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 Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 7:31 am
Melinda was starting to become a regular at the Starbucks. Grabbing her normal English tea with milk and sugar, only to take a seat by the corner window. Today was no different, except for the band homework she was working on.
Flipping her music sheet, she tapped out the beat to her latest project 'Memory'.
Only about every two minutes, she would flip in back to the beginning. Shaking her head, she rubs at her temples. Why was this song so hard? She heard it over a thousand times on her iTouch, yet she still couldn't get past this one single part. If she could just get past this part, she knew she would get the song right.
She just had to get the song right..there was no ifs, and, or buts about it.
Leaning back in the chair, she tugs on her green sweater. It had to be the cold, it was making it hard to think. And right now, dealing with this small headache wasn't helping the matter.
Taking a small tip of her tea, she sets the cup down as she goes back to counting out the beat.
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 7:58 am
Despite the fact Ursula Johnson was by technicality 'jobless', she was still on payroll for being a part of Barren Pines' faculty and therefore continued to have money in her bank account to burn. Having the students turn into zombie-like monsters and attack the remaining living ones also aided in freeing up her schedule as theater teacher, but on this fine Saturday morning, she was not watching mayhem and chaos, she was not ensuring the Negaverse's plan was carried out according to Charonite's desires, nor was she assisting in killing off the remaining students. No, Ursula had far more important matters to attend to.
Ursula required coffee.
The front door of the quaint little Starbucks swung open, and a bundled up twenty-two year old strolled her way into the coffee shop as if she owned the place. She hadn't visited this location terribly often, but as it was the closest one to Barren Pines, had begun to make regular visitations to satisfy her craving for the sugar and caffeine it would take to get her through hellacious days of teaching snot-nosed brats.
The line was fairly decent, but thankfully the staff was relatively fast. Her scarf was pulled down, her order was placed, and in a matter of minutes, a nice refreshing latte found its way into her gloved hands and everything was right with Ursula Johnson's world once more.
That is, until she looked to find a place to sit.
Glancing around, she soon discovered that this quaint location was already filled to the brim with customers, all seats now occupied with morning regulars and Christmas shoppers.
Well, ******** an open chair at a table where a single teenager sat by her lonesome, the older woman made her way over towards the empty chair. The girl seemed to be focused on pages upon pages of notes, but then again, it was finals time for the schools of Destiny City, so it came as no surprise.
"Nobody's sitting here, right?" She tossed out to her casually, moving to sit herself in the chair before the other girl had time to respond.
Mission of Sitting Down: Accomplished.
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 8:07 am
Melinda was so focused on her music sheet, she hadn't seen the older woman walk up or speak to her for that matter. It wasn't until she heard the chair move, that she looked up. Blinking rather surprised, she smiles then nods to the older woman "No, not at all. Your welcome to join me." lifting her cup of tea again, she takes a sip from it.
As she sets it down, she holds her hand out towards her "Melinda Reese." even during homework, she had to show respect. "I hope you don't mind humming and tapping. I'm trying to work out this one part for my final in band."
At the rate she was going, she had a feeling she would never get it though. She had to aim high in band, it was the only class she really enjoyed in school at the moment.
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 8:20 am
"Mmmm?"
Drink before conversation, Ursula simply let out an audible noise in the place of an actual answer, her mouth busy greedily consuming her expensive drink. There were dozens of lattes in Destiny City that cost a quarter of the arm and leg Starbucks charged, but it was the principle of the purchase. Why bother buying it if it isn't name-brand?
Eventually, the cup came down and Ursula's head let off another nod as she peered at the paper spread out on the table.
"Ursula Johnson," she introduced herself absentmindedly, eyes wandering over the strange music notes. Ursula herself had chosen art over music during her own time in high school, never one to care for reading off of music. If she wanted to sing, she'd damn well sing how she wanted to sing, and playing musical instruments hadn't been how celebrities and pop stars had made their way in life, so she'd never bothered to take interest in any of that sort of nonsense.
The idea of there being actual tests in the subject, however, intrigued her.
"You... actually have finals in that sort of thing? How in the world can you possibly test someone over something like music?"
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 8:34 am
Tilting her head, Melinda arches a brow towards Ursula. Was she actually asking her about her music piece. Slipping her hand into her lap, she rest her chin in her other hand "Well you pick out a piece of music, and practice it. Then perform it in front of the class, while the teacher grades you. Your final grade will depend on how accurate you did the piece, and your performance skill." turning her music sheet toward Ursula, she looks up at her.
"I chose to perform 'Memory' written by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Its a rather beautiful song. Yet I'm having problems with it, in the third part at least. The beat changes so quickly, that I miss it when playing." leaning back, she sighs as she curls her fingers around her cup.
Lifting the cup, she doesn't take a sip from it. Her fingers instead tapping the beat once again "Once I get that part, I'll be fine." looking up, she chuckles as she smiles "But here I am talking your ear off. I'm sorry, I'm very passionate about my music."
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 8:51 am
As a theater teacher, Ursula should have known who Andrew Lloyd Webber was. She should have known of Cats, of Phantom of the Opera, Aspects of Love, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, and the various other productions that Webber's name was attached to.
Instead, she merely stared at the girl and her music as if the idea of testing on music was a terribly silly concept. Music was fine; Ursula loved to sing and dance like the next woman, but to test on such a thing?
Eyes moved to watch the girl take a sip of her drink and then return to tapping. It was peculiar, but nothing more odd than some of the other habits Ursula was quickly growing accustomed to (cigarettes stored in the fridge being a main one her mind was still attempting to fathom).
"You play the drums, then?" she concluded, watching the fingers rap against the side of the table. Another sip, another headshake. "And no, it's quite fine. I'm sure if we were in, say, Macy's, I'd be doing the same to you as far as labels go."
Prattling was just as much a passion to Ursula as fashion was, but her main focus for the moment was not on talking, but drinking, and she took another sip, eyebrows furrowing as her orange eyes never left the tap tap tapping on the table.
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 9:01 am
"Sounds like my roommate, she simply loves fashion." she was glad to have Kore as her roommate. She wasn't all that fashionable herself, so it was nice to have help in the area. Setting her tea back down, she stops tapping as she leans back again.
"Oh no, I play a western concert flute. I tap the beat, so I can keep up with the others around me." she knew it was odd, but by counting it out. It helped her alot.
Leaning forward, she push her blond hair from her face "So which school do you go to?" she figured Ursula was a student herself, after all she look young enough to be one.
Maybe a senior?
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 9:19 am
Melinda was unaware of it, but she had just made a new best friend out of the vain high school teacher.
Preening, Ursula happily set down her drink so she could wave her hand in the other girl's direction, the delight obvious on her face.
"Who, me?" she overemphasized, still reveling in what she took to be quite the compliment, "Oh no, I work over on the Barren Pines campus."
One hand moved to twirl in her hair, orange locks wrapping around her perfectly manicured nail. "But it's sweet of you to think of me as such; I'm sure I'm not too terribly older than you, anyhow. And I presume you go to Crystal, with the musical talent you possess? I can only assume as much, judging by your dedication."
Compliment for a compliment, Ursula was very willing to trade kind words for the chance of receiving even more strokes to her ego. Despite, of course, having no ******** clue what the difference was between western flutes and regular flutes. Perhaps where they were manufactured?
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 9:28 am
Ursula was a teacher? This cause Melinda to blush. She didn't look like a teacher at all. But this was one of those, teachers have lives outside of work moments.
Looking down at her lap for a moment, she nods before she coughs into her hand. Hearing her speak of Barren Pines, she did glance back up "I know two people from Barren Pines. Just met them not to long ago. Lucas and Fallon, but very very nice people."
"I still can't believe you work at Barren Pines. I mean, you don't look much older then seventeen." she pauses as she looks back down at her sheet music again. Picking it up, she reaches down for her flute case. Setting her case into her lap, she pops it open only for a moment to set the music in it.
Closing and setting the case back at her feet, she nods "Yes I go to Crystal Academy. When my parents found out about the music program, they knew it was the school for me."crossing her legs, she leans forward alittle.
"If you don't mind me asking, whats it like working at Barren Pines?"
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 10:37 am
It was Ursula's turn to raise an eyebrow as she suppressed a smirk from revealing itself. If only Miss Reese could see her friends now, her opinion on the duo might change rather drastically.
The smile broke free across her face, her finger gently sliding around the rim of the coffee lid as she basked in the compliments. Of course she looked far younger than she did. Ursula made a point to keep herself beautiful, but it was always nice to hear such things from others. Now if only her significant other could be so open with such comments... hm, then again, maybe looking seventeen was what was preventing him, out of a guilty conscience? She would have to think about that one.
Eyes wandered to watch the girl tuck away her music and the teacher lifted her drink once more, the cup nearly empty by this point. This Crystal chick was nothing like any of the other students she'd encountered from the preppy school... why, Melinda didn't seem like a b***h at all. Huh. It seemed there were a few exceptions to every rule, after all.
Her back stiffened and she straightened herself in her seat at the question, Ursula's eyes narrowing slightly. "It's no different than any other school, I imagine," she explained cautiously, nearly defensively, "Though I am afraid we've had such an outbreak of bacterial meningitis that it's become quite the unsafe environment to be in. But, such is the life and sacrifice of a teacher, I'm afraid. I wouldn't suggest you drop by, Melinda, should you value your health at all. I bet it would be dreadful trying to play the flute with such an infection."
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 10:47 am
Melinda frowns at the mention of the infection going around "I heard about that, and I hope everyone's okay. I tried to call Fallon, after she called me. But I haven't been able to get in contact with her." worry etched itself in her eyes as she thought of Fallon and Lucas.
Lifting her hand to her lips, she bites at her thumb for a moment "I won't go near the school. The last thing I need to do is get sick, and have my parents worry over me as well." dropping her hand into her lap, she shrugs "I just hope everyone will be okay. And I hope you don't catch it, Ursula." she was generally concerned for everyone at the school, teacher or student.
Eying her drink, she stands as she holds out her hand for Ursula's own cup "Would you like another latte? I was just about to get myself another tea."
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 11:31 am
Her face had grown somber by this point, the subject of Barren Pines weighing heavily on her thoughts. As much as she enjoyed being the subject of so much flattery (it was a shame, really, that she couldn't corrupt as Charonite could - the Negaverse could use little darlings like this one!), Ursula's focus was once again brought back towards the school and her mission. The General-King expected only the best from her, and despite their recent spat, she intended to keep herself faithful to her job. She was the only Captain, after all, so someone had to set a good example!
"I would rather love to stay and chat," she began gently, almost mournfully, "But I'm afraid I must return to my office at the school. With as many children that are out due to sickness, I'm going to have to figure out a new... teaching criteria. Or something."
Shaking her head, she rose from the table, having enough manners to push the chair back under the table. Glancing towards the younger girl, she outstretched her hand and offered it to her.
"It was a delight to meet you, Melinda," came the cordial farewell, "Perhaps we shall meet again soon, I hope?"
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 11:40 am
Taking Ursula's hand, Melinda gives it a gentle squeeze as she nods "Yes, it would be nice to meet again Ursula. Maybe over shopping, or lunch. My treat?" she found Ursula a rather nice person to be around, and rather easy to talk to for an adult.
Looking down at her own watch, her eyes widen. She was going to be later getting back to school. Reaching down for her own flute case, she bows her head in respect "I must be off myself. Need to finish homework, and then work on this piece again." bowing her head, she pulls her jacket on quickly.
"Oh and Ursula. I know this might be much, but could you let Fallon and Lucas know I was thinking about them? And that I hope they are okay?"
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 12:00 pm
"I'd like that very much!" Ursula responded sincerely, never one to turn down a free meal or a shopping excursion. She reached into her purse and pulled out an old receipt and pen, jotting down her cell number on the back of the paper before tucking it into the other girl's palm.
Her smile grew wider, oddly enough, and curved up in almost a sinister fashion as the other girl mentioned the two Barren Pines students and her request.
"I'll deliver the message to them personally, should I run across them," she assured the younger girl with a head nod. With that, the scarf returned around her neck, and she turned back around and made her way towards the door. She dropped the empty container in the waste basket and turned to give the Crystal student a final cheerful wave before making her way out the door and into the chilly winter air.
Morning fun was now over, unfortunately, and it was time to return to the joys of student slaughtering. If she was lucky, perhaps indeed she would run across the ill-fated zombie duo running amuck across campus.
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 12:07 pm
Looking down at the piece of paper in her hand. Melinda smiles as she tucks it into her jacket pocket. Pushing her own chair in, she quickly disposes of her own cup before she moves out of the building. A shiver runs up her back as she pulls her jacket close.
It was a good morning, she finally found an adult she could talk to. And for that, she was happy. She would call Ursula soon, after finals that is.
Moving through the crowd, she makes her way back towards the bus stop. Back to Crystal Academy, and back to more work.
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