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Post by PARKER DANIEL CARTER on Dec 17, 2012 5:59:34 GMT -5
It had been a while since he'd last felt the burn of his own element and he'd forgotten how much it hurt. Parker had suffered through broken bones, torn ligaments, an assortment of darkly coloured bruises and various other injuries from his active and somewhat careless childhood. But a burn? He could still feel his skin searing, could almost still feel the fire flicker against his skin. The flames had been extinguished a while ago by his now singed hands and his currently unstable skill but the damage had already been done. The pain at first had been manageable, painful but not debilitating but as he wandered closer to the medical wing the skin on his stomach began tightening and it was making him tetchy. He was not in a good mood at all.
Granted he'd been pretty angry before this whole ordeal. But he'd definitely say that the guy who threw his drink into Parker's face was the one to blame. How was he to know that it had been a spirit tossed onto his shirt? How was he to know that just a spark of flames would be enough to ignite the spirit? Regardless of the fact that it's pretty much common knowledge he'd had a few drinks down his throat before over his front. It wasn't his fault it slipped his mind. It was never his fault. And if it ever was? He'd go to the grave denying blame.
He was quiet as he entered the medical wing, his eyes downcast as if trying to avoid anybody from looking at him. He knows how to treat a burn, pretty much every Fire student would, pretty much everybody in the Academy should really. Usually he'd find somebody else to help him out, but it hurt and he wanted some drugs to take that pain away. Not that he didn't have enough drugs in his system already, his pupils had blown out of proportion, making the bright light within the medical wing hurt his eyes more than it should.
Parker slumped down into an empty chair, his head spinning enough without the pain due to the half empty flask shoved into the bottom of his rucksack. He peeled the lower part of his shirt up to reveal the mildly pinkened skin of his lower tummy all the way to the blistered, red and clearly burnt flesh just below his rib cage. It looked worse than it felt.. Maybe i'm in shock?.. The thought was a brief one, interrupted as soon as he lifted his head to acknowledge the person approaching him.
"Morphine? You give out that stuff here, yea?" It was worth a shot. His speech was mildly slurred, he was pretty certain it wouldn't get picked up on though. And if it did? He didn't care..
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Post by JOSHUA DONOVAN DALE on Dec 19, 2012 0:34:23 GMT -5
[cs=2][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] OF THE SERPENT-TAILED FORBIDDEN FISH OF THE HARBOUR | [atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] . | [rs=3][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] He had been kept busy today, something that he appreciated. Instead of being left mostly to tasks like tidying up the rooms or watching over the overnight patients he'd actually had quite a few cases where he'd been able to help out and get some hands-on experience. Then there had been an Earth elemental with a nasty burn on her calf that they'd allowed him to treat without any supervision. As a graduated college elemental who had trained himself in the art of healing burns, he needed no one to guide him through the steps. It made him feel useful when he was allowed to do more than stand and watch his more experienced coworkers handle everything. He understood, of course, as he was not qualified, but the curious side of him itched to become a doctor for real.
So he perked up when his supervisor approached with the business-like stride that suggested he had something to say. "We've got a burn out out in the waiting area," he said, naming the patient by their injury in a crisp tone. "Do you think it's something you could handle?" Joshua was quick to answer with a firm, "Absolutely. I'll get right on that." He could not read the look that the older man fixed him with. Was his confidence seen as an asset or a liability? Confidence meant he didn't shake or stumble over his work but it could also mean that he took on something that he could not handle alone. He understood that from an objective standpoint but his stubborn pride refused to acknowledge fault. I can handle burns for sure. That he had no doubt about. Perhaps if it was something a little more unfamiliar but burns were his territory.
"Right. Get on it, then."
The man strode past him and out of the room, supposedly to find another job to do. Joshua went through another door that led out into the main area of the medical wing that held the reception and waiting area. It wasn't hard to spot the burn victim in question and Joshua approached him with a neutral expression. He had no idea who the guy was yet and so he was keeping things professional.
Or, well, that had been the plan until the guy glanced up and immediately asked for morphine. He might not have thought so much about the vague slur to the guy's speech if not for the dilated pupils. He'd drank enough times before to recognise the signs of it and Josh didn't usually appreciate that kind of shit in the medical wing. He was a little more soft on his friends (hey, he knew he wasn't supposed to play any favourites but it was a lot harder to sympathise with a stranger) but it was generally a no-tolerance thing in the wing and he didn't want to get any shit for it. Maybe he would have shrugged it off, a lot of people drank even if it was stupid to drink on school property, if not for the question that was asked.
"Not without a proper diagnosis." He kept his tone clear and absent of any of the disdain that lurked in the back of his mind. He tried his best to maintain a professional attitude because this was his job and he didn't want to fuck it up for himself so early in the game. He had a temper but he wasn't so irritable that he'd go biting the head off anyone that walked into a room. "And not usually for simple burns. We're primarily a medical wing, not a pharmacy. The medications are for the severe cases." High school was like a breeding ground for addicts and so the Academy had a strict policy on the prescription of any drugs. They didn't want to get into any trouble with parents and they also wanted to ensure that their medication was being used for pain and not for pleasure.
Josh could tell the guy was probably in pain just by looking at the burn but he also didn't know him well enough to trust him. "I'm a Fire elemental. I could have a look at it if you're interested in getting it fixed up." He no longer thought much of throwing out his element. Once upon a time he might have stopped himself but now it did not bother him. He still got a lot of hate for being a traitor but that label was unofficial now. The politics of the Academy couldn't hold a candle to his staff position. He could do what he wanted. | [atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] . | [atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] . | [cs=2][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] AND THE READY MEN, DEFIANT DRINKERS AND CHARMERS | [cs=2][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] made by taylor of aote for her use only |
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Post by PARKER DANIEL CARTER on Dec 20, 2012 15:43:32 GMT -5
Parker's not very good at reading people at the best of times. So he had no idea whatsoever what to think of the guy approaching him. All he could hope was that he'd help in some way, shape or form. Though as Josh spoke he started to realise that he wouldn't be getting the high speed drug fuelled pain relief that he'd been hoping for. He tore his gaze away from Josh when he realised he'd inadvertently been glaring at the medic, a miniature scowl on his lips. He was doing his best here to try and remain at least somewhat civil, mostly because things usually go quicker when you cooperate. The sarcasm proved a little too hard to keep at bay though.
"Interested in getting it fixed?" He repeated, fixing a stony stare back up at Josh. His tone was carefully neutral to begin with, "Nah, I came all the way here for the exercise. Had a few too many biscuits, needed to work them off." He rolled his eyes and shifted his weight in the chair, wincing visibly as the movement sent a flash of pain over his midsection. Other than a sharp intake of breath he didn't make any other sound. Parker can be stubborn when it comes to his pride. All of this wasn't exactly putting him in a fantastic mood though, the pain was even starting to sober him up.
"And as for the diagnosis i'd say it's a burn," he added snappishly. Parker doesn't have anything against Josh, he doesn't know him well enough to have an opinion on him, so his attitude had nothing to do with Josh and everything to do with his tummy. Not that he was going to take a moment to explain his bad mood to the medic, surely he'd have seen his fair share of injured Fire and Thunder students to know the drill.
"I'm Parker.." He grumbled after a few moments silence, "Fire elemental.. So help me out, yeah?" That sentence alone could hold a fair few meanings to it. More than anything he meant that since they were both Fire elementals Josh'd be more inclined to 'properly' help him out. Plus if he didn't get pain killers and then his stomach got prodded and poked at he would end up lashing out. Not for revenge or anything, it would be more of a reflex reaction. Parker's well aware that punching the person trying to patch you up isn't the best of ideas but when somebody hurts him it's just in his nature to whack them back. It helps keep his universe balanced.
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Post by JOSHUA DONOVAN DALE on Dec 21, 2012 22:36:36 GMT -5
[cs=2][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] OF THE SERPENT-TAILED FORBIDDEN FISH OF THE HARBOUR | [atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] . | [rs=3][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] The glare did not phase Joshua much at all. He was used to the many injured students getting a little snippy if they were in pain, it was a natural reaction. Joshua knew himself that he was quite vicious when he was suffering. There was a stirring in his gut as his temper was repressed. He had some control over it, if not much.
It was harder to bite his tongue after the boy confronted him with a sarcastic reply but Joshua reminded himself that it was in the interest of his job to remain as calm and collected as possible. Had they been anywhere but the medical wing, the Fire graduate's true personality would have shone through with a biting comment of his own. Instead he took a slow breath through his nose, a calming technique. Exhaling, he said steadily, "You seemed more interested in pain management than the actual healing process. I merely wanted to confirm that you came here to get the injury treated." He was proud at the absolute lack of a snide edge that his tone carried. He sounded like a medical professional rather than the exasperated person he truly was.
His lips pressed tight. "I can see that." He could also tell that it was a burn inflicted by fire rather than electricity. He didn't need Parker's sass to tell him that. Your job, he repeated several times in his head. It helped him to concentrate on something other than the desire to argue with the guy. He didn't do very well with his temper. He envied his wife, Nell, and her ability to stay completely polite with the most frustrating of people. Of course, this also made her a pushover in many situations, but he envied her patience if nothing else.
The boy introduced himself and Joshua hoped this was a sign that he was willing to cooperate. The worst thing for the medical wing was the patients that did not want to behave like they were patients. They insisted upon ordering around the staff and it gave Josh a headache. He was here to help and it annoyed him when some people took advantage of that. His brows arched when Parker mentioned his element and once again made a request for help. It did not take Joshua more than a second to figure out what it was the boy was trying to do. "I'm afraid I still can't help you. It's like I said, the medication is reserved for the most severe of cases. As your injury can be fixed, there's no need for it." His voice was still steady and calm but Joshua's mood was dropping ever lower. A Fire. Oh, what would he do if he knew? "My name is Joshua. I can help you with your burn, but not in the way you want." He wasn't going to risk his own neck for the sake of some kid that would probably turn on him if he knew who had the wedding ring to match his own. Joshua twisted said ring around his finger as he waited for the response. | [atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] . | [atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] . | [cs=2][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] AND THE READY MEN, DEFIANT DRINKERS AND CHARMERS | [cs=2][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] made by taylor of aote for her use only |
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Post by PARKER DANIEL CARTER on Dec 23, 2012 7:40:34 GMT -5
This place wasn't exactly a hospital but it still had some of the similar scents that brought up the feeling of being in one. It wasn't an unpleasant smell, more a sterile, antiseptic slightly citrus odour that Parker just knew would linger all over him after he left. At least he'd be leaving the pain behind though, hopefully, if the guy in front of him knew how to do his job. If he faltered Parker would quite happily remind him with numerous snide comments.
Josh might be proud about the professionalism of his tone, but all it did for Parker was confirm that he wasn't going to get anything to make the pain go away quickly. If he could move with ease he'd have made some sort of flailing, pacing and ranting show out of his frustration. Considering he's currently chair bound with nursey boy looming over him he'd stay put and resign himself to his fate.
"If your stomach was all burnt up you'd be wanting to do something about pain management too." He couldn't not say anything, the grumble of his voice was clearly audible and more than anything he sounded like he was on the verge of sulking. Parker is used to getting his own way, money usually buys him whatever he wants and his father keeps his bank account full enough to keep any teenager content. He was quickly losing patience with being hurt though, every single one of his thoughts kept going back to his stomach. His movement was restricted and he didn't feel like this process was going anywhere fast.
Being denied once was a little bit like a slap in the face, but twice and within such a short time span was just too much. Parker's mind has trouble understanding what the problem was with giving him what he wanted. As far as he's concerned any injury to his body is serious enough. He could feel the mix of frustration, anger and pain coursing through him and all he wanted to really do is slap Joshua in the face. With a chair.
"Well?" He growled pointedly, sounding as impatient as he looked, "are you going to stand there fiddling with your hands or are you gonna help me? You've determined i'm injured and i came here to get fixed, so do your damn job and fix me." He wasn't exactly telling Josh what to do but Parker was starting to wish that he'd never sat down, getting up and moving didn't sound like the best of ideas. If he even had to move. He stayed sat exactly where he was, slouched on the chair looking up at the other guy, "you sure you know what you're doing? I don't want to come out of here extra crispy."
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Post by JOSHUA DONOVAN DALE on Dec 30, 2012 21:22:26 GMT -5
[cs=2][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] OF THE SERPENT-TAILED FORBIDDEN FISH OF THE HARBOUR | [atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] . | [rs=3][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] As a Fire, Joshua was irritable. He had a lot of patience when he needed it but there was something about difficult people that rubbed him the wrong way. He was here to help, not to harm, and yet the way people treated some of the medical wing staff it felt like the opposite. He was immune to the alliances now but that didn't mean that people had forgotten about his treachery and so he took a lot of hits for that. It didn't make him any less competent than his alliance-obeying coworkers but that didn't stop others from giving him a hard time. Heck, this guy was giving him a hard time without even mentioning alliances at all. Maybe he doesn't know. It was a possibility.
He might have been aiming for professionalism but Joshua could not help his argumentative side flaring up from time to time. "If I were injured I would spend a little less time giving the people trying to fix me up a hard time and a little more cooperating." He had mentioned that he was a Fire elemental and the edge of anger in his tone backed this up. He had not lost his temper yet, having gained better control over it as the years passed, but he could not stop his fuse from burning down. I won't let him get the better of me. He knew the risk of losing his job if he flew off the handle every time some idiot snarked him and so he also understood the need to take things in stride.
Josh paused in the act of fiddling with the ring to narrow his eyes at the younger boy. "I've already said I was willing to help you." His tone was terse and his gray eyes were smouldering. As a Fire himself, did Parker understand the risks of playing with tempers? Joshua was trying as hard as he could to rein his in but there were signs of it in his hardened gaze and taught expression. "You were the one that held things up with your insistence on pain management, which won't be necessary if you let me do my damn job." He didn't flinch upon letting the mild curse past his lips. He wasn't supposed to use foul language but honestly, who were they kidding? Teenagers were teenagers, keeping a clean mouth yourself wouldn't stop them from swearing like sailors.
You'll be nicely charred if you don't shut your damn mouth. He could have let the barbed comment escape but he smartly held it back. "They wouldn't trust me to work here if I didn't know what I was doing. I can assure you that I'm qualified to deal with burns." His tone was back to being cool and professional. It was the truth and he figured that if he acted calm, he might be met with a little less resistance from Parker. As long as the kid didn't catch onto the fact that he was that guy that all the Fires sneered at as a traitor, that is. He took a few steps toward the the door leading to the hall of exam rooms and then paused, glancing back over his shoulder. "The faster we get this over with, the less pain you'll be in." He figured Parker was staying put because he was in pain but the waiting room wasn't meant for the healing of injuries. It was meant for waiting. | [atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] . | [atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] . | [cs=2][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] AND THE READY MEN, DEFIANT DRINKERS AND CHARMERS | [cs=2][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] made by taylor of aote for her use only |
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Post by PARKER DANIEL CARTER on Jan 13, 2013 8:37:14 GMT -5
Parker knew all too well about the risk of playing with tempers, it's one of the things that makes the Fire common room a fun place to mooch in. The string of anger in Josh's voice didn't go unnoticed. If anything it caused a self satisfied, smug little smirk to quirk at the corner of Parker's lips. For some strange and unknown reason he likes riling people up, it's pretty much the only thing that he feels he can do right and that he can do well. Truth be told he would much rather piss somebody off than maybe make a new friend, it's just the person that he is and probably it's the person he's always going to be. Parker usually only gets along with people who can give as good as they can get, most of his relationships (be it friends or lovers) end up as love hate but when things don't go his way though he can never understand why..
In his mind he's never in the wrong. Good luck to anybody who tries to tell him otherwise.
"This is me cooperating, y'dolt," he replied with an airy attitude of just not caring. Even though Josh's words had kicked at one of the many short nerves that all Fire students seem to have. He didn't appreciate being accused of doing something that he feels he isn't, "I can be uncooperative if you want, start screaming and putting on a right scene.." He grunted as he tried to sit himself up a little straighter, preparing to stand. The cloth of his shirt brushed against the nerve exposed skin of his torso and he visibly flinched once more, pain creasing the corners of his eyes. Parker is undeniably a bit of a wimp when it comes to being hurt, he'd try to act strong but deep down all he wants to do is anything to make it stop.
He glared at Josh with a visible amount of annoyance, "but I ain't an idiot, you're hardly going to do your damn job if i start throwing chairs or .. y'know, start burning stuff.." He trailed off into a quiet mumble, quickly coming to the conclusion that the guy in front of him probably ate the medical wing's rule book whole and he'd have to play by the rules. Which sucked, "And like i said," he scowled as he braced his hands on the side of the chair and pushed himself to his feet slowly, not quite able to straighten his back properly without stretching the skin of his poor burnt up tummy, "It hurts.. If somebody came in like this and didn't ask for pain relief i'd turf them off to a psyche ward.. smart ass bastard.."
The insult was almost inaudible, Parker's a little difficult, not a complete moron. He's a little slow and he doesn't make life easy for himself all the time, but he has some smarts hidden away behind his obliviousness. He'd noticed the change in Josh; that momentary lapse in professionalism, he also watched as it reappeared quickly enough. There was a big part of Parker that wanted to push him even further, just to see how much it would take to make him snap. He wouldn't report him to his superiors, if anything he'd just use the information to maybe blackmail him in some way. Because he's just nice like that.
"If you do make it worse then i get pain relief?" He asked, not really being able to help himself. This entire situation held a seriousness that had quickly sobered Parker's mind, he would still have the remnants of toxins in his bloodstream but for now their effectiveness had worn off to the point that he was thinking as clearly as he ever could, "as compensation. That's totally fair, even your big bad boss won't bitch slap you for that, right?"
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Post by JOSHUA DONOVAN DALE on Jan 16, 2013 10:00:53 GMT -5
[cs=2][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] OF THE SERPENT-TAILED FORBIDDEN FISH OF THE HARBOUR | [atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] . | [rs=3][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] Joshua's lips were pressed so tight that they nearly disappeared altogether as he resisted the urge to snort or roll his eyes at the younger Fire. Yeah, you're being completely cooperative. Totally. Best patient I've ever dealt with. These were the sorts of things he would have said if he was not on the job. Had he and Parker been on equal footing outside the Academy, Josh would never have put up with the sorts of comments the other boy was making. I am not losing my job over this asshole.
Shaking his head as an alternative to a snarky comment or eye roll, he said, "Start throwing chairs or screaming at me and you'll be out of here faster than you can blink. And that's with no pain relief or treatment." He was allowed to put his foot down when he had to. They couldn't deal with the screaming and shouting ones, the angry ones that caused a scene, so they forced them out of the wing until they calmed down enough to act mature. Admittedly Josh would enjoy if this happened so that he could exert his power over Parker, have a definitive upper hand, but he was not going to encourage it. He needed to do his job, first and foremost. His lip twitched into the faint beginnings of a smirk when Parker next spoke. "Well I'm glad we're on the same page, then." There was a trace of smugness to his tone. Both of them understood what would go down if Parker caused a scene.
Josh mentally braced himself when Parker stood up in case the boy was somehow volatile and planning an assault but his guard lowered back to its usual caution when no immediate move was made. It was often hard to tell with Fire elementals. He knew that from experience, being one himself. "I know it hurts, it's not like I've never been burnt before. It's not going to hurt once it's treated, though, so we're hardly going to dope you up on medication when it won't matter in a few minutes." There would be a sunburn-like remnant of the burn for a few days after treatment that would itch and peel just like a real sunburn might and it would feel warm and sting a little but it beat out the pain of a serious burn by a massive amount. It was not something that needed medicating beyond the application of a little aloe or ice to soothe it.
A single chuckle brushed past his lips. "If I make it worse. Which I won't." He was confident that he had things handled. They wouldn't let him work without supervision if he didn't know what he was doing. "Would you like to ask my boss that yourself? I'm sure he'd appreciate the language." He didn't like the insinuation that he was somehow his boss's bitch, regardless of whether Parker had meant it like that or not. Josh was a proud man and didn't like having to answer to or listen to anyone. "Normally I'd tell you to have a seat but given the location of the burn that's probably not the best idea." He thus ignored the bed that was against the wall of the room. "You're going to need to take off your shirt so that it doesn't get in the way. And this might sting a bit, so be prepared." He would need to examine the burn in order to properly heal it and touching an injury general spelt out pain. He only hoped that Parker didn't make it difficult for him. | [atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] . | [atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] . | [cs=2][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] AND THE READY MEN, DEFIANT DRINKERS AND CHARMERS | [cs=2][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] made by taylor of aote for her use only |
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Post by PARKER DANIEL CARTER on Jan 16, 2013 12:54:57 GMT -5
Parker understood what would go down if he caused a scene alright and he wasn't going to let that happen. He'd behave if it meant that he didn't have to hear the smugness in Josh's voice nor see the smirk on his lips. Little things like that made him wonder exactly what was going through the medic's head. Most of the thoughts that came to him weren't all too good and his assumptions made him want to smack Josh in the face with a chair. He'd have to make do with keeping his violence in check at least until he was all fixed up.
"I don't need to cause a scene to get my point across.." He mumbled grumpily, losing the will to argue as time went on. Of course his emotions were still running high but the adrenaline released into his system when he was injured was starting to soak away to where ever it went too. He was starting to feel slightly lethargic, which wouldn't do anything to help improve his mood. Food would. Food never fails to put Parker into a much better mood. "And I'm no kid," he added pointedly, the trace of a growl back in his tone, "so stop patronising me like you're my fuc-" He stopped mid-curse, remembering where he was and the reputation of Josh's boss for lack of patience with bad language. He let out an annoyed breath of air before continuing, "- just stop patonising me, I'm hardly gonna kick off in this state."
Parker may be an asshole but all he wants from life right now is for the pain to stop. If that means curbing his language for the next half hour then by God he'd do just that. He'll just save up his crudeness for a colourful display of language when he no longer feels like his midriff is on fire.
He raised an eyebrow in a 'oh really?' expression as Josh went on to say that he knew it hurt, "and yet you've got zilch there when it comes to compassion for me.. or am i one of the special few that squashes down whatever personality you have and gets delivered the by-the-book professionalism?" His smirk had developed into more of a lopsided smile, he hadn't meant offence with his last comment even though to a few it could sound very much like he had. Parker wanted to know exactly why he wasn't receiving any sarcasm or biting comments in return, it's what he's used too when communicating with other Fire elementals. He understood the predicament that Josh was in though, of course he did, if he was in the same situation then Parker would be jobless as soon as a smart assed patient like himself had started being sarcastic. So in a way he did admire the older guy for keeping his temper in check. But still, he didn't like that he couldn't tell what Josh was thinking.
A grimace replaced his smile when he was told to remove the shirt, that was one thing he didn't particularly want to do. "Y'don't ask for much, do you.." He muttered as he lifted the hem of his shirt, his eyes pained once more as the duel movement of his arms and the air touching his burn stabbed at his middle. Like a bandaid.. Quick and painless. He stifled a whimper as he pulled it up over his head completely, it felt like his skin of his stomach and lower rib cage had been peeled away with the material but he was certain that hadn't happened, "motherfuck," he hissed between gritted teeth, letting his shirt fall to the floor as his hands curled into tight fists at his sides, ".. Ok it's worse," he added with a scowl of disappointment, nobody with any sense of pride wants to be seen in a weakened state. For this Fire student it's no different, "can't 'xactly blame you neither.. Just hurry it up."
Parker would slap himself in the face if he could see himself right now, he might be saying all the right things to soothe his ego but the eyes always give everything away. Right now he looked hopelessly lost and unsure of what to do. Most of all though there was the pain mixed with the sheer desperation to just make it go away.
He swallowed heavily and shifted his weight awkwardly, lowering his head to avoid Josh's gaze, ".. please," he finished almost softly, the word not quite wanting to come out. You're pathetic his mind spoke to him. He didn't care though, right now he was hurt, it was enough to override his hateful conscience.
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Post by JOSHUA DONOVAN DALE on Jan 22, 2013 17:29:53 GMT -5
[cs=2][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] OF THE SERPENT-TAILED FORBIDDEN FISH OF THE HARBOUR | [atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] . | [rs=3][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] Two Fires made a dangerous combination sometimes. As they all sported temper problems, it could lead to many fights and petty disagreements when one or more of them were having a bad day. Josh was irritated at his boss, Parker was injured, it was the classic mixture for a bomb to go off. Thankfully for both of them, one of the two was trying as hard as he could to avoid such an explosion.
Not that Parker was being much help.
He raised an eyebrow. "I never called you a kid." He tried to avoid using such terms unless the 'kid' in question was some bratty ninth grader. Calling a college student or high school senior a kid was practically asking for a mocking response given that Joshua was only twenty two years of age, barely out of college himself. "If you want me to stop patronizing you," he said, straining the word as if using air quotes, "then stop snarling at me. Simple as that. I'm here to help." He was wanting to help the guy less and less as time wore on but he was going to so long as Parker didn't cause enough of a scene to get himself thrown out of the medical wing. It was his job.
Gray eyes narrowed dangerously at the implications, a rush of heat and anger coursing through Joshua's veins. Nostrils flared for a moment as he drew in a sharp breathe and he clenched his jaw to stop from saying something he'd regret. Who are you to make hits at how much I fucking care about my patients? It was a touchy subject, really. He didn't like people making assumptions about him. "It's not easy to sympathize with someone who spends half his time trying to take your f—" He caught himself in time, the word stopping short before the 'u' could start its formation on his lips. He pressed them together a moment and then finished irritably, "head off." He could practically hear his boss now, whining about his language and threatening to write down a warning against him. He'd practically memorised the man's antagonistic words. "Three strikes and you're out, Dale. Better watch yourself." Ugh. He could shove those strikes up his ass for all Josh cared. Oh, how he wished he could actually say such things.
He was admittedly glad to finally get down to business and start on the job that he'd came to do. His work relaxed him, the concentration a certain form of catharsis. He chose not to respond to Parker's comment, figuring that the guy was in pain and that he wanted this over as much as Josh did. "I think you'd prefer if I didn't rush. That is, unless you want scarring." His words were less biting and sarcastic now, more matter-of-fact. When he had a job to do, he focused on it. The please caught him off guard ever so slightly but did manage to slightly soften the anger that he felt. All right, so Parker was willing to be a bit less nasty now in order to get the pain relief he wanted. Worked for Josh. "I've got it," he promised, examining the burn with a critical gaze. Jesus, this is a real nasty piece of work. "Try to hold still," he advised, then set to work. He could feel the healing process sapping gently at the edges of his stamina, the sort of feeling one might get when they just rose out of bed and hadn't yet shaken off the drowsiness. The feeling was easily ignored as he passed his hand over the burns, an intense expression on his face.
At first it seemed like nothing was happening and, indeed, Parker would feel no immediate relief from the agony, but after a couple of minutes the burns slowly started to disappear from the skin, leaving an angry red sheen behind like a bad sunburn. He had worked at first on repairing the skin and tissue on the inside, not wanting to only fix the problem on the surface, which was why it had taken several minutes before visible progress was made. He worked slowly, wanting to make sure that he made no mistakes, especially as the stamina drain became more prominent. He would have to grab a cup of coffee on his break, he thought. It was a good half an hour by the time he finally stepped away from Parker, eyeing the slightly less red but still visible mark where the burn had once been. "It'll behave just like a sunburn, minus the blisters, so there may be some itching and discomfort over the next few days." He went into one of the cabinets in the room and retrieved a tube of aloe, tossing it to the boy. "That's aloe, I'm sure you've heard it helps with burns. It'll ease the symptoms until it fades for good. There shouldn't be, mind, but if there are any complications, it'd be a good idea to come back here." There won't be, though, because I know what I'm doing. He was obligated to say it nevertheless. Rules and all. "How does it feel?"
| [atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] . | [atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] . | [cs=2][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] AND THE READY MEN, DEFIANT DRINKERS AND CHARMERS | [cs=2][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] made by taylor of aote for her use only |
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Post by PARKER DANIEL CARTER on Jan 27, 2013 14:28:26 GMT -5
[[ i wrote this in notepad.. didn't realise how long it was D: sorry if it sounds like a ramble.. i love this thread too ^^ ]]
From Parker’s point of view it’s Josh being the difficult one, but then blaming himself for anything had never been Parker’s strong point. Honestly he completely expected his comments to be ignored instead of replied to. It made this entire situation more fun for him but ultimately left him suffering for longer. But then he gets some perverse joy from pissing people off so it was almost worth the extra minutes of agony, just to see Josh exercise his patience.
He was beginning to look more petulant as time passed, his fingers curling into pinkened palms, “yeah, well, you’re making me feel like a kid,” he grumbled audibly, well aware of how childish he actually sounds saying that, “and I’m not snarling at you. And even if I am, you’re pissing me off so it’s not like you don’t deserve it.” Emotional maturity levels are allowed to dip into childish if you’re in pain. It’s a rule. If it’s not then it should be. Parker’s pretty sure that he’s not the worst patient that the Medical Wing has seen, in his eyes he hasn’t even been rude. Yet.
He didn’t really realise how much of a nerve he’d hit by mentioning Josh’s attitude towards him, he was too busy thinking about himself as usual. He did glance up at Joshua when his sentence cut short, catching the irritability upon his face. If anything, the returning accusation annoyed Parker just as much, “since when have I tried to bite your head off? Are you seriously trying to blame the injured patient for your complete lack of sympathy? Seriously?” Not that Parker was looking for pity or any actual show of sympathy, to be honest that’d probably annoy him just as much as Joshua’s indifference. You just can’t win with some people.
He’s just holding a grudge against Josh for not giving him medication. What were alliances for if not for drugging each other up when necessary?
Being out the waiting room and with the added pain that movement had brought him, Parks wasn’t exactly in the mood to be a sulky little bitch anymore. In fact he was doing his utmost best to bite his tongue, mostly because Josh seemed to be getting on with his job, albeit a little snarkily, but Parker can’t really afford to be picky over the attitude of his help. “I don’t want scarring..” He confirmed with a sigh, giving into whatever Joshua tells him to do. The promise was a little more reassuring but there was a big part of him that didn’t want to trust Josh to do his job properly, he finds it difficult to trust anybody really, “why would anybody want scarring,” he continued, breath catching in his throat as Josh set to work. He didn’t want to show him just how much it hurt.
For the first few minutes Parker was pretty certain that Josh was just trying to hurt him further, the hands on his skin burnt more than anything, the pain radiating and no visible change to his skin was happening. At one point a flicker of flame flashed at the fingertips of Parker's right hand, quickly disappearing when he clenched his hands into tight fists, quickly hoping that Josh didn’t see. The last thing he wants is a dig at his self control.
Minutes passed seeming more like hours, occasional quiet whimpers coming from his throat but he put up with it without a word. Not because he couldn’t think of anything to say, but that most of the things that he wanted to say weren’t all too friendly at all and considering that he could see the skin of his stomach begin to knit together he didn’t think Josh particularly deserved that. He could feel the healing process taking place, the flesh beneath the skin of his stomach tickling uncomfortably. The pain began to retreat as the minute hand of the clock upon the wall ticked almost inaudibly; he could feel the muscles of his back and shoulders relaxing with relief, he hadn’t even realised how tense he’d become.
When Josh stepped away one of his own hands instantly went to his stomach, tentatively touching it with the pads of his fingers. He expected there to be pain but there was next to nothing compared to what it had been just half an hour beforehand. He was so occupied on his patchy looking sunburn he never realised Josh had tossed him something. It hit his shoulder and bounced back to the floor, action enough to bring Parkers attention back to the room, “eh?” He spoke before thinking, having heard exactly what Josh had said but letting it register as he crouched down to grab the tube and without much pause, he stood upright again, “aloe.. Yeah I know what it is, used it before,”
He blinked at the last question, obviously testing Josh's work as his fingers prodding experimentally at his middle, “sore. But I can handle it I reckon.. Not a bad job, Mr Compassion,” he blanched a little as those words came out of his mouth. Parker doesn’t mean to be an ass all of the time, he just doesn’t think before he speaks, it’s like his mouth and his brain just don’t get along, “er.. I mean..” He continued awkwardly, gathering himself together as best he can before finishing, “thanks. I guess that’s what I meant.. Remind me to go to college, they teach that there, right?” Moving on quickly.
You wouldn’t have thought it but Parker intended to go into the emergency services after college, either as a Paramedic or a Fire Fighter. What Josh had done intrigued him, it was the first burn needing treatment he’d received that he’d been conscious for the healing of.
“How you holding up? Couldn't've been easy.” Was he asking because he cared or because he was curious. Most likely the latter..
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Post by JOSHUA DONOVAN DALE on Jan 31, 2013 22:55:00 GMT -5
[cs=2][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] OF THE SERPENT-TAILED FORBIDDEN FISH OF THE HARBOUR | [atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] . | [rs=3][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] It was times like these that Joshua was tempted to either leave the room while pinching the the bridge of his nose in frustration or to throw a punch. He was a Fire, he wasn't cut out for long-term anger endurance. His usual reaction was to release the pent-up rage the moment it accumulated to bursting point and holding it all in threw him off his game. There was a subtle tremble in his hand as he forced it against curling into a fist and swinging toward his patient as hard as possible. Just blow it off. Easier said than done. "Whatever," was his closing statement, for he felt that to continue the argument would spell out danger for both of them. Josh might lose his job and Parker might have more than a burn to contend with.
He couldn't quite hold his tongue for everything and he scoffed at Parker's next outburst. "You're pissing me off, so I feel like you deserve it." Parker had practically asked for that one. Josh was a prickly and intimidating guy but he didn't appreciate the insult against his compassion. I wouldn't be standing here and listening to you bitch if I had no sympathy, he thought irritably but kept his mouth closed. He wanted to get this over with before their bickering attracted the attention of his boss. He hated his supervisor for keeping him so on edge all of the time. If any of the others had been on duty today, he wouldn't have been nearly as worried.
Though he knew it was all in his head, Joshua could almost feel the scar on his face prickling as he thought about it. Yeah. Who would? It was one of the first things that most people noticed about him. Instead of noticing something like eye colour or the shirt he was wearing, they saw a tall individual with a wicked scar across his right cheek. He was not self-conscious but he could not pretend even with himself that it did not bother him. Parker was right. No one wanted scarring. Some people didn't have a choice. "No clue," was his response, revealing nothing of what was going on in his head.
He felt drained after he finally stepped back but there was also a strong feeling of satisfaction. He liked what he did. His job made him feel good about his skills. Most of his anger had ebbed away in the time it had taken for him to heal Parker's injury and so he did not scowl or snap at the comment, merely raising his brows with a judgemental look. Really? His fellow Fire corrected himself before Josh could make some kind of retort and his lip twitched. He didn't laugh or give any other sign of amusement. He was subtle when it came to emotion. "Any time. Just doing my job." He then shook his head. "College is all about stamina and academic majors. You've got to build up stamina and teach yourself. I learned because I volunteered here throughout college." He'd learned from the masters, the other elemental healers with fire at their fingertips. There were books that could give you tips, as well, but college left everything in the hands of the elementals. There was a lot of freedom compared to high school.
He could still feel the stamina drain and he was dying for a coffee but it wasn't like him to admit any kind of weakness, even to a close friend or family member. As Parker was practically a stranger, there was no chance. "Eh, I'm used to it. It gets easier with practice and I've had a lot of that." He remembered his first few weeks of volunteering where they'd barely let him touch a tiny cigarette burn without someone hovering over his shoulder in case he made a mistake. He'd come a long way. He was proud of it.
[Oh that's completely all right!] | [atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] . | [atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] . | [cs=2][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] AND THE READY MEN, DEFIANT DRINKERS AND CHARMERS | [cs=2][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] made by taylor of aote for her use only |
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Post by PARKER DANIEL CARTER on Feb 9, 2013 8:55:25 GMT -5
Parker's so used to bickering or arguing with people that normal social situations make him feel pretty damn awkward. If he's not casually insulting somebody or somebody isn't insulting him then what on earth was he supposed to talk about? The weather was an obvious random conversation filler, but he couldn't stand and chat about something that he cared so little about. He knows when to call it quits though, perhaps not always, he does have a habit of sticking his foot into his mouth. There are rare occasions when he can sense that if he continues he'll end up with a fist in his face. So Josh's 'whatever' hung in the air unanswered, though the scathing look Parker sent him spoke a hundred words. There's nothing more infuriating than somebody responding with a 'whatever' to end something.
If anger actually did transform into heat like it does in the cartoons, then the soles of Parker's shoes would be melting right about now.
He was just trying to tell himself that he'd feel childish later on if he continued bickering with Josh when the other Fire elemental spoke again. This time a tiny little bit of his elements true colours shined. Normally Parker would feel pretty triumphant about this, but instead he was pretty damn offended. "You treat every pissed off injured person like they deserve whatever comes to them then? Sounds like a good strategy. I bet you would have loved to have been told that when your pretty face took a battering." The snarkiness in his tone was back in full force, he knew he shouldn't make this any more personal than it already was, but getting one step ahead of everybody is pretty much Parker's entire life.
Which, when you think about it, is quite sad. He tries not to psychoanalyse himself too much though, Parker just focuses on making himself as happy as he can be. Which usually involves copious amounts of whatever narcotic he can get his hands on.
There was a slight tremor beginning to show in his hands, probably the come down from the adrenaline and endorphins released because of his injury, or possibly it could be a different type of come down. Either way he ignored it and proceeded to smear some of the aloe from the tube onto his stomach, pretending once more than he hadn't said anything particularly offensive. The whole college thing did interest him though, so he paid attention, all too obvious when he replied almost instantly, "yeah, but if I did the same and volunteered here next year I might end up shadowing you," he chuckled, just imagining that scenario in his head, "I doubt you'd take that with a pinch of salt would ya?"
He's been giving more of a thought to what he's going to do in the future recently and he's decided that he's definitely going to be going to college. It was better than having to depend on his father's money for the rest of his life, especially considering the circumstances currently going on at his house. He knows it's going to be difficult, this year alone was proving hard enough for him, building up your stamina is no easy feat, leaves him knackered half the time. Hence why he carries around energy drinks in his backpack, which he's managed to forget in the waiting room, his attention having been more focused on his stomach and the bickering.
"It's either fix people up or stop buildings from burning to the ground.. Probably noticed I don't do too well with burns though, so.. Might have to rethink the building rescue pursuit," he was pretty much just rambling right now, talking for the sake of talking. His skin still hadn't absorbed the aloe cream he'd hastily rubbed in yet he still pulled his t-shirt back into place. I need a shower, he thought as the shirt settled uncomfortably, catching because of the cream, "though can't say I do too well with people either.." A frown settled onto his face at that, "how do you do it? Just pretend people like me aren't a pain in the ass and forget it.. Or am I gonna have to watch my back when off school grounds from now on?"
It's not like revenge is ever really off the table for Fire elementals, Parker's learnt that from first hand experience.
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Post by JOSHUA DONOVAN DALE on Feb 21, 2013 19:47:49 GMT -5
[cs=2][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] OF THE SERPENT-TAILED FORBIDDEN FISH OF THE HARBOUR | [atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] . | [rs=3][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] He was cooking up a snide remark to volley back at Parker when the other Fire stepped over a line that not many were brave enough to cross, and for good reason. Pure anger coursed through his veins and flashed like lightning in his gray eyes as his lips pressed together and his nostrils flared. Before he was consciously aware of what he was doing, Joshua had clenched his hand into a tight fist and stepped forward with the full intention of decking the other boy in the face. It was how he solved most of his problems and as there was no one else around right now, he had a small chance of getting away with it. He had just lifted his fist when he realised what he was about to do and hesitated, scowling before dropping it. "You've got some balls, asshole." He spat the words. It was no compliment. "Open your mouth like that again and I'll show you how it feels." Years after the 'accident', the subject was still a sensitive one. I could fucking kill him. But he wouldn't. He wouldn't even hit him, which was solely because of their current environment. Parker had gotten lucky.
He had gotten over the immediate anger by the time he'd finished his job and was no longer filled with the desire to strangle his patient but it would be hours before the effects of the rage truly left him. He couldn't calm down as quick as most. A soft scoff sounded in his throat as Parker pointed out a possibility. "That depends on if you learned to keep your mouth shut." It was not drenched in venom as his previous comments had been but he was entirely serious. He could imagine the hellish catastrophe if he and Parker were forced to cooperate in the long-term. Josh wasn't perfect, he had his limits. This guy would be sure to find them.
He lifted his brows in disagreement to the words. "Who says you have to follow your element?" He paused, then added, "Unless you want to, I suppose." Joshua was not becoming a doctor because he was a Fire elemental, that was for sure. No, he had known his 'calling' since he was very young, around eight or nine years old. People hadn't taken him seriously back then (most kids swapped career aspirations like it was going out of style) but that had changed as he chose his high school and college classes around his desires and excelled in the sciences. What hadn't changed was his drive—he would become a doctor. He was confident in that. A dry laugh left his lips. Can't argue with that. "No kidding." Parker seemed to be as far from a 'people person' as you could get.
Then again, Joshua was not the model pacifist that people likely hoped for when it came to the doctor that would be treating them. He came across as cold and abrasive, intimidating. He knew that. He wasn't stupid. Parker seemed to have picked up on it as well, not that it had been hard with how their conversation had went. "I'm not going to jump you, if that's what you're asking." His smirk was wry. "Unless you say something else you shouldn't." It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what he'd said earlier to push the Fire elemental to his limits. If Parker toed that line again, Josh couldn't promise anything. "This may come as a shock but I actually like helping people. It's what I want." He shrugged. It wasn't a lie. This was his passion. | [atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] . | [atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] . | [cs=2][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] AND THE READY MEN, DEFIANT DRINKERS AND CHARMERS | [cs=2][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,5,true] made by taylor of aote for her use only |
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Post by PARKER DANIEL CARTER on Feb 26, 2013 10:57:14 GMT -5
Showing fear isn’t something that he does often, usually things go straight over his head, or he’s too dense to really realise that he’s in trouble. In this situation he was pretty hurt though, unable to move all too quickly to defend himself at all. To be honest he half expected to be decked in the face for what he’d said, he’d even admit that he deserved it. A stab of fear twisted his insides and he went to raise an arm to protect his face, flinching as that sent a stab of pain in his side, ah crap, now I’ve done it. In those few seconds he’d turned his head away, eyes tightly closed as he expected an impact that never actually came. His scowl mirrored Josh’s as he glanced back up at him, ok, so he’ll admit that Josh is taller, heavier and would definitely come up top in a fight even if Parker wasn’t in this state. He was intimidating as hell, but that wouldn’t stop Parker being an obnoxious pain in the ass anytime soon, “y’wouldn’t dare.”
Ok, so it came out quieter than he expected, but at least he said something. He was well aware that he had been pretty damn lucky.
The atmosphere was a lot nicer when he thought he wasn’t going to get hit in the face. It was also pretty damn good to not be in as much pain. He made a soft noise of agreement to Josh pointing out that he'd need to learn to keep his mouth shut. He's pretty sure that that wouldn't be happening any time soon, it would take several severe lessons for him to learn how to even go about starting to do that. Saying the wrong thing at the wrong time and generally being an ass is just who he is, changing that will take a lot of time he doesn't have.
Regardless of what people thought about Parker and of how he portrayed himself, he does want to help people. More so that he can feel that his life has purpose than seeing people with a smile on their faces. A soft 'tch' came from him at the question of why he should follow his element, "Society says so. How can I not follow my element? It's not like I can change who I am. We're Fire elementals, you know what it's like." He sounded marginally begrudging, most of the time he was pretty happy with himself and his world as it is but sometimes his temper does get the better of him. Losing control is never any fun, he learnt that at a young age.
He flashed Joshua a grin, "hey, I can't predict what I'll say in the future, you've probably noticed I don't exactly think before shooting my mouth off. It'll get me into serious trouble one day but-" he trailed off with a what-can-you-do shrug of his shoulders, his tone pretty nonchalant, "so I guess i'll watch my back anyway, just in case your helpy helperson personality decides I need a black eye." He'd taken a few steps away from Joshua now, heading closer to the door, mostly because he doesn't want anybody picking up the backpack left in the waiting room, especially not if they plan to rummage around in it. His doc's final words turned his attention back to him though and he raised an eyebrow, "why would that come as a shock? Everybody wants to help people in some way, basic human nature isn't altered by our elements," Parker's not as dumb as people would think, not always anyway, "'sides, it's the Earth and Water elementals you need to convince of that, not me. I'm not the one who think's Fire elemental's are all hateful asses."
He gets a lot more chatty when he's not in pain. Nigh on civil. It's a shame first impressions usually mean a lot.
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