For your consideration; [hider Dr. Kinsley, Harper] [b]Name:[/b] Dr. Harper Diane Kinsley [b]Date of Birth:[/b] 13-07-2241 (43 years old) [b]Sex:[/b] Female [b]Appearance:[/b] [center][img]https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/projects/404/a5dc0770092539.Y3JvcCwxMTgyLDkyNCw0MTIsNTg1.png[/img][/center] Dr. Kinsley stands at an average height of 5’4 with a thin and borderline scrawny build. Her skin is pale, and not in an attractive porcelain way, more that the colour has been drained from her - through lack of sleep, and poor nutrition, constant worry and a general feeling of indifference to really take care of herself. Despite all of this, she is no old looking woman, quite the opposite in fact - her good and healthy methods earlier in life have left her skin in good shape and she has only a few wrinkles - most prominently around her eyes. At first glance, it is easy to pass Harper off as having always looked dishevelled, but once a person looks hard enough, they can see that a beautiful and happy woman once lived inside of the cracked shell. The clues are in the way she does sincerely smile - it’s the smile that used to light up a family home, and her laughter was the music. Her body was once more womanly; she carried and bore a daughter, gave life and love in abundance, but such selflessness has been stripped away, taking with it streaks of auburn from her hair - leaving behind framing strands of grey. Her hair falls to the middle of her back in loose waves with a side swept fringe. Whatever authority and confidence that Harper once spoke with, like much of the rest of her attributes, has withered. She is now incredibly soft spoken, speaking quietly most of the time. One would be a fool to think that she is soft at heart, however, for what her voice lacks, her eyes make way for. Her blue, wide eyes can very quickly command the energy that does not project in her voice - and many have learned this the hard way, that fire can indeed take hold of water. [hr] [b]Place of Birth:[/b] New California Republic [b]Path:[/b] Scribe [b]Rank:[/b] Scribe [b]Equipment:[/b] [abbr=An 11 year old Blue Heeler. Dr. Kinsley's companion. Chowder makes himself useful in the field by sniffing out items that may be of use. Sometimes, anyway. He's 11 years old, that nose isn't as powerful as it used to be - or the ears for that matter. Still, he's a Good Boy and friend to all - if nothing else, he's a fantastic morale boost around camp. Just don't leave your shoes unattended.]Chowder[/abbr] [abbr=A standard outfit consists of Brotherhood fatigues and a battered burgundy fedora. In a sterile environment, and when not out on the road, Dr. Kinsely can be found in a surgical jacket and scrub cap.]Clothing[/abbr] [abbr= Pocket Knife, .44 Pistol.]Weapons[/abbr] [abbr=Sharp/blunt scissors, Sharp forceps, Splinter probe/remover, Scalpel blades and handles, Steel kidney dish, Stitch cutter, Needles, Thread, Syringes (50ml)]Roll of Surgical Tools (Inside satchel)[/abbr] [abbr=Bandage rolls, Combine dressings, Gauze swabs, Paper tape, Saline steritubes, Shock blanket, Safety pins, Biohazard specimen bag, Stimpaks]First Aid Kit (Inside satchel)[/abbr] [abbr= Turpentine, Iodine, Alcohol, Antiseptic, Purified Water, Anaesthetic vials.]Bottles of Sterilising Equipment (Inside satchel)[/abbr] [abbr=A single dose of a lethal drug cocktail that Dr. Kinsley mixed up herself. She keeps it very, very, hidden on her person. It’s her bottle of ‘Goodnight’, waiting for the day to come that she can use it.]Mysterious Vial[/abbr] [B]Notable Talents:[/B] [i]Medical Hero[/i] [indent]For all intents and purposes, and quirks aside, Dr. Kinsley is in fact an incredible doctor. Having been taught in human biology from a young age. She was something of a prodigy even as a trainee in a New California clinic where she spent her twenties practicing, before travelling out with her husband and the Followers of the Apocalypse. She took her clinical mind to the outside world, to real and instant trauma. She learned quick and fast during that time, before returning to her neurological research. It’s safe to say that in Dr. Kinsley’s hands, you’ve little to worry about.[/indent] [i]Everyday I’m Puzzlin’[/i] [indent]She has an incredibly logical mind, and is a fantastic problem solver. She enjoys intellectual puzzles, particularly linguistic or mathematical ones. Solving puzzles is one of the few things she presently takes joy in, and her skills translate beyond being able to figure out the answer to a riddle - but in the real world too. She can make logical decisions with ease, without being too tangled up in emotional aspects. She excels in analysing connections, linking together seemingly unrelated factors in a way that might confuse someone else.[/indent] [i]Smart Cookie[/i] [indent]Dr. Kinsley has a vast knowledge of the world around her - perhaps a combination of her age and experience, and her naturally quick mind for absorbing information. She is well versed in history and politics, in geography and how the land physically works, of animal species, and of course, human biology. She’s smart as a tack, and she isn’t afraid to let people know this.[/indent] [b]Laughable Failings:[/b] [i]Unfiltered Honesty[/i] [indent]Harper says what she thinks with ease. She doesn't sugar coat her words, and she's not the kind of person you'd go crying to, unless you wanted brutal honesty. None of it comes from malice, just from her own pit of hopelessness. The lack of filter slips over into what appears to be a lack of interest in others personal lives.[/indent] [i]Hard of Hearing[/i] [indent]Got too close to a gun firing off once, and it’s left her a little hard of hearing on her left side - not to mention the near constant ringing of tinnitus plaguing her. Both of these things tend to tick away at her patience. This is a more recent ailment she’s been afflicted with since travelling with the Brotherhood of Steel. People have learned to speak up when talking to her, and to understand that she’s not the best courier of messages… They often tend to change on their way.[/indent] [i]Insomniac[/i] [indent]Dr. Kinsley’s mind is too active, too turned over with pain to ever really allow her to sleep fully. She gets a few hours here and there, but for the most part, she tosses and turns, or simply gives up and goes for light night adventures. Usually pacing back and forth, relaxing in a chair, or completing even more puzzles. She doesn’t really seem to care that she sleeps in short bursts. Her pacing and chuntering late at night might well bother others, however.[/indent] [b]Personality:[/b] A natural intellectual, her way of thinking offers a lot of insight into the world around her, but for the most part, Dr. Kinsley sees that world as an intrusion to her innermost thoughts. She is guilty of absent-mindedness when her interest is captured, usually by a puzzle of some kind, she can forget where she is entirely to the point of rudeness. She is private, withdrawn, and shy and so very little is known of her, just that she is good at what she does and does it without much of a fuss. What is known, however, is that she is direct in her communication, and does not mince her words. It is not too much of a secret that Dr. Kinsley sees the world as meaningless, her eyes are often glazed over with gloom and that transcends in her social interactions. When one is so indifferent to the world around them, it can be liberating in that one can say what they like without fear of consequence. It is less appealing to those around her, even if in a way, her downhearted comments and topics of conversation are somewhat endearing. Her honesty can also be refreshing, between the lines of melancholy, there is often genuinely helpful nuggets of wisdom that most certainly come from the warmth that she does have left, particularly for those who make an effort to get to know her beyond her outward quirks. Life isn’t all a spiral of darkness, and there are brief moments where Dr. Kinsley will light up with joy, and smile from her heart. In those moments, colour seems to momentarily return and she possesses a maternal grace that hasn’t completely left her. But yes, those moments are fleeting and rare — but the longer she spends with people, being useful, the more such moments beat back the darkness. [b]Short Background:[/b] [hider First Day - 2260] [i]Ummm, hello! It’s me, Harper Howard, and today is my first day practicing medicine! Really practicing. Not just reading books, but actually being amongst patients and senior doctors. I wanted to start this diary… To keep, and remember everything. To record the things that I do and learn, things that I achieve. To keep and preserve it. Preservation is important, after all. But I don’t know. It feels silly talking to myself - or to you, this thing… Maybe if you’re someone listening to this in the future, it's because I was a famed surgeon! That I saved so many lives - maybe this is used in your school. If that’s the case… Good luck doctors of tomorrow! Or, maybe in the future these recordings are just… stashed in a drawer somewhere - gathering dust… Oh my. I can’t really say, but to the topic at hand… It’s my first day in the clinic. Dad got me my tools for the occasion. They’re so proud, Mom and Dad. I hope they stay proud. Oh, please don’t let someone die on me on my first day…[/i][/hider] [Hider Alex - 2264] [i]I met someone today. His name is Alex. He’s another Doctor, but he travels with the Followers of the Apocalypse. I’ve heard of them, I’ve seen them occasionally but not this… close up I suppose. Anyway, Alex… He came to the clinic and we talked a little, he didn’t stay for long but he left me with a crossword for some reason. Some strange puzzle. It was ridiculously easy to complete. I actually finished it so quickly that I had time to draw a puzzle of my own to give him. That’s if he comes back. If he wants to come back, I mean. Why would he do that though it’s not like he showed any signs of liking me or anything… Not that I like him! I’m putting it on record that I don’t like him. [b]I don’t like him.[/b] In news more relevant to my recordings, I successfully took several skin grafts for a patient today. My stitches are perfect, and Dr. Wilson said that I can start looking to an area of research I’d like to do; of course I want to look at the spine, the nervous system. It’s ambitious, but there’s so much opportunity there. We know so very little about neurology, really. There’s… still discoveries to be made. I know it. [/i][/hider] [hider Unknown - 2265] [i]I am now Mrs. Harper Kinsley…[/i][/hider] [hider Flower Arrangement - 2269] [i]I had a death today. I got too arrogant that it hadn’t happened until now. I was flying on wings of hubris and I messed up. Alex told me that these things happen. But the very reason I’m doing this is so that people don’t have to die. I do this because I want to save people. If I can’t, then what is the point? Still, there’s so much to be learned. Her tumour… It was beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like it. Spread across her frontal lobe like a flower arrangement. Advanced astrocytoma to a glioblastoma. One of the worst I’ve seen, but I just… I had to try. I had to. She had months, if that. Her tumour had reached the optic chiasm and was affecting her vision. I thought I could remove it. I’d drawn it, dreamt it. Everything I looked at was that damned tumour. I thought to just dismantle it. Several approaches all at once, but I was wrong. It was impossible.[/i][/hider] [hider Magnificent - 2270] [i]Good morning world! Whoever is listening to this recording, you're in for something amazing today! You might be wondering who this handsome sounding man is, that’s right - it’s Dr. Alex Kinsley, husband of Dr. Harper Kinsley… No recording from my wife today - but I’m watching her right now as she finishes up in surgery. She’s removing a hemangioblastoma, initially we thought she would have to cut the spinal cord to paralyse the patient and cut off its blood supply… But not my wife. We’re approaching hour seventeen and she’s still going. My magnificent wife is going to make a man walk again.[/i][/hider] [hider Expecting - 2271] [i]I’m halfway through my pregnancy now. I’ve been so emotional, this last month, it’s a beautiful gift. I feel so strong and powerful creating this life, this perfect life inside of me. I haven’t stopped working - and of course people advised against it, but having this miracle inside me just gives me more drive. I want to make a safe world for my child, I want to discover everything there is to discover. I don’t have time to rest, and as always, Alex is on my side. I caught him the other day singing a lullaby, practicing a song for our baby. I feel so lucky. Even in this world of nothing, of horrors… I can just look at Alex, think of what we’ve achieved, the lives we’ve saved… How could that world be so bad? We’re going to name a girl after my mother. Victoria. But if we have a boy, then after Alex’s father, Joseph. I feel like she's a girl though. I just... With every kick she feels like my Victoria. Like a best friend just waiting to be brought into the world. I already love her so much, and I didn’t think it was possible to be so full of love - to the brim of my cup and over, to a puddle at my feet that is warm and real and right there. I always thought my destiny was to be a doctor, a surgeon - to save lives but maybe being a mother is my destiny… Creating this life. Or you know, it can always be both. Destiny is limitless. Opportunities are endless. Wow, I told you I was emotional...[/i][/hider] [hider Man’s Best Friend - 2273] [i]We got a dog. Or should I say, Alex and Victoria got a dog. For some reason, the dog doesn’t seem to like me as much as he likes Alex and Victoria. We’ve had him for eight months now, and he just destroys all of my things— all of them! And yet none of theirs. I think I’m just not really a dog person, but that’s okay because Victoria is. The two are inseparable. They’re best friends. Chowder sleeps at the bottom of her bed, and the first thing she ever wants is her puppy, and the last thing she wants at night is her puppy. Gone are the days when she just wanted to be held by her mother. Now she just wants to hold her dog. Oh, and I know, I know. It’s a dumb name, but that’s for some reason, what Miss Victoria picked to name him and… Honestly? He suits it. He’s a good dog, I’m glad that they have each other.[/i][/hider] [hider Sick - 2281] [i]Alex and Victoria are sick. They’re really sick, actually. They’d been out together and they came back sick. Temperatures are way down. They’re malaised, coughing and wheezing. Occasional bleeding from the face - notably around their gums. The blood instantly coagulates. Their eyes are red, they’re in and out of consciousness. I thought it was pneumonia. But the bleeding, and then the rashes. It’s more than pneumonia. They’re confused, slurring. I don’t have the supplies out here to help them, and I don’t think I have time to collect anything — I don’t even know what this is. Parasitic pneumonia? Uniquely infects people of their blood type, because I’m fine, and I’ve been exposed to them for hours. Why don’t I know what to do? Why can’t I figure this out? - - I spent my career studying tumours. Fucking tumours. I should have been studying disease, haematology - God, anything but fucking tumours. Studying disease would have been smart. I just thought I was special, that it was [b]my[/b] purpose to personally cut fucking tumours out of peoples bodies. I wanted to be special. I should have been doing something important. I thought I knew everything… If I’d studied disease then I could figure this out. What if I can’t save them? What if I can’t protect our little girl? Alex would know how to fix this. [/i][/hider] [hider Unknown - 2281] [i]I buried my baby today. Next to her Father. She’s gone, she… She just didn’t wake up. I fell asleep and when I woke up... She was gone. I buried my little girl. [right]God damn it Chowder, shut the fuck up![/right][/i][/hider] [hider Promise - 2281] [i]I’m here. Just me and Chowder now. I can’t cry, because he cries louder. His little girl is gone and I can’t explain to him that she’s not coming back. I can’t translate death into a concept that this dog can understand. She was my little girl too. I have to look at this damn dog everyday, knowing that he just wants her. All I want is her too. I got all this love, and nowhere to place it. That’s grief. Grief is the love left over that has nowhere to go. I have nowhere to go. But I promised her I’d look after her dog. I have nowhere to go until he’s gone. He has to go back to them before I can.[/i][/hider] [hider The End - 2282] [i]This is my last entry. I used to think these recordings were important. Turns out this entire tape is just a mausoleum. I helped out some kid with the Brotherhood of Steel today. Patched him up and got him on his feet. Chowder seemed to like him. His group asked if I wanted to travel with them. Helping someone felt good, I suppose. They don’t seem to mind the dog, or that I look like shit. They just need a scalpel, and I have one. Maybe travelling with this faction will get Chowder in some action and wear him out for his sleep. And then I get to follow him, back to them. One last good deed to say goodbye.[/i][/hider] [/hider]