In Which Pinocchio Is Informed of *THE EXACT Consequences* of Rape Aftermath, and Nurse Emeralds Meets (And TREATS) the Duke of Dolls
Bruno and Chiara and Jiminy felt SICK. *So so sick*. Pinocchio -poor poor dear sweet young Pinocchio- hadn't just been exploited and kidnapped and locked up and partly transformed. Ohhhh, no- oh nonononono!! *All THAT* was bad enough... but he had also been SEXUALLY ASSAULTED. *RAPED*. *Violated in more ways than one*.
By whom??? That *EVIL EVIL* from-when-he-was-*a-child-himself* greedy cruel puppet-master Stromboli. Whom Chiara also now known as 'the Blue Faerie' had once tried to set on the Straight and Narrow Path of Righteousness with a side-route of 'Goodness Doesn't Get Any Better!', but had FAILED MISERABLY as much as with his father (though thankfully *NOT with* his elder brother Vito, who had also unfortunately been a constant victim of Stromboli's- even if in a very different way). And then one of the Heartless's other henchmen/*practically one himself* the old fat smooth-faced bastard with a big hundred-watt smile only known as 'the Coachman' just before Pinocchio managed to escape Pleasure Island with his conscience and best friend Jiminy Cricket in tow, as well...!!!
Chiara might be basically forbidden from harming anyone due to her Wishing Faerie status, but BRUNO PEDRO MADRIGAL was no longer held under such smothering chafing scruples. Which meant that if he *EVER* saw either of those monsters in the disgusting sweaty flabby flesh himself, they. Were. DEAD. As *a DOORKNOB*. *SO DAMN BLOODY FUCKING dead* for what they had done to his 'gatito' and many other poor naive innocent 'ninos'!! (Because what *Stromboli* had sickeningly delightedly carried out smacked of EXPERIENCE. As much as that of the many many crimes of The Coachman.)
And he wouldn't make it *merciful and quick*, either. *HELL, no*!! They would *SUFFER*. By way of his own two hands, a whip of his own, a storm of his sand, splinters and shards of his emerald glass, and even *his RATS*. *Long and hard and good* before he granted them the sweet sweet release of Death. (And if 'Chia' DID want to go ahead and spit/hiss/snarl '*Fuck it*' i.e. break The Rules for her nephew's sake, then Bruno would more than gladly step aside and wait his turn- because, after all, *LADIES FIRST*...!)
-But that was for *the POSSIBLE FUTURE*. *Right here and now in The Present*, however, 'Nocchi needed to go the hospital and see a doctor. *BADLY*. Because there were certain options here in their new home that hadn't been available in the Encanto or Pariva (that Bruno knew of, anyway. He could be blessedly W-R-O-N-G, but who knew...??) Certain options that Pinocchio *DIDN'T yet know about*, being born a little wooden marionette puppet rather than a 'normal' baby and all- and possibly also Chia and Sir Jiminy Cricket.
Options that 'El Brujo' needed to inform 'Little Woodenhead' of in order to be a *GOOD parent* like Geppetto Tommaso and *very unlike* Mother-Knows-Best Dearest Alma Madrigal.
"Pinocchio- 'mijo'... You- You need to be seen b-by a doctor. You- You NEED TO BE treated for... what your kidnappers d-did to you. Wh-What- What *your 'MADRE'* did to you. We- We need to take you to the Emergency Room in the hospital. Because- Because *this is* an e-emergency."
The small thin raven-haired blue-eyed colorfully-clothed living doll still whom he now called his son as much as his actual niece Mirabel and nephew Antonio swallowed hard, shuddered, and turned ghost-pale underneath his own light dusting of freckles, his frightened terrified already big bright blue eyes even wider and shiny with tears. No- *GULPED* and SHOOK, he was that more than scared. (Not that Bruno could blame him in *the LEAST* for *that*. If it had been HIM, even with his Madrigal Gift of seeing the future, he would have been just as upsetscaredmortified!) "You- Y' mean I- I- I- I *HAVE TO let* s-somebody t-t-touch me *down there*??? On- On m-*my PRIVATE PARTS*?? A- Aga- *Again*???! But wh- *WHY*, P-Papa Bruno???"
It was *Sir Jiminy H. Cricket* -his first and best friend, outer conscience, and pseudo-godfather- who answered as kindly and gently as possible, his own warm twinkling eyes dark and sad and wet in his little green semi-arthropod face underneath his trademark pale blue top hat with a yellow ribbon 'round the middle. "Because it's standard procedure, Pinoke. B'cause y' need special medicine and care to help you physically heal from what you've been through. B'cause you could get REAL SICK and *die* as a result of not bein' looked at an' checked over by a doctor. There's some real nasty d'seases owin' t' this kinda thing that *you DON'T* wanna catch- *no, sirree*!
"I know it's scary- I know 's *VERY scary*- I know WHY you're fu- flippin' frightened of anyone *EVER* touchin' ya Down There i.e. b'tween your legs front an' back ('scuse my language), even if he or she doesn't mean you any further harm -which *they WON'T*- ... but *it's gotta be done*, little woodenhead."
(*Ohhh*. So he *DID know*-! Bruno stood entirely corrected. And THANK GOD for it...!)
Poor 'Nocchi trembled and whimpered like his new nickname-sake lost and trapped in the pouring rain, tears of fear and shame and mortification and inner pain brimming in his eyes but never quite falling (though they *threatened to*). Clearly *did NOT* want anyone to Touch Him against his will EVER AGAIN- even a doctor... but he was *a SMART* boy as well as sweet.
-And he trusted Jiminy wholeheartedly. As much as his beloved father and the Blue Faerie who also happened to be his mother's sister i.e. his aunt. *JIMINY would never ever hurt him*- and he didn't want to get very very sick to the point of *DYING*, either! So- So...
He sniffled, bit his lip, and clutched and rubbed his arm yet also bravely lifted his chin. Said in the softest smallest voice rough from both crying and- otherthingsthatBrunoabsolutelydidnotwantothinkaboutwherea'nino'wasconcerned'muchasgracias', "O-Okay. I'll- I'll be good; I'll b'have. I'll l-let him or her- *I'll do it*."
"*GOOD BOY, Pinocchio*. Atta boy...!" Jiminy more murmured than chirruped in reply while giving Pinocchio's small tense shaking near-scrawny shoulder a gentle rub both encouraging and affectionate. "That's our good brave boy..."
Neither Bruno nor Chiara spoke so as to not make the former puppet with long grey donkey's ears and a tail still but now also *a WAND AND WINGS* feel claustrophobic, panicked, pressured, or all three, but their small soft smiles and warm tender wet eyes said the same thing. (Antonio didn't say anything, either- but that was because 1) he was an innocent newborn baby, and 2), he was sleeping deepsweetsound in his brand-new bright orange and yellow carrier with all kinds of wild animals printed on the sewn-in/glued-on cushions of a deep jungle-green.)
"Will- W-Will you stay with me while- while they- While I'm- Pl-Please??"
NOW one of his other guardians broke the not-really-peace. "*OF COURSE*, 'tesoro'," said Chiara | The Blue Faerie kindly, smoothing his tangled thick black hair in a *SWEETLY GENUINELY maternal manner*. "*OF COURSE we'll stay with you*! We'll be allowed to, since we're not children. 'But what about *Antonio*???', you ask? He'll be an exception due to his being a baby who needs around-the-clock care, sweetheart."
"We'll- W-We'll be *right beside you*, 'Nocchi. Ev-Every single step of the way," Bruno soothed/assured him.
"You- You- You *PROMISE*?"
%"*We PROMISE*, Pinokes/little woodenhead/'gatito'."%
Bruno's rats and Chia's pet dove-turned-rat squeaked and nodded their furry little heads in agreement.
"V- Va- 'Va bene' (Alright)..." Pinocchio tearfully yet bravely whispered in reply.
And so Chia -being 'Nocchi's blood relative rather than an ADOPTIVE one as well as his both magical and 'Muggle' guardian since 'good Geppetto' was Entirely Unable to Be Contacted and the *SCARLET Faerie* | Crimson Nightingale of Esperia Ilaria had been Completely and Utterly Unwilling from the very beginning- made The Call. (On a *PUBLIC phone*, since none of them had cell-phones yet.)
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"Hello- nine-one-one! What's your emergency?"
"Buon- I mean, hello. My name is Chiara Belmagio. My nephew has been- been... *He's very badly hurt*, 'signora'."
"I'm very sorry to hear that, Miss Belmagio. Badly hurt HOW, exactly?"
"R- R- Ra- As- As well as being kidnapped and SOLD and locked up in *a CAGE* and exploited on the stage for money, he was- He was *RAPED*, 'signora'."
"He was *sexually assaulted*, you say, Miss Belmagio? As well as not just kidnapped and locked up but *SOLD*??? As though he were *a COW* or a slave of old???! -I am truly *VERY sorry* to hear that...
"Just how old is your nephew?"
"...Ten, 'signora'. Sm-Small for his age like his mother my sister- looks as though he is instead seven or eight, but he is ten years old as- as of a week and a half ago."
"Oh? W-Well, then- many belated happy returns of the day to him! What is your nephew's name?"
"P- P- 'Pinocchio Edward Benjamin Seth Belmagio-Tommaso'."
"Has he just been retrieved/rescued?"
"*YES*, thank God and all His angels and the Holy Family and Spirit- but- but..."
"Yes, Miss Belmagio?"
"...This is *the SECOND* time he's been rescued. Not- Not the first. *I WISH* it had been *the first and only*...!!"
"-Ahh. So he has been sexually assaulted TWICE as well as abducted, pressured or tricked or forced into child exploitation, and imprisoned?"
"No. Th- *THREE times*, 'signora'. T-Twice by his first false adult friend and employer and 'master', and- and o-once by the other."
"...I hope that they both *pay DEARLY* for it with INTEREST one day *and then burn in the deepest pit of Hell* once they've shuffled off their respective mortal coils!! Doing something *like THAT* to a small sweet innocent child along with everything else you've mentioned- *DISGUSTING*!!!
"Ahh- *ahem*. My apologies for being unprofessional and getting carried away, Miss Belmagio. -My name is Miss Nessarose Thropp. My elder sister Elphaba is a doctor, and she is as kind as she is efficient. I- I mention this because she- She-
She will be able to look over and treat your nephew."
"Where- Where does your sister Dr. Elphaba work, Signora Thropp?"
"We both work at St. Francis Hospital and Heart Center. I will- We will send an ambulance over straight away. I just need the exact location of yourself and your nephew and any other family with you, if you please."
"C- Cen- Central Park. We- We're going to live at a children's center now, but- but- Um... We weren't exactly expected, let's say. Not- *Not UNWELCOME*- Miss Diane Barrows has been more than kind, but- well... *it'scomplicated*, Signora Thropp."
"...No need to explain, Signora Belmagio. I- I understand. My sister, my boyfriend, my own niece plus her sweet little dog, and I were once fugitives/refugees ourselves, so I *MORE THAN understand* Complicated! You have my most sincere condolences for what has happened to your nephew; he sounds like such a sweet boy whom Dottie would LOVE to be friends with...
"Alright, then- Central Park, you say... Meet the ambulance at the entrance, please, Signora Chiara. Can- Can Pinocchio walk, or no?"
"S-'Si'- yes. He just- It just HURTS to do so. *Something AWFUL*, he says."
"I would IMAGINE SO, his being so small as well as young... (*Poor thing*-!!) Well, regardless- you will be provided with a stretcher. It's- It's standard procedure anyhow and anyway. The ambulance should be at Central Park in about ten to fifteen minutes."
"Al- Alright. *Thank you so much* for your help, Miss Nessarose! Oh! -Pinocchio says 'Thank you', too... and that you have a very pretty name."
"Why, *thank YOU*, dear one! That is so sweet of you to say...! And you are both very welcome. Don't- Don't worry. You're safe now. God is with you- God loves you..."
And with that, The Call ended, and the Waiting Game began- during which Bruno had to send his furry 'pequeno amigos' home because animals weren't allowed in the hospital unless they were support or therapy 'pets', and Jiminy unshrunk himself so that HE wouldn't be mistaken for a 'verboten' pet and sent away rather than sticking to 'Nocchi's side like glue as he'd Promised. (They were very reluctant, but quite understood. [*Louisa*, however, hid herself deep in one of Bruno's inner ruana pockets in order to stow away.]) A tense heart-pounding game that only continued in the waiting-room of St. Francis Hospital and Heart Center once they got there and were checked in by a lanky kinda plain yet charming man with a kind face, ginger curls, deep brown eyes as soft and gentle as a doe's or rabbit's, and wearing a brown-and-orange sweater-vest over a long-sleeved light blue shirt and dark gray slacks plus brown half-boots named 'Boq Woodsman' who both looked like he could be either a cousin or long-lost sibling of Bruno's despite possessing not a drop of Hispanic blood in him and just so happened to be the boyfriend whom Miss Nessarose had mentioned to Chia over the phone earlier. An *AWFUL game* that resulted in not just Looks but GLARES on seeing brand-new bruises and cuts and scratches on his 'hijo's' face and arms, BEARD-BURN on his neck, and his torn dirty salt-stained clothing and 'Nocchi swallowing hard and flinching back into Chia's arms against her breast...
A game that ended yet didn't when a tall lean beautiful young(ish???) woman with smooth flawless seemingly olive but truly *EMERALD-GREEN skin*, thick curly deep black hair pulled back in a tail more akin to that of *a HORSE OR UNICORN* it was so long, sharp-as-in-'keen'/'observant' glittering eyes the color of rare black emeralds or green diamonds set into a diamond-shaped face, a slightly large slightly hooked nose, full lips seemingly painted with emerald-green lipstick/gloss but truly as brightly verdant as her complexion, and long sharp forest-green nails that were *ALSO natural* rather than artificial wearing black-and-blue scrubs, bright yet deep violet-purple nurse's shoes, and round old-fashioned black-framed glasses with a bridge more slanted than straight called out both kindly and expectantly through a warm lovely smile, "Signorino Pinocchio Belmagio-Tommaso?"
"*Here he is*, ma'am. And who might YOU be??"
"I'm Dr. Elphaba Gale- Miss Nessarose's elder half-sister. Will all of you be coming in, or just young Mr. Belmagio?"
Bruno and Chia and Jiminy looked over at 'Nocchi in reply- yes, 'si', they all WERE his elders, and he was only a child... but in the end, it was *HIS decision*. *His* choice. Especially- Especially concerning a matter such as *THIS* AKA R- R- Ra- R-Rape Aftermath!
Pinocchio thought good and hard on it to the point of *GNAWING his lip* more than 'worrying'. And Dr. Gale the not-so-TRULY Wicked Witch of the West didn't rush him in the least- only waited patiently as patient for his answer.
Finally, after about two minutes, the other long-lost princess of the merry old land of Oz received it. "J- Just- Just J-Jiminy, per f- Imean, pl-please."
-Ahh. *Of course*. Being a Seer and all, Bruno should have expected it from the moment 'Nocchi was told he *HAD TO go to the doctor*! He'd known 'Signor Hablando Grillo' (Mister Talking Cricket) for the longest time, Bruno *the SHORTEST*, and from what little he knew right now, Chia was somewhere in the middle. Longer than Bruno- shorter than Jiminy...
Neither 'El Brujo Mala Suerte' nor the Blue Faerie were at all offended or upset or hurt that he *HADN'T chosen* either of them, however- or said that they ALL could come in with him. Again- *HIS choice*, his Decision! ...Also, it was a matter of Complete Utter Absolute *UN-Broken* Trust, which had been cruelly meanly shattered and ground into dust enough already.
"Please come right on in then, 'signori'."
Slowly, painfully, Pinocchio eased himself off of Chia's lap and stood up. -Then, heedless of the smarting and burning and stinging Down There, he whirled around on his heel and hugged first his aunt and then his *ADOPTIVE father* tight. Bruno's heart wrenched at the sight and feeling of his 'dolce gatito' trembling like a storm-blown leaf as for the second time since he and 'Little Woodenhead' had met each other he pressed a soft warm kiss to the top of his fluffy but messy and dulled little raven head covered by a feathered Tyrolean cap.
And for the first time in a *LONG while*, Bruno Madrigal DIDN'T stutter when he spoke. (Mainly because he didn't want to worry, upset, or frighten his 'hijo' anymore than he already was.) "It's alright, 'tesoro'. It's okay. Remember what Papa and Tzia promised as well as Jiminy?? *We're right here for you*, 'querido'. We'll be right outside waiting for you when you come back out."
"You- *You can do it*, Pinocchio 'trottolino'," sniffed Chia while (h-*ha*! Sorry) planting a kiss of her own onto her nephew's cheek as bruised and cut and tear-stained as it was freckled and usually a comely adorable shade of pinkish-red. "*I KNOW you can*... Be- Be a good brave boy for 'Dottore' Gale. Do- Do what she tells you to do, alright? And then- And then we can go- go home."
'Ayyyyy'- Poor 'Nocchi!! He looked- his 'hijo' looked so scared... *Thank GOD* MIRA hadn't ever been terrified and hurt like this, but *DAMN* if it wasn't like he was looking at his own reflection in the mirror-!!
He was a good boy, though- his 'gatito' and Signor Geppetto's 'little woodenhead'. A *BRAVE boy*. The moment he was gently beckoned in by a Slytherin-green sharp-fingered hand, he walked right out of the waiting-room and down the hall to an empty exam room with his head held high, back straight, and shoulders squared even though he was still shaking a little- holding tight onto Jiminy's own gloved hand the entire time.
-Still, neither Bruno nor Chia could help praying for guidance and strength and comfort as they tensely waited for their boy and his conscience/best friend.
......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
#Name: 'Pinocchio Edward Benjamin Belmagio-Tommaso-Madrigal'. (-*WHEW*!! Sweet Oz, *what a mouthful*!) All-around personal impression: Sweet. Shy, yet clearly a 'theater kid'. Felt both Artistic and Bookish as well. Possibly more talkative despite his bashfulness once one got to know him. Like as not on the Autism Spectrum. -*TERRIFIED*. Not of her exactly, but the whole entire situation. (And NO DAMN WONDER, after what he had been horrendibly been through the night before...!)#
It was his *VERY FIRST time*. For *EVERYTHING*- not just a forensic kit. And not because he had been abused and neglected...
Elphaba Margaret Cynthia Gale 'nee Thropp-Diggs was not in the least bit surprised, though Marilla Cuthbert most certainly would have been. After all, whether you were a witch or no, it wasn't every day you met not just a little wooden puppet come to life but *a CREATION*...!
She HAD, however, dealt with very young cases of both Abuse and Rape before. (As much as 'standard' ones, she meant.) So this was nothing really new *to HER*; meaning, she knew how to proceed: Professional as possible, but Warm and Kind and FRIENDLY. *Compassionate* as well as genial.
"Hello, Pinocchio. My name is Dr. Elphaba Gale- yes, as in *DOROTHY Gale* rather than 'Thropp' or 'Diggs'. You remember my sister Miss Nessarose talking to your Aunt Chiara about 'Dottie', right? Well, *that is INDEED* THE Dorothy from 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz', and she's now my adopted daughter and *NESSA'S niece*. Has been for almost four years now- and one day *Boq's* niece as well...
"Well, anyway- I'll be taking care of you today for the next couple of hours. Alright, sweet?"
No response other than an apprehensive timorous nod. -But that was alright. *More than alright*, even...! He wasn't being rude or obstinate in the least by not talking, possibly autistic or no!
When it came down to it, Pinocchio Edward Benjamin Seth Belmagio-Tommaso-Madrigal was simply a victimized frightened child who had been most notoriously abused by adults whom he'd likely trusted as much as his relatives and godfather (that she could tell without knowing The Whole Story).
"Since this is your VERY FIRST doctor's visit, I need to give you an every-day check-up first and foremost. Just to make sure you're healthy aside from... the reason you're here. Okay?"
"O-Okay, Miss- Imean, Dr. Gale!"
*Well*- for the love of Baum, Fleming, Maguire, and Schwartz, wasn't HE polite...! He shouldn't look *so SCARED* at possibly making a mistake, though- it all too well reminded Elphaba of her child-self being sharply unneedingly reprimanded by her step/foster father Frexspar...
"It's alright, Pinocchio- it's just fine," she said gentlykindlysweetly- same as dear dear Dulcibear had with her from babyhood to adulthood. "You may most certainly call me 'Miss' over 'Doctor' if you prefer. I don't mind. -You can even call me Miss or Doctor *'Elphie'*, if you like!"
*Yes*!! SUCCESS! He cracked a smile and laughed softly in response to her playful wink and comment rather than continued to flinch and draw back to the point where he looked like a turtle trying to hide in its' big hard protective shell. Looked like chastised neglected pushed-aside child!Elphaba sans Greenness and with a longer nose and much less curly hair plus bangs... "O-Okay, Miss Elphaba. Um... Y-You have an awful pretty name, too. Like- Like your sister, I mean. The- The one who first helped us. You're- You're just as 'bella' as she is, too."
Elphaba was not usually one for squealing- but right then, right now, she found herself fighting *NOT TO impersonate her bubbly blonde sparkly pink-loving sort-of-ex-friend* even as her fern-shaded cheeks gently flushed a deep pink and she dipped her sharp chin a little. He. Was. *So. Sweet*. And. ADORABLE, her newest patient...!!! (He reminded her more than a bit of her little pretty Dorothy, actually; inwardly and outwardly...)
What she *DIDN'T fight*, however, was her smile and the sparkle in her eyes from behind her glasses. Or the feeling of being *flattered and complimented* instead of scornedderidedmockedtauntedmadefunof. Or the thrill, delight, and pleasure all deliciously sweetly sincerely rolled into one at the ABSENCE of the semi-usual stinging smarting adjunct of 'even though *you're GREEN*'. Because to Pinocchio- to this sweet sweet pure innocent honest young boy, she was *just plain 'awful pretty'*. As *BEAUTIFUL* as either Nessarose the Tragically Lovely or Glinda the Good. As gracile and elegant and stunning as Madame Morrible ...or her's and Nessa's mother.
"-*THANK YOU, my sweet*. Thank you mostly kindly! I don't get complimented on my looks very often (it's NESSA who's really the beauty of the family, according to Everybody Else save for Nanny Dulcibear, Boq, and Sissy Dearest herself), so... that was very nice of you to say."
"You're- You're- Imean, you are m-most kindly welcome, your- Your Highness."
And that 'twas said as shyly and sweetly as Cinderella herself complete with a bow. *Awwww*...!
*WAIT*. *Waitwaitwaitwaitwait*. STRIKE THAT- *REVERSE it*!! *HOW* had he known or guessed that-?!???
Best to play it off as casually/coolly as possible rather than showing that she was very much shockedsurpriseddiscomfited, though. Once more, she was dealing with a *very skittish* Lion cub here- one *WRONG move*, and she could not only badly afright him but also trigger his Pride into bringing a literal Witch-Hunt down on her head...! *Nothankyou*. She had had quite enough of THAT Before and During Dorothy-!
"'Your Highness'??? *Oh, my*! However did you guess when I wasn't wearing my tiara or royal ring today along with my medical scrubs, kind young Sir??"
Pinocchio's pale cheeks turned as pink as those of Nessarose if not the more lurid pieces of Glinda's sparkly fancy wardrobe beneath their light star-dusting of freckles in response as if to squeak or yelp '*Caught*!'... but he still smiled, and his eyes as Blue as Dorothy's Official Dress where it wasn't checked with white (or *actually VERY PALE PINK*, according to avid 'Wizard of Oz' fans) still sweetly shyly shone bright as the stars in the night sky from beneath both his own thick black bangs and adorable old-fashioned Tyrolean cap as he said, "You just- Y-*You LOOK 'N FEEL LIKE* a princess or noble lady or queen t' me, M-Miss Elphaba. I can- I can *sense it*. That- That you're more than 'just' a d-doctor 'n witch, I mean."
Bright *of MIND* as well as Spirit and Heart...! *So very like* her dear little pretty whom Nessa called 'Dottie' and Boq 'Dot'-
"Oh?? Really? Well, then- if my young royal subject would pray please hop up on the examining table/chair so that Her Esteemed Highness may see what the trouble is?"
Another lovely tickled giggle between the chimes of a fairy-bell and the squeaking of a Mouse- this one bubbling from behind two small white-gloved hands covering his mouth as his big baby-blues more twinkled than glimmered. "Y-Yes, milady Princess! 'F course! At- *At once*!"
And so he did- at least, he *tried to*. Halfway up, he winced, hissed, and squeaked and mewled in pain. Elphaba just barely held back her own flinch and hiss of empathy for him and unadulterated FURY and *LOATHING* for his abductors/violators as Sir Jiminy first gave him a hand of a different sort then helped to settle him onto the examining table while murmuring soothingly in his ear.
'*Deep breath in- deep breath out*. *CONCEAL- DON'T FEEL*. You'llfuckingscarehimAGAIN, otherwise, Elphaba Thropp-Diggs-Gale!! One... two... three...'
Okay. Alright. Now she was calm. (Well, *calm-ER*.) "Alright, Signorino Pinocchio- I'm going to check your heart, lungs, pulse, reflexes, ears, and eyes now. Okay? It won't hurt, I promise, poppet- it just might feel a little funny every now and then."
"O-Okay."
#Gender: male. Ethnicity: Caucasian. Italian. Age: ...more-or-less 10. Blood type: unknown for now.#
He flinched a bit in response to his knees being lightly tapped with the small rubber hammer and squirmed at the feeling of the pulse-checker tightening around his arm and the small white light being shined in his big blue eyes, but both reactions were more than understandable, and he was well-behaved all throughout. And of course, he was FASCINATED by the thumping whooshing 'sound' of first Elphaba's heartbeat and then his own, like any other of her child patients...!
Now, however, the 'fun' part was over. *Time to get her green green hands DIRTY*, even if they were sheathed in rubber gloves which she had just snapped on and scrubbed up to the wrists with antibacterial soap before being dried off...
Elphaba didn't usually include physical touches when it came to soothing children who came in Like This, -but this time she made an exception. *THIS time*, she comfortingly stroked his hair as thick and dark as her own but shinier and much softer with one slightly trembling hand and gently patted and rubbed his shoulder with the other, ready to instantly pull back if he whimpered or whined or choked out 'D-*Don't*!' -But though Pinocchio stimmed as much as quivered, he didn't jerk away or ask her to stop. Meaning both that he trusted her and clearly *NEEDED* the comfort that his beloved loving AWOL father Geppetto was not able to give him.
"Al- Alright, sweetheart- now I need to collect samples of your... attackers' DNA, check you for injuries, and then treat them. I'll- I'll be as gentle and careful as possible, but it might still sting or burn a little. Okay?"
"O-Okay, Miss Elphie... What-? Wh-What d' you need me t' do??"
"Well, first off, I just want you to answer a simple question for me: are these the clothes and shoes you were wearing when you were- were... assaulted?"
"Uh- Uh-huh..."
"Both times?"
"S-'Si'. Wh-Why did you need t' know that??"
"It's a standard procedure question I ask every patient who- who comes in like this. It's- It helps me further collect what I need in order to track down those... *monsters*."
"O-Okay. F-Father made these for me..."
"And *BEAUTIFUL work* he did, I see! *Tsk*- a pity and a shame that THEY had to go and mess them up..."
"You're- You're not gonna burn 'em, are you?? I- I mean, if you HAFTA burn them afterwards, th-then I understand, but... I j-just wanna- Imean, I'd just like t' know, please."
"No, Pinocchio sweet- I'm not going to burn them; not when you clearly treasure them so. I DO have to *keep them in a plastic bag for a while*, though- but the moment they've finished their job, then I'll wash them, repair them, and return them to you. Nice and fresh and clean and disinfected and mended. -How does that sound, my pretty?"
Another small smile- though this one was more of a candle-flicker if not a friendly ghost. "That sounds- That sounds fair 'n practical 'n awful nice at all once. Th-Thank- 'Grazie', Miss Elphaba. That- That'd mean A LOT t' me..."
"You're very welcome, poppet. -For the moment, however, could you please take off those beautifully-crafted clothes for me including your hat, vest, underwear, and shoes and put on a hospital gown for me? I promise- I SWEAR I won't be *a CREEP* and look at you while you're undressing- I'll keep my eyes closed shut tight until you're clothed again."
"Y-Yes, ma'am."
As promised, her eyes immediately slid shut, -but her ears stayed open; so she still 'saw' him taking off his clothes. Off went the rich brown leather Mary-Jane-esque shoes (but not the socks, since he wasn't wearing any). Off came the straw-colored Tyrolean cap with a Munchkin-blue ribbon and Quadling-red feather. Off came the white linen gloves. Off went the bright crimson dungarees embroidered with tiny golden stars on a royal blue background on the sides once they were unbuttoned. Off came the three-quarter-sleeved shirt of pale yellow with a white Peter Pan collar. Off went *the UNDERWEAR*...
All carefully and gently, of course... but he was also *quivering anew* while removing the precious treasured pieces of his past and family. Which coldly clearly sickeningly told The Wizard's daughter that he had been ORDERED TO take off his clothes at least once if not *every single time* he was violated.
'*Don't think about it*, Elphie. Justdon'tthinkaboutit, or you'll lose control again. Which *you CAN'T* afford, Miss Diggs!' "What color would you like your gown to be, honey-honey??"
If Pinocchio thought that this was an 'awful' strange question, then he didn't say anything about it- only said softly and shyly in response, "...Gr-Green, please. Like- Like you and Papa Bruno. And- And Jiminy, sort 'f."
*Awwwww* and OWHERHEART-!! "Alright, then," she chirruped as cheerily as either *GA-linda* with a 'GUH', Weetzie | Louise Bat, or Elle Woods of 'Legally Blonde', "*green it is*! Dark? Light? Medium?"
"Um... Sea-green, 'per favore'. If- If you have it."
Luckily, she did! (And even if she hadn't, she would have turned 'rags to riches' with a snap of her fingers. Because unlike a certain someone whom she was unfortunately related to, SHE kept her promises and *TRULY did her best* to grant her patients' wishes.) And so *on CAME* the hospital gown with a crinkling rustle...
#Heart: strong and healthy. Lungs: healthy. Reflexes: very good. Eyes: healthy. Ears: healthy.
...Bruises: MANY. *Cuts and scratches*: many. Beard-burn: unfortunately, yes. *ACTUAL burns*: a big one on the left shoulder. Not quite shaped like a cigar, and must have hurt quite a lot when applied. Small semi-old one on the tip of the right pointer finger. Lips- *BRUISED, PUFFY, AND BITTEN*.#
"Alright now, Pinocchio- I'm going to comb your hair. Why? In case any of... theirs or their beards or mustaches *got caught in it*. -Okay?"
"O-Okay."
#Dark tightly curled hairs that sickeningly reminded her not a little of her *STEP-father's*. Thinner wavy silvery-white hairs semi-reminescent of both HERS' and *his*, but not practical twins like the former. -FOX hairs. *Cat* hairs. As in those of a vulpine and feline with a capital 'V' and 'F' rather than lowercase! Not much, *but ENOUGH*...
Number of assaulters: FOUR. Not one, not two, but *FOUR*.
*By the Wise Ones and Lurline and the Unamed God*...!!!#
"There- that's done. You yourself have *BEAUTIFUL* hair, by the way...! Where did you get it from?"
"Th-Thanks. Um... F-Father's hair used t' be real dark b'fore it turned white, so- so that's where I got th' color from. And- And- The- Th' rest? My- My- 'Mia madre'."
He was stuttering over that last- looked so *HURT* and SAD while mentioning her. *Why was that*??? She almost *DIDN'T want to* find out.
"And *those big sparkling blue eyes of yours*??"
"The- Th' shape 's the same as Father's, and HE has blue eyes, but... M-My *eye-COLOR* came from Zia Chiara."
"And what *LOVELY eyes* you have, my little pretty...! Alright now, Pinocchio- I need you to- I need you to- Would you please open your mouth for me so I can swab it and collect what I need from there?"
Pinocchio trembled like a wind-tossed leaf from head to foot AND *ear to tail*, -but then nodded shakily and bravely let his quivering lips fall open (tightly closing his eyes and once again squeezing Sir Jiminy's hand as he did so).
This time, Elphaba didn't 'waste' her breath but instead went right to work, her heart both clenching and burning at first a muffled whimper/sob and then a small(ish) GAG.
#FRESH red. *BRIGHT red*. *Creamy-white*. Not rust-red and off-white. Due to the attack being *RECENT* and not some time ago. *MONSTERS*. BASTARDS...!!#
'Try cool and casual and "normal" again, Elphie- you ABSOLUTELY *CANNOT lose control* right now.' (*Thank goodness* she *DIDN'T stink* when it came to Polite Small Talk, much less SUCK AT IT...!) "...Your teeth look WONDERFUL, I'm happy to say! Have you been taking good care of them?"
Pinocchio just nodded in reply as he slowly cracked his eyes open and snapped his mouth shut. No further information there, but Elphaba didn't mind. She knew that it was most likely 'il Grillo Parlente's' influence if not that of his father- or both.
"*Very good*, poppet! You just keep doing that, okay? *Doctor's orders* as well as conscience's' orders!"
"Oka- I mean, y-yes, Miss Elphaba. What- What do I need t' do now??"
*Oh, BAUM AND OZ*... Why was this part always *so hard*??!? As in EVEN WORSE THAN The Mouth?!?? "...I need you to lie down and spread your legs for me so I can comb through your *PUBIC hair* (your shorter stiffer hair between your legs, I mean). And then- And then I need to... collect samples of blood and semen *from HIGHER UP* like I did with your mouth. You- You need to *hold very still* while I do that, alright, my sweet?? Same as before. I- I know it's scary and mortifying and invasive, 'Nocchi pet, but *it NEEDS to be done*. I also need to cl-*clean and medicate you*. And then, I need to take a sample of *your BLOOD*- which means (I'm sorry- I don't really like them either) NEEDLES.
"You can still squeeze Sir Jiminy's hand as tight as you need to, but *PLEASE*, Pinocchio- you can't kick or pull away, alright? Not during either procedure. You'll hurt yourself EVEN MORE if you do so. So- So just continue to be a good brave boy for me, okay?"
The trembling worsened and tears brimmed in his eyes... but he nodded, ekked out "O-Okay. Imean- sorry! Y-Yes, m- S-'Si, signora'", laid down, bent and spread his quaking quivering legs as wide as he could, and shut his eyes. Tighter, this time. Not even beginning to relax or really calm when Sir Jiminy gently tenderly carded his 'free' hand through his mussed non-clean dark hair. (More than understandable, sad/sorry to say.)
"It's alright, Pinoke- it's okay. I'm here, 'mimmo'; I've gotcha. Jiminy's got ya, 'bambolino'- *yes, sirree*..."
A whimper- a sob. A heartrending plea of "Pl-*Please, PLEASE* don't hurt me!! I'll- *I'll be good*- I'll b'have- *Iwon'tbeaBADboy*...!" that caused tears to fill Elphaba's own eyes and her *very soul* to HURT as much as her heart.
"I'll do my best not to, Pinocchio sweetheart. But- But... I'm afraid that the blood-draw is going to *sting* if not burn. Same with the standard shots that you'll need so that you'll be protected from illnesses like the flu and chicken-pox and measles and the like. ...And- And depending on how things go, you might need an IV as well- which unfortunately means *MORE needles*.
"I'm sorry, my pretty. I SWEAR- *I PROMISE* that I'm not trying to hurt you on purpose; to be, well, *wicked*. Alright?"
No response this time- just a frightened low whining keen as tears trickled down Pinocchio's usually-rosy cheeks, with a couple even dripping off of his nose. -But he briefly jerkily nodded all the same.
"Alright then, little doll- ready? *One- two- THREE*..."
#More dark tight curls, wavy silvery-white hairs, and *ANIMAL hairs*. Even more fresh bright red blood and creamy white semen- now beginning to crust and flake *and STICK* THERE as well as turn to rust and off-white... STITCHES. *Sweet Oz*, he was going to need *STITCHES*, he was that torn and bleeding!! THANK. JESUS for Healing Magic...!#
All the while, Sir Jiminy stilled him via his hands and either whispered further sweet soothing comforting words or hummed softly in his ear, tears brimming in his honey-brown eyes if not streaking his own not-so-green-right-now face gone white.
Pinocchio flinched and quivered and whimpered when he was swabbed between his legs- hissed and whined at the feeling of both slightly burning disinfectant and prickling stinging healing magic sewing his torn flesh back together, but didn't thrash or scream or cry out or kick. He sighed a little *in RELIEF*, however, when The Area In Question was cleaned with non-scented soap and warm water and carefully dried afterward once she'd finished quietly chanting from the Grimmerie. (Again- *no. Wonder*!! Poor boy- he was probably DYING to be *clean ALL OVER*...!)
"There we go- *there we go*... Good boy- brave boy..." she crooned/purred as gentle and sweet and soothing as any mother Animal with her frightened skittish upset CubPupKit while also gently comfortingly stroking his thick Crow-dark hair and thin freckle-flecked arm. "Okay, sweet- that's all done and over with. I'm not going to *touch you THERE* anymore, alright? I'm just going to- I'm just going to take a sample of your blood now."
'Nocchi' swallowed hard and bit his lip as he cracked his wet eyes open for a split second, but nodded and choked out a tiny "O-Okay" all the same.
"*Good boy*, poppet... Ready?? ONE- *two*- *THREE*..."
This time, as the needle went in and the plunger was pressed, Pinocchio didn't so much scream as CRY. *Hard*. Sobbed as though his heart would break as he jerked and writhed on the table. Not merely from the painful feeling of being stuck and having one's blood drawn, but *from the pain IN HIS HEART*.
"F-*Father*!! FATHER!! *I want my father*! Pl-*PLEASE*! *I wanna GO HOME*; PLEASE lemme go home! *PLEASE let me go home*- *pleasegivemebackmyfather*, Mamma...!!"
Elphaba gasped and almost lost her grip on the syringe at the sudden feeling of the near-crushing pressure of *MAGIC*. Magic that wasn't hers' or Lady Chiara's or Signor Bruno's. It was *PINOCCHIO'S magic*, which she hadn't in the least expected-! Magic that he was trying to use *to GO HOME*, but COULDN'T. No matter the amount he clicked his own heels times three, or how many times he uttered the famous heartfelt oh-so-true phrase '*There's no place like home*...'
"Pl- PLEASE, Mamma!! *Please, please, PLEASE*...!!!"
No matter how hard Sir Jiminy tried, neither soft soothing words of comfort nor humming did a thing to ease his fear and pain and sorrow and grief. So instead, Sir Jiminy *SANG in Pinocchio's ear*. A much-beloved well-known song that wasn't usually an actual lullaby despite its' sweet gentle lilt half the time, but worked well-enough in this instance.
~"Nighttime sharpens-
Heightens each sensation...
Darkness stirs
And wakes Imagination...
Silently th' senses
Abandon their d'fenses;
Helpless t' resist the notes I write:
The rhythm of
Th' music of The Night...
Slowly, gently,
Night unfurls its' splendor...
GRASP it- *sense it*:
Tremulous and tender...
Turn your face away
From th' garish light 'f day;
Turn your thoughts away from *COLD UNFEELING light*
And listen to
The Music of th' Night...
Let your mind start a journey
To *a STRANGE NEW WORLD*;
Leave all thoughts of th' life
You knew b'fore...!
*Let your soul
Take you where you long to be*...!
-*Only THEN*
Can you b'long
With me...
Floating- falling;
*Sweet intoxication*...
TOUCH ME- *TRUST ME*-
Savor each sensation...
*Let the dream begin*-
Let your darker side give in
To the power of th' music that I write:
*Th' power of
THE MUSIC OF THE NIGHT*...!
[instrumental break/humming]
*You alone*
Can make my song take flight...!
Help me make
Th' music- of- the-
Night..."~
Slowly but surely, Pinocchio came back to himself- lured back to Reality by the Cricket's sweet clear gentle loving voice. Blinked. Sniffed. Murmured in a slightly cracked voice, "J-Jim'ny?"
"Shhhh... 'M right here, Pinokes. It's alright- *it's all over*. Well- *THAT part*, at least. You did a good job, 'mimmo'. I'm real proud 'f you... and so's your doc Princess Elphaba."
Pinocchio tremblingly smiled at that. Then it fell as he lowered his wet swollen eyes and said quietly, "I'm- I'm sorry for cryin' 'n thrashin' like that when you told me *NOT to*, Miss Elphaba. 'M *AWFUL sorry*...!"
Sweet boy- dear lad- poor child... Did he think she was angry or upset or frustrated with him??? Did she look at all Frexspar-ish???! *Sweet Oz, she hoped not*-!
"It's alright, poppet- *all's forgiven*," Elphaba more churred than cooed, gently petting his head. "I know it hurt *something BAD*; it always does, unfortunately. *I'm NOT* upset or offended, 'Nocchi sweetheart- I promise..."
Next to last thing- *shots*. For both The Check-Up and The Kit (plus the one for protection against CO-VID, which had swept throughout the population a year ago nearly akin to the Black Plague from the Middle Ages and cholera in the first chapter of 'The Secret Garden'). More 'raindrops'. A steady fall of them with a faint rumble of thunder and a small flash of lightning here and there, but nowhere near close to *a STORM* like earlier. (Meaning that Pinocchio cried as well as flinched and semi-softly cried out "*Ow*!!" every now and then, but didn't inadvertantly try his best and hardest to cast a Home Spell.)
Just before checking the other thing, Elphaba gently touched and stroked his cheek and murmured, "Pinocchio?? Poppet? Can you hear me?"
Her newest patient as innocent and vulnerable and unprotected as a newborn babe either 'atrociously uncannily obscenely' green as Forks or a perfectly acceptable/regular/normal color emitted a tearful tired mumble of "M-Mm?" in response as his eyelids trembled open. Leaned into her kind affectionate touch for all 'twas that of a *STRANGER* like her cat Malky or Dorothy's Toto when they were longing to be petted same as with Sir Jiminy's carding his fingers through his hair.
"Hey there, dearie. Sorry to disturb you- I know you're d- awfully tired and in a lot of pain, and *no wonder*! I'd love nothing more than to let you go to sleep, but I'm afraid I have another Very Important question for you, pet."
Of course, clearly, the *VERY LAST thing* Pinocchio wanted to do was Talk... but he was A Good Boy thankyouverymuchmostkindly, Signor Collodi! So he just murmured "O-Okay, Miss Elph'ba" in reply- even if reluctantly as much as tiredly and/or tearfully.
"Thank you, Pinocchio sweet. For cooperating, I mean. I *REALLY appreciate* it. -You're doing *so well*; you know that? You're being so brave, my pretty; being such a good boy..."
(Now THIS *WAS a part of her job*; it wasn't a Rare Exception like shoulder-pats, back-rubs, hair-caresses, or cheek-strokes were. But even if it weren't, then she would have made An Exceptation. Because Pinocchio clearly *NEEDED* the positive affirmation/feedback and praise. For the RIGHT reasons rather than the *W-R-O-N-G* ones. Even *an IDIOT* or a supposedly-brainless Scarecrow could see that!)
"Gr-'Grazie', Miss Elph'ba. I'm- 'M tryin' *REAL HARD* t' be... H-*HONEST, I am*...!"
"I know, little one- *I know*. Miss Elphaba knows... Pinocchio?"
"'Si'?"
"In- In between your... being kidnapped and raped thrice (three times, I mean), did you-? Did you eat or drink anything??"
Pinocchio opened his mouth to answer, but he was abruptly rudely interrupted by his stomach growling. Loudly. And a *LONG SKINNY growl*, at that...
Once the sudden bodily sound died away, he non-surprisingly shook his head. "Uh- Uh-uh. Str- Strom- M-Mr. Stromboli ate in front 'f me, but- b-but he never once offered me anything- ev-even though there was PLENTY t' go around/share. And- And on Pleasure Island, th' sight of all those kids g-GORGIN' themselves made me feel sick. I- I had some sips of root-beer, but n-never really a full glass or even half 'f one- either b'cause I still felt awful ill 'n uneasy about everything even though everyone else includin' L- L-Lampwick was havin' 'a blast' o-or b'cause every now 'n then someone would greedily swipe my mug for themselves."
-DAMN. *She WOULD* have to give him an IV. When he already clearly didn't like needles- particularly when he wasn't feeling at all well. Elphaba. Felt. *So. WICKED*. For once more having to cause him such PAIN in order to help him get better. No- *ROTTEN*!
-But there wasn't any help for it. Pinocchio NEEDED to be rehydrated and to get some nutrients in his body. *Right. Now*...
One look up at the sad angry unhappy expression on her froggy ferny cabbagey face more sharp than delicate, and she knew *HE knew*. *What she was going to have to do*. Hence why he swallowed hard again, trembled, and whimpered.
She didn't *HAVE TO apologize*... and yet she DID, her pine-green eyes and warm rich musical voice even softer and sadder than before (if that was possible). "...I'm sorry, 'Nocchi. But *you DO* need an IV along with the blood-draw and shots."
*He was going to BE GOOD*, she could tell- he WAS going to Cooperate same as before. He was just very very scared and confusified as well as already in a good deal of physical and emotional pain. *Poor 'piccolino' sweet hurt babe*...
"Wh- Why??" he quavered.
It was Sir Jiminy who answered, but Elphaba didn't mind that (even though some people thought that *she SHOULD* because SHE was the doctor here!). "Two reasons, Pinokes- well, *THREE, actually*. First off, you need t' be rehydrated. Second, you've lost a lot 'f blood due to- due t' the- The r-rape. B-*BOTH rapes*, especially. And- And third 'f all, you haven't eaten or drunk much of anything in a good while, so you really need *some NUTRIENTS* in your body 's well as a good deal of fluids. That's- *THAT'S Why*.
"I won't lie- it's gonna SUCK since you strike me as someone with a low pain tolerance when you're not feelin' good... *but it's gotta be done*, 'bambino'."
All while S- Jiminy was talking, Elphaba gathered up her supplies (including a thinned Blood-Replenishing Potion), sterilized her equipment, got everything together- and then started and yelped when she realized that she wasn't alone. As in Nessarose was standing and working right beside her. -Emphasis on STANDING.
Thatwasright. *She'd PLUMB FORGOTTEN* that Nessa was an assistant nurse at St. Francis as well as a 911 operator/emergency dispatcher. OF COURSE she would be here by Elphaba's side at a time like this! This was a two-person job, after all...
Pinocchio started and squeaked, too- but then he relaxed a bit and even smiled on recognizing Nessa's voice from Earlier even if not her pretty pretty/'tragically beautiful' face, big dark long-lashed eyes, or just-as-dark curly hair that was shorter than Elphaba's by a lot but still what one would describe as 'long'(ish).
Nessa -dressed in Kansas-gray scrubs and wearing snowy-white sneakers with matching socks herself (PLUS *rubber gloves* worn over her own scrubbed-clean-up-to-the-wrists hands, of course)- kindly smiled back at him. Not just because she LOVED kids -Dorothy of course being a prime example-, but because she had as bigwarmtender a heart as Boq (hence Why they- well, *deserved each other*). If the situation hadn't been so dire and serious and horrendible, she would have waved in addition.
"H-Hello, Miss Nessarose."
"Hello, Pinocchio! Awwww... You don't look like you're feeling too good, sweetheart. What's the matter?? Are you hurting still?"
That small sweet friendly ghost of a smile faded away, and his lips trembled. Damp swollen brilliantly-blue orbs for eyes darkened and quivered. And Pinocchio fought back and swallowed down a sob as he swiped at his eyes, but lost the battle when it came to a couple of sniffles. "I want t'- *I wanna go home*. But- But I- *But I CAN'T*," he choked out. "She won't- Shewon'tletme...! Sh-She'll *NEVER* let me go back t' F-F-Father 'n Figaro 'n Cleo! Or- Or l-*let ZIA CHIARA* go home, either..."
'"She"??? *Who is "she*, Fabala???? And why does he sound *so SAD AND UPSET* when talking about her??' Nessa mouthed to her, QUESTIONS also in her big brown eyes like Mother's and plastered on her face.
'Pinocchio's mother. Who quite clearly is a *WORSE* parent then even Mother Melena, Stepfather Frexspar, or 'Mr. Wonderful' AKA Oscar Diggs-With-Too-Many-Damn-Middle-Names-Like-Dumbledore,' Elphaba mouthed back with her verdant lips pressed tight and her eyes flashing behind her spectacles. 'Word of advice: DO NOT mention her. *Don't ask about her*- no matter *HOW curious* you are. *PLEASE*...! O-Okay?'
Thankfully- BLESSEDLY, Nessarose didn't press; didn't bother or badger or upset . Instead, she turned her attention back to Elphaba's newest patient and made *light easy sweet nice* conversation with him. Both Just Because and so she could try and help him relax- even if just a little. "'Figaro'?? 'Cleo'? Who are they, Pinocchio dear?"
"They're- They're Father's 'n my pets," Pinocchio sniffed. "F-Figaro's a cat, and Cleo's a goldfish. He's- He's black 'n white and awful cute with big yellow eyes, a little black nose, and r-really soft fur that's kinda long, and- and she's *BEAUTIFUL* with shiny reddish-gold scales, pretty delicate awful long fins, pale blue eyes, and l-long eyelashes."
"*Oh, my*; they both sound lovely! What are they like??"
"F-Figaro's kinda naughty 'n mischievous at times, but- but he's really awful sweet deep down. And- 'N Cleo's actually really affectionate for a goldfish, if you can b'lieve it! Sh- She LOVES bein' stroked 'n having her belly tickled s-same as her- um... fur-brother."
"*Awwww*... They sound ADORABLE!" cooed Nessa, her eyes sparkling and face shining. Had she also been sitting down in her Chair, she would have *bounced in it* in addition, Elphaba could tell. "Just like Dottie's Toto and Fabala's Malky! Wish I could meet them; *I LOVE animals* same as my sister...!
"And your father?? *What's HE* like?" she then wanted to know.
"...He's th' k-kindest, nicest, sweetest, b-best, most loving 'n thoughtful man in the world next to Jiminy and Papa Bruno. N-Not very practical, but still awful smart 's well as talented 'n creative. I guess- I guess you could say he's *a SENTIMENTAL man*- heh...! Um- n-no offense, Miss Elphaba."
Rest assured, NONE WHATSOEVER was taken. It *WAS true*, after alll-! Signor Geppetto- Senor Bruno- Master Oscar Diggs AKA 'the Wonderful Wizard of Oz'- they were *ALL* sentimental men, one way or another...
In fact, it was so very true that Elphaba found HERSELF softly singing the little ditty he had once sung to her and Glinda what felt like so long ago while showing them his model of 'The Oz of Tomorrow'- never mind for the moment that she was *FE-male*. It was- It was a nice-enough little song; and besides, Music clearly seemed to help 'Nocchi feel better when he was sad or upset or sick or in pain, as S- Jiminy had clearly demonstrated, -so *why NOT* use that method of Medicine as well as the drip?? No one was around to hear her but Pinocchio, Jiminy, and Nessarose... (The only thing she changed was not using her name.)
~"I'm a sentimental man
Who always longed to be *a FATHER*...
That's why I do the best I can
To treat each citizen of Oz as SON
OR DAUGHTER....
So, my dear- my dear,
I'd like to *RAISE YOU HIGH*
'Cause I think that everyone
Deserves a chance *to FLY*...!
And helping you with your ascent
Allows me to feel so
*PARENTAL*-
For I am
*A sentimental
Man*..."~
Just like she and Glinda had, Pinocchio smiled and clapped- feeling at least *a little* relaxed as well as briefly happy.
"I always liked that song as much as th' more- um, ha-ha! Popular ones of the soundtrack," Jiminy chirruped happily- then added with a small sigh, "-Too bad it's *so SHORT*, though. That's th' one flaw..."
Elphaba hummed in agreement.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
#Change of plans: as a result of *ELPHABA'S singing* to him rather than Jiminy, however semi-accidental it was, Nessarose would be the one doing the IV while 'Miss Wicked' helped 'il Grillo Parlente' keep Pinocchio as still and calm and relaxed as possible. (It wasn't Against The Rules- Nessa was well-versed in how to go about a drip same as 'Fabala'. And again- who was around to See or Tell?? *No one*, that's who.)#
After she and 'Fabala' had switched places, Nessa said gently, "Okay, sweetie- Elphaba's going to swab the back of your left hand clean and numb it while I open the drip; and then I'm going to stick the needle in and inject the medicine you need into your veins. Be good and stay as still as possible like before, okay?? I know it's going to HURT all over again, and I'm sorry for it... "Don't- Don't look at what I'm doing, love. Just- *Just focus on Fabala and Sir Jiminy and listen to their voices* while they're talking or singing to you. Alright?"
'Nocchi just nodded in reply before again clutching tight onto Jiminy's hand- clenching the other on the side of the examination 'table' while biting back another whimper and almost desperately leaning into the quasi-cricket's other hand tenderly soothingly stroking his hair and Elphaba's green green rubber-gloved 'paws' just as gently and comfortingly rubbing his taut slightly shaking small thin back and shoulders pale as milk and dotted with freckles once she'd swabbed his hand.
'It's alright, 'Nocchi poppet- it's okay. Everything's going to be alright... Just this one last thing, and then *we're DONE*. *We're all through*...'
"Shhhh- shhh. Hey, now; it's okay, Pinoke. It's okay. I know by this point that you don't like needles one little bit, but just *one more little stick*, some medicine, an' then we can all go home. Spend some nice quiet time t'gether... How about that, 'gattino'? Hmm? -Yeah; that sounds just fine an' dandy after t'day, doesn't it?"
No response. Just tears brimming anew in his big dark sad eyes and one or two dripping down his cheeks as he tried to keep from crying aloud. Elphaba's heart ACHED for him. *If only* SHE could send him straight into his beloved loving father's arms....!!!
Once more; *one- two- THREE*...
The needle went in- and so did the medicine. Pinocchio squeezed his swollen wet eyes shut and sobbed sharp and loud, but didn't practically wail. Kept sobbing, but didn't 'blub'.
Forced his wet swollen red eyes open to look right into Elphaba's soft warm sympathetic dark green ones and focus only on hers' and Jiminy's soothing tender touches and *HER voice* singing soft and sweet to him. Again, it was FAR FROM a lullaby or even a gentle comforting song in and of itself... but *the MUSIC*, like that of (ha) 'The Music of the Night' and 'A Sentimental Man', was beautiful and lilting and soothing- and so it worked well enough.
~"Hands touch-
*Eyes meet*...
Sudden silence;
Sudden HEAT...
Hearts leap in a giddy whirl;
*He could be THAT BOY*-
*But I'm not That Girl*...
Don't dream TOO FAR-
Don't lose sight of Who You Are-!
*Don't remember that RUSH OF JOY*...
He could be That Boy;
*I'm NOT* That Girl...
Every so often,
We long to steal
To the land of *What-Might-Have-Been*;
But that doesn't soften
*The ACHE* we feel
When REALITY sets back in...
Blithe smile- lithe limb;
*She who's Winsome*-
*She wins HIM*...
Gold hair with a gentle curl;
THAT'S the girl he chose-
And *heaven knows*
*I'm NOT* that girl...
*Don't wish*-
*Don't START*!
Wishing only WOUNDS THE HEART...
I wasn't born
For the Rose and Pearl...
There's a girl I know-
*He loves her so*-!
Mmm-ooh-ooohh...
I'm not
That girl..."~
(All during and after INTG, even if tearfully and painfully, 'Nocchi looked right at her. As in with a big green capital 'L'. As though *he KNEW*; TRULY knew about whom 'the Wicked Witch of the West' was longingly crooning about. -Once more, it knocked her for more than six. [And yet again, she was awestruck and amazed at *HOW smartbrightsharp* 'Little Woodenhead' was. As intelligent as he was kind, brave, and honest...])
*PHEW*- THERE. *NOW it was All Done and Over With*. -And the moment both she and Nessa said aloud that it was, Pinocchio dropped right off to sleep in Jiminy Cricket's warm gentle loving arms- saying a teary pained yet genuine heartfelt '*Thank you*' with his eyes beforehand even if he didn't use his words.
'You're welcome, 'Nocchi sweet. *MORE THAN*...' Elphaba whispered in her heart in reply.
"...What's th' price, Docs?? Whatever it is, we'll pay it."
The price? *PRO BONO*. Cases *like THIS* almost always were. Money wasn't the object here- what was MOST important was giving young Pinocchio here some Tender Loving Care. ESPECIALLY after suffering such a disgusting horrible terrifying thing as Child Rape.
The end result??? #Patient diagnosis: BETRAYED and *HEARTBROKEN*. By his own mother (who *was NOT* the Blue Faerie, thankyouverymuch). And there was no true mundane or magical cure for either emotional malady, much as she wished it...#