Origin: Choosing the Path
Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2016 11:50 pm
His companion listens attentively, nodding his head and looking thoughtful. "It is fortunate that you are a follower of The Way then. You are finding your own Path, outside the standard orthodoxy. Not all Traditions would have so easily let you wander to find your own road to understanding." He begins slowly walking again, heading deeper into the ICU. "I myself have difficulty abstaining from being involved in the mundane world, as you quite easily know." He gestures with a mild smirk at their doctor garb. "We have felt a calling to make the world a better place. I believe there is wisdom in "navel gazing", as you put it. Showing our fellow man that there is a way to live that is not obsesses with wealth, power, pleasure, and conflict. But not all of us can live like that. The world also needs men of action, to help guide the world to a better Way, rather than simply beckoning them."
He comes to the end of the hall, and turns in to a private room. "I have one last patient to show you. Perhaps you can help where I can not." He closes the door, then turns to the man in the bed. He is likely only in his 20s, but looks to be at least 50. His skin is gray and colorless. Black and red puncture marks almost cover the entirety of his arms. The nurses evidently couldn't find a vein in his arms, and the IV is instead going straight into his jugular vein, the needle taped in place very firmly. He does not appear conscious, although his body moves listlessly, uncoordinated. His eyes open and close periodically, although there is no clear thought behind them. The color is a startlingly bright blue, the only bright thing about him, really.
"I found him like this, two weeks ago. I brought him here, where he could be safe. I haven't been able to figure out what did this to him, or why none of my treatments, magical or otherwise, have brought him out of it. I thought I'd get a consult, see if you understand something I'm missing." He gestures to the prone figure, backing off to give you some space.
He comes to the end of the hall, and turns in to a private room. "I have one last patient to show you. Perhaps you can help where I can not." He closes the door, then turns to the man in the bed. He is likely only in his 20s, but looks to be at least 50. His skin is gray and colorless. Black and red puncture marks almost cover the entirety of his arms. The nurses evidently couldn't find a vein in his arms, and the IV is instead going straight into his jugular vein, the needle taped in place very firmly. He does not appear conscious, although his body moves listlessly, uncoordinated. His eyes open and close periodically, although there is no clear thought behind them. The color is a startlingly bright blue, the only bright thing about him, really.
"I found him like this, two weeks ago. I brought him here, where he could be safe. I haven't been able to figure out what did this to him, or why none of my treatments, magical or otherwise, have brought him out of it. I thought I'd get a consult, see if you understand something I'm missing." He gestures to the prone figure, backing off to give you some space.