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]

[He just had his meds, so he's a bit groggy.] Hm? Oh, Buffy. [Big grin.] It's good to see you.

[herotypical]

Right back atcha, lieutenant.

[simplestgift]

Everyone is calling me that. I haven't been lieutenant for nearly six months.

[herotypical]

...And I've only dusted one vamp in the last two years. I'm still the Slayer.

[simplestgift]

But you'll go back home and still be the Slayer.

[As he speaks, his face deadens oddly, like he stops being aware that he's speaking at all.]

[herotypical]

[ buffy might ordinarily have some strong words for that sort of thing, but today?

today she nods, cowed. ] Sorry.

1/2

[simplestgift]

[Death--dead. Grell. Buried, buried alive. Cannot.

Cannot.

It's like a computer bluescreening. To much, can't handle it all, shut down, reboot. He makes no sign that he heard her.]

2/2

[simplestgift]

[He takes in the first breath he's drawn in about ten seconds, then blinks and glances up at her.]

What were we talking about?

[herotypical]

We, uhm...it doesn't matter. Not really.

[simplestgift]

[A little more blinking, and he focuses on something small.]

What's in the basket?

[herotypical]

...Oh, uhm. Candies. And some fruit. And -- [ she plucked a juice box out from the side. ] Orange juice.

[simplestgift]

Oh!

[Some of his favorite things! He scoots up in the bed and holds out a hand for the juice box, unfortunately limited by his IV.]

[herotypical]

[ she stuck a straw into one and held it out to him. ]

I, uhm, brought a card too. You can open that later. Maybe?

[simplestgift]

[Mmmm, OJ.]

A card?

[herotypical]

...Kind of a get-well-soon tradition amongst my clan. [ you know. the clan of modern types. ] A staple of any and all hospital visits.

[simplestgift]

[He sets aside the juice box and reaches again.] Let me see.

[herotypical]

...You can't open it now.

[ but she still holds it out. inside the envelope, it might be something stupidly cute and the interior might be filled with little smiley faces and well-wishes. she's embarrassed about it, clearly. ]

[simplestgift]

Very well. When am I allowed to open it?

[herotypical]

...After I leave. Whiiiiich could be right now, if you preferred.

[simplestgift]

Of course I don't prefer it. [He continues sipping juice.] Not unless you want to leave, anyway.

[herotypical]

I just thought -- you're probably tired. And...and -- [ a small shrug.

she misses her spine. ] Sorry. I'm not really at my best. Which is kind of a lame thing to say because you obviously aren't either but I mean...well, I have it from a trusted source that I might just be a little bit, uhm, affected.

[simplestgift]

Might you indeed?

[herotypical]

[ a huff. ]

You noticed?

[simplestgift]

A little, yes. But I'm still glad to see you. To be honest, I'm a bit relieved you haven't come accusing me of breaking my word to you.

[herotypical]

I...well, I investigated.