017 ☣ Infirmary post + some housekeeping things

[fridgetothefire]

[Backdated to Tuesday]

[She's been in the infirmary since late Sunday night, but she spent most of Monday sleeping. She looks a little pale, propped against pillows, hooked up to an IV, but she seems comfortable enough.]

Hello, barge.

I am so bored. Worse, I can't read without getting a headache right now. So.

[She holds up an infirmary clipboard, the paperwork turned over so she could draw neat, careful charts on the back.]

Come in, sign up for a half-hour time slot and book. Books are sorted by genre and how many hours I estimate it will take to finish them. If you read to me, I'll bake you something nice later.

[OOC: feel free to ignore the regimented tyranny of storytime and talk to her about whatever, either on the network or via spam.]


[Private spam for Ben, before the attacks.]

[She knocks on his door, a cold, shaken look on her face.]

Comments

[burnmythoughts]

[Jean's grin is delighted.] No, but I wanted to. You're welcome.

Most of them are anthologies - fantasy and scifi. You said you hadn't read much, so I thought - that would be a good introduction. [She went for scifi with a political slant, fantasy with intricate world building, and strong female characters.

The last two books are different. One is the Wizard of Oz Encyclopedia. The other - the latest publication on magnetism. Her smile falters when Anya comes to that.]

I, um - I know you've probably found everything you can about it, but my time is your future, so... [She'd wondered, about this one. Hesitated. But she knows knowledge is power and power makes you feel safe, wherever you are.

She's already read a copy.]

[fridgetothefire]

[She's tried to read things in the library from farther in the future than either of them, but she was missing too much context and had to backtrack through the centuries and a few other fields of study into the bargain. She's actually crying a little now, and trying very hard to ignore it. She gets the knot out of the ribbon, winding it around her fingers.]

I. I don't know what to say.

[burnmythoughts]

[Her smile is softer, now, as she slides into the chair beside Anya's bed.] You don't have to say anything. I'm just happy you like them. I... [She worried about her, when she was gone.] I'm glad I could see you again.

[fridgetothefire]

[She reaches it for Jean's hand, and squeezes it really tightly, as close as she can come to a hug right now, both emotionally and physically.]

I am. I like them a lot.

[burnmythoughts]

[Jean beams, squeezing back gently.] Good. [Making a difference like this, for someone she cares about - it's more satisfying than any victory, and that's saying a lot.]

What do you want to start with?

[fridgetothefire]

[She sniffs one more time and then settles a bit, sifting through the books with a somber expression, finally pulling out The Eyre Affair.]

This one looks - fun?