[21] Happy Birthday to me

[notarrowette]

[Cissie is sitting at her desk, humming Happy Birthday quietly and looking thoughtful.]

Do birthdays count here? When we go home, I mean? I don't feel very different than I did yesterday, but I am different than when I got here.

[She looks like she's going to say more, then shrugs and turns off the video.]

Comments

[bythe_books]

Happy birthday. If I'd have known, I would've made you a cake.

[OKAY MAYBE NOT. Sam's. Joking the Sam Tyler way.]

Personally, I've sort of, um. Stopped counting my own birthday here. I reckon you could always just... go with how old you feel, but in this place, that could put you at going on eighty-five.

[notarrowette]

Thanks, Sam. I think I'd mostly just like to not have to repeat these months when I go back.

...Are you saying I act like an old woman?

[bythe_books]

That was sort of the... general you, sorry.

[notarrowette]

[and she's laughing.] I was being silly, you goof. How're you doing?

[bythe_books]

After spending a week handcuffed to my inmate? All right. I've been sort of looking after two inmates for a bit. [ASSUMING HE'S ALREADY BROKEN UP THE MIKHAIL FIGHT.] It's kept me out of the loop. How've you been?

[notarrowette]

...How did I not know you were handcuffed to Prefect? Are you both all right? Can I do anything? [PAUSE, BECAUSE HA, WHO KNOWS.] I've been okay. My inmate has amnesia, so that's--fun.

Private

[bythe_books]

It was, er, during the last flood. We kept it under wraps as best we could. Prefect went sort of... [How to say this kindly?] insane. Thought I was gonna leave the Barge if I left his sight, stole my handcuffs, and the rest is history.

God, another bout of-- What's the point of all of us being here, if we can have our memories stripped away at any moment? [Pause.] Have you tried talking to Libby about it?

Private

[notarrowette]

...That was probably a good idea. Poor Prefect. And you! That flood was tough on everyone, I think.

That's what I'd like to know. Months of working with him and now... back to square one. I'm hoping maybe it will still come back. I haven't, actually. Should I?

Private

[bythe_books]

Honestly, all things considered, it was one of the better ones.

I know, sometimes it feels like pushing a boulder uphill. And, ah... maybe. She helped me out when I had a spot of amnesia, but I dunno. It helped that she knew me. Could be good for Beatty, could be totally bloody useless.

Private

[notarrowette]

Really? I... did not enjoy it very much.

Hmm. It can't hurt to ask. ...O'Brien's actually offered to try to help, believe it or not. I'm not sure what to think of it, but--he is probably the closest thing to a friend Beatty has here, as far as I know.