[ 008 ] - written (action available for crew of Antoinette)

[hostclubshadowking]

I don't know if anyone's noticed, but -- we are on our own, now.

[His writing comes a bit more slowly than it usually does.]

Unsurprisingly, a week has passed without without word from Scurvey Dog.

I have a request, however. If he should reappear or someone comes to take his place answering questions: I implore the first person to ask how we undo what I imagine to be the "curse" he mentioned. Several of our crews have afflicted members, and I think it's in our general best interest to figure out how to help them.

Thank you,
Otori

[For his crew, Kyouya has been a bit scarce the last two days. He's barely left Tamaki's side, except when his friend falls asleep. He's been dozing off but never for long himself, an unusual break from his normal habits.

He'll deny slowly getting paler, just like he won't admit to physically slowing down. Or the fact that his breathing gets a bit heavy after even simple tasks. He knows enough about medicine to diagnose himself, but there's nothing to do but live with it.

He's also been very careful to button his shirts at the cuffs and minimize the risk of anyone seeing the bandages on his arm from his method of taking care of Tamaki.]

Comments

[soundandfurry]

I'm sure Tamaki will be okay... -Yeah, she knows what this is about. Wolves just know.-

[hostclubshadowking]

[It's hardly a secret among the crew at this point.]

I'd prefer to find some way to help him, though.

[soundandfurry]

Well, I'm sure we can manage that, too. More what I'm saying is... try not to worry too much, okay? Things will turn out alright.

[hostclubshadowking]

[Kyouya could hold his tongue, but his expression wouldn't be contained. It was a very simple, very cold look.]

The health of everyone on this ship is my responsibility. That is what I agreed to when taking this post. Not only is someone ill, it is someone consider a friend, and he is ill in a way that could harm others if we are all not careful.

[He's too tired and too stressed to fake politeness right now. At least about this issue.]

So telling me not to worry? Is pointless advice because I will and foolish, at best, because I should.

[soundandfurry]

Whoa... Sorry, I didn't mean anything by it.

[hostclubshadowking]

Careless words have consequences.

[soundandfurry]

... Actually, no. I'm not sorry. I was only trying to help! Bring up the positivity a little! So, okay, maybe worrying is your job, or whatever, but all I was trying to do was help cheer you up! You didn't have to be so rude!

[hostclubshadowking]

[Kyouya gives a smile. It's an easy smile, one he gives most people. A smile that doesn't falter no matter his mood.]

Believe me, Miss, I haven't been rude yet.

[soundandfurry]

No, you're definitely rude. Hardly a gentleman at all. Just a cold, emotionless... jerk! That's what you are, a jerk!

[hostclubshadowking]

[Kyouya's tone never alters, and he bows his head in what might have been a gesture of contrition.]

I'm afraid we disagree. I might have gotten a bit short, but I don't think it's rude to say someone is speaking carelessly when they've told me I shouldn't be worrying, even though a good friend is ailing.

[soundandfurry]

I... you... ugh... You're right. I'm sorry. I really lost my cool there for a moment.

[hostclubshadowking]

[Kyouya's smile remains.]

Your apology is accepted.

[And, to his credit, the smugness he feels is kept out of his voice.]

[soundandfurry]

Thank you. I'll try to think my attempts at encouragement through a bit more.

[hostclubshadowking]

That would be for the best, I think.

[soundandfurry]

Um... Speaking of your friend, you can tell him that the cloak and parasol I promised him will be ready soon...

[audio]

[abundantlove]

Mmn. Kyouya-san, I'm sorry about your friend, but you're not looking good yourself.

Why don't you come down to the ship's galley? You can at least get some food in you...

[audio]

[hostclubshadowking]

I've been keeping myself fed. Just not resting much with all of this, admittedly.

[And, you know, hiding the fact that he's been slicing open his arm for his friend.]

How are you all handling this? I hope Lady Maribelle is well.

[audio]

[abundantlove]

I'm fine... Rikka and I have been managing to find a way to deal with her transformation. We got one of those kits for safely drawing blood... and managing to find a rationing that doesn't make me feel exhausted afterwards.

... But um, yes, I hope she's fine too.

[audio]

[hostclubshadowking]

You're very fortunate to have medical supplies to draw blood.

[audio]

[abundantlove]

We got it from the shop that gives out things from back home... you don't need something like that, do you?

Re: [audio]

[abundantlove]

((... I am stupid and I completely missed the part about Kyouya leaving the crew. My apologies for her not seeming to know that))

[princelycharm]

[He knew all too well the consequences of his situation. He knew it was bound to take a toll on Kyouya, and yet he never wavered. Kyouya was always there for him just as he was in the Academy. He may not be the sweet and affectionate type, but his actions spoke louder than any embrace or declaration.

So that evening, Tamaki decided to make a decent meal from the ingredients available to him and brought it to Kyouya's room. He knew Kyouya was sleeping so he went in quietly and sat beside Kyouya's bunk and waited for him to wake up. He waited patiently, unlike those moments when he'd usually shake him awake early in the morning because he knew Kyouya needed to rest.]

[hostclubshadowking]

[The cool type. No one could accuse Tamaki of being wrong about the archetypes he assigned the members of the Host Club. The one who held back affection but made rare, genuine shows of it. Aloof but really caring deep down.

Tamaki was better at getting to the heart of every person in the club than any of them liked to admit. Their Club persona was more their real personality than they would ever show otherwise.

Kyouya, usually fast asleep and unable to be roused, awoke only a few minutes after the sound of someone entering and the smell of food. With the fog and the moonlight and everything just wrong in this world right now, his mind never really settled, never shut down enough to let him fall completely asleep.

It took him a few moments to properly wake up, and he sat up in his hammock, pushing his hair back a bit and not yet going for his glasses, which were on the ground next to his shoes, tucked out of the way.]

Tamaki.

[Even with poor vision, that blond hair and how close he was gave his friend away.]

Hey.

Something wrong?

[Always ready for the worst.]

[princelycharm]

[At the beginning, the hardest part in their friendship was understanding the meaning behind Kyouya's smiles, action and words. But slowly, Tamaki understood Kyouya's feelings, silence and sadness which made him love Kyouya as a friend even more. Whenever he was lost or confused, there was only one person whom he completely trusted.

Immediately, when Kyouya started to stir, Tamaki went closer to him. He should be in a comfortable king-sized bed that they grew accustomed to so he can rest completely. Seeing Kyouya sit in a hammock like this was admittedly cool for Tamaki, but he knew it wasn't pleasant for Kyouya - most especially in his current condition.]

No~! I just brought you some food~!!! [His tone was cheerful, though inside he was very sad that he is the reason behind Kyouya's pallor and weakness.]