Day 51: Breakfast

[thatdamnedninja.livejournal.com]

Yuffie Kisaragi, indomitable bouncing ball of sunshine and unfathomable ebullience, was tired. It'd been a long night full of gibberish and getting nowhere fast.

"Can't I—"

Plucky, who had been busily loading a plate full of French toast and bacon, tittered. "I'm afraid not, Hanna, darling. A chat over a nice, hearty breakfast would do you a world of good, don't you think?"

"Aaaaactually—"

"Come on, let's find you a seat. Plenty to choose from this morning!"

For a long moment, Yuffie seriously considered doing something—anything—to act out. Punch her nurse, rub jam in an orderly's face, climb a wall and hang off the ceiling, jump on a table and parody Loveless… A ruckus like that would definitely jolt her back into gear, right? Sedation aside. And it'd turn Plucky's good day right on its head, which was always a bonus worth shooting for.

But, by the time she'd reached a decision—and it was an epic decision, a really awesome one; everybody'd appreciate the genius, she was sure—she was already alone. Her breakfast tray had been set down neatly by the nurse, who had left with an infuriatingly winsome smile.

"Wow," Yuffie muttered. Shaking her head, she picked a chair at random and threw herself into it. She kicked back, one arm slung across her eyes, to wait. For what, she wasn't totally sure. Some moron to decide that she looked like good company? That was how it usually went.

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[full-score.livejournal.com]

Claude remembered hearing about Natalia's healing abilities before he'd even lost his vision. While healers seemed to be able to use some of their powers in Landel's, he wondered if it was the same for Natalia. It sounded like she hadn't had a chance to try them out for herself -- probably because the need for it hadn't come up, he realized. There was no telling whether any efforts on her part would be successful, or if she'd only wind up wasting her time trying to help him out. At least she was upfront about the possibility it wouldn't work. Yet she still seemed willing to give it a shot.

"I don't know," Claude slowly said, uncertain of whether Natalia truly understood what she was offering him. "You might find that your stamina here isn't what it was back on Auldrant. Just trying to heal my eyes might make you really tired or weak for the rest of the night. And if it doesn't work, then..." That would mean Natalia would have wasted her energy for nothing. Claude didn't finish that train of that, but the implication was probably obvious.

When she quietly called attention to his uneaten food, Claude offered a sheepish smile. He didn't like worrying people about stuff like this. If it was as simple as finding the heart to eat, he would have tried to make a show of stuffing his food down, not unlike the way he'd had to inhale his lunch when that strange girl had acted as though she was going to eat it. On the other hand, if he lied and told Natalia he didn't like the food, it'd probably make him sound like he was some kind of wasteful brat who couldn't appreciate the few good things this place gave them.

"No, I...actually normally like French toast," Claude admitted after a moment. "I just haven't been able to eat much since my eyes got injured, that's all. I think it must be a side effect from the other stuff that went on." Smiling a little broader for her, he quickly added, "But I'm sure it'll clear up soon!" She was right about it being better to keep up his strength, of course, but the thought of eating something so sweet just didn't sit well with his stomach right then.

[nobleobliged.livejournal.com]

Not having received any kind of a run-down regarding ability limitation, Natalia did not, in fact, understand what she offered. Her awareness of her fonons had felt muddled, and she understood instinctively that there were limitations. She had no idea that a few spells could potentially exhaust her. Yet, even if she knew, it wouldn't have mattered. Understanding began to dawn, slowly, when he spoke of stamina -- but Natalia laughed.

"You don't know? If it does work, isn't it worth it? If I think so, that's what matters, right? Also, I've always had superior stamina. Simply because I am a princess, does not mean that I am fragile. I know, of course, that you weren't suggesting that."

The last said sincerely; she'd felt the need to clarify, but not because of his caution. If she did become exhausted as a result, it would only be unfortunate if it came with a failure. Losing a night would be regrettable, as she was learning that if anything would be accomplished, it would be at night -- but, if Guy had been there for twenty days, surely one night wouldn't be a huge loss. Not that she intended to write it off - Natalia took another bite of french toast, and another, determined to be at her best come lights out.

Which, again, brought to mind her concern for Claude's plate.

"I understand," she nodded, "of course. I expect forcing yourself may do more harm than good." Natalia could see for whose benefit he smiled, and how token were his last words. For that, she almost kept herself from pestering further. Almost.

"At least drink a lot of water! Perhaps some fruit? Or a slice of plain bread, some simple..."

[full-score.livejournal.com]

While it was true that the decision of whether to use her healing skills to try to fix his vision was ultimately Natalia's choice, Claude felt bad at the idea of her wearing herself out on his behalf. Especially if it all turned out to be for nothing. But even after hearing that her energy levels would probably take a hit just from making an attempt, Natalia was still willing to offer her help.

"N-no, I didn't mean anything like that," Claude assured her. "I mean, I'm not doubting your abilities or anything. I've just seen healers here get really tired after using their powers, and it's a little worrisome, is all." He rubbed the back of his neck a little, trying to pick his words carefully. "But if you're still willing to try despite that, then I'd...well, I'd be really grateful."

And that was nothing short of the truth. After all, Claude knew he'd only be a burden on his friends so long as he was in this state. As bad as he felt letting a healer tend to him like this, he'd just be shooting himself (and everyone associated with him) in the foot by not getting any help.

It sounded like Natalia understood about the food, which was a relief. Claude didn't like drawing more attention to all that than necessary. "You're right," he said after a moment. "I'll try to get at least a little something down." He wouldn't be of any use if he didn't keep up his strength, right? As if to prove his point, he gently felt around the tray for his cup of water, grasped it, and then brought it to his lips. He had to admit that the water felt good to his throat, at least.

[nobleobliged.livejournal.com]

[ooc: please feel free to ignore this! neurotic need to ... get the reply in]

From what he said, Natalia could deduce it a common thing, healers tiring after casting artes. While she could have attributed it to a desire of his to protect, she could not imagine it to a degree where he would weigh the well-being of a near-stranger (even a friend of Guy's) against the possible recovery of his eyes. Not unless the effects were common and severe.

"Of course I am," she said with ease, perhaps only because she didn't, couldn't understand the full meaning of his warning until she'd experienced it for herself. She could not fathom not trying, no matter how serious the possible side-effects. "Let us believe that it will work, all right? Not to get our hopes up, but so that we don't defeat ourselves before beginning."

That decided, Natalia resumed picking at her own meal. Though she would have liked to see him put something solid in his mouth, the water was a good start, and she bobbed her head with approval. A movement he could not see, but then, he ought to do it for himself, and not for her reaction. (Not that she wouldn't accept any motivation whose product met her end goal).

Once finished with her french toast, she dabbed at her mouth with the napkin and clapped her hands together. "So! Shall I go to your room tonight? I think that makes the most sense."

[full-score.livejournal.com]

The way she easily agreed to help him like that made an impression on Claude, though he still wasn't sure whether she truly understood what her limitations were in this place. He was worried for her, but if she was going to insist on helping him, then Claude had already decided that it was probably for the best that he accept the offer. Natalia had a point that they shouldn't be self-defeating about everything, but he didn't want to go in with unrealistic expectations, either. For now the best course of action was probably to try to maintain a delicate balance about the whole thing -- not to assume that it would absolutely work, but not to tell himself it wouldn't work, either.

"Right," Claude agreed. "That's the attitude needed for a lot of things in this place, really."

When the princess asked for his room number, Claude briefly paused. As much as he hated having to trouble her so much, he realized it wasn't very realistic for him to go to her unless he could secure help from someone else. It was frustrating, finding himself so limited, but maybe after tonight his sight wouldn't hinder him anymore.

"If you think that would be best," he conceded after a moment as he put down his empty water glass. "I'm in room M44, so it's pretty easy to remember."

[nobleobliged.livejournal.com]

Natalia could not make any claim at having a talent for reading people. The princess, by virtue of her position and upbringing, had a tendency (one with which she fought, when sufficiently aware of it) toward being self-centered, and consequently less capable of noticing the less than obvious with others.

Yet, she tried, and did so now, possibly more attentive due to not having his eyes to also go by. Natalia had an impression of a kind of humility, an unwillingness to be a bother at any point -- that he would hesitate to accept her help, that he conceded to take of his water at her request.

Noting as much, it seemed significant that he agreed to her suggestion that they meet at his room. "Absolutely," she insisted, and attempted also to put a different, less catering spin on it, "it will help me to further familiarize myself with the Institute."

Though breakfast was likely near over, Natalia saw his now empty glass and asked, "Would you like more water?"

... Which, perhaps, would be seen as just the sort of catering she'd meant to avoid. But, if all he would ingest was water, she did want to encourage as much of that as she could.