You amble southwards to the infirmary.
Lounging at his desk, the newest addition to Fort's Healer compliment also seems to be the least busy.
Ilesyn wastes no time in her entrance to the infirmary; her steps are hurried as she makes her way towards the first healer she sees - Rhys, as it happens - to query, "As a healer, am I allowed to just physical myself? It isn't as though I don't know what I'm looking for, and it will save precious time, surely." She slouches, lounging back upon her heels to wait for a response. She's still, notably, not wearing a candidate's knot.
Rhys look up, a bit confused before he recognizes Ilesyn - if by reputation only. "Well, no, you ought to know that." He replies amiably enough. "But since you know what you're doing, it ought to go much faster. Are you free now, Journeyman?"
"Of course I /know/ that," gripes Ilesyn, twisting her fingers into her pockets somewhat-- uncomfortably? Unusual. "I just hoped that we might waive the requirement, since I'm not actually going to be Impressing, or anything." Expelling a long breath of air, she nods. "Fine, whatever."
"If it makes you feel any better, I won't be requiring the pelvic exam." Rhys offers as reassurance., then chuckles. "I'd like to know you a little better before we try any of /that/."
Ilesyn's expression remains bland. "Not at all. I was actually rather looking forward to that one." There's a sarcastically sweet smile, there, as the Mindhealer turns upon her heels, heading towards one of the cots off to one side, sitting down.
"Entirely up to you, my lady." Rhys chuckles again as he unfolds himself from the chair, meandering in Ilesyn's general direction. Seemingly accidentally, his stride takes him past the chart rack, where he grabs a blank one and a stylus. "Any headaches, unusual dizziness or laziness, accidental swelling of the ego or anything else commonly assiciated with candidacy, madam Mindhealer?"
Ilesyn's eyes roll, as she makes herself at home - boots, somewhat dirty, placed upon the cot's sheet, as she leans back against the pillow. "No," she answers, quite simply.
"Well, good." Rhys plops into the chair beside the bed, feet also propped on the clean sheets. Seemingly, he's content to let his questions be answered, rather than do an actual examination. "Height seems fine, weight is... Satisfactory. My name is Rhys, by the way. AndI know you as Ilesyn, by reputation only. Is that correct?" Stylus is poised over chart for only a moment before he goes on. "Do you seem healthy to yourself, Ilesyn? Any trouble running or swimming, intolerance for extreme weather, or the like?... You know the routine. Actually, you may not. I'm a Minimalist, you see - first of that official capacity to walk the tables, as I understand. I'd be happy to explain the tenets, if you're interested..."
"Only satisfactory? You aren't going to tell me to go and diet, or start eating more?" Ilesyn drawls her responses, crossing one ankle over the other as she turns her head to regard Rhys levelly. "I'd say pleased to meet you, but I'm not, particularly. Your minimalism strikes me as curious. What made you decide to follow this path? Why?" A shake of her head seems to answer the rest of the questions.
Unperturbed, Rhys continues. "Absolutely no reason you should be. PHysicals are miserable - as you well know. And Minimalism is an inventoion of Master Chiles. Providing maximum observation and minimal intervention.. Basically letting nature take its course."
Ilesyn's lips are drawn into a wide, lazy smile - toothless, of course. "Indeed, I should. I'm usually the one making the candidates miserable. Does it amuse you, too, the way most of them screw up into a ball and get defensive, when one queries if they're sexually active?" Her head is tilted to the side, somewhat thoughtfully, as she nods. "It sounds interesting. Not something that I could follow such a thing - I firmly believe, at least in Mindhealing, that intervention is important."
Rhys laughs. "Most anyone will do that, Ilesyn. Natural modesty /does/ seem to run rampant. " Another mark is checked off, and he continues. "Minimalism would, I agree, not be very effective in the mindhealing specialty. It isn't much good in Emergency, either. Gross physical injuries are treated, of course, but without the unnecesary fellis and numbweed. Not to say that /none/ is involved, but modern Healing wastes entirely too much of our resources on such things. There is a certain amount of pain that the human body is naturally capable of handling. Chiles has written a very interesting scroll on the subject that I'd be happy to loan you."
"It's a shame," drawls Ilesyn, still lazy. "That's true. I can imagine it would be a downright difficult thing to keep hold off, in emergency healing. Quite-- uncomfortable." She tilts her head forward again, noting, "I would find that fascinating, indeed."
Rhys grins, shifting one booted foot over the other. "It is - very much so. I was drawn in by it. Didn't approve at first, you know. Someone unfamiliar with Healing might consider it cruel, but really the concept is... Fascinating. And frugal, which we need when one cosiders the number of competent Healers on Pern in comparison to the number of uncareful people. Also the fact that harvesting numbweed is /miserable/." Suddenly discovering himself complaining, Rhys drops his feet to the floor and sits up. "Well, shall we get to it? I'm sure we're both busy people."
Ilesyn's head shakes, rapidly - as if she's somewhat confused, which is certainly not a usual expression upon her face. "Oh. Well-- all right. Yes, we are, and--" she nods her head again, quickly. "Uh, thanks."
"Certainly." Rhys smiles, close-lipped. "It's not often that I can discuss my Craft with an equally knowledgable person. Being the first of my class, I'm a bit of a pariah, you know." He avoids looking at his fellow Healer for a moment, busying himself with preparing instruments before offering suddenly. "I'd love to get together with you after the Hatching, to discuss it further."
Ilesyn draws herself to her feet again, actually smiling - genuinely. "I can understand your position. Many refuse to understand Mindhealing, as well. It can be a lonely occupation. I would very much enjoy sharing a discussion with you, after the hatching."
"Excellent." Rhys turns back around, having relaxed another notch and answering with an equally genuine smile. "And this'll only take a few minutes, as you know." And the physical beings....
Posted by Louise at January 29, 2003 04:54 PM