Magius (magius) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-05-18 16:45:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, anya corazon (spider-girl), magius |
We got a cat, and he's gonna propose to mom. Harry, not the cat.
Who: Doctor Magius and Corazon Mallory
Where: the clinic
What: A checkup, and a talk
When: Recently
Warnings/Rating: PG
Status complete
Doctor Magius smiled as he entered the room, getting it ready for the next patient. This was one he was fond of, as he was of most of his patients. Cora Mallory had been born before his eyes, and had grown before his eyes, and he had been her doctor the whole time. And he was glad to hear she was doing well.
Elaine and Cora were good people and so was their third, the recently discovered father, Harry Dresden. Magius was glad to be able to help them all, and today, he hoped the young girl’s checkup simply yielded normal results.
Everything was in a bit of a disarray and he moved into the next room, his small office, closing the door, and spending a few moments setting aside his most recently finished sword, which would need to go home soon, and was wrapped in leather now on his desk. It took him a few minutes, but he listened for the aide, and when he was told Cora was in the room and ready, he headed in.
Cora was sitting on the examining table, swinging her legs as she waited for Dr. Magius, whose name had always made her think of magic, and the three wise men. She wasn’t scared of visiting the doctor--after all, she’d known him all her life, and he was a nice doctor. He’d helped her and her mom a lot.
She smiled as he came into the room, giving him a happy little wave. “Hi, doctor! How are you?”
Magius smiled to her. “Hello, Corazon. I'm well. How are you today?” He settled to a stool in front of her, giving her the five over with his eyes and ears. No odd sounds, no different looks. She looked and sounded healthy. “Any complaints or problems?”
“I’m okay,” she said, “Kind of sore from dancing and soccer practice, but no bruises.” She smiled as she watched him. “What are we gonna do today?”
“Just a check-up, reflexes, breathing, sight and hearing. Nothing big, but we like to make sure these things are tested every few months for someone your age.” He smiled gently to her. “Open your mouth and say ah, please?” He checked her teeth and tonsils, and her tongue, then nodded, moving around to check her ears. “How are your mom and dad?”
Cora dutifully stuck out her tongue--enjoying that part far too much. She'd brushed and scrubbed from head to toe, so she wouldn't be gross, and Elaine had candled her ears during cold and flu season so hopefully those were clean on the inside, too. At least as clean as ears could get. "They're good. We got a cat, and he's gonna propose to mom. Harry, not the cat."
Magius studied her and nodded. “Yes, well, I could think so. It would be awkward the other way around.” Magius smiled as he knelt and bopped her knees gently, testing her reflexes. “Do you like cats? No allergies?”
“Nope, no allergies,” she said, giggling. She always thought it was funny how her legs would kick out all on their own when he tapped the tendon. “I like Mister. He’s a good cat.”
“Good.” He smiled at her, and tapped her elbows for a simple check. “Good.” He raised an eyebrow. “Mister, huh? Has he had his shots and licensing done?”
“That was the name he came home with,” Cora said, nodding. “He has tags. I think Harry will take him to the vet when it’s time for his checkup.” She was pretty sure other Harry took care of that regularly. “Or mom and I will, if Harry is busy.”
“Makes sense. I believe there is a good veterinarian a little ways away. A Doctor Anders. He is good, if odd, and the best people are usually odd.” Magius nodded and did a couple more tests before sitting back. “Now, anything else to talk about? It’s been a little while since we last had a chance.” He moved to wash his hands and nudged the door to his office open on accident. It was enough to show the sword hanging in the open sheath, in his office.
Corazon shrugged, uncertain as to whether or not she could talk about Dream things with Dr. Magius. She glanced around the room, catching a glimpse through the doorway. She wasn’t meaning to spy, but she couldn’t help noticing the sword. “Cool! Is that a real sword or just a decorative one?”
Magius smiled as he looked up. “A real one. I am a metalsmith. I make, among other things, swords. If I show it to you, will you promise to not try to touch the blade?” He would trust her good behavior to a point.
"I promise," she said. She might not have any experience with weapons, but she knew how to handle the kitchen knives, and sewing scissors. Tools and weapons were to be treated with respect. Besides, when a doctor told you not to do something, you had better not do it!
Magius went into his office and pulled the harness holding it down and then brought it into the exam room, slowly unsheathing it and holding it across his palms. “It’s a hand sword, also called a short sword, designed to be used in close combat, and can be moved swifter than longer and more formal swords.” It was burnished to a high sheen, and polished and edged so the sharp edge gleamed in the light.
Corazon folded her hands in her lap to show she wouldn’t touch, her eyes big and round as she admired the place. “It’s beautiful,” she said, “In a kind of frightening way.” Seeing swords in movies was different from seeing one up close.
Magius nodded. “As it should be. A weapon is not for show, not for claiming, but for use. It should never be unsheathed save for the reason it was made, save in such a setting as this.” He slid it away again and hung it up. “Weapons are made for battle, for defense and for killing. Always remember that you should not use a weapon for play. Nor pick it up, if you are not willing to use it.” He nodded to her.
Cora nodded, taking it all in. Her grandfather had a hunting rifle, and he’d said something similar when she had watched him clean it in the fall. And she’d had the Responsibility dreams, where Spider-man and Miguel had explained things to Arana. She supposed, someday, Arana’s weapons might show up in the red backpack along with her uniform, and she’d have to decide if she was willing to train with them in earnest--and suddenly, she felt a stab of reluctance to grow up quite so soon.
Saving the world was exciting in theory, but Nate and Billy and Harry all seemed to wind up getting hurt--or worried about the people close to them getting hurt. And that was a heavy burden for an eight-year-old to try and shoulder.
Magius saw her look and moved to her, then, as he had done a few times before, he hugged her, gently. “It will be well, Cora. Life can be terrible, sometimes, but if we choose to remember, if we choose to be us and not let go of hope, and of love, we will find that joy comes even in the darkest moments.” He nodded to her.
She nodded, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. Her friends and family would be okay. They were all working together to make sure of that. Someday, Nate would be bulletproof, and her mom and dad would learn how to balance each other’s magicks. And Cora would be herself.
“Now, For being a very good little lady today, I have this for you.” He handed her a gift certificate to a local kid’s eating place for five dollars, a new promotion that had been donated to the clinic. A useful tool of reward for kids and youngsters, Magius was glad to use them.
“Now, we can head out and say hello to your mom anytime you like.” He nodded.
“Thank you!” She said, hugging him, and sliding down from the table. It was always fun to go out to eat with her mom and dad, and this would be a good excuse! Not that she needed one besides, ‘Dad, can we...’
Magius nodded and turned to lead her out to the lobby. It had been a good visit.
~fin~