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[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

Look, it's a Cuthbert!

More specifically, it's a Cuthbert stretched out on the couch by the fire, with a mug of coffee and a bowl of fried paradoxes within easy reach. The "within easy reach" seems to be the key phrase in that statement, considering that even if he felt like trying to get up, Susan's stationed in a chair not far off.

He doesn't look bad, for someone who took a bullet to the gut two days ago.

Comments

[sai_delgado]

Curled up in the chair, mayhap -- the armchairs near the fire are more comfortable than seats in Serenity's infirmary, say true.

Susan leans her head against the back of the chair and smiles at 'Bert.

"It's -- it's nice to be back."

But oh, she's watching him carefully, as well.

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

"So it is."

Cuthbert leans back, content to stay in one place for now. If nothing else, the bar is a more interesting place to be stationary in than the infirmary.

[sai_delgado]

A slight sigh. She's not had much experience with the seriously injured or gravely ill-- especially not such a restless one as Cuthbert Allgood.

And yet it's comforting, when compared to the pale quiet stillness of a few days ago, so Susan cherishes each shift and movement, oh aye.

A little smile curves her lips.

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

"I just hope I won't be off my feet too long." Cuthbert's own smile is a bit crooked. "For you and Al's sake as much as my own."

[sai_delgado]

"Mayhap there's more Simon can do, or mayhap Alain'll find -- someone with -- with the power to help, say true," she tells him.

"But thee needn't worry for our sakes, 'Bert." She meets his gaze directly, and her honesty is clear.

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

Cuthbert smirks. "You say that now. When I was six, I got laid up for two weeks with a fever. Almost drove my parents crazy."

[sai_delgado]

Susan shakes her head, laughing a little now.

"Two weeks? Thee must have been near to fidgeting yerself in twain with impatience."

[balletrat]

You look comfortable, *Meg comments, a light smile on her face, although her eyes are vaguely concerned.*

How're you doing?

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

Cuthbert returns the smile. "Not bad, considering. Hey, Meg."

[balletrat]

I hear you've got a valiant war wound or two to show off, nowadays, *Meg says, conversationally, perching herself easily on the arm of a nearby armchair.*

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

"Might say that. You've heard about the Academy, then?"

[balletrat]

- yeah, from a couple people, *Meg says, rather ruefully.*

In sort of garbled form from River, and then my cousin made me executor of her will, which didn't inspire feelings of great easiness about the whole expedition -

I'm just glad it went okay.

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

Cuthbert's smile fades a bit, at that. "It could definitely have gone worse."

[nitro-is-ace.livejournal.com]

"You look entirely too comfortable. Going mad yet?" Perhaps Ace can sympathise, as she leans on the back of the couch, grinning like a loon.

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

Cuthbert grins up at her. "Think I'm more likely to be driving Susan and Alain mad, really."

[nitro-is-ace.livejournal.com]

"Oh dear." She ponders this.

"Have you gotten a bell yet? You can drive them mad much more effectively if you get a little hand-bell."

Perhaps she isn't quite being as helpful as Susan or Alain might hope.

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

Cuthbert first perks up, then deflates. "Eh, it'd probably get taken away before I got much use out of it."

[nitro-is-ace.livejournal.com]

"... How 'bout singing? You could sing at them." Possibly this works for Ace because she's such a horrible singer.

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

It would work for Bert for the same reasons, actually.

"Ooh. I'll have to take that under consideration."

[faithful-slayer.livejournal.com]

Look, it's a Faith!

She seems pretty glad to see him, too, judging by the way she's grinning as she joins him and Susan.

"Well, it's about time you came back to work," she teases, pulling a chair up next to him. "Slacking off doesn't become you."

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

Cuthbert grins, and lefts himself up about as much as he can without pain and/or a Look from Susan. "Hey, who says I'm done slacking just because I'm back in the bar?"

[faithful-slayer.livejournal.com]

Faith shakes her head, mock-exasperated. "Honestly, Cuthbert Allgood, 'lazy' is not a word I thought I'd use to describe you..."

The effect of this is possibly spoiled when she reaches over and covers his forehead with her hand. "How're you feeling?"

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

Cuthbert sighs, and bears the hand on his forehead reluctantly. "I have a gutwound, Faith, not a fever. And I'm fine as long as I don't move about too much--as I've been reminded."

This last is punctuated with a fond look at Susan.

[sai_delgado]

With a bare moment's hesitation, she chimes in,

"Aye, it seems he takes a great deal of reminding, do'ee ken?"

But her answering look at Cuthbert is soft and loving.

[faithful-slayer.livejournal.com]

Faith gives Susan a wry smile.

"I don't envy you this one, Susan. Nothing but trouble."

Her hand smooths back Cuthbert's hair, and then she removes it, her expression going somber.

"It's good to see you home, Cuthbert. Not the same without you."