Chapter 8:
About fifteen minutes already, Amiya still hasn't come back yet. So is the food too that the Doctor ordered. He felt a bit restless and even worry. Something must've happened to Amiya while she was readying herself but that's quite impossible, he thought. Even so, she was still late. A trait that she's not fond of being.
Opposite of him were Nightingale and Specter quietly munching away on their food. Nightingale nibbled on her hashbrown, enjoying it quite fondly, while Specter sliced off a bit from her waffles as she opened wide to munch it off from her fork. They seemed to be delighted by their meal, but the Doctor just watched them as they did. As he watched, he started to think about how Gitano even ended up babysitting these two girls. They both feel a bit odd, yes, but they're still somewhat capable. Only needs just a bit of guidance that's all.
Gitano looked at him through most of the time. She broke off a bit from her bacon and ate it, still eyeing him as she did. She didn't feel any regret taking care of the girls. Rather, it fascinates her she'd been given an opportunity for it. Nightingale continued to slightly keep her down while Specter did so too, but she muttered something softly every three minutes. But now, she did feel regret.
Placing down the fork she uses for her food on her plate, she reached out her hand to pull on the Doctor's sleeve. Hoping to be unnoticed as she does. After doing so, the Doctor got startled, losing the thoughts that were running in his head.
"Yeah?", he raised a brow.
"Here, do you want some food?", she offered, scooping up a part of a poached egg on her plate.
"There's, uhm, no need for that".
"You sure? You look as if you are deep in thought".
"I-i do?", he wondered.
She then turned to look at the two girls who continued to mind their own business. "They're not much of a talker, really".
"It's all right. They may not be the talkative type but they're sometimes a handful".
"Really now?"
Gitano giggled for while as if remembering something not long ago. "Yes, yes. It was when I was picking up Miss Nightingale".
"Y-yes?", Nightingale turned to her once she heard her name.
"You made quite an expression when I met you by the hallway. Thought you were absent in your dorm".
"N-no.. I was just replacing the water for my pet bird", she said, feeling a bit more down than usual.
"I'm glad Kal'tsit and even Rhodes Island let you guys keep pets in here", the Doctor tried to keep his voice a bit more softly but uttered something.
Gitano then noticed, "Hm? What do you mean?"
"A-ah, forget what I said-" he paused to think and reconsider his words -"I just think that a crowded place like this isn't a bit accommodating for a pet".
"Dr. Kal'tsit is.. very considerate even if she has a serious expression", Specter looked downwards as she said so.
"That's Kal'tsit for you", he sighed. "By the way, Specter, do you do things in your past time?"
"Th-things?", she slowly spoke in an oddly embarrassed manner.
"Like hobbies or things you like to do during your breaks", he clarified to her.
She then thought deeply, hoping to figure out what the words 'hobbies' and breaks' mean. Although she was sure what she meant by break. Must've been the other kind of 'break'. But to no avail in the end. "I'm... not sure if.. I have any. I'm sorry"
"That's okay but... if you were given a chance, you want any help finding out what it might be?"
Specter strangely grinned, not being understood by the Doctor is she had just plotted something in her head or if she was finally going to get something for her past time. After realizing her own smiling moment, she then came to and spoke, "You... will?"
"I'll try and help you out sometime since I'm quite busy. But your babysitter here would", he looked at Gitano who had just finished eating up all the eggs on her plate.
She frowned at him, "Who are you to call me a babysitter. I am their faithful guardian, and you, Doctor, have to watch over them more, including me".
"I would if it weren't for the much paperwork Kal'tsit brings to me", he groaned. "Lately... there's been some new recruits. It's not that I could blame them for all the paperwork but I'm pleased to see that they're fitting in well here".
"Uhm, Doctor..", Nightingale muttered.
"Yes? What is it?"
"Doctor, what... did you think of me when I first joined Rhodes Island or... under your team?", she asked politely.
He didn't know what to say right away since it did seem like it had been a long time since Nightingale was permitted to be assigned under the Doctor's team. Though he often saw Nightingale around Rhodes Island along with Shining and Nearl, he never spoke with her until her recruitment. She usually spent time in her room, sometimes seen walking down the hallway, but she never interacted with anyone much other than her two colleagues that accompanied her here.
Additionally, hearing Nightingale's recruitment, Specter paused to decide and with some curiosity, "I think... I would like to know too". Her eyes seemed to look at the Doctor's for a bit then looked downward-moving left to right as if she is embarrassed.
"You want to know too, Specter?", he nervously replied.
In an instant, she nodded quite eagerly. The Doctor, having decided that it would be a good time to have short storytelling, began to remember the certain events on how he and these two girls ended up to be in his squad.
He started first with Nightingale, as per request by her since she asked first. She even leaned closer a bit to listen. Trying to recall, the Doctor met Nightingale just like how every operator is recruited to be assigned to his squad. It was an afternoon at that time, and Amiya and he patiently waited inside the Reception Room while they continued to look over her profile and capabilities. The Doctor thought maybe it would be too much for someone like Nightingale. She does seem to look the part but something told him that she somewhat would be a drag or so to any operation at hand. Still, this was his impression of here that time. Doubting her own person and even her whole aptitudes.
"I-is that so...", Nightingale softly said, sounding a bit down.
The Doctor then worriedly responded, "It was my first impression about you, Nightingale. Don't worry about it".
"Hm...", she commented, still unhappy about his opinion.
"Now, now, my dear. It seems that the Doctor as more to say for you", Gitano consoled her as she pats her on the back.
Feeling a bit of relief, Nightingale settled down, awaiting what else the Doctor has in mind about her. The Doctor on the other hand, felt a bit more relief than she did. He thought she was going to be depressed or even talk to Nearl about how cruel he was. But with Gitano's help, he continued.
While still reviewing Nightingale's papers, the door creaked open. It was her, just partly peeking through the slightly open door. Amiya noticed her first and greeted her, but on the other side of the door, it suddenly shut closed. Voices could then be heard, somewhat like someone scolding another. The Doctor and Amiya looked at each other worriedly. It was until someone had opened the door and the two of them broke the silence.
"Good Afternoon", the pair said in unison.
Nightingale carefully moved inside the room, guided by Nearl who opened the door for them. Still unfamiliar by the environment, Nightingale's hand quickly latched on to Nearl's hand. Nearl then clasped on to hers as well, gesturing that it was going to be okay and that she is going to be safe under the Doctor's guidance. Together, the two of them walked towards the desk; the Doctor and Amiya were both waiting, after all. They both took the two seats neatly arranged on the opposite side of the desk from where the other two sat.
The Doctor began, "Nightingale, I-"
However, Nearl cut him off, "Doctor, if I may, she may not look the part but she is capable".
Then there was silence. Amiya and the Doctor looked at each other once again from the confusion. Nearl seemed to be the only tense one inside the room so the Doctor let her ease up a bit.
"Nearl.", he began. "I know full well that Miss Nightingale is very much capable. I've even been handed her operator profile by Dr. Kal'tsit so I have no objection to that. It's just that if how she is going to be capable only with you guys around".
"I don't think that will be much of a problem..", she protested.
"Nearl", Nightingale turned to her, bowing her head slightly. It was as if she had decided something for herself and is now going to do it for her sake. Then she faced the Doctor who was still waiting for an answer, "If I may, Doctor and Amiya, my expression may not say it all but I can be of help as much as Rhodes Island needs".
"Hmm...", the Doctor looked down at her operator profile once again. "All right then".
"Wh-what?", Amiya and Nearl gaped at him at his answer.
"What's wrong?", the Doctor asked due to their confused reaction. "She said it herself she can do it though, it's not like we're going to force her to do stuff she can't do."
"But... that sounded like an abrupt answer", Nearl added.
"Don't worry, she'll be treated well, especially here in Rhodes Island. Besides, I think she has her own kind of faith", he turned to look at her.
"Hehe, what's that supposed to mean", Amiya grinned, covering it under her hand.
At that moment, it was as if it was the first time the Doctor saw Nightingale smile. But only just for a bit, that is. Just a short grin and nothing more. It seems that now that she's put her faith in Rhodes Island, Rhodes Island now put their faith in her.