[attr="class","illeana"]

[attr="class","illeana b"]

[attr="class","illeana i"]"oh, good!"

her smile widens. and after a moment, she unlocks the door and opens it, stepping aside from him to enter.

"are you excited about your first day?"

she knows, unfortunately, that first days could be intimidating. if she could ease any nerves and allow for a smooth transition into the lab, she'll consider it a job well done.

Kaname Fujihara

[attr="class","illeana"]

[attr="class","illeana b"]

[attr="class","illeana i"]his nervousness is shifted out of the air with a soft wave of her hand. her smile is warm, reassuring, to match.

"i promise there's no need to be nervous."

it's normal, but she won't work him to the bone. soon, he'll be integrated into the lab with a quickness that will, perhaps, leave him wondering why he had ever been nervous to begin with.

for now, they start with basics.

"i usually look over emails and the schedule for the day before prepping the equipment."

yet, she doesn't move toward her desk, toward the two monitors waiting idly. her steps begin to take a different route, drifting toward the coffee station in the corner.

"but first... coffee!"

Kaname Fujihara

[attr="class","illeana"]

[attr="class","illeana b"]

[attr="class","illeana i"]a bright grin is quick to break out across her features, infectious.

"lots of sugar and cream is exactly how i take my coffee too!"

she's certain, right then and there: they'll get along swimmingly.

as she begins to brew the pot of coffee, she glances around the coffee station.

"i don't see any tea today, but i can bring some from home for tomorrow if you'd like?"

he does, after all, deserve to have his drink of choice in the lab. he's a resident here now too. it'd be unfair of her to keep only coffee after hearing of his preferences.

"we can always visit the cafeteria too and raid their tea cabinet..."

Kaname Fujihara

[attr="class","illeana"]

[attr="class","illeana b"]

[attr="class","illeana i"]"we do, don't we? definitely a good sign, i think."

common ground and likeness are not always so easy to come by. perhaps it's a blessing, in a way, to have someone assisting her with similar preferences. as they continue through the daily motions of lab work, she suspects they'll find a few more instances where their likes and dislikes might align.

a soft hum of approval escapes.

"ugh, the smell of fresh coffee is so good! it's like a little slice of heaven."

one of her favorite smells, really, right next to a dozen pumpkin candles she has at home and the smell of wet pavement.

"are you sure? i don't mind, i promise!"

the tea is simply collecting dust in her kitchen, anyway. it'd get more use here.

she makes a mental note to bring it in regardless, a little welcoming gift for her new assistant.

behind her, the coffee pot begins gurgling with life and soon, the aroma of brewing coffee wafts up into the air.

Kaname Fujihara

[attr="class","illeana"]

[attr="class","illeana b"]

[attr="class","illeana i"]"yes... the five senses have a knack for returning memories to us in an odd sort of way, don't they?"

like fitting a key into an empty lock and turning until pandora's box is opened, memories tied to the senses are no different. they transport to another place or time, transcending all else to return to the forefront of the mind.

it's as impressive as it is uncomfortable, perhaps. the brain works in funky ways, certainly.

at the mention of his grandmother, a soft sort of smile rises.

"definitely an act of rebellion. she sounds lovely, though."

believing in or liking other things than what your parents wish is a concept she's familiar with. perhaps his grandmother and herself have that little rebellious streak in common... but does he share the same knack for avoiding the path most travelled? it prompts a quiet, probing question.

"do you agree with acts of rebellion in that regard?"

Kaname Fujihara