i_speak_softly | Sixtieth Theory [Action]

[Luceti is a cruel and perverted world. That's the only possible explanation for why Don revives from his death-by-drowning at the bottom of the lake. He thrashes for the surface with none of his usual graceful movement, and crawls ashore, panting and trying to figure out what happened.

He knows he died.

He remembers there is a price for being restored to the living world.

He lies in the rain, wondering if it will ever end.

When he has enough breath back to sit up, he does so, and carefully checks himself over for what the Malnosso took. Limbs, senses, memories… all seem in order. He stands and walks, and his legs work. He speaks a few words, and his voice is still there.

It doesn't seem possible that the Malnosso brought him back for free, and he's scared for what hidden deficit might reveal itself later.

He has his mask, belt, and pads. All his other gear is absent, hopefully still at home where he left it.

He starts walking.

He knows it will take some time to travel from the western lake to the village, but he knows the way and he's not in a hurry. It will be good to get his thoughts together before he sees his housemates.]

((Don's death penalty is a language disorder called aphasia. Reference post is here, and linked from the index post at the top of his journal. Meet him anywhere on his way back to House 55.

Plotting note: In the near future, Don will want to go to the clinic to find out what's wrong with him. If your character works there, and especially if they would recognize aphasia, please hit me up via PM.))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only | Expand All

Yes.

[This is so confusing. Is he not saying what he thinks he is?]

[ step by step, she starts walking. ]

Kinda seems like they robbed you of your...what? Coherency? Your tendency not to descend into malapropisms?

[That's a theory.]

What are malapropisms?

Backwards words. I do it all the time with demon names.

I say them backwards?

[Really, Buffy?]

Backwards meanings. Mixed up. Y'know...all hinky.

[What kind of death-loss is that? Don is silent, turning the idea over in his head.]

[ into the silence: ] O-or...it's just a guess.

[He likes your scientific attitude.]

You don't have to do it all the time there with me. I'm okay...

It's no skin off my nose. I promise.

[Well, suit yourself. He continues walking into the village.]

[ she glances sideways as they walk. ]

...Was it quick?

[... His death? He shakes his head.]

[ quieter, now: ] Painful?

[Hesitation, then a nod.]

But...you weren't on the draft -- so...

The storm?

[Frown. Nod. Didn't they cover that already?]

[ but now, she's trying to pinpoint a cause. ]

Lightning? Was there lightning in the storm?

[Buffy, you are officially getting too nosy.]

April, I don't want to...

...You know, I knew an April. Once. A long time ago.

[ it's better than correcting him again. ]

[Is that so? Do go on.]

She was nothing like your April. I don't think. I met her...at a hosptial. A long time ago. Maybe -- ten years?

Why you were in the hospital?

[ because her family thought she'd gone insane... ]

Just a little accident. Very early on in my career. No biggie.

[Not inclined to believe this, but also not so forward as to interrogate Buffy further. He mumbles some mangled sentiment along the lines of "sorry to hear it, glad you recovered".]

[ action ]

herotypical - 2012-07-17 00:17 (UTC) - Expand

i_speak_softly - 2012-07-20 01:44 (UTC) - Expand

herotypical - 2012-07-21 16:53 (UTC) - Expand

i_speak_softly - 2012-07-22 02:08 (UTC) - Expand

herotypical - 2012-07-26 11:35 (UTC) - Expand

i_speak_softly - 2012-07-27 00:52 (UTC) - Expand