lucetilogs | There'll be trouble when the kidz come out

There'll be trouble when the kidz come out

Who: All remaining draftees
What: Zombies! Zombies! Zombies!
When: The 29th to 31st
Where: Vaskoth
Summary: Please read here for event information
Rating: B for BRRAAAIIIINSSSS

On the 29th, the Malnosso announce over the radios that the power cap will be lifted to a full 100%. Carol broadcasts a message.

On the 30th, the Malnosso declare Vaskoth completely lost. Those with radio access will discover that the enclosure is to be bombed.

On the 31st, survivors will have one last chance to evacuate or try to find the cure. 3PM is do or die.

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...Billy.

[As someone well accustomed to hiding exhaustion, grief, or fear for the sake of others it's not that difficult for her to sort it out. The tear tracks on his cheeks is also something of a giveaway.]

You don't have to pretend around me. I am the last that would judge.

[He hesitates at that, tempted for a moment to snap at her or defend his front - say he's fine, tell her to leave him alone, or perhaps not respond at all. A part of him really just wants to be on his own for a while.

But it's lonely, and it's cold here, and... she brought him something to keep him warm. He drums his fingers against the mug for a moment before taking a tentative sip, his expression no longer as forced.]

I don't... I don't know what to do. They took my magic... I'm not good for much of anything without that.

You are more than the sum of your magic.

[It was the only thing she could say. This power cap, when it had happened before in the village while the Kin'corans were present, when it's happened here, it did nothing to her other than prevent her from contacting Nala or Tsinku. Something she did not do often even when she was able to reach for them. To have something integral to you pulled away-

She doesn't know how to empathize, not entirely.]

I will always need extra hands here, we've more wounded than we've trained medical staff.

[The words sound encouraging, but he's honestly not sure how to believe them; he's never been a medic without his magic (and even then it was dubious) so what use could he possibly be now? Band-aids were the extent of his skills, where. Band-aids on the knees of little brothers who whined when he used antiseptic, who said Mom would be better at it, Mom would be gentle-]

What... can I do?

[It's a question laced with desperation, needing something to cling to; a purpose for existing here, a reason to stay, because as much as he wants to escape, he's still tied to this hell by duty, stubborn will, go be a hero.]

[With his limited knowledge and their limited resources, what could he be trusted to do? What was needed the most that even any pair of hands, no matter how unskilled, would be of use?]

Ration supplies. We're running low on most everything that isn't specialized. Bandage wounds that have been sutured already- We don't have the time to finish one patient's treatment in it's entirety before moving to the next. We're low on morphine- doling out oral pain killers, keeping track of who has been given what, moving those ready to evacuate to the teleporters-

There is a great deal you might do to help without your magic, Billy. I don't have enough hands. I know you are capable. I know you are kind. More than anything else that is what they need. I have time to keep them from bleeding out. I don't have time to be kind.

[Kind and capable. She thinks that, really?

His brows furrow, considering it carefully for a long moment, then finally sighs quietly, scuffing a hand through his hair, and nods.]

Okay... okay. I think I can do stuff like that.

[It doesn't feel like much compared to what he's usually capable of, and he knows he won't be very good at it without getting some experience under his belt, but... every little bit helps, right?]

Good. Because I am running out of people I know I can count on that have not evacuated as of yet, and I would not ask them to stay if they wished to leave. Nor will I ask it of you.

[She reaches over, a slightly hesitant gesture because this really isn't something she does often, or well. But she does rest her hand on his shoulder to offer a squeeze so long as it's allowed.]

But as long as you are here? I, at least, will need you.

[To Billy, those words are a balm, a comfort, more than the blanket or the tea or a bed to sleep in. He's needed. And maybe, in some small way, he can be of some use. It won't be the same as the sort of accomplishments he could do with his magic, but it's enough to get him to lift his head, shoulders straightening a little beneath her hand.]

Got it. [He pauses, and then adds quietly,] Thanks... I think I needed to hear that.

I thought perhaps you might. I don't...lose anything when the power cap goes up like this. Nothing I have not lived without for years. But I have seen how it effects those around me that have lost something and it is disorienting at the very least, and very upsetting at it's worst.

[She pats his back and pulls her hand away, rolling words around in her head while she attempts to find an order to them.]

But. You are worth more than the sum of your gifts. And if you'd like to learn a bit more of the gritty reality of being a medic, which I think most everyone should after this, when we get back to the enclosure Dr. Law has regular courses on combat and emergency medicine. I think you would do well in them.

[Ahaha... he shakes his head at that, the motion hasty and full of uncertainty.]

No... no. I can help with stuff like evacuation, or supplies, or helping people who've already been treated, or... anything else. But I can't...

[He winces, wringing his hands together, and shakes his head. He's stared death in the face, he's seen more injuries in the course of a single day than most teenagers do in a lifetime. He'd watched the one he loves most in the world get vivisected right in front of his eyes.

No... medicine definitely is not for him.]

I-I don't want anything to do with dealing with injuries. It'll probably just make me sick.

Emergency response without any actual medical responsibilities, if that. [It seemed neater. The expression on his face didn't belong on someone quite so young, but there were EMT's and nurses in training enough that discovered despite all the study the visceral reality of having a man bleed out under your hands is enough to shake most anyone that is untried, and that is if the death was not messy.

Her voice was light, though, and without judgement. Not everyone handles it well. Not everyone should.]

Wherever you are most comfortable.

Mm... I'll remember that. Thanks. [He'll worry and fret until he's actually at work or in the field, of course, but the fact that she's not pressuring him is helpful, and after a moment he finally, finally musters up a smile.] I should track down Teddy first- see if he wants to help out. He's probably been feeling kind of down since we lost our powers, too.

Anytime.

[The smile is returned, something small and tired. Everyone was tired. If they weren't tired it was quite likely they were either passed out or dead. She snorts a faint laugh at that thought and levers herself up. Break over.]

Make certain you both remember to eat. We've some soup left that I think is chicken noodle- but do not quote me on that. It's hot, though, and more or less the last of what we have before we must break into the dry rations.

Mystery soup. Sounds like a taste of home. [His mother's favourite phrase in the kitchen is "waste not".] We'll definitely get some food, though. Sorry to be such a distraction- I know you've already got enough on your plate.

I could use more distractions, to be honest. The more I have to focus on that isn't...[She waves a hand at the far wall.] what happens out there, the better. No need to apologize. Just be sure you and Teddy eat and rest if you can.

[...Ahaha. Noted, then. Distract the poor medics when it isn't going to cause trouble or be inconvenient in general.]

We will, don't worry about us.

I'm a surgeon, Billy. We always worry.

[About everything. It's said with good humor as she ducks out of the room, ready to face another round of bleeding limbs and rationed complaints.]

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