poly_chromatic | ( v o i c e )

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the infernal devices - tessa gray

( v o i c e )

I must admit that the flow of visitors may be a little overwhelming, but— if there is someone from the Institute here, if only for a day or two, I should like to make my own presence known, rather than spend all day in the library.

I only ask that— [ she pauses, clearly hesitant, before her voice comes again, stronger now and quite firm ] that whoever should wish to talk to me will not be too forward.

[ it doesn't quite express what she wishes to say (please, take care not to offend my 18th century sensibilities) but it comes close enough while still remaining polite ]

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[This isn't a bad thing.]

That's not such a bad thing to imagine, though it may not work with Pushkin or Turgenev. Oh, I forgot one other! Chekhov--I forgot him. It feels self-serving, recommending his works, but his writing is thoughtful.

[ Good. ]

Chekhov. Are you related to him?

If I am, I did not inherit his writing abilities.

Do you write, Tessa?

Oh, no. [ Shaking her head. ]

I have written many letters that I never sent, letters that were more for myself than anyone, truthfully, but nothing beyond that.

That is something. I think you would write very well.

Do you? I am not so certain, but I think perhaps I should like to try.

I do! Those who speak well often write well.

[ Blushing a little, again. ] But I would not know what to write about. There are so many possibilities.

The things you imagine--being a heroine. You could write about those.

I could try, perhaps. [ Considering. She never thought of writing, other than for herself, other than the letters that kept her sane. ]

You would lose nothing by trying.

[lightly] I tried to pilot a simulated aircraft once. I crashed very quickly, but I did not lose anything. Ah--except for a bet with a friend. Nothing except for that.

You are certainly right in that.

[ smiling, her hand tightening a little on his arm ] What sort of bet was it?

I try not to be wrong.

[He has since removed his hand from hers for gesticulating purposes and pinches the bridge of his nose with an overwrought sigh of exasperation.] It was a bet that I would not crash. I was wrong that time.

So long as you are not always right. [ Her smile turns into a grin, almost cheeky. ] That would surely become quite irritating for everyone. Except you, possibly.

I am very nearly always right. Sulu thinks it is infuriating. [He makes a face.] Most others think it is cute.

Is Sulu the one who made the bet with you? He must have been quite happy, then, to have won.

Yes, and he was thrilled to have won. He usually wins only when we spar or he shows me how to fence.

You know how to fence, then? A little, at least.

Eh. I know how to hold a foil and my starting stance looks convincing. I could possibly make someone think I can fence.

Is fencing common where you come from?

More common, I think, than it is in the time that most people are from, here, though I am not quite certain. It certainly features less in books from a later time.

It is, perhaps, antiquated here. I think it will start becoming popular where I am from.

Perhaps the same will hold true for some of my favourite books.

Yes! I will have everyone read Dickens and--what was the other? The poet?

Tennyson. He is very good. Surely even in your time people will enjoy him.

Tennyson, yes, Tennyson. In space, there is plenty of time to read between training and missions and attacks.

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(action) (HOW IS HE SO FREAKING ADORABLE)

(action) (HOW ARE THEY SO FREAKING ADORABLE TOGETHER)

(action) (MAGIC? POWER OF YOUTH? IT TRANSCENDS TIME)

(action) (/dies of cute)

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