001 🖖 The Doctor Is In

[licencetoheal]

[After some much needed self-care, Julian has a lot more energy than he did in the tunnels. Sure, he's now apparently growing feathers. And fur. And even more scales. And his canines look an awful lot like a lions. And today, for no apparent reasons, his eyes have slits. And now he has two owl wings he had to cut holes in his clothes for, even if one is stubby. Even if it's all barely formed. It's fine. It's fine it's fine it's fine it's fine.]

[Right now he's in the Columbia University Health Sciences library, talking with the weird mask on while carrying stacks to dump in a shopping cart. The unit on low-tech emergency medicine he took in school was meant just for that - emergencies. This situation may wind up long-term. He needs information about the crude drugs, practically Inquisitorial tools, and supplies of this era.]

I suppose I should introduce myself to anyone I didn't meet in the tunnels. I'm a physician. My name is Dr. Julian Bashir. It sounds as if there are only very few medical professionals able to offer their services to the group. I'd like to get in touch with you, if possible. Best to coordinate efforts, even if we operate out of different locations.

And I'd like to ask for volunteers: anyone willing to help me set us up for better circumstances. Whether you're medical professionals yourselves, willing to be trained, willing to help me scout for supplies, or to help me clean to make some treatment areas as sterile as possible. I plan to find a surgery or the surgical suite of a hospital that seems properly defensible, to clean as much as possible. I will feel so much [he steeples his hands] better about this situation if I can at least douse a surgical suite wall to wall in hospital-grade disinfectant. It can be quite the pick-me-up.

I'll be providing routine medical care - mild injuries, illnesses, that sort of thing - out of the medical clinic at the dorms of Columbia University. [He provides the location.] I'll probably establish the surgery nearby in case triage demands immediate intervention for any patients that have a more serious issue that needs to be dealt with.

As for my qualifications, I have extensive training in xenobiology to serve multiple species, which should allow me to help those regardless of any...changes they're experiencing. I'm capable of providing care as a specialist for all bodily systems, and am a trained surgeon and neurosurgeon. I also have a great deal of experience with trauma surgery as a military field surgeon.

Oh, and given the situation is dire, if any of you find yourselves in need of psychiatric care, I underwent the residency and rotations necessary to be able to diagnose psychiatric conditions and can prescribe you medication, though we should make sure to secure a long-term supply before starting a regimen. When it comes to actual ongoing counseling, however, it's... [He cringes a little, thinking back to his evaluations] it's just - it's not...really one of my strengths.

[His evaluator had gotten so annoyed with him she'd failed at all diplomacy and at one point told him he "needed to learn to shut up." Exact words. It's a good thing he hadn't planned to hyper-specialize. He'd survived that residency but not with his professional pride intact.]

Volunteers, locations, and services... I think that's everything. Feel free to introduce yourselves or ask any questions, including more about my qualifications. Also, if you have any general information about the mutations we've been undergoing, I'd appreciate you sharing it. Or you can respond privately with any health concerns you have.

[He doesn't name a price, doesn't make any demands, and doesn't seem to realize that "I can do every specialty and also surgery and also brain surgery and also military medicine and also am equipped to treat different species" may be a bonkers insane claim to make in at least some worlds. It's routine for a Starfleet doctor.]

[It's also of note that for a doctor, instead of dressed respectably he looks like an absolute clown right now. His uniform is trashed so he dressed civilian, and because of the way his body is changing, he went for comfort. Federation fashion is... bold, to say the least and he's found clothes that resemble it. Loud clashing patterns, odd necklines, unnecessarily shimmery fabric, lots of unnecessary flaps. All synthetics. He looks like he got swallowed alive by the ugliest sections of Temu and Shein and regurgitated.]

Comments

[sorte]

[ oh oh— ]

Another Doctor, I'm so happy to meet you. I have a list of names that I would like to volunteer for long-term therapy!

[ he has a lot of people he wants to put in psychiatric jail please.

Also pauses a moment before also adding: ]

Oh, the Vessels known as Offerings have the most drastic mutations. Not all of us are in that category.

[licencetoheal]

Ah, any treatment would need to be voluntary, and more importantly, self-volunteered. Handling it otherwise would be, well...

Grossly unethical.

[Honestly.]

I'd also only be able to diagnose and prescribe. Usually, I work in tandem with at least one counselor for the actual counseling sessions.

The types of Vessels, do we know why they're chosen for each person? [He briefly looks at his hand and its long talon-like nails.] Who does the choosing? Does anyone remember going through a procedure or event that caused the mutagenic effects to start? Or did everyone wake up that way like I did?

1/2

[sorte]

[ damn. ]

...Well, it was worth a shot.

[justification]

Bashir.

[She sounds relieved.]

I'm glad to hear you're doing well. [...well enough to be making posts like this, at any rate. They worked together admirably in the tunnels, with Cait leading one of the scouting teams and organizing logistics, and Bashir helping them on the more medical side of things. The relief in her voice isn't strictly pragmatic - on the whole, she's just glad he's alright.]

I'll help with anything you need. I can do field dressings, but I'm probably better served trying to find more supplies for you and working out the defenses of your new location.

[licencetoheal]

[He gives her a bright smile because, well...]

[He had been a mutating disaster, fresh from a POW camp, thrown into a new and terrible situation, with no idea what was happening. Finding someone else taking command, regardless of how awful it had been, had given him direction. Purpose. When he'd been exhausted and frayed down to the finest thread.]

[Also, as awful as it is, this situation, now that he's out of the tunnels, is mildly less oppressive than being a prisoner of war. No guards looking over his shoulder, for one thing. He's free to offer as much medical care to others as he wants, and able to gather more supplies for it, for another.]

[So yes, he looks positively chipper, despite the post-apoc hellscape.]

As well as I can be, given I seem to be [he briefly rolls his eyes skyward, as if cursing the heavens] growing a tail. But much better, thank you. It's easy to forget how much a meal and a shower can work wonders.

[He definitely looks better, occasionally shifting animal features aside. His eyes are less sunken in, he's less pale, and not sweating from just sitting upright.]

If you wouldn't mind terribly, if you have some first aid experience, I would like to make sure you're equipped with a kit for an emergency. I can also offer some additional training if you like.

But yes, I think defense, would be the greatest help you could offer. I've been in combat but looking for supplies may get dangerous. And I'm well aware of the fact that a hospital is large enough to be nigh-on indefensible. I need to find a hospital with a surgical suite that's easy to isolate, or a smaller surgery, and some kind of defenses will need to be established when it's in use.

[eidxiety]

[A real doctor... Finally.]

Hi, Mr. Physician! My name is Ain. I used to be a healer (which I guess is a magical doctor?), but my healing magic was largely cut off when I came here. I do have some amount of it back from Sleep though.

Right now I live and help people out of Lenox Hill Hospital, so you're welcome to come by or live there or work there if you'd like! I reorganized the hospital and it has a lot of supplies. I don't know how to use modern equipment, so if you want to check it out and explain things to me, I'm willing to learn. I know basic first-aid, but I don't know surgery.

I'm also a Daemon, so I've mutated quite a lot!

[licencetoheal]

It wouldn't hurt to have multiple locations that offer care. We can cover more ground that way, maybe occasionally courier medication and supplies.

If you're used to providing care, nerve is half the battle, so I would be happy to offer some training. After I refresh myself on the technology and medication of this era, mind you.

[He waggles a book on surgical techniques in his head.]

I had a unit on it at medical school for circumstances when our usual medical technology is unavailable and I've occasionally needed to rely on it, but not for longer periods. It's usually considered an unusual emergency.

[dethangel]

[Yeah, yeah, all that information's probably useful. But!]

We don't have to go for checkups, do we?

[licencetoheal]

Everything is voluntary. The only time I may offer care without consent is if someone is unconscious and injured, in which case I'm going to default to assuming they would like to come out of this situation in one piece.

All that said, it would be much easier for me to provide emergency care when someone is injured if they come in for at least one exam ahead of time to establish a baseline, especially since everyone seems to be mutating, and especially if the power situation can be resolved enough for me to get some medical scans.

[He tries to think of some kind of compromise.]

I know coming in can be uncomfortable. I'll give out sweets if I have to, to get people in. Or stickers.

[potentialman]

You've got me for whatever I can help with.

[ He's just so glad to have someone to advise on all these expired medications he keeps finding, seriously... ]

[licencetoheal]

You had very good instincts in what you've done with the clinic. I'd appreciate more help with it, if you're up for it. Half the battle will be organizing supplies and you already had me set up for success with the medication you saved.

[trashblaze]

[ Though not visible on the Murmur, this positive energy and smile should be very familiar to the good doctor. Even without visuals, the warmth is recognizable. Caelus raises a hand high, much like a student in class trying to catch the attention of the professor. ]

Yes, yes. Once more, I am always here to support everyone!

[ Volunteer work is the Nameless's bread and butter. As a Nameless from the Astral Express, this is something that Caelus will always eagerly go for, no matter the time of day. ]

It's good to see you again, Dr. Bashir!

[licencetoheal]

[It's definitely familiar and there is definitely some warmth returned, tangible through the link. As someone so often rendering care to others, it's rare to have someone come to him during his own time of need to offer some back.]

[And he'd been so hungry.]

It's good to see you too.

You've already helped more than you know. I was at a point I almost couldn't stand. But if you're willing to offer more, I will absolutely put you to work.

Are you trained in first aid? Or comfortable hunting for supplies safely?

[clockgears]

[ That is, in fact, a pretty bonkers insane list of skills for one person to have, but Ozpin isn't about to complain. ]

It's good to know we have another doctor among our numbers.

I'm afraid I can't lend much medical assistance beyond providing basic first aid, but I do have coordinating people and supplies. Particularly in dangerous situations.

[ You know, in case Julian classes this place as dangerous. ]

I'm happy to provide assistance on that front, if needed.

[licencetoheal]

Given that there are multiple medical professionals, that it would be wise to maintain multiple locations for care, and it may be prudent to occasionally exchange supplies or transfer them, I'm sure we could use someone coordinating inventory - especially when it needs to be couriered.

It's unlikely we'll be able to universally maintain a large supply everywhere.

assuming he inbox'd prior, ho ho ho...!

[hallowedly]

Busy as can be, I see. Wonderful, wonderful. ( And r e l i e v i n g. )

I've accrued a degree of medication, though you'll find much of the ready-made availabilities look expired. The machinery was out of commission until recent power supplies restored. They'll need recalibration.

( A beat, then elegantly: ) As for your... personal circumstances. I suppose there might still be a small part for a humble veterinarian to play.

Re: assuming he inbox'd prior, ho ho ho...!

[licencetoheal]

Some of the medicine looks like it may still be chemically stable after some time has passed. I'll check the integrity of the bottles and the information on chemistry in the inserts to see which ones may still be usable.

Usually the greatest risk aside from integrity and mold is stability. We can always monitor for signs a medication seem to have lost efficacy.

[In any other circumstance, he'd throw them out. In an apocalypse? You make do.]

And work on getting some imaging up in whatever place set aside for surgery. I[t makes sense to get any - what would it be in this era, X-rays, CT, MRI? - up and running near where surgery would be performed.]

[As for mention of his...circumstances his face falls. Back on the station, he had other doctors able to provide his own medical care, for anything he couldn't just take care of himself with a quick scan and a hypospray.]

[The prospect of having to go to a vet is irritating. The fact he's turning animal enough it's probably appropriate is mortifying.]

I...I suppose my options are limited. And as a veterinarian you have all the necessary procedural and diagnostic training. Given you have to learn to care for multiple species, that's similar to a xenobiology background.

CW: Ash Graven stuff.

[sculptedash]

Dude!

Can I call dibs if you have to do any amputations or organ removals?

I'm starting a new collection here.

dying

[licencetoheal]

Dibs on - ?

[It takes him a second to process. Then he squints.]

No!

[Then not wanting to shame someone if that's some kind of cultural practice...]

I know it may be normal in some cultures to keep body parts after removal - for future burial when the person dies so they'll be whole in the afterlife, for instance - but it's really quite unhygienic in these circumstances.

[dustyroad]

Doc. Please tell me you're not wearing acrylic in a post apocalyptic wasteland.

[Shelley just sighed. Where to even begin.]

It holds moisture, not heat. You'll freeze to death if you're caught like that underground, if you don't catch fire first.

... I'm looking for supplies anyway.

[He added- it was impossible to fight the compulsion to assemble a bug out bag and create caches of supplies scattered around.]

A weapon. A few other things. I'll keep an eye out for medical supplies and... I guess some flannels for you.

[licencetoheal]

It's polyester. Which wicks moisture. I was paying attention during Survival Strategies at the Academy.

In fact, some of the surprise tactical simulations involved just dropping us in the middle of the woods with no time to prepare.

[He's got some basic wilderness survival skills, though he's no outdoors-man.]

But I could use more layers, especially if you could find something that has either room or cutouts for the wings. And I certainly won't say no to medical supplies.

[pointedlook]

[ Well, that's certainly informational. There are some vetting questions he supposes he could toss Julian's way, but, considering what's been presented here, it may not be worth the time. At the very least, he'll tuck those in a back pocket, in case anything needs to be second-guessed.

For now, the thoroughness speaks to the character of the city's newest physician. Julian's met with professional warmth; a handshake that lasts just long enough, the clean lines of a suit with gentle creasing at the joints. ]

Doctor, it's a pleasure. I know how to do some fairly basic first aid, but I think my data on which locations I've scouted for supplies have been picked over would likely be a better benefit. There are some spots I'd marked for possible use as a facility, though I haven't re-checked them since the power came back.

[ Which could certainly change his initial opinions on things. ]

I can assist with further scouting or cleaning, whichever is more needed. If you have any questions about navigation or locations, feel free to contact me.

[licencetoheal]

[He wouldn't mind the vetting questions, even if asked. But the basics needed to handled first. He figures if anyone has concerns about his credentials, they can always ask.]

For everyone with some first aid training, I can offer additional education to expand your expertise, if you'd. I'd also like to make it so everyone with at least some first aid background, even if it's basic, has at least a small first aid kit with them in case we get into another scrap like we did under ground.

But yes, the help scouting and cleaning would be especially beneficial.

[It'd take a lot of energy to have to find supplies and provide care, especially since there's an ongoing mutation problem afflicting the local population.]

[overearth]

I don't know much about human bodies, but I can help scout for supplies if you need them.

[licencetoheal]

I would be incredibly grateful. I'll provide lists to anyone offering to help. We can assign streets beforehand.