midnightstar

Since graduating from the Academy, life has been..interesting for Alisa, to say the least. She's been kept very busy, since she was upholding her promise to her mother on showing her the proper way to run the company, and it wasn't easy to put in those changes. Though it would have been a lot harder if she didn't have the support of those around her. But because of that, she hadn't been able to get time to get to visit Rean as much as she liked.

Translation: As much as she liked = every day. She did get to visit - or vice versa - at least on the weekend, and she talked to him almost every night thanks to the range on the ARCUS. Just as finished up for the night, she made her way up to the penthouse, glancing around to make sure she was alone (And you never know with Sharon) in order to take out her ARCUS once more and see if she could get a hold of Rean before bed. She was planning on seeing if he was in the area - alternatively, she was sure she could get away for a visit, if he wasn't busy.

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Honestly asking the how around Sharon was simply a waste of time at this point. Still he could not really fault Alisa for trying. This kind of idle banter was also part of their precious relationship.

Of course, that pondering is throw completely off the rails as he hears that Sharon will br out. All. NIGHT. So it would be just him and Alisa. Aidios give him strength to resist the temptations.

Aidios have mercy, Rean might not be the only one having to resist temptations. Especially if he unconsciously used that charm of his. Sharon lifted an eyebrow at Alisa's oh so casual response, and leaned forward, whispering something to the younger girl before pulling back with a giggle.

Alisa's face turned an even darker red, but shep oitnedly ignored Sharon, "I think that's everything, right?" she surveyed the table, almost desperate for a change in topic.

They were both doomed then since unless tragedy was happening in front of him, that natural charm of his was always going to be a potential hazard. To make matters worse SHaron was stoking his curiosity with how she had whispered something to Alisa only for the lovely girl to blush up a storm and try to bury the topic completely.

Alisa is NEVER going to tell Rean what Sharon had whispered to her. Ever. Never ever. Still, with everything sorted out in their respective plastic containers, Alisa turned to start towards the door.

"Ah, My Lady one more thing -" Sharon called after them.

Alisa nearly flinched, wary as she glanced over her shoulder, "Yes?"

"Have fuuuuuuuuuun ♥." Sharon beamed, waving a hand at the pair.

Alisa inwardly grimaced, glancing over to Rean and smiling weakly, "Ahah... let's go."

That is most likely for the best seeing as Rean was having a hard enought time coping with his own impulses and desires without Sharon giving her more suggestive advice.

He awkwardly waved back before turning a bigger smile to Alisa as he nodded and followed her out the door with the bag of packed food for the self starved scientists.

At least the research division isn't actually far, just a few floors down. They worked independently of R.I.T where Schmidt worked, so Alisa was more willing to cooperate with them. And to treat them with warm cookning. Maybe that was a little selfish though.

That being said, the elevator ride to their destination almost ten floors down was still a little awkward, considering she was trying not to think about the thing Sharon had whispered to her. And the fact that they were going to be alone. Actually alone.

There was no way in hell Rean would not notice that Alisa had fallen suspiciously quiet since Sharon's whisper. As such he cleared his throat while the elevator brought them down to the development branch.

"So uhm have you heard anything new from the others recently?"

Alisa gave him a startled glance, as if she had forgotten he was there with her for a second. "Huh? Oh-! Well... kind of. I spoke with Emma a few weeks ago when she was passing through town and stopped by to say hi. And I talked to Gaius -" She paused, reminded of the trip to Nord with a fond smile. "But the others have been pretty busy aside for that.

"I am guessing she still hasn't found Vita yet then." No surprise really. She did lose Ouroboros' plans in Erebonia to the man who had also stolen away his intended future.

That trip to Nord had been the beginning of so many things for Rean. But it was also when he started coming to terms with how amazing the girl by his side really was.

"That makes sense. Everyone else would be busy with everything going on in the empire. Jusis' position was not enviable in the slightest. With Rufus being assiged as Governor in Crossbell, he was left to manage house Albarea and clean up the enormous aftermath left behind by his deluded father.

"I'm looking forward to this surprise project you have to show me."

Alisa shook her head, "No, she hasn't." She admitted. She felt a little bad for her, really - Emma had spent so long looking for Vita, only to find her - and then lose her again without getting the talk she wanted. A decent one anyway.

She also didn't envy the others their positions. With the exception of Laura and Elliot, almost all of them had challenging tasks ahead of them.

"Haha, I hope you won't be disappointed then," Alisa grinned sheepishly. He was looking forward to it so much, he might have higher expectations than it deserved!

Honestly his bastard of a father had ruined the lives of so many of his friends and acquaintances while his popularity with the people unrelated to him soared.

He had even seen some of his old acquaintances in school start to voice thoughts and opinions that resonated entirely with Osborne.

Despite that the other person who often he could honestly talk to the few times they did meet was Patrick. How that had come about was a mystery in of itself.

Oh I am sure I won't be. Not if you put so much work into it."

Alisa would have a hard time being able to talk -civilly- to anyone who agreed with Osborne, knowing what she knew. On the other hand, she would definitely be surprised that he was getting on well with Patrick- surprised and ...actually glad to hear it. Rean needed at least ONE person to be able to talk to, and if Patrick had come around to be less of a...prick...so much the better!

"Oh! No no, I didn't do that much really...!" she just made it possible to get the traitors out of the company and directed a smaller group into coming up with some products for raising the public image again. Because as she saw it, they had a lot to apologize for and a alot to make up for.

Rean had his surroundings infested with such people. Still the betrayal of seeing other people start to think just like that damned man was just another blow to his heart. Rean simply pretended to not really care either way but his circle of people he got along with was dwindling rapidly.

"Well I'll let this product speak for itself since you'd keep shooting down any praise I send your way~" Rean smirked cheekily.

Hopefully those people will realize how wrong they are, and soon.

Alisa grinned in response, "I just want the people who helped to create it get the appropriate credit. She would have leaned a little into him, but by the time she thought about it, the elevator had already reached the level they were to get off.

"Oh - we're here already!" Ahahah, damn elevator being too quick. Sigh. She shifted her grip on her tupperware containers, and nodded instead. Onward! She stepped out of the elevator, starting down the hall.

"And they will. But that includes you for helping make it happen. Giving them the chance to shine and let their work speak for itself." Rean said as if he was clearly stating an absolute fact.

"So we are. Lead the way then." Rean said waiting for Alisa to take point before falling in line by her side.

That was an excellent point, she had to admit. Leave it to Rean to make that argument. She chuckled slightly, leading the way until she came to a set of doors with the plaque 'Research Division' next to it.

She pushed the doors open, where there were several researchers busy at work. They glance up when they hear someone entering, glancing first to Alisa, then to Rean and back. "Miss Alisa," one of the men greets, a puzzled look on his face, "We weren't expecting you to visit today."

"I know, I'm sorry I didn't call ahead." Alisa smiled, "I wanted to show m...yyyyyyy....." Oh god, she suddenly stalls on the word. Friend? Guest? ....boyfriend? AGGH -- she shakes her head quickly, "W--we brought food. I know you've all been working really hard - you probably haven't eaten at all today."

One of the researchers gives Rean a bit of a look at how flustered Alisa suddenly is, while another pair are standing at a table, whispering to each other and chuckling.

Rean was quite happy she didn't shoot down that point at least. A win was a win no matter what. That being said it was the moment of truth and Rean Simply stood next to Alisa looking around out of the corner of his eye. Though his look snapped sharply to Alisa when she course directed her words at the last second. Oh right food.

Rean lifted his bag to show where said meals were since Alisa wasn't exactly carrying them in a stack herself at the moment.

The other man looked surprised at Alisa's explanation (or lack thereof, in regards to Rean). "You...brought us food? Miss Alisa, you didn't have to do that...!"

"I know we didn't. But you've also been working really hard on that prototype. Is it ready?" Alisa asked curiously.

"There are still one or two bugs to work out in its programming, so it's not quite ready to be released to the public yet. If you'd like to see it, it's in the testing room now."

"In a moment. Could someone clear off a table please?" Alisa asked curiously.

"Oh! Yes, yes of course." the man turned and started to clear off one of the tables so Rean and Alisa could put the food down.

To be frank, a part of Rean was actually worried he'd be recognized as Osborne's son or the hero of Crossbell the Ashen Chevalier. His asshole of a father did not hesitate to spread Rean's fame and reputation despite the feeling of his son who would have to bear both brands of consequence born from said reputation.

So it was actually refreshing to see no one treating him differently because of that. His smile was more genuine because of that as he put the bag up on the table before taking out container after container.

Alisa was also making a point to not say his name, in case someone in the division was more aware of things. Most of them seemed to be more interested in their products than the outside world here.

That being said, Alisa didn't want to linger, so once the food was set out, she exchanged a few more pleasantries before excusing herself, since she wasn't there on business and didn't want to get held up with questions. "Over this way-" Alisa murmured to Rean, pointing at a door - there was a large tinted glass window that looked into the room, and for some reason, said window had one or two cracks in it.

Alisa looked a little puzzled, but she walked inot the room anyway - once inside, the room was fairly spacious. There was a computer system, one or two chairs and benches, and a smaller table on which there was a small round object that strangely looked a lot like the happiness hare Rean had made for Alisa what seemed like forever ago. Only made of metal, of course.

"There it is." Alisa grinned, "Let's see if it'll activate."

Rean quickly followed Alisa leaving the researchers with their quality meal while he slipped into the observation room with her, instantly taking note of the cracked window. That...shouldn't be happening since that was clearly reinforced glass.

As he drew up close to Alisa, his eyes landed on the device in the observed room. The design jumped up at him right away.

"What..."

Definitely not. Something might have impacted with the window pretty hard to make a crack like that. Also, Alisa might be blushing a little, hearing that reaction, but she's got her back to Rean, much to her relief.

Focused entirely on the computer screen as it's connected to the little unit on the table, "Let's see... it shouldn't be a problem --Ahah! Here we go.."

Words appeared on the screen as Alisa typed away on the keyboard. Her login credentials, followed by confirmation of the login and secret code, which then got her into the actual system. A moment later, there was a soft hum and a cute little chime emitted from the unit, as the previously dark eyes suddenly lit up a bright blue.

"Unable to identify user. Please state user identification." Said the Unit in an almost cold, mechanical voice.

"Alisa Reinford."

"Registering." Beep beep. "Registration complete." And then the voice changes to one far less mechanical, and almost friendly, the mechanical bunny ear-like antennae swiveling slightly before turning in Rean's direction. "RUMU unit active. Good morning Alisa." It ... says this to Rean though. Silly thing.

Rean patiently waited for Alisa to initiate the program. But then the little cute machine whirred to life and actually spoke. Only to the wrong person which in turn made Rean chuckle softly after stepping a little closer.

"Not quite RUMU. I'm Rean. Alisa is over there." He said pointing to the blonde. He was talking to the little machine as naturally as he would to a small child though. talking to artificial entities did become second nature thanks to all his time spent with Valimar.

Alisa chuckled when the machine addressed Rean, and watched at the unit focused its attention on him at the correction. "Understood." A slight pause as it modified its response, "User 'Rean' stored. Good morning, Rean." And then it turns to Alisa. "Good morning, Alisa."

Alisa giggled, "Good morning, RUMU." She glanced at Rean a little shyly, "You've.. probably noticed about its design already. The RUMU units were created to be a sort of low-cost unit for the disabled, or playmate for children, or just a general helper around the house. Though it's not actually been tested out in 'field' yet." She was thinking of bringing one to the penthouse later, to see how it worked.

"When we were discussing the designs, I wanted to have something harmless and cute... to offset the things that have come out of Reinford before, and I remembered when we were in Ymir, and you made me that hare." It was unbearably cute, so it was perfect. "Of course it's nowhere near as advanced as Valimar or anything. It's learning capability is much more limited."

The fact that it could learn just after being corrected once was nothing short of impressive. After all Valimar took plenty of time to start sounding as Human as he sounded now.

"I thought i recognized it. Yet I have to say that design definitely suits it. You are quite the cute little critter." He said turning a smile over to Rumu. Alisa's explanation made perfect sense though.

"Oh he can help around the house too? How exactly?" he asked curiously.