A Regular Check-Up [ Closed]

Sat Dec 09, 2017 11:38 pm

Midori Hayashi

Captain of the Second Division

It was the middle of the afternoon and the waiting room was full. It had been pretty quiet in the Seireitei, so many Shinigami were getting their physicals and psych evaluations done. It may have been annoying to many, but these were important and pressed upon when avoided. Midori was a stickler for them and trying to avoid them would often get people an embarrassing in-home visit at two in the morning. Over the time she’s been a Captain, people have learned it’s best not to avoid appointments she’s set for them.

Midori finished up with a patient and made her way into the waiting room with another clipboard in hand. With her hair braided behind her back more tightly than normal and a doctors coat on, she stepped through the door into the waiting room. Most people sat more aware when she entered. Whether that was because of the desire to get through her appointment or Midori's sheer beauty and wanting to be called by her, she didn't know. She looked down to the name and read it out loud, "Shio Mora." It wasn't a name she immediately recognized, so she took a look around the room until he stood.

"Hello, Mr. Mora. Please follow me." she held the door open for him and then led him down a hall way to a room to get his basic stats: height, weight, blood pressure, and pulse. During the beginning tests, Midori noticed a sweet hint of lilac coming off of him and couldn't help but smile. "So, Mr. Mora, are you wanting to get your physical and psych done today? Your chart says you're in need of both." she asked kindly as she updated his chart with his height and weight. She waited for his answer before starting blood pressure. "For this one, stay silent and keep your feet flat on the ground, okay?"

Sun Dec 10, 2017 11:14 pm

Shio rose after a few seconds of waiting, as if he were lost in thought, or otherwise distracted enough not to realize who was being called. But he did finally get to his feet, sketching a swift, almost lazily half-hearted salute to the woman standing in the doorway. His expression was...faintly amused, a baseline that seemed to rest somewhere between a smile and an expression of confusion. His eyes, however, were...empty. Devoid of any real emotion at all, they brought to mind a rat looking for a way to escape a room. It was an expression of pure instinct, something that seemed prepared to react before thought, before even emotion could factor in.

"I can't help but wonder if I should feel flattered or concerned that the captain herself is doing a routine checkup for an unseated shinigami. I always somewhat thought the grunt work was done by grunts, as a matter of principle. Shouldn't you be handling some champion of the Gotei's physical rehabilitation? Or was there some unexpected shortage of manpower recently?"

Shio's tone was light, without any real sense of heat or malice in his words; he truly did sound interested, but only just, as if he were trying to find a suitable distraction as he walked down the hallway with her. He moved with a faint but noticeable limp in one leg, even chuckling to himself a little bit as he shrugged, ever so slightly.

"If I elected to wait on my psych eval, would you write that down somewhere? I get the sense you document everything. No, let's just get it all over with while I'm here. Ask me whatever questions you like, and then I can get back to my patrols and my tea. I just bought a jar of earl grey from a human. I'm excited to see if the caffeine content is higher than I remember."

Mon Dec 11, 2017 6:12 am

Midori Hayashi

Captain of the Second Division

The first impression of Shio was easily "handsome." Then she saw that devoid look in his eye and became concerned, quickly jotting that down in a small note on her clipboard. Third impression, intelligent. He was right about "grunt work" being left normally to the "grunts," but Captain Midori Hayashi of the Second Division was known to work differently than other Captains. Each Captain had their own code, standards, and set of rules their subordinates had to follow. Since each squad was so different in this way, getting to know those rules was like getting to understand the Captains on a personal level. It was interesting, and often quite a fun experience.

"In other squads, that might be how it's done, but I do things differently here." Midori said with a bit of pride in the statement, "I prefer to have a more hands-on approach and enjoy making sure that my Division understands that my authority over them isn't absolute. Yes, I'm higher rank, but that doesn't make me better than them as a person. I've learned quite a lot from those who I work with, so I don't consider them "grunts," but people with different jobs than I. Think about it like this: Imagine what would happen if all those with more custodial type duties just stopped working? Trash building up, damages not being repaired, inventory not being replaced... That matters, often more than what paper someone like I am signing."

"So, to actually answer your question, unless I have something needing my immediate attention, I am here with everyone else. Besides, I am working on those in more severe condition as we speak." Midori winked playfully at him, smiled and continued on. Not everyone knew it, but Midori did have a few lingering healing kido that continued even while she wasn't in the room. She didn't always need to be right there to help those in need of healing.

Of course she would write it down, but he knew that. That's why she didn't get a chance to answer before he made his decision. Midori admired his choice to get it done now, especially since so many people avoided their appointments. She preferred those who just got them done, less time for her to hunt the avoiders down. "Alright, we'll get the physical done first and then move to psych." she said and led him down to an actual examination room, "So, why don't you tell me about that limp." It might have been in his chart, but she preferred hearing it from Shio directly. She sat down on the doctor's stool and motioned for him to sit on the patients bed. Setting the clipboard down, she readied her stethoscope for after his explanation was complete.

Mon Dec 11, 2017 5:39 pm

"This? I'm pretty certain it's in my records. Given to me by one of the people living with me in the Rukongai, before I became a shinigami. He often blamed me for any number of miserable things, up to and including the weather that day. On that particular day, he was very irate that I had grabbed a bowl of rice for myself rather than sake for him. I was the only one with spiritual presence in my domicile, so...they often took it as a sign of selfishness or entitlement, whenever they saw me eating."

He shrugged, his expression not changing in the slightest as he recounted this story. His hands rested on his knees, no reaction or hesitation clear in his tone. It was, by all accounts, a very solid recounting of an event that in all likelihood could've happened. He stared at the captain, as if daring for her to question the retelling...which stuck quite closely to what was written down in his dossier. After a few moments he began to shrug, and then squeezed the flesh there, ever so gently.

"He came at me, stomped on my knee, and broke my nose. He said that next time I got rice, I should get it for the family. Then he asked the rest of the family if any shinigami worth their salt had ever gotten their ass kicked by a plus, and then he poured out the remnants of the rice, and urinated on it. In the end, I still ate it. I was famished."

He met her eyes, and now those rat's eyes, the empty expressionless -thing- behind them was looking directly at her...as if it were trying to assess the prospective threat of the unexpected guest, and whether it was better off running or fighting back, or rolling over to let the newcomer have its way. His smile had never faded, but it was clear discussing this had left him, in no small way, agitated.

"I don't blame him, you know. I understand why he felt the way he did. It's not unreasonable."

Mon Dec 11, 2017 6:13 pm

Midori Hayashi

Captain of the Second Division

Midori was respectfully silent as he explained the story of his injury. She gave no reaction, so there was no way he could read any opinion. She was in her work mode, so her mind was conditioned to control and professionalism. It was a difficult skill, but required, especially since many of the people she questioned and examined, she'd see again on personal terms. Midori flipped a couple of pages on her clipboard and wrote a few things down, particularly notes she noticed on Shio's words of choice, and the urination incident. When he finished, Midori was silent for a few minutes as she wrote more.

"I see." Midori took in a slow, deep, but quiet breath - the only evidence of it being the slow rise and fall of her chest. She took note of the agitation as well, but that wasn't one of the things written. Midori stood and brought her stethoscope to her ears. "Would you open the front of your shihakusho, Mister Mora?" Midori asked politely. Once done, Midori went through the basics of a check-up. Checking his heart beat, lungs, ears, eyes, and writing down the results for comparison to previous examinations. "You're a patient man, Mister Mora." she said once the examinations were done, but the comment was more pointed toward his past, "It's an admirable trait."

"Although they're relatively new, until my Captaincy, psych evaluations have not been mandatory. Have you had one before?" Midori asked as she sat back down on her stool. She crossed one leg over the other, regathered her clipboard, and dismissed the top three papers, revealing different ones beneath. Of course, she kept her notes hidden from him, making sure to have them leaning toward her at all times. "I'm going to be frank, Mister Mora, as I need to be." she said, clearing her throat a bit, "I'm going to ask you to see me a couple more times after this appointment. They will not be required, but I will have to put it down on your record that they were suggested. I would normally ask more questions before saying such a thing, but your words, eyes, body language, and what I believe is a fake smile leads me to think you might need someone to talk to. I act not only as a doctor, but as a therapist, as you can likely tell. Do you think this would be okay with you?"

Mon Dec 11, 2017 6:27 pm

"Yes."

The words were out before Shio even realized, and for a moment his eyes reflected naked fear, absolute anguish, as he turned to look away from her, sucking at his lower lip. He was glad she'd already taken his vitals, at this point, or she likely would've been able to tell he was having a very sudden and pronounced spike in blood pressure. He could almost feel his heart pulsing, roaring in his head, as he closed his eyes, cursing in his own head, as he shouted down the tunnels of his own thoughts, towards his spirit.

Taroba! Did you just steal my tongue? I didn't even know a zanpakuto spirit could -do- that! What the fuck are you doing? I have no interest in coming back here every week!

And why not, sweetling? You have nothing more pressing in your schedule. Nothing to give meaning to your life. You can't honestly tell me you think that sitting alone in your room and sampling teas counts as a life.

Shio turned back towards Midori, his movements slow and careful now, his eyes now filled with a warmth and mirth that hadn't been there previously. He was still chewing on his lower lip, but now it almost seemed like Shio had remembered something, or regained it. He rested his hands in his lap, and then shrugged.

"I trust you don't mind if I bring my teapot, and my supplies. I like to perfect my tea ceremonies in my spare time. There's something about a good cup of tea that helps me face the day."

Mon Dec 11, 2017 7:12 pm

Midori Hayashi

Captain of the Second Division

Midori's focus sharpened when Shio's sudden change came forward. He answered quickly, which surprised her. His turning away was met with silence and curious eyes. Midori watched him carefully, studying his body language. There was something strange she noticed in those few moments of him facing away. As he turned back, Midori looked calmly into his eyes. She took note of the change, but did not write it down. The switch didn't feel natural and so another appointment would be needed. Midori was going to get to know Shio. Besides, if he wasn't entirely fit for duty, he'd have to be suspended until she could sign him off as mentally stable.

"Of course. If you'd like we could have the meetings in my office as well. Sitting in a hospital examination room isn't the most comfortable, and in there I could bring some cakes for a snack, as long as you'd be willing to share your tear, of course." What Midori said was mostly a joke, but she'd have snacks there anyway. It was now time to get back to the psych evaluation. "Mister Shio, to get back to the point of this, do you feel like you're under any amount of stress lately? Have you had any problems with anxiety?" She asked this because of the reaction he had to answering her previous question.

Mon Dec 11, 2017 7:32 pm

"...Is it not normal to experience anxiety when there are demons running amok, and an endless backlog of earthbound souls? I will simply say that I feel no more stress than any other shinigami in my division. This is a stressful job."

He began to pluck at the threads of his robes as he spoke, still unable to look directly at Midori as he spoke. He still couldn't quite stop his heart's constant pounding from Taroba's sudden interference in the interview; when would she next force him to blurt something out, and what would she make him say? Was it really going to end like this, with him sitting in a room, trying his very best to keep a smile on his face, and slowly watching his avenues of escape dwindle? He refused to accept this ending. He had to be smarter than Taroba. Smarter than himself, in fact.

"I have no pressing duties today, really. I was supposed to do some routine patrols of Karakura Central, to make sure no hollows had snuck in, and that the barrier was performing at peak capacity. But it so rarely causes problems...I don't see any reason why we can't get this out of the way now. So long as you can get a note to my division explaining the circumstances, and arranging for someone else to take over the essential duties for a short time."

He turned towards her, managing another smile, and then rising from the examination table, stretching ever so slightly. He could do this, he was confident. He could find a way to make this all sound routine, and then go right back to the way things were. All he needed was time to think, and to ensure that Taroba wasn't able to butt in once more with inconvenient truths.

The truth can never be convenient or inconvenient, sweetling. That is simply a fabrication of your mind. Let your wings spread, for once in your life. The cage has been abandoned far behind you. You need only learn to flex these muscles.

Mon Dec 11, 2017 10:40 pm

Midori Hayashi

Captain of the Second Division

Acting as a therapist was always weird. Sitting in front of someone, asking them questions about their lives, thoughts, and feelings, and having to write it all down for analysis could be uncomfortable for both therapist and patient. She had to listen to words, tone, watch for micro-expressions, note body language, and many other things. The worst part was hearing about tragic pasts of her patients. Midori hoped the urination incident was the worst Shio had gone through. Unfortunately, reality is not so kind, so she doubted it.

Midori nodded at his first answer, scribbling a short note onto the paper. "That's good." she said in reply. He didn't seem like the type to be overwhelmed, but who knows? "I have no problem informing your Captain of the situation, but having one long session isn't always beneficial. It gives little time for self-reflection, and often times patients remember things at home when they've had time to think. Are you sure that is what you want to do?"

Tue Dec 12, 2017 9:31 am

For a moment, Shio almost couldn't help himself from laughing. Remember something in his room? That was the problem! He needed to get his cover story enacted before she had a chance to start intruding on his private time, as Mirja had. He needed to cut off these insinuations and accusations before they ever began. And so he simply sat there, shrugging a little helplessly, and smiling. It looked almost like he was searching for the right words, as he looked off and to the side, even making a ruminative sound in the back of his throat.

"I can take it. I'm certain you can help me get back to my duties refreshed and feeling motivated once more."

He brushed one hand along his robes slowly, and as he did a smell seemed to waft up, from nowhere in particular; if one didn't know any better they'd almost believe it was coming from the shinigami himself, as if he had just been drenched in a powerful-smelling soap, or perfume. The crisp, sweet tones of cucumber and melon began to fill the room, suddenly making the room seem less clinical, less detached. Shio maintained his smile as he met Midori's gaze, but inwardly was scowling as his zanpakuto spirit once more. It was a neat parlor trick, but not something he needed to go into explaining just now.

"How many of these psychological examinations have you done recently, captain? I don't think my poor heart could handle it to hear that you talk to all of your patients this way."

A Regular Check-Up [ Closed]

A Regular Check-Up [ Closed]

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Re: A Regular Check-Up [ Closed]

Re: A Regular Check-Up [ Closed]

Re: A Regular Check-Up [ Closed]

Re: A Regular Check-Up [ Closed]

Re: A Regular Check-Up [ Closed]

Re: A Regular Check-Up [ Closed]

Re: A Regular Check-Up [ Closed]

Re: A Regular Check-Up [ Closed]

Re: A Regular Check-Up [ Closed]