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 Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 11:10 am
Anita nodded, recalling that Zeke had mentioned that the last time she was here after he had reiterated. That was probably a good idea, though with her work she probably wouldn't be able to do that and get proper results unless she hassled the customers for their opinion on a name for a poll and that wouldn't hold up well, especially after the whole "I'll kiss you when you buy a game" scenario that had gone on there for far too long. Well, there was always her mom since she was open to the idea now, which reminded Anita to reach into her jacket pocket and bring out a small notepad and a pencil.
This had been why she was here asking questions, and some things were written down already that she had remembered from past conversations; Made from Magic and Science, Essence examples; sentient ink, forceful mistletoe, Soul examples; rabbit, crocodile, rose and some other notes about how they didn't eat because they lacked stomach and that they had powers, which she now made an addendum to: powers can be from essence or soul. As she wrote, she listened closely to Zeke's explanation but didn't write down about the infection that the virus had spread. It was over and done with, but mention of it might insight too much worry in her mother, so it could be overlooked. She did take care to write down all of the names of the Raevans she now knew; Zul, LuLu, Vyn and drew miniature cartoon heads that vaguely resembled the Frei's beside each.
At the mention of a 'Sigel', Anita looked up, pausing in her writing. All this time she had thought that the Raevans stayed the same, she had only ever seen Freis after all, but now it seemed that there were various physical stages of growth for a Raevan and that one of them was to, indeed, get a stomach. "I didn't know they grew," Anita pouted, but swiftly returned to her paper and wrote on the paper Stage I - Frei and Stage II - Sigel with phonetic mispellings abundant and did her best to draw a vague sort of growth reference beneath each of them; one a stick figure Raevan with only a chest above its ribbon and the other with a belly and a shorter ribbon. At least, that was what she thought it would look like.
From Zeke's prompting, she looked around herself and at the tank once more as she sat upon the floor. In truth she was fine where she was and liked being so close to her Raevan's containment, even if it was currently empty, but writing like this was a bit difficult so, giving it one last glance and smile, she stood up and made her way to the stool beside Zeke, setting her pad of paper on the desk between them. "I'm keeping some notes so I can better explain this all to my mom--I'm still living with her, so I need to both prepare her and myself--but I'm not really sure how accurate this all is..." As Zeke continued to describe what he knew, she made quick additions to the Essence and Soul categories, listing the basilisk and shadow, though adding a question mark to the end of the latter in parenthesis. Setting down the pencil beside the pad, she nudged them a bit closer to Zeke, hopeful that he would look them over and provide assistance if need be.
"If they get a full abdomen, then do they eventually get legs?" the thought was almost disappointing to her. Of course the Raevans would never lose their natural beauty--that was impossible, wasn't it?--but there was something so mysterious about them not having a lower body that seemed to get lost if their ribbons were to disappear and be replaced with the average human appendages.
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Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 11:47 am
As Anita pulled the notebook and pen from her pocket, a feeling of knowing and amusement took hold. Seems she had the same idea as him, though he was certain her writings would be rather different than the ones his own spiral bound contained. As she wrote, what she said about not knowing Raevans grew didn't come as too much of a surprise to him, but her pout was rather cute.
"Yup, they do. Though I've only met one Raevan who's reached that point." Then he wished he could remember more about the scorpion to give Anita a description of the Sigel just in case she happened to run into him. Then again, if she asked Rivener if he was indeed himself, he might react negatively towards her as he had done to Zeke. Even though his appearance had faded from his mind, the near encounter with those barbed wings held firm and true. When Anita joined him at the table, the vet eyed her notebook, chuckling under his breath at the makeshift doodles she had drawn to accompany select areas. Her explanation made him shake his head, it was all good in his book.
"No need to explain, I've taken my fair share of notes too. Sorry I can't be more definite though. I'm still the new guy here and all." Maybe this would be his time to pose some questions to her as well. Not that he doubted the Lab's decision or Anita's ability, but it wouldn't hurt to get a better feel for her. This was their second meeting after all. "I figure that'll be what happens," he replied, "Since they seem to grow from the head down as you've seen with the virus Raevan over there. Odd way to develop, but they're all rather odd and I mean that in the best way." A grin and a wink, though once more he didn't have any definite answers for her. He did feel a bit bad, but at least he felt like he was in the ballpark with some of his responses. Zeke shifted in his seat, repositioning his feet and resting his arms on the tabletop. Time to question her in turn.
"You say you're living with you mom," he began, keeping that interested and open face turned to her and truly curious about her response. Another smile flared up and he tossed her a wink, trying out his flattery. "And you look rather young. Are you a college student or are you working...? Maybe a combo of the two?" No matter how she answered, it was nice to know that if she needed someone to watch her Raevan she could ask her mother; at least until she got to know some other guardians. He'd offer to help out, but with his current schedule and soon to be born Raevan, it would be a challenge to adapt. He was sure he could though, that was for certain, but the first few weeks, months, or even year might be bumpy for awhile. Ah well, that was life and come what may he'd take it on - for better or for worse.
"And do you have any pets?" With three of his own (though two of them presently lived with his boyfriend) he had been wondering how the future Raevan would take to them. He was sure Dust Bunny wouldn't be a problem, but Faust and especially Tair could be hyper fuzzballs and at first meeting that could be a problem. They did have that knack of growing on a person, but being taken by surprise would make that harder. "I've got three of my own - two dogs and a cat, so I'm just curious if you have any too."
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Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 12:03 pm
Looking up at the virus Raevan's tank as her companion spoke, it did seem to make sense. Lifting the pencil one more, she noted above her growth doodles that they grow "from the head down" as Zeke had described, but put a question mark beside her Stage III - Legs (?) and quickly drew up a doodle of that as well.
Her attention quickly as back to Zeke, and she lifted her head slightly to make eye contact, a face full of concentrated listening as her mouth hung open in a half smile, ready to respond to any question he posed. Luckily, these ones seemed pretty simple. Her smile perked and she scoffed quietly at his wink, looking away for a split second as if to silently saw "nuh-uh" but decided not to get into that argument. "I was living on my own for a while, but it didn't end up working out so I had to get back into a stable environment--hers was the most stable. I'm working at Game Depot in the Gambino mall, but no college yet. Soon, hopefully." It was her hope to save up enough money to pay for the college herself, but with the recent addition of a Raevan for her to take care of, she would likely have to put it off for at least another year unless things went heavily in her favor.
The subject of pets was a much less professional one, and her green eyes lit up at the question, more so at Zeke's mention of owning two dogs himself. The cats were also pleasant to hear about, but Anita was a dog person by nature, vastly preferring the cuddling, protective and loyal nature dogs had to the holier than thou one cats typically held. "Uh-huh!" she chirped, sitting up straight and smiling wide, "I've got one dog--pretty young--his name's Tango. Real sweety, but ah... I don't know how the Raevans will like him. Vyn didn't seem to. That's why I was surprised she had a dog." Her lips pursed slightly as she thought back; Tango had been extremely excited that day, since they had only recently moved to Gambino and it was a much more natural, wide open place than Durem. Lots of room to roam free for the Wolfhound, but also lots of room to stick your nose into places certain black laced Raevans didn't want.
Another question perked suddenly, and Anita's head turned so quickly to look at Zeke that it might have fallen off if it weren't so firmly attached. "What's that symbol Raevans have in their chests? Zul's and LuLu's were both different," she tried but for the life of her couldn't remember what either one looked like.
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Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 12:47 pm
"Ah, I see." He said, replying to her statement about moving back to a stable environment. He regarded what she said about the job, but no higher education just yet. Might be good to have that not be an issue - that way she wouldn't be burned out or too caught up in work of any sort to give attention to the Raevan. He, on the other hand, would have to mind himself. "Having a stable place to live will be good for both you and your Raevan. That way neither of you have to worry about too many bills or rent or that sort of thing. Plus you have a job, so you have that income to take care of him or her." Anita was already proving to be an upstanding young woman. He was sure she'd be able to balance her work, the Raevan, and any social life and friends she had.
"Tango huh? Awesome name." The way Anita perked up made Zeke do the same, always quick to respond to a change in atmosphere, especially when it was private as their conversation was. "What breed is he?" That was the vet in him talking. "Mine, well I should say 'mine and my boyfriend's' really, are a Great Pyrenees and a Samoyed respectively. The kitten is a Maine Coon." He let that go with an airy lightness, not minding in the slightest how Anita took to the notion of his sexuality or his relationship. Really, all Zeke was concerned with was keeping the conversation flowing and thereby keeping a companion at the Lab with him for as long as he could get away with. If she left now he'd be left alone with a lot of time on his hands, unless Alex came back of course. "Vyn has a pug," he continued. "Little black thing. Some people are big dog people, some are little dog people. I suggest," he mused, "Perhaps keeping your dog behind a baby gate or something like that when your Raevan first meets him. That way they can see each other, but keep a distance until they get used to each other, you know?" That actually wasn't too bad of an idea, though he likely couldn't baby gate Dust Bunny off. She was a cat and therefore able to limber her way around it, but that was a technique he had heard other veterinarian's mentioning to do when they wanted to check how other pet-friendly an animal was.
"The symbol?" He had to think about what she asked about, though it dawned on his face soon enough. "Oh that! Behind their ribbons? Alex said that's their 'rune'. It kind of...Supports them, like...If they eat something, the rune absorbs it. I guess in a simple way, it's a Raevan version of a battery." When Alex had told him he hadn't been too aware it was there in her charge or any Raevan actually. Their developed forms were much more interesting to look at in his defense. He didn't know if they had any meaning or whatnot, but they were there and from what the Italian woman had told him, they were as different as each Raevan could be.
"Every Raevan has one I'm sure, so your crocodile and my spider will develop those too at some point in there." Again he regarded the two tanks, fondness overtaking his features. Last night Ebony seemed to want to make sure he was okay with this, not freaking out or nervous or anything of that sort, but despite the odds he was fine. Really. Watching his own Raevan forming now-slowly within made his heart swell with pride despite all the outbursts against it. They'd soon see they were wrong. "Wings, runes, quarter bodies, the whole works. That's what ours will have Anita."
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Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 12:32 pm
It seemed Zeke's mind was in a similar place to Anita's. Here he was, checking with her current financial and educational situation, and these were things she had given thought to and was exceedingly relieved for already. Great minds think alike, she supposed, though she was certain Zeke's was greater. "Yeah, I'm pretty thankful for that. Should make things a lot easier," she laughed afterward as he complimented Tango's name, odd as it was. The name had come about shortly after they had gotten him. Anita had been stuck on a name for a while, but this was her dog and she was the one who had to name him. Curious as he was, he attempted to stand on his hind legs to sniff at one of their tables, and the wobbly stance he took gave way to the name: "He looks like he's dancing!"
"He's a Saarloos Wolfhound, a cousin to German Shepherds, they look a lot alike but are generally thinner," she nodded, then smiled as Zeke listed off the breeds of his two dogs. Very nearly did she miss the fact that he said 'boyfriend', and though her eyes widened slightly, she kept her smile. So it was like that. All that winking and smiling at her was then just friendliness, and Anita felt herself relax a bit more. Good for him.
The Samoyed, especially, Anita had always found ridiculously adorable and she wondered how large they were, what colors their coats had and, more importantly, their genders but the names were also important, though Zeke had already jumped to the topic of his cat and then Vyn's dog. A pug, that definitely explained it. Large dogs often times evoked fear, but Anita had always found them much more docile and loving. Of course, it all depended on how they were raised and what their history was like, as with anyone or anything, but it always felt wrong to Anita to write large dogs off as dangerous. "That makes sense. I pictured her as more of a cat person after meeting her, but at least she likes dogs at all," she chuckled, "Pugs are real cute, anyway."
His suggestion was welcomed, and as he spoke Anita pictured the layout of her mother's apartment, attempting to figure out where to put such a gate. In the midst, she then realized there were only two bedrooms: where would the Raevan sleep? Beginning to write as she asked her symbol question, at the bottom of the page she made note for a baby gate for Tango and Raevan - couch bed or my bed?. The latter seemed more right, though their storage space would have to be shared since the fold out couch was stuck in the wide open living room with nothing in front of it but a TV and a small entertainment center where her PS3 and N64 currently sat.
"Their rune," Anita repeated, giving a nod, and made another note on the page near the growth scribbles that rune = heart/battery? before setting the pencil down again and stretching back. Well, that had taken care of most of her questions. As it stood, Anita was now at a bit of a loss for any others, so she relaxed back and resumed staring at the tanks with a small, fond smile. "I guess that takes care of that, then. Unless you have any more questions for me, I think our Q and A game is over," she turned back to offer a friendly smile. Now, what to do with those donuts...
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Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 1:14 pm
"A lot easier, but don't think it'll be too easy all the time. Parenting never is." He had no experience on that matter, at least with anything that wasn't an animal, but it was proven to be true with examples as easily found as walking down the street or turning on the news. Even with how relaxed and easy going he seemed now, Zeke was certain he had to have given his own folks a hard time at some point in his childhood. He was rather trusting quite fast, so he imagined it was rather lucky he had never been led astray or something similar. Then again, his own mother was quite protective of her only child and he truly believed if that ever happened she'd tear down neighborhoods and interrogate every person she came across until she got her baby back. Thank god the world was spared from that. "Saarloos Wolfhound huh? I've never seen one of those before." He tried to imagine how such a dog would look with the information provided but he had a hard time going about it. Maybe one day he'd get to see the dog and all would be revealed then. Zeke didn't notice any change in Anita's appearance when she realized that tidbit about him, so just kept listening to her return his remarks.
"They are cute," he said, starting to laugh again. "Though kinda, 'so ugly they have to be cute' to me. They're also a bit difficult to take care of; they can have a few medical issues mostly with their breathing and eyes but they also run the risk of becoming obese if the owner's not careful." When Zeke had given Thorn his check up the dog had been roughly three pounds overweight for his size. After he made the Rose aware of this and given her some information about his food, she seemed concerned but no less willing to help her dog trim down those extra pounds. "Though that's not to say that all dogs aren't in some way hard to take care of or that they all don't run into some sort of health problem at some point." He added lightly, in case Anita thought pugs weren't worth the trouble, squished faced cuteness or not. Everything - person or animal - had a chance to get sick or hurt in some way. Heck, Altair being severely injured nearly two years ago was the catalyst to his relationship and he was happy to say that since then the Samoyed had been healthy as ever, even when she wasn't with him at home.
"Their rune,"
"Yup!" Zeke confirmed, watching Anita take her notes again. Her sheet of paper was looking quite full already and he felt proud that he had been able to help fill it, even if it was just one sheet out of probably one hundred and fifty. As Anita stretched back Zeke shifted in his seat once more. He could sit for as long as it took, but the stool wasn't a barstool. There was no soft cover over foam or cotton filling and his sitting cheeks were starting to hurt a bit from that. He didn't want to get up either, in case that came off as they had to leave the Lab or it was time for the pigtailed woman to leave.
"D'aw really?" He pouted slightly as Anita said she had no other questions for this meeting. He didn't think he had any for her either. "I don't think I do, unless..." Well, it would make it easier to get into contact with her or her with him about anything that came to mind. "Would you like to exchange cell numbers? That way if you have a sudden question you wouldn't have to wait until the weekend to ask. I could also text you about your crocodile's progress too and we could set times to meet up here." If that happened, he would be able to plan accordingly and Anita would be sure he was at the Lab before she came over. Maybe they could also use it as a means to get coffee or something without the professional setting. Zeke always felt like the fact he was at work (part time or not) made him less eccentric and more professional, especially when dealing with people who were not his co-workers. He didn't want that to happen all the time and Anita should get to know him as his true blue self.
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Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 1:31 pm
Nodding, Anita grabbed hold of the front of her stool and positioned her feet on the ground so that she could lean back, a soft pop or two escaping her joints before she sighed and returned to her normal posture, "Yeah, unfortunately." She really did enjoy speaking with Zeke about these things, but she couldn't stay at Lab all day. There were still some things she was planning to take care of at home, like take Tango for a walk, do the dishes, and then more over let her mother look over the notes she had gotten so far.
The mention of cell phones made Anita utter a small "oh" before she began rifling through her jacket pockets. No phone there, so she hopped off the stool and rooted through her jeans; there it was, the simple silver phone, slightly scratched and dented from the times it had been dropped but still in perfect working order. "That's a really good idea, actually... Should probably start doing that with all the other people from Lab, huh?" She willed her phone to be able to organize people into different contact folders, but she would have to settle for something else. Scrolling down with the small buttons, Anita whizzed her thumb around, starting up a new contact and labeling it [Lab] Zeke - Raevan. The 'Raevan' of the name would be changed as soon as it was born and given a proper name and she would be sure to do this with Josh's number, as well, to keep them all in one section of her contacts.
Waiting for Zeke to do the same with his own phone, she listed off her number's appropriate digits and then awaited his, pinging them in with practiced ease and muscle memory. This way, if a question suddenly came to mind, she could either call or text it to him and get an immediate response. This would be especially good as the time neared and she and her mother's stress levels would no doubt be sky rocketing with anticipation. "Doesn't much matter what time you call, but I generally stay up later than I wake up, so I guess try to work it in around there somehow," she shrugged, wondering if there would be specific times she wasn't allowed to attempt contact with Zeke or if it was smooth sailing from here.
With that, though, their meeting was coming to a close and Anita pouted again, this time looking to the doors of the lab and past them, envisioning the round, doughy treats she had brought. "Gonna steal another donut or two, but you can keep the box," judging by his reaction to them when she arrived, Anita assumed he hadn't really been eating much while he was working and, while sugar wasn't the greatest thing to have on an empty stomach, at least it was food of some kind and would keep him going until he had a proper meal available to him.
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Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 1:55 pm
With Anita digging for her phone Zeke had his answer. He hopped from his seat, digging into a deeper than it appeared pocket and pulling out his own phone. Unlike the silver of his companion's, Zeke opted for an electric blue color for his own, though the two instruments did share scrapes and a dent here and there. Her name was typed rapidly, easily, into the 'New Contact' form and her numbers soon followed after into the correct box after the name.
"Yeah I think that'd be a good idea." He said back. Now that he had suggested this, he was sort of kicking himself he hadn't come up with it sooner when he talked to Xiu. So far he was the only previously infected Raevan to agree to a meeting with the virus Frei and yet he had no means to contact him unless Zeke rifled through the Pi Yao's personal file. Ah well, he'd worry about that later. Right now he was saving his newest contact to his shiny phone and listening to Anita's dictation on when would be a good time to call.
"I'll keep that in mind. As for me, since I work Monday through Friday as a veterinarian, my phone's usually kept on silent or vibrate. Occasionally it's off, but that's only if it died or I'm charging it." Better than keeping it on and wasting the battery! "If you call during the daylight hours then, I'll do my best to get back to you when I'm on break. I'll have free time to myself then, but if not, I'll be sure to do it at home." His schedule was pretty straightforward and even though he took his breaks to eat and work on his classwork, he could multitask pretty well and was sure their texting sessions or chats wouldn't be high school girl levels of insane length. They both worked, they already could understand the responsibilities even if their jobs were very different. Plus it wouldn't take too long to answer a question, relay some information, or set up a meeting time. His phone shut with a 'snap' that reverberated slightly around the otherwise quiet room. Zeke stretched himself finally, though it was broken soon by a laugh.
"Really? You're very kind." Delighted by her generosity, Zeke took the few steps toward Anita and put a friendly arm around her shoulder before giving her a light squeeze. "I'll take you to the cafeteria as we walk back to the lobby, that way you can put your donuts in a box or a bag. Thank you again for bringing them over, cleaning tables while dancing around like a loon is hard and hungry work!"
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