tushanshu | video

[There's an almost lazy arrogance in Sep's posture as he regards the camera, and a small smile on his handsome face. He seems incredibly pleased with himself--and he is. After a moment in which he clearly considers what to say, he lets out a quick, amused breath. His smile softens a little.]

For any new arrivals, and those I haven't met, I'm Sep. I didn't want to speak before I was certain I could deliver. Now I am.

I'm a healer. [The pause shows a brief flicker of distaste on his face, before settling into something more serious. He hates the word he's about to use.] Functionally speaking, I draw on the... magic in water. As such, at home we generally work with patients in a tub of water. For some, the more powerful can work without, but it's not our preference.

As far as specialty, I'm most familiar with injuries, any kind that needs attention. By my people's standards I am more skilled than most. [He frowns briefly.] Serious illness generally takes longer, and is more exhausting. And with injuries, there are limits. With any luck we won't have to face anything truly serious.

I know some people won't be quite as comfortable with healing by [almost invisible pause] magic as my people are. For us, it's as everyday as breathing. Obviously I'll respect your boundaries, whatever they are, though I hope you'll take the professional's advice.

[Faint amusement glitters in his bright green eyes.] I'll be working out of my suite in WA-3A. [It's just more convenient.] Come by whenever you need to, especially for emergencies.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It is foolish to be otherwise. I imagine you'll have no shortage of takers.

[implication being: EVERYONE'S AN IDIOT BUT HER, GOSH.]

[Mildly:] It is foolish not to consider all options when in pain. Stoic suffering isn't particularly useful.

[That almost elicits a laugh.]

You have not had much cause to suffer, then, in your life.

[Septimus decides it's a good thing she can't see his face.

His mild tone doesn't waver--but somewhere faintly in the background is an almost unnoticeable hiss. In the nearest pool of water, the temperature has spiked sharply.]

I've seen people with far worse lives.

Seeing is not experiencing.

[and that is seriously a lesson she wishes she could cram down the collective throat of America.]

I never said it was.

[After all, he'd just agreed with her about not having the most suffering-inducing life. Except for that end bit, there.

Something in his tone, however, distinctly suggests: 'I think we're digressing a little. Your point?']

[the point is being a douchebag, Sep, gosh.]

No. But you cannot hope to empathize with an experience you have not had. Too many people make that mistake.

I never said I was.

[So maybe he's decided the best way to be infuriating is not to lose his temper, just be entirely unhelpful, and hide mountains of sarcasm and irony and all manner of sharp edges behind a mildness Isana would be proud of.]

[Of course he'd take that road. He practically bleeds a need to turn the other cheek.]

And what are you trying to accomplish?

Make a living doing something that isn't mind-numbingly boring.

[Obviously. (He likes being perverse.)]

[the rolling of her eyes is almost audible.]

Boredom is the sign of an unused mind.

[who said she can't be philosophical and deadly.]

Which is why the choice of profession.

[She wants to be philosophical, so he'll be stubbornly practical.]

You think you will get business enough to stave it off?

[oh you.]

Yes.

And here I thought you an optimist.

Thinking I'll get enough business for a living isn't optimistic?

Relying on other people being injured to make that living is not optimistic.

[Helpfully:] They needn't be injured. They could fall ill. [Yes, his sense of humor is warped.]

To be sick and wasting is worse than injury. It is pathetic.

[Warped humor is one thing. This? Not it.]

People have even less of a choice about it than injury. If I can ameliorate it, so much the better.

Hn.

[And with that, she disconnects the feed.]

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