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 Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 8:39 pm
It was the second time Sasha had woken up next to Jerry since they'd been relegated to the underground bunkers, drool caking her hair to her face, to his face - and dampening the pillow they shared. Her neck was stiff and her eyes were gritty but she was in high spirits despite the hot, leaded weight of dread that burned dully in her chest. After a quick shower (with Jerry guarding the door), she left the Sun Hunter to himself with the promise that she would meet him in the Life Labs once he finished his own shower. And shave. She sat in the hallway of the Labs, knees drawn up to her chest. Fiddling with her phone briefly, Sasha folded her arms over the plateau formed by her knees before burying her face against them. Secured in her pocket was the photo and the note she'd taken from the doctor's desk. She felt stronger knowing that Jerry and Bix would both be there. Sasha was determined to get some answers. Even if that meant growing a backbone. With a soft groan, the Life trainee lifted her head and quickly sent a text to Bix. She was expecting an appearance from Jerry at any given moment. iloveyouDIE Text to Bix: Meet in the labs. I'm here, Jerry is on the way. Sasha. She pressed send and did the only thing there was left to do. Wait.
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 9:21 pm
Jerry had taken Sasha's polite, subtle hint that he stank and looked like a hobo, taking his time this time to make sure he was clean and groomed. His recently unruly hair was still wet and brushed back, his coat laundered over night and a fresh set of coveralls without any yuck stains dressing him up a bit for the meeting, at least as much as he could.
He didn't want H to know what a wreck he had been since their return, for one thing.
He concentrated on not limping as he made his way into the main building, heading towards the life labs with a growing sense of dread.
It would be fine.
Just.... asking a few questions, getting a few answers.
"Any ah.... w-word from him yet?" He managed once he spotted Sasha where she huddled, trying to give her an encouraging smile.
He had successfully shaved his own face, at least, and elevated himself from dirty hobo to slightly questionable late night janitor. It was an improvement at least.
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 9:35 pm
Bix was napping. Sort of. He made a point to take a minute to fix his hair before he bothered leaving. He was antsy, nervous, and when that happened he began to fuss with himself. After his braid was satisfactory he headed out towards the labs.
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 9:40 pm
Sasha jumped when Jerry spoke, having buried her face in her folded arms again. She immediately calmed when she met his eyes, giving him a nervous - yet genuine - smile. He looked clean. Almost refreshed.
"Nothing. I mean, ah. I .. I haven't told him we're gathering. The.. if you were talking about th-the doctor, I mean. I just ah.. I texted Bix."
Her phone chimed as if on cue.
"Bix is on his way." She fidgeted.
"I don't know.. I don't know what to do from here. Do we just.. go to his office? I don't.. I hadn't thought that far ahead."
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 9:47 pm
He pursed his lips, leaning against the wall beside her for a moment to rest his leg as he glanced down the hall, "W-well... he's... expecting us, right? We can wait for Bix if you like, strength in numbers, right?" His face flushed a bit with anxiety, but all the same, he offered her a hand to stand. "It'll... I mean. Whatever we find out, none of us are alone here, you know? It's... I mean the three of us were on that list, but that was just one page. Who knows who else might be involved, you know? And we'll find out. For everyone."
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 9:52 pm
Bix may have hurried because it didn't take him very long to get there. He looked a bit wind whipped and since it was only mildly breezy, he must have rushed himself enough to be pink in the cheeks.
He continued to fuss and smooth his bangs as he approached the talking hunters waiting for him. "Hey guys.. So do we just.. go ?"
He seemed fidgety, just a little. He wasn't exactly spastic but Bix was generally pretty relaxed and this was a bit obvious.
"Sasha I'm really glad to see you. Sorry we couldn't stop that shadow guy before. You are okay right?" That had been the last time he'd seen her and he looked genuinely sorry for failing her.
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 10:46 pm
Sasha nodded, then paused. He should be expecting them. The doctor had never given them a specific time to arrive at his office. She could call him, maybe even text him, but..
Bix arrived before she could answer Jerry, prompting her to rise to her feet.
"I'm.. I'm fine. Thanks for all you did, Bix.. I .. I appreciate it."
She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned back against the wall.
"We were just ah.. just talking about that. The doctor never gave like. An exact time. I don't know when he's expecting us."
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 11:41 pm
"Knowing him, whenever we show up is when he's expecting us," Jerry mumbled, almost under his breath.
Bix's reminder of their recent scare was enough to wipe the hopeful smile off his face. He cleared his throat, ran a hand through his still damp hair to make sure he was tidy, and straightened his coat. "Might as well just knock and see if he's in." He still made no move to do so, bottling his impending tremble with a look of determination.
He was not intimidated by H.
He was not slightly terrified of what he might or might not find out, nor was he mortified by having to ask that man any form of personal question.
He would be fine.
"Right?" He forced what he hoped was an optimistic smile. He cleared his throat, limping forward, "Right." They'd be fine. It might even be interesting and... news to be proud of, right? He straightened, and defiantly raised a fist before timidly tapping a quick, nervous rhythm.
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 11:58 pm
"Come in," the doctor's voice held neither welcome nor irritation, but rather an absent, thoughtful quality. When they entered the room, they were greeted with the sight of the doctor, his bare back to them as he put neatly put his shaving kit back together. Beads of water slipped dripped from his hair, tracing down over the hand-sized tattoo of an iguana that shifted as he moved. "You've caught me slightly earlier than expected, my dear," he greeted Sasha without turning.
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 6:11 am
The albino entered behind Sasha, flanking behind her shoulder like some sort of security guard with his arms crossed while they waited.
Bix thought, maybe just, that the older man could have waited the 5 extra seconds it to finish shaving and put on a shirt before he called them in. It didn't really bother the sun hunter personally (especially since he'd just finished a 'shirtless pantless' missiong himself), but it may have bothered Jerry (since he knew the man was already uneasy). Bix was sure it was probably inappropriate on Sasha's part. He had the habit of viewing some of his more innocent colleagues and friends like little siblings and his big brother instinct always kicked in when something struck him wrong. If Sasha was really his little sister he'd probably say something, but instead he just frowned. Yes, he was giving his superior a disapproving look. He knew it would mean nothing to the older man but it didn't stop him from feeling it.
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 7:23 am
As she moved past Jerry, followed by Bix, her eyes widened impossibly. The broad expanse of naked back had her cheeks burning in embarrassment. She cleared her throat, loudly, and promptly averted her eyes before presenting the doctor with her back. Her gaze dropped to the ground as she shifted closer to Jerry on instinct. The sight of the tattoo was burned into her minds eye, and she found herself pondering the symbolism.
Briefly. And then one second more.
"We," she emphasized the word, her voice bordering on breathless, "c-can come back later, s-sir."
Sasha cleared her throat; it was a sound borne of slowly fraying nerves, slipping courage and a rapidly dissolving backbone. She scrambled, desperately, for inner strength ...and found none.
It was terrifying.
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 8:58 am
As Jerry brought up the rear, he glanced up to see what had made Sasha squeak. At the sight of H's shifting muscles and dancing iguana, his impulse reaction was to go white faced and bolt from the room.
Instead, he took a limping step forward, guiding Sasha to take refuge behind him until H was a bit more presentable for mixed company. His face had gone red. He'd seen far more of the man than *that* before, but that didn't mean he liked it.
The Sun Trainee kept his eyes on the floor, "You didn't exactly-actly-" Deep breaths. Courage. "Exactly give us a specific time to come, Sir. And... and we want answers." He glowered upward again, shooting Bix a sideways glance to see if answers were really what they were after.
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 9:01 am
Bix saw Sasha's reaction and his expression got even more disapproving.
Like 60 seconds longer would have been so difficult before calling them in? Did he like having young girls gawk at him?
Sounded pretty sick and pervy.
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 11:26 am
"You've had something of a shock, the very least I can do is accommodate your schedule." The doctor took his time, putting on an under shirt, then a freshly pressed white dress shirt. As he buttoned it, he turned to his visitors, and his eyes rose at the little tableau he was presented with. He smiled at them, "Ah, how kind of you to shelter the poor dear. Your firm disapproval in noted, gentlemen. Perhaps you should send young Sasha from the room," he continued, finishing with the buttons, "for who knows what dread sights and details shall follow to wound delicate hearts and sensibilities?" He cocked a wry eyebrow at them and took a seat at his desk.
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 11:57 am
"I'm.. I'm not.. I'm not delicate."
As if to prove her point, Sasha turned just as the doctor took his place behind his desk. Ahh, that desk. She swallowed dryly, afraid to meet the doctor's eyes. He knew, he knew. Of course he knew. She'd left the desk in near-shambles. She'd taken from him.
Her cheeks felt hot. She wanted to cry.
"I don't need.. I don't need sheltering." Sasha sounded annoyed as she moved into the room, arms crossed tightly over her chest.
"And I'm not leaving."
She dared any of them to force the issue, her eyes sparking with blue fire.
Finished with her slight huff, Sasha cleared her throat. She set her jaw. Met the doctor's eyes with her own. She faltered briefly, her mouth wrenching.
"We just want some answers, sir."
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