losing it hurt the first time

[somakemelaugh]

Who: Undertaker and WHOEVER!
Broadcast: Video
Action: On the Goldstone, in the lab where Undertaker works
When: Naow


The loss of 20/20 vision had been a crippling thing when his life ended all that time ago and Undertaker found himself thrown to the mercies of the afterlife and what awaited him upon his suicide. No one needed to explain it to him then, but it was a form of control enacted by the gods, designed to keep everyone who followed those same footsteps in check. By degrading vision, something people relied on heavily, and giving them a singular means to correct it, the higher ups were assured that those under their employ would follow the rules.

Only they hadn't counted on Undertaker and what he did to bend those rules. Those first few weeks after his escape had been painful, to say the least. First with the injuries that led to his many scars, then to the headaches as he taught himself painstakingly to live without spectacles. Oh, it hadn't been easy, but it had all been necessary.

Now, it was necessary again, and all in the opposite direction. He was well aware of what he had been missing, forcing himself to cope with only half of the sight he should have had, and what he paid for in the wonders around him, he gained independence. Getting it all back, having his sight not only corrected, but improved, now that one hurt. He had tried to tolerate it, tried to fight through it. But it's quite clear to anyone who comes across him or views the footage that he's having a time of it.

Every few moments, he has to stop what he's doing and cover his eyes. This happens several times before he stops completely and feels his way to a seat in the lab and just sits there, face in both hands, and groans aloud where he thinks no one can hear him.

Poor him. If only he knew...

Comments

[nightroadsaint]

Do you mean the healing or settling in? Healing and settling in takes recovery and time. Now I'm not assuming what you're going through, but you should take your time.

And perhaps maybe dim the lights a little if that would help.

[somakemelaugh]

All very good advice. Somehow I thought this would all be slower than it was. Nothing as regards vision in my time was ever so quick to change. [He waves a hand in the air.] Sight degrades over time and all.

[A short peek at the feed to try and focus a little more, let it adjust a little more, and he settles his hand back over those eyes again.] Yours, have you had trouble with it? I notice you're in spectacles.

[nightroadsaint]

[Shaking his head.]

I do wear glasses due to being near-sighted, but so far I have no trouble with it.

[Still with concern as he listens.]

Speaking of glasses, maybe you should try sunglasses? I have an extra pair I can lend to you if you're interested.

[somakemelaugh]

[Huh. Well, maybe it isn't the same for everyone. He never really had a chance to find out for sure, since his own nearsightedness was artificially developed.]

Does it help? I haven't thought to try it, but I've been keeping my eyes closed when it gets too bad. Why take away just the sight when we can take away the focus adjustment with it?

[nightroadsaint]

When I was doing charity work back home, I noticed it helps a blind person. I have a pair that has UV protection that I picked up on my shopping spree on the last planet, especially when the sun was too intense during my hikes.

[Trying to be helpful!]

I figured it might help adjusting light sensitivity. Well, if you ever need it, I'll be happy to send one to you.

[somakemelaugh]

[He seems to shake his head, but it's hard to tell if this is just him truly shaking his head, or if he's just tossing his head to a side.]

Well, thank you kindly. That sounds like a wonderful idea, but allow me an hour to deal with this and see if I can get past this on my own. If not, I may be begging your favor.

[nightroadsaint]

You're welcome. It's not a problem, and I'm always glad to help another in need.

Oh, pardon me, as I forgot proper introductions. I'm Father Abel, a priest in service. It's nice to meet you!

[somakemelaugh]

[Oh, that's amusing to him, enough that he'll look up again to get a better look at who he's talking to. He can't help a grin, taking in the irony.]

Man of the cloth, eh? I've known a few of those in my time. Name's Undertaker. [He tilts his head, hand raised as if to tip a hat not there.] A pleasure all the same.

[nightroadsaint]

[Abel was surprised he was recognized by his profession. With an upbeat]

Indeed, a man of cloth.

[Undertaker? Abel wanted to ask if that's his real name or an association with the funeral business, but he finds that a dreary business and didn't want to ask out of curiosity.]

Likewise, Mr. Undertaker.

[somakemelaugh]

[It's not unusual for someone in his former line of work to know priests. He only did the background work to make corpses pretty again and set them in the ground, things the public and mourning family never saw.]

Please, just Undertaker. I might work in the lab around the Goldstone, but it's still a job.