falling ill

[keep_busy]

A few months after the business with the chalice, Annie (with a gold engagement stud in one earlobe, now receiving mail at Aldaras's apartment, and thoroughly comfortable with Being Necklaced, to the point where she's helping mold the thing towards more exacting standards for real-world-practical as well as theoretical compatibility) is in bed with some unidentified sort of head cold or flu. Aldaras doesn't have it so far, so she is snuggled under the covers while he makes her spicy soup to help clear her sinuses and because she's having a little trouble with non-liquids. He's worried, she's mostly just groggy. Zzzz.

Comments

[dark_light]

"We did it with Cypress," says Path darkly. "Because he didn't like the way he came back the first time he died."

[darkest_evening]

"Yes. And, still sorry for that, but. He volunteered, correct?"

[dark_light]

"No one is planning to murder Spring. I'm mentioning that it's an option."

[darkest_evening]

"She already knows. Thank you for mentioning it as an option."

But, his eyes say, the answer is still no.

[namesthesky]

"Is it that you don't want me to do it for you," she murmurs, "or that you don't want me to do it at all?"

[darkest_evening]

"... First. But you doing it at all is also distressing, just - not enough for me to stop you," he says in a lowered tone.

[namesthesky]

"Does there exist anything I can do that won't distress you, here? I know you want me un-necklaced."

[darkest_evening]

"It is a distressing situation. I mentioned the no-win viewpoint, earlier?"

[namesthesky]

"Yes. But if we can't win, might as well - lose cheaply and efficiently."

[darkest_evening]

"Yes," he sighs.

Is that a trace of misery in his voice? Yes. Yes it is.

[dark_light]

"...Let us know if you come to a firm decision," says Path, and he flies away.

[darkest_evening]

Prime is silent.

[namesthesky]

Aya is weeping very quietly.

[darkest_evening]

He keeps holding her, throughout. But - yeah, no, silence unless prompted.

[namesthesky]

"I'm a Bell. If all things considered the sane thing to do is have me spend two minutes dead I can deal with that."

[darkest_evening]

"I know you can. I don't want you to have to."

[namesthesky]

"I have to deal with something. That might be the easiest thing, even."

[darkest_evening]

"Okay," he whispers.

[namesthesky]

"I would do whatever would make you happy but if there isn't a thing like that then I have to do something else."

[darkest_evening]

"I know. I'm not upset with you, Aya, I'm - frustrated at the situation."

[namesthesky]

Nod. Cling.

[darkest_evening]

Snuggle. Silence.

[namesthesky]

"You know that even if you aren't upset at me it still bothers me when you're upset, don't you?"

[darkest_evening]

"Yes. I - sorry."

[namesthesky]

Snuggle.