[ and, about five or six minutes later, ichiro appears!! he offers viola a grin, red cheeked from the cold but wearing a scarf this time, wow. ] Hey, Vi-chan. [ and produces five of his vouchers with a flourish! ] What's a hot chocolate bomb?
[cute.... she'll hold her hand open for the vouchers, and with her other hand she'll reach up to tap against the goggles, wherever they are, and then she'll tap ichiro's nose because she can]
There - you can only use it for one case at a time, so please use it wisely. [so once per trial and once per body!] Replenish it with me next time as well, please.
[business over! now she can usher him closer to the common room - ]
It's like this! [she'll bring up the bomb for him to see] There's marshmallows and other condiments inside, but I wanted to try to make one for myself. The outer layer of chocolate will melt when it contact with hot milk, and reveal the layers inside.
[ booped! he goes a little cross eyed at it, but then smiles at her, nodding as he takes the goggles back and loops them back around his neck! beau made him feel very cool with this accessory so he's keeping them now. feeling emboldened!!! ] Got it.
[ easy, though. time for more unfortunate hets!! ichiro follows after her easily, and looks at the chocolate bomb, making a little "uwhoa" noise as he leans in to examine it and listens to the explanation. ] You made this? It looks like it came out of a café or something...
[ the kind of stuff ichiro would probably fail at cooking, it's so delicate and pretty... ] Man, if you ever need a guinea pig for your cooking, I'm totally down to be a test subject. Let's try it out!
Don't say that so easily, I might really take advantage of the offer, you know?
[it's so dangerous to suggest you want to be viola's guinea pig?? she makes so much stuff that she wants other people to try? but she'll move to reach for the warm milk then so that they can enjoy their drinks - ]
ichiro's moving immediately - when she starts to lose balance, he jolts away from where he's standing to catch her or steady her or both!! ] - Vi-chan, hey - !
[he can catch her - she's definitely not regaining her balance anytime soon. the headache persists for a moment longer before she opens her eyes again. though in comparison there's something determined, focused, and coiled tight in her gaze as she looks around at the decor, as if gaining her bearings, and then up at him.
there's a soft huff of amusement, despite the bundle of frustration.]
So it's really you this time... Well, "Vi-chan" is sweet, but...
You know, I heard you wanted to speak with me, Ichiro.
[ oh. oh! shock registers on ichiro's face, followed by recognition - because, yeah, he had. "it's really you this time" is something, but that can be put away as he hurriedly, carefully helps her back up to a standing position, if she can get up to one. ]
...Iris. [ too surprised for a cutesy nickname... ] You - spending the vouchers really does help...
[ thank you anonymous tipline! not that was the point of this whole endeavor but it's good to have the confirmation. he sounds concerned, not quite hovering, but making sure she can stay steady. ] ...Are you okay? It's - uh, it's good to talk to you. I tried, the other day. [ and failed so badly but you know, ]
[she'll allow it! back on her own two feet she goes, but she will also keep a hand on his shoulder - ] I hope you'll pardon my reach, but it's happened enough times now that I recognize I likely won't be able to keep my feet.
[so it'll just be easier if she doesn't push herself and go too far. she looks around again, as if taking inventory of everything around her, before she looks back to him]
You did try. The efforts have been appreciated - it's nice to speak with my own voice, though it seems that whatever keeps me under is even more stubborn than I. [and there's this tense, tense note at that - like she's not accustomed to losing] But you can assure everyone I'm quite ready to meet them all too.
Oh - yeah, yeah, of course. Lean on me all you need. It's... nice to meet you. We're all looking forward to breaking you out of this ASAP.
[ definitely no problem there! ichiro's very sturdy, and keeps a hand hovering a little bit behind her back in case she wobbles again, but otherwise lets iris figure out what she needs in order to stay standing up. he does lean over a little to make it easier for her too because even if she's in heels, he is stupidly tall.
she'll find that ichiro's still looking at her when she looks back over, searching her face before his brows furrow, and nods. something about whatever's keeping me under grinds at him in a way that feels way too familiar, but he ignores it for now. ] So even when you're like that, you can tell what's going on, right...? We're working on getting more information, but if there's anything you need us to do, I can pass it on, too.
Well... Viola's thoughts and mine align when it comes to how efficient Winter is - but if I may speak with clarity...
[her words are chosen with intention and while viola is capable of anger - what comes from iris is as sharp as a blade, refined after years of trouble and harassment. her anger is pointed and focus, and her comfort in giving orders and delegating stems from someone raised upon that birthright]
Continue to gather information, confer with other Dorms - what matters first is that we receive knowledge at all, and then we identify the source and validity of it afterward. Apply a critical eye to everything and everyone, but recognize the enemy is not each other but the power of this place.
I intend to claim compensation for every horror and indignity that this place forces upon us - and I don't fail.
And for Winter in particular... know that I will do anything to - [she winces] - to protect... you....
[the focus falters - the blinding headache slams into her again, forcing her to shut her eyes. just as she expected, she struggles to keep her feet again. apparently there's not much to iris that is capable of bending or breaking except her own delicate physique. her fingers tighten in ichiro's shirt and her other hand comes up to her head as she curls more into him with a pained gasp]
[ that anger is familiar, actually - it's how he always is, too. there's something commanding about what iris says, and ichiro nods as she talks. be critical. identify the validity. the enemy is not each other. that part, at least, he knows for sure. ichiro nods, listening along, the determination in her last statement rolling through him and making his adrenaline buzz -
as she starts to waver, though, he's immediate, that arm at her back coming up to hook around her and holder her into place, letting her curl in close. it's a mixture of emotions, a fierce, protective concern, head spinning with all the thoughts of what iris told him, and more than anything else, the familiar, low undercurrent of fury he's known his whole life. the cruelties of this place make him sick with anger, and watching people he cares about hurt - watching iris suffer like this - just makes him angrier.
he can't show that now, though, even if it's boiling. he closes his eyes, briefly, furrows his brow, and curls over her more protectively, like he's blocking out the light, like he's blocking out whatever's controlling her. ichiro finds himself along the same line of thinking he did during the expulsion, last week. come on, iris. you can do it. come on, come on, you can fight it. ] It's okay - it's okay.
when viola opens her eyes again, it's not without some combination of worry and confusion. the headache barely subsides, but she recognizes the warmth of someone helping to hold her up, and the panic sets in a little bit worse. but her fingers remain curled against his shoulder even as her head spins.]
Ichiro...?
[he sounds so worried... her free hand reaches up then, trying to smooth out the crease of his brow with her thumb]
[ oh this sucks!!! this sucks so much!!! that anger just swirls - angry for iris, for "viola", for this entire place, and he shoves it down just in time for iris to reach up and put her thumb between his eyebrows.
the gesture is sweet and a little disarming, and it's enough to at least keep him from boiling over completely. not here. it's like giving a fighting dog a pet for the first time. ]
...You just... [ for a moment, he just looks at her - frustrated, a little, mouth closing, working his jaw. it's not her fault. she's gotta be confused and dazed and probably in pain, if that noise was anything, and it's just so -
deep breath. ichiro takes that moment to make sure he's not holding on too hard, shifting his arm out of the way so she can lean against his chest if he needs to, but not hugging onto her and curling like he was before, if only because he knows by now at least intuitively that iris - slash - viola's not so easily tactile.
(or, she is, maybe, but on her own terms.)
calm down. calm down. ] ...you just freaked me out a little. We should go sit down.
she is confused. she continues to search his expression, trying to grasp some idea of what he might be feeling in this moment. it's hard for her to understand when it felt as though she was fine moment, and now she has this headache. she feels him move - likely out of consideration for her, she imagines - but he must've been holding onto her for a reason, she thinks.
. . . .
she raises her arms then, looping them lightly around his shoulders, pulling him back down to her in an embrace that she chooses - it's still such a light touch, like he's welcome to escape at any moment but.
if he wants to accept it, and accept her, the offer is there.]
he's more worried about trying to get viola and iris alike off of her feet, and it's enough that her arms coming up around his shoulders surprises him. ichiro holds still, for a moment, blinking over her shoulder, hands still half hovering.
... all of that anger coalesces at once and just collapses. it's a turbulent mix of anguished emotions, distress and fretful worry and concern and frustration, but it's cooler, less ready to explode. he recognizes the importance of the gesture, recognizes what is being given, and hell - he's never one to turn down a hug in a moment where it feels like he needs one.
the hands that had moved away return, one coming up to curl a little in the back of her top as his arms loop back around viola, and ichiro squeezes, shutting his eyes. he gives good hugs; ichiro is strong, and warm, and when you just want to fight the entire world to make sure someone's okay, it means that you aren't going to let there be even an inch of hesitance in the message you give that they are. ]
...yeah. [ is all he says, at first, voice a little rough with the feeling of trying to cope with feeling all of that, all at once. he's got a big heart; ichiro's blessing as much as his curse. ] Me too.
[ i'm right here, she says. she is, and she isn't. it's so frustrating - he wants to tear this entire place down, brick by brick - so he's here, too. until he can get this fixed, make this right in the ways he hasn't been able to at home. i'm here. ]
[she relaxes ever so slightly when he seems to accept the signaling, curling back around her as she lets her arms rest more comfortably around his shoulders in an embrace. she accepts his clutching onto her, lets one hand press against his back, certain, and her other hand combs through his hair in soft, gentle passes. gestures of reassurance and affection that she's witnessed but never experienced herself - but it does not mean she cannot give them.]
... I know you are...
[she knows that he's here, and she knows that he - just as much as anyone else and perhaps a little bit more - fights so hard to help her. he insists on being relied upon, tells everyone around him this same message, and in truth she doesn't want to add to his burden. she doesn't want to give him one more responsibility.
but there is a truth that she thinks is important for him to know - ]
And since you're here, I know I don't have to be worried about myself at all. I'm safer when you're near - so don't worry.
[he doesn't need to do anything or be anyone more than he currently is. this is fine. she feels taken care of.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
you got it! i'll bring the vouchers on my way up
[ and, about five or six minutes later, ichiro appears!! he offers viola a grin, red cheeked from the cold but wearing a scarf this time, wow. ] Hey, Vi-chan. [ and produces five of his vouchers with a flourish! ] What's a hot chocolate bomb?
no subject
There - you can only use it for one case at a time, so please use it wisely. [so once per trial and once per body!] Replenish it with me next time as well, please.
[business over! now she can usher him closer to the common room - ]
It's like this! [she'll bring up the bomb for him to see] There's marshmallows and other condiments inside, but I wanted to try to make one for myself. The outer layer of chocolate will melt when it contact with hot milk, and reveal the layers inside.
[miss viola your confectionary]
no subject
[ easy, though. time for more unfortunate hets!! ichiro follows after her easily, and looks at the chocolate bomb, making a little "uwhoa" noise as he leans in to examine it and listens to the explanation. ] You made this? It looks like it came out of a café or something...
[ the kind of stuff ichiro would probably fail at cooking, it's so delicate and pretty... ] Man, if you ever need a guinea pig for your cooking, I'm totally down to be a test subject. Let's try it out!
[1/2]
[it's so dangerous to suggest you want to be viola's guinea pig?? she makes so much stuff that she wants other people to try? but she'll move to reach for the warm milk then so that they can enjoy their drinks - ]
no subject
My head - again...?
[she becomes a little unsteady on her feet very quickly, the room spinning as she loses balance]
no subject
ichiro's moving immediately - when she starts to lose balance, he jolts away from where he's standing to catch her or steady her or both!! ] - Vi-chan, hey - !
no subject
there's a soft huff of amusement, despite the bundle of frustration.]
So it's really you this time... Well, "Vi-chan" is sweet, but...
You know, I heard you wanted to speak with me, Ichiro.
I'm Iris.
no subject
...Iris. [ too surprised for a cutesy nickname... ] You - spending the vouchers really does help...
[ thank you anonymous tipline! not that was the point of this whole endeavor but it's good to have the confirmation. he sounds concerned, not quite hovering, but making sure she can stay steady. ] ...Are you okay? It's - uh, it's good to talk to you. I tried, the other day. [ and failed so badly but you know, ]
no subject
[so it'll just be easier if she doesn't push herself and go too far. she looks around again, as if taking inventory of everything around her, before she looks back to him]
You did try. The efforts have been appreciated - it's nice to speak with my own voice, though it seems that whatever keeps me under is even more stubborn than I. [and there's this tense, tense note at that - like she's not accustomed to losing] But you can assure everyone I'm quite ready to meet them all too.
no subject
[ definitely no problem there! ichiro's very sturdy, and keeps a hand hovering a little bit behind her back in case she wobbles again, but otherwise lets iris figure out what she needs in order to stay standing up. he does lean over a little to make it easier for her too because even if she's in heels, he is stupidly tall.
she'll find that ichiro's still looking at her when she looks back over, searching her face before his brows furrow, and nods. something about whatever's keeping me under grinds at him in a way that feels way too familiar, but he ignores it for now. ] So even when you're like that, you can tell what's going on, right...? We're working on getting more information, but if there's anything you need us to do, I can pass it on, too.
[ besides like, survive. ]
[1/2]
[her words are chosen with intention and while viola is capable of anger - what comes from iris is as sharp as a blade, refined after years of trouble and harassment. her anger is pointed and focus, and her comfort in giving orders and delegating stems from someone raised upon that birthright]
Continue to gather information, confer with other Dorms - what matters first is that we receive knowledge at all, and then we identify the source and validity of it afterward. Apply a critical eye to everything and everyone, but recognize the enemy is not each other but the power of this place.
I intend to claim compensation for every horror and indignity that this place forces upon us - and I don't fail.
And for Winter in particular... know that I will do anything to - [she winces] - to protect... you....
no subject
no subject
as she starts to waver, though, he's immediate, that arm at her back coming up to hook around her and holder her into place, letting her curl in close. it's a mixture of emotions, a fierce, protective concern, head spinning with all the thoughts of what iris told him, and more than anything else, the familiar, low undercurrent of fury he's known his whole life. the cruelties of this place make him sick with anger, and watching people he cares about hurt - watching iris suffer like this - just makes him angrier.
he can't show that now, though, even if it's boiling. he closes his eyes, briefly, furrows his brow, and curls over her more protectively, like he's blocking out the light, like he's blocking out whatever's controlling her. ichiro finds himself along the same line of thinking he did during the expulsion, last week. come on, iris. you can do it. come on, come on, you can fight it. ] It's okay - it's okay.
[ i will do anything to protect you.
no wonder ichiro ended up in this dorm. ]
no subject
when viola opens her eyes again, it's not without some combination of worry and confusion. the headache barely subsides, but she recognizes the warmth of someone helping to hold her up, and the panic sets in a little bit worse. but her fingers remain curled against his shoulder even as her head spins.]
Ichiro...?
[he sounds so worried... her free hand reaches up then, trying to smooth out the crease of his brow with her thumb]
... what's wrong...?
[how can she make it better?]
no subject
the gesture is sweet and a little disarming, and it's enough to at least keep him from boiling over completely. not here. it's like giving a fighting dog a pet for the first time. ]
...You just... [ for a moment, he just looks at her - frustrated, a little, mouth closing, working his jaw. it's not her fault. she's gotta be confused and dazed and probably in pain, if that noise was anything, and it's just so -
deep breath. ichiro takes that moment to make sure he's not holding on too hard, shifting his arm out of the way so she can lean against his chest if he needs to, but not hugging onto her and curling like he was before, if only because he knows by now at least intuitively that iris - slash - viola's not so easily tactile.
(or, she is, maybe, but on her own terms.)
calm down. calm down. ] ...you just freaked me out a little. We should go sit down.
no subject
she is confused. she continues to search his expression, trying to grasp some idea of what he might be feeling in this moment. it's hard for her to understand when it felt as though she was fine moment, and now she has this headache. she feels him move - likely out of consideration for her, she imagines - but he must've been holding onto her for a reason, she thinks.
. . . .
she raises her arms then, looping them lightly around his shoulders, pulling him back down to her in an embrace that she chooses - it's still such a light touch, like he's welcome to escape at any moment but.
if he wants to accept it, and accept her, the offer is there.]
... I'm alright. I'm right here. Don't be upset.
no subject
he's more worried about trying to get viola and iris alike off of her feet, and it's enough that her arms coming up around his shoulders surprises him. ichiro holds still, for a moment, blinking over her shoulder, hands still half hovering.
... all of that anger coalesces at once and just collapses. it's a turbulent mix of anguished emotions, distress and fretful worry and concern and frustration, but it's cooler, less ready to explode. he recognizes the importance of the gesture, recognizes what is being given, and hell - he's never one to turn down a hug in a moment where it feels like he needs one.
the hands that had moved away return, one coming up to curl a little in the back of her top as his arms loop back around viola, and ichiro squeezes, shutting his eyes. he gives good hugs; ichiro is strong, and warm, and when you just want to fight the entire world to make sure someone's okay, it means that you aren't going to let there be even an inch of hesitance in the message you give that they are. ]
...yeah. [ is all he says, at first, voice a little rough with the feeling of trying to cope with feeling all of that, all at once. he's got a big heart; ichiro's blessing as much as his curse. ] Me too.
[ i'm right here, she says. she is, and she isn't. it's so frustrating - he wants to tear this entire place down, brick by brick - so he's here, too. until he can get this fixed, make this right in the ways he hasn't been able to at home. i'm here. ]
no subject
... I know you are...
[she knows that he's here, and she knows that he - just as much as anyone else and perhaps a little bit more - fights so hard to help her. he insists on being relied upon, tells everyone around him this same message, and in truth she doesn't want to add to his burden. she doesn't want to give him one more responsibility.
but there is a truth that she thinks is important for him to know - ]
And since you're here, I know I don't have to be worried about myself at all. I'm safer when you're near - so don't worry.
[he doesn't need to do anything or be anyone more than he currently is. this is fine. she feels taken care of.]