[A woman wanders in with tall blue platform boots. There’s a jingling noise from the amount of accessories she is wearing. She smells vaguely of ozone but it’s mostly masked by perfume. She starts looking at some stuff on the shelves.]
-@cosettedashiell
[Silvester has spent the majority of the last two hours trying to work out, without calling the locksmith (again), how to change the combination on the ancient lock on the door that connects Storage to a tunnel that leads out of the building. It's unheard of that a place like this even allows so many easy ways for anyone to get inside! But surely once he gets this done, everyone can feel a little safer.
He's sat, cross-legged on the floor and trying to read through a physical manual while looking up clearer pictures of the process online when he hears the boots. At first he thinks it's Eryn, but... All that clinking is not as familiar. Is she carrying silverware or something?
He decides to pause his tinkering and follow the noise, until finally, he stumbles into her.]
What. How- How did you get in??
Oh hi! Mr Bouchard’s office door was locked so I couldn’t go and bother him so I decided to explore. I heard this place was interesting.
[He looks horrified, and he blinks a few times to correct that face to a slight concern.]
But the entrance to Artefact Storage is also supposed to be locked right now. I don't know how you got in here...!
I’m good at opening doors. I’m Cosette, and you are?
[He peeks down the hall, and at the very end he can see the front door wide open. Why do they even have a badge scanner anymore?
He looks at Cosette and almost sighs, but he opts for a deep exhale.]
I'm Silvester. Hodge. I run the department.
Oooh! Is it fun? Wait a minute!
[points at a painting]
That’s one of Mr. Fairchild’s!
[picks it up]
[It all happens so quickly that he doesn't even register her walking up and grabbing the frame off the wall for a few seconds; probably because he's still hung up about the entrance. He paid for the repairs out of pocket last time.]
Please put that down, you're not allowed to touch things back here...!
Awww but it’s such a pretty painting! How did you get this? Mr. Fairchild usually doesn’t give away his paintings.
Unfortunately don't remember.
[He doesn't even remember Mr Fairchild is supposed to be. Too many old people leave their posessions here...]
I'll look it up for you on our database, will you please hand it over for now?
[hands it to Silvester]
So what’s your story? Like why do you work here?
[He takes the painting - with gloves on, like it's corrosive - and he hangs it back up on the wall.]
Well, aside from all the paperwork it's a decent job. I get to hear some weird stories about where this stuff has been, what it's seen, and it's not the worst use of my skills.
What skills apply to this place?
[Cosette picks up a clown doll]
Well I studied Forensics, so whenever we come across human remains, blood spatters, weaponry...
[He turns around in time to get the doll out of her hands and back on a shelf.]
Someone needs to be available to perform tests. And also to discuss any finds with the police, if they choose to show up.
[Cosette starts tapping her fingers against the wall. It’s rhythmic.]
How long have you been doing this?
You mean working here? A while. Though I've only been running the department for two years.
[He takes note of her drumming, but it's not like that's causing any damage, so he lets it go on.]
What about you? You're familiar with Mr Bouchard, so I'm guessing you do work here...?
Oh! I don’t work here! I’m friends with one of the donors. That’s how I’m familiar with Mr. Bouchard.
[stops tapping]
I’m actually a model for a fashion magazine.
Ah.
[He doesn't know if he's supposed to be surprised he's talking to a model, or unsurprised this is yet another unauthorised visitor. He noticed her style and was sure he'd seen it before - he had Internet access in the late 2000s, which could be either a good or a bad thing. But he was still willing to believe she somehow worked here, given her confidence in strolling around the place!]
I'm guessing it's got something to do with nostalgia. That's... gyaru, right? Sorry if I'm wrong.
[Cosette nods]
Correct! Sorry about being unauthorized. Typically I just bother Mr. Bouchard but his office is locked right now. It sucks that I can’t mess with him.
I didn't think Mr Bouchard could be the type you could "mess with" at all. From my end he's always been so...
[Clearly looking for a word that isn't too mean, and struggling.]
Hard to read.
Mr. Fairchild is one of the main sources of funding and since I have connections to him, Mr. Bouchard has to acknowledge me.
Right, that checks out...
[He's finally started to connect the dots with that name. Of course, if he works here, Fairchild must've come up before!]
How do you know Mr Fairchild? Frankly, I've never even met the man in person.
My father used to go to parties with Mr. Fairchild.
Oh! So he's sort of a family friend to you. I see...
Is that why you're so certain that painting is his?
Oh yes! I have been admiring his paintings since I was 5!
That's fair. We also might have more pieces with his name on them than I give him credit for... I don't understand why I haven't really paid attention to the pattern until now.
He paints the sky a lot. All of its colors and stages…
Hmm. You know, we did receive this anonymous donation last year. It was a painting of a green sky over this little cottage... If I was able to find it, would you be willing to try and determine if it's something of his?
Hmm, I’d be glad to help! If you show me the painting, I’ll be able to help you determine if it’s his.
Goodie. You could actually leave your information to us for this... We keep some people on speed dial to help us identify certain items. Like consultants.
[Cosette digs around in her bag for something to write on. She quickly writes down her number and passes it to Silvester.]
If I ever don’t pick up, I’m probably at a modeling gig, taking care of my bird, or on a date.
Got it, a busy schedule!
[He takes her number and folds it, putting it in his shirt pocket - like he's not going to forget it's in there and almost put it in the wash - which is when he gets to glance at his watch.]
Damn, the Mikrosil should have dried... Well, thank you for offering your expertise, I guess I'll leave you a message when it's needed. I should walk you back to the entrance now, though.
Oh! Thank you. Lead the way then.
[He nods and leads her out of the hall, then turn a corner, then another... It's surprising she got this far without anyone hearing her!
And he opens the front door for her with his badge.]
Alright, you're all set. Have a good day.
Thank you! Have fun with your…storage.
I'll certainly try.
[He waves her off and closes the door behind her... And realises he needs to get back to that lock. Immediately.]