un: eraserhead

[dryeyes]

What should be done in the case of sickness?

[He hadn't asked the locals because he always struck himself as a person who didn't get sick. This was, of course, a lie, he was a person to simply work through his sickness until his legs gave out. He should have seen this coming, really. Rain doesn't cause colds, after all, but working in the rain for almost a full day while not sleeping will sure compromise the immune system.]

I assume a quarantine is useful for the natives. All the ill are kept in one place with as much soundproofing as possible. If it's only a few cases then they may stay isolated rather than risk moving outside of walls. They don't have the luxury of a reset. [which is still sketchy as hell, to him, it's hard to believe he might have a second life ready to go]

There is, however, the matter of us.

To those with opinions:
Individuals with a sickness that compromises their silence should:
1) Remain isolated in their rooms, muffling sound as best they can.
2) Attempt transit to the hospital to minimize threat to the residences.
3) Attempt to leave in order to assure no sound eaters are attracted to the city.

If you have a better idea than that, go ahead. I've got nothing better to do than check this for now.

[And people in House Four can tell he's not talking in hypotheticals. He's curled up with a blanket, muffling coughs into cloth while facing the wall in his empty, empty room.]

Comments

UN: spiritsandsuch

[saltsplash]

I want to soundproof as many of the rooms in the house I'm sharing as possible anyway. I read a lot on sound dampening when I was thinking about making a web series detailing charms and exorcisms and I remember a lot of the techniques you can use.

[dryeyes]

So you're saying your house could act as a quarantine? That's hardly something you can decide all by yourself, it opens the whole place to infection.

[saltsplash]

No more than being sick in your own apartment does. You just wash your hands and wear a face mask.

[dryeyes]

Ah, face masks.

I should have taken some from the hospital when I had a chance. [They're so useful for all measure of things!]

[saltsplash]

I'll pick some up for you. Which house are you staying in?

[dryeyes]

Four. If you could bring a large container so that the other people in the house can use them as well, that would be appreciated.

[saltsplash]

I'll get a bunch so I won't have to make trips either. I've done a ton of soundproofing at House Six's kitchen and breakfast nook. Whoever's sick can hole up in the nook until their coughing stops, and we can get a tin of soap and water to make sure they're not spreading anything, and I'm cooking anyway, so I'll just make enough for them too.

In a time of crisis it's important for us to help one another!!

[ok reigen]

[dryeyes]

I'm sure someone appreciates the dramatic declaration.

[He's right, though. As much as he doesn't want to listen to someone who believes in ghosts, he's made very valid points about illness. Besides, if he went along with it he could pick up some tips for soundproofing himself. It'd be beneficial for everyone else in House Four.]

Alright. Thank you for your offer. I'll be waiting for the masks.

Action

[saltsplash]

[It's a bit later that day before Reigen shows up, but he texts a quick "I'm here" before carefully opening the front door and going inside. He's got a bag in hand, careful to not let it jostle or bounce against him as he walks - after a minute of looking around he'll find wherever Aizawa was hiding.]

[dryeyes]

[House Four is pretty quiet. Once he's inside, Reigen can hear the very faint signs of life. There are people in their rooms, faint rustling, the soft sound of feet on flooring, and]

[Very faint, muffled coughing from one room.]

[Aizawa had pulled himself up at the text, blearily looking at the displayed message on the screen. He'd been trying to respond diligently yet the more he looked at the screen the foggier his head felt and the need for a nap became all-encompassing. Later, later, once everything was settled.]

["Do you have a face mask on?" is tapped back, before another cough comes and he has to curl his fist around some sheets and bring them up to his mouth.]

[saltsplash]

[He'll pull one out of the bag and put it on, and retrieve another to pass to Aizawa. He waves his hand for Aizawa to follow, before signing simply,]

Come with me.

[He figured someone in this house was sick anyway!]

[dryeyes]

[He shuffles himself up to his feet, picking up one of the two pillows to carry with him. He accepts the mask, putting it on, and starting to follow. He hesitates at the doorway, though, pausing to lean against it. His signs are sluggish,]

If I sneeze on the way, just leave me.

[With that stated, he can follow. Slowly.]

[saltsplash]

[Reigen quirks an eyebrow. Yeah, he's not gonna do that.]

Pinch your nose if you have to sneeze.

[dryeyes]

[Ugh, no one's letting him be a sadsack martyr! How annoying.]

[There's a quick "got it" gesture as he starts to walk. He's a bit slow, dragging his feet a bit against the sand paths but still minimizing noise as best he can.]

[saltsplash]

[Reigen's careful to make sure he doesn't leave Aizawa behind, even if he's a bit faster than the obviously sick man. Eventually he guides Aizawa inside House Six, and into the nook. The door leading to the room Reigen claimed already had its pillows stuffed in the cracks of the door, and Reigen gestures for Aizawa to get himself comfortable. He'll return shortly with some of the blankets from his room, another pillow, then leave and return with a bowl of water and soap. One more trip, and he brings a small side table from another room to put the bowl and soap to stay out of the way of the nook's main table. Reigen paused, nodding to himself at his handiwork before sticking a note that says "text me to come in" on the other side of the door before closing it, locking it, and stuffing the cracks with the pillows.] ...That should do it. [He's speaking in a low and quiet voice, just in case, but that at least shows his confidence in his handiwork.] Food'll be in a while. If you're about to fuss about getting freebies, just get me back later.

[dryeyes]

[Aizawa settles down but it could hardly be called making himself comfortable. Sure, he's slouched a bit, but his current state really doesn't let him do much else than slump. He watches silently as Reigen sets up their mutual area for- how long? He'd sent a message to Shinsou to tell him not to worry. Still, it might be a while in this- cozy place before going back to his own sparse room.]

[The first time he opens his mouth to say anything is when Reigen comments about food and- his complaint is immediately answered. His voice is heavy-sounding when he speaks, rough from phlegm and lack of use,]

... Later, then. [He wasn't going to fuss just make a marked complaint.] It's not like I have much appetite anyways.

[saltsplash]

Yeah, but you'll get better sooner if you eat, so it's better for everyone. I think there's some tea, I can get something to help with your throat and the coughing.

[Oh no being comfortable and cared for is the best way to not be a burden for long]

[dryeyes]

[How dare you appeal to his sense of logic and lack of desire to be a burden. He shuffles around with the blankets he has, forming himself a small and cozy cocoon.]

... Right, there's one other thing that might help. [although he's not sure if he can get it]

Some sort of sleep aid... [Shit, that was what he really should have asked for from the hospital. Something strong.]

[saltsplash]

Well, maybe the hot tea will do the trick. I don't think it's caffeinated. If that fails, I'll exorcise the tension and stiffness and you'll have no choice but to relax enough for sleep.

[He'll gesture to "shush" before Aizawa can comment on that ridiculous statement since Reigen's moving the pillows and soundproofing around, and disappears into the kitchen to start boiling water.]

[dryeyes]

[He opens his mouth to retort but is immediately "shush"ed. His mouth hangs open for a bit, offended that he wasn't able to say how ridiculous it was. After a moment, he stubbornly pulls out his device, pulls up Reigen's profile, and,]

You can't exorcise tension.

[Delivered while Reigen is starting the tea. Only once he's gotten that out of his system does he settle down in his newly-formed blanket cocoon.]

[saltsplash]

[Pshaw!!]

How little faith you have in me!!

[dryeyes]

[He has absolutely zero faith. He has enough trust to be here, to lay down in a mess of blankets and try to sleep.]

[but, of course it's not coming easily now]

[he buries his face in a pillow and just grumbles, waiting for the tea. not the exorcism. that's still stupid!]

[saltsplash]

[Reigen's back in just a little bit with hot tea, securing the room and passing the tea to Aizawa.]

Alright. Drink that, then I'll help you relax.

[He pulls a chair out and sits backwards in it, in the meantime.]

I want to start looking into other buildings and the hospital and see if they can't be outfitted like this. The more we work to adjust the living spaces here, the better.

[dryeyes]

[He'll shift a bit, taking the tea and taking a small sip. He still doesn't look relaxed but, you know, give it time.]

... that'd be useful. The rain reminded me how stifling this was. [He missed heavy footsteps. And if he wanted to continue Shinsou's training, he'd eventually have to find an area where the sound was muffled. Combat was never silent.]

[saltsplash]

If we could find something underground, that'd probably work best. It doesn't sound like the Sound Eaters are burrowers, but maybe I'll check with the locals in case they tried that.

[Lots of "hey did you try this", and for a good handful of things, they tried. For others, they were too scared to try. Both were perfectly reasonable reactions.]

The learning phase is always tough. This project,

[He gestures to the room]

took time out of me learning more sign language. It's got its benefits and it'll be helpful long term, but I can't help more if I have to type every time.