Firehouse refuge catchall -- for Arc 2 End

[so_dark_a_road]

The Brigade will be providing shelter instead of fighting fires during this event, because in the face of an all-out Null attack, protecting people has to be the priority over saving buildings.

They and other volunteers are opening the Firehouse as a refuge for anyone who needs one, temporarily or for the duration. Curufin has offered the Firehouse as an alternative place for Clinic staff and patients or as a place to stop and rest on their way to Love's hotsprings. It can also be used as a waystation by anybody who is trying to get to the hotsprings or to escape across the river to Delmar's and Seel's bunker in the Bakery. The Firehouse can also be used by anyone who is fighting the Null and needs to catch a few hours of sleep before returning to the battle.

The Firehouse is located on the northeast side of the lake -- on the side towards the city center, that is. You can't miss it. It's a brick building that consists of a garage and maintenance center for the fire engines, with an attached bunkhouse annex, a small but usable kitchen, and a little office which is also equipped as a first aid station.

Fingon, Oscar, Seel, Maglor, Celebrimbor, Sansa Stark, Nick Rivenna, Luke Skywalker, and Curufin will work to get the place ready. After that, most of them will be off to fight the Null or to help with other projects elsewhere. But someone will be there to greet those seeking shelter. Trafalgar Law will be there some of the time as a healer, and likewise Sansa Stark, who is learning the healing arts from Elrond of Rivendell.

ALSO FEEL FREE TO MAKE YOUR OWN TOPLEVELS.

AND FEEL FREE TO TREAT THIS AS A MINGLER!

[ OOC Notes: The userpic is a meadow flower called a firewheel, and it is the emblem of the Fire Brigade. Not a flame, not an axe, not a firefighter's hat, but a flower, for LIFE. ]

Comments

[so_dark_a_road]

[ A low bar is not always a bad idea, in wartime!

Curufin pushes a bowl of sugar and a teaspoon over, in case Lance wants a little extra energizing. ]

On the move all the time, eh? Have medical kit, will travel? [ Like the fighters, only Lance is one of the warriors of healing. ]

[ Curufn has had an encounter with Ephemera, too. If Lance wants to speak of this problem, it might help both of them, even they can't think of a solution. ]

[lifetothefullest]

[Sugar too? Despite how generally awful everything is at the moment, and how terrible he feels, things are definitely brightening a little. He offers another thank you and begins to add sugar, though he just offers an awkward shrug at the comment.]

I'm not as effective as the actual medical doctors, but I'm...

[More qualified to be running around dealing with dangerous things, but who cares. It certainly doesn't seem to matter.]

Have you been staying here mostly?

[so_dark_a_road]

[ There are those little bright spots in an otherwise dark landscape -- such as a cup of good coffee with lots of sugar. Or an unexpected visit from a friend. ]

Maybe not, but there are plenty of people providing first aid who know less than you do about medical matters. [ Such as Curufin. ] But then, you have that other skill set, too. . .

[ This is something of a guess, but he does know from the paintball tournament that Lance is a good shot. And he does know that FBI agents have weapons training, and though he doesn't know the whole story, he does know that Lance arrived at Hadriel after a violent encounter of some kind in his own world. ]

No reason you shouldn't be employing all your skills! [ It's not like they have enough people in either area! ]

I've been staying here when I need to sleep, and if anybody here needs a hand with things I can do. The rest of the time, I'm fighting.

[lifetothefullest]

[It's really nice to hear someone agree instead of arguing with him about whether he should be allowed to be out helping, and he appreciates it enough that he manages a weak but very genuine smile in response.]

Thank you. That's what I thought.

[And it's greatly encouraging, because maybe it means he doesn't need to second-guess himself.

Again, he doesn't nod in response to Curufin's answer, and instead finishes a sip of coffee before responding verbally to show he heard.]

That's good. I think... It seems like we're winning.

[So continuing to fight is important, even if they're all so tired at this point. Going by what Fear said, they just have to keep it up a little longer and then, either way, it'll end.]

[so_dark_a_road]

[ When Curufin first spoke with Lance, he saw him as some others did, as a young man who was kind, perceptive, and engaging. . . but maybe, well, not quite safe on his own in an emergency? But now he thinks of him as a young warrior, one who is brave and skilled. The same way he would have regarded him if they had known each other in Curufin's world. He'd have admired anyone who could wield a spear or a healing spell, depending on which was required at the time. ]

We do seem to be making some progress. We slammed the Null hard as soon as Fear informed us of the situation, and we seem to be driving them out of certain neighborhoods or exterminating them in those places. I am hopeful.

[ He gestures with the coffee pot. ] Another cup?

[lifetothefullest]

[If he knew that, he'd appreciate it too; he isn't bothered by people initially thinking he might be somewhat naive and 'normal' in a way that would indicate he can't handle the things that happen here--he purposefully gives off that impression, actually--but after awhile he really expects people to respect him enough to accept him telling them otherwise. It's when they don't that it really bothers him, which has been going on a lot recently.

He offers another weak smile both at the comments about the Null--it's good to hear that Curufin thinks the same--and at the question about the coffee, but--]

I probably shouldn't overdo it on the caffeine.

[As much as he'd like to, he knows it's neither good for his injuries or for the prospect of getting some rest. And speaking of which, he glances up at Curufin again.]

I was hoping there's somewhere here that I could rest for awhile.

[The idea of trying to get all the way back home is just terrible.]

[so_dark_a_road]

[ It would surprise Curufin to hear that any of Lance's other friends still see him as not capable of handling the things that happen at Hadriel. Even if Lance plays up the boyishness and the nerdiness specifically to put people off the track. ]

Right. A little is good, a lot is not. Not when you have an injury or two. [ Lance hasn't exactly told him that he does, but Curufin has certainly seen enough injured people in his lifetime to recognize the look. ]

Of course you can rest here. I'll show you the bunkhouse, and you can pick your bed.

[ No way would Curufin let Lance trek back across town. He's glad Lance asked. He stands up and indicates one of the doors leading out of the kitchen. ] Come, it's right through there.

[lifetothefullest]

[He's been injured much worse before--much worse--but he definitely has that look about him at the moment, and there's the start of bruising across the side of his face; it's too soon after the actual injury to be super obvious or even necessarily noticeable, but it'll surely be so in another few hours.

Something else is more apparent right away, though; Lance stands up to follow Curufin and immediately sways in place, head spinning from the movement, and although he doesn't think he's going to pass out--hopefully not anyway, that'd be embarrassing--he could probably use a little help.]

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin gives him a look of concern. He's got sharp eyes and he does see that very slight bruising.

When Lance sways, Curufin immediately offers an arm to steady him. And he won't take no for an answer. ]

Careful. Let's just take it slow.

[ And he will lead him to one of the bunks, the one furthest away from the door and therefore the least noisy location, and help him lie down. ]

[lifetothefullest]

[This sucks; he doesn't have the time or patience to deal with a concussion on top of everything else. But it's not like he can just will it away, so for once he decides not to be stubborn and allows Curufin to help guide him to on the bunks.

Lying down makes him suddenly feel a lot better, partially because of his head and partially because he hadn't quite realized just how exhausted he is. He's tired enough that his usual hesitancy to sleep someone other than his own house doesn't even matter; he just wants to get some rest, though he does at least slide off his sneakers first even if does so without untying them. That's a lot of work.]

Thank you, Curufin. I'll be fine, I think I just...

[Need some sleep. Hopefully that won't be a problem if he does have a concussion, but he doubts it and he's willing to risk it at this point anyway.]

Sorry I'm so late on this! -- we can wrap if you like.

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin regards Lance with concern, but also with relief that he is willing to lie down and rest. Typically, people like Lance (and Curufin, for that matter) are terrible about taking care of themselves. He goes to a closet and gets an extra blanket in case the one on the bunk is not enough. ]

I'm sure you will be fine.

[ Curufin's going to keep an eye on him. If he starts showing any signs of having something worse than just the normal effects of a knock on the head, Curufin can call one of several healers. ]

Yell if you need anything. I'll be in the kitchen. [ Using the kitchen table for a desk, with all his papers spread out on it, since he will be just through the doorway they just came through. ]

sounds good! should be fine here~

[lifetothefullest]

[Lance is tougher than a lot of people give him credit for, and he can handle a lot more than most might expect, but he also knows his limits. There's also no point in passing out or being otherwise so compromised by a refusal to rest that he ends up even more injured, or possibly dead. The concussion, fortunately, isn't too serious, and so although he isn't completely sure how bad it is it turns out he'll be fine while resting.

He gives another quiet thanks for the additional blanket and the last comment, and ends up dropping off to sleep very quickly.]