Day 203 | The sick are recovering! (Open)

[freedom_engineer]

WHO: Colin, any recovering folks, any visitors.
OPEN: Open like a door
WHEN: Day 203 (BACKDATED)
WHAT: The cure has been found and administered. Check up on the sick, why don't you?
WHERE: The hospital
FORMAT: However you want, go nuts
WARNINGS: Recovering people, probable sass, and of course, Colin.



After six days of paranoia, and three days of absolute terror, things were finally looking up. A cure had been delivered, and with it, the calamity survivors had been able to synthesize more than enough doses of cure for the plague to safeguard the Bastion. It had been administered to the sick, and now all that was needed was to make sure that everyone recovered.

Colin, of course, was going to be visiting everyone to make sure that there weren't any complications. It wouldn't do to have anyone in danger after they'd made it through to the end. He had yet to take off his environmental suit though, his own paranoia was significant.

(OOC: I figure this will be a good opportunity for people to do a little more mingling, and get their bearings after the plague. The quarantine has been lifted, though Colin still wants people washing their hands frequently. If you want Colin to check up on the sick, he can do that! If you want someone else to check up on the sick, by all means! The threat is passed, now rejoice, hug your sick loved ones, and let's move on!)

Comments

[freedom_engineer]

[And would you look at that? Even with the cure delivered throughout the hospital, Colin is still making the rounds. You'd think he was worried for everyone's health or something! He's sticking his head into rooms, taking quick scans of people, and trying not to be too intrusive. Everyone here needs their rest after what they've been through. But surely, not everyone is asleep, are they?]

[fuckthemancers]

[One of the first things Colin notices is that there is a Cubone on top of a Rattle-tail standing in front of the door. As is now custom, probably, she waves her little club at him.]

[Zulf is there too, seated on the bed with the smallest of the Rattle-tails on his laps and another two really hogging up the rest of the bedspace. He looks up when the door opens, brow furrowed. The first thing out of his mouth?]

Is it working?

[freedom_engineer]

[Colin gives a little cower for Cubone's benefit, and he stays back. She deserves to think that she's scary.]

It seems to be, yes. Fevers have broken, people are resting. Lots of exhaustion, lots of hunger, LOTS of thirst. But most importantly, people are actually sleeping peacefully.

[He gives Zulf a grin, still keeping his distance.]

[fuckthemancers]

Oh thank goodness...

[His entire body sags in relief, the Rattle-tail acting as a handy prop as he presses his face into its feathers. This seems to distract the Cubone and her bird steed, leaving Colin to be menaced another time. After a brief second, Zulf seems to recover, taking a deep breath and wiping something from his eye.]

We know it works now. So I'd like to make a request. I heard that the recovery group encountered a group of Ura.

[freedom_engineer]

I'd heard as well.

[He smirks slightly. With Cubone and the Rattletail away, he steps into the room now.]

You want to bring them the cure?

[fuckthemancers]

Yes.

[Zulf's stance shifts a bit, shoulders and back straightening themselves out. Less tense now, unlike how he's been for basically the entire stay in the hospital.]

[freedom_engineer]

We're in agreement. I had a similar thought.

But we're going to need a LOT of shards to make enough for another enclave of survivors.

And you haven't been sleeping well, will you be okay to travel?

[fuckthemancers]

[Assuming they want to come to the Bastion, but Zulf doesn't mention that.]

I'll contribute whatever I'm able.

As for sleep... [The slight flinch he makes is probably sign enough he knows that this is one of his worst habits.] I was hoping you or Doctor Okumura would be able to recommend something. I'll just wake up if I try to sleep on my own.

[freedom_engineer]

[Actually, Colin was planning to take the medicine to them, and let them decide what they want to do. Everyone's free to make their own decisions, after all.]

I... have something, actually. I've used it with Rin several times, it works for her. It's mystical mumbo jumbo to most people, but it works.

If you're willing to entertain the notion, I mean.

[gianthobo]

[AZ is up. And by 'up' the narration means up, as in attempting to head towards the door when Colin walks in. He's still in his makeshift hospital gown of bedsheets, and he's favoring his good leg, but he's up.]

[... He still looks flushed and unsteady, and his scan reveals that he's definitely too sick to be doing what he's doing. The redness in his cheeks deepens when he realizes who's at the door, and looks a lot like a kid caught trying to sneak out of the house.]

[freedom_engineer]

[Colin just SMIRKS when he sees AZ. He raises his index finger and wags it in front of him.]

BUS-ted! Where do you think you're going?

[gianthobo]

I don't... know.

[His voice is barely above a croak, and he sways uneasily.]

Somewhere. I don't like being in one place for so long.

[freedom_engineer]

I gathered as much.

Unfortunately, you're recovering. You're not yet WELL.

[Colin points back to the bed.]

I realize that I can't force you to do anything, but I can tell you that if you push yourself?

You are going to get yourself sick. Again. In such a way that there probably is NOT a cure for.

[gianthobo]

[... He doesn't respond for a moment or two, just sways, before his shoulders sag and he carefully walks back to the bed, sitting down.]

I... hate being like this. I can't make myself useful.

[He's always had to, he always feels like he needs to. It's habit now, but it didn't start out that way.]

[freedom_engineer]

[Colin walks beside him, and sits down next to him on the bed.]

You can't make yourself useful right now. But you can still lead by example. People here do look up to you, you know. Lots of people like you. If you do the responsible thing, other people will follow. If you head out and take on more than you can handle, others will do the same.

I'm not as old as you are, but I do know what it means to get into certain habits. I may give my sisters a hard time, but I have learned to listen to them when they tell me not to push myself.

What can I do to help you?

[gianthobo]

[... He never asked to be looked up to. He sighs and leans against Colin a bit.]

I thought I gave up being a leader a long time ago.

I don't... know. I don't stay in one place for long. I haven't for a long time, not unless I've committed to working somewhere. I've wandered for all that time. Not moving is... strange.

... I suppose I'm... scared, in some way. The Pokemon that gave life to Floette and I... sustains itself by absorbing the life of the people and Pokemon around it. I don't know if that effect was passed on to us, but I've never wanted to stay around long enough to see. I don't... I didn't make bonds. Even if... it wasn't the case... people die. It's difficult to keep wanting to be around someone when you know they'll die and... leave you, even if they don't mean to.

I just... try to keep moving. I don't settle. I've settled here and... I don't know. Maybe I'm not... making sense. I've had too much time to think the last few days...

[freedom_engineer]

...

[Colin gives him a sad look, and he puts an arm around AZ in what he hopes is a comforting gesture.]

Nobody ever gave you the lifespan talk, did they?

I suppose nobody'd ever figure they'd have to. It's common where I'm from. Elerians outlive most other races, as do Elves. As I have ties to both cultures, I'm pretty used to it myself.

I outlived my mentor. By a considerable margin, actually. Dad warned me it was coming. Sam was his best friend for over five decades.

If you focus on the loss... the inevitable... that's all it'll ever be. Inevitable loss.

What you focus on is the time you have with them. Making the most of it. Making memories.

[He reaches up and taps AZ's temple.]

Nobody can take those from you. And they'll be with you for as long as you've got thoughts in your head.

[He just won't mention certain schools of telepathic torture, it's irrelevant at present.]

[doctor_dragoon]

[Watch where you're sticking your head or you're going to end up accidentally headbutting someone. Yukio very nearly becomes that someone, only barely avoiding smacking into Colin on his way out of a patient's room when Oshawott (trailing by Yukio's heel) looses a sudden loud squeak of surprise. It's lucky that Yuki's got his new companion watching out for him, really, because he's far from his best at the moment. Days of work, worry, and little sleep have left the Bastion's teenage sort-of-doctor pretty drained, and it shows on his face and in his posture.]

... I'm sorry, Colin-san. I didn't see you.

[freedom_engineer]

... And from the look of things, you aren't seeing much of anything at the moment. You okay, Yukio?

[Colin's a little worried, and he reaches out with a steadying hand to Yukio's shoulder. A quick scan to confirm he's not running a fever, also. That would be the icing on the cake, wouldn't it?]

I've seen plenty of people work themselves raw, and it looks like you're joining that list. Come on, let's get you seated for a few minutes.

[He leans over so Oshawott can see up into his helmet, and he smiles.]

What do you say, little one? Should we take your papa to rest his heels for a little bit?

[doctor_dragoon]

I'm alright, really...

[And that's partial truth. No temperature or anything, he somehow got out of this whole mess without so much as a single cough. He looks like shit, but he's going to go ahead and continue to insist that he's fine, thank you very much.]

Just a little tired, that's all.

[Oshawott blinks up at Colin for a second before giving him an exasperated "Oshawott", grabbing at Yukio's pant leg and tugging it upward as if he's trying to offer an extra handhold. Here're the keys, now make his papa rest.]

[freedom_engineer]

Yukio, you really need to learn the fine art of the power nap. Come on, you're not fooling me. Or the kid.

[Colin turns that steadying hand into a grip on Yukio's shirt, and starts gently pulling him towards an open room.]

The danger has passed. You need to rest now, before you weaken your immune system and expose yourself to whatever's left over.

[doctor_dragoon]

[Oshawott knew what was up not five minutes after he poked his otter butt out of his egg, and he crosses those nubby arms of his over his chest, nodding almost smugly as he follows after the two of them.

Yukio lets Colin lead him to an empty room, but he's not especially pleased about it. He's definitely tired, but that's why he doesn't want to rest just yet. If he sits he might pass right out, and he still has work to do. There are still patients to check on, and it's been a while since he poked into Rin's room and-]

If I was going to catch it, I'm fairly sure I would have already...

[freedom_engineer]

Don't you give me that, Doctor. We both know better than that and you know it.

[He pokes Yukio on the shoulder.]

I have worked with MASTERS of workaholics who avoid sleeping if they can help it. You have many, many years to go before you can catch up with them.

The fires have been put out. The Bastion is safe. You can take a nap now, and it won't get anyone killed.

[He sits Yukio down on the bed of the room, and he smirks down to Oshawott.]

Need a hand up? I'm expecting you to give your papa the business if he tries to get up.

[doctor_dragoon]

[Darn it, Colin, calling Yukio on his bullshit. He's gotten pretty good at the workaholic thing, but now and then someone just has to remind him that he's still only fifteen years old.]

I know, but I still have to check on my sister and mammph-

[He cuts off when Oshawott, having used his trainers pants to climb into his lap, presses a stubby paw to his lips before turning to give Colin a resolute nod. He'll sit on his trainer if he has to. Never mind that Yukio could easily move him. His determination will prevail!]

[freedom_engineer]

[Colin grins, and he reaches out to give Oshawott a light pet on the head.]

Good job, kid. You got this.

[Colin sits down beside Yukio, and he smiles.]

You've done more than anyone could ask of you. You don't need to prove yourself to me, Yukio. You did that on the first day.

Act your age once in a while, huh? You're only young once. You're very impressive, and everyone here will know it sooner or later, but if you let your youth slip by you even more, you're going to hate yourself for it and never know why.