Blue Drop: Angel's Home: Chapter 7
A New Journey
Ariel and Mari'il met many more times to discuss the nanomachine treatments. Ariel also ran several more tests for Mari'il to try to better determine her compatibility with the nanomachines and the likelihood of the treatments succeeding. The first comparisons looked promising, but they both wanted to make sure that Mari's differences as a Forime, including her different symbiotic microbes, wouldn't cause problems or rejection. While this was promising, the other investigations into the differing symbiotic bacteria between Forime and Arume had yet to yield anything helpful for the population decline. After these tests, and much discussion and pondering, Mari'il agreed that this was something she wanted, so they began planning them.
A knock at her door interrupted Mari'il's working up an answer to another of the questions Phanuel asked her about the Forime expedition. The door opened to reveal Ariel and a new Arume. Her waves of golden hair cascaded down past her petite shoulders offered a contrast to the tall Ariel's long, straight, raven locks.
``Mari'il, do you have a moment?'' asked Ariel.
``Of course,'' said Mari'il, putting away her reader and turning away from the small desk in her room.
``Thank you,'' Ariel replied as the two entered. ``I'd like to introduce Raphael. I've asked her to help with your treatments. She'll be your nurse, taking care of you every day and making sure you're doing well. We wanted to go over a few things with you before starting.'' They sat down and proceeded to review more the details of the course of treatments.
Over the next several days, Raphael regularly visited Mari'il, first finishing up these discussions and preparations for the treatments. In subsequent visits, she sometimes administered the current phase of the treatment—which were usually a series of intravenous nanomachine injections—and often she just checked on Mari'il to make sure she was doing all right. While she seemed a bit suspicious of Mari'il at the start, she was always professional and made sure that Mari'il had the care she needed.
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Several days into the treatments Mari'il lay in her bed feeling miserable. Her muscles ached, and she felt too exhausted to do much more than lie here and fitfully nap. Neither could she really sleep well: she'd wake up feeling too cold or having drenched her sheets in sweat. Mari and Ekaril both experienced this transition sickness, since by now they were tied closely enough that the discomfort one of them felt the other also did. They hoped that they would similarly share joy that either felt, but at this time they weren't up to pondering such deep thoughts.
As annoying as these symptoms were, they were all among the ones that Ariel had said could be side effects of transition sickness. They came from her body and the new nanomachines adapting to each other. Mari's immune system had to learn to accept the nanomachines as ``self'' and the nanomachines likewise had to integrate with Mari's body and body chemistry. This was equally important, as once the nanomachines settled in, they would also boost her immune system fighting off infections and the like.
Ariel came to see her periodically and reassured her that the treatments seemed to be progressing well according to all she could see and measure, and that Mari would recover. But when she lay there, alone and sick, Mari'il still worried whether she really would get better, and whether she was right to choose this treatment.
Raphael also stopped in several times each day to take care of her. She brought Mari'il her meals and medicines, offering what painkillers they could. When Mari'il's fever was especially bothersome, she would cool her forehead, and when her stomach was upset by the nanomachines integrating there, she tried to bring especially soothing meals.
Mari commented that, for all the advancements the Arume had, being sick still seemed to be just as hard. For the first time, she was glad that she was in a real hospital bed and not just an ordinary room.
As she nursed Mari'il through the transition sickness, Raphael seemed to grow less suspicious of her. And, as Mari'il got better, they started chatting about other interesting topics and not just the treatments, though Raphael never lost her professional demeanor. Mari'il distinctly remembered the day she gave her the first smile from her heart when they were comparing their favorite scenery on Arume and Earth. She came came to treasure Raphael's sliver laugh which came with that smile, especially when they were having a good time just chatting with each other. Maybe this could be the start of another friendship.
ooo OOO ooo
Mari'il was finally beginning to feel better when Ariel stopped by on one of her regular visits. After her ordinary instrument scan, she told Mari'il, ``It looks like the nanomachines are replicating and integrating well. Your eyes turning this blue like this is a good sign that they are, and these readings also say so. May I try one more test? I'm sorry but this will hurt a little.''
Mari'il agreed, so Ariel pricked her finger with a lancet. The lone drop of blood which oozed out turned white on touching the air. [[ This is just like when you cut yourself when we were sewing costumes for Micchi's play, ]] Mari silently commented to Ekaril. [[ I'm glad I'm becoming more like you. ]] Ekaril agreed that it was, warmed by Mari's joy in their growing closer. Ekaril had worried that Mari might resent the changes she was undergoing which took her still farther from her old self and maybe even made her ``less human.'' Thankfully she didn't show any signs of this.
``This is good,'' commented Ariel as she held an absorbent pad over the wound for a moment until the bleeding stopped. ``It shows your nanomachines are working in your bloodstream carrying and storing extra oxygen among other things. I think you've come far enough to try some of the simple gravity control that they offer, like floating. Would you like to?''
Mari'il agreed she would, though not without some trepidation.
``Ekaril, perhaps you can help show Mari how to do this.'' Mari'il smiled at Ariel's willingness to talk directly to Ekaril. ``I figure it'll take a bit of practice before you're willing to do it in public, but I promise not to tell anyone of mishaps we have while learning.'' She checked that the door is locked to give them uninterrupted privacy, then had Mari'il sit in her chair and held her hands to steady her while she followed Ekaril's instructions. Mari'il's first few tries yielded no effect.
``Kyaa!'' Mari'il shot up from the chair and would have smacked her head on the ceiling except for Ariel's grip on her hands. She overbalanced Ariel, and the two fell backwards onto the bed. Mari'il's landing atop her knocked loose Ariel's grip on her hands, so Ariel quickly wrapped her arms around her to keep her from floating upward again.
The two lay there for a bit, laughing and catching their breath. Instead of getting up, Mari'il moved to return Ariel's hug and whispered into her ear, ``Thank you for saving me there. Are you all right?''
Ariel, who was about to let go, returned Mari'il's squeeze tenderly. ``You're welcome. I'm fine. I hope you are too.'' When Mari'il nodded, she then smiled and commented, ``I guess this proves that your nanomachines work.'' This set them both laughing again.
As they laughed, Mari and Ekaril both silently asked, [[ Then, can you hear us when we talk like this? ]]
``Yes, I can.'' answered a confused Ariel. ``Wait, you didn't say that out loud, did you?''
[[ No, we didn't. Thank you for all your help with these treatments. And thank you especially for being someone we would dare try this with. ]]
[[ No. Thank you! ]] replied Ariel, continuing to hold Mari'il. [[ I've never experienced telepathy like this before. I've heard of it, but it's quite rare. Would you mind talking about this more later? ]]
[[ No, we'd be happy to. Anyway, it's been too long since we've had a good hug like this, and thank you for it, even if it all came as a surprise. ]]
[[ If I may be so bold, ]] Ekaril interjects, [[ Mari-dear, could you take Ariel's hug as being from me as well? I've wanted to give you a hug like this so many times, but having only one body for us made it impossible. ]]
[[ Oh, Ekaril, of course, ]] said Mari, as she hugged Ariel tighter while her eyes filled with tears. [[ And please take the same from me. ]]
[[ Thank you both for trusting me enough to let me join you like this, ]] commented Ariel. She then continued, out loud, ``Perhaps we should get up though. Otherwise folks might think something else of us here on the bed.''
Mari'il laughed again as they get up, disentangling themselves from each other and straightening their clothing. They agreed to practice more with gravity control the next day, and also to spend some time talking about telepathy. They also arranged for Raphael to give a hand with the gravity control practice when Ariel wasn't around.
ooo OOO ooo
A few days later, Ariel was again by for her regular visit. ``I'm glad to see you look like you're feeling better. Are you?'' she asked. ``Do you think you might be ready to be up and around?''
Mari'il agreed that she was feeling better and starting to find bed a bit tiresome. With Raphael's help, she was rapidly learning how to control her nanomachines.
``Then what do you think about going out for dinner?''
``Great! I'd love to get out and eat a real meal again.''
``Good, your feeling that way means you should be over the worst part of transition sickness. Your vital signs are all looking good, but how you feel is always important as well. How does Sabrael's sound?''
``That sounds great.'' Mari'il smiled, remembering their first time there.
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Ariel and Mari'il were seated at a table for two, similar to ones they'd had before, but giving them a view of the restaurant's small garden while still offering a little privacy. The two engaged in small talk until their dinner arrived. Mari'il was happy to feel better and get out, and enjoyed talking about the garden.
Midway through the meal, Ariel turned their conversation back to Mari'il's condition. ``You seem to be taking the nanomachine treatments rather well. Now that you're over the fever from transition sickness and are getting the hang of gravity control, things ought to be looking up from here on. If you're feeling up to it, I think the best thing now might be for you to get out and around so you and the nanomachines can finish adapting to each other in a less artificial environment, maybe somewhere you could get some exercise and practice or the like outdoors. Is there anywhere particular you'd like to go?''
Mari'il thought for a moment, then her cheeks colored at a memory. Quietly, she asked, ``Would be possible to spend a little time at Lover's Bay?'' Ekaril had told Mari of her dream of that before, and they thought that if it were possible...
``Yes,'' said Ariel. ``Yes, I think we could do that. That's a lovely spot, and the beach and ocean offer just the kind of environment I was thinking of.'' A thought brought a smile to her own face. ``And from what you've told me, I can't think of a better place for you to spend some quiet time together as Mari and Ekaril.''
Mari'il's blush deepened as she stammered, ``Thank you. Thank you for understanding.''
``You're welcome.'' Ariel nodded. ``You're special in so many ways. You've become a good friend, but I occasionally have to remind myself that I'm not your only friend here. You two give each other a partner you can never be separated from, and I think this could also offer you two a chance to be alone together without any of the rest of us intruding.''
Mari'il's deepening blush and nod told her that she had guessed right, and she was glad she hadn't suggested accompanying Mari'il on the trip.
ooo OOO ooo
Ariel quietly arranged a reservation for Mari'il at Lover's Bay Hotel and also a skimmer-taxi to take her there. The two-week reservation would be long enough to give Mari'il some undisturbed time for healing and growing, not to mention just having some fun.
Since she had more free time, Raphael took Mari'il out shopping for a swimsuit and other essentials she would need for the trip. Mari first thought to find a white one-piece swimsuit like Ekaril wore on their summer vacation. Ekaril was touched by Mari's appreciation of how she looked in it, but was able to talk Mari out of that style—it was awfully similar to the Fleet Uniform, not exactly something indicating fun independence. Keeping with the nostalgic theme, Mari'il started looking through the two-piece suits, smiling at Ekaril's interest in finding one similar to Mari's on that same vacation.
When Raphael commented that her own swimsuit was a little old, Mari'il convinced her to buy a new one. ``This one would look nice on you,'' said Mari'il, holding up a navy-blue one-piece. ``You should try this on.''
Raphael did. The suit featured asymmetrical cutouts on the sides so the effect was of a navy-blue ``Z'' on her figure. They both agreed she looked good in it, so Raphael decided to buy it for herself.
The two stopped for a snack at an outdoor cafe after finishing shopping. While they sipped their drinks, Mari and Ekaril told Raphael of their memories of a similar snack after the two of them finished shopping for the school play.
``Too bad there's no Ferris wheel her to ride as a reward to ourselves for finishing shopping,'' she commented. She then had to explain what a Ferris wheel was to Raphael, and this soon turned to a discussion of amusements on Arume. ``I guess Ferris wheels and the like wouldn't be as popular when you can just float up that high on your own.''
They weren't, but small skimmers with extra-large windows or even fully open tops were commonly used to fly over and view special scenery. The two-person size was especially popular with couples.
The setting sun brought a peaceful end to their excursion, and Raphael dropped Mari'il back off at the Hospital before heading home herself.