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

[megitsune]

[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!]

Comments

2/2

[megitsune]

[Abruptly, Megumi stands up as if she's been stuck with a pin, taking her mirror with her to the sink. Her voice is slightly louder than before, as she meticulously scrubs and fills her teakettle with water.]

Yes, I am a complete idiot. That's for sure. Are all of your idiots here, Itou-san?

[pawned]

[Did Itou say something wrong? He worries about that for a moment before the question makes him think of something else, and he peers at the screen.]

The three biggest ones are. We're lacking one, but I'm not quite sure I'm ready for his presence. [Since the last time Itou saw him, he had Yamazaki killed.] Too much foolishness in one place, you know. My poor heart deserves a break.

[megitsune]

[She dumps out her teakettle and scours it again, swallowing hard.]

Mine too.

[Now she has to grasp at somethinganything for a subject change.]

Do you know where to buy good tea, here. I think I'm nearly out.

[pawned]

[She must really be missing someone, Itou decides. A sweet heart? He didn't know the first thing about how girls think, though.]

There are a handful of Japanese novelty stores here with a supply of decent tea. One of them is run -- or was, I'm not very certain, but it's next to where I work -- by a guest.

[megitsune]

[She snorts softly, ashamed.]

I don't... know that I've ever seen a store like that here. I suppose we can tell who needs to get out of the library and the hospital more, hm?

[pawned]

Indeed. [agreeably] I've only acquired mine from the grocery, though, and some Japanese shops. They're decent, if not quite traditional.

[He thinks of offering her some, but he's not usually given to charity and he's not sure if she'll take it.] If I find something very good, I'll make sure to tell you.

[megitsune]

[She wouldn't take it. She's not given to accepting charity.]

The... grocery. [She almost wants to groan.]

I can't understand how anyone can shop in those. I need terrain maps just to find the rice. It's very different from simply waiting for the tofu or miso seller to come by with a bucket.

[pawned]

It's not so difficult to navigate. [snort] If you can memorize the streets of a village, a few well-lined shelves of items shouldn't be too difficult.

[megitsune]

[Megumi snorts as well but it's aimed at herself. She pinches the bridge of her nose, trying to stave off a headache just thinking about it all.]

It shouldn't be. But if I dare to go inside, and just see a huge... vast... area of so many things in one space, and then there are lots of big displays of this and that, and it's all in this new language I can now use after arriving here, and there are bright lights and music playing and sometimes a very loud voice from above telling me what I must purchase? [She means the advertisements over the loudspeaker.] The machines that they use to allow you to purchase the items making startling noises? The people running into me with those rolling metal wagons?

They have a whole row of glass cabinets that keep things frozen in ice. You've... seen this, right?

[pawned]

It's common enough where I'm from, actually. But there are also smaller versions of these, which are far less loud, bright, and technologically advanced. Perhaps you should try those, first?

[Hm.] Well, I suppose I could take you to the big one and help you navigate. It's the least I can do for one so adept at taking care of me. [It's not charity, anyway.]

[megitsune]

....You would do that?

[Well that would be incredibly kind and helpful, but-- no! Wait.]

[She raises an eyebrow, suspicious. Okay, what is he after. There's got to be something. He's a man, after all.]

[pawned]

[He blinks, like he's honestly confused at the question.] I don't see why not. I can't train or work, do calligraphy, chores, or other such things, and contrary to popular belief, I don't spend all of my time reading. It's still rather early, and the place should be open until late, if you want to go now.

[Although for the purpose of continuation with his Feb 7 log with Sougo, Itou must not be allowed to take anything home from the grocery!]

[megitsune]

[Does he know what time it is? It's after sunset!]

There are only three males in the whole world I'd trust to let walk me around after dark, and sorry, but you're not one of them, Shinsengumi-san. How do I know you're not going to try any funny business, hm?

[pawned]

That's so backward. [mutter] Forgive me, I forget that you're from a rather different time from my own. Where I'm from, it's quite common for everyone to wander around quite late into the evening, provided that they don't look particularly suspicious. Like it's acceptable for women to be doctors, I suppose. I believe the culture change was brought about by the ability to navigate the streets at night, given the wonders of street lighting.

[And then he makes a face, because wait, did she just say do anything to her? What would-- Excuse me, do I look like a rapist to you?] Besides, what sort of thing would you expect me to do given my lack of an arm and a recently-dislocated shoulder? Sadly, I wouldn't even be able to carry anything for you.

Although if you don't want to, that's perfectly fine with me. I'm sure you have other more pressing needs to attend to within the safety of your residence.

1/2

[megitsune]

"Backward"?

Excuse me, but from my humble point of view, you're being entirely too forward! I've nearly worked my fingers to the bone and bowed my head right off of my shoulders for a whole year to rebuild my reputation as a real doctor. What would people think of being treated by me if they saw me... traipsing about in the streets with strange men after dark?!

I saw you fighting those giant monsters. Even with just one arm and the shoulder injury you're plenty strong enough to-- [She stops and her cheeks flush. Cough.]

But whether or not you are strong isn't the point. I'm a woman who's here in a very strange and dangerous place without a single familiar thing about. I'm quite alone, quite frightened, and I must watch out for myself, here. There's no one to do it for me. If you can't accept that, then that's your choice. The fact of the matter is, you're a man, and I'm a lady, and while I think I very much like talking to you, I hardly know you-- as we've only spoken twice. How should I know what you're really like? [Mutter] Honestly....

2/2

[megitsune]

[She drops her eyes away, scowling in an attempt to cover her embarrassment at needing help with anything. Of all feelings, this is one of those that Megumi wishes she could erase the most.]

And while I'd be so... very grateful, to have an escort to the "grocery store," I would prefer it to be during daylight hours. For my own peace of mind. Is that so much to ask?

[She adds in a smaller voice:] I'm at work at the hospital, not at home. Remember, it's my rest break? I've been here all day. And I'll be working "over time" here until dawn.

[pawned]

[Itou's eyebrows crease more and more as Megumi's tirade goes on, and his lips press together. Mostly, he looks like someone who's getting very annoyed at what he's hearing. Thankfully, Itou knows better than to open his mouth and pick up the argument where it leaves off, thereby extending it. He knows when to fight his battles.]

I apologize if I've upset you in any way. [flatly] Or if I gave you the impression that I'm a sexual predator. I assure you that I'm not, but your point is well taken and I'll make sure not to do anything to affect your good standing with the upstanding residents of this city in the future.

Unfortunately, I'm not quite sure of my day tomorrow, and I'm unable to confirm if we can meet then. The Shinsengumi may need me for one thing or another; I shall be sure to contact you about it. If not tomorrow, then the day after, perhaps.


[ooc: And since Takasugi happens on the 7th and Sougo cuffs himself to Itou, Itou would leave her a message that his entire day is occupied after all.]

[megitsune]

Itou-san, you didn't give me the impression that you're a "sexual predator." I... apologize. Walking around in the street after dark must mean something different to me than it does to you. It's not really you, it's... the principle of the thing.

[She looks down and sighs through her nose, aggravated at her situation. Here she finally got some help and she's screwing it all up. Go Megumi, more of the same as usual, she thinks to herself scathingly.]

I've noticed that more than one of the men here are rather prone to... trying things when I'm stuck alone with them. And I don't like it. I would carry a blade on me, but I can't handle anything bigger than a scalpel.

I wish I were home, where I know how to handle this kind of stupid thing.

[pawned]

The reason why I'm not arguing with you about it is because I comprehend what you're saying, and I understand it enough not to insist.

[Forward men? Itou wonders what that means for Megumi. His version of forward is Kondo. But if she's getting propositioned, something should probably be done about it.]

How did you handle it back in your world?

[megitsune]

I appreciate it. I may be more inclined to a good debate about something else. Not about this. I need to keep my wits about me more or worse things will happen than the unwelcome kissing or the being carried about. Is that usual in the future as well?

Go straight to my idiots, of course. What else are idiots for?

[pawned]

People are more liberal with each other in the future, if that's what you were asking.

[For some reason, he looks a bit disappointed.] Then I suppose you'll need to learn one or two things about scalpel fighting here. As a doctor, wouldn't you know where best to put that sort of sharp object in to incapacitate or maim a man?

[megitsune]

That's what I've been thinking. I've actually even found a young boy who's agreed to teach me some self-defense. I'd like to graduate from going to idiots to solve my problems.

[She can't hide her excitement about that, even though she looks down and away to be polite. There's a rare smile growing on her face, it has nothing to do with teasing or playing fake nice.]

I've never... met anyone who thought I might be able to learn something like how to punch properly. Back home, the people I knew thought I should stay back and out of the way.

[pawned]

[A very backwards Japan. Hm. But even Itou had to struggle with the idea of women doing a man's work for a while, overcome only by his more prominent nature of being adaptable.]

There's morning training, and punching is a fairly inefficient way to fight a battle. [Hm.] If you had been a samurai's wife or daughter, you would have been taught how to hold a weapon -- that alone should tell you how capable you could be with one.

[megitsune]

[She nods.]

It may be inefficient, but it meant something to me. I've never had the notion to try before. But, I think I can if I put my mind to it.

My family was of the samurai class originally, before going into medicine. Being a doctor, of course, my father disapproved of war and weapons. But a defenseless doctor on a battlefield is... too easy to target.

[That was difficult for her to say, as she thinks of her father's demise. But she manages without flubbing it up.]

[pawned]

Anyone can, if they put their mind to it. [Simple fact, yes? Itou got so far on pure willpower alone, after all.] Who's teaching you?

It's usually dishonorable to go after your enemy's medics, but I don't think our current opponents know the concept. [Which means he agrees with you there.]