Deena thumbed open the entry lock of her apartment and tossed her coat on a chair, set nearby for just that purpose.

"Tika, I'm home!" she called out. She walked over to her 'screen and checked for messages. "The council meeting today was sooo exciting! Yevon's got a new proposal again." She paused to rummage through her cupboards for something to snack on. "He wants to start talks with Bevelle, now! Can you imagine?"

She turned at the sudden movement behind her and came face to face with Tika, who was busily washing her paws on the counter top. "Pretty girl!" Deena praised and picked the cat up. Green eyes met blue and Deena smiled. "Let's get you some dinner, hey?"

Later, suitably fortified with a sandwich and milk, Deena settled into a chair and began to catch up on some of the paperwork she'd brought home with her. The chirrup of her videoscreen brought her back to awareness some two hours later.

She palmed it on and checked the ID. Work. Of course–can't have a full day off, now can we? she thought to herself. She hit the 'accept' button and said, somewhat brusquely "Deena here."

The face that came into view was of an older man, whose thick eyebrows gave him a permanent scowl. He had heavy creases around his eyes and nose, and a stocky jaw. His hair seemed to be perpetually unkempt. "Deena. I need you to come in." he said, without preamble.

"Hello, Deena. How was the meeting?" Deena said frostily. "Why, great! Thanks for asking, Brevin." She waved a hand at his expression and scowled at herself. "Sorry–I just was looking forward to some time to myself." She looked longingly at her abandoned paperwork, and slumped in defeat. "When do you need me?"

"As soon as you can make it in. Tarvo had an emergency and can't come in." Brevin said, gruffly.

"Hmp. I'll just bet he did." Deena sighed. "Okay. I'll be there in just a bit."

"Thank you, Deena." Brevin paused. "And I'm glad the meeting went well."

Deena grinned. She'd teach him some social skills, yet.

It was raining out by the time Deena made it safely inside, and she was soaked. Mentally cursing the unfortunate Tarvo, she set her bag on the chair behind the desk. Gah. Look at me! Deena thought ruefully. Glancing up at the clock over the entrance she decided to risk a quick trip to the coat room to tidy up.

She peered into the small mirror and sighed. She couldn't do much of anything with her pale, bland looks on the best of days, but now her watery blonde hair hung limply around her ears, and the cold had blanched even more color out of her skin, making her look almost blue. She dug out a comb and tucked the errant strands back into her no-nonsense bun.

Oh, well. It's not like anyone ever notices me anyway. I'm just the night attendant, she thought, futilely tugging on the wrinkled fabric of her uniform.

Deena's job was to watch over the residents of Zanarkand's Children's Hall. It was established some years ago for children who, for whatever reason, had no one to care for them.

It was a rewarding job, most times, but third cycle watches were pretty mundane. The children were all asleep by that time, and unless someone woke up because of a nightmare, there wasn't much to do.

Brevin had been the one to suggest she apply for the position. He seemed to think she was good with children, even though she didn't have any of her own. He said he'd seen how she treated her cat, and that was good enough for him.

Deena thought privately that Brevin was flattering her because no one else would take the night hours. Deena didn't mind. She needed the money, and she did like children.

Brevin was the director of Children's Hall. He'd been hired to the post when it had opened and showed a knack for it, though his people skills left something to be desired. He said he'd leave that to others. He and Deena seemed to get along though, probably because of her people skills, Deena thought wryly.

She was one of the few that had kept the post for more than a few months, which was one of the reasons the children got along with her so well. She was a constant in their lives, unlike most everything else.

Most of the other attendants complained that the children were virtual terrors and impossible to control. Deena knew that the children just wanted to see how far you'd let them go, before putting your foot down. The various other 'short timers' never did learn to put their foot down. So the children began making bets as to how long the attendants would last. Deena tried to discourage it, but it was a losing battle.

Unfortunately, it looked like Tarvo was going to be a long timer. There was something Deena just didn't like about him. He liked to flirt with her and seemed amused when she got annoyed. And he always seemed to be 'unavailable' for the times when they needed someone for the weekends, or to cover for other workers who were sick. Deena shook her head.

"Deena, can I have some water?" a small voice from behind her asked, plaintively. Deena turned to see a tiny girl, rubbing the sleep from her eyes and blinking owlishly.

Probably a bad dream, Deena thought to herself. "Sure thing, sweets! Come here," she said, holding out a hand. Taking the tiny hand in her own, Deena walked the little girl into the kitchen for a drink.