[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

[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.]

[megitsune]

Tatsumi Kanji-kun. He was locked up with me in the cell in the Witches' cave, and we got to talking. He's a bit rough but he's a good boy.

[She blanches as he's said the same kind of thing her father always said. She changes the subject quickly, pasting on a smooth smile.]

What... about you, how old were you when you began training, Itou-san?

[pawned]

I believe I've seen him around in the network. [Doesn't strike Itou as a proper martial artist...]

[What was that expression that passed over her face? Itou looks mildly curious, but doesn't ask.] A little before ten. I started very young.

[megitsune]

[She smiles, relaxing a bit now that the subject is off of her. She would rub in that she started training under her father at eight, but she thinks she'll let it slide for his kindness in talking to her and getting her mind off other things.]

Is that so? You must have been rather cute in the little gi at ten. Hohoho. Did you have glasses back then, too?

[She gets comfy at her desk, leaning her chin in her hand. Storytime~]

Was it your own choice to train in the sword, or was it a family tradition, perhaps?