Eighteen Bells: [ACTION/WRITTEN]

[simplestgift]

[Kennedy comes to himself lying on his side in the grass, his wings splayed haphazardly, a slight breeze causing the feathers to flutter. He lies still for a moment, watching without thought the grass as it ripples softly before his eyes. Then he remembers that he was taken.

That explains this.

It begins to come back to him. He'd glimpsed the cages and panicked. They'd jabbed a needle into him then, and everything had gone soft, then black. He remembers nothing between then and now, and nothing is what he'll search his memories for. The blackout is a blessing, even if it is unsettling. It would be worse to remember.

He's in his own clothes--shirtsleeves, waistcoat, and trousers--and his journal is lying nearby, because clearly the Malnosso are paragons of courtesy. He rolls onto his stomach to reach for it when he hears a clear tinkling sound.  He reaches for his throat. There is...something, very much like a collar. No, it is a collar of steel links with no clasp, and hanging from it is a bell.

A bell he cannot touch. It rings when he moves, but his fingers pass through it. No matter what he does, he cannot keep it from sounding.

Apparently someone at the Malnosso facility is a wise guy who eavesdrops on certain conversations and thinks he's pretty damn funny.

Okay. So no audio. He grabs the journal and writes instead.]

I'm here. How long have I been gone?

-A. Kennedy

P.S. Horatio, do tell me one of you fed the cat.

Comments

[written]

[memoryboxes]

[Oh, thank goodness, she'd been worried for you! Archie really should stop causing her grief, with how often he gets into troubl--

actually--]

You really should stop trying to gray my hair, getting into trouble so often, Archie-san.

— Sayo

[written]

[simplestgift]

Sayo! I'm glad to know you're all right. I've heard about the Shift. Do you have someone to protect you?

Re: [written]

[memoryboxes]

Don't worry about me, I'm quite good at taking care of myself! I'm more occupied making sure you're alright. Are you okay? Have you returned to the village? It's far too dangerous to stay out in the forest, with these shifts happening.

[written]

[simplestgift]

I haven't made it back yet. I am going a bit slow, with a bad knee. But I promise you I'm not hurt otherwise.

Re: [written]

[memoryboxes]

A bad knee? Oh, that's no good. Do you have someone to help you back? Or at least walk with you...

[written]

[simplestgift]

No, I--

[To walk with him? She sounds like she's volunteering herself. Wistfully.]

Sayo, it would be best if you remained safe inside. Or rather--perhaps you should stay with someone for the time being. Our house has four beds, and we're all military men.

[Wellard will have to sleep on the couch, but...]

[voice]

[memoryboxes]

[HUFF. She switches to voice, because she finds it so much easier.]

I—

[a pause]

I wouldn't intrude like that. I've been able to avoid most of the monsters, anyway.

[Maybe one or two harrowing moments. :|;]

[voice]

[simplestgift]

Are you certain? You should at least come if you don't feel safe. Or you can go to the Welcome Center and Rydia will send you to someone who can protect you.

Re: [voice]

[memoryboxes]

[Inconveniencing people? ARCHIE THIS WILL NEVER WORK.]

I'm sure it should be okay! My apartment doesn't seem to be affected, so I was just planning on camping out, anyway.

[|Db]

I have plenty of food to last me until this is over, anyway.

[Whenever... that is...]

[voice]

[simplestgift]

Only if you're certain. I wouldn't mind finding someone for you to stay with.

Re: [voice]

[memoryboxes]

[Even if he can't see it, she waves a hand at that.]

You should be more concerned with getting home, Archie-san. Your friends are probably worried about you, wandering around outside like you are.

[AKA you need someone more than she does, right now.]

[voice]

[simplestgift]

[That seems to be a popular opinion, but he's pretty okay, all things considered.]

You could at least ask Rydia at the Welcome Center. She could place you with someone.

Re: [voice]

[memoryboxes]

[You're as persistent as she is. IMPOSSIBLE.

Fine, she'll just need to give you something to feel compromised with.]

.... I'll consider it, if you keep yourself out of trouble.

[voice]

[simplestgift]

I'm never in trouble.

[Ting, ting, says the bell. Thank you, bell.]

Re: [voice]

[memoryboxes]

... [Ting ting? Hmmm.]

Archie-san, what was that noise?

[voice]

[simplestgift]

...Nothing.

Re: [voice]

[memoryboxes]

... Archie-san.

[voice]

[simplestgift]

...A bell.

Re: [voice]

[memoryboxes]

Oh...! Do you have a cat with you?

[The furry things with whiskers. :|a]

[voice]

[simplestgift]

...No, just a bell.

Re: [voice]

[memoryboxes]

A bell... on you?

[OH.]

Is it a new fashion style?

[voice]

[simplestgift]

No, it's...just a gift.

[So to speak.]

Re: [voice]

[memoryboxes]

Oh, I see! Getting gifts is always a pleasure; what was the occasion?

[voice]

[simplestgift]

...My return.

[It may or may not be a complete lie.]

Re: [voice]

[memoryboxes]

Ah... That's a pretty good reason to get a gift. Maybe I'll do the same, with something sweet to eat. [hm. actually.] If you come by tomorrow, I'll have something made up, just for your return.