ᴛʀᴀғᴀʟɢᴀʀ ᴅ. ᴡᴀᴛᴇʀ ʟᴀᴡ (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
countershocks) wrote2020-06-29 04:08 pm
countershocks) wrote2020-06-29 04:08 pm
[ oh. the person he spoke to, when he was spreading information about the clinic. ]
If it is useful and free, consider me interested.
If it is useful and free, consider me interested.
( he's going to die. no. no no no no. no.
stalking down an alley, flames breaking out like a rash, his voice becoming more erratic: )
What the hell do you mean, it "reacted"?
Can't you — I don't know. Take it out of him? His Soul. You're a surgeon, aren't you?
( maybe law already tried. sabo thinks he should try again. and again. and again. until it works. what's the use of law's devil fruit if he can't even do the most important thing and save ace's life? )
stalking down an alley, flames breaking out like a rash, his voice becoming more erratic: )
What the hell do you mean, it "reacted"?
Can't you — I don't know. Take it out of him? His Soul. You're a surgeon, aren't you?
( maybe law already tried. sabo thinks he should try again. and again. and again. until it works. what's the use of law's devil fruit if he can't even do the most important thing and save ace's life? )
Indeed, it is! I have two deceased that were infested with seeds.
And you want to be rid of the bodies, I suppose?
[ hm. not a bad deal. ] I have a few samples, but I could use more.
[ hm. not a bad deal. ] I have a few samples, but I could use more.
Based on existing evidence, you will continue to exist as something like undead.
[ slowly, he turns to pick up his sword, moves it in front of him, its tip pointed toward the ground. ]
As for if you still remain as yourself... As much as any of us do.
[ a pause. ] Scan. [ eli will not feel anything, but law looks at him as if scanning information that his ability allows him to see. ]
[ slowly, he turns to pick up his sword, moves it in front of him, its tip pointed toward the ground. ]
As for if you still remain as yourself... As much as any of us do.
[ a pause. ] Scan. [ eli will not feel anything, but law looks at him as if scanning information that his ability allows him to see. ]
And how much is that, do you reckon?
[There's fear in his tone, and his stomach turns. He doesn't yet know how far corruption goes. Does anyone know? Has anyone been here long enough to know? How do they know they aren't all completely turning into whatever their soul is?]
Has any Augmented lost themselves completely to the soul, yet?
[The scan shows what Law likely expected based on the description- strange otherworldly wounds on Eli's wrists, ankle, residual calf, and ears. These wounds are indeed bone-deep. His hands and foot don't seem to be made of living flesh any longer- no blood or pulse. The scan also detects two magical daggers strapped to Eli's thighs.]
[There's fear in his tone, and his stomach turns. He doesn't yet know how far corruption goes. Does anyone know? Has anyone been here long enough to know? How do they know they aren't all completely turning into whatever their soul is?]
Has any Augmented lost themselves completely to the soul, yet?
[The scan shows what Law likely expected based on the description- strange otherworldly wounds on Eli's wrists, ankle, residual calf, and ears. These wounds are indeed bone-deep. His hands and foot don't seem to be made of living flesh any longer- no blood or pulse. The scan also detects two magical daggers strapped to Eli's thighs.]
Surgeon-kun!
( was anyone expecting a guy to slam the clinic door open today? no? well, too bad. it's takasugi shinsaku, the firstborn son of a samurai clan that only exists in a world beyond this one and has gone from his own history. he slides the flat of his palm against the wood of the door, and the familiar clack of his sandals on the floor echo as he walks in with the fanfare of a guy who tends to act up wherever he goes.
wherever law is sitting or standing or otherwise, takasugi directs his attention. )
I've got something interesting to show you. Take a look at this.
( and then, without hesitation, he begins to pull down the fold of his jacket and the sleeve of his kimono over his left arm. )
( was anyone expecting a guy to slam the clinic door open today? no? well, too bad. it's takasugi shinsaku, the firstborn son of a samurai clan that only exists in a world beyond this one and has gone from his own history. he slides the flat of his palm against the wood of the door, and the familiar clack of his sandals on the floor echo as he walks in with the fanfare of a guy who tends to act up wherever he goes.
wherever law is sitting or standing or otherwise, takasugi directs his attention. )
I've got something interesting to show you. Take a look at this.
( and then, without hesitation, he begins to pull down the fold of his jacket and the sleeve of his kimono over his left arm. )
Edited 2025-08-28 22:07 (UTC)
[ Vincent chuckles. ]
Yes, it would be useful for me, as well. I imagine you may want to arrive before the authorities here take interest in removing them.
Yes, it would be useful for me, as well. I imagine you may want to arrive before the authorities here take interest in removing them.
His demeanour changed, [ comes the response, and then, almost without pause, ] Don't be rash about this.
[ he can hear it in sabo's voice, a kind of desperation, the kind that turns into rage and violence all too quickly. ]
Do you really think I wouldn't have done that already, if I could? The augmenter repels my powers. And trying to remove it otherwise... I believe it would only kill him faster.
But there are others who seem to share his soul type, who have died and then woken up again. If he dies, there is a high chance his soul will reawaken him. Clinically dead, functionally alive.
[ he can hear it in sabo's voice, a kind of desperation, the kind that turns into rage and violence all too quickly. ]
Do you really think I wouldn't have done that already, if I could? The augmenter repels my powers. And trying to remove it otherwise... I believe it would only kill him faster.
But there are others who seem to share his soul type, who have died and then woken up again. If he dies, there is a high chance his soul will reawaken him. Clinically dead, functionally alive.
[ of course takasugi is making a scene — his entrance is loud and bright and immediately headache-inducing... though law can't deny that a part of him is satisfied to see him show up. ]
Samurai-ya, [ comes his greeting as he lifts his gaze from the book he is reading, eyes sharpening with that interesting starter... and he gets up, crossing the floor to the door with some quick strides as he says, dryly, ]
Usually patients wait until the door is closed before starting to strip. [ let him close the door and turn to takasugi. ] What is "this"?
Samurai-ya, [ comes his greeting as he lifts his gaze from the book he is reading, eyes sharpening with that interesting starter... and he gets up, crossing the floor to the door with some quick strides as he says, dryly, ]
Usually patients wait until the door is closed before starting to strip. [ let him close the door and turn to takasugi. ] What is "this"?
I don't believe anyone knows. [ he shrugs, grabbing a notebook and starting to scrawl down some notes about eli, about the extent of his corruption, about what he sees in the scan. ]
Have you heard of Peacock? If I had to guess, I'd say it's what happened to them. Possibly the other local Augmented, too.
[ it is his working theory, anyway. ] But we are more resistant to the radiation, and so probably to the Augmenter, too. [ with that same, contemplative, near-flat tone, ] Your extremities are no longer alive. Once it reaches your heart, I would suspect that is when you will die.
Have you heard of Peacock? If I had to guess, I'd say it's what happened to them. Possibly the other local Augmented, too.
[ it is his working theory, anyway. ] But we are more resistant to the radiation, and so probably to the Augmenter, too. [ with that same, contemplative, near-flat tone, ] Your extremities are no longer alive. Once it reaches your heart, I would suspect that is when you will die.
Where are you? We can discuss your further involvement after that.
[ he figures, once he can transport the bodies back to the clinic... well. if vincent wants to be present for the examination, he supposes it is his right. ]
[ he figures, once he can transport the bodies back to the clinic... well. if vincent wants to be present for the examination, he supposes it is his right. ]
[Eli nods. He had heard about Peacock, and that's exactly what he's afraid of.]
I thought the Augmenter was what made us more resistant to radiation. You think being from other worlds helps too?
[It's possible, he guesses? But everyone is from different places, has different sorts of powers. Perhaps they were selecting for strong, durable people when they brought them here... But Eli can think of a couple people he's met who aren't physically strong or durable. Maybe mentally?
His musing is cut off by Law's dry statement that he will die when it reaches his heart.]
Okay. I just... Need to prepare for that. I can tell it's gonna be horribly painful.
I thought the Augmenter was what made us more resistant to radiation. You think being from other worlds helps too?
[It's possible, he guesses? But everyone is from different places, has different sorts of powers. Perhaps they were selecting for strong, durable people when they brought them here... But Eli can think of a couple people he's met who aren't physically strong or durable. Maybe mentally?
His musing is cut off by Law's dry statement that he will die when it reaches his heart.]
Okay. I just... Need to prepare for that. I can tell it's gonna be horribly painful.
Lucky for you, I'm not the usual.
( his voice fills the small clinic with the confidence of someone much bigger than he is, just like always. but, takasugi gets it. he'll be good ( for once ) and make sure to close the door behind him with a foot before carrying on with his chaos.
once the sleeve is pulled down far enough, takasugi adjusts his clothing to reveal a scabbed over wound close to the lean curve of his bare hip. )
Well? What do you think?
( which explains absolutely nothing. )
( his voice fills the small clinic with the confidence of someone much bigger than he is, just like always. but, takasugi gets it. he'll be good ( for once ) and make sure to close the door behind him with a foot before carrying on with his chaos.
once the sleeve is pulled down far enough, takasugi adjusts his clothing to reveal a scabbed over wound close to the lean curve of his bare hip. )
Well? What do you think?
( which explains absolutely nothing. )
Edited (one word too many) 2025-09-02 16:42 (UTC)
Very good, thank you. You can find me near the entrance of the Peacock Theatre.
[ And he would happily attend the examination! It’s always good to know what they’re dealing with. ]
[ And he would happily attend the examination! It’s always good to know what they’re dealing with. ]
Obviously, [ he says with the raise of a singular brow. ] Why do you think it didn't work for the locals? Long exposure to radiation leaves your body suffering the effects. We have no such exposure, and as such, the Augmenter isn't fighting against years and years of radiation damage.
[ why else would patho-gen have brought them here, if not for the fact they have not fallen victim to the effects of arcane radiation? that must be why the augmenters actually work for them when they didn't work for the locals.
as for the preparations — ] I will give you pain medication. It won't remove the pain, but it will make it... less.
[ why else would patho-gen have brought them here, if not for the fact they have not fallen victim to the effects of arcane radiation? that must be why the augmenters actually work for them when they didn't work for the locals.
as for the preparations — ] I will give you pain medication. It won't remove the pain, but it will make it... less.
Got it.
[ and indeed he does — it takes barely five minutes when a thin film of blue spreads from the direction of his clinic in east sophia to the peacock theatre, block by block, and law flickers from one place to another, switching himself with rocks or twigs on the street.
when he finally appears in front of vincent, he is quite the strange sight, with his ever-present hat, a feather-edged coat slung over his shoulders, tattoos in full view, sword slung over his shoulder.
he couldn't look less like a reputable surgeon, really. ]
The bodies? [ comes his greeting. ]
[ and indeed he does — it takes barely five minutes when a thin film of blue spreads from the direction of his clinic in east sophia to the peacock theatre, block by block, and law flickers from one place to another, switching himself with rocks or twigs on the street.
when he finally appears in front of vincent, he is quite the strange sight, with his ever-present hat, a feather-edged coat slung over his shoulders, tattoos in full view, sword slung over his shoulder.
he couldn't look less like a reputable surgeon, really. ]
The bodies? [ comes his greeting. ]
Yes, "lucky."
[ he mutters this mostly to himself as the floor clicks shut behind his patient. the energy, the loudness, the chaos — all of it reminds him almost acutely of not just his own crew but the straw hats as well. he sweeps the thought under the metaphorical rug.
and, after a beat, waiting to see if takasugi adds anything, anything at all than showing him a wound on its way to healing — ]
It looks like a wound. [ his professional analysis, this. ha, ha. ]
[ he mutters this mostly to himself as the floor clicks shut behind his patient. the energy, the loudness, the chaos — all of it reminds him almost acutely of not just his own crew but the straw hats as well. he sweeps the thought under the metaphorical rug.
and, after a beat, waiting to see if takasugi adds anything, anything at all than showing him a wound on its way to healing — ]
It looks like a wound. [ his professional analysis, this. ha, ha. ]
[ By now, most citizens have found shelter, and it’s quieter. Vincent rests against the side of the building, idly watching and listening.
The dashing blue light along the ground easily catches his attention, particularly as it approaches. Warily shifting to his feet, he prepares himself for… well, he isn’t entirely certain what for.
And the immediate apparition of the man before him gives him enough of a start that he leans away, brows raised. Mismatched eyes take it the sight of him as he eases. ]
Doctor. My, what a surprise.
[ On all fronts, really. Fortunately, he has no qualms against working with the strange or intimidating. Perhaps the validity of his credentials could be called into question, but he know better than to underestimate a person. Time would tell. ]
They’re just this way.
[ He gestures with an open palm, before leading him just around the corner of the building. Tucked behind a pallet are two bodies, covered by a tarp that was once used to protect the supplies. He removes the shroud to show him the crumpled and disfigured forms. ]
I hope they don’t disappoint.
The dashing blue light along the ground easily catches his attention, particularly as it approaches. Warily shifting to his feet, he prepares himself for… well, he isn’t entirely certain what for.
And the immediate apparition of the man before him gives him enough of a start that he leans away, brows raised. Mismatched eyes take it the sight of him as he eases. ]
Doctor. My, what a surprise.
[ On all fronts, really. Fortunately, he has no qualms against working with the strange or intimidating. Perhaps the validity of his credentials could be called into question, but he know better than to underestimate a person. Time would tell. ]
They’re just this way.
[ He gestures with an open palm, before leading him just around the corner of the building. Tucked behind a pallet are two bodies, covered by a tarp that was once used to protect the supplies. He removes the shroud to show him the crumpled and disfigured forms. ]
I hope they don’t disappoint.
Exactly. Only I've got some valuable information to share that you might not get from anyone else. Think of it as a little repayment, and a chance for you to touch base with me before I take off again.
( he doesn't mind the flat delivery. if anything, it's interesting. no one else he interacts with on the daily is so unanimated, and takasugi isn't about to ask him to act any different. what it really means is getting a reaction out of him will only be more satisfying down the road.
there's a glint in his eyes, a pattern in those phoenix reds that tends to unravel whenever something unexpected is about to happen. so, takasugi doesn't wait for law to make any sudden movements. he makes those sudden movements himself. he walks over to law without warning, attempting to wrench one of those wrists of his and press it upon the very flesh they're speaking of. )
There was a bullet here. Can you guess how I might have accelerated the healing without surgery?
( he doesn't mind the flat delivery. if anything, it's interesting. no one else he interacts with on the daily is so unanimated, and takasugi isn't about to ask him to act any different. what it really means is getting a reaction out of him will only be more satisfying down the road.
there's a glint in his eyes, a pattern in those phoenix reds that tends to unravel whenever something unexpected is about to happen. so, takasugi doesn't wait for law to make any sudden movements. he makes those sudden movements himself. he walks over to law without warning, attempting to wrench one of those wrists of his and press it upon the very flesh they're speaking of. )
There was a bullet here. Can you guess how I might have accelerated the healing without surgery?
[Okay, don't make him feel stupid, gods!]
I assumed they brought us in so as not to subject their own people to it again.
[Y'know, the dehumanizing way. Outsiders are harder to sympathize with.]
And I didn't think the first experiment was after "years and years" of damage, but I don't know much about it, so maybe I'm wrong.
[He nods, relieved for that, and hoping whatever he gives is stronger than what he gets from the pharmacy.]
Okay. Thanks. Imprints seem to help too... Any other tips on dying effectively?
I assumed they brought us in so as not to subject their own people to it again.
[Y'know, the dehumanizing way. Outsiders are harder to sympathize with.]
And I didn't think the first experiment was after "years and years" of damage, but I don't know much about it, so maybe I'm wrong.
[He nods, relieved for that, and hoping whatever he gives is stronger than what he gets from the pharmacy.]
Okay. Thanks. Imprints seem to help too... Any other tips on dying effectively?
I thought we were in a hurry, [ comes law's response, with a raise of his brows and just a hint of cheek, despite his deadpan expression. and truly — he wouldn't waste his strength, here, not unless it was necessary.
he follows vincent round the building, hanging back as his acquaintance removes the covering, and once he is sure no one is around or has seen them, he moves closer. there is a flash in his golden eyes, a hint of an interested smirk on his lips as he looks at the horrid, mutated forms of the locals.
(yes, it is terrible. yes, he is terribly interested in seeing how this all came about.) ]
Not in the least. [ now, for the hard part... displacing the bodies with the two crumpled-up papers he left on the operation tables. normally, stretching his room to cover such a large area would be nothing — but his powers don't work the same as they do back home, and he grits his teeth as he strains to push the circle to cover more, more, more —
with a flick of his fingers, the bodies are gone.
he sags in place, sighing. ]
... I hope you won't mind a walk back. [ mostly because he has exhausted his devil fruit power for the next hour or two. ]
he follows vincent round the building, hanging back as his acquaintance removes the covering, and once he is sure no one is around or has seen them, he moves closer. there is a flash in his golden eyes, a hint of an interested smirk on his lips as he looks at the horrid, mutated forms of the locals.
(yes, it is terrible. yes, he is terribly interested in seeing how this all came about.) ]
Not in the least. [ now, for the hard part... displacing the bodies with the two crumpled-up papers he left on the operation tables. normally, stretching his room to cover such a large area would be nothing — but his powers don't work the same as they do back home, and he grits his teeth as he strains to push the circle to cover more, more, more —
with a flick of his fingers, the bodies are gone.
he sags in place, sighing. ]
... I hope you won't mind a walk back. [ mostly because he has exhausted his devil fruit power for the next hour or two. ]
I'll decide that, [ law mutters, as if even agreeing that this might be valuable is giving too many inches. but there is a prickliness to him that is different — a kind of exasperation, now, instead of the cold detachment of their first meeting.
(if he allows himself to think about it, he's already decided he likes this man, the chaos lurking in his sharp eyes, the way he moves like a whirlwind, like he must be so, so loud to leave a mark behind, when his time eventually comes and takes him away.)
later, he will blame the lapse of attention for what happens next: one moment, he is sighing about the fact the valuable information is, apparently, a wound, and the next his hand is pressed against said wound.
he manages an affronted, ] Oi!
[ but then the question sinks in, and he forgets all about being affronted at all. ] I assume you're about to tell me, [ he fires back, and tries to hold onto his annoyed tone... but some interest sneaks through, regardless. ]
(if he allows himself to think about it, he's already decided he likes this man, the chaos lurking in his sharp eyes, the way he moves like a whirlwind, like he must be so, so loud to leave a mark behind, when his time eventually comes and takes him away.)
later, he will blame the lapse of attention for what happens next: one moment, he is sighing about the fact the valuable information is, apparently, a wound, and the next his hand is pressed against said wound.
he manages an affronted, ] Oi!
[ but then the question sinks in, and he forgets all about being affronted at all. ] I assume you're about to tell me, [ he fires back, and tries to hold onto his annoyed tone... but some interest sneaks through, regardless. ]
[ Vincent will bow his head faintly with a smile, visibly pleased that the doctor finds them satisfactory enough for his studies— until, perhaps he doesn’t? The grimacing and deep concentration must be connected to some sort of strange power, he’d imagine, but he can’t possibly forsee what that would be. So, he folds his arms across his middle, as he observes Law.
And, quite suddenly, the bodies are gone. With a blink, he will take a moment to wrap his mind around that before responding. ]
Ah— no. Not at all. [ Forcing that congenial smile back onto his features, he stands a bit straighter! ] Please, lead the way.
And, quite suddenly, the bodies are gone. With a blink, he will take a moment to wrap his mind around that before responding. ]
Ah— no. Not at all. [ Forcing that congenial smile back onto his features, he stands a bit straighter! ] Please, lead the way.
[ Poor Law, who ( even temporarily ) has to deal with the awkward dance between Ace and Sabo. Poor Law, who must juggle his oath as a doctor with a patient both transparently bold and deeply evasive, ducking and side-stepping pertinent questions because of the naked hopelessness of the situation. But also, not poor Law. Because Ace had asked him to do the work on his behalf, and because Ace retained faith in him — he knew there was no saving him, but he'd never asked to be saved. Just made comfortable. Just prolonged, for a little while longer. A little more.
He finds Law in the tiny kitchen area of the boxcar-shaped apartment the three of them share. Haggard and limping with exhaustion, his hand out to catch his weight on the counter as he shifts himself around the corner of the lopsided cabinet made of splintering wood and checker-print drapes to make it all seem homey and warm. ]
Give me your hand, doc.
[ An exhausted tone, but still a warm one. ]
He finds Law in the tiny kitchen area of the boxcar-shaped apartment the three of them share. Haggard and limping with exhaustion, his hand out to catch his weight on the counter as he shifts himself around the corner of the lopsided cabinet made of splintering wood and checker-print drapes to make it all seem homey and warm. ]
Give me your hand, doc.
[ An exhausted tone, but still a warm one. ]
Edited 2025-09-20 22:52 (UTC)
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