dumbshow | answer your god damn phone

[Busy with work, Kurapika says, and Leorio is already echoing it back at him in angry disbelief before he's even finished the sentence. It's no excuse- Leorio knows, remembers what Kurapika's real goals are, but— but still, to go off the grid so thoroughly and only show up when it's convenient to him isn't what friends are supposed to do.

He has his next disapproving yell all ready to go, and holds his own phone away from his ear and in front of his face - like he's really yelling at Kurapika instead of an annoyed ID picture on his phone! - but in that split second when he's deciding between "like hell you've been that busy" and "you aren't the only one who works," Kurapika's question sneaks in. It takes a second before the sound of Leorio letting out the deep breath he took to really yell with comes through the phone, and when he speaks again his voice is lower.

He's already agreed, damn it.]

Tell me one thing first. [He's decidedly not going to ask anything that will provoke Kurapika into hanging up on him (he hopes), not when he's barely heard a few sentences out of him for too long. But-] Are you okay?

[He can predict Leorio's overall reaction and work with it as he sees fit, but somehow, the small things like this always surprise him. He blinks in a brief show of surprise, dropping his hand from his elbow as he stares at the ground. He's foolish. He'd thought for certain that in the way he'd abandoned his friends for his own goals, for both of their sakes, they'd abandon him in some way in return-- give up, something like that.

But instead, there's always this concern.]

I'm fine. [He breathes out in a tone that's less businesslike and more like the Kurapika who used to be able to be reached vaguely. He doesn't know how else to react.] But I may not stay that way if you can't help. I can't give you the details until you meet me in person. Is that fine?

[He's tense for the brief pause before Kurapika answers and then breathes out again, audibly relieved. There are too many things he wants to say, to ask - and he'd probably yell most of them, out of habit - but if all he's going to get right now is a two-word assurance that Kurapika is fine, he'll deal with it. It beats another indefinite number of months listening to his phone ring and wondering if there's even someone left to pick up on the other end, anyway.

This is- well, it's something if not good news, as his milder tone is immediately cranked back up with an indignant sputter.] What? What kind of thing is that to say to someone without explaining?! You—

[how does he deal with any of you HOW]

Of course it's fine, so tell me where to meet you!

[He closes his eyes, letting the ranting slide past him as he thinks this out. Okay, so Leorio can come. Of course he would. He's not finished with medical school, but he knows enough... It's all formality. A little lack of experience was going to have to make way for the trust, with Nostrade this wound up over it. If he got someone who slipped up even the slightest, he'd have to worry about a whole mess to clean up.]

I'm with Nostrade. I'll arrange for an air ship to pick you up there, since I can't give out our exact location over the phone. Just show them your Hunter's License and you'll be let on and taken directly to us.

[So, at least he won't have to pay.] I'll have to arrange that when we hang up now, so try to be there in an hour.

[The plan rolls over him almost without sticking, as he's already on his feet looking for his shoes. The more serious points sink in, at least - Nostrade, a secret location, a shady airship ride - and Leorio frowns and mumbles something that's less a word and more a noise of disapproval. Honestly, it's due to the fact that Kurapika can send airships to pick him up specially whenever he wants, but if Leorio wants to find him, he—can't.

If he could, well... Well, never mind. He can't. He presses the phone to his ear with his shoulder as he fumbles with his briefcase, the sounds of the latches clicking giving it away. Nostrade is there now, which means Kurapika must need him to do something, and how embarrassing would it be to show up woefully unprepared. The way he usually is, he feels like.

He doesn't try to hide his sigh, exasperated. His being angry at Kurapika isn't a well-kept secret, despite what he's doing now.] You're too much. Okay! I'll be there in forty.

[no it'll be an hour]

[So, an hour. He'll arrange for the ship to be ready early just in case, but he'll instruct them to wait an additional hour before they contact him. Kurapika isn't in the place to worry about his spot in this compared to Leorio's. Why would he?

But he does realize he's asking a lot. There's a brief hesitation after Leorio's last words, silence lingering over the line and possibly falsely indicating that he'd already hung up. But just when the time stretches long enough to be worrying, he speaks up again.]

Thanks. [He spent all that time deciding if he wanted to say that in advance. But realizing that he probably won't have time to later, it was only fair.]

I'll see you when you arrive.

[And with that, he does hang up, immediately heading back in the room to inform Nostrade of his plans so he can make the arrangements. Amazing how he can get an airship there and waiting in the airport by Leorio in just a half hour or so. When he gets there, he'll realize it wasn't just some simple airship either. It's high class. They must really need him to do something, after all.

Isn't it great that Kurapika left him with such foreboding words and then urgent signs like this? He figures he can explain it when Leorio gets there.]

[Something in Leorio shorts out a bit at that; finally talking to Kurapika (and not about much, thanks a lot) is one thing, but seeing him is another entirely. It takes him a second to catch up with reality, and fortunately no one can see him yet as he pauses halfway to his door to let that really sink in.

But he can also hear the note of finality in Kurapika's words and blurts out a hasty,] See you soon!! [-before he's... hung up on... thanks a lot again.

The next hour doesn't improve his state of mind. In fact, by the time he's arrived and been shuffled off to the airship waiting for him, he's too frazzled to really appreciate just how nice it is. His mind's been running laps around all the horrible things he could be walking into right now, starting with "it's a trap" (although who would want to kidnap him, he isn't sure) and ending with "a really dangerous trap." It's a distinctly uncomfortable state to be in, and he feels like each passing minute is a brick dropping into his stomach.

The only question he bothers to ask the airship crew is whether there's anything he can drink on this ship before he busies himself on the far end of the cabin going through an assortment of pacing, sitting down and getting back up again, and complaining into the minibar.

He decides at one point to punch Kurapika in the face when he sees him, but then again maybe he won't. It depends.]

[Meanwhile, Kurapika is busy seeing to all of the sick members and making sure the healthier ones stay separated. A forced quarantine of sorts-- as much as they could in an old business building. There were makeshift rooms built into it already, but with the work they were all still trying to do, the main thing was keeping Nostrade separate from everybody. Kurapika instructed for him to stay on his own near the top floor, where he could be watched by security cameras and guards posted at the stairways and elevators, but not within reach of whatever this illness was.

He, however, spent his time going door to door and making sure everything was in order, from the sick to the healthy. He receives a message that the airship is arriving and responds to that promptly enough, heading up to the rooftop where it would land.

Dressed in a full black suit and his usual grey contacts, Kurapika is there with two or three other mafia members once Leorio steps out. There's no smile or comments about how long it's been-- right now, this is a business transaction. And so he treats it as such.

Though, it is nice to see him after so long. In a way, it's comforting.]

You made it. [That counts as a greeting, surely.] Have you gotten enough rest? [And that for concern, even in the formal way he words it, right?]

If you think you're ready, I can go over everything on the way downstairs.

[For once, Leorio can't wait to get away from opulence. The airship is stifling when his mood is combined with the way he's suddenly sure he's made a huge mistake. Walking into the Nostrade family- hideout? base?- whatever it is, it surely can't be good for his studies, and he wonders exactly how much time he's inadvertently agreed to dedicate to these people. These criminals.

He's at the door to the airship cabin before they even land, and as someone opens it for him he's shouldering his way out impatiently, briefcase in hand. He throws a half-sincere "Thanks for the ride" over his shoulder before he turns, and— Kurapika.

Suddenly, it doesn't matter how untrustworthy everyone else in the place is. Kurapika asked him to come—Leorio doesn't really need anything else, and well, here he is. Emotion sticks in his throat, but apparently this isn't the time or place for all the things he wanted to say. Later. Maybe.]

I'm— [He coughs, glancing at the other mafia members with obvious distrust. It'd be great if he had the explanation earlier...] I'm rested.

[There's a beat, before he takes a few long strides over and plants himself at Kurapika's side. If he has to hang around people besides Kurapika, he's not going to do it in the back of the group.] Let's go.

[While every other member up there tenses at Leorio's long strides forward, Kurapika raises a hand to ease them. He'd already told them, before Leorio had arrived. This was a friend. A trusted comrade who would never betray them. And he'd know if it wasn't him or if he was being controlled right away.

He already knows, and despite his tired face, the corner of his lips twitches and he almost hints at a smile. Almost. He covers his mouth with his hand for a small cough and nods for Leorio to follow.]

Come on.

[As they step towards the stairs, the rest of them stay behind on the roof to survey the airship and wrap things up. Meanwhile, on the top floor, he leads them to the elevator.]

A handful of the workers here have come down with an illness no one can recognize. [Right to the point, finally, after that long flight. He doesn't look at Leorio as he walks, too focused ahead for now.] At first, we thought it was a normal flu. It started the same, but just the other week, one of our workers died.

Since then, four more have passed, and it's been spreading even with our best efforts to keep it contained. [Now, he looks to Leorio, his first regretful expression making its way onto his face.]

I'm sorry that I couldn't let you know of the danger ahead of time. There's a good chance that you could catch it, as well. If you're worried, I can arrange to have you sent back immediately...

[Leorio looks at Kurapika almost the entire time they walk. He can't help it, after all that time spent having his calls ignored, to suddenly be walking alongside him now- Why wouldn't he? He wants to suss out the things Kurapika won't tell him or anyone, pinpoint what things are different about him and what stayed the same, wonder exactly how long Kurapika has looked so tired and if anyone here has even noticed—

Died?

Leorio blinks abruptly back into the conversation and listens with more focus. They need a doctor? But he isn't- not yet- This isn't good. He has nothing to do with the Nostrade family, he doesn't want anything to do with the Nostrade family and if Kurapika tries to put him back on that airship than Leorio will drag him aboard too— but if people are dying, then... he has to do something. This isn't the kind of "someone else's problem" he can ignore with a clear conscience - damn.

First, though, he scoffs and waves his free hand carelessly.] Don't be an idiot. I'm already here, aren't I? And you're already trying to get rid of me.

[For the most part he manages to keep his voice casual, save for a falter at the end that he'll pretend didn't happen. He looks Kurapika full in the face then, brow creased in concern. He'll have time to be angry later-] Are you sure you're okay? You look pretty terrible, y'know.

No, I'm not. [It was just an honest concern, but he doesn't underline that part.] I'm the one who called you here, aren't I?

[That should have been enough of a sign. But Leorio's clueless as usual. There are shadows under his eyes and lines on his face and the only thing that's not a mess on him right now is his suit. He lets those worried comments register for a few seconds before he completes his first though, and even that is spoken in a soft volume.]

You're the only one I can rely on right now.

[So, he's being selfish here. He wants him to stay.

The elevator door opens, and he walks in, waiting for Leorio to follow before the doors close and he hits the lowest floor of the building. Right, though--]

I just haven't been able to sleep much since this started to happen. And-- [He pauses, searching for a way to word this lightly. There is none.] Melody is one of the ones who are sick.

[So maybe he's a little worried. That's all.]

[That's—much more than Leorio can say he was expecting. It's all things he would have inferred, sooner or later (he tells himself, anyway), and having Kurapika actually say them only drives home exactly how bad things are here. Leorio isn't sure how to respond; it feels a little cheap to tell him he can always rely on him and should do it more often, given the circumstances, so- he doesn't respond, following him into the elevator in thoughtful silence. Kurapika is tired but he isn't near death, and that's going to concern him just a little more than the sick family members until he can see them.

That is until the rest hits him like a punch to the gut; Melody? He barely knows her, but in the short time they were both with her last she managed to convince him someone in this shady business might be okay. More than okay. If anyone were to notice Kurapika's sorry state it would be her—

Leorio looks down and away, gritting his teeth. It's only for a second, before he resolves to put aside the feelings of being profoundly not the right man for this job and looks at Kurapika again with renewed determination.]

I'll help. I'll do anything I can. Kurapika— [He puts a hand on Kurapika's shoulder and squeezes, a little too hard- there are too many emotions threatening to spill out of him right now to say what he wants to say so he hopes this will get his point across, You're not alone.

And he's totally not going to cry. Not right now.]

[I don't want to lose another friend.

With that thought, his hands curl tightly at his sides as he stares holes in the buttons lighting their way down in the elevator. But Leorio's words pull him out of his own thoughts. After that squeeze to his shoulder, he turns his head, watching in silent surprise. No, maybe not surprise... wonder?

Looking more determined again, even though his worry, he nods firmly. No words necessary for that, right? He knows Leorio must understand the way he's feeling. And to put this weight on him is really too much, but... They were friends, after all. No matter how much he tried to put that out of the way and worry about it, fear for it, shelter it-- it was true. And he was lucky.

The elevator bell chimes and the doors slide open just as Kurapika covers another single cough with his hand (it's more like clearing his throat, a quick motion), and then he motions for Leorio to follow him again.]

Right now, Nostrade is staying on his own at the top floor. Staff has limited access, and we've made makeshift rooms for those of us staying here for our mission right now.

Currently, we're using this floor for the ill. They're kept away from the elevators.

[Turning in place once they're a good few feet outside of the elevator, Kurapika faces Leorio directly. His eyes still have that determination, and he looks to his friend for some sort of direction. He's relying on him. He's not just asking this weight of him, he's putting his faith in him. It's the least he can do.

The goal is clear without him having to say it. And so, all that's left is for him to move onto the first step.]

What do you want to do first?

[The moment's cut short by the elevator stopping but Leorio follows without another comment about it. He doesn't really... care what the man Nostrade himself is doing, if he's being completely honest; if he's not sick, he's not someone Leorio is here to see. It's not a confrontation he wants to have right now, anyway, him against the slimeball in charge of putting Kurapika through all of this.

He might say something they all regret.]

How many people are sick? [Not a question he needs immediately answered, but just to know what he's up against- looking down the hall like it has an answer for him before Kurapika's sudden stop grabs his attention again.

He blinks after a few seconds and feels like he can glance away from Kurapika's serious gaze without being caught in it again- no pressure, right? He can do this. This is the reason he became a Hunter in the first place, to be someone who can make a difference in situations like this— and if he tells himself he's become that person already, it might even work.

So, then. First,] Take me to Melody.

Right now, there are 9 confirmed. Melody is the only one who has worked directly with Nostrade that's come down with it.

[Naturally, that's what flipped him over. Kurapika has his own angry thoughts on the man, who was yelling and panicking and saying such cruel things about the girl who'd helped him so many times. Just because death was so close to himself...

Still, in a way, it's good. It meant that they were able to call someone for help sooner than later. Unlike when the first couple fell ill and Nostrade waved it off. It's just unfortunate that Leorio had to be pulled into all of this.]

Right... This way.

[As they walk towards her place, Kurapika decides to list the symptoms more specifically. It starts with a cough that gets steadily more violent, followed by a fever and nausea, weakness, loss of appetite or the ability to hold food. The ones who have died lasted about a week and a half.

He pauses at the door to Melody's room. They don't really have anything to prevent it from spreading. He wants nothing more than to find a cure for Melody, but if Leorio were to become ill as well...

His hand tightens around the doorknob and he pushes forward despite the few second delay, face darkening at the sight of Melody asleep in bed. Her breathing was ragged, and she looked worse than the last time he had managed to visit her.]

[It sounds for all intents and purposes like a common flu, which only strains Leorio's nerves more. If something about the symptoms sounded out of the ordinary, that'd be a place to start, but a sickness that sounds like another and then kill its victims after a week? That's—not much to go on.

There's a lot riding on this, a lot of responsibilities and circumstances stacked very much against them both. Leorio frowns at Melody's door, mind racing as he thinks of what other illnesses match Kurapika's description and if any have unique symptoms to look for. Only a handful of people are sick or have passed already, but they could all already have whatever it is. Kurapika could— and he could soon, walking into the thick of it like this—

Well, he'll worry about that later, too. He touches Kurapika's shoulder briefly again before moving past him into the room. Whatever hesitations he had on the airship or on the way to this room are gone; he's (mostly) a doctor, Kurapika is his friend and Melody is important to Kurapika, and he might have come equipped with the most basic of supplies but hell if he doesn't try.

Still, as he looks down at the sleeping Melody, "good" isn't the word that comes to mind. A moment later he puts his briefcase down on the end of the bed and tugs a pair of gloves out of it. Might as well start with a general examination, he'll take her temperature...]

Uh— [Over his shoulder; somehow, Kurapika standing there watching doesn't seem like the best thing for him to do.] I won't kick you out, but at least sit down somewhere.

[For a brief moment, his mouth twitches like he's going to say something cold, but it flattens shortly after and he turns to one of the chairs in the room. Taking a seat, he lets out a smooth sigh, hands curling fingers together as he leans forward over his knees.

Sitting. Right, that's all he can do right now. Well, mostly.]

If there's any equipment you think you'd need, we can probably arrange for it to be brought in. [So that's good, right? Nostrade isn't going to stop at anything to find out what's going on and keep it from him.] The only other thing I can tell you is that Nostrade is worried he's being attacked.

[Not very helpful. It's driving him crazy, though, having to sit here and watch people like Melody growing sick and being unable to do anything. He's not even sure what Leorio is capable of in tense situations like this. He had seen that notorious punch on tv and that's about it. But still, even that was a sign that he'd been working hard...

He'll just sit in this chair and stare very intensely as Leorio works. Sorry bud.]

[Leorio hums his acknowledgement, turning back to Melody and his briefcase. When he has a better idea of what's going on here, then— of course he'll let Kurapika "arrange" it. He'll bleed Nostrade's bank accounts dry if it will stop people from dying here.]

Might be. He's a criminal. [Darkly, as he gets to work. Not only is Nostrade a criminal, but apparently also a coward hiding away while his people flounder and die below him. That's a real winner. It's difficult to say which aspect of the man he's never met Leorio is the most disgusted with at the moment - there are just so many.

Nostrade can wait; he thinks instead about the possibility that someone has attacked the family as he works. Temperature first, although it's obvious by looking that she has a fever... If this is an attack, then there's also the possibility that it's some kind of poison (or nen? Can nen do that? Maybe he should have gotten a better nen teacher), which at least means it can be disposed of at the source...

Cloud of uncertainty overhead aside, his checkup on Melody goes as well as it can given she's unconscious. His studying hasn't been shoddy at all, and it shows in the way he moves; even his occasional frustrated grumble reflects on the nature of the situation and not a lack of ability to do this seriously.

Eventually he straightens up and looks back at Kurapika, brow creased. He's not a miracle worker, there's no magic diagnosis and cure this soon, but he's at least got a better understanding of her symptoms and one more to add-] She's dehydrated.

[and his IV drips are in his other briefcase]

She hasn't been able to eat anything for a while now. Drinking... she tries her best.

[Dehydrated... It does make sense. There's another short cough shielded by his hand as he pushes himself up from the chair. So shortly after sitting down, too! Ignoring Leorio's earlier concern, he steps up until their shoulders brush and he can look at his newer friend more closely.

Damn it... He knows they're criminals. It's why he didn't say anything in response, but he's here for a reason, just as she is. It can't be helped... As much as he hates this man he's working for, he has to be patient. That's what he keeps telling himself.

But seeing her here, like this? His fingers clench tighter at his sides until his knuckles are white, and there's plenty of emotion on his face. It's not something he allows around anyone else here, but it's just Leorio. It's okay with Leorio.]

Dehydrated. [He repeats it again.]

[Did he not say sit down? He's pretty sure he said sit down. But at the same time he's about to tell him to sit back down, something clicks into place and he pauses. Has Kurapika been coughing this whole time?

Dread like ice water falls over him and Leorio suddenly has to drag his focus back to Melody when it's trying very hard to be in two places at once. It doesn't work as well as he tries to make it, and worry settles in the pit of his stomach more heavily than before. He nods, keeping his voice controlled.]

If she can't drink on her own, she needs a drip. [A glance; this is taking its toll on Kurapika, and if Leorio could he would make him sit down and deal with the arrangements himself—he's never yelled at the mafia before, but there's a first time for everything. But he knows Kurapika too well to expect him to consider his own well-being above that of one of the few people he values, so he'll put him to work gathering supplies instead.

Sort of. He wonders how long he can get away with trying to keep Kurapika as removed from shoving his nose in it as possible. It's worth a shot.

As close as they're standing right now it takes only a small movement to nudge his elbow against Kurapika's arm, a gesture meant to keep Kurapika here and not receding into too much emotion.] Can you get me one? Or a dozen, while we're at it— for the whole crew.

A dozen...

[For the whole crew. The nudge makes his whole body wobble slightly, giving no resistance to it as he considers the words. Right. They'd have to be prepared with a few extras, too. Leorio won't have much luck here in removing Kurapika completely. He's able to achieve these errands easily, as shown by the way he flips his phone out, again.

Funny. He's getting plenty of use out of it, to the point where missing calls was seeming more and more unrealistic.]

Yes...

[He hits a name in the contact list and places the phone to his ear, taking a few steps away so he can complete the request. He'll have someone else get them here. It's a very short call, maybe about forty seconds, and he nearly hangs up before he hesitates and looks over his shoulder, one hand covering the mouth piece of the phone.]

Is there anything else you think you'll be needing?

[You know, while he's doing this.]

[Sit back down then—jeez.

That said, the passive confirmation that his calls go totally ignored is just great. Maybe if Kurapika had picked up a week ago and Leorio hadn't been spending all his time sleeping on his desk and complaining to himself about textbooks- he sighs, then holds up a hand to signal for Kurapika to give him a minute. This might be a shoddy list, but he'll just have to trust Kurapika's people to get good materials.

"Trust." Well, he trusts Kurapika, if not his mystery contacts.]

Ahh, you didn't even give me a chance to think about it. Besides those... [He thinks a moment more and then he'll tick them off on his fingers: more needles, obviously, plus syringes and painkillers- more gloves- it's a short list, but given all the nothing they know about this illness, it's to be expected.

Just buy him a hospital, come on.]

[Leorio he is not going to be your sugar daddy with Nostrade's money.

But... If it's of any consolation, the tone he's taking with his contact over the phone is far from friendly. He speaks the orders firmly, gives clear deadlines, specifies that only the best of the supplies should be brought and finishes with a threat that any failure on this part will be taken out on them personally.

With that said, he ends the call, staring at the screen for a whole minute afterwards before he pockets it and sighs again, tailed by another short cough.]

They won't get here immediately, but they'll be on their way shortly. We should have everything by tomorrow. [He just hopes that will be fast enough, and that comes across in his tone as he trails off. Still not sitting, he walks back to the side of the bed, scanning Melody.

She's really knocked out. Probably too exhausted to be awake.]

We won't just be racing against this illness. Nostrade is already losing his patience in a panic. I have to keep talking to him and giving him updates.

[His fingertips rest at the edge of the bed, pressing down and then pulling back as he looks up to Leorio once more.] But I can handle that regardless of what you need to do. I'll keep him out of your way, so... You can just do what you can. I know it's not easy.

[why NOT]

[Still, the way Kurapika talks to his- underling?- isn't much of a comfort. It might be, under different circumstances, were he not watching Kurapika fray his nerves and spread himself too thin. Leorio needs a really specific set of conditions to enjoy other people getting, uh, threatened. This...

No, it's really not a comfort at all.

He frowns, then decides that he's going to sit if Kurapika won't and does so, flopping gracelessly into a chair. This feels like the start of a long night. He's quiet for a beat before straightening up from his slouch a little and peeling off the gloves, still frowning.]

What's that bastard going to do? Leave? That'd be better than what he's doing now, if you ask me! [Or maybe he'll stop shittalking the mafia boss before someone else hears... maybe. Another comment sits on his tongue, a protest against all of Kurapika's half-apologies for getting him involved with this, but he can't figure out a way to word it without calling him a moron.

Time and place. Instead he switches gears entirely to the other thing that's bothering him now, with a vain hope that he won't be brushed off:] You keep coughing. Come over here and let me look at you.

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