video;

[virology]

[Have a Marta, everyone. She's sitting at a cafe console for the first time since her initial arrival last week. After the last few days of recovering from being on the run, exploring the city, and keeping an eye on Aaron's wounds, she's finally ready to see just who's around.

Hair pulled back in a ponytail, and with a cup of tea not far from her hand, she starts a video feed.]

Good morning, everyone. My name is June. [Look at that, she didn't stumble on the fake name or anything!] I've been looking around the city and--it's quite incredible isn't it?

The level of technology is a great deal less advanced than where I'm from, however. Has anyone seen anything remotely resembling a laboratory or a hospital here?

[She pauses briefly, a moment of awkwardness, then summons a half-smile.]

Thank you for your time.

Comments

action; clint

[virology]

[Post done, she leans back in her chair in the cafe and picks up her tea. She takes a sip and looks around while waiting for replies. Well, the truth is she's looking at the entrance of the cafe, waiting for Aaron to check in. She isn't entirely comfortable there alone among the kedan, not knowing them well enough to predict their behavior, but there seems less chance of her being in danger on Tu Vishan than back home, she supposes.

With a sigh, she grabs a spoon to give her tea another stir and takes a longer, slower sip as she watches the door.]

[arches]

<sub>( Clint has not yet gotten to the point of “relaxed.” In fact, even though he’s found Natasha and gotten his bearings a bit, he is still the opposite of “relaxed.” The fact that his bow is too conspicuous to carry and has to be left in his apartment really doesn’t help matters. He keeps his knife and gun tucked beneath the folds of his newly-acquired clothes, but it isn’t the same, and he is always on edge.

It also doesn’t help that this coffee tastes like crap. To be fair, it isn’t bad, exactly. But it’s off, and that does nothing put him at ease, not with his sense and attention to detail.

But basically the point of all that is that shortly after Marta makes her post, Clint walks in, orders a cup of coffee, and sits down at a table by a window. He stirs his drink idly as he watches the street. )</sub>

[virology]

[Marta doesn't try to predict what Aaron does half the time, as a lot of what happens seems to be easily summed up as "spy stuff" and its in her best interest to just go along with it.

When Clint walks in and doesn't look at her, wearing different clothes, she can't help but wonder if something has happened, especially when he doesn't look at her, doesn't sit with her, or anything. She hesitates a moment, wondering if she's supposed to stay away, pretend to not know him as in the airport, and looks over at him for a sign. A subtle shake of the head, anything.]

[arches]

_{( Eventually watching the world from the window gets boring, and Clint turns a bit to scan the café instead. His gaze is lazy, and slow, as he takes in all the details. It’s a habit—making sure he knows at least three ways out of any enclosed space, counting the number of heads in the room—but its soothing, in its own strange way. Eventually, his gaze will land on Marta—she’s by the consoles, so he takes her for a non-native and gives her a slight nod of acknowledgment. Not a greeting, exactly, but a show of solidarity. Or so he thinks. )}

[virology]

[Some of the tension leaves her shoulders, and she picks up her tea cup and takes it over to Clint's table. She doesn't ask if she can sit (why would she?) but simply does so.]

Is everything alright?

[arches]

_{( He's confused when she walks over--and why shouldn't he be? That wasn't an invitation. He gives her a flat look when she speaks. )}

Um. Yeah?

[virology]

[...odd. No smile. That expression? Something's wrong.]

You look tense. You didn't find any trouble out there did you?

[She gives his clothes a subtle look.]

[arches]

_{( Clint sets down his coffee and looks at her with something of an irritated look. )}

Was there something you wanted?

_{( Why have you approached me, strange lady. )}

[virology]

[...okay she knows she doesn't know Aaron very well but this isn't like him at all. She shifts back in her seat. Now it's her turn to look confused, and perhaps even a bit hurt.]

No, I suppose not. I had just finished that video post I told you I was going to make, saw you'd returned and thought I'd see if you had anything new to share.

video;

[crotcharrow]

[Have Tommy in civvies.]

A lab? You kidding? Did you see the carts?

video;

[virology]

[...it's a bit of a while later when Marta comes back to reply to Tommy, but she does. His white hair is the most remarkable shade, considering the rest of his complexion, but then with enough bleach...]

Yes, but however the level of technology evident with this console, for instance, suggests that it's not so far fetched there might be other scientific equipment here in Keeliai. Have you seen anything?

video;

[crotcharrow]

Nope, not seen anything like that yet. Why d'you want a lab anyway?

[is that slight wariness? Maybe. Tommy just really doesn't like doctors.]

video;

[virology]

[Marta seems visibly disappointed by the lack of information, and so focused on her task she doesn't really notice the wariness.]

A lab or a hospital. [The correction is gentle.] I do genetic research.

video;

[crotcharrow]

[That's enough to fire a small alarm bell in his head. But he's playing along.]

And you're just gonna continue it here? Seriously?

video;

[virology]

Not what I was researching before, no, that's impossible. However the kedan here are fascinating in their own right and I had hoped to learn more about them and what allows them to change shape like they do. Of course, this is assuming any of them wouldn't mind assisting.

Knowing where the medical facilities are is...it's simply a matter of safety really, considering what I've heard about our presence not being entirely welcome.

video;

[crotcharrow]

If we're not welcome, why would we trust their medical stuff? I mean, they probably still use like, herbs and junk.

video;

[virology]

Not entirely welcome, no, but in more serious situations we'd have no other choice. Their "herbs and junk" are better than nothing. After all, modern pharmaceuticals and vaccines are all relatively new compared to numerous herbal remedies. Plants and plant substances have been used successfully to treat all sorts of illnesses and conditions for centuries before mankind developed much of what we use today.

[Whoops, mini lecture. Marta offers a smile.]

It just seems better to be prepared for a worst-case scenario, if nothing else.

video

[shootingshields]

Admittedly, I haven't looked much along those lines nor have I been here long, so I can't say that I have. But depending on what sort of laboratory, the Metal Sector seems the most likely to house one.

video

[virology]

The metal sector does seem the most technologically advanced.

[An observation she made herself as well.]

Have you seen anything resembling a hospital here? Or a main building for medics or healers, I suppose?

video

[shootingshields]

I haven't. Most of the medical practice here seems to be limited to herbalists and healers, with the Water Sector seemingly the best for that.

video

[virology]

The water sector?

[Marta pauses to consider this.]

Thanks, I'll have to take some time to visit there more thoroughly.

video

[shootingshields]

It's not a problem. I've had no medical problems myself, so all the information I have is hearsay, but it doesn't seem to be incorrect.

video

[virology]

If I find something concrete I can let you know, if you'd like.

Hopefully there won't be a reason for any of us to make use of the medical facilities, but if there is, it would be best we're all informed, I imagine...

video

[shootingshields]

I'd appreciate that, thank you.

I certainly agree. But I'm not getting my hopes up. I do wonder who among the kidnapped might have medical experience. I imagine it'll be quite valuable, especially if it's more advanced that what's here.

[It's a general statement, but also a bit of a question, to see how June answers it]

video

[virology]

[Marta might have been more hesitant to admit that she does have medical training, however with the potential for face doubles, there's no major way to prove that she isn't who she says she is.]

I do have medical experience, actually. I'm not a general practitioner, however I do have enough training that in a pinch I could be called upon to help, or assist someone with more qualified depending on the situation. I'd say that my knowledge is easily more advanced, though not as in-depth as I might like if I'm the only doctor here.

[She's a far cry from a surgeon or anyone trained to handle emergency situations.]