Welcome to Gaia! ::

Ryan woke up to the sound of his alarm. It was 10:30am, as early as ever in his book. He relaxed a bit and contently listened to the music he'd programed on the machine. It was gloomy outside, it had been for the last couple of weeks now. Normally, he loved gloomy days, and thought himself much more active then, than in the normally sunshine drenched days enjoyed by most Southern Californians. But at the moment, he only felt the need to go back to sleep.
"Bllleehhhhhh..."
His cellphone rang...the unmistakable tune of some videogame. it was of course of Rockman origin. Even though everyone at the office criticized him for having such a noise, to him it meant a strong will to keep in touch with the kid inside him. He picked it up and flipped it open,
"Mmhm?"
"Mr. Cisneros?"
He sighed, "Speaking..."
"....Mr. Shoemocker says he needs you down at the offices...he says he's sorry to bother you on your day off."
There was a pause.
"not as sorry as I am... tell him I'll be over.."

Ryan stood in the shower with his eyes closed, not because he was tired, but because it was proven to stretch the brains cpabilities just the slightest bit to perform all the normal functions whilst blind in the shower. Afterwards, he prepared a bit a toast, also a good means of keeping the brain healthy, and also brought along a small pack of unsweetened nuts for later.
"guh....well at least the day is beautiful...I hope it rains."
he began to smile, just the prospect of rain always seemed to brighte his mood.
he put on his jacket, his helmet, and set out on his bike. Not the Suzuki he'd always dreamed of. it was a simpler model, more of a beginners bike. Though it hardly perturbed any of his enjoyment. after a few minutes of making sure all was done, he was off.

Ryan zoomed into his parking space and headed towards the main entrance to the large, white-washed box of a building. He stiffled another yawn as he entered the quiet lobby. He began to unzip his jacket when he was greeted by the secretary, something not usually done. He stopped and looked at her, noticing that he'd never really looked at her in all the previous times he'd entered.
"Mr. Cisneros. Dr. Shoemocker asked me to ask you to wait here, he'll be out in a moment."
Ryan blinked, then made his way over to one of the 'modern', low-to-the-ground couches.
it wasn't long before a skinnier, taller man exited one of the hallways, a hand outstretched. Ryan loked at it and smiled,
How human...
he looked up to his face,
"Ah! I'm so sorry for doing this, Mr. Cisneros. I was hoping you'd join me for some lunch. I thought it'd be the least I could do."
Ryan smiled, and couldn't help but laugh,
"no problem, no problem at all. These thigns make life all the more interesting."
They both nodded and exited the building. Ryan made another glance towards the secretary, it was odd, Why does she seem so strange to me?
But it wasn't long for his mind to be occupied with other things. Mr. Shoemaker decided it'd be best to carpool together in his Honda sedan, and also decided to let business wait until they reached their destination. The small-talk that ensued was monotinous enough for him to be able to think about other things, though of what he'd suddenly forgotten.

the two of them sat across from each other in a windowed booth at local deli. Ryan was staring out the window, fully aware of Mr. Shoemockers stare.
"I have a proposition for you, Ryan."
He turned his head to face him,
"A proposition?"
"Yes, that's what I said."
A waitress quickly rushed over with two plates, one a roast beef sandwhich, the other, a tuna.
They said their thanks, both amused at the sudden break in concentration. Ryan unfolded the napkin and began placing it on his lap.
"What kind of proposition did you have in mind?"
Mr. Shoemocker smiled and prodded the tuna sandwhich in front of him with his finger.
"A fantastic psychological experiment has been...afforded to me, and I'd like you to be a part of it."
He picked it up and took a bite, still smilling in between chews.
Ryan looked out the window again, his mind reeling at the implications.
"I'm fully aware of the certain extents of your experiments, Mr. Shoemocker."
"-Please, call me Alex"
"...And word has been spreading about just what you have been doing."
"You're new to this field, Ryan, so It's natural to expect some disconcern. But the way things are now, one must get their hands dirty once in a while to get the data needed. It's only for the benefit of ourselves!"
"How dirty are yours, Alex?"
"That doesn't matter. Will you be a part of this or not?..you haven't even touched your sandwhich.."
Ryan looked down, and picked it up.
"How can I accept if you haven't even told me anything about it?"
Alex's smile grew wider.
"Tell me about your past, Ryan."
He stopped short of the bite,
"...Excuse me?"

"That's a very vague question, Alex. And what does my past have to do with anything?"
"How odd that you should be so wary!"
He began to laugh, setting down his sandwhich to take a sip of water.
"Aren't you usually the first one willing to participate in experiments whenever the chance is brought to you?"
Ryan blinked.
Alex's smile darkened,
"Hah, terribly sorry, I should have been more specific. When I said I wanted you to be a part of the experiment, I meant I wanted you to be the experiment."
He chuckled some more, waiting for his reaction.
Ryan stared at him, then at his sandwhich with only two bites taken. Alex spoke softly now, as if he were some older brother, or mentor.
"This experiment has the possibility of saving our entire race. it's the ultimate experiment, Ryan, completely unprecedented in all the fields before us. We'll be greeted as hero's! Hero's Ryan, all because of you."
"And why me? What IS this experiment!"
"Shh shh, no need to speak loudly.
he smiled and drank some more.
"You understand that, as a subject, you cannot know what will happen, any outside knowlwedge could drastically ruin our data."
"How many people are to participating in this?"
"Many..."
"How many? Are they directly related to me? Is that why you ask-"
"- all will be answered Ryan, I just need a handshake, and we'll get started."
Ryan blinked and stared at Mr. Shoemockers now outstretched hand.

He'd almost cringed as he shook the hand, Alex was obviously delighted.
"So...when do we start?"
They both got up and took the bills to the register up from.
"When I say, 'Go'"
Ryan almost took a step back,
"Go?"
"That's what I said, 'go'. And pay close attention, everything from then on will be the experiment."
"We're going to a lab right?"
They were both outside now, walking to his car.
"Who said anything about a lab? I just want you to relax, and go about just as if none of this had ever happened."
He was now in the car, waiting for Ryan to enter as well. It was needless to say that the ride back was much more uncomfortable than it was forward.
And I'm still hungry...
Ryan thought

As the two drove up, Ryan alone was the one to be startled.
"I wonder what all this is about."
Alex was silent as he got out of the car. Ryan saw him and followed suit. The two of them entered the building and saw the small crowd at the entrance. Ryan only saw their backs, and blinked. Alex smiled and waited.