(Flashback) A Personal Lesson in First Aid

[Orion Michaels]

Orion, Season of Summer, Day 30(Afternoon), 500 AV Stay off the roof, father had always said. It's too dangerous. You're too young. It isn't safe. You'll fall and break your neck, and even a doctor like me can't do anything about that. You break your neck and it's over, he would always explain matter-of-factly, as though he was simply reading off symptoms from one of his medical books. Orion was always exploring the city, sneaking off to find nooks and crannies to squeeze into or explore. Syliras was a big city and he was hardly anyone to take notice of. It was very simple for a young boy to slip off unnoticed, and happened to be something which Orion did often. Even though his father would give him those warnings, the laundry list of things that would happen, it was never done with angry. They were simply facts to him, but this day, it was the one where Orion could prove his father wrong. His neck would be fine. It was his arm which would need attention, need to be fixed. But don't worry. That can be fixed. Orion and his father were to head to the Great Bazaar so his father could grab a number of medical supplies. "A man must know how to spend his money wisely," his father would always say before dragging him off to be nothing more than a mule to drag purchases back home. It always happened the same way. His father would give him some sort of some stupid piece of so called wisdom, they would take a trip somewhere, and he would assign Orion a task. At least in that aspect, this trip was the same. At least initially. "Orion," his father said, waving him over. The marketplace was packed today to the point where vendors were setup out on the streets. Shoppers, passerby, venders and peddlers, everyone looking for the best deal. Rolling his eyes, Orion caught up with his father. "Son," he began,"it's important to always make sure you're getting the best deal for your money. Look at the market today. It's packed. There are more stands than the keep had room for. That means more competition, more leverage, do you understand." Orion did. It was the same message he was told every time they went. "Yes, father." "Good. Very rarely does a merchant offer you his best price to begin with. Though they never intend to stand pat at the initial offer, there are enough foolish people out there who don't understand value that there are no drawbacks to listing the price higher. Simply put, there are people who will pay it, so why not reap the benefits?" Orion's head hurt from listening to his father drone on. There was always something to learn. Always something to teach, but sometimes it got to be too much. I'm not one of your students, dad. I'm your son... Arriving a merchant stand, Orion glanced at the wares. Various herbs and plants were arranged neatly, ready for purchase. Looks like Dad is stocking up on herbs. No doubt there's gonna be another lesson in it for me. Orion, however, could not deny how useful the lessons were or even better, how great the house smelled when they were brought home. Orion watched as the elder Michaels greeted the merchant with a handshake. He wasn't sure if the two men knew each other but his dad was friendly as though they were good acquaintances. The two went back and forth asking about each others days, plans, and family before his father transitioned into business. Continuing to be friendly, he downplayed any genuine interest in any of the products, occasionally tossing a glance at his son to ensure he was properly paying attention. "No no, a merchant further down is offering a much better price," his father lied. "I like you, friend. If you can knock off 2 silver a unit, I'm looking to buy in bulk" Orion was paying attention, but only half-heartedly. His eyes darted around, searching for anyone, anything who could be his chance to escape. A grin spread across his face as he saw someone too loaded down with things for their own good. Their balance wavered at first, and Orion's eyes twinkled with excitement as it finally broke. Attention in the area was fixated on the falling man as the sound of crates came crashing down. Even his father broke off bartering to see what had happened. Perfect, thought the young boy.

[Orion Michaels]

Orion took off in a dead sprint. He had to get out of there. Another minute of listening to his father play his bargaining game might drive him insane if it hadn't already. He didn't know where he was going but there was no doubt in his mind he was going to get there. Pushing past various shoppers, Orion knew he didn't need to worry about getting in trouble. Worst case his dad would list off a dozen or so reasons why he shouldn't have done what he did and then all would be well. Nothing to worry about at all. His eyes darted around. He had never taken off from such a crowded area before. It was difficult to really spot an easy route. Orion was beginning to sweat , but he wasn't sure if was from the running or not knowing where to go. His heart rate continued to rise, and he could feel the beating in his chest. Losing track of where he was running, his decision on where he was going was decided. He never saw the man crossing in front of him. He crashed into him full speed and his world was tossed upside down. *pop* Pain raced through Orion's ankle and leg as twisted falling to the ground. He had stepped awkwardly after running into the stranger and his ankle had bent at an odd angle. Out to try and stop himself only served to worsen the problem as he caught the bottom of his left forearm on the corner of a stand. The wooden edge tore into his flesh, ripping as he fell. Blood streamed from the newly created wound as Orion let out a scream of pain. He collapsed to the ground, holding his arm close to his chest, his clothing turning crimson as it soaked up the flowing blood. He let out a few sobs as his vision began to lose focus. Tears streamed down his face as he closed his eyes and lost consciousness.

[Orion Michaels]

When he came to, Orion was being carried by his father. So dizzy.. He rested his head against his father's shoulder and looked up at him. He...doesn't look angry....His father wore an expressionless face, as usual. He looked straight ahead, not once glancing at his son. Orion could feel his own heartbeat beginning to accelerate again. There was no way he wasn't pissed about this one. And worst of anything... He was right... He was injured. How badly, he didn't know. Glancing down at his arm, it was covered with a blood soaked cloth. His father's nice shirt had ruby droplets on it and was partially stained as well. He had never been mad before and there was a good chance when they got home he would experience the wrath his father had never unleashed on him. He began to shake, focusing on the pain. Tears came again, flowing down the boy's cheeks, as an occasional sob would cause the hurt to intensify. But worse than anything was his fathers silence. He hadn't said a word. He had to know he was up. His head throbbed, his vision was still blurry, and nothing made any sense. Why won't you say anything!

[Orion Michaels]

The arrived at the house and his father placed Orion on an examining table. Orion felt ill to his stomach. The entire trip home all he could think of was how he was going to be torn a new one. This was finally the straw that would break his father's back and set him off. He had been so quiet the entire way back. He didn't want to go off in public, so he must have been saving it for the privacy of their own. Needless to say, Orion was surprised when his father stepped out of the room and returned with his doctor's bag. "Orion," he began, "this is a perfect chance to have you learn some first aid." His jaw hit the floor. "What!?" Orion exclaimed. Relief and confusion overtook him and he leaned back on the table. I shouldn't really be surprised... His father began removing items from the bag. Bandages, splints, needles, small bottles, a mortar and pestle, and various herbs, which he lined up by Orion. "Son, I feel like you may learn a bit more here, since it's on yourself. It's really a wonderful opportunity." Orion sighed. Of course it was. A perfect chance. "First thing," he began," is to treat the wound. Your ankle is sprained, but it's not nearly as urgent as an open wound. Stopping the bleeding was my initial priority. First step is direct pressure. Not so much as to cut off circulation, but be forceful. Blood loss can kill you." His father nodded and Orion returned the nod, honestly paying attention for once. "If the bleeding continues you move on by raising the bleeding area so it's above the heart. Your arm above your head is simple. If your leg is wounded, you keep the person on the ground and you can raise it about that way." His father poured some water on his hands and washed them in a basin. Orion looked down at his wound. The bleeding had slowed a lot. He was still in quite a bit of pain. "The next step would be pressure points. You have a wound dangerously close to the pressure point I would use," he said, pointing the bend in his arm. This is the brachial artery. You always pick the artery in between the wound and the heart. With one exception. The Carotid artery is in your neck. Cutting off blood flow to your head, now that's just a bad idea, isn't it?" A small smile was on his father's lips. Was he actually enjoying this? Orion's dad began unscrewing a jar. "As a last resort, a tourniquet. I'll go over one with you at some point, son, but that will cut off the blood flow. It's a life or limb decision. Don't take it lightly." Orion's surprise was only added too when his father opened the jar and scooped out honey. "...What?" Orion asked, a puzzled look overcoming his expression. "Yes, honey. It's a natural antiseptic. The worst thing that could happen with your wound is for it to become infected." He winced as his father removed the rag and began to generously apply honey to injury. "Not only is it delicious, it's useful and practical." His father laughed. Ugh...dads... "Another benefit of honey is it prevents the bandages from sticking to the wound. Your body is working hard to heal this injury itself. Bandages help stop the bleeding, but when you change them it can undo some of the work it has done on its own. With the honey there, it will help stop that." He smiled and added. "Since this was your fault, I think this honey can come from your allowance." Orion opened his mouth as though to protest, but realized it was really his fault. "....Yeah." After applying the honey, he layed a clean bandage across the wound and honey, and then wrapped a bandage around it, moving from top to bottom, covering the dressing entirely. Not too tight, but tight enough to hold pressure and keep it in place. "You see what I did there, right?" Orion nodded. "Onto the ankle. The keys here are immobilizing the ankle, resting it, and keeping pressure on it." He knelt down by his son's foot and placed a splint on each side of the ankle. "When splinting, make sure it goes above and below the injury. So bone to bone on a joint, or joint to joint on a broken bone. And if possible, immobilize it in a natural position. You'll avoid as much struggle regaining full use of the injured area that way." He wrapped a bandage snugly around the splint. Orion winced a let out a muffled cry. "You'll thank me." He turned and started walking out of the room. "Someday, you'll thank me." Orion sighed, watching his father exit. "....Yeah right."

ooc1sm removed to recoup honey

[Emblem]

Congratulations! You Get Glorious Experience! Orion Skills Medicine- 3 XP Negotiation- 2 XP Observation- 2 XP Running- 1 XP Lores Father's Wisdom Medicine Technique: Treatment with Honey Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck Other Shenanigans: Nope Comments : This was a great first thread, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope all of the skills and lores that I awarded make sense to you. If you have any questions or concerns, please shoot me a PM!