Is using magic you've only had for a little under two weeks to heal animals cheating? Daisuke doesn't think so. But he also hasn't been making a habit of it, except in worse cases. A couple of those came through Verone's Animal Care Club today and Daisuke was today's after school club sit in.
Everything is cleared now though and also Daisuke doesn't have the staff out because that'd be silly.
What he is doing is checking supplies. He replaced the kit he used at Seishou with one of Verones and had already wrote that down. Replacing things was not hard for the rich peoples school of rich people.
A fresh journal sits on the desk at the front of the club room. It has Daisuke's name on it. A pen suggests he's been taking time out to write in it when he can.
He seems about done with his current task thou.
After the incident with Daisuke and the shiba puppy, Ikiko had been thinking about how to find out more about the secretive healer. The delivery of the replacement kit gave her an idea: why not talk with him at his own club?
After arriving at Verone Academy, it was easy enough for Ikiko to find her way to the club rooms with some polite asking. "Let's see... one... two... three... ah, here we go!" she says to herself, counting off the doors as she follows the directions she was given.
Opening the door, she knocks on the doorframe but doesn't enter yet. "Hi!" she says with a smile. "Just came by to see what your Animal Care club was like. May I come in?"
Daisuke Hansuke finishes his task and closes the notebook inventory is kept in for this year. He dates, signs and puts the book back in that little holder by the supplies. Now---time to make sure cages are clean. They are---and-----
Oh!
Daisuke walks to the door and peeks. "Oh. Ikiko. Hi. Of course...." he says opening the door, and leaving it open. "I just finished an inventory. No animals in today at the moment- except the club fish."
There's a big ol' koi in a tank at the back of the room. Blub. Healthy, etc.
The club room is nice and big and there's cages and the room seems specically put aside for it on the Verone campus.
Ikiko Hisakata gives a slight bow, then walks in and looks around the club room. The fact that Verone has a custom room for the Animal Care club isn't really surprising, but it's still impressive! In a way, it's reminiscent of some of the animal shelters that she's volunteered at, writ small.
She walks over to the fish tank and gives the koi a smile -- Reiko would probably love hearing that Verone's Animal Care club has such a well-cared-for koi here! "This is a very nice setup your club has here," she notes to Daisuke. "How many animals do you usually have visit each week?"
Daisuke crosses his arms and taps his foot a moment as he hrms. "It depends. We don't keep animals unless we have to. That's been less of a problem this week and I think." he says. "I'd say...twenty. Most are out of school calls. Some are student pets. Really, you get the idea- your club does the same thing, right?" he asks.
The fish seems mostly content. Reiko has probably been here before because she's attracted to koi like cats are to fish---wait a minute.
Anyways, Daisuke looks back to the front desk and back to Ikiko.
"Lots of clubs here have rooms like this. We're just lucky. It lets us help more at least." he smiles.
There's an interruption. It's a slight, small knocking at the door. It's A young girl with long red hair and deep, strange purple eyes. She then lets herself in, even after knocking. She's cradling a small puppy in her hands. There's something very wrong - it's breathing shallowly, and it seems very ill. She walks in. There's no worry in her voice though, in fact it has quite a flat affact to it.
"Hello?" she calls. "I... the... this creature seems to be having trouble." she says, trying to find the words. "They told me this was the place to go to get it helped." She adds. This is all very matter of fact for her, rather than it wouild be for anyone else carrying a dog like this.
"More or less, yeah," Ikiko nods to Daisuke. "We also do some animal socialization, plus a few other projects." Like her hobby of feeding stray dogs.
The sudden arrival of a girl with a seriously ill puppy catches Ikiko's attention. "Oh, that's not good," she murmurs, then looks to Daisuke. "What can I do help?" she asks -- as both a guest and a non-vetenarian, it's not her place to take lead. For a brief moment she wishes that she could have an opportunity to ask the puppy what feels wrong, but between the presence of the others and the puppy's shortness of breath, it's not a practical option.
The Door is opened! Mio just needs to tap it and walk in- which is likely what she just did. Daisuke turns to Mio and blinks. Ugh---this feeling he's getting used to having again. Sickening Deja Vu---like his brain is trying very desperatly to place this face and a slight sinking feeling. Not strong, but it's something he feels.
Though there is a WAY more pressing matter besides strange feels and that is a ..uh...
Creature?....
Is hurt? He motions forward as he pulls up a small table and places down a paper. "Place him here." he says more directly. "Hey, you're from a different school's club, but you can help too." he motions. He goes to get a kit and walks back over and opens it.
He's not a veternarian, but he is studying.
"Where did you find him? Was there anything around him?" he asks to Mio quietly.
Mio looks down and watches Daisuke very carefully. Her gaze really seems to linger on him for a moment - a blatant stare - before she comes out of it and answers. "He was lying in front of the school here. I was on a visit." she adds. "I think something may have infected him." she adds.
Then, she looks around. "What is this place? What is it that you... do here. Do you... return creatures to their proper function?" Everything about her language seems off, but her japanese is absolutly perfect in tone and inflection, so she doesn't seem like a foreigner with a bad dictionary.
Ikiko Hisakata pets the puppy to help keep it calm, but she does give Mio a sideways look. Something about the other girl seems unnatural, but other than the vocabulary quirks Ikiko can't place what's giving her that feeling.
Instead, she focuses on tending to the puppy, gently looking it over in search of any noticeable injuries.
Daisuke Hansuke blinks. That terminology is really weird, but he pushes it to the back of his head. It's like she's speaking... something. "Okay." he says. He pulls out a small scope and opens the dog's muzzle softly and peeks down into his throat to see if there's any blockage--and nasal cavities and stuff like that. He then checks the ears. He does a quick temperate check as put the scope down and picks up the thermometer.
"My apologies. This dog's state is worrying. My name is Daisuke Hansuke. Who are you?" he asks politely at Mio. He seems to be focused on Mio for a moment while the Thermoeter beeps- it might give Ikiko a chance to do her dog whisperer thing while no one's looking.
"Oh. I'm..." there is a pause. This pause lasts longer than a name pause should! "Mio Kuroki." she says. "Hello Hansuke-san." There is another long pause, while she figures out what's eating her. Then she just says boldly. "You know, you are very special. Like the others. Like Chiba-san, Hino-san, Mizuno-san, and Aino-san." she states, even as he's checking on the dog.
She turns to Ikiko. "Not to say you're not special too - you very well could be - but I don't know you like I do..." a turn back to him "...Hansuke-san." she adds. And while he's working on the dog, she's pretty much staring holes into him.
Ikiko Hisakata glances at Daisuke and Mio; good, they seem to be distracted for now! "What's wrong, little one?" she whispers in caninespeak.
"Feel ill," the puppy quietly whines back. "Just ill."
So the canine equivalent of a bad cold, probably. "There doesn't seem to be any noticeable injuries," Ikiko remarks in Japanese.
Daisuke Hansuke hand is suddenly shaking the thermometer around because Mio begins naming off things and saying she knows him. He has to suddenly move his hand because this can't be comfortable for the dog- even if it isn't hurtful. He looks down at the thermoeter for WAY too longer than it should to read a number.
He only knows two of those names Mio lists. This is an incredibly longer distraction than Ikiko could had hoped for. "I don't think I'm special." he manages to eek out forcefully as he drags himself back to some semblence of back on task.
"Fever." he says.
"I think the dog is just sick. He needs water and food. The breathing is shallow but he isn't suffocating. An antibiotic shot shouldn't hurt. I should go get that!" he says.
He walks to the metal cabinet where the more expensive, dangerous substances are kept after putting some gloves on and getting a syringe and a small bottle. A little poke. Done.
"I'll keep him here for observation and try to find out if he's a stray or has someplace he belongs." he says a little softly.
Mio looks around the room after Daisuke responds. She looks into a few cabinets even - blatantly nosy - and asks "Do you do this sort of thing a lot?"
There's a further pause, and she looks at Ikiko and Daisuke. "You both seem to be very emotionally attuned to the... dog?" she says, questioning more the right word than the attunement. "I... will the dog be okay? I too appear to be... concerned... about it. Is this strange? Are most people concerned about the feelings of small creatures like this? Does every school have a place like this?" She begins to barrage Daisuke and Ikiko with questions - they seem asked generally rather than specifically.
Ikiko Hisakata shoots a glance at Daisuke. Yup, that bit about not administering shots while people are watching was a dodge to get her and Ikuto out of the room that one time at Seishou. Still, it's good to know that Daisuke does have skill in mundane healing.
Mio's questions prompt a thoughtful expression from Ikiko -- how does one describe things that are innate? "It's common for people to care about the well-being of others, especially the well-being of those that are young or otherwise vulnerable," she finally muses.
Daisuke Hansuke answers, as he's calmed down enough. He feels a little dizzy. It's nothing. Just blood pressure rising like a volcano for a moment. "Yes." he says. "I'm a member of the Animal Care Club, we care for animals here." he says.
He head tilts. These are strange questions from a strange girl who says strange things.
"It is, yes, normal to care about animals, and thier well being." he says. "Animals are as important as people- which also deserve the same treatment." he says. "Most schools in this area have Animal Care Clubs." he says softly. "Concern for other animals and people is a good thing." he says softly.
"Excuse me." he says as he scoops up the dog and opens one of the bigger cages, softly guiding him in.
"Ikiko, can you get me a food dish, a can of food and a water bottle from the storage?" he asks, motioning to a closet.
Mio turns to look at Daisuke. She smiles a bit. "So, was it a good thing that I brought him to you, Hansuke-san?" she continues, kneeling down next to the cage that Daisuke places the dog in.
"I have seen people do many things to people." she says, looking at the dog. "Many of them I don't think would make this dog feel any better." she adds.
"What happens if the dog didn't belong to anyone?"
Ikiko Hisakata nods to Daisuke and looks through the indicated closet. Not surprisingly, it's well organized, so it's but the work of a moment to gather all of the required items. She brings the bowl and the food over to Daisuke, then fills up the water bottle and brings that over as well.
"Watching how someone treats animals can be a good way to guess how they would treat people," Ikiko remarks to Mio. "Animals are straightforward with their feelings, and they react best to straightforward emotions."
Daisuke Hansuke is still dizzy. He'll deal. He waits for Ikiko to bring him the things he asked for and he places them in the far corner of the cage. It's papered and big enought that the dog isn't squished. He crosses his arms as he closes his eyes.
"I'll try to find the owner. If there isn't one, we'll try to find someone willing to take them in- or foster them for a bit until a more permenant home can be found. That's what I do anyways. I don't bring them to a shelter unless it's abousltely last resort." he says to Mio as he closes his eyes.
"People do a lot of terrible things to people. If you can't be kind to someone, then you shouldn't cause them harm, either." he says softly and crosses his arms in front of him a moment.
Mio turns to face him. Her eyes are large, and wide. "If nobody else wants to, I would take care of it. I think... it." she is struggling for words again, then just starts up. "Looking at him makes me want to hug him..." she says even this with low emotion, but those deep purple eyes tell another story. "I cannot now, because he is infected and unwell. But I would like to once he is not ill. "
"Would it be okay? Once you have helped him. He looks... fuzzy." she adds. She is very firm about this.
Ikiko Hisakata makes a note to ask around at Seishou if the puppy needs a long-term home. With two Animal Care clubs helping, it should be easy to find someone to take care of the puppy if he doesn't already have a home!
Even easier than expected, apparently, as Mio expresses an interest in caring for the puppy. There's a sense of sincerity to the words, awkward as the phrasing might be. "I know that I'm not a member of /this/ Animal Care club," Ikiko says, looking at Daisuke. "But how about if Mio helps take care of the puppy while he's recovering here? That way, she can learn how to care for him, and if he needs a long-term home, he can get familiar with her as well."
Daisuke Hansuke manges a terse smile at Mio. "Well!" he says. "If you have the means to care for the dog, and we can't find a owner by the time he's well, I wouldn't see why not." he says. ", but yes, he needs to be well first. It shouldn't be long." he says.
"What would you name him?" he asks softly.
He looks to Ikiko-oh god Ikiko if looks could kill-
"Sure. Why not." he says.
Mio looks at Daisuke. Then to the dog. "If that's okay with you. I would like to learn how to help out, maybe. I don't have a club." she states.
Then, in a very small voice, she adds "Most people don't seem to want me around, though. Because I'm special too... and I don't want to be somewhere I'm not wanted. I can just check on him, if that's better for you, Hansuke-san."
She's down and looking at the dog quietly after that, again.
Ikiko Hisakata might not get why Daisuke is glaring at her; she only knows maybe one of the other names Mio mentioned. But if Mio wants to take the puppy home once it's healthy, it might help if the purple-eyed girl knew how to take care of it -- and given Mio's apparent quirks, Ikiko suspects that she doesn't have prior knowledge on taking care of animals.
She hesitates a moment, then steps up and gives Mio a brief hug. "Having someone who cares about you is a great thing," she says. "And animals often care about the people who care about them, so this might be great for both you and the puppy!"
Daisuke Hansuke now begins to feel terrible. Part of Mio makes him feel...weird. Slimy. But part of him also knows he never /met/ Mio ever until right now about fifteen minutes ago despite what weird deja vu feelings try whispering to him. Is it unkind to be wary of these feelings? Nrg... Daisuke is conflicted and it feels bad.
He was kind of hoping this kind of mental conflict was over, but apparently there's so much much more and these other people he knows won't tell him /anything/---- or can't? It's so hard to tell.
"No--I'll show you how. I really don't ...... know how you think I'm 'special' but...." he says-- a tone that suggests he might know what Mio's getting at- or he doesn't know himself.
"I'd rather you learn how to care for an animal, and if joining the club is something you wish to do, then I can help by taking you to your school's club--- we all try to corrdinate together so--I know some people." he says politely.
He looks at Ikiko and nods to her words. "Animals are wonderful friends." he says.
Mio turns to Diasuke. She nods. "I don't know why you're special either!" she almost shouts, the most emotion she's shown the whole time. Another big breath.
"But that would be nice, I think. And then I could take better care of this dog. I think I need to... think about a name. I want to give him a good name, if he needs one." Mio pauses, in thought.
"Maybe one of the little fairies would know a good name." This is said like she'd just asked for a glass of water or something else normal.
"And Seishou's club can also offer some help," Ikiko adds. Multi-school coordination isn't something she's had to do often, but lending a hand is still something she enjoys doing.
She gives Mio an odd look at the mention of fairies -- not because of mentioning like they're normal, but because she knows of a few things that would fit that description. "There's going to be plenty of time to figure out a name for him," she murmurs.
Daisuke Hansuke stares at Mio. Oh lord. All this out in the open in front of Ikiko and he just kinda wants to crawl into a corner and died. Venus assigned Mercury as CHAPERONE but she is not here right now and he kind of wishes she was so he could curl up under the desk and rock until he felt better.
He tapping his phone a moment in his pocket and seriousssssly considering it.
Tiny Fairies oh my god just shoot me now, Daisuke thinks.
"Well." he says. "Why don't....you and....Ikiko....go talk. About names!" he says.
Mio looks over to Ikiko. "Would that be okay? It looks like Hansuke-San needs to focus on the dog, he seems a little overwhelmed." Mio adds, picking up on it, at least in some way.
Ikiko Hisakata nods to Mio. "The puppy probably needs some rest as well," she agrees. "In the meantime, we could think about possible names for the puppy."
Mio and Ikiko leave and walks on over and shuts the door and slips back to his backpack and begins spastically searching it, pulls out a bottle of Ibprofeoun and just takes like three. He takes a moment just to let his head destress and then digs out his phone and slips the keyboard down. The question is kind of plain and fast because Daisuke isn't beating around the bush.
Daisu-Kun: Ami, do you know a Mio Kuroki?
Ami is deep in her own studies when Daisuke's text comes in, and she doesn't reply to it right away. When she finally does notice the flashing blue light on her phone, she picks it up and smiles at the name of the sender. That smile slowly fades when she sees his question. "There's a name I haven't heard in a while," she murmurs thoughtfully to herself, before texting the reply.
Ami-chan: I've never met her, but my friends have. They described her as a little creepy, and needing to learn the definition of 'personal space', especially regarding Chiba-san. Also, the deja-vu thing applied.
Daisuke Hansuke tap tap tap. Letting headache meds kick in. Peeking up at cute dog in a cage eating, probably curling up to sleep and get better. Raises phone. Takes pictures. Sends to Ami- attached to the next message.
Daisu-Kun: She brought a sick dog in. She said I was 'Special' like Chiba-san, Mizuno-san, Hino-san and Aino-san. Yeah Deja-Vu. Also. I felt really slimy and I don't know why about her. Letting Headache pills work. I have one now.
"... what?" Ami says, staring at the text for a long moment. She clicks the picture, then smiles. "Well at least the dog is cute," she notes amusedly, before texting him back.
Ami-chan: Are you sure she mentioned me by name? I haven't met her directly. That's a little odd. I wonder if she knows just how right she is about you being special.
Daisuke Hansuke replies tap tap tap.
Daisu-kun: Yeah. I'm just a little on edge right now. I started that dream journal like Venus wanted. I guess I'm alone again when you finish studying and your work- so if you wanted to come by and study the staff you can.
Ami-chan: I'm at the Game Center Crown with some of my school friends. We study here together a lot. Are you okay, Daisu-kun? I can come by if you need me to.
Daisuke Hansuke tap tap tap.
Daisu-Kun: I'm okay. I feel overwhelmed. Thanks Ami-chan. I don't want you to leave your friends to handle my mopey self. Enjoy yourself. I can deal with this. It's just not stuff I'm used to dealing with yet. I guess I could ask a favor thou...
Ami-chan: Daisu-kun, why are you always so mopey? You get to take care of cute animals and help people in need. What favor do you want of me?
Daisuke Hansuke giggles a little.
Daisu-kun: I'm not always mopey! Only when I remember this stuff exists now and I need to deal with it even thou I don't wanna~. Well. I just want you to maybe pass my number along to Chiba-san? I'm feeling like it's more important I speak to him sooner than later now.
Ami frowns a little. She can't really blame him for that. But she does agree, nonetheless.
Ami-chan: I can do that. I will also let him know you want to talk to him soon. Are you sure everything's okay?
Daisuke Hansuke isn't going to be, not tonight. But he's kinda also not wanting to bug Ami- so he lies terribly like he did to Kamen and that Police Man and----nrg.... he begins deleting the message he was going to send.
Daisu-Kun: Ami-chan. I want to be honest with you, so I will. Right now I don't think I'm okay. I have... you. to talk to, and that's it. Venus is--- she's odd. I need to start finding more people to talk to, or I'm just going to end up hurting you through this. This is why it's important I speak to Chiba-san. If he -- he can point me to these Virtue people...
Ami stares at the message from Daisuke for a long time, not responding. She had Luna and Usagi right away, and quickly they met Makoto and Rei, as well. She can't imagine what it must be like to face this alone. But then, he's not alone; Ami just doesn't know what to say to him. He's right. He needs to talk to Chiba-san. So she types out a text.
Ami Mizuno: Chiba-san, are you busy right now?
Then she sends another message to Daisuke.
Ami-chan: I've sent Chiba-san a text. I'm sorry that I'm not very helpful to you, Daisu-kun. I've never been very good at talking to people. I get nervous and wonder if I'm saying the right thing. I don't know what you should know and what you shouldn't. If I try to explain it to you, it might just wind up making things worse. So I'll get you in touch with Chiba-san as soon as possible. In the meanwhile, if you just want to talk, I'm almost done with my homework. I can met you somewhere when I'm through.
Daisuke Hansuke closes his eyes and sighs.
Daisu-Kun: You've done more than you've needed to help me, Ami-chan and you did so known you'd upset some people you know and I am really grateful for that. Talking to you helps me more than you know. I just. It's wrong to just. Keep bothering you like this.
He takes a deep breath.
Daisu-Kun: Yes, when you're done and ready, we can meet up somewhere- or I could even come down there. I'd ask you come down here and play with a cute puppy, but he's not feeling well! Sick little fuzzball~
Ami's phone very rapidly becomes a nexus of conversation, as she holds two conversations at once.
Mamoru Chiba: Slightly. Talking to Akemi-san about the DK issue targeting me, seeing if she wouldn't mind watching my back at school. What's up?
Ami Mizuno: I don't know what to tell Daisuke about Virtue, and he is feeling overwhelmed. He met Mia Kuroki today, and now he seems really upset. This isn't ... I don't know how to help him. I'm worried if I explain everything, I will overwhelm him even worse. He wants to talk to you.
Mamoru Chiba: I'll talk to him, and I'll bring him to Virtue. You can give him my number. Is he falling apart right this minute? Or can he wait until I'md one talking to Akemi-san?
Ami Mizuno: I'm going to meet him somewhere. I'll keep him together until you get free. I think I can do that. Probably.
Mamoru Chiba: I'll try to make this quick, then. Text me where you're going; either Akemi or Usagi-chan can go with me, since she was going to take me to Mako-chan's today anyway.
Ami breathes a brief sigh of relief at Mamoru's willingness to be helpful. Flipping back to Daisuke's text, she frowns just faintly at his worries.
Ami-chan: Daisu-kun, please let me decide what is too much. We are friends; let me be your friend. You do not bother me, especially when you respect my need to do homework. Where would you like to meet? Chiba-san will come and meet us wherever we are when he can.
Daisuke Hansuke replies.
Daisu-kun: Okay..um. hrm. I'm at Verone right now. Nearest places are well. Game Crown or The Shrine. I dunno if I wanna go near a shrine right now. Maybe.. um. Game Crown. That'll work. That should work.
He pauses.
Daisu-kun: Right...I just. Yeah. Sorry Ami-chan.
Ami reads the text, then smirks amusedly. Hastily, she fires off a text to Mamoru.
Ami Mizuno: Game Center Crown. We'll be downstairs, at the Sailor V game. Thank you, Mamoru.
Then she returns to Daisuke once more.
Ami-chan: I'm already there. I'll buy you a milkshake and meet you downstairs at the Sailor V game. We can play a bit while we wait, if you like.
Daisuke Hansuke just sends one text! It's quick.
Ami-chan: OMW.
He makes sure the puppy is okay before he leaves and turns the light off for sleepy puppy time.