[closed] hange, yes: vol.2 (the apothecary)

[wingbound]

WHO: shingekis
WHAT: turns out the people who never talk about their feelings is extra susceptible to the heartfreeze disease. everyone is shocked.
WHEN: july event!
WHERE: levi & eren's apartment
WARNINGS: shingeki no kokoro

::

Extra OOC information:
Known afflicted: Gabi, Reiner, Historia?
Surprise afflicted that will be revealed in log: Eren
Surprise afflicted that may or may not be revealed in log: Levi
Non-afflicted: Jean, Mikasa, Hange?

::

[ After Gabi scares the shit out of Levi during a quest, and he turns to Hange as he already knows they're part of the potion brewing crew, it doesn't take too long to find out that Gabi's not the only one suffering from the disease... ]

[ As the completion of the cure draws closer, they figure to start gathering the afflicted Scouts and those willing to ease their suffering in Hange's apartment, however as it turns out, running an alchemy lab from an apartment leaves very little leg (or butt) room, so in the end, everybody who showed up (and their +1s...) get shuffled into the much more unencumbered apartment next door belonging to Eren and Levi. ]

[ The ground rules will, of course, be laid out before entering as to avoid another sand incident: outside clothes and shoes must be left in the wardrobe by the door, absolutely no exceptions, unless somebody wants to be folded twice and thrown into the hallway. Any snot covered handkerchiefs must go into the special basket marked "biohazard", and there's several hand sanitizer spray bottles around just in case. ]

[ Assuming everyone is capable of following basic hygiene procedures, eventually they will all get served tea (yes, even Reiner, though he's probably getting an extra long stare in the face as the cup is being set down) at least once, possibly more, depending how long it takes. (Those shivering will also receive a throw blanket or two with the implicit instruction to not get disgusting body fluids on it.) ]

[ The apartment is clean and has little furnishing, but there's a nice big couch with some armchairs and a soft carpet in the living room, and of course a wide screen TV picture box. If anybody wishes to tune in to the latest Annika episode, they're free to do so. There's... maybe some leftover food in the kitchen, most notably stew in the fridge that seems to contain little pizza squares?.. but the pantry and most of the other cabinets are instead filled with tea, if anybody goes looking around. ]

[ There is also a (secretly cursed) Roomba that seems especially keen on hanging out on the walls today, and a terrifying cute Yamask shyly hanging about. A void cat might also join the party at some point and yowl until it receives a share of the pizza stew. ]

::

(( ooc: this is a mingle! toplevel, tag each other, thread out whatever you'd like. eventually, everybody who needs it will receive a cure potion one way or another, and the day will be saved! ))

Comments

Hange (unafflicted)

[titanscience]

Hange's Apartment

[Hange continues to spend a decent chunk of the time in their own apartment's kitchen, brewing potions. The task isn't overly difficult or strenuous, but you do need to keep a continuous eye on the brew to ensure it doesn't overheat or boil to long, while adding ingredients at specific times, so if not in the Levi/Eren apartment that's where they'll be, the front door left slightly ajar so that any visitors can simply walk in.]

Levi/Eren Apartment

[Every now and again Hange returns with a couple freshly brewed potions, taking them to the kitchen and allowing them to rest while instructing the occupants to take one if needed, and to also speak up if they have friends or neighbours or whatever who will need some too. Hange will be more than willing to send them home with some later on.]

[Once in a while they may flop down next to somebody on the sofa to take a breather and put their feet up (quite literally, rip that coffee table) to chat and see how people are doing before the work begins once again..]

Hange's

[rustyhonesty]

[While Jean is on 'warm up' duty, he's also been helping Hange out occasionally, to help them if needed - or at least make sure they get enough fluids while working on the potions. It also helps to get out of the Very Awkward apartment every once in a while.

This time around Jean's bringing them tea, since a fresh patch of it was just made. So he sets it on a side table for them.]

Tea delivery.

[titanscience]

Oh, thanks Jean!

[Now is as good a time as any to take a small break, the pot just needs to be watched every few minutes, so Hange comes over to greet Jean in person, taking the cup of fresh tea.]

How is everything over there? Anything happen?

[Did anybody's condition get worse? Or more likely- did any arguments break out?]

[rustyhonesty]

Well, things are calmer than expected.

[No murder attempts, no titan transformation scares. Just a few smaller arguments, like-]

Levi and Eren did argue about hot water. Turns out Eren's freezing up... and. [He hesitates for a moment.] I wouldn't rule out the possibility that Levi is affected too. I didn't confirm it though.

[He can't just go around touching Levi all of a sudden, after all.]

[titanscience]

[So nobody has threatened to kill or punch each other out during the time Hange stepped away. Great! Hopefully they can keep it up (though most of the prospective trouble comes from three individuals, looking at YOU Eren/Levi/Reiner...)]

[SPEAKING OF a frown forms at the mention of Eren and Levi's argument. It isn't entirely expected of Eren to mention it to Hange if he was feeling sick, even if the latter wished he would, but after everything recently it was expected that Levi would, the moment he felt something off. Hange is right here after all, both as a best friend and provider of potions!]

An argument over the water? What were they saying exactly?

[Perhaps, if true, this was a very recent development for the two of them..]

[rustyhonesty]

[Jean recalls what he overheard (he was definitely no eavesdropping, he just happened to be close by).]

Levi just said that hot water's run out again, so it's not the first time. Apparently Eren had just been to the shower before that. Most likely he's been trying to help his condition with hot water in silence.

[Because of course he can't just tell others he's feeling bad. At least Reiner was upfront about being in a shitty situation.]

Later I encountered Levi arguing with the roomba which struck me as weird...

[titanscience]

Well, if Eren was using the shower as a way to combat the cold feeling, that would make sense as to why there is no hot water left..

[But Hange fails to see how it implies that Levi is also suffering from the same condition.]

Huh? The roomba? I thought he liked it.

[Its not like he sings the machines praises, but no news is often good news when it comes to Levi.]

Maybe it's bumping in to too many things because of how busy the apartment is?

[rustyhonesty]

Somehow, the roomba was completely avoiding the living room, which was part of the problem.

[Then he may have made the mistake of making he think about the future robot uprising, but that's not important for now.]

Somehow he just seemed to be acting weird.

[titanscience]

[avoiding the living room? That's meant to be the main room it cleans! Obviously something has messed up with its pathing...]

[Hange pulls their phone out to open up the roomba app as they still have access to Levi's, but something very odd is happening, as it can't quite determine where the machine currently is..]

Ah.. I may have to reset it. I suppose too many interruptions caused it stop working correctly..

[Oh well, that problem will have to be dealt with later. But the roomba not cleaning as expected could be a valid reason for Levi's 'strangeness' as Jean put it.]

...If you're worried that Levi is affected, does he feel cold? Or did he say that he felt any different?

[Because surely you just... asked him, right Jean?]

now hopefully in the right thread

[rustyhonesty]

[Jean's almost tempted to ask Hange if they know if the roomba has an artificial intelligence or something, but he doesn't want to open up that line of conversation because he'd likely be here until next morning or he'd be found some other day to ask a million questions about a subject he doesn't even know about. He's just heard about it.

Besides, it wasn't as important right now.]

I asked how he's been managing and he seemed really annoyed that I did. [He doesn't understand why that would annoy anyone.] He did say that he usually runs more cold than hot and that he's been "managing fine". I didn't push for more details.

good job hehe

[titanscience]

[YEAH good thinking in not bringing up that line of topic Jean. That's an arc for another day...]

[Hange turns their attention back to the pot as the mixture is stirred before the stove is turned off, the next batch soon ready to be bottled up once it cools to a certain temperature.]

Levi usually sounds annoyed, that's just his thing.

[That part is old news, most people can't tell the difference between Levi's natural demeanor when speaking about something and when he is showing actual irritation at something. Surely that's what it was, right? Because Levi getting annoyed at Jean over such a mundane question doesn't seem logical especially when he is the favourite child. But when you add in the 'managing fine' part...]

Tch..

[Do we need another communication arc in this place Levi? Do you need to be dangled off a balcony for real? Hange is willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for now.]

He might just be in a bad mood because there are so many people in his apartment and messing it up. But I'll check in with him once we take this next batch over.

Thanks Jean..

no dramatic entrances for him

[rustyhonesty]

[Jean is very aware that Levi defaults to annoyance, but he still had a bad feeling about it. Which is why he had to say something, at least, just in case he was hiding something after finding out Eren was.]

It's nothing, really. I'm just worried.

[He felt like a kid who always had to snitch on his classmates for doing something wrong, coming to Hange but... they were the commander. Not only that but probably the only person Levi actually listened to.]

https://i.imgflip.com/7vslrl.jpg

[titanscience]

[It's likely nothing, but Hange isn't one to dismiss concerns outright. So they offer some assurance:]

I'll check in on him, alright? After all, I know him better than anyone. I can read Levi's moods rather well.

[So if he's just stressed at everything going on in his living room or if he's sick, Hange will hopefully get to the end of it.]

[The burner is turned off, now it is time to simply let the suspension cool for a minute or two before they divide it up into proper doses. Sounds like a perfect time to finish that tea!]

Thank you for bringing this over, by the way. He brewed the nice batch!

his own apartment

[dreamsofwings]

[ Through some weird guilt complex or some desire for everyone to get the fuck out of their space with all their awkward tense feelings, or maybe both, Eren hasn't actually taken a potion yet. He's avoided getting one shoved into his hands somehow. He wanted everyone else to get one first.

Hange, taking a break, flops beside him on the couch. Somehow there's just the two of them at the moment. He glances at their feet on the table but if Levi's not going to materialise to bitch about it, Eren sure won't start. He doesn't actually care beyond knowing that if this place gets too dirty, it will become his problem later too. ]

You look like you need a nap.

[titanscience]

[Those dusty feet cross over one another as Hange sinks further into the couch. Indeed, there is no Levi to complain about it so it's fine. What he doesn't know (yet) won't hurt him!]

I'll be fine, I just wanted to get off my feet for a few minutes. I can't nap though, apparently this mystery illness is more widespread than we thought! There are still plenty more potions to make!

[And on that note:]

...How are you feeling, Eren?

[dreamsofwings]

[ Eren might clean the stupid table himself if Hange gets up before him just to avoid Levi getting annoyed about it with everyone all still here. For now, whatever! ]

You don’t have to save the whole city, you know.

[ Whoops, empathy whomst! There are surely other people who need it. It's not exactly that Eren doesn't care about them. He just cares about all of them less. Besides, surely other people are making these cures.

He shrugs. ]

I'm fine.

[ He keeps telling people this, and it's basically always bullshit. It's not even a convincing lie. He just keeps saying it anyway.

Levi sure as hell didn't buy it, so why he thinks Hange will is anyone's guess. ]

[titanscience]

I know I don't, but if I can help, I should, right?

[It seems that is a part of them that never truly left, that core goal of the survey corps and its desire to save humanity. Apparently that now translates into potion brewing for as long as Hange can keep it up.]

...

[Suddenly they remove their feet from the table and place them on the floor, even bending forward to wipe a little dust from the surface while glancing over at the kitchen. Call it a Levi sixth sense...]

Are you sure?

[Not calling you a liar Eren, but after the little conversation with Jean you're getting the same, rather direct treatment that Levi has also been subjected to- the back of a palm against the forehead to get a reading of his body temperature.]

Hmm...

[dreamsofwings]

[ Eren doesn't answer that. He's not anywhere near as magnanimous as Hange, and probably never was even at his least mean.

He did say he would help save this city from whatever it is they're here to save it from, but…well, Eren's capacity to care about people as a concept is seriously diminished. He still pretty much only cares for specific people.

Eren glances over his shoulder when Hange moves their legs again. If Levi suddenly joins this conversation he's probably gonna catch shit again for hiding it from them. SIGH.

He tucked the icy ends of his hair back up but he can't do anything about his skin temperature. He goes to jerk his head away but he's not successful. ]

I'm not in as bad of shape as some people!

[ It's not much of a recovery and he knows it, but he's technically not wrong. ]

[titanscience]

[It's barely a second before the coolness of his skin registers- far too cool- accompanied by the rather rushed response. Guilty as charged!]

That doesn't matter, you should have said something!

[There are people who are worse off, Gabi as an example, but that doesn't mean that he shouldn't have said anything! What if he suddenly got worse and nobody knew! He could have drifted off to his room to be all teen-y only to be freezing up in a corner somewhere!]

You're supposed to talk about things like this, Eren! We're here to look out for one another!

[And look out for him to make sure he doesn't do anything... well. too Eren like. Honestly!! Hange thought they were all through with bad communication arcs! They cross their arms with a decided huff.]

Drink a potion.

[That's an order, mister!]

[dreamsofwings]

[ Levi gave him this same sort of reprimand, though in a Levi way (like kicking him in the shin). ]

I'm fine! I just…thought I'd figure it out. I tried to.

[ "Tried" by getting in a titan fight with Reiner on purpose. ]

I was waiting on the potions until everyone else got theirs. In case there wasn't enough.

[ He knows that look, though. And he knows what Levi would say about it. Or not say, maybe, and he doesn't need to get kicked in the leg again today. ]

...I'll go get one.

[ He pushes himself up off the couch to go find a potion. He hasn't paid too much attention to what's in it. He brings it back only to make sure Hange sees him drink it. It tastes terrible but he absolutely is not going to bitch about that. ]

Better?

[titanscience]

The whole point of us all being here is that you don't need to 'figure things out' on your own! If something is wrong, I want you to tell us!

['Us' meaning Hange, Levi... Jean.. Mikasa... Ted the Baker... literally anybody at this point, instead of trying to shoulder things all on his own. Maybe he still doesn't trust them or simply doesn't care enough about his own life, and either way Hange seems lowkey annoyed at that prospect. Hasn't he been listening to anything they've been trying to say for these past few months?]

[Letting him go retrieve a potion, Hange sits there in silence and simply stares him down while he chugs the entire thing, not wanting to interrupt him from finishing the entire dose before getting back to the nagging.]

If there weren't enough to go around I would simply make more! And what- you think you're less deserving than anyone else here in the room? Do you think I'd make you sit here and wait until last? Even when you're already as cold as ice?

[dreamsofwings]

I know! The captain said the same thing already!

[ Hange can have some of his petulant teenager attitude too, as a treat. ]

I told Reiner.

[ Is this supposed to be a consolation? It's not a good one and he knows it. ]

I didn't think you'd make me wait. Other people are worse off, that's all!

[ He's not all that selfless much of the time, but something like this...better if he die than someone else. He can't stand to watch other people die. Even Eren isn't stupid enough to voice that though. ]

...did you talk to Captain Levi about this? Is he cold too?

[ Ratting on Levi means less focus on him! But also he is genuinely concerned/suspicious. ]

[titanscience]

Well obviously you weren't listening well enough if I have to say it again! You'd better be taking it in properly this time!

[It's fine, he can get that nagging parent attitude back in return! There's plenty more where that came from!]

[Eren is saying that he told Reiner though, so that's.... something, at least. Apparently the two of them are on speaking terms, which is good. Honestly it is progress, so it is enough to get Hange to take a long breath and chill a little.]

Of course if there are people who are worse off they would get something from the earlier batch, but Eren... yours is pretty bad! Not as bad as Gabi perhaps, but look! [Hange yanks on some strands of iced-up hair for good measure.] See this?! That's bad!

[And as for Levi...]

I talked to him earlier. He said he was feeling fine, and that he'd tell me if anything changes.

[Whether anything has changed since that conversation though, who knows...]

[dreamsofwings]

That was like an hour ago! What was I gonna do, run and find you immediately?

[ Again a petulant teenager protest, but it's better than being expressionless, right? ]

I know it's bad! I was trying to figure it out. Nothing was really working. It's okay now, forget it.

[ As if Hange would just forget it like that. He knows better. ]

Yeah, when I asked if he was okay he said he was feeling fine. Like he wasn't directly answering my question. He's just as likely to freeze to death without saying anything as I am.

[ Maybe not! Levi does actually talk to Hange (probably?). But Eren is both suspicious of that earlier interaction, which makes him worried, and wanting the attention off himself. ]

[titanscience]

Listen, I know better than most the satisfaction of fixing a problem yourself, but there comes a time when the obvious choice is to accept help. And that would've been the moment I let everyone know I was making potions for this very reason!

[You get a flick to the forehead for that one Eren, you big dummy! After which Hange lets out another exasperated sigh and slumps back further into the seat again.]

If it gets worse before it gets better, tell me alright!

[And as for Levi:]

Levi promised he'd tell me if he felt bad. He was a little cool, but he usually feels like that to me, you know?

[Though maybe it wouldn't hurt to check up on him again in a while...]