aurelia edith flint likes this
Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2021 23:21:25 GMT -7
January 15, 2026
"Ms. Flint? The Director wants to speak with you."
Those were words Dusti never wanted to hear at work. What had she done this time? Sure, she was a cold, heartless bitch, with the bedside manners of a cactus, but everyone knew that. She hadn't been hired for her people skills. Had someone complained about her? Wouldn't be the first time, but they'd never told her the Director wanted to see her before. Her mind went a number of different directions all at once. So, trying to be on her "best behavior" she arrived at the office, putting on a fake professional smile. She rarely bothered with it, but this was the director of the hospital. He could fire her on the spot if he wanted. She didn't test authority of that level anymore (though she definitely had during her younger years...). She entered the office, feeling out of place and on edge, folding her hands behind her back. The director was there, along with a what must be a pair of Ministry officials and another healer.
"Sir? You wanted to see me?" She asked, trying to be respectful for once in her life, though it felt incredibly unnatural. Everyone in the room had very serious expressions, which only made her more nervous. The director offered her a small smile, but it was clearly forced. "Please, sit. These gentlemen have something to discuss with you." He motioned to the Ministry officials. To her own surprise, she obeyed, taking a seat in one of the office chairs as one of the Ministry officials cleared their voice and started to speak.
Dusti didn't recall what they'd said. Everything became a blur of words and emotions. She didn't say anything as they spoke. Telling her about how Rusti had gone to Yrisle with several other Herbologists to study the flora of the island. She'd known that. They'd left on the 7th. Dusti hadn't expected her sister to be back for a while, at least a week or two. But that was all normal. She'd known all this. Why were they telling her this? That was when they told her the the group had disappeared a few days prior. Okay, what were they trying to get at? It was fine. Rusti was with seasoned Herbologists. They'd probably just gotten lost, or lost contact. It was to be expected in a new environment such as this. That was until they said one thing...
"What..?" she asked, her voice coming out weaker then she'd ever heard. No, she hadn't heard them correctly. It was wrong. THey were wrong. Sometime during the explanation the healer had walked over to her, and placed their hands on her shoulders from behind, as if to help support her for this particular news.
"Your sister is missing, Ms. Flint. Search parties are still scouring the island but... We feel it's time your family start to consider funeral arrangements. Only one member of the team has been found thus far."
There was a roaring in her ears, her head spinning. She could vaguely hear someone saying her name repeatedly, shaking her shoulders, but she didn't react. Didn't acknowledge anything else.
Rusti... was gone..?