Sora has been missing class ever since school started back up. According to the homeroom teacher, she's caught a cold and couldn't make it to class. Nothing else has been said since. Sora has been somewhat willing to answer Jiaying's texts, but has not been saying much, and has only reiterated that she has a cold if pressed about it.
She's finally caved and told her girlfriend that if they're so worried about her, they should come visit so they can see it's just a cold. With a little note added 'I don't want to talk about Shiniko. Maybe when I get better.' And to be fair, Shiniko hasn't been sighted at all since Sora got sick.
... it's just been the familiars.
Jiaying Maki has been making sure she's kind of destroyed any familiars she's seen with her own ghosts, the things trailing from her shadow, growing longer and slashing through them with jade green claws. Jia's texting has slowed down over the past week and for the past day, she hasn't said anything. Today she finally sends a text that she's coming over.
She makes her way towards the residence, having had discussions about the situation and what can be done, what should be done and what the outcomes are to the point that she's sick of them at the moment and has been taking a rather roundabout way of avoiding it all.
Still, she makes it to the gates and if Sora's not out there, she'll ring the bell, buzzer or if all else fails, send a ghost in to bang on a window or something. She's holding onto that for last though.
Sora's not out there, but someone lets Jiaying in and guides her over to Sora's bedroom, where the girl is on her futon. She gets woken up by the door opening, and she doesn't seem to really be all there yet, tiredly mumbling "It's too early, I'll be up later." Before turning around and seemingly trying to get back to sleep.
She's really, really pale.
Jiaying Maki waits for the person that guided her there to leave, making sure the door is shut before walking over to Sora. She seems torn on what action to take. On the one hand, she really is still kind of angry and that side is telling her to poke Sora in the sides until she wakes up. It's largely drowned out by a mixture of sadness and pity at seeing her like this. She sighs, sits on the edge of the bed and rests a hand on Sora's shoulder, waiting a moment before saying anything.
It takes a moment before Sora to properly realize who's there, and then she blinks slowly a few times. "Are you an angel come to take me to hea--" She interrupts herself with heavy coughing, turning her head away and covering her mouth when she does that.
Jiaying Maki shakes her head and says, "Wrong country Sora, sorry." She tries to sound tough about it, but it's obvious she's mix of sad, upset and worried. Especially at the coughing as she twists and slips her arms around her to hug her tight.
Sora returns the hug, she's got a fever, it's obvious from just that basic contact. "You're cold, Jia." She says softly, maintaining the hug regardless, just a little while longer, taking comfort in the gestures. "I'm sorry I've not been responding as much."
Jiaying Maki shakes her head and says, "I'm not cold Sora, something's wrong with you." She bites her lip and says flatly, "Norie thinks you're becoming like her." She wanted to get that out, because that part scares her, having spent a considerable amount of time with Norie and all. "Please keep talking to me, don't... stop. Don't distance yourself." That was a suggestion from her too. She sounds earnest as she says it
"There's a reason I've been missing class, Jia." Sora half-shrugs, clearly indicating that she was making a joke about the coldness. "And I'm not becoming like her. I promise." There's an unstated but somewhat clear 'I know what I'm doing.' "I thought you were mad at me and I don't want to have to explain myself all over again."
Jiaying Maki pokes Sora in the side and says, "I am mad at you. You're doing something wreckless, dangerous and...-" She sighs and shakes her head slowly. "I'm worried about you. You're cold, you think I'm cold, you act like two people and- you were avoiding me. That hurts."
Sora winces when Jiaying pokes her, but it seems the words hurt more than a mere poke, "I've been sick since before classes started, I wasn't trying to avoid you." She stifles a yawn, clearly tired. "I just didn't have the energy to have this talk. I still don't, I think."
Jiaying Maki shakes hre head and says, "Even before, unless this sickness has been going on longer than you'll admit." She reaches out to press her hand to Sora's forehead curiously, wondering if she's running a high fever, or if she's on the cold side of things.
Sora is running a high fever, and she doesn't quite address the other point, just shivering and pulling her blanket up a little higher. "Did you bring my homework?" She asks, sounding a little hopeful. "I don't want to fall behind..."
Jiaying Maki looks at Sora and asks flatly, "How long has this been going on?" as she unshoulders her backpack and sets it on the bed next to Sora. Opening it up, she sets the assignments down. She's trying to stay focused and tough rather than breaking down because this is really not easy on her and she's sure anything else will make it harder for both. She's not thinking too clearly.
"I haven't really been keeping track?" Sora answers, and she's not lying about it either. "Maybe two weeks ago? Days kind of been blend together." She smiles faintly, "Thank you for bringing my homework, I'll try to get it done when I'm less tired."
Jiaying Maki looks to the door, then curls up next to Sora for a moment. "I haven't told anyone that doesn't already know. I don't want them hurting you. Whatever is wrong, I don't..." She stops and instead asks, "Did you know someone once close to you thought you were lonely and left out? That's what I used to think to. That's why I tried to make sure you could think of me as a friend or more."