28. dirge days

[orderfromchaos]

[Public video, from the crenellated shade of the Very Geometric Tree in the 8th floor common room, ever so slightly backdated to actually-during-the-day on the 18th]

Does anyone else want to do a thing for Ash Wednesday?

I mean, we don't have a proper priest to bless the ashes, but we could still do the mark for each other if Simon made some? Or maybe have a service or just a discussion. I see more people coming in and out of the chapel lately but we never act like a community. I don't think we need to be one denomination for some people want to care about faith together. You know?

Anyway, I've been fasting at least. But I still don't know what to-

[And then instead of figuring out what to give up for Lent, he slumps over in a coma.]

Comments

[tucky]

-- What the fuck? Dillon?

[religious buddy nooooo]

[orderfromchaos]

[beep beep beeeeeeeep]

[strangehistorian]

Dillon?

[She doesn't get an answer, of course, and after long enough scurries up to the common room with the geometree to check on him.]

[tucky]

What's wrong with him?

[strangehistorian]

[Chromie has two little fingers on his pulse, and has moved his neck so it's not at such a strange angle.]

I think it's just a Barge coma.

[Which she would know about if she'd taken the pamphlet, but Chromie doesn't say that. Just sighs a little.]

They're common, and harmless, but he'll be asleep for a little while.

[tucky]

What the fuck is a Barge coma? How long's a little while?

[strangehistorian]

A few weeks, usually. A barge coma is similar to an ordinary one except that it has no apparent cause, and most of the biological processes seem to stop.

[tucky]

Did he die in the breach; is that why?

[strangehistorian]

I don't know if he did or not. As I said, we haven't been able to figure out why they happen.

[tucky]

... But he'll definitely wake up? He'll be okay?

[strangehistorian]

Oh, yes! They always wake up.

[tucky]

Good.

[Relief.]

I hope it's soon; I'm gonna miss him if it's not.

[strangehistorian]

Me too!

[She's levitating him now, like an invisible stretcher.]

I'm going to take him to the infirmary.

[tucky]

That's where I am.

Maybe I'll see him wake up.

[strangehistorian]

Maybe!

Oh, I forgot to mention - the Admiral said he couldn't deliver your letters, but Iris agreed to try to take them with her the next time she goes out on a trip.

[tucky]

Really? Okay, thanks. That's nice of her.