Chapter Text
Dottore slid the key into the lock of her new laboratory, slowly stepping into the darkened room. She reached for the light switch and raised her eyebrows in surprise.
Feofan had told her that she would be relocated to new facilities, but she hadn’t expected a lab of this scale. Previously she worked in a dingy basement provided by the university with little room. Facing forward, this place was at least four times bigger than before.
Stilling herself; she looked over the new equipment, everything she had requested of Feofan was provided. She began to unpack the materials she had brought from her previous laboratory when a knock caught her attention.
“Good morning Doctor, finding everything to your standards?” Feofan entered the room, heels clicking against the smooth tile.
Dottore set down the equipment she had in hand, “Its quite the extravagant place, I look forward to working here.” Her eyes trailed the woman as she walked further into the lab.
“Only the best for a woman like yourself. Say, how about I open these blinds? The weather is perfect today.” Feofan gestured to the window lined walls.
“Do as you please.” Dottore watched as the sunlight streamed in, its radiance reflected by the snow covered ground. While the environment was pleasant, she had never been one to appreciate the climate in Snezhnaya. Turning her back, she returned to categorizing the materials before her.
Although she heard the swiveling of a chair behind her, she paid no mind. Feofan sat and completed her own tasks, occasionally looking up at Dottore. By midday, the last of her belongings were stored and she approached the table where Feofan sat.
“Is this all your surveillance entails, a second office?” She spoke coolly.
Feofan looked up from her ledger, “My goal isn’t to bother you doctor; I’m simply here to build rapport. Unless you’d like for me to watch from the cameras..” Her violet eyes trailed to the upper corner of the room.
A low humph left Dottore’s throat as she turned away. “It makes no difference to me if you are here or not, I’m not one to be easily distracted.”
“Thats one of your best traits. The university mentioned that you would spend all day in your lab. While our partnership relies on your focus, It’d be no good for you to tire yourself out.” Feofan stood as she straightened her clothes. “Its noon now, how about we get some lunch together?”
Dottore had been tending to her mice and did not move to respond, “I’ll have to decline; Collei seems troubled by the move.”
If Feofan was disappointed it did not show, she bid the Doctor farewell and made her way to the city center nearby. She had spent the entire morning in the lab; and the lack of nicotine caused her to feel immense hunger.
Stopping by a small restaurant she fulfilled her cravings. She read a book leisurely as her lips closed around the cigarette, enjoying the sunny sky. Preparing to leave, an idea arose and she found herself carrying a takeout bag. It was only natural after all; it’d serve her better if the relationship was amicable, but even so she made sure to shield the package from the cold.
Curiously, Dottore was not in the lab when she returned. The lights were off and only the afternoon sun was able to reach the far expanses of the room. Feofan doubted that Dottore would have gone home so soon and made her way deeper in the dark, sliding her frosty cloak off as she did.
To the corner of the lab was the storage room with its door ajar. Feofan approached and caught the light fragrance of jasmine tea. “Doctor, I’ve brought some food back for you.”
Inside was Dottore, reclining against a counter as she sipped from a mug languidly. Her lips moistened and delicate pieces of hair framed her face giving her a magnetic aura. “Oh? Well, aren't you an angel.” she spoke in a velvet manner.
The room was small, but Dottore seemed to find use for it. Inside it seemed like a coffin apartment; a couch was pushed against the corner, next to it a short bookshelf. Across from this was a mini fridge and counters were lined with living essentials.
“It was no trouble to me, I hope you can enjoy it.” Feofan’s lips curled upwards. She looked over the room again before her eyes met with Dottore’s, “Your ability to adapt is admirable, though I had thought the university provided you with living quarters.”
“I don’t need it, all my needs can be fulfilled here. Why? Does this bother you?” Dottore smirked up at the other woman.
Feofan chuckled lightly before continuing, “Not at all, this is your space.” She lifted the bag of food toward the doctor, “As long as you follow our terms, what you do is no hair off my head.”
Dottore placed her mug down and accepted the food, the air gained the scent of spices and she looked up at Feofan.
“Sumerian, my dear.” she said, eying Dottore’s reaction.
Beneath the mask, Dottore felt her eyebrows relax. “While I appreciate the gesture, you don’t need to go out of your way.”
“Again, it was no problem. I’ll be off to my office, take care, doctor.” Her inky hair caught the light deliciously as she turned away; Dottore’s jaw tightened.
Alone again, Dottore let out a low growl. She despised being indebted to others, let alone having them do something so personal for her. The warm scent clung to the air. After leaving Sumeru, she was conflicted with that part of her identity. Given how strongly they rejected her she wanted to resent the country. Unconsciously she sought more, opening the container of Gormeh Sabzi before hesitantly allowing herself a bite. Even with those experiences her heart clung to the familiarity. The flavor relaxed her, but it was quickly overshadowed by disdain. How could she allow herself to be swayed by something so lowly?
She didn’t know why Feofan kept being so personal, but regardless Dottore needed to fulfill the newly presented debt. She cleaned the space before making her way back to the main lab; it was still early so she could start preparing materials for tomorrow’s agenda.
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Feofan didn’t go to the laboratory the next day; instead spending her morning going from one agitating board meeting to another. When she finally made it back to her office, all the anger that built up had settled on her face. The incompetence of her subordinates had not only cost her money, but face in front of her partners. Her fists clenched the air as she tried calming herself. At her desk, Feofan massaged her temples. Much to her disdain, there were just some things she couldn’t control no matter how much she desired it. She sighed; reaching for the monitor across from her, and the screen flickered to life. Feofan clicked through her applications before finding the one she was looking for.
Within the confines of her screen was Dottore, dutifully pipetting away. Her hair was tied up giving Feofan a clear view of her tanned neck leading into her collarbones. Her rage melted away, at least she knew one person was useful.
Of course, the doctor was not oblivious to this; a regular person would not have noticed the microscopic green lights indicating active viewing. She stole a few glances at the camera between switching pipette tips. Feofan kept the tab open, but turned her attention toward the documents she had set aside. Though she lost her focus when voice came from her computer.
“Good afternoon Feofan, hard at work I presume?” Dottore smirked at the camera, though it fell when she didn’t get a response. Feofan watched as the doctor turned away from the camera; she was facing a small machine on the table and spoke up again. “Thank you for the food the other day…”
Feofan felt pleasure swell in her chest. She should have expected the doctor to know when she was being watched. Regrettably, she had decided to not attach speakers to the cameras, so she could not answer the doctor's tidings. She'll have to install them in the future.
Having said that, Dottore resumed her work, but would limit how often she looked directly at the recording device. While Feofan could easily change the angle, she opted to linger on the doctor’s form. Silence took over as the two worked independently.
Once Feofan finished her work for the day, she turned to see Dottore engrossed in her own tasks; she closed the application and packed her belongings. She looked up at the shaded sky from the atrium of the building, beginning her journey home.
The penthouse was a short walk from her office; the elevator opened and she exited the foyer to the view of the luxuries she displayed. In all honesty, none held much significance to her. Some she bought, others came as gifts, to her it only mattered that a price could be placed on them.
She removed her layers and abandoned her briefcase at the coffee table, instead moving toward the balcony with a small box in her hands. As the night wind touched her bare skin; she released a breath she didn’t know she was holding, her exhale producing a hazy cloud as it kindled with the cool air.
Feofan reached into her pocket and retrieved her lighter, grasping it in her hand before lighting a cigarette. Ever since her adolescence she had relied on nicotine, whether it be for relief or to stave off the biting hunger. It was her last reminder of life in poverty, that life in vulnerability.
She stood half dazed until the shivers became unbearable; returning inside to get ready for bed. Mora was everything to her — it controlled all her actions. Without it, what did she have left? She had no family, no friends, not a single thing that was not contingent on money. Abandonment was an overbearing shadow in her life. A lone tear slid down her cheek as she gave in to her slumber, hoping to silence her thinking.
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It took two more days for Feofan to return to the laboratory. Having knocked; she opened the door to Dottore writing on a blackboard, avoiding a headache so early in the day, she looked away from the mess of words.
“Good morning, doctor” she smiled softly.
With a hum, Dottore acknowledged her arrival. Taking a seat behind the doctor, Feofan set up her belongings and began reviewing the quarterly reports. Any thought she had earlier was replaced by numbers, pleasing her to no end. It was easier this way. From her periphery, a purple object caught her attention; adjusting her glasses, she was met with a flower.
“Its a Sumerian rose, I’ve preserved it in silica gel so it will never decay. Now we are even.” The doctor stood to the side of Feofan, crossing her arms over her chest and facing the wall.
“My, it’s beautiful. Thank you doctor.” Feofan felt as the smile breached the invisible line on her face, creasing her eyes.
With a noncommittal sound, Dottore began comparing the board with some papers she had printed out. Feofan’s eyes went to the cameras, she had been planning on adding speakers, but it was apparent that Dottore had beaten her to the punch. Noticing that the business woman was looking at the camera, the doctor chimed in, “It was boring talking to myself, if I must be watched I should be able to disturb you in return.”
Feofan had a look of bewilderment, trying to read any microscopic changes in Dottore’s tone and face. Dottore, standoffish as usual, continued “It was also for my own sake, emailing is ineffective for quick communication.”
Pulling out her phone, Feofan extended it toward the other, “Would you like to exchange phone numbers then? That way you can call or text even without me watching.”
“I don’t have a cell phone.” she replied curtly.
The woman was full of surprises, still Feofan only laughed. “Of course you don’t doctor, I suppose the speakers and email will have to do for now.” Returning the device to her purse, Feofan trailed her eyes over the rose. The petals had no imperfections, the shades of purple blended together seamlessly and it held a slight glow in the center. It had no floral scent, instead it was similar to that which one would smell when reading a fresh book.
She turned her attention towards the doctor as the teal haired woman rewrote notes on the board. Dottore had her lips pursed and one could only imagine a pair of furrowed brows beneath that mask. On impulse, Feofan asked a simple question.
“Say doctor, what’s your favorite color?”
Dottore turned in poorly hidden confusion, “What prompted such a childish question? I can hardly see why it would be of any concern to you.”
Even so, Feofan insisted “Nothing really, just curiosity. So? Do you not have one?”
The doctor sighed before casting her gaze back to the board, “If you must know I'm quite partial to pink.”
“Oh? That would not have been my first guess” Feofan chuckled slightly. “Very well, any particular shade?”
“What is your goal in this conversation? Have you grown tired of your own work?” Dottore deflected.
“A woman can have her mind set on many things at once. Someone like yourself is surely more fond of one shade over others.
Dottore made another noncommittal sound before answering, “If it will get you to stop, my favorite color is Fuchsia.” Feofan hummed in acknowledgment and returned to her books.
The low hum of the lab’s machinery rang throughout the room as the two worked through the afternoon. By sunset, Dottore had finished her analysis and she had collected her results in a folder before handing it to Feofan. “Here is this week’s progress, do with them as you wish.” After dropping this off, the doctor cleaned up her lab; putting away her materials and collecting her used glassware.
Feofan stood and began to pack her briefcase, but when her hand hovered above the Sumeru rose she opted to hold it in her hand. “Thank you again for the rose doctor, I’ll be seeing you again soon.”
“Goodbye Feofan.” answered the masked woman from where she stood at the sink. Feofan was pleased that the doctor had chosen to respond this time.
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Breaching the foyer, Feofan shrugged off her coat and strode into her living room. She lifted the vase on the coffee table; throwing away its contents and drying it out before placing the Sumeru rose inside. Compared to the other things in her home, the monetary price she could place on it did not match that which her mind valued it.
She took a seat on her sofa, hands already on her cell phone as she called one of her assistants. The voice on the other end answered obediently, “I’d like you to buy a phone for me, no budget.” Feofan listed off the requirements; eyes wandering until they landed on the rose once again. “I’d like it by tomorrow morning, no later.”
Feofan hung up and made her way over to the bedroom. She did not have an official schedule on weekends, but she had always been in the habit of rising early. From where she lay in her bed, the moonlight shone through her curtains lazily. She turned over to face it, allowing it to faintly coat over her face.