cape_kore | 006/Audio/Late Day 79

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006/Audio/Late Day 79

I've had a thought, Kore--because I do that, occasionally, when I'm not too busy drinking. We've had a lot of new arrivals turn up injured lately, and also a number of re-arrivals with nasty wounds. What about a few of us volunteering as a quick-response group for these occasions? A welcoming committee for the bruised and bleeding, as it were.

I don't know whether the infirmary is equipped for overnight stays, so someone will have to inform me. I'm afraid to go look. If not, maybe some sort of temporary shelter would be appropriate, as well.

...

...And on a completely unrelated note, could the person who's been painting murals of birds around town pretty please come forward? I want to shake your hand.

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Oh! I'm sorry, I thought we were talking about preventing unnecessary suffering. I didn't realize this was about your bruised ego.

Well, by all means, then, go on and tell me how no one's cooperating, while people are digging up my yard en masse for planting and making plans to repair damaged buildings.

Darling, the last you here was the one who rather rudely informed me that I was unnecessary. I'd tread carefully.

I'm not going to apologize for something I don't remember doing. Are you going to sulk about it or do you want to set it aside and try to work with me here?

You're not the only one with medical or healing expertise, but given the place's tendency to rip people away on a whim, it seems to me it would be smart of us to have some semblance of a system with multiple failsafes. Clearly you're not unnecessary. No one is.

This is as diplomatic as I get, love. Take it or leave it.

You don't seem to listen. I tried t set up a system with multiple failsafes. I was told to bugger off and take my system with me.

This was before I arrived this time, yes? I have no idea what happened then, so I can't comment. [He sighs and clicks to video, expression even and serious, if somewhat annoyed.]

Perhaps you're right and I'm just asking for frustration, but we've had a number of things happen just since I've been dropped here. While you were a mermaid, I was a man-eating monster and nearly ripped limbs off two of my friends. We've had at least one person come back from the dead.

And now this escape attempt...well, it certainly hasn't ended as planned. I wouldn't be surprised if our captors chose to retaliate.

Perhaps people will be more receptive to another attempt? As I said, I'm not trying to set up anything formal-organization is not my strength. I just want an understanding that if someone screams for help, someone else will be willing to answer. [There's a moment's hesitation and genuine discomfort, and he adds:]

I have friends and family here. They matter more to me than my pride. Would you be willing to discuss this face to face?

I'm a bit offended that you think I would be willing to answer if someone screamed for help.

I'm a doctor. I live by my Oath. But the problem is that treating a patient that does not want to be treated is every bit as much a violation as ignoring one. You see the problem.

And as for talking face-to-face.

[She flips on the video. Her face is completely blurred, like someone trying to remain anonymous in a news interview.]

Well. You see the problem with that too.

I'm not a doctor, I'm an angel. We do all sorts of things to people without their permission. [He shakes his head ruefully.]

I'm not asking you to force anything on anyone. Actually, I'm not sure what I am asking at this point. [His lips twitch at the blurred image. Oh, right. Vampire. He forgot for a moment.]

By face to face, I meant I'd like to meet in person, on neutral ground.

If you like, although I don't think I have much that will be of use to you.

Information is always useful! Even at my most obnoxious, I can't claim to be omniscient. Well, I could, but no one would believe me.

Shall we meet at the bar, or do you prefer somewhere else?

The docks. I have little patience for being around drunkards.

We're never going to be good friends, are we? [He chuckles softly.]

Right. I'll be there in five minutes. Just hear me out before you boot me into the water.

Of course. I'm nothing if not courteous.

[He cuts the feed and leaves a note for his housemates before taking flight. As she already knows he's an angel, he sees no reason to land short of his destination and walk, so he touches down by the waterside, with no attempt to be subtle.]

Doctor Barrett.

[Mina arrives by foot, wearing a sharp three-piece suit, a fedora pulled down to a jaunty angle over one eye. She has a ring on every finger and one earring. A bit cartoonish, perhaps, but it's a look that suits her just fine.

Balthazar's angelic senses might also pick up something in her aura. She's more than just a simple vampire. There's something ancient inside of her, something older than old. A very powerful, dangerous Fae presence.]

Good evening, darling.

[He's not sure what the extra spiritual oomph signifies, not at first glance, but he can tell it's old. His first thought is maybe it's part of why she's so sensitive to disrespect. The oldest beings he knows are the archangels, and they're prickly as hell.

He gives a slight bow, looking her over thoughtfully.]

So, we've gotten off on the wrong foot, clearly, and I don't know that there's any way to remedy that. For what it's worth, I might not even be keen on the idea of a medical system now, either, if Cas hadn't turned up wounded like that and then vanished on me.

Angels have healing abilities, but mine are limited, and I'm dreading the day my siblings who are better at it get ripped away home or tucked into some facility for experimentation.

Ah yes. Castiel. Stubborn as hell, that one. Refused to be treated, actually. Which seems to be an ongoing problem with a lot of the people here at the Kore.

[She considers mentioning the time he showed up naked in her kitchen. But no. Despite her bruised ego, she actually has a soft spot for Castiel, the little idiot that he is.]

[Balthazar smiles fondly, looking at the ground.] You've got his number. He wouldn't let me come help, either, so don't take that personally.

It's possible that a number of us come from situations where we can't trust most of those around us. The Heaven I come from, for example, was fractured. Falling apart. I won't bore you with the details.

There are a number of secrets in this town.

I noticed that. And the scientists running this circus seem particularly fond of nabbing people from your world.

[She glances up at the sky a moment.]

Heaven is fractured. Seems appropriate somehow.

You'll forgive me, my dear. The church has never had a place for me.

They do. I like the company, but it's rather ominous. [He follows her gaze up to the unfamiliar sky overhead, and sighs almost inaudibly.]

No offense taken, truly. A human I came to love and respect once said the same thing to me. It took me a while to understand. Of course, the Church and the Host are different things, but they're linked, and there's no unlinking them. A lot of us here, from my world, are runaways from Heaven.

Really? Find that rather hard to believe.

[That Raphael? Not a fun bloke.]

I suppose I could see it for Castiel. Bit of a nutter.

Which part's hard to believe? That I like the company or that a lot of us are runaways? Castiel counts as the latter, although I have yet to see him do something he didn't believe was for the greater good, even in leaving Heaven.

[Raphael, he has to concede, isn't exactly the fun type. But he's still family.]

The part about the runaways, I think. Seems rather contradictory.

Mm. Well, technically, the punishment for desertion is death. Here, though, we seem to have a second chance, or at least a brief respite. It's been over two years since I left Heaven.

And, if I may ask, what did you--and the others--do that warranted this desertion?

Or should I ask what was done to you?

It's not my place to explain for the others.

[He's quiet for a moment, studying the stars again. At length he answers with a question:] Do you have family, Doctor Barrett? Here or anywhere else. Brothers? Sisters?

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