Restless Magic

[saving_sound]

[Action; Gefion Park]

[It's a rare day off, which means Hibiki can be found sitting on a bench watching her animals at play! She really doesn't have enough time to spend with them, so she's happy to see that they seem to be enjoying the outdoors on this sunny day.

Happy, and a little... tired, actually.

By the time people come across her, she may well have just nodded off in her seat, her form slumped slightly to the side as she rests. The sheep, hummingbird, gusk and Cyndaquil currently running/scampering/flying around don't seem to have noticed, but there is a small hamster on her shoulder now nibbling on a bit of her hair.

...Someone may want to wake the poor girl up.]

[Video]

[And later, a video call! She is clearly pretty uncomfortable, her hands twisting and fidgeting in front of her.]

I... I didn't really want to ask about it before. I thought I could take care of it, but there's so much going on...

[Deep breath, Hibiki. It's okay to ask for help, remember? With a short gulp, she continues.]

I... have a lot of pets. But I can't take care of them as much as they need it. I work with the medical team and the suppliers. I just--

[Her expression falls as she falters.]

...I can't take care of them by myself anymore.

[As loathe as she is to admit it. Even at home, she had managed to take care of Shii-chan even while juggling her work, but here...

It seems she's bitten off more than she can chew.]

I don't know what to do with them... I have a sheep, a hummingbird, a gusk, a Cyndaquil, and a hamster. They're all really great, and they're well behaved, s-so...

I don't want to have to get rid of them... but I want to make sure they get cared for. What should I do...?

[It's almost like a plea. These animals - each one reminds her of people she can no longer see. To give them away just doesn't seem right. But neglecting them hardly seems proper, either.]

Comments

[abhero]

Hmph.

[He takes off his cape and sits down. After digging a small sewing kit out of an inner pocket, he starts mending the offending tear, quickly and efficiently. The sheep slobber and bits of chewed grass sticking to the fabric don’t seem to bother him as much.]

You better not. Not everyone’s nice as me you know. Not to mention they could’ve wander to the zoo right into the tiger's’ cage.

[Do they even have a tiger? He can’t remember. But it sounds good.]

[saving_sound]

[Meep!]

I-I'll definitely make sure to keep an eye on them!

[DON'T GET EATEN MARY...

...Not that she even remembers if they have a tiger at the zoo or not.]

[abhero]

Yeah, tigers are vicious. We should take them out of the zoo and use them in battle, sic them on our enemies and shit. I bet someone with Charm can do that…

[Hamel is so distracted by tiger thoughts, he ends up pricking his finger with the needle.]

OW! For fuck’s sake. Anyway, you should hire a pet sitter if you fall asleep watching over them.

[saving_sound]

But isn't that mean to the tigers...?

[When he pricks his finger, she just sort of. Automatically reaches out to heal it. She might as well be of some kind of use.]

...I suppose I should. But everyone's so busy already... is it really okay to ask someone else to do it?

[abhero]

I bet they’d enjoy the activity instead of being cooped in a cage.

[When she reaches out, he holds out his finger. Not going to say no to instant healing.]

You’re in two groups, right? Most people are only in one. So them helping you taking care of your pets is helping the war efforts. Solidarity and all sappy crap.

[saving_sound]

But making them fight is a little...

[It just seems bad, involving the poor creatures in the war too.]

...Even though it's my fault for taking in so many?

[Though they were also all gifts, and it's not like that sort of thing can be easily turned down. Even more so when it's a creature that depends on a human to survive.]

[abhero]

[Hamel resumed sewing after she healed him, but now he stops again, putting the cape in his lap. He shoots Hibiki an irritated look.]

You should’ve thought about it earlier. It doesn't matter now, they’re your responsibility. Would you rather throw them out or quit one group because you’re ashamed to ask for help?

[Hibiki can make mittens out of them for all he cares, but sometime he really has no patience for her being insecurite.]

You have a problem, get over yourself and talk to people. This attitude isn’t going to help you or the animals.

[saving_sound]

I can't let them go!

[Her voice becomes firm, if a little desperate right there. Though her head quickly dips down at the last part.]

...Then... Maybe when we get back, I'll try asking if anyone on the network could possibly... Um. Help.

[She still isn't entirely comfortable asking people for these things, but...]

[abhero]

[Well, that was sort of agreeable. He nods, irritation makes way to his usual slight frown.]

You do that. I bet you can get at least one person for each animal. Just don’t stutter or anything.

[The thought of offering his own help doesn’t even cross Hamel’s mind, but it’s probably for the best. He doesn’t really get along with animals.]

[saving_sound]

Is it bad if I stutter?

[N-no pressure or anything...]

[abhero]

It makes you sound like you have no confidence. But I guess it has its merits too, if you wanna guilt people into helping you.

[saving_sound]

[Wait no--]

I don’t want to make people feel guilty about it-!

[abhero]

[No? But she’s an adorable young girl, who not use that to her advantage and play on people’s heartstrings? And here he thought she’s desperate to solve a problem…]

All right, but it's pretty effective. When honesty doesn't cut it.

[saving_sound]

I'd rather just be honest. I don't want anyone to feel obligated or anything...

[That would be terrible of her, taking advantage of people like that!]

[abhero]

[He shrugs. Her pets, her decision.]

I'm sure it'll all work out in the end.

[Worst case scenario, someone will ease the burden by eating the animals. He doesn't say it out loud, though. He's being considerate!]

[saving_sound]

[Pets are friends not food!]

Y-you're sure?

[Forgive her for being a bit anxious about it all. She really doesn't want to have to give them all away because she couldn't manage her time properly.]

[abhero]

[Hamel was more than willing to eat his dear crow companion rather than going hungry for an hour. He might disagree.]

Sure enough to bet on it.

[If he puts it like that, maybe she won't notice he's trying to reassure her...]

[saving_sound]

Gambling is bad, though…

[However, he does indeed prevent her from noticing as much.]

I suppose I’ll give it a try once they’re all done playing. They don’t normally get to go outside for so long, so I want to let them stay here a little longer if I can.

[abhero]

[He looks around.]

Well I don't see stampeding buffalo or another flood coming our way, so I think you can let them play as much as you want.

[saving_sound]

N-not that! [No more floods please, she already almost lost Mary once...]

I just meant... I still have to cook for everyone, and there's some chores I need to do when I get home. We should probably leave soon so I have time for everything, but not just yet...

[abhero]

[Another shrug, just the minimum to show he listened. Hamel would never take so many different chores on himself and barely do the ones he does have - he really can't relate this time.]

Ever thought of asking for help with the chores instead of with the animals?

[saving_sound]

It's just Aladdin-kun and me, and he's got animals too, so I don't want to bother him... And if I don't cook, Eyes-san might forget to eat.

[It would probably be easier if she didn't habitually fuss over others, but...]