September 22, 2010
It’s a Date.
Talia strolled by the park bench, whistling tunelessly, before stopping and backtracking when she recognized the figure sitting there.
Jacob, looking as woebegone as a coat and hat can, nodded to her.
“What’s up?” she asked, pushing wayward hair out of her eye.
If she could see his face, she suspected he’d be blushing. “Nothing.”
“Jacob…”
Jacob sighed. “I asked someone out, ok? And it… didn’t go well.”
“What, the date?”
“The asking,” he corrected mildly. “I don’t know why I even bother,” Jacob added. “Not now that everyone’s seen…” He trailed off, shyly waving one arm in mimicry of a tentacle.
Or maybe it really was at the moment. Not like anyone could tell, under that get-up. Talia mmmed in sympathy and dropped onto the bench next to him, watching bright little birds squabble for the sheer joy of arguing with their neighbors.
The silence was rather comfortable, and Talia almost felt bad about breaking it. “Pick me up tomorrow at seven, then, and we can haggle about the restaurant later. You’re paying, though,” she added at Jacob’s bewildered stare.
Jacob, in a fit of stunning wit, said, “Huh?”
Talia bit back a giggle – the last thing he needed was to think she was joking. “You. Me. Date, tomorrow.”
“Um, um… ok? What about Roland?”
“First, it’s not like we’re going out or anything.” Jacob grumbled something suspiciously like denial under his breath and Talia glared. “Second, he’d approve anyway. And third, if you wanted, I could drag him along.”
“Sorry. Got a library conference tomorrow in Boston.”
Jacob squawked and buried his head in his hands. Talia turned, grinning, to survey her sort-of boyfriend. “Hey! We were just talking about you.”
“I know,” Roland said, slouching against a tree in that particular manner of his. “I was eavesdropping. And Talia’s right,” he archly informed Jacob. “You need to go on a decent date for once.” Jacob shot him a dirty look, which was pointedly ignored. “It’s not like the ones you had before were all that spectacular.”
“So I’m just supposed to accept a random pity date?” Jacob’s tone was surprisingly even. “Look, you’re my friends, and I get what you’re trying to do…”
Talia bit her lip. Oh, damn.
Roland stalked forward, leaning as close in as he could without having to worry about accidents. “No, dumbass. It’s a friendly date. You’ve known us for how long? Do you really think any of us,” and that particular stress somehow encompassed very specific people, “would insult you with that kind of insincerity?” Jacob blinked, and Roland added, “Go. Have fun. And pictures or it didn’t happen.” With that, he turned on his heel and stalked off like only Roland and pissed off housecats can do.
Jacob and Talia looked at each other. “Seven, you said?”
Talia nodded, then shrugged and stood. On impulse, she kissed his cheek. Jacob nodded to her, and settled back on his bench, watching her go over the top of his scarf.
And he tucked the little kiss away, down in the muddle where he kept the dreams.
A Visitor.
Talia was standing by the university gate when a shadow fell over her. She turned and found herself looking up at the most massive person she’d ever met. (Not the tallest, not by far. But the General was built like a scarecrow.) The stranger was built like an ox, with hair so pale she couldn’t tell if it was blond or actually white, and a massive moustache that gave him the appearance of an albino walrus. He was of that indeterminate age many outdoorsmen get, where they could be anywhere over thirty, and something about his slanting dark eyes was familiar.
He stuck out a hand which engulfed hers completely when she shook it. “I am hoping maybe you can help me. You are a student here, correct?”
“No, but I am an office assistant. Are you looking for someone?”
“Yes, my sister. She-”
Somewhere up above, a window slammed upwards, and Dr. Kiehl’s bisected face appeared over the wall. “Jakov! Get your lazy ass up here!” Without so much as waiting for a reply, she popped her head back in and slammed the window back down.
“Your sister?” Talia asked, bemused.
Jakov nodded, sighing gustily. “But of course she is in the highest room she can get to. She always does this to me, you know. Ever since Grandfather taught her how to go up stairs.”
Talia snorted, pulling the doors open. “After you,” she said.
April 10, 2008
Grendel.
“Your name is Grendel?” Jacob said disbelievingly.
“Boy, is Roland the odd man out, or what? Two from Beowulf, one from medieval legend.” Talia was trying her damndest not to laugh.
“Actually, my name’s Alice,” Grendel said, hitching her backpack higher on her shoulder.
“As in Wonderland?” Jacob was clearly having some trouble with this.
Grendel nodded, looking woebegone.
“Why Grendel, then? As nicknames go, it’s a little … odd.”
“Not if you spent your toddler years tormenting a brother named Beowulf.”
