[h1][color=brown]Ruben Tarblatt[/color] & [color=a2d39c]Rosaline Marsh[/color][/h1] [hr] [i][sub]In collaboration with [@Tyler][/sub][/i] [hr] [color=brown]"Adequate."[/color] Ruben said to Kayla, regarding her canister's reaction. [color=brown]"Unfortunate."[/color] He said to Michelle. [color=brown]"Disappointing."[/color] He said to Kanala. He looked down at Mika, who hadn't participated, and just shook his Brainvault in a less-than-satisfied manner. He walked to the front of the classroom and announced, [color=brown]"This. Exercise. Is meant. To reflect. The potential. Maximum. Your abilities. Can achieve."[/color] He turned and continued, [color=brown]"A portion. Of you. Produced. Unsatisfactory. Reactions. But. In time. Those. May change."[/color] He set the container down on the floor in front of the desk. [color=brown]"You. May keep. These. Containers. For your own. Usage. Or. You. May deposit them. Here. Harmon. Will see. To their relocation."[/color] As he turned towards the door and made his way out of the classroom, he made one brief, final announcement. [color=brown]"Class. Dismissed. Have. A pleasant. Year."[/color] [hr] Once again, he was on the stroll back to... wherever. Ruben never really specified his destinations. To anyone. He was always doing his best to keep to himself when such was preferred. But, passing through the garden, that was a rarity. Because, no doubt, [i]she'd[/i] be outside, enjoying the scenery. Ruben scanned every spot in the garden before him as he marched, seeing no signs of [i]her[/i]. Ruben, he kept walking, and he thought he was safe. He thought everything was good. But then... "[color=a2d39c]Good afternoon, Ruben![/color]", came the shrill and ever-chirpy voice of Rosaline Marsh. She had been a feature at the school for almost a decade; a blessing or a curse, depending on who you asked. Rose was, some might say, an acquired taste. Ruben dreaded the thought of holding an extended conversation with her - the woman was a joy to be around, sure. For most folks. But he just wanted to keep moving. [i]Lord forbid[/i] that were to happen now. He contemplated pulling the one-eighty Brainvault turn-around maneuver with a few snaps in between the flesh of his neck. Get the point across that he wasn't interested at the moment... oh who was he kidding, he's already tried that before. It doesn't work on her anymore. If he could let out a sigh, he would have. Intenionally. He slowly turned to face Rosaline and prepared himself for however long a conversation this was about to be. [color=brown]"Rosaline."[/color] Ruben said, looking down at the woman. [color=brown]"Yes."[/color] Rose beamed a friendly grin. She was either oblivious or ignorant to the fact that Ruben didn't particularly want to speak with her; it was always hard to tell with Rose, because that wide smile with those twinkly eyes was also plastered warmly across her pale face. "[color=a2d39c]How are you, Doctor? Isn't the weather just lovely?[/color]" she asked, almost giddy that she'd bumped into him. "[color=a2d39c]Perfect for plants![/color]" she added, with a decidedly pleasant smile as she surveyed the greenery around them. [color=brown]"Yes. It is."[/color] Ruben responded, his mess of a body not moving a single inch out of place. If he was going to be here for a while, he had to plant himself and prepare. He was intent on keeping his responses short. Or at least, however short he could make them. "[color=a2d39c]Oh jolly good![/color]", she exclaimed loudly. "[color=a2d39c]I'm simply marvellous, thank you, dear.[/color]" she said, despite the fact that Ruben had not enquired. It seems she had overlooked this tiny piece of information. "[color=a2d39c]How did your class go?[/color]" she asked, full of enthusiasm. "[color=a2d39c]I waved through the window on my travels, but I don't think you saw me![/color]" she laughed. "[color=a2d39c]Hard at work as ever! But the kids seemed to be having a blast.[/color]" she continued to talk at him. Well... maybe she deserved it a bit more honest an answer. It was a fair question. [color=brown]"The class. Was."[/color] He said, pausing for a brief moment. [color=brown]"Mixed. In its quality. Several. Of the students. Were."[/color] Another pause, before he flat out exclaimed, [color=brown]"Disappointing."[/color] Rosaline's brow furrowed, but the ends of her lips were constantly curled in a half-smile. "[color=a2d39c]Now, Ruben! You mustn't be so hard on them, you know. They're new, after all![/color]" she scolded the fleshy man. "[color=a2d39c]You needn't scare them so; they're scared enough as it is![/color]" she laughed. [color=brown]"Scared. Isn't. An appropriate. Term."[/color] Ruben responded, [color=brown]"They are simply. Unconditioned. Yet I anticipate. Many of them. Will not. Meet. The expectations. Set before them."[/color] He turned his Brainvault ever so slightly to his left, staring past Rosaline for whatever reason. [color=brown]"But. The year. Is still young."[/color] "[color=a2d39c]Indeed it is, my dear![/color]" she cooed. "[color=a2d39c]Oh, that reminds me! I'm thrilled I bumped into you,[/color]" she said, remembering what she had meant to ask. "[color=a2d39c]I've a lesson tomorrow and I kept all the resources in the closet over the summer, but I can't reach to get them down,[/color]" she said, smiling brightly despite her predicament. "[color=a2d39c]Won't you be a dear and help me get them down?[/color]" [color=brown]"You. Are fully. Capable. Of reaching. Such. Heights."[/color] Ruben responded, knowing very well what Rosaline's abilities allowed her to accomplish. From menial tasks like this to... well, more violent situations, even. If she were so inclined. "[color=a2d39c]Oh, thank you so much, Ruben. You're a [i]star[/i]![/color]" she said, walking towards her office for a few paces before looking back over her shoulder. Noticing the man was not following, she stopped and turned to face him, looking at him with a look that seemed genuinely puzzled. [color=brown]"I. Am not. Following you."[/color] Ruben responded, remaining where he stood. "[color=a2d39c]Oh, of course not![/color]" she said, smiling. "[color=a2d39c]I often forget that I'm not the only one who knows my way around these halls,[/color]" she laughed. "[color=a2d39c]It's just that I've been here so long! Please, do lead the way.[/color]" she said, looking at Ruben expectantly. There was a bout of silence between the two before Ruben decided, if nothing else, he should humor the woman. He began moving forward, passing her, knowing full well she was keeping up that smile of hers. He supposed his original plans would have to wait a while. As they walked, he couldn't help but humor [i]himself[/i] with the passing thought that this woman was prematurely senile. Oh, well.