Dravani remembered the solider striking her, and her falling. But she didn’t remember the pain or the crying. She remembered getting back up. And trying to flee, being followed, and eventually ending up here. 

The doctor – Arys – frowned. For a moment, doubt, sorrow, pity and compassion flickered across her features before she folded the mix of emotions and stowed them away, like clothes deemed unsuitable for the current situation.

“Thank you for coming.”, she said quietly. “It’s difficult to… trust. I know that.”

Dravani gave half smile as she looked to the Doctor. It felt so strange on her face. “You speak of trust… to be honest I am not sure who to trust. Don’t misunderstand me, I am grateful that you’re willing to treat me.”

The Doctor took a look at the wound and reached for a tool, measuring the depth and assessing the frayed tissue. “I will need to clean this out, before I can start fixing it.”

Instinctively Dravani pulled back her arm slightly, grabbing her wrist since she couldn’t grab the wound itself. It wasn’t a conscious fear that something would happen, it was mere instinct. With a concern, almost frightened look on her face, she asked. “How bad will it hurt?”

“It won’t hurt.”, Arys reassured her. “It.. well, I suppose it might feel warm, but not uncomfortably so.” 

Dravani gave a careful nod and fell silent, watching the woman work. She didn’t know the names of the medical instruments that were used, and while she was curious what they did, she didn’t ask. 

Once the gash was cleaned, she proceeded to mend the edges. A painless procedure that took care of most of the tissue damage, but not all of it – healing, even now, wasn’t instantaneous. 

“It will be sore for a few days.”, the Doctor announced. “But you’ll be fine. Did you already get a place assigned? I know things are moving slowly, but we’re trying our best to get you settled.”, she gave her a brief look. “And you look like you could benefit from some extra rations. No offense.”

“Rations? You’re willing to treat me and to feed me?” Dravani said in amazement – it seemed too good to be true. She was hungry. Starving. She wondered what the hook was, for the free food and medical treatment. There had to be some type of angle, to the Federation generosity.

Would there be a fee they had to pay, or work until the debt was settled?

“Uh.”, Arys said, temporality losing her professionalism at what seemed such an odd question to her. “Well yes, of course. With the amount of guests we currently have, rations are the best we can do – but it’s not like we’d let you starve.”

“I don’t know what to say. Thank you seems poor and inadequate.” A pause. “I thought you were just going to process this and let us go. I didn’t realize how generous the Federation was.” Dravani explain, feeling grateful and also feeling a little remorseful about her earlier feelings. She definitely knew she needed to make up for all the generosity shown to her. Stranger who didn’t need to help any of them, we’re helping – and not only helping people, but her specifically.