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Zhautas ([personal profile] zhautasmods) wrote in [community profile] sexyspace2018-07-03 08:30 pm
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TEST DRIVE MEME #2.5 (OVERFLOW EDITION)

Awakening
Artificial lights assault your eyes. It takes a few blinks for them to adjust properly. Quiet mechanical whirs and clicks sound in the small, sparse space that you had likely been corralled into before being put to sleep for the long journey. As grogginess fades away and lucidity starts to take hold, you begin to remember where you are and why you’re here on this spaceship thousands of light years away from home and perhaps everything and everyone you’ve ever known.

The multiverse is sick. It’s dying. And it’s up to you to save it. Or, at least, that’s what the Zenith Corporation had told you when they announced their search for a cure across the multiverse. They hand-picked individuals to be "volunteers" for the next stage of experimentation. Maybe they made it sound dire, maybe you already had your mind set to help, or maybe the specifics of how you could help was vague. Considering the alternative was wasting away on your home planet with no promise of when this cure might actually come to fruition, it ultimately wasn’t much of a choice either way.

Everything comes to life the more awake that you start to feel. "Good morning, volunteer," sounds a synthetic, feminine voice in your ear. That must be one of the fancy features they advertised about the chip that was injected just beneath your skin. A projected HUD above your torso displays and scrolls through several readings about the state of your being. "A scan of your vital signs show that everything is functioning as normal." There’s a small pause. "Wait-" The spike of alarm that should follow that single, distressed-sounding word is accompanied by a light chime. "Emotional responses are still accurate, too. Thank you for your cooperation!" Without any further explanation or allowing for protest, she continues on. "I hope you enjoyed your nap! We’ll be descending to planet #05031941 - common name designated as Zhautas - in approximately three hours. There will be a brief orientation for all volunteers exactly one hour before landing. Due to potential unnatural stress levels upon awakening from stasis, I suggest a relaxing trip to the garden beforehand."

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
My name is R.O.S.I.E. and, on behalf of all of us at the Zenith Corporation, we’re happy to have you aboard.
Code Credit

Say Aloe (Prospective Players Only)


Red lights lead the way to the gym, green will be your path to the gardens, ostignuh is- Wait, what do you mean the color ostignuh is burning your eyes? Huh. They must have over-corrected for your species. Oh, well. They’ll fix that for the next trip. For now, don’t worry about it. It probably didn’t lead to anything important anyway!

  1. The staff is much more attentive this time than they were with the first wave of volunteers. Poor feedback and the threat of losing their jobs if they don't improve their standing will do that! Unfortunately, it isn't just the colors that have been over-corrected. Despite how many times you tell the very helpful staff member that you're fine, they won't leave you alone. Are you sure? They can walk with you if you'd like. They can even hold your hand if you're overwhelmed! If there's anything you need, they're here for you.

    Maybe if you find a buddy to walk you to your destination they might divert their attention to a different volunteer. The buddy system is pretty fool-proof, after all.

  2. As you draw closer to the gardens, the lights in the hallway begin to dim. In fact, the only available source of illumination for a small distance is the thin green line across the floor guiding your way. Careful not to trip! There's handy railing to hold onto or maybe you accidentally grab the arm of that (hopefully) cute person nearby. It's kind of hard to tell and green isn't really a flattering color anyway.

    Suddenly, you're stepping into a wide open space of twilight. Iridescent flowers dot the landscape for as far as the eye can see. They come in all different shapes, sizes, and glow softly in this simulated night-scape. Trees of shining magenta leaves and blue bark wind up to the stars. Or, at least, the viewing panels that allow the stars to be seen from inside the ship. Not to worry, it's entirely safe and beautiful!

    The featured flower of this month is the Nykt Blossom. Be warned, however, that inhaling its pollen causes increased levels of oxytocin. This will cause you to feel compelled to bond socially with others. That is, you might find yourself a lot more friendly than usual! Maybe a little too friendly, even, if you're especially susceptible to its effects.

  3. It's very easy to miss the warning signs in this dark as you step into the section of the garden that houses the more alien plant-life.

    They'll fix that for the future, of course, but for now many volunteers are likely finding themselves subject to the same unfortunate circumstances. Coitendrils are in abundance here; they're a pretty touchy feely species. It's a plant that thrives in warm conditions and grows at an incredibly fast rate to seek out these cozy spots. As it turns out, your body warmth is the highest temperature around and exactly what it's looking for.

    Before you know it, long green tendrils are suddenly growing around your arms or legs in speedy spirals. They get everywhere in a matter of mere seconds. Their growth is aggressive, finding ways beneath the fabric of whatever clothes you happen to be wearing and to the skin below. The only way to reverse their growing hold is to cool yourself off and fast. Maybe someone can grab you some ice?
Orientation (Prospective Players Only)

Around an hour before landing, an announcement is made to everyone aboard the ship. It’s time to find your way to the amphitheater for orientation. If anyone gripes, they are reminded that it has mandatory safety information that the Zenith Corporation is legally required to cover. In fact, there's even a quiz at the end to make sure you understand all the technical ins and outs! The Zenith Corporation only has your best interests at heart. They also can’t afford another lawsuit or PR nightmare but who can, really? It’s only a half an hour long and R.O.S.I.E. reassures everyone that it will go by faster than they think.
  1. Are you way too cool for school? If you try to play hookey, the crew members of the spaceship are already on guard. You're not the first one to try this and they doubt you'll be the last. Try as you might to super sleuth your way around, there’ll be someone at apparently every single turn and twist you try.

    It’s also very likely that in scrambling to find a place to hide you’ll run into someone else breaking the rules! Perhaps great minds think alike and you decide to try to defy the system together. Or maybe they’re totally just getting in your way and you decide instead to throw them to the wolves to give yourself a better chance at escaping certain boredom that is an informational seminar. The choice is yours, volunteer!

  2. Whether you come to the orientation willingly or are dragged in by one of the staff, you’ll quickly realize just how bad R.O.S.I.E. lied. A half an hour feels almost like ten hours instead. The last time you checked your watch, it was somehow later than when you check it now. Is time going backward? It sure seems like it the longer you listen to the monotone voice read over colored flavor text clearly meant to engage but missing its mark stupendously. Even the motivation of a quiz at the end that needs to be passed in order to disembark seems to do little to nothing for your dwindling attention span.

    Finally, there’s a break in the bureaucratic monotony. The faceless, droning voice introduces one of the staff currently on Zhautas, Jeneviere. He's assistant to the head scientist, Professor Quintalian, and freshly assigned overseer of new volunteers. He also looks like he absolutely doesn't want to be the one doing this seminar.

    "Come now, Jenny," says a masculine voice off screen. "You promised."
    "I know what I said," he snaps, glaring off camera and not seeming to care much for the fact this is a live feed nor that these new volunteers are expecting something a bit more professional.
    "Then what's the problem?" the voice asks again. As it does, a tentacle wiggles into view and gives a reassuring pat on the deerman's shoulder. "I know for a fact that you like being filmed, Jenny, so really this shouldn't be so daunting-"

    As he speaks, Jeneviere's cheeks suddenly burn red hot. He stands forcefully out of his chair and uses one of those hoofs to kick harshly at the source of the tentacles. There's a very undignified squawk at the attack before the video feed cuts out and a technical difficulties sign is displayed.

    "... Right," the narrator from before says to break the undeniably awkward silence. "Just give us a moment, volunteers, and we'll get a pre-recorded seminar ready for you instead. In the meantime, let's open up communications with the facility and allow you to discuss with those already on the planet about what they've enjoyed most about their time on Zhautas so far?*

  3. Hopefully, you didn't forget about the quiz! The staff certainly didn't. After the pre-recorded seminar is run, papers are handed out. A quiet shuffle carries through the room as people pass them to and fro down the aisles. It all seems rather arbitrary and tedious but remember! You have to pass in order to disembark.

    It isn't too hard. Or maybe it is. Perhaps it's just the pressure that you only have fifteen minutes to complete it. What was the professor's first name again? How many research facilities are there on the planet? Staff are scrutinizing your every move now, it feels like. Do you take the risk and try to whisper for help to the person next to you? Pass notes? Do what you must to succeed! ...Or you can just shamefully take the quiz again and again and again until they're legally obligated to let you off board.
Welcome to Zhautas! (All Players)

Finally, it's time to disembark at the research facility. This time they have the right coordinates so it's as easy as stepping off the ship and to your new home away from home. Or, at least, it should have been that easy...

There's an awful lot of construction going on around here. Several beings with hard hats, power tools, and ridiculous amounts of glue are rushing about. They're shouting orders and saying "excuse me" where they remember to. Still, it can be hard to get a word in edgewise about the fact that you're new volunteers here to check-in. In addition to the construction, there's also an awful lot of important-seeming people walking throughout the facility as well that staff are far more attentive to than you.

In short, it's borderline chaos as you try to get your bearings.

  1. "Bad news, new volunteers," says R.O.S.I.E. in the midst of all the commotion. "We have your housing assignments but there have been some... technical difficulties in preparing the new rooms." There's actually been a lot of technical difficulties, period. Maybe you've already noticed with the lights randomly changing color or dimness, the vending machine that launched your drink at you, or R.O.S.I.E. herself glitching out periodically when responding. The problem with the rooms is that the doors won't open. Or they won't stay closed. Or that they open and close constantly and forcefully so it's a safety hazard. As if everything else going on with all the construction isn't.

    "We're working on it as fast as we can, but for now, we've set up a temporary sleeping situation until its resolved." Everyone will be directed to one of the larger common rooms in the east wing of the facility while the rest of the volunteers are still awaiting their new housing as promised. Mattresses are laid out in rows on the floor. There's plenty of blankets, pillows, and even some LED lights strung around the room to provide some nice ambience.

    Additionally, there's a screen covering one of the walls for a movie to be projected on before bed. R.O.S.I.E. has chosen a thematically appropriate film that was approved by Professor Quintalian himself. Snacks are provided too! It's an old-fashioned sleepover, volunteers. Make a blanket fort, enjoy what's on for your viewing pleasure, and have - most of all - have fun.

  2. What's a sleepover without scary stories? Flashlights have been provided and it's time to get spooky. Here's your chance to share that real thriller that you know from back home. Maybe another world has a similar tale! Either way, there's nothing like bonding over a little healthy fear. Right?

    Or maybe terrifying strangers isn't your idea of a good time and you'd rather make shadow puppets instead. That's also an option! In fact, some people are trying to start a contest out of it to see who can cast the most creative shadows around.

  3. The night staff comes around for one last security sweep. Get some sleep, they say. It's been a long day. Tomorrow might be even longer if they still can't figure out the rooms or where to put all these new volunteers for the time being.

    As nice as that sounds, it's a little easier said than done. Whether it's the construction noise, the person next to you snoring, or late night existential thoughts it's difficult for sleep to find you. Maybe talking to someone might help? Or maybe you just need to go to the bathroom. Good luck crossing the swath of bodies, in the case of the latter, and who knows! You might find someone else having as much trouble sleeping as you that you can commiserate with.

    Or maybe you're the one snoring. Do you happen to kick in your sleep? How unfortunate for the person assigned to the mat next to you. They might be courteous or they might tell you just how obnoxious it is. Whatever the case might actually be, you're likely in for a long first night here at the research facility.
Network/Bangr (All Players)

During all the goings-on, R.O.S.I.E. will prompt you to set up your presence on the network. Pick a username, a profile picture, and commence to shitposting immediately if you so desire! Additionally, if you want to get a headstart on your contribution to the volunteer program, why not set up your Bangr? R.O.S.I.E. even has an icebreaker question ready for you! They change every month. This month's question is:

Do you like wake-up sex or staying up all night?*
(*Despite what you might actually put, know that R.O.S.I.E. is a little glitchy. What you wrote might not actually be what's displayed! I.E., you can totally use this as a misfire type deal in case your character wouldn't answer this question.)


bangr
Professor Quintalian | 35
Do you like wake-up sex or staying up all night?
Wake-up sex is the best, in my opinion. Hormones are more haywire first thing in the morning; it's just scientific sense to get your bang in during wake-up time.

YES
NO


BANGR CODE
Please copy this pastebin for now!

Extra Notes

  • The BANGR code only works in comments, there is a separate code for entries!
    If you're testing this code before posting it here please do so in a comment to an entry for accuracy!

  • TDM top levels are allowed for current characters and/or new characters!
    However, current characters can ONLY interact with the following prompts:
    WELCOME TO ZHAUTAS where new characters are on the planet AND/OR the network options available if they want the thread to be considered game canon.

  • THIS IS AN OVERFLOW POST FOR NEW TOP LEVELS
    feel free to add a link to your previous top level if your threads reach captcha


amiexpelled: (In green | Chat)

[personal profile] amiexpelled 2018-07-15 03:14 pm (UTC)(link)
It seems to be the right name after all because a man from the staff looks at their papers and finally there are no voiced objections to the answers. Guess they could leave now if they so wished.

"Yeah okay, point. No, it is not gross." Scott ran a hand through his hair." It's only that sex was the last things in my mind back then." He was too busy freaking out over suddenly having murder eyes.

"Kinda like that. Not as bad as dynamite, though, or I wouldn't have a face at all. And it's not contagious. I'm Scott Summers, and you are...?"
quinientos: (ohhhh boy)

[personal profile] quinientos 2018-07-15 07:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Vasquez gives a triumphant sound, reaching for a cigarette to celebrate when he remembers that he'd smoked his last one a little bit ago. He really doesn't want to have to go through withdrawal, but it seems like it's a very bad time in his life for him.

"Vasquez," he replies, with a nod of his head, seeing as he doesn't know this Scott, so he's not getting his first name just yet. "So, now we're free and we passed their test. What do we do now?" Maybe if he'd paid more attention to the test, he'd know, but...well, he's all about the shortcuts.
amiexpelled: (My dad senses are tingling)

[personal profile] amiexpelled 2018-07-16 10:42 am (UTC)(link)
Maybe somewhere outside there will be someplace to get new cigarretes. Scott doesn't smoke, he can't help with that vice. He stands up, not really wanting to stay here any longer, they had been wasting enough time as it is.

"Pleasure to meet you." He knows a lot of people who, for one reason or another, don't share their last name so he's not going to pry. Instead, he gives a smile. "We are free to explore and mingle with others, I believe. And if we are lucky, figure out where will be staying."
quinientos: (no shit?)

[personal profile] quinientos 2018-07-17 12:51 am (UTC)(link)
Vasquez doesn't think that's very lucky. "What about getting a drink or finding a smoke?" He can sleep anywhere, he's learned that from his storied past, but if he doesn't get at least something to make up for the fact that he's in space with deer-men, then he might start getting a little twitchy.

He thinks maybe he can save the fucking for later, but so long as it's there later. After all, getting away from his bounty had been the main reason for coming here, but the physical touch had been a strong second. "Where did you intend to go mingle?"
amiexpelled: (Blindfold | Casual)

[personal profile] amiexpelled 2018-07-17 09:47 am (UTC)(link)
"I don't don't smoke but a drink sounds good. There must be a bar somewhere." It will have to be a non-alcoholic one for him, he's not old enough to drink.

As for sleeping, he doesn't feel like falling sleep in the common area with people he doesn't know, so Scott will spend his first-day studying them instead. It's amazing the number of things you can learn from paying attention to someone's body language and the glasses helps to hide where he's looking at.

"I don't really know what this place looks like so, I was going to explore the Facility. I've seen the gardens already, they have some interesting, very touchy-feely plants." Scott walks with hands in his pockets, relaxed but missing his leather jacket. He's wearing his combat uniform because he thought it could come in handy if anything happened. "Indulge my curiosity, what made you want to join this madness?"
quinientos: (horsetop)

[personal profile] quinientos 2018-07-17 10:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Anywhere that serves something that tastes so bad that it can blind him works for Vasquez. He shouldn't say that out loud, right? Right, that's definitely something to keep to himself, which will work until he gets drunk and then all bets are off.

He's not exactly known for his sense when he's drunk. "It's not so good for me where I come from," he says flatly. "If it's either this or I have to go back to living in a shack, I take this." Plus, it's not exactly like he's getting sex for nothing, but he thinks he'll be able to get quite a bit of physical affection around here.

"What about you? You just like taking tests so much?" he notes sarcastically.
amiexpelled: (Collarbone)

[personal profile] amiexpelled 2018-07-21 10:49 pm (UTC)(link)
He can say it, it's not as if Scott would be scandalized. Just because he doesn't drink that doesn't mean he has a problem with other people getting wasted if they want to do so.

"Sorry to hear that. If it's really so bad for you there, this isn't a terrible deal." Scott looks around as they finally get away from the Staff. They mean well, probably, but they're really overbearing. A small snort escapes him at the question.

"Not particularly. And the whole sex thing is pretty new for me as well, I just...the Universe needed saving. That was a pretty big motivation considering that the people I care about lives in it. There aren't a lot of them left either."
quinientos: (warmly lit)

[personal profile] quinientos 2018-07-23 11:54 am (UTC)(link)
It's not bad at all, but considering he just took a job that involved near-death experiences, this Zenith place is a lot better of an offer than Sam Chisholm, even though Sam's plan had been much more exciting and Vasquez did like that.

He squints at the boy. "That's it? It's all because of the people?" He's reminded, suddenly, of Teddy. It's all earnest determination to make things better, which is sweet, but naive. "You're going to have to get used to sex, then, I think. Or maybe cuddling can count."
amiexpelled: (Shit I can't believe that worked)

[personal profile] amiexpelled 2018-07-23 12:32 pm (UTC)(link)
There's no Gatling gun or Genocidal ancient mutants gods in sight, which automatically makes the places better for both Vasquez and Scott. When one thinks about it, they don't ask much, only to not to have people trying to kill them.

Scott should have expected the squint. He gives a shrug of his shoulders in return a wry smile. "Someone needs to be the boring one who's here because of that. I don't know if the cuddling will do but I don't have anything against sex per se. Just...inexperience. I'm sure that will be fixed quickly here."
quinientos: (ohhhh boy)

[personal profile] quinientos 2018-07-25 01:57 am (UTC)(link)
Vasquez is thinking about a hundred dirty, awful thoughts. The only reason they don't slip past his lips instantly is because he's sober. If he had some tequila or whiskey in him, there wouldn't even be a chance for him to get anything out other than lewd joke after joke.

"Maybe you're just very good at cuddling and it can save the world," he deadpans instead of talking about the lessons that Scott will go through. "I'd settle for anything, right now," he snorts, aware it sounds desperate, but, well...

It's been a long few months.
amiexpelled: (Collarbone)

[personal profile] amiexpelled 2018-07-25 08:57 am (UTC)(link)
"The Corporation has said that it's oxytocin what helps fight the disease, that one's called 'the love hormone', not the 'fuck someone senseless hormone'. So my best guess is that as long as someone gets some happiness out of what is happening, it should do the trick. If not, well..." He likes boys and girls in equals amounts so finding someone to click with shouldn't be terribly difficult.

Finding alcohol available, however, seems to be harder than expected. Scott knows the food and housing are free for the volunteers but no one mentioned the alcohol and he hadn't bothered to ask at the time. Now that they're looking around, he can't see any bar either. "Maybe we can ask the staff?"

quinientos: (looking up)

[personal profile] quinientos 2018-07-27 12:59 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, but which one of those sounds like more fun," Vasquez says, even though he's not entirely convinced it's not the former. Maybe he's a bit of a cuddler, though no one has to know about this, seeing as it can remain his little secret.

He frowns when he sees the bar is empty and he pounds on it, as hard as he can. "Cabron, anyone here?" he shouts, which is his version of politely asking the staff, seeing as he's getting twitchy and he needs something soon.
amiexpelled: (Stop being cute)

[personal profile] amiexpelled 2018-07-28 09:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[ ooc: The FAQ says they can ask for alcohol in limited quantities for special occasions so I'm running with that idea if that's fine... ]

Scott pauses for a moment, then nods. "Ideally, we could have both."

Cuddling is the greatest thing and he's not ashamed to admit he likes it. Then again, Scott is massively touch starved. He stays a step behind as Vasquez tries to get someone's attention in a less than subtle way. It seems to do the trick because eventually, a man from the food services comes up to them.

Alas, the staff member doesn't seem too convinced or very inclined to part with one of the many whiskey bottles under their care. Scott looks at him, then at Vasquez, and takes a step closer towards the man to wraps an arm around his elbow. Let's hope he doesn't punch him for trying to help.

"It's our anniversary." The boy says sweetly, giving the staff member a small smile. "We'd like to celebrate."
quinientos: (column of neck)

[personal profile] quinientos 2018-07-29 12:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Vasquez isn't exactly someone who's so nice and polite, but he snorts a little when the boy wraps himself around him, like a limpet. He'd buck him off, but for one, he's going to get alcohol out of this, and for two, that little rush down his spine isn't the worst thing in the world. Even this limited contact is more than he's had.

So long as Scott avoids that fresh wound on his arm, this could go well. "I love a good whiskey," he admits. "It's what I had on my first date." He holds the bartender's eyes, daring him to call out that Scott probably doesn't look old enough to drink.

Alcohol might be good, but if in the absence of it, Vasquez gets a barfight, that doesn't hurt either.
amiexpelled: (Good in yellow)

[personal profile] amiexpelled 2018-07-29 12:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Scott isn't the most skilled liar, he doesn't like it, but this he can do. Vasquez understood the ruse quickly enough and is doing the talking, so he only has to smile and look polite, which isn't too difficult. He hasn't noticed the injury on the other man's arms before until he got up close and now Scott is mindful to keep his arm away from it as to not cause any pain.

The bartender looks between them again, suspicion colouring his eyes for a long moment before his face breaks into a well-mannered smile. The bottle he handles Vasquez is small but it looks decent enough. Then, in what Scott has come to recognize as 'customer voice' the man ask them to go drink it somewhere discrete so no other people come asking him for more alcohol. He even wishes them a good anniversary before leaving and Scott lets go of Vasquez's arm the moment the bartender is out of sight.

"I almost can't believe that worked."
quinientos: (opinion?)

[personal profile] quinientos 2018-07-29 11:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Vasquez keeps his gaze narrowed and steady, but look at that, a bottle appears. He gives Scott an amused look, because he never would have thought of doing that to earn the bottle. Honestly, he probably just would have jumped the counter to steal it.

"Good thing it did, otherwise he was going to regret not giving it," he says, opening it and wandering away so that he can open it and take a long shot without bothering with a glass, wiping his mouth with the back of his sleeve before passing it to Scott.

"Go on, you deserve it after that little show."
amiexpelled: (Jawline)

[personal profile] amiexpelled 2018-07-30 11:01 am (UTC)(link)
The boy returns the smile and runs a hand through his hair. While stealing the whiskey could have worked now, it seems like a one-time strategy.

"Oh, uhm, I really shouldn't..." The bottle is put in his hands regardless and Scott figures it would be rude to say no. Something tells him Vasquez isn't a man who likes to waste his alcohol. Scott finally takes a small sip, scrunches his nose at the burning taste and gives the whiskey back.

"Thanks but I think you'll appreciate it more than I ever will." The alcohol left a pleasant warm sensation in his chest as it went down but it really isn't his favorite kind of drink. He tilts his head and points to Vasquez's arm. "You are injured?"
quinientos: (injured)

[personal profile] quinientos 2018-07-31 11:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Vasquez isn't about to take no for an answer because as far as he's concerned, you drink. Who cares what age you are or what you have to worry about, it's something you do. Besides, he can let himself take an inappropriate look at the boy's lips.

It's the kind of thing he shouldn't do, but he does. "Gunshot," he says, knocking back the whiskey and letting it burn its way down with no reaction. "Had no time to stitch it up, needed to get out of town." He probably could find someone to do it here, but they all seemed so desperate to get samples from him.
amiexpelled: (Collarbone)

[personal profile] amiexpelled 2018-08-07 02:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Plenty of teens of his age get wasted back in his world, the problem is that the adults lose their minds if they catch them. Scott's only real concern is that he has next to none alcohol tolerance and wouldn't like to make a fool of himself on the first day. If he notices the other man string, he doesn't point it out but takes a step closer to get a better look at his arm.

"You should get it checked or at least cleaned to avoid an infection. We walked past a bathroom in our way here."
quinientos: (smoking)

[personal profile] quinientos 2018-08-08 02:24 am (UTC)(link)
Vasquez waves a dismissive hand to that idea, instead just drinking a little more. "This is all the painkiller I need," he promises as he licks his lips to get the last few drops of whiskey, wishing that he could top up instantly.

"It's fine," he says dismissively. "If it gets infected, I can put some alcohol or fire on it, it will be better," he goes on, because why not use antiquated medicine methods? They've worked for him so far.