“How long will this thinking take?”
“I’m not sure.”
“I will ask you again tomorrow.”
This made Eleri laugh, the sound full-throated and reverberating. She clapped a hand over her mouth. It was unprofessional to be so open with her feelings. The IA encouraged all medical professionals to keep a smooth, even demeanor at all times when engaging with patients. Although she had to admit things here were different outside a formal healing center environment. The patients she’d be treating in Laurus would also be friends and community members, not just random patients off the street. Besides, she would have to submit a full report of her practicum hours, complete with samples of video-recorded patient interactions. It seemed sensible to omit her interactions with S’samph, even though they would make up a significant portion of her hours.
“I’m not sure I’ll have an answer for you by then. How’s your pain level?”
“It is manageable.”
“Can you give me a number, maybe? From one to ten?”
“Three.”
She suspected it was higher based on the way his body curled instinctively around his injured shoulder, but she wasn’t about to press him for a more honest response. Eleri measured out a capful of the retro painkiller they’d resorted to using for treatment these days. Since she’d left Gaia, the IA had banned the use of statixol, better known as Iridescence, in all its colonies and on all member planets. There was no stopping the flow of the drug on Earth or her colonies. Eleri knew all too well. So, she measured out the dose of painkiller, injected it into a hydropod, and offered it to S’samph. “Does an oral suspension work for you?”
“I will ask anyway.” He accepted the pod from her and popped it into his mouth with his good arm, addressing her second pointwith action rather than response.
“Well, I’m all finished here. I’ll see you tomorrow. Keep resting. K’kaen will tell me if you’re up and about when you shouldn’t be. I’ll send a second dose of painkiller for him to bring with him this evening.”
“Your care for me is considerable.” His tone was dry as always, so she couldn’t tell if he was trying to be sarcastic or not. Then again, not all species used sarcasm the same as humans. She would have to check. K’kaen or S’kasia might be more reliable sources of information on that front.
“Rest is important. I mean it.”
“I will do my best.” S’samph folded himself across the low-hanging perch, lying on his back, the picture of following her instructions.
“Thank you.” Her heart was doing an unexpected slam against her ribcage, leaving her just a bit breathless. “If you need anything, you can send a comm to the clinic, and I’ll check the messages when I get back there.”
“Don’t forget your sun hat,” he called after her as she started leaving. Heat from the suns wouldn’t scorch her as much as the ferocious blush blooming over her. She kept her gaze downward as she rushed back to grab her hat and stuff it on her head.
“Thank you,” she said again.
“You’re very skilled at taking care of others, but perhaps not yourself.” S’samph glanced down at her from his reclined position. Although his words lacked any clear subtext or tone, she couldn’t help but feel a strange sinking in her stomach. He wasn’t wrong. Eleri took the opportunity to lower the brim of her hat and hurry out with a muttered farewell. She almost tripped over her kit on her way out and was so distracted trying to get herself organized she didn’t notice S’kasia waiting outside in the shadow of a large tree shading the entryway of S’samph’s home.
“How is my clutch-brother?” she asked.
“He is healing more quickly than I expected.” Eleri waved back toward his dwelling. “There aren’t any signs of infection, but it will be a week or two yet before the danger is truly gone. After that, we can assess the need for any physical therapy to help him regain strength in his arm and shoulder.”
“You will take good care of him, I am sure.” S’kasia walked with her toward the path. “It has not been an easy transition to Laurus for you.” She wasn’t exactly asking. Eleri’s struggles were common enough knowledge around the town.
“I’m settled enough now.” Her previous encounters with the folks in Laurus had made her wary of intentions. Besides, no one survived long on Gaia without a healthy dose of skepticism for other people.
“But you do not have friends.” It wasn’t a question. Eleri adjusted the brim of her hat to shade her from the heat of the sun. Her uncertain status in Laurus wasn’t exactly lost on her.
“Friendship takes time. I hope I will have some friends soon.” She tried to keep her tone upbeat and cheerful but suspected she failed. Reflecting, she realized her time on Laurus thus far had been a lonely one.
S’kasia flicked her tail from side to side in a thoughtful gesture. “We could be friends, I think. I will tell you what really goes on in Laurus if you agree to give my clutch-brother a chance. Even though his frill is torn, and his head is as hard as chronite, he is a good male.”
“I’d like to be your friend.” Eleri’s smile was guileless. It was easier to dodge the second part of S’kasia’s query than to address it directly. She didn’t hate S’samph. And she could even admit she was attracted to him. Besides, he had finally apologized, which went a long way toward softening her heart toward him. In honesty, Eleri couldn’t remember the last time anyone had ever apologized to her. Her parents certainly never had, and her own brother would have sooner gnawed off his own foot than admit to any wrongdoing.
“Good. Then you should come visit me after you visit with S’samph. I have many truths to tell you about Laurus. In exchange, you will tell me about yourself and the world you came from.”
Eleri couldn’t hold back her soft laughter. “You and your brother are both very direct.”
“Latil’e believe straight truth is the highest compliment one can pay. Liars will spend a hundred years in the maw of fire before they hatch again.”
“That sounds intense.”
