Chapter 694 - Dr. Oslar (Part 2)

"Hahaha!" Lodge chuckled. Slowly lowering himself down to sit next to Dezzi. Legs dangling over the edge just the same.

With a click. The pale opened and they saw the freshly purchased lunch. "You remind me a lot of her you know that?" Lodge began to speak. Dezzi's ears twitched and looked up to the other doctor. Finger pointing at themself.

"Yes you. You're so much like Oslar. That same optimism. And the same pessimism. The skill of it too."

Crunch. Dezzi bit onto the Celery stick.Lashes batting. "I say this because…How much longer do you plan to fight here? You don't have infinite time. You've got a year left. Earn Doctorate. Finish your training. And then you head back out to a life of Piracy."

Lodge held the edge. "Why not just keep a low profile? Let it all pass. Just do your thing and keep leave?"

Crunch. Dezzi thought for a moment. Why did they? Cymbal was a temporary place amongst hundreds of other places they'd go with their Captain, Leroy. But wasn't that the exact reason?

"Thats the problem. This is my thing. I grew up along time seeing what people not being able to get the treatment they need because of money. Because of access. And even when they did…" Their legs stop kicking. Thinking to Drumvolc. After the Blackbeard attack, all the people that were left with such little care because the Doctors were killed and it was up to only Dezzi and Oslar to take care of them. They couldn't possibly let it happen again.

Lodge just nodded. "Doesnt help that now your in a precarious edge of things. Hardgrove. Patients. Studying. The Board. Patrons." He turned to look finally. "Benedict."

"Ugh." Dezzi tossed a carrot off the edge. With more strength than anticipated, causing it to be casually hurled a hundred meters. Where it was then snatched from the air by a large trout. "You heard about that did you?"

"Of course I did." Lodge said. "You don't spend so long as temp head and not be the first person to find this stuff out."

"Not to say the old cook quack doesn't deserve it. He did. But you know now, Hardgrove will attempt to use this against you to prevent your signature. She's got 25 of the 27 attendings in the hospital. Three on each floor. She needs one from every for the Clause. The only ones left are vets and rookies. And I'm no Longer a technical Attending." Lodge couldnt be so long as he was Temp. And once leaving Temp he was roadblocked from becoming Attending again.

"5 Attendings have been let go." Counts on his fingers. "2 Vets. Total Career of 35 years. 3 Recently post Residency Attendings."

"Damn shame Hedge Cymbal Trauma Medical Teaching Hospital ejected such sound minds so quickly. I tried everything. But they used all the loops holes they could. Distance. Lack of In house Education. But you?" He points.

"You not only live here. You study and work here. Along with Residency. Meaning by technicality and Legality. If with your outstanding Debts, unless they somehow got a Debt Collector to come after you. Which would be a hard thing to do given security. They don't have legal jurisdiction to enter property if they are barred by security."

They idly spooned at their Yogurt. "Unless they get a bounty hunter to come after me. I do still have an Active Bounty on my head."

Another harsh breath. "Yes. That is the biggest one. Luckily. Cymbal isn't yet a World Government Affiliated Nation. Meaning Marines aren't present here unless they get a call from the nearby base. Which…Now days the Jackboots have been getting more and more islands to sign pacts and protection agreements. Which means there aren't patrols searching for suspect descriptions. But there are people who may recognize you."

"Though, why would they want to snitch on their doctor who just paid of their debt. But that doesnt stop if someone calls in a bounty hunter, or CPA on this island" CPA was on cymbal as apart of a 'Developed Island Liaison and Communication Agreement'..." He waves his hand.

"Enough of that. That aint gonna happen. Enough people trust you and that Poster, even with your full name doesn't have 'Oslar' on it. Nor a good photo of you." Dezzi smiled.

"Well thats because I was a Monster at that time. A Little medicine I concocted." Dezzi's feet resumed kicking as they chewed on their sandwich. "I believe it." Lodge answered back.

"Any way. Come by Office Later tonight. Just make sure its before you get off your shift." He tapped the minks shoulder. Slowly swivling around to face into the roof before standing up with some pain. Popping a pill in his mouth and leaning on his cane once on the other side of the rail.

"Just know. With all that noise about Benedict? Just don't let Hardgrove corner you. If you do, it's over. She'll use everything in that conversation to get you put down a peg or out."

Closing the lunch pale Dezzi responded. "Not if Benedict knows whats good for him." Small smile over their lips once again, when Lodges voice caught their ear. Eyes lighting up as they looked behind their shoulder.

"Kid, I've taught a lot Doctors at this place. Hundreds Probably." He glanced behind to Dezzi. "And by far…You're the best one I've ever seen. Just remember that." As Lodge finally disappeared, Dezzi could feel their eyes begin to haze.

HOUR 8

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

"How could this happen…" Andy said, holding his Wifes hand, Francy gently awake. The painkillers doing their magic. Relaxing her and putting her at ease. "Honey…It's okay. Please don't worry too bad…" She tried to ease him.

"Not worry? Fran, you're- You're gonna die! He squeezed her hand. "Is there nothing we can do-" Both of their eyes looked to the door. Dezzi entering past the threshold.

"Doctor..!" Fran smiled softly. "I was worried I wasn't gonna see you again!" Her voice was coarse and rough. "I try to check up on people staying. Make sure they're alright." Dezzi offered a gently look to the two.

"How are you feeling?" Dezzi clasped their hands together in front of themselves as they walked toward them. "Heheh…Could be better…But I'm as good as I can be now that Andy's here" She looked over to him. Squeezing his hand this time. His hands, large and covered in a short but thick layer of fur just like all minks. Giving their hands a soft, and almost skin like feel despite being covered in hairs; Looked massive compared to Frans. Dwarfing hers. Andy's thumb ran over his wifes knuckles.

"Doctor." He looked up. Finally addressing his fellow Mink. Dezzi met the gaze. "When can she leave? I think it'd be best for us to…Be at home." Dezzi's ears twitched.

"Well. She'll have to stay overnight at least for observation. Make sure she doesn't seize or have another Cardiac Event." Andy scratched at his finger in his lap idly. "After that it'll be up yo your wife when she wishes to be discharged." Dezzi glanced to Fran.

"However. The Hospital does offer Hospice." Andy's confused look told Dezzi they had to explain. "Hospice being assisted care until the patient passes on."

"Nonsense." Andy said roughly. Eyes narrowing as he nodded his head. "She should be in a familiar place. Not needing to be stuck here, in a place filled with Death." The words however made fran wince.

"Babe…I–" Andy leaned forward to try and hear his wife. "I–I Don't want to Leave. I want to stay here…" She let go of Andy's hand, resting both of her own in her lap.

Andy gave a confused look. Utter bewilderment. "What? What?! Why? Why would you want to stay here? Not go home. Be with me–" Fran suddenly cut her husband off.

"Because you shouldn't have to live with my Ghost!" Her eyes had began to well up. Frustrated and convicted expression covering her face. "You'd loose sleep, looking at me all night making sure I'm breathing. You'd let yourself fall apart trying to help me. And then you'd wake up one day, and I won't be moving. Or I'll be reading. Or-Or Gardening! And you'll just find me there. Gone! I don't want that! You don't need that! Neither of us do!" Her voice pleaded.

"Don't be stupid!" Andy snapped back. His own tears falling and darkening his fur. "I'd gladly do it! Make sure you're okay! I'd get all you need! So we can live at home until-"

Fran interrupted again "I Die? Then what? All that money? All that care? Only for me to be…Haunting the house we loved together! I don't want to spend my final days corrupting my home– Our home!" She was sobbing now. Both of them.

"Watching myself struggle…Looking at everything with" She struggled to find the words. "Disdain. Unable to love it like i used to as I wither! Resent it and myself" If she went home. And slowly died. Weakening day by day. The home she loved. Wanted to raise children in and grow old in. Would instead be just another struggle as she worsens. And then everything around her. Everything she loved, even if there was no machines and assistance just for her; would begin to look spoiled.

Unable to enjoy it the same as before…

The two just cried. Andy didn't even try to argue. Head shaking, those glorious long silky strands of mane hair wisping through the air at the movement.

After a time. Dezzi reached their hand out and touched the Husband and Wifes that were stacked up on each other. The two finally realized that they still had another presence. Both wanted to apologize, but Dezzi spoke too quickly.

"Andy, you can go home. Get what ever you and she needs. Bring it back. The Hospice Rooms are spacious. Have equipment in them. A patient bed, and a fullsize mattress both of you can use. Theres also running water for showers, standing and sitting. Along with the tub able to be filled for a bath." They looked back and forth between the couple. Nodding along slowly as their eyes softened.

"You can have what ever you want in them. For as long as it takes." The Doctor pat the twos hands before withdrawing theirs. "I'll leave you two to continue discussing. I'm glad you're awake fran."

Dezzi began to walk when Frans voice called out. Snapping around, worried something was wrong. Fran held a wide, toothy but tired smile to them. "No. Thank you Doctor. For everything. Even back there with Dr. Benedict. I see now that you were right. And I was foolish…Just…" She paused. Eyes suddenly hardening "Let him get whats comin' to him for what he did."

Dezzi gave solid nod of confirmation back. Door opening and shutting gently. Leaving the two alone.

The Burst Appendix kid, was still not awake. At least when Dezzi went to visit her Next. The Mother was however. Stroking her daughters hand slowly.

Her eyes lit up, and she crossed the room quickly before falling to her Knees and wrapping her arms around Dezzi tightly. "Doctor! Oh Doctor! Thank you thank you thank you! I don't know what I'd do if you hadn't…" She began to cry into Dezzi's jacket. But they did not mind as they wrapped their arms in return.

Later, though Dezzi would not be able to see it. The kid would eat a meal with a wide, satisfied look on her face for the first time in months. And with a full stomach. Dezzi would receive a gift from her as thanks in the form of a crude drawing done in Crayon.

Hour 8

3:00pm - 4:00pm

"Dezzi!" Akari says, jogging up to the Mink hand handing them a clipboard. "Yes? Whats up?" Dezzi pulled the wood into their hands and looking it over. "What's this?"

"Clinic over in room 15, His heartrate is way to high. Breathing sound good but is elevated. But I can't seem to figure out whats going on with him." Dezzi's eyes beamed over the words on the page. 

35 Years old. Average healthy weight. 179cm. No history of problems with the hospital. But has been overseen by Dr. Lodge in the past. All seems good. Notes from him said that patient is anxious.

"Hmm." Dezzi let out. "I know whats going on." They said handing the clipboard back. Akari nodded and followed along.

Upon entering the room, the patients appearance revealed the rest. They were clean shaven. Shirt pressed. No stains. Nails cut short. Almost too short. The Mans legs bounced.

"Good morning Elis. I'm Oslar Dezzi, RNP. I'll be looking over you today." They rubbed their hands together and sat down on the swivel chair in front of the man. His hair was finely kempt.

"Mind telling me whats brought you in?" Dezzi asked, offering their hands open.

"Uh. I started to have a really high heart rate? And then I started to shake. And sweat and my heart started beating really really fast." Dezzi's eyes raked over the patients face again. There were bags beneath the eyes.

The Rabbit leaned forward. Hands put together gently as they asked. "How have you been sleeping Elis?"

As if on cue, Elis rubs his eyes. Dezzi noted the blood shot eyes. "Uh– A few hours? But I wake up all the time cuz of the fuckin' Machines."

"Machines?" Dezzi's ears drooped, eyes softening as they tilted their head to the side.

Elis shook his head. "Yeah the–" He waved his hand as if attempting to point in the vague direction of the source. "Crushers. They mine the loose rock and boulders for Ballast rocks for ships. They'll crush and leave the shafts, and then use what evers left in it." 

It was Dezzi's turn to shake their head this time.

"Elis" Dezzi started. The man looking up through tired eyes. "You are experiencing extreme sleep loss. And I can almost guarantee that you are also having severe Mental Anxiety. Those two do not mix well…" They shook their head again.

"Sleep loss? Anxiety? Is that really it?" Elis seemed suspicious. In part because of the sleeplessness.

"Yes. The heartrate, history of worries when here, and as well as constant high Pulse. It shows that when you come, its normal. Then half way through, probably due to the noise of the Hospital or the Medicine and the like, you're heartrate spikes. Showing a trigger for anxiety." Their voice was low and comforting. Nodding along slowly.

"And if you keep waking up. That means that you're not able to enter deep sleep which is when your brain heals itself and rests. Short bursts can give energy and relief, but constantly it stops having any benefits. You need deep restful sleep for a few hours."

Elis frowned. Lips creasing. "Whats the solution?" Dezzi shook their head side to side gently. Hand coming up to rub the back of their neck. "Easiet solution is to get home and try and sleep, and medicine could be the wrong option due to this specific circumstance you have right now." They gestured softly with their hands.

Dezzi leaned back, and turned around. Running their feet across the ground to reach the door, peeking out to speak to Akari momentarily. And not long after, he returns. And with a gentle click, the door shuts and Dezzi rolls back over.

"Do you know how to brew tea?" They asked. Elis nods. "Good, let this steep for about twice as long as normal. And drink slowly, about thirty minutes to an hour before trying to sleep. Take some cotton or malleable wax, and put it in your ears. Not do deep, don't want you coming back for an ear obstruction. And it should help you keep calm enough to get to sleep, and stay asleep."

Dezzi tapped the tin, it was dark green with a hand painted woman on the front with a cup of tea steaming in her hand as she had a relaxed close lipped smile. Around scrolling swirls and ornamental etches around the words 'Lovely Leaf' followed by a subtitle 'Brought to you by Cutters Inventory Stockhouse' Cutters Inventory Stockhouse. A Sub-Company off The Larger; Cutters Trade and Company, was one of the largest manufacturers for a variety of consumables and items. Wholesale, and smaller retail distribution and creation. C.T.C doing the former, and The Stockhouse doing the Latter. 

"Camomile." Dezzi said. Handing it over to Elis. "If you feel anything, feel free to come back anytime. Its why we're here after all." Dezzi smiled to them, and signed off of the discharge papers and giving Elis a wave as the left. Handing the Discharge to Akari who nodded and mouthed a thanks.

Hour 9

4:00pm-5:00pm 

It was officially night. But not the start of the night shift. 

Dezzi rubbed their face with both hands across their small sharp features. Ears drooping as they did so. Fingers pushing against the bottom of their lids and they released a small sigh.

"Phwubub!" They quickly shook their head back and forth, ears flapping as they regained composure. "Six Hours Left." They looked left and right as they continued down the hallway. Hands resting on their scope around their neck.

'No sign of Benedict…Or Hardgrove.' Eyes darted around. Looking from left to right, ears twitching as they attempted to listen in and see if they could hear the recognizable footsteps of either.

Shoes squeaked as they stopped. Eyes shutting gently to focus their energy. Streaks of Lightning etching against their fur, denoting their full complete usage of Observation Haki. Purple shimmering eyes glowed when they reopened. Irises skidding around and snapping from place to place. Looking through the walls, seeing the full outlines and basic skeleton and glow of their own Auras.

'Hunched…Hunched…Hunched…Wide…Wide…Wide.' They repeated again and again as they attempted to spot where the shapes matching the descriptions of Benedict and Hardgrove respectively. Their neck snapped down, gazing to the ER Below.

Nothing. 

Craning up, hands still on their scope, so many floors above, and the bustle of bodies moving around. They needed either go one at a time or…

"Oooh…phew…" Dezzi breathed steadily. Eyes shutting again as they let their aura leak. With the help of texture, they were able to make their Aura visibly appear invisible Something that had little use in combat, but trying to not be seen in a scenario like this was another.

Nothing but a loose haze like heat sent outward. They allowed it to expand, and fill more and more of the rooms, the halls, floor after floor, like a mist trailing and traveling up the stairs, permeating through walls, and flooding the entire hospital, all one hundred thousand square meters of the property and building. Even going past the furthest walls and covering the small mound of earth that the Hospital Grounds sat upon in the middle of Cymbal Lake. 

Dezzi then applied observation haki through this immense ocean of Aura. In a fraction of a moment. All the information of everything, everyone, everywhere; in on and around the hospital property flooded into their senses.

Distinct outlines of the peoples shapes, sizes, outlines, auras, and skeletal structure came into view from that same birdseye view granted within the minds eye when upon focusing on locations with Observation.

They went floor after floor. One by one. Hallway after maze of Hallway until they spotted them. Hardgrove, the large, tall and wide woman. But also…The much shorter benedict! 

"What the…heck?" they said aloud. 'Whose that with them?' Dezzi pondered the shape that sat in front of both. Hardgrove had an object in hand and seemed to be talking to them. Ears twitched as they heard all the sound of the Hospital that was immediatley around them. Unable to truly hear the entire hospital but in a background buzz granted by their exception Rabbit Physiology.

'Unless…' Their face twitched. Nose wincing as more aura poured from their core. Flushing into their ears. Have enveloping them in raw aura of mist. They twitched insistently like insect wings attempting flight. The Haki boosting their ears, but with fine tuned concentration that was certainly a advantage of that same mink genes, they began to cancel out the rest of the sounds of the hospital…

As if like tuning a radio, going through wave after wave as a sound slowly comes into audible focus. They could hear the Doctors conversation! It was echoey. Slightly muffled and diluted from distance but was clearly understandable with no trouble.

"Yes! If you sign, It'll ensure that you are given a higher position of authority in the Hospital. And will make sure that this hospital will have higher satisfaction ratings, which we can then provide to outside patrons to allow for grants for more funding." She spoke so easily. So confidently. The deeper end of feminine tone giving it a base and authority of her own.

"I understand that Doctor Hardgrove…" The Questioned began, Dezzi suddenly realizing who it was! 'Doctor Greaves!' A Senior Physician and Attending. He'd always been outspoken against the decline of the hospital and focus of Profit through Health Medicine. 

Greaves continued. "I don't feel comfortable with providing my signature. It just doesn't feel in the spirit of Medicine. To only allow a specific type of patient in, within types of pay ranges, just to get them the attention provided to them that they deserve." Dezzi could watch as the short hair, black swooped hair and fair skinned short doctor shake his head.

"Well don't you care about you patients satisfaction? Think about the amount of times we have repeat patients. Clearly they weren't satisfied. And need more help. When we could be providing better to them once with fewer resources!" She urged. Voice insistent, convincing and dominant in the conversation. Benedict Nodding along. Giving nothing but presence and moral support.

"I do but…" He almost began again with another worried look, only for Hardgrove to cut off his thought. "Then thats what this signature is for. Think about it. If we can help one patient perfectly. Isn't that better than treating a dozen partially? That one person could make sure more people dont get sick in the first place or can do much more with their lives."

There were long moments of silent contemplation from Greaves…When an Audible Sigh came from them. "Hah…Okay. Fine. I'll do it."

Dezzi's eyes shot open, aura dropping, and a spike of adrenaline coursing through them as they dashed perhaps a bit faster than they should have. Leaving a windtrail and whipped around papers and rattled windows as they suddenly came to a stop. Peaking around the Corner to see Benedict, Hardgroves Pale skinned and old sagging features adorned on her wide pink curving sharp glasses on a beaded chain handing over the clipboard. Both Doctors that were looking for Dezzi had their backs turned.

The sound of the scratching of a pen against parchment, even without the boosted senses, was deafening. One final 'Shrooke!' of the ending signature sealing it…

"Hngh!" Dezzi winced. Pulling them selves back around the corner and out of sight. Sweat beaded and matted their fur. The strain and drainage of Haki usage finally slamming into them. Shortness of breath washing through their chest as it heaved.

"Crap…" Their teeth clinched and eyes furrowed tight. Trying to get their composure as their legs felt like jelly. Shaking and buckling under even their light 56kg frame. They could hear the footsteps approaching. The head of shortcut and whaft back hair of Hardgrove came into view, eyes looking away from Dezzi as Benedict looked to her. The two continuing a conversation, smiles on their satisfied faces.

A gust of wind flushed against them! Suddenly causing them to recoil slightly! "What in the blazes was that!" Benedict said. Hand coming to his head to keep his combover in place.

"Oof…" Hardgrove shook her head as the stair well was empty. Devoid of anyone or anything but cold stone walls. "Must be a sudden draft! Ventilation needs an upgrade."

"We're one signature closer to making sure we can." Hardgrove chuckled, nodding along at the sentiment.

Dezzi was back down a dozen floors again. And back to the Clinic. Standing right next to the far north hallway where an elevated section of the isle the building was on raised up and connected out to Pip. Allowing people to walk right in. A small desk waiting for them, where now Akari sat, suddenly widening his eyes as the gust of wind followed the appearance of Dezzi leaning back against the wall next to the large double glass doors. The two dozen chairs of the clinic waiting area was in far better shape than the 'Chairs' of the ER. They saw that much when searching…

"Yeesh! Dezzi you alright?" Akari asked, still leaning back in sudden shock from the speed. Dezzi's shoulders rose and fell at a steadier pace now. Hands behind their back while their head hung. "Yeah…Yeah I'm good now…Just needed a second and some sunshine." Their eyes glanced to the amber beams shining through the glass doors.

"I'd be even better…" They crossed their ankles. "If it wasn't for the fact that Hardgrove just got another Signature…"

The Nurses eyes…just settled. Breathlessly speaking "Well…Shit."

HOUR 10.

5:00pm - 6:00 pm 

'A Dozen partially healthy. Or one well treated…What a load of crap.' Dezzi thought to themselves. 'One patient treated perfectly doesnt mean those others don't exist. It just means you're choosing to ignore them so you can feel better about yourself…' 

'Hospital is barely able to treat one patient without some deranged lunatic poisoning one. Officially putting our Patients healed in the NEGATIVE. Even without, we're having a tough time treating a singular person well enough.' Their eys shut as they were lost in their thoughts. 

'Wouldn't need to if they just hired more Nurses, Doctors and Specified Field Physicians. But nooo…They have to go and fire half of the new Doctors and anyone seemingly unfit with in their skewed definition…Only so much you can ask from them anyway with such little pay.' 

Dezzi shook their head quickly, leaning off the wall. A quick scratch to the back of their head. "Sigh…" They breathed in slow and back out. Their composure regained. Akari keeping their eyes on them as they started walking. Leaning forward to call another patient before giving a side comment.

"Take care out there Dezzi, Okay?" Dezzi nodded. Looking back to the Patient that just got called up. A man, older side of things. Elderly. 'Funny.' They began to think to themself. 'I dealed with Pedes and now Gere.'

"Sir. If you'd come with me I'll take you right back!" The man had a hunched over look with a cane. Small spectacles hanging low on his beaked like nose. "Oh– What was that dear?" He adjusted.

Akari sat forward and spoke up. "This is RNP Dezzi Oslar, they'll take care of you!" The mans brow rose. "Ohh okay. I couldn't quite hear to well. Thank you young man." He gave a small smile to Akari. Dezzi chuckled.

'He called Akari 'Man', yet called me dear…I don't even wear make up!' They touched their long lashes and naturally darker lined eyes. Making it seem such. A Small Feminine Quality. But then again, Dezzi's overall figure was quite androgynous. A bit of masculinity here from one view, the sharp cheeks and cut jaw. Feminine with their smaller and round and angular face.

Dezzi went about the Triage as normal. Bloodpressure, Breath sounds, Heartrate, SOAP Notes; Subjective Info from the Patient, Objective measurable facts from the patient and observation from the Physican. Assessment of what the most likely cause is. And Plan for treatment and care.

They had to get a few tests done, and go to labs. A quick urine sample from the fellow and a Trip to the Xray room and contacting Radiology three floors up for the Radiographic Paper.

They could have taken a blood test, but didn't want to take too much of the Elderly Mans time. And with a quick use of Tachypusle, they determined Prognosis.

When the Xrays were developed, they understood the Diagnosis Proper. Directly in line with their Prediction.

The Man had Late Stage Osteoporosis. The loss of density and strength in the bodies bones. Which was why he needed a cane, though he didn't realize it. As well as explaining the incident of he described of falling on his hip. And where the fracture in the same region was caused by.

Blood revealed an altered white blood cell count. Extremely common with this disease, and Urine showing a high level of Calcium from the bones loosing density and the chemicals flushing through the kidneys and out via urine.

Dezzi quickly provided a set out plan of pain management, physical therapy either at home or on the 10th floor of the hospital, which they found ironic. And medication script for swaying and better care. 

'Hows about that for a perfectly treated patient, Hardgrove.' They smirked to themselves as they left the room. 

However. At the same time a specific Conversation was continuing to happen between Dr. Hardgrove, Degree in Business and Finance. Medical Experience: Certified CPR, and mandatory first aid. As well as Dr. Benedict, Medicinae Baccalaureus and Apocatharacy Naturalism. Medical Experience: 75 Years of Working in the Medical field amidst the onset of 'Age of Panacea' the era in which medical sciences and fields, Dentistry, Surgery, Physical Health, Medicine, and Pharmacology and the advancement of Germ, Disease and Bacteria. A shift from the view of Miasma or 'Bad Air' as the cause for ailments. But the idea of Humors and Hermetism persisted, even to this day after starting in the 'Age of Remedy' 

"Do you know where Dr. Heartfila is?" Hardgrove asked. Her loud short heels clacking loudly. The dark pantyhose she owre made her legs appear like shadows as he strode quicker than the older doctor. Purple blazer and blouse wrapped tight around her large form. She could be considered fat. But truthfully given the broadness of her shoulders. It seemed more like sturdy. Flat Matte dark blue knee length skirt followed her movements.

The Medical White Coat she wore flapping gently.

Dr. Heartfila, Degree in Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics Care Along with one in Family Care. She had always been so busy with all of the former fields in the hospital, having been the initial attending on the Second Floor for Clinic. Medical Experience: 15 Years and Tenured. Having gone to school and train under the Blackwell Society of Medicine. A tall woman who could be spotted by her typical Medical White Coat, Black slacks, red slip ons, and Pink simple blouse tucked in gave her almost always away. If not that, her platinum blonde hair perpetually in a top bun would. Always stuck like a pin cushion with pens.

Rumor had it she kept an emergency scalpel and dose of epinephrine in there somewhere. But she took great care to not have them be sulled by being in such a place.

"No. I don't. She's also a streak of yellow where ever she goes." Benedict said. "A Very, Mercurial Nature about her." He said more in the sense of swiftness than temperament.

"We can check Family Medicine again on the 7th Floor when we get the Chance." She finally looked down to the Shorter Doctor. "What of Dr. Kanin Oslar?" 

"The scamp is still around here somewhere. Probably still in clinics. He won't sign." He said. Hands behind his back. It seemed even though Dezzi hadn't frozen them but given them a nice chill and layer of Frost, he still hadn't quite recovered.

"I know they won't. But if we can corner her we may be able to find something out and give us some sort of cause for their exception or exemption." The clacking continued as they pressed the button to the elevator. Down to the First Floor where the large reception, waiting and office area sat along with the Pharmacy.

"What of my assault? I could call the Marines?" The two continued through the large open section. Large dark pillars with two on each side framed the main walk way to the collection of secretaries at the front behind a bullpen of a desk where dozens of predominantly women sat, receiving messages by mail, payments, radiofacsimiles or RFAX/DenFax, printing out through Den Den Mushi connected to printers and some more sophisticated machinery to print it without from direct connection. Den Dens, despite being strange thing even to many who were used to it; that is, carrying a living snail around in their pocket capable of long distance communication, were perhaps the most reliable form of communication quickly besides things like News Loos, Traditional Mail, Delivery Pigeons, Telebats or Parracords.

But all they needed was Minimal Vegetation, Did not Defecate or expel waste, as any unused sits in their bowels in a preservative mucus until they begin digestion again, Water. And finally, Sleep. Its wonder they never went extinct, but moving so slow and having a life span of 26 months in the wild, meant they birthed a whole lot of babies. But when under the care of Islanders, they can live for years.

The Perfect Livestock. 

"You know as well as I that because of the fact we aren't technically apart of Cymbals Proper, and that Cymbals itself isn't affiliated. The most they could do would be to come out in the incident of a violent crime, outstanding bounty, immense civil unrest or serious investigation." The two stopped. Hardgrove handing a handful of Coins to a News Loo for the Paper.

"News Loo?" Hardgrove idly said. "We usually don't get them this far in. They learned to stay away after so many decided to land on the water and get eaten."

"Yes…And it might not be the best idea to call in the Marines for this. Or go to the Embassy in Pip with the CPA." He flipped through pages, licking his finger as he went. "It'd cause too much of a stir. Having him get taken out publicly could do more harm than good for the reputation of the Hospital." The Quack continued, reaching the interesting articles of piracy updates, reports and bounties being updated. Mentions of the Disastrous Generation, captures, and the like. 

"So…What? We poison her, or hire someone to handle them?" She whispered down low to the Doctor.

Benedicts eyes narrowed at the paper. Adjusting his bifocals slightly to read better. "Perhaps….Or maybe a—"

"Bounty Hunter?" He said. Paper rustling against his hands as he raised it to Hardgroves eyes. "Look Familiar to you?" 

HOUR 11

6:00pm - 7:15pm

KANIN "The Electric Blur" DEZZI WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE. BOUNTY: ฿ 41,621,140

THE WORLD GOVERNMENT IS OFFERING A REWARD FOR ANY INFORMATION THAT LEADS DIRECTLY TO THE CAPTURE OF THIS INDIVIDUAL. IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT NAVAL AUTHORITIES.

The Attached Secondary information was as follows for all Bounty Posters, Printed on the page that contained the bounties. Despite Usually only being posted with the Picture alone. 

THIS SUSPECT IS CONSIDERED TO BE DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY ARMED. REPORT ANY SUSPECTED ACTIVITY OR PROFILE ALIGNMENTS AND SIGHTINGS TO NEAREST NAVAL MARINE SAILOR OR PERSONNEL. 

INSTATED BOUNTY OF INDIVIDUAL IS A REFLECTION OF THEIR STRENGTH AND CRIMES WHICH MAY INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO; PIRACY, MURDER, THEFT, TREASON, CONSPIRACY, SEXUAL CRIMES, HAZARDOUS INFORMATION, VANDALISM AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. RELIABLE INFORMATION REPORTED ON SUSPECT ARE SUBJECT TO A REWARD 5% OF TOTAL BOUNTY.

ANY INDIVIDUALS PUBLIC OR PRIVATE HAVE A CIVIL DUTY TO TAKE ACTION IF THEY SEE THIS INDIVIDUAL. AND DIRECT CONFRONTATION AND CAPTURE WILL BE REWARDED THE TOTAL BOUNTY SUM BY TWELVE.

DEATH OF SUSPECT BY PRIVATE OR PUBLIC INDIVIDUAL WILL HAVE A QUARTER OF TOTAL SUM DEDUCTED.

REPEAT INDIVIDUALS, PROFESSIONAL MERCENARY OR FUGITIVE RECOVERY AGENTS MAY FACE INCREASED DEDUCTIONS FROM REWARD SUM AND POTENTIAL CHARGES OF THEIR OWN GARNERED IN THE COURSE OF CIVIC ACTION.

Hardgrove Recoiled as she read it through. "The Electric Blur, Name unconfirmed and suspected to be 'Kanin Dezzi' 'Cannon Desi' or 'Conin Dex' is described as a Pirate of Unremarkable height, shorter than the average person, of non human race, with large ears and notable blue coloring in some form to their person. They are reported to have extraordinary speed in excess of gunfire, call upon lightning from their hands, and shift their size. Temperament observed to be aggressive, determined, and fanatical in their pursuits."

They both gave a look to one another. Benedict continuing from where she left off. "Associated with The Notorious Red Sash Pirates…" A shiver went down both of their spines. A feeling of electricity in the air.

"Red Sash Crew?" Hardgrove asked. "The Terrorists?" Everyone knew who Red Sash and The Crew was. Even if they didn't read the news regularly or partially…They saw the headlines. Saw the reports. Terror, Destruction, all with a smile and a streak of red around the waist.

"The fellow who killed a Lord…" Benedict said with this sense of reverence of the crime. Hardgrove said her own comments. "They say its a crew of Demons…Theives, Fishmen, Violent Swordsmen, Rapists…The Captain himself a literal Devil. The Devil…" She gulped. Loudly.

"Possibly worse than even Gold Roger himself…"

"Keep reading…" Hardgrove murmured.

"Their crimes include, Piracy, Assault on Naval Authorities, Possession and Dissemination of Hazardous Information, Destruction of World Government Property, Destruction of Naval Property, Treason, High Treason, Conspiracy, Kidnapping and Release of Wanted Individuals."

They both attempted to swallow. But their throats were like the dunes of Arabasta. The first to make a noise was Hardgrove, who rose a hand to her mouth and cleared it. "Ahem…"

"So…Marines are Certainly not a option. But–" A huff released from her thin lips. "I do have to wonder. Is that Oslar Kanin Dezzi? The Description and Picture on the Wanted Poster. It could be a coincidence. And she's Dr. Oslars kid. I don't think that'd be something they'd leave out…"

Benedict rubbed the bald top almost as if to sooth himself. "I'm surprised I didn't know that The Marines and Government payed the bounty listed just for information. Guess it makes sense…Such a small price for such dangerous people because its meant to be given to many not just one."

"Get serious Dr. Benedict!" Hardgrove rose her voice, looking over her shoulder to make sure that no one heard. With a satisfied nod, she returned her gaze.

"If this is Registered Nurse Practitioner Oslar Kanin Dezzi…We have to what ever we can to get rid of Her without Drawing Attention." Benedict thought for a moment. The money the reward would bring into the Hospital if they reported directly…But more pragmatically without, going through a bounty hunter. Would get rid of their immediate issue of the signature first–

Only a few minutes later. Both were in Hardgroves office. The room was enormous. A Slate flat design of greys and blacks with a large desk next to a enormous floor to ceiling window. Bookshelves lining the walls, decorations of objects and trinkets. A large oil painting of her self sat clearly on display against the left wall.

There was a local Contractor Group. It was where many of the Security for the Hospital were pulled from. These were the people you called for when Patients had outstanding debts, they needed some form of low level personnel to achieve something. Boone Contractor and Hiring Service was the Name.

"Heya Hardgrove. Watchya need this time darlin'?" A gruff voice spoke from over the receiver of the Den Den Mushi. A Special dark black and blue shelled snail of grey bumpy flesh. The Eye Stalks and mouth morphing slowly into the recipient on each of the ends. Hargroves voice gaining her dark brown eyes, and wrinkled features. While the mans voice had a scowl, harsh downward eyes and stubble across the flesh.

Such a strange way that the evolutionary adaptation these Den Dens gained to visually deceive predators by taking on the appearance of previously seen faces. Tied to their telepathic link between each other to alert danger, find mates depending on specific signals, and all the signals around, giving calls through each other when connected. Thats what the 'Pere pere pere' they vocalized was when Calls came through. As is the 'Gachak' when a call ends. A vocalization of potion and to their mates meant for when they were close, as opposed to the forceful end of a call via external receiver or being put into darkness as if like a magpie.

"Boone. You used to be a Bounty Hunter…Right?" The sound of creaking was head as the man kicked his feet off his desk and leaned forward. Voice layered with intrigue…

"You askin' me to come outta retirement?" Boone asked more like a statement than a question.

But Hardgrove's uncharacteristic pause in processing a response gave Boone his Answer. "KENKENKEN!" He laughed, the Snails mouth opened wide, revealing its teeth and bellowing loudly.

"Who is it?"

Kentucky Boone. A man once notorious for his reputation as a bounty hunter. Brutal, Strange, Esoteric in his applications, methods and rumored powers. In terms of the internal bounty hunter 'rank' that the decentralized nature the occupation used regardless, was of Viper. The highest rank. Said to have brought in nearly 6250 Pirates and Rewards. With the Record of 'Slips' or Rewards brought in being none other Rango Scotch at 25,000. 

Dezzi rushed around as they Carried a patient in their arms. A Large man with a shaved head and scruffy beard. "Akari! I need a bed!!" They slowed to a stop. Akari shooting up from behind the nurses station now.

"What happened?!" He responded, Dezzi hopping around on their feet trying to look around. There were no beds on this floor for anything like this or to handle it. "DKA! 35 Year old with Ketone Breathing, Sudden weight loss, and dry skin."

Dezzi bit their lip. "Ugh!" They groaned, letting their aura cover themself and Mr. Candey, And with as much speed as they could accomplish, they traveled the over 100 meters of distance to ICU upstairs in only three milliseconds.

"Phew…" Dezzi exhaled. Setting Candey down, and immediately being the Code. "I need nurses!" Dezzi screamed. The Nurses at the Station suddenly rushed over to the room they had just thought was empty.

"Oslar?" Drez asked as they came in with another Nurse, Nurse Trish. "DKA. I Need a Dialysis Machine. Whats the status of the one up here?"

"Busted. Was busted 3 months back." Drez said. Trish already coming up to check eyes, breathing and continue setting up Care. "Gah! Shoot…" Dezzi said. "What about the old one?"

"The Pump?" Trish asked. "Yes!" Dezzi said. "I need Insulin and IV Nutrients! Now!" They said as they continued to observe. Setting up an IV and getting all the electrodes placed for complex monitoring.

Drez came back with a large pole with three flat legs to stand upon with one large accordion style pump contained in glass the left side, analog machinery and metal spread across glass and large tube in the middle with two tubes coming out of it. One that connected to the pump, and the other coming out of the Cylinder. Just like Original Blood Transfusion Pumps. Finally a box at the lower half of the pole, a brass tube from the machines at the bottom of the vial into it.

Dezzi moved the Brass machine close to Candey, pulling the IV from the pump and placing it into this neck to the Carotid. Immediately the dark almost purple blood coming out. "Trish!" Dezzi said as she came back in with the bag and Bottle. "Connect the bottle of insulin to the curved bronze pipe on the back of the cylinder!"

There was a curved neck at the back with a small opening to place the Bottle onto. Dripping in and flowing to the machine just below the cylinder. Trish then took the cable at the bottom with two cylindrical gold colored prongs coming out of a large conical plug and into the dual vertical holes for the socket.

A buzz sounded as the machine began to pump. The gear at the bottom of the Cylinder began to spin ready to mix the Insluin. IV nutrients n pushed at the same time via a separate Drip, just below the IV that returned the blood.

The pump shrunk in and expanded back out. Pulling and forcing blood out of the artery filling into the middle vial now more red than before and slowly trickling down into the next section, where a second gear shape spun in the opposite direction acting as a centrifuge. 

Then, slowly– Normal Dark Colored Blood flowed back in. It would need to be oxygenated by is own body…

"Ha…Phoo…" They breathed. Drez had left and came back in with a new air tank. Dezzi nodding and watching, taking a step back as the Nurse wrapped the tubes around his ears and into his nose.

Mr. Candey was stable, for now. The only thing to do now is to observe and wait. Dezzi leaned against the wall the same as they had in clinics. Ankles Crossed, hands behind their back. Staring at the EKG and read outs of his vitals. Trish too a sample of blood from the machine, and then one from near his wrist where it should be cleared.

The blood work would take some time to do. But they would be here. Waiting for any updates and emergency changes. 

They looked to their small watch on their hand, meant for kids, adorned with Nakutan. But they loved it regardless. Time was 6:39pm. They let out a small breath. Shoulders relaxing.

They listened to the EKG in the Dark room. It was almost a strange soothing noise as they lowered their head. Breathing slowly as they closed their eyes to think. Thinking back to the past two years. To the crew…Leroy. Everything that happened on Desmare.

When a sudden blare snapped! They shot their head up! Ear as full attention!

The EKG was spiking! Mr. Candey was going into shock! Body convulsing and jostling in small twitches. "CRASH CART!" They screamed so loud that the entire floor could hear! 

In a blur, Dezzi was on top of Candey, Flattening him out and performing compressions! Hands charging with electro, same voltage as before, and delivering their own electric shock to the Cardiac Arrest.

"Mph! Mph Mph Mph!" They breathed. Four inches and more deep. Needing to push back the thinning layer of fat against his chest and ribs. Wheels skid across the hall, echoing against the cement walls as the Defib was rolled into the room by Drez!

"He's going into Cardiac Arrest! The lack of vitamins and the Acid in his blood is causing his heart to fail!" They said to Drez. Continuing their compressions.

"Ready Defib!" They ordered, Drez nodding, rubbing the two paddles to work the charge as the electric whine came to life. "Clear!" Dezzi shot their hands off the skin. The EKG flared in a rapid beat and suddenly…

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep….

"Flatlining!" Dezzi, with renewed vigor resumed compression. Going up and down. "I'll get epinephrine!" Drez began only for Dezzis voice to stop them. A sudden rush of air washing over them. Stopping them in his tracks.

"No! Epi could worsen it. He's in DKA, any more sudden stimulant and introduced chemicals could cause the Metabolism to be shocked even more. We don't need more Ketone. And any we push would get filtered back out by the Dialysis instead of lingering."

Dezzi bit their lip. "Clear!" Another harsh shock. Body stiffening before loosening. "No Res." Quickly Dezzi checked his breathing. And in a flash brought their scope on, checking his lungs. "Apnea! No clear breath sounds. He need to intubate him!"

"Drez do you know how to Intubate?" They asked. A simple nod, and Drez went to the cabinets, pulling the tools out, same ones Dezzi used before. It took only a short few moments while Dezzi continued compressions for the tube to go in. "Bagging."

Hee…Hooo….Squee…Swoo. The bag pushed air to the lungs.

"Stay on bag. I can Defib myself." Drez watched in awe as he saw the Mink Bioelectricity Electro send small shocks the exact same as the paddles. "Why didn't you do that before?"

"I did. But it needs to be precise, and I don't want to do it and do too little or too much."

The Compressions continued. Seconds, Minutes, Time continued to pass. Dezzi not ceasing. Checking. No breath. No sudden cardiac activity.

"Oslar." Drez said. Bag slowing… "Don't slow, keep going!" They demanded. "It's been more than 20 minutes. And we've already did a number of shocks."

Dezzi shook their head. Forcing more, a slight crack of his rib sounding. 'I can't use Good Medicine…It wont flush the Acid out, or return the Vitamins…Even if I heal the heart, with no breathing activity…" Their lip bit hard enough to draw a trickle of blood.

"Ha…" Pain flushed their face. Compressions stopping. Drez clicked off the EKG. Silence filling the room. "Call it." The Nurse said.

But Dezzi didn't move. Their own thoughts filling their mind. The same words… 

'Call it. Call it Dang it!' Their jaw trembled. Dryly they swallowed and checked their watch…

"T-Ti-" They Steadied.

"Time of Death. 6:55 pm." 

Dezzi gave a small hop off the side of the bed. Head falling back. Tears watering their eyes.

Trish suddenly re-entered the room. Paper in hand and a slight smile of accomplishment only to be torn away from her lips at the sight. Words still leaving her mouth. "I got the labs back-"

"He's gone." Dezzi stated. Trish slowly traveled across the small distance. "Labs show that both blood samples have far too high acid content." Her eyes continued to watch Dezzi walk to the other side of the room. "The Machine wasn't able to clear enough Ketone from his blood. And it seemed like his Blood wasn't oxygenated properly even back in…"

Drez and Trish stared at Dezzi. Standing their. Head hung low, ears slouched. Dezzi…slowly gripped the machines pole. But they relented. A small shock traveling through the device. Sending a small spark from the parts.

When their hand fell…The metal was left completely crushed with their imprint.

"Machines Busted." They said slowly. "We need to get repair in for the Real dialysis machine."

They just stared as they left. Hands forced in their hoodies pocket. But once the hallways clear. They zipped! Immense speed carrying them across the distance before the door slammed open. 

7:00pm

The cool night air washed over Dezzi as they skid to a stop on the roof. Chest heaving.

The Horizon was painted and smeared with dark deep purples and blues as the night quickly began to rise. Stars coming into view.

Their hands gripped the rail gently. Tears flowing as they couldnt get the sound of the flatline out of their ears. Head shaking slowly, violently eventually. "Gah!" They sobbed out.

"Haghhh…Hick…" Teeth chattered in their mouth as the tears stung their eyes. Lip quivering. Their legs felt weak. Hands couldn't stop trembling even if they gripped the safety rail…Safety Rail. They saw the irony in it, as they lowered themself under it.

And stood on the ledge.

Dezzi slowly let their arms splay out. Letting the air wash over them. Eyes drawing closed. Tears staining their fur. Feeling the wind wash over them. Nurses cap fumbling off and clattering against the roof behind. Cyan blue hair fluttering in the breeze.

Dezzi didn't hear it at first until his voice sounded out. "You're in my spot." Lodge said. Cane resting against hooked over the rail. Leaning against it himself.

Dezzi's gaze shifted over their shoulder. "Lodge…" They whimpered out.

"You know if you jump, it won't do anything right? Strong as you are." He said casually. "Oh…I know…They leaned forward precariously, arms held stretched out behind them. "But if I wanted to, It might make me feel better to hit the ground in rage."

"Wanna talk about it?" Lodge said. Ducking under the rail and coming to sit next to Dezzi as they continued to stand. Popping one of his pills from the metal box into his mouth.

"I spent almost an hour coding a man in DKA Cardiac Arrest. Dialysis Machine was busted. So we had to use the old one." Their hands slapped against their thighs, hands swaying until they came to a stop.

"That old busted thing? Ha! No wonder he went into arrest. Guess he shoulda laid off the candy." He sarcastically remarked. "His name was Mr. Candey. With an ey in stead."

"Laha!" Lodge laughed. "The irony is brutal for that guy."

"He died." Dezzi didn't look to him. "They do that." Lodge retorted.

"Insulin, Nutrient Drip, Dialysis, Air, Intubation, Electro Defib, Mechanical Defib…None of it worked…I didn't–" They quivered. "I didn't do enough."

The Senior Doctors eyes locked up to their student. "Sometimes it never is."

"I…KIlled him…" Dezzi's tears began to return. Finally sitting down next to lodge. Hands in their lap head hung low. Lodge, sighed. Rubbing Dezzi's back gently. "We all loose patients. Sometimes the people that come to us cant have enough given to them. Even if we had it all."

"Even if I could've done more?" Dezzi sobbed. "Especially even then, but you couldn't do more. One day you may not be able to actually do enough or didn't give it everything. And it'll hurt. Sting. Always will. These people come to us so we can fix them. It feels like a betrayal when we don't."

Lodge looked to them. Dezzi finally looking back. Big wells and blobs of tears in their large bright blue eyes. "But they came to us anyway. Because they knew we would do what ever we can. Even if its minor, even if its major. Giving them barely a scrap, or everything in the world. We do what we can. Doctors are human too…"

Dezzi fell against lodges shoulder. Lodges arm holding them close. "We make mistakes. Missteps. But thats the thing. Just because you miss doesn't mean you can take another step or do another take. Its why we call em that."

"More will die. For whatever reason. But everytime someone does. We should let it spur us on to do more, refine our practice and try our hardest to do what we can for the next one." Dezzis lips spread into a small smile.

"I've killed people before outside of medicine…" That got his attention. "I still feel kinda torn up about it…Im a doctor. Even if it was Mercy…"

"Who?"

"They were Zombies. Brought back by one of Barbary's Crewmates Devil Fruit. Brought their Soul back from the dead to inhabit them. And their bodies then corrupted and puppeted or released back out on their own."

"Ha!" Lodge laughed. For a moment forgetting that Dezzi wasnt just a pirate. But a Pirate who was apart of one of the most infamous new crews in the world. "They unnaturally were forced back into their lives, as shambling bodies, controlled or let back onto the world. Even if they died violently, too soon, or peacefully living a full life."

"And youre beating yourself up that you put them down? Put them back to rest?" Lodge gave a confused look.

"Cutting Cancer out hurts people. But it's still medicine. Medically assisted death for sick patients who wish for their suffering to be put to rest, is still medicine. But its not malicious or malignant like the Tumor infecting them are." Lodge shook his head as he spoke.

"Mercy is medicine. And sometimes, its the only thing that can be done. But we know when, we don't go around just cutting people or breaking bones when they have a cough. And sometimes, in the Extreme the Best Medicine is letting the suffering, or the thing causing it, end."

"And us Doctors are almost always in some form of the extreme. And its our job to honestly, medically, and even sometimes Morally, make the best informed decision. Thats what Doctors do." They looked back out to the horizon.

Watching as the sun finally fell over the Horizon. Dipping down, sun leaving the world.

"Cmon. It's officially night shift." He pulled his arm back and nudged Dezzi with his elbow. Shifting around and standing back up. Dezzi waited for a second, thinking for a moment 'I wonder what phase the moon is tonight.' 

Standing back up, still on the ledge, Dezzi looked to their Watch. 7:14pm.

"Don't lag behind! We gotta get your degree signed and officially handed over to you before Hardgrove gets Heartfillas signature. Hadn't expected Greaves to sign. So we got until midnight for any new Attendings to be considered for signature."

"Right!" Dezzi said, slowly lifting their foot off the ledge–

7:15pm

When a blur snapped across the air! Rush of wind bellowing across the top of the Roof! Rails bending inward from the force! Lodge whipped around! "Dezzi?"

Dezzi was gone.

The doctors eyes snapped to the far off motion, seeing that Dezzi was currently in the clutches of a large man! "Dezzi!" They ran to the ledge, watching as Dezzi slammed massive punches that ruptured the air violently, sounds like cannon shots echoing in his ears. 

HOUR 12 

7:16pm - 8:00 pm.

Dezzi's palm, clad in Armament, slammed into the maw of the bounty hunter as they soared through the air, descending quickly, Hospital fading away from their view. Each of the minks strikes were as loud as thunder, shattering the sound barrier!

"KAHAHA!" Boone laughed in their face as each of the tremendous impacts lurched his head to the side!

THWAM! The Doctor and Bounty Hunter Slammed into the ground! Now nearly half a kilometer from hospital in mere seconds. Ground shattering! Concaving inward and leaving a sizeable dent in the round like an artillery shell!

The two released from one another. Rolling across the ground. Dezzi's claws popped, digging into the barren, sparsely greened earth. Forcing themselves to a stop! Dust rising in the air hid Boone from their sight. They hadn't been able to properly get a look at the Hunter, too focused on striking his face and watching the hospital.

The Minks eyes then widened to the size of saucers as they saw who stood before them.

They did not recognize them perse, but there was an immediate recognition to the hunters physiology. Coming clear from the smoke, hand clawed to swipe away the smoke. Revealing Kentucky Boone in his full glory.

He was, a Mink!

A Fox Mink with Vibrant Orange and Red Fur covering his human form completely. Thin and compact just as Dezzi's was. Body appearing animalistic with Vulpine features that seemed streamlined to match a Humans body. No double joined legs, or paws. But rather strong legs and five digit fingers coated in the same color just as a foxes would be. Long tail swiping from side to side behind them with that iconic white tipped fur like a brush dipped in wash. 

His face was scarred, his left eye marked harshly by webbing flesh and sealed over the socket. Ears damaged from previous hunts. His maw was greyed from age and stubbed with what would be look like scruff if not already mixed with fur. 

He was a surprisingly short. At only 6'. Tall for a fox. Compared to andy who was nearly eight.

HIs outfit was adorned with a sleeveless, frayed edged leather vest that held a diagonal zipper across the chest. Studs against the chest, curving chains at each side just below the ribs, with small spikes on the shoulders. Boots spiked on the bottom for harsh stomps, and pants a tight leather with noticeable stitching accents. His hands donned with fingerless, studded gloves.

"You're…A Mink?!" Dezzi spoke in surprise, watching as Boones gloved hand reached to his neck where a large combat knife hung by a string. Snapping it off in a routined motion. Belted holter around his waist.

"Yeah? What of it. I've hunted plenty of our kind, Kanin." He said the name like with a sense of Familiarity. "I heard about what happened to that family. Wrangled up and sent of to the Holy Land. Shame really. Shame more that your my first hunt!" He ground his feet, lowering into a stance, Palm close to chest as he held his Knife out in reverse only for the Fox to then erupt from the ground! Shattering his foothold as he leapt towards the Rabbit!

Dezzi had mere milliseconds to react! Muscles lighting up as they lurched backwards, the black singing through the air as it sliced! 'Fast!' The Mink thought to themself, the blade sent an arrant blade of wind slicing through the ground, a deep unnatural gash into the earth! "Shock Paw!" Dez clenched their fist, lightning cracking around their black hued fist! Delivering a devistating upward hook into the Fox's stomach!

"Hngrh!" The Hunter Winced! His opponents eyes widened, there was no outward shock of air! 'He absorbed all of the force?!' Dezzi thought "Electro? Really?" Boone mocked, fist slamming into Dezzi's jaw! Flipping them through the air!

"Our electro doesn't affect our bodies or each others. Cmon girl!" He sneered before squinting. "No…Not girl. You're a ditey aren't you? I know our peoples culture. Even if it's not exactly…Monolithic."

Boone in that moment remembered Mink relations. Ditey's, or more formally 'Enbey' were Minks that didn't align with a Sex or Gender. Mammals each had their own types of roles and sexes, and such different alignments in their units and species. Stack that variety onto the dimorphism of minks and their human nature. Minks quickly developed their own forms of Sexual and Gender Application. Many of which developed in Humans and were even spread by them. Half Woman, Half Man, Both, Neither, Something in between or unique. Changing. 

Minks, above their animalistic bodies, naturally strong bodies meant for strength and physicality with rural wild living, had strong bonds and social structures between one another. Who best fit what role and designation in units and communities. They weren't a monolith, this was something that began ages ago and then reemerged again in separate communities and individuals. Self Expression, their strengths and weaknesses; That was what minks as a people were. Needed to be.

"Ditey?" Dezzi huffed, eyes hardened as they smeared the trickle of blood against their mouth. "Oh cmon! You don't have any idea about what our race is up to?" He rolled his eyes.

"Well. We are pretty disseminated and spread thin…Out said of Anmalia of course." He shrugged his shoulder. "I'm sayin' you're not boy or girl are ya, little rabbit?" 

'Tch…He recognized that quicker in a second than half the people in the Hospital did in 3 Years…' The irony was not lost on them.

"Yeah." Dezzi stood back to their feet. Cracking their neck.

Dezzis hair whipped behind them, ears flying back as they speed across the ground! Fist blackening in armament, and wrecking it straight into Boones snout! Bone rending as blood splashed out! "Gah!" 

'Little shit's better than I thought!' That first strike wasn't everything Dezzi had, They had underestimated the older Fox in their initial blows! 

"Rapid!" Dezzi screamed, tightening their other fist, blackening it, and slamming their knuckles into the Hunter again and again! Landing hundreds of punches in a matter of a second!

Pain wracked through Boone, deep snarl exposing his white and yellowed fanged mouth! Slamming his foot into the ground, his hand shot up! Catching Dez by the fist!

"Vulp Crash!" A Strange Shaped jaw of a Fox formed around his clawed hand! Slamming it into Dezzi's Stomach! He used the Modify ability of Firmament known as shift to shape his attack! Manipulating the aura and space into the object!

SNAP! Jaw pierced into The Rabbits abdomen! Blood pouring as the were sent backwards! 

HOUR 13

8:00pm-9:00pm

Alarms blared inside the hospital as Lodge had put the entire Hospital on Lockdown, The Chair to the ER and anyone with a non emergency Medical issue was discharged and told to go home, the Taxi's outside, and various other forms of transportation. Leaving only Operations, Hospice, and Emergency Medicine continuing.

"What in the blazes is happening?!" Benedict Demanded, still with Hardgrove as Lodge explained the situation. But Lodge did not disclose what was happening with Dezzi, just that a sudden attack from a Pirate hit near the hospital.

The Hospital was in a buzz as people ran around to get the emergency under control and readied. Many of the Doctors were currently collected in the lobby. All standing around as Lodge took charge.

Only for Hardgrove to attempt to interject with her typical passive and clinical words. Only for more worry to spread. Just for Lodge to take back over in his same cynical and sarcastic but reassuring tone. The Hospital will have to shut down early, take no new patients, and for only the most Intensive Care floors and rooms to be cared for. Any operations and labs will need to be rescheduled or done another time.

"Wheres Heartfila?" Hardgrove asked Benedict. But he only shook his head. "I haven't seen her down here. She may have already left." 

Blood trailed through the air as they flew a tremendous distance! Another kilometer! And in a tenth of a second, Boone Appeared above Dezzi! Smile spread wide across his Vulpine face! Eyes harsh and filled with a predators gaze!

He pounced!

"Fanged Vulp!" He screamed, jaw latching down around Dezzi's throat! The two slamming into the ground! Dezzi in their teeth, blood oozing out, Dezzi's claws, coated in armament, attempted to open Boones Jaws of Life clenched around.

"HRGHGH!" Boone growled! Suddenly ragdolling Dezzi brutally from side to side! Attempting to snap their neck and tear deeper into the flesh!

"HAGCK!" Dez choked out a gagged scream! "F-Frost Paw!" They called! Frost covering their hand, Conduit Haki shifting into the frigid aura, condensed fog trailing behind while the Fist flew!

SHWAM! Ice impacted and spread across the Foxes Maw! When a secondary, shorter distanced impact slammed and shattered the ice! Flesh bleeding and shattered off the side of the Fox's muzzle!

His jaw lurched open! Hands coming to grab at the second wound to his face! Dezzi rolled across the ground! Hand gripping at the wound in their neck! 'No carotid lac, Trapezial and Platysma puncture…' The thought quick how to stim the bleeding. Jamming their hand into their pocket, they pulled out a pad they kept in their just in case, and slapped it against their throat before using firmament to freeze it to the fur and skin. Their Rabbit Physiology could handle the temperature.

Dezzi looked up, only to see that Kentuck was staring off to the distance. Facing east. He had let go of his knife. Blade pierced into the ground. His entire body was slack. Dezzis face shift to one of realization, neck snapping to the same direction, looking in realization…

The Moon. Risen high up into the air…

Was Full.

Dezzi's own Body in that moment felt loose. A sudden wash of lightness and rush of adrenaline flowing through their body. Back beginning to arch, arms locking out and chest heaving forward! 

Both of the minks began to undertake the transformation of Sulong! 

Both of the minks Bodies began to distend, stretch, shift and grow! Both of their muscles bulging, The Vulpines muscles staying enlarged, chest growing larger and wider, shoulders wide, arms large and trunk like. Waist narrowed while his legs gained length. His maw had lengthed, teeth growing to the length knives!

Both Minks' fur turned to a bleached white. Hair elongating. Boone gaining a length of hair at the bottom of his chin and out the corners of his nose like a goatee. Hair flowing deep down his back.

Both of their bodies finished their transformation at near the same time. Crackling and glowing with Electro Constantly. 

Dezzi, standing there, completely within control. Having been in their Sulong form many times, from their own made drugs and Wringly. 

Boone however…Seemed much more faral.

"AYEEEE!!!" He let out a call exactly like a Vulpine, calling loud into the night that even the hospital, the mines and the City of Pip could hear echo.

With his tongue flying out, licking the blood from his Maw, he had an animalistic, primal look to his eyes.

In a sudden crash! Kentucky disappeared! Crossed the distance of only a dozen meters in a millisecond! Before suddenly reappearing back in front Dezzi! Hand smashing into the ground, the ground cratering! As deep as a person, and as wide as a whale! Rubble shooting into the air! The ground form the sheer force, had been vaporized!

Dezzi had leapt backwards! Dodging the strike before leaping straight into the air! Moving at Meteoric Speeds! Boones head snapped up! Letting out a snarl, preparing to leap up and snatch Rabbit!

"Crescent!" Dezzi roared! Leg coating in armament, unconsciously infusing their Leg with Negative Flow of Conduit, a jagged aura streaking with black edges colored a vibrant white, pulsing and waving just as negative aura will.

"MAKT MANE!" Dezzi soared back down, boosting their down ward speed by pure force of their muscles! Propelling them down ward! The impact was monstrous!

Minks Sulong, meant to be a forced 'evolution' of sorts to put the Minks body to the highest possibly peaks of their Mammalian form enhanced with strength and shifted form flowing with electro! The peak of primal fury! A boost of 32 fold! 

Finally, a impact spread out of Boones body, too much force for his strong body to absorb. A massive torrent of wind shot out for miles around! The ground cracked for splits of a moment, before shattering! Erupting in a massive 100 meter crater, caving in a quarter of its width! 

The quake could be felt even the 5 km back at the Hospital, a tremor being felt by those inside, jostling loose cups of water on patients bedsides! 

"ACK!" Boone released a spout of blood from his mouth! His mind dizzying, The Negative Conduit making the pain worsen incredibly, the wound worsening, not by force but through the negative energy decaying the wound! 

His consciousness faded in and out, in that moment, Dezzi had experienced Haki Bloom! Suddenly awakening a brand new kata for their Conduit Branch! 'Bad Dose' was what they would call it!

Negative Energy not just increasing pain, and worsening wounds, but forcing their body's signals to flicker, inducing paralysis and causing them to black out…

Unless they could fight against it–

"Snare Hunt!" Firmament Aura radiated from Boones hand before shifting into solid Konseki Form! The form of a rope manifesting, a golden semi-transparent construct shooting out and tightening around Dez's legs! A second object appearing, a large rod like a limb from a tree or pole shot past Dezzi! Snapping into the ground!

Dezzi was hoisted upside down! Branch curved, the construct 6 meters tall, curved down, The Rabbit thrashing in the trap. 

HOUR 14 

10:00 pm - 11:00pm 

The Quake suddenly awoke a Doctor.

Doctor Heartfila.

She shoots up, looking around, the lights flickering beneath the slit of the Door. Where had she been? Where is she now…? She had been sleeping in the Doctors Bed, up on the 7th floor of Family Medicine. Having finished a double shift. Head hitting the pillow, and was dead to the world.

None of the Chaos woke her. Her mind used to the buzz, and forcing anything worrying out so that she could rest. Until the quake.

"Where? What?" She spoke in a soft, nurturing tone. Hand rubbing her head as she flips her legs off the bed quickly, feet sliding into her slips and yanking her White Coat on.

In the Hallway, it was devoid of Patients. Door after door opened, and no one was inside. She wondered if she had overslept, but the lack of nurses at the station told her it was something more.

Shoes clacked against the stairs. She had to check on her patients admitted to ICU. Her mind in a Haze of Worry. Thinking deeply, fearful for what must have happened.

She Checked on Dezzi's patient she had been put in care of as the Attending For Family and Pedes, Checked a few of the kids suffering from acute inhalation from their shift in the mines, The Kid who had been found in the Forest, starved only to realize they had run away from a bastard of a father in Pip. 

"Damn kid." Boone said, shaking his head slowly giving a distasteful tut of his tongue "Tut tut tut. You're good. Really good. I know for a fact now that you are Definetly your fathers kid." He wagged a finger. Firmament Aura forming into a long chain with a beartrap at the end, exaggerated and razor sharp.

"The Heck you talkin' about!" Dezzi demanded, thrashing in the snare. It was a Rule Based Konseki. It must bind around a limb, and has to be planted into the ground or surface to be effective, and Target must be unaware of the incoming attack. Once done, this allows for the Target to be caught in the snare, nearly unbreakable and preventing them from moving in the direction the snare is connected to. In this case, Dezzi could physically not bend up to reach their legs. Secondary ability was–

Kentucky swiped two fingers through the air. Causing another rope to form, between their teeth, working as a gag to stop them from speaking. Slipknot connecting down into the ground by a smaller pole. Snare Hunt, once having a target caught, could have more snares places on the target where ever the user gestures.

He stopped in front of the Rabbit, hands clawing at the gag. He took a knee to be at eye level, and just a distance away to prevent Dez from swiping at him. "Hush. Lemme talk."

"I never liked Hunting our kind. Always tried to avoid it when I could…" He seemed to have his wits about him again. Even while in sulong. "But you…That name." He closed his blackened sclera, red iris eyes. Shaking his head again.

"I knew your Dad, Dezzi." Voice softened. "He was a Bounty Hunter on a Contract with the Marines." Dezzi's eyes widened. They never knew anything about their parents. Only the vague memories when they were 3, before the brand of the Flying Dragon, before being a slave on Holy Eden.

"I worked with him. Fox and the Hare. Your Mom was a bunny. But your dad was a hare. You've got both of em in you. Her eyes, his jaw, his hair, her ears, both of their faces melded into one." He scratched his brow with the back of his thumb. 

"I warned him about that…Doing all of that. Getting involved with the Marines." He looked away for a moment. Dezzi's thrashing had stopped. "And look where it got him. A Marine backed Slaver comin' along to his family. Snatching him, his wife, his kid. Everyone else we both knew, hoisted away to the Holy Land or to be skinned for their fur in some Celestials Coat."

He'd lost his eye to Rango Scotch. But the invisible scar, of being tricked and having a sack thrown over his head, pelted with rocks by humans for fun. Left more in him than that Morph Morph Bullet ever could.

"I resented him for that. I think I've been…Runnin' away from it ever since. Chasing the thrill. The hunt. Taking pleasure in it, Slip after Slip." He chewed his lip raw.

"And when I heard it was you. Or might be you. I thought hell, why not get back into the Saddle after settling down into one of the most popular 'Bustling New Islands' and doing stupid contracting work. Racking in Berry. Seedy after Seedy. Switch after Switch. Counting my Pelly dutifully."

Another scratch. "But when I saw you on that roof. Teetering on the edge. Feeling alive, I saw your father. And knew this was my chance to take it. My revenge?" He questioned.

"My Resent."

"But fighting you. Made me realize that she fought with the same fury probably. Your mom. Your dad too. For what? Community? Race? Child?" His jaws ground loosely.

"And you did the same. Weren't you. Never moving me towards that place." He looked over his shoulder, Hospitals lights being the only thing glowing over the Horizon.

"Sulong…Always let it take hold. Let me feel free. Myself. But that impact. The Conduit. I think that blink let me snap too. A brief moment to take control I know I always had but didn't take. Didn't…Trap in my hands." He looked off to the moon, then back to Dezzi.

He gazed down to the Beartrap. Simple Manifestation Type Konseki. And it disappeared into shatters. Fading away. "And thats why did it….Didn't he? Marines. Not because he was selfish. But because that was the only thing he could do, thinking he could protect his community."

"Hagh…" He growled out a sigh. Shrinking down, and returning back to normal. Snap! His fingers clicked and the Snare released Dezzi. Falling with a thud. Their own form releasing as they relaxed.

"Hngh…" The Vulpine groaned. Falling to his back. Legs slowly spreading out.

The twos breath rose and fell in tandem from the dose of Sulong. Bodies sore. Aching. But wounds having stimmed.

Footsteps crunched slowly. Approaching the Fox.

Dezzi stood over them. Dried on their face, scuffs, cuts and bandage dried. Hooding torn. But they stood tall. Looking down to Kentucky Boone, ears relaxed.

"Do whatever you want to me. Just…Do me a favor will ya? Make it quick." His head rols back. Eyes locked onto Dezzi. Devoid of Emotion.

His eyes relaxed as he watched Dezzi's Hands glow. Vibrant golden hue. In that moment, his eyes looked away from the rabbit. Off to the moon.

Dezzi dropped to their knees, and gently put their hands on the Fox gently. The sudden softens jolted the Hunter. Suddenly looking back to see the glow enveloping them!

Good Medicine.

"Unfortunate for you." Dezzi looked to Boone. Lodge flashing in their mind. 

"I'm a Doctor. Not a Hunter." The Conduit slowly started to heal the man. Bit by bit. The external wounds and any injuries. It wouldn't fix anything, but would seal him back up and purge any minor ailments.

Boone smiled softly. "Kahaha! Augh…" Dezzi continued. "Besides. I think I've cut you enough. But don't make me cut you more." They gave menacing smile. "I'll do it to!" They continued their work. 

Boone shook his head. Murmuring out–

"The Fox Mourns the Hares Death…"

10:45pm 

Dezzi ran across the ground, back to the Hospital! Boones words echoing in their mind as they watched him walk off. 'If ever you need anything. You know where to find me. I think I've had enough of this place…Need to actually do retirement properly…' There was one thing on their mind specifically…And it would be underway shortly enough.

Leaping off the ground, bouncing and bounding, they quickly cross the 5km in a few moments of exertion that tired them even more. 

Everything was in its right place…

At the same time. Inside the Hospital Lobby…Hardgrove clapped her hands together.

"Everyone! Please! May I have your attention! We haven important announcement. Not only has their been an update on the situation. And what ever had happened has been subdued and we have an all clear." She suddenly held up her board. The Signatures.

"We have our last signature!" Some people gasped. Other murmured. Some gave a few claps. Benedict of course, gave a hearty clap of celebration. "We can officially privatize the Hospital Properly. And give the care to those who need it the most! Our funding, from patrons, will now be a formal board of directors and Officers for the hospital"

The Doctors and Nurses continued to look to one another. Heartfila rubbing her knuckles idly. After the sudden quake. And the worry…She felt this need to make sure the kids and families she saw would get the care they needed…even if it needed to be flawed. In her mind.

"However. Unfortunately. There will be a change up in things. We will need new Doctors. And that may mean that some of you–" Her words were cut off as the front door slammed open! 

HOUR 15

11:00pm-12:00am

Everyone. Every face. Every set of eyes. Looked to the front door where Dezzi stood, door held open, night dark behind the stark white fur of the mink. "WAIT!"

They breathed hard. "You don't have my signature." They said with all the confidence in the world. Eyes hardened. Glaring at Hardgrove and Benedict.

A look of shock and horror came over the two 'Doctors' faces. Blinking to each other. Boone had told them Dezzi was handled! A weary look attempted to spread across the Administrators lips. "Heh…Nice of you to Join Us, Kanin Dezzi."

"But unfortunately. Not only is it past time for signatures. But you aren't an Attending!" She spat the words with palpable, but passive venom.

"Oh on the contrary!" The faces shifted to behind them, where Dr. Lodge kicked open the side door. "As of exactly–" He held a paper up to his eyes. Reading it allowed "2:38pm this afternoon, Dezzi here finished their Degree in Emergency and Internal Medicine, Making them M.D."

"And!" He twisted the knife. Watching the color fade from Hardgroves face as she slowed to the realization "As of Exactly 10:58pm , as per this Certificate Seal and Stamp says, with Witness of one Nurse Akari RN" He began to read the Certificate aloud. "This is to Certify that Oslar Kanin Dezzi, M.D. has completed Residency in Surgical 'Slash' Traumatic Medicine. And is here by appointed to the Position of 'Attending In Emergency Medicine'" He finally lowered the paper.

"Signed by Department Chair, Me, Program Director, Also me, and holding Executive Power of Head and Administrative Doctor in title, Signed by me."

The Room was left in shock. Some smiled, other nodded to one another. A slow steady clap began to rise. Cheering for the victory of the hospital, and their brand new Doctor.

Dezzi crossed over to Lodge, Standing next to them. They had signed their name on the paper at exactly the right time, the moment they made it to Lodges office who had been waiting there. Knowing Dezzi would return in time. Pulling away Akari for witness legally. But there was no time to talk. The pen scratched, and Dezzi leapt from the open window to land back at the front door and interrupt.

"Might as well tear that paper. It's now…" He checked his watch "Damn near twelve. Well passed the due. And there was one attending you didn't account for. Sorry Dr. Hardgrove."

A sudden slap came to the top of Dezzi's head. Placing their cap back on, having fetched it off the roof after the initial attack. "Isn't that right?"

"Dr. Oslar."