thelatechrisfreeman: (wanderer (PB))
Chris Freeman ([personal profile] thelatechrisfreeman) wrote in [community profile] ph_logs2023-11-03 11:09 pm

I think you ought to walk with me and be safe [November Open]

Who: Chris Freeman & ... First Aid ([personal profile] lovinglefthand) / Erik Osborne ([personal profile] lordoftheozarks) / River la Croix ([personal profile] somebodychildofanyone) / The Shade ([personal profile] deaths_head) ... & YOU!
What: catch-all, wildcard, and promised threads
When: in-game November, post-Pumpkinfest
Where: All around town
Warning(s): discussions of trauma, past deaths (in-game and backstory) are likely; probably NSFW in the Erik thread, lbr... mind the comment headers if anything else comes up.

OPEN - Hey there Little Red Riding Hood, you sure are lookin' good...
Chris happens to find the idea of seniority based on who's been on Marrow Isle the longest to be an absurd way to organize things. Dr. Winterbottom, despite her retirement, is the final authority for medical matters because she's a local and has the most experience out of all of them. Chris isn't sure exactly how to organize everyone else, but they consider themself at the bottom of the rankings, having only book learning, some experience as a medical assistant, and employment history as a coroner.

So it's not unusual to see Chris taking on the 'drudge work' -- arranging appointments for people, making home visits for follow up purposes, arranging supply contacts for 'the real doctors' to get the things their clinics need. This frees up people like Sally Boyle, First Aid, Dr. Pierce, and Dr. Watson to do the things that only they -- trained and experienced pharmacologists, doctors, and surgeons -- can do.

It's very likely to see Chris somewhere around town on an errand of some sort, or even visiting the outskirts to keep tabs on people who live away from the town center.


CLOSED to First Aid - You spent your stipend on THAT?
"You got the general store to tell you what grocery package I bought for next month?" Chris asks. They fold their arms over their chest defensively. "I'm an adult, you know. I can spend my money as I please."

The confrontation with First Aid is most likely taking place at the Winterbottom Clinic after hours. Seems that First Aid is very serious about making sure that everyone is as healthy as possible. Including their co-worker Chris.


CLOSED to Lord Erik Osborne - I promised you a fashion show...
Chris finally accepted their fate as one of Dr. Agnes Winterbottom's sucessors, and took over running her clinic at the end of October. As of November first, they've been given a small house within walking distance of said clinic, and moved their few material possessions from a room at the Oak and Iron into the house.

Chris asked Sam to deliver a letter to Erik -- and the vampire lord will find that it's an invitation to visit Chris's new home.

Part of it reads: 'Any evening that you're free, just give me a day's notice so I won't be on call that night. I promised you a little fashion show, remember?'

(Which may be enticing on its own, but this also gives Erik a chance to satisfy his curiosity about Chris's powers. Answering questions in private is usually more comfortable.)


CLOSED to River - A miracle of food engineering... (and maybe other engineering too)
Despite slightly rocky interactions -- Chris cried during their first conversation, and River accidentally sliced her fingers during their second -- Chris is actually feeling pretty good about a friendship with the head blacksmith of Infernal Arms and Armor.

And because it worked so well last time (with Sam), Chris trades in one of their last food vouchers for some savory hand pies from the Oak and Iron's kitchens. Come lunch time, they are at River's forge with a basket of food to share.

Has River been introduced to the idea of hand pies yet?

Chris also has some ideas for a bed -- an old design in their own world, not available on Marrow Isle -- that could help with post-surgical recovery. Zie wants to talk about the idea with River, and see if fabricating the parts is doable... either with her team, or from John who does less weapon-related forging.


CLOSED to The Shade - Death dad and death son go a-hunting
Both Chris and the Shade have a connection to death, something that the Shade could easily see when they met at a shooting game during Pumpkinfest. That hadn't been the right venue to get more information on using that connection to death with a weapon, as the Shade offered to teach them about... but some time in November?

Chris heads over to the Shade's place one morning, at his invitation. They've got their most sturdy shoes and sensible clothes on (no skirts or slippers today), and just their first aid kit in their ever-present bag. Chris isn't quite sure what these lessons will entail, but they are determined to be a good student.


OPEN - Wildcard
Did I promise something with Chris and forget it? It happens, my brain is a garbage fire. Feel free to toss anything at us here.
lordoftheozarks: by gronckle @ij (smolder)

[personal profile] lordoftheozarks 2023-12-03 05:05 pm (UTC)(link)
"Between you and River, I'm sure I'll be kept on the straight and narrow. Well, perhaps not straight." His tone is light to cover for the deep-seated dread that settles into his core just at the thought of not only Max coming here but his friends following. He might never know peace again if that bitch, Erin, shows up.

But it's hard to stay worried when he has such a lovely distraction straddling him. But Chris is bringing up another good point. Now that River has been mentioned, too, it might be time to start defining things.

"Chris, sex with you is wonderful and extremely satisfying, of course, but it's my friendship with you that I value most. I wouldn't trade one for the other. So, yes, if we decide to call this more than friendship, I wouldn't wish for anything to fundamentally change. That said, you are aware that I am dating River? Who is, herself, dating Miss Whitlock simultaneously."
lordoftheozarks: by gronckle @ij (guarded)

[personal profile] lordoftheozarks 2023-12-05 08:30 pm (UTC)(link)
"I am as surprised as you are," Erik admits. He's still uncertain how good of an idea it is to let himself be this involved. But the draw of having something he's been denied for so very, very long is too great for him to set aside. He wants this to work. Part of him wonders if this isn't exactly what that woman who met him at the outset of this meant when she asked him to build a new life, to find purpose, and seek out his salvation.

"We made it official at the festival, during the day before it all went so wrong." It wasn't long after Chris had left her with a bleeding hand from pumpkin carving.

"I'm glad you two get along well. She's a good friend to have. And, I'm sure it's obvious, but we are both the type of person who can have more than one romantic bond at once. The web may yet grow wider." He says that last tentatively, asking without saying the words, whether that is something Chris can tolerate.
lordoftheozarks: by gronckle @ij (intense)

[personal profile] lordoftheozarks 2023-12-09 09:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Erik closes his eyes and savors that kiss and, more than that, he savors their words. Sometimes he still fears he might wake up to find this was all a spell or hallucination. How long has it been since someone cared about him without the shadow of some ulterior motive lurking behind it?

"I can say the very same. You are so precious to me. Still, should you find someone who makes you happy, and should that mean you must commit to only them, I will gladly stand aside and remain your friend. I want you to have no fear of losing that."
lordoftheozarks: by gronckle @ij (wisecrack)

wrap!

[personal profile] lordoftheozarks 2023-12-14 07:41 pm (UTC)(link)
He closes his eyes so he can savor the warmth of them pressing against him, hugging him with their entire body. It feels so right.

When they move to peek up at him, he lifts one eyelid to peer down at that cute little smirk. "Oh no," he says in obvious mock distress, "what a terrible fate." And then he hugs his arms tight around them to hold them close again. Mm hm. A terrible fate, indeed. What ever will he do?