Stuck in the Medbay: Visitors Wanted [OPEN]

[psychadrellic]

Who: Thane Krios and YOU
When: All through October
Where: THE MEDBAY
What: Visiting the terminally ill assassin
Warnings: Terminal illness? Probably nothing major, will edit if that changes.

Thane had known for a while now that his last days would be spent in a hospital of some flavor, probably hooked up to a respirator and peppered with sessions of physical therapy designed to maximize his comfort even as he slowly suffocated, until he did finally, inevitably, slowly suffocate.

He had also expected it to be a fairly quiet and isolated time, disturbed only by the occasional hospital staff member.

The only person he'd told of his new whereabouts was Shepard, and he knew the commander could be trusted to be discreet. The only other person who knew he'd been hospitalized was Hawke, since she'd been there when the hospitalization had happened. Somehow, even in the somewhat brief time he'd held acquaintance with her, Thane could tell that the woman did not possess a discrete bone in her entire body.

So, naturally, he blames her entirely for any concerned visitors that might show up.

Not that he particularly minds company, because he doesn't. It's just that he never expects it, and so is, in turn, always surprised by it.

Hospital Room
Visitors can often find him in his assigned room, sitting lotus-style in the middle of his bed, back ramrod straight and hands resting comfortably on his knees. He's shirtless, dressed in nothing but a pair of soft cotton pants. He's also hooked up to a respirator, which hums quietly and soothingly in the background as it delivers much-needed oxygen to his soggy lungs. He seems to be meditating, or maybe just sleeping, but will look up regardless when someone comes in.

Physical Therapy
Sometimes visitors can catch him on his way to or from physical therapy, which for him are short but frequent sessions of being hooked up to a different respirator as well as various monitors while performing a series of Tai Chi-like exercises designed to encourage oxygen flow to his muscles and organs. The ship's doctors, to their credit, are working their butts off studying his disease and formulating treatments to decrease the severity of its effects. The doctors won't allow visitors while he's in the middle of therapy, but before and after is just fine.

Exam Room
The exam room is doctors only, but it's a great place for said doctors to study Thane up close, ask him questions, and attempt to get a feel for what exactly is wrong with his stupid lizard physiology.

[ooc: I'm down to match brackets or prose, whichever is preferred!

Thane's going to be hospitalized all month, while the doctors do their best to figure out how to fix him. PC doctors are welcome and encouraged to come poke and prod him as well!]

Comments

[grandpaladin]

Ah, good. I was not sure.

[Aliens could sleep with their eyes open for all he knows okay.]

[But he enters, once he knows for sure his buddy is actually awake, padding all the way over to the bed.]

A year older! I look it, don't I? [And then he laughs, briefly, sobering up with a significantly softer smile.] What has happened to you?

[psychadrellic]

Not at all, honestly.

[He lifts a hand from his knee and gestures to the chair next to his bed, inviting Reinhardt to sit.]

Nothing has happened. I've been ill for a few years now; the time disparity on the planet has merely rapidly advanced the inevitable.

[grandpaladin]

[And sit he does. Dropping down into the chair a bit too hard. It rattles a bit, while he leans forward on his knees, thoughtfully.]

Is there anything to be done?

[psychadrellic]

[For a split second he fears the chair might buckle, but thankfully, it holds. It looks like a sturdy chair, but at the same time, Reinhardt looks like the kind of man who, through no real fault of his own, is hard on furniture.

And, unexpected bonus: it looks like he doesn't actually have to spell out "I'm dying" to Reinhardt, as it seems the man has grasped that already.]

There is nothing. The medbay staff are hopeful, but what's ailing me has troubled hanar scientists and doctors for the past two hundred years. I do not think it likely that a cure can be discovered and implemented in the short time I have left.

[grandpaladin]

[He is. He really is. He's had to replace more chairs than most people replace shoes. They just sort of give out under him after a while. This one seems like it'll hold up for now.]

[But this is a serious matter. He folds his hands under his chin. It's easy enough for him to bluster his way through a situation. Even a grave one.]

How much time?

[It's like an echo of a conversation he'd never gotten to have with others. But he keeps his expression only somber, despite the way it tugs at his heart.]

[psychadrellic]

[Why does telling this giant beast of a man about his impending death feel like kicking a puppy? Wow.]

A few weeks. A month at most.

[grandpaladin]

[Probably because it IS like kicking a puppy.]

A month...

What -- is there anything I can do?

[There's a question he never got to ask anyone.]

[psychadrellic]

[A giant puppy.

But Reinhardt's question gets a small smile from Thane as he replies:]

I wouldn't turn down company.

[grandpaladin]

Then company you shall have, my friend.

[He's in a habit of calling people 'my friend', but sometimes, it comes across as even more genuine than usual.]

[This is one of those times, while he reaches over to grip one of Thane's hands in his huge one.]

As much as you desire.

[psychadrellic]

[The nature of his profession, as well as his own somewhat reticent personality, have made striking up and keeping friendships difficult. He'd spent a few short, blissful years with his wife and his son after the hanar had released him from the compact, but his experience with close, personal relationships had ended with Irikah's death. He hadn't allowed himself to grow close to anyone else until he had joined Commander Shepard many years later.

So it's a little funny, but mostly sad, that only at the very end of his life he finally seems to be getting the hang of making friends.

Reinhardt has been an astonishingly warm and friendly presence since the very beginning of their acquaintance, and while he may never quite grow used to the man's unbridled enthusiasm, he still appreciates it. When he finds his hand seized in Reinhardt's huge mitt, he gives it a strong, reassuring squeeze.]

Thank you, Reinhardt. That means a lot to me.

WOW HOW DARE YOU

[grandpaladin]

[If Thane never got the hang of making friends until the end of his time... then Reinhardt had an uncanny knack of befriending people doomed to die. Balderich, Ana, Jack... Gabriel...]

[And now Thane.]

[But it won't stop him. Not even a little. He will loudly, enthusiastically be this alien's friend until the end. Regardless of how it will hurt in the end. He's used to that, after all. Just one more funeral. What's one more?]

That is what friends are for, isn't it?

[A broad, open grin. Even if his good eye isn't really in it.]

Maybe you would like to hear stories, eh? Or some music.

IDK what ur talking about

[psychadrellic]

I believe you may be correct.

[Welp...Life is nothing if not a learning experience. :'D

Thane returns that broad grin with a small smile of his own. He's sorry he upset you, giant battle grandpa. 8(]

And I would like both, very much. Whatever you would care to share.

8|

[grandpaladin]

I have a friend who knows music very well. I will tell him to come to see you.

[He's pretty sure Lucio would know what kind of music would make someone feel better.]

[Then again... And he lowers his voice, conspiratorially.]

Unless... you are a fan of the classics.

[Reinhardt no.]

[psychadrellic]

[He tilts his head curiously]

I'm not overly familiar with human music, to be honest. I'm not sure what you mean by "the classics."

[BE GENTLE, REINHARDT.]

[grandpaladin]

[Oh Thane. Oh... Thane Krios you know not what you do. Because the big man's face splits into a bigger grin than usual, and his free hand slaps his own thigh. Delighted.]

Then you have never heard of Hasselhoff?

SQUINTS SUSPICIOUSLY

[psychadrellic]

I'm afraid I must admit ignorance.

[SHOULD HE BE WORRIED?]

[grandpaladin]

That is a crime! A shame! We must fix this error immediately!

[A beat.]

... when Lucio brings it in. I do not have my CDs.

[psychadrellic]

[He shifts a bit where he sits, rearranging his weight slightly for increased comfort.]

Then I'll look forward to meeting him.

[grandpaladin]

I will tell him to hurry. Music like this waits for no man!

[A beat, and then a wry grin with too many teeth.]

Or alien man-!

[Cue loud, roaring laughter. Sorry Thane!!]

[psychadrellic]

[Thane's not exactly sure what's so funny, but Reinhardt's full-body laughter is...well, not relaxing, but soothing, in a strange, toothy way.

...Do other humans have so many teeth?

Weird.

Anyway, he'll wait for Reinhard's laughter to quiet down before responding.]

It sounds remarkable. I would never wish to keep such a thing waiting.

[grandpaladin]

[They do, but Reinhardt just tends to show them off more than others.]

[Oh well. He gives his friend's shoulder a firm pat.]

Lucio has technology capable of restoring flesh and spirit. If you wish, I will ask him to bring it along.

[psychadrellic]

[That shoulder pat earns Reinhardt another small smile.]

If you think it might be beneficial, then by all means.

[grandpaladin]

And you are his favorite color, at that!

[He means this as a joke. Completely. Hopefully, it'll do something to make that little smile broaden.]

[psychadrellic]

[He may be green, but he's not a frog, Reinhardt!!!

...And yeah, pff, okay, the large German grandpa wins, Thane's smile grows a little wider at that remark.]

Would it have been a deal-breaker if I weren't?

[grandpaladin]

Not in the least.

He has a good heart -- your coloration is of no concern.

[Thane could be pink and neon flashing and Lucio would probably like him.]