I Walk Blindfolded | Mason

[Sevanna Greenwood]

She tripped. Again. Honestly, what was Sevanna going to do with herself? She was only twenty-eight years old and the number of times she should have been dead or seriously injured was reaching three-digit numbers. Sevanna was a walking-talking hazard to herself, with the inability to actually be harmed easily. Her frequent stumbles and falls could either make her look like a complete idiot, or make her seem like superwoman. Whatever the case, she normally took it pretty lightly.

But not today, today was the first day of her new teaching job. And with her already being frazzled enough, spilling her early morning coffee on herself was not something she needed. "Stupid me had to trip down the stairs." Sevanna muttered on her way back to the staff lounge from the stairwell leading up to her classroom. Her pointed heels tapped on the tile floor as she walked. "I should have just let myself fall; maybe my coffee would have missed me altogether." Sevanna opened the door into the empty room, sighing as she peered down at her damp, black, slacks. "And this was my good suit! Ugh!"

At least Sevanna was lucky enough to be alone. Sevanna had arrived a bit early to get settled in and introduce herself to her co-workers. But did she really want anyone meeting her like this? With stained pants and her mind scattered everywhere!? She had never taught other gifted students before, and her head was pondering the differences. First impressions are lasting impressions. She thought while attempting to soak the coffee from her pants with a napkin.

After a minute or so she gave up and tossed the soiled napkin into the trash bin. If these students think they can push me around. They're wrong. And if the older, more experienced teachers want to talk down to me, well, they've got another thing coming. Sevanna leaned against some cabinets, her feet crossed at the ankles, and tried to fight off the negativity. The silence was eating at her; she needed something –or someone-to distract her. Sevanna slipped a strand of hair behind her ear as she absentmindedly grabbed another napkin and began to fold an origami crane.

[Mason McQueen]

As opposed to Sevanna’s rather unfortunate morning, Mason’s gotten quite the good morning. A klutz himself, the man’s managed to avoid his usual misfortunes – his alarm went off on time, he didn’t trip (randomly) on his way to the tub, he prepared breakfast for him and his brother without any mishaps and he didn’t forget the lab reports and exams (which he finished checking without the need for him to stay up so late at that) he’ll be returning to his students before the winter break. It’s amazing really.

Grinning from ear to ear, the man strode confidently into the staff lounge, arriving in school half an hour early for his first class (can you imagine that?). As if by instinct he went straight for the coffee machine, opening one of the cupboards to grab the filter and the ground beans. He was a little too focused on his work (he’s even humming to himself, oddly enough) that he didn’t notice that he wasn’t alone until he’s finished the coffee prep and the maker’s doing its thing.

“Oh goodness, I didn’t see you there,” chuckled the man as he turned to his side and found himself rather shocked, “My bad. I seriously did not mean to do that.” He offered the woman an apologetic smile, inwardly asking himself what her name is again. While she doesn’t really seem all too familiar, Mason easily forgets people’s names so whenever he meets a person who he knows he should know but then whose name misses him, he usually blames himself almost immediately.

Giving up finally as his mind’s not giving him anything, he extended his right hand as he said, “We haven’t met before, haven’t we? ‘Cause if we have, then I apologize. My brain apparently needs some fine tuning. I’m Mason.”

ooc:
Sorry this took so long (and if it is rather crappy). Last week was my finals week so I didn't have enough free time. And after that my muse was drained so it took me a while to recover. I promise to do better next time. So so sorry.
- Jam

[Sevanna Greenwood]

Sevanna was folding the last crease on her origami crane, totally lost in her own world, when she became very aware of a change in the room. She glanced up as an unfamiliar male face, one of her new co-workers, strolled into the lounge humming. There was no doubt in Sevanna’s mind that he was having a jolly good morning. She was kind of jealous of his happy mood.

She watched him begin to make his own cup of coffee and bounce about the lounge. He hadn’t aknowledged her as he walked by, so she decided the man didn’t want to be bothered. Besides, it was a little amusing watching him prepare his coffee; he was just so merry. A tiny smirk formed across her lips once he finally noticed her presence. “Sorry, if I scared you. I would’ve spoken up but I didn’t want to put a damper in your good mood.” Sevanna smiled, fixing her slumped posture against the counter so that she was standing straight.

Sevanna liked people and she loved to socialize, at least, most of the time. She often hosted parties at her house back before moving to Vermont. But some days all she wanted to do was curl up on her couch at home and snuggle with her two cats. Today was one of those days. Of course she wasn’t going to let Mason think she was a bitter grouch that couldn’t have a nice conversation.

“Today would be my first day as the new English teacher, so nope, we haven’t met. I’m Sevanna Greenwood. Or Vanna, for short. Doesn’t matter.” She brought her hand up to shake his, but forgot about her crane. It sat limply in the palm of her hand. “Oh, oops. I was folding a crane when you came in…” She set it down, laughing at herself softly, and then shook Mason’s hand.

“What do you teach?” She asked. She might as well get the basic questions over with.

((OOC: It's fine, I understand! I have exams and stuff all this week! Take your time with posts, life gets dealt with first. And it's not a crappy post. You're a good writer! ))

[Mason McQueen]

Mason got a bit confused when she finally spoke, instinctively tilting his head slightly to the side. “Dampen my mood? Why?” he asked, though considering his tone, the question might be more rhetorical than anything. Not that he’s barring her from answering anyway.

Suddenly realizing the weirdness of his question, the man blushed slightly and his smile got wider, his hand unconsciously scratching the back of his head. “Oh that’s a relief. I mean, I don’t have to mentally kick myself for forgetting now.” Sevanna would’ve been his tenth (or has it been the eleventh now?) co-worker whose identity he’s completely missed within the first few weeks. Quite a stellar track record if you ask him. (And yes, there’s sarcasm in the last sentence).

“You’re quite lucky. Christmas break is coming soon, so you’d have a month to get acquainted – or re-acquainted – with the Institute.” Heaven knows Mason got lost around the halls during his first month, even though it hasn’t been fifteen years since he last stepped in the place. “And you start within the next term, which is easy. I came in last year in November. People were struggling to get everything done for the finals.” He didn’t even have enough time to breathe as his after school hours were loaded with kids asking every question imaginable. Realizing how negative he’s becoming (again!), he quickly gave Sevanna a smile and added, “But don’t you worry. I’m sure you’ll get in the groove soon enough.”

His eyes brightened at the mention of a paper crane. “That’s amazing. I never had talent for that. My fingers are a little too big and I lack coordination,” he chuckled. Origami, to Mason, seemed to demand fine and precise control over one’s fingers. Wait, fine control? Hrm. Maybe he can get his hair to work with folding much better then, since heaven knows he’s better with his hair than his hands.

“I’m a Biology and Chemistry teacher. I used to handle Physics too, but thank god Kanda came along. I’d be damned grading all those lab reports and making all those exams.”

[Sevanna Greenwood]

She shrugged, not knowing whether to answer the question or not. “I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I guess everyone seems to be in better mood than I.”

Sevanna was bad at remembering names and faces as well. So she understood where Mason was coming from. She was better at recognizing a face than a remembering a name, so even if she forgot what to call a person, at least she would know if they had met. However to Sevanna, Mason seemed like the kind of guy that forgot many different things, not just names. (He came off as the type of person who couldn't find his keys though he was holding them in his hands)

And then he began to talk about school and how easy it would be to start in the next term. It brought back memories of her second year teaching and she laughed out loud. “Yeah I’m kind of lucky. I once started teaching right after spring break. It was crazy.” Vanna paused for a moment, remembering. “I was taking over a first grade class. They’re mischievous little devils!! One of them threw scissors at me and demanded to know where their old teacher went.” Those days were brutal, considering she started that job right after her small house blew up in flames which resulted in her living with a friend. (A friend who happened to have six children and a drunken husband under the same roof) A frown formed on her face; she quickly replaced it with a smirk.

She smiled at him. Everyone was always impressed with her origami skills. She didn’t understand it, but hey, it won her brownie points. “Um, thanks? It’s a hobby of mine. Origami. It comes easy to me. But I have tiny hands, so that helps I guess. You could learn with practice, it took me ages to acquire the patience and coordination that comes with folding paper. I got a lot of paper cuts in the process.” Sevanna wasn't sure if 'thanks' had been the appropriate response. Well, I'd rather be polite than rude. She thought.

“Oh wow! I couldn’t handle all of that math and science. No way! I can barely handle grading the monstrous heaps of essays I assign. I’m glad I don’t have to deal with that yet. Kudos to you!”

[Mason McQueen]

Oh. That’s why. And on her first day nonetheless. That doesn’t seem all too good.

“Don’t worry ‘bout it. Everyone has those days, nothing to fuss much about,” said Mason, offering what he believes is a warm smile. And yes, the stain on Sevanna’s attire still has escaped his attention. (Which proves Sevanna’s key-in-hand-and-yet-still-not-notice theory). Not that he can do much about it. He could, theoretically, lend her one of his spare pants he has in the trunk of his car (lesson learned from having up to six lab classes in one day, each with its own pesky, out-of-control student), but he’s not sure if it’ll fit. If she even considers his offer (once he notices the stain) at all.

The smell from the coffeemaker made the man’s smile widen even more, instinctively making him move closer to check the progress. “Pot’s almost full. Want some?” he asked, opening the cupboard to grab another mug. “Sugar and cream’s over there though,” he pointed to the one cupboard door just above Sevanna, “Would it be too much to ask for it?”

When she talked about her teaching experience, Mason’s eyes went wide. “That’s crazy,” he nodded, both amused and in awe, “I’ve only been teaching for a year. Worked for a pharmaceutical company before I moved here.” The transition was anything but easy. Thank god he had Mrs. Barnes to help him. Sad she retired already really. “You’ve handled elementary kids, I have lots to learn from you then!” he added, almost punching Sevanna on the arm before quickly pulling back. Not everyone’s comfortable with that early on, he remembers. “I think I would die if I get in a room with them. I love kids, but I just don’t know what to do with those little tots. Teenagers are a handful but at least they know better than to stab their seatmate with a pencil all of a sudden.” Though with one coming along in a few months, he should really learn how to deal with temper tantrums. More specifically, how to stay strong and not give in no matter how hard a baby cries.

Yes, he’s that much of a pushover.

“Seems like a worthy stress-reliever. And isn’t there a thing about wishes and a hundred cranes?” The man’s a little lost in (pop) culture, forgive him. “It’s not the math or science portion that bugs me, it’s their grammar. I feel like such an English teacher whenever I check their lab reports!” He blames all that shortcut-ing that happens when texting. It’s sad, but true.

ooc:
EEP. I am never on time. Apologies so much Ty. My muse seems to think that holiday season applied to him too. >.<.
- Jam