Private Of Flowers & Thorns

[Oleander]

//: Riven //:
//: Attire //:

Life had been quiet, for the most part. Oleander had managed to weasel her way out of the kidnapping of the Republic Chancellor. Mercy had to be insane, thinking she'd indulge in that kind of chaos. Oleander rolled her eyes as she hunched over one of the plants she had been working on. Her goal was to produce something that enhanced strength naturally, without a drawback — or a terrible aftertaste.

But the plants she was splicing together didn't want to cooperate.

Pushing her silver glasses up her nose, she grimaced. She hated perspiring while she worked. Fond as she was of her genetic makeup, she didn't want it interfering with something superior. Either way, it was time to stop.

"I know, I know, my four o'clock is supposed to be showing up soon," she muttered to herself — and to Pentunia, the vine twitching overhead as if it were reminding her.

Tossing her glasses onto the work desk, she dug out the contact lenses she despised. While the glasses were ideal, they fogged up; contacts were the only way to work closely without her vision blurring.

Blinking through the usual tears, she looked around the chaotic backroom — the mess she called a lab. Mercy had been generous, giving her a building like this one. It was quiet, with several rooms she'd already turned into small greenhouses. Oleander still preferred Hapes, but with the brute who had led the charge that burned it down, this would have to do.

"I know!" she suddenly shouted, shaking her hands as the frustration of failure boiled over.

She wouldn't take it out on her patient. The clinic was how she made most of her credits anyway. Slipping into a clean coat — she'd gotten a nasty review about dirt on one during an exam — Oleander paused at her mirror and practiced a few smiles. Another complaint.

Finally choosing one that was kind and welcoming, she moved into the lobby: a few chairs and an awkwardly placed desk.

"Uh, Riven?" Oleander called out, wrinkling her nose at the lack of a last name. Interesting, but not unusual. As she pulled back, strands of red hair fell into her face. She blew them aside absentmindedly while reading the rest of the file.

Not waiting to see who the patient was, she turned on her heel and entered the exam room.

It was cluttered but still carried an air of cleanliness. The exam chair was bare, only covered with paper, beside a sink and the usual instruments. Dim lighting softened the room as she skimmed through the paperwork that had been filled out.

Sitting on the stool, her practiced smile fixed in place, she waited.

The moment she heard shuffling footsteps draw close, Oleander spoke: "What's wrong with you?"

 

[Riven]

Tags - Oleander

Riven sat and waited. Eye check ups... She hated them, but in her profession she really couldn't afford to ignore the inherent issues her kind faced when it came to sight. Her eyes were particularly sensitive to light, both real and artificial, and prolonged exposure had a tendency to make them reddened and dry, it was an awful sensation but it also impacted her vision as well. As a result it was often that she had to try and find some, hopefully, cheap places to set up regular check-ups. What was a sniper without her impeccable sight after all?

She was garbed casually, wearing a black turtle-neck sweater and form-fitting pants as her long while hair was left to fall freely. Her reddened gaze was locked down towards her lap where both her hands were held together, fidgeting and squirming in a nervous manner. She didn't even have her faithful little spotter droid with her, not after the last doctor she met took such issue with its presence.

A hand brushed through long silver hair as she let out a shuddering breath and she felt the need to calm her nerves. As she reached a hand into a pocket she heard her named called out and she froze for just a moment. Her vice would have to wait just a little longer; smoking in places like this rarely went well for her.

With a deep breath to steel herself the short elf stood herself up and started shuffling somewhat reluctantly towards the exam room. She hadn't looked up when her name was called and so she still had no idea what the doctor looked like.

She entered into the exam room as her eyes quickly scanned her new surroundings. It seemed... messy, but somehow organized regardless. A little like she kept her own places of residence. She turned to finally regard Oleander, she was pretty, well kept if she could guess. Riven was short, standing at just 5'2 as she peered at the seated redhead and then she offered her a soft frown before her eyes seemed to shift away from her as her nerves got the better of her once more. She replied in a soft whisper-like tone, "... My eyes..." she muttered in response as her hands moved to shift into her pockets awkwardly, she distracted her sight by looking towards the chair but then felt like she had to do something with her hands to seem less stationary, and so one of those hands came right back out of her pocket to rub at her eye instead, (And then went straight back into her pocket.)

The short elf turned her gaze again, briefly passing over Oleander before it looked away once more. It was like she was trying to be polite by regarding her, but simply couldn't look for too long.

 

[Oleander]

//: Riven //:

Oleander watched. Studied. Concluded.

She made a few mental notes about the woman as she entered the exam room: shy, avoided eye contact, and — of course — her eyes were the issue. That would be a problem. Most exams for eye trouble required the patient to actually look at her.

Her mind worked quickly, sorting through how to get the patient into the exam chair first. That would be step one. But something caught her attention as she looked away briefly.

A small hand — probably grimy from digging in a pocket — moved to wipe at the bad eye. Oleander frowned, fighting the urge to grab the hand. People liked their personal boundaries.

Reaching into her coat, she pulled out a handkerchief. The fabric was silk-like, still faintly warm from her pocket.

"Your hands are filthy. Wipe your eyes with this." She shook the cloth out until it unfolded, then turned away, still watching Riven from the corner of her eye.

"It's microfiber — harder for bacteria to cling to. Better for your eyes, less chance of infection," she added, her tone clinical. "Means you don't have to see me as often, or have my fingers prodding your face too much."

Her sterile smirk shifted into something more genuine as she gave a short snort at her own joke. The elf probably hated these kinds of check-ups.

"On to the chair. Tell me a bit about yourself while you're at it." She jotted another note, then looked up expectantly.

"Go on, chair." A pause, then she nodded toward the sink, remembering the hand issue. "Wash your hands first, then get on the chair. I'll start when you're ready."

She turned, gathering a small light and other tools, rolling her stool back as she dimmed the lights further. The room grew darker, but their faces were still visible.

Oleander waited with an attentive stare, expectant that her instructions would be followed.

 

[Riven]

Tags - Oleander

Riven's reddened gaze shifted towards Oleander's hand as it fished through her pocket to produce the handkerchief. In response the pale elf's hand hesitantly reached towards it as if she was uncertain if she should just take it until it was directly offered to her. She did however pause to glance at her own hands, they didn't look dirty to her, but who was she to second-guess the doctor? She gave a nod, eyes always avoiding direct contact, as she brought the piece of fabric to rub against them. "... Thanks." she muttered softly in response, though it unfortunately seemed like the joke didn't quite land with her, perhaps she thought she was being serious.

Her attention shifted towards the chair and as she took a step towards it and paused, only to be told to wash her hands first. She glanced towards the sink and shuffled her way on over towards it as she promptly washed her hands. It certainly wasn't the most thorough cleaning, but perhaps better than nothing? After very briskly drying them off she turned and made her way back towards the chair. She hopped up onto it and it seemed that she tried to look towards Oleander again, but instead her gaze dipped down from hers, and then swiftly averted to the left as if she was aware of what that might've looked like.

She appeared to chew at the inside of her lip as Oleander asked her about herself and her focus continued to shift around, only ever briefly looking towards the doctor herself. "... I'm Riven." she began before she pouted further, Oleander already knew her name, she called it out earlier. Just another social blunder on a long list of them... "I mean... I like-..." she paused, she shouldn't start with her hobbies, something less personal perhaps. "... I use my sight a lot in my work..." she answered, the chewing of that inner lip only continuing.

Her head glanced from left to right for a moment as her hands couldn't seem to keep themselves still. "... Can I smoke in here?" she asked plainly. This girl was a nervous wreck when it came to social encounters, that much was abundantly clear.

 

[Oleander]

//: Riven //:

Riven's wandering eyes didn't escape her notice. Oleander had been staring at those crimson orbs the moment they met her own, and the longer the girl looked everywhere but at her, the more her smirk deepened.

"Funny," she mused, tilting her head, "eye exams usually require… well, eye contact."

She adjusted the stool higher and leaned in, waiting, but Riven still refused to meet her gaze. Oleander sighed and scribbled a note, biting her tongue. For someone who thrived in chaos, she still expected a little order when she was working.

Then came the question.

"Smoke?" Oleander repeated, blinking once before her brows climbed. "In here?"

Her eyes flicked around the room. "We're not exactly swimming in oxygen tanks, and nothing's going to ignite — unless you brought something more exciting than a cigarette."

She waved her hand, snapping on latex gloves with a snap that was just a little too sharp. "Fine. Tobacco only. None of the glitterstim-laced trash or deathsticks people like to pretend are recreational."

A dry snort followed. "Tobacco at least smells civilized. I prefer it." She jotted another note.

She glanced up again, tone flat. "Now — full exam today? Since you're already taking up my time, you might as well get your credits' worth. The price doesn't change."

Oleander leaned in close, positioning herself directly in front of Riven, her voice edged with dry amusement.

"Eyes on me, sweetheart. Otherwise, I'll just start charging extra for hide-and-seek."

There was a hint of seriousness in her voice, the doctor was always looking for ways to shave a bit more credits into her pockets. Though, the comment surprised even her; maybe her Vigo was rubbing off on her more than she liked.

 

[Riven]

Tags - Oleander

"Sorry..." muttered Riven in apology at the mention of needing to keep eye contact. When she was given leave to smoke her hand darted into her pocket quickly as she pulled out a small pack of cigarettes. Swiftly did she take one from the box and slip it between her lips before said box was placed back into her pocket and a small lighter came out in its place. After she had lit the cigarette and drawn in her first breath and exhale of smoke she seemed to grow calmer. She at least had the courtesy to blow the smoke away from Oleander.

It was only now that Riven seemed able to look back at Oleander for extended periods of time without immediately diverting her gaze, though that lingering scent of smoke was going to be right in her face now. "Thanks..." she spoke gently as crimson reddened eyes fixated upon the doctor. It was clear that, just as before, the elf wanted to look away but it seemed she at least had a little more control over her quirks now.

Rarely did she take the cigarette out from between her lips as it just sat there, being drawn and exhaled in steady and light breaths. Her eyes did briefly flick towards the snap of gloves before returning to the doctor's gaze. "Full exam...?" asked Riven with a breath of smoke, even her tone seemed a little more confident now. "... I guess it's fine, sure..." she nodded gently before the doctor leaned in close to get a better look at her. Riven gently chewed on the cigarette in her mouth, at least it could be assumed that's what she was doing by the way it was moving. She sat still while she did her best to keep her eyes locked onto Oleander's, she really didn't want to be charged extra, and something about the way she spoke to her seemed to keep her attention.

In general the elf's eyes were reddened, dry, no doubt strained and irritable, all because of her sensitivity to light which the doctor was no doubt going to discover if she needed to shine one into them... "What else does a full exam include...?" she asked cautiously.

 

[Oleander]

//: Riven //:

"That's bad for your teeth," Oleander mumbled carefully as she reached forward to pull up one of Riven's eyelids. For having to use her eyes as much as she did, she didn't tend to open them as wide as she should. Her face was close as she casually took in the smoke from the cigarette. It was pure, and Oleander wondered if the woman had rolled them herself. The tobacco smelled high quality, but the self-proclaimed horticulturist master knew her grown tobacco was better.

It was also spliced with a plant that provided spurts of energy. Though that information could be brought up later, if Riven proved to be a well paying customer.

She brought the light to Riven's first eye, her focus being the one that she rubbed earlier. The light flickered and she noticed how fast the pupil constricted. "Oh?" she mumbled to herself and leaned back. Light sensitivity, she needed to be more careful. She adjusted the light and decided to answer the question from before.

"Full exam means you get the works. Paper gown, I check muscle density, flexibility, mobility." She fiddled with the light, lips parting as she stalled, then muttered, "Uhh…" before remembering. "Heart, lungs, stomach pressure, samples, and a lecture about whatever else you're hiding from me. Price doesn't change, unfortunately."

Scooting back, she didn't wait for a response and once more went back to examining the Elf's eyes. The dimmer light seemed to be better — she wasn't getting the same harsh reaction.

Her red eyes were concerning; they were dry and looked rather painful. Oleander couldn't help but frown as she sighed softly.

"Oh — right." She remembered her manners. "You can call me Oleander, Ander, or Ole. Just not Oli." She jotted notes, then rubbed the back of her neck.

"So I'm sure you realize that your eyes look like shit, they're dry, red, and pretty much a mess. I have some eye drops that should help ease their dryness and help stop any abnormal discharge."

Standing, her oversized lab coat slipping off one shoulder, she rummaged through the cabinet until she found what she needed. She half-handed Riven a paper gown.

"What did you say you did? Oh, and you can keep your undergarments on if you're shy."

 

[Riven]

Tags - Oleander

Riven flinched slightly as Oleander's fingers came towards her face to pry open one of her eyes further, and in response to the deep staring she could only, surprisingly, stare back. She didn't want to frustrate the doctor more than she already had after all, especially when she was breathing smoke on her. When the light came into view and shined brightly the elf flinched with a light sound of discomfort as she tried to close her eye, the pupil constricted very sharply in response. Even after the doctor had taken the light away she closed that eye and rubbed it (with her hand) once more, forgetting to use the handkerchief she was given.

She didn't seem upset about it though, more just... surprised. It was honestly something she should've had the foresight to warn about, but she hadn't. Eyes steadily followed Oleander as she went to adjust her light tool while listening to what a full exam entailed. Truthfully it had been some time since Riven had a proper check-up, so it couldn't hurt to have it done.

"... Sorry." she voiced quietly, "... I should have told you more about my eyes."

When Oleander returned with her light it was much more comfortable with the dimmer source of brightness. No doubt it made the doctor's work just a little harder, but surely it was worth it for the patient's comfort, right? "... Doctor Oleander...? Nurse...?" asked Riven in response, she didn't want to potentially insult her by not using any titles she might have; she already accidentally insulted enough people.

"So I'm sure you realize that your eyes look like shit, they're dry, red, and pretty much a mess. I have some eye drops that should help ease their dryness and help stop any abnormal discharge."

"Eye drops...?" commented Riven, that pout appearing once more. She hated eye drops. "... There's... Nothing else you can do?" she asked in what almost sounded pleading. Eyes followed the doctor as she moved to go and retrieve a paper gown as it was offered to the elf. She accepted it, peering over the garment for a moment before she stood up to start undressing. Despite her meek behavior it didn't seem that she was particularly embarrassed about getting changed into something else in front of someone, even if their back was turned. She did however finally put her cigarette out, flicking it with an impressive amount of accuracy straight into the sink. Its calming effects would last her some time at least, enough for the exam.

As she removed her sweater there was a noticeable bruise upon the front of her right shoulder, and if Oleander didn't notice it now then she sure would later during the exam. She dressed down everything before getting into the paper gown which seemed just a bit too big for her. She sat herself back down on the chair before answering the doctor's further questions. "... I'm a mercenary. Spotter, tracker, hunter..." she spoke, listing her various skills. She had folded her clothes into a neat pile besides the chair.

 

[Oleander]

//: Riven //:

At least her hands were clean this time. Oleander made another mental note about the woman's terrible habits. Maybe they could be broken, but she doubted it. She mused over a couple of bottles, mixing them quickly.

The shuffle of clothes told her the exam would take place — probably for the better, she thought.

"Don't worry about the explanation. When we've dealt with something for so long, we forget." Oleander knew she had done that herself more than once. She could be eccentric, sometimes to the annoyance of others. But she had learned to deal with their comments and keep going. At the end of the day, she was needed for what she could do — and they always came back with credits in hand.

"Just Oleander," she said when asked for her title. She should probably accept doctor — she had the education — but it never felt like it fit. In truth, she was more interested in research and plants than the prestige of her doctorate. The thought amused her, though she kept it to herself.

Turning, she expected Riven would be in her underwear or at least the paper gown. Her timing, however, was impeccable. Luckily for both of them, she didn't see much; her eyes caught mostly on a bruise. It was probably the first time she recognized her patient as somewhat attractive — not that she would ever admit it.

Wrinkling her nose, she shook the small bottle of eye drops.

"I'm assuming someone doesn't like eye drops?" she teased. She stopped shaking it and sighed. "Well, there are a few options." She held up a finger. "One: I give you the drops and you use them weekly, or when you feel like you need them." Another finger. "Two: you come see me weekly and I do it for you, but then you risk being at work when they're needed. I do on-the-go care — but it'll cost you." A third finger. "And three: we scoop your eyes out and replace them with cybernetics. Pricey, and Skeevi's booked months in advance."

Good ol' Skeevi Merrill was the only ripper doc Oleander trusted. They'd switched one of her eyes once, and replaced it perfectly. Skilled enough that even she respected the work.

"So I'm assuming option one or option two sounds better?" Her red eyes narrowed as she nodded toward the bruise.

"While you think about that, lie back. I want to check it — looks nasty." She pocketed the drops and stood, waiting for Riven to recline.

Oleander paused, realizing she'd taken her gloves off after mixing the drops. She hesitated, thought about protocol, then decided to ignore it.

Peeling back the paper garment, she let her fingertips press lightly along the edges of the bruise, eyes flicking between it and Riven's face to catch any reaction of pain.

"Just tell me where it hurts." Her voice lost its clinical edge, softening into something almost concerned.

 

[Riven]

Tags - Oleander

Riven gave a light shake of her head in response to being asked about the eye drops. She knew if Oleander gave them to her she'd never be able to use them, she just found it personally very difficult to just sort of... drip something into her own eye. She also hadn't noticed that the doctor turned a little too quickly when she was switching into the gown, but not that she would have particularly cared.

"... I really don't like them, but... New eyes are expensive, and... I can't do it to myself, the drops..." she answered without directly saying which option was probably best for her. She did however make note of the name that was mentioned, something to look into in the future when she had more credits to her name perhaps...

"While you think about that, lie back. I want to check it — looks nasty."

The elf glanced to her shoulder before she offered a light nod. She shuffled back onto the seat a little more before she reclined down upon it, letting out a gentle sigh as eyes were turned more up towards the ceiling. Oleander came into her view as she started to move aside the gown to get a better look at her bruised shoulder. When gentle fingers started to press at the borders of the bruise Riven winced lightly, but mostly out of anticipation of the pain at first. Oleander would also notice the elf was entirely avoiding her gaze again as she tried to distract herself with other things she could see in the room now that she didn't need to stare at her.

The further over the bruise the fingers moved the more of a reaction the pale woman gave, it was a tender and sore bruise. Riven took a moment to explain after a brief hiss of light discomfort. "... I have a big rifle... It wasn't anchored properly, recoil smashed into my shoulder harder than it should have..." she spoke as her eyes started to wander again. They only briefly glanced at the doctor when she answered before they swiftly tried to look literally anywhere else.

Oleander would have a good sense of Riven's build as she examined her more closely now. She was athletic and slim, but her height made her seem just a little wider at the hips and thighs as a result.

 

[Oleander]

//: Riven //:

The doctor watched and listened. So this was a weapon bruise. Her next question stayed unspoken. She'd worked with other mercenaries; their armor usually covered for injuries like this. Peculiar — but there had to be a reason Riven didn't.

Seeing where the bruise darkened, her touch lightened. She massaged it carefully to get the pooled blood moving again. It would help the healing process and keep the joint from stiffening. If Riven's work was as dangerous as it seemed, the last thing she needed was a locked joint that could get her killed.

The thought made Oleander frown slightly.

"I see. Well, I'm going to work some of the blood down, but it's something you'll need to do yourself when you have downtime." A hint of concern slipped into her words. "If you don't, the joint can lock up — and then you're in trouble, hmm?"

Maybe she should have let more of that concern show.

After a few minutes of her ministrations, the edge of the bruise was already looking better. Catching her patient's gaze, Oleander smiled. "Maybe if you're good, I'll massage this out again when you come by next week for your eyedrop application."

She moved away, letting Riven's eyes wander again, and focused back on the exam. "I'm going to press down on your stomach — check if anything is going on, any obstructions."

Though she should have put on gloves, she didn't. Instead, she let the warmth of her hand filter through the paper gown as she pressed gently along Riven's upper stomach, her sides, and then around her pelvis.

"Anything hurt? Sore?" Oleander asked, her touch just as careful as when she'd worked on the bruise. From what she could tell, Riven seemed in good health — fit, strong enough for the work she did. Still, she waited to hear if the woman complained about anything.

Her eyes did wander slightly, taking in the woman's anatomy and filing away quiet assumptions of her own. Thankfully, the room was dim — and Riven preferred looking anywhere but the doctor's face.

 

[Riven]

Tags - Oleander

Another few winces of light discomfort flashed over the short elf's pale face as Oleander began to massage the bruise delicately. Riven was no stranger to patching herself up, but she didn't know about this method of treating bruises. Her crimson eyes glanced towards the site of bruising as she watched the doctor treating it. Naturally there were still a few responses of pain no matter how gentle it was done, but it wasn't anything she couldn't deal with.

As Oleander explained the treatment to her the elf's gaze shifted back up towards the ceiling, eventually offering a slight grunt of affirmation in response to the dangers of not treating such a bruise correctly. Though as Oleander continued to massage the injury she might notice that Riven's nervous ticks were lessening, her eyes seeming just a little heavier as they stared at the ceiling. It looked like the treatment, despite the discomfort, was actually relaxing her.

It was only when the doctor spoke again a few minutes later that those eyes opened a little more to glance back towards her (and then away again). "... That seems like a good idea..." she muttered gently in response to the weekly check ups. Maybe the massage could make up for the eye drops...? Her red eyes peered towards the doctor when she moved to get a better look at the rest of the elf's form for the continuing exam. She nodded gently in response to what she said she was going to do next and turned her gaze back towards the ceiling with a steady and soft sigh.

The first press of Oleander's hand against her stomach seemed to get a jolt out of Riven in surprise as the doctor felt her tense up briefly, as if she somehow wasn't expecting the pressure, but after that initial touch she calmed again. Now and then the doctor would push down on a spot that made the elf squirm, not so much out of pain or discomfort this time, but simply because certain parts of her felt more ticklish to the touch and pressure than others.

"Anything hurt? Sore?"

To the question Riven gave a light shake of her head. "... No, just... It feels sudden, sometimes..." she answered in her soft and gentle tone. The elf seemed in good condition as far as this next part of the exam was proceeding, nothing out of the ordinary or to make note of. As ever her eyes were on anything but Oleander's so the doctor's professional gaze could wonder wherever it pleased free of potential judgement.

"... You've been doing this long, Oleander...?" came perhaps the first question from Riven, having worked up the courage to attempt some level of small-talk finally.

 

[Oleander]

//: Riven //:

Oleander found Riven interesting. Little things curbed her nervous habits, including the cigarette, but also the light massage. A passing thought, she wondered if Riven's job was overly stressful. When she actually put some thought behind it, she was probably right. It wasn't often she talked to her patients; most of the time, they just grunted and then dropped credits into her hand.

Oftentimes, Oleander preferred that, but she was enjoying the little conversation she was having with Riven.

She finished pressing her stomach and moved to write a few things down.

The Hapan woman stopped, though, and looked towards the Elf with concern. "Sudden?" The reaction wasn't something she was used to when it came to stomach palpitations. She moved back towards the woman and lifted the corner of her paper gown. Her fingers pressed and moved along her pelvis, around her stomach, once more. Thankfully, the Hapan woman kept her hands warm; cold hands were never fun to deal with, especially when skin-to-skin contact was involved.

Oleander, despite trying to keep in mind that her patient was a patient and not someone to think about in such a way, her face flushed slightly.

Unlike several patients, minus some of the more forward individuals, people usually kept their undergarments on. Riven didn't have an appointment for that kind of appointment, so there was no need to remove things.

But as she had reached under, fingertips brushed gently at the curve of her hip, and the usual fabric band was missing.

Still, she continued. "Could you explain what you mean by sudden?" The concern was evident in her voice as she decided to not try and look Riven in the eye.

Before explaining, there was a quick question. Oleander blinked a few times and shook her head.

"I was mostly an alchemist on Hapes. Coming to Nar Shaddaa, it's allowed me to broaden my practice." Her hands moved up along Riven's right side, checking near her lower ribs to make sure nothing there was accidentally broken and was playing a part in this 'sudden' feeling.

"I am licensed if that's what you're questioning." Oleander chuckled, trying to keep the mood light.

"And you? Your line of work — have you been doing it long?"

 

[Riven]

Tags - Oleander

"Sudden?"

Riven blinked at the response as Oleander returned to her examination. The Elf felt her warm hands sleep beneath the paper gown for a more thorough examination. She pondered if she had said something out of the ordinary and prompted this sudden re-examination, and as Oleander's hands pressed firmly, now and then the Elf would squirm in brief surprise. She was very much just ticklish in some areas.

She never spoke up though as the doctor continued her examination, not until she was asked directly to explain what she meant. Crimson eyes flitted about somewhat nervously as she answered; "... Well... It tickles sometimes..." she clarified as she then felt those hands moving up to check her lower ribs. She didn't seem as squirmy around that area thankfully.

A light nod was given in response to the answer of how long the redhead had been practicing her trade. "... Alchemy...?" pondered Riven aloud for a moment as her sight returned to the ceiling. "...I wasn't concerned about... legitimacy, don't worry..." she added.

Then the question about work was flipped on her, and again she offered a nod at first in response. "... Mhm... A while now, I guess... Pretty used to it..." she answered. She then breathed in another steady sigh, and for a moment she was starting to look relaxed again as Oleander continued.

The elf's lower ribs at least seemed more than fine, it really was just that she was a little squirmy when someone was pressing down on her like the doctor was earlier.

 

[Oleander]

//: Riven //:

Oleander sighed softly in relief. It tickled. She smiled faintly and chuckled at the response. It was a new one, and little things like that often made the doctor smile. People responded so uniquely to things; it was both a blessing and a curse. It was why she preferred plants — for the most part, they were predictable. They were easy to work with, and it always felt as if they understood her better than most.

Her hands slipped from under the paper gown, one patting lightly at the fabric to keep it in place. "That's good. I was a bit worried." She made a few notes on Riven's chart as she listened to the girl explain her job.

"You're rather vague," the doctor pointed out. "If I didn't know better, I'd assume you're a spy of sorts." Oleander teased, though there was a hint of seriousness in her voice as she pried.

She was still a member of Black Sun. Riven was new, and if she was a spy from the Republic or the Alliance, using Oleander as a vouch point or gateway would make sense. But as she examined the woman, her doubts began to settle.

"But yes, alchemy." Oleander slid back over and reached for one of Riven's arms, her fingers gliding gently down her forearm to her wrist. The doctor applied light pressure and glanced up at the clock, silently counting as she took the Elf's pulse.

"I was a Sith Acolyte when I was younger. Though I couldn't care less about the Force and all the hoopla around the Sith." A pleasant smile spread across her face as she placed Riven's arm back over her stomach. "Alchemy, though — I had a good time with it. It was interesting, and it kept people out of my way."

More notes followed, then she looked up. "Sit up. I want to listen to your heart and breathing." She paused, clearing her throat. "Make sure the back of the gown is open."

She waited, breathing gently on the end of the stethoscope so it wouldn't be cold. A hand rested just below Riven's neck as she placed the device against her back, listening carefully to her breathing and heartbeat.

"You can tell me more about your work, if you want," Oleander said evenly. "I'm curious."

 

[Riven]

Tags - Oleander

"If I didn't know better, I'd assume you're a spy of sorts."

Riven's red gaze looked to Oleander with some concern, "... I'm not..." she affirmed. "... But I guess that's what a spy would say... But, no I... Just work for someone... Deal with her problems... I don't work for any organizations..." she spoke, perhaps her longest string of words yet in a bid to ease suspicions. She didn't seem to catch onto the teasing at all, to her it was quite the accusation. "... I'm not the first 'assassin' you've met in a place like this though, right...?".

It was perhaps a little hard to believe that such a meek and shy person could be any sort of killer, but her body would show the subtle signs of someone trained for combat, the bruises and the light barely noticeable scars here and there. The elf's gaze dipped as she watched the fingers trail down her arm as they moved to find the pulse at her wrist, feeling the pressure placed upon it. Her red eyes peered searchingly for a moment at Oleander while she watched the clock. When no eye contact was being made she could look at her freely after all. Eyes studied in silence as they took her measure, she found her to be rather beautiful with defined features, the shade of her hair especially so as it contrasted against her light tone. Definitely an attractive woman.

Her attention flickered and glanced away when Oleander began to speak more of her history.

"I was a Sith Acolyte when I was younger. Though I couldn't care less about the Force and all the hoopla around the Sith."

"Sith...?" asked Riven softly. "I've been told I don't have a presence in the Force... That I'm absent from it entirely... Whenever I have met Force users, they seem confused by it..." she spoke as she revealed more about herself in response. Then the request to sit up was given. The short elf did so with a light grunt as she leaned forward, reaching to undo the back of the gown and reveal more of her pale form. There were a few light and thin scarring here and there, no doubt blades that cut just a little close for comfort, but they were sparse and not that common. Either way it was clear she had seen battle.

Even though Oleander had warmed up the stethoscope there was still the lightest of jolts from Riven before she settled. Her breaths were somewhat infrequent, a light pause before she'd breathe in after an exhale, and every exhale seemed to shudder just slightly, but whether it was a medical issue or just her nervous self? It was unclear perhaps.

"I... Don't know that there is much to tell about my work... I am on retainer to someone, and... I don't know that she would appreciate me saying her name..." she answered as her eyes wandered the room curiously while her heartbeat was examined. It was a little quicker than usual, but again, might just be nervous. "... I spend a lot of time in one place, setting ambushes, if not just... watching and gathering information... Sometimes I'm asked to kill someone, sometimes not..." she continued.

 

[Oleander]

//: Riven //:

Oleander chuckled. She liked how upfront at times Riven was, especially when she was aware that the comment she made was very much something a spy would say. Though Oleander didn't really figure out that the woman was a spy.

Riven continued explaining briefly what her work was. The mention of being an assassin wasn't something new. Black Sun had several; most came through her office to be fixed up and sent back on their way. Some were patrons of her shop, obtaining poisons and the like for their line of work. Assassins were her primary audience for her work; to know that Riven was one only made sense.

"Mm," she mused as she moved the stethoscope around her back. "Take a deep breath," she asked, as she listened to the breathing and the slightly elevated heart rate. "Relax," Oleander murmured as she leaned over to reach better along Riven's back.

"No, you're not the first, nor would you be the last." Pulling away from Riven's back, she shifted where she stood, so that she was facing the pint-sized assassin. "Sorry," She apologized as she pulled the gown forward a bit, allowing her hand and the stethoscope to slip under the gown.

The end pressed against Riven's chest, just left of center. It was a simple exam, one she'd done countless times, but standing this close felt different. Maybe it was because she already caught the elf's gaze on her more often than not. She forced herself to focus on the rhythm under her hand.

"Being on retainer is smart. I know assassins who'd kill for that kind of stability." Her mouth twitched at her own dry joke as she shifted the stethoscope slightly.

Then she smiled — smaller, but sharper this time. "Relax. Another deep breath. Your heart's racing." She tilted her head, eyes flicking up to meet Riven's. "Don't tell me I make you nervous."

It was a joke, in hopes of making Riven feel less nervous.

 

[Riven]

Tags - Oleander

Riven took the breaths she was instructed to take as Oleander continued her examination. With the doctor behind her she found some reprieve with her self-imposed 'trying to look normal' act, meaning her eyes were finally steady and not flitting about every which way in an attempt to not come off as strange, which naturally made her seem strange.

And like before, several times now in fact, the Elf started to calm again. Not enough for her heart to beat any slower though, that just seemed a staple of any social interaction she was in. But unfortunately such a reprieve was not going to last very long as Oleander moved back into her view once again. Riven's eyes glanced at hers for just a moment, dipping down, then to the stethoscope after realizing where her gaze had settled, and then finally to the wall. At the apology she only offered a soft hum in affirmation to what Oleander was doing next, not seeming bothered by the hand that moved under her gown to start taking the measure of her beating heart.

As the seconds passed by Riven chanced to try and glance at Oleander again, only to see she was looking right at her. Those red eyes swiftly turned away once more in response, ever the awkward little elf. She breathed in a steady breath as she listened to the doctor's instruction, though it didn't seem to do much as she exhaled another slightly shuddering breath. There was a slight pause before she parted her soft lips to speak, "... You do make me nervous..." she confessed as eyes kept to the walls of the room, "... I'm... Not good with people, avoid it when I can... Sorry if that makes the exam more difficult..." her apology came as eyes once more briefly tried to look in respect towards Oleander when she spoke to her.

If anything the joke seemed to make her even more nervous, almost as if believing she was causing this exam to be more difficult than it had to be now, but she tried to distract herself with further talk of work. "... Stability is good... And she is kind and generous..." she offered a soft nod. "... I imagine that I would struggle without...".

 

[Oleander]

//: Riven //:

The joke missed its landing and didn't do what she had hoped. Sighing softly, Oleander simply nodded and listened for the time being. A part of her wanted to disappear into the floor — a visceral reaction to her failed attempt at humor. But she forced herself to stay composed, despite the slight tremor in her hand. Her own nerves were getting the better of her.

"I'm sorry," she said quietly, sincerity clear in her voice. "It wasn't my intent." Different from her usual clinical apologies, this one was personal, and the hollow ache in her chest told her it would take time to push aside.

She caught herself thinking she might need to cancel her following few appointments — just to recenter.

There was a measure of understanding in Riven's words. Social situations weren't easy for Oleander either. In her past, she'd suffered through plenty, always finding solace only in her mother's garden.

"People aren't my favorite either…" she admitted, slipping the stethoscope from Riven's chest and setting it on the counter near her notes. A hand brushed red hair behind her ear so she could better focus.

"Heart and lungs sound good," she added with a faint smirk, glancing at the assassin from the corner of her eye. "You should probably stop smoking if you can." Her gaze flicked back down to the notes.

"But I understand vices. Sometimes they're the only thing that makes situations tolerable." She wasn't going to press. She'd already seen how tobacco calmed the elf.

"If you want a break, or can't smoke somewhere…" Her voice trailed off as she stretched onto her toes, reaching into an overhead cabinet. Long fingers probed until they hooked a flat sleeve. Tugging it down, she brushed hair from her face and straightened her lab coat.

"Here," she said, offering it. "Bits of gum I made, laced with tobacco. Same effect as a cigarette, without the smoke — for times you can't."
She smiled faintly. A small, quiet apology for making the woman more nervous than she needed to be.

"Oh — and you're not making the exam difficult. Honestly, you've been wonderful. Quiet, but wonderful." She scribbled more notes, then paused.

"Will you be paying, or your benefactor? Those on retainer usually have me send the bill directly."

Thinking of Mercy , Oleander wondered if the brute counted as her benefactor. A question for next time: the woman came crashing into her clinic.

"You're lucky," Oleander added, tone back to business. "Most benefactors aren't that kind. I've seen some assassins work to the bone." Another pause and the Hapan focused on her paperwork.

"I think you'd be fine, you're in good health, solid body structure with strong muscles, and a good disposition — anyone would be lucky to work with you."

The compliment was attempted.

 

[Riven]

Tags - Oleander

"I'm sorry,"

"Huh...? No, it's fine... Everyone makes me nervous..." replied Riven as she felt the doctor's hand shake briefly while it held the stethoscope to her chest. If anything the short elf was now only going to panic further at the thought of having offended or upset Oleander. Both being unable to understand most jokes and worrying about how she was viewed socially seemed to be a casket of gunpowder for Riven, an awful combination.

"People aren't my favorite either…"

Riven's gaze fixated on the woman for a moment as she watched her brush red locks of hair behind an ear, revealing more of her face as the elf paused in some fashion of admiration for a moment, watching as she scribbled down more notes. When Oleander glanced back at her from the corner of her eye the elf was swift to look away, as usual.

"... Smoking helps too much to stop..." she answered plainly in response, nodding in agreement to the words that followed after. Her hand idly moved to her thigh as if searching for a pocket, but of course, her pants were on the floor and so was her box of cigarettes as a result. But it's not like she wanted another smoke right now, the conversation just naturally had her consider the pack and reach for it when it wasn't there.

As Oleander suddenly stretched and reached up for an overhead cabinet Riven found herself staring again when she was distracted. The stretch of her form drew her gaze, glancing over her for a moment before she felt a brief rush of heat to her face and she turned her head away. She couldn't tell if there was a light blush on her pale cheeks, she didn't want to know, but for now she'd keep her head turned until it hopefully dissipated if it was there at all.

As a result when the doctor made to hand her the sleeve of gum she reached to accept it blindly with a hand extended in Oleander's general direction since she had her face turned away. "... Oh, thank you... You didn't need to..." she commented in a shy and polite manner, keeping her face and gaze averted. The further compliments only seemed to fluster the elf more, never had someone checking up on her told her she was genuinely a pleasant patient to work with; she often believed the opposite.

"... I... I'm glad, thank you..." she repeated as then the matter of payment came up, "... I told my benefactor where I scheduled this check-up... She'll take care of it... Always does..." she nodded in response. Blessed was Riven to have such a generous and caring benefactor, whoever could it be?

And then came even more compliments. The poor elf was offered a successive few nods in response as her voice shook a little, she should compliment in return right? "... You're too kind... Thank you for..." she paused. "... Doing your job... You're very good at it...". Was it a good compliment? Who knows, she did try her best though.