♟ [video/voice] ♟

[vermicompost]

[The video feed comes on first, for an instant showing Kariya's gaunt, haggard face. The left half of it is badly scarred, wasted away, the muscles slack, his left eye dull and pale. He blinks, then frowns at the screen, and the video cuts off as he switches to voice. He didn't mean to show himself.]

Hello. My name is Kariya Matou.

I know so many of you have been suffering, and I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything that's been done to you. If there's anything I can do to help, I'll try to do it. Even if you just want someone to talk to. I don't think we should be alone here.

[He pauses to catch his breath, a little winded. He's not really sure how to broach his next subject, but he forges ahead.]

There's a question I want to ask, too. If someone could help me-- I have a condition, and I was wondering... If any of you know anything about magical healing, can you contact me? Thank you.

Comments

[forfeiture]

Let's take things one by one. First we have to find someone who can help you. [ or else he might never get a chance to return home in general, no matter whether their worlds really are destroyed or not. ] That's the most 'right' thing to do right now.

[vermicompost]

It's hard not to think of other things, but I'll try.

I don't know if a regular doctor could help. Since the worms are magical, it should be best to use magic on them, but I'm not sure.

[forfeiture]

In a place like this that might not be much of a problem though. As far as I've seen, it seems that there are quite some people capable of using magic of some sort here.

[vermicompost]

You're right. I can't give up hope yet. Maybe there's someone who'll know what to do. If you find anyone, let me know. If not, I'm used to it. Please don't worry about me.

But I wonder, would it be all right to ask you another favor?

[forfeiture]

Another favor..? Of course. [ It's not like she minds doing things for other people, after all - especially not people she likes.

(And she's totally still going to worry about him, okay.) ]

What is it?

[vermicompost]

I found out that one of my nieces, Rin, is here in the tower. If you see her, could you look out for her? She probably doesn't need much help, since she's very strong, but I think she could use people to care about her.

I worry about her.

[forfeiture]

Rin was the girl with the dark hair, right? [ She's trying to remember the photo he showed her.. ]

I'll try to help her if I see her around then. [ she can't help but have her lips tug up a little, the next part is sort of a joke.. ] My son doesn't like it much when I go around by myself, so I'll have to see if I ever have a moment to spot her.

[vermicompost]

Yes, she was, but she looks different. She changed. She's older now. Her hair was dark, but it's now it's white, like mine. She wears it in ponytails, with ribbons. She has red eyes.

Thank you. I'd appreciate anything you can do for her. Tell her you're a friend of mine.

[He smiles back.] If you do have a minute.

[forfeiture]

I'll try my best then. [ That description sounds good enough - there's probably not too many people like that here, combined with how she vaguely knows what the girl looks like from the photo.. ]

[vermicompost]

I think you'll recognize her, if you see her. She stands out. She thinks she doesn't need anyone's help, so I don't know how she'll react, but please don't hold it against her, if she's impolite. She's been through a great deal.

[forfeiture]

.. It's okay. It's understandable, considering the circumstances. [ She knows what it's like to just deal with a lot of things, even if it didn't change her as much.. but she can understand it might do more to children when they have to go through it. (Case in point: her own kids, even if she doesn't realise the full extend of it.) ]

Besides, isn't that just how children are at that age..?