[Re-l's just woken up, wandering around the apartment and trying to wake herself up, stretching and putting on some tea. Daedalus should be home soon.]
Daedalus shuffles in with his doctor's bag, looking lifeless in the eyes, stifling a yawn against his wrist. He slips his gloves off sleepily, hangs up his coat...
Re-l's up...early. But she's started work hours again, right- He slides sleepily onto a stool at the counter, watching her go about her usual routine with a faint smile.]
[He groans, shrugging, very tempted to simply slump into folded arms on the counter.]
We shaved 40% off critical care status within twenty four hours. But there's minor injuries that really should have seen treatment sooner, still trickling in.
[Fact, his usual. Work progress. Daedalus doesn't usually speak up much about his own status. But he looks tired, or lost in distant thought.]
[There. The soft weight of her hand at his shoulder- a rare, Re-l initiated contact. Even far gone and miserably overtired, that's all the satisfaction he really needs, and Daedalus shuts his eyes to smile.]
Ah. [That's right, the coffee. They'd been out already, for coffee.
It's...a bothersome nagging, a pushing pressure at the back of his head. He keeps his voice practiced and light, although it's already quite hoarse from a night of directing orders over triage gurneys.]
[She sounds sure of it, and so he gives a small nod- more of acknowledgment than approval. After all- he isn't her grandfather. It's not really his place to have a word to say about people pursuing her, "just dinner" offers or not.
...Well, knowing Re-l, the best thing to keep her sidetracked is to give her some element of investigative assignment.]
..and he's working for Hawthorne now, right?
[Daedalus tilts his head thoughtfully, watching her from the corner of his eye.]
See if you can find out for me what sort of corporate indoctrination is expected of the faculty there?
[She can tell he's bothered. After all, for all of his grief and anger towards her, he did say he was her favorite, told her that he wanted to see his reflection in her eyes.
Re-l nods, pouring some of the hot water into a cup and allowing the tea to steep.]
It looks like he is. Calligraphy classes.
[She looks over at him.]
You want me to investigate him while sitting a few feet away?
What a course to be taken on for. Well, they do say it's an arts school.
[He remarks quietly, ironically, remembering his conversation two evenings before with Shiroe, about doctors and handwriting.
Of course, he's jealous at the notion. Dinner with Re-l Mayer, to pay back the favor of a tea or not. Jealous as every time anyone acknowledged her shining qualities, and the inward prickle every time Raul chose smoothed adjectives like 'lovely'- as if they'd all been the very first man in the world to discover them.
But he kept them buried, resigned, watching the tea mugs steam and twisting slightly to relieve the tired ache at the small of his back.]
I want you to look into AGI's education system. I would be useful for you to keep a plant on hand, Re-l, that's all.
Apparently, several of your med students are taking it.
[She stirs the two cups, taking one to him and setting hers down on the table. Re-l heads back to the fridge to see if there's anything to eat, stopping after a moment.]
You're not going to manipulate me, Daedalus. I suggest you stop before you start. [She closes the fridge and goes back to the table, taking up her cup and sipping it.] I don't appreciate it.
My students? ...the friends upstairs are from SPU and Hillsdale.
[He curls his hands around the mug, smiling sadly across the kitchen, tracing the line of her shoulder with his gaze. Sharper than ever, Re-l.]
And I wouldn't appreciate anyone else's attempt... [He begins slowly, tucking the mug between his hands, peering down into the liquid. This isn't how he'd wanted to end his day, or begin hers.] Remember that. I'm on your side.
I'm also overtired, Re-l. [Daedalus admits, after the first hot waft of steam passes across his face.] Don't let my reservations hold you back.
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Daedalus shuffles in with his doctor's bag, looking lifeless in the eyes, stifling a yawn against his wrist. He slips his gloves off sleepily, hangs up his coat...
Re-l's up...early. But she's started work hours again, right- He slides sleepily onto a stool at the counter, watching her go about her usual routine with a faint smile.]
Morning.
[His voice sounds raw.]
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Morning... How was the night shift?
[He probably just wants some tea, to shower and go to bed.]
You okay?
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[He groans, shrugging, very tempted to simply slump into folded arms on the counter.]
We shaved 40% off critical care status within twenty four hours. But there's minor injuries that really should have seen treatment sooner, still trickling in.
[Fact, his usual. Work progress. Daedalus doesn't usually speak up much about his own status. But he looks tired, or lost in distant thought.]
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You look exhausted.
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It's nice to be off my feet.
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You want some tea before you go to sleep? It'll relax you.
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[His chest swells in a silent yawn...for two...for two-
That's right. He'll bring it up casually, now, before it nags at him later.]
So...Professor Aizen invited you to dinner?
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[She goes and gets out two mugs, tea bags, and waits for the water to boil. Slowly, she glances back over to him.]
That's right, probably to pay me back for the coffee.
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It's...a bothersome nagging, a pushing pressure at the back of his head. He keeps his voice practiced and light, although it's already quite hoarse from a night of directing orders over triage gurneys.]
He's the sort to not be outdone on favors?
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[She gives him a very pointed look.]
That's all it is.
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...Well, knowing Re-l, the best thing to keep her sidetracked is to give her some element of investigative assignment.]
..and he's working for Hawthorne now, right?
[Daedalus tilts his head thoughtfully, watching her from the corner of his eye.]
See if you can find out for me what sort of corporate indoctrination is expected of the faculty there?
Reply
Re-l nods, pouring some of the hot water into a cup and allowing the tea to steep.]
It looks like he is. Calligraphy classes.
[She looks over at him.]
You want me to investigate him while sitting a few feet away?
Reply
[He remarks quietly, ironically, remembering his conversation two evenings before with Shiroe, about doctors and handwriting.
Of course, he's jealous at the notion. Dinner with Re-l Mayer, to pay back the favor of a tea or not. Jealous as every time anyone acknowledged her shining qualities, and the inward prickle every time Raul chose smoothed adjectives like 'lovely'- as if they'd all been the very first man in the world to discover them.
But he kept them buried, resigned, watching the tea mugs steam and twisting slightly to relieve the tired ache at the small of his back.]
I want you to look into AGI's education system. I would be useful for you to keep a plant on hand, Re-l, that's all.
Reply
[She stirs the two cups, taking one to him and setting hers down on the table. Re-l heads back to the fridge to see if there's anything to eat, stopping after a moment.]
You're not going to manipulate me, Daedalus. I suggest you stop before you start. [She closes the fridge and goes back to the table, taking up her cup and sipping it.] I don't appreciate it.
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[He curls his hands around the mug, smiling sadly across the kitchen, tracing the line of her shoulder with his gaze. Sharper than ever, Re-l.]
And I wouldn't appreciate anyone else's attempt... [He begins slowly, tucking the mug between his hands, peering down into the liquid. This isn't how he'd wanted to end his day, or begin hers.] Remember that. I'm on your side.
I'm also overtired, Re-l. [Daedalus admits, after the first hot waft of steam passes across his face.] Don't let my reservations hold you back.
Reply
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