Monarch Of New Melbourne

Part 4: Shadows

November 22ed
In the morning at the hospital, Ivy started hissing and crying a bit. She looks at the food and turns away, wanting to starve. Danny walks into the room and flaps his wings a bit, while holding a clipboard.
Ivy “Who are you and what do you want?”
Danny “I’m Doctor Danny. Jasmine sent me here to check on you.”
Ivy “Why isn’t she here?”
Danny “She’s a paramedic. How are you feeling?”
Ivy “Like hell. As always.”
Danny “Are you gonna eat that?”
Ivy “I don’t even know what it is.”
Danny “It’s a chef salad. Very healthy for you to build your immune system.”
Ivy “I’m not hungry.”
Danny “You need to eat, please.”
Ivy “How am I not affecting you right now?”
Danny “You’re in a powerless room, it absorbs all your powers.”
Ivy “Can I just go out with the powerless collar?”
Danny “I need to ask you a few questions first. Do you think you have friends?”
Ivy “What the hell is this?”
Danny “Ivy, I looked into your history and you’ve been going to the school psychologist a lot.”
Ivy “I’m fine you stupid butterfly, can I go now?”
Danny “The school psychologist diagnosed you with Schizoaffective disorder. It’s really important for us doctors to know these things to help you. And I’m a moth.”
Ivy “..... I’m fine.”
Ivy turns away from him, slithering the tip of her tail under the pillow to hold it up against her snout, burying her face into it.
Danny “I’ll give you time when ready.”
Danny leaves and quietly slides the door shut.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/rULgu9i074KhKK586PUp701lxORiV0MwbzS0Wd6DVV3fBr_GLFQR9nfhsBzYDbxVF2uZDg5pz4SuBXmbfxvKLWeGQNcF4ndskJ-h3bTGcG0FxRaZOC1_KieTy11MqTzQZoFkV5Sa=s360

In the hallways, Rose is headed for the elevator, X-79 absorbing Ebola samples on her shoulder.
X-79 “Ebola has to be the most delicious thing ever.”
Rose “Don’t absorb too fast, you might choke on it.”
X-79 “How can I choke on something so tiny.”
Rose “It could happen. You never know.”
Rose stops and presses the button for the elevator. Jennifer goes by her side with a concerned look towards Rose.
Rose “Is there a problem?”
Jennifer “Yes, there is. A big problem.”
Rose “Is it covid-19?”
Jennifer “No, covid-19 is still extinct. Thankfully.”
Rose “The Lasla people are back?”
Jennifer “No.”
Rose “Does it have anything to do with the hospital?”
Jennifer “It’s you.”
Rose starts getting the idea and starts walking over to the stairwell.
Jennifer “Rose, me and Salazzle know about your scale cancer.”
Rose “I don’t have scale cancer.”
Jennifer “We check your medical history.”
Rose “I’m trying to get to my office so I can work.”
Rose opens the door and tries to shut it on Jennifer, running up the stairs.
Jennifer “You can’t keep this from everyone.”
Rose sighs and goes back down to her.
Rose “Listen, I don’t want anyone to know about this.”
Jennifer “Then can you do me a favor and promote Salazzle.”
Rose “What?”
Jennifer “Salazzle basically wanted to blackmail you because she knew that you’ll try to avoid us. Promote her, we’ll treat your cancer, no one will know.”
X-79 “But I know and I’m not good at this secret thing.”
Jennifer “Your gigantic pet virus didn’t even know about this.”
Rose “I didn't want anyone to know. I’m fine anyway.”
Jennifer “Everyone says that they’re fine even though the truth is no one is fine. The word fine was invented because people didn’t want to face the fact that there’s something wrong with them.”
Rose “There’s something with everyone. What’s wrong with you?”
Jennifer “You’re seriously asking an xenomorph who is seen by many as a frightening wild monster. You have to tell everyone about this.”
Rose “I’m not telling everyone. This isn’t even your business. This doesn’t have anything to do with the hospital.”
Jennifer “Your The Medical Director! You Have Everything To Do With This Hospital! Just know this, your secret is going to go out.”
Rose “No it’s not.”
Jennifer “Then why do I know it.”
Jennifer turns away and walks out of the stairwell. Rose sighs and takes a deep breath to try to calm herself down.
X-79 “She is right.”
Rose “I’m not talking about this. Not now.”
Rose goes up to her office.