( Because his mind is a scalpel, Strange goes straight to thinking about solutions, more than words of sympathy or reassurance. (He’s bad at the latter.) ) There are probably additional countermeasures we could layer on top, but then that’s starting to get… I don’t know, excessive. A buddy system 24/7 doesn’t sound feasible. Like, what are we gonna do, have someone hanging outside the privy waiting for you to finish pissing?
I have to ask. How did you take care of it, back where you came from?
And they just successfully kept an eye out, the whole time? Have you ever exhibited control over this thing and averted an episode, or does this— urge— always take over?
I can exert control during the day, but in the evening, I start to lose control as I get tired. Once night hits, the additional fatigue from the fight makes it impossible to keep control deep in the night. I don't think I've ever prevented it altogether.
Well, that’s better— Three months is nothing. You could still learn more about it, and anything can change after three months. You could learn to control this in time.
( But Strange prefers to actively work with what they have, rather than simply wait it out and hope for the best, so: )
You’ve probably been over this already with Rowntree, but was there anything before that helped? Anything that influenced it in either direction? Any little thing you can think of. I don’t think we can rely on a strip of rope into perpetuity.
Nothing that we were able to try. I suspect a spell of Hold Person might do better than rope. One day I could get through the rope and then I would be trying to break out of the holding cell.
And there's no trend to when it happens, besides at night? No connection to the full moon, the passage of time, something you've eaten, the weather or the air pressure, whatever?
( And, belatedly: )
Sorry for the interrogation. I try to— solve things, generally. And this one's a puzzle.
Have you been receiving any soporifics? Sleeping aids. We could get you some, if not. It’s not the sleep spell I mentioned, but there’s a few herbs which help a bit with insomnia. If you’re in a deeper unconsciousness than a regular sleep, perhaps that’ll help.
( A bit isn’t 100%, but at least it’s something. Strange knows those herbs from personal experience, too: long restless nights unable to sleep. )
There’s also full sedatives — but I wouldn’t recommend that every single night. ( Unsustainable. ) Could be a stopgap, though, in the interim. While concerns are high.
[If they could subdue the Urge altogether, then it would be safe for Tav to travel outside of the city, into nature, where he could collect seeds of his own for the garden.]
I mean, say, for medical procedures. Yanking out an infected tooth. Knocking someone out when the pain is too great. Stupefying herbal teas to help someone sleep when they’re ill. I don’t know if it’ll quell your impulses, but it’s at least worth a shot.
You wouldn’t want to rely on it every single night. Riftwatch work might need you roused and woken in the middle of the night, not in a continual drugged stupor. But if it does work to suppress your urges, it could be useful some nights. When necessary.
( Only mildly regretful to puncture that bubble: ) It’s not just to call on you. Apparently a saboteur once tried to blow up the Central Tower. There are fire drills. Sea beasts attacked Kirkwall harbour last summer. If there’s a Tevinter attack in the middle of the night, you might need to evacuate quickly.
In my experience? Nope. ( Said lightly, his humour cynical as always. The sound of the doctor’s walking has stopped over the crystal, however, pausing partway where he was headed back into the tower. Head Healer mode still activated: )
How are you feeling now? Do you need— I don’t know, a checkup or anything?
( Tav had mentioned that before, but Strange had inadvertently glossed over it with so much other alarming information to learn about the elf; this time, he perks to attention. )
Healing magic? Oh, yes, this I want to see.
And, shortly after, the doctor’s immediately made his way to the other rifter’s room, abandoning his day in the infirmary to head back to the Gallows and climb those stairs. Strange eventually appears in the doorway, pokes his head in, raps his knuckles on the door.
“Head Healer, reporting for duty. —And also intellectual curiosity.”
[By the time Strange reaches him, Tav has unwound his bandages and laid them out on his knees for inspection. To say they are torn up is an understatement. He had apparently fough tooth and nail for freedom and even dislocated his thumb in the process. The skin around his wrists is filled with fluid and limited scabbing has taken place.
When Strange arrives, Tav nods him in and makes room on his bunk for the doctor.]
Rope burns. [He gestures with his head down to the fluid-filled sacks on his wrist.]
( There’s a twinge at the corners of his eyes, a downward curve to his mouth as he looks at those blistered burns. These everyday sorts of injuries were never the doctor’s specialty, although he’s been making it so, since becoming Head Healer. )
Well, so that’s another reason the rope thing isn’t gonna be a good idea long-term. How do you feel about padded shackles?
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portalling) wrote2022-04-02 01:17 pm
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I have to ask. How did you take care of it, back where you came from?
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[Tav sighs.]
Back home, my companions said they’d keep an eye on me. It seems the larger problems were more pressing than a murderer among them.
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I can exert control during the day, but in the evening, I start to lose control as I get tired. Once night hits, the additional fatigue from the fight makes it impossible to keep control deep in the night. I don't think I've ever prevented it altogether.
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( Diagnosis; note-taking. )
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( But Strange prefers to actively work with what they have, rather than simply wait it out and hope for the best, so: )
You’ve probably been over this already with Rowntree, but was there anything before that helped? Anything that influenced it in either direction? Any little thing you can think of. I don’t think we can rely on a strip of rope into perpetuity.
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( And, belatedly: )
Sorry for the interrogation. I try to— solve things, generally. And this one's a puzzle.
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That didn’t happen here.
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Nearly lost control, but didn’t.
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I’m not sure how easily I’ll sleep in the next days.
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( A bit isn’t 100%, but at least it’s something. Strange knows those herbs from personal experience, too: long restless nights unable to sleep. )
There’s also full sedatives — but I wouldn’t recommend that every single night. ( Unsustainable. ) Could be a stopgap, though, in the interim. While concerns are high.
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It’s not that I want more sleep; I’m afraid of what I might wake up to if I do sleep.
[Especially since his episodes have followed him here to Thedas. ]
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[If they could subdue the Urge altogether, then it would be safe for Tav to travel outside of the city, into nature, where he could collect seeds of his own for the garden.]
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( wait that’s a weird bad way of phrasing this )
I mean, say, for medical procedures. Yanking out an infected tooth. Knocking someone out when the pain is too great. Stupefying herbal teas to help someone sleep when they’re ill. I don’t know if it’ll quell your impulses, but it’s at least worth a shot.
You wouldn’t want to rely on it every single night. Riftwatch work might need you roused and woken in the middle of the night, not in a continual drugged stupor. But if it does work to suppress your urges, it could be useful some nights. When necessary.
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[Another moment when Tav wishea he had more of his memories to rely on.]
I’m not sure how useful an herbalist will be in the middle of the night.
[He gives a small smirk. He likes being low of the totem pole.]
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[Seems there’s always going to be a catch with every possible solution.]
Nothing’s easy, is it?
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How are you feeling now? Do you need— I don’t know, a checkup or anything?
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Actually. Stay here while I heal myself? Apparently healing magic is much more difficult here and I’d rather someone be here in case I pass out again.
→ spams u with action again
Healing magic? Oh, yes, this I want to see.
And, shortly after, the doctor’s immediately made his way to the other rifter’s room, abandoning his day in the infirmary to head back to the Gallows and climb those stairs. Strange eventually appears in the doorway, pokes his head in, raps his knuckles on the door.
“Head Healer, reporting for duty. —And also intellectual curiosity.”
All good!!
When Strange arrives, Tav nods him in and makes room on his bunk for the doctor.]
Rope burns. [He gestures with his head down to the fluid-filled sacks on his wrist.]
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Well, so that’s another reason the rope thing isn’t gonna be a good idea long-term. How do you feel about padded shackles?
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