silversnowfall | [54] [voiced]

[54] [voiced]

I'm...sorry if I've worried anyone.

[Nephry's voice sounds weak and tired, but firm]

I don't suppose it...does me any good to say the situation was out of my hands.

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Thank you, Professor.

[True to her word, she'll be at the clinic a short while later. She doesn't waste much time with approaching Nephry's bed.]

Nephry.

[she's sitting up, a little pale, and with her right arm in a sling to keep her from moving it, whether she needs it or not.]

Hello, Professor. How are you?

[Just the fact that she's sitting up is enough to settle Gelda's nerves somewhat. Even so, she won't be completely relaxed until that arm is better and all the color is back on Nephry's face.]

I should be asking you that question.

[sitting up may honestly not be the best idea for her today. But sometimes she is just stubborn enough.]

...I'm...I feel strange, actually. I can't remember what happened in any kind of coherent way. ...I was hoping you could tell me about it.

[She sighs softly, a frown on her face. This is the kind of thing Nephry should be asking Dist about; Gelda wasn't around much.]

What did you want to hear about?

[At the sigh and change of expression, Nephry visibly appears almost closed, and defensive. Has she asked this before, and can't remember? Is the question something that makes Gelda worry, for some reason? ...Maybe she shouldn't have asked, at all.]

...Never mind, Professor. I'm sure I'll be able to sort it all out, with time.

I'm terribly sorry, Nephry. I can tell you how extensive your wounds were, but Saphir is the one who brought you to me. I haven't been out in the battlefield for too long either.

Please, don't apologize. ...Saphir is visibly upset whenever he visits. I was hoping to avoid distressing him further by asking you. [not that Gelda isn't also worries, but she can handle it much better than Dist can] That's all.

I see... [She folds her hands in her lap.] Saphir was very shocked by what had happened. He did whatever he could to help you. Were it not for him, you may not have lived.

[in her lap, her left hand tightens into a fist.]

I know. ...All the more reason not to worry him.

... Your memories may return in due time. How much have you forgotten?

It's hard to tell. ...I remember that I was sudddenly in the city. I heard...something like a machine.

[she's not looking at Gelda. It's easier to think with something more bland to look at, like a wall]

And...my next memories are of your voices, both of you. ...I could see Saphir...bloody. I thought he had been hurt.

Then, I woke up here.

I suppose you were attacked by something or someone. Saphir brought you to me in the secure area with the aid of his fonbot. You were barely conscious at the time, so it isn't surprising that you don't remember.

[a frown, and her left hand presses gently against the right side of her chest]

That's...yes. ...I couldn't breathe?

One of your lungs had been pierced, along with a wing. I managed to mend it before you suffered any permanent damage, thankfully.

[that's not something you think about often, with healing artes. It might not always work.]

Yes. Thank you, Professor. ...I suppose it does me no good to continue talking about it, however. It won't change that it happened.

[She manages a bit of a smile.] All that matters, at this point, is that you're safe and recovering.

I agree. [have a bit of a smile in return] Feeling well enough to have a conversation is a nice change.

Would you like me to get you something to drink? Or some fruit, perhaps?

I don't want to keep you, if you have things to do.

I don't. But I assure you, you're far more important than other matters I would have to attend to.

...I think I could eat something.

[water and juice for days gets old fast]

Would you like me to slice an apple for you? Or a pear, perhaps?

[for just a moment, her smile is real - as real as it was when she was a child - and then it turns a little embarrassed]

Well, I would have some trouble slicing it myself.

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