IC inbox for Snowblind

[thewarningafter]

@beyonce

You've reached Dr. Stephen Strange. Leave a message and my secretary will get back to you.

Comments

[howdull]

[Now he just feels bad. He caused this man to try and cure himself by killing himself, at least partially. But the fact he's not being instantly turned down is hopeful and interesting.

Now to see how well he can do this without telling a single lie. Stupid death price.]

The common diagnosis would be Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

List of symptoms presenting include a lack of ability to focus, mood swings, an inability to remain still, a degree of impulsive behaviour, multiple projects ongoing, compulsive behaviours, and a need for stimulation.

[thewarningafter]

[Another self diagnosis, but this time without the context that had given him the confidence to simply act on it. That's a neat little textbook list of symptoms, all perfectly convincing if he takes it at face value, and the fact that he's not being asked for an analgesic is probably a good sign. Proceed, then, but with caution.]

Have you ever received a formal diagnosis?

[howdull]

Yes.

[He can skirt by that because of the vague wording. He's never had a formal diagnosis of ADHD, but he's had a formal diagnosis of other things. A chest infection, for example, or a broken toe. So he has had many types of formal diagnosis that allow him to answer yes.]

[thewarningafter]

[So far so good, ish, but he can't go around prescribing stimulants without getting the full story.]

Have you been on any medication for it since you got here? And are the symptoms worsening?

[howdull]

[Something about this is very off, why is Stephen being so impersonal? Something to do with his death price? Not important currently, he just dredges up what he knows about Stephen's priorities and inserts them into truths that sound like answers.]

No, then yes. I know there is a shortage of medication.

[Separate statement, not a reason, even if he phrased it to sound that way.]

[thewarningafter]

[He's got this. Asking questions, getting answers. He's not entirely at ease, but since he's pretty sure no one dangerous knows about his problem (and the first message came in before he'd revived anyhow)....]

Only the painkillers so far. It's possible you're also experiencing MN poisoning, if it's been getting worse. What were you on back home?

[howdull]

[Ah, now there is a much more dangerous question, one harder to twist the truth around.]

Not MN poisoning, I am not paranoid, obsessed, manic, depressed, sick, or in pain.

I admit to rarely taking any pills prescribed to me back home, usually allowing them to gather dust in the bathroom cabinet. As stated, the aforementioned symptoms have worsened.

[thewarningafter]

[The affected past disinterest is the right approach -- Stephen drums his fingers for a moment, then decides. ]

I'm going to go ahead and start you on a low dose of methylphenidate, and we'll see how it's treating you after a week.

[...Problem. He doubts the administrator will accept a prescription made out to a screen name. ]

Just to be sure it gets to you, can you, uh, confirm your full legal name for me?

[ He winces, unseen. He's really going to have to hope this isn't a relationship where that question would be really weird. ]

[howdull]

[His gaze sharpens on his tablet screen, everything clicking very suddenly into place. Amnesia, then, but specific? He clearly has no idea who Sherlock is, and that is both good and bad at once.

He knows that the admin will provide medication for pseudonyms, he has found medication made out to 'Jay' before and knows it reached its intended recipient. This gives him the opportunity to get around the admin's previous ban on his usage.]

Yes, I can.

[Truthful so far, now he can say whatever he wants having already given the truth to the question asked. Why do so many people ask 'can you'? It's so stupid.]

William Scott.

[Technically true, parts of his name, at least.]

Thank you, doctor.

[thewarningafter]

[The name doesn't ring any bells, but he didn't expect that it would. Stephen taps out a message to the administrator, dutifully copying the "correct" name.]

You're welcome. We can talk again when you've been on it a few days.

[howdull]

[Will they?

It'll be interesting to see just how specific or complete Stephen's amnesia is.]

Goodbye, Doctor.

[thewarningafter]

[Wrong diagnosis, Sherlock -- agnosia, not amnesia. Different problem altogether.]

Bye.

[Disconnected.]