simon_doctor (
simon_doctor) wrote2006-10-04 10:38 pm
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Chittenden's behind them, Shadow ahead.
The mobile-clinic circuit on Chittenden used up some supplies; Simon's in the infirmary, late in the night shift, running down his checklists.
The mobile-clinic circuit on Chittenden used up some supplies; Simon's in the infirmary, late in the night shift, running down his checklists.
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"Here to talk, you said?"
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She's doing such an excellent job of it, too.
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He waits.
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Her voice is very soft.
"Do you know the story of Orpheus, Simon?"
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His voice is absolutely toneless; his hand is steady, resting on the chair back.
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"He was my nephew."
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He has no idea where she's going with this.
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Boots scuffing on the floor.
"Do you know that Orpheus, the poor kid, he wound up as a head, on an island, for a few thousand years?"
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It's half a question -- but that's always been the moral of the tale as he's read it. Orpheus, Lot's wife, Bluebeard's wife, Pandora; all the same story, all with the same moral: when the gods tell you not to look, don't look.
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There's a tiny, humourless smile.
"I tried to talk him down. I guess I should have tried harder."
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"Is there ... are you saying that this is something that could happen here?"
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And now her eyes burn into his. They are deeper than space, and older, and sadder than anything.
"I'm saying that he's getting off light."
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"Yes. I understand that."
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"You don't, really."
It's tough. She knows.
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He doesn't say anything.
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Her tone is gentle, the best bedside manner you ever did see.
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The fear's slowly, slowly backing down to wariness.
"Is there an 'unless' involved here at all?"
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She doesn't like doing this much.
She made a promise, after all.
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This doesn't, of course, mean she can't change her mind. And regardless, it probably wouldn't be wise to irritate her.
"May I ask you something?"
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"You can ask."
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He's got both hands resting on the back of the chair now; the tension in them isn't reflected in his direct gaze.
"Why come here to tell me this in person?"
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After a while:
"I didn't want you to worry. I didn't want your sister to worry."
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His reserve cracks for the first time, into bewilderment.
"That's ... bizarre. You're Death."
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"I like you guys."
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He's silent a moment, and starts again.
"You said you've ... done more than you should."
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