Number 4. [ Dictated ]

[patching_up]

[When he awakens in the morning, he doesn't feel anything out of the ordinary. It is only when he passes by the pointed shard of mirror he'd propped up against the wall beside his bed that he freezes, mortified, raising a hand to the burn that has spread across his eyepatch. He remembers exactly where that mark came from. How could he ever forget? But it wasn't supposed to be there anymore, it had been gone when he awoke in this place...]

[He moves to pick up his journal, speaking tentatively into a blank page, his voice strained. He just has to get it fixed, that's all. That's all. He'll make it go away.]

Is anyone here good at sewing? I need a favor.

[He's shaking as he sets it down again. There's a mark on his back, but he doesn't see it; he's too busy burying his head in his hands.]

Comments

[waterproofed]

I... think so. The castle's... doing it. I... I know that much.

[patching_up]

If it's hurting you...

[He takes in a deep breath. His mark, at least, isn't physically painful-- and it upsets him, to hear that his friend has to endure that. He was always been the one to heal the wounds of his companions in the past, and he can't help but be compelled to do that now.]

I want to help. I d-don't know if I can, but there has to be some way to make it stop. Right...?

[waterproofed]

It's... it's okaay, man. I'll j-just wait it out.

[patching_up]

No, that--

[He can't stand to hear Percy like this; his own voice becomes more choked just from listening to it.]

That's not okay! I-I won't leave you to suffer alone! You're my friend...

[There's the sound of shuffling as 5 tucks the journal under his arm and bolts out the door, even though his legs don't really want to let him move. There has to be something he can do...!]

[waterproofed]

F-five? [what even. But something 5 said sparks a thought]

...Violet.

[patching_up]

[5 is on his way up to Percy's room, though he can't exactly get there very fast. For once, he's not going to be a coward and let somebody else fix things. This is someone he really cares about, and he's in pain; that's all that matters to him right now.]

I-- I'm coming to your room, all right? I-I've been learning a little bit of human medicine, maybe I can do something...

[He pauses at the sound of that name, confused.]

Violet...? What-- what about her?

[waterproofed]

I... I have to... find her. I... I'll be okay, it's h-her I'm worried about.

[patching_up]

Are you sure? You said you're in pain, Percy, and--

[He hesitates, slowing his pace to more of a downtrodden walk. He still hasn't met Violet, and likely couldn't help by going to find her... but Percy sounds more nervous than ever, and 5 bites his lip as he stares down at the journal. 5 is worried, but he trusts him.]

O-okay. I'll be here, if you need help.

[waterproofed]

[this is where Percy's fatal flaw comes into play. He ignores his own suffering and focuses on those he cares about]

I kn-know. Thanks.... Five.