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[lightconductor]

If you have a message for me, Dr. John Watson, please leave it here. I shall certainly get back to you as soon as I can.
- JW

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[lightconductor]

"Well, let me see, and tell me what happened, and then we'll revisit whether a lecture is necessary. This arm, I am guessing."

Watson rolls up his sleeves, stepping close with a gentle touch on Rich's arm -- that's the one that looks out of place, anyway.

[firewalled]

Rich shifts on the bed, nodding at the arm Watson indicated. He winces softly as it's touched, but shakes off the pain to try to explain.

"Ran into some guy named Six. Had these crazy laser blades. I was talking with him and I mentioned César... he got really agitated."

[lightconductor]

"Six?!"

Oh. Oh dear. Watson tries to keep his voice steady as he continues to gently explore with his hands.

"And what did you say to him?
Agitated how?" Because he didn't have that problem, so he has several questions.

[firewalled]

"He was getting really weird and asking way too many questions about César. I asked why he wanted to know, and he asked why I was so worked up. I told him I just wanted to make sure César was safe... he took it as a threat, and I guess I got worked up too."

Thinking back on it, they might have both been a little irrational... but considering the way Six acted afterwards, Rich is still wondering if his distrust was perhaps justified.

"He said he was going to let César know he was the reason I died, to make him live with the guilt. I, I just don't know why he was so pissed at him."

[lightconductor]

Watson very deliberately removes his hands from Rich, a tremor of anger running through him so fiercely that he's genuinely concerned he might accidentally hurt his patient.

"He said what?" His voice is low, furious. "There's no excuse -- the blackguard, if he wants to try violence he's welcome to try it on me--"

Watson is a more dangerous man than he looks but he's definitely not a match for Six. He takes a breath, trying to calm himself. "Here, it should be simple enough to put your arm back into place. Breathe steady, lad."

[firewalled]

Rich looks up at Watson, suddenly concerned that he's said something wrong.

"N-No, it's okay. I mean, I was probably just being an asshole... you know me. I get angry easily..."

He has a feeling that's not all that it was, but if it stops Watson from considering fighting Six himself, then Rich will choose to belittle himself any day. He's relieved when Watson seems to calm himself to focus on the injury, though. He nods at the instruction, taking a few slow breaths through his teeth and looking away so he hopefully doesn't anticipate the pain too much.

[lightconductor]

"Relax," Watson advises. "As much as you can. One, two--"

And on three, with a practiced hand and as quick as possible, he pops Rich's joint back into place. "There. I think that should do it. How does that feel?"

[firewalled]

"Ghhh!" Rich chokes on a yelp of pain, biting his lip to prevent himself from making too much noise. Once it's back in place, it feels... right, but god, the pain getting it in there was dizzying.

He rolls it around a few times and then sighs. "Sore, but a lot better than it used to be. Thanks..."