Afterparty - Botanica's Physical

[First Aid]

It takes a lot of self-monitoring for First Aid to refrain from being pushy.

He may be failing at that this morning, considering that the party went late and Botanica might still be resting, and he did promise not to be obnoxious – but the sun’s been up (or coming up, it totally counts) for three whole hours and he’s in a fantastic mood and as excited as Christmas or possibly Purim, so –

//Botanica? Good morning! I hope I’m not waking you?// Radios take so much of the work out of tracking people down. They’re like phones. Phones are good too!

Possibly he should have gotten more rest himself. Oh well, too late now.

[Shanodin]

//Not at all. There's a dawn-blooming species I've been examining, so I've been up for a while. Quite fascinating really, it's colours seem to change in conjunction with the sun's position....//

//But surely you didn't call to talk flora. May I assume you're ready for that my exam?//

Of course, she's already assuming, since as soon as First Aid pinged her, Botanica started to head toward the medbay. It'll take a bit, since she was down at her little park, but as soon as she gets a confirmation from First Aid, she'll switch to underground travel, which is much, much faster for her.

Not that she's exactly overeager for this discussion/exam. But needs must.

[First Aid]

//Really? That’s interesting. Why does it do that, do you think?// First Aid is interested in just about everything, but his knowledge of botany is limited to its most practical applications. //But you’re right, I couldn’t hold up my end of the conversation at all. I would like to take care of that physical if you’ve got a moment.//

//I can come out there if you’d like.// The medbay doesn’t have any diagnostic equipment that isn’t portable – unless you’re counting tables as diagnostic equipment, and that’s a stretch.

[Shanodin]

//Hmm, I'd hate to be trouble. But if you're willing...I'd be more comfortable outside.//

Botanica pauses in stride, considering. Ah yes, that might do.

//There's a picnic area at <insert coordinates sin the park>. Care to meet me there?//

[First Aid]

//It’s no trouble at all. I’ll be glad to meet you there!// And off he goes, being careful not to make a lot of clatter on his way out despite how fun clattering is. Must be considerate of people with hangovers, even if only because Botanica is a lot more interesting than playing Lady With the Lamp to people who’re really too fuzzy to appreciate it.

[Shanodin]

It's the fact that she is so interesting to someone like First Aid that worries Botancia. But she can't contest the necessity of letting him examine her. Her ability to heal herself is pretty impressive when compared to traditional organics, but that does not mean she will not some day find herself in need of medical attention.

She arrives at the picnic area a bit before First Aid and immediately moves to check on one of the trees. It looks a lot like a weeping willow, except it's foliage is brightly coloured, oranges, reds, purples, colours usually associated with fall. But it isn't fall.

[First Aid]

Botanica is hardly interesting purely for her structure! She’s also interesting because she is an (almost certainly – nearly everyone is) older, more experienced, gracious scientist who is intensely private. Who, all right, has a fascinating set of systems that happen to superficially resemble very advanced versions of work he’s been involved in.

First Aid has tensed up and settled back down by the time he gets to the park. Empty cities are stressful! But he can handle it, particularly today.

The park is lovely, and he’s not all that quiet as he pulls up, transforms, and steps off into the grass, heading in Botanica’s direction. “It’s beautiful!” he says, not entirely sure if he means the tree or the park generally. “Be better with kids.”

[Shanodin]

Botanica turns at First Aid's approach. She can't help but wince as he tramples the tender grass. It will recover, but she mentally berates herself for not reminding him to stick to the pebbled walks as best as possible

"Kids?" she asks, "Oh, you mean human children? But...would they not damage the plants?" Her worried tone says clearly that such would not do.

She shakes her head, "At any rate, we've things to accomplish. Would you prefer to start with this mode or my robotic form?" She tilts her head, considering, "The later might make the former make more sense."

[First Aid]

“Probably a little, but no more than the local herbivores.” Plantings like these are bound to get nibbled on, after all!

“Yes, right, of course,” he says, and nods, “My map’s pretty out of date here, so if you think that’d work best, I’m glad to trust your judgement.”

[Shanodin]

The natural damages caused by the wild are not a bother to Botanica; it's damages caused by intruding hands that worry her.

She nods, then transforms, a swift fluid motion ending in a burst of soft light. Once done, First Aid might note that Botanica looks more like a lily flower than a plant. Her gold head rests in the center of a green 'petal,' beneath which is another petal, lilac in color. 'Leaves' form her shoulders, and instead of splitting at the elbow, her hands are split at the wrist, the fingers not quite as delicate. Her torso is in greens and purples, and she has a long elegant 'skirt' in the same scheme instead of her roots. She is almost entirely translucent, and her spark can be seen swirling gently within her chest. Fine slivery lines can be seen beneath her skin, and she is hovering just off the ground.

"I...am afraid most traditional tools won't be usable on me, but perhaps you can get a decent enough diagnostics scan?"

[First Aid]

This is a distinction that wouldn’t make much sense to First Aid – who has just realized that he forgot to clarify that he was thinking more of Gillananian children –

Which clarification dies stillborn as Botanica transforms. He’s aware it’s probably irrational, but having been introduced to what, exactly, sparks are, the clearly visible placement of Botanica’s makes him nervous. (He would never design anyone to have such an obvious laser core, the idea is distressing, even though he’s never been shocked by the highly vulnerable placement of vital human systems.)

“I can’t really do that,” he says, a little ruefully, “I don’t have the capability.” Ratchet always said it would have been a waste of processor space anyway, since at the point where you can’t figure out what’s wrong with your patient by other non-intrusive diagnostic methods, you’re going to have to get intrusive once you do figure it out. “But,” he adds, stepping closer and dropping comfortably down onto his knees, “If I may just have a closer look?” He holds his hand out, palm up, hoping Botanica will offer him hers.

[Shanodin]

Botancia does place her hand in his, though she can quell a faint tremor of nervousness.

"Of course you may. That is the entire point of this meeting, is it not?" Her lips quirk up in a smile, "Would you like me to continue to stand, or sit on one of the table?"

OOC: First Aid has permission to manipulate Botancia as needed for the duration of the physical.

[First Aid]

“You’re right,” First Aid says, “But I thought I’d ask.”

He turns his hand to get a better look at hers – slowly, smoothly, so she can see every movement coming, and with barely any pressure – he notes as many details of structure and form as he can through that slow turn and then says, with mild sheepishness, “Picnic table probably would be easier, wouldn’t it?”

Nervous patients are not good for anyone. He's trying very hard to set her at her ease.

[Shanodin]

"All right then."

Botancia gently pulls her hands free, then floats over to the nearest table. She situates herself so she's sitting in the edge, then holds out her hands again. "Now shall we try this again?"

After a moment she continues, "Please don't hesitate to ask questions. I know I am not what you are used to dealing with." She tilts her head, "You were working with organics in your time though, yes?"

[First Aid]

First Aid gets back to his feet smoothly (he does this getting down and getting back up a lot) and follows her. Taking her hands again he says, “Let’s. Much better.”

“No, you’re not at all – this kind of blending is, well, I was always interested in the thought, but I didn’t figure I’d see it for a long while, if at all,” he says, continuing his careful visual survey of apparent weak points, strong places, and possible problem areas, “It’s a pretty far road from where I was. But yes, I do do a lot of work with human patients and colleagues. It was most of what I did, till fairly recently. What do you know about the base for your alt mode? Sometimes that's a big help in treatment, and I don't recognize the species.”