008. [Video/possible action for Goldenrod City, also one other thing]

[scientificflair]

[PRIVATE TEXT TO EMMY ALTAVA]

I have something I would like to ask you, and some further things to discuss. Some more pleasant than others. Do you have time?


[VIDEO]

[Well, if you're familiar with the stores around Goldenrod (or even if you're not, and just happened to wander in there one day by chance) then the chances are good that you're aware of a music shop nestled amongst the larger stores and malls. More specifically and to the point, you may be aware of the piano set up within the shop itself - both for the sake of lessons to those willing to pay, and to advertise others like it for purchase. Descole is in here for neither, though had he the space he wouldn't be terribly opposed to the latter; for the last couple of days, he's come in when business is slow and settled himself behind the keys, sometimes playing, sometimes just running his hands over them lightly. Today, however, he is clearly settling for none of that. The camera clicks on after seeming to have been set up directly alongside the keys, showing nothing but his hands and a bit of the long ruffled sleeves covering the backs of them; he begins playing after a bit, and...uh. It's a bit difficult to say what in the world set him off but he's having at fairly hard and holding absolutely nothing back, his hands fast and firm on the keys. It's not anything classical, or even anything terribly classy; it's somewhat more akin to...well. While it isn't anywhere near exact, it's closer to this than anything.

Yeah. Um. There's probably something to be said for the fact that Descole is baring his soul to the world and it sounds sorta like Skrillex, but we won't go there.

His hands linger on the keys for a moment after the sound dies; the camera angle doesn't adjust any, leaving his face well out of the shot, but after a moment Descole speaks, his tone clipped and more abrupt than usual.

He's clearly a bit stressed; he's doing a terrible job of concealing it.]

I'm looking for ways to further improve myself. Anything at all. Physically, intellectually, I don't particularly care. Tell me what you excel at; I want to hear what your talents are.

I don't care that time doesn't pass back home, not while we're here; there is still such a thing as having been here too long. If I can't return to my life's work...

[He pauses for a moment; without warning, he slams his hands down heavily on the keys, the sudden clash ringing out sharply. One can...pretty much hear the rather alarmed sound of the shopkeeper in the background, telling him to watch it.]

I've had enough. Give me something to pursue.

[And with that, end feed.]

Comments

[scientificflair]

I think I can manage that much, yes. Anything more complex may be giving me a bit too much credit, however.

[.......]

...I really do appreciate it, Emmy.

[snapandscoot]

Yes, well....it's not like I'm all that busy, so. Besides, any excuse to show off a little~

[ugh will you....stop it, let her take another sip of her lemon-free tea, there]

Oh, and you had better not go easy on me when it comes to my lessons, or you'll be rather sorry rather quickly!

[scientificflair]

[...one of these days he will make you experience it with the lemon, Emmy, it's good that way.]

Have you even tried fencing before, or are you entirely new to it?

[snapandscoot]

[Can't we just eat lemon tart instead.....]

No, but look! I'm wielding this spoon like a natural!

[....just shut up and laugh, will you]

[scientificflair]

[His gaze rather obviously darts to that spoon before he finally gives in and laughs a bit, all right - good job, you.]

Clearly a force to be reckoned with; I fear for the welfare of your tea.

[snapandscoot]

As well you should!

[...oh, well

this is kind of nice, isn't it]

Although I'm hoping you intend to let me wield something a bit larger than a spoon, dangerous as I may be with one.

[scientificflair]

Unfortunately, actual blades are out of the question, as far as this place is concerned, but I'm sure we can find something suitable; improvised weapons seems to be a running theme among you lot as it is.

[He's quiet for a moment after that, however; it's...one of those topics he doesn't bring up much, but...]

Your beloved Professor was rather good with them, at any rate; I imagine you've been holding up well enough since his departure?

[snapandscoot]

Ah, yes he....was rather talented with them. It's part of the reason I'd like you to teach me how to do it.

[Emmy grows quiet for a moment, stirring her tea despite looking off to the side, obviously lost in thought for a moment. It was...very odd to not have the Professor around. Even though he'd been gone for a little while now, the wound was still a little raw. Forcing a smile onto her face, Emmy returned her gaze to Descole.]

I'm fine. Besides, I do a lot of work separated from him; it's not like we're connected at the hip, after all! Besides, I still have Luke!

You just worry about me being student number 1!

[scientificflair]

[He lets her take her time in continuing, taking another sip of tea as she thinks; even after she does go on, he isn't terribly inclined to push the matter. Discussions of Layton aren't anything he really cares for; if she's going to insist she's fine...well.]

Well, at least I won't have to worry about your ability to keep up with lessons; I'll warn you ahead of the time that teaching isn't anything I have the disposition for, though.

[snapandscoot]

[That actually makes her laugh slightly, smiling at him over her cup.]

Don't worry; you'll find me a fast learner. Provided we don't spend too much time on the theory and can get straight into the practical!

[scientificflair]

...Emmy, if you think I'm going to be teaching you theory...

[He's clearly amused by that, however.]

We'll see, however. It'll be interesting, if nothing else.

[snapandscoot]

Excellent! Don't worry, I'll ensure that you learn plenty of interesting things to cook, too!

[Well, that went surprisingly well, all things considered. Made a nice distraction from the whole....card thing, too. Hmph.]

Was there anything else you wanted to speak to me about, while I'm so graciously allowing you in my presence?

[scientificflair]

[...well.]

Perhaps I was wondering if you would graciously allow me your presence again sometime soon.

[snapandscoot]

[....well.]

Am I to assume you mean outside our newly-planned lessons?

[scientificflair]

If you wouldn't be opposed.

[snapandscoot]

....

[Pausing for a moment, Emmy takes a quick sip of her tea, eyes darting to the side. That...sounded awfully like Descole...asking her to-]

....are these platonic sorts of meet-ups, or were you thinking more along the lines of.....dates?

[yeah screw puzzling that one out

she can earn the picarats later]

[scientificflair]

[...Emmy

Emmy no

Emmy why are you doing this can't we just assume they're platonic - ]

...why do you ask?

[snapandscoot]

[...........uh-oh]

Well, I'm just....curious, that's all.

[yeah that'll do]

[scientificflair]

[He remains silent for a long moment after that, toying absently with the edges of his sleeves.]

If you would prefer that they remain platonic, that's entirely possible.

[snapandscoot]

...but you'd rather they didn't. Is that what you're saying?

[no really are you allergic to giving straight answers this is ridiculous]

I just...like to know this sort of thing. I....

[.....thank goodness the Professor isn't here any more....]

.....well, I....wouldn't be opposed to....the non-platonic kind, I suppose....

[scientificflair]

[emmy does he look like a person who gives straight answers to you or are we done here]

...that would be what I'm saying, yes.

[He actually seems...somewhat less tense now that that's out there, however; the fact that he's calming down somewhat is visible.]

And I'd like that.

[snapandscoot]

[At that, Emmy pauses, running a finger lightly along the rim of her teacup. Now that they appear to be on the same page, this is surreal; it's obviously been far too long for the both of them here in Johto, because if she wasn't mistaken Descole just asked her to date him.

And she had said yes.

What on earth was going on here? What would the Professor think? What would he say? What was the logical conclusion to all this....dating business? Did he just want something playfully casual? Was he being very serious with his intentions? Was this all just a giant trap in the name of whatever it was he had dedicated his life to, back home in England?

Her head hurt.]

...

[What was she doing? She...she barely knew this man properly, she didn't even know what he really looked like, that mask didn't betray anything....and what if 'Jean Descole' was just another persona, another disguise?

Emmy had so many questions flying through her head, but only one answer. It was an odd thing, too.

She found that she quite wanted to date this man. She wanted it quite a bit. Did that, if you took out the middle man, mean she wanted him?

....it was too complicated to think about now; she decided that, for the time being, she would play along with this 'dating' business, and anything else that came with it. Because that was definitely what she was doing; simply playing along.

....now why on earth did she feel those familiar tingles of excitement?]

I'm disappointed you didn't put it in a letter. It's just not the same.

[scientificflair]

[Again, he didn't try to interrupt her thoughts, though somewhere in the back of his mind he found himself rather aware of the fact that the silence was going on far too long and this was awkward and it didn't take him long at all to utterly convince himself that she had changed her mind.

...and then she actually broke the silence herself and he was immensely grateful, good lord.]

I'll just have to put more effort into the flowery turns of phrase next time, won't I?

[snapandscoot]

Well I would appreciate something a bit more thoughtful than just a text, private though it was.

[....what is she doing-]

Shall we decide when to meet for our first...lesson, I suppose?

[scientificflair]

...I'll let you know. There's someone I'm supposed to get in contact with shortly - someone replying to that...video from earlier. Apparently he's taking it as reason to be concerned.

[tl;dr - Ondorus is attempting to stage an intervention...]