.049 [TEXT TOTALLY TEXT]

[timesbureaucrat]

[Friends(ish) Filter (minus Ardent who is dead and totally OFF this filter now)]

Has anything happened while I've been indisposed? [Yes, he's trying to get right back to work. And avoid talking about what happened.

[Private to Admiral]

Revive Ardent.

[then later, after hearing that Ardent is still a vegetable...Warden Filter]

The death toll

Comments

private, after reading warden filters.

[needshumility]

How is it different to the conventional 'coma' here?

private, after reading warden filters.

[timesbureaucrat]

I don't know the medical details. My hypothesis, based on what Dr. Jones said, is that the typical Barge coma is more like a stasis. Usually, the body's processes totally cease, so that the individual doesn't require food, or liquid, or barely any care. People wake up weeks later none the worse for wear, no muscle degeneration, no dehydration, nothing. What Dr. Jones described sounded like it might have been more like a true coma.

Re: private, after reading warden filters.

[needshumility]

I see. I always presumed, from what I heard, that the first was a true coma, but I never had to treat anyone in one, so I stand corrected.

So it's worse.

private, after reading warden filters.

[timesbureaucrat]

It's worse. Unlike a typical Barge coma, Ardent will weaken the longer he's unresponsive and would die without constant medical care.

Private

[blackbladebitch]

Does Ardent remain unresurrected?

[Gult, guilt, GUILT GETTING WORSE.]

Re: Private

[timesbureaucrat]

Yes.

You were there when he died. [aka You killed him] Was there anything strange about it or about him? Did he do anything? Or you? Or Buffy or the Doctor? [Maybe the Doctor did some peculiar telepathy. Soul catching might explain it, but he has no idea why the Doctor would do that (or if it was even possible and not just a legend).]

Re: Private

[blackbladebitch]

I think I may have an explanation. And I may even be able to help him.

But I must be permitted to see your inmate alone, and I must bring my sword.

Private

[timesbureaucrat]

I have no objections. [Ardent's safety is not high on his list of concerns right now. And Elric could hardly make him worse than the current not death tolling.]

Warden Filter

[strangehstorian]

Malfunctioning.

Warden Filter

[timesbureaucrat]

Perhaps. It may be something particular to Ardent or his manner of death. But until there's more evidence, I felt the note of caution was warranted.

Private

[timesbureaucrat]

Quite.

[And half a minute later, Narvin adds,]

Thank you.

Private

[timesbureaucrat]

I'm doing perfectly fine without a visit from you, thank you. I would say that your offer of food is an admirably subtle cruelty under the circumstances, but I know that subtly is quite beyond you, so I accept the offer as merely idiotic and not malicious. [He can't possibly admit that he might ever enjoy the Doctor's company. But he wouldn't shoo him out if he came to visit, either.]

[Spam]

[championoftime]

[When his shift is on, the Doctor comes over and gives him a very serious look.] You've something right here. [He touches his chest, and intends to sweep up and gently tip his nose when he looks down.]

[Spam]

[timesbureaucrat]

[Narvin looks down at his chest with a frown. When the Doctor lightly flicks his finger up, Narvin gives him a look that says without words or telepathy, "What the hell was that?"]

[Spam]

[championoftime]

Made you look. [Said in a subdued, friendly way.]

If it helps, I didn't see it coming. I don't see how you could have, even being his warden.

[Spam]

[timesbureaucrat]

[The Doctor was a Time Lord, and a powerful psychic. Even without touch he should be able to pick up his words.]

//I expected him to be furious, but I didn't expect such irrational violence.//