17069/Living Monolith p2

Living Monolith p2
Date of Scene:	01 February 2024
Location:	Uxmal, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Synopsis:	Kenesha offers Alex an extension on his contract and they discuss their recent past relationships.
Cast of Characters:	Alex Summers, Kenesha

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Alex Summers has posed:
There was a lot of tinking and swishing for the rest of the day. Then it became night and dinner was made and served in the mess hall tent. But also delivered to Kenesha's tent and Alex was not far behind. He knocked on the tent door and said, "Knock knock..." to simulate the noise that would be made by a door frame being rapped on.

He's showered and dressed in khaki cargo pants, hiking boots, and a long sleeved white shirt with buttons. Though his hair looks roughly the same mussed blonde.

Kenesha has posed:
Kenesha thanks the intern that delivers the meal, chatting with them for a few moments before they head back to the mess hall with the rest of the crew.

When the knock comes at the tent, Kenesha can't stop the chuckle as she calls out, "Enter!" He'll find her setting things up at a small table, including *cold water*! Kenesha herself has cleaned up, brushed the dust and dirt from her clothes, though she's still in the same shirt/pants from earlier. The gloves have been removed, set on her desk along with a copy of his current contract.

"Welcome, welcome. Apologies for the last minute of it all. I've been going over the plans for tomorrow, and your contract, make sure we offer you an appropriate increase for extending your stay with us." Sit, sit!" She offers a quick smile towards Alex as she picks up the copy of his current contract, "So, in looking at your current contract, I see we've got you for ten grand for the month. If we extend this out say.. another month, would an additional fifteen thousand be enough? And, obviously, you maintain all coverage under my insurance on the dig. Any injury or illness incurred during your time on site is covered completely. Though," she offers a faint smile, "we still strive for no accidents, of course."

Alex Summers has posed:
He moves into the tent, glances around, and takes note of her setup as well as that she's still wearing the same clothing as before. He listens to her lay out the offer while he takes a seat and observes the handling of the contract(s). He gives a shrug, "That sounds great. Thanks." - apparently he's not to worried about the money or the raise. He adds, "I'm just glad to be out of the country and working again, so yeah. Whatever is fine. Where do you want me to sign?"

Kenesha has posed:
Kenesha lifts a brow at his quick agreement, turning to look at him for a long moment before venturing a guess, "I'm... sensing your enthhusiasm for the dig isn't wholly because of the dig." She offersa faint, quick smile, "No judgment. I kinda needed to get out of the country for awhile myself. Get back to work.. just.. get away." Blinking, she clears her throat, "Anyways! We're glad to have you. I have the new contract right here, just initial at the yellow highlighted points and sign at the stick tab on the bottom." Kenesha will pull a new version of the contract out, setting it on the table along with a pen.

Alex Summers has posed:
He'll gladly take the pen and start initialing with a little hum as he does. Then he signs, dates, and it's done.

Alex then says, "I like what I do. This is really the most rewarding of jobs because I love rocks. Still working on my PhD so jaunts like this afford me insight and additional experience into finishing my dissertation and then be done with it. I mean, you know how it is. And yeah, there are other reasons. Always are. It's a nice mental reset."

Kenesha has posed:
"I'm not questioning your love of what you do. That's clear just from watching you in the pit earlier. You were as thrilled with the find as we were. I imagine getting to study the stone and brick and mortar used in their construction, and getting to see what other types of rocks and stones might be found that weren't known to exist in this hemisphere, is exciting." Kenesha smiles at him with a quick nod. Once he's signed it, she moves to her scanner, scanning the document in and emailing a copy to him, herself, and to the company that handles her employee recordskeeping.

"The dissertation is always the hardest part, especially if you're trying to change or add to or challenge existing knowledge." She puts the contract into a safe (for safekeeping), and joins him at the table, taking a seat and forking up a bite of whatever local dish they're enjoying tonight. "Admittedly, I put this all together now because I needed an excuse to get away. Mind, it was always a site I'd intended to come back to, explore further. But the timing was.. well, as I said. I needed to get away."

Alex Summers has posed:
Alex watches her movements to the scanner and handle the sending things while she speaks. He leans on the back of the chair against his left side, arm over the back, and he gives a nod of agreement about the dissertation being the hardest part. His face truly agrees and there's even a light mmm from his throat in that agreement. He swivels back to face the table as she returns to the table herself and starts to eat. He also takes a fork and begins eating.

A few moments later and an empty mouth, Alex says, "Okay... so we both wanted to get away.." Then he asks, "What are you running away from?"

Kenesha has posed:
"Mm. Bad breakup. I should have known better, too, which is really the worst part. He's known for being a playboy, having a short attention span. But, he managed to convince me he was serious, that he really wanted a long-lasting relationship. Surprise, surprise, he's suddenly running off. It's not me, it's him, blah blah blah." Kenesha shakes her head and mutters, I knew better and I let him get to me anyways."

She lifts a shrug and offers a wry smile, "At that point, I just needed to get away. Clear my head, focus on work, just... get away from everything that reminds me of him." She quirks a faint grin, "Figured the Yucatan should be far enough away." Motioning towards him with her fork, "What about you?"

Alex Summers has posed:
While taking various bites, drinking a bit and then nomming more, Alex listens to her story. "Sounds like we're coming from the same background. You dated a playboy, I dated a stripper. Something that breaks rule number one in the dating handbook. You should only date a stripper if you're a rockstar. Otherwise, you're just the one guy at the party who thinks the stripper is really into you. Guess I was that guy. Ended up being, not me, it's her, and then she took off to Florida. And yeah, the Yucatan was the first job that came up on the search - figured that was my /out/."

Kenesha has posed:
Nodding, Kenesha offers a sympathetic smile and forks up a bite of food, waving it around as she motions while talking, "Sounds like we *are* in the same boat. But you know, I figure... that's their problem, you know? If they want the skanky 'exciting' people, well... I wish them luck with the STD's." Tucking the bite into her mouth, she chews on it and shrugs, "You would think our stability would be a point in our favor, but surprisingly, people seem to want unstable and dangerous."

Alex Summers has posed:
"And that's something I don't get. I've had enough unstable and dangerous in real life. I definitely don't want it in my dating life or in a partner whom I'd want to share life with. Most of my life is me trying to avoid unstable and dangerous. Doing my best to get out into the desert, jungles, whereever, and do research. But it seems that chaos follows me. I'm beginning to think it's me and I've some rotten luck or something. Especially with women."

Kenesha has posed:
"No, no I hear you. I thought dating in the 'hero' pool would make it a little easier, you know? We'd both have demands on our time so there wouldn't be any of that 'you don't spend enough time with me', but apparently it just makes them less into stability? I don't know. I think there's aspects of my life that just.. intimidates potential long-term partners. Like, it's exciting at first, but when it takes *work* to keep that excitement going.. they just give up and start looking towards greener pastures." Kenesha shakes her head and forks up another bite. "I don't think your luck has anything to do with it. I think we both just have a habit of falling for people that we know are bad for us. Guess we keep chasing the excitement too..."

Alex Summers has posed:
"Not sure about chasing the excitement part. Because I really don't. Sure, I run in certain circles. But that's guilt by association. Thing is... The first girlfriend I had went straight up lesbian. Then I had another one.. she too went lesbian. I honestly think it's the place I live that's turning them to lesbians. Cause there's a lot of people around me that are les." Then he grows concerned as he's actually starting to piece things together in his head about the school. "I'm not saying it's in the water or it's contagious. But maybe it's something else." And he edits his words and concepts to not share that he's living in a super heroic brothel.

Kenesha has posed:
Kenesha shakes her head and smiles at him, "Sexual preference is fluid, changeable. Also, people lie to themselves. Like, a lot. And put far too much pressure on themselves to be or do some specific thing. Sometimes that means forcing themselves into relationships they don't really want because they think it's expected of them. And then they get somewhere where the expectations change and it gives them the freedom to be who or what they wanted to be in the first place." Lifting a shrug, she adds, "So, in short, I don't think it's you. I think that maybe they just weren't in a place, or even just headspace, where they felt they could be who they wanted to be."

Alex Summers has posed:
He hears her words, but he doesn't exactly believe them. Considering that he's pondering telepathic influence vs a person wanting to be something different or whatever. None the less, he gives a nod of placation and feigned agreement then he says, "Yeah. I guess you're right." and drops it.

He looks at the plate and that he's eaten everything - he was hungry. Then he says, "You know... It's been a long day. I think I better hit the rack and get some sleep. We've got to open that door tomorrow." He'll stand. "Thanks for dinner, and the contract."

Kenesha has posed:
Kenesha lifts a brow at him, smiling faintly, though she doesn't say anything, just gives a small nod. Sipping on her water and eating her meal. He has the look of someone deep in thought that he's not ready to share. So she lets it go.

Smiling, Kenesha rises up, collecting up their plates and flatware, briefly resting a hand on his shoulder. Giving a small squeeze, she smiles, "Hey, thanks for being here. We wouldn't be in nearly as good of a position as we are if we didn't have a damn good geologist to help keep the team safe and make sure we aren't dropping through weak points." Removing her hand, she'll laugh softly, "The contract is just business, and I always make sure my people are well compensated for their expertise. You're welcome for the dinner. And thank you for the conversation. See you at the doorway tomorrow morning, Mr. Summers."

Alex Summers has posed:
He exits stage left. Off into the night to ponder the weirdness of his life.