Recovery

[itbelongsinamuseum]

[After the battle, Alex was taken to a hospital near Sakihama to get her treatment as quickly as possible after returning from Arabia. It's been a long time, but they're finally opening for people other than close family to visit her. She's in a pretty ordinary hotel room, complete with a vase with some cut flowers and mysterious, but important looking tubing. She's not looking good, still lacking hair, but a lot better than she did last anybody from Unity Group saw her as she sits in bed. Seeing you enter, she raises one hand to weakly wave, showing the burned skin on it.]

Hi.

Comments

[star_of_sad]

Hello Alex.

[The atmosphere becomes a little more awkward as Setsuko moves into the room. Still, the relief on her face is clearly visible.]

Everyone was so worried... we really thought we lost you there.

You have no idea how happy I am that we can still talk like this.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

It's good to see you. Even with the pain and the time sedated, it gets pretty boring sitting here alone.

I didn't realize that I'd actually lived until I came to...But, well, I did and Enlil is apparently gone, so I guess it worked out.

[star_of_sad]

Yes. Somehow, it worked out... but please warn us the next time.

[Setsuko forces a smile. The concern behind it is real though.]

Alone... but your father was here, right? I should be glad I missed him, I assume he wouldn't have nice things to say to me after I told him Unity Group takes good care of you. And then you become the epicenter of a nuclear explosion.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Both him and my mom were here. They're staying in a hotel nearby, but they can't sit next to me all the time, so there's been a lot of time alone as well. But, yeah, it'd probably be pretty awkward if you ran into them...Even if they understand.

[star_of_sad]

Do they? That's good... it's a lot to take in, all at once...

It's not just Enlil who died out there. Enki really is gone now, isn't he?

[itbelongsinamuseum]

I think so. At least they told me I was found naked in the sand after the blast. I hope he'd be okay knowing this was how it ended.

[star_of_sad]

I think he knew exactly what he was getting into, before it all started even. That chapter is over and the outcome was the best possible.

Now, all that is left is for you to get better, Alex. Everyone would love to see you out of this bed, I'm sure.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

He probably would. It still feels sad that he's gone. Even as just a thing, he was something ancient and wondrous.

And I'm trying. I have healing to do and training after long bed rest. And...

[star_of_sad]

Yes, it does.

[Setsuko nods slightly.]

It's not only how he was an ancient, unique being. Enki was an ally. And losing allies always hurts.

And...?

[itbelongsinamuseum]

I lost a leg beneath the knee. I'll need to be fitted for a prosthetic and get used to walking on it. At least between my service and dad's money, I'll get the best there is.

[star_of_sad]

Oh yes, that...

[Setsuko looks down. She was relieved that the worst is in the past now, but...]

I'm sorry Alex. I'm so sorry. You had to lose so much to get where you are now. Even knowing I wouldn't die, but knowing what I'd have to go through... I'm not sure if I'd have the strength to go on with it, like you did.

Enki chose a good champion, but also hurt her so much by doing so...

[itbelongsinamuseum]

What choice do I have?...I never really got one in all this, other than trying to handle it as well as possible, did I.

I imagine that once I'm no longer sedated half the time, but still in here, it'll all going to really sink in.

[star_of_sad]

That's true, but... well. You will have a choice now. And if you decide not to want anything to do with this anymore, I won't blame you. No one should.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Yeah. I think I can say I served my time if I leave. And I've got plenty of time to think about what to do.

[There's a brief pause, with her shoulders sagging a bit as the fatigue shines through.] But thanks for saying it out loud, like that.

[star_of_sad]

It's both the truth, and the least I can do now. That, and making sure to visit often.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Thank you. Some company will definitely make it easier.

[star_of_sad]

There must be something you can do even while I'm not here. Well... that's something to worry about for later.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

There's the tv and I got some books here.

[star_of_sad]

That's true... though I suppose, getting any of those to work is hard when you're drugged or unconscious most of the time. Hopefully that part of your recovery is gone, now.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Not too much. Thankfully, the first couple of days after I woke up are pretty blurry.