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Post by stitches on Aug 14, 2012 13:07:50 GMT -5
Stitches had never been the kind of pony to invade the personal lives of others, but living in Canterlot sometimes she couldn’t help but feel a bit… curious. Sure, besides a few close acquaintances including the young couple that owned a bakery just down the street, she was rather alone in Canterlot. She wanted to remain focused on studying to take the army doctor exam yet again this year, but sometimes she was lonely.
Her job was a rather lonely one, despite the reputation she was gaining throughout Equestria. She’s much rather be out on a battlefield, giving first aid to brave ponies that needed her desperately. If she had to guess about 9 out of 10 ponies she ‘helped’ were lying about just how they were injured. Then again, there were the times when a baby or child would be brought in and she would regret nothing about her life.
For just a moment she didn’t regret her little office in an alleyway right off one of the busy streets of Canterlot. Even the crumbling sign that read, ‘Stitches’ Home Healing’ seemed a bit nicer.
Slamming his clipboard back on her desk and trotting over to the door she flipped the sign from CLOSED to OPEN, signaling the start of another day and perhaps a few more dollars. All this business with the growing monster population had made her little shop quite the lively hotspot these days, but sometimes she wished someone would be honest about what has happening out there.
Pushing the thought aside she walked back to her desk and began to pour over a textbook, awaiting whatever problems might stumble through her door.
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Post by Red Charge on Aug 14, 2012 13:16:27 GMT -5
And problems did indeed stumble, or rather walked through. A pony in full armor, a rather unique set of armor, entered infirmary, looking sideways before he did to make sure he wasn't spotted. Every Equestrian knew the stallion in hydraulic armor, Field Marshal Starling. The most famous fighter this side of Equestria, who had only recently gotten back from a year long mission within the Everfree Forest. Removing his helmet to reveal his face, he walked up slowly to Stitches.
"Sorry for bothering you ma'am. But I got in a scrape with old Iron Shoes and I got a nasty bruise. Didn't want the others to know so..." He said, sitting down. Maybe it was the way he casually threw around a name like Iron Shoes, such an intimidating figure and the focus of a lot of terrifying horror tales that made him seem extermely relaxed. Maybe it was the way he spoke of a massive laceration on his side as a mere bruise.
His woodland camo fur was a contrast to his solid steel armor, the ironic thing was that Starling was originally from the Northern Barrens, where there was little green, if at all.
"So what do you think, can you fix me up and keep it hush?" He asked.
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Post by stitches on Aug 14, 2012 14:30:03 GMT -5
“A little bruise? I think that should be no problem.” She observed how the Field Marshal walked, the pony was unconsciously putting less pressure on his entire left side. She hardly believed this was truly a little bruise. “You militia boys are always getting into scuffles, you’d think that you would learn by now.” Stitches sighed, pursing her lips as a small white box made it’s way over onto the operating table and opened, revealing vials of various herbal disinfectant and treatments reserved for flesh wounds.
She recognized Starling, from the homecoming article in the newspaper, and from several photographs she had passed each time she went to the castle to take her medical exam- and other injured soldiers had told her quite a few of the terrifying tales of Iron Shoes. To be honest many of them were pretty ridiculous and she didn’t know exactly what to believe.
Giving a little tsk as she tried to pry the armor back a little bit to get a better look at the cut she sighed, shaking her head. “I’m sorry, dear. You’re going to have to get rid of that piece for a moment, unless you want to risk an infection.”
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Post by Red Charge on Aug 14, 2012 14:37:23 GMT -5
"I suppose there's no real choice." Starling said, removing his barding, revealing a rather large gash slightly above the laceration where he was hit. "Well maybe it's not just a bruise after all." The stallion commented, "I'm sure you'll have no problem fixing me up though, I'm easy to manage. Iron Shoes was a handful for sure, if what Princess Luna said was true and he was the previous Field Marshal, it was certainly obvious what qualifications he had. Every time that pony hoofed the ground there was an earthquake. The sheer physical strength of that pony was enough to break through any wall, Starling supposed. At least he got off cheap, the other two had gotten a serious whooping. Broken legs, having half their faces torn off, oh yes, Starling got off very cheap. Then again, he is the current Field Marshal.
"What do you think doc?" He asked, staying perfectly still as he was inspected.
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Post by stitches on Aug 14, 2012 22:28:10 GMT -5
“Oh really? And I had been completely convinced that you would have sought /my/ help for a mere bruise.” She feigned surprise, making sure to make a big show of looking so before pulling a few more things off her desk, namely a rather large needle which she proceeded to fill with a bitter smelling blue liquid.
“Don’t give me that look, this is just a minor precaution. With a wound this size the abnormal blood flow could possibly cause a thrombus to form- a blood clot. Now, these chances are slim, but this is just to be safe. It’ll just be a little pinch…”
Yes, a little pinch from a giant mutant wasp.
“There, all done. Now you’re going to need a few thin stitches if you want this to heal as quick as possible. I can give you a minor anesthetic if you wish.” She dipped a medical sponge into a container of clean water, wiping away some of the dried blood from around the wound that may become problematic if not dealt with.
“I’ll add that more than one of you brave soldiers have been brought to tears in my office, so keep that in mind when you make your decision.”
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Post by Red Charge on Aug 15, 2012 8:03:41 GMT -5
"Yes, I can imagine those spoiled Royal Guards bawling their eyes out at the tiniest sting, but I'm Army, so go ahead. No need for anesthesia either, I don't want to be numb half of the day." The wounded stallion said, hardly seeming intimidated. Heck, it almost seemed like he didn't even feel any pain from the wound.
Starling let out a very loud yawn, "I need to remember to sleep more." He commented matter of factly, "So what's even going on in Canterlot right now with all of the Ponyville refugees going around?" He asked. Admittedly, he liked Ponyville, it was the last village he passed through before he entered Everfree and the first village he came to when he left. He was no stranger to the price of war, but he still felt sorry for them. They always seemed like peaceful folk.
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Post by stitches on Aug 15, 2012 12:03:59 GMT -5
“I wouldn’t say you’re wrong, Field Marshal. Just that my methods are not catered to ponies who want a painless procedure. With my skills I promise the most precise and effective treatments, without the babying that they give you in the hospital.” Talking did seem like an effective way to pass the time as she worked to be honest, so she decided that instead of her usual anesthetics she would provide meaningless banter. Whatever helped the client, she supposed.
Giving a sigh at the change in topic she pursed her lips, thinking of how best to reply while beginning to stitch the wound shut. “Ponyville has never been the small town I was led to believe growing up. There are many many ponies in the city, thinking here would be more forgiving than anywhere else.” Stitches continued her work in silence. “Never before have I seen such poverty, or such sadness. I try my best to be as charitable as can be… but I’m running myself bankrupt trying. Building accommodations for them will take time and effort, and sadly the majority of Canterlot isn’t as… generous as myself.”
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Post by Red Charge on Aug 15, 2012 12:55:29 GMT -5
"Don't worry, I'll throw you a silence fee. I have to say the hazard pay for being in the Everfree for over a year accumulated to a pretty modest sum. I don't use money, to be honest. I'll be sure to send some your way." He smiled sincerely at her. It was true, what use did he have for money? He could sleep in any military base, eat army food for free and pretty much had all his needs fulfilled. Of course he wouldn't admit it, but he was probably richer than most of Canterlot even before he went to the Everfree, let alone after. He could probably give Lady Rainlock a run for her money.
"Generosity must be repaid." He summarized, "Ever thought of taking up a military position? Maybe joining some expeditions? A doctor is always useful, even if they practice traditional rather than magical healing." The stallion did not flinch or wince at anything the mare did to him. In fact, he didn't seem to be showing any sign at all he had a wound on his side being stitched together. "I think I'm used to pain, or I just don't feel it as strongly anymore." He commented, looking down at the wound, "The body reacts, but ... it doesn't bother me."
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