Twenty-Six Bells: [Action] Forward-dated to December 20th

[noprevaricating]

[Archie spends the first half of the day moving new furniture-stool and chairs, mostly-to the Britannia. Something about getting stuck in your own ship and having to burn the furniture for warmth in the galley stove makes one run out of furniture. While he’s in the store, he finds an item that delights him-a wooden box with Horatio’s name engraved

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[Action]

[shadedsunlight]

[It's been three weeks now and with still no sign of her vision or voice changing, Ginia's settled into an odd state of calm toward her situation. There are friends to help her through, everything has been and will be okay.

With the storm finally over, Ginia, and her trust canine companion Odin, set out for a much needed walk. It's really more Odin leading her around and Ginia following after, but she trusts the dog to get her back safe. Timely manner is another thing entirely, but she has her journal in case they get hopelessly lost. Until that happens, it's a nice day out in the village.]

[Action]

[noprevaricating]

[When Archie glances up to see Ginia, he breaks into a grin. He calls out.]

Miss Ginia!

[Action]

[shadedsunlight]

[Ginia pulls Odin to a gentle halt when she hears her name from a familiar voice. She turns toward the general direction and offers a wave.]

Archie! Hello!

[Action]

[noprevaricating]

[Although he knows she can't see, he shoves himself to his feet.]

Come inside! I made chocolate, and I can make it hot again for you.

[action]

[seventeensir]

[Horatio arrives home, having taken a bit of time to wander around the town and see the lights. He still finds them remarkable.

When he comes home, though... there's Archie on the couch. And he knows something's happened.]

Archie?

[action]

[noprevaricating]

[Archie didn't even hear the door open. He does, however, hear Horatio speak. He jumps and immediately begins to fold the letter, but knows he's been caught red-handed. He still tries to speak as if nothing has happened.]

Horatio.

[He innocently tucks the letter back into the box and shuts the lid, keeping his hand covering the engraved plate.

He could not look more guilty, and he knows it.]

Enjoy your turn about the village?

[action]

[seventeensir]

I did.

[But he doesn't go into more detail because... Well. "Guilty" or "shaken" or whatever the word might be, he is still quite sure that something is wrong.

Still, his voice sounds as even as possible as he speaks again.]

And you? Find everything you were looking for? For Britannia.

[action]

[noprevaricating]

I did. [His hand tightens around the lid of the box as he wonders why he's even trying.] Horatio...

homework? what homework.

[slaying]

[ and while archie is putting up that wreath, buffy is on her way to stop by. say hi. get a little socializing in now that some paths have been cleared and she is back from her stint on the draft.

she unpocketed a mittened hand when she spots the sailor on his porch. a wave. ]

Hey. Archie.

Screw homework.

[noprevaricating]

Buffy! [Forget the wreath. Buffy's home! He abandons his project and heads straight for her with open arms.]

[slaying]

[ and there's a smile. she collects him into a brief but firm hug; holds him at arm's length to get a decent look at him. ]

How're you?

[noprevaricating]

Quite well, quite well. Spent much of the day replacing the stools et cetera we burnt on Britannia. You heard from Jilly what happened, didn't you?

[tehoniongirl]

[For once, Jilly is bundled in layers as she braves the cool winter air to go from Seven to the Sailor's home. It wasn't that it was any colder than usual, but something about being trapped in a cold ship for days really drove home the lesson of being prepared.

Still, there's a spring to her step as she tromps through snow drifts, taking in the sight of star-lit snow with child-like glee. It's only consideration for the finished painting she's carrying, tucked carefully under one arm, that keeps her from delaying to do something silly. Snow angels come to mind.

Caught up in cheerful delight at the winter wonderland Luceti's become, she's half-way up onto the porch before she even realizes someone is already out there, sitting in the dark.]

[noprevaricating]

[Indeed he is, and Archie doesn't even realize Jilly's there, he's staring so intently into space. He's not wearing a coat, and doesn't notice he's shivering.]

[tehoniongirl]

Archie?

[confusion is evident in her voice as she stands on the stair, taking in the lack of coat and the distance that consumes every part of him. It's in his gaze and the slope of his shoulders, and any thought she'd had for the night is gone in an instant, her attention and concern narrowing in on her friend.]

...Archie, what happened? [because, obviously, something had]

[noprevaricating]

[Archie breaks from his thoughts with a barely-audible inhalation and rapid blinking.] Jilly.