Twenty-two bells: [WRITTEN/ACTION]

[simplestgift]

[Filtered from known villains and Grell, 100% unhackable]

[The handwriting is disguised and the picture is obscured.]

For the benefit of the new feathers: if you feel unsafe somehow in your own home, you may go to the Welcome Center and be placed in a safe house until you can get back on your feet. There does not have to be a reason. Even if you have returned from a kidnapping and do not wish to be alone, this is available to you.

[/Filter]

[Later, another written message, without the picture obscured.]

To anyone who volunteered to help build the ship:

We will begin work on Monday, at eight o'clock in the morning.  We will meet at the fountain and walk from there.  It'll mostly be cutting and transporting lumber at first, I'm afraid, and that includes building a cart to transport the lumber in.

Thank you,

Lt. Kennedy

[Then, written more hastily a little while later:]

If anyone has stories about Dr. McCoy, I should like to hear them.

[Today, Kennedy is stopping at the grocery store and the smithy, hoping someone with experience at the forge will be up to the challenge he has in mind.

Tonight, he is back to work at Cloud Nine, mostly waiting tables and looking fairly miserable. It's his first night of work since Dr. McCoy left, and since he dislikes the job anyway, he's not doing great at it tonight.

Before he goes home, he will stop by house 7. He will be home late.]

Comments

[simplestgift]

[Oh, crap. She's noticed.]

I...might as well be working. I do apologize, I'll do better.

[shadedsunlight]

Don't apologize to me. I mean it; if you need a night off or a break, you can have it, no questions asked.

[simplestgift]

I took the last two nights off.

[shadedsunlight]

And I can give you a third if you need it.

[Her expression softens slightly because she is a touch worried - duties of a manager - and in light of all the recent departures, she has her guesses.]

If you're not happy, speak up. We can work things out.

[simplestgift]

I'd rather stay busy, actually. [He'd feel guilty for backing off after the speeches he heard on the Indy after Ferrol.]

[shadedsunlight]

Understandable. While I have you up here, want something to drink?

[simplestgift]

Erm. [He thinks.] A finger or so of Scotch, I suppose.

[shadedsunlight]

[A nod as she pulls a bottle of Scotch and a glass off the shelf, pours, and serves. Cheers.]

[simplestgift]

[He takes a sip, but takes a while to swallow. It makes him remember drinking with Leonard at the campfire, sometimes talking about whatever happened to be on the brain, sometimes not talking at all and just enjoying comfortable company. He was the closest thing Archie had had to Horatio until Horatio himself showed up.]

Do you think they ever feel like something is missing? When they go back home?

[shadedsunlight]

[Ginia returns the Scotch to the shelf and pours a glass of water for herself. Ever since Derek's departure and the host of conversations she's had with various people, it's something she's wondered. How can years of experience and knowledge be lost in a moment?]

Hard to say. From what I've heard, some people return and remember this place, others return remembering nothing. The mind is a mysterious thing, able to remember so much, more than we can think or believe.

But it still feels so sad to even think so many memories and experiences can be forgotten. I'd like to say it's like remembering dreams, little fragments here that can be so vivid and yet fade so quickly.

[simplestgift]

Jack went home. Just for a week to us, and two years to him. He said he remembered nothing when he was there.

[shadedsunlight]

So strange to think. He remembered all right when he came back?

[simplestgift]

Everything. It took him a moment or two, but yes, he remembered it all.

[shadedsunlight]

Remarkable. Strange, but remarkable, and nice.

I don't want to leave, but if I did, I would hope to return swiftly and remembering everything.

[simplestgift]

I don't think about that. Right now, I'm here. That's all that matters.

[shadedsunlight]

[A small smile and a raise of her glass is offered. Here's to today.]

[simplestgift]

[He looks surprised, then lets out a breath and raises his own glass before taking a sip.]

[shadedsunlight]

[She takes a sip of her water before it's set aside.]

I didn't know him, only talked to him once, but I'm sure he was a good man.

[simplestgift]

One of the best.

[shadedsunlight]

He'll be missed. May he be well back home.

[simplestgift]

I've...heard he has gone back to good things.

[shadedsunlight]

[After Derek, Ginia's stopped assuming the best. There are some who should be back home. Others? Better off staying.]

Then may there be good waiting for him.

[simplestgift]

I met one of his shipmates, when I first came. A Scot. A good man, and a good drinker.