I’m a Doctor, Not a Veterinarian

Posted on Sun May 5th, 2019 @ 6:34pm by Lieutenant Commander S'hib

Mission: Episode 1: Hell is a four letter word
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: prior to Estelle going on leave
1248 words - 2.5 OF Standard Post Measure

~This shouldn't take too long~ S’hib thought as he walked through the door to sickbay, his hooves clicking too a stop as he looked around the large empty room. “Hello?” He snorted, folding his arms behind his back and slowly trotting further into sickbay, His long braided tail flicking with a subconscious nervous twitch.

"I'm here, I'll be right with you", Estelle responded, her voice a bit off. "Sorry, I'm a little hoarse today. Too much singing last night." As she walked around the corner, she blinked. "Well, looks like just a little wouldn't be any concern to you, hm?"

Coming to a stop as Estelle appeared S’hib’s ears flicked back as he heard her awful pun and simply inhaled deeply, he had become quite used to sly and offhand remarks back on earth. “I'm sure I’ll be fine, as long as you don't start singing again... I don't think you’d suit fur.” S’hib snorted back with a small smirk.

"No, not today", Estelle agreed. "I'm Estelle Hertz, the resident surgeon. Though, I'll tell you right up front, I trained on humanoids."

“Well, yeah... But I’m still a mammal, my heart isn't in my knee or anything.” S’hib frowned, shaking his head quickly as he tried to swerve this train wreck of a conversation into something more productive. “Anyway, I’m Ensign S’hib... Recently come aboard so I’m here for a physical exam.”

"Why don't you come down to eye level and I'll have a good look at you?" Estelle suggested, pointing at a biobed. "Though you'll have to help me out a little. I can get a baseline reading for your species to compare yours to, but if there's anything in particular you think I should pay attention to, it would be most helpful if you told me."

Walking over to the biobed and gently sitting down on one side S’hib looked over at Estelle as he moved his legs up and laid down. “Well, my species are herbivores.” He added, trying to think if there was anything important to mention.

"I hope you don't scare easily", Estelle smirked. "Our CMO is a huge, hulking Gorn with big teeth and a very carnivorous smile."

Flinching slightly at the thought S’hib’s ears flicked around as he looked at Estelle with wide open eyes. “I might have evolved from a prey animal but I wouldn’t be a very good security officer if I scared easily.” he said with a rather vocal snort as he lied through his teeth. ~Scared yourself walking in here you idiot.~

"Hey, there's no way we can prevent our instincts from coming through every now and then, even if we have to override them", Estelle said. "I have to override my instincts on a daily basis, just so I won't get in trouble with the higher-ups."

“I noticed.” S’hib said with a slight whine in his voice. “But really the only thing I have to suppress on a daily basis are my sleeping habits.”

"How so?" Estelle asked. "Sleep is most important for anyone's health, even those who think they can override it with coffee." She took a sip from her ever-present mug with the inscription 'Coffee is always a good idea!' for emphasis.

“Well, my species doesn’t sleep like most other humanoids, in that we don’t sleep for more than a few hours at a time.” S’hib said with a slightly exasperated sigh. “It has come into conflict with my shift patterns in the past because my body, just like other Sequus, prefers to take frequent rest periods... I believe the human phrase would be, a power nap.” He said, wriggling his muzzle as he looked back at Estelle. “On the upside, I can cover more shifts because I don't need an extended period of sleep.”

"I suggest you speak to your shift supervisor and arrange your duty schedule around the sleep pattern that you need", Estelle offered. "We've all got some special needs to accommodate, as compared to other species or even other members of the same species, and I don't see why we shouldn't help you get a healthy sleep."

"If it becomes a problem, I'll consider it," S'hib said naively. "Besides I've only just joined... I'd feel rude if I, ugh was too start making requests." He added, rambling and making excuses.

"I strongly recommend you take action before it becomes a problem", Estelle said. "All the studies I've seen show a clear causal link between distorted sleep patterns and a whole host of health issues, some of which manifest themselves early, others are long-term effects."

Contorting his brow into what could only be described as a frown S'hib looked up at Estelle. "I suppose there isn't any point arguing with you over this is there." He added, his voice quietly admitting defeat

"True, it usually is a bad idea to argue with your doctor", Estelle said matter-of-factly. "Though, in some cases, I'll admit the results can be hilarious."

"You make it sound like I'd be safer with the Gorn." S'hib chuckled lightly as he laid his head back against the biobed's attempt at a pillow.

"You're free to get a second opinion, of course", Estelle smirked. "But I don't expect it'll differ from what I've already told you. Now the good thing is, it won't reflect badly on your career prospects. It's just that Starfleet doesn't have the kind of experience with your species that it has with mine, or we'd have figured it out already and you wouldn't even be having any issues to begin with."

"I guess I'm just used to putting up with things so I don't bother anyone," S'hib said as his face went blank. "I just want to do my best."

"Talk to your shift supervisor", Estelle suggested. "Get yourself set up so your biological needs are met. Then, with your attitude, the rest will fall into place and you'll be nothing but an asset to your department."

"Your bedside manner is appalling, all you're doing is making sense and I don't like it." S'hib said as he ran his hoofed digits across his face, groaning loudly.

"That's because you're new", Estelle said. "Ask anyone who's been around me for a while and they will swear it's not so."

"I was jesting about that, Your honesty is appreciated." S'hib said as he moved his hands back onto his lap. "I'll have to speak to someone when I'm next on shift."

"I know you were, but I'm not", Estelle grinned. "At any rate, I think it's safe to let you return to your duties, for the moment."

"Thank you." S'hib exhaled softly, sliding his body off of the biobed and standing up, two distinct hoof clicks hitting the floor as he did so. "Have a good evening Commander." He added with a long bow before walking towards the exit.

"Call me when you need new shoes", Estelle grinned. "I know someone who loves all things crafty on the holodeck, and who can pass for a blacksmith well enough."

Stopping with a slightly irritable scrape of his right hoof S'hib turned his head back around towards Estelle. "Next time I get them changed I'll bring one in so you can have it as a lucky charm." He quipped before giving a large snort and leaving, His long braided tail flicking loudly against the doorway as he did so.