Kala Dandekar (faithandscience) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2019-05-20 21:32:00 |
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It had been a few weeks since Jemma had mentioned the possibility of Kala coming to work for her. But Kala hadn’t done much about it since. She knew she should have. But life just got busy. Busy with her current job, busy making new friends. Just making a life for herself in Orange County. But that also meant having a job that she actually enjoyed. So she had finally set up a time to come meet Jemma. Where they could talk about what the job would entail and not have to keep their voices low in fear of someone over hearing them.
Kala waited at the location Jemma gave her, both nervous and excited about the prospect of working somewhere new. Not only that but helping with all the craziness that seemed to occur in Orange County. And of course also working with a friend.
There was a lot going on, though to be fair, when wasn't there? Either way, while Jemma was always keeping an eye out for if Kala would take her up on the job offer, there was also other things that pulled the biochemist’s attention with the different people she needed to supervise.
Either way, once she had heard from Kala, Jemma had set aside time to give a tour and more information on what they did. After all, especially in her division, there were non-dreamers as well. Which was always an interesting balancing act.
In her office initially, once Jemma got a call from the lobby, she closed the folder she had been looking at and went to greet Kala.
Kala was dressed in a blue floral skirt with a white blouse. Somewhat formal but not too over the top. She wasn’t sure exactly how to dress for an informal job interview with someone who was already a friend. She waited a bit anxiously for Jemma to come down, sitting in one of the chairs in the lobby. However as soon as she saw Jemma she stood up, large smile on her face. “Hey,” Kala greeted unsure whether to hug her or shake her hand in Jemma’s place of business she decided to just leave it at that.
That was the thing about the Agency, there definitely were times for more professionalism and Jemma was good at separating herself into role of boss as well as friend (or wife). Still, it wasn’t too formal and so she was more than happy to hug her friend in greeting. No need to go into boss mode just yet.
Stepping back, the biochemist smiled.
“Hey, so we can start with the tour if you’re okay with that?”
Kala of course returned the hug, making her feel a bit more at ease. Yes this was a great opportunity for her, but it was still Jemma. Besides it wouldn’t be the end of the world if she didn’t get the job. She still had a decent enough one, even if she wasn’t being used to her full capabilities.
“A tour sounds perfect,” Kala agreed with a nod ready to follow Jemma throughout the building.
Jemma did try to keep things comfortable whenever possible. There were times of course when she had to put on the ‘I’m in charge’ hat as it were and go from there. But that didn’t mean that it was always the case. Especially when she was first giving someone a tour. The more basic things (lunch room, different departments) as they made their way to the labs.
“We have a few different labs depending on what you are working on. This one is for the engineers,” It tended to be best to let them have their space since less with the chemicals and more with the building and the like, “This one is the main one. Different technologies from the Dreams people have received over the year, which gives us more opportunities and capabilities in our work.”
Kala followed Jemma throughout the building taking not note of all the departments as they passed. And then they got to the labs. Kala could already feel her eyes lighting up. “I’m sure you have a lot,” Kala commented. There seemed to be a numerous amount of people who dreamed, from all different worlds. Who knew how much technology was out there?
“Do you have a lab that works on medicine? For dream related illnesses?” That was what Kala would be most interested in after all.
Jemma recognized the look in Kala’s eyes, the one of excitement to be where she was meant to be amongst the different labs and science. If there was one thing that was certain, it was that science was home in a way.
“There is,” Plus some employees who weren’t Dreamers but still there because well, one never knew what skills Dreamers had. Those were the ones who tended to give Jemma more of a headache but she dealt with them.
As for the question about working on medicine.
“Not primarily, though the capabilities are there. We’ve just hadn’t had someone with that exact skill set. You would most likely want to liaise with Martha Jones of the medical division on anything that’s come up already. But that doesn’t mean we can’t make a more permanent area for that alone if you’re interested.” Especially when things crossed over. “I’ve made anti-serums and antidotes in the past in emergency situations, though.”
Anti-serums and antidotes were right up Kala’s alley. She had a feeling the elements in them weren’t always from this world. Kala would have to familiarize herself with them. But nonetheless she would love to be creating things that actually helped people. Even if it wasn’t on a wide scale it was still important work. Especially where they lived.
“I’d love to see what you’ve made already,” Kala replied feeling a lot more comfortable now that they were talking science. “Or at least the formula for it, if it has all been taken already.” Kala didn’t exactly know if they kept left over serums or not.
“Usually they have been, but I do still have the formulas. No one has really come forward with anything that might potentially come through, so until then…” There wasn’t much they could do on the antidote/antiserum. Even if Jemma really wished that there were. Then again, they usually required some sort of ingredient that crossed over from the Dreams as well.
No matter, going to one of the lab computers, Jemma pulled up the formula for the antiserum she had needed to make for herself after being infected by the Chitauri virus.
“This was one I had to make…about four years ago?” With everything that had happened in her Dreams, it was sometimes hard to keep up with each related issue. But that had been early on in them, so soon after she had moved. Oh the joys of alien viruses so needed alien samples, and then a device that could deliver the antiserum through electricity. Thank goodness for Tony Stark.
Kala nodded looking over the formula. There were chemicals that she didn’t recognize. Had to be from another world. It was astounding. Kala had no idea where to even start something like that but she was fascinated by it nonetheless.
“It’s incredible,” Kala finally said her eyes still scanning over the formula. “How did you even know where to begin?”
That was the question, wasn’t it? Luckily Jemma was generally good at compartmentalizing. Perhaps to what might be decided an unhealthy level but no matter. Still, it was four years in the past and after everything else she’d gone through? Nearly dying of the Chitauri virus was quaint.
“That one was from my Dreams. It was an alien virus. I woke up with a sample of the alien and had the formula from the Dreams. The main issue was the delivery system as it needed to be delivered through electricity.”
Well that was a different way to deliver medicine. But then she supposed when one was dealing with aliens there was no rhyme or reason. “How did you manage to do that?” Kala was genuinely curious. Not just that but she was fascinated by the whole thing. This was a whole new world for her. One that she wanted to be part of.
“Tony Stark.” Right. That probably didn’t really answer anything. He was a major name in the scientific community but was, well...Tony Stark. “I’d been working at Stark Industries in R&D when I woke up with the virus and then got the alien sample. He came by while I was trying to make the antiserum, so I asked for his help since the delivery system required an engineering solution.”
“Ah,” Kala commented. It was a lot to take it. “Must help having those types of resources.” Of course Kala knew who Tony Stark was. Even if Jemma mentioned that she had worked for Stark Industries at the time. Kala could only imagine the type of people and resources that were available here.
A lot to take in was an understatement. And to think with her Dreams that the Chitauri virus could be considered quaint after everything that had happened. Yes, the Dreams did have a tendency to get more complicated as they went on. But nearly dying from an alien virus still being quaint in comparison? “It certainly does.”
Kala couldn’t imagine what it must have been like for dreamers before this place. Of course she didn’t need it for anything thankfully. But she could imagine how many people needed it. “You’re lucky you have a place like this.”
“It certainly does end up being helpful.” Even if Jemma hadn’t known about the Agency at the time, she at least had access to resources. And given the nature of this place? The Agency was there for a reason. “Anyway, shall we continue?”