Flight Physical (1/2)

Writers: Avery
Date Posted: 11th July 2017

Characters: Talwynn, Jadirah
Description: Jadirah gives Talwynn a flight physical.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 13, day 4 of Turn 8
Notes: Part 1 of 2

Jadirah quickly reviewed the chart for her upcoming patient. Retired
greenrider, mid-twenties, severely injured several Turns ago. Had spent
almost a Turn recovering from the physical effect and then another one
working through the mental adjustments needed after such a severe
injury. Last Turn, she'd started getting more Healer visits with a
stated goal of "working her way back to active duty." It seemed like a
sudden change, but from the notes she'd been working very hard at it.

Jadirah could picture the girl in her mind already. She'd be determined
to achieve her goal, she'd be unwilling to ask for help, and she
wouldn't take roadblocks or being turned down easily. But handling her
with kid gloves would cause her to get angry. That thought reminded her
of the last dragonrider she knew who had recovered from bad injuries.
Her lips curved in a little smile as she thought of A'kades. If this
Talwynn was anything like him, she would be something to deal with – but
something Jadirah knew how to manage.

"Your next patient is here," said an apprentice, knocking at the door.

Jadirah set the records aside and smiled at the greenrider who entered.
"Talwynn, it's good to meet you. How is Riveth?" she asked.

Talwynn nodded politely at the Healer as she entered. "Master Healer.
She's well."

"Take a seat, and please, call me Jadirah. Calling me "Master" makes me
look around for my real teachers," the Healer joked.

Talwynn sat on the exam cot. "How are you liking it here so far?" she
asked, trying to make polite conversation and hoping it was an
acceptable topic.

"It's chilly, and that will take some getting used to. But A'kades
wanted to come here because he grew up at Opal Cove, and I wanted to
follow him so the children could know their father."

"Are you weyrmated?" the greenrider asked.

"No, I've never felt like settling down. But I wanted children, he was
jaw-droppingly handsome, and I knew he'd be a respectful and involved
father. So I pursued him until he agreed and now we have two children,"
Jadirah said.

"That's one way to accomplish that goal," Talwynn said with a little
smile. She could tell the woman was either weyrbred or had taken to it
like a dolphin to the sea.

"It worked out and he's a good father. Have you met him yet?"

"No, I haven't," Talwynn said.

"Well, you'll like him. I have this feeling you'll get along swimmingly."

Pleasantries aside, Jadirah decided to launch into the actual point of
the visit. "I'm going to have to ask some questions you've been asked a
lot and probably go over some things you already know, since you're
seeing me for the first time. I hope that doesn't bother you. Why did
you ask for me instead of a Healer you've been seeing? It seems an odd
choice."

"I asked for a River Bluff transfer _ because_ I want someone who has
never seen me before for an honest final evaluation," Talwynn answered.
"I think I've seen every Journeyman or Master Healer who's been here
more than 6 months. They compare me to how I have been for Turns. I get,
"oh, you're doing better than last Turn." a lot. I don't want that. I
want to know if I am or am not good enough for firestone delivery or the
wings as I am right now."

Jadirah nodded. **She _does _ sound like A'kades.** Already she was
finding she liked Talwynn and hoped this evaluation went well.

"In that case, here come the questions. A few easy ones to start off
with. Your chart says you're on the contraceptive herbs. Will you need a
refill?"

"Before the end of the month."

"I'll send you home with them today. Do you have a weyrmate?" None were
listed on the records, but Jadirah wanted to make sure.

"No, I don't," Talwynn said. She'd been seeing D'kere long enough she
was sure he was thinking about it, but she just hadn't felt ready to
commit herself to something that...permanent and significant yet.

"Do you have any medical concerns for the day outside of your fighting
condition?"

"No."

"Strip down, then, so I can take a better look," Jadirah said. "I've
seen the records, but what do you want to say about your accident?"

Talwynn shrugged before stripping down. "Not much to say. Thread fell
and hit me and Riveth on the left. My left arm was badly damaged and got
infected. Two fingers are useless. The left leg has a limp from it."
She stood up and turned slowly to show Jadirah.

The Master Healer had seen many very bad Threadscorings since Threadfall
began. Many ones as bad as Talwynn's had been fatal. Looking over the
greenrider's damage, she was impressed that the young woman had survived.

She lifted the arm in question and inspected it, running her fingers
over the scars and noting where the muscle had wasted. The upper arm had
knotty scars on the bicep and the lower arm had significant muscle loss.
The pinky and ring fingers were shriveled. It was obvious to Jadirah
that while the Threadscore had provided the initial trauma, the
infection was what had devastated the muscles permanently. She was
surprised the Healers hadn't had to amputate at the elbow to save the
greenrider's life.

At her urging, Talwynn made a fist, curled each finger individually,
gripped Jadirah's hand, and rotated and extended her arm, while the
Healer kept her hands running over to feel the play of the muscles.

"You have more mobility than I would expect from a visual inspection,"
Jadirah said honestly. "I'm concerned about the difficulty you showed in
raising the arm above a level extension. There's clear resistance there.
How well can you handle catching a firestone sack on that side?"

"Catching one above my head on the left is the worst. I can manage one
or two of them, but not every catch," she answered. "Throwing doesn't
angle that way, though."

The Healer nodded. It was something she thought they could work past
with coordination during practices – but in the heat of Fall, was it
possible to always make sure Talwynn could catch in the best way? She'd
have to ask A'kades.

Last updated on the July 21st 2017

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Flight Physical (1/2)