"Dr. Crusher here. If this is a medical emergency, please go directly to audio. If not, please leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible."
[Allen will find Beverly sitting at one of the computer consoles, studying what appears to be navigational logs from the past six months. Scattered on the desk next to her are pieces of paper with scribbled handwritten notes that, in classic doctor fashion, are next to impossible to decipher. Absorbed in her task, she won't immediately notice his arrival.]
[And he comes into the lab, looking around for her. He finally spots her at computer console, and approaches slowly- noting all the handwritten notes scattered on her desk and how absorbed she is even with his entrance into the room. Most interesting, how the info on the screen sure did not look like one of the medical files]
....Trying to coordinate our location, Dr. Crusher?
Hmm...? [She looks up in surprise.] Allen! I'm sorry [glancing down at the computer to check the time], I didn't realize what time it was! Please, take a seat.
[She gestures towards a nearby chair, then sets about tidying up her notes into an orderly stack.]
I know now, of course, that we aren't even in the same universe as the Federation - or at least the Federation I am familiar with - but I would still like to learn as much as I can about this region of space. I looked at some of the star charts Krista has in the Bishop's library. They aren't always consistent with one another, being from different planets and cultures with varying levels of technological development, so I've been trying to make sense of all of them, which is proving more difficult than I anticipated.
[She sets down her paperwork and slides it to the side to indicate that she is no longer focused on that. Clasping her hands together on top of the desk, she smiles at Allen.]
Anyway, I suspect you didn't want to come talk to me about stellar cartography.
Ah- it's alright. [He smiles as he moves to take a seat. Starfleet was all about exploration wasn't it? Of course she'd be trying to learn all she can about it] That sounds like quite a project. I'd love to see how it turns out.
[He'd offer to help but...man, he's terrible at navigation when it's just one planet. Let's not do more]
But...ah, you're right. That's something I wanted to ask you- a couple things, actually.
Well, as you know, I'm still studying medicine. I had a teacher back in Paradisa, but...obviously he isn't here. And while I've been using any texts I can find to keep up with it...I'm sure you know that's hardly enough.
[He shifts a little, putting his hands on his lap]
Anyway, I was....wondering if you'd be willing to consider...picking up where my teacher left off?
You're free to say no, I know it's a lot of ask! I just- [He smiles at her] You're a very good doctor, so I feel like I could learn a lot. And you don't seem like the sort to coddle either because of how I look, so that makes it even better.
[Please, try not to be utterly blinded by the radiant smile she's giving you right now, Allen. On a practical level, of course, it makes sense to pass on her knowledge to Allen, in case something happens to her. However, even if their situation wasn't so precarious, she'd still be thrilled to have the opportunity to teach someone something she is so passionate about.]
It's not too much to ask at all; I would love to help you continue your studies! Tell me, who was your teacher? Or [she laughs at herself] well, I suppose that won't do much good, as its highly unlikely that I know who he is. Was he from Earth too?
[Whoa that was easy. So easy. He's used to having to barter or manipulate his way into getting taught.]
[BUT, once the initial surprise wears off- he is both very happy and very relieved- his face lighting up]
Ah- wonderful! Thank you so much! [YAAAAAAAIS]
And yes, he was. He was a 21st century doctor- a diagnostician with specialties in infectious diseases and nephrology. Brilliant doctor, though most of the time he was a total ars- [Stops himself since yeah maybe cussing in front of his new teacher ISN'T the best idea] - er, I mean his bedside manners were essentially non-existent.
It was annoying, but...he wasn't wrong. I've never actually been to school, you see. I traveled too much at home so my father and my Master had to teach me most things, and in Paradisa, well...most of the teaching that happened there was fight training.
[So...yeah. Huge gaps in his basic education there]
I suppose as long as you didn't mind.... that is just not the teaching method I would choose. Besides, I started learning medicine as a child so I'm not too worried about any lack of formal education on your part. You're intelligent and motivated to learn: we'll cross any gaps we find when we get to them.
How far along did he get with you? I know you already know first aid, so we don't need to go over that again, of course, but I don't want to jump too far ahead if you're not ready yet.
[He gives a small smile and nod] Thank you, Dr. Crusher.
I'd hope I know first aid, I've been taught it over six times now. [Sorry it's hard for him not to snark completely] I studied under him for over two years while helping out in a clinic...so, a lot. I can send you a list of everything that's been covered.
[Laughing] Oh no! I promise, I won't inflict any more first aid lessons on you. A list would be good, and maybe show me which books you've been working from and I'll make a plan from there.
But you said there were two things you wanted to talk about?
Alright, so....in Paradisa, like here, people were pulled from all sorts of places and times. But if a person ever left, their memories were wiped of their time in the castle. In fact, it's very unusual that Ino and I remember it at all.
Anyway...over the years, I...got used to friends leaving and if I saw them again, they'd have no memory of me. And even stranger, often they wouldn't have aged a day since I last saw them, while I'd had aged years. Over time I grew to just...keep my distance if that happened. It was easy in the castle, the place was large and they didn't remember me so it's not like they ever sought me out...
[Most didn't, anyway. And it felt better than exposing yourself and being rejected by people you once treasured, over and over.]
...But some of those people are here now, in the fleet. And it's harder to avoid people here. So...I'm not sure what I should do.
[Beverly forms a tent with her fingers and thinks for a minute before responding. She's encountered age regression and memory loss before, but never a combination of the two. And unfortunately for Allen, there seems to be no fix here for this, nothing that will give his friends their memories of him back.]
No, I agree, I don't think you'll be able to avoid them forever. But, do you think you'll be working closely with any of them? Because if so, I think it is only fair to tell them - not everything, but enough so that they'll understand why this stranger they just met knows so much about them. It's too difficult to hide that sort of knowledge from someone if you're around them for extended periods of time.
[It's true. Allen has long accepted that there was no returning of memories, and sometimes, of the friendships he once hand. Not when so many of them had been fire-forged friendships built from shared experiences. Sometimes it was...difficult, to rekindle that forge.]
[But he mulls over his question.]
Well...one of them is on the ship, yes. Though I'm not worried too much about Katara. She has some memories of Paradisa, from one of her later visits. So at least she knows of me from reputation! Even if...I haven't told her of her previous stays at the castle. But she knows how strange that place can be.
[Yeaaah okay maybe he needs to work slightly on truth telling okay.]
There's others on other ships, though, that remember less. Do you think I'd be working closely with them enough that I should tell them...?
I think you should still talk to her about it. Katara's very sensible, and since she remembers at least some of what happened to her there, I'm sure she'll understand where you're coming from. It's possible she might even be running into similar problems herself, if there really are that many of you from Paradisa.
[Which... is another oddity to be contemplated later. The connection between Drift Fleet and Paradisa seems highly suspicious to Beverly.]
As for the others, that's something you're going to have to decide for yourself. You know best your own working and socializing habits and you also know them and how they might handle such information. However, seeing as this is something that clearly worries you, being open about the situation will not just benefit them, but probably you as well. I can't promise that it won't hurt, but in the long run I think it'll be better than having that knowledge hanging over you.
That's...a good point. [One he can't argue with. Shit. Part of him wishes to- keeping an emotional distance from people has always been his way of protecting himself. Get close enough to care, but not close enough to get too hurt.] Maybe I'll try with her...see how it goes. Then...if it works out, maybe with others.
[he's not promising anything though. Since hey, maybe it will be a bad plan and someone will freak out. Who knows]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Audio - 5/1
Thank you.
Audio/Action
You're welcome! I will see you soon.
(action; labs)
[Allen will find Beverly sitting at one of the computer consoles, studying what appears to be navigational logs from the past six months. Scattered on the desk next to her are pieces of paper with scribbled handwritten notes that, in classic doctor fashion, are next to impossible to decipher. Absorbed in her task, she won't immediately notice his arrival.]
Action
....Trying to coordinate our location, Dr. Crusher?
[He remembers their first conversation]
Action
[She gestures towards a nearby chair, then sets about tidying up her notes into an orderly stack.]
I know now, of course, that we aren't even in the same universe as the Federation - or at least the Federation I am familiar with - but I would still like to learn as much as I can about this region of space. I looked at some of the star charts Krista has in the Bishop's library. They aren't always consistent with one another, being from different planets and cultures with varying levels of technological development, so I've been trying to make sense of all of them, which is proving more difficult than I anticipated.
[She sets down her paperwork and slides it to the side to indicate that she is no longer focused on that. Clasping her hands together on top of the desk, she smiles at Allen.]
Anyway, I suspect you didn't want to come talk to me about stellar cartography.
Action
[He'd offer to help but...man, he's terrible at navigation when it's just one planet. Let's not do more]
But...ah, you're right. That's something I wanted to ask you- a couple things, actually.
Action
Action
Well, as you know, I'm still studying medicine. I had a teacher back in Paradisa, but...obviously he isn't here. And while I've been using any texts I can find to keep up with it...I'm sure you know that's hardly enough.
[He shifts a little, putting his hands on his lap]
Anyway, I was....wondering if you'd be willing to consider...picking up where my teacher left off?
You're free to say no, I know it's a lot of ask! I just- [He smiles at her] You're a very good doctor, so I feel like I could learn a lot. And you don't seem like the sort to coddle either because of how I look, so that makes it even better.
I just...thought I'd ask.
Action
It's not too much to ask at all; I would love to help you continue your studies! Tell me, who was your teacher? Or [she laughs at herself] well, I suppose that won't do much good, as its highly unlikely that I know who he is. Was he from Earth too?
Action
[BUT, once the initial surprise wears off- he is both very happy and very relieved- his face lighting up]
Ah- wonderful! Thank you so much! [YAAAAAAAIS]
And yes, he was. He was a 21st century doctor- a diagnostician with specialties in infectious diseases and nephrology. Brilliant doctor, though most of the time he was a total ars- [Stops himself since yeah maybe cussing in front of his new teacher ISN'T the best idea] - er, I mean his bedside manners were essentially non-existent.
Action
[Beverly bites her lower lip to keep from laughing at his near slip-up.]
Ah yes, now I remember that Ino mentioned him to me before. "A total tool" was her preferred descriptor, however.
Action
I wouldn't say that...he wasn't much for rules or for going along with what other people told him.
[There's a beat; then to explain....]
He'd make me read a dictionary on top of my medical studies.
Action
Action
Action
[Incredibly dryly:] He sounds delightful.
Action
It was annoying, but...he wasn't wrong. I've never actually been to school, you see. I traveled too much at home so my father and my Master had to teach me most things, and in Paradisa, well...most of the teaching that happened there was fight training.
[So...yeah. Huge gaps in his basic education there]
Action
How far along did he get with you? I know you already know first aid, so we don't need to go over that again, of course, but I don't want to jump too far ahead if you're not ready yet.
Action
I'd hope I know first aid, I've been taught it over six times now. [Sorry it's hard for him not to snark completely] I studied under him for over two years while helping out in a clinic...so, a lot. I can send you a list of everything that's been covered.
Action
But you said there were two things you wanted to talk about?
Action
Ah...yes. [He shifts a little] I was actually- hoping I could ask you for perhaps some advice. About something not related to medical work.
Action
Action
Alright, so....in Paradisa, like here, people were pulled from all sorts of places and times. But if a person ever left, their memories were wiped of their time in the castle. In fact, it's very unusual that Ino and I remember it at all.
Anyway...over the years, I...got used to friends leaving and if I saw them again, they'd have no memory of me. And even stranger, often they wouldn't have aged a day since I last saw them, while I'd had aged years. Over time I grew to just...keep my distance if that happened. It was easy in the castle, the place was large and they didn't remember me so it's not like they ever sought me out...
[Most didn't, anyway. And it felt better than exposing yourself and being rejected by people you once treasured, over and over.]
...But some of those people are here now, in the fleet. And it's harder to avoid people here. So...I'm not sure what I should do.
Action
No, I agree, I don't think you'll be able to avoid them forever. But, do you think you'll be working closely with any of them? Because if so, I think it is only fair to tell them - not everything, but enough so that they'll understand why this stranger they just met knows so much about them. It's too difficult to hide that sort of knowledge from someone if you're around them for extended periods of time.
Action
[But he mulls over his question.]
Well...one of them is on the ship, yes. Though I'm not worried too much about Katara. She has some memories of Paradisa, from one of her later visits. So at least she knows of me from reputation! Even if...I haven't told her of her previous stays at the castle. But she knows how strange that place can be.
[Yeaaah okay maybe he needs to work slightly on truth telling okay.]
There's others on other ships, though, that remember less. Do you think I'd be working closely with them enough that I should tell them...?
Action
[Which... is another oddity to be contemplated later. The connection between Drift Fleet and Paradisa seems highly suspicious to Beverly.]
As for the others, that's something you're going to have to decide for yourself. You know best your own working and socializing habits and you also know them and how they might handle such information. However, seeing as this is something that clearly worries you, being open about the situation will not just benefit them, but probably you as well. I can't promise that it won't hurt, but in the long run I think it'll be better than having that knowledge hanging over you.
[
Hypocrisy, what hypocrisy?]Action
That's...a good point. [One he can't argue with. Shit. Part of him wishes to- keeping an emotional distance from people has always been his way of protecting himself. Get close enough to care, but not close enough to get too hurt.] Maybe I'll try with her...see how it goes. Then...if it works out, maybe with others.
[he's not promising anything though. Since hey, maybe it will be a bad plan and someone will freak out. Who knows]
Action