silversnowfall | [63] [action]

[Even with the siblinghood, it will be an hour or two before they decide she's doing well enough that a visitor won't accidentally witness a catastrophe.

She's asleep when they do let him in, hooked up to monitors and fluids but looking better, anyway. If he asks, they'll tell him that she has been awake, briefly, but couldn't tell them anything useful about the kidnapping. ...So he may still be bored. But at least he has confirmation that they don't think anything else will happen to her.]

[Bored, perhaps, but at least while inside the room he can observe her condition for himself, rather than having to sit and guess.

He positions himself in a chair set aside in the corner, where he crosses his legs and waits for a time. He wasn't going to wake her, rest was a necessity for a proper recovery, but sitting staring at a blank wall had him ill at ease.]

[He can watch the monitors instead, if he wants. Not that they're doing anything exciting, either, but at least it's better than a wall. And as a bonus, they'll let him know when she starts to wake up.

...Which is about now. It isn't a slow transition in the least; her eyes open all at once and she doesn't appear to know where she is, or what might be going on.]

Ah, good. She wakes. [It's said about as flippantly as if he was commenting on the weather, but at least he sounds cheerful enough. Alerting her to a familiar presence might relax her a little, or jerk her in focus long enough for her to get her barrings. He didn't want her panicking and pulling out all her drips and such, after all.]

Did you enjoy your nap? [As if anyone could truly enjoy it after what she'd been put through today...]

Edited 2011-07-09 05:28 (UTC)

Jade?

[that was the most cracked and quiet version of his name she has ever said. Even though the dehydration issue has been solved, she hadn't been able to drink any water. There's a desert living in her throat.

She was building up to just such a panic, though, and that voice stopped it cold. There's no being disoriented or worked up around her brother. It takes her some time to find him in the room, given he's not really near the bed and she's still trying to place herself.]

[Noticing her confusion, Jade stands to make his presence more obvious. He wasn't exactly a small man, so the movement alone should be enough to grab her attention.] You're currently in the medical facility housed in the battle arena. I found you collapsed in the town square.

[Luckily enough, a nurse or some equivalent had been thoughtful enough to leave them a pitcher and glass of water on a tray nearby, which Jade rolled towards her. She should drink it in small sips. Large gulps would probably be painful.]

Why? What- [a flinch, a hard swallow that does indeed hurt] What's wrong with me? [It's not the first time shes been kidnapped and returned, after all, and she can't think of any other reason to be 'collapsed in the town square.'

It's a very weak left hand reaching for that glass. Does he really want to trust her with it? She's not at the point of being able to sit up and drink it yet, but that's what they discovered straws for.]

Nothing especially serious. [At this moment anyway, an hour or so ago was an entirely different case.] Merely a rather bad case of dehydration, but now that you have some fluids in you, you should recover just fine, provided there are no other complications.

[Yes, straws. That would be a bit more convenient, wouldn't it? Jade picks one up from the tray and removes the paper wrapping, then pointedly pushes it into her glass, positioning it towards her. It's even a bendy straw! How fancy. Still, he's somewhat doubtful that Nephry would be strong enough to lift the glass on her own, so Jade positions himself on the very edge of her bed and holds it within her head's reach. She could easily take it from him, if she felt up to it, but again, he's doubtful.]

[She won't reach for it, mostly to spare herself the embarrassment. Taking several small sips from the straw is enough, for now. It won't take long for her to reach the point where she regains her strength pretty quickly. But she's not there, not yet.

When the glass is about half empty she leans back again, carefully clearing her throat] Thank you.

[Jade, in turn, tries to spare her some embarrassment by pretending not to notice, staring at the opposing wall instead, a small smile playing at his lips.] Although I appreciate the sentiment, I assure you that your thanks isn't necessary.

I know how you feel...about explanations.

[There's nothing to be embarrassed about. It's just facts, in her mind. She can't help herself right now so someone else is going to have to. ...It's probably better off being Jade. He doesn't show his worry.]

How long have I been here? [It's not uncommon for kidnap victims to lose days between the memory of returning and waking up capable of thought.]

[Jade just leaves that first statement alone. Explaining things for her was never an issue. In fact, he can't recall ever having to explain anything for Nephry twice, so her concern was a moot point.]

Only a few hours, around two or so. However, I have no idea how long they had left you to bake in the town square.

[The number of times she's needed to have things explained twice by anyone can probably be counted on one hand.]

...And you brought me here?

[Two hours. But it seemed like so long ago that she had been unable to force herself to move, or speak...or think properly. What reason would Jade have to lie, though? So it was most likely true. She tries to bring her right hand up to rub her eyes and ends up staring at all the different things she's hooked up to, for a long moment of confusion]

Indeed. Where are all the strong youngsters when you need them? My poor old bones... I could have thrown out my back. [So he says, but his smile doesn't falter, and he certainly seems no worse for wear.]

Do you recall anything before the square?

[There's a falter in her expression. Improved track record or no, the idea that he would leave her hurt somewhere is still capable of racing around inside her head for a few seconds.

At his question she closes her eyes, trying to gather her focus back together into real thinking]

I remember...being taken. [her face tightens into a frown of concentration] And then, only...very bright lights, and...heat. I- I was... [It's there, at the edge of her thoughts, but it isn't at the same time. The left hand rises, this time, to cover her forehead and eyes as though that will make it easier to think. Calmer, somehow.

It's not working. The monitors at least will show the physical signs of her anxiety over whatever she struggles to remember]

[Jade's eyes flicker towards the monitors, gauging her internal reaction and back to Nephry's face.]

There's no need to push yourself just yet. For now, I suggest you focus on making a full recovery. We'll just leave those questions for later, shall we?

How-

[It takes a lot of effort to will herself to stop. To move to another set of thoughts, a different topic entirely. She manages, barely, her eyes dulled and almost glassy with the internal strain of it They sharpen again in focus on Jade, back to her question.]

How long until I do?

[If he knows. If anyone knows.]

That depends on the amount of rest you receive and how long you've been kept in this condition. However, the mere fact that you are this coherent is a good sign that you'll make a quick recovery.

[A bit of confusion was normal, but the fact that she was able to hold up a conversation with him for this long was encouraging.]

I don't know very much...about what happened. [You don't often get heat illness or dehydration in Keterburg. Come back when it's frozen over around here and ask her about seasonal dangers] Is this unusual?

['This' meaning the conversation.]

[It was slightly unusual, yes, considering the apparent severity of her condition, but such things varied from case to case, and he had no idea how long she'd been kept that way, or what had been done to her.] It varies from case to case, but despite whether it's unusual or not, I suggest we enjoy the benefits.

That said, if you're feeling odd in any other way...

[Nothing is ever really usual with the Malnosso involved, is it? If the 'benefits' are extended conversation with Jade, then maybe she's better off- no, never mind.]

Nothing more than tired, and thirsty, and nauseated. [Did she really say that last one out loud? Ah, well, too late now. Sigh.]

Would you like me to call a nurse? [Now, now. Is it really so bad to talk to your brother? Consider it 'bonding' time.]

I don't see what good it would do.

[They have done quite enough already. Can't he tell? ...And she's awake and talking and thinking like the majority of a rational person. That's enough.]

If you insist. [Jade gives a little shrug, and goes back to interpreting her monitors. She was right, after all, there wasn't much else they could do expect be sure she eats properly and drinks plenty of fluids.]

[There are instances where she would defer to his opinion, and this would be one of them. If he had an opinion he felt like sharing. Which, it seems, he does not, and so she closes her eyes again - not to sleep, but from a general lack of things to look at.]

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