@cjk [ audio ]

[signifies]

Hello everyone. My name is Clark. I'll try and keep this brief.

Firstly, I've drawn up a blank list and placed one on the bulletin board on each housing floor. If those with medical expertise feel comfortable, they can put their name, residence here, and — if they have one — specialisation, in case of an emergency. We have several residents who aren't from the same point in time, so if you'd like to volunteer to update someone's medical knowledge, please mark your name with an asterisk.

Secondly, ah-- [ a bit of a laugh. ] I'm from Kansas, which some of you might recognise as being host to some pretty bad weather. Now, I'm not going to say I'm paranoid, but-- I like to think ahead. So, I've made up some kits with some of the usual survival paraphernalia back home and distributed them between floors. Feel free to help yourselves if you need them.

[ No one has to use them, but he’d rather everyone knows they're available. ]

Thank you for your time.

( all replies in audio unless otherwise stated )

Comments

[signifies]

[ Open familiarity makes him wary. Clark opts to be polite. ]

I'm glad I could help.

[dust_of_life]

[Don't worry, Clark. Fatima's this way with everyone. It's mostly a coping device.

Anyway, she pauses thoughtfully, before speaking again.]

I wouldn't say I have medical skills. But I might be able to help with supplies. Particularly of the herbal variety.

[A pause.]

That came out wrong.

[signifies]

I think that might come under specialisation. People are welcome to write it in, or you can ask around.

[ brb looking up magic in the library ]

text.

[signifies]

[ It's odd to see a text from a generic ID, but Clark figures they don't know how to customise it yet. ]

That's a good idea, thank you.

[ikols]

'Medical specialisation' sounds, to me, like the sort of evening TV programme that depicts village idiots inserting various household objects where they ought not to go and the subsequently hilarious extraction by dead-eyed, world-weary nurses who sigh at the camera in their own segments. I wonder how many other people don't immediately think 'magic'.

[signifies]

Just happy to help where I can.

[ He smiles at the joke. ]

I do know Dorothy.

[ He did invite The Wizard of Oz reference. It's a simple way to compare worlds. This might be Earth. ]

Do you mind if I ask what year you're from?

[signifies]

[ there's plenty that could come under 'herbal variety' ]

What sort of supplies?

[dust_of_life]

Medicinal herbs.

Not pot.

[Fatima is fumbling. And she doesn't like not being on top of her game.]

[pundemic]

[This is nice. Joel-- he's not really the sort that plays back at her, so Ellie's grin is warm and genuine. It's been a long fucking time since she could just... you know, goof off with somebody.

But the idea of keeping it up is exhausting. Sometimes she thinks that she just doesn't have it in her anymore. To be happy. To stay that way. Like... she left some part of herself behind as that-- fucker burned in that old restaurant. Nothing she used to enjoy holds her attention like it used to. Who the fuck do you become, after shit like that happens? What does it turn you into? Don't you get any say in yourself anymore?

The smile fades a little, and she finds herself wishing she had something to do with her hands so she can stop focusing on how it felt to feel blood and bone and brain dry across her knuckles in the searing cold.]

There's this comic series I like-- Savage Starlight? And it's all about this Doctor like... two hundred years in the future, fighting these evil aliens. I think about that a lot.

[signifies]

I'm sure you can grow them here as well. They might have a garden.

[dust_of_life]

Looks like hydroponics of some kind.

[Okay, time to regroup. Fatima clears her throat. And it's possible her voice gets a little deeper, like she wants to sound older. More...in control of the situation.]

But I can grow anything, with the right seeds.

[signifies]

[ He replies mildly. ]

You're more than welcome to maintain your own if it'd make you more comfortable.

[signifies]

You've mentioned that, I was wondering what kinds.

[ikols]

Are you so quiet you don't laugh?

[signifies]

[ He raises his eyebrows. ]

I'm not sure how that's relevant.

[dust_of_life]

Well, I know it sounds low tech, but even basic herbs can treat medical conditions when there isn't anything more modern available.

I mean, like...

Okay, ginkgo biloba can treat circulation problems. Valeriana officinalis is a handy, dandy sleeping drug.

[Okay, now she's a bit more in her element. Fatima loves to show off. And this is one area where she excels.]

I know it sounds like witchcraft, but believe me, some of this shit works.

[signifies]

Anything you think is helpful. Maybe you could write up a pamphlet for people who might be unfamiliar?

[dust_of_life]

True.

Although I need the seeds before I can even start to open my own shade-y drugstore.

[signifies]

I'd ask the locals. They should have some.

[dust_of_life]

It's someplace to start.

[Not that she trusts the locals. Not yet, anyway. Fatima's always slow to trust.]

Oh. Right. Manners. They are a thing.

My name's Fatima.

[ikols]

[ A light sigh. ]

Never mind. Can you put down Doctor Strange? Located on Floor Five. He won't do it himself.

[ Not Loki, who doesn't offer up anything. He has better things to do than be on call (impromptu summoning is bad enough) but he's still helping out this way. Stephen will surely thank him! ]

[signifies]

I'll ask him. Thank you.

[ Clark isn't going to put down anyone who doesn't want to be on the list. ]

[starspangled]

Not at all. It's 2016 for me. You?

[signifies]

Nice to meet you, Fatima. Where are you from?

[ikols]

Welcome, Kansas.