Work Text:
It’s never a dull day at work. That is, if the dark, dreary corridors don’t count as ‘dull’...
It wasn’t like they could afford all too much. They weren’t particularly making waves with their work. That is to say – there was only so much that could be done. For now, at least. In time, they all hoped that their combined efforts could amount to something much greater than what a single one of them had ever anticipated.
It was a goal that reared its head high into the sky. It was barely visible through the clouds, and completely out of reach. But it was visible. And that was enough drive. Enough proof that something could be done to reach it. With enough work and faith, finding a way up there was possible, as far as she was concerned.
Well, obviously, using Daniel’s err… Connections always helped. He was more than happy to lend a hand when it came to money.
Nevertheless, it was enough to light the hallways at the very least. Enough for all the equipment they needed. Enough for everything to start moving forwards with their path. Enough for everything to run smooth as could be.
But it was so dull, wasn’t it?
Their experiments weren’t exactly going in the direction of being ethical . As much as she tried in particular to keep it strictly on the side of ‘let’s not die while doing this’. There was much to be done. Much to go wrong , that said. Truly, her head was in the clouds. Damp, gray and dull.
In Carmen’s mind, the best way forward was for herself to be used as the test subject. But, there were disagreements all around. Arguments about losing a guide. How can we cross the river should anything go wrong? And perhaps that was true. Perhaps without her, that boat would hit rocks without a shining light… But that was hardly worth allowing someone else to suffer a consequence of their testing, should one occur at all. At Least if it were herself, the damage done would be of her own accord.
And should it go wrong, should she be snuffed out, she trusted her coworkers and friends to choose the next steps accordingly. They were smart people. Smart people that she trusted. Smart people that believed in her. And she wasn’t about to let them down. If anything went wrong, it would be something she paid for herself. No one else.
Yes, her own determination. Her own hope. Her own vision.. It drew so many people into her project. So many that she considered friends now more than ever. She was good with words, she knew that much. Good at encouraging and looking forward. Truly, it was becoming hard to remain that way consistently, but it was necessary. The current state of the project was just becoming difficult . Emotionally and all.
Lost in thought, tapping her pen against her desk, a frown across her brow, elbows on the desk, hardly sitting in any comfortable position... Thinking. Just thinking. That was that. There was much to be done as for how the project should go ahead. Discussions awaited, and they weren’t something that Carmen had been looking forward to.
The very real concern that someone may die from this was lingering. They’d never tested it on a human before. There was no way to tell it would work out as planned.
And she was more than willing to be the martyr, despite any complaint.
But that was easier to do when there wasn't a complaint. When there aren't people around you telling you there has to be another way. Another subject.
Carmen wanted none of that. No one would be suffering at her hand. And that was final.
A knock on her door would drive her away from her endless whirlpool of thoughts. She’d look up, and call to the door.
“Oh–! It’s open, come in!”
The handle would be tugged down, the door pulled open. And so, a wave of color entered the dull and gray room.
“I don’t like it when you mope.” She’d say, heading over to the desk, a small vase of flowers in hand. Beautiful orchids, red, white, purple… It was dazzling. Kali would gently place them down on the desk, a little to the side of where Carmen currently sat.
Sitting upright, Carmen beamed. It was vibrant. Especially for the other. Kali would cough a little, folding her arms across her chest, glancing off to the side, away from what could blind her.
“You brought these for me?” Carmen seemed… almost surprised to see her. She had been getting a little close to the Red Mist. Not that she cared for the title. Kali was Kali, and that was important enough. They’d been spending plenty of time together. The part that was the surprise was the flowers.
“You’ve been acting so dull lately since the… Eh… Project….” Kali trailed off, seemingly not wanting to continue that thought. “Nevermind all that. You always say it’s dull in your office. the whole place, actually. So I figured this may lighten the place up a little.” And by extension, Carmen.
“How did you even get these all the way out here..?” Eyes wide, Carmen would glance away from the flowers, standing up, and much to Kali’s surprise, holding onto her arms as she held them across her chest. “They’re wonderful, Kali!”
“Thank that rich freak. Has his ways to get things he wants, or so he says.”