ataraxion | Seriously. There are leeches here.

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Seriously. There are leeches here.

[The video feed opens in Combeferre's quarters, which are meticulously organized. Not that he has ever been much of a slob but the piles of data pads and such that can be seen stacked behind him are very, very neatly organized. There are also some pins, small bits of paper with latin names attached to them arranged in a little pile, next to another pile of...moths.

Most disturbingly, perhaps, are the...new friends attached to Combeferre's face. There are two leeches up his nose, and another two placed at his right temple. He is also holding up a jar that appears to have more of these...creatures, wriggling around inside of them.]

I have spent my time here so far in attempting to learn the new methods of medicine, but it occurs to me that there are still some methods from my time in school at home that might be of interest to some here on this ship, or those who are not certain of embracing all of the technology here. While it is generally a very safe and good option, sometimes there are others that we may need to embrace.

So it is with that I would like to introduce some of you to my friend, Hirudo medicinalis, or the medicinal leech.

[There is a little grin as Combeferre leans into the camera a bit more, to uh, show them off a bit.]

Now, I am certain many of you must be horrified. Allow such creatures to feed on your blood? Well, yes, actually. These are specialized leeches, maintained for their medical and sanitary properties, and they are quite useful in the relief of many, many problems. Allow me to explain.

[And he is reaching in, with a tweezer of some sort, and holding up a leech so that the entire ship can see it.]

Now, monseuir or madame leech contains within its mouth three sets of jaws, each set containing three hundred teeth. They also feed upon blood and seem to like sensing, smelling, flesh. But I would think not more than they enjoy the taste of blood. When the leech is placed upon the area that one would like to relieve, it will bite down, hold on with these powerful jaws and release a medication that goes a great way toward relieving any pain that may be felt with a bite. What this also does is to allow for some relief of pain, but not, of course, so much as is felt when the blood is released.

I know we do not subscribe,so much to the theories of humours and balance now, of course, but the fact remains where there is pain, there IS often swelling and an access of blood, as evidenced, most likely, in the pain of the headache I have today. And so, the leech relieves all of that. Now.

[He is setting the demonstration leech back into the jar and reaching to begin to pluck the very swollen leeches on his face off now.]

These have been on my face for over half an hour, and the pain is greatly abetting, though I will leave the ones in my nose for some time yet, to ensure it, but for the moment...

[There is blood on his forehead, in the shape of...something similar to a peace symbol in each place where there was a leech, and it is flowing rather freely, but first, Combeferre is placing the used leeches into a tiny bit of medical alcohol in a small jar.]

And now, we must be rid of these poor leeches who have been so great a help to us. Unfortunately, they have spent their life for my relief, but even so, in the light of everything else, I can do little more than thank them for their sacrifice, and doctor myself up a bit.

These will bleed for several hours if I leave them unchecked, and that IS thought to be good, but one must clean things properly after all, so I mean to take care of that, and the rest of the leeches I've used today, and that may take some time.

However, if any of you feel in need of relief from swelling or pain, please do feel free to find me. I am Michel Combeferre, and studied in the Paris Medical School, and I am quite willing to help any who need it.

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[Eponine looks pale.]

The blood- get rid of it.

[What's that you say? Blood being slightly triggering for the young woman? Why, yes, yes it is.]

[There's a quick switch to audio so Combeferre need not force her to look at it while he responds.]

Ah, of course, Mademoiselle, when it has had time to do its work more fully. But you will be quite safe, I do not intend to leave here until at least tomorrow so the work will be done then.

No- your forehead. There is blood on it!

I do not fear leeches.

Ah yes, the blood. It needs to flow a bit longer, for this to work properly. It is not so bad though! Rather small.

Small!

[She gives a nervous laugh.]

A bullet wound is small.

Ah but this is merely a leech bite. It does not go near as deep, I can promise that much.

It is blood all the same.

It is, yes. The good sort of blood.

I no longer believe there is such a kind.

Oh well. There is certainly the healthful sort, when it is not overdone and is done instead to relieve. Otherwise, I would agree.

You are impossible. I have seen more blood than you. All women have. I have watched mine pool below me as I lay in the mud. There is blood upon your brow. You should be rid of it.

And I, Mademoiselle Eponine, am a doctor.

[Most of a doctor, at least.]

While I CAN agree that women have seen more, I have also seen a bit more than you might think. Were it a greater wound, I would agree.

[Eponine, always the impossible girl, gives a frustrated 'humph!' before shutting off the audio completely. Sorry, Combeferre.]

[There are oddities and horrors, and then... there is this.]

...But my friend, they are-- in your nose?

[Perhaps, if not wrong per say (he would not argue with a doctor on the validity of his medicines), was it not at least... too personal to broadcast?]

And had you not-- [Spoken to me of aspirin, he trips on, stopping short. No; that much he understands, the desire to do things as they have always been done, in the manner that you yourself understand and control. So, instead:]

...had you not better lay down during blood loss?

[There is this indeed. Combeferre flashes Jehan a bit of a smile as he shifts a little.]

For certain types of headache, they work placed in the nose as well. I merely wished to be thorough in my demonstration of...alternative methods if anyone should be interested.

Well, and...another reason, I confess.

[There is a bit of an eyedart there, as Combeferre glaces at Jehan, a little sheepishly.]

An experiment, to see which proves the more effective method as well, old or new.

And I suppose, eventually.

...Have you found any clear results yet, or--

Or will this continue for a time?

Ah, this IS my first attempt. Once I've documented these results, I can attempt the method subscribed to here next time, and then enact comparison. Leeches DO present something of a social...problem after all.

...A social problem, my friend?

And-- I almost fear to ask it, but-- do you mean to breed them, then, if it proves useful and desirable to have them on hand?

I've...literally no other idea how to begin to describe it,honestly. It would simply be quite awkward.

And, ah. I WOULD quite LIKE to do that,but the conditions are...less than ideal, I think, here. That IS a pity.

...Yes. A pity.

[Jehan looks 50/50 on how much of an actual pity it really is though, sorry, Combeferre.]

Isn't it just?

[There's a glint in his eyes, which says Combeferre is maybe joking about this part of things. Maybe.]

...Q-quite?

[...Empathy was usually more readily at hand for him than this, but lying was also somewhat difficult.]

Well... do try not to get carried away, and remove them when your head pain is relieved, won't you?

No leeches to be shared by all in this...

[All right, so Combeferre is snorting. Hard enough that one of the leeches is dangling. At least the engorged, bloody part, is still hidden.]

And yes, of course. It should be all right.

Oh!

[Gods.

He put a hand to his mouth in reaction, mildly alarmed.]

If... you say so my friend, surely. I am merely-- a touch coloured by concern.

I..do not quite blame you.

The absurdity of all of this just hit me, however. I assure you I am not entirely insane.

...Yet...

Insanity is an illness much remarked upon, but not so terrible as it seems, so long as you are not in the habit of making horses into Senators.

Still, perhaps we shall see to it that it does not afflict you.

Provided that the senators do not demonstrate that their work can be best performed by a horse instead, as Caligula intended...

But no worries. I do not intend to promote a leech to any positions of power myself.

And yet, you put them so near to your brain as to truly worry a man that they might bleed you of your ideas.

I think that I should be all right. They die with those ideas in that case so they can hardly pass the information out and sell me out.

What might kill them, when they are so full on philosophy?

Ah, well, for the most and best part, flame. Otherwise, we should have the same leeches to absorb the thoughts of many and eventually burst perhaps,but not before the mingling of blood, which I HAVE learned can be dangerous.

They have ever put the best thinkers to flame and blade and rope, have they not.

[A bit bitterly. Please excuse him, some marvelous poets had been killed in their not-so-recent history.

At any rate;]

They must die after they have had their fill?

[Oh dear. Now look what Combeferre has done.]

...Rather, at that. The ones who tried to change the world at least.

[And there is a shake of his head with that.]

Well, it is generally a better idea to keep from spreading illnesses in the blood and such that they have absorbed, I've found.

Do they spit it back out, rather than digest it? I did not know such was a problem of sorts.

Ah they do not but there is a residue of sorts. You see, their entire body swells with so much blood that some of it does sneak out, afterwards. And it was not, so much at home. The blood types coming into play again is part of this.

My head, like your nose at the moment, swims. I shall trust your word upon it, absolutely.

[Thank you, he now know far too much about another of earth's littlest creatures.]

They really are remarkable little things at that.

[Which he's starting to realize might have been a bit too much over-sharing.]

Ah...you probably never considered you would learn that today, Jehan. Thank you for humoring it.

Ever-willing, Combeferre.

[Just not always thrilled, mind.]

[Have a sheepish smile.]

I might have gotten a bit...carried away lately. With a few things.

You? Never.

[In the words of ye old Victorian men: LOL.]

We all have our little hobbies, no? Mine are simply...odder than most to discuss.

[Sure. TRY to defend yourself. LOL indeed.]

I bet I have stranger hobbies.

[Challenge Accepted, Combeferre. And he's hardly embarrassed of his.]

Oh have you indeed? Somehow that is not so much a surprise though I admit that I am...

[There is an EYEBROW being directed right at you, Jehan]

...Rather curious about what those may be.

[He sees that eyebrow, and raises you a slightly-devious smile... though it only lasts a moment.]

Some secrets we take to our graves, my friend. And though we have risen from ours... I may yet tell no tales.

In which case, I must ferret out the truth somehow. You Romantics. It IS only fitting, I suppose, that I will have to resort to methods beyond the ordinary to find out.

Oh? And what methods are these, I wonder?

Have you grown to be the mad scientist, after all? Perhaps I shouldn't take a prolonged journey into the hallways with such a man.

Ah a good tactician never reveals his secrets, now does he?

And not QUITE a mad scientist just yet. I am still safe for wandering corridors. So far.

So far.

Well adieu for now, my dear, while I look into feeding options and you look into confession tactics.

Good enough then. I shall do my best.

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Seriously. There are leeches here.

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