ways_infirmary | (no subject)

[ooc: so sorry for crapping out on you there, back now]

Mal looks around through slitted eyes, not sure where he is. There's a fuzzy outline of a man in front of him, bathed in red, but it isn't the friendly red he's gotten used to, the kind that keeps him alive, but an angry red. Accusing. Shufti's with him, out of Mal's sight but he can smell her, and she smells like fear.

O gods. Someone's attacked her. He can hear her screams just under the comforting sounds of this place, and even as he turns to vomit up what little he's eaten that day his hand is reaching out for her. He can't reach her.

Guppy is used to being vomited on. Happens a lot at work. Which is why he's quick with a bowl before there can be mess.

Shufti moves forward and rubs his back gently, holding his hand.

"It's okay Mal, I'm here and I'm safe."

Guppy frowns worriedly at the monitors. It's difficult to get readings on vampires.

"Do you know what's causing this?" he asks gently, not too loud so as not to hurt the man's head.

Mal's exhausted and embarassed by now. It can be stressful, battling demons with no place in his head or others, and he for once allows Shufti to touch him properly.

"...sorry..."
It takes Mal a second to properly understand the question, but once he does he begins to move with new purpose, using the headboard on the bed to lever himself upright.

"...nothing wrong w'me, vampires don't get sick."

He blinks owlishly. "Tech'ically dead."

"Doesn't stop most people getting sick. I've seen several dead people, vampires or otherwise, end up in here."

He disposes of the first bowl before putting a second in reach of Mal, just in case.

"Do you know what's making you feel ill?" he asks, rephrasing the question.

Mal smiles a bit, then winces as the screams clamour for his attention.

"Don't know. Was okay before I joined up, then Strappi stole m'coffee. Drank blood a bit. Thought'd be okay. War over. Polly trying to get me to switch to something less dangerous. Came here. Found Shufti. Freaked out. Had a dream. Real bad. Puked all over my room. Made Shufti sick. Stupid of me. Voices came. Scream all the time. Hurts. Got dusted. Came back. Felt bad. Saw Shufti. Came here."

He sighs, fingers gripping the headboard as he tries to stay upright. "Never been sick before."

"Mal, I was already sick. You didn't deprive me of vitamins. It took months of malnutrition for me to get that ill."

Guppy adjusts the pillows a little to try and make him more comfortable.

"It sounds like you need some rest Mal, as well as a chance to deal with what's going on with your mind. If you want, I can give you a sedative for tonight so you can sleep a while without worrying about dreams. If you're still hearing voices after you've rested, I think you ought to see one of our resident psychiatrists, just to work out what's going on. I can refer you, they're very good."

[ooc: Mun needs to slowtime for sleep, sorry]

Mal blinks, the world sliding curiously in and out of focus. He frowns a bit, then relaxes until he's actually lying down.

"Y'can make the screaming go 'way?"

"We can certainly try Mal. I can't promise, but there are things we can do to help you. Under the sedative you shouldn't hear or dream anything for a good six hours or so at least, which will allow you to rest. The psychiatrist might be able to help with the voices in the daytime."

He perches on the edge of the bed. "Would you like to sleep in here for tonight? It's quiet and we can keep an eye on you plus..." he indicates a strap on the bed. "If you're really worried about attacking someone we could put these on."

Mal nods. "No dreams, no screaming." That's a rather confused yes, by the way,

His eyes are fluttering shut. "Don't wanna hurt anyone."

[ooc: If Guppy's interested, we could have a situation arise with the problem that Mal is technically female.]

[ooc: oh, and at school, sporadic replies, yada yada yada. You know the drill.}

[ooc: I'm not sure how that would be a problem, but I'm game for most things...]

Guppy unlocks one of the cupboards, finds the tablets and gives one to Mal with a drink of water. He then puts the straps on Mal's feet, not tight enough for them to hurt, nor so that they would stop him turning if he was sick again. Just to provide one more obstacle to attacking someone.

"Have you informed Security that you are in danger of attacking people?"

[ooc: More that Mal is so deep in denial that he doesn't really want to face reality, plus he's worried that he's been lying to Shufti.]

Mal shifts a bit, then shuts his eyes in the sort of deep, painful exhaustion that comes after a fight.

"I left a note, yeah. Don't know if anyone got it." He yawns a bit, then half flips over. "thanks...I'm sorry to be such a bother."

[ooc: Shufti actually knows. Susan told her. She didn't mind.]

"Don't worry, you're not. Get some rest, okay. I'll be over here in the office if you need anything."

Mal would answer, except he's already deep in dreamless sleep.

Shufti stays a little while until Guppy persuades her to go and rest. He keeps watch over the sleeping vampire for a while, then writes him a note for when he wakes up.

'Mal,
If you're still having problems with the voices and screams then you might want to consider contacting one of our psychiatric team. Leaving a note for Dr Malcolm Crowe, or Dr Peter Venkman, should do the trick. If you want someone to talk to or you're still feeling ill you can come and find me, I'm often in the bar.
Shufti has asked me to tell you that she is going home to Borogravia tomorrow morning but will be back soon.
-Dr Guppy Sandhu'

He goes back into the office, leaving the note with a thermos flask of coffee, just in case.