Nar Shaddaa

He wasn't intending to start seeing patients yet. He'd been through a roller coaster these last ten days, and the ride had gotten... strange towards the end. But he couldn't refuse a request for help, certainly not from a fellow huttballer. So he instructed Private Yongo to show the young Twi'lek in when she arrived, and shut himself in his 'office'.

It was the first time Aphr had come looking for the famous doctor. She considered the Jedi, but decided they wouldn't likely approve of her anymore. Plus Cole was both talented and a teammate, so why not?

She arrived once she had finished helping aa much as she could, and after knocking and introducing herself was shown in after a few moments.

Cole had seen better days. He'd been helping the survivors of the bombings, and he was still covered in dust. He had washed his face and hands, but he was unshaven and tired.

He closed the door behind Aphr, and offered a smile. Indicating for her to sit on the examination table, "are you all right?"

Aphr had a look of concern on her face. "I feel like I should be asking you that Cole. Have you been aiding the people here? If so, thank you as a local" she gave him a small smile "I have been as well, although it was something else I wanted to see you about. Came under blaster fire yesterday night, and one hit rather stings still a day later."

Cole chuckled wryly, he pushed a hand through his hair, disturbing the concrete dust. He looked as his hand, frowned, and went to the sink in the corner to wash. "I was aiding the first responders last night, after evacuating the compound. I managed to grab some sleep before I got stuck back in it."

"I'm tired, and a little sore, but I'm okay." He took out his mediscanner and tapped the frames of his spectacles, the lenses taking a faint hue as an internal light came on. Taking his scans, "right, well this isn't anything too serious. I'll give you something to take the inflammation down, you'll be feeling better in no time."


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[D10 MA] Aphr Critical Injury (Medicine): 2eP+2eA+1eB+1eD 0 successes, 4 advantage

Critical Injury: Distracted removed

"Looks like we all had an eventful night. The explosions were quite terrifying, the building across from where I was staying is gone now, and the Huttball arena..." she sighed "so many memories there."

She kept still as he performed his scans, and smiled and nodded with the offer of medication. "Thank you Cole. One less thing to worry about at least."

"I never imagined myself playing a competitive sport. Some days I think holochess is too tense for me," Cole chuckled softly. "You're a neat little player, I appreciate you letting us form up a team."

More solemnly, "most of the Republic Compound was destroyed. We were unbelievably lucky. A warning came through before the bombs started going off. We were able to get a lot of people out. But I find myself without accommodations, or even a refresher," he indicated to his soiled uniform. Removing his disposable gloves, he pushed a hand through his hair, realised again that it was still clotted with dust, and gave up with a sigh.

"I'm just glad nobody decided I was too small to play, I feel like I'm half the size of a Jo'ren or Dura" Aphr said with a nod. She sighed, shaking her head and putting her hand on his gently. "That sounds horrible, is there anything I can to do help? I...I don't own anywhere, but I can direct you to the few places renting out rooms that are still standing. Maybe someone who owns a ship can let you stay there?"

Cole turned his hand and squeezed hers gently, "if push comes to shove, I slept here this morning, and I can do that again."

He smiled his charming, lopsided smile, "brute strength like Jo'ren has isn't everything," though he gets a vaguely distant look in his eyes, thinking about the massive Sith. "And Durasay plays with his smarts more than his toughness. You can't throw two Jo'ren's at each other like a speeder wreck. You need someone lithe and agile to slip through his guard when he's distracted."

"I'm not sure the world of Huttball would be ready for two Jo'ren" Aphr said with a chuckle, but she smiled softly "still, thank you. I don't feel I contributed as much as other players, but I helped, and I had fun. Except for that one game, we never lost either. I'm quite proud of the team, and everyone in it."

Cole gently put a hand on her chin, looking at her earnestly, "I'm not sure how you measure contribution, but yours was ample, don't worry."

Straightening, "but, no doubt you'll be glad to see the back of us, after all the chaos we seem to have brought with us."

She nodded. "Thank you."

A pause as he straightened up, and a sigh. "Well, yes and no. I'll be glad to see the peace talks taken away from here..but I'm not staying either. I made a decision, and now I need to see it through, so I'm breaking my chains and departing tomorrow for a new and still rather nervous future."

Pressing his hands together, Cole seemed to genuinely brighten, "congratulations! Colour me envious, I'm still wrestling with the question of what comes next myself."

"It took a long time, and quite a few moments of questioning my choice, but I believe if you don't take the opportunity in front of you then you'll question it for the rest of your life" Aphr said honestly "I don't know if it's the right choice, or even the smart choice, but it's the choice I've made."

Running a hand through his hair, Cole absently tried to dust his hand off against his pants, forgetting they were as dirty as the rest of him. He reached out to grasp both her hands, "oh, sorry."

He took one of her hands in his, "you made the right choice, I can tell. And I wish you the best of luck."

"Cole, this place has a sink, right?" She asked with a tilt of her head "I saw you washing your hands. Come on, let me wash the rest of that dust out of your hair, then we can talk about right and wrong choices, ok?"

She gave his hand a squeeze.

"A generous offer, but please, I'd rather not trouble you. The sink is small and awkward. But thank you all the same."

Cole smiled lopsidedly, "tell me more about this choice of yours, my dear."

"Cole my friend and teammate, that wasn't an offer. Come on" Aphr stood, pulling him up "once this is done we can talk about it."

"All right, all right," Cole held his hands up defensively, smiling. He got to his feet and kicked the stool towards the narrow sink and sat back down. With both hands, he ruffled his curls, trying to shake loose any remaining dust that would fall, trying to make her task easier.

The sink wasn't ideal, but Aphr started up the water. She tested the temperatures, settling on something that felt nice to her but was quite hot normally. Once she was happy, she helped him by cupping water in her hands and pouring it over his hair, washing through it with the water as best she could. It wasn't easy but she didn't give in.

The heat is pleasant, "ah, that's nice, I don't think anyone's done that since I was a kid."

"I've never had to do this for anyone. Twi'lek don't have hair to wash out after all" Aphr chuckled "ah, I think that's most of it?" she ran a hnad through his hair to check.

Self-conscious, he pushed both hands into his hair, squeezing water from the curls, "well, you did a great job."

And playfully, she flicked some water at his nose. "Of course I did" she replied with a giggle as she quickly moved back!

Cole sat up and reached for the little Twi'lek, trying to grab her. His fingers skimmed one of her hips, barely missing Aphr, but it was not clear whether by design or if she really was too swift for him. He smiled, roguishly, and jumped up, cocking an eyebrow cheekily.

Taking a step, he reached for her again.