The Spiffy Brit

Posted on Mon Mar 13th, 2023 @ 10:08pm by Rebecca McMillen & Astrid Lindstorm

1,491 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: 1. Year One
Location: Ridgehaven Manor - Foyer and Parlor
Timeline: Friday August 28, 1992

Rebecca had set up a folding table in the foyer to house her folder pile and paperwork. While the Doc was busy setting up the fundamentals and the back office, she took it upon herself to meet and greet the new additions to the facility. Eventually she'd probably be there to meet and greet the students and parents, but at the moment, meeting the new additions meant the other teachers and faculty.

Between the two of them, Rebecca felt that she was less imposing than someone in a lab coat. She didn't mind, honestly. She took a look at the stack of folders waiting for her, and checked her watch. The folder she had next to consider had the name Eric on it, and that folder had nothing else in it aside from a piece of paper with her name and a picture of what to expect. "Ooooo, British. And pretty too." Rebecca said to herself, then stood to walk to the door to wait for the new arrival.

Astrid finished removing her luggage from the back of the taxi, which just really amounted to a backpack and a small duffel bag, and closed the trunk. With that, the vehicle drove off and she was standing in front of where circumstance had led her.

With a slight sigh, she made her way to the waiting figure at the door. Astrid herself wasn't all that imposing - anyone who saw her would've likely guessed academic from her simple attire that did little to attract attention. The heat and humidity of the American South made it also practical - a lightweight blouse and slacks. But all also chosen to be easy to move in, easy to blend in with.

"Hello. I'm Astrid Lindstorm, I believe I've been assigned to the English Literature department?" Astrid said to the other woman. She kept her tone even, and decided not to deviate from her English accent, even if it meant not adding a more Swedish pronunciation to her name.

Oh she looked impressive!

"Right, hello. My name's Rebecca. Rebecca McMillen, please come in. It's way too hot out here to have a civil chat." she offered, ushering Astrid in before closing the door. "Phew, never going to get used to this weather. So, hello again, I'm Rebecca. It's a pleasure to meet you." she offered, the meek mousey woman tried to be cheerful and polite, without being overly smothering in kindness.

"You can leave your bags here by the table, can I get you something to drink? We've got ice water, or if the weather isn't hot enough for you, we've got coffee or tea?"

Astrid set down her duffel but left the backpack on - that was the more important of the two in her eyes.

"Thank you, and no, thank you, I appreciate it." Astrid said, maintaining a polite smile as she took a moment to look around. Part of it was to take in the scenery, the other was more her own instinct and training - know the exits, vantage points and cover.

"So, Rebecca. Are you another member of the faculty or do you handle the day to day operations?" Astrid asked.

The building layout was standard, open and full of places to hide or take cover. Rebecca gave a nod at her dismissal of a drink. "I'm a bit of both. I'm an art teacher, but I'm also something of the doc's assistant. I'm good at meeting people, even if I get nervous if I'm not ready for it, so I try to psych myself up. Also between myself and the Doc I'm the small unassuming one, so I'm the better of the two for greetings." she responded, trying to keep up her confidence.

"I see." Astrid replied, taking things in for a moment, "In my experience, it's often the small unassuming ones you have to watch out for. So I wouldn't sell yourself short in that regard."

"You know, no one's ever really given me that kind of thought before, so I'm going to take that as a compliment." Rebecca said with a smile. "I can give you a quick tour of the facilities if you wish. Sorry but I am a bit new to the whole Administration aspect. I'm certain the Doc will have a lot more information about the goings on. I'm more of a greeter really. So, umm, Hi." she offered with a smile. Astrid's bit about 'selling yourself short' seemed to amuse her. "And, I'll try to have a little more confidence in myself, thank you."

"There's an outing on the planner for a resource trip in a day or two, and then the students are expected to arrive the day after that. At least, that's the schedule on paper."

"Paper is a flimsy thing that goes see-through when introduced to grease." Astrid commented before cracking an amused smile.

"If it makes you feel any better, I am quite out of my comfort zone. Yes, I studied literature at Cambridge, but my career took a different turn." Astrid continued, "But said career kept me out of any sort of comfort zone regularly, so normalcy in chaos."

Rebecca joined in the amused smile, "You know, I think that's a common thread to every story here. We're walking along our path, and then..." she took a few steps of her own, as though to signify being on the chosen path of one's life. As she took a few steps, her thin, tapered tail slipped out from around her waist under a sash, and started to sway as she walked. "... our life took a different turn."

"Out of the ordinary, IS the ordinary."

Astrid raised an eyebrow at the appearance of the tail, "Yes, I'm starting to get that impression. Frankly, this was all a lot bloody easier when all I had to worry about was the Cold War."

"If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,"

Astrid suddenly found herself reciting one of Rudyard Kipling's more famous pieces, "If". If something best showed British stoicism, it was "If", and given the situation, a bit of that stoicism was likely going to be needed to keep herself and others from going mad.

"...life doesn't let us choose our lot. We must make of it what we can - weather the storms without being weathered ourselves. And in our case, we must do so while also navigating those same seas by intuition alone." Astrid concluded, her frustration not so much fading away like dissipating smoke but receding like the tide.

"Oh, umm, sorry about that. It just, well, I'm trying to get it to stay wrapped around like a belt, but when I'm comfortable, when I'm relaxed, it kinda just...... relaxes." she admitted, before turning to look at Astrid. "I hope it's not too much. I, I can understand if it's a bit much out the door. Trust me, it's attached to me and sometimes I think it's too much." she admitted with a giggle.

"I liked the poem, though. I don't recognize it though."

Astrid shrugged, "No. Not at all. My frustrations are misplaced - they're not at you. I...well, my own features are well hidden. Not so much out of any personal aversion and more because...well, let's just say there's value to being the grey woman." A cryptic smile before she changed the subject.

"The poem is by Kipling. One of his more famous works, an example of Victorian-era British stoicism." Astrid explained, "If you've heard the term "stiff upper lip", the poem is how best to explain it."

"One should absolutely take the time coming to terms with events in one's life - putting it aside does nothing. But there is a feeling of pride to be had when you can stand up straight, look adversity in the eye, and politely refuse to yield to it." That got a more encouraging smile.

Rebecca gave a nod, thinking on the moment before she smiled, "I wish I had your confidence." she admitted, a bit sheepish. "When the going got tough, I ran." she paused, "Been running ever since." she hesitated again, but for a moment. "I hope you'll stay. Or at least, give the Doctor an honest chance."

"Truth be told, I'm here because I haven't got anywhere else to go. Confidence or not, you sometimes have to flee. There's nothing wrong with that. You have to pull back, re-evaluate the situation, change a disadvantage into an advantage." Astrid replied, "So yes, I'm going to stay."

"Well then, let me be the first to say, welcome to Ridgehaven." Rebecca offered with a smile.

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