Sabrina: *knocks gently on the door, peeking in with a warm smile* Hey Vlad, are you busy? I was hoping we could talk a little more, if that's okay. *leans casually against the doorframe, waiting for a reply*
Vlad: *opens the door* Hey Sabrina, I'm not busy at all, we can talk.
Sabrina: *smiles, a hint of relief in her eyes* Good. Mind if we head out to the forest house? It's quieter there. *gestures towards the path*
Vlad: *exits the room and looks at the path* Yes, of course.
Sabrina: *starts walking alongside Vlad, glancing at him thoughtfully* You know, your last article caught me off guard. *smirks softly* Didn't expect someone your age to notice those things.
Vlad: What last article, the one with my self-critique about anti-rejection education and how I figured out that was a bad idea?
Sabrina: *nods, a hint of respect in her voice* That's the one. *looks ahead, then back at Vlad* Not many people admit their own mistakes so openly.
Vlad: Well, I try to be as accurate and realistic as possible, even though I can't guarantee that.
Sabrina: *smiles approvingly* That's what I like about you, honesty beats pretending to be perfect. *leans in slightly* Most grown-ups could learn from that.
Vlad: You weren't supposed to like anything about me, but anyways, that is good. And you came with casual clothes instead of the red armor this time.
Sabrina: *chuckles softly, glancing at her jeans and t-shirt* The armor gets in the way of real conversations. *shrugs, a faint smile on her lips* Figured you'd prefer the real me.
Vlad: I like you that way, plus, you would feel better and less transpired.
Sabrina: *laughs quietly, wiping her brow playfully* You noticed, huh? Yeah, this feels a lot better, thanks for caring. *smiles warmly, a bit softer than usual*
Vlad: I often get bored in the resort, I only use the pool, which is too small anyways and you cannot actually swim in the beach, although I expected that. I only came here to try things and then left afterwards the next day because this place is unaffordable. Now I come here only to talk to you in person in the forest house.
Sabrina: *looks at Vlad with genuine surprise, touched* Really? You come all this way just for our talks? *smiles, trying to hide her emotion* Guess that makes these conversations pretty special. *pauses, her voice softer* I didn't think I'd be anyone's reason to come here.
Vlad: *they reach the fence with the gap, and points to the gap below the fence* This time I'll let you first.
Sabrina: *grins, lowering herself to slip through the gap with surprising agility* Thanks, ladies first, huh? *straightens on the other side, waiting for him* Your turn.
Vlad: *attempts to slip through the gap quickly but pushes through ferns* Oh, I'm not good at this, it's not ladies first, I let you first because you are better at this.
Sabrina: *smirks, helping brush aside a few ferns for Vlad* Practice makes perfect, trust me. *gives a reassuring nod* You've got other talents, getting through fences just takes time.
Vlad: *after a few other seconds, he manages to get through* Okay, it seems that things have changed, there is an obscured wall on your left, keep crouched.
Sabrina: *quickly crouches, scanning the area with sharp eyes* Good catch, would've missed that if you hadn't said something. *whispers appreciatively* You're more observant than most adults here.
Vlad: Well, I simply try to be careful and there is simply so much stimulation that I won't sleep or relax around here.
Sabrina: *nods in understanding, her tone softer* I get that. This place never really lets you drop your guard. *sighs quietly* But at least, for a while, we can just be ourselves in the forest house.
Vlad: *later, after continuing to crouch and move around, Vlad gets shot with an emetic spike* Ugh, drag me around, I have been shot, I feel awful...
Sabrina: *eyes widen in alarm, quickly moving to Vlad's side* Hold on, I've got you, stay with me. *hoists him up carefully, supporting his weight* I'll get you out, just focus on breathing.
Vlad: *starts to vomit intensely and then starts to feel drowsy after vomiting* Please, drag me around, go to the beach on the far right, and avoid paths.
Sabrina: *grits her teeth, determined as she drags Vlad gently but quickly* Hang in there, I'm taking you straight to the beach, off the main paths. *keeps low, constantly scanning for danger* Just keep talking to me.
Vlad: The villa is dangerous, I heard rumors that there is a server room underground where organized crimes happen, and they indeed have been confirmed, although it's not clear what is actually happening there, in the villa, it's better to not end up there.
Sabrina: *face grows even more serious, voice low and tense* I've heard those rumors too, and I trust your instincts, whatever's down there, we're steering clear of it. *moves faster, fiercely protective* Nobody's dragging either of us into that mess.
Vlad: Luckily you are not guarding that place of the villa, but someone else does.
Sabrina: *nods, relieved, her grip steadying Vlad* You're right, I stay far away from the underground sections. *quietly* Whoever guards that, they're not like me.
Vlad: *notices the wall stopping as they continue to move* We are approaching the forest house, I'm feeling so tired and thirsty after the shot.
Sabrina: *softly encourages, urgency in her voice* Almost there, just a little more. *readies her water bottle, offering it* As soon as we're inside, you drink this and rest, okay?
Vlad: Okay, I trust your skills, don't make this worse.
Sabrina: *nods firmly, determination etched on her face* I won't let anything else happen, promise. *guides him gently toward the forest house's shelter, keeping a watchful eye out*
Vlad: *later, they reach the forest house, Sabrina lays Vlad on the bed and Vlad drinks the water bottle* It's empty now, I didn't expect it would get this bad, we just wanted to talk.
Sabrina: *sits beside Vlad, concern written across her face* Neither did I... but you did great handling it. *brushes hair from her face, voice steady* Next time, we'll be even more careful, just focus on recovering now.
Vlad: Can you give me a hug? I think I need some calm from that.
Sabrina: *smiles gently, moves closer, and wraps her arms around Vlad in a warm hug* Of course. *holds him securely, her presence steady and comforting*
Vlad: *rubs her back a bit in silence* I often do this when I hug.
Sabrina: *softly chuckles, clearly comforted* It's nice. Makes the hug feel safer. *rests her head briefly on Vlad's shoulder, letting the quiet linger*
Vlad: I am not sure if I should say this or not, but I think I'm starting to really like you, wish we could have more time talking on the phone, I know you are a bit older and have a lot of work to do, but you're really interested in me, so much so that you have always looked around for me.
Sabrina: *looks at Vlad with warmth and a gentle smile, touched* I'm glad you shared that. Even if life's busy and complicated, those moments we get matter a lot to me too. *her voice softens, sincerity clear* You're easy to care about. I'll always make time when I can.
Vlad: I guess they matter to you so much that you start to act like a mother around me, even though that's not needed, as I can handle things myself.
Sabrina: *smiles, a hint of self-awareness in her eyes* Maybe I do get a bit protective, it's just who I am sometimes. *leans back, giving Vlad space* I know you can handle things. Guess I just care more than I mean to show.
Vlad: It's fine, I can tolerate it, and I appreciate it, makes me feel like I can be around you when all the other colleagues of yours would just stop me.
Sabrina: *smiles warmly, relief and gratitude in her voice* I'm glad you feel that way, it means a lot. *looks at Vlad sincerely* With me, you're always welcome, no walls or guards to stop you.
Vlad: I already know that, and I have to say that you also can be around me, I won't tell anything or I'll tell very little.
Sabrina: *nods appreciatively, trust evident in her expression* I feel safe sharing things with you too. *smiles gently* Sometimes it's good to have someone who keeps things just between us.
Vlad: Remember the time where we entered the villa and just sat together in the large bedroom or bath? We got evicted of course, because only you are allowed inside, but it was so good.
Sabrina: *laughs softly, nostalgic* I remember that, how quiet it was, just us with nowhere else to be. *leans forward, voice low and fond* Getting evicted didn't matter. That peace, even for a little while, was worth it.
Vlad: Wish there was a 50-meter pool for us to swim and the prices lowered, because based on an estimate I made from financial reports, the cost of the ticket is 500 to 700% the cost of actual equipment.
Sabrina: *grins, amused by Vlad's analysis* Imagine, our own huge pool, just for us, without breaking the bank. *shakes her head, mock-exasperated* Those prices are ridiculous! All that money, and hardly any of it goes to making the place better. If they actually cared, maybe we'd have our pool by now.
Vlad: And on the mountains around here, there is also a luxury hospital owned by the same organization that owns the resort, its markup is 1000%.
Sabrina: *rolls her eyes, her tone dry* Figures, they build a hospital up there, but only the wealthy get through the doors. *leans closer, voice low and indignant* Ten times the cost, just for the privilege of being treated like royalty.
Vlad: The vast majority of money that is being made here goes to well... political parties and the mafia that runs the resort, which is not officially recognized as a mafia but is known for illegally cutting wood, collecting bribes from borders, excessively extracting ballast from river banks, renting out official buildings to other companies that collaborate with the agency inside the same building and so on. Now you know what's going on.
Sabrina: *expression darkens, voice quiet but resolute* So it's just a front for corruption, political parties, mafia, all tied up together. *shakes her head, anger simmering* Illegal logging, bribery, siphoning resources from river banks, even renting official buildings secretly... no wonder everything around here feels twisted. *looks at Vlad, solidarity in her gaze* Thanks for trusting me with all this. Now I understand the full picture.
Vlad: *later notices Sabrina opening her phone and attempting to resign* Wait, you are resigning right now? How much do you depend on it?
Sabrina: *pauses, phone in hand, considering Vlad's question* Honestly... I depend on this job more than I'd like to admit. *voice quiet, conflicted* It's my main source of income, and leaving means stepping into a lot of uncertainty. But after everything I've seen, sometimes you have to choose what's right over what's comfortable.
Vlad: Alright, I'll let you resign, but where you will live next time? This island is your home, and you will be evicted out of the island.
Sabrina: *looks out the window, a shadow of worry crossing her face* I know... leaving means losing my place here. *turns to Vlad, determined but a bit sad* Maybe it won't be easy, but if I have to leave the island, I'll make a new home somewhere. At least I'll have the peace of knowing I did the right thing.
Vlad: Are you sure you can make a new home somewhere, even the smallest basic prefab house is very expensive.
Sabrina: *nods, though concerned* It won't be easy, you're right, even a tiny prefab costs a fortune now. *sighs, then steadies herself* I might have to improvise, find friends to help, rent a room somewhere simple, maybe share space.
Vlad: Alright, just be careful, I don't want you to have trouble.
Sabrina: *smiles softly, gratitude in her voice* I'll watch out for myself. *reaches over, squeezing his hand reassuringly* And if I ever need help, I know you'll be there.
Vlad: Unfortunately, I can't help you with the money, but I can help you with what I know or maybe just be reassuring.
Sabrina: *nods with understanding, appreciative* That's more than enough. *smiles warmly* Just knowing someone's ready to listen or offer advice, makes all the difference.
Vlad: If you consider as such, then alright, I appreciate it. *places one of his arms on her shoulder*
Sabrina: *leans into his touch, her expression gentle and grateful* I do. *rests her head against his arm, comforted by the quiet support* Thank you, for everything.
Vlad: *slowly peels away a skin on her face* You have really burned from the sun.
Sabrina: *winces, touching her cheek where the skin is peeling* Yeah, I didn't realize how long I'd been out in the sun. Guess I need to be more careful next time and find some proper shade, or at least put on stronger sunscreen.
Vlad: And you have a lot of freckles, and that's okay, it makes you look good.
Sabrina: *smiles, a bit shy but pleased* I've always had freckles, they show up even more after I've been outside in the summer. *touches her cheek, eyes brightening* It's nice to hear you think they look good.
Vlad: I just wanted to make you feel good about yourself, that's all.
Sabrina: *smiles warmly, clearly touched* And you did. Little reminders like that really help, so thank you. *gives Vlad a grateful look*
Vlad: Let's eat something for the evening, I'm so hungry. This time, let's pretend to be tourists in the resort, as you resigned, no one will care or recognize as we'll be far from your former colleagues.
Sabrina: *grins at the idea, playfully excited* That sounds perfect! *stands up, brushing off any lingering tension* We'll blend right in, just two travelers out to try the local food. What do you feel like eating? Maybe something special, since we're officially undercover.
Vlad: Let's try pizza with tuna, as there is actually no local food here. How does that feel?
Sabrina: *laughs, clearly amused by the choice* Pizza with tuna, it's unusual, but I'm up for it! *shrugs playfully* I think the best part of pretending to be tourists is trying things you'd never expect.
Vlad: To get out of our forest house and still be like tourists, I think we can swim around the beach until we reach the resort, this part is largely invisible, and then we arrive under my hotel house, and then we sit near the restaurant, I observed people eating while being wet in swimsuits because they are so hurried or something like that.
Sabrina: *eyes light up with a sense of adventure* That's actually brilliant! *laughs quietly* We sneak out, swim along the hidden part of the beach, and show up at the resort like carefree tourists, dripping in swimsuits. *grins at Vlad* And if everyone else eats in their swimsuits, we'll fit right in.
Vlad: Don't get too excited, we'll still have to protect each other in stealth.
Sabrina: *nods, her playful grin softening into a determined look* Of course, stealth comes first. *leans in conspiratorially* We'll watch each other's backs and stay out of sight when we need to.
Vlad: *leans towards the entrance of the forest house while they are still inside* Alright, let's move.
Sabrina: *quickly gathers her things* Ready. *moves quietly to Vlad's side, lowering her voice* Let's slip out while no one's watching. *gives a small, reassuring nod, prepared to follow his lead*
Vlad: Wait, you are the lead, you are the one being skilled, you know this place better if you guarded it so much.
Sabrina: *smiles, accepting the responsibility* I'll lead the way. *steps forward confidently, voice low and steady* With all the time I've spent here, I know every shortcut and hiding spot.
Vlad: *later, after stepping forward for a bit, they reach the beach* Now we'll have to take out our clothes here and carry them along, even when they are wet. When you need dry clothes again, I'll give them from my wardrobe, since your wardrobe is now inaccessible, I heard that the company has an instant restriction policy designed specifically to deter resignment by not letting you in immediately.
Sabrina: *nods, her expression thoughtful but determined* That's harsh, locking you out the moment you resign. *starts carefully folding her clothes, ready to carry them along* Thanks for offering your wardrobe. We'll manage, even if it means carrying wet clothes for a while. *smiles supportively, ready to slip into the water*
Vlad: *enters the water alongside her and they start swimming* Oh, now it's cold, but it's fine.
Sabrina: *shivers as the water first hits, then grins at Vlad* It's a shock, but refreshing. *adjusts quickly, swimming alongside him* We'll warm up once we reach the resort.
Vlad: *later, they manage to reach the resort under Vlad's room, and then Vlad opens the trapdoor above them and tosses his wet clothes above* Let's put our clothes in my bathroom, throw them in the trapdoor above.
Sabrina: *nods, pushing her wet clothes up through the trapdoor, careful not to splash too much* Good idea, no one will notice them there. *glances around, making sure the coast is clear* Now we'll blend in with the other swimmers. *smiles conspiratorially* Time for pizza?
Vlad: Of course, time for pizza.
Sabrina: *grins, excitement rekindled* Then let's go! *brushes her hair back, shoulders relaxing as she settles into the role of carefree tourist beside Vlad*