This is the only time this will be happening. Just thought it would be an interesting idea.
Kate's POV
"Anyways, we should be heading back soon. Got a whole day of travel tomorrow."
I'm interrupted by the bag Takara was holding hitting the ground. I turn just to see her kiss Ram then drop to her knees. I crouch beside her. "'Kara?"
No reaction, just a blank stare. I give her arm a shake as concern wells up. "Takara, what's wrong? Kara?"
I look up at Ram, the small woman looking just as confused. "Any idea?"
She shake her head. "I... I wish I knew. Takara just... dropped the bag and then... this."
Turning back to Kara, I give her a light slap. "Takara, talk to me! Come on, girl. Tell me what happened."
By this point my concern changed into a fear. I flick my eyes back to Ram, the pinkhead staring at Kara. "Let's get her back to mine. We can send for a doctor from there."
She frowns for a second, thinking. "You take her, I shall seek out help."
All I can do is nod before she heads off. I turn to Kadomon. "Can you give me a hand?"
He quickly steps round his table, lifting Kara with ease. "Lead the way."
We get back to mine in almost record time, Kad laying her on the couch. Then he turns to me. "You need anything else?"
I take a deep breath to ward off the freakout. "No. Thank you for that."
He nods. "Alright. You know where I am if ya need me."
I try a smile and he leaves. Then I look back at Kara. Her eyes are almost lifeless, just staring at the ceiling. I don't know how long it is until Ram opens the door, a doctor following closely. He's an older man, probably about my age, with a very serious look to him. He nods, extending a hand. "Good morning. My name is Anders."
I shake the offered hand before getting to the matter. "Kate. I need to you look over my daughter. She was fine then she just... stopped. Like she's catatonic. I..."
He frowns lightly. "Catatonic? I will see what I can do."
I look at the doctor as he checks Kara over. It takes so damn long. Then he turns to me. "Physically, she seems fine. I would say the problem is definitely mental. Have there been any possibly traumatic events recently?"
Ram answers quickly. "She fought off an assassin and saved Irlam from Mabeast. That all happened recently."
His eyebrows raise. "She's one of them that saved Irlam? Consider me impressed. Anything else?"
Ram pauses and I step in. "She recently found out that she's... a half demon."
His eyebrows raise further. "Not very often I'm surprised twice in a day, let alone by the same patient." He pauses for a long moment. "...I'm going to put her to sleep. While she sleeps she'll dream. Hopefully that will help her sort out whatever she needs to."
I frown. "Hopefully?"
A nod. "Something new we're trying. We tweak the dreams so the focus is the problem at hand. We've been trying this with people who've gone through some degree of trauma, losing loved ones, mental breakdowns. It's not perfect, by any means, but we have had some success."
"How long will she be out?"
He shrugs. "Hard to say. Somewhere between two to ten hours, depending on the severity. However, considering we don't know what the issue actually is, it might be longer."
I nod and he turns back to her. A few moments and a spell later, her eyes close and he straightens. "That is the best I can do for now. If there's any change, come for me. Otherwise, I'll be back tomorrow to check up. Also, dont worry. Her... heritage will remain between us."
"Thank you."
He picks up his bag, shakes my hand and leaves. I turn and crush Ram in a hug, the tears finally showing. She doesn't say a word, just hugging me back and letting me cry. After a long five minutes I calm down enough to let go. "Sorry about that."
She smiles softly, a waver in her voice. "No need to apologize."
Her tone hits me hard, makes me remember that I'm not the only one with an emotional attachment. I hug her again. "She's gonna be fine. Look at everything she's already done. This won't stop her."
I feel Rams grip tighten. "I know. I just... I cannot bear the thought of..."
I nod. "Me either. But that's not gonna happen."
Stepping back, I take a deep breath. "Sit yourself down. I'll make some tea."
As I busy myself I think. If she's still like this tomorrow I'm gonna ask Roswaal for help, if he can. If that doesn't work then... No. It'll work. It has to. I'm not losing her again. I can't.
I'm disturbed from thought by Ram coming from their room with a blanket, placing it on a chair. She loosens Kara's shirt, takes her shoes off and lays the blanket gently over her, kissing her lightly on the cheek. In a strange way it reminds me of when Kara was little. So small, so thin. Almost the definition of waif like. But she was tough. She'd almost never cry when she hurt herself, usually just laughing it off. Hell, I think the hardest she ever cried was when her favourite show finished airing. Even after Sal passed, she didn't. I'd taught her, after an elderly neighbour died, that when people passed on they were still there, in our hearts. I think that helped her a lot during that time. Helped her a hell of a lot more than it helped me. With a light sigh I finish making drinks and head back to Ram.
The poor girl almost jumps out of her skin when I sit by her. Taking the offered cup, she sits with her hands wrapped round it, staring at Kara. I decide to try to alleviate the mood, just a little. "Wish I could do that."
She looks at me with a light frown. "Do what?"
I attempt a smile. "Hold a cup of pretty much boiling hot tea like that. Perks of being a demon, huh."
Ram nods slowly. "I suppose."
Sitting back, I take a tentative sip of tea. If she wants to talk, she'll talk, no need to force it. We're sat quietly for probably twenty minutes before she sighs. "You know, when Takara came to the mansion I was truly surprised. Emilia had told us that someone had saved her but I was expecting someone... larger. In all truth I was expecting a man. It was a bit of a shock to see a beautiful, almost delicate looking woman. Then she woke up. She had a huge smile and spoke to Rem and I like friends. Rem, for obvious reasons, automatically disliked her. I, however, found myself intrigued. The way she spoke, the way a topic could change in an instant. Her almost infectious laugh. It makes working alongside her... fun. All the while though, there was a look to her eyes. A focused look, like she was waiting for something. Then the Irlam attack happened. I had not worried about anyone other than Rem or Roswaal-sama for years until that point yet I found myself almost scared for her. My relief to find that she and Rem were alive was swiftly replaced by the knowledge that she was heavily cursed."
Ram smiles softly. "I have never seen anyone look death in the face in such a... matter of fact manner. I was truly impressed by her strength, her speed. Of course, it seems almost trivial knowing now that she is a demon but... No. Even now it still impresses me that she went against Rem. My sister may not be the strongest demon to have lived but she is still far stronger than near any human. Takara knew this and still faced her. After that and finding out who she truly is, to see her in this state is... is..."
I put an arm over her shoulder. "It's awful."
She nods. "The last time I was this scared was during the attack on our village. One of the only thoughts in my mind at that time was to protect Rem. Now, I am just as scared but there is no way to protect Takara."
"I know. All we can do is let her sleep and, as dumb as it sounds, try not to worry too much."
Another nod. "You are right. Too much worry will only hurt us. And annoy Takara."
I chuckle despite myself. "Yeah, she's not a fan of that."
We sit quietly again, just passing time and keeping a close eye on Kara. Long after a quick dinner, Ram suddenly yawns, making me realise how late it got. "Go get some sleep. I'm gonna be right here for her."
She frowns. "But..."
I cut her off. "No buts. Go on. She'd be annoyed enough that I'm staying awake."
For a long moment I think she's going to stay up with me, then she stands. "Please... wake me if anything changes. Or if you need anything."
I nod with the best smile I can muster and watch her go into their room. Then I move to the floor right next to the couch, holding Karas hand. "She's a good woman. I'm glad you have her."
I shift, getting comfortable, and sit in silence for a while, thinking about Kara and Ram. "You know, if none of this had happened, if we were still in our world... I don't know how I would have reacted to you being gay. The perils of growing up in an extremely Christian household. I would hope that I woulda been fine with it but..." I sigh, heavily. "But yeah. On the flipside, coming here was good for that. I've lived here for eight years now, and two doors down, when I moved here, were a gay couple. Robin and Stefan. They were the first to welcome me here. Didn't want to deal with them initially but after a week they invited me to dinner. I went along to be polite, more than anything. Then I saw how they were with each other. The way they spoke about each other, the way they looked at each other. Made me realise that Mom was wrong. That gay people loved the same way straight people did. I felt almost ashamed of the way I'd been raised. Then Stefan said that he'd fight the Dragon for Robin. It's something Sal always said to me. I broke down thinking about it, thinking about you. Knowing that I'd probably never see you again. Dinner was awkward after that. I hoped you would end up living with Mike, that he'd be able to look after you." I sigh again. "Anyway, we became firm friends, them helping me find furniture and work. More importantly, they kept me sane while I looked for a way back. In return, I taught Stephan how to play piano. They moved last year but I'll never be able to thank them enough for what they did for me. If I do see them again, I'm introducing you. The person I have so much pride in." I give her hand a squeeze. "You've grown into a fine woman. I wish I could have been there, seen you become who you are now. Instead, you've been through hell. And you're going through it again now." I wipe my eyes, tears flowing. "I need you back. Not just me. Ram does too. I've said it before but you've got a love that I miss."
I pause as I remember one of the trips we took when Kara was little. "You remember the first time we took you to Akiba? You might not, seeing as you were five. There was a person there in a Doraemon costume and you wouldn't leave their side. Cried your heart out when we had to leave. I still have the picture we took in my wallet. There was one moment that I'll never forget, even if I didn't have the memory I do. Sal and I had turned to help a tourist, a British girl. No more than twenty seconds. In that time the person in the costume had moved, you going with them. In the crowd, it took us almost an hour to find you. I was scared but Sal... Sal went into full blown panic mode. I swear he was seconds away from sprinting round as fast as he could, damn the repercussions. I worry that you'll get into some trouble if your demon side gets exposed. Or, if you really are connected to Satella, that will cause you some shit. I... I know you can handle yourself and you have one fuck of a powerful friend with Roswaal but... but a mother will always worry." I wipe my eyes again. "Right now though, I'm scared. No, scared isn't the right word. Fucking terrified. That you'll never recover. That I'll have to live without you again. The thing I hate is I can't help you. I have to just... sit here and wait. Hope. Fucking pray. I haven't been this scared since that day in Akiba. Even when I was brought here, curiosity and a drive to find my way back kept the fear away. Funny thing is, now you're here, the want to go back is almost gone. I mean... it would be nice but... I don't need it anymore. I just need you."
I stand, get myself a glass of water then retake my place. I carry on talking to Kara, long into the night. I have no idea what time I fell asleep.
It's just past sunrise when I'm woken by Ram, her eyes wide and concerned. "Takara is gone!"
My own eyes snap open fully and I'm on my feet, the couch empty and the blanket that was on Kara falling off me. We have to find her. I quickly slip my shoes on. "Right. You go east, I'll go west. Meet back here at midday. If we haven't found her by then, we get more help."
The pinkhead nods before leaving. I quickly set out. Where the hell is my little girl?
