[color=limegreen][h2][center]Jacob ‘Jake’ Sharner[/center][/h2][/color]
[sub][i][center]First part in collaboration with [@lovely complex][/center][/i][/sub]

At the redlight, Nina had folded her hands and laid them on top of her lap. Her back was straight, unlike how relaxed she was the night prior, her head was held high, like a woman molded to be a lady since she was a child, and her expression was soft, gentle, and reserved. She was someone who always watched how she came across to the public eye. Last night was a rare occurrence for her (blame it all on Lucky) and the man driving her home met her at her WORST. Internally, she was still freaking out. How would she salvage her terrible, first impression? Her reputation would forever be tainted and it was all thanks to her drunk self! When he broke the silence and asked her ‘how it all began’, Nina took a deep breath in. Nervous. Anxious. Hopeful. This was her chance to fix her mistakes and apologize more than she had already did already. After giving herself some mental encouragement, her icy orbs glanced over to her new companion watching him carefully as he drove. 

Clearing her throat, she softly answered with her melodious voice, “[color=tomato]Let me give you, um, a... prelude first.[/color]” Fiddling with her hands now, she turned her head to look straight ahead before she just let it all out, “[color=tomato]I’ve been a resident here for almost two weeks now. I’m from America… probably no brainer with my accent. I took a risk… for change.[/color]” 

She paused to bring her right hand up to hold her necklace charm and twirl it within her grasp, “[color=tomato]The first person I met was a self employed mechanic named Lucky McIntire. Fiery red hair and undeniable Southern American roots. I don’t know if you’ve ever met him. He helped me get a car, since I’m not the most… savvy in things like that. Found out he was living in his car for god who knows how long and as much as he isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, he is a very genuine man.[/color]” She nodded to herself, partially convincing herself that letting this impulsive, aggressive, shameless man into her humble abode wasn’t a mistake, “[color=tomato]So. I offered him to stay at my place until he gets his life back on track.[/color]” She bit her bottom lip, knowing that could come off a bit odd for a woman to let a random stranger stay at her home… alone with her. Calmly laughing (with a hint of anxiety) at the very thought of this strange action she did, she directed him to where her condo was (unlike the night before) “[color=tomato]At the stop sign, you’ll take a right. I live at Center Pointe. Sorry I was… unable to tell you that last night. I’m obviously a lightweight. Anyways, where was I?[/color]”

Nina opened up surprisingly quickly, leaving behind all the shame and awkwardness both of them got an extra size portion of last night and even in the morning after to an extent. Jake acknowledged this with silent admiration, knowing full well that he himself would have spent a good five minutes with barely coherent blabbering before even getting to the ‘explanation’ or the ‘apology’ part. Thankfully—and this was the rarer case—, in this situation he was the receiver, the listener. And that also gave him a much needed sense of calm as he made sure to divide his attention towards her and the road ahead equally. It would have been unwise not to, anyways—her story was quite an intriguing one.

[color=limegreen]“I just hope I wasn't too bad myself...”[/color] He shivered for a moment at the wheel. Though he had a, considering the circumstances, decent recollection of the events, he was still almost sure a couple long-forgotten details would come back to haunt him in the future. No more clubbing for now, he promised himself. [color=limegreen]“This...Lucky. How does he come into the picture?”[/color] he reminded her. He knew that this man played an important part in the grand scheme as he recalled one or two drunk remarks from Nina regarding a certain ‘Clucky’. Now it turned out that, much to Jake's relief, the being in question was [i]not[/i] any type of poultry.

“[color=tomato]Mm.[/color]” Nina gave him a nod as a ‘thank you’ for reminding me where I left off from, “[color=tomato]Lucky, my roommate, decided to… help me live a little. He doesn’t think I get out nearly as much as I should, but I haven’t even been here for [i]that[/i] long![/color]” She started moving her hands along with her words (a woman of vibrant expressions and gestures), “[color=tomato]And… I like to read, at home, where I have peace and quiet. I’m almost thirty, why do I need to go clubbing?[/color]” Her words turned into a slight hiss. She would give that manchild hell the next time she saw him, “[color=tomato]All personal feelings aside, he took me out. Not really telling me where ‘out’ would be. He even decided to pick up this sweet girl… oh man, I need to check to see if she’s okay. I hope that idiot didn’t abandon her like he did me.[/color]” Her rants were turning into rambles, but even with her bitterness, there was no hatred toward her roommate. It came off more like an older sister wanting to reprimand her annoying, baby brother. “[color=tomato]One thing led to another and… I got really drunk. How did I run into you again?… I think…[/color]” Her eyes narrowed as she tried to recall the events prior to clashing into the scientist.

Jake could only reinforce his previous thoughts about the woman, his admiration slowly turning into bewilderment as she just went on and on, not sparing the scientist any details. He did not mind too much though, the road was not particularly eventful, he had nothing to do but follow the signs to the rather large and well-known Center Pointe. Besides, as Nina continued speaking, he found that he could relate more and more to her situation. He also had a friend—and colleague—who nagged him to do something ‘different’ from time to time. This would have been the perfect story to tell that friend—if he was not so embarrassed about the whole scene.

[color=limegreen]“I was kind of like a people magnet that night. Not in the good way.”[/color] He gulped as the memories flooded back. The metaphorical hammer has struck the poor scientist one too many times indeed.

“[color=tomato]...I want to say I felt really uncomfortable, since club goers can be very… touchy. Knowing me, I most definitely ran. Drunk, running me means accidents are bound to happen! And that’s when I met you.[/color]” A bright smile graced her face, as she turned to look at him. Nina felt fortunate to have met such a kind man, who didn’t take advantage of her while she was wild and free (regrets, so many regrets). 

As with most other things, Nina held a more positive look on the matter and Jake could not help but respond to her hearty smile with a hurried and humble one of his own. It did not quite reflect what he felt deep down, but perhaps it was better if she did not see that...as he himself was unsure.
Either way, heartstorms aside, they were getting pretty close to their goal.
[color=limegreen]“We should be there any minute now!”[/color] he announced.

As the Emu slowly rolled into the parking area of the condominium complex, Jake turned to Nina.
[color=limegreen]“Here we are.”[/color]
Doing something gentlemanly like opening the door for her did cross his mind briefly, but he decided against it in the end and just waited for her to bid her farewell and go on her own way after all was said and done.

“[color=tomato]Oh! Before I forget, can I have your number? Um, if that’s okay with you.[/color]” Nina watched as her condo came into view. Turning her body toward him, her face as genuine and honest as ever, she apologetically smiled, “[color=tomato]I’m still sorry for putting you through all that. I don’t want this to be the last time I see you… it’s just really nice to know someone who doesn’t want to get drunk everyday, y’know? Like… someone my age, or well near.[/color]” Her cheeks leaked pink, before adding, “[color=tomato]I talk too much…[/color]”

Though he had gotten rather good at suppressing his sudden, often panicky, initial feelings, he could not hide the small glint of shock in his amber eyes when the woman asked for his phone number out of the blue. Truth be told, he was not exactly sure how common this was amongst people to do this after such little time ‘together’...on the other hand though, their encounter was anything [i]but[/i] common.
[color=limegreen]“Oh, of course! Give me a second...”[/color]
He reached for his phone and promptly read out his number—which he did not find worth memorising—to her, receiving her digits in exchange.

[color=limegreen]“No... T-thank you,”[/color] he spoke up when he saw how abashed she was. [color=limegreen]“For being honest and open with me after everything. I...appreciate that. Let's meet again sometimes, shall we?”[/color] He gave her a sweet smile before she finally stepped out of the car and headed off into her apartment.

Before putting a foot on the pedal again, Jake took a moment and pulled up his phone again. The Contacts menu was still open, with the number input but not saved. He slowly typed in ‘Nina’ in the name field before finally pressing the save button. He looked at the screen for a couple seconds more, deep in thoughts, before finally getting his mind back on track and pulling out of the parking area, ready to travel back home.

————

Jake's apartment was exactly how he left it when he finally arrived back home. The bed was still messy: the comforter was tossed aside and the large and cushy pillow has not been straightened out yet. The bolts, screws, springs and dozens of other small parts still lay on the workbench in the position from [i]last night[/i]—should he gave it a little more time, the composition could almost be called ‘art’. A couple other small details like a shirt poking out of the closed wardrobe or the bathroom door being wide open did not even bother the scientist as he sat down on the bed for a few brief minutes to recompose himself.

Nina, while she caused quite a storm, left as sudden as she came. Yes, he had her number and some knowledge about who she really was and how she got by in this city, but this was all pretty basic and he knew that about plenty others—which was why he found his apparent...[i]fascination[/i] with her strange, by all means. Perhaps it was the very, [i]very[/i] unorthodox, way they met each other. Their frantic adventure right afterwards was quite the...bonding experience too, literally speaking. Maybe the fact how extremely different the teacher's drunk and sober states were was what intrigued Jake. He could not answer for himself, no matter how much he wanted to. One thing was sure though: he had a gut feeling that their saga was not over just yet.

He would have gladly continued wondering about the promising future had his idle gaze not found the small clock once more. But it had and the thoughts of pleasant anticipation quickly turned into heedless panic: he was late from the Institute. Incredibly late. While scientists usually had a flexible and varying work schedule, Jake has mostly stuck to an easily-remembered morning to afternoon schedule, not reluctant to pull overtime if the ongoing project interested him enough. It was arduous work, sure, but he did it with passion. As a bonus, the pay was very good too—not like he ever spent too much at once—, so he really could not complain about his situation in Shine City.

After the realisation hit in, he wasted no time in getting a quick shower—which was only to compensate for the missed one yesterday night, it was not in his habit otherwise—and changing into a more fitting set of clothes. Leaving behind his workbench once [i]again[/i] and with only his ID and other documents in pocket as usual, he left the apartment. The late morning actually seemed more relaxed activity-wise, with visibly less traffic and people roaming the streets. Most citizens have already sought out their place and occupation for today. Some would have found the atmosphere calm and soothing, but it only reminded the flustered scientist of how he should also be one of those citizens by now.

There was a silver lining, of course, there always was, else this mundane life would have also gotten depressing very quickly. With less mad drivers and unlucky red light timings to fight, the bus Jake was taking also arrived almost exactly on time. ‘Opposite night’ was over—while he certainly enjoyed taking the Emu for a ride, it was back to regularly scheduled programming now and that included the glorious public transport system. The Institute was about a ten minute bus travel away in the outskirts of the city, Jake might have even thought of taking a walk [i]if he was not so horribly late.[/i] After flashing his special, Institute-provided pass to the driver that allowed him to take this line whenever he wanted, he sat down and impatiently waited for the lumbering vehicle to get on its way. Looking out the window, he remembered a case that happened a while ago: he forgot his pass at home and, being the kind of person who only had the bare minimum of money on him at all times, did not even have enough to buy a standard ticket. As a last ditch effort, he opted for a student's discount.

Nobody questioned him.

The scientist shot out of the bus like a small rocket—or a firework, without the explosion—, doing his best Olympic walking impression as he made his way to the employee entrance at the side of the massive Institute building. It spared him any possibility of socialising so he could get to work immediately and cut his losses as much as possible. Upon finally checking in and getting his lab coat, he entered the massive hub area which was connected to many science division sections and other various rooms. His hasty steps quickly came to a halt though...

...as the hub was almost empty.

Or well, way emptier than Jake was used to. Usual Shine City logic did not apply here—the time of day did not matter. This place was always busy. Researchers running around papers in hand or ideas in mind, the staff hauling crates and other equipment, technicians being on the phone all the time...or just people casually chatting or taking a well-earned break from their work. The hub was the heart of the Institute—and yet today, it seemed to be barely beating.
[color=limegreen]“Where is...everyone?”[/color] he muttered, desperately trying to seek out at least a couple familiar faces from the usual crowd.

“Jake!”
The scientist froze for a brief moment as he thought it was his professor calling out to him. As he turned to face the source of the voice though, he suddenly did not know how his guess could be so off. Approaching him with a wide smile was [b]Zuiko Raina[/b], a Research Associate in the field of Zoology and a good friend to the scientist. Although their divisions rarely crossed paths, they both held a mutual respect and fascination towards the other's work.
“Didn't think I'd see you here today... Congrats on completing the project! I heard you guys pulled a lot of overtime for that one...”
Jake inadvertently blushed upon the small praise.
[color=limegreen]“T-thanks! We did, yeah...but it was worth it in the end, really!”[/color]
“I bet it was! It's already making rounds all over the Institute and these people are usually hard to impress!” She chuckled. “What are you doing here now though?”
The short-lived pleasant feelings soon disappeared from him.
[color=limegreen]“Ah, I know! I should've been in the lab ages ago. I was just wondering—nevermind. I'll be on my way!”[/color]
He was already turning to leave when Zuiko's words made him stop for a moment.
“Oh Jake, you workaholic... What do you want to do in that lab all by yourself?”
[color=limegreen]“All by...myself?”[/color]
“The last I've heard, the entire Robotics team was given paid leave until the convention. Professor Seishiro himself announced it!”
[color=limegreen]“Oh...oohh...”[/color]
Suddenly everything clicked into place for the scientist. There was a reason he and the rest of the division worked into the night on a Sunday. They had a mutual agreement, looking to make one final rush to finish the long-awaited project as soon as possible. They succeeded and now had no other work scheduled for the next week—and so, Nagato managed to set the whole team up for a well-deserved late summer vacation.

Which Jake completely forgot about, of course.

[color=limegreen]“That...that explains some of it, I guess...”[/color] he eventually blurted out, trying not to sound overly clueless.
“Explains what?” Zuiko asked with folded arms and a curious expression.
[color=limegreen]“Why this place is so...dead.”[/color]
Jake shrugged. It was not like it was only the two of them in the expansive hub. There were still plenty of people around, coated and not, most of them quite preoccupied. It was just...[i]relatively[/i] dead, he corrected himself in his head.
“Well, it's the first day at the Academy.” Unlike the scientist, Zuiko seemed to be absolutely in the loop. He once again thanked the heavens for their friendship. “Many of us are part-time teachers or lecturers there. You and I are not, but I know a few from my division that will only come in the afternoon. Plus, today is orientation, so everyone has to be there. I bet we'll see the usual buzz return a couple hours later!”
[color=limegreen]“Right.”[/color]

Well, what now?
Jake fell out of the frying pan and into the fire. No longer having to worry about being late, he now he had to figure out what to do this day and [i]all the others[/i] until the museum convention at the end of the week. For a man who tried his best to carefully organise his life and enjoyed the stability his work provided, this was one heck of a challenge.

[color=limegreen]“...what are you doing today, Zuiko?”[/color] he eventually asked sheepishly.
“I'm busy most of the day, I'm afraid. Our professor likes to work in these calmer conditions. We've also gotten some new specimens!” She laughed, ever cheerful. “You could take a visit at the Academy though.”
[color=limegreen]“But I'm not a teacher!”[/color]
“There are no classes on the first day, don't worry. You can just check out the place itself, meet with some teachers and students...that sort of thing! Anyways, I have to jet now. See you around, Jake!” She picked up her papers from the nearby seat and hurried away. Before getting too far though, she turned back for a moment to say: “Who knows, you may even find someone who...interests you!”

After bidding a meek farewell himself, Jake turned around to leave the building he only entered like ten minutes ago. He did not walk with the same purpose now as he did before, though he knew damn well what Zuiko implied.

[color=limegreen]“Someone...”[/color]