Day 91 AM [video] Public + Private to Maggie

[burnburnburn]

[Dilandau's lying on the sofa in his living room, holding his arm above his head to film. He's forgone his usual armour-and-diadem getup for a red shirt from the wardrobe. The swelling on his face has gone down, but the bruising has faded into an unattractive yellow]

Kenzi, I've finished that trap. Come to 15 and I'll show you how to set it up. I'll make another once we're sure it works.

[To everyone else, the message seems to end for a moment as he makes a message Private to Maggie]

Maggie, I want to see you later too. I've got questions about those dreams of yours.

[To everyone else, the message appears to start up again as he switches back to a public message.

His expression sours and he pushes his hair off of his forehead, huffing. He's obviously irritated at having to ask something that he feels beneath him]

Is there anything useful to do that doesn't involve heavy labour? I'll even take recommendations for books that won't bore me to sleep if there's nothing to be done. Or Mina, have you found any herbs that'll speed up bone healing since we've spoken?

[He very much doubts that the answer will be 'Yes', but it never hurts to ask.]

Comments

[bostonhowler]

No. I'd stick to gentle exercise. Not even yoga, for now, but walking is a good idea. Take it easy.

[She pushes herself up and reaches for her bomber jacket. There are patches from her father's military service on it. Her fingers ghost over one as she contemplates.]

We'll negotiate when the time comes. I'm not sure just yet. But if you can let me know when it wears off, I'd appreciate it.

[burnburnburn]

[He makes a noise of complete and utter exasperated disgust for those orders.]

Yes, Doctor.

[He flops onto the sofa and the annoyance fades as he realises how relaxing it is to sit without the pain. He arranges himself into an elegant sprawl and reaches out for one of the books she'd left on the table]

What are these you're carting around?

[bostonhowler]

[She ignores his petulance. He sounds like any boy that's been told he can't go play because he has a booboo. Honestly, he sounds like the Alpha's children back home. She huffs out a sigh.]

Herbals, a couple that might help me identify marine life, so we can eat the seaweed and the shellfish that are most likely along the shore.

[Brigid shrugs.]

Research is how I pass the time.

[She holds a hand out to stop him from taking the small book on the top.]

That's... It's fairy tales. Gaelic fairy tales, from Ireland.

[And personal.]

[burnburnburn]

[He rolls his eyes at that, but doesn't try to grab.]

What do you think I'm going to do, rip it up? It's the herbal I want to see, I don't like fairy tales.

[His lip curls at the thought of them. They're lies, he knows, lies for the gullible who think the world will save them.]

[bostonhowler]

[She snatches up the fairy tales, lightning quick. Brigid likes the old tales. The tales that didn't have happy endings, that told a lesson, not just the guy gets the girl. She hates the Disneyfication of all the stories that used to be so much worse.]

You can keep one if you'd like. I just borrowed them from the library. I planned on studying later.

[She cradles the fairy tales close to her, as if she's afraid he'll take it.]

[burnburnburn]

[He glares at her for that reaction. He may have given her little reason to trust him, but it offends him. He draws himself out of his sprawl, no longer relaxed in her presence, and stands while picking up the book on sealife and tucking it under his arm.]

You can go and study now instead of standing around in my house.

[bostonhowler]

[Her eyes narrow.]

You could stand to be a bit more polite, considering you aren't aching. And believe me, that will be part of the future price.

[She snatches up her bomber jacket slipping it on, and grabs the other books.]

Good. Day.

[She doesn't slam the door behind her when she leaves.]