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
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(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.”

“Oh, uhm, you first. Please.” Mika said, hesitating at the door.

“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.”

“Hi,” Tandra put in with a small wave, standing behind Eela like someone might bite her.

“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.

“Do you do Andorian teas?” Mika asked softly. “I used to know someone who knew how to make a fantastic smooth spiced coova.” It was a kind of Andorian tea.

~ Mika, CMHO

“We have a couple teas from Andor, but we’re all out of the coova,” Cerinn said. She turned and leaned back, gazing down the long hallway that ran into the back of the store. “Hey, Raf?”

A tall Human male with dark hair and deep tan skin. He took in their guests and gave a small smile. “Hello, Ma’a… Eela,” he said, shaking his head slightly at how awkward that still sounded.

Dasca grinned. “Hello, Raf. Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it.” She certainly didn’t expect the first name out in public as they were, but it was nice that he wanted to carry on that bit of rapport they had built at the memorial.

“Probably not,” he countered with a laugh.

Cerinn watched the exchange with curiosity, knowing only pieces of the situation. She gestured to Mika. “Tandra here was looking for an Andorian tea. I know we’re all out of the Andorian coova. Are we getting more in?”

“We’re expecting a new shipment in a couple of days,” Torres said, turning to Tandra. “If you really like coova, I’d recommend our sya tea, which has a similar flavour profile, but almost comes off a bit more creamy and sweet. It’s from Corus Three. Otherwise, the Andorian tea we have right now is the keff. Still really lovely, but a different taste entirely to the coova.”

~Eela & Co.

Mika nodded. “I can try that one.” She smiled one of her old friendly smiles. “I’m not picky, I promise.” She said. Then she turned to Eela, “When they do get it back in, you should try it. It’s surprisingly good and leaves a pleasant chill in your mouth.”

~ Mika, CMHO

Rafael nodded and then gave Eela sort of a half bow of his head. She reciprocated before he slipped away. Eela shifted her attention to Tandra. “That sounds quite interesting. I look forward to giving a try.” She paid for their drinks and moved down to the other end of the counter to wait as Cerinn worked on their order.

“Do you like to read?” Eela asked her.

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Mika stood next to Eela, her back to the wall. She was trying to stay focused on Eela, but she kept watching everyone else that was there instead. “Oh, yeah, I read a lot.” She replied. “Some fantasy and stuff, for fun, but really I read a lot of medical texts and survival medicine type stuff.”

~ Mika, CMHO