Phyllia Hawkwood turned from disconnecting the latest incoming call after the conversation ended to regard with studied calm the blond haired man with the beautiful white owl who waited so patiently at the Reception desk for her attention. "Good morning, sir. Welcome to Riverview Clinic. How may we help you today?"

She separated the three inches thick stack of pink message forms into neat piles, and carefully filed them in the slots designated for the various departments in the rack off to the side of her desk while she waited for a response.

"Of course, one moment please." Phyllia punched a few buttons, and spoke in hushed tones into the receiver. After she disconnected, she turned to the likely sight impaired man. "Doctor Valkonan will be out here shortly to speak with you personally."

Not long after those words left the receptionist's lips, the Chief of Staff herself appeared almost as if by magic at the front desk.

"Darius! It's good of you to visit. Do you wish to come into my office, or will you permit me a rare snack break at the cafeteria to share your company today?" Maranya's bright smile seemed to be equally audible in the tone of her voice as she gave Shariane's son a couple of options to choose from.

Maranya's laughter, rich and full, rang out easily. "Good choice, both of you! I'm tired of staring at the piles of printouts on my desk anyway. And I heard from Elliot that the batch of cranberry walnut muffins they're serving are especially good today."

She nodded deferentially to the snow owl. "Well met, H'uurl. I'm sure we can find something for you as well. Not rodents, unless we want to make a side trip to the labs first. Come along, then."

The Chief of Staff's heeled shoes beat out a staccato rhythm on the linoleum floor covering underfoot as she led the way to the cafeteria.

"Another donation?" Maranya was indeed warmed by the never-ending generosity that appeared to ooze out of the proverbial woodwork lately when it came to the Clinic. "That is certainly very generous of your friend and her family. Please let me know whom I may thank properly and personally for this donation' unless of course they wish to remain anonymous. In which case, I will ask you to tender my thanks to them instead."

"I see." Maranya noted the subtle hints of warmth in the young man's voice, as well as other faintly discernable changes in his demeanor, with an amused smile. "Well, I believe a tour can be arranged for Lady Ilisrai in the future. Either Phyllia or Xenia, my assistant, can inform you when it will be convenient for my schedule. That is, if you wish me to conduct the tour personally, of course."

Her laughter rang out at the comment about H'uurl's eating habits. "I see your point. I remember that from my studies in Zoology One oh One. We will reserve that particular treat for when you two are ready to leave, then."

Maranya smiled at the response from the snow owl. "You are quite welcome, H'uurl. Mm, that is a good thing to carry for him. Me, I usually carry SweeTarts for Aja to snack on."

Her brow ticked upward as she noted the indecisiveness now displayed blatantly in Darius' kinesics. "Is something wrong, Darius?" she asked. Her concern for the young man was clearly evident in both her features and her tone of voice.

Maranya's lips pursed in thought for a moment. "Mm, that is something that most everyone wants, to feel that they are useful, and make a difference. I had a hard time coping with that lack, when I lost my license."

She studied Darius' kinesics carefully before she spoke again, "How do you want to make a difference" Put aside your relationship with H'uurl for a moment. What do you want to do to make a positive impression on the world, and those around you?"

Maranya selected a cranberry walnut muffin for herself. "Answer those questions, and you can go from there. There's a motto we work by here. Identify the problem, and find a solution."

Then she met Darius' unseeing gaze with her hazels. "It's up to you, Darius. No one can make that decision for you. Well, they could, but I doubt you'd be truly happy if they did."