video

[beholding_archivist]

[ The video turns on to reveal your local Archivist, deep scowl on his perpetually tired face, an already very used looking pencil behind his ear and a cigarette between his fingers. Yes, that particular habit is getting worse, but judging by the open sky above him he's at least not taking it inside.

But it's the scowl that mainly addresses the network. ]

Very well. Might as well inform you all that the hospital staff has been reduced to one. I am no trained professional, have no noteworthy abilities that qualify me for the task, but I... I will do what I can should the need arise. I won't always be at the hospital, so you will have to contact me should you need anything- And I ask of everyone to abstain from needlessly reckless endeavors more likely to getting yourself hurt than resulting in any progress. I... I just-

[ He pauses, takes one deep breath and closes his eyes. ]

... I can't split myself in two.


I'm sorry.




[[ ooc: Adult Content Warning for the comments below. ]]

Comments

~*text*~

[in_extremis]

[It is public to try to shame Jon into actually texting back, but Tony is not optimistic.]

Oh.

I have a generator for you.

[It was for the hospital, anyway.]

Video

[beholding_archivist]

[ No such luck, Tony. He’s on video because it’s easier for him. ]

...well. I hope it generates screams of terror. Those might suit this place rather well now.

[ Is he being moody? Yes, he’s being moody due to being stressed over this mess. ]

fine, video

[in_extremis]

[He doesn't look happy about it, but there he is. At least he looks more refreshed than he has for a while, even if his eyebrow hasn't entirely recovered.]

Why, are the nightlights back?

video - private

[beholding_archivist]

[ Seriously, Tony. Stop doing such things. But he is... Glad. To see you're okay. Not that he's going to say it! Just...

Just making this conversation private with an irritated tap of his finger before answering. ]

Only if I concentrate hard enough.

[ It's said through half grit teeth and while not meant entirely serious, Jon does focus enough to give his eyes just enough of an eerie, green glow to be notable. ]

[in_extremis]

[Tony is not in on whatever joke there is, and he colours slightly at the look. He had been far less delicate the night Jon had run screaming from the lights and Jon hadn't threatened him with spooky eyes then; maybe it is safer not to play with him at all.]

A-aah...You don't have to be there, if you have other stuff to do, I can find my way around to install it. It'll be in the basement. Check it out when you're ready, let me know if you need a tutorial.

[Video]

[out_of_order]

[There is a confused and slightly concerned padawan looking at the screen.]

...what happened?

[It's a simple question. A vague one. He's sensed Altair's presence to have been distant of late, and this announcement just comes so unexpectedly.]

[Video]

[beholding_archivist]

....an argument.

[ That’s what this was, right? The frustration absolut this outcome is real. ]

Don’t worry about it. I... I’m working on learning what I can.

[Video]

[out_of_order]

[Cal winces a little at that. Also Jon, you can't just say things like that.]

Is that the only solution?

[Video]

[beholding_archivist]

[ Oh, but he can. ]

Right now it’s the only solution I have. A working internet database would be much appreciated at this point.

[Video]

[out_of_order]

[He holds back a sigh, carefully considering what to say. They were too few people to be getting on each other's cases, and he didn't like seeing his friends being upset.]

I see. I hope another solution can be realized at some point.

[He can't force anyone to make amends, and he can't listen if there's no desire to talk about things. Hopefully some time to cool will help them. He makes note to try tracking down Altair if the Chiss doesn't resurface.]

A database would be useful, yes. The datapoint only provides so much, I'm assuming. I've only tried the engineering one. Past information, the materials to work with are probably the next big problem.

video

[theladyofwinterfell]

Jon? What happened to Altair?

( Sansa is incredibly concerned, since she had been counting on Altair being around to do James' check-ups and everything. )

video

[beholding_archivist]

He......

Left.

[ Each word punctuated tiredly with the cigarette in his hand. ]

Look..... We had an argument. He left.

But he.... he said he would still take care of you. As for everyone else...

[ Another small gesture, and a defeated shrug. He’s sorry. ]

[theladyofwinterfell]

Well, the two of you are both adults. Isn't there some way you can sort it? We need a hospital, Jonathan, and it doesn't work if people can't work together.

( Sansa has been in fights with people that have seemed irreparable, Arya notably, but she thinks there's little that is irreparable when people need to band together to survive. )

[beholding_archivist]

While I agree with you, I am not entirely sure that a mature conversation and addressing important topics may not be something all of us are fit for.

[ Just as he isn't fit to be working at the hospital. ]

I... I dislike speaking of him in his absence, but... I feel Altair has a couple of issues he needs to be talking through with someone. Someone he trusts. And I don't think it's me. But seeing how easily he has abandoned this place over a few... Hurt feelings... That's just not the work ethics that helps us keep a functional hospital.

[ And this is him merely addressing the practical issues. If this were an issue with one of his assistants, he would suggest them to be moved to a different department. But he isn't Altair's boss. And it has been him that has been hoping to leave the hospital and leave it in more capable hands than his own. ]

[theladyofwinterfell]

( Sansa exhales heavily and rubs at her temples. Two intelligent men should be able to work things out among themselves but if not, she supposes she can mediate on behalf of everyone else. She has to remind herself that she, too, has been guilty of this at times. )

Well I will mediate it, then. There's no reason the two of you shouldn't be able to sit down with a neutral party and work out what to do. I'll talk to him after we talk and then we'll all sit down together, all right?

[Video]

[wearingthestars]

[Billy frowns sympathetically.]

Oh, um...do you need a hand? I can't promise I'd be any better there than I am with engineering, but...I could try?

ooc: One day I will actually tag all the things I owe, I swear

[Video]

[beholding_archivist]

...Christ, Billy.....

[ He lets out a short, harsh noise of a chuckle. ]

Of course I need a hand! I- I’m.... Shit. I can do bandages, but I’m not- Jesus, I wouldn’t know how to handle a fractured leg! I just—

[ And that’s when the static cuts through his words and Jon pauses, frowning. The frown prevails as the static passes and now he does know how to handle a fractured leg because his voyeuristic patron felt in a sharing mood. ]

...oh. Okay. That’s how.

I mean... Yes. Yes I do.

[Video]

[wearingthestars]

[Billy offers a small smile in turn.]

I was thinking about switching data points anyway...if you wanted the company.

I'm sure between the two of us we can work things out. I've got a bit of first aid training. And... you know- the whole magic thing.

[Video]

[beholding_archivist]

[ Jon just hangs his head in a nodding motion. ]

Billy, that's... Thank you. That-- That's already a lot more than I have to offer. I just... You know- Know things. And not always helpful... things.

[ But he's taken to write everything down he randomly gets to know. Keeping an extra pile for any medical knowledge he gets dropped into his head.

He sighs, not quite relaxing but at least a little less tense. ]

To be fair... This- This place could have used some more hands even before this but-

[ You know how it is. Not too many hands around in general. ]

[Video]

[wearingthestars]

[Billy gives another sympathetic nod. He can't really understand what that's like, but he can imagine.]

You shouldn't have to do it alone.

[Not enough hands is right. And one more set probably still isn't enough, but it's something at least. He tries to offer a slightly teasing smile.]

Don't jinx it. The Agrii might just bring in more people to try and help us out.

[Private]

[tiedonastring]

Give him his space, he'll come around. I don't fully understand what transpired between the two of you and nor do I wish to be in the middle of it.

I will say this. Altair has dealt with a lot back home before he returned here and is still adjusting to things. And it seems that people here are quick to label with out trying to understand the situation or the person. He already carries enough weight on his shoulders and it seems that everyone is adding on to it here and forget that he to is a person. Being a Sith or an Emperor doesn't mean they are not a person too and react and feel differently to things.

I have nothing else to say on the matter, but I will if you continue to push him.

[Private]

[beholding_archivist]

[ Ohhh, it's you. He doesn't mind the defense, but of course he has words in return. His tone is stern, still irritated, but fair. ]

Then maybe he should try to not downplay any potential concern or play it strong or bury his issues until he snaps out of nowhere like a teenager that just hit puberty. That's not going to work and he is old enough to understand as much.

I'm sorry, I really am. But my concern was with his patients. That not everyone here is protected by powerful magic and indeed vulnerable to what some of us might do to them, be it by accident, instinct or ill will. He's been judging the danger to those potentially already vulnerable on himself rather than keeping in mind what they might need. That's not how looking after another person works. If he's unable to look past himself due to emotional baggage, then he is unfit for this job and needs to consider seeking help to work through whatever it is that's holding him down.

[ A pause. Then the actually important part. ]

Do you think you can help him?

[Private]

[tiedonastring]

How to contradict yourself.

You sit there and downgrade who he is and then say he's not fit for the position. Then you choose to make an open post asking for pity because you are now by yourself at the hospital and claim to be worried about the patients he left behind.

He chose to remove himself for a REASON. Yet you're mad because he left you alone. But you're ripping him apart and say he's not fit.

It doesn't seem like nothing satisfies you.

WHY DO YOU CARE?

[Private]

[beholding_archivist]

[ Now that's one big misinterpretation, but... Does Jon feel like repeating himself?

...no. That's what the playback function exists for.

With one exception. ]

I will repeat my question: Do you believe you can help him?

[Private]

[tiedonastring]

Why do you care?

[He'll repeat himself again. He heard him and knew what he meant.]

You've already labeled him.