Fourteen Bells: [WRITTEN/ACTION] Forward-dated to morning.

[simplestgift]

I understand that Twenty-Six isn't any different from Twenty-Five, and that birthdays are no accomplishment, but I find myself especially grateful for this one. I didn't expect to spend it thinking about being thrown into the lions' den tomorrow, but one can't have everything.

Kennedy

[Archie will be about the library, the grocery store, and Good Spirits today, looking strangely neutral. Catch him pretty much anywhere. Horatio is permitted to tag along wherever, so responses might come from both.]

Comments

[action]

[goldenglasses]

[Vash grins as he pops open a bag a chips and takes out a handfull.] Then you need to visit my apartment sometime around dinner, because you wouldn't think the same way after.

[action]

[simplestgift]

[Kennedy nabs a chip.] As contrasted with my own, where one must occasionally remind my messmate to eat.

[action]

[goldenglasses]

Really? How could they forget about eating? [Food is such a great thing!]

[action]

[simplestgift]

Thinking too much on other things.

[action]

[goldenglasses]

I can't ever imagine skipping a meal! [Yes he can, he's just being dramatic.] There's just too many tasty things to skip one!

[action]

[simplestgift]

[action]

[wise_maiden]

I didn't expect to see you here so early. Although it's good that a lot of people have a similar idea...

[action]

[simplestgift]

[You mean distraction, Raine?]

I...well.

[Clueless, here.]

[action]

[goldenglasses]

What! It's true! There is just so many tastey things to try!

[action]

[wise_maiden]

[She tilts her head.]

... Ah, my apologies. I had thought you might have been here to pick up books about the conditions we'll be facing.

[action]

[simplestgift]

[That's a really good idea, actually.]

Of course, that was my intent!

[Not convincing.]

/throws more library at you

[whatsanything]

[Likewise, Sayo's also in the library (because if Raine and McCoy are there, she's not too far behind to pry :|). She has a book open, a... familiar one? It may be recognizable as the one she had when she first met Archie.

Every so often, she tilts her head at the images, unable to read the words.]

[hippocraticly.livejournal.com]

[ McCoy doesn't look up from his book, but he does gesture to an unopened bottle of tennessee whiskey to his side. ]

Happy birthday, Arch.

[action]

[wise_maiden]

It's all right if it wasn't. Wanting some moments to not think of it are needed as well, after all.

1/2

[simplestgift]

[A flash of a smile and a raise of his eyebrows.]

[simplestgift]

And to think all I had to do to earn it was live.

[There is intentional irony in that statement.]

You're strong. O.o

[simplestgift]

[Archie spots tiny!Sayo and simply watches for a time before coming over.]

Would you like me to read that for you?

[action]

[simplestgift]

[An embarrassed look.] I make a better sailor than soldier.

[action]

[wise_maiden]

The conditions are unsuitable for many of us. It's understandable.

[captainhornblower]

[Later in the evening, back in their apartment, Horatio has two wine glasses waiting. One glass of port each, to finish off the night. Whether it's for luck, for a birthday drink, or simply because he felt he needed some and wouldn't drink alone... it's hard to say.

He's not good at birthdays. He remembers them, but proper presents tend to baffle him. The pistol had been an inspired choice, but there's no need for a new one or a new sword.

But one thing caught his eye while wandering about today. He wasn't sure he put too much faith in it, of course, but he was willing to try anything to put even a bit of luck on their-- on Archie's-- side. So he had the small box sitting on the table between the wine glasses while he traced the edge of one cup with the tip of his finger.]

[action]

[simplestgift]

[That doesn't make him feel better, being called unsuited for something, even if that's not what she means.]

What will you do?

[simplestgift]

[Archie, expert lounger that he is, is lounging in his chair with the glass of port nestled in one hand, enjoying the quiet of the moment. After some time, he sat up and raised his glass.]

To the health of the Malnosso.

[May it forever suffer.]

[hippocraticly.livejournal.com]

[ why does he hang around with dead people. ]

Part one of two, kid.

[simplestgift]

Hm?

[hippocraticly.livejournal.com]

[ McCoy reaches into his satchel hanging from his chair and takes out a hypospray. without another words, he presses it against Archie's neck and administers the drug. ]