i really can't stay

[mansionstaff]

Who: YOU
What: SNOW
When: DECEMBER 5th
Where: EVERYWHERE
WHAT: SNOW (BONUS TREE DECORATING)

As a quiet Tuesday dawned on the school's campus, one could perhaps...feel it in the air. A creeping chill, a silent, barely-detectable indication that yes. Tonight would be the night.



By Wednesday morning, the entire academy would be covered in snow.

BUT WAIT



That wasn't all--a large pine tree had made an appearance on the main quad, in desperate need of decoration.

Comments

[forgetbeam]

"Look at the way you're shivering! Aren't you freezing?"

...Come to think of it, GLaDOS had mentioned that Vivian was a machine once. As much as he would have liked to deny such a thing once upon a time - claim that she was a very convincing robot, instead - spending two months in this school made it really difficult not to accept it now. A mere robot wouldn't get cold. At this rate, she'd probably get sick, too.

He pulled off his red scarf and began to loosely loop it around her neck without a second thought. "Come inside before you develop hypothermia!"

WEH HDJVJKFSN

[hellofriend]

Vivian wasn't quite sure what he was doing, but there was one thing she didn't take much comfort in at all: the way the scarf began to rest across the red eye on her chest. Her body stiffened in a flinch and she pushed his hand away just to move the fabrics clear of it. Once that passed, she smiled at him.

"I'm built to handle boiling and freezing temperat-t-t-" Woah, what was going on? She looked a little nervous.

ARE YOU OKAY

[forgetbeam]

He didn't realize the significance of her pushing him away, taking it as a half-hearted stubbornness instead. At least she wasn't taking the scarf off entirely. Next came the jacket of the winter uniform (which he was definitely going to lecture her about wearing later, show some school pride Vivian), which he insistently held out to her. He was going to be a little chilly now, but he was a manly man and could endure it until they got inside.

He just wished he could do something about her feet. If it was colder, he would have brought gloves out, but... he didn't want her to be like this in even colder weather either. How troubling.

"Humans are not meant to endure extreme temperatures, Vivian!" Said the dumbass who thought spending an entire night in a hot sauna for pride's sake was a good idea. "You must take good care of your body as long as you're like this, do you understand? That means being aware of its limits! Now, let's go!"

I GOT A TOOTHACHE.

[hellofriend]

"Human bodies--" Right. She was quickly forgetting how little she knew about her new body. She was still very young and not programmed to be taking care of herself as it is, so it made the whole situation difficult. Sometimes she would get so hungry that she thought her core was going into suspension, but really she just needed a burger. GLaDOS was doing well for her but sometimes you just don't know what to teach until it happens and Vivian had way too much to learn.

She took the coat and making a good guess by how he removed it, she put it on the same way. It was too large on her lithe figure and when her arms fell, it covered her nipped hands. She looked mildly relieved either way. The difference in terms of comfortable temperatures was crystal clear.

She tipped her head back to look in his eyes, every blink bringing thin brushes of chilled eyelashes against her cheeks. "Where are we going?"

You'll have dentures by the time I'm through with you X(

[forgetbeam]

Any normal teenage boy would probably be flustered by how M-MOEEEE sweet and vulnerable she was, looking up to him for guidance and protection. But Ishimaru was Ishimaru, and his mind was busy sorting out the best plan of action. Not that he really had any training in the medical field, but it was his duty to know how to at deal with smaller issues like this! So. The nearest building was conveniently the one that was probably going to have the best resources for warming poor Vivian up.

He put a hand on her back to nudge her in the right direction. "The dormitories, of course! Not only will there be plenty of blankets, but a kitchen to prepare hot tea in! Yes, this is a wise plan! Hurry, now. Moving quickly will also get your blood flowing, but be careful not to slip!"

[hellofriend]

"Hot tea," She hadn't tried that yet. She wondered what it was and it motivated her to follow him even more. Vivian did a little wobbling as she walked, her feet and calves having long gone numb and leaving her to guess where her limbs were going. "Blood flowing..." Oh.. She smiled. It was just a guess, but Ishimaru's mannerisms said he was trying to help her, so she giggled. "Thank you."

[forgetbeam]

"There is no need to thank me! It's my responsibility to look out for my partner, after all."

Off they went! Vivian's apparent trouble with walking didn't go unnoticed. Just how long had she been out in the cold? How many times had she been caught outside in the chilly fall weather before today, being completely unaware that she should bundle up? Just thinking about it caused a tremendous guilt to gnaw at Ishimaru, who should have realized even before it started snowing that Vivian was going to have a lot to learn about taking care of herself. If only he'd gone outside immediately today instead of waiting until he'd done some studying first, maybe he would have been able to prevent it from getting this bad. What if she got frostbite?

He kept himself fit, sure, but he doubted he'd be able to lift Vivian. ...But he could offer support, at least.

"Lean on me if you're having trouble walking. We're nearly there!"

You /are/ trying to kill me.

[hellofriend]

Vivian wasn't entirely sure what he was suggesting, but she swayed closer until colliding into him, some loss of control to be expected when the frost had eaten away at her nerves. She claws her fingers into his back and hung on tight, staring down at her own legs as if watching them would help revive the sensations.

"My legs need maintenance?"

/hides the evidence

[forgetbeam]

"They simply need to warm up!"

At last, the duo reached the dorm entrance. He opened the door and quickly ushered her inside, glancing back over his shoulder to make sure there wasn't any foul play going on while he wasn't looking. ...Not that it would have mattered if there was. This was a little more important than barking rules at people.

But only a little.

"Can you make it to the common room? I will bring a blanket to you at once!"

[hellofriend]

Ishimaru was very polite. Even if she ever had to shoot him, she would probably give him a second chance.

Vivian nodded to indicate she was fine, then began her walk toward the common room as suggested. It was almost a game to her, arms out at either side as she found that brought her some sense of balance. Every step was carefully measured and calculated and within no time flat, she had arrived without falling down!

Until she went to go sit down and then she fell down.

And cried out.

And flailed.

Then stopped moving.

Uh oh.

[forgetbeam]

Good, it looked like she was going to make it. Ishimaru turned to begin his trek to the laundry room and-

Whump.

Oh, that didn't sound good. Coupled with that cry, it didn't take a genius to figure out just what happened. If she'd hurt herself because he didn't escort her to the common room himself...! He hurried back toward the room (without running, of course) and was at her side soon enough, kneeling next to her.

"Are you alright?!"

The lack of movement was probably not a good sign.

[hellofriend]

Well, she was. She was lying there with her eyes open and, oddly enough, darting around. She looked rather panic-stricken by what had just happen and she had no idea what to do about it. She couldn't move. She was trapped. She'd never move again. Oh no oh no OH NO....

This probably looked incredibly unusual to him, though. Jeez.

[forgetbeam]

What was happening...

Well, whatever it was, it was definitely not healthy! His buddy hall cop wasn't going to die on HIS watch!

He nudged her shoulder urgently.

[hellofriend]

She made a small noise to indicate she wasn't dead, but she began to whisper.

"Error. Critical error. Helphelphelp."

Well, that's a little creepy.

[forgetbeam]

Just a little.

"What are you saying, Vivian?! What error?"

What should he even do here? Was it alright to leave her alone and find help?

[hellofriend]

She couldn't believe it but she found her brain still able to process more than anticipated. She didn't feel restricted in her words so she wondered...

"Pick me up...?" Oh, it worked! "Pick me up, pick me up! Help!!"