savetheearth | ⚕ 001; // voice

[Jade had spent months prioritizing the matter of his arm and why a spear could now simply manifest from it at will. So pressing was the matter of this anomaly and the effect on his health that Jade had nearly discarded the involvement of that mysterious number entirely.]

[Nearly.]

[After what must have been his fifth clean physical and third clear X-ray, Jade had finally decided to investigate the other route of determining answers. Instead of decoding the number as he'd intended, Jade instead stumbled upon the network. So that was how he'd spent some number of hours, silently watching and gathering information. Once he'd determined the reasoning behind his circumstances as well as a reason behind that god-awful buzzing. But the possibility of lingering problems still tugged at his mind; while he wasn't one to seek outside consultation, the doctor couldn't quite help typing in the number on the laptop in front of him.]

Good evening--this is Jade Balfour speaking.

There's something that I've been wondering. Has anyone thought to examine the physical or psychological effects of these pulses, echoes, or whatever terminology you prefer? The former of the two is what interests me far more, I must admit. Given the apparent range of effects, it certainly does seem as though some could have an adverse effect on one's health.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

All right. [her expression melts into a smile. she's proud of herself for being assertive.]

It started in early August with the poisoned tap water. After the giggles wore off, my right wrist started feeling stiff. A couple weeks later my entire arm up to the shoulder was paralyzed, but I could still feel it. Maybe a week after that is when I started losing feeling.

I got the cast near the end of the month and it's been on ever since. But I have an appointment to get it off soon, so maybe there'll be some new developments. If nothing else, it stopped at my shoulder. Small favors, right?

...hm. I assume 'paralyzed' implies you were unable to move it. But was it simply hanging at your side or had it gone rigid somehow? Stiffness might imply leaning towards the second option, but clarifying doesn't hurt.

Right, sorry, my mistake. It was rigid. Well, still is.

If it helps, it almost feels like it got turned to stone.

Really? I can't say I expected the problem to involve literal petrification.

How receptive would you be to the idea of taking a less than ethical excursion to my offices at some point for a possible X-ray?

[JADE.]

[she plasters a smirk across her face.]

Well, when you put it like that... I think I'm still going to have to say no. For now, I mean. Once the cast is off, it's fair game for x-rays. It would help both of us get to the bottom of this, especially if nothing's changed since before I put the cast on.

You know, sir, you're nowhere near as maladjusted as my coworkers say.

There's hardly any rush. I don't particularly foresee my equipment spontaneously combusting, after all.

Maladjusted? [He looked amused at that rather than offended.] How terrible of them. I am nothing if not a delightful individual to deal with.

I was worried you'd be some kind of Victor Frankenstein, but you're just a scientific mind. It's like my coworkers have never had their worldview completely challenged by a brand new development that affects their lives forever! What losers.

How very narrow-minded. I assure you, I am as professional as one gets in the medical field.

I try to be, too. I trust you. I think it's just that sometimes, especially lately, the lines get a little blurry. I mean, I've been dealing dead people's blood on the side to vampires, for crying out loud.

Morality is always a fickle thing. I could speak to the cliche matter of good and bad existing as more than black and white, but it's a path thoroughly worn by those more eloquent than I.

Yeah, there are so many shades of grey. Maybe half a hundred or so. Anyway! It's mostly just about discovering new ways of helping people out. I mean... that's the point of being in this kind of field, right? Living or dead, you're just trying to help people. [she seems almost troubled, but it's not enough to stop her justifications.] As long as you can still sleep at night, you're not doing anything evil.

⚕ 001; // voice

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