hildalys | hospital AU; hilda - opener

[opener]

It hasn’t been that long since she was transferred and re-transferred to Internal Medicine Ward of Garreg Mach Municipal Hospital. Or, maybe it has been quite some while since she has seen actual pauses in her work, not a hurried, full of screaming and maybe 48/14 Surgery Ward.

For a record: no, it wasn’t of her violation nor her own wish to get back to Internal Medicine. Apparently, it’s just a certain Nurse Goneril is veteran enough for now that she is needed by the Chief for a particular reason. Though sometimes, the pink-haired nurse with six years of experience under her belt knew all too well that some place (namely Surgery Ward) doesn’t need someone like her.

No one wanted a nuisance person in charge, especially if it is a battle between patient’s life and death.

“What’s with the strange face, Hilda? Chief won’t be here until later.”

Dorothea tapped on her shoulder, taking her back from her reverie upon seeing the vacant nurse station. There are a few newbie nurses—judging from their blue hand bands on their upper arms—scurried around break room avoiding her scanning eyes.

Nurse Arnault, just like her, another nurse that is close to be called veteran, is a recurring face at the Internal Medicine Ward. They were admitted there around the same time, with Hilda being one month younger, if she remembered correctly.

The brunette came with two patient files with her, urging Hilda to follow her instead making a look over the less hectic part of the horizon.

“I guess Surgery Ward’s Chief already filled you in?”

“Not much, you know she is busy~” Hilda flopped at one of the chairs right across Dorothea. “Can’t shake how others seeing as though I was fired on the spot, though.”

“You know them, they are never friendly.” Dorothea hissed.

It was true, though. Unlike any other ward, Surgery Ward got little less time to be acquainted with each and every nurses. While it might not be a nurse’s job to dilly-dally, it is better to work with someone you already acquainted with. Else, it would be a chain of misunderstandings, one to another; and it would greatly expense the work time and energy.

Surgery Ward was like that for her. Despite being known as highly-esteemed ward, Hilda couldn’t stand to work in such environment.

“So, how long are you going to stare on the documents, Hilda?”

“Oh, sorry. I was … thinking about something.”

Dorothea shot her a knowing look. She didn’t pursue further, Hilda should be thankful of the brunette’s way on giving her space when needed. She waited for a few minutes until she opened the file in front of her. Hilda followed suit, to face the medical record of a patient with a yellow label before the name box.

Hospitals have a lot of code, and mostly it is specific to the medical attendants to know every warning signs meant. Just like how nurses and doctors would use terminology in different language as to mask the patient’s case, the medical record is about the same. This yellow mark means that this person is one of long-term patient. Next, it shouldn’t be hard to guess whether their illness fell to rare or having multiple other symptoms that needs further observation.

“Let me make this brief,” Dorothea gathered her attention. “These two patients are having same illness, but the reason of their stay is different.”

Hilda skimmed through the illness name and common symptoms, humming to acknowledge Dorothea’s point.

“I can see why Chief won’t give this case to any newbie here. The sight of freak amount of blood might scare them firsthand.”

“And sometimes, the relapse. The nurse shouldn’t waste any time to be in panic or else it will be worse,” The brunette lowered her voice. “All in all, you can pick the one you want to attend.”

Hilda blinked, “But how about you?”

“It’s alright. Consider this as a welcome gift from me!” Dorothea spared a wink. She pushed the medical record on her side to Hilda for comparing.

As Dorothea said, the two patients have had same illness, but different kind of treatment and different kind of recurring symptoms. Being able to choose means she can always give ‘the hardest one’ to Dorothea, yet the medical history for both of these patients hardly say that somebody got it easier. They are also tended by different doctors, though Hilda was familiar with both. One being a renowned young surgeon by the name of Byleth Eisner, and one being a genius internal medicine doctor Annette Fantine Dominic.

To be able to go back to her ward has been a kind of blessing; she should redeem herself to strive to be a better professional, or else the hospital may look down at her again – and likely not for the third time.


--


“It has been a while isn’t it, Hilda?”

“You’re still cute and lovely~ I thought maybe Claude will corrupt you.”

“I-I’m not that submissive, okay?”

Shortly after the briefing at the nurse station ended, Hilda brought herself to meet the doctor in charge. Annette might be small, or sometimes mistaken to be a doctor from children ward, but no one could deny her achievement as the youngest internal medicine doctor in the hospital. They were acquainted about four years ago when Annette first admitted as one of the assistant doctor to a senior practitioner whom Hilda knew. Then, as Annette assigned to be the new doctor there, Hilda was there to help her from time-to-time.

As Annette usually on the clock with her outpatient ward practice hour, Hilda picked to see her by the staff canteen near the aforementioned ward while treating her for some sweet beverages. Per usual, the petite doctor was elated to see her. It was really refreshing from the tense battle she got with the doctor at Surgery, be it during pre or post-OP.

“I was surprised to know you’re back in Internal. Did something happen?”

“A lot, I guess?” Hilda kept her tone in a light manner, accompanied with a shrug. “And so I’ll be taking one of your patient under my watch.”

Annette paused. She looked over her shoulder to meet Hilda’s unbroken gaze. The nurse couldn’t help to wonder what her sudden silence meant.

“Are you sure?”

“What’s there to not be sure about?”

Hilda asked one rhetoric question—something, a past occurrence that she knew the answer of without have to think it over.

“Remember when you were there for a patient two years ago before you’re moving to Surgery?” Annette sighed. She didn’t bring herself to describe the situation more.

“Just… I hope you won’t put things too personal again.”

Hilda couldn’t keep her smile at the mention. That day when everyone looked down on her—how can she forget? Even though her reputation remained true enough for her to move to another ward, the trace of her faults won’t be erased.

“… I won’t make the same mistake, doc.”