Minsc Joins The Party! [Complete]

[swordsnotwords]

Characters: Minsc and Boo! (and Farinelli, and Tony Tony Chopper)
Setting: Entrance Room
Time: Night 002
Summary: Minsc arrives, as does an unconscious Farinelli; a panicked Chopper arrives to patch her up as best he can.
Warnings: Contains Minsc and his fiery temper.

Comments

[someonecalladr]

Well, that hadn't taken long at all. The night was still young, and Chopper was already in a spot of trouble. On the one hand, there was a large, loud, armored, extremely scary man pointing a big sword at him and shouting about justice. This in itself was a (literally) very large problem, but to compound matters, he was stopping Chopper from treating the poor woman who was laying there, dying on the floor. He didn't want to start trouble, but if he didn't act fast, there was a very real chance that the woman could die!

Gathering all of his courage together, Chopper swallowed hard and looked up at the crazy man. "I'm a doctor! She needs help, and if you try and stop me from treating her, I'll... I'll..." He trailed off for a moment. He'd what? Chopper was hardly the threat-making type, so in a fit of desperation, he decided to borrow his captain's favorite threat.

"I'LL KICK YOUR ASS!" It might not have sounded too threatening coming from his high pitched voice, but the tiny deer meant it. There wasn't time to play around, so he'd do whatever he had to to save her life!

[swordsnotwords]

The barbarian ranger grunted as the deer thing yelled back at him, and he considered the creature's words. Certainly, it seemed smart enough to not be a goblin or kobold or other small furry thing - but all the same, a doctor? He seemed like he knew how to help her, but all the same, he was dubious. "A doctor, eh? And you know something about the treating of arrow wounds?" He narrowed his eyes at the creatue with the hat, as if to indicate that he still did not trust him.

"Minsc's butt is not for your kicking, little funny thing," he said, moving back a step, but his sword still out, just in case. "You may see to the injured woman - but if I see anything funny going on, I will see to it that YOUR ass is kicked! And munched on by my HAMSTER!" He gestured to the furry ginger rodent on his shoulder with his head, as if to indicate a creature as deadly as he.

[someonecalladr]

He nodded to the large man as he backed off. His sword was still drawn and he was still making threats, but none of that mattered to Chopper. His attention was now focused wholly on the patient. He opened his backpack, pulling from it some basic medical supplies: a pouch of surgical tools, a small jar of a homemade disinfectant, bandages, and some other odds and ends. It didn't seem like a wound that would be too complicated to treat (and he had definitely seen worse during his time as a pirate), but one could never be too sure.

He started by removing the arrow, giving it a sniff and tossing it aside quickly. His nose didn't detect any poison, thankfully. Without all his ingredients and supplies there, it would've been near impossible to create the right antidote in time. The wound was, however, dirty - he'd have to clean it up, lest it become infected. He set about doing just that, tiny hoof hands working with the speed of an expert physician. There were no wasted movements, no distractions. Just one furry doctor fighting against time.

Before too much time had passed, Chopper wiped the sweat from his brow triumphantly. The wound was cleaned, bandaged, and good to go. She'd have to take it easy for a while, naturally, but her life shouldn't be in any more danger. He couldn't help the smile that came over his tiny face, pride in himself and his learned abilities showing through.

"There! All done!"

[swordsnotwords]

Watching the deer-thing's operation with all the intensity of a caveman being taught to use fire for the first time, Minsc kneeled down, resting the sword tip on the carpeted floor, one hand on its handle. How could he handle such tricky tools with those hooves? he wondered. Boo also appeared to be watching the proceedings, though with a more, say, detached rodenty-ness to his gaze, if such a word existed.

As Chopper removed the arrow, Minsc picked it up tentatively, examining the tip. It wasn't any sort of design he'd seen before, and Minsc had seen (and been stuck with) a lot of arrows in his time! It had a rather nasty barb, too - the woman was lucky that it had gone through her arm, and not, say, her heart - that would be a tricky business! Healing potions could not cure death, after all, and he wasn't sure this 'doctor' could do much for it, either.

After the furry deer-doctor was done with the work of bandaging, Minsc picked up the woman's arm, examining it, and then sniffing the bandaged area for ingredients or herbs that may have been used. Very unusual smells! Like nothing his nose had ever experienced. Nonetheless, the wound seemed well treated, even if it was not as effective as say, the healing touch of a cleric. "It is good," he said after a good moment's silence. "You are a skilled doctor, despite your hoove-like hands! But Minsc requires answers, now. Who are you, and how is it we come to be here? Boo and I are much out of our depth in this place!"

[someonecalladr]

Chopper had nearly forgotten about the incredibly large man and his hamster. He looked back up at him, pride suddenly being replaced with a bit of timid fear. Still, the man seemed a lot more reasonable now, and no matter how scary he was, the deer couldn't blame him for his outburst earlier. If he was anything like the rest of them - and it seemed like he was - then he too had been dropped here without any idea of what happened or why. That alone was bad, but add to it arriving at night, and with an injured woman? Anyone would've freaked out. With that in mind, Chopper decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.

"I'm Chopper, and uh, I don't know why we're here. I was on my boat and I fell out of bed and when I opened my eyes, I was here! I've been here for..." he stopped to think. By all normal accounts it was only a day, but it had felt so much longer! Days? Weeks? He couldn't be sure. "... uh, a long time. There's a bunch of other people here too! I don't think anyone's found a way out yet though."

He sighed and plopped down on his butt next to the patient. "There were a lot of scary monsters and stuff last night, too... it might be even worse tonight!"

[swordsnotwords]

He eyed the funny doctor thing as he listened, still crouched on one knee at the deer creature's level. It was strange, hearing this creature speak so eloquently, without trying to rob him or stab him with a rusty knife. Most fuzzy things at Chopper's size, with the possible exception of halflings, did not try to communicate much unless they were trying to kill him. Nonetheless, he paid strict attention - he needed all the information he could in a place such as this! (Or at least, enough information so as to go out and chop bad guys into tiny bits.)

"Interesting!" he spoke finally, rubbing his chin in a dramatic fashion. "It is good to meet you, Chopper! I am Minsc, and this is my hamster, Boo!" He gestured to the small rodent on his shoulder, who was currently cleaning his face with little paws and a tongue. "We are adventurers! And I assure you that there is no better people for killing scary monsters than us!" He gave Chopper a confident grin, before turning his head away thoughtfully, looking rather concerned.

"Although... Dynaheir might worry for us if we are gone too long," he admitted. "But Minsc supposes that he can hack and slash his way to escaping! And to helping others, if needed!" He looked down at Chopper once again, intensity in his gaze. "Okay then, my new furry friend. Point Minsc in the right direction and he will be chopping evil into bite-sized snack things! ...Although, perhaps we should bring the hurt lady to a safe place?" His thoughts turned back to her, as if remembering that she still existed, and was worth his attention.

[magicmelodic]

As though on cue, Anna stirred from her stupor. The first thing she was aware of was pain, pain enough to turn her stomach with nausea and wonder just how badly her arm was mangled; it hardly seemed like only her shoulder was wounded, considering the way it blossomed in the part of her chest immediately around her shoulder, and shot down her arm. The second thing was that her bloodsoaked blouse and jerkin were clinging uncomfortably, especially with how dusty she was--and sticky, with sweat and now blood--and how cold the floor was.

Wait.... floor? Cold? She must be in Loiseau now.... Anna forced her eyes to open, despite wanting to just fade back into sleep and waking up to find the pain had disappeared. The dimness was a welcome relief, especially when she had expected the glare of midday--how long had she been asleep? Anna made an effort at focusing her eyes properly, Chopper the first thing she was able to get a really good look at. "What....?" Was she hallucinating? Feverish? Still asleep? This hurt too much to be a dream....

[someonecalladr]

"Nice to meet you two!" Things had started off rocky, but Chopper was glad they'd been able to work it out fairly well. Fighting the giant of a man would have been a terrifying prospect, and not having to was a relief indeed. He even seemed like he'd be willing to help out Chopper and Big Sis! Chopper could handle himself for the most part, but night lasted a long time and the monsters weren't in short supply. He could only take a Rumble Ball infrequently at best, and if things kept up like they were, he'd have to sit down and make a new batch before too long. Having an ally not hampered by those weaknesses wasn't just big, it was huge!

To add to the good news, it seemed like his patient was starting to come around! The tiny deer couldn't help but smile, though it was mixed with worry as well. "You're awake! But you have to take it easy! You'll just hurt yourself more if you push yourself too hard!" Chopper doubted she was about to get up and try to do some jumping jacks or heavy weight training (no normal person was as crazy as some of his crew mates), but he still had a responsibility as her doctor to keep her safe!

[swordsnotwords]

Having made his introduction to Chopper, he saw to the woman, who was now beginning to stir. Minsc readily admitted that a lot of things in life confused him, and his current situation was no exception to this. However, he had found a purpose, at least, in protecting this woman, and protecting this little thing from whatever lurked in this odd house. Briefly glancing at his hamster, he turned his gaze back on Chopper. "Boo is curious. You mention scary monsters and being here a long time. Does that mean that you have been brought here by wizard-ey magic too? You do not know who owns this house?"

His question could not be immediately answered however, as the injured woman begun to stir from her unconscious state. Turning his head down to regard her prone form, Minsc put a reassuring large hand on her shoulder. "Never fear, injured lady!" he called to her, possibly a bit too loud for her headache. "Your safety is now in the hands of Minsc and Boo! See now, is my hand not large and trustworthy? These mighty paws shall protect you from whatever evil that seeks to harm you!"

He looked to Chopper intensely, though not with threat but purpose. "This is no good! Floors are no place for injured ladies! She requires rest, and maybe something to drink, too! Surely this house has beds aplenty?"

[magicmelodic]

A cute, high-pitched voice.... from a cute, tiny bipedal reindeer--with a blue nose?--wearing clothing and a hat. Jesus Christ, was she in a Saturday morning cartoon? She hadn't realized that Erde had anything even close to this; the world just didn't seem like the type. "Just what do you call 'too hard'?" She managed, deciding to make the best of it; if a cartoon character was concerned about her safety, far be it from her to disobey it unless she had a good reason to. Ignoring well-intentioned things like that tended to result in comical, but painful and humiliating consequences in cartoons.

She glanced down at her arm, finding it swathed in bandages from palm to shoulder; how had one or two arrows done that much damage? Even trying to just flex her fingers on that hand hurt.... The small start of surprise as Minsc's hand descended on her--thankfully uninjured--shoulder didn't help maters, either.... or his overly loud, melodramatic voice, either. Ugh, Don Quixote lives.... And with the same brainless chauvinistic chivalry knights had once used.

Well, at least it was better than antagonistic brainless chauvinism.... Obviously she was hurt, and obviously they had taken care of her. That was worth gratitude, at least. And if she had to keep depending on them, she'd have to rely on their continued kindness. (And those hands, which she had to admit were quite large, though whether they were trustworthy or not remained to be seen) Anna swallowed her frustration--she hated the role of helpless, delicate damsel in distress--and managed a smile up at the brawny man and his deer companion. "Thank you, sirs; you must be as brave as you are kind." Had she mentioned that she also hated the formality of medieval speech?

[someonecalladr]

"Well, don't run around too much, and try not to lift anything too he-" was about as much as Chopper got out before she was cut off by Minsc. He didn't mind so much, it seemed the large man was much better with words and talking to people than he would ever be. He was right, too. They couldn't just leave her on the floor, she needed at least a good night's rest in a bed! Food and water wouldn't hurt either. Both were priorities, but even if Minsc was set on finding her a bed, Chopper could get her some food once she was settled. He'd probably be alone, and it'd be scary, but he'd have to manage somehow!

... wait. Did she...?

She just called him brave.

Despite everything, Chopper felt himself blushing. A smile plastered itself across his face, and he found himself on the tips of his hooves, twisting back and forth and flailing his arms in a sort of happy dance. "Shut up! Quit staring at me, moron! I don't need you to call me brave, stupid!"

It never quite came out the 'thank you' it was supposed to be.

[swordsnotwords]

As the woman spoke, practically in Minsc's tailor-made language, the ranger felt himself swelling with pride, a huge grin stretching across his face. "No need for thanks, injured lady! Minsc and Boo are very brave, braver than any other hamster-ranger duo you can find! But there is no time; we must get you to a bed, and a safe one, too! It would be no good for Minsc to place you in a bed of EVIL, now, would it?" Offering the woman his hand, he attempted to lift her to her feet in such a way as to not injure her arm.

As he did, however, he glanced over to Chopper with a confused frown. Why was the deer-doctor dancing like that? And ... he was yelling at the woman now! Insulting her! He almost drew his sword then and there, but Boo cautioned him to use words instead. "How dare you insult the lady!" Minsc roared, his free hand balling into a fist. "Have you no manners? No sense of goodly decency? Minsc would ask you to explain yourself now, before his berserker rage SPILLS OVER!"