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[sleepyhollowed]

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text IM SORRY SHE DOESN'T KNOW; @aa

[livingdeadgirl]

hi Kieran it's Ami
I think we may have to put our fishing lessons on hold unfortunately
something really gross is going on at the pond :(

[ and attached: a photo of the gross, algae-infested pond, taken from what she really hopes is a safe distance. ]

[VIDEO]

[sleepyhollowed]

[For a couple of moments, Kieran's just kind of looking at different parts of the screen, as if he's trying to figure out how it works... and how reality around him is working, what with how disoriented he is.]

[But he finally manages to focus on the screen. Barely.]

Hey, Ami, uh, it's not lookin' so good here. Not feelin' so good, either.

I don't mind skippin' our lessons fer now.

[Another pause as he looks away from the screen. He needed to ask her something important... but what was it...?]

Are you... are you stuck anywhere? Didja find someplace safe?

video

[livingdeadgirl]

[ Ami comes onscreen looking very worried. Kieran looks really out of it, so it's pretty obvious he's not well even before he says anything... She nods at his question. ]

Yeah, I'm fine! I'm safe. Where are you? Are you okay? - You didn't touch any of that stuff, did you?

[sleepyhollowed]

Touch it? Nah.

[Breathe it in? That's a different story.]

Someone I never met before found me and the horses. We're headin' somewhere else, now.

...I think.

[He pauses, asks Qubit if they're there yet, and then turns back to Ami on the screen.]

...Between you and me? He ain't very nice.

[livingdeadgirl]

[ She catches only a glimpse - somebody in a hazmat suit? If he's not nice then it can't be Peter... Not like she knows everyone on the station, though, obviously. ]

I'm sure he's just trying to help. [ She's not sure, exactly, but it seems that way? ] Are you going to the medbay? You seem kinda...

@mage | video

[braidmage]

[ Reynir is still getting the hang of how to get himself on-screen for sending video messages, and his ability to do so right now is somewhat compromised by the fussy, bleating, day-old lamb that he is holding in his arms. It's managing to wriggle around quite a lot even wrapped up in a blanket, and so the video isn't exactly the steadiest. ]

Kieran! Hello! This is Reynir. Do you remember me?

[ He sort of assumes Kieran doesn't but just goes on: ]

You're helping with the ranch and I was wondering if you have any animals for milking, because this little guy just showed up and he's- oof!

[ The lamb had butted it's face against Reynir's chin, interrupting him. ]

-he's really hungry, and I don't know if the stuff in the mess hall is gonna cut it.

[ Sure there is 'milk' there but most of it is either powdered or some weird low-fat nonsense and this is just a baby, it needs nutrients and fats and Reynir knows it isn't old enough to eat anything else, yet. ]

[VIDEO]

[sleepyhollowed]

Yeah! Howdy, Reynir!

[Kieran's attention is piqued by both the urgent tone in Reynir's voice and the loud bleating of that wriggly lamb wrangled in his friend's arms.]

[He nods as he listens, then grimaces when poor Reynir's on the wrong end of a stubborn headbutt. He understands that pain all too well.]

We, uh, we got a cow up in the ranch, but she ain't producin' any milk, yet. There's no bull around to get 'er started.

[And he has no idea how long that's going to take. His brow furrows as he thinks... then, aha!]

H-Have you tried mixin' eggs with some milk and cream fer the little guy?

[braidmage]

[ Well, Reynir is delighted Kieran remembers him, but really bummed that there isn't some cow or goat or even a deer who could just stand as substitute for this little guy's mama, who is probably in another REALM OF EXISTENCE or something like that.

At least Kieran has some good pro strats. Reynir has never encountered this particular issue before - any time a mother died or had trouble giving milk, there were many other ewes around that would solve the issue. ]

I haven't. I guess that could work...

[ And now the video is just going to show Reynir mixing up a concoction of that particular kind, the lamb tucked firmly against his chest, like a baby. Because it is one. ]

He can't be more than a day or two old, poor thing. He's one of ours. From my parents's farm. I recognize the collar. It has our address on it.

[sleepyhollowed]

[Hnnnngghh... such a little wee babbu lamb. Kieran already loves this new addition to the group.]

Poor little guy. He must be scared somethin' fierce with all the stuff goin' on here.

[He puts a hand to his chin and strokes at his beard. He's never been the philosophical sort, but when it comes to more practical matters such as taking care of the animals that, in their own way, took care of you, he has some ideas to spare.]

T-Try that with him! I've seen it work before in a punch.

I'll, uh, I'll get in touch with Pratt and see about findin' us a bull. It's about time that we got that taken care of anyway.

[braidmage]

He was at first. He isn't too agitated as long as you keep him close. I think he doesn't like the quiet. I was a little worried he wouldn't get on with Kitty, but the second she saw him she gave him a head to tail bath so I guess they're friends already.

[ His question may be answered but Reynir is a chatty and gregarious person, and keeps talking with that lamb tucked against his chest, interjecting a little bleat now and then. He sets his device down on something or other in the kitchen so he can make the lamb a bottle of fortified milk with his free hands. ]

Well apparently animals just appear out of nowhere here so that might not be too hard...

[ And then, as he's cracking an egg into a bowl, it occurs to him to ask: ]

Would you like to meet him?

@mage | audio

[braidmage]

Hello!

[ It's been a few days since Kieran was attacked, but guess who doesn't know anything about that? Reynir! Which is probably why his lilting accented voice over the device is so cheerful and bubbly as he asks: ]

Can I swing by the barn in a few hours and pick up a little bit of hay for Anne? I'm making him a little pen to play around in, in my room, and I want him to get used to the feeling of it so he won't mind so much later on when he is staying at the barn more long-term.

[ Reynir doesn't think it will be any kind of problem he's just checking whether or not Kieran will be around at that time of day... ]

[sleepyhollowed]

[When his communicator pings, Kieran can feel his heart stop along with it. It takes him a few moments, but he manages to find the button to play his messages and presses it. When Reynir’s happy voice pops up, he feels his stomach begin to churn.]

[He’d been limiting his contact with other people during his time in the medbay. He’d chalked it up to wanting to spend the time convalescing and learning to adapt to his new impairment, but the truth is far less positive. He—in some flavor of irony—didn’t want anyone to see him like this. It was bad enough that whenever his friends visited, often to read something to him or chat about some positive things going on, he could catch the undertones of pity in their voices (some of it imagined, maybe, but it’s real enough to him). To have to explain it again to another friend and deal with their well-meaning sentiments fills him with a sickening anxiety he’d thought he’d left behind.]

[But he can’t leave Reynir hanging like that, especially not when Anne is also counting on his answer.]

[It’s part muscle memory and part training that guides his fingers as he selects the buttons that will let him respond, although he hesitates before he makes that final move. Finally, he sucks it up and confirms that he’d like to send a message in return.]

H-Hey, Reynir!

Feel free to, uh, h-head over to the barn. There should be a few hay bales set up alredy f-fer the horses. You can, uh, you can take however much ya need from there. They’ll be okay fer a while. They won’t miss it.

I-I, won’t be there to greet ya. I’m stuck in the medbay f-fer a l-little bit. Don’t know how long.

[braidmage]

[ He's happy to just head to the barn by himself and pick up the hay, but he was looking forward to seeing Kieran, too, and chatting with him a little. He likes Kieran! The man might have a strange accent and be from a completely different world and time, but he reminds Reynir of home a lot more than most people in this place. So he's a bit bummed he isn't going to see him.

Then Kieran explains he's in the medbay, and Reynir's disappointment turns to concern. ]

Oh no, I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were sick. Do you need me to do anything to help around the ranch?

[ Sure Pratt is probably holding things down but it's a lot of work for one person and Reynir is willing and able. Reynir doesn't even realize the sorts of assumptions he is making - he just figures if Kieran doesn't know how long he'll be there, it must be an illness. He goes on: ]

I had an awful fever recently, it was the first time I'd been sick in a long time and I hated it. Are you contagious? Is it quarantined or can I come visit? Are they feeding you okay?

[sleepyhollowed]

[It’s such a nice, genuine offer, and Kieran doesn’t want to be the jerk that tells Reynir not to bother. He only wants to help, after all, and it wouldn’t be right to quash that positive attitude. Especially not when Reynir has only been a friend.]

I-It’s not… I mean… I-I-I did get sick before, b-but that’s not what’s got me in here now. I feel alright, anyway.

[He sucks in a breath.]

Somethin’ happened and I lost my sight. It’s, uh, I’m… fine [ish]. So, so don’t worry about it or nothin’, I just… can’t… do much right now, is all.

[That’s the kindest way he can put what happened for Reynir, and he hopes that his friend doesn’t have any further questions for him.]

If you w-wanna help out around the ranch, I'm sure Pratt could use an extra pair of hands.

--> action

[braidmage]

[ It's Kieran's insistence on how fine he is that makes Reynir worry the most. He knows that sort of person - Onni is that sort of person, and Sigrun too in her own way. He's working too hard to convince Reynir, like he has to convince himself. And besides how could he be totally fine? Between the last time Reynir had seen him and now, he's gone blind!

Reynir knows there are fevers that can do this, as well as any number of accidental circumstances - fires and head trauma and who knows what else. It doesn't even enter into his mind that someone else might have done this to Kieran, or the cruelty and violence of it. ]

I will, I will help at the ranch.

[ He doesn't say any more than that, because he's made his mind up already and he isn't going to be talked out of it. Reynir packs up some of the little spiced cookies that Onni had baked the night before, tucks Anne under his arm, and makes his way to the medbay. Kieran needs a friend right now and Reynir hopes he has other ones but there is no such thing as too many friends. There just isn't!

It's easy enough to ask one of the robots which way he needs to go to find Kieran, and about twenty minutes after the end of their call, he is saying from nearby Kieran's bed. ]

Kieran? It's Reynir, I-

[ But before he can explain himself Anne decides this is time for him to chime in and say hello, too, with an excited little bleat. Anne, it turns out, loves Kieran. He even starts wriggling in Reynir's arm, wanting to go over to the man. Reynir's voice is a bit closer again when he says, a hint apologetic, a hint defiant: ]

Anne wanted to come visit you.

[audio; un: bearly.bewitched]

[birdical]

Hello, Kieran.

[Her voice might be soft, but her accent is as heavy and unmistakable as ever. She's working on the volume one needs to speak when talking on the phone, so forgive her if it's all over the place.]

I have learned to make personal calls, and thought I would make one to you. Are you better?

[sleepyhollowed]

[If nothing else, the musical lilts and the stark changes in volume make for wonderful distraction from the fact that he's going to have to tell another person what happened.]

[Kieran finds the correct sequence of buttons that he needs to press to respond, sighs, and then returns Elleru's message (albeit with far less cheer).]

C-Congratulations, Elleru. And, uh, th-thanks fer thinkin' of me. I mean it.

[Monotone aside, Kieran truly is grateful that she thought of him. He wasn't exactly used to making a lasting impression on anyone, let alone a pretty lady.]

[But now here comes the hard part.]

As fer me feelin' better, I-I, I'm not coughin' or sneezin' anymore, so the cold's gone at least.

I'm in th-the medbay fer a different reason, though. N-Nothin' serious.

[Except it's very serious and Kieran is a terrible liar.]

[birdical]

[There's a quiet little gasp on her end.]

Oh no! It is not serious you say, but is bad enough for you to be in the hospital. Would it be impolite to visit? I will keep you company.

[sleepyhollowed]

[Hnnnngh... no, it wouldn’t be impolite for Elleru to show up. It’s something that any supportive friend would want to do. It would most certainly be impolite to say “No, thank you, I’m a bit busy wallowing in self-pity, can we take a rain check for when I’m actually okay with my current shitty situation? Thaaaannnnksssss.”]

[So, even though he’s not feeling up to it, Kieran agrees.]

S-Sure. You can come over i-if you want.

I just. Uh. Won’t be good company is all.

[birdical]

You will not be the worst company I have had.

[That's... a compliment? It's supposed to be.]

I will see you shortly. Should I bring anything to you? A gift?

[audio; un: longinmouth]

[abheirrant]

[Though he strongly considers visiting Kieran in the Medbay, Carlisle decides he'd rather call instead, thinking that just dropping in while the man is being cared for -- and still blind -- may frighten him more rather than assuaging in any way his concerns over how temporary his blindness may be. Frankly, Carlisle couldn't blame him if he was. He clears his throat before he begins speaking.]

Mister Kieran, my name is Carlisle Longinmouth. I don't know if you remember me, given we met under, um. Extenuating circumstances.

[To say the very, very least.]

[sleepyhollowed]

[One of the robots had been nice enough to program Kieran's communicator with extra audio functions, with every press of a button and message popping up on the screen announcing itself with a pleasant tone and further guidance when necessary. It's made his use of the device less a matter of hopeful running his fingers over familiar symbols and more of an interactive experience. One that he's still getting used to--and wary of, since now anyone in his immediate vicinity was privy to his business--but alleviating, nonetheless.]

[He answers his communicator with the slightest hint of hesitation, and nods as Carlisle speaks. He's silent for a little while longer before he responds.]

Y-Yeah, I remember you.

[His tone isn't necessarily the warmest, but it's at least devoid of disdain for the man. Uneasiness, is more like it.]

Thanks. Uh. F-Fer yer help.

[abheirrant]

[Well, he didn't immediately chastise Carlisle, hang up on him, or the former followed by the latter. That's better than Carlisle expected, frankly.]

I called to apologize for what happened. I extended my energies beyond what I could control, resulting in your current state, and... the chaos that followed.

[sleepyhollowed]

[Oh. Right. All that stuff.]

[Kieran's not entirely sure how he should tackle this leg of the conversation. Regardless of the consequences, Carlisle had no small hand in saving his life--and things could be much worse than they are now.]

[Still... the whole situation has Kieran uneasy. He can't ignore what followed, but he can't brush away the good that came out of it, either.]

Look, uh...

[He lets loose a frustrated sigh.]

You don't... it's... Without everythin' you did, I wouldn't even have eyes in my head anymore. Hell, I may have even b-bled to death on the way here. Y-You helped saved my life, Carlisle. I m-mean it when I say thank you fer that.

I-I can't ignore all the other stuff that happened, too, even if I ain't sure I understand most of it [It doesn't help that he couldn't see what went down, but that's extra salt that doesn't need to be poured into anyone's wounds today], but I'll always be grateful to ya.

[abheirrant]

[There's something about being thanked again that catches Carlisle off-guard. As indignant as he's been in arguments over the past couple of weeks that yes, he did manage to accomplish some healing and that should be acknowledged, he's still furious with himself for losing control over his abilities in the first place. Doing so put them all in danger. It's his fault. It's a risk he shouldn't have taken. Why didn't he stop? It's his fault. They could have all died and risen, just like in Bear Den, and it'd be his—

Stop. He forces a breath through him; the receiver picks it up easily.]

I could finish my work.