thoughtformed | [Video]// private

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[Locked to Sheska and Julie]

I'm sorry to say, we will no longer be working at the station together. I'm afraid I've been let go. Do let me know if there's ever anything I can do to help.

[Locked to Kyon and Haruhi]

It seems that little stunt this weekend lost me my job at the station. Don't worry, though - all that means is that I'll have more time to devote to the SOS Brigade.

[Locked to Aqua, Aisling, Sirius, Rogue, and Sarah]

As my friends, I wanted to let you know that I won't be working at the police station anymore. However, I would appreciate if you could keep quiet about it.

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[He doesn't seem to notice her evasion, but doesn't press the issue anyway.] Well, whenever you want. They may be different from home, but I know this sky, and I know where in the forest to look from - I'd love to show you sometime.

[He expels a large breath, then leans closer to Sheska, so that their shoulders are touching. He closes his eyes, speaking as if to himself.] Astronomy, huh...?

[His presence is comforting, and she doesn't even think before adjusting to lean on him a little. Speaking softly, more to provide background noise than anything, she says:]

I wonder what the constellations are, here... the stories behind them. Do they even do that here? Or are they all just named impersonally... numbers and letters. What do they mean for the people here? Do they mean anything at all?

All we would really have to do to find out is ask some of the nonfictionals. But for the most part, they seem to want nothing to do with us. [He smiles softly.] I suppose you probably know different constellations and stories than I do, though. Even if they aren't here, it would be interesting to talk about.

Mm... I'm not sure the non-fictional population would be willing to talk mythology like that, unfortunately. They don't seem to have much of their own, surrounded by all of ours, it seems. Not if the library is anything to go on. [She looks up at him, a little startled.] Oh, really? I mean... I know I'm interested in the stories, but I would have thought you more interested in the stars themselves. At least, you had a good balance between the two when you were younger.

They don't seem to as perceived by us, anyway. In all probability, we'll never know... [He turns to her and smiles, more energetically.] I suppose we'll just have to make up our own stories, won't we?

Well, one is less interesting without the other, don't you think? Besides, you're more interested in the stories.

Ah... Well... yes, I am.

[But that doesn't mean that we should ignore your interests in favor of mine, she thinks, but can't actually bring herself to say it. It would be too much like criticism, and if he wants to talk about what she likes, that's only his way.]

It's so telling of a person's culture and history, what they know of their stars. Some people back home worshiped a sun god, and they counted the moon as his wife and the stars his children, but that was so different than what the rest of the country believed... And the Xing stories, from what I could find, were vastly different than ours as well. It's just interesting...

[He shakes his head, seeming to hear the criticism she doesn't voice.] Ah, don't think that way, Sheska-kun. Like I said, I'm interested in both - and it only stands to reason I'll have a more enjoyable conversation if we talk about the part you're more interested in, don't you think?

We generally take a more scientific approach to it back home, though there were older cultures that worshiped the sun. It definitely is interesting. [He turns, his face displaying he was entertaining a notion he hadn't had before.] If we weren't stuck on this island, I suppose I might have considered a degree in archaeology.

[Color brightens her ears and flushes her cheeks, chasing away some of that wan pallor. How did he always seem to be able to read her mind at the most awkward times? Still, he let it pass, and she gratefully let it go.]

Archaeology? That's rather a change of pace, isn't it? Or rather, of scope? From the wide universe to things well-grounded beneath your feet? Still, it's fascinating, don't you think? Who we are is so deeply rooted in history...

[Raising a hand, she ducks her head to meet it, stifling a small yawn. Her emotional outburst, brief though it had been, drained her, and the first signs of its toll were starting to make their appearance. But especially with him here, she could fight it off. He was engaging. Gave her something to focus on, and kept her mind busy. She could stay awake. It would be fine.]

[He stretches a little, leaving his arms on the back of the couch as they come back down.] It might seem to be different, and in many aspects that's true, but the side we're both interested in is the same - the stories, and culture behind them and associated with them. The people.

And from one perspective, they're both foundational, studying the past and where we came from. One is just taking a slightly larger view.

[He leans in a little further, letting out a slow breath. Seemingly absently, he starts to play with her hair, gently running his finger through it and almost massaging her scalp.]

Edited 2014-02-17 04:12 (UTC)

[She automatically shifts a little to accommodate his stretch, and settles in against his side. It's only after the fact that she remembers that such a gesture might not be appropriate, and tenses up. She can't let herself get too wrapped up in this or she risks doing something she'll regret later.]

So is there a reason you wouldn't want to pursue archaeology here? There are those ruins in the forest, I hear... History is pretty scarce on the island itself, though there's some Earth history books in the library and such. I own a few now.

[Referring to the two shelves exclusively on that subject. She relaxes minutely as he plays with her hair, closing her eyes briefly in silent appreciation. The world swirls slightly behind her eyelids and she forces herself to open her eyes again. She must be more tired than she thought. And she can't let him keep doing that for long. ...but maybe just a little while. The jangling of nerves is quieting, and it's so rare for that to happen right now.]

There are ruins here, but there was also a buried spaceship. I don't think I'd get any verifiable results, given how the island seems to defy the laws of nature when it feels like it. And if asked what cultures I was interested in, 'the ancient natives of New Moore' would not have been near the top of the list.

[His hand continues, softly making its way up and then down all the way to her neck.] Perhaps psychology, then.

Mmm... I don't know... Maybe understanding their past would help us better understand their current mood and culture. But the space ship... That would certainly make things more difficult. Unless the ship is from when humans or aliens first landed here. Maybe they settled the island. Populated the world.

[A shiver runs through her and she angles her head forward to allow him better access with a soft sigh. More tension ebbs slowly away, and she can't help but smile a little at his next flight of fancy.]

Would you be a counselor? Goodness knows you'd be excellent at it. I'm not sure you'd have to study very hard.

[He makes a small sound of surprise when she expresses such confidence in his skills.] Really? A counselor, huh? I'm not so sure, myself...

If the coursework is easy, though, that would just mean I could go through it quicker, get deeper into the material. There's so much there, I'm not sure I'd ever learn enough to be satisfied.

[It really is impossible to keep one's eyes open with one's chin on one's chest like this. Especially when it's so easy to tilt one's head sideways just a little and set one's cheek against a friend's chest. This is perilous, really, but she is having a very hard time getting up the willpower to pull away from his fingers.]

That's what makes higher education so perfect for you, Koizumi. You'd never have to stop learning if you didn't want to. I'm sure if you put your mind to it, you would discover whole new ways of doing things if you wanted to. You're so smart...

[He looks down at her lying against his chest with a small, fond smile. Whether playing with her hair was intentional at first, there's no question about it now - as he softly adds his second hand, movements small and gentle.

When he speaks, his voice is quieter too, and smoother, somehow - almost silky, luxurious.] You speak as if you couldn't do the same.

And I really do think you may be overstating it, Sheska. But thank you.

Edited 2014-02-18 04:04 (UTC)

Mmmm...

[His fingers brush over the nape of her neck and she shivers involuntarily, one of those motions that sets shimmery echoes singing along the nerves.]

I don't think I'm the type they're looking for... And I know I'm not overstating it. I think you--

[She muffles another, longer yawn.]

You don't... have enough faith in yourself.

It doesn't matter what they're looking for, Sheska - what matters is what you're looking for.

[His smile turned gently amused at her reprimand, the irony not lost on him. He wouldn't mention it, though, not now.]

Ah, perhaps that's so... I see that a lot around here.

Mmm...

[She makes a soft noise of agreement. ...What were they discussing again?]

So... you're thinking... about psychology?

[He shrugs his shoulders as his hands drift absently through her hair.] Ah, I'm not really sure. It's a possibility, I suppose. There are so many fields out there, though, and none of them really seem quite right for me.

[A sigh of something closer to contentment than anything she's done in the last 72 hours escapes her.]

No? I mean... It doesn't have t'be something... something with a high reputation. You could... pursue cooking. If you're passionate about it. Or forestry. Though... 'm not sure if they teach that. I think Chief Beifong hoped...

[She's starting to slur, just a little, and the sorrow edges back into her voice after a pause.]

I guess that doesn't matter now. Sorry.

Of course, that's true, Sheska. But I can study cooking fine on my own, and though enjoyable, it's not something I'd want to do for a living.

[His expression mirrors the sorrow in her voice when she mentions Lin's hopes for him.]

It's not your fault, Sheska, please don't worry about it. Who knows, I may yet manage to avoid disappointing Lin-san completely in that regard.

[Her sigh is more weary this time, softer, a sign of her dwelling on it regardless of his reassurances, but she doesn't say anything about that part of it.]

We're going to miss you. Ms. Beifong not least among us. I think you might have to try to actually disappoint her.

[He notices her sigh, but once again doesn't mention it. That particular discussion wouldn't do either of them any good at the moment.]

It's not like I won't still be around. I'll still visit the precinct fairly often - someone needs to make sure Lin-san eats, after all - and I may even be joining the vigilante community, so I could still be present that way too.

Let's think of something a little more pleasant for now, though, shall we?

Edited 2014-02-19 04:24 (UTC)

[Blink blink. He may be...?]

What?

[The word is out of her mouth before she can stop it, but... he didn't want to talk about it. It feels as though she's trying to think through molasses. Everything's slow and sticky.]

Sorry, no, doesn't matter. 'M sure I'll find out later.

[She cast about for another topic, at a complete loss.]

I was going to m'be bake some this weekend... 's there something you'd-- [Oh shoot, yawn.] Something you'd like me t'make?

Ah, right. I guess I haven't mentioned. Carol-san will be continuing my training, and - depending on what she thinks - I may coordinate with everyone to help out. Mostly during emergencies, I should gather.

[He smiles gently.] I'm sure I'll like whatever you end up making, Sheska. Do let me know if you'd like help with the baking.

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librariansheart - 2014-03-02 06:04 (UTC) - Expand

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