Not Quite Worked to the Bone

Writers: Ames, Leigh M-F.
Date Posted: 9th October 2013

Characters: Faldrimme, Lokkun
Description: Don't be embarrassed if you're injured on the job
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 3, day 1 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentor Approved

Faldrimme

It was just a tiny cut. Though the cut wasn't large, it sure had bled alot. That was when the journeyman on duty had sent her to have it checked at the healers. The runner had gotten spooked and and she'd gotten her wrist caught on one of the pen stakes in the process.

Holding the cloth to the cut, she entered the healer's rooms. She'd been her before when she was exploring, but this time it was different. Now she actually needed treatment.

"You lost our place within my heart when you made my dreams fall apart," he sang under his breath as he dutifully swept the front room, one of many he had to take care of today. "Your tangle of deception born of your thoughts? conception and the twisted planning that
fostered my devotion are just the same as lies weaving your alibis." Lokkun stopped at a corner and pulled the dustpan out of his apron's large pocket, brushing dust into it and turning to find a trash can. "Oh!" He jumped, almost spilling the dust. "I am so sorry," he told
Faldrimme. "I didn't know you were there. Have you been helped?" He hoped she hadn't heard him singing; his voice was far from perfect.

She _had_ heard him singing and it had brought a smile to her face.

"No, not yet. I got cut while working in the runner stall. They wanted me to have it checked as it seemed to keep bleeding. I'm Faldrimme, by the way," she said.

"Lokkun, healer apprentice. A pleasure," the blond said, putting the broom and dustpan aside and walking over to the far wall. "I'll be with you in just a moment." A basket of supplies was tucked in a nook there, and he wiped off his hands before pouring some redwort over them. "All right, where is the cut, and did anyone note how deep it is?" he asked, moving back to the new patient. "And how was it cut? Was the object rusty or dirty?"

Faldrimme considered his questions. "I guess you could say dirty since it was in the animal stall, but not rusty. They take very good care of the pens here. I know it bled alot, but no one said it was deep. I don't think it's all _that_ bad." At least she hoped not. She didn't want a scar on her wrist if she could help it.

"Yes, some wounds bleed like crazy even if it's a minor cut. Head wounds, for example," Lokkun said. "Come with me to this cot here, and I'll bring out some minor treatments and warm water." He lead the way, already thinking about possible options for the wound. If it was just a scrape, a redwort wash and a bandage would do. If it was deeper, he'd have to fetch a journeyman or his master.

"I really don't think it's all that bad," Faldrimme replied as she followed him. The cut hurt, but most of the bleeding seemed to have stopped when she picked up the cloth she was holding to it. She was learning alot about herself and the beastcraft since her arrival. Things she loved and things she didn't.

While she waited, she took a moment to gaze around the healing chambers. She was still very curious about the way things worked at the Weyr compared to how they ran back home. This space wasn't all that different than the healing rooms at Amber Hills. There was comfort in that thought for her.

"Ah, here." Lokkun found an empty cot, motioned for Faldrimme to sit, and pulled the curtains partially around the bed. "I'll be right back," he promised, disappearing as soon as the words were out of his mouth. He returned with a basket of supplies, having washed his hands and gotten a bowl of warm water as well. The blond dripped a cloth into the water and wrung it out carefully. "All right, let me see where you're hurt, please."

She pulled back the rag and revealed a rather nasty looking gash across the back of her hand. She hissed as the rag caught on the cut and made it sting. It wasn't overly deep, but it did run from her pinky finger almost to her thumb.

"That looks like it smarts," Lokkun said sympathetically, taking Faldrimme's hand in his left. "Unfortunately, this is going to smart a little more. I apologize in advance." As gently as he could, he started scrubbing off the scabs that had started to form. "Okay, so far, so good," he said as he got a better view of the wound. "Yes, this looks like it'll be easy to fix. Some numbweed, a little comfrey paste and redwort, and you'll be fine."

She grimaced a bit as he began working on the wound. It stung. She'd had other hurts growing up, so this wasn't new for her, but it still hurt. She gritted her teeth a bit when he worked on a particular sensitive spot.

"It's alright. I can handle it. I just want it to heal properly," she said, her voice sounding just a bit strained.

"It will heal just fine," Lokkun said reassuringly, giving Faldrimme one of his shy smiles. "You have nothing to worry about." He finished washing the cut, gave it another once-over, and then wet the cloth with redwort, lightly dabbing the wound. After that, he treated it with some numbweed. "Now I need to get some comfrey paste. That will hold the edges of the cut together and help it heal faster."

"Alright," Faldrimme replied, "I really appreciate all your help." She wanted the injury to heal well and not leave a permanent scar. Yet, a scar would be almost like a right of passage for her, a sign that she had begun her future as a beastcrafter. She waited for Lokkun to return.

The teenager came back shortly, a small jar in hand. He had to fight to open it; some of the paste had gummed up the grooves the lid fit into. But it finally did open, and without spraining his wrists. He scooped out a glob and quickly smeared it over the cut, wiped off the excess on the jar's inner rim, and closed it. "We'll let that dry, and then I'll get you a bandage," he said. "Then you'll be done, and you can go back to work."

"Thank you Lokkun," Faldrimme said as he applied the salve and they waited for it to dry. She was eager to get back to the stables and show the others that she wasn't afraid of hard work.

The apprentice departed, then returned with a bandage. "I forgot to tell you, if the wound starts swelling or becomes hot to the touch, you need to come back and have a journeyman look at it," he said as he deftly wound the cloth around her hand and wrist, tying it off securely. "I don't expect it to do so, though- and there you go. You're free to head back to work." Lokkun smiled shyly again. "Have a good one."

"Thank you Lokkun. I appreciate your help," Faldrimme replied, eager to get back to her duties.

Last updated on the November 2nd 2013

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Not Quite Worked to the Bone