snowblindrpg | [network] @claytonator; WARNING: SHOTS [open]

[text - 15 minutes after injections]

[He's been in Norfinbury for scarcely more than two days now, and already it's Clayton's first instinct to grab the tablet he was provided when he encounters something odd. And there are plenty of odd things going on in this place. The state of the buildings he finds, the weather, the emptiness, the overpowering loneliness and suffocating anxiety--it's all reason to check in for information, and to make sure everyone else is handling the situation safely.]

[Being suddenly woken up by a shooting pain in his arm and being consequently paralyzed for an indeterminate amount of time later, for example, is something urgent enough to warrant this level of concern. As soon as there's enough feeling in his limbs to allow for it, Clayton starts typing.]

Just woke up to unexpected altercation in house. Seems to have been for a shot.

[Clayton inserts a picture of the wound, here, which is still raw and bruised. He knows an injection site when he sees one.]

Not sure what for, or what effects will be. Only symptom so far was short-term full-body paralysis. Will be keeping a close eye on it.

Not sure where the people who gave the shot went. Couldn't see them. Please check in and be careful out there.

[text - soon after ADMIN post]

UPDATE: Definitely some kind of vaccination. With side-effects like full paralysis, though, I would be cautious about assuming it's fixed everything. Please let us know if any other symptoms develop.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Clayton gets about halfway through typing a response before he realizes what kind of situation he's probably putting this guy into. He's dealt with this before; people have secrets, especially when they show up in the emergency room. It's usually because they're too embarrassed to admit what they've done. Sometimes it's because they've done something illegal. They follow a very regular pattern of deception, Clayton's noticed, so part of his job has become trying to unwind that. It's none of his business why they've done what they've done, but he at least needs to know what.]

[First, he has to dissolve the situation.]

[text (public)]

If you say so. Let me know if you need any help.

[Then, he takes it somewhere more comfortable.]

[video (private)]

[Forgoing touch, the sight of someone's face makes for an excellent indicator of intent. Clayton decides that this level of communication is necessary. He needs this guy to trust him.]

You know, I can't help ya if you won't tell me what's the matter.

[ Tim is pretty obviously uncomfortable as hell. The tension in his posture is clearly visible even on a little tablet screen, and he silently plucks at his own shirt for a moment before answering. ]

You're seriously a doctor?

[ Everyone else seems to be taking that as truth, but Tim has trust issues even in the best of circumstances. He hesitates slightly and then pulls a bottle of pills from his pocket and holds them close enough for Clayton to see the label.

They're pills for seizures, primarily, but they're also used to treat depression and anxiety. The directed dosage is pretty high. ]

Then I guess I don't need to tell you what those are for.

[If Tim doesn't believe him, then he needs to prove that he's capable; therefore, Clayton goes for an image of calm professionalism.]

Serious as a heart attack.

[Well, okay, he couldn't help that one. Clayton flashes a small smile to try and break the tension, but is quick to wipe his expression clear once the pills are brought out. He leans in and squints at the label.]

Ah...hmm. [This takes him a little bit. Clayton is not a pharmacist for a reason; he was abysmal at chemistry back in college and he's never been good at memorizing drug names, except for the ones that he encounters frequently in the ER. Seizures, luckily enough, fall in that category. Clayton can parse this much.]

...You're epileptic? 'Mong other things...phew. [He puffs a sigh, leans back and, in all seriousness, looks deeply sympathetic.] I'm sorry.

[ Whoa. Okay. Real doctor. While the diagnosis isn't exactly right, Tim can't really expect an accurate one. Mystery illnesses of a supernatural nature don't tend to be covered in most textbooks, after all. His own doctors have basically been diagnosing him with everything under the sun since he was a little kid.

His eyes flick sideways before he answers as he tries to decide how much information to give. ]

Uh, yeah. Basically. Y'know, uh. Fits. Or seizures or whatever. Brain stuff. I get - uh, sometimes there's stuff like memory loss? If I go without meds for too long. So...

[ A++ awkwardness there, Tim ]

[Clayton is momentarily relieved that he was able to pass that small exam before Tim starts babbling. He lets him go for a few seconds--but he's quick to realize that this isn't going to get them anywhere, so he interrupts him with raised palms and gentle shaking of his head.]

Alright, alright, slow down. You're gonna have'ta be real specific. [He starts counting off his fingers.] Seizures and blackouts. Okay. [One typically follows the other, in Clayton's experience, so this makes sense to him. But that medication definitely goes above and beyond serious epilepsy.] Anything else?

[ If Tim were a truther instead of a FILTHY LIAR WHO LIES, this is where he'd say yes. Yes, he also has hallucinations. And symptoms of depression. And dissociative periods where his alternate personality or something takes over. And violent episodes while that's happening. And there's the whole thing where his sickness seems to be tied to the weird monstrous entity that's been following him since he was institutionalised in second grade.

But like we've already established, Tim is a liar. ]

Um, it - I have this cough. It gets pretty bad. And headaches. Sometimes I get, uh, confused? Like, uh, disorientated... When I'm not medicated, anyway. I mean, if - if I keep taking the pills I'm fine, but...

[ He's not likely to scavenge any more here, is he. ]

[Luckily for Tim, the Filthy Liar Who Lies, Clayton is the world's most gullible doctor. He has a choice, here, to decide if Tim is either obviously lying to him or just anxious about having to tell someone about his medical condition. Tim has already lied to him once. But Clayton is not deterred--he decides to believe him.]

Alright--delirium. [Checking that off the list. Suddenly, Clayton has an alarming thought.] How many pills do ya got left on you?

Not - not a lot. The bottle's half empty, so.

I'm gonna space them out to get the most out of them - like, I can tell when things are getting bad? So I figure if, uh. If I just take them when the symptoms start - start manifesting, then they'll last longer. I can deal with the cough and the headaches and stuff, but the seizures? Not so much.

[ He shifts slightly, still uncomfortable. ]

You'll keep an eye out for any more, right? In case we're here, uh, long-term?

[Oh, that's no good. With how high the dosage is, and with the threat of seizures, in a place as isolated as this? Skipping parts of his schedule is going to lead to disaster. Clayton's expression turns severe.]

Naw--you can't be doin' that. I'll keep an eye out, and it'll be the first thing I ask for if I catch whoever's stuck us here, but you can't go skippin' your meds. We'll get outta here soon enough to get you more. But we can't have you havin' a seizure with nobody 'round to help, alright?

[ HURGHHHGHHHHH. Tim can't exactly admit that having a seizure with nobody else around is the best option, can he?

Best to just. Play along. He can't risk taking his meds as normal. He's been without them for long periods before, he'll be fine. ]

Yeah, I guess. I mean it's not - it's not like they can keep us here forever, so...

[Clayton buys it, but reluctantly, complete with flat brow and folded arms, stern but deeply concerned. He does not want Tim to be lying to him right now. That would make him very sad.]

That's right. You just do what you need and we'll have it all sorted out soon enough. Take care'a yerself, Tim.

[Subtle hint that Clayton saw him flip out on Steph's information request post. The man can do his research.]

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