The Mask

Date/Timing: 6 March 1995
Setting: Birgit's lab; Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
Inspired by a comment by ALC on Bastien's page
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== Birgit's POV ==
Birgit follows the incubator for /Le Bâillon and the assistant pushing the wheelchair from the ultrasound room and, in the reception area, offers her arm. „We'll see you in two weeks, Miss Arale.“
The woman accepts, eases to her feet, replies quietly, „See you then, Doctor.“ She bows her head and shuffles out the front door, one hand cradling her eight-month pregnancy.
(Soon, so soon!)
Birgit drags her eyes away and across the room to the man—oh, of course, he was coming today—bows and greets, «Welcome, Mr Engländer. I hope your visit to this little town has been pleasant.»
Langlais inclines his head. «It has been lovely, Doctor Gottlieb.» 
«Please, let's talk in my office.» Birgit opens and holds the interior door, walks beside Langlais past examination and consultation rooms, small offices, and basic labs. Through another door and into the /real labs.
«How go your latest projects?» asks Langlais.
«Very, very well.» She smiles. «The Mask passed you on her way out.»
«I see you continue to make use of our African connections to secure participants.»
Birgit waves a hand. «It's the most cost-effective approach. They are /so much less expensive to sponsor than Europeans of similar quality.»
Langlais chuckles. «I appreciate your attention to our bottom line, Doctor.»
She acknowledges.
«Judging by the state of that young woman, The Mask is very near fruition.»
«We should have a result within a month.»
«Everything proceeds as planned?»
«Yes. Today's tests show perfect health and no evidence of the template's 'gifts', though the genes remain.»
«Good, good. What will you do after the birth?»
«If it survives, I plan to have it raised alongside its template. A twin study, if you will.»
«Very wise.»
«Thank you.»
«Have you decided his name?»
«Perhaps you would enjoy choosing one?»
«Thank you for the honour, Doctor.» Langlais ponders. «The template is called 'Hermann', yes?»
«Yes.»
«Then perhaps 'Sébastien'—another 'warrior' name—will serve him well.» Considers. «Or 'Bastien'—two syllables, two twins.»
Birgit nods. «He'll be 'Bastien', then.»
«Excellent,» smiles Langlais. «Have you had a moment to go over the design requirements for The Blackbox?»
«I have,» she replies. «Step into my office so we may discuss it.» Birgit gestures to the door.
«Of course, Doctor.» Langlais steps inside.
== Langlais' POV ==
Camille rises from his seat in the reception area as Gottlieb enters, hand on the shoulder of a young, heavily pregnant East African woman in hijab. «We'll see you in two weeks, Miss Arale,» she says.
«Yes, Doctor,» replies the woman quietly. She averts her eyes shyly as she passes Camille and leaves by the front door.
Gottlieb drags her eyes from the woman to Camille, bows and greets, «Welcome, Mr Engländer. We hope your stay in our little town has been pleasant so far.»
Camille inclines his head. «It has been lovely, Doctor.» 
«Please, allow me to show you the labs.» Gottlieb opens and holds the interior door, falls into step with Camille as they pass examination and consultation rooms, small offices, and basic labs. Through another door and into the heart of the operation: labs at the cutting edge of genetic and reproductive science.
Camille soaks in the hum and burble of machinery. «How go your latest projects?»
«Very, very well.» Gottlieb's expression takes on a dreamy cast. «The young woman who just left will bring one to fruition in the next several weeks.»
«Which one would that be?»
«The Mask.»
«Ah. Everything proceeds as planned?»
«Yes. The latest ultrasound showed perfect health and no evidence of his template's 'gifts'.»
«Good, good. What will you do after the birth?»
«If it survives, I plan to raise it alongside its template. A twin study, if you will.»
«Very wise.»
«Thank you.»
«Have you decided upon a name for him?»
Gottlieb smiles. «Perhaps you would enjoy choosing one?»
Camille warms. «Thank you, Doctor.» Ponders. «The template is called 'Hermann', yes?»
«Yes.»
«Then perhaps 'Sébastien'—another 'warrior' name—will serve him well.» Considers. «Or 'Bastien', so both contain two syllables.»
Gottlieb nods. «He'll be 'Bastien', then.»
«Very well,» smiles Camille. «Have you had a moment to go over the design requirements for the Shadow Project?»
«I have,» she replies. «Let's discuss it in my office.»
«Of course, Doctor. Lead the way.»
Category:Ficlet
Category:Garmisch-Partenkirchen (setting)
Category:Langlais
Category:Langlais' POV
Category:Langlais (ficlet)
Category:Birgit
Category:Birgit (ficlet)
Category:Bastien (mention)
Category:Hermann (mention)
Category:Langlians (mention)
Category:Ficlets with images