Utterly Mad

Catnip was told she could take the day off and she was sorely tempted. In the end though, and at the last minute, she decided to go anyway and had to run to catch up with L. She was afraid of seeing Patrick again, didn't want to be caught alone with him. L of course would keep that from happening. Minx made sure that the Misling knew that she was responsible for Catnip's predicament, and so in Minx's eyes, responsible for her well being.

It seemed though that they had nothing to worry about that day. Felecia gave Catnip a form the fill out with the heading "order of protection from stalking, aggrivated stalking, and harassment."

"What's this?" She asked, and L answered for the foreman. "It's a restraining order girly."

"Thaaats right." Felecia said cheerily, "your boss made one fiery complaint to the primary foreman and the council of three. Not that it matters much, Pat didn't show up for work. That's what the little x by 'name' indicates. They couldn't find him to make him sign it. I imagine he probably sobered up and got wind of what was comin' and decided to pound sand. Debtors who get charged with crimes, even petty ones... Er, no offense, tend to end up as true slaves or getting drafted into the reserve."

Catnip looked at the form. It was filled with big words she didn't understand and terms she understood even less. L told her to fold it up and keep it with her. If she so much as caught sight of the man, Catnip could call the shattered helm and use it to have him arrested and thrown in a cell.

The rest of the day was brightened immeasurably by this news. Not only was Patrick not here, he also wouldn't be bothering her any time soon either. She worried though about what he'd told her, and brought it up then.

"He said he saw someone up on the tower with Tobin. Do you think-"

"Shush. Shush your mouth little lady. Tobin had an accident, don't go scaring people with stories of murder. I told Patrick to do the same when he brought it up to me. Yes, he came to me about it as well. Tenny, George, and Leila too. The folks from the shattered helm haven't found any evidence of foul play and they are convinced it was a simple accident, understand?"

There was no fear in Felecias outburst, just exasperation. She had been over this with others this morning and was getting tired of it. It seemed that Patrick had been more open with his information than he let on. "I think," L would later comment during the lunch period, "he just told you it was a secret to get close to you, along with all the promises and shit."

---

Later, Catnip was taking a walk along the main concorse when she ran into the other architectural engineer, George Bannerman. He was checking over the columns between the concorse windows and taking down notes in a shorthand which was almost robotically blocky.

"Greetings ma'am. I'm sorry to hear of the regretable incident with Mr. Danneville yesterday. I hope you are unharmed?"

Catnip found herself charmed a little by the odd formal way he spoke, and said that she was indeed unharmed. The first impression she'd had of the man from the short icebreaker he'd given on the first day held fast after they'd spoken a bit. George was indeed a professional, quiet and reserved. The exception came as she talked of herself and her life on the farm, in specific, when she talked about the farms cyberneticist.

"Oh! So Zachary survived the Cataclysm then? Absolutely fascinating." He said, but seemed not to be interested in expanding further on it. Instead, he rather abruptly changed the subject and asked, "Would you mind terribly coming along with me? You and your assistant? I have an important section of the facility I need to give my stamp of approval for. Without Mr. Danneville around to double check my work, I won't be able to submit my report."

"Why me?" Catnip asked simply.