Appointments

[semper_cogitans]

For any mundane, non-critical one-on-one interactions with the scientist here, whether it be poking him for whatever reason, maintaining continuity, throwing him an item, or in general doing something that isn't momentous enough to require a whole post or log for it.

Please copy and paste the following for the first comment in any new thread you're

Comments

[Voice] May 14, in regards to Selphie's New Feather Party post

[intangible_girl]

Professor Hastings?

Could... you do me a favor?

y u abuse my system *shot* no it's okay o/`

[semper_cogitans]

[Is dat sum Ingrid calling Robert up? Not that this hasn't been a near-constant occurrence since the ninth, and honestly Robert is getting quite fond of Ingrid's voice.]

... Certainly, Ms. Grimmholtz. How can I be of assistance?

ahahahaha you can't stop me

[intangible_girl]

I saw something on the journals today that caught my interest. It appears some of the residents are throwing a party for the New Feathers. I would... like to attend. But since I can't, I was wondering if you'd go in my place.

noooo *Darth Vader pose*

[semper_cogitans]

[For a moment, Robert feels the familiar ice-cold grip of social anxiety in the pit of his stomach. He avoided the last New Feather party for a reason...

... But this is different. He'd be a stand-in for somebody else.]

I... I-I could... perhaps do so.

I am... a-afraid that I am not the most... socially-competent of people, however...

[By which he means he's gonna spend a lot of time hiding in a corner.]

*whips out light saber*

[intangible_girl]

It won't be so bad. I'll be there with you in spirit.~

[Puppy dog eyes. You can't resist them, can you?]

MEG, I AM YOUR FATHER okay not really

[semper_cogitans]

["Won't be so bad". Yeah, right. It's a social situation, those are always bad.

Robert swallows heavily and kind of sighs in a resigned way.]

... P-perhaps others I know will be there as well. [And then he can totally hide behind them.]

But, I, er... I have... n-never really been to many parties... [Yeah, Mike's party was the first party he really ever went to.]

D8 nooooooooooooo

[intangible_girl]

I've never been to one at all.

[She spends all her time at college doing research and studying. She tells herself she's too busy for things like parties, but really she's afraid.]

C:<

[semper_cogitans]

[Fear is something Robert knows very well when it comes to social situations.]

Are you... uncomfortable with them...? [Unspoken addition: "Like I am?"]

[intangible_girl]

[Wryly:] It's hard to go to a party when you're stuck in a bubble.

[Her birthday parties over the years don't count, since either they were televised events, or the guests consisted of herself and her father, and perhaps one of his colleagues, if they were working on something urgent.]

[semper_cogitans]

[Robert makes a shameful little noise.] I... simply was never invited to any.

[Beyond Benjamin's (for those five years or so) and his own birthday parties... ... and his own birthday parties tended to be just himself and his parents.

Whenever he hadn't attached himself to the database terminal in his home via his nanocomputer, anyway.]

But of course that is an entirely different situation altogether.

[intangible_girl]

[That's so sad.]

Well, everyone's invited to this one. And if it makes you feel any better, I'm giving you a personal invitation to come to this party with me.

Only, you know, in spirit.

[semper_cogitans]

[It happens when you're a socially-phobic derp who stays the hell away from people and never makes enough in the way of friends to have anybody bother.]

It... will be a comfort. [At least something of one. Though Robert hopes somebody else he knows will be there because he would appreciate as much moral support as he can get.]

[intangible_girl]

I appreciate it a lot, Professor. I know it will be weird... for both of us... but I'm not as used to being outside the loop as I was before the device. [The intangibility device, her freedom.] I don't think I can handle just staying in the bubble getting second hand accounts of things anymore.

Thank you.

[semper_cogitans]

Speaking of your device... I have been checking the Item Shop daily, but so far I have not been able to locate it. [The distress in Robert's voice is evident.] But it should be here soon... if nothing else, then perhaps I could request the Malnosso for it?

... It seems ridiculous that they would not send it, though. Have they not inconvenienced you enough? [He glares at an invisible Malnossian scientist somewhere.]

[intangible_girl]

It's not like it matters. [-she says in a low voice. Then, louder:] The journals help a lot to keep me from getting too bored. As do you, Professor. You've been so kind to me. I don't know what I would have done without you.

[semper_cogitans]

I have much enjoyed your company, Ms. Grimmholtz, so the pleasure has been mine as well.

[Robert is sincerely pleased to hear that he's been so helpful to this daughter-of-a-scientist. And perhaps he has helped her to eke out some kind of existence in Luceti, despite all the odds that the Malnosso have thrown her against.]

... That, and it is the only ethical thing to do for someone in your position. And others endeavoured to do the same for me; being reciprocal would be the best thing.

[And he really does like Ingrid, or what he knows of her so far, anyway. It's weird; he can feel that after four months of this place, making friends is... ... Well. It's still very hard. But easier? It doesn't terrify him quite as much to think of Ingrid being a friend, to think of him putting trust in her...]