things I don't understandtreadingdawnApril 8 2010, 07:41:45 UTC
Sometime in the day finds a dark haired teenager propped up against the door frame to a certain Australian doctor's office, if he still has one of those in this hospital. He is unmistakably of the Telmarine variety, bearing a darker complexion and clothing more relevant to a faire than what his English doppleganger would wear. The expression on his face isn't troubled necessarily but it isn't particularly amused either, which only means Caspian did not come to Chase with mischief in mind. Not today anyway.
He isn't here to punch Chase either, in case that's still of any concern.
things I don't understandworksmartApril 9 2010, 03:55:17 UTC
Chase has his own office in this hospital, although it's not a glass walled spectacle like Diagnostics. This is just a small room with a desk and computer, whiteboard on the wall used for charting rather than symptom checklists. It's a room for catching up on paperwork, which is why Chase prefers to be on the wards or in the exam rooms for as much of his day as possible.
Some things are unavoidable, however, and paperwork in a hospital is one of them. It's with a fresh sheaf under his arm that Chase meets Caspian at the door.
things I don't understandtreadingdawnApril 9 2010, 04:18:50 UTC
Well. Caspian looks left, then he looks right, and finally he raps his knuckles on the door before greeting Chase with a pleased expression. It's not quite a smile but neither is it sly...for the most part.
"There. But now will you be telling me I was to make an appointment to see you first?"
It's a joke of course, er, that is unless Caspian really was supposed to make arrangements prior to seeing Chase. Whoever heard of the king having to make time for the doctor? Honestly.
things I don't understandworksmartApril 9 2010, 05:00:35 UTC
"Would have got you more time."
Unless you want to retain him as the royal physician, Caspian, his appointments are the more valuable. He curls a palm, beckoning the boy in after him as he backs toward the desk and deposits that afternoon's workload. A quick scan of Caspian's features and general demeanour suggest that at least they won't be needing the ER for this one.
things I don't understandtreadingdawnApril 9 2010, 05:19:34 UTC
No blood or bruising here, thank you. He follows Chase into the office, pulling the door shut behind them for better privacy. After giving the room a brief look around he helps himself to a seat. It's not that this matter requires sitting down, it's just that he feels more comfortable making himself 'at home' around the doctor. There's no need for formalities, well, not that Caspian knows of anyway. And he appreciates not having to exchange social pleasantries. He can ask how Chase is doing another time (he's obviously alive and well judging from the look of him).
"It's about the photographs from yesterday," he explains, "not that I have one of yours."
Caspian doesn't waste time in producing the picture from his pocket. He sets it down on the desk for the other man to see. "I found this one. It is a bit disturbing."
things I don't understandworksmartApril 11 2010, 14:04:36 UTC
Chase picks the photograph up in both hands, neatly kept fingernails framing either side as he stares into the image. Not prepared for it, the filter of clinical detachment is slow in coming down and provides a thin barrier at best between a rational response and the recoil that should be the natural thing.
"This came down with the others?" His throat unglues itself to speak, words followed by a quick hiccup of a cough to clear the airways. The picture might have been evocative, but it's no one he knows, no one he can help, either. What might seem portentous will be long over and done now. Chase imagines Caspian must be as aware of that as he is, but there's some reason he felt the need to share.
Looking up, he transfers the photograph to the care of just one hand, as delicate with it as he is with the question, "is this somebody you know?"
things I don't understandtreadingdawnApril 12 2010, 01:55:07 UTC
"Yes it did," he nods to Chase, not paying much mind to his reaction because anyone who is human should feel a little unsettled upon looking at the photograph. Then Caspian shakes his head. "It is no one I recognize, the girl anyway. I don't recall her," he explains only to add, "but it came with many other photographs of people I do know."
Claire. Ginny. Rosella. A handful of others. Of all the pictures this is the one he cannot seem to connect to anyone else and that worries him. What if it fell into Caspian's possession for a reason? What if he does know the girl or worse, knows the shadow standing above her? This is what he needs to find out yet even in the case that he doesn't know either party, whoever it is has every right to say if the photo should return to them or be destroyed. Above all, Caspian X is not the kind of person to see this and do nothing about it. He would not feel right.
"Only Claire has seen it. We thought perhaps whoever this is," he gestures to the picture, "they may have come to the hospital."
things I don't understandworksmartApril 12 2010, 09:34:39 UTC
"Less than forty percent of rapes are ever reported," Chase says, feeling more comfortable with the anonymity of statistics and this girl now that it's less likely he'll ever be asked to talk her through it, "the number who show up at the hospital for aftercare is probably even less. If she's been living with this, the chances are you could be the only other person who knows."
If she's living with it. The faint emphasis goes over the same possibility Caspian is not mentioning, something Chase is grateful for only in it's dulling the already stark incongruity of someone from a fictional morality tale knowing and understanding what's happening in this picture. For the doctor's part, he doubts anyone will be wanting their kodak moment back in the family album
( ... )
things I don't understandtreadingdawnApril 13 2010, 00:46:29 UTC
The same morality tale (his life) has had them bearing sword and shield at an age when most would still call them children, but even so Caspian has always remembered to clean his sword. That same moral compass leaves him incapable of leaving this matter alone no matter how terrible. He doesn't make any comment on the low number of reports on such violence and even lesser aftercare, though if he did it would be why and shouldn't the hospital fetch an injured person if they can't make it on their own. He keeps quiet, well aware of the difference between what should be done and what does happen. These things happen and there's only so much one can do about it. Were he in his royal position, by gift, prescription, and conquest, this would be dealt with immediately as an order. No matter how different their worlds can be there are some things which stay the same; that's one
( ... )
things I don't understandworksmartApril 13 2010, 01:02:39 UTC
The hospital can't fetch in the hurts they don't know about, even by royal command. Caspian must have some idea of shame; Chase knows he's familiar with secrecy in some matters, just or unjust as the need may be.
"I can't force anyone to get treatment. Can't even force them to speak to me about it if they don't want to." and God, he'd hope they didn't want to. If he found anything buried in the admittance files maybe he'd put Cameron onto it; now there was someone who could pity even the stubbornest of souls into submission. It's not a weight to Chase now so much as a feature on a to-do list, having already checked off any immediate forms of help as impossibilities.
"I'll look. And if I find anything out I'll let you know someone's tried to talk to her. If she came in through the clinic, they would have tried." How successfully, of course, depends on the doctor
( ... )
things I don't understandtreadingdawnApril 13 2010, 01:39:52 UTC
Well. Yes, he does sort of. Except. Um. Look Caspian's never been injured in any kind of personal situation bordering shameful, not enough to require a visit to the hospital. One hopes that never happens, by the lion's mane.
"All right," he nods and thinks about adding thanks but chooses not to. It's the right thing to do in his opinion, gratitude not having a solidly appropriate place in this situation. Caspian's gaze drops down to the photo when he considers going to the police. "I should try," again he nods, "I could have gone to them first." But the prison sank, the courthouse turns out strange verdicts, people still eat people on video.
things I don't understandworksmartApril 18 2010, 04:44:33 UTC
And, as Chase said, Caspian doesn't even really have anything to present. His photograph could gather dust in someone else's filing cabinet, or Chase could carry it around with him for a few days and at least make some effort before letting it gather dust in his own. He folds his arms across his chest, teeth worrying at a corner of his lip before he settles on a final suggestion.
"Let me hang onto it for now. I can show it to the admitting staff, see if the face rings any bells. After that I'll take a copy down to the station. Best I can do."
things I don't understandtreadingdawnApril 18 2010, 04:54:16 UTC
Thank you. Because doing anything is better than doing nothing.
"As long as something is being done," Caspian nods before adding, "and if you must keep it private I understand." He may feel as if there is a reason this photo landed in his possession but that doesn't mean he feels in any way entitled to hearing someone else's story.
things I don't understandworksmartApril 18 2010, 05:25:35 UTC
"I'll give you an idea if anything comes of it."
Palm flat over the picture, Chase slides it off the desk and clips it under the first leaf of paper on the pad of today's notes. Later it will find itself transferred to his briefcase or a pocket as he waits to catch the various shift workers who might have checked in someone memorable. He won't go too far out of his way, but he will try.
"If nothing does, it's not your fault. Something like that picture happens over a thousand times per day in America. Most go unreported, more unconvicted. Having some stranger care about her isn't the worst outcome."
things I don't understandtreadingdawnApril 18 2010, 06:14:50 UTC
"I would appreciate that," he says while watching Chase slide the picture away, out of sight for now but not completely out of mind.
"Numbers do not matter." Caspian shakes his head. "Here or in America," or anywhere else. At home he has the power to overthrow harsh regimes and abolish unjust practices. He knows it doesn't mean he can process and punish everyone who commits an atrocious act, but building (rebuilding) the means is doing his part as a leader. In this world Caspian X is mostly just a man, a boy even to some, and the best is doing his part as a Son of Adam. There's a specific space he's made for himself between what should be done and what usually happens to keep things like this from keeping him up at night, without becoming jaded or passionless for what's right. He straightens his posture as he stands. Hey, that probably means he's looking down at the shorter doctor
( ... )
things I don't understandworksmartApril 18 2010, 06:44:18 UTC
"Don't. Don't jinx it." An amused crease works it's way into Chase's forehead to couple with his attempt at a scolding frown. "Come and see me when you need to. Though we could think about trying out the beach again before too long. Kept your board in good nick?"
He isn't here to punch Chase either, in case that's still of any concern.
Reply
Some things are unavoidable, however, and paperwork in a hospital is one of them. It's with a fresh sheaf under his arm that Chase meets Caspian at the door.
"Were you going to knock?"
Reply
"There. But now will you be telling me I was to make an appointment to see you first?"
It's a joke of course, er, that is unless Caspian really was supposed to make arrangements prior to seeing Chase. Whoever heard of the king having to make time for the doctor? Honestly.
Reply
Unless you want to retain him as the royal physician, Caspian, his appointments are the more valuable. He curls a palm, beckoning the boy in after him as he backs toward the desk and deposits that afternoon's workload. A quick scan of Caspian's features and general demeanour suggest that at least they won't be needing the ER for this one.
"What did you need?"
Reply
"It's about the photographs from yesterday," he explains, "not that I have one of yours."
Caspian doesn't waste time in producing the picture from his pocket. He sets it down on the desk for the other man to see. "I found this one. It is a bit disturbing."
Reply
"This came down with the others?" His throat unglues itself to speak, words followed by a quick hiccup of a cough to clear the airways. The picture might have been evocative, but it's no one he knows, no one he can help, either. What might seem portentous will be long over and done now. Chase imagines Caspian must be as aware of that as he is, but there's some reason he felt the need to share.
Looking up, he transfers the photograph to the care of just one hand, as delicate with it as he is with the question, "is this somebody you know?"
Reply
Claire. Ginny. Rosella. A handful of others. Of all the pictures this is the one he cannot seem to connect to anyone else and that worries him. What if it fell into Caspian's possession for a reason? What if he does know the girl or worse, knows the shadow standing above her? This is what he needs to find out yet even in the case that he doesn't know either party, whoever it is has every right to say if the photo should return to them or be destroyed. Above all, Caspian X is not the kind of person to see this and do nothing about it. He would not feel right.
"Only Claire has seen it. We thought perhaps whoever this is," he gestures to the picture, "they may have come to the hospital."
If they ( ... )
Reply
If she's living with it. The faint emphasis goes over the same possibility Caspian is not mentioning, something Chase is grateful for only in it's dulling the already stark incongruity of someone from a fictional morality tale knowing and understanding what's happening in this picture. For the doctor's part, he doubts anyone will be wanting their kodak moment back in the family album ( ... )
Reply
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"I can't force anyone to get treatment. Can't even force them to speak to me about it if they don't want to." and God, he'd hope they didn't want to. If he found anything buried in the admittance files maybe he'd put Cameron onto it; now there was someone who could pity even the stubbornest of souls into submission. It's not a weight to Chase now so much as a feature on a to-do list, having already checked off any immediate forms of help as impossibilities.
"I'll look. And if I find anything out I'll let you know someone's tried to talk to her. If she came in through the clinic, they would have tried." How successfully, of course, depends on the doctor ( ... )
Reply
"All right," he nods and thinks about adding thanks but chooses not to. It's the right thing to do in his opinion, gratitude not having a solidly appropriate place in this situation. Caspian's gaze drops down to the photo when he considers going to the police. "I should try," again he nods, "I could have gone to them first." But the prison sank, the courthouse turns out strange verdicts, people still eat people on video.
Reply
"Let me hang onto it for now. I can show it to the admitting staff, see if the face rings any bells. After that I'll take a copy down to the station. Best I can do."
Reply
"As long as something is being done," Caspian nods before adding, "and if you must keep it private I understand." He may feel as if there is a reason this photo landed in his possession but that doesn't mean he feels in any way entitled to hearing someone else's story.
Reply
Palm flat over the picture, Chase slides it off the desk and clips it under the first leaf of paper on the pad of today's notes. Later it will find itself transferred to his briefcase or a pocket as he waits to catch the various shift workers who might have checked in someone memorable. He won't go too far out of his way, but he will try.
"If nothing does, it's not your fault. Something like that picture happens over a thousand times per day in America. Most go unreported, more unconvicted. Having some stranger care about her isn't the worst outcome."
Reply
"Numbers do not matter." Caspian shakes his head. "Here or in America," or anywhere else. At home he has the power to overthrow harsh regimes and abolish unjust practices. He knows it doesn't mean he can process and punish everyone who commits an atrocious act, but building (rebuilding) the means is doing his part as a leader. In this world Caspian X is mostly just a man, a boy even to some, and the best is doing his part as a Son of Adam. There's a specific space he's made for himself between what should be done and what usually happens to keep things like this from keeping him up at night, without becoming jaded or passionless for what's right. He straightens his posture as he stands. Hey, that probably means he's looking down at the shorter doctor ( ... )
Reply
Reply
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