[Seth Silvester]

Off to the quieter side of the Infirmary sat the Wave Warden and his Milotic, Sonnet. Seth understood why Sonnet had released herself from her pokeball as he sat on the paper covered examining bed. Dressed in shorts and a t-shirt, his sweat had made his skin stick to the crinkly paper so that every movement was announced to the whole world. He was nervous. This wasn’t even an abnormal visit and Seth still found his body sweaty and his nerves frayed. The Milotic had sensed this and now coiled next to her owner, her head nestled in his lap while the rest of her serpentine body made loops on the tile floor.

Absentmindedly, Seth stroked her soft scales and he started to feel a little better. Along with this being a normal check-up, it was going to be attended by his good friend and longtime caretaker, Thea. Well, perhaps not longtime, she had left the Academy for a while, after all, but Seth trusted her with his medical past and fears more than the other doctors at the Academy. “Are you excited to see her?” Seth asked his Milotic. Sonnet had been bred by Thea so it only made sense the Milotic would be happy to see the nurse.

A deep, almost purring-like, sound resonated from Sonnet. Seth felt even safer now. “I’m excited too,” he admitted, resting his hand against Sonnet’s neck. He didn’t really want to let go of her until Thea arrived and they started the check-up. The nurse would look at his scar, no doubt, to see how it was faring. That’s one of the reasons why Seth requested a secluded area of the Infirmary to be seated. He would be ashamed if anyone else saw the mark.

“Don’t let me forget to get this refilled,” he said to Sonnet, and partially to himself, as he jiggled the now empty bottle of pain killers. Seth wondered what Thea would say to that. He’d only just recently refilled the prescription, but between old wounds and newer migraines, the bottle never stood a chance of lasting long.

Besides all the medical formalities, Seth was generally happy to see Thea. They hadn’t talked in a while and he hoped to hear how things were going for her these past weeks.

Suddenly Sonnet lifted her head from Seth’s lap and looked towards the curtain that blocked them from the rest of the infirmary. Someone was coming.

“Thea? Is that you?”

Althea Castellanos

[Althea Castellanos]

"Don't worry sweetie. I'm going to take great care of your Pokemon, I promise." Thea spoke in her soft and angelic tone as she flashed the young female Wave Student an assuring smile. The young student had recently rushed her sick Cubchoo to the infirmary due to the Pokemon having difficulties breathing and feeling quite fatigue over the past couple of days. "If I recall correctly, you two were wondering through the Garden of Sun enjoying the warm sunshine and sweet aroma of the colorful flowers, right?" She asked the student for clarification. It was important that she understood every single detail that the student presented to her. The student nodded her head at the nurse before wiping away a few tears of falling tears. It was more than obvious that the student was extremely concerned about her Pokemon well-being. "Alright, thanks. I believe that I know what's going on with your Pokemon. He's going to be fine." She stated with another assuring smile. She handed a clean tissue over to the student before turning her attention away from her and focusing them onto the suffering Pokemon.

She gave the Pokemon a quick check-up just to make sure that her hunch was correct. Meanwhile, Thea's Audino was busy comforting the student by using her feelers to calm her down and prevent her from worrying even more. Thea retrieve a red and white sphere from the pockets of her lab coat and quickly released her Meganium to assist her in healing the Cubchoo. "Don't worry Cubchoo, this will not hurt one bit!" She spoke calmly to the small cub Pokemon. She could see the fear in the little Pokemon's eyes. She smiled gently before holding out her index finger for the Cubchoo to on to during the procedure. "Camellia use Aromatherapy, please. "The large, yet elegant reptile-like Pokemon did not waste anytime releasing soothing scent to heal the Pokemon's illness. Within a calm of minutes of inhaling Camellia's sweet aroma, the Cubchoo's nose finally started running with its unique mucus again and the Cubchoo appeared to even a lot more energized than before.


"There, you're looking a lot better already." The nurse smiled, gently removing her index finger from the cub's grip. The student quickly stood up in excitement before rushing over to Cubchoo and giving him an affection hug."While exploring the garden your Pokemon inhaled the scent of some dangerous spores, which caused his unique mucus to stop running for his nose. As you know, the mucus that Cubchoo secretes makes it healthy and powerful. Since he wasn't able to produce it anymore, he started to become extremely fatigue and found it difficult to breath. Camellia's Aromatherapy was strong enough to remove those toxins from Cubchoo's nose and provided some breathing treatment. He is going to be fine now, but he will need a little more rest while breathing in Camellia's aroma for a little while longer. You two should be good to go within the next hour. I would also like to suggest that you two be a little more cautious when wondering through the garden. It's a beautiful garden, but it is also home to various Grass type Pokemon, who could easily blend in with the flowers." She explained with a soft smile. The student quickly reached out and wrapped her arms around Thea's hips, giving the older female a tight hug to express her gratitude. "You're more than welcome sweet. Now, I must dismiss myself in order to check on another patient. Camellia will stay here with you to conduct the breathing treatment as well as to keep a close eye on things while I'm away. I will be back later to check on things about before discharging your Pokemon." She added before flashing the student one last smile before making her exit.

A deep sighed escaped from Thea's mouth as she exited the previous room and started making her way down the hallway towards the next room. "It looks like our day is just getting started, huh Florence?" She giggled a bit, glancing down at the kind Audino walking beside her. She had seen a number of five patients already and it wasn't even noon. "At least we're doing what we love doing and that's helping people." She added, flashing her Pokemon a small smile. "Hopefully, we didn't keep Seth waiting, too long. It's going to be nice to see how well he's doing now."She stated as another smiled touched her lips as she thought about reuniting with her friend again and possibly catching up with him a bit. A couple of more minutes passed before Thea and Florence finally made their way into the room with Seth awaiting them. "Yes Seth, it is me. Sorry for the long wait." She spoke before pulling open the curtains and locking eyes with Seth and his Milotic. "Hello Seth. Hello Sonnet." She greeted them both with her melodic voice. "My Sonnet.You've grown a lot and looking even more beautiful than the last time I've seen you. Your mother would be proud." She spoke to the sea serpent, gently rubbing her dainty fingers against Sonnet's dazzling scales. It was quite nice to see one of the first Pokemon that she had ever bred being in such great condition. "And It is good to see you again, too Seth. How is it going?" She asked in a curious manner as she started preparing some things for his check-up.

[Seth Silvester]

Thea’s arrival was like a gust of spring air to an otherwise unpleasantly hot day. She was the only thing that Seth liked about the Infirmary and her entrance put him at ease. It perked Sonnet up as the Milotic rubbed her head into Thea’s touch, content little noises accompanying the motion. His Milotic always enjoyed seeing Thea and Seth deliberately made time for his pokemon to see her mother and breeder. Those kinds of bonds were important even for pokemon. “We’ve been keeping ourselves busy,” Seth replied, gesturing towards his Milotic. “No need to worry.”

He smiled at the compliments the nurse gave to Sonnet as he welcomed the sight of Thea’s own pokemon. “And hello to you too, Florence. Busy day?” he asked, knowing how much the Audino assisted Thea in healing patients found in the Infirmary. He gave Florence a little wave before returning his attention towards Thea as she worked. “Good, good,” Seth answered, fidgeting slightly on the crinkly bed paper. “Had a problem with one of the heaters in Wave dorm so I was up most of the night trying to contact maintenance. Besides that it’s just the same old, same old—challenges, training, nurturing the leaders of tomorrow,” the Warden chuckled. Though, given his age and that of his wards, he might as well be preparing for the next student to take his job. That was an unnerving thought.

“Oh, besides today’s checkup I need this refilled, please, Thea,” Seth said, extending the pain medication bottle out to her. He didn’t want to say anything else on the matter. An explanation as to why he was empty already would sound like excuses and Seth didn’t want to give those to his friend. Neither did he want to use their friendship as a way to get more medicine. He wouldn’t say anything, but he wouldn’t fight any comments Thea may make on the issue.

As if reading his thoughts Sonnet huffed besides him, her slim antennas shifting slightly. Seth shot his pokemon a quick warning glance before speaking again. “I’ve been lacking challengers lately,” he explained, thinking about the absence of students trying to battle him. “It’s a little disappointing to be honest. Instead I’ve tried exploring some more. Went to Dragon’s Den the other day and came back with an Eelektrik. He’s a little,” Seth paused. The word he was looking for was ‘intimidating’, but he wasn’t about to say it. “eccentric in nature. Trains very well so far.”

Knowing that Thea was going to start the check-up soon, Seth moved up onto the patient bed and Sonnet slithered away to make room for the nurse. It was far enough to be out of the way, but close enough that she could still calm Seth. “And yourself? Have they just locked you in yet?” he laughed again, knowing how much time being a nurse to the Academy took. “Or do they let you out to see the sun?” Nervously, Seth eyed the tray of instruments as he talked.

He didn't like what was to come after chitchat. 

[Althea Castellanos]

Unlike most nurse uniforms, Thea's uniform was a little different. She wore a small yet stylish white dress that complimented her womanly figure quite well and her nurse cap was slightly smaller and shaped more like a tiara than an actual cap. "Ah, well that's good to hear. I don't like to keep my patients waiting too long." She stated in a calm tone as she continued to rub against the Milotic's scales for a couple of more seconds before pulling away from her. The fact that Seth was able to raise Sonnet from a small and awkward looking Feebas into a gorgeous Milotic spoke a lot of volume to Thea. She was more than delighted that she had given the Pokemon to such an affectionate and trustworthy trainer. 

Florence flashed Seth a soft smile and nodded her head at his words. It was quite true, the Audino often works just as hard as her trainer does whenever it comes down to healing and caring for the numerous of patients that travel in and out of the infirmary. Thea giggled a bit as she noticed her friend fidgeting a bit at the touch of the crinkly paper rubbing up against his skin. "You're still not a huge fan of the crinkly paper, i see." She pointed out, giggling a little bit more. "Oh, It sounds like you've been having a few eventful things going in your life. I'm also surprised that you didn't attempt to fix the heater yourself." She replied with a soft smile. She admired and respected all of the wardens at the academy for their ambition and desire to train and teach the galore of students hoping to learn the way of becoming a skillful trainer or breeder. She once thought about becoming a Warden herself, but later changed her mind due to not being a strong enough trainer. It wasn't that she did not know how to battle, but more so the fact that she majority of her time learning how to breed and heal Pokemon instead of putting her focus on battling tactics. Still, she could manage to hold her own in battle whenever it becomes necessary. 

A slight frown spread across Thea's fair face as she took the pain medication bottle away from her friend and gave it a couple of shakes. The pain medication bottle itself was completely empty and she was a bit surprised by it, seeing that she had recently refilled his order during his last visit. "Seth, I know that those pain medication helps settles the pain a lot, but you're going to have to take it a little bit more easy on them. I don't want your body to become too dependent on them. In fact, we should be focusing on you learning other ways for you to deal with that pain without you having to use medication all of the time. You don't want to have to depend on pain medication for the rest of your life do you?" She asked in her soft voice, her bluish-gray eyes staring deeply into his eyes for a few seconds before she finally decided to glance away. "You could always utilize the hot springs or sign up for massage therapy." She suggested with a small smile. She knew that her friend probably didn't want to hear her say anything else besides 'Of course. I will give your refill.' However, she just could not let his actions go unheard without a lecture. She sat the bottle off to the side and turned her attention back onto her medical tools. 

"You may not want to hear this, but it is probably a good thing that you're not having to deal with too many challengers right now. It's still important for you to take things a little bit easier. I'm not saying that you cannot enjoy your Warden duties, but just be a little bit more careful with not overworking your body or else the pain that is already existing will only increase." She explained to him, being completely honest with him. "Ah yes, exploring is good. It is differently a good way to keep yourself busy." She replied, nodding her head a couple of times. "I've never been exploring at the Dragon's Den before. I've heard that one can find some powerful Dragon-types there, though. Oh, an Eelektrik. That's one interesting Pokemon if I do say so myself," she giggled.

Once she finished preparing her items, she carefully stepped a little closer towards Seth. "Well, I do spend majority of my time living in the infirmary, but I am allowed to step out from time to time. Florence does a good job with keeping an eye on the place while I'm away. I actually visited one of my favorite places yesterday, the Garden of the Sun." She replied with an alluring smile. "Alright, Let's get this check-up started by checking your blood pressure. Please extend your right arm." She gently placed the blood pressure cuff against his upper arm and allowed the machine to do its job while she used a stethoscope to listen to the blood traveling through one of his arteries. 

[Seth Silvester]

Seth’s face fell into a humorously flat look. “I understand the need for hygiene and proper protocol, Thea, but really? As a species are we going to stick with this,” he gestured to the paper covering, “as how we comfort the sick and ill? I’m certain you’ve been on the patient end of things at one point in your live. You know how uncomfortable these beds are. Too big, too high, too stiff. There’s no dignity to be had on this bed, especially when they’ve got you wearing the open-back robes. You're weak compared to everyone else.” What had started off as a playful little spiel had quickly turned into a ramble. It wasn’t often that the Wave Warden wasted words like that, but he was nervous. Seth coughed, embarrassed even though it was only Thea around to hear him. The paper seat crinkled again.

“It’s not my favorite thing, no,” he bashfully added. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Sonnet smile comfortingly as if she understood Seth’s nerves but found it endearing as well. Who was taking care of who, it made him wonder. Thankfully Thea’s comments pulled him away from his thoughts as he managed a chuckle. “I may be skilled at many things, but even I have to admit my lacking knowledge in all things mechanical. Can’t know it all,” he winked playfully at Thea. “Though we can of course try.”

His playfulness faded as Thea took the bottle from his hand. He noticed that frown as soon as it appeared on the nurse’s features and it was right then that he knew she was going to say something. Not that Seth would find fault or become angry with whatever she did say. Being a nurse at an Academy this prestigious meant the individual knew their medicine and knew it more than the patient ever would. Whatever came from Thea’s mouth next originated from knowledge and no doubt concern for a friend.
Peering through his glasses, he met Thea’s steely gaze. “No, I don’t. But I don’t want to live with-” he bit back the words, debating whether or not to say them. Jaw clenching, the Warden relented. “I know, Thea. It’s becoming a habit and it was never intended to be. I just…I don’t…”

"You could always utilize the hot springs or sign up for massage therapy."

Seth’s nose wrinkled at the thought of those suggestions. Both them often socially called for the removing of shirts in order to partake in the activity. He was aware that that wasn’t the case all the time and even if he chose to wear a shirt to the springs or the spa they wouldn’t openly judge him. But those weren't places for him. He didn’t say any of this to Thea because she would notice them for what they really were—excuses. “I’ll think about it.” In the meantime he wanted those pills.

All of Thea’s advice was sound. He accepted all of it, even the brutal fact that no challenges were better for his physical body. But his mental one? He’d go stir crazy if he didn’t have a student, even a younger one, come and challenge him. It felt like there was a neon sign over his head at the moment that yelled ‘Do not battle!’ in blinking lights and he had no way to turn it off.

“Garden of the Sun, eh? I haven’t been there in ages. Find anyone new to add to your team?” he questioned. “Not that you haven’t got the perfect pokemon already,” Seth added, throwing a charming smile at Florence. That smile disappeared when Thea returned to her nurse routine. The Warden did as he was told and extended his arm, swallowing uncomfortably. His eyes met Sonnet’s and he inhaled deeply.

“What else are you doing with today’s checkup?”

[Althea Castellanos]

Thea simply giggled as she listen to Seth's reasons for dislike the paper covering on the hospital bed. "C'mon on Seth, it's really not that bad. At least you don't have to sleep on it. I mean, if you're like to see on it then I could make the proper arrangements for it." She teased him. "I honestly don't mind then too much." She added, shrugging her shoulders a bit. From the rambling coming from her friend, her could tell that he was starting to become even more nervous. "No need to be nervous you know... I'm going to great care of you, just like I always do." She assured him as a sweet smile curved against her lips. 

She listened to him explain that he didn't have intentions turning his medication into a bad habit. "I know that you didn't mean for it to happen, Seth. I just wanted make sure that you knew that were still other options that could help you out, too." She replied in a calm tone as she continued to cheek his blood pressure. "All I can do is ask that you do think about it. I'm sure that some of your Pokemon just may like spending a little time in the hot springs, too." She added as a half smile formed against her lips. 

"Oh, you haven't been there in a while? You should definitely check it out. It's still just as beautiful and relaxing as before. Maybe during your down time you can take a visit. It also may be worth inviting a special friend to come along with you to enjoy a nice little picnic or something." She suggested, tossing out more ideas for him to use to keep himself distracted a bit. "Ah yes, I recently added a Kangaskhan and Milktank to my team. They're going to help me out with nursery area. The milk that Milktank produces can heal the tired and the ill. The healing powers in the milk becomes even stronger when they're around children, did you know that?" She asked as another small smile touched her lips as she finished taking his blood pressure. "Your blood pressure is perfectly fine, Seth." She stated removing the instrument then passing it over to Florence. 

"Alright, next we're going to check your heart and respiration rate." She explained to him. "I'll probably check your temperature too before checking on that scar of yours." She added as she glanced up at him for a few seconds. "Remove your shirt for me, please." She spoke, reaching out to grab the stethoscope again as she prepared to place it against his bare chest once he removed his shirt. 

[Seth Silvester]

“No, no, that’s not necessary, Thea. I’m just grumbling is all,” Seth replied, waving away the suggestion to replace the paper mat. He didn’t need Thea doing more than she already was just for his comfort—it was only a fraction of his day he spent on the paper and he could, as they say, ‘suck it up’ and move on. The Warden did pause, however, when Thea spoke of taking care of him. He could feel his ears redden at the comment and nervousness was replaced with slight embarrassment. “I know you will. You always do,” he replied softly. Seth could trust Thea.

Meanwhile Sonnet nodded her head every time the nurse spoke about Seth’s budding addiction to the pills. It seemed pokemon and Thea both had the same ideas on the situation and neither would hold back on speaking their mind. “I will consider it,” he promised, meaning it more than his level voice let on. “You’re right about my team enjoying the springs,” Seth admitted, looking over at Sonnet for her approval. She hummed gently, nodding her head and filling the room with a melodic and pleasant sound. She would go with him.

Seth laughed gently at Thea’s next comment. “A special friend, eh?” The Warden peered at Thea through his glasses. “The list is quite narrow, but let me know if you ever want to go out there again and find yourself hungry. I’ll bring the food.” He didn’t say any more on the matter, opting instead to remark on the new pokemon the nurse had collected. “Kangaskhan and Milktank,” he mused, thinking of their abilities on the battlefield before listening to Thea’s intended plans for their help. That’s what Seth enjoyed the most about being around Thea. He would never think of a pokemon’s medicinal abilities, but Thea did. “I did not know that,” he smiled, genuinely pleased with learning something new. “You’ll need to get yourself a few children around.”

He paused. “I mean student wise! Not your own children unless that’s something you want or are even thinking about,” Seth quickly covered. He just wasn’t smooth when it came to Thea sometimes. In his younger days he blamed it on her looks, but now Seth took agency of his own mistakes. If he was a blundering fool around Thea it was not her fault, but his. She was still gorgeous, of course, but Thea and many other already knew it. It was like saying the trees are green or Geodudes are grey. It was obvious.

Thankfully, they seemed to have moved onto the next step of the procedure even if Seth disliked these next parts. Seth’s teeth gritted together when Thea asked him to remove his shirt. His heart pounded and he thought about refusing and leaving and ringing her up to apologize later. But what good would that do? His health would go unchecked. His medicine unfilled. And his friendship with Thea tarnished. It wasn’t as if his scar was something Thea hadn’t seen before. She’d been there when it was raw, open, bleeding and weeping and she was with it now, healed, but not.

Without a word Seth obeyed the request. Taking his glasses off, he placed them gently on the side of the bed. He looked around the small room, reassuring himself that no one else was around, and then gave one final glance at Sonnet. Her abilities calmed him, but his heart still raced. Closing his eyes, Seth tugged off his shirt, revealing the wound he hid from all.

Skin puckered around the large cut that sliced across his lower abdomen. Ragged and off-colored in places, it appeared to have never quite healed correctly despite all of the treatment given by the hospital. It was ugly. A physical pain and a psychological reminder of the Garchomp attack. It was ugly.

“O-okay. Very well, Thea,” he said, tone formal to hide away any other feelings. “Proceed.”

His heart hammered away.

[Althea Castellanos]

Thea giggled a bit after hearing Seth laugh at her previous comment about the Warden inviting a one of his special friends out for a nice picnic at the Garden of the Sun. She honestly didn't expect to get a laugh out of her friend, but after hearing his other words she then realized what her find mat have found to be so humorous in her suggestion. "Well, I didn't mean anything about that comment. I figured that you probably would have had a special friend around here that you would have like to spend a little private time with or something." She gigged, shrugging her shoulders a bit. She soon felt her cheeks growing a rosy-pink hue at his offer to go on a picnic with him. Luckily, her long pink hair managed to cover up her light blushing. "That sounds like a lovely plan." She spoke as a soft smile spread against her lips. Thankfully, the blushing had faded away by now. He wasn't like he was asking her out on a date or anything, but she still felt honored that he had offered her to hang out with him sometime. It was nice to receive some attention from an older male for once in her life. "Yes, it looks that way." She giggled before replying to his attention about getting herself some children. She knew what he meant to say, but decided to play along with it anyway.

"Mhm, I know exactly want you meant by that Seth." She replied with another soft smile. "Though yes. I would like to have my own children at some point. Of course, I will have to become married and all of that stuff, first." She replied with another soft smile. She had always dreamed about having her our family one day. Unfortunately, she couldn't see her dream turning into a reality anytime too soon. Heck, she wasn't even dating anyone right now and majority of her time is spent working long hours in the infirmary. Still, those things don't stop her from dreaming. "Have you ever thought about having kids yourself? I'm sure you would make great father someday. I've noticed some of the bonds you've created with a couple of the students here." She stated with a smile.

She nodded her head after noticing that Seth had followed her next order. She knew that her friend was still a bit hesitant about taking his shirt off in front of other people. "Thanks." She spoke in her calm voice, letting her friend know that she genuinely appreciated him following her orders instead of running away from his fear. "I"m going to check your breath before glancing down at the scar of yours." She informed him as she took the stethoscope and placed it against his bare chest. "Deep breaths. In and out." She instructed him as her piercing eyes started into his eyes for a few seconds as she waited for him to inhale and exhale.

[Seth Silvester]

Special friend was code for girlfriend. Significant other. Partner. Lover. No matter the term, Seth had no other person who went by the title. He had before, who hadn’t at his age, but not for a few years at this point. Had he thought about Thea in this way? Of course. Thea had a way of captivating those around her, especially men, and while Seth had notice her beauty right away, it was the years of being friends that really made Seth care for her. But those feelings were his own problems and not Thea’s. And given all his baggage Seth doubted she’d be taken by him. Still, she was one of the closest and oldest friends he had at the Academy and the Warden wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize that. Perhaps if he noticed the blush on Thea’s cheeks he would have commented on it, but her hair made a fine cover and the man said nothing.

“How about next week then,” he suggested, before listening to her answer about children and marriage. “And you would make a wonderful mother yourself, Thea. With your caring heart and passion any child would be lucky to have you.” He smiled briefly. “Likewise, I would enjoy the companionship of marriage and a family, but the situation has never presented itself,” he shrugged, “And thank you. It’s nice to know someone appreciates my time with the students because it’s not always the students telling me that.”

Yet that was it for the pleasant conversation.

Once that faded away, it left Seth sitting on a table, undressed, exposed, and very uncomfortable. He didn’t want to look at Thea so he focused on Sonnet, appreciating his Milotic’s abilities as much as his friend’s calming voice. The metal of the stethoscope made Seth flinch as it brushed up against his bare skin. For a man used to icy temperatures of the Wave dorms, that touch was even cold for him.

His breaths were steady if shaky and after taking them he finally managed to meet Thea’s blue orbs. He moved his hands away from his body, giving the nurse full few of the scar. “All should be in order,” Seth spoke as if this was about a business agreement rather than his health.

[Althea Castellanos]

"Hmm. Next week sounds good." She replied with a warm smile. She tried her best not to show too much excitement. It wasn't like he had asked her out on a date or something, right? Just two friends going out to enjoy a picnic together. "Aww, you're so sweet Seth." She smiled a little more about his kind remark about her making a wonderful mother one day. She couldn't help, but to blush a bit. This time, her long, flowing hair wasn't covering up those rosy-pink cheeks of hers. "I guess we're both just a pair of hopeless romantics at this point, huh?" She giggled, lightening the mood between the two of them a little more. 

She turned her attention away from their conversation for a few seconds in order to focus on his breathing. A soft smile curved against her lips as she nodded her head and removed the cold piece of metal away from his bare chest. "Everything sounds pretty good here. Now, we'll have a look at that scar of yours." She informed him as she passed her previous tool back over to her assistant. She lowered her body down towards the lower part of Seth's scar. Her deep azure eyes studying the long scar quite carefully for a few minutes. She gently reached out to rub her dainty fingertips against his stomach a couple of times to get a good feel of the scar. "Hmm, it's still healing. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be healing as fast as I would like for it to be healing." She admitted before pulling her fingers away from his stomach. "We're going to keep monitoring it for a little while longer. If it continues to heal slowly then we may consider setting up an appointment for you to speak with the doctor." She stated with a half smile. 

"This pretty much sums up your check up for today. I'm going to refill your medication for you, but remember what we talked about earlier." She spoke referencing their previous conversation about him trying other options to help him deal with his pain instead of heavily depending on his current medication. "Is there anything else that I can do for you today?" She asked as she walked towards the spot she had placed the pill container. 

[Seth Silvester]

She said yes? Seth glanced up, his eyes free of the glasses he normally wore. Anything beyond Thea and Florence was blurry to him, but he could see those to without too much trouble. Eventually he would start to strain his eyes, causing a headache, and need the very medicine Thea warns him not to abuse. For now, though, everything was alright. Better than alright, actually, given that Thea just agreed to going out for a picnic in the Gardens. Despite the circumstances, Seth was feeling a little proud of himself.

Astute as he was, Seth picked up on the color flooding the nurse’s face. Between that and her next comment, hope flickered in the man’s heart. Of course there was the chance he was completely misinterpreting this exchange, that wasn’t to be ruled out completely. But it did boost his confidence. “Hopelessly hopeless,” he agreed, smiling at the woman before him.

Suddenly Seth was quite aware of the lack of clothing he had (or, in this situation, didn’t have). He coughed nervously as Thea began her examination on his wound as he kept his eyes focuses on her instead of looking down to see what she saw. Seth lived with that scar every moment of his life. He didn’t need to see it again to know the prognoses.

Thea's fingers felt warmer than the stethoscope's touch. “How many years will it need?” He questioned bitterly, mumbling mostly as it was more directed to himself than Thea. Pinching the bridge of his nose, Seth sighed and nodded his head. “Alright, that’s fine. Thanks Thea.” Seth felt a bit lost on the whole matter, not knowing enough about medicine to predict what seeing a doctor could mean. Ointment? Surgery? A bandage? Some kind of pokemon help? The possibilities were endless.

As Thea concluded their meeting, Seth reached for his shirt, quickly covering up his body. “I’ll remember,” Seth replied, replacing his glasses as he looked at Thea. Her last question hung in the air and, given their earlier conversation, Seth felt that he could try something. Something that he hadn’t with Thea, not in this kind of way or tone.

“Dinner tonight.”

[Althea Castellanos]

Thea bit down on her bottom lip for a few seconds before giving her dear friend a faint smile. "Unfortunately, I do not not have the answer to that question right now." She admitted, being completely honest with him. "Don't allow the thought of it to stress you out though. Remember, no matter what I'm always be right here with you." She smiled, her gently voice aiming to calm him down a bit. "And you're welcome." She added as she started refilling his prescription. 

Once she finished refilling the pill container, she slowly started making her way back over towards him."I'm serious. I do not want to see you coming back here in a couple of weeks asking for another refill." She stated in a serious tone, still a soft smile curved against her lips. "Sonnet, I will be counting on you to keep an eye on him." She added, glancing over at the Milotic. "Of course, if you really do start to feel bad and the pain starts to become a little to unbearable then just give me a call and I'll come over to check on you." She spoke, gently placing her dainty fingers against the frames of his glasses and straightening them against his face. "There. That's much better." She smiled at him before pulling her hands away and placing them along her side. 

"Oh dinner?" She asked out a loud, a little surprised by the answer. "Dinner would be lovely." She added with another sweet smile. Luckily, her pale cheeks didn't glow this time around. Still, that didn't mean that she wasn't excited about the invitation. "I'll meet you at your place around dinner time." She added, the smile curved against her lips only growing even more. 

[Seth Silvester]

He paused for a moment, looking at Thea steadily before sighing and returning a faint smile of his own, though his was more forced than the nurse’s. “I know,” he said plainly before giving a slightly more theatrical sigh. “And I know. Relax, de-stress, don’t work too hard, maybe take a vacation day,” he listed, playfully harping on Thea’s instructions. He wasn’t looking to diminish the value behind these suggestions, but he did want shift the tone of their meeting now that the appointment was nearing an end. However, when Thea began refilling his medicine that playfulness faded away. Seth took his budding semi-addiction seriously, as seriously as his nurse, and he didn’t want to portray otherwise. This appointment was turning into quite the rollercoaster ride.

“You won’t see me here for a few weeks,” Seth promised, a part of him wondering if he could keep that vow. He had to. And not just for his sake, but for his pokemon, his wards, his family, for- “She will,” the Wave Warden added, cutting off his own train of thought to nod at Sonnet. The Milotic gave a low bellow as if to confirm the deal before sliding her long body over to Seth and Thea. If there was one pokemon who would keep Seth in line with this medication it would be Sonnet.

Seth froze as Thea leaned over to adjust his glasses. It took a large portion of his will power and a mantra of ‘she’s a friend, she’s a friend’ not to let his gaze travel to the front of Thea’s nurse uniform. Once again Seth felt his ears burn red as he decided to look into Thea’s eyes instead, diving deep into them as if they were the oceans themselves. It was a rather intimate moment for Seth, but he was able to control himself as Thea pulled back. His feelings would not be her problem nor did he want to make her uncomfortable. “Thank you,” he smiled, clearing his throat before Sonnet nudged his leg. “Yes, much better, thank you.”

Her answer to dinner felt even more rewarding as Seth stood up from the table, looking down at the woman. “Wonderful,” he smiled openly, reaching over to place a steadying hand on Sonnet. “I’ll see you then, Thea.”