Lucy hadn't seen Thomas since last night. She was curious what he was talking to Alice Parker about. But the robot seemed pretty vague on the subject. “Just questions” was the robot's response. Lucy wasn't really in a position to pressure the robot, and doubted it would get her anywhere anyway. It was probably best to stay on her good side, as the arsenal of weapons she had command over was terrifying. Some of Adar's remains were still here, where any signs of a battle had been cleaned up elsewhere. To Lucy, this meant that even the other carnage sisters probably didn't feel safe coming in here and cleaning up. It was possible that Alice Parker didn't count as a nurse, and was actually above the rules of the killing game. This technically meant she could kill Lucy without any repercussions, but Lucy wasn't afraid of her. She felt safer here than anywhere else. And there was so much to read! She turned the page on a book detailing the inner workings of A.I.
As time passed, so did Thomas; through the hallways, that is. He had made a brief stop at the kitchen to replace the knife he was using to cut the papers, but after that, he was just wandering. The layout of the hospital had grown more familiar to him, which meant that he no longer had to rely on his handbook to navigate — which was inevitable, he had not reclaimed his handbook from when Lucy had thrown it last night. In fact, how did Thomas know last night that the other Infinites were dead without it?
He was very sleep deprived and had forgotten that at the end of last night he had picked it up which meant that his search would never result in fruition as his handbook was in his room while he was searching for it in the greater Axis Mundi.. The only way he would be able to reclaim his handbook would be to find it, but he was having trouble remembering where exactly it was that it had been thrown. The first place he would have to check would be the study, which is where he had spent the greater portion of the night before. He kept an eye out for the infinites he had wanted to meet with today, but had only seen the small group forming in the dining hall on his way out of the kitchen. When he approached the study, he entertained the thought of speaking the the robot who resided within once again, but decided against it as a waste of time.
As fate would have it, he saw Lucy reading a book when he entered the study. He furrowed his brow as he looked at her, and thoughts of certain manners taught came back to him. Although Thomas has typically all but ignored social customs, he felt uncomfortable interrupting someone who was reading a book. So instead, he waited by the entrance watching Lucy until she noticed him.
The wait was not very long. The study was quiet enough that you could hear a pin drop, or a small bio mechanic walk into the room. Lucy's expression became jovial once she saw Thomas.
”Ah, I see you've come looking for me! I knew you couldn't stay away, fwahwahwahwa!” She flipped the book shut and stood up. She winced only slightly.
”I um, still can't move very fast it seems.” She looked around the room once before placing her hands together. Her expression changed yet again, this time to one more sheepish.
”Um, it's just you right?” ”You’re feeling awfully blithe, especially after last night.” Thomas suggested, referring to her apparent amiability.
“The room is ours, however, privacy is scarce when there’s always someone watching.” Thomas replied, diverting his view to the nearest security camera. He was not sure why Lucy would care — truthfully, Thomas’s greater appreciation of the human body had led to a lesser appreciation any personal privacy — but surely Lucy was not prude enough to care whether someone else sees her injuries.
”I um, I'm trying not to think about last night too much. That's kind of what the books are for.” Lucy walked towards Thomas, still cautiously looking around as she approached.
“A-anyway, some of the bullets hit my torso. So just, um...” She swiftly unbuttoned her top and cast them off one layer at a time. Lucy stopped when she got off her black tank. She was wearing a black bikini top under everything.
“I-it's not indecent, because it's swimwear instead of underwear okay? J-just focus on the wounds.” She was noticeably blushing.
”You mentioned last night that you’ve only suffered scrapes and bruises?” Thomas inquired, more a statement than a question though. Having seen certain features countless times, be it vitruvian models, cadavers, or clients, Thomas was not the least bit taken aback by Lucy’s new apparel. It probably would’ve been fine if she kept her shirt on, but it did remove a slight hindrance to his work. Either way, Thomas himself was reverent of any patients request and kept his eyes on Lucy’s arm.
Thomas didn’t really wait for Lucy to respond; he stepped closer to Lucy, shifting to her side so he was facing her arm. He took a time to assess her degree of injury, and was intrigued slightly by how relatively unscathed she was. It was almost as if Adar was using rubber bullets, where Thomas expected puncture he saw only scrapes and bruises. She would have to do as he had suggested for Felix; Lucy would need to get non-human ice, bandages to compress the arm, and painkillers only if the pain was unmanageable. To deal with the scrapes however, Thomas was available with a more specialized approach. Although Thomas would never touch hydrogen peroxide when dealing with human injury, that was when he was working with Initiative funding. Thomas gauged that the relative benefit of sealing the cuts from infection with a hydrogen peroxide and bacitracin zinc mixture would result in the least chance of infection at the site of the wound. After he was finished assessing Lucy, he’d have bring her to the pharmacy to apply such a concoction.
Then, Thomas had to look at Lucy’s torso. Lucy’s arm was in the way of her side, and instead of asking her to move it, Thomas reached out to grab Lucy’s forearm and push it up so he could see her lateral torso.
Lucy had put some butterflies on the one wound that managed to break her skin. But it was mostly bruises, and none of Lucy's bones were broken. Aside from the one wound she decided to try treating herself, her side didn't look any worse than her arm did.
”I-is it bad?” The door to the study opened again. This time, Jezebel waked in. She was wearing a smile, but upon seeing Lucy with her shirt off, and Thomas closely inspecting her, she raised one of her eyebrows.
“Ahhh... Liiiiike?” ”This is a medical examination!” Lucy blurted out.
”No, it’s not bad. You’re lucky that there’s no permanent damage, but you’ll ha-” Thomas began to drone about the procedure for Lucy’s treatment, but was interrupted by the exchange between Jezebel and Lucy. He recognized how this might look, but he wasn’t sure how to diffuse this situation.
”She’s correct; This is what I’m typically paid to do.” Thomas said, referencing Lucy’s previous statement. He quickly stepped between Lucy and Jezebel, and although his head was only about as high as Lucy’s shoulder line, he was blocking Jezebel from seeing most of her exposed torso.
”Infinite Trickster, please look away for a moment. License wise, I’m not a physician, and I am not held to their standards. However, I was requested to keep this room to the two of us while doing the examination. Lucy chuckled nervously.
”She's alright Thomas. I forgot that I asked her to come here. She's going to teach me, the greatest disciple to ever live, how to do tricks.” She fret her brow before looking back at Jezebel.
”But you could have knocked!” Jezebel's grin slowly returned.
“You guys are total super cuties.” The clown looked away from them and proceeded to sit down at a table with her back turned.
“So little baldwin, speaking of examinations... I'm sure you know all the grody details about last night already. What do you think about the other infinites?” Thomas looked at Jezebel suspiciously, but stepped out of the way.
”Fascinating, that you would be interested in the opinion of someone like me.” Thomas remarked, but he was compliant. Everyone enjoyed sharing an opinion, and Thomas was no exception.
”Last night was a disaster. The initiative lost two infinite’s, one with a talent that was of utmost usefulness. Presumably, others were injured, but I have not yet gotten an opportunity to assess the numbers.” Thomas recited, stating some facts about last night as a foundation for what he would say next.
A thoughtful look overcame Thomas face.
”Most of them are far beyond ignorant. They’re ignorant to the point of delusion, living in a world where reality is just a stencil shaded in with fantasy. Last night, one of them might as well have taken a gun and shot Aleecia and Rika both dead for all the good they did. For this, they’re more than just ignorant. I attribute these infinites, in their delusion, to animals sitting in a slaughterhouse, waiting for the next time one of them are struck down so they can act like this was an unexpected outcome.” Thomas said, somewhat aggressively.
”Of course, now that I’ve told you what I think, It’d only be fair if you did the same. he added.
Jezebel nodded.
“I totally agree with your assessment.” The clown looked over her shoulder at Thomas.
“They're far too idealistic. Like oh my god, we're going to throw everything we've got at killer robots so that Cyrus can beat his meat to some blond bimbo? Gag me with a spoon! Grody to the max!” ”Krista's actually not that big up top.” Lucy blurted out.
“Cyrus is so not fit to be a leader. But all the other noids insist on looking up to him.” Jezebel turned around in her chair to face Thomas.
“No one is capable of independent thought. Some of them even looked up to faith for tactic advice! You know? The girl who believes she's a goddess? Why would anyone follow her lead?” Every word out of Jezebel came from smiling lips. Like she was recalling a joke.
“What do you think Lucy? You're part of this too.” ”Wha!” Lucy cleared her throat.
”Well, I mostly stayed out of it because it seemed like there were enough people dealing with the problem.” She grinned.
”And I figured as one of the more important infinites, I was simply too much to risk on a rescue mission.” Lucy flicked her eyes closed.
”But if everyone is so crazy that they're willing to dance like puppets in front of murderous robots, I think it was good that I didn't assist with their plan.” Her eyes opened up again.
”So why are we talking about this?” “Doy! Because we are totally the only people that realize how, like, bad things are!” Jezebel stood up.
“The rest of the infinites are going to form their own click and continue to act like dickweeds. My proposition is that we form our own click where we discuss things rationally. We aren't sheep that will blindly follow Cyrus, Faith, or carnage sisters where they want to go.” Thomas leaned back into one of the seats near Jezebel while she spoke, pulling his left knee up to his chest while leaving the other one off the chair, both hands on his elevated leg. While Jezebel and Lucy spoke, he stared down at his leg and nodded whenever Jezebel brought up another point. Finally, when Jezebel laid out her plan he looked up and stared Jezebel in the eyes. A smile, made unnatural by the lack of smile marks, adorned his face.
”An agreement then, a coalition ensure our collective survival.” Thomas stated, extending his hand towards Jezebel.
”I suppose someone has to make sure that there’s still Infinites for the Initiative if we get out of here.” Jezebel took Thomas's hand and gave it a firm shake.
“Zlint!” She nodded before retracting her hand.
“Braden was fairly opposed to Cyrus's plan as well. I might be able to get him to join us, but I think it's going to be just us until more infinites join the game.” ”It's probably best to keep things small to start anyway.” Lucy also shook Jezebel's hand.
”You two are the only ones I feel that could help my training along. If the others are as foolish as you say they are, then there is no point in learning from any of them.” She looked between them.
”If we need to discuss something, I think this study makes a good base of operations. I'll be spending most of my time here anyway, too much to look through.” Jezebel chuckled.
“Keep your wits about you. They're totally going to plot something in the future. We'll be labeled cowards for not wanting to participate, but we're so just being smart about things.” ”Then it’s settled. The next time we come to an impasse, we can meet here.” Thomas said, standing up from his seat.
”Prodigy, I’m going to find some things to give you so you can manage disinfectant and pain. I’ll be back momentarily.” Thomas told Lucy, leaving the study.
Bliss hadn't slept well. With all the death, between the last case and last night, it was hard for her to greet the day. She hadn't been crying, she hadn't been having nightmares, she hadn't been feeling mush of anything. Bliss had retreated from the killing game. But because her body couldn't physically leave, she retreated inside herself. From the outside, Bliss looked empty, numb. There simply wasn't anything she could feel.
But there was something she had to do. Bliss had one obligation today. Making breakfast was just something she had decided to do on her own. There was no reason for people to expect her to do that, unless they assumed she would always be there to make meals. But Bliss made arrangements, and that was the only reason why she got out of bed. Bliss got dressed, and headed out the door. She caught Cyrus talking to a carnage sister, but couldn't see which one it was.
”As you wish, politician.” She entered Cyrus's room before Bliss could see who it was. Not that Bliss really cared. This promise was the only reason why Bliss had chosen to leave her room right now. The nanny fidgeted with her hands a bit before folding them together, and approached Cyrus. She stood in front of him and waited for him to stop before speaking.
”Did you want to come with me?” After Cyrus finished talking to the carnage sister, he was mildly surprised by the woman that suddenly stood in front of him. He smiled, however. He was actually rather happy to see her. He took the time to study her expression. He couldn’t imagine that she was doing well right now. It took Cyrus a moment to recall what Bliss was talking about. But then he remembered he had agreed to something before everything had gone down.
“You mean to the Zen garden?” Cyrus said, assuming she was referring to that.
Bliss simply nodded and took Cyrus's hand.
”You're not hungry right? I didn't make anything today.” Cyrus followed Bliss, answering her first question with a confirmatory noise. She walked towards the garden, practically dragging Cyrus behind herself as she did so.
”I don't imagine the zen garden has any food in it. Do carrots or tomatoes grow there? I've never been there, I just heard it was a relaxing place to be.” He picked up the pace, trying to match Bliss’s. She seemed to be a hurry. What had her so worked up?
“No vegetables, as far as I know.” Cyrus answered, trying to keep the conversation going.
“But it’s a calming place indeed.” ”That's good.” At the pace Bliss was moving at, it didn't take long to get to the zen garden. The nanny released Cyrus's hand and knelled before the pool of sand. She was winded, but she wasn't sweating from the brisk jog to their destination.
“So what do you do in here?” She turned to the politician.
Cyrus shrugged in reply.
“Just sit, relax, meditate?” He honestly wasn’t too sure how else to describe it.
“I guess that’s what this place is for, just to relax.” He said as he sat down.
“You can isolate yourself pretty well here from the outside world, if you feel the need to.” He explained to the Nanny.
”So you're getting in touch with yourself.” Bliss placed her hands on her knees.
”What do you see when you meditate, Cyrus?” “Well, I usually close to my eyes so… nothing I guess?” He answered honestly.
“I put my focus elsewhere. My breathing, my surroundings, anywhere while trying to think of as little as possible.” He explained. It was a rather simple method of meditation. Maybe the monk could’ve taught him more. Alas, that could never be.
”Alright” Bliss closed her eyes and tried to meditate. The silence lasted about ten seconds before she spoke up again.
”Do you feel responsible for what happened last night?” The question startled Cyrus more than it should’ve. He was expecting it, right?
“Of course I feel responsible.” He answered.
“How could I not? Ultimately, the operation yesterday was the responsibility of everyone, but I was supposed to be the leader, you know?” He continued, his voice trembled slightly as he looked for the words.
“I keep thinking I should’ve done more. Involved myself more with making sure every team had everything planned out well. There were too many problems, even if we account the surprise factors.” He said, referring to the unexpected coming of the additional sisters.
“I feel like I’ve failed, you know?” ”I know, I know.” Bliss kept her eyes shut the entire time, until she decided to open them again just now.
”It's not like you killed any of them on purpose. We all made our own choices. Better that you failed trying to save everyone then succeeded in killing someone, right?” She hugged herself. Bliss's eyes were noticeably wet.
”Have you ever had to do something like that?” “Have I?” Cyrus wondered out loud.
“I mean, I’ve ordered military operations before. Those weren’t always without casualties.” Cyrus said, digging into his memories.
“That’s not so different. I ordered people to their deaths, even if it wasn’t my hand that killed them. Same thing here, even if I was more directly involved.” Cyrus looked at Bliss, then put a hand on her shoulder.
“And left behind were the families, their hopes and dreams. And therefore, of course we grieve. This is no different.” ”I don't know Cyrus, I don't think that quite makes you a murderer.” “It doesn’t, but you can’t help but feel responsible.” Bliss sighed.
”I tell everyone I'm an orphan. It's partially true, I spent most of my childhood in an orphanage. But that's not the whole truth.” Bliss's fingers tightened around her shoulders.
”Do you know what stone man syndrome is?” Cyrus listened attentively to bliss's story.
“I’ve heard the name. It’s a very rare disease, isn’t it? Something about tissue being replaced with bone.” He tried to recall, but he didn’t recall more details than that. Cyrus wasn’t a doctor, after all.
”All of the soft tissue in your body, like your bones and cartilage begin to harden.” Bliss wiped one of her tears away.
”It gets more aggressive as you age, and people who have it are gradually paralyzed. They become living statues.” Bliss closed her eyes.
”They might live forty years if they catch it early enough. But what kind of life is that?” Bliss took a moment to regain as much of her composure as she could. She folded her hands and placed them in her lap.
”My parents loved Alfie, but he had Stone man Syndrome. It hadn't completely robbed him of movement. But he had difficulty eating. His thicker ribs prevented him from breathing properly. He couldn't turn his head, and it became harder and harder to get him out of bed. Eventually he couldn't walk or use the bathroom without assistance.” She placed a hand over her mouth.
“He told me that he didn't want to live like this. He begged me to kill him. Our parents wouldn't let a doctor do it. He told me that if I really loved him that I'd save him. I-I didn't have access to sleeping pills, and I didn't know what type of poison I could use. So when my parents were gone, I grabbed a knife.” her hands slid over her face.
”His bones were so thick, it was so difficult to kill him.” Cyrus had listened to Bliss silently. He softly patted her back as he noticed her increased distress. His gaze was soft, and carried no judgment. He simply listened. What else were you supposed to do when someone was pouring their heart out?
“Is that why they put you in an orphanage?” He finally asked carefully as she stopped talking.
”No, I ran away from home.” Bliss folded her hands together again.
”I didn't want to face them after that. I survived on my own and eventually got picked up by an orphanage several cities away. I wanted to get as far away from there as possible.” “I see...” Cyrus muttered. How was he supposed to respond to this? Should he try to cheer her up? Offer her some assurance? Maybe he should just be silent and let her calm down? Normally he was pretty good with people, but talks like these didn’t exactly come up a lot.
“Did you… ever see them again?” He ultimately asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
”I killed their son. Why would they want to see me again?” She looked straight ahead.
”W-what I was trying to say was, even though he wanted it, I'm still a murderer.” Bliss looked at Cyrus out of the corner of her eye.
”You said as much yourself, right? A single individual should never kill another. Even if he wanted it, my parents clearly didn't.” Bliss didn't wait for a response. She stood up immediately.
”I'm sorry, I don't know what's come over me. It's just with all the death, it keeps reminding me. And I don’t want to see him when I close my eyes.” She placed a hand on the side of her head.
”It's probably not going to be very easy for you to relax here anymore, I'm sorry about that.” Bliss wandered towards the door.
“Wait!” Cyrus said as she stood up. He grabbed her hand, holding her firmly to prevent her from walking away.
“I also said there is room for consideration when one wishes so. You can’t quote me on one part and leave out the other.” He responded.
“When we think of the victims here, or the people who died fighting yesterday. They died wanting to live.” He tugged her arm slightly.
“I can’t say that what you did was either right or wrong. I don’t think I have the necessary information for that.” Cyrus told her.
“I do think you need to calm down, though. And I think this is the best place for it.” He paused for a bit.
“And I’m here for you.” Bliss wiped her eyes with her arm.
”A-alright.” She sniffled.
”If it's not a problem for you, then I'll stay here.” The nanny blinked. Her face was all red.
”Thank you.” Cyrus smiled reassuringly. He couldn’t really do anything else for her, but maybe that would be enough. Perhaps he had failed the dead, but he could still be here for the living.
”It’s not a problem at all.” he said.
“Don’t mention it.” 
Member
Kero
Festive
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Chrys
Majoraa
Ladypug
Lemons
Crimson Flame
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