#this is somehow worse bc chiyo's not really fine and would rather deal with that later than cause gaia any more stress

[tvrningout]

“  who  did  this  to  you  ?!  ” for chiyo, maybe after caspian's visit :)c

send " who did this to you? " to find my muse injured | @vonerde finds chiyo!

when gaia walks into her bathroom, chiyo is clumsily dabbing salve onto a cut just beneath her eye. her hands won't stop shaking -- a side effect of the adrenaline leaving her system and the knowledge that she got snarky with someone who could have killed her. and she was ready for it. if that had been her fate tonight, chiyo would have faced it with every bit of defiance and spirit she could muster. she meets gaia's eyes, feels the tension begin to ease.

( funny how you can be ready to die for someone yet cower at the thought of uttering why. how long will you continue to willfully choke on this silence? )

" i'm okay, i promise! " chiyo smiles at gaia through her mirror. she looks worse for wear, she knows. a bruise is just beginning to blossom on the right side of her jaw, and she's sure more will form along her arms given enough time. a few cuts are scattered along her skin, too; still, it's not all that bad. she's alright. chiyo looks down at her trembling hands and sets the salve down, lays her palms against the counter.

she's alright, but meeting caspian wasn't pleasant. she still wishes she'd turn around and hug gaia, find comfort in her friend's embrace. but she can't. she's weak enough as it is, is cause for concern as it is, even more so after tonight, she's sure. so chiyo turns around, leaning back against the counter and putting on a familiar mask. everything's fine. i'm alright. you don't need to worry.

" i didn't tell you over the phone 'cause i was worried y'might freak out. like i said, i'm alright even if i look kinda rough. but, uh, " chiyo pauses, unsure of how to say it other than just saying it. her eyes stray elsewhere to escape gaia's gaze.

" i met caspian. "