Hiro Hamada (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
bigdamnhiro) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
san_fransokyo2015-01-28 11:26 pm
bigdamnhiro) wrote in san_fransokyo2015-01-28 11:26 pm
Entry tags:
I've got a dark alley and a bad idea
[Hiro's really, actually sneaking into a bar called the Mean-Eyed Cat. The irony doesn't escape him.
He could be at home, at The Lucky Cat, but no. Mean-Eyed Cat it is.
That he even manages to sneak in behind a couple of conversationalists in ill-fitting suits is dumb luck; it's freezing out (it's snowing, it hasn't snowed in years), business is slow, whatever bouncer should be watching the door is hanging out at the counter instead where he doesn't have to deal with the drafts from the door. That he makes it to the other opposite end of the taproom and into the back hall before the bartender manages to mutter a hey wait is because he's small and knows how to duck behind obstacles and look inconspicuous.
Nobody comes after him, so that's a plus. He pauses at a corridor corner to get a good look around and listen to the noise, see if he can get some kind of direction.
He has a small port of Baymax's scanner, but it doesn't have the power to give him more than a general location. From there it was always going to take his own resourcefulness to find the guy. But he's definitely in this building - Hiro asked around, got some incredulous talk about the old-timer, yōkai, guy with the metal creepies, doesn't talk much, at that one bar down the street - stuff like that.
There's a couple of empty rooms - couches and televisions and darts, chipped paint and cracked baseboards, low hanging ceiling bulbs and so much dust and secondhand smoke he fights off a coughing fit - and then there's one with voices, near the back. He peers through the cracked door and finds who he's looking for, skulking on a couch in the back. Between the two of them, though, there's a couple of thugs playing pool and talking shit at each other.
Okay. He was sort of hoping Callaghan would be alone.
He tightens his grip on the folded duster tucked under his arm and stuffs the other in his pocket, fingers tightening around the solid metal object inside. And then he shoulders his way through the door.]
Hey. Delivery for the guy with the metal creepies.
He could be at home, at The Lucky Cat, but no. Mean-Eyed Cat it is.
That he even manages to sneak in behind a couple of conversationalists in ill-fitting suits is dumb luck; it's freezing out (it's snowing, it hasn't snowed in years), business is slow, whatever bouncer should be watching the door is hanging out at the counter instead where he doesn't have to deal with the drafts from the door. That he makes it to the other opposite end of the taproom and into the back hall before the bartender manages to mutter a hey wait is because he's small and knows how to duck behind obstacles and look inconspicuous.
Nobody comes after him, so that's a plus. He pauses at a corridor corner to get a good look around and listen to the noise, see if he can get some kind of direction.
He has a small port of Baymax's scanner, but it doesn't have the power to give him more than a general location. From there it was always going to take his own resourcefulness to find the guy. But he's definitely in this building - Hiro asked around, got some incredulous talk about the old-timer, yōkai, guy with the metal creepies, doesn't talk much, at that one bar down the street - stuff like that.
There's a couple of empty rooms - couches and televisions and darts, chipped paint and cracked baseboards, low hanging ceiling bulbs and so much dust and secondhand smoke he fights off a coughing fit - and then there's one with voices, near the back. He peers through the cracked door and finds who he's looking for, skulking on a couch in the back. Between the two of them, though, there's a couple of thugs playing pool and talking shit at each other.
Okay. He was sort of hoping Callaghan would be alone.
He tightens his grip on the folded duster tucked under his arm and stuffs the other in his pocket, fingers tightening around the solid metal object inside. And then he shoulders his way through the door.]
Hey. Delivery for the guy with the metal creepies.
no subject
there's motions of microbots, yes, but they don't seem aware of the new company - and though mostly centered in a single mass, a large vaguely man-sized lump, there's a few 'tendrils' out from it. along the walls, floors, reminiscent of a tree's roots probing out from the central trunk.
the occasional ripple through them - from that trunk, to the farthest reaches - only adds to the feeling of them acting as a single unit, or at least tied to one. it's not often enough to match with a heartbeat or pulse, or even his ragged breathing, perhaps tied more in to his dozing mind. because while he may be resting, while he may be 'out' of it, it's mostly due to the exhaustion.
and so long as no sudden movements are made, the microbots remain quiet. upon touch, they act similar to a non-Newtonian fluid- applied force causes tension and locking of position, while more gentle motions have them pliant and movable.
unless, of course, there was a sudden motion/crash of heavy weight plowing through the area. but that's what those microbot arms are for, to help register any sign of such, and really - what are the odds of that happening right now?
don't answer that.]
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[That scowl and those balled fists feel like a challenge, and Tadashi treats them like one, at least physically. His own clenched fists probably aren't a conscious decision, nor is the straightening of his shoulders as he pulls himself to his full height. In anyone else the subconscious attempt to appear larger might be due to a primal instinct to seem intimidating, but Tadashi's needs are slightly different. Yes, he needs to look strong, but in order to reassure rather than intimidate. He needs others to believe that he doesn't need to be taken care of. That he can be the one to take care of things. He needs Hiro to believe it.
Except that's not going to happen. Not when just a few days prior it was Hiro who watched over Tadashi while he spent half the night in pain on the bathroom floor.]
Hiro, you can't- [He cuts off as he scrambles around the bend after Hiro, losing the thread of the conversation completely when he spots Callaghan. Well, the swarming, man-sized lump that he assumes is Callaghan.
The way the microbots move is more fluid than ever and, by extension, far more creepy. The tiny ripples and probing fingers... Tadashi reaches out, laying a protective hand on Hiro's shoulder without thinking.]
... Professor?
no subject
Some habits are hard to break. Whether Tadashi recognizes this one for what it is - a gentle reminder that he doesn't have to prove anything, that even if things are weird right now somewhere in the back of Hiro's mind Tadashi is still his grounding force - well, that's up to him.]
Baymax. [Hiro clears his throat roughly and gestures -] Scan him. See if you can gently get in there and move those microbots around some to get to him.
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He continues glowing gently in the murky gloom, he also takes a few moments to find Callaghan, though his sensors aid him in that regard. Even though the microbots are absolutely covering the man, his scanners can penetrate beneath the crust of them.
Baymax doesn't like what he sees.
The last time he had scanned the man, Callaghan had been in above-average health with only a few major points of concern present. Now, Callaghan's stress level is higher than ever and his emotional instability was still present, however, this time, it appears to be caused in part by sleep deprivation. There are traces of stimulants, such as caffeine, that indicate that he's been trying to keep himself awake on purpose. However, he's sleeping at the moment, though Baymax isn't sure if they should wake him or not. Sleep is instrumental to the healing process.
The lack of sleep and Callaghan's previous conditions are not what's got Baymax worried, though. He's currently suffering from a very bad crush injury on his lower leg, complete with a shattered tibia and damage done to the other bones in the nearby area. Gangrene appears to have started setting in and there's evidence that Callaghan's been using his leg and possibly damaging it even further. There's diminishing traces of medication meant for blocking pain, which would explain how Callaghan had been able to keep on going, even with such a horrible injury.
Callaghan's got some other abnormalities, especially mental-related ones, but Baymax ignores them for now, his leg and life are in danger.]
Callaghan needs immediate medical attention for the crush injury and gangrene that is on his lower leg.
[He then slowly walks over to his patient, Hiro had instructed him to move gently, in his inflatable state, he's only capable of careful movements.
Baymax starts by trying to use his hand to gently part the wave of microbots around Callaghan's face. He doesn't think that they're affecting his breathing, but he'd rather that his face be clear of any possible obstructions.]
no subject
it's only when Baymax starts reaching for the microbots that something begins to happen. to be fair, at first, nothing does- moving slowly, he's able to collect a grouping without trouble. the grouping really moves on to /him/, more than anything else, as more sort of spread to cover the area that they vacated. what visual glimpse of Callaghan is caught, there, is of a closed-eyed, pale-faced man whose breathing is troubled only by pain. a few seconds of this, though, has his eyes slit open, and it's only through dim and blurred vision does he catch sight of the large figure before him.
and immediately, the microbots move from dormant to reactive.
they shoot forwards, securing around Baymax's one hand and then the other, spreading to his feet to lock him in place - not that there'd be much trouble from the robot to break free, but Robert's mind is immediately moving to threat and the microbots are reacting accordingly to keep him safe. which also involve moving him as far back from it as he can, which...only really pushes him against the wall.
there goes his heartrate skyrocketing. so much for sleep - it looks like he's trying to decide between fight or flight.]
no subject
Whether he recognizes his little brother's instinctive step back for what it really is doesn't matter just now. It's not something he has time to consciously consider once the microbots move, and the big brother he needs to be automatically steps in. The microbots take hold of Baymax and Tadashi moves without thinking, stepping quickly around Hiro, using one hand to try and press him back while he stoops down closer to Callaghan's eye level.
It's the same reaction they saw during that night on the pier. Pain and disorientation leading to panic and lashing out. It's lucky they're not at the water's edge again, but such an enclosed space isn't doing them any favors either. This can't be allowed to escalate.]
Professor... [He starts soft, hesitating for a moment before switching to a slightly harder tone. No yelling, no accusing, but still strong (stronger than he feels at the moment). It's time to pay attention.]
Robert. No one's going to hurt you. [He spreads both arms slightly to each side, risking an opening to prove there's no danger.] No armor, no weapons. Please, let us help you...
no subject
Tadashi, no -
[No no no no NO. He's shoved to the back despite his protests, all his nightmares flaring to life at once; this was exactly what he didn't want to happen. He can't even play at being mad or distant anymore, now he's just scared. He reaches for Tadashi's shoulder, knits his fingers tightly in the collar of his brother's shirt and tugs, trying to pull him back to some kind of a safe point -
And of course like a complete idiot, Tadashi opens himself wide up for whatever comes next. Hiro freezes in place, feeling that deer-in-the-headlights helplessness, and his fingers tighten until they turn white. His voice drops to a cracked whisper.]
Tadashi. Please.
no subject
However, that doesn't last long.
He's pulled into a grip, with both his hands and feet being restrained. He could easily pull away, after all, he can lift 1,000 pounds, but based on the things he's picked up from Hiro and Tadashi about Callaghan's situation and the fact that Robert's heart rate suddenly accelerated, he believes that jerking out of the microbots' grasp could possibly worsen things.
So, he remains standing there, shackled by microbots, the only movement from him being a slow blink as he processes the situation and how best to proceed.
He speaks in his usual calm tones, though he might be attempting to sound even more soothing than normal.]
Please do not be alarmed, I do not wish to hurt you. Your leg needs medical attention as soon as possible.
[He pauses for a moment, then adds.]
I was concerned that the microbots may be obstructing your breathing, that is why I attempted to move them.
[Explaining what you were doing to a patient often helped relax them as they started to understand what exactly was going on.]
no subject
tick
by
as Callaghan stares wide-eyed at Baymax, the events of the past few days warring with the exhaustion warring with the threat warring with the need to not be here. the microbots are clearly anxious as well, their sudden rigidity somehow coming across as tense, as if there's a fear that if they took any sudden action they'd provoke it all in to crashing down.
but this- in the seconds that tick by, even like this, Callaghan can understand it's somehow different. he doesn't understand how, at first, his eyes only darting to the side when he hears his name, called, and there's- there's Tadashi, of all people, crouched and hands spread. and behind him- his brother, Hiro, looking terrified. for Tadashi, and back to the center, to the white-ballooned robot who, of all things, is talking about his leg?
it's almost, almost enough to make him laugh hysterically. but instead he just swallows and manages a shaky nod, lowering his head before heaving a heavy breath]
I need- give me a minute.
[the microbots aren't relaxing. but he's trying to, resting his head on the back of his hand and trying to breathe. and slowly, they begin to retract towards him, withdrawing their 'feelers' back in to the central mass as Baymax is, piece by piece, released]
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Tadashi sighs in relief when Callaghan comes to and the microbots begin to recede, shoulders slumping a bit before he finally giving into Hiro's grip and stands. He's expecting Hiro to be incredibly upset with him. This is just the sort of thing that Hiro was probably trying to avoid by pushing him away while they were above ground.
... Yep, Hiro has every right to be mad, but Tadashi's going right in for a hug anyway.]
Sorry...
no subject
On the other hand, a hug and an apology are no comfort at all. He's still upset and there's still leftover terror gradually winding its way down in his chest; he shrinks in Tadashi's grip and pushes at him, a childish and not-so-subtle signal that he's mad and the last thing he wants right now is a hug.]
Stupid. You'll just do it again, eventually.
[And he doesn't want to deal with it so he focuses on business, instead:]
Baymax. What can we do about his leg?
no subject
As Hiro speaks to him, Baymax slowly waddles around to face him. There's a single slow blink as he sorts the data he's gathered from Callaghan.]
There is not much I am able to do for his leg, it should have had medical attention as soon as he was wounded. As such, the injury may have worsened. There are several treatments that can aid in the healing of crush injuries and gangrene, however, most of them need a medical professional.
Because of the severity of the injury and the fact that it has been this way for an extended period of time, amputation of the lower part of the leg may be necessary.
[This wasn't a diagnosis that he wanted to give, losing limbs is a traumatic experience for patients. However, he'd much rather a limb be lost than a life.]
no subject
microbots flex uncertainly. the potential of threat is there, but they seem a bit more confused, now, slide-trickling over one another and back to Callaghan. even with him 'awake', there's still the exhaustion overriding most of it all, and there's a few ripple-spikes...but ultimately they seem more passively defensive than anything else. a few 'feelers' are even reaching out again as Robert leans back with a heavy sigh at Baymax's diagnosis]
That wasn't...an option. To get it immediately. I had to get away, first, and then I had to find one of the runners because a hospital wasn't an option...
[he swallows, closing his eyes again. amputation...]
...if it has to happen, it...has to happen. But a hospital's still not an option, and unless you've upgraded Baymax for surgery...
[ripple-spike-hold. Callaghan has to actually raise his
tremblinghand in gesture to get the microbots to 'smooth' back down. even then, it's like there's a resistance, or maybe he's just too tired to put much mental effort in to it...]no subject
Tadashi tries to keep up a strong front, but the thin-lipped grimace and the tightening of his shoulders give him away pretty obviously. And maybe the shade or two paler his face goes. Amputation?]
I- Certain emergency procedures are permissible, but... [But there's so much legal red tape in the way of something like that. So much more research and testing and licensing and other government approvals... One day Baymax might end up in the operating room (or another robot modeled off of his original purpose and coding), but Tadashi's always figured it would be decades before that happened.]
No. He has knowledge of how to treat accidental amputations, but not how to preform one.
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[To be honest? He needs a little space to himself right now. All of this is over-much and he's just about to implode into a shrieking ball of stress if something doesn't happen to relieve some of the pressure soon. Dancing around the snaking, rippling microbots all over the floor isn't helping anything.
He clenches and unclenches his fists, glancing around the room like that's going to help anything. One step at a time. Keep it simple.]
Could we carry him to Fred's? And, from there, maybe we can figure out - or find somebody who can help. Some kind of doctor that's not connected to a hospital or...something.
[...That thing (not-Baymax) is still out there, though. Probably still hunting.
He glances at Callaghan.]
How long, usually, before it finds you again?
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HE'S NOT TREMBLING SHUT UPRobert nods at Tadashi's confirmation; he didn't really think it'd happen. Baymax wasn't meant to replace skilled doctors and medical personnel, only as a companion. a way to support them. if he was mass produced, at best, he'da hundred thousand of them rampaging
the microbots take the errant thought as a threat, once again building between Callaghan and Baymax. this time, though, it's almost akin to a guard animal's bristling. there's no true shape to it, short of a cluster of pointed metal, but it's still reminiscent of teeth and claws and a ready-willingness to strike and shred
it's probably not helped by the fact when Callaghan raises his hand to calm it again, he ends up putting his hand on the 'structure', the slow sinking of his hand all but petting it. if he's aware of that, he doesn't show any sign, closing his eyes as he wearily tries to think without triggering another motion from them]
...it varies. Sometimes within the hour. Sometimes a few.