ismene finally had some alone time after talking to shinku for most of the afternoon, and decided she needed to stretch her legs after reading and explaining various greek texts and disproving myths.

she decided it was for the best to go take a walk for awhile to clear her head. even if she was one of the most strong minded ultimates in the prison, she was stressed about the killing game all the same.

she knew walking around alone would be foolish, especially if a murder could actively be happening, but right now? she just needed a break from everyone.

ismene took a deep inhale of fresh (enough) air and made up her mind to go to the courtyard.

to read? to visit dracul's grave? to mourn mint? god, she didn't know, and the classicist decided she didn't need to care until she got there.

while walking, she heard shuffling and groans from the infirmary. she stopped in her tracks and closed her book, scrunching her nose in confusion.

did she bother to go in and check what was making those ungodly noises?

for all she knew, she could just be walking into a literal murder in progress, but she decided to suck it up and go in anyway.

she scanned the room and called out. "hello? what on earth is making that noi—"

she immediately stilled as she caught one of the prisoners with a bloody sharp object and obvious stains of blood on their arms and wrists.

ismene's eyes went wide as she immediately snatched the object and threw it far from the two, instinctively getting frustrated and uncomfortable.

"what. do you think. you're doing?! are you serious?!" she yelled, taking ahold of the ultimate's arms and gently inspecting them, despite her discomfort and irritation.

she couldn't handle anyone doing anything harmful to themselves. after how her friends turned out and how she was practically helpless watching from the sides as she destroyed their lives for her benefit.

after she destroyed dakota's life. watching him being hooked up to machines and clinging to life because they couldn't take it anymore from the stress and expectations their disgusting professor placed on them.

ismene felt herself panic, but she couldn't let that show. she exhaled as she struggled to keep her composure. "i-i'm bandaging your wounds this instant. what was going through your mind?!" she stressed, pulling them up and practically shoving them on one of the infirmary beds, trying to control her breathing.