story31415
GL damn it -
GL i'm coming, doctor!
The Esenyel estate is a labyrinth of rooms, and while you like to settle down in one, your boss flits between them like a bird trapped in a building. Pacing helps him think, he says, though he doesn't seem to understand that it's not your natural inclination. As a result, you're left scrambling to catch up whenever you hear his commanding call.
Your eyes dart around. Could this be an observation of the mathematical kind? He could be in the arithmetic room. Or the geometry room. He'll need to give you more clues.
GL doctor, where are you, exactly?
RZ Affedersin? Can't you discern my location already?!
RZ The world keeps spinning, boy! You have to move with it to move it!
GL what does that... doctor, can you just tell me what room you're in?
RZ What does it matter? If you can hear me, you might as well be writing!
His voice was louder. You pick up the pace, holding your things close to you as the wind starts intensifying - both from your movement and from his.
RZ Now, this harkens back to the matter of force, as we've previously discussed.
RZ Friction, to be precise!
RZ It was your demonstration that struck me, you see.
RZ It wears away at matter, degrading and damaging its form and performance.
RZ How is it, then, that a Value can temporarily affect the surface layer of mass,
RZ Changing the physical nature of its interaction with another surface,
RZ Then, return to its original state?
RZ It's the abstracts, my boy! They've always eluded our greatest scholars!
RZ That's why the gods blessed me with a Value pure and expurgated to my own body.
RZ I would be stuck solving my own natural abilities than the world beyond!
RZ I can't stand it, boy. How do you live, knowing your Value is so inexplicable?
RZ If it were me, I'd be experimenting without heed!
RZ No surface untouched! No interaction left to the imagination!
Mentally cataloguing his speech into bullet-points to jot down later, you finally close the distance enough to where you should be in the same room. You glance around the observatory, seeing no man.
RZ Are you listening, boy?
You look up. He's standing on the ceiling, glancing down at you with a rather indignant expression. You'd be more intimidated if his sharp jacket and lovingly styled hair weren't draped inelegantly on him, making him look even more disheveled post-pacing fit.
GL no, doctor.
GL but i'm here.
GL i apologize for taking long. (lost track of you, like always...)
He shakes his head, slowly righting himself and floating down to where you are. It speaks to his Chroma how easily he can wield such a powerful ability, as if defying gravity were as simple as solving an equation.
You know another person who can defy gravity too, technically. It's one of a lot of things she can do with it. But her experiences on the ceiling are filled with more panic than anything. You once had to get a ladder...
RZ What's so amusing?
Refocusing on the man in front of you, you realize that he's calmed down a bit, his anger reduced to a dull soreness. Were you smiling?
GL i thought of something funny. nothing related to this.
RZ Funny?
He studies your face. You keep your expression professional and devoid of any outstanding emotions.
RZ You're an odd one, Mr. Lee.
RZ Your scholarly duties should be stimulation enough.
RZ There's nothing more thrilling, more rewarding than a solution, I say.
RZ Yet, nothing here seems to earn your smile.
There's a familiar glint in his eyes.
RZ Pray tell - what's on your mind?
He falls onto an ottoman - there's one in nearly every room for his 'fits of inspiration' in repose - and waves you over. Unequipped for whatever he has in mind, you remain rooted in place.
GL doctor, wouldn't it be better to expound on what you were saying before?
GL you seemed very adamant about... what was it? (friction...?)
RZ Discard the subject for later! Bookmark it for future discussion.
RZ It's not so tangential, anyhow. We were discussing the matters of you.
RZ We can experiment with your Value thoroughly any time.
RZ But your mind has yet to be unraveled even at the surface layer.
GL ...
GL this doesn't seem to be a very professional line of reasoning, dr. esenyel.
RZ Poppycock! Rise above your finite definitions of professionalism, Mr. Lee!
RZ Grasp the whole world, as I say. That includes the men I work with.
RZ So, I insist. What's on your mind?
RZ And don't throw me the same excuse. I know when something's weighing on you, boy.
RZ You haven't been the same for quite some time.
Swallowing, you reluctantly take a seat on the other side of the ottoman.
GL you're always focused on your work, doctor.
GL i didn't find it necessary to bring up.
RZ What, you assume I'm blind to the soul? It's the biggest distraction of all.
GL hmm.
GL that was strangely poetic, doctor.
RZ I am a man of many talents, as you very well know.
RZ I am also capable of confidentiality and sympathy.
RZ Your burdens are mine, Galo. You orbit around me oh so loyally.
RZ If you come crashing, it would be a failure of the larger body. A failure of my authority.
RZ I wouldn't want that for you.
Your mental and emotional state must have been considerably different to earn this newfound softness. It makes you respect the man in front of you more. Even if he's taking the time to preen the feathers on his suit as he speaks with you.
No distractions. You close your eyes and exhale.
GL it's the program, doctor.
GL this latest season. have you... been watching it?
RZ Hmm.
RZ It's been lingering in my periphery, I admit. Nearly impossible to avoid.
RZ But it appears to be proceeding as usual, from my perspective.
RZ What? Have they mentioned me?
GL they've... what reason would they to do so, doctor?
RZ You wound me, boy! Don't you know I am a distinguished alumni?
RZ The 180th season wouldn't have been the monument it was without me!
GL yes, i remember. (didn't you place 6th...?)
GL regardless, that isn't it. i mean, what i'm focused on, doctor.
GL there's someone very close to me who's competing.
RZ ...
RZ Buldum! Could you mean... competitor #11, one Sarina Lee?
GL y-yes. (i thought you weren't watching...?)
He whips out an elaborate filigree pipe and rests his mouth on it thoughtfully.
RZ If my calculations are correct, my boy,
RZ Your burdens gravitate not around your matters, but hers.
GL that's one way of putting it, yes.
RZ What's the problem, then?
RZ There's nothing to do but await the results. An experiment already set in motion.
RZ Have you no faith in her, boy?
GL ...
GL that's not where my doubts lie, doctor.
He chuckles, exhaling a sweet, floral smoke.
RZ Such line of enquiry is a dangerous proposition, Mr. Lee.
RZ But from what I can gather, you're already in the midst of your own experiment. Am I right?
GL ...i am.
He has that glean in his eyes, again. One that promises no rest until a solution is uncovered.