[attr="class","illeana"]

[attr="class","illeana b"]

[attr="class","illeana i"]"hey, thanks for coming!" she steps forward, uncertain if a hug is exactly the right move. it feels right but there's an air to melody that can't quite be shaken.

unfortunately, illeana knows the feeling a little too well.

she ushers the elite four member into the lab with a wider smile and the faint lingering of pink mist. it might do nothing more than soothe tension but... it's a start, perhaps.

"how've you been?" she tilts her head slightly to the left, a curious look rising. "position been treating you well?" she never quite got to congratulate her for the promotion, huh? better late than never, right?

and with a warm expression, illeana gestures toward the open seat near her desk before settling the corner of the table.

Melody Miro

[attr="class","illeana"]

[attr="class","illeana b"]

[attr="class","illeana i"]a soft hum escapes.

"stress could lead to migraines," she murmurs. but... "to be safe, do you mind if i give you a check up?"

she plays the role of a caring friend well enough to be believable. there's an underlying reason into her summons, her prying. it comes in the form of concern, festering until her skills are required for further insight.

melody settles into the chair opposite illeana and her leg begins an incessant shake. the scientist recognizes it well enough to understand bits and pieces of the puzzle.

tension, stress, and turmoil lay beneath the skin. they find an outlet in melody's leg.

"no pressure, of course." she flashes a reassuring smile, hands folding neatly in her lap. "it's not mandated or anything but knowing might help at least a little bit."

Melody Miro

[attr="class","illeana"]

[attr="class","illeana b"]

[attr="class","illeana i"]her smile widens as acceptance bubbles out of melody.

perfect...

she flushes, however, when melody touches upon brain activity and medicine. her expertise doesn't quite lie in general medicine but the branch is close enough to be considered a relative, perhaps?

"i could add an mri to the list of tests if you'd like to check in on that," she murmurs.

it's not something she typically does but for melody, she could make an exception.

"oh, Eva Morales is more of the medicine expert!" her cheeks color a little deeper. "i specialize in genetics but a lot of our research does require monitoring vitals and doing physical check ups."

besides, there's a lot that physicals can tell her that dna sequences can't. it comes in handy more often than not.

"now, are you alright with me taking a blood sample from you?"

Melody Miro

[attr="class","illeana"]

[attr="class","illeana b"]

[attr="class","illeana i"]"it's a type of scan," she murmurs.

her smile is warm and patient as she explains a little further.

"it'd allow me to get a better look at the soft tissue in your brain."

it is, of course, optional should melody want to pursue it any further.

the smile illeana wears falters slightly, tightening in the corners before it dips entirely. in its place, a look of concern rises.

"it's okay, melody," she murmurs. she understands the concept of drawing blood is not for everyone. hell, she doesn't even quite like it herself.

unfortunately, it's necessary for her work...

"if you'd like, i can use my psychic terrain to help you feel more comfortable."

the pink mist does wonders for healing. she even uses it to combat her own anxiety half the time.

quietly, she adds, "it'll be quick, i promise. i just need to see if there's been any changes from your last check up."

Melody Miro

[attr="class","illeana"]

[attr="class","illeana b"]

[attr="class","illeana i"]"yes." her smile becomes slightly private at the mention of FERNANDO SILPH, as if remembering something. "a lot like fernando's."

as melody looks away from the prepped needle in illeana's hand, the scientist begins to emit a soft pink mist. it curls into wisps around them, subtle calming merely an inhale away.

her grip on melody's arm is gentle, comforting. she tries to collect the blood sample with as little stalling as possible. the faster it's over, the easier the discomfort leaves.

and when she's done, she places a small fluffy gauze onto the needle site before holding it down with a pink bandage.

"okay," she murmurs. her eyes stay on melody, even with the vial of blood in her hand. "you did great."

she believes the worst to be over. unfortunately, she's wrong.

Melody Miro

[attr="class","illeana"]

[attr="class","illeana b"]

[attr="class","illeana i"]the psychic terrain does what it's meant for: heals.

she watches melody's body begin to relax, tension slowly ebbing from the shoulders and arms. a small, fond smile rises.

"it's not as potent as it used to be but it does wonders on the body."

the scientist stills, then, as melody continues.

did she... just ask if she was...?

a light pink colors illeana's cheeks. no, she must be imagining that...

it leaves her flustered and a bit too eager to rush into the next test.

she moves to place the vial of blood into the analysis chamber to process while they proceed with the mri. when she turns back to melody, the faint pink still lingers but it's lessened now.

"the machine is next door," she murmurs. a hand extends, then, and she smiles a little wider. "ready?"

Melody Miro