[ We find Kenji at the door to Alcinoe's room! The proper thing to do here is knock. Session start! ] * HKenji doesn't knock. In fact, he doesn't even try. He just slides the door gently open with his foot and steps softly in, carrying a small container with objects for caring for the sick. * Alcinoe is in bed and still clothed in everything she stumbled in with, including boots, jacket, and all. She turns her head to its side and blearily opens her eyes to see Kenji as he steps in. "Mornin'." * HKenji is almost surprised. "You're awake already?" What DID you do out there, Alcinoe? * Alcinoe laughs a little. "Don' wanna get up, though." She looks like she's about to say more, then she just smiles weakly. "And 's a story." You probably shouldn't be up and about, anyway. You should take a moment to undress, though. [ Kenji, are you hitting on her? ] * Alcinoe chuckles. She forces herself to sit up and pushes off the covers, then starts slowly pulling her boots off. "Ya didn't chase 'im out, right? Tebryn?" No, I didn't. I was forced to defend him from my betrothed, in fact. Oh, she showed up? Ah didn't notice. She didn't stay long. * Alcinoe nods. She's quiet for a bit, then she says, "Ah gave up some of mah life." Some? Must have been quite a bit to lay you out like this. Ah'm not sure how much... jus'... * Alcinoe takes a breath. "The angel said it needed to be done. The pool by itself wasn't strong enough." That makes sense to me. In order to give someone life, somebody's got to LOSE life. Was it worth it? * Alcinoe finishes removing her boots and starts pulling off her jacket and scarf. "Ah think so. Feel weak an'... old, but never better." She chuckles. Then that's all that matters, really. Probably. Means the old man didn't waste his time. You'll recover? * Alcinoe chuckles. "Hope so, yeah." Good. You waking up this soon is a good sign. You should be ready for finals... and for leaving right afterward. * Alcinoe finishes pulling off the scarf and jacket. Go her. She removes Kenji's gloves and holds them out to him with her right hand while propping herself with her left. Goin' ta get the next piece? * HKenji smiles a little, then reaches out and takes the gloves. "Yes. We've got six months to get the last three pieces, in fact." * Alcinoe nods and uses her other arm to keep herself upright, too. "Not that Ah got a problem with it, but why 'six months' an' not 'soon as possible'?" * HKenji gets just the barest hint of sheepishness about him as he replies, "Because that's when I get married." * Alcinoe raises an eyebrow. Thought y'all put it off a year. We had. That changed. Yeah? Yeah. Now the wedding is in six months, and that's exactly how long we've got to finish finding the pieces of the altar. * Alcinoe nods. "Mind me askin' why?" * HKenji definitely looks sheepish now. "Because I promised it to Anastasia as a wedding gift." * Alcinoe stares at Kenji. "You *what*?" I promised the altar as a marriage present to Anastasia. * Alcinoe moves to smack Kenji, then flops back on her bed with a wince. "Why'd you go an' do that!" * HKenji doesn't answer. * Alcinoe frowns. "Kenji." Because I had to. Why? To strike at her for all the hurt she's done my friends. ... Sorry if Ah'm bein' dense, but how's givin' her the altar gonna do that? It is... a major insult to give someone a gift the like of which they cannot possibly return. Are ya *sure* she thinks that way? And that givin' it to her's a good idea overall? It was likely going to be held in our castle in any case, this changes nothing. And as for what she thinks... I would not venture a guess. Ah'll guess. She'll take the altar an' run with it. Wouldn't be insulted at all. Not too sure about duchesses or whatever, 'cause before her Ah've never met one, but most people Ah've known got no problem with gettin' gifts they can't return equally. * HKenji frowns angrily. Yeah. * Alcinoe sighs. "Ah dunno. Ya might be right. But gamblin' the altar 'cause ya were mad at her sounds like a bad move to me." She waves. "Not that ya were wrong to be mad at her, really." Perhaps. Likely. It ain't even just *your* altar. Mmm. What's done is done. * Alcinoe frowns. "Yeah. Ya did it." * HKenji sighs. "I'll have someone bring you some food now that you're awake." * Alcinoe blinks, then she gets a small, teasing smile. "What, ya can't do it yerself?" I doubt you want to endure my presense much more. * Alcinoe snorts. "Please. Ah don't despise ya. Ah don't even dislike ya." Brief pause, then a little grin. "Anymore, anyway." Amazing. Hopin' the same's fer you. Sometimes arranged friendships do work out. * HKenji snorts. Arranged friendships. An interesting concept. * Alcinoe chuckles. Came outta... Kardos declared me yer arranged friend. Ah wasn't sure how much Ah was s'posed ta help you or not, an' how much you'd appreciate, 'cause Ah'd just metcha. I will need all the help I can get in the coming years, Alcinoe. * Alcinoe smiles. "Then you've got it. If ya can get me lunch, anyway. Ah'm hungry." A small enough price to pay. * HKenji turns and walks out while he still can. * Alcinoe JUMPS UP AND SINKS HER TEETH INTO THE BACK OF HIS HEAD. Actually, she just lies there and watches him go. [ Session End! ]