RP:Stitched By Fate
Summary - Noah asks Penelope to promenade with him at the park as he hopes to get her input on one of his patients. He also gives her a parting gift and hopes that it’s the start of a beautiful friendship. The pair decide to meet up in the near future so they can work together to treat the sick woman and afterwards get to know each other better over some lunch.
Part of the Time Heals All Wounds Arc
Location - Picnic Area in Xalious
Noah Atwood liked to think of himself as a wise man. A man that knew what he wanted and how to go about it. He had gotten a lot done in his two hundred years of his longer-than-normal lifespan. He is someone that plans every moment he makes and sticks to a tight schedule. Gram, Buddy, and his workplace are all thriving at the moment, yet there’s one very small detail that has completely unraveled the male. That ‘detail’ happens to be a large square piece of orange fabric embroidered with poppies on the edge. A kerchief that he’s carefully kept hidden for nearly a month. He cannot even admit -why- he purchased it in the first place, or why he feels compelled to give it to -her- the woman that grates on his every nerve ending. Even more puzzling to Noah is -how- he’s supposed to give her this present, that she probably saw that day at the charity fair in Cenril. She will know he bought it with her in mind and she will know he’s held onto it for all this time. Asking her to dinner is out of the question as she will think it’s a date, and forget waltzing into the clinic with a gift, as Ruari will think he means to court the woman. Thankfully, an opportunity happens to present itself at his workplace and he feels compelled to reach out for the healer’s input on one of his strangest patients. Noah pens a letter to Miss Penelope Halifax and hopes that she will meet with him so he can rid himself of this burdensome kerchief and the indescribable feelings that go along with it.
Penelope found it odd the moment the Kelay courier dropped off the letter from Noah Atwood. Someone she was not expecting to receive a letter from, but then again, he scratches that there is a patient, and he wants… her input? Moss eyes stare at the letter for a long time before she decides to respond promptly. Shortly. A simple ‘see you at noon, and I won’t be late this time’. And she was not. The woman shuffles across the rolling hills in the park. She is not sure where to find the man, so she finds herself planted on a park bench folding a leg over the other. The woman is not as gussied as the evening dinner, but she does wear a simple, midi-cream dress to keep the heat off of her and brown wooden clogs. Of course that medical satchel is strapped to her petite frame, and… her arm is still in a sling. A week left and she would be able to wiggle around again. She waits patiently, and while she does, she idly reads a book on this beautiful day.
Noah half considered not showing up at all as he thinks himself a fool for engaging in any sort of… -Whatever- this happens to be. The man values his solitude and doesn’t outwardly seek to make friends or engage in romantic relationships. Maybe he can try to be friends with the woman and use the gift as a peace offering to a new beginning. Why is he still thinking about the blasted kerchief and the way Penelope’s moss green eyes will light up when she sees the poppies? He should be focused on his patient and enjoying the beautiful day. Inwardly, he blames Gram for always trying to set him up with that bucktoothed cross-eyed granddaughter of her friend from bridge club. She’s always faulting him for being so independent and unapproachable. Noah scowls as he stares into the bubbling brook and quickly tries to mask it, because he doesn’t want anyone to think he’s angry. His reflection looks murderous. Fixing a neutral look on his face, he tucks the file he carries beneath his arm and wanders around the park until he locates Penelope on a bench. She’s reading a book and that makes him faintly smile as he approaches and clears his throat, “Please, finish your page.” He doesn't mean to interrupt and it gives him a moment to collect his own sordid thoughts. Noah is dressed casually today as his office is closed. He wears a pair of boot-cut faded jeans, a button-down blue and white checkered shirt, and a pair of tan boots.
Penelope hears the familiar tone come into her space. Eyes skim over a few details in the ‘bittersweet fairytale’ she was reading, she likes that he is letting her finish her page. That was new. She closes it anyway because she knows that he wanted to talk to her about business issues. She looks up at his casual appearance and his tall stature. The book is tucked away, and she stands. The dress curves softly against her frame and buttons align themselves on the front. A soft cream floral pattern also lines the dress. Penelope actually smiles because they were still -somewhat- on better terms, as he had set her arm in battle. There was no reason to tick her off at his blunt words of taking her mind off the pain of her arm. “Dr. Atwood,” she greets. “Kinda a dud of a book, anyway, too much chivalry, and glazed over emotions for my taste. I think the Cenril library needs to stop thinking that I like cheesy cliches.” Her head shakes before she brushes a stray strand of hair away from freckled features. “What can I do you for, Doctor?” She would stand there awkwardly for a moment as she is actually absorbing his stature and appearance--maybe staring for too long. Eyes quickly look up to the sky and around the park. This was odd, was it not?
(1-2) Noah finds it interesting that she’s reading a romance novel because he didn’t take the woman for one that fancies that sort of thing. He expected she’d enjoy a thrilling mystery or perhaps some sort of literature on the medical field. The comment about chivalry and glazed over emotions is the clear definition of Noah Atwood on this beautiful day and he drops his gaze from her fair face, to the dress that suits her lovely frame, down to those brown clogs that adorn her feet. Oddly, it’s easier to look at her shoes than into those inquisitive eyes and he’s fairly sure that she’s assessing his appearance. This is new for the woman as he’s fairly sure she’s never looked at him with any sort of interest. As Penelope inquires about the meaning for their visit, Noah motions for her to walk to him. He thinks better when he’s walking and it will keep him focused. The kerchief remains in his pocket and in the back of his mind for now. “It’s a beautiful day to take a stroll through the park, we may as well take advantage.”
(2-2) Should he offer her his arm? She doesn’t look in danger of falling and she doesn’t need a chaperone in such a public place, but the chivalrous part of him panics. Should she latch on, he won’t object, but he won’t make an issue out of forcing it on the woman. “Remember that patient I told you about that bit me on the arm when her husband threatened divorce? Well… I’m beginning to think that she suffers from some sort of medical ailment, as well as mental health. We’ll call her ‘Jane’ as I can’t reveal her true name.” Confidentiality. “Jane came to my office and said that she had another affair, with a new partner, and she was very upset. She thinks she’s suffering from some sort of sexual addiction and that’s why her marriage is failing. I, personally, think that she’s looking for excuses. Anyway, the issue that I’m mentioning to you has nothing to do with her promiscuity, it’s something far more puzzling. I stepped out of my office for a moment to receive a delivery and when I went back in, I found Jane lying on the floor and gnawing on the bottom of my desk. She shredded the wood with her teeth and was eating it as though she skipped breakfast. I told her to stop, and she said that it’s not the first time she’s taken to eating things she shouldn’t. Mostly, she enjoys swallowing pebbles, but she’s also eaten various other materials.” Noah steps a little closer to Penelope as a couple pushing a stroller pass them on the path, “I’m thinking it could be some sort of vitamin deficiency, but I fear my knowledge is limited in that field.”
Penelope is almost relieved to have moved forward to walk with the man. Maybe? Or maybe she was not relieved, she was still unsure on that aspect. One thing that does throw her off is Noah’s attempt to lift his arm to escort the girl around the park. In what world was he from? Moss eyes sort of look anywhere but up at the therapist. The only ones walking so ‘chivalrously’ were snuggly couples, but Penelope likes challenges, and she is not afraid of new cultures. Had he not heard her opinion about the fairytale? Was he already butting against her? The Ardelian takes his arm anyway, a small hand wrapping around his bicep before becoming a little more poised in her walk–as she does not want to fully lean his way. She looks a little stiff which causes her to talk in a different tone when he addresses her. Clearly this was a business walk. Business only. Noah begins to go on about the patient ‘Jane’. Penelope nods and listens attentively, but something throws her for a loop and interrupts her physical space bubble. His patient was not only addicted to sex, but was eating furniture? The short woman has to pull away instinctively before blowing between her lips to hold herself together. Normally Penelope was very kind in front of patients and understanding, but when it came to doctor to doctor? Sometimes she could not quite contain her reactions. The girl steps back, gliding her arm away from the man to cover her mouth. Surely, he will think she is inappropriate for her belly-wrenching behavior. “Sorry, sorry… I’m sorry!” She cries and sort of bounces in apology. Others pass and watch the loud, snorty woman. Instinctively, because Nel was touchy at times she should not have been, she reaches out to attempt to grab his arm and pull him to the side out of the way of walkers. If not, she expects him to follow either way--grouchy or not. “Sounds like an eating disorder which sometimes can be caused by stressors. It sounds like your patient is going through a lot which can form… this disorder. I’d have to look more into the actual name of the disorder, but.. Is your client… pregnant? Sometimes this happens more to women with child…” Her voice is low because she does not want to draw any more attention to the confidential case.
Noah relaxes his brows in relief when Penelope takes his arm because he prefers to mostly be in control in situations. He hails from a place where the man is meant to lead, in nearly all instances, and since they are privately talking about a patient it makes sense to stand closer. He finishes his long-winded description of Jane’s behavior and side eyes the woman, only to find her having difficulty breathing, before she releases his arm and has some sort of episode. Is she -laughing- at his predicament?! Penelope is giggling and snorting and people are glancing in their direction, obviously hoping to see what’s so funny. Is he supposed to be insulted? Amused? Noah never truly had someone that he could jest with about these things but when he thinks about it, he can see why she’s so hysterical. Eyes narrow as she tugs him off the path and into the grass so the two of them can talk beneath the shade of a large tree. “Go ahead, laugh it up! That desk cost me a small fortune and I’m only renting the place. The last thing I need is her flossing her teeth with strips of wallpaper.” It’s rather cozy and she’s touching his toned bicep quite a bit that he’s starting to silently panic. Are -all- women around here this forward? Is she going to start eating his office furniture, too? Penelope with an addiction to pleasure is something he could work- No, Noah. He cuts off the thought there as a hint of red spreads on his cheeks because he finds that he doesn’t mind her touching him. There’s -something- about her that he cannot pinpoint and he smirks and shakes his head, unable to hide the chuckle that escapes. They are laughing together for a change and not at the expense of each other. “An eating disorder? Hm. I didn’t think about that… I did bring her file.” Noah hands over the folder which lists his notes from the four visits, as well as her personal details and medical history. There is an ink blot covering Jane’s true identity. “She -is- very skinny. I assumed it was because she was burning so many calories with her-” The man laughs heartily now as he hadn’t meant to make a joke but he’s finding things to be less tense the more they chat.
Penelope lets out another small cackle at the mention of the patient flossing her teeth with wallpaper. That hand finally slides off of him back down to wrap around her bag. “Not like you can help your poor desk. Ruari can always help you fix it,” she smiles easily now. It was better to laugh with the man for the moment. A place she was never sure she would reach, nor was she sure she wanted to. The shade of the tree makes it hard to see the red crossing his skin. Once the man hands over the file, she eagerly takes it and browses over the scribbles–his notes. The way his letters curve in a multitude of ways. Literate. Eyes dance across the pages in true curiosity of the case and when he mentions ‘burning calories’, her face flushes and feels hot due to the talk of ‘working up a sweat’. She, however, is also biting back a smile as he laughs out loud. That was more her speed. Humor. It made talking easier for her. Her face looks a little sheepish and dopey at that moment. “Well, if she’s skinny, it could be an iron-deficiency. Very rare since this disorder is more formed under the mental function–schizophrenia, uh,” she takes a mild pause as her mind reflects on her brother once upon a time. She clears her throat to push forward, a more serious line on her brow, “Uh, schizophrenia, intellectual disability… or just physical like pregnancy. Or starting at a young age and never stopping. Though, if she started so young, that is a risk of a lot of toxins. Poisonings.” Pause. “Maybe… try getting her to ingest more iron. She’s probably stressed. Not eating after her… activities of choice.”
Noah finds this conversation to be the easiest that he’s ever had with Penelope, and he watches as her eyes sparkle when she laughs and the way her lips curve when she’s biting back a smile. They’re studying each other and both of them are unaware of the fact that they’re being mildly assessed. She mentions schizophrenia and Noah lifts his brows and instantly zeros in on those mossy eyes as she’s speaking his language, “I suspected that, too. She has some of the telltale symptoms but not enough for a proper diagnosis. I think it’s more along the lines of borderline personality disorder but I’m not sure how much she’s acting on her own impulses, and how much is mere to get a reaction from her husband? Jane obviously craves attention any way she can get it.” He leaves out the part about the woman propositioning him after he pried her jaws from the leg of his desk because he certainly didn’t want Nel to think he’d led the woman on in any way. Noah never crosses that doctor-patient threshold, and he never would. “If I talk with her about these things you’ve mentioned… The possibility of being pregnant, the eating disorder, perhaps an iron deficiency, et cetera, and she agrees to see a medical professional… Would you mind if I recommended her to your care?” His tone is serious but his expression slowly shifts into one of ease and the left side of his mouth twitches as he offers, “I can sit in on the visit and make sure she doesn’t assault Ruari or try to swallow your stethoscope.”
Penelope did not know the mental side of patients very well. All she knew was the basics to send them away to people like Noah. She perks her lips in thought. “I’ll have to hit up the library and do a bit of research. I’m sure there are plenty of books on their shelves with this type of stuff.” The words that linger in the air in front of her next have her a little surprised. Is this doctor truly looking for Penelope’s expertise? Working together? Penelope takes her gaze off of him and her eyes trail up to the tree leaves above them. “Let’s see… Ruari would be there. You. Hm… and me, huh?” The girl remembers something, “I can,” she rocks on her heels playfully, “But… I want to hear a nice… ‘Penelope, I was wrong, and you are an exceptional clinician and I can really use your help’.” She offers him a lopsided smile and moss eyes daringly find his face again. Her unbroken arm moves so her hand wraps around her ear as if she is ready to ‘hear it’. Full of it? Yes she was.
(1-2) Noah nods in agreement as research is a big part of both of their lives as they deal with patients and new ailments and treatment options are being discovered daily. The woman looks up at the tree and he also tips his head back, thinking that a bird means to poop on him or perhaps a spider is dangling from its web. Penelope owes him nothing and he could see her remaining silent if imminent doom were to lurk in the treetops. It seems that she’s just thinking though and he tilts his head to the side and gives her a quizzical look when she asks him to compliment her and beg for assistance. Is this her attempt to flirt? Is she just being difficult, like always? Noah’s thrown for a loop with this turn of events and he lifts a hand to uneasily ruffle the hair at the back of his neck. She always leaves him in a state of uncertainty and he’s often left looking like an idiot. Half the time he wants to strangle her and never see her again, and the other half he yearns to win her favor and could see himself kiss- No. His expression darkens as he lets his mind run wild for a second and the last thing he needs is to see -her- in a romantic light. It would never happen. It -could- never happen. Noah cannot get tied up with any woman, let alone one that is vastly different from the highborn ladies he was accustomed to in Baridgherdon. “I never doubted your work, Penelope. I’m grateful that you tended to Gram and those up in Frostmaw. You are wonderful at what you do…” Maybe he made a mistake meeting her and asking for help. Noah shakes his head and glances away in refusal. He’s not going to jump through hoops for anyone. If Jane has to eat through his bookshelves and chairs next, it’s Penelope’s fault.
(2-2) A few moments pass away before Noah makes a decision. He’s not sure if it’s right or wrong but he feels compelled to give Penelope the kerchief and be on his way. She’ll probably reject his gift and laugh at his face. Or maybe she’ll tell him to compliment the way the orange fabric casts a glow on her cheekbones. Selfishness isn’t appealing to Noah, but isn’t -he- being selfish by not telling her what she needs to hear in order to treat his patient? A hand reaches into his pocket and he sighs as he glances at the ground, “Um. I don’t do this sort of thing regularly.” Ever. “But, for whatever reason I felt that I had to buy this at that charity event in Cenril. I saw you standing at your booth and you looked so beautiful with the poppies decorating your tent. It was all I could think about that day.” Dear Sven, he just told her that he finds her beautiful. He awkwardly shuffles his feet and reaches for Penelope’s hand to place the dainty kerchief on her palm. It’s neatly folded with not a wrinkle in sight. The fine fabric is dyed a lovely shade of orange and on the hem there’s poppies embroidered, much like the ones that day that lined the healers tent. “I had this since then and didn’t know how to go about giving it to you without it being weird. I’m great with listening to people and I enjoy my line of work because I don’t form relationships of any kind with my patients. I’m not good with making friends or anything more, and I’m struggling to fit in. This place is so unlike all that I know.” Gold-flecked hazel eyes lift to lock on the female’s face and there’s such sincerity in his tone when he speaks that he hopes she won’t think he’s a weakling, “I don’t know what this should mean to me, or what it will mean to you. But it must stand for something, because the girl that was selling them said the string that stitched the kerchief is woven with fate and it just so happens that this was the first one I saw and grabbed with you in mind. Maybe… This could be a token of friendship? Can we start trying to get to know each other on a clean slate?”
Penelope (1 of 2):: Penelope leans back and lowers her hand when his face darkens. Perhaps he was not as happy-go-lucky as herself. The point of wanting to hear those words was because he had doubted her in the past due to her gender. A line forms on her face. She was hoping for more jest than anything. Just… reassurance for something he took from her when they first met. Her dignity. Sure, there were forced flowers and a forced dinner with a one and done donation, but it did not feel the same. Why was she trying to prove herself to him? He does not fall into her script, but he has one of his own. The stubborn man before her is grateful, and she drops her gaze as well. The two are looking in opposite directions. It takes her might to bite her tongue for a moment. He then digs into his pocket which piqued her interest. She was always nosy like that, and… wait. The girl is holding onto his words. Did he just call her ‘beautiful’? There is an urge to backpedal, but here he is gently grabbing her hand to put a dainty kerchief in it. Doe eyes stare down at the fabric which has her heart beating at an uncomfortable rhythm. She can feel the redness creeping up her neck. The orange… her favorite color… The poppies… her favorite flower. “I, uh,” is her voice shaky? Is the girl who can talk an ear off speechless? Eyes lift from the fabric to the strange man before her who is now holding her gaze. Hazel against earthly green. Penelope is not sure how to process the fabric, as it brought a raw feeling. It was just cloth, right? This is one of the rarer times she was flustered by a man. A very tall… stubborn man who had checked every box on the appearance list which was… Stop, Penelope. It makes her uncomfortable as she is always lost in her emotions.
Penelope (2 of 2):: She looks down at the stitching of poppies again, and the talk of fate falls between them. “I, uh,” say something else Penelope. “Thank you.” She looks up at him again. “Orange is my favorite color and… poppies remind me of my home. Ardelia.” Pause. “I’m sorry I was trying to provoke you entirely,” she would not say why. She could not. “A token of friendship?” The girl glides her thumb over the threads before nodding. “Yeah, I think we can manage that.” It might ease her nerves, as she was beginning to think that she was not meant for the romantic world. “And I want to work with you on this clinical case. Not for compliments, but to genuinely assist a talented psychiatrist. It would be an honor.” Still keeping it professional as she absorbs what she is holding in her hand.
Noah sees the color creep into Penelope’s neck and face and he wonders if perhaps he overstepped. Did she not desire to be friends? Was he too forward? Is she feeling uncomfortable being off the path and without a chaperone? This is the only time she’s been silent since they met and Noah isn’t sure if a chatty woman being rendered speechless is exactly a good thing. Not wanting to backtrack after he’s come this far already, the man carries on, “You are a brilliant healer, Penelope. I’m sorry if I’ve ever doubted you or made you think that I wasn’t impressed with your work.” He doesn’t bring up his homeland again because last time she was offended. He’s learning when to hold his tongue around her and she’s trying to understand him. Perhaps being friends -will- pan out for them. As those doe eyes lift and peer into his own, he continues to stare at the beautiful woman and he hears her words about her homeland and her favorite color. “Truly?” She’s not saying it just to please him. He can tell that she’s just as flustered by the fate comment as he’d been after purchasing the kerchief. “I’d like to hear more about Ardelia.” Noah smiles and realizes for the first time that he wants to get to know someone, for non-clinical purposes. It’s a huge step for the loner and he’s proud of himself. He’s honored that he’s taking this step with Penelope Halifax, too. “I should get back to Rynvale. I promised Gram that I would take her out to dinner tonight and if I’m late she’ll be upset.” She wouldn’t be upset if she knew -who- was taking up his time, but he doesn’t want to tell her anything yet as he doesn’t want to jinx it. “I’ll keep you posted on Jane and hopefully she can see you at some point this week. Afterwards, I’ll take you to lunch and we can get to know each other better?” Noah adopts a boyish grin as he says the last part, because it sounds so date-novel cliche. Regardless of how it sounds, the man is on cloud nine right now.
Penelope feels a sense of melancholy at his apology. A good sadness, as he apologized to her. She loosely smirks, but there is also some doubt under that smirk. She would recover, especially after more time with the other doctor. ‘I’d like to hear more about Ardelia’. He does? A smile presses against her soft, freckled features. “I guess I need to get better at my geography and learn about your… homeland,” she cannot remember the name. If he told her, which she was almost positive he did at dinner. The girl nods at the mention of home. “I’ll try to keep my appointment slots open, so you and Jane can schedule,” and as he mentions lunch, her eyes drop down to the kerchief again. “Yeah, I think it’d be good to know what goes on behind the mind of Doctor Noah Atwood,” she smirked. Friends. Easy enough, even though there was that dangerous flutter in her chest. That would be easy to digest. As she was always fickle enough to push dangerous games away. “I’ll let you go on without me. The day is still here and I don’t have as far to travel. Plus, I have to finish the chapter I was on.” She would wave him off, and once he was gone, she would stay underneath that tree and stare at the fabric one last time before opening to finish the next section of her novel.