Who: Magius and Luisa When: Recently Where: The clinic What: Research and a meeting Rating: Low Status: Complete
Luisa sat unobtrusively in the corner of the clinic with her notebook in hand. She remembered the kind man on the net, who had recognised her name, had mentioned he worked at a clinic and she had thought then that it might be a good place to people watch. She had checked with the receptionist that she wouldn’t be in the way but it had seemed the woman was more interested in painting her nails than anything else and had simply waved Luisa to do what she liked.
Her writers block wasn’t getting any better, she’d tried everyday this week to get something down but none of it had been any good. She just didn’t understand it. She had ideas and she could still make observations but the actual process of turning it into a cohesive story was eluding her.
So she had resorted to people watching, her favorite pastime when she was frustrated and needed something to do which felt productive.
During a break, Magius glanced out and grinned when he saw her. He turned and spoke to one of his interns. A moment later, a flustered intern arrived at Luisa’s side. “Doctor Magius was wondering if you would join him in the lunch room for lunch, his treat.”
Luisa looked up as the intern spoke, “Thank you” she smiled, “That would be lovely” she gathered her things and followed to the lunch room. Thanking the young intern she entered the room, “I’m trying to stay out of the way” she told him as she shut the door behind her, “I do hope I’m managing”
“You’re doing well.”Magius smiled and nodded, rising from his seat and waving her to a seat opposite him. No one else was in the room at the moment. Magius had ordered in a side table full of food for the staff today and he nodded her toward it. “Join me for a bite?”
“Thank you” Luisa replied with a smile before nodding, “And thank you for the invitation, I know you must be very busy” she added as she joined him by the food table.
Magius smiled. “It is a busy day, but I always make sure everyone has a good lunch time. And I have to take one, too, so... here we are.” He nodded as he set his plate up. “How are you doing?”
“Not too many healthcare professionals have your views I think” Luida told him with a smile as she set up her own plate, “It’s nice to see. I’m well thank you” she replied, “Struggling a little with a lack of inspiration but I’m hoping it won’t last too much longer”
“Maybe not, but then that is why I work here, and at the shelter, not for a traditional health care provider. This place is about people, not money, and not efficiency. “ Magius nodded, eyes glinting with satisfaction. He listened to her and smiled. “I hope you’ll find what you’re looking for. If you truly need inspiration, you might look into backreading on the Valarnet. It has some interesting stories.”
Luisa nodded, “It’s definitely a much more welcoming atmosphere, you’ve achieved something really good here” she smiled, “Thank you, I hope so too. I’ll be sure to check them out. So how are you? Other than keeping busy with here and the shelter of course”
Magius smiled at her. “We do try. The owner is a gifted visionary.” He nodded. “I have been lucky to work here.”
“I’m well. I ride my horse and work in my forge, and work here. Mostly, I read, when not here.” He grinned. “IN fact, I have one of your books in my bag, for rereading.”
“Oh of course, did you find a stable?” she asked, before blushing a little, “Oh wow, well I hope you enjoy it all over again” she said with a smile.
"I did. My horse has settled in and is enjoying his new home. " He smiled at her, eyes dancing. "I always do. I've read it several times already. "
“Even knowing the ending?” she grinned, “Surely there’s no surprise there anymore”
Magius smirked then and the look he gave her was... Mischievous. "Mystery is not important to enjoy good writing. Indeed, sometimes, you want to read something new, and sometimes you just want to embrace the sensual pleasure you already enjoy. " And if there was some list to his voice on some of the words, well, that was a coincidence, right?
Luisa blushed more then, “I think I should hire you to write my reviews, you have a way with words yourself” she told him with a smile.
Magius laughed. “Bah. I just appreciate good words and good people.” He grinned. “I do enjoy reading, and you have a deft way with your hands, at writing.” There was a pause there, before the last phrase.
Luisa laughed lightly, “Maybe it’s a side effect of being ambidextrous” she told him with a cheeky smile, “It comes in handy for many things”
Magius’ eyebrows rose even more. “Flexible in mind and body, eh? Something good to remember, madame.” He smirked as he flicked a knife up and his hand blurred and caught it in an intricate maneuver. “I’ve been told I am very good with my hands.”
“Something like that” Luisa agreed with a laugh, giving him a clap when he flicked and caught the knife, “I’d have to agree, that was very impressive” she said smiling.
Magius bowed his head to her. “My thanks.” He grinned wider. “Thank you for humoring an old doctor.” He settled himself, and took a few bites, then smiled at her. He chewed and swallowed, then nodded again. “How are you liking the OC?”
Luisa laughed softly, “I wasn’t humoring you” she denied, and he really wasn’t that old she was sure. “It’s been pretty quiet, interesting people though” she added with a smile, “All the dream talk on the net is intriguing”
“I’ve yet to have such dreams, but they do sound interesting. And they are real, and affect people here, much more than dreams should.” He nodded.
“I’ve noticed” she agreed, “I’ve even seen talk of things appearing from the dreams which just seems impossible”
"Over the years, I've learned that nothing is impossible. The world is an amazing place to live in and we have to remember that we actually know very little about it. " Magius nodded, and chuckled.
"I see a lot of strange things. "
“Well I guess I’ll get to be that accepting too if things like that happen a lot around here” Luisa said, “But right now my inquisitive mind wants an answer”
"What answer, though? What questions? What path will you take? " Magius was curious now. And a little chagrined. Had he really become so blase? Huhn. Maybe he would have to start asking more questions.
“The starting point has to be the dreams” Luisa said, “Frequency and content all seem to vary even with those who share dreams, it’s not at a set rate then there’s the items and abilities that people have gained. And I’d be interested in contacting those who have lived here in the past and had the dreams to see if they still occur or if its centralised to this county” she laughed at herself, “I might have thought about this a little”
Magius nodded, listening. Then he chuckled. “Nothing wrong with that. Good research is important.” Her actions proved her mind to be quite quick to the point. “A good line of questioning.”
"I wouldn't be a mystery writer if I didn't question things" she smiled, "I've always been someone who needs to know the how as well as the why"
“I look forward to seeing if you can find any answers.” He smiled. “If I can help, please let me know.”
Magius nodded, and felt a surge of hope.
“I just hope I can find some answers” she replied, “Thank you, I’ll be sure to come to you for help should I get stuck”
Magius blushed faintly, then nodded to her. “You’re welcome. And I will be here, always, to help if I can.” He helped people. that was why he was a doctor and why he studied so much.
Luisa smiled, “A natural caretaker” she commented, “Maybe the hero of my next book should be a doctor” she said thoughtfully.
Magius chuckled, then hmmed. “I know one you could make a mint on portraying. Her name, you see, if Faiza Hussain, and she is an amazing woman.” And he proceeded to tell her about his co-worker and sort of friend.
As she listened Luisa felt the prickles in her brain which indicated a story idea, maybe this county would be good to get her writing juices flowing.