"Morning!" Maddie waved at her colleagues as she ushered Sonic and Tails in. Knuckles had gone to work with Tom. She was looking forward to see how that worked out.
"Hi Maddie." Rosheen the receptionist said, smiling widely. "Heya bluey!" She reached over the counter and Sonic reached up to high-five her. (With his good hand) "And who's this cutie?" She added, looking at Tails.
The kit stepped backwards and hid behind Maddie's leg. Thankfully Sonic could talk enough for both of them.
"This is Tails! He's my new younger brother, aren't ya Buddy? And I've got a new older one as well. He's called Knuckles. Well - I say 'older'...he's kinda new to this earth-thing so..." He gave a laugh. "I'm showing him the ropes."
Rosheen smiled. "Well, that's sure nice of you. But I'm sure you're not just here for a social visit, now what can we do for you Mrs Wochawski?"
"Speedy here needs a X-ray on his thumb. We're pretty sure he's broken it."
Rosheen nodded. "Well, you know where it is. Do you want me to look after the other one?"
'The other one' gave Maddie a terrified look and wrapped his tails around her leg.
Maddie stroked the top of his head gently and said, no he'd be coming with them and off they went to the x-ray room.
"Right then, Sonic. I'll need you to take your glove off and put your hand-"
"My gloves?" Sonic stepped backwards and cradled his hand protectively. "Why do I need to take my gloves off?"
"You don't." Maddie said, immediately. "It's just sometimes easier, but we can x-ray through clothes. Just put your hand here..." She patted the surface and - after a moment of hesitation - Sonic followed her instructions.
Once she was sure he was ok, Maddie talked him through exactly what she was doing so he wouldn't feel nervous. She usually did this with her other patients - but obviously most of the time it was a one-sided conversation.
"This is so good." Tails said, excitedly. "I can't believe I'm seeing Sonic's bones!"
"Yeah, that makes two of us." The blue hedgehog said, looking a bit paler than usual. "Is it over now, Maddie?"
"Yes, it is Baby."
Sonic let out a big sigh of relief and removed his hand. "What the deal, Maddie? You can tell me. No actually - wait. Yes - I-I mean no. I mean-"
"You've just broken your thumb." Maddie said, reassuringly. "Now, we've already put ice on it and reduced the swelling, but now I'll put it in a cast for you."
"Ooh." Tails got up on his tip-toes and peered onto the table. "Can I see?"
"What am I a science experiment!?"
"Tails, go wait outside." Maddie gently pushed the kit down onto his feet. "I'm sure Rosheen has some things she wants to show you." if anyone could entertain a child, it was Rosheen.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
A short time later Maddie had put Sonics thumb into a cast to keep it still. Blue, of course. "You'll need to keep that on for three weeks." She told him, as they went back to the reception area.
"No problamo-"
"Maddie!" Tails ran over to her, brandishing a book in the air. "Look what Rosheen gave me!"
Slightly taken aback, Maddie took the book. It was a child's book on basic medical advice.
"That was very nice of Rosheen." Maddie said, while looking at said receptionist like 'Where did you get that book from.'
Rosheen grinned and indicated the pile of books they had for patients to read. [Well. The owners, obviously.] Ah, that was alright then. They wouldn't miss one book.
"Can I keep it?"
"Sure, you can!"
"Hey, Tails, check out my cast." Sonic offered his arm to the smaller alien. "Isn't it cool?"
Eyes brimming with excitement, Tails beamed. "Awesome."