Shephard Electric - Employee of the Month [Fullmetal Alchemist, Kimblee: biology]
Title: Shephard Electric - Employee of the Month
Author: seta_suzume
Words: 2,720
Theme: Table 2, #4 biology
Fandom: Fullmetal Alchemist
Rating: R
Warnings: Sex
Disclaimer: FMA doesn't belong to me~ I will put back the toys when I'm done!
Author's comments: This story refers to the later part of Kimblee's years spent studying alchemy. (Compare with The Light of the Moon is the Light of the Sun for my more standard take on Kimblee's time at Shephard Electric)
Shephard Electric was having an unusually busy day and Colin (the eponymous Shephard) was beginning to suspect it had more than a little to do with his newest student and employee. First, there was the issue of a dozen fuses that had shorted out simultaneously down by the Thompson automotive factory. Second, there was a nearly endless stream of complaints regarding light bulbs purchased at the store that had decided to instantly explode like makeshift glass grenades. Third, there were the customers- men (and a few women) who had come to the shop merely (as far as Shephard could tell) to look at Miss Kimblee or speak with her.
While it was undeniably nice to pick up so much business in one morning, Shephard could not help but judge it funny. He had no testimony from Sol's previous teacher, so whether or not this was par for the course with her, Shephard could not say. Was it good or was it bad? Would he admit now that he had been blinded by a pretty young thing's request to be taught by him?
"Boss, it's difficult to work around Kimblee," Jim complained in the backroom. The other men from the shop nodded sympathetically and expressed similar concerns. Sol (they all called her "Kimblee or "Miss Kimblee") was distracting.
"You're just not used to having a woman in the shop," Shephard grumbled in response.
"Not all of us find our work day is improved by staring at cleavage 'til closing time," Jim replied.
"Anyway, Boss," Charles stepped in to relieve Jim's position and bolster their argument with a stronger bit of evidence, "She doesn't know the tiniest thing about electrical work."
"She's not here to become an electrician." Shephard threw up his hands. It was a moot point. No one was going to come to see eye to eye with him on this unless they were willing to bend. "Maybe if any of you guys showed a lick of talent or a drop of interest in alchemy I would be teaching you, not her! Miss Kimblee is here to become a better alchemist and I am determined to help her!" And that was all Shephard had to say about that. He kicked his employees out of his office and shut the door. "None of you are allowed to come back in here for the rest of the day," he said firmly.
"The boss just loves having a woman actually talk to him," Jim scoffed.
"It sounds like we're stuck, pal," Charles shrugged.
The five men milled around their employer's door for several minutes before dispersing to finish their lunch break more productively (by eating lunch). Shephard peeked out as the hall quieted. He was glad to see that they'd gone. He sighed. It was a relief to be alone. "Are you having some sort of trouble because of me?" asked the woman at the center of the arguments. "I don't want to upset the balance of this little universe, Mr. Shephard. If you need to teach me or have me do my work somewhere else, I would understand..."
"No," he said, even as the possibility of having his sexy apprentice come to his home tantalized him. "They're going to have to get used to it someday. I think that I want that day to be today."
"You have to be pretty good at handling people to run your own business," Sol commented. She clasped her hands cutely behind her back. She sounded like she meant her words as a compliment. Shephard smiled. Sol was a bit unusual, but he didn't see anything wrong with that. She was polite and devoted to her chosen craft. All in all, she was a charming girl. Even though he was a good twenty years older than her, Shephard still clung to a secret hope that Miss Kimblee might come to find him sexually appealing. He didn't think she was a virgin, but she was a young girl, not so long out of the country. There had to be a couple of things a man like him could teach her...
"I don't think I would be cut out for it," she added. "I prefer to only have to manage myself." Shephard was so far gone in his reverie that he could barely remember what she was talking about.
"So," he decided to change the subject to keep in focused on the sort of thoughts that currently held his interest, "How long have you been in South City now, Sol? Two months? Are you getting on alright away from your family?"
"Two months on Saturday. That's right, Mr. Shephard. It's a change from my parents' home in Fernburg, but I wouldn't say I have any complaints. I've basically gotten what I wanted."
"Well, you know that if you ever need anything, anything at all, I'd be all too happy to lend you a hand."
"I know, Mr. Shephard. You're the kindest boss and teacher I could possibly ask for."
"Oh," Shephard shivered with suppressed desire to hear her speak like that. Did Sol have any idea how sensual her throaty voice sounded to him? The combination created by her heavy-lidded eyes, low voice, and curvaceous form was enough to drive any hot-blooded man wild. "Have you found an acceptable place to stay?" he continued. His throat felt unpleasantly tight as he swallowed, awaiting Sol's answer.
"I think so. I'm renting a third floor apartment a little ways outside of the industrial district. The size is good and there's a lovely view of the city."
"How's the rent? Because I have some extra space at my place and I'd be happy to have you..."
"Ha ha ha," she delicately covered her red lips with one hand as she laughed, "That's another gentlemanly offer out of you, Mr. Shephard. People back home obviously had no idea what they were talking about when they said city folk were cruel. The thing is, even if I wanted to accept your offer, there's no way I could presume to impose on you like that. I didn't come to the city alone."
This was news to the alchemist-electrician. He removed his grayish blue cap and scratched his head. "Did you tell me this before and it just slipped my mind, or am I right in saying this is news to me?"
"Don't worry, you're too young to be going senile already. I didn't see any reason to bring her up, so I didn't, but I came from Fernburg to South City with my younger sister. She's really still just a girl, so I try the best I can to shelter her from strangers and awkward situations." There was, actually, a little more to it than that, but Sol saw nothing to be gained by going on to reveal any further details of her concerns and feelings related to her sister.
Shephard found it quite curious. He would never have guessed that Sol had anyone living with her if she had not spoken up. And not that there was anything surprising with the other part, but he hadn't actually known Sol even had a sister until this moment. What sort of girl was this younger Kimblee? Considering Sol's extreme protectiveness toward the girl, it would be impolitic to straight-out ask if he would ever be allowed to meet her, but Shephard figured he could still say something. "Now that we've gotten to know each other, I'm not someone strange though, am I?"
"No...we're well-acquainted." Sol tipped her head to the side. Her long, dark hair flowed gently over her shoulder. She looked almost shy. "The thing is, Mr. Shephard, we still haven't known one another very long, and I have higher standards when it comes to my sister."
"How high are they...?" Shephard raised a sly eyebrow. He took one thoughtful step back toward the security of his office. Just like he had hoped, Sol moved forward, taking the step inward with him. Faster than he could retreat, Sol advanced, pressing her warm palms and trembling bosom against his chest. Shephard felt slightly overwhelmed in spite of getting what he wanted. He struggled to move back further without stumbling over any stray projects or tools, as well as to make sure the door was closed and locked after them.
"You will teach me everything you know about alchemy, won't you, Mr. Shephard?" Sol asked. She sounded so weak, so needy...
As she ran her fingers through his thinning hair and he worked to kiss her while pulling at the buttons of her blouse, Shephard would've promised Sol anything. "Yes-yes, of course!" he panted, groping her hardening breasts. There hadn't been any women in his life in a long time. He'd had a thing for younger women for ages, but they usually hadn't the slightest interest in him. His mind was reeling at how rapidly and obviously Sol responded to his touch. Her nipples peaked like the mountains of Drachma under his fingers, sharp and pointed. Her tongue was nearly as agile in his mouth as it was in forming the clever and elaborate sentences she delighted in.
Shephard took the lead back from her, pushing Sol against his worktable, bending her backward as he pushed his weight against her. His calloused workman's hands delved under her skirt, rewarding him with rapturous panting even as he began to worry that he would not last long enough to get inside her, let alone to actually please her.
"Looks like the boss really got bent out of shape over the things we said about Sol," Charles commented upon passing by the locked door when he returned from lunch.
"I don't know," Jim muttered bitterly, "I think he's only mad because we're right- sure, maybe he's happy to spend time talking shop with another alchemist, but it's not like there weren't other alchemists living and working in this city already. He just wants to do her."
"If she weren't the way she is as an alchemist, I'd want to do her," Charles admitted.
"I'd do her anyway," piped up Tom, the youngest member of the staff.
All of the man laughed uproariously at the idea. "Pardon my sayin' so, Tom," Jim imagined he spoke for all of them with his next words, "But that Sol is the kind of woman who'd eat you alive."
"I can think of worse ways to die," Tom grinned. There was more laughter in the shop as the men went back to work. Tom was as easy a fit to their group as Sol was a bad one.
******
Shephard managed to carry on his exhilarating fling with Kimblee without embarrassing himself in bed. Encouraged by her receptivity to both his body and his research, Shephard shared the secrets of his research with his student. He had never found the student-teacher relationship to be half as fulfilling with any of his past pupils as it was with Sol. Once the workday was over, he would invite her out for dinner and talk alchemy with her- practice and theory. He let her trace her fingertips over the faded remains of his tattooed arrays. Sol did not often reveal to him the ways she planned to build upon his lessons and put her newfound knowledge into practice, but Shephard had enough other things on his mind to not be too concerned about these things.
For instance, there was Sol's general reluctance to spend the night at his residence. "It's because I don't want to leave my sister all that time," Sol would explain it away.
"You can't very well claim we're not close anymore, Miss Kimblee," he laughed at her over-protectiveness. "I want to meet your sister."
"Fine," sighed the dark-haired woman, giving in at last. Shephard was beginning to think that the only time Sol really listened to him was when she was naked in his arms. Although she was obedient around the shop, there was no doubt that she was following her own agenda. "There's one condition, though. You won't say anything about her to the boys at the shop. Absolutely nothing. I don't wan those fools even aware that I have a sister."
"Yes, yes, I will. However, I still think you're too hard on them. I don't hire just anyone. They're all good guys," Shephard bickered gently with his lover.
"Their faces are not the same in front of you as they are in front of me. And don't try and say it's because they don't like me!" Sol's eyebrows shot up fiercely, "It's because they have no respect for alchemists or for women in technical jobs. They hate my personality, but that doesn't stop them from lusting after my body."
"Has anyone ever told you that you're a rather militant person, Sol?"
"No. But I am what I am and I have no reason to be disappointed with my traits and character." She pushed a loose bit of hair back over her shoulder and behind her ear.
It was not until finding himself with a woman so cold that Shephard ever realized how many good things there were to be said about a woman whose temperament was warm. "What do you want from them then? To like you? To accept you?"
"Acceptance would be fine, but I don't care about being liked. I would rather be respected. I would rather be feared." The look in her eyes when she made this kind of declaration left Colin Shephard sure that she was serious.
******
If Shephard had been expecting another sort of striking beauty, Lana, Sol's younger sister had to be something of a letdown. She was not flat-chested, but her figure was lacking in curvy appeal. She had messy hair, a round baby face, and didn't wear a spot of makeup. Lana's outer appearance fit Sol's description of her as "just a girl" very well. Sol, to anyone who saw her, was undeniably a woman. Lana both looked and sounded like a child.
"Hello, Mr. Shephard." Even as they shook hands, Lana twisted the edge of her plaid skirt between the fingers of her free hand. "I'm Lana. It's nice to meet you." She was quiet, but fidgety, standing in the entryway of his home beside her sister. She carried a stiff, black portfolio, held shut with string ties, under her arm. He didn't know what it was she had chosen to bring over, the three of them were only planning on having lunch together after all, but if he had to guess, he would've assumed it had something to do with her career. Sol had explained to him that her sister was an aspiring composer of music.
"The pleasure is all mine," he insisted, dropping her soft, warm hand.
She curtsied. "When I told Lana that you wanted to meet her, it actually got her pretty excited," Sol remarked, causing her sister to blush.
"It- it wasn't anything too big or too weird, Mr. Shephard. I just don't know a lot of people in the city," Lana tried to explain herself. As she spoke, her large hazel eyes flitted back and forth between Shephard and Sol. Between Lana's behavior and what Sol had said about the things she felt the need to do for her sister's sake, Shephard felt there was plenty to wonder about here. The younger girl clearly depended on the other to an unusual, or possibly even abnormal, degree. In her lightweight gaze, Shephard saw a constant need for her sister's approval. Before the two had arrived at his home, had there been a conversation on the streetcar about what Lana could and could not say? It would not have surprised him.
Lana, it seemed, was naturally retiring. Sol might claim she would rather not run a business, but, clearly, she was comfortable being in control.
The more he saw of this side of Sol, the more Shephard found he had to ask himself, "Is there something bothersome about this? Is there something strange about this? Does this not have any effect on you?" He fixed his own eyes firmly on Lana, on the shy way she leaned away from him and toward Sol. What would he learn about Sol if he could only see her clearly? What was he doing letting himself be blinded by biology?
Author: seta_suzume
Words: 2,720
Theme: Table 2, #4 biology
Fandom: Fullmetal Alchemist
Rating: R
Warnings: Sex
Disclaimer: FMA doesn't belong to me~ I will put back the toys when I'm done!
Author's comments: This story refers to the later part of Kimblee's years spent studying alchemy. (Compare with The Light of the Moon is the Light of the Sun for my more standard take on Kimblee's time at Shephard Electric)
Shephard Electric was having an unusually busy day and Colin (the eponymous Shephard) was beginning to suspect it had more than a little to do with his newest student and employee. First, there was the issue of a dozen fuses that had shorted out simultaneously down by the Thompson automotive factory. Second, there was a nearly endless stream of complaints regarding light bulbs purchased at the store that had decided to instantly explode like makeshift glass grenades. Third, there were the customers- men (and a few women) who had come to the shop merely (as far as Shephard could tell) to look at Miss Kimblee or speak with her.
While it was undeniably nice to pick up so much business in one morning, Shephard could not help but judge it funny. He had no testimony from Sol's previous teacher, so whether or not this was par for the course with her, Shephard could not say. Was it good or was it bad? Would he admit now that he had been blinded by a pretty young thing's request to be taught by him?
"Boss, it's difficult to work around Kimblee," Jim complained in the backroom. The other men from the shop nodded sympathetically and expressed similar concerns. Sol (they all called her "Kimblee or "Miss Kimblee") was distracting.
"You're just not used to having a woman in the shop," Shephard grumbled in response.
"Not all of us find our work day is improved by staring at cleavage 'til closing time," Jim replied.
"Anyway, Boss," Charles stepped in to relieve Jim's position and bolster their argument with a stronger bit of evidence, "She doesn't know the tiniest thing about electrical work."
"She's not here to become an electrician." Shephard threw up his hands. It was a moot point. No one was going to come to see eye to eye with him on this unless they were willing to bend. "Maybe if any of you guys showed a lick of talent or a drop of interest in alchemy I would be teaching you, not her! Miss Kimblee is here to become a better alchemist and I am determined to help her!" And that was all Shephard had to say about that. He kicked his employees out of his office and shut the door. "None of you are allowed to come back in here for the rest of the day," he said firmly.
"The boss just loves having a woman actually talk to him," Jim scoffed.
"It sounds like we're stuck, pal," Charles shrugged.
The five men milled around their employer's door for several minutes before dispersing to finish their lunch break more productively (by eating lunch). Shephard peeked out as the hall quieted. He was glad to see that they'd gone. He sighed. It was a relief to be alone. "Are you having some sort of trouble because of me?" asked the woman at the center of the arguments. "I don't want to upset the balance of this little universe, Mr. Shephard. If you need to teach me or have me do my work somewhere else, I would understand..."
"No," he said, even as the possibility of having his sexy apprentice come to his home tantalized him. "They're going to have to get used to it someday. I think that I want that day to be today."
"You have to be pretty good at handling people to run your own business," Sol commented. She clasped her hands cutely behind her back. She sounded like she meant her words as a compliment. Shephard smiled. Sol was a bit unusual, but he didn't see anything wrong with that. She was polite and devoted to her chosen craft. All in all, she was a charming girl. Even though he was a good twenty years older than her, Shephard still clung to a secret hope that Miss Kimblee might come to find him sexually appealing. He didn't think she was a virgin, but she was a young girl, not so long out of the country. There had to be a couple of things a man like him could teach her...
"I don't think I would be cut out for it," she added. "I prefer to only have to manage myself." Shephard was so far gone in his reverie that he could barely remember what she was talking about.
"So," he decided to change the subject to keep in focused on the sort of thoughts that currently held his interest, "How long have you been in South City now, Sol? Two months? Are you getting on alright away from your family?"
"Two months on Saturday. That's right, Mr. Shephard. It's a change from my parents' home in Fernburg, but I wouldn't say I have any complaints. I've basically gotten what I wanted."
"Well, you know that if you ever need anything, anything at all, I'd be all too happy to lend you a hand."
"I know, Mr. Shephard. You're the kindest boss and teacher I could possibly ask for."
"Oh," Shephard shivered with suppressed desire to hear her speak like that. Did Sol have any idea how sensual her throaty voice sounded to him? The combination created by her heavy-lidded eyes, low voice, and curvaceous form was enough to drive any hot-blooded man wild. "Have you found an acceptable place to stay?" he continued. His throat felt unpleasantly tight as he swallowed, awaiting Sol's answer.
"I think so. I'm renting a third floor apartment a little ways outside of the industrial district. The size is good and there's a lovely view of the city."
"How's the rent? Because I have some extra space at my place and I'd be happy to have you..."
"Ha ha ha," she delicately covered her red lips with one hand as she laughed, "That's another gentlemanly offer out of you, Mr. Shephard. People back home obviously had no idea what they were talking about when they said city folk were cruel. The thing is, even if I wanted to accept your offer, there's no way I could presume to impose on you like that. I didn't come to the city alone."
This was news to the alchemist-electrician. He removed his grayish blue cap and scratched his head. "Did you tell me this before and it just slipped my mind, or am I right in saying this is news to me?"
"Don't worry, you're too young to be going senile already. I didn't see any reason to bring her up, so I didn't, but I came from Fernburg to South City with my younger sister. She's really still just a girl, so I try the best I can to shelter her from strangers and awkward situations." There was, actually, a little more to it than that, but Sol saw nothing to be gained by going on to reveal any further details of her concerns and feelings related to her sister.
Shephard found it quite curious. He would never have guessed that Sol had anyone living with her if she had not spoken up. And not that there was anything surprising with the other part, but he hadn't actually known Sol even had a sister until this moment. What sort of girl was this younger Kimblee? Considering Sol's extreme protectiveness toward the girl, it would be impolitic to straight-out ask if he would ever be allowed to meet her, but Shephard figured he could still say something. "Now that we've gotten to know each other, I'm not someone strange though, am I?"
"No...we're well-acquainted." Sol tipped her head to the side. Her long, dark hair flowed gently over her shoulder. She looked almost shy. "The thing is, Mr. Shephard, we still haven't known one another very long, and I have higher standards when it comes to my sister."
"How high are they...?" Shephard raised a sly eyebrow. He took one thoughtful step back toward the security of his office. Just like he had hoped, Sol moved forward, taking the step inward with him. Faster than he could retreat, Sol advanced, pressing her warm palms and trembling bosom against his chest. Shephard felt slightly overwhelmed in spite of getting what he wanted. He struggled to move back further without stumbling over any stray projects or tools, as well as to make sure the door was closed and locked after them.
"You will teach me everything you know about alchemy, won't you, Mr. Shephard?" Sol asked. She sounded so weak, so needy...
As she ran her fingers through his thinning hair and he worked to kiss her while pulling at the buttons of her blouse, Shephard would've promised Sol anything. "Yes-yes, of course!" he panted, groping her hardening breasts. There hadn't been any women in his life in a long time. He'd had a thing for younger women for ages, but they usually hadn't the slightest interest in him. His mind was reeling at how rapidly and obviously Sol responded to his touch. Her nipples peaked like the mountains of Drachma under his fingers, sharp and pointed. Her tongue was nearly as agile in his mouth as it was in forming the clever and elaborate sentences she delighted in.
Shephard took the lead back from her, pushing Sol against his worktable, bending her backward as he pushed his weight against her. His calloused workman's hands delved under her skirt, rewarding him with rapturous panting even as he began to worry that he would not last long enough to get inside her, let alone to actually please her.
"Looks like the boss really got bent out of shape over the things we said about Sol," Charles commented upon passing by the locked door when he returned from lunch.
"I don't know," Jim muttered bitterly, "I think he's only mad because we're right- sure, maybe he's happy to spend time talking shop with another alchemist, but it's not like there weren't other alchemists living and working in this city already. He just wants to do her."
"If she weren't the way she is as an alchemist, I'd want to do her," Charles admitted.
"I'd do her anyway," piped up Tom, the youngest member of the staff.
All of the man laughed uproariously at the idea. "Pardon my sayin' so, Tom," Jim imagined he spoke for all of them with his next words, "But that Sol is the kind of woman who'd eat you alive."
"I can think of worse ways to die," Tom grinned. There was more laughter in the shop as the men went back to work. Tom was as easy a fit to their group as Sol was a bad one.
******
Shephard managed to carry on his exhilarating fling with Kimblee without embarrassing himself in bed. Encouraged by her receptivity to both his body and his research, Shephard shared the secrets of his research with his student. He had never found the student-teacher relationship to be half as fulfilling with any of his past pupils as it was with Sol. Once the workday was over, he would invite her out for dinner and talk alchemy with her- practice and theory. He let her trace her fingertips over the faded remains of his tattooed arrays. Sol did not often reveal to him the ways she planned to build upon his lessons and put her newfound knowledge into practice, but Shephard had enough other things on his mind to not be too concerned about these things.
For instance, there was Sol's general reluctance to spend the night at his residence. "It's because I don't want to leave my sister all that time," Sol would explain it away.
"You can't very well claim we're not close anymore, Miss Kimblee," he laughed at her over-protectiveness. "I want to meet your sister."
"Fine," sighed the dark-haired woman, giving in at last. Shephard was beginning to think that the only time Sol really listened to him was when she was naked in his arms. Although she was obedient around the shop, there was no doubt that she was following her own agenda. "There's one condition, though. You won't say anything about her to the boys at the shop. Absolutely nothing. I don't wan those fools even aware that I have a sister."
"Yes, yes, I will. However, I still think you're too hard on them. I don't hire just anyone. They're all good guys," Shephard bickered gently with his lover.
"Their faces are not the same in front of you as they are in front of me. And don't try and say it's because they don't like me!" Sol's eyebrows shot up fiercely, "It's because they have no respect for alchemists or for women in technical jobs. They hate my personality, but that doesn't stop them from lusting after my body."
"Has anyone ever told you that you're a rather militant person, Sol?"
"No. But I am what I am and I have no reason to be disappointed with my traits and character." She pushed a loose bit of hair back over her shoulder and behind her ear.
It was not until finding himself with a woman so cold that Shephard ever realized how many good things there were to be said about a woman whose temperament was warm. "What do you want from them then? To like you? To accept you?"
"Acceptance would be fine, but I don't care about being liked. I would rather be respected. I would rather be feared." The look in her eyes when she made this kind of declaration left Colin Shephard sure that she was serious.
******
If Shephard had been expecting another sort of striking beauty, Lana, Sol's younger sister had to be something of a letdown. She was not flat-chested, but her figure was lacking in curvy appeal. She had messy hair, a round baby face, and didn't wear a spot of makeup. Lana's outer appearance fit Sol's description of her as "just a girl" very well. Sol, to anyone who saw her, was undeniably a woman. Lana both looked and sounded like a child.
"Hello, Mr. Shephard." Even as they shook hands, Lana twisted the edge of her plaid skirt between the fingers of her free hand. "I'm Lana. It's nice to meet you." She was quiet, but fidgety, standing in the entryway of his home beside her sister. She carried a stiff, black portfolio, held shut with string ties, under her arm. He didn't know what it was she had chosen to bring over, the three of them were only planning on having lunch together after all, but if he had to guess, he would've assumed it had something to do with her career. Sol had explained to him that her sister was an aspiring composer of music.
"The pleasure is all mine," he insisted, dropping her soft, warm hand.
She curtsied. "When I told Lana that you wanted to meet her, it actually got her pretty excited," Sol remarked, causing her sister to blush.
"It- it wasn't anything too big or too weird, Mr. Shephard. I just don't know a lot of people in the city," Lana tried to explain herself. As she spoke, her large hazel eyes flitted back and forth between Shephard and Sol. Between Lana's behavior and what Sol had said about the things she felt the need to do for her sister's sake, Shephard felt there was plenty to wonder about here. The younger girl clearly depended on the other to an unusual, or possibly even abnormal, degree. In her lightweight gaze, Shephard saw a constant need for her sister's approval. Before the two had arrived at his home, had there been a conversation on the streetcar about what Lana could and could not say? It would not have surprised him.
Lana, it seemed, was naturally retiring. Sol might claim she would rather not run a business, but, clearly, she was comfortable being in control.
The more he saw of this side of Sol, the more Shephard found he had to ask himself, "Is there something bothersome about this? Is there something strange about this? Does this not have any effect on you?" He fixed his own eyes firmly on Lana, on the shy way she leaned away from him and toward Sol. What would he learn about Sol if he could only see her clearly? What was he doing letting himself be blinded by biology?