==Lude Begin== * Niri finds herself down at the infirmary later that night. It's getting somewhat late, darkness having fallen some time ago, and she's really not sure this is a good idea. Mikel is very likely asleep. She shrugs and steels herself, however. If he's asleep, she'll leave. If not...she'll try not to bolt out like a panicked deer. * Niri raps against the door to Mikel's room. >> A reply is rather quick in coming considering what time it is. "Yeah?" * Niri almost turns around and leaves, but taking a deep breath, she opens the door a crack and peers in. "It's me." * Mikel is actually on his feet to boot, standing at the window of the room looking out. He's fully dressed as well, hands in his jacket's pockets as he half turns to look back at the door. "Hey, Niri. Not calling it a night yet?" * Niri raises an eyebrow, entering and closing the door. "I could ask the same of you. What are you doing out of bed?" * Mikel shrugs. "I've been sleeping most of the time since we got back, really." Still. You don't want to push it. We've got a long way ahead of us and who knows when we'll next get a break. * Mikel snickers. "I already got yelled at by the doctors, don't worry. How are you doing?" I....better. Yeah, better. * Mikel raises an eyebrow, offering a bit of a grin. "Sorted things out some?" * Niri nods, not quite meeting his eyes. "Yes. Yes, I think so." And? Everything's okay now, so you can stop worrying about it. * Mikel gives Niri a look. ...What? Wasn't that the point, for me to figure things out? * Mikel shrugs. "I'm wondering what you came up with. Especially since you're just saying 'don't worry about it'." I...wouldn't have thought it would be important. I mean... * Mikel tilts his head. "And?" Well, it's not like it's all that big a deal, since I just...I mean... * Niri is about to say "It's nothing," but she blinks at Mikel, and then the lie dies on her lips. She stares at the ground. Niri? You mean you actually want to know? Well, yes. It had you scrambling for door and everything. * Niri shrugs, still staring at the floor. "...Least I know why it hurts now, I guess." * Mikel doesn't respond immediately, watching Niri for a few moments. * Niri shrugs. "Oh well. I'm sure I'll get over it. Not like we don't have more important things to worry about, after all." She turns toward the door. "Sorry I brought it up...I didn't mean to cause you any trouble with this. Never have been too good about watching what I say." * Mikel lets out a sigh, shaking his head. "You sure? If it's enough to make you worry.." Well. Maybe, but I'm just going to have to deal, aren't I? *She smiles weakly.* * Mikel frowns, not looking convinced. "Maybe, but you don't have to keep it bottled up." * Niri gives him a wry look. "I'm pretty sure killing Zophar takes precedence over my emotional well-being, though." You /know/ what I'm going to say about that, right? Probably, and it'd be kind of a silly thing to say. *She continues to smile slightly.* It's not like any of this really matters until we kill him, really. If then. * Mikel mutters. "Maybe from the cold logical point of view, but I still think that's a load of crap." Maybe, but I'm also imagining what Ryllan and Tanan would say about this, too. Not that I'm going to tell them anything about this. But... First things first, kill Zophar, then worry about other matters. * Mikel sighs. "Okay. Seriously, what is it? You sound like you're just going to switch everything off until Zophar bites the dust." * Niri blinks at him. "I...no, that's not it." There's just no reason to agonize endlessly over something I can't change. Besides...who's to say any of us will survive all this? If that's so, I'd rather not spend my last days wallowing in misery. * Mikel opens his mouth as if to say something, then shuts it again. He gives a couple "You're kind of sounding like me before you called me out on it, you know. What /is/ it?" * Niri tilts her head, giving Mikel a confused look. Finally she just sighs, and smiles a bit weakly. "Mikel, I care about you, and that's why I'm not going to burden you with this any more than I already have, or make you feel responsible for my feelings. Just know that I'm grateful for your friendship, at least. I think I'm going to go outside for a while..." Maybe sit on the roof, get some fresh air. Thanks for listening, though. * Mikel ...blinks, working that over in his mind for a moment or two. Finally he manages a weak smile before heading back for where he was standing before, looking out the window. "R-right, then. Just... just remember I'm here for you if you need a hand or something, alright?" * Niri nods, smiling a bit...though there's something a little wrong with the smile, although she tries to make it bright. "Thanks, Mikel. Good night...and try to get some rest, anyway." She turns and heads out the door, her smile fading as soon as she is looking away from Mikel. You need it more, I think. 'night, Niri. * Niri waves without looking back, leaving the room and closing the door behind her. She stops for a moment, taking a deep breath and letting it out in a sigh as she lets her shoulders droop. With that she trudges down the hall, intent on finding a good roof to sit on and watch the stars for a bit. She knows she's unlikely to sleep much. * Mikel remains where he is, watching a few of the nightly going ons from the window and the skies above. ==Lude End!== Session Close: Mon Apr 28 00:31:00 2008