MASTERMIND

DIANA GUO ( SHE/HER ) is a CIS FEMALE, FORTY year old FEDERAL CORONER who has been living in Moorbrooke for EIGHT MONTHS. They were born on APRIL 29 and right now, they are currently residing in OAKLEY COURT. It has been said that they look suspiciously like GEMMA CHAN and if they had to choose a song to describe themselves, they would choose HIGH INFIDELITY by TAYLOR SWIFT.

tw for plane crash mention, cheating

Usually Benji wasn’t the biggest fan of small talk, or some people would probably say talking at all, but right now he couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows with the hint of a smirk on his lips. Not that it was something he’d necessarily bring up in front of his co-workers just like that but he certainly didn’t mind talking about it either. “Hey, there’s gotta be way worse things to talk about…”, he countered, simply for the fun of teasing her a little, “Especially when working in the morgue! I mean seriously - at least talking about something that’s… a little more alive can’t be that bad to spice things up a little, can it?!”

          diana ,    believe  it  or  not ,    is  terrible  at  small  talk  if  you  couldn’t  already  tell  from  her  musing .    her  nose  wrinkles  with  a  vague  sense  of  disgust ,    shaking  her  head  at  benji’s  justification .    ‘  what  could  be  possibly  be  worse ?  ’    she’s  having  a  difficult  time  imagining  something  more  inappropriate  to  discuss  in  that  environment .    ‘  maybe  i’m  just  a  square ,   then .    i  could  think  of  hundreds  of  things  i’d  rather  hear  about  during  an  autopsy  instead  of  a  couple  of  med  students’  lackluster  sex  lives .  ’

Of all the faces he’d expected to see today, hers was the last he would have bet on. Though, he should’ve known better. Moorbrooke was, after all, a small city, and she did hold a position of some prominence. It was a wonder he hadn’t run into her before now. “Ms. Guo,” he returned the greeting, cordial and polite, as if there wasn’t a myriad of secrets between them. “I have to say that they are. Most of it is tedious, of course, but it comes with the job. I much prefer this part of the position – getting to know the people I hope will vote to install me permanently.” He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm, trusting that she wouldn’t call him out for being too forward. Though if she did, he wouldn’t blame her. Silas couldn’t really be sure where they stood. “And you? How’s the new role treating you?”

          ‘  doctor ,  ’    she  corrects  automatically ,    reflexive  but  not  unkind .    it’s  a  strange  feeling ,    speaking  so  stiltedly  with  someone  who  was  instrumental  in  the  destruction  of  her  marriage .    not  that  it’s  silas’  fault  ----  diana  &  dorian’s  marriage  was  already  gasoline - soaked .   all  he  did  was  strike  a  match  when  diana  asked  him  to .   but ....  she  has  to  wonder  what  made  him  so  willing  to  hurt  dorian .   nevermind  that ,    though ,   clearly  there  are  more  pressing  things  to  attend  to  at  the  moment .    ‘  from  what  i  understand ,    you’re  a  shoe - in .   it’s  quite  an  achievement ,    you  should  be  very  proud  of  yourself .  ’  not  that  she’s  ever  known  him  to  have  trouble  getting  what  he  wants  ( as  evidenced  by  how  easily  he  takes  her  hand ) .   it’s  one  of  the  things  she  quickly  grew  to  appreciate  about  silas :      he  always  seemed  to  have  a  goal .    he  was  always  looking  at  the  bigger  picture .   he  was  confident ,    but  never  let  himself  get  too  comfortable .   diana  resents  when  people  become  too  comfortable .  ‘  it’s  treating  me  well  enough ,    thank  you  for  asking .   it’s  definitely  keeping  me  busy  ----  but  lately  i  find  that  i  prefer  it  that  way .  ’

Cheyenne tipped her head, trying to picture the conversation. “Was there a body out when they were discussing it?” she asked, wrinkling her nose. “I just don’t understand how you could be looking at a corpse and think about dating or sex.” she said, stabbing more salad onto her fork as she sat across the table from Diana. She wasn’t quite sure if they were friends yet, but it was nice to be able to have lunch with someone at work. It made her feel like she was actually beginning to form connections and put down the roots she desperately wanted. “Forget ‘cuffing season’. The only thing you need to keep warm in the winter is mulled wine and fluffy pajamas.” she said, popping the fork into her mouth, only vaguely aware that she was beginning to sound like a bitter divorcee.

         ‘  i  was  mid - autopsy ,  ’    diana  confirms  solemnly ,    a  tinge  of  disappointment  clear  in  her  tone .    she’s  quite  awkward  when  it  comes  to  making  friends ,    but  she  &  cheyenne  have  begun  to  form  a  habit  of  joining  each  other  for  lunch  when  they’re  able .    and  even  better ,    diana  finds  that  she  really  looks  forward  to  it .    ‘  how  do  i  explain  this ?  ----  sometimes ,    when  people  are  new  to  the  field ,   they  over - compartmentalize .    they  stop  viewing  the  victims  as  victims ,   as  people ,   because  at  that  point  it’s  just  another  task  to  complete .  ’    diana’s  brow  furrows  as  she  absentmindedly  sorts  her  m&ms  by  color .    ‘  unfortunately ,    most  of  the  time  it  falls  on  me  to  remind  them .  ’    a  small  sigh  of  defeat  escapes  her ,    but  she  won’t  let  it  weigh  on  her  too  heavily .    ‘  that  sounds  perfect ,   actually ,  ’    she  muses  thoughtfully .   ‘  i  swore  off  dating  for  a  while  after  my  divorce  and  i  still  haven’t  convinced  myself  to  get  back  into  it .    cuffing  season  is  basically  a  threat  at  this  point .  ’

aksel cracked a smile at the conversation, but he was going to sound like a hypocrite because he had a hospital romance. more of a hospital sex with benefits kinda thing, but he wasn’t one to discuss it with his coworkers, or even friends. ‘you sound lonely, di. are you looking to be cuffed up?’ he teased, scrunching his nose at her. ‘i do agree with you, though. less grey’s and more anatomy, please. i blame tv for making all health care professionals look like sexually frustrated assholes. i mean, it’s right when they talk about me.’

          funny .    it’s  funny !   ....      it’d  be  funnier  if  the  word  ‘lonely’  didn’t  always  hit  far  too  close  to  home .    outwardly ,    though ,    diana  doesn’t  let  on ,    instead  rolling  her  eyes  good - naturedly .    ‘   sure ,    that’s  what  it  is .  that’s  what  i  need  in  my  life  right  now .  ’    having  to  build  a  new  romantic  ( or  sexual )  relationship  from  scratch  just  sounds .....    like  a  burden ,   honestly .   what  a  chore .    the  payoff  is  rarely  ever  worth  it ,   so  why  put  in  the  work  at  all ?   diana  has  never  watched  grey’s  anatomy ,    but  the  show’s  reputation  alone  is  enough  for  her  to  tentatively  nod  in  agreement .   ‘  people  really  shouldn’t  put  so  much  stock  in  those  tv  shows .    most  of  the  time  they  hardly  even  make  sense !   and  the  producers  don’t  care ,    either .   i  was  hired  as  a  consultant  for  one  of  those  crime  procedural  shows  a  few  years  ago ,    but  they  didn’t  seem  to  care  about  any  of  the  things  i  corrected .   ’    most  fictional  stories  don’t  get  it  right .    except  diana’s  novels  ----  those  are  basically  perfect ,   obviously .

“Alright, Princess. Let the kids get it out. You think they have a good sex life anyway?” He shook his head. Every now and then he had seen her at the hospital. Sometimes they’d walk out together, or in, or a quick ‘hi’ at the vending machine when he didn’t have time, or care. “What’s got your panties in a twist?”

           diana’s  expression  is  flat  as  she  turns  to  assess  reece .      it’s  almost  impressive  how  outwardly  disrespectful  he  is :    but  since  it’s  directed  towards  her ,    she  can’t  muster  up  any  admiration .    instead ,    she  finds  herself .....   peeved ,   which  isn’t  an  emotion  she  experiences  very  often .    ‘  excuse  me  if  i  don’t  want  to  hear  about  a  couple  of  twenty - somethings’  intimate  encounters  while  i’m  wrist  deep  in  a  murder  victim’s  chest  cavity .    you’re  right ,    how  completely  irrational  of  me .   ’

lyanna had to keep telling herself, don’t shrink people, don’t shrink people, don’t shrink people—especially if they weren’t current patients. although this was by far the oddest thing she’d heard in a while, and in her profession, she heard a lot of weird things. “so they were graphic i assume?” she asked, shaking her head. “that is so not the place. i mean, obviously being at work in any field and talking about your sex life is completely inappropriate but especially in your field! there are… decaying individuals! of all the places not to talk about one’s sex life, that’s got to be at the top!” and lyanna was not keen on opening the can of worms that would be. nope, she’d have to be paid to do that.

       well ,     to  be  frank ,    diana  could  use  some  shrinking .     not  that  she  feels  particularly  inclined  to  seek  something  like  that  out  at  the  moment .    she’s  comfortable  in  her  routine ,    as  isolated  as  it  can  be :    at  least  she’s  not  hurting  anyone  when  she’s  alone .    ‘  unfortunately  so .   i  know  far  too  much  about  those  two  &  all  of  it  i  have  learned  against  my  will .  ’    she  huffs  a  small  sigh  of  exasperation  before  a  flicker  of  amusement  sparks  in  her  eyes .  lyanna’s  careful  choice  of  words ,   while  respectful ,    is  still  somewhat  humorous  to  diana .   ‘  ----  you  can  just  call  them  victims ,   lyanna .    they  won’t  be  offended ,    i  assure  you .    but  i  agree .    it’s  easy  to  become  desensitized  in  our  line  of  work .   it’s  necessary  to  an  extent ,    but  when  people  get  too  comfortable  it  poses  an  issue .   they’re  young ,    i’m  sure  they’ll  figure  out  where  the  line  is  soon  enough .  ’

Carliegha was a busy bee sometimes. She’d been working on making sure their ebook library was more user friendly for the past week. It was advancing along quite nicely. She knew most people though being a librarian was all books and reading and while she’d never deny that she’d found herself snuggled into a seat near the window on a slow day to catch up on a little reading, there was a lot more technology that went into it all nowadays then people would think. She loved it. A blend of her two worlds. Her head lifted as the door opened directing her attention. Spotting Diana she offered the novelist a smile. “Oooh here for research or for personal?” 

Silas had been walking around time, schmoozing, as one did when one had recently been named Interim Mayor. He should’ve been worried about Mayor Sandoval, about her well being, but he’d quickly found that he quite enjoyed being referred to as Mayor Ward. So much so that he wasn’t in any rush to see the old mayor returned to town. Though he did hope that she was at least safe. His candidacy could benefit from a touch of mystery, but scandal? Scandal could make or break a person’s entire career. Silas knew that from personal experience. Shaking himself from the direction his thoughts had taken, Silas caught the gaze of a nearby person, a charming smile spreading across his face. “You wouldn’t happen to want to grab coffee with me, would you? My treat.”

        for  some  silly  reason ,    she  had  thought  life  in  maine  would  have  been  quiet .    instead ,    she’s  found  this  coastal  town  to  be  rife  with  both  personal  &  professional  drama .   in  the  weeks  since  the  mayor’s  disappearance ,    a  persistent  sense  of  dread  has  permeated  the  atmosphere .     a  woman  like  mayor  sandoval  doesn’t  just  disappear ,   after  all .   diana  has  a  sinking  feeling  that  her  body  will  turn  up  soon   &  she  will  be  responsible  for  the  ensuing  investigation .    silas  ward  had  ample  motive  as  the  one  who  would  benefit  the  most  from  sandoval’s  disappearance :    no  body  no  crime ,  of  course ,    but  di  still  thought  it  would  be  prudent  to  remain  somewhat  guarded  around  the  man .    ‘  good  morning ,   mr.  ward ,  ’    she  greets  easily ,   a  polite  smile  curving  her  lips .   ‘  that’s  a  very  kind  offer .   i  think  i’ll  take  you  up  on  that .  how  are  you  doing  this  morning ,  are  the  mayoral  duties  treating  you  well ?  ’