Look What Lightning Broke (Infirmary)

[Arianna Barrial]

"Work never seems to be done...but you're welcome. I'll stay here a few more minutes, I think."

At least, she was content to.

[Allen Hollows]

Allen would close his eyes, and drift off to sleep as more of the meds kicked in.

[David B.]

The door creaked open, and David stepped inside. He moved over to Allen, hands in his pockets, a slight look of worry on his face.

"He went and did exactly what I said not to do, and challenged Leon. Foolish boy."

[Arianna Barrial]

Arianna’s eyes swerved over, bold despite them being so pale, and an eyebrow sharply lifted.

“And is this what I should be expecting any time an occupant of the academy approaches Leon? Completely shattering an arm, breaking an ankle, with other fractures and injuries?”

[David B.]

He blinked.

"We as supervisers don't just facilitate missions and oversee financial integration. We serve as a bench mark. Goal posts. Students view us as supernatural beings capable of anything, and testing themselves against us isn't just an option- it's encouraged. It helps them grow."

He kept his own bold gaze on her.

"And this was not a mental break on part of the Lightning Dragon- Allen approached him for a mission and a fight, to test his capabilities for it. He then attacked Leon. He's lucky to have gotten away with this- I'd have hurt him worse." He tilted his head a little. "We keep this facility so well financed and stocked for just those reasons- because students can get hurt badly and come back stronger. And because the missions they do don't just lead to situations like these. They lose limbs and die. That's the risk they take by signing up. It's the risk you took."

He'd lean against a wall of air, folding his arms.

"Are you really mad at Leon? Or just supervisors in general because it makes dealing with me easier?"

[Arianna Barrial]

The blonde was silent a few moments; and her expression wasn't one of stubborn silence, but contemplation.

"Well, to be clear, this wasn't something I arbitrarily signed up for, nor was it something I ever had the intent to do. I've my medical practice in looking after the territories from two-forty to two-sixty. The emergence of a new qi and the mandate that any new qi must be learned is why I'm here, to be compliant." If she had her choice she probably would have continued, but the blades - while perhaps one day helpful - were an annoyance, especially for the other complications they brought. "I can't help but see the potential abdication of responsibility for harm simply because the Academy has means to fix the damage acquired by 'training'. So I question if it's the most effective way to train those enrolled."

[David B.]

David nodded.

"I didn't mean signed up for the Academy- that is mandatory. I meant signing up for missions. For fighting, to grow in that regard. If you want that to be part of your life, it's optional. You could choose to be a non-combative medic, or work in mission control." He noticed she avoided the question of him altogether, and so would do the same. She wanted to avoid those topics, that was fine with him.

"Other methods have been introduced, from patrols to graduations to simpler assignments. But those who wish to excel don't just wake up one morning doing the things they wish they were capable. They're forced to find ways to grow. What better way that to challenge those who have reached that pinnacle you strive for?" He scratched his head.

"I'm not omnipotent though. I'm not All knowing. If you feel you have a better way, lets hear it."

[Arianna Barrial]

"No, I know that portion is not mandatory, but I fail to see how I'll be released if I don't learn how to control this bloodline qi. The logistics of using it for surgery, keeping them sterile, or even if they could be used for such a thing - or using them in other mundane manners - don't seem to be ways to come to proficiency with them, and I have no intentions of being shackled here forever."

Her shoulders moved; a clear shrug. He'd never really been the type to be content to be shackled to anything from her own experience and what Kyrie told her (hell, he'd even ran away to escape such things before), but here he was. Maybe he was nothing like his namesake.

"If I happen to come up with something better, I'll be sure to mention. As it is I haven't been around long enough to know how everything works let alone if there's anything better to do."

That didn't mean she couldn't be irate about it.

[David B.]

He cocked a brow.

"Many years ago, I struggled with the same issues. Using my abilities to help those in ways I felt most capable. My Qi is obviously able to devastate in unexpected ways. At the same time, it can protect and shield. Using it for other tasks like holding something heavy aloft for an extended period, has increased my strength, as it were. My control. So using it in non-combative ways is an option for growth. You are never required to fight in missions or assignments. If growing in combat would be the most effective use of your Qi, ask people to train. People you trust, or know wouldn't purposely hurt you."

He chewed his lip.

"There is...another reason I am here." He glanced toward the windows.

"Last night, I discovered that Damien is alive. And it appears he's enrolled here at Cabal."

[Arianna Barrial]

The rest she was more or less ready to let go of and drop the conversation, for now, but he had given her something else to think of, all the same. She wasn't irrational, but rather a mostly logical sort. But, even so, she was already on-edge, and David's news that had her quirking a brow in initial curiosity quickly had her sitting straight and stiff as the colour drained from her cheeks.

"What the fuck?"

Whoops, that slipped out; Arianna didn't have time to even think about it, it was simply a knee-jerk reaction. Her hand came to her lips, and though her eyes were wide they were also quick to narrow.

"Get out." By her tone it clearly was an order for him to am-scray, rather than a disbelief and a request to repeat or confirm what he just said.

[David B.]

He cocked a brow.

"Of my medical bay?"

Intriguing.

"Would you rather have found out by running into him?"

[Arianna Barrial]

Had he not yet learned to not mess with a pissed off woman?

"Unless you have a medical degree or are active in any sort of medical research, it's not 'your' medical bay, even if you are funding it." She stood, voicing the impression that she'd considered just a moment before she spoke. "If you haven't re-learned to not mess with a pissed off woman, this is your last warning. Get o-u-t."

[David B.]

David would raise both brows now, and after glancing at Allen, would give a little nod.

"I...had intended to stay with him a while, but very well."

He'd said what he'd intended, and it had drastically affected her. More than it should have, if she were lying. That told him all he needed- she really did know Damien, and perhaps had been part of his life. But he remembered a childhood with Damien, he remembered many things prior to the war despite being told the ether would take those things from him. So why didn't he remember her?

None of these thoughts would show, however, as he took the door to the medical bay and promptly walked out.

/David Exit

[Arianna Barrial]

Her hands had clenched into unconscious fists, and she could feel her entire body effectively vibrate with emotion and adrenaline. Thankfully, though, he did oblige her and did leave...

...and she slowly deflated to sink back into the chair and set her face in her hands, elbows against the tops of her thighs, and just...breathed.

What a literal tonne of bricks to just casually drop on her.

What was she going to do?

[David B.]

/end thread