Post by averythorn on Mar 28, 2009 21:10:16 GMT -6
Mary-Ann: Mary-Ann always thought of herself as a sensible woman. She was not the kind who would be so consumed in her rank as to leave those that were under her service, lost and without someone to lend a ear. Many were beyond talented in their field, so she was not the type to hover either. If the women and men had questions, surely they would ask? Long hair of deep auburn waves had been left down, as she was not about duties today. Moving into the large library, she gave a soft smile to those that she passed of silks of gold and pinks moved about her frame. Lilith and extremely tall for a woman, she was not hard to notice as she browsed the books and looked for one that was meant to be updated. Sure, there was a library for the council members, but she liked to see what those who worked hard would be learning. Pulling out a seat at the table, she began to thumb through it, skimming some of the information she already knew in order to get to the newest bit.
Avery: Though her mother had been her teacher for most of her life. Life in a small town of England meant that you learned by seeing, not by reading. Still when she left England, she was fortunate enough to find that there was more to learn just by seeing an while she was more then willing, eager in fact to learn all she could. Lately, she had come to realize more then before that she did not want to be a party to death. She wanted to be part of life. Care for expecting mothers, delivery when the time care, care for the babies once they were within the world. Yes she was thoroughly sick of...illness and death. Were they any doubts before, there were none know. It was with a thirst for to reread text about the practice she most preferred that found her within the infirmary library, fairly hiding too from the patients still within the infirmary from the last battle. It was not selfish, there was more then enough hands to help those patients and it was nothing more now then changing bandages, cleansing stitches and the like. Still there were those that fought valiantly and would not make it. From them she hid as well. Her head lifted as Mary-Ann slide the seat at the table at. Shifting the book against her lap, she rather didn't like tables to lean on, strained the body, she nodded her head towards the council woman. "Good Evening Councilwoman"
Mary-Ann: Like so many, Mary-Ann had chosen her field because it brought her joy and hope where otherwise, there was none. Others could tell stories of why they became what they were. Everyone had secrets, even someone as nice and sensible as herself. The lovely young face of Avery Thorn had been noticed, but she did not wish to bother her in reading. When she heard her title, her own head rose and she offered a kind and patient smile to Avery. ``Evening Lady Thorn. How does your book go? I would have said hello earlier, but I did not want to bother you.`` A finger was placed in between the smooth pages of her own, before she closed it to show that she would give her full attention on Avery. ``It has been very busy around here as of late, I feel like I do not see much of you, save a small moment where you are heading from one place to another. How are you doing with those the war has sent us?[/b]``[/font][/color]
Avery: She closed the book and slide it against her lap, fingers curled around the spine as she inhaled a deep breath and let out a rush. "I've read the same paragraph about seven times and can't even tell you what it said." She hummed in a small laugh before a hand rose to rub against the lids of her eyes as they slid over the one gray and one blue eye before opening again to pull through the brunette locks. "Oh you're no bother, honestly." She slid to lean back within the chair. "Yes, it's been very, very busy, hardly time to think let alone to breath. I am...doing what I can, lending a hand, but to be completely honest, I am sick of seeing illness of wounds, stitching open gashes together, bloody stumps were hands and legs used to be, death..." She shook her head, bluntly honest but all together serious. It was not to undermined the patients nor give them less credit, nor show any less care for them but how many patients had come through the doors from the battle of the hills, the sea, the artesian attack, and the last one from the clans party. It was just to much on a heart that cared with every painful beat.
Mary-Ann: Anyone who said seeing those sights were not hard, were simply not normal. Even the physicians were said to be having a hard time, though Mary-Ann knew only bits and pieces of that. ``I have had those nights...and days.`` It was always interesting to watch Avery's face, more so her eyes. One of one color and the other very different. She pondered at what could have caused such a difference in her eyes, but some questions were better to not ask people, for they could enjoy private lives. ``I am glad I would not be a bother, I shall remember that.`` Pulling her finger from the spot, she figured she could find it again later on. ``Do you feel guilty for being sick of it? As if you are not being fair for wanting something different? I know that when I was a healer, it was very hard for me to watch one person die, then move on to another. I could hold back tears, but inside, it felt wrong. It made me feel useless. Do you ever feel that way?``
Avery: "Oh there is no doubts the guilt is there. Sometimes I can not wait till I can go home, leave the sickness and death behind but then I feel guilty for feeling that way. Guilty for being at home and happy while there are others sick" As she spoke, her head moved this way and that. There was no hidden emotions or unlining meaning when Avery spoke. Her face was always expressive to what she was feeling. Except when it came to patients. It was then the slide of calm came to her to her face, even if she was terrified on the inside, or upset knowing the patient was not going to make it, it did not show. Otherwise, her face, her life...was an open book. "The only time I find myself relaxing, enjoying time with a patient is when I tend an expecting woman. I know some births will not be happy, they will be downright torturous but most of them are pleasant. To help bring life into this world. Is a feeling that can not be described, if I had to...it would be like standing in a field of flowers in the middle of spring with the sun shining on your face." Her shoulders rose and fell in a shrug, that was the best way she could describe it, call it corny if you will. "I find lately, with the battle victims, having to find a shadowy spot, a place where no one is to shed my tears, it does feel wrong to hold it in and I have reached the point, I can't."
Mary-Ann: Leaning forward, she placed a elbow on the table and rested her chin in the palm of her head while she watched Avery and heard her speak. Very expressive indeed. She did not see Avery as a bad person for how she felt. ``Most of those that go to war, know what the duty brings. That is why, I had chosen the field of midwife, and not the physician. I too, can not take death for too long. It just makes me sad and feel low. I try my best to stay away from the West wing.`` To hear Avery and how she spoke of helping a woman bring life into the world, well, she was inspired by the woman. She would have added butterflies to the field, but Avery spoke of hidden tears and dark corners. ``No one would think ill of you if you simply wanted to do the duty of the midwife and no longer help out, even in time of war. There are many expecting mothers that would love one on one with someone. I, for one would support your choice Avery, it has to be your own though.`` She thought back to her own feelings towards the war and how people were coming in from it. ``I have.. vomited a few times on victims who held gashes and were missing their legs. Yet, I have no problem seeing a womanhood, bloody and bringing in a baby to the world. Strange how that happens.. do not feel guilt for not wanting to be a part of it. You have great skill there, but you have great skill as a midwife as well. They always tell us to chose which makes you sleep better at night. While some babies are lost, many more remain.``
Avery: "Oh I commend those who go to war knowing they could loose a limb or their life. I could never do it myself. Even my fiancee made the decision to go to war, despite the fact it is against our birth country." Her fingers rapped lightly against the book before she lifted it and set it aside as she moved closer to the table to lean her elbows against it. "I appreciate in someone, you most of all telling me that no one will think ill of me. I have just reached a point, I can't do it anymore. I really wish to just, stick to being a midwife from now on and I do appreciate your support Councilwoman." One gray eye, one blue turned from the table up to Mary-Ann. Despite being an open book, she always had a problem at staring at people when she talked, something about looking a person in the eye, well it wasn't creepy, it made her feel connected and something told her not to make a connection. Though she was fighting to break her gaze from the woman, she didn't. "I don't blame you for...vomitting at such things. Such sights, from gashes to birthing babies has never bothered me. My mother, she was the only village healer so even when I was to little to understand what was going on, I went with her, never once flinched but I always knew I would follow in her footsteps."
Mary-Ann:Mary-Ann's eyes rose and widened a bit at that. ``Your fiancee? I knew you were from England, but not him. That is..noble and must be hard. Congratulations on the engagement.`` She meant it. Her eyes stayed on the woman as they spoke noting how she was looking at other places. It did not bother Mary-Ann. Or would not have bothered her if the woman looked elsewhere.``You are most welcome. I give it and mean it. If anyone gives you a hard time about what you are doing, and I mean of course..another council member, then you come to me and tell me. I will tell them I have told you to do only midwife duties, so they are not in your private affairs, though I am sure you are a woman who would not care. You are strong, this I have noticed about you. The only healer? You and her must have been very busy in the village. That explains why you know so much, even beyond one field.`` Pausing,, she spoke after her mind gathered it's thoughts. ``Since you will be shifting back to the midwife duties only, I have two women I would love for you to seek out. I think you would enjoy their company greatly. The first one's name is Rosa Lamburg. She is the wife of a trader down by the docks. Short woman, who is a bit, well round, though she is only two months I believe. Laura Gibbons is another. Her husband and her would like to try and become pregnant, but so far their methods have failed. Would you like to take those charges?``
Avery: A flush took the apples of her cheeks as she slid her book back by her again. Fidgeting at this point. "Oh, well not many people knew. Thank you." She gave a nod of her head and hummed in a small laugh. She gave another nod of her head in understanding about any grief from another councilman. No she would not care about things said about her. She was a logical woman most of the time keeping to the fact that others didn't know her, their judgements would be based either on jealousy or spite. She was not so meek and mild she would not give such a person a piece of her mind either. Eyes that had been darting around, table, book, chair, fingernails finally moved back up to the woman face as she spoke of Avery going back to only midwives duties. She was silent for a long while, trying to picture the two women's faces in her mind. Had she seen them before? It was a possibility but for now she could not put faces to the names. "Indeed, I would. Is there all ready files on these women or would I be creating them myself?" In the back of her mind she was filing the names into place, reminding herself that before she did any research for Mrs. Gibbons, she would like to meet with the couple first. Still, better to get all the facts in order before she made any plans.
Mary-Ann: Either Mary-Ann was terrible about judging someone's looks, or she saw the look of love in that blush. It kept a smile on Mary-Ann's face as she looked at the woman. Files? Oh! ``Actually, we will be changing that. There will no longer be files, but journals on every person we treat. The files were not holding enough information and this is very new to try. I will go and get blank journals for you to have for all those you are with. We did a study and found that many are treated by the same person more then once, so we are keeping them for the book keepers. They complained often about our methods..you know..to appease them because they do have so much work to do.`` Pushing her chair back, she stood up and pulled the book with her. ``I shall return.`` She moved from the desk and out of the library. It took a good fifteen minutes before she came back in with a small basket of books. Journals bound with leather were handed to Avery. ``How many would you like? Well..take the whole basket. There should be ten within. Hand them into me every Friday of the week and I will give them back Sunday for you to continue using them. We have to give them to the book keepers to record everything. A strange system really, but one the Duke came up with. Change in medicine, he calls it.``
Avery: "Oh!" Even Avery seemed surprised by the woman's statement, still if it was something new they were imprinting, then how could she know till it was announced, as it was now. Still couldn't hide the look of embarrassment on her face as she gave a nod of her head, trying to work out in her head how this new system was going to work. Even if they were journals, couldn't there still be a mixup. Yet even with new systems there would be some hiccups that would no doubt be worked out. Push on and try new things right? The world was constantly changing, why not medicine. In fact, medicine should be on the top of the list, if not first and foremost. "Well I don't doubt the work of a bookkeeper, I think perhaps each person in their own right has much they do for their profession. I do hope this new system works better for both parties." Her head rose to follow Mary-Ann as she stood. Again there was another nod and while the lady was gone, she thumbed through the book once more though her attention did move back to Mary-Ann when she had returned some time later. Engrossed in the chapter, it hardly seemed like the woman had been gone more then a few seconds. Sliding her chair back, she rose, pondering the question for only a second before she let out a laugh as Mary-Ann offered the whole basket. "Oh all right, hmm, I guess as my patient list grows I'll need more so...well All right then." Basket in one hand, she thumbed through the journals, no one was different but well, she just liked to touch new things. Call it a tick, a defect. "Actually, I find a new system quite fascinating. I do have to agree with him, the world is ever changing, why not medicine, medicine should be on the top of the list really, to give people better care, perhaps extend their lives past what society see's in the ending." Shut up Avery! She found herself chastising herself and immediately lips pressed closed. The basket was jingled, a notice of what she was speaking of. "Thank you..for the journals..and I will meet with Rose Lamburg and Laura Gibbons and her husband on the morrow, if only to familiarize them with me and me with them. Perhaps set up a proper appointment to discuss their situations and do an exam on each."
Mary-Ann:There was no need to be embaressed, as this was just found out by Mary-Ann herself but a night ago. She was skeptic of the new system herself, thinking that would put a lot more work on the book keepers, but then again, that was their duty and something they would be doing often, if not every day. The infirmary, much like any other business, had their own book keepers and a great deal of them. Five for each section. ``It is wonderful to see you are excited. When it comes to the change of medicine, I am as well, though this journal system, I am skeptic of. Shhh, you did not hear that from me though. I like the idea of more parchment to write in, but I worry about exchanging books every week. We shall see of course.`` Avery seemed to bloom right before her, like she got a second wind. It made Mary-Ann laugh as well. ``That sounds perfect! You have quite a handle on things, it is very inspiring Lady Thorn. I will leave you to it!`` She trusted the woman and knew she would be able to work well with most people she came in contact with. ``I best be off, but you come by any time you would like to.``
Avery: "Oh a secret, none shall hear it from my lips. Shall we create a secret handshake to?" A person could tell when Avery felt comfortable in someone else's presence. She liked to tease and to joke with them, often time finding her own teasing and joking funnier then the other person. Still she did not bust out in a laugh with this tease to the councilwoman, merely smiled with a silent twinkle within the two different colored eyes. "Thank you again Councilwoman, I have very much appreciated your lend of ear, your confidence and your support." Tucking the basket against the crook of her arm, she reached for the book upon the table and wiggled it with a small laugh. "Think I'll take this one home tonight and get that chapter to finally sink in. But, I am keeping you, please, do not mind me. Enjoy your evening, and I will indeed, take you up on that office, soon." She gave a singular pronounced nod of her head. That was it and that was final, though there was a grin upon her lips. Yes, much had been lifted off her shoulders in talking to Mary-Ann and she did indeed, feel a second wind overtake her. Life moved on, and was beautiful again.
Mary-Ann:Mary-Ann laughed loudly, more so a loud giggle at her words. ``I am not the best with handshakes..I get terribly confused! You have no need to thank me Avery, you are a wonderful person. And you have such neat hand writing, very easy to read.`` She teased in her own way. ``Enjoy your day Lady Thorn`` She waited until the woman was gone and moved out shortly behind her, to head back to her room so she could pack and head home sooner rather then later.