It took quite a bit of coaxing to get Vincent to take the tranquilizer. As much as part of him knew these doctors were going to hurt him and he wanted the panic attack over, someone trying to get him to take medication scared him even more.
The doctors took him to the pediatric room for a change in environment. The walls were pink with tiny flowers on them and posters that not even Cloud could stand. The doctor needed Vincent’s shirt open, so the nurse gave Vincent a blanket.
As different as this attack was from the others—not brought on by anything conscious, Vincent being more sick than afraid—Cid wasn’t any less worried. He didn’t think Vincent belonged here or needed any tests; he thought Vincent should be sent straight home after having another attack.
Cloud, as concerned as he was for everybody—for Vincent’s well being after the attack and the lifestream, for Cid and the doctor if a fight broke out, for the hospital and the chance of there being innocent bystanders getting hurt by Cid’s overreaction—was so bored he started playing with the toy of sliding beads.
Vincent, for being the center of attention, wasn’t paying attention to anything now. The tranquilizer had all but knocked him out and he was having trouble staying awake. Cid had to help prop him up as he glared at the doctor.
"His blood pressure’s pretty high for someone who’s been comatose. His blood sugar’s rather low, however. Other than that, he’s fine."
"I told you there was nothing wrong with him!" Cid said.
"Mr. Highwind. I’m a doctor. I don’t believe in magic or miracles. No one has any clue what the lifestream does to anyone, let alone, why. Who knows what side effects that thing could have had?"
Vincent slumped over and started sleeping against Cid.
"Do you have any idea what this man’s lungs look like? I’m not a marriage counselor, or a kindergarten teacher, but I’m afraid if you don’t stop smoking around him immediately, I’ll have to separate you two. If you don’t, he’ll be in here in a matter of months. There is a cyst on the edge of his lungs. It’s a benign tumor a the moment and his lungs will do for now, but those things contain at least twenty carcinogens and I’m going to warn you now that lung transplants almost never work. What if the lifestream sped up cancer growth? What if it didn’t work on artificial parts? Where would he be then?"
"Look, I’m sorry I had you bring him here, but for something that happens to a person when they die is not my idea of anything healthy."
Cloud stopped playing with the toy and the Doctor stared at Cid, both waiting for him to get violent, or at least loud, but nothing happened. Cid opened his mouth to say something, but closed it and sighed.
"You see my point Mr. Highwind?"
"I guess."
Cloud sat there stunned. Cid had backed down and in front of a doctor too. Then again, Cid had always thought the only person he’d hurt by smoking was himself.
"You gonna put him on that stuff again? He seemed to enjoy himself better with that stuff."
"Technically that’s up to him but I think if he was feeling better with them, I’ll write up a prescription just in case. Now, be sure to bring him back if you notice ANY cognitive, behavioral, or personality differences in him. If you don’t I don’t want to see either of you here for a long time, understand me Mr. Highwind."
"Damn straight we ain’t comin’ back here!"
"And Mr. Strife, next time I’d appreciate it if you left the buttons up to the professionals."