RP:Dinner and Discharge

Summary - Noah returns to the clinic to pick up Gram, as she’s being discharged after having spent several days under their care for pneumonia. Penelope informs Noah, with a bit of playful bite to her words, that he’s not the only human in the realm and it sparks a bit of a verbal spar. It seems that the two doctors are fated to butt heads, rather frequently. Will they even be able to get through a single dinner without getting under each other's skin?

Location - The healing hut in Kelay-Sage forest.

(1 of 2) Different clinicians were in and out for a couple days. Ruari Erickson. Yerrel. Celeste. Sometimes multiple at a time. Not Penelope. Not until day three. It was during the day, the girl was thankful to actually have a morning shift to be off in the evening. There is an ease, despite the situations in her life. Mostly revolving around the spellblade. It was confirmed, however, that she was supposed to support Kyori by just being by his side. Not carrying the weight on her shoulders. Not beating herself up. Not wrenched in guilt for making things complex. She could let things go and assist the man when he needed someone to lean on. Other events were transpiring, however, as she was planning the outlines of her dreams. A private practice. Location, unknown. Nildran Construction was doing their best to execute that request that she had been planning on for over a year.

(2 of 2) The healing hut was bustling for a morning, and the hut was almost a full house. Doctor Erickson and Doctor Halifax and apprentice Celeste. Ruari was watching over Celeste stitch a gash above a drunken eyebrow. Too much night of partying. That was the problem with Kelay. Drunken idiots right around the corner. “Good,” the man says before parting to check on Angela Graham. “Hi, Miss Graham. How’re you feeling this morning?” Penelope, however, was sitting on a stool in the corner of the room–looking more well-kept than the last time. A red deep v-neck blouse and a pair of simple denim. She swore once she had her own practice, she would afford to buy scrubs for each doctor and nurse in the clinic. It was more laid back at the healing hut, and not much of a money maker. Most funds went to new medicine. A pregnant woman with a very large belly was sitting on the cot before the Ardelian. “... and I fell. I know I shouldn’t have loaded all that stuff on my own, but my lousy husband thinks work is more important nowadays, and the baby is due anytime now. My water still hasn’t broken.” Penelope nods to the half-elf’s concern. “Well, I’m not sensing any distress, thankfully.” The woman presses on the woman’s stomach. “You need to watch it, however. Force that husband of yours to do what needs to be done. Y’know, he’s probably just all nerves. Throughout my years, I’ve seen many fathers–even future mothers panic. But you shouldn’t feel alone either. Let me talk to the guy,” the little clinician is serious and adamant. The red-head half-elf grins, “Well, he’s supposed to be here… The maid found me and went to send it to him.”

(1-2) Noah steps into the healing hut with a floral assortment in his arms and a golden retriever at his side. Buddy’s leash is wrapped around his wrist as he deposits an abundant bouquet of fresh flowers upon the front desk, and he stands there for a moment to catch his breath. The dog may be an arthritic senior but one wouldn’t know it with the way he rapidly dragged Noah through the busy streets of Kelay. The dog is normally well-behaved but he’s eager to see Gram and he strongly tugs the psychiatrist down the hall to where he picks up the scent of the old woman. A wet snout appears beneath the curtain of the pregnant woman before it quickly disappears and slips beneath the next area. Having found Gram at last, Buddy unleashes three booming barks and his tail swishes excitedly from side to side. The dog buries his head beneath Gram’s waiting hand for pats while Noah rests a potted mini rose-bush plant on her side table. “How’s my best girl doing today?” Bending, he deposits a kiss to Gram’s forehead and takes in her condition. She looks better than she has all week and he’s relieved that he brought her in when he did, because at her age, there’s no telling if she would have succumbed to her illness. Gram smiles at Noah and cannot help herself as she replies, “I’m doing fine but you shouldn’t be worried about me, Noah! Have you found yourself a wife yet? Penny looks lovely in red and I daresay that this plant would be better received by her-” A hand is held up to shush Gram and Noah shakes his head, “I -did- bring flowers and left them at the check-in area. I figured they could spruce the place up a bit and make the patients feel a little less glum… And, as a thank you, of course, since Ruari and Penelope have taken such great care of you.” He spent over a hundred gold on the bouquet and he hopes that Gram won’t read into this too much. She will never let it go now that he’s purchased flowers for another female, even if it’s as a means of thanks and not in the hopes of getting a date.

(2-2) Penelope’s voice is overheard in the next area and Noah tries not to eavesdrop but he cannot help himself when she states that the ‘man’ should be doing all the housework. Since when is being pregnant a disability?! He rolls his eyes and bites the inside of his cheek to keep from firing back or scoffing loudly. These lands are far different from anywhere he’s been before and he’s still coming to terms with the customs, most of which involve women and their independence. Just this week all of his patients have been female, and one of which seeks a divorce from her husband! It’s unheard of where he’s from and at first he thought she was jesting, but the tears had fallen and he had to shut up. Aside from all of that, his mind is really thrown for a whirl with all of the races that roam the lands. Most he has never even heard of, and he’s encountered two winged women in a matter of days! Noah sits beside Gram and takes her free hand, as the other is stroking Buddy’s head, “I need to add ‘race’ to the patient's intake forms now, because there are so many in these lands!” The man drolls on and on about everyone he’s encountered and fills the old woman’s mind with fanciful stories, while they both wait to see Penny for an update on Gram’s condition.

Penelope hears the barking throughout the hut, and she raises a brow for a moment. Was there a dog? Wait… It must have been the psychiatrist. He said something about bringing a dog. The girl shakes her head before finishing the exam. The clinician stands–time passed. No husband. “You just make yourself comfortable. I’ll let you know when that husband ‘dings’.” She smiles too sweetly at the pregnant woman before parting off. As she had another patient to check on, and hopefully, release. Angela Graham. Penelope, however, goes to the front for charts before going back, but before she does, she notices the vibrant bouquet on the desk. She tries to check for a tag before she moves to Miss Graham’s location. Moss eyes also linger on the bouquet the woman has. The Ardelian pieces it together. “Welcome to Lithrydel,” she notes his observation of the different races. “Especially Cenril. It’s like a salad bowl. Different cultures everywhere.” Beat. Her face looks serious as she looks down at the charts. A focused face. “Surprised you’re so shocked there’s not just you. Have you been living in a bubble?” Cue grin. A bright one from the girl. “Miss Graham, good morning. How’re you feeling? I trust Ruari has been taking care of you quite well?” Ruari is in the corner pouring tea for the elder. Penelope then casts a gaze towards Noah, “Thanks for the flowers. They warm up the place. I almost thought they were from my other patient’s dud of a husband until I saw Angela’s. You really didn’t have to do that.”

(1-2) Noah straightens as Penelope parts the curtain and steps in to take a look at Gram. There’s a brief flash of annoyance at her words and he crosses his arms over his chest, as though she’s already managed to anger him within the first few seconds. “I beg your pardon, Miss Halifax? I am completely aware that the world doesn’t revolve around me, thank you very much… But, perhaps, you are the one that’s a tad close minded?” A flicker of a smirk passes as he continues, “To think that I have magically appeared in these lands and haven’t moved from another place where humans are the only race? There -are- locations other than this hut, you know. When was the last time you stepped outside the forest?” His accusation having been tossed, Noah chances a glance at Ruari. The other healer is likely to challenge him to a duel, he thinks, but he’s much more amiable than the feisty moss-eyed woman.

(2-2) Gram chuckles and shakes her head, as she idly pats Buddy on the head. “Don’t mind Noah, Dear! He woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, much like every morning. Perhaps it’s because he never goes on any dates? Maybe because he hasn’t made any friends here yet? His whole life is spent with me and the dog, and who knows how much longer I will be around?” The psychiatrist clears his throat and cuts into their conversation, “You’re right, Gram. And so… Along with the flowers and a very generous donation, I would like to take you both out to dinner. I do not know of any good places to eat in these parts, but I figured an evening of socializing and good food will do all of us well. So please, name a time and place.” Noah extends the invitation to both Ruari and Penelope, and for once, Angela Gram is surprisingly silent.

(1 of 2) Penelope raises her brows at Noah’s comment of not leaving the hut. “Mind you, I’ve worked in Cenril for quite some time in my younger days.” Angela’s words go over her head for a mere moment as she stares at the stubborn man before her. “I apologize, Miss Graham, as I can’t prescribe any women to be–” Ruari digs a large elbow in her side, shaking the tea cup in his hand, at Penelope’s taunting next words of attempting to finish ‘bed him’. He lowers the cup to Gram. Penelope, in the meantime, took the hint. Be happy, Nel. Be the nurturing girl. The happy-go-lucky woman she normally was. The Ardelian shakes her head and a graceful smile that she fronted, normally, takes place. “With the charts I see, Miss Graham, I assure you, you have a long time to live.” The Ardelian sets herself down on a nearby stool and scoots herself closer with her stethoscope to check the breathing status of the elder. Moss eyes take a double glance at the mention of a donation to the facility. “... Thank you. The people will be very appreciative with the limited supply we’ve been running into lately. We’ve been trying to help Cenril the best we can here.” She breathes and listens before she cannot focus on the healing, but only on the offer of social time and dinner…? “We’re okay, thanks. You’ve been gracious,” Penelope answers quickly and confidently. Ruari clears his throat loudly at that moment before stepping in. “Noah, so far, it’s been a pleasure with you and Miss Graham. Excuse Nel as she barely breathes in the daylight and has no sense of self-care. What my co-worker, and dearest friend, is trying to say is, our schedules are busy. But! It would be -kind-, and we can use a night. -She- can use an evening, especially from a man who generously is supporting our facility and future prospects of medicine. Right, Penny?”

(2 of 2) Penelope gives Ruari a long glance for a moment with this interruption. She supposed the man had a point. A -kind- thing to do. She was normally this resistant, but there was an added annoyance, as it was with a man who questioned her logic because of her gender. “Well, I…” She has to think. “I have some stuff -outside- the hut in play.” Meaning, the healing of Xalious Tree. Xioctl. Dedication to civilians, even if she was being stupid in putting herself in such a position. She did not need to explain herself. A frontline healer in the catastrophes of Lithrydel. A pathetically lucky one, at that. Though, she plays mysterious rather than another way of a workaholic. “But… I’m free tomorrow before I leave for Frostmaw, if that’s not too much to ask? Or… I can write to you, and keep you posted.” What was that supposed to mean? Ruari gives her a bit of a glance as he remembers what is on the itinerary for the next… however long, so he chimes in, “If tomorrow isn’t so soon, Doctor Atwood, it would be appreciated on such a tight schedule.” Odd. Penelope smiles at Angela. “Your breathing sounds so much better, Miss Graham.”

(1-2) Noah’s about to bite back at the comment regarding Cenril, thankful that they aren’t neighbors, as that’s where he practices. However, Penelope continues to dribble something about prescribing women and his eyes widen. In all the places he’s traveled in the past two centuries he has never met a woman quite like Penelope Halifax. Not only does she work, but she also does manly things like chopping wood, and here she is, giving a -man- a tongue lashing! Women were meant to be silent and sweet, often tending to the homestead and children. This little brunette is a firecracker and he’s coming to realize that he’s definitely in an entirely different age and realm than he’s accustomed to, one which he sorely misses. At least Penelope has the common sense to thank him for his generosity, which humbles him a tad. “It’s no problem. I’m glad the funds will be put to good use.” There’s an awkward pause as Ruari all but forces his associate to accept the dinner invitation and Noah’s cheeks are turning red. He’s not easily embarrassed and he only asked in the first place to shut up Gram and prove a point to the outspoken healer. “So you -do- manage to get out on occasion, Miss Halifax?” He cannot help but goad her after her obvious display of not wanting anything to do with him, despite his generous donation.

(2-2) Gram socks Noah in the side and smiles kindly to Penelope, elated at the good news regarding her health. “Thank you, Dearest. You’ve been so nice to me and your staff has been wonderful. That new girl seems very sweet, too!” She’s speaking of Celeste, but it’s obvious that Gram’s favorite healer of them all is Ruari. He’s handsome and brings her tea, quality traits in the old woman’s eyes. Noah blinks as Penelope suggests they write letters back and forth to schedule a dinner date and he shakes his head, “I’m not exactly looking for a penpal…” He’s amused at the lengths she will go to just to avoid him, and he finds that he’s looking forward to this meeting, after all! Noah’s gaze flicks to Ruari when he suggests that they all meet tomorrow night and he nods, “Tomorrow is perfect! Shall we meet here, at around six? As I said, I don’t know of any fine dining restaurants, so I leave it up to you. Choose wherever you would like to eat! I’ll be coming after work so I will be in semi-formal business attire.” The man looks at Penelope and gives her a brazen smile, “I look forward to it!” A long pause ensues before Gram speaks up again, “Will I be going home today, Miss Halifax? What are the discharge instructions?” The old woman is tickled pink at the fact that Noah is making friends, or possibly a love interest! She can dream, can’t she? Her ‘adopted’ grandson needs to settle down one day, and she winks at Ruari to see if he’s in on this matchmaking scheme also.

(1 of 2) Penelope easily ignores the quip about her going out. Frostmaw was not the ideal place for ‘going out’. The girl remained silent. She tries to focus on the patient rather than the obnoxious, ritzy snob in the room. “Yerrel trains us well, here, afterall. Celeste is new to the staff, but she calls on the Divine for her practices. Ruari actually directly learned his restorative practices from Yerrel. I hoped it helped with the phlegm. Sometimes a touch of magic can help, as it makes processes roll quicker. Otherwise it would have been a few weeks until the mucus reduced with my practices, but it would’ve nevertheless. Mr. Erickson has learned well.” Which is why he would be the lead restorative healer in the new practice she was building, but that was still a work in progress. ‘Tomorrow is perfect’ chimes through the room. Was it? Was it -perfect-? Moss eyes slide to the side. There was a soft, peeved edge there. Ruari goes ahead and talks for Penelope, as it was clear as day that she was not invested in this dinner meeting. “There’s a restaurant on the main strip of Kelay. Just west of the tavern there. We’ll meet you at six.” That bold smile spreads across the psychiatrist's face, and Penelope feigns her own smile. Customer policy. “Ditto.” That did not sound confident, Penelope. Her smile, however, shifts from forced to true.

(2 of 2) An easy silken gaze over freckled features as she is now able to attend to the patient at hand. Work world was her comfort zone. “I’d say you are able to go home, as your fever has gone down and your mucus and chest pain have reduced. Might I recommend a carriage home for travel? As you are still going to feel that fatigue for the next month and may still be coughing for a couple weeks. Turmeric will help as an antibiotic, take a spoonful once a day. Warm honey and lemon water will help with the discomfort with coughing as I know it can be strenuous, and plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. You will just need lots of rest. But I’m sure you’re in good hands with Doctor Atwood, as he seems to be very tentative towards your needs.” An actual compliment this time from the Ardelian. Eyes flick down to the golden retriever, “And animal therapy never hurts with the recovery process,” she grinned from ear-to-ear. She would tear the routine off her clipboard before handing it to Angela. “Let me go get that turmeric and that honey.” She stands and parts to the shelf of different types of herbal medication. She finds the golden orange powder in a small container as well as the jar of thick, raw honey. Ruari, in the meantime, is looking at Gram very wearily, as Penelope was the hot-headed sort. The unpredictable sort, and in the half-elf’s eyes, this was not going well at all, as the Ardelian was normally very sweet to most people. Quickly, Penelope is back in a beat before placing the ingredients in a paper sack and folding it neatly. “Here,” she holds the prescription towards Noah. “I assume you’ll carry most of her belongings as, I’m hoping you’re at least a little chivalrous.” Doe eyes look between the two of the strangers. “Miss Gram, it’s been a pleasure. Doctor Atwood? Tomorrow,” the girl can only muster with a mild tone of defeat before she hears the ding of the door in the front. ‘Hello? I’m looking for my wife! She’s pregnant!’ echoes in the background. Penelope’s face goes utterly flat at that moment. “Now, if you excuse me, I have a bit of a lesson to give on a new to-be father.” She escapes from the curtain before uttering through the place, “It’s about time you showed up!” Beat. “Miss Halifax, I think my water just broke!” A call from the side from the previous patient. Penelope stops in her tracks and looks at the husband at the front counter who looks mortified. “Well what are you doing staring and waiting for, Mr. Pfitzer? It’s time to deliver your daughter!” The clinician would cast an easy, crooked smile this time before gesturing towards the curtain. Once the husband is inside, Penelope closes the curtain behind the three of them. Today was, indeed, quite a bustling day in this little hut.

Noah hangs on the healers every word as she gives them the instructions to ensure that Gram has a complete recovery and he somehow misses the compliment that was thrown his way. He’s not used to anyone, aside from Gram, going out of their way to be nice. Plus, he views it as his duty to care for the old woman. Ruari seems to be looking forward to their upcoming dinner plans and Noah nods, “Excellent. I will see you both there at six, tomorrow night.” The woman leaves to retrieve the medicine and it gives Noah a moment to relax, because he can’t quite grasp why she seems to dislike him so much. He’s always on edge in her presence and it’s a foreign feeling to him. Buddy wags his tail when Penelope re-enters their area and Noah scoffs, mentally thinking that his companion is a traitorous mutt. He extends his hands to collect the turmeric and honey and he blinks at her words about chivalry, “I -am- a perfect gentleman when there is a lady present, Miss Halifax.” Is he insinuating that Penelope is not a true lady?! He lifts the corner of his mouth in a wry grin to show that his words are -somewhat- in jest, and he shifts his attention to Gram, “I’m going to go and hail a carriage, alright?” Hazel eyes lift to land briefly on Ruari and Penelope, “Thank you both for looking after Gram. I will see you tomorrow evening.” With that, the man and retriever prepare to exit the hut. Noah cannot help but chuckle at the expression on Mr. Pfitzer’s face when he hears that his wife is about to give birth. It seems that today is just full of surprises at every corner!