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 Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 11:46 am
Lina bit her lip, lowering her head in shame. "...I know. I know--" She cut herself off, drew a few deep breaths with her eyes squeezed shut, then looked back up.
"I don't want...I don't want them to know," she said quietly, tears beading in her eyes. "I know I'm stupid. But...I couldn't stay there. And I--I wanted to s-see--"
She cut herself off again. "...I'm tired. Thank you for your attentions, Lady." And if her smile was a little bit less stressed, she would credit the warmth this lady exuded. "I should sleep now."
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Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 8:08 pm
“Please just call me Irame.” She said. “I can’t do much now that you’re here, but please, try to be careful. If I get the time I might summon up something to help protect you. If you want it.” Really Irame wasn’t sure how good of an idea that would be for Lina’s mental health, but she was sure that she could make a rather alive looking creature, and it was really more to make sure that the woman was okay. “You probably should sleep, it’ll should help you, both with the situation here and with the pregnancy.”
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Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 10:18 am
The group took their time to where the survivers located. There seemed to be some kind of trouble within a group. Regardless, people chatted and talked to one another as if they were in a marketplace. Kenth followed the group, walking alongside with Herei, who kept a gentle expression on his face as usual. The man never seemed to be amused by anything, if he was, it must have been intentional. Kenth wondered if the man saw the entire trip as a game...a game that he found challenging and thus ineresting. If that was the case, both of them came without a single heroic thought in mind. They placed themselves on a bet. If they win, they'd prosper in some ways, and if they lose, they'd lose their life.
How hypocritical. Kenth thought, rolling his eyes and mocking himself. And he'd look down on anyone who didn't treasure their lives...By this, he'd look down on both himself and Herei. Although the advisor was so mysterious that nothing was for sure.
Or did he overestimate him? Perhaps he was just a happy-go-lucky person, perhaps he was just a plain trickster. Perhaps the only strength of him would be looking mysterious for the smart people to decipher, while he himself didn't hold any secrets at all. Kenth found himself falling into the man's trap. He was truly tricky, and Kenth made sure that he had to be careful with the advisor at all times.
As soon as the group arrived in the hideout Kenth left the majority to explore the surroundings himself. He talked to a few scientists. Some of them recognized him as the Dr. Kenth, while others did not. Kenth frowned at the observation. This must mean that the scientists did not really retreat back to the international health headquaters. Rather, some of the people, like Jonas, were dispatched, and replaced by new scientists. Kenth let out a heavy sigh. No wonder the Chinese would be mad at them...the goverment did not keep its promise.
On another thought, Kenth imagined the natives to be brute, but still humane creatures. Even if they did hate the scientists, killing and mutilating them seemed to be too extreme. They must have some kind of hatred that went beyond what Kenth deducted, and it would be strong enough to drench the land in blood.
Ignorant people...didn't they know human population was scarce? Doesn't seem like these natives would care.
Kenth took his time to walk around. The information he had gathered, however, were disappointing. The scientists didn't know much about the riot at all. They were clueless victims. Or were they too stupid to do anything about it? Stopping suddenly, Kenth turned to look at the group of people that he had met upon arriving. The girl, Lina, was having some sort of trouble. Kenth snorted. Weaklings would drag things down...he could not afford that.
Hands in his pockets, Kenth wandered to the entrance. He hoped to find Herei and discuss with him the dispatchment of the group. Surely the advisor would agree to send someone like Lina back to the hospital where she could rest without imparing the investigation.
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Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 10:49 am
Alex had rested her back against the hulking doors, sliding down until she was in a sitting position; it was here she stayed and observed, watching the room from her vantage point. She watched Lina, clearly upset about something that was very much not the flu, and Irame's concern that only verified her thoughts; she watched Sable, how he interacted with the boys and how much RuiZhi seemed to take to him; she watched Weiyuan and Rylenn, their reactions to each other and how RuiZhi seemed to want none of it. The boys were very difficult for her to leave be, as they were the reason she was here in the first place, and to see them acting as though it was a mere riot situation...it bothered her, made her feel cold inside.
Her sharp gaze watched Dante as he interacted with the boys, and Herei as he made his rounds. She didn't like the situation one bit, and the flippant attitude everyone seemed to be dealing with. Alex knew in her gut that this wasn't the virus, or even about the presence of the scientists; it was a ruse, just as it was when the 'politics' were involved with the deaths from last time. She knew the natives weren't a violent lot, except for the one man who learned the hard way that she was intolerant of actions against those she held dear. It wasn't that she wanted to be a hero, or take the glory, or take the blame; she wanted those near her to live well, and to live fully. The sacrifices others made in her past she honored by passing on her bid to encourage the ones she held dearly.
Alex's dark green eyes fell upon the lone figure of Doctor Kenth as he unwittingly (or was it?) made his way towards her. The one who wanted to take the blame - perhaps even the glory - that she had never sought. Her purpose here was to make sure that those who dreamed would make it out alive and whole to make the dreams a reality. She sat in silence, watching his approach with a neutral expression; while everyone else was lost in their personal issues, this man still worked and pushed forward. If anyone knew what was going on here, she'd put her trust in him.
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Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 12:45 pm
Dante watched the proceedings impassively as well, watched as Lina nodded, finished her tea and lay down on the bed, eyes closing and breath evening out. That was a good thing. She needed the sleep.
They all did.
His expression spread across the room, to everyone. Things were...tense. Especially with those that had been here earlier.
What was going on....?
He'd read the reports. He thought the natives wanted to just live peacefully--like his family, and the small village they ruled. He related to them.
And even if they were being cruel beings, he'd defend them all.
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Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 7:04 pm
And so there he sat, watching the others with large attentive eyes. Perhaps he should associate himself with the others, and perhaps it would have been wise to enter into a group early on, but even since he arrived here he hadn't clung to a specific group. He had followed the others when they made it to this building and now he sat watching each person from his own space in the fairly large room, observing the actions of several all at once, but hardly paid enough attention to really understand what each was doing. Folding a leg beneath him, from his bag he took a pad of paper and a sharp pencil before he lifted his other leg to create an arch by which he could balance the art pad on in order to draw comfortably.
He happenings of that day had gone by noticed and though he didn't directly take part in the actions as of yet he had a general understanding of what had been going on. They had met up with a scientist here, and from there now were stationed currently in a facility where the survivors were finding shelter. This seemed to be the just of it anyway. Putting his pencil to the paper, Elijah started to sketch lightly starting with circles and squares to frame the bust of his new muse starting with the head then moved to the chin area before outlining the neck.
Looking away from his work he looked to a few of his peers, wondering if joining them would be a good idea. It certainly would be an easy way to get to know his fellow students, besides, he needed to know them not just for school but for this mission. Besides, what did they think of him sitting there by himself? He hoped they did not find his actions rude. But...how was he to introduce himself? 'Quite being such a coward, 'Lij',' he thought to himself.
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Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 8:08 pm
“Well I suppose that he‘s a little attention getting…” Greg said as he sat down next to he woman. He had been following the group, but hadn’t thought of much that he could have done inside the building. Because of that he had simply hung around just outside the doors.
“I’m assuming that you’re Miss. Alex?” he said with a smile and a nudge. “I’m Greg, I hope that you still remember me, seeing as how you seem to be my brothers ‘girlfriend‘.”
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Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 8:22 pm
Alex blinked slowly, as if coming out of a trance, before rolling her head to the side and smiling at Greg. "Of course I remember you, Greg, but you seem to have forgotten that it's just Alex, no Miss or Ma'am about it." She chuckled a little at his comment, nudging him back and shaking her head playfully. "While the sentiment is sweet," she glanced over to the doctor before returning her gaze to Greg with a wry smile, "I hardly think someone he refuses to talk to and doesn't want around qualifies as a girlfriend."
The man next to her had his eyes, but they were infinitely warmer and kinder than Kenth's own icy and unforgiving glare. Greg's demeanor and expression spoke of being open and inviting, while Kenth's radiated a frigid chill and the aura of wanting to be left alone. Of course, Alex paid it no mind, her mind briefly recalling the embrace she had forced upon the poor man.
Something else tried to come back to her, some old memory of a warm hug. It was distant, but there, a dull ache in the back of her mind that felt rekindled when she looked at Greg. How strange, she mused inwardly, her dark green eyes looking curiously into his sky blue gaze for the answer. Why was he familiar to her? She then blinked and shook her head again, trying to dislodge the memory. "Has he spoken with you? I know he's not happy about everyone being here. I can't say I blame him." Her attention shifted briefly to the boys on the opposite side of the room before returning to her red-headed companion.
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 3:24 pm
“Ah there’s a miss when I’m meeting you in person for the first time.” Greg insisted holding up a finger. “That much my family drilled into me.” At the mention of family he too looked over at Kenth. He shook his head and patted Alex on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’m sure that he’s just going through a phase. As soon as this ones done I’m betting that there’s dating, that’s when you’re defiantly the girl friend.”
His eyes shifted around to the rest of the people around the room. Some of them, the elves, the teachers, they, he supposed, could take care of themselves, but the students…? Well they were a different story.
“No.” He answered shortly, not clarifying what he was saying no to, but expecting that she would understand. “Although I have to say that I’m not happy about everyone else either. I understand the teachers, but having students here is just silly.” He sighed and looked down, closing his eyes for a moment. Then he looked up at Alex and smiled. “Speaking about kids how do you feel about having them?”
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 3:41 pm
Alex could only stare at Greg as he talked, listening as though he wasn't quite speaking to her. She did understand what he was saying, and found some peace that she shared the same sentiments with the man. At the mention of kids, however, her eyes got a touch more wide; while she was certainly shocked, her bright eyes and half smile were more like her normal self than she had been since she'd arrived. "Kids? Goodness Greg, don't you think that's jumping the gun a little?" She laughed, covering part of her face with her long fingers. It was hard to tell, but she might have been blushing.
"Honestly, I haven't ever thought about it. I don't think he," she tilted her head in Kenth's direction, "likes them, whether or not I'm in the picture." Alex was very careful to word her replies, not admitting to anything. Entertaining the cold man as a boyfriend seemed like walking on thin ice as it was, but kids? Another chuckle escaped her at the thought of the impatient doctor and children of his own. Weiyuan would surely flee to the opposite side of the world if she were to bear children. Something in her softened at the thought, her lips tugging into a strange type of smile, almost maternal. "I...don't know. I suppose that's a path I'll cross when I get there."
She turned her gaze to the red-head, her strange smile still lingering, her voice friendly and teasing, "Is this an interrogation of being worthy for your brother?" It seemed that for the time being, she had forgotten where they were and the situation at hand.
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 7:03 pm
“He or George better have kids sometime, and seeing as how George is still in collage it looks like it’s all up to Kenth.” He chuckled. “Really it doesn’t matter how much he likes them now. It’d be different once he had them.” It hadn’t been the most serious question that he had ever asked, and Alex’s reaction certainly had done nothing to help him be more serious. He did have to admit that she looked rather enduring when she blushed.
He scoffed when she asked if it were an interrogation. “No, it’s not me that you have to worry about. I’m happy if you and Kenth are. George might want a word on it, but the biggest problem that you’ll have to face is Kenth himself. If you get past him then you’re all good by us.
“And just so you know, I don’t think that I’m jumping the gun that much. I’m just making conversation.” He said shrugging his shoulders and giving her a look of fake innocence.
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 7:15 pm
"Right. Harmless conversation on children." Alex couldn't keep the dry tone out of her voice, although she was grinning to keep the edge off. He was an interesting man, the total opposite of Kenth, and she couldn't help but be curious by yet another Larine: George. That could wait, as there was a topic at hand that she was more interested than she'd admit. "I don't think Doctor Kenth is happy right now. In fact, the only time I think I saw him look even remotely pleased was when we first met; however, I think that was due more to the information I gave him than my own presence." She laughed, shaking her head at the memory. She must have looked so foolish then, with a shirt tied around her head. He really had humored her.
She rolled her head back to look at Kenth, crossing her arms over her stomach. After a moment of silence, she seemed to remember why she was here; her tone became serious, "I'm worried about him. He seems to think that the riots are his fault." Another pause, then, "I think those of us who were here before all feel some measure of guilt, but he carries it like a badge. I hope for all our sakes he doesn't...doesn't go off trying to play by their rules again. That ended badly." If badly could be considered her fist and another person's nose, it would be far, far worse this time around.
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 7:40 pm
“Exactly. I’m ever so glad that you agree with me. Other people might think that this conversation was strange or some such thing.” Greg replied rolling his eyes. “And as for Kenth… Well he always acts annoyed. Don’t take it personally. I wasn’t kidding when I said that I think that this is a phase.” He smiled. “I really think that. He’s always been a little strong willed though, and he’s not good at showing his emotions, even with someone like me as his role model. It may be strange but it’s true, and I think that you’ll be fine.” He rubbed the back of his neck, as if to work out a few kinks and got quite a bit more serious as she spoke once more of why they were there.
“Well that’s part of the reason that I’m here.” He replied. “To make sure that none of the people who are out here saving us get hurt. And as for you all feeling like it’s your fault… Well that’s just ridiculous. You helped them before and you can only do so much. You did what you could, helped them, and saved quite a few. People really can’t ask for more, and you guys certainly couldn’t have hoped to have solved a problem that hadn’t showed up yet.”
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 7:55 pm
The woman found herself laughing again, quite enjoying the way Greg put such perspective and silliness in such simple comments. "You're here to save us who aren't concerned for our well being because we're too busy trying to save everyone else. Is that right?" Alex's bright green gaze turned back to the man, a lopsided grin on her face. "Are you sure you're related to Doctor Kenth? He who wants to take on the world, and you who just--" she paused for a fraction of a second, feeling that strange memory come back, "--want to protect him." Something else clicked into place, recalling his expression when she tried to make the burden lighter on him. The look of something familiar on Kenth's face, his expression as though he were looking at a ghost... "Ah...I suddenly realize why he was so frustrated with me. I think I remind him of you."
And suddenly, far too much came crashing down, and all the holes of understanding filled, and all the questions she had about his strange looks were answered. He had been annoyed with her trying to help, and that time she woke him up, he's almost said...Greg. Or George. She had a feeling it was the former. Alex took a deep breath, letting it out in a soft sigh, shaking her head to herself. Sometimes she cursed the ability to piece together such fractured puzzles; it made sense, if he hadn't mentioned Greg or that he had family at all. The alienation, no doubt with a reason, and her presence as an ever costant reminder...she really had been a burden for him. She made a mental note to make up for it this time around.
She hated to be a burden to anyone. She'd been taken care of for the first half of her life, especially after... Her face contorted strangely, as if trying to see a picture that was out of focus. That damn memory again! "Greg, if you're going to save us loonies, does that mean you're trained?" Alex turned to look at him, as though something were coming to light in her mind. "In fighting, I mean."
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Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 11:48 am
Pushing the pad closed he gave a light sigh and looked again around the room, watching the scientists in the distance for a moment before looking to his peers. Noticing one of the group, RuiZhi, separate himself from the others Elijah wondered curiously what was going on, but forced himself to but out of their business. Still, it seemed the other needed company. Or maybe Elijah was reading too much into the situation. Standing he put his art pad in his back and walked toward the other, wondering if this would be the chance he had to get to finally know someone.
Approaching him he smiled lightly and glanced around the room just before putting his eyes on the other. "Hey," he said showing his age, "So...what's up?" It was a rather nonchalant way of approaching things, but 'Lijah tried to keep things simple. Though he didn’t know RuiZhi, he felt this would be a good time to get to know his fellow student and perhaps understand why he along with the others was here.
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