[OPEN] She said my spirit doesn't move like it did before

[thelatechrisfreeman]

Who: Chris Freeman (thelatechrisfreeman) & you (or maybe you? perhaps you?)
What: the bitch is back, baby!
When: the month of July
Where: various places around the island
Warning(s): discussion of illness and death likely



I said 'I'm just tired', she said 'You're just high.' [Back to Work]
The reason that Chris hasn't been social, like... at all? For about two months now? Post-flood outbreak of pneumonia among patients of the Winterbottom Clinic. They took full responsibility, refusing much in the way of help, and thus their days have been full of treatment and sometimes palliative care for the most frail.

There were also concerns about not burning through the antibiotic supplies for this particular outbreak, which led to some difficult decisions and even more difficult days and nights...

But now, finally, things are looking up. There haven't been any re-infections for a whole week. Chris walks from their house to the clinic proper, looking forward to a shift filled with cases other than infectious disease.

Feel free to swing by the clinic to say hello, now that they've finally emerged from their self-imposed sequestration.

Oh, I make you cringe now; don't I make you cringe? [Something Life Balance]
Newer arrivals may not remember this or not have been present, but Chris was downright weird upon first coming to Marrow Isle. They've apparently reverted back to that, what with being found up a tree, or on a roof, or wandering along the surf's edge and chattering away to empty air.

Perhaps you feel like figuring out what's going on with them?

Lover come hold me, head's on the fritz [Breaking Bread]
Chris could probably cook for themself, sure. They've had enough practice with baking, and simple cooking. But sometimes meals are about more than getting fed. Sometimes meals are about community.

Perhaps you catch Chris at one of the meals after Wednesday service in the Temple of Sacred Roots. Or maybe you notice them sitting at a table at the Oak and Iron some other night. You'll be waved over to sit beside them once they notice you!

Comments

Don't I Make You Cringe? (Or *divebombs this post like a starving crazed weasel*)

[theydrewfirstblood]

The offer during another round of bar games at the Oak & Iron turns into something John's been chewing on...and, frankly, he just misses Chris. Having the boys around the ranch a little more often, spending time with a new friend with common ground in Alex--even occasionally looking in on Sam and Lou, as much as it hurts, is smoothing away a little of that loneliness enough to make him realize and yearn for what's missing.

He waits, though. Clinic's been hit by a lot of business, unfortunately, and John has just enough medical training to know to stay out of the way of people with actual schooling.

He's considering stopping by Chris's place one day as he's walking along the beach, five brass in his hand so he can cast a coin into the surf at intervals as an offering to Kora, when he spots them in the distance. They seem to just be going for a walk...and yet...

...yeah, mouth is moving. Chris is definitely chatting with thin air. Then again, John's had lunch with and been kissed by a goddess, so...

He heads in Chris's direction, waving to get their attention.

"Hey, bud! You got company I don't?" he calls out with a curious smile.

💗

[thelatechrisfreeman]

"Oh yes, she's doing quite well. Aidie has nothing but nice things to say about her as a student..." Then Chris notices John waving to them. They raise a hand to wave in return.

"Oh, Alto is always here. He'd keep you company if you wanted, but I don't think you'd be able to hear him," Chris replies. "He asks me questions when I come to the beach. He can't come in any further, you see."

Re: 💗

[theydrewfirstblood]

"...like a spirit?"

John...sort of knew that about Chris. He thinks--sometimes even now, his earlier memories of Pumpkin Hollow are like looking at the world through soaped windows: he can see what's on the other side, but it's so indistinct he can't make out details.

Regardless, it's not shocking. Both in his upbringing, and his recent communion with the divine here, John is more just...trying to make out the details through the soap.

[thelatechrisfreeman]

"Yes, he's a spirit. He drowned in a storm years ago." Chris glances back at the seemingly empty space. "I can see the ghosts on the island, and speak to them."

[theydrewfirstblood]

...well, then.

John glances at the same empty space, back at Chris, then over at the empty space again.

"Well...I can't see you or nothin', but any friend of Chris's is a friend of mine." John assures Alto. "If you ever need anything, have 'em drop me a line, I'll help if I can. And, uh...I hope folks out on the beach or near the water line don't disturb you. I sorta...I've been out here to pray, I guess."

He focuses on Chris again with a small smile.

"The old men on the res would've said you know that good medicine." John observes--a way to explain that it's odd, but not disturbing or strange to him. "I say God don't make mistakes, so if you talk to ghosts then it's gotta be okay. So...you ever need help with the dead, gimme a call."

[thelatechrisfreeman]

Chris smiles a little to see John addressing the ghost in a kind and polite way.

As for John's comment to them, about God not making mistakes... well, sometimes Chris feels like one, for more than the connection to death, but they're trying to be better. Kinder to themself. "I'll keep you in mind, John. You've helped me a lot in the past, and I know I can trust you.

"And Alto says that people visiting the beach don't disturb him. He likes to see them. But he'll give you privacy when you come to pray, so don't worry about that."

[theydrewfirstblood]

"Course you can." John assures them, offering Chris his hand--a shake, a high five, glancing and brief and a little less intense when he's in control--before glancing over at Alto again. Or, rather, Alto's empty space by Chris's side.

"I don't think you bein' around counts as disturbing my privacy. I figure the dead are a little closer to God, or the goddesses, so you're welcome any time I'm around to pray." John assures him. "I'll even add a little something to my offerings for you--I bring coins 'n bottles for Kora. Then you can ask her for something, too, and maybe she'll do it."

[thelatechrisfreeman]

"Alto already knows what Kora would offer him, but he's not ready yet," Chris says quietly. There's another stretch of silence, where Chris is clearly listening to something, and then he looks back to John and explains, "Maris is Alto's sister. Pascal, the young man who works on the Kaspbraks' farm, is Alto's nephew. He worries about them. He stays so he can still hear about them, and watch Pascal grow up... even if he only sees them when they come to the beach."

[theydrewfirstblood]

Pascal...John's not sure he's spoken to the kid, but he remembers Eddie pointing him out during the tail end of his visit to pick up Sam. Young, good worker...

Frowning thoughtfully, John absently rubs the back of his neck with one hand as he considers the idea in his head.

"Alt--would you want to see them more often?" he asks slowly. "I could absolutely make up excuses to bring Pascal out here a few times a week. Help with offerings to Kora, help fishing or something--introduce myself to Maris, encourage her to get some fresh air, bring her out to collect shells or just enjoy the ocean breeze. Then you could hang around while they're here."

[thelatechrisfreeman]

Chris reaches out to the 'empty' air and their hand seems to curl around another unseen one. "I know, I know... yes, he's very kind. It's what he does."

Then they look at John. "I think he'd like that. Only... just encourage, like you said. Don't push for it." A small smile flickers on Chris's face. "I doubt you would, but it should be said, just in case."