Log:SinLore, Part 2

SinLore 2020/02/23 Talia Arthur Aevus 2

Talia is busily working on research in the CBSU Library. She's seated at a private table, examining a very large book that is not allowed to leave this section of the library. One hand is absently scanning along a line in the book while her other hand is quickly scribing notes in a notebook.

Arthur has a knack for being in the right place at the right time for certain chance encounters. He approaches the tables with a book on astrophysics when he spies Talia. He nears her and clears his throat quietly before whispering, "Ah, Miss Sintergaard. How are you recovering from that prior incident?" he asks with kind concern.

Talia is startled by the sound of Arthur's voice in her ear. She jerks sideways and backward, eyes wide and wild for a second or two before she seems to recognize Arthur. Her postures relaxes a little bit as she purses her lips, studying him for several moments.

"Don't sneak up on me like that," replies Talia, voice quiet and measured. She scoots her seat back in against the table and looks at her notes, sighing tiredly at the jagged line she's slashed across the page with her pen. Frowning, Talia tries to decide how best to proceed. Recopying her notes is such a bother.

Arthur holds up his hands in apologetic surrender. "I didn't mean to sneak, but it's generally frowned upon to speak too loudly in the library," he whispers. "You have my sincerest apologies. I just wanted to make sure you were alright."

"You could have just knocked on the table," replies Talia. She folds her arms across her chest and peers at Arthur, trying to decide how she wants to answer him. "I'm fine."

Arthur begins to suspect that would've failed, too, so he doesn't argue. He just smiles apologetically. "I'm sorry, Miss Sintergaard. I'll try to keep that in mind for next time." He can't help but glance at her books before looking back to her, trying to see if any of the wounds from before are visible. "I'm glad you're doing fine."

"Good to see that you're doing fine too," replies Talia, tone cool and even. Arthur's visual inspection reveals not even the slightest trace of the damages that Talia had experienced when last he saw her. She shifts her weight a little bit, frowning as she flips her notebook to the next page so that she can start re-writing her now ruined notes. Talia appears to be referring to a very large compendium of proto-Germanic skaldic literature.

Arthur nods. "It was a rather harrowing experience, but there's mental health services available on campus," he notes. "If you'd like to talk about anything, please feel free to reach out. I'm in the campus directory." Or will be, once he takes a trip back to arrange it.

"You sound like you have something you want to talk about," replies Talia, "Professor."

Talia arches a copper-hued eyebrow as she regards Arthur in questioning silence. Her arms tighten as she keeps her arms crossed over her chest.

Arthur sits on the edge of the table's side, well away from Talia's books and works. "Well, I have to admit, I am curious. But I don't think this would be the place to bring it up."

"Is that a fact?" inquires Talia, eyebrow still arched as she studies Arthur's face.

Arthur sighs quietly as he rests his hands on the book in his lap. "Miss Sintergaard, I'm getting the impression you're harboring some hostility towards me."

"Hostility? No," replies Talia, "Suspicion and paranoia? Yes. Very much, yes."

Arthur raises his eyebrows in surprise. "Really? What for?"

"For not being in the staff directory when I went looking for you," replies Talia.

Talia lifts her left hand, followed by her left index finger. Her middle finger comes up next as Talia helpfully enumerates her talking points.

"For showing up in the exact place and only on the exact day that I was in danger from an apparently magical artifact."

Up comes Talia's ring finger.

"Because two artifacts are missing from the lab and I am under investigation for it. Plus there's the fact that I was relying on that job in the lab to pay for rent this month, but I am not allowed to work in that lab while I'm under investigation."

Talia lifts her pinkie finger to enumerate that last point. She purses her lips again, studying Arthur's face. One leg shifts to cross over her other as she stares him down.

"Plus all of this comes after the creepy bug lady that's been terrorizing the town tried to catch me."

Arthur blinks a few times as he finds out the full disastrous extent of his attempts to help. "Well, the staff directory isn't something I handle, but I'm sure I could clear your name in the investigation," he assures. "I'll get that all straightened up for you right away." He looks a little confused by the last part, but interested. "Why was some bug lady out to capture you?"

"I don't know."

Talia inhales deeply through flared nostrils. She fixes her gaze on Arthur, lips still pursed.

"Hence the paranoia and suspicion."

Arthur sighs quietly, thinking a moment. "Well," he says heavily as he sets his astrophysics book aside, "I think the first and most immediate thing I should do is handle this misunderstanding and clear your name," he says as he stands up.

"I'll believe that when I see it," replies Talia, "Professor."

Arthur smiles at her retort. "Oh ye of little faith. Mark my words, Miss Sintergaard. You'll have your job back by the end of this day," he says with a finger raised, speaking with confidence and certainty before he spins away with a twirl of his long coat. He marches off with a job to accomplish.