Jun 22 11:35:25 106 PA - Drugs and a Sandwich, the way to a man's heart
From Chronicles
The laboratory is mostly high technology and shiny. Around the walls, machines of various types lurk, including a large double fronted cooler and something that looks as if it will hold small vials of liquid and then spin them. In the centre of the room, a large metal table stands, without a spot of dirt on it. To one side, a couple of computer screens and a keyboard, clearly connected to the computer on the floor beneath them. The door and windows to the corridor outside have blinds for privacy, and the only natural light comes from the high windows in the wall. The walls themselves are painted pure, clean white, the floor is tiled with white tiles. Overall the room is clinical looking, and a peg behind the door holds several white coats.
The hours of the day can blur in the hospital if one isn't paying close attention, or if one doesn't know the rhythm of the rushes of people who cycle through. With little natural light making its way in, Joachim takes a break in the nurse's station - keeping a counter between himself and any impatient patients. The slow influx of injured teenagers and dearth of distraught mothers with sickly children elicit a brief frown from the director before he glances at his watch. With lunch somewhat behind them, he takes a deep breath, taking a moment to close his eyes before moving toward the lab, ducking in he smiles at Maya, "Lost track of time on the floor. You said earlier you wanted to talk?"
Maya is deep in work, frowning at a test result on her screen when he speaks. She startles, turning and staring at him blankly before light dawns. "I don't know if you will approve of what I did." She speaks bluntly, turning from the screen to face him. "I bought antibiotics." She nods towards a box on the floor near the door of the lab, enough for a good amount of doses. "We never have enough and I don't spend much money, and I wanted to help." She is rushing to over explain.
Joachim eyes the box for a few moments, moving to examine the contents more closely as he considers. "It's not that I don't appreciate the sentiment," he begins with a frown, "An' it's certainly a help for you t'supply some - what you do with your own time and money really isn't any business of mine. But it does concern me insofar's it makes me concerned about you takin' care of your own welfare."
Maya's face falls at the frown, her gaze dropping down to the floor. "My own welfare? I'm eating, sleeping, healthy,... I just don't spend as much money as I have." She hesitates before looking at him, confusion in her face. "It isn't like it will happen again, unless you hike my salary up." She offers the words with a small smile, aiming to lift his mood.
Joachim nods, taking it all in. "I'll see what I can do about gettin' us a little better outfitted with the basics. It is a constant struggle t'keep it all stocked - I'll do better at keepin' up on it in the future," he says, returning the smile. "An' obviously, if you've got money left over, any donations are welcome. Though, 'f course it might be a better idea for you t'just take up a more expensive hobby." Raising a hand to cover a brief yawn, Joachim turns away for a moment. "Thank you."
"It wasn't ... I didn't mean ..." She gets up from the chair, moving to delay him, her hand reaching out to touch his arm. Her eyes search his face, her expression worried. "Are you sleeping?" Her voice is low, concerned, "You're yawning, you look tired, and that wasn't a criticism of your budget or your stock control. It was a gift."
"A few hours out on the floor's reason enough for a yawn," Joachim says, smiling warmly at the concern. "I promise you I'm not burnin' the candle at both ends, and am keepin' myself in workin' order. No reason t'fret. Even decided t'give myself a few extra hours last night," he says with a wink. "And th'gift is appreciated, but intended or not, it does highlight th'state of our supplies from time to time."
Maya's smile widens at his smile, her cheeks flushing slightly, "Just make sure you do." She speaks softly, her tone revealing affection even as she drops her hand from his arm. The wink though, that brings a flush to her cheeks, and she ducks her head, stepping back. "Our supplies are limited, I know that. But I know how many of those things I'm giving out and it worries me."
A hint of jadedness manages to slip into Joachim's smile, though he turns away slightly as it so does, "It's suprisin' we're not giving out more, considering just how bad th'situation is for most've the people we see. And then you get the ones who don't take all of 'em, and come back with a resistant, green hand," he says shaking his head. "But that is what it is. I should be able t'shuffle a few things around, an' get us a little bit more t'work with. The renovations were blessedly less costly than I was thinkin' they'd be, so we should be able t'swing somethin' a little better." His attention refocusing, he turns back to Maya, asking, "You've been doin' alright yourself, though? No more troubles with anybody?"
Maya watches him, her concern barely fading as he talks, her hands seeking the table behind her. His spoken calculations draw nods from her and a flicker of her grin before he turns back to her and speaks. Then her eyes widen and she blushes deeply, dropping her gaze down and turning back to her desk. "Uh, yes, no... I mean, yes, I'm doing alright, and no more troubles." Then with an odd casualness, "Ahriman is coming in for that day." She risks a glance up, half shyly. "I think he wants someone to miss him if something happen."
Joachim brightens at the statement, approaching a beam, "Good! It'll be nice and interestin' research. I'm very much lookin' forward t'seeing the write-up. If he still needs th'letter, I'll be sure t'get it to you before he comes in. Hopefully everything'll go alright, and he won't storm off again." With a quick eye-rubbing moment, he nods to himself. "Good."
Maya's blush deepens in response to the beaming man, and she does turn away now, clearing her throat before she speaks. "Uh, he doesn't need it, Joa...Director." A moment where she catches that, closing her eyes with a silent moment of cursing. "Go and have a sandwich, Director. And some coffee." She risks a glance at him with an odd half smile. "There is one in the fridge for you."
"Oh?" Joachim asks at the mention of the sandwich, "I suppose I missed lunch at some point, so I'll be sure t'take advantage of it. And I'm glad he was able t'get himself out of whatever trouble he was in," he adds. "Thank you for the antibiotics, an' the sandwich, Maya. It'll certainly make my job a bit easier, and my day a bit brighter. Take care of yourself, and try'n find yourself an indulgent hobby t'burn off that extra cash," he says with a grin before moving to take his leave.
Maya lets him leave without speaking, making sure the door is firmly closed before sitting down heavily in her computer seat, taking a moment to gently bang her head against the desk with a groan. "God, you are pathetic." She mutters to herself before turning her attention back to work, focussing on the reports at hand. "I know what hobby I'd like..." The last mutter is given as she hits print and begins the real work of prescribing and treating.
