Visiting the Falls (Open to 2)

Veronica can't help but smile at Maria. "You are good girl. Full of life and joy. Don't lose it." Inwardly, Veronica knew it was probably a hopeless thing to ask. Growing up was realizing the world was honestly kind of a terrible place, with only pockets of goodwill and virtue. Hopefully.... just maybe the girl would grow up and retain that joy and love for her world. Whatever Sentinel's relation to her, she found herself appreciating how quick he moved to protect her.

She felt herself warm up, however when Sentinel's conversation followed him. Feeling a bit flush, she smiles widely at the striking young man and reintroduces herself for his sake. "Veronica Yakimov. Pleasure to meet as well, handsome." She mimics Sharaku's greeting, but she puts emphasis on the middle of the sentence incorrectly. Oh well. She thought about being a bit more blunt as her usual manner was, but there were children present, after all.

"Here? Walk after work. Need clear head. Too busy for normal these days. Worry, but can't lose focus. Running water very calming." For someone that didn't have that good a grasp on english, she sure was chatty. She smiles down at Maria, chuckling a bit at the suggestion. "Why need to? You are so nice, you already prettiest flower in garden!" The compliment was a bit oddly delivered, but she truly did appreciate the girl's enthusiasm for even the most mundane things.

Sharaku would nod when Sentinel explained the ongoings. How interesting. Maria seemed rather keen on making friends with older people. Not what he would expect out of a young girl, but it didn't appear to do any bad for her. Sometimes it was hard to get along with people in your own age group as well, so maybe it didn't matter too much.



When Veronica gave him a smile, he would return a light one, as she chose to introduce herself again. He was rather amused by the way she addressed him, but he wouldn't let that show for now. ''Ah, the pleasure's all mine, Miss Veronica.'', he would respond in a light tone. Well, this was turning out to be an interesting outing. Then again, he tended to attract attention wherever he went, even though it was usually in a different manner. Heh, but if he was to be honest, he didn't particularly mind either way. He could accomodate for the most part. He would listen as Sentinel asked her why was she here, as well as to her answer. It took him a moment to pierce it together though, as he wasn't exactly used to people with poorer grammar. She was understandable enough, but english was not his own native language either, third actually. Alas, he was more used to hearing correct grammar. ''I see...so you came here to relax, hm? Good choice I suppose. Getting overworked wouldn't be pleasant.'', he would muse a bit. It did strike him a little weird to have so much work as a school nurse though. So many sick kids these days? It might be a little alarming if it lasted for a long time... Veronica gave s sort of a compliment to Maria, and he would chuckle a bit. ''Indeed, she is. But more flowers can never hurt, right?'' Okay, that might be a bit random, but his style was never completely constant anyway.

Maria would cock her head a bit confused as to why the woman thought she would lose her joy and innocence. Was it even possible to lose those things? Evidently not because everyone liked her hugs, and if everyone likes hugs then how can they lose joy and innocence? It didn't make sense to the young girl! It was too much fun meeting new people! Oh and candy would make anyone happy too! The girl stood there listening to the grown-ups converse a bit as she swayed back and forth on her heels. The android noted how Veronica returned Sharaku's greeting and introduction calling him handsome. Was she perhaps flirting with him? Interesting, he had never seen this type of attraction between humans, was this "love at first sight?" or was this simply being polite. The android found the latter to be a bit unlikely due to the word handsome, though he would not intrude on such a matter that he had no expertise in. Furthermore, her grrasp of the English language was rather shaky, perhaps she was foreign? She sounded Russian, how interesting to meet a Russian in this place. He wasn't sure he ever meet someone with such a strong accent outside Ueitawa.

Veronica soon told them that she was taking a walk to relax from work, was she overworked? That would indicate she wasn't in a solid financial position, a spot that Sentinel had managed to keep him and Maria out of thus far. "I believe you can take some natural medicine made from herbs to help that, or perhaps a massage or visit to a hot springs would be able to help you a bit more. At least that is what I've gathered from medical journals I've read both online and in print." The android was programmed to take care of Maria, therefore it was only natural that he would care about the plights of others. Perhaps, not to the same degree, but it would be helpful nonetheless. Then they began to compliment Maria calling her the prettiest flower, and at this she would smile brightly.

"You can never have too many flowers! They're so bright and colorful! Who wouldn't like a flower!?" She would exclaim, and a soft smile crossed Sentinel's lips. She was enjoying her life and youth to the fullest. He kneeled down so he was eye level with his charge, "Take a few more minutes to collect flowers and then we gotta head back. I'm sure you are getting a bit hungry from all this running around you've done." He would say, and Maria would nod with a bright smile and skip away to collect a few more flowers. She didn't stray from Sentinel sight and was within easy reach so she could call to him or him to her if the need would arise.

Veronica would quite visibly be taken aback by Sharaku's overly polite response and expression. She looked unsure of how to even respond and even a little worried. She quickly realizes how rude that could look though and shakes it off. Returning a gentle smile. "Ah... well, yes. Too many students getting ill. Tired. Uneasy. Lot of things that sound like problem in mind and heart.... which is not my training." She sounded a bit frustrated at that. She was a good doctor, but hardly a psychiatrist. She could only make informed guesses as to the cause.

Veronica would chuckle a bit at Sentinel's over-helpfulness. "Ha! That quite many ideas. Asking me to go to hottub a bit inappropriate in front of young girl, though." She smiles and shakes her head. "Appreciate ideas though. Will be ok. Need time to think, is all." She gives an appreciative nod to the advice.

"Only bad people would not like flower. You have many good people around you, young bird." A somewhat odd nickname, but the nurse clearly meant it as a term of endearment. She looks back up to sentinel. "Wonderful child you look after. It feels good to see such smiles. Easy to spread, yes? You do well to nurture girl's joy." The compliment was awkward, but the implication that sentinel was doing a good job looking after her was there.

'...Right...'Veronica's reaction to his attitude was a tad different from what he expected, but all in all Sharaku wasn't too bothered by that. Besides, it wasn't like he was going to snoop around as to why was that so. He had had worse relations in the past, so this didn't alarm him as much as it maybe could have. And he didn't...do anything bad, did he? Well, depending on how one takes it. He would offer a lighthearted smile and leave it at that for now. ''That's strange indeed. I wonder if there's an actual cause for that...'' The idea of many students with those kind of problems was slightly intriguing. And at a point like this. There were several things that came to mind, but he ws too busy with the conversation at hand to give it more thought.

When Veronica retorted against Sentinel's suggestions, he would smile in amusement a bit. Inappropriate, huh? ''You know, I think that in itself wouldn't be inappropriate...Unless you'd plan on doing certain things there.'', he would say with a light smile. This kind of stuff aside, it appeared Sentinel was planning to leave soon, after Maria picked a few more flowers. Had they been there that long already? Time sure flew fast. ''Yes, he seems to do quite the good job. It's always good to see a happy child.'', he would comment lightly as Veronica complimented the man on his way of raising the young girl. Well, she did seem well off after all. And Sentinel appeared to care for her a lot, even if he was only her guardian. Hm, children were a nice company to have...

Sentinel cocked his head to the side when Veronica mentioned how the children she sees have problems with heart and mind. Was there some new disease floating around the school, was Maria in danger of being infected? Something that not even a nurse could handle, and the symptoms were being tired and uneasy? He glanced over to Maria, she currently did not show any of those symptoms she was acting far too healthy as she skipped around checking out the flowers and such. Sentinel would look at Veronica with a look of concern, "Are you saying there is a disease you've never seen before at the school you look for? And its infected multiple people?" It was evident he was concerned about Maria, and would like to know more. What the android failed to understand that these were symptoms of teenage heartbreak and not one of an actual disease.

When the Russian woman mentioned that it was inappropriate to mention Veronica going to the hot springs in front of Maria. He failed to see how that was inappropriate, after all he was just informing her about another way the body can relax and heal when dealing with stress or being overworked. He failed to see how that was inappropriate, he was just trying to help, not to mention Maria wasn't paying attention at that moment anyways. Even Sharaku agreed with him pointing out that she would have to intend to do something there for it to be inappropriate. Maria would nod and smile at Veronica before skipping off to collect flowers. Though only a few moments later she would mention that he was doing a good job taking care of her and even his companion agreed. The white haired android would smile a bit, it was good to know that others were approving of the job he was doing, "Thank you two, it means a lot to me." The android would use those words to guard himself from the haunting words of his creator.

"Not really disease that catch. Any other time, assume just suffer from teenage drama. But they almost... ah..." Veronica frowns, thinking hard on the word she's trying to find. After some difficulty she hesitantly finishes her sentence "Lethargic? Think that is correct. Worrying, is dozens at once. Not a few, but dozens. Why all at once? Why like that? Wishing I could help... is frustrating." The phenomenon was clearly disturbing the woman. So far outside her expertise, but she was who these kids were turning to... and she felt helpless to do anything about it.

Looking over at Maria, the smile returns to her face. "Whatever you do. Protect child. Protect her joy. Protect her freedom. Do not know family of her, but she trust you. Trust her back, yes?" She kneels down and plucks a white lily near the water, offering it to Maria. "Here, child. Pretty white flower. Remind you of strong friend. Be thankful of his care."

More talk about the strange sicknesess followed, and it was quite interesting to say the least. Lethargic? That wasn't a word one would commonly associate with young people. Rather disturbing if one considered that it was apparently happening lately. Because that would mean it wasn't the only strange phenomenon at time, and if those were connected...well, not a good combination to even think of. "That's alarming indeed. I believe there might be something causing it...although...", he would trail off, not really knowing how to put it. Besides he didn't want to simply assume right off the bat.

"No reason for thanking, after all it is the truth, isn't it? You do take good care of her, that is pretty obvious." Sharaku would smile lightly, when Sentinel expressed his gratitude. Veronica spoke about Maria again, obviously fond of her. Well, she was a cute young girl, that she was. "You really like children don't you? I suppose that comes with your job though." The question was rather rhetorical, but no matter. He just felt like saying something.

Sentinel soon came to understand that it wasn't a disease, but it was caused by something else that was affecting dozens of students. What on earth would cause such behavior if it wasn't a disease, and it affected that many students at the same time. It sounded contagious, even Sharaku was stumped by it. Wait....a thought struck him, he read that teenagers tended to be very lazy around when school started, recalling this article he would say it aloud. "I think those students are just being lazy because school just started, and not many of them would be that excited about getting up early to attend classes for many hours in the day." That seemed like a reasonable explanation to the android as to why students weren't doing so well. When Veronica said whatever he must do, he should protect the child.

"Of course, I will protect her. I don't plan on letting anyone harm her in anyway. I made a promise to her parents." He would touch the ring on his finger, as he looked over to her. He still didn't quite understand how it carried the will of Maria's mother, but it did and at that moment...he sort of believed it. As Maria came back she would accept Veronica's flower placing it in her hair, "I'm always thankful for Senty! He's always been around for me!" The young girl would say with a bright smile, and the android looked down at her.

"Speaking of which, we should go get you something to eat. It was nice to meet you Veronica, and it was nice seeing you again Sharaku." The android would say giving them a happy nod, and Maria would wave goodbye enthusiastically to both of them, "Bye Sharaku! Bye Veronica! We should play again sometime!" She would say before skipping up to Sentinel so she could keep up with him. She would grab his hand and they would leave the falls their moods much better than they were when they came.

((Exit))

"Lazy does not include seeing nurse, or lack of energy and strength... will research more." Veronica honestly hadn't a clue what was causing it. But it would look bad on her if she didn't at least try to investigate. Some part of her had to admit she was even curious from a more academic standpoint.

"Promises powerful. Never break them. Never give them lightly." As dodgy as her words were sometime, she believed in keeping hers, it seemed. The flower in Maria's hair brings her smile back as Veronica pats her head. "You are good child. Precious here." The girl was melting yet another heart, as Maria likely did to those she met.

"Ah. Very nice to meet you, Senty. You both take care. Perhaps we meet here again? Lovely place to relax." She gave them both a friendly wave to both, a kind smile on her lips as they started home. After they leave she turns to Sharaku "Apologies we did not talk much, but friend with them must be decent man. Would stay, but also must go before dark. Take care too." Veronica gives him a light bow and continues her walk, barring anything stopping her.

((Exit x2!))

Lazy, huh? That sounded like an interesting excuse for the problem, but Sharaku would probably agree with Veronica more this time. Sure, once in a while it may happen, but it would be unlikely to have so many students do this out of laziness so suddenly. Did not fit the picture very well. He would nod when she said she would research more. Afterall it was good to at least try even if she didn't have an idea as to why it might be.

Senninel was really really determined to protect Maria at all costs, from the way he spoke. "Let's hope you can make due on that promise." As Veronica said, managing to break a promise was not nice at all. But from what he saw so far, he was pretty sure Sentinel could handle this. "Yes, it was nice seeing you too. See you sometimes then.", he would say his goodbyes to the two, before turning to Veronica who was leaving too. "Ah, it's no problem. I don't mind. Have a safe trip.", he would say with a small smile. He didn't mind as much if people didn't talk to him as he wasn't actually used to it too much. Even if he'd rarely pass an opportunity to talk. Unless it was too risky for reasons. That aside, apparently he was on his own now. Well, maybe it was time to head off as well...

~Exit~