[ he smooths a finger over the rim of his glass, something to focus on as he leans one elbow on the bar. no one drifts close enough to overhear them, and the thrum of the bar covers their chatter. he was going to take this slowly, but strange waits for no man. ]
My medical history. I'm talking you through my medical history.
[ said by way of explanation. maybe if he says it, he'll actually do it. ]
I want your advice as a doctor — and a bloody magical mystery man, and outsider on my experience, and as a person who has seen a timeline or two. If you don't want to give it, I'll stop talking.
Stephen's brow quirks just slightly as Fitz plows through what he has to say. when he's finished there's the ever-present urge to be sarcastic, but this is clearly not an easy trip for the guy, so instead: ]
I haven't got anywhere better to be.
[ advice was what was asked for, and here he is. whatever exactly the nature of it's going to be, since Fitz has found it worth a healthy preamble, he's not sure. but it can't hurt to hear him out. ]
[ a sigh of relief, features loosening a fraction. they're not close, he and strange, but that's what makes him the right choice for a consultation. that and the niche intersection of expertises.
his delivery is even and rapid. stephen can keep up. ]
Severe hypoxia caused by a combination of oxygen deprivation, the bends, and drowning in 2014. Nine-day coma. Six months of severe symptoms. Loss of motor skills, difficulties with speech, short-term memory loss, hallucinations.
[ a beat, to breathe. ]
Six months of lessened symptoms. No hallucinations throughout the majority of 2015 and 2016. [ too good to be true, so it doesn't last. he tips his head in a "what can you do" gesture. ] Enter the end of 2016, a classified project goes wrong. Myself and several other agents are trapped in a simulation and experience an entire second life, as real as this one. All agents are awakened by a rescue team and willingly leave, [ a pointed look. ] except myself. The shock of the forced exit has the potential to fry the brain. [ he half-shrugs. ] It would appear that didn't occur — but now I have two sets of memories in my head. Often contradictory ones, at that. Six months of minor hallucinations follow, escalating this past week.
Splitting, prodromal schizophrenia. [ any! fucking! ideas! despite the edge of exhaustion in his slouched posture, he maintains an air of indefatigability. this is just another problem in the queue. it has to be. ] Give me any direction to pursue before this escalates.
no subject
Yes. Go on.
no subject
My medical history. I'm talking you through my medical history.
[ said by way of explanation. maybe if he says it, he'll actually do it. ]
I want your advice as a doctor — and a bloody magical mystery man, and outsider on my experience, and as a person who has seen a timeline or two. If you don't want to give it, I'll stop talking.
[ said with finality. ]
no subject
Stephen's brow quirks just slightly as Fitz plows through what he has to say. when he's finished there's the ever-present urge to be sarcastic, but this is clearly not an easy trip for the guy, so instead: ]
I haven't got anywhere better to be.
[ advice was what was asked for, and here he is. whatever exactly the nature of it's going to be, since Fitz has found it worth a healthy preamble, he's not sure. but it can't hurt to hear him out. ]
Carry on.
no subject
his delivery is even and rapid. stephen can keep up. ]
Severe hypoxia caused by a combination of oxygen deprivation, the bends, and drowning in 2014. Nine-day coma. Six months of severe symptoms. Loss of motor skills, difficulties with speech, short-term memory loss, hallucinations.
[ a beat, to breathe. ]
Six months of lessened symptoms. No hallucinations throughout the majority of 2015 and 2016. [ too good to be true, so it doesn't last. he tips his head in a "what can you do" gesture. ] Enter the end of 2016, a classified project goes wrong. Myself and several other agents are trapped in a simulation and experience an entire second life, as real as this one. All agents are awakened by a rescue team and willingly leave, [ a pointed look. ] except myself. The shock of the forced exit has the potential to fry the brain. [ he half-shrugs. ] It would appear that didn't occur — but now I have two sets of memories in my head. Often contradictory ones, at that. Six months of minor hallucinations follow, escalating this past week.
Splitting, prodromal schizophrenia. [ any! fucking! ideas! despite the edge of exhaustion in his slouched posture, he maintains an air of indefatigability. this is just another problem in the queue. it has to be. ] Give me any direction to pursue before this escalates.