Sixth Feather [Video]

[charcoalfeather]

[It's been a while since anyone heard from Rakka following her trip to the hospital. Given the suddenness of the illness and how badly it had hit her that time, it was possible they wouldn't hear from her in a long time.

But there she is one day, on the network. It's pretty obvious from the background behind her and the gown she was wearing that she's in a hospital room, the drone of medical equipment just barely hearable. Rakka looks, for lack of a better term, like shit. Her face is lacking in color, bags under her eyes say that she hasn't been sleeping, and every so often she seems to wince in pain. Oddly, it looks like she's laying on her stomach.]

I... wasn't sick. It wasn't an illness.

[A statement that took a while to get out. Rakka's voice was dry and quiet. She still looked afraid.]

W-when I got to the hospital the pain got worse and worse, and... and now I have these.

[She moved her phone upward, first showing the top of her head, with halo floating in full view - there was no way she could have hid it here - and pointed it over her shoulder.

Sticking out of her back, right above the shoulder blades, were a pair of wings. Their feathers were a light charcoal grey, blood stains still visible in them. Every so often they twitched involuntarily, leading to a slight sound of pain from Rakka. Slowly she brought the screen back to her face.]

They... they know now. They're going to tell my parents. I don't know what to do, I... I...

[She looks scared, very scared. ]

I... I need to hide. I don't think I should go home for a while.

Comments

[Video]

[originaloddcouple]

[Oh god. Oh god. Oh god. This couldn't be happening. Their buddy couldn't be experiencing something so heartbreaking and painful looking.

They take a couple deep breaths before finally starting up the feed.]

If you're sure...

We can be there lickity-split.

[Video]

[charcoalfeather]

[She blanks at the sight of the Dians on the feed. She didn't expect to get a reply this... soon.]

You... you guys would help me like that?

[Video]

[originaloddcouple]

Of course!

You're our pal, after all!

And we have plenty of room here!

[Sort of.]

[Video]

[charcoalfeather]

[She just... shakes her head in disbelief.]

I guess... you guys could help. I c-could never repay you for this though.

[She could, and will try though. She is kind of rich.]

I'll try not to take up too much room.

video

[imbibing]

[Misato can't help but intrude in this particular conversation.]

Don't you think your parents are going to worry about you? I'd just tell them now. Better to get it over with sooner rather than later.

video

[charcoalfeather]

They're under the impression that the numbered are dangerous because we have weird powers and stuff.

My relationship with them is already kind of... rocky. I want to tell them, but they might not listen.

video

[imbibing]

Hmmm.

[Misato's never considered this possibility before.]

Well, what's the worst that can happen if you tell them? Worst case scenario, you'll have to find somewhere else to stay and you're already doing already.

[A beat.]

Besides-- [Her expression softens.] --I think those wings of yours are pretty cute. It makes you look like an angel or something.

video

[charcoalfeather]

They might never let me go home?

[And she didn't want that, no matter how strained her relationship with them was.]

Oh, [Well, that gets her to smile a little at least.] thanks. They look a lot better, now that there's no blood or grease on them I guess.

[She was unconscious for the washing part, but they filled her in.]

[Voice]

[gobybessie]

[ Well, since she's already had an offer for a place to stay ... ]

I suppose it was only a matter of time. How come you think they'll react so badly?

[Voice]

[charcoalfeather]

They're kind of under the impression we're a danger to everyone because of our powers.

[Which... they're not wrong about.]

I wanted to tell them, but... not like this.

[Voice]

[gobybessie]

[ There would be danger even if they weren't about, though. ]

Ah. I see.

I hope you can work things out.

[Voice]

[espigeonage]

...ah. It's still hurting you, huh?

You've got a place to go?

[Voice]

[charcoalfeather]

Yeah, I've already gotten a place.

[who knew people could be this nice.]

And they still hurt... [She hisses as a jot of pain goes through her up to her wingtips.] What really hurt was getting them.

[espigeonage]

Good.

Looks like. Have the doctors given you something for those? If you want I can take over some athelas, it's a painkiller.

[Video]

[scramasax]

[He's got nothing to offer.

All he can do is to keep his voice at somewhere around a hush so as not to aggravate things, in the meanwhile while he gets curious concern assuaged.]

What umm. What do you have...?

'Mmh sorry.

[Video]

[charcoalfeather]

[She recognizes the voice but cant see him in the dark. She replies slowly, her breathing a little irregular on account of the exhaustion.]

N-no... it's okay. I have... wings now, see?

[Again, she points the screen over her shoulders at the bloody wings.]

[Text]

[lightsoflife]

Would you be all right, in that condition?

[Text]

[charcoalfeather]

Except for some pain I'm feeling pretty good actually. I just need rest

[Text]

[lightsoflife]

Are you sure? Those wings don't look like they're pleasant to travel with at the moment.

Voice.

[flamberge]

[The wings are what catch Karl's attention or, more specifically, the blood on them and the small, pained noises coming when they twitch. Wings of this nature are DEFINITELY unlike his own in any way.]

Did those cause you any pain when you received them? ...And are they doing so now?

[If so, maybe healing magic could help? It may do nothing, but leaving a child to suffer thanks to receiving wings when his had been painless just... feels wrong.]

Voice.

[charcoalfeather]

They hurt a lot when I got them... from what I can remember. I-I'm pretty sure I passed out at one point.

[It was all kind of a blur to her what with the fever and all.]

They don't hurt as much now I guess.

Voice.

[flamberge]

[Passed out? The pain had to have been intense for her to have lost consciousness. Definitely not fair that a kid had to suffer THAT much all for some wings.]

...Should medication not prove effective in taking care of whatever remaining pain you have, I can attempt to alleviate it via healing magic, if you wish.

video;

[occasus]

[ Wings.

Normally, Kei would skip it. Doesn't really care, not that much--but this is interesting, and he makes it a point not to get too involved, but.. ]

I know you don't know me from Adam, but wow. That's beautiful. Not it hurting you, but. [ But suddenly he's a little self-conscious with his own tattoo. She has the real thing, not ink. And... Yeah. It is really beautiful. ]

video;

[charcoalfeather]

Beautiful?

[Huh, that's not something she's been told yet. Honestly, with the pain and the blood and stuff, she was of the impresion her wings weren't all that good at all. But opinions seemed to differ.]

Uh, thanks. They are... kind of beautiful I guess.

video;

[occasus]

No, I mean it--and I don't mean to sound like a creeper or anything, but, it kind of gives a lot of inspiration, you know?