[ voice ]

[hostage]

[No video. Getting to be a habit with him these days, but really... who wants to see him looking like he does right now? Thank him later. If he sounded bad before, he sounds much worse now. The way someone would sound when they've spent a week vomiting. That's why he keeps the message relatively short and sweet.]

I tested the, um... the verstatsi. The U.E.'s drug.

In case the obvious needed stating: don't try it.

Full report coming once I can get my ass outta bed, but I can tell you it's about half-opiate, half-synthetic. The comedown's a total bitch and I ain't just talking like regular use. I mean like one shot and you're gonna need another fix in a few hours unless you like spending the next few days worshiping the porcelain god. Seriously, I'm a professional and this stuff... is bad. I don't think we got a lotta samples around here but take my word for it and don't mess around with it. I done H. This is worse than H. Way worse.

So that's your little P.S.A. and don't roll your eyes 'cause this ain't some D.A.R.E. bullshit, yo. I'm serious.

Comments

[wilder]

[Oh it's open? Sure, he'll just let himself in then.]

[He'll head into the apartment and follow the voice where it came from. He'll cross his arms when he sees him- at least he's alive and conscious...though damn he really did look terrible. He'll walk over to the bed side]

I'm Kaneis from the Transport Clinic. Someone gave us a call that you needed help.

[hostage]

[Jesse glances over and rolls his eyes. Otherwise he makes no attempt to move.]

I don't. They're wrong. False alarm or whatever.

[wilder]

[He raises an eyebrow]

Really? Then can you run a lap around your apartment to prove that? 'Cause you look like you're on death's patio to me.

[hostage]

Shoulda seen me last week.

[Jesse makes an effort to sit up now, at least, propping himself up on a few pillows.]

I'm fine. I'm getting better, not worse. It's fine.

[wilder]

Yes, I probably should've.

[Sigh. Oh well, he'll just focus on the matter at hand]

Is it pure withdrawal or is some of the drug still in your system?

[hostage]

If the drug was still in my system, I wouldn't be looking like this.

[wilder]

Just checking, I'm not an expert on Verstatsi.

Unfortunately we don't have a cure-all for withdrawal, but I can do something to help with the pains of it. And no, it's not more drugs.

[hostage]

Is it magic?

[He's asking seriously here.]

[wilder]

Yeah, that's right.

[Oh good, that saves time]

[hostage]

You're gonna not wanna do that.

[wilder]

Oh? Why not?

[hostage]

'cause it probably won't work like it's supposed to and then you might not be able to do any magic at all and you'll get all mad about it like I didn't tell you to stay away in the first place.

[wilder]

Really?

[He snorts]

Sir, in theory if you did have some incredible way of taking away my powers? I'd name my first kid after you if I was ever gonna have any.

[hostage]

If this is the part where I'm supposed to prove it, can we skip that part? Because it ends with me taking away your powers and then you kicking my ass when I can't give 'em back and I, personally, would rather not have the shit beaten outta me when I got the shakes. I'm just saying.

[wilder]

[He raises an eyebrow a little, mulling things over. This guy was really serious about that, huh? Could he really take away his powers that easily? While most people might be frightened by the idea...Zelos finds it more appealing than anything. The idea of normalcy has always been a tempting one for him]

[Though if he's learned something, it's always that there's strings attached so that thought will get brushed aside quickly and he sighs- focusing on the issue at hand.]

No, I don't need a demonstration. Truth is, I wouldn't use magic on a conscious person without their consent anyway. You tend to get thrown into monster pits for that where I'm from.

[Or something like that]

That being said, I gotta say it's unwise to reject the aid of the clinic simply 'cause you got some guilt complex or whatever that made you decide all this solo act was necessary. We're the ones who might have to deal with this drug's effects later after all.

Now. You can tell me how to use magic on you without risking losing my powers, or I can take your vitals now and get a regular doctor to come visit you in the morning. You'll either get someone who is sunshine and hope or someone who makes me my bedside manner look sweet.

Your choice.

[hostage]

[He bristles at being condescended to. What is he, five? And guilt complex? Really?]

Hey. Two things, asshole:

I'm rejecting the aid of the clinic because I already know you guys can't treat this with medicine. That's the whole reason they got me working on a cure for it.

And second is you shouldn't be anywhere near me right now, and I shouldn't be around any other healers or whatever, because it's like I just said. It won't do me or you or anybody else any good if all the healers in this place suddenly couldn't heal anymore.

I wasn't playing a game when I told people I didn't want anybody coming by to check on me. I ain't kidding about this stuff. You can go back and tell whatever idiot who sent you that there wasn't nothing you could do for me, 'cause that's the truth.

[wilder]

[...Yep. He is getting a headache from this. And truth is, whether or not the guy is able to take away his powers- he has to admit there isn't a whole lot he can do for him. Withdrawal wasn't exactly an injury or a sickness ]

...Whatever. I'm just trying to do my job and make sure transports are okay- you included.

But fine. Can you at least promise to have a regular doctor give you a physical soon, or have one on call? Whether they can help with the withdrawal or not, it'd be good to make sure there isn't anything unexpected coming up.

[hostage]

Yeah, I'll get right on that.

[No, he won't. And it's kind of obvious in his tone.]

[wilder]

[Yeeep he can tell]

Okay, no problem- I can ask for one for you.

[hostage]

Whatever.

[wilder]

Right.

Well, rest up and have a good night, sir.

[And he's moving to leave]

[hostage]

[Good, because he's settling back into his pillows for some restless and uncomfortable non-sleep.]