#jaimie

As We Get Older II (2020)

I love Rise of the Guardians! I don’t think I’ve ever analyzed it before to figure out why. I think it’s probably just how earnest it is. It’s really firing on all cylinders, really trying to create moments of genuine impact and emotion out of characters that everybody has had a take on for like…several generations.

They didn’t just do their take on holiday characters. They tried to pay homage to everything a kid would like about those characters in their wildest fantasies. So yeah, Santa has tattoos and swords, but you know what else, he’s still jolly and jiggling his belly around and laughing. He still feels like Santa. He doesn’t feel like A Superhero Version of Santa. Because they put thought into having him be seen first in his workshop, making something, then making loud, silly noises of distress when it gets smashed. His first scene is not a superhero scene.

Bunny, too. Bunny is probably the farthest thing from what anyone imagines the Easter Bunny to be. But it feels like, if the character designers sat ten years-olds down and said, “okay, here’s a bunny. Now what if I give him boomerangs, should he have boomerangs? What if I make his legs longer so he’s up tall, should I draw that? Now what if he can throw eggs like grenades, should I draw that?” The ten year-old would be saying, “YES! YES!” At every question.

And they put so much effort into the way the characters move. But at the same time, nothing is too violent, or too scary. But they’re not afraid to do real, genuine emotion, or tackle hard subjects like, “What Does it Mean to Believe in Something?”

If you are new to this story or just need a reminder of how it is going, please use the hashtag Sp Special Containment to get caught up.

Whumpee leaned forward against the restraints so they could get better aim into the bucket.

They screamed as more puke came out.

"It is so hard... to throw up with these restraints", Whumpee complained.

"I know Whumpee", Caretaker looked at them sadly. They wished they could help more, "I'm sorry."

Whumpee was still in the medical wing.

They found it may not be food poisoning. More tests were running to see what was going on.

Whumpee was halfway through their IV at this point. They felt so gross now.

Whumpee was in a hospital bed designed for the weapons. The straps were just like how the wheelchair contained them. With the exception of their arms. They could be strapped in different positions for comfort and necessity. The bed could could also recline and be positioned in different ways depending on how the weapon wanted to rest or sit.

Whumpee sat up and leaned forward as much as the straps would allow. Caretaker held the bucket up for them for easy access.

Caretaker sighed as he wiped Whumpee's face again.

"I'm... sorry... Caretaker", Whumpee looked up weakly.

"It's not your fault. I'm sorry you're sick", Caretaker comforted, "let me get a new wash cloth for you."

Cass slid pass the guard, "still not feeling well?"

"No", Whumpee pouted, "I'm surprised I haven't puked my stomach out yet", they groaned.

The doctor came in behind Cass, "how's the patient? I just heard more throwing up."

"Is it possible to throw up organs.... because I think that's next to come up. I don't have anything else in me", Whumpee sighed.

"If it makes you feel better, we have found the culprit and cause", the doctor announced, "it's definitely food poisoning. Unfortunately, the kitchen staff had a new person prepping breakfast. They didn't pay attention to the dates on the packages. Expired food ended up in your breakfast."

"How does something like that happen? Their food is monitored so strictly. A new person shouldn't be handling food like that. At least not without supervision", Caretaker frowned, "this is not a good situation."

"I know. The Director is already aware and dealing with it", the doctor sighed, "on the positive side, this should only last a day or so, and I now know how to treat it. The negative side is that Whumpee is severally uncomfortable. We do not want to see any of our patients like this. Especially not the weapons, because of their survival mode possibly getting triggered."

Whumpee leaned into the bucket and gagged.

"I can't do.... do this anymore. It hurts too much to puke. Especially with the straps limiting my movements", Whumpee leaned back sorely.

"I understand. If Caretaker is okay with it, we can treat you while you're in your room", the doctor nodded, "I'd like to see you finish that IV first before you get moved back. At least so you're hydrated. Unfortunately, you can't take it with you because of the needle. You need to drink a lot of water, and there is a type of juice you can drink to help you with electrolytes and other good things that you are throwing up. You may need to come back tomorrow for another IV as well."

Whumpee nodded, " I am so tired."

"That is fine to have them back in their room. Just tell me what you'll need me to do for them", Caretaker stood, "they've had a long day, their room will be the best place for them."

Whumpee weakly fell into their bed.

"Thankyou for cleaning up in here... it smelt so bad", Whumpee frowned as Caretaker placed their puke bucket beside the bed, "I don't know if I have anything else to throw up."

"Cass and Andy cleaned it up for us", Caretaker smiled, "it definitely wasn't a good smell."

Whumpee looked around, "I never thought I'd miss this room so much, but I'm so happy to be in here again."

"I'm sure you are", Caretaker nodded.

"Okay, so remember what doctor said. You need to drink a lot of water to keep hydrated and this juice to help feel better", Caretaker placed Whumpee's drinks next to them, "doctor also said to get some rest. How about the guards play some soft music to help you fall asleep."

Caretaker pulled the blankets up for Whumpee and reached for their stuffie.

"I'm glad this didn't get dirty", Whumpee inspected it after Caretaker handed it to them, "I would have been really sad. It is the first comfort item I've had in a long time."

"Yes, I'm glad as well", Caretaker knelt beside the bed, "I will be around for another hour or so before I go to my room for the night. During the night, the doctor will have a nurse up here to help you in case you get sick again. I will tell you goodnight right before I'm off though... just like normal."

Whumpee nodded, eyes growing heavier, "could you please tell Aramais that I am okay. I know he was worried earlier."

"I will definitely let him know. I'll go tell him right now for you", Caretaker gently rubbed Whumpee's head and watched their eyes grow even heavier, "Goodnight Whumpee, get some rest."

Whumpee made a few small moans before they went completely out.

Caretaker waited quietly for a few minutes before signaling to the guards to buzz him out.

"Alright", Caretaker came around, "please let me know if there are any updates. Like I said a nurse will be up here to help with Whumpee through the night, but I can be called in as well."

Cass watched from the side, "I feel like I jinxed everyone this morning when I was hoping for more excitement."

"It's your fault", a guard turned with a grin.

"Sorry", Cass looked down with an embarrassed smile.

"It's the kitchen's fault", Caretaker frowned, "they need to pay more attention to what is going on. The weapons require strict diets for a reason", Caretaker sighed, "Whumpee hasn't eaten anything today because of this. The one meal they did eat was poison."

"They didn't even get any cookies today either", a guard frowned.

"I tried to give them some earlier. They had no interest", Caretaker pulled a bag from their pocket, "you know they're sick when they don't want any cookies."

"Well, I am going to let Aramais know that Whumpee is okay", Caretaker started for the door, "Cass I'm sure not much else is going to happen tonight. I hope at least. If you want to, you can go see how Mitch is doing. It will be lights out pretty soon for everyone. You're not use to the evening rounds. If you need help, you can message me, I'll be happy to help you."

"Yes sir, thankyou for training me today", Cass grinned, "I appreciate it."

"You're welcome. I hope you learned the second lesson..", Caretaker watched Cass's questioning gaze, "don't hope for action. You will absolutely jinx yourself, and have a hectic day."

"I definitely learned that", Cass nodded.

Aramais looked up when the buzzer went off.

"Oh, Caretaker! Um, sorry", Aramais lifted his blanket to cover his chest.

"No, no, you're fine", Caretaker entered fully and closed the door, "sorry to bother you, I know you're getting ready for bed."

Aramais nodded, "how's Whumpee?"

"That's why I'm here. Whumpee wanted me to let you know they were back in their room and doing alright. It was food poisoning from breakfast. Unfortunately, the kitchen staff wasn't paying attention and let something get pass them", Caretaker took a seat, "they will probably be down for a few days, but not too long. The doctor is watching them closely, and they have a nurse who will stay nearby for tonight."

Aramais looked down, "I'm so thankful that they're okay. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to Whumpee and Jaimie."

"Even when you get purple nurpled", Caretaker grinned and eyed Aramais's chest.

"Even then", Aramais laughed lightly as they looked down to where Caretaker was looking.

"I know you are self-conscious about the scars on your chest and back, and I won't ask about it, though I will happily listen if you want to share the story", Caretaker looked back up to look at Aramais's face, "don't ever be embarrassed or ashamed by something that happened to you in the past. No one in this facility will see you as weak for having those."

Aramais nodded, "I was, uhm", Aramais looked down again, "I was captured on one of my missions. My partner had gotten out and abandoned me for dead. Which was normal. We believed in fend for yourself, even when partnered with someone else. I was held prisoner and subjected to torture for months before I was able to escape."

Aramais sighed, "once I was out I had no where to go so I staggered all of the way back to the organization. Which looking back was a stupid choice, but I was young still", Aramais paused to control his shaking, "I thought I would receive some sort of comfort for what I had gone through... I didn't. I was subjected to rigorous questioning to make sure I hadn't become a traitor. After that, I was used as an example to the others. I was told that I should have killed myself. That would have been the best way to honor the organization."

Aramais moved the blanket to let Caretaker get a better look at the damage.

"They called them traitor markings. I was told to wear them shamefully", Aramais sighed, "to remember and remind others not to mess up. Even though I wasn't a traitor."

Caretaker sighed, then stood and walked to Aramais's bed, "the more I learn about you weapons, the harder I want to work to make all of you more comfortable. I want to work to protect you three so much."

Aramais smiled, "I can promise you. At least speaking for Jaimie, Whumpee, and myself. We feel the love and care you all give us, and we appreciate it. Even if it was half of what all of you do for us, it's would be appreciated more than you know."

Caretaker reached down and patted Aramais on the shoulder, "we are always happy to take care of you all. I'm just sorry for what all of you went through. I wish I could take it all away and let you three have normal lives."

Aramais smiled, "it's okay... I'm just glad I'm here now. I wouldn't have been able to meet all of you had I been given a normal life."

"Caretaker, I apologize the lights are about to dim" a guard came over the radio.

"I need to be going anyways. Aramais needs some sleep", Caretaker started to the door.

"Thankyou Caretaker", Aramais smiled, "I really appreciate you and all you do. You always know the right things to say."

Caretaker turned and smiled, "you're welcome Aramais. Have a good night."

"You too" Aramais watched them leave, then laid back down.

Caretaker watched Mcgee step out from Jaimie's monitor room.

They waved when they looked up and Caretaker waved back.

Caretaker wandered down a few halls in deep thought over the weapons. They were even able to watch Cass exit the facility to go home.

"They have so much promise", Caretaker whispered, "I just hope they don't get hurt doing this job."

Caretaker stretched tiredly, "well, you old man, I think it's time for bed. You may be getting a little to old for this now, but Whumpee still needs you. Retirement was never an option anyways I guess. Let's get to bed."

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