h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

*a tall, thin, waif-like woman stooped under many books walks nimbly over the rubble with a timid grace. She has golden blonde hair tied back in a very untidy bun stuffed through with pencils and pure black eyes that are always looking at the floor; she is pale and has dark rings around her eyes as if she rarely sleeps*

Where is my class....class??

*The captain looks up sharply at the sound of her voice and quickly moves to guide her away from the unstable structure*

Dont worry please madam I'm sure your class is fine, we've already freed most of the children and we have a medic treating any injuries.

*admires the chaos his handy work has created*

*doesn't look up at the captain, she is ashamed of her black eyes...non-human eyes....a memory flashes but she forces it back down*

Thank you sir, but I was supposed to be teaching a class here now

*some of the books she is carrying start to fall*

*He crouches down and starts to pick up her books, and as he glances up catches a glimpse of the figure watching. He frowns suspiciously then continues to pick up the books *

I don't think there will be lessons here until the building is completely stable madam, maybe you should go home and rest?

*Whilst searching the debris she comes across a very small peice of metal, it is a type of metal that she has never seen before, it's very light, what can it be and where can it have come from. She carfully places it inside a small bag she has brought with her*

*she blushes, unused to people helping her; she takes the books from him shyly and raises her head to smile at him*

*her obsidean eyes meet his and she looks down abruptly, she curses herself for forgetting to look down*

I cannot go home, sir. The school is my home

*He frowns at her and wonders why she keeps looking down, oblivious to her worry about her dark eyes*

You live here?

* He glances back at mess caused*

Well I'm afraid you cant stay here tonight madam, the building is too unstable. Have you a friend to stay with or money for the inn?

*Shairi lands opposite the scene of the collapse as Cal. She sees him watching.*

Just like him to gloat, isn't it? </>

*She watches the workers clear the bodies. Terrible, terrible. Assassination was quick and clean, and with as little collatteral damage as possible- this was terrorism. Cal had never been orthodox, preferring "accidents" to cover his tracks to caution never to make them. She had recourse. She could go to the Guild. But...*

*Shairi disappears again.*

I have no friends, sir....*there is a sad smile on her face*

I shall sleep here, if you have no objections.

*he sees Shairi in the distance*

*lowers her voice*

Sir, there is a gentleman over to your right.

*His eyes widen *

I have many objections; I wont have this building collapse with you inside it!

* He sighs and sits with his head in his hands for a minute*

Fine, well I'll try and see what I can pull down at the inn or if not you'll have to stay with me

*He takes her hand and helps her up*

If you have no objections madam

Why would you object? But if you insist then I shall not stay here....you needn't trouble yourself about finding me a room. The streets are warm enough tonight to sleep there

*she blushes at the thought of sleeping in the same house as this handsome and kind gentleman*

*Frowns darkly*

*whispers* I know I&#8217;ve seen him */*

*places a hand on his forearm gently and warmth rushes through him; it is a simple spell but effective*

Calm yourself, sir

*cal see people taking notice of he, he decides this will be a good time to leave*

*sighs gently*

I have to finish here, you must have an idea something is going on? You can either stay here and wait if you want or go down to the inn- tell them the captain of the guard sent you and he'll be along later. I dont care what you do as long as you dont hurt yourself

I shall stay and help you; you look shattered

*she drops her books, glad for something to do, and rolls up her sleeves*

*her pale skin and extremely thin stature makes her look very fragile on the rubble*

Now what do you want me to do?

*looks at her determined expression*

How strong are you? I dont want you near this building, we dont know wether its finished collapsing. If you want to help, help the medics. You're students will be among the injured