At least they don't have to set up a printer yet

[Lenore & Moira Sanders]

The top (third) floor of the small office building used to be a dental practice. It looked like a dental practice still, with the muted seafoam wallpaper and nondescript tan carpets. Even with boxes stacked in the reception area, there was a distinctly dental feel to the whole place, and the two women who were hauling in more things--desks, lamps, and other furniture--hated dentists. The fact that their office was tiny and still had a framed x-ray of a jaw on the wall didn't help much. Luckily, it didn't take too long for them to replace it with a photo of Franklin, and set up their desk and bookshelf.

In the back of their heads, Lenore Sanders and Moira Patel were wondering if they should stop speaking in unison. It was easier for them to speak that way, but they'd had coworkers who had found it creepy. But they had a feeling that Gerard Mayburry wasn't unsettled by much. They hadn't known him for too long, but he'd been friendly enough, even before their speech at Hammel's graduation.

"Sir, where do you want these boxes?" Moira popped her head inside her boss's office, leaning against the doorframe, two cardboard cartons stacked in her arms. They were heavy, theoretically too heavy for a woman of her build to be carrying on her own, at least at the same time. Damn files.

Luckily, there were two more boxes of damn files, so Lenore was right behind her, balancing a loose stapler on top. "Sir, where do you want these boxes?"

They didn't even have a filing cabinet yet.

[Gerard Mayburry]

Gerard had never had any problem working with women. In fact, he owed his life to a meta-human woman. But he definitely had to admit that his first few days working with Lenore and Moira were strange. He’d had to read and re-read the literature he’d been given about Gestalt pairs because he just didn’t get it. The concept of one woman in two bodies just…didn’t compute. It didn’t help that they spoke separately (so far? He’d heard rumors), had separate names and one husband between them.

God help Gerard understand his new agents, ‘cause they weren’t going anywhere soon, it seemed.

The good thing was that they were useful for heavy lifting. Very heavy lifting. Gerard had needed to swallow his pride and upbringing to even let them handle the boxes. They hadn’t known each other long, but he could tell that Lenore and Moira would want to do their own heavy lifting.

One of the twins stuck her head in his door and he straightned up from his crouching position, digging through a box of office supplies and baubles to clothe his naked desk. Gerard winced a bit and shook his head rapidly, reminding himself that he wasn’t seeing or hearing double…well, not technically anyway.

“Right in here will be fine, ladies.” He said gruffly, gesturing to the corner where the filing cabinet would be…eventually. “I’ll take care of ‘em when the cabinet gets in. ‘Got a feelin’ they’ll need some sifting through, so we all might be lookin’ at ‘em again someday.” Rubbing his hands on the sides of his slacks, he stepped aside to allow the women easier access. “Anything you need help with? I’m not much of an interior decorator, so the longer this---“ he gestured to the city-scape of boxes stacked neatly against the walls “---goes without me lookin’ at it, the better.”

[Lenore & Moira Sanders]

Yes, the twins could absolutely do their own heavy lifting. They were used to it by now. So despite their three-inch heels--they wore them to appear taller, even if it only made them average-height--they weren't even breaking a sweat carrying the boxes. They were just unwieldy, not heavy. "Yes, sir." "Yes, sir."

Moira and Lenore brought in the boxes and added them to the row against the wall. They were really going to need filing cabinets, and soon. And unless someone was going to take over the office management part of their job description soon, it was going to be up to them to make sure it happened. Without saying anything, Moira pulled out her phone and quickly wrote herself a note, then checked her mail. Oh, good. They had been waiting for this message.

"We've been assigned some of the staff. It looks like they took your suggestion on Jefferson, Rana, and Kells." Lenore didn't even have to look at Moira, just read off what she saw with her sister's eyes. They'd met two of the new hires previously, Rana while they were at Hammel. "But you still have to do interviews for recruiters. You should have an email with the candidates resumes attached."

Of course, Gerard had actually asked them a question, so they had to respond to that as well. "And no, thanks. We have our office arranged" "more or less." Moira smiled a little as she added to the end of Lenore's sentence. "And we've made a note to make sure the rest of your furniture comes in. We might have to see if we can get a receptionist as well." The first "we" referred to her and her sister, of course, but the second one extended it to him. "Is there anything we could be helping you with?" "Is there anything we could be helping you with?"

[Gerard Mayburry]

The silence was thick in the room when Moira pulled out her phone. Not because Gerard was displeased, though he wasn’t fond of smart phones, but simply because there was nothing to say. He was never a man to speak when there wasn’t something to speak about, but he made the assumption that Moira and Lenore weren’t rude enough to whip out the tech device without some necessity.

He was rather pleased to discover he was at least partially right. He nodded tightly at their affirmation. “Good. They’ll make a good team with us.” Gerard looked to the box that housed his computer as Lenore pointed out he’d have to look over resumes. Right. He forgot that part. Being a director was a bit of a drag, wasn’t it. But it was a nice change from gunfire.

“I’ll look to them once I get the computer set up. Otherwise they can wait until I get to the laptop.” He mumbled gruffly. Computers weren’t his bag either, but he could make one work, and work well. He was no whiz, but he was good enough. Too old for all the fashion-tech that littered the streets these days, it seemed. He really did prefer his old, clunky Dell desktop…but the government had supplied some fancy new PCs for the operation. He couldn’t just say no, after all.

Gerard did his best not to wince when the two women spoke off and on in unison, their speech flowing in and out of each mouth as out of one person. They are one person he chanted in his mind, acclimating himself to the alien notion. “Thanks for keeping the fort down, ladies. You’re doing a bang-up job.” He commended, appreciative that they were looking out for the little things he had looked over. “For now, let’s take a break.”

As he was making his suggestion, Gerard moved behind his desk, picking up a small cooler by its handle and setting it on the desk. He opened it and looked offeringly to the twin women. “Water? I…honestly can’t ever tell when you ladies are tired, but I know I’m thirsty.” With that, he uncapped a bottle of water and took a long drink, sighing after wards. “Help yourself.” He entreated.

[Lenore & Moira Sanders]

"Dr. Carson should be in as soon as next week as well." As the science and medical officer, the older woman had been appointed before even Lenore and Moira's resume had been accepted for consideration. They didn't know if the Gerard knew the woman, but they had never met her. "There were some problems with her daughter's school transfer, we believe." Lenore and Moira were looking forward to having more people in the office and actually starting their work. It was hard to act as liaisons while they waited for the board to get their acts together and name a new Head of Hammel. But it wasn't as if their office was anywhere close to efficient either. At least at the moment.

They would be making sure that changed very soon.

The twins glanced at each other sideways, as if inspecting to see if they actually did look tired. Their hair was pulled back rather severely, but the collar of Lenore's shirt stood slightly askew. Without comment, she reached up and corrected it until Moira approved. "We don't get tired easily, but thank you." "We don't get tired easily, but thank you." Moira stepped forward and took one of the bottles, opening it but not drinking right away.

The liaisons each took a seat on one of the sturdier stacks of file boxes. Breaks were uncommon occurrences for them. At least for both of them at the same time. Usually one could keep working and the other would take some time for mental relaxation. It worked for them. "Have you found a place in town yet, sir?" It would take a while for them to be less formal with their boss, if it ever happened. Moira took a drink from the water bottle, then wordlessly passed it to her sister, who also drank.

[Dr. Alana Carson]

Alana's nose scrunched the second she walked through the front door of the office. It wasn't as quality as she would have liked, but she supposed it would do. Until she fixed it anyway. The wall color alone was the recipient of most of her distaste, reminding her far too much of the hospital she once worked for. That would definitely be the first thing to go.

She straightened the jacket of her suit as she wandered across the building. Her morning had been chaotic thus far, as she fought with receptionists, secretaries, and school administration over her daughters transcript. Yes, they had been giving her trouble. No, she wasn't going to take it.

The reception area was devoid of other life, but it wasn't difficult to follow the sound of talking to find her new coworkers. "As soon as now, actually," she corrected as she invited herself into the room. She smiled at the two woman that mentioned her name. "That is being sorted. But not to worry, it's nothing that unusual for an out-of-state transfer. Most of the problem is in the curriculum, you see." She tilted her head slightly and shrugged. "What's a mother to do? I can pester them, certainly, but it's really between the schools now."

That being said, she had other more important business to attend to. "I do believe formal introductions are in order. Dr. Alana Carson, as I'm sure you have presumed." She held out her hand to shake the gestalts', then walked over to Gerard's desk to do the same with him.

She glanced at the boxes scattered about the room before addressing either of them again. "I notice you are busy setting up the office. Where exactly will I be stationed, might I ask?" Having scoped out the rest of the headquarters, she already had a certain location in mind. Granted, she couldn't always get what she wanted, but if they weren't going to let her stake he own claim, she was going to find a way to get them to change their minds.

"I think it would be a good idea to repaint as soon as possible," she added. "The green dampens the atmosphere, don't you think?"

[Gerard Mayburry]

Gerard nodded. “Right. I’ve been informed of her delay. But from what I’ve encountered of Doctor Carson, she’ll get things worked out.” He hadn’t had the opportunity to meet with her first hand, but their email correspondences had been telling. She was a shrewd woman, focused and determined. Something the Operation Patriot team could use. He approved of her greatly, though that was a given: he’d had a hand in hiring her, after all.

Smiling tightly, Gerard nodded. In fact, he felt rather foolish, but opted not to betray it. He couldn’t get his mind of the fact that he was really going to have to adjust to working with a Gestalt pair. Pretending it was just a twin thing wasn’t going to be enough, or so it seemed. The worst thing was that they made him feel inferior. He knew they were only using their talents as efficiently as possible, but did they really have to carry both those enormous boxes at once? Cut pride aside, Gerard chuckled. “I’ll be sure to remember that if you’re ever late on a deadline.” He teased, hoping to ease his own mind by lightening the more formal mood.

“Not just yet, no. Nothing permanent, I don’t think anyway. There are a couple of town houses I don’t mind. Gotta have room for when the kids visit.” He explained. He’d hated leaving Tyler and Alyssa, but Aly was already almost through college and would be her own woman soon. And Ty was already in high school. He knew they understood that he’d needed to leave for the job, but it still hurt. Leaving room for them to visit was the best he could do.

He perked when Doctor Carson entered the room, standing when he she spoke. He nodded her inside. “Doctor Carson, welcome to Headquarters. Or the start of it, anyway.” He extended his hand to her outstretched one, shaking it firmly and pleased that she returned in kind. Doctor Carson was definitely a shrewd woman. Almost overbearing to Gerard, who was suddenly bombarded (in his mind) with suggestions from the doctor. “You can choose the office that will best fit your needs. Right now there aren’t enough of us to be squabbling for offices.” He explained.

Gerard looked around at the muted green paint and squinted. It hadn’t bothered him…was it necessary to worry about atmosphere? He shrugged. “I’m afraid I’m used to damp. Basic does that to ya.” He studied the walls again; they were rather boring. “But if you think it will make you more comfortable, we can arrange to have the whole building painted. Efficiency is key, ladies.”

[Lenore & Moira Sanders]

"We won't be." "We won't be." Though they had small smiles, there was a slight tinge in their voices. Even joking about missing deadlines offended them a little.

Their own home was a small rental property, currently being unpacked and arranged by Franklin. He hadn't found a job in the area yet, but they didn't doubt he would. "We found a place down on Arthur Blvd." "It's not on the lake, but it's pretty close, and it's big enough for three." And that was all they needed really. Big enough for three people and room for the boat Franklin wanted to get.

Both of the identical women turned to look over their shoulders at the older woman as she entered the room. They had heard her footsteps, but were still surprised that it was her. The pair was not surprised often, so when they were, it showed.

Tragic side effect of being right most of the time.

Both of them stood, and smiled identical smiles, shaking the doctor's hand when offered. "I am Leonore Sanders..." "And I am Moira Patel. It's good to finally meet you." "It's good to finally meet you."

And it was nice to know that so far, all their coworkers seemed just as interested in efficiency as they were. "We took the next office to the left." "And we thought you might want the space down at the other end of the hall. It does not have windows, but it has the most outlets, in case you require equipment." They traded off their sentences, one picking up exactly where the other left off. It was seamless, and not at all a reflexive intimidation technique. It had nothing to do with the fact that it was harder to be the efficient one at the office when they were competing with a woman with multiple degrees.

Yeah. Nothing whatsoever to do with that.

"And as for the paint..." "Perhaps something less medicinal?" "No offense intended, Dr. Carson."

[Dr. Alana Carson]

Seeing the obvious surprise on the twins' face pleased Alana, and her smile quickly took the form of a twisted grin. She had only been there for two seconds and she was already having fun. "It is a pleasure to meet you as well," she cheerily addressed both parties as she moved across the room.

The doctor gave Gerard a satisfied nod, secretly glad to be in control of the situation. It meant she could take the space she wanted without fuss, or so it seemed until the Gestalt spoke up. Her face fell as she eyed the pair, displeased by their suggestion. "No thank you," she said curtly, not taking kindly to their intimidation tactics. Oh, she already disliked them. "I think I shall take the one across the hall from that. I like having windows, and power strips exist for a reason, my dears."

She leaned against Gerard's desk and crossed her arms. "The wallpaper in the lobby is rather old-fashioned. It's in need of improvement, color aside," she explained the man, slightly irritated by his indifference. It simply would not due to have an outdated work space.

Her smile returned as she looked back at the women, things turning back towards her favor. "None taken," she replied, "In fact, I was thinking the same. I've actually grown quite tired of it, as you might imagine." Sometimes things got old, that was just a fact of life. She wanted a newer, fresher experience. Working out of a dentist office was going to be taking a step backwards, if she didn't fix it first.

"We should probably stick to something more neutral, though," she concluded, "An office really isn't the place for outlandishly bright colors. Just don't pick tan, unless you want to replace the carpet as well." She laughed at her own joke, turning to Gerard. "That would be an unnecessary expense I think, unless someone has a strong dislike of tan carpet."

[Gerard Mayburry]

“Arthur Blvd, huh?” Gerard mused, scrubbing a hand over his face. He’d looked around that area, but it was all…just a little much for him. He liked things simple. Quiet. Not overstated or worse, overcrowded. He liked people on occasions, but he much preferred his privacy when he was at home. Something quiet, something simple…like fishing.

Maybe he did want to be by the lake.

He sensed a bit of posturing going on the in room between the women. His eyes flicked between them all as they conversed about offices and paint. Woman things, he supposed. Gerard was still having problems understanding the issues with the paint, let alone the stand-offishness that seemed to crop up regarding the offices.

Though he remained as silent as he could, for as long as he could, he didn’t think it was necessary to goade Alana by refusing to give in to her demands. And granted, they sounded quite a bit like demands. He nodded his agreement to Alana. “You’re right. Even I noticed the wallpaper.” Gerard murmured, peering around at the stack of boxes that was his office. “We won’t be changing the carpet, obviously, but we do need to get this place in shining shape ‘fore we start anything big.”

He looked back to the doctor. “Doctor Carson, since you seem to have the strongest opinion about the wallpaper in the lobby, why don’t you take some time when you get the chance to find us a cheap and good-looking alternative?” Hopefully giving her some say would get her to lay down her hackles. Gerard didn’t like the tensions that seemed to be brewing. “Lenore and Moira…Why don’t you keep an eye out for new paint?” Gerard rubbed his hands together and stuck them in his pockets. “And I’ll keep on keepin’ on with this moving and unpacking business.’

[Lenore & Moira Sanders]

Oh. All of thirty seconds into their first conversation and the twins already disliked their new coworker. Intensely. But it was fine, since they had their office already marked out.

"Certainly, sir." Lenore nodded as Moira pulled out her blackberry again and entered in a note. Until they got that secretary or an office manager, they had a feeling a lot of headquarters support would be coming from them. And that was almost fair, because they could not really start on their own work until HQ was running. Contending with Hammel was going to be hard enough with a full staff, but it would be impossible. And so far, the only other meta hired was Tarak Rana. The doctor and the soldier had no idea what they were up against.

"Does anyone object to yellow? A nice pale gold and perhaps a warm brown? We can bring in some paint chips, and make sure they will match to whatever you want for the lobby, Doctor." The twins had been planning on going to the hardware store sometime in the next few days anyway, as Franklin wanted to look at sheds for the boat they were going to get.

The identical women stood and brushed off their skirts, glancing at each other to be sure they still looked impeccable. "Is there anything you need help moving in, Doctor Carson?" "Is there anything you need help moving in, Doctor Carson?"

They didn't like the woman, but they were going to be professional.

[Dr. Alana Carson]

Alana grew smug when Gerard agreed with her, even more so when he designated the task of selecting wallpaper to her. "I would be delighted," she said brightly, glad to have control of the situation. She might have hated all the work that came with an administrative job, but she certainly didn't mind being in control.

Her grin didn't lesson when Gerard offered the other woman the job of selecting paint instead. In fact, she was quite cheery about it, even before they said they'd match it to her choice of wallpaper. "Yellow sounds lovely, and it shouldn't clash with the flooring either." They would have the place looking like a real headquarters in no time. The sooner they got rid of the dentist crap, the better.

The doctor appreciated the offer of help, but she was going to abuse it as much as she could. "Yes, thank you. There are a few things in my car, and having help would make the process of moving them go much faster." By a few things, she meant two boxes, and while neither of them were heavy, and she could probably carry them up herself, she wasn't going to turn down the opportunity of having someone else do it for her. Besides, they had offered. "We can get them whenever you finish your break."

And by that, she meant now. She gave Gerard a short nod as she shuffled towards the exit. "Very good. Come along then, ladies." The doctor was going to take his mention of getting back to work as the conclusive end to the break. That was good enough for her, anyway. "I'm glad the building has it's own parking lot," she continued conversationally. "This may be a small town, but I wouldn't be surprised if parking on the street got to be a nightmare. Particularly in winter."

[Gerard Mayburry]

Gerard was starting to get a little uncomfortable, so he turned his attention back to unpacking the few boxes he had. “And on that note, Ladies. Consider this little meeting adjourned. I’ve got a conference call later today that I’ll need to be at least semi-unpacked for.” The women were already leaving him, so his dismissal seemed rather useless, but it was still good to put a reason for the door he was about to close.

“Good meeting you ladies, I look forward to working with you.” He said, wondering how much truth there was in that statement. He was excited for his new job, and he believed in it, but his team was mostly civilians. He wasn’t sure if he was going to be able to wrangle them appropriately and efficiently—if wrangle was the proper term to use. Gerard set to unpacking his boxes, shaking his head at the slight animosity between the women who’d just left. He could only hope it would remain minimal.

He could only hope…

[OoC:: and with that, I shamelessly duck out of this thread. <3]