Curtis and Edgar, initial treatment and visiting hours

[simon_doctor]

It's been a rough day for Curtis and Edgar. Fortunately, the Milliways infirmary is definitely set up to handle hypothermia and exposure.

[Icon above notwithstanding, Simon Tam is not actually appearing in this thread.]

Comments

[not_his_pa]

William sits down at a chair near Edgar's bed,

"The day after that storm, someone set off somethin' in the stables and there was a fire. Nitwit's safe, came right back once it was safe and she's in the paddock."

[hate_gettin_older]

He half-sits, sharply. "Someone what?"

It's a shout in tone, but still barely above a whisper in volume.

[not_his_pa]

"There was a bang. I heard it but didn't see who did it. I should have, I was outside,"

The stables are his responsibility, he should have been able to do more.

[hate_gettin_older]

His head feels like it's going to split, pulsing with rage.

"You said Nitwit's all right?"

[not_his_pa]

"Yeah, she was got out safe and hid in the woods but came back when the fire was put out. I'd bring her to see you but the docs probably wouldn't like it. I've been sitting with her and all the others who didn't get loose as I figure out where to start with the repairs. Security's tryin' to figure out who did it,"

William's worn out, he hasn't felt this tired since around when his father died. Everything was going wrong then.

[hate_gettin_older]

His jaw tightens.

And he fumbles for William's arm. "Help me up."

[not_his_pa]

He starts to protest but knows that sort of look and he's held his father and his brother up.

His arm is steady and he's as close as possible to the bed, "Take your time."

[hate_gettin_older]

His attempt doesn't take long. The first real pressure on the sole of his foot, as he tries to shove himself into position to sit up properly, makes it clear that standing and walking is not going to be an option for a little while yet.

Edgar sinks back down, still gripping William's arm, white and shaking and swearing under his breath.

[not_his_pa]

"I'll find a window and bring her around,"

An offer to carry Edgar out wouldn't work but maybe there's a wheelchair somewhere.

[hate_gettin_older]

He doesn't see any windows in here.

"Fucking christ. Maybe just ... tell her I'll come see her soon? She might understand."

[not_his_pa]

"I will and we can ask the doctors about a way to get you out there. She probably will, I hope they all do. Fires are awful. Someone set our barn on fire right before my Pa died,"

Nothing good ever comes of them and then trouble grows and grows.

[hate_gettin_older]

A beat.

"Your Pa's dead?" he says slowly, his tone not so much one of surprise as of realization.

[not_his_pa]

"Yeah, he got killed a couple of years ago,"

That was another mess that kept getting worse before it ended about as badly as it could.

[hate_gettin_older]

It takes Edgar's mind off his throbbing feet, quite thoroughly.

"Sorry, man."

[not_his_pa]

William shrugs, he's kind of used to it, "He comes here. That's somethin'."

[hate_gettin_older]

"-- oh."

His eyes widen abruptly, as though something else has occurred to him.

[not_his_pa]

"Yeah, its odd," Not bad but part of Milliways strange because they still don't know how to talk.

[hate_gettin_older]

"Yeah." That's subdued. "Reckon it would be."

[not_his_pa]

"Yeah. Do you want me to bring you anythin' in here? Books, food?" He'll find a way to get Nitwit to visit.

[hate_gettin_older]

"They're feeding us already, but ... maybe just make sure Nitwit's getting fed all right? Like, she doesn't eat the same shite as all the other critters in there, she needs looking after."

[not_his_pa]

"I will. She's got a part of the paddock all to herself with her moss and I spend some time with her every day. With all of 'em when I'm not clearin' out the mess of the stables."

[hate_gettin_older]

"Good. If I'm out of here before it gets cleared out, let me know? I'll come and give you a hand."

[not_his_pa]

"I will, but a lot of folks want to help. I don't think it should still be goin' on, but if it is, I'll let you know. There's always somethin' to be done."