Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in Sacred Heart Hospital- Comfort for the Small Ones

Posted by Lieutenant Tandra Mika (Chief Mental Health Officer) in Sacred Heart Hospital- Comfort for the Small Ones

Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in Sacred Heart Hospital- Comfort for the Small Ones

(snip)

Stepping out of the main part of the NICU into the clean room, Eela removed her gown and smiled at Mika. Something had shifted in her that was hard for her to pinpoint, but she felt grounded in a way that was hard to find since Dash died. “Did you have to get to work right away? If not I can spare time for a cup of something, if you like?”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

“Oh, I’m… I’m still not seeing patients,” Mika said, shrugging. “And I don’t have anything with a stringent deadline to do, so… I have no objections to that.” She smiled, “You drink tea, don’t you?” She remembered from their appointments, she thought. “Know anywhere good?”

~ Mika, CMHO

“Both tea and coffee. Depends on my mood, except I always drink coffee first thing in the morning. It’s non-negotiable,” Eela said with a laugh. “Come on, I’ll take you to my favourite place. We can’t stay, because I’m not ready to be in public much yet, but we can order and take it with us back to my place.”

Once she was fully ready to go, Dasca led Mika out of the hospital to where her slider was waiting. She spoke to her team and then slipped in, letting Tandra enter and get settled.

“So, coffee, tea, something else? The Quill does excellent brewed coffee and espresso drinks, and they have a wide selection of artisanal teas. I’m probably going to grab a box of baked goods that they get from a bakery, because goodness knows I’ve been forgetting to eat.” Eela snorted. “Not that people around me letme forget, but if they didn’t shove food toward me lately, I don’t know that I would remember what meal I had last.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Mika chuckled. “I don’t think Séan would allow me to forget, either. He’s been bringing me food.” She said. “I will go for one of their teas… Something relaxing. I shouldn’t be in taking caffeine right now, especially when it’s not something I frequently drink.”

~ Mika, CMHO

She nodded as the slider set off and honestly, they could have walked. But Eela knew that being so openly visible would be an open invitation to the press and she just wasn’t ready to deal with them.

A couple minutes later, they found themselves on the opposite side of Sloan Square not too far from the Government Tower. Tucked in by a street corner was Quill and Parchment Books. Eela stepped out of and smiled. “Karilan isn’t here right now, otherwise I’d introduce you, but they know their stuff when it comes to both books and the beverages one might want to drink while reading.”

The front doors were actual wood and brass and etched glass windowed doors set atop a set of four wide, low stone steps.

‘Inside was a real, honest to heavens book store. Tall shelves and multiple tables held bound literary works in a multitude of languages and on a truly astonishing number of topics. Large spiral staircases were set in the far back corners of the main room, and those led to the second floor and the jewel of the establishment… the Rare Book Section… visible from the first floor as it ran the perimeter of the floor below. Here, stasis fields, humidity and temperature controlled cases held antique and rare specimens of works from an array of civilizations. First Editions, banned titles, one-of-a-kind prints graced the cases, drawers, and alcoves all sat for ease of viewing… but not contact. A robust and state-of-the-art security system kept the tomes and treasures safe.

The center of the large first floor was a square section that was the center of the store’s operation. Retail counter space held one side, then a baked goods and drink counter followed by an eating counter with a bar. The last side of the square was reserved for consultations and order taking. In the middle of the square was an assortment of equipment, replicators, and a dumb waiter bringing various freshly baked and cooked delicacies from the kitchen below.

Around the square were small tables and large, comfortable. Hairs for patrons to enjoy a drink and read.’ [OOC: description from one of James’ posts]

Mindful of the steps, Eela pulled open the door and held it for Tandra as she stepped inside, breathing deeply. She moved immediately over to the drinks counter and smiled at the young woman. “Good day Ma’am, good to see you about. Karilan isn’t in right now.”

“I know, they said as much earlier. But my friend Tandra”-she gestured to Mika-“and I just want to grab a drink to take with us. Oh! And an assortment of baked goods as well Cerinn. The usual amount, and surprise us with the varieties.”

“Wonderful,” Cerinn said. “The usual coffee for you?”

Eela nodded. “Yes, and Tandra was hoping for a non-caffienated tea.”

Cerinn smiled at Mika. “We have a wide selection of decaf teas and herbal infusions. Do you have a preference?”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Bump