Imogene Howell (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
unpavemypaths) wrote2028-03-20 10:45 pm
unpavemypaths) wrote2028-03-20 10:45 pm
open post
PLOTTING | PROMPTS | STARTERS | OVERFLOW | TEXTS | ETC
PLOTTING | PROMPTS | STARTERS | OVERFLOW | TEXTS | ETC
[By the time he gets a chance to call, she’s already been informed of what’s been going on. The moment Isaac went into surgery he called her to briefly explain, not being able to do much aside from telling her the basics and letting her know he’d keep her updated. And they’ve had a steady stream of texts since then, generic updates, nothing really specific, just the facts. When he got out of surgery, when he woke up, when he fell back asleep.
Dagny still hasn’t left the room, he’s sitting by Isaac’s bedside, making sure he’s really asleep, the nurse finally had to come in and give him a sedative when the pain medication wasn’t doing enough to drag him under. He’ll need his rest to recover, they said, and Dagny wanted to tell them “good luck, he barely gets more than a few hours a week, let alone a night” but it does seem like the sedation is doing it’s job.
He’s exhausted, he’s still frustrated and upset, and scared and covered in Isaac’s blood and he doesn’t really know how to fix any of that when the one person he wants to talk to is basically passed out, with a bullet hole in his hip. So he calls the next best person —
The line has barely picked up before Dagny is already pleading with her, feeling like a complete asshole after he promised he would do the exact opposite of the very thing that happened tonight.]
I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I told you I’d keep him safe. I didn’t — fuck, I didn’t know he would do that. I’m so sorry. [He’s not crying, still doesn’t have the tears for it, but he sounds like he might be hyperventilating, everything hitting him like a truck as soon as Imogene picks up the call.]
Dagny still hasn’t left the room, he’s sitting by Isaac’s bedside, making sure he’s really asleep, the nurse finally had to come in and give him a sedative when the pain medication wasn’t doing enough to drag him under. He’ll need his rest to recover, they said, and Dagny wanted to tell them “good luck, he barely gets more than a few hours a week, let alone a night” but it does seem like the sedation is doing it’s job.
He’s exhausted, he’s still frustrated and upset, and scared and covered in Isaac’s blood and he doesn’t really know how to fix any of that when the one person he wants to talk to is basically passed out, with a bullet hole in his hip. So he calls the next best person —
The line has barely picked up before Dagny is already pleading with her, feeling like a complete asshole after he promised he would do the exact opposite of the very thing that happened tonight.]
I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I told you I’d keep him safe. I didn’t — fuck, I didn’t know he would do that. I’m so sorry. [He’s not crying, still doesn’t have the tears for it, but he sounds like he might be hyperventilating, everything hitting him like a truck as soon as Imogene picks up the call.]
[Imogene's been a wreck ever since the first call, calling out from work even though there's nothing she can do from here, because she doesn't think she can focus on anything else right now. At least Dagny's there and kept her updated, because if she had to wait until Isaac was coherent enough to tell her himself, she thinks she'd be climbing the walls right now. She doesn't think she even sat down until she got word he got out of surgery alright. Every update is a relief, read and replied to immediately.
She's still keeping a close eye on her phone even though she's not really expecting anything new for a while. There probably won't be any changes for a bit. She keeps telling herself that, that no change is probably better news right now. So her heart's in her throat when Dagny's number flashes up on the screen, and she barely gives it one full ring before she answers.
For a moment she's absolutely terrified, convinced the worst has happened, so it's a guilty relief when she realizes he's not telling her anything new. Just freaking out, and she can't really blame him for that when she's feeling the same way.]
Shh, shh, hey. [Soothing. Her voice is a little rough from crying on and off and she's not trying to hide that, but the comfort sounds genuine despite that.] I don't think anyone would've expected that. It's okay.
She's still keeping a close eye on her phone even though she's not really expecting anything new for a while. There probably won't be any changes for a bit. She keeps telling herself that, that no change is probably better news right now. So her heart's in her throat when Dagny's number flashes up on the screen, and she barely gives it one full ring before she answers.
For a moment she's absolutely terrified, convinced the worst has happened, so it's a guilty relief when she realizes he's not telling her anything new. Just freaking out, and she can't really blame him for that when she's feeling the same way.]
Shh, shh, hey. [Soothing. Her voice is a little rough from crying on and off and she's not trying to hide that, but the comfort sounds genuine despite that.] I don't think anyone would've expected that. It's okay.
No, I should've -- I should've stopped it. I should've known.
[Eventually he will let rational thought take over again, but right now he's still too distraught for that. Still to close to it all, replaying it over and over in his mind as if he could change the course and make something different happen.]
I'm supposed to protect him. Why wouldn't he let me protect him? [The tears do come after that. The rest of his anxiety and sadness coming out with them, not longer feeling like he has to hold back his emotions for Isaac, he lets himself feel the full weight of it all.
After a minute or so of just crying, his breathing levels out slightly,] Sorry. Fuck. I'm sorry. He's your brother. You should be the one crying. [His voice still has a slight waver to it, his breathing hitched but he seems more composed. Just emotionally exhausted now that he's expended the last of his energy on that.]
[Eventually he will let rational thought take over again, but right now he's still too distraught for that. Still to close to it all, replaying it over and over in his mind as if he could change the course and make something different happen.]
I'm supposed to protect him. Why wouldn't he let me protect him? [The tears do come after that. The rest of his anxiety and sadness coming out with them, not longer feeling like he has to hold back his emotions for Isaac, he lets himself feel the full weight of it all.
After a minute or so of just crying, his breathing levels out slightly,] Sorry. Fuck. I'm sorry. He's your brother. You should be the one crying. [His voice still has a slight waver to it, his breathing hitched but he seems more composed. Just emotionally exhausted now that he's expended the last of his energy on that.]
[There's not much she can do from here, and she's not about to tell him not to cry it out -- it's a lot healthier to just let it out anyway. So she's quiet for the most part, occasionally murmuring soft little comforting things, giving him the space to get it out until he's breathing better and starts talking to her again.]
He's your husband. I think we're both allowed to be pretty messed up right now. [Because she's not about to pretend she's not upset about all this. That just doesn't mean Dagny doesn't get to have emotions too.] Anyway, I think I've cried all I can manage for one day. I'm just -- glad it's not worse.
He's your husband. I think we're both allowed to be pretty messed up right now. [Because she's not about to pretend she's not upset about all this. That just doesn't mean Dagny doesn't get to have emotions too.] Anyway, I think I've cried all I can manage for one day. I'm just -- glad it's not worse.
Yeah, me too. [He agrees with the last part anyway, happy that Isaac is going to be alright, even if it's going to be a really long recovery process. He's unbelievably happy Isaac will be able to walk again, can't imagine how awful it would be for him if he lost that ability.]
The -- the pain meds even started working for him, it just takes a bit more than normal to get him feeling good. I'll make sure he gets enough to stay comfortable. [Both of them knowing that Isaac is likely to be stubborn about that once he's a bit more aware. Dagny doubts Isaac will like the feeling of being high very much. Drunk is one thing, but pain medication is completely different.]
The -- the pain meds even started working for him, it just takes a bit more than normal to get him feeling good. I'll make sure he gets enough to stay comfortable. [Both of them knowing that Isaac is likely to be stubborn about that once he's a bit more aware. Dagny doubts Isaac will like the feeling of being high very much. Drunk is one thing, but pain medication is completely different.]
Okay. That's good. [She takes a deep breath, a little bit relieved. Dealing with it at all is bad enough, dealing without pain medication is a lot worse.] Thank you. For taking care of him, and for letting me know. [Her voice wobbles a little, tearing up a little bit again despite what she'd said before.]
You don’t have to thank me, I’m just…I wouldn’t be anywhere else. [Guilt still swirls in his gut, making him feel sick. This is the least he can do after everything. He wouldn’t want it any other way.]
I hate this. [He admits quietly.] He didn’t deserve this. He’s so good. And so beautiful. He shouldn’t have to deal with this. [Not after everything he’s been through and everything he’s overcome. He knows Isaac is strong, but god, he wishes he didn’t have to show his strength quite so much. He deserves a lifetime of happiness after the life he’s already had, not more painful bullshit.]
I hate this. [He admits quietly.] He didn’t deserve this. He’s so good. And so beautiful. He shouldn’t have to deal with this. [Not after everything he’s been through and everything he’s overcome. He knows Isaac is strong, but god, he wishes he didn’t have to show his strength quite so much. He deserves a lifetime of happiness after the life he’s already had, not more painful bullshit.]
I know you wouldn't. But I'm really glad you can be there if I can't. [Not that she'd be stopping Dagny if she was there. They're important to each other, she's not going to get in the way of that. But having someone she trusts with her brother there is about the only reason she doesn't feel the need to hop on a plane right this second, and fuck what disappearing like that might do to her life.]
I know. [She's not sure if Dagny realizes he also wouldn't deserve to deal with it, but it doesn't seem like a good moment to go prodding into his psyche. Too much going on right now.] Me too. But he can handle it. It'll be okay. It has to be.
I know. [She's not sure if Dagny realizes he also wouldn't deserve to deal with it, but it doesn't seem like a good moment to go prodding into his psyche. Too much going on right now.] Me too. But he can handle it. It'll be okay. It has to be.
[A soundbite comes through on her phone in the middle of the night that is using the sound of Eminem's "Without Me" song, just the part that says "Guess who's back, back again, Shady's back, tell a friend, guess who's back, guess who's back, guess who's back."
Followed by --]
Maybe that isn't relevant enough for me to use here...does anyone listen to that song still?
Followed by --]
Maybe that isn't relevant enough for me to use here...does anyone listen to that song still?
Technically I never moved in.
[But she did spend so much time there in Isaac's early days back that she might as well have. Thank god for the professor and his over generosity, because she would've lost her apartment if he didn't help her make the rent.]
School doesn't really give me a choice.
[But she did spend so much time there in Isaac's early days back that she might as well have. Thank god for the professor and his over generosity, because she would've lost her apartment if he didn't help her make the rent.]
School doesn't really give me a choice.
That's like saying I didn't either. [Until now anyway.]
Is school at least worth it? Do you like it?
Is school at least worth it? Do you like it?
Okay, but I always knew I was going to have to take off again.
I really do. You know, I used to be worried I'd change my mind once I actually started interning and everything. But I still can't imagine doing anything else.
I really do. You know, I used to be worried I'd change my mind once I actually started interning and everything. But I still can't imagine doing anything else.
And I always knew you'd leave
Doesn't mean I like it anymore now that you're gone.
Tell me more. What part are you at right now?
Doesn't mean I like it anymore now that you're gone.
Tell me more. What part are you at right now?
Well, it's not permanent. I'm still fighting them about transferring, but at the worst, I don't have that long left.
And I might pop in later this month for our birthday, I just need to see if I can save up enough.
Third year. First two are all studying but now we do clinical rotations too. I think I change my mind about what I want to specialize in every other week.
How are you doing anyway? Been anywhere interesting lately?
And I might pop in later this month for our birthday, I just need to see if I can save up enough.
Third year. First two are all studying but now we do clinical rotations too. I think I change my mind about what I want to specialize in every other week.
How are you doing anyway? Been anywhere interesting lately?
I'll talk to Pops, he'll get you out here.
It'd be nice to see you.
Have you done MedSurg yet? I've heard that's the hardest. [Heard from her. But whatever, she doesn't need to know that.]
I'm good, finally moved into that room I used to stay in. Put up decorations and everything.
Went to Izzy's wedding a bit ago.
When you walked him down the isle, I cried like a baby.
It'd be nice to see you.
Have you done MedSurg yet? I've heard that's the hardest. [Heard from her. But whatever, she doesn't need to know that.]
I'm good, finally moved into that room I used to stay in. Put up decorations and everything.
Went to Izzy's wedding a bit ago.
When you walked him down the isle, I cried like a baby.
If I keep asking him to pay my way back and forth, he might actually run out of money at some point.
[Extremely unlikely. But she always feels bad. Asking for necessary things is one thing, even asking for something her brother needs is one thing. Technically, visiting can always wait.]
Not yet, soon. I'll be prepared.
Can't have been that far ahead then, I'm basically waiting to hear that's going to happen any day now. But I'm glad we could get ahold of you for it.
Glad you're staying, too. It's good to know you're safe.
[Extremely unlikely. But she always feels bad. Asking for necessary things is one thing, even asking for something her brother needs is one thing. Technically, visiting can always wait.]
Not yet, soon. I'll be prepared.
Can't have been that far ahead then, I'm basically waiting to hear that's going to happen any day now. But I'm glad we could get ahold of you for it.
Glad you're staying, too. It's good to know you're safe.
Not as far as I've seen.
Pretty sure he's richer than Oprah. It's fine. [Another dated expression, partially speaking to how old he is currently and also the fact he tries to think back to what might be relevant and usually misses it by a longshot.]
I know you will be. :)
Me too. It was a fun one. I'm glad I was there.
Is it weird? Him being married?
Pretty sure he's richer than Oprah. It's fine. [Another dated expression, partially speaking to how old he is currently and also the fact he tries to think back to what might be relevant and usually misses it by a longshot.]
I know you will be. :)
Me too. It was a fun one. I'm glad I was there.
Is it weird? Him being married?
You're probably right. But I still feel bad.
Really weird. I feel like I've gone from a front-row seat to what's going on with him to looking through a window.
I mean it's good. He's happy with his soulmate, and he's taken care of.
I'm just used to being the one taking care of him, I guess.
[Even before Isaac came back, really. Trying to find out what had happened and figure out how to get him back took over most of her life for a few years there.]
Really weird. I feel like I've gone from a front-row seat to what's going on with him to looking through a window.
I mean it's good. He's happy with his soulmate, and he's taken care of.
I'm just used to being the one taking care of him, I guess.
[Even before Isaac came back, really. Trying to find out what had happened and figure out how to get him back took over most of her life for a few years there.]
It'll be a favor for me this time, not you. Just works out that you benefit from it as well.
Your seat's still there. You're just taking a break to focus on yourself.
I think that's good.
Great even. You deserve a life too.
Just wait til they have kids.
Pretty sure you go right back to the front-row for that one.
You might even be on the stage...if that's how the metaphor works.
[He doesn't like to give away too much, but he's seen Genie worry about Isaac too much in life. He'd like her to be able to focus on herself more. Besides. He loves those dumb brats. It'd be nice to share that with someone else.]
Your seat's still there. You're just taking a break to focus on yourself.
I think that's good.
Great even. You deserve a life too.
Just wait til they have kids.
Pretty sure you go right back to the front-row for that one.
You might even be on the stage...if that's how the metaphor works.
[He doesn't like to give away too much, but he's seen Genie worry about Isaac too much in life. He'd like her to be able to focus on herself more. Besides. He loves those dumb brats. It'd be nice to share that with someone else.]
In that case, I won't stop you. It'd be nice to come back anyway, even if it's for a weekend. I was around for spring break but I barely stopped by.
I don't think I remember what that's even like. Besides, I'm pretty sure I signed away my rights to one when I started med school.
It works, I get the picture.
I'd better be, anyway. Someone needs to spoil them rotten.
[If he's going to share bits with somebody, she's probably a good choice, anyway. She has her own little bits of the future she's used to keeping secret, or at least trying to; she's not likely to spill what he tells her. Sometimes she's already aware of it anyway, if not in much detail.]
I don't think I remember what that's even like. Besides, I'm pretty sure I signed away my rights to one when I started med school.
It works, I get the picture.
I'd better be, anyway. Someone needs to spoil them rotten.
[If he's going to share bits with somebody, she's probably a good choice, anyway. She has her own little bits of the future she's used to keeping secret, or at least trying to; she's not likely to spill what he tells her. Sometimes she's already aware of it anyway, if not in much detail.]
Well you can stay here this time, if you get tired of the newly weds.
At least that's something you chose. Besides, you're good at it. The world needs more healthcare people like you.
[He's specifically thinking of his mom when he says it. The nurses she's had over the years have been varied in their professionalism and their compassion. He knows Genie knows about her. He used to talk about her a lot more when he was younger, the earlier versions of himself missed her so much, losing his mom and traveling came around the same time, they both get lumped together as far as trauma goes.]
We fight for that job but I think you win out. You're their aunt after all.
I'm just the weird guy who rants about confusing things that haven't happened yet.
At least that's something you chose. Besides, you're good at it. The world needs more healthcare people like you.
[He's specifically thinking of his mom when he says it. The nurses she's had over the years have been varied in their professionalism and their compassion. He knows Genie knows about her. He used to talk about her a lot more when he was younger, the earlier versions of himself missed her so much, losing his mom and traveling came around the same time, they both get lumped together as far as trauma goes.]
We fight for that job but I think you win out. You're their aunt after all.
I'm just the weird guy who rants about confusing things that haven't happened yet.
Maybe. I'm less likely to walk in on anyone there at least.
Thanks. I'm doing my best, anyway. People deserve the best they can get.
I'm willing to split the job. I need backup in case I get busy. Besides, everyone needs some weird ranting in the family, and your kind's a lot more interesting than some.
Thanks. I'm doing my best, anyway. People deserve the best they can get.
I'm willing to split the job. I need backup in case I get busy. Besides, everyone needs some weird ranting in the family, and your kind's a lot more interesting than some.
You clearly haven't met Mercy and his emo beau yet.
Not to talk you out of it, I still think you should stay here. I'm just not sure that's the best incentive.
I'll take that. Maybe a 40-60 split in your favor.
That seems fair to me.
Not to talk you out of it, I still think you should stay here. I'm just not sure that's the best incentive.
I'll take that. Maybe a 40-60 split in your favor.
That seems fair to me.
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