Lovesick: A DungeonMeshi ModernAU Fic

Chapter Two: Exposure

Marcille is moving through the halls of the hospital that is starting to bustle with morning activity, she is unable to hide a look of unease as she descends the stairs to where the new residents are slowly filtering in.

"Doctor Donato!" A melodic voice calls out to her, Marcille freezes and slowly turns.

"Ah, hello, Pattadol." Marcille nervously greets one of the hospital's Human Resources Officers, a tall woman with carefully kept blonde bangs, wearing a perfectly fitted pantsuit. Pattadol has is so microscopically observant and fanatically obeys directions in a way that makes even the most seasoned of doctors nervous.

Marcille is no seasoned veteran, she feels a bead of cold sweat run down to the small of her back as that inquisitive gaze bores into her own eyes.

"Excited to meet the new residents?" Pattadol asks with such enthusiasm, such a wide smile, it seems forced.

A second bead joins the first and Marcille awkwardly laughs,

"Oh, yes! I am! This will be the first round of residents I get to experience here, so I am very excited. I hope I can help them well!"

Pattadol chuckles, "You're the youngest head of a research division we've ever had, and even though the division of Genetic Research here is quite small, we're confident in your abilities. Remember, as a member of our Research Family, we all work towards spreading knowledge. There's only one resident in your focus this year. Hopefully starting slow will help you acclimate to this part of the role."

A third bead of sweat courses down her back, "O-oh! Only one! Haha! Excellent! We'll have a great deal of fun."

Pattadol looks at her, flatly, all enthusiasm gone. "Not fun. That's inappropriate..."

The enthusiasm was forced.

"N-n-no, I mean-"

Pattadol's face breaks into another smile, "I understand, Doctor Donato, just wanted to make sure we were on the same page. Have a good and productive day!" She calls over her shoulder as she paces away down the corridor.

Marcille blanches and buries her face in her hands.

Only one resident and she's...

"Ah... excuse me? I'm looking for the check-in for the new resid-" Marcille whips around to face the timid voice behind her and her heart skips a beat. Behind thin wire-framed glasses, two familiar, friendly, light brown eyes look down at her with growing realization.

Marcille is face to face with Falin Touden, her former roommate and best friend through her final years in college. "M-M-Marcille?!" Falin stammers out, her pale cheeks blushing pink, as Marcille composes herself.

Falin's shot up, she's a full head taller than me now... she still has those cute bright red cheeks though. Marcille feels her cheeks flush as well at this thought. Why would I think that?

Marcille extends a hand, "Falin, it's er- it's nice to see you again. It's Doctor Donato, now."

Falin looks away and down, "O-oh, sorry, Doctor! I didn't expect to see you, I'm here for my first day of residency."

Marcille's expression softens at her apparent embarrassment.

"I figured that!" Marcille laughs, "C'mon, let's get you a proper ID and all your paperwork, and I'll show you to the lab."

"Thank you Doctor Donato." Falin smiles wide, "I'm so glad to see you again!"

They walk down the hallway, and Marcille can't help but feel most of the fear melt away as she points out various points of interest to Falin, happy to be by her friend's side once again.