(voice)

[likeboudica]

I have not been to the library today, and yet I seem to carry the smell of books, of old pages and ink, with me wherever I go today.

Strange, perhaps, but it makes me think of long days in the library with a heavy book in my lap and sunshine barely filtering through the windows. The scent reminds me of peacefulness and thoughtfulness and— maybe even contentness. So it is not wholly unwelcome, truly.

Are others experiencing the same? Is it a curse, then?

Comments

[likeboudica]

[ Taking his arm. She's no longer hesitant or shy about it, either. He does not mind it, after all. ]

Thank you, Pavel. [ He's always so nice to her. Smiling. ] How have you been?

[candothat]

[It's been almost a month. It might seem odd, but Chekov finds himself falling into something of a routine with Tessa. It's comfortable.]

I have been well. Life is interesting, as it is here. And you?

[likeboudica]

[ She certainly likes it, enjoys having someone to go on walks with and talk to, about anything from books to her life to his. Chekov has always been more than simply another person from Doctor McCoy's world, but now that he seems to be here for good, she's found that she enjoys his presence very much. ] The City is certainly never boring, curses and all.

I have been well, also. [ Better now, even, for his company. ] I spent much time in the library again.

[candothat]

No, it is not. Have I told you much about Howl? Sometimes I wish that he was more boring. [Not really.

His feet automatically head for the gardens.] Very good. You smell like the library--like books. It suits you.

[likeboudica]

Not very much, no. You could do so, now. [ Shifting her grasp on his arm a little so that their arms are linked rather than her hand resting in the crook of his elbow. It is forward, perhaps, but again: she does not think that he would mind. ]

I do quite like the smell. As far as curses go, this one is not so bad at all.

[candothat]

I am not sure how to describe him, but he is a very good cook. You would have to meet him, I believe, to understand.

[He doesn't mind at all. Being unfamiliar with the customs of her time (in spite of some attempts to research), Chekov just goes along with Tessa's actions. After all, she has never been as forward as some girls he has met.]

You might not say that if I was cursed. I have been told that some of the foods I enjoy are not pleasant to be around.

[likeboudica]

Do you cook, Pavel? [ Tessa never did much cooking until McCoy taught her, though she'd often helped her aunt prepare meals. Still, it had never been her responsibility to oversee an entire meal, only small tasks related to it, before. She enjoys cooking, now that she has started to learn. ] Perhaps I will, some time. The City is not so large that it is an impossibility.

[ That gets another smile, this one brighter, clearly amused. ] Then it is a good thing that I am the one who is cursed, is it not?

[candothat]

Ah... no. At home it was never necessary, and here [he lived on pickles and ketchup for a little while but] Charlie and Howl seem to think it is necessary to feed me. Perhaps I should learn...?

[He doesn't want to bother her by outright asking if she would show him how.]

Very! I would rather not have you avoid me just because I smell like pickled herring.

[likeboudica]

It could certainly not hurt. [ Turning to look at him. ] I would offer to teach you, but I do not think I am good enough a cook for such an offer. Perhaps, though, we could learn together. If you would like.

[ Pickled herring. She can only imagine what that smells like. ] I would not avoid you, but perhaps I would keep my nose turned away.

[candothat]

I would! Perhaps we can have cooking lessons after self-defense. [He's only half-teasing. Clearly cooking lessons should go before self-defense weapons.] But you do know how to cook some things?

[It smells delicious and tastes even better, but it may be an acquired taste. He turns to look at her as well, all but putting them nose-to-nose.] I would not like that, either.

[likeboudica]

That sounds like a good plan. I am usually hungry after the lessons, so making dinner then would not be a bad idea. And I know how to cook pancakes, and some other things. Doctor McCoy left me recipes that I have been trying, and I found many helpful books in the library.

[ That is— quite close. Tessa has never been one to back down, though, so she simply lifts her chin, a little stubborn almost. ] Would it not be better than my avoiding you entirely? [ Quirking her lips into a smile, though her tone when she speaks is earnest. ] But you are not cursed, so I suppose things are as you would want them, are they not?

[candothat]

Is it difficult to cook? Judging from what experience you have had?

It would be better than that, yes. [If Tessa won't back down, Chekov will; in truth, he's no more use to shared space than she is. He looks forward with a small smile.] They are. It is a beautiful day, there are no curses, and you are good company.

[likeboudica]

I do not think so, no. It requires patience, at times, but it is also quite pleasant. I enjoy it.

[ Tessa always assumes that everyone from a time later than hers must be more used to shared space than she is. From what she has seen in the City and read in the books written after her time, the attitudes towards casual touching have changed just as much as those towards kissing or even sexual intercourse before marriage, or in general. ] As are you.

[candothat]

You are a patient person.

[Oh, silly Tessa. Attitudes might change over time, but individuals will always have their own comfort zones.

Chekov seems amused by her answer.] Ai, spasiba. That is something that I do not hear much.

[likeboudica]

Sometimes, perhaps. Not always. With food, it is easy to be patient.

[ Very good point, Mr Chekov. Perhaps you should tell her. ] But you are!

[candothat]

Even when you are hungry?

[It hasn't occurred to him! He sighs dramatically.] If you insist, I will accept this as a truth.

[likeboudica]

I try to cook well in advance so that I have food for when I am hungry. And pancakes are very quick, at least, for when that does not work.

[ Smiling. ] I insist.

[candothat]

Pancakes, maybe, I could make. Have you heard of blini?

[Smiling right back.] What would you do if I insisted on not believing you?

[likeboudica]

Pancakes are not very difficult at all. Le— Doctor McCoy taught me. And no, I have not. What are they?

I would keep insisting. I can be very stubborn, I have been told.

[candothat]

[Ooh, let's not dwell on the thought of McCoy. Not only might it make Tessa sad, but Chekov's feeling a bit homesick. ...Starshipsick?] They are like pancakes. At home, we eat them both for meals and at wakes. I have never understood why they are popular at both.

Very well. [He tries to look put upon, but the attempt is ruined by another smile.] I will let you win this time.

[likeboudica]

[ She misses him, but she is beginning to be thankful for the times she had with him rather than sad that he is gone. Of course, the two are not mutually exclusive. ] Are they very tasty?

[ Returning his smile with an almost smug one. ] That may well be a wise choice.

[candothat]

I like them--with smetana and jam, particularly. But there are few foods that I do not like.

[He nudges her in the ribs playfully.] This time, Tessa. There will be a next time, and I will not back down so quickly.

[likeboudica]

What is smetana? [ pause. ] And which foods do you dislike?

[ She laughs, trying to evade without letting go of his arm. ] Perhaps next time again, you will be convinced by the wisdom of it, and give in again.

[candothat]

Eh... a soured cream? Very heavy. [He has to think about that.] Anything made by Klingons.

[He stops, mostly so she doesn't have a reason to let go.] Or maybe you will get to see how stubborn Russians can be, even in the face of wisdom.

[likeboudica]

It sounds nice, I think. We should try to make it, sometime. [ Head-tilting. ] Klingons?

[ That is kind. She would not have liked to let go. ] We will have to see, won't we? Though I think that you cannot be more stubborn than me.