First Aid Course Part 1

Elysium | Vindaya | al-Fasis 03/05/2019
Vindaya wasn’t excited for this per se, but she was very glad to be occupying herself with something. The past two days had been mostly uneventful, which for her, was not a good thing. At least she’d mostly healed from Sunday’s ordeal, left only with half-healed broken ribs and the mostly healed bullet wound. She’d never been in a teaching position before and honestly wasn’t sure she was cut out for it, but she knew it was useful and she was best qualified. Besides, she knew the subject matter very well—how hard could it be? True, she didn’t know what it was to assess someone’s injuries without a special power helping, but she’d learned the normal way along with every other doctor and could at least pass on what she’d learned and try to fill in the gaps. Checking the time on her phone, she decided that once she was satisfied that she had enough of an audience—or as much of one as she was going to get—she’d begin with skills that would’ve been useful on Sunday: cleaning, dressing, and if necessary stitching wounds and burns. With this in mind, she started by handing out a couple of suture practice kits Andy had helpfully procured for this purpose. They were a little pricey, so not knowing how many people would attend, she’d erred on the side of asking for fewer, figuring if there weren’t enough, people could always share.

sephet 03/05/2019
Kyle already lived there anyway, and he figured if he wasn’t going to be useful on the field he could do something after the fact. He shoved his hands in his pockets and stood back a bit to watch but hopefully not get called on. He didn’t even take biology in high school, if biology had anything to do with learning how people worked, he didn’t know. He was completely out of his depth but hopefully he could figure out something that kept people from bleeding out or something.

Plus he’d been meaning to ask someone who knew if ability to afflict the skin could be turned into something more productive. Fire with fire or something like that. It would be nice if he could help.

March 6, 2019

Rose | Rhett | Marci 03/06/2019
Marceline was half expecting Headquarters to be packed after getting the notification from Andy the previous day. It was a bit of a shock to see there was only a couple others there, including the Doctor. Smiling pleasantly to her company as she entered the house, the illusionist shrugged off her coat by the door then hung it up for safe keeping. “Hey, babes.” Her attention drifted between Vindaya and Kyle before glancing around the rest of the room. “Where is everyone?” Looking at the time on her phone, it was just after five. “Thanks for holding a class in this stuff, Vindaya. This’ll come in handy, for sure.” She took a seat just as Daya handed out the practice kits. Being unfamiliar with the contents, she thumbed through it quietly. (edited)

birdman | Valentine 03/06/2019
"Honestly," grumbled a two-minute-late Valentine from the stairs, as he sauntered toward the living room half-dressed and still sleepy. He'd been making the most out of daytime naps, as his time-telling skills were rather subpar for someone who could see the future, if at all. "I really oughtta stop being late for these things, sorry for holding everyone up."

It'd been in his head since yesterday to make sure to go to Vindaya's first aid lesson- as someone who was a little bit more hands-off than most of his team members, it'd be a right brilliant thing to gain some skills in, and this seemed like the right way to start.

Mouse 03/06/2019
Dax was groggy from the night before. It honestly hadn't improved his mood when Marci had practically dragged him by his ear back to headquarters. He walked in behind her the expression on his face already one of disinterest. He wasn't really the sort of before who tended to your papercuts. He didn't move to take off his leather jacket, the thing was beaten up and worn but it was the only upper wear he owned that wasn't a t-shirt. "Hey." He said curtly as he cast his cold blue eyes over the group.

His eyes were bloodshot and it was clear her hadn't slept very well. He ran a hand through his hair, which he hadn't brushed so it was stuck up in every direction. He stood in the corner of the room, not moving to sit with the others only taking a practice kit from the girl who had healed him the night before because he owed her one. Although his shoulder was still killing him, bruising had formed around the wound but he had managed it well last night with his usual mix of alcohol.

Elysium | Vindaya | al-Fasis 03/06/2019
Vindaya wasn’t surprised that the turnout wasn’t that large, and was partially comprised of people who clearly didn’t want to be there, but it didn’t matter much to her; it was for their benefit, not hers. (Never mind that she was likely the one who needed the most stitching up, but she could do that herself.) To Marci, she shrugged and acknowledged her thanks with a quick nod. Once she figured she had as many people as she was going to get (and everyone with their own kit), she launched in without much fanfare. “Not every cut needs stitches.” As she continued on about the the depths and lengths of cuts that did or did not need stitches, she eyed Valentine; despite their uncomfortable conversation, she held no ill feelings towards him (save for the vague discomfort she had with just about everyone for varying reasons) and she was very aware that all of these visual descriptions must be at least partially lost on him. So while she gave a brief description on cleaning cuts and preparing to do stitches—what to use ideally, what to use in a pinch, where to find these things in Andy’s house now that they had them—she made her way over to Valentine. “I’m next to you, Valentine,” she said quietly, unsure how many gaps his ability filled in. “If it’s alright with you, I’m going to physically guide you.” To everyone else, she gave a quick description of what the kit included and how to use it, and then holding up her own tools, demonstrated with slow but practiced ease how to complete the first suture.

sephet 03/06/2019
Lilah hated running late, but it was just plain impossible to make it on time for 5pm. While she had stopped back at home to take Gert for a short walk, she hadn’t stopped for anything else. Dog safely returned home with an empty bladder and full bowls, she booked it back out of the house and to HQ. She entered the building somewhat breathless with her frustration at running late and kicked off the flats she’d worn for driving then hung up her coat. She was still dressed up in work clothes, tight pencil skirt and shiny silk-like button up, her hair in a fashionably messy bun and her makeup a bit more ‘beauty vlogger’ than usual, sharp wing and well-blended contouring included. “I’m so sorry.” She rushed in to take a seat, feeling like the world’s biggest jerk. She just couldn’t afford to take too much time off work.

March 8, 2019

Vodka Aunt 03/08/2019
Tempest was usually the kind of person who preferred showing up a few minutes earlier than the agreed-upon meeting time. However, her car didn't agree with her time schedule this morning. Tempest's arrival was heralded by the screeching of her car's failing brakes outside of the HQ. She caught the tail end of Lilah's entrance and felt relieved she wasn't the only one running behind. She hung her sooty jacket on the coatrack, careful not to smudge anyone else's stuff. She didnt have the time nor money to clean it properly so she had to make do with a cloth and some soapy water. Her apologies echoed Lilah, and she kept her head down and refused to make eye contact with Vindaya as she found a free seat

Mob Boss Peggy 03/08/2019
Andy had been rather excited about Vindaya teaching the others how to care for one another. They had both agreed that it was crucial for them to know how to patch each other up. Finch had spent a great deal of time the past couple of days stocking headquarters with everything they needed for that purpose, including the practice tools, and Andy had assigned one of the spare rooms to stock it all in for now. At the moment, his home was again filled with people. Andy was sitting on the floor in front of the fireplace where it wasn't cold. He was dressed a little out of the ordinary that afternoon. He had been receiving little care packages here and there from Mr. Greene containing articles of fireproof clothing. Although most of it really wasn't his style, Andy couldn't deny that most, if not all of the things that were sent to him were very comfortable. Today, instead of his layers of sweaters or kendo gi, Andy wore a single white pullover (which was definitely going to get dirty) and jeans that were better fitting than what he was used to. With his hair pulled back out of his eyes and reading glasses sitting on his nose, Andy concentrated on doing the different types of sutures on the silicone pad. (edited)

March 9, 2019

Rose | Rhett | Marci 03/09/2019
Marci looked around the room as more people arrived. She was happy with the turnout even if it was only a fraction of their group. It seemed that Andy was also among them, his style different from the layers he usually wore. She quickly realized that what he was wearing must’ve been from Greene, the genius man she’d met with a couple days prior.

As Vindaya began her explaining, Marci realized not everyone had one of the kits. One girl in particular caught her attention. The beautiful blue in her hair had distracted the illusionist briefly before going to take a seat beside the younger hero. “Hey, babe, mind if we pair up?” She shook the box of medical supplies gently before seating herself and giving Tempest an enthusiastic smile. “I like ya hair, by the way.”

March 10, 2019

birdman | Valentine 03/10/2019
Valentine remained in a state of fatigue from the big day, and had taken a bit of time to get started with things- it certainly felt a lot like school, trying to work off of vague instructions based upon a diagram, or various anatomical drawings. When Vindaya finally came around to him, he gave a sigh of relief.

"oh, thank fuck," he said, holding his unopened kit with no rhyme or reason. "where do I even start?"

Elysium | Vindaya | al-Fasis 03/10/2019
Vindaya didn’t truthfully care much if people were late. They were adults and they were only hurting themselves by missing potentially useful information—and they could always ask her to get caught up later. So she acknowledged latecomers with quick glances and polite smiles and gestures to what materials were left—they ran out of kits, Vindaya was glad Marci took the initiative to pair up. “Anybody who just walked in, you might have to share too,” she said, indicating the pair of them. She placed her hands on top of Val’s and guided him slowly, narrating as she did so what she was doing and why. “Try a suture by yourself,” she instructed, and then chanced a glance up. Catching sight of Andy, she began again to suspect that he was there to judge and assess her. Was that even fair? She was no teacher and volunteering her time like this was already demonstrative enough, wasn’t it? Straightening her back, she singled out one of the less enthusiastic of the bunch, intent on getting Andy off her back. “Kyle, are you following alright? Have you been able to complete a few sutures?” @sephet (edited)

birdman | Valentine 03/10/2019
Vindaya's instructions had helped... Marginally. He was intent on listening as closely as he could, but still didn't quite understand what he was doing, or how he'd get any level of success out of it. The feeling of sticking a needle into silocone made him want to gag, and he could only imagine how it'd feel going into actual human flesh. Gross.

He thanked her as she moved on to Kyle, leaning in very closely to his practice, as if he was watching himself closely. It was something more akin to listening, or maybe keeping all his movements in one very small area. His hands were, of course, remarkably steady- he was a musician after all- but without any sort of coordination he had nothing really to go off of. He hoped the job was done right- this could save someone's life, after all.

Mob Boss Peggy 03/10/2019
It had been a long ass day. Like, longer than usual somehow. Leo had been up since five in the morning and had been carefully nurturing his caffeine addiction the entire day. It was a full day, with classes from 7-9, 10-1, 3-5, and one at night that he was yet to teach. Yeah, Wednesdays weren't fun. He looked down at the message from Andy for the hundredth time, pondering whether he should show up or not. His body screamed not to, but... He didn't know, he just kinda' wanted to. The doctor was doing this out of the kindness of her heart, probably, so it would've been fucked up - as her closest friend in the group - for him not to attend. Yeah, sure. Leo strode in super late, wearing dark shades to hide how tired he was. In his hand was a big to-go cup of strong, hot coffee. He was dressed in his proper, stuffy professor clothes. "Don't mind me, amigos, I'm just here to watch. I have class at seven, so... Pretend I'm not here." He said lazily as he plopped down right on the couch and leaned all the way back. Probably a bad idea. (edited)

sephet 03/10/2019
“Uh. I think I got a bit…” He looked down at his slightly shaky very uneven stitches, his fingers just weren’t quite doing what his brain told them to do. “I’m not goin’ to med school any time soon, doc. I gotta admit that.”

It was pretty frustrating not having the slightest idea what he was doing, maybe he’d kind of thought first aid class would start with more beginner stuff? Maybe he was just behind enough that beginner stuff seemed complicated? “I think I’m stuck bein’ the guy who calls 911.”

March 11, 2019

Elysium | Vindaya | al-Fasis 03/11/2019
Vindaya remembered some of her fellow doctors early in med school having stitches not unlike Kyle’s. It was a starting point and many people weren’t naturally coordinated (herself included, though she was generally better at working with her hands). It took practice, but she was satisfied that he was trying—as was Valentine, despite the fact that he had every reason not to even bother. That was respectable. “You’re fine,” Vindaya said, examining his sutures. “It doesn’t have to be pretty and we all start somewhere.” Glancing around and noting that everyone had at least gotten some practice in with the suture kit—and Leo was here now, Vindaya wondering why he’d bothered—she decided that perhaps they should try something else that required less fine motor skills and precision. “The kits will always be available for practice on your own time,” she said. They’d go in the spare room with all the other medical supplies for the moment. “Since we have several people now, let’s try applying tourniquets.” There were plenty of these; she held up one, an official medical grade one with a buckle and everything. She explained what it was used for and when to use one, alternatives including other types of tourniquets and makeshift ones in an emergency, and then paused. “Would someone be willing to let me demonstrate on them? Then you could all partner up and practice on someone else.”

Rose | Rhett | Marci 03/11/2019
Rhett had slowly but surely made his way downstairs bundled up in a quilt that just barely drug on the ground behind him. He was still a bit drowsy from the nap he’d taken but awake enough to listen in on what was apparently being explained. He hadn’t the slightest clue about what was happening. His eyes briefly glancing over the kits in front of most everyone. Andy was the only one, other than Daya, who seemed to actually know what they were doing so at least he wasn’t the only one confused by all of this.

That was further confirmed by Kyle’s outward dismay over the messy sutures. Honestly, Rhett didn’t think he could do them any better. Regardless of his hesitation to join, Daya’s calling for a volunteer gave him an easy entrance. It was only fair for him to be of some assistance. “I’ll do it.” He stiffled a yawn and walked closer, shrugging off the quilt and tossing it over the seemingly passed out Matador. “I don’t really know what we’re doing, though.” He smiled apologetically at the doctor and waited for instruction while observing the tourniquet in hand.

Rose | Rhett | Marci 03/11/2019
Marceline bussied herself with the kit trying to follow along with the doctor’s instructions while also wondering about the blue-haired babe beside her. When conversation didn’t seem to pick up, she turned her attention to one of the newer arrivals. Leo had come in, making an entry as always, then proceeded to collapse into the sofa. Her eyes wandered over the visibly tired man before another late arrival appeared.

Looking up as Rhett joined the party, she didn’t have time to greet him as the quilt he’d been wrapped in was flung over Leonardo. A soft chuckle left the woman as she stood and moved back to the couch where she’d originated. Reaching down, she pulled the blanket from him and curiously poked at the sunglasses resting over his eyes. “Rough day, indeed.” She smiled before filling the empty space beside him. “Why are you really here if you have no plans of participating?”

Mob Boss Peggy 03/11/2019
Leo was fully intending on learning something from Vindaya's class until his back hit the soft, lived-in couch. The doctor's calm and controlled voice as she spoke about her craft was the icing on the cake. By the time a quilt had been thrown on him, Leo had dozed off behind his dark sunglasses, with his arms folded as if he were still listening. His cup of hot coffee was sitting on the table next to some of the medical materials. It was a prying finger's prod that jolted him awake. He opened his eyes to see Marceline grinning at him. Rough day, but not such a rough sight to wake up to. "I told you, I'm observing. It's a valid method of learning for intelligent people." He responded, lifting his arms up to rest behind his head.

March 12, 2019

Chew I Venus I Cole I Dee Dee 03/12/2019
Cole had tried his best to be on time, he really had, but after getting back a history quiz with a failing grade he was forced to stay back and meet the teacher after school. After an hour of going through his answers and being told exactly what he did wrong he'd been told to try better studying practices next time. This in itself involved a lecture from his mother when he got home, because he didn't hide anything from her, and followed with the need to perform some real convincing so she would give him a ride to attend the first aid tutorial. It failed. After two bus rides he finally made it in and rushed into the building, dropping his phone as he walked in, and bee-lining towards the cluster of heroes fumbling to get acquainted with all the tools. Cole shed his coat and skittered around trying not to make noise, then took a seat next to Val and close to Vindaya. Quite frankly the doctor intimidated him, the authoritative air about her making him sit with his back straight. "Sorry I'm late" he uttered quickly and quietly, then took a tourniquet for himself and turned to Val. "Hey, dude. You want to give it a go?" @birdman | Valentine (edited)

birdman | Valentine 03/12/2019
"Dude have you fuckin seen this?" Valentine almost screeched as soon as Cole sat down beside him, relieved he had somebody he could complain to already. "Holy shit, listen, if we're ever stuck on a desert island and I've gotta sew you up, I want you to embrace the knowledge that you're dead meat already, alright?" He laughed, leaning back so Cole could see his handiwork. "I am too, if Vindaya doesn't up and murder me over this botched job, eh?" he passed his finish work to Cole, with a sigh. "Dude, It's been a fucking while since you've been around, our first mission was... whew," he said in a low voice, wanting to explain the whole thing. "Not gonna lie, predicting a death count correctly fucking sucks when you're there to save people." he shuddered. "How'd you do on that test though, hey?"

Elysium | Vindaya | al-Fasis 03/12/2019
Vindaya turned when Rhett volunteered, taking his sudden appearance—and lateness—in stride. “Thank you, Rhett,” she said, gesturing for him to stand near her. “We’re learning how to apply tourniquets. I’m going to demonstrate on you, but I won’t tighten it all the way.” She waved off Cole’s apology—she heard him and Val talking, but didn’t comment—and then held out Rhett’s arm to demonstrate first the proper location for a tourniquet relative to the wound itself. While she didn’t mind giving the class, she wasn’t sure anyone was actually getting much out of this. It was their first pass, granted, and this was more of a crash course than a real skill building class, but still… Hoping to get people more engaged, she quickly demonstrated on Rhett’s arm how to buckle and tighten the tourniquet, though she didn’t tighten it very much at all. As she loosened and removed it from Rhett’s arm she said, “I suggest trying on a partner to get familiar with the motion.” There were several tourniquets laid out for use, more than enough for whoever wanted to practice. To Rhett, she said, “Do you have any interest in trying? You can practice on me, if you’d like. Or you could partner up with someone else.” While Cole and Val and Marci and Leo were already paired off, between Dax, Kyle, Andy, Lilah, and Tempest, there was certainly no lack of options.

Mob Boss Peggy 03/12/2019
Andy gazed down at his sutures with a little smile. They weren't perfect, but they were pretty good. Looking around the room, compared to everyone else's, they looked much better. He was pleased so see that so many people had come to learn. Andy wasn't going to take the lead tonight. He was quiet and obedient under the direction of Vindaya. He watched everything she showed them with interest. When it was time to pair off, Andy's attention automatically shifted to any stragglers. Naturally, it was the man standing in the corner in his lonesome. "Dax! Come over here, let's practice together!" @Mouse (edited)

Mouse 03/12/2019
Dax had feigned a vague interest in what Vindaya was teaching everyone. Mostly out of respect for the girl. So when Andy offered for him to practice with him he didnt look over the moon. He was feeling rough, a product of very little sleep. Still he pushed himself roughly from the wall he was leaning against and moved toward Andy. Throwing himself into the seat next to him. "Go on then" he said gruffly gesturing toward the kit half heartedly. Dax hadnt really spoken to Andy since hed given him that awkward long winded speech and then pretty much bolted. He had surprised himself that he was a little pissed Andy didnt check in with him much after hed been shot. He figured the guy had a lot on his plate but his rational thoughts had been superseded by the irritation caused by his exhaustion. He just wanted to go back to Marcis and sleep in that comfy bed. That or blow some shit up. Either would work.

Chew I Venus I Cole I Dee Dee 03/12/2019
Cole looked over to the sutured Soothsayer had sewn into the the silicone dummy and burst out laughing "guess that means we're never vacationing together. What the hell, Val? This looks like a death metal band logo," he pointed, inspecting the random directions all the sutures seemed to be going in. "Yeah I know," he agreed with slumping shoulders "been busy. I saw it on the news, though. I don't know about that, man... you got the team ready for the fire, it must've saved you guys a lot of stress and fumbling once you arrived." He took the silicone dummy and tried to add a few sutures himself while he still had time, repeating the motions he used to sew the holes on the second-hand jackets he loved so much. "Test was a glorious swan dive into a solid F, eh" he answered, mocking his friend's accent "I have to do better on the next one." When Vindaya spoke up again to show them how to use the tourniquet Cole turned to pay attention. The contraption looked very complicated but once she used Rhett as an example, it turned out not to be that difficult. "Alright, buddy" Cole spoke, claiming Val's attention and taking one tourniquet to use. "This is your vindication" he stated, slipping his arm into the circular hold and then extending it to Val. He placed the man's hands on the important bits "okay, now tug it an secure it. You heard her– not too tight. I need this arm to retake that exam." (edited)

March 13, 2019

Mob Boss Peggy 03/13/2019
Andy scooted over to make room for Dax on the floor. Right off the bat, he noticed that the man was tired or frustrated, or both. The poor guy was still injured. Andy saw the look on Dax's face, but didn't look too affected by it, holding his own smile. He really was happy to see him there.

"Hey!" He greeted, cheerfully, keeping his voice low and discreet. Andy handed the tourniquet to Dax and offered up his arm for practice. "How are you doing, man? I hadn't heard anything from you. I was starting to get worried."