hadriel | video; a call to... scalpels?

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harlan halliday

video; a call to... scalpels?

[ The video starts out centered on a place rather than a person -- the clinic, identifiable from the similar but unrestored buildings around primarily by the sign out front. When someone does speak the voice is soft and nervous-sounding. Pell's never done anything like this, exactly, an announcement where he had some sort of responsibility. He thought it would be easier if he wasn't on camera, but it turns out there's no difference, and this isn't just asking help for himself. The wording matters more. He'll just have to do his best. ]

This is a familiar sight to many of you... the clinic serves to help everyone we can, both on site and on call. It's done so for as long as I've been here, but currently we're working with a very small staff. Six of us for the entire city with a handful of supporters, and with a move coming up and not knowing when Hadriel might be attacked again, we need to ask for some help.

If you can't take shifts that's fine, on-call staff for emergencies are vital too. Anyone capable of healing, who knows medicine, first aid, or are willing to scavenge or bargain for supplies, you'd be greatly appreciated. Please, reply here or come to the clinic on west island and ask for Pellaz Cevarro if you can help somehow.

[ Which is his cue to be braver. The camera does turn to show him, then, and the nerves seem better. This part is a little easier; something to offer rather than ask. ]

In two days' time at midday, some of us will be offering lessons. First aid classes like we have in the past for anyone who would wants to learn the basics, simple medical kits to facilitate them, instructions on how to move an injured patient safely, and I may be able to teach people to heal if our abilities are similar. There's no obligation to work with the clinic, everyone is welcome.

Thank you for listening. I hope to see some of you soon -- preferably not bleeding.

[ Should he not have made a joke? Oof, this is hard to navigate, and there's a brief flicker of awkwardness in his expression before Pell turns the feed off. Wondering quietly if he shouldn't have written himself a script. Oh well. ]

((ooc: ~~There will indeed be a first aid class/clinic mingle log posted on the 13th, since such a thing would be difficult during the event and then we're off to a new world. OTA of course!~~ Cancelling this mingle due to lack of interest/a lot going on this month already but! The clinic comm is

undersupplied, the staff list is here if your character would offer their services, and in future there will be a monthly mingle that can be used for CR opportunities and characters requesting medical assistance.

Any questions, you can hit me via PM or

cuddlebug! ))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I wanted to know how familiar you are with such arts. Your level of expertise. How good it is you are at what you do. Cisth, do you channel through your hands? Heal with vocal magics? Perform literal miracles with no regard to the planes?

[He's starting to wonder if there's a reason this fellow in particular is taking over the Clinic.]

Then you should have asked that. Just as, if you said yes, you were willing to help, I would have asked you your own methods and skill and endurance.

[ He has a bit of a method at least, here, geez. There's a soft huffing sound. After two and a half years at the clinic, he has to be the one to go through an interview to determine if... what? He's fit for it? Hasn't he proven that? Oh wait, Carlisle wasn't around to know, he must just want to know if he'd be volunteering to assist someone beneath him or not. That's the attitude coming across, at least, and Pell has certainly met enough superior types since he was turned. ]

Extremely familiar. With my own, and that of several healers here before who used different methods. Will sang, as you speak of. I admit most of my experience has been gained here over the past two and a half years or so, but you can imagine the times of heavy volume. I channel through my hands because the physical connection helps me apply my will and I've found it puts patients at ease. I only know to use my own life energy, but although I'm limited by that I've yet to hit that limit here. I worry I might someday, if an occurrence strained us too far, but in that case I've learned a great deal of traditional medicine as well and have knowledge and access to healing herbs and would apply those skills. If I was a miracle worker I wouldn't be asking for help, honestly, and if you're hinting at something here then yes, you may well be far more powerful than me. Many here have been, and we've worked alongside each other just fine. We've worked under leadership that couldn't heal at all, that weren't professional doctors. If you want qualifications I have no papers for you, but I could start calling past patients for references.

[ He takes a slow breath, knowing that was a bit of a rant but it was, technically, answering the questions. Maybe he's too young, maybe he doesn't know what the hell he's doing, but he certainly won't be the one to suggest Carlisle take the job of clinic head, at this rate he'd alienate basically all of the staff that's left. Pell knows he can be a pain in the ass too, but he's trying here. ]

I hope none of that would be a problem for you, if you wanted to offer aid. Which I'm still not clear if you do.

[Well, that was a lot. He keeps his tone even, neutral.]

I would not have responded to this message were I not offering to help in some capacity. I don't know you, nor do I know whether one of us is more powerful than the other, nor does it particularly matter so long as the job is getting done. It is not often I get to speak with other healers, and I merely wanted to know more about what experience you have had with the craft, as well as what knowledge there is to be found at the Clinic.

Well...

[ And now he feels extremely awkward and childish for feeling cornered, like he was being prompted to appeal personally and beg, which was what he was worried about all along. His childishness is what the others have all scolded him over for years. But he thought taking on a familiar responsibility... no, he can fuss later. ]

I do wish you had simply asked that, but you're informed on me personally, now. I can get you up to speed on all the others that remain, as well, and discuss my own successes and failures in private if you like for a sense of ability.

He hesitates once more, and then adds: ]

My response was not... professional, I apologize.

[Pell can't see it through audio, but if he could, he'd see a man go from quietly belligerent to utterly befuddled in the span of a few seconds. Was that... was that an apology? An honest-to-goodness apology and clear communication rather than more snippy behavior and vague deflection at his inquiries? Hm. Perhaps this Pellaz Cevarro character isn't as much like Kate as he'd initially thought.

His tone is marginally softer as he replies.]

I appreciate your apology. That is more than some would have offered me, and perhaps more than I deserve. I did not mean for any misconception.

[And misconceptions about his abilities are something he's dealt with his entire life, and not always due to his own communication failures. People expect him to be a valiant Longinmouth, or an unquestioning follower of the Clarity; they have also judged him to be misguided in his desperation to live beyond his years, poisoned in both body and mind by his affliction. Whether due to his position as the heir of the Longinmouth line or a twice-cursed, he's used to having people expect much of him, only to be disappointed.

tries to be a bit nicer.]

I would far prefer to hear of your successes than failures, if it is all the same to you. As I said, I have not had the opportunity to speak with many healers aside from those of my world.

[And he is definitely a big nerd who loves to talk about magic, especially now that he's actually in good enough health to do it.]

[ He's! Trying!! They will probably continue to fumble but Pell appreciates Carlisle's response as well, and that he didn't just start yelling last reply because then it probably would have turned into a fight. Communication is hard. ]

I tend to go through a bit of a learning curve with new people, and "hope for the best but fear the worst" has backfired on me so many times at this point I think I jump to the worst more often. That's my failing, and I can admit it.

[ Pell finds himself nodding even though Carlisle can't see him, understanding the curiosity as much as the professional interest. As it is his failures are only the one, and it's most relevant as a judgment of speed. The poor girl bled out before he could get to everything -- his needing to focus on one serious wound at a time is a limitation that it sounds like other healers aren't bound to. ]

Alright. I'd prefer to do that part in person, if you don't mind it. At the clinic would be easiest but I can also come to you.

I will come to you, I believe. At the Clinic.

[Usually, it's far easier for someone else to head his way, but given he's in much better health than he's been in in years, he figures it's worth stepping out of his comfort zone just this once. He's the one who is supposed to be making a good impression of some sort, after all, despite their near-argument.

Just forgive him for taking a while to get to the Clinic, Pell. He's not a fast rower, and the boats are thus far his least favorite method of travel. Once he does make it there, he looks around for any kind of a front desk, hoping to ask where 'Pellaz Cevarro' is.]

[ Oh, if anyone would understand distaste for the boats, it's Pell. He's only made a handful of trips alone, knowing he's not a strong rower and fearing the water itself on rougher days. If he were to fall overboard somehow, or the waves tipped his boat, he'd surely drown. He barely has an idea of how to swim.

So he's perfectly patient, and when he hears the door of the clinic open he gets up to peek out of the office. There is indeed a small reception area at the front, but no front desk -- people tend to just come in and call out, they can't really spare an extra person to sit at a desk all day so whoever's on call wanders back and forth. Pell doesn't recognize the man who's entered, but he doesn't look injured. Carlisle? Maybe, maybe not. He expected someone older, this may just be a patient... only familiar as someone he's seen around the city on occasion. Perhaps in here, grabbing bandages one time? Maybe.

Pell steps forward and pushes his braid back over his shoulder -- his hair is dark and glossy and hangs to his waist, that wasn't evident in the video post. He's also far shorter than Carlisle, with a slight build. ]

Hello. Can I help you?

Ah.

[No front desk to be seen, so Carlisle looks a bit relieved when someone comes out to greet him. On the rare occasion he's actually at the Clinic, he's in and out so quickly that he never even noticed there wasn't a front desk proper.]

Pellaz Cevarro, I presume?

[He does sound like the fellow he talked to on the phone. Carlisle's own accent is fairly hard to mistake for anyone else's in town.]

Edited 2018-11-19 06:32 (UTC)

[ Go figure, it is him. Pell can tell the second he speaks, and gives a tiny smile and nod, gesturing for Carlisle to come further in. ]

Pell's fine, I was trying to sound professional but I think we threw that impression out the window already. Is Carlisle alright, or would you prefer Mr Longinmouth?

[ He pauses, then, considering something else along the same lines. ]

In that vein, office or break room? The latter is more comfortable. We can do a tour before you go, but if you traveled from another island I thought you'd like a rest.

Edited 2018-11-19 06:39 (UTC)

Carlisle, please. I need not a tour, I have- I have been here before. A few times, actually.

[And yet, never offered his services to them now that he thinks about it haha boy this is awkward. His voice picks up as he attempts to cover for his immediate embarrassment.]

Not that- not that I've been here as in I needed assistance, though there was one time I was rendered unconscious by a demon, and my parfriend brought me here to recover, but aside from that, I am perfectly capable of taking care of my own injuries in most regards. Particularly now that I have a better grasp of my own energies than I did but a month or so ago.

[And then he realizes halfway through that rambling that he didn't answer Pell's second question.]

Er. Break room. Wherever is preferable for you.

I thought maybe that was the case, but am trying not to assume anything now. Break room, then, if we're going to sit and talk magic.

[ Might as well be comfortable, right? And since he already screwed up once Pell's just going to be himself from now on and embrace his family's ways: feeding people to show you mean well. He leads Carlisle to said break room, which is right next to the office, and much but has a cot and couch and table and chairs, some of the basic appliances and a fridge -- they did restore a house for this, after all. ]

I'm curious what you mean by grasp on your energies... perhaps our mechanism for healing is similar. Would you like some coffee or tea?

I have my own tea, but thank you for the offer.

[He removes his satchel and sets it on the table, digging through it until he finds a small jar with a few leaves in it; the end of each leaf is clipped, purposefully removed. Next out of his bag comes his own mug, and then a piece of paper with a circular array drawn on it in ink dark enough to match the stained bandage on his arm.

As he sets himself up, he answers further.]

I was in extremely poor health until recently for reasons beyond my control. Channeling is difficult, takes concentration to do properly, lest you cause further discomfort to yourself and your ward. In my case, my health caused me to have so lax a grasp on it that I could not keep my energies from cycling when in pain. Healing over a wound when the cause has not yet been removed is... not recommended.

[ That's interesting. Pell watches curiously as Carlisle sets himself up for tea, taking a seat while the man pulls things out. ]

I'm sorry to hear that... and yes, it sounds ill advised. But it's been removed now? Or enough so that your health is improved?

[ It must be well enough that he's offering to take on work, but Pell is curious. ]

I am fine for now, I assure you.

[Better than he has been, but he still prefers a cup of imbued tea to stave off aches, even those from rowing a boat across the sea. He sets the paper down, then the mug, then drops the leaves into the cup. After capping the bottle, he closes turns his palm over to conjure an orb of water big enough to fill his mug. In that goes, too. His movements are fluid, almost mechanical in their precision; he's done this a lot.]

But it is one of the reasons I have neglected to offer my abilities to the Clinic before.

[Among other reasons.]

I'm glad to hear that, even if it didn't result in an offer. I know what you mean about concentration, too. There was one time here I was gravely injured and couldn't focus to heal myself because of the pain.

[ That conjuring water trick was neat, though, Pell's never tried anything quite like it... Carlisle makes it look far easier than it is, he suspects. ]

You spoke of methods and capacity, I'll need to know those, of course. How serious an injury you can handle, how many patients in that state a day, that sort of thing. You use your own life energy, as well?

[With the water in the mug, Carlisle slides into a seat and presses a finger against a spot on the glyph; the lines light up for only a second or two before fading entirely, leaving behind a steaming mug before him and evaporating ink on the page.]

I suppose I have never truly tested my limits in terms of patients a day. Grievous injuries cause me no true strife. [Or they didn't before his health really started deteriorating, so he assumes it will be the same here. Now that he has access to Glacius' energies through the Mote, he could possibly do even more than he ever expected. A part of him is eager to put such a conjecture to the test; the other part of him fears who it will be he has to heal, and whether it will be one of his friends.]

Aural energy is occasionally described as a life force in my world, but others would compare it more to a muscle. Regardless of the name, it seems to be a common resource in many worlds, even if not all of them have yet discovered its applications.

[ Well that's. Fascinating. How did he... is it about the symbol itself? Pell's only passingly familiar with the concept. They wrote on him before his Harhune, had arcane symbols on the altar, but he didn't think they meant much. Just a focus, a gesture. Carlisle's little skill here seems like something more, and he's curious, but one thing at a time. ]

That's good news for us, certainly. Hopefully such a test will never be necessary. [ Aural energy? Pell listens thoughtfully. ] A muscle might be a good way to describe it... I'm certainly still building mine, it took practice and training like a physical skill. Though many of my kind can draw energy from the environment -- I never got to that. I can use others, though, like... like a battery. Draw off a bit of energy for what I'm trying to do.

[The stiffness in Carlisle's posture eases away as he breathes in the steam, what tension there is remaining in his neck and shoulders relieved by his concoction; a hint of a smile tugs at the corner of his mouth as though he's greeting an old friend. It remains as he poses a question of his own:]

Others? As in drawing energy from people?

[ Interesting. Pell will have to ask what's in that tea, as well. He has some medicinal blends he grows in his garden, but this seems to be instant, just from breathing the steam. It would seem he could learn a lot from Carlisle. ]

Yes. I've only done so with my own kind, those who were lending me strength or joining ours together. My partner and I collapsed a building, once, the effort was my ability but I could not have done that on my own.

[ Okay, he's too curious for his own good. ]

May I ask, what's in your tea?

What's—? [A glance at his mug, as though it would somehow be different than he expects.] Oh, ah. Paw plants. It is an herbal painkiller.

[He fishes the bottle of leaves back out and offers it Pell's way for inspection. There's nothing particularly of note about the leaves themselves, save for that the ends of each one have been clipped away.]

Paw plants? Interesting -- I have a few herbal pain remedies in my garden, as well.

[ He'll take the little bottle, examining the leaves, but they're not familiar to him. He passes it back and smiles. ]

You grow them here?

I would already have emptied my supply if I did not.

[Whether that is because he needs them or is addicted to them, he does not clarify.]

They are thankfully hardy plants, and ones which grow quickly enough that I need not worry about running out.

I was lucky a few years ago... a book from my first instructor back home showed up, along with a bag of seeds. I've been growing mine ever since, they've proven useful when supplies are especially scarce.

[ Then he realizes Carlisle was trying to ask a question, before he inquired about the tea. ]

Were you asking something?

I was? Oh, oh right. Merely parsing out your question for myself, lad. That's all.

[Though now that Pell brings it up:]

I would be interested in seeing your plants at some point, though. Perhaps exchanging one or two, if that would be permissible.

video; a call to... scalpels?

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