Seven Bells: [ACTION/WRITTEN] Hat Day.

[simplestgift]

[Citizens of Luceti may see Archie Kennedy wandering around with a new hat today. It looks a little like something a magician would pull a rabbit out of, but he seems to be enjoying it. He'll be around town today--the library and grocery store during the day, and Good Spirits in the evening. In the afternoon, he'll sit at the fountain to pen a few words.]

I believe morale might improve if we had some sort of goodbye ceremony for those who were returned home. Not a funeral, mind you, just an occasion to remember them, celebrate their return, and hope to join them soon. Perhaps once a month or so, for everyone who left during the month. It's the little things that help one cope, sometimes.

Also, who left a note under my door? I'm afraid I can't read it, or indeed tell if it was even meant for me. I live in Building One, in the first flat on the first floor.

Comments

[Written]

[consultmybooks]

That's certainly a thought.

Remembering things is very important to most of the people in this village.

[And after Willow and Xander, it's suddenly a lot more important to Giles.] What's brought this thought on, if you don't mind my asking?

[Written]

[simplestgift]

Someone I'm very close to here lost two friends very quickly.

Re: [Written]

[consultmybooks]

So did a friend of mine.

[A pause, before Giles adds.] So did I.

[A slight suspicion. He has to ask, just to make certain.] If you don't mind my asking, who where they?

[Written]

[simplestgift]

The ones who left were Xander Harris and Willow Rosenberg. May I ask your name?

[He's noticing the similarities, too, and isn't mentioning that he's courting one of their friends until he knows who this guy is.]

Re: [Written]

[consultmybooks]

So you know You know Buffy, then. [Of course he knows Buffy. Everyone knows Buffy.]

It's Giles. I'm a friend from her world.

May I ask yours'?

[Written]

[simplestgift]

Archie Kennedy.

[Maybe Dawn has talked about him. Considering the other "friends" from Buffy's world who have shown up, he remains cautious.]

Re: [Written]

[consultmybooks]

[Dawn has mentioned him, although not by name. Buffy, on the other hand...

Also, seriously. Show him a picture of Warren. He'll take care of that particular "problem".]

Right.

Buffy's mentioned you before. You're a friend of hers'? [And a boyfriend of Dawn's. He's...just kind of baffled at that. He knows Dawn's type.]

[Written]

[simplestgift]

[Okay, so Buffy's talked to Giles about Archie. So he must be an actual friend.]

I am, and proud to be so.

[The fact that Dawn hasn't mentioned him? A little disappointing.]

Re: [Written]

[consultmybooks]

[There was much affection there.]

She tends to have that effect on people.

And you should be, by the way. She called the last person who was involved with Dawn a "cradle robbing traitor." Or, well, will.

I heard no such terms with regards to you.

[The fact that Archie is friends with Jack Sparrow? Might be a little more problematic.]

[simplestgift]

[Can you blame him? They're separated by less than a century. That's AMAZING here, unless you're from the 20th or 21st century, apparently.]

Are you another of the many thousands I shall be thrashed by if I ever hurt Dawn?

Which, by the by, I have no intention of doing. I'm very fond of her.

[consultmybooks]

[Giles has less issues with getting the right century than with getting the right world or universe to begin with.]

In point of fact? Yes.

[A pause, because...no. That particular memory surfaces. He wishes it wouldn't.] Although probably not, really.

[Longer pause, before:] Buffy in particular never appreciates it.

[You seem nice, Archie. Giles would hate to tear your throat out and leave you on Dawn's doorstep. So he moves on to the slightly cheerier subject.]

But they both seem to believe as much of you. You don't need to worry. [Yet.]

[simplestgift]

I have requested that this vampire she lives with be sure to hear the full story before assuming anything is my fault.

[Yeah, Spike talked to him. And freaked him right out.]

[consultmybooks]

A safer course of action, to be sure.

If Spike is inclined to agree. [You think he's protective of Dawn, Archie? Giles is nothing on Spike.]

[simplestgift]

I hope he agreed. I can certainly think of better things to do with a week than wait to come alive again.

If you're a friend of Buffy's, I'm glad you're here.

[consultmybooks]

Besides, I'm sure Dawn prefers you in one piece.

And I am a friend of hers'. For a while, now.

I'm glad to be here, as well.

[simplestgift]

I do hope she prefers me in one piece. I've seen her fight.

[consultmybooks]

The draft?

[simplestgift]

That's what they call it here. Yes.

[consultmybooks]

That's what it is.

[simplestgift]

It's not the word I'm used to, is all.

[consultmybooks]

I don't suppose you would be, no. [Buffy's also mentioned the point in time Archie comes from. Granted, "ancient British navy" was unhelpfully vague.]

It's the term that Americans seem to prefer, really.

[simplestgift]

Where do you come from, then?

[consultmybooks]

England. London, to be precise.

But I haven't been back in a while, I'm afraid.

[simplestgift]

Is the theatre still there on Drury Lane?

[This is important, by the way. Spike had been vague.]

[consultmybooks]

Yes, it is. Doing remarkably good business.