video | un: Mercy

[valcurie]

Hello there! ( the image that appears is of a smiling blonde woman, healthy and bright looking, dressed now in pristine weight to present herself, projecting poise and elegance and friendly invitation to hear her out. her German Swiss accent is quite strong, though, so hopefully no-one is overly attached to their w's. ) I hope everyone is doing well this evening. I am coming onto the network to reach out to anyone I might not have been able to yet. My name is Angela Ziegler, and I am a doctor from Earth. Human, as you can see. ( a light, pleasant laugh and an even more pleasant smile ) You may also know me as Mercy. It's my agent name from when I was in service to a global peacekeeping organisation known as Overwatch.

I'm from the 21st century, so the treatment that I can offer you is science based ( a slight pause here as if she's considering one last time how to phrase this ) rather than magic based, but I have a good deal of practical experience with general medicine so there's almost nothing I haven't seen or dealt with. My expertise is in applied biotics, and I also have experience with gene therapy, prosthetics, and cybernetics, if there is anyone here who may need more specialised care. My qualifications also include emergency and trauma response so, if you ever find yourself wounded and in need of immediate attention, please do not hesitate to contact me. Think of me as personal 999 for refugees!

If you do come to me for any kind of care, I promise to do the best I can help you, while upholding all the oaths I've taken as a doctor to do no harm and to protect my patients. I'm not charging anything at this time.

And, if you'd like to humour me and help me to understand our group a bit better, I have a set of questions: do you believe you have a soul? What makes you think you do or don't have one? And is such a belief common where you're from? ( she doesn't mention religion, because it isn't strictly speaking a religious idea. she's known plenty of atheists and nay-theists who thought there was something beyond intelligence that made people paramount to other species. whether they called this unique internal animating light a soul or not, it didn't really matter. )

Comments

[valcurie]

Yes. ( a quick answer, and then a pause. she wonders at this, how many things seem to almost overlap in all these worlds. puzzle pieces that don't quite fit, mirrored images that suffer from such warping and distortions so parts of them are rendered unrecognisable even if familiar.

but she does suspect that some of the magic here is just that: misunderstood technology. such was common throughout her history. ) But I doubt it's like what you're used to, if it actually does anything. Most alchemists just wanted an easy way to get rich. Otherwise they were my misguided forebears.

[strictdiscipline]

[ She has to laugh at that. ]

State alchemists can turn metal into gold but it's expressly against the law. [ Otherwise they'd all be swimming in gold and then where would the economy be. ] But it is quite powerful; the military has a special branch comprised of solely alchemists.

[ Their trump cards in winning any war, as terrible as that is. ]

With that said, simply because you can do something with alchemy doesn't mean you should. I imagine the same tenet holds true with medicine.

[valcurie]

( it can't be seen but she does give an incredulous quirk of her brow. out of all the things that end up being possible in other worlds, it's that? but the multi-verse at least is kind enough to realise how outrageous this, and balance it with some common sense. ) Hah, well, I guess anything is possible. I certainly hope they've outlawed the search for immortality as well.

Yes. Primum non nocere. This is an oath we take as doctors. First, do no harm.

[strictdiscipline]

[ Ironic that she should mention such a thing. Good thing the only thing she's broadcasting is audio; Riza's always been a master at composure, but her lips thin reflexively at the mention of immortality. ]

Not officially, though where there are rules, there are always people willing to break those rules.

[ But, speaking of immortality— ]

Is that possible, where you're from? Immortality?

[valcurie]

( that interest catches her surprise, a serious question engendered by a passing remark, a light-handed reference made mostly for herself and not expected to actually result in much. Riza strikes her as a serious woman. someone polite and proper and with the law in mind: someone she has things in common with. she allows herself a sigh. )

Yes. And sometimes they have their reasons. ( as if she hasn't done just this. )

For humans? Theoretically speaking, yes. But it wouldn't involve staying in the same body.

[strictdiscipline]

[ Theoretically speaking is a lot further than she's gotten anywhere else, and she tucks the information in the back of her mind for another day. No real use in bringing it up now, but if circumstances ever were to change...

That said, a few of Mercy's words do give her pause. ]

Not stay in the same body? Would they be provided with different bodies every so often?

[ Even if such things have already happened where she's from, the thought still fills her with discomfort. ]

[valcurie]

( the pause does catch Mercy's interest, to the point that she notes it. as of yet she doesn't really think much of it, though, instead she considers carefully how to fit her words together into a coherent explanation that might make sense regardless of technological familiarity. )

Well, the most practical way this would work would only involve one change. The method being worked on involves recreating a person's consciousness by capturing all the information that makes them, them, and consolidating it. Then this is put into a mechanical body that, hopefully, would never need to be replaced.

( a much less complicated matter than something outrageous like growing new bodies to act as new hosts. )

However, I don't think many people would actually want to do this.

[strictdiscipline]

[ It's all good information, though she hopes it'll never be used in any shape or form. She only knows a little of the struggle Alphonse has been through. The thought of spending multiple lifetimes in a mechanical body leaves a poor taste in her mouth. ]

I would nope not.

[ It seems cruel, if nothing else. ]

I apologize for derailing the conversation so much though. I'm sure it wasn't directly related to what you were asking about.

[valcurie]

( a soft humming in her throat sounds her agreement, while she falls silent for a few seconds. after this she gives a soft laugh before speaking, sounding anything but put out. )

There's no need, Riza. I wanted to understand people's worlds a bit better. It would be horribly unfair if I were the only one experiencing the joys of learning!

Besides, you strike me as a sensible type. If you don't mind the personal question, were you some sort of official?

[strictdiscipline]

Only sensible because all the men around me aren't.

[ Lofty, but there's an undercurrent of genuine affection in her voice - it's clear she doesn't truly find her team incompetent and foolish. ]

No official, though I was military. A lieutenant, though that title hardly carries over here.

[valcurie]

A woman after my own heart.

( Unfortunately, Mercy had to try and pick up the pieces when the men around her decided to act like the children males tend to be when their egos are at stake, or they think they're making some grand, unique sacrifice of themselves. Her tone is a lot more resigned. )

It still means something, I think. I'm not looking to join any organisations, but this world does need leadership. Capable leadership. Not some boys who can't lead themselves out of a paper bag without the right encouragement.

That said, I pray that you don't have to fight if you don't wish to.

[strictdiscipline]

[ She smiles, though it's muted. ]

I don't mind fighting as long as it's for the right reason. [ Protection of a loved one or a true desire to improve one's country, and not simply for money or power. ] But I appreciate the sentiment all the same.

[ But enough talk about violence and war. Surely they can both find something a bit more hopeful to chat about. ]

I don't suppose you're willing to do routine check-ups in addition to emergency care?

[ Early prevention is the key to good health, after all! ]

[valcurie]

( !! Riza has no idea how happy she's just made her.

Finally, someone with some sense about their health. )

Absolutely! The best way to take care of your health is to take care of yourself. I would be happy to provide you with check-ups.

[strictdiscipline]

[ She smiles, genuinely pleased. ]

Wonderful. Do you have a place of practice set up already or are you using your own home currently?

[ It seems a little rude to intrude on someone else's personal space for such a thing. ]

[valcurie]

My own home, such as it is. ( a slight pause, then she sighs. ) Of course, things being what they are, I find Thesa provides a good deal of privacy. I can also make house calls, if one's roommates are not a concern.

[strictdiscipline]

I'm sure they wouldn't mind, but there are five of us housed within the small space.

[ Not exactly ideal for house calls. There's barely enough free surface space for them, let alone a visitor. ]

But I'm sure they all could use a check-up as well, if you don't mind the extra work.

[valcurie]

( a good-natured laugh comes before she speaks, aduibly brightened by the idea. she's a practical woman, and she likes to help people, so really, what better arrangement could she ask for without being grossly selfish? ) Well, that won't be a problem. Recently I have become better at working in confined and cramped places.

I would be happy to give everyone a check-up, if they will let me.

[strictdiscipline]

I'll be sure to check with them.

[ Important as preventative care is, personal privacy is also of the utmost importance. ]

I won't take up too much of your time but I'll give you a call when I've worked the details out.

[valcurie]

All right, Riza. Thank you. I can never appreciate a sensible patient enough. ( she gives an actually respectful dip of her head. ) I trust that you can get a realistic sense of their schedules, so, just let me know.

Take care, until then!