Sydryn’s next patient was Dr. Ix themself. The Yulinian doctor waited patiently as ever in their assigned examination room until Syd came in. They had their arms around their distended stomach, eyes on the floor as the dragon walked in.
“Is it worse than usual?” Sydryn asked, getting straight to the point. Ix was used to this, in fact they preferred not to waste time with pleasantries when the option was available. Not greeting each other was their way of greeting each other at this point.
“Yes, I must admit,” Ix answered. “I believe I might be bound.”
Similar to human menstruation, Ix was on their egg cycle. The usual cycle was shorter than a human however, leading most Yulinians to lay once every two weeks. Ix however had a longer cycle and they had a condition that caused them to hyperovulate. For a Yulinian, this was a dangerous condition as it increased the chance of becoming egg-bound. Best case scenario, the Yulinian would be very uncomfortable. Worst case scenario could be their death. Now, Yulinian medical advancements had greatly lowered the chance of egg-binding resulting in death with drugs and procedures, but it was still a health risk for any suffering from it and Ix had been so cursed.
“You took your medication?” Sydryn asked.
“Yes, as soon as I became aware of egg production,” Ix responded. They took a drug which was meant to soften the shells of their eggs so the laying would be smoother. “It didn't work. My eggs are still very hard.”
“Allow me to examine the state of your ovum. You’ll feel some pressure but if it hurts, let me know.” Sydryn started to palpate the doctor's stomach carefully, starting at the base of their abdomen and pressing inward. As soon as they did however, Ix’s whole body visibly tensed and they winced.
“Please, stop…” Ix whined. “I can't let you continue…”
“Is it too painful?” Sydryn asked.
“No… Yes, but no…” Ix shook their head. “I can’t explain…”
“I can't do much to help if I can't examine you properly,” Sydryn said. “I'm attempting to see what position your eggs are in.”
“I’m sorry to waste your time…” Ix waved a hand. “Just let me attempt to push on my own…”
Sydryn frowned. “Are you sure? Dragons get bound as well. I attended to a similar situation very recently.”
Ix was shaking their head more vigorously. “I’m sorry, Sydryn. I can't ask you to assist me any further. I'll take myself to the birthing pool and attempt to resolve this myself…”
“Well, here… Let me help you to it,” Sydryn said offering a hand to help the Yulinian up.
Ix kept their hands at their sides. “No, I… This was a mistake. I can handle it alone. I should not keep you from your other patients who need you.”
“Ix, at this moment you are my patient,” Sydryn stated. “You came to me for medical help with this.”
“Well then, I'd like to request another doctor to assist me,” Ix said.
Sydryn blinked in surprise. “I-I… You're aware the only other doctor here is Gardi?”
Ix nodded. “Yes.”
“And you're aware he knows a lot less about Yulinians?”
“Yes.”
Sydryn was very confused, but they weren't going to let it ruin their professionalism. “I'll go get him for you.”
“Thank you.”
Sydryn left and attempted to remember what duties they assigned Reid to do that day. They recalled they'd shoed in a break time for the recovering doctor to prevent him from getting overworked so they went to check for him in the break room. Luckily, Reid was making use of it, and he was journaling, something Sydryn had suggested he do to help with his memory issues.
The other doctor was a bit surprised when Syd walked in on him, but he smiled. “Hi! Um, what's up?”
“I'm sorry to interrupt your break,” Sydryn said. “But a patient of mine has requested a different doctor.”
“What?” Reid blinked. “...Someone requested a doctor…other than you?”
“Correct.”
“Why?” Reid asked.
“I haven't the faintest idea,” Sydryn stated.
“I would think you'd ask Ix first, wouldn't you?” Reid assumed.
“It is Ix.”
“What is Ix?”
“The patient is Ix.”
Reid's eyes widened. “Ix is your patient right now, but they don't want you to treat them? Why?”
“I haven't the faintest idea,” Sydryn repeated themself.
Reid slowly stood up and closed his journal. “Um, alright. I guess I'll sub in then. What's the issue?”
“Hyperovulation and egg binding,” Sydryn said.
“And they want me to help with that and not you?” Reid inquired once more.
“Yes.”
“You know more about Yulinians than I do.”
“I am incredibly aware of that.”
“Alright… Have they taken their medication?”
“Yes, it has been ineffective on this occasion. Please, assist the patient. Matters of egg binding are time sensitive.”
“Of course!” Reid put their lab coat on. “Where can I find them?”
“The birthing pool,” Sydryn said.
“Right.” Reid made to leave but paused. “How would you proceed?”
“If Ix will allow extra assistance, I recommend you make use of Köbi to relax them and soothe the pain they are experiencing. If not, then an epidural.”
Reid nodded. “Alright. Thanks, Syd. I'll be right on it.”
“Go, please. Thank you.”
“Right.”
As Reid left, Sydryn sat down at the break room table, utterly perplexed about what had just happened. As far as they knew, Dr. Ix had always had the highest respect for Sydryn and their practice, so why now did they not want to be treated by the dragon?
