(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]

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.

[candothat]

This may surprise you, but I do not know how. Klingons, yes--very ugly, but very honorable. The Federation does not have a good relationship with them, and I do not have a good relationship with their cuisine.

You say that now.

[likeboudica]

So they are aliens? [ Storing that knowledge. She likely won't ever need it. ] Perhaps we can find a recipe somewhere for it. We could try.

Yes. And I hope that you will not prove me wrong.

[candothat]

On Earth they are aliens, yes. [She might. It's not out of the realm of possibility.] Smetana, I know, takes time for the cream to sour. Perhaps there is a recipe for something that does not take so long.

I would never want to prove you wrong.

[likeboudica]

I suppose on their world we would be the aliens, then. [ What a strange thought. ] We should go to the library.

[ Oh. Smiling, half shy and half cheeky. ] Then perhaps you should not insist on being more stubborn than me.

[candothat]

And in space, we are all aliens. [Strange? What?] There are recipe books in the library?

I cannot help that. It is cultural.

[likeboudica]

There are all sorts of books in the library, including recipe books. I have found quite a few, there.

And it is personal in my case. [ Basically, she is who she is. ]

[candothat]

Maybe there is one that tells how to make piroshky. You would like a piroshk with fruit, I think.

Then you cannot help it, either. We are at a standstill.

[likeboudica]

Let us go have a look. [ Since they are walking anyway, it is easy to change direction. ]

So it would seem. And yet you have given in this time.

[candothat]

I would say 'after you,' but then I would not get to walk next to you.

[scoff] Only out of respect, Miss Tessa!

[likeboudica]

I think this suits just fine, does it not? [ She certainly likes walking like this, with their arms linked and him by her side. ]

You could continue to do so in the future.

[candothat]

I have no complaints.

[He pretends to consider this.] I could. It may be to my benefit, remaining on your good side.

[likeboudica]

Neither do I.

[ Smile widening. ] Perhaps it would be.

[candothat]

Then I will consider surrendering in the future, as well, if that is the tactically wise thing to do.

[seriously] May I ask you a question?

[likeboudica]

Yes, of course.

[candothat]

I have done some research, but I could not find the answer to this: when is it socially acceptable to hold hands?

[likeboudica]

In my time? Or here? [ Asking carefully. The question isn't at all what she would have expected, though it is interesting. She has certainly considered similar questions. ]

[candothat]

Here in this time, but for you. The question s too specific for books.

[likeboudica]

Oh. [ She nods slowly. ] I suppose it would depend on the person, and how comfortable I am with them. In my time, it would be unbecoming to even walk with a man without a chaperone, but many of those things simply do not apply here. I do not wish to cling to social ideas that have no relevance at the time, especially those that would unduly limit me in my interaction with others. [ Yes, that includes handholding. ] In general, I think it is acceptable in this time, is it not? To hold hands if one wishes to do so. Though I am not quite clear on when it would simply be friendly and when there would be more intent behind it. [ The romance books were not quite the right study material, perhaps. ]

For me, I suppose it depends on how comfortable I am with a person. But I do like it. [ And if he wants to hold her hand— she would not mind it, from him. Certainly not if it is meant in friendship, and perhaps— perhaps not if it means more, either. ]

[candothat]

That is a very open-minded way to think. [But obviously not bad, because if Tessa wasn't so open-minded, they would need a chaperone. Chekov would rather not have, say, Howl chaperoning.] Yes, it is acceptable here. The nuances--I am uncertain of them.

[He's not entirely sure what his own intentions are, honestly, but he likes Tessa and would like to hold her hand, so...] Would you like it if I were to hold your hand?

[likeboudica]

I am in a time far beyond mine. [ she gives a little shrug. ] I have more freedom here, in what is acceptable and what is not, and while I do not wish to lose all connection with the time I am from, there is many things here that I appreciate and prefer.

[ Instead of answering that, she pulls her hand away from his arm, holds it out to him in a silent invitation. She isn't quite looking at him, but she is smiling. ]

[candothat]

[That's as good a yes as any. He takes her hand.] You do well out of your time.

[likeboudica]

[ Squeezing his hand very carefully, just for a moment, smiling even as she looks away. ] This time is far more accepting.

[candothat]

[He reciprocates. It's not inappropriate if she starts it.] Of many things, yes, but the City must be more accepting than other places.

[likeboudica]

[ No, it is not. It would be inappropriate in her time, but it is not here, not if she enjoys it, is it? ] The people here are very accepting. Perhaps it is because there are so many here from different worlds.