Research!

[chrysopteron]

After finding her way to Milliways again, Iris finally learned about the rooms upstairs.

And there is a library!









A copy of Aesop's Fables gets produced for Iris, and is read several times over with great interest and confusion (at times), before really thinking about the opportunities.

"...Where could I find a scroll on...genetics?"

The book provided by the library engrosses Iris for quite some time - she gives up the attention required to hide her wings from view after the first hour.

Comments

[chrysopteron]

"You were looking for me?"

This is new.

"Something I should help you with?" Since this is usually why people look for Iris.

[balancingminds]

"Yes, I was. Milliways surprised me and then I realized you were around and found you. Keep me company and tell me what brought you to the library,"

It's not a terribly good line but its also completely honest.

[chrysopteron]

Tell him? Don't tell him?

Iris just hands him the book in her hands.

"I was...investigating? It seemed important at the time."

[balancingminds]

He takes the book and has a moment of looking it over as its a beautiful edition,

"This would be where to begin. Mendel helped create many of the underpinnings of my work."

[chrysopteron]

Underpinnings.

"So if I wanted to understand, I have much further to go."

[balancingminds]

"It depends what you want to understand," As he's probably a better resource than any book.

[chrysopteron]

"You.




"Your entire life is beyond my scope - so I need to learn."

[balancingminds]

He blinks for a moment as that's more than he expected and he takes her hand with a smile,

"Then ask me and I'll answer."

[chrysopteron]

Iris delved deeply enough into Mendel that she could formulate questions on the material. They range from "Why would someone want to hybridize a plant?" to details on the experiments themselves.

But then there is the other side of the equation. So to speak.

"Would you tell me about where you live?"

[balancingminds]

"Of course, its a rather unique city that's built around learning. Should I tell you everything or do you want to know anything in particular?"

As he has an idea of how he might show it to her.

[chrysopteron]

Iris reclaims her chair from earlier, eventually resting her chin in one palm.

"How you participate in it. Larger perspectives come from that."

[balancingminds]

"I'm a student and a teacher, which keeps me busy. My focus is on my own work but I also tutor students to help them make sense of what they're learning,"

He looks around for another chair and instead finds a stool which he sits on that puts him looking a little up at her.

[chrysopteron]

"Do you very much like your students?"

[balancingminds]

"I enjoy them most of the time, they're not perfect and we all have our bad days,"

Sometimes he does wish he could just hide in his work but teaching suits him.

[chrysopteron]

"What about your teachers? Are you a favored student?"

[balancingminds]

"I'm the only one studying what I do and I'm quite good at it,"

He is the best at what he does but he doesn't want to draw too much attention to himself in interactions. That means he's perhaps not as favored as he might be.

[chrysopteron]

"That isn't what I asked. Is there no one who shares your interests?"

[balancingminds]

"Well, yes, my teachers do in their own ways. Its hard to explain, there are lots of complicated interplays between people in the department. I find the best place for myself."

[chrysopteron]

He's correct. It is hard to explain.

"Yours is indeed a very different world. It is hard to picture it as being simply in my future, rather than some other realm entirely."

[balancingminds]

"Politics and human interaction are constants. You've probably seen people do the same, its just a different setting. May I try something? I can perhaps share my memories and project what my Oxford is like to you,"

As in terms of such a complicated place, its far easier to show than explain.

[chrysopteron]

Again, Iris is wary. Putting things in her mind. Projecting?

But he's not reading. Charles is safe.

"...Alright."

[balancingminds]

No, he's sharing with her and not taking anything. He rests his hand on his forehead and closes his eyes before focusing on her hand as he opens his memories and images of Oxford to her.

They're presented in a chronology of his time there and then his day to day life.

[chrysopteron]

The clothes. All the books.

All the ale.

Iris listens, sees, listens again. It only all makes sense because of how commonplace Charles presents everything.

"That must get distracting."

[balancingminds]

He laughs and there's a series of memories of going out with Raven,

"Sometimes but mainly it keeps me from getting lost in my work."

[chrysopteron]

"There would be those who would miss you if that were so."

The brunette in his Tuesday lecture.

Raven.

Almost everyone who knows Charles, really.