16. [voiced]

[frost_jewel]

[It’s been a long few days since the Kin’corrans went “home”; Mia doesn’t remember most of them. Since the 31st she’s been, for the most part, sound asleep in the battledome clinic, trying to recover from…well, everything. Dealing with the fire didn’t help, leaving her spent and dehydrated and coughing. The time she’s spent awake, though, convinced her that things in the village were getting back to normal.

So her first mission of the day, after waking and sorting herself out, is to find something to do that will alleviate this boredom and, just perhaps, help make her case for just going home to lie about there instead.]

I know it has been very difficult and busy in the village just recently. Given the date, it will only stay busy. If it is at all possible, though, I would ask a small favor: would anyone be willing to bring a few books from the library to the battle dome clinic? I promise to return them at the first opportunity. …Once I’m done with them, that is.

While I am thinking about it…well, I would not mind a little company either. I want to hear that everyone is all right.

[Missing out on more than a day always leaves her too disoriented for her liking.]

[[ooc: We interrupt the delicious intro train to bring you If you work in the clinic and would like to have that argument about going home, step right up! She's a patient woman.]]

Comments

[frost_jewel]

Do you think so? I know there have been two instances where I have exhausted myself...and I don't think, under the circumstances, they were terribly irresponsible as much as they were...miscalculations.

[Here she folds her hands, to avoid fisting them.]

Xion, I was taught and trained not to exhaust myself. To know my own limits and do everything that I could within them, except in serious emergencies - and even then, depending on the situation. I like to think that I still know those limits. That I know when to rest and that I try to take my own advice about such things.

[There is a heavy weight labeled Duty that feels like it's pressing down on her heart, now. The kind that comes with failing it.]

Maybe I haven't learned as well as I thought.

[fourteen]

... sometimes it's hard, though. Isn't it? To take your own advice... you want to help other people and make them rest, but you feel like... you should keep going, sometimes. [ General "you," here. Xion, too, is looking down, thoughtful. But after a moment she raises her gaze to Mia. She can see how hard the other girl is taking this. ]

... you work really hard, Mia. I don't know if it's too much or not. I think you're right; only you can know that. But... maybe it would help to stop a little more often. Not stop helping, just... stop and make sure it's okay for you to keep going. I know what it's like to get caught up in wanting to help.

[frost_jewel]

[One of the reasons she is having such a hard time is that she knows she doesn't do this to herself. The time before this, it came about as the result of the draft in space, and the serious strain of the environment and the battle; this time, it happened in part because of the physical effects of helping put out a fire.

In the clinic, or even in her previous drafts, this hasn't happened before. Has it? Of course she takes her responsibilities seriously.

And yet. Xion is not the first person today to give her a talk of sorts about pushing herself. She can't forget that, even as she has trouble comprehending what exactly it is she might need to change. Her own voice in her head tells her that she goes home for dinner unless they're shorthanded or very full, she takes breaks, she tries not to do too much if she feels tired-

Do the words mean anything if she is the one using them to comfort herself? Mia closes her eyes for a long moment; when they open again, she manages a tired smile.]

Of course. Thank you, Xion. I apologize for worrying you.

[fourteen]

[ From the outside, it very much does seem like Mia is an extremely hard worker. Perhaps too much of one. It's hard for anyone but the closest of people, or perhaps just herself, to see the care she takes not to burn out. Most others are just going to see the work, and its effect.... that's what Xion sees, anyway. And she's concerned about her friend, who was there for her with good advice when she was working herself too hard.

Anyway, that gets her to shake her head. ]

Don't apologize! It's just ... you've been there for me so much. I want to be there for you, too.

[frost_jewel]

[Granted, it takes her longer to burn out because of the mechanics of Psynergy; she can marathon, so to speak, as long as she doesn't sprint the whole time.

And Xion is only trying to be helpful. Mia knows it.]

That's very kind of you.

[fourteen]

[ She shakes her head. ]

No, that's just what friends are for! Are you sure I can't get you anything? Even a different book?

[frost_jewel]

Would it be a terrible imposition if I asked you to get me something to drink other than water?

[fourteen]

No! Of course not. What would you like?

[frost_jewel]

I don't think there is much other than juice here, and perhaps tea. [Other things tend to not want to stay in your stomach if you're sick.] I'm not picky, though. Anything is fine.

[fourteen]

I'll make us some tea! Just give me a few minutes, okay?

[ She'll trot out of the room, temporarily leaving Mia to her thoughts. ]

[frost_jewel]

[They aren't very happy thoughts, right now. She's thinking hard about what it means to be responsible and whether or not she's been a good healer after all.

By the time Xion comes back, she's looking through her small stash of books instead.]

[fourteen]

[ She comes back bearing a small try, laden with a tea pot, two mugs, and whatever sugar she could scrounge up. As she brings the tray over, she glances at those books. ]

What sort of books do you have there, Mia?

[frost_jewel]

Leonhardt brought a story and a play, Adell picked novels, I think, Norma chose an adventure book...and Tsuzuki brought an apple pie instead.

[Which is not a book but was equally delicious.]

There might be some left, if you want a piece. [That tea. By the way. Smells heavenly.]

[fourteen]

... a pie? [ That wins a small laugh. ] That's nice too. But I'm okay!

[ She sets the tray down wherever she can find room and pours a cup for Mia, handing it to the other girl. ]

You know, I don't think I've ever read a play...

[frost_jewel]

[It takes her a moment to respond; she's too busy sipping the tea with a contented sigh.]

I have never seen one. I've read a few, while living here, though. Some use language that I find hard to follow.