Posting before the jet-lag/early shift tag team overpowers me again...
Title: Procrastination
Theme: Set #03, #28 Trap
Claim: Zoro + Chopper
Words: 2329
Rating: PG/K+
Warnings: Sap, fluff, and excessive sweetness! One mild swear.
Disclaimers: Nothing you recognize in here is mine in any way. All rights belong to Eiichiro Oda and all the multitude of people involved in production of the One Piece manga and anime.
A/N: I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. I'm totally making stuff up about the vaccine! XP There are several vaccines requiring multiple doses, but not for the reason presented here, and they're spaced over a wider period of time.
As Chopper browsed bandages and other medical supplies in a shop that also contained a public clinic, he felt his eyes persistently being drawn to a rather long line of waiting people. Having finally gathered all his purchases, he walked up to the counter.
"Excuse me," he asked the clerk, "may I ask why there's such a line? Do you need the assistance of another doctor? I could help..."
"That's a line for vaccinations," the clerk told him. "There's been an outbreak of a nasty virus on the next island. Your crew should all get shots for it, if you plan on disembarking there. How many crew members on your ship?"
"Nine."
"One moment." The clerk turned to a shelf behind the counter and returned with several vials. "The line is moving slowly because the procedure is complicated and a bit lengthy..."
Chopper listened intently.
***
Chopper carefully planned the moment he would tell the crew about what he had decided to call "Operation: Six Shots Isn't So Bad!" Okay, the name needed work, but the point was, he needed everyone in the same spot and unlikely to leave for long enough to explain what needed to be done. He finally settled on the galley, just as Sanji was dishing up dinner. Hopefully, the food would be tempting enough to keep anyone from trying to bolt...
The log pose wouldn't finish setting until early the next morning, so everyone trickled in slowly from finishing their last errands on the island. As they all waited for Usopp, the last to arrive only because Zoro was being subjected to a strictly enforced buddy system, Chopper went over his speech in his head one last time. It was very important to the doctor that each crew member agree to the vaccination because it was an informed, logical decision. The last thing he wanted was for anyone to panic...
"Everyone!" Usopp burst in the galley door, eyes wide. "You'll never guess what I just heard in town!"
Oh no...
"Perhaps that there has been a viral outbreak on a nearby island?" Robin asked calmly.
"Yeah." Usopp blinked, taken aback. "You already heard?"
"Everyone all over town was talking about it," Nami interjected.
"It's supposed to be one nasty bug," Sanji added.
On second thought, perhaps this was the introduction he needed!
"Yes," Chopper agreed firmly, "it's a very unpleasant virus, but there is a vaccination process."
"Process?" Zoro raised one eyebrow. "It's not just a quick shot?"
"No." Chopper took a steadying breath and decided to just tell them. "It's a series of six shots that must be administered under close observation because adverse reactions are fairly common but usually mild. Breaking the total dosage into smaller units given over several hours minimizes the risk of a severe reaction without compromising the overall effectiveness."
"Huh?" Luffy scratched his head.
"Basically," Zoro explained, "you sit in the infirmary for hours and get stuck six times."
"Oh. Is that all?" Luffy turned his focus back to Chopper. "Then we don't get sick, right?" The doctor nodded. "I'll go first!"
"Actually, I plan to try it myself first," Chopper announced. "You can come to the infirmary for yours tomorrow, Luffy. I'd like everyone to have their shots several days before we dock at the next island, to be sure the vaccine has time to fully take effect. How far away is the next island, Nami?"
"Near as I can tell," the navigator informed him, "it should take about two weeks, give or take a few days, depending on what the Grand Line throws at us."
"I would like to see everyone within the next week then, please."
The subject wasn't brought up again during the meal and Chopper was relieved. It seemed like he was worried over nothing.
***
After dinner that evening, Chopper had carefully read over the informational pamphlet he had received with the vaccine vials and administered his own set of shots. He didn't notice any adverse effects, but read over the symptoms again so they'd be fresh in his mind when he started inoculating the rest of the crew.
Usopp came in with Luffy the next morning. Chopper was very glad for it later, as he hadn't thought of any ways to keep Luffy entertained during the monitoring period. Usopp told them the story of his visit to the "Island of a Thousand Diseases" when he was five and a half. Before they knew it, the time was up and both Luffy and Usopp had all their shots with no problems.
Nami and Robin also came in together a day later. Sanji wanted to accompany the ladies as well, but Chopper wasn't sure he could keep track of dosing times accurately for three people, so the cook agreed--reluctantly--to come back later. They chatted about the shopping on the previous island, the book Robin was currently reading, how nice--and stable for once--the weather was that day, and Robin shared some interesting--if rather disturbing--facts she had recently learned about diseases unique to the Grand Line. Once again, the time flew by quickly.
Sanji returned later in the afternoon with a large bowl of potatoes. He spent his time carefully peeling and slicing the tubers and discussing herbs that could be both culinary and medicinal. Sanji's temperature was very slightly elevated at one point, but he reported no pain or tenderness at the injection site, and Chopper released him back to the galley.
Franky tried to talk his way out of getting the shots the day after that, as he was only partly flesh and blood, but Chopper insisted. Brook, who no longer required vaccinations of any kind, generously offered to help keep the cyborg shipwright's mind off the injections with some music. That afternoon, the infirmary was filled with the sound of duets on guitar and violin, accompanied by exuberant singing.
Never before had Chopper had so much healthy company while in the infirmary! It was actually quite nice, and he was almost sad that he had only one person left to treat.
He waited all the next morning for Zoro to stop in for his vaccination. The swordsman hadn't visited by lunch, but Chopper reasoned that perhaps he had been training all morning and would come in the afternoon or evening. He didn't.
The next morning, Chopper decided to remind him that the week would be over soon.
"Maybe you could drop by after breakfast?" Zoro was avoiding eye contact, which was highly suspicious. "It'll only take a few hours."
"I really need to catch up on my laundry," Zoro insisted. "Who knows when we'll get this much sunshine again? Have to take advantage of it while I can, right?"
"What about after lunch?"
"Training."
"Dinner?"
"I have dish duty. I'll talk to you later, okay?" Zoro hurried out of the galley after eating.
Zoro was actually using chores--one with Sanji even--as excuses. Now Chopper knew something was up with him! He was clearly putting off the shots as long as possible, but Chopper couldn't fathom why. It wasn't like Zoro to postpone unpleasantness--usually he faced it head on in order to get it out of the way. It looked like he was going to have to be sneaky...
***
Zoro flopped down on the aft deck for an impromptu nap. The narrow area around the galley wasn't a high traffic area, so hopefully he would be undisturbed. He had planned to be weight training, but Franky had been blocking the trap door to the crow's nest gym. He said he was doing some important repairs and wouldn't allow Zoro inside or allow him to retrieve any weights for use elsewhere. Zoro didn't remember hearing any construction related sounds on his way up the ladder--or on the way back down for that matter... Odd...
The scraping of wood on wood drew Zoro's attention. He looked over to see Chopper standing outside the infirmary with the room's cot on the deck in front of him.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm rearranging the furniture in the infirmary." Chopper gestured at the bed. "Franky helped me pull the bed out before he went up to the gym, but now I can't move it back by myself. Could you help me?"
Zoro took one look at Chopper's wide, innocent eyes and the open infirmary door and the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. Something was not right here...
"You don't have to, of course," Chopper continued. "I guess I can ask someone else. It's just that you're right here and all..."
Against his better judgement, Zoro got up to help Chopper move the cot back into the infirmary. They maneuvered the bed through the doorway, with Zoro in front at the foot of the cot, and Chopper at the head. Zoro turned to look behind himself, only to see that the desk had been moved to block the exit to the galley. When he looked back, Chopper was blocking the other door in heavy point. Well, that'd teach him to ignore his instincts...
"Please," Chopper gestured to the bed again, "have a seat."
"This is about me not coming in for those shots, isn't it?" Zoro sighed.
"Why haven't you?" Chopper was honestly curious. "I know you don't really mind needles, so that's not it. Is it having to stay in the infirmary? Are you claustrophobic?" The space was quite small compared to some of the other locations on the Thousand Sunny.
"It's not the size of the space," Zoro admitted grudgingly. "It's the kind of space."
"You've been here for treatment before," Chopper pointed out. "Why is this different?"
"Ever notice how I'm always out of here as soon as you'll let me leave?" Chopper nodded. "This time I have to stay, and I don't really like medical rooms." Now that Zoro was talking about it, he couldn't seem to stop himself, and the words kept flowing. "I know it's stupid, since I need to be treated a lot and it's usually my own damn fault, but I'm only here when I absolutely have to be and I associate it with pain. It's nothing personal, honest!"
"I think I understand." Chopper had shifted back to his small form, and he rested a comforting hoof on Zoro's knee. "I had a similar problem when I first started living with Doctor. His home smelled strongly of human and I had only ever had very bad experiences with people before he found me. The walls felt like a cage and I missed the feel of the wind. His home was full of strange equipment and other items I had never seen before and some of them frightened me. Doctor was very patient and encouraged me to explore on my own and ask questions until I felt more comfortable.
"Nothing in this infirmary is meant to cause pain. I'd like for you to see this as a place of healing and knowledge, like I do. If it would help take your mind off being stuck in here, you can ask me about anything you see here or any other questions you might have."
Zoro hated feeling like he was being pitied--even if he wasn't--and never backed down from a challenge if he could help it. He took a deep, calming breath.
"Okay, let's get this over with!"
***
Chopper had let the rest of the crew in on his plan, encouraging them all to help herd Zoro toward the infirmary. They were now all gathered in the galley, staring at the door to the room in question. Zoro and Chopper had been in there a long time, and it was awfully quiet.
"I do hope neither of them is dead," Robin remarked off-handedly, taking a sip of her coffee.
"D-dead?" Usopp gulped. "Seriously?"
"Don't be ridiculous!" Nami snapped, but she hadn't taken her eyes off the door. "Perhaps you should check on them, Robin?"
"I would hate to breach medical privacy."
"Maybe they're napping," Luffy suggested.
"It's almost dinner time," Sanji commented, idly chewing on the end of his cigarette. He narrowed his eyes and stepped forward. "No one's missing a meal on my watch, unless they are dead!" He tapped the door sharply several times with the toe of one shoe.
"Yes?" Chopper's voice asked from within. The door opened, revealing that the desk had been returned to its usual location. Zoro and Chopper were sitting on the floor in front of Chopper's supply shelves.
"Dinner time already?" Zoro asked, noting the presence of everyone else at the table.
"Soon..." Sanji blinked. What were they doing?
The occupants of the infirmary left the door open, turning back to the shelf and tuning out the crew in the other room.
"What about this one?" Zoro handed Chopper a jar full of dried roots. "What's 'Butterfly Weed' do?"
"A warm infusion of the root can help with chest congestion, but you have to be careful with the dosing or it'll make you vomit."
"Gross..." Zoro made a face and put the jar back. "This one?" He handed the doctor another jar.
"Feverfew has lots of uses..."
"Chopper never lets me touch the herb jars!" The captain pouted.
"Brotherly bonding is so super..." Franky sniffed. "I'm not crying!"
Robin smiled and sprouted a hand from the floor, pushing the door shut again.
Theme: Set #03, #28 Trap
Claim: Zoro + Chopper
Words: 2329
Rating: PG/K+
Warnings: Sap, fluff, and excessive sweetness! One mild swear.
Disclaimers: Nothing you recognize in here is mine in any way. All rights belong to Eiichiro Oda and all the multitude of people involved in production of the One Piece manga and anime.
A/N: I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. I'm totally making stuff up about the vaccine! XP There are several vaccines requiring multiple doses, but not for the reason presented here, and they're spaced over a wider period of time.
As Chopper browsed bandages and other medical supplies in a shop that also contained a public clinic, he felt his eyes persistently being drawn to a rather long line of waiting people. Having finally gathered all his purchases, he walked up to the counter.
"Excuse me," he asked the clerk, "may I ask why there's such a line? Do you need the assistance of another doctor? I could help..."
"That's a line for vaccinations," the clerk told him. "There's been an outbreak of a nasty virus on the next island. Your crew should all get shots for it, if you plan on disembarking there. How many crew members on your ship?"
"Nine."
"One moment." The clerk turned to a shelf behind the counter and returned with several vials. "The line is moving slowly because the procedure is complicated and a bit lengthy..."
Chopper listened intently.
***
Chopper carefully planned the moment he would tell the crew about what he had decided to call "Operation: Six Shots Isn't So Bad!" Okay, the name needed work, but the point was, he needed everyone in the same spot and unlikely to leave for long enough to explain what needed to be done. He finally settled on the galley, just as Sanji was dishing up dinner. Hopefully, the food would be tempting enough to keep anyone from trying to bolt...
The log pose wouldn't finish setting until early the next morning, so everyone trickled in slowly from finishing their last errands on the island. As they all waited for Usopp, the last to arrive only because Zoro was being subjected to a strictly enforced buddy system, Chopper went over his speech in his head one last time. It was very important to the doctor that each crew member agree to the vaccination because it was an informed, logical decision. The last thing he wanted was for anyone to panic...
"Everyone!" Usopp burst in the galley door, eyes wide. "You'll never guess what I just heard in town!"
Oh no...
"Perhaps that there has been a viral outbreak on a nearby island?" Robin asked calmly.
"Yeah." Usopp blinked, taken aback. "You already heard?"
"Everyone all over town was talking about it," Nami interjected.
"It's supposed to be one nasty bug," Sanji added.
On second thought, perhaps this was the introduction he needed!
"Yes," Chopper agreed firmly, "it's a very unpleasant virus, but there is a vaccination process."
"Process?" Zoro raised one eyebrow. "It's not just a quick shot?"
"No." Chopper took a steadying breath and decided to just tell them. "It's a series of six shots that must be administered under close observation because adverse reactions are fairly common but usually mild. Breaking the total dosage into smaller units given over several hours minimizes the risk of a severe reaction without compromising the overall effectiveness."
"Huh?" Luffy scratched his head.
"Basically," Zoro explained, "you sit in the infirmary for hours and get stuck six times."
"Oh. Is that all?" Luffy turned his focus back to Chopper. "Then we don't get sick, right?" The doctor nodded. "I'll go first!"
"Actually, I plan to try it myself first," Chopper announced. "You can come to the infirmary for yours tomorrow, Luffy. I'd like everyone to have their shots several days before we dock at the next island, to be sure the vaccine has time to fully take effect. How far away is the next island, Nami?"
"Near as I can tell," the navigator informed him, "it should take about two weeks, give or take a few days, depending on what the Grand Line throws at us."
"I would like to see everyone within the next week then, please."
The subject wasn't brought up again during the meal and Chopper was relieved. It seemed like he was worried over nothing.
***
After dinner that evening, Chopper had carefully read over the informational pamphlet he had received with the vaccine vials and administered his own set of shots. He didn't notice any adverse effects, but read over the symptoms again so they'd be fresh in his mind when he started inoculating the rest of the crew.
Usopp came in with Luffy the next morning. Chopper was very glad for it later, as he hadn't thought of any ways to keep Luffy entertained during the monitoring period. Usopp told them the story of his visit to the "Island of a Thousand Diseases" when he was five and a half. Before they knew it, the time was up and both Luffy and Usopp had all their shots with no problems.
Nami and Robin also came in together a day later. Sanji wanted to accompany the ladies as well, but Chopper wasn't sure he could keep track of dosing times accurately for three people, so the cook agreed--reluctantly--to come back later. They chatted about the shopping on the previous island, the book Robin was currently reading, how nice--and stable for once--the weather was that day, and Robin shared some interesting--if rather disturbing--facts she had recently learned about diseases unique to the Grand Line. Once again, the time flew by quickly.
Sanji returned later in the afternoon with a large bowl of potatoes. He spent his time carefully peeling and slicing the tubers and discussing herbs that could be both culinary and medicinal. Sanji's temperature was very slightly elevated at one point, but he reported no pain or tenderness at the injection site, and Chopper released him back to the galley.
Franky tried to talk his way out of getting the shots the day after that, as he was only partly flesh and blood, but Chopper insisted. Brook, who no longer required vaccinations of any kind, generously offered to help keep the cyborg shipwright's mind off the injections with some music. That afternoon, the infirmary was filled with the sound of duets on guitar and violin, accompanied by exuberant singing.
Never before had Chopper had so much healthy company while in the infirmary! It was actually quite nice, and he was almost sad that he had only one person left to treat.
He waited all the next morning for Zoro to stop in for his vaccination. The swordsman hadn't visited by lunch, but Chopper reasoned that perhaps he had been training all morning and would come in the afternoon or evening. He didn't.
The next morning, Chopper decided to remind him that the week would be over soon.
"Maybe you could drop by after breakfast?" Zoro was avoiding eye contact, which was highly suspicious. "It'll only take a few hours."
"I really need to catch up on my laundry," Zoro insisted. "Who knows when we'll get this much sunshine again? Have to take advantage of it while I can, right?"
"What about after lunch?"
"Training."
"Dinner?"
"I have dish duty. I'll talk to you later, okay?" Zoro hurried out of the galley after eating.
Zoro was actually using chores--one with Sanji even--as excuses. Now Chopper knew something was up with him! He was clearly putting off the shots as long as possible, but Chopper couldn't fathom why. It wasn't like Zoro to postpone unpleasantness--usually he faced it head on in order to get it out of the way. It looked like he was going to have to be sneaky...
***
Zoro flopped down on the aft deck for an impromptu nap. The narrow area around the galley wasn't a high traffic area, so hopefully he would be undisturbed. He had planned to be weight training, but Franky had been blocking the trap door to the crow's nest gym. He said he was doing some important repairs and wouldn't allow Zoro inside or allow him to retrieve any weights for use elsewhere. Zoro didn't remember hearing any construction related sounds on his way up the ladder--or on the way back down for that matter... Odd...
The scraping of wood on wood drew Zoro's attention. He looked over to see Chopper standing outside the infirmary with the room's cot on the deck in front of him.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm rearranging the furniture in the infirmary." Chopper gestured at the bed. "Franky helped me pull the bed out before he went up to the gym, but now I can't move it back by myself. Could you help me?"
Zoro took one look at Chopper's wide, innocent eyes and the open infirmary door and the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. Something was not right here...
"You don't have to, of course," Chopper continued. "I guess I can ask someone else. It's just that you're right here and all..."
Against his better judgement, Zoro got up to help Chopper move the cot back into the infirmary. They maneuvered the bed through the doorway, with Zoro in front at the foot of the cot, and Chopper at the head. Zoro turned to look behind himself, only to see that the desk had been moved to block the exit to the galley. When he looked back, Chopper was blocking the other door in heavy point. Well, that'd teach him to ignore his instincts...
"Please," Chopper gestured to the bed again, "have a seat."
"This is about me not coming in for those shots, isn't it?" Zoro sighed.
"Why haven't you?" Chopper was honestly curious. "I know you don't really mind needles, so that's not it. Is it having to stay in the infirmary? Are you claustrophobic?" The space was quite small compared to some of the other locations on the Thousand Sunny.
"It's not the size of the space," Zoro admitted grudgingly. "It's the kind of space."
"You've been here for treatment before," Chopper pointed out. "Why is this different?"
"Ever notice how I'm always out of here as soon as you'll let me leave?" Chopper nodded. "This time I have to stay, and I don't really like medical rooms." Now that Zoro was talking about it, he couldn't seem to stop himself, and the words kept flowing. "I know it's stupid, since I need to be treated a lot and it's usually my own damn fault, but I'm only here when I absolutely have to be and I associate it with pain. It's nothing personal, honest!"
"I think I understand." Chopper had shifted back to his small form, and he rested a comforting hoof on Zoro's knee. "I had a similar problem when I first started living with Doctor. His home smelled strongly of human and I had only ever had very bad experiences with people before he found me. The walls felt like a cage and I missed the feel of the wind. His home was full of strange equipment and other items I had never seen before and some of them frightened me. Doctor was very patient and encouraged me to explore on my own and ask questions until I felt more comfortable.
"Nothing in this infirmary is meant to cause pain. I'd like for you to see this as a place of healing and knowledge, like I do. If it would help take your mind off being stuck in here, you can ask me about anything you see here or any other questions you might have."
Zoro hated feeling like he was being pitied--even if he wasn't--and never backed down from a challenge if he could help it. He took a deep, calming breath.
"Okay, let's get this over with!"
***
Chopper had let the rest of the crew in on his plan, encouraging them all to help herd Zoro toward the infirmary. They were now all gathered in the galley, staring at the door to the room in question. Zoro and Chopper had been in there a long time, and it was awfully quiet.
"I do hope neither of them is dead," Robin remarked off-handedly, taking a sip of her coffee.
"D-dead?" Usopp gulped. "Seriously?"
"Don't be ridiculous!" Nami snapped, but she hadn't taken her eyes off the door. "Perhaps you should check on them, Robin?"
"I would hate to breach medical privacy."
"Maybe they're napping," Luffy suggested.
"It's almost dinner time," Sanji commented, idly chewing on the end of his cigarette. He narrowed his eyes and stepped forward. "No one's missing a meal on my watch, unless they are dead!" He tapped the door sharply several times with the toe of one shoe.
"Yes?" Chopper's voice asked from within. The door opened, revealing that the desk had been returned to its usual location. Zoro and Chopper were sitting on the floor in front of Chopper's supply shelves.
"Dinner time already?" Zoro asked, noting the presence of everyone else at the table.
"Soon..." Sanji blinked. What were they doing?
The occupants of the infirmary left the door open, turning back to the shelf and tuning out the crew in the other room.
"What about this one?" Zoro handed Chopper a jar full of dried roots. "What's 'Butterfly Weed' do?"
"A warm infusion of the root can help with chest congestion, but you have to be careful with the dosing or it'll make you vomit."
"Gross..." Zoro made a face and put the jar back. "This one?" He handed the doctor another jar.
"Feverfew has lots of uses..."
"Chopper never lets me touch the herb jars!" The captain pouted.
"Brotherly bonding is so super..." Franky sniffed. "I'm not crying!"
Robin smiled and sprouted a hand from the floor, pushing the door shut again.