Posted by Lieutenant Commander Sharah Fayth (Chief Star Fleet Medical Officer) in Just Another Day

Posted by Civilian Thyr Th’arialat (Resident) in Just Another Day

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Sharah Fayth (Chief Star Fleet Medical Officer) in Just Another Day
Posted by… suppressed (65) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
A few days passed. Shivan’s burn healed. He used the gel as directed until the dryness stopped. It was just after the daily closing of his shop and he was upstairs in his apartment, preparing one of the meals Jezem had made and brought for him.

He changed into something more comfortable, one of the Orion outfits Jezem had given him, plopped down on the couch, and put on his favorite Orion soap.

There were a few bruises along his torso and arms. His knuckles gave away he’d been in a fight. It wasn’t serious at all, just evidence of his usual misbehavior. He splayed himself across the sofa, feet over the back, head on an arm rest, arm over the side.

~ Thyr

Sharah was on her way back to the hospital after going to check on another patient and decided to stop and see how Thyr was healing. She knew the shop was already closed so she took the back stairs to the door and knocked.

Fayth

Thyr flipped himself off the sofa, peeked through the door peephole, and opened the door. His surprise was quite clear, empathy or no, to see the doctor standing there. “Doctor Fayth?” He said, and then he stepped aside, letting her in. “What’re you here for?”

~ Thyr

“I was seeing another patient nearby and decided to stop and see how you healed up.” She was carrying her medical bag and wearing civilian clothes.

Fayth

Shivan led her further inside. “The arm’s good. Better than good. Like new.” He looked at her, as if a bit confused. “You didn’t have to do that, you know. Uh, not that I don’t appreciate it.”

~ Thyr

The doctor shrugged, sending her hair bouncing and she gave it an annoyed side glance before looking back at him. “I was only a couple of shops down. Besides now you can tell Jezem that you had a follow-up without him making you. It will confuse him.”

Fayth

Shivan grinned. “Well, that’s a plus,” he said. He sat back down on the sofa, soap still playing, and beckoned her over. “I know it’s not a social visit but it’s gonna be awkward if you just stand over there.”

~ Thyr

She laughed softly and sat down on a chair. She didn’t miss the bruised torso and arms or the scraped knuckles. The outfit looked like Jezem’s influence. She didn’t miss a scar along his abdomen either. It looked less than a year old. Due to Andorian physiology there would always be scars, but the degree of it told her he hadn’t had the best care. “I’m glad you aren’t having any further trouble. I hope it didn’t make too much of a delay in your work.”

Fayth

It wasn’t the only visible scar, either. The rest were anywhere between over a year, and ten years old. Across his abdomen, chest, arms, back, even legs, different injuries. Probably a dozen or so. Most looked like he either hadn’t received care, or not good care. Shivan grumbled and shook his head. “My strength’s still building back up. Ruined a piece the other day because the hammer slipped out of my grip.”

~ Thyr

The corner of her eyes tightened, “I’m sorry to hear that. Your strength should return in a few days. If not, I can arrange for a physical therapy session if you like. I can do a scan to make sure everything healed up right as well.”

Fayth

Shivan suddenly looked a little uncomfortable. Fear, uncertainty, and paranoia swirled about him. “I’m sure it’ll be fine on its own. A few more days, like you said.” He replied with a shrug.

~ Thyr

“I’m sure it will be,” the doctor said. She eyed the meal and grinned, “So how many replicated meals have you had because you can?”

Fayth

Thyr gave her a playful look. “Two so far. It’s almost a shame to wait to eat his food, it really is delicious, but his reaction is priceless.” He said and laughed.

~ Thyr

“Your friend seems to have very strong opinions that he uses as facts. Those of us who can’t cook, a replicator is a wonderful piece of technology.”

Fayth

Shivan chuckled. “That’s one way to put it. He’s very set in his ways. We worked together for quite a while, but it was a few years ago.” He shrugged as he started eating. “Its just the way he is. I can be, too.”

~ Thyr

Sharah chuckled, “I got that feeling. He seems like a good friend. I’m glad he got you to come in. That arm wouldn’t have healed on its own. I’m glad it’s better.”

Fayth

“He… I guess he is, yeah. He’s done a lot for me, since I came here.” Shivan shrugged. “I’ve healed from worse on my own. Didn’t figure the arm would be any different.” He didn’t know what to say to her being glad it was better. To her caring. That idea was too foreign for him.

~ Thyr

“The metal in the burn complicated things, so it was good that it was able to be removed.” She sensed she was making him uncomfortable. It was time to go. “I can’t stay longer. I have a few more people to see.” She stood, reached into her bag and set a small metal jar on the arm of the couch. “It will help the bruises. It’s good for minor cuts, scratches, and small burns too.” She headed for the door.

Fayth

Shivan… didn’t want her to leave? He felt sad she had to go. She’d be able to sense it despite his shrugging it off. He stood and walked with her to the door. “Thanks. Really.” Then he opened the door for her and let her out.

~ Thyr

Sharah paused. He… was lonely? Her heart went out to him. She knew that feeling, but she really did have other patients to see. She would have to make an effort to come see him again. She paused outside the door, “Would it be alright if I came to your shop later this week? I want to get a gift for my brother, but I know absolutely nothing about weapons.”

Fayth

Shivan nodded eagerly. “Whenever you have time, I’ll be here. I’m sure I can help you pick something out.” He grinned, “Just be careful, I can talk your ears off about these things.”

~ Thyr

She laughed, “I’m used to it. The more you talk, the more I learn. I’ll be by soon.”

Fayth

Shivan nodded. “Looking forward to it.” He said.

A few days later, he was down in his shop, working in the forge. His arm was healed and the stuff she’d left him had been great for his bruises. Today he wore his blacksmithing clothes, all heat resistant and heavy duty.

~ Thyr

Sharah had been on call 3 days in a row, and slept at the hospital. She was off and all on her own today. Normally she would stay home, decompress, but she remembered how lonely Thyr had felt to her. She could spare some down time to keep her word to go by his shop. She made a stop at her favorite flora nursery for an order and then made her way, a street down to Thyr’s shop and went in.

Fayth

Thyr looked up when she entered and smiled. “Doctor Fayth! Looking for that gift for your brother today?” He asked, coming out from around a case of displays.

~ Thyr

“Hello Thyr,” Fayth said, “Call me Sharah, and yes. I have plenty of time to listen and learn and figure something out.”

Fayth

“Were you thinking something traditionally Betazoid, or does he have another particular interest? Or maybe something with a specific meaning behind it?” Thyr asked, leaning over the counter. “I do custom orders as well, so if nothing I have catches your eye, we can always draw something up.”

~ Thyr

The doctor’s mouth screwed into a tight little pucker as she thought. “Well he really likes meeting new cultures, and always gets a souvenir if he can. I guess something that is unique to the culture it’s from?”

Fayth

Thyr gave her a look. “That narrows it down.” He said, some playful sarcasm in his voice. “Klingon bat’leths, Andorian ushaan-tors, Vulcan ritual weapons, literally every species has some kind of ancestral or special cultural blade.”

~ Thyr

Fayth smiled ruefully. “I know. I’m not much help. What about you? Have you made anything unique to you and your skills?”

Fayth

“Of course I have. My skills- well, let’s say they were once quite well known.” He frowned in thought a moment, then looked up at Fayth. “How about this: What kind of thing do you think he’d like? Give me a general idea and I’ll give it my best go. You don’t like it, no charge.”

~ Thyr

“Ummm…” Fayth chewed her bottom lip while she thought about her brother. He wasn’t adverse to using weapons. “He was always fascinated by Earth’s utility knives. They weren’t just used for combat but had every day function as well. I guess that would apply to any weapon. I’m sorry, I really don’t know much about it and am no help at all.”

Fayth

“I could make him a multitool with a quick action pocket knife,” Thyr answered. “Self protection and multiple uses. Something like that sound good? I could even do something special with the hand plates.”

~ Thyr

She nodded with obvious relief. “That sounds perfect.”

Fayth

Thyr nodded and smiled. “Then that’s what I’ll do. Any particular style he might like for the handle? I can carve pretty much anything into them.”

~ Thyr

Her brows turned down and she thought about it before her face suddenly brightened. She dug in her bag for a sketch pad and then a pencil. She flipped to a blank page and drew a symbol on it. She tore the paper out and handed it to him. It was a their initials in Betzed script combined into a single symbol. Eilah had designed it for her when she was young. “Can you put that on it?”

Fayth

Thyr looked at the design, considered for a moment, then nodded. “Yeah, should come out fine. Give me…” He eyed his wall of jobs. “three days. It’ll be done for you by then.”

~ Thyr

“So soon? Thank you.” She had no idea how long it would take, but it seemed like a long process to her. “How did you get into making weapons?”

Fayth

Thyr paused a moment and thought. “I was always interested in it.” He said at last. “Started at… sixteen?” He shrugged. That was a story he had to be a bit vague with.

~ Thyr

“I was like that with medicine.” Well she was like that with her plants too, but that was private. “Do you only smith weapons or do you do other things as well?”

Fayth

“I prefer to do weapons, but I can do other things as well.” Thyr said with a shrug. “Always worth an ask to see if I can and have time if you have something metal that needs making.”

~ Thyr

“I’ll remember that.” She looked around the shop. “They’re like works of art.”

Fayth

Thyr smiled. “That’s a compliment, thanks. And each and every one of them would stand up to real combat, too. They’re not just art, they’re functional.”

~ Thyr

“I enjoy art, but pottery, glass blowing, weaving, things that become part of every day life are my favorites,” Fayth commented.

Fayth

“I guess I see that. Like something you made doing something useful?” Thyr asked curiously.

~ Thyr

“Well like weaving can be a blanket or a jacket, pottery might be dishes or a vase. The task of making it is useful, but the item itself is also.” She shrugged, “The art is part of life, not just an object on the wall only occasionally looked at.” She laughed a little, “That isn’t to say that I don’t like framed paintings, I do.”

Fayth

“I never did like framed paintings,” Thyr said. Then he thought a moment and added, “then again, I never had a wall to put one on, either.”

~ Thyr

“I never had any, but I liked to look at museums. Art comes in all mediums. I enjoy it all.” She laughed a little. “I sound a little naive I suppose.”

Fayth

“You’re the definition of naive,” Thyr said, “but it’s refreshing in a way, I guess.” He shrugged.

~ Thyr

She laughed. “Well thank you. That’s probably the nicest way anyone has ever put it.” The thing was Sharah really wasn’t. She just took peace and solace where she could find it. Simple things, the less complicated the more soothing it was. It was hard to explain to people. She would take being seen as naive over being seen as sick and abnormal.

Fayth

Even if Thyr did know about her ‘condition’ he wouldn’t care about it. He wouldn’t understand people calling her sick or abnormal. Then again, he didn’t know that much about Betazoids. He smiled and shrugged. Being able to see things that way would probably help him, he still wasn’t in control of his anger, but it was something he’d never learned. “That’s the nicest way it’s been said to you? Who is rude to you? You’re too nice for that.”

~ Thyr

“Most everyone I’ve ever known, ever since I was a child. There were always a few exceptions of course,” She shrugged. “Until I came here, anyway. Oed is different. They are more accepting and forgiving.”

Fayth

Thyr frowned and shrugged. “I guess they are. Well, I’m uh, glad you’re happy here, anyway,” he said and smiled again, trying to be friendly.

~ Thyr

This was hard for him, but his effort was endearing. Sharah didn’t say that though. She might offend him. “You’ve had a different experience?”

Fayth

Shivan was not, by nature, a friendly person. He was, however, incredibly loyal once his trust was earned. He shrugged to her question. “I think I’ve been around a… different part of Oed than you.” That, and despite Jezem’s advice, he was still struggling to socialize with anyone besides Jezem and that annoying Caitian kid.

~ Thyr

“Ah. Well in a place with this many people, there are all kinds. Life, despite the advertisements, is not rainbows and flowers and candy. Life would be boring if it was though.” Fayth said.

Fayth

“If life is boring if it’s rainbows and unicorns what in the universe are you doing on this rock? You’re starfleet, this is about the most boring place you could be.” Thyr commented, looking at her again.

~ Thyr

“Oed is not boring. At least, it isn’t to me. There is always something happening. Working in medicine is not always pretty. People get hurt, they get sick, they grow old, they die. I can’t help them all, but I try. Sometimes I can help them. But it makes their lives valuable and precious to them.”

Fayth

“Not to be… rude, or anything, but why? I mean, people die, so what?” Thyr wasn’t trying to be mean or rude, in fact there was an air of honest curiosity to him. “I don’t get that.”

~ Thyr

Fayth nodded, “People do die. Everything dies and more is born. It’s the natural cycle. Sometimes they will die anyway, and I can at least ease that transition.” She looked at him as if she could see the deadly scars he carried. “Sometimes, I can stop them from dying before it is their time. That may not matter to anyone else, but it matters to them to still be alive.” She sighed, “Besides, I can’t stand to feel someone suffer.”

Fayth

That seemed to make him uncomfortable, the way vulnerability always did. No one saw his scars, the metaphorical ones, anyway. No one.

He considered her words for a moment. it matters to them to still be alive. Not him, no. It hadn’t mattered to him in a long time. Years. Why he kept running, fighting to get away, was beyond him. His time here only gave him more time to think about that. “You can’t always stop the suffering,” he said with a shrug.

~ Thyr

It mattered. She didn’t know what he was running from, but she picked that up clearly. If it didn’t matter, he wouldn’t run. She shook her head, “No, I can’t. But I try. None of us are alone in this galaxy, we all depend on others in some way at some time.”

Fayth

Then she may have also picked up his fear at the idea of what would happen if he didn’t run. Thyr gave her a look, almost like he pitied her naievity. “No one is dependable.” That was his life motto essentially. Even Jezem he secretly feared would one day grow bored and ditch him.

~ Thyr

“Maybe not in the long run, and there is always disappointment. But we depend on the techs of HHI to maintain the atmospheric shield so we can breathe. We depend on the farmers here and abroad for food, or techs and scientists and suppliers to keep the replicator working and supplied with matter to make things. We depend on chefs to cook and delivery people to bring our orders. Bosses to keep our jobs stable, suppliers to provide materials to create with, and customers to pay.”

Fayth

Thyr huffed. “That’s… One way to look at it.” He said, giving her a look. “Bosses look out for what’s best for them, not you. Suppliers are in it for the money. Delivery people and cooks just want to live.”

~ Thyr

Sharah grinned, “I never said we did for altruistic reasons. Just that we depend on each other.”

Fayth

Thyr scowled. “But you do it for altruistic reasons? The medicine?”

~ Thyr

Her eyes got far away. “I can’t stand to watch people suffer. Not even as a child. So I decided to do something about it.” Sharah was compassionate and genuinely caring. She really was, but the truth was that the suffering really did affect her. Helping people made her life just a little bit easier.

Fayth

Thyr nodded slowly like he didn’t quite understand how someone could.... care that much. “I’ve been on my own most of my life. I learned to manage myself.”

~ Thyr

She looked around the shop, at the work there, the new pieces that had replaced the ones that had been out on her first visit. “Doing well at it too. Just don’t tell Jezem. If he thought you could manage without him, he might be so devastated as to do something drastic.”

Fayth

Thyr laughed, like a deep, belly laugh. “I think it would be a weight off his shoulders if something happened to me. Or if I by some miracle, didn’t need him anymore.” He shrugged, “Jezem checks my business books. I’m no good at that stuff.”

~ Thyr