The nurse is in!

[wavesofjade]

WHO: Dolores Maryam and everyone!
TONE: General, probably varied
RATING: Let's say PG-13 to be safe
WHEN: September 18
WHERE: Hospital Wing
WHAT: Open thread for people to visit Dolores in the hospital for anything they might need
STATUS: Ongoing

----

[Welcome to the hospital wing! Perhaps you are a visitor to a patient, or an unfortunate individual who has managed to injure themselves in a Potions accident or an incident in Herbology. Maybe you just need a smile and a friendly ear for your problems, or a mild Calming Draught to help you sleep.

Whatever it is that you require, when the door to the ward is pushed open the first sound to be heard is that of a soft humming, and light footsteps moving across the room. Dolores Maryam looks fairly young, but there's a motherly atmosphere about her as she turns and smiles enquiringly]

Comments

[wwistful]

If you insist. I shall keep my mouth shut.

[He watches her carefully, wanting to turn as she moves behind him but know that's foolish. He tenses as she lays a hand on him, not finding it difficult to straighten up. He stares forward, trying not to look obviously put out.]

Understood.

[wavesofjade]

I insisted no such thing, professor.

[Her fingertips move carefully down his back, and she finds the twisted, knotted areas of muscles easily enough, letting out a soft sound of sympathy as she does so]

Dear me.. this does feel painful.. but I can certainly help you.

[wwistful]

I'm sure.

[He's trying hard to remain stone faced through this, but it does hurt. It's hurt for a damn long time too. He feels stupid and sore for leaving it so long and he can't help wincing slightly. How pathetic it is that she can't so much as brush her fingertips over the area without him seething in pain.]

S'good to hear. [He needs to hiss that through gritted teeth.]

[wavesofjade]

[She knows it hurts, she can feel that it must, and she lets out a soft 'ssh', a quiet cooing sound when he winces and hisses through his teeth. It doesn't take her long to complete her examination though it must seem like forever to him, then she makes a thoughtful noise]

... I do believe that I can help you, though I find it strange this hasn't been treated sooner.

[wwistful]

[Murdoc will tolerate the ordeal, of course, because he really needs to. In his mind he's just trying to distract himself with busywork, thinking about classes and projects.]

That. [He pauses for a moment, not sure if he wants to say it.] Is entirely my own fault.

[wavesofjade]

Is it?

[She takes her hands off him and moves to find something that will at least work as a temporary measure until she can create something more effective. Dolores has always been hesitate to prescribe anything close to narcotics for pain, but she's sure she has something to use as an alternative]

I am.. impressed.. that you have been walking around like that for a year without proper treatment.

[wwistful]

I should have had it treated better, but I was too damn proud to go back to hospital after I'd just left it.

[He shrugs with a small wince.] I'm sturdier than I look.

[wavesofjade]

[She could say something, here. Something about pride coming before a fall, but she cannot imagine it being appreciated and besides, it isn't in her nature to make such snide remarks]

That is no excuse.

[Finally, she finds what she's looking for, and checks the label]

Have a seat, if you would.

[wwistful]

I never said it was an excuse, I know it was stupid.

[He hisses through his teeth, letting himself sink into the chair before him. He folds his arms over his knees and hunches forward, frowning at the ground.]

[wavesofjade]

Now, now..

[She moves back to him and once she's coaxed him to turn sideways on the chair she draws one up beside him, and presses her fingertips carefully down his back]

Sit up straight...

[It's half murmured, and there's a soft 'ah-hah' sound from her before she scoots the chair around to place herself behind him. What he'd feel next would be a deep, permeating warmth as she carefully applied the salve to the most badly damaged areas - a reprieve of sorts, until she could concoct something more effective. The pressure of her fingers against his skin is firm, but deft]

How does that feel?

[wwistful]

[He's somewhat obliging as far as being coaxed goes, but it's clear he's hesitant about it. He clenches and unclenches his hands and continues the crusade to distract himself. It's hard being awkward and in pain, it's hard and nobody understands.

He makes a soft noise of compliance as he straightens, quietly tensing as he awaits the hands on his back. He hisses quietly as the warmth seems to seep through his skin. It's enough to make him shudder, but he grits his teeth, letting his eyes drop to the ground.

As gentle as her touch is, his back is wound up so badly that the slightest touch makes him want to groan in pain. Instead, he's going to stay as silent as possible, keeping his back straight and his eyes down.]

S'good. [Ugh, slurring.] Good. It's good.

[wavesofjade]

[She can't help but find his awkwardness somewhat endearing. She has dealt with difficult patients before, ones far more problematic than he, and her patience is (as he may find over the course of his dealings with her) almost endless when it comes to things like this.

Dolores makes a quiet, soothing sound in the back of her throat, smiling faintly where he can't see. Her touch is firmer now, finding the way his muscles run and following the line of them with one hand while her other maintains a grip on his shoulder, as if to keep him from twitching away or curling forwards.

If she's doing things right - which she's quite certain she is - he'll be feeling better quite soon]

[wwistful]

[Murdoc grips his knees tightly, digging his fingers against the fabric of his pants in a rather desperate attempt to hold back any pained or relieved noises. It feels good. So god damn good. Honestly, he just wants to scream about how amazing it feels but he's well aware of the implications of doing so.

So he bites his lip, working at it in quiet frustration.

Every now and then, he turns his head around slightly before facing forward almost instantly. As if he wants to look at what she's doing but he doesn't want to stare at her.]

[wavesofjade]

[Each time he glances back at her, she gives his shoulder a gentle squeeze of reassurance and casts him a warm smile. She knows what she's doing, after all, though his is the worst case of this kind that she can recall seeing in all her years working in medicine.

Time wears on while she works, occasionally humming a few soft bars of a tune or answering any questions that he puts to her, and it's almost half an hour of firm yet careful pushing and massage before she's satisfied that she's done as much as she can with her present supplies. Still, she's learned a lot in this short time and she's confident that the next time she sees him she'll be able to do much more.

At least, for now, the majority of his pain would be relieved]

Stand up, if you would.

[wwistful]

[It's not just his back that benefits from this session, it's actually been very...comforting, he supposes. He's not usually the type to indulge in these sorts of things, but it's hard to deny Dolores when she's so damn pleasant.

It's actually a very peculiar feeling to be so damn relieved for once. He's been in constant agony for a month now.

When he stands, it's carefully. He hates looking so weak but he doesn't trust his body right now. Wow. WOW. He can stand and it doesn't hurt. Everything feels amazing. He's just. Barely. Smiling at Dolores.]

It doesn't hurt.

[He's kind of at a loss for words right now.]

[wavesofjade]

[She watches him carefully when he stands, examining him with her eyes for any sign of pain or discomfort. When he speaks, almost smiles, the smile on her own lips is nothing short of brilliant]

Wonderful.

[Dolores couldn't sound more pleased. She picks up his shirt, gently shaking it out, and moves behind him to help him back into it. Not that she doesn't think he can do it himself, it's more a force of habit than anything else]

I'm so glad. I think that once a week should be enough, but you must let me know if it bothers you in the meantime.

[wwistful]

[The brilliance of her smile warms him, but he's still his awkward self and all he can do is look away from it.]

You do wonderful work.

[He says in a blunt voice, he isn't gushing. He's being honest with her.
He shifts away as she brings the shirt toward him before he slumps a little and allows her to assist him.]

Once a week. Alright. [There's a pause as he considers the next part.] I'll be sure to. [No, he won't.]

[wavesofjade]

Thank you.

[Sincere acknowledgement of sincere honesty. She can recognise it when she sees it and she leaves him to fix the rest of his clothes as she tidies up]

Is this time suitable for you?

[wwistful]

[He nods in response, retying his cravat as quickly as he can and wiggling into his coat and smoothing it out, taking a step toward the door.]

It should be. If an issue arises I will notify you.

[wavesofjade]

Very good.

[She smiles over at him as he moves to leave]

Have a good day, Murdoc.

[wwistful]

Indeed.

[He bows his head, still a little surprised at the lack of pain in his back as he does.]

Thank you. [With that, he turns and strides away.]