[ 101st consult | voice ]

[dr_conscience]

It's been said a few times on the network over the course of all this that the hospital is here, and it is staffed, for anyone who needs it. With the way the situation has fluctuated, I figured it couldn't hurt to reiterate the point. We're here, for anyone who needs it - and for anyone who may be wanting anyone here to check in letting them know that.

On which note, I'm going to go ahead and turn that around - anyone who might expect me to ask after them, please let me know that you're safe in all of this. At the moment, I'm inclined to reserve any judgement or commentary on the state of the City's political affairs until after I've ensured that we've gotten through this relatively unscathed. I can hunt you down if I have to, but we're still rather busy and this seems far more efficient. If you're not sure whether I would be asking after you or not, you might as well drop a quick line anyway. Regardless of who you are or how much we've spoken, there's a pretty good chance that I'd like to hear that you're okay.

Comments

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[anunluckypenny]

I'm okay. How're you holding up? Does the hospital need any extra help?

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[dr_conscience]

[ Wow is he glad to hear from you, Penny. He visibly tired - not looking awful, just a bit weary - but he does manage a smile. ]

I'm glad to hear it... and other than being pretty tired, I'm all right. Managed to avoid getting caught in the middle of anything, at least.

Things seem to be under control, for the moment. While I'll admit it would be nice to see you, it might be best if you stay lying low. As much as our alleged saviors are rejoicing, I can't say I don't feel a bit of residual tension.

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[anunluckypenny]

That's good, but try not to work yourself to death?

Yeah... it doesn't feel like we're completely out of the woods yet, does it? But it's pretty calm out. Can I at least bring a meal up?

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[dr_conscience]

I promise, I have no intention of anything-ing myself to death.

Well... something not from the hospital does sound fairly tempting.

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[anunluckypenny]

That's what I like to hear.

Okay, now I just have two questions: what're you hungry for and do you want to share?

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[dr_conscience]

Well, I can't say I'm feeling particularly picky right now - and of course I'll share. I did ace pre-school; they don't let you become a doctor otherwise.

[vicodincrutch]

You know these people, you need to keep saying something.

[dr_conscience]

Clearly what the hospital needs is a catchy jingle.

[hexuality]

Hi.

[dr_conscience]

Hi.

Good to hear from you, in case you were wondering.

[hexuality]

At least you're not yelling at me for getting involved.

[dr_conscience]

I didn't realize I should be. There's a fairly considerable workload keeping me from being entirely up on the details of our rebellion.

Which might have been for the best, all things considered. You came through it all right, though?

[hexuality]

[She did, remarkably well. But it's the aftermath she's having trouble with, just like home. That's the thing: it's just like home and it didn't feel right until she was in the thick of it and now that things are easing back to normal, she... doesn't know how to handle anything, not really. Everything feels—off-centre, shaky.

But: ]

Perfectly fine. I'm good at this sort of thing; you know that about me by now.

[dr_conscience]

I do, but that doesn't mean I can entirely help worrying. I'm showing admirable restraint here, really.

[ And that would be the next concern, in many ways the more significant one, with what she's told him about her time at home and how she returned to the City. That's difficult to approach, though - especially so soon, with everything still in so much upheaval. ]

[hexuality]

[It's been harder readjusting than she anticipated, even with the year between then and now. But she can't really admit that, she doesn't even know where to begin. So she doesn't at all.

She starts laughing.]

You really are. It's sweet, Dr Wilson, and I'm touched, I promise. But it's alright. Now what about you?

[dr_conscience]

[The worry's there - it stays there. Always. Lurking and hanging around and running in passive mode until something stirs it up. Congratulations on making it onto the list of people for whom this applies, Ginny? But for now, he lets it just... hang back. He'll be keeping an eye on her, of course.]

I'm fine, other than being a little overworked. I valiantly hunkered down in the hospital.

[hexuality]

[He and her mother should never meet. A City full of stupid heroes would never stand a chance.]

If more people valiantly hunkered down anywhere, you'd probably be a little less overworked. But I'm one to talk.

[dr_conscience]

[All the fretting.]

Hmm. That's a respectable strategy, pointing out the irony in your own statement instead of leaving me the opening to do so.

[hexuality]

[No fretting here. >( ]

I've been lectured loads of times before and contrary to popular belief, I actually learn. Unless you want to lecture me, anyway, then I can pout at you and see who wins.

[dr_conscience]

Hey, I should warn you that I have a considerably high tolerance for being pouted at.

[You build it up over time - don't think that House is above pouting.]

Though there are probably things I should tend to at the moment other than a showdown.

[hexuality]

Probably.

Whatever they are, I promise I'll outlast them here.

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[anatural]

Is Dr. Chase okay?

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[dr_conscience]

According to the last that I heard, he was fine. Just lying low.

[ Wilson is pretty sure every teenage girl in the City knows Chase. Definitely the boyband hair. ]

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[anatural]

Good. [He's helped her through a lot of scary things; she hates the idea of him being in trouble and her not able to help.]

Do you think this'll be over soon?

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[dr_conscience]

[ Minor hesitation on that question, because... he's not that optimistic right now, and platitudes are not helpful right now. ]

I wish I could say that I do, but... I don't really know, honestly. Declarations of victory aside, I find it hard to believe it could all be wrapped up so neatly. Which isn't to say we should be living in constant fear, of course, but it definitely can't hurt to stay careful. It really never can, here.

[her_waterloo]

I guess the hospital is pretty busy at the best of times.

[dr_conscience]

The City is a big place, and even at the best of times things can be just a bit unpredictable.

You manage through everything all right?

[her_waterloo]

You have a talent for understatement.

Yeah, I stayed inside. I'm not stir-crazy yet, but I'm getting there. But at least I have the opportunity to get there.

[dr_conscience]

Intentionally, I promise I haven't lost that much perspective yet.

I'd say going stir-crazy is far preferable to confirming the City's unique approach to death for yourself. Particularly given that I'm still not entirely convinced either side is being entirely sincere or forthcoming with their objectives.

[her_waterloo]

You don't have to be a detective to know there's something fishy going on.

How's the hospital?

[dr_conscience]

Well, it's largely holding up. In terms of our workload to available staff ratio, we've been through worse, but things are still on the hectic side. We've at least gotten reasonably adept at this sort of thing. Not that I'm sure that's something to tout.

[her_waterloo]

Every hospital is understaffed. I've never seen one that wasn't.

[ Her tone is wry. ]

[dr_conscience]

I'm certainly not about to argue that point, City General is just... notably so.

You know, most people don't seem to realize that.

[her_waterloo]

I've spent a lot of time in them. Former sober companion.