Jason sipped his coffee, enjoying the momentary break for what it was. Yawning behind a raised hand, closing his eyes, he wondered how useful he was with as little sleep as he’d managed. There had been many times he worked that he slept very little, sure, and had been out doing things he shouldn’t have considered before a full day of work the next day, but it always felt like a new experience he should learn from each time it came up.

He was just being a grump. A little coffee, something sweet, and he should be better than ever. Or so he hoped. Running a hand over his face and then through his hair, pushing some of his hair up into a tussled fashion, Jason settled to leaning his chin on his palm and resting his elbow on the table. Yes… just a little coffee.

Taking another gulp, he glanced down at the papers he had set down in front of him with the idea that he would actually get to them while he sat here. He swore the chair sapped him of his reserved energy… All ready five hours in, and he was imagining how warm and inviting his bed would be when he got home later. There was the issue of Aidan, and possibly Fiona, sure, but at the same time… maybe his wife would keep the little tyke at the office while she worked.

A beer would help him get right to sleep as well. The more he thought about it, the more appetizing the table was looking as a forehead resting area. He would just be resting, he assured himself. Just a small rest, then he’d get right back to work and on to the rest of the day. On the one hand, it sounded amazing. On the other (the more practical side of his brain), he knew he wouldn’t get up in a few minutes if he laid his head down. Gulping down the warm coffee, he set the empty glass down and focused once again on the papers, forcing some noise with the shuffling out of them to make himself believe he was really going to start working on it.

He read the first line. He reread the first two lines. He got to the bottom of the first page and realized he didn’t remember what he’d just seen. Slamming the papers down in slight frustration, he decided he needed a little more coffee. Standing up, he walked over to the coffee pot and waved his wand as it poured steaming coffee into the cup. A bit of sugar, and he’d be good. After a couple spoonfuls, he leaned against the countertop and glanced around. Was no one else going to be making a pit stop for coffee? Was he really going to have to work?

Moira made her way through the halls of the first floor.  She was assigned to Creature-Induced Injuries for the day unless she was needed elsewhere and it didn't seem like there was anything too pressing in need of her attention.  Deciding on a cup of coffee during the momentary lull, she turned towards where she knew she would be able to find some.

There was a man sitting at the table, and he appeared to be reading over some paperwork.  He stood as Moira started to enter the staff area, slamming down the papers he had been reading in the process.  She watched him for a moment, as he fixed a cup of coffee.  When he turned to lean against the counter, she gave him a small smile as she finally crossed the room to where the steaming black liquid was kept.

"Long day already?" she asked, taking in his obvious exhaustion as she set to work fixing her own cup.

If Jason had known someone had seen his little tantrum, he wouldn’t have done it. He just got frustrated with himself and took it out on the poor, defenseless paper. Well… it wasn’t defenseless per say. It could give him a pretty nasty paper cut, if he didn’t watch himself. The moment you thought the paper was on your side, it took a shot at your back (of the finger, hand, the area between the fingers). Just thinking about it made him shiver.

No… no papercuts today. It always seemed the smaller the cut, the more it hurt. Just a little cut into the top of the skin (the most sensitive area) could hurt worse than the deepest bite. Unless the bite was seething with poison or something else, of course. Just try and keep your hands clean with a papercut (or other superficial cut) and see how long it is before you are eyeing the hand soap as if it has a personal vendetta for you.

“Long day already?”

Startling slightly, Jason looked up and smiled at the younger woman. She was new… Frowning a bit, he shrugged a little and held it up before taking a sip. “It’ll get better…” As she started to make her own, he set his mug down and turned his attention towards her, his arms crossed over his chest as he tried to place her. Nope… she was new to him. Extending his arm, he gave her a light grin. “I’m Jason Marren, Healer in Charge of the First Floor.”

Leaning once again against the counter, his work robes still looking freshly pressed (with only a few wrinkles in places that moved when he sat), Jason crossed his arms over his chest, nodding towards the papers. “Just trying to figure out what my staff is up to. How about yourself? Your day going all right?”

He thought it was important to meet and greet any staff that worked on his floor. He tried his best to also make time to get to know staff from other areas in the hospital, but he was giving himself some time. He knew a lot of older staff, and any in a lateral position to where he was, but also felt silly for not recognizing a new name or having not introduced himself to a new face. The questions piled in his brain, and Jason worked to get them straight so he didn’t appear so scatterbrained to the young woman.

"Moira Randall," she said, completing the introductions, "newest Mediwitch to the staff and it's a pleasure to meet you."

Finishing fixing her coffee she took a small sip, allowing the steaming liquid to warm her a bit.  She turned to face him then, glad to meet some more of the staff she would be working with.  She knew a few names and faces, but not nearly enough for her to feel at home at St. Mungo's. That would come with time.

"My shift is just starting for the day," she continued.  "Barring some catastrophe on another floor, my expertises are all yours."

She was glad to have a reference of who was in charge in the floor.  She knew the basic way around the hospital, but some of the details were fuzzy or yet to be discovered.  She was also curious about some of her co-workers, having met so few.

“Moira Randall… newest Mediwitch to the staff and it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Jason’s eyes widened and he grinned. Mediwitch? He needed more for his floor… “We’re always glad to welcome new additions. Keeps some of the older staff on their toes.” Playful teasing about jobs being replaced with newer minds. Or more pliable minds, anyway. Something about being young… it just made one less bitter. The desire to try something new, to push the limits, was just abound. Jason felt some of that wearing off as each year went by—maybe he needed a bit of a change.

“My shift is just starting for the day… Barring some catastrophe on another floor, my expertises are all yours.”

“I’m more than happy to have you here. On my floor, especially. Always nice to have some extra help.” Winking, he picked up his coffee and took a sip, thinking a moment. “Have you gotten enough orientation to the unit, Mediwitch Randall? What would make your shift easier?” He liked to get to know his staff, and assess their limitations. It gave him a good idea of where he could shift people around when times got tight and they were short, as well as the ability to get to know everyone on a personal level.

Having someone you could trust at work to lean on in case of an emergency or some other issue was very nice. Plus, when you were having a rather nice day, it was also great to have people you trusted to shoot the breeze with. It was very important to have a tight knit group, or as tight as possible. Not everyone got along; that was just human nature. The more minds that were together and got along, though, the better quality care could be given through the unit of a team.

She all ready seemed friendly and easy going. Plus, she drank coffee. Jason didn’t know how much he could trust someone who didn’t drink some sort of caffeine and managed to stay awake and alert for a full shift… Smirking against the brim of his mug, he took another sip. “Where did you work before? Or are you completely new to the field of Healing Arts?”

Moira couldn't help laughing a bit as he winked at her, glad to be hitting it off with someone on the staff.  It seemed already their personalities would be a good professional match.  Things always seemed to run much more smoothly when there was a certain level of trust amongst the staff.

“Have you gotten enough orientation to the unit, Mediwitch Randall? What would make your shift easier?”

"So far I haven't encountered anything I can't handle," she told him before taking another sip of her coffee.  "I adapt fairly quickly."

It was the truth,  America during her training she had experienced a little bit of everything.  St. Dymphna's had been set up in a very similar manner to St. Mungo's.  Aside from the new faces there were times she felt like she had never made the switch, slipping easily into her new position.

“Where did you work before? Or are you completely new to the field of Healing Arts?”


"I've been in Salem's Peak at St. Dymphna's for the last seven years," she told him with a slight smile.  "I went there as an apprentice after I completed my studies at Hogwarts and then was hired on as a full member of the staff."

“So far I haven’t encountered anything I can’t handle… I adapt fairly quickly.”

Confidence, as long as it wasn’t arrogant or too overdone, was a good thing in this field. Especially with the patients. If a healer, who was smart and knew all their stuff, walked into a patient’s room and couldn’t explain themselves with confidence, couldn’t start the initial greet with a mark of ‘I’ve got this,’ the patient (and their families) often lost trust in their healthcare provider. It was a slippery slope for some. Once you make a wrong first impression, it’s hard to dig yourself out of that hole.

From the sounds of it, though, Moira had it under control. “Well, just let me, or the Healer-in-Charge on the ward know if we can assist you. Always glad to have a reason to get away from paperwork.” It was Jason’s opinion that a good start in the ward made people want to stick to it more. People go where they feel most welcome. And where they feel confident and competent as well, but that sometimes took time.

“I’ve been in Salem’s Peak at St. Dymphna’s for the last seven years… I went there as an apprentice after I completed my studies at Hogwarts and then was hired on as a full member of the staff.”

Jason had been to St. Dymphna’s a few times over the years—sometimes they had to move patients back and forth, sometimes it was a supply issue, and on three occasions it was for an in-service or presentation. It was a nice change of pace, but felt more comfortable in St. Mungo’s. He went to at least two in-services a year, to expand his knowledge base, and had been able to experience a few wizarding hospitals outside of England.

“That sounds wonderful, broaden your experience. Always a good thing.” So she graduated from Hogwarts and then decided to do some traveling to America. Well… good she was able to do some of it while she was young. “What area did you work in? Or were you floated all over?” Pausing, he decided to also add, “And did you enjoy a particular area more over the other?”

"I tried to study and learn about as many areas as I could," Moira replied, remembering her days as an apprentice.  "I found everything about healing fascinated me.  The more I learned the more I wanted to know."

After Hogwarts she had often been hungry for more knowledge that her mentors could provide.  A few of her classmates had managed to drag her away at night for some fun, and she had found a good balance of the two after her first year.  Her Ravenclaw nature remained strong though, and even now she found herself often researching new techniques.

"Being away from home and without the distractions of so many familiar people and places was good for that, I guess," she continued after a moment.  "I tended to go wherever I was needed, much like I'm doing here.  I think do best when I'm kept busy and given a challenge."

Of course now she kept her mind busy primarily to keep from dwelling on what had happened in Boston, but there was no need to bring the personal into this conversation.  She was at her sharpest there was something to work through, no matter what the medical reason.

“I tried to study and learn about as many areas as I could… I found everything about healing fascinated me. The more I learned the more I wanted to know.”

Raising an eyebrow, his own fascination with the younger woman growing the longer he talked with her, Jason merely nodded and smiled. The ones who seemed to be caught up in the ins and outs of healing were the most promising; even if they had trouble, some hiccup, they were easier to help and teach than those who were in it for some other reason or satisfaction. That desire, that innate need that came with those who really loved healing, though… it could catch you up.

A healthy obsession of the art of Healing, as a Healer, was a good thing. In Jason’s opinion, anyway. If they weren’t, who would be? It was their duty to keep up on things and find a desire in knowing the ins and outs as well as one can. Perhaps that was why he’d met more than a few Ravenclaw’s who had joined in the Healing force.

“Being away from home and without the distractions of so many familiar people and places was good for that, I guess… I tended to go wherever I was needed, much like I’m doing here. I think do best when I’m kept busy and given a challenge.”

Nodding slowly, he sipped his coffee. Yet more reasons why Jason liked her. He wondered if she was just floating between floors, and if so… he would try and recruit her for his floor. “I always enjoy the days I have challenges that force me to use my expertise… great feeling once it’s accomplished.” If they gave out rewards and trophies for every day someone in the healing arts did something well, overcame a challenge or tried something new that helped someone… well, Jason assumed most would be rewarded daily.

“You know, I like to think this floor keeps everyone busy. A lot of challenging situations come up. Never a dull moment… Or if there is, you take it and breathe a sigh of relief.” Winking to show he was joking somewhat, he grinned against the brim of his coffee mug. Another sip and he set it down, settling into the small conversation easily. It distracted him for now, at least. “I worked on a few different floors before settling into this one as well. I wanted to know what other areas there were, and where I would fit the best in regards to my personality.” Pausing a moment, he grinned. “Have you found that spot yet?”

"Not yet," Moira answered honestly.

She sensed alot of similarities between herself and Jason.  He was easy to fall into conversation with, a relief for her as that was not always easy these days.  His interest was purely professional, a realm she was confident and comfortable in.  She had worked hard these past seven years for the right to feel that way and nothing in her personal life would rob her of that.

"The more I'm listening to you talk about this floor though, the more I think I might truly enjoy my time here," she told him.  There seemed to be a relatively good vibe on the floor whenever she came down to offer her services.  Today was certainly no exception to that.

"Any interesting cases so far today?" she asked, taking another sip of coffee as she looked back to the stack of papers he had been fighting with when she walked in.  She liked to familiarize herself with whatever had been going on before her shift started, although she wasn't entirely sure how recent those papers were.

“Not yet.”

Jason’s eyebrows rose in slight surprise, and he hoped he wasn’t too obvious in his sudden excitement. He needed more people to work for his floor, and though he had a budget… he needed to bring more permanent staff to his area. The ‘joys’ of being the one in charge, he supposed. Jason didn’t want to hold her to the floor, however, if it wasn’t something she found interesting and enjoyable. Never good to stick around where you don’t enjoy; then you lose interest in what you came to do in the first place.

There were all ready too many jaded healers, and no doubt mediwitches, for Jason to willingly contribute to it. Then again… those who start to lose the desire should know when they need to move around and try and relight the spark that made them join the healing arts in the first place. Easier to blame someone else, he supposed.

“The more I’m listening to you talk about this floor though, the more I think I might truly enjoy my time here.”

His eyes lit up at that and he grinned as welcoming as he could. “I’m glad to hear that! The more we talk, the more I think you’d be an amazing asset to this floor.” He put a hand up. “Not just saying that because I need the help, though. I just like how you appear to care.” His hand went back down and picked up his coffee, which he finished off with one last energetic gulp. Perhaps he would get his paperwork done now…

“Any interesting cases so far today?”

Glancing to where she was looking, he laughed and set his empty coffee mug down, shrugging a little. “Those are my employees annual reviews that I have to go over… but today…” Reaching into his pocket, he moved to the next when he didn’t find what he wanted. Finally, he made a noise that said he found it “Ah-hah!” and pulled out the list he had been keeping. Thumbing through it, his eyes moving quickly, he stopped on one. “Dai Llewellyn Ward has two interesting cases at the moment… One is a suspected bite that has slowly eaten away the patient’s leg, and they are trying to mix the antidote before it goes any further.”

Flipping the page, his eyes scanned for the next. Adding on to it, he sighed. “The young man says he was rummaging through an old cave when he felt a pinch. Tons of spiders and other things in there…” Finding the other interesting case she might enjoy looking into for healing sake, he pointed to it. “There is also the odd case of the man who was bit by a transfigured person… the story I received was that a man who had transfigured himself into a shark forgot that he was a man… and when the patient went to help him change back, the shark-man attacked.” It was a clean cut, just rather interesting.

“And then we have the usual werewolf attack, or suspected attack. Since last night was the full moon, we have more than usual.” Well, more than usual on days that there wasn’t a full moon, anyway. “I don’t know how you feel about this, Mediwitch Randall, but I would like it if you considered a full-time position for my floor. You can move between each ward so you don’t get bored with one, but… If you’d be interested, I would be glad to get that underway. No added pressure or anything.” Grinning, he shrugged a little.

Moira listened as he explained the two cases.  She felt instantly sorry for the many that had been attacked by the spiders; their bites could be quite nasty depending on the type of spider and the sensitivity of the patient.  The mention of the transfigured man who forgot that he was human and attached another caused her to quirk an eyebrow slightly in interest.

There was certainly a story there, of that she was certain.  She had seen similar occurrence before.  It was probably a wound that was easily healed, depending on how bad the attack had bee.  She also wasn’t surprised to hear of the suspected werewolf attacks.  She had made a little note in her mind the evening before as she looked up at the sky that it would most likely be the case.  Which was most like the cause of her being scheduled to be on this floor today.

I don’t know how you feel about this, Mediwitch Randall, but I would like it if you considered a full-time position for my floor. You can move between each ward so you don’t get bored with one, but… If you’d be interested, I would be glad to get that underway. No added pressure or anything.

Moira was a bit surprised, but she smiled at the offer.  To have an assigned floor would certainly be a welcome change in her mind.  It was a bit like having a home within her work life.  Plus she had a distinct feeling it would be a good fit for with the staff as well.  She felt a small wave of excitement pass through her at the idea.

"Wow," she said, still smiling, "I mean, yeah...yes.  I would be delighted to join your staff..Thank you."  She was a bit flustered with the surprise, but recovered quickly as she added, "And, please, call me Moira."