There is something about white walls in an office that add a lonely and untouchable feeling to the inhabitants. Maybe it's because next to such brightness the inhabitant looks dark, maybe it's because only melancholy people want a completely white office. Whatever the reason, Dr. Hojo Von Drake always looked his most standoffish when sitting in his totally white office reading a science book and occasionally clearing some unseen speck of dust from his too large glasses.
That was how Kaori, his 20 year old assistant, found him most days, murmuring to himself about one thing or another and occasionally calling on her for coffee. Ever since Dr. Lockheart had passed away Dr. Hojo had become even more reclusive than normal and it worried her to no end.
Sighing she set his coffee down before giving a short bow and walking swiftly from the room to return to her study of mako and human stem cells. As luck would have it, she accidentally spilled some of her own coffee on her hand and had to rush immediately to the bathroom lest it mix with her experiment.
Cool water poured from the shiny silver spout and into the white porcelain basin before Kaori stuck her hands under it and rinsed off her dirtied appendage. As she was doing so she took the time to study herself in the large mirror that ran the length of the room. Large gray eyes stared back at her from a pale but attractive face, andher straight black hair was swept up in a simple bun, though large chunks of it fell down into her face. She was a small woman, only standing at 5'2", and she was almost too thin from lack of proper nutrients and exercise. The large lab coat hung off her small frame like a bag, making it hard to tell if she had a decent figure or not.
Giving another sigh she quickly dried her hands before walking back into her lab. To her utter surprise Dr. Hojo was standing there studying her work intensely, to the point that his thin nose almost touched the contents of the Petri dish. Planting a smile on her face Kaori walked forward and said softly,
"I have done all that you asked, but I don't see any change. Of course, they have only been together for 24 hours; there is still time to observe any changes."
Hojo didn't answer; instead he lifted his head up and grabbed the eyedropper with the mako in it. Carefully he squeezed one drop of mako directly onto the stem cells and leaned in closer again. Kaori knew something good had happened when his face spilt into a wide smile. Eagerly she asked,
"Did something happen?"
Hojo looked up at her over the rim of his glasses and beckoned with his finger. Kaori rushed over and looked at the contents of the Petri dish. The stem cells had fused together and were multiplying before her eyes. Kaori gave a gasp before taking a step back and covering her mouth. This proved her theory that in, order for life to be created, cells had to be exposed to mako. Hojo straightened his back and said smoothly,
"I expect your discovery to be written and printed on my desk by tomorrow morning. In the mean time, I need your help with a certain project I'm working on. Follow me please."
Kaori gave one last look behind her before hurrying after Hojo. He led her to his lab where, strapped to an operating table, a hideous man lay. Kaori didn't even flinch however; she knew full well who and what this was. It was the lion man Hojo had been working on with Dr. Lockheart.
Casually she slipped on a pair of gloves and examined the nasty wound on the shoulder. The bullet had gone completely through, but the wound was already beginning to heal. Gently she began packing a healing potion into the wound before using a cure materia to speed the process up. Hojo simply watched her work before walking over to her and laying a hand on her slim waist. Kaori froze immediately. She respected Hojo, but that was all and lately he had become very hands-on when dealing with her. Trying to be discreet she moved away and grabbed a pair of tweezers and removing the glass from the creature's face. Hojo's eyes darkened but he said nothing. Instead he put his hand on hers and said lowly,
"You've done enough, I can finish here. As a matter of fact, why don't you take a vacation for awhile, I'm sure you're family must be missing you, consider it a reward for your work."
Startled Kaori began to protest but Hojo simply laid a finger on her lips,
"Hush, I insist. The paper work can come later."
Kaori gave a small smile before thanking him profusely and running from the lab. She didn't stop running until she was safe in her apartment with the dead bolt secured behind her. Sighing in relief she immediately began packing her bags for the trip home, pushing all thoughts of the creepy Doctor and his creation behind her.
Her bags packed and ready go Kaori called her mom and told her of her recent success before saying that she would be coming home tomorrow on the next flight. A few terms of endearment were exchanged before she clicked the off button and flopped down on her bed. She would need her rest, it was a long way to Neiblehiem.
