@clippher· || technically liked my permanent starter call !
He had joked, once, that while he wasn’t as part of the isle as those who had been born there, he knew it backwards and forwards. In the dark, or with his eyes closed. It had been a joke. Meant as exaggeration. As Henry trekked down the wandering things that passed for streets on the Isle of the Lost with his eyes mostly closed for most of the journey, however, he had learned it was less of an exaggeration than he thought it. He wasn’t sure if it was ironic or just a necessary skill to living there. The thought of both soon became vague in the face of a rise in the tide of pain in his head. He winced and tried not to think, just to walk.
He had a strange sense of the world gripped in a state of purgatory since the Ulf Night celebration – the week that had passed already felt like a blink, as though he had only closed his eyes and taken a step and somehow passed several days by entirely without having set an eye or foot upon them. And yet it was only after the days were gone that it felt this way, for every moment of them had been long while he lived it. It was only looking back that enforced this sense of floating. And then the day before last an insidious ache had crept up the back of his neck. It had taken root behind his eyes and made itself a home there, lingering, now, for what counted as two full days. Sapping his patience. He knew his friends meant well and yet…
His train of thought -somewhat unsteady to begin with, to be honest- was interrupted by his arrival to Noelani’s clinic. Probably for the best. He wouldn’t mean half of hat he thought. Instead, now, he had had a far lighter point to focus his attention. She looked like the wilds of the isle personified: strong vines and stubborn will to flower. His smile shone, sluggish, but easy.
“Do you take walk-ins,doc,” he asked (as if he was unaware that she had told him to be there), “or should I call you tomorrow?” Despite the discomfort weighing his words into a hoarse register, he managed to sound teasing.
𝐮𝐥𝐟 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, a renewed eagerness had spread throughout the isle when news had spread that the people of auradon had been invited to participate. soon enough, people that hadn't participated in years chose to make an appearance, to compete and show the visitors from across the bridge something that was all their own. the fun of the fair, sharing food, sweets and drinks with new friends, playing the sideshow games and hunting in the dark. it had been fun while it had lasted but like every good thing, it had to come to an end.
the scare of jane's disappearance, the subsequent fight to see her safe again and the worry as she had treated her injuries had left the crew surgeon welcoming the familiarity of her dockside clinic.
since the barriers fall her small clinic had grown. she had better equipment, more resources, more effective treatments and solutions, and she had access to laboratory equipment where she could experiment and hone her craft in finding new and better ways to heal and treat ailments and injuries. she caught movement out of the corner of her eye and turned to face the slightly unsteady henry turner with a wide smile.
❝ hmm, i suppose i can make time for you, since you did walk all the way here. ❞ noelani said as she rose to her feet and met him at the door. while her tone was cheerful enough, there was the unmistakable pang of concern when she noticed his somewhat sluggish smile. his stance was a little too relaxed like he would fall over at any moment. she slipped her arm around his easily and led him to the cot pushed up against the side of the wall. ❝ take a seat and i'll turn the lights down a bit. ❞
before leaving his side, noelani swept his hair back out of his face, briefly brushing her fingertips over his forehead and the set of his brow. the motion was affectionate, and she was able to check his temperature as well.
❝ you know, all you pirates are lucky i don't take offense when you don't come to me as soon as you're feeling under the weather. ❞ she accused, moving around the room, she turned the lights down slightly and retrieved a small kit that she kept to the side just for henry.
