(no subject)

[mallory-grace.livejournal.com]

Mallory has been around. She’s been working in the gardens in the mornings, and reading and practicing fencing, hanging out with Henry and doing yoga. For now, though, she is simply sitting in a booth with a tall glass of iced tea with dirt under her fingernails, grass stains on her shoes while her hair is slipping out of its ponytail, relaxing after a hard morning’s work turning the compost heap and cutting grass.

She probably needs a nice, long shower, but for now, she just wants to relax and people watch.

Comments

[inquisitivehero]

"And a good morning to you, Mallory."

Henry rises from a nearby table, where a stack of books and a large breakfast platter sit.

[mallory-grace.livejournal.com]

"Morning, Blue. You looked pretty absorbed over there, so I just left you to it. What's up?"

[inquisitivehero]

"The usual, studying, finding odd reasons to look odd things up, and generally acting silly. Yourself?"

[mallory-grace.livejournal.com]

"Just finished work, and cooling down. It's getting warmer out there."

Which would explain the short shorts and tank top, and no socks with her sneakers.

"Want a drink?"

[inquisitivehero]

He grinned, taking in the view.

"Sure, sounds good. Come and join me?"

He waved a hand at the seat nearby.

[mallory-grace.livejournal.com]

"I'd be happy to."

She stands, taking her tea with her, and walks over to his table.

"What are we studying today?"

[inquisitivehero]

"Superstring theorems and the lines that sustain them."

[mallory-grace.livejournal.com]

"And how did you get started on that?"

The way his train off thought took him from subject to subject was really fascinating.

"I thought you were studying mutant DNA in comparison to people from alternate Earths?"

[inquisitivehero]

"Well, there was this ball of yarn and it intersected sunlight and I was watching and observing how the spiral effects of the luminescence started to create visible strings of light and I wondered if maybe something cosmically like that didn't create superstrings."

He nodded.

"I am. This is just a hobby."

[mallory-grace.livejournal.com]

She grins and rolls her eyes.

"I wish I had a fraction of your memory capacity. I'm still working on memorizing the endocrine system. Bar gave me some blank work sheets, so I can work on labeling them from memory. I had no idea there was so much to anatomy. I have a new respect for doctors."

[inquisitivehero]

"Anatomical studies are quite thorough and exhaustive, and I am sure you will do quite well at it. You have grace and skill with your hands. With the right training, you could be an excellent surgeon."

[mallory-grace.livejournal.com]

"Ugh. No, thanks. I don't think I could cut into actual people."

She'd almost been sick when she'd run a goblin through with her sword.

"I'll stick with physical therapy of some sort, and work with patients that have already had the cutting part done by someone else."

[inquisitivehero]

He nods.

"Okay."

He smiles at that.

"I am sure you will do well."

[mallory-grace.livejournal.com]

Mallory takes her cue from him and slows down, her steps more cautious.

"How's your sense of direction? You'll be able to navigate us out of here, once we lose sight of the bar and lake and stuff, right? I didn't bring any bread crumbs to follow back."

[inquisitivehero]

His nostils flare and he nods.

"I can find the Bar anytime."

He smiles.

"Worry not, fellow traveler."

[mallory-grace.livejournal.com]

"I was counting on that, but thought I'd check, just to be sure."

She slips her arm through his, companionably.

"So, what kind of movie do you have for us for later, assuming we aren't devoured by bunnies?"

[inquisitivehero]

He smiles again.

"Something normal this time. Ferris Beuhler's Day Off."

[mallory-grace.livejournal.com]

"Ah! A classic! I remember the first time I saw it, I was soooo nervous they would get caught. It seems kind of silly now, after everything I've seen and done."

[inquisitivehero]

"It still gets me sometimes, and I love it."

He grins at her, as they walk along.

[mallory-grace.livejournal.com]

"So, have you ever played hooky from this place you go to school, now? I guess having a professor that can read your mind cuts that sort of thing out, huh?"

[inquisitivehero]

"Nope, and he doesnt tend to interfere with people's thoughts unless things are going to get bad."

he smiled at her, then glanced around, senses alert as they stepped into the shadows.

[mallory-grace.livejournal.com]

She is keeping a sharp eye out, as well. She knows his senses are enhanced, but that doesn't mean she's allowed to be less diligent.

"I suppose in a place like that, you wouldn't want to play hooky. The only times I ever did were for fencing tournaments, and once to go tubing with some friends on senior cut day."

[inquisitivehero]

"Indeed. I might, I suppose, someday, but I dunno. It is most deliberately designed to be an appealing place, even when I do not feel at home there."

[mallory-grace.livejournal.com]

"Why wouldn't you feel at home there? I thought things were going pretty well, and you had good friends there and everything."

There is a rustling in a shadowy space in a dense clump of saplings that has her looking sharply to the left, and she pauses to make sure that it's not more than a bird or a breeze.

[inquisitivehero]

His eyes Dart that way and he tenses, one hand stroking along her arm in warning.