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Post by Callypso on Jul 19, 2010 15:08:43 GMT -5
It took a few seconds for the young boy’s words to sink in and when they finally did the only immediate reply Iso could give was rapid eye blinking. She wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. The response had not been anything the doctor would have anticipated, though technically her questions had been answered. Certainly there had been a few comments on his own abilities, but interestingly enough the boy had focused on addressing the faults of the surrounding academicians. Another smirk played across her lips.
The boy was absolutely correct with respect the undergraduates milling around the panel speakers. There was a fine line between honest tutelage and a mere desire to advance one’s own interests, but she wasn’t entirely certain the little Corvie’s assessment had been youthful naivete or deeper insight.
And she wasn’t clear anymore on whether she liked his spunk or if she was merely amused that his sentiments mirrored her own. She had, however, noticed the spark that had flashed in his eyes- she knew that look. That same excitement took hold and displayed itself in her own orbs when embarking on a new extraordinary study. Perhaps there was something to the pre-adolescent after all…
Iso purposefully ended her own musings- no, no, this would not do. Not at all. She was a serious researcher and she had no time to babysit this toddler. There was little doubt in her mind that the majority of her time would be spent correcting or preventing the boy’s potentially disastrous errors. The woman’s own work had slowed to a crawl as it was, and she had no intention of encouraging a further hiatus.
Still… he was young, unschooled – mayhap he would think outside of the normal parameters, his mind free from the scholastic limitations that overshadowed every learned pupil... And damn him looking so like Phan! Now she was getting irritated. The last thing she desired was to mull over Phan’s demise and be reminded of his overzealous enthusiasm at every turn… but maybe she could… there didn’t have to be another Phan… Oh, SUITS!
Her eyes narrowed and crossed her arms in displeasure. Prove it, she all but snarled, not stopping to reflect that her anger was not really for him - the pills were now making it difficult for her to separate her thoughts and feelings. How do I know you won’t be but a waste of my time?
4 minutes…
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Post by Harpsdesire on Jul 23, 2010 9:00:49 GMT -5
Joel was surprised to see a peculiar look cross the doctor's face... She seemed to be lost in thought, hopefully considering what he said. Then she swore. Joel regarded her with some surprise. That certainly had not been the response he expected.
When she narrowed her eyes at him, he looked back steadily. Despite her harsh tone, the child wasn't cowed-- in fact it didn't seem to affect him in any way. Joel wasn't prone to taking things personally, which was probably a good quality to have if he was to be spending much time with Iaso. "I will prove it!" His voice was strong, determined, and his eyes shone with excitement. He had never doubted that he would be a good apprentice... but there had been doubts about whether or not Dr. Price would realize this. "Let me come for for you for a trial period, maybe just a week or two, and I'll show you what I can do. You won't have to interrupt your work to clean equipment, or go buy supplies, I can do those things for you... I can write well for someone with paws... I can take notes." Fine manipulation of items with his large front paws was a skill Joel had long struggled over, but it was required for the delicate experiments he performed, the subtle movements needed to pour volatile chemicals and dissect the tiny invertebrates that so fascinated him. Many, many hours of practice and many spilled beakers later, he was surprisingly good at holding things between his toes or using his retractable feline claws to grasp objects. "I promise I'll be useful, and not get in the way or mess things up."
This was said so earnestly, almost pleadingly, that it would be nearly impossible for Iso not to notice how much Joel wanted this job. He nearly quivered with anticipation of Iso's answer, ready to be crushed or to celebrate. It was clear from the way the doctor kept looking at the clock that his time was running out-- she would be leaving soon, with or without a new assistant.
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Post by Callypso on Jul 26, 2010 17:58:21 GMT -5
((Check your messages if you haven't yet!  )) The doctor’s eyes and brows stayed furrowed as though glaring unblinkingly at the youth would reveal his aptitude and abilities, though Iso was actually at a loss at what to say. She had told herself that just this one time she would rely on body language to convey her meaning; hint that she was displeased with the boy without completely crushing his soul and ridding herself of the little menace at the same time. The look, however, appeared not to deter the boy’s determination, so either he was clueless or Iso wasn’t conveying the proper attitude. Iso did not like contemplating her own failure at any given task, so clearly the young man was overzealous to the point of social density. Then he gave a counter offer that Iso was loathe to refuse. One week trial? It was logical, minimized any potential damage the hoofed feline could cause, she could gauge his intelligence while benefitting from wage-free labor. It could be the beginning of a lovely symbiotic relationship. The pills were also working their way through her bloodstream and she was feeling the irritation falter and give way to mild annoyance mixed with a dash of apathy. All she wanted was to leave the damn auditorium and get away from incessant whirlpool of chatter that was threatening to drown her in noise. And why did he have to remind her of Phan? It was uncomfortable enough having his image haunt her at every turn- she had no desire to have a living, breathing Phantasus doppelganger trailing her in the lab. Another glance at the clock and an idea struck her. One week. You have one week to prove yourself a worthwhile asset to my research endeavors. Have your parents write me a letter of consent and report to my laboratory next Monday with the signed agreement.
Iso gave a curt nod and promptly departed. It was five after. She had purposefully neglected to hand the young man her address and she was as yet unlisted. If the boy wanted to work for her that badly, he could work to find her first. She felt a small tinge of guilt- it was perhaps a bit too cruel a trick for someone so inexperienced, but she simply could not stand another minute in the smoldering miasmic intellectualism that had become of the panel. It was also a good first test for the assistant-to-be: use what he already knows to seek information he did not. Perfect. Now she would continue to receive her grant, let the boy determine whether he’d even make it to her laboratory on the first day and escape the academy students. The double doors slammed behind her. |
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Post by Harpsdesire on Jul 26, 2010 18:56:55 GMT -5
It seemed to Joel that the doctor's rather severe expression was mellowing into something rather... cloudy. Huh. At least foggy apathy was less like 'no' than the previous adamant irritability. The young boy was pleased to see that his words seemed to be having the desired impression on his role model. Either that, or he was simply wearing her down with sheer persistence (and it didn't much matter to him which, as long as the end result was that she agreed).
When she finally relented, grudgingly though it was, Joel's wide silly grin returned in full force, despite his attempt to keep a more mature expression. At least he suppressed his suddenly overwhelming desire to do a victory dance. "Oh, thank you, Doctor Price! I promise you won't regret this!" Joel could hardly keep his excitement under wraps, a feat which he heartily attempted, considering it was surely not too late for the older Corvie to change her mind.
He was really going to be working at the real lab of a real-life brilliant scientist! Joel was beside himself with joy, and as the door swung shut behind Iaso, she might just hear a quiet but deeply heartfelt "YESSSS!!!!" from the auditorium.
Joel stood there for some seconds, celebrating his good fortune with myriad daydreams about the super-cool experiments he was going to be able to see up close-- maybe even help with! He was going to become a leader in his own field with the help of Iaso Price, who his mind almost immediately transformed from a cantankerous loner to a devoted and kindly mentor. They would gradually become the best of friends, and she would teach him all she knew and help him uncover the secrets of bones and muscles. They would make brilliant discoveries and publish papers together. He was going to get this exoskeleton thing right at last, and he was going to start on Mond---
Oh. Oh poop. The goofy smile all but melted off Joel's face as he realized that he had no idea where, exactly, he was going to be reporting with the letter of consent on Monday morning. It looked like his first assignment was going to be harder than he thought.
No matter. Joel was confident that he'd figure out a way to get the address soon enough. In the meantime, he was rather overdue for a victory dance.
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))