Help, I need somebody

[dalectable]

My apologies, but is there a healer or doctor among us...? I'm in need of some assistance.

[Her psychic voice might be slightly strained]

Comments

[dalectable]

"... Sometimes I wonder if technology is just magic in a more accessible form," she muses, eyeing the cart warily. "What do you need me to do?"

[triggerhappytraitor]

"Sometimes the only difference between the two is if you can hand it to someone else to use or not," Tachibana agreed with a faint smile.

"It's a fairly simple process. The bed is set up in the other room, which will be a bit more comfortable. There'll be a gel that goes on the skin that allows the reader to move more easily," he explained, holding up the reader itself, a small plastic piece that was attached by a wire to the res of the machine. "A few passes over the area should be enough to give a good image."

[dalectable]

The idea of it is certainly bizarre but she nods slowly, following Tachibana and watching him set up in silence.

Glossing over the details a bit

[triggerhappytraitor]

A little bizarre, and a little uncomfortable, in so much that the gel, no matter how warmed, was always a slimy experience, but true to expectations, it didn't take long for the equipment to do it's work and a clear image to be built. Tachibana's expression relaxed from serious concentration to one far more at ease as he returned the scanning head to the cart and handed her a towel to clean off the gel. A few flips through the appropriate medical textbook for reference and his expression relaxed even further.

"Looks like roughly four months along, no signs of any abnormalities," he announced, turning the machine so she could get a better look.

o/

[dalectable]

She frowns at the screen, tilting her head to one side as if that might make the image clearer as she pauses in wiping off her stomach.

"That's... what babies look like? At this stage?" she asks, uncertain. "And you're sure that's not abnormal?"

[triggerhappytraitor]

"Yeah," Tachibana nodded, pulling out a chart that showed the stages of fetal development. "In a way, a fetus goes through an analog of most of the stages of evolution, starting at the stage where it's just a small cluster of cells, all the way to looking like a normal human just before birth. The ultrasound isn't perfect at capturing the image, but you can see the head here," he pointed to the screen, circling the relevant area. "The rest of the body this way. This is one of the arms here, and the legs over this way," he pointed.

[dalectable]

She reaches out herself to trace around the head on the screen, eyes slightly wider than normal, breath caught in her throat.

"... It's so small," she murmurs, her other hand rising to cover the small bump of her stomach protectively. "I know it has to be, since I only recently started to show, but... it's very different to see it displayed right before me."

Snapping out of her daze, she glances at Tachibana almost shyly and asks, "Is there anyway to have a copy of this image? I'd... like to show the father." Even if he's not the most sentimental sort, he might appreciate seeing the little alien creature they've created.

[triggerhappytraitor]

There was something indescribable at that murmur and amazed expression, a warm, deep feeling that softened Tachibana's expression and posture, something so much like the feeling that had come, telling the merfolk that there was not only a cure for the sickness that had been terrorizing them so, but also a preventative, or like watching Mutsuki at his university graduation. A feeling he had almost forgotten...

At her question, he nodded. "Of course." A few mouse clicks later, a soft "wrrrr" was heard from inside of it before the printout emerged.

[dalectable]

She offers him a small smile at that, no less genuine for the size. "Thank you. Not just for this but for everything, Tachibana. You've set a lot of my worries to rest for the moment."

[triggerhappytraitor]

"I'm glad I was able to," Tachibana returned with another small nod. "Whenever you want to check up on the baby's development, just ask. And I'll let you know the results of the lab work and the research when they're finished."

[dalectable]

The print is tucked away and then Vilari's offering him a slight bow, regal as a queen yet full of respect for the man before her. "Ma seranas. If ever I can aid you in some way, please don't hesitate to call for me. I'm usually in Riddick's Forge."

[triggerhappytraitor]

Tachibana gave a smaller, almost miniature bow in near reflex response. "I will, thank you."