Concerning Refugees

[sapphirecontess]

1 - Organization Amidst Chaos

While Musse had participated in some diversionary tactics during the attack, her primary function was the care of the refugees. And it was for that reason that she now found herself within the Vault, helping sort new arrivals and ensure they were fed and housed. With her chipper affect, she was doing her best to lighten the mood and get people accustomed.

"Everyone, form an orderly line please! We will ensure you are taken care of as quickly as possible! If you still need food, please report to the cafeteria, fresh clothing and medical treatment is available at the infirmary."

2 - Exhaustion

During her break, Musse has found a quiet, out of the way area. Upon reaching it, she sinks to the floor, her expression equal parts pain and exhaustion. She knew coming into the operation that it was going to be harrowing, and is also well aware she isn't even seeing the worst of it, but even still, it takes a tremendous toll. In this moment, she is unguarded, a rare sight indeed.

Comments

2

[2mao]

Finding Musse is part and parcel of Maomao's job. So even though she's squirreled away in some dark corner of the Vault, Musse finds herself joined shortly thereafter by Maomao, carrying a small canister of tea.

It's not a nice tea cup on a fancy plate, but it's tea. Soothing, relaxing, and with a couple herbs to perk up somebody who's been running around doing far too much. An apothecary, it turns out, can make some pretty effective tea.

So Maomao offers it to Musse without saying a word.

[sapphirecontess]

"Thank you."

Never let it be said that Musse lacks manners. She takes the cup and sips gracefully, unconsciously straightening her back and putting on a placid, unbothered expression.

"How fares the infirmary?"

[2mao]

"As well as can be expected." She pauses, then, because she's a professional, she gives a more in-depth answer. "I keep medicine well-stocked, so we're not running out, but I'll need to focus on restocking it next month."

Not an answer for how bad it looks in terms of the patient care, but Maomao figures Musse can guess that.

At least they have enough medicine.

[sapphirecontess]

"Has there... been word on the casualties yet?"

She is hesitant, questions she doesn't want to ask but knows she must.

[2mao]

Maomao doesn't have those exact numbers, at least partially because she's barred from dealing with corpses. But she has an idea.

"It's less than you'd expect, but more than you'd hope for." In other words, not as bad as it could've been. But not without.

She doubts that'll appease Musse, but realistically, it probably is the best they could hope for.

But then again, of course, those numbers can still change.

[sapphirecontess]

"I see."

She hesitates for a moment, sighs, and gives voice to what they're both thinking.

"And those numbers will likely continue to rise, yes?"

[2mao]

"That's only natural." There's a comment in her about how they're obviously not going to fall, but that's a comment she'll keep to herself. Not the time, not helpful. "We can only try to minimize that number."

[sapphirecontess]

"And with the rate they are rising, does that align with your initial assessment?"

Her tone is sharp, not necessarily because of Maomao but due to her own frustration at the circumstances.

[2mao]

"I believe so, yes." She sighs. "It truly could have been far worse. The infirmary is dealing with the influx as well as can be expected, and it doesn't look like we'll run out of supplies. So long as things don't take a sudden turn for the worse, we'll make it through without any worst case scenarios."

Of course, that's making several assumptions. That it doesn't take a turn for the worse being the obvious one. But also, Maomao can only speak on the infirmary's situation, not on those already deceased. There might be some concern with the help as well - healers and those assisting them can only be rushing at full speed for so long before they begin to lag or make mistakes. And this is the kind of situation that can push that.

Still, Maomao's assessment is genuine. She's terrible at consoling people, though - not the worst case isn't exactly the most reassuring. But maybe that's a sign that she is being genuine.

[sapphirecontess]

Musse sighs quietly, as she takes a moment to compose herself.

"I suppose that is acceptable. Do you require any assistance in the infirmary? I should still have ether to spare."

Never mind, of course, that she seemed on the verge of exhaustion. Maomao can be quite certain she hasn't been sleeping much of late.

[2mao]

Maomao obviously knows and acts as appropriate to her station. But when it comes to medicine, that goes out the window. So when it comes to her job as an apothecary, her tone becomes at least a little bit bossy - even when talking to Musse.

"You want to make yourself useful there? Then get some rest. You're about to fall over and you're no good to anybody like that. Take four - no, three hours, then tag in. There'll be other healers in the infirmary who need to rest then, and you can fill their role for a spell while they rest."

[sapphirecontess]

"You speak as if sleeping will come easily to me."

Yeah, that has not been happening lately.

[2mao]

Maomao, naturally, will reach into a pouch at her side and then hand over a couple small pills. "Take one when you're about to lie down. Take it with water, but not food."

Why does she have drugs on hand? You know the answer to that, Musse.

[sapphirecontess]

This actually elicits a bit of a chuckle from Musse.

"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised you have such a thing. Very well, I shall go rest for some time, and then report to the infirmary to assist once I have awoken."

[2mao]

"I'll let them know to expect you in some hours, and I'll contact you if there's a change in circumstances."

2

[relentless_sentinel]

At some point, when there's a lull in the fighting for Flotsam, Nephenee gets herself over to the vault. She knows there's a lot of refugees there, and that they could use the help, and while it's more people than were in the armies she served in back home, there's some similarities in terms of needing to scale things up considerably, and dealing with crowds.

What the Sentinel fails to think about, however, is that she's been running around for awhile, and while that stubborn streak of hers demands she keeps going full-speed, she does need to eat something. Maybe she can steal away for half a moment while it's a little quieter? So there she is, scooting away for a quiet corner with a couple of thick sandwiches and water, when she spots someone slumped to the ground.

"Oh!" If she's cognizant enough, Musse might hear the slight squeak, the sound of armour shuffling as someone runs over, and feel the unmistakable presence of someone nearby. Geez, this gal looks bad. "M-Miss," A soft, warm, very country voice asks, "Are ya alright...?" Well, relatively alright, in any case.

[sapphirecontess]

The moment Musse detects Nephenee's presence, her expression locks itself into a polite, albeit somewhat detached noblewoman's smile, her tone even and pleasant.

"Quite all right, I assure you," she says with impressive bravado. "I am simply taking a quick rest before returning to work. There is much to be done, after all."

[relentless_sentinel]

Musse doesn't quite get a visible squint at that...but she's getting one internally. She could've sworn she saw...

Well, she could be mistaken? She doesn't think she is, but it's always possible. Maybe it's just the big sister/caretaker part of her that worries about folks yelling because of the situation...

Regardless, Musse still gets that side from Nephenee. She can't help it, her mode right now is Protect & Serve. The armoured woman nods. "There is. Have ya had somethin' to eat recently, though? Can't go on on an empty stomach." Well, you can, but you shouldn't.

[sapphirecontess]

"I've had a bit," Musse says, her cheery demeanor not faltering in the slightest. "I don't want to overeat, I'll be returning to work before too much longer."

[relentless_sentinel]

"Well, alright." If she says so. "Make sure ya get 'nuff water, too. Dehydration'll sneak up on ya if ya ain't care."

She looks around for a moment. Hmm, this seems to be the quietest corner... "Um, do ya mind some company? Need to get some food in me, myself, an' this area's kinda quiet..."

[sapphirecontess]

That was definitely not something Musse was expecting, there's a brief flicker of astonishment on her face before she returns to her more poised demeanor.

"Of course not, you are free to rest as long as you wish."