Better Eight Than Never

Chapter 9: Feeling scrambled

Warning: This chapter contains vomit and characters throwing up.

"Hachi, it's time to get up." Bato said, walking over to his bed. "Breakfast is ready."

Hachi was on her side, not having moved an inch, just like the last two times he'd attempted to wake her up.

"Come on now... it's going to get cold." He said gently, shaking her shoulder. He pulled back and frowned a little as one of her tentacles slapped him across the hand. "Come on, Tanya made Poinch Toast." He paused. "... You don't know what that means, do you?"

She didn't reply, pulling the blankets a little closer using her tentacles.

Bato sighed, running a hand over his tentacles. "Look, I'd let you sleep in a little longer if I could, but we have to meet the others at the plaza and it's already 10:30. We're cutting it a little close as it is. You might be able to sleep for a little bit on the train if you need to." He watched her, then sighed as she didn't move. He walked over to the door and opened it, waving in some warm food-scented air from outside and hoping it would be enough to wake her. She shifted a little, but still didn't seem to be all that awake. He sighed and walked back over to her, poking her shoulder. "C'mon, out of bed now." He urged her.

She groaned, tentacles pushing the covers down a little bit. "Hmmmm what...?"

"It's time to get up." Bato said for what felt like the hundredth time that morning.

"I don't want to..." She grumbled, sounding a little stuffed up.

"I never would've guessed." He said, rolling his eyes. He picked up her hat and sunglasses, which had fallen off the bed while she slept, and held them out toward her. "How's your back?"

"S... Stiff... very..." Hachi muttered, slowly beginning to sit up. She blinked her eyes open at him, irises a bright yellow like melted butter in illustrations. Her markings were a little odd as well, instead of a mask across the bridge of her nose, there were just two triangles coming down from the bottoms of her eyes which were a dark purple color. It honestly reminded him a little of war paint. This would explain why she needed the sunglasses, he supposed.

He blinked a few times, then attempted not to stare as she took her accessories from him. "You think you'll be alright to walk for a little while today, at least?" He asked.

"I hope so." She grumbled, slipping on the glasses, and then staring at the hat in her hands.

Bato nodded a little bit, staring toward the door. "Are you ready?"

"No." Hachi muttered, letting her tentacles take her hat as she began to stand. Her face twisted in pain, and she sat back down again.

"Careful..." He said softly, walking over to her and holding out a hand.

She gave him a look which he was starting to conclude was her glaring at him before sighing and finally accepting his help.

"Once we're done with breakfast we should have a look at that wound." He said as he helped her into the hallway.

Hachi grunted in a way that he assumed was confirmation. She looked so tired...

"Did you sleep alright last night?" He asked.

"So warm and soft..." She mumbled, sniffling a little bit. "But not long enough"

"Yeah, I am sorry about that." He replied with a little grimace, turning the corner into the dining room. The smell of Poinch toast was much stronger here, and it made his stomach growl. He knew how good his stepmother's recipe was, even after she'd taught him how to make this one it still tasted best when made by her. The power of mothers. He helped Hachi to sit down in the seat she'd been in the night before and jumped as she sneezed. "Bless you."