- forty-sixth year waiting -

[nurse_boy]

[it's been awhile since Rory's spoken up much publicly. Too much had happened to him and Amy in too short a period of time, and as a result he's been keeping to himself mostly, staying in his room or working odd hours in the clinic when no one else is around. It doesn't help that he's a somewhat shy, reserved homebody to begin with--but he's got a pressing thought on his mind, and hopes there's someone else at the castle who can understand. He's not counting his luck though]

[filtered away from River and the Doctor]

Has anyone here--either here or back home--ever, um, had a child get married? Or given away a--a daughter? Or anything like that?

Just curious.

Comments

filter forever

[inafadingcrown]

I have. Might I ask the reason for this inquiry? [It's an odd thing to be "just curious" about.]

indeed

[nurse_boy]

I'm--just curious. Really.

[he's not opening up that easily--his situation is so fubared]

Was it back home?

[inafadingcrown]

[Which is fine. She won't push any further.]

It was. My daughter has not graced these halls, though both her husband and her youngest child have.

[nurse_boy]

Oh--really?

[he sounds genuinely surprised]

What... what was it like, seeing them without her? If I can ask.

[inafadingcrown]

[Oh. Ah, that question. She doesn't exactly have the sort of answer she's sure he's looking for.]

It was not so strange as you might think; it has been some time since I have seen her, even in my own world.

[Her voice is calm and steady- she's not upset or agitated- but there's a quiet sort of sorrow in it if one listens closely enough.]

[nurse_boy]

[Rory, being empathetic as he is, and knowing his own sorrow so well, picks up on it--but doesn't let on. Some people prefer to keep their pain to themselves]

How long?

[inafadingcrown]

Centuries have passed since last we spoke, through no fault of our own. The circumstances would require a rather long explanation. [But it's important to her that he knows it's not because they don't want to see each other.]

[nurse_boy]

Centuries?!

[why does that sound so completely horrible and unfathomable to him? He went centuries without Amy once]

Still. You must have missed her. I, um... I know I would have, if I were you.

[and yeah, there's a touch of familiarity in his voice, even if his words contradict it]

[inafadingcrown]

I miss her a great deal. Not a day goes by that I do not think of her. But the parting was necessary for her healing and I have hope that we will meet again.

[nurse_boy]

['her healing'. He doesn't think he wants to ask. But it leaves a lump in his throat, because being separated from Amy was necessary for her healing too. When he speaks, his voice is quieter]

I bet you will. See her again, I mean. The waiting... I think it makes it worth it.

[and then there's the awkward man-cough, and he's speaking normally again]

So... when she got married... was it hard for you? Giving her away?

[inafadingcrown]

[It's best he didn't ask. She wouldn't have explained- it's not a pleasant story.]

To watch her go was no easy task. Yet, it was her heart's desire. I would not have stood in the way of her happiness. Her husband is a fine man- a friend and an ally in his own right. Knowing of the great love between them made that first parting easier than it might have been.

filter;

[deminuit]

Trying to figure out the best way to kick his ass without her finding out about it?

forever

[nurse_boy]

[a short laugh, like he didn't mean to laugh, doesn't think he should, but is anyway]

Uh--no. Well... not for this, anyway.

[deminuit]

Then what?

[nurse_boy]

I was just curious. My... my own daughter's getting married soon. Guess I just wanted some advice.

[deminuit]

How you handle it is up to you, but I still say you can't go wrong with threatening him a little.

[nurse_boy]

Not--not sure that would work. He treats me like I'm about five half the time.

... But then he does that to most everyone.

[deminuit]

The guy your daughter is shacking up with treats you like you're five?

Why haven't you punched him yet?

[nurse_boy]

[okay, now he miiiight sound a bit smirky]

Already have.

... but it wasn't for my daughter though. It was for my wife. Well, she was my fiancee then, but--right. Yeah.

[deminuit]

[ that's more like it. ]

Do I even want to know what he's doing hanging around your wife and your daughter?