Tani paused at the door that lead out to the hall, listening. Her lips firmed, and she shook her head before passing out into the hall.
She shut the door firmly behind her.
___________
There was always something that needed to be done. It was why Tani enjoyed being a bookkeeper so much. It kept her busy, and when she was busy she couldn't think, and when she wasn't busy she distracted herself with people. People, she enjoyed. Isabelle, she did not. The thought was unwelcome, and distracting as Tani stumbled over a list of figures. She carefully scraped the heavy paper, and started anew. Two scrapings later, and she forced herself up, looking around the room. Barren room, cluttered by other peoples' forgotten things.
Saiyah had been too busy to help her, so Tani began puttering around, clearing the floor, and taking out the old mop she'd borrowed. Cleaning hurt, but it kept her busy. It kept her mind busy. Busy enough, except when the plant she'd almost killed --almost, but for Isabelle's aid -- kept catching her eyes. She went to the back rooms instead, moving things, cleaning things, floors, walls, windows: anything in reach.
She returned to the front room only when the pain in shoulder and pectoral muscles intensified and sharpened.
The plant stood there, idle, accusing. Yellowed leaves. Drooping leaves. She frowned at it, but it remained unchanging.
She'd forgotten the water can.
Swearing, she stormed out of her almost-office, noting that the sky had darkened considerably. Maybe enough time had passed. Yeah, right. Her knock on Isabelle's door was harder this time, and she far more certain.
She shut the door firmly behind her.
___________
There was always something that needed to be done. It was why Tani enjoyed being a bookkeeper so much. It kept her busy, and when she was busy she couldn't think, and when she wasn't busy she distracted herself with people. People, she enjoyed. Isabelle, she did not. The thought was unwelcome, and distracting as Tani stumbled over a list of figures. She carefully scraped the heavy paper, and started anew. Two scrapings later, and she forced herself up, looking around the room. Barren room, cluttered by other peoples' forgotten things.
Saiyah had been too busy to help her, so Tani began puttering around, clearing the floor, and taking out the old mop she'd borrowed. Cleaning hurt, but it kept her busy. It kept her mind busy. Busy enough, except when the plant she'd almost killed --almost, but for Isabelle's aid -- kept catching her eyes. She went to the back rooms instead, moving things, cleaning things, floors, walls, windows: anything in reach.
She returned to the front room only when the pain in shoulder and pectoral muscles intensified and sharpened.
The plant stood there, idle, accusing. Yellowed leaves. Drooping leaves. She frowned at it, but it remained unchanging.
She'd forgotten the water can.
Swearing, she stormed out of her almost-office, noting that the sky had darkened considerably. Maybe enough time had passed. Yeah, right. Her knock on Isabelle's door was harder this time, and she far more certain.
Precise. ⚜ Vivacious. ⚜ Wicked.
