Knowledge is Power

                                        

                                              
                Meditation amongst the Pantharni is a complicated affair, made almost ritualistic by the Tribe’s more volatile natures clinging to mental discipline like a life line. Additionally, there are different form of medication available to the Pantharni; there is the meditation for prayer and giving accolades to ancestors, there is the calming and soothing breathing that Nahuel was utilizing, and then there is a deeper level that Tokala was feeling the need to sink into. The elder Pantharni was dubious that anything in the emergency kit he had would benefit these Humans; they were an entirely different species although some similarities had Tokala questioning just how different they truly were. He needed to let his active mind go, sink into his passive mind and let the answers come to him, but the Pantharni was not getting the chance amongst these aliens. The Human Tavir still looked unsettled by Sampson’s impromptu kiss, but Tokala had already moved onto more important concerns; the wound on Aeryn’s back was starting to smell wrong. And it was close enough to the spine to make Tokala uncomfortable that he couldn’t tell the Human Healer that her astringent swabs hadn’t gotten rid of all the infection. That or some Lampard poison had escaped Tokala’s ministrations earlier, in which case the young Human would either have the strength to endure or Aeryn would succumb to the toxin. The elder Pantharni was still going to try and warm Sampson though; he would demand the same attempt in return, regardless of language barriers.  So as Sampson rifled through all of the Pantharni bags looking for useful or recognizable tools, Tokala tapped the back of her hand gently. Old, tired eyes looked at him with the sort of tempered, determined hope only found in a true survivor. Tokala had to ignore the Human Tavir’s hawkish glare as the Pantharni took Sampson’s hand in his only lower hand left, and placed it on the wound gently. Not knowing the word for infection, Tokala was left trying to indicate that something was wrong.
                              
Working on the intuition that a kiss was the same thing across the species gap, Tokala made a face similar to the one used by kits when they’ve tasted a flavour they don’t like. It is a crude expression but Tokala was gratified to see a spark of understanding in her weary eyes, and he watched in fascination when the Human dove back into going through the Pantharni bags like a kit opening presents. There was one item in there that was a literal life saver, but it was gene coded to Pantharni; a viral nanite injector. The biotech would repair the worse damage first and then start working on more cosmetic damages, but there is a cost to the repair because the nanites work so quickly that there is no way to block out the pain of repairs. Tokala could regain his sacrificed hand if he used it, but the level of pain he’d have to endure as bone regrew and tissue filled out was prohibitive. The elder Pantharni was at a point in his life where he didn’t need the hand enough to confront the pain. It would be the solution for Aeryn’s plight except for the genetic barrier, though Tokala’s passive mind whispered softly that the viral nanites would still work. They were all overlooking something very important but Tokala couldn’t demand that his mind present him with the answer. It was elusive and irritation as food caught between teeth. 
                              
Sampson was examining all the clearly medical based equipment and frowning, looking at Aeryn’s wounds carefully again. “If I describe what Aeryn needs right now, can you indicate what may work?” her tone was cautiously optimistic. This time Tokala surprised Sampson by gently cupping her face and giving the Human a quick kiss. Which of course made Tavir bark out his displeasure while Sampson laughed. “Oh calm down before you give yourself a heart attack. I’m an old woman, who cares if I’m kissing aliens. This brilliant fellow here is going to help me save Aeryn.” Sampson’s weariness from earlier was fading away by the moment. Tokala realized it wasn’t exhaustion that was weighing his Human companions down, but hopelessness. They had been enduring not living, and no one ever fantasized about thriving under these conditions. Only those who tied their fates to Daniel had anything resembling luxury, but even they were merely existing. The remaining Humans on this planet were ghosts, not alive and not willing to die all the way. It was tragic for the compassionate Pantharni to witness.