[color=lightpink][b]Cori Woods[/b][/color]
Friday
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The day was finally slowing down. Kieron was still on her mind after the phone call, and she pulled the keys to the base from her pocket to eye. He was putting her in a mind by insisting she see him tomorrow night, but she supposed it would be the weekend. She would be free to do as she wanted, at least for Saturday. "[color=lightpink]Ugh,[/color]" she grumbled, resting her head in her arms.  Why did her freelance and violent contact have to make friendly with her? She didn't want that sort of baggage in her life, and especially not in her professional life.

"Better get home and rest up. You have a plane to catch in the morning."

Cori flinched at the voice in her office doorway and sat up.  "[color=lightpink]You scared me,[/color]" she breathed, resting her hand on her chest and quickly hiding the keys in her pocket again. "[color=lightpink]Wait, what plane?[/color]" 

Her father looked around the office as he approached her desk, putting the flashdrive down in front of her. "I haven't told you to clean your room in over ten years. Don't make me start that again," he said. Then he sniffed, his teasing smile fading. "Is that smoke?"

Cori rolled her eyes, but was smiling, as she grabbed the drive. However she paused and looked to him. "[color=lightpink]Uh, Sir, this isn't the flashdrive.[/color]" The one she had stolen was black and sleek. This one was black, sure, but it was clunkier and looked like something you could find at Staples. 

Damon nodded and sat down across from her. "Don't worry. Everything was copied exactly as you found it onto that drive. That one's a little more durable too. Didn't take much to destroy the first.The one you had was able to be tracked, as I'm sure you found out. " He paused, brows furrowing in concern as he eyed her bruised face and messy hair. He sighed and continued anyway. "But about that plane--pay attention, now--this is big.

"I talked with the Director myself. We're flying you out to DC in the morning to meet with him," Damon explained, pausing, "and the President." 

Cori blinked and exhaled sharply, eyes widening as she stared at the flashdrive she was fiddling with as she tensed. "[color=lightpink]W-wait, what?[/color]" 

"I explained to them how you've been investigating the incident since its happening. How you've been gathering information on these empowered humans, and how you successfully took the initiative to put together a team to...retrieve the intel from Coalition and finished the job personally. I suggested you at the very least advise whoever ends up taking the lead on all this. But, Cori, if your briefing goes well with the Director and the President, they want you leading this operation. You have first hand experience already. There's no one better for this task right now." His words were stiff and curt, not soft like he had been when he first entered the office. "So I hope you have something prepared."

"[color=lightpink]I-I-I [i]do[/i],[/color]" she said. Exasperated, she gestured at the computer in front of her and the yellow folders all over her desk. "[color=lightpink]Oh my God, I have-- I have to go home. I have to prepare. This is so much,[/color]" she rambled, gathering the folders and stuffing them into her bag. She continued like this for a few minutes before stopping, remembering Damon was right there and silently watching her. She swallowed and cleared her throat.

"[color=lightpink]Thank you,[/color]" she said as she got up to run around the desk. He stood to meet her and they hugged: Cori was tall and had broad shoulders and lean build. But embracing Damon, she appeared much smaller. "[color=lightpink]Thank you so much, I won't let you down.[/color]" 

Damon pulled away and nodded at her at arms length. "I know, Cori. I'm so proud of you." 

The two stood there for a moment. And while Damon had no problem being warm, Cori had always been colder and more awkward, taking after her other father. So she cleared her throat and pulled away, fixing her hair. "[color=lightpink]Right, I'll...I'll pack up here and get home.[/color]"[/indent]
[hr]
Satuday
[indent]Cori Woods awoke early and downed a cup of coffee and a cigarette well before the sun rose in the east. Her home was large for one person and very stylish: modern and minimalist, designed by the prestigious Woods Co.. She hated the color white, so the walls and furniture were decorated with warm, neutral patterns. The furniture complimented it perfectly, and each room had modern art hanging on the wall. However, the home lacked personality and intimacy. There were no personal photos save for the office, of her parents, and the entire house was far too clean. Even the kitchen was mostly bare except for the frozen dinners and wine. 

So it was easy for Cori to leave, only hesitating at the door as she struggled to pick between the keys to the Rolls Royce, the Bentley, the Aston Martin, or the Porsche. Deciding after a stuffy briefing with President, she would want to get off the plan to a speedy Aston martin, and away she went. [/indent]
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