Welcome to Gaia! ::

___The Assistant yawned, she touched the cold metal of the nearby railing, pressing fingerprints into it. Removing the fingers quickly, she delicately placed them upon her forehead, trying to absorb the cool temperature quickly. Her shoes clicked upon the linoleum, making her way slowly through the hallways. The Vale seemed different now. Time seemed almost to flow nonexistent through its veins. It had slowly grown, with her integrity intact. This was truly one of her greatest achievements. The simplicity of the Laboratory, and the complexities of what lay within. It was a myriad of labyrinths from one Observer to another, whispers of what may come greeted her ears, and she'd smile with gentle pride. Whether some people knew it or not, the secrets of the Vale were probably more intricate than any others they would ever hear. How lucky these few Observers were, to be allowed entry into this sacred establishment.

___Uenoh'ai moved along the floor slowly, walking down flights of stairs that still made her heart skip a beat. It had taken over a month of careful consideration and review of resumes before she'd finally been able to make a choice. So many candidates for the role of Zoology head, so many with good stable backgrounds. It was hard, the idea of turning down so many others and only allowing one admittance to the hallowed halls of the Vale's domain. She tucked her legs under her as she sat upon a bench by the fountain in the middle of the Laboratories. The one remaining manila folder, with letters scrawled across the small tab in the Assistant's unruly handwriting. The lucky one, who would oversee almost any odd creature that came through.

___Her eyes trailed to Laboratory Sixteen. It was time to alert the new recruit. She stood up in a fluid motion, and suddenly decided to see how fast she could get there. Before she knew it, her excitement at the childish challenge had carried her across the tiles and up the stairs, laughing a little to herself and racing around the hair-pin turns. When she got to the top, she smiled, the small bit of adrenaline cheering her generally tired expression. Remembering her decorum, she smoothed her hair back and calmed her breathing, still walking ever closer to the Laboratory.

___She had arrived, and knocking on the door she gently turned the knob and opened it. Uennie smiled, and nodded gracefully to the blossoming Tulip Specimen. The young woman stepped inside and smoothed her spotless coat, turning to the scientist inside.
___"Observer Kitten, may I have a word?"

___The Assistant held the folder to her torso and offered the young Observer a warm smile. With her other hand she made a graceful upward sweep with her hand, gesturing for the woman to stand. She opened the doorway wider and stepped to the side of it, allowing room for the scientist to walk past. The young Tulip specimen suddenly registered in her mind. It was the teenaged creature she'd recently brought out of comatose. She wondered faintly, if the child remembered her?
___"May we walk together, for a moment?" Uenoh'ai raised her voice slightly to be heard. The resume weighed in her hand, she wondered for a moment if she was sure this was right. Did they really need another high-ranking Researcher. The negative thoughts evaporated quickly, as she admonished herself mentally. Yes, they did. It was vital to what would happen soon. Better to prepare now than be caught unawares later. Organization and planning ahead was her bread and butter.

___Uenoh'ai raised an eyebrow, she had heard something had happened, but as far as she knew it had been handled. Perhaps she should look into it? She mulled the idea over in her mind. She was constantly buried in paperwork, trying to find meanings behind the letters from Amelia, and going over costs of the Vale. Another matter that needed her attention would probably be a minute addition. The Assistant nodded to Seveda before closing the door behind both botanists. She walked beside the young woman quietly, and shook her head. Dismissing the question, she stayed a step ahead of the walking companion to lead the way, down the steps and down a hallway that was generally unlit and off-limits to other personnel.

___It was indeed dark, and she used a key to unlock a nearby fuse box. Flipping a switch, the fluorescent lights began to illuminate, creating large knocking sounds that echoed off the walls as each one lit. The lights beamed down from an immense dome that continued straight until the very back of the enormous room, where there was a doorway leading to an even larger section. They were viewing this, from the other side of a tall wrought-iron gate. It seemed almost out-of-place here, as she unlocked it and pushed it to one side, gaining entrance.
___"This is the Darwin Wing, probably one of my greatest pride and joys." Uennie said loudly, her voice echoed back and forth in the room. On the ceiling delicate murals of flora and fauna through the ages flowed in careful detail. Glass displays lined the walls, and cases peppered the marble floors. She reached out a hand and gently placed it upon the knee of a dinosaur skeleton. "A little dusty, I'd wager, but nothing a little elbow grease couldn't fix." Assistant Uenoh'ai frowned, she should've sent a crew down before they came.

___"There are corridors to other parts of the wing on either side of the room. You'll find a very lovely collection of displays playing upon ancient civilizations and different animal habitats." She cleared her throat before motioning to the large door in the back. "That is entrance to the Vale's Menagerie. You will find almost any live animal there. As you probably guessed, it is a door to the outside, a zoological park if you will. Indeed it is set up as one of the finest Zoo's in the world, and you'll notice the stone wall surrounding the entire thing." Uennie turned to a glowing map of the area and placed a finger on the "You Are Here". Moving it across the plastic she tapped her index upon a room near the Zoo.
___"For anyone you'd like to recruit here, that is their worker's quarters. There are ample supplies to maintain care of this facility there, as well as a small kitchenette, television, and seating." Uenoh'ai turned to the scientist, of which she assumed was probably very confused. "Young lady, you are the new head of Zoology here at the Vale. Congratulations, and well-done on your resume, Researcher." She held her hand out to the girl as a sign of goodwill. "If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask."