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Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
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 Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 6:27 pm
Lord knows how long you're unconscious. You thought you remembered seeing land, but after days adrift at sea it could just as easily have been a hallucination as your actual salvation.
When consciousness finally swims back to you - your head feels fuzzy and your mouth has the same sensation as if it had been stuffed with cotton.
There's the sensation of being on sheets, and your eyes slowly crack open to reveal a room. Bright light filters throughout the room, but you can't tell the source without moving your head, which, with your pounding headache, doesnt' seem like the best idea at the moment.
The whole room has a clean but hollow feel to it - this is not some lived-in residence with a woman's touch to it, or even a dingy shack that has years of character. It's merely a place with no sentiment yet attached to its walls.
It's a moment before you realize that you're not alone. There is a man standing by the bedside, hands clasped behind his back. He has long pure-white hair pulled back into a loose ponytail, and is wearing white slacks, and a white button up top and white jacket. He looks you over with curious blue-grey eyes.
"You've finally joined us..." He speaks in a French-touched accent and a smile as you look over to him.
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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 6:36 pm
*Oh God, I'm in France....* is the first thing that comes to mind as I look around the room and hear a voice. It has a clear hospital-esque feel to it. This is no worry to me. Actually it's a bit of a comfort since I grew up around hospitals (my father's a doctor). My eyes focus...at least they try to focus, on the one with the voice. The man...yeah, it's a man I think...I can't see s**t right now, what with no contacts coupled with what I'm guessing are the effects of exposure.
I try to speak, but only a croak sound comes out. Goddamn, but my throat is dry.
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Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 6:41 pm
Sabin's eyes narrow briefly as he watches the man shift in the bed. "Tommy Christian, isn't it?" He continues in a knowing fashion.
"I know that things must seem pretty confusing to you at the moment... but they will become clearer to you in time as they do with everyone here."
A glass of clear, cool water is pressed into your hand.
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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 6:47 pm
I manage out a grunt before slowly lifting the glass to my lips. I make sure not to drink too much at once, and even the little bit I do get down spurs a series of coughs.
"Ugh...wh...where am I?" I ask. Cliche, I know. But trying to make this guy think I'm clever isn't particularly high on my list of things to do at the moment.
At least the water makes my parched throat and mouth feel better. Now if only I could do something about my headache.
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Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 6:53 pm
"The.... transition is always difficult." The man nods in a strangely sympathetic tone as his hands are returned to their clasped position behind his back and out of sight.
"As far as where.... well.... that question is always a little tricky to answer. What.... is the last thing that you remember?"
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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 6:58 pm
Well...I'm not dead, I know that much because of my pounding headache. But transition? What the hell was this guy talking about? I blink hard a few times, trying to get my...doctor? Caretaker? Who knows...anyway, I tried to get him into focus. Huh...strange looking guy. This must be France.
"Last...I...uh...my hop to Italy...something happened and we had to bail," I try to say. The last few words come out in rasps. A few sips of my water helps it out.
"I was floating on my raft for...for a long time and...and I think the last thing I saw was land."
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Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 7:03 pm
"Ah yes.... many people do think that they have found a last glimmer of hope in the end." He shakes his head sadly.
"Tommy... I am sorry to say but if you did see land... it was likely... too late." He pronounces the last few words very delicately, watching your face. "But... you have nothing to fear any more. You will be well taken care of." He finishes with a smile.
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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 7:09 pm
No....nonono...horseshit. This guy...he's...no no. He's not saying what I think he's saying. Scenes from that movie Misery flash through my mind for a brief second followed by scenes from What Dreams May Come. No, I'm not dead, I know I'm not...I mean...you'd know...right? Whatever the case is, I know I'm not doing a very good job of guarding my emotions right now. Heh, I'm probably quite a sight. Jaw slightly ajar with an incredulous look on my face...
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Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 7:14 pm
Sabin used every ounce of willpower in his fibre of being to keep a straight face as he saw the look of horror and shock pass over Tommy's face. Internally, he delighted in the reaction, savoring it.
"I know... how much of a shock this must come for you." He spoke slowly, his eyes never leaving yours. "And it is usually fairly... different... than most people assume. But, all together not wholly unpleasant if you let yourself relax and come to terms with your passing."
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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 7:18 pm
I force a grin, despite how much it hurts my still horribly chapped and sunbaked lips. "Bullshit," I venture. "You're screwing with me, right?"
I try to sit up in the bed. Oh God, I feel like crap...but I do my best not to show it. I lean against the headboard, doing my best to keep my grin authentic. All the while I keep thinking to myself: "This cannot be happening."
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Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 7:33 pm
"No s**t." Sabin responds in kind. "Believe me, this is a hard job - to escort those to this new existence. I wish I were joking."
He spread his hands and gestured about the room. "We have taken steps to try to make you feel comfortable in a location that should be somewhat... familiar to you. You are likely still feeling some phantom pain from your corporeal form and your... well... death. But it will pass."
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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 7:37 pm
Oh wow... for once I'm speechless. The grin on my face falters and without thinking I clutch my dogtags.
"No...nononono..." Is all I can think of to say, trying to dismiss any thoughts of the afterlife. I try to get out of bed and onto my feet.
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Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 7:41 pm
You're still a bit woozy as you sit suddenly, and Sabin reaches out a hand to steady you. "Easy there. You're still very much in transition."
He looks you over, nodding to himself. "You... probably need time. And perhaps rest to allow yourself to adjust. This realm is a sort of... holding area. A place for souls to ease out of their old life and prepare for the new. Think of it as a sort of... spiritual vacation. You are in no hurry to move on, but as you come to acceptance and understanding you will be gradually easing into your next phase of existence."
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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 7:46 pm
I reel a bit in spite of myself. A shaking of my head does nothing but scramble my already addled brains. "Wait...Wait..." I say, holding up my hands in protest, "What you are saying..." I pick each word as carefully as I can at the moment. I think I'm doing a damn good job despite the circumstances. "What you're saying," I repeat, "is that I'm dead...and you're here to...aid...in my transfer to...the...afterlife?" I study the man's face the entire time, utilizing my best poker reading skills.
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Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 7:51 pm
Realizing that the new subject was rapidly gaining coherence, Sabin knew that his facade was even more vital. He kept his hands to himself, his face placid, and his voice even. He would have plenty of time to laugh... after he was back in the labs.
"Well... in a way this is the afterlife... as you are effectively after your life. However... we aide many in rejoining life in a new form... reincarnation... some call it. Others pass on to other duties elsewhere in the cosmos. It depends..." He moved forward, tapping Tommy's chest above his heart. "On what is in there." He finished enigmatically.
"But... I can only guide you so much. Much of this discovery is now in your hands. However, if you need me..... I will be watching over you."
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