Medical Leave

[Karmotrine Dream]

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A sharp call-out, coming from a yellowish blotch or colour in a vague humanoid shape.
« You're in no position to go anywhere right about now, so just- »
« Unsinn. This is... rrrgh.... just a headache. I'm fine, see? »

She smiled in its gener direction, unsteadily.
The blotch moved closer, close enough for her to focus onto some facial features; a bald head, stern green eyes, a well-trimmed moustache, and an odd mixture of doctoral disapproval and surprise. And, of course, the Zoner overalls.

« For someone who got shot apart by lunatics, maybe! People, those who make it at least, tend to stay out cold for a lot longer - but you're anything but fine right now. »
« Unsinn! Why, I... », her voice trailed off, as she actually processed the man's chiding. « Wait, shot? Lunatics? »

He nodded.
She looked down, as figments of last night's dream resurfaced. The shades, the heatwaves and the cold of the void... not just a nightmare, perhaps.
A chill ran down her spine.

« Happens a lot, these days. Can't tell you what's got them riled up, maybe it's the damn storm, but there's always plenty of 'em out causing trouble... and worse. You and the others got the worst, and when they left, we picked you up. Now you're in our medbay, at Ames. »
she blinked, and winced painfully.
« You're all in one piece, before you start worrying. Feeling like you got run over by a Barge, maybe, but your bits are still in all the right places. They make 'em tough back in Rheinland, eh? »

She scoffed, proudly.

« Have to be! Ahaha- ack- », the fit of laughter turned to coughing.
« Easy there! What did I say about not being fine? »
« I will be... soon enough, surely. No reason to- »
« Keep it up and it won't be soon at all, miss », he shook his head.

She tried to lift herself off the bed, again; and again, the man moved forward, gently but firmly pushing her back.
« Good heavens, lady, what's the hurry? Is it really worth risking serious injuries just to get back to the docks? And nevermind flying! »
« Adventure », she said, staring him down. « I- »
« Oh yeah, adventure. The comms picked up some chatter like that. Didn't work out that well for you, I think. »
She glared at him.

He leant closer. An older man, a few shades paler than the usual - a common feature, among outworlders - and bearing a pair of heavy-rimmed spectacles with an array of lenses and other techy bits to the side. Some sort of medical apparatus.
Well-crafted, she could tell, if a few decades out of date.

« Look. I don't really know you or who you are or where you're from exactly, but I know what's that spark in your eyes. See lots of them. All burning with that drive to go out and do something, you know? Strike rich, make a name for themselves, plant flags... whatever. Got no time to lose standing around. »

She furrowed her brow, and gave a small nod. She didn't particularly like that sort of examination, perhaps even less than being bed-bound - it struck too close to home for comfort, and she'd probably heard the rest of it already. Didn't like it then, won't now.

« I get it, I do. Thing is, most of 'em just rush to an early grave. Chances too good to pass up, biting off more than they can chew, plain and simple impatience... you name it. Ends up the same way. Would prefer it didn't this time too. »

She opened her mouth to dismiss his concerns, to repeat she will be fine - she's a Rheinstadt-Gerat after all is said and done, damn it - and that it would be most appreciated if he just didn't opine on her choices, vielen danke.
A stab of pain right between the ribs shut her up, as she tried to speak.

« Headstrong as a bull, are you? No wonder they couldn't keep you down. Heh. »
« Haah... »
« Settle down, miss. Listen to someone who's been there and has learnt a few things the hard way, alright? Here », she nodded to her side, to a thick green glass lying on a drawer. « have some mint tea. Kusari stuff, very relaxing. Do you a world of good. »

She glanced between him and the glass, then turned away from it in spite.
The man sighed.

« Well, suit yourself. It's there if you change your mind, or just want some proper shut-eye. Probably need it, too - don't look like you slept well to me, these last few days. »

She blinked.

« Few... days? » she murmured.
« Yup. Knocked out cold for a while. Less than most who end up here, mind, but still been a few days. Now, miss, if you'll excuse me, I got some other patients... get some sleep, alright? Try not to run off when I'm not looking. »
The man smirked at her and nodded, as a farewell, and walked out of the room.

She gestured rudely at the closed door, siiighed, and sank in the bed.

A few days... gone in a blank.
What now?

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