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

[ voice ]

[simplestgift]

[Yeah, Giles said she was acting funny.] Well, there was no need. I'm right as rain, my word on it.

[ voice ]

[herotypical]

'Fess up. You're still recovering.

[ voice ]

[simplestgift]

Well, that isn't the same, is it?

[ voice ]

[herotypical]

...Could you play a game of beach volleyball -- right now?

[ apparently, this is the litmus test. ]

[ voice ]

[simplestgift]

Well, no. I would have to learn how, first.

[ voice ]

[herotypical]

...It involves a lot of running and jumping. [ And bathing suits. A cheeky remark she might have added had she felt more like herself.

but, instead: ] Uhm, I told Jilly I'd bring you a card and some flowers and maybe a fruit basket once you were up.

[ voice ]

[simplestgift]

Oh, well. [What do you say to that?] You haven't.

[ voice ]

[herotypical]

N-no, I haven't. [ she stammers.

quieter: ] Would it be okay if I did, now?

[ voice ]

[simplestgift]

Of course. I'm bored to death.

[ voice ]

[herotypical]

...Then I'll be there. Soon. Soonish.

[ voice ]

[simplestgift]

I'll be here, then. Can't go anywhere else.

[herotypical]

[ eventually, buffy does show up -- a small, modest gift basket on one arm and an envelope in the other. ]

H-hey.

[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?