When Life Gives You Bandaids [Ace]

[Luna Cavell]

"Hey, buddy, I'm a tenderfoot who's been here for three days. Where's the medical wing?"

An older shapeshifter, in perhaps his twenties, looked at the red-haired twelve year old and chuckled. "Wanna be a doctor, eh girl?" He replied. "Ain't that cute. Take a right and there'll be a door. Can't miss it. Betcha they'll love that there bandaid box you got."

Luna tapped her foot with a bit of annoyance, but followed his instructions, her medical kit in one hand. Normally she would've swung it around by the handle, but she wasn't quite keen to break it or lose anything so soon after getting dropped into the Menagerie. She felt a need to prove herself to Fulsi- something that she had never been able to do to her group of shapeshifters outside the dome- and perhaps the best way to do that was by showing off the skills that she already.

It was kind of a shock that that group of shapeshifters outside the Menagerie had trusted her with anything more dangerous than her own claws, really. They didn't trust her with a knife, being so young, so when she asked to do something, anything, they told her to hold their medical supplies. But that wasn't enough, so she learned how to use them. And she felt that she was pretty damn good with them, for a twelve year old with absolutely no instruction. Didn't need four years of college to stitch up the results of a can opener accident.

But the Menagerie was different. There wasn't anybody dropping food or supplies on you every once in a while- well, there was, but it wasn't the same thing- and everybody was kinda young themselves. They were forced to take on adult roles and do adult things and although they were kids, they couldn't be kids or they'd die. A giant electrified glass dome wasn't the place for a cherished childhood and it was Luna's hope that her fellow Fulsi members wouldn't try to make it one.

Obviously she wasn't an expert at medicine. There probably wasn't anybody here who was either. But she was good at it. It wasn't exactly the most pleasant of activities, or careers, or hobbies, whatever you wanted to call it. Most injuries she had ever dealt with were the results of simple stupidity and that just annoyed her to no end. Perhaps it would be more difficult to be angry in the Menagerie since there were actually things out to physically hurt you rather than just capture you and make your life hell.

And so Luna was interested in continuing to further her skills as a doctor or nurse or medic or whatever anybody wanted to call her. So she walked into the medical wing, medic's kit firmly in her hand, and glanced around from side to side to see if anybody was there. "Hey, this is the medical wing, right?" She called out casually. The scent of blood lingered in the room- it was very familiar, but not a smell that she particularly liked.

[Ace]

It was mid-morning after a very uneventful night. As far as Ace could tell it had been one of the least eventful nights in his entire time as a medic. There was no question that it made him happy beyond imagination. For once had managed a good night sleep, letting his other medics handle the shift alone. They had coped very well with the few things that had happened and had been able to let their Chief sleep through the night and into the late hours of the morning. They had decided to wake him at around nine but Ace was already awake by then, thanks to the rather boisterous pup that followed him around anywhere and everywhere. Lucy was now at his heels, bouncing after him as he did his rounds, checking on each bed and patient. The little Border collie yipped every now and then, calling for attention until he gave in and bent to scratch her behind the ears. As far as he could tell that was Lucy’s favourite place to be scratched. He had found the puppy on his latest adventure looking for medical supplies. She was wondering around the park looking completely lost and alone and took to Ace immediately. The only logical response was to take her home. It meant one more mouth to feed for him but the burden was minimal in his eyes. Making it to the end of the room, he passed into the adjoining one that was used as their makeshift operating room. Swinging his shoulder bag off he placed it on the bench to his left. He was just about to grab out his medical kit and get a start on a few things when he heard a voice call out from the patient room. Lucy barked in response, her little tail wagging with excitement, eyes fixated on the source of the sound as she bounded into the other room. Ace followed his friend, eyes falling upon the figure of a young girl standing at the far entrance of the ward. He noticed the kit that she carried in her hand and instantly a soft smile fell across his features. She seemed quite young but it was obvious her intentions were strong, judging by her current expression. His eyes then floated to the tiny figure eagerly jumping on the girl. “Lucy down girl,” Ace called, shortening the distance between them and reaching to pick up the puppy. She squirmed for a few moments before giving up and letting Ace hold her against his chest. “Sorry about this little ratbag,” he chuckled, looking apologetically at the red-haired girl. “This is the medical wing and by the looks of that kit in your hands I’d say you want to get acquainted with it. I’m Ace, the Chief Medic.” He held out his free hand to shake her hand, smiling happily down at her. Ace was always willing to accept new medics on the team, especially ones who seemed as keen as her. If she had the talent it needed only to be nurtured. OOC | Ace is keen to get a little protege I think