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High-functioning Bibliophile
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 Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 3:06 pm
Location: WizStar Resort
Period: 4 years and 5 months after the death of former owner Mr. Korrow
Timeframe reference: About three and a half years after the last meeting between the two friends, after Snowed In, before Clear Waters.
A redhead reclines in a chair at the front desk of the famous (yet currently extremely slow) WizStar Resort. Her eyes are closed - hiding the platinum-grey color of her eyes. Her left foot taps the chair as she ponders. A clipboard lies on the desk within her reach and a pen is in her hand, shaking betweeen her fingers.
Finally, the perfect wording comes to her mind and she opens her eyes. Leaning forward, she completes the note on the clipboard. Her grey eyes skim over the contents and, with a nod of acceptance, she signs the paper with her name: Margem Okalwa.
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Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 3:13 pm
Margem stands up from her chair and picks up the clipboard. She walks concisely to the staff elevator. She presses the up button. As she waits for the elevator, she recalls the last dramatic incident with an elevator.
The redhead stood in the elevator, leaning against the back wall, thinking about, of all beings, her elvish friend Mr. Ownage. She sensed his wondering feelings, but kept quiet as she bristled slightly thinking about his companion of old.
About three levels above the lobby (which is floor 1), the elevator jerked to a halt, which sent her to the floor. She got up, hiding her distress from the two men and nursing a wounded knee for a bit, and tried to restart the elevator. No use...
A few minutes passed until the sting in her knee went away, a scab in place of the wound. She tried to get the elevator to move, but it wouldn't.
"Great. Just great," she mumbled, "This is just what I need...."
She sat against one of the walls, breathing deeply. Margem closed her eyes and debated the issue of her relationship with Mr. Ownage as she waited for the elevator to return to working order.
Sanyu had told her something important at that point, which she knew was true - he was there trying to help her. Margem sensed Mr. Ownage coming up towards the elevator.
She shook her head before muttering, "Oh great. Now I'm the damsel in distress. And, to make it better, it's at my own work!"
She paused for a minute, sensing that her wounded knee was fully healed, before laughing, "So much for the elvish warrior blood in me. ... Thanks a lot, Dad.... Instead of being able to fend for myself, a friend has to help me? ...Am I becoming more feminine or what?"
Margem continued to debate the relationship with Mr. Ownage as she monitored his attempt to get her out. A thought came to her mind, hidden from all telepaths, one which made her blush a really deep colored blush.
"Hmm... Never thought of that before... But, it's true," she laughed.
The lights on the elevator flickered slightly and soon the wheels holding the elevator started to work again. She stood up when she saw that the number was going down - the elevator was not stuck anymore.
Margem groaned, sensing how he had to run downstairs again and starting to want him near... After all these years, something had hit close to home and she wished to tell him though she didn't feel comfortable doing so quite yet.
She put her right hand over her eyes, the number on 3 as it went down, and shook her head. What was she getting herself into?
"The elevator's so slow today..." she muttered after uncovering her eyes and checking the numbers.
The floor number was at two and the elevator was not going fast enough for her. She started to tap her foot because she wanted to be near Mr. Ownage.
"Darn it!! I've fallen..." she groaned, closing her eyes again and waiting to get off the elevaor.
The redhead breathed deeply, relaxing with the oxygen, and rolled her head to relieve tension. As soon as the elevator door opened up, the light grey-eyed lady stepped out confidently before slipping behind the counter/front-desk again.
However, she knew that she was fallen for the then known Mr. Ownage - Darian Moonleaf. She wasn't able to tell him at that encounter but at one of the next ones that they had, they both shared their feelings.
Fighting tears, she glances wishfully around the lobby - no. Again, not there.
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High-functioning Bibliophile
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High-functioning Bibliophile
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Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 3:21 pm
The elevator arrives at the main level and she steps in. She presses the S7 button.
'It's been the same thing for the past few years yet it still hurts. I can't stand it anymore. I need a change.'
Arriving on S7 (the highest staff foor), Margem tidies herself up and exits the elevator. She enters immediately into the resort owner's office. She clears her throat so to get the owner's (now Mr. Mauricio Lee) attention. From his seat at his maple desk, he looks up. Having been reading the newspaper, he takes off his reading glass - setting them down on the desk.
The grey haired man says, ``Yes, Margem? How can I help you?´´
She glances down briefly then approaches the desk, detaching the note from the clipboard. She stands next to the desk, in the middle of the dark brown colored room.
``I wish to resign from WizStar,´´ she says, handing him the note.
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Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 3:25 pm
The man's hand pauses above the desk, the note in hand. His green eyes search her face, trying to see what she is up to. He picks up his reading glasses again, doning them on.
``Take a seat,´´ he says as he starts to read the note.
The redhead takes a seat and waits for his response. Her left elbow rests on the chair's armrest as her forehead rests in her hand. She closes her eyes, bracing herself for the storm.
Mr. Lee takes off his reading glasses again, folding them on the desk in front of him. Het sets the note on the desk next to his reading glasses. He leans backwards in his dark brown leathered chair.
``You know you're going to have to break this to everyone tonight, right? At the meeting, that is.´´
The woman lifts her eyes and nods.
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High-functioning Bibliophile
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High-functioning Bibliophile
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Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 3:39 pm
``You're kidding, right?´´
``He's pulling our legs.´´
``I can't believe it.´´
``After all this time?´´
``Why?´´
``Why now?´´
Mr. Lee raises a hand to calm the staff of twenty. He stands at the end of the oval table - his usual position during meetings. He faces all twenty, nineteen in turmoil. He had just informed the staff that Margem is resigning.
``Now, it was nothing that I did nor anything she did. It was...´´
Margem gets to her feet, ``Let me talk.´´
Mr. Lee nods and takes a seat. He interlocks his fingers in front of himself as he watches the reactions of his staff.
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Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 2:14 pm
``I've been here since Mr. Korrow was the owner. I was here when he was murdered,´´ her eyes tone down their color at the memory of that fateful day. She continues, ``Some of you - Mike, Maddy, Kelly and Beth - were here before I started. You have more experience here than I do, but that's not the reason I'm departing from here.´´
A rush of dizzyness floods over her senses and she puts a heavy hand on the table to keep from collapsing. The staff next to her - Maddy and Nate - start to stand up to steady her but she brushes them away.
``A promise was made to me by a dear friend. He was by my side when I was searching for a job. He was at my side the day Mr. Korrow was shot. ...he promised, last time we met, that he would come back to check on me in less than three years.´´
She pauses, standing upright again, ``He knew that I was starting to lose energy, as you all know.´´
``That's why you should stay here, Mar,´´ Maddy says in a caring tone.
Margem shakes her head saying, ``No. He has the cure for this ailment. Without him or this cure...´´ she pauses then says, looking around at the staff, ``Without him and his help, I will die. I can't stay here. If I did, I'd be signing approval of my own death. It would be suicide on my part.
``It's been over three years. I must leave in search of my friend and my cure.´´
The woman sits down again. After a minute, Kelly shakes her blond head - seated across the table from the redhead.
``No,´´ Kelly says, ``You can't go. You barely have enough strength to swim a half lap of the pool without stopping.´´
Maddy and Kevin, the lifeguards of WizStar, nod.
``She's right,´´ Kevin says, ``I'd know because I've seen it while on lifeguard duty.´´
The lady lifts her eyes to look around the table, ``I know how much you care for me, but this time you will not be able to stop me. I do not wish to die and I long to see my friend again. I am leaving tomorrow after a good night's sleep, with or without your blessings. ...I'd rather your blessings, though.´´
A moment of silence passes and she stands up. Her legs are shaking but she stands erect.
``I leave ten o'clock in the morning. Good night.´´
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High-functioning Bibliophile
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High-functioning Bibliophile
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Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 2:18 pm
After leaving the meeting room, the grey-eyed woman feels a bit more at ease. Her heart thrills at the chance to move on, partially due to her Mystic last name 'Okalwa' which means traveler. She walks down the hall and goes to her room. Once she is in the doorway, she lets her deep crimson red hair out of its trappings.
She sighs, closing the door behind her. In the morning, she will pack up her few things and, after breakfast and the last goodbyes, go out on the road.
Margem readies for bed and, crawling into bed, turns off the light.
``Darian, I miss you so much. You do have this 'cure' for this 'ailment' of love sickness. I hope to see you soon, dear friend,´´ she whispers into the dark as she goes to sleep.
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Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 2:25 pm
In the morning, Margem Okalwa feels re-energized. She quickly takes a shower and dons on her travel clothing, which she has changed since she was last on the road - a set of brown pants, a green shirt, and her black tie-up boots (the only item of her traveling set that hasn't changed). After packing her necessities, she grabs her camouflage backpack and her green-brown travel coat. She exits the room, dropping her room key off at the front desk though no one is currently at the desk.
The redhead heads over to the continental breakfast bar. She drops her backpack and coat off at a nearby table before grabbing a plate to fill.
'Odd. It's so quiet for nine a.m.,' she notices as she sits down to eat.
She pauses for a second, her eyes on the plate and a fork in her hand. On the plate are pineapples, peaches, eggs, grilled chicken, grapes, cheese and toast. A cup of water sits nearby. Her mind jumps back to when he had a platter of fruit (mainly pineapple) brought to her room, years ago. They had sat in the hallway, enjoying their time together as they ate the fruit. It surely lifted her spirits, which were low before hand that day.
A chuckle comes to her throat and her hand re-activates so that she can eat. As she puts a piece of pineapple in her mouth, her eyes close and she becomes temporarily oblivious to the world.
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High-functioning Bibliophile
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High-functioning Bibliophile
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Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 2:38 pm
Upon opening her eyes, she sees Mr. Lee and eight employees (one from every area of the WizStar, plus Maddy) standing nearby. She can't help but smile. All of them grab a chair and take a seat by her, though they know that they are not going to sit there for long. She knows this too because they are all wearing their uniforms necessary for a working shift. However, Maddy is in her regular clothes, so Margem knows that she is here to say good-bye to her friend.
``So, the Resort's not completely asleep as I thought,´´ the grey-eyed woman says, shaking her head and smiling.
Mike, one fo the two chefs employed at the WizStar, frowns and says, ``We have to prep the continental breakfast every day, Margem. We had to make it even better today for you because we're going to miss you.´´
The woman bites her lip then says, ``Thank you.´´
``And we couldn't let you go without our blessings because you have blessed us, Mar,´´ Maddy says, her hand in Duke's hand.
The lifeguard Maddy and the security guard Duke had met at the WizStar years ago, when Duke joined the employmed staff. They are now married, something the two of them say that they wouldn't have been able to achieve without Margem's advice about caring as a couple.
Mr. Lee leans over the table, holding an envelope out to the redhead, ``You'll need this - your last paycheck, some tips from the staff - about practically everything - and a farewell card from all of us.´´
Margem's eyes start to water as she takes the envelope, ``You're all so amazing and kind. What would I have done or do without you all?´´
The owner shrugs as he stands up, ``No idea but everyone else has to get back to their posts.´´
The Mystic redhead stands up and, moving through the standing-up staff, goes to her former employer. She wraps her arms around his neck, the envelope still in her right hand. He lightly returns the hug, as a friend would.
She pulls back, letting him go, and says (standing a bit away from Mr. Lee), and says with teary eyes, ``Thank you for understanding and for letting me go.´´
She turns to the others and says, ``Thank you, everyone.´´
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 2:37 pm
Maddy sits back down next to Margem after kissing her husband, who goes to his security post.
``So, what's your plan, Mar?´´
The redhead puts her backpack down, as she had just put the envelope in it. She turns back to the plate of food and to her brunette friend.
``Truthfully, I really don't know,´´ she says before putting a piece of chees in her mouth.
The lifeguard levels her eyes at her friend, ``Are you kidding?!´´
The redhead shakes her head and continues to eat her breakfast.
``You can't do this, then! I won't allow you to wander around in the state that you're in!´´
Margem tunes out what Maddy is saying for about ten minutes as she eats. Once Maddy realizes that her friend is not listening, she sighs and leans back in her chair to wait for her friend.
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High-functioning Bibliophile
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High-functioning Bibliophile
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 2:58 pm
After finishing her food, the redhead checks her watch.
``I know for sure that I will check the places that we've met before. My first stop is already complete - the WizStar. I'm going to stop at the bank to cash my check, then I'll be off to the Sparkle Hotel, the lake and the market. Also, the hide-a-way.´´
Her friend opens her mouth to say something but Margem stands up and, with her things in her hands, takes her plate to the kitchen.
'Odd... It's been so long since I've started here but it really, in the long run, hasn't been that long...'
She sets her plate down before sensing someone behind her. She knows that it is not Darian but once again her mind is swept back to the time she was washing dishes and he came up behind her.
Margem, Mr. Ponworxz and Darian (then known as Mr. Ownage) had just finished eating the bear that Mr. Ponworxz had hunted down. She had gotten into a fight with the main chef, who was replaced by Carl after Mr. Korrow's death, and had received a cut on her shoulder - which healed about a minute after she had received it, due to her Mystic abilities.
The redhead stood up, stretching with a yawn, before picking up all of the plates.
"I'll clean these up so that the chefs are not so upset. You know, I have to work with them for a while, so I might as well get on their good side again," she said to the guys with a wink, "Go ahead and talk while I clean them."
She took the plates to the kitchen and washed them as she debated the situation. She sighed before shaking her head - what had she gotten herself into?
The redhead paused, wiping her brow with her forearm as she debated the relationship with the elf. She shook her head before turning back to the dishes, almost done.
Whatever the situation, she knew that she'll have to ask Mr. Korrow for the night off and that she'd have to find a substitute for the time when she went out... for a walk only.
"Here, let me help you with those," Mr. Ownage offered, motioning to the dishes.
Hearing his voice nearby, she snapped her head up with a frown on her brow. Seeing him, however, made the frown go away.
"What are you doing in the kitchen, Mr. Ownage? I mean, beside the fact that you'd like to help. I mean... how'd you know that I paused or...?" she asked, clearly confused yet her right eyebrow didn't raise itself.
"I just wanted to make sure you were OK," the elf replied, "The cooks did not respond too kindly to you the last time you were in here. I wanted to make sure that did not happen again." After making the comment he shot one of the cooks a warning glance out the corner of his eye, showing that he would not respond kindly to Margem being harmed again.
"Oh..." Margem had said, blushing before lowering her voice, "They just didn't like the idea of cooking something other than hamster in their kitchen. No one was hurt, however."
"It is strange that you say," the elf replied, slightly confused, "Because you had a cut on your arm when you walked out of the kitchen."
The crimson haired lady shook her head, "No, it just knicked my shirt. Luckily, I don't wear tight shirts or I might have been cut."
She dried the last few dishes before saying, "You must have thought that I was cut when you saw the cut in my shirt. There's no wound, trust me."
"That is good to hear," the elf said, relief in his voice. "You still have not answered my question. Do you want me to help you with the dishes?"
Margem Okalwa smiled, motioning to the sink, as she turned to him.
"If you haven't noticed, dear elf, the dishes are done. I finished while we talked. Next time, however, I'll take you up on your offer," she says before mentioning to the door, "Shall we go then? I have to talk to my boss before leaving. Hopefully he'll let me go out, for a walk, tonight."
Margem laughs a little bit recalling that time. 'And yet he showed me that he cared for me. ...that's one of the main reasons why I fell so hard for him.'
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Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 11:29 am
She sighs and turns around to see Maddy there.
``I am leaving now,´´ she says, brushing past the brunette.
She exits the kitchen and sets her backpack down on the table. She then takes her coat, that was previously draped over her arm, and lets it fall open. Putting one arm in it's rightful sleeve, the Mystic flips the coat around her so that it sits on her in it's correct form. She puts her other arm into it's sleeve. She pulls on her backpack then turns to the brunette. Without a word, she goes to her friend and gives her a hug.
``I'm sorry but I must go, friend. I am dying without him so I must go. It will turn out for the best, Maddy, but I might never see you again,´´ the Mystic says, her face in her friend's shoulder.
Maddy tightens her grasp around the redhead and says, ``You're older and more mature than I am. Surely you sknow what's best for you.´´
The two pull back from each other.
``Good luck, Mar.´´
``Thanks,´´ the traveler responds, turning to the front door. She stops at the front door to turn to the brunette, ``Thank you for being my friend and support. May you live happily, Maddy.´´
The brunette nods, waving goodbye.
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High-functioning Bibliophile
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High-functioning Bibliophile
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Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 12:02 pm
Margem Okalwa stops at the bank and easily cashes her check, as she usually did every week beforehand. She thanks the teller and steps outside. She knows she can't access her money pouch as she is in the open so she puts the money in her pocket and heads down to the lake. Once she arrives, she finds a stone on the beach to sit on, right at the water's edge. Slipping her boots and sock off (after loosening the boot's straps), she sits on the rock and dangles her feet in the water.
She sets her backpack down by the side of the rock. Sighing, her grey eyes scan the area. Even before the scan, her heart told her that he wouldn't be there.
:Why would he be here, Margem? He's searching for his memories and his past.:
A frown comes to the Mystic's forehead, ``Listen, Sanyu, I know that already. ...anyways, you're not helping the situation at all.´´
The blue haired Mystic inside of Margem, significantly faded in appearance and with a quieter voice, says in a sarcastic tone, :Well, I'm sorry that I was cursed and that you've found your love, who is my cure. How inconsiderate of me.:
``Shut up,´´ the redhead says as she pulls a small packet out of a hidden pouch in her shirt, found on her left side.
:Fine but may I tell you something?:
The woman rolls her eyes, opening the packet. Inside of the packet are folded dollars - the money she had saved up over the three plus years that she had worked at the WizStar.
:You recall the time you were cloned?:
``How could I forget? That's something that will linger forever with me,´´ she responds, pulling out the dollar bills.
:I've had a sneaky suspicion that Arelen's in this time frame.:
Margem freezes at these words, ``You mean...´´
:She's been alive and going through time as you have.:
The woman shakes her head, pulling out the money from her pocket, save some pocket change. She puts it with the secret-pouch money and puts it away in her secret-pouch.
``That makes sense but I thought she was in another time frame, like the other Margem. That's a lot to comprehend, Sanyu.´´
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Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 11:32 am
The redhead stops by what used to be the Sparkle Hotel. Now the building is an apartment complex. A young couple, arms linked together, stroll out of the building as Margem sits on a bench in front of the building. The two talk quietly, smiles on their faces. The gal's free hand reaches to touch the guy's arm, and Margem notices that neither of the two of them has a wedding ring. The guy smiles and covers the gal's hand with his free hand. The two of them take a left at the sidewalk and slowly leave the Mystic on the bench.
She watches the two of them for a while before she feels a sharp pain in her chest. She becomes dizzy from the pain and lies down on the bench, her right hand on her chest and her left hand under her head.
'That was us. That's our relationship...'
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High-functioning Bibliophile
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High-functioning Bibliophile
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Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 11:40 am
Margem Okalwa rouses after twenty minutes, feeling weaker due to the incident that had just occured. She realizes that Sanyu has disappeared a bit more due to the memories that the couple had instilled in Margem. She stiftly sits up and stretches out. She knows the next place to visit so she stands up and takes a right at the sidewalk.
As she wals, Margem's memories seem to summon Darian, at least in her mind. The blue sky, the crisp air, and the casual walk to the market. She rubs her hands as goosebumps run all over her skin.
"Actually, I like to use lotion on my hands every day. I've found that it keeps the skin soft."
Darian nods saying, "I guess you're right but I just have never found any that fits me."
The woman smiles saying, "I could make some for you."
"You make lotion?"
She nods, "And my own perfume."
He glances at her, seemingly shocked, before she continues, "We'd have to go to the market to get the stuff to make it, of course. I have the basics but we need to get the scents to make it personalized."
The two of them had walked down to the market from Sparkle Hotel and, to say the least, it was an interesting time. Margem recalls how one of the venders had angered Darian by assuming he was a mere human. Later, Darian found the main ingredient for his lotion.
"The Eva plant," she smiles, "I didn't tell him about the healing properties it has..."
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