[008]

[oliverplus]

[Oliver is in the library today, seated at a table with several stacks of books around him. most of the spines have to do with a variety of mythologies or with the end of the world--or the universe or time, depending on what society the book is from. he has a large volume open in front of him and is paging quickly through it, skimming for...something. unfortunately, it's an old book and he's creating a bit of a dust screen in his haste]

Weber said Pestilence, and if that rain held some sort of disease, maybe... But what does that have to do with the forcefield? Is it all even relate- [coughs, pausing in his research to sit back a bit and wave a hand in front of him in an attempt to dissipate some dust. he realises someone else is there then and blinks] Oh! Hey, I didn't--[cough]--see you there. [tries to smile through one more cough. waves his hand again; dust is so annoying]

Comments

[newworldlover.livejournal.com]

[She considers.] See if you can get anything out of them in a casual conversation. But if they try to trick or trap you, just leave. All right?

[Sirkka thinks that maybe it's her turn to do something.]

[oliverplus]

[nods, starting to cheer up. he always feels better when he has a purpose] Yeah. Yeah, I'll go to the shop and give that a go. You never know!

Thanks, Sirkka. That's a great idea!

[newworldlover.livejournal.com]

[That's much better. She smiles gently at Oliver.]

Good luck. Shall I leave you to your research?

[oliverplus]

Ah...you could do. But I never asked how you're doing! [looks a little sheepish]

[newworldlover.livejournal.com]

[She smiles at him, though it's really more mischievous than it should be.] I'm fine. You've been doing your 'homework', right?

[oliverplus]

[nods] Good.

Oh, yeah! I'm getting better at it--on the Plane, anyway. It's a bit harder to do at home.

[newworldlover.livejournal.com]

With practice, you'll be able to sustain yourself. I'm sure of it.

[oliverplus]

[determined] I'll keep working at it!

It's also getting a little easier--I mean, not just the walls, but like, working out which bits are me and which aren't. So...it's not so bad. [he's still embarrassed about her catching him in the bar in such a state]

[newworldlover.livejournal.com]

[Awww. She picks that thought up without really trying, and gives him a sympathetic smile.] That's very important. You've come a long way in a short amount of time, Oliver. I'm so relieved.

[oliverplus]

[sheepish, he scratches his head] Thanks. I'm really doing okay. [which means he's doing a little better but mostly just doesn't want to worry her]

[newworldlover.livejournal.com]

[She leans over to peer into his eyes, purple hair slipping over her shoulders.]

Are you sure~? Maybe we should go see a movie to take your mind off things.

[oliverplus]

[opens his mouth to protest before he remembers their previous conversation. he's still got a million thoughts about his research running through his mind, but he's not one to cheat someone out of a promise like that] I still owe you one, don't I? We could do that if you want.

[newworldlover.livejournal.com]

[She covers one of his hands with hers.]

It's important to take breaks every once in a while. Let's go see a movie, and then you can rest, and then after that you can talk to the Twins and see what you make of it.

[oliverplus]

[just looks at her for a second and then shakes his head, smiling] Sirkka, you're too good at this. Don't worry, I'm really not having such a bad time of it. I'm just...worried about what's going on here. That's all.

[teasing] And wasn't this supposed to be something I owed you, not the other way around?

[newworldlover.livejournal.com]

I know. No one can blame you, but you have been inhaling a lot of dust lately.

[Her smile turns teasing, too.]

That's true. And now I'm asking. There's nothing wrong with that, is there?

[oliverplus]

Hey, it wasn't that bad!

Well, no. But I'm buying! You know, metaphorically. [stands, gesturing in front of him] After you?

[newworldlover.livejournal.com]

Mmhmm. [She lets it go, releases Oliver from the terror of a girl invading his personal space. She takes a moment to straighten her shirt and arrange her hair, then winks at him.]

There. Now I'm ready.

[And off she goes toward the movie theater.]

[oliverplus]

[shakes his head with a smile and hurries after her] Hey, wait up! Aren't I supposed to hold the door and stuff like that?

[newworldlover.livejournal.com]

[She slows down a little so that he can catch up.]

If you want to. I don't really care either way.

[oliverplus]

[teasing] You make this hard, you know!

[newworldlover.livejournal.com]

What can I say? I'm a girl who likes initiative.

[oliverplus]

I'll have to work on that. [takes her hand this time]

[newworldlover.livejournal.com]

[She squeezes it and smiles at him.]

I hope you have a movie in mind. I'm a little short on DVDs at the moment.

[oliverplus]

Oh! Uh...yeah, I can think of one. Unless there's a particular sort you're in the mood for?

[newworldlover.livejournal.com]

Nope, I'm absolutely fine with whatever you pick. ♥