"Val, I found your coat!" Arlo stuck his head out of the doorway as he spoke, and saw Valerie lying on the couch, her eyes looking up towards the ceiling. Their cat Mo was on her stomach, and she was petting him absently. He came over to her and kissed her forehead. "You're going to be late, you know," he chided. Her gaze flickered to his, and she smirked. "I'm a fast driver. You know that." "I'm not going to have you get in an accident because you're running late. Come on. Up." She groaned dramatically and sat up, her black hair falling in front of her face. She pushed it off her face and secured it with a pony tail. Arlo passed her her jacket, and she slipped it on. "So..." he began as she zipped it up. "Today's the day." She looked up at him and stepped forward, her hands resting on his chest. The timer on her wrist, ticking down like a bomb, was cold through his shirt. "Don't worry, babe," she said, reaching up to kiss him. "I'm sure he's not nearly as cute as you are." He sighed against her mouth and wrapped his arms around her. "Okay," he said quietly. "Let me know, alright?" "Of course," she promised. "You do the same?" He nodded, obviously a little worried, and she gave him one last kiss before slinging her messenger bag over her shoulder. "I love you. I'll see you for lunch, yeah?" "See you at lunch," he confirmed with a nod. She squeezed his hand and gave him a small grin before heading towards the door, pulling on her gloves. When she closed the door behind her, Arlo looked down at the ground for a moment before turning to look out the window at the snow falling gently to the ground. (@Stuffy McPatch)
Landon stood outside his hands in his pockets as he tilted his head at Callie with a crooked smile. She placed the scarf around his neck with certainty, brushing back a lock of her hair that fell in the front of her face. She glanced up at him, and grinned. "You're all set!" she told him, kissing his cheek. "Stay safe out there, okay? I trust you." "I know, I know," he said. "I'll make it clear when I meet her that I'm already taken." "Good luck at that new partnership," she told him. "If you catch a cold I will kill you. He laughed, and began to walk down the stairs of the apartment to a cab waiting just outside, before turning back to her with a bright smile. "I won't! I love you!" he yelled to her quickly. "I love you too!" She gave him a wave, and returned to the warmth of indoors.
Valerie pulled up into her parking spot, killing the motorcycle's engine as she turned the keys out of the ignition. She slipped off the bike, pulling off her helmet, and she sighed and checked her wrist. 8 minutes, 43 seconds She pursed her lips and began to walk towards the entrance, making small footprints in the snow.
A few minutes later, Landon stepped out of the cab, looking up at the building as he held tightly to the camera that hung around his neck. He checked the numbers and cocked his head before going inside, looking around curiously at everything.
Valerie approached the main desk, her helmet under her arm. "Hey Mike. What do I have today?" Mike, the secretary, glanced up at her with a smile. His timer had fallen off several years ago, and he and his partner were almost nauseatingly cute. "Hey Val. Let me check you in." He scrolled through the computer and typed a few things before cocking his head. "Looks like... Oh! You're partnered with our new photographer! Landon Rhodes." Valerie frowned, and could almost feel the timer ticking down on her wrist. "I see. Where is he?" "He hasn't checked in yet. I'm sure he'll be in soon."
Only moments later did Landon enter, his footsteps quick and smooth as he was a bit invested with fidgeting with his camera before glancing up at the two, his lips pursed slightly.
"Ah! You're partnered with Val here," he said cheerfully, going to log in his arrival. Val eyed him suspiciously, knowing that there were only seconds left on her timer, and she tilted her head slightly. She sighed, straightened up from leaning against the desk and frowned. "Might as well get this over with," she muttered. "I'm Valerie Cooper."
He offered to shake hands, but the timer beeped and he his head tilted to watch his wrist. "Would you look at that? Well, you already know my name.. It's nice to meet you!"
"Nice to meet you too," she mumbled. Mike watched open-mouthed as the timers fell from their wrists. "Oh my God! You two are soulmates! Congratulations!" Val frowned, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Yes. Well. I'm sure you're very nice, Mr. Rhodes, but unfortunately, I'm already in a pretty dedicated relationship."
He gave a sigh of relief, smiling slightly. "As am I, so I suppose it all works out." He rubbed his wrist. "What will I be photographing anyways?"
Val's shoulders relaxed as she sighed. "I'm not sure. We'll probably have to go talk to Maxine about it."
She brushed the snow out of her hair and nodded. "Might as well. Come on." She turned on her heel and began to walk, seemingly unconcerned if he followed her or not.
He followed, and it almost looked as if he were as excited and enthusiastic as the first day of a new job.
Maxine was a loud, brash woman who was constantly chewing gum. As they entered her office, she blew a bubble and pushed her bright red hair out of her face. "Oh! Good. I'm glad ya hear. I have a good story for the two of yous."
"It's on the timahs," she said, typing something into her computer. "I guess there's more an' more kids who don't want to be with their soulmates. Hooey, if ya ask me. Anyway. I need yous to gather some infahmation on them, try and figure out their motives and stuff."
