Curate, connect, and discover
Alright folks and folklores. First work posting here. I hope I'm doing this right? Hehe colors
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Warnings: Small injury, mentions of domestic abuse
You walked with your back straight, smiling and nodding to those who passed you on the sidewalk. Your hair was done and a hat sat atop it, one that matched your current outfit. A normal dress that a lady would wear when going into town, boots (some looked down on you for) and your small satchel. You stopped at the front of a building and opened the door, walking inside and closing the door behind you. You listen for a moment, hearing the familiar sound of music coming from the back. You look around the hallway and start humming along to it. You take your hat off and set it on the hanger, then make your way upstairs towards the lab.
You walk the stairs stopping at the first door on the right, not needing to knock as you walked in. On the far end of the room you can make out the pale head hunched down, carefully measuring the right amount of drops. "You're here early." His voice hummed just loud enough over the music.
"Mr. Griffin have you gotten any sleep yet?" You walk behind a changing board, stripping out of the dress and putting on a pair of pants and a button up shirt. Griffin let you borrow his while you helped around in the lab, not caring if it seemed indecent. As he put it when he hired you, 'I'd rather you dress this way than have that puffy dress catch fire. Just a tip.'
"Well, if you must know, I slept for five hours." He sits up straight and stretched his back out. "That was," He glances at a clock. "Seven and a half hours ago." You finished with your last button, walking out from behind the board and going to the sink. You had your sleeves rolled to your elbows and hair done so it was out of your face. Griffin had turned his head, giving your form a quick look over then turning back to his table. "If you can wash those tubes quickly for me that will help immensely."
You nod and began washing, humming along to the music. It was quiet for a while, the music playing and water turning on, then off. You looked back at the scientist thinking about when he first hired you. You had bumped into the albino man while running through the market, apologizing and giving him a smile. Instead of leaving or excusing himself, he offered you a job in assisting him. You were confused at first but accepted anyway. The pay wasn't much but he did teach you a little of everything as he worked. You learned quickly that he acted annoyed, all the time. With you, with visitors, with himself. You found that the pale man just didn't know how to socialize and became accustomed to it. Though some days like this one, he was much calmer, less snappy.
There was a pop and a short curse. You turn and see Griffin standing and running to the sink. You made room at the sink and he began washing his bloodied hand under the running water. You dried your hands quickly and ran to the first aid kit. This wouldn't be the first time he's hurt himself on accident. You grab gauze and run back, opening your hand. "Let me see it." He sighs heavily and gives you his hand. He's sliced right below where his fingers met his hand. "Its not a bad cut." You felt his fingers flex a little.
"Yes I know." He looked over you again, watching as you concentrated on wrapping his hand. He looks back at his table, then recalls something you were saying the day before. "How is your…fiance?" You could hear in his voice he didn't really want to ask. You actually smiled a little at his question.
"Well, not so well actually." He perked up at this. "He doesn't...well he screamed at me last night. And said some things..." You sounded pained to say. "He was drunk however. I don't think he meant it." You cut the gauze and clipped it in place. "He was, um, aggressive." You shrugged and smiled up at him. "But I got him to bed. He woke up this morning and went off to work."
The albino man was frowning down at you, tisking and flexing his fingers. Or so you thought. He held your hand and spoke. "A man becoming aggressive towards his fiance. He sounds like a complete arse." He let go of your hand, glancing down and turning away. "You should find a new fiance, one who doesn't yell at you like you're a problem." He was moving the broken glass off the desk. You smile softly and walk back to the sink.
"Why don't you find yourself a fiance Mr. Griffin?" You called over your shoulder. You were drying the tubes now, not noticing the doctor walking up behind you until his hand was on the small of your back. He was quick but gentle in moving you to the side.
"No time. I'm on the verge of a break through and I don't want a bride getting in the way." He grabbed a few of the already dried tubes and turned away to the table again. You nod in understandment. You went about finishing the tubes.
"Well trust me professor, if I could, I wouldn't get married either." You mumble. "Especially not to that man."
Griffin had paused his hands, his jaw moving a bit as his teeth clenched and unclenched before he went back to work. "If you'd like to get lunch started I'll join you in the kitchen." You gave a nod that he didn't see and left the room. Before you left he gave one more look at your attire. He felt a coil in his chest, perhaps it was nerves working but only when you wore his clothing. Or when you touched his hand. He chewed the inside of his cheek as he went back to focusing on his test tubes.
A couple of hours go by, lunch was some eggs on a sandwich with coffee. You cleaned the table and the dishes pretty quickly. Griffin ate like a wild man and in a flash was back in the lab. You were just making sure the place was clean before you left for today. After nodding to yourself you walk into the lab and to the changing board. "I'll be heading home now Mr. Griffin." You started changing out of the clothes and back into your dress. You walk out and see him hunched over his desk again. You were about to call out to him but heard a low snore. You chuckle and walk over to the desk finding him asleep on a text book. You cover the vials of fluids and move them aside in case he moves in his sleep too much. You take his coat and gently set it over his shoulders. "I'll see you tomorrow then."
With that, you left the building and headed home.
The next morning you walked into the building, you noticed a certain smell…You were quick to drop your things at the door and walk to the lab. Inside you saw smoke coming from a few tubes. You gasp and run over, but they weren't burning with flames. You use a napkin to cover your mouth and nose in case the fumes were toxic. "Griffin?" You look around, not seeing anyone. You walk out the lab and quickly made your way to his bedroom. You immediately hear the sound of running water. Carefully making your way across the room, you push open the door that leads to the bathroom. The bathtub was flooded with water, and still running. Quickly, you turn the water off and look around the small bathroom.
"Griffin are you in here?" You had turned to walk back out the restroom but a hand grabbed your arm. You screamed and pulled away, looking around quickly and holding your arm. It was wet. You looked at the tub. Something about it wasn't right. There was a gap in the water, as if something clear were sitting in it. A groan filled the air and you blink in shock. "Griffin?"
The water moved, rippling effects and more water splashing out the sides of the tub. "Yes I fell asleep," his frame paused. "Have some decency woman, get me a towel at least-"
"Griffin, you're invisible!" You had backed away, but looked to the side, spotting a towel and picking it off the rack.
"Invisible…" He was mumbling. Then he was silent and more movement in the tub. "My god…" You could barely see his wet figure standing and stepping outside the tub. "It worked..it really worked!" He grabbed the towel, wrapping it around his waist and walking out the bathroom. You followed quickly, eyeing the towel as it seemed to just float in mid air. "Before I fell asleep, I tested my mixtures with some blood samples. They worked famously, so I saw no reason to wait and-"
"You tested yourself just out the blue!? Are you mad Griffin?" The towel in front of you stopped and you stared straight ahead, where his head would be.
"I'm alive, aren't I?" He was looking at you, looking at your reaction, then turning away and walking back to the lab. "I had some more mixtures here-"
"They were burning when I arrived." You walked over to the sink, peering down at them. "Not on fire but, smoking. I didn't put any water on them." A hand was at your back, gently pushing you aside. He mumbled something, then walks away to the desk. The papers were flipped and over turned. You watched, your mind still trying to wrap around the invisibility.
"That burning liquid…was supposed to be an antidote." He paused. For a moment, both of you were silent.
You walked over to the invisible man in front of you and placed a hand on what you guessed was his shoulder. You could feel him freeze at the touch. He was a little cold, and wet still. You sigh. "Put some clothes on before you freeze Griffin. We'll get to work on an antidote. One that won't burst to flames."