Let's all NOT try and be like Harry Houdini~

[wlitig_folc]

CHARACTERS: Arthur Kirkland (England) [wlitig_folc] and anyone who wants to visit a dying man. Apparently Francis Bonnefoy (France) [aucun_regret], Che Céspedes (Cuba) [mojitostand], and Raivis Galante (Latvia) [maz_trusis] do.
WHEN: 20th October, Midday.
WHERE: Hospital Room #357
WHAT: Arthur, trapped in a hospital room with food even he knows is bad and only his thoughts to keep him

Comments

[staying_inside]

"Y-yes, I..." Kiku began as he crossed the distance to pull a stool up near the bedside. He twisted it upward until the seat was high enough that he could feel level to the patient positioned opposite him as he continued,

"I thought I'd surprise you with a phone call but instead your brother surprised me... with the address to this hospital."

Kiku didn't bother explaining any further as he dug into his bag for something-- in fact he felt strangely comfortable. That's likely because if Arthur had been able to pick up the phone himself yesterday evening, Kiku would've stumbled through a polite invitation to dinner to celebrate he had graduated and was moving into his own place nearby... after which Kiku would've spent the entire next day mulling over as much as he could remember about British etiquette, trying to quiet his awkward apprehension about meeting an upperclassman like Arthur again.

That's probably why today showing up unannounced to find the other confined to a sterilized cube and dressed in disposable clothing took all the pressure off! Having broken the ice, so to speak, Kiku wasn't concerned about committing social faux pas-- and instead was focused on the small knife and large yellow-green apple he pulled out of his bag.

"I'm glad you're well enough to have visitors, Arthur. Tell me... have you been able to do anything today besides sleep?"

[wlitig_folc]

"Ah, well..." he started, trailing off as he thought on it. "No, I'm afraid not," he said finally, giving a wry look. "It's been a very unproductive day, there is just so very little to do except sit here and wait until I am well enough to be released that sleep seems to be a rather fair option given my choices."

He watched Kiki cut the apple, thinking idly of what a very odd situation this was. To think he would see such an old friend here of all places, having shown up with such unexpectedness in a hospital room that he had hardly expected to be in himself. It must have meant the other had tried to contact him, it was the only way he could have learned of his whereabouts.

That must mean Peter wasn't telling everyone who rang that he was dead. Comforting thought, that.

"I-I did not know you were living in the area. Had I been aware you may be certain I would have contacted you."

[staying_inside]

"Don't worry yourself. I don't actually live in the area yet."

Focused on peeling the skin from this fruit, he continued, "I didn't mention it when I saw you online last time because I hadn't gotten confirmation yet... but I got a job at the local news station and I'm moving into a house on Reykjavik Ave this upcoming weekend."

He was internally excited, but a slight smile was the only hint of boasting he allowed himself; then he cut a wedge of apple, stabbed it, and extended it out toward Arthur.

"Here... Take this, but don't force yourself to eat if you don't feel up to it," Kiku looked away back at the apple with a quiet laugh to keep from feeling self-conscious. "...o-only the gesture of taking it is what's important."