*Trigger warning: Needles*
Please don't give up on me now, little sweetness. We need this blood, we gotta figure out what's up with you…
Druids and medics were whirling around me. Their hands were a blur as they swept over and worked on various parts of the elven infant. All could I focus on was the fine needle I'd placed into the flat little vein on it's forehead. The blood slowly dribbled every time it let out a soft cry. It was getting difficult to stop the jitters in both my hand that was gently cradling it's head and the hand holding the micro tube. I could feel my heartbeat pounding in my chest. The seconds felt like hours.
By the time I'd gotten what I needed, it was far into the lunch hour. The high dose of adrenaline in my blood and lack of food in my stomach fed the compounding headache in the back of my head. My muscles were uncontrollably shaking. An irritating hunger gnawed at my gut.
"Hard case?" Syldral's question seemed sympathetic.
I blinked at him a couple times. He gave me a sideways smile.
*I look that bad, huh?*
"That's a mild way to put it." I mumbled.
He nodded in understanding.
After depositing my hard earned samples, I grabbed my lunch bag out of my locker.
I crashed into a wall of something when I stepped out of the lab.
So help me, I am not in the mood!
"You shouldn't be standing in front of doors, ya know. You're gonna get whacked in the face." I huffed as I checked on the contents of my lunch. When I glanced up to glare, I jumped in surprise.
Kagorn was softly smiling at me.
How did you find me? I'm on a totally different floor…
"I apologize for surprising you." He said softly.
It took me a moment to gather my thoughts.
"It's fine. Just didn't expect it, is all. Sorry for snapping at you," I sighed, "It's been a rough morning."
"No apology is needed." He gently replied.
I exhaled a long breath.
"Look, I don't mean to be rude, but I can't walk with you today. I gotta pound this down before my shift starts." I said.
I gave him an apologetic smile as I lifted my brown paper bag for him to see. A wrinkle appeared on his brow when his face fell.
"Then I will keep you company as you eat."
I nodded. We walked to an outdoor balcony. As much as I wanted to laugh at how Kagorn's gown fluttered in the breeze, I didn't have the energy. I tore open my bag and found my sandwich. He remained silent as I inhaled the first half of it. Already the food gurgling in my belly was easing my headache.
So much better, thank the gods.
I bit into the second part of the sandwich.
"What caused your morning to be unpleasant?" He finally asked.
I thoughtfully chewed before I answered.
"Had a really hard draw. An infant that's failing to thrive. We really needed the blood so we can figure out why. It was a struggle to get her to bleed." I sighed.
"I am sorry to hear that it did not go smoothly."
I shrugged.
"It's just part of the job. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do. The difficult cases break up the monotony and sharpen my skills." I said through a bite of food.
His stare traced my face as I chewed.
"How was it working upon me?" His quiet voice seemed to get blown away in the breeze.
"It wasn't so bad. You just bled really slow the first time. Your blood was super thick from the poison. It got easier the better you got, though. The only time you stressed me out is when you woke up. I had to try to hold your arm down and get my tube filled." I chuckled.
"I remember that."
"Really? You seemed super out of it." I said in surprise.
He nodded, "Yes. I remember pieces of it. At first, I thought you were a mermaid. They are known for both their beautiful voices as well as draining the blood of their victims in its entirety…"
Beautiful voice, huh?
"…After I realized you were no such creature, I found myself fascinated with your face." His voice seemed to fade in some embarrassment.
I grinned at him, "Oh really?"
"Yes," He chuckled, "It had been sometime since I had seen a human female."
I laughed.
"Glad to be of service." I winked.
His smile glowed.
The bell tower chimed. I inwardly groaned.
That was way too short.
With a grunt, I got up. He walked in silence with me back to the lab. With another internal groan, I looked at the door. Already I was dreading having to function through the second part of my day.
Solid arms gently encased me. I felt my shoulder pulled into his chest.
Heavens to betsy, what are you doing, Raven?
My heart jumped into my throat. After my split second of confusion, I went about awkwardly turning in his arms. Unsure of where to rest my hands, I hesitantly placed them on his chest. When I looked up, I saw a twinkle in the soft smile of his eyes.
"I wish to provide you with a sense of comfort and calm for the rest of your day. Under such circumstances, this is the best I can give you." His voice was so gently tender.
I swallowed my heart back down as I looked into the depth of his stare.
Well…why the heck not?
With breath I gave in. I wrapped my arms around him. Resting my forehead into his chest, I could feel his heat seeping through the gown and into my skin. I closed my eyes and let all his sensations sink in. His ribs ebbed and flowed with his breathing under my forehead. The reassuring pressure of his arms around me grounded my mood. It felt as if he was leaching the last bit of irritation out of my body.
I could use more hugs like this…
He gently squeezed me. I could feel the warmth of his hands rubbing along my back. Exhaling a satisfied sigh, I pulled out of his arms.
I looked up to give him a smile.
"Thanks, I needed that." I said in gratefulness.
The twinkling grew in his eyes.
"You are always welcome."
I lightly laughed, "See you later."
"I wish you a pleasant afternoon until I see you again."
I stood there, still smiling, unsure of how to part with him. A nod or a bow suddenly felt too impersonal. With a bit of reluctance, I patted his chest and turned towards the lab door.
My afternoon was far from pleasant. The fates weren't done torturing me just yet. Even so, it seemed like the hug he'd given me created a padded shield around my mind. The lasting comfort of his arms around me dulled the stress on my raw nerves. I found myself in gratitude for his kind gesture.
When I cracked the door to his room for his evening draw, I heard hushed but serious voices speaking in Ku'Vat. It made me double guess myself. I wondered if I should open the door further. Suddenly the whispering vanished.
"You may come in." Said a low rich voice.
Woah, Raven, who's that?
Slowly I opened it just enough to stick my head through. Kagorn was sitting on the edge of his bed. Across from him on the stool was a massive elf. Long sky blue hair fell from his head down to his waist. He was dressed in a sharp military uniform. Both of their intense stares seeped right into my soul. It sent a chill down my spine.
Creepy much?
"Uh, I think I'll just come back…" I stuttered.
"It is not an issue for you to perform your task, please come in." The elf said, his voice had changed into a friendlier tone.
"Uh, yeah, no. I don't want to interrupt anything. I'll be back."
As quickly as possible I pulled my head back and clicked the door shut. I stared at the wood grain for a moment.
What the heck was that all about?
Shaking my head I continued onto my rounds. I couldn't quite shake the eerie feeling their stares had draped over me.
My mind was still wandering as I closed the door to a patient's room.
"I am ready for my blood letting now."
My heart skipped in my chest. I turned on my heel to find Kagorn's worried face looking down at me.
How do you keep finding me!?
I nodded at him. We walked towards his room.
"Why did you not enter when the Command Master Chief requested?" His quiet voice had an undertone of concern.
Ah, that's why he was so intimidating.
"It just looked like you two were in the middle of something serious. I didn't want to interrupt you both."
"You would not have been a disturbance."
He opened the door, and I stepped in.
"I really didn't feel like sitting there with you both talking in Ku'Vat. It would have made me uncomfortable." I explained.
"Truely?"
"Well, yeah. Why do you think I talked to you when you kept staring at me? I made it less awkward."
He sat down on the bed and I unpacked my things.
"I disturbed you that much?" He seemed hurt.
"Yeah, it was super creepy." I lightly laughed.
"I apologize. I simply feared that if I spoke you would stop talking." He said feebly.
I raised an eyebrow at him as I sanitized his arm.
"Well I didn't, did I? Now you can't get me to shut up, can you?" I joked.
A smile fluttered along his lips. I frowned to myself.
Why are you suddenly unable to smile?
I started filling his tubes.
"How long will you be on the island?" I heard a bit of desperation in his voice.
"Well, my contract is for a solar cycle, but my application for permanent residency was approved. All I have to do is save up so I can hire a representative to help me with my residency hearing." I said, moving onto a new tube.
I looked up to see him intensely staring at me.
What are you so worried about?
"I'm not going anywhere, if that's what you're asking." I added, trying to reassure him.
His weak smile seemed to stay.
"I am glad to hear." He softly replied.
He remained silent for the rest of his draw. I wasn't sure why, bit it left me a bit concerned.
Just as I stepped away from the bed, warm fingers caught my hand.
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