EVENT ✨ Sugar and Siege

[avalonmods]

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The fairy queen is less than pleased, but not angry, with how her quest went. She has Princess Bluebell of the Guinea Pig Nation speak, and Princess Bluebell also has a favor to ask... which seems to be the calm before the storm, as an unknown third party who made off with the Fisher King earlier this month have performed a ritual to resurrect him and left the veil open, letting in untold forces that have engaged in a Wild Hunt... and the prey is Camelot.

CONTENT WARNINGS:

• 1st Prompt: --
• 2nd Prompt: Active: Battle, disease, famine, living death, rage; Historical/Not active in prompt: mentions of serial killers, murder, biological warfare, god/human love affair
  
• 3rd Prompt: --

This prompt is backdated slightly and takes place on February 18th.

A live broadcast comes to everyone's devices, featuring a rather peculiar speaker. "Attenchun, kindly o-otherwowders! Tis I, Pwincess Guacachia Bluebell of the Guinea Pig Nation of Nowth Elphame. Though our home is too small to be noted on the Laage Neighbow's maps, I asschuwe you I am caulified as Ambassadow for Chween Elphame. Though you had failed her chwuest, many of you have shown the twust she asked fow even if not the bwains. Those who have will be shown gweat gwatichude, but she does feel [squeaking sound of dismay that cannot be translated out of guinea pig adequately] as the Fishaa King's body was pawt of hew pwans to dishmanchle the Cawamidy and didn' want to speach chuday because of it. Evewyone send good wibes and wikes, she won't speak when she's not
[again: squeaking sound of dismay that cannot be translated out of guinea pig adequately]... the Cawamichy won't be ended if you all don't wowk with the Chween, King Awfur's gwaces or notch, you know! But that's none of myyy busy-ness! Elphame offews a rewawd fow the Fishaa King's body now, much to keep you "fat and happy" for many yeaws!    I also have a favew to ask on behaaf of my people. Our Festiva of Life is next week and the usuaw souwce of one of the chey ingwediench of our festiva cakes was a Leschawian, bwessings to them!" As it turns out, the Guinea Pig Nation (all talking guinea pigs who like to dress up in various outfits- in style now in particular is old western themed outfits, but the Princess must always wear her crown) are in a pinch because their Lestari hook-up for the feathers died in the fall of Lestari. They need help to pluck feathers from a bird called the Prism Tweeter! Their people love to decorate the outside of their Festival of Life cakes with their feathers, which are made of finely spun sugar in a variety of colors. These birds are typically found in the first Ash Mountain, but upon its fall, migrated to live in the Forest of the Felled as one of its new, more colorful residents. It only takes one feather to cover a cake, so pluck no more than one feather per bird and the whole flock will go unharmed... the only trick is catching these delectably sweet aviators: The birds can magically phase through physical, non-enchanted objects, so you have to surprise them to grab them. The plus side is, they really love vanilla beans, so they're easy to lure out of the trees.. you don't have to be George of the Jungle to help out the pigs.   More of a stay-at-home kind of helper? That's fine too. They need bakers to make as many tiny cakes as they need for the festival since it's so last minute this year! Hurry up and grab a friend to get to baking 3-layer 1 inch cakes wrapped in rainbow feathers to help these little guys out. The Elphame Traders will make a special trip to Camelot to pick up all of these cakes as a favor to the Guinea Pig Nation, so you can stay at home and bake with your friends no matter where you live. This prompt takes place on February 22nd and February 23rd.
	A few days after the fun and fancy-free stylings of the Guinea Pig Nation ahead of their Festival of Life (you weren't invited, sorry, too big you would destroy their homes- but they appreciate the help!) things are going pretty mundanely. That is, until what sounds like a battle cry is heard approaching New Camelot. On the horizon, what appears to be a massive cavalcade of demon horse-riding wraiths lead by four knights in what appears to be ancient armor rush toward the city. A few of the locals who hear the sound and come out to see what all the fuss is about immediately seem to spook, shouting something about the Wild Hunt. Usually it's something preserved for earth and those who find it will be taken along and dumped either in Avalon itself or taken straight to the underworld, but their presence here in Avalon.. well, that can't be good. The shouting seems to alert the castle, which seems to alert more people, and within a matter of minutes people are being rushed to take cover within the castle walls for siege.
All of Camelot's gates are closed and people are directed to a couple of different places: knights and those who wish to fight are to prepare for battle at each of the gates. Healers who wish to stay and help the wounded are to gather in the citadel, where the injured will be taken. Those who wish to battle and heal will act as field medics to get people into a state enough fit to be taken to the citadel. Those who wish to offer other support may be asked to hand out food and water within the citadel or fetch supplies around the city, or to rush to the library to try to figure out what the hell is leading this hunting party toward them. King Arthur will lead the knights into battle. Merlin will also be assisting in battle, using a variety of magic from atop the castle. If your character gets into a pinch and you aren't sure how to get them out, feel free to have him send a magic spell to block an enemy. Knights given the authority to direct other fighting characters as they see fit (though your non-knight fighter's compliance is, as always, depending on your choice as a player).  Those who wish to opt out of this event entirely will be whisked away by some of the Fairy Queen's spies to Nicnevin for safekeeping. If you do not want your character to remember or acknowledge any portion of this event, we can handwave that the Fairy Queen arbitrarily found your character annoying and put them under a sleeping spell for the duration of their stay. This will be done before the outer city gates are broken through, so your character can be safe the whole time and just chill in a hotel room in Nicnevin. Those who stay will be fighting wraiths (unkillable enemies) lead by four beings called the Knights of the Veil. Those who have rushed to the library to find answers will be able to spread the following information regarding the enemies, though first-hand experience may also be how your character finds out some of it: The Knights of the Veil live in the void between the world of the living and the dead and escaped when the veil was not closed during a ritual to raise a heavily cursed and protected corpse back to life. Though there's no way to know which corpse, recent news of the Fisher King's body going missing leaves some speculation and fear about who it was that was raised, but no one has any idea who did it. The Knights of the Veil have touch-based magic in addition to weaponry which you may have your character afflicted by at your behest. The four knights are as follows: Carlea: Once a proud Queen, she sold her soul to the darkness after her husband was killed by enemies and the prince of the enemy nation forced her to marry him. She used this ability to brutally murder every last citizen of her enemy's kingdom over time in secret and feed them to a pet bear she was gifted by her new husband, saving him for last. Carlea's touch will invoke a curse of famine, causing all food and drink to turn to ash in the touched individual's mouth. Rubion: Rubion was a serial killer in his world known for killing over a hundred people, though the exact number is not known. Who he was before that isn't particularly known, but as a killer, he was known for brutally killing anyone who crossed him in a fit of rage. He was from a time before forensics and tended to kill witnesses, so he was never caught. That is, until he missed seeing a small child hiding under his bed during one of his rampages. The child's grandfather took him in and killed Rubion himself after he found out why the child would not speak for a month straight. It is thought that his own god cursed Rubion to stay in the void where he could not torment his victims in the afterlife too. Rubion's touch will invoke uncontrollable, violent rage and turn even the smallest slight into a mountainous anger. Augusto: Augusto was the general of an army who used the blood of his people's sickly to spread disease in conquering nations. He did not choose to become one of the Knights, instead being cursed to eternal damnation by a priestess in one of the villages he wrought destruction upon. Augusto's touch will inflict a disease of the player's choosing upon their character, at full height of symptoms within 30 minutes of touch.  Pien: Pien is a god of an older religion who was banished from the heavenly kingdoms for loving a human so much she attempted to give her eternal life despite that it was forbidden to grant eternity to mortals. She has a high-and-mighty attitude, and if disrespected will disrespect you right back with dignity-obliterating consequences. Her followers tended to be on the M side of things. Her touch will invoke conscious zombieism, meaning that your body will die and begin to rot despite still being able to move, and you will be aware and able to communicate and feel during this experience.    The Knights and Wraiths cannot be killed by any means as long as the ritual remains in effect and their tie to the underworld is stable, so for the time being this is a heavily unwinnable battle. Thankfully, wraiths are not very coordinated even if they are aggressive in battle so it's easy to dodge, flee, or take cover.

On the second day of the Siege, devices will flicker with a face we haven't seen in some time. She is this world's mother goddess, after all, so if threatened she will come to offer reprieve. Morganna looks almost amused at how much destruction had been wrought by the actions of, truly, one man and those he had strung along. Morganna will not punish nor reveal them, but she will speak on the matter: "Those wishing for this to end, rejoice. I have birthed verbena upon your doorsteps. Take another's hand, light a candle and burn the flowers. Whisper 'lights out' three times together, and pray to send some of your magic to me. I need as many of you to do it as possible, or else I will not be able to freeze time fast enough to stop the calamity from engulfing this place afterward when I complete the ritual shutter."
That is all she says. The ritual won't do much if only one person does it outside of today as Morganna is keeping secret what she does on her end to complete it. If your character's name is possessed by the fairy queen, they will be forced to participate in this ritual so they may notice something odd if they weren't intending to do it. After the ritual is complete, all personal rituals will be voided and need to be recast. (This includes things like brownie summoning spells or the banishing of lesser frost fairies if your character was doing that from last year to keep their house warm.) This will also cause both the sun and moon to black out for about a day afterward, so you may want to get on board with artificial lighting or spells until a party heading to Celliwig to repair that ritual can get out there in about a day's time. The most dangerous ritual that has been broken will be the time freeze. Morganna uses everyone's magic to give herself superspeed to recomplete the ritual to recast it, along with a significant portion of the Isle of Avalon's itself that had been built up in surplus having everyone here for so long. However, there are still 2 seconds in which the massive event that threatens the multiverse can move forward. It is now visible in the sky to the north during the night even without being at the End of the World, and will stay that way for the duration of isleofavalon until the multiverse is saved. It is outright terrifying if you travel to the End of the World now, taking up the majority of the sky. For a month afterward, those who participated may find themselves fatigued without clear cause... but in general, magic will be misbehaving and causing accidents for everyone for about the next month.

Comments

[reloves]

[ It's a good thing that Monika understands this sort of thing a lot more easily than Minako does. It's not like Minako is dumb, or not as dumb as she sometimes seems, anyway, but she's definitely not book-smart. She can do tactical analysing in this moment, that is something she is good at, but it's hard when she has so little information about this new enemy.

And while Monika's statements aren't revealing a whole lot of information about that thing, they're making one thing very, very clear.

That thing is dangerous. And not just a little bit. It makes Minako bite her lip as she stares at it, thinking. She should retreat, if not just because Monika would come with her and it'd allow her to keep the other safe. But on the other hand.. dropping her position in the frontline right now might just mean that these things manage to break through into the city.

Into the city, where so many innocent people are. People who can't fight.

She can't let that happen. No matter what, she has to hold the line. Somehow. ]

It's okay, stay back..!

[ She won't tell Monika to run away while Minako herself stays here. She's not that cruel. She knows it'd be way too hard for the other.

So instead she just hopes the other girl will stay behind her, supporting her from the back. Even if this isn't something they can actually defeat, hopefully they can at least hold it off. Minako's hands tighten around her sword, her knuckles turning white. ]

I promise I won't do anything reckless! I'll just hold it off..!

[peninhand]

[ Goddammit... She wasn't going to back down, huh? All so she could protect those in the castle and those who were behind her. And that included Monika by extension. She remembered what that creature had told Minako. Her insecurity, the fear that plagued her-- The inability to protect everyone properly. So of course she was going to do everything she could to protect everyone....

Even if it endangered her own life. ]

Minako...

[ What could she do to protect her? Her magic was so ill-suited to combat and she was running out of stored spells on her phone... She couldn't even use the familiar symbiosis spell. It would have been more useful than ever right this moment, but her familiar was in the castle and looking for answers, as she'd asked him.

Monika looked down and noticed her hand was shaking. Was she so terrified of losing her...? She closed her eyes for a moment... She needed to just put a mask and pretend being confident and calm as usual, right? She took a deep breath and closed both hands on her staff. She could do it.

She couldn't fight... But she could help the one who could. The one whom she loved. It was no different now just because the enemy was an undefeatable apocalyptic creature, right? ]

Right... [Her voice sounded normal, though it was a "forced" kind of normal. She pointed her staff at Minako.] I should be able to enhance your speed tenfold. And if you need flight capabilities, say the word.

[reloves]

That would be good.

[ Minako's voice is tight. There's some worry in there, but determination too. She knows she's got to do this, so she will just do this. It's not like Minako has ever been very afraid for her own safety in the first place - the only reason she's worried right now is because she doesn't want to get hurt for Monika's sake. Because she knows how much the other girl would worry about her, and she doesn't want that for her.

That's why Minako is determined to be careful about that. As careful as one can be while trying to hold off something like this, anyway. ]

We're not going for power here. Something like this probably can't be overpowered anyway. [ Thankfully Minako does have this much going for her - good tactical insight. It's what happens when you used to basically command an army in a past life, and then guide a group of magical warriors during your current one. ] So speed is good. She just need to keep it here, to distract it. To prevent it from moving on.

[ And so, when the knight and the wraiths share at the frontlines, Minako does fight. More speedily, even, when powered by Monika's spell. She's mostly focusing on holding off the wraiths a bit more intensely, figuring that it's fine as long as she stays out of the reach of the knight's weapon. That's the main problem here.

But what Minako doesn't quite realise, the one thing she didn't calculate, is that it's not just the knight's weapon that's a danger.

Because when she's fighting off a wraith relatively close to the knight, figuring it's safe since said knight's sword is on his other side, the knight instead extends a hand, a finger briefly brushing against a strand of Minako's hair as it flies around behind her.

The knight moves on, focusing on someone else, but for some reason.. Minako collapses on the spot in its wake. It's like her knees suddenly give out. Like a puppet that just had its strings cut off, dropping to the ground. ]

[peninhand]

[ She couldn't be blamed for that oversight. Even Monika hadn't seen that coming. It was only when the rider extended a hand that it dawned upon her. Was he going to cast a spell? But he didn't even need that. A mere touch. It was all it took... Of course. The horsemen of the apocalypse could bring about calamities with their mere presence. How hadn't she thought of it? And—

Monika's heart stopped when she saw Minako suddenly collapse. Her eyes wide with horror, it was as if No... No no no no. That couldn't be happening. It was a nightmare, right? It was everything she'd feared. ]

Minako!!

[ Monika rushed to her without a concern for her own safety. She needed to get Minako somewhere safe, somewhere where she could be healed. Nothing else mattered. Of course it was possible she was already... No. No. She didn't want to think of that. She couldn't be dead. She couldn't.

Monika immediately got on her knees and took Minako's arm, breaking the totem she had prepared. Smoke enveloped them and by the time it dissipated, they were just outside the castle gates, behind a row of soldiers that were fighting the hordes. She yelled "every healing spells!" hastily, resulting in her staff activating, her entire folder of stored healing spells being cast on Minako at once. ]

Minako...! [By now, Monika was crying. It was a nightmare. Why didn't she answer? Why was she so cold? She was still breathing, but... What had that thing done to her?] Oh no... Please, please...

[ Please... Don't leave me alone...

There was so much they had yet to do together. So much Minako had to live for. She couldn't die here, it was unfair! Not after she'd finally found love, after she'd been convinced not to give up on her dreams. It was just a new beginning in her story and the beginning of their story. It couldn't be the end already.

Monika wrapped her arms around Minako and pulled her protectively against herself, crying loudly. No, no... Why? And what was she doing? Just crying while Minako was dying...? No, she should do something. Even if there was nothing that could be done, she had to try. She had to do something. ]

I-I'll find you a doctor... Healer... [Whatever they had. There had to be one somewhere in the castle. As Monika got up, she passed an arm under Minako's legs and kept the other on her back to carry her.] H-Hang in there...!

[reloves]

[ Minako isn't too sure what's happening anymore during all of it. All she remembers is fighting one moment, and then the next it was as if all the lights had been dimmed - though that was impossible, since they had been outside. But her vision still goes completely black.

And it's like her mind is gone. Just temporarily, but it's so hard to sense anything. It feels like she's being moved, but she's not sure how, or to where. She can vaguely hear a voice, but it's too far away to even make out who it is. Her limbs feel so heavy, and her head feels so.. so hot. It's like she's having the most intense fever of her life.

It's only moments later that she realises she recognizes that voice she keeps hearing. That's.. Monika, isn't it? Is Monika calling out for her? But.. why..?

Her brain feels like it's caught into a fog, but that thought makes Minako at least force her eyes open enough to see that the other is right there. Minako has about a thousand questions as to how she ended up in this situation after just having been fighting a few moments ago, but she's too weak to even ask them. ]

Mo.. nika..

[ She slowly speaks up. It's hard, but Minako is forcing it. She has to let the other know she's here, at least. That she's okay.

(Not that she's actually okay, but Minako's instinct is to reassure the other anyway. She doesn't want to see Monika like this, so obviously panicking, even when viewed through half-open eyes on Minako's end. ]

It's okay.. [ Is she being moved again? She isn't too sure, but she can only focus on continuing to speak, her arms hanging limply. ] I'm.. here..

[peninhand]

M-Minako...?

[ Monika froze in her tracks. Oh thank god, she was still there... But she sounded so weak. She sounded like she barely could open her lips. What had the rider done to her? It had to have been the one who could inflict diseases at will... One of the four riders was pestilence incarnate if she remembered well. But how did it help now? She should have focused on getting that information earlier.

Monika couldn't help the tears, but she lowered her head as she spoke to her girlfriend. ]

H-Hold on...! [Minako was so strong. Even now, she tried comforting Monika when she should be the one doing that.] You-you don't have to speak... Save y-your energy...

[ Immediately, she resumed her pace. Monika wasn't used to carrying heavy things around, so she was slower than she could have been-- Not that Minako was heavy! She was fairly light, all things considered. But... A human body was still different from carrying stacks of books every now and then. It would be so much easier if she used her telekinesis to move Minako... But the thought didn't cross her mind. She was much too panicked for that.

They approached from the place where the wounded were treated. They'd have a bed there and stuff for treating her, right? Then she'd move her to a comfier place where she could look over her. Monika took deeps breaths as she ran, trying to force herself to stop crying. Minako needed her. She needed her to be strong. She was the one who needed to be comforted, not Monika. ]

It-it's gonna be okay... I promise... [She sniffled. Gosh. Crying, carrying and running all at once, trying to force herself to stop crying, it was so hard... But it didn't matter. Only Minako mattered.] There's so-so much I want to show you... S-so much you deserve to see... [She forced a smile through the tears.] I-I've always dreamed of having a small cottage... A cozy little house. Surrounded b-by flowers and all the things we love... Just for the two of us. [It was silly. Would Minako even like something like that? But she just wanted... To give her something to hold onto. Their dreams and hopes. Their future. Even if not all of it came to pass... Even if silly dreams like those weren't what would come to pass. They had a future together.] Our dreams... Your dreams... I'll make sure we see them all realized, so please... Please hold on...!

[reloves]

[ She desperately wishes that she could tell the other that she doesn't have to do this. As Minako is realising that Monika is carrying her, trying to run, she really doesn't want Monika to have to do that. It can't be easy. Even if Minako isn't exactly a heavy person, she can imagine running is easy all the same, not while attempting to carry someone else, nor while being so emotional in the first place.

But she knows that it'd be no good. With the way Monika is.. she'd keep doing this for Minako's sake. The other is obviously panicked, and maybe if Monika is taking her to some place that's safer, Minako can focus on helping to calm the other down.

.. maybe it's weird, a brief thought flashes across her mind, that in this situation she's only thinking about Monika, but.. well, that's just what Minako is like, right? Even if she would have had a sword sticking out from her chest, she still would have tried to smile for the other.

So she does the same right now. It's so weak, but Minako manages to smile just a little bit. ]

It's.. okay. I'm not-- not dying.. [ She thinks so, anyway. Minako has died before - more than once, even. After experiencing that at least three separate times, she's pretty sure this isn't death. It doesn't feel like it.

She feels so exhausted, and her entire body feels painful to just exist in right now, but she isn't dying, no matter how rough this is. ]

So please.. don't talk.. like I am.. [ She coughs before wincing, just a motion that small is already so painful with the current state of her body. ] W-We'll.. have that future.

[ That's why she can't die here. Even if she was dying, she'd find some way to avert it. After all-- ]

After all, I-- I.. I wouldn't forgive myself.. for making you cry.

[peninhand]

[ Minako was so strong... If only she could have a fragment of her strength. Well, she could put a mask on. She'd stopped trying to pretend being someone else around Minako... But it was different here. She wanted to be strong for her. She wanted for Minako to feel safe, for her to not force herself to smile when she was so weak.

So she smiled, through the tears and against what she felt in her heart. But try as she might, her smile wasn't nearly half as convincing as she hoped it to be. ]

I-I know you're not dying... [She nodded.] H-how could you? You-you're so strong and full of life...

[ She had absolutely no idea Minako had died before. In fact, she knew so little about her past... They'd talked a lot about her own past in the game, but never of hers. Gosh, she had been so selfish. Always complaining and moaning about her own fate, without asking Minako about how her life had been beyond a few details.

Regardless, they soon reached the hall where the wounded were being treated. Monika immediately brought Minako onto one of the makeshift beds, laying her on it as delicately as she could. ]

Someone please...! [She turned around, looking away from Minako for just a second as she tried catching someone's attention.] She needs attention right now!!

[ Once her call done, Monika got onto her knees by Minako's bed. She hadn't realized what she'd been doing... Her entire body was shaking. Was it the effort? Or the fear to lose the most precious person to her? They'd been together for only two months, and yet it felt like she couldn't live without her any more. ]

You're safe now... [She brought a hand to Minako's face, gently and delicately brushing away golden strands of hair before grabbing her hands with her own.] A healer is going to come and everything will be alright.

[reloves]

[ It's at least a little bit more comfortable, just lying there now, waiting for someone to approach them and help. Minako won't even refuse the help, knowing that she really needs it. Even though she's still managing to talk a little bit, her body feels so strange and awful in this moment.

Really, she isn't sure whether she'd be able to talk or put on a brave face if it wasn't for the fact that her body was used to enduring a lot in the first place.

But despite the way she looks so weak, and despite her pale face, she still turns her head to look at Monika when the other speaks like that, when she feels that hand on her face.

Even if she can't quite find the energy to move the rest of her body, she can at least do this much. ]

Right..

[ Minako does believe it's going to be okay somehow. Her body right now feels so awful that it doesn't feel like it could suddenly feel normal again, but she has to believe it's going to be okay. Someone here has got to have some sort of cure for this - she just has to believe that.

And in the meantime..

A faint breath of a laugh escapes her. ]

Monika, your hands are shaking.. [ Sorry, girl, but it's impossible to not feel it when the other is holding her hands like that. Even though the way she calls it out sounds more like a weak joke than anything else. ] I.. will be okay.

[ Maybe not right away, but surely this will go away. Surely, surely..

She wishes she could hold the other's hands in return, but she doesn't have the energy. All she can do is allow Monika to clutch hers like that. ]

I will be, so.. you.. have to believe that too, okay..? Just believe in our bond. [ She sucks in a deep breath, before wincing as she swallows painfully. ] I'm not.. going to give up on that so quickly..

[ Even if it means fighting whatever has come over her. Even though it feels entirely overwhelming, even in this moment. ]

[peninhand]

[ Even now, Minako forced herself to speak just so she could comfort her... She was really doing a terrible job at taking care of her, didn't she? Monika remained silent a moment, closing her eyes. She had to stop being so pathetic. She had to be stronger, someone Minako could rely on during moments like this.

She squeezed her hands and took a deep breath. She tried getting the shaking under control, slowly. ]

That-that's because I was carrying you and running... I'm so dumb, I didn't even think of using my magics. [Gosh, it would have been so much more easy and faster if she had. She really ought to work on not panicking that badly. That and pick up exercising again, she used to be a bit better before.] And dear me, I'm definitely putting you on a diet after this...!

[ She giggled, trying to make a little joke of her own. And then, she smiled at Minako. It wasn't the happiest of smile, but her tears were slowly coming to an end. ]

See, I'm smiling.

[ She tilted her head, her smile growing a bit sadder. But she had to chase those emotions. She would go in another room later and cry to her heart's content. But not now. Not any more. That wasn't what Minako needed right now. To see her being so strong... How could she strive to be anything but strong for her in return? ]

Even like this, you're trying to comfort me... Fighting for everyone in the castle. Smiling even when you're hurt. You're the sweetest and most selfless girl I know, but there is such a thing as working too much, you know? [Her smile grew more genuine.] When it's all over, I'm taking you on vacation. And no arguing over it...! [A wink.] The doctor may have questions for you, so save your energy.

[ Monika didn't let go of her smile. The shaking and crying had ceased by now— All compartmentalized aside. She would keep those emotions under check and release them all later. For Minako's sake. ]

[reloves]

[ Monika is definitely right on the money there. There's such a thing as working too hard, and Minako is definitely doing that. Because she truly doesn't know how to else act in a situation like this. Even though her body feels so heavy and painful in this moment, she doesn't know what else to say or do. She's only ever learned to be strong in the face of adversity, to do her best to not worry the people around her.

So that's exactly what she's doing right now. She has to be strong, so Monika doesn't have to extra worry about her, though Minako knows the other doubtlessly must be hiding some worry behind her smile even now. ]

No way..

[ She's sure the doctor is on their way, maybe attending to someone else first, since she figures that she can't be the only one this happene to. Not when it happened so instantly, with just a single touch.

But until then, she can at least just focus on Monika. Just staring at her. It's a little easier now the other isn't crying, because the sight of that truly threatened to break Minako's heart. ]

I want to spend.. all of my energy on you, you know.. [ Granted, it's kind of a joke in response to Monika's own, but she means it all the same. ] I don't want to regret.. a single moment.. where I didn't show you how much you're loved.

[ Especially since Minako, while pretty sure she isn't dying, doesn't know when her body might give out for a bit. She feels so sick, after all. ]

[peninhand]

[ The way Minako spoke... Gosh, it took everything she had for Monika not to burst into tears again. Of course, they'd told how they loved each other before. Heck, they did it all the time! But the way she did now, under those circumstances...

Monika kept her smile up, eyes watering once more but she wouldn't cry. She wouldn't. For her sake. ]

I know. How could I not know?You-You're my everything. Before you came in my life... Everything was dull. Colorless. But you... You showed me true love. [A pause.] I love you. I love you so much. [She closed her eyes.] That's why you can save your energy... We don't need words, do we?

[ Of course she loved to hear it, but... Minako was so weak. She needed rest. And before Monika could say or do anything, a healer finally came to them— A woman wearing a white robe and a ridiculously tall hat kinda reminiscent of those priests usually wore. She was also wielding a healer staff, so obviously Monika immediately stopped talking. It was more important to let the doctor do her job, right?

The woman put a hand on Minako's forehead and briefly examined her before looking up at Monika. ]

Did one of the riders do this?

[ Monika immediately nodded, to which the doctor replied by casting a spell on Minako with her staff. The pain would be considerably lessened, but not the exhaustion and every other symptoms. If anything without the pain, everything else would feel worse. The healer opened her bag and mixed a potion, which she handed over to Minako once it was done. ]

Drink this. It will enable your immune system to produce antibodies and fight back. [The woman smiled comfortingly at Minako.] There is a sleeping spell mixed in. Resting will help your body fight the disease more effectively.

[ The doctor stood up after saying that, closing her bag, though she would answer any question Minako may have.

On her end, Monika remained silent... She really really wanted to ask if Minako's life was endangered, but she was too afraid to hear the answer to that question. For now the doctor sounded comforting and confident, so that was fine, right? She squeezed Minako's hand and closed her eyes. ]

[reloves]

[ It's a good thing that Monika is there. It's not that Minako doesn't have some energy left to explain, but she doesn't trust herself in her current state enough to give a very coherent explanation of anything. It's easier to let Monika do it, especially since Minako is so proud to see the other explaining it as well as she can, despite her (earlier) emotional distress.

She just shakes though when the doctor asks if she's got any other questions, and after taking another quick look at her, the healer starts wandering off again - doubtlessly having so many more people to look after, with everything going on out there.

Minako is still clutching the potion in her hand, but her gaze moves over to rest on Monika once more. ]

.. sounds like I'll have to sleep for a while..

[ Since Minako at least isn't dumb enough to totally reject the idea of this potion. She really has to get better, especially if this battle is going to last a long while. And if this is what will do the trick, then she'll do it.

Her only worry.. well, it's obvious, isn't it? ]

Will you.. be okay? [ She'll technically be leaving Monika by herself for a while after all, while Minako is off into sleepland. ] I don't know how long that spell.. will last..

[peninhand]

[ Even now. Even now she was still worrying for her rather than think of her own well-being. But there was no question about it. Even if she was to find herself all alone, Minako's well being was the top priority. She didn't imagine the sleep would last for more than a day at most... Though even if it did, even if it took weeks, if that was what she needed than it had to be done.

Monika smiled and nodded. ]

Of course. [She leaned forward and placed a kiss on Minako's forehead.] Don't you worry about a thing, okay?

[ Monika kept her smile up. Why, she even tried to make it look confident and reassuring. It was a bit easier, now that she knew Minako was going to receive treatment. That and she only had a few more minutes to hold. She just had to focus on making sure Minako would see a smile and feel safe before falling asleep. After that, then she'd cry. But not while she was still awake. ]

I'll watch over you. [She squeezed her hand, no longer trembling, maintaining her smile and trying to look as reassuring and comforting as she possibly could.] So... Have a good night.

[reloves]

Thanks.. [ Minako manages to say that one word, but then has to pause again, making sure to breathe in and out. Maybe it is for the better if she'd sleep for a while, given that it's taking a lot to keep her body going right now..

Even though she hates the idea of resting. Of not doing anything when there is so much to be done. But in this moment.. well, it truly can't be helped. ] I.. couldn't have a better person to watch over me...

[ It's meant to be a bit of a joking compliment, but it's hard to get the joking tone in her voice.

In fact, it's hard to do much of anything right now. Even though she'd love to raise her hand enough so she can drink the potion, even just that simple act feels impossible. Her arm feels like it's straight up made out of lead.

So even though she hates to ask it, hates to make Monika do even more in this situation.. ]

Could you.. help me drink it..? I'm not sure if I can.. [ Not by herself, anyway. ]

[peninhand]

[ God, she was so weak... That-that couldn't be good... Immediately, Monika felt a new wave of dread washing over her, threatening to break what weak facade she had put on. No. No. She had to avoid thinking like that. If for for herself, for Minako's sake. She needed to be strong for her.

Monika immediately nodded, berating herself for not thinking of doing it on her own. She took the potion with her right hand and offered her girlfriend a weak smile. ]

Y-Yes, of course!

[ Very gently, she placed her left hand behind Minako's head, carefully propping her up just enough so she would be able to swallow the liquid without any difficulties. So carefully so in fact, it was like Monika was handling something so fragile, she was afraid it'd break any second.

And it was the case, in a way. Except it wasn't a thing, but the most important person in her life. ]

Slowly... [She brought the potion to Minako's lips, canting the glass in short windows to help her drink at her own pace. All the while she continued forcing a smile and tried to sound as comforting as humanly possible.] It'll make you feel all better in a wink...

[reloves]

[ At least this way it's manageable. It's hard to move her own body, but if Monika just gently helps her like this, putting her into a drinking position, then Minako can at least still definitely drink it. Even if it does take a moment, since it's not like she can take the entire potion in in one go.

But after a few moments the bottle does seem empty, and Minako takes in a deep breath.

That breath by itself is already slow though. Lazy. Like the sleeping spell part of it is already starting to kick in. Her eyes keep falling shut, like she's almost falling asleep, but can't help but fight the sleep just a few more moments.

She really doesn't want to leave Monika by herself right now, after all, even though she knows it's inevitable. ]

You're a good nurse.. you know..

[peninhand]

[ It worked. Truth to be told, Monika wasn't sure what she wanted right now. For Minako to stay awake so they could be together, or for her to fall asleep so she could finally stop pretending to be fine and cry. It was kind of a silly thing to wonder, huh?

She wanted both. So she leaned forward, smiling at her girlfriend. ]

Maybe I've found my calling, ahaha.

[ She placed another kiss on her forehead, squeezing her hands lightly. Still smiling, still trying to sound as reassuring as possible. Before falling asleep, Minako would see and hear her smiling and happy. She wouldn't have it any other way. ]

Sleep well... I'll be there when you wake up.

[reloves]

No..

[ Her voice is soft, little more than a whiny mumble. Minako truly seems like a kid fighting sleep in these moments, especially since her eyes are now fully falling shut, and it seems like she can't quite find it within herself anymore to actually be able to fight the spell. ]

I.. don't want.. [ Her breathing starts to get slower. ] .. to leave.. you...

[ Her voice starts to get more and more mumbly as she tries to make her way through that sentence - one that's so honest, exactly because Minako's brain has fallen asleep enough to prevent any sort of filter from kicking in.

But then, once the sentence has fully left her mouth, nothing more escapes her lips.

It seems that Minako has well and truly fallen asleep now, so the potion can do its work of slowly healing her. ]

[peninhand]

M-Minako...

[ She'd managed to hold the tears back, but upon hearing her say those words Monika broke down. It was fortunate that she immediately fell asleep and didn't have to hear or see Monika bawling her eyes out.

She didn't want to be left alone either. She didn't want to see Minako suffer like that. Why did this happen to her? Was it her fault, somehow...? Was this because she'd been there that Minako had felt compelled to fight so much?

She didn't know. It hurt, it hurt so much. She wished she was the one who got hit with that curse, that disease, whatever it was. She didn't want to even consider a life without Minako. So she held her hands and rested her head by them, crying without restraint and probably falling asleep as well after too many hours spent crying and worrying. ]