doctor bennett

Freyja Bennett, M.D. Twenty-eight years of age. Human. One of three head doctors aboard the USCSS Vespasian.

[isaacrichardson]

Hmmm

[isaacrichardson]

Mmmm, yes, and then maybe I’ll finally pluck up the courage to marry you, and we’ll have two beautiful children together, and they’ll be kind and beautiful like you and as overly talkative and old-fashioned as I am.

You’ve never been influenced by gloom before, though, most of it came from me. Yes, please, if you could be so kind. If both of us are pessimistic we’ll just be such dreadful company.

[freyja-bennett]

How picturesque. I imagine there will be a library full of books, and outings to the theatre on weekends, and beautiful gardens for the children to run around in... That is, of course, if I said yes. 

Oh, but your gloom is far too amusing to bring me down. But since you said please, I suppose it would be cruel to deny you. I'll be sure to keep my spirits up, just for you. 

[isaacrichardson]

Hmmm

[isaacrichardson]

Yes, keep each other safe.

Look at you indeed. When did you get all dark and gloomy about the future? That’s supposed to be my role. Who are you, and what have to you done with my darling Freyja?

[freyja-bennett]

Yes, and we'll make sure that both of us get home. 

Oh. you needn't worry about that. Your darling Freyja is just fine. She's just gotten a bit— I mean, I have just gotten a bit caught up in everyone else's gloomy attitude. Shall I try to reclaim my optimism for you?

[isaacrichardson]

Hmmm

[isaacrichardson]

We’ve been lucky up to this point; what’s to say that luck will suddenly come to an end? I can try, and I swear I’ll succeed. I’m not going to let anything happen to you, Freyja; if I did, I-I don’t know what I’d do with myself. 

[freyja-bennett]

And I'm not going to let anything happen to you, either. You can protect me and I'll take care of you and- and everything will be alright. We'll keep each other safe.

Look at me, going on like this like some worried hen. And I'm supposed to be the optimistic one.

[starkovingsmoved-blog]

[isaacrichardson]

Hmmm

[isaacrichardson]

I’d be quite the individual to model oneself after, that much is certain. Well, I suppose you should feel touched either way, dear. While the chances may be high for a situation like that to arise, I can assure you, Freyja, I will never allow something like that to happen.

[freyja-bennett]

Of course you would turn a touching statement into a chance to show your egotism.

It may be foolish of me to put much faith in your assurances, but I have to believe you are right. There have been so many close calls already... Who is to say next time we won't be so lucky? You can't control it, but I am going to believe you can to keep from going mad.

[nora-rolland]

Well.. because.. I mean, isn’t it obvious? Don’t you want to find out if any of them are still alive? Can’t you just imagine?

[freyja-bennett]

I can, actually, and q-quite frankly all that comes to mind are situations that b-belong in a nightmare. If you still w-want to go out there and find one, after everything t-that's happened, you are very foolish.

[nora-rolland]

Someone tell me why we’re not outside. Or when we’re going outside. Or if they can take me outside? Please.

[freyja-bennett]

... Why in the w-world would you want to go outside?

[isaacrichardson]

Hmmm

[isaacrichardson]

Well, perhaps when it comes to memorizing Shakespeare. In that case, I may as well be a deity. Darling, your teasing wouldn’t make me think of us as anything but equals. Though, if I were forced to choose which of us is the better, I would, without even a moment of hesitation, choose you.

[freyja-bennett]

Memorizing Shakespeare and impromptu surgery; what a god you would make! You know, if you said something like that to me while we were back home— and somehow convinced me you weren't joking— I would truly feel touched. But out here, with everything that has happened, it frightens me to think of a situation where a choice like that would have to made. 

[isaacrichardson]

Hmmm

[isaacrichardson]

Now where’s the fun in that? If anyone sees me as a role model, then they’re rather foolish. There, that’s the spirit. Well, I wouldn’t call it a bad habit. Though, you are certainly the better half when it comes to this friendship, my dear.

[freyja-bennett]

Then I suppose that makes me a little foolish. You can be a wonderful role model when it comes to certain matters. Oh really? Well I'll have to remind you of that the next time I irritate you to the point of madness with my worrying. I prefer seeing the two of us as equals, even if my teasing would make you think otherwise.

[isaacrichardson]

Hmmm

[isaacrichardson]

What thrilling news.

I think quite the contrary! With a medical license, I think I should have a warrant to get into far more trouble than I actually do. After all the education, I think I’ve earned it. You care so much, love; I suppose a thank you is in order here. Mmmm yes yes of course.

[freyja-bennett]

Indeed it is. 

What you've earned with that education is responsibility. You are supposed to be a role model for society! Though I can't object to a tiny bit of mischief when the time is right. I appreciate that, but you needn't thank me. That is just what friends do; especially friends like me who have a bad habit of worrying overmuch.

[isaacrichardson]

Hmmm

[isaacrichardson]

Ah yes, I did get the sly dastardly traits, didn’t I? But, alas, you can’t win them all.

Mmmm, only if you’re lucky. Though, you seem to be lucky enough, so, perhaps, you’ll get your request fulfilled. Now when do I ever get into trouble? Now you know I don’t drink like I used to, so there’s no need to worry about that. Unless Hargrave challenges me, then, well, it’s on.

[freyja-bennett]

Don't fret— you pull them off marvelously.

I don't think I should grace such a foolish question with an answer. You know very well you get into trouble more than any man with a medical license ought to. As for worrying about you, I'm afraid I can't help that. So you just remind Dr. Hargrave that if he even thinks about suggesting a challenge like that, we will be having a nice, long chat in the surgical room.

[isaacrichardson]

Hmmm

[isaacrichardson]

I’ll work fast, using lots of caffeinated beverages. When are you not the superior in our relationship?

Oh I completely intend to. I love the dramatic, you know.

[freyja-bennett]

When it comes to manipulation and socializing your skills overwhelm my own by leaps and bounds. Not to mention autopsies, drinking, trauma surgery, and public speaking. Fortunately, I think when it comes to modesty I win.

Good— I fully expect to hear one next time you ask for a favor. Now be a dear and try not to get into any trouble. I want you in a decent mood for the party, without the need of alcohol. 

[isaacrichardson]

Hmmm

[isaacrichardson]

Then I shall take up cartography and draw my own. Fine, you have bested me yet again, my darling Freyja. Savour it, for you’ve earned it.

That is quite doubtful. Though, whatever shall I do, should the day come? You know how much I detest reading sonnets aloud.

[freyja-bennett]

Best get that done before Marlow announces the next assignment, hmm? Oh, you needn't worry about that— I'm already relishing this wonderful feeling of superiority.

You should memorize them ahead of time and make a performance of your reading. I'm quite sure you couldn't resist the chance to flaunt your acting abilities.

[isaacrichardson]

Hmmm

[isaacrichardson]

I only use medbay equipment and scientific equipment we might need. I don’t need to use anything else. Then I shall use a map. A good, old-fashioned map, and my intuition.  I know how to turn a tablet on. Lord, give me some credit, Freyja. 

See, you may try to resist, but will you succeed? 

[freyja-bennett]

I hope you mean the holographic maps; I doubt very much that we have any paper maps of this planet. Oh, hush, you know I give you more than enough credit where its deserved. But this is one of the only things I am better at than you— let me enjoy my moment!

I will! You just wait. The next time you try and get something from me I'll resist and you  will have to preform a well-rehearsed sonnet. And you'll enjoy every minute of it.

[isaacrichardson]

Hmmm

[isaacrichardson]

Nonsense, who needs those useless classes when you could be practicing surgery on cadavers? Absolutely nothing. That sounds like a splendid idea; I think I’ll do that. I shall spread his mastership of the English language to any extraterrestrial who happens to be so unfortunate as to land upon this planet.

Don’t worry, I’ve been stocking up just in case. Though, it’s doubtful such a day will come that I should need to use them.

[freyja-bennett]

People who need to use a computer, I'd imagine. And last time I checked, that included everyone on this ship. I might need to set you up some computer classes, Isaac. What happens if you are out on the field and you are the only one who can save the day and find the way back to the ship? You can make your tablet, then we'll teach you how to turn one on.

Oh really? I'm glad to see you so prepared. You know this means now I'll be more tempted to resist that look alone.

[isaacrichardson]

Hmmm

[isaacrichardson]

Well, there had to be some sort of advantage to not being able to become intoxicated. It’s not so much those human-shaped machines I don’t trust as computers and various monitoring equipment. Every time I try to use one, it simply says “error.” They know I’m on to them, Freyja. Call upon them in droves because this is an essential mission. That is what I aim for, so yes.

[freyja-bennett]

And that couldn't possibly be because you avoided all the computer technology courses in uni. No, it's much more reasonable to assume they know you are aware of their evil schemes for world domination and are trying to make your life more difficult. I will, don't worry. What could possibly be more important in the middle of deep space than Shakespeare? You know, you ought to engrave a tablet with one a few of your favorite lines and leave it outside on your next field mission.

One day you are going to try and use those puppy dog eyes on me and I'll be so desensitized it won't work anymore. You best prepare your own sonnets to woo me into doing your bidding when the time comes.

[freyja-bennett]

...

[fish-stark]

What would you recommend, Doc?I…I don’t know how to encourage. Just how to lead.

[freyja-bennett]

Well, Dr. H-Hargrave is planning a sort of karaoke night. I'm told t-there will be alcohol involved. Maybe you could j-join in and invite your soldiers?

Don't t-those two things go hand in hand? People need encouragement to f-follow anyone.