Who: Zari Tarazi & Monika What: Random meeting Where: Tulip Festival When: Sometime during Tulip Festival Warning: Low Status: Match-up/Completed Gdoc
The Tulip Festival wasn't generally a place Zari would go to. She wasn't all that into happy, sunny things like flowers or nature. After the last few days with the fear toxin, she thought maybe this was a good time to go. It felt very safe to be surrounded by such pretty things. The dome owed everyone, and this seemed like a good way to do so.
"Okay, I guess I can see the appeal," she said to no one in particular as she took in the aroma of the tulips.
She figured the worst that could happen was a few sniffles from allergies.
***
Monika hadn't been hit by the fear gas herself, but she knew what seeing someone affected by it was like. A poor young girl had been hit by the toxin just before she entered the library. Things were fine at first then Monika heard the girl scream. Luckily, the whole ordeal lasted for about five minutes before the girl returned to normal.
That was the only time she dealt with the fear gas and Monika considered herself fortunate. She was glad it was all over now and the Scarecrow guy was gone. Hopefully he never comes back.
Still, it had been a little much and Monika figured going to the Tulip Festival and seeing pretty flowers might make her forget what happened. She was snapping a few photos on her phone when she couldn't help but overhear someone speak. "They are quite pretty, aren't they?" she smiled. "And they smell lovely."
***
Zari took in the aroma once more. “They really do. I might have to bring some home.”
They would brighten up the place a bit. The house could you use a bit of a colorful touch, right? She didn’t think John would mind.
“At least the dome can provide nice things once in a while.”
***
"Oh, I hadn't thought of bringing some home. I might just have to do that as well." Monika's apartment had been fairly decorated by now, but there was nothing wrong with adding more colour to the place. And she was sure getting some tulips would certainly do just that.
"Yes, especially after what happened last time." The dome certainly owed them after the whole fear gas fiasco, although she doubted it it thought of anything like that. The tulips were probably just another random thing.
***
“The flowers are nice,” Zari remarked, once again taking a sniff of the tulips. “Still doesn’t make up for everything, though. I feel like the dome owes us a lot more.”
Just like in some relationships, apology flowers weren’t going to cut it.
“But it’s a good start.” She looked over at the girl and gave a warm smile. “I’m Zari, by the way.”
The girl seemed nice, like someone Zari wanted to know.
***
"No, not really," Monika agreed. "I mean, that's if the tulips are some sort of apology. Maybe it's just another random thing that has nothing to do with the fear gas." The dome was unpredictable at best. The only thing that was a constant was the length of these events.
She smiled. "Nice to meet you. I'm Monika," she replied. "How long have you been in town?"
***
“You’re right about that,” Zari agreed. “There really is no rhyme or reason to what the dome does.”
It was predictable in its unpredictability. The length was the predictable part, she supposed.
“And I’ve been here for almost six years, give or take a few months when I was sent home for a bit.” Of course, many years had gone by back home during the time she was gone. “How long have you been here?”
***
"Wow, that's quite awhile." To Monika, it seemed like forever. And there were people who have been here for nine, almost ten years.
"I haven't been here for that long. Just over a year." And she hoped she'd stay here. Being trapped inside a computer game was the worst, especially when the player shut down the computer. She hoped the dome never sent her back. She wasn't sure she'd be able to handle it.
***
“That’s long enough to get a feel for what this place is,” Zari said knowingly. “Though, even after six years, you never fully get used to it.”
At least that was how it was in her view. Nothing truly surprised her anymore, though. She knew this place was better than a lot of other places some of the displaced came from. She didn’t know Monika’s story, but if she did, she would also hope she got to stay.
She glanced at her watch for a moment. “Unfortunately, I have to leave these beautiful flowers for a bit. It’s my night to pick up dinner in my household. It was very nice to meet you, Monika. Hope to see you around.”
She meant that.
***
"Yeah, I'm certainly used to the things that happen here, even if I don't like some of them." Zari already knew how Monika felt about the fear gas. She also could've done without the clown motel. Waking up surrounded by creepy clown paintings was one of her least favourite things.
"Oh, I hadn't realized it was almost dinner time." Though she wasn't too hungry, so she'd probably stay and look at the tulips for a bit longer. "It was nice to meet you too," she smiled and waved as Zari left.