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Post by Moxie on Jul 31, 2015 16:00:34 GMT
Medical Grotto & Medical Store
The camp medical center was one of the first caves opened. Created for injured ponies as well as the sleeping chambers for medical primary roles, this cavern often smells of herbs and flowers from it's medical store located in a smaller nook off to the west side of the grotto.
The medical store room is packed full of natural herbs and healing flowers gathered from ponies during daily herb gathering chores. A fresh supply is always needed, older plants are dried and stored for winter in this cave as well.
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Post by Moonlight Scroll on Aug 23, 2015 18:09:35 GMT
Inside the cave where the refugee community kept and treated its sick, only one pony resided at the moment. Which was a good thing, considering if it would have been full, it would have been with injured or sick ponies, and the one who was in here now was neither. No, he was perfectly healthy as a matter of fact, and the reason he was in here was simply because this was where he did most of his work. In fact, he was doing work right now, namely brewing something in the crude but effective black cauldron in front of him.
"Add hacked Coltsfoot slowly while stirring clock-wise..." He read out loud from the book that floated in his blue magic in front of him while simultaneously carrying out the instructions, the finely hacked herb being slowly released into the concoction while it was stirred with stick that served as a ladle. In reply, the up-till-now brown liquid took an auburn tone and the unicorn nods in satisfaction as he observed it.
"Excellent, onto the next step..." He says to himself as he again turns to the book to examine his next step.
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Post by Genesee Rover on Aug 23, 2015 18:24:44 GMT
Down the dim corridors of the cavern slowly trotted an older Earth Pony stallion. Though his shaggy brown fur and untamed grey mane displayed his weary age, his body rippled with the muscular strength of a younger pony as he carried himself with pride and dignity.
As leader of the camp, Genesee Rover frequently made his rounds within the cavern to check on the camp's well being. As he rounded the last corridor and saw the opening of his first destination, he couldn't help but feel a wave of comfort wash over him. He always enjoyed his visits with his friend Moonlight Scroll, and today he was happy to see as he entered the Medical Grotto that the unicorn stallion had not been burdened with any sick ponies during the night before. It was rare that the two could speak alone.
Genesee paused at the mouth of the cave and politely knocked a hoof on the rock at his side, announcing his presence to the busy stallion inside. "Is this a bad time?" His deep voice carried in a soft echo about the grotto.
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Post by Moonlight Scroll on Aug 23, 2015 18:59:48 GMT
Moon, who had been completely engrossed with the work at hand could not stop himself from jumping slightly in surprise as Genesee spoke up and made himself known. The panic however quickly recedes and his heartbeat returns to normal upon recognizing the voice, and after a quick check to make sure nothing happened with the brew, he turns his head to offer the older stallion a polite smile.
"Oh, no no no, I'm just, ah, "practising medicine" as it were." He says before turning back to observe the brew which was slowly changing from auburn to a more intense red. "Actually, would you mind hoofing over that bowl over there? The one with the grey liquid in?" He says with a nodding motion towards a simple wooden bench on the other side of the room.
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Post by Genesee Rover on Aug 23, 2015 21:51:03 GMT
"Eh...sure..." Genesee glanced around hesitantly. He was more then willing to help, but he felt completely out of his element. This medical stuff had always gone over his head, and he tended to have a bad habit of being a jinx with messing brews like this up. He'd much rather stick to tending to the directing the camp where he felt comfortable. But retrieving a premixed bowl shouldn't be of any harm, right?
Padding over to where Moon had directed, Genesee picked up the bowl Moon must have been referring to and brought it over to him. "This the one you were after?" He asked with a hint of doubt.
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Post by Moonlight Scroll on Aug 24, 2015 9:30:52 GMT
Moon briefly glanced over to Genesee and the bowl he was carrying to verify the identity of the content of that bowl and nods, both for himself and for Genesee. "Yes, I would think so." He says thoughtfully as he carefully takes the bowl from the camp-leader. He then turns to look at the book again to make sure that he had read the next step correctly.
"Right... pour slowly while stirring at a brisk pace..." He mumbles quietly, not quite aware that he was actually talking, as he begins to take the next step, the concoction in the cauldron slowly going from red to purple. While doing this, he suddenly remembers that he wasn't alone and turns his head to give Genesee a quick smile. "Oh, my bad, didn't mean to be rude and forget I wasn't alone... So, ah, something I can help with?" He asks politely and maybe also a little nervously, slightly ashamed for his behaviour.
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Post by Genesee Rover on Aug 24, 2015 14:35:32 GMT
Genesee simply smiled kindly as he watched the unicorn so enwrapped in his duties. He was glad his camp had a doctor that truly cared and enjoyed helping others. "I'm just checking in, I didn't need anything in particular. The camp's been pretty quiet the past few days so I've been taking advantage of it to... well... see some ponies who I know arn't going to hound me about approving more weapons." He chuckled.
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Post by Moonlight Scroll on Aug 24, 2015 16:48:24 GMT
"Ahh, I see. Well, I suppose I see the sense in talking to me then." He says and relaxes while turning to check on the cauldron and its contents once more. Upon seeing that it had taken a mud-like purple tone, and in fact a mud-like consistency as well, he smiles excitedly, clearly pleased with his work.
"Aha, excellent! Now all I need to do is let it cool down." He says, promptly closing the book he had been reading from while finally fully turning towards Genesee, a pleased smile on his face.
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Post by Genesee Rover on Aug 24, 2015 17:25:37 GMT
Genesee took a few steps forward to examine Moonlight's concoction. His snout wrinkled from the tart scent and he gave Moonlight an unsure glance. I hope he's not expecting anypony to EAT this stuff... "So, what is this for if I may ask?"
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Post by Moonlight Scroll on Aug 24, 2015 18:06:25 GMT
"Oh? I'm glad you ask!" He says excitedly, happy to be given the opportunity to explain his work.
"See, it's a sort of salve which can be used to stop bleeding by clotting up the wound. Something I have found is that that it is most effective when you take, ah, let's say bandages if you have those, and then dip them in it, letting them soak up as much of the concoction as possible and then bandage the wound. Also, by letting it cool, it looses none of it's effectiveness and it serves an added bonus of being a slight anaesthetic, it then being cold and all." He says all of this rather quickly and with some pride in his voice, a big grin on his face afterwards as he awaits Genesee's response.
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Post by Genesee Rover on Aug 24, 2015 18:19:59 GMT
Genesee stared at him blankly for a moment in silence before smiling. "You're always up to something amazing, arn't you Moonlight? That sounds like an incredible brew you've made. Think it will help heal the abundance of scrapes we get from the forests faster?"
Living in a cave with jagged rock a plenty meant for daily cuts, but patrols or gathering groups running through the forests always somehow managed to obtain far more open wounds then the ponies did just inside the cavern. Whats worse is that they often got infected due to the nature of the job they were performing when they got it. Often times stagnant water was splashed into the wound or unsanitary forest debri would find its way into it. It was always a pain to lose a helping hoof due to a simple scratch that got worse then it should.
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Post by Moonlight Scroll on Aug 24, 2015 20:49:19 GMT
The unicorn smiles sheepishly in reply to the praise but nods nonetheless at the proposition. "Well, yes, I imagine so. It'll certainly help fight the common cuts and bruises, not to mention potential infections, that comes with running around the forest... and other places too I guess." He says thoughtfully.
And even though he had most certainly thought about it before, he can't help but wonder over how something as minor as getting a cut in the woods now was real problem that needed solving... "How things have changed..."
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Post by Genesee Rover on Aug 24, 2015 22:22:16 GMT
Genesee nodded, his tone going back to a more formal depth found only in a confident leader as he gave his medical pony the proper praise. "This is great work Moonlight, the camp thanks you for all your hard work to keep us safe from disease. Its ponies like you that keep us living on happy lives here in the wild. Is there anything you need from the camp in return? Are you okay on your store of herbs? Do you need any extra gathering patrols sent to fetch anything? I don't want your work held back by something as silly as needing ingredients, if we can avoid it, of course." Genesee ended with a softer smile, his tone switching to a hint of that of a caring father figure.
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Post by Moonlight Scroll on Aug 24, 2015 23:45:46 GMT
Moon is very quickly dragged away from his sombre thoughts by the leaders praise, it being replaced by a rather warm feeling in his chest... and on his cheeks. "I... ah, well, I uhm, no, I don't think so. I mean, the stocks of supplies. They're ah, fine, yes." " He says, rather obviously a bit a flustered. "Oh and ah, thank you. It's... It's good to hear I'm being useful." He then adds honestly.
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Post by Genesee Rover on Aug 25, 2015 3:33:36 GMT
Genesee gave the young unicorn a knowing smile, he knew how Moon felt, he had often only ever wanted to be of help to his herd growing up in much the same way. "Of course you are. In fact, we need more of you. I shouldn't expect you to take on all the responsibilities of treating all our campers. Have you thought about my previous suggestion about taking on an apprentice or two?" The camp leader had brought it up about two weeks ago, when Moon had been swamped on a night when many ponies had gotten sick from bad water. His grotto had been full that night, and he had nearly run himself down trying to help them all without another pony who could help more than hold or bring him things. He needed someone else who knew what to do.
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Post by Moonlight Scroll on Aug 25, 2015 14:35:15 GMT
Recovering from his fluster, the unicorn nods thoughtfully. "I ah, I suppose I have." In truth, when the camp-leader had first come with him with the idea of training others, he cursed himself for having thought of that himself. Of course he needed help, and the camp would benefit from having more than one who was learned in the healing arts, even if only they knew a little. He had reasoned that this notion hadn't appeared to him simply because of that he maybe hadn't become fully used to staying in one place yet, as there hadn't exactly been much time instructing others while one travelled Equestria (or what was left it at least...).
"I mean, if you can find anypony who is willing to learn, then I'd be happy to teach them what I know." He says with another nod, accompanied by a small smile. "That'll surely keep me busy..." He thinks at the same time.
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Post by Genesee Rover on Aug 25, 2015 15:28:56 GMT
Genesee noded once, understanding the slight dilema. Its not like they had ponies beating down the "door" to be a medical pony around here. "It is definitely something we will both need to keep our eyes open for. Maybe we could offer an advanced medical class? See who might be interested? Though, I know how busy you are with the class you already teach on the basics..." Genesee didn't want to force his camp doctor into anything, but at the same time, he really had no other pony qualified to teach others medical procedures.
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Post by Moonlight Scroll on Aug 25, 2015 19:58:19 GMT
The unicorn listens closely to what Genesee said, quick to shake his head when the doubt came up. "No no, don't you worry about. I'm sure I'll be able to ah, manage both of these classes." He says, eager to receive more work and though he didn't think it, he knew unconsciously that this meant less time to "think", which was something he very much preferred. "I mean, I'm sure I could combine an "advanced class" with my normal duties, as long as it is not too many. Experience is an excellent teacher after all, right?"
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Post by Moxie on Aug 25, 2015 22:42:30 GMT
[Enter Moxie and Flux from the Unexplored Caves]
It didn't take long to make their way down the passages of the camp cavern system, and soon they rounded a corner into the opening of a cave that smelled sweet and bitter all at the same time. The Medical Grotto. Even though it was a place of sickness for many, Moxie actually enjoyed coming here. Not just for the quiet, but to visit her very busy friend Moonlight Scroll. Often times she tried to lend him a hoof when she could, but she couldn't do nearly as much as the unicorn could when it came to treating wounds. Now, she guided Flux into the cave for Moon to see himself.
Upon entering the cave, Moxie had shook her saddened state aside and put on a happy face. "Hey Moon, are you busy? Flux got hur-" Moxie stopped short as her eyes clicked to her father standing with Moon, her smile faultering. "Oh.... I'm sorry, I thought you were alone. Are we interrupting?" Moxie's tone had taken on a hint of flat anger and even more so a bit of aloofness, as she were ignoring Genesee's presence. Her eyes stayed on Moon and didn't make eye contact with her father.
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Post by Moonlight Scroll on Aug 25, 2015 22:58:46 GMT
Moon blinks in surprise at the sudden interruption, eyebrows rising in unison, but quickly moves to action, approaching and examining the bloodied pegasus with her while motioning them to come further into the room. He quickly gives Genesee an apologizing smile before turning his full attention to other two. "Never mind that. Now, what have we here? Some kind of bash to the head I imagine?" He asks quickly and to the point, a habbit he had adopted as speed and decisiveness could make quite the difference when one had to heal somepony.
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Post by Genesee Rover on Aug 26, 2015 3:12:03 GMT
Genesee's mouth had opened to reply to Moon before he was stopped short by his daughter's voice ringing from the Grotto's entrance. Looking her way, and catching his daughter's smile fall and expression turn to ice towards him, the camp leader felt the intentional sting from her gaze. Was Moxie ever going to understand? With an inner sigh, Genesee moved out of the way as Moon rushed forward to look over Flux, his hooves taking him towards the exit.
Feeling the awkwardness of the situation he was in and not wanting to burden the others with it, Genesee hesitantly spoke out, "I should uh... Let you work Moon, we'll speak later about it more." Knowing his medical pony was more then capable of handling the cut he saw on Flux's head, Genesee gave an encouraging nod to Flux before he left the cave.
[Exit Genesee to Celestia's Gate]
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Post by Flux on Aug 26, 2015 18:59:55 GMT
Even though his head was being once again taken and examined, Flux couldn't miss the near-tangible wall of ice that had gone up around Moxie as they entered the cave. He tried to understand why her personality had suddenly flipped to a side of her that he'd never seen before, but the more he tried to figure it out the more intense his rising headache got. That only made him angry with himself, which didn't help it either. 'When did I become so weak?' he thought, confused and frustrated.
He sat down on the cavern floor, curling his arms around his head to try to stop the feeling of his skull trying to burst. "Stupid rock," he half-muttered, half-whined.
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Post by Moxie on Aug 26, 2015 20:08:24 GMT
Her father removed from the room, Moxie returned to her more natural expression and turned to Moon with concern in her gaze. "He cut it on a stalactite in one of our project caves, they are pretty damp in there so I thought it best to have you take a look and get it cleaned."
Moxie hovered over Moon while he examined Flux, looking through to where he was working to see if the bleeding had stopped at all. More hushed, she whispered to Moon. "This is the third time this week Flux hasn't been completely there, I don't think this is just from being clumsy." She informed her unicorn friend of her suspicion. Moon was Flux's friend too, and sometimes she felt the two of them had a better friendship then she, must be a colt thing.
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Post by Moonlight Scroll on Aug 26, 2015 20:35:02 GMT
The healer listens carefully to what Moxie had to say while keeping his eyes on the blue pegasus in front of him, nodding along thoughtfully to what she said. "Being distracted huh...?" He thinks, wondering if didn't have an inkling to what he might be thinking about... After all, he often suspected Flux was in the same situation as himself, that being, not knowing... He sighs inwardly.
"I see." He says, as he moves closer to inspect the head-wound. "Excuse me, but you'll need to move those hooves if you want me to take a closer look." He says while his horn and Flux's wound simultaneously lights up with light blue magic, dimming the pain the pegasus felt somewhat. He then turns his head to address the mare in the cave. "Oh, and Moxie, you remember where the bandages are kept right?" He asks, while simultaneously gave her a look asking for a moment of privacy with the other stallion. He then turns back to Flux, empathy in his eyes and voice. "Something on your mind huh?" He asks softly.
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Post by Moxie on Aug 26, 2015 20:41:03 GMT
Moxie nods and heads to the other side of the grotto where the medical supplies were gathered, leaving the two alone.
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Post by Flux on Aug 27, 2015 1:12:07 GMT
As the healer's magic flared up Flux let out a shallow hiss, both at the feeling of contact with no physical presence, and the bit of relief that it gave him, though he only moved his hooves, leaving them pressing against his head. The wound itself wasn't particularly painful and could surely be treated with minimal effort, but it seemed that it had acted as the catalyst for the beginning of a mental overflow that took its host along for the ride.
"It won't stop," he got out through clenched teeth as he looked up into Moon's face, traces of desperation creeping into his voice. "Why doesn't it stop?"
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Post by Moonlight Scroll on Aug 27, 2015 12:27:37 GMT
The desperation in his voice momentarily sent the unicorn into a pause, as memories of his own failures and feelings of uselessness and guilt came rushing towards him. Before any of them has time to settle however, he quickly and by habit pushes them to the side. "You can't help anypony like that. Now help him." He thinks determinedly as he kneels down so they could be at the same level, a sense of understanding (and slight sadness) in his eyes as he addressed the pegasus.
"Flux, I know this isn't easy, but you need to listen to me, so snap out of it." He says calmly and patiently, looking directly into the other stallion's eyes.
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Post by Moxie on Aug 27, 2015 15:57:50 GMT
Moxie took her time searching for the best band aid through their supplies for Flux, purposely giving them more time. After Flux's comment from before, Moxie felt unsure if her presence was needed or desired. Feeling uneasiness and a bit sick in the stomach about it, she tried to simply focus on the problem at hand. She busied herself with organizing a few of Moon's supplies before she turned to head back over towards them.
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Post by Flux on Aug 27, 2015 18:39:45 GMT
Flux's multihued orbs looked back, searching Moon's eyes. His mind still ran rampant with images of the past and speculations of what the present held, but he managed to keep his gaze locked onto the unicorn's. There was something about him, something that Flux felt beyond what he had learned of the healer after he arrived at New Hayven. His mind in its current state couldn't put the pieces together, but for now he was content to let the feeling turn into trust that Moon could help.
"I see them," he whispered. "All those years, all of us together, and now they're gone. I-I don't even know where they are. I can't help them, I can't do anything. What if they need my help?" His troubled gaze flickered between the camp doctor and Moxie as she approached the two once more. "But it won't stop. They're always up here," he continued as he slowly tapped his temple with a hoof before his voice fell back into a trembling whisper as he looked between the two ponies and repeated, "Why can't they just leave me alone?"
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Post by Moonlight Scroll on Aug 27, 2015 20:29:35 GMT
Moon forced himself to remain stoic and not break down as echoes of his own thoughts resonated with Flux's words. And calm he remained, as he tried to think of what to say. "Flux..." He says quietly and carefully lifts a hoof to place at Flux's shoulder.
"Please... believe me when I say that I know how you feel, but... you need to be strong Flux. The memories won't leave, no matter how much you want them to... so you have to endure. It's the only way I know..." He says softly, his voice again filled with empathy as he spoke not only to Flux, but to himself as well.
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