04 | [Action] (forward-dated to Monday!)

[thebetterhalf]

[The first thing Marco becomes consciously aware of is that he's cold. No, freezing, even. The next thing he notices is a nausea that’d settled in the pit of his stomach, then that nausea turns into mild panic when a string of odd, blurry memories hits him and he gets the strong sense that he's in danger. That his life is in danger.

He awakes with a start, moving straight into a sitting position. Both hands shoot up to his throat, even if he isn’t sure exactly why he’d felt the need to do so. He's groggy, exhausted and disoriented. Where is he? What’d happened? What day is it, even? Why isn’t he wearing a shirt? In the back of his head, a few hazy memories are trickling away. Dreams, perhaps. Dreams of a crowded village and glowing green balls surrounding him. Dreams of pain shooting up his leg and his hand getting crushed. It’d seemed so real, but his hand is fine so there was no way it could’ve happened. He’d know if his hand had gotten crushed for some reason. …Just another nightmare.

His eyes scrunch shut for a moment, then open again to try and survey the area. Forest, with the moon high up in the sky. It's hard to tell exactly what time it is- likely somewhere early in the morning. Past the trees he can see distant lights, presumably from the village. His gaze moves down to his legs, noticing the odd pair of pants he's wearing. The standard type that New Feathers would wear upon arrival. His mind's unable to really piece everything together. Is he a new arrival again? …He still remembers the village. He can’t recall being sent home. A quick check confirms that his pockets hold the keys to his apartment and his journal.

What’d happened to him?

He manages to scuttle into a crouching position just in time to start retching. His stomach's roiling and the confusion only serves to fuel his nausea further. Not that he ends up spewing more than a bit of bile. Apparently, he hasn’t eaten recently. Retching turns to desperate gasping and shaking, both from the stress inflicted on his body and the cold. He has no idea how long it takes him to calm down again. Five minutes, maybe ten. During that time, he notices something else. No sounds are coming from him. Nothing vocal, anyway. His suspicions are confirmed when he tries to speak, but produces no words. Carefully, he raises a hand to his throat again. His vocal chords aren’t working. Why?

Despite the protest coming from his muscles, he manages to push himself to his feet and turns his attention to what’d been lying beside him. The 3D Maneuver Gear- all of it. The canisters, the blades, even the body harness is attached to it. Putting it on is too much trouble, but he can’t just leave it out here, so he grabs the leather straps and slings them over his shoulder. This way, he can support the gear’s weight with his back. He’ll have to be careful with his wings, though. Once he's sure he can keep his balance, he begins his trek towards the village. His whole body's still shaking, but he has to get home. Jean's going to kill him for this.]


[Action]

[By the time Marco’s up and about again, it’s late in the afternoon. He’s wearing a spare set of clothes from his wardrobe, but the absence of his uniform just stings something awful. That’s why he hopes he’ll be able to find a replacement in the store. After having a few bites to eat and assuring Jean that he’ll be fine, he’s off to run some errands. There’s a notebook under his arm, because now that he can’t speak, he’ll have to write his responses down.

First he needs to stop by the apartment belonging to Commander Smith and Captain Levi to let them know he’s back. Then, he’ll leave the flame building and head over to the plaza. He stops by the school to see if Professor Sage is still there, so he can apologize for missing over a week of classes. Then, the clothing store, where he ends up finding a replacement uniform just like he’d hoped. However, there’s just one problem with it. The insignia. It’s clearly his size, but it’s designated as Military Police. Are the Malnosso just messing with him, or is it meant for someone else? Until he’s decided on either, he’ll just stand there with the jacket in both hands, giving it a conflicted stare.

Finally, he’ll take a detour to the wind building to pay a visit to Ginia. He feels that after everything that’s happened, she’s the best person to talk to. Or uh… write to, now that they’re both in the same position.]

Comments

Clothing Store

[elevatoravatar]

Elizabeth stares at Marco as he looks at the uniform and tilts her head a bit.

"In my experience, none of the garments here bear curses so if you need it I see no harm in wearing it."

[thebetterhalf]

[He doesn't truly notice Elizabeth's presence until she speaks up. That's when he snaps out of his thoughts and turns to face her. She's that lady who told him about otherworldly titans and fighting them off with hope, isn't she? He smiles at her, then holds up his index finger. He hopes the gesture of 'one second' is universal in all universes. The uniform is put aside and he flips his notebook open, jotting down a quick response for her to read.]

"I'm sorry, I can't talk right now, so I'll have to write. I'm not worried about curses."

[elevatoravatar]

"Ah, has something been taken from you as well here? I see. It is not curses, perhaps the symbol on it is one that means something less than savory?"

She taps her cheek a bit and tilts her head, "Honestly I would not worry about such things. Function must hold dominance over meaning where meaning is only known to one's self."

[thebetterhalf]

[Hmm. She has a point there. He writes down another response, a little less hastily this time, then holds the notepad up for her.]

"That's true. I just don't want to take something that might not be meant for me."

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

[Thanks to Jean, Ginia knows Marco is back and unable to talk. It's a troubling thought, but the important thing is he's back. And maybe because she comes from a point of experience, there's something she can do for him.

She's actually leaving Wind Building to head up to Flame Building when she sees Marco coming down the path. She hurries over to him and giving no further warning, gives him a gentle hug. Dammit, Marco, don't worry her like that, okay?]

[thebetterhalf]

[Marco knows that Jean got in touch with some people while he was asleep, he just didn't know Ginia was one of them. When he spots her leaving the building, he figures it's just a happy coincidence. Still, when he's wrapped into a hug, he begins to wonder if maybe Jean did tell her something. She must've been worried. He'd like to apologize, but in their current position, the best he can do is wrap his own arms around her to return the hug.]

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

[The hug doesn't last that much longer since it is a bit awkward. But adults will be adults and Ginia knows she's a softie when it comes to teens. She draws back to arms length to look at him. It's a little odd not seeing him in uniform, but it's something she's gotten used to seeing. At least he doesn't look any worse off.

She takes a step back and motions for him to follow. It's not a long walk up to her apartment, there'll be plenty of time to chat once they're up there. At least on her side, the silence gives her lots of time to think. Because even if she understands what it's like not being able to talk, it's still different. She's never had a voice. She's never known what it was like being able to talk and then not being able to.

It's not permanent either. In time, he'll be able to get his voice back, everything will go back to how they were for him. It may only last for a week, maybe a bit longer, but it's not permanent.

Small comforts.]

[thebetterhalf]

[Personally, he doesn't think the hug is too awkward or weird. After everything that's happened, he could use the reassurance that he's not alone. That he's got plenty of people who were waiting for him to return.

Still, he'll allow her to break that hug just as quickly as it was initiated, then follows her to the apartment. He's still not sure what he even wants to talk about when they get there, but he expects Ginia will ask him questions. All he really has to do is sit there and answer them.]

1/2

[wipesfaith]

[As would be expected at this late hour - "balls o'clock," he would label it - Jean is asleep. But the sounds of creaking floorboards and doors opening and shutting, the heavy clunk of the gear being set down, will be enough to stir him. His eyes twitch awake. The next sound he hears in the silent darkness has him sitting up, leaning over to grope for the lamp sitting next to his bed.]

Who's there? [His first thought is that Marco has returned, but he's hesitant to let himself be that hopeful. He's found the switch for the lamp, and a bright yellow glow casts across the room.]

[wipesfaith]

...Marco?

[He's back? He's back...and he doesn't look injured - he can walk, at least - and... Jean is kicking the blankets off and swinging his legs over the edge of the bed to stand up.]]

[thebetterhalf]

[Being able to finally drop the gear is an incredible relief. The thing's much heavier when the weight isn't being distributed with the harness and his muscles were already crying out in protest from the start. He's even had to take a few breaks along the way. Now all he can do is press a hand against the doorpost for support and try to regain his breath. He's a little woozy and his body's still shaking, too.

While a greater part of him knows it's silly, he feels bad for waking Jean up in the middle of the night like this. It couldn't be avoided and Jean needed to know he's back, but he still doesn't know what time it is. He doesn't know how long he's been gone, either. Hours? Days? Weeks?

He wishes he could say something, but even if he knew how to word it, it wouldn't come out anyway. So he just gives Jean a tired smile.]

[wipesfaith]

[He stumbles a little from leftover drowsiness as he quickly covers the distance between his bed and the door, clapping a hand on Marco's shoulder with more force than he planned - his version of a hug, really.]

Are you okay? [His eyes check him over for injuries again, but aside from seeming like he just came back from running a hundred laps, Marco is in decent condition. Questions keep spilling out.] What the hell happened? Can you remember anything? Shit, you had me worried...!

[soundcarrier]

[As he steps into the elevator after leaving his apartment to shop for things at some of the shops he spots Marco inside with him. Or at least he thinks it's Marco judging from what Jean and him talked about before. Even though he's seen him a few times before too but never actually talked with him.]

Hello. Excuse me for asking, but are you Marco? Your friend Jean was looking for you.

[thebetterhalf]

[Marco's pretty sure he's seen this guy around the apartment building before too, so he'll just shoot him a friendly smile as he gets on the elevator. It's the least he can do, because he can't exactly wish Sasame a good afternoon. The question catches him offguard for a second, but then he just nods. Figures Jean would go asking around while he was gone.]

[soundcarrier]

[Sasame can tell something is off when Marco doesn't say anything or at least that's what he can hear from Marco's thoughts. But he still talks to him regardless.]

It's good to see you're all right for the most part. I told Jean you'd be all right so he didn't need to worry. If you need anything too though, I'm near by so feel free to come over.

[action]

[wise_maiden]

[Raine is indeed at the school after school, as she's grading a few quizzes. She looks up when he enters.]

... It's good to see you back, Marco. Are you all right?

[action]

[thebetterhalf]

[He breathes a quick sigh of relief when he spots Raine sitting at her desk. Seeing her in person is much better than leaving a note on the journals, in his opinion. A somewhat helpless smile is shot her way, then he opens his notepad and holds it in front of her. He had the foresight to prepare a page just for her, so he won't have to write it all down in front of her.]

"I'm sorry, I lost my voice so this will have to do. I hope it's not a problem. I'm doing fine now, but I don't remember what happened. I'll be coming back to class tomorrow. If there's any homework I still need to do, I'll be happy to take it with me."

[action]

[wise_maiden]

[She leans forward to read it, and sighs softly. Not the first time she's seen that effect. Her eyes go back up to him and she nods, then gestures to the empty seat in front of the desk.]

I see... here, if you'll have a seat for a few moments, I can get the assignments prepared for you. Did you have any injuries you needed to get looked at?

Flam(ing) Building

[aqueousliving]

[It's probably not until late in the afternoon, near evening, before Haruka encounters Marco. But when he does, he gives Marco a good look over, before he says--]

Jean was looking for you.

[He doesn't know if Jean's already found Marco, but if Jean hasn't, Haruka considers his job done.]

[thebetterhalf]

[Oh look, it's Haruka! Marco was just considering stopping by his place too, but he was still a little undecided because if he did, their conversation would be even more subdued than usual. Talking to this guy is already tricky enough with his voice.

He nods his head with a sheepish grin, then taps at his throat and shrugs in a helpless manner. Is that a clear enough message, or will he need to open up his notepad?]

[aqueousliving]

[The odd silence is noted, but Haruka doesn't really understand the gesture, his confusion hidden behind his flat expression. A pause, before his gaze briefly flicks toward the kitchen.]

What do you want for dinner?

[It's not a question he often asks Jean or Marco.]

[reviling]

[Levi opens the door when there's a knock, and his chin tilting up slightly is the only indication of surprise at the visitor. His eyes cast over Marco's form - wings still in tact, no body parts missing, no obvious wounds. His expression darkens some, because he doesn't like unexplained events, and Marco randomly disappearing and reappearing in a place he's still coming to understand doesn't sit well with him at all.]

Where the hell have you been?

[he doesn't really wait for an answer before opening the door wider and gesturing Marco inside impatiently.]

You look like shit.

casually turns every visit to their apartment into a three person thread

[corps]

[ Where's he been? Dead or being experimented on. Didn't they have this discussion, Levi?

In any case, Erwin is there as well, standing a few paces behind Levi rather than sitting at the table today, having gotten up at the surprise knock. He's both perplexed and concerned, and he lets a little of both show in his expression as Marco enters. ]

It's good to see you back, Marco. How are you feeling?

[ Levi's right. He looks terrible. ]

[thebetterhalf]

[The moment Levi opens the door, Marco springs into a salute. It's a little tricky with the way he needs to clench his notepad between his elbow and his side, but he manages. His expression is a serious deadpan, up until Levi's remarks. Then his face contorts into a bit of a dismayed frown. Not being able to provide vocal answers sure isn't helping any.

Once he's stepped inside the apartment, he gives Erwin a quick salute as well, before tapping his fingers against his throat. He hopes that'll already give the two commanding officers a hint as to what's going on, but just to be safe, he moves right on to opening his notepad. He already wrote a message down before he left his own apartment to save time.]

"I apologize for being unable to speak. It seems there's something wrong with my vocal chords. Other than that, I feel fine. I had a good night's sleep and that did a lot of good. I'm afraid I don't remember what happened."

not late

[sketchingideals]

[Jeb is at the clothing store looking for new hoodies. This is Jeb Parmalee we're talking about. The kid dresses in such a way that would make someone think that his motto was "you can never have too many hoodies."

He'll be bumping into Marco--most likely literally. Either way, he'll look up and sputter, because he's not sure what to say. He remembers Marco from when they... well, kissed. Before this, the only person in Luceti that he had kissed so passionately was Mithos. Honestly, he wishes he hadn't kissed anyone in Luceti passionately at all. None of them are Tori, and it makes him feel bad.

He gives Marco a very, very weak smile regardless.]