voice | un: karma

[torpour]

My name is Nehan-- I'm researching how medicine works here, and how to merge it with the methods I'm used to. If my research goes well, for instance, I will be able to act as a doctor and pharmacist, among other roles found here.

To that end, I'm requesting samples of blood from fellow Sleepers. I understand it can be quite personal, so whoever does not want to do that need not respond. Those who do, so I can perform the phlebotomy myself, and can privately send you my address, and answer questions you may have.

Whoever wants to help but doesn't want a needle in their arm, I still have a job for you, if anyone is interested.

[very straight to the point, almost unwelcomingly so. but at least people know what they're getting into if they decide to deal with him?]

Comments

[torpour]

[he thought that would be riz, indeed.]

All right.

First, how will you be arriving?

[sideeffect]

... I'm just walking. Riding on one of the "horses" here is still too weird for me.

[torpour]

[perhaps he should speak as if interacting with one of the stardust children... but even then, he interacts with them as if they were tiny adults, because that's what happens when you're an orphan with no one else to rely on but other orphaned tiny adults.]

Very well. Then tell me where you're entering Willful Machine from.

[sideeffect]

[ oa;jda ]

I'll be entering into there from the south.

[torpour]

All right then. [nehan has to take a moment to mentally map out how to get from the southern area to his place. the district is still mostly unfamiliar to him, but he's doing his best.

and is already giving directions to riz, using landmarks as a guide.]

[sideeffect]

Thank you.

[ it might be several minutes before he gets there, but nehan said whenever should work, so he hopes that holds true. once riz arrives, in addition to some polite knocking, he'll send a quick text of I'm here. ]

[torpour]

[that was still quick, and with nehan guiding him, the erune is able to get everything ready for him before he opens the door.

wrapped up in a thick, oversized cardigan, nehan nods and pushes the door open wider.]

Come in.

[sideeffect]

[ riz wears his typical smile in greeting - and he ducks beneath the doorway, as he's always done, even within the bears' dormitories. he sniffs the air preemptively, gives a quick look about the area. ]

Hey.

[ he's wearing... well. whatever is trench's fashion equivalent of a hoodie and sweatpants. nehan's outfit is, objectively, much cuter. ]

Hope you've gotten a few volunteers by now.

[torpour]

I have, yes. But more samples will widen my horizons in a shorter amount of time.

[perhaps riz will find nehan's house bare. it merely has the furniture required for living in, but it has no personal effects save for a few clothes here and there. he doesn't have much, and even upstairs he wouldn't, but nehan is unbothered by this.

but it's his kitchen that's very bare, lacking in even a dining table, though the stove is still intact. that's where he heads, off to the side from the living room, to get a bag and some vials sitting on the counter.]

What's your blood type?

[sideeffect]

[ it is bare -- but riz can hardly judge. his own has very few personal effects, nothing that really indicates a personal, well-meaning touch of "home."

... it's nehan's kitchen that's likely the most disappointing. food should be shared when it can, and the lack of dining table says wonders. riz holds his tongue for now and follows along as is necessary. ]

I'm a vileblood... AB.

[torpour]

Ah. Well, that simplifies things. [with the way riz asked if his visit could be put off until night time, nehan thought his blood would be paleblood, like himself. but this is good-- he doesn't have many samples of vileblood, when they're said to be the best for healing.

the erune shucks his cardigan and drapes it over the counter, unconcerned by the large panel cut out of the back of his shirt, nor the scars littering his almost-grey skin. then he lifts himself up onto the counter himself, placing his crutch on top of his cardigan, and his bag of tools to his other side. then he raises a hand and beckons for riz to come closer.]

Show me your elbow, and I'll check if I can draw blood from it without shaving off some fur. [he does have a fur razor, but that's really for taking off the extra fluff from his ears, and probably isn't heavy-duty enough for bear fur.]

[sideeffect]

Sure. I don't mind if you gotta, anyway.

[ riz rolls up his sleeve and sticks out his arm for the man to examine; he does, indeed, have the thick, smooth fur that would be reminiscent of species of wild bears. his physique is at least brawny enough that one can see where the muscles are clearly defined. ]

[ it's almost like he trusts nehan wholeheartedly. in reality, as a bear, he's never had frequent reason to fear physical harm from others. ]

[torpour]

Hmm... [nehan combs through the fur near riz's elbow, and frowns the further he goes. yes, riz's limbs are different from those of the bears he's used to, more in line with nehan's, or a humans, or even a draph's with the size of him, but it doesn't change the fact that if he cant clear out some fur.]

I do have to shave you, unfortunately. Wait here.

[nehan pushes off of the counter and moves as fast as he can towards the living room, digging up the razors he bought for his ears and selects a fresh one. but before he can take a seat again, he holds it out to riz, so he can look at it.]

It's the best I have in short notice.

[sideeffect]

[ riz's smile quirks. that blade does look very new - he feels a little bad that it has to be used against his fur. if he were alone, he might just pull out the fur, but that could be a little uncomfortable to randomly volunteer. ]

[ nehan will find that, while his arm remains upright, it's relaxed enough that he can hopefully adjust its positioning as needed. ]

Sure, go for it.

[torpour]

[nehan prods around with his fingers first, to find the vein and make sure he'll be shaving the right part the first time.]

Remember, don't move unless I tell you to. I don't want to cut your vein.

[then he parts the bear's fur and starts to move his razor over the skin, careful not to ruin anything as he removes the fur.]

[sideeffect]

[ riz remains obediently still. even his breathing has slowed. ]

Yeah, that's right near a major artery, right? That would be pretty bad.

[torpour]

Yes, it would. I will be able to save you from bleeding to death, but in this case, I prefer to prevent a disaster.

[but luckily for him, nehan's hands are steady, even the left hand that usually refuses to cooperate. nehan has been recuperating well from being a squid, and he hopes to have regular functionality soon. meaning, one half of his body still being troublesome to move, but not nigh impossible.

he aims to shave off a small square of fur, though he has to do so gingerly, gently. his razor is made for shorter, less thick patches of fur, and it's better for a razor with a battery or a motor for riz's fur.]

Bloody emergencies are a nuisance.

[sideeffect]

[ riz nods as he listens, contemplating. he lets nehan shave as he is able to do, perfectly still even in lieu of the slight pull of fur as the area is shaved clean. ]

[ pensively, ]

What do you hope to do with... or learn from, vileblood?

[torpour]

A lot. [one of nehan's ears turns to face riz, listening to what he says without having to look up at the bear as he works.]

From what I'm told, vileblood has decent properties, even if it's no good for transfusion. For instance, pain relief salves, which naturally I will be making.

[sideeffect]

That's true...

[ he's considering the other things he's heard of what vileblood can do, but he's sure nehan would also be aware of that. his smile quirks. ]

Not concerned at all, huh?

[ - for himself, riz means, but doesn't clarify. ]

[torpour]

For patients, yes. [note how he doesn't say anything about himself.

the moment he's shaved off a patch that suits his needs, nehan sets his (now ruined) razor aside and dabs some alcohol onto a cotton ball, preparing the bared skin in circular motions.]

That doesn't feel off, does it?

[he just has to ask, knowing how sensitive skin without fur can be. he's felt that before, after all.]

[sideeffect]

Nope.

[ riz lifts his opposing shoulder, again careful not to jostle, in some semblance of a shrug. even if he did feel a pinch, having vileblood helps with assuaging that. for better or for worse. ]

[ alas, with a touch more reluctant clarification, ]

... I meant for yourself, anyway.

[torpour]

No, I'm not.

[nehan works quickly, filling the syringe without problem and when he pulls it out, he covers the spot he pricked with a ball of cotton and some tape.]

There, that's you, done.