The poisoned apple

[Nova Elgrin]

As leaving the Inn, last hints of red sunshine and a warm breeze welcomed her like the embrace of a loving mother. An energetic, purposeful stride, that likely gave away her anger and hurry, led her back to the Aurora. Her right hand nestled up to the cool, calming metal of the outer shell. Nova stood near the entrance when she finally granted herself a moment of rest and reflection. Her belly was sore, she could feel the burn in her stomach and a feeling of sickness made she wonder if she was about to get ill, or if the rage concerning the deserter was reason for her indispostion. She closed her eyes, clenched her teeth and tried to summon the force for aid, she needed to perserve till master Alister was rescued!
A few minutes later she didn't feel much better, but she had stopped by Coruscant to get supplies, and she still needed them on her way to tython. She had get lost on her search for shops the first time, this time however she wouldn't take the risk!
Near her ship she found an olderly Cathar lady inspecting some of her cargo, so Nova approached her with the sweetest and most innocent smile she had in store, to ask how she could get supplies in the fastest way. The lady, a friendly and decent being with hazel eyes and a lovely golden-colored fur, was more than willing to give this young cub instructions. When she had finished, Novas lips curled up and she was just about to thank the woman, when something that felt like a fever hit her with unexpected force. The lady gave her a strange look. Nova felt something warm and wet running over her lips, her chin. Breathing suddenly felt so heavy, like she had a heavy stone on her chest. Her knees buckled and the last thing she was aware of was soft fur, when slender arms caught her, and the cry for help...than the red light died and there was nothing but black.

@Vosrik

 

[Vosrik]

Red and gold burst into the cockpit of Dr. Austin Wolfe's Nimbus Courier Vessel as he entered the atmosphere of Coruscant and slid smoothly into one of the streams of traffic. He sighed in contentment, the brilliant colours reflecting off Austin's hazel eyes as he watched the beautiful sunset. One of the cons of living on a gigantic asteroid colony was that there was no real day cycle - just a clock most people abide by. Of course, the doctor could simply bring up any amount of sunset or sunrise pictures on his holoscreens at home, but it was nothing like seeing it in person.

Angry horns and cursing drivers brought the man back to reality and reminded him why he disliked Coruscant in the first place. Everyone was in a big hurry and just so...rude about it. Not that he didn't like people in general, but Coruscantians were often insufferable. Austin had ventured this far from the Void because he wanted to purchase some new breakthrough medical equipment for his personal use. Despite not technically being in the field anymore, Dr. Wolfe still nurtured a love of helping people and hated seeing others suffer needlessly. Hopefully, he would also bring some back to the Void for the Initiative to research and benefit from.

After being directed by his navigation computer where to land, Austin exited the skylane and gently descended, landing next to a few other ships in the area. Exiting from his ship, he stretched his legs and looked around at the surrounding crowd. This area wasn't nearly as busy as other parts Dr. Wolfe had visited many years ago, and the people here seemed friendlier than the maniacs in the sky. Optimistic about his venture, he straightened his jacket and began walking to his destination.

A twinge in the immaterial caught Austin's attention. A prodding at his thoughts, directing his focus toward two strangers. Something was going to happen, and it was going to happen soon. The dark-haired man quickly redirected his footsteps. Sure enough, the younger looking girl dropped in a faint, but thankfully another man was nearby to catch her arms and slow her fall.

"Someone help!" he called out, just as Austin arrived. "Don't worry, help is here," he stated calmly, taking the girl and laying her on the ground gently. "Trust me, I'm a doctor." A small crowd gathered around, murmuring and gasping when they saw the small trail of blood dripping from the poor girl's nose. Dr. Wolfe checked her vitals and breathing - he was satisfied to see both were fine, but her heart was beating much faster than normal.

"Alright everyone, she'll live...probably just a bleeding nose and a fainting spell. I have medical equipment, I'll take care of her." Although Austin didn't usually resort to lying, he didn't want people hovering around when he did his work. The truth was that he didn't know yet what was wrong with the girl, but it definitely wasn't as simple as he told the others. Picking her up carefully, Austin walked back to his ship and laid the girl on the ramp of his ship. Taking a brief moment to walk inside his ship, the doctor grabbed some blankets and his medical kit - one that had much more supplies than any regular first aid kit. Putting the blanket underneath the girl to cushion the hard metal surface, Austin began examining her more closely but not intrusively

"Hmm," he murmured aloud, quietly. "Can't be much older than her mid teens." He brought out a cold pack and rested it on her forehead, deciding to wait until the girl regained consciousness before he continued examining her.

 

[Nova Elgrin]

Shadows hunted her in her dreams, their faces distorted into vile grimaces. In the inbetween of consciousness and dream Nova felt the sting burning her stomach reaching up to her heart. She remembered swallowing the tincture her master stored in the Aurora, once claiming the great witches of Dathomir brew it to cure every poison the galaxy had to offer. But the purple colored antidote seemed to have found its master.
Novas eyelids fluttered like the wings of a tiny bird, before revealing the haunting green beneath. Fear and pain reflected in her eyes. She could see blueish light and just above her there was hovering the face of a man she'd never seen before. Her left hand darted out, her three whole fingers and the sad remains of the other two grabbing for his wrist in an desperate attempt. On her face there was something warm yet again, but this time it didn't pass her lips, instead it flew to the side, across her cheeks. Her lips felt numb.
She tried, fought to speak, but in the end it was only the dying hint of whisper that escaped her mouth "It hurts..." Then her fingers let go of him as her arm fell to her flank and her head bowed into a slightly tilted position when her strength didn't hold it straight anymore. All movement abandonded the body of the young girl as her heart stopped beating...

@Vosrik

 

[Vosrik]

The doctor watched his patient carefully, smiling when here eyes flitted open. Before he could open his mouth and ask her some basic questions, her hand shot up to his wrist. More blood began running down her face, worrying Austin further as she whispered, "It hurts..."

"Ohh, not good," he mumbled to himself, checking the girl's pulse again. It gradually slowed down and alarmingly stopped. Although Austin had much more medical supplies than the average person on his ship, he didn't carry anything to restart someone's heart. Normally, one would have to resort to using CPR, but often times that resulted in several cracked ribs and severe bruising. No, Dr. Wolfe had a much better idea - perhaps an unconventional one, but it would restart her heart without any further injury.

Being an experienced Force user, though unknowingly to most, Austin often used his power to save patients throughout his career. Although he avoided using the Force when possible, his identity in a random hangar on Coruscant didn't matter more than someone's life. Kneeling next to the girl, the man brought his right hand about an inch above her chest, where her heart was. Focusing, he pressed his first three fingers gently to her heart - at the same time expertly releasing a small jolt of electricity. Though small enough that it wouldn't hurt the girl, it would be sufficient to restart her beating heart. If his first attempt wasn't successful, he would continue until her heart was pumping blood once more.

Once Dr. Wolfe was successful, he stretched out his hand and summoned a special box to him; one labelled "Poison Treatment". Though he wasn't entirely sure what she had been poisoned with, he pulled out a small needle and carefully injected a serum into her bloodstream. Thankfully, the medical technology on the Void was top-notch, so Austin had access to some of the best treatments the Galaxy to offer. This particular substance would immediately begin repairing whatever area the poison had affected, and actively fight to neutralize the harmful substance.

 

[Nova Elgrin]

There was darkness, then a spark ignited a sea of little flames, just like candles, and she met with the being once again...

When the girl finally regained consciousness, all pain was gone and everything remaining of the sting in her stomach was a warm, yet unthreatening feeling. Nova pressed her lips, clenched her fists and wiggled her toes for test purposes. She ascertained with relief that she seemed to be alright. Looking around, she found herself situated within a medium sized, bright room. Her body resting on one of the sickbeds some bigger ships than the Aurora were equipped with. Supporting herself with her hands to get up, Nova set upright. She was alone for now, but she could already hear footsteps. A purposeful stride was leading this person, there was no hesitation, and yet no hurry either. Her savior seemed rather confident about her condition, and therefor his treatment. She remembered the face of a man, only vague though.

Her heart sunk when she thought about how much time this little episode had cost her! Minutes, hours? It had felt like aeons though....If it had been a backlash of the poison? Suffered her master the same way?
Nova swung her feet over the edge of the bed in a sprightly way just the very second her savior entered the room. Her gaze met his. He was neither very tall-grown nor short, his body however seemed to testify either a life of physical activity and effort or a narccisstic character (She was told once that some humans and near-humans got surgeries to look athletic and healthy and so on and some Cathar to get a special fur pattern, but she never learned if it was true) His features weren't too clear-cut, but also not soft. He had dark hair and eyes, at least judging from the distance. He radiated calmness and had a well-groomed appearance.

She looked at him and a smile grew on her lips, turning her features into the doll-like face she wore when she was either happy or tried to gain someones trust.
"You saved me, Sir, didn't you?" she asked politely, wanting to wait for his answer before thanking him.

@Vosrik

 

[Vosrik]

After having left the girl to rest and recover for a few minutes, Austin returned to find her much better and awake. He returned her smile and replied in his calm demeanor, "Yes, I suppose I did. Careful though, if you get up too fast you might faint again."

The experienced doctor knelt by the girl's bed, producing a small flashlight that emitted a soft light and peered into her eye. Seeming satisfied, he then reached to a compartment in the wall and pulled out a device that could be strapped to a wrist or arm. It had a display screen on the side that was currently black, and a small red light on the back.

Smiling reassuringly, Austin continued, "May I put this on your arm here? It'll test the amount of residual toxins in your bloodstream, if there are any left. Now, do you...remember eating anything strange in the last couple of hours or days?"

 

[Nova Elgrin]

The smile remained on her lips despite the mildly scolding. Nova cowered before the doctor in a guilty looking way, yet she knew he was only concerned for her well-being. When he peered into her eyes she had a hard time keeping them open. However she obeyed his instructions in a well-behaved manner.
She had never much liked doctors, many of them had cold hands (especially the Cyborg-ones) and some were rough and just making her scared. But Nova decided she liked this doctor. She liked his smile. The way the corner of his mouth curled into his cheek had something almost impish and the bright hazel of his eyes radiated warmth.

She nooded in silence when he asked her if he could put the ...what was it? It sure looked like a bracelet. Just not a pretty one. Anyhow, she nooded when he asked if he could put it round her wrist. When he asked her what she had eaten, there was just a single breath passing by till she replied "I just drank bantha-milk , Mister Doctor." She went with Mister Doctor, as she didn't learn his name and just Doctor seemed so...little. "Maybe I'm lactose-intolerante? I got a friend who's friends aunts sisters nephew died to that!" She was a good liar normally, and she could hardly tell him the truth. Yet she didn't know if she could fool the Doctor with that little lies construct of hers. She wiggled with her feet impatiently. "How long will it take?" she nooded to the bracelet "I'm actually in a hurry. My father will worry. Oh and of course I will pay you for your services!" The thought of credits would hopefully distract her saviour of any details of the poisoning.

 

[Vosrik]

As the girl nodded her assent, Austin carefully clasped it on to Nova's left forearm. The digital screen came to life, painlessly monitoring her vitals and bloodstream. A small smirk played on his lips as she made a rather obvious falsity.

"Ah, forgive me, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Dr. Austin Wolfe of the Void," he smiled, offering his hand gently to his patient. Glancing back at the device, he replied, "Oh don't worry, it's nearly finished. Your bloodstream is clean, you'll be feeling much better as the day goes by."

Though he couldn't be sure exactly what the girl had ingested, he didn't feel the need to push it. Austin would play her little game. Waving his hand at her mention of credits, he replied again,"Oh please, don't worry about it. Seeing my patients alive and well is payment enough. Just...be sure to take care if you really are lactose intolerant." Austin's smirk grew as he chuckled and removed the bracelet.

Staying crouched and eye-level with Nova, the doctor took on a more serious and yet kind and gentle expression as he spoke once more. "Be careful out there, you have a full life to live and so much yet to see. It was most fortunate indeed I was here, of you might not have survived. You're free to go, but you might feel a bit light-headed for a few more hours."

 

[Nova Elgrin]

Unfortunately he offered his right hand, so she had no choice to shake hands with the three-fingered of hers. She hoped he didn't mind. She knew some people didn't like the way it felt. When he smiled, she felt a sudden heat on her cheeks. "Nova Elgrin, Dr. Wolfe. Pleased to meet you" not only was it the calm and kindness her counterpart radiated, that soothed her sore heart, but there was a memory slowly crawling back into her mind. It was the memory of a vision, seen in the very seconds she was surrounded by only darkness. Nova had seen her father, alive and well in some mysterious purple and blue glowing woods and the watch of a full moon and star spangled night sky.

"In what system lies the Void?" Nova asked in couriosity, as she thought he was talking about a planet.

 

[Vosrik]

Though some may have found the girl's three-fingered hand particularly unnerving, Austin had served as a combat medic and a civilian doctor for almost two decades. At this point, there wasn't much he hadn't seen before. In comparison, this was relatively mild compared to some of the horrid disfigurements the doctor had witnessed before.

"A pleasure to meet you too, Miss Nova. The Void is a peculiar place; a colony on a hollowed-out asteroid in the Christophsis system. It's basically a melting pot of all sorts of cultures and species. A wonderful place, if you can get past the bustling crowds and take the time to get to know the people there." Austin gave her another smile before standing up, replacing the medical supplies into the wall compartments of his ship.

"You should come along one day, if you like," he continued. "I'm sure you'd enjoy your stay. I'd tell you plenty more of the place, but I wouldn't want to keep you any longer. You said your father might worry?"

 

[Nova Elgrin]

A warm smile followed his invitation. She liked the doctor. His aura felt like the first rays of sun on a young morning. There lay such a warmth in his voice Nova couldn't help but imagine him to certainly be the loving father of a family. His wife had to be a great beauty for sure. If he had sons they doubtlessly admired him, and if he had daughters, well, for sure they would have a hard time later in life as to find a man matching the greatness and caring they had been gifted within the love of their father. After all, that's what she imangined his life beyond his medical profession. "I will come visit you with my father, if I ever get the chance" she assured him. Finally she arised, maybe in a bit too energetical way, but she felt way better already. "My father is not a man to forget the favours the both of us received, and neither am I" a promise lay in her eyes as she regarded him. She smiled "His name is Alister Elgrin, if you ever meet him and I'm not by his side, make sure to talk to him. He doesn't like debts" Oh she knew the lovely doctor didn't see any debt. If he would tell so, she would laugh warmly.
She said her goodbye and left his ship. Yes a debt was owned, and a debt would be repaid. Some day.

-Fin-
@Vosrik