7 Nov 2021, 08:01
Is There a Doctor in the School?
Even though Nigel asked regarding Kelsey's fondness of weasels in general, the school nurse gave a quite specific answer regarding weasel as his Animagus form. Had he not mention wizards could not choose what kind of animal they would become as an Animagus, the Astronomy professor would probably forget this fact, at least for a brief moment. In regards of Kels' initial prediction that he would be a frog or a beetle instead, Nigel replied, partly out of his honesty and partly to make the Englishman happier, "Well, I'm glad you turned into a weasel. I don't think a beetle or a frog is as cuddly as a weasel. Seems... it has... a nicer outcome."
They talked a little about their boyhood days: Kelsey, liked to run around; Nigel, enjoyed a walk in nature with his maternal grandparents.
After that, Kels asked from which area Nigel was, to which the American answered, "North America. Pennsylvania, USA. But my grandparents, the ones I told you about, they live in South America. My mum is from Belém in Brazil, and her parents still live there today." As he said all these, Nigel suddenly realised that he also had no idea from which part of the United Kingdom Kels was. Thus he asked in return, "What about you? Did you grow up in Scotland, not far from Hogwarts or Hogsmeade?"
Later on, their conversation shifted to the potion Nigel had just taken and his health. Kelsey suspected the teacher to know more about it, and he said he could only help if the professor told him what was wrong. The way he said it made Nigel somehow felt they were in a court: Kelsey Brumby the prosecutor, Nigel Read the defending lawyer. Except that he would not be defending another person, he was to defend himself. Not against anyone, but against a mistaken guess that he knew what was wrong with his health.
The way Kelsey said about leaves and roots reminded Nigel of something else, of somewhere else. It was exactly the same metaphor he used when he talked to Dr What-her-name, the psychologist he visited once and only once after his breakup with John. "Why are you asking me this, Doc?" he asked at that time. "I don't want to just cut the leaves, I want to pull out the roots." He stopped visiting her because it was too expensive, so he never knew how competent she actually was.
But today he was in the infirmary of Hogwarts, talking to the nurse about his physical health and not his heartbreak. He guessed it could not be worse than that visit to the psychologist; on the contrary, it should be easier: he had visited doctors from time to time ever since he was just a boy, but he almost never told anyone about feelings or thoughts that bothered him, such as the breakup.
Firmly but politely, he told the school nurse, "I really have no clear idea, Kels. All I know is, it has been a stressful week for me and I haven't got enough sleep lately. That might explain the headache. As for the nausea, my tummy has never been exceptionally great since I was just a kid; it always experiences discomfort whenever I'm not too well. My parents had actually 'complained' (well, half-jokingly) that I threw up more than my sisters combined together. Maybe it's the same case today."
They talked a little about their boyhood days: Kelsey, liked to run around; Nigel, enjoyed a walk in nature with his maternal grandparents.
After that, Kels asked from which area Nigel was, to which the American answered, "North America. Pennsylvania, USA. But my grandparents, the ones I told you about, they live in South America. My mum is from Belém in Brazil, and her parents still live there today." As he said all these, Nigel suddenly realised that he also had no idea from which part of the United Kingdom Kels was. Thus he asked in return, "What about you? Did you grow up in Scotland, not far from Hogwarts or Hogsmeade?"
Later on, their conversation shifted to the potion Nigel had just taken and his health. Kelsey suspected the teacher to know more about it, and he said he could only help if the professor told him what was wrong. The way he said it made Nigel somehow felt they were in a court: Kelsey Brumby the prosecutor, Nigel Read the defending lawyer. Except that he would not be defending another person, he was to defend himself. Not against anyone, but against a mistaken guess that he knew what was wrong with his health.
The way Kelsey said about leaves and roots reminded Nigel of something else, of somewhere else. It was exactly the same metaphor he used when he talked to Dr What-her-name, the psychologist he visited once and only once after his breakup with John. "Why are you asking me this, Doc?" he asked at that time. "I don't want to just cut the leaves, I want to pull out the roots." He stopped visiting her because it was too expensive, so he never knew how competent she actually was.
But today he was in the infirmary of Hogwarts, talking to the nurse about his physical health and not his heartbreak. He guessed it could not be worse than that visit to the psychologist; on the contrary, it should be easier: he had visited doctors from time to time ever since he was just a boy, but he almost never told anyone about feelings or thoughts that bothered him, such as the breakup.
Firmly but politely, he told the school nurse, "I really have no clear idea, Kels. All I know is, it has been a stressful week for me and I haven't got enough sleep lately. That might explain the headache. As for the nausea, my tummy has never been exceptionally great since I was just a kid; it always experiences discomfort whenever I'm not too well. My parents had actually 'complained' (well, half-jokingly) that I threw up more than my sisters combined together. Maybe it's the same case today."
@Kelsey Brumby
Let There Be Light
9 Nov 2021, 14:44
Is There a Doctor in the School?
After Kels went on about his theories and vague feeling on his transformation, Nigel admitted that weasel was a lot more approachable than his previous guesses, which gave Kels another laugh. He was glad Nigel was honest, it was hard to talk to people who always said one thing and meant another.
"Maybe that's it. Now I can be approachable an' less gross. It's brilliant." Kels leaned back, stretching a bit. He had never much cared what people thought of him, but perhaps he had inadvertantly thought a little bit less of himself after so many years of being treated like he was a beetle. Little, nasty, annoying... it was how people saw bugs, even though that wasn't their true essence. Bugs, like everything else, were just trying to live another day. "I'm going to get so many cuddles."
As Nigel answered his question, Kels would light up in surprise. Kels was no master of accents, had never even been to most parts of America, so he would never have guessed. He had no idea if there were any weasels in South America, he needed to start doing more research on weasels. "Woooow, those are two really diff'rent places. Why did'yer mum move t'America? Pennsulwhatwuzzit? Where's that? Is it nice there, why did'ya move t'Scotland?"
Kels' interest was sparked, the kind of thing where once he knew the tip of the iceberg, he wanted to see the rest of it. He was old enough now though to know he couldn't just start pushing a ton of questions on someone all at once, despite wanting to do a full investigation. He'd ask for a dissertation if only it was socially acceptable, then he could really study up. "I'm from Cambridge. More accurately, I lived in Wicken Fen with my mum. We travelled some, but most'a the time it were just me, mum, an' swamp all around. After that, I travelled a bunch more m'self, but never really settled."
After their discussion about their origins came the discussion about Nigel's health. Kels listened, rubbing his chin, but the information was sparce. It was not much different than what many of his patients came in for, stress and bad sleeping habits were unfortunately common, especially in school. It wasn't as though he expected some clear diagnosis, but it was going in the right direction. "Mmmmokay. Yeah, stress will mess you up."
As for the puking thing, that was less obvious. If it was something a healer could easily heal, it would have been taken care of already, right? "Yer mum ever take you to a doctor? Healer?" If she noticed it happening often, she must have thought something was wrong. "I can mess with your gut biome maybe, give you some active probiotics. Can't promise that'll do much but it might. Better yet, findin' some ways to cope with stress an' get some better sleep if y'want a real magic cure."
@Nigel Read
13 Nov 2021, 08:49
Is There a Doctor in the School?
Kels laughed in joy after he heard Nigel's remark regarding his Animagus form, saying that way he would get a lot of hugs, and Nigel could not help but smiled widely with him. The professor would love to laugh together, but perhaps being the introvert he was, he found it easier to send a genuine smile rather than a laughter to express his true glee.
But naturally, he did not know that people had considered Kels an annoying and disgusting creature for many years, as Kels did not share this history with him. Alas! If only the two opened up to each other, they would find out the said sad past of Kels, and the history of the teenage Nigel being treated as if he had been one poisonous beast. It was, however, totally understandable since they were just beginning to get to know each other; maybe they would share the more bitter part of their past one day.
Afterward, the talk shifted to their hometowns; first it was Nigel's. Slowly he pronounced its name for Kels, with emphasis on each syllable, "Pennsylvania." And then, "It's a state just south of New York, and east of Ohio. My mum moved to the States because of her studies, and later she also worked there. She met my dad there, too. Living there is alright, I guess. Nothing too special. I moved here because... I was hired here!" On purpose, the teacher put an emphasis on the words "the States"; he did not want to sound too "teacher-ly", but he would also like to inform Kels that Americans prefer their home country to be referred as so - and that people of other countries in both North and South America did not really like the expression, which to be honest could imply that the only country in the Americas was the USA.
Kels' hometown Wicken Fen followed. Nigel had never been there, but from Kelsey's story, he guessed it was a town rich in bogs and swamps but with not so many people. The school nurse mentioned nothing about his dad, so Nigel inferred that he either had grown up without one or had an estranged relationship with him. Either way, it would not be a very polite thing to ask, particularly with someone he had just got to know, and Nigel said nothing about Kels' father. He himself, he could not imagine living only with his mum after years of living with both parents plus two sisters.
When they discussed about his current condition, Kels suggested coping with the stress and getting a better quality of sleep, to which Nigel agreed by nodding and answering, "Mm-hm!" But the Englishman also offered active probiotics, and the Astronomy instructor had no idea whether to accept or reject. Generally he was not a fan of medicine, but perhaps this time it would be better if he take it? The only response he could give was, "Is it really necessary?"
He fell silent for a short while, and then remembered Kels asking about his mum taking him to see a healer or a doctor regarding his weak stomach. "Once to a doctor and once to a healer. I can still remember that. Both assured my parents it wasn't an illness or something to be worried about, just that their son's stomach wasn't as strong as most others'. Come on, Kels, I don't throw up daily; only when my body isn't very healthy," he said.
But naturally, he did not know that people had considered Kels an annoying and disgusting creature for many years, as Kels did not share this history with him. Alas! If only the two opened up to each other, they would find out the said sad past of Kels, and the history of the teenage Nigel being treated as if he had been one poisonous beast. It was, however, totally understandable since they were just beginning to get to know each other; maybe they would share the more bitter part of their past one day.
Afterward, the talk shifted to their hometowns; first it was Nigel's. Slowly he pronounced its name for Kels, with emphasis on each syllable, "Pennsylvania." And then, "It's a state just south of New York, and east of Ohio. My mum moved to the States because of her studies, and later she also worked there. She met my dad there, too. Living there is alright, I guess. Nothing too special. I moved here because... I was hired here!" On purpose, the teacher put an emphasis on the words "the States"; he did not want to sound too "teacher-ly", but he would also like to inform Kels that Americans prefer their home country to be referred as so - and that people of other countries in both North and South America did not really like the expression, which to be honest could imply that the only country in the Americas was the USA.
Kels' hometown Wicken Fen followed. Nigel had never been there, but from Kelsey's story, he guessed it was a town rich in bogs and swamps but with not so many people. The school nurse mentioned nothing about his dad, so Nigel inferred that he either had grown up without one or had an estranged relationship with him. Either way, it would not be a very polite thing to ask, particularly with someone he had just got to know, and Nigel said nothing about Kels' father. He himself, he could not imagine living only with his mum after years of living with both parents plus two sisters.
When they discussed about his current condition, Kels suggested coping with the stress and getting a better quality of sleep, to which Nigel agreed by nodding and answering, "Mm-hm!" But the Englishman also offered active probiotics, and the Astronomy instructor had no idea whether to accept or reject. Generally he was not a fan of medicine, but perhaps this time it would be better if he take it? The only response he could give was, "Is it really necessary?"
He fell silent for a short while, and then remembered Kels asking about his mum taking him to see a healer or a doctor regarding his weak stomach. "Once to a doctor and once to a healer. I can still remember that. Both assured my parents it wasn't an illness or something to be worried about, just that their son's stomach wasn't as strong as most others'. Come on, Kels, I don't throw up daily; only when my body isn't very healthy," he said.
@Kelsey Brumby
Let There Be Light
25 Nov 2021, 22:20
Is There a Doctor in the School?
"Pennsulvania." Kels repeated again, nodding as Nigel spoke patiently with him. He explained a bit about his history there, as well as the placement. Kels was admittedly not a very cultured man, his interests had always been esoteric and microscopic, so things like geography and history failed to grab his attention. He recognized the name 'New York' for a state, but blanked on 'Ohio.' It must have also been a state nearby, but if he had ever heard the name, he could not recall it. "Ah, I gotcha. Are you some big Astro guy? Y'study it in college or summat? Movin' across the pond fer a teaching job seems like a big decision."
On the topic of probiotics, Nigel was just as wary as Leo had been. No guinea pigs for gut biome experiments, it seemed. "Nah, not necessary at all. Jes' an idea." He smiled, throwing his hands up. He was not fussed about many things, least of all the random whims he had not being followed through on. More interesting was his retelling of his last experience with a healer taking a look at it. How nice, someone had done all the work for him! It wasn't too bizarre for someone to have more sensitivity in certain areas, as Nigel said, it needn't be an illness to cause discomfort at times. "Mmm.. in that case, there is definitely not gonna be a long-term cure. We're jes' gonna have'ta keep an eye on yer stress levels then. I prescribe... hangin' out whenever y'feel wound up. I'm up to jes' talkin', that can be healin' too."
@Nigel Read
8 Dec 2021, 14:22
Is There a Doctor in the School?
Kels seemed to be really interested in the reason why Nigel finally moved to the United Kingdom, to Scotland, and asked for more details in regards of this. At least this was how the American unconsciously perceived his question with an "across the pond" expression in it.
Admittedly, it would take much courage for Nigel to tell Kels the main reason why he came to Europe ("I wanted to understand myself better and find where I belong" - how would such answer be perceived, particularly by one you had just met? OK, not literally the very first time they met, but the first time they had some conversation.). Therefore, Nigel decided to give the school nurse his secondary reason, "I wanted to see the world. To expand my horizon, get to know more places and their cultures. I won't call myself a 'big Astro guy' though (the professor laughed here). But I did enroll in a Muggle university in Oxford, because I wanted to understand more about teaching and tutoring. So I studied in their Education program; finished it in four years, which isn't special." He let out a little laugh.
Nigel was honestly glad when Kels informed him medication was not necessary. The Englishman actually half-jokingly said the prescription was hanging out whenever he felt wound up, in other words to keep his stress level low enough and to unwind regularly, and in addition the school nurse offered his help in chatting - one method to relax. Nigel actually did laugh upon listening to this, and asked, in continuation of what they had talked about earlier, "Would watching the weasels help, too?"
Admittedly, it would take much courage for Nigel to tell Kels the main reason why he came to Europe ("I wanted to understand myself better and find where I belong" - how would such answer be perceived, particularly by one you had just met? OK, not literally the very first time they met, but the first time they had some conversation.). Therefore, Nigel decided to give the school nurse his secondary reason, "I wanted to see the world. To expand my horizon, get to know more places and their cultures. I won't call myself a 'big Astro guy' though (the professor laughed here). But I did enroll in a Muggle university in Oxford, because I wanted to understand more about teaching and tutoring. So I studied in their Education program; finished it in four years, which isn't special." He let out a little laugh.
Nigel was honestly glad when Kels informed him medication was not necessary. The Englishman actually half-jokingly said the prescription was hanging out whenever he felt wound up, in other words to keep his stress level low enough and to unwind regularly, and in addition the school nurse offered his help in chatting - one method to relax. Nigel actually did laugh upon listening to this, and asked, in continuation of what they had talked about earlier, "Would watching the weasels help, too?"
@Kelsey Brumby
Let There Be Light
31 Jan 2022, 18:10
Is There a Doctor in the School?
Kels listened thoughtfully after Nigel had given it some thought and started explaining his education. He had no idea whether or not every professor at the school had needed to do the same thing-- go to college for education, that is. His eyebrows would shoot up inquisitively when he said he wasn't big into Astronomy after all, and that it was teaching itself that was his passion. Travel was something almost everyone wanted to do, so that was understandable.
"Oooh, okay, I see." An empathic nod. "Traveling I get, I did that after school too. As fer education... y'must like kids a lot if y'went to college t'learn that."
It was nice then afterwards to hear Nigel laughing. For as shy as he had been for his age when he first arrived, he had really opened up and let his guard down after a short while of conversation. It was good to know that while he might not be the type to trust strangers, he was still open to being jovial and friendly once the perceived threat was gone.
"I guess that depends on how much you enjoy watchin' animals scurry around." Kels laughed too, entertained by the idea of bird watching, but for weasels. "Did'ya like goin' to the zoo as a kid? I know an animal sanctuary not too far from here that I visited a lot growin' up. That place would cheer anyone up!"
@Nigel Read