wolfsong

[Deleted]

He had almost forgotten that threat; not that it wasn't important, but because it didn't hurt half as much to him as having let himself go, having let himself snap. His optics misted over and he spoke three words that he felt needed to be said. "I forgive you." To err was mortal, to forgive, a kindness he felt she needed. No, that she deserved. She actively tried to make amends for what she had done, and that was more than he could say for others who had done worse to him.

When he heard the distressed noise, it seemed to almost jab him in the spark. He'd only ever heard that from his fellow Vosians before and she was Vosian. But he couldn't let that destroy the composure he was trying to keep for Moonwing's sake. He closed his optics tightly to let himself settle and let the tears disappate. When he heard Ratchet's request, he handed over the vial of painkiller. "Painkiller."

He glanced to Moonwing. "And we mean anything. Don't be afraid to ask even if it sounds silly. Needs aren't silly."

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It hurt, it hurt so much, but she knew that Ratchet would do everything he could to help her, and he would not hurt her on purpose. He was kind and calm, and she admired the steely resolve and the steady, methodical way in which he went about his work to try and fix her up.Despite her faith in him, however, Moonwing was undoubtedly relieved when he immediately drew his hands away in response to her distressed bleat.

“A p-painkiller?” She squeaked out in surprise, looking completely mystified. “Autobots… give low ranking bots painkillers?”

Within the Decepticon Ranks, of course, painkillers had to be earned. If one’s injuries were due to incompetence or stupidity they would then suffer through whatever repairs (if they even got them) without anything to dull the pain. Given that Moonwing had very seldom gotten repairs for whatever dings and dents she received during her training, and even more seldom been given painkillers for the procedures, it was no surprise that the young seeker reacted with bewilderment.

The tiny prick into her energon line was but a pinch compared to the ache in her snapped leg strut, but the effect was instantaneous: tingling numbness spread down the limb until she could not feel anything at all from the hip down. There was no disguising how her entire frame, devoid of pain, began to relax at last.

To heal instead of to harm… the young seeker imagined it must be so exhilarating. “How can someone become a doctor?” Moonwing then blurted, unable to contain the question any longer. “How can- How do you learn? Can anyone do it? Can someone like me do it?”

[Ratchet]

Ratchet practically looked to Moonwing in horror when the question was asked. "What are you talking about.. You mean to tell me that the Decepticons don't even.. give painkillers?" Just what kind of operation where they running?! They denied that relief to the lower ranks but gave it to the high and mighty with no problem? Megatron really had twisted into the very thing he had striven to fight against.. "Of course you can have painkillers. You're in pain, and the best way for me to treat this is for you to be in the least amount of pain as possible. Besides.. I don't want you to hurt."

He injected the painkiller, occasionally looking up to Moonwing to make sure she was still alright with everything. It would soon take into effect, and he would wait to make sure everything was the way it should be before resuming his work on her leg.

Ratchet glanced to Pharma as Moonwing asked more questions, smiling gently. "Well.. traditionally one would go to medical school and learn. Pharma's the one who taught me, after all. But since traditions don't mean much in this world as things are.. I could always teach you. Or Pharma if you would prefer the one who taught me. I think you could be a great doctor if you put in the effort to learn."

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Pharma himself flinched. He of course knew the fact. When you knew the five most terrifying Decepticons and their canine compatriot quite well, you learned fast what Decepticon ranks were like. "Not to the rank-and-file, especially if they 'screw up'. Which is...arbitrary at best." He murmured. "But you didn't hear that from me. Makes me glad Autobots will do it for those who need it. That...I'm not forced to withhold it."

He would watch her reaction with a small smile as her frame relaxed. The tension leaving was good. The tension leaving was a sign of how much the pain had impacted her. His frame often stayed tense itself so he knew it all too well.

He then smiled perhaps a bit milder than Ratchet's own. "And I was taught like Ratchet. I'd...be happy to be a teacher again." His optics were warm and bright. "If you want it, I mean. Maybe even paint the medic markings on you when you're finally a full-fledged medic. My class's markings are on my wings, of course."

[Deleted]

The outrage in Ratchet’s voice made her flinch though she certainly wasn’t responsible. “Thank you… for not wanting me to hurt.” Moonwing’s voice was small but mystified, as if she had rarely been shown such kindness… and indeed, in her short life, kindness had come but rarely. It felt good to know that someone cared.

Now that the pain was numbed and it didn’t hurt to shift herself, her curiosity got the best of her and she craned to see Ratchet’s work upon her leg. There was no hiding her utter fascination once she caught sight of the inner workings of her own leg, with its struts and circuits and mechanisms and brightly colored energon tubes. Ratchet tended to the injury with an experience and finesse she’d never really seen before. She wanted desperately to know how to do this, to help others like he was helping her.

When Ratchet and Pharma said yes, it was no surprise that the young seeker looked to be on cloud nine. “Really?! You really mean it?” Moonwing gasped in delight, her face lighting up in excitement, and she started to babble. “When can I start? I promise I’ll work hard! Can I help you fix people too? Do I need textbooks? I have some I downloaded from the archives of the Nemesis. When can I paint those crosses on my wings? Will they look good on my wings?”

[Ratchet]

"There isn't much point in medical treatment if the medic is only going to inflict pain worse than what you're experiencing before treatment.  I'm.. terribly sorry if they put you through that.  Pharma and I won't let it happen again."

Ratchet sighed, continuing his work on Moonwing's leg.  To him it was a simple repair, but he understood where others would think it complicated.  While he did his best to completely focus on his work, he couldn't help but notice Moonwing marveling at his ability to repair the damage.  A small smile crept onto his face, welding pieces back together.

The seeker's barrage of questions pulled a chuckle out of the medic as he began to finish up the work on Moonwing's leg.  "All in due time, I promise.  For now let's just focus on getting you fighting fit.  Once you're up to it, the both of us can see to teaching you.  I have another student at the moment, but I could handle two if you really want me to train you.  His name's First Aid, by the way.  I still have my datapads of texts that I used, but I'm curious to see what Decepticon ones are like.  Once you've finished your training, then we can see about giving you your markings.  I think they would look wonderful on you."