[MINGLE] Worried/Sick 1: Symptoms Manifest & Reaction

[sixthiteration]

WHERE: Anywhere; multiple locations
WHEN: Apx. 13-18 November
OPEN TO: ALL - MINGLE
WARNINGS: Serious illness and reactions to such

IMPORTANT NOTES: This is the first of two mingles. Please see the timing and general event details here.

Illness Presents and Putting Heads Together will have their own top-levels in this post, but you may make separate top-levels for whatever you like! Anything is welcome, as long as it tangentially relates to the Worried/Sick plot.

Please keep in mind the established plot details, but creative license is welcome and encouraged as long as it doesn't step on toes.

Comments

[ex_assertiveness90]

"It's a bit like typhoid fever, isn't it?" says Stella, who has never actually encountered a case of the disease close up, but she's well-read enough to recognize the symptoms: the high fever, the coughing, the reddish spots on the skin. "And of course we've no access to such a simple thing as antibiotics."

This is one of those times she really misses modern technology and scientific advancement. Naturally the Observers have provided them with as few ways to deal with an outbreak like this as possible. She sort of suspects the cure is going to end up being some obscure plant or animal someone has to go on a quest to obtain, and for fuck's sake, this isn't a fairy tale or a fantasy novel where that sort of thing just happens.

"Is there anything I can do?" she asks, finally. She's not interested in getting in Beverly's way, which is why she's asking — but also she needs something to do. There might well be nothing, but she can't sit idle if there is. She has Peggy to keep an eye on, but she doesn't necessarily want to hover over the other woman constantly.

[ethnobotany]

"From what I understand, yes," Beverly agrees slowly. "If we had Federation vaccines, this wouldn't be a problem for most of the population here." Honestly, if they had vaccines, a lot of their problems here would be solved in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, even if they did, she has a feeling the Observers would somehow find a way to override everything anyway.

She rubs at her temple and sighs tiredly. "Of course, if we had Federation vaccines and those vaccines worked the way they should here, most of us would never feel a day of sickness at all." But they have. More to the point, the two Starfleet officers have both fallen ill here, which suggests the Observers have somehow countered their vaccines or the illnesses they have both suffered were of different strains than what their vaccines were made for. She glances at Stella again, debating how much to tell her, before offering, "The Federation has managed to wipe out nearly every existing Terran disease, even the common cold. We've had various other diseases - can't be helped when you deal with other planets and species - but as far as Earth-borne diseases go, we're pretty well taken care of." So Stella can likely imagine how situations like this shake Beverly. And also irritate her when she knows exactly what she needs to eliminate so many possibilities.

In any case, she considers Stella's offer fairly seriously, turning it over in her mind for a few moments. They could always use more people keeping an eye on the patients or working on a cure. Given how Beverly is and how well Stella knows her, more than likely the blonde would know that those would be Beverly's first answers. So, rather than offer the usual responses, she tries to think of something more in Stella's domain, something she in particular can do to help.

"I won't request that you set up a water line," she jokes, thinking that water or tea might be nice at some point anyway. "Aside from keeping an eye on Peggy or helping us find whatever cure might be hiding out here... maybe helping get a head count of how many people really are exhibiting symptoms. I have a feeling that we aren't seeing all of them and I don't want anyone falling through the cracks. But aside from that, I think the best thing you can do is keep an eye on Peggy." She figures that won't be a difficult request. "Although, I am glad you found me. Just having someone to be more open with is helping me clear my mind."

[ex_assertiveness90]

She listens with interest to Beverly's description of her future and how they've eradicated so many diseases — interest, but not surprise. With everything else that Beverly's told her about where — or rather when — she comes from, Stella can imagine how many things are possible that she herself has no concept of. Honestly, though, even twenty-first century medicine is equipped to deal with something like this — a course of antibiotics would do the trick — but they haven't got that either.

"I can see who we've got here, at the very least," Stella agrees. They can start with treating the people who came here, then those who stayed in their homes in the village. It's still a small enough group that that shouldn't be an awful hardship. "I imagine Peggy will grow tired of being hovered over," she adds dryly.

That might be projection; Stella herself actually sort of hates being mother-henned when she's ill, preferring to suffer by herself unless she desperately needs help. But she and Peggy aren't quite that much alike, perhaps, and in any case she finds herself a little afraid to leave Peggy alone for too long, considering the acuteness of her symptoms.

There's a pause, and then a little, barely there smile. "Well," she says, "I wanted to be sure you weren't wearing yourself thin." As she herself does so often, in crisis situations not unlike this one. The difference between Stella and Beverly is that Beverly doesn't operate under the belief that she can't let herself be vulnerable or accept the help of others. Not like Stella does, pushing everyone away except those she trusts the most, and even then conceding to exhaustion, fear or anxiety is a hardship.

[ethnobotany]

Beverly is hopeful that the number of sick patients they have will stay relatively small. Any epidemic of sorts in a village this small could be devastating. What she wouldn't give for Starfleet medical technology. One quick hypospray cure and this could be easily taken care of.

Nodding at Stella's offer, she sorts through what else needs to be done. It's a lot to worry with and without her normal help, all of the medical staff on the Enterprise, she doesn't feel like she has a handle on this at all. Everyone who is here to help has been wonderful so far. It's just that she doesn't feel like they have the same sort of structure she's used to. Not that she would ever insist on being the CMO or doctor in charge here, but even just a little bit of structure, of people knowing exactly what to do first and how to triage properly, would help immensely. They're doing what they can and Beverly is intensely grateful for all of the help that's come out of the woodwork. Really, she just misses the Enterprise because it's home to her. That's all there is to it. She's homesick.

"I'm trying not to," she responds after a moment, letting her head rest back against the wall again. It's a close thing at this point, mostly because she's still so invested in helping these patients. She's never really been the type to overwork herself unless she has no other options and at least this situation has given her help. It's enough to allow her some time away just to breathe before she returns to work. "It's hard to remember to take time off and I'm sure you understand that." She turns a small, wry smile on Stella at that, knowing full well that Stella is the type to push herself until she breaks. "I could use a lunch break in a half hour or so. Or at least a tea break. I don't suppose you'd care to keep me company?"

Chances are she'll take the small meal and tea back to her house for a short break where she can properly fall apart with as few witnesses as possible before she slides the doctor's mask back on and returns to work.

[ex_assertiveness90]

Stella hesitates for a moment. Not because she doesn't want to spend more time with Beverly — of course not — but because she's wondering if she can allow herself to walk away from this for a little while. She'd taken the time to get a few hours of sleep, but that had been a physical necessity.

Still, for this once she might need to allow herself to take a small break. Otherwise she'll be just as guilty of running herself ragged as she'd just warned Beverly about doing, and that would be rather hypocritical of her, wouldn't it?

Not that Stella's immune to a little hypocrisy. But now that she's aware of it, she probably ought not to let it slide.

"I think I can make the time," she says. "I'll be a moment to check on Peggy, then I'll join you."

[ethnobotany]

Wondering if she can walk away for even a few minutes is something Beverly feels all too acutely. Even more of a reason for her to at least try to take a few minutes as a break before she goes absolutely crazy with worry.

"I'll let the others know that I'm going to step out for a few minutes," she says, finally pushing herself away from the wall again. "Thank you, Stella. I know you're worried about Peggy, too."

But they both could probably use the break, even if all they do is sit in companionable silence long enough to drink a cup of tea. Whatever they end up doing, Beverly appreciates her friend's agreement to at least keep her company for a short break.