five; video

[bloodspeaker]

[Lawd, this guy is spent. Though he usually likes to broadcast from somewhere in the clinic -- his office, a supply closet, the waiting room -- this time, he's in bed, propped up against pillows and looking weary.]

Folks, we're not exactly out of the woods yet -- as the piles of stinking rubble and even less breathable air than usual make obvious -- but I still wanted to thank everyone who stepped up in service of the clinic over the past month.

[He rubs the side of his pale mouth tiredly.]

We lost a lot of patients, there's no denying that. But we saved plenty of people, too. Saved each other. We did our goddamn best. That's worth something.

[He pauses, as though that's all he's got to say. The feed shakes a little as he shifts around on his bed, his hand finding a piece of paper with a ring on top of it. He closes his fist over the ring, curls his fingers against the paper.]

And -- for those of you who knew him ... Belthazar has gone home, to Azeroth.

[His expression tightens; he's saying this for his own benefit, as much as anyone else's.]

No one who's been there would call our world a safe place. But our cities aren't like this, and Belthazar was just a child. Better that he's gone.

[He thinks of Jericho, so recently killed in the bombing, and Syllona, constantly overwhelmed with fear.]

Better that all the children should go, if their circumstances at home are even slightly better than this.

Comments

[gordonowesmeabeer]

Gives me hope just to actually see any children at all, but you're not wrong.

[bloodspeaker]

Doesn't give me any goddamn hope. It just makes me angry.

[gordonowesmeabeer]

I get where you're coming from, but let's put it this way: There are literally no humans on my world under the age of 20. No one has been born in 20 years.

[video]

[demonbloodblade]

Do you think we should consider setting up a place for those under a certain age who aren't skilled combatants to go in case of emergency, or just trying to make sure they have someone taking care of them instead of the current as-we-can setup? It might end up better to make sure they're protected.

Also, whoever was coming through passing out medicine in the catacombs, if they work at the clinic, on behalf of everyone in there please tell them that it was appreciated.

[bloodspeaker]

Not all of them are interested in a guardian, unfortunately.

[flashmaiden]

Right... I'm glad I could help at all, you know? I wish we could have saved more, but-

[She knows they really did everything they could, even before the bombs started dropping.]

How are you feeling?

[bloodspeaker]

You made the effort. That's all I could possibly ask for.

[he's a bit surprised by her question, and he runs a hand through his hair before he replies.]

Well. I've been better.

[flashmaiden]

Thanks... There's a lot of rebuilding to be done after this too.

[She presents him with a smile.]

Get some rest, you really deserve it. It won't benefit anybody if you aren't well too.

voice

[totallytrustworthy]

Can't agree with you more, mate. This is no place for kids.

Or anyone.

[bloodspeaker]

['Mate'? ARE YOU FROM GILNEAS?]

It's not an ideal environment in any event, no. But at least the adults are better equipped to handle it.

In most cases.

[breakin_ur_lore]

[It does make him feel a little better, to hear Adra saying that they did well. He's a little concerned about how tired the elf looks, though. Not that he doesn't have a good reason for it.]

Do you need anything, Adrasteius?

[bloodspeaker]

[He's starting to doubt his decision to go with video for this post, but it's his default. He sighs, shrugging.]

No; I'm fine. Don't worry about me, Med'an. Are you well?

[breakin_ur_lore]

[TO BE FAIR YOU SOUND LIKE CRAP TOO ADRA. No offense :D ]

I'm....

[Kind of shaken up, actually. :( ]

...I'm not hurt anywhere.

text .........

[applethief]

So
Is it just the trend for people to post while they look like shit
Or are you that bad at making decisions

You should probably just put the tablet down
I mean, if you had just gone to sleep
Like you obviously want to
This could've waited until you woke back up

[bloodspeaker]

Charming, as always.

[applethief]

What does that have to do with anything.

[Voice]

[oldsoldiersneverdie]

Good to know there's one less kid caught up in this mess.

You need help with repairs?

[bloodspeaker]

The clinic wasn't badly damaged, but there are definitely a number of walls that need attention. If you're still willing, I'll still take the help.

[oldsoldiersneverdie]

Walls I think I can do.

voice

[implying]

A certain texting bluebird has a very good point, my dear. You look terrible.

[bloodspeaker]

[Definitely should have gone with voice. He makes a dismissive gesture.]

It's the lighting.

[ video ]

[thewhitepawn]

...

[He didn't really know Belthazar beyond lending him a few books that had been Jaina's and a few sparse conversations but he felt he could understand where Adra came from, at least a little. Stamping down the feelings of homesickness welling up he offered a patient, quiet smile for the other as he studied him.]

Would that everyone could find a way home. I would like to continue helping at the clinic however I can.

[bloodspeaker]

[Adra's not entirely sure how to talk to Prince Anduin. On the one hand, he was a child -- on the other, he had been through much more than most humans who were two and three times his age. Plus there was the pesky fact that he was King Varian's son. Adrasteius doesn't hold nearly as much ill will towards humans as many other sin'dorei, and he certainly sees the illogic in holding Anduin accountable for someone else's years-ago actions. But it is all a little surreal, nevertheless.]

I'm sure your father is missing you, Prince Anduin. But I'll be glad to have you for as long as you're here.

video

[highhealplz]

[ hey check it out, ashraf's not lookin so hot himself! better than some frail little elf dude, yeah, and maybe even on the way to good, but still not quite hot. BUT NONETHELESS: ]

I'm sorry to hear it. [ he didn't know Belthazar, but that's never stopped sympathy before! ] Were you close?

[bloodspeaker]

[Adra frowns at Ashraf's not-so-hotness. Frail elf he may be, but it's humans who die at the drop of a hat. LIE DOWN, SIR.]

I admit, I had started thinking of him like a son.

[He runs his fingers over the letter lying next to him and smiles weakly.]

Seems he felt the same.