(no subject)

[kingforboth]

Who: Kelson and Open
What: Kelson's sick, go bug him.
Where: Shopping, Spire 4 #201, generally walking around and getting soaked
When: 9-10-9/15
Warnings: Irritable, coughing kings?


Shopping The rain, chill and constant soaking had finally made Kelson succumb to a cold. At least that was what he was hoping it was and not something more serious, and he wasn't entirely sure stopping by the clinic would help much. Still, he felt horrid. Kelson felt like he would have even tried one of Father Lael's physick's, even if he was convinced they did absolutely nothing. What he would much rather have is someone to put him to sleep. He never realized how much he took advantage of his people's ability to put someone to sleep until he couldn't have it anymore. And it wasn't like he could do it to himself.

He rummaged through the stores, grabbing groceries and necessities so he only had to be out the bare minimum. He threw some sweaters into his pile as well, stifling a cough. The boy paused, hacking into a sleeve, wondering how in God's name he was going to get all this stuff back without it all getting drenched. And he came to the conclusion that he wasn't.

"A good priest once assured me the rain would not last fourty days and nights, but thirty-nine was not out of the question. Do you think it likely?"

Home

At home, Kelson lay dutifully in bed, unable to sleep. Idly he thought about making another plea to the network, but his request when he first got here for sedatives hadn't been received in any positive light, so he was reluctant to try again. Instead, he lay there, getting more and more irritated, listening to the lightning and the storm. Why couldn't he put himself to sleep instead of just others?

Unable to sleep, he puttered around his apartment, taking turns lying on the couch or sipping something hot from the kitchen. It wasn't wine, but he hoped it was nourishing enough. Honestly, he'd rather have wine. Or Morgan or Duncan or any of the men he'd grown to count on at home, who were as much father's to him as his very own had been. But, instead, Kelson was here, alone in a strange place and he was more than a little miserable. There was nothing like being sick to make one also homesick. He pulled a blanket up closer around him, trying to pretend that one of the older men was there with him, mixing him a sedative in a hot, steaming cup of red wine.

That would have been nice.

Comments

Shopping

[theweakhavepurpose]

"I wouldn't trust a priest with the weather." Pratt was grabbing cans of food off a shelf, inspecting them before tossing them in a bag. It had been getting harder to find things without meat lately, he'd probably taken everything vegetarian already. And really he didn't need anymore, he had a decent stockpile already that would keep him for a few weeks at least. But the recent unpleasantness with no network, no stores, and no people had thrown him back into the prepper mindset full heartedly.

He wished Eli or Dutch were around to help him because he's pretty sure eating nothing but soup is a good way to be horribly malnourished.

"It could rain for fourty days though. Some places it rains even more than that. We'll be lucky if the island doesn't flood."

Pulling a can opener out of his bag, he opened a can of olives to snack on while he finished looking around. He'd noticed the sweaters that Kelson had, reminding himself that he didn't have any cold weather clothes. There was the deputy outfit he was wearing, and his horrible Hawaiian shirts, but neither were great in the cold, nor waterproof. Hesitantly he moved in the direction of the clothing, munching a few olives. Having seen what Carlisle wore, he's not optimistic about his choices.

Re: Shopping

[kingforboth]

Kelson meanwhile was simply trying to avoid getting soaked, and having to eat too much fish. He had bad memories about fish, and even if everything had eventually worked out alright, having to eat nothing but fish for a month was that kind of memory that lasted. As for the most recent memories where almost everyone had vanished? Well, Kelson tried not to be an alarmist. He had learned very early in his childhood that if you panicked, generally things got worse. That didn't keep him from never panicking, but he at least thought he had a good head on his shoulders, even if it wasn't always the case.

He turned to rebuke the man, only to remember that not everyone here was even christian and swallowed it.

"Do it really? Do you think the island will really flood? I don't think the boats we have will be enough for everyone to safely live on until it recedes."

He tried to think what he'd do if he was in Gwynedd, but honestly, it simply didn't rain that long. There were floods, but not like that. Things simply got extremely muddy and a bit unstable.

The teenager coughed, and was tempted to pull one of the sweaters over his head but he was wet, and going outside he'd just get wetter. He wanted glare at the other man for not being sick, but it wasn't exactly his fault.

[theweakhavepurpose]

"I think the lower areas will for sure. My house is right on the shore so I'm stocking up in case I can't get to the stores because of the rising tide." That sounded reasonable, far more so than the real reason he stockpiled supplies - a constant fear of the Collapse.

"Rain is good though, after the storm everything should be lush and green." He sorted through a few sweaters, frowning. They were all as horrible as expected, and he wondered how this place managed to somehow exclusively get Earth's rejected fashion. "Well, it would be if someone hadn't cut down all the trees."

He missed the trees, one of the only things that reminded him of home. Pulling his eyes away from a horrifically bright floral sweater he glanced over at him.

It had taken him this long to actually look at Kelson and he realized that something is off. Not that he's a beacon of health himself, emaciated and pale with old scars across his face, but at least he's not coughing and sick. "You look terrible."

[kingforboth]

Kelson looked mildly annoyed at the reminder of the lack of greenery. He missed the trees, and he missed the stability they afforded the soil and ground in the islands. The ground had not been pleasant with all the rain thus far and he hoped nothing collapsed or sunk in.

"Yes, if only. Are you concerned your house might be flooded as well? Wouldn't it be prudent to move to higher ground?"

No, Pratt wasn't shining example of health and he certainly could have used a couple large cuts of venison, or something to put meat on his bones, but at least he wasn't ill.

"Thank you. I feel terrible."

[theweakhavepurpose]

"I'm not moving all my stuff. I'll barricade it and work on stormproofing the windows. I've got a nice stockpile ready to go." He won't explain, but the amount of food he'd gathered was far more than he was willing to move to a new location. And loathe as he was to admit it, he liked his house. It was a small A-frame, the kind of house he'd always wished he had on the lakeshore where he could wake up early and go fishing.

Hadn't done any of that here as the ocean could prove tumultuous and he had yet to find a fishing rod. But it was something to plan on in the future if he was stuck here for any amount of time.

"Get some soup. Make some tea. Sleep for twenty hours. It's the sleep that'll help the most though."

[kingforboth]

"I wish you luck then. And hope you get through this storm intact." Kelson understood the reluctance to move, but safety was safety. You could always rebuild. But, the man was entitled to his own opinion. As for storm proofing, Kelson wasn't sure what it might entail. He'd lived in the stone built castle in Rhemuth, not these strange structures.

"I know," Kelson groaned. "I need sleep. But I don't have any sedatives and sometimes the storm keeps me up." And he was lacking his usual friends back home who could just magic him to sleep. Or drug him.

Kelson did however grab a can or two of soup.

[theweakhavepurpose]

"Sedatives?" Pratt's disgusted tone showed what he thought of that idea. Willingly drugging yourself to sleep was a good way to ensure you didn't wake up. "I guess if the storm is keeping you up..."

He trails off, no, he can't imagine a good reason to drug yourself. Probably from how often he was drugged against his will, and the effects he'd seen it have on others.

Though this place wasn't like back home, so far no one was actively trying to murder him in his sleep. Just when he was outside his house and minding his own business.

"If you can concentrate on the wind, it'll be like white noise. That might help."

[kingforboth]

Kelson looked up at the man in shock. He'd never known anyone to have quite that reaction to sedatives before. Well before he got here. They had been used on him quite commonly back in Rhemuth and he was always grateful for it.

"You don't like sedatives?" Kelson, while he had been drugged, had never been quite against his will like Pratt had. He had always believed it to be in his best interest, and trusted those around him to guard his safety while he rested.

"I can try that. The wind. There's plenty of that at least."

[theweakhavepurpose]

"I don't like anything that makes me not be myself." Especially when he often couldn't remember who he was. What he was supposed to do. What he believed in. His mind was a tangled mess, and he wouldn't willingly do anything to cloud it further.

"What if there's a hurricane and you're unconscious and don't wake up?" Immediately jumping to the worst case scenario was something he was well practiced in. He almost followed it up with something even worse, but stopped himself. This was someone he didn't know, he was already acting a paranoid wreck in front of him, he needed to tone it down some.

"But you know you best, do whatever works."

[kingforboth]

What an odd thing to worry about. Kelson regarded the man curiously. "Why I would trust my friends and those around me, just as I would if I were injured. You can't be on guard all the time. It's exhausting."

But Kelson had never been in a situation where he had been in trouble, alone. He'd always been able to count on someone. Being king had it's perks, as well as it's downsides.

"Thank you." Kelson looked at another can of soup and sniffled, wishing he didn't feel so awful. He might be able to have a nice conversation. with this man. Idly, he wondered if maybe he didn't have anyone to count on?

[theweakhavepurpose]

He almost laughed in his face, but managed to keep it in at the last second. "If you're not, you're liable to wind up dead. Trust. People will betray you you know."

Pratt shook his head, both disappointed in what he was hearing and realizing that he was being such a ray of sunshine right now.

"Don't listen to me. I don't know what I'm talking about."

He pulled out a sweater that was huge and beige, but at least didn't have a cartoon on it or was florescent pink. It reminded him a little of the standard issue sweaters the cult gave their new converts. He wasn't sure if that was comforting or appalling.

"I'm Deputy Pratt, by the way."

[kingforboth]

"I know they will. But I believe I'm a good enough judge of character and know when to ask the right questions."

Kelson's face changed, even as sick as he was, he was still a king. He'd had more than his fair share of betrayals and opportunists. He'd say it wasn't fair, but life wasn't.

"Kelson Haldane." He wasn't sure what kind of name 'deputy' was but it was an interesting one.

[theweakhavepurpose]

"If you know they're going to betray you, why would you trust them when compromised?" Confused, Pratt turned to stare at him. What an odd person.

This was where Pratt should have said something like 'nice to meet you' or 'pleasure' or some other pleasantry. But it wasn't nice. He'd be happier to have never been here and therefore never met this person.

"Have you been here long? The island I mean, not this store."

Video

[roseofthetyrells]

[when the storm hit, Margaery had been at the Sewing Shop. the ocean water had looked far too dangerous to try to go out on a boat in, so again she's been trapped. she's tried to make the best of it with a nest of cloth on the floor to use as a bed and she's gotten lots of cans of fruit and vegetables to eat.

physically, she's fine. mentally, she's terribly bored. she has worked on several projects, she's started another gown for herself, but with many of her friends out on the sea and cut off from home and conversation, she's frightfully bored. and a bored Margaery is an unhappy Margaery.

so she decides to call one of the friends who is still at home]

Kelson? Are you there?

Re: Video

[kingforboth]

[The video snapped Kelson out of his reverie and back to reality, where he was nestled in bed, sipping something hot he had made which was not spiced Fianna wine and no matter of make believe would convince him otherwise. Answering the video, he took another sip of the not wine.]

I'm here. I'm certainly not going out there if I can help it.

[Because he had gone out there, because he hadn't helped it and honestly didn't think it that terribly bad. Poor weather happened all the time. But, cold, rain and lack of sleep from all the thunder and lightning had finally taken it's toll.]

Re: Video

[roseofthetyrells]

I don't blame you. It's simply dreadful outside! I made my way out in it for a bit to fetch enough food to tide me over, but I'll not go out again until this is over.

[weather like this didn't happen in Westeros at all, except maybe on the Iron Islands, but the Iron Islands were a miserable place to begin with. but she notices that he's curled up in bed and not in a chair or on the sofa, which makes her ask]

Are you feeling well?

Re: Video

[kingforboth]

Not particularly. It's cold and wet and I haven't been sleeping well with the constant thunder. I don't suppose you have any remedies for illness or suggestions for sedatives? At home, well....I use magic. But I can't do it on myself.

[At least he had curled up with some sweaters, putting aside the typical tunics and robes he usually wore in favor of warmer clothing. It felt a little out of place, but not as much as he thought. It wasn't terribly different than the homespuns he would wear when away from court.]

Re: Video

[roseofthetyrells]

Oh, dear. I wish I could do something to help. If we were in Westeros, there would be milk of the poppy to help you sleep, but we don't even have poppies on these wretched islands. Do you have honey at all? Hot milk with honey can help people sleep. But why are you unable to do the magic on yourself?

[yes, she notices the sweaters and thinks that he looks adorable all bundled up that way. not that she'd ever say so]

Re: Video

[kingforboth]

I'm not sure. I suppose it's because some of the magic takes affect after the person starts falling asleep. So I wouldn't be able to complete it on myself. I can banish fatigue on myself...but you can only do that so long.

[And then sickness and exhaustion catches up and you pay the price. Kelson had paid that price earlier in the storm and learned that was a terrible idea.]

Honey and hot milk. I can try that. Thank you.

[Kelson would have much preferred the drugs she was thinking of, but he doubted there was a way to procure them besides asking these not-gods nicely, and he didn't want to do that. He wondered if it was similar to what they used in Gwynedd, but not being a battle surgeon, he didn't exactly know what all those powdered substances was. He just drank them.]

I wish I could teach someone that magic. Of all the magic I have, it's the most useful.

Re: Video

[roseofthetyrells]

That's unfortunate. And banishing fatigue is the last thing you should be doing. You need to rest and recover.

[the storm is awful and she can't wait until it's over]

I hope it helps. And there's no need to thank me.

[no, there's likely not. and she'd be of the opinion that he shouldn't go back out in this storm to try and make a deal with these finicky so-called gods]

Have you tried? I know there are people here who can do magic.

Re: Video

[kingforboth]

[He knew that. He had yelled at Morgan for doing the exact same thing and trying to spare him. But now the old general wasn't there to guide him and put him to bed and he was making poor decisions.]

I hope it helps too. There's nothing quite like a Deryni to put you to sleep. Well, besides whatever powders they mixed in my wine. I'd settle for anything right now.

[As for trying....Kelson thought about it. No he hadn't. ]

No, I asked about for a sedative months ago and nothing came of it. But I never thought about magic.

[Kelson paused to cough and take a sip of his drink.]

Re: Video

[roseofthetyrells]

[yes, he is making poor decisions. were Margaery on the same island as he, she'd make him go to bed and stay there until he falls asleep]

Unfortunately, you'll have to. There aren't terribly many options here, especially with the islands in this state.

[it may be worth a try?]

Nobody had advice other than go to the so-called gods? And it could work?

[as he coughs, Margaery makes sympathetic sounds]

Re: Video

[kingforboth]

[Honestly, someone staying with him and making him go to bed is probably exactly what he needs. It's what he's used to a least. It's amazing he's lived alone and survived this long.]

No, I suppose there isn't.

[Kelson hoped he didn't look horrible. He knew at least he did not look his best, who did when they were this sick and didn't have squires to make sure his hair was braided perfectly?]

Oh, I got some advice. Mainly that a king should not show weakness and asking for a sedative on the network was not advisable.

[So, he hadn't. He takes another sip, trying to calm the cough and the aches. He wishes you were here Margaery.]

Re: Video

[roseofthetyrells]

[thank goodness he has. at least he has friends to look out for him]

Would that it were otherwise.

[he looks like he feels ill and hasn't been able to take proper care of his grooming, but he's on his own and he's sick, Margaery isn't expecting him to look his usual self under the circumstances]

--beg pardon? Somebody actually told you that? How unsympathetic! And I suppose you could have gone to the Clinic to ask, but chances are they have no such things in the first place.

[she wishes she were there, too. so she could ensure that he got some proper rest]

Re: Video

[kingforboth]

No, but perhaps they were right. I would not have done so in public in Gwynedd, why should I do so here? It was a mistake, so I haven't asked again.

[Kelson pushed a hand through his hair, his usual braid undone and his black hair falling open around him. With the sweater, he might have looked cute. If he wasn't sick and hadn't been able to keep up with his usual grooming routine.

As for her help, he would have been quite thankful for it.]