“Zahir Peri. Flatwoods Paramedic branch of the Responders. Most people call me Peri.”

He shook it, offering a soft smile. “You should get some rest once we get up and going.”

I understand.

How are you? Any wounds? I can treat you now, if so. Can’t help others if you’re hurt too.

Not needed. The Responders do what we can, where we can. We just ask that you help others when you can too.

I can set up a medical tent and you can direct the injured to me?

Anyone in need of medical care? My chems are limited but I know first aid.

I like to learn.

I take it you don’t enjoy questions… at least about yourself?

And how did you end up here, host of the Ray-Dee-Oh? (He’s pronouncing it like she did, offering a smile.)

Oh! Oh, I’m sorry. Where are you from, Kimira?

Woah, you sound like you came straight out of a Hubris Comics book. How long did it take you to learn that accent?

Ah, Zahir Peri. Most of my friends call me Peri.

(He’d offer a hand.) Responder, Flatwood Paramedic.

Newcomer? Me newcomer?

“𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐮𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐈𝐟 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠.”