Getting Better
#1 of New Days
I've been wanting to write this for a while now and where it dosen't connect with anything else I've written
It's still something I just had to write, I felt inspired for once and I felt motivated. It had to be done when I had the chance
This story also contains no-yiff whatsoever, something clean that appeals to me
The first part of a story on how a lecturer and student become life long friends
"Seriously... that's all you want? That's 49 pence please"
"Yes, here you are"
A feathery hand leans over the counter and drops a number of coins into the paw of the shop owner who all to eagerly ensures that he's got all that's due.
"Have a nice day"
"You too" They both say to one another before the feathery hand picks up the lettuce they bought, bags it and walks out of the small corner shop into the city that today has seen heavy rainfall
"Even mother nature seems to hate me..." The feathered hand dives into a pocket and produces an umbrella which they put up to shield themselves.
As they trudge through the rain the body and countenance of the bird is reflected in windows and puddles, each eliciting a sigh turning their head one way and the other to avoid seeing their own reflection which most would consider a shame as he is by no means ugly and is often considered handsome by the peers around him
Brown downy feathers cover the face of this hawk leading to a broad yellow beak which bare a little pair of spectacles. The sleeve of their robe falls a little as they raise an arm to examine a watch.
"Two forty-nine... They said he'd be awake in the afternoon.. but I don't want to seem desperate"
The hawk stops for a moment before groaning and kicking a talon through a puddle splashing water before looking down at his reflection.
"Pull it together Arthur, you're talking to yourself for goodness sake"
He then sighs yet again
"literately..."
Umbrella in one hand, bag in the other he walks on, head up, back straight looking distinguished and sophisticated under the embroidered robes he wears, the chain of some antique timepiece hanging out of his front pocket, merely for show of course.
"Who do you suppose they were taking this time Martha?"
"I haven't a clue dear but I tell you, nothing ever comes of that university. They just seem to draw em in, chew them up and spit them back out"
Arthur cringes as the older ladies blather on
"Oh really? Makes me wonder how anyone gets ahead there"
"Money! Simple as. It's a shame the poor are treated so badly"
"Ha. Then my dear we've nothing to fear"
Arthur's beak opens briefly but stops himself before starting to protest and argue. It is true the local university has an elitist attitude to wealth and despite being, according to brochure 'free for all' it is hardly that. Only the wealthy dare send their prospective children there as all others are spat upon at best.
The features of a large building built of bricks and mortar comes to view as Arthur turns the corner, the signs marked 'Hospital' pointing squarely towards the building.
It is old and it's finer features have long faded but it is nevertheless a staple of the city as a beacon of medical achievement the world over wishes that they could meet also.
It doesn't take him long to get to the hospital and he dutifully shakes off, retracts and pockets him umbrella before marching on inside to meet eyes with a sour faced and dreary looking receptionist
"What is it?" she nigh barks
"I'm looking to visit a patient, his name his Jack Lapine"
The receptionist looks at Arthur for several seconds, idly chewing on something before half heartedly looking up some records in a book
"What name did'cha say love?"
"Jack Lapine"
The receptionist flicks some pages and trails their fluffy finger down a page
"First name?"
Arthur holds back yet another sigh and simply repeats the name. The receptionist turns back to him
"He'll be in the Oak Ward on the second floor, I'm sure someone there can help you further, NEXT!" She barks once more as Arthur looks back to see another behind him
"Thanks for your time" he takes a slight bow and steps aside, looking around the long hall that stretches far in-front of him. The skylight covering the ceiling is three stories high where he can see lots of different entrances to all parts of the hospital, upon spotting a sign for the oak ward he takes a flight of stairs, though halfway up a voice back down beckons him
"Is that you Mr Zalkalns?"
"Mr McFadden, how can I help you?"
"Aha, nothing at all as the head of the university I'm obliged to see that students that are treated poorly get the best treatment possible"
"I quite agree sir..." Arthur lowers his eyes somewhat
"Though I hope to god you're not seeing that Jack person, you should contrive a reason to expel him soon before he has another accident"
Arthur's feathered hand clenches slowly into a fist
"That wasn't an accident... sir"
"Oh yes it was Zalkalns or you'll be getting the boot too, do I make myself clear?" The ancient looking dog clasps his gloved hands together and smiles broadly at Arthur he nods very slowly.
"Aha! See you're getting it now. We can't afford to entertain these leaches and the sooner they learn the better. Now I suggest you come with me and don't bother seeing that rabbit"
"I wasn't visiting him sir, I'd never... I was visiting my sister"
"Elizabeth is unwell, oh do give her my condolences then and I hope she gets better"
"Thank you sir, I'll pass the message on"
The rough looking dog turns and walks off briskly when out of sight Arthur's hand grows into a tighter fist which comes one inch away from being put through a nearby wall. The hawk stands for nearly a minute before hearing the rustling of his bag and being reminded of why he's even here
Arthur walks through the more narrow low ceilinged walls of the hospital as he arrives at a receptionist area in the oak ward. A few older people, some children and their parents all sit around waiting to visit people just as they do
"Can I help you sir?"
"Yes, Jack Lapine, I'm looking to see him"
The receptionist looks at him and their expression turns to one of concern
"You're... not going to do anything to him right"
"Of course not, what do you take me for?"
"A lecturer at that..place"
Arthur shakes his head and smiles to the woman
"Believe me... If I didn't care about this student than I wouldn't even be here, he has no home, no family and unlike anyone else I've been the only one that's felt obliged to give a damn about the person, not the money"
"Someone has to cover his costs I'm afraid" She looks nervously at the large bird
"Tell me then, how much?"
"Two-thousand, five-hundred and ninety pounds..." Upon hearing the figure Arthur all at once takes out a cheque book and pencils in the relevant information
"Here, I'll pay for it myself" The receptionist looks back in awe as several of her colleagues also look
"A-are you sure sir?"
"I wouldn't have written that cheque if I wasn't sure, now please. Let me see him. He needs someone"
The receptionist presses a button on her desk and calls for a nurse, it doesn't take long for someone to arrive, a youngish looking fox
"Hello my name is Charlie, I've been caring for Jack during his time here"
The two of them walk down a long corridor past rows of small rooms hidden behind curtains
"How bad is he?" Arthur asks, a tinge of hesitation in his voice
"Not too bad... he's alive at least" The nurse Charlie chuckles despite himself before continuing
"He's suffered a broken nose and third-degree burns to the side of his face"
Arthur frowns and looks aside as they walk
"How did that happen?"
"Buggered if I know, guy won't speak to us... but hey, least he'll get better now that someone has his treatment covered" He nudges Arthur's arm with his own and smiles, the latter simply nods.
"Oh hey would you look at that, the weather seems to have cleared up" The nurse smiles heartedly and they reach a door
"He's just in here, try to be quiet in case he's still sleeping alright?"
"I'll try my best not to disturb him"
Bidding the nurse farewell Arthur enters the room.
The curtains have been drawn back and the blinds have been raised. The windows opened slightly to all make the room feel light and warm relatively quickly thanks to the summer sun dispelling what would otherwise have been a far more dreary visit.
The small room is humble in size and décor with not much more than a bed, bedside table, a chair and a tiny room for the lavatory.
Under the covers of the clinical bed rests it's patient, Jack Lapine, a hare who's long ears rest against the headboard while his little white paws hold up the covers keeping him warm. His nose is clearly broken and guessing by the bandage wrapped around one side of his face his burns were as bad as Arthur could imagine.
"Jack...?" Arthur calls out gently but with no response.
"At least you're okay now" The hawk smiles to himself and sits on the chair by the bed and places the bag on the bedside table
"I know it seems bad, but I guessed you'd like a lettuce being a hare... I'm just hope it's some consolation... thought you might have something to nibble on when you wake up."
He looks at Jack for a moment and takes a tissue from a pocket to wipe his eye before getting up
"oh, and I paid your hospital fees... I don't have much left anymore but I really don't care so long as you get better. I don't know how I can help Jack but you're a fantastic student... one of the best I've ever had and I swear I'll help you... I just need to figure out how"
Arthur walks to the door and places his feathered hand on the handle
"get well soon Jack"
Arthur smiles and takes his leave, the warm sunlight blankets Jacks bed. The hares eyes open a tiny fraction to greet the day