I don't think I've heard anything about the ff7 oc who is Rufus' doctor 👀 (dragonsmooch)
OC!!! sorry it took me 500 years to get here @dragonsmooch fkjdha I have already written the fic that introduces her BUT unfortunately I wrote out of order so I haven't posted it yet. That being said!
Her name is Cleotha Clark! Excerpt:
A woman appeared in the doorframe, with a faint smile. Aura judged that she was probably in her 60s - her dark hair, styled in cornrows, was sporting many grey strands. Aura was quick to notice the gun hanging off her waist - that was particularly odd. The Turks didn't allow most people to carry guns in the facility. So why...?
(she's black)
And basically the story I've laid out for her is that she is an incredibly talented doctor - she could work just about anywhere she wants, including at the very top serving the Shinra family directly. She chose not to do that - she's got good self preservation. BUT! She was really good friends with Rufus' mother (who I've named Lillian), and when Lillian became pregnant with Rufus, she all but begged Cleotha to become the Shinra family doctor, because she wanted the best for her baby, and Cleotha is it. And she trusts Cleotha a lot.
Cleotha accepts, and becomes the Shinra family doctor, seeing all sorts of unpleasant things she hadn't seen before pertaining to Lillian and President Shinra's relationship (my hc that it was abusive), but also getting to know little baby Rufus and actually being an adult he could trust. Lillian dies, essentially of a broken heart, and Cleotha is also heart broken by this :c but Lillian asked her to take care of Rufus. So she does...in her own way. She's not a parent - she never had kids. She just does what she can as his doctor. As he gets older he starts refusing to come in (stubborn bastard) and she doesn't reach out in any other capacity.
After Meteorfall the Turks find her and bring her back to Healen after Kilmister is killed because goddammit Rufus needs a real doctor and not so horrible quack.
So that's a lot of what happens to Cleotha, but about her:
She's smart. She knew taking a job as the Shinra personal doctors was fraught with risk because of how intensely you're surveilled - she only did this because of her best friend Lillian, who was definitely her weak spot.
She has a strong moral backbone, but she isn't afraid to get her hands dirty if the situation calls for it. She carries a gun on her person after Meteorfall. She understands she can't help everyone, especially those who might harm her, and has come to terms with this.
She's reliable, but she's not interested in babying others. She'll give you her blunt expert opinion, but if you choose to ignore it that's your decision.
She's funny!!! Only snarky if it's warranted. She's got a good sense of humor and a clear understanding of when it's appropriate.
She cares about Rufus, but she will never be his mother or anything close to it. She is his doctor, and if he wants, his friend and someone who can advise him. They are pretty close despite how he pulled away - he appreciates that she talks to him like a normal person, and not like he's on a pedestal. She will be blunt and honest with him, and she always has been, even when he was a kid.
