Four Bells: [Voice] Somewhat Unwell

[noprevaricating]

Doctor McCoy?

[It's Kennedy, and he sounds awful.  It's been a couple of days since he's left his room or contacted anyone over the journals.]

Are you in the clinic at the moment? Fever and aches aren't as much to my liking as I'd first thought. If I die before I make it there, please make sure Captain Jack stays out of my things until I return.

Comments

[tehoniongirl]

Archie?

[she'd been wondering why she hadn't heard from him. Now she knew]

God, you sound awful. You need anything?

[tehoniongirl]

I bet all the heroes felt that way about their adventures. It's probably not as fun when you're the one doing the running.

[Amused, she pushes her tangled curls out of her eyes, returning that smile with a grin of her own] But maybe we'll end up with a really good story at the end of it.

[noprevaricating]

[His smile weakens a little, but doesn't disappear. He's spent just over a month getting used to the fact that when his story ends, it will end suddenly and absolutely, and he won't be able to tell it to anyone when he's sent back. And on some level, he's starting to be okay with that.] They'll write a song about it. One men drink to.

[tehoniongirl]

[she can't help a tiny wince when his smile falters, realizing her mistake too late to change anything.

Saying all their stories end eventually wasn't the same. One of mankind's most amazing skills was its ability to ignore that fact... only that had been taken away from Archie.

She tries to keep her tone light, though. He's not dying today (however he might feel). And that's worth being grateful for, regardless]

So we'll be responsible for getting a great many people drunk. I'm not sure if that's a legacy... or a curse.

[noprevaricating]

It's a legacy. [He sets the book down but leaves it open.] You have to understand what a song will do for men who would otherwise be at each others' throats. Being drunk alone won't do at all--as many will get into a fight that way. But the song helps. Another man can't be so bad if he knows all the words to your favorite song.

[tehoniongirl]

I'm more of a fan of the music than the drink.

[as he sets the book down she leans back, thoughtful]

But you're right. Music's a pretty powerful thing. And there really doesn't seem to be enough of it around here.

[she was used to listening to her friends' pick up bands and Geordie's fiddle. It's had been awhile since she'd gone this long without that]

What's your favorite song? A drinking song? Or something else...

[noprevaricating]

Hm. [He takes another drink of orange juice.] Well, sea songs and shanties always end up lodged in my head somehow, much more than drinking songs, but I have a bit of a weakness for the opera.

[tehoniongirl]

Poetry, opera, literature...

You're a regular man of the arts.

[noprevaricating]

[An ironic smile.] Not exactly. I've no talent for them except as a patron.

[tehoniongirl]

Hey...patrons aren't something to underestimate.

I have to admit, though... Opera isn't something I'm super familiar with. They don't tend to run on an artist's salary.

[noprevaricating]

I used to get into plays at the price of a winning smile. [He tries to demonstrate.] Of course, I was nine years old.

[tehoniongirl]

[laughing] That might work better when you haven't been laid up for several days.

[noprevaricating]

And if there was any theatre in these parts. [He smooths the pages of the book with his fingers, his headache beginning to return.]

[tehoniongirl]

[her head tilts, just a slight movement, but her expression turns more serious as her eyes search his face]

How're you feeling?

[noprevaricating]

[He closes his eyes against the light in the room.] I wouldn't mind sleeping through the aches, but I doubt I will.

[tehoniongirl]

[she reaches out automatically, a cool hand resting lightly against his forehead as she frowns, looking for a fever...wondering if she should ask the doctor to come back in]

You might be surprised. When you're tired enough, you can sleep through almost anything.