He noticed her mild lack of enthusiasm and began to grow concerned that his new partner would be working with him only out of necessity. He'd already been worried that it would be hard getting used to working with someone again-- never mind trying to work with someone who wasn't interested. When he opened the door the to the atrium, his concerns were calmed as he saw the awe show in her face. Perhaps the problem was that she was more interested in the fauna than the flora, which would make sense, since that was what she had been sent to help him with.<br/><br/><blockquote class="uncited"><div>"Did you do all this?" </div></blockquote><br/><br/>The question made his heart sink, and his face fall. He looked down at his feet, scratching the back of his head. "Yes and no..." he replied, sadness colouring his almost musical tones. "I built this with my partner, De'voure. We've been working on it since only weeks after you Azurians arrived. Well,<span style="font-style: italic">we</span>had been working on it up until four months ago, when my elderly coworker and friend experienced a fatal heart attack. Since then, all maintenance and additions have been made by me. I've gotten rather used to working on my own, which is why I may not seem quite as friendly as I otherwise would be." He smiled a truer smile at her. "But in all honesty, this is too much work for one person. Your arrival means I might be able to catch a few winks now and again. Besides, two heads are better than one, no? I'm sure you'll have plenty of helpful input and contributions to give to this project. That said--"<br/><br/>He led her back into the lab she'd come into, and plonked a pile of paper-work onto what could only be assumed was her desk. "--you should become acquainted with what we've done here so far. That is an archive of the studies De'voure and I did up until now. Feel free to skim the first three quarters, but do make sure you have studied it well by the end of this month. It's vital that you have the background on what is going on here. For today, I suggest you read, because until you're properly prepared there's not much you can help me with. Tomorrow I'll help you get started into the work." He paused, realizing how he was sounding. "Once you're all caught up, our partnership will properly begin, but until then I hope you don't mind if I guide you through what needs doing." He tucked a curl behind his slightly pointed ear, and looked at her expectantly with earnest brown eyes, waiting for an answer.