Rhythm of Life

Posted on 30 Nov 2018 @ 7:03pm by Chief Warrant Officer 3 Alexion Wylde

707 words; about a 4 minute read

"Smoke and Ash, I'm bored...." Alexion sat back tiredly, running his hands up over his face and hair, sighing heavily as he let the hands drop lifelessly a moment later. "Two months of 'treating' headaches and sprains...I'm so glad that years of training are being put to good use."

He rubbed the back of his neck roughly, a clear look of displeasure displayed by the slight purse of his lips. "At least Laeon's happy though. He's kept his word. He's not complained once about being sent out on such a long journey. Not that I'd have tried to make him stay behind; he made such a fuss last time that it's really not worth the pain. He's missing the launch of his uncle's new holofilm though, but Jaq promised to give him a showing when we get back."

He shook his head slowly, a small, wry smile pulling at his lips. "Actor. Of all the things my brother could have done in this 'new world', all the life changing, universe bettering things he could have picked, he became an actor. He might be good at it, but he's capable of so much more....playing pretend isn't exactly shaping the future, is it."

Alexion grimaced when he took in his own words, looking off to the side. "Fires, I sound like my father."

He fell silent as his mind went back to the fierce rows they'd had when he was younger. When Alexion's Talent had emerged and sealed his fate to become a doctor. He'd wanted nothing more than to lounge back and enjoy his life of leisure in gaming halls and bars...with drink, smoke, rocks and lovers.

He'd never wanted to be a doctor. He'd fought and rallied and raged against it, no matter how much his father had told him he had no choice, that he had to submit to the casting system, like everyone else. That he should accept it with pride and dignity instead of with the temper of the sea.

"Infuriating man," he breathed, rubbing his jaw absently. "I miss him," he added, without really noticing he was saying it.

Alexion had taken that lack of care for his profession through to his first placement. An angry young doctor who resisted his career. Caught in the paradox of discovering his natural ability in the vocation, getting frustrated when it only pushed him further forward in a profession he didn't care for, but still not being able to help himself when it came to demonstrating his skill.

Hanri, the person tasked with running the hospital, and so Alexion's placement there, was the lucky man most often left to cope with the young doctor's antics. Much to Alexion's confusion, and perhaps even chagrin, Hanri had more often than not just discreetly laughed at the display. 'Make your mind up, Alexion, are you a bad doctor or a good one?'

"Another infuriating man," Alexion muttered to himself, shaking his head with a fond smile as he studied his nails.

It had been Laeon that had changed everything of course. An unplanned but beautiful gift. It had given him a sense of purpose, the need to be a better man. So he decided to become a good doctor. He wasn't sure he would have ever done it for himself, but he did it for Laeon. He'd do anything for his son. He'd known that when he was a vulnerable, delicate infant in his arms, and he still knew that now he was a tenacious, bright youth.

"And he'll be whatever he wants to be," he said quietly, shaking his head slowly as he straightened up, stretching his back out awkwardly with a grimace. "Apart from a doctor. Or an actor. He's not going to be an adult playing pretend. Unless he can make a lot of credits out of it," he tilted his head to one side and then the other as if considering. "Perhaps I should ask how much Jaq has made...probably more than me..."

Alexion gave a soft tut, reaching out to close up the computer with a sharp shake of his head, not able to muster up anymore thoughts. "And he doesn't even have to deal with headaches and sprains..."

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