ataraxionlogs | [Open]

Entry tags:

[Open]

CHARACTERS: Nina Pickering & you
LOCATION: Medical Bay
WARNINGS: None! Maybe ranting?
SUMMARY: Nina is part of the medical team and attempts to familiarise herself with space bandages and shiny buttons.
NOTES: Open to all. No injury necessary, something minor is fine. Tea's always appreciated!

[Medical seemed the logical choice, if she was going to accept life of a spaceship, even if it still sounded ridiculous. It's something to do, at least, something to pass the time. Passing the time seems particularly important too in the days leading to a transformation; too much time on your hands and the pacing creature within tended make itself known well before any transformation. Not that she had an exactly accurate calendar, there wasn't one. It was simply a matter of reading the signs in the days before and preparing.

For a nurse accustomed to Wales, 2011, the medbay itself isn't exactly what she's used to, or rather she was used to knowing where everything in the hospital was, what it did and generally some vague idea how it operated. She's keen to familiarise herself with what she can, should there be an emergency she might be able to do something vaguely more helpful than swearing at what resembles a computer screen. For the time being, alone the best she can do in terms of familiarisation, without explosions or death is to fossick through the place, look through cupboards and drawers a mental sort of inventory of basic things, say the contents of a ye olde First Aid kit.

More of the Medical bay here is unfamiliar than not; plenty of future, spacey technology things. George tended describe a lot of this world by prefixing it with space, perhaps she'd just have to start doing that too. Space nurse. Space bandages, space scalpels? There's a lot more blue light and lit buttons than she's used to and if the difference between pressing a button, hoping for the best and actual knowledge could result in either healing someone, or incinerating them, she's not game to just give it a whirl.

Not that she's seen flames yet, but who knows what half the equipment does here. Still, right now, flames might actually make the room a little more inhabitable, the climate control in Medical in particular seems to be making up for the month of sweltering warmth, whilst lately the room she shared with George was highly unpredictable, the temperature fluctuating with frustrating irregularity.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Tom was less a volunteer in the Medbay and more of a guy who knew where the plasters were. This was pretty lucky since he was currently in need of a plaster or two thanks to sharp garden tool and the distraction of being too hot. He didn't ask for any assistance as he rummaged in a cabinet. It was a familiar scent that pulled his attention from his goal.

Turning around his eyes went right to Nina and the bandages were forgotten as he rushed up to the smaller woman and wrapped her in a hug]

NINA!

[She was here. Really here and not just a voice on the network. This was almost as good as having Hal and Alex, because this was Nina. George's Nina. Baby Eve's Nina. Oh how he had missed this small woman he barely knew.]

[In time she's learn, no doubt. There'd be training when someone had the time, she was sure of it. For now It was a matter of just being sure to know the areas in which she might prove of use. Nina was hovering about one of the drawers as she watched the young man, appear ahead of her in a fashion not unlike a human hurricane, heading directly for the cabinet and rifling through at a rate she's sure is bound to make a bit of a mess, clearly in need of something.

Before she could actually do anything other than approach a few steps Nina froze. Other than hearing her name, and being enclosed in a firm hug, that may just have been constricting her breathing, she's not entirely what's just happened. He knew her, obviously- but by neither sight nor scent was he familiar to her.]

I'm not- sure we've met. [She did try to kindly insist, despite the fact she might be a little muffled, whilst being so firmly embraced. She avoided pushing him away, but without hesitation, went on.] Are you bleeding? [She could smell it, or so she thought.]

[He's quick to step back, though that's more out of concern for getting her messy with blood than because she don't know him. Tom sheepishly holds up his bleeding hand]

Was thinkin' and cleanin' in the garden. Ain't so bad, but I got ta help with dinner tonight and I can't be dirty.

[His smile doesn't fade and that's only because he didn't really hear hear her words of unfamiliarity]

George said ya were here and I heard ya on the network thing, but it's nice ta see ya here for real. Settelin' in then?

[No it didn't look to bad at all, but still it was easier to have someone else help, wasn't it.] D'you want me to help you clean it up? [She offered, perhaps too eagerly. If only because she felt rather more adept at offering medical advice than small talk with a stranger who somehow knew her.

Perhaps it's going to be one of those things, when you've bumped into someone who's face is familiar, but you've no idea where on earth you know them from, or their name so you attempt to covertly discover it? Only this man was a total stranger, whom she wasn't struggling to place, because she hadn't ever met him. George knew him apparently. George had mentioned there being another wolf, from their world. Annie had mentioned a few people she'd never heard of too. He must be one of them.

I guess you could say that. [Though settled wasn't quite the same as resigned, was it?] Other than the temperature driving everyone mental- [And now it was cold in here, enough she'd brought a jumper along, in case.] I mean, when a place is mad enough to make you start missing Wales, it's a worry. [The arch of her brows and her dry tone said, typically no one missed Wales. Not even the Welsh]

Sure.

[He was happy to hop onto an examination table and hold his hand out to Nina. It was strange to discover how much he missed her even though he didn't really know her. He wondered what she would have thought of Eve and Hal. Would they have been able to save the world and Eve if Nina and George had still been alive? He desperately wants to believe so]

Ah, yeah. Think I even miss Annie's chore chart.

Not much though.

[His eyes were on her hands as she did whatever it was it help. Yes, more hands were definitely better]

You like it here though, yeah? I mean with all your mates and all.

[Perhaps he could have taken care of himself, but she was here to be useful. She leaves him sitting to fetch gloves, some swabs to clean it up properly, it might seem a little over blown for a cut, but while he's here why not make use of the medbay? She didn't know him, but there was something inherently sweet, really.

Chore chart? It only makes her nose wrinkle.] God, I can't imagine Annie needing to make anything resembling a chart with George around. [Nina gave a small laugh, because it was just so natural for George to be all fussy about the house and there'd be some sort of verbal collision she could just imagine over the organisation of it all.] I'm ..from a different time to you. [Goes without saying, doesn't it? But it seems important to admit.] But, you- lived with us then? In Wales? [Nina can't help but be curious, if only because it's so strange the way this place works, Mitchell and Annie have said very little about the differences, other than they're from different times. But that's the best she can gleam from mention of Annie and charts.]

Oh, it's all right. [She doesn't really sound convincing, not completely.] I mean- it's definitely better here with them. [It's true, really it is.] Space just wasn't exactly on my must-live destinations list. [There's something in her voice; disappointment, vague annoyance. They'd only just gotten away from CenSSA bullshit, Kemp and Mitchell-related vampire things shadowing them in Bristol.] How long have you been aboard?

Oh, well George-- [He has to cut himself off. It isn't his place to talk about their future, even though he desperately wants to talk about baby Eve]

Guess she just got bored is all. [It's a horrible lie and he's sure Nina can tell there's more to what he's saying, but he's hoping she believes being ignorant about the future is important, like George and Mitchell think]

Hal was only mad 'cause he has 'is own schedule. Mostly he just sits around bein' quiet; says it 'elps him focus or somethin'.

[The pain of losing Hal and Alex so soon, one after the other, is slowly fading. That doesn't mean he's ready to stop visiting their rooms just yet, but soon he'll realize that it's okay to let them go]

Um, bout three jumps I think. Maybe four or five. Don't really keep track like some folks.

[Nina's brows furrow a little, because that's not quite a sentence, and he doesn't really go on about it either, she doesn't quite push the matter though.] I hope she's still making tea at least? Wouldn't be Annie if she wasn't. [Well used to making small talk as she works Nina just goes about cleaning up his hands, and the cut with the swabs, one of the thick fabric plasters covering up over the cut.] There's not a lot I understand about this place, but at least first aid is pretty much universal.

[She's started tidying up now, though her attention is still on Tom.] Hal- I've heard that name before too. [She's never really asked too much further, not so much out of avoidance, but more there's really enough to worry about here.] But they don't talk about home a lot. [Really, it's probably a little pointless.] And George- ..is from earlier than I am. However that works

[There's a sort of shared sympathy in her expression] It.. sort of blurs into one, doesn't it? I don't think I'm ever going to get used those bloody pods either.

Oh yeah. Annie makes it best really; even Hal likes it. [There was a wistful look in his eyes. Home was a complicated thing for young Tom, and he clung to the simplest normalitys in his life; tea with Annie and Hal, tending the gardens here on the ship. While many his age strained against structure, Tom longed for more of it]

Hal's...um, he came after...well...he was livin' with Leo an' Pearl see? Then Leo died and Pearl passed on with him, so now Hal lives with us! [It all sounded so simple, the way Tom explained it. At least he hoped it did]

[He laughed a bit at Nina's words] It's the blue bit I hate. Never feel like I get it all, you know?

[Of course, it's Nina.

There's a certain familiarity in walking in to a room that smells vague of antiseptic and medical supplies and seeing Nina Pickering, with her hair tied back and that same slightly pinched expression she always wears. Mitchell stops, in the doorway, and stares at her a moment. Of course it's Nina.

He hadn't asked Nina about Aidan, because she wouldn't have told him anything if she knew. Mitchell can't imagine that she gets much involved with the whole blood donor program as is--it's not Nina's thing. She's got her own history with vampires, and despite himself, Mitchell features highly in that history.

It isn't that they don't get along. They've been known, not to get along, but right now, things are tentatively... all right. She doesn't trust him, that's the real thing of it: she doesn't trust him, and Mitchell knows it, and he's never done anything to her. Then again, he's never done anything to win her trust, either, but any blame here wouldn't go on him.

Anyway. Mitchell observes her, a moment, and then he goes over to her, leaning one hand on the back of the chair beside her and resting his weight on it.]

You look busy.

[She's moved to reading now, wondering if she can gleam something more, flipping through a manual or two, a nice excuse to take a seat too as she does it, prop her chin against her palm and read slowly. She'd finding really it's not particularly helpful. Brows furrowed, but she expects there will be training, something more than just shadowing those who actually know what on earth they're doing.

Whilst Nina is not as 'attuned' to her senses, or wolf senses or whatever you want to call them as George is. Not in the same way he's able to pick one scent from another, adrenaline from anger, whatnot. One person's scent from another. But she knows there's someone here when they enter the room, though her back remains turned. Her focus poised, it means she merely tenses at the sudden appearance of Mitchell practically looming, rather than jumping three feet.

Attempting to, anyway. [What's he doing sulking about anyway? There's something she'd noticed that'd piqued her interest particular on the network. Or perhaps her ire to be more specific, she hadn't mentioned it to Mitchell, or even George. Despite the fact she near wants to scream for all the fucking nerve these Vampires have, under the entirely see-through rubbish pretence of caring for these donors they've manipulated. Perhaps it'd come up. Perhaps that's why he was here? Would he even ask her?] Why? Did you want something, Mitchell? [Her brows arch, she's not at the least bit dismissive. Genuine, but curious.]

Not really.

[He looks down at his hands, picks at a loose bit of yarn from his gloves. That's Nina for you: direct and dismissive, unwilling to to have her time wasted. She doesn't say it sharply, doesn't mean it sharply, but she'll go back to work the second he turns away.

Mitchell looks up and gives her manual a glance.]

I'm surprised you've not got George in here working with you.

[It's not as critical as it sounds, but it certainly sounds critical, and Mitchell actually winces a little, and holds up a hand, like that's going to stop any sharp retort.]

I don't mean that like-- it'd be bad for him if he was.

Edited (i was writing tags too early oops ) 2014-01-21 04:49 (UTC)

[It's okay, Nina can get sometimes he doesn't always mean it that way. She gave a small snort as if it was even vaguely amusing.] Working together, living together. We've managed it before. [Well, they didn't exactly work together constantly, did they? It's not quite a bite back at his words, almost a benign observation.] But- I'm surprised too. [There's a measure of concern in what she admits, though she's not exactly going to start that sort of conversation with Mitchell, it's just not how they are, is it? She'd sooner just go to George and tell him. Annie too.

She closes the manual, no they're not going to analyse George, at least not right now. There's something else on her mind and it's not going to just evaporate until she at least asks, nagging at her to get involved. He's a vampire. The vampires were all connected and pulling the strings for one another back home in Bristol, why shouldn't she suspect the same here? At the very least, Mitchell is likely to know more than she does.] So this whole blood donation thing? [She tapped her pen idly, it was clear there was some amount of seething going on behind those words.] What do you know about it? [Oh no she wasn't accusing, you'd certainly know if she was. Need she be?]

Edited (There's probably still 1000 x infinity mistakes ) 2014-01-23 14:31 (UTC)

Nice.

[The look she gives him, the way she leans in and taps her pen and looks at him--it's not even a deeply scrutinising look, but it makes his skin crawl a little. Like she's trying to see through him, like she's trying to understand something that doesn't concern her.

She's not accusing, yeah. But she's asking, when she knows better.]

I don't have anything t' do with it. I don't have anything t' do with any of them. [He matches her look, steadily--not a glare, but very close to it.] Maybe you've forgotten, but, here, I'll remind you: I'm clean. I don't get involved with it.

[It. Blood. He glances, just for a second, toward where it's kept, where it's got to be kept. It's a space medical center, but it still follows some logic. Blood has to be kept cold. And that makes it disgusting, right, if he thinks of how disgusting cold bagged blood tastes--well, that only drags him toward the alternative. The one that isn't staying clean.]

They have a list, that's what I know. And I'm not on it. You want answers, you're asking the wrong vampire.

[She's unflinching to his response, Nina's always had trouble trusting Mitchell and in part, perhaps it's not entirely his fault. She's made terrible decisions in the past over the idea of the reformed man and she's got a permanent reminder exactly why it's both futile and dangerous. For a time she'd hated him for introducing her to George and that had, in time lifted when she'd let go blaming George. But, it'd been just before they'd finally settled in Wales that he'd started behaving ..differently. There was something going on, she was starting to doubt how safe it was to be around him.]

You've all been here longer than me- I'm still settling in to how it all works here. [It's a defence, but an idle one, not meant to bait. Apparently if Mitchell's blood drinking habits are in action or not. Mitchell's assurance isn't fierce, but it could be, she knows very well she's a step away from provoking him. She's not looking to do that right now.] I just think they've got a fucking nerve. [She stated flatly, which wasn't any indication if she truly believed him or not. Diverting it to more about those who posted the message. They can talk about this, can't they? If he's not involved, why not share a rant?] As though they've actually their donors welfare in mind. Who knows how well it's being monitored; the health of the donors. How much they're taking. [She lets out a dry laugh that could just as easily be a growl. the utter nerve.] Surely there's someone not vampire related maintaining the donor system.

I don't know who maintains it. There's not a lot of set roles, up here in space. Everyone does for themselves.

[But she's not wrong about the vampires. That's something they can agree on, commiserate over--and a bitter little smile twists over his face, as he glances away. It's a glance that strays over toward where the blood is, again, but more idle than hungry. (Though he is, admittedly, hungry. He is always hungry.)]

They want everyone to think they're looking out for them. Like they're taking care of them. Farmers take pretty good care of their cows, I suppose it's not too far off from that--but then they pretend like there's nothing else to it. Maybe it is all voluntary, but actin' like it's no big deal? That's classic vampire shit. It's blood. That's what it comes down to. They're asking people for blood, even if it's only a little. It's fucking disgusting.

But they're here. They've been here. And they're-- some of them can't live without it. They use that as justification, and everyone feels sorry for them.

[His disdain is pretty broad: Eric, and Godric. Jenna the Stepford Smiler Vampire, with her dinner parties, she rates a little lower, but she still gets at him. And then there's ones like Caroline and Spike, they're all right. Maybe. Or maybe that's his own failings that let him make excuses for them.]

People don't know, what they are. They don't think about what they're capable of. And it just... goes on.

I suppose that works to their advantage. The fact it's all very casual, or a blind eye is being turned. Seems like they've got a lot of sympathy on their side.

[It's a joke. They've drawn compassion from people. It's almost gagworthy. She doesn't expect a sympathetic ear, she doubts any of them do. Almost. Being infected by lycanthropy forces her to behave a certain way, she has no choice but to do her best to contain the wolf. In their world, as hard as it may be, Vampire's always have a choice to bite, to drink. Always. These other vampires aren't the same.]

It's got to be more closely maintained, and everyone made aware of the fact. No private feeding sessions, sufficient breaks between donations for frequent visitors.

[Plus the fact ethically, Nina's not entirely sure she could deny even a vampire the right to go on without slowly starving to death, so long as they're not making excuses to off passengers now and then.]

If it's got to go on so passengers don't go about readily offering a vein, surely it could be managed like some sort of Red Cross van.

[And they're strict, about amounts, suitable candidates and the regularity of donations.]

-And, I'd be surprised if Jaggart wasn't involved. All the more reason to keep an eye on the proceedings.

[Nina mutters dryly and there's a venom in her tone too now, though frustratingly, Juggart would be closer to sharing their opinion. That doesn't mean Nina has to like her.]

Yeah. I'd be willing t' bet almost anything that if you ask them, they'll assure you: it's all being done just like you want. Strict schedules, all in the open, all nice and safe and sanitary. And everyone knows what's going on, and everyone's happy to help, because that's how much people love vampires. Because vampires just want the best for everyone.

[Yeah, right. And he doesn't even need to emphasise his sarcasm there, because she shares it. Of course she does. He might know vampires best, but they've all had their dealings with them.

Only Mitchell could definitely see clear to letting some vampires starve to death. At least, that's what he tells himself. Probably isn't true. Underneath everything, his allegiance is tricky at best.

But Lucy's name sours whatever commiseration they were having. Mitchell looks down at the chair, avoiding Nina's eye--at least for the moment.]

Lucy's got nothing t' do with it. No more than she has to.

[He says it flatly.]

Well, it's not going to just fade so easily. I don't intend on letting it. If they're confronted about it, publicly surely they'll have to agree to particular standard to keep up the 'caring about humanity' facade.

[Mitchell's behaviour at the mention of Jaggart rather suddenly changes the tone of conversation completely, Nina's gaze zeroing rather more shrewdly in on him, having the air of avoidance about him, or that's what she picks up.]

Lucy? Really?

[Nina retorts, as if she's practically offended by his familiarity with the woman, she's not so forgiving. No, Lucy didn't deserve to die, Nina couldn't really come good on such a threat however angry she was. But being dead doesn't magically make you a good person. The events at the institute, Annie being gone are still, very raw. They're some of her last memories of home.

Last time Nina met her it ended in a you stay at your end, and I'll stay at mine type bearing of teeth encounter. The bite still comes through Nina's blatant sarcasm as she goes on.]

I'm surprised. Shouldn't she be giving a shit about vampire affairs? Keeping humans safe. It's right up her alley, isn't it?

They're going t' say that they've already agreed to it. That they've proven themselves trustworthy by taking such good care of their donors.

[But then the tone of the conversation changes. Lucy, she repeats, and he can hear the note of disdain in her voice--and that sharpens something in him, and he looks up, all at once, his expression darkening.]

She's not involved, with the vampires. She's not involved with any of it. Because I told her to stay the fuck out of it, and she's listened.

[They have their uncertainties between them, him and Lucy. But he knows more of her--he saw into her head, after all--and even if he hadn't, he knows. He understands, in a way the others won't ever.]

It's different here.

And you trust her?

[Nina doesn't sound surprised so much now, well, she couldn't care less about the other Vampires, but she does about Mitchell's attitude toward Jaggat. Yes, they sheltered her, accepted her presence if only because the expected her to leave. It was up to the victims to do the right thing. Nina didn't think 'making amends' was implicit.

Lucy Jaggat had wanted forgiveness, and she'd said wanted to die in the end. Nina knows there was a small pang in watching her life slip away. Knowing there's no way she could wish death on someone. Yet, somehow that doesn't cancel out, seeing her here. Going on as if none of it ever happened in the bloody Medbay, of all places. They were waiting, to go into the chamber again, as soon as the moon came along.]

Yeah. I guess it is different.

[Nina watches him, she's more about defiance than aggression, or staking a claim. She rolls her eyes to the ceiling, as if suddenly flippant.]

I mean, she doesn't have her giant pressure chamber of murder here, for one. That's a start, but who knows. I've heard stuff appears here all the time.

[Oh it's classic dismissive snark, with a don't be stupid undertone. Maybe it's only half her, the other half's the wolf because it's so close right now. Territorial, dangerous aware of a threat.]

I don't trust her. That's why I'm watching her.

[And it has nothing to do with anything else, any feelings that confuse things, and he'd swear to that--even if he knows that it's partly a lie. How the hell could feelings not come into it? She didn't deserve shit from them, for what she did to Annie--but it was Kemp, something in him always insists, it was Kemp, she helped, but Kemp was the one. Lucy is something else, some unknown, something Mitchell hasn't quite sorted out yet--

So hearing Nina speak against her is more confusing than it ought to be. It sharpens him a little more still, makes something in him tense up.]

Oh, leave off, would you. She's keeping away from all supernaturals. I told her to, and she's listened--what the hell else d'you want from her? She's here, and we're here, and we have to deal with that. I'm not askin' you to invite her over for dinner, I'm not even askin' you to trust her. But it's different here, and it's going to stay different.

I'm watching her. All right?

[George supposes he ought to look at Nina, and the fact that she made herself of use to the ship while he spends most of his time simply drinking space beers and watching space television, and feel guilty or bad. And perhaps there is some element of that, all right, like he ought to be doing more - but mostly he looks at her and he just feels pride. Because she's so beautiful and competent and she's willing to put up with him, and mostly he's less inspired to make something of himself, more inspired to write poetry to Nina.

And inspired, too, to bring her something to relieve her as she works. So he carries into medical a little tray of breakfast, a bit of orange juice (from the orange trees in the garden) and a few fresh eggs (from the chickens) and a bit of bread (home-baked) and a bit of sausage (which came from a silver foil package and smells faintly like a plaster) and some tea. And he puts it on the desk next to her, and leans down and plants a little kiss on her cheek.]

Hello, hard-working girlfriend.

[She's already smiling to greet him as she spies him wandering to her, it only widens as she takes in the food adorned tray, which smells ridiculously good. There's a part of her that worries about him. That will always in part be due to worrying about Mitchell's influence, as strong as it'll always be, is it part of what keeps George that little bit more cooped up here. To the point of drunken network rant about werewolf cults accidentally broadcast to the ship are a novel way to pass the time. She isn't going to push, not yet. Even if she is unsure how healthy it is the two of them have that much spare time together.]

[For now, it is more readily eased from her mind, a small breath of a laugh huffed past her smile.] Mm-. And, hello my ability to make even space food- [See, the very important, quite necessary prefix] -appealing boyfriend. [Slightly less flowing, that one. Really, it seems 90% of the space food is pretty much the same quality as earth, grown here entirely. Save for some of the non-growable perishables. But it is no lie, to say George's cooking is a divine talent, she's far too spoiled by it now to accept anything she'd made any longer.] Thank you. [She takes a moment to kiss him now in taking advantage of his proximity, briefly before she goes to taking a seat at the desk and looking the tray over slowly, with a clear delight] But- I'm not going to be able to eat this on my own. [She could probably manage it, but she's not going to sit her and scoff the lot, slipping away to roll him over a chair before he can, before she's seated again]

[Joker just hobbles in on his crutches like it's nbd, he's allowed to be in here. He jerks his chin at her.]

Hi.

[Not the friendliest hi either. Oh well, he goes right past her to a medical panel, punches in a few buttons, provides his fingerprint and waits for the computer to fill his prescription. He's lucky he got that squared away right quick; having to rely on someone for his pills would've been bad if they'd vanished or suddenly decided to be in a coma. Dr. Chakwas would have a fucking fit if she knew he was taking care of all his medical shit himself though, OH WELL.

He looks totally comfortable with all the technology though, unlike the actual medical personnel. He won't hide the way he's warily eyeballing Nina either.]

Don't press that one.

[Watching as an injured man clatters in, Nina's not quite sure what to make of it first, on her feet at once, because maybe he needs something, that's why she's here. But he moves on by her and seem to know exactly what he's doing, still she offers.] Hello.

[Still, clearly he's injured, or rather was injured and is healing. The machine is doing it's thing – which she's been watching along the way, but if she can help, she will. Even if he is apparently surly. She's seen worse than vaguely disinterested patients on the emergency shift, and she tends to be far better tempered with someone receiving treatment, than a lot of other people.]

Can't say I was planning on it. [She assures, with neither defensiveness, or disinterest, looking unsure as to why he's eyeing her as if she's about to kick those crutches out from under him.] I'm Nina. [See, she's being friendly all the same.] Perhaps I help you with something? Something that doesn't involve button pressing?

Jeff. [Wow, friendly name exchange there too. Was that even a word, or kind of a syllabic grunt?

Why does the prescription machine take so fekkin' lonnnng...]

Thanks, but I got it covered. [Right about now, Chakwas would be roaring at the back of his head about bi-monthly physicals and steady physical therapy and blah blah, but Chakwas isn't here now and Joker doesn't have to do shit he doesn't want to.]

You don't really look like you know what you're doing in here anyway. [WOW DON'T SUGAR COAT IT OR ANYTHING JOKER]

[Nina doesn't really appreciate being told perhaps she looks clueless, even if there's some truth to it.] It's sort of an on going thing. Learning all this space. Stuff. [Training, as such. It's happening, bit by bit] Uh- You seem to know your way around. [She indicates whatever it is he's been punching the buttons on. If he's going to be frank she needn't worry, arching a brow.] Should you really playing around with the equipment?

[oh no she's from before space travel

Joker gives her this despairing look before turning to collect his bottles.]

I'm not playing. I'm doing what I'm pretty sure is your job. [He jabs a bottle in the direction of the console.] This thing here logs prescriptions and dispenses them according to the settings you input.

[Whether the timing is just right or completely out is left to her to decide. Fact is a young man steps in heavily, hand pressed against a bloody nose, already stuffed with more tissue paper than he knows what to do with.

He doesn't quite look at her when he sees the presence - Hyperion can only assume one of the few people he sees around here should be a medic of some kind.]

Yo. [He points at his nose, voice muffled, nasal.] Dose bleed. Cab you helb?

[As the bloodied individual clambers loudly in, Nina can’t help but be rather glad she’s spent the better part of her shift and most of the time she’s spent in Medbay thus far familiarising herself with where things are. Looks a doozy, as far as a nose bleed goes.] Absolutely, come through. [She guides him through to sit in the examination area, focused, but not rushed.] I’m Nina. [Her tone is warm, she’s always felt a little familiarity is important.] Keep your head tilted forward, for me please. [Coaching somewhat as she moves to pull on a pair of latex gloves and snags the nearest box of tissues - it’s a start at least, she offers them up upon returning.]

Can you tell me how it happened? Have you been hurt? [ She needs to find that out first, before she can start treating him.]

Naw. [Insert a disgusting snort, scrunching up the bridge of his nose.] I think it's the heat? Jus' started bleedin' outta nowhere.

[Again. First time it happens outside a jump, though.]

[No breaks, that makes it all the easier.] The blood's actually going to clot faster if we get rid of this stuff. All right? [She indicates the tissue paper extravaganza going on in his nostrils. After giving him a moment she carefully goes about removing it; she's got the gloves and it doesn't bother her, she's actually glad to have some ability to function as a nurse with all this Space happening. Nina discards the lot, along with the gloves.] Just, pinch your nose, like this- [She demonstrates so he can see.] -and keep your head forward. [Swallowing blood would be bad.]

You're not feeling nauseated at all, are you? Or dizzy? [At least the fridge-like cool of the Medbay is going to help with the bleeding.] If it's unusual for you, I'd say it's the heat. [Nina assures to his assumption.] Is it always like this on the ship? The temperature being all over the place? [Yes, she is going to ask you questions whilst you possibly have a funny nasal voice.]

[Hyperion nods, breathing through his lips, helping her get rid of the tissue paper. He's always dealt with the nosebleeds on his own, really, but he figured if the service is for free around here, he might as well. He wipes himself with the back of his hand, frowning down at the droplets of blood on his skin before returning his attention to the nurse.]

Naw, I'm okay. I think. Usually this jus' happens during the jump? Y'know. The wake up thing. [A sniff. For her next question-] I think so. S'been that way since I got here. Sucks big time.

Just, try not to ..fiddle. [She advises as he wipes away a little blood] Keep a tissue under it if you need, but just make sure you keep it pinched for the next five minutes. [It ought to stop, if it's nothing too serious anyway.] If the heat keeps fluctuating as badly as it is at the moment, these sorts of symptoms won't be uncommon. [Blood noses, lethargy and such, a testament to how great space is, right?]

The jumps are- pretty awful really. Not how I'd like to start the month. [She can agree with that much at least, sympathise.] Me too- [for the most part anyway] I've heard- ..weird sort of things happen here. A lot. [There's a look there, a faint apprehension] Space itself ..is odd enough for me.

Thanks.

[A weird sniff, and he's on to following her instructions to the best of his knowledge.]

No kiddin'. Never even dreamed of being an astronaut, and now here I am. Stuck in somebody else's dream.

[Nina more or less leaves him to it and least in terms of directions. But she's staying close by, her gaze shifting to keep an eye on the time.]

Me either. I hate to think what sort of dreams involve the rubbish that goes on here. [No he wasn't being literal, she knows.] A constant stream of displaced people. Heat torture. [And that's just all she's been present for. It's sort of an opener to ask, isn't it? Plus it's difficult not to be curious.] Where are you from originally? I hear there's a pretty big variation among abductees.

Me? M'from the States. West coast. [He doesn't specify more than that, maybe it's on purpose, maybe it isn't.] What about you?

[since they're on the topic.]

You look a little lost.

[ It's a statement that comes from the doorway, voiced very lowly, little more than a purr from the towering shadow that fills it. But despite his utterly imposing height, and breadth, he looks... sleek, in the jumpsuit well-tailored to his impressive figure, shortly-cropped hair brushed away from the hard, scarred features of his hawkish face. His dark eyes glassily assess her for a moment longer, before he withdraws his communicator from a pocket.

This is a face that looks like it belongs. As dark and dangerous and modern as The Ship itself. ]

[This time Nina does jump a little, there are shadows of movement, uneasy feelings that seem to haunt the corridors here. Less and less they seem the product of imagining something, but human shapes. She tends to move on quickly, not interested in finding out anything more of what she's seen, or thinks she's seen.

This time there is most definitely someone there, the figure only looms in the doorway, feelings of unease don't immediately vanish either, quite the opposite. At barely five foot, it doesn't take just the exceptionally tall to seem rather imposing over Nina. But, she really does not intimidate easily. At least she doesn't make it seem that way, regardless her actual feelings. Perhaps the wolf has made that all the easier.]

Oh, I think I've found the Medbay. [Nina retorts, Her tone isn't sharp, or looking to bite humour tends to be an effective way to rebuff her unease.] Is there something I can help you with? [One look at ..whoever this is and her question, admittedly almost sounds ridiculous as she says it, he doesn't quite look like he'd be the first to ask anyone for help. But it is why she's here.]

[ the amount of times derek's shown up in the medical bay outside of the jump can be counted on his thumbs, more or less. but today, he's here because it's cool, and because derek's too hot, and because there's too many people in the shuttle bay for him to make the attempt. so medical it is, and derek would prefer to be colder than to be sweating at this point.

he's loitering, but he doesn't really want to explain himself. he doesn't think it's necessary, at any rate. the ship is hot, and this place is cool. what more needs to be said? he watches nina for a long moment before he decides to attempt conversation. ]

What are you doing?

[ other than touching all the things ]

[It's not so bad being in here, it's cold and she's got an extra layer on, but it's better than sweltering in heat, or the humidity, after weeks of it. And she'd rather be somewhat confused, and offered a distraction from the looming transformation. As she's goes on looking through what she can, Nina's soon aware there's someone else, vaguely so anyway. Partially due to heightened senses, though he speaks before she does and she turns to him with a small sigh that almost hints she's undecided.]

Work. I suppose you'd call it, I'm not entirely used to this place yet. [Her tone's generally relaxed too, she doesn't mind admitting such admitting it so much.] Something you're after? [He doesn't have to be. If she can help, she will.]

My room got hot again.

[ which isn't actually the whole truth. he could have gone to the shuttle bay, but there's too many people there as it is, and riddick is there. derek's not actively avoiding him, but he's not looking to bump into him as it is. ]

I don't need medical help.

[ tacked on like derek wants to clarify, before assumptions are drawn. ]

Ah. So your thermostat is set for raging fires of hell today? [Nina quips with a half-smirk. This whole shifting temperature thing is a right pain in the arse kind of smirk.] At least there's somewhere else to go now, I suppose. [Her tone says it's not so much a consolation that the Medbay is fridge-like, but it's better than having to sit there and just sweat]

Makes my job a lot easier. [Nina's pretty easy going at the moment and not about to usher out someone escaping the heat, it's pretty vile.] For future reference, I'm Nina.

Derek.

[ he doesn't offer a hand to shake, keeps his distance. she doesn't ask him to leave, doesn't push at anything else, and derek relaxes a fraction. he doesn't want to stay that badly, could have lived if he'd been asked to leave, but the alternatives for rooms that weren't uncomfortably hot were none existent. ]

It stayed cold in here. I'd thought it was just the jump.

[ though it had never been cold like that, but derek's body was always going haywire after getting dumped out of the pods. he'd chalked it up to that. ]

Nice to meet you. [Perhaps she doesn't knows him, but that's okay. It's a standard pleasantries sort of thing, a brief smile offered.]

Who knows why it's consistently cold in here. [It'll get too cold after a little while, she's sure of it.] All part of the fun, I suppose? [Yes, and by fun she means not at all, her tone dry. She tends to get a little closer to snappishness the closer her transformation gets.

After a moment, something dawns] Derek? You're, not a friend of Annie's are you? [There could well be several Derek's here, but her senses are telling her something, and she remembers the whole ..drunken cult rant she'd more or less refused to participate in. The name Derek had come up. But, Nina's going to make her own judgements.]

[ fun. derek smiles briefly, amused. he knows that tone. he's used it before, though that's just derek's default mode, no transformation woes involved. ]

I know Annie.

[ the smile fades, derek's tone turning cautious. ]

She makes me tea sometimes.

[ because the word friend doesn't come easily to derek, not even after all this time. ]

[She can see him turn a little closed, not anything to be concerned with but Nina gets the feeling it's easy to ask the wrong questions. But, she'll amble on.]

Oh, I think your name's been mentioned, that's all. [By her drunken boyfriend, in reference to werewolf cults. But she sounds like it could've been in passing.] She's a friend of mine- well, I sort of used to live with her. [Nina seems open enough- if only to get him to talk.]

I haven't met a lot of other people aboard this spaceship. [Plus George and Mitchell made her curious]

I bet.

[ derek can guess. there's been one very public and loud mention, and derek's not totally surprised by it. annoyed, yes, but still. ]

Are you new? They should have shown you around.

[ not that derek had taken people from his world on the grand tour, but he hadn't really had to encourage them to get into everything. scott and stiles and isaac had a way of doing that on their own. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Open]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

oh this icon. The love in it.

yes best friends best friends best friends

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject