joint video post: announcing free first aid kits and clinic stuff! by Donny, Steph, Ella and Flora

[bumbles]

( THE SETTING: the setting isn't exciting. I mean, it's the clinic and it looks extremely clean and well organised, but that's probably more a relief to any observers than exciting. Donny is himself, dressed in his scrubs, sleeves of the long shirt he wears underneath rolled up so that the tattoos and metal bands around his forearms are visible. He'd look sort of badass if he didn't also look a little bit green.

Fortunately he is surrounded by attractive people and first aid kits! YEAH. AWESOME. Ella is on his right, Flora as his left, although they're positioned on one side of the camera. Almost like they are keeping room for something. )

Um, h-hey. I'm-- I'm Donny, I um, I help in the-- the c-clinic? With-- supplies, and coordinating uh, stuff. ( There's a long pause, and he glances to Flora, fumbling with his words for a second before he can put something together. ) Um, just-- we just wanted to announce that we have um, m-made first aid k-kits for all the Transports. I think-- some of you p-picked them up at the m-meeting? 

( he's making a conscious effort not to fidget, but he looks so uncomfortable, and there's a reason he doesn't... do video posts. This time he's chewing his lip, glancing at Ella for a second before his gaze drops and his fingers curl towards his palms. )

If you haven't g-got one yet, if you c-could um, please come by the c-clinic. It'd b-be-- be good to get um, everyone checked off the list b-before the day n-new Transports arrive. And-- yep.

( Oh what's that? Donny seems to look horrified for a second, before Stephanie steps on camera, holding a first aid kit and modelling its contents the way you might see a car or a fridge or another fantastic prize modelled on a quiz show. Stephanie, please.

She even has a suitable 'game show model' smile, though it turns into a sheepish grin about a third of the way into her little demonstration.

With that ruined, she steps up so she's closer to the camera, putting an arm around Donny's shoulders as she addresses their audience. Donny would like the ground to swallow him up and it shows. ]

Sorry, they dared me to do it. [No they didn't.] Hey, everyone, I'm Steph, and I'm here to help you learn how to use these handy little things, if you'd like. Well, there are a few other people who can teach you as well, but I'm the cutest.

[Donny is looking horrified still (THIS IS A SERIOUS ANNOUNCEMENT), but Steph is all smiles.]

Anyway, most of this stuff is pretty simple, but if you'd like to learn your way around basic first aid, there are some classes you can sign up for, either by replying here, or coming down to the clinic whenever you're free. [a beat, to let that sink in, then:] That's it from me, have a good one, guys.

[And with a little salute, and a pat to Donny's arm, she moves off screen. There's sort of... trepidation and concern in how he looks to the others, now, waiting for them to chip in. ]

Ella is trying to smile next to Donny. She’s been slightly under the weather -a lot, actually- but hearing him make an effort and kind off flail at it does wonders for her mood. Maybe she’s a bit of a bad friend. Sighing, she takes a step forth as she holds a kit up. ]

It’s free, of course, and we will replenish it whenever you need. It has a bunch of useful stuff, both for treating whatever little nuisance you might have and prevent something serious to get even more serious before you can get help. [ A beat. ] And of course, you should totally come to the Infirmary if you really need to. Having a kit will solve some problems, but here’s where we make sure you get better.

[ She glances at Flora. While Ella can talk for hours, this is a joint effort, so she’ll bite her tongue. For now. ] [She appreciates the self-restraint, Ella. Donny looks at her and she flashes him a warm and encouraging smile. She’s really proud of him for doing this and taking initiative. When Stephanie makes her display, Flora tries to look stern, at least for Donny’s sake, but it’s clear she’s trying very hard not to laugh. She manages it. Somehow. Barely. Boy, does she ever love working here, sometimes. By the time it’s her turn to speak, though, she smoothly takes her cue and is quite composed, if still smiling.]

If for some reason you’re unable to pick up a kit, arrangements can be made to have them delivered to you. We’re here to help, so just let us know, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

( Thanks, ladies. BUT BEFORE THEY WRAP THIS UP, Donny kind of shakes himself out of his state of I HATE PUBLIC SPEAKING to add, )

We're-- we're t-trying to uh, make sure we have all our b-bases covered for um, Transports that aren't human. C-cause-- I guess m-most of our knowledge and equipment is human... human f-focused. And-- yeah, any help p-preparing would be great. We have some other staff who aren't human, if you'd uh, f-feel-- feel m-more comfortable talking to them. Galadriel and-- there's also blood d-donations and-- Yeah. You c-can um, always ask us for m-more details and stuff. Thank you.

( Oh God can they turn off the feed now please turn off the feed-- thank God, Flora bounds forward and turns off the device. )


( OOC: Responses will come from Donny and various other clinic folks!
You also don't have to play out your character receiving a first aid kit! These losers will try to make sure every transport has one ASAP, delivering if they must. THEY WILL HUNT YOU DOWN TO GIVE YOU YOUR FIRST AID KIT. But, you know. Politely. )

Comments

[wilder]

[Yeah this just in Donny: the clinic is full of shameless people. Run for the hills]

Oh c'mon, don't tell me you haven't noticed! You got three of them to do the video without asking, and more checking in on you in the comments- and don't think I haven't noticed that really attractive lady coming to visit you sometimes during work!

Seriously, you're like a magnet for them.

[bumbles]

They're-- m-my friends, I d-don't--

( He is turning all kinds of colours right now, sweet Jesus. ) B-because Ella and Stephanie and Flora are involved in the c-clinic stuff, so it-- it m-made sense for them to-- to d-do it.

( And his ears are red now, too. ) Max is a friend, it's n-not-- I don't magnet anyone.

1/3

[wilder]

Hey hey- you don't have to be embarrassed by it! It's great! Women like you, nothing wrong with that! It means you got some serious charm under the stutter going on!

2/3

[wilder]

-- Unless, it is the stutter they find charming.

[He makes a thoughtful hmmmmmm]

[wilder]

Well, I guess it is kinda endearing once you get used to it. So I wonder if that's part of it...!

[bumbles]

( Nnooooooooooooooo


this would be a fantastic time for the floor to swallow him up. 1. because the stammer was specifically mentioned 2. because charm came into it and about ten other reasons that he can't articulate because everything is too insane. )

It's n-not charm, or-- endearing. ( struggling, a little, because the stammer is difficult, it makes everything so much more difficult, and to think that it was somehow this attractive quality when he has been through total shit because of it-- Donny frowns. )

Just-- c-coincidence, is all.

[lucency]

It's terribly endearing.

[ AND THEN, JUST AS REQUESTED, BELLE WANDERS BY, checklist in hand, with a slightly smug grin in donny's direction. and then she laughs and rolls her eyes. ]

We're just trying to help. That's all.

[wilder]

[!!! ANOTHER ONE?! SWEET GODDESS DONNY DO YOU BATHE IN PHEROMONES?! ]

Really? Help with what?

[bumbles]

( :c ladies

ladies please

Donny looks at Belle ever so slightly like he has been terribly betrayed and just goes to quietly try and stand between Belle and Kaneis. As if that is a solution to the situation. )

Clinic things. It's-- c-clinic things.

[lucency]

[ AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, DONNY but no, he's right, that is not hers to disclose. so she just nods. ]

Exactly. He can't run the clinic all by himself. And everyone should help out where they can, with the situation like it is.

[wilder]

[He raises an eyebrow because seriously? Donny's been a big help, sure, but it was Ashraf and Kirian's clinic. Hell, even he had more seniority than Donny by sheer time served along with several other staff.]

[Buuut being someone very good at picking up body language and the lines inbetween? He sure is getting the vibe of what the help is actually about]

...Running the clinic, right.

Well, thank you! It's very appreciated.

[bumbles]

It's f-fine. It's--

( No, wait, there's something more to be said. ) I think you're l-looking at it wrong. If you-- only n-notice them b-because they're beautiful. I m-mean they-- they are. ( This is awkward with Belle right here. ) B-but-- they're smart. And they're g-good at helping with c-clinic stuff or, um. Or the fighting c-crime stuff, or m-magic. Even if I d-don't-- or you d-don't, um, if we aren't attracted to them, that's n-not the point. The point is having p-people who um, who you w-want to help. And-- vice versa. G-good p-people, not-- b-beautiful women.

( Wow that was so inarticulate, and he's never really stopped to think of Flora or Steph or Ella as beautiful, even if he was aware of it. They're just... people who he helps, who help him, too. Or he tries to help. They're coworkers and friends and they're all Transports together.

He pauses, hesitation hanging in the air as he tries to work out how to say it better, if he should bother, before he shrugs. ) M-misses-- everything else.

( Mumbled, with a shrug, before he looks back down at his clipboard. He really needs to not talk, but it's something he's seen so often before, with Selene and with Max, and it just-- grates. )

[wilder]

[Oh yeah. He's heard this lecture many times. So much that he just gives a little smile and goes]

Wow.

Are you saying you don't think their intelligence, personalities and capabilities are part of what makes them beautiful? Just their looks is what matters with that word?

Jeez! Now that's just shallow and objectifying. [He makes a tsk tsk noise] I expected better of you, Donny.

[lucency]

[ so yes. yes, belle is officially apart of this now, and so yes, yes, she does hear donny's attempt at rabble-rousing. and it's sweet, it really is, ineloquent as it may have been.

and then this guy.

she stands there with a sigh, and - was this a joke? she's going to chide him anyway: ]

No. What he's saying is that he respects us for more than that.

People here have qualifications. We're not just distractions.

[bumbles]

( He looks up, then, sharp, something harsh settling at the line of his mouth. ) That isn't w-what you were t-talking about.

( Heat flares around him for a moment before he shoves it down, moving closer to Kaneis and for a moment, for a second he is all Atlas and no Donny. ) You weren't t-talking about how smart they are, or their p-personalities, so d-don't-- don't lie and t-twist my words.

( If there is any one thing he has seen to much of, it's that. And he knows he can't get it really, because he's just another guy, but after the way he saw his sisters and Max and women that needed Atlas being treated, women every day, it galls. A glance at Belle and he moves back. ) S-sorry.

( Quietly, to Belle. )

1/2

[wilder]

[Zelos isn't even the slightest bit intimidated by two people chiding him. He'll look over at Belle.]

Of course I know the women in the clinic have qualifications. I've worked alongside with them through battles, bombings, epidemics - all sorts of stuff. Hell, several of them are more devoted, qualified and tougher than I am - I have no shame in admitting that.

I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for the women in the clinic as comrades and co-workers, whether or not I find them beautiful.

2/2

[wilder]

[And then he turns to Donny with a look that very much screams you barked up the wrong tree boy.]

However, I don't have respect for you, Donny. It takes more than setting up first-aid kits and a cliche speech about women being more than their looks to earn my respect.

And I didn't wanna say it, buuuut the truth is? I'm getting the strong sense the reason why the women keep hanging around you? Is because they don't really respect you either. They might think they do, but I think deep down it's more they're convinced you're not strong enough for this gig and are trying to protect and coddle you. Which is awfully sweet of them.

Sorry though, I don't have time for that coddling shit to do it myself. So don't expect it from me.

But hey, mystery solved.

[And with that, he's turning to walk away. And as he does so?]

And for the record? I wasn't lying.

[lucency]

And you're a decent human being for - for your disclaimer that you have no shame?

[ as if a normal man would be ashamed at the respect they may carry for a woman. she goes tense, incredulous, trace amounts of fury in her tone and it's just like home, isn't it? she was never a pretty object in a gown to be touched by whoever felt like it, made to praise whoever was respectful and didn't.

her shoulders tense and she takes it upon herself to take a few steps after him. ]

You don't get to tell me what I really feel, or what I really think. You've never met me.

It might be a foreign concept, but people help those that they care for.

[ she'd do it for donny, she'd do it for ruby at home - for anyone there, because there's a sense of camaraderie in times of trouble, and belle thrives on the usefulness and the chaos of it all.

this is no different. ]

[bumbles]

( Mystery solved. Like that had ever really been a question. Donny falters, watching Kaneis depart and he'd say something else, anything else if he could scramble for the words and gather them up.

He wants to say something else. That he helped during the epidemic, he was there, he helped, but so often Adonis was invisible, and that Atlas held the hospital together and helped keep it from falling in on itself during the bombings. He tried to help, but that doesn't mean anything when people don't know he and Atlas are the same. Or maybe its right, the way he always thought it was, that people couldn't believe in Donny because Atlas was so completely different and had all the strengths Donny didn't. Maybe he was right that Donny was an idiot, that pointing out the lose threads made him a fool, rather than raising any kind of awareness or decent point. He was just an idiot wielding a cliche.

That was about the best he'd ever really been. Donny looks at Belle, is aware that she's saying something and she has her own reasons to pursue, but he can't get his head around it. It feels a little bit like listening to a conversation from underwater. And there's more to be said, he knows that, but words aren't something he's really strong with. )

Sorry.

( Quieter, more to himself, arms hugging around his chest before he looks down at the clipboard, sets it to the side and takes a few steps back. He should... probably go. It would probably be better if he goes. )

[wilder]

Heh...Don't recall ever saying I was a decent human being. I know I'm not.

[He still doesn't turn back to look at Belle, instead opting to keep talking over his shoulder.]

I could be wrong, just seeing it how I saw it! And who knows? Maybe it is a foreign concept to me.

But whatever, later all. ♥

[And with that, he leaves]