2020-07-10: A Second Diagnosis
- Log: A Second Diagnosis
- Cast: Lily Keil, Citan Uzuki
- Where: Apple Market
- Date: July 10, 2020
- Summary: At Fei's suggestion, Lily comes to Citan for some medical advice.
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
The accomodations for Drifters in the market area are good enough, though obviously not as nice as certain parts of town would be. This room is small but good enough; Lily didn't bother springing for something especially fancy. There's a bed, a small table with a couple of chairs, a back room area.
Lily mentioned that she wanted to discuss this matter with Citan, passed a message along, and now of course there's the matter of actually checking. She is, as patients go, somewhat less than patient in general but easier to deal with today. She's mentioned fatigue, her skin is colder than usual, and she's having a lot of muscle aches, not to mention weakness; just at the moment she's seated not only to wait but because continuing to stand takes a certain amount of effort.
She's cooperated with matters thus far, though, and despite describing pain doesn't seem to be particularly impaired by it. She's starting to get concernd, though--at nearly a week, she's definitely feeling ill effects.
But the sun is already setting, and there's been some time by now.
<Pose Tracker> Citan Uzuki has posed.
The message had been received, in fairly short order -- after all, the doctor is typically not terribly far from wherever Fei might be, so it might have been as simple as Fei himself passing along the message.
Citan had of course agreed to take a look at her and see what he could diagnose/do.
After all, on one hand, it sounds similar enough to a scenario that Elly herself had encountered, over a year before.
On the other hand, Lily is not Elly. And when it comes to a 'wild' talent--
Much of the time up to this point has been spent talking. He had wanted to know the specifics of the incident, as best as she could recall, her symptoms in the recent days, as well as whether she's experienced this before (which, as it turns out, she sort of has).
Along with other questions, such as how she visualizes and exercises her Ether. With Elly, he has a more general sense of how she would go about it. But Lily has never had that training, it seems.
And then he had collected a few vital signs -- as much as he could do with somewhat limited equipment. Temperature, pulse, heart and lungs, reflexes...
He settles down into a chair at long last, pushing his glasses up his nose as he regards her for a moment. "And... the last time that this occured... how long did you say that it lasted, again?"
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
Lily had stated that she was reasonably sure she'd recover--but she is at this point somewhat concerned. Her medical history is pristine, in its way--she's almost never been sick, and the last time it happened it happened when her strange markings were disrupted. But for the rest...
She'd answered the questions. It was about six days ago, she'd had pain and increasing weakness, including some difficulty walking. Shortness of breath, lower body temperature--in short her physical condition was deteriorating rapidly.
It wasn't quite as bad the last time, but...
Her answer about Ether had been one that required some explanation. Performing an effect for Lily involves calculating the amount of force required, considering distance, diffusion, and other factors. She doesn't have typical visualization schemes at all--indeed, almost all of her magic is done in terms of fire. Even her ice magic is inverted fire, rather than anything involving Water ether. Nuclear 'holds in'--darkness channels emotion. Fire, however, is pure will, done as simply as breathing.
She has tried a few Solarian techniques, but they're not her main practical store. And now...
"The last times... Two, three days."
<Pose Tracker> Citan Uzuki has posed.
Predicting how anyone will respond, once they overextend themselves, comes down to a mixture of the particular method and circumstances. For instance, he has read of cases of Symbological overextension -- though this is difficult to accomplish, given that a weaker practitioner lacks the stamina to reach that dangerous point, where stronger users typically have the self-control and self-awareness to avoid it. But there are exceptions.
It's much the same with Ether, though its very nature makes overextension that much more likely, particularly when under the influence of certain substances. But, those who have access to the most capacity for it are the very same who are likely to survive and adapt to those incidents of overextension: Solaris' elite, the First Class Citizens.
But there are exceptions.
No, not just Elly's own circumstances, but the so-called 'wild talents', the apparently spontaneous appearance in Lamb populations of Ether users. While most of them are rarely gifted...
There are exceptions.
A few of the current Elements, for one. The young woman seated across from him now. Sigurd. Perhaps even himself -- whatever his family's ultimate ancestry might be, he has no desire to know it. Some things are best left in the dark.
No rogue talent is exactly alike, in his experience. And even most of those that he has known have been through Jugend, molded by their process, with the strengths and weaknesses the training has imparted. For most, the basics are enough -- it will keep them out of harm's way and prevent their comrades from being harmed. But... someone like Lily Keil...
His own natural affinity, he had said to her, was for water. The key concept in Jugend for water was 'flow', a concept she may have become aware of through other means. Naturally the others had their own concepts: stability, flexibility, ephemerality. Earth, wind, fire. Water connects from one moment to the next, where her core alignment was closest to something unfixed, something that only existed in moments.
But that was all theory. That was all an attempt to understand.
The last time was three days.
By now, it's been six.
"Ah. I see."
He appears to consider this almost carefully, as if he were thinking over what, precisely, to say.
"I do not think," he says finally, folding his hands in his lap, "that you have suffered an injury precisely the same as the one that Elly had. The lack of neurological signs immediately following lend some support for that hypothesis. However, your current physical condition means that it cannot be ruled out. Perhaps if I had access to more sophisticated medical equipment, I might be able to make a more accurate assessment."
There are places in Northern Aquvy that are equipped. It might even be possible for them to pull favors with the Yggdrasil crew. But in this precise moment--
"However, that said... while it may be a result of overextending yourself..." He shakes his head. "Something about it does not seem quite correct, even taking into account your 'wild talent'. When I set your case alongside Elly's, your symptoms had at first been mild but have since been progressing rapidly, whereas with her..."
After a few days, Elly had -- outside her Ether capacity -- been fine, physically. But Lily, meanwhile...
He closes his eyes for a moment. "...the difference is striking," he remarks, opening his eyes again. "If fact, if I am reminded of any particular case, I am reminded of Riesenlied. Several of the physical symptoms are identical, in fact, though you have not progressed to the severity of her case. And also, you are not a Hyadean!" That part might be important.
"If I had the means to conduct a biopsy, it might be possible to determine what, precisely, is happening. Whether it is truly progressive, whether it is neurological or muscular, or if another cause is in play. ...I understand that the Primarch emitted a particular type of particle?"
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
Water, Lily recalls. She's fond of the sea, but has no affinity for controlling water, and not for lack of effort. She has long been comfortable with the ephemeral. Perhaps the theory has some merit here...
Lily waits through Citan thinking it through, closing her eyes for a few moments as she does. She feels about as good as she looks at the moment, still not very. But when he finally answers, her eyes open again, and Lily nods. That, at least, is a relief.
Though it is a conditional one.
"Right." More sophisticated equipment. Lily listens as he continues, and notes the distinction between herself and Elly there. It is a striking difference, now that she's looking at it in those terms.
"Risenlied?" Lily wonders, but she sees it when Citan explains further, and this shows in her eyes. "That's..." Yes, important. "I'm not, that's true," Lily answers. She is... almost completely certain that this is the case, though a little part of her questions it.
That part questions everything else, though, too.
"Well, if this keeps up, that might be necessary," Lily says with a grimace. "But if I consider it from a perspective like that, I can at least think of a few things to try..."
Lily nods after that though. "Yes," she says, "That's true. Unstable particles in particular--like it was fire hotter than fire, if that makes sense. ...It and I traded spells like that; it was most of what I used against it, judging that ordinary fire would only serve to strengthen it."
She considers. "Radiation... For some reason, I..." She considers for a moment, "You suspect radiation sickness?" Pause. "For some reason I know a lot about that."
<Pose Tracker> Citan Uzuki has posed.
The ephemeral might be the better term for most of Lily's areas of elemental manipulations. A photon can be measured -- but darkness is defined only by light's absence. Radiation itself might be called the most ephemeral of existences: perhaps it might take take ages to decay, depending on the elements and half-lives involved, but once it is gone...
...it is gone.
But that is one of Ether's deeper secrets. No, it is not the element itself... but the essential nature behind it. The form.
The desire.
Riesenlied's own condition has been a perplexing one, all the more so that Hyadean anatomy is... well, to put it politely, 'different'. And Riesenlied is herself -- particularly now -- atypical among her people. But if she had been a human, he would have supposed it a congenital myopathy, perhaps.
Because it's not her nerves (or analogues) that are the problem, but her muscle (analogues) that are the problem. And in that sense--
"...If I may be direct, Lily..." the doctor continues, folding his arms over his chest, "....I cannot recommend you attempt the same course of recovery as Elly as long as you are displaying muscular weakness. Whether the problem arises from your muscle fibers or your nerves, you could worsen your current condition. Consider it as if you had a, ah, a cup full of water, but no way to replenish its contents. Any exertion, as long as your condition continues, is likely to accelerate your decline. ...And since I cannot rule out damage to your brain... I also cannot recommend you use Ether at this time. You risk potentially worsening any neurological symptoms if there has been injury to your brain. I am sorry. Absent more sophisticated diagnostics equipment, this is the limit of what I am able to recommend."
He's more direct with her than he had been with Elly. But then again, Lily...
...Lily is a medic, herself.
"If you are interested in a more refined diagnosis, we can see what we can do," he says, folding his arms over his chest as he glances down at the floor for a moment.
'You suspect radiation sickness?'
"That is... also a consideration," he says, tactfully. Then he raises an eyebrow. "You have heard of it before?" Realization appears to hit him then, and he nods. "Oh, yes, of course, you are from Kislev!" Citan pauses if but for a moment. "But the same would be true for anyone else who had been present there. Are you aware of whether any of them have gone on to demonstrate similar symptoms as yourself? Furthermore complicating such a diagnosis... I do not have the equipment to determine the degree of your exposure. ...Though I would assume, given the lack of certain physical symptoms," he does not outline what these are for specific, tactful reasons, "that you have not received a significant dose."
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
Lily remains unaccustomed to being without her Ether, though she didn't know it by that term. She had to go some time without openly using it before, in the ield, but being unable is a different matter.
Lily has overseen some of Riesenlied's treatment, herself--not to mention her familiarity with some of it for other reasons. ...She's been around disability since her youth, after all; her mother's wheelchair was familiar to her.
...'Mother's.' Not that she can call her that, now.
"Please do," Lily says of directness, without otherwise interrupting. She looks concerned--but his analogy makes the reasoning clear, and she can't argue... most of it. Most of it at least.
"No, it's useful, though..." She trails off, shakes her head.
"I don't believe they have--I was closer than most, and I can't be sure the shielding on my armor was good at keeping it out. In fact, that shielding is almost gone, now--the next time I use it if I can get it working..." She trails off, abandoning that course of thought for the moment. "Yes, I see your point. The symptoms would be much worse if it were significant radiation poisoning." Lily looks up to the ceiling for a moment, and sighs. "The Ether won't be a problem for now, at least. But when it is... Well, if, I guess. But I can't really think that way."
"When I get it back I'll have to start slow. I'll have to use some--I get... well, muscle aches, when I don't use Ether for a while. Have since I was young. But there's a wide gulf between some and what I can put out on a good day, too."
"Thanks. I don't like the answers much but they are some answers for now."
<Pose Tracker> Citan Uzuki has posed.
He hasn't heard of anyone else experiencing any ill effect from that encounter -- it might have not been long enough, strong enough, or of the right 'type' to cause serious damage.
But there is a reason that certain weapons are banned by the Treaty of Iscariot.
"No, I did not think it likely. It cannot be ruled out, of course. ...But I see in you none of the symptoms I would expect."
The fact that she's able to walk and isn't bedridden -- even if her condition is deteriorating -- alone suggests that's not the case, the obvious symptoms aside.
'I really can't think that way'.
Citan unfolds his arms, tilting his head slightly to the right as he regards her. "Oh? What do you mean?"
She explains.
He fidgets with his glasses. "I... see. Muscle aches when you do not use Ether. And... you have not used Ether in several days now. ...Is that correct?"
If he's right, this is a potentially ugly point at which to arrive.
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
Lily hasn't heard of people growing ill from her magic that way, either--but then, most of her opponents are those she doesn't see again, one way or another. She never really linked the two ideas before.
"At least it's not something definitely and horribly fatal," Lily says dryly, though there's some real fatigue in her eyes as she does. Walking aside, the fact that she's likely to stay right where she is for a while aside--
"Yes, that's correct," Lily answers. "This is probably longer than I've ever gone without using at least some of it," she says, thnking through her life to confirm it and then nodding. "No, it definitely is. I haven't since that battle, so almost six days now."
<Pose Tracker> Citan Uzuki has posed.
He shakes his head. "No, I do not think... unless..."
He trails out, though, as Lily answers his question about how long it has been since she has used Ether.
Six days. Since the fight.
"..."
When he speaks again, he takes a perhaps gentler approach.
"I see. This may, for now, be a subject best left for a later discussion, Lily. Let us leave it there for now, shall we?"
Because if he's right...
"See if your condition improves in the next day or two. If not, I recommend that we consider contacting the Yggdrasil. They are a friendly party, and their medical facilities are better equipped. ...Unless you have been able to work out how to use the ones aboard the Karlsefni? I admit I had not had the time to investigate them fully, myself."
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
Lily wonders what it is Citan is thinking, in those few moments. But she understands well enough 'leave it for later', and... Well. Judging by the dark circles under her eyes and the slight slouch, she's pretty tired after everything in the past few days anyway, and growing tired more easily than usual by far.
"All right," Lily answers. "Might as well wait and see. If not... yeah, that's a good idea." She pauses. "I know how to activate them, I think, but I don't know all the intricacies yet. I've been focused on other systems."
Lily nods again. "But... thanks. It's kind of awkward, being the patient after a while, but I do appreciate it. I think..."
"I think I'll probably just get some sleep."
<Pose Tracker> Citan Uzuki has posed.
"Yes... that may be for the best," Citan agrees, nodding just the once. "It is said that sleep is the best medicine for most of our ills. Though, I admit, I have also heard the same thing about laughter and even apples...!" The smile that follows this attempt at a little humor -- a little lightening of the mood -- is thankfully brief. He shakes his head.
"I am sorry I can offer little other guidance. A 'wait and see' recommendation is never a pleasant one to hear. ...Please do get some rest, Lily. All of us must at one time in our lives or another be the patient rather than the doctor. I, myself, am no exception. In fact, my wife says that I am just about the worst patient possible..." His smile, at least, is a sheepish one.
Perhaps that's the tendency among the caretakers, though.
Only when she does leave does he linger, head bowed in thought.
"Constant use of Ether from a young age... a muscular weakness... could it be...?"