frost_jewel | 20. [mostly action]

20. [mostly action]

[Mia has been through a lot recently. The invasion wasn't so terrible, but its aftermath and the information surrounding it dealt a blow she still hasn't been able to face properly. Then, some of her dearest people went on a mission that continues to tear them apart inside - and may do a similar thing to all of them in due time, depending on what happens as a result. Then she became, briefly, herself but a few years younger, which might sound like a reprieve but was really just a way of delaying the inevitable backlash. Mia knows better than to think that that might be the 'punishment' coming to them after aiding in the implementation of a shift explosive.

In all that time, the way she interacts with people shifted, too. She is as friendly and welcoming as ever, but in some places more...distracted-seeming, perhaps, or carrying an air of professional civility instead of closeness. If anything, her tenure as pre-adventure Mia only reinforced her ability to stand at that distance.

Things haven't much calmed down, but she can't think of a time better than the present to take care of some things she's put off since the invasion happened. Shuffling them all around her work schedule means it happens at odd hours, but that's just how things have to be. She seeks out specific friends of hers, and stops by the plaza clinic to see who might be around. It isn't her usual routine, but she also goes to the cafe - though hardly a coffee drinker - for a change of pace. The gallery too.

Sometime in the afternoon, she finds a quiet corner to attempt to send a filtered message to Luceti's newest in-world resident, without knowing exactly how:]

Could we speak about a few things in person?

[It might work, it might not.

No matter how that turns out, as night falls she'll skip training, opting to visit the beach instead. To walk along the water with her bare feet in the sand and...hope that helps, somehow.]

[[ooc: Building walls with lego-bricks made of words, around here. Go nuts! Just not totally nuts.]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It's less that and more the situation has to be pretty odd if he can't find one of those other people first. Especially since two live right across the hall from him.]

I want to be tested for anemia.

[And he came...here. Mia looks around herself again as if unsure about his intentions.]

What is it that makes you think you might have that problem?

Lately when I get cuts, they bleed longer than they should.

[Hm.

The seats aren't arranged for her to sit down facing him like she wants to. Mia looks toward the hallway and then back at Shikamaru. It isn't quite in his nature to seek help in a public way. Among other concerning things.

She sits down beside him instead.]

Has anything else felt different recently?

[He thumbs the tip of his nose.] I've gotten a couple of nosebleeds in the last few weeks. But I assume you mean something else?

Well, it's...neither of those sound like anemia, unless you mean to say they're causing it.

Those are symptoms, aren't they?

Yes. [She should have let him keep going.] Are there others?

[Trying to do this without leading him is hard for her, though.]

[He's quiet; thinking about it. At first he wants to say no, but...]

...I get tired. [Okay, he knows where that's going and rolls his eyes.] Like worn out more than usual, even for me.

["I get tired" is one of the most common things to hear from...anyone. Any time of day, even after a 'how are you'.

He scores a point, though, because she almost smiles. He knew he needed to clarify it.]

Next you'll tell me you are short-tempered and cranky.

Huh? [He thinks on it.] I've been in a pretty good mood the last couple of days, actually.

[OBLIVIOUS TO YOUR JOKE HE WAS BORN IRRITABLE]

Then you must be sick. [It is impossible for her to really joke about someone's health, though.] Well, if nothing else we'll find out if it isn't that.

Thank you.

[He realizes that the chance is slim, he just wants it ruled out.]

Then you had better come with me.

[Nothing more than talk can happen in their little waiting area.]

M'am, yes m'am.

[Hands in his pockets, he stands to follow her.]

[Usually, Mia tries to talk to people she helps, because it makes them feel more comfortable. Either it's her mood or Shikamaru's nature, this time, because she keeps pretty quiet on the walk down the hall, let alone while she does as he requested.]

[She really is more quiet than usual. He decides not to ask just yet, while she's doing the tests. It could just be this is how she works. She wasn't his main practitioner the last time he was hurt. When she stepped in for Law or Ino, he was usually unconscious, so it's not like he a lot of reference to work with here.

So he waits until she gets back.]

Probably won't have results until tomorrow, right?

[That's just his guess ~~and how long it took for a person I know to get their blood test results~~.]

Probably. I'm not scheduled to be here tomorrow, but I can be, if you don't mind meeting at a later time. [It's hard for her to ignore the 'keep going' voice on regular days; today, it feels impossible.] Is there something else on your mind? I'm sorry I haven't been much for conversation.

Not really. You can get the results to me whenever's convenient for you, too.

[If she sends a message, he'll find a way to be around.]

[She spends a long moment in silence, considering the things he isn't saying. That he would come here, away from most of the people he knew best, and ask for a specific problem and then...disregard the answer before he knew what it was, in a way. To lose the importance of the results.]

Is there anything else you want to talk about, Shikamaru?

Nothing that interesting is going on with me, sorry to say. [He smirks widely, as if finding amusement in his own assessment on things.]

[It fades a moment later, his expression turning serious once again.]

You just looked like you're having a bad day. I didn't want to trouble you further than I have.

[Does she look it? Sheepish and turning pink, Mia shakes her head once.]

Maybe I am, a little bit, but you're not any more trouble than usual. It isn't- because of you. Except the part where I'm worried.

[Than usual. HA.]

Anything I can do to make it easier? I won't be such a jerk of a patient this time, promise.

[That's an offer for more beyond that too, but he leaves it vague so as to not overstep any lines.]

Asking you to tell me that all the terrible things I've heard in the past few weeks are lies...that's too far from possible, right?

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