snowblindrpg | [network|log] @Quark; you better work; Night 150 [open network

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[network|log] @Quark; you better work; Night 150 [open network | closed log]

[Quark had done his best to get the entirety of his panic attack out before addressing the network. If he had a choice, he wouldn’t be doing this at all—but he doesn’t. When he was dying, he could pick and choose who he told before his name showed up on the obituary. Now, he needs all the help he can get, from anyone who he can get it from. He let himself cry and scream and panic when he woke up in a body bag, when he fell out of it onto the stone cold floor, and most of all when he discovered what he’d lost. It took him until pretty late into the night before he thought he had a reign on his emotions.

But then he opens his mouth, and all the fear bubbles up again unbidden, choking his words and making them tearful. Every breath of air he takes makes him feel like he’s dragging.]

It’s Quark. I’m back but I—I really need help. I’m at the chapel, can somebody please come get me? I can’t—can’t—

[He takes a deep, shuddering breath.]

I can’t walk.

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Characters:Quark, Fiona, Alfie, and Watson
LocationThe Graveyard (Building 94) and then post lockdown in Building 83
Date: Evening and Night 151
Summary: Three lovely people rescue a child from dying two days in a row.
Warnings: nothing but will add as necessary.

[The day has been grueling. Quark knew he had to leave the building as fast as he could if he wanted to cover any sort of distance. He took the whole night to steel himself. But dragging himself through the snow with all his things, supporting the dead weight of the lower half of his body…it was even harder in practice than he expected it to be.

It’s already getting late by the time he reaches the graveyard. He props himself up against one of the weathered gravestones and tries not to cry. He knows he can’t get any farther, and now it’s not just the bottom half of him that’s numb. His arms hurt, his face is frozen, and he can barely breathe. Please, is all he can think. Please save me. What if he died again? He doesn’t want to die again.]

[Fiona spots Quark first, leaning up against one of the headstones, looking cold and miserable and very, very small. She picks up the pace, moving through the snow and weaving between the headstones as quickly as she can.]

Quark!

[It's amazing that he got this far at all, dragging all that stuff with him. He's a tough, smart kid, but she knows he must be terrified and exhausted and so, without thinking about it, she drops down to her knees beside him and hugs him tightly. He reminds her just a little bit of Sasha at that age, and she can't help but feel protective.]

Good job. You got pretty far. You okay?

[John's heart just about breaks when he sees the state Quark's in. They need to get him inside. Now. He keeps up on Fiona's heels.]

You got really far. If you give Mr. Solomons your pack, I'll go ahead and carry you.

[It's going to be a slog either way, but dividing the weight will help. With Alfie's back, Fiona being the smallest out of everyone here except Quark, it leaves John as the most able-bodied person. Bloody hell. He puts on a comforting smile for Quark, though.]

Fiona, d'you want to get that pack off of him and hand him up to me? Quickly.

[As soon as it looks like she's doing that, John's going to unzip his jacket halfway so that that Quark can actually rest inside that like a sling and John can use his body heat to warm the kid up.]

[Alfie rearranges things a little - shifting his backpack onto one shoulder to free up the other, and tying his messenger bag around his waist. He's not going to be able to walk for too long like this, but with Quark's condition, it'll be best for them to stop at the nearest house anyway.]

Right. Either of you have any extra cloth to put over his face? I might have something, if we can dig it out.

[Oh thank God, Quark's back. Back, but not okay. Shit. Charles flips open the map to check, but with where he ended up after the whole hallucination fiasco, there's no way he could make it to the chapel in a day.

But there's like fifty people in this town, right? Someone's gotta be close enough. And until they speak up, he can't just let this poor kid suffer in silence.]

Hey, don't worry. Someone'll be there. You'll be alright.

Thank you. I hope so. I’m so scared.

[Quark tries to be brave, even when things crazy keep happening. He didn’t panic when he lost his finger, even though it hurt and it was scary. He didn’t lose his cool when he was shocked, or almost drowned, or any of those terrible things. But the idea of being stuck here to die again, not being able to feel his legs--it’s horrible.]

I know, shit's scary. But you're a brave kid. You got a whole finger chopped off and you were alright. This is nothing, okay? It's gonna be fine.

[At least he has to say it's nothing. Because no way is he going to reveal the reality of the situation. He's trying to use his most even, soothing tone, but it's been a long time since he's had to do this kind of thing.]

Has anybody offered to come and get you yet?

[When this message comes through, House feels an overwhelming sense of relief. He came back. Quark actually came back. And then there's fury once more. It's only half-directed at the boy.]

you idiot
why the hell did you go running around outside without anyone?
like a complete freaking moron

I know. It was stupid--I was stupid. I don’t have any excuse.

[He was just seeing things and...he didn’t realize how far he’d gone. He didn’t realize that when he made to go back, the hallucinations would’ve gotten him completely turned around. Thinking about it now, it is...really stupid. He just got ahead of himself. Clever for a little boy as he is...well, he’s not perfect.]

[Well, at least he's not trying to excuse himself.]

jesus christ, kid
what the hell did you even see that you had to go out?

Quark, buddy!

[Look, Zach is incredibly, incredibly relieved that Quark is alive. He might not be able to walk, but he's alive.]

Shit, the chapel? I'm a bit far, won't make it in a day - have you got someone to help?

[After a pause, Quark’s able to provide an answer.]

Yeah, someone said they could come get me. Thank you though--I’m really sorry if I worried you.

[Knowing that he’s going to get picked up is definitely helping him calm down, though it isn’t the perfect solution. The only way Quark would feel really better is if he could walk on his own. Then none of this would even feel so dire in the first place.]

Don't even, kid. [Of course he worries, Quark's just a tiny person still, and he doesn't deserve being around all this shit. He's on Zach's list of 'to protect at all costs', even though they've only spoken a few times and shared a house once.]

Don't be sorry. Just. Stay alive, okay?

[Wilson doesn't love using video, but he switches it on for Quark. Maybe a friendly face will help to calm him down. Wilson also employs his very best soothing doctor voice.]

Welcome back, Dr. Quark. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say it's good to hear from you. [A subtle dig at House's comment? What? No, Wilson would never...]

Try not to panic, alright? You're going to be fine. Has anyone contacted you about coming to pick you up? I think I may be close enough to get you in the morning.

I’m trying. Thank you.

[It’s clear that his bedside manner is definitely helping. Quark isn’t always easily appeased...but right now, he’s just happy to talk to anyone.]

It’s okay, someone already contacted me. You don’t have to go out of your way.

[Still, it’s good to know that someone else is in the area. And that said someone else wouldn’t mind watching after him until he’s capable of walking again.]

[He's almost relieved to tears - or is that worried to tears? Both?]

Quark... I'm so glad you've returned. Is there someone near enough to reach you within the day? We...we most likely wouldn't be able to.

I think so. Thanks, Mr. Enoch.

[Quark takes a deep breath, trying to stop letting his emotions get the better of him. He can’t deny that it’s nice to hear that voice again. Enoch’s always been good at calming Quark down when he’s upset.]

I missed talking to you.

As did I. I admit I haven't been using this tablet as much as I used to. I have no excuse for losing touch with you. I'm sorry.

[He feels somehow, as always, that maybe he might have been able to provide guidance to prevent this. He doesn't quite know how, but it is his way, to take the blame if he ever can.]

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[network|log] @Quark; you better work; Night 150 [open network | closed log]

Day 151

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@makeme; audio

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hotstud_xxx; text

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@zachtastic;video

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@jwilson; video

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voice @Enoch

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