From Russia With Love

Posted on Tue Feb 7th, 2023 @ 2:37am by Kranny Shtorm & Rebecca McMillen
Edited on on Tue Feb 7th, 2023 @ 2:42am

1,430 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 a very interesting name on it... "Shhhturm? Shhtorm? Shtorm? Better practice this now Becca. Can't fuck it up in front of him." she didn't even consider calling them Kranny on the first meeting. That would be rude.

She checked her watch. Hopefully this guy could find the place. Ehhh, rugged looking survivalist, probably lived in the woods. She was sure he'd have no trouble finding the place.

Shtorm walks out of the woods with a map that has definitely seen better days. " Is this the place or was I supposed to take a right at that rock that looks like a face" he thought to himself.

He walks up to the manor inspecting it, looking at the windows, doors, seeing good exits and the closest paths back into the woods should this encounter go bad or simply be a trap by Stalin. Can't rule out what that paranoid manic would do.

He finds the front door or what he thinks to be the front door. "ok, its now or never" As Shtorm gives the door five firm knocks.

Rebecca looked up at the series of knocks. Heavy, firm. She rose from her seat, and made her way over to the door and checked through the spyhole. That... yeah he matched the photo. So many TALL people, geez. They were going to have to raise the roof at this rate. She opened the door, and gave the woodsman a smile, looking up at the towering man.

"Mr Shtorm, welcome. My name is Rebecca, it's good to see you. Please, come in."

Shtorm looks into the manor then to Rebecca and gives a warm smile. "Just Shtorm is fine, I don't need no formal Mr." As he chuckles a bit. He puts the large burlap sake he was carrying down next to him and puts out his hand to shake. "So I guess this is the right place then, Ridgehaven Manor?"

She moved to allow the towering man to enter, "You've made it to the right place. Ridgehaven Manor." she motioned around to the interior of the manor. It was very well kept, and freshly maintained. The only thing that really stood out was the hastily put up folding table, which was mostly there because prior to that decision, a table wasn't there to host the blonde's coffee and stack of paperwork.

"Can I get you a coffee or something? We've got a kitchen, so I can get you coffee? Tea?" she offered, trying to be hospitable. "And, as the greeting face of Ridgehaven, before we get too deep into the here and now, if you have any questions or comments please, please just let me know." she offered, a cheerful smile on her features. "Here to help, after all."

"coffee would be wonderful, thank you." Shtorm moves into the manor still taking in the building. He heads over to the table assume it was next step or like a sign in or something of that sort.

Shtorm turns to Rebecca "So honestly i'm.... new to this country and this kind of situation. So i'm not sure exactly what questions I would ask that would be considered normal. My main concern at the moment is a nice warm place to sleep, warm meals, friendly faces and a safe place." Shtorm hesitates for a moment. " And i'm not sure if anyone would be looking for me, I don't wish to cause any kind of disturbance or put anyone else in any form of danger."

He looks froward almost like he is looking past the world and more in a memory. " My.....comrades and I did not leave on such good terms." Shtorm says with obvious regret.

She turned to listen to his plight, and gave a nod. The table didn't have a sign in sheet, that might come later for the students. "And everyone's got history. That's probably something the Doc will touch base on, but I can't imagine he'd pry." she offered as a thought. "As for not knowing which questions to ask, you know, I understand that." she sympathized.

"Best I can offer is, this is a friendly place, we're all here to help each other and people who can't help or protect themselves." she clarified. "And, I can understand leaving people behind. And even not on the best terms. I have two sisters and, yeah.... not looking forward to seeing them again."

"SO... coffee." she cheerfully announced, and started to lead Shtorm to where the coffee and tea stations were set up. Taking the lead, she lead him into the other rooms. "So, how *do* you like your coffee?"

Shtorm smiles at her words. "It's comforting to know others are in the same kind of boat." As he walks with her. "I'm sorry you are not on good terms with your family. In the military the man next to you was ones family but i've never had a real sibling." As he stays silent for a moment. " But ya I take my coffee black. Milk, creamers, suger, etc was something we didn't get on the battle field but after a few years without all of that it kinda become my go to." He responds with a small laugh.

She gave a slow nod, "Ehh, actual siblings are trouble, but I appreciate the sentiment." she offered as a response before finding her way to the coffee station. Finding a mug that seemed appropriate for him, she poured himself a full mug of life giving coffee. "Just to let you know, help yourself if you want to try flavoring your coffee, and yes yes I know, Coffee has a flavor. It's coffee flavored." she giggled.

He chuckles back. "I might have to try. New world, new life, new experiences". As he takes a large sip and a satisfying "ahhh" afterwords.

"So I guess the big question then would be want would my responsibilities here be? I know there is no such thing as a free meal." As he takes another sip from the mug.

"Teach students how to handle themselves in the wild. How to survive off the land." she offered. She tried to sound knowledgeable but in truth she read it off the paper in Shtorm's folder. "Does SERE make sense to you? Cause I never heard it."

He laughs a bit, "ya it makes sense. It stands for Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape. I guess like us the students will have to learn to survive out there. Who knows what they will come up against." He leans on a nearby wall lightly at first to make sure it can hold his weight, then when he is satisfied it can he fully leans on it. "I've never taught before though. Honestly a little more nervous about that now." He nervously laughs taking another sip of his coffee. "Will we meet the other teachers before the students arrive? I'm hoping maybe for some pointers on how to teach. I got to imagine teaching children has changed a lot since my days as a youth in the army".

"Honestly, I'm sure you'll do fine. You seem like the type who can earn the trust and respect of your students and that's most of what any leadership position is." she started, "As for meeting the other teachers, well you're meeting one now." she gave an amused smile.

"But yeah, I really REALLY want to say yes to meeting the other faculty. Once they're all assembled, I mean."

"You'll do fine." she stated with a nod, and raised her coffee mug in a toast. "To the future."

"I appreciate that, and im glad someone as nice as you was here to greet me in. I look forward to working with you and the other staff" Shtorm raises his mug as well " To the future" He responds taking a last sip of his coffee finishing off the mug.

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