002

[hasacondition]

[action]

[So everyone says their powers are gone, but it's not something that he can just take on faith, not with his power specifically. So, obviously, as everything's building up, he should test it. Somewhere far from the center of town. Just in case.]

[So that's what leads him to the woods on the edge of town, standing there in anticipation. He breathes a couple times before figuring it's got to happen eventually, focuses his energy and his emotions]

[and just lets out a huge yell.]

[phone]

[He hesitates after picking up the phone, but it's only for a second; it's not like talking on here is going to make anything worse.]

...So, with all the stuff that's going on here, I thought it might be... helpful... to offer up what I could. I'm a doctor, nothing fancy, but I can pitch in in an emergency, if anyone needs it. I'm sure there are other people here too who can do something, maybe we can coordinate and make this a little less shitty.

Comments

[ooeeooahah]

[ She nods, picking up on the hesitation, and getting a feeling this isn't the university faculty he's talking about. ]

Those are your copies. I can get you more copies for your team if you need them.

[ Ilsa chuckles, ] I'd also advise an interest in bingo night. That's the code for the Major General's briefings. Right now, it's mostly for sharing information and helping everyone to survive the occasional madness, but getting everyone organized to get out.

[hasacondition]

Great. [he pauses for a second where he decides whether or not to argue semantics, but it's not really important if he didn't want to join the Avengers, now is it?]

Of course. Who'd think to check bingo? It's like holding an underground base in a retirement home.

[ooeeooahah]

Considering how many things we had to dig around, I wouldn't put it on long odds.

[ She smiles, and shakes her head. ] Back home was tornado country, and I reinforced the basement really quick. It's come in handy more than once.

[ A small pause. ] How many aware folks are in the house?

[hasacondition]

I know a thing or two about radiation, if we're going to go the whole Cold War route. It doesn't get to come up often in everyday life.

[or, well, that's the way it should be, anyway]

The kids, and... well, the town thinks he's a pet. [not that... he really knows what to think about it either]

[ooeeooahah]

Radiation poisoning was last Thanksgiving.

[ No, it does not look like she is joking. ]

Used to be, this place would reanimate us as if nothing happened, but the last time I died, there was about a two week process of getting back to normal.

Who's the assigned pet, here?

[hasacondition]

[He pauses just a little too long trying to think of a good way to react to that]

...Looks like I missed out.

--Is it supposed to be connected? [the radiation poisoning and the revival rate; if anything, he'd think it would work the other way]

He's a sort of... bright orange bird. But he talks.

[ooeeooahah]

I've not talked to him, but I've seen him around town. [ She shook her head. ] Hopefully, the kids told you about the milk, and the usual dangers. I'm by myself in the house, so I'm only there when I have to be.

As far as the the repeated deaths go, the first times, I woke up in my assigned spot with no aftereffects. Most of the times I've died have been poison-related, though the last one was fire, probably smoke inhalation. [ Said in a quiet, calm, matter-of-fact manner ] There was an incident in the dairy that caused most of the change in the revival effects.

[hasacondition]

I got that run down, thankfully.

...Cheery. What's the dairy got to do with this?

[ooeeooahah]

Honestly? I've got no facts. Theories aplenty, though. It's been locked up tight - well enough that nothing can get in there - most of the time I've been here. When the place was open, a few of us went in to investigate. One group destroyed some of the machinery, and the powers that be insist it was part of the revival mechanism.

[ She stops, and shakes her head. A moment later, she continues. ] All I know is the last time I revived, I felt like I'd been kicked out of ICU a few days early.

[hasacondition]

Any chance they're just messing with us? 'This is what you get when you try to rock the boat' sort of thing?

[ooeeooahah]

[ She regards him solemnly. ] I would not put it past them. We could be under so many layers of deception, that it could take years to get out.

I'm not just relying on my empathy, since it only works on others like us. Part of my psychiatric medical training was in reprogramming. The sad truth is that there's a lot here that would apply.

[hasacondition]

So basically we can't even trust our senses.

Sounds about right. Why go through the trouble of kidnapping everyone and only do it half-way?

[ooeeooahah]

That being said, we honestly could use all hands for healing. What have you had the most practice in?

[hasacondition]

I've been working off the grid lately, in areas without much of a facility set up. It tends to be illnesses, that sort of thing, but I've got a lot of practice with first aid.

[ooeeooahah]

Field work is what we get, for the most part.

[ She gives him a smile, one that actually is intended to be reassuring. ]

There is a hospital here, but unless one of us is assigned there and on duty, it's pretty useless. If there's someone that needs it, are you okay with treating them here, or would you prefer to do house calls?

[hasacondition]

Yeah, it seems like that sort of place.

[and he smiles back pretty nervously, all things considered, though he's pretty nervous in general]

It shouldn't be a problem either way. Better to avoid moving people, right?

[ooeeooahah]

[ She nods, wincing a little. ]

Yes... sorry, but - you're broadcasting a bit. Is there anything I can help you with? You seem a little on edge.

[hasacondition]

[He frowns, and if anything just gets a little more uncomfortable]

Sorry, but... do you have to do that?

[ooeeooahah]

[ She holds her hand up in apology. ]

I'm a physician, and a guardian. If I can help, I have to try.

[ This time, her bow is less Shibuya and more Eiheiji. ]

There's probably pieces of you missing, but if you can, find your equilibrium until they are returned.

[hasacondition]

[and he scoffs out a laugh, amused and bitter]

Trust me, that's the last thing my equilibrium needs.

[ooeeooahah]

[ She gives a small wince at the acidity. ]

Then it might be a good idea for you to not open anything mailed to you, here. But if you need... want help, let me know.

[hasacondition]

Right. Well, thanks for dropping this stuff off. It looks really helpful.

[if it sounds like he's being distant and avoidant, it's because he is]

[ooeeooahah]

[ If the patient is not a danger to themselves or others, it's best if they are receptive for the treatment to work. Ilsa nods, and withdraws to the door. ]

I hope to see you around, Doctor.

[hasacondition]

[he feels a little guilty immediately, but it's better off this way]

...Yeah, you too.