prismatica | fourth ☕✨ text (AMA! un: mercy)

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fourth ☕✨ text (AMA! un: mercy)

Hello, Lunatia! I hope this finds you all well. I'm Dr. Angela Ziegler, if we've yet to have the pleasure. The doctor who owns the Second Nature (Free) Clinic on the beach in level 2.

I have seen a lot of new faces of late and quite the number of questioning entries, as well as some other Q&As, so I thought that I would offer one a little more... medically professional? And from someone who has been here for a year, now.

I'm sure it is quite disorienting here at times and I would like to offer some peace of mind and an open venue to ask anything you'd like, whether it's about this place or its changes, pre-existing medical concerns, how to administer a massage for a partner, what goes into cybernetics, creating a swedish torch as the weather warms up for hiking, or even simply just coffee shop recommendations. Everyone is welcome to try me.

If even posting anonymously is a bit too much, you are free to contact me privately as well.

( ooc: "trauma surgeon, combat medic, former CMO of a peacekeeping organization, prosthetics/cybernetics specialist, and coffee aficionado, AMA!" time! why is blizzard like this she's so much... please feel free to private lock replies to assume messaging her on the side, remember your content warnings in subject titles for Risky Business topics, ask others' permission before threadjacking, and go wild! )

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[ He'll just... start here. ]

...Do you have any experience with prosthetics?

( It's a surprisingly good place to start! You're fine, buddy. )

Quite a lot, actually.
I'm a trauma and restorative surgeon where I've come from. I work in war relief; prosthetics and cybernetics are unfortunately quite common even for the civilians living in war-torn areas.
How can I help?

I am mostly in need of some advice. Mine is below the knee on my leg, and when I go through Sanguis I get...much taller. And there's a possibility it could be even more so. It's proving...

[ It's weird to talk so openly about it -- ]

To be a bit of an experience when getting around. I'm constantly uneven ground. What would you recommend? Seems weird to try to always predict what I'll be turning into, but also...one should be able to get around.

Ah, I see; BTKs are a bit difficult in their construction for the weight put on them, but depending on the structure of the prosthetic, it is possible to tweak it a little and create a telescoping bar you can adjust as needed.

It will just depend on how much you end up weighing as you grow larger and what material is used. Introducing such an adjustment will of course create a certain chip in the armor, but we can do our best to mitigate that with some precautionaries in the construction.

I know how difficult it is to try and predict what may happen one lunar phase to the next, but there are ways to go about it so you aren't hindered in your day to day. Because yes, you should be able to get around without worry. Whenever you have the time and if you would be comfortable with it, I would be more than happy to have you by and have a look. Creating a prosthetic leg is an easy weekend project. It's the organs you have to be delicate with. I'm here at the clinic every day until around 1500.

Yeah, the weight is a concern, too. I was done growing at home, so there's no way we would have anticipated that it'd be a problem in the future. A telescoping bar may not be a bad option, actually.

I'd be glad to stop by and show you what I have. My current legs works well... typically. I tend to get moving earlier in the day, so that works out well.

I already have some materials that should be sturdy enough and not give, provided you don't end up weighing more than an elephant, so we will have to start with something we hope is sturdy enough and see how the moons affect you through it. If you would like coverings in different sizes for a natural shape, I can have those done as well.

And whenever works well for you; I have no appointments today or tomorrow, and I always have fresh pastries on hand. I'll be looking forward to meeting you.

I'll be the one with the ponytail at the desk.

...I should I hope I never end up weighing more than an elephant, that would be pretty weird looking. I don't really care about a natural shape, so that's fine.

My current one isn't particularly natural looking, either.

I'll be there.

I'll hope much the same; you'd be quite something to reach such a weight and I'm not sure you'd fit through my door to step on a scale!

And you can see how you feel about attachments when you see some; they're quite beautiful. I'll sketch up some ideas just in case.

( ooc: would you like to run to action with him visiting the clinic or take a raincheck on a log continuation a little later? 😌 louis is so cute! now I'm gonna have to read/watch beastars sobs... )

I'll take a look, then.

[ Louis gets started in the morning to make his way to the the Clinic. He had her hours, he knew what she looked like from what she had described. He dresses carefully. He's never been shy about hiding his prosthetic. But the pants he wears stop just below the knee to show it off. He wears shoes, though he's learned he can go without it on his right.

He realizes on the way there that he probably should have pointed out to her that he were a deer. That would make him easy enough to spot, he thinks. Still, he enters the clinic and peeks around before approaching her desk, a nod of his head. ]

Your username is Mercy, right?

( ooc: kinda answered here for ya! and it's definitely worth watching & reading )

Edited 2020-03-16 23:39 (UTC)

( The warning about his appearance as a deer would have been surprising and had her a touch more interested for what that meant (her mind would jump to centaurs, having already met some here), but it turns out not to be necessary. She sees the glint of metal and shine of wood when he passes the windows overlooking the beach to approach the door, and she's sitting a little straighter behind her desk with a brightening smile.

A ponytail, as she promised, with a springy sundress beneath her white lab coat and a cup of coffee in hand. She doesn't so much as give him a glance-over. The clinic is on the smaller side with space for a few rooms beyond her desk that functions as reception and her coworkers' workspace in the lobby, but it's cozy. Leather seating, warmer lights, gold accents and absolutely spotless with knit blankets over the corners to soften it further, plants. It made it homey. And hopefully, welcoming, as well as comfortable— she's standing and offering him a hand to shake before gesturing for him to have a seat wherever he'd like. )

That's right, and you must be "Adler", then. My name is Angela. I apologize for not introducing myself over the network; I got a bit sidetracked with the conversation. Can I get you anything to eat? Some tea, coffee?

[ He accepts her hand and shakes it. He doesn't linger, makes the entire moment quick. It's strange, he notes. She's the slightest bit taller than him, if he were without his antlers. They always make him look a bit taller than he is. He tilts his head a little and nods. He takes in her name. Humans are so varied, so interesting.

He keeps his eyes on her face when she speaks. He's listening, calm, but he shakes his head at her offer. ]

No. I'm fine.

[ Ah -- ]

I'm Louis. Angela, nice to meet you. It's fine, I forgot to, too. You gave me a good enough description that I can figure it out. I should have said --

Well, that I were a deer. With how many people who become animals here, it's easy to forget.

( She would think quite the opposite; the animal kingdom is far more varied in shape and size, coloring. But it's a sweet observation nonetheless. It'd be an interesting topic should it ever come up, and she thinks it's the first time she's ever shook a furry hand. He seems incredibly polite, at least, and they'll hold one another's gaze without issue. )

You're sure? They're fresh pastries from a good friend of mine. He supplies them every day for me. Croissants and danishes mostly. We might be a while. But it's lovely to meet you too, Louis. Thank you for contacting me. I hope I'll be able to help.

( And then, with a sheepish turn to her smile: ) You're certainly the first I've met, but I'm sure you won't be the last. I'm not as surprised as you may think. Even where I've come from, one of my fellow colleagues was a gorilla. He's a brilliant scientist.

( We just don't talk about the genetic engineering aspect. Anyway, she makes no secret of the way she tips her head to look down at his prosthetic, a BTK as he'd said, but— she supposes the fur was everywhere. It only stands out starker for the lack of texture, but it's rather sleek in design, isn't it? Quite interesting. The shock-absorption of the "foot" design and it looks as though it can be replaced, with the way the bar and lever are designed. It already has the makings for adjustments. )

[ The ease of her interacting with him helps him relax, just a little - just enough that it isn't obvious that he's tense any longer. It's just that way with people, sometimes. He's used to being in a position where he has to maintain a certain appearance on the outside, and that's what he's dong still. He doesn't know how to do otherwise. ]

I'm sure. I ate breakfast before I came.

[ True enough. ]

I don't mean any offense, and appreciate the offer, though.

[ There's very little shift in his demeanor, remaining carefully polite even with the more relaxed posture. ]

Ah? Is that so? I've met a few very clever animals. A few people from home [ Friends? Sort of. ] are here. Two grey wolves and a dwarf rabbit. So you're right, I may not be the last.

Though hopefully they don't end up in a position where they need help.

( Well, she tries; a good portion of her job is ensuring her patients feel at ease with her, so in a way, they have that in common. She crafts herself in demeanor and body language to be friendly and comfortable to speak to— all grounded in her trustworthiness with her position and the implicit trust that had to come with that. She's a trauma surgeon and a combat medic, a researcher and a friend. He does well with his. Compliments to the chef. )

It's no offense at all, honest. I'm just used to feeding people who come in to visit more than receive medical care.

( She's stepping away to gather her tablet from her desk while he speaks, her smile warming a touch to hear he had people he knew here. That always makes her happy; no one should be alone in such a place. )

I'm glad to hear you have friends present as well; I'll be sure to keep an eye out for them if anything goes sideways around here. And we can always hope no one ever needs a doctor, but it's best to have one around just in case. I'll admit I'm not often very busy which is always a good sign. Shall we get started?

( A flick of her fingertips up off the edge of her tablet has it projecting some fairly decent sketches of prosthetics with 3D renders beside them, layering out and manipulated with gestures mid-air. There are a few ideas for the extendable concept they'd spoke of, but also some examples of decorative types he could incorporate, still utilizing the core concept. She had fun. )

[ He nods, accepting her answer easily. She seems okay with it, at least. He watches her. Naturally always cautious, always aware of the things going on around him. Louis' ears turn towards every sound, shifting a little to stay alert and pay attention. He knows she's harmless, but it's always like this. But when she mentions his friends - ]

Well, I'd be shocked if one of them never did, he's a troublemaker.

[ Legosi attracted trouble, was prone to it. He'd need a doctor of some sort eventually. But maybe not doing the type of work it appears that she does. After all, he doesn't remember seeing her at the hospital when he got dragged there at least once. When she takes out the tablet, he gets in a little closer, not too much in her bubble but close enough to respectively observe. ]

These are really nice.

[ He eyes the decorate pieces. He shifts, looking at his leg, then towards her. ]

It's even fancier than what we have capabilities for at home.

[ His was one of the nicest ones around, after all. He considered it an expensive gift. ]

Oh? I do have a way of attracting troublemakers; one of the grey wolves, I assume.

( She assumes he'd look somewhat similar to Louis— full-bodied in fur, plantigrade instead of a more typical digitigrade or ungulate foot. This is her hospital of sorts, run by a Moonblessed for other Moonblessed in particular, free of charge and hopefully a bit easier to trust. But there are others. The Prismal hospitals, to be sure, and other healers about with their own abilities or remedies. Everyone will find someone they're comfortable with.

He won't come terribly close to her but she shifts half a step closer, turning to make it easier for him to peer at the screen, before turning it to him to hold for himself and get a better look. )

Oh, I wouldn't say that; your leg looks like a labor of love. These are only ways to dress that up. I'm sure some decorative wood-working or etching over the metal could have been applied if you'd wished for it, or you could have simply made casings like these. It's nothing too advanced, even if you want them to light up.

It's more a matter of how often people plan to show off their prosthetics. Many would rather not. Those that do may wish for something more... personalized to their taste, I suppose. Like picking out a new pair of shoes in your favorite color. You could have many, if you wish. If you have an idea, I could likely make it a reality. ( But she'll hold a hand out for the tablet after he's had a couple of minutes and the length of her explanation to ponder it, tipping her head toward the hall behind her desk. ) Shall we? Let me have a better look at that and see what I can do.

Yeah. Him.

[ He only knows two that are here, after all. This vague response was more than enough information. As her assumptions are right. He's here because he doesn't trust the people in charge of the city. This is the safest option. Plus...she knows about prosthetics. And he doesn't really want just anyone messing with them.

When she steps in, he seems to scoot, just a little, but he's out of the bubble for a moment when she offers him the tablet for him to browse himself. ]

It's nothing like that. Dad likes to buy me expensive gifts. So he picked the fastest way to get me back on my feet.

[ He never fully understood the meaning of it. And that was just how their relationship was. ]

No frills, just the best functionality. I guess I don't really show it off, but it's not a secret, either. Alright, I'll show you.

[ He looks where she is, and is ready to follow back towards where she can get a good look at it. ]

I'll be sure to let him know that my care comes with your best thoughts if I happen upon someone like that; honest.

( It's a tease; she probably won't say a word, but the mischief twinkles in blue eyes all the same before she's shaking her head with a smile, dismissing the possibility herself. He scoots away as she tries to get close enough just to turn the tablet to show him what's on it, intending on operating it to zoom into each one in case he wasn't familiar with the technology.

He seems to realize that and eases back in, just enough to take it himself and operate it just fine. She's glad it doesn't bother him. )

That's good to hear; you've been walking on it quite naturally so I won't worry about him rushing you through without the proper physical therapy, because it seems you received that care as well. I'm glad for that. It's a bit harder to correct someone's bad habits once they've become habit and they adapted to a new way of moving.

( Makes sense, no? Like learning proper table manners. She'll take the tablet back and start to lead the way as he agrees, passing the reception desk and down to the end of the hallway, passing two open exam rooms and what a peek through the window shows to be an operating room before opening the door and revealing an incredibly clean little workshop.

There's a couple different styles of prosthetic arms on the wall, her current project cultivating properly in a glass-front fridge in what appears to be synthetic skin (it is absolutely synthetic skin), and detailed sketches of... her boyfriend's arm, actually. Also cybernetic, but clunky and uncomfortable for him, with how obvious it was beneath his clothing. She wanted to try and streamline it for him so he felt more comfortable in its appearance, and the main issue was the shoulder cap. She'll unfold a chair for him in the open center and get her rolling stool brought over with a sketch pad and a measuring tape, as well as a digital caliper. Whenever he seems comfortable, she'll pat her knee for him to rest his leg on. )

I'll just take some measurements of what you have and get a quick sketch down; I can mock up the rest and decide how best to replace the rod.

[ Louis can't indulge in bad habits. He has to keep himself steady and moving forward always. There was nothing but perfection in everything he did, including his rehabilitation. He watches her, looking around her obvious with only sight curiosity. It was all beyond his imagination, or anything they had at home. He looks, doesn't touch.

He watches her for a moment before he shifts to take a seat. He is quiet, mostly, observant. He doesn't speak because he has nothing to offer. He simply nods because he agrees. Bad habits are not worth keeping.

He rolls up his pants up the rest of the way to just below his knee, where the prosthetic starts. ]

Alright.

[ He finally speaks as he lifts up his right leg and settles it right there, against her knee. It's light weight, of course. Wood and metal only. It's a straight forward design, and effective. ]

If it weren't for getting taller, this would be perfect.

( He has good manners, whether it seems alien to him or otherwise— it's appreciated. Not that she makes anything so delicate that he would harm it even if he'd dropped it half-finished, but best not to tempt fate, hmm?

But she sees his eyes moving around and the careful way he composes himself when he finally takes a seat, having acknowledged her nonverbally along the way. They have that in common. The constant input of information around them, always attentive, always utilizing their surroundings in their demeanor. He's bright; she can tell.

Then they're getting situated as he rolls his pant leg up, and lifts it to rest atop her knee— she'll catch the metal heel mid-motion and help settle it where it's comfortable for her, on the beginning of the meat of her thigh, getting a closer look as her right hand begins to sketch. )

Are you still growing, then, or do you mean between the lunar shifts? It's very skillfully made, though I'm sure I don't need to tell you as much.

[ He watches her move it, shifts, and they're both comfortable now. He's never had someone other than the doctors at home look at the work this close. It's a little strange, and he does his best to hide how he feels about that. No physical reaction, no shift in his expression, just curiously watching. ]

I'm not. I only get bigger during Sanguis, but I'm done growing otherwise. Have been for a couple years.

[ He is small for his age, and he knows it, but he also doesn't need to say it. He's lived with it, and he's always felt and looked taller and bigger thanks to his antlers. His eyes fall on his leg. ]

Yeah, only the best. You won't find one better at home. It's why some of the things you have here are so impressive.

( If he finds it strange, as intended, she doesn't notice; she assumes it would be taken as such, certainly, but it doesn't show on him and she assumes he's all right with it by now. Once she has her sketch down and measurements taken and noted, detailing smaller areas with arrows and quick notes, she sets about fiddling with the apparent latch that loosens the rod attaching the foot and slides it out with care after notching the length with her pencil to place back for him, then peers closer at the wooden base. )

I see; that's a bit of a relief, then. So this here— this function with the pressure lever, will remain the same as it works now. We'll just adjust the rod here so that it can be lengthened as needed with another lever the same. It will be a quick adjustment when you wake up in the morning and can easily test and tweak as needed. May I?

( She'd like a closer look at how his leg has healed where it fits to the base of the prosthetic, but only if he's comfortable with her fingers in his fur to see the skin beneath. )

There are many differences in times between the people who have arrived here; everything in this workshop I've made myself, and even I had only learned as a necessity about... oh, a decade or so ago. It was my first time handling cybernetics, and I had a patient in dire physical condition. Much of his body needed replacing. I had to learn as I went. He was quite patient with me, all things considered, but I wish I had started from a better place for his sake so he didn't have to go through quite as much.

( If Louis is young or small for his age, Angela wouldn't know. He strikes her as an adult and she has no idea what his size should be, surely, but standing just a few inches shorter than her is still not a bad place to be in the world. )

[ He seems relieved at how little really needs to be changed, and he settles there for a moment. He's quiet, observant as she explains it to him, and he thinks he'll have an easy time picking it up. It should be easy to adjust to the smaller changes, but he will always worry how it would feel if he had to change it entirely. It's why he treats his leg so delicately.

He doesn't much like being touched, even though he knows she's a medical professional. So he had to tell himself that it would happen before coming here. That she wasn't a tiger with claws and fangs. She wasn't come carnivore ready to cave to every instinct. And it still - his back gets stiff, his body tenses but he doesn't otherwise speak up or react. Which maybe he should, he considers.

He knows what a mess it was when that wound first came to be. That part of him was torn from his body with teeth, after all. And for all that it was his idea, and that he consented, it still made Legosi look bad at home. And he didn't want to pass that impression onto someone who maybe wouldn't understand his reckless nature that caused this.

He's never really taken the time to look at it himself, given how prepared he was to die.

But the doctors did a good job. They cleaned it well, let him heal. Cared for him, watched after him, and his father poured money into him again. ]

What are you looking for?

[ His ears flop as he focuses his attention on her and his leg. It's sensitive for so many reasons. ]

A decade is...a decent amount of experience it sounds like. I'd easily trust someone with that.

[ Easily. ]

( His leg was made well; very likely in the hopes he'd still be growing, already adjustable, but certainly not to the extent he may need. A few inches, sure, but not much more. Not entire feet of length. He is quiet but she can see he's taking every word in with care, but she worries about an excess of weight on the wooden base if he's going to grow so big. She's seen some truly large changes in people here, so her tone stays kind as he asks for clarification and what she's looking for, tense as he is. She can feel it in him from the slightest drag against her hands holding that leg over her thigh and the line of his limbs going taut, glancing up to meet his eyes. )

While the metal is just fine, the wooden base here gives me some pause— it can only bear so much weight before it would split, if you end up changing too significantly, and it would depend on the structure inside for whether or not you would injure yourself further. With weight on top of a prosthetic like this, or even superficial ones, skin is an organ that needs to breathe. Sores could form, callouses, it could strain on scar tissue and cause complications— if you've had this for a while, it's good to be sure you're all right. And I'm curious to see if the prosthetic itself is removable or if it was fused in place.

( So she'll look for his permission to have a look around, scarring from the rend of claws or some similar sort of force mended well but still like to show in bits of halted fur growth— if he gives her the go ahead, that's all she's going to look at, nails gentle where they sift the fur around and she gets to peer at the skin beneath. She isn't going to ask after what had happened, by who— she's just concerned with the typical complications and care that she's spent the last decade studying, herself.

If he isn't comfortable, she won't nudge him any further. But he commends her experience instead, saying how easily he'd trust her, and she offers him just an easy of a smile when she looks back up. )

So long as you know I'll always do my best by you, if you ever need the help. I'll be here. Did you have any questions?

[ Oh - that makes sense. He does his best to relax, but it's not super successful. He'll blame his instinct on it, of course. It's nothing she's done to make him think he should be tense around her. Any touch there brings him back to the night, and he has to steel himself to focus on her. It keeps him from thinking about it. He nods. ]

It's removable. I usually take it off when I sleep. You can take a look.

[ Permission given easily and freely. It's strange, really, that he takes it off as he sleeps. That herbivore instinct runs deep in him, and taking off the leg as he sleeps means he can't act on it suddenly. He watches her, nodding. ]

I don't.

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cadeuces - 2020-06-09 11:48 (UTC) - Expand

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disasdeer - 2020-06-14 03:54 (UTC) - Expand

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fourth ☕✨ text (AMA! un: mercy)

text | un: adler

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