sixthiterationlogs | nothing is inevitable

WHO: Claire Bennet
WHERE: The Inn
WHEN: December 22nd
OPEN TO: OTA
WARNINGS: None right now
STATUS: Open

Despite herself, Claire was shaking when she pulled herself over the edge of the fountain and collapsed on the snowy ground with a grunt. It was all that she could do to lay there for a moment, struggling to catch her breath as she kept her eyes clenched shut and tried to calm the racing of her heart. It wouldn't take that long to do, to be honest, but she would still need a moment before she could lift her head and look around to get a sense of where she was.

When she finally rose to her feet, she looked at the different buildings around her and wondered briefly if she had returned to the very first world she had found herself in when she was taken from her home. The idea was fleeting since the buildings didn't look like that village. No, this place was different and the sigh that escaped her was resigned when she realized that she had been stolen. Yet again.

"Great, world number...four." She was sure that it was four now.

Stomping her feet, she thought about poking through the backpack that seemed to arrive with her but she knew she needed to get inside somewhere warm first. So she scanned the buildings until she picked out a larger one that was all lit up and looked somewhat inviting. It was no surprise to her when she found it to be some sort of inn.

Stepping inside a few moments later, she let the door shut behind her as she looked around and immediately picked out the fireplace. Hurrying over, she looked over the room to see if anyone else was around and if she possibly could recognize anyone. Not that she would say anything if she did know someone. No, she had learned to act oblivious unless someone recognized her and said her name first. Then it was fair game.

Dropping her pack in front of the fireplace, she moved to kneel as she opened the pack up and let out a relieved sigh to find that everything inside was dry. It seemed she wouldn't have to stay in her wet clothes. Not that she was going to start stripping right then and there but it was kind of tempting considering having wet clothes on was never fun.

If someone was nice enough to show her a place to get changed, she would do that. Then she would return to the fireplace and sit there while trying to get her bearings. If she was meant to stay awhile, she would have to make some connections and find a place to stay. Which made her wonder if there was a room waiting for her or not.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Sounds sort of intense." Claire really hadn't gotten the chance to look around since she had arrived in the dark and had thought it best to get inside when wet. Clearly, she was going to have to look around when she was dry and the sun was up.

"It also sounds like we're not working with very much here." She added a moment later, nodding. Then she gave a curious look. "Is there a doctor or a healer?"

"I'm a doctor," Helen said, laughing softly.

"Speak of the devil and all of that. There's another, too, called Ravi. We're the only ones that I know of, though, and everything is terribly limited. I do what I can with what I have."

"Really?" Both of her brows lifted slightly before she smiled. "Well, I guess I'm in luck. I'm actually a nurse though I haven't worked as one for a few months. Still, I can help out around here if need be."

"Excellent. We could use another set of hands, regardless, and someone with knowledge is even better. It's just been myself and one other doctor for a while now," Helen explained.

"He's a medical examiner by trade and while I had patients back home, I wasn't a regular practicing physician. This has stretched my ability as well," she admitted.

"I had taken a break for a few months to work as a bartender in the last place I was in." Claire started with a small smile as she sat back a bit. "But then I started running a sort of mobile services to help out in the rougher parts of the city I was in. A lot of the people down there didn't want to go to the clinic, so I would take some stuff around and help where I could."

She wasn't going to mention what had led her to doing such work but she had felt good about it in the end. She had wanted to eventually, maybe, open a sort of clinic in one of those areas but she had been pulled away before she could. "But it's good to know that I'll have a couple doctors to work with. No matter their ability."

"I'm always happy for the gift of capable hands and a willing heart," Helen agreed. "Again, no matter the ability. Though, considering you've some training, I'll have to expect a bit more from you than the others."

This, of course, was said with a laugh and a cheeky wink; Helen was just grateful for someone. She was hardly in a position to judge ability and merit.

Claire chuckled at the comment and the cheekiness mixed in with it. "I suppose that's only natural. I will do my best not to disappoint you. Or myself, to be honest."

She liked to take some pride in her work, after all, and she knew that the kind of work they did was important. Lives usually depended on it.

"Hardly going to be a disappointment. Besides, I might learn a thing or two. I'm a doctor, yes, but it's been a while since I've had a proper nurse to be able to work alongside. I'm sure you know things about direct patient care that I don't," Helen admitted.

There was also the bit where she treated the...less than normal patients. If Claire treated average humans, there would be something of a learning curve there, one that Helen was happy to start closing in on.

"Maybe, maybe not." The fact that she wasn't trying to toot her own horn was probably a good sign that she had grown up in the last few years but Helen wouldn't know that since Helen didn't know her. Only people familiar with Claire might be surprised by her answer as she smiled at the other woman. "I'm sure there are things we could learn from each other. It'll be nice for me to be around a doctor again."

"Well, I'm happy to have you about and I am glad to teach you everything I know," Helen said. "An extra pair of hands is always welcome and a pair that comes with a mind for knowledge is even better."

She'd had stranger assistants before, that was for certain. "Perhaps you'll be a nurse practitioner by the time we're through, hm?"

"Actually, that would be great." Claire commented, lifting her brows slightly as though she had never really had that idea cross her mind before. It was an intriguing idea. "That would be something to work towards for sure."

"But first, I should find a place to sleep at night." She chuckled softly.

"Well, there's a charming little row of houses along the village road, if you'd like to pick one? I know a good many of the people here stay at the inn but I'm afraid that there may be no more room."

It was the worst sort of parable, wasn't it?

"I chose one for myself. It's quite nice, even if I do end up at the inn a lot of the time to eat and fellowship with others."

nothing is inevitable

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