[Voice]

[defibrillating]

So hey, what are your New Year's resolutions or goals?

[Yep, that's all. Shortest post ever.]

Comments

[defibrillating]

Yeah, I'm making it a goal to spend more of me free time in District X and below to provide some medical care for the mutants there.

[However, moving out in public scared him.]

...I just have to figure out a way to get there that doesn't involve having to catch a ride with some poor bugger every time.

[thirdarrow]

Well, that's something we can work on, definitely.

[ Takakage himself is much too busy to go down weekly, what with his job and all - but he can spare a little time. ]

If there's something serious, call me and I'll be down. Or if it's the weekend, send them to the General Hospital, I'm there all day anyway.

[defibrillating]

I'll call you if it's serious, but I can't take them to the General Hospital. They're all like me... and most of them are scared of human places.

[thirdarrow]

[ That is true. But they can't just leave them there either... ]

Still, call me. I might be able to come down.

[defibrillating]

I will, doc. I can handle most things... but not everything. I'll call.

[thirdarrow]

[ He replies with a firm nod, smiling again. ]

I'm sure you will do just fine.

[defibrillating]

Thanks, man.

[thirdarrow]

[ To that, he just inclines his head. ]

Maybe you can consider looking into reading more books this year, hmmm? Hopefully we'll have less cases to see.

[ That of course due to the fact that hopefully less students would be injured. ]

[defibrillating]

Yeah... I could do that. [Maybe.]

With the things going on, however, I don't think we'll have less cases. Probably more.

[thirdarrow]

That is true. But we can always hope.

[ His expression becomes more serious. ]

Even so, I doubt there is anything we can do to affect the situation out there. And yet, sitting here doing just our jobs doesn't feel enough.

[ Takakage shakes his head slightly at that. ]

I suppose that is a dilemma in itself. Perhaps an opportunity will come in time.

[ But will it be soon enough? That is the question. ]

[defibrillating]

...maybe.

[He sighs a bit.]

On a happier note, do you like the book I gave you?

[thirdarrow]

[ He definitely brightens up at that. ]

Yes, very much! It was an intruiging read. Especially how culture evolved in tandem with events, and the architectural references too.

[ And it's something his father would have liked, too. ]

[defibrillating]

There are a lot of gorgeous buildings in my country, from all kinds of influences since it's so damn big.

[He pauses.]

...never saw any of them myself, which is kind of messed up... but I'm glad you liked the book.

[thirdarrow]

[ That is something he can understand. ]

We will bring you there someday. And if I do get a chance, I'll definitely bring back something for you.

[ He knows very much how it feels to be displaced. While his circumstances are not as severe as Zian's, he still cannot return to his homeland for the long term. ]

And we can always read more books about Russia together. It will be almost as if we went there ourselves.

[defibrillating]

You know that doesn't work... but I appreciate the thought. Do bring me back something if you ever visit!

[Russian mutants lived dangerously. Death or imprisonment as a government weapon. Not fun.]

Next time I'll show you a Russian fairytale book. It's full of creepy stories.

[thirdarrow]

Someday.

[ He isn't too familiar with the situation in Russia, but he can guess. ]

Ah, I have heard of a few. Some of them featured this Baba Yaga lady.

[ From what he knows, she probably isn't too kindly a woman. ]

[defibrillating]

Those are the best ones!

[Her kindness was up to debate depending on the story she was in.]

[thirdarrow]

You can tell me about them when we meet up outside at District X, then. I'll drop by whenever I'm free.

[ He is seriously considering only coming back to the Institute for sleep and to teach. If needed, he can give lectures impromptu, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem. ]

[defibrillating]

That's great, doc. I'm sure everyone will appreciate it.

[They'll be walking zombies by the end of the month.]

[thirdarrow]

It's the least I can do for everyone.

In any case, I best get back to work, my shift is starting soon. I'll see you in a while.

[ Which will probably turn out to be... a few hours. ]

[defibrillating]

Alrighty then, doc. Take care out there, okay? See you later.