Julia Hadn’t Meant To Fall Asleep In The On-call Room, Really She Hadn’t, But What She Had Intended

“You didn’t read them?” Julia had a surprised look on her face but she really shouldn’t be because that was the pot very much calling the kettle black. The amount of books she’d borrowed from libraries in the past but not even opened was numerous, and it wasn’t because she didn’t have good intentions when she got them. Simply that life tended to get in the way, especially if they were fiction books rather than something attributed to medicine or something she was specifically working on. Sensing the uncertainty coming from her she nodded in agreement instead of prying further, giving the other a small smile. “I’m sure - I head that is quite common among writers.” She doubted parroting that would be of any reassurance but it happened anyway. “Would you look at that, I think we’ve decided what your next purchase is going to be. Some call it a grocery bag, you call it a Circe bag. It’s flexible for ones needs.” 

A shrug of her shoulders in regards to what she was specifically looking for, pressing her lips together silently for a second. “There is a case I’m working on at the moment is a child with Adrenoleukodystrophy, it’s not something I’ve personally worked with before so although I know the facts from medical school I wanted to come and do some more reading on it incase there is anything I’ve missed. Are you staying a while?” She asked, referring to the library. @ofzahras

"I guess you're partially right. I just wish I had actually read these instead of just hauling them home and now bringing them right back." Obviously no one knew - or cared - that she hadn't even cracked open most of the books, but the shame was palpable nonetheless. The shame seemed to be her constant companion, increasingly so ever since her brain had decided it no longer wanted to partake in any additional reading or writing. The feeling only grew as she thought about future deadlines and word counts, the threat of falling behind making her sick to her stomach. "I am sure it's just a writer's block," she muttered, mostly to herself, before snorting in amusement. "See, I like where your head's at. I could smuggle Circe everywhere and become the ultimate cat lady."

A realisation lit up Zahra's face as Julia admitted she was only heading in. She laughed, shaking her head softly. "Ah, there you go. It's good to know some things don't change. Are you looking for anything in particular?"

“Oh well that makes sense, especially in New York I guess. I’m not sure how many cabs would let you in with a cat on the loose so at least with her in a pram thing you can just walk there or get the underground.” If it wasn’t raining and Julia was in that position she would one hundred percent walk so as to avoid the hell of New York’s subway. Useful, sure. Pleasant? Never. “She’d be meowing at everyone you walk past. I was on instagram the other day doomscrolling because I couldn’t sleep and this account came up about this guy who rides around with his cat in the basket of his bicycle. This fluffy white thing that just sits there and looks around - it was actually kind of adorable in a wildly impractical way.” 

Following the other towards the returns she listened as she spoke about not being tempted to pick up any medical books, understanding the concept of having different interests but the idea of walking into that section of a library without taking something home with you entirely alien to her. “I’m sure you would understand more than you give yourself credit for. I mean of course the terms are complex if you don’t know what they mean I guess - that is quite specific. Plus when they delve into more detailed specifications…” She trailed off, putting the bag of books down onto the floor once they arrived at the returns desk. @ofzahras

It was a relief how Julia seemed to understand exactly what she was going through and didn't ask any awkward follow up questions. Their careers were evidently very different but there were similarities as well. The constant need to learn more and keep researching even when that was the last thing you wanted to do. Zahra truly appreciated Julia's company in that moment, glad she had ran into her.

"Oh yeah. I thought it would be useful if I had to take her to the vet or something. She's not the smallest of cats so carrying her isn't exactly fun," she explained. Her face seemed to lit up as she talked about Circe and the corners of the mouth twitched towards a smile. "But I've been too embarrassed to use it. She's real loud, too, so I'm sure no one would think I had an actual baby in there." That being said, Zahra would undoubtedly change her mind the moment she saw someone else prancing around with their cat in a stroller.

She nodded eagerly, clearly delighted by the prospect of accomplishing something small yet meaningful. "Absolutely. Sounds good," she agreed, already heading towards the returns. "It's ideal, really. I doubt I will be too tempted to pick up any medical books. Wouldn't understand most of it. The Latin and Greek I studied wouldn't get me very far with those terms."

It was incredibly rare for someone to be this sweet out of nowhere, plus she had just come off a long shift, so sentences weren’t coming easily to her either way. It was an embarrassment really and Julia internally chastised herself for that. At least her name was something she could get a solid grasp on. “Julia, nice to meet you Sebastian.” Thank you, for this, it’s really very kind of you. What inspired this?”  @sebastianxwinters

Sebastian looked over at her and she was failing to complete a simple sentence. That just proved how rare it was for someone to do something nice around here. Maybe that's how Sebastian was going to receive forgiveness for the horrible things he had been doing lately. As she ordered her drink, Sebastian then spoke to the barista, "Sebastian." He said and then handed over his card and then stepped to the side before looking back at the other woman slightly, "The name is Sebastian. What about yourself?" He asked her. @doctorjuliasato

If anyone else had told her that everything was okay, the child was in a good place, the parents were happy, she probably would have double checked herself but hearing that from Rhys allowed Julia to believe it. To let out the tension she’d been holding in her chest even during sleep to give him a smile, nodding her head. “Okay, alright great, thank you. I guess that means we need to have a drink to celebrate your handiwork and I can set it to one side until I check on her in the morning.” Knowing full well she’d be in at least an hour before her shift started in order to check in on patients before she was pulled to all directions by emergencies. “That works, give me five.” Holding up five fingers before heading off towards the locker room to collect her stuff. 

Throwing on her civvies in record time Julia looked at her hairbrush in the locker considering pulling through her hair really quickly, but then deciding against it. Instead just making her way to the front of the hospital where Rhys was waiting for her, feeling a little more relaxed than before. Which for her was saying something since Julia was never truly relaxed at all. “Where do you fancy tonight? My drinking future is in your hands.” @tctteredwings

Shit indeed, Rhys thought, but he didn't voice it, instead he merely nodded his head and offered her an encouraging smile. They'd all done it every once in a while, it came with the territory, especially so if you adored your job, if it meant absolutely everything to you. It did to him, it did to Julia, he'd known that the moment he met her. "Well her parents are bouncing off the walls with happiness right now, so you're off the hook," he answered her kindly. "You can relax. For tonight, at least." At her words, he shook his head, shrugging it off —- all in a day's work. He'd never really accepted compliments all that well. As she gathered herself once again, agreeing to join him for a drink, he nodded his head. "Okay, you go change, grab your stuff and I'll meet you outside in ten? That work?" he queried with a smile.

This was frustrating Julia no end, she couldn’t get the lines to go where she wanted them to, and the ability to allow artistic flair to take ahold of her was something she found totally impossible. She’d spent almost as much time erasing lines as she had drawing them, the whole while a small frown line between her eyebrows as she beavered away. The woman could feel Audi’s eyes moving onto her every so often but she didn’t do the same, instead drawing the face she knew as well as her own, from memory. Her bottom lip had been pulled between her teeth as she hummed under her breath without realising she was doing it. A sign of concentration. When words were finally spoken however, she looked up, coming back into the room in a slight daze. The sweet, compassionate words that came from the other were something she herself found difficult, expressing emotion verbally, but she knew it was reciprocated which was why there was no pressure to do so. “I don’t think I’m going to have done any better so as long as you agree to grant me forgiveness before I let you see this, then I’m happy to do the same for you.” Leaning forward she took the picture, swapping it with her own so her own shame could be revealed. “I mean, I had no idea my head was that shape but I really like the top you’ve put me in…” Julia laughed a little as she took in what was before her, still thinking it was head and shoulders better than her own. “I didn’t even get to colouring, did you know you have a very hard nose to draw? It’s so…specific.” Taking things far to seriously as per usual. 

status:  closed, ft. julia. ( @drjuliarebeiro ) location:  aurea's apartment in the bronx. when:  late night. 

   SHE'S DEEP IN CONCENTRATION, EYES BOUNCING back and forth between her sheet of paper and julia as she completes the final touches. according to the card she pulled, they're to draw each other's portraits and, well, it's safe to say that audi did the world a favour by choosing to pursue writing as her art form.  ❝  juls. my kind, loving, beautiful soul sister. let me preface this by saying i swear i didn't use this sleepover as an excuse to insult you. hell, i didn't mean to insult you at all, but...  ❞   her words dissolve into a fit of laughter when she looks back to her drawing,   ❝  blame my hands, okay! they only ever wanna do what they're told when i'm cooking and, truthfully, even that's a sometimes sorta deal. like, seriously. julienne cuts are easy, so why. why! do they refuse to do them? ...yeah, yeah, i know. let's just rip the bandaid off.  ❞   she uses a hand to cover her face with another laugh before her other one offers her guest the artwork, a portrait that looks like it belongs in jason rekulak's hidden pictures as one of the five year old's horror drawings, face down. she peeks through her fingers with a sheepish grin,   ❝  at least my colouring is pretty, right?  ❞

Pressure wasn’t something Julia nor Rhys were unfamiliar with but that was part of the reason why they needed these moments to kind of let go. Not in any kind of wild way, just step away from the hospital and responsibilities that came with their roles to be…well…people. Not doctors for a couple of hours. Not with the weight of the world on their shoulders. Letting out a weighted sigh she shrugged, a half smile on her face. “Living the dream, right?” Was Julia’s response as she zipped her hoodie up, not that it was cold but she’d only just woken up from a nap which meant there was a slight chill running through her. 

“Rhys, I’ve spent all day having to be confidant in my decisions, you think I’m going to stop now with something this crucial?” She joked, shoving her hands in her pocket as they headed down the sidewalk, pursing her lips as the new question was posed, considering. “Just drinking I think. If there is too much music involved I might end up with a headache, and not an alcohol related one. I don’t mean like no music playing, I just don’t really fancy live music.” She answered candidly, used to being required to make decisions quickly so at least this wasn’t alien to her.  @tctteredwings

Once Julia had agreed and headed off to get changed, Rhys slowly made his way outside the front of the hospital, finding an empty bench and taking a moment to check his phone. It had been a long day, one with very little time to sit down and relax, several intense surgeries had taken up the majority of his time, along with talking to families and organising his team. There were days when he wondered how he actually dealt with it, but thankfully on those where all things went right, it made it easier to keep on going. He did love his job, after all. Hearing his colleague's voice as she made her way outside to join him, he flashed a smile and got back to his feet again. "All good?" he queried, face brightening at seeing her. He had to laugh a little at her words, though, shaking his head in response at first but already beginning to walk. "You sure you're confident in that decision?" More laughter although he was already working through the options in his head. "In the mood for some music as well or are we just drinking?" An important decision that needed to be addressed before he settled on somewhere.

“I probably wouldn’t like to be shut in a cage only to be let out when I get to a doctor, and I’d know, I’m literally a doctor I know the terrible people we really are.” Julia gave Zahra a small smile, because she wasn’t exaggerating. She knew what they did was to help but sometimes the invasive ways they were forced to do it in order to get the best results. “It’s honestly very adorable, it is always a pick me up when I feel like everything is getting on top of me a bit too much. I’m not a big instagram person but I can’t deny that it has its positive sides.” A small shrug, her follow list was selective for that exact reason. 

Waiting patiently, and quietly, for the other to finish returning her books she gave the librarian a polite smile before turning towards the direction of the section she had specifically come for. “Well…there is a lot of information involved that’s for sure. I’ve been doing it for ten years and there is still so much I need to learn. Not to mention look up specifically when the medical issue arises.” Motioning to exactly what they were doing right now as they headed up the steps to the second floor of the library. “Did you ever have ambitions to follow any other kind of career path rather than the one you’ve gone with?” She asked with genuine interest. She'd been forced into hers, but so many others got the luxury of choosing. @ofzahras

"Yeah, that's what I was thinking. It'd be way easier than trying to trick her into her carrier and then try and carry her around. She does not like it one bit and I can't blame her." Despite her efforts, Circe despised the very sight of her carrier and would run and hide the moment Zahra pulled it out. She had of course splurged on the nicest, most comfortable one on the market but Circe did not seem to appreciate the luxury and would've most likely preferred to be carried in a food delivery bag. Her eyes grew wide as Julia described the account she had found. A delighted burst of laughter. "Really? I definitely need to check that out. Sounds like a dream, just a guy and his cat riding a bike."

Returning the books was blessedly an easy ordeal, and Zahra could at least congratulate herself on getting the haul back before any late fees had managed to materialise. She had managed to accomplish something that day and felt better for it. "Oh, I don't know. I love a good fun fact or a useless piece of information but medicine? Don't think I have the brain capacity for that." That being said, she was always eager to learn new things and could imagine far worse ways to spend an afternoon. "Lead the way."

Julia nodded at the mention of not thinking about actually working here, but the sad reality was a lot of their patients were here for a while - and there would be something to be said for them being able to have help with their schoolwork from a friendly face. “You can of course leave them around for parents who are just bringing their children in for outpatient treatment or shorter stays, but if you were up for doing some work with out more long term patients that would also be an attractive prospect for us.” It was true their parents were dealing with big hospital bills (something Julia took great issue with but had no control over) but at the same time she didn’t feel right in this woman not getting paid either. “Well perhaps there is some way we could work out a reduced rate for patients, after all it’s not fair that you don’t get paid for your work.” 

“Charlie, lovely to meet you, I’m Doctor Julia Sato.” Glancing down at the pamphlet where sure enough it stated Charlie’s name where she pointed. As for the anxiety it was understandable, a lot of people found hospitals anxiety inducing, which is why she gave her what she hoped was a reassuring smile. “It’s understandable, but there is really no need to be anxious. I know hospitals can be stressful but I promise we don’t bite.” @callmecharliejones

"I do up to ages about, um ten? eleven? and I... actually haven't thought about working here." Charlie said nodding at the doctor curiously but of course kids that had long stays at the hospital might need some help keeping up with school. Even though they shouldn't, they probably had enough to deal with if they were ill. "Oh but I can't possibly charge for that, honestly. That'd be heartless, right? They're ill, their parents probably have too much on their mind already." She pouted to herself, already feeling sad about the whole situation but wanting to do it anyway.

She looked up at the other and gave her a small smile. "Sorry, I'm Charlie." She pointed at the pamphlet in the doctor's hand. "And I'm way too sensitive and terrible with hospitals. And when I'm anxious, I can't stop talking. Nice to meet you."

Julia sort of regretted going to the festival as soon as she got there, she thought it would be good for her to get out and be among other people but really the noise and crowds was just increasing her stress levels. She had a drink in her hand that was rapidly being drunk just to help loosen her up a bit, wandering over to the lawn games in the hope it might be a bit calmer there than near the main stage. Puzzles were something she’d done since she was a kid, very encouraged in the Sato household as a problem solving activity, not that they were ever fun brightly coloured ones. In fact the main beast she remembered from childhood was one that was entirely blue - all one shade, it had taken her two months to complete. This was jenga though - she wasn’t as well versed in that. “What about this one?” Moving round to where there was one block that technically might be possible to remove without the whole thing tumbling down. “As long as you take it from the right side so as not to throw off the balance with the movements. Plus if it fell then it would fall away from you, not towards.” @expirednostalgia

STATUS: closed for @doctorjuliasato / @collinsappsley / @rowanelodie (whichever muse you prefer)

LOCATION: Puzzles Lawn Games

With the way Miguel carried himself throughout the whole festival, one would have thought someone forced him to be there, and they would sort of be right. He did pretty much force himself to come out to the festival for at least one day seeing as though he already had the day off and could definitely use a break from his very uninteresting usual schedule of work and strictly going out for the sake of his kid rather than actually doing something for himself. In an attempt to actually enjoy himself, or maybe just get time to pass quicker, he found himself partaking in one of the lawn games Puzzles had set up. "I'm beginning to think there aren't any safe blocks left to pull and I might just have to accept defeat on this one." He commented as he carefully examined the giant Jenga tower in front of the pair.

Julia smiled softly, understanding the issue being described because she’d been there herself - more times than she’d care to admit because you’d think she’d have learnt her session after the first. “We’ve all been there.” As they headed into the vast library Julia was relieved to feel the familiar wash of calm the old building brought with it. A place that housed so much knowledge with no expectations on it apart from that you feasted to your hearts content, she could slip away in here for hours on end. Reading while the outside pressures melted away until it was time to walk back out the doors again. “You have a cat stroller for her? Oh my goodness, I’ve only ever actually seen those used on television. Is it common for people to take their cats out for walks? I thought they were more inside pets. Especially in the city.” Not that she’d ever had one, though they were very cute and occasionally the thought had crossed her mind to keep her company in the times she wasn’t at the hospital, before she remembered that those hours were extensive and it wasn’t really conducive to looking after a pet. 

The offer of help was one she’d happy accept though, enjoying Zahra’s presence because it felt like they had a lot in common, even if the information they’d shared with each other was limited. It was just a sense the doctor got. “I’d love that, thank you. Why don’t we put yours all back in for return and then we can head up to the medical section?” Her voice lowering as they were now in the confines of the library. @ofzahras

"Not all of them, no. I guess I bit off more than I could chew. Thought I would save myself a few library trips, you know. Didn't really think what would happen when I had to return all of them." She had always been bit of a book hoarder, most comfortable when she knew the information she might need was within arm's reach, but she had previously also been able to take pride in being a fast, motivated reader with the ability to get lost in text even if she wasn't particularly interested in the subject. She had tried to get back to that routine, often re-reading books or research papers she had already deemed fascinating in one way or another, but the results had been less than satisfactory. She knew talking about it with someone might ease the shame, but unfortuntaly Zahra had never great at that. Still, she appreciated this little chat with Julia, especially since it allowed her to gush about her beloved cat. "I have to admit if I already got a cat stroller for her but I am still trying to figure out if I'm confident enough to take it out for a spin. Might garner some weird looks."

Her head tilted to the side as Julia explained what she was looking for. "Oh? I see. I'm not doing anything at the moment if you need help finding some books," she offered, hopeful to pass a few minutes with a clear goal in mind. "It sounds interesting. I'm sure you'll do great."