ellipsanet | video; un: calabash

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video; un: calabash

Could I interest anyone in classes for basic first aid?

[The slim, white snake that some people may remember from the last time a post attached to this username was put on the network is looped around the green-haired doctor's neck and looking directly into the camera with oddly human-looking eyes, her forked tongue flicking out now and then.

Baizhu's voice is light, casual. He looks well.]

I'm sure we have people here very talented in healing magic, but with the strangeness of this world you never know when knowing how to correctly apply a tourniquet or treat a burn on the spot might come in useful. We do seem to be being encouraged to expand our skill sets, no?

[The doctor smiles.]

I can be sure to find a location that suits the level of interest but having some people to assist on the teaching side wouldn't go amiss either. Do let me know, and I'll make the arrangements.

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Not the first? Now that sounds like something worth hearing about.

[Changsheng gives a small nod of agreement, sliding forward from Baizhu's neck to curl into a loose coil on the table next to his arm instead.]

Ah-- if you wouldn't mind, that is.

Haha, no not at all.

[Seeing Changsheng move, Jeep decides to follow to sit on the table too. Friend??]

It was a place called "Trench". It was dark, run by powerful creatures known as Pthumerians... and powered by Blood. Everyone who arrived did so by waking up on the shore of the sea. A processed described as "Waking" - as if our previous homes were nothing more than dreams.

[Perhaps not 'friend', but Changsheng will investigate this creature while Baizhu is otherwise occupied making a friend. It's good for him to have friends, she thinks.]

That sounds rather more dangerous than where we currently find ourselves...

[Looming threat of the darkness outside the barrier aside, Ellipsa has proven to be rather peaceful for the most part.]

[He'll keep a decent distance, but sniffing is going to happen. Sorry, Changsheng. He's like a cat.]

Oh, indeed. This place is... honestly, I find it hard to wake up without anticipating some new curse descending upon us. Whether the city will suddenly be swarming with strange cultists, waves of blood, and the like.

The possibilities of horror certainly were endless.

[Changsheng does not seem to mind the sniffing. Baizhu keeps half an eye on them, but he knows that the snake can take care of herself.]

Goodness.

[That does sound awful. Definitely not the kind of place that Baizhu would like to find himself in.]

How did you get by?

[Sniffing accomplished, curiosity satisfied, Jeep decides it's time to preen his wings. All is well.]

Sleepers, as we were known, were rather... insistent on looking out for one another. They had established safe houses, patrol routes, all sorts of ways to make sure we survived another day.

For nearly a year, that was how things were.

And then I arrived here.

And then you arrived here...

[Here, where within the general bustle of day to day life it can be easy to forget that there is any danger at all.]

That must have been a shock.

[Not necessarily an unpleasant one, mind you, but to go from a situation where you spent each day fighting for your life to one that was so calm by comparison? It must be strange.]

It has been.

I admit, I am not... entirely used to the calm. I keep expecting things to suddenly explode. Or for a multitude of beasts to descend.

[There doesn't seem to be nearly as much danger here, as there was in Trench. Or even back in his world.]

[Somewhere that feels less and less like "home" by the day.]

I will admit... even without the kinds of experiences that you have, I find myself often anticipating much the same.

[Baizhu smiles sympathetically. Even as peaceful as Ellipsa seems most of the time the threat beyond the barrier still looms, and Baizhu has seen first-hand some of the creatures that lurk in the darkness beyond.]

I don't think a little wariness is too unusual given our situation, but try not to let it trouble your mind too greatly. [His smile softens.] But if you do have issues with your nerves, I'm sure I can put together a tonic for you.

Have monsters ever breached the city itself? Or... things stronger than those we typically go up against on missions?

[It was that way in Trench, after all. Things emerging from the sea, or beyond the walls. Things the Pthumerians allowed to happen.]

Haha, well. I'm more than used to dangerous living conditions. I should be quite all right. [He bows his head slightly.] But thank you. I will keep that in mind, if the need arises.

Not that I know of, but I can't claim to be aware of everything that happens here.

[Something from the Darkness breaching the barrier in any significant way feels like it would be noted, though, so although he does not say it outright the answer is probably 'no'.

For what comfort that might bring.]

And, as for the rest... I am quite used to living with my poor health, but that doesn't mean I don't still take steps to remedy the problems that it causes. Try not to ignore your own needs. At least not for so long that you find yourself beyond help.

I can't imagine anyone could be.

[But that's not a problem. Not really. He's so used to living in a constant state of "what's going to try and murder us today", that another place full of it won't be much of a problem.]

Please don't worry. I have no desire to be so much of a detriment to myself that I am in danger. [... Most of the time.] But I will keep you in mind.

And that shall be all that I ask.

[It isn't often that Baizhu meets someone with whom he feels enough of a kinship that he might try to gain that person as a friend. Friends are risky business with the kinds of things he tends to go sticking his nose into... but he thinks Hakkai would understand.

And Changsheng would be pleased, he's sure, to see him making some friends.]

What of your home world, though? How does that compare?

I shall keep that in mind.

[It's surprisingly honest. Granted, he will probably not manage it, but he'll keep it in mind - nothing against Baizhu. He quite likes the other already. That's... just his self-destructive ways.]

[He hums, thoughtfully.]

It's been quite a long time since I've dwelt on it. In Trench, I learned we were not missed while we were away... which was a relief, I admit.

But, overall, this place is far calmer than the world I came from, as well. Though the occasional bouts of mayhem are familiar!

Hah, and what would life be without the occasional bout of mayhem? Such things have always been familiar to me as well, though I tend to sit on the sidelines.

[When Liyue had been attacked - not only once, but twice - by raging sea serpents released from beneath the waves, Baizhu himself had been far from the centre of the fighting. But that didn't mean he wasn't watching, concerned and tense, from the outside of the pharmacy as the battle raged in the harbour. He had seen the Jade Chamber come flying overhead, crashing into the sea. He had seen the flashes and explosion of power and known that the relative safety of where he was could only be assured if that front line did not break.

He pulls his thoughts back to the present and smiles faintly.]

I am, as you may understand, not much of a fighter.

Very dull indeed, I suppose! Haha...

[Though, really, Hakkai has never been on the sidelines of anything. It must, genuinely, be nice to be able to do that. Maybe he can... at some point. If his new life permits.]

[More importantly, though, a new thought.]

I understand. Though, if you've ever any interest in learning a bit, I'm happy to assist.

Oh, it isn't a matter of interest. It's more a matter of my health.

[Baizhu gives Hakkai a small, semi-apologetic smile as he shakes his head. Changsheng glances his way and one could almost be sure that she was raising one eyebrow at him, if she had eyebrows to raise.]

The exertions of combat aren't something that suit me well. [A shrug, and another smile.]

I can defend myself if need be, but staying out of conflict altogether is usually my preferred option.

Oh, yes, of course, my apologies.

[He even inclines his head too, just to, you know. Apologize more. Or something like that.]

In that case, should you find yourself in such a situation, please don't hesitate to reach out.

[You're his friend now, Baizhu. That's a threat.]

[Baizhu smiles graciously. Changsheng gives him a look. She knows as well as he does his track record when it comes to 'reaching out' (it is not good) and Hakkai may very well find that it is the snake who reaches out before the doctor himself does.]

I shall... keep that in mind.

[The snake lets out an audible sigh.]

Though I shall try to keep myself out of trouble, first and foremost.

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video; un: calabash

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