[h1][u]Ciara Ventura[/u][/h1]
[i][color=gray]Iris Record, Second Floor -> The Door -> Wingram Clinic[/color][/i]
[sub][@Nanaya][/sub]

[center][youtube]https://youtu.be/MaTQYFG_pb8?si=Y-MrqoxB4y6rkRtq[/youtube][/center]

[hr]

[quote=Otis][b]“I gave you a potion, which you drank.”[/b][/quote]

Ciara spluttered drunkenly as she was picked up like a wet kitten. [b]”B-but-”[/b]

[quote=Chunji]"Rest easy, Ventaura. Arillo did not lie. Opioids help ease pain by triggering the brain to release endorphins. Although you received a higher dosage compared to mine or Kyrios's, you should save your grievances for tomorrow. Now is not the time to fight, [i]again.[/i]”[/quote]

Opioids… Opioids. The name bounced around in Ciara's mile-wide head, but it only brought up visions of doctors in crisp clothing and wide, sterile smiles. 

Before the world swayed as Otis stepped through the door a beat after Chunji. Within, Ciara found her eyes drawn up. The stars caught her head, floating as it was like a balloon, and cradled it. She felt as if she were on a boat, swaying serenely with every step Otis took, a mote among infinity. 

Chunji… Chunji said something about the drugs being opioids. She didn't quite know what that meant, but. But she wasn't left behind. Otis could have left her behind, alone in the ivory tower, leave her to the screams. But he picked her up, and carried her through the nebula of stars. Surely, that meant, on some level, he cared?

Chunji's words were reassuring. Reassuring enough that Ciara stopped fighting the ride she was on, fighting the euphoria that threatened to split her mind, and instead… leaned back, and let the stars embrace her. It seemed he too, was not adverse to her breathing, to her living, free of the screams. Perhaps he too, was like Otis.

A blanket fluttered over Ciara's face, blocking her view of the stars. But that was alright, they lived within her now. The blanket had a warming effect, doubling the euphoria curling through her insides. Everything was soft and fuzzy, and with Otis’ measured footfalls, there was a lull, a serenity, a blanket of safety as her mind wheeled and whirred somewhere high up in the sky.

Yes.

Yes, perhaps she could talk with them. Negotiate. With the screams, that was. When they stopped screaming, when they found her, perhaps she could convince them that she was worth it.

Otis and Chunji seemed to believe so. And Iraleth had the opportunity to exact revenge, but… perhaps… she believed so too.

Shapes of light moved against the blanket as Ciara drifted through the air. She had no desire to move the blanket. Couldn't, anyway. 

[quote=Otis]“My friends were attacked by the Umbralist in the tower. First aid was done, but one of them needs more medical attention, and the others need a room to rest in. Which rooms are open?”[/quote]

[quote=Chunji]"What my classmate said is true, and the one in my arms needs urgent care. It would be prudent to take him off my arms as I will soon collapse from hypovolemic shock, approximately in one minute, after losing at least 25% of my blood from today's events."[/quote]

Ciara stirred limply under the blanket, trying desperately to listen to the conversation. But the blanket was too soft and fuzzy, and her head too light and disembodied. Scraps of conversation floated around her head, while most of it sailed away to the skies, far away from her. Far away from her properly grasping it and embedding it within her short term memory. Far away, within midnight stars.

So she hung there serenely over Otis's shoulders, and let the stars wash over her.