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Post by kris on Jul 3, 2008 18:15:45 GMT -5
Kris was incredibly depressed. Understandably so, as the one person she had loved and trusted in the world had died. Been murdered, actually. She had been much more depressed, unable to go anywhere without thinking about him. When some people who claimed to be friends of his from work told her to get a job here, she agreed. It wasn't that she wanted to do what they said, but she needed to get out of the place she had been living. His apartment, actually. No wonder it was hard for her to get over him.
In any case, it was her first day of her new job. Apparently, with this one she wouldn't need to hide the fact that she was an elf, which made things easier. The humans she had known were remarkably unperceptive, a trait that Quartz had explained as the effects of the Veil. As she had left her city before getting anything more than basic training about the human world, she hadn't known anything about how humans acted. But that was completely beside the point.
The elf sat at her desk a little awkwardly. Everyone had been kind and welcoming to her, and she had tried to be friendly. It was just that she was so very shy, so she wasn't sure if her new co-workers liked her. She was fine on the phone, but face to face was a bit awkward. She sipped a bit at the water at her desk, looking around. No one important had talked to her yet, which was fine by her, but she knew people liked to meet new faces, even though she was only a receptionist. Kris just hoped she would be able to keep calm and not mess everything up on her first day.
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Post by kris on Jul 3, 2008 21:27:09 GMT -5
So far, life had been good to her. For today, at least. She had to answer a few calls, fill out some paperwork, make a new pot of coffee... usual stuff. It was a lot more relaxing than work at the hospital. Less rewarding, too. She felt almost restless, sitting at a desk all day. Sighing, she forced her thoughts away from the hospital. If she thought about that too much, then she would go right back to brooding, and she couldn't have that. Not on her first day, at least. She couldn't stay depressed forever. Besides, if she worked at this job, she might have a chance to be useful to her dear magpie, even though he was dead. But of course, she couldn't think about that too much either, since it was a reminder, and she wanted to avoid reminders.
So she thought of work. Kris watched as people walked in and out of the building, listened to the chatter of the other receivers around her, and tried to familiarize herself with the company computer. It had taken her long enough to figure out the hospital computers, and now these people wanted her to use this one to write messages to other people? What was wrong with paper and pen? Honestly. Humans. Or whoever decided that computers were a good thing, as she had realized many of her new co-workers were not human at all. Feeling a bit lost as she clicked around aimlessly, she was more than a little startled to find someone dumping papers all over her desk.
Jumping visibly but remaining in her chair, Kris looked up at the newcomer. "H-hi," she stammered, blushing a bit. Pausing, she shook her head. She had to do better than that! This was her new job, and she had to be able to hold a conversation with someone at the very least. Besides, this person didn't look too threatening. Human, and a young one from what she could tell. Not that she was very good at being able to tell. Taking a breath, she managed a small smile. "It's my first day. I'm Kris. Are these papers for me?" ...Well, she had managed to go two whole sentences without trying to steer the focus of the conversation away from herself. That was a start.
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Post by kris on Jul 4, 2008 11:32:21 GMT -5
Kris listened carefully to his explanation, surprised that he was being so helpful. She pulled out a small case from her pocket, removed the set of wire-framed glasses, and put them on as she looked through the stacks, careful to keep everything in order. She had gotten a ten minute orientation about the hierarchy of the company, so although she recognized the word 'seraph,' she had very little idea of what that meant. Eh, she would just have to find out later. Frowning a bit, she glanced up. "Are you sure you'll do it yourself? I mean, I'm supposed to be learning where everything is, so it might be a good idea for me to be running around. Besides, it isn't like I have anything else to do." She wanted to keep busy, she really did.
Kris was feeling less and less awkward around this Ashen person, mostly because he hadn't made any sudden movements or loud noises. This meant that she was willing to answer personal questions, but was by no means relaxed. "Um, it's been a nice day. Everyone's been nice. I mean, um, it's a lot quieter here than at my last job." Pausing for a bit, she added, "So what do you do here?"
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Post by kris on Jul 4, 2008 13:41:46 GMT -5
"But..." Kris frowned, eyebrows wrinkling. They cared about civilians? But then why had these people murdered Quartz? That made no sense. Maybe it was some sort of public relations thing... or Ashen could be lying. He didn't look like the type to lie to her, though. Weird. She chewed on her lower lip, then shook her head. She didn't know enough to make any judgments yet. That was why she was here, after all. If she could just be patient and do her job, then maybe she would get some answers. "...Never mind. I used to work at a hospital, so I know a thing or two about patching people up," she added, hoping he would just ignore her strange actions.
She stood up from her chair, pausing to straighten out her clothing. It was nice that she could go back to wearing traditional elven clothing, but it had been so long that she had forgotten how to walk in the light robes. "I'd love a tour," she said with a shy smile. It was very kind of him to be so helpful. She made a mental note to finish all the paperwork he had given her as quickly as possible, since that was the only way she knew how to repay him at the moment. Wait a second. Why was she so intent on helping him? Wasn't he supposed to be the enemy? ...But he looked so young, and he did say he was a healer, which meant he couldn't be that terrible a person. Right? Oh she was getting herself confused.
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Post by kris on Jul 4, 2008 14:25:08 GMT -5
Kris followed, still debating internally with herself. She was beginning to get very homesick and wish she hadn't left the forest in the first place. Now she had to question the motives of everyone she met at her new work place, and she also had to look for a way to spy on them. Honestly, why did everything have to be so difficult? She just wanted to help people, that was all. Sigh. She pushed those thoughts out of her head and focused on the tour. It would be good for her to learn the layout of this place, as she didn't want to get lost wandering the halls. Besides, this place was beautifully constructed. It wasn't like elven architecture, with its high, graceful archways and openness to nature, but this place had its own charms.
When he spoke again, she thought for a moment. There were plenty of questions she wanted to ask, but only a few that were appropriate. "Right, so you're a Seraph, and Seraphs protect the Dragoons, so... what do the Dragoons do? I don't really know much about this place at all, really. I just don't want to say the wrong thing to the wrong person."
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Post by kris on Jul 4, 2008 15:14:44 GMT -5
"So does that mean you have a partner?" she asked, a bit more curious now. The Dragoons seemed to be the ones who actually did all the dirty work, and it was more in keeping with the little information she had been told about TI. They were the ones running around killing people. Suddenly it was a lot easier for her to believe that Ashen was a good person. Every organization needed its healers, even one as terrible as this one. If it was as terrible as she had been told. She still wasn't sure if she wanted to trust the people who had told her to take this job. Something just seemed off about them...
Realizing her thoughts had drifted, she shook her head slightly and began looking around again, memorizing the layout of the building as they walked. "So that means you can use magic. Are many humans able to cast spells?" she asked, having not realized that Ashen was not, in fact, a human.
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Post by kris on Jul 4, 2008 15:59:23 GMT -5
Valuable and dangerous information, hmm? It sounded like she was going to have to find some sort of excuse to spend a lot of time in the Archives, then. If it was guarded all the time, though, she might have some difficulties getting in. Better wait a bit and see just how heavily defended it was before trying anything stupid. It wasn't like anyone expected her to get any important information on her first day of work, so she had plenty of time to plan things out.
Kris was nodding at his reply, half of her mind still on how she was going to get into the Archives later, when she did not have anyone watching her. When she heard the word 'vampire' she had to stop and think about his words for a moment before she realized what he had just said. "Vampire?" she repeated, stopping in her tracks. Oh, why was it still so easy for her to get upset at the slightest reminder of Quartz? She should have known that TI would employ vampires as well, but she hadn't been prepared for Ashen telling her that he was one. He looked so young, so innocent. And he was such a nice person. Shaking her head, she started walking again. "...Sorry. I hadn't realized. I thought you were human," she explained, voice a bit shaky.
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Post by kris on Jul 5, 2008 10:36:11 GMT -5
She blinked, taking a moment to understand. He thought she hated him for what he was. He looked so disappointed. She bit her lower lip, remembering Quartz telling her that he loved her for treating him just like she treated everyone else, even knowing what he was. He had said that most people said they did not hate him for it, but he could see the fear in their eyes. It was cruel of her to treat Ashen that way. He deserved to know the truth, even if it hurt to talk about it.
"I..it's not that, Ashen, I..." Her eyes were fixed on the floor as she desperately willed herself not to cry. She had cried enough. She tasted blood and realized she had bitten her own lip open in the nervousness. "I was living with a vampire, and he... died. I came here so I wouldn't be reminded of him all the time. I don't mind vampires, honestly and truly, it's just I wasn't expecting it and I've been trying so hard not to think about him." Her voice was shaking and she was beginning to ramble, so she stopped herself from talking any more. Kris really hoped he would understand, she didn't want to alienate him when he had gone out of his way to be nice to her. This was all her fault, really. Her fault for getting hurt, for being unable to keep her own feelings under control. At least she wasn't crying, though she could feel her eyes stinging and her throat choking up. It was times like these that she was reminded only too well that she was barely more than a teenager when compared to other elves.
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Post by kris on Jul 5, 2008 13:04:17 GMT -5
Kris looked at him, unable to speak. Sad and alone... that was the worst part. Without Quartz, she had no one she trusted. No one she could talk to. Quartz had told her that she should never trust anyone, that they would turn on her if they knew she was different from them. He told her what had happened when he first became a vampire, how his family had betrayed him and hunted him like an animal. He told her to trust no one... but then he went and died, leaving her with no one. She wanted so badly to have friends, to trust people, but she had spent too long fearing others to change so quickly.
Rubbing her eyes, she sniffled and took a deep breath. Ashen was right about one thing. She did have to remember the good things about Quartz, not the bad. Maybe some day she would find someone she could trust enough to talk about him, but it was still too soon. "Thanks. I'm sorry," she said, managing to keep her voice steady. "Yggdrasil's leaves, I must be making a terrible first impression on you," she added, managing a weak laugh despite herself. Wiping her eyes again, she added, "I'm sure you didn't expect to make the new receptionist cry on his first day, hm? Sorry."
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Post by kris on Jul 6, 2008 8:52:43 GMT -5
Her smile deepened as she followed after him. She was definitely glad to have decided to follow him around. Although she wasn't quite to the point of trusting him yet, she had decided that she would definitely give him a chance and try to become friends with him. That was saying a lot, coming from someone as mistrustful as she was right now.
Kris eyed the Seraph guards with a bit of apprehension, doubting her small repertoire of curses would allow her to get past them without incident. She was a healer with a few spells for self-defense, not a trained infiltrator. However, her apprehensions drained away when she walked in the Archives, replaced with wonder. Books! Look at them all! She craned her neck upwards to the ceiling. No wonder they had walked so far underground! She barely even registered that Ashen had said something, nodding in agreement to whatever he said. She walked to the nearest shelf, scanning through the titles. Many were in languages she didn't know, though she was surprised to find a few written in the spidery elven script. Some part in the back of her mind told her to stop poking around and causing trouble, but she ignored it and selected one of the elven books, flipping it open and paging through. It was a list of plant found in her homeland, complete with drawings and descriptions of the medicinal properties of the various parts. It was nothing she didn't already know, but it did make her feel a bit homesick. She adjusted the glasses on her face as she skimmed the pages. She had never seen a book written in elven outside her home, and here there were two--no, three books of that type sitting on the first shelf she came across. She replaced the book. This library is amazing! she thought. A moment later, she frowned. So how am I supposed to find what I need? This place is huge! I can't just go up to a librarian and ask for a book of Thaumaturgy International's dirty secrets...
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Post by kris on Jul 6, 2008 18:02:16 GMT -5
"What, really?" she asked, surprised. That would make things so much easier. Though... she did feel a stab of guilt for using Ashen's helpfulness to fulfill her own private agenda. Still, it would be amazing to work in a library this huge. She might be able to convince herself that she would work here because she wanted to, not because she was trying to spy on these people. A library suited the shy elf much better than a job at a front desk, anyway. "Would they really let me work here? I mean, it's under such heavy guard..." she added. When the guard yelled, she jumped a bit, but nodded to Ashen. "Where to next?"
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Post by kris on Jul 6, 2008 21:03:15 GMT -5
Kris nodded. That all made plenty of sense. She hadn't expected to waltz in and be able to get all she needed to know, but at least now she had a plan of action. It might take her a while, but she had time. She was used to thinking long-term. Kris had the habit of rushing things, but now that Quartz was gone, she was feeling a lot more conservative. "I don't mind. I'd still like to apply, though. I think I like this place better than the front desk, to be honest..." Less people around, more places to hide. Even if she never got to read anything useful to Quartz's friends, this would be a good place to work.
She kept up, thinking for a moment. "Well, I really don't know much about this place, so I wouldn't know where to go. Hm." There was a short pause while she thought it over. "Well, do you have an office? I mean, I'd like to know where it is if I have any questions. That is, if you don't mind. I mean, sorry if I'm imposing or anything, I don't want to bother you." The last sentences came out in a bit of a rush. She realized that Ashen might not want her around and panicked a bit, not wanting to seem to needy or clingy. He had done enough for her and she had no right to keep bothering him.
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Post by kris on Jul 7, 2008 17:48:43 GMT -5
"Eh, booby traps? Does he have a lot of enemies or something?" she asked, a little nervous. That sounded like someone she did not want to run into. She didn't think she'd have another outburst about vampires like before, as she now knew what to expect in this place. But someone who trapped his own office did not sound like someone that Kris wanted to deal with. Hopefully she could avoid this mystery boss.
She was sure to memorize the location of his office, more interested in being able to find Ashen later than how his office looked. He was right, it was very plain. If she had her own office, and not just a desk in a large room, she would have done a bit more, maybe brought in a few plants and hung a few drawings or something. Still, it wasn't like she could fault him for it. It sounded like he spent more time out on jobs than working here, so it probably didn't matter much what his office looked like. She turned to Ashen with a smile. "Sure. The only work I have to do today is what you gave me, so unless that needs to be done right this instant, I've got plenty of free time."
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Post by kris on Jul 7, 2008 19:41:14 GMT -5
Kris stepped out into the starlight, the wind teasing her hair to rebel against the loose the loose tie she used to keep it out of her face. She walked right up to the edge of the building, looking out at the sea and the lights of the city in the distance. Living in trees all her life meant she did not have any fear as she looked down at the academy, picking out all the places she had been that day. The sea drew her gaze away from the buildings as she stared out at the water, mirroring the sky above in the gentle waves. It wasn't like the forest at all, but it was still so beautiful...
"It's breathtaking," she replied, voice barely more than a whisper. For the first time in a long time, she was outside of the city and able to see the stars again. A smile slid onto her face as she took it all in, looking up at the night sky. "He used to say the same thing, you know. About daytime. Tried to play it off like he didn't care that he could never see a sunrise again." Her voice was soft as she spoke of the vampire she had lived with, but she did not cry this time. She kept her face pointed towards the sky, not wanting to look Ashen in the eye. "I think that happens to everyone, though. They never realize how much they miss something until they can't go back." She was silent for a time, just listening to the waves crashing in on the shore. Very quietly, so softly that her voice didn't even reach her own ears, she added, "I miss the forest..."
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Post by kris on Jul 8, 2008 6:21:38 GMT -5
"I imagine it would be frustrating with the humans, they grow old so quickly," she remarked, then flushed. How rude of her! "Sorry, I didn't mean to sound so... arrogant." That was one thing she never liked about her fellow elves, always looking down on the other races. And here she was, doing exactly that. She frowned, watching the sky in silence.
Would Quartz be proud of her for what she was doing? He never talked to her about his work, and now she was helping out his work buddies. Would he want that? Did he want her to avenge him? At least she had plenty of time to make a decision. It would be a while before she could get any good information from the Archives, and she could figure out what to do from there. "It was either get a job or starve on the streets, and I don't think he wanted me dead," she mumbled, sitting on the edge of the building and wrapping her arms around her legs. Suddenly she felt cold. Everything was so complicated now.
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