The Doctor is In (C 2.3, E 2.3, H 2.3)

Location: The Roost
Time: evening



Canary and Edmund / Syd,

After picking up the medical supplies from Dile and selecting some gear from what the Fountaineers had to offer and walking away with ten large, you head back to The Roost. The place is practically empty, with Merlin keeping watch over the sick until the rest of the gang returns. He greets you both and offers some food for your troubles. He seems eager to get meds to Aloe for Shrike's peace of mind. Of course, there's Parker to deal with, too. Syd, who do you attend to first?

Canary, your crew's excited about this new job, but urge you to wait for the first light of day. They also seem pretty hungry.

What do you do?

Returning to the Roost feels reassuring and somehow... disheartening at the same time. In the same way the floodwaters reflect an illusion of the truth - this sturdy chapel illuminates the same in me. Only, I realize I'm the reflection.

The Roost represents almost 80% of the relationships I have come to value. But there is something fundamentally different between what they have, and what I am. The bonds the Talons share, forged by both blood and battle; and the genes that tie Parker to Paisley - it's all so palpably real. Each is a beautiful web of reciprocity. Family to family. Lover to lover.

Every relationship I have is lopsided. Each has its own set of rules and expectations. Princy's family are my employers, and over the years each member has carved a space in my heart. Chiseled perfectly to know their needs and desires. But dare I call them family? Certainly not, for what am I to them? An Employee? A servant? Similarly, each of the Talons has welcomed me, each generously playing the role of host and savior, when I am what to them? A vagabond? A tool?

Compared to the irrefutable impact each of them shares in their web of relationships, I can't help but feel like a glimmer of morning dew, slowly gliding toward one node or another before fading. Only to reappear at a later time in an unending cycle. Or perhaps I'm the spider, using their relationships for myself.

It is with this in mind that I now feel like a shadow trying to strengthen its body. If I could take Aloe and Parker's ailments upon myself and drift to the icy depths, I would in a heartbeat. Instead, I have to decide who to treat first. A woman whose very essence occupies a portion of my heart, or the girl who lives with those who've risked so much to help me. If something goes wrong and I lose the first, will I even be able to work on the other? If something happens with my very limited supplies, will I be forced to make a choice? I wonder if the Talon's Grey Wing knows how things will turn out?

I'll take a moment to speak with both Aloe and Parker before committing one way or another. My solution somehow feels immature, like I should somehow know the correct one to pick. Timorous is a mantle I'm fine wearing for now.

I thank Merlin and consider taking something to eat, but nerves are churning my stomach. So I head toward the room in which I left Parker.

The crew need not worry. We've been largely at sea for days, and I'm not in such a hurry to take this job. I'm going to be triple-sure that our gear is right, that I'm not sending Dinero into terrible risk. That the ship is fueled and ready, that the crew is rested and on point.

No rush. I hand out some pay and urge the crew to rest and relax in whatever way they see fit. Come back morning after next, just don't come back drunk or broken.

Syd seems suddenly driven when we make land. I know he needed medicine that he's in a hurry to provide. I offer to go with, but also respect his private affairs. I'm a courier after all, and though I consider Syd a friend... I'm not poking my nose in where it's not wanted.

"Either way, Syd. You always have a place aboard the Refuge," I promise in so many words. I mean it.

Syd,

You head into the makeshift infirmary to find Parker asleep, her breaths shallow, her face pale and clammy. Paisley is asleep on the floor beside her, a small blanket thrown over her tiny form.

Canary,

Your crew takes a dinghy to head off for food and sleep. Merlin again offers you food, and invites you to come inside the Roost where Syd has gone to mend folks.

What do you do?

I gratefully accept the invitation. Time at sea needs to be punctuated with time ashore. "Thank you for your hospitality," I offer the surprisingly kind Merlin. Despite his appearance he's been good to me.

I've heard rumblings of unrest among the Talons, however... and I'm not too clear on what's what... so on the way ashore I venture to ask, "is everything all right with the crew, Merlin?"

I watch from the doorway for a moment while they sleep. Both of them have been through so much - but then again, who hasn't?

I quietly move in closer and crouch down beside Parker. Up close, her shallow breathing is even more evident than it was from the doorway. I'm grateful to have the tools to help this time.

I consider going to check on Aloe, but seeing Paisley - quietly curled on the floor at her mother's side - stops me in my tracks. It will be Parker first. For what it's worth, her procedure is a little less complicated, just topping her off so to speak.

I'll need to move Paisley. Not only to keep her out of the way, but if anything should go wrong I don't want her to see. I'll try to slip her into a different room so she can sleep, but maybe I can lean on Canary or Merlin if I have to. I squat down and slip my arms under Paisley, blanket and all, gently cradling her as I head back into the hallway. It has been years since I've had to pick her up, so it shouldn't surprise me, but she's heavier than I remember.

Syd,

Paisley doesn't wake when you lift and carry her into the room you've been sharing with Jackdaw. You set her down on your bed and return to Parker. You have the materials needed to perform the surgery, now it's just a matter of time and effort. You realize that the work would be smoother with someone to back you up and act as an assistant. Do you press on all alone or ask Canary or Merlin?

The light of the moon reflecting off the water dances on the walls of the hall as I walk down the hallway. A dim light ahead reminds me that Merlin and Canary are still around.

I pause for a moment as I think to myself. Wisdom would say that having another person present is the right move. Still, I'm pretty confident that Parker's procedure will go well, and I don't care to be around anybody if it doesn't. While the fear of something going wrong with Parker's treatment is daunting, I realize it is truly the fear of how intimidating the procedure for Aloe will be. Still, I should at least let them know I'm beginning, and the exposure can't hurt (hopefully).

"Excuse me," I say as I step into the dining room, "I'm going to start treating Ms. Parker. I wouldn't mind a hand to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible - should be pretty straightforward and good practice for Ms. Aloe next."

I thank Merlin for the beer and take a drink, but shake my head, "no, no complaining but... you know I'm all over the place in the Refuge. I hear bits and pieces. Seems like things're just a bit rougher than usual. Lots'a folks in trouble..."

I take another drink, "maybe it's just me. Yeah? All in my head?"

I stand as Syd enters, finding I'm more tired than I thought I'm a little slow to respond. I nod in appreciation of Merlin's concern, "you all right without me? Ain't much good for surgery, I think... 'less you need a pilot for some reason I can't fathom."

I go to settle back down, then raise my beer as Jackdaw enters, "drink with me, then!"

I don't stand or anything, just lean back on my chair and hold up my beer for him to clank his against mine.

"Ain't no more danger here'n on the waves, my friend!" I answer, looking the big man over as he sits across from me. "I been good. Takin' a little rest in this here safe spot 'fore another job. Gotta go diving." I acknowledge the danger of that statement with a small pause for another mouthful of drink.

I swirl my bottle, disappointed that it's past half empty already, "glad you came, little distraction'd do me good."

After greeting Jackdaw I consider giving him a heads-up about Paisley. For all his bravado, something tells me the young lady will have him wrapped around her finger in no time.

I head down the hallway with Merlin. During the walk back to Parker, I quietly describe how the procedure will go. "...and that should be it." I finish as we turn to face Parker. The hallway seemed so much shorter than it was a few minutes ago. "Sorry for just talking at you so much. Truly, thank you for being here. Any questions before I wake her?"

"Merlin, you did great. Is this your first time doing this, or are people and jet skis more similar than I thought?" I inquire playfully. After how well that went I'm inclined to move on to Aloe right away. "You comfortable moving on to Aloe, or want to take a breather?"