soreplaceable | 006 ~ [Action] | Forward-dated to the 15th

[Over the past few weeks, Ion had become used to going outside amongst the trees behind House 1 and reading beneath the shade. Lately, the weather hadn't been too nice, so he remained indoors. He had hoped it would have just remained overcast, rather than turn into a full-blown storm! But today the weather had changed, and it was sunny once more. A perfect day to go out around the village!

Although something was a bit off about Ion today. For starters, this was his third day without sleep. He'd been staying in his room at night to avoid worrying anyone, but... well, what was there to worry about? He felt fine, totally refreshed, and so far he'd been keeping himself occupied by reading his books every night with the light on. Although he was a little curious about how he hadn't run out of books yet. Hadn't he read this one already? He thought he did, but he couldn't seem to recall anything about it! And so he spent the last few days rereading the same book for the first time over and over again.

Right now, the little Fon Master is heading towards the library in order to find a new book. That is, he was, until he noticed hey! He never got around to reading this, did he?

...did he?

Now feeling rather confused, Ion stopped and sat on the edge of the fountain for a moment, hoping to straighten out his thoughts.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ah, I suppose I am. I haven't been sleeping very well lately... [Now there's an understatement.] It's made me a bit more scatterbrained than usual.

What's been keeping you awake, if I may ask?

[she has trouble sleeping herself sometimes, and wonders if he might be having nightmares. Also her left hand is having the worst week of its life and is probably visibly bandaged right now, if Ion wants other things to focus on.]

Nothing in particular, really. It's strange, but I just haven't felt tired at all. Maybe a little forgetful, but...

[And a distraction is just what he's going for, lest Nephry worry needlessly over what Ion believes to be nothing.] ...Nephry, is there something wrong with your hand?

[makes a halfhearted fist with it when she realizes what he's looking at]

It's...more of a precaution, at this point. I've had a bit of a rough few days too. Has anything else been strange for you?

[He's about to unintentionally answer that question. He looks at the fist with a puzzles expression.] A precaution? But... what is that on your hand?

[Bandages? All he sees are strange strips of cloth wrapped on there for no reason at all!]

[What? Opening her hand, she looks at it, front and back, but doesn't see anything unusual.]

All I see are the bandages.

[He's totally serious as he looks at her hand and then back up at Nephry.]

...what's a "bandage"?

[...what?]

Are you...sure you feel all right?

[As soon as the words left his mouth, he seemed to regret the question. It seemed an odd thing to ask, but... he honestly didn't know what it was!]

I'm fine, I... [He shook his head.] I'm sorry, that was a strange thing to say, wasn't it?

[sitting down across from him now with a serious, but calm, face]

Do you really not know what bandages are? [this expression demands the truth]

[He looked up at her for a moment before looking down and shaking his head.] I don't. I...

[This was no time for beating around the bush. He looks back up, expression equally serious.]

I haven't slept at all for three days.

Three days? ...No wonder you're distracted. You should be exhausted.

That's the thing. I haven't slept because I just haven't felt tired. I've tried to, but I just get bored from laying there and wind up reading all night.

It seems to be making you quite forgetful. ...Has anything else strange happened?

Yes, but it's hard to say for sure. I know I've been forgetful, and I haven't been sleeping... [There's been a lot more forgetting things, but most are understandably embarrassing.]

Yesterday, the weather. I couldn't remember what those loud crashes were. No one else was panicking, so I didn't say anything when I heard them. And my book... [He glances across the table, where the same book he'd been rereading this whole week was sitting.] I'm certain I only checked out one, but I've been reading every night for hours and I don't remember finishing it.

I don't know a lot about what not sleeping for three days will do to someone. But it seems reasonable that you might forget a few things. ...Being awake and not tired is...more worrisome.

[there's something nagging in the back of her mind. Something she heard recently, about if people you knew got into strange situations...]

It... never even occurred to me that there was anything wrong with being awake all this time. Really, aside from forgetting things, I feel fine. I almost feel better than I usually do.

Still...this seems serious.

Do you think it could be the Malnosso's doing?

They've been making us see things that aren't there...but I can't remember hearing of anyone else who can't sleep.

[That's concerning. Very concerning. And his worry is evident on his face.]

I didn't think it was this bad the first night I was awake... what if it's been getting worse? I... [He didn't want to start forgetting his friends. That would be too much.]

[fortunately for you, Ion, Nephry is a master of the reassuring smile, even when things are serious]

I think I know someone I can talk to about this, with your permission. Other strange things have been happening here, and he might have an answer.

[He nods slowly.] Of course. Anyone who might know something... I'd really appreciate it.

[He managed a small, weak smile in return.] Thank you, Nephry.

[she gets up, to go to her journal and see if she can reach that man...but first she puts a hand briefly on Ion's shoulder]

Don't worry. If nothing else, Anise will never let you forget her.

Yes... you're right. [As long as he wasn't alone, he couldn't possibly forget everyone, right...? Right.]

[action]

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