♻ 008 | audio/spam

[tucky]

[audio]

Um-- hey. I was wondering if a warden could go to my room, and get me my iPod and my Bible-- 'cause I ain't in there right now, I'm in the infirmary. Maybe a pack of cards, too; that'd be good.

[She sounds woozy and tired, but surprisingly calm; in good spirits, even. She and Merlin were both killed by kaiju, it had been traumatic, and she's death-tolling-- but she's tired of panicking and stressing about death. Even though she's more used to the idea now, it still bugs her a lot when she thinks about it, so she's actively trying not to do that. It's working pretty well, all things considered. She's not in denial about it the way she used to be, but she's careful to keep her mind focused on other things.

The toll itself sucks, though. It feels kind of like getting the flu after being run over by a steamroller.]

My head ain't right for poker or anything, but if anyone wants to play... I don't know, like Go Fish or something, you can come on down. I wanna see y'all, 'cause I think I'm gonna be stuck in here for a little bit. But that's only if I like you; if I don't, you can fuck off.

... And I also want everybody to know that my warden saved my life.

[And then she'd died right after, but that's not the important part.]

When we were still normal, he said he'd fight monsters for me, and he did. I know we thought we was different people and everything, but I think it still counts for something. He's a hero. A real hero.

[There's a smile in her voice; there's pride. She's been called a hero herself before, by her misguided fan club back at home. But she's never had anyone be a hero for her-- at least, not in the traditional way, where they physically defended her in the face of evil. She doesn't consider herself defenseless by any means, but being protected-- being valued like that-- is such a good feeling, and she's tickled pink by it. She's pushing the fact that he actually died in the process out of her mind, and just focusing in on the good.]

I just wanted to say that. That's all.

[Feed off.]

[spam, all week]

[She'll be staying at the infirmary throughout the worst of her death toll, spending most of her time in bed. For the first few days, she'll be lying down a lot: listening to her music, occasionally chatting up visitors and clinic staff, and when she's not too sore or nauseous, trying to recruit people to play cards with her (simple, easy games that don't require a lot of thought or quick movement). As the days go on and she starts feeling better, she'll sit up in bed more, and even get up and move around some. By the fifth day, she'll still be feeling the death toll's affects, but they'll be lessened and she'll be ready to go. But if by that point Merlin's still in and doesn't feel the same way, she'll stick around until he's ready to leave too. Solidarity.]

[OOC: Merlin gets blanket rights to pop into action threads and overhear her side of audio/video phone stuff, even locked conversations! Others who are working/staying in the infirmary can do this too, if they want. If you want your character to talk to Tiffany but want them to say something Merlin/others shouldn't overhear, we can have them do it in text, or set the conversation at a time when people are sleeping and/or not around.]

Comments

[punched_hitler]

Okay. I'll be by in a little bit with your things. [Including cards; he knows how to play just about anything, if she wants.]

Are they sitting out, or is there someplace in particular I should look?

[tucky]

Yeah, I got a nightstand. They're in the drawer. You know where my room is? I don't know if they tell y'all where the inmates' rooms are.

[punched_hitler]

I was going to figure it out, but if you want to let me know, it'd probably be faster.

[tucky]

Six-oh-three.

[punched_hitler]

Great - I'll be there in a little bit, then.

[And, true to his word, he will be, with everything she asked for (and hot chocolate for Merlin).

As he drops them off at her bed, he smiles as encouragingly as he can.] How're you feeling? Other than probably pretty terrible. I'm not a doctor, but if there's anything else you think of you need, I've got two perfectly good legs.

[tucky]

I don't feel terrible.

[She does physically, but as far as she's concerned, feeling pretty okay emotionally makes up for that.]

You got, like, Advil? Or anything like that.

[punched_hitler]

No? That's good, then. I've never death tolled, I don't really know what it's like, but I think it's different for everybody.

[And different every time.]

Huh - I don't think we have Advil exactly, but we've got stuff that's close enough. [And he's allowed to handle the "over-the-counter" stuff, so,] I can get you some, hang on.

[And if you give him a minute, he'll do just that.]

[tucky]

Yeah? Good.

[This headache and suck it.]

[punched_hitler]

I'll be right back.

[Give him a minute to rummage around - and then he'll be back with said painkillers and a glass of water.

After he hands them over, he pauses - then, because sorry, he's curious:]

Can I ask what happened? I was, uh, busy at the time.

[tucky]

[She downs the pills and then drinks, though she spills a little on herself.]

It was the breach. I... some bad stuff happened.

[punched_hitler]

[Conveniently, Steve is an old-fashioned kind of guy - who comes equipped with a handkerchief, which he offers over if she wants it, though he doesn't say a word about spilling, just offers to take the glass, too, when she's done.]

When they attacked, right? That was... something.

[Bad, mostly. And then some.]

[tucky]

[She dabs at her shirt, using that as an excuse not to make eye contact.]

It was something, all right.

But I was telling the truth about my warden.

[punched_hitler]

[He nods.] Yeah. It sure was. I haven't seen... much like that.

[Something, once, that was similar. But just once, and he hopes never to see it again.]

I believe you. He definitely sounds like a hero.

[And he's not belittling her - he means it.]

[tucky]

[She smiles, warm and bright, and looks over at Merlin's sleeping form.]

I'm real lucky to have him.

[punched_hitler]

[Steve kind of follows her gaze - and he smiles, too.] Yeah. You are. But he's lucky to have you, too, you know.

[Sometimes it really does seem like the Admiral might know what he's doing.]

[tucky]

You think so?

[She likes that idea a lot.]

[punched_hitler]

Yeah. I really do.

[The inmates aren't the only ones who can benefit from the kind of work they do here, he thinks.]

Having someone to protect can bring out the best in people.

[tucky]

I would let him protect me any day. I mean... not that I can't protect myself or anything, but it's nice, having someone on your side.

I got a lot of that here.

[punched_hitler]

I agree - it doesn't matter whether you need the help or not. Knowing someone's got your back is a pretty big comfort.

I'm glad to hear it. You sounded a little like you could use it, when you first got here.

[tucky]

I did? Well... what did I sound like?

[punched_hitler]

Like you expected everyone out here to be in it just for himself.

[tucky]

That's how it is in most prisons, you know? Unless you got a crew.

[punched_hitler]

Seems like it, yeah.

But maybe that wasn't what you needed, right? This is better, isn't it?

[tucky]

It is. And I got people for me here too, even though I don't got a group.

[punched_hitler]

Technically, I guess you could consider all of us "your group," right?