[She'd hardly had to ask; Tara had been quick to acquiesce, also wanting to beat the crowd and find the best seats possible. She finds Amelia to be oddly hesitant when they arrive, striking her as slightly uncharacteristic for what she knows of the younger woman, and lets out a warm chuckle as she shakes her head, gently catching her by the forearm.]
Oh, stuff and nonsense, don't be ridiculous. I think he'll be more distracted if he doesn't see you.
[Many years with Gale's particular brand of anxiety as her companion have taught her that; he takes great pride in his work, and she knows he's looking forward to being seen in his element, even if he hasn't said as much.]
There are still a few seats near the front that don't look to be reserved. You have nothing to worry about, my dear.
[It's awfully sweet that she worries regardless, but Tara keeps that bit to herself.]
[Despite her bold approach on academic and educational matters, matters of the heart are clearly where the young professor stumbles. Being perceived is something to get accustomed to.
Amelia nods and moves towards the front after Tara mentions the spot.]
I wish I wasn't, believe me.
[After setting down their tote bags under their chairs, Amelia smoothes out her skirt and fidgets after plopping herself in her seat.]
If they dim the lights so it's harder to make me out, I'll feel more relieved.
[Tara looks her over with some amusement, though makes an effort to temper it with understanding. One could be perfectly comfortable lecturing class after class without batting an eye, but that didn't mean that all sorts of attention were just as well-received.]
I'm seeing a whole new side of you today, professor.
[She reaches over to gently clap a hand of reassurance against her forearm.]
If it's any comfort, they usually do, but I don't think you need to be concerned that he's going to stop in the middle of his presentation to point you out to all assembled.
[Teasing, yes, but very gently, with hope of helping to ease her nerves.]
Truly, I'm certain he's just glad to know we're here, whether he spots us or not.
[A lot of Amelia, can be considered bluster, overcompensation, and such. True care and consideration brings out someone else entirely, an awkward and stubborn woman who nevertheless tries even if she hates looking and feeling like a fool.]
Well...
[There's no rebuttal to be made to what Tara just said. Amelia nods, acknowledging Dr. Prescott's comforting gesture.]
When it comes down to it, there's no place I'd rather be right now.
[The lights grow dimmer and there's an initial rise in the din of excited voices before the noise begins to settle down. Amelia turns to face the stage and straightens her back. She's just an audience member, but regardless, there's a long exhale and a murmur in preparation for what's next.]
[Dr. Prescott gives Amelia's arm a gentle squeeze before reclaiming her hand when the lights begin to dim, folding her hands in her lap as the host walks out onto the elevated stage to make introductions. The audience is warmly welcomed and the host goes on to offer a bit of information about the conference as an institution, but after a few short minutes, he proceeds as expected.
"I won't bore you any longer— please welcome to the Aldanon Observatory and Museum of Natural Sciences Dr. Gale Dekarios of Waterdeep University, who has done us the honor of agreeing to give our keynote speech after many years of contributions to the vast and thrilling field of astrophysics!"
The applause that follows is hearty while still remaining polite and venue-appropriate, the speaker waving Gale onto the stage from the wings before stepping out of the light himself. Gale offers him a nod of thanks and smiles brightly as he approaches the podium, dossier in hand, and takes hold of both sides as he squares up in front of the microphone, looking out over the assembled crowd.]
Good morning, all of you, and thank you for taking the time to join us— I've always been told you ought to open these sorts of things with a joke, but I thought I would be kind and spare you having to suffer my sad attempts. You all deserve something a bit meteor than that.
[There's a round of laughter interspersed with a few groans; clearly, he is among his people here. As he cheerfully starts into his introduction, which has been slightly altered thanks to Amelia's notes, he speaks with confidence, with passion— this is hardly a lecture, but an opportunity to share ideas and speak with his peers about something he believes in with his whole heart.
As he starts his speech in earnest, he does subtly scan what he can see of the audience in the closer rows, and while the lights are dim, it's not hard for him to spot a certain head of red hair. Without so much as skipping a beat, he offers a brief wink in Amelia's direction, continuing on without ever altering his cadence. Whatever worries he had carried into this place with him, in the moment, they're gone, and he feels more himself than he's ever been.]
[Amelia sits there, entirely focused on stage and Gale's presence upon it, clapping when he makes his entrance. Her mouth barely twitches when he makes his groan-worthy joke. She keeps her attention on him and of his speech and the further it goes smoothly, the less tension there is in her shoulders and she even begins to quietly enjoy the academic exercise of processing and interpreting the contents of which she was privy to a few nights ago when giving him some notes.
The wink? Unexpected.
Her reaction. No change in expression, but a glance to the side instead before turning her eyes back to the stage.
She might have to get him back for that, but right now, he's doing well, he looks happy, he speaks with such zeal, and it makes her glad that she played a small part in getting him here at all.]
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sunfloras2024-01-21 09:17 pm
no subject
Oh, stuff and nonsense, don't be ridiculous. I think he'll be more distracted if he doesn't see you.
[Many years with Gale's particular brand of anxiety as her companion have taught her that; he takes great pride in his work, and she knows he's looking forward to being seen in his element, even if he hasn't said as much.]
There are still a few seats near the front that don't look to be reserved. You have nothing to worry about, my dear.
[It's awfully sweet that she worries regardless, but Tara keeps that bit to herself.]
no subject
Amelia nods and moves towards the front after Tara mentions the spot.]
I wish I wasn't, believe me.
[After setting down their tote bags under their chairs, Amelia smoothes out her skirt and fidgets after plopping herself in her seat.]
If they dim the lights so it's harder to make me out, I'll feel more relieved.
no subject
I'm seeing a whole new side of you today, professor.
[She reaches over to gently clap a hand of reassurance against her forearm.]
If it's any comfort, they usually do, but I don't think you need to be concerned that he's going to stop in the middle of his presentation to point you out to all assembled.
[Teasing, yes, but very gently, with hope of helping to ease her nerves.]
Truly, I'm certain he's just glad to know we're here, whether he spots us or not.
no subject
Well...
[There's no rebuttal to be made to what Tara just said. Amelia nods, acknowledging Dr. Prescott's comforting gesture.]
When it comes down to it, there's no place I'd rather be right now.
[The lights grow dimmer and there's an initial rise in the din of excited voices before the noise begins to settle down. Amelia turns to face the stage and straightens her back. She's just an audience member, but regardless, there's a long exhale and a murmur in preparation for what's next.]
Good luck, Gale.
no subject
"I won't bore you any longer— please welcome to the Aldanon Observatory and Museum of Natural Sciences Dr. Gale Dekarios of Waterdeep University, who has done us the honor of agreeing to give our keynote speech after many years of contributions to the vast and thrilling field of astrophysics!"
The applause that follows is hearty while still remaining polite and venue-appropriate, the speaker waving Gale onto the stage from the wings before stepping out of the light himself. Gale offers him a nod of thanks and smiles brightly as he approaches the podium, dossier in hand, and takes hold of both sides as he squares up in front of the microphone, looking out over the assembled crowd.]
Good morning, all of you, and thank you for taking the time to join us— I've always been told you ought to open these sorts of things with a joke, but I thought I would be kind and spare you having to suffer my sad attempts. You all deserve something a bit meteor than that.
[There's a round of laughter interspersed with a few groans; clearly, he is among his people here. As he cheerfully starts into his introduction, which has been slightly altered thanks to Amelia's notes, he speaks with confidence, with passion— this is hardly a lecture, but an opportunity to share ideas and speak with his peers about something he believes in with his whole heart.
As he starts his speech in earnest, he does subtly scan what he can see of the audience in the closer rows, and while the lights are dim, it's not hard for him to spot a certain head of red hair. Without so much as skipping a beat, he offers a brief wink in Amelia's direction, continuing on without ever altering his cadence. Whatever worries he had carried into this place with him, in the moment, they're gone, and he feels more himself than he's ever been.]
crawls back from the ayto mines
The wink? Unexpected.
Her reaction. No change in expression, but a glance to the side instead before turning her eyes back to the stage.
She might have to get him back for that, but right now, he's doing well, he looks happy, he speaks with such zeal, and it makes her glad that she played a small part in getting him here at all.]