((OOC: If this gets too meta for comfort, please let me know and I'll delete.))
John thought about the question for a minute. "While it's true that my arrival couldn't have come at a worse moment, I don't believe it affected the course of history. Master Dib tells me that the vote was held and passed and that I participated in it, so perhaps I'll return to the time in which I left? Though whether I'll retain the knowledge I gain here is a worrisome proposition. If I do, how will that affect my future? Or my people's future if I'm to lead them someday? History apparents records me doing certain things that I suspect that a working knowledge of magic would change significantly. But if I won't remember, what would be the point of spending my time here or learning anything at all?"
He walked along, head bowed. "I miss my family, but I have missed them for a year now and if my suspicions are correct, they won't even know that I've gone. I am accustomed to receiving letters every day from my dear wife and that will be a difficult habit to break. But perhaps I'll start a journal with the letters I would have written to her if I could."
"The Hat suggested I take courses in Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures to assist on my farm, but I can't imagine they'd help much when apple trees are killed by a late frost and perfectly ordinary chickens and geese die of ague. I'm not familiar with the other courses of study, though I've been told I might enjoy Ancient Runes. May I ask what classes you're enrolled in?"
John paused, uncertain as to the wisdom of his next words, but too anxious not to say them. "You know, I've had a concrete goal for so long now that I find it... very odd to be without it. Somewhat adrift, perhaps. Directionless. And I've met few people so far, though those I have met have been kind. I'm afraid I just don't know what to do with myself at the moment..."
((Meta in any shape doesn't bother me at all. Carry on!))
"I've often wondered what happens when people come and go, and how time passes here in relation to our home worlds," Susan said thoughtfully. "You've given me a very interesting piece of data, actually. It's not something I'd discuss with very many people -- for one thing, I'm not entirely sure that I understand it all."
Inspired by a small burst of sympathy, Susan reached up and gently patted Adams on the shoulder. "I don't wonder that you're at a bit of a loss. There's little enough structure here; classes are somewhat irregular, and there's a lot of what I can only call flailing." She smiled ruefully. "I've been taking Charms, Herbology, and Potions, all good classes, I've found, and interesting. We've just gotten a new Charms professor, and she seems quite solid."
Looking interested, John said, "Oh, yes? Well, if I may be of further service, please let me know. I may not be familiar with the concepts, but I like to think I can listen, at least."
He smiled faintly at 'flailing'. That was exactly what he felt like. "And thank you for your recommendations. I'll be sure to look into them."
John glanced up at the position of the sun. "It seems to be getting late and I wouldn't like to cause you to miss dinner. Shall we turn our steps back toward the castle?"
"Certainly. I should mention that, as with all things here, meals tend to be on a rather loose schedule, but in general, they're at the usual sorts of hours in the Great Hall. The food is generally quite good, but I'm told that if one asks for anything too far outside the local styles, the results can be ... unpredictable."
"In that I believe I've been quite fortunate. Much of the lifestyle of the school feels familiar. I'm accustomed to simple, hearty fare, quill pens, candles, draughty stone buildings and the like. These things have probably improved in the past two centuries if the clothing I've seen is any indication, but I'm frankly relieved to have familiar items at hand."
"It does make the transition rather easier," Susan agreed. "I think my home world is rather similar to yours, at least insofar as living technologies go, so I know what you mean."
She walked in silence for a moment, and then, feeling that it needed to be said, went on, "I'm very glad to have made your acquaintance, Mr Adams. Frankly, I don't make friends easily, and I've really enjoyed meeting someone of a like mind." Then, feeling a bit daring, she said, "And if you like, please feel free to call me Susan. As I said at your sorting, informality is the order of the day here, after all."
"Susan..." he repeated in faint wonder. "Then won't you call me John? And please know that meeting you has been by far my most pleasant experience in this place. I tend not to make confidants easily myself. Others are too put off by my proselytizing, I expect. But I would be most honored to call you friend, madam. Er, Susan." He smiled at his forwardness and foolishness and held out an arm to escort her the rest of the way back.
"Likewise Mr -- er, John. Thank you." She smiled and took his arm. "Well, let us go then." She ignored the small, not unpleasant lurch somewhere in her stomach at the contact. Ignored it completely.*
Lurch? What lurch? Happily married men certainly don't feel anything like that. Not for just a soft touch by a lovely, intelligent woman who has just admitted to a sort of fondness for one. Especially not when one hasn't touched any woman for over a year apart from a brief, hesitant dance with Jefferson's wife.*
He led them back to the steps of the castle talking pleasantly of inconsequential things.
"Are you headed in to dinner or back to the Ravenclaw rooms? I should be most glad to escort you either place."
*Ditto.
((OOC: We don't have to RP dinner or back at the dorm. He just wouldn't leave her in the entrance hall unless she insisted on it.))
Susan, for her own part, occasionally used her daily diary to record notable events of a given day, but with little in the way of introspection. Thus, to an observer, the simple phrase "walk and dinner w. John Adams" betrayed little of the unexpected, faintly giddy turmoil that kept her awake and staring out the window long into the small hours of the night. As she finally started to drowse, two thoughts occurred to her:
1. I need another complication like I need the proverbial hole in the head.
2. He'll have to know about The Business eventually. Damn.
But in the meantime, the thoughts yielded to sleep, to be considered another day.
John thought about the question for a minute. "While it's true that my arrival couldn't have come at a worse moment, I don't believe it affected the course of history. Master Dib tells me that the vote was held and passed and that I participated in it, so perhaps I'll return to the time in which I left? Though whether I'll retain the knowledge I gain here is a worrisome proposition. If I do, how will that affect my future? Or my people's future if I'm to lead them someday? History apparents records me doing certain things that I suspect that a working knowledge of magic would change significantly. But if I won't remember, what would be the point of spending my time here or learning anything at all?"
He walked along, head bowed. "I miss my family, but I have missed them for a year now and if my suspicions are correct, they won't even know that I've gone. I am accustomed to receiving letters every day from my dear wife and that will be a difficult habit to break. But perhaps I'll start a journal with the letters I would have written to her if I could."
"The Hat suggested I take courses in Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures to assist on my farm, but I can't imagine they'd help much when apple trees are killed by a late frost and perfectly ordinary chickens and geese die of ague. I'm not familiar with the other courses of study, though I've been told I might enjoy Ancient Runes. May I ask what classes you're enrolled in?"
John paused, uncertain as to the wisdom of his next words, but too anxious not to say them. "You know, I've had a concrete goal for so long now that I find it... very odd to be without it. Somewhat adrift, perhaps. Directionless. And I've met few people so far, though those I have met have been kind. I'm afraid I just don't know what to do with myself at the moment..."
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"I've often wondered what happens when people come and go, and how time passes here in relation to our home worlds," Susan said thoughtfully. "You've given me a very interesting piece of data, actually. It's not something I'd discuss with very many people -- for one thing, I'm not entirely sure that I understand it all."
Inspired by a small burst of sympathy, Susan reached up and gently patted Adams on the shoulder. "I don't wonder that you're at a bit of a loss. There's little enough structure here; classes are somewhat irregular, and there's a lot of what I can only call flailing." She smiled ruefully. "I've been taking Charms, Herbology, and Potions, all good classes, I've found, and interesting. We've just gotten a new Charms professor, and she seems quite solid."
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Looking interested, John said, "Oh, yes? Well, if I may be of further service, please let me know. I may not be familiar with the concepts, but I like to think I can listen, at least."
He smiled faintly at 'flailing'. That was exactly what he felt like. "And thank you for your recommendations. I'll be sure to look into them."
John glanced up at the position of the sun. "It seems to be getting late and I wouldn't like to cause you to miss dinner. Shall we turn our steps back toward the castle?"
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She walked in silence for a moment, and then, feeling that it needed to be said, went on, "I'm very glad to have made your acquaintance, Mr Adams. Frankly, I don't make friends easily, and I've really enjoyed meeting someone of a like mind." Then, feeling a bit daring, she said, "And if you like, please feel free to call me Susan. As I said at your sorting, informality is the order of the day here, after all."
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* Really.
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He led them back to the steps of the castle talking pleasantly of inconsequential things.
"Are you headed in to dinner or back to the Ravenclaw rooms? I should be most glad to escort you either place."
*Ditto.
((OOC: We don't have to RP dinner or back at the dorm. He just wouldn't leave her in the entrance hall unless she insisted on it.))
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((Works for me. One can assume that the continued to make pleasant, mutually enjoyable conversation. ^_^))
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He led Susan to the Great Hall, and they shared a pleasant meal, talking of this and that and generally getting to know one another better.
Later that evening, when he retired to his room, John wrote in his journal of nothing but Miss Sto Helit.
((Sounds good to me! :D))
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1. I need another complication like I need the proverbial hole in the head.
2. He'll have to know about The Business eventually. Damn.
But in the meantime, the thoughts yielded to sleep, to be considered another day.
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