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]

[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...]