<div style="text-align: center;"><a class="postlink" href="http://s300.photobucket.com/user/SociallyToxicBeauty/media/f9baa897-e285-4e2a-92b5-e0eb263a67ea.jpg.html"></a><a class="postlink" href="http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn24/SociallyToxicBeauty/f9baa897-e285-4e2a-92b5-e0eb263a67ea.jpg">[ img ]</a><br/><br/><span style="color: #408000"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;">Alida</span></span></span></div><br/><br/>Alida felt the hurt Izu had from her words and she felt a little guilty about it, but her pain outweighed it. She wanted to apologize for her words, however talking just felt like far too much effort. Izu seemed a bit concerned about something and she wondered briefly if it was her--dismissing the thought as quickly as it came.<br/><br/>Izu stood, limping out of the room into the waterfall room, only to return a few moments later with some odd stick in his hand. He opened his mouth, making a strange noise, and then pointing to her. It took her a moment to realize he wanted her to mimic him. She did as he desired and he stuck the stick into her mouth and gently closed it by nudging her chin. He made her hold still until the strange stick beeped. He took the stick back and looked at it,<span style="color: #BF0000">"101, huh? Damn. That isn't good..."</span>he said as he looked back up at her.<span style="color: #BF0000">"Let's get you taken care of, freeloader,"</span>Izu said and Alida frowned at the name. She still didn't know what it meant, but she already hated the term.<br/><br/>Izu once more disappeared and Alida snuggled into the blankets, burying her face in the pillows and she let out a pitiful whine. She began to doze off, but was woken again by Izu.<span style="color: #BF0000">"Eat and drink,"</span>he commanded as he set a glass of fizzy water and a bowl of some sort of soup. She understood his commands, but her stomach rolled a little and she wasn't sure if she could handle it. Still she tried as Izu cleaned the room. She felt weak and tired, her shaky hand unable to keep her spoon steady enough to keep the soup in it.<br/><br/>She heard Izu sigh and she had a feeling he was annoyed with her. Her eyes began to water again, sad that she had upset him once more. She didn't mean to upset him. He came to her, sitting down and pulling her into his lap. She bit back a whimper, not wanting to annoy him anymore than he was. His body warmth felt nice and she snuggled closer to him as he wrapped the blanket around them. She rested her head against his shoulder as she sat sideways in his lap. His left arm supported her back while his right grabbed the spoon to feed her. She didn't want to eat, but Izu hadn't given her much choice and so she obediently opened her mouth every time he nudged the spoon against her lips.<br/><br/>After a few bites, Alida simply could not eat anymore. She refused to open her mouth anymore,<span style="color: #408000">"No Izu. No food..."</span>she pleaded, turning her head some and curling into a tighter ball. She let out a shuddering breath, closing her eyes. She didn't understand why Izu was taking care of her, but she was thankful. Just being in Izu's arms made her feel slightly better.<span style="color: #408000">"Alida sorry..."</span>she said softly, thought she didn't open her eyes.<span style="color: #408000">"Izu not mean..." </span><br/><br/>Alida was still shivering and her body was still aching, but she was glad Izu was with her. She just didn't quite understand him. He had claimed her but he didn't seem to really want her, and yet here he was trying to take care of her. It made her feel weird and strangely disappointed. She would be with Izu for the rest of their lives and she was sad that it was unlikely he would ever want her. She rather liked Izu, though it was an innocent feeling. She thought he was a good person, even if he was grouchy. She didn't love him or anything like that, but she didn't mind the idea of being stuck with him--except for the whole fact that he didn't quite seem to like her.<span style="color: #408000">"Izu not like Alida?"</span>her tone implying the question rather than being an accusation.