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 Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 8:34 pm
The compound could be a bit of a confusing place, but hopefully it wouldn't be too hard for the new guardians to find their way to the labs; there was a map posted at the gate, and the letter Dacian had sent had said to go to the labs..
At last, even if they weren't sure of where to go, they're probably head there anyway: because the there mages were in front of the labs, in varying states of relaxation as they awaited the new guardians.
Dacian was humming to himself, as he distractedly attempted to wipe the dirt from his hands onto his jeans, perched on the stone railing. Ahneta was leaning against the wall near the door, watching the paths with a sly smirk on her face. And Hadrian was seated on the steps, frowning down at some files in his hands, occasioanlly reaching up and adjusting his monocol.
They were all here to greet to the new guardians? How strange.
((Dacian sends a letter to all prospective guardians, explaining the basic history of the compound and what's going on, as well as inviting them to come visit the compound, and decide whether or not they'd like to become a guardian.))
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Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 9:09 pm
Harvard didn't ever receive much mail, save for the usual bills and rare mass coupon mailings, so when he had opened his box and found some actual correspondence, it sort of set him on edge. He was aware that Gaia was a place where nearly everyone at one point or another ended up with a child, but he had gone twenty years unscathed, and was really starting to enjoy having little to no responsibility for anyone but himself.
Still, if people from another world needed his help, he would feel guilty not giving it. After all, he had once been a kid from another planet who had needed help as well.
This compound he had been invited to was easy enough to find, and so were the labs once he'd parked his car and followed the map. He had chosen to wear something friendly-looking today, deciding that either of his favorite security getups might be a bit too imposing. Instead of a crisp suit or some sort of all black ensemble, he wore a simple white t-shirt, jeans and old sneakers. He had been plagued with the thought they wouldn't believe he was taking this seriously, looking the way he did, so when he rounded a corner and saw that at least one of them was wearing jeans as well, he visibly relaxed.
"Hey. I'm Harvard O'Halloran, and I got this letter?" he said, pulling the crumpled paper out of a pocket. "You can call me Harve if you'd like." He smiled.(( If anyone cares, Harve most closely resembles a larger, blue-skinned cross between Cobra Bubbles and Mr. Clean with ridiculously long bushy blue eyebrows. ))
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Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 9:22 pm
Indeed, Bran had found his way to the labs. It had only taken a night's worth of thought to decide that he would accept the child they were willing to give him. A child... was something he never expected the joy of having and to get such a strange but desired offer had thrown him off guard.
He approached the trio, looking at them curiously. Which one was the writer of the letter... at first glance he'd have to say the one sitting on the steps.
Self-consciously he reached up to press his fingertips against the base of one elegant horn. He wore white strips of cloth wrapped about them, leaving only the tips to protrude uncovered. The ends were woven carefully into the lengths of his hair - he hoped that anyone who might glance at him would just figure he was trying to make a fashion statement.
His eyes refocused on the trio as he finally stopped before them, tucking his hands politely into his sleeves. He gave a small nod of his head in greeting to both them and the man who had arrived before. "Hello, I am Bran Lio`koli. I was sent a letter?"
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 7:33 am
Had Milo been superstitous about things, the letter's message could have been seen as a harbinger of things to come. It had floated to him ominously through the mail slot on his door and then across the water that had flooded into his apartment. The historian was used to that though: it was what came of living in a basement flat by yourself. It was the contents of the letter that vexed him.
To tell the truth, he was more than a little suscipious of the whole thing. What, go to some compound place he'd never even heard of, pick up some allegedly "otherworldly" kid, and hope for the best? Jeez. Still, though, he dug out a pair of khakis and a navy shirt, the damp colors mirroring his mood, and he left his soaking apartment behind him. Maybe it was something in the letter. Or perhaps he just needed to get out of that house now that she'd left it.
It hadn't taken long to find the labs (Milo had a thing for maps) and soon he was standing with two other men. He pulled out the soggy letter, which dripped occasionally on the pristine floor, and re-read it. Yup. This was the place.
He gave a slight bow to those present before introducing himself, unconsciously formal despite his casual attire. "Milo Noirenfeldt, at your service. I trust I am to receive an explanation for this letter."
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 10:19 am
"Ah! The prospective guardians..." Dacian hopped to his feet and stepping towards the three men, "I'm Dacian, the one who sent the letter; these are my co-workers - Hadrian and Ahneta."
In response, Hadrian simply waved an idle hand at the other men before speaking. "I'll be in my office; if they have any technical questions, send them to me."
And then he had entered the building.
Ahneta smiled at the men, on the other hand, merely inclining her head in greeting. She seemed to be simply observing them at the moment, to see what sort of people they were. She probably seemed the least respectable of the three, what with her rather, well...tasteless clothing choice. Although some might call it sleazy or skanky, rather then tasteless.
"Well...anyway! My letter should have explained most of it, but before we begin, do you have any questions?"
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 12:25 pm
Bran looked at each person in turn, carefully storing away each name to remember later. He waited a few moments to see if either of the other men would speak. When they didn't he gave a small step forward, tilting his chin down just slightly as he spoke.
"I suppose... you did mention something about homes, correct?" His eyes only held the barest vestiges of curiosity. "Staying here on the compound? I'd like to accept your gracious offer if it still stands."
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 1:04 pm
Harve's smile faded a bit as Dacian introduced himself and the other two mages. Hadrian set off no alarms, but the woman that remained behind was staring -- nonthreateningly, but still. Staring. Harve shifted his weight and looked back at the others.
He said nothing, simply nodding slightly in agreement when Bran asked his question. Gambino was nice, and he could probably afford to keep paying the rent for his apartment until the kid grew enough to choose where it wanted to live, but the idea of staying here for a while intrigued him.
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 5:30 pm
Milo's ears perked at the suggestion of free housing. Okay, so his current living conditions sucked, to put it nicely, his books were in constant danger of being ruined, he was getting to the point where he was using his clothes as towels to stem the leaks, and tonight he'd probably spend bailing out his home-- but was he really so desperate that he'd seek asylum from complete strangers?
He thought a moment on the subject. He'd come blocks out of his way to see a kid that might not like him, might not be human (or humanoid at all, for that matter), or, if he went with his gut instinct, might not even exist. Yeah, he was that desperate.
Still though, above all else he was a realist. And he had to make sure that this whole thing wasn't just a trick someone was playing on him. The other two didn't seem to doubt the story they'd heard, so the unhappy task fell to Milo to rain (oh God, not more water) on the parade.
"I also have a question. What makes you think that we actually believe you? You could easily have gotten kids from anywhere and try to pass them off as extraordinary--there are plenty of orphanages around." He gestured vaguely. "I want proof. Concrete proof that I'm not an utter fool for trusting you."
And wanting your housing. Badly.
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Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 5:56 pm
"Yes, free housing is a available...."
Rather then be offended, Dacian seemed amused by the question - but before he could speak, he was interrupted peals of laughter from behind him. Apparently, Ahneta found the comment about being able to 'get the children from anywhere' entertained her.
"Out of curiousity, what do you think the profit for us would be in giving you children, and allowing you to live here for free, if it was not true?" And she actually did seem curious about this; there was no malice in her voice, only amusement.
Well, there was a hint of mockery in there as well, but that was normal with her...
Dacian waved a scolding hand at her, apologizing to the men. "We have proof of course - the children haven't actually...well. You'll understand when we show you. Do you want to see?"
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Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:01 pm
The thought to question the genuinity of these children hadn't really crossed his mind. Secretly he scolded himself, blinking his eyes as if seeing things in a new light - he must remember where he was now. Following everything like an agreeable sheep was no good.
However.. this Dacian fellow... Bran couldn't help but trust him. It was something in his nature, the way he spoke. The woman unnerved him to no ends, however.
He gave a light nod, glancing toward Milo who Bran assumed the question Dacian had asked was directed to. He gave a light murmur. "I think seeing would help the believing, don't you?"
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Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:29 pm
Milo shrugged, noticing the woman for the first time. He internally chastised himself--what a day to choose to wear grubby clothes. Normally, he cared quite a bit about his appearance in front of others, especially new acquaintances he wanted to impress, but these past few days had been...stressful.
Still, he was more than willing to participate in a debate. "Don't you see it? You've already lured us here on the pretense of giving us free homes and children. Regardless of where you procure the children from, which is starting to seem even more dubious in the light of what your colleague has let slip, that's still an unbelievably good deal."
Milo twirled the letter in his fingers. "There must be a catch somewhere. Nothing in this world is free. Besides, you would hardly be able to sustain your practice if you gave away something for nothing. We've taken the bait; now we're in the sphere of your power. How would that not profit you?"
Nodding, Milo seconded Bran. "I don't mean to pry into your entrepenurial records, but I fail to see how it's possible for this sort of thing to occur on a regular basis. Perhaps seeing will help. Perhaps not. Either way," he took in the area around him, curious and a little apprehensive at the same time, "it will force you to play your hand."
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Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:52 pm
In theory Harve understood why Milo would be skeptical about the actual existence of these children, but in actuality... on Gaia? Things were just too weird here not to believe. Maybe that was why he was always a little bit afraid of living and nearly everything else. But not of a child. He waited until the other men and Ahneta had spoken before making his small contribution to the conversation.
"I..." Harve started before clearing his throat. "I, uh... would like to see as well." He crossed his arms. He sure hoped he wasn't really under any strange power but his own.
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Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 4:55 pm
"Ah, yes...well, acquiring funding happens to be my 'job' here - and you needn't worry, I take care of it very well."
Ahneta finished her sentence with a quiet laugh, before giving Dacian a slight nod and continuing. "I'm off; you know where to find me."
And then she left, leaving the friendlier mage with the men.
"Ah, yes...sorry about her. But anyway - let's go see them. I believe you'll understand (or at least trust) a bit more once you see them, anyway."
Dacian turned then, intending to lead them into the building.
((Since I don't imagine they wouldn't follow, I'll just continue on~))
As they headed into the labs, and then entered a stairwell, he explained some. "Each of us has something we generally cover - Ahneta takes care of funding, I take care of the grounds and work with the guardians, and Hadrian covers the more scientific aspect...he monitors the children, and - thank the spirits - he also takes care of the paperwork."
After having gone down a stairwell, and entering a new hallway, he tossed a wry comment at them, before stopping in front of a door.
"You wouldn't believe the paperwork this place causes."
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Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 6:30 pm
((Oh, Milo would. >D Just to be contrary and annoy people. ))
As Ahenta left, Milo couldn't help but wonder what her "job" actually entailed, but decided not to press the matter. After all, he'd probably find out soon enough if this thing worked out.
Following the group down the stairs and through the hall, he reluctantly admitted that he was impressed. Milo was by no means an adept in the fields of science or magery, though he knew enough to recognize that the lab was by no means a sham. Whatever Ahneta did to earn money, she did it exceedingly well.
He laughed at Dacian's comment about paperwork, feeling more able to relate. At the same time, he also felt a bit... guilty about having come off as so harsh and patronizing at the beginning. Thus far, he sure was making an excellent impression.
Quashing an inquiry about exactly what sort of paperwork this place might generate, Milo instead commented, "I know the feeling. I teach history and whether it's tests, papers, or assignments, there's always paperwork."
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Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 7:26 pm
Bran followed mutely as they all traveled down the hallways. It wasn't that he wasn't intelligent or curious he just found it easier to coast along and listen to the others. As it was he was hardly able to contain the sense of hope and joy at having a child.
"Do we get to... ah.. how does this work? What if the child we were paired with... doesn't like us?" He grimaced slightly, the thought of meeting the child he was to take care of only to have them utterly refuse him was nerve-wracking.
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