Opening of the Clinic

The scratching of the pen across the paper was a soothing yet distant comfort. He had grown used to the pencil-pushers sitting obese and loud-mouthed behind their desks. ’How did you get there? Were you always this fat?’ his thoughts slightly enraged him. ’No. I suppose not. I suppose you were once like me, perhaps, maybe, if only you weren’t born into special treatment.’ he realized he needed to stop his small rant before it turned into a rage. Today he was not the important one, today was about helping Kaname. However, he was tempted many times after to return to his dull thoughts that cut his sore spots sorer. ’Why do we always return to the things we know are bad for us?’

The things we return to may seem bad, but sometimes, sometimes they are not. Kaname would always say in return, or at least Tsubame would assume he would say.

Do you have insurance? the question glared mockingly at the poor, workaday man. He would have torn the paper had it not been for Kaname, though he still considered it. ’A poor man such as myself could not ever dream of such a luxury.’ He thought as his hands wrote a simple but effective No. He huffed angrily. When he looked up he noticed the Kangaskan was still causing a fuss. He grumbled angrily at this but decided the paperwork was as done as it was going to get, even with the incomplete parts. She had already administered treatment, so what difference did it make whether or not he completed the paperwork. He slammed it on the counter, watching a feather or two shoot off from the bird pokemon nearby and quickly snatched one of the feathers. It was one of the few darker brown feathers the pidgey rarely sprouted and it looked like the color of Mariko’s hair.

Running his fingers gingerly up the sides of the feather, he smoothed it out. ’Heh. A possible token to remember her by?’ As beautiful as she was, he figured he’d never get her out from behind that counter. However, he considered wrapping back around to asking her out to a simple dinner. For now he decided, it be better to wait for her to return from helping the cute boy’s pokemon rather than pestering her about Kaname now. He leaned against the counter as he waited. If she took too long though, he’d have to go out for an early dinner.

”Sorry to disturb you when you’re so busy, but I finished the paperwork.” a lie smooth as silken thread when it left his mouth.

”I’ve noticed you running out of patients to distract you from me. So tell me, have you had your lunch break yet?” a genuine smirk teased a corner of his mouth. He really did want to talk to her without the business attitude. In fact his goal was to get her to leave the counter; accomplish that, and he’d be satisfied-at least for a while.

”Because if you haven’t I’d love to hear more about you.” resigning himself, he would be fine if today they were friends, tomorrow lovers. But hey, pigs can dream right? If he weren’t keeping a steady face for her, he would have chuckled at himself. And again, anything to distract her from reading the paperwork.

Prasha had heard about the clinic being opened from his Market stall. Rocky was with him and so was Zeal the others were tending to the Market stall, baking Lum cakes and mixing curries while Prasha was away. Prasha carried in his bag a wrapped up piece of Chesto cake and a Pyron Steamer, with a thermos of tea. Prasha opened the door to the clinic and cheerfully walked in with Zeal at his side and Rocky holding a big bag containing things.

"Hey Markio, Just thought I would stop by and bring a clinic opening gift." Prasha smiled holding an unlit cigarette in his teeth. "May I come in?" 

Mariko continued to feel flustered about the situation she found herself in, unsure of what to really say.  She didn't know how to deal with this kind of thing!  She just didn't!  Her time was taken up by her clinic and helping those in need.  Just as she opened her mouth to give a response, a familiar voice plus a familiar face entered the clinic.  "Prasha, it is Prasha correct?  Yes, you may come in.  I'm with a client at the moment, so can you please wait at the couches over there?"  She responded to the called question, making a point to gesture to the area she was speaking about.  "I'll be able to speak with you in a moment."  That last part was said before she turned her attention back to Tsubame.  "Sorry for the interruption sir.  If you would go through the curtain blocked doorway over there, I will meet you in a moment to show you to your Sneasel."  She said politely waving her hand towards the doorway she meant as she headed for the door behind the counter she always took to the back unless there was a need to come from behind the counter to go through the curtain covered doorway.

Tsubame gritted his teeth but kept a polite face in the presence of the other man. Boy, he brought the whole damn litter today huh. He shook his head as directed, he went through the curtain. Sneasel was already looking better; his face did not hold quite the expression of pain as before and looked rather peaceful.

”Hey buddy, you feeling better?” His voice always sounded gruff, yet now it was held in his throat so tenderly. He couldn’t wait to get back out there with Kaname and maybe even go to dinner with the pretty brunette.

Prasha smiled and rubbed Zeal's ears, watching Mariko do what she does best, which is healing Pokemon. "I just wanted you to come by and say Hi and also I thought you might be hungry so I brought you a Pyron Steamer and a slice of that Chesto Cake. Also some Razz tea to wash it down." Prasha went into his bag and retrieved the food and placed it on her counter.

"If you need a breather, I am here for a chat!! By the way terrific place you have here. You did well." Prasha loved the look of the clinic and how close it was to his Curry shop. "How is the little sneasel doing?" Prasha nodded his head toward the door she came through.