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 Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 7:07 pm
“Tah, tah, tah.” Chestnut colored orbs scanned the halls taking in whatever they could. Nothing seemed familiar and she had to mentally slap herself. How had she managed to get lost so quickly?
Emily remembered making it down to the boiler room effortlessly, but coming back proved to be a problem. Now she found herself aimlessly wandering around. Mentally she could only pray that she wouldn’t enter some restricted area unknowingly.
The young woman felt as though everything about her screamed that she was new here. Not only had she gotten lost, but she hadn’t seen a single person that wasn’t garbed in a lab coat thus far.
If she didn’t know better, she’d say people were staring.
Thankfully she did know better however, and this put her mind at ease slightly. No one cared about a lost idiot, so long as they didn’t wander somewhere they weren’t supposed to. Right?
…er… Considering she was in a research facility she knew that was just idealistic thinking.
“Oh man.” She groaned, preformed an about face, and made a bee-line down the path she came from. Only to find she still didn’t end up in the boiler room.
“Great. Now what?”
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Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 9:36 pm
Kealdra - I mean er. . . Elizabeth, had her identification card poised and ready between forefinger and thumb. Her finger movements were harsh, spinning the poor plastic object fore and aft, pausing now and then to chip the end of it with an extra short nail.
It had always been a problem for her, keeping them long. Sure, it was the fashion, but she'd find herself shredding the ends in nervousness before she even realized her fault. Presently her subconscious mind attempted to make her chew on the plastic card. She raised it up, completely unsuspecting when a gentle hand closed over hers and pushed gently down.
"Wha-?" she began, plastic rectangle still cued. "Oh." She grinned, dropping her hands and waving it off as though it were nothing. Mara smiled back lightly, though it was clear even looking at her was enough to make the poor girl shiver. Mara quickly slid her hair behind an ear with her fingers and slid back into line behind Elizabeth like an obedient puppy or something. She was so strange and quiet it was almost sickening. Yet, just like a puppy, no amount of cursing, swearing, or crazy ideas was going to keep that face from smiling - or being nervous. It was a lost cause.
Lost in thought she didn't even notice the other's absence until a few minutes later when her head suddenly jerked into awareness. Where had that blasted plant-thing gone? Frowning resolutely she tiptoed back around and spotted Mara.
She was peering around a corner, for whatever reason she may have. Really, it was horribly silly of her. Why on earth would someone need to be so obsessive about checking everything every which way.
Probably just wanted to get away from her. With all the abuse Mara had suffered so far, Elizabeth wouldn't have put it past her. Still, she had to give the girl some credit. The day they'd met - after the incident of which Mara seemed to have no recollection - Elizabeth had introduced herself, but Mara had pointed to the identification card. Indeed, the names, completely different. Appearance, exactly the same. But Mara still called her Elizabeth. The few times she spoke that is. Better than Elizabeth could say for most other people in the world.
"Now, Mara, dear," she tried. "We aren't going that way." The girl looked back and frowned. All Elizabeth could do was sigh and follow.
It took about three seconds for Elizabeth to find out what was up. There was some crazy janitor blazing down the bloody hallways messing up god knows what.
"Hey!" she snapped, waving her arms like a madman.
Mara looked horribly alarmed and she gathered up her kimono and rushed after the poor individual Elizabeth seemed to be crying murder towards.
Did that mango ever listen? Ugh!
Sighing she rolled her eyes and rushed after the two of them, but it was too late, Mara had already touched the girl on the shoulder and smiled. That was enough to stop anybody dead. Green hand on shoulder - scary.
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Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 1:11 pm
Now, had she turned right here? Or had she gone straight? She stopped moving to rub her temple. Really now! Emily should have known better then to turn down the woman who offered to show her around, darn pride got in the way though.
She was just about to take off down another hall when she felt a green hand touch her from behind. The touch itself made her jump, not expecting it. She prepared herself for a verbal beat down for wondering in the halls. What was the chances they would believe her that she was a new employ?
Emily had been just about ready to blurt out any random apology that she could think of when the words caught themselves in her throat. Through her peripheral vision she could see the skin pigment of the hand on her shoulder. It was green. She could feel the blood drain from her face.
“Oh dear god a zombie has me!” She shrieked in horror as she whirled around to see her inevitable doom. At least she could die knowing that the monsters under her bed did exist. Eat that non-believers!
But as soon as she turned on her heels she was met with the ethereal beauty of a green skinned girl with yellow and orange hair, garbed in a kimono. A sigh escaped her lips. Though even she wasn’t sure if it was out of relief or disappointment.
“You’re no zombie,” She stated the obvious in a matter-of-factly kind of manner, color returning to her blood drained cheeks. “Unless zombies some how got pretty.” She frowned, thinking the matter over.
No. Zombies defiantly did not get pretty. She shook her head, hoping to rid herself of her pathetic amateur appearance and childish ways. After all now was not the time to seem immature, and her inexplainable and illogical fears of zombies was anything but professional like.
“Sorry.” She spoke after a quick clearing of her throat. She offered her hand out to the green skinned girl “I’m Emily.” She introduced as she noticed for the first time a human out of the corner of her eye. “I…I’m sort of lost.” She confessed with a sheepish smile. “I just got hired here, you see.”
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Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 7:42 pm
Well, she didn't think she'd heard anything that farfetched before. She'd never heard of zombies being green. Rotting dead, smelly, grunting toilet paper wraps, sure - but green?
Not that Elizabeth had seen a zombie, of course. They didn't exist. It was simply an impossible fact. Just like how she was working here with a very green woman.
Mara should her head. No, she wasn't, but there was something very pecular about this 'zombie' creature the girl spoke of. It sounded like an awful thing, that was cursed to be ugly all its life. Then again, what was ugly? Mara had never been able to discern the difference between the beautiful and the mundane.
Perhaps that was only for the judgements of human to decide.
She almost slipped away when the girl held out her hand, but then she recognized the custom. Smily sheepishly she extended her own arm out to take the hand of the other.
"Mara," she squeaked. It had been so long a stay in the tube, everything felt so unreal and Mara wanted everyone to like her so desperately. Everything felt like a failure, and with Elizabeth's yelling it seemed to her like the world was about to end.
She hoped she could keep them happy. Proud. If they just told her they were proud; but she hadn't done anything for them to be proud of. She would have frowned if she wasn't worried about alarming Emily, instead she smiled.
"I noticed," Elizabeth cut in, shoving her hand forwards to shake Emily's herself, but then remembing about the pass that lay there. She jerked her hand back quickly and slid the object into her pocket, clearing her throat and inhaling deeply.
"Where exactly were you going?" It was Mara's turn to butt in.
"We can help you find your way back," she breathed, still smily and curly an orange lock about her index finger and thumb.
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Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 7:50 pm
Well for not being a brain eating zombie, the girl in front of her seemed rather likeable. Albeit shy. Emily offered a warm smile before turning to Elizabeth. “I’m not entirely sure, actually.” She confessed. “I was just trying to leave the boiler room. I, very clearly, took a wrong turn.”
She turned to Mara who had offered to help her get back. “Would you?” She asked keeping a pleasant lock on her over enthusiasm. She didn’t want to frighten her only hopes to safe ground away. “Thank you Mara. …?” She paused at a lack of name for the other woman.
Was it just her or did she seem a bit shovey?
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Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2007 9:52 pm
Elizabeth shook her head. Damn janitors, getting themselves lost like they do. Why didn't they just ask somebody for help instead of wandering around like morons?
"Cleary," she affirmed, looking the woman up and down as though sizing her up. She didn't seem to understand the long silence after Mara's name. Mara was looking at her, and so was this girl. Just staring.
She wanted to ask what, but it felt rather uncomfortable. It was Mara who saved her.
"This is Elizabeth," she piped, with the nod of her head, flicking her gaze nervously towards her caretaker. The strawberry blonde seemed to take no note of any nervousness in either of the two woman. Perhaps she was being hard and powerful, or simply couldn't sense the slight tension. Afterall, how many times did a janitor run into specimen and researcher? Mara hoped to increase those odds.
"I've never been to the boiler room," she whispered, trying to engage conversation between people.
To say the truth, Elizabeth hadn't, either and she was busy deciding how exactly she was getting out of this situation. There was one possible solution . . .
"I'll take you to the boiler room, and stop and get a map on the way." She paused, frowning. "So you don't get lost again." It was a big building, could Emily really be blamed?
She turned on her heel and led the way, making a mental note to go to the food court for her stomach was grumbling away.
Mara, she noted, stayed back with Emily and she was talking, which was a rare occurance for the green mango. Sweet and loving, yes, but she spoke with hands and touch, not so much words. It was good for her, Elizabeth thought, to have somebody she could say words too.
Mara was busy watching Emily with great interest. The girl seemed very interesting, and her hair looked fun to play with, but Mara held back for now. Instead she kept smiling and flicking glances over, playing with her own hair every now and then.
"Do you get lost often?" she asked carefully, and then bit her tongue. "I mean to say. . . is it nice here? Do you like it?" She was horribly worried that the girl wouldn't like here, or her. Elizabeth could make people fly away in a hurry, with her demanding nature, but Mara felt safe around her at least. There was no feeling of abandonment. She didn't know if she could take any more of that.
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Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 10:51 am
Emily couldn’t contain the wince that made its way to her face at Elizabeth’s attitude. While the woman was sizing her up, she couldn’t help but feel smaller then an ant. A very small ant. An ant that could be squished.
Mentally she imagined the woman before her as a giant shoe and splattering her. Truly now, she was certain this wasn’t the way she had planned on starting her career. Shifting uncomfortably, the awkwardness was broken by the green not-zombie girl-Mara- as she introduced Elizabeth.
“It’s a joy to meet you Elizabeth.” Emily spoke, a smile gracing her face as best as she could manage at the moment. The woman was imposing, or so it seemed to her. However, Mara seemed like a treat. She had her curiosity perked. She wanted to know more.
When she had been hired she was told she would be working with specimens, planting to be more precise, that she wasn’t used to working with. But she had never thought of some living green thing. She wanted to ask questions galore, but held them back in fear of Elizabeth’s reaction.
Making a mental note to find a way to get Mara by herself, Emily nodded thankfully. “A map would be wonderful. I’m not positive what time they wanted me at the green room” She spoke softly.
When the other started walking away, Emily moved to fall in tow. Mara’s question caused her mind to falter, but she never missed a beat. “Get lost a lot? I guess you could say that.” She mused. “But yes, this place does seem…nice. For lack of better words. I’m excited to get more time in, and see what it is I’ll be doing with these…specimens.”
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Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 5:48 pm
Elizabeth was winding her way down corridors she ought not to be down this time of day. They had to go all the way down to the lobby to get a map, and the place never seemed to welcome her. More it stared the woman down with unparalleled disgust. The mere thought of it made her shudder.
Then there was the issue of Mara's speed. The mango's kimono shortchanged her step which was sorely lacking anway. Elizabeth often had to pause and wait for them to catch up before doubling her pace again in some unknown rush.
Mara wasn't sure what the other meant, so she tossed back her head. Elizabeth was quickening, so she naturally slowed her pace a bit, trying to act as a counterbalance. It never did seem to help.
"Specimens?" she responded, confused. "Oh- oh. . . " she revised, realizing what the other meant.
Her.
She supposed that's what most thought of them, though. Things to examine, not actual souls with feelings and a pulse.
They wound around halls, took a few stairs and at last were at a point for stopping. Mara stretched carefully, she wasn't used to going so far.
"Ah-hah!" Elizabeth exlaimed, pulling out a folded rectangle from a large plastic holding spot on the wall. There were hundreds of other pamphlets there, all sparkling with information. The strawberry blonde scanned them for a few moments before scoffing.
"Nothing but rubbish," she muttered, dragging her attention from the wall and back to Emily and Mara.
The green specimen stood up straight and moved over a few inches, giving a worried glance towards Emily. Elizabeth frowned for a moment and then handed the girl the pamphlet.
"There, you shouldn't get lost now." She turned her attention once again to Mara, who seemed seriously distraught. Elizabeth sighed.
"I'm starving!" she exclaimed, glancing at her watch. "Let's scurry down to the food court. You coming Emily? My treat. You'll need something before they ship you off to your slavework." She chuckled at her more than pathetic joke.
Mara, Elizabeth thought, looked rather pleased at this suggestion and if she looked closely, the woman thought she could see a sparkle in her eye.
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Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 6:10 pm
Emily had realized her mistake in wording all too late by the others reaction. Truly she had only meant the seeds she would be planting for further observation. She had always been into botany, and getting a job as a green house helper was an excellent start.
She hadn’t thought of Mara as a specimen. …until now.
She opened her mouth with the intent on mending the situation, only to close it again. No. The situation was already bad, she shouldn’t make it worse. So instead of attempting to make a feeble apology she walked on in silence, following after Elizabeth.
She felt a tension between her and Mara that could only be cut with a knife, and she couldn’t help but if the other felt it as well.
However, the awkward moment was broken when they reached the stand and she was eventually handed a map. The offer for food was highly tempting, and she could feel- more then hear- her stomach rumbling. She chanced a nervous glance at the kimono clad woman before offering a meek, half smile.
“That’s a very kind offer.” May started with a smile. “But…I think I should decline.”
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Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 6:20 pm
Elizabeth shrugged. It didn't make any difference to her whether the woman would stay or go. She probably had better, more important janitor things to do. Whatever those may be. It took a lot of effort to keep her from rolling her eyes.
It took a full heated two seconds for her to get right back onto the record pace again, starting out towards the food court, glancing back at Mara as she went.
"You going to be okay by yourself?" she asked the specimen, noting that Mara didn't appear to be very pressed for going.
The mango woman nodded carefully, sad that she couldn't get Emily and Elizabeth to like one another. She could feel the tension between them like a mosquito bite refusing to subside.
On one hand, she wanted to go, the smells of the court were always interesting. On another, there was the tempation of exploration. She had little mind for staying with Emily. The long awkward silence had told Mara the girl obviously hadn't thought much of her.
She had hoped. . . but it was soon to be thinking everyone she would meet was her friend. She needed to be more patient with these things.
"I . . er. . . " she began, looking towards Elizabeth and back to the ground. "Sorry."
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Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 6:28 pm
Emily frowned in confusion when Mara hadn’t instantly gone with Elizabeth, and became even more confused when the girl apologized. A sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach told her she had made the situation worse more so then better. She fought the urge to slap herself before turning to the girl.
“Aren’t you going to go get some food?” She asked as sweetly as possible. Scratching the back of her head, she found herself at a lack of much needed words. “Hey, Mara, Do you know where the green room is?” She questioned. Maybe it would cheer the girl up if they could get together every now and then in her work area.
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Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 6:53 pm
Mara opened her mouth to speak, but then paused. Emily wanted her to go get food. Which meant she didn't want her company. Gulping Mara started to answer again, when Emily broke the silence once more.
A large smile worked its way across Mara's face and she nodded quite vigorously. "I used to go there all the time back when. . . " She fiddled with her hair and nodded again. "Back when."
Her eyes scanned the wall.
"Do you need help finding that, too? I can help!" There was clearly still some childish behavior left in her. She had been ready to grow up - yes, but she could never get rid of that youthful energy for things.
It was only reasonable that one of her passions be helping.
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Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 7:01 pm
“Mm. That would be nice.” May chirped. She offered her arm in a loop like fashion for the mango girl to take, with a giggle. “I’ll be working there from here on out. Maybe you can visit me? That is to say, if I don’t get lost trying to find the place…again.”
Wearily she cast a look behind her towards Elizabeth. Would the researcher be angered if Mara helped her instead of going to lunch? She gulped a little.
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Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 7:13 pm
Elizabeth watched the events unfold. It seemed Mara was staying. That was alright so long as she didn't get into trouble. When Emily appeared to be cordial, she gave up the battle of dominance and waved to Mara, taking off down the halls to her destination. She felt confident that Mara would be able to find her way back if she needed. There were probably some rules against letting specimens wander about, but Mara could take care of herself and anyone that dared try anything would have Elizabeth to speak to.
Mara beamed and looped her own arm into the others, waving goodbye to Elizabeth with her other.
"I would love to visit," she replied with a nod, wonderfully glad she appeared to be gaining some headway with the girl. "I don't think you will," she added, tapping her finger on the map. "You've got that."
Mara, however, didn't know what a map was, or how to read it. To her, it was some magical thing that put knowledge into your head. When Elizabeth had one, it sure seemed like it possessed amazing qualities.
Still grinning she began her slow walk in the direction of the greenhouse. She knew about the people that worked there, but she also knew there were a few exceptions when it came to the workers.
"It sounds wonderful," she complimented. Working with all those children, it had to be a joy. "Have you worked with us before?"
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Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 7:22 pm
Sadly, Emily wasn’t blessed with map reading skills, and as far as she was concerned it would be more helpful having a chipmunk on speed giving her directions. She shrugged the thought away before smiling.
She walked at Mara’s pace, which was nice and peaceful. She had a feeling by the way Elizabeth was talking she’d have one hell of a time ahead of her. So she was glad for the moment rest before it all started.
“No, I haven’t worked with you before.” She spoke with a smile and a giggle in her voice. “But apparently my interview wasn’t half bad huh?” Her free hand went up to twirl a lock of her hair idly. “I graduated from Highshoolnot that long ago, and now attend college; I was glad they took me even without any work history.”
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