sufferably | ( i've been working on a cocktail called grounds for divorce )

Ah- thank you.

[His voice has a British lilt to it, but it doesn't quite seem to fit with contemporary English accents. Still, he's relieved enough to be able to abandon the text function for now and takes a deep breath before continuing.]

I served as a monk, years ago. There, I learned some small knowledge on herbs and healing- both spiritual and physical. More recently, I've seen many men return from battle and how the women treat their wounds with fire-hot knives and splints. [So he has some experience, surely, though Athelstan is a little hesitant at going anywhere near anyone with the intent to cut them open with anything. He's not even sure if he really has it in him to snap bone back in place.]

I believe I was taken from the christian year of eight hundred. It's been some years since I kept track, but... I think that's right.

( it's a good thing this isn't video, because mccoy can never really hide his surprise, or distaste, for outmoded medical practices. but he just makes an affirmative noise before saying, in an accent that doesn't really exist yet in athelstan's world: ) Huh. You're even further behind than most people.

Not that that's a problem, or anything. Like I said, the healing takes care of most everything. Though if you're interested in learning more of the nuts and bolts, we can help you out there.

Though I gotta say, I'm not much familiar with spiritual healing.

When Odin bids me to fight, I will fight, [he says, just so there's not any confusion on the subject.] If I can help others in the aftermath of battle, I wish to, but I will be a warrior first and a healer second.

[There's a pause, and Athelstan's side of the line is silent for a few moments.]

In the monastery, we would mostly pray for the safe recovery of the brothers who fell ill. The monks begged their God for healing- I suppose in the same way that the women of my village would call to Freya. Sometimes, animal sacrifices would be made to appease the gods for a desperate recovery. It's never assured, but I know of the methods used.

[Forgive him, he's... pretty dated.]

Odin's in a coma. He can't bid you to do anything, at the moment.

( though he gets the idea, even if he's not such a fan of the fighting, himself. )

I s'pose you could always ask Freya if that sort of thing would work, here, but I doubt it. The gods don't seem inclined to giving us much individual blessing.

( but he pauses, thoughtfully, then says: ) You ever hear of battlefield medicine?

I've... I've heard. [And he's really not too comfortable with the idea. But then again, just about everything in Asgard gives him some form of unease. The gods are just the tip of the iceberg.]

[Still, the question makes him pause, and Athelstan makes a small, affirmative sound.] I know in some places, the men of God would try to save wounded men in the battlefield after a skirmish has been fought. Is that what you're speaking of?

Well, there's that part of it. And there's also skills you can use to help people while a battle's going on-- patch jobs, mostly, to make sure they don't die before receiving more complete care. There's a girl here, who's a warrior and a medic. She's says she can fight while also protecting her medical charges. It's a crazy sort of thing, but useful in a war.

It sounds very useful.

[He considers that for a moment. When he speaks again, his voice is tentative- McCoy seems far more advanced with this culture and technologies than he himself is, and Athelstan is still trying to figure out the proper way to address religion here.]

But does the healing- all of the abilities... do they not seem unnatural to you? Men are not meant to carry the powers of a god.

Edited 2014-04-30 15:40 (UTC)

The whole lot of it's unnatural. ( though not for religious reasons. mccoy's more insulted by their refusal to adhere to any kind of scientific law. )

But they're unnatural powers that help people-- save their lives, even. So I'm not about to start looking gift horses in the mouth.

[Athelstan gives a murmur of acknowledgement.]

I suppose if the Christian God has not yet struck anyone here where they stand, then there is nothing to fear. These gods are proof of His lack anyway. [His voice falters slightly there- and this is a tricky subject, so Athelstan clears his throat and totally subtly changes it.]

You mentioned medicine on the battlefield?

I dunno about that. You ever hear of universalism?

( but he accepts the change of topic, shrugs verbally. ) I did. There's probably a whole lot to it, but if you can heal and defend people at once, you might be more use than someone just running at the front lines.

I haven't.

[There's a pause, and- well, that actually seems like a good idea. Certainly appealing enough to him anyway.]

I've been trained to use axes and shields. If I can hone my skills, perhaps that could be worthwhile. [Moreso than just simple murder.] Still- when we are not at war, is there a way I can assist you?

You can assist the people here-- I'm not in charge in any official capacity. But, like I said, we always need the help.

Ah- I apologize. I had the wrong impression.

[Time to get his lazy butt up to the actual hospital itself and start asking around, sigh sigh.]

Still, I will try to find a place suitable for me. Thank you for your help.

( he can probably hear the smile in mccoy's voice when he says: ) That doesn't mean I can't help you get settled. I just didn't want to give you the wrong impression.

[Well, in that case!]

Alright. Would there be an acceptable time to meet? [A pause, and then-] -I know that helping me is not the best use of your time. Know that I will consider it a debt until I can find a way to repay you.

Any morning you're available. I'm there around oh-eight-hundred, most days.

And it's not a problem. Don't mention it, really.

[He wants to ask what oh-eight-hundred even means, but Athelstan doesn't want to be more of a bother. He'll figure it out- hopefully.]

Thank you.

[And that's the end of that. He closes the feed a moment later, feeling somewhat accomplished at least.]

( i've been working on a cocktail called grounds for divorce )

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