siryms_echo | 005 - Fifth Bell [Action/Video]

[Anodrac's video feed starts abruptly; the book is thrown against a tree, opening just enough to catch the winged woman crumpling to her knees, hands clamped over her large ears. Underneath the disheveled locks of hair hanging over her face is an expression of unbearable pain, tears streaming from the corners of her clenched-shut eyes.]

It hurts. It hurts, it hurts, it hurts...

[Her voice seems even softer than usual, so much so that the journal barely picks it up. To Anodrac, however, her own voice is unbearably loud; everything seems so much louder than before, even the barely-audible rustling of the wind through the trees. Her ears are picking up every sound around her now, overloading her senses to the point of painful disorientation.]

Make it stop. Make it stop...

[Her pleading eventually stops, and she makes her way over to the journal. Reaching out pitifully, she closes it, cutting off the feed.]

[Quite some time later, she has finally made herself out of the woods, and is one of the roads on her way home -- more specifically, she's just managed to pass house 55. At times she's walking, albeit slowly and unsteadily; other times, she's collapsed onto her knees again, trying to keep her head from exploding with pain.]

((OOC: As a side effect of the Mallynapping, Anodrac's got hyper-sensitive hearing, even for her own species. So, for those that would encounter her on her agonizing trek home, it might not be too noticeable at first...))

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...As long as we can find these earplugs relatively quickly, I should be... all right.

[She sounds a little nervous, but... the thought of imminent, head-splitting pain does that to people. But, regardless, she's being as strong as she can.]

[Honestly, if Robert was expecting imminent head-splitting pain he'd probably be outright terrified, so Anodrac is doing ridiculously well in comparison.

Robert carefully leads the batlike woman around the store, and as quickly as possible ferries her inside the door. The noise inside is significantly more prevalent, even if it's mostly people chatting ~~and maybe store music?~~, and Robert imagines that, to Anodrac's current state, it must be deafeningly painful.

Still, he's reluctant to run and have her lose whatever balance remains. But Anodrac might notice him definitely shifting to prop her up as they make a beeline for the medical supply aisle.]

[Anodrac's reaction upon entering the store is not unlike someone staggering back after being hit. Her free hand moves to her forehead, her expression faltering.]

[Tears come to her eyes, and she blinks them away resolutely; it's only a little bit longer, she keeps telling herself. Just a little bit longer...]

[She slowly untangles her hand from his, and rests her arm over his shoulders, if he'll allow it, so that she can walk alongside him without the risk of falling over.]

[That reaction of pain is definitely not lost on Robert; he tries his best to help Anodrac stand as she recoils, and quietly bears the extra weight on his shoulders as much as his frail little body can manage. Luckily Anodrac probably isn't too heavy or they'd likely both be on the ground.

Ear plugs... ear plugs... all Robert can think is that there better be some that fit Anodrac's ears. Because he can't even imagine what it would be like to ride out this effect without them...]

[If her expression of gut-wrenching agony enough to convey how bad this is, her unsteady steps probably are; she's finding it increasingly harder to keep herself steady, despite her efforts.]

Please tell me... it isn't much farther...

[Because, if this keeps up, she's going to end up on the floor.]

[This is almost unfair. Robert hates seeing Anodrac suffer like this. It's bad enough that the Malnosso had to torture her awhile; it's worse that it's continuing even now.

Finally, luck decides to smile upon them and he notices moldable ear plugs in the aisle. With some difficulty he grabs the container of them and offers it to Anodrac.]

See if these help...

[They should be flexible enough to block out at least some of the sound without hurting Anodrac's ears...]

[The earplugs look... a bit like gumdrops. But they felt sturdy enough... She fiddles with one for a moment, before slipping the pair into her ears -- carefully, of course, and with a hopeful expression on her face..]

...

[The change in her expression is almost immediate. A loud, relieved sigh leaves her lips, and she smiles widely.]

That feels... much, much better.

Thank you, Robert. [She'd hug him, but... Well, she's not sure how he stands with that...]

[... Honestly, he probably wouldn't mind. But he can't tell that she wants to hug him - he's just happy that everything went okay.]

... You are... most welcome. I am only g-glad that I could assist.

[And he smiles a little shyly.]

[...why not. HAVE A HUG, ROBERT.]

I'm glad I have a friend like you.

[Annnnd now she draws back, still grinning delightedly.]

[... Oh. A hug. Robert never knows what to do with these things when people give them when he's not super-close.

... Hope you don't mind an extremely awkward hug attempt, Anodrac. Kind of... stiff; a little mechanical almost. But it's clear that he's trying.]

... I... a-am likewise glad...

[It's the try that counts. So, she'll smile at his attempt and nod slightly.]

So... I suppose we should be heading home. I've kept you long enough as it is, haven't I?

Ah... well, it was all for a... g-good cause.

... I hope those help you... [Of course it will still be uncomfortable awhile, but it should severely reduce the impact.]

... Please take care, Anodrac.

I will. [Or, rather, she'll try. She needs to get used to the earplugs first.]

Perhaps another time, you can introduce me to your housemates.

And... don't hesitate to contact me if you just want to talk. I would... appreciate the company. [She smiles, before bowing and going on her way.]

005 - Fifth Bell [Action/Video]

[Action] | ... This is an awesome CR moment, too :3 Ano and Robert, BFFs /shot

[Action] | D'aw Robert wouldn't mind being her BFF ;w;

[Action] | ;w; Yay~

[Action] | <3 He needs more friends anyway LOL

[Action] | LOL, so does Ano. This works out perfectly :Db

[Action] | It totally does \o/

[Action] | \o/ ... So I ended up turning that picture into a small comic

[Action] | Okay that sounds adorable D:

[Action] | I KNOW RIGHT :D

[Action] | Baw now I need to see this

[Action] | Once I get it done I WILL SCAN IT. \o/

[Action] | approves of this forever

[Action] | does too