Open Season! (OPEN)

[Kero]

The bus ride was pure torture for someone afraid to touch other people. Dressed in a business-like way, Kara hadn’t expected something so simple as public transportation to be so dirty, and that people would have no idea of personal boundaries. Maybe she had lived in a large city, but the woman’s experiences with people still left some points wanting. It was all she could do to stow her bags, muster up her courage... and endure.

….none of that stopped the fact that when her stop came up, she exploded out of the bus like a hungry fat child going after the first hot dog of the day, breathing in a gasp and looking back to see the bus driver smirking a bit, tossing her her second heavy luggage bag, which she caught with some difficulty.

“Take it easy, newbie. Yer scheduled back in ahh… well ah few months, ya hear? Ya ain’t here when I park here, I’m gonna wait ten minutes, then leave, an’ ya’ll have ta catch anudder bus.” That said, the guy slammed the bus door, and drove off, leaving the woman waving her hand in front of herself to fend off the dust, dropping on bag down to manage.

“…thank God… I doubt I could have managed another second in there….” pushing a strand of her neatly cut hair back from in front of her face, Kara rubbed her gloved hands over her bare arms, picking a bit at the new, soft plush white leather of them. She’d gotten new gloves just to come to camp… She hoped that she wouldn’t be thought of as odd for it, or that her reception wouldn’t be too bad. After all, she was here to review the expenses of the camp and see how much the government would continue to fund it for next year… if at all.

That might cause some dislike…

“….Whispering Rock…. Well, here’s hoping it doesn’t kill me…” and, dragging her bags behind her, she began to walk past the campfires to the parking lot she could see in the distance, hoping to be shown around.

[Lexxi]

There was a certain lightness about that day. A feeling of walking on air that brought one into an almost dazed state on mind and caused them to almost taste the world around them and breath in the force of nature. As the bluebirds fluttered about and sang their morning songs in perfect tune and little squirrels frolicked about in the shafts of sunlight, the summer seemed to be in full swing. One particular woman was taking it all in without hesitation. Just the taste of that cool mountain air mixed with the scent of moist earth and grass was enough to put her on a perpetual high she hadn’t felt in years. It was stimulating to her just to look out at the scene sprawling before her in the form of rolling hills and towering pines.

In one hand she held a little boy who was napping peacefully among the folds of his blanket and in the other was his twin who was wide awake and cooing quietly as if speaking in hushed tones to his dark haired mother. She could only smile at them with each step she took down the dusty old path. Her boys were the two most perfect things in the world to her, how could she not smile. As Damitri reached up his little hand and pulled free her onyx hair from its scrutchie, she gave him a look of mock annoyance which he responded to with a laugh as sweet and quiet as the night was long.
“Oh you little charmer.”

As she reached the peak of the hill, she looked down at the parking lot. Cars, familiar as they had been there all summer, lined the spaces and sat silent and empty. No one left Whispering Rock for the most part. After all, the nearest town was down the mountain almost 2 hours away. However, she could see something winding it’s way down the path in a cloud of dust. A bus. Marie Grestofski gave a tilt of her head and continued on her way down the hill to see just who had arrived there. She hadn’t heard of anyone being brought by today. Perhaps it was a late camper? Or someone from HQ come to see how everyone was doing? The possibilities were endless.

[/size]

[Kero]

The leftover haze brought about by the close proximity of so many people at once was a strong, weighing thing to lay upon a single woman’s shoulders, and though the mind that walked the path into this small, secretive summer camp was guarded, even she couldn’t help but look around a bit as she began to notice the beautiful scenery of this mountain environment. There was no telling what it was about it, perhaps the clear air, or perhaps a deeper, primal need for space and freedom and less mechanical modern influence. The fact remained that as Kara looked up, and fully took in the scope of the place she was walking into, she found herself slowing, taking in a deep breath and letting it out in a sigh.

“Maybe it won’t be so bad…” the mutter was quiet, her green eyes brighter for the invigorating scent of forest.

It was at that precise moment that Kara heard the grunt, and, startled from her wonderings, she immediately lost her grip on her luggage, having to almost fall in the dirt in order to twist around and catch hold of them again. She’d been dragging them uphill, and the wheels on the things were only built for turning, after all.

Once she had them again, the woman turned with a small grimace, giving a nod to the man against the fence before propping her luggage against her foot, taking a short breather to adjust her clothing, and get any imaginary dust from her simple gray business suit and skirt, “Hello there? Could you be so kind as to show me to the nearest place to check in? I’m afraid I’ve come a bit short of notice, and the people in charge will probably want to have a word about my lodgings…” she trailed off, tilting her head a bit to herself and sighing, “Ah… my name is Kara… Kara Haverston. I was assigned to assess this camp….”

Her eyes drifting to the woman coming down the hill, Kara’s voice trailed off, but her introduction was already mostly complete. She figured -with a slightly nervous glance at the nail gun in the man’s hand-, that it didn’t matter too much either way. The woman coming down the kill seemed a fair sight kinder, with the children in her arms… The newly arrived member of the camp could only hope that that much remained true once she knew why she was here.

“Hi…” she waved a gloved hand a little as the other figure came close enough.

[Lovenu]

Josephine was walking towards the reception area and say a group of people. One of them was Marie, holding the twins, but the other two were new. Jo was becoming a bit intimidated by the number new of people showing up, but she shrugged the feeling off and smiled at them. She walked over and looked at the two newcomers with big brown eyes and a sheepish smile, "'Ello! 'Ow are you Marie? Who are zese newcomers? Are zey new counselors?" asked Jo with a lilt to her voice and a slight blush. Jo hoped she wasn't seeming rude as she felt that she had sort of barged in. She didn't want anyone to dislike her though, she wanted to make sure people knew she was there to help however she could. She nodded to both Kara and Donny, "My name eez Josephine LaBelle... I am ze camp therapisd! I 'ope you 'ave a wonderful time at Whispering Rock!" she said with a little grin. She tried her best to appear charming and friendly. She could always use more friends seeing as she was always cooped up in that lonely little office of hers in the main lodge. She gave a little wave to Marie and the twins as well.

[Lexxi]

Green met green as Marie locked gazes with the strange woman standing before her. A woman who had, in a manner, simply appeared there moments ago. Then her attention shifted for a split second to the man who reminded her far too much of home. His voice, his nature, and even his dress were enough to put her on edge as she slightly shifted the weight of the dozing twins and almost appeared to take a step to the side. There was a certain familiarity about him that she did not like. Almost like her dad, but with a more American feel. Still, she gave him a smile and a slight nod of her head before moving back to observing the woman who had greeted her almost instantly upon arrival. Normally, she wasn’t quick to judge, but neither gave the impression of being those she should be immediately fond of.

“Well I’m not sure who they are Jo. I just got here…”
Her voice was quiet, but for her unease or the slumber of the children, one could not be sure. She continued to look her over. Marie could feel questions grow in her like a blooming flower in the midst of spring, but kept them hidden beneath a veil that kept her face in a warm and inviting smile. She couldn’t make assumptions so soon.
“I’m Marie Grestofski. Counselor.”
Hearing their mother’s name, both boys opened their curious eyes to the world and looked upon the group of friends and strangers. Their first sight was Jo which made them both gave slightly tired laughs and reach out for the woman.

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[Kero]

Unexpected chivalry wasn’t what she had imagined the man at the fence capable of, but when the chance came to find help with her bags, Kara wasn’t going to let the opportunity slip by. She reached down to hand out the smaller of her luggage bags, smiling gratefully. The biggest worry she’d had of finding people to meet at the camp seemed entirely unfounded, and now, there was quite a few to greet, but Kara, being who she was, figured she was up for the challenge.

“Hey, at least you aren’t the newbie now, hm?” trying to look on the bright side, she spoke to the newly dubbed hatman, giving him a slight wink before she glanced skeptically to the other two woman, the third of which seeming to have popped right out of a cheerful bubble. Mentally, she groaned a little at the idea of a camp therapist; she’d had enough problems with school counselors when she was young, always trying to get her to talk about why she wore gloves and refused to touch people. Though, willing to give it a chance, she nodded a bit, “Josephine…. Well, it’s good to meet you all. Marie…” she trailed off a little when she looked at the twins, smiling softly and a little wistfully, though the expression vanished soon enough.

Taking a deep breath, Kara let the air and the ambience calm her down a bit before she continued, her hand moving in a bit of a nervous habit to push that annoying strand of hair right back where it belonged, though it would only stay there for a few seconds.

“Just as I was telling this gentleman here... my name is Kara. Kara Haverston. I’m a government official sent here to evaluate the camp; I know it’s short notice. We apologize for that; the papers should have been sent out but some of the staff at the office misplaced it, so it should be coming soon.” She shrugged apologetically, bending to take hold of her larger suitcase and fiddle with the handle idly, “I’m going to need lodgings; it’s short notice so I don’t mind if you need to bunk me with one of the female staffers. I hope that’s alright?”

[Lovenu]

Jo squeaked a bit at the look Donny gave her. It was a terrifying look that intimidated her. Being a therapist, she knew what was going through his head just from that one face. He obviously wasn't fond of her... Maybe even scared. She gave as friendly and warm a smile as she could manage, at least TRYING to make a good impression even if it wouldn't help much. She sighed and looked around awkwardly before turning to the twins and giving them each a kiss on the forehead.

She then turned to Kara and gave another one of her trademark sweet smiles, "Well eet's a pleasure to meet you!" she said with a lilt. Jo was planning on kicking Swift out of her office meaning that there'd be an open room. She didn't want to offer just yet though, not wanting to seem creepy.

[Lexxi]

She could have easily given this woman an earful with imprecations and accusations. She could have turned away right then and there without a word. The possibilities for how Marie could have responded to the woman at that moment, but she knew better. Though she (and most of the world) had no real respect for anyone in direct contact with the government, there was little choice for her in the matter. The Psychonauts were, after all, funded and endorsed by the government and it was the government that paid the salary she needed for the two boys nestled in her arms. One false move in their presence and that could all fall away and leave her in a box on the side of the road somewhere. Still, she could not deny her own hostility the right to glaze her once bright and friendly eyes with a dark fog. It took her a moment to put together everything in her mind. This woman was trouble with a capital T and she would not have it, but what choice did she have in the matter? It was the governments world and she just lived in it. When she heard the boys laugh, that sweet and perfect tone sweeter than the voice of an angel, all that anger fell away.

Nathaniel and Damitri both were smiling at Josephine and then looked at their mother and began to coo as if talking excitedly. They were all that mattered and that meant being nice to Kara during her stay. When her eyes, still slightly tinted with caution and uncertainty, fell back to Kara, Marie gave a nod and then looked toward the silhouette of the main cabin up atop the hill.
“Well, you’ll probably have to stay at the Main Lodge. That’s where most last minute arrivals stay….I’ll see if any of the girls are willing to let you stay with them.” She turned her gaze to Josephine for a moment as if to silently ask her approval, then turned back; now eyeing Donny like a hyena would a wounded gazelle.
“As for you, I’m going to need to see some paperwork. After all, we are a government facility and you being here without permission would be a federal offense.” She didn’t like him. The aura he gave reminded her of her dad and everyone he associated with and his manner was far from that of someone she could trust. Even the boys seemed to pick up on this; Damitri sticking his tongue out at him. “And we don’t want to have to get rough.” Nathaniel this time seemed to demonstrate her words, tossing his bear at Donny, but it was caught seconds later by a wisp of violet, psychic energy and brought back to his little hands. Marie’s expression switched once more to a smile.
“Shall I give you a tour of the camp?”

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[Kero]

It was a typical reaction all around.

Kara was used to this, but that didn’t stop the sting of hoping every time one went out into the field that it might be different. To the general populous, the word ‘government’ in itself was very nearly evil. And anyone who worked for the government was going to be something they didn’t want. Tax returns, land ownerships, business contracts, funding papers… Kara had done it all and yet every time it was the same. She didn’t really know why she was so optimistic that it could be different. As they watched, they could see her optimistic expression fall a bit while she sensed the hostility, the short-haired, dirty-blonde woman looking away in order to distract herself with her bag.

“Thank you… for the welcome. It’s more than I expected…” not really, but she felt like she had to say something halfway nice, glad at least of Jo’s sweet smile, “…I don’t think I’ll take a tour quite yet. If it’s alright with you, I’d much rather get settled into a room.” The short pause she took at that moment was filled with a glance at the children in Marie’s arms, a very slight smile on her lips, “…they’re beautiful…” but coughing to hide the distraction, she composed herself for the moment. Kara loved children, but she couldn’t let herself get too close; she knew that.

“Donny here has offered me some help in carting my bags up to camp….. So maybe we could get that done before anyone kicks anyone out?” Kara tried to say that gently, wincing a bit. She wasn’t coming off to a good start, she knew that, “……uh… and… I love the scenery up here.”

[Lovenu]

Jo nodded when Marie looked at her, "Yes, she can stay een my room eef she likes... Eet's very nice!" said Jo with a small grin.

Jo suddenly looked at Donny as he asked her a question. Donny intimidated her a bit. There was just something about this man that made her feel uneasy. Scared even. Ever since that look he gave her, and also just his mannerisms. She chuckled nervously and replied, "Well um... I wouldn't say crazy... Maybe uh, more like... Um... Just wants to do a good job?" she said rather stupidly. She was a bit on edge but tried her best to remain friendly and charming. She suddenly felt very awkward.

[Kero]

“No one said crazy…” Picking up on that one, the hassled government official moved to take up her bags, giving Jo a long, measuring look. But she didn’t really find anything wrong with the therapist. In fact, it was amusing to think that the woman would be afraid of Donny. Kara herself…. Well, she found the man to be rather engaging, if a bit brash. Perhaps she was just used to dealing with men like that. Either way, he didn’t seem to phase her one bit, not like Marie did, with her silent but expected hatred.

Oh yeah… still have to deal with that. Try not to look like a twit, Kara…

“I can? Well…. that’s really quick and convenient, thank you so much, Jo. I’ll try not to intrude on anything, alright?” with her bag now thoroughly checked and rechecked, the woman straightened up, adjusting her gloves again and breathing in deeply. She had to remember who and what she was, after all, and having done this before, she knew better than to expect everyone to like her, even in a place as friendly as a summer camp.

“The next few weeks will be critical in determining if this camp is still suitable for government involvement. I trust you and the rest of the staff here will understand that. However, I do not intend to hover like some government vulture waiting to pick apart everything done wrong. I do expect respect, however, and will show it in return to those who give it to me….. I don’t want to be your enemy. I want this camp to keep going as much as you do.” she narrowed her eyes, beginning to walk up the path again, going around people if she needed, “I can take care of myself, so you’ll barely know I’m here. Jo…? Can you show me where I’ll be staying? If it’s not too much trouble, I mean… I’d just like to get some of this stuff unpacked.”

[Lovenu]

Jo nodded, "Oh yes, ov course!" she said as she began to walk towards the main lodge where her office was located. Now that Swift was out, she had felt a bit lonely. Maybe this new woman would keep her company, Jo could always use more friends.

She felt a bit bad that she didn't set up the place beforehand, but then again, she didn't know that she'd be having a new roommate. She continued her walk, occasionally looking behind to see if Kara was following or not. She wanted to make sure that Kara felt welcome here. She didn't want to lose the best job she'd ever had...

[Kero]

{{if Lex wants to come back in, she can, but for now, I'm moving this along!}}

“Well…. that’s it then. Uh… Donny, come on, please…” hoping she wasn’t being too rude, Kara picked up her things, nodded to herself, and set to follow the French woman wherever she may lead. Despite that Jo was a therapist, Kara was trying not to let choice of profession affect her too much. She knew all too well the opposite end of that double-edged sword. And honestly, she did want to get along with people here. It had been too long since Kara had been let free from her stuffy office, where everyone seemed scared of her because she kept her distance from the workforce as a whole. It was almost jarring to be set on a free reign.

Most other times she had gone out, Kara had known just what to do and how to do it. She hadn’t had to get close to anyone, or anything, in order to do her job and do it well.

This felt a lot like a vacation and blind date all rolled into one.

“So… how do you like working at the camp…?”

[Lovenu]

"Oh me?" said Jo as she was addressed, "Oh I love workeeng 'ere! Ze children are so adorable and fun, ze truly make eet all worzwhile, not zat eet eesn't all worzwhile..." she said with a sweet smile, "And zere are some really nice staff members 'ere who are very kind to me... Especially Monsieur Pyroxis..." she sighed dreamily as she headed towards the main lodge with her wonderful new 'friends'. She turned and looked back at Donny with a sheepish grin, still feeling a little awkward about the 'look', "So uh... Are you new to ze camp yourself Donny? I promise, I'm not tryeeng to kill you" she said with a chuckle.

Jo may have been sort of ditsy, but she was still a therapist and therapist's had they're own way of 'reading minds' that psychics could never accomplish... Unless the psychic was a therapist themselves of course. She knew Donny was uncomfortable, and she was going to try her absolute best to make Kara's first day wonderful, and Donny's day nice and interrogation-free. She hummed as she walked along the path waiting for her answers.