6 - [Action]

[winds_voice]

[So with all the cold and snow that's been blowing around Luceti lately, Eley's finding that his human body isn't quite as strong as he thought it would be. Living a nomadic existence, he's been wandering the forest and the village, staying out in the cold for days (and nights) at a time, but now it seems to be taking its toll...

Anyone passing by the outskirts of the village might find the Spirit just sitting in the snow, all bundled up in all the winter clothes he'd been given for Christmas, shivering and sneezing and looking rather sorry for himself. Anyone with the power to will sense that he's pretty sick. He seems to have no energy to move and is trying to conserve it by staying in one place.

If he doesn't want the sickness to get worse though, he'd better muster up the energy to go and find some shelter somewhere!]

Comments

[winds_voice]

...

[Good question. Judging by the confused look on his face and the pause before he speaks, Eley doesn't seem too sure how to answer that.]

Perhaps? What exactly is a... medical tricorder? What would it involve?

[spohkh]

It is a handheld device used to scan an individual and take readings of inconsistencies such as ailments.

[Spock stands...waiting for Eley's word..]

[winds_voice]

...

[The Spirit still seems a little unsure about this...]

Will it hurt me?

[spohkh]

Negative... it will not even touch you.

[winds_voice]

[Eley nods at that. He's still not entirely sure what to expect - technology didn't move very far in Aether when compared to other worlds - but if it wouldn't have any ill-effects he couldn't see a problem with it.]

Then you may use it whenever you are ready...

[spohkh]

Very well.

[Spock gingerly moves away and ventures to his room....

He comes back with a small hand-held device to which he presses a couple of buttons... and addresses it.]

Physiological scan... oral report. [The device beeps, and Spock holds it up towards Eley's form...
It makes an interesting buzzing sound....then a female, mechanical voice comes from the device...]

Dehydration...

Malnourished...

Vitamin Deficiency...

Sleep Deprivation...

Rhinosinusitis and acute coryza...

Pyrexia of hundred and two degrees Celsius...

Cephalalgia...

[The list goes on for awhile, but Spock's device was programmed to be thorough... so he shuts it off eventually.]

You will stay here for at least twenty-four hours... agreed?

[winds_voice]

[Eley watches... and listens with some morbid fascination. He has no idea what most of what the device says actually means and it makes him wonder if his condition is more serious than he first thought.... It does seem like a long list after all! Not only that but the Spirit seems rather interested in the idea that it can be spoken to in the first place.]

If... that is your suggestion, I will stay. Should I be concerned?

[spohkh]

Negative... this list is a compilation of conditions that is condusive to someone who has not... been taking adequate care of themselves. I will ensure that you get the proper hydration, and rest that a human needs to live.

[Spock sets the device down, and goes to the fridge to pour Eley a glass of orange juice.... and slides it on the counter towards him.]

[winds_voice]

[It made sense, considering he hadn't been thinking much like a human. Of course he would have neglected himself. He gives a nod of understanding as he takes the glass offered to him and takes a sip of the orange juice. Something else he hadn't tried before... though it wasn't far different to the beverage he'd sampled around Christmas.

He's quiet for some time before posing perhaps a slightly odd question.]

Why are you doing this?

[spohkh]

[Spock raises an eyebrow...]

I am doing this because you were in need... and I consider you a friend. Friends consider each other's well being.

[winds_voice]

[He wasn't really trying to be difficult. He was genuinely interested in the way others seemed to choose their friends... and who they would help. And well, Eley had helped him in the past, so he supposed that must have made a difference.

He nods.]

Perhaps I would consider you a friend as well. You could have... left me in the snow. Especially given your inability to see.

[spohkh]

Even if you were not considered a friend, I would not have left you in the snow.... [Spock stood...]

I do not have the proper medication available to allieviate your pain... however, I have an alternative.

I can initiate a mind meld to take away some of the pain you are experiencing to allow you to better sleep.

[winds_voice]

[Medicine wasn't far advanced in most parts of Aether, and even if it was Eley would have little use for it as a Spirit there. So he wouldn't have minded the lack of an offer at all.

However at the suggestion of an alternative, Eley seems... interested. That is until he hears the name of it. Now he looks slightly uneasy again.]

Mind meld? How does that... work?

[spohkh]

I am a touch telepath, I have the ability to manipulate certain cerebral functions such as pain receptors.
It would merely be a matter of mentally connecting with you on a non-invasive level, thoughts and memories would be left untouched.

However, if the idea is distasteful to you, there is no pressure to do so. [Spock waited patiently, to see what Eley would say...]

[winds_voice]

[Even the description he's given sounds a little... invasive. Spirits weren't used to being touched and since he wasn't supposed to have feelings to begin with, sharing them with another seemed awkward to Eley.

He would like the pain to be gone though. Really, this was partially a test of how much he trusted Spock and his word.]

I... will admit that the idea does lead me to feel rather anxious. However... I would also like to be rid of this pain. Perhaps we could attempt it.

[Just don't be surprised if he feels a little tense right now...]

[spohkh]

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<Spock nods and lifts his hand... but hesitates...]</small>

I... cannot see your face. May I ask that you guide my hand to your head?

[winds_voice]

[He was preparing for whatever was to come when he notices Spock hesitating... Oh, of course!]

...all right.

[He says after a moment, taking the Vulcan's hand and placing it on his forehead.]

Will this do?

[spohkh]

Indeed.

[Spock moves his hand so that his fingers are placed over the psy-points on the side of Eley's face...]

Please, relax.

My mind to your mind.... my thoughts to your thoughts....

[They were plunged into inky darkness.... but it was warm...]

[winds_voice]

[Relaxing wasn't something that Eley was particularly good at. At least not when he was away from home and the soothing tones of the musicians of Agkelos, or the angelic scenery. It was hard to do so when he was feeling so unusually ill as well, but the Spirit knew that if this was going to work properly he'd have to try his best. So he closed his eyes and just tried to let himself go.

He wasn't sure if it would be a pleasant sensation or not, whatever was to come next, but he was surprised to find this strange darkness so... warm. Just that alone helped him to relax further, he was sure it would take the ache out of his muscles as well as stopping him from feeling so tense.]

[spohkh]

[The warm sensation spread through Eley's mind, seeping into his senses and easing away the pain.

this was a shallow meld, thoughts and emotions would not be present... only warmth.]

[winds_voice]

[Honestly if that did start to happen, Eley would likely have been freaked out enough to just... stop the whole thing. As it was, this was actually rather pleasant, and the Spirit began to forget what was even really happening, just enjoying the relief.

Any thoughts he would have would have been in relation to how this is possible, what exactly was occurring in his mind and body, all the questions he could ask. Instead he stayed silent.

Mmm, he didn't often desire sleep but right now it would definitely be good, he thinks.]

[spohkh]

[Spock inhales and draws his hand from Eley...]

I believe you are capable of sleeping now correct?

[winds_voice]

Mmm?

[Oh, right sleep... He takes a moment to open his eyes and get his bearings before realising just what happened.]

Ahh, yes... I believe sleep would be for the best. Are you... all right?

[spohkh]

[Spock regards Eley with a look...or at least would have if he could see properly...]

I am fine, though I thank you for your consideration. Please, make use of the room that has been made up for you at the end of the hall.

I bid you goodnight Mister Eleytheria.