Returning to the lab, Lucrecia found it empty. Ever since Jenova had been relocated to the Nibel Reactor, Hojo has spent almost every waking hour up there. Lucrecia speculated he would claim that new monitoring system would need further inspection to make sure it functioned within dictated parameters.
Lucrecia gave the lab a quick glance before passing the book stacks and entering Gast's office. Hojo was a hard man to work with and everyone knew this. While people were most certainly willing to bend over backwards to assist Gast, Hojo was avoided. Not that she could blame them only because she even felt like the scientist was repelling her. 'Probably got along better with his rats then he did with people.'
Lucrecia found herself standing in front of Gast's now vacant desk and work area. He had tried to bring some order, but only managed to stack some of the books and files. Looking around and finding herself alone, Lucrecia crept around to the desk chair and pulled it out. No one sat in Gast's chair, mostly because he was usually there working. Feeling a slight twinge of mischief, she sat down. At first she felt stiff and out of place until she let her hands rest on the chair arms while she relaxed against the back. Pushing with one of her feet, she spun the chair around until she was looking at the seemingly endless bookshelves. 'I could get to like this.' Lucrecia swung around and kicked her feet up on the edge of the desk. She smiled feeling herself sink into the large leather desk chair.
"Doctor?"
Hearing someone's voice, Lucrecia jerked out of the chair and to her feet. She found Vincent standing at the entrance of the room. Lucrecia blushed briefly having been caught.
"I hope you will neglect to mention that in your report, Mr. Valentine."
He gave her a blank expression. "I saw nothing."
Lucrecia mindlessly began to shuffle and stack stuff on the desk attempting to appear busy. "I don't think I have anything that requires your attention at this time." She kept her eyes down striving to ignore the fact they were the only ones in the lab. The thought only made her feel giddy and caused the blood to rush to her cheeks. Her hands paused as she tried to keep her composure.
"Very well, I will be at my post if my services are needed."
She listened has his feet pounded across the carpet and then hit the aging wood floors. Lucrecia sighed. No matter how many times they had spent alone together, she still felt uneasy. It seemed too natural, too easy for him to switch between the solemn, cold Turk and the kinder man she knew during the evening.
Vincent paused just outside of the doorway and sighed. He knew Lucrecia was feeling uncomfortable, but for what reason, he was unsure. The Turk allowed himself to grin briefly. 'I bet it was that night before last. I suppose we kissed a little too long and we were a little too close...' Vincent mulled over the recent event. '… What we did could be considered by my colleagues as "making out". However, I would rather call it "personal exploration" since what happened is not as base as would be implied.'
His eyes drifted to the dark corner where Jenova one rested, but now sat empty. He was curious to know what Hojo was actually up to at the Reactor. 'But I am one person and Gast made it a point that he wanted me to keep an eye out on his assistant in addition to my original orders to watch Hojo. I wonder what he was concerned about with it came to Dr. Honestas? She is a very capable and intelligent woman. What possibly would offer him mild concern? ...But then again, this is his project that he is leaving in her hands. It would only be his right to make sure nothing happened to her, since it anything happened to her, it would happen to the project.'
The Turk approached one of the tables with the lab equipment. Hearing some rustling, he turned only to hear the high pitched sound of Lucrecia's computer powering up followed by the echoing sounds of computer keys on the keyboard.
Realizing there was little for him to do in the lab, Vincent decided to make his rounds above and around the mansion grounds outside. 'I never thought I would even consider this. I would not mind if Frank was hanging around. If anyone knew how to blow time, it would be him. ' Vincent continued his thoughts. 'He's a good man, means well, but tends to be a bit over amorous. Probably should not introduce him to Lucrecia. She would be to handle him well…though I think I should be worried about him handling her. She was worried about getting caught with her feet on the desk, leave it to Frank, she would find herself on the desk.'
Now Frank was one of Vincent's seniors among the Turks. He was a short, stocky man with dark hair and dark skin. When he was not with Vincent, Frank was with his other partner who was only known as Sam. It was claimed that everyone had seen Sam, but never knew it.
Vincent had already sat down at the normal game table with several other Turks he often played poker with. He sipped at his cold drink as the new round of cards began to be dealt out. That is when he heard a name Vincent had not wanted to hear.
"Hey Frank! Long time no see. How's life?"
Vincent automatically wanted to slide down underneath the table. There was some brief laughter before Frank stood by the table holding a clear bottle.
"Hey Bean sprout! Didn't think I would find you here." Frank dropped the bottle down between him and his younger partner. Vincent winced and initially attempted to ignore the man. However with the bright red tie and violent yellow collared shirt, it was hard not to ignore the man. "Looks like no one's sitting here." Frank pulled up a chair next to Vincent.
Vincent tried not to groan. Frank glanced over and clapped Vincent's shoulder. 'Ah c'mon! I just got here." He gestured to the dealer to throw over some cards. Because of Frank's jovial nature, everyone tended to like the man, especially when he brought boozes. Grabbing a couple of small shot glasses, he poured a small amount into each glass. "A little treat from Costa. Would have brought the other, but she wouldn't fit into a suitcase as well as a bottle does."
Everyone laughed while Vincent only wanted to shrink from existence. Frank slid the shot glass over. "Drink it, Bean sprout." Frank looked at the Turk's bare face. "It'll put some hair on ya!"
Vincent looked over at his superior and forces a smile. "The name is Vincent and I don't care to drink, sir."
Frank looked at his cards. "What? Not man enough just handle one drink, Bean sprout?"
Suddenly Vincent felt everyone's eyes settle on him. 'He is not going to stop until I do.' He admitted in defeat. Taking the glass, he threw the contents back and coughed as the cactus juice burned all the way down. The table cheered. Frank poured a little more into Vincent's glass.
Vincent paused at infront of the tall set of paned windows and frowned. He recalled the following morning waking up below the apartment fire escape with a red tie wrapped around his head while he was missing his black one. 'And that is why I do not care to drink. I end up somewhere unfamiliar and wearing someone else's tie.'
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Gast sat back in the plane seat as he looked out the window and down at the clouds and the ground that occasional peeked from behind. He felt anxious, but he was not sure it was whether he was meeting an old colleague after several years or that he left his pet project behind. 'No, it is fine. I could have not place the project in more capable hands.' His thoughts were interrupted by the static of an intercom.
"Professor, we have just received word from Icicle that a storm front has moved in. We will be landing in South Coast."
"Not that I could say otherwise." Gast stated. The pilot smiled and flicked several switches as they changed their course. The professor relaxed in his seat knowing it would be another couple of hours before they landed. Closing his eyes, he allowed himself to sleep while the clouds and occasional peaks of the ocean whirl by below.
It was a couple hours before they landed at a small coastal village known as South Coast. Shouldering his backpack and secondary bag, he looked around and frowned. The season change had made itself apparent with the heavy fog that had begun to move in from the ocean.
"Gast?"
Recognizing the female voice, the professor turned and paused seeing a woman materialize from the heavy, ground hugging fog. Her dark auburn hair fell around her face and then down her back. She wore a heavy coat with a puffy, red down vest and a lavender high collar long sleeved shirt layered underneath.
"Ifalna?"
She nodded and approached Gast. "When I saw the storm moving in, I knew they would land here, so I hopped over as fast as I could. I pray you were not waiting too long."
"This must be some important news for me if it caused you to move this fast." Gast commented as Ifalna led him away from the small plane. A small, mud spattered jeep came into view. Ifalna turned the two securing knobs and opened the rear door window then held her hand out for his gear. Gast looked around before letting his hazel eyes settle on the jeep. "It's almost been two years since I have even been close to the excavation site. It will be good to see it again."
Ifalna paused before forcing a soft smile. "Of course, Professor. But we will see what can be done. I cannot make any promises." Once Gast's bags were in, she closed the rear jeep window and walked over to the driver's side while Gast lingered at the bumper of the old military style vehicle. Defined frown lines formed as he read a bumper message. Ifalna paused at the driver side door.
'I like lichens.' Gast rubbed at his mustache. 'How appropriate.' Snorting out of amusement, he walked over to the passenger side and climbed inside. Ifalna was well known for her work with sub-artic flora, especially the rare Blue glacier moss and Northern yellow lichen.
"It's been far too long, Professor." Ifalna stated as the jeep hummed to life. Gripping the gear stick, she threw the vehicle into first gear and began the slow journey up to what the research team named "Bone Village".
"The roads have been blocked by several recent mudslides making it impossible to get in and out for the excavation site by vehicle. If you wish to look, we will need to hike in by foot."
Gast glanced at her and then to the winding, unpaved road ahead. Something whimpering from behind caught his attention. Turning around, he was met in the face by a large dark, wet nose. Gast blinked for a second looking at the nose before the dog began to pant and beat it's tail against the seat. Ifalna glanced up at her rear view mirror and smiled.
"Now behave yourself for our guest." The dog glanced over at her before looked back at the professor. The dog finally lay back down on the back seat.
Ifalna switched gears. "He found me a while back when I was at camp. He is such a sweet dog and apparently had no where else to go or a family who misses him."
Gast settled back in his seat. "Good, it is well that you have something like that with you."
Ifalna smirked briefly. "Did I just hear something resembling protectiveness in your voice?" She teased.
Gast looked at her and snorted. "No, just logic. Work up near the glacier is treacherous and isolating." The professor fell quiet. "What is his name?"
Ifalna smirked. "Alexander the Great, but everyone calls him Al for short."
Gast chuckled. "That is quite a name."
The jeep slowed as the road grew steeper and muddier. "That is often said before mediocre men become great."