(no subject)

[theamazingdalet.livejournal.com]

as for “career,” cass is understandably miffed that balthazar referred to his many household talents as “suspicious”

“here,” balthazar hands him a ration kit as part of his explanation, “try this. how do you know so much about whole foods and their preparation if you’ve been eating these all your life?”

“so, what, no one grows vegetables anymore? that’s suspicious.” cass frowns at him

“all right, so, that’s your story? you grew up on one of the farm plots?” balthazar shrugs amiably. “that’s fine, but just remember, you have to stick to that, then”

“why, don’t farm plots also have doctors?” cass does not understand why he can’t have multiple “careers” when humans clearly have multiple needs, and balthazar doesn’t have any good way to explain it to him. he could compare it, for example, to someone his age claiming multiple PhDs

but he doesn’t know what a PhD is

cass suggests he assess each of balthazar’s clients for their most pressing needs and pick a “career” to match, and while it’s not like balthazar would stop him, he strongly advises against making things so complicated

“what if you forgot who’s who?”

cass just smirks. “my memory’s better than yours, don’t worry”

---

in the end, they hit on the answer while cass is explaining his shoulder compartments as part of balthazar’s “you really ought to know” maintenance classes

basically, he has four “slots” in each shoulder that can hold vials of medication, to be administered via injections by hand…literally

(”er, where exactly in your hand?” “…somewhere,” says cass, staring at his fingers as though he has no idea. balthazar shudders)

but, he explains, the meds take about 12 hours to cure most illnesses

“12 hours??” balthazar splutters

“yes,” cass shrugs apologetically. “as i’m not actually a medical unit, i don’t have access to the really high-grade–”

“no no nono-” balthazar waves his hand frantically. “disappointment was not the emotion i was trying to convey there. 12 hours is incredible! how many doses for each?”

cass looks puzzled. “one…? unless you got sick again?”

they just stare at each other for a long moment in confusion and wonder

“and…how many doses do you usually need nowadays…?” cass is almost afraid to ask

“well, it depends on the medication - provided there is medication - but usually multiple doses over several days…or weeks.”

“days?! weeks?!” cass is horrified. “what happens when it’s epidemic?!”

balthazar shrugs. “some people pray”

it’s a good thing they’re driving, because cass needs to sit down for a while

at any rate, it’s decided; he’s going to be a doctor