01 | Video

[shutupandgetintheanimus]

[The video feed opens on Desmond unwrapping the bandages from his burned arm. There's scarring, and still some bad spots that are still healing, but thankfully he lowers it so nobody has to see the rest of the burns. The worst of them, down his forearm and in his hand. And the splints.]

So, I'm kind of in a mess at the moment. I told the doctors here I wouldn't register until my arm was healed. Give me time to think about it, that sort of thing.

[He glances up at the camera periodically as he speaks, carefully putting more ointment on his skin under the table.] Well, now they say I've had more than enough time to think about it, and they're cutting me off until I register. But here's the thing...I really don't want to, right now. And I really need this arm. There's broken bones in there too, and...if they don't heal right, I'll lose movement in my hand.

I know we have powers. So I was wondering...can anybody out there heal someone? I'll pay you for your time. I just... I don't want to lose the ability to do what I love because of some asshole doctors who throw the Hippocratic Oath out the window, you know?

Comments

permavid

[centurybaby]

I might be able to heal you. Might also unmake your arm completely. Give it a 50/50 chance, if you're a gambling kinda guy.

[shutupandgetintheanimus]

...I don't think I like those odds. What the hell kind of power is that, anyway?

[centurybaby]

Reality altering. This isn't my fucking universe though, so. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

[shutupandgetintheanimus]

Man... I don't want to risk losing my entire arm, or somehow making it even worse. Limbs aren't something you can trust to a coin flip.

[Video]

[bullysandwicher]

I can heal anything.

[shutupandgetintheanimus]

[Whoa, there. That's... not a reassuring mask.]

...You can?

[bullysandwicher]

That's what I said. Burns, cuts, lacerations, missing limbs, cancer- I can heal it all.

But I charge.

[shutupandgetintheanimus]

[It sounds almost too good to be true. But...]

How much?

video

[chiefdefense]

Are you saying they're refusing to treat you until you register?

[shutupandgetintheanimus]

Yeah, I guess only registered people get access to free healthcare. And I can't afford what they're charging.

[chiefdefense]

Yeah, I know. I know someone who's registered for exactly that reason.

Have they actually started treating you, or were they refusing outright to perform any procedures until you were registered?

[shutupandgetintheanimus]

Well, they got started all right, because I might have told them that I would register? I'm healing up great and all, it's just... If I permanently lose my dexterity it's not going to be a pleasant stay here.

voice;

[acclimatized]

Jesus Christ.

[ yeah, this registered doctor is appalled. ]

I don't have any healing powers, but if you ever need someone to take a look at you? Come and see me.

voice

[shutupandgetintheanimus]

You're a doctor, then?

[acclimatized]

I'd hope so, I've been treating people for years.

[shutupandgetintheanimus]

Don't suppose you know anything about bad burns, do you?

video

[aggressiveapathy]

Why not?

The registering. Not the hand thing. I know why guys need that.

Re: video

[shutupandgetintheanimus]

What? No! It's not like that.

I'm a...well, I'm kind of a professional freerunner. I can't do vaults with only one arm, you know.

Anyway, I...just don't feel comfortable with people telling me what to do. Authority issues I guess.

video

[aggressiveapathy]

I didn't say a word. You're making the gross assumptions.

[ But she totally meant that. And the tiny smirk just confirms that. ]

You're tagged and bagged, guy. Kinda late for the teenage rebellion.

[shutupandgetintheanimus]

[Ugh. This girl is starting to remind him of one of his exes.]

Yeah, well, the last time I trusted someone in the government, it got me blindfolded and thrown into the back of an unmarked van.

video

[youbastard]

That's crap that they just cut you off like that. [Another thing to add to the list of things she doesn't like here.] If you still need someone I might be able to help.

[shutupandgetintheanimus]

Nah, I think I've found someone. Thanks, though. You're a doctor too?

audio

[corviform]

[ English accented: ]

Registered or not, they can't deny you medical assistance. Isn't that illegal?

audio

[shutupandgetintheanimus]

Well, they want me to pay up. And it's not exactly something I can afford right now.

audio

[corviform]

Will you be registered in the near future?