[mr. whitecape has, of course, already heard their conversation, and is already pulling back the privacy curtain to check on francel's status.
he asks typical questions: if francel would like zephirin to be dismissed (he does not), if he feels alright (aside from some throbbing, mostly so), if he would like to have his parents called (they won't pick up). the school nurse administers some basic eye exams, a simple hearing test. finally, he pronounces francel in good health — at least for now. "there's still a risk that you might present with concussion symptoms later in the day, or later in the week," mr. whitecape concludes, "but for the moment you seem fine. you were hit pretty hard, no doubt about that, but it looks to me that your cheek absorbed most of the impact, so aside from a nasty bruise there, you should be okay."
the man withdraws, rolling his swivel chair back over to his desk. "why don't you boys cool off here a while longer?" he says, kindly. "it'll give francel another moment to make sure that he feels alright, and i think it's cruel that they still haven't fixed the air conditioning in the gym, besides."
at this, francel nods gratefully, his lips curled at their corners. he sips at the water zephirin gave him.]
Thank you, Mr. Whitecape. [he turns the force of his full smile onto the boy beside him.] And thank you, Zephirin.
no subject
he asks typical questions: if francel would like zephirin to be dismissed (he does not), if he feels alright (aside from some throbbing, mostly so), if he would like to have his parents called (they won't pick up). the school nurse administers some basic eye exams, a simple hearing test. finally, he pronounces francel in good health — at least for now. "there's still a risk that you might present with concussion symptoms later in the day, or later in the week," mr. whitecape concludes, "but for the moment you seem fine. you were hit pretty hard, no doubt about that, but it looks to me that your cheek absorbed most of the impact, so aside from a nasty bruise there, you should be okay."
the man withdraws, rolling his swivel chair back over to his desk. "why don't you boys cool off here a while longer?" he says, kindly. "it'll give francel another moment to make sure that he feels alright, and i think it's cruel that they still haven't fixed the air conditioning in the gym, besides."
at this, francel nods gratefully, his lips curled at their corners. he sips at the water zephirin gave him.]
Thank you, Mr. Whitecape. [he turns the force of his full smile onto the boy beside him.] And thank you, Zephirin.