Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=94683&page=103#1030 Author: Mystiria827 Time Posted: 12/28/2020 at 1:15 PM "Sure?" Rin says nervously, walking over to her.

Shiawase turns Kanashimi/Hitari's head towards you. "Ow," they mutter. "What are you doing?"

"Look at his eyes," Shiawase whispers.

At first glance, they look completely normal - still the same amber hue as the first day you met Hitari. But, as you continue looking, you notice something on the edge of their eyes - their veins, which are normally supposed to be pinkish-red, are black, like ink dripped into a vial of water.

Rin takes a sharp breath inward. "Oh God, that can't be good. Is his blood turning....."

Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=94683&page=104#1032 Author: Mystiria827 Time Posted: 12/28/2020 at 1:32 PM Rin takes a sharp breath inward. "Oh God, that can't be good. Is his blood turning....."

"Yeah, that seems like a good conclusion," Shiawase whispers. "But it's. . .there's something seeping. . .I don't. . ." She flails for words. "Something is very wrong."

Kanashimi/Hitari looks back and forth between you two, oblivious. "Uh, this is getting kind of. . .uncomfortable - _{please let go of me}. . ." They try to tug free, but Shiawase's grip is strong. "_Shiawase - "

"What do we do?" Rin whispers urgently. "This is NOT good...."

Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=94683&page=104#1034 Author: Mystiria827 Time Posted: 12/28/2020 at 1:39 PM "What do we do?" Rin whispers urgently. "This is NOT good...."

"Now I really don't know," Shiawase murmurs. ". . .this isn't something Itami can do, especially since we're in here. I'm not sure if I want to bring them out anymore." She lets go of Kanashimi/Hitari. "Do you feel alright?" she asks urgently.

They rub their head. "_{Nothing feels} - I feel fine, just sore," they mutter. "Are you going to say what's wrong or do I need to find out myself?"

Shiawase shakes her head and puts on a fake smile. "No - nothing's wrong, I think I just imagined something. . ." As she talks, she slowly walks around Kanashimi/Hitari (who is staring at the floor again) until she's directly behind them.

She looks up at you and nods very subtly. Quietly, she picks up a wooden rod from the broken remains of a chair. "Sorry, this is probably going to hurt a little, Hitari," she whispers.

They start turning around. "What - "

Shiawase hits him bluntly with the end of the rod - they crumple to the ground, knocked unconscious. "Oh, I - I hope I didn't hit him too hard - "

Rin examines Hitari. "No, he'll be fine from what I can see. I'd give him... maybe 30 minutes before he comes back to his senses?"

Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=94683&page=104#1036 Author: Mystiria827 Time Posted: 12/28/2020 at 1:49 PM Rin examines Hitari. "No, he'll be fine from what I can see. I'd give him... maybe 30 minutes before he comes back to his senses?"

Shiawase sighs in relief. "Oh, thanks goodness. . .believe or not, but I. . .don't knock people out on a daily basis. No one really wishes for that." She glances down at Kanashimi/Hitari, who is lying on the ground motionless - which is good. Unconscious people don't move.

Ugghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I'm so boooooooooored. . . Itami mutters outside.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Hitari opens his eyes to pure darkness. Sitting up, he winces - his head hurts a lot. "Kanashimi?" he calls out.

Don't bother calling out, a voice whispers to him. I have isolated both of you.

Rin sighs. Itami is being far from helpful right now.

Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=94683&page=104#1038 Author: Mystiria827 Time Posted: 12/28/2020 at 2:12 PM Rin sighs. Itami is being far from helpful right now.

At least he's updating you on how he's doing. Constantly.

"Maybe we should go out," Shiawase says. "Kanashimi - Hitari - uh, they're unconscious, so Itami shouldn't be able to do much. . ."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Hitari stands and dusts himself off, glancing around as he does so - it's so dark he can't tell the difference when he has his eyes shut or open.

"What is it this time?" Hitari mutters. "Did you find something?"

In a way, yes. But it more concerns nature and balance than anyone.

"If it concerns balance, it concerns a certain someone."

Rin shrugs. "Whatever you think. Maybe he'll shut himself up, if nothing else."