"You don't love someone because they're perfect, you love them in spite of the fact that they're not." ― Jodi Picoult, My Sister's Keeper
~oOo~
"I have to warn you, I tend to ramble and linger whenever I get talking so if I go on longer than normal please let me know. Sometimes I just don't know when to shut up." Eve said and mentally slapped herself again. Owen Grady is a man who…is a man. A large man with big arms, green eyes, and could pretty much could handle anything since according to his record he was in the U.S Navy. Eve really doesn't tend to read much into the backgrounds of others unless something unseemly pops up on her screen. Other than that, it's all based on how well he'll get along with her kids.
"Yes ma'am." Owen cracked a smile and a small chuckle.
"So real quick before we go on any further I would like to know if you would like the tour now or later. That boat ride can go either way with some people. I dropped dead once I arrived here." Eve smile a polite smile at him.
"I'm up for the tour now if you don't mind." He answered her.
"Of course. We'll walk and talk. Please stop me if you have any questions or concerns. I'll answer what I can." Eve said and together they headed for one of the small jeeps that were parked.
"When will I see the raptors?" Owen asked.
"They're not born yet, in a few weeks maybe, but until then I'll be watching you interact with the other animals we have. Just as a security measure and for my own peace of mind. I take my kids very seriously."
"Kids?"
"All original dinosaurs that have been…made get imprinted on me and then introduced to their trainers who I pick."
"Still doesn't answer my question Ma'am." Owen said as they passed the shopping area and into the herbivore area.
"I'm the 'mother' imprinter. I call them my kids because…of strange reasons people don't really understand when I explain but when I show you, it will be a little bit clearer." Eve explained. It's always hard explaining to people that she has a strange way with animals. "We'll start off easy and if you're up to it, I'll show you my babies."
"I thought they all were your kids?"
Eve chuckled, "They are but I spend more time with them for a reason. Safety reasons of course. I've hired very qualified people for a reason and just like you, I like to make sure I won't expect any surprises."
"You don't like surprises? You must be no fun at parties." Owen muttered and Eve laughed as they took off in the large pen for the herbivores. They pulled to a stop that overlooked the large animals eating and drinking from the lake that was provided. "What are we doing here? Won't we get in trouble?"
"You'll find Mr. Grady that I will hardly get into trouble. Unlimited access to all pens and everywhere else that involves my kids. You're shadowing me for the next two weeks until the raptors are born or unless I deem you unfit for them."
"I'm not hired?"
"You are. Until I say otherwise. I am the main personal to hire all trainers and caretakers. If you don't past my inspection then you have no place here. I'm a very picky person." Eve said with a smirk before letting out a huge whistle, getting the attention of some brachiosaurus, stegosaurs, and triceratops.
"Did you just call them over?!" Eve laughed at Owen's face.
"Did you honestly think I'll allow you to handle raptors without facing a few plant eaters? If this is what I can expect, I think you might piss yourself for what I show you next." Eve laughed even harder when Owen's face turned white. "Suck it up navy, thought you'd have bigger balls." Owen narrowed his eyes at the woman who stood tall as the large creatures came towards them. She didn't even flinch when the long necks bend down to give her a nudge.
"Holy shit they like you." Owen said as they sniffed around them and seemed to pay more attention to the woman.
"Like I said, it's better to show than explain. I can't really tell you why they like me but what I can tell you is that it has nothing to do with the imprint. That, is just a backup measure. Animals just…like me I guess. Could never get an actual answer from anyone." Eve said with a straight face. Together they stood there, petting and talking about the dinosaurs. Owen asked her questions and she answered to the best of her ability. If it doesn't have anything to do with her animals, the trainers/caretakers, the dietaries, or personal who report to her than she stayed clear of it. Paper work, corporate business, or actually running this show is left up to Claire and Mr. Masrani. Once Eve knew Owen had his fill of the plant eaters, checking over a few while she was there before they headed back. "Lunch now or later?"
"Do you guys have burgers?" Owen asked and Eve laughed.
"Of course. This wouldn't be heaven on earth if we didn't serve awesome burgers. I have one other question though." Eve asked.
"Yes ma'am?"
"Would you like lunch and a show?"
~oOo~
To say that Owen Brady wasn't impressed by Eve Murphy was an understatement. They had grabbed burgers like she had said and they were the best he ever had but the show…was something completely different.
She stood before him on a platform, looking over a large pool of water with a smile on her face. He didn't know what the large pool was for but he had to guess it was for a large aquatic animal of some sort. Eve Murphy however, doesn't even seem scared at the thought of something large and dangerous swimming below her. Hell, she's sticking her toes in the water!
"Mister Grady come here!" Eve called to him. He took another bite of his burger before walking up some steps to where she stood. Then he noticed what was below her feet. Something large with spikes on its back, colored in a dark blue color.
"What are we doing?" Owen asked the woman.
"Going for a ride. Come on!" She stepped onto the back and held out her hand to him. "Scared?"
"No." He lied.
"If you're going to train raptors you might want to toughen up a bit. Riding her might help ease into the job." Eve said to him with a smile.
He took a breath and took her hand.
When he stepped on, the beast moved on its own. It stayed just above the water where their feet would just lightly touch the water but not go any further. This was amazing! Owen had never done anything like this before and this woman was surprising him at every term. It was scary and somewhat exciting that she wasn't afraid.
"Do you do this with everyone?" Owen asked and she smiled back at him that made his stomach flop.
"Of course. This job is dangerous but if you embrace it, watch your footing, it can be rewarding in its own sense. Better show you the good things before something bad happens." Eve answered them as they pulled back to the platform. Another woman was waiting for them, her dark hair pulled back into a braid and she was wearing a wet suit. "Rita! Taking a swim?" Eve asked.
"Just to get a routine down for when we open. Claire has been riding my ass for get at least two down and then ten new routines after we open. Tall order for that woman." Rita said with a frown.
"Claire?" Owen asked.
"Oh! Sorry, you probably haven't met her but if you do don't take offense to her cold attitude. She's a bitch and everyone knows it." Rita said to him. "Name is Rita Lorns. I'm Nessie's trainer and part caretaker." Owen and Rita shook hands.
"Claire is the park operations manager. She's here to oversee that everything so that it runs smoothly." Eve answered.
"And she's a bitch to boot! She comes into my area and says that sending personal time with Nessie is a waste of time and productivity! Nessie is not an it!" Rita yelled and Eve stepped in, telling Rita that Eve didn't hire her because of productivity but because she loved to work with aquatic animals.
"Take a deep breath and go for a swim with Nessie. I'll…try to talk to Claire about it. Remember, you're under me, not her." Eve reassured with dark haired woman. She smiled and nodded her head before taking a dive into the water. "Hey Rita!"
"Yeah?!"
"I got a feeling she's not feeling so good. Might want to keep an eye on her just to be sure. If you find anything called her dietary, check what she ate in the last couple of days." Eve said with a stern voice.
"Will do! Enjoy the tour Owen! Welcome to the family!" Rita said then disappeared below.
"Sorry you had to witness that. Claire is very…professional when it comes to this job." She turned and he followed her back to their spot on the benches where their half-eaten burgers were. Eve had given a thumbs up when they sat down; the walls around them started to move as they sunk to the ground reveling the tough glass fish bowl that held Nessie.
"Wow."
"Yep. Sometimes I like to come here to get close to her and relax. She's dangerous of course but…it's just…calm here."
They sat together, sipping their pop and eating their burgers while watching Nessie and Rita do their routines together. For some reason Owen felt…good. Like if he managed to stick around long enough he might actually like it here.
"So…I'm ready go for the next section. When can we go?" Owen asked and Eve smiled at him.
"Good. Great choice. Hope you're ready."
~oOo~
"Are you crazy?!" Owen exclaimed as they stood in front of the T-rex pen. Eve had a smile on her face while Owen's didn't look any better than hers.
"Yep. You coming or not? We can just skip this until tomorrow? Other than that you have no other options."
"I have no other choice?"
"Nope."
"Great." Owen groaned and Eve typed in a pin, unlocking the human sized door so they could go in. "Are you sure this is safe ma'am?"
"If you call me ma'am one more time Mr. Grady I will let them eat you." She said with a roll of her eyes. "Call me Eve or Miss Murphy. Other than that, so ma'am stuff. I'm twenty four not sixty." Eve put her fingers in her mouth to let out a high whistle. "Besides, these guys are my favorites. They listen to their mama."
The ground shook but Owen held his ground, remembering what he read about T-rex and how you shouldn't move when they see you. He looked over at Eve whose smile never left her face as two young adult T-rex broke through the brush. They weren't big but they weren't small either. They still doesn't mean they're not dangerous. They stopped in front of her but they smelt him. Growling low they lowered their heads but their mother wouldn't hear of it. She snapped her fingers so they looked at her. She hushed them and gestured Owen to stand next to her.
"It's alright, they just need to smell you, like a dog almost." She took his hand and held it in the air so the T-rex could inhale him. They waited like statues until they reached out to lick his fingers. "They taste our lunch." Eve reached into her bag to bring out a bag of hamburgers she bought while they order lunch. Owen wondered what she was going to do with those. "I spoil them but I can't help it. I've raised these two since they were born and they're my babies." She fed them each a burger before offering one to Owen. "Want to feed them?" He took one and threw it in the air.
"What are their names?"
"Well, the girl on the left is Joan and her brother, the one on the right is Baldwin." Eve answered.
"Really? Joan and Baldwin?"
"I'm a history buff, what can I say?" They laughed together, finishing off the bag before Eve sent them on their way with two goats to hunt for. "Next time I'll get a cow. Feeds them better and fuller than these goats. Remember your raptors are hunters, they want something that moves, not a dead piece of meat."
"I'll try to remember that. What's next?"
"Ha-ha, wanting more? Well that's good but this is as far as I can take you today." Eve said as they left the pen.
"What?"
"I need to go around and finish looking over the pens before I tackle the mountain of paper work I have to do. Nothing I can't handle but this will give you time to settle in and explore on your own. In the next few days if I think you're up for it, I'll be giving you a pass and your first paycheck." Eve smiled at him and pulled away from the pen towards the housing unit.
"What am I supposed to do tomorrow?" Owen asked.
"Explore and check out the shops and sights. I'll meet you at Nessie's pen at lunch to show you the rest along with the control room and some other places." Eve pulled to a stop and Owen got out, grabbing his bag. "If you need to contact me or if you have any questions you can call me cell." She handed him a card. "I always have it on me charged unless I'm preoccupied otherwise which is in the case of a dinosaur or something of that nature."
"Thank you for showing me around Eve." Owen smiled at her.
"It's was nice showing you around. Glad to find you're not a stick in the mud or someone I can't trust with me kids."
"You trust me?"
"I trust you not to touch my kids with hatred in mind." There was an awkward silence between the two before Owen said that he'll leave her to her work. "The first few days will creep you out but you'll get used to it. Like I said, any questions or anything at all give me a call."
"Will do. Thank you Eve."
"Have a good night Mr. Grady."
"Owen. If I'm to call you Eve, call me Owen." He smiled at her to which made her stomach flop again.
"Alright Owen. Good night."
"Good night." With that she left, heading to finish her rounds and go finish the paperwork Claire gave her to fill out. Tomorrow will be another interesting day. Might even be fun.
~oOo~