IMG Hall of Awards (iRP)

[Rainy Day]

Jake had spent most of the last day asleep in preparation for Mara'€™s award ceremony. Having never been to any such event it made him nervous to see everyone treating it as if everything was a big deal, while he didn'€™t see it himself. Although he had seen some of Mara'€™s work and had even experienced some of her experiments firsthand, he would'€™ve found it more appropriate if her research was on display as opposed to just the handing-off of an award, so others could actually see what they were appreciating. He let the thought die going for a last minute inspection in the mirror.

His hair was matted down with a rather moist look about it, though it was very dry when touched, he didn'€™t really like it, not that he had done it himself. The suit was also weird, Jake had never worn a coat and tie, finding it hot and uncomfortable, and he was hoping he'€™d never have to again. Every important event in his experience involved three people; his parents and himself. Having the last few days off, had made him jittery, but his watch indicated that he should'€™ve left his room a few minutes ago, so there was no time to put it to put that pent-up energy towards something productive.

Jake was surprised to find there wasn'€™t a lot going on in the hallway outside his room or many of them in fact. For one reason or another he had been under the impression the entire guild would be attending, but realized that wouldn'€™t be the case or everyone was already there. The thought of being stuck in a room with the entire guild put a lump in his throat, not that any of them would know him, as most people didn'€™t, having been such a quiet guy.

Aside from overcoming his nerves, brief walk to Mara'€™s quarters had remained uneventful, not that, that was something to be disappointed about. For a moment he realized he was nearly to her room and hadn'€™t thought of anything intelligent to say, but it dawned on him that as much of her work as he had been around to see, she had been around to see just as many of his quirky mishaps, having nothing other than a simple '€˜congratulations'€™ would hardly land him in any bad light. Ashe rounded the last corner Mara finally came into view. He wore a warm smile as he approached her, even from a distance it was easy for him to tell she put a lot of effort into getting ready.

He tried not to seem surprised while greeting her with a soft peck on the cheek.
'€œYou look great.'€ He told her, and although his words were sincere, he felt a bit down on himself for not having anything a bit more original to tell her.

'€œThough, I think most of us will be a bit disappointed our favorite doctor is lacking her trademark lab coat.'€ In his attempt to keep the mood light, he remembered a saying that sarcasm was the lowest form of wit, but it was wit nonetheless.

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