Medication

[lostamigo]

[Daniel sits in a common room, in a chair large enough to support his weight. In front of him, a TV. What's playing is the ending credits to a western, as the cast rides off into the sunset. Looks like he's been sitting here for a while. And, as soon as someone passes by, he speaks.]

...I made a mistake. Can't move my leg. On the table over there, a syringe. Can you give it to me? Sorry about that.

Comments

[sang_av_helten]

Mrr?

[Skald was simply sitting on Daniel's lap before the cyborg prompted him to go fetch.]

What? Syringe? Why? Where? What is it you require it for? Where are the wagons? What happened?

[lostamigo]

The wagons passed an hour ago. You fell asleep.

I need my medicine. I'll explain when I get it. It's over there.

[Daniel gestures towards the table. It's outside his range. And yes, there is a syringe there - a big one in fact.]

[sang_av_helten]

I did not fall asleep. I was simply resting my eyes.

[Cat gives Daniel a look of annoyance before giving a fluffy shrug.]

But I will ignore that comment since you are a comrade in need.

[Skald is going to trot over to the syringe, carefully walking around it to ponder how to get it to the cyborg. Carrying it over might be a bit tricky, rolling it might lead to it getting damaged. Hmm.]

[lostamigo]

...You can't lift it with your paws, can you.

[sang_av_helten]

... They were not designed for such a task.

[herodrawing]

Eh?

Did you lose control of your limb? It's not gonna... go rogue, is it?!

[lostamigo]

Only in that it refuses to do anything. This happens if I go without my injection for too long.

I got careless.

[herodrawing]

Careless?

[Izuru goes for the syringe. No time to waste!]

Here it is. We're not too late yet, right?

[lostamigo]

Thought I can afford to take it later. Forgot to take my activity under consideration.

[A small slot opens in Daniel's chest, and he slams the syringe's needle right into it. That's a pretty big injection... For a moment nothing happens, and then he gets up from the chair.]

...That's better. Thanks.

[armowrpiercing]

*Archie is lying on top of Daniel's head*

My apology. My position is already too comfortable for that, Sir Daniel. If I move, I won't be able to regain a resting position this perfect.

[lostamigo]

You know I'll have to move soon. Can't afford to sit here all day.

[armowrpiercing]

On contrary, I don't see any reason why we should move at all on this nice day.

[lostamigo]

I have work to do. If I don't do it, I won't get paid. I'd rather keep this job.

...Do you even use money? As a cat?

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Sure.

[Alex was hadn't so much walked by as enter the room itself anyway, carrying a cup of coffee. It was not much extra to grab the syringe and pass it to the cyborg before taking a seat in the couch herself. While somewhat discreet, she was clearly looking over Daniel.]

Are you done watching? I was hoping to catch the match between Turkey and Kazakhstan for the European Cup.

[lostamigo]

Thanks.

[A small slot opens in Daniel's chest, and he slams the syringe's needle right into it. That's a pretty big injection... For a moment nothing happens. He starts to move again after that moment, though.]

...Much better. Yes, I'm done. The movie's over. You can switch to baseball if you want.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

It's football.

[She does switch the station immediately, though.]

But what was that syringe? Anything serious?

[lostamigo]

I was never too good at that game. Bob said I'm a decent linebacker, but-

[Daniel pauses, looking at the screen.]

...Ah. The other football. Right.

...

The drug is just a common stimulant. One of the medicines I need to take, from time to time. If I don't, my limbs stop moving.

[a_monetized_mind]

Ah, sure.

[Jen goes over and fetches the syringe for Daniel. After she comes back with it, she switches the channel over to financial news and sits down on a couch nearby.]

How much upkeep does your setup need?

[lostamigo]

[A small slot opens in Daniel's chest, and he slams the syringe's needle right into it. That's a pretty big injection... For a moment nothing happens. He starts to move again after that moment, though.]

...That helped. Thanks.

Not as much as you'd think. Over-the-counter meds, mostly. Just a lot of them. Why do you ask?

[a_monetized_mind]

Mmm, just wondering. I've seen some people with pretty extensive ones back at the company, but those were a lot more subtle. Sometimes they'd try to bug me into buying them, but, eh...

[A glance over at the TV, where some recent changes in commodities prices are being talked about.]

You're the first person I've ever really worked with who's got a body like that, though. Any plans to change it?

[lostamigo]

Which way? Reverse my augmentation? Can't be done. Too extensive. Give it to others?

...I'd rather that didn't happen.

[dolorous_sensei]

Sure.

*Walt hands him over the syringe*

[lostamigo]

[Daniel takes it and gives himself an injection, straight to the heart.]

Thanks.

...You don't look surprised.

[dolorous_sensei]

Should I be surprised? Let me guess, your cyborg body need a cocktail of drugs daily to be functional, and they have side effect that you have to grin, and/or reducing your overall life expectation and/or quality.

You're a mysterious cyborg in a mission. It's just expected, really. Or you're telling me that I should expect that your mysterious back-alley cyborgification doesn't have any side effect? If that's the case, then everyone would get back-alley cyborgification.

[lostamigo]

Long as I take the drugs on time, the only side effect is that I'm stuck inside a metal coffin. And I will be forever. It's a part of me.

And it's not back-alley. That'd be simpler than reality.