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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2015 17:31:41 GMT -8
Vi Cuyir Solus Kar'ta- Principal Authors: Vee H'rel
- Who can post on this thread: Vee H'rel
[/b] The story of Adeline Thul and Ve'en Ruus |
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2015 19:32:52 GMT -8
Adeline's heart swelled with pride as she stood with her graduating class, excited to finally receive her degree in biochemistry. She studied vigorously at the prestigious University of Coruscant for four long years, attending classes and lectures during the school months while spending summers bouncing between her parents high-profile events and the university's research trips off-world. Despite her parents insistence she find a job on the city-planet after graduation and become serious about finding a good match, Adeline did her best to deflect their wishes. As glamorous as it was to be a Thul, she found the lifestyle both boring and tedious. On the surface the galas, sporting events, operas and benefits seemed exciting, but it was all gossip, competition, appraisal of worth and back-stabbing. Everyone wore a facade and true friends were rare. Growing up she was expected to be the perfect daughter and the perfect Thul, which she entirely endeavored to be. Say the right things, wear the right clothes, remember the proper etiquette, make the right friends...and never, ever question authority. It suffocated her. Sometimes it was all she could do not to scream. Her parents were fashioned for the world of privilege. She was not.
School saved her.
Adeline was positive she would have killed herself had she not been allowed to attend school. Many times she peered over the balcony in her massive room at their 500 Republica penthouse and contemplated how easily she could jump over the railing and end her misery in a painless manner. The only solace she found were in her classes. There she was just Adeline, not the heiress of House Thul, and did not have to concern herself with being perfect under her parents and their attendants' prying eyes. She could ask questions, make mistakes and be herself. She never concerned herself with popularity. She threw herself into her schoolwork, finding friendships with her teachers instead of her sniveling peers. She loved the sciences. Adeline felt the most free in these classes. Everything had an order and logic, but she was free to question and theorize at will. There was never judgement or condemnation. She begged her chauvinistic parents to allow her to study at UC after secondary school. They reluctantly agreed with the thought it would add to the prestige of their family. They had been furious, however, when they discovered she applied to and was accepted into a special research program at the All Research Science Academy on Yerphonia.
Though fearful of her parents, Adeline shakily stood her ground, promising once the program was completed, she would return home and marry. Concerned they might lose control over their daughter if she decided to leave without their approval, her parents agreed to the arrangement. Adeline's heart soared. She discovered relief when she was away from her family during her summer research trips and was ecstatic at the prospect at putting further distance between her and her micromanaging parents.
Adeline stepped out into the aisle of the auditorium behind her fellow graduating peers, her pink mouth wide with a beaming smile. She nervously played with a stand of her golden-red hair that escaped her elegant bun, the unlady-like nature of this seemingly meaningless act not even registering. This was it...this was the start of her brand new life. After this she would leave for Yerphonia...and she had no intention of ever coming back.
Adeline Thul!
The redhead gracefully strode up the steps to the stage, sky-blue eyes sparkling. She posed prettily for a picture with the president who was handing out the diplomas, resisting the urge to jump up and down in child-like glee. A myrid of flashes went off, blinding her momentarily.
Adeline wasn't sure of the particulars, but she had secretly been saving money for escape and was determined to never return back to her family. She knew if she had to return, she would kill herself. Everything from her husband to her career to her very thoughts would be managed either by said husband or her parents. She could hardly even bear the thought. No, she would find an opportunity while she was away...or die trying.
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2015 21:41:39 GMT -8
Ve'en Ruus cursed under his breath. He was so sure it would work this time. Where had he gone wrong? Resisting the urge to put his fist through the laboratory wall, he roughly ran his hands through his long, dark brown hair as his vibrant, green eyes flashed in annoyance. He ruffled through his papers to check some figures while two of the female newcomers to the biochemical program, both recent college graduates, passed by the room, giggling. Ve'en ignored them.
Hi Vin! The voice was flirtatious. Another giggle, followed by a whisper.
He hated the way the aruetii pronounced his name. He tried many times over to correct them ("It's pronounced VEH-EEN, not VIN.") but they still couldn't get it right. After his first week at the All Research Science Academy, he stopped trying. There were worse things in life and he didn't come here to make friends.He tipped his head toward the doorway and offered the two young women a fake smile. Gar ganar osik par mirshe.
<You have dung for brains.>
Thinking Ve'en was saying something sweet, both young women blushed, giggled again and hurried down the hall. The mando'ad turned back to his work with a roll of his eyes. He often spoke his native language to the admirers, finding humor in insulting them while they remained oblivious. He had zero interest in chasing tail, much less that of aruetii women. They all loved him, but he took no pride in it. He buried his wife on Concord Dawn six years prior. She had been the light of his life since they met at sixteen. He had fallen immediately in love with her. Child birth took her and left him a beautiful baby boy. Mikeal looked just like his mother, raven-haired and hazel-eyed. The boy, along with Ve'en's cousin, was killed in a speeder accident two years later, following his mother into Manda. With both the people he loved the most dead, Ve'en felt as if his soul had left with them. He threw himself into his work, accepting a grant from the ARSA for his Basilisk studies, in spite of the family's insistence he remain home.
Ve'en was as fond as aruetii as they were, but he couldn't stay. Everywhere he turned he saw Sabina and little Mikeal. His parents, who were very old to have a son Ve'en's age, had passed into Manda four years before his wife. There was no reason to remain. ARSA's offer came at the right time. He could use it as an excuse to help his people, while at the same time leave Concord Dawn. He quit his job at the biofuel company and promptly moved to Yerphonia. He was surprised at how easily he acclimated to living among the outsiders, but he surmised it was because he was a bit more cultured than the average mando'ad.
While athletic, an effective fighter and an excellent shot, the 6'4 mando'ad was more studious than his kin. He was fluent in several languages, enjoyed fine art, was well-read, well-educated on galactic history and cultures, and excelled in mathematics and science. While his friends were out drinking and chasing skirt, he was found in a laboratory or reading up in a tree. His mother, who was surprisingly well-educated herself, encouraged his interests. His father, who adored his mother, begrudgingly went along with it, so long as Ve'en knew how to handle himself properly. Their son didn't disappoint either of them.
Time passed quickly. When Ve'en glanced at the clock next, it was already passed time for dinner. With a sigh he started cleaning up his designated lab. He made quick work, having done this countless times before. He pulled off his white lab coat, placing it on a hook by the door and gathered up a stack of papers he wanted to sift through before he turned in for the evening. He stuffed them in his satchel, slinging the bag over his right shoulder and across his broad chest where it rested on his left hip. He threw his green jacket on and locked up his lab, hurrying to the cafeteria in hopes he could make it before they closed.
He sighed a breath of relief, falling in line to ladle a hearty meat stew into a large bowl with a big chuck of bread on the side and a glass of Muja juice. Most of the staff had already left for the evening. He just sat down at a vacant table with his tray when he caught a flash of red out of the corner of his eye. He slowly turned his head to observe what it was. He did a double take. Standing anxiously in line was a young woman with hair a color that Ve'en had never seen before in his life. It reminded him of golden fire, vibrantly shimmering in the dim lights of the dining room. His hand suddenly ached to reach out and touch it, see if it would burn him. He had seen many hues of red, mostly of the auburn variety, but none nearly as beautiful as this. It hung to the woman's waist...at least he thought it was a woman. Her back was to him, but the shapely curves of her body gave her away.
When the woman turned around with her tray, Ve'en mouth slightly opened in surprise. The female surely could not be out of her teens. Despite her voluptuous figure and an unusually tall height, she looked like a mere girl. There was no way she was out of secondary school, much less university. What was she doing here? He absentmindedly stroked the stubble on his face as he continued to stare at her, his curiosity peaking. She gracefully set her tray and herself at a table, pulling that flaming hair around her slender neck to spill over her delicate left shoulder. She bit her lush bottom lip as she paused to look down at her food, a small hand moving to caress her forehead before entwining her fingers through her hair and tugging at it. It seemed to be a nervous habit. He thought about what it would be like to lace his fingers through her hair and pull on it himself
The thought flit quickly through his mind, shocking him. He rarely had a sensual thought about a woman since his wife died.His curiosity wasn't the only thing that was peaking... As if hearing his thought, at that exact moment the girl froze before slowly glancing up and locking eyes with him. He first instinct was to flicker his eyes away, but he couldn't seem to tear his gaze from hers. Her eyes were tired, but shone brightly despite the meager lighting. They were the color of the sky after a storm. He was shaken out of his trance-like state when the corners of her pink mouth raised in a shy smile at him, her hand lifting in greeting.
His head jerked back slightly in surprise, blinking his eyes a few times as if to clear his head. His pants were becoming uncomfortably tight. Without a word or any acknowledgement of her actions, he quickly stood, leaving his untouched food on the table as he turned his back to her and briskly walked toward the exit. He could feel her eyes on his back until after he walked out the door. He tried to swallow his guilt for reacting the way he did, but it was a solid lump in his throat. What is wrong with you? He didn't slow as he made his way to his campus apartment, his appetite vanishing. He took a cold shower, drank an ale from his own kitchen, then collapsed into bed. But try as he might to erase the image, her red hair and blue eyes remained in his thoughts until he finally fell asleep.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2015 19:12:38 GMT -8
Adeline was so nervous when they arrived at Yerphonia, she felt as if she was going to have a panic attack. The reality of it all sank in when she stepped out of the ship and into the hanger bay at ARSA. She was doing this, she was really, actually doing this. She studied Basilisk for her thesis as an undergrad, but now she was actually going to do real work to solve the planet's problems...or at the very least, understand them better. Her excitement quickly evolved into trepidation at the immensity of the undertaking. What if she wasn't smart enough? What if she wasn't able to keep up? What if they didn't like her? What if she didn't like them? What if they decided they didn't want her and let her go? She couldn't let that happen...she couldn't go back to her prison of a home.
She left Coruscant at a time that would put her on Yerphonia in the early morning so she could undergo orientation. Adeline was first shown her campus apartment, informed that she would be sharing the apartment with another human female who, judging by personal items scattered among the apartment, was already occupying the quarters. Her attendants from her parents yacht were instructed to unload her belongings there.
They then took her on a tour of the rest of the facilities. Everyone she met was friendly. All the room were spacious and the equipment was state-of-the-art. No expense seemed to be spared, and they didn't really have to. Many wealthy patrons of various planets and businesses contributed to the academy in hopes that ARSA would find solutions to their problems or means of furthering their professional goals. Many individuals personally funded programs. It was the case with the Basilisk project. Some wealthy Mandolarian was funding it and had personally requested biochemist Ve'en Ruus to head the research. Ruus was also Mandalorian and had written many papers on Basilisk's plight, even going so far as doing some minor field research of his own before being acquired by the academy. Though it was odd a Mandalorian was being published, it was more than what anyone else was trying to accomplish with the poisoned planet.
Adeline extensively studied Ruus' work in college and used his research on her thesis. It was clear the Mandalorian had a brilliant mind and a sincere passion for his work, even if it was limited. She didn't fault Ruus for that, though...his resources were sparse and there was no recent or detailed work to build upon. He was basically starting from the ground up. She was both flattered and nervous to be a part of this major landmark in science. The academy told her she would be introduced to Ruus first thing in the morning and he would instruct her from there on out. She was exhausted by the end of the day, having left Coruscant at 6pm and arriving just a few hours later on Yerphonia at 7am. The jetlag was killing her.
It was 6:30pm when they finally released her to return to her apartment for the night. Having no groceries, she hurried to the cafeteria before it closed at 7, relieved when she arrived just under the wire. She quickly served the first few dishes she saw onto the plate on her tray. Some green vegetables and what looked like to be a type of fish in a sauce. It wasn't until she sat down and was about to dig in hungrily when she felt the eyes on her. She looked up and immediately saw...
It was him! Ve'en Ruus! Just a few tables over from her no less! Adeline immediately recognized him from a few holos she'd seen of him in the course of her studies. He looked a little...harder, steely even, than he had in those holos. Adeline brushed the thought away. She chanced a smile, her hand automatically raising to wave at him. Surely he must recognize her as his new assistant, why else would he be staring?
Ruus surprised her when, instead of greeting her, he abruptly shot to his feet and left. He even left his dinner behind. Adeline swallowed, hard. Did he already not like her? She felt her heart sink to her stomach. If so, why did the academy have her come? Surely they wouldn't offer the position unless Ruus approved. She pushed her food around her plate in thought before finally digging in. She barely tasted her dinner, thinking about the implications of the scientist's strange behavior. When she finally arrived back to her apartment that night she went straight to bed, so tired she didn't even change out of her clothes. She was thankful that her roommate still wasn't home...she didn't think she had one more introduction left in her. She drifted into sleep, her fatigue keeping her from even dreaming.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2015 15:38:59 GMT -8
Adeline woke to the clinking sound of dishes and pots. What time was it? She felt like she'd only be asleep for a few hours. There was no way it was morning yet. She moaned as she slowly rolled onto her back. Her hands rubbed her eyes, attempting to remove the grit she felt before fluttering them open and glancing toward her curtained window to see sunlight peeking out around the edges. She groaned again, forcing herself to sit up. She hated jetlag. Despite all her many travels, she never got used to it. Running her fingers through her long, tousled hair, her sleepy eyes searched for a clock. Ah, that's right...she still had to unpack. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stood, stretching before she opened the door that led directly into the small living space. Directly across was the simple kitchen where a blonde-haired girl, who looked to be around Adeline's age, was opening and closing cabinets in search of ingredients while something that smelled delicious cooked on the stove top.
The girl's face lit up as she saw Adeline. You must be Adeline Thul! Welcome to ARSA! I'm your roommate, Janie Tayon, from Corellia. Adeline couldn't help but smile back, Jannie's smile was contagious.
Thanks, it's really good to be here and- Adeline's voice halted as a huge yawn escaped her.
Janie's face turned sympathetic. Awl, jet lag?
Adeline nodded. Janie tsked as she turned and grabbed a pot of coffee and a cup from out of nowhere. Here babe, drink some of this, it'll perk you right up.
Adeline's new roommate sat the cup on the small table that made up an unofficial dining area in front of the kitchen and to the side of the living space. Janie was already back in the kitchen as Adeline slumped into one of the dining chairs. There's sugar there on the table...I'm out of cream right now. I've made some eggs, you want some?
Adeline tugged at her tresses, glancing around for a clock. She found one on the wall, relieved when she noticed she had plenty of time before she needed to be at the lab. Only if it's not too much trouble.
Janie's smile beamed again at her from the kitchen. Not at all...it's good hangover food. She was dishing out the eggs now unto plates. I didn't get plastered last night, but I still have a little bit of one. Her smile didn't wipe off her face despite this fact. She sat down with their plates, lowering her voice conspiratorially, even though there was no one else in the apartment. I met this guy a month ago, he was with this ship that dropped off some supplies here. She wiggled her eyebrows comically as she picked up her coffee cup, the steam rising lazily in front of her face. Let's just say I was in the right place at the right time. He came back into town last night and we hooked up again. Best lay I've ever had. She laughed. He's taking some time off and staying all week.
Adeline had already started digging into the food, a bit surprised her new roommate was unloading all this on her as if they were the best of friends. Uh...that's good, right?
Janie laughed again. You're so funny! It's going to be great to finally have a roommate. It's so boring here all by myself. Her voice turned conspiratorial again. So...I've heard you've been assigned to the Basilisk project. Janie's tone was both amused and dark. Adeline's stomach turned over in concern.
Uh...yes, yes I am. But how did you-
Oh, everyone knows everything around here, it's a small academy you know. Nothing better to talk about. She laughed again. She reminded Adeline of the socialites she was used to spending time with, only Janie seemed far more well-meaning and not mean-spirited in the least.
Is it...is it bad or something?
Janie's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Don't you know? Ve'en Ruus is leading the project.
Adline's brow furrowed in confusion. I do know that...I actually used a lot of Professor Ruus' research for my thesis. It's going to be an honor to work with him, I'm hoping to learn a lot.
Her roommate's eyes widened in mirth. Oh honey...don't you know? He's a total bastard. A very, very sexy bastard, but still a bastard.
It was Adeline's turn to raise her eyebrows. She'd never really thought about the scientist's appearance, if she was honest. Nor did she feel comfortable with her roommate calling him something so dirty. But she didn't have a chance to say anything before Janie hurried on. Do you speak mando'a?
No.
Janie laughed again. Adeline was starting to become annoyed. Oh honey...the things he says in mando'a! He thinks no one knows what he's saying. Her voice lowered again, smile still plastered on her face. But I've been with a couple mando'ad men, so I know enough to curse and hold a conversation...and honey, Ruus is down right nasty. Despite this sentiment, she looked mightily pleased with herself. The stupid bitches here try to flirt with him all the time. Eye roll. He says the most devilish things back to them. It's hilarious! Her face suddenly turned into a stern pout. But also mean. He's got to be one of the meanest people I've ever met.
Adeline's eggs sat abandoned on her plate, fork in midair. A knot began to form in her stomach as she tried to process the information. She was wide awake now. Is he mean to his assistants? You know, people that...don't flirt with him?
Janie shrugged nonchalantly as she took a sip of coffee. I don't know, he never keeps one. Which is why it's so weird that you're here. Did he send for you or something? Because you must be pretty special if he did. Janie's eyes were suddenly thoughtful. Maybe it's because you're so pretty.
Adeline's face became almost as red as her hair. This conversation had gotten waaaaaaay out of hand...she didn't even know this girl and she was already unloading all this petty gossip on her. It was inappropriate. Unprofessional. And the implication that she was her for her looks and not her brains was a bit insulting. Or maybe because he liked my thesis.
Janie's eyebrows raised in realization of what she just said. Oh honey, I'm sorry! I didn't mean anything by it...of course you wouldn't be here unless you had the smarts!
Adeline stood from the table, mollified with the apology Yes, if there was one thing Adeline could believe, it was that Janie really didn't mean anything by what she was saying. She would take what her roommate said with a grain of salt until she saw everything for herself. Adeline stood, taking her plate with her into the kitchen to deposit it into the sink.
Thanks for the eggs, Janie, but I should take a shower. I don't want to be late.
Janie surprisingly didn't say a thing as Adeline walked back to her room. She took a quick shower in her own private 'fresher before painstakingly combing out her long hair and pulling it up into a bun so it wouldn't get in the way of her work. By the time she came out of her room, Janie was no where to be seen and the kitchen was dark. Glancing at the clock again, Adeline felt relieved. She had plenty of time to get to the lab, make her way slowly and be early at that. She wanted to show good initiative the first day of work.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2015 18:34:49 GMT -8
Ve'en crossed his arms, his mouth set in a thin line. He glared at the director indignantly, looming over her desk as if his 6'4 bulky frame would intimidate her. He respected the woman, she was brilliant, but he was mighty pissed at this turn of events.
You had no right to do this behind my back...when was I going to find out, when she walked through the door? His perfectly-accented Basic was starting to slip, betraying the guttural accent of his heritage and his emotional state.
Elsa Ji's gaze was steely with resolve as the Etti stared back at him. You do realize, Professer Ruus, that your funding is limited?
Ve'en clenched and unclenched his jaw in irritation. Of course he knew that...two years was all he got, and he'd already been here a year. He taught classes on the side at the academy to make income and receive school living quarters and utilities. He was paid generously, but it certainly wasn't enough to fund the research himself. He knew the point she was trying to make, and he didn't like it.
Elek, I'm aware.
Elsa arched a high eyebrow. Then you know that if you want to further your progress with the project in the remainder of your time, you need someone to aid you. I know you've taken issue with other assistants assigned to you in the past, but you should like this one. She actually did her thesis on Basilisk's plight, using much of your own research. She should be competent enough, even for you professor.
Ve'en fought the urge to roll his green eyes. While the fact that someone actually was following and using his work caught his attention, the gender of his new (and apparently now mandatory) assistant was what preoccupied him more. She. He wasn't vain, men like him were a dime a dozen on Concord Dawn. But among the scientist aruetii, he was an oddity. An oddity women liked and weren't afraid to show it. The last thing he needed in the lab was more of that osik.
His nostrils flared slightly as his gaze continued to bore into the director. Elsa stood her ground like a champ. And what if she doesn't work out?
The Etti's eyes narrowed into slits. Make it work out. She's a very important member to the academy. She's not going anywhere. Best make your peace with that. Her eyes moved to the small clock on her desk. You better get back...she's probably there right now waiting for you. Her name is Adeline Thul.
He unfolded his arms, trying to make a point not to ball his fists. His voice was clipped as he made his goodbye before he turned on his heel and tried not to storm out. Director.
Elsa nodded, but Ve'en didn't see it. He was already at the door.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2015 16:40:50 GMT -8
When Adeline arrived to the lab, the lights were on and the door unlocked, but Ve'en Ruus was no where to be found. She stood awkwardly at the entrance, trying to determine if she should wait inside for him or in the hall. She was early but, judging from a satchel and a stack of notebooks on a table, he had already been here. She decided to wait in the hall, she felt like she was invading his privacy by standing in his lab without him there.
She kept reaching to tug on her tresses, but was reminded she'd pinned her hair up when she caught nothing but air. She chewed on her lower lip nervously instead, rocking back and forth on her heels as Janie's words ran through her head. One of the meanest people she'd ever met? No, her roommate was surely exaggerating. Then again, Ruus saw her last night and had simply walked away without so much as a "Hello" or smile, knowing she was his new assistant. She waited a full 20 minutes before his form appeared down the hall. As he came closer, Adeline could see he was clearly agitated about something. His face was taunt with disapproval and his hands were balled into fists at his side. Uh oh...no good. She could feel the anxiety rise within her, threatening to bubble out.
He stalked up to the door, barely glancing in her direction before doing a quick double take. She immediately bowed her head, as if that would make her invisible. She could feel his eyes upon her, studying her. And still, he said nothing for several moments.
Are you Adeline Thul?
His voice was gravelly and dark, hinting of an accent that she guessed must be mando'a. He sounded angry and...surprised. She swallowed before replying. Yes sir, I am.
The silence hung heavy between them, she could still feel him staring at her at the seconds ticked by. Adeline chanced a glance up after what seemed to be an eternity. He was shooting his piercing gaze right at her, although he seemed more calculating than angry now. She fervently chewed on her bottom lip as she waited for him to tell her what to do.
He shook his head, his long, dark hair swaying around his shoulders. Turning without a word, he roughly pushed open the door to the lab. When she didn't move, he turned half way back to her. Going to stand in the hall all day?
Her cheeks became red hot as she dipped her head again. I'm sorry, sir. She quickly stepped forward, brushing by him in the doorway to enter. She grazed his body as she did. He jerked away as if she had burned him. She clasped her hands together in front of her to keep them from shaking with anxiety.Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. She had never met someone so unfriendly before in all her life. Even the snide socialites at least pretended to be nice. She couldn't run out though...no, she had to stay. She came to do a job and she would do it. She would just keep her head down and do everything he told her to. Maybe if she did that he wouldn't be so irate.
Standing in the middle of the lab, she waited once again for him to tell her what to do, afraid it would upset him if she unknowingly did something he didn't like. He pulled a hair tie out of no where and used it to secure his dark brown hair in a small bun behind his head. Despite that, strands escaped and framed his face.Adeline had seen plenty of men with long hair on Coruscant, perfectly styled with their fancy suits. It made them look effeminate, she didn't understand the popularity. Ruus' hair, though, did not diminish his gender. In fact, Adeline imaged he would look far more severe if he didn't have his shoulder-length hair, which would probably make him more intimidating than he already was.
He was shrugging into his lab coat now, turned away from her and looking inside a notebook. His sudden booming voice made her jump. Did you come here to stand or to work, Miss Thul? His voice was sharp.
Adeline swallowed. To work, sir.
Still turned away from her he flicked a page roughly, a whipping sound echoing in the room. Then put on a fucking lab coat and come here.
Her eyes widened at his language and her mouth went dry. Maybe Janie was right after all...She hurriedly glanced around, noticing a closet to her left. She scurried to it, finding only cleaning supplies. Russ loudly cleared his throat. She glanced at him. His finger was pointing to the other side of the room to another closet, his face still tipped down at the notebook. Adeline almost ran to it, finding what she needed and shrugging on the lab coat. It was far too big for her slender figure and the arms were too long. He obviously only had coats in his size.
As she hurried back to him, she tried rolling up the sleeves as best she could. He finally raised his eyes from his notebook to her, sighing with exasperation. She caught her breath in surprise as, without warning, he walked around the table and grabbed her right wrist, pulling her closer to him. She stumbled forward slightly as her hand was swallowed by his, his rough skin moving against her smooth flesh. He started rolling up the sleeves in a quick, neat and efficient manner, a pissed off expression seeming to take permanent residence upon his austere features as his tall, thewy frame loomed over her. Adeline tried to remain as still as possible, afraid he might bite her head off if she said anything. As he started on her left sleeve, he said tightly Your thesis was on Basilisk.
Adeline wasn't sure if it was a statement or a question. When she didn't speak immediately, his hands paused and his penetrating gaze rested upon her again. She quickly lowered her eyes. Yes.
Why? There was a hint of interest in his voice.
That was a great question...she didn't know if she had an answer that would satisfy him. I...I just thought it was sad an entire planet was poisoned. It's hanging in outer space, essentially dead.
Finished with the sleeves, he took a step back and arched a skeptical eyebrow as he crossed his arms and stared at her. That's it?
Adeline looked away, bringing her hands together in front of her and twisting them. Yes.
Ruus cocked his head to the side. It's rude not to look at someone when they speak to you, Miss Thul. There it was again, the pissed off edge to his voice. She whipped her eyes back to him, trying not to shrink away from his probing glare.
I'm sorry.
His eyes glanced down at her fidgeting hands, then back to her face. Adeline quickly clasped them behind her back, realizing she was wringing them. He held her gaze for several heartbeats more. It took everything in her not to look away. Ruus nodded, seemingly more to himself than to her, and turned halfway around to the table and grabbed the notebook he'd been flipping through. He roughly handed it to her. Start setting up. Instructions are there.
Thankful to finally have something to do, Adeline quickly scanned the paper. Pretty standard stuff. She breathed a sigh of relief as she swiftly started laying their tools out and putting some of their supplies together.
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Cuyan Skirata
The Vegemite Enclave
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Post by Cuyan Skirata on Jun 13, 2015 15:01:56 GMT -8
Ve'en turned away from her after giving his instructions. His fury at the situation was only increased by the impotency of his position. He could do nothing but take it, and such realities sat poorly on his mandalorian mind. As he turned back around he caught the sight of her from behind and his mind flashed back to the previous night at dinner. In his anger he had not even registered that she was the same woman.
For some reason, the realization angered him even more.
He shook his head and sat at his desk opening the drawer for a cigarette and ashtray. He lit it and focused on clearing his mind. He put himself in mind of overwatch, the cool clarity of looking down a scope as his buir had taught him. Slowly and surely his mind cleared and his anger subsided to be replaced with purpose. He looked at her again as she finished setting up.
"Forgive my anger, Thul. My frustration is not with you, you are merely it's symbol. Welcome to ARSA."
He finished the cigarette and put it out, putting the ashtray back into the drawer and standing back up.
"Where did you do your undergrad work?"
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