DAY 45: LIBRARY

[byname_bynature]

Even before he got sick, Sean had enjoyed reading. His teachers had always said that he read 'ahead of his age group', but he figured that was just because he read more than most kids his age did. He liked everything: fantasy, science fiction, biographies, journal articles... There was just something satisfying about holding a book--something

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[perfectrecord]

The library?! How in blazes did he arrive here? Though Dr. Fuchs was anything but displeased at this location, he was supposed to have returned to the cafeteria table, just as he had promised Ms. Jackson after excusing himself to use the men's room towards the end of breakfast. He had used the facilities, and then... he couldn't remember exactly what had happened after that

[bitpartgod]

Geeze... just when he'd been in a good mood about fixing Sechs up, Franziska had to come along and burst his bubble. The worst part was Kibitoshin knew she was probably right, and on top of it all still wanted to make sure she was okay every day. Was that Stockholm Syndrome? Hmm. Maybe he'd look it up, he decided, trailing his fingers along the self-help section of the library bookshelf

[perfectrecord]

[skdjskjd sorry for the delay. D: ]Dr. Fuchs had just settled into the dialogue between Socrates and Crito, when he caught a glimpse of motion in the periphery of his vision. He looked up in the general direction of its origin, but all he saw was a bookshelf bearing tawdry romance novels published by Harlequin. Frowning, he returned to the classical philosophical debate over the nature of justice and injustice. Though he would have preferred a more modern and less theoretical text, this appeared to be the closest material to the study of law that this library had to offer. At any rate, for his purposes of getting his mind back into proper shape for his imminent return to his career, this would certainly suffice

[bitpartgod]

[It's no problem~]

"Y-yes, sir! I'm sorry, sir!"

Not-Franziska snapped his fingers and Kibitoshin, like the well-trained Kaioshin he was, jumped. Or at least, he would have done, had the table not been hanging dangerously over his head; he just about caught himself at the last second and ducked out of the way, saving his already-bruised head the pain of another knock.

Well, there was definitely no mistaking the resemblance now. As he stumbled to his feet, dusting off his knees and fiddling with his uniform in a desperate attempt to make himself more presentable, he knew he recognised that authoritarian ring to the man's voice. And he'd been bossed around by a lot of people, so he definitely should have known. But that begged the question, just how did he and Franziska know each other? Moreover, did he really want to know? He had, after all, sworn to himself that he wasn't going to talk to Franziska herself anymore. And what if he was just as bossy and mean? Obviously, he was going to have to be subtle about th

[perfectrecord]

Hmph... just like Mr. Oland, at least in temperament, the professor scoffed to himself, as the young man before him started, nearly smacking his head right into the table. While Dr. Fuchs watched this buffoon arise and dust himself off, he suddenly remembered his arrangement for tonight with the self-proclaimed "corporal." The one that he had made while he was... in the acute phase of his condition. He would have to contact Mr. Oland to cancel that plan right away.

A name interrupted his thoughts. Franziska von Karma?! The professor's eyes widened a little at this strange boy's exclamation; it was the last one he had expected to hear! So... his student had been going around telling others of her fictional name, had she? He had to put an end to it immediately. But first... Dr. Fuchs had to deal with this bashful idiot to find out how and what he knew of Ms. von Richter

[bitpartgod]

In some ways, speaking to obeying this man was a lot easier than obeying Franziska. For one thing, he was obviously a lot older and a lot more experienced, and Kibitoshin was more than used to being bossed around by an elder; it was through instinct rather than fear that he surreptitiously straightened his back and put his heels together. Well. Mostly. Still, even through his show of obedience, the Kaioshin couldn't help but notice the man's reaction to Franziska's name. He does know her!

All but ready to jump in with a whatever fell out of his mouth first, it was only the man's sudden question that threw Kibitoshin off kilter. Wait ... appellation? Well, he could always pretend he knew what he was talking about, right? Forgetting his place (firmly under Dr. Fuch's heel, for reference), he let his brow knit in confusion. "Well, Kibitoshin's my name, but the nurses here call me Mr. Williams for some reason, sir."

Dr. Karl Fuchs. Kibitoshin's heart sank and he felt himself flush an even deeper shade of crimson. So there really was no

[perfectrecord]

Quite respectful and obedient, this one, Dr. Fuchs thought, appraising the young man's action of standing at attention. "Mr. Williams," he nodded, satisfied though still unsmiling. A more likely name, just as Dr. Fuchs had suspected. The professor had been dubious at best about how legitimate the original name was; though "Kibitoshin" sounded somewhat as though it could be of Japanese origin, it was unlike any he'd heard of before. After all, though "von Karma" sounded deceptively German, it was not a true name

[bitpartgod]

Kibitoshin wasn't entirely sure how happy he was being called by the wrong name, but he felt about as inclined to argue to chase the point as he would have felt had Dr. Fuchs been a circling shark. Which, verbally, he might well have been. He got the distinct impression that his entire argument was going to be swiftly and unceremoniously shredded before his eyes any second now.

Still, at least he didn't mind him sitting with him. That was a good thing. Hopefully. Almost stumbling over his own feet with nerves- manners, Kibitoshin, just because you're a Kaioshin it doesn't mean you can't have manners!- he just about managed to take a seat without making himself look too silly. It at least gave him a little room to calm down and collect his thoughts.

And then, so began the shredding. Kibitoshin, wincing, waited for Dr. Fuchs to finish before raising his eyes gingerly to meet the man's. "But... but... it's just that you look so much like her," he pressed flimsily, aware that he was digging himself into a deeper and deeper hole but not

[perfectrecord]

[Sorry for the delay, orz. D: ]

True. Others had remarked on how alike Dr. Fuchs and Ms. von Richter looked to each other. But then some had also compared his appearance to that of one of the original actors of an old British science fiction television series ("Dr. Who," or whatever it was called... not that Dr. Fuchs really cared, for he wasn't exactly partial to the genre, nor to television, for that matter), and he was certain that he was completely unrelated to anyone named William Hartnell. Pure coincidence, nothing more

[bitpartgod]

If conversations were battles, this was Kibitoshin's Waterloo. Unfortunately, as he was beginning to realise (albeit in less poetical terms), he was playing the role of Napoleon.

"I..." The words faltered. They really did have a lot in common- Fuchs had possibly managed to actually beat Franziska in terms of getting him to feel the worst in the shortest amount of time. Congratulations? Humbled, Kibitoshin swallowed hard and tried to reassess the situation. Try a new perspective, his Elder's voice said, but it was all air. What knew perspective could he possibly find to Fuch's definitive 'You're wrong'? The man was about as emotionally and intellectually pliable as an iron fist.

"I guess that's possible, sir," he admitted, picking his way carefully and very politely through the minefield of the man's argument. "She said she was a law- uh, a prosecutor. But I'm sure she's not crazy."

Scary? Usually. Mean? All the time. But crazy? There was no chance. After all, what chance did he stand of being sane if she was?