- thirty-second year waiting -

[nurse_boy]

Almost didn't realize what today was. I suppose it sort of--snuck up on me. Wasn't really keeping track, though.

I've been here for a year, now.

... Blimey.

It hasn't felt that long.

Comments

[advocacies]

A whole year?

[nurse_boy]

[waaaah Karen]

Yep. [breathes a sigh] Doesn't really feel like it ... but then somehow it sort of does too.

[advocacies]

Feeling homesick?

[nurse_boy]

[a short laugh]

No. Not really, no.

[which is not entirely true, but ...]

[advocacies]

Let me guess, just tired of being here?

[nurse_boy]

I wouldn't--

[and then he remembers that she doesn't know]

... In a way, I guess you could say that. Yeah.

[advocacies]

I honestly wouldn't blame you at all.

[nurse_boy]

There's ... good things. Like Amy, being married ... and I've met some really brilliant people. But then there's--other things. You know.

[advocacies]

I get it. It's like that everywhere but something about Paradisa is really draining.

[nurse_boy]

[dryly] Think it might have something do with with the, you know, constant world changes and the losses and--things coming out of the forest, and ... [swallows] And people going mental.

It never stops.

[advocacies]

Might be a dumb question but... you okay, Rory?

I know, it's tough and tiresome but we've got to keep our chins up.

[nurse_boy]

[slightly sad mumble]

I'm--fine ... you know how it is. You sort of hit a milestone in your life and I guess--it makes you think a bit. I guess I've just been thinking about everything that's happened to me since I've been here, and not all of it's been that great.

[advocacies]

Unless you're immortal or something, you don't look anywhere near forty. [ teasing mostly! but rory. :( ]

Yeah, ever since I got here the castle's been a thorn in my side and I haven't even been here a year yet. [ she's kind of... afraid of that now. ]

[nurse_boy]

[waaaaaaah :( Thing is, now he knows just how old he'll get, because Amy told him--she's lived through that now.

So what Karen gets in reply is another cut-off laugh, but this one's almost more of a choke, followed by a short cough. And then evasion]

How long have you been here, now?

[and he just stops himself from adding 'this time']

[advocacies]

Since... [ a pause. ] December. Just in time for Christmas.

[nurse_boy]

Oh right, yeah. [grimace] The castle thingummy. With the wind-up mice.

[that was just awkward]

It's been ... sort of? Quiet? Around here since then?