Thread: Roses and Jasmine (Victorian and Whisp)

Jasmine sat in her regular corner at the library, rubbing her temples and trying to get rid of the tension headache, throbbing in time with her heartbeat. Her glasses lay off to the side and her eyes were closed tight to try and relieve a little of the pressure. This had all started out as an interesting dive into spiritual and traditions rituals all over the world, but the more research she did the less she experienced that high she usually felt when gathering information and new knowledge. Its true, she had learned what she set out to about the Cambodian ritual for a girl's coming of age...but her research lead her is so many other dark areas as well. Things she really wish she could take back finding out about. No...that wasn't true, it was never better to be ignorant. Ignoring the problem did nothing to fix it. Jaz pulled the white elastic from her long hair, hoping that would help the tension a little, but nothing felt like it was working at the moment. Massaging her scalp, racking her fingers through the mass of heavy ash brown strands. Finally deciding to give up for the night, she pulled her power cord from the wall and proceeded to pack everything into her backpack. Her pink pen went into its spot in a side zippered pocket before she shouldered the pack and quietly left. Crap, she muttered to herself and retraced the few steps she had managed, grabbing her forgotten glasses and heading out once again. Jaz fought her way into both arm straps so the heavy pack wouldnt keep gliding off her thin shoulders, hooking her thumbs under them in the age old backpack technic that all people instinctively knew. Absently walking with her head downward, hiding behind a river of hair, she made the familiar trip home. Walking to the station, riding the train, running up the steps to the street again for the final 3 block walk to her apartment. She never minded the trip home, she enjoyed the short time outside and the tiny bit of exercise. With her work and studies, the only fresh air she got was running from one to the other. Well, as fresh as air got in the city anyway. Jaz waved politely to the doorman, opting to take the elevator for once. She just didnt have the energy for stairs today. The doors dinged and opened, granting her entrance and she thumbed her floor without looking. Hopefully her roommate wasnt home, or maybe she was in her room gaming. Shed have her headset on and wouldnt even notice when Jasmine slipped in. The elevator dinged again, and she stepped out before the doors were finished opening. A couple of aspirin and a hot shower...than I can think again, she thought to herself...and proceeded to do just that. Later and in bed, a second glass of wine on the side table and her computer humming in front of her, Jaz clicked through the university's departments, looking for someone she might contact for more information. She was sprawled on her stomach, resting on her elbows. Her hair twisted into a towel turban to keep the wet mess off her back. The wine was mixing with the headache pills she had swallowed about 30 minutes previous, and she was feeling a bit light headed and buzzed. Oh wow...Professor Rose might be the one to get in touch with she mumbled with a smile, every female on campus knew the Professor, but she doubted many of them knew which classes he had. The man was a serious hottie, not that Jasmine made a point to notice that sort of thing normally, but looking at the little thumbnail portrait beside his profile on the University website, she knew it didnt do him justice. That is really all besides the point, she scalded herself. Yes, the important information here was that he specialized in several Cambodian studies, not to mention his work with the violent deaths and forced prostitution of girls and women there. Biting her lip, Jasmine hit Professor Roses email button. To jroseuniprof.com From jas-calunistu.com Subject Current Affairs in Cambodia Dear Prof. Rose, My name is Jasmine Caldwell and Im a 3 year student at the University. I havent had the pleasure of attending any of your classes, in fact my studies are really not in the same field as your own, but the two areas have recently crossed in my research. Im doing a paper on rituals and spiritual beliefs from around the world, and my research lead me to a closer study of Cambodia, in which I believe you specialize. What started as an exciting inquiry into a coming of age ritual has turned into horror stories of murder, rape and prostitution of young women. Articles of young girls murdered for immoral conduct, after being raped by gangs. First they survive the horror of violation, lucky they weren't left bleeding and dying in the street, only to be punished by their government! Ive seen that you are a strong voice for the women of Cambodia, and I just want to..no..I need to do something to help however I can. Please tell me it is not as bad as is seems, or if it is...that you and others are doing something to prevent such atrocities! There are rumors, and though Im not prone to listening to the gossip, that you have a military past, and by the looks of you, I can readily believe that, surely you have some way to work against these criminals! Someone needs to do something Yours truly Jasmine Caldwell She was on her third glass of wine by the time she finished the email and feeling well and truly tipsy. She hesitated a few moments, doubting she would get a response or any type of reaction other than an automatically sent reply. Mentally shrugging her shoulders, she hit the send button and flipped over onto her back. Closing her eyes, she listened as her roommate came home and wandered through their apartment. She desperately tried to erase the images now stuck in her head. This was going to be a long night...