fracturedvoyagerpg | 01. some Plague moving through the crew

July 2020

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Messrs. Mason and Gowda have informed Captain Crozier and myself that they are carriers of an Illness endemic to their native era. It is an Affliction that may be spread by certain Bodily Fluids, such as Blood or Sputum, but cannot be casually transmitted via the Air or simple contact. We are satisfied that they present no immediate Danger, but in the event of injury to either man, the following Precautions must be taken:

Firstly: summon me at once.

Secondly: do not touch any blood or other fluids. Oilcloth gloves and coats may be used as protection against Direct Contact.

Thirdly: we have reserved the Gin stores for cleaning, in the event. Several Bottles are available on each deck and are marked for Hygiene only. Please refrain from consuming them.

Please bring any Concerns to Captain Crozier and myself.

—Harry D. S. Goodsir
~~Assistant Surgeon~~
~~Surgeon~~
~~Assistant~~ Surgeon, HMS Terror and Erebus

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Thank you, Mr. Goodsir. I'm happy to help with any questions, as well.

Private

I didn't see much of you during that... resort visit. How are you?

In truth I did not leave my hotel room for the entire duration.

What a bewildering place.

Does that mean you were yourself through that? I'm glad to hear it.

It was... very different, but in a lot of ways, very similar to where I'm from.

No, I remained myself—which indeed played no small part in my decision to remain in hiding.

Everything struck me as—it's difficult to find the words. Trying very hard, I suppose. Desperate in a way you'd not immediately see on the surface.

I can't blame you. I did much the same, and it was at least familiar to me.

You seem to have found exactly the words, Mr. Goodsir. Social media is all about appearances, and attention, and getting as many people to look at what you're doing or creating as you can. Ratings are everything. Businesses are built and destroyed by page views and reputations.

I've mentioned that I'm a journalist. I run a site--with Shaun, and spend an inordinate amount of time monitoring those statistics. It can be maddening.

A—site? Is that like a newspaper?

You said that the illness can't be spread via simple contact. What about more...prolonged or internal contact? Something along the lines of the French disease or ingesting certain fluids, for example.

[ do you get zombie plague by fucking? inquiring minds want to know. ]

Someone's got to take one for the team and ask!

What he said.

[ In the sick bay, Harry takes his glasses off and slowly drags his hand down his face before putting his glasses back on and writing his response. ]

According to Messrs. Gowda and Mason, sweat and reproductive fluids pose no Danger. [ You're welcome, Shaun and Mahir. ]

You are a true hero.

God. Why.

Nevermind.

Ours not to reason why, Mr. Mason.

Good to know!

[ Dorian is just happy that he got to fill his 'make someone uncomfortable' quota for the day. ]

Glad we got the important questions out of the way.

[A few days after his conversation with Crozier, Goodsir will find a book on top of his desk. There's a note bookmarking a page:]

I haven't the slightest ~~clew~~ ~~clo~~ clue has to how this ended up in our library. Perhaps I willed it into ~~existanc~~ existence. Perhaps I dreamed it. Perhaps I stole it from Joss, though I hope not.

Until we see the Antarctic, Mr. Goodsir, I hope this will suffice.

Edited Date: 2020-05-22 01:02 am (UTC)

Harry goes looking for Crozier almost immediately.

Crozier doesn't expect to see Goodsir so soon after dropping off the journal. He's pleased with himself for finding it -- serendipitous, some might call it. Those who maybe weren't in a dream anyway.

When Goodsir finds him he's pouring through the rest of the books in the great cabin. He just wants to be sure there isn't anything else he's missed since Hooker's journal mysteriously appeared.

"Captain." He holds up the book. "This is—I wanted to thank you. In person. This is—it's remarkable. Thank you."

His voice is actually shaky with emotion.

He sets the stack of books in his arms down onto the table, sharing a gentle smile with the anatomist.

"Did you see the sketch?" he asks quietly, almost hopefully.

"I did. It's delightful." Harry beams. "I corresponded a little with him, you know, but I'd not seen his drawings. What a charming little beast."

Crozier brightens. He hadn't realized Goodsir had exchanged letters with Hooker, but it makes perfect sense.

"The Adélie penguin. Fierce little thing, no fear of man whatsoever. They would come right up to us."

"Imagine." Harry looks—and honestly is—happier than he's been in a very long time. "Thank you, sir. I don't ... I surely don't understand how the journal came to be here, but it's a wonderful thing. I'm very grateful."

"I don't either, but I'm not going to question a good thing." Not if it brings that kind of light to Goodsir's face.

"When you finish reading it, why don't you join me for a cup of tea?

"Certainly," Harry says. "I—is there anything you need just now, sir?"

Because he really does want to get back to reading.

Crozier lets out a soft laugh.

"No, no. Dismissed, Goodsir."

[Jopson cautiously enters the sick bay, calling out softly.] Mr. Goodsir? If you are in, I require your assistance. [And if he's not, then Jopson will go find him. Because he is worried, sir!]

[ Harry is sitting at his desk, writing in a notebook. He looks up when Jopson enters and stands. ]

Lieutenant Jopson. What can I do for you?

[Jopson puts out a gentle hand, then touches his lip, still split and a bit swollen.]

I wondered if you had a remedy for this, or something to alleviate the pain. It is only a minor wound, but I thought it better to ask.

[It was a flimsy excuse and Jopson knew it, but he did want to see how the man was faring without drawing attention to that fact. His last announcement had left the Lieutenant worried.]

I can make you a poultice, if you like? That may reduce the inflammation and help it heal more quickly.

Would you mind if I stay while you make it? I admit that I would enjoy the company.

Not at all. Take a seat if you like—make yourself at home.

[ Harry sets to work, picking out the ingredients and materials he needs and putting on some water to heat over a small spirit-lamp. ]

[Jopson found a place to sit and watched the surgeon for a moment.]

It is interesting about the two men.

What? Oh. Yes, yes it is.

[ A little vague and distracted, to be sure, but he is mixing up some ingredients in a mortar. ]

I do believe they are safe. Mostly, I'm glad they told us.

If I may... [He pauses, clearly trying to think of how to ask.] Have you carried this knowledge for long?

[ Ah. He's in the middle of wrapping the contents of the poultice in a bit of cloth, prior to dousing the whole with warm water, but he stops. ]

Two, three weeks? [ He's embarrassed by this, and ashamed. ] Please understand, I didn't withhold the information on purpose. Events ... [ A vague gesture, encompassing everything. ] A distraction. Too much of one to communicate the matter in a timely fashion. We're lucky nothing happened to them in that time.

[He tsks softly.] I'm not admonishing you for keeping the information, Mr. Goodsir. Please don't misunderstand my meaning. I trust that you will keep us from harm, no matter the reason. Nevertheless, you need not carry that alone. [And Jopson has been feeling very much alone, so he hates to think of the other man in the same position.]

The captain knew as well.

[ A little tetchy, and he knows that's not Jopson's point. He finishes folding up the poultice and hands it to him carefully. ]

Here—this should help you.

[He doesn't actually mind the tone. But the words themselves...

He takes the poultice gratefully.]

The Captain and I are not speaking at the moment.

[ That pulls him up short indeed. ]

You're not?

[Jopson knew that was startling, but he also feels as thought it is necessary to bring up.]

No. The Captain feels as if it would be better for us to have a reprieve of each other.

[ Harry stares in blank puzzlement for a moment, then his expression clears as he remembers—]

Ah. Because of the ... event. I see. I am sorry to hear it. Not for long, I hope.

[ Particularly because they're all very much in one another's pockets here, and having two people—one of whom is the captain—not on speaking terms is not going to go well if it drags on for too long.. ]

[A nod.]

I hope for the same. He mentioned seven days.

[ Harry nods, relieved. ]

I see. Well—I hope all goes as you intend.

[He stands, thanking him softly for the poultice.]

I do, as well. If you need anything, Mr. Goodsir, do not hesitate to find me. I have quite a bit more time now.

Of course. Thank you, Lieutenant.

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