Scene #9747: Artificial Somnambulism - The Living and the Rest

Owner	Pose
Team Timekeeper	The entire fight happens in a still frame of Vertin's memory, the instant her friends charged out into the Storm and revealed its nature to her in gruesome display. Throughout it all, in the stunned, skipped heartbeat where Mesmer directs her scalpels, that eleven year old Vertin stands just outside the door of the SPDM's watchtower, watching on with the psychic imagery of the Timekeeper's hat hiding any impression of the feelings that were running through her mind in that moment. As Mesmer draws back from the mindscape, the stitching-strings that puppeted her monstrous remedy from the sky strain and snap, the rivets carved to rip apart the bare bones of the psychohazard in Vertin's mind closing up again. The grim silhouette of the embodied trauma wasn't defeated, only Mesmer was, and without her interference the effigy of all the grief and loss inflicted on Vertin by the Storm throughout years grows into an all-consuming stormcloud in the memory. But with Mesmer gone, Vertin finally starts moving again. Silently, the young girl slips between the Elites, walking further out into the Storm. The shadow of the psychohazard soaks her white and grey robe through with a thousand raindrops, her long hair damp and tangled over her shoulders, but without even looking up at it, she steps through it to pick up the ring left in the mud. Without a word, she turns around, trudging back to the watchtower with the ring dangling from her fingers. The edges of the dream dim and fade, slowly emerging from her months unconscious, and in the last moments of the dream, Vertin is approached by a dark-haired woman in a trench coat, who places a hand on her shoulder and then pulls her close. . . . . All of the Artificial Somnambulism equipment has been pulled off of Vertin, besides Mesmer herself. Freed from the fishbowl helmet but not from the array of IVs plugged into her, Mesmer is straddled across her hips, gripping Vertin's head hard enough to leave red marks, with their foreheads nearly touching. Just before waking up, Vertin's unsteady breathing evens out as the dream resolves. There's never a time while Vertin is conscious where someone could get so close to her face to see the faint freckles scattered across her nose, the length of her damp eyelashes, or her thin lips that became paler over two months in the ward. Two different tracks of tears mix on her cheeks, and a scratch mark under Mesmer's thumbnail by Vertin's eye outlines her pores in red. She inhales, and then-- Gasps softly, and her eyes flutter open. She squints painfully at the light, shielded by the shadow of Mesmer's head, tries to move her arm, and seems confused about the presence of tubes and sensors. "What?" Her voice is hoarse and wispy for lack of practice. Vertin lifts her hand up delicately, uncertainly feeling the wetness on her face, as another droplet falls onto it. She reaches up to lay her fingers gently on Mesmer's cheek, groggily failing to come to terms with where she is. "You're crying."
Foundation Scions	Between her hands, beneath her on the bed, Mesmer Jr., of all people, is one to notice Vertin's stirring; it's at her lack-of-doing, even. Regardless, the thought that Vertin, so much a fixture of this lonely room, still and metered in her breathing, even could rouse, is received with wide-eye shock as would a corpse rising from a morgue's refrigerated drawer. 'What?' "What?" Mesmer responds in kind, breathy, breathless, and jolted-afraid by the sudden words from someone whose voice she hasn't heard, and whose and whose face she hasn't seen move in months. The porcelain doll stirs, and Mesmer's first instinct, in guilty-messy fearful worry, is to lean up and away from her, albeit still over her, and let go of her face and collar, pulling her hands, instead, in front of her own torso, away from what is no longer permissible to touch. 'You're crying.' Baffled, at first trying to force back the tears-between-breaths, the first thing out past Mesmer's lips, as she glances around the room, ashamed and frightful, first processing the logistics necessary to move trembling limbs off of over Vertin, are "You're awake." Vertin's hand on Mesmer's cheek, finally, is as noticed as the gesture ought to be. Her own hands go to Vertin's wrist, unsure yet in the flinch motion whether she'll hold Vertin tighter, or push her away- what she settles on, with a stiff inhale, is to instead, gently, move Vertin's hand an inch away, and quickly, quickly herself, stand and scramble up-and-off. Mesmer almost falls when she's on ground again. "Be still-" comes out sharp, on the tailing-gasp of a sob, and then softens down to, "Be careful, Vertin. The IV catheters can bruise you easily, with the anticoagulants." At the undoing of the others' astral projection, the room crowding-again, wide-eyed sobbing-scared, Mesmer backs away from Vertin's cot, until she bumps into the empty bed of the ward, and hovers by its foot. One hand twists harshly at the wrist-cuff of her uniform, to a resultant wince of pain. "And... sit up slowly, if you can bear the effort and pain of it." Mesmer does her absolute best not to look even a single other person present now in the room in the eye, quieting and quieting down.
Flamel Parsons	Flamel holds Lilian's shoulder, in Mesmer's mindscape. "We gotta go, we can't stay. We... I need you to count layers. I can't get the number of layers wrong." He sounds very urgent about that. Astral disconnection. He pulls her out of Mesmer's memories, then the lobotomy construct, out of Vertin's memories, out of the Artificial Somnambulism construct, then out of her mind. He'll need Lilian to avoid stopping too early or too late, in some seemingly-real area with inadequate awareness of where they are. But he's confident she can be aware of reality. That'll bring everyone else out too. The speed at which his astral form gets back into his body actually lifts him off his feet and skids him to the back of the room a bit, nearer the entrance. Now he's no longer invisible, and he's very certainly holding his head from a headache. But he's got the common sense to keep his mouth shut around now. One of the worst things you can do after some psychonautry is start rubbing it in and giving them a reason to spitefully not do what they've decided to do. Because, hopefully, this is what Mesmer's decided to do on her own, independently, as part of having an improved mental state.
Regulus	Regulus watches history play out, mentally as well as physically exhausted. She rubs at her eyes and hopes this is the last time she is forced to ensure that a sorrowful and tragic past remains and that she can instead worry about the beautiful future they need to work towards from here on out. She isn't a Psychonaut, she can't really be there for the Vertin of the past, all she can try to do is be there for the Vertin she knows and hope that she never needs to return to cold halls alone ever again. She opens her eyes, blinking her eyes open. She looks disoriented and picks herself up off the floor from where she fell during all the mental battle and she is at a loss for words. Even though Mesmer's nails are leaving scratches, she can't seem to get herself to pry Mesmer off of her so she stops. ''What? You're crying.'' "Vertin!" Regulus's eyes threaten to well up, though she's been bawling enough lately that she doesn't quite start openly sobbing just yet. Besides... "Vertin--Mesmer's been worried sick." Regulus has to cover for her here. It's her job to cover for Mesmer here, she's sure of it. "They kept you under for a long time, but I'll fill you in on everything later! How are you feeling? Um--no need to project." Let's take it easy on Vertin's voice here, Regulus has decided. She doesn't rush out to hug Vertin largely because there's already a Mesmer on top of her. Regulus is still sporting a couple bruises on her face and has bandaged up her arm from some miscellaneuous cuts here and there, but she's managing a smile so she's probably okay. When Mesmer steps off, Regulus steps forward like she's about to pounce but-- ''The IV catheters can bruise you easily--'' --She stops herself after like half a step, wiggling her arms around behind her as she vibrates in places from a concerted and uncharacteristic effort at self restraint. "Yeah, no need to rush! We're not going anywhere. You can take your time."
Holly Asturias	Holly is unkind to Holly. She bled, metaphorically, for Schneider; now she bleeds for the Timekeeper that Schneider bet everything on. Her right arm hangs limply to the side, and it'll probably be a good few hours before she gets any kind of sensation back into it, besides sharp pain like thorns piercing through all of it at once. This is true in the dream, and it is true when they awaken. But for a moment, the Revenant can see the small Vertin move forward, and between the effigy no longer aggressing, and Mesmer's claws no longer scraping her brain for grief and sorrow, she regains her smile. "You're crying." "You're awake." "Ah... welcome back, Vertin." She won't interrupt. No matter how much it gnaws at her that that she really wants to wrap her arms... well, the one that still listens, at least... around them for a hug. "Yeah, no need to rush! We're not going anywhere. "Mhm, that's right. We're no longer in hostile territory, so you can rest easy. It all worked out how you hoped. So... please, take it easy. We're a little shaken but we'll all be okay too." She has no energy left for animosity. Certainly none to contradict Regulus on Mesmer's contributions to the cause.
Lilian Rook	'I'm frightened' Ten minutes ago in the dream. Less, wasn't it? Hearing the words from a child, Lilian swallows hard. 'It must be terrifying, being trapped in the cladding of 'Mesmer Junior'.' "I know. It's okay." 'Will I see them again? Will we all still be 'us', after...' "It'll be difficult. And it won't be the same. But there can be 'us' if you let it. I promise." Lilian rises again, as the frog leaps out the window. Turning hr back to Flamel, she tilts her head forward and presses her fist to her mouth, horsely clearing the back of her throat. 'We gotta go, we can't stay. We... I need you to count layers.' "I know." says Lilian, finally shrugging Flamel's hand off her shoulder. "Four. I didn't lose track. And I bet you anything we can walk back up those stairs and out that door anyways. If anyone's mind works like that, it's Vertin's." Blinking over and over again until her eyes feel dry, Lilian takes a deep breath, and finally turns around in the hallway. In the few seconds they have left before leaving, where just Flamel will hear it, or plus one at worst, she says "I don't think Psychonautry is stupid." Without explaining a thing. . . . . . . . . Lilian finds her footing in the ward room as if she'd done nothing more than leave the bottom step of a staircase. Directly guiding Flamel back out of dreaming, she's tied for first in seeing Mesmer. Her expression, inscrutable even as she scrambles off of Vertin, doesn't change for the others emerging either, but her eyes shut for a slow-rattling breath at the sound of Vertin's voice; like the feeling of, after a successful mission, finally being 'home'. Blinking eyes open, Lilian glances at Mesmer, looks at Flamel by the door, then motions with her finger for him to move out of the way, and doesn't motion at Mesmer at all. She manages a thin smile for "Welcome back. I apologize for the unsightly crowd; it was my fault for letting them all in." For some reason, though Lilian wracks her brains for what else she could possibly say in this situation, what comes to mind first and foremost, after slowly seating herself near the head of the adjacent bed, is "Settle a bit of curiosity for me, would you? Did you have any dreams about assembly lines? People building things, or explaining how?"
Riku Asakura	Ultraman Geed watches the psychohazard break apart. That's good; it means Flamel and Lilian got through the dangerous manuever that Flamel did. Which means what they did could help take effect and cure it. Even if that's not exactly right, it's what he believes. This gives Geed time to shrink to a normal size; he doesn't want to stop being Geed yet. Just in case there was a psychohazard they didn't know about. He watches the young Vertin cope with the loss of people to the Storm, especially those close to her. The internal Riku, the one inside Geed, can't keep a tear out of his eye, but Geed himself doesn't cry, because he physically can't. Without an actual warning, they are kicked out of Vertin's head. This barely gives Geed time to cancel the transformation once they are out, but with a bit of white light, he returns to Riku instead of Geed. He doesn't say anything about Mesmer being on top of Vertin, despite how rough the hold looks. He says nothing when she scrambles off. Regulus takes point on anything to do with Mesmer, and while Lilian follows suit, he doesn't feel the need to say anything more. They weren't just healing Vertin, it seems... and these things are terrible for the mind. Instead, he decides to focus on the awakened Vertin. "Hey, it's been a while. A lot has happened, and we really all missed you a lot. Regulus did a really good job keeping the Suitcase clean," he says to her, looking at a very self-restrained Regulus.
Tamamo	Tamamo watches it happens. Worst of all, she watches Lilian go somewhere else at Flamel's behest -- inside Mesmer? There can't possibly be any good outcome from being inside Mesmer Jr. She's worried, now, but only for the rest of a timeless moment. . . . Looking around, Tamamo sees Mesmer backing into a corner, Vertin confused, and Regulus giving a very circumspect explanation. She hears the hoarseness, sees the tubes, and reaches into her purse -- now once again dressed in the clothes she wore as a witness to the court -- to pull out a hot thermos and travel cup. Pouring the steaming liquid, she says, "This should be fine, but must be cooled. Is there no water prepared? And just where is young Ms. Sotheby? Did she step outside?" There's more to say, of course. "Is that blood? How--" Her eyes move from Vertin's most recent scratch to the retreated, recently sobbing woman in the vinyl dress, and says in a matter-of-fact tone, "Ms. Vertin, Mesmer Jr. behaved in a highly inappropriate manner while you were unconscious. Be sure to not let her off easily, after you have the chance to hear all of it. A scolding from you would surely be better heard than from myself." And then, "And just where are the first aid supplies?" Goodness. "They should be right at hand, even if it is but a scratch."
Odette Raskins	There's been too much to digest in too short of a time. Odette hadn't expected to even see half of what she did upon entering Vertin's mindscape, and seeing both Mesmer and the Foundation in a new light has given the EMT even more to think about than she already had coming out of the last month already. As tired as she is physically and mentally, though, she's sure that everyone else is even more exhausted than her. Groaning lightly as she counts to five and sits up, Odette pats herself down quickly to make sure nothing's spilling out before standing and turning to look at the bed Vertin's been on for far too long. "You're crying." "You're awake." She's not sure what to say, if there's anything she can say to Vertin or Mesmer about what happened that wouldn't just make things worse or just sound like empty air coming from her. She's not a mental health professional, and she's certainly not a counselor like Flamel, but she can at least make sure that there's no further complications, now that things seem to have finally settled down. "Not too fast, yes. It's... It's been a while, Vertin, so you'll need some time to get used to moving again." She speaks softly while feeling one end of her bag a few times, reconsidering after a moment. They'll appreciate fresher water than what she's got on her, probably, and not just Vertin and Mesmer. Regulus' almost-tearing is starting to become a little normal to Odette, but that's still reason to be concerned after everything else that's gone on. Holly also doesn't look to be quite as energetic as she's seen and heard of the doctor before, and Odette's not really sure how Riku's transformations might affect him physically. Lilian's welcome to Vertin does get a quiet snicker out of the EMT, though, and there's also a pleased little noise coming out of her at hearing that Tamamo's on the same page when she asks about the water. "I'll get some for everyone. And... Extra pillows?" She waits for a moment to see if there's an affirmative or not on the pillows, and then she's off to get a jug of clean water, plenty of cups, painkillers, and whatever snacks she can pilfer on the way so nobody has to feel completely drained after all that. "Ms. Vertin, Mesmer Jr. behaved in a highly inappropriate manner while you were unconscious." She's especially quick to move when she hears that, both because it's too awkward to just stand in the door to listen for the immediate reaction, but also because she doesn't want to miss too much before she returns.
Ein	Ms. Moissan emerges from the dream, whisked away by Flamel and the collapsing of the need to resist and receive. Reflecting on the Storm, on the geometric shapes, on the stolen and now returned Ring's ring - a fallen halo - Ms. Moissan's face sets and she escapes into professional mask. She staggers into stepping out, recovering in a half-step and exhaling into the world, remaining neutral as others ask their questions. Until... 'And just where is young Ms. Sotheby? Did she step outside?' "Oh no." Ms. Moissan utters, and then hurries out the door. MEANWHILE... Druvis III had retrieved her wand and the Suitcase from lockup, and now accompanied by Mr. APPLe, was returning to the medical wing fully armed and regal in her casual walk. Now, unquestioned at least for a short while, she made the hallways her territory and claimed the crossways as her own. She is still a little bit out, because getting anyone to see her at the lockup was still an annoying chore and she had to sign for Otherworld and her corvid back. The corvid also had to sign itself out. WHICH LEAVES... Gwendolyn Vera Sotheby, most incredible adventuress, was accompanied by the bravest of the brave (it was in the name, of course!) Brave Typhon on her quest for the castle water that Mesmer Jr. had wanted, the convenience of missing any sources of drinkable water nor things to drink with exactly the ruse that had set her on this grand quest but now Sotheby had been set loose on the Outside with a mission! Surely! Surely! Surely Sotheby was more than equal to the challenge of finding water. Water was the most common element! Water was that which flowed the humors of the body, the root of all 'aqua' among all vitalities, and after quite a bit of talking just the drink Sotheby wished for - perhaps with a squeeze of lemon? And so, escaping Jupiter's forces in the hallway, Sotheby had headed down to find one of the servant stairs or kitchens that were doubtlessly located nearby. Mr. Karson was missing - captured again, no doubt - and so Sotheby (who had been taught that Outside was a combat zone) engaged in Stealthy Maneuvers as she crept through the hallway. Hiding behind a desk, Sotheby peeks obviously over a divider with her fingers curled over the top at a hallway guard who's stationed at a post looking bored, trying to listen to what's happening down the hall when a Suspicious Little Girl (lost child???) appears in the middle distance as a bright and almost spectral white fairy with hair of golden curls. Then, with a gasp and a dip, the little blonde girl disappears. The guard, getting up, rounds out of the guard house to investigate, calls out a "Hey there little lady?" and manages to look surprised when he's jumpscared by Sotheby holding a handkerchief to her face with one hand and slinging a cherry bomb-ized version of the Misty Bubbles with the other, little poppers of thick purple sudsy-smoke exploding on the masked guard's face. Carrying on right past the immediately disabled guard, Sotheby skips along, rounding a corner and seeing -- "A kitchen! Mar-velous!" Sotheby declares, of an empty pharmacy lab space and reagent closet. Everything's so different to her she makes some leaps of logic. AROUND THE TIME EVERYONE ESCAPES: There's a soft sound of a muffled near-distant detonation. Ms. Moissan starts running faster and now towards something specifically. VERY QUICKLY AFTER: Ms. Moissan, with a neutrally exasperated expression returns carrying a water cooler plastic jug, and also Sotheby, who had found a flameproof smock and attached a set of smoked welding-grade goggles onto her eyes and had a lightly sooted face, looks fantastically proud of herself. "I found the upstairs cellar!" She didn't. She did, however, invent a chemical blowtorch out of loose objects to crack into a supply closet.
Regulus	Regulus glances over to Lilian. She doesn't know exactly what she did and she didn't see what she saw, but she grins widely and adds, "Hey, it's a good thing you did or I would've gone through the window! You should be proud of your foresight," all the same. She might be joking, but knowing how anxious over Vertin she'd been it's probably not a safe bet. She notices Holly's injuries and looks a little pale as a result but before she can really speak on the matter, she's immediately distracted by Tamamo RUINING HER PLANS AGAIN, COME ON TAMAMO WHY YOU GOTTA DO THIS?? ''Regulus did a really good job keeping the Suitcase clean.'' "Yeah! It's all spic and span, 'ssuming APPLe kept it up while we were in prison--" She grimaces at THAT accidental reveal. "I mean, um, things got a little crazy but everything's fine. We totally won. Sonetto was brilliant. She called me a kind and loyal person and a good friend and even a valuable companion. You're looking at a valuable companion!" She points her thumb into her chest proudly. "And she said it in court, so she can't take it back. It's in the minutes." She looks over to Tamamo again and remembers something else! "Also, Tamamo promised to get everybody pizza later. ''Pizza Hut'' pizza." After hearing Matilda talk about it she must have assumd it's some sort of mythical quality pizza. You may foil her plans, Tamamo, but please bring her pizza anyway. MEANWHILE, APPLEVISION 3D Mr. APPLe is bobbing anxiously in the air next to Druvis III. Druvis has had to deal with APPLe rambling on about how he's been worried sick for the Captain and is hoping that she hasn't A) Broken any windows B) Picked any locks C) Stolen anything from the labs D) Stolen anything from Court E) hotwired a vehicle) F) Been arrested, again, after being released. G) Been struck by lightning H) Slipped on a banana peel BACK TO RADIO REGULUS "Sick flamethrower, Gwen." Regulus tells Sotheby. "You should show me how it works in action later." She pauses. "Not in here."
Foundation Scions	'Ms. Vertin, Mesmer Jr. behaved in a highly inappropriate manner while you were unconscious.' Mesmer, not directly prompted, by anything other than emotional-sentimental guilt, takes a deep breath in of the sterile-antiseptic tinged air. She can't look at her former classmate, without stirring to mind thoughts of fussing over her, talking to her in her dreaming sleep, brushing her hair, changing her IV bags- Hoarse herself, and dreadfully quiet, "Yes." 'Is that blood?' Mesmer, consciously, flinches, while standing away from the group, picking nail-against-nail underside to clean just-drying blood out from under them, and friction-dry it off her skin. It's disgusting, incriminating, and embarrassing. She doesn't reach for an alcohol wipe, either from having none in her pockets, or just not wanting to be seen reaching for another tool. The lack of doing so is a visible stressor on her tear stained face. 'And just where are the first aid supplies?' "Disinfectant, gauze, and bandages are in the first cabinet from the left, on the rear wall. Saline wash is, as well." Mesmer's response is quiet and instructive, doing her best to sound steady. After a moment, she raises a hand to point exactly which cabinet. She looks like she might step to go get it herself, out of a mixture of not trusting anyone else to do it, and not trusting how anyone might do it, but aside from a shift in weight, she doesn't actually move, the task is relinquished to others. As a strange little fidget afterwards; necessary, for her actions, Mesmer dusts off the front of her vinyl dress, un-creasing bits that had stayed slightly wrinkled from her utterly absurd posture upon Vertin's awakening. She tries, and fails, to dust tears off of it as well, only smearing them, upsetting herself, and finally, with an almost whiny breath, letting it go. The exit door is there, a straight shot from where she's standing. 'Did you have any dreams about assembly lines? People building things, or explaining how?' Mesmer gives Lilian a very strange glance, for a moment, foggy remembrance as to what she's even getting at with that question. Then, eyes wider-softer, "I'd still doubt it." She turns again back to Vertin, watching just aside from her face, softly tapping a toe from stress and emotion. As if to hide her own gaze for a moment, tucking her cuff higher up over her palm, Mesmer finally sniffles, and tries to wipe at the tears around her eyes. 'I found the upstairs cellar!' That's so scary. That's so scary! But, Sotheby, is inarguably succesful? Mesmer kind of just stares, for a moment, at the large jug in her hands. It would be incorrect for her to not go "Thank you, I hope it wasn't difficult," given that she sent her on that (perilous?) mission. Not to the Timekeeper, but to others, instead, quiet-cautionary but filled with hovering worry, "... Vertin's likely parched."
Lilian Rook	'Hey, it's a good thing you did or I would've gone through the window! You should be proud of your foresight' Lilian briefly entertains the thought of Regulus hurling herself at the tempered glass and hitting it so hard that she sticks. The thought gives her a moment of amusement before the smile slides back off her face. "Well . . . I'm not really." she says, and removing the keycard from her pocket again, tosses it onto the side table. 'Sonetto was brilliant. She called me a kind and loyal person and a good friend and even a valuable companion.' "To clarify, Sonetto's brilliance is unrelated." says Lilian. 'Also, Tamamo promised to get everybody pizza later.' 'Is that blood? How--' Lilian shuts her mouth and quietly sighs through her nose. Her eyes fall away and land on a boring patch of sterile floor. Her fingers push dimples into the bed on either side of her. In any other situation, Lilian would join in with Tamamo on principle; the need to underscore that her wife is objectively correct about the situation, and to not leave her as the sole emotional objector against a crowd of gormlessly smiling faces, makes her feel uncomfortably restless. It's only the excruciatingly fine point that Lilian is, herself, the only person in the room who couldn't possibly deserve to j'accuse at the moment, and would be an enormous hypocrite if she did, that keeps her mouth shut and her butt planted. 'I'd still doubt it.' "There's no use testing if you don't verify the results you know." The fact that she only ever seems to learn anything in this way still burns bitter at the back of her throat, but she can't bring herself to feel too awful about a happier ending than she expected. 'I found the upstairs cellar!' "Oh. Welcome back, Miss Sotheby." Lilian remarks in dull half-attentive confusion. "Thank you for all your help." she adds, without actually knowing what sort of help Sotheby offered anyone, but assuming she must have tried. "Everyone must be celebrating, so I can't imagine it's easy to find your way around the place right now." The idea that anyone might be against the results of the vote has slipped through her grasp as an irrelevant hypothetical.
Team Timekeeper	"You're awake." Vertin blinks, and her clouded eyes refocus remarkably quickly on the reality in front of her. Five seconds out of a coma, and she has more ability to keep eye contact with Mesmer than the other way around. Faintly, firmly, she states in confirmation, like it needs to be said again. "I am." Mesmer disembarking off of her hospital bed relieves the pressure, physical and emotional, that had been smothering her like a blanket. Vertin shifts weakly, nodding at Mesmer's instruction to move carefully after her own efforts have already proven why. Operating on uncharacteristically muddy situational awareness, the reappearance of every other Elite and their subsequent buzz of movement in the sterile ward cause her to widen her eyes in surprise, glancing to Mesmer's face for context. She finds it quickly, maybe due to fragmented memories of her dream, or maybe just from interpreting the fear on Mesmer's face, and her expression floods with sorrowful pity with no outlet. "Vertin!" "Regulus!" Even that can't keep Vertin fom breaking out into a wide smile at seeing all of her friends gathering around her though. She can't raise her voice beyond a strained whisper, so a single word said over her renders her inaudible. "You're here!" "Vertin--Mesmer's been worried sick." The flicker of their gaze sideways towards where Mesmer cowers in the corner... whether Vertin believes what Regulus is saying here, or whether she just appreciates the sentiment being conveyed implicitly, their face softens into a melancholy smile, appreciative. "I'm sure you all have been. I'm sorry for worrying you." "I apologize for the unsightly crowd; it was my fault for letting them all in." "I'm sure you had your reasons. It's a rather pleasant crowd to wake up seeing, besides." It's really unbelievable that Vertin could sound like they're in on some private level of communication about events that occured while they were induced into a coma. Effortfully, they tilt their head sideways on the pillow to find where Lilian stands beside the bed, and looks over her. "You included, Lilian." Just then, there's a flutter of movement outside the window into the LRC hallway, and a polite knock on the door. Purely for formality's sake, with it not even having been fully closed behind the Elites barging into the room and Sotheby's recent exit, before the Timekeeper's orange-haired assistant pushes it open and steps inside. She has a piece of Foundation-embossed paper neatly clutched in her hands, but her focus is yanked away from it when she sees that Vertin is awake, and she gasps. "Timekeeper!" "Sonetto!" Forgetting all about the missive in her hands for a moment, she rushes over to the bedside, and together with her and Regulus taking one side each, they carefully assist Vertin in sitting upright. Their hair, untied and without the hat covering it, is several times longer than it usually appears, and from the pillow and the frantic motions of Mesmer's hands, it's all scruffed up now. Only after doing that does Sonetto turn around to Mesmer. The paper in her hand is a little crumpled now, from the absentminded squeeze of her fist upon seeing Vertin awake. She smooths it out, then hands it to Mesmer in the corner of the room, no readable emotion in her voice or actions. "The Foundation has issued a status update regarding the Timekeeper's treatment in the Artificial Somnambulism Department."
Team Timekeeper	"It all worked out how you hoped." "Did it now?" Vertin glances towards Regulus then Sonetto over her shoulder for confirmation, the latter being in an oddly overwhelmed wordless state, but clinging to the side of Vertin's bed to keep supporting her upright. Getting confirmation from just their emotional states, with words or otherwise, hearing that makes Vertin more relieved than regaining consciousness. "... I'm glad to be back, Dr. Asturias." Intubation rattles as Vertin flexes her hand to regain feeling in it, assessing each part of her body methodically. "I'm feeling alright. My senses are muddled and I feel groggy, so I'm likely still receiving a low dosage of painkillers intravenously. I'll recover in time." Her voice hasn't gotten any louder since waking up, and if anything, it's gotten scratchier. The gingerness with which she moves betrays how battered her constitution really is, but she's well enough to gather her strength while actively participating. "Hey, it's been a while." "It certainly has. Thank you, Riku." After saying that, Vertin looks around, unsure if she's missing a distant-acting presence in the room. "Where is the Suitcase? And Druvis, Sotheby, Bellwhistle, and..." Sonetto gently interjects, unspeakably pleased but weary and distant. "Several of the inaugural members of Team Timekeeper have proceeded to the Arcanum Containment Department to retrieve the Suitcase from storage." Vertin sighs in relief, but then blinks and doubles back. "But-- Sotheby? Wasn't Ms. Moissan just...?" "I found the upstairs cellar!" "Ah, there you are, Sotheby." Completely unphased by Sotheby coming back with a flamethrower like a kitten bringing back its kill, Vertin just seems glad to see the two of them in front of her after waking up. "Were you fetching something?" "And... Extra pillows?" "Ah, yes, pillows would be appreciated. Thank you, Odette." "Did you have any dreams about assembly lines? People building things, or explaining how?" Sitting nearly side by side with Lilian on their respective beds, Vertin's forehead creases as she holds a hand up to her head. "Assembly lines...? ... No, not I recall. Why?" "Ms. Vertin, Mesmer Jr. behaved in a highly inappropriate manner while you were unconscious." "Ah...." "Er-- what inappropriate manner was that, Mesmer?" It's Sonetto that asks that dreadful followup question instead of Vertin, with Vertin being uneasily dumbstruck when trying to address Mesmer at all. "Yes." Her confirmation, then, makes Sonetto's eyes widen, and just as she's opening her mouth to press further, Vertin murmurs a feeble deflection from the topic, for which Sonetto goes immediately silent to not speak over. "... Right now, I'm just glad to see you all again, my friends."
Flamel Parsons	Flamel rushes in. "Hey, just a moment!" He calls out, approaching her bed with a many-dozens-thick stack of papers; it probably describes the full regulatory content of the Storm Reformation bill. Oh no! His smile is so wide. "I need to approach you with a totally excessive amount of down-to-earth institutional activity so that I can be pushed aside and dismissed for your relaxation and wellbeing, so that it can be really locked in." He's getting too close with that stack of paper. "Possibly by Regulus, or by an unexpected defensive posture from Mesmer Jr. or Sonetto, or anyone really!" He's startlingly light, if someone chooses to do that symbolic shove. However that turns out, he flashes that winning smile and thumbs-up. "Glad you're awake! Feeling well-rested? I bet you caught up on all your sleep debt."
Riku Asakura	Riku takes a step back to let others gather around Vertin. It was a time for celebration, and the people closest to Vertin should be closer, obviously! This is especially true when Sonetto comes in, as Riku manages a soft wave to the young woman. They owe her for the work she did, and the warning they got about the Foundations' attack on them. Riku stares dumbfounded at Sotheby being carried back in by Ms. Moissan, and doubly so to hear about her finding the 'upstairs cellar'. "Wait, can cellars be upstairs? I thought they had to be all downstairs? Like in the ground..." Riku sees the grimace from Regulus and shakes his head. "That was my first time in jail, and I am not eager to go back," he admits to the prison expert. "But... it was definitely worth the time." He's especially happy about the change happening in the Foundation. To Tamamo, he looks vaguely uncomfortable about her calling out Mesmer, but even more so when Mesmer doesn't even defend herself. Well... it wasn't his place to get in the middle of that, so whatever conclusion they came up with... well, they'd be the ones to live with it, right? "I actually don't know where Druvis or Bellwhistle are..." and Sotheby just made her reappearance. Sonetto answers, and Riku nods, "Oh, that makes sense. I'm sure they'll be glad to all see you awake, Vertin." Riku says, just honestly glad that this whole ordeal was over. Well, minus any community service. When Flamel goes towards Vertin with the stack of papers, Riku simply reaches out a hand to grab Flamel by the back of the shirt to hold him still. "Come on, man."
Regulus	Regulus senses her attempt to improve Lilian's mood was only half effective and she immediately assumes it's because whatever they did in there was, at the very least, kind of icky. Then again, she can't really be sure can she? The whole scenario was kind of icky. "Sorry, just trying to brighten the mood." She tells Lilian, deciding to check in on her later. ''To clarify, Sonetto's brilliance is unrelated.'' "But not--!" Regulus holds up her index finger in the air. "--unappreciated!" ''You're here!'' Regulus sniffs as a wave of emotion hits her and she can't really stop the tears from flowing anymore, but atl east they're pretty light. Happy tears for a happy occassion, even if it took a stormy path to get here. "Of course!" She beams. "We've missed you! I've missed you! You're my best mate in the whole wide world." She sniffs once and then finally goes in to give her a hug, carefully, considering her state rather than just leaping in carelessly. It's probably a sign of how much she appreciates the Timekeeper that she shows any restraint at all. "So don't make us worry so much like that again!" ''You included, Lilian.'' "Yeah..!" Just as she's about to pull back, Sonetto arrives. Her teary smile is offered freely to Sonetto. It wasn't just Vertin she's missed throughout all this trouble. She scootches a little, turning her hug into an attempt to help Vertin sit up properly, giving Vertin's arm a sqwueeze in the process. "Well, we've got some extra chores to do," Regulus says. "But Team Timekeeper is official!" ''Er-- what inappropriate manner was that, Mesmer?'' Regulus swallows anxiously. Covering for Mesmer AGAIN would just be countermanded by Tamamo immediately anyway!! Can she be honest in a way that doesn't sound so bad?? Regulus isn't trained in this! She's used to just lying! She squints as she racks her brain. FOrtunately 'Yes' seems to be enough of an answer for Vertin at least. Whew, nice job Vertin! This is why you're the boss! ''That was my first time in jail, and I am not eager to go back.'' "Don't worry, it's easier the second time." Regulus is so offhanded about it like she expects Riku to be in jail many more times!
Tamamo	'I'll get some for everyone. And... Extra pillows?' "A good idea." 'Oh no.' There's a soft sound of a muffled near-distant detonation. Well. If Ms. Moissan weren't on the case, Tamamo would have to worry about that. She'd probably worry about it a lot! However, it's surely being handled. ...she's immediately distracted by Tamamo RUINING HER PLANS AGAIN... Tamamo does not notice this. 'Also, Tamamo promised to get everybody pizza later.' "Did I?" She tilts her head, glancing up into memory. "I suppose I must, then. Not just now, of course. That would be no good at all." She's not very experienced with pizza, but she's pretty sure it's not qualifiable as hospital food. 'Yes.' Lilian shuts her mouth and quietly sighs through her nose. Tamamo looks to Mesmer first, not having expected a response from that side at all, and then toward Lilian, with Vertin in the same field of view. The difference between Lilian 'now' and Lilian 'promising to destroy Mesmer's career' can't be missed. Tamamo has an idea of why, and it's obviously Mesmer's fault, but she certainly won't be getting into it now. 'Timekeeper!' "It is good to see you punctual, Ms. Sonetto. The Timekeeper woke only moments ago, and so, you have missed little." Except for any answers to her question about Mesmer's admission. Tamamo's already walking over, because... 'Disinfectant, gauze, and bandages are in the first cabinet from the left, on the rear wall. Saline wash is, as well.' Automatically, distantly polite, "Thank you." Odette wil be back in a moment, most likely, but there's no reason to wait. Tamamo is as familiar with common 20th century supplies as she is with the 11th century's, by this point. She goes to gather the few necessary items, and then get to Vertin's side. "Hold still, if you please, and indulge my sense of caution for such things." A snap of disposable gloves, a gentle wash, drying, cutting of the gauze, and adhesive. It's practically done by the time the process is noticed. 'I found the upstairs cellar!' "Oh, very good." Tamamo isn't paying much attention in that direction at the moment, but... she still probably means 'that you found her safely' more than anything else. '... Right now, I'm just glad to see you all again, my friends.' She doesn't say anything to this, but makes a pleased-satisfied sort of 'mhm,' expression brightening.
Lilian Rook	'I'm sure you had your reasons. It's a rather pleasant crowd to wake up seeing, besides.' "I did, but I'll have to make up for them later." Lilian says. Her smile is easily to mistake for half-hearted, but really she just feels a little embarrassed. "I'm certain you of all people understand." She doesn't imagine that Vertin remembered what happened in her dream just now, but for some reason, Lilian finds it very easy to imagine that they just sort of 'get it' anyways. 'You included, Lilian.' That gives her reason for pause. Sure, she's sat herself on the other bed, instead of crowding around or fussing over Vertin like the others, and sure, she probably looks like the least emotional person here, but-- Lilian's eyes shoot wide open, and a quiet gasp escapes her. "Oh goodness we haven't seen each other since the--!" She clams up in time, though. "Everything is quite alright! Miss Z was extraordinarily helpful! I've been working with her this whole time, actually; we hit it off just as you said. I'm still working at Laplace, the Caucus has shut up for a minute, and-- Oh, actually, I've been appointed the official Paladins-Foundation liaison pursuant to the the formation of the new special unit, working directly with Z, so I suppose I'm technically 'with' the Foundation now?" Lilian notices she's thrown her hands partway up, and forces them back down. "Um, Druvis and the others are all still here, and, the prison part was-- they were being held in cutsody as witnesses before a trial. Really, it's fine!" 'Timekeeper!' 'Sonetto!' Phew! Now she can rest easy! Vertin's bizarre emotional support dog slash assistant is here to set everything in order and normalize the unbearably tender slash fragile emotive tone in the room! 'The Foundation has issued a status update regarding the Timekeeper's treatment in the Artificial Somnambulism Department.' Lilian blinks, but doesn't miss a beat. "Right. Exactly as I said." 'Assembly lines...? ... No, not I recall. Why?' Despite being the one to ask, Lilian laughs under her breath. "Settling a bet." 'Er-- what inappropriate manner was that, Mesmer?' "Please, Sonetto." Lilian uses her 'it's not your fault but listen to me' firm tone with the one person in the room she can trust to not try to read between the lines. "We're not in school. This isn't the sort of situation where she should apologize to the whole class."
Odette Raskins	ON THE WAY BACK Odette has a cart full of stuff! Upon spotting Druvis III and APPLe, she waves excitedly to the two while hurrying over to try and grab their attention via existing. "Oh, Miss Druvis! Mister APPLe! Hi. Ah. Miss Vertin and everyone's awake now, if you wanted to see them. It might be a little cramped in there, though, so it's probably standing room only aside from the head machine. Er. Artificial somnambulism machine?" BACK AT THE ROOM Returning with a whole cart in tow, Odette backs up into the door to make sure she can nudge it open carefully before inching the cart in. "Sorry for the wait. One of the supply closets was wide open for some reason, but there was plenty of stuff in there! Ooh, Ms. Moissan got water, too! Even better." Letting out a little relieved sound at any potential water issues being thoroughly solved, she reveals the fruits of her ransacking: Water jug! Disposable drinking cups! Painkillers of various kinds! Little trail mix bags! Cheese crackers! Applesauce! Chips! Fruit snacks! Pillows! Face towels! And some sticky notes of assorted sizes that she wasn't totally just going to shove in her bag if nobody else claims them first. "... Is Pizza Hut good? It sounds like it should be good." Odette finally remembers to ask, looking over to Tamamo and Reguluis as the apparent experts by virtue of knowing that name at all. As she speaks, she's already fluffing up a pillow and offering to slide it behind Vertin while stepping aside for Tamamo to have plenty of room to get that gauze on Vertin's wounds. "Assembly lines...? ... No, not I recall. Why?" "What... Er." Should she be asking? She's really curious about what Vertin dreamt about if anything, but she hesitates on actually asking that. Lilian's already asked about specific dreams, anyway, and she assumes there's something important about it even if she doesn't quite understand it. "Settling a bet." She gets stunlocked for a second, then giggles again. "We've missed you! I've missed you!" "We really did! It's been... A-ah?" Odette's a little surprised to find out she's tearing up, too, especially after seeing Regulus' tearful display. "Ah, yeah... Regulus was a real trooper the whole time. Fought hard, cleaned up hard, and... Heck, she was THE person that rallied everyone behind the whole team thing." She explains, wiping her face with her sleeve while checking through the snacks on the cart. "Do you feel ready to eat anything solid, or would you rather take it easy for now?" She asks, pausing again to consider what Tamamo and Regulus brought up. "Oh, we might need to hold off on the pizza if solid food is out of the question. Unless... Do they have drinkable pizza?"
Ein	Sotheby, carrying a jerry-rigged torch made out of burner parts, a sparker, a stoppered beaker able to be used as a vessel, and other lab accoutrements for binding and structure, wears a great grin on her face under sooted cheeks and smoked glasses. Proud, vital, and causing a warm headache for Ms. Moissan, she stands up straight and presents out her object. 'Sick flamethrower, Gwen.' "Wow, I'm so~o glad you like it, Regulus! It's not a flame-thrower though," She giggles innocently. "It's a short life chemical torch! To save on basilisk bite, I used iron filings!" She made a thermite-based cutting torch. If it threw the fire there would be more noise and also more fire alarms going off. 'You should show me how it works in action later.' "Miss Moissan says--" "--please don't, here--" "--or I'd show you right now!" That wasn't Moissan's request, but she's moving the large jug of cooler water into a usable state at the cashed out fountain in the room, peeling the cap and setting it into place such that she can begin to fill the little dispensable, sensible cups that Sotheby didn't even know they were cups because-- "Woooah! Are these some sort of new hyper-stackable super cup??" She asks, of standard plastic cups. 'Thank you, I hope it wasn't difficult,' "Yo~u're wel-come!" Sotheby responds with cheer, setting aside her door-torching device (which Ms. Moissan collects and stows away) to trade for a cup of water to walk over to Mesmer. '... Vertin's likely parched.' Sotheby turns right around at a pivot and Ms. Moissan is already pulling another cup for her, such that it's almost arranged what her instantly redirective path takes. By the time she's back, she's got two cups, one for each of Mesmer and Vertin! 'Everyone must be celebrating, so I can't imagine it's easy to find your way around the place right now.' "No problem at all! Really, very easy! I just remembered to follow my 'common sense', like Ms. Moissan and Mr. Karson taught me, and I found an upstairs cellar for the castle water in no time at all!" There is an unconscious body in her wake and she's already forgotten. Do you remember the interstial non-boss nodes with no drops in your life? Or do you accept them and move on without condition? Sotheby does the latter, so far. 'Ah, there you are, Sotheby.' Sotheby offers down a cup of water to Vertin just as the Timekeeper manages to open her eyes and sit up. "A delicious cup of precious castle water for you, Miss Vertin! Miss Mesmer is right, you must be parched. Here! I've fetched it just now!" She answers, cheerily. From the doorway behind everyone, as Vertin's gaze pans over the crowd, Druvis, carrying the Suitcase, and the bobbing Mr. APPLe appear in the frame, as if summoned for the wide angle shot. Stepping forward, Druvis approaches the foot of the bed such that she can place the Suitcase gently on the sheets there, and lifts to cross her arms and give one of her all-too-faint and rare little smiles. "Welcome back, Vertin." . . . But eARLIeR? In APPLeVISION! Druvis walks, face pulled into a neutral expression, eyes quarter-lidded, nods along at the parade of possibilities. "It would be a shame," An almost-lifeless Druvis agrees. "If she became a felon, or a seditionist, or a sudden sex exhibitionist, or any form of vehicle-wirer. Is she struck by lightning that often? Or are you just concerned about it?" The conversation had continued apace until they arrived.
Lilian Rook	'Come on, man.' "No no, I think we should let him cook." says Lilian. While trying to subtly untie the ribbon at her belt while keeping it facing away from Vertin, and looking over her shoulder to see if there's anywhere to shove the DVDs actually. 'Sorry, just trying to brighten the mood.' "It's fine, Regulus." Lilian says, reluctantly. "Praise me as you will. The foresight was commendable, after all. I'm just not terribly proud of it." She shakes her head. "But then again, you'd never have made it through the glass." 'Well, we've got some extra chores to do' "Ah ah." Lilian raises a finger, then swings it downwards in a little chopping motion. "You have chores to do." That's totally what Regulus already meant. "Vertin is going to be in recovery for a while." 'Did I?' "You may have mused something out loud." Lilian says, shrugging. "I'd feel a little bad eating it without Matilda, though. She's always going on about that place." Plus, she assumes it's sort of shit, so if she can deflect Pizza Hut until everyone forgets about it, that's probably a win?
Foundation Scions	'So don't make us worry so much like that again!' In flinch reaction, Mesmer's gaze snaps to, and then quickly away, from Regulus' sappy response to Vertin's awakening rings out. It's a re-sharpening of guilt and distance, and she's thankful to no longer be in the spotlight of the moment for all to see it flash across her face. 'Several of the inaugural members of Team Timekeeper-' "-Sonetto?" is almost gasped, and Mesmer takes a step back, a hand falling to the metal rail at the foot of the spare hospital bed. White knuckled grip, released immediately like the material is hot to the touch. She tries to hold her hands peacefully, harmlessly, crossed in front of her dress. 'Assembly lines...? ... No, not I recall. Why?' 'Settling a bet.' Mesmer exhales, and, not quite fitting with her general tone, makes a brief, sudden noise, almost like a bark of surprised laughter. It confuses her, too, that she does. After trying to compose herself, and still looking thoroughly uncomposed, "I was right." That seems to surprise her quite a lot, too. 'The Foundation has issued a status update regarding the Timekeeper's treatment in the Artificial Somnambulism Department.' Mesmer's first instinct, as it's pressed into her hands, while reading it, is to press out the wrinkles of the paper between her thumbs and forefingers. Eyes scan it, and she sighs. If she'd had the clarity of thought to consider upcoming-emotions, or the clarity of emotion to know what, exactly, to expect, she'd know that even here and now, her stomach could drop in fear, again, and further. "I see. Thank you for delivering this." Almost rocking back and forth, perhaps from trembling, perhaps just not sure where to step, she glances at Sonetto, winces, and decides of anyone here in the room, she, strangely, is the hardest to face. "She's to be discharged." Of course, everyone knew that's what the note must be, but it's with a strained tremble to Mesmer's voice that she announces it. Her duty is over, her efforts unsuccessful, the Timekeeper free to do as she wishes, barring they abide proper disharge procedures and physical therapy. Mesmer inhales, and exhales, the breath doing nothing to fix an empty upset-ache. 'Er-- what inappropriate manner was that, Mesmer?' Mesmer stiffens up. Rather than deny, obfuscate, or throw out chaff and other attacks, she just goes more still, more upset, embarrassed, and tense. It's blatant, and not a denial, for her to take this chance, in the face of all these veritable-strangers to her, who'd seen and heard exactly what Tamamo means, and almost plead, whined and desperate, "Not here, not now. Another time. I-" 'This isn't the sort of situation where she should apologize to the whole class.' It's just a side-eye glance, mostly obscured by welling tears, but even if the look, and the feeling behind it aren't particularly obvious to Mesmer, as she forms the expression, it's a brief bit of clutching-thanks. "I'll fetch the nursing staff for discharge procedures. Sonetto, Lilian, Parsons, Vertin- the rest of you," A stiff nod rather than a well-wishing, tears still there, barely held back in sheer upset embarrassment and residual grief, and Mesmer, holding the discharge note carefully to her chest, trudges out of the ward and down the hall.
Flamel Parsons	Flamel is lightly manhandled. It's all in good fun. He's surely winking behind the sunglasses, at Riku. He sets those papers aside, straightens out, and says, "Alright! You get the nursing staff, and we'll get out of the way of the nursing staff so that Vertin has a good motivation to come on out quick." His heart is so warm. His spirit is... so lifted. His smile is so bright. While it was a lot of agony, this is a classic Psychonaut challenge. This is where he could shine, and after losing Schneider, after failing to learn whatever he needs to learn about his secret project, after struggling and failing in a dozen different recent ways, and after confronting a situation that was terribly close to an old one from the past, he finally has an unambiguous win where people don't feel stressed. He just wants that, sometimes. It's rare, these days, and getting rarer, and this just fills him with light. He practically floats out the room. ... Once he's out in the hall, his hands go together in a single bright clap, like a task well-fulfilled. "So," He raises one finger. "I'm thinking WcDonalds! They don't have that in this era. So I'm also thinking we wander off campus and find someplace with a name that translate's to 'Ownersname's Diner'! Who else wants some burgers at circa-1914 food safety standards? I'll bring my entry-level unlicensed nosokinesis and some wet wipes."
Riku Asakura	'No no, I think we should let him cook.' Riku turns to look at Lilian, tilting his head slightly. "Really? I'd figured you'd be the one to want to stop him..." he lets go and shrugs. Well, he can be weird at Vertin then, Riku guesses? Tamamo indicates that she might actually fulfill the promise of Pizza Hut. "I mean, it's... alright, I guess?" he answers the question about how good it is. He isn't aware of the American version. When Lilian sticks up for Matilda, Riku sighs at this. He's still a little mad at her about the stupid fear rocks. "Well, I guess that's fair..." he doesn't want to be fair, at least a little bit. When Mesmer leaves, Riku feels a little uncomfortable about the entire situation. He doesn't know what to say to her, or to anyone about her. He wasn't exactly the nicest to her either, which makes Riku feel guilty. His feelings about Mesmer are very complicated. Riku smiles at the playful wink from Flamel, glad that someone at least is being more relaxed. He walks out into the hall with Flamel, waving to Vertin so as not to crowd her, and the moment he mentions WcDonalds, he makes a face. "I think I'll pass. Why not a regular diner? I haven't been to one of those before."
Regulus	Regulus has no idea that Tamamo isn't experienced with pizza but she has secured a promise of pizza so pretty much all of Tamamo's crimes against Regulus's schemes are immediately forgiven. Thankfully, she misses Mesmer's look--or at least has the temperence to not immediately blab about it. Regulus is trying her hardest here. ''You'd never have made it through the glass.'' "Don't underestimate this pirate's head. I've heard how hard it was, who knows--it might make it through." Then she smiles. "But good to not keep testing it, heh..." ''You have chores to do.'' Channeling her innermost minion, Regulus assures Lilian. "Vertin's officially my boss now. Any chores I do, she gets credit for too." She sounds happy, both to be back to bantering with Lilian and everyone and also that, well, she's just saying a fact now--rather than some unofficial stance Regulus put upon herself with Vertin's okay. ''It's not a flame-thrower though.'' Regulus's player did read the post, but Regulus wanted to give Sotheby an opportunity to correct her and talk about her invention. She is glad to see Sotheby in a wonderful mood and even more glad she didn't go into Vertin's head. "Later works!" She assures Sotheby. ''Is Pizza Hut good?'' "Of course it is. Matilda's from a big deal family. Probably gets the best pizza in the whole wide world." Regulus assures Odette. And then adds, "And you kept us healthy along with Holly so you better take some credit yourself!" Do they have drinkable pizza? Regulus grimaces at the idea. APPLEVISION "No, but once she had a close call." APPLe assures Druvis. "And no sex exhibitionism since that one time--she decided she didn't care for it--" Regulus's face is bright pink as APPLe floats in. "Captain!!" "APPLe!!" Regulus extends a hand and they do a little half dance at Vertin's side together. "I've missed you, my first mate!" "I was so worried that you took a nasty spill!"
Team Timekeeper	"I need to approach you with a totally excessive amount of down-to-earth institutional activity so that I can be pushed aside and dismissed for your relaxation and wellbeing, so that it can be really locked in." Vertin and Sonetto both seem bemused by this behavior, but if there's one thing Sonetto can be counted on for above everything else, it's following instructions. At Flamel's request, not really knowing why, she plants a hand on his shoulder and then shoves him hard away from Vertin, probably with enough force to send him to the ground. After a brief period of recovery, she steps over to him, takes the stack of papers out of his hands, and passes them over to Vertin. "Here you go, Timekeeper. I hope that improved your relaxation and wellbeing." "Ah... thank you, Flamel. Sonetto." Unfortunately for Flamel, this is Vertin, and so she immediately begins leafing through the comically dense legal paperwork while still being propped up in her hospital bed. "Regulus, would you mind pulling the blanket off me so I can sit properly to the side?" "We've missed you! I've missed you! You're my best mate in the whole wide world." She can, however, set even her all-important paperwork down for now. Vertin closes her eyes when Regulus hugs her, lifting up one arm to sort-of gingerly return it, squeezing as tight as her strength will allow. "I missed you too, Regulus. Thank you. Thank you all." "She called me a kind and loyal person and a good friend and even a valuable companion." Vertin is completely unbothered by Regulus mentioning prison accidentally. It's almost like she expected it, or it's just so natural for Regulus to be talking about incarceration that it hardly even registers. That other comment, though, makes Vertin raise her eyebrows at Sonetto, then smile with a lot more genuine warmth than mere polite acknowledgement would demand. "Did she now? I'm glad to hear that. Really." Vertin closes her eyes again, a little repetitive on account of being worn-out. "I'm really glad that you're all getting along." "That was my first time in jail, and I am not eager to go back," Sonetto doesn't know what to say to Regulus, because that'e embarrassing. Instead she very helpfully explains to Riku, "Yes. Incarceration is meant to deter repeat offences. If you are discouraged from returning, then you experienced it correctly." Somehow, talking about criminal deterrence makes her get sentimental, when Regulus's praise just sort of bounced off of her. "... But, such a demonstration will not be required again, I hope. Now that 'Team Timekeeper'...." "Hold still, if you please, and indulge my sense of caution for such things." Vertin winces one eye shut, holding still for Tamamo to dab at the shallow cut. It's really nothing much, it's probably already finished bleeding. "Of course. Thank you, Mrs. Mizukume." "I'm certain you of all people understand." "I suppose I do." It does feel a little bit like a private joke, in how Vertin smiles at her while having her wound from Mesmer's fingernail disinfected.
Team Timekeeper	"Really, it's fine!" Lilian's rushed string of reassurance makes Vertin actually laugh out loud by the time she's done, coughing and covering her mouth when it scratches her throat. Effusively relieved, basking in the environment and the atmosphere of celebration, each notch of Vertin's built-up stress eases looser one by one. "You've been assigned to liason with my new team, have you? I have a lot of catching up to do, then. With everyone. How long has it been, exactly?" "It's currently August 19, 1999+13, Timekeeper." "August...." "Heck, she was THE person that rallied everyone behind the whole team thing." "I suppose I'll have to hear all about it." Vertin accept the glass of water from Sotheby, nearly fumbling it when her grip doesn't close as cleanly around the cup as she expects it to. Sonetto catches it unhesitatingly, then gives Vertin the extra hand needed to take a sip. "I was parched. Though, oddly, I'm not hungry at all. Maybe it'll return in time." Her diet, somehow, was more regular when unconscious. IV glucose is somehow healthier than replacing a meal with a fistful of picrasma candy at six in the morning after not sleeping all night. For all of her coma-shrunkenness, there aren't any bags under Vertin's eyes. "We're not in school. This isn't the sort of situation where she should apologize to the whole class." Sonetto furrows her brow at that, unusually for her. Tamamo and Lilian's words make it sound more like Mesmer's done something wrong, and to Vertin nonetheless. She doesn't have the emotional immediacy of the Artificial Somnambulism recollection just now, and she doesn't even know it happened. She's wavering on the edge of pressing harder anyways, before looking at Mesmer's face and deflating. "She's to be discharged." "Thank you for your hard work, Mesmer Jr." It's not even the first time that Sonetto's had to passively allow Vertin to come to harm without doing anything about it in this room, much less in general. "Please-" Vertin raises her voice to be heard before Mesmer slips out of the room, wincing and taking another sip of water at the pain it causes her. "Take care, Mesmer. Alright?" "Welcome back, Vertin." "Druvis," Vertin says with another smile, buoyed back closer to health by the Suitcase and the druid. "Your hair. It's beautiful." The mistletoe can't go unnoticed, and Vertin of all people must recognize it for what it is. "Odette, would you mind undoing the tubes I've got hooked up?" Vertin holds her hands out to either side for two people to grab and assist her up, bracing herself to stand. "I'm not certain I could stand on my own just yet."
Foundation Scions	'Take care, Mesmer. Alright?' Mesmer stops, looks halfway over her shoulder, and takes a sharp breath. The discharge note is still hugged tightly to her chest. First is a little nod, then, on the exhale, "Alright."
Lilian Rook	'Really? I'd figured you'd be the one to want to stop him...' "He's the specialist." Lilian says, so airy she may as well never have said anything particularly heavy or loaded with interpersonal symbolism to Flamel right at the very end of the Cobb Maneuver. 'I was right.' Lilian turns up her hands. The thread is too thin and tenuous to dare placing any weight on it. "Then I'm glad we didn't wager anything." She looks away from Mesmer taking the note as if she were averting her eyes from someone on tape putting a gun to their head. It's just not something she can watch. It's only once Mesmer is long out of the room that Lilian pauses, stares at the right side wall, and muses in surprise, talking to to thin-air, "I think that's the first time I've ever heard her use my name." 'I'm thinking WcDonalds!' "Oh my god. What made that connection in your head?!" This wasn't about homophobia at all! 'Vertin's officially my boss now. Any chores I do, she gets credit for too.' Lilian smiles. "I see you've already realized it. Credit trickles up and blame trickles down, as they say." 'Of course. Thank you, Mrs. Mizukume.' But that snaps her attention right back to Vertin. For an instant, Lilian genuinely loses her grip on her expression; not of the sort where she simply allows the emotional dice to fall as it may, but the sort where she doesn't know how to look at all. Surprised, certainly, but worried? Touched? Guilty? Relieved? She falls on mildly indignant smiling when Vertin laughs, at least. 'You've been assigned to liason with my new team, have you?' "A necessary political concession. You understand." Lilian says, waving her hand airily. "With apologies, the room you thoughtfully allowed me to use was a convenient chip for convincing the Suitcase's detractors that it wouldn't become a secret bunker full of conniving supervillains the moment they took their eyes off it." she says, with nonzero dry amusement. "You can thank Z for her quick thinking, actually. And I'll thank you to avoid hanging up any skull banners or discussing the new world order where the brass can hear." The meaning of choosing 'the Suitcase' as her delineation goes unelaborated. 'Your hair. It's beautiful."' Lilian, suddenly, groans on the verge of theatrical. "Oh my god isn't it? It's maddening!" she says, half-humorous whining. "I've been right stewing about it! And the mistle, specifically? How effortlessly stylish can you be? And look at the colour!" 'I'm not certain I could stand on my own just yet.' "Well you shouldn't be doing that anyways. Actually, I'll be here most of the week, so if you need something and Sonetto is busy, just buzz me." 'Alright.' Two and a half seconds feel like eternity. Lilian lightly presses her nails into her palm, and says "See you."
Odette Raskins	"I was right." Odette doesn't hide that she looks surprised when she hears that sound coming out of Mesmer Jr. Although she hasn't known her for long, Mesmer Jr. has already struck Odette as the sort of person to never let herself be heard making that kind of noise. Or to be seen tearing up, at that. She conveniently looks away as Mesmer makes her exit from that room, focusing instead on Vertin once she asks for help with the tubes. "Sure thing! Should be close enough to the ones I've used at work... Oh, let's get a bandage on that, too." While she snags a bit of gauze and a bandage for each one of the injection sites, Odette turns briefly to look over at the cart. "Oh, right. If there's anything you want from there, I can grab it on the way out, too. Still got plenty of room in my bag. If they don't give you any physical therapy instructions on the way out, we can figure out something for you, too." Along with whatever Vertin asks for, Odette also makes sure to grab the sticky notes and a fruit snack pouch for herself. --- "I'm thinking WcDonalds!" "That... Oh! Right, if we're going somewhere that still has the old menu, maybe I can get something with the old sour and sweet sauce." Odette seems to be getting ideas already after Flamel puts that idea in her head. "A diner visit, too? Oh, oh, we should find one with malts! Er.. Those still exist in this time, right? I haven't had one of those since I was living at home." "Of course it is." Oh right, the pizza! "Maybe we can make a third spot, if we split one or two between this many people? Gosh, I haven't had a pizza off-station in.. Ever, actually. I didn't know that about Matilda, though." "And you kept us healthy along with Holly so you better take some credit yourself!" "Buh? W-well..." The instinct to try and deflect is strong as ever, complete with Odette fiddling with her glasses to distract herself. It only last for a few seconds this time around, though, before she nods at Regulus slowly. "... Okay, fine. We did do good work in there." She says with a proud, yet bashful chuckle. "Between Doctor Holly and Gwendolyn and Miss Druvis and me, I wonder if there's any kinds of treatment we wouldn't be able to manage eventually." She adds, still finding an opportunity to deflect.
Regulus	''so I can sit properly to the side?'' "Aye aye, Cap'n!" Regulus snaps a salute first, pointlessly, before pulling the blanket off with a flourish like she's showing off a a highly honed skill. Regulus, of course, might be embarrassing Sonetto but she's so sunny about it. It's not really her intent, just a side effect of her being so gosh darned happy about it she just HAS to share, particularly with Vertin, who has been through the ringer! All the good news for Vertin all at once everywhen in time and space! "Ahah... Hopefully..." Regulus says. Like she said, she's protested OUT for at least a year. "Honestly looking forward to just walking around and--" Her eyes brighten. "Oh right! You can introduce me to your Foundation friends now! I'd love to meet them once we're done with cleanup and everything." She whistles as she catches the cup. "Nice reflexes, Sonetto." Maybe she can figure out a way to trick Vertin into eating proper regular meals at least some days? She spots Sonetto's unease and hesitates, unsure about the appropriateness and murmurs, "We can talk about it later, Sonetto." She says softly. "I won't leave you in the dark." She's not even lying just to reassure her, Regulus made a promise to herself that Sonetto was part of the TEAM after all, that means she gets the dirt, even if it's a dirt that's kind of embarrassing and sad to talk about. If nothing else, she can spin it. She will. But they're right. This isn't really something to be shared in front of 'the whole class', even if 'the whole class' knows the story. She's still a little pink in the face though whether that's from unaccustomed praise or APPLe talking to Druvis about THAT ONE TIME is unclear. It's important to try things that you might not like! Regulus will try just about anything once unless it's really really scary! And then she'd probably end up trying it anyway because she tends to be compelled in those sorts of situations lately... ''Take care, Mesmer.'' Regulus bobs her head seriously, but figures the last thing Mesmer wants right now is excessive amounts of Regulus. She moves to help Vertin stand. "C'mon, love. No need to rush." ''I think that's the first time I've ever heard her use my name.'' "I'm resisting the urge to fuss and friendly at her, but--" She hesitates, remembering Lilian's earlier gloom, and doesn't finish that sentence with a 'I'm glad she's got you'. ''Credit trickles up and blame trickles down.'' "Lilian, love," Regulus sighs. "If I learned anything over the past couple years, I learned that for sure." Then she remembers she's voicing this bit of exhaustion right in front of Vertin so she hastily adds, "But it's worth it." For moments like this, and hopefully, for many moments to come. "Still a shame we're not neighbors." She adds to Lilian. "You might not even hear my late night concerts." Regulus thinks she's starting to get into a good rhythm with Odette, she'll push her to have confidence and so long as Odette's willing to work at it she'll keep at it. "Yeah, it's thanks to you and Sotheby I can even talk right now."
Team Timekeeper	"With apologies, the room you thoughtfully allowed me to use was a convenient chip for convincing the Suitcase's detractors that it wouldn't become a secret bunker full of conniving supervillains the moment they took their eyes off it." "Oh, that sounds like it'd be just dreadful. Thank goodness you've swept in to save me the trouble." Apparently, whatever lobe of the brain is responsible for British sarcasm was untouched after months in her Artificial Somnambulism treatment. "You'll have to stop by often to be sure." She adds, more sincerely, "It's a relief you and Madam Z have gotten on. I'm sure she's got her hands full now too." God, did Vertin actually plan for this whole liason setup from the very start? She did arrange for Z and Lilian to meet, upon which Z immediately positioned Lilian as a closely-associated offworld partnership that was highly visible to the rest of the Foundation, cementing her transitive alliance with Vertin through her Foundation supervisor. Now it's Lilian's job to make her Suitcase room cozy, just like Vertin wanted. "If they don't give you any physical therapy instructions on the way out, we can figure out something for you, too." "I'm certain this won't be the last of my time in the Rehabilitation Ward," Vertin asides to Odette with some grim humor. She takes the Suitcase onto her lap, fiddling idly with the latch she snapped before the rebellion, that keeps it unclosably accessible. After a second, she hisses quietly though her teeth, and touches the spot on her thigh where she had much more weight put onto her a few minutes ago, that the Suitcase is enough to exacerbate now. "Ah... it's sore...." "I won't leave you in the dark." Sonetto nods wordlessly to Regulus, as conspiratorial as she's ever seemed. Really, if there's one thing the two right-and-left hands to the Timekeeper can always be in sync on, it's advocacy for Vertin herself, especially now after the trial. At the mention of Sonetto's friends, she glances towards the door that Mesmer just left out of, briefly forlorn. "If I learned anything over the past couple years, I learned that for sure." "You deserve plenty of credit as well, Regulus." Vertin responds, dimly amused, before Regulus can reassure her about it. Getting her feet on the ground takes a minute of trying to balance herself properly. "Before we can start with chores, I'll have to survey what chores even need doing. Sonetto, you'll help me with personnel outreach later?" "Of course, Timekeeper." "Well you shouldn't be doing that anyways." "Be that as it may," Vertin grunts as she takes Regulus's hands up to stand upright. Nearly all of her weight is being supported by Regulus on one side, Sonetto on the other, thin legs atrophied under the hospital gown and buzzing from new bloodflow. "I could use a change of scenery. Regulus, will you accompany Mr. Parsons for acquiring takeout? I'm not fit for deployment at the moment, I'm afraid."