♛accidential video;

[meritocracy]

[the feed blurs in, shaky and uncertain. there's grass, sky, and there's blood. there's golden curls and a familiar brown headband and there's blood.

the video screen is smeared with red fingerprints and there is suddenly white skin, spasming fingers reaching for the screen but there is not a single word. not a single sound.

it moves, slowly, the fingers twitching as if in agony before it moves to a face, blood smeared at the top of the chin, dirt speckled across the cheeks and eyes barely open. for a minute there's the flash of a horrible red, gaping wound beneath the chin but then it's back to a pale face, lips parting but no sigh coming out. then the video spirals upwards, once, twice, red fingerprints and all.

and the fallen woman hasn't uttered a single word. ]

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[video]

[meritocracy]

[she wonders if she can see the sorry look on her face if she focuses hard enough. but the focus is flitting away. ]

we are skipping all the hours this is how we do it

[silversnowfall]

[It's much later, long after Natalia made it home and healed and settled, that Nephry quietly looks in on her in the room she shares with Tear.

Quietly, because waking the melodist or the princess up would just be cruel.]

yeaahh

[meritocracy]

[Natalia is still in the bed, her skin white. There is bandages wrapped around her throat, and her back. The Malnosso did something to her spine, making her incapable of walking. With no voice, no legs--it hardly is the best of situations for her.

Still, somehow a gold-green eye opens a slit at the sight of Nephry hovering over their bed. Next to the chair is her shift covered in blood, smearing some of the chair. There's still some of it caked to her curls though they removed it from her face, her chin.]

[silversnowfall]

[At least she's somewhere safe and comfortable. Nephry doesn't notice her eye open, just taking a minute to make sure the blankets are pulled high enough and putting a hand on her forehead. Worry motions. Hopefully over the next few days, Tear (or others) would be able to heal all of this.]

[meritocracy]

[Natalia's hand twitches under the blanket until she lifts it quietly, placing it over Nephry's. Her smile is pale; tired.

I'm home, Nephry.]

[silversnowfall]

Oh-!

[So she's awake. Nephry turns her hand over, so she's holding onto Natalia's instead.]

I'm sorry for waking you.

[meritocracy]

[It hurts too much for her to shake her head, so instead she closes her eyes, then blinks them quietly. She just squeezes her hand.

It's alright.]

[silversnowfall]

You should go back to sleep. It's important that you rest.

[meritocracy]

[she'd swallow, but it'd hurt. ]

...

[silversnowfall]

[Slowly, Nephry's thumb rubs the back of Natalia's hand.]

I can sit here until you do?

[meritocracy]

[Natalia just offers a sad little smile.

I'm sorry.]

[silversnowfall]

Just rest. You don't need to answer me, try to go back to sleep.

[meritocracy]

[she just quietly lowers her eyes, sad smile still in place as her eyes blink sleepily. ]

[silversnowfall]

[There isn't a whole lot Nephry feels she can do to help. If it seems like Natalia's having trouble, she'll sit down in the room's chair and just hum, very quietly, something gentle.]

[meritocracy]

[natalia thinks that this is what a mother would do for a child, and it makes her chest hurt for a reason completely seperate from injuries. ]

[silversnowfall]

[She doesn't know Natalia is thinking these things, of course. All she knows is that the princess is struggling.]

Do you want me to go, so you can rest? If I'm keeping you awake.

[meritocracy]

[she can't shake her head, she blinks twice, furrowing her brows. ]

...

[stay. i do not want to be alone.]

[silversnowfall]

[Though it's hard, Nephry smiles and squeezes her hand.]

All right. I'll stay. Let's try not to wake Tear.

[meritocracy]

[she just gives a very sad smile then. thank you, nephry.]