Fifteen Bells: [ACTION/WRITTEN]

[simplestgift]

[Archie woke up yesterday.  How is this new?  Well, after getting some fairly critical stab wounds from Grell, he was put on a ventilator and kept under sedation for a few days.  The ventilator was exchanged for a less impressive-looking concentrator yesterday and he was taken off sedation.  He spent yesterday sleeping anyway, since anesthesia doesn't generally leave you bright-eyed immediately afterward.

This morning, he is talking and eating Jell-o, which is a new experience. The most important bit comes written on the journal network in wobbly handwriting courtesy of the heart monitor clipped on his finger.]

I have been informed that I may have visitors. I'd like to know everyone is all right.

Kennedy

[Anyone who comes in will find him looking predictably weak and pale but lucid and in good spirits, or possibly catnapping after a dose of painkillers.

OOC: Purely for the sake of mercy, Archie is unaffected by the event.]

Comments

[simplestgift]

[Oh gosh, how much should he tell her? Divert! Divert!]

Might you hand me that glass of water?

[memoryboxes]

[and there goes the eyebrow furrowing]

Archie-san...

[--but she hands him the glass, regardless]

[simplestgift]

[He takes the glass and drinks a few gulps before handing it back with a look of contentment.] What I wouldn't give for half a biscuit. And here I never thought I'd be hungry again.

[memoryboxes]

[Dammit, she knows you're just avoiding the question, but she can't deny a request like that! Least of all in her current predicament.] I can go fetch you some, if you'd like--if the doctor says it's okay. I mean, it wouldn't be any trouble...!

[GODS HE'S HUNGRY WHAT SHOULD I DO

She stands up, suddenly very concerned]

I'll fetch you something right away!

[simplestgift]

Er--Sayo! There's no need. I'm sure they'll bring me something when the time comes.

[memoryboxes]

I—

Well, if you're sure... [but you're HUNGRY this is no good at all! She stiffly sits back down. After a beat, the frown softens.] Please, tell me what happened to you.

[It's weighing heavily on her, at this point, that you're not saying why. After all, they'd both been forced to fight together in a draft. She can't help but worry.]

[simplestgift]

[That's the thing, Sayo. You're not an equal, to him. That doesn't make you on a lesser level, exactly, just a different one. You're a jewel, to be protected. That means not being dragged into this.]

I don't remember.

[memoryboxes]

That's my line, you know.

[Said firmly. And then perhaps with a little hurt—because it's not like she can help it, feeling hurt at the idea that you're deflecting her away...]

But since you don't trust me enough to know, I... suppose I won't push the subject any more.

[simplestgift]

It isn't... [Great, now he's hurt her. He looks away for a moment while he makes a decision, then back at her, his face carefully neutral.] It wasn't the draft. I was attacked in my home, and I'm afraid if I tell you who did it, they might hurt you as well.

[memoryboxes]

... Attacked you in your home? Who? Why would they do that?

[Unlike Horatio or any other friends that may take up an idea of revenge, Sayo isn't like that. She just wants to know why, at someone who hasn't caused any problems that she knows of.

To make this clear, she shakes her head.]

I have no intention of getting involved with whoever did this, but I'd like to at least know who, so I can avoid them.

[simplestgift]

If I told you who, it would put you in greater danger. They don't break into homes willy-nilly, they have a purpose. At the moment, the less you know, the safer you'll be.

[memoryboxes]

Then at least tell me why they're targeting people like you, if they have a purpose. What could possibly drive them to hurt you?

[simplestgift]

[He considers how to be as vague as possible.]

Because someone broke a promise. The...this person's revenge was to hurt someone they knew.

[memoryboxes]

... So you're not the only one who's been in danger.

But who broke a promise that would cause something like this? I know promises are important, but...

[This is very troubling indeed.]

[simplestgift]

[He falls silent. He's already told her too much. After a moment, he clears his throat.]

Sayo, you must promise me you won't tell anyone what I told you

[memoryboxes]

I won't, Archie-san. I'm very good at keeping my mouth closed.

[It's even a fault of hers.]

But you have to promise me you'll be careful. And rest until you're entirely well again.

[simplestgift]

I promise. [A weak smile.] I'm all right, you know. Just a bit worse for wear.

[memoryboxes]

I know—it's just. I do worry, often. [She squares her shoulders, smiling.] All the boys in my life tend to get themselves into too much trouble not to.

[simplestgift]

We don't mean to.

Did Leonard and Jilly take good care of you?

[memoryboxes]

They did. Jilly even treated me to every kind of ice-cream they have here.

[BEST CHILDHOOD DAY EVER.]

[simplestgift]

That's wonderful, and just like Jilly to do so.

[memoryboxes]

Yes, she was very kind. I'm happy to have had who I did to help me, then.

[She pats his arm gently.]

Including you, of course.