002

[wavesofjade]

I Would Like Someone To Confirm To Me That I Am Not Dreaming.
And If That Is Indeed The Case I Would Dearly Like To Know What Is Currently Happening To The School.

[Filtered to Staff]

Something Is Very Wrong.
My

My Son Is In The Hospital Wing.

Comments

Filtered;

[accioleggings]

I'LL BE THERE IN A MINUTE.

[Apparently none of his classes are going to actually get the lessons he planned today. He gives the fifth years a free study period and hurries down to the hospital wing.]

[wavesofjade]

[When he gets there, Dolores can be found in the back room where she and Gkika spend their time when they're not looking after patients. She's sitting in a chair, leaning forwards, watching a young boy playing with a stethoscope on the floor in front of her.

From the expression on her face, she's not sure how to feel about this]

[accioleggings]

[Sal makes a beeline straight for Dolores, pulling her into a tight hug the moment he's close enough.]

[wavesofjade]

[She hugs him back tightly, less her usual warm embrace and more a desperate need for familiarity. In front of them both, the boy looks up, and speaks]




Mummy, who's that?

[accioleggings]

[Sal gives Dolores an extra squeeze before pulling away to focus his attention on the small boy he's heard so much about since he was a child himself. He kneels down to get to his level, reaching up to entangle his fingers with Dolores's.]

Hello there, Simon. My name's Sal, I'm a friend of your mum's.

[wavesofjade]

[She gives his hand a gentle squeeze as if to convey how grateful she is for his being here. Simon's a bright child, though still young enough to not realise that something is wrong. He looks to his mother, who smiles encouragingly]

It's alright, Simon.




Do you work at the hospital?

[accioleggings]

[Sal smiles, wide and welcoming.]

I'm afraid not, no. I'm a teacher actually.

[wavesofjade]

[Dolores nods, smiles, and gives Sal's fingers another soft squeeze]



Good.

[Simon mumbles it, then goes back to playing, and she gets to her feet, drawing Salvador out of the room and quietly closing the door. When she looks at him, there's a mixture of fear and complete and utter grief on her face]

... I don't understand this. First your brother, and now Simon.. what on Earth is happening?

[accioleggings]

Brothers. Armand is here too, Dolly. [Sal lays his hands on her shoulders, pulling her into a second, gentler hug.] I don't know what's going on or what caused it but...I have a strong inkling it isn't going to be permanent.

[wavesofjade]

Armand..? What on Earth..

[The hug is taken very willingly, and she wraps her arms around the young man, holding him tightly]

I think so, too.. and perhaps that is a good thing.

[accioleggings]

[He lays his head against her, relaxing in her arms just a bit.]

I know but...seeing them again, being able to talk to Armand and touch Kankri. Is it selfish that part of me wants it to be permanent?

[wavesofjade]

[She strokes the back of his hair, letting out a soft, comforting sound]

Of course not, darling.. It would take a cold person indeed to not wish for such things.

[A sigh]

But we must be prepared for the eventual end of this, and what will come after.