simplestgift | Nine Bells: [VOICE/ACTION]

[Archie doesn't do a lot of voice posts. They make him feel weird. So he's speaking this one like he's reading it from a piece of paper he wrote out beforehand. Which he is.]

This is Mister Kennedy. As some of you already know, I am attempting to organize a regular goodbye ceremony for the friends and family of those who have been sent home. In preparation for this, I shall need a list of names of those who have gone on. If any one of you has had any person you care for sent home, please tell me their name. These names are to be read aloud at the ceremony.

If any one of you has a suggestion or should like to volunteer help, your aid will be appreciated greatly. The ceremony will take place monthly, God willing, on a day that shall be decided before long. You may approach myself or Miss Dawn Summers about this.

Thank you.

[There's a relieved sigh cut off halfway as the transmission ends.

He'll be outside today, writing ideas and names and plans on non-journal paper, but looking like every movement hurts but still doing it without sound or complaint, as if absolutely nothing is wrong. Later, of course, he'll be at Good Spirits, drinking very, very, very stiffly, as if raising the glass to his lips is painful.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

...All of you have strange ideas about nobility. Sayo even thanked me for fighting for my country, once. Jilly thinks I'm some sort of a hero.

They don't always understand how non-noble it feels -- but, I'm not talking about the soldier stuff.

I understand, and neither was Jilly. I suppose...i-in my time, practically anything I did was considered part of my duty. To the men, to my friends, my king, what have you, it was nothing more or less than what I was supposed to do.

I think it's not the what but the how that's important.

...Who's taken over Good Spirits?

[ unhappily, as this is not a subject she cares for either: ] We're not sure yet.

If you need help with anything.

Right. I'll call.

You have the idea. Lord knows I need something to do in this place.

[His talk with Jilly a couple of weeks ago changed just about everything.]

The restlessness is settling in.

It isn't just restlessness, Buffy. I've been restless for a long time now. It's...back home, you had a life you were making for yourself. You didn't choose every part of it, but you shaped it where you could. There was something to work for, something to earn, something to fight for. When you go back, you'll have it again, and you only have to wait till then. But...I have to find something here.

[ he says that -- but a slayer could die at any time. probably will. for all buffy knows, she's going back to a battle that ends the world. giles isn't being very forthcoming.

but she doesn't argue: ] Right. Of course.

[The life expectancy of a soldier or sailor.]

Are you working tonight?

Mmhm. You're gonna be in?

Of course. Couldn't miss having a glass on an evening like this.

I'll see you there, then?

You'll see me there.

Nine Bells: [VOICE/ACTION]

[ voice | filtered 75% ]

[ voice | filtered 75% ]

[ voice | filtered 75% ]

[ voice | filtered 75% ]

[ voice | filtered 75% ]

[ voice | filtered 75% ]

[ voice | filtered 75% ]

[ voice | filtered 75% ]

[ voice | filtered 75% ]

[ voice | filtered 75% ]

[ voice | filtered 75% ]

[ voice | filtered 75% ]

[ voice | filtered 75% ]

[ voice | filtered 75% ]

[ voice | filtered 75% ]

[ voice | filtered 75% ]

[ voice | filtered 75% ]