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Post by Hino Rei on May 19, 2009 15:45:11 GMT -5
She'd was sick again that morning. It was the third time that week. Rei sat on the toilet seat, unflattering sweat suit bundled around her as the palace seemed to be colder than usual that day. It was possible--perhaps even likely--that this had more to do with her emotions than the actual temperature.
There was no need to check the box thrown carelessly in the vicinity of the trashcan--not with this test. It was why she'd bought it, along with the fact that it was in English and none of the miko that worked for her could speak the language. Perhaps a silly thing to worry about, now.
"Pregnant. 2-3 weeks," said the test, in heartless digital lettering. At least this wasn't the type that gave smiley faced indicators.
"Priestess?" A voice asked from the bedroom and there was a polite rap on the door. "Rei-san? Your two-thirty will be here soon... did you want me to cancel the appointment?"
Kai sounded worried, Rei noted. Of course she was... Rei cleared her throat and scraped the back of her hand over her cheeks. "Yes," she choked, cleared her throat again and said more clearly, "Yes, please. I'm going to the clinic."
"Okay," the miko replied. It was a moment before Kai's hesitant steps moved away from the door.
Once again her eyes went hopelessly to the digital read out. "Get up," she muttered at herself. Her body rose from the toilet seat. "Wash your face." She washed her face. Step after step, the Priestess ordered herself through cleaning up, putting the test in a plastic bag and hiding it in her purse, getting dressed in something more presentable and forcing herself out of her room and into the world beyond.
Before she left the shrine, she paused before the doors to take a deep breath and pull her chin up. Let them talk.
It was a good walk to the palace hospital and gave Rei plenty of time to think over what she was doing, and what had to be done. None of the options were anything she particularly liked but... well. The entire situation wasn't what it could have been, in her eyes.
And then she was there. The Priestess spoke quietly to a few nurses, asking to speak with Ami. Eventually she was directed to a waiting area just outside her friend's office. Rei chose a seat and put her handbag in her lap, forcing her hands to remain still and flat upon it. One black pump idly fidgeted, making a faint thump-thump-thump on the floor and Rei lacked the heart to stop it.
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Post by Mizuno Ami on May 19, 2009 16:35:06 GMT -5
Rei did not have to wait long. Ami made her sisters a priority, and while it was not always possible to drop everything immediately, she came as close as feasible.
She had been studying some x-rays when the intercom of her phone buzzed. "Mizuno-san? Hino-san is here to see you." She blinked and nodded, "Thank you." She really wished the nurses would call her by her first name, but she did not press the issue.
She quickly put away the x-rays and the file that they belonged to. Pressing the button on the intercom, she got someone at the nurses station, "I'm going to be unavailable for a bit. Hold any calls, please." It felt very odd to need that, but now was not the time to dwell on that either.
Quickly clearing the files regarding the situation of health care in Africa off of the other chair in the room, she moved them to the top of the filing cabinet and then opened the door. She smiled seeing her sister, "Rei-chan. Come in." She would wait until they were inside and the door was shut to ask her how she was doing. "You know that you don't ever have to wait right? Just knock and pock your head in. If I can't be with you immediately, I'll let you know."
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Post by Hino Rei on May 19, 2009 16:42:09 GMT -5
Rei startled when Ami poked her head out for she'd been watching her own foot with the same feeling of disconection that had begun to spread over her body. After a moment she remembered where she was and why, managed to give a fleeting smile and rose to her feet.
Clutching her handbag a little too tightly she strode towards the office door with something of a bashful expression. "I didn't want to intterupt," was her reasoning though the truth was that she hadn't wanted to make a scene. The palace would surely know of her disgrace soon enough and she didn't care to draw any more attention to it than necessary. Slipping past Ami, the woman dropped immediatly into the guest chair and once again placed her handbag upon her lap. This time she continued to clutch at it.
Unsure of what small chatter could possibly be appropriate in this situation, Rei waited until her sister had shut the door before cutting straight to the point. "Ami... I know this isn't your common line of work or study, but something has happened and I'm not quite sure who else to trust with it."
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Post by Mizuno Ami on May 19, 2009 17:55:54 GMT -5
Ami raised an eyebrow as she took her own seat, watching her sister with concern. "Rei, as far as I'm concerned I am your doctor. So, if there's anything wrong, I want you to come to me." She smiled a bit, "For one thing, I don't trust anyone else with my sisters, but more importantly, I'm aware of the whole how the magic affects our physiology."
"So, what's wrong?" She was concerned about Rei. Bashful was not usually a word that would be used to describe the priestess. Reserved, perhaps, but not bashful, and almost never nervous. "Rei?"
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Post by Hino Rei on May 19, 2009 18:07:36 GMT -5
The Priestess pursed her lips. It was good to know that Ami would be helping her through this--not that she'd had any doubt, but she wasn't certain she'd want or trust any other with these, even with Ami's recommendations. But in order to obtain the help she'd need, she had to be able to say it.
Oh, certainly there was the option of pulling the test from her purse and thus clearing herself of having to say those dreaded three words... but no. That was far too dramatic and would let her get off far too easily.
Forcing her lips open, Rei tried in vain to disconnect herself from her emotions as she said: "I'm pregnant."
Though proud of the fact that she didn't stutter and her voice didn't break, Rei had to clamp her lips shut immediatly after the statement in order to keep from babbling. She bit her bottom lip and turned her eyes to her purse, opening it with slightly shaking hands to withdraw the bag she'd put the test in.
"At least," she allowed herself to continue when she'd regained control, "That's what this says. I... if there is any more sure method of checking." Rei stared at the device as if lost for a moment, then shook herself and looked up at Ami.
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Post by Mizuno Ami on May 19, 2009 19:18:29 GMT -5
Ami frowned a bit. In some ways, she was the most naive of the Senshi, but with her medical training she was very much aware of how the body worked. From what Rei had shared, she'd only had sex the one afternoon with Hiroki. The chances of hitting the small fertile window was remote, but at the same time, not at all unheard of.
She nodded, "There is, but false positives are not that common, though possible. The best way to be sure is to do a blood test." Ami kept some basic supplies in her office, and drawing blood was rather simple if Rei agreed to it.
She stood and began pulling out an unused needle, vile, alcohol rubs, and other supplies. As she did, Ami glanced over to Rei. She knew her well enough to know not to even suggest the possibility of an abortion, but that did not mean that she automatically assumed that Rei thought this was good news and was just shocked. "We can assume the test is right, or I can take your blood. Either way, I'm going to put you on some prenatal vitamins and set a time for an ultrasound." She smiled to her, "Don't worry, ultrasounds get used for lots of things, so there's no reason for anyone to assume that you're pregnant because of it."
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Post by Hino Rei on May 25, 2009 16:09:17 GMT -5
Ami's straight forward, unsurprised manner was exactly what Rei needed. Though a part of her had been expecting at least mild surprise, she was glad it wasn't there. Rei rolled up the sleeve of the sweater she was wearing as she saw what Ami was doing. "Blood. I... would rather be certain, before certain persons are informed." Like the father. And hadn't she just given him a speech about wanting to be friends?
Rei clamped down on that thought and refused to think about it anymore. It was the last thing she needed right now. "A-alright. We're going to keep this between the two of us, for now, aren't we?"
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Post by Mizuno Ami on May 25, 2009 17:19:28 GMT -5
Ami was surprised, but even with her sisters she kept some level of professionalism when dealing with their medical issues. It was not meant as an insult or coldness, but was rather a natural way of behaving. If any of them had life threatening issues, it would be more difficult.
She nodded and expertly cleaned the inside of Rei's elbow and drew the blood. She was as quick as she could be and do it safely. "Of course, Rei. Physician-patient privilege applies to you as much as it would to any other patient. Actually, more so since you're an adult." She grinned a bit. She withdrew the needle and pressed a piece of gauze to the area where she'd drawn the blood.
Rather than sending the blood to the lab, she pulled out the Mercury computer and placed the vile in front of the chemical scanner. "It should just be a moment." She grinned, she'd not use that for anyone other than her sisters, but it was the only way to give Rei an immediate answer and guarantee that no one would be able to suspect.
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Post by Hino Rei on May 25, 2009 18:10:11 GMT -5
The priestess didn't even wince at the blood being drawn or the sight of it. If she'd ever had a fear of needles, it had been worked out of her long before she'd met Mercury. It was a little odd to be seeing the Mercury computer being used once again for chemicals. After so many years of "peace," at least from Chaos, she'd almost forgotten about the seemingly limitless range of things it could do. Not for the first time she was glad for it's existence. "I.. assumed, but.. well. Usagi."
That was the understatement of the year. Rei tried not to frown in relation to things with their Queen... it was hard, and she hoped Ami would read it as worry over what was going on. Unwittingly, she crossed her fingers.
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Post by Mizuno Ami on May 25, 2009 18:21:32 GMT -5
Ami raised an eyebrow. "I trust that you're not going to do anything to endanger yourself, so I see no reason to tell Usagi. You'll need to eventually, but when is up to you."
Ami was very much concerned with the situation among the Senshi. She was not worried that they'd continue to grow apart - steps were being taken by all of them, as far as she knew, to fight against that. However, the situation regarding their roles and Usagi's understanding of it remained a difficult tension for all of them. Regardless, now was not the time to bring it up, and she would not press the issue with Rei.
She heard the Mercury Computer beep and looked at it. "You are pregnant."
Ami quickly moved to a cabinet and it took her a moment to find what she was looking for. "I'll be glad when everything is finally in order..." She shook her head slightly and came out with a bottle. "Prenatal vitamins. Make sure to take them with food... if they increase any normal nausea, let me know and I'll put you on a different kind."
She moved over to Rei and gave her a quick but sincere hug, "You know we'll all help. With anything you need. I'll want to check you regularly... so much from the Silver Millennium has been lost... I'm not entirely sure if Senshi pregnancies are regular or not."
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Post by Hino Rei on May 25, 2009 18:31:26 GMT -5
So there it was. Rei's fingers came uncrossed and for a moment she merely stared at that betraying little computer...
On automatic, she took the container of pills and put them in her purse before she forgot, then accepted the hug. Wetting her lips with the tip of her tongue, Rei finally found something logical to ask. "Once a day or more? And.. what is 'normal' nausea? I haven't thrown up in years till.. a few days ago."
Who would have thought she'd be the first? Rei, certainly, would have never bet on it. She glance at her friend. "And how... how often should we meet? I don't know anything about this."
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Post by Mizuno Ami on May 25, 2009 18:45:12 GMT -5
Ami sat on the edge of her desk, "Once a day. I'd suggest at night before you go to bed. That should help minimize any side effects."
"I'd say, if it becomes such that it's interfering with your life." She offered Rei a small smile, knowing how difficult this must be for her. "I'll give you some information on what to expect and what you can eat and what you need to stay away from, as well as some safe home remedies to try to help cut down on the nausea."
"Well, first, I want you to feel free to come to me if anything at all seems... off. I'd rather you be overly cautious." She smiled slightly. Ami was not ready for this quite yet. She knew eventually, she'd be taking care of her sisters during their pregnancies, but she had not expected it so soon. "Otherwise, I think every other week. I realize that's a lot more than most prenatal visits, but again... I'm not entirely sure how being a Senshi will affect the pregnancy, or you."
"Try not to overdo it on using your power. I'm going to assume that the baby will be as fine as you would, but manifesting our powers does require energy, and a lot of your body's energy is going to go to the pregnancy. However, I believe your own natural resistance to heat should extend to the baby as well, since he or she is inside of you. So, I see no real problems with you continuing to do fire readings or meditating by the sacred fire." She knew how important that was to Rei and wanted to offer her some reassurance. "And.... at least for the first trimester.... no transforming."
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Post by Hino Rei on May 25, 2009 19:39:36 GMT -5
Rei nodded slowly to everything that Ami said. Most women stayed away from the sacred fires when pregnant, but Rei knew that she could not. In truth, she couldn't afford this pregnancy... but there was no other path open to her now--none that she felt she could follow, at any rate. The woman bit her lip softly then nodded again. "thank you, ami. Every other week it is."
Unsure of what else to say, the Priestess merely lifted her eyes to her sister. There where stupid questions she could ask, but then she wouldn't be Rei. Instead, she said. "I... guess I should inform the father, then." It wasn't a question, but the inflection almost made it one. Rei's fingers played with her purse strap but she made no move to leave.
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Post by Mizuno Ami on May 25, 2009 19:56:42 GMT -5
Ami stood and hugged her sister again. The two of them were probably the least physically demonstrative of the group, but Ami had some idea of just how difficult this was for her. "Rei, anything you need, I mean it."
"And yes." She grinned. "And just because you need to be careful about using your powers... if you need any of the rest of us to... well..." Ami was not one to threaten violence, "If we need to set him straight, we can."
"Just remember, how much he's involved in the child's life is fully up to you. Being pregnant with his child does not mean you have to be with him or anything." Of course if Rei wanted to than Ami would fully support it. She just didn't want her to feel like she had to.
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Post by Hino Rei on May 25, 2009 19:59:37 GMT -5
"i'm fully aware," Rei offered her a smile and nodded again. Of them all, Ami understood the most Rei's situation growing up... she would understand just how much trust Rei had in this matter. But Ami had brought up a valid point.
The woman cast a wary glance at the door then hugged Ami once again, out of impulse. "Thank you," She said with as much sincerity as she could, and then headed for the door. How best to do this would require a good amount of thought.
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