The Axis My World Turns On

Three's A Crowd

There are droplets of rain on the pavement as Carmilla makes her way into the building. She gives a nod to the receptionist as she does every time she enters. Shockingly, she hardly ever comes in here. She rarely gets the opportunity. She likes when she does though. Laura's building always smells like hot coffee, pastries, and printer ink, unlike her office that no longer holds a particular scent to it. Carmilla can hardly remember what it used to smell like. Sawdust maybe? Maybe Laura felt the same about this place. She'd have to ask.

She wasn't here for Laura though. It feels weird to completely bypass Laura's office all together without so much as a hello; but she had something more important on her mind. She'd be sure to sneak over to Laura's later, probably just to find her buried behind piles of potential prints.

So, she took the opposite direction of Laura's office and instead took the elevator up to level 3. There were two different directions she could go, both returning to the same area, but only one could get her where she's trying to go quicker. Carmilla opts for the hallway leading left, slowly approaching every door until, finally, she's standing at the door of one Danielle Lawrence—unofficially, Danny.

The door is open, and the room is empty. Rather than bypassing this entire thing and coming back another day, Carmilla offers herself a tour. Her office isn't big, just enough for a desk, chairs, and pacing space. There are two photos on Danny's desk: one of her family on what could be graduation or any celebratory day, the other of a college Danny Lawrence mid-battle cry with Summer Society written in gold, shimmery script on the picture frame. Beside her Summer Society photo is a basketball keychain and a leadership pin. A whiteboard is screwed into the left wall, covered in random scribblings of dishes and names. One sticks out for Carmilla: homemade fried creampuff cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting and raspberry drizzle. The thought of consuming it made her heart speed up.

Scattered among the rest of the walls are a handful of food art. A slice of pizza sat in a shadow box. A cake made of candy layers sat right next to the entrance. Steak and vegetables next to a glass of wine is next to the window. And a salad bowl faced the desk. In the corner sat a small table with a globe of the Earth created by random foods. Carmilla wondered what she would land on if she spun it. The new colors from all the food swept past her gaze until the gaze stopped.

Blood sausage. Typical.

What would Laura land on? Her greatest love on Earth is chocolate chip cookies. M&M cookies. Any sort of cookie really. Wouldn't it be hilarious if she landed on Caesar salad or a protein bar? That would knock the Hollis right out of her.

She took a seat in Danny's chair, getting comfortable as she awaited the giant girl's return. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she let the sunlight warm her skin until the clouds finally swallow it in, leaving her cool and relaxed in her wait. She probably could've taken a nap right there if Danny didn't return so soon. Her lidded eyes sparkled as she noticed Danny, confused, standing in the doorway.

"Ah, there you are, Pepper Ann. Thought you'd never show up. I was about to do some taste tests." Carmilla drawled, stretching her limbs until she felt her shoulders crack.

Danny shrugged out of her jacket, laying it over one of her chairs, "Nice to see you too, Elvira. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Carmilla rested her arms on the desktop, leaning forward. She smirked at knowing how much it bugged the tall redhead that she was so comfortable in her chair as if it was hers all along.

"I figured it was time we had a little chat, Lawrence. Feel free to take a seat. I'm sure this won't take long."

Hesitantly, Danny slid into a guest chair. The furrowing of her eyebrows made Carmilla laugh inside. Danny Lawrence out of control, a beautiful sight. A sight Carmilla had full intention of creating.