justonetruth | (no subject)

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K-Kaito? [ Softly, at first, and shaken. She touched the still-wet blood staining her front, touched the ragged tear in her shirt that marked the entry point of the bullet—pressed her hand over her ribs, over her heart, feeling the rise and fall and the steady, rhythmic beating…

And then she threw herself out of the bedroom she'd found herself in. The hallway was deserted; she broke into a run. ]

KAITO! ANSWER ME!

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[It's an understandable move, considering their situation, but the moment the younger Kaito shifts to raise his weapon, Kuroba moves as well. He steps forward quickly, placing his hand firmly on Nakamori's shoulder and pushing her aside (almost a bit roughly) so she isn't within Kaito's line of fire at all, so the gun is only trained at him should his startled counterpart decide to pull the trigger.

He doesn't let go of her shoulder (he does expect her to jerk away), nor does he flinch as he stares down the barrel of the firearm. Aoko's pleading goes mostly unheard by him, particularly since most of his attention is focused on the weapon: calculating the likelihood of being shot at, the best direction to dart in an attempt to dodge, the possibility of being hit, injured, or something else--]

I don't think you want to do that. [He says it evenly, and then nods at his younger counterpart's Aoko] She has something for you. You should take it-- it will help with the blood loss.

[jerk away she does, with an irritated look — even injured, she'd had her club up in a defensive posture the moment the gun was trained on her, ready to dodge or strike if necessary. She doesn't yet lower it, keeping one eye on Kuroba and one on his counterpart.

She's had far more experience with being shot at than her companion, and plans on letting him know that in no uncertain words in the near future, but she recognizes that now is not the time. Instead, Nakamori slowly crouches, wobbling only a bit, and just as slowly retrieves her last bottle of tincture.

She's dealt with old soldiers before, and their many moods. She's a step away from being one herself. She knows how this goes.

Keeping her snarling club in hand, Nakamori pulls the cap and takes a short swig of the tincture before corking it again. The message is clear: Not poison. Then she gently rolls the bottle along the carpet with just enough force for it to reach the other pair]

As Mr. Kuroba said. No one's here to hurt you.

[unless one of the Mansion's more unsavoury characters makes an appearance, but if that happens she'll deal with them]

[he appears to waver more whenever his Aoko calls for him more than any other time. Eventually, the gun is shaking unsteadily in his grasp and he is forced to lower it before it were to accidentally go off.]

[ Let's out a tiny breath of relief. She's still tense, but if the gun is lowered… That's a good thing. A very, very good thing. She reaches for it, slowly and carefully, making sure he knows what she's doing. ] Let me hold onto that for now. Please.

[He doesn't relax, not even when the gun is lowered. He's aware that the other Kaito probably doesn't want to hurt them, but he recognizes the tenseness, the fear, the uncertainty. And although his Nakamori is very capable, she's already injured...

Still watching the pair in front of him, he shifts just a bit closer to his own Aoko, saying nothing as the younger one reaches for Kaito's weapon]

[Miss Nakamori doesn't relax either, but neither does she move. When she speaks, it's softly]

There should be enough tincture in there to regain some of your strength, as long as you drink it slowly. Miss Aoko has already had a share.

[there doesn't seem to be much reaction at all, but his hand does fall loose as he allows Aoko to take the gun from him.

then, he's refocusing, eyes tracking from the Kaito to the Aoko, recognition of who they are and what they're really offering processing a bit more. but then, it's like he doesn't quite know what to say, so he simply looks at the tincture being offered]

[ Gun, get. Takes a moment to make sure that the safety is on before she addresses Kaito again. ] Go ahead and take it. Kuroba-san gave me another bottle, too… If you still don't feel well, you can have both of them.

[There's more relaxing once the gun is taken, though it isn't complete]

Food and water tend to go well with Tincture. [He adds] As does rest.

[... and at that last part, he shoots his own Aoko a very pointed look]

[gives him a pointed look back as she stands]

There will be plenty of time for me to rest later.

[thankfully her long dress hides the way her legs are trembling slightly with the effort of keeping her upright]

[man, just looks over his shoulder at his Aoko, kind of. half-stalled and half-This Reminds Me Of A Certain Someone before looking back to the other couple, his voice still quiet but a little more steady than previously, tone even and somewhat flat]

... if there's plenty of time... then I'll be fine. Thanks anyway.

[ Where his voice is quiet and flat, hers is quiet and very, very stubborn. ] No way, Kaito. You're getting some rest—and you, Aoko-san! You both need it. I need it.

Poor Kaito-san probably needs it, too, having to watch all of us. [ Speaking of the elder Kaito, Aoko peers around her own, younger version, to look at him. ] Where can we go..? This hallway is a little…

[... SURROUNDED BY STUBBORN PEOPLE. It is a good thing he is also stubborn]

As the only one here who isn't injured or on the verge of collapsing-- [Yeah, Nakamori, he knows you're a lot worse off than you're acting] -- I would think I'm the only one here who doesn't need immediate rest.

[Placing his hand on his Aoko's shoulders, he propels her forward gently. His voice, however, is very stern]

I can find a room for you all. One with the appropriate number of beds and food, and it'd be far better if none of you turned that offer down.

[looks as if she's about to argue, but thinks twice of it — Kaito is clearly going to use her refusal as an excuse to keep from resting himself, and that's the last thing they need. She presses her lips together into a line of frustration and reluctantly allows Kuroba to nudge her forward]

This place also provides rather extravagant plumbing.

[and that, she won't argue against in the slightest. A wash and a change into something less spider-stained would be greatly appreciated, and she's sure the same could be said for their alternates' blood-slicked clothing]

[keeping silent at this point, still warily watching the other two but quickly losing the energy argue, much less keep alert]

Alright, let's go. Kaito? Come on… [ Shifts slowly, and carefully, trying to stand up without fully disengaging from him. ]

[He keeps a watchful eye on the younger two as he pushes Nakamori forward toward the nearest door. Already he's picturing the coziest, most comfortable room he can-- something with the appropriate first aid and food items (and a change of clothing, of course).]

[and a bathroom. Nakamori is firmly envisioning a bathroom. One with clean, brightly-lit surfaces, and plenty of hot water and cleaning implements.

As a result, the room that's revealed when the door is opened is warm, spacious, plush, and comfortable (if rather Victorian in taste), with another door leading off to one side for the desired bathroom. There are two large beds with outfits neatly folded atop the covers, a settee, chairs and a dining table laden with hearty food, another side table with medicine and bandages... not to mention brightly-lit sconces on the walls, thick velvet curtains, and (best of all) a large window offering a view of the star-studded, dark blue night outside the Mansion.

Perhaps it's being so near to a inviting chance to rest, or perhaps it's simply how long she's been on her feet, but Nakamori suddenly finds herself sagging a little against Kuroba, fighting against exhaustion]

It's lovely... [of course, that doesn't stop her from teasing] I see you have some taste after all.

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