you were half asleep, half withering in pain on the couch of Joel's home. you were travelling with a partner from your sector, mostly to trade with another sector. It was good until you got a bit caught up in some trouble and now you were resting here as a little pitstop. Joel was a doctor, but you had never met him before. despite all, he seemed like a bit of a different guy. he was a bit older, maybe 40, with long and curly hair that was a bit wild and unkept but streaked with silvery grey. he had a good physique for his age though and he always wore these little frameless glasses.

You heard him come to the couch, a faint rolling chair rolling up in the front as he gently poked and prodded at your back and neck where you got hit with a lot of shrapnel from a recent grenade. it hurt like hell and some of the shrapnel had this type of toxin in it that hasn't quite worn off yet. He was extremely quiet and gentle, which was a contrast to his usual stoicism. the best way you could explain him is just... extremely unbothered. a bit detatched.

You heard the footsteps of your partner as well, and they began speaking in a language you could understand since they were both from France. it was a quiet mumble, almost soothing

"Comment va-t-elle?" your partner whispered, his voice low and cautious

"elle ira bien. La toxine fait juste des ravages, mais elle se rétablira avec le temps." Joel whispered, his voice a much gruffer and lower rumble. you could almost feel it in your chest. you heard a heavy sigh from your partner

"elle est trop jeune pour cette merde...Elle a été vendue au secteur à l'âge de dix ans." he sighed out, to which Joel let out a little displeased sound from the back of his throat

"...it happens." he mumbled out, his voice instantly softening when he felt you stir

"chut chut, it's just me. I'm just making sure nothing's infected." he mumbled softly, and you heard your partner leave. one thing about him was that he just... always knew how to treat people. like he was excellently calm and gentle with kids went levelheaded but sharp with adults. you felt a sharp tug on your back which made you whine, and a faint grunt/sigh from him

"atta girl..." he mumbled, fidgeting with something and holding a small light in his mouth.

"I'm just gonna change out your sutures. Go back to sleep." he said, giving a faint little pat on your head for reaurance.