“He’s going to need to keep his head elevated in order to take the pressure off of his upper back.” Carl said as he knelt next to a feraligatr that had been hit just a bit too hard by the machamp which was standing off to the side next to his green haired trainer. “Don’t worry. He’ll be okay.” the black haired lycanthrope smiled at the feraligatr’s trainer, a raven haired girl who was trying not to burst into tears, before patting her on the shoulder. “Though if there’s a general store nearby you should probably run and go and get a health spray to speed up his recovery.” Carl said while looking over at the young girl’s opponent.

“There’s a shop around the corner that sells stuff.” the green haired trainer said. Carl merely narrowed his eyes at her. “I-I’ll go and get something.” she said before recalling her machamp to his pokeball.

It took about ten minutes for the green haired trainer to run to the store and then run back but once she did she quickly handed the spray over to Carl who administered it across the feraligatr’s shoulders after lifting the water type pokemon from his trainer’s lap.

“Give him about twenty minutes and then he’ll be back up to full health.” Carl said before standing up onto his feet. “However, I’d take it easy on him for the next couple of days all the same, ‘kay?”

“Yes, sir. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” with that Carl picked himself up and then made his way out of the park, but not before patting the green haired trainer who was still lingering about onto the head. “It’ll be okay.” she nervously nodded to him as he headed on about his way.

Moving down the street Carl was glad that nothing serious had happened with the feraligatr, as by the look on her trainer’s face Carl could tell that the young girl would have been crushed had anything happened to the alligator. This was one of the times when he was glad that he liked to actually watch trainers battle, as the raven haired girl probably would have known what to do with herself if her pokemon’s injuries were followed by the alligator having to be hospitalized after possibly collapsing while trying to put up a brave front for her sake.

“Are you always trying to save others, or do you just happen to be in the right place at the right time?” a soft feminine voice caught Carl’s attention just as he was about to head into a local diner with a ‘help wanted’ sign on its window.

Turning his head in the direction of the voice the were-lucaroc was surprised to find Nurse Joy smiling up at him in plain clothes. “Hi. And...uh...well...hahah.” Carl began to laugh nervously as he reached up to scratch at the back of his head. “It’s not like I mean to find people who are in trouble, it’s just kinda second nature for someone like me to help others in need.”

“Someone like you?” Nurse Joy asked while tilting her head to the side.

Carl could have kicked himself for that slip of the tongue but instead of worrying over it he decided to segway into another topic, “I...was taking advance biology courses in college so that I could become a medic before I...had to leave due to some family issues.” Carl really hoped that the young pink haired woman didn’t ask what exactly those family issues were, especially given how nontraditional his family was now.

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” Nurse Joy said solemnly to which Carl nodded. “Is that why you came to Torek? To find a job in what would have been your field?”

“In a manner of speaking…”

“Hmm, how far along have you gotten in your studies?”

“If you’re not busy can we talk inside? I’m a bit hungry.” Carl’s stomach decided that now was the time to make its opinion on the matter know, to which Nurse Joy merely laughed.

- - - - -

“It seems that you’ve had quite the adventure.” Nurse Joy said while nibbling on the berry bread in her hand.

“Yeah, but I don't mind. After all, my brother and our midnight lycanroc mean the world to me.” Carl said while smiling gently.

“Why don’t you finish your meal? You seem like you’re still hungry.” Nurse Joy chuckled as Carl’s stomach grumbled once again

Nothing more was said between the pair as the continued their meal, Carl tried to hold himself back from the second rare tauros steak that he had ordered for himself, however it was hard to do so as his feral instincts were commanding him to eat before something came to take the tasty meat from him. His rationale mind knew that this was ridiculous, if only because humans usually didn’t steal someone else’s food, however as starved as he was his bestial instincts were not to be denied. Once he had finished his third and final piece of steak Nurse Joy took that moment to continue their conversation.

“How long do you think that you’ll be staying at your new place?” the pink haired woman asked even as she reached over to wipe off the blood still lingering on Carl’s lip with her napkin.

The black haired lycanthrope blushed before speaking, “I hope to settle here, but if I can’t find a job soon...” He trailed off. While technically there was no pressure from either Keith or Max to pay rent for their living space Carl was well aware that he would not feel right about staying at their home without giving them something in return.

“Hmm, and do you think you’ll be going back to school to get your medical certification?”

“Is there a school around here where I can do so?” Carl asked, his blue eyes almost literally sparkling at the possibility of such a happening.

“Not really.” Nurse Joy said with a slight wince.

“Oh.”

“I’m sorry, but despite having a pokemon gym so close to the downtown area this place is really just a small country town, with regards to actually businesses and the like being here I mean.” Carl could only nod at that, as without any main attraction there within an area most places were basically quite rustic in climate and atmosphere. That was one of the reasons why many places attempted to set up their own pokemon gyms, as passing trainers made a need for pokemon centers, shops, and other amenities that were mostly not need in other places. “However, I could some help in the pokemon center, if you think you can handle the work.”

Carl actually blinked at that.

“I know.” Nurse Joy laughed at his incredulous look. “Despite what I said sometimes we get small cases like the one you handled at the center, plus neighboring towns send their less severe patients over to us to see to.” Nurse Joy said while closing her eyes and chuckling as though recalling something humorous. “It doesn’t get too busy for me to handle, but I had been wanting someone to help me shoulder some of the work, but my cousins don’t think that I need anyone to come down here.” That made Nurse Joy pout slightly as she opened her eyes too look at Carl. “If you’re not busy, I’d like to ask you to take on the responsibility.” the plea within her voice was easy for the lycanthrope to pick up thanks to his superior hearing.

“Uh...y-yes. Yes I would!” Carl offered boisterously.

“Alright then.” “Nurse Joy began as she pushed her seat back in order to stand up. “We can get you set up in a couple of days, that way you can purchase some nurses’ scrubs and I can process your ID through our data system. Is that ok?”

“Yes ma'am!” Nurse Joy smiled down at Carl at that.

- - - - -

“It’s nice to have you here, Carl.” Nurse Joy said as she shook the were-lucaroc’s hand, Carl was careful to hold back his full strength less he injured the tiny human. “I hope you don’t mind coming in at this hour.” Nurse Joy chuckled as she watched the young lycanthrope put a hand up to his mouth in order to cover over an in-coming yawn.

“No. I don’t mind. I just had to make sure that my brother and our midnight lycanroc didn’t end up killing each other before I left.” Carl laughed while simultaneously thinking back to how much pleading he had to do to A, keep Rip-Raff from following after him, and B, stop Larc from ripping into the other after he wouldn’t take ‘stay home’ for an answer.

“Well, don’t worry. This won’t be a normal thing, unless you like morning shift.” Carl merely smirked nervously at that. “Hahah, I just need to get you familiar with the center before we opened for the day.”

“That’s fine, but do you mind if I go splash some water on my face? I think I’m still half asleep.” he said as he rubbed a hand over his right eye.

“Sure thing. I’ll be at the front desk once you get yourself together.” with that Nurse Joy turned on her heel and then left the black haired lycanthrope in the hall by himself.

Making his way to the bathroom Carl let out a sigh he didn’t know he had been holding in as he flipped on the light within and then brought himself over to one of the sinks.

“I hope that I don’t screw this up.” Carl said to his reflection in the mirror as he pressed his head into the cool glass in front of him.

Art: siebear

Characters: Pokemon