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Hearing a faint ringing, Kion lay perfectly still as his body felt impossibly heavy and cold. Unable to do anything else Kion's mind focused on the ever-growing ringing in the otherwise deafening silence around him. After a few moments, the ringing transformed into an all-consuming sound that broke into a flood of blinding white light as his eyelids managed to crack open despite their immense weight.

Over time, the blinding white dimmed into blurry images, and the ringing in his ears mellowed to a soft voice.

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Moring: Try not to move, just let yourself re-ac, reacc- *flustered utterance* get used to the world again. You were stung by a scorpion and brushed up against a bush with leaf resin that acts as a powerful sensory toxin that got into a fresh cut on your leg. I'm going to put some liquid in your mouth and hold your head up. Please try and let it sit under your tongue for a while then swallow.

```

Kion felt his head being lifted and did his best to follow the instructions. As the liquid sat beneath his tongue, he began to feel his body warm. By the third drink of liquid the warmth had faded into paralyzing pain, however by the fifth drink the pain had subsided to numb pulsations.

After the tenth and last, according to Moring, his vision cleared to the point that he could tell he was back in the Gathering. Perhaps in his room, though perhaps not, he couldn't quite tell.

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Moring: When you feel like you can speak, try and tell me what you remember.

```

After what felt like it could have been hours, the numbing sensations around his body lessened to the point where he felt able to speak. At first he was unable to produce anything more than a faint whisper, but as he slowly recounted how he had pushed Chyla out of the way of a scorpion which had also resulted in him scraping his leg, his voice had climbed to a near normal volume.

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Moring: Why didn't you tell anyone that you were stung by the scorpion?

Kion: It wasn't a dangerous type... I didn't feel it was necessary.

Moring: How did you know it wasn't dangerous?

Kion: The color and the shape of it's stinger.

Moring: Have you ever been stung by one before?

Kion: No.

Moring: Then you didn't know it wasn't dangerous.

Kion: I don't understand.

Moring: Everyone's body can react differently. Even if something isn't known to be very toxic, like in this case, that doesn't mean it can't be to certain people. This is especially true when you mix toxins, as you never know for certain how they are going to react. Even the medicine I gave you could still kill you, though unlikely.

Kion: You sound much older than you look.

Moring: *scowl* To be honest, I'm just copying mother. I'm fairly certain I understand everything I'm telling you, but in truth, I'm simply paraphrasing her words.

Kion: Is there anyone else in the room? I can't quite tell if there's someone sitting in the corner or not.

Moring: No, we're alone. Unica is nearby in case something goes wrong, but she's confident that you'll be fine.

Kion: What about your friend?

Moring: She "should" be in the library studying, but I'm sure she's snooping around, or at least trying to. As for your friends, I'm not sure. Though Viv is just outside the door, she's been very insistent on staying near you, so she was placed in charge of watching over me.

Vivica: Speaking of me, can I come in yet?

Moring: I think, this is when Mother would allow it.

```

Kion watched a blurry image of Vivica make it's way from the door over to beside him.

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Kion: *worried* My vision will return to normal, correct?

Moring: Yes, by the end of tomorrow the toxins should have worked their way back out of your brain and any au-di-tory, and visual issues should go away. If they don't, you'll need to come into the village and see Mother.

Kion: I'm sorry for any trouble I may have caused you.

Moring: It's fine... this really isn't any different from a normal day for me, except for the fact I'm doing things myself instead of just watching mother. Of course Unica's helped me out along the way, so I haven't exactly been doing things myself. And it was Teran who actually figured out which bush you touched and the type of scorpion that stung you, and for that, you likely owe him your life. All I've truly done is my best impression of Mother.

Vivica: Which you've done marvelously. You've shown more grace and maturity than all of us trainees combined, and you're easily half our age.

Moring: *blushing* Thank you, but I have a long way to go. Copying someone and being confident in yourself are very different things.

Vivica: *awkward laughter* Ye~ah...

```

Kion watched as Vivica reached towards him and put her hand on his forehead.

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Vivica: How you feeling, any unusual pain?

Kion: I am unsure how to answer that.

Vivica: Be honest with me Ki-su, would you even tell us if you were in any strange pain?

Kion: *hesitant* I... I don't know how to answer that...

Vivica: Honestly, preferably. Though to be fair, it wouldn't exactly crush my feelings if you didn't trust me enough to be honest with me.

Kion: *hesitant* That's not it... I just don't like being a bother to people.

Moring: I know that feeling well. I feel like nothing I'm going through matters. As if any complaints I have in life are but minor trivialities compared to those around me.

Vivica: "Trivialities", seems like a rather intense word for someone your age.

Moring: *displeased stare*

Vivica: I-I didn't mean anything bad by it, it's just not a word I'd ever expect to hear from someone so young...

Moring: I think your comments annoy me most because I know my little sister is better spoken than I am. She is constantly trying to confuse me with strange words. She never has to sound things out, and I haven't heard her struggle to say a word since she was two.

Vivica: Sounds like a very strange girl.

Moring: Thank you. *pleased smile* It's nice to hear someone call her strange rather than simply praise her.

Kion: *hesitant* Do you not like your sister?

Moring: I love my sister... She can just be infuriating ... most of the time. She barely started co-schooling and yet she has already passed me in every subject. Nothing I ever do is good enough because she'll always find some way to do it better. Every day, she is praised, and I am scolded. I have little doubt when mother learns of today I'll be scolded.

Kion: *somber* I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get you in trouble.

Moring: Be apologetic for your actions, not the consequences that follow. If you feel distressed about the consequences then seek reconciliation.

Kion: How could I make it up to you.

Moring: *sinister smile* *coy* You could become my protector. *bashful smirk*

Vivica: A little over compensation, don't you think?

Moring: *glare*

Vivica: Teasing aside, to my knowledge Ankarok hasn't ever had a male protector. I'm not sure it's possible.

Kion: I'll consider it.

Vivica: You can't be serious.

Kion: I didn't agree to become her protector, just that I'll consider it. It's the least I can do for failing to protect her.

Vivica: That's kind of true, but it's not like she was ever in any danger. Teran and I were both watching her. You mainly failed to protect yourself.

Moring: If you like him so much, you could become my sister's protector. *childish smirk*

Vivica: *giggle* Now you're showing your age.

Moring: *raspberry*

Door: *knock-knock*

Unica: It's getting close to time to head back to the village, unless there's a need to stay longer.

Moring: *groan* There isn't. Kion appears to be recovering well.

Unica: Good, and don't worry, we'll be able to check on him tomorrow. I've already discussed it with Teran and Enkoro. Unless something changes Kion will be reassigned to be your watcher again the day after.

```

Moring bid a formal farewell to Kion and Vivica, then made her way towards the door, turning back to look at them right as she lifted up the blanket.

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Moring: *bashful smile* Take care of yourself. I left instructions, please follow them.

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Kion watched the heavy blanket that covered the door flop back into place as Moring made her exit.

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Vivica: That little pipsqueak is crushing hard. Though not surprising, she's right around the age most girls get their first big crush, and you're part of the magical attraction range blood wise. Though seriously, you're not actually considering her request, are you?

Kion: Why shouldn't I at least give it thoughtful consideration? As I am now, I clearly have no business being a protector. I put the wellbeing of my sister ahead of her and was so blinded by my own arrogance that I nearly died in the dark green zone of all places. *heavy sigh*

Vivica: *stunned* Since you seem to be feeling extra candid at the moment, can I ask why you act so strange around your sister?

Kion: *hesitant* I never wanted to be close to my adopted family. I've known I'd become a rammu for as long as I can remember... I don't want to get close to anyone, because I don't want people to feel as though they've lost someone important when I'm gone.

Vivica: *concerned hum* I'm afraid I can't relate to that at all. I mean, I can relate to not wanting to make people sad, but pushing them away is going to make them sad too, so the only option is to... *pained sigh* do your best.

Kion: Something wrong?

Vivica: Maybe I can relate to you, but backwards... *awkward laughter* I think secretly I may have always wanted to be the person to be killed first. I think somehow or another, my desire to never see someone I care about die got twisted into an excuse to hinder myself to the point of being the first one to go. Every time that statistic about the death rate of trainees comes up at the back of my mind, I'm always hoping that it's me.

Kion: Isn't that the nature of being a rammu?

Vivica: No... the nature of being a rammu is seeing such a high value in other's lives that you are willing to give up your own. In my case, I've twisted it into some form of self validating cowardice.

Kion: Cowardice... Do you think I'm also being cowardly, not wanting to hurt others by knowing me?

Vivica: We~ll, you are doing it out of fear, aren't you? Even if it is fear for others, it's still for fear and not honor.

Kion: Then it sounds like, though our paths twisted down different paths, we have ended up at the same place. We are both cowards.

*long silence*

Vivica: Are you happy with being as you are?

*short silence*

Kion: Are you?

Vivica: No... I think I was until I thought about it, but now I just feel like I'm letting everyone down, including myself. When I was talking to Enky the other night in the back of my mind, I was seriously considering running away from everything. Enky said he would chase after me and that made me feel nice, but it also made me think of ways to avoid him. It's really depressing to think about ways to get away from the people you care about.

Kion: *affirmative nod*

Vivica: I keep hoping you'll be the one to say it, but I think I'm just going to have to accept that even when your being open and honest you're still just not that talkative, so~ how about from tonight onward we promise to help each other out, and we'll overcome our cowardice together? *hopeful smile*

Kion: Where would we start?

Vivica: For me, since you're probably the most skilled trainee besides myself you're going to help me train, and for you... I think you need to have a real heart-to-heart talk with your sister. Like it or not, she's also a rammu now, and honestly, I think you failed at keeping her from having feelings for you a long time ago. You can either do it on your own, or you can talk to me about things and I can say things for you. It seems to be working out fairly well with Li-su, so maybe it would work for you, too. It's kind of funny, I never thought being a blabber mouth could be useful to people, but maybe there's truth to that old proverb about turning your greatest weaknesses into your greatest strengths.

Kion: That could work... I'm more comfortable talking to you. Anytime I'm around my sister, my mind goes blank.

Vivica: If that doesn't happen with other girls, you could be extra attracted to her. I hear that's a common trait for guys... I've heard some girls joke about it being nature's way of letting them capture the cunning ones. *suppressed laughter* Normally I can tell by scent, but your scent is kind of weird. It's kind of like you're always aroused. My best guess is since you don't ever climax maybe you stay in a state of perpetual unconscious arousal? Maybe that's even the reason you have such a hard time talking, since you're in that scared aroused state of mind with everyone. Sorry, I'm blabbing on again...

Kion: It's fine, and helpful. I really enjoy it when you blab on. *reassuring smile* You and Yi-su both do it, and it's nice. It makes me feel like I'm part of a meaningful conversation. Because of it, I feel like I'm closer to you and her than I've ever been to anyone else...

Vivica: Well, in that case, prepare to be in the conversation of a lifetime, since I'm not leaving your side until you're better, and this time I'm not as caught up in my own head. Speaking of, let me know if you need to use a pot or want water or anything. No reason to be embarrassed about anything. We've already done everything together.

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