02. Study break

[aces-are-rare.livejournal.com]

[And suddenly a desk appears on the Plane. It's a large desk, covered in papers. A star chart has fallen off the edge and now lies neglected on the floor. There is a large pile of old books partially obscuring the woman furiously scribbling in a large leather bound notebook.]

Bugger all.

[She scratches something out with her pen, leaving behind a big black blotch.  This is Ace, hard at work studying.  Please feel free to interrupt - she'll welcome the distraction.]

Comments

[pactum.livejournal.com]

[Aww, Ace. He watches her, able to tell this a bit. But that expression is replaced by one of utter confusion at the next part.] Density... what? Ah... w-wow. I don't blame you...

Can I look at one? [He's compelled to look, curiosity and all.]

[aces-are-rare.livejournal.com]

[She understands the confusion, completely. She really is becoming more like the Professor, isn't she? Scary and exhilarating thought.] It's nothing compared to actually seeing a star form.

[She picks up a book, carefully selecting one filled with illustrations (http://www.phschool.com/science/science_news/articles/images/chemistry_cosmos.jpg) of star births, and hands it to him.]

Here you go, mate.

[pactum.livejournal.com]

[Picture books are the best. He takes the book with reverence, carefully turns through the first couple of pages to find where the pictures begin. And he's absolutely floored.]

Is - is that really how stars are made?

It's so beautiful...

[aces-are-rare.livejournal.com]

Bril, ent it? [She looks over his shoulder at the images]

The real thing's a million times more amazing. Don't tell anyone, but the first time I saw it happen I cried a little.

[pactum.livejournal.com]

[thoughtfully] I would, too.

... Er, I mean -- just a little. N-not too much. Nevermind.

[aces-are-rare.livejournal.com]

[She just nods in understanding]

Where you from mate? When you're not here, I mean.

[pactum.livejournal.com]

I'm from Sylvarant. That is... Aselia. I doubt you've heard of it, though...

[aces-are-rare.livejournal.com]

Sylvarant... wasn't there something about a manna famine there?