Brainstew (D8 EM)

[Niall Organa]

"With her, or with me?" Niall said, his lips twisting, his expression lightly amused. "I hope you're not keeping too close track of the favors I owe you. They're really starting to add up." The near-smirk turned into a smile. "I hope you know you can call them in anytime."

"Oh?" Frowning, Niall leaned forward, looking at the date. "Oh. Yes. Well, that's another thing that requires a rapid response, then."

[Cole Ormont]

Cole shivered, smiling lopsidedly in return and running a hand through his hair. "I treated some fractured ribs the day after we arrived and she says she owes me one. Favour, not broken ribs," Cole chuckled, before recovering himself and clearing his throat. "I'm fairly certain you don't owe me for anything, sir. If there's a debt here," he gestured vaguely between them, "it goes the other way."

Unconsciously, his right hand moved to his thigh, heel of his hand digging into the muscle. He leaned over the desk, "there's more, sir." Moving pieces of the display around, Cole brings the cargo manifest to the front. "There are twenty-two children aboard, in a suspended state, each in a separate 'crate'."

Swallowing hard, Cole shifted to look at the Captain, "it gets worse."

[Alysele Cortess]

There was a chime at the door.

[Cole Ormont]

Straightening with a small grunt, Cole ran his hand through his curls, "sorry, sir, I wasn't expecting anyone else."

Looking towards the door, in a louder voice, "enter."

[Alysele Cortess]

"Jedi Cortess here for a checkup." Chimed in the familiar blonde.

"If I am not bothering?" She glanced st the two men as she entered.

[Niall Organa]

Niall smiled, shaking his head. "Of course it gets worse. It always does, doesn't it. I just-" He broke off, his expression returning to neutral at the sound of the door chime.

When it opened, he rose to his feet, turning towards the door. He smiled, giving an abbreviated bow in the Alderaanian style. "Good morning, Aly. You're looking better already." His grey eyes flashed understanding. Of course, she needed more medical care, after all.

[Cole Ormont]

"You're never a bother, Jedi Cortess," running a hand through his hair, the faintest raise of an eyebrow at the familiarity the Captain displayed. Cole moved the chair slightly, and offered it to Alysele.

Drawing his mediscanner, guarding his envy behind his charming, lopsided smile, "judging by your gait, that leg is giving you trouble, I want to take a closer look today. Captain, perhaps you could distract this lovely young woman while I work?"

Cole lowered himself down on his left knee. As the mediscanner took its readings, Alysele's information began to populate on the displays, replacing the Czerka files the men had been examining. Now that much of the inflammation had reduced since her visit the previous evening, he could see the cause of her limp: the Achilles' tendon had partially detached.

A shot of local anaesthetic, and a tiny keyhole incision were all he needed to secure the torn tendon back where it belonged. He didn't even need a suture, sealing the tiny cut with some synthflesh.


---
Gain +1 Boost from Niall's assistance.
[D8 EM] Alysele Crit Injury (Medicine): 2eP+2eA+2eB+3eD 4 successes, 5 advantage

Critical Injury: Lame removed.

[Niall Organa]

"Certainly." Niall said, smiling. He went over to stand at the head of the examination bed as Cole worked.

He smiled fondly down at Aly. "Actually this isn't too different from our childhood, except you're the only one being patched up. I think the banister may have been my worst injury."

"For you... hmmm." Niall gazed off into the middle distance. "Perhaps it was the time you missed the jump between boats? And then I dove in after you, but I didn't know how to swim." He chuckled, shaking his head. "Good thing security was right there to fish both of us out."

He gave Cole a glance and a nod, his grey eyes grateful.

[Cole Ormont]

Cole doesn't see the Captain's glance, he was focused on the intricacy of the keyhole surgery. And the back recesses of his mind have pulled up a distraction of his own. One with powerful limbs and deep crimson skin the colour of venous blood...

[Alysele Cortess]

She withheld a wince at Cole's work, but smirked at Niall. "Well.... that was an experience. I still recall being burned by pie though." She recalled the kitchen, their little hiding spot... as it was burning in her vision.

The past is the past, isn't it?

"So, what are two of the smartest boys I know up to? Should I be worried?" Her tone was light and joking.

[Niall Organa]

"Of course you do." Niall smiled. "You would always try it while it was still hot. I never could get you to wait."

"Ah..." Niall shot Cole a quick glance. "A couple of things, actually. We were just talking about the freighter with the children on it. Looks like that's going to have to happen today."

[Cole Ormont]

Cole packed his kit, his part done. He stood, "you need on-going care, Jedi Cortess. I'd prefer you check yourself into a hospital before you wind up in a kolto tank." He left it unsaid that the decision was hers, and moved over to what supposedly passed as kitchen facilities in the tiny lodgings, politely pretending to be out of earshot as he drew a glass of water.