“Physical Reminders”

Posted on 21 Jan 2019 @ 7:14pm by Lieutenant Amiri Aldana 365, D.V.M., M.D. & Yeoman 1st Class Halona Grayson
Edited on on 21 Jan 2019 @ 9:27pm

Mission: Ka Hakaka Maikaʻi - The Good Fight
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: A day or two after Second Battle of XFY
Tags: Sombra, 3CW4YMF696F

Halona was not used to being late for anything, but since she had joined the crew on board the Hawaii, she had completely forgotten to get her physical done. So, this morning after dropping off the PADDs to the Captain, first officer and second officer she made sure she was not needed in the diplomatic offices and made her way to Sickbay to get that done.

“Hello?” she said lightly looking around. It was hard to believe she had helped organize the retrieval of folks to be treated for injuries a few days ago. It was so quiet now.

Meanwhile Amiri was in hir office with Sombra at hir feet. S/he had been loving on him while s/he was working on hir After Action Reports – Medical to the captain. S/he had just come to a good stopping point and was eyeing the replicator when Sombra perked up below hir. ~Someone’s here.~

Doctor Aldana rose and walked out to the main area. “Hello, what can I do you for,” s/he asked the female.

Halona offered up a small smile of surprise, “Hello I came down to get my physical done if that is possible?”

Aldana’s tail twitched happily and s/he smiled at the lovely Trill hybrid and admired her for a moment. “Oh! Welcome aboard, Yeoman, I can’t be sure, have we met before? I’m Doctor Amiri Aldana 365, but most just call me Aldana if you’d like. I’d be pleased to oblige you.” The doctor crossed over to the main biobed cubby. “Won’t you please join me over here, and we can get started. If you’d have a seat, or if you prefer you may lay down.”

Meanwhile Sombra kept an eye on his charge being sure to keep out of the way.

Halona shook her head softly, “I think we have only spoken over the comms so far, I was the one in the CIC letting Sickbay know about incoming wounded.” She walked to the biobed and sat down. She didn’t like laying on the biobed, unless told she had too, she had fallen off them a few times in her youth and never did trust them much after that. Halona saw the rather large canine not quite hiding out of the way and watched it curiously, she had never been on a ship that had allowed pets in the Sickbay before at least not those that were not being treated for their own injuries.

What couldn’t be seen from her vantage point was the medical-teal vest Sombra wore with several patches on it. One read ‘Medical Service Animal’ another read ‘Working – Ask to Pet,’ as well as a few others with insignia. There was also a place to display an ID with credentials.

Aldana brought out hir favorite medical tricorder as s/he cocked hir head thinking back. “Yes, I recall now. You have a very clear and concise voice. I really appreciate your ability to communicate fluently.” S/he began taking some basic readings. “Do you have any concerns or complains since the last time you had a checkup?”

Halona felt her cheeks turn pink, “Uhnm thank you I generally do yeoman duties and linguistics translation, so speaking is mostly what I do.” She shook her head as she watched the Doctor and the canine, “No I haven’t had anything come up since my last physical, it was only two weeks ago but it is procedure to get it done again when reporting to duty on a new position.”

“Nonetheless thank you, it’s appreciated, particularly in the commotion and hubbub Sickbay can get into from time to time.” S/he smiled. Looking up from hir scans briefly Doctor Aldana caught the Yeoman staring. “Do you have any questions for me; would you like to meet Sombra, or does he bother you?”

“Mostly just surprised to see a dog in the Sickbay. I did not think pets were allowed but I figure as long as they are not getting stepped on by anyone, they are not going to cause any mischief, right?” Halona replied with a wry grin, she could just imagine how busy things had been in Sickbay a few days ago.

Aldana frowned. “Sombra is not a pet; he is a service animal, but that can be an easy mistake to make unless you see his vest.” S/he returned to smiling. “You’re quite right though, he is very adept at staying out of the way. I’m also considering creating places only he and/or his sister can fit.

~Can meet lady?~ Sombra asked, peering into the alcove, and stepping out into the open a little more coincidentally making his vest visible.

Aldana’s face brightened. “Feel free to say ‘no,’ but if you’d like to meet him, he’d like to meet you.” Meanwhile s/he closed hir medical tricorder, “well other than some minor routine vaccinations and inoculations you need for this area it appears we’re almost finished.”

Halona nodded softly, “I don’t mind meeting him.” She said lightly as she listened to the CMO explaining the dog’s actual purpose. She wasn’t used to dogs, but she didn’t mind them as long as they didn’t snap at her. She doubted that this one would though.

~You can come closer, but don’t forget to keep all of your paws on the floor.~

Sombra crept closer, his head was even with his spine, and his tail was low and loose, wagging lightly and lazily. The posture of his head was non-threatening, but still alert, not submissive, more of a neutral stance – he still had been on duty after all. His tail was indicating he was relaxed and friendly. The non-Terran-dog stopped a respectful distance away, not too close, not too far. He did however lean his head in, scenting the air.

Aldana smiled as s/he prepared the inoculations. “He wants to get to know you, if you hold out the back of your relaxed hand, he will sniff it. It’s alright if you want to pet him, but remember, dogs don’t like to be pet on the top of their head by strangers. The corner of his jaw, or his shoulder is better.”

Halona offered her left hand, in as relaxed pose as she could, she eyed the canine and the Doctor. “I will just wait a bit before petting.” the idea of getting her fingers nearer to his teeth by the back of his jaw was not an ideal plan, at least not yet, in her opinion.

Sombra sniffed the proffered hand briefly, leaning in just enough. He sensed the lady was uneasy about something for some reason. He wanted to help but wasn’t sure how. He sat with a bit of a wine of curiosity and head tilted. He wagged his tail a little more enthusiastically being careful not to startle her. He tried to turn a little to offer his shoulder and back. He expressed his concerns to ‘Alpha’ silently.

Aldana approached again, “This is a combo inoculation, it won’t hurt a bit.” S/he pressed it to the woman’s shoulder. “Sombra is concerned, he can sense your… hesitation. Did you have a negative experience with a large canid before?”

“Long time ago and wasn’t bitten exactly just snapped at and got lucky for thick sleeves.” She ran her fingers over the fur presented by the offered shoulder gently.

Sombra held still enjoying the attention. He made a slight noise half-way between a moan and a purr. A sort of… murr.

“Sombra appreciates the attention, and we both hope this encounter is a positive one for you, which may begin you on a journey to healing. He wants you to know that just like not all people are alike and sometimes they have a bad day, the same can be said for his kind too. Though he doesn’t make excuses for the other.” Aldana filled out a PADD and left hir thumb scan. “I have all I need for your physical and I’ve approved you for continued duty, but if you wish to continue your visit you may; or you can stop by our quarters anytime too.”

Halona nodded, “I would like that, I look forward to seeing more of you and Sombra,” she ran her fingers over the canine’s fur again, relaxing a bit more upon hearing the words from the CMO.

Sombra began to pant lightly letting his loose jaw show his relaxed and easy-going attitude. His tail bobbed from side to side lightly.

“Good, we’ll look forward to it. Is there anything else you need Yeoman?” Aldana asked.

Halona shook her head, “I don’t think so. Thank you and I hope you have a pleasant day.” she scratched Somba’s chin lightly and then got off the bio-bed carefully minding where her feet fell so not to step on the canine’s paws.

Doctor Aldana nodded, “You as well."

Sombra ‘woofed’ in agreement.

Fin