((Dewitt Residence, Ventura, California, Earth))
Talia, now not at risk of fading away from hunger, decided another item on her checklist needed to be handled. Even if it did little fluttery things to her insides.
oO Nolen must never know. He shall tease me until I tape his mouth shut. Oo
He absolutely would.
Ohnari: Mr. Collins...I do believe you owe me a dance.
Collins: Oh, trust me, Doctor. I have not forgotten. I was simply...thinking of the best way to go about it.
Glancing down, she realized the cane he had been carrying was less a fashion choice, and more a medical necessity. She could work with that.
Ohnari: We'll go slow, at our own pace. ::taking his hand of the affected bad side:: Here, I'll be your cane. ::guiding his hand to her hip:: I'll move when you do.
Collins: Likely the easiest prescription a Medical Officer has ever given me...
A shockingly girlish giggle escaped her lips, as well as a rosy hue to her cheeks. This was ridiculous. They both were adults, and while her heart belonged to a certain XO, the faint memories of a hopeless crush had her acting like the ridiculous tween fan girl she was trying to squash. Somehow the knowledge Nolen was stuck with an inhibitor made her breathe a little easier. While he had absolutely nothing to worry about, it wouldn't stop him from holding it over her until the suns above Haliia dimmed their last.
Banishing that thought, she enjoyed a spin before deciding it wasn't outrageous for her to voice her curiosity. If anyone would understand, it would be Quentin Collins.
Ohnari: You'll have to forgive the...professional curiosity, but last I saw you...there wasn't a cane involved. Would you mind telling me what happened? ::allowing for a quick spin and then return:: If...it's not too personal, of course.
Collins: Oh, no, not at all. I hadn't want to make a fuss of it, anyway. I was...::he huffs:: attacked, really is the best word. I am locked in quite a nasty proxy war for the control of my family's estate and my Cousin Richter has a few people in his employ that can, quite literally, be called "leg-breakers"
Her hands tightened on his shoulder and around his fingers spastically. Did he say "leg breakers"?! Now she was pissed. Talia had to stop herself from dragging this man and his cane towards the nearest runabout and hunting down some asshats welding clubs.
This "Cousin Richter" Had just earned himself a blood enemy.
The prosthetic was....passable. Was she laser focused on the materials, mentally mapping improvements that wouldn't take too much here and there....? Yes. But, he wasn't here for that. Although she would be sure to obtain his address from one Mrs. Dewitt and send a care package, as well as detailed surgical interventions.
Ohnari: And...if you'll indulge me a moment longer, can I ask what treatments you have sought so far? I believe I remember your familial affinity for uh...herbology and other folk medicines.
Collins: Actually, it's funny you mention that...when it first...happened...David actually kept me mostly stable with a most intriguing mixture. I would be more than happy to-
This was it: What she had shamelessly begged him for during their fated holodeck adventure. A looming shadow caught her eye. Ras needed to be a part of this conversation.
Ohnari: ::mid spin:: El'Heem!! Dance over our way, Quentin was going to discuss his family's use of medicinal plants! ::turning back to Quentin:: You're gonna love this guy, when I had a unhealing wound on my leg, he mixed up this weird smelling herb based remedy and look! ::lifting the hem of her dress to mid thigh:: barely a scar anymore!
Collins: Oh, well, my brother and his colleague should get most of the credit, I should think...::suddenly a powerfully red under his bushy beard::
El'Heem: : Chief! Are we dancing AND discussing the merits of homeopathic medicines? Only you could have the je ne sais quoi to pull that off! ::somehow bowing while still dancing:: Well met! My name is Ras El’Heem.
The Haliian scrunched her face in pretend annoyance at the light teasing.
Collins: Quentin Collins, a genuine pleasure. Ohnari and I used to work together.
It seemed the band had perfected the mingling music, not too high tempo to not allow conversation, but just the right amount of bass to keep on rhythm.
El’Heem: I’m Ohnari’s little minion, if you couldn’t tell. Where were you stationed?
Talia snorted. Was he? No, he was a fantastic doctor in his own right, but she was technically his boss, and had lovingly referred to him as such, mostly to annoy him.
Collins: My last official posting was the U.S.S. Arrow, at the rank of Lieutenant Commander. I was Chief. Surely missing it now, I have to admit.
Momentarily, Talia laid her head on the man's shoulder. He was certainly missed.
Ohnari: ::quietly:: If you ever change your mind...
Leaving it lingering was enough. Quentin had his problems at home, but he'd always have a space home with them, even if it wasn't the Arrow any longer.
El’Heem: A medical officer too?
Collins: Ah, no, how stupid of me, I should have said. Science. I was just one of the good doctor's most horrible patients. But she mentioned you've had a recent breakthrough with non-conventional methods?
Ohnari: ::eyes rolling towards the heavens:: Not even close.
Petty Officer Bryant on the other hand....the thought made her shudder.
El’Heem: Yes, as the chief so graciously mentioned, I dabble in alternative medicines when traditional treatment seems to be lackluster or outright ineffective. I used a honey and herb salve for the wound on her leg.
And Talia had been a model patient....if the model was whiny and judgy as hell.
Collins: That's incredible, Doctor. What did you use as a binding agent? Or did you have to wrap around the compound?
Ohnari: Honeycomb wrap bandage, worked like a dream. No drippy weird stuff leaking from the wound!
Scientists and doctors had the weirdest dinner conversations...
El’Heem: Well, the Puena leaves are inoculated with mycelium for a native mushroom. The mycoenzymes are able to form a micro-lattice in the tissue that become symbiotic for the lifetime of the fungus. Eventually once the wound heals, the fungus is absorbed by the body and disappears. Incredible, right?
Collins: And then some! Truly some inspired work.
Ohnari: ::grinning broadly:: Me and my leg thank you of course.
Talia dipped her head in revenant thanks. She may enjoy tinkering and working in prosthetics, but that didn't mean she wanted to actually lose a limb for one...
The song's final notes flitted about them, and a hand on her arm pulling her in the opposite direction meant her little bubble of Collins was about to burst. All good things tended to end, at least she got to see him again. Her inner teenage fangirl was pouting a bit. She'd get over it.
Collins: I'm afraid that's all the dancing I have for tonight, but...Gods, Ohnari, just thank you for being you.
Ohnari: ::her smile was tinged with melancholy:: Thank you for indulging me as long as you did. ::grinning:: You are forever welcome.
In a dashing display of gentlemanliness, her hand was swept into his, flourish noticed and appreciated. His lips pressed atop her knuckles, and her inner tween fangirl literally passed out. And truth be told, the grown woman she portrayed on the outside had a little flutter and wobbly knees.
Sensing a bit of bashful exuding from the man, she just watched his retreating hobble, with a mild-perfectly-acceptable swoon.
Ohnari: ::quietly, to herself:: Farewell Mr. Collins...
END!
((OOC ~ Faretheewell Justin!! We adore you, and feel free to visit any time!!))
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Lieutenant Commander Talia Ohnari, MD
Chief Medical Officer
USS Khitomer
C239205ME0
