anelegantoffense​asked:

Hi hi! I love your blog it’s brilliant~ I had two questions, whenever you get a minute. I was wondering if there was a place 1-2″ below the collar bone that one could be stabbed with a thin, rapier-style sword and recover without noticable impairments. For the other question, and I’m not sure if this is even something you would know, but would an electrically charged large needle propelled with significant force into an eye cause it to burst? Would the damage spread farther into the head? I’m wondering how likely death would be (I’m assuming blinding is a given?)

Hey there, and thanks for your question! 

First: the area under the collarbone is an extremely dangerous place to be stabbed with a sword, knife, or any implement. Even if the sword doesn’tpenetrate the ribcage – which it will – and puncture the lung – which it will – there’s still the anatomy of the collarbone itself to take into account. 

The collarbone protects two very important body parts: the subclavian blood vessels (artery and vein), and the brachial plexus, the nerve branch which innervates the arm. 

An injury just under the collarbone is thus a great risk to the health of the character: lungs, arteries, and major nerves are all in terrible danger. 

For a wound that can be survivable, I would suggest a sword injury on the lateral abdomen, where it will look dangerous but doesn’t actually go into the abdomen itself; basically I’m talking about a stab into the “love handles” on the side of the belly. 

For the second question: I have absolutely no idea what the electric charge would do. What’s interesting about this is that “electrically charged” implies something in addition to a pin; electricity makes a circuit from someplace, to someplace. Unless we’re talking about a static charge discharging into the eye? 

If the needle is fairly small, I can only imagine that it can’t carry an enormous electric charge, so I’d say we’re looking at something fairly minor when it comes to impact and effects. 

I would say that the eyeball rupturing is a perfectly reasonable outcome, especially if there’s force involved, though of course needles to the eye, when applied with care, don’t cause this. The words “significant force” and, to a lesser extent, “electrically charged” make me think this is likely. Cue eyeball goo (vitreous humour) running down the character’s face. 

However, I don’t think death is as likely as you think it is. I think this is survivable. 

Here’s why. The back of the eye socket is mostly bone. Take a look at this image of a skull, which I believe is a replica but enough to make my point: 

[Image: Gray’s Anatomy, 1918, public domain. Source.]

It takes a very exact angle to penetrate through the orbital fissure into the brain cavity, through the meninges, and into the brain. As you can see, that opening is tiny. Even a needle with significant force isn’t necessarily going to be accurate enough to get into the brain – that’s just not feasible. Audiences would believe it, mind you, because Hollywood has taught them that eyes are just a gooey front of your brain, but it’s not so. 

Hope this helps you out! 

xoxo, Aunt Scripty

[disclaimer]

[Come to Patreon, the land  where the inbox never closes!]

[Maim Your Characters email course: learn how to construct injury plots (andhow to make them matter)]

pupils fixed and dilated

If I forget pleasantries, it’s not because I’m rude, I’m literally just trying to think of the right words to form sentences.

If I forget pleasantries, it’s not because I’m rude, I’m literally just trying to think of the right words to form sentences.

TW: Medical trauma

Had a medical procedure done today for health reasons and an older man was my anesthesiologist. Here’s how my interaction with him played out:

Him: I see you’ve had multiple brain injuries. How did those happen?

Me: I was hit in a car accident and for the most recent one, I lost consciousness, fell, and hit my head.

Him: What are you, accident prone? Those things don’t happen to normal people.

Me: *annoyed* Let’s just call it a series of unfortunate events.

Him: (Asks me a bunch of other questions which I answer. Then skeptically he asks) Are you a nurse or something? Because you sure know an awful lot.

Me: I’ve been in and out of hospitals so much that I know a lot about my health and the system.

Him: Oh really? (Then proceeds to mansplain me exactly what I just told him)

Him: Enough about that. Let me see if you can move your forehead to signal if you’re in pain during the procedure because it looks like you have had botox.

Me: I haven’t had botox *proceeds to wiggle forehead*.

Him: Oh it looks like you have!

Me: I’m sorry to disappoint you, I’m just young and beautiful *trying to make a joke*

Him: Young maybe…

Guys, I was just there for a colonoscopy. Wtf was this. To question how I got my injuries, use the term “normal people”, imply that I’ve had plastic surgery, then say that I’m lying, and then imply that I’m not beautiful.

And this is not the first time I’ve had these encounters. I just want staff to be kind and make me feel safe. Instead I so often get the opposite. Kindness is free and medical settings need more of it.

No. 4 - TRUST FALL

@whumptober2021

@whumptober-archive

“Do you trust me?” | taken hostage | pushed

Finn had decided to ride out with Fao, much to both his parents and guards’ upset. He didn’t understand why there was such an issue - the kingdom faced a threat and he should have been there to face it. Just because he was the prince, it didn’t mean that his life was any more important.

They’d travelled a day or so on horseback before the terrain became too unsteady and the weather too poor to carry on. They’d done the best they could to find shelter, and then to make a fire.

Fao was much more willing to start one than he’d normally be, which only increased Finn’s suspicions that he’d directed them further away from where he’d intended to go. His lack of reluctance, however, was not unwelcome; the cold had seeped into Finn’s bones and he couldn’t shake it.

Fao crouched on the cold floor, trying to breathe some life into a little fire. He struggled a little, everything soaked, and swore under his breath as he did.

“Finn? Can you see to the horses? Make sure they’ve got water.”

“There’s plenty around them.” Finn groaned. “We’re almost drowning in it.”

“They can’t drink the rain.”

“What do you think I’m going to get them?”

“You know what I mean. They can’t drink from the fucking sky, can they?”

“They should be able to.” Finn huffed, standing to sort them. “Would make it easier.”

“Can you drink from the sky?”

“Yes.”

Fao rolled his eyes. “Of course you’d say that.”

“Can’t you?”

“Well, yes, but that’s not the point.”

“It’s precisely my point.”

“Just water the horses!”

“You’re extremely grumpy today.”

“I’m always grumpy.”

“Moreso today.” He told him, settling down by the struggling fire. “Can’t you hurry? I’m freezing.”

Finn ignored the following complaint from Fao, choosing instead to sort his pack out. The food they’d caught earlier made his stomach turn and he hastily put it away. One night wouldn’t be the end of the world. Instead, he curled up by Fao, using the other man’s body for warmth.

Fao frowned, and softened as Finn pressed up to his side. He adjusted his cloak to sit over his shoulders and keep him a little warmer.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m just tired, I can’t get warm.” He admitted quietly.

“The fire will be warm soon. It just needed a little patience.” He said gently.

“I’m still cold.”

Fao shrugged off his cloak and fully draped it over Finn. “Here.”

Normally, Finn would have protested, but instead, he took it gratefully. “Thank you.”

“We can’t have you getting cold.”

“Why do you always sound like such a dick when you say things like that?”

“I was being genuine!”

“Still sounds like a dick.” He said. “I knew you weren’t. I’m just used to you taking the piss out of me.”

“I’m capable of being nice.”

“Sure you are.”

The fire was starting to grow now, finally taking hold. It warmed Fao, so hopefully would warm Finn too.

“It happens on occasion.”

He hummed. “I guess. Are you okay to take watch?”

“Yeah, go on. Get some rest.”

Finn shuffled closer. “Thank you.”

“Anything else you need?”

He shook his head, already drifting. He just needed some sleep, he’d feel better once he was warm and rested.

“Sleep well.” Fao murmured, shifting his weight a little to sit better - it was going to be a long night.

Finn slept fitfully, finally stirring just before dawn broke. Despite the fire still burning, he was cold. The pain in his head was crushing, and nausea curled in his stomach. He knew it wasn’t anything he’d eaten; he’d skipped the evening’s meal. Fao had moved from where Finn had curled on him, now sat opposite from Finn as he tended the fire. Finn struggled to his feet, he needed to relieve himself and lying down wasn’t doing him any good. He balanced himself against the trees surrounding him, heading away from their camp for privacy.

“Morning! You’re up early.” Fao called, carefully watching Finn as he headed out of the camp.

Finn grunted in response, too asleep to bother with an actual reply. After a few minutes, he headed back, stumbling towards Fao.

Fao didn’t miss the way the Prince stumbled. “Careful. Are you alright?”

“I don’t feel so good.” He admitted quietly.

“Sit. You’ve not eaten in too long, it’s probably that.”

His stomach twisted at the thought of food. “I’m not eating.”

“You ought to eat.”

Finn sat heavily, leaning against Fao. “No.”

“You need your strength. What’s wrong?”

He shook his head. “I must just be tired.”

“You don’t look particularly well.”

“I don’t feel particularly well. I told you that.”

Fao sat up straighter. “Talk to me?”

“About what?”

“How you feel. Dizzy?”

He shook his head. “Off balance.”

“Is that not the same thing?”

“Of course not.”

“Sick?”

“I haven’t been.”

“Feel it?”

He hesitated before nodding slightly. “Yes.”

Fao rubbed his arm, in a gesture he hoped was soothing. “I suppose that’s why you don’t want to eat.”

He leaned closer instinctively. “It is.”

“I’ve got you.”

“How far away are we from home?”

“Far enough.”

“We weren’t following the trail, were we?”

“No. We had to go off and out deeper.”

“You were just keeping me away from the fight. I knew I shouldn’t have trusted you.”

“I have a duty to protect you, Finn.”

“And I have a duty to this kingdom!”

“And that duty requires you to stay alive.”

Finn groaned as he stood, swaying slightly. “My duty requires me to protect it!”

“If you go and get yourself killed, you’ll be no use to anyone. The best way to protect the kingdom is to keep yourself safe.” Fao said, standing up alongside Finn. “Careful. Sit back down, come on. You’ve gone pale.”

He pulled away. “No.”

“Finn, come on.” Fao said, reaching out for him. “You’re no good to anyone if you’re passed out.”

“Don’t touch me.” He snapped. “I’m getting Toren and going.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Finn.” Fao snapped.

He rolled his eyes. He didn’t need to follow Fao’s orders, he needed to be away from him.

“Finn!”

Finn made it halfway before he had to stop, bracing himself against a tree. He clasped??? his head with a quiet whimper, falling against the bark. He felt as if he’d been poisoned, and the only person around him had been Fao.

Fao rushed over to him, an arm on his shoulder. “Finn, come on. Let’s sit down again.”

He didn’t have much of a choice, his legs already given way beneath him. “Was your fault.”

Finn was heavy in his arms, and Fao groaned. “Careful, careful.” He said quietly. “I’ve got you.”

“You’ve poisoned me.”

“I’ve not, you’re alright.”

Finn shivered, wrapping his arms tighter around himself. “I’m not.”

Fao reached out for his pack, pulling it closer and digging around for the vials of liquid he kept. Finn often got like this, ever since an accident as a young child. “I’m gonna look after you. Take some deep breaths for me?”

“You’re doing it again.” He tried to pull away.

“I’ve always protected you in the past.” He said gently. “Do you trust me?”

It was harder to focus. “No.”

“It’s alright, Finn. I’m going to help you.”

“Please.”

“You need to drink this, Finn.” Fao said gently, fingers closing on the cool glass. “It’ll make you feel better.”

“It’s poison.” He reached a shaky hand to push it away.

“I promise it’s not.”

“You drink it.”

“It’s for you. Your medicine.”

“No.”

“From the physician. To help you feel better.”

“Swear?”

“Swear on my life.”

Finn took it from Fao, quickly downing the liquid. It was foul, as most of the cocktails were, but Fao had told him it would help. Despite his confusion and paranoia, he knew that Fao wouldn’t really hurt him. He’d always protected him.

“That’s it. It’ll make you feel better, hmm?”

“It better.” He murmured.

“It will. I’ve got you.” Fao said, an arm around the younger man. “I’m here to keep you safe. I’m always going to keep you safe.”