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Post by Thy Dungyeon Maestyr on Nov 20, 2012 22:20:20 GMT -8
After the dust settled on Thierry's return from the Hotel run, he met with Doc Vic...
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Suyoi
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Post by Suyoi on Nov 22, 2012 15:09:20 GMT -8
Dr. Victor felt his face light up, his mood seemingly brightening as Thierry approached him at the edge of the clinic. He cleared his throat and smoothed out his shirt absently. Nodding at the approach, the good doctor tried to mute his smile. Thierry- "Charlie, good afternoon. Quite a day so far..."
"Thierry, just the man I was looking for. Are you doing well?" "Quite." "Do you think we have enough time to make it to the clinic?" "Certainly." "Any strains or muscle issues?" "Nothing noteworthy." "You... you smell like marijuana..." "The people at the-" "Wait, what's... the hotel..." "Yes, very much so." "Oh, uhm, anyways, I... I was waiting on Peg or, well, maybe Jonah... no, I'm sorry, I... I should let you speak." "Perhaps." Dr. Victor swallowed hard, and moved back, fetching a glass of 'water' from the ice machine, his back turned to the man to hide his growing scarlet face. "I suppose well... okay, I'm going to stop rambling and let you speak, yeah, because that-" The clipping sound was louder than he cared to think about as he shut his open mouth. He tossed his head back, taking a long guzzlet of water.
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Post by Thy Dungyeon Maestyr on Nov 22, 2012 17:53:58 GMT -8
Thierry- "Yes, well there's still plenty of daylight, as long as the trip doesn't run to hours, so we should be good. What was that about Peg and Jonah?"
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Suyoi
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Post by Suyoi on Nov 22, 2012 18:19:08 GMT -8
With a heavy sigh, Dr. Victor shrugged. "I... Let's go track them down and see if they're interested... otherwise, it might be you and myself. Besides I think... well, let me just say I know Franco won't want the extra company." His face still felt hot; he worried the reflection of heat off of the ice maker would cause the water to evaporate away. "Right, shall... shall we be off, Thierry?" Dr. Victor grabbed the recently emptied dufflebag and slung it over his shoulder. He thought he should leave a not for Dr Melange, but she was still going over basic medical practice rules and regulations with Columbo; he wondered if she was really grilling him in hopes tomorrow, when it is all over and life returns to normal, no one sues her for hiring on some unlicensed handyman. He barely caught himself walking straight into Thierry, eyes widening suddenly. He felt his lips curl, his breath all but swallowing them through his teeth. "Right, to... uhm... the..." He tried to cast a weary glance towards the exit, but couldn't seem to break away from those calm and comforting eyes.
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Post by Thy Dungyeon Maestyr on Nov 22, 2012 18:31:11 GMT -8
((OOC - Hey, Columbo is a computer engineer! I think he can handle a little monkeying with human hardware. You can use a soldering iron for that stuff, right?)) Thierry- "It's OK. It seems you've had a rough day. I'd suggest you wait here, but a change of scenery may do you good. Come with me to look for Peg and Jonah..?" He stood easily, close to the doctor. He could sense maybe Thierry was exerting a bit of effort to conceal being winded by the stairs.
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Post by Suyoi on Nov 22, 2012 19:13:11 GMT -8
The good doctor followed, turning his gaze away at the thought. "Thierry, you're... are you- Look. Please?" Thierry- "What, um, ..."
Dr. Victor stopped him on the stairwell platform between the third and fourth steps; he instinctively lowered his voice above a whisper. "Thierry, please, don't-" Thierry- "Oh it's fine I-"
"Let me finish... I know... I remember what you did for me, saving me from utter embarrassment on the first trip. But, I'm concerned for you. I don't want you to keep running about like this, please. I don't want to see you hurt, Thie. Please? I mean, I know soccer games last over ninety minutes, but this isn't soccer and those aren't Ronaldo. Please, if there is any risk to you, we can call it off." Thierry- He looked at the doctor earnestly. "Really, I am fine. I just didn't take much of a break after coming home. Silly of me, but not dangerous."
He knew his voice was supposed to sound harsh, but it ended up sounding more like pleading. Had this been what he accused Linda of? Focus, Charles, focus!"Thierry, it's for the good of everyone if you are safe. I... I don't know what we'd do." Dr. Victor let out a heavy sigh, leaning against the exterior edge of the staircase, his head thudding against drywall. He knew he would be winded going up and down the stairs as well, but, he was a doctor and Thierry was all ready exhausted.
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Post by Thy Dungyeon Maestyr on Nov 22, 2012 20:12:23 GMT -8
Thierry- He relaxed as well and took a few deep breaths, closing his eyes, then spoke. "I am not sure how to broach this topic, but you did so for me... That first trip to the research center. It was just a few blocks and some stairs, but with resting time in the middle. Yet you were winded before we climbed the stairs when we got home.
I can tell you're a very fit man... It's obvious. Why were you so exhausted then, if you'll pardon my rude familiarity. Do you have a respiratory condition? Perhaps you have neglected cardio workouts recently? I have had some concern for you."
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Post by Suyoi on Nov 22, 2012 20:44:27 GMT -8
Dr. Victor froze; he felt the veins in his body freeze over into crystaline structures, snapping and crackling like snow crushed underfoot. Come on, Charlie, get it together."Thierry... I..." the doctor swallowed hard, letting out a little sigh. "Thierry, please, don't tell the others, okay? I... I don't know what I'd do if they found out. Please?" Thierry- "Of course, Charlie."
He moved over towards the other man, hands trembling at his sides, raising slowly as if to embrace Thierry. "Please, let's not talk about it, okay? I... I don't know if I can right now." He paused, mid-stride. A delicate line you walk, Charles. Always dodging the truth. Thierry obviously has an opinion of you and there will be consequences in any event. Do you really put your trust in Micah over Thierry now? Tread lightly. Thierry- He put his hands on the doctor's shoulders in a gesture he hoped was both comforting and stabilizing. "You don't have to say anything."
"Thierry, I have been neglecting my running lately... I don't have- I don't have a real medical condition. I'm more... I... uh..." Dr. Victor felt his face perspiring and his hands shaking. "Thierry, I'm a terrible person. I thought I could do it, and be fine. I'm... I'm old. I'm so fucking old. I'm surprised I haven't fallen to pieces like the dead out there. I want you to know, I... I tend to... shit. Shit shit shit." Thierry- He was confused, but tried to find the doctor's dodging eyes with a steady sympathetic look. "I don't understand..."
He grit his teeth. "I tend to over-guess my own abilities. I- I haven't ran in years. I can keep the thoughts of failure out of my sight far better than Melange can pretend she's all kitten cuddles. I just don't want to get stuck doing... doing all- look... You don't know what Franco is like. You heard what he asked of me. You think I can keep a clear mind and keep running while pushing some amorphous blob in stiletto heels down the street AND not try and kill myself? I- shit... why are you so smart and pretty?" Thierry- He relaxed a bit. "It sounds like you need to spend some time outside of yourself. And jump rope. ...It's not so bad, really.
Smart? I'm a coder. Coders are to programmers as nurses are to doctors. Well... Let's get it together and move on. You don't have to worry. And honestly, we could walk there without a problem. The traffic jams on Mercer and Denny have made this a rather peaceful neighborhood.
Really, we'll be fine. Let's go. OK?"
Dr. Victor tried to stand perfectly still but failed, his toe dragging on the platform like a punished child.
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Post by Thy Dungyeon Maestyr on Nov 22, 2012 21:16:28 GMT -8
Thierry- "Whenever you're ready..."
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Post by Suyoi on Nov 22, 2012 21:28:27 GMT -8
Dr. Victor took Thierry's hand and gave it a squeeze. He nodded slowly. "Let's just go the two of us, then... I still have my flashlight. I... maybe you can help me talk with Franco? He's an ass and authoritative and rather arrogant. And he can't stand that I do that better than him." The good doctor smiled a little bit, moving towards the exit and only relinquishing the hand upon emergence of another person.
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Post by Thy Dungyeon Maestyr on Nov 22, 2012 22:59:44 GMT -8
Thierry- "OK then. Marie said it is best to have a minimum of three people outside, but then, she also approved sending only two for scouting the hotel... I'm sure it's not an issue." The men went downstairs, then out into the afternoon world. Thierry's weapon was a fairly absurd thing - an unfaithful replica of a Mayan bladed war club - but it was possibly the most effective zombie killing device in the building, in the right strong hands.
But as Thierry predicted, the zombie population was so thin between the walls created by traffic jams that they were able to just walk right there. Once, on 9th ave, Thierry jogged over to a zombie and made it a non-issue.
Assuming Lee was probably in the lobby, they went around the building - careful to keep a low profile. They were there!
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Post by Suyoi on Nov 22, 2012 23:27:44 GMT -8
Dr. Victor nodded, moving to the lobby with a little haste. He wondered what their state was; even just a few days out from last contact, 403 was neither in better nor worse shape. Watching Thierry take out the straggler made Dr. Victor feel even more inadequate. He remembered a vivid flash of him standing close to Mr. Page, continuously cracking at a middle-aged hispanic woman with a mullet, wearing seven silver bangles on her wrist. The blows cracked radius and ulna with furious blows as Ana and Jackson prepared the doors and glass against an even greater onslaught of undeath. He knew now it wasn't some bravado he had pulled from his ass; it was pure fear that drove him to do it. He wondered how people could simply attack another living creature aside from the recently departed. His mind shifted back to the UWMRC building, the possible situation of what might come of Franco's actions and how long he had to stew about losing Dr. Melange. Of course, Franco could always simply write it off as Victor's insubordination or whatever power-hungry mentality he was sporting. "Hey, Thierry, we got a lot of supplies and such. I... I hope everything here is all right. I really don't want to stay the night here; someone might steal my room. But, if... if it comes to it, I'll stay and help the injured if they accruing any... but, if it looks like they're trying to force my hand, can you gently remind me of the state of Ashley and Derek? Maybe... maybe I should be the quiet one this time around... God knows Franco won't be." He continued to the buildling rolling his shoulders up tall and adjusting his shirt. "Maybe we can actually get some decent things this time around. I bet they have a stretcher we could weasel into hauling more stuff. I'll show you how to drive it. It's kind of like a pushing a shopping cart in reverse, only with levers, pedals, and guard rails." Smiling, he moved to the entrance and peeked inside.
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Post by Thy Dungyeon Maestyr on Nov 22, 2012 23:57:36 GMT -8
If Lee was in there, he'd made himself hard to see. They knocked, waited, and knocked again - always wary for zombies. Finally, Lee appeared, adjusting his waistband. He came to the door, a dawning look of forced pleasance smearing across his face. Lee- "Uh, hey fellers. Let me just let you in here... Man, that's a bloody stick you got there. Same as last time. You clean it sometimes, right?"
Thierry- "That I do. We've need of a few things, and Dr. Franco had previously expressed interest in a return visit from Dr. Victor here, so..."
Lee- "Yeah, of course!"
Thierry- "Is it necessary for you to escort us up each time? What if someone was to visit the lobby looking for help, and...?"
Lee- "Oh, my hands are tied man. Tied right back. I'm sorry." They began to head upstairs.
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Post by Suyoi on Nov 23, 2012 9:18:37 GMT -8
Dr. Victor followed, lips scrunching up against each other. "So, in other words, you haven't been helping people. While I would like to call it commendable, I'm sure there have been people coming to this building seeking assistance. Doesn't that weigh on your conscience even a little, Lee?" Lee- "It ain't like that, doc! We help people. But I gotta escort you up these stairs. That's my orders. If someone needs in they can wait a few minutes. Well, they gotta. Tied back!"
Thierry- "How much are you paid to follow your orders these days?"
Lee- "I got better health insurance than most, and I'll settle for it."
Dr. Victor stretched his neck as they walked up the stairs back down the hall towards the room. He glanced, looking for more dead bodies or worse, rowdy and pent up security guards. The bodies had thankfully been moved, and the floor even mopped. A new mess had formed since then - bits of dried blood from a more recent situation in the lobby. There were no guards in sight, but then there hadn't been any on the first floor last time either."The other guards haven't been keeping people out with those taser-guns have they? I bet if they did manage to get it to work, they'd be in for a worse surprise than they bargained for." Lee- "You're a real buster, doc."
With a heavy sigh, the good doctor began meticulously combing his hair with his hands. He stuffed the flashlight into the duffle and zipped it up. He slid it up against the wall, about where he and Seth were led away last time and pointed at the ground for Thierry to place his club as long as there were no significant sour spots for danger. Thierry left the club. Why hassle with the guards again? As Lee was walking, he wasn't looking back at the other men. Thierry let his hand stay gently at the small of Charlie's back."Lee, is everyone still all right that has stayed here? Have more people left the building in search of help or answers?" Lee- "Get one of the docs out there in this shit? Not a chance. I found out I can really walk around a lot without getting attacked. I take smoke breaks out front sometimes now."
"Okay, what about supplies, have people been fed and clothed? Hygiene all right and intact?" Lee- "We got facilities. It takes some arm work. I'm just glad the boz- uh doctors are willing to do some hygiene stuff for themselves."
"How are you doing, specifically? It must be hard in your position, given the rules and restrictions placed on you. You look more exhausted than I remember." Lee- "Does it show? I don't think I'm doing worse, just that doing like I was has had more time to work its magic on me."
Dr. Victor gave Thierry one last look and then shrugged. "All right, whenever Dr. Franco is ready, I suppose. I hope we won't have to wait long. I have a few patients to consider now." Lee- "Sure I--"
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Post by Thy Dungyeon Maestyr on Nov 23, 2012 19:39:10 GMT -8
Officer Two- "Back for more, y' sons of bitches?"
Thierry- "Please, sir. Have some dignity."
Officer Two- "Why I oughtta-!"
Lee- "Seriously, it's fine. I'm gonna take these guys inside, OK?"
Officer Two- "Fuckin' fine, man." Lee led Thierry and Doctor Victor into the waiting room where they met the group earlier. He gestured for them to have a seat, and went back. Somewhere in the distance of the floor they heard a woman say something in shrill indignance, then nothing. Thierry- "Another visit to the happy place..."
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