|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2017 5:41 pm
It seemed like the most exciting part of Rhona's day had become meal time. It was the only time that someone came in to talk to her aside from vitals, and who really wanted to chat with someone drawing blood? It didn't even matter that the food here sucked, just having someone to chat with, even for a moment, was invaluable to her. Other than that it was... just boring. And it seemed like people here didn't take to well to smashing the call light to ask for some conversation. All she had were her thoughts that that... tended to be dangerous. So she often resorted to flipping through basic cable and moving her bed from laying down to sitting up over and over until she got bored of that too and played solitaire on her phone.
Once in a while she texted Jason or Xi-Wang, but not often. They had their own lives to live, she didn't want to take up too much of their time. She'd see them soon enough anyway. Maybe. If they ever let her out. At this point it wouldn't surprise Rhona if the doctors kept her here until she died of natural causes.
Rhona pushed the plate of gelatinous meatloaf away from her and poked at the pudding cup a few times before abandoning that as well. It had been a few days since she'd eaten, and though she was beginning to feel it... she just wasn't hungry. The nurses said that unless she started eating, she wouldn't be able to go home but that didn't help. It just made her worry that she actually would be held here until she died of old age. A rotund, older nurse with dark hair and glasses came to take her tray away and clucked at her for not eating. Her was matronly in a way that Rhona felt safe around.
"You're like my oldest girl. If you don't feel 100% you don't eat. But if you don't eat, you'll never feel 100%."
Rhona only shrugged and reclined the bed back to it's laying position with a deep sigh.
"Maybe if the kitchens sent up actual food and not slime mold in dollar store food related costumes, I'd eat."
The nurse laughed lightly, but left, leaving Rhona to her own devices once more.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 7:45 am
It wasn’t the first time Jett had been to visit Rhona, but it was the first time he suspected she’d actually be conscious enough to remember it. He had been at the antique store, trying to catch up on lost business from while they’d been gone. It wasn’t glorious by any means—mostly he had to deal with missed shipments and some concerned customers and all that paperwork, but he was managing. He was alive, in one piece, and functioning—and, really? That was all he could ask for.
He’d used the excuse of a lunch break to take an hour out of the store; it wasn’t even really a lie. He stopped by one of his favorite burger joints and grabbed a meal for two before he set off to the hospital to check on Rhona. If she was awake, good. If she wasn’t, it meant he got a meal for two. Neither seemed terrible.
He made his way into to her room as quickly as hospitals; Jett was not a fan of hospitals and did his best to stay out of them. He hated everything about them—right down to the never-ending white walls that made him think too much of Mirrorspace right now. He hated the germs, hated the sickness, hated the emotions.
When Jett found Rhona’s room he did his customary three-knuckle-rap on the door knock before he let himself in.
“Oh,” he said, seeming surprised to see her awake. “I see Sleeping Beauty has risen.” He eyed the food still on her plate and asked, “Picky eater? I’d have thought you’d eat anything that wasn’t a crystal after all what you’re diet’s been. Don’t tell me you have no appetite. I’d hate for this to go to waste.” He raised the bag so she could get a good look at the burger icon stamped on the side—and a good whiff of what was in the bag.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 8:31 am
Fully expecting another nurse, Rhona groaned at the knocking and moved her bed back into a seated position. It wasn't time for vitals, or at least she didn't think it was. But time had a habit of escaping from her in this place, and though it felt like she had just had lunch, it could very well also be dinner time. She emotionally prepped herself to be poked and prodded yet again. God, she hated vitals. So imagine her surprise when a familiar blonde head poked into her room instead of one of the familiar nurses. Rhona could feel her face brighten when she registered who was at her door and straightened up in her bed, ignoring the pulling at her stitches. Somewhere in the back of her mind she sort of remembered him coming to see her when she was just out of surgery but... those memories were so blurred and strange that she had no idea if it was a dream or reality that she was remembering. Not that it really mattered. If he did come to visit her when she was loopy, then he didn't say anything of importance, he knew that she wouldn't recall it anyway. And besides that, he was here now when she was fully awake and aware. And he had food. Rhona made a delighted sound and thrust her hands out, wincing at the way the motion pulled on her stitches. She didn't care. She had eaten precious few crystals while she was with Altea and only to keep herself alive. Since then it had been the tube in her throat and what little hospital food she could stomach. The scent of the burgers and fries that Jett brought made her mouth water more than it would normally. It wasn't her fault that she was starving if someone would just give her some real ******** food this wouldn't have been an issue. So thank the lord for Jett Draven who finally sensed her need and came to her rescue like the prince in ******** armor that he was. She snatched the back from him and tore into the fries hungrily. "Look," she challenged between bites of fries and burger, "maybe if someone other than you would bring me real food once in a while, I wouldn't be starving, but I mean look at this s**t," she poked the meatloaf, causing it to undulate distastefully on the plate. "I have nothing against meatloaf -- I use my mom's recipe at home -- but this is trash, man. But god bless you, Jett. God bless you and your beautiful family and everything that you guys stand for." She snarfed for another moment before she finally slowed down, remembering to chew and not choke. "So," she sighed, leaning back as she slowed to eat like a normal human, "what's the outside world like? Did we save it?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2017 11:39 am
Jett couldn’t help but laugh as she devoured the food; he pulled the chair by the side of the bed closer and sank into it, allowing himself a few seconds to adjust to the stiff cushions before he rested his elbows on the armrests and leaned forward.
“I know the power of a good meal, and when you’re having an off day there’s not really anything better than a greasy burger and too salty fries. Besides, you could use a little meat on your bones after starving for so long. I made up for a week’s worth of missed calories in one meal when we got back.”
He didn’t quite look it; he seemed healthier but there was a faint gauntness about him. He’d kept himself busy since coming back, even just between work and spending time with his family. Sleep was a distant priority when there were things to be done.
“Outside world is fine, though, so you focus on yourself and relax. I haven’t seen anything out of the ordinary—and, believe me, I’ve been looking.”
He shrugged to dismiss any concerns and seemed genuine enough. “Destiny City seems pretty tame, all things considered. No terrorist attacks, no gang war shenanigans, not really much of anything. I suppose everyone’s too tired to get into mischief, but I’m sure it won’t last forever. Take advantage of the break and get yourself back in top condition. Oh—speaking of, though. What’s your prognosis? How long are you stuck in here with,” he gestured to her tray of hospital food, “That?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2018 1:01 pm
Kyuseisha no Hikari Just here to fix a coma splice hello An off day. Rhona almost choked on her food as she scoffed at the tragic understatement. "Dude, and off day is when your coffee maker is broken or you don't sleep enough we -- " Rhona stopped suddenly and dropped her voice and double checked to make sure that they were alone before she softly reminded Jett of exactly what they had all been through. "We were trapped in a space castle, locked in a dungeon, fought a giant crystal b***h, and got spat out in a whole new part of our space that we don't understand... that's more than an off day, don't you think?" She eyed him for a moment longer, focusing less on her own hunger now that she had something in her body and realized just how thin Jett looked. She answered his question of her first. "They're thinking another week of observation. I guess I knocked myself around pretty well. I got to the hospital and bam straight into surgery. The between the bleeding and the contusions, they figure I got out of a really bad mugging. Not like I can tell them the truth, right? The good news is that my head was hit so badly that they didn't expect me to know what happened, so they were alright when I just stared at them blankly instead of answering." Even if she did try and explain what had happened, they wouldn't believe her. She probably could have, in that case. They would have just chalked it up to some post-concussive hallucination or something. "I've got to walk with a stick for a month though. Go to physical therapy to recover." She wasn't looking forward to any part of that. "But at least I've got some wicked new scars to brag about. Fee to knees is madness bullshit, shoulders, boob, and arms are crystal bullshit, and everything else is life-saving surgery. Chicks dig scars man." She took a cautious bit of her burger and ventured slowly, "what about you? No offense man, but you really don't look like you made up for anything. You sure you've been eating? And not junk food like this but... real nutrition?" God, she sounded like her mother. "Are you sleeping? I know you like to distract yourself, god knows I do it too, but who am I taking care of myself for? My plants? You got a family dude, take care of yourself!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 8:38 am
Jett did not need to be reminded of what they’d gone through and gave her a bemused look. “Forgive me for trying to spare your pride, Miss More than an Off Day. And I’m fine,” he grumbled, as if annoyed by her nagging. “You’re the one in the hospital, talking about surgery and physical therapy. Worry about yourself.”
Still, he seemed at least faintly aware of the impression his appearance could give off, and in an effort to either sooth her or his own pride, he insisted, “I’m eating just fine. Not so much sleep, but I’m not worn that thin.”
Yet.
He didn’t seem to be too concerned and shrugged the thought off. “I’ll have a good rest soon, just have a lot to catch up on. You know how I am, I have to be on top of everything. Nice to hear that you’re in such good spirits about all of this. I was worried you’d be losing your mind in here.” The thought didn’t seem particularly foreign; he’d have been stir crazy, himself. “But you rambling about scars and girls, that seems pretty normal. You got anyone making plans to visit you between now and your release?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2018 6:52 am
Well alright, so Jett wasn't technically wrong. Rhona was a little bit worse for the wear, and it wasn't exactly uncommon for her bravery-verging-on-idiocy to land her in this position. But she still rolled her eyes at Jett's feigned annoyance and shoved three more fries in her mouth, washing it all down with another huge bite of her burger. They could still have fun at each other's expense. At least that much was still true no matter how much they got beaten around. Rhona felt that same dangerous swell of pride swelling in her chest and it mingled with the warmest sensation Rhona had known in a while. Despite how annoyingly perfect this man was and indeed had to be... she adored him. And she adored his wife. The blood of the covenant ran thicker than the water of the womb and she felt the truth in those words now. "Oh no," she finally answered, pulling herself from her sappy reflection, "Don't you worry I am losing my mind. But I mean nah. I haven't really asked anyone to come see me, in fact I've insisted that they not. They all have their own wounds to lick and affairs to set back in order. What right do I have to claim any of that time? I'll be out in no time and I'll make my rounds." She was already planning a family field trip to mirrorspace or on quota patrol or something. Anything to get the band together and talking and working out what the actual ******** had just happened. "How's Raven holding up? I know how she feels about mirrorspace and this last b***h slap across the face... she's gotta be pissed off about it."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2018 9:20 pm
Jett hummed thoughtfully; far from a musical note, it seemed like it was just a noise he made to indicate that he was thinking on something. Still, it took him a few seconds before he finally announced, “That’s stupid. Not the Raven thing, no—that’s true, but the rest of it. That’s stupid. Not asking because you think they’re busy? Please.”
He rolled his eyes, perhaps a bit dramatically. “It’s lonely in here. Too dreary. And boring.” He hated hospitals, and even if he hadn’t said it before it was plain to tell just by the tone he took. He didn’t talk about how much time he’d spent in one nor did he seem inclined to shed light on such but he glanced around the room as if it had personally offended him. “A lot of people in our group are social enough that they heal better in a group than they do alone. You spend too much time alone and you start brooding.”
Jett knew the irony of his words; his pride alone was reason for him to lick his wounds alone. Even if he didn’t care about making sure no one was worried about him, he just didn’t like to be seen as weak, in any way. He liked to pretend like nothing fazed him, like nothing could shake him.
Most of the time he was successful.
“Raven’s got a good take on life, though. Always has, mirror be damned. She’s settling back in. Made some decisions, moving forward with life plans.”
Wanted another baby, but Jett wasn’t going to just announce that. Lazily, he returned his gaze back to Rhona. He seemed content, pleased at least that she was eating so much.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 22, 2018 7:23 am
Rhona laughed around the last mouthful of her food. Leave it to Jett to be painfully honest. In reality, Rhona knew that she should have told someone that she was there... and there would be a reckoning from Lavender for sure. She had no idea how that was going to go. She liked the girl and she wanted to make her happy... it was just that, at that moment, the safest option seemed to be slumping off all alone. To die or to survive, it didn't matter. She just didn't want to be a burden was all. "You're right," she mused, leaning back now that her stomach was full. And she believed that he was right. "You know me so well, Jett. Am I really so transparent?" Not like she tried to be particularly opaque... But brooding really was what she did best besides making scones and muffins... "I really should try and be better about that... it's just... it feels weird asking people to stop what they're doing to help me. I'm a big girl, I can tie my shoes all by myself, you know?" But Jett was still right. And it was just a matter of amending her behavior. The only problem was that when it came down to it, Rhona really didn't feel right bothering other people with her woes. Life was hard enough all around, right? She'd had the surgery, she'd be laid up for a while longer and then she'd be right as rain. Maybe she'd take Lavender out for a nice dinner to make up for vanishing off the face of the earth... yeah, that'd be nice. She could swing her budget for that. "Decisions," Rhona parrotted, suddenly pleasantly sleepy now that she'd eaten. "What kind of decisions?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2018 12:23 pm
Jett shrugged easily enough. “Just the predictable ones. She can tell you all about it when you’re out. I know you two like to gab.”
It wasn’t that it wasn’t his place to share the information or anything, he just didn’t want to jinx it.
He leaned back in his chair, small and smiled complacently.
“At least you’ve got plenty of time to figure out your own thoughts, think about what you want to do while you’re in here. You know, if you don’t you’re your mind first. But—like you said. You’re a big girl, tying shoes and all that. Maybe while you’re in here you’ll grow a thicker skin, be a little less transparent, eh?”
He was teasing, but it wasn’t worth it to be serious; they’d had too much of that in recent days. They needed to relax, needed to take it easy.
…But then they needed to figure out how to stop things like this from ever happening again.
“It’s not a mistake to ask for help. Not when you need it. Just don’t forget that, all right?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2018 10:56 am
Honestly, Raven tea was the best tea. One of Rhona's favorite past times was the gossip with her best friend. Yeah... that seemed like a nice thing to do when Rhona got out of the hospital. Ask Raven what choices she'd made, gossip about whatever. Wind Chloe up like a nine-day clock and then invite Lavender out for a nice dinner. "Skin so thick I don't care about anything. No one will ever know my next move. I'll be a loose canon Jett. Is that what you want?" Though there was sharpness in her voice, she trusted Jett to hear the joke as well. And she was as grateful for his permission to tease and laugh as she was from his pragmatism. Her rock. Her anchor. Her brother when she had to let her true twin go to save him. Did Jett know how much of a blessing he was? Did Raven? Rhona would have to find a way to show them. Somehow. A little beep from beside her signaled the release of another dose of pain medication and with it the sleepy tide of fatigue. Rhona took a deep breath as she listened to Jett's final advice and nodded slowly. She knew he was right. It was just... "I don't want to be a burden. But I'll try. From now on I'll try. You'd better get on home though before these meds drag me under. Thanks for coming to visit."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
