Aunt Bell

Bell and Anna are reunited and share war stories.

It's soon after they got back to Australia. With Fish still busy getting settled in with the marines, Anna has decided to take the train up to Sydney to visit her dear Aunt Bell. She had called when they arrived to let her know that they were home safe, and called once more to let her know she was coming to visit. Now she's stepping off the train in Sydney's station, not quite sure if anyone's coming to meet her. She certainly knows the way on her own.

Aunt Bell is here! She is wearing herself a hat. Alas, youthful as Bell's face is, lean and regal - she cannot escape age. Some of her hair is silver, but she seems to move with the same quiet speed as before. She is looking for Anna. On spotting the young woman, she smiles and waves. "There you are! Oh, pardon me." She tiptoes through the crowd.

"Aunt Bell!" Anna exclaims joyfully on seeing the older woman, her face breaking into a BIG smile. She waves back and starts weaving her way through the crowd, murmuring 'excuse me' and 'sorry' as she makes her way. Once close enough, she'll move in for a fierce hug. She knows Bell's not always one for showy displays of emotion, but if there ever was a time for it… The ordeals of the island have certainly left their mark on Anna. There are the physical scars visible on her arms and forehead, her face is still pale from the malaria recovery, and she's lost about twenty pounds that she didn't really have to spare in the first place. But even more than that is the change in her bearing, reflected in her eyes, that Bell would be familiar with from other veterans she's seen.

It's hard not to break into a big smile too. Bell is a bit more subtle, but manages it. She accepts and returns the hug, fiercely! The older woman isn't quite as strong as she was, but there's still a good deal of health and energy left. She smiles, thhen tilts her head, overlooking poor Anna. Poor girl. The war has been tough. She doesn't comment on it though. She just gives Anna a little squeeze and looks down at her Annabelle. Yes. She recognizes that change. All too welll. There's a soft sigh. "Oh, my Anna. I'm so glad to see you. I've been worried. See, my hair is even silver." She's joking, but it is true. Bell did worry. "Let's get your luggage and get away from here. There's so many people."

Annabelle squeezes back, letting the hug linger for an extra moment. "Och, I'm so glad to see you as well," she says, sounding a bit choked up. "'Tis so good to be home." She pulls back and eyes the hair, "I'm sorry to have worried you so. Sure a great many of these were from me," she says, motioning to the gray hairs. She smiles, though her eyes are slightly damp. Happy and relieved Anna. When Bell talks of luggage, Anna shakes her head. "Oh, I haven't got any luggage. Just this." She hefts the battered marine-issue satchel slung over her shoulder. And she's wearing the dress Bell got her - a bit worn-looking and patched in a few spots, but scrubbed clean for the occasion.

Bell is choking up a bit. Even muted as she is in expressing herself. She nods, "I'm glad to have you back home. We've been hoping." She takes a deep breath. A soft chuckle. "It is inevitable, it seems. When you get older, I guess the hair goes first." Sigh. Then a few blinks at her luggage comment. "Oh. Well then, I can carry it a bit for you. We have a ride back to the manor if you like," She offers. A look around. No Fish or Parrots? Just checking to make sure no one was lost in the shuffle. "How are you feeling?" She asks softly, making sure Anna isn't faint. She wipes away at her own eyes. "God I'm glad to see you."

"It's not too heavy, but thank you," Anna says. She'll offer over the pack, not wanting to offend Bell's gracious offer even though there really isn't much in it. They haven't been back very long, so she hasn't had a chance to sort out the rationing/shopping issue. Seeing Bell look around, Anna explains, "Ryan couldn't get away for very long this time, so he stayed back. He'd very much like to meet you, though." That reminds her, though. "Och, we have to get the birds. I was so excited to see you I nearly forgot." Which would be bad! No forgotten parrots! Anna meanders back through the crowd to where a generous porter had carried off their cage. They squawk indignantly. "This is Elly and Diva. Say Hello to Aunt Bell, Elly." Elly obliges with a few chirped hellos. Anna grins and thanks the porter, then takes the cage. "Now we're all sorted. And I'm all right. Bit tired and achey still, but I'm just so glad to be home."

Nod. Bell takes the pack. She is surprised by its lightness. A soft 'ah'. Bell understands. "I got it. And oh-" Bell will wait then, in place as Anna goes to get the poor birds. She looks amused, and it shows in a faint half smile. She tilts her head at the indignant squawks. "They certainly don't seem to like the train station," She notes quietly. A daw at the hello. "Hello Miss Elly," She waves to the parrots. She seems to like the little animals. "They're precious." She seems relieved they are all sorted though. Bell still seems to have an aversion to sun. She could be well done soon. And age hasn't granted her any more tolerancce. "Well. We'll take you home, you can put your feet up and have a warm bath. Uncle Philip will be glad to see you too. They keep me working churning out trained medics," She chuckles softly, "But that does not mean I don't have time to spend with my favorite Niece."

"Aye, all this civilization is still rather new to them." Jungle birds wrenched out of the jungle and left on some busy train platform? "Poor dears," Anna says. "They're our little darlings though. Come along, then." Anna will start carrying the birds through the crowd to wherever Bell leads, well used to the curious looks by now. "That sounds lovely, aye. And sure I'd like to see Uncle Philip as well. Have you both been well?"

"Poor things," Bell seems sympathetic to the bird's lot. She smiles. "I'm glad. They seem sweet." Bell will lead her along to a car to get a ride home. "Gasoline is rationed so I'm afraid if you want to go somewhere, let me know." She offers. A few glares might go people's way if she catches them looking funnny at Anna. "We've been well enough, aye. Two old soggy veterans living our sunset years," She smiles wryly. "When I was out there, I never really thought about being older." A shrug. But even Bell cannot escape time. "Then again, why think about being old when you are young?" Her smile never fades around Anna. "We'll have a lunch waiting for you at home by the way." She's eager to take poor Anna under her wing and commence spoiling. "We've gardened and set to work. Everything is rationed, but the seeds help." She notes. "What do your birdies eat?"

Mostly it's just people boggling at the parrots. Nothing untoward. Anna gets them situated in the car and smiles to Bell. "No worries. I'm sure I'll be content enough knocking about the manor. Thanks for bringing the car 'round, though." Anna may not be keeling over, but a long walk carrying parrots probably would have taken a lot out of her. She smiles at the talk of their sunset years. "Och, you're not /that/ old, Aunt Bell," says the soon-to-be-22-year-old. "You're just experienced." A sunny grin. "Lunch sounds grand. Every meal is like a feast since we've been back, even with the rationing. The birds eat lots of diferent fruits and vegetables. Grains as well."

Well, glares only where warranted really. Bell smiles back. There's a hired driver, likely grateful for the job. "It'll be lovely to have you about too, the manor seems so empty with just us two." She admits. And a nod. "Think nothing of it. It's a bit warm today," She notes. And Bell dislikes that hateful sun! A soft laugh at the old comment. "Perhaps not, you're still a young lady after all. It's hard to imagine you now. When you were wee…" Bitty Anna Memories! She just grins and shakes her head. Muted and stunted as her emotional displays are, it is apparent Anna touches Bell's dark heart. "Well, we'll find them plenty of that at home. I'm afraid we're a bit boring though, all that aside." Smile.

"And bright as well," Anna says with a knowing smile, thinking of Bell's poor skin. Anna's got a decent tan at least. "Nonsense, you're not boring. I can't wait to hear all the news and everything you've been up to, gardening and all." She looks out the window as the city starts passing by. "It's so strange, being back. Still seems like a dream sometimes, like I'm about to wake up to hear the air raid siren any moment now."

"Aye," A sad note. Bell will cook soon at this rate. Pink Bell! She listens and grins. "Philip has been growing a lot of things. I envy his ability to coax things out of the soil here," She admits. The city passes by, with all its people. "I can remember that," Bell remarks quietly. "Not waking up to the artillery or machine guns. No Turks running up to the aid station. No snipers. It's kind of nice once you do settle back into it," She notes. "We've not had any air raid sirens down by the manor at least," She comments, "But we can hear them if, God forbid, it came to that." A headshake. "Hopefully the Yanks and Cactus boys can keep them cleared away."

"Aye, it's grand not having to worry about all that. Having real food and a real bed, and no mud everywhere. Not having to worry about Ryan all the time. Feels like a great weight's off my shoulders," Anna says, looking over. The weak smile hints at the months of strain involved in that. "The Cactus lads seem to have the Nips well licked, thank heavens. Though it was a near thing for awhile there."

"I hope so, you deserve a break at the last," Bell murmurs. She looks back over with a smile. "I'm glad for that. I hope he takes good care of you." OR ELSE. Dun dun dun! She folds her hands in her lap. "I'm glad to hear that too. Hopefully it'll stay that way. Nasty business. These plane things are awful," Just as bad as the unleashing of WWI's new weapons. It's terrifying being bombed way beyond the lines. She shakes it off though. "It'll work out. You just take it easy here. We'll decorate for the holidays soon."

Annabelle just nods about the awful planes, not ready to talk about all that just yet. "He does, aye. Better than I could ask for," Anna says. If anything can chase away those sad thoughts, it's thinking about that. The smile gets brighter. "I'd love to help decorate. Hard to believe it's nearly Christmas. We were all expecting to spend it on the island. Everyone always talks about being home for Christmas but I don't think anyone actually believed it." But here she is! "Taking it easy sounds grand just about now."

Bell changes the subject away easily. She smiles. "Good." Lest the wrath of relatives crash down upon him. "It'll be fun, we'll find the candles and string up some popcorn." Nod. "There'll be presents too," Perhaps not as MANY but some at least. "I didn't believe it either, not till we had you right here," A smile. "Then take it easy as you please. You can have a bath run too if you like." Though with water rationing, it may not be an everyday thing. Compared to the island though… "And all the gardens are growing along. I'm sure there's some fruit and veggies," That she could pick at for herself. "All in all, it's peaceful. I go during the day sometimes to teach."


Some time later.

It's the middle of the night, and Anna has trundled downstairs after being wakened by a nightmare. She's in the kitchen now, putting on a kettle of tea. A blanket is wrapped around her shoulders despite the warm summer night, with that pesky malaria still not quite beaten into submission at this point. Under the blanket she wears an oversized marine undershirt - Fish's, most likely - like a nightshirt, and shorts as well. Clothes rationing has not been her friend. There was a bit of a clatter when she bobbled the teakettle earlier, so it may have woken people. Or perhaps Bell still enjoys the night shift.

Poor Anna. Bell is a night person it seems. Or at least she likes to be up to savor a little of the time when she doesn't fry in the sun. She wanders into the kitchen, to put her own cup away. Despite age sneaking up to her, Bell still moves remarkably quietly seeming to simply /appear/. She pauses, noticing Annabelle and smiles at the oversized shirt. Is that a fish shirt? Daw. "You're up a bit late," Bell greets Anna quietly, perhaps not wanting to startle the girl. "Are you feeling alright?" Her voice is calm, still somewhat unexpressive due to her natural state - but there is concern.

Despite Bell's gentle greeting, Anna jumps a bit. Japanese snipers have nothing on SneakyBell(tm). She musters up a smile, though, for her aunt. "Aye, I…" A flimsy excuse forms and dies on her lips, and she just shrugs a little and settles for the truth instead. "I don't sleep very well sometimes. I hope I didn't wake you," she says, sounding apologetic. "No worries. Just a bit chilled. Blasted malaria still lingering a bit. Would you like some tea?" she asks, perhaps having missed the fact that Bell already had a cup.

Blink. Whoops. Bell sometimes doesn't remember how sneaky she is. Easy to forget when it's a way of life. Too bad they can't send SneakyBell(tm) with her bendy straw after those snipers. A creature of the night might well be suited for it. But even vampires might experience sunset years. She smiles at Anna and tilts her head. "No, you did not. I like to be up at night sometimes, even if work asks me to be out at day." It's easier on her skin and eyes. "I understand how that goes though. At least the nightmares." She probably didn't worry about malaria quite as much. There were other maladies to deal with. "Sure. I'll have some tea," She'll indulge Anna and listen. "I can fetch you a blanket or one of my robes if the chill is settling in." But from her expression, there is more than just malaria parasites going Hulkamania through Anna's bloodstream.

If only they could harness the power of the Bell. Such a shame. Anna smiles a little at the memories of when she stayed here in university. "You always did like to be out of the sun." The smile fades and she nods at the mention of nightmares. She'll pour two cups of tea, adding whatever Bell usually likes to hers. "God, how I missed real tea. Ryan found some flowers that we could boil for tea, which was a lifesaver, but not quite the same." She nods slightly to Bell's offer. "I think I'm all right for now with this one, thanks." She does pull her blanket a little tighter with the one hand while the other cups her tea. After a moment she asks, "Did you have them much? Nightmares, I mean."

It is a pity! But Bell's days of being able to serve at the front have passed her by. Even strong and lithe as she is, some things just slow and wear down. Time is cruel that way. She nods, "That I do. The sun cooks me like a tomato on a summer day." Sizzle! She smiles at the memories too. Sigh, good times. Bell like her tea with sugar. "It is a luxury we can permit ourselves without feeling guilty," Bell admits. "So please help yourself. Uncle Philip doesn't drink it quite like I do," A wry smile. She goes quiet. A slow nod. "Yes. And a lot of guilt." Though Bell's first service didn't go quite as well. Gallipoli ended badly for the allies. "At least first. That was mostly after Gallipoli. Then I served in Europe. Those nightmares were different. Funny how they come in so many painful flavors," She notes sadly. "They fade over the years, but once in awhile one catches me." She frowns at the memory. "And God knows, I wasn't ever able to go back to medicine. The only way I think I could go back is to serve on the front again."

"Thanks, aye," Anna says about the tea. "Though right now everything feels like a luxury." She nods her head towards the sitting area, half-question, half-suggestion, and wanders that way. She still gets tired out quickly, and achey joints don't like standing for long periods. She sits on one of the comfy couches, settling her blanket around her. "Guilt? About the sniper lad you told me about or…" She just lets the question trail off open-endedly. "I always wondered about how come you and Mum never went back into medicine. But now… I can see that it'd be rough. You'd go back to the front, though? After all that?"

"Then I encourage you to spoil yourself a bit," Bell states quietly. She takes a deep breath. "Guilt about many things. That poor, sweet dumb lad. Having to retreat. The nurses killed by artillery." It's a painful set of memories. She doesn't state whether this was German or Turkish artillery. "Things I would have done, things I should have done. You never forget the helplessness of the trench, the other ladies with you. They were so young. I can see why the Matron fussed so," She admits now. To protect them from lads, from combat… "Though sometimes I think she was a bit harsh," A faint smile. She shakes her head. "I don't know. I can't tell you why I can't go back. For some reason, it doesn't feel the same. I saved people. I watched them die. To go back and deal with sniffles, overweight people. Seems so …" She trails off a bit, "Surreal? Dull? Wrong? I couldn't tell you." Funny how that works. "And I did. Mostly to keep an eye on my brother. Though he lives in France now. Married a lovely girl. She's sweet, thoughh her English is atrocious," An amused look. "It makes her Christmas cards always interesting." A wry smile. She looks to Anna, "Though I cannot say why for your mother. She endured a lot that war, just as you do and did. It pains me." To see two generations suffer so.

Annabelle listens, hanging on every word. Somehow hearing about the old war makes things better. Like it can be overcome, in time. She nods. "I reckon it would be rather surreal. I figured once things got settled in Melbourne, I'd try to help out at the hospital. Be of some use to the war. But I don't think it's for me, in the end. I've seen enough." Her lips press into a line at that statement, and she distracts herself with a sip of tea. Her expression keeps that faraway look even after she's done sipping, and eventually she says softly. "I tried not to let on in my letters just how bad it all was. I didn't wish to cause you any more gray hairs than I already had. But it was…bloody awful. For the longest while we were hanging on by just a thread. And we all knew that the Nips didn't take prisoners, or care about civilians."

Bell takes a deep breath, and nods. "I think we felt the same way. But nothing felt right about it on coming home," She admits. She looks over to Annabelle, "I teach now and live on my inheritance. Uncle Philip gardens. I think we're happy this way, quietly retreating. It's really difficult to rejoin civilian life," Bell comments. She frowns, recognizing that old Thousand Yard Stare. She closes her eyes. Saddened she has to share such a thing. A chuckle. "You know, we did the same thing. Never told anyone about life in the trenches with its own brand of suffering." Two wars, so many unique horrors. "Honestly, I think the old memories have given me a few silver hairs too," She smiles sadly. Probably shaved a good number of years off her life too, especially if she ever dealt with the chhemicals. She nods, listening to Anna's words in turn. "We had heard rumors, but - I couldn't believe such things. At least the Turks would let the boys come back." Even the Germans might give pause. "And it's tragic that snipers still seem to be such a hazard." Sigh. She looks to Anna. "It'll be alright. The Allies turned it around once, they can do it again. There's a lot of heart."

Annabelle bobs her head in agreement. "It's strange to be home after all that. Good strange, but still… like it's all sort of unreal. You settled in eventually though, aye? I mean, you seem happy enough. Uncle Phillip, though - I can tell it never left him. I pray that doesn't happen to Ryan. What I've read of the trenches - it seems awful in its own way." She confirms grimly, "The rumours are all true." Her tone grows even more hushed. "They murdered Edward and the Reverend in cold blood. Would have done me as well if the Yanks hadn't come along. They singled out medics. Blew up grenades on themselves when blokes tried to help the injured ones. Dropped artillery on us day and night. I can't even describe it." She takes another sip of tea, feeling a shudder that has nothing to do with the fever. "The worst was the shelling. I wake up a lot remembering the one that nearly got me." She frowns at the unpleasant memory.

"Yes, these old bones are settled here," Bell smiles sadly. "I am happy enough. I have Philip and you and Kathy," And by extension her family. A little shrug. "I hope not too. Though I think all veterans are touched one way or another," She notes. A frown at Anna's story. She shakes her head. "So awful." It's enough to make her blood go cold. "I remember the gas, and the artillery. The artillery as it was - was new. So were the machine guns really, at least in the forms they were in." WWI's great cruelty was the novelty perhaps. She looks over as Anan shudders and nods. "So many poor nurses. I know they got medals, but - that doesn't make up for it. I am glad it did not get you." She would have been sad. "But I am sure you'll settle in too." Nod. Her and Kathy managed somehow. "Though this talk has reminded me of something I felt obliged to tell you."

"I can't even imagine what the gas must've been like," Anna says, frown deepening. "Did you have to deal much with it?" She nods about the nurses. "Awful shame about them, aye." No medals for Anna, though, not even a purple heart. The downside of being just a civilian caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. She touches one of the scars on her hand, chewing her lip a bit, before blurting out quietly, "They had to take out my spleen." Minor detail she omitted from her letter, figuring that Bell and/or Kathy may well have paddled their way to Guadalcanal at that news. "Pulled near twenty pieces of metal from me. I remember the shell hitting, and the pain. I thought I was done for." She swallows hard. "All I could think of is what it would've done to Mum, and you, and Ryan." She sniffs, but holds back the tears by saying, "But God was watching out for me, that time and more others than I care to think about." Bell's last statement gets a curious look. "What is it?"

"Only a few times near germany," Bell admits. "It wasn't pleasant," She shakes her head. Alas. At least Anna got a Feesh and some parrots? She looks to Anna as she touches a scar and listens. A frown. Yes, Bell would have paddled over. "My poor Annabelle," This in a softer voice. She just wants to scoop poor Anna up and hug her. "I thank God then," Many times over. She is quiet for a moment, swallowing hard. Squished niece BAD. She takes a deep breath. "God, I never thought I'd have to make this same speech one day. But the truth of it is, I'm not really a super young woman anymore and I suspect my war years have shaved a few off," This with some amusement and pain, but it is a sad truth. "It is a long day off, I feel that much." Bell's got a decade or two left in her at least. Pretty darn good though, given the era. "One day your Uncle and I may pass on. This manor will live longer than I. I put you as the benefactor of my will, if that's alright."

Feesh and parrots are worlds better than medals. They even make up for getting a bit minced and dented! Anna winces a little at Bell's reaction, exactly the sort of pain that she didn't want to inflict. But chances are she'd see the scars someday, and it does feel a little better to talk about it. She certainly wouldn't mind being scooped up, but doesn't expect it, knowing Bell is not always the one for hugs and such. Her care and concern is shown in other quiet ways. "It's all right. I mean, I'm here now." All's well that ends well. "Though Ryan and I have quite the collection of scars between the pair of us." A wry attempt at a joke that comes up short and just ends in another pained expression. But it fades when Bell gives her speech, a little confused at first. Then she blinks, boggling. There's a long silence. "Aunt Bell… I don't know what to say." It's such a big thing. "I.. thank you. I'm touched, honestly." She shakes her head, still boggled, then says with deep affection, "Just see to it it's not for a long, long while. And sure as I'll always be here to look after you." In an era when kids take care of their parents, Anna certainly would do the same for Bell.

Odds are it'll be a decade or two before Anna has to worry about Bell passing on. But it's very good given the average and that Bell survived the hazards of multiple fronts in WWI. She will gently pat Anna's shoulder after awhile. "Anna… I know," She smiles. "We've all a scar or two at least these days." Bell's old war wound. Can't really yank off the old sshirt. "But honestly? Given all that I've seen - and how healthy I am now, I think I've got a good chunk of time in me. But I'm not immortal. I never though I'd have to think about that," She admits quietly, grey eyes closing a moment. Her vision is still sharp enough not to require glasses. Pretty good shape, all things considered. She smiles sadly to Anna. "It's the least I can do for you." And short of leaving it to one of her brother's children - well, you know. "I am glad for that. I suspect I've got at least a decade or two in me, maybe more." Still, medical science for the geriatric has a long way to go after all. She will be glad to have Anna about. "It didn't seem proper to have children out of wedlock, but no one would recognize our marriage," Between a muslim and a non-muslim. Catholic-Protestant marraiges are still a novelty. She shrugs. "That is that. I am glad you know and know that you will have a home and fund if you should need it." And Anna's children, should Bell last that long. Not too likely. She smiles, "You're our Annabelle and nothing will ever change that."

"That's blasted unfair. I know we were lucky nobody raised a fuss." Thank goodness for liberal Carey. "I still worry a bit that Ryan's folks won't like that he didn't marry a Catholic. But it'll work out, sure." On the grand scale of worries, that one is small. Anna smiles sadly. "I reckon you'll surprise them all and live to be ninety. Nothing can keep you down, not even Turkish bullets. Though I have to say I'd just as soon not have followed in your footsteps there." A little smile there. Anna at least spares Bell the tale of the sniper bullet to the head, lest that shave off a few more years. "Sure as we'll take care of each other, then." And at the little shoulder pat, Anna leans her feverish head against Bell's shoulder. "You're the best, Aunt Bell."

Bell nods sadly. "That's how it goes." That and they are two different races. It's a sad fact, but one or the other facts would have likely doomed their chances. And so they live as common law spouses at best. "I am sure it will be fine," Bell offers. She chuckles softly. "I hope so." She has to live to see Anna Fry too. At least that long. She smiles. "I am glad you take after your mother and I in that nothing keeps you down either." She shakes her head. "I had hoped the same. But war lies deep in the hearts of men it seems. We had hoped that God, they had learned their lessons after the Great War." The War to end all Wars right? Alas. She smiles and lets Anna lean on her a bit. She sets a hand on Anna's forehead, concerned. "And you are the best niece I could ever ask for, Anna. I'll run you a bit of warm water if you like." That fever troubles her, but she quietly accepts the promise to take care of one another.

One or the other would have been bad enough, but both? DOOM. At least Bell won't have to wait too long for Feesh Fry. Anna will let Bell dote on her without putting up a fuss, trusting both the doctor and the Aunt to do what's best. And no doubt she'll be all the better for it upon her return to Melbourne.

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