(open) apollo's art.

[medicative]

Who ⬤ The clinic crew and perhaps you!
What ⬤ A open mingle log for all needs
When ⬤ September and onwards
Where ⬤ Between Sutoku and Enma territories
Content Warnings ⬤ Possible discussion of medical procedures, others in headers if needed

JIGOKUCHO COMMUNITY CLINIC

♬♬♬

Open from eight AM to eight PM, this Lost Soul-maintained clinic has been quietly offering assistance to those in need for the past several months. To those in the know, the red cross sign in the window is a beacon for people who need a professional's eye and who for one reason or another - financial, skeptical, etc. - would prefer the intimacy of a private facility. To those not, the whispers are enough to point you in the right direction, the general agreement to not shout about it and keep it under the radar, for affordable and easily accessed healthcare is worth its own weight in gold

Patients are primarily checked in at the front, and either seen by a doctor or one of the assistants. Everything from basic checkups to immediate care is available, as well as compounded medicine for those with particular ailments. To things that just can't be handled in the private space, the staff will see to the proper referrals. Walk ins are always available - even emergencies, just call the number on the sign with the hours.

For staff and volunteers, there's always something to do. Paperwork, attending to patients, taking turns on the front desk, supply transport and acquisition - there's always an assignment for the day, and a schedule written up to be followed on the local chalkboard. Yes, the space below can be for whatever doodles you want, or just writing in when you'll next need time off. The break room contains one Nice radio, courtesy of a certain audiophile, and whether one is following the intricacies of oni baseball or new tunes, it's treated with respect. The calendar pinned to the wall contains everyone's noted down birthdays as per their hiring sheets, and there is now debate on starting a book club, given the inclination of most working there.

The second floor of the clinic is not yet finished, but Dr. Dyer has plans for it, and it's being worked on during slower shifts. Cleaning, painting, and basic repair is to be expected, as well as getting it ready to include a few more beds for when overnight patients are needed. Out the back door, however, is the most popular place to take a break amongst those working - the herbal garden filled with medicinal plants, steadily maintained along the other tasks at hand. A pair of small benches offers a place to rest one's feet, and the scene of tranquility is complete with the sound of the recently installed fountain - the water within also has healing properties, and is used in treatments. But one doesn't need to be ill to appreciate a calming scene.

The city keeps them busy enough, and the clinic so far manages to persevere, putting down small roots in Hell.

---

(this is a mingle log for everyone who comes through the clinic through the month of september and onwards. all top levels are welcome, from those already involved to new patients to those curious about the workings. talk to your friends, get someone to look at you bleeding your own blood, help with whatever you like - the sky is yours.

if you have any questions, pm me, otherwise enjoy!) © tessisamess

Comments

yujin mikotoba | sutoku | ota

[softshoes]

1. break time;

[Truthfully, most of his experience lies in the theoretical-- and in the post-mortem-- but taking on the role of Dr. Mikotoba and returning to a medical setting has been a great comfort in all the strangeness of Hell. Mikotoba's now a regular around these parts, and when he isn't bustling about seeing his patients, he can be found all over the clinic:

A) When he's got a few spare minutes, Mikotoba's frequently found dad stancing stretching his legs and listening to the radio in the clinic's break room, intently focused on whatever sport or news programming is on the waves today.

B) He's also usually the one brewing another pot of coffee or boiling a bit of extra water in the kitchen; any staff looking a bit more run-down than usual will get a mug gently, but insistently, pressed into their hands before Yujin pours himself a cup of tea, too:] How are you today? [he asks, with a gentle and attentive smile.

C) And, on occasion-- on the most difficult shifts, really-- he retreats to the garden for a few moments of peace and quiet. Nearly always, he takes the bench beside a patch of brilliantly violet Japanese irisies, contemplating the blooms in pensive silence.]

2. the doctor will see you now;

[But it's not all fun and games, either. A patient-- particularly one with an unusual ailment-- might be seen by a middle-aged doctor with a streak of gray and a reassuring grin. Mikotoba takes a seat on a stool across from them in their room, and, glancing up from his clipboard, asks--]

Good afternoon. I'm Dr. Mikotoba. What is it that brings you here today?

3. the doctor will see you now (derogatory);

[Are you a Shuten or Shuten-adjacent dumbass who got their ass kicked in a fight nearby the clinic?! DON'T THINK DR. DAD MISSED THAT SHIT: you, an idiot, now are being shuttled through the clinic doors by Mikotoba and a youkai assistant. Whether he's trying to stem the bleeding on a fresh wound or setting something very broken, Mikotoba is calm, but firm, as he issues instructions to other staff members. Evidently, this is not his first rodeo.

Whether or not his patient has cooperated, he poses a stern question once everything's stabilized:] What on Earth happened out there?

wildcard;
[surprise me, or hmu at smithsyndicate to plot!]

2

[beenwaitinglong]

Might be shorter to list what doesn't.

[Godot does make his 1:00 Friday appointment, if only not to have wasted Dr. Dyer's time. And even if he looks like he'd rather be absolutely, literally anywhere else in this city, up to and including getting his ass beat by any given youkai.]

Would it save you some time if I tried to remember it all, or do you want to let the test results surprise you?

[softshoes]

[One of Mikotoba's eyebrows goes right up--] I'd really rather not be surprised here, Mr. Godot.

[So, multiple issues for sure, then. He sighs, brow furrowing, and glances back down at the test results, already beginning to scan them.]

Is there one reason for your visit that is more pressing than the others?

[beenwaitinglong]

Well, I am full of surprises.

[There is absolutely no mirth behind the grin at the moment. Not that it's easy to tell that without eyes to emote.]

Back in the real world, I'm on a veritable parade of medications to keep this old hunk of junk running. Upon hearing I was a Lost Soul in limbo, for a moment there I assumed I wouldn't need to worry about that anymore.

[He folds his arms.]

Figured I'd better confirm or deny.

now ft dgs spoilers-ish

[softshoes]

Then I am sorry to confirm: your condition will still be of concern, so far as I am aware. [The aftereffects of Kazuma's blow to the head had remained, after all, as had the remnants of his and Sholmes' old adventures-- a scar or two here, a twinge in the joint there. Some 'afterlife' this is, with no relief from the trappings of mortality. If it is even an afterlife at all.

Finally, he glances down at Godot's chart, which is, predictably, a mess. But Mikotoba is a professional and successfully keeps his poker face up: his expression's utterly level as he goes down all the data.]

We'll see about getting you on a similar, if not the same, set of prescriptions, Mr. Godot.

[Or it is until he gets to the bloodwork. That's a LOT of fucking caffeine. Good god. His brow shoots up before he can force it back down again, but. only for a moment.] Full of surprises, eh...

3 haha

[karumic]

[To Kazuma's credit, he didn't get as badly hurt as some of the others involved in the fight, so you can put away the disappointed look, thanks, Not Actually His Dad. He meets Mikotoba's eyes straight on and keeps his voice level as the nurse winds a bandage around his ribs.]

Some local punks were trying to shake down the drugstore across the street. I was doing my job.

[softshoes]

[It's reason enough, but still!! Though there's still an expression of concern on his face, his attention's shifted to Kazuma's injuries rather than whatever caused them. Once the nurse is done, he inspects her handiwork, fingers carefully checking Kazuma's torso--]

No fractures, thankfully. Are you having any sharp pain, here? Any difficulty breathing?

[karumic]

[Kazuma hisses in a breath when Mikotoba's fingers brush the dressing, but otherwise doesn't let on that it's causing him any pain. It really isn't that bad: just minor lacerations and a bruise from when one of the punks had punched him in the stomach with their studded brass knuckles when Kazuma had waded in to try and break up the fight. Others had gotten much worse; the poor harassed shopkeep had a fractured arm, and Kazuma himself had gotten in a swipe with his sword on one of the punks that had avoided being fatal, but the kid would be out of commission for a while.

Good. They'll be less trouble that way, and maybe the long break will make them think twice about trying again.

No. I doubt there's any more damage to worry about. You can stop fussing.

[...It comes out sharper than he means it to, and he immediately regrets it. Mikotoba is only concerned, after all, and Kazuma has only given him reason to be; if he truly does care for Kazuma the way he acts like he does, then it only makes sense that Kazuma's disregard for his own safety would worry him. But Kazuma can't help the anxiety he feels at the situation, either. Mikotoba's attention simply makes him uncomfortable, off-balance--Kazuma knows he's operating with information that Kazuma himself doesn't have, and that keeps him on edge around the man.

But still. Mikotoba has done nothing wrong.]

...I apologise. I know you're only doing your duty.

1c

[watermemory]

[ Today, there's someone else in the herb garden -- a young man, one of the clinic volunteers, is seated at the other bench, reading. Straight posture, serene face, the only sound the turning of pages. He sure looks like any other imperial university student back home cramming between classes, although the battered library book he has is certainly not a textbook. ]

[ Chances are, Minato wouldn't even have noticed Mikotoba, if he hadn't reached a chapter end and took a moment to look up. He startles, closing the book with a snap. ]

Sorry, you must want privacy, I can go...

[softshoes]

[Mikotoba's quick to wave his hands, equally apologetic, to prevent Minato from moving.]

No, no, it's all right-- the garden is for everyone here. [Not just for middle-aged men who happen to be impotently sulking...] Please don't feel as though you need to leave.

[Frankly, he feels awkward for making Minato feel awkward. He smiles sheepishly, wracking his brain for something to contribute to the conversation.]

These irises just remind me of home, Suizenji-san. I got a bit lost in my own nostalgia. [Now he's just made himself feel old too.]

[watermemory]

[ He settles back down cautiously, though he closes the book on his lap (Franz Kafka, The Trial; according to the foreword, written in his time but not to be published for another few years (and not translated for decades after that), which feels like cheating, somehow). ]

[ Nostalgia... He doesn't feel comfortable poking at whatever memories the man is dredged in, but if anyone is a master at serenely talking around a subject... ]

The gardens are well-kept, aren't they? I think the usual season for irises is late spring, summer. [ Probably that's not something a Shuten tough would know, but he hasn't ever lived up to that image. ] They grow pretty, uh, explosively in my region, after the rains. Is it the same where you're from, Mikotoba-san?

break time! a

[bratherine]

You can listen sitting down.

( The comment is made from just behind Yujin, coincidentally also from where the noise of sweeping is coming. Broom in hand, Kate is trying to get the last of her cleaning shift done before she goes to start working at City of Rain.

And there is some middle aged man making her life harder than it needs to be! Rude! )

[softshoes]

[He does Not sit down, thank you very much, young lady. Nor does Yujin turn around, either: he's got his arms folded close to his chest and his attention directed to the day's news. It's a report about the kidnapped girl again, and though there's nothing new to be learned... he might as well pay attention, right?]

I'll be sitting for half the shift. I need to stand sometime, eh? [he replies briskly. So, yeah, gonna keep standing.

He takes a wide step away from his current position, though, to give her space to sweep.]

[bratherine]

( Well, at least he moved and she can sweep up, that's something. Though Yujin's comment gets a look, a considering tilt of the head. If he's sitting down so much then... )

I know a good gym.

( Clearly he should just exercise after work??? Before work??? At all hours??? )

[softshoes]

[He has NOT figured out how a modern gym works yet, he's old and Old™️, Kate!!! This gets him to actually turn around, looking slightly perplexed:]

I'm not certain any youkai would want to play any team sports with me. [...] Unless what I consider a gym has changed in-- er, what year is it in your world, again?

2

[nmc0204]

[ Despite the fact that Ryoko was the one who walked in here and the fact that she has the sickly, frail look of someone who should probably have been talking to a doctor like, yesterday, she's got an exceptionally mutinous look on her face, like she resents being here and being expected to disclose information about herself.

Yes, it's probably better to get this over with sooner rather than later. That doesn't mean she has to like it. ]

I was sent here on the suggestion of someone else from the Tamamo Clan – they said the clinic would be the best place to discuss ongoing medical treatment. Is that the case?

[softshoes]

[Grouchy patients aren't new, but goodness-- Ryoko's resentment is nigh-palpable. If Mikotoba can convince her to listen to his medical advice without fighting it, period, it'll be a win worth celebrating...

Either way, he nods politely, glancing back down to the notes about this new patient.]

Just so, Shinonome-san. If we are unable to accommodate that treatment here, Dr. Dyer and I can certainly refer you to someone who can.

Please tell me more about your condition, if you would?

[nmc0204]

[ Isn't that easier said than done. Even if she'd wanted to explain everything about the Sentinels to him, where would she even start? Given their current situation, it's probably more believable now that it might have been otherwise, but even Ryoko knows it's a little ridiculous sounding.

Concentrating on her symptoms seems safer. ]

I get headaches. They're not migraines exactly, but they're just as painful, if not more. It feels like my head's splitting in two if I let them get bad enough. But I can manage it fine, so long as I have medication. There were some pills I was taking back where I came from, but... I don't think there's any way to get them here.

[softshoes]

[There is no way Yujin '1900' Mikotoba could begin to comprehend a Sentinel discussion without a stiff drink, RIP.]

I see. [His brows knit together as he listens to Ryoko's description of her symptoms.] I'm sorry to hear that.

[Detached enough to be professional, but there is genuine empathy there, too: the strange headaches that Kazuma seems to be suffering return to the front of his mind. Which... makes him consider something else. He turns his attention, briefly, back to her chart to scribble something, before continuing--]

How long have you been experiencing these headaches? Were they brought on by some sort of injury?

[And, a beat:] What about any lapses in memory?

1b

[frogmarched]

[Well it's not like Eiichi ever looked... upbeat, or anything. He always looked low key annoyed or exhausted when he wasn't concentrating. Thought after the... spectacle of the Shuten party (??), all the mess and saliva and half eaten food and chewing sounds... he was like to be in a bad mood for a week. Or, more of a bad mood.

The tea is a good salve, though (the clinic's coffee machine wasn't exactly amazing after all)-- though he does look a bit bewildered when Dr. Mikotoba insistently pressed the cup into his hands.]

...Fine. [Squints. Why is Mikotoba so cheerful--] What has you all up and go-getting?

[softshoes]

Is it always necessary to have a reason?

[Okay, maybe there's a little bit of a reason-- and it's already in Eiichi's hands. Mikotoba glances down wryly into the tea, a brow raised, and raises his own cup to his lips for a sip.]

The tea is new, by the by: rose and genmaicha, courtesy of a young barista's recommendation. How do you like it?

[The nuttiness of the roasted rice, the fresh flavor of matcha, and the floral notes of rose petal... it's better than he expected. That Monts really knows her stuff.]

[frogmarched]

Only suspicious people are cheerful for no reason. [He is completely wrong about that, especially given his two friends from back home, but he still stands by it.

Still, Eiichi looks curiously down into the cup of tea. He'd never really had flowery teas before-- well, he hadn't had much tea in general, and it was harder to find anything good in the capital. But it smelled like... something like matcha, and rice, and he experimentally takes his own sip.]

Mm... [Actually, it wasn't that bad. Not as good as coffee, but this was kind of... refreshing. The smell of flower petals was kind of nice.] It's not too sweet. Not bad.

1A... ish

[aceslow]

[ Unfortunately for Mikotaba, just as he's entering the break room to listen to the radio, he'll find it in pieces strewn across the break room table, with Kim knuckle-deep in its innards, unscrewing something inside. For the moment before he notices the door opening, he is in a space of complete peace: he is fully focused on one of his favourite tasks, working with precision and expertise, as he always wishes he was.

But then, moments later, he realizes he heard the door open and his head shoots up, looking a little chagrinned. ]

Ah -- my apologies, Doctor, this has taken a little longer than I thought it would. [ He sets down a tool, gloved hands curled neatly around each other atop the table. ] The old radio is in the third drawer over there, if you want it.

[softshoes]

[Walking into strange messes like these are part and parcel of his every day... but it usually only happens at home. Catching sight of Kim's face, instinctively, Mikotoba waves his hands, as if to clear away any awkwardness--]

Oh, no, please don't let me stop you, Mr. Kitsuragi! I'm more than happy to wait while you finish up.

[--but the man's staring down at his 'patient' so intently, Mikotoba can't help but to meander out of the doorway and over to the table, peering curiously into the device's guts. Sholmes could probably understand this; hell, he'd have a blast gutting the radio like Kim has here.]

What happened to it?

[aceslow]

[ Kim sighs, looking and sounding far more aggrieved than he really is. He would be upset, if not for the fact that he had been absolutely itching to take it apart again. He had been able to justify putting this much time and effort into something for communal use, which means that he can't very well take it apart whenever he likes to the detriment of everyone else at the Clinic. ]

I had warned everyone that this model of radio has certain limitations when it comes to its bass. Frankly, the manufacturer should have known better and adjusted the volume according to likely user error, but you can turn it up louder than you ought to. [ He taps one of the speakers. ] It's been blown out. Every time you turn it up too loudly, it rattles. Which is unfortunate for the sound quality of one of the radio hosts we regularly listen to, as you may imagine.

[ All boring non-fiction radio hosts have deep, sonorous voices. It's the rule. ]

I'm just replacing a couple parts. Technology here is a bit different from what I'm used to, so I'm learning as I go along.

[ Which is to say, if it were the sort he was used to, he'd be done by now. He's a prideful man, after all. ]