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 Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 9:35 pm
A look of ungentlemanly horror passed over Archer's face. Brit Boy? And what did 'Einar' mean, he couldn't understand Archer? He was speaking pain as day, wasn't he? Archer felt unfamiliar annoyance bubbling up inside of him. However, it was very rude indeed to make a snappy comeback to a dying man, and thus Archer took a few seconds to regain his composure. Despite the man's rude reply, Archer had gotten the answers to his questions in the end. "This 'Audun', Mr. Einar." he stated, still slightly testy from the rude response he had last received. "Why, if he was so dear a friend to you, did he shoot you?" Perhaps Einar had said something rude to him. Or maybe he had done something improper, like killed Audun's family in a blind fit of rage or taken the last piece of bread without asking if Audun had wanted any. Archer did not quite understand human nature, as he had conditioned himself to expect of humans everything he had read in the more proper sort of books about jolly old England. "Furthermore, or rather, also was he correc- er, right in saying that there was only one cure for this bullet?"
Use small words and talk slowly, and don't judge the gentleman too quickly. Perhaps his rudeness and inability to comprehend were merely from blood loss and nerves.
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Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 9:37 pm
Carrying a large bulky box Abel ran into the atrium. The floors were newly waxed and nearly caused him to slide and run into the crowd. He wasn't sure what exactly was going on but he had heard yelling earlier and now there was a commotion here. When he had heard the yelling earlier his first instinct had been to run there immediately but then he decided to gather first aid supplies first. He would arrive slower but it could mean the difference between life and death. Quite literally. He was but ten feet away from the crowd.
The chamber was full of buzzing. Some words were recognizable and others not. Most of them were ones he had never heard before. He could spot out the voices Russian Lai and his muse Hyo. Other than that they were all strangers.
Their faces told a story of melancholy. No one was smiling. While he wanted to approach the crowd he could feel his chest constricting simply from standing here. People... there were too many. Setting the box on the ground he kicked it towards the mass. A loud swishing sound echoing through the room as it slid towards them. Stopping as it hit the back of the legs of another man with blonde hair.
He had gathered everything he could find into that box. Bandages, alcohol, scissors, morphine. Anything he find that he thought was useful. Hopefully he would help. If it was required well then... at least they had everything together in one box.
Abel stood there by himself near the edge of the door. Then turning prepared to leave the room. He did not know first aid. He was incompetent in English. There was nothing more he could do here other than gazing at his muse and this was not the time to do that.
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Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 9:48 pm
"Audun..." His voice went to a whisper as he searched his working mind to figure out where he had heard that name before. It was taking time, part of his mind was trying to plan ways to deal with this situation, another was looking up the name, and the entire brain was overrun with concern for Einar while trying to fight off his distraught about this. He would need a level head for this.
When the Norwegian sank to the floor Lai followed moments after, his jaw set as he looked at the man, his own position a crouch. "That man, you said that name in your sleep that time when I found you in the library. You said that name and you jolted awake. You should know now that I am not letting him get away with this and I, as well as these people here now, will not let you die. Please Einar, tell me where this man is. Where can he be found?"
His mind was racing and his eyes were flicking with concern over Einar's form. If he could get the location out of him Lai would break his ideas out. Well, he should do that now. The Russian stood and looked around at the people here, hoping that Shee would return and have blood. Einar was ashen faced already. He stood straight, eyes continuing around the room at faces as he spoke up.
"You all heard that voice...Audun...On the radio. Now he said that Einar is dying," He winced as he said the words, that pang hit him hard as he himself uttered it. "But he also said that there is a cure and he is in possession of it. His terms were to bring Einar to him or Einar and the body of the person closest to him. Obviously we cannot do either, Einar's condition being as it is and of course not sacrificing whomever this person is." He clearly didn't know.... "I have been thinking quite rapidly as time is of the essence. My idea is this; we go to wherever this man is and do what is called the 'bait and switch'. Namely, create a doppelganger, approach this Audun with said ganger and then do a strategic jump on him. We capture this man, bring him back here, and use whatever means we have to get him to spill what this cure is."
His voice was clear, but it wavered as though he was fighting with that fear again. He could not, would not, let this happen. Einar could not die, it was not his time and Lai felt like these people would agree.
"Of course some would have to stay behind, research in the library for ways to slow this process down, try to find this cure. We have time, but it is limited and we cannot just stand around here all day chatting. It is a rough outline of an idea, but I think it could work if we had the proper participation..." He looked around again. "What say you?"
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Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 9:49 pm
Aletta stayed quiet as the facts ran through her head. So many people talking at once made her dizzy, not to mention the fact that there was clearly a man who declared he'd been shot with a bullet that would kill anyone. She took half a step back, attempting to keep herself safe as well as give the man some air. She took her cloth back and shoved a corner of it in the side of her skirt. It wasn't needed...
Quickly, after hearing him tell them to do the math, she ran the numbers through her head and tried to get a clear number. She opened her mouth, wanting to ask something but closed it. It wasn't the right time to ask something. Her thoughts were disrupted with the box sliding and stopping where Archer was. She hadn't really noticed him there before and she wanted to say hello or something. But she held her tongue. The bleeding man was the most of his concerns right now. She just stared on silently, being not much of a help and more of a burden than anything else.
She listened to the man talk. He mentioned something about a man she had never heard of before. She doubted that she was the only one due to the fact that he spoke something about research in the headquarter's library. She wanted to help the man out, really. But her knowledge of the world around her had been halted to a complete stop. "Who... who is this man you speak of?" She asked in a nearly inaudible tone of voice. She hoped that no one heard her speaking out of line, but curiosity controlled her now. With the words and people flooding her mind, she wanted something to be clear, even if it was the difference between left and right.
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Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 10:25 pm
Del was about to speak up, but rather, she stood and listened. If she interrupted with a childish question, she would miss out on the opportunity to gain valuable information. Her mind was swimming with questions like, Who this Auden person? Why is he after blond man? How they know each other? Why am I talking to myself? Del sighed to herself. She did gain an answer for some of her questions however. The blond man did seem to know this Auden character and that he had a lot of time to live. That what was Del ears caught and stored in her head. The other questions and answers given just seemed to go into one ear hole and out the other. The Mongolian was about to speak up and ask the same question as Aletta, but apparently it was asked before she could speak. Hell, it was amazing she didn't get mad yet.
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Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 10:38 pm
What? What? What?!
Johannes couldn't believe what he was hearing. Not minding the 'math' of it all (he wasn't very good at doing it on the spot), but the fact that without even trying to see if he {Einar} can be saved.....this reminded Johannes of what his father did for him when he was a child.
And by God, Johannes was going to do the same for him. Even if it looks hopeless near the end or if Einar actually dies...it doesn't matter. The point is to keep trying to prevent an obvious -and sad- end.
He looked toward Lai's direction as Lai gave his speech. Go dupe Auden? Research in the library? Find a cure? That's exactly what should be done right now, or as soon as possible, thought Johannes. "An excellent plan you have there, Lai." "However, as...Einar has seem to have indicated, this Auden person seems to have a frightful weapon." Johannes couldn't help but gulp a bit as he considered his next words. He himself didn't know what he was going to do. He can help do research but at the same time he wanted to go and deal with this mad man. While he was thinking it over, he continued to talk (or suggest, depending on who you ask): "We should...consider how exactly do we go about this -- we can't risk the doppelganger being hurt."
"Unless, you planned to use a mannequin?" Johannes tried to say this with a bit of consideration, as he was sure that Lai was just as stressed as everyone else.
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Friendly Conversationalist
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Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:30 pm
Alberto had been at the back of the group, digesting the information as it came. He admired how everyone had been so willing to come run and help, but he couldn't blame Einar for getting snappish with them for crowding around and not giving him any breathing space. Fussing only made matters more confusing unless something was actually being done.
The radio broadcast from the shady character (Audun, he thought his name was) and the obvious rage that the Russian man who addressed them afterwards felt (just what was he to this man, he wondered) only made the situation graver. Einar had lost a lot of blood, and a whole lot of fussing was going on and not enough action. The Russian had the right idea, and Alberto found himself nodding along to the plan.
Perhaps it was the heat of the moment or the metallic smell of the blood making him a little dizzy, but he found himself stepping forward towards the Russian.
"A bait-'n-switch is a decent plan," he said, before rolling forward with a small lilt of doubt to his voice, "if we do it right. We can't underestimate an enemy, especially wit' lives on the line.. it's too dangerous. We need to know more about him. Dividin' the team needs to happen soon, because we're not doin' anythin' just talkin' the day away here."
His days as a guerrilla fighter had taught him the important lesson of never underestimating your opponent. Too much risk, too many could die. Whether or not he was friends with Einar was beside the point. They were all on the same side and he would be damned to let a comrade die without a proper fight. Alberto's eyes washed over the faces of the people in the room as his gaze sent out one thought.
So who wants to do some research, and who's ready to move out?
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 6:25 am
Archer nodded grimly, glad someone was taking charge. "It appears that is the only option available to us." he said, looking at the ashen faced Einar. But if they were to create a doppelganger... His eyes ran over the recruits around him. He only saw two recruits who even had blonde hair, and he included himself in that number. "If needed, I am willing to help hunt down the dastard." he offered. "Such foul villainy shall not be tolerated whilst Archer Wells breathes upon this Earth."
He took a deep breath. "And this young man is correct." He nodded to Alberto. "We have already seen that this enemy is quite unbalanced." Not to mention improper. "And apparently he knows Mr. Einar of old. If we are to use a doppelganger we must ensure that they are as convincing as possible." Archer bit his lip. On a good day his acting was atrocious, and on a bad day it was laughably deplorable. Acting was, in the Archer Wells guide to life, nearly like lying and very ungentlemanly. But if he had to act convinced a fake recruit was a real one in the name of stopping this 'Audun' he would, by Jove. After all, stopping evil villains was Very Proper Indeed.
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:01 am
Asmadai had somehow missed the commotion and he couldn't say he was exactly sorry he had. Instead- he could gather from the raised voices that Einar was injured, possibly dying, and. Were they planning to... He frowned and took a step into the atrium, automatically throwing out an arm to grab the brunette recruit turning to leave. Was this man French? He'd try it...
"Parlez-vous francais, monsieur?" With a frown, he turned towards the group. "Je vous aiderai. Venez joignez le groupe, peut-être vous pouvez aider."
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:50 am
 Suddenly, a lot more was happening. The Kind Spirit was talking a lot, and fast enough to make it a bit hard to understand, and with many difficult words, but the boy thought he had grasped the main points. There apparently was a cure for Raai's precious person. And Raai was going to do anything in his might to get it. Hopefully this..this Eenar person will be grateful enough for it. The bad thing was, Hyo most certainly didn't feel well. The smell of blood was overwhelming, and even though he was able to push this sensation away from himself at the beginning, he was long enough, and close enough, for it to affect him anyway. His body swayed, and the boy felt that he could fall down any moment. He quickly raised his sleeve, and covered his nose and mouth. Hopefully, this will be enough for him to feel a bit better... Because even though a proper lady would faint in such a situation, and everyone would consider it an understandable behavior, if he did so, he would just give more reasons to worry to the Kind Spirit. And that was the opposite of what he wanted to do. He wanted to help him. So he ended up taking just two more steps away from the dying body, and looking at Raai with his slightly scared eyes. "I...I help yes? Good? Want help Raai..."
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 9:48 am
He had been lost within his own activity the moment noise had started up. Within an instant, things had toppled the floor; he had jumped, wincing at the feel of what had been a heavy book dropped nearly on his toes. Yet, it seemed unimportant, there was noise - and that meant something was happening. If something was happening, he had no right to be sitting on his bed and reading about whatever mathematical fancy or scientific mumbo-jumbo he had tucked under his bed one night.
Even so, it had taken him longer to respond than he would have considered honorable. He had left his room in a scramble, forgetting a number of things - notably that he needed to get dressed and be out of his sleep-wear, though pajamas and a shirt were hardly as offensive. He was in too much of a hurry to bother with the concern that he might look funny; or that his feet were cold against the floor as he made his way off. It took time to find noise, and there was little to go on. He had gotten lost more than once, only to eventually find the group of people stacked around what could only be described as a stroke of bad luck.
Perhaps as naive as he was confused by the scene, he had not thought before speaking. "What's going on?" Rodney had called. He had taken up a brisk walk, eventually jogging until he was close enough to hear and have a better look.
"O-oh ..." He had quieted, paling for a moment at the sheer sight. There were a number of questions going on, but they seemed irrelevant to ask. He would learn; he just needed to listen. Listen, and focus. "...Okay, that..." Fidgety, quiet words. There was enough in the visual: there was a man down.
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 11:35 am
Abel recoiled at the man's touch. While he wasn't too bad with women touching him, men were an entirely different subject all together. Yet he relaxed slowly when the older man spoke. It was something he could understand, his tonuge. French. For the first time in months in this god forsaken facillity he had heard French.
Yet he couldn't reply... verbally. Reaching into his pocket he found the small sketchpad and a pencil. Flipping it open to some page he wrote in a corner free of previous scribbles.
"Je ne parle pas" de français. C'est le parlent verbalement. Je le comprends pourtant.
The letters were written quickly yet easy to read. Good penmenship was valuble at times like these.
Il n'y a rien je peux aider avec. Je manque d'une arme et je ne peux pas comprendre qu'ils disent... Je suis ... inutile comme d'habitude.
It was true. There was nothing Abel could help the group with unless it involved ranshacking the library. He knew currently the whole layout of the library having spent months in there cooped up by himself trying to learn English. It was a failed effort trying to speak it but he did understand 60% of the content for written items. Like letters and instructions.
Yet again. He was but useless and here he couldn't even use his body to help them.
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 1:30 pm
With the bath robe being thrust into her hands, Lokiari couldn't help but stare at the hyperactive, frightened way Estrelas was behaving. This was not a person they could use for medical purposes, not to help save someone who was in critical condition. But the robe could certainly come in handy - it might not work as a bandage, but maybe it would work to lay on the floor and get the man off the cold floor he was currently on? If he was losing blood so fast, then shock and hypothermia would be concerns and the cold marble was not suitable for him. When a jacket was proferred, she hardly noticed it, merely giving a nod to the man. She knew it had taken an effort for him to remove it by the way he had ducked his head away as he held it out. It could be used, too, if needed, to put under Einar's head like a pillow or to keep him warm should he grow cold...
Lokiari wasn't entirely certain what Shee would be bringing, but when Del offered up some nuts she had to shake her head "no". If Shee brought anything for pain and they gave him some natural medicine there was a small chance they could act against each other or create a reaction and with the condition this man clearly was in...that would also not do. She heard Johannes mention moving him, but judging by the look of him - moving him at that time could only do more harm than good. She remembered from her training as a medic that to move someone who was in critical condition without first stabilizing them could cause not only further damage but also death.
The sound of the radio flitted across her mind, but she barely listened as she stood there trying to figure out how to create a makeshift triage in the middle of the atrium...with tons of people just standing around. Moving to where the puddle of blood had not yet reached, she laid down the bath robe. It could be used to lay him on, but he'd still have to be moved to it. She didn't want him laying in his cold blood and knew Shee probably wouldn't, either, so after basic stabilizing treatment he would have to be moved to the robe where they could try to get him dry. And even as she thought of that, she realized his clothes themselves were soaked and should probably be cut away so that his wound could be treated and they could get him cleaned up and re-dressed. Unfortunately, there were no hospital gowns or alternative clothes to put him in and she had a feeling Einar would not be having any of that until he was long since passed out. So she carefully filed that away, as well as the information that this Audun gave them.
Other people quickly began talking as soon as the man on the radio had quit, but she mostly ignored them until she heard Lai speak. She'd have to get him out of the room, at the least later if things took a turn for the worst. It was clear he loved Einar and that Einar returned those feelings, and if Lai were to see things go poorly, he might cause problems during treatment. But for now, she stood silently, willing to listen to what he had to say. As the closest person to the person on the floor, he had more right than any of them to have a say in what they did next. Or at least, that was what she felt. No plan was presented, though, and that bothered her slightly. She'd hoped he'd have some inspiration driven from desperation, but it was clear that for now he was still struggling with what had happened.
Slowly, Lokiari stepped back towards the group, rolling up her sleeves as she did so, her eyes on Shee as the woman began to speak. What a pity she'd found the woman at such a poor time! That had been one thing she'd been looking forward to, so that she could see this garden of hers. Now was not the time, though, and as Shee took charge, Lokiari merely nodded. She would do her best to stay in charge, but judging by the amount of blood that Einar was vomiting - she'd not be elevating that wound. To do so, her instincts told her, could only cause the blood to flow into his throat that much faster and he might aspirate before Shee even arrived.
Again, Einar grew angry as Shee took off and questions were pressed in his direction. The Norwegian woman merely rolled her eyes, amused at how stubborn he was to have his way with things, oblivious to what else was really going on. In her eyes, that was probably his Norwegian blood speaking more than anything else. Everyone she'd ever known that was from Norway had been stubborn to the point of it being ridiculous, and she almost laughed at the thought of someone being so stubborn they were willing to die for it.
Once more, though, the Russian man that loved the Norwegian so began to speak. And this time, he had a plan. With a grin, Lokiari once more moved forward. Finally, something they could actually deal with! And as another moved forward to agree with him, her grin only grew broader. Perhaps there were some leaders from this latest batch of recruits after all! For now, she was content to let them work together to come up with a plan. She'd point out her own thoughts later, when the time called for it. For now, though, she returned to Einar's side. He needed to be moved before he aspirated, but she wasn't sure he'd let her. With a glance back towards where Shee had gone, she hoped she returned soon. Einar had a special place for the woman, so he might be more inclined to be a good patient when she was back.
For the moment, Lokiari was content to merely point out, "Einar, we're going to have to move you. You can't keep laying like that in that puddle. You'll get cold and you need to be on your side. So when Shee gets back, we're going to dress your wound as well as we can to staunch the flow of blood before moving you to that bath robe. You'll have to lay on your side, though." There was a small pause before she added, "Your injured side, at that."
Not many people enjoyed laying on the injured side because it could hurt more, but it was what her training suggested to her, and if Shee agreed, it was what they'd do. Whether Einar wanted it or not.
With a small grin, she added, "I think the Russian is too stubborn to let you die right now, so you'll have to put your pride aside and let him do his thing for now. You have nothing to lose either way, anyway, if he does." Again, she was tempted to stick her tongue out at him to show she was teasing, but opted not to as she felt this truly wasn't the appropriate time for such an action.
Now...just to wait for Shee...we've gotta get that robe sanitized before we can move him to it...and we need to divide people into task forces if we want to get anything done...
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 3:58 pm
"Ah," he said, reading off the letters. In French, he responded, "There's a lot you can do. What was in that box you had?" He smiled, trying to look a lot less stressed than he was. "You said you could wield weaponry. Are you strong? They'll need to move Einar to a better place for treatment than the floor of the atrium." He didn't know every single word, so his use of the language was more roundabout and convoluted than he would have liked. But it would be worth it- the more minds on this, the better, right?
Still holding the other man's arm, he hurried over to the group just in time to hear Lokiari. To the recruit, he said, "What have you been doing since you came to LOTUS? That could help with choosing what you can do to help."
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 4:26 pm
The box? Why it was behind that blonde man over there... the one in the black suit that looked angry earlier. Whatever his name may be. Abel felt a pang of annoyance as the older man man handled him towards the group of people. Oh god. People.
A cold sweat broke out on his forehead as the he was forced to join the people. It was loud... His complexion was becoming pallid. It was happening again. This feeling was hard to forget. He was on the verge of running away when he spotted her. The pretty little oriental girl from the gardens. Almost immediately he managed to gain control of himself.
The man's French was a bit... simplified but that was alright. Using the pencil he scribbled more words on the sketchpad. They were slightly more crooked and illegible. His nerves were still on edge.
La boîte, il avait l'équipement de premiers secours. L'alcool, les bandages, n'importe quoi je pourrais trouver. Quant aux armes je suis ambidextre avec la rapière.
He couldn't help but feel that he was forgetting a question... of course. What had he been doing since coming here?
J'ai essayé d'apprendre l'anglais dans la bibliothèque. Je sais la disposition de la bibliothèque très bien. Je peux trouver n'importe quoi dans là. Et j'ai exercé ... certains.
His eyes kept wandering back towards the asian girl. She looked... afraid. No shocked. Worried. Like everyone else here.
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