medical wonder

Liam Harding, 29. Resident surgeon at Hoag Presbyterian

[liamharding]

⏲️⁠ — How long do you think you would last in a horror movie?

“Uhhhh, well that depends. What type of horror movie is it? Because if it is the one where the killer chases after the main character, I’d be alright. I’d probably make it to the end.”

[liamharding]

danixlaflorxs·:

     It wasn’t often that Daniela found herself with a bar buddy of the opposite sex, finding that her past experiences had not been the best. The men had a tendency to be either too touchy, too rowdy or just straight up unbearable and the brunette was almost convinced that the male species in town were a lost cause. It was too early to tell since they had yet to reach their second round of drinks but she was too worried that this time around would be like the others, yet. Raising her own glass towards him, she gave Liam a soft smile. 

“Daniela.” she answered before taking a long sip of her drink. “Well, Liam, you seem pretty nice, I assume you’re not from around here, are you?”

For Liam, it was hard to imagine having someone in his life that wasn’t there before. So, that was why he had been so reluctant to move to Newport. But he knew he had to, there was no other way. For him or his career. And it meant making friends all over again, having to go out to meet people and be sociable, things he really hadn’t done before, when he was in school, when he was supposed to be doing them. He had been too focused on fulfilling the promise he had made to himself, and proving to his parents that he was cut out to be a doctor and not a mechanic. That was he was so refreshed and glad about the event, when he had the perfecto excuse to do it. 

Smiling at the girl, he took another sip, taking a few moments to reply. “Is it that obvious?” He chuckled. “I moved about a month ago, but hadn’t really come out ‘till the BBQ. I was trying to settle in, so to speak.”  Leaving the bottle down at the counter, he looked at her. “So tell me, are you a native?”

[liamharding]

Pinching the bridge of his nose with two fingers, Liam closed his eyes. The attending he had been assigned to was giving crap to another resident who had messed up, and he, along with two other residents, were caught in the middle of it, without really having anything to do or say about it. Opening his eyes again, he looked around, hoping to spot something he could focus his mind on while the yelling lasted, that way he would stay awake. He was almost through a 36 hour shift, and this was the last thing he needed.

A few minutes - which for him, lasted an eternity - later, after the whole ordeal was over, he was finally ready to go home. Making his way to his locker, he was barely able to keep his eyes open, so he decided to sit down for a moment at a nearby gurney, if he found one, that was. He was almost sleep-walking, and because of that he didn’t notice when he collided face on with someone. Why did he have to keep meeting people like that? Turning around to apologize, he was slurring his words, barely able to be understood. “Oh God, I am so sorry, I just - yeah, I’m sorry."

@newportstarters​

[eviehvrtley]

WHO: Open. WHEN: Friday, November 1st. WHERE: Coffee shop, cafe, diner, any similar type of establishment. TAGGING: @newportstarters​

               “Okay, I’m not proud to admit this,” Evie stated to her neighbor, interrupting the silence, “But I need some help.” She had been working on a crossword puzzle and was stumped, there were only four words left and she knew she had one of the four hints absolutely correct. The problem was that it didn’t fit with what was available. “I’ll buy you dinner, wine, whatever you want really if you can get this right for me.” It was too embarrassing for her to even mention just how long she had been working on the puzzle — she had the mind of an engineer and programmer, not language. Her frustration alone was great enough to deem the large prize worthy if it were to be settled. “The clue is Pandora’s domain and the answer is thirteen letters.” The answer seemed as though it should have been relatively easy, Evie was drawing a blank regardless. “You know what, I’ll buy you a coffee just for putting up with my interruption of whatever you were doing.” How boring was she? The crossword on a Friday afternoon?

[liamharding]

It was lunch time for Liam, and he needed to get out of the hospital for a moment. He needed to clear his head, and the closes thing to where he was, was a coffee shop, down at the corner. A coffee would serve him good, especially after the 20 hour shift he had pulled and the 16 hours he had left ahead of him. While he waited for the waiter to serve him, the girl sitting beside turned to talk at him, asking about the answer to a crossword puzzle. Chuckling, he looked at her. “Okay, let’s take a look at that,” he said, reaching for the paper and taking a look. He was not particularly good at them and it didn’t help that he was somewhat sleep deprived, but he figured it wouldn’t hurt to try. “Um, well, I’m not entirely sure, but it sounds like it could be ‘Internetradio’?” Giving her the paper back, he smiled. “And, there’s a very good chance I’m wrong, so no need to buy me anything. Don’t even worry about the so called interruption, the company is well appreciated.”

[liamharding]

aitanaballart·:

Aitana nodded enthusiastically. She didn’t know a lot about beer, but she did about wine and that was also an acquired taste, so why not give beer another chance? “I wasn’t planning to conceal my thoughts about it. My face always betrays me and shows my true feelings, maybe that’s why I would never make it as an actress.” She shrugged as a chuckle escaped past her lips. Aitana glanced his way when the bartender brought the beer and then brought the drink closer to her lips. She really tried to enjoy the taste, before telling him the verdict. “It’s actually not bad,” she replied, surprised that she hadn’t winced yet. It still tasted like beer, but it was better, tolerable and a drink she could actually finish. “It’s still not as good as a glass of wine, but the best I’ve tried.”

“It’s fine, honestly. It’s all in the past.” She smiled back at him. It was clear as day that something was bothering him. Perhaps it was the same problem he had to think over at the aquarium, but she would never know unless he decided to tell her. “I did, yes. It’s stunning, I don’t even know why I was so nervous about visiting one. The penguins were adorable.” She let out a laugh before taking another sip of the beer. “By the way, it wouldn’t be a bother. I don’t know if I’d be very helpful, but it seems like you need someone to talk with and I’m a great listener.”

Liam chuckled at the girl’s answer. It was hard to imagine her as an actress, her face was too... pure. “Maybe that’s a good thing, don’t you think?” Watching her as she took a sip of the beer, he was eager to learn her opinions. Her face didn’t say anything like he had thought, so he had to actually wait for her to talk. And when she did, he was surprised that she had liked the drink. Most only said it tasted like watered down pee, which he found oddly curious, because why would anyone know what pee tasted like? Nodding at her mention of wine, he had to own it to her; at least she had been willing to try something new. “Alright, fair enough.” He said, smiling at her.

Finishing his beer, he took in what she was saying. Although it was true he needed someone to talk to, he wasn’t sure who that could be. It was tempting, the offer she was making, but he still didn’t want to be a bother. So, he did what he knew best; he pushed her away before even giving her a chance. “I’ll think about it, okay?” Standing up, he gave her a nod, before walking away.

[liamharding]

💉 🔪 ❓⁠

💉⁠— Does the sight of blood make you squeamish?

“I’m a neuro surgery resident, that would definitely be a problem.” Liam chuckled, shaking his head. Of course, he knew that many people still didn’t know who he was, less that he was a surgeon, but it was funny, thinking of what he - or where - he would be, if he was in fact squeamish at the sight of blood.

🔪 — In your opinion, what is the most brutal way to die?

“Well, as a doctor, I know that the most brutal way to die is by plummeting down inside an elevator.  To survive a fall like this, it is imperative that one lies down on it’s back, flat on the floor, to spread out the G-force evenly. However, let’s say you weren’t able to. Want to know what happens next?” He raised his brow, continuing. “If you are still standing at the moment of impact, your internal organs may try to keep moving, despite the rest of your body not following suit. Because of this, your organs could tear out from the bottom of your body all at once, and your limbs may break under the impact. Your head, however, would remain farthest away from the bottom of the elevator, meaning you may survive long enough to see your insides make their way outside (if your brain isn’t destroyed by the fall, too). By then, pray you’ve gone into shock.” Shaking his head, he sighed. “But if you ask me, I would say burning. You are alive and feel all the pain, while you’re slowly cooked from the inside out.”

❓⁠ — Do you have a hunch about the way that you will die?

“No, not a clue. I hope it will be peacefully, lying in bed, without me even noticing. When I’m old, and after I’ve had a family.” 

[danixlaflorxs]

Where: anywhere with a bar lol Status: closed @liamharding​

     Handling a work call while in the middle of a bar while entertaining herself with the company of a fellow bar hopper was more likely to happen than Daniela thought. It certainly explained why the young woman had her phone to her ear as two pink-painted nails pinched the bridge of her nose while listening to her assistant’s apparent excuses. “No–Tina, if the rose gold isn’t on my desk by tomorrow morning then I expect to see your two weeks notice instead.” The brunette emitted an exasperated sigh as she quickly hung up and slid her phone back in her purse. Turning back to her drinking companion beside her, she gave him a thin-lipped smile. 

“Sorry about that, a girl’s work is never done, obviously.” Another sigh followed suit before casually resting her arms on the bar counter. “Now, you said something about a drink?”

[liamharding]

Liam had been busy since the event - he had started his job at the hospital. Being a resident was hard, it was long shifts, and barely any surgery time. The residents weren’t as useless as the interns, but they were still less than the attendings, who bossed them around thinking they owned them. So, when he had a chance to get away from it, he gladly took it. It wasn’t like he had many friends around, and he sure could use some. At the bar, he had ordered ahead, before his companion arrived. 

Now, after arriving, she had seemed to be glued to her phone. Watching her, pinching the bridge of her nose, there was no doubt she was flustered, if anything more. As she hung up the phone and turned to look at him, he smiled, sheepishly. “Yeah, I can see that.” Hearing her question, he was about to answer, but the bartender beat him to it. Placing a mojito in front of her, a beer in front of him, he gave a nod to Liam. “Ah, instead of words, drinks. Cheers,” he said, raising his bottle towards her. “By the way, I didn’t get a chance to get your name the other day. I’m Liam.”

[liamharding]

veronicasloane‌:

“She’s about eight months,” Veronica said, getting deja vu to those parents who talk about how old their babies are. She wasn’t an actual mother to any children - only dog children. She wasn’t opposed to eventually having children, but that was a big step, and she wasn’t in a place in her life where children would even make sense. Honestly, Vee felt like she needed some reassurance that she wouldn’t mess another human being up before she’d have kids. Dogs were just simply easier. Veronica didn’t even know what to say to answer his question about methods, knowing that she wasn’t much for methods so much as giving them a treat, a command, and hoping for the best. In the end, she ended up just showing the only way that could even be considered a method. “Sometimes,” she said, laughing a little as he took in how many dogs she had. “Easier than three children, though. Luna is really the only one who is a task.” Bear and Hercules were sweet, and they were older and much calmer. Hercules only got riled up if he felt like there was a need to switch into protective mode. Veronica listened as he gave suggestions, although couldn’t help the snort that came out of her mouth when he used the word alpha. She was sure he wasn’t meaning it jokingly, but the idea of her coming off as some alpha was humorous. Vee didn’t know this person at all, so it was a toss up on how he’d take her reaction, so she was quick to at least offer some sort of explanation. “Sorry - just funny to relate the term alpha to me.” In her mind, she didn’t think that was necessary. This wasn’t a wolf pack, or anything. Her dogs were more furry, constantly shedding roommates than anything.

Crouching down to pet Luna, he smiled at her. “Who’s a good girl?” Reaching out with his hand to the blonde, he nodded. “Could you pass me a treat, please? She deserves it.” Giving the dog the treat, he looked back at her owner. “No wonder she is so stubborn, she is but a baby. And, it’s past due to have her trained, if you ask me.” Thinking about it, the girl said she had two dogs, so he started to wonder about them. Had they been properly trained? It didn’t seem like she had her hands full with the three dogs, not really. And, of course, it wasn’t his place or business. Maybe he had come on too strong, which was something he didn’t want. If there was something he didn’t like, it was a show off, and it sure felt like he was being one right now.

Standing up again, picking up the stick in the process, he tossed it and nodded, knowing that the other dogs were trained. “What are their names? Your other dogs?” Hearing her laugh was unexpected, but he understood. He must have sounded ridiculous, talking about things, using terms not everyone was accustomed to. Hell, not even he was used to talking like that. Laughing with her, he shook his head. “Nah, don’t sweat it. I get it, it’s hard to get used to, and even start doing it, but it’s worth a try.” Raising his shoulders, he looked over at Luna, who was now returning, stick in her mouth. “Anyways, enough about that. And please, let me introduce myself, I do think it’s long overdue. My name is Liam, is nice to meet you.” 

[liamharding]

isabel--reynolds·:

“Right.” Only it wasn’t just hospital buzz that Isabel needed. It was the relentless work cycle that kept her afloat, that brought her comfort. It was saving lives and knowing that she was doing good things. He seemed unsure about things, like he didn’t know if he actually wanted to go back to work. Isabel couldn’t relate but she could understand why he might feel that way. Being a doctor came at a cost that she knew all too well but it was welcomed to her. She had no family. “Everyone’s very welcoming so I’m sure you’ll fit in just fine.”

There was something about the woman in front of him that was very mysterious, like she wanted to hide something. But, so was he. He wasn’t keen on going back to work because he didn’t want to see Julie or face the truth of what was going on inside his head, and with his life. “I’m sure they are,” he said, sighing. “I know a couple, Dr. Nesbitt and Dr. Spencer? At least there will be a new familiar face over there.” Looking up, he realized he was suddenly tired. “Well, it’s time for me to go, now. I’ll see you tomorrow at the hospital, Isabel.”

[liamharding]

beckanderson·:

“Oh, no, no, no, no. I don’t buy people drinks,” she tutted, shaking her head. “If I want to… let’s say, get to know someone, I just use my very effective charm and wit. It’s no fun when you win someone over because you bought them something.” At his mild incredulity, she shrugged. “Hey — this is all new to me too. I’ve met a bunch of actors already tonight and I didn’t even know they were famous. And you’ve got that…” she squinted, examining his face with great curiosity. “That jawline, I think. The one that girls like to freak out over.” Beck nodded her head in agreement at her own observation. “But doctor’s pretty good too. You’re saving lives and shit. That’s cool.” 

Her tone had been casual up until this point, but when he asked what she did, her expression darkened, unable to reign it back in before he’d notice. “Unemployed now,” she grimaced, taking a long sip of her drink. “Used to be in professional ballet though. Pretty dope gig, but uh, I had to quit.” She stopped her sentence abruptly, clearly not wanting to go into the details of that trauma.

Shaking his head once again, he couldn’t help but laugh at her comment. “The jawline? Alright, if you say so.” Still shaking his head, he listened to the girl, telling him she was unemployed. There seemed to be more to the story than she led on, but he didn’t want to pry. “Well, if you want to, you and I can go to a show together and you can tell me all about your love of ballet. If that’s okay with you, I mean. Perhaps without any alcohol or craziness involved.”

[liamharding]

danixlaflorxs·:

     The brunette emitted a sigh of relief. “Finally, someone who gets it.” A bit dramatic but, Daniela felt as if she had been guzzling “flavored” beer all night and was desperately craving variety. “Mm, I guess I should expand my palate for the night so, I’ll have a mojito, please.” She spared a glance at her new drinking companion as she fiddled with the empty glass she finished off earlier. “So are you a regular connoisseur of grain alcohol or did themed beer attract you somehow?”

Liam smiled, cocking his head to one side. “There’s no point in having someone pretend, what is the use? I mean, if you’re going to be doing something you might as well enjoy it. That’s what I think.” Raising his shoulders, he took another sip from his beer. “I’m actually a regular connoisseur, back home my pops and grandpa were all about beer, and they taught me.” Finishing his beer, he looked over at her, seeing as the event was almost done. “Hey, I’ll do you one better. I’ll buy you two mojitos and you can show me around town?”

[liamharding]

bashcastillo·:

“Yeah, I’m still getting used to it, but it’s pretty great. It’s really my sister’s; she just roped me in.” Bash took a drink of his own soda. Sharing information with a stranger was harmless compared to opening up secrets to those close to you. And as far as information about himself went, revealing his career wasn’t anything major. Still, his instincts normally told him to build a brick wall and keep it there. It had been crumbling lately. “Mango Car, yeah. They brew it over in LA, so it’s local. I think that’s why Adri likes it. It’s that California loyalty. Cerveza Fresca is a good one, too, and local.” Bash’s knowledge of beer was endless. It was the once part of the restaurant he was an actual asset to, something he didn’t really need to learn.

There was something about hearing the other man speak about beers that reminded him of home. It kind of was like watching his father talk, but his father always had a beer in hand. “Adri? Is that your sister?” It would be nice, having some family around, or at least someone to confide in, someone close to help him out throughout whatever thing he was going on with Julie. “Hey, that’s nice that you know about beers. Any chance you can teach me more about the beers, here in California? I have a pretty extensive knowledge as well, but from North Carolina, actually. It’d be a nice chance to see the restaurant as well, that is if you don’t mind?”

[liamharding]

emilioajean‌:

Emilio laughed, amused by how adamant the other was. “Are you sure they’re not paying you to say all this? Cause if not, they really should. I mean it could be the worst thing - which I’m sure it’s not - but I wouldn’t even know it at this point.” He mused. “Maybe you should look at it and I’ll just take like a 10% discount off me persuading you towards such a great idea. Per paycheck of course.” he joked. Though if the man wanted to be that generous, Emi wouldn’t turn him down. “Nice to meet you Liam, I’m Emilio,” he smiled, shaking his hand, “and I wouldn’t judge you, you’d still be in a better shape than people who’ll probably get wheeled out of here.” He withdrew his hand, resting it on the bar top. “You’re not a Newport native, so how long have you been here?”

Shaking his head, laughing, he looked at the guy in front if him. “Oh, no, no, no. I wish they were, that way at least I’d get all the money I’m planning on spending on these things back. You’re right.” Pointing at the beer in his hand, he nodded. “They are good, man, they are.” Taking a sip from the beer, he shook his head again. “Ah, now you’re talking money. I’m thinking about 2%, overall,” he joked back. “Well, let’s hope you’re right, Emilio. I don’t want to be wheeled out,” he joked again. Nodding, he looked over at the other man. “Yeah, I’m actually from Beaufort, North Carolina. I just barely got here, one week.”

[liamharding]

aitanaballart‌:

“I’m sure there are still more beer enthusiasts than critics.” As far as she could remember she had only met a handful of people that disliked beer, at least enough to not drink it. Most people always told her that nobody really enjoyed the taste of beer, yet they continued drinking it, which to her made no sense. “Listen, I’ll try it.” Maybe she would finally find her kind of beer, if she didn’t like it then she wouldn’t order more and that would be the end of it. “You make it sound like this beer is something else, so now I must try it.”

“Yeah, well, I’m glad you didn’t step on me this time,” she teased, reminiscing how they’ve met at the aquarium. “No need to apologize. After you left I got a lot of time to think, not sure if it was a wise decision,” she joked, letting out a chuckle. At his next comment, Aitana stared at him, brows knitted in confusion. It didn’t take her long to figure out what he meant and the reason why he wanted her womanly input. “Girl problems? I feel back in high school.” Soft, melodic laughter trickled out. “Okay, so what’s the issue? You are very lucky, not to brag, but I’m very good with girl issues.”

Cocking his head to one side, he studied the girl in front of him. She seemed to know what she was talking about, but for the past couple hours he hadn’t seen more than two or three people drinking beer, aside from him. “Are you sure? I mean, beer is beer. I think it’s more of an acquired taste, and there’s a really high chance your face will showcase your true thoughts about it. You might not like it on the first go.” This was all too true, he had seen it more times than he could count. Still, he didn’t give her a chance to answer, and he was already getting the bartender’s attention, and in the next minute, an opened bottle of beer was placed before her.

Liam laughed, remembering how the two had met. He had moved back and stepped on her, and if she hadn’t brought it up, he wouldn’t have remembered any of it. “I’m sorry about that, again. I didn’t see you there,” he chuckled. However, when she offered to help him, his face turned straight, lost in thought. Should he tell her? He wasn’t one to tell anyone else about his problems, he didn’t like to be a burden, but he did need to know why Julie had done what he did. “Uh, I mean, never mind. I don’t want to bore you with my trouble. But tell me, did you end up touring the whole aquarium that day? I know I would’ve if I hadn’t had to go.”

[liamharding]

isabel--reynolds‌:

“Just call me Isabel,” she added with a grin, friendly and patient. “Everyone does.” Literally everyone in the hospital called her Isabel - besides the select few that she didn’t like and patients. “Are you looking forward to getting back to it? I know I’d be going absolutely stir crazy if I was put off work for any amount of time.” Mainly because she needed the constant workload to function - just like she’d needed to be involved in any extracurricular that she could put into her schedule when she was younger.

“Isabel it is, then.” He said, smiling. However, he didn’t know how to answer her question. Was he looking forward to it? The buzz of the hospital, the busy life, no time for anything else. That had been everything he knew, and that had been the reason his relationship had eneed in the first place. He did miss it but he was afraid it would take a higher toll on his life than it already had. “I am,” he finally said, still unsure. “Nothing like the hospital buzz, is there?” He chuckled.

[liamharding]

jvliespencer·:

“What are you — ” The rest of the sentence was left unspoken when his words cut her expression, turning her features from frustration to complete confusion. What was he talking about? They had broke up on a mutual decision, the fights, the frustration and blaming towards each other were becoming the biggest part of the relationship; both had agreed to end before the feelings were turn into hate and resentment — Liam was her favorite person and it was better to be friends then to not be in each other’s life at all. Yet, she was complete out of the loop over what happened the time they were apart; all she knew was that, he went back home and that was it. There weren’t much details nor they had spoken over it, clearly, since the one thing she was told was the pregnancy and only when it was too late. Julie was not much of a jealous person, she rather trust the one she has chosen to share her life than to play the insecure and jealousy type. Yes, she had ran like a child spooked by a dream and did not even bother to give him a reasonable explanation (perhaps it was because there was none).  However, it was not out of jealous; not at all. 

“What happened to your parents? What is that you are not telling me?”

When he and Julie had agreed to break up, something that seemed to have been ages go, it had been because none had much time for the other. Their career was getting in the way lf their relationship, and they were fighting too much for it to be enjoyable, or at least bearable. Not long after, he had received the call of his grandfather’s sickness, and had moved back home. There, he had learned about his father’s affair, and how he had gotten the other woman pregnant, which had his mother devastated because of her miscarriage all those years ago. But Julie didn’t know any of that. When he had gone back to New York - back to her - he hadn’t told her anything. He wanted that part of his life - the mess that his home was, what had been - to be over. Why hadn’t he told her? He really didn’t know, he knew she would’ve helped him through it, hell he should’ve even called her when he had heard and none of this would be happening. If he had called her, he never would’ve gone partying and drinking and the other girl’s pregnancy wouldn’t have happened at all. But he hadn’t called her, they were broken up and he didn’t want to be a burden. And now - well, since the day of their engagement party - that decision had come to bite him in the ass.

With one hand reaching the bridge of his nose while his eyes closed momentarily, then passing over his forehead, the other hand perched on his hip. He looked at her, knowing full well he had to tell her eveything. But how - or where - would he even start? “Julie, we need to talk. There are some things I need to tell you.” Looking around, he realized they needed to go somewhere else to talk, maybe even after the event was done. The place was packed with people and it wasn’t the time or place to have a serious conversation. Taking her hands in his again, he stared into her eyes, his own gaze filled with love and hope, but hurting at the same time. “Julie, I love you. I have never stopped loving you. And I want you in my life, you have no idea what a year - then six months - apart from you did to me. I’m miserable without you in it. And I only hope that you are, too - not miserable, but that you want me in your life.” Sighing, her hands still on his, he dropped one to move on towards her face, one finger below her chin, lifting her head towards his. “Do you, Julie? Do you still want me? Do you still love me?”

[liamharding]

beckanderson·:

Beck could hear the hesitation in Liam’s voice, but she was used to that tone in people. Sometimes she had the tendency to toe the line of what was appropriate and what was not in a social setting, but it was only because she didn’t care much for social settings or manners or appropriateness anyways. “Ugh — I have no clue. He thinks that I’ve had too much, but, it’s like, fuck you dude, you don’t know my limits.” Crossing her arms, Beck shook her head in disgust. “Anyways, I might have cussed him out after that, and then they really cut me off.” Her eyes scanned the bar area, visibly sighing in relief when she saw that the guy was too busy serving the other end of the counter. “So, get ready to hide me if he comes down here.” She smiled, turning to face the man fully, and leaned into her palm with her elbow on the bar. “Anyways, what do you do here? Are you an actor, or something ridiculous like that?”

Wow, this girl was a lot. Feisty and knew what she wanted, that was a combination that proved dangerous. Shaking his head at her comments, he chuckled. “Maybe you shouldn’t have cussed and it would be you buying me a drink,” he joked. Taking another sip from his bottle, he nodded, raising the bottle towards her. “Cheers to that. I will most definitely aid and abet in this misdemeanor,” he laughed. Taking another sip, he almost spit it out, chuckling at her question. “An actor? Do I look like an actor to you?” He said surprised. Shaking his head, he sat up straight. “No, no, nothing of the sorts. I’m actually the new resident at Hoag Presbyterian. What about you?”