you were laying in the guest bed of Doctor Ira's home, the man you had to take a little pitstop at his home during a long trip to trade with another sector. the world has divided to an almost steampunk and industrial place, with different sectors instead of cities that all play a role in a state or province. Though a lot of the time, traveling from province to province can get very dangerous due to the amount of hagglers and criminals who were exiled from the province and were forced to live outside of them on the unnamed roads and places. and recently, them being able to access weaponry has skyrocketed.

you were traveling alone this time despite being so young, being told by your boss that "it's an easy trip, just to the Flint Sector. there are pitstops along the way but you shouldn't need any. easy for any 16 year old." which would've been true if the border between the Basalt Sector (where you're from) and the Flint Sector had the most dangerous criminals out there... and lo and behold, you were jumped pretty badly and ended up with a horrible hernia which he had to surgically fix which has been literally the worst pain you have ever experienced even through recovery.. Though thankfully Doctor Ira--a very well known and extremely skilled doctor-- was patroling that border as per usual since he knew how dangerous it got and was always looking for wounded. And he eventually swept you up and took you back to his place which was a nice and small home with its own guest room for patients, and a little girl who was his granddaughter named Lisa.

you were half awake and half asleep, barely able to sleep through the pain when he gently knocked and peeked in, his call but aged face scanning you. Lisa clung to his side, but she was quiet. she was always really mature for a four year old, knowing when to be quiet or act her age. Ira quietly held a tray of soup and broth with a small heat pack on the side and some towels and extra blankets. he gently set them down on the little medical cart he kept in here, and crouched next to the bed to get on level with you, gently resting a hand on your forehead-- half checking for a fever and half to comfort you

"how are you feeling, hm?" he asked softly, gently lifting up your shirt to check your stitches and just how everything was down there. Lisa quietly pipped up

"why's her tummy look sewed like a button, bubba?" she asked quietly, holding onto his coat. his face stayed stoic and unbothered but his voice was undoubtedly fond

"because sometimes skin needs sewing just like fabric, bug." he murmured quietly for her. you know this was a warmth reserved for her and her only. he gently palpated your stomach, making you wince a bit but he knew it was normal. he quickly cut and pulled out a stitch without warning, making you whimper. he sighed out when he got it out, threading a new needle

"atta girl..." he hummed out gruffly but gently, getting some things ready on the cart

"I just want to clean and redo a few sutures, just relax." he said softly, wiping some blood away with a cloth

"then you can have some soup and some pain meds."