001 - Video

[holbydelboy]

So, um....

[There's a man on the feed. He's looking a bit beaten up, a nice gash on his forehead that's been covered up, but... Yeah. He's smiling. From what you can see of him, he's wearing dark-blue hospital scrubs.

When he speaks, his voice has an English accent. London, if anyone knows enough about it.]

I'm still tryin' to sort this whole "city-on-a-turtle" thing out in my head. It's kinda... a lot to take in. [He laughs.] Must've been a magic grenade. Anyway... Guess I'd better introduce myself. Adrian Fletcher, call me Fletch. I'm a nurse, so... if you need help in a medical capacity, I'm your bloke.

And, well, I can sideline as a mechanic, but you lot don't seem to have many cars around here... and it's kinda been three years since I last 'ad me 'ands on a motor proper.

[He then claps his hands.]

Right. First order of business... I'm gonna need a place to stay. Then... [He looks down.] I'm gonna need to change outta these scrubs. Ain't exactly purpose-built for bein' transported to another world.

And, uh... I know this was probably all covered by the lovely young lady at the visitor's centre, but... I kinda spaced out and just nodded... Sorry, love.

Comments

[holbydelboy]

Uh... No. I didn't. I just kinda... left.

[dragonaught]

[ There's a brief sigh, but that's okay. ]

That's okay. Tell me more and I'll see if I can find you.

[holbydelboy]

[And cue Fletch stretching away from the console to squint through the window and fog, before relaying the information to Casey.]

[dragonaught]

[ Casey takes it, maybe recognizes the street, then excuses themself to go make the trip for investigation. Tally ho!! ]

[holbydelboy]

[And cue Nurse Fletcher leaning back in his chair, contemplating if he has time to try the tea here.]

[dragonaught]

[ Sure. Casey's not going to rush him out of the café. It does take time to actually get there and locate what they're pretty sure matches Fletch's description, but eventually they arrive and spot their quarry. Casey approaches, bit of a nervous smile. To all appearances, they're a fairly willowy young man whose face hasn't quite finished filling out and it makes them look younger than they are. ]

Mr. Fletcher?

[holbydelboy]

[Fletch looks up from the console, looking Casey up and down... The poor kid looks like a strong breeze would knock him over.

And he has a nervousness that would rival Dr. Digby.]

No. I'm afraid you've got the wrong person.

[He can't help it. He's even changed the accent and everything, making sure his name badge isn't visible.]

[dragonaught]

Huh?

[ They can't help it. They tense and try to hide the anxiousness that blossoms up. That it's a joke does cross their mind, but it doesn't stop the immediate reaction. ]

What? But... that's not... funny...

[holbydelboy]

[And his expression softens almost instantly. Teasing Diggers was fun, even though it was like kicking a puppy, but... Yeah. Digby could take it.]

Relax. Just a joke.

[dragonaught]

[ Casey ducks their head pretty quickly at that. It's not that fun to ruin someone's joke, but stopping a reaction like that isn't easy. At least he doesn't seem annoyed by it. ]

Oh... Okay. Um—so, you're... uh, ready to go?

[holbydelboy]

Yeah, sure...

[He slowly starts to stand up, wincing slightly.]

Lead the way.

[dragonaught]

[ That wincing isn't passing by Casey's attention, but a café isn't the place to tend any wounds regardless. Casey nods and starts showing him the way. ]

What happened?

[holbydelboy]

Nothin' I can't handle, mate.

[And Casey is flashed with a disarming smile.]

Lead on.

[dragonaught]

Don't tell me. You just need a good meal and a night's sleep?

[ There's a bit of an eyeroll to that but they aren't close enough for Casey to push. ]

Did you have any questions? Or...

[holbydelboy]

I'm a nurse. I know how to take care of meself.

[Trust him, Casey. Trust him.]

Uh, no. None at the moment.

[dragonaught]

Okay.

[ There's a pause before Casey staves off the fidgets, tries asking something else. ]

How long have you been a nurse, Mr. Fletcher?

[holbydelboy]

Fletch, please. You don't have to stand on ceremony for me.

And about three years. I was a staff nurse in the Emergency Department at Holby City Hospital for two, then I took the Ward Manager's job on the AAU.

[Don't think your slightly awkward movements haven't passed him by, Casey.]

[dragonaught]

... Okay.

[ They're a little surprised by that information, and it shows. ]

Really? That's not very long, is it?

[holbydelboy]

Two years in A&E gave me all the experience I need, if that's what you're worried about, and AAU isn't exactly a cakewalk.

[He does offer Casey a smile, though. He's not taking it personally.]

[dragonaught]

Oh! I wasn't questioning your experience... it just doesn't seem like very long for a career.

[ Or is it not that? Hmm. Casey ducks their head, regardless. ]

[holbydelboy]

I started late.

[It's simply put... and true.]

[dragonaught]

Right... I started early, kinda.

[ It's a bit of a stretch, not quite the same, but they manage a slight smile despite it. ]

Not school, but work. Life, I guess. [ Casey shakes their head. ] Did you do anything before?

[holbydelboy]

[That's a bit cryptic, Casey, and you're getting a curious look.]

Mechanic. Used to own my own shop, and, well... the recession hit.

[dragonaught]

[ For the curious look, Casey manages something embarrassed rather than secretive. ]

Emancipated when I was fourteen, that's all. [ It was a lucky break more than anything. Technically within legal bounds but life was still difficult in those early years. ]

Recession? Oh... from mechanic to nurse, though...?

[holbydelboy]

Emancipated? From what?

[He can't help but ask... besides, small talk is part of the job.]

And yeah... Birth of my third, Ella. Saw how dedicated the nursing staff was... Kinda inspired me to give back.