadn't known about her troubled past with the assailant. He growled slightly to himself at the idea, "I'll never understand kidnapping...forcing another into captivity for coin is a strange practice." He sighed, "I take it both events are why you have that curious fellow that greeted me at the door?"

"It wasn't for coin why they kidnapped me." her voice lowered a bit and she looked away from him with clear shame. "Sven? Yeah sort of. Since the guy hasn't been caught yet he is more keeping an eye out so he doesn't come finishing the job."

The demon didn't understand why she should look ashamed but he wouldn't question her. "Hn...if there is a description of your assailant, I will keep an eye out for him as well."

"I really didn't get a good look at him. Dark hair. Mid thirties. Most of the time when they were ..handling me...I was blindfolded. Between torture and them," she shook her head, "All I really saw was pain. I was lucky to get away the first time I did. I managed to kill some of them. I didn't know one got away."

Gothrak blinked and bared his teeth, "They tortured you?" He wished he had known her then to take care of the one that got away, "You are made of strong stuff, dear Serah...not many have the smile you do after such events."

"Tortured and ravaged. They wanted information about a friend. His wear abouts. Which I told them I honestly didn't know. They refused to listen. I mean I really don't know where Aaron is. I haven't seen him since a week before I was kidnapped. How can I give information I don't have." She looked over to him, like she wanted to be furious with him for saying that. "I'm not strong. I just can put on a convincing smile. Even when people know they don't really care so I don't go around talking about it. It is pointless. I just deal with it alone as I always do. Behind locked doors."

He frowned a bit, and perhaps against his better judgement spoke, "So you're being alone is more because you put on a lie of a pretty smile so as to protect people from the harsh reality of what happened to you?" The demon folded his arms over his chest, "Have you ever told anyone everything that occurred or do you take it upon yourself to protect them from the truth? Taking it all internally?"

"Some people do know. Hell Dirtias is very well aware that I was rape and tortured." There was a sour expression there but whatever the reason was she didn't say. She was trying, very hard, not to talk about Diritas. Even if he had been there hours before Gothrak had arrived. "There are those that know. Most people do find out in time. It is information that is taken, nodded to, and normally just things carry on like normal. However, no. My being alone doesn't come just from that. It is a mountain of things that sum up to show that in it all? I am just that. Alone. Jamo has been there for me as he can. I try to just carry on the day as any person would. Smile even when I am hurting and just carry on." She shrugged to him and smiled. "What more can I do? But I have friends and they do make me smile. Jon managed to get me to laugh in a way I haven't in a long time."

"Hn." The demon was not pleased, though perhaps it was more that something horrible had happened to such a good person and that one of her tormentors still drew breath than anything else.
In all honesty, he didn't have any suggestions for her, "...It is good you have them then..."

She would realize later that the drugs made her a little chatty. She'd apologize to him later but for now she just nodded. "And you? Unless you've changed your mind about being friends."

He raised a dark eyebrow and gave a slight huff, "I very rarely change my mind, dear Serah..." Gothrak murmuted and shook his head a bit, "So no, I have not changed my mind in desiring to be your friend...though I will rethink my shameless flirtations if they cause you discomfort."

"Naw flirting is okay. I just don't know how to deal with it sometimes. I mean the relationships I have been in kinda were fucked up. I am also very horrible at reading flirting. Most guys do it as a friendly gesture but I have absolutely no clue when they are being real." She pushed to sit up a bit fully and pointed to a bag on one of the chairs. "Can you grab that for me? I have a favor to ask of you."

The demon chuffed a purr, "Well...I am always being real...but rarely are my invitations ever accepted. Extremely frustrating for me, as you can imagine. I fear I may become a little more insatiable when Whisper is in her third trimester....apparently four months without her....Hells that's going to drive me mad..." Gothrak glanced over to the bag and stood, grabbing it for her and bringing it to rest beside her on the bed.

Her brows went up and she slyly looked over to him with a grin. "You know pregnant women tend to be really horny during certain trimesters right? Some women are insatiable so during pregnancy." She waited to see his reaction.

He raised an eyebrow with a wolfish grin, "Hm...that I did not know. She did say something about sex helping with labour...but...I would be concerned about poking the child in the head or whatnot..." Gothrak chuckled, "I suppose I will just have to see how it goes....she encourages me to seek out conquests though and I feel as if I dissappoint her when I fail." The demon shrugged, their relationship was an odd one sometimes.

She stared at him and suddenly went bursting into laughter. Wheezing she raised a hand to her chest while the other flapped at him. She had to gasp for air several times before finally finding the ability to speak. "Oh Goddess! Gothrak! It is seriously okay to have sex during pregnancy! Up until her water breaks in fact. The child is hardly paying attention to what is going on and is safetly insulated to where you won't," she ended up in another fit of giggles, "poke its head." Oh geez it hurt to laugh!

He winced when she started laughing, feeling poorly as she seemed to be struggling with it but he did grin a bit after a moment, "I'll not tell you my other worry then in regards to carnal behaviour during her pregnancy." It certainly made him feel better, perhaps he wouldn't hit a dry spell then.

"You afraid the baby is going to bite off Captain Winky?" She squealed out the question and more giggles.

Gothrak's laugh was a gravelly sound but it was honest amusement, "That or grab hold."

She was dying! She sunk back into the pillow, tears clinging to the corner of her dark lashes.When he said that she went from giggles to laughter again. "Not gunna happen but oh my gawd you ..so..." She couldn't finish it. Too busy laughing.

The demon grinned widely at hearing her laugh, "I hope that doesn't hurt too much, dear Serah. Killing someone with laughter certainly would be a first for me." Gothrak purred, a lopsided and amused grin on his face, "It is mildly ego-damaging for you to be disolving into fits of giggles at the thought of my member."

"Oh Etro it hurts!" She stopped in mid laughter to gawk at him, nearly going back into laughter but spluttering instead. "Oh pah-lease! I'm more laughing at you worried about poking your wee ones head and it caring! That is so rediculasly cute!" her fingers clenched into the chest of her gown, telling herself over and over she needed to calm down. "You won't disturb the child nor will it disturb you."

He purred at her, amusement still clear on his face but he didn't say anything else to spur on the chest aching giggles, "I see, gratitude for the reassurance, dear Serah."

"I think you just want to show off what you have." She smirked to him.

His dark eyebrows waggled a bit at her comment, "Perhaps." He purred and looked to the bag, "Now, what was this favor you wished of me?"

"I would be lying if I said I didn't consider it." With that said she began to dig around in the bag before pulling out a small box and offering it over to him. "Can you give this to Lenore. It was something I bought her before I ...screwed up. Just don't tell her it is from me. You can say you got it for her or something."

Gothrak sighed, "That is still an issue between the two of you, hm?" He held his hand out to take the item, "You should give it to her yourself....perhaps that will smooth any ruffled feathers?"

"I haven't talked to her since." She looked at the phone and lowered it. She was concerned Lenore would throw it back at her and tell her she didn't want it. "Okay.." Shoving it back into the bag she shoved the bag off of the bed to fall on the floor where it may. The phone was safe among the clothes. "Forget I asked, okay?"

When she looked disappointed, he held his hand out again, "...I will tell you what...I will give it to her, but I will make no false prentenses that it is from me."

"No it wasn't right of me to ask you anywho." She smiled to him and tapped her fingers against his in a playful sort of high-five.

The demon gave a sigh, "I did not say I would not, it was simply a suggestion." Gothrak murmured and grinned a bit at the strange high-five before taking her hand in his. He hadn't done this action for a time but he found that women enjoyed the gesture. He turned her hand over and gently kissed the soft underside of her wrist. If an IV was in the way, he would press his lips to the fleshy part of her palm before releasing her and leaning back in his seat again, "Was there anything else you wanted me to do? Send a hello to anyone or word not to worry? I only found out in passing...."

She was surprised by the gesture and he even got a little pink to her cheeks for it. The question did have her withdrawing her hand. "I don't know. I was thinking about sending a text to James and Jon since I have their number. I don't have Constance's. I don't know. I mean if they don't know then they'll just worry. Nobody needs to. I am going to be fine. Out and about in time."

"Hm...I suppose." Gothrak folded his arms over his chest as he sat back in his seat, "Do you wish me to keep it a secret then?"

"Naw. If you feel the need to tell someone then go ahead but reassure them I am okay? And laughing even though you make it hurt." She stuck her tongue out at him playfully.

"Ah, that's me, combining pain with pleasure." He purred, waggling his eyebrows and sticking his tongue out back at her though his did a lewd wriggle before retreating once more, "Of course."

"Oh stop that.." She giggled, trying not to blush anymore then she already was. Yawning a bit she pulled the blanket up to her chest. "Thank you, Gothrak. I know I have been talking way too much. Probably been sounding really stupid too."

The demon smiled and stood, "You haven't....it's been nice to chat with you again. I should let you rest."

"I suppose you should. And talk to your lady. I am not saying you can't go ..prowling? But it is safe to make love to her. I promise you that." She smiled softly to him.

"Prowling." He chuckled at the word before nodding, "I intend to speak with her on it. Rest well, Serah." Gothrak gave a deep bow of his head before heading for the door.

"Hey you know it is true." She cooed sweetly after him. "Thanks for coming to see me. Be safe, Gothrak."

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April Eighth
96 days

She was hoping by this time she would of been allowed to go home by now but the doctor said they needed to keep her longer because they were worried that the pass of difficulties hadn't passed. So she was still stuck in the hospital, pretty much bored out of her mind. Sven had apparently had enough of dealing with her too because he was outside of the room instead of keeping an eye on her inside. Naw, that wasn't really it. She was just finishing freshening up and a nice long shower.

It was odd that he'd been drawn here again. Maybe he was just a glutton for punishment. Maybe he thought she only smiled at him because of the meds and had to see if it was different this time. He didn't know, but either way he was there and staring at the elevator doors for a long time, attracting odd looks and stares from passerby. Wasn't the first time people had looked at him oddly, hell there were even a few who gave him knowing glances, as if understanding sometimes simply forcing yourself forward was very difficult. But he did, and it wasn't long before he started down the hall on the correct floor, noting Sven outside. He offered a slight wave, keeping both hands visible as he approached with a slow and even pace. "How is she?" He asked the stoic guardian.

Sven looked up from a nurse he happened to be chatting up. "Bored out of her gorge but she can't leave just yet. They are holding her for about another week or so. The complications has the doctor still concerned. She should be done with her shower if you want to pop in and say hey." He gestured to the door, "Might want to knock first."

That was debatable but at least it was polite. He nodded and barely glanced at the nurse before knocking at the door. "Serah... It's Diritas... " He hesitated to ask if he could come in, instead he just stood there outside the door with Sven and the nurse awkwardly. Really he was just trying hard not to think about Serah taking a shower. That would lead down very bad roads he didn't need to be thinking about while he was in the room with her. Gods, please let her be decent when he walked in.

"Ah!" Spinning around she pushed the lip of her gown down over her rump. "Diritas?" She blinked as she scooted to the bed and sat down. Adjusting the IV tubes she looked back to the door. "It is safe. I am just tucking myself back in bed." She was a little surprised that he was back again but she'd not ask.

He gave it a few seconds, and then slipped through the door. Shutting it gently behind him before moving to the window and leaning against the wall. "How are you feeling?" She wasn't the only one surprised that he'd come back. But it was a good thing she wouldn't ask, because he wouldn't know how to answer if she had. Today he wore a white collared shirt, and dark stonewashed jeans. But there was no cutlass, not that he needed one. In one hand he carried a small red velvet pouch.

"You don't need to lean on the wall. There are chairs and a couch." She pointed to the said couch that Sven had been crashing on every night for the past week or so. Legs tucked under the sheets she pulled them to her waist and got comfortable. She'd much rather go roaming around but she couldn't. As much as she didn't want to ask she ended up spouting the question, "What brings you back out this way? Hopefully not the food. Totally bland!"

"I know. I'd prefer to stand." In case she told him to leave, best not to get comfortable. "I... Well, I'm not really sure. To be honest I just wanted to make sure you were doing better. Not everyone can just take a bullet you know? Especially with other complications." He looked down at the floor, his hand fiddling with that pouch. He didn't miss that she hadn't answered his first question, so he quieted and waited for an answer.

"I'm okay. The doctor is still concerned because of the complications and my pain hasn't really gone down quite that much." She didn't want to freak him out by saying she passed out while in the hall the day before. "I'm still here though. I should hopefully get to go home this weekend if nothing else happens."

He nodded, knowing there were things she wasn't telling him. It's not like she was lying to him, so he just let it go. "That's... That's good." He said quietly. "This weekend is good." He fiddled with the pouch a bit more before looking up at her. "So... How is Claire taking everything?" It was a hard thing when someone you cared for was hurt. And he knew Claire well enough to know she would likely blame herself the same way he had blamed himself for what had happened.

"She is taking it fine. She comes and goes. Stays a few hours to give Sven some time to go do what he may need to." She glanced to the box of cupcakes her sister brought and suddenly giggled. If the doctor knew that they were baked with Guinness he'd probably not let her have a single bite! "She doesn't like me here of course but she knows I'll be okay."

Diritas knew that feeling. He didn't like her being here much either. A secure bunker with a dedicated medical staff would have been more to his liking. A single guard, no matter how capable, in a public hospital wasn't his idea of secure. "I can understand that. I um..." He picked at the velvet pouch a little. "I wanted to talk to you about something. If that's okay. It's... a little personal."

Personal wasn't exactly what she wanted to talk about but she glanced to the pouch then him. "Sure?" Slowly she pushed herself up to sit a bit better, Sven's head poking in to check in on her. She instantly stuck her tongue out like a five year old at him and once he snickered and closed the door she looked back to Diritas.

"I... " He started but stopped, mulling over his words carefully as he could. "I don't want to lose you completely. I know you don't want me in your life... so I'm sorry I keep messing that up by coming around and everything else. But... I'm alive. I would really like it if you would stay that way too." He said softly... The velvet pouch in his hand was clutched tightly. "I think I can help you." She had said she wished he'd stay dead. Surely this would be a reasonable offer to her. He just had to word it correctly.

She blinked at him and at first was ready to decline. In fact she was still highly thinking about it but with reason. "Claire is already looking into something Diritas but I will hear you out. I am not saying I will agree but I will listen." She would give him that much.

He shook a small gemstone pendant from the velvet bag. Letting it rest in his hands. "I know what you think of me. That I will lie and cheat, hurt anyone just to get what I want. That I don't care as long as in the end I come out on top. I won't bother arguing. Instead I want you to think about something." He looked up at her, his eyes meeting hers for the first time since he'd stepped inside. "I could have lied. I could have given you this and not told you what it does." He held up the gem... a silver pendant of aquamarine that matched her eyes, diamonds ringing one side of the tension setting. "Will you still hear me out?"

He didn't want her to respond to that because he already knew what she would say. He was correct on what she thought of him and he had yet to prove to her otherwise. He was a player and to this day a pirate. He probably still eyed women hungrily and she wouldn't be surprised. Still she listened, her eyes taking up the silver clenched aquamarine gem. Slowly her eyes went from that to him, no words given but simple silence to show that she was listening.

He sighed, he'd thought so. But even still, seeing the truth of it in her eyes hurt. He looked away, hopefully before she could catch the flash of pain in his eyes. "This is a gem imbued with some of my powers. It contains an empathic link that is activated when the wearer is adversely affected by something. The empathic link imbues the wearer with my spiritual essence. My... immortality of sorts. It helps with healing and... longevity." He held up his other hand, which flickered with slow silver flames. "It's called the Silver Flame of the Sage. With it... I would experience everything you would and you would recover as I would by drawing from my life force." He let the silver flame fade. "I want you to take it. It won't stop the headaches. It won't stop the visions. But it might keep you alive."

She did listen, her eyes gentle as she listened. Until she heard him say something. Fiercely she shook her head, wincing and raising a hand to her chest. "No. Diritas did you really think I would let you do such a thing? I wouldn't let nobody share in this burden. I will not..No. I'm sorry. I won't. I won't be a burden. I'll be okay. Claire is looking into something but I cannot accept this. I'm sorry, Diritas."

He looked up at her, his eyes just as fierce as her shaking her head. "What makes you think I care if you don't want to be a burden?" He growled. It was a tone he'd never taken with her before. "What makes you think that I care if I get hit with some agony every now and then? You have no idea what I live with on a daily basis Serah. You never got to know me well enough to find out. Everything became a lie to you before I could tell you. Well here's a little bit of truth. Without you, it's agony. It's a pain I can't stop. It doesn't go away. I look at you and I remember what you told me and I understand how you feel. I don't even blame you. But a thousand voices in my head blame me. They whisper every little thing. Every mistake. Every fault I have. And I wish I could give you what you want. But I can't die. I just come back. So let me do the next best thing. Let me make a life I don't want worth something."

When he took that tone with her she looked positively furious. Furious enough to slap him if he had been close enough. "Don't you dare Diritas! Don't you dare speak to me like I don't know! Do you remember who it was that saw that spark in you that everyone, including yourself, denied?! Do you know how often you slapped me in the face with all the crap over the past year and I accepted it. Tried to move on. I cared for you! You are the one who b-" The machine next to her shrilled as her shoulders arched in and she doubled forward, both hands pressing to her chest. She struggled to take in breaths which started to become short. Closing her eyes she tried to calm herself, pain causing tears to spring free and down her cheeks as her lashes lowered. "D-don't you ...Don't you dare growl at me. You have no right. I still talk to you. I still let you in here when I should..I shouldn't. I'm sorry I still care enough that I don't want you to s-suffer too."

It cut him in half, the pain he was putting her in. But he knew she wouldn't thank him for trying to help. Still, his tone softened completely, as if the growl had never been there. "You still talk to me after wishing me dead." He said quietly. "Aren't you listening? Or did you just hear my tones? I'm offering my life for yours and you're worried about how I said it?" He gestured to the machines. "You're killing yourself over what? Kindness? Independence? Stubbornness? I have no right to growl at you over that. No. No right at all. You won't let anyone else carry a burden when they're begging you to let them because they love you. I'd have taken that bullet for you Serah. You don't believe me but I would have. You say you care enough that you don't want me to suffer, but you wish I had stayed dead. So you'll have to deal with the fact that I suffer every day. Because you don't know. You think I suffer simply because of you? Because of that spark that has grown believe it or not. No. I suffer because it is the price I pay for what I can do. But you don't know about all that. Do you even know what I am?" He shook his head. "Of course you don't. I never told you." He placed the pendant in the velvet bag and left it on the windowsill. "I love you. I can't help it. I want to help you. You've never been a burden to me, even when I thought I could never be... never be someone you could be proud of."

"D-Do you honestly think..I am just ..letting myself..die? My sister has a way. A way that doesn't- Doesn't have to have you suffer. I'm not. I'm not going to allow you to do this. No. I won't. I don't care if you think I am stubborn or whatever. There is another way. I'm. I'm going to take it." Sinking back into the pillows she glanced to the door. She knew Sven would hear the machine and with the way things were blacking out it was probably a good thing that he did. "Stop loving me. I. I can't anymore. I just..can't. I wanted you to stay dead because it hurts. It ..hurts.."

Sure enough Sven barged in and with him a doctor and nurse. While the nurse bee-lined for the machine the doctor rushed to Serah. Sven was on his way to Diritas like he was about ready to grab the man and shove him out the window. "Time for you to leave."

"Get him out of here!" the nurse called, "You too, Sven. We need the room." The nurse grabbed the hand held button and pressed it, calling out a code across the channel.

He closed his eyes as she spoke, nodding as she finished. When Sven came in, ice became claws shimmering with flame on his hands. Sven started towards him and he pointed at the man and started for the door himself. "As if you could force me. Don't kid yourself Rent-a-cop." He growled. He wasn't in the mood to play meek anymore. The ice and flame vanished and Diritas was gone in a flash of golden flame... the velvet pouch sitting on the windowsill where he'd left it. He shouldn't have gone. He knew that. So he wouldn't be back. Why couldn't he just talk to her like he used to? It didn't matter... nothing mattered anymore.

Sven snorted at the insult slung his way but that didn't matter right now. Dodging a few nurses rushing in he stepped back out to let the nurse and doctors do their thing and help Serah recover.

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April Twenty-Fourth
80 days

She woke to the scent of sun warmed forest and honey. It was something you would find yourself enjoying out in the wilderness, not inside of a hospital room. A comforting warmth lingered as if she had been in that forest, taking a nap under the soft spring sun. Again not something you would find while inside a hospital room.

She found her room empty save Sven who was asleep in a chair near the door, his arms folded across the span of his chest. She didn't think the man ever slept! Cooper seemed to of taken his leave while she slumbered which she really didn't blame him for. He needed sleep too. Despite this she hoped that their paths crossed again. Time would tell that tale but for now she felt good and hungry. Real hungry! Good thing breakfast was going to be served soon otherwise she might just go get something herself.

Tilting her head she looked outside the window, the sun up and bright to the world it shined upon. She couldn't wait to go out and do something. Heck she felt good enough that she might dare a walk in the hall. Course she'd probably just get fussed at by the doctor or Claire. Both was more likely.

She was just about to sneak out of her bed when the door opened. Pulling the blanket up to her hips she smiled to the incoming doctor and nurse like she was totally doing nothing wrong!

He chuckled in amusement, "You seem to be in fine health today, Miss Farron. Let us have a look at you and we can see about maybe getting you breakfast, hm?" While the nurse looked over the monitors he moved to her and reached out to undo some of her bindings. His brows seemed to lower and then shoot right up.

"Doctor? Her vitals are very-"

"Nurse come see this." he interrupted her and the nurse moved to see what had the doctor just a bit bewildered.

Blinking she tried to look down to see what the doctor was doing but he kept getting in the way. Him and the nurse were speaking too low for her to understand. "What is wrong?" Oh ew was her heart spilling out or something?!

"Miss Farron," the doctor started as he pulled more of her bandages free, "You are all healed. There is scar but-" Once the bandages were pulled free he stood back so she could examine for herself.

It did explain why there was no pain in her chest anymore. Movement was done so freely. Raising a hand to the flesh of her chest she looked at the doctor confusedly. While she could do healing magics she hadn't tried since she had nearly killed that lady. Her magic was too wild in these lands. "I-I didn't do this." Even if she could she had been too weak to. Her eyes drifted to the nurse who looked just as confused. Suddenly her eyes went back to the doctor. "Does this mean I can go home now?"

"Well a few tests to be done first but yeah if all is as good as it looks you can leave for home this evening."

"Well let's get those tests done! I want food!"

The doctor laughed and offered the bandages to the nurse. "Very well!"

The tests were done in a timely fashion and she was packing even before the sun began to color the sky. She hadn't yet text Claire but there was time to get around to that. First home! Home and food and letting Jamo know she was okay! Well as okay as she could be. One worry at a time. Plus she needed to figure out how this happened. Her suspicions landed on Cooper though he didn't seem like a healer sort. Then again in Rhydin a lot was as it didn't appear to be. All she knew was if she found him and he said he did heal her and it in some way hurt him? She was going to throttle him silly!

The nurse insisted that she be rolled out and Sven, thankful to be leaving the hospital as well, was increasingly happy to roll her out with a quick pace!

"Now if you feel any pain you call the doctor right away, Miss Farron."

"I will."

"She will." Sven piped up after her.

When the doors rushed open she inhaled in surprise at the warm air that came to greet her. It was a wall of a difference between the cold air of the hospital. Slow and steady she moved out of the wheelchair and with a smile to the nurse they bid their farewells. Sven walked her home, carrying her things like the pack mule she made him to be, while she text her sister.

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May 18th
56 days

"You don't have to follow me everywhere, Noel." Serah grumbled as she moved through one of the many halls of the Academy. It was almost two weeks now that she had been there and all the poking and prodding was getting under her skin. She felt restless and being shadowed by Noel wasn't helping.

"Well if you wouldn't of snuck out you wouldn't have to have an escort now would you?" Noel teased over to her.

"Hey I was just gone for like two hours! I just went and dropped off a gift for my bestie." was mumbled as her shoulders sulked down.

"What was two hours for you was a day and some hours here." Noel pointed out. Suddenly Serah stopped and Noel traveled a few more steps forward before turning to face her, "Are you saying you-," He noticed that she had not only stopped but was wearing a very distant look on her face, "Serah?"

"Hhhh-" Her eyes rolled back as her knees buckled and she pitched forward.

Noel quickly swept forward to catch her, "Serah! Serah!" He scooped her up and quickly charged down the hall. "HOPE!" It took Noel little time to find Hope who had been going through the results of the tests.

Hope looked positively bewildered at Noel when he came bursting into the room, holding Serah in his arms, "Noel wh-"

"She's having a vision, Hope!"

"Quick! Get her on the table." Hope was on the move, getting together some tools to monitor Serah during this time. Pressing her lid up he checked her pupil. Sure enough he found a white glyph marking over Serah's bright eyes.

"Come on, Serah! Snap out of it!" Noel called from over Hope's shoulder.

Hope's hand shot out to push into Noel's chest. "Go get Alyssa! NOW!"

Noel nodded and quickly ran out while Hope continued to get Serah ready. By the time Alyssa and Noel arrived Hope had managed to place Serah on a long table. "Alyssa we aren't going to be able to wait. Get things ready and we just got to cross our fingers."

"Are you sure that is a good idea, Hope? She's likely going to be weak af-"

"We have no choice! Her vitals are struggling as is. That one almost killed her and I don't know about you but I don't want her dying on my watch." Hope continued to get things ready, now with the assistance of Alyssa.

Within half an hour they were ready for the process of tune the Heart of Chaos to Serah. The trio stood together some feet away as the chamber near Serah was opened. At first there was nothing but in a whoosh and a howling sound a burst of black and purple clouds swarmed from the chamber and wrapped around Serah. She gasped out, body arching off of the table as the cloud seemed to absorb into her very being. As the last disappeared her back dropped to the table but her body writhed on the tabletop, mouth gaped open as she gasped for air.

"What is going on, Hope?" Noel asked as he moved to try and hold Serah down.

"I don't know! It is like she is choking!"

"Help her!"

Serah's hands clawed at the air as if trying to fend away someone hovering over her. All she really was doing was fending Noel from keeping her down.

"Serah! SERAH!"

She gasped, inhaling deeply, her eyes round wide open and staring up at nothing. The breath was released as she slumped back onto the table and half into Noel's arm.

Bewildered Noel and Hope looked at each other then down to Serah. Hope began to check her vitals and exhaled in relief. "She seems to be stabilizing. Noel, make her comfortable.. We can't do anything else for now but keep an eye on her."

Noel slowly nodded and gathered a blanket to tuck around Serah and a pillow for under her head. After that was done he began to dab her forehead with a clean rag. "What was that, Hope?"

"I don't know but it looked as if someone was strangling her, didn't it?" Hope answered as he tinkered on the nearby machine.

"Sure did." Noel responded while taking a seat nearby. Now all they could do was wait.

May 20th
54 days

It was great to be back and she couldn't of got away from Academy fast enough. The awkward conversations between her and Noel, the constant prodding by Hope, and just sitting in her room doing nothing was not a vacation!

Even after returning to Rhydin she and her sister spent a good chunk of the day talking about things, Claire expression her concern and for Serah to contact her if anything was wrong. There was also an extended talk about her conversation with Ventus.

There was a lot for her to think on and even more for her to catch up on. How long had she been at the Academy? A couple of months almost? In Rhydin time it was three or four days. Okay so maybe she didn't have as much to catch up but still she was looking forward to getting back into the swing of things.

Since the atonement of the Heart of Chaos she had no visions and for the most part she felt normal. A buzzing headache every once in a while was likely just her body readjusting. There were other things suggesting her body was readjusting but they weren't something Hope seemed overly concerned with. Time would tell its tale and for now she was just looking forward to catching up with friends and Family.

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July 2nd
11 days

"I'm sorry, Lightning, there is just nothing we can do right now for her.-

-No I don't think that would be wise. I am going to give her something to hopefully help her sleep and send her back for now."

She woke to hearing Hope speaking on his cellphone to her sister.

"She's waking up. Yeah I'll inform her and see what she wants to do."

She tried to sit up but found that she was strapped down on the bed. "W-What is going on?" she croaked out. Her throat felt dry and scratchy as if she had been screaming or snoring.

"Oh you only tried to kill the boss." Alyssa's head poked into view.

Serah looked at the blonde woman like she had lost her mind but when she looked over to Hope she could see him trying to hide the bruises around his neck with the collar of his jacket. "I- I attacked you?"

"You were either seeing things or having a vision. I don't know Serah. You've been out for almost a day and calm for it. How do you feel?"

"My throat hurts and I am hungry but otherwise I felt like I actually slept some."

"You were kind of screaming in your sleep." Alyssa's voice chimed in again though it was spoken almost as if she wasn't sure if she should share the tidbit of information.

"You were having a nightmare." Hope added while he cautiously started to unbind her wrists.

She could tell he was being cautious so when she sat up she did so slowly to show she wasn't a threat. "I don't remember even dreaming." A frown curved her lips down and she looked between the two, "So did you fix me?"

"I'm sorry, Serah. We still don't know what is wrong with you. But I took everything I need to do testing so I am going to send you back home and contact you with the results when I get them. There is no point in you staying here being bored for two weeks while the tests are being done."

"So I am not like danger to people?"

Alyssa giggled, "I think you've always been a threat!"

Serah blinked to Alyssa who was just all giggles and smiles.

"Meanie Miss Farron!"

Serah groaned but soon enough was giggling along with Alyssa.

"I've already talked to your sister and told her you were going home. I am going to send you back with some things to help you sleep."

"Help me sleep?" she gave Hope a look.

"I am not going to lie, Serah. There is something going on that I don't understand. For whatever reason your body is fighting everything you are given. What I am going to send you home with is strong stuff and will knock you out like it did here. So it isn't something you can use lightly."

She nodded, not liking the idea, but at this point she had no choice.

"You just may be adjusting to the heart of chaos and being immortal. That is my thought on the subject. It is likely testing your sanity." Which really didn't seem to surprise Hope at all. With the last restrain removed he offered his hand out to Serah to help her up.

Reaching out she took Hope's hand and pulled herself to her feet. She could understand the reasoning of his assessment. She still couldn't quite cope with being immortal. Was that really what it was? Mentally stressed out? It had been something on her mind since day one. The idea of the Heart of Chaos was stress in itself but living longer than her family? Watching her family and friends die while she didn't age? It bothered her. "What if it is that, Hope?"

"Then there is nothing I can do. It will have to be something you come to terms with, Serah. I can't control your mind and even if I couldn't I wouldn't. Your sister would skin me!" he waited until both women stopped giggling before he continue, "Also not helping is the fact that you have been fighting your visions, Serah. You are just hurting yourself doing that. Struggling against them is not a good idea."

"But I don't like having them in public. I don't like worrying my friends."

"They worry because they care but which do you think is worse? Having one in public or fighting the vision and hurting yourself more?"

She sighed. He had a point but didn't like it. "Fine." Hope handed her the tray full of her things and she picked up her cell, noting there were a few messages waiting for her. The rest of her things were gathered from the tray. "I wonder if it is something as easy as accepting things."

"It very well could be. I will let you know of the test results as soon as I can. Until then try to work on it. Try to find something more happier to focus on." Hope tried to encourage her with a smile.

Before she could answer Alyssa moved to intercept her and squeeze a hug out of her. "It'll be all okay, Serah!"

She patted Alyssa's shoulder and smiled. "I do feel better after sleeping."

Hope offered her a package and started to explain the contents. Instructions, care, and warnings were explained as they walked out the room. During the entire time Hope was watching her closely, making sure that she was alright. Cheeky smiles and giggles with Alyssa seemed to look like she was her normal self. Maybe sleep had been all she needed. She needed more peaceful sleep though. The nightmares needed to go and they needed to find the source.

At the gate Hope and Alyssa waved Serah off.

"She seems to be in a hurry to get back." Alyssa giggled, "Think she is trying to get away from you?"

"Could be!" Hope grinned and once Serah was out of sight he turned to Alyssa. "We've got a lot of work to do. Let's go!"

"Okay!"