psychedelica

[i read that as spudgy first and died

HI THOUGH FRIEND!! Souji definitely isn't looking any better after sitting outside in the cold all day, even though people donated clothing to him. In fact, he's still wearing Fane's gloves and Yasusada's scarf and haori. He'll offer a smile, though! It's a little wan.]

I'd be surprised if anyone could sleep quickly after today. [He's immune to bloodshed, but all this emotional tomfoolery makes him Tired.]

I was just going to get myself some hot water, though. I'll be fine after I have a drink.

[ it's him... spudgy occitane...

he stares at Souji for a few moments, and it's clear the gears in his head are turning - and that he doesn't quite believe him. ]

... I remember now. Souji Okita... he was famously ill. [ a pause. ] You're not really going to be fine, are you?

[FAMOUSLY ILL. Hikage is the first to break it to him honestly, everyone else has just been like "AH YES A SAMURAI" and also "I didn't know you had a pig".

It's not like he's under any delusion that he's going to survive his illness, of course... But hearing it like that does cause a little stutter-step in his emotions that briefly shows on his face.]

—Well, if the chill keeps up like this, I might end up having to live under ten blankets.

[Even with the attempted gentle jest, his smile is still just a little stiff and tired. HE'S NOT GONNA BE FINE AT ALL.]

[ WHOOPS... sorry for being the bearer of bad news, Souji. Worse, Hikage is not the man to go to for comfort in times like these, so he doesn't offer much more than a concerned gaze and a furrowed brow. ]

Do you have any medicine? Or... maybe you could talk to one of the healers.

[That works just fine for him because SOUJI HATES PITY and sometimes takes comfort as that... This is more than enough. At the question, he just shakes his head.]

I don't have any with me, but I'll see if anyone else has anything.

[Otherwise he's just gonna live on hot water and rice porridge until at least his cold goes away.]

[ no pity here, only distant, manly concern!! ]

You should talk to our hosts, too.

[ because he doubts they'd want one of their players to die in the middle of the game. but Hikage at least has the tact not to say that out loud. For some reason, he's more sensitive about this - the sickness - than he normally would be. ]

[If only they could reach the level of Waver and Sousei...]

Do you think so? I'm a little hesitant about it.

[He does not TRUST EITHER OF THEM or any possible help they could offer.]

[ impossible... nobody can be that distant and manly... ]

... I don't blame you for that. They're pretty unpredictable. There's no saying if they'd help you or hurt you.

[ a sigh. ]

Sorry. I don't know a lot about medicine or anything.

[i can't believe they took all the distant manliness out of this castle and hogged it for themselves]

It's an option for another time, maybe... [If his condition continues to worsen, he'd consider taking a few more risks.]

It's fine. To be honest, I don't know much about it, either. [HE TAKES ISHIDA SANYAKU??] ...Well, outside of the fact that it's all very bitter.

[And doesn't seem to help.]

...

[ he stares at Souji for a few seconds. Really, he should just say "yeah, good luck" and be on his merry way, but for some reason, that feels like the wrong thing to do. Sickness is an awful thing. ]

... Well, I can give you some tea. I just brewed it. It's only green tea, though.

[ do you want Hikage's special homemade tea full of love... it's very traditional-looking, actually. Someone has old-fashioned sensibilities. ]

[has he unlocked hikage's route yet!!!

But really, it's a kind offer, even if Souji feels that familiar stab. Even small things like this seem burdensome when they start stacking, and the last thing he ever wants to be is a burden. BUT STILL...]

--Is that alright? I'd like tea more than just hot water, but I didn't want to stay in the kitchen long enough to steep a proper cup.

[He'll take this special homemade tea full of love, especially if it's traditional-looking.]

[ sorry souji you'll have to be more annoying ]

It's fine. It's not like I can drink all of this myself, anyway.

[ he was going to give the other cup to Steph, but he picks it up now and holds it out to Souji. She'll live!! ]

[Tragically Hikage isn't Hijikata so he won't ever get the Full Annoying Souji Experience™.

Souji will reach forward to take the cup though, looking genuinely grateful.]

Thank you. [...] You've handled a lot of food and drinks for me, you know? You'll have to let me repay you once I'm feeling better.

[He's got to thank him for his space potato magic!!]

Oh... Yeah. I forgot about that.

[ it feels like they've been here forever; the day he baked THE souji okita a potato is like a distant memory. ]

Don't worry about it. It's just a good way to pass the time around here.

[HE'LL REMEMBER THAT POTATO FOREVER. Partially because it introduced him to the joys of baking with tin foil, which has made him 100x more efficient with his firepit cooking.]

We have quite a few people who enjoy cooking around here, it seems. ["And quite a few mom friends" is what should follow that statement honestly.]

--You have my thanks either way. I'll be able to sleep better now.

[ please never compare him to a mom, he'll be mortified. ]

There's not much else to do, other than talk to people. [ and he doesn't trust any of them, so. ] I'm not interested in practicing with weapons or trying to make clothes.

[When will Hikage embrace his inner mom friend!!!!

Souji just laughs at that though, because it's such a vaguely-stuffy-grandpa thing to say. Also who doesn't like sparring?? What a weirdo, gosh.]

You're in good company, at least. ...As long as you don't walk away with any of the kitchen equipment, anyway.

[Or Sanji would probably come for his life like he does with literally everyone.]

Don't be ridiculous. I always clean it and put it back exactly where I found it.

[ this is the most convincing piece of evidence anyone has brought forward to defend themselves yet. ]

If I left even a teaspoon out, someone would probably accuse me of killing someone with it.

[THAT IS THE WORST BUT ALSO TRUE??? BUT STILL THE WORST. Souji ends up losing his shit in any case, though the laugh fit tapers off into a tiny coughing fit (that he politely covers with the crook of his elbow, no TB here). Miraculously, he doesn't spill his tea, either.]

Ah, you're right about that! It's a good thing - Sanji seems to have the entire kitchen's stock memorized, so anything that's out of place would surely be noticed right away.

[ this is SERIOUS souji!! his frown only deepens, and he shakes his head when Souji starts to cough. ]

... He should find something better to do with his time. Although it did come in handy this week.

[LOOK, THIS IS HOW HE HANDLES SERIOUS THINGS.]

Exactly! And maybe it'll discourage people from trying to mess with things that we all use, if they know one of us is keeping a careful eye out.

sudgy

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