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Post by Admin on Mar 7, 2018 2:35:46 GMT
01-01-2016, 10:08 PM Liz
The nurse's introduction stumble was not lost on Alizabeth. She had grown up noticing things like that when no one else did. She had honed those skills as an adult and was one of the reasons she was in the position she was now with the Senate. She also caught Tal's silent warning and smiled quickly covering for the woman. "He is one of their citizens, yes. I hope that isn't a problem."
The doctor spoke of thinking Tal was a merc or worse. The thought made her smile but she maintained her composure and authoritative stance. Whatever was transpiring was not sitting well with the Mandelorian and that meant it didn't sit well with her.
A thought came to her then and she took a step forward. "I was curious, doctor, would it new detrimental for Mr. Kote to be placed in a chair to go outside to get some fresh air? Perhaps change off position and scenery would be a good thing?"
Perhaps getting him away from the lab coats would ease Tal's nerves. She could almost feel him vibrating thru the metallic limb she grasped. She couldn't really feel any difference in him, except that his stillness was almost as unnatural as the prosthetics.
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Post by Admin on Mar 7, 2018 2:36:16 GMT
01-01-2016, 10:30 PM Tal
"It's not," -The doctor responded. Initially, she had picked up on that these two were close. More close then those who either worked for the New Republic or were citizens. The way she held onto Tal's prosthetic hand said enough to the Kaminoan doctor. Her eyes became more attuned and focused on the two... more so simply because he was mandalorian and somehow connected with the New Republic. She cleared her throat stepping a little closer observing the blond mandalorian over.- "Well considering the fact that Mr. Kote hasn't been able to sit up in bed. I'm going to have to deny that request. Until he is able to move about freely without much restriction; we can't risk having him moved about until progress is made."
And so far there no progress, -Tal thought to himself.- I wouldn't be surprised if I already lost some weight just by laying here.
-Because he hadn't made any progress; Kote only figured that he would never get out of this bed. He had been laying here for three weeks with doctors and nurses checking on him every hour or so. Nothing had come up of the surgery being a success.-
"But that's also my reasoning for being here," -She continued.- "To see if we can get him moving around."
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Post by Admin on Mar 7, 2018 2:36:44 GMT
01-01-2016, 10:38 PM Liz
Liz felt her disappointment, and Tal's as the doctor spoke. By she couldn't think of a reason to argue, either. If Tal couldn't move, forcefully moving him might cause damage.
As the doctor moved closer, though, the woman's hackles raised. Lifting her chin slightly as if prepared to go toe to toe with the professional, she managed a slightly relieved, albeit guarded, smile.
"I'm glad we're here for the same reason." She did relax enough to laugh slightly. "So what is your suggestion, and how can I help?"
It was crystal clear to her more than ever that Liz wasn't leaving. So making herself useful seemed the next logical choice.
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Post by Admin on Mar 7, 2018 2:37:13 GMT
01-02-2016, 12:27 AM Tal
"Actually, it's not what you can do Ms. Alizabeth; but what Tal can do." -The doctor's answer was firm but honest. It seemed like she was talking like a therapist. As if she knew what was going on inside of Tal's head to begin with. Yet, he had enough psychology doctors probing his mind. It had gone back to when he had PTSD.-
But this couldn't be another episode...? Could it.
-Her warm eyes looked at Tal; while at the same time the nurse checked his breathing and heart rate with a stethoscope. When the nurse finished she looked over at the kaminoan doctor and nodded.- "All vitals are normal."
"Good," -The kaminoan responded; her gaze looking over Tal's prosthetic arm.- "Now; this is not a matter of moving your organic body parts Mr. Kote. I'm sure you are doing well with lifting your arm and turning your head. But if you are to stand and walk again you need to lift your prosthetic limbs. It's the only way your body will become stronger."
-Tal's yellow eyes became more firm now. It was true; he could lift his arm, head, and leg.... pretty much everything organic on himself. But now a good thirty percent of his body was now that of cybernetics. He needed to accept the fact that he wasn't going to be flesh and blood anymore. Not with cybernetics holding his body together. Taking a deep breath in and exhaling his eyes now turned over to the kaminoan doctor.- "So what am I to do?"
"Easy!" -The word sounded confusing, but the kaminoan wasn't done yet. Her eyes now on Alizabeth.- "I noticed how you hold his prosthetic hand Ms. Alizabeth. I don't think you've made an attempt to hold his real one, have you?" -She crossed her arms at the question before continuing.- "Now what I would like to do is see with Ms. Alizabeth still holding your hand; if you can get your hand to close around hers. It's now a whole lot of movement to begin with, but if we can accomplish that; then surely we can get you sitting up in bed. So how about it?"
-Tal's eyes glanced over to Liz; knowing that this could help him he was willing to try almost anything.-
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Post by Admin on Mar 7, 2018 2:37:48 GMT
01-02-2016, 12:42 AM Liz
Squeeze her hand...
It seems like such an easy thing but she could see Tal's eyes. His face gave no outward appearance, she knew whatever was going on behind his eyes was troubling him.
She glanced back up at the doctor and gave a sharp, quick nod.
Without another thought, she sat down once more and faced Tal. She ignored everyone else in the room and her eyes searched his a moment before she spoke. "Tal... I have faith in you. You have overcome every obstacle I have ever seen put before you." She smiled then and her face softened. "Remember when I was first assigned to your squad? Or rather you were assigned to me." She laughed remembering the power struggle to see who was going to be in charge.
"You told this frightened young woman she could defeat anything she came across and you would show her how." She didn't realize it, but her eyes filled with tears. "You saved me because you showed me I could do anything. Now please... believe it in yourself. Show me again."
She smiled and was grateful the tears remained at bay and didn't fall. "Squeeze my hand, Tal... curls your fingers. I know you can."
She bit her lip, as she often did, without realizing it. It was an unconscious habit when she was nervous or agitated. Her heart was racing and she was actually half glad he wouldn't feel her pulse thumping in her wrist.
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Post by Admin on Mar 7, 2018 2:38:17 GMT
01-02-2016, 12:58 AM Tal
-There were those prosthetic's that had a sense of touch and then those that didn't. In Tal's case; it was 50/50. One could only go so far in the use of prosthetic limbs. Tal himself, had turned his arm into a weapon of protection. The material made entirely out of mandalorian iron; strong enough to withstand a lightsaber blow and continue to function. It was now a part of him, and this limb a part of him needed to move. To continue protecting and serving.-
-Kote's yellow eyes watched Liz carefully; how her eyes began to form tears. He wasn't a fool to think he could do anything. He was assigned to protect Liz those years ago. Keep her safe while on diplomatic missions. It nearly made his heart skip a beat from those memories. They had met up a few times before their first mission, and Tal had the chance to show her what it truly meant to be a mandalorian. Making it so far as to become the military leader of the New Republic. Yes that was an accomplishment. Something he was very proud of and yet nervous to tell Liz about it. His eyes lowered over to his hand; still laying there. Her hand wrapped around it completely.-
Please move, -The blond thought to himself.- Allow me to protect those who can't protect themselves. Please!
-He exhaled a breath of air and relaxed. The movement of his right arm was there, and he could feel it. His eyes closed for a mere moment, and after about what seemed to be a minute. Which was only 30 seconds. His eyes opened seeing his hand now clasping gently onto Liz's hand. He had done it. Even the doctor smiled at this accomplishment.-
"Well done, Tal." -She finally said; more at ease.-
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Post by Admin on Mar 7, 2018 2:38:47 GMT
01-02-2016, 01:13 AM Liz
Liz laughed and shook her head. "All you had to do was ask me to be here, you know. No need for all the melodramatics." She smiled at him.
She didn't look up at the doctor as she commented. Her eyes were all for him. She knew he hadn't been putting off his recovery because he had been hoping she would show up. Suddenly aware she was staring, she shook herself mentally and looked towards the doctor. "So we know his nerves and muscles are ok. What now?"
Her own voice sounded bizarre to her. Here she was, just some woman Tal had babysat a year ago who had failed in everything she had been set to do. And she somehow thought now she had a place, or a right, to do more than be supportive. She bit her lip and settled a bit more back in the chair with a soft muttered, "Sorry... I won't interrupt."
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Post by Admin on Mar 7, 2018 2:39:16 GMT
01-02-2016, 08:34 PM Tal
-The young mandalorian raised an eyebrow in response to Liz. Only if he thought this over; he would of been sitting up a whole lot sooner. Guess it was a good thing to know that his hand still functioned. However, simply squeezing it was only the tip of the ice berg. Kote needed to sit up and hopefully be able to stand and walk.... if he could that is.- "Hey, with what happened I didn't think you wanted to see me again. But I guess we both learned our lesson from that." -He chuckled; only this time there wasn't any pain.-
-However, in that moment the Kaminoan doctor cleared her throat interrupting the two of them.- "Well if you can hold her hand; then I am sure you can lift it up."
-Of course curling one's fingers didn't require much movement. However, the doctor did have a point. If he could most certainly curl his prosthetic fingers; then he could more then likely lift his arm up and move it around. Not that it would be easy. But at least he could try this and see. All he wanted to do was be able to sit up in bed and maybe.... just maybe stand.-
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Post by Admin on Mar 7, 2018 2:39:45 GMT
01-02-2016, 10:36 PM Liz
Liz listened to the doctor then looked back at Tal like it was just the two of them there. Smiling for him alone, she nodded. "You've got this. Just your wrist first. Curl your fingers again but keep going...I know you can do it. You've done this before. Just look at me."
He'd had a prosthetic arm when she first met him. She had marveled at his abilities with it. He had to not worry about the arm and the back and everything else. Just concentrate on doing what he always did before.
In the back of her mind she contemplated asking him who was his superior and making sure this set back wouldn't adversely affect his career. She didn't say anything out loud, it being no one else's business. But she promised herself to ask him later.
Her eyes watched him as he concentrated. "Don't look at your arm...just look at me and think about your elbow sinking into the bed as your hand lifts mine up."
Even if he didn't do it today at this moment, he had moved his fingers and held her hand. That was more than he had done to this point. It was enough for her.
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Post by Admin on Mar 7, 2018 2:40:19 GMT
01-03-2016, 02:45 AM Tal
-He didn't want it to be a couple more days, weeks, or even months. He wanted to be out of bed now. But of course he wasn't going to force himself. He was going to simply take his time. After all he still had a long road to recovery. Even if this meant after sitting up. The blond swallowed and closed his eyes for a moment. He took a breath in and finally exhaled. Eyes now open; his gaze fell upon Liz's. Focus was now on her with his fingers still curled around her hand. It was there; he could feel it. Not focusing on the movements his limbs made. It would just happen. At least he hopped? Breathing calmly; the bed slightly sunk in from the weight of his mechanical elbow pushing in. And within moments the arm was now in the air. His fingers still clasped around her hand. It was much faster then he had originally anticipated.-
Yes it's moving, -Tal thought. For a moment his eyes fell on his arm then back over to her.- I'm not useless.
-The kaminoan wasn't to surprised at the progression that Tal had experienced. He was just merely lacking the drive to move around. He seemed nervous that the surgery wouldn't of worked, and yet it did. Kote was moving one of the prosthetic limbs that kept him going as a mandalorian for all these years.- "I'm impressed, Mr. Kote. You are progressing well."
"You are right; I wasn't expecting it to move... but it did." -He responded sounding a little exited. His eyes over on Liz now still holding his arm up and still holding onto her hand.-
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Post by Admin on Mar 7, 2018 2:41:13 GMT
01-03-2016, 03:04 AM Liz
The surprise on Tal's face made Alizabeth laugh, something she hadn't done in a while. ""I knew you could."
Without thinking, Liz laid a quick kiss on the knuckles of steel twined with her own fingers. It never occurred to her they were not real or that she shouldn't do it. And if asked, she probably hadn't even realized she had, it had been so automatic.
She watched the doctor and something crossed the kaminoan's face. Liz narrowed her eyebrows slightly and tilted her head, making her almost resemble some odd, curious bird. "But you knew it would happen, too. Didn't you?"
Her heart raced as she fought herself not to ask. She wanted to be right about the answer, but was scared to be right at the same time. This time when she asked again, her voice dropped slightly and trembled. "Didn't you...?" She was gripping Tal's hand so tightly that her own knuckles were slightly pale from the strain.
She couldn't have said why...but something in her was suddenly scared. Scared that her carefully crafted facade of friendship had been seen thru. That by demanding an answer, she had just been laid bare in the open.
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Post by Admin on Mar 7, 2018 2:41:44 GMT
01-03-2016, 03:14 AM Tal
"Yes," -The kaminoan responded calmly.- "I knew he could do it, because mandalorians have that drive."
-Tal's eyes wandered over to Liz; her hand had tightened on his prosthetic. The white's of her knuckles showing. It had the young mandalorian wondering himself. What's wrong? Bending his other elbow into his bed; the blond used his organic hand to push himself slowly into a sitting position. He struggled for a moment but was finally able to sit up so he could comfort Liz. His warm yellow eyes on her; while his other hand lifted from his bed over to her. At that time the Kaminoan doctor insisted that he shouldn't sit up in bed, but he simply ignored her and was a little more focused on Liz now.-
"You worry to much about me don't you Liz?" -Tal questioned; his voice still calm, but also holding that mandalorian ascent he was most famous for.-
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Post by Admin on Mar 7, 2018 2:42:15 GMT
01-03-2016, 03:39 AM Liz
She almost relaxed as the doctor mentioned Mandelorian drive. That had to be it. Tal was always stubborn, in private he may not have pushed himself. But with an audience, he would never have allowed them to see him fail or be weak.
But Tal had seen. He had seen her weakness. He was struggling to sit up. As the doctor protested, so did she. Worry for him replaced fear of being found out. "Tal...Don't! You'll hurt yourself."
She bit her lip as he reached over to capture her hand between both of his. When she tried to pull away, both his hands closed to keep her from fleeing. Not crushing, just enough to know she wasn't getting off by running.
"I... I've always worried about you." Hey thumb rubbed absently back and forth over the smooth steel. But whether to try and comfort him or herself, she wasn't sure. She looked away from his face a moment and finished her thought. "I mean... You took care of me and looked after my safety on Drunkenwell. And I'm guessing it probably took a direct order and a gut punch from Adam to keep you from coming after me when I was taken."
She often wondered which of the two men had been forced to hold the other back from tearing the planet apart to find her.
"Then that day, seeing you again..." She looked up and suddenly remembered they weren't alone. Clenching her jaw in resolution, she squared her shoulders and lifted her chin forcing a smile. "So of course I worry about you."
She suddenly wished she had Jedi mind powers so she could tell him she cared but didn't want to talk about it with others around. And she knew his career wouldn't have a place for her, anyway. But right now she just wanted to protect him...from everything she could.
Even herself if she had to.
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Post by Admin on Mar 7, 2018 2:43:02 GMT
01-03-2016, 11:10 PM Tal
"You'd win that bet," -He responded. Not only was the mission important -- at that time -- but so was protecting Liz. She was after all a person of great importance. She really needed to focus on her career more in the New Republic; rather then worrying about this pathetic for an excuse blond mandalorian. Well right now he was sitting up in bed, and it took a lot in him to not tell the kaminoan doctor off. Focus was elsewhere, and Tal wanted to his best to comfort Liz.- "Of course you know I'll always be there to keep you safe; even if my condition isn't 100%."
"Mr. Kote; how are you feeling?" -Questioned the doctor. She had nearly rushed over to his side. Her slender hand upon his bare back. A portion of his upper body had bandages on it; while from the top of his right shoulder down to his left side showed a large scar that appeared to happen years ago. Maybe ten or twelve. It did seem a little hard to distinguish what exactly happened to him. But she did know that beneath the wrapped bandages was a surgery scar. She reached over placing the "cold" part of a stethoscope on his back to check his breathing. His health was just to important.- "Mr. Kote plea...." -She was cut off.-
"Don't worry doc; I am fine." -Tal responded straightening himself up only slightly.- "And please stop calling me 'Mr. Kote'; you make me think about my dad. Just call me Tal okay."
-The kaminoan took a gradual step back.-
"Are you sure, M.... Tal?"
-Yellow eyes remained firm on the kaminoan doctor, but there was a response in a 'yes' nod. As it seemed like he struggled to sit up in bed; Tal was more the tempted to pull the covers from him and try to stand up. However, that one 'device' that helped him with restroom usage was still attached. It seemed a little out there to show a lady what they had hooked him up to. But what else... he was a stubborn mandalorian as many before had seen.-
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Post by Admin on Mar 7, 2018 2:43:34 GMT
01-04-2016, 12:08 AM Liz
Liz smiled, almost laughing, as she realized he was admitting it had cost him dearly not to search for her.
She didn't realize till the doctor was on the other side of the bed, that she had risen up and was standing over Tal with her free hand on his chest. "Easy... you did a lot already. If the doctor wants to check you, please, Tal... let her." Her plea was subtle. She wouldn't order him to submit, knowing how uncomfortable he was already. She removed her hand and stood up straighter, though her hand caught between his remained. She didn't want to be completely parted from him. Not yet, anyway... though she couldn't have said why.
Smiling again, she settled back down in the chair and nodded towards the kaminoan. "Let her check you out. I will not leave unless you ask me to. I promise." She winked teasing. "And then only after a fight."
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