( v o i c e )

[likeboudica]

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 ]

Comments

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[candothat]

[Doctor McCoy told Chekov to look for a young woman dressed in very old clothes and talk to her. He can only assume that this is the Tessa he was told to befriend.]

Pardon me, but are you Miss Tessa?

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[likeboudica]

[ the surprise is plain on her face, but she nods, dropping into a very quick curtsy ] Miss Theresa Gray, sir, or Tessa.

How do you know my name?

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[wishgranter]

[Oh dear, what is this furry little thing.]

You don't want people to be forward with you?

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[likeboudica]

It depends on what is meant with forward, certainly, but— no, I rather wish they would not be overly forward.

[ studying this furry little thing. ] May I ask what you are?

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[wishgranter]

I'm Kyubey. [Look at that tail swish.]

Why wouldn't you just say what you mean?

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[likeboudica]

Miss Theresa Gray. It is a pleasure to meet you, Kyubey.

[ a beat. ] It would be rather impolite to phrase it in terms more blunt than this.

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[wishgranter]

Why is that, Theresa?

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[likeboudica]

Call me Tessa, please.

Why is anything polite or impolite?

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[candothat]

[He bows in response to her curtsy just like the antique etiquette books said to do... or perhaps not just like the books said, but he's trying.]

Do you have a preference?

Doctor McCoy--I have worked with him--thought that, maybe, we would be friends.

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[wishgranter]

I don't know. There are still some things about humans I don't fully understand.

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[likeboudica]

Tessa is fine, sir.

[ the bow makes her smile, but she tries to hide it— at least until he mentioned Doctor McCoy. ]

You are from Doctor McCoy's world, then? He must be quite happy that you are here.

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[likeboudica]

There are many things about humans I don't understand, and I thought myself one of them for most of my life.

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[wishgranter]

[Oho.] If you're not a human, then what are you?

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[likeboudica]

I am not certain.

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[wishgranter]

Then how do you know you really aren't human?

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[likeboudica]

I can do things no human can.

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[wishgranter]

What sort of things can you do?

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[likeboudica]

[ considering this— Kyubey for a moment ]

I can Change.

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[candothat]

Tessa, yes, thank you. I am Ensign Pavel Andreievich Chekov--just Pavel, I think, would be easiest?

Yes, and we were both stationed on the Enterprise. [He purses his lips in an almost-smile.] Happy? Maybe not, but I can hope so.

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[likeboudica]

It is a pleasure to meet you, Pavel. [ and, ever curious: ] Where are you from?

I think he misses those from his own time.

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[candothat]

Russia: Novgorod first, and then Moscow. [Hope that accent isn't throwing Tessa off too much.] And you, Tessa?

He misses talking to others who understand what he says, he told me. I would be very homesick if I was here with no one else from home to talk to.

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[likeboudica]

I spent most of my life in New York, but I was in London before I came here. [ a beat. ] In 1878. [ most people ask, sooner or later, though perhaps McCoy has told him as much already. ]

It is quite strange to be in a place with people from so many different times and backgrounds.

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[candothat]

I have heard of both of those cities. I wonder if you would recognize them if you were to visit them in 2258?

It is. Are you uncomfortable here?

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[likeboudica]

Likely not. Perhaps some of the more recogniseable landmarks, if they are still standing by then. 2258 is very far into the future, for me. And likely we are not even from the same universe.

Oh, no. I rather like it here, to be honest.

[voice]

[eyeofthetiger]

[ he's amused to say the least ] So what counts as too forward? I would hate to overstep any boundaries.