[Med Center, Day 23?]

Eleanora wearily rubbed the back of her neck.  She ached all over from her
efforts with the wounded.  She hadnât done anything except hold bandages and
basins, or run errands, but she had watched.  

She had watched Abby clip away burnt skin, watched her gently ease salve over
the raw remains and watched her decide when a patient was simply too badly
wounded to do more than ease their pain and await the end.  Seeing the tears
standing in her new friendâs eyes as she worked, Eleanora was filled with
admiration and a profound sense of helplessness.

Hard to believe that she had entered the Med Center only a few hours earlier.
She was drained and sore as if she had run a marathon.  

*Hanging in there?*  Abby smiled gently as she signed.  *Weâre past the worst
of it. Since weâre going to need some new beds, Im going to send Danielle ...
home.  Could you change the bed?*

Eleanora nodded and headed for the linen cabinet.  Armed with a new set of
bedlinens, she slipped quietly into the room.  It was empty and she quickly
stripped the bed and started on the fresh linens.  As she worked, she wondered
about the odd expression on Abbyâs face when she said they were sending
Danielle home.  

When she finished she found Abby tending an older woman with a face long
scarred by fire.  Both she and the woman who stood next to her bore scratches
and Abby was tending hers.  

>>"This is Kashya," Abby told her motioning to the woman watching them.
Eleanora smiled at the burn scarred woman whose dark hair was riddled with
gray strands. "She signs fluently and I think she would like some company
while I tend to her companion."

*Okay, I can do that,* Eleanora signed and turned to smile at Kashya, *My
name is Eleanora.*

*Do you sing?* the woman asked.

*Sing?* Eleanora asked. <<  Her heart faltered for a brief moment, hating to
have to explain her failing.  Then she noticed the woman was only signing in
rhythm.  She relaxed and began to follow along.

Eleanora noticed the doll in the womanâs arms and wondered.  She seemed normal
enough, but ....  Was she supposed to ask about the doll, as if were alive, or
was she not to even notice it was there?

They had ăsungä together for about five minutes when Kahsyaâs companion
returned.

*We can go home now, Kashya.*

*She sings good.*

Eleanora flushed a little at the compliment.  *Thank you.  Maybe we can sing
together another time.*

Kahsya nodded and bundled her doll close and then followed her companion.

*You look tired.*  Abby signed.  *Why donât you head home too?*

Eleanora nodded.  Home sounded good.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Katrina 
aka Eleanora

I donât think there are any specific tags, but feel free to run into Eleanora.