Academic Pandemic! [Zyna, Melly & Lacria]

[risaka]

She fidgeted, angrily biting her lowerlip as her hand trembled, the soaking sensation of pure dread grabbed her senses, numbing, aggravating. It all had boiled up for a long period of time, and yet despite being in good hands she couldn't help but to feel the inevitable end to come... the inevitable scolding.

The transponder snail shuck with rage, so much that it made her wielded hand to shake more than necessary, and all she could is to hold the line open and take whatever was coming out from the snail's mouth, from a very, very angry Captain.

''You buffon! A buffon fool even! You had a simple task and ended up going on a whole adventure on some vast island to search for a treasure?!''

''I...I-...''

''No I's Makani! You are bound to your role as Warrant Officer, deliver important information and supplies between our bases and you wound up on bed for a week!''

As the scene were revealed, she indeed sat on a bed, bandaged up on several places, so much that one could even mistaken her as a risen mummified corpse, minus the corpse. Her proud jacket neatly hanging on the wall next to the bed, currently hospitalized on Strawberry Hill University Makani Zyna needed time to heal and rest after an awful encounter with a nefarious pirate captain, Von Graves.

''C-captain! I assure you I intended joining that search for the benefit of archeologistic research!''

''Shut up shut up! This is insanity! Not only did this archeologist lie to you, but you went on to confess despite revealing herself to be an acquaintance of the Pirate Group you kept helping her! Worst of all, you could've kept this all a secret but you're too honest for your own good! Buffon!''

Zyna couldn't help but to have her face deepen with a glooming blue, a sheepish sweatdrop hanging from her head with each scolding word coming from the captain pushing her head a tiny bit lower. Next to her, the one delivering the Transponder Snail, is the Head of the Hospital, Doctor Razzberry. He vaguely held his arms out, almost trying to calm down the mad snail as it was eventually engulfed in its own flames.

''GYAAH! ITS ON FIRE!''

''PUT IT OUT! PUT IT OUT!''

''GRRRRRR! You better believe I am on fire Makani! Recover fast and keep your focus steady dammit! You might not be stationed directly in my squad, but just because you work alone doesn't mean you're an exception to conscequences! You hear me Warrant Officer?!''

She lets out a defeated sigh and rose her head up to properly respond back to the captain, frowning her brows she kept her compsure and nodded.

''G-gomenesai! I won't make the same mistake again! But please, give me the needed rest, knowing I should be out there makes me restless, but Doctor Razzberry has firmly told me I need heavy attention from the medical team across the few next days. Again, I apologize!''

She tried to bow with a firm motion even if she sat flat on the bed, causing her body to twitch and give her an aching pain, causing her to crumble with a gritting expression. Doctor Razzberrry pushing Zyna back against the large pillow with assertive force.

''Gyeowh ow ow!''

''Don't be so rash! Don't you worry Marine Captain, she will be in top shape before you know it.''

''Hmph, at least she sounds genuine. I'll leave the rest to you Doctor! Expect another call in the nearby few days, Makani! Captain out!''

Ga-chaa.....

Finally getting some breathing room Zyna laid comfortably on the pillow, looking up to the roof.

At least that's over... but staying here won't do me any good, I need to recover fast!

[Aromancer]

Mellifera Tomoko sat on board her ship, her brow furrowed and her face downturned. The day's paperwork had been intensive, indeed; her previous mission had gone horribly awry, and now it was her duty to make a former marine officer a pariah while also hunting down a disturbing new drug.

She sighed as she looked out at the West Blue. The journey across the calm belt had been slightly harrowing, even with the seastone plating on the bottom of her ship. And now, she had to find a superior to authorize her investigation in this region.

Melly loved the marines more than life itself, but even she could get overwhelmed by bureaucracy from time to time.

Hence her sour expression as she stepped off the ship and onto Strawberry Hill, the closest available island. She snapped her fingers, and one of her men (whom she affectionately called her "worker bees," but only in her own mind) dashed up to her.

"You have been in contact with the local Marines, yes?" Melly asked her subordinate.

"Er- yes, ma'am, but-"

"Excellent. Take me to the highest-ranking officer here. That would be... Warrant Officer Makani Zyna, correct?"

"That's correct, but I really think you should-"

"I don't care if she's indisposed at the moment, I will see her at her earliest possible convenience." She winced suddenly, grabbing her arm. "And perhaps after that, I'll go to the hospital. My injuries are acting up again."

"Ah. Well then, ma'am, I have wonderful news for you."

***

Melly stormed into the hospital, her men in close pursuit. "I must speak to Warrant Officer Zyna immediately!" She said, free hand gripping her shoulder. It was nothing, a pittance of an injury; it could wait. "Please tell me she's alright!"

Melly had never actually met Warrant Officer Zyna before. But she was a superior officer, and that meant that she was worthy of great honor and respect. If she was bedridden, Melifera considered it her sworn duty to see that she was given the best care possible.

[Fox]

How did it come to this?

Just this morning, Lacria had freshly arrived to Strawberry Hill in disguise alongside some other medical students and their teacher. They were going to be shadowing the doctors and nurses of the esteemed Strawberry Hill hospital. You know, like, observing them as they worked. Lacria had not thought that had meant that they were going to intern here, but when a bunch of the staff started calling in sick, her teacher had volunteered her class to fill in - with supervision.

Lacria frowned unhappily as she loaded unappetizing looking lunches onto a food cart. She was in a wheelchair with her tail all wrapped up and headphones over her ears to hide their finned look. Aside from that, she’d been given a medical student jacket to wear from the hospital. Underneath that was her Marine shirt. It wasn’t a uniform, just a simple t-shirt with the logo on it. Lacria was a huge fan.

Because Lacria was in a wheelchair - due to needing something to get around and also hide the fact that she was a mermaid - she didn’t get the interesting jobs. Where some of the other students got to sit in on surgeries, Lacria was left largely to herself without any supervision to deliver food to the patients in the rooms. Busy work. Ugh, she had such leg envy.

Rolling up to her first room with the food cart in tow, Lacria caught sight of a Marine storming through the front doors of the hospital. Lacria’s eyes lit up and sparkled. Wow! An actual Marine in the flesh! This was her first time seeing one! Apparently, there were other Marines in the hospital too. Hm! She wondered if she’d run into them. Pushing open the door with a hand and grabbing the first box on the cart, she looked down at the name.

“Makani… Zyna?”

Why did that name sound familiar? It was as if she’d just heard it from somewhere. Mm. Oh well. Lacria plopped the box into her lap and rolled her chair into the room, stopping by the bed and smiling at the patient.

“H-Hi! I brought your lunch!”

---

Lacria | #ADFF2F (Green Yellow) | Post Count: 1

[risaka]

Once Doctor Razzberry left after checking up on her she comfortably laid there, but the more she sat silently and so still the annoyances began to emerge across of her body. So many bandages, the lingering aching sensation twitching on her skin. Clenching her eyes she tried to ignore it, did not take any longer than a few minutes until she gave up and grumbled, sinking her head deeper into the pillow.

Never thought I'd say this, but this is god awful boring... I really wanna be up in the sky right now, but my wings are practically useless right now. Thats the price I have to pay for using my given powers as a shield..

Fumbling to one side to the other, the wrapped up amazoness is pretty much just trying to cope with the reality of simply just resting. She knew of the concept of taking a break, but Zyna has never truly gone to do a genuine rest for a change, being the constantly motivated marine she has been active with her duties for as long she can remember. 

Then, interrupting her thoughts a low growl came from her tummy, causing her to sheepishly look to the side.

...Seems like food is much needed right now!

Down at the hall entrance, the barging of the marine demanding and requesting the presence of Makani Zyna caught the attention from the Head Doctor. Razzberry, stroke his chinbeard as he slowly approached the huffy female marine, taking a notice of her current state.

''Salutions! Please keep it quiet young marine, I assure you she is in fine care, you however, you don't look in top shape. You sure its wise to get this energetic when bruised? If you keep it up your battle wounds will start going worse!''

With a quick refute he inspected her from all four sides, pushing his glasses right against the bridge of his nose.

''I know you must be worried, but please let us do a check up on you in the scanner room, theres no need to be rash!''

As Doctor Razzberry attempted to assure Melly theres nothing to worry about Zyna got approached in her lonely silent room. Food delivery? Zyna blinked, raising her upperbody up to look at the source of the question. This awfully adorable young girl on a wheelchair, came all this way to room to deliver food? In that moment, Zyna felt a blossoming good feel in her, the kind of stuff that got the tall amazoness smile with a beam.

''Oh! For me? Just what I needed too! Uhm, isn't it difficult navigating around with boxes on your lap?''

Zyna questioned and began to feel sort of bad, a girl in a wheelchair surely must be in a harder situation than she is! The marine looked to the sides fully got up into a sitting position, despite being advised not to move too much. She gritted through the short aching pain when shifting, but properly sits and gestures Lacria to come near the bed.

''Thank you very much! Although, I got a very odd request... do you mind bringing the garbage bag inside the bin by the door? I am super hungry!''

[Aromancer]

Tomoko took a few deep breaths as the doctor instructed her to calm down, defaulting to his judgement; after all, they were in a hospital. He probably knew what he was doing.

"Apologies for my... outburst," the young marine said. "It's been an extremely busy day. A Master Chief Petty Officer must set a good example for her subordinates, after all!"

As she gathered her bearings, she looked around the hospital, eyes widening in horror as she noticed all the sick employees. "Men," she called out to her subordinates, "bandanas over your faces." She did the same as they obeyed her orders. "What kind of outbreak has overcome your employees?" She asked the lead doctor, once she was sufficiently protected from any sort of virus that may be spreading around.

Then her face grew pale behind the bandana. "You said Officer Zyna is okay, right? So then, she has not fallen ill like the others here?" Or could it be that she was the cause of this illness? Melly hadn't bothered to check exactly why Zyna was here, and for all she knew she could be the cause of the outbreak!

No, no, calm down, Melly. The doctor said to calm down. Surely everything would be alright. He was asking her to let him check her out in the scanner room, but she shook her head.

"My injuries are of no concern," she told him. "I've already received treatment and been discharged from the hospital. They said I was able to return to active duty, provided I stick to light activity only."

"But ma'am, you've been fairly intense since you got back..."

"What are you talking about? I've only filled out one hundred and fifty-six documents over the course of two hours! That's less than three per minute! I've been taking it FAR easier than normal!"

[Fox]

“Oh, uh! Not at all, ma’am! I have a food cart outside. This is just yours!” Lacria replied cheerily. Bedside manner was important in a doctor to be! She didn’t want the patient feeling bad because of her. Although, she couldn’t help but wince when Zyna pushed herself into a sitting position. She wasn’t sure someone that bandaged up should be moving around like that. Lacria wheeled around to the front of the bed and glanced at her chart. Yeah, she definitely wasn’t supposed to be moving like that. Wheeling over to the other side, Lacria set up a little fold out table and set down the box lunch with utensils.

“You know, ma’am, there’s a crank for that. I really don’t mind,” Lacria said, indicating the crack that would make the bed’s head end raise up into something more akin to a chair. Just to prove her point, she cranked the handle a few times and got it to a point where Zyna could stop holding herself up with her own power and rest.

“There! You see? Nothing to it. And… um… you said you wanted… the garbage bag by the door?”

Lacria tilted her head in confusion, but satisfied that everything was set up for Zyna’s lunch here, she didn’t mind doing the lady an extra favor. Lacria wheeled over to the door and glanced down into the trash bin. It was filled with some half eaten fruits and paper products. Nothing hazardous because that all went into red trash cans marked with a biohazard symbol. Picking the bag out of the can, Lacria carefully wheeled over and handed it to Zyna.

“Did you drop something in here? I can look for it if you want.”

---

Lacria | #ADFF2F (Green Yellow) | Post Count: 2

[risaka]

Zyna blinked with her eyes blankly staring towards Lacria, then at the crank and back at her. Oh, so that what it was, Zyna honestly thought it was some aestethic choice from the hospital. She felt a bit embarrassed to say the least, well since she is already sitting she might aswell stay there! It felt wrong to lay on bed when not sleeping for her! Not that she has her own bed, she usually tried to sleep anywhere she could, even in murky alleyways if there were no marine base in the town or island.

Ruffling with the hairbun on her neck with an awkward innocent smile she closed her eyes and giggled.

''Ahaha, well now I know! But yeah, I'd like that garbage bag please! I'd get it myself but standing right now might not be a safe option...''

Waiting for the awfully helpful and lovable wheelchair girl to arrive back with the garbage bag Zyna couldn't help but to give Lacria a teaseful wink, tongue out and smiling wide.

''Oh- no no no! I am very careful with my belongings, besides, don't think I'd be able to accidentally toss away a two meter tall sword! I just happen to be extremely hungry! Haven't eaten for a couple of days!''

Along with the lunchbox and popping the garbage bag open she dropped the 'edible' extra meal right next to the lunch, in which Zyna nonchalantly claps her hands together, the typical gesture one does before feasting.

''Thank you very much for the meeeeal~''

With a large space in her tummy and a hearty appetite she dug in, managed eating both the trash and the freshly made food together. From anyone's perspective, it certainly was a sight, not for those with a weak stomach.

Back down at the entrance hall, the head doctor worringly looked around, tapping his fingers knowing the situation were not the greatest.

''Oh fret not officer! The Warrant Officer somehow got no sickness despite the circumstances. There is a sickness caught in the town, but right now we are containing it with excellent effort from our medical teams! Your safety is ensured! Its mostly affecting those with weak immune systems, so its not mega contagious! As long you got a healthy nutritious diet and no food sickness you'll be safe in this building! Makani Zyna is going strong in her room, she even got a lovely sight from the third floor, truly she needs her rest and just enjoy her recovery... agh!''

He accidentally revealed her location, which he quickly regret doing considering how rash this young marine officer behaved, and knowing her she won't be stopped from just being held back, but Doctor Razzberry tried to block the way to the staircase, sweating profusely!

[Aromancer]

"Ah! The third floor! Wonderful, thank you for your cooperation!" Melly was about to head up there, but the doctor stood in her way, nervously trying to keep her from getting through.

She sighed. "Sir, I understand you're just trying to do your job, but it really is of the utmost importance that I talk to a superior officer right away."

"I'm afraid I cannot allow that, ma'am," the doctor replied. "That injury looks serious. I really think we should take a look at it as soon as-"

He was cut off, as he realized that the girl had just disappeared from in front of him. A bee buzzed past his head, before turning back into the Master Chief Petty Officer. "Please don't get in my way again," Melly said, as she headed towards Zyna's room.

"Ah, that Officer Tomoko," one of her men said, shaking his head approvingly. "She's unstoppable when she sets her mind to something."

"...possible," the doctor said, still not having fully processed what had just happened.

As Melly headed towards the third floor, her nose suddenly twitched in displeasure. There was a RANK odor coming from a nearby room. Figuring she might as well investigate, seeing as how she needed to check all the rooms on the third floor anyway, she opened a door and was hit with the smell of garbage... and the sight of her superior officer EATING said garbage!

"Warrant Officer Zyna!" She cried in horror. "They... they're forcing you to eat GARBAGE in this hospital? Who did this to you? I'll have their medical license stripped immediately!"

She turned to the wheelchair-bound girl next to the bed. "Did you have something to do with this? This is an unacceptable way to treat such a high-ranking officer of the Marines! God, no wonder that doctor was trying to keep me away from here..."

[Fox]

Lacria just stared at Zyna completely befuddled as the lady dumped trash onto her table and dug in. She wasn’t faint of heart or weak of stomach given her chosen field of study, but it certainly was mystifying to behold this. Lacria could safely say that she had never seen anyone eat so eagerly from the garbage before. She was jerked out of her reverie when a new voice cried out in horror from the doorway.

“H-Huh?!”

Lacria swiveled around to see one of the people that she adored and admired more than anything, a Marine, storm into the room and shout all sorts of indignant threats. Lacria’s mind was still processing the rank that she had given Zyna. Warrant Officer? Zyna? Her brain put two and two together just in time to flinch as the Marine wheeled around on her.

“I- wha-”

Lacria felt her face flush bright red as one of her heroes chewed her out. She thrust both of her hands into her lap and looked down in shame, feeling tears stinging at the corners of her eyes. This was not how she had wanted to make her first impression to the Marines. Especially if it was going to get her kicked out of medical school.

“I-I’m sorry, m-ma’am…” Lacria squeaked out, “She asked me to do it… I didn’t know she was a Warrant Officer…!”

If Lacria had known, she’d have brought one of her own boxed lunches. Lacria loved the Marines more than anything. Meeting a Warrant Officer…! It was a huge honor. And whatever rank this other Marine was… oh, she’d blown it. She was never getting into the Marines now, was she? No. She had to! With renewed determination in her eyes, she looked up at the Marine who had been berating her and Warrant Officer Zyna.

“A-ALLOW ME TO MAKE IT UP TO YOU, MA’AM!!” Lacria said a bit too loudly before lowering her volume a little, “You can have my lunch! It’s the least I could do!”

---

Lacria | #ADFF2F (Green Yellow) | Post Count: 3

[risaka]

Oh this is an absolute delight, after the first chew bites and chewing Zyna already  had hearts bloom around her head, with such love for food in general she couldn't help but to admire anything, especially valuable trash. It is all a gourmet for her, it is so good infact that even she herself feels bad for enjoying so much good food. She gave Lacria a look and gave a silly wide smile with food stuffed in her cheeks. Zyna in a way felt obligated to offer, and simply forgetting that she is eating trash she raised her plate up.

''Ah! How rude of me, would you like some-''

And with an unexpected entry, a fellow marine opened the door to a much rather unsightful scene. Zyna, being oblivious to the circumstances, gave Melly a curious stare while chewing down on the food, immedietaly noticing the marine uniform. A pleasent surprise! However, things took for the worst when Melly jumped to conclusions! Zyna blinked confused and felt a bit baffled, what is this silly marine talking about? Theres no forcing nor garbage! Simply a heartful moment with excellent food- oh right! Zyna thought to herself, reminding of the fact that she was indeed gobbling down stuff one would normally never get near.

With a short innocent giggle she waved her arm dismissively after hearing the threats towards the supposedly culprit of a doctor, but then to point a finger at the super sweet helpful girl on a wheelchair? Zyna would not have any of that!

''H-huuuuuh?! Surely you're not accusing her..?''

Zyna asked before realizing Lacria already looked like someone that felt guilty beyond reason, even the faint tears had the amazoness huff out her nostrils miffed. She really tried to apologize, even promising to make up for it. She did absolutely nothing wrong! Infact, those who are to blame are the officers, for making this girl uncomfortable!

''You're wrong wheelchair girl!''

With a burst of motivation she got up despite her condition, brushing off the pain shooting through her and slides directly next to Melly. Zyna without warning, raised her hand up into a straight line and delivers a downward chop at the head of the fellow marine, giving her a juicy strike of discipline before grabbing the back of her neck and kneel down before Lacria. Zyna pushed her head tight against the floor and gently, yet firmly, lowered Melly down.

''You have our deepest apologies, please don't feel scared of failure! Gomenesai!''

And at that moment, Zyna felt like she couldn't move an inch, causing her to stare blankly into the floor when a good amount of time has passed.

''...I uh, can't move it seems... ow.''

[Aromancer]

Melly quickly realized she'd misinterpreted the situation, as the wheelchair-bound girl bowed in front of her and begged her forgiveness and Zyna got up to speak to her.

"O-oh, I see... your lunch? Er, that won't be necessary, Miss; I- oh! Officer Zyna!" She went from putting her hands up placatingly to saluting in front of the warrant officer. "Did you need someth-OW!"

Melly rubbed her head painfully, wincing at the welt that was forming from Zyna's rough strike. That wasn't the end of her punishment, however, as Zyna grabbed the back of her neck and forced her to kneel beside her.

"Ow ow ow ow ow..." She squeaked as the other marine forced her shoulder to dig into her body in a painful manner. Finally, she stood up again, her face beet-red as she looked down at Lacria.

"Erm, yes, I... apologize. My assessment of the situation was a little... premature," she told the young girl. "I suppose I will have to factor in the possibility that my superior has a... Devil Fruit?" She hoped it was a devil fruit, and not just a weird gross quirk that she liked to eat literal garbage. "...that makes them enjoy garbage.

"Still," here she looked down at Zyna, who was still motionless on the floor. "If you don't mind my saying so, you should probably be taking better care of your body right now, Officer Zyna! That garbage CAN'T be good for your health!"

Somehow she didn't see the irony in that statement, even when her shoulder pain flared up again and she grabbed her own arm protectively.

"Anyway, apologies for the rather... abrupt intoduction. I am Master Chief Petty Officer Mellifera Tomoko. What's your name?" Anyone who showed such respect towards marines had to be a pretty good person, after all.

[Fox]

“E-eh?!”

With a shout, Warrant Officer Zyna declared that she was, in fact, wrong, which only served to confuse poor Lacria further. When Zyna jolted out of bed, Lacria’s eyes went wide, every ounce of her medical training screaming that moving like that was possibly the worst thing that Zyna could do right now. She reached out feebly as she forced the other Marine and herself down onto the floor in apology. The Marine that had yelled at her apologized too, but Zyna didn’t get up. Lacria felt a bit of nervous sweat trail down the side of her head. Oh goodness.

The other Marine, Chief Petty Officer Mellifera Tomoko, didn’t seem too concerned with the state of Zyna despite her outcries of outrage earlier. She instead took the time to introduce herself to Lacria and ask her name in turn. Lacria didn’t want to be rude or make an even worse impression than she already accidentally had, so she offered an awkward smile.

“L-Lacria. Lacria Blood, though Lacy’s fine…” Lacria eyed Zyna who was still on the floor, “C-Can you… help her back into bed? She’s not supposed to be moving like that according to her chart…”

Gosh, she wasn’t sure what she would do if Zyna had reopened one of her wounds. She was just a medical student, so she didn’t have the right to properly treat patients without a supervising physician. Lifting up Zyna herself wouldn’t be a problem if not for the fact that she was entirely wheelchair bound and very much needed to stay as much. She brushed her hair out of her face and smiled bashfully.

“I’ve always admired the Marines. It’s really such an honor to be meeting you two.”

---

Lacria | #ADFF2F (Green Yellow) | Post Count: 4

[risaka]

Zyna tried to push up, but each second she tried to get up her body twitched with a small crack snapping her back down on the floor in defeat, with a blue gloomy aura falling down on her body as she felt incredibly hopeless, and to be dependent on others for her own mistakes.

''P-please excuse for my brash behaviour, and I sincerely apologize for having to ask for help...''

But before the three of them could converse further, or help Zyna up for that matter, Doctor Razzberry with a leaping speed quickly halted his feet, and slid right infront of the open door to the room with a shocked open mouth once he saw what is happening.

''HYAAAAAAH! WHAT IS HAPPENING AND WHY IS SHE ON THE FLOOR!''

Cutting ahead, Zyna finally got back on her bed with the help, she let out a huff and closed her eyes, focusing on letting her body not ache so much, although she still had that hunger.

''Haah... hah... there, back to where you should be, fools! All of you! - Wait, why are there garbage piled on your tray?!''

Razzberry pointed bewildered, such a vile sight, but Zyna gave a frown and protectively held around the tray, just so barely considering she needed to be stiff with her back.

''That's ridiculous! This is amazing food and I won't let a single gram of it being wasted inside the garbage bin! For I am a vulture woman! It'd be foolish of me to not take advantage of my iron stomach, plus, I need extra much food!''

She usually is not acting greedy, but right now her inner vulture instincts told her to keep the food close, cause she truly needed it. Razzberry shuck his head and planted his fists against his sides, then looking at the other two, specially Melly.

''As you can see, she is fine, although I am still questioning her diet. Now please, get to YOUR own room and let us scan your body! That shoulder will not heal that easily. And as for you, Miss Blood, please continue serving the lunch boxes, and NO serving of garbage, just give them an extra box if they truly need it...''

While talking Zyna in the background began to eat again, munching down on the delicious food, she considered each meal a blessing to some degree. But she has yet connect the dots as for why a marine suddenly barged in. Staring at Melly the amazoness blinked curious.

''Say *munch* what is your name again? *munch munch* Name's Makani Zyna!''

[Aromancer]

Melly flushed with embarrassment. Zyna had seemed fine a moment ago, so she hadn't thought to help her back up after she'd fallen to the floor. However, she definitely couldn't let her superior officer just lay there, so she leapt into action as the doctor entered the room.

Melly was carrying Zyna in her arms as Dr. Razzberry came in, only to drop her at the sudden distraction. She grabbed ahold of her shoulder, wincing in pain; picking up the vulture lady had sent a shock through her system. "I- I'm sorry," she said, bowing her head in shame.

"I let my personal desires get in the way of Officer Zyna's recovery, endanger an innocent young woman's career, and lead to my own injuries getting exacerbated. I... I should go now. Doctor Razzberry, please take me to the scanner now."

However, just as Tomoko was about to leave, the garbage-loving marine asked her name. Immediately, she snapped to attention, turning to face her and saluting with her uninjured arm.

"Master Chief Petty Officer Mellifera Tomoko, SIR!" She called out, reciting the words as though they were of grave importance. "I apologize for interrupting your recovery, but I originally came here to request your assistance in tracking down the source of a new drug circulating through the black market! It seems to be a formula that induces a mindless aggression in the consumer, and I have tracked the source to somewhere in the West Blue! If you would authorize my continued investigation in the area, I would be very appreciative!"

"Chief!" A number of marines piled in behind Tomoko and Dr. Razzberry. "Are you okay? Your shoulder wound is open again!"

Melly looked down at the bright red stain covering half her shirt. "Oh, hah hah. So it is." She then promptly fainted from blood loss.

[Fox]

Lacria flinched again when Doctor Razzberry burst into the room screaming. So many people were yelling today. In short order, Zyna was back on the bed and protectively huddled around her trash. Lacria winced at the doctor’s every reprimand, feeling terrible for allowing this to happen. But, it wasn’t as if she had the mobility to stop it. If she’d tried, she would have exposed herself as a mermaid and also been as helpless as Zyna on the floor.

“Yes, sir… My apologies…”

Ugh, she was absolutely miserable. Lacria watched with a pout as Tomoko energetically saluted and reintroduced herself to Zyna before immediately and suddenly passed out when her wound reopened. Lacria wheeled around quickly enough to catch her before her head hit the ground - so she wouldn’t be adding a head injury to herself. With perhaps startling ease for the little mermaid, Lacria lifted Tomoko’s limp body over her head as if it were the easiest thing in the world to do. Her panicked expression betrayed her true feelings.

“A-Ah! Doctor Razzberry! What should I do with her?!”

There were empty beds in this ward. Maybe Lacria should just plop Tomoko onto one of those? But it would be best to wait for the doctor's professional opinion. She could still learn something from all of this after all!

---

Lacria | #ADFF2F (Green Yellow) | Post Count: 5