[He releases her hand, his grip finding the strap of his own shoulder bag. Though her demeanor is cool and direct, what she doesn't say is just as clear as what she does. He wonders if she's feeling any degree of the same panic that had threatened to rise in him, or if her heart had pounded even half as hard as his had when he'd first recognized her, but she seems almost entirely unaffected.
Either she was a good actress, or he thought entirely too much of himself. Which one didn't much matter, he supposed.]
I've no doubt— and any new job can demand enough attention that there's hardly time for socializing.
[Suddenly, he had a much clearer idea of what she'd been preparing for this past week.]
I'm sure you'll find our faculty here to be— colorful. I hope any sour moods about having to share the building will quickly ease.
[Though he truly does speak of their own colleagues, there's something else there, as well. "We don't have to be strangers."]
[Her heart wants to break away from her ribcage, but never underestimate Amelia Steinbeck's stubbornness. There's hardly a scratch to her current veneer as she brushes some of her hair behind one ear.]
The science types seem to be of a good sort here. I've no complaints about anyone or having to share the building yet.
[Good, this is good. Plain and perfunctory conversation is the name of the game and hopefully for the long run between them.]
I'm sure everyone is more than capable of making do. I know I am.
[The room is beginning to empty and Amelia digs into her pocket to check her texts. The plan was to have lunch off-campus with Berna so there's that excuse readily made for her to make her exit.]
Well, we should get going. Don't let me keep you here, Dr. Dekarios.
[Despite his best efforts, there is no hiding the momentary flash of hurt in his gaze, her succinct words and dismissive demeanor sharp enough that he feels as though a knife has been slipped between his own ribs. What else, really, could he possibly had expected?
She had the right of it, surely. Maintain a professional distance, as much as was possible, especially since standing here in front of her made his chest uncomfortably tight and made something stick at the back of his throat. God above, if he'd ever needed a reminder that he was not the sort for drunken debauchery, surely, this was it.]
Of course. You have things to do, I'm certain.
[He can hear his voice falter, ever so slightly, but he clears his throat in a mostly vain attempt to cover it. Technically, he had plenty of other things to do, as well, and yet each and every one of them inconveniently escapes him at the moment.]
I— do hope you enjoy your time at Blackstaff.
[He begins to gather himself up and turn back towards the aisle proper to head out the door with an exhale to steady himself the moment he's sure she can't see his face in full, but he barely makes it two steps before an older gentleman who looks like he likely should have retired two decades earlier approaches with a hand raised to hail Dr. Dekarios himself, his stride and energy both far stronger than his age would suggest.
"Gale, my boy! I was hoping to catch you. There were a few things I thought we might discuss if you've the time, though I also come bearing a message. The new dean would like to speak to you in her office before you leave the building."
Gale pales visibly, but there's a brief twitch of his temple as he resists the urge to point out that she might have asked him herself.]
Elminster— of course, thank you.
[He sounds a touch too mild to be truly grateful, but he'll take the excuse to leave the room with purpose, possibly something to preserve his dignity— though if Dr. Manx wished to see him, he doesn't imagine he'll have much of that left before the day is out. He glances back towards 'Eva' just once, his expression conflicted more than apologetic. Truly, he had expected this day to be uncomfortable, but not like this.]
Good day, Professor Steinbeck. Best of luck with your semester.
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sunfloras2024-01-21 09:17 pm
no subject
Either she was a good actress, or he thought entirely too much of himself. Which one didn't much matter, he supposed.]
I've no doubt— and any new job can demand enough attention that there's hardly time for socializing.
[Suddenly, he had a much clearer idea of what she'd been preparing for this past week.]
I'm sure you'll find our faculty here to be— colorful. I hope any sour moods about having to share the building will quickly ease.
[Though he truly does speak of their own colleagues, there's something else there, as well. "We don't have to be strangers."]
no subject
The science types seem to be of a good sort here. I've no complaints about anyone or having to share the building yet.
[Good, this is good. Plain and perfunctory conversation is the name of the game and hopefully for the long run between them.]
I'm sure everyone is more than capable of making do. I know I am.
[The room is beginning to empty and Amelia digs into her pocket to check her texts. The plan was to have lunch off-campus with Berna so there's that excuse readily made for her to make her exit.]
Well, we should get going. Don't let me keep you here, Dr. Dekarios.
no subject
She had the right of it, surely. Maintain a professional distance, as much as was possible, especially since standing here in front of her made his chest uncomfortably tight and made something stick at the back of his throat. God above, if he'd ever needed a reminder that he was not the sort for drunken debauchery, surely, this was it.]
Of course. You have things to do, I'm certain.
[He can hear his voice falter, ever so slightly, but he clears his throat in a mostly vain attempt to cover it. Technically, he had plenty of other things to do, as well, and yet each and every one of them inconveniently escapes him at the moment.]
I— do hope you enjoy your time at Blackstaff.
[He begins to gather himself up and turn back towards the aisle proper to head out the door with an exhale to steady himself the moment he's sure she can't see his face in full, but he barely makes it two steps before an older gentleman who looks like he likely should have retired two decades earlier approaches with a hand raised to hail Dr. Dekarios himself, his stride and energy both far stronger than his age would suggest.
"Gale, my boy! I was hoping to catch you. There were a few things I thought we might discuss if you've the time, though I also come bearing a message. The new dean would like to speak to you in her office before you leave the building."
Gale pales visibly, but there's a brief twitch of his temple as he resists the urge to point out that she might have asked him herself.]
Elminster— of course, thank you.
[He sounds a touch too mild to be truly grateful, but he'll take the excuse to leave the room with purpose, possibly something to preserve his dignity— though if Dr. Manx wished to see him, he doesn't imagine he'll have much of that left before the day is out. He glances back towards 'Eva' just once, his expression conflicted more than apologetic. Truly, he had expected this day to be uncomfortable, but not like this.]
Good day, Professor Steinbeck. Best of luck with your semester.