seventh hymn ♫ childhood dreams

[melodist]

[dictated]

[The journal picks up a soft gasp and some faint shuffling. When Tear finally speaks, her voice is dry and tentative. Considering she's spent the past month or so as a doll it's not out of the question.]

The journal is... This is Paradisa, isn't it?

[She gets up, a little unsteady, bracing herself on the chair. And why is she in Luke's room...?

A little more business this time.] It appears I've been [a short pause] indisposed since late December, courtesy of the castle. I'll resume my duties at the clinic when I'm certain there aren't any lingering effects.

[Luke]

[Oh god, this is awkward. She can forge past it, though. SHE WILL. As usual, when she gets awkward she turns formal.]

I woke up in your room, but I didn't touch anything. I'm sorry for the intrusion.

[Another pause, feels like forever. They still haven't talked about ...]

Are you all right?

-----

Comments

[noblefive]

So, you're one of the people working at the clinic, huh?

I got a question, if you don't mind, ma'am. What do you mean by the castle indisposed of you?

[His voice is a crisp military tone, muffled slightly as if he were wearing a helmet.]

[melodist]

Yes. My name is Tear, and I can usually be found there during the day.

[Sounds like someone who's a little new. She's used to speaking very military as well, even if she's in reality a seventeenish-year-old girl.]

It may not have been the castle itself. Regardless, curses and other strange events seem to originate from this spot, and they often affect residents. [A small sigh.] I believe I spent the past few weeks as an inanimate object.

[noblefive]

This is the whole form-change thing, right?

Damn. Well, I hope you're okay, ma'am, that sounds a bit rough.

[melodist]

That's correct. I'm fine for now, but... it'll take some time to adjust.

Did you arrive here recently?

[noblefive]

Yeah. I'm Noble Five, part of UNSC Special Ops. I got here a few days ago.

[atadiscoverer]

I wouldn't worry about rushing back to the clinic, love. Work on getting yourself back to normal, aye?

[The calming Scottish tones of Dr. Beckett filter through]

Apart from a wee trip to Paris, you didn't miss much.

[melodist]

[She is so not used to being addressed like that. She figures it's a cultural thing, but it never fails to make her a little awkward.] ... I feel fine, but my memories of the time are... concerning. I still have some errands to take care of-- including the bloodwork you requested.

Was there another expedition?

[atadiscoverer]

Concerning in what way? [He now has his more professional tone on.]

And I wouldn't worry too much about the bloodwork. Plenty of time to work on that.

[melodist]

It sounds outlandish, and I still have to verify it with my companions, but... I may have been trapped inside of a doll.

If you're sure.

Locked to Tear (1/2)

[oldest7yearold]

[It takes Luke a little while to find this, given that it takes him a while to realize the new journal is the one recording things.]

Tear?

[The voice is cautious at first, then washes over with relief]

Tear! You're... [back? here?] you're okay!

(2/2)

[oldest7yearold]

[And... then he remembers how awkwardly things ended last time, and all that's happened since and... wait. She woke up in his room. ... oh Lorelei, was that doll... it really was her. ...Well, he's glad he took good care of it- her then...]

Y-yeah. I'm fine.

[Mostly. It's been a hectic few weeks.]

Luke;

[melodist]

[She's relieved, to say the least. Somewhere in her hazy memories, she remembers being concerned about him. Always.]

When I saw the empty journal, I thought...

[... she'd lost him again, and this time for good.]

I'm glad you're all right. And the others?

Tear;

[oldest7yearold]

Huh...?

[She thought... what? Only Tear moves on then, and he's not sure how to broach the topic without it seeming weird.]

Jade and Asch are still here... I'm pretty sure they're okay.

[Jade is Jade and he's been... torn between avoiding Asch and not lately, given that Asch knows about his loss and the fact that he's Asch.]

dictated

[amiable]

Everyone's journals really did change, huh...

dictated; SUBJECT LINES YAY ;_;

[melodist]

It seems so... For a moment, I thought I was somewhere else entirely.

Did anything else happen?

dictated; beautiful :')

[amiable]

Not that I know of! I haven't heard anything.

dictated;

[melodist]

All right. Thank you, Miss...?

[heloise]

Indisposed? Were you ill?

[melodist]

In a manner of speaking. I was unable to move or communicate.

[heloise]

I am glad that you are now well.

[melodist]

I... [She pauses, not expecting such courtesy.] Thank you. My memories of the incident are foggy at best, so it isn't as bad as it sounds.

[adorbs]

[indisposed... she remember's this lady's voice]

Are you okay?

[melodist]

[It takes her a moment, but she recalls the girl's name.]

Nanako...? Yes, I'm fine. [Her voice softens a notch.] Have you been well?

[adorbs]

Uh huh. [she sounds a bit surprised that she remembers, but in a happy way :)]

Yeah, I've been okay. Were... [hmm, she's remembered when the castle made people sleep for a long time] did the castle do something to you?

[melodist]

[why so cute come here so she can adopt you]

Yes, but I'm all right. Someone... made sure that I was safe.