( open ) we do what we can

[naloxone]

CHARACTERS: marta cabrera et al.
LOCATION: around the station
DATE: after mission: scorpion's bend, the rest of february
CONTENT: marta deals with the aftermath of her first mission
WARNINGS: alcohol use, description of stabbing injury, brief mentions of malnutrition (will update as needed)



undo your regret, they said.
it'll be fun, they said.

( open starters )

Comments

[naloxone]

[ while it's certainly not marta's first time seeing one of the towering inorganics in their motley crew, the sight has yet to become common enough for her not to give a slight start when she stirs from her light rest to find one of them hovering over her, chart in hand.

it's just for a second, though, before her brain catches up her eyes, and she recalls megatron's tireless work tending to those of them who had been immediately admitted. ]

Yes, [ she answers, all business to match his own tone. for a second she distractedly glances at the chair beside the bed — empty. perhaps kovacs had finally heeded her insistence in getting himself something to eat.

shifting her attention back to megatron, her lips flatten out into a faint smile. ]

Liver. I was stabilized, then closed up by Charter magic to prevent further bleeding.

[ ah, wait. he had a more subjective question, hadn't he? ]

I'm... fine. The IV is helping a lot.

[flickerandfade]

Charter magic? Ah. Yes, Miss Abhorsen.

[ Megatron glances at the chart, as if he needs it to remind him of the specifics with his brain made of circuits and chips. Her answer draws forth a clipped nod. His bedside manner is a bit stiff. Awkward. He's still unused to the organic patients, though he's doing his best. ]

I'm glad to hear it. Thanks to the 'magic' and our return to the station, I think you should be well out of danger. The best thing for you now is plenty of rest. Not that you seem the sort to try and clamber out of bed sooner than is reasonable...

[ That ends in a grumble that is likely familiar to any medical professional with over-eager patients. ]

[naloxone]

[ his grumble is a familiar enough grievance that marta cannot help but smile faintly; it's testament to just how tired she is that she does not make any attempts to hold it back, where she would normally be more inclined not to poke at an obviously sore wound. ]

I promise I'll stay put until I'm officially cleared.

[ she has, of course, gotten that same sort of assumption before. a "goody two shoes," as newt had once called her, though there've been a fair few times such behavior has made others suspicious of her, like someone who would willingly follow instructions can't possibly exist.

she shifts lightly in bed, sparing a quick glance around. ]

Are there very many of us here?

[flickerandfade]

I'm grateful for that. You need the rest.

[ Everyone needs the rest. This mission was a disaster. ]

In the infirmary? A few. Everyone is malnourished and exhausted, some have wounds and injuries from fighting the bandits.

[naloxone]

[ this is only marta's first mission, but from everything she's heard thus far... she's starting to wonder if any of their "successes" ever feel like an actual success.

she nods at his words. it's what she expected, but it's still disappointing to hear. things got really hairy out there, for so many different reasons. ]

Thank you for looking over us. It must be... different. From that you're used to.

[flickerandfade]

[ Megatron has known both success and failure in spades and this... feels like any other. Success at a cost is still success, as far as he's concerned. ]

It's very different.

[ He'll admit that much readily. ]

You are far more fragile.

[naloxone]

[ marta has never had much of a sense of pride, but something that almost feels like it licks the insides of her mouth. almost has her ask if fragility isn't as subjective as everything else. that surely, in his world, even mountains still bend to the sea. ]

Anything can be fragile, at the end of a blade.

[ it's a funny, strange feeling, but one she easily stamps down. it seems she's not as accepting of what transpired back on the sands of scorpion's bend as she thought. but that's hardly megatron's fault.

in a quieter, more self-deprecating tone, ]

Especially if don't have any skill to defend yourself against it.

[flickerandfade]

[ Megatron tilts his head slightly to peer at Marta and a frown creases his face. ]

I apologize if I gave offense. I do not mean fragile in a deprecating way. It is simply a fact that organics, in this particular case humans, are more fragile and easier to damage than the Cybertronians I have experience treating.

[ He seems content to leave it at that, for a moment, but then adds: ]

You're right, though. It's much easier for those who are not used to violence to be victims of it.

[naloxone]

[ marta winces, retreating into the fluffed pillow behind her. ]

No, I— [ she lifts a hand, rubbing it over her brow, down her face. ] I'm sorry. I'm just frustrated, and I'm taking it out on you. I just...

[ she sighs, looking up to the florescent lighting above. ]

It was my first mission. It feels like everything that could have gone wrong, did.

[flickerandfade]

Your frustration is more than understandable, Marta.

[ Megatron offers a smile down at the bed. His bedside manner needs work, but he's really trying his best. ]

Conflict is often that way. Many things can go wrong and sometimes they all do. I'm sorry this was your introduction to our efforts.