soul_campaign | [video] 2/6, evening - Megumi vs. the modern HMO

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[video] 2/6, evening - Megumi vs. the modern HMO

[The video feed comes on to the office Megumi has now occupied in the General Hospital. You can see tatami flooring and a pot simmering on a hot plate. A timer dings in the background and there is the sound of her speaking:]

This is ridiculous. What is the need for all of these papers, I'm up to my ears in them. Taking the time to fill them all out takes time away from where we should be-- the patient's bedside. And why is this "medical board" having us perform so many tests on each patient even when the diagnosis is already clear? No one gets better from running all of these unnecessary tests, but we have to bill them anyway. It's a waste of time and money-- ours and the patients'.

[A man's voice can be heard, it's an NPC supervisor] That's not my concern, Doctor Tanaka. Fill out the files or-- do what the rest of them do, get yourself an assistant and make them do it. I don't care, just get it done. Good day.

[The door closes and Megumi turns around and shuffles back towards where the communicator is. She can be heard cracking an egg into a bowl and muttering something that sounds very much like:]

It's Takani, you stupid ass.

[She cracks another egg for her tamagoyaki, and that's when she notices the mirror was on that whole time.]

Hmph. Figures.

If you are out there, and you're injured-- and I know there are many of you after all of that. Come to the clinic at the hospital tonight or tomorrow. I won't give you the same nonsense or run-around that they are recommending us to. It's my job to get you well and back home.

[Open to action threads here, or you can tag in to this log!]

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[Megumi lowers her eyes humbly, her hands folded on her lap. It's clear she was raised with the strictest attention to bearing and etiquette. Every angle of her body language is absolutely precise. You can imagine her mama, wherever she is, would be proud.]

I'd like to say something, if I may.

I know that the previous head of the clinic-- Dr. Wata-san-- [She has such a hard time saying "Watson."] I heard that he was here quite a long time and he was close with his patients. I've read through some files and seen his notes. He was a good English doctor, very thorough, and he seems to have been an excellent observer of human behavior. I don't expect that anyone would be happy to try a new physician after being his patient.

Between a doctor and patient, a relationship is grown, for care to be most effective and for people to be well. That relationship does not happen overnight. I've trained and studied and worked my hands to the bone for many years to treat people with care, and I have my own beliefs and my own philosophy. My style won't be the same as Dr. Wata-san's. I think that is why I'd prefer, rather than pressure you into an examination-- to leave you an open invitation for a simple cup of tea with another grownup, or even a walk in the park.

[She stands and bows very deeply to show her sincerity. Although she's excellent at doing so with her height and proper upper-class bearing, Megumi doesn't bother bowing to just anyone, this is extremely rare. Let's hope it gets recorded and saved by somebody for Death City historical records.]

I must place myself in your care first. At first I was suspicious of you all, but you and others are protecting this city, for those of us who would be helpless otherwise. I saw for myself during the invasion. I wish to express my gratitude, Gai-san.

[Gai listens, looking abashed when she mentioned Watson's notes but more interested as she continues. He leans forward, bowing back.]

Watson was my friend, and it will not be easy for me to come to trust another doctor the way I did him. I have not made friends with anyone medical before. But I have not met anyone who approached it in that way before either.

[There's a pause. It's a trap, he knows it is, but he likes new friends, and to refuse her would be rude.]

I would enjoy tea or walk. Or both, sometime, Megumi-san. And... it is my duty to serve. There is no need for gratitude.

[She gives him a tiny, playful smile]

I think it's best for you to not think of me as a replacement. Dr. Wata-san is still your doctor, and I'll just be Megumi-the-lady-you-can-have-tea-with. Or-borrow-bandages-from.

[Gai smiles.]

It is my pleasure to meet you, Megumi-the-lady-I-can-borrow-bandages-from-and-have-tea-with. I hope that Watson returns so you can meet him, as well. ...Though he is likely better off back home.

[Whoa how did you say his name!? She remembers how you pronounced it for next time.]

Mm. I... would like to have met Dr. Watson. But I hope that he is safe and happy in his home. And the pleasure is mine, sir.

[It helps that he never had to read it and heard it from Watson's own lips.]

I think he went home to a good situation. His war is over. But I will miss him. That is the sad side of the good side of this place - you will make many friends, and some of them will leave.

I see...

I will be cautious of it, then.

Do not let that hold you back! It is better to meet them and befriend them and have your life influenced in a good way before they leave, then to not know them at all. The pain is worth it.

Excuse me? When is pain, worth it!

[Gai blinks.]

Many times. When your legs are sore from ninety-nine laps but you are capable of one more, that pain tells you that you are growing stronger. When you are sad that someone is gone but you have memories to treasure of them, that pain tells you that you have embraced life. Pain is not all bad.

What are "laps"?

[Gai's smile gets very warm.]

They are when you run a circle around something. Perhaps in a few days I will be able to show you.

You're going to run in a circle around something to show me?

No. We will run in a circle together to show you the exhilaration and enjoyment that comes from running a lap.

[Megumi sputters and then laughs.]

Ohoho! Gai-san, you're quite a kidder. Ahaha.

[Gai raises an eyebrow.]

Do you not go running?

[She blinks owlishly, raising a hand halfway to her astonished mouth.]

What a question! I'm a proper lady, sir!

[Gai looks confused.]

...Ladies do not run? It is about fitness and improving yourself. Ladies do not do that?

Goodness, no. Not where I come from! Ladies are supposed to move with stately elegance.

Why?

Because if we ran, we'd become sweaty, of course. And our legs might show, which would be unseemly behavior.

What if you were in danger? Or someone you cared about was in danger? You would walk?

[Well shoot, he's caught her now. She reddens.]

Well. The truth is.

I... have been known to run in such a situation. My grandmother and mother would have heart attacks if they knew that, most likely.

We are in the middle of a war here and now. And sometimes speed is the difference between life and death. To get better speed, you must train it. Would you truly still object to running and improving your speed and stamina? No one here will judge you for something like that.

Well.... no, but...

[She's.... quite ashamed of herself now. How childish can she be, really?]

[video] 2/6, evening - Megumi vs. the modern HMO

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