hadriel | 003 [Video]

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003 [Video]

[For those familiar with Clinic, it can be recognized to be the backdrop for this broadcast; it's also probably easy enough to guess that Lance has just arrived there, because he's obviously drenched. It doesn't seem to bother him any, though, except for that his slightly ridiculous hair is now definitely long enough to fall into his eyes when wet, so he has to shove some of it out of the way before he can actually see the screen.

Despite being soaked he looks a little more vibrant and relaxed than usual, although in contrast his tone is quiet and sedate for the most part.]

Is the 'raining underground' thing strange even for here, or...?

[Because he hasn't been here that long and he's heard that it's snowed before, so maybe not? But the rain is totally not the point of this post, so he continues.]

But rain aside, I'd actually wanted to ask about the caves that branch off from the main cavern. I know they're supposedly difficult to navigate and filled with monsters, but have there been any coordinated efforts to explore them? And what sort of monsters exist in them?

[He does remember Maketh telling them there are paper records on some of the monsters at the Guard post, but as far as he's concerned that's really not too helpful. Besides, he'd rather hear that the general populace has to say, and talk to them individually on this.]

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I could tell.

So why the sudden interest in the caves? Unfulfilled dreams of spelunking?

'I'm bored' is probably a worrying answer, but it's the truth.

It's also not an unfulfilled dream; I went caving several times with my roommates in college, so I actually have some experience. Nothing advanced, and not enough to figure out anything useful about the caves themselves, but some basics.

[And he'd wondered if perhaps some of the lack of exploration had been less to do with the monsters--people here seem not to have a whole lot of trouble with those--but with the actual caving portion.]

I would like to ask that you don't. Though it is obviously not my decision.

[He sighs a little, and decides to be more honest than he usually is because it's both a private conversation and it's to Rosen.]

If I decide to go running, it still takes me a few days to recover enough to feel like leaving my apartment. There is exactly zero chance I'm going to willingly do something as strenuous and dangerous as caving any time soon.

[And he means that, so please stop worrying. He's not ruling out doing it ever in the future, but right now he really is just gathering information for potential long-term plans, not anything reckless; he has enough very current issues that are still ongoing to deal with already.]

Alright.

I don't have very much information about the caves. But I've seen some of the things that come out of them.

Do you remember when you first arrived? My shirt was covered in blood?

[It was unsalvageable. He ended up having to throw the thing away between the blood and the tears]

[It takes a minute or so before Lance replies, because he has to really think about it; he remembers generally his first day here, and a lot of what he spoke with Rosen about, but surrounding details are very hazy.]

I think so.

[He remembers being worried because of something about Rosen's appearance, but not exactly what had caused it. His shirt being covered in blood is a good reason, though.]

[Well for the most part Rosen had wanted Lance to never remember it. It still smarts to think of his own stupidity that got himself into trouble. But now that the caves have come up...]

As you know the city had been split in two for weeks until the day your batch of new arrivals came. I am still vague on the details of what happened in the side I was not on, but our side ran out of food and monsters began pouring out of the caves. The guard and others did their best to try and keep them at bay but after a few days everyone was weak from hunger, all the supplies at the clinic were low or out completely so injuries were often going untended. I tried to eat as little as I could so I could save food for those who were fighting. However this also meant I was an easy target. I already do not carry a weapon or know how to fight, but I got an injury in my side when I was trying to get supplies to the clinic so I also became slow. A beast that looks like some wolf monstrosity decided i'd be good enough for a meal. It took out a good chuck of my shoulder and back and would have made easy work of me had Asgore not arrived just in time.

Edited 2017-06-17 01:54 (UTC)

[He definitely can't say he's glad to read any of this; it sounds like a pretty horrific situation as a whole to begin with, even without the part about being attacked by a monster. He's simultaneously really glad Rosen got through that alright, and suddenly guilty for worrying him now that he gets why Rosen might be particularly concerned about the caves and the monsters.]

I'm sorry.

[This time the apology is genuine, and it's also a condolence for the experience itself. He also suddenly finds the format of their conversation frustrating, because it's difficult to get the correct sentiments through text and so everything he can think to say just sounds kind of hollow.]

That entire situation sounds terrible.

Just so you know what kinds of things you'd be dealing with.

[The 'sorry' does mean something. He's just not sure what to say about it. As for the varren attack, it could have been avoided if he hadn't been too proud to ask for someone to accompany him. As for the city-split, well there were others who fared far worse than he did and who put themselves on the line to defend everyone else.]

I'm glad you weren't here for that one

[Is all he can think of to say]

Right.

[The part of entire information-gathering mission regarding the monster catalogue definitely just went up in importance, because people really should know what they're dealing with especially if there's another event that involves the monsters leaving the caves.]

I'm glad too. So far I think I've been really fortunate in regards to events.

[He's not even going to worry about that jinxing it, because he's sure it'll get terrible soon enough with or without him saying it. Besides, there's only so bad it can get.]

The city-split was the worst that I've witnessed. But I've been told there has been worse.

Someone here called Mello has a list; there are some particularly bad ones on it, especially those that occurred early on.

[Like the whole 'being buried alive' event. Lance had avoided being a direct target of the Gravedigger back home, but saw how the ordeals had affected those in the team who weren't so lucky; the entire idea of going through that experience is more than a little terrifying.]

[Rosen's response is delayed in coming. There's something he's been thinking about for the past few days and this new subject is pushing it to the forefront of his thoughts]

When do you plan to come back to your place today?

[Considering the rain he'd be surprised if Lance were eager to make any movement at all, but Rosen wants to talk to him about something in person]

[Again he doesn't think much of the delay until he actually reads the response, because it's an odd subject change.]

I'm meeting a patient today, but afterwards I don't have any particular reason to be here so late afternoon?

[He isn't entirely sure, since things tend to come up unexpectedly, but late afternoon seems like a fair bet on when he'll be leaving.]

Can you text me when you get back? I want to speak to you in person.

Of course, and I can also just go to your apartment when I leave. There's no reason for me to go home and then you come to me when I'll already be out.

[He doesn't want Rosen catching pneumonia or whatever it is that old people get in the rain, especially since Lance'll already be outside in it anyway.]

That works. I'll be home.

[He also has no great interest in catching the deadly 'elderlyattackerflu']

Alright, I'll let you know when I'm on my way.

[And a few hours later, in the late afternoon as expected, he sends another message.]

I'm leaving the Clinic, so I'll be there soon.

Alright. Be careful with the storm.

[And he gets himself up from where he's typing away at his laptop to put on a pot of coffee]

[Lance shows up a little while later, looking unsurprisingly drenched and windswept, and lets himself into the apartment with his key instead of waiting since Rosen is expecting him.

Still, although he might look a bit like a soaked puppy he doesn't seem at all bothered by it, and he offers a small wave as his only greeting until he's close enough not to have to raise his voice to be heard.]

Hey. Are you making coffee?

[Rosen doesn't look up right away, busy gathering up mugs and setting them on the table]

The coffee was just made

[He then offers a tired smile]

Glad to see you didn't get swept away with this torrential downpour.

[He then gestures to a chair before sitting himself down]

Sorry to trouble you, but I've had something I've wanted to talk to you about. And something I've wanted to give you.

I actually kind of like it.

[The downpour, he means. He likes storms, and knows this might be the last one he ever experiences, so he's enjoying it as much as possible.

And okay, he's both curious and a little concerned about the rest of that, not sure what Rosen would need to speak with him about and even less sure what he might be intending to give him. But he takes a seat as indicated, brushing his dripping hair out of his eyes and fixing Rosen with a serious look.]

What's going on?

[Rosen set his arms heavily on the table, fingers idly spinning a mug as he considers his words]

It's not really something 'going on' specifically so much as it is everything thats come before and what may be coming in the future.

[So everything. In general. Though he's also dancing around saying 'also your tendency to get yourself into trouble.' He starts to say something more but falters and stops himself before reaching into the pocket of his cardigan. From it he takes out a small metal tin about the length of his hand and the breadth of his palm. He holds it there on the table a moment, fingers caging it so that Lance doesn't take it just yet.]

I know you have your gun. And I know you have been hoping to never use any weapons or violence. But I want you to have a safety measure. Something in case a person with....ill intentions...or even a beast that simply thinks you look appetizing...ever corners you.

[At last he lifts his hand, letting the box sit where he set it and eyes shifting between it and Lance. Inside are 4 syringes, and each paired with a vial of clear liquid]

I've done the formula myself. None of it is strong enough to kill anyone or do any permanent damage. But it will stun a human, temporary paralysis, and hopefully would at least be enough to slow a beast or make it sleepy.

[Lance watches him, eyebrows furrowing slightly in confusion; Rosen seems agitated, but Lance can't tell exactly why just yet. His gaze follows the box as Rosen procures it, but then shifts back to make eye contact while Rosen speaks; as Lance listens, he become more and more worried and confused.

When Rosen releases his grip on the box, Lance opens it as Rosen continues giving the explanation, and he's... Not at all certain how to react, suddenly. On one hand, part of him is touched that Rosen actually cares that much about his well-being, and on the other this entire idea really creeps him out. Shooting someone in self-defense is one thing; it's not exactly subtle, and generally if he'd have reason to shoot someone it'd be because they're making themselves an immediate threat and using a weapon themselves. In other words, it's straightforward and fair.

Drugging someone, however, is a surprise tactic. In order to even have the opportunity to use it he'd have to be planning ahead, and whoever he's in conflict with would have to be completely unsuspecting; not a problem with a monster either logically or morally, but a person? Definitely on the borderline, even in pure self-defense.

Still, it would give him a non-lethal way to defend himself if necessary, and one that nobody would be expecting from him. He's been hiding what skill he does have in fighting and so that's still a trump card, but it's common knowledge at this point that he's carrying a gun and anyone trying to hurt him would know to deal with that threat. It's also probably a more effective tactic to take with Sato, he thinks, although he's really hoping to avoid any confrontation with him personally.

And this is all, of course, ignoring the issue of the fact that Rosen came up with this option and plan in the first place. It's also ignoring the slightly nauseating feeling Lance is getting about the whole idea, which is usually a good indicator that his subconscious is recoiling at the concept.

What he finally says, after a lengthy silence, is neutral and practical and not a commitment to anything just yet. His gaze is also fixed on the syringes when he speaks, not looking up at Rosen.]

Would it be safe even accounting for differences in body weight?

[Maketh and Hux are very different sizes, for instance, and he would definitely not want to accidentally kill someone just because they're smaller than the dosage is targeted toward. And that's if he decides to accept these, which he's very unsure he will.]

Yes.

[Rosen eases back in his chair. His eyes remain on Lance but his expression seems to lack all judgement. There's only the deep tired lines carved by exhaustion and worry. He knew that Lance would not be comfortable with this. He even thought perhaps Lance would get angry at the suggestion. Call him out for 'dirty' tactics.]

The drug itself is just a simple one. It triggers the neuron-response for adrenaline production and tricks the body's fight or flight response, causing the muscles to lock. The same materials are naturally occurring in the body, its just a matter of levels and in a matter of 15 minutes the body will begin clearing it out of its system. By 30 minutes the subject should feel pretty much normal.

[He's old hat at this now. In is line of work there have been too many close calls. And while at first, when he was young and idealistic like Lance he balked at the idea, he now sees the world in a different light. One too many times held at gunpoint. Knifepoint. Hung over a bridge. He's had alphas try to manipulate his mind, to force him to self-harm or worse. Yes, precautions were needed.]

I am hoping you'd never find yourself in a situation where you'd need it. But I'd also never want you to be in a situation where you need to know what its like to take a life.

[He has also been in that position. And his mind keeps that moment at the ready on auto loop, that sick feeling ready to knot his stomach any second.]

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