Snippet #1359093

Brihan started as the girl ran into her.

The girl said, "I don't mean to be a bother, but can you help me? I'm a little....well EXTREMELY lost in this place...." She smiled, a innocent smile, but helpless smile.

Brihan's protective instincts came into play as she took in the figure of the small, bemused-looking girl. However, she also noticed some dangerous looking accessories worn around the girl's body. She reminded herself many mutants were disturbed and dangerous individuals - she knew that from personal experience. She decided that this would have to be done carefully and sensitively.

She smiled and shook the girl's hand. "Pleased to meet you. My name's Brihan. I'm the resident counselor, nurse and researcher here at Armada. If you need help getting settled in, you've come to the right place."

"I'm Kounetsu."

"Very pleased to meet you, Kounetsu." A Japanese name, possibly? She wondered if Kounetsu had chosen that for herself, or if someone else had given it to her. Brihan herself had taken an Amharic name, although the outside world knew her as Melissa Summers, the name on her identity papers.

Brihan led Kounetsu down the corridors to one of the empty offices and asked her to take a seat. She didn't want to use her own personal office as the sight of the lab equipment could be upsetting to new arrivals, triggering memories of their experiences in the Genesis facility.

"Now, you just have a seat there and I'll get you a nice cup of hot chocolate," she said. She didn't want to encourage alcoholism as a coping strategy, and besides most of them didn't need any encouragement.

When she came back with two mugs of chocolate, the girl was sitting in almost exactly the same position. There was a troubling look on her face, focused and slightly dreamy at the same time. Brihan handed the mug of hot chocolate over and took a seat. Kounetsu held the mug in her hands and watched the rising steam. She seemed to be fascinated by the sensation of the hot ceramic on her skin.

"Well," said Brihan, "let me give you a brief overview of how things work here. The purpose of Armada is to help people like us rebuild their lives and survive in a somewhat hostile world. It's not easy starting afresh with no memories, not to mention the Genesis project still keen to hunt us down and reclaim or neutralize us. We're trying to build a community here, where everyone can find a purpose, develop their potential and pursue their own passion." She took a sip from the mug. "Some of us, particularly the older and more experienced members, are directly involved in resistance work, including investigation and even combat. Our younger and more inexperienced members are usually pursuing some kind of education and employment. We also have staff like myself, who are involved in things like counseling, administration and research."

"I'm sure that you'll find a place here, whatever interests you. The most important thing is that I want you to feel at home, like you belong here. Most of us have nobody else." Brihan looked at Kounetsu and wondered how much of this she was taking in. She still hadn't drunk her hot chocolate. It was going to get cold. "When you feel ready, we would like to register you in our database. That will involve a demonstration of your abilities and a medical exam. You don't have to take part until you're ready. I know that you've probably had enough of lab tests for the moment. You can stay here for as long as you need to. And, uh, one final thing."

Brihan reached out carefully and put her hand on Kounetsu's, which was still gripping the mug. "I'm your friend."