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Post by Alex Marlowe on May 14, 2016 18:25:51 GMT
Alex had managed to get the weekend off. So he grabbed a few things, packed a bag, and hopped a train to Marshallsville. It'd been a while since he'd seen his parents, so might as well go pay them a quick visit. As he stepped off the train, he looked around, realizing that the town hadn't changed all that much since he'd last visited. Then again, small towns don't change all that quickly. Or at all, really. He picked up his bag and walked down the main street, seeing what little sights there were to see. He didn't much miss the place, to be entirely honest. His parents being Exotech researchers had both ruined and saved his life in this place, so it held a sort of bittersweet taste. But they still lived here, and still worked at Exotech, so here he was. He twisted the ring on his finger once; he wondered how quickly this weekend would become a busman's holiday.
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Post by Sarah Meldon on May 14, 2016 19:17:12 GMT
"Sarah's Sewing, Alterations, & More" stood proudly on main street, an old store-with-backroom-living Sarah had had repainted a clean white with rich purple roof and trim, the sign a pale lavender with neat black stitch she had painted herself, with a bit of help. It was fairly small, but in Marshallsville most the buildings were small. Despite her condition, Sarah always managed to keep the outside and front clean and organized, though her "house" had a tendency to suffer when she got tired too early.
She straightened up the order form, made sure the dropbox was clear, and closed the shop up. Should I get supplies first, or go pick up more meds? Neither seemed terribly attractive at the moment, but she couldn't complain. If it weren't for her medicine, she'd be dead, and if it weren't for her sewing, she'd have gone crazy after her parents died. The fact it had turned into a means of support was an added bonus. Maybe I should go to the library for a new book? After errands. I need to make sure I have enough energy.
Sarah's head flopped back and forth as she weighed her options. Meds first so I don't have baggage, then shopping, then book.
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Post by Alex Marlowe on May 14, 2016 19:40:50 GMT
Alex stopped in front of a store he never remembered seeing before. "Sarah's Sewing, Alterations, and More." He read aloud to no one in particular, studying the place. It seemed a nice little spot, a fairly clean store. He didn't particularly need shirts or anything resized or anything of that particular nature, but the store just seemed an interesting place. It was closed, though. He looked around, seeing if there was a posting of the hours of operation or anything of a similar nature.
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Post by Sarah Meldon on May 14, 2016 19:54:50 GMT
Having decided on a course of action, Sarah turned to leave and saw a young man standing near her, looking at the store. "Um, the store will be open again in about an hour or two, or if you were wanting something specific you can fill out one of these forms here and drop it through the mail slit. I always check it when I get back," she said in her soft, almost shy voice. "Um, if none of that works, I'm usually open 9am-6pm, with a break for lunch at 12pm, but I'm still at the store so I can help you if you need anything. Or, um, if you just have a quick thing, I can wait a bit to run errands? I just need to get going before the stores close."
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Post by Alex Marlowe on May 14, 2016 21:14:39 GMT
Alex barely noticed her until she started speaking. "Oh, sorry. I was just interested. Don't remember seeing this store before." He smiled at her, hefting his bag again. "I should probably get going myself. Visiting parents and whatnot."
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Post by Sarah Meldon on May 15, 2016 2:24:07 GMT
"Oh, that sounds nice." A cute but sad smile unfolds on Sarah's face. "Well if you want to get any winter wear, like a scarf, you get a discount for ordering it early. I can also deliver it for you if you want to get something as a gift." She bows. "Um, I hope to see you later, maybe? I need to run by the pharmacy before shopping now, so have fun visiting your parents."
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Post by Alex Marlowe on May 15, 2016 2:36:51 GMT
Alex nodded, mentally running through an itinerary of things he needed to do before going to visit his parents, and suddenly remembered something. Mom had emailed him, saying something about how she worked with the local pharmacy occasionally. He always knew she did something with pharmaceuticals, so now she was actually working in a pharmacy. Why not surprise her at least?
"Actually, my mom works at the pharmacy. At least, part time. So mind if I join you?" He noticed the sadness in her eyes. Besides, he already knew (or at least was aware of) pretty much everyone in town, one of the perks of spending many of one's formative years in this town. But she was new, and new (non-infant) people don't happen too often in a town like this. They were going the same place anyway, so why not?
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Post by Sarah Meldon on May 15, 2016 3:04:17 GMT
"Um, if you'd like. I need to go to Exotech, though. The normal pharmacy doesn't stock my medicine. If that's out of the way, you don't have to come with me. A little walking won't kill me." Sarah pumped her arms briefly, then added under her breath, "...probably." She smiled again. "A bit of company would be nice though."
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Post by Alex Marlowe on May 15, 2016 3:25:38 GMT
Alex's ears perked at the mention of Exotech. What did this girl have, that she needed to get medicine from Exotech? Did his mom have some involvement with her? Who the hell was this girl?
"Huh. Do you know a Dr. Lana Marlowe, by chance?" Maybe Mom made her drugs. Maybe Dad did. Either way, this was incredible. I mean, what the hell are the chances? Then again, he remembered the ring on his finger.
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Post by Sarah Meldon on May 15, 2016 3:43:13 GMT
"Oh? Um, yes. Dr. Marlowe makes my medicine for me. I guess you know one or both of them? You don't look sick though, so I guess your clinical trials went well? That's great!" She smiled broadly as she started walking.
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Post by Alex Marlowe on May 15, 2016 3:52:18 GMT
Not only did she know Mom, but she knew Dad too? Damn. He started walking with her.
"I don't think I properly introduced myself. I'm Alex. Alex Marlowe." Alex unconsciously emphasized his last name. He never knew his parents were in clinical trials. Hell, half the time, he didn't know the stuff his parents did. They always gave him the old "It's classified" excuse whenever he asked. Why something at a private company would be classified escaped Alex, but he never really pried.
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Post by Sarah Meldon on May 15, 2016 4:07:18 GMT
"Oh!" Sarah jumped a bit. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Marlowe. I don't usually talk with the doctors about much more than my health, so I didn't realize... Um, I guess that's why you look so healthy though. Um, do you know anything I could make them as a present? They've really helped me out a lot. I mean, they keep making my medicine even though I was the only one it effected, so they must have to work a lot just to help me live easier. I wouldn't be able to run the store by myself without them. I wouldn't even be... Um, thank you and your parents very much." She bowed again. "It must be really great to have parents like that. Or maybe really lonely, since they seem to work a lot. That's at least a bit my fault, sorry. But it would still be great to know they help so many people. I really admire them, but... I don't think I could do something like that. M-my body is, you know, pretty weak, so I can only work so hard."
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Post by Alex Marlowe on May 15, 2016 4:42:30 GMT
Alex's face remained sorta blank throughout her entire ramble. "First of all, I'm Alex. I'd say Mr. Marlowe is my father, but... yeah. Second, my parents never really did tell me the stuff they work on, so it's kind of interesting getting to meet... I guess the fruits of their labor." He pondered his next statement for a minute. This girl, Sarah, he had no clue how much she owed his parents. Probably her life. Maybe even more. "Third, please don't bow to me, it makes me feel almost as awkward as you calling me "Mr. Marlowe". Fourth, my mom has always been partial to a good cheesecake."
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Post by Sarah Meldon on May 15, 2016 4:55:45 GMT
"A cheesecake? I'll be sure to bring one with me next time. So, um, Mr. Alex, do you work in medicine too, or are you interested in something else? I think having parents in a particular field would help you know if it was something you wanted to do yourself or not. Um, I haven't seen you since I moved here a couple years ago either. Are you just visiting, or are you moving back? Or, um, maybe still thinking about it?"
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Post by Alex Marlowe on May 15, 2016 5:02:10 GMT
"Nah. I do computer science." Alex waved his hand dismissively. He kind of wanted to mention his discomfort at being called "Mr. Alex", since that wasn't much better than "Mr. Marlowe", but oh well. "I live in Lansing currently. I'm visiting for the weekend, since I managed to get it off work." and if I'm lucky, my other work won't come calling.
He thought about the town. If an actual, honest-to-God supervillain hit Marshallsville, he actually found himself worrying that the town might never recover. It was small enough as is. If someone like that crazy guy he fought before hit this place....
He pushed the thought from his mind. He found himself unconsciously fiddling with his ring, and quickly stopped, putting his hand in his pocket.
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Post by Sarah Meldon on May 15, 2016 5:12:23 GMT
"Computer science?" Sarah thought about it a moment. "I might be able to do that if I could grasp the subjects, since it's not physically intensive, but isn't it really complicated? You must be really amazing. Um, maybe you could teach me a bit about it? I could make you some clothes in return, unless you want to learn sewing. Though it probably takes a while to learn, so maybe it's better to just call you if I need something. That is, if you don't mind. It's not likely to come up much, but, um..." Sarah thought a moment more, but couldn't see how to continue. "...Do you like reading, Mr. Alex?"
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Post by Alex Marlowe on May 15, 2016 5:30:51 GMT
Wow. This girl could talk. Alex thought he met some talkative people in college, but damn.
"It's not that hard." Well, maybe it was. Alex was technically a legally certified genius, so maybe... nah. He just worked at it and it came to be. "It's not that far. I can make the trip in like two hours." That was, of course, if he wanted to leverage the armor's jumping ability. He kind of felt like the voice that told him how to use the armor might take umbrage with such blatant misuse. "Train tickets are cheap too."
There it was again. The "Mr. Alex". Internally, he took a deep breath. "Sometimes. What I read tends to be on a screen, but lately I've been doing a lot more reading, so yeah. I guess I do like reading."
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Post by Sarah Meldon on May 15, 2016 5:49:34 GMT
Sarah walked in silence for a bit. "Um, I'm not I'm not really sure what else people normally talk about while they walk. Maybe the weather? I'm already pretty tired from talking while walking, too... But, um, if you ever need someone to listen to anything, you can count on me. I can also try to think of how to solve a problem, if you ever need help. So, um, you can count on me, and maybe we can be friends? That's probably a really childish thing to say..." Sarah laughed shyly, doubling over as it changed into a cough.
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Post by Alex Marlowe on May 15, 2016 5:56:50 GMT
Alex stopped as Sarah started coughing. "You okay?" He set his bag down and put a hand on her shoulder. This must be a symptom of what his parents treated her for. Moments like this, he kinda wished he could do magic. Other than the armor, of course. He was studying the lore, trying to somehow muster his way through a history Ph.D on such an awful specialization.
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Post by Sarah Meldon on May 15, 2016 6:00:20 GMT
Sarah shakily righted herself as the coughing subsided and smiled weakly. "I'm fine. It's a lot better than it used to be. I can go walking and stuff now at least. I'll head home after picking up more medicine is all; I can do the shopping tomorrow. If I stop breathing, then you can be worried." She smiled in a half-joking manner and hurried ahead.
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