Topic: The Surest Cure for Vanity

Darien Fenner

Date: 2009-08-03 16:31 EST
The infamous Aussie reporter eyed the vibrant, thriving collection of towers that was Riverview Clinic dubiously as he delayed outside, the quiet engine of his black Suzuki Hayabusa sportbike purring between his legs. This was a hospital" It looked about as welcoming as a bed and breakfast from the outside— but maybe that just had to do with the over-abundance of flowers out front. Darien wasn't a big fan of flowers. They made every yard look like a disorganized finger panting, and the acute perfume always gave him a headache. Just as these thoughts processed, an orderly pushed a wheelchair-bound, baby-faced adolescent boy through the doors the journo was hesitant to enter. The burly employee gave Darien a skeptical look as the Aussie dismounted and pulled the key out of the motorcycle's ignition. After setting the bike up on the sidewalk and nudging out the kickstand, the journalist sauntered in to the reception area and tugged off his helmet. He felt immediately at home as he watched a gaggle of nurses hurry by (to those he flashed his most debonair smile). Employing that confident swagger, he made a beeline for the front desk, where a vision appeared to be busying herself a little too thoroughly in filing. He peeked at the receptionist and grinned wolfishly, vying for her attention.

"Mornin", gorgeous," he sung, exaggerating that Australian accent as he was won't to do in the company of good-looking women.

"Wonder if ya c"n help me. I need to get in contact with a Dr. Ryan, and I need to talk to Doc Maranya's assistant— something about a tour, yeh?"

He paused, smoldering at the receptionist. A scandalous smile crossed his face. "And then I'd like to ask what a stunning sheila like yourself is doing with her nose in a book, and not looking down a catwalk.?

Maranya Valkonan

Date: 2009-08-05 18:09 EST
The middle aged red haired receptionist regarded the tall, scruffily handsome dark haired and aquamarine eyed man with professional calm. Though a bit of amusement did spark in her blue-gray eyes at the lavish compliments he doled out to her. "I do hope you can afford butter, sir, with the way you are spreading it around so freely," she declared primly.

Phyllia tapped on the keyboard, and consulted her flatscreen monitor a moment. "Doctor Ryan is on rounds, and Miss Chirikova is currently in conference with Doctor Valkonan. Would you like me to page them for you?" she asked pleasantly.

Darien Fenner

Date: 2009-08-06 17:25 EST
"Ah well, ya know what they say, love. Praise does wonders for our sense of "earing!" he replied with a gruff chuckle.

Setting both elbows up on that front desk, Darien innocently propped his stubbled chin on his forearms. Not once since he had entered did that roughish smile leave his face. He would argue that as long as his pad was in his pocket, he could behave however it suited him. On a related note, the journo was pleasantly reminded every few moments that the Riverview staff— as consistent with all things Rhy"Din— was teeming with good-looking individuals. As such, it was more difficult than it should have been to maintain a businesslike politesse. He managed, however scandalously so, and mournfully rose to his full height following the receptionist's deflection of his compliment.

"That'd be "rippa, gorgeous. After the tour, ya think your cha"ming self could put me in touch with Doctor Stas Ryan?"

Stas Ryan

Date: 2009-08-06 20:47 EST
Stas took a lean against the nurse's station, dressed in his mauve colored scrubs, surgical cap still upon his head. The pen held in his hand, the end being chewed on as he read through the chart that lay upon the counter. Pen dipped down as he initialed here, signed there. The case had went fairly well, even if the delivery was a bit of a surprise.

Hours before, as he led the students through the construction zone of the new wing, Stas pointed out key points of interest. Where the nurses station would be, registration, triage, patient's rooms; private and semi-private, linen closets, everything. Stas could see it all. But the students just saw metal frame upon metal frame, dust on concrete floor that tracked their foot prints.

When they got back to the ob unit, the students took their lunch breaks. Stas was about to do the same when his beeper went off. "Coming!" He yelled down the hall as he rushed to the nurses station. The nurse already had the chart waiting for him, holding it out. He grabbed it and rushed quickly to the room indicated.

When he entered the room, Bedlam was already ensuing. The expectant mother was standing upright in the stirrups, screaming at her husband who was trying to coax her down from such heights. "You did this to me!" She screamed and cried. There were three nurses surrounding her, as well as two orderlies. The husband was pale, shaking and very distraught. "Please, Meg, calm down. Please come down from there, they can give you medicine. It'll help." His voice was squeaky and nervous. And, to which the wife replied. "Piss off!" And screamed a string of expletives that even the orderlies blushed at.

Stas paused as the door closed behind him. He couldn't help but chuckle at the scene being played out before him. With a shake of his head, he pushed through the crowd and looked up at the patient. "Meg, lay down. I see the baby's head. Wouldn't want to drop him from that far, would you?" His hand reached up to take hers.

Meg looked absolutely horrified and with the help of the others, lay back down on the bed. Stas merely smiled with a nod and the delivery continued, without a hitch. Stas was even beginning to clean himself up when Meg let out a blood curdling scream. "Not again!"

Stas rushed over and peered down. His jaw dropped and he nearly laughed. "How'd I miss that?" His hand reached up to rub Meg's belly and he coaxed her to push. She didn't have to struggle as much and out came a baby girl, smooth and slick and easy. "Well hello there." He smiled and handed the infant over to the nurse. "Congratulations." He watched the new parents, grinning at the wide eyed stare as their daughter was taken off to be with her brother. "What?"

He left the delivery room and walked to the nurses station. He was filling out that chart when he heard the page on the overhead speaker. Signing the last of page, he closed the chart and handed it to the nurse. "Keep an eye out for post partum. They're both going to be a bit overwhelmed for a while. Make sure she's up within the hour." Pushing off of the counter, he gave the nurse a grin before he turned to start walking. His shift had ended. Only the matter at the receptionist's desk was left to deal with.

As he exited the elevator, he saw the man flirting with Phyllia. He eyed him suspiciously then turned his head. "Hey Phyl, what?s up?"

Darien Fenner

Date: 2009-08-08 15:42 EST
The journo turned his aquamarine gaze on Stas and gave him an appraising look as soon as he addressed the receptionist.

"Well I'll be stuffed," he proclaimed, giving his whiskery chin a good scratch. "If I didn't know any "betta" Dr. Stas Ryan, I presume?" He extended his hand to give the bloke's a firm shake.

"Darien Fenner, mate. Damn glad to meetcha. Wonder if I could "ave a yabba with you a hot sec. I'm doin" a piece on Riverview for the Rhy"Din Post, and if you've got the time, I'd like to interview ya. Could we set somethin" up?"

Stas Ryan

Date: 2009-08-08 19:50 EST
As the reporter spoke, Stas took a lazy lean against the counter and smiled for Phyl. He was trying to reassure her in that smile. Then cold blue eyes set upon the reporter. Hand was extended and he nodded. Really, the man spoke so fast and said things that Stas could barely understand.

"An interview would be fine, but I'd like for the PR officer to be present. I'm sure you don't mind?" He didn't want to say anything, especially in light of the current scandals, that could possibly damage the clinic's reputation further. It would be his first interview, as a professional, and he wanted everything just so. He knew that by having Siv there, that's how it would be.

Stas twirled that chewed up pen in his hand for a moment before bringing the end up to rest between his teeth. He thought about it for a moment, then shrugged. "You know, I've got some time right now." Turning to Phyl, he gave her a warm smile. "Tell Siv that I'm going to be in exam one and to join me if she gets the chance?" A wink and then he pushes off of the counter.

Turning back to the reporter, he gave a firm nod. "Follow me, and please, if you're here to gather smut or dirt on the clinic, you can find somebody else. Won't get it from me."

Maranya Valkonan

Date: 2009-08-11 18:53 EST
"Of course, Doctor Ryan," Phyllia answered, and smoothly turned to perform that task. Inwardly, she applauded the young man's loyalty to Riverview.

The receptionist turned back to address the pair. "Miss Cyredghymn will be with you shortly. If you will excuse me, please." She returned to her duties with the grace of a duchess.