WHO: Hynia Kadowaki + Zell Dincht + Anyone! WHAT: A night in the clinic. WHERE: Balamb Garden Clinic WHEN: Late night of Wednesday, June 3 WARNINGS: Minor language.
When all was said and done and the heroes were back home, it was the clinic that picked up the pieces. It didn't really help that the sympathy was shared across the sea. During her downtime, or what little Kadowaki could afford, she was trained to the news about Dollet's recovery. News articles spoke of casualty and damages while videos played Dollet's private citizens serving free coffee to the volunteer street sweepers. Their task was far from over.
And so was theirs at the clinic. It was another long night for the doctor who had to fill in for those medics who were sent off and got injured in the mission. Her coffee had gone cold but she showed no signs of noticing. The phone was attached to her ear again, playing its monotonous music to match the monotonous report she was reading.
"We're sorry; we are unable to complete your call as dialed. Please check the number and dial again, or call your operator to help you."
"Shit!" Down went the phone back to its handle. Kadowaki dropped her eyes down to the heels of her palms with a sigh, returning herself to the silence of her clinic until she heard the quiet taps of the last intern of the evening shift.
"Doctor, is there anything else I can do for tonight?"
Even if there was, Kadowaki felt sorry for asking. He was dressed to go, smelled of perfume. Someone had a date waiting for him. Offering a kind smile, she shook her head. "Enjoy the evening, Mr. Kim. Wait!" He'd only taken one step when she finally thought of something. "Have you checked on Mr. Ornitier before you left?"
"Yes, he's..." Kim paused uncomfortably.
He and the doctor knew that was enough to serve as an answer. The cadet had arrived on a stretcher, shrouded by a black aura that was yet to fade as it normally did. His heart rate was slow but otherwise it was steady. The rest of his vitals appeared to be hanging on, too. If only that was all there was to the cadet.
Except it had been a week since he last woke up, too.
A case like that, you'd think his emergency contacts would actually pick up. Kadowaki hid her groan as she nodded. "Thank you. I'll see you tomorrow." Kim excused himself and marched out of the clinic.
As soon as his footfalls were gone, silence sat next to Kadowaki again. She stitched her fingers between each other, using them as a pedestal on which to rest her chin.
One second later, she was grabbing her coffee and marching to the sink. If this was going to be a long night, she had better start it right.