He could have had someone else meet with the Dean of the relatively new Stafford Academy, but the materials she had asked to see were obscure, quite old, and required specific access that Kem had.
Kem had stared long and hard at the politely worded email this Ms. Gounder had sent. It wasn't that he'd ever heard of her. He had, but only very briefly in the news in her capacity as Dean of the new college. It was the fact that she was afiiliated with Stafford at all.
Only a few weeks after learning that Iov Hammerthynn and Aidan Xephier had something to do with werewolves in Nachton (and at least Hammerthynn was one of them... perhaps both of them were), suddenly the Stafford name was everywhere. Alarms had naturally gone off for Kem when he'd received this email, but the request was reasonable, particularly in light of this woman's educational background, and he didn't see how it could possibly be connected with any sort of sabotage. The information she had requested just happened to belong to a smaller company meridian had purchased a long time ago. The records contained various notes involving bloodwork done on mice, cats, dogs, and several other species, and had something to do with genetics.
Kem had copied the notes and sent a short email off to both Aishe and Dani, letting them know what had been requested and where he was going. He intended to bring his copied notes back; they were not to be taken from Meridian - company policy. But nothing prevented him from letting someone read them and study them.
It hadn't occurred to him that this could be some sort of setup. Was he being paranoid? Did werewolves even know they existed, and if so, what could they possibly know about or want with Kem? He doubted his pro tem leadership of the Clan was common knowledge beyond the Clans themselves. if it was, the weres had moved faster than he gave them credit for.
In retrospect, it was possible that certain people might be annoyed he'd come here alone... but he wasn't used to being a conspiracy theorist. Besides, he was probably just paranoid. Way too little sleep and way too many werewolf meetings. He'd been at Meridian for the past 48 hours, and none of that had been spent sleeping. Of course he was jumping at shadows.
Regardless, he gave a good long look around as he entered the library, asking for Ms. Gounder at the front desk and raising his eyebrows to himself when the librarian pointed at a private study room to one side. Readjusting his laptop bag on his shoulder, he approached the door and knocked quietly.
An Evening Meeting (Attn Kem)
Thank god the head of Meridian's archives was amenable to her schedule. She truly wanted to meet with him as Meridian had some data she couldn't get anywhere else, but she also couldn't make her schedule work any other way.
Her plan was to meet him at the library on her way to the lab, as such Nikhila was dressed very conservatively, very little jewelry and her hair was up in an efficient scientifically sound manner. One couldn't have several feet of dark hair in a microscope or another test of one sort of another.
With a brilliant smile she checked in at the main desk. Nikhila spent a fair amount of time at the library and as such had developed quite a relationship with the head librarian and several of his assistance; pleasantries aside he efficiently showed her to the study room she'd reserved.
It was that what she had to say during this meeting was that top secrete but she wanted to be able to concentrate on what was presented. If Nikhila was honest she didn't want this more public than it had to be. She already had plans to keep the fact that she'd investigated these records from the lab.
Laptop open, notebook set out pen, highlighters ready and copy card paid up she was more than ready. He wasn't late yet, even if he was she had no room to complain he was already extending quite the courtesy meeting her after dark; so Nikhila simply set about reviewing some student papers. It was much easier to find a break point with students than lab work.
Kem`Raaisu
16 years ago
Nikhila
16 years ago
Two jobs wasn’t that bad, she’d had more than that at one time. Of maybe, it was three, she wasn’t quite sure how to count. Fortunately, Nikhila had very good time management skills.
Wincing at something one of her students had written and making notes of her own in the margin she heard some one approach the little room, it was hard to hear very well due to the sound proofing of the rooms but she could hear a bit. The knock, however, was very clear. Quickly she set aside the student paper and gracefully stood to open the door.
If one could indulge some preconceived notions, he didn’t look like the head of such a prestigious company’s archives, young for a start. The white hair aged him some, but not much and the cloths added some respectability but not age, especially not the shoes. The choice of Doc Martyns made her smile. He also looked quite tired, perhaps something in his posture. All in all quite unexpected. Of course, she probably didn’t quite look like what he expected either, so they were even.
Opening the door, she immediately extended her hand and a very charming smile.
“Mr. Raaisu I presume?”
Wincing at something one of her students had written and making notes of her own in the margin she heard some one approach the little room, it was hard to hear very well due to the sound proofing of the rooms but she could hear a bit. The knock, however, was very clear. Quickly she set aside the student paper and gracefully stood to open the door.
If one could indulge some preconceived notions, he didn’t look like the head of such a prestigious company’s archives, young for a start. The white hair aged him some, but not much and the cloths added some respectability but not age, especially not the shoes. The choice of Doc Martyns made her smile. He also looked quite tired, perhaps something in his posture. All in all quite unexpected. Of course, she probably didn’t quite look like what he expected either, so they were even.
Opening the door, she immediately extended her hand and a very charming smile.
“Mr. Raaisu I presume?”
Kem`Raaisu
16 years ago
The woman who opened the door matched the few fuzzy pictures he'd seen in the paper; youngish, tall, Indian features. Kem realized he'd been holding himself somewhat stiffly. What had he expected, to be jumped by a pack of bloodthirsty wolves upon opening a library study-room door? That was a new height of paranoia, even for him.
Instead he offered Nikhila his out-of-practice ghostish smile and shook her hand firmly. "Ms. Gounder. Please, call me Kem."
Entering the room he laid his laptop bag on the single desk, noting that she seemed to be in the middle of grading some papers. He waited for her to be seated before taking a chair himself, collapsing into it as gracefully as possible and happy to be off his feet for a little while.
"I apologise for not being able to meet you during the day," he said. "There was a lot going on in the archives today and unfortunately I had to be present for most of it." His regret was sincere; it would have been far easier just to have met her there, but he didn't know when his schedule would allow it and she had been quite specific in her need to obtain this information before too long.
In addition, she'd asked another particular favor; that he help her access some of the library's restricted volumes as well. The Nachton Library was huge, and famous for its acquisition of historical and delicate tomes. Meridian had helped them acquire most of them, and since Kem's job dealt largely with preserving such volumes, he was one of a handful of qualified people who could handle the library's oldest materials. As a matter of fact, he had helped preserve some of them himself.
Why Ms. Gounder needed to see them was still a mystery to him, but she seemed to be studying some very in-depth details about phlebotomy and genetics. Kem knew next to nothing on both topics, being a scholar, not a scientist, but he was already taking mental notes on what exactly she was interested in.
"Here," he said, sliding a manila envelope from his bag and handing it to her. "Unfortunately I need to bring them back with me, but if you want to take notes, feel free."
It was nothing less than she'd have been able to do at Meridian. Copying old files was not something Kem normally did; he'd made an exception in this case. On the business side, Ms. Gounder's background and title certainly warranted some exceptions, and on the Clan side, if she was related to the werewolves in any way he wanted an excuse to be on her good side.
Instead he offered Nikhila his out-of-practice ghostish smile and shook her hand firmly. "Ms. Gounder. Please, call me Kem."
Entering the room he laid his laptop bag on the single desk, noting that she seemed to be in the middle of grading some papers. He waited for her to be seated before taking a chair himself, collapsing into it as gracefully as possible and happy to be off his feet for a little while.
"I apologise for not being able to meet you during the day," he said. "There was a lot going on in the archives today and unfortunately I had to be present for most of it." His regret was sincere; it would have been far easier just to have met her there, but he didn't know when his schedule would allow it and she had been quite specific in her need to obtain this information before too long.
In addition, she'd asked another particular favor; that he help her access some of the library's restricted volumes as well. The Nachton Library was huge, and famous for its acquisition of historical and delicate tomes. Meridian had helped them acquire most of them, and since Kem's job dealt largely with preserving such volumes, he was one of a handful of qualified people who could handle the library's oldest materials. As a matter of fact, he had helped preserve some of them himself.
Why Ms. Gounder needed to see them was still a mystery to him, but she seemed to be studying some very in-depth details about phlebotomy and genetics. Kem knew next to nothing on both topics, being a scholar, not a scientist, but he was already taking mental notes on what exactly she was interested in.
"Here," he said, sliding a manila envelope from his bag and handing it to her. "Unfortunately I need to bring them back with me, but if you want to take notes, feel free."
It was nothing less than she'd have been able to do at Meridian. Copying old files was not something Kem normally did; he'd made an exception in this case. On the business side, Ms. Gounder's background and title certainly warranted some exceptions, and on the Clan side, if she was related to the werewolves in any way he wanted an excuse to be on her good side.
Nikhila
16 years ago
“Then you must call me Nikhila.”
She floated into her chair and again noted he seemed tired. It seemed out of character for some one so young to be so worn out. Nikhila felt rather guilty about dragging him out this late in the day, especially as he said he’d had such a busy day.
“No thank you. I’m afraid I’ve had a great deal of trouble keeping normal hours lately. This is more than kind of you.”
She was quite sincere in her thanks. Granted she would have very much liked to see the Meridian archives, that would have been quite a treat.
Not wanting things to get mixed up she quickly put away the student papers and turned to her laptop. Opening the envelope, she quickly scanned the documents. Yes, that was exactly what she needed and she could already see where this research was taking the other. It would take a closer look to find tell tale signs of the virus. It was possible he’d already found them, Nikhila could only hope she found them first based on her knowledge of what she was looking for.
Her long elegant fingers flew over the keyboard, the more she typed, the more she read the more she frowned. It wasn’t intentional but while this work was excellent, it was very potentially quite a problem. Realizing she’s been quite for a while she looked back up to Mr. Raaisu.
“Would it be possible for me to scan or copy these by any chance? There is a great deal more here than I anticipated.”
She floated into her chair and again noted he seemed tired. It seemed out of character for some one so young to be so worn out. Nikhila felt rather guilty about dragging him out this late in the day, especially as he said he’d had such a busy day.
“No thank you. I’m afraid I’ve had a great deal of trouble keeping normal hours lately. This is more than kind of you.”
She was quite sincere in her thanks. Granted she would have very much liked to see the Meridian archives, that would have been quite a treat.
Not wanting things to get mixed up she quickly put away the student papers and turned to her laptop. Opening the envelope, she quickly scanned the documents. Yes, that was exactly what she needed and she could already see where this research was taking the other. It would take a closer look to find tell tale signs of the virus. It was possible he’d already found them, Nikhila could only hope she found them first based on her knowledge of what she was looking for.
Her long elegant fingers flew over the keyboard, the more she typed, the more she read the more she frowned. It wasn’t intentional but while this work was excellent, it was very potentially quite a problem. Realizing she’s been quite for a while she looked back up to Mr. Raaisu.
“Would it be possible for me to scan or copy these by any chance? There is a great deal more here than I anticipated.”
Kem`Raaisu
16 years ago
"Nikhila it is, then." Kem sat back in his chair andw atched as the Dean of Stafford Academy very quickly became absorbed in the documents he produced. Several minutes passed while she looked them over; Kem waited patiently. There had been a lot of information there and he knew it would take her a while to determine if this was what she'd been looking for.
He had halfway anticipated her next question, and shook his head regretfully. "No. The level of clearance on these files was set by someone superior to me, and I can't change it quickly. I can look into it though; it may be that way because of the terms of Meridian's purchase of this company years ago."
Often, when buying out a smaller corporation, researchers would get grabby about their studies. Sometimes as Kem had seen in the past, they sold their science and findings only on the condition that the notes not be shared with competing companies or other researchers. Kem assumed that was why these particular documents were not to be let out of Meridian's archives except by special dispensation, which is what he was using now with Nikhila. For the moment, all he could do was let her make notes without getting involved in all kinds of red tape. He briefly explained that to Nikhila.
Then he added, "What I can do, though, is help you find the other information you needed while you note the important stuff."
Kem really didn't see that she was researching anything that was at all sensitive to Evenhet. Her background in this sort of thing was extensive, and none of the files she requested had anything to do with... well, anything, that he could recognize. He was only seeing one part of her research though. Maybe finding the journals she was looking for would clue him in a bit more.
"If I knew exactly what you were looking for I could probably offer a little more assistance."
He had halfway anticipated her next question, and shook his head regretfully. "No. The level of clearance on these files was set by someone superior to me, and I can't change it quickly. I can look into it though; it may be that way because of the terms of Meridian's purchase of this company years ago."
Often, when buying out a smaller corporation, researchers would get grabby about their studies. Sometimes as Kem had seen in the past, they sold their science and findings only on the condition that the notes not be shared with competing companies or other researchers. Kem assumed that was why these particular documents were not to be let out of Meridian's archives except by special dispensation, which is what he was using now with Nikhila. For the moment, all he could do was let her make notes without getting involved in all kinds of red tape. He briefly explained that to Nikhila.
Then he added, "What I can do, though, is help you find the other information you needed while you note the important stuff."
Kem really didn't see that she was researching anything that was at all sensitive to Evenhet. Her background in this sort of thing was extensive, and none of the files she requested had anything to do with... well, anything, that he could recognize. He was only seeing one part of her research though. Maybe finding the journals she was looking for would clue him in a bit more.
"If I knew exactly what you were looking for I could probably offer a little more assistance."
Nikhila
16 years ago
Nikhila allowed her disappointment to show. There was far too much here to go through in one night. Why did researchers have to be so squirrelly about credit? Granted she was a bit protective of her work but she didn’t think overly so. And this, in her opinion, was over protective. Of course, she probably only felt that way because she wanted access to the information involved.
Sighing she returned her attention to the documents involved, this would take hours perhaps she wouldn’t make it into the lab tonight.
“I know it’s a terrible bother but now that I’ve seen them if there is any way I could get a copy I’d be quite grateful. I can certainly wait, red tape is a nasty thing, and if your legal department required something from me I’m sure we can discuss that.”
The she’d just come up to the canine studies and was bordering on alarmed. With today’s technology and knowledge, this could be advanced quite far. She needed to update Lily and Xeph on this.
Forcing herself to relax she smiled at his offer of assistance. That was really quite generous of him. It might have been a business meeting but Nikhila decided she rather liked Kem. Obviously, she was comfortable with him as she’d dropped the Mr. even in her own mind.
Quickly she lay out exactly what she was looking for. She knew the journals she needed and what type of articles she was looking for. She even knew some of the authors she needed. Although Nikhila was a bit nervous about giving him the information as there was some near veterinary information some medical and some straight microbiology.
Sighing she returned her attention to the documents involved, this would take hours perhaps she wouldn’t make it into the lab tonight.
“I know it’s a terrible bother but now that I’ve seen them if there is any way I could get a copy I’d be quite grateful. I can certainly wait, red tape is a nasty thing, and if your legal department required something from me I’m sure we can discuss that.”
The she’d just come up to the canine studies and was bordering on alarmed. With today’s technology and knowledge, this could be advanced quite far. She needed to update Lily and Xeph on this.
Forcing herself to relax she smiled at his offer of assistance. That was really quite generous of him. It might have been a business meeting but Nikhila decided she rather liked Kem. Obviously, she was comfortable with him as she’d dropped the Mr. even in her own mind.
Quickly she lay out exactly what she was looking for. She knew the journals she needed and what type of articles she was looking for. She even knew some of the authors she needed. Although Nikhila was a bit nervous about giving him the information as there was some near veterinary information some medical and some straight microbiology.
Kem`Raaisu
16 years ago
"I'll look into it," Kem said with a nod at Nikhila. "I don't really see a reason for this to be so classified, unless the researchers involved were just incredibly possessive. I'll contact Legal and see what can be done."
He pulled the detestable planner from his laptop bag and penned in a note for himself for the next night, handwriting as meticulous and neat as always. Closing the planner again he tucked it safely away. There were no notes inside except for things related to Meridian, but Aishe's name was still written on many of the pages and he wasn't about to leave it open on the table.
When Nikhila mentioned the authors and journals she was looking for, he recognized them immediately and realized why she had initially approached him. They were very old, not in copyable condition, and he was the one the library had contracted to preserve them several years ago. He maintained an informal relationship with the library still, as specialists used to working with paper were difficult to find and they called him now and then to make sure everything they had in their vaults was in good condition.
He raised his eyebrows at Nikhila. "Medical journals, right? I worked on them when they first came to Nachton." The journals had long since ceased publication, but in their short run back in the 1800's they'd had a reputation for some very edgy, controversial medical articles.
"Let me see what I can dig up."
A quick chat with the head librarian, who was working late that night, got him in behind closed doors so that he could peruse the contents of the library's climate-controlled vault at leisure. Within half an hour he had what he needed. Being familiar with the texts had helped, although having to browse them with tweezers and latex gloves was a pain. The paper was ridiculously fragile even after his efforts to preserve it. He wasn't even sure if Nikhila would be able to read much of it, but he did locate two articles by the author she'd mentioned. Kem took a few minutes to scan over them first, translating some bits that were written in latin, and realized they dealt with a particular virus. Curious.
Returning to the study room he found her still busily taking notes. "I've found a few things you might want to look at, but you're going to have to come to the vault."
He pulled the detestable planner from his laptop bag and penned in a note for himself for the next night, handwriting as meticulous and neat as always. Closing the planner again he tucked it safely away. There were no notes inside except for things related to Meridian, but Aishe's name was still written on many of the pages and he wasn't about to leave it open on the table.
When Nikhila mentioned the authors and journals she was looking for, he recognized them immediately and realized why she had initially approached him. They were very old, not in copyable condition, and he was the one the library had contracted to preserve them several years ago. He maintained an informal relationship with the library still, as specialists used to working with paper were difficult to find and they called him now and then to make sure everything they had in their vaults was in good condition.
He raised his eyebrows at Nikhila. "Medical journals, right? I worked on them when they first came to Nachton." The journals had long since ceased publication, but in their short run back in the 1800's they'd had a reputation for some very edgy, controversial medical articles.
"Let me see what I can dig up."
A quick chat with the head librarian, who was working late that night, got him in behind closed doors so that he could peruse the contents of the library's climate-controlled vault at leisure. Within half an hour he had what he needed. Being familiar with the texts had helped, although having to browse them with tweezers and latex gloves was a pain. The paper was ridiculously fragile even after his efforts to preserve it. He wasn't even sure if Nikhila would be able to read much of it, but he did locate two articles by the author she'd mentioned. Kem took a few minutes to scan over them first, translating some bits that were written in latin, and realized they dealt with a particular virus. Curious.
Returning to the study room he found her still busily taking notes. "I've found a few things you might want to look at, but you're going to have to come to the vault."
Nikhila
16 years ago
“Thank you very much.”
Some days she might have been curious about the content of his planner and bag, but today she wasn’t. Today she had far too much on her own plate to be worried about others. Even if she had been curious, she never would have dreamed of invading his privacy in way.
She nodded confirmation and watched him go. Thankful that he’d gone to look into the journals she could pay very close attention to the papers in front of her without feeling she was ignoring him. It was rather fortunate all the way around. Nikhila had been here not long ago looking for these journals, thrilled to know there were copies in existence in Nachton, only to be disappointed she could not access them. Kem’s name had been mentioned at that point. However, when she had run across the other research while at the lab and discovered that Meridian would have access to the complete and original body of work and learned he was also head of those archives everything clicked neatly into place. It was very nice to be able to kill two birds with one stone.
“Wonderful! Of course, of course. Please, lead the way.”
As careful as Kem was Nikhila closed up all her notes and put them in her bag as well as locking the laptop. The security on her little computer was quite intense, in fact if some one had stolen it and tried to hack it they would have found it completely unusable. Of course, everything but tonight’s data was backed up else where and easily recoverable.
Following a long with her guide, she ventured outside the professional, just slightly. Nikhila had traveled extensively; quite –quite- extensively and his name had struck her as unusual but she couldn’t quite place it. So she politely inquired,
“Would you mind if I asked where you were from?”
Some days she might have been curious about the content of his planner and bag, but today she wasn’t. Today she had far too much on her own plate to be worried about others. Even if she had been curious, she never would have dreamed of invading his privacy in way.
She nodded confirmation and watched him go. Thankful that he’d gone to look into the journals she could pay very close attention to the papers in front of her without feeling she was ignoring him. It was rather fortunate all the way around. Nikhila had been here not long ago looking for these journals, thrilled to know there were copies in existence in Nachton, only to be disappointed she could not access them. Kem’s name had been mentioned at that point. However, when she had run across the other research while at the lab and discovered that Meridian would have access to the complete and original body of work and learned he was also head of those archives everything clicked neatly into place. It was very nice to be able to kill two birds with one stone.
“Wonderful! Of course, of course. Please, lead the way.”
As careful as Kem was Nikhila closed up all her notes and put them in her bag as well as locking the laptop. The security on her little computer was quite intense, in fact if some one had stolen it and tried to hack it they would have found it completely unusable. Of course, everything but tonight’s data was backed up else where and easily recoverable.
Following a long with her guide, she ventured outside the professional, just slightly. Nikhila had traveled extensively; quite –quite- extensively and his name had struck her as unusual but she couldn’t quite place it. So she politely inquired,
“Would you mind if I asked where you were from?”
Kem`Raaisu
16 years ago
"I don't mind." Kem was referring to both her thanks for locating the materials she wanted, and her question regarding his origins. He did let a few moments elapse out of good humor before flashing her his quick smile again and answering as they made their way down into the vault.
"I'm from Egypt originally," he said, "but I left in my teens and ended up doing a lot of traveling and studying in different countries."
It was his name that must have her curious, he supposed. That or his accent, which he was told was muted but still present, and undefinable. He attributed that to the variety of places he'd lived, from Egypt to Asia to Italy and everywhere nearby. And after all that he still couldn't sound completely American.
"It was probably the best thing I could do," he added as they reached the table he'd left both journals on. "I was one of those kids who had to get away from it all."
He handed Nikhila a pair of gloves. "Try not to touch if you can help it," he advised her. "These journals have seen a lot of wear and they were tough to restore the first time. I'm not sure I could do it again."
He'd had to go fiber by fiber to strengthen them, renewing the bonding of ink to paper previously. Holding a magnifying glass out to Nikhila he said, "This might help for reading. It's very difficult to make out some of the words."
Early printing, it was beautiful in its way but oh-so-difficult to restore.
"What of yourself? How did you end up here in Nachton?"
It wasn't a stretch to figure that something had brought Nikhila here as well; her appearance was obviously Indian, and her accent, while muddled, was also Indian. Surely she hadn't come such a long way just for her job as Dean of a very small college? There was that link to Stafford again. Kem was going to have to really dig there... they could have found a perfectly well-qualified Dean here in Nachton. Why bring in someone with Nikhila Gounder's credentials?
More than anything, thus far, that cemented Kem's belief that there was a lot more to Stafford than he'd previously thought.
"I'm from Egypt originally," he said, "but I left in my teens and ended up doing a lot of traveling and studying in different countries."
It was his name that must have her curious, he supposed. That or his accent, which he was told was muted but still present, and undefinable. He attributed that to the variety of places he'd lived, from Egypt to Asia to Italy and everywhere nearby. And after all that he still couldn't sound completely American.
"It was probably the best thing I could do," he added as they reached the table he'd left both journals on. "I was one of those kids who had to get away from it all."
He handed Nikhila a pair of gloves. "Try not to touch if you can help it," he advised her. "These journals have seen a lot of wear and they were tough to restore the first time. I'm not sure I could do it again."
He'd had to go fiber by fiber to strengthen them, renewing the bonding of ink to paper previously. Holding a magnifying glass out to Nikhila he said, "This might help for reading. It's very difficult to make out some of the words."
Early printing, it was beautiful in its way but oh-so-difficult to restore.
"What of yourself? How did you end up here in Nachton?"
It wasn't a stretch to figure that something had brought Nikhila here as well; her appearance was obviously Indian, and her accent, while muddled, was also Indian. Surely she hadn't come such a long way just for her job as Dean of a very small college? There was that link to Stafford again. Kem was going to have to really dig there... they could have found a perfectly well-qualified Dean here in Nachton. Why bring in someone with Nikhila Gounder's credentials?
More than anything, thus far, that cemented Kem's belief that there was a lot more to Stafford than he'd previously thought.
Nikhila
16 years ago
Happy she hadn't offended him she listened both interested and politely. She had quite liked Egypt and very much appreciated another traveler. She didn't pry as to why he left, it could have something to do with his parents. Perhaps one was in the military or something similar, people traveled and moved around for any number of reasons that had nothing to do with being physically incapable of staying in one place for too long.
"Travel is quite educational, broadens one's perspective."Â?
She slid on the gloves and nodded unconsciously holding her breath as she leaned over the journal with the magnifying glass. He was obviously protective of his work, at least given what the library had told her she assumed it was his work, and she respected that. Skimming for what she wanted she found it, but also found she had to stand back up to breath and so answered Kem's question. With a smile she answered him accurately, while not addressing his meaning.
"By way of six of the seven continents."Â?
Nikhila had not traveled to Antarctica, yet. It was on a list of things to do. Stalling for a second or two she tried to work out an answer that left out Xeph and the Pack. She didn't know why she felt it was important to leave Xeph out but something told her to be a bit careful, and Nikhila often listened to that little voice.
"I've traveled as a student and guest lecturer far too much. I've only seriously been considered for tenure once and that didn't work out."Â?
That was to say she felt the sand in her shoes and desperately had to move again.
"The Academy here is small enough and private and were able to offer some consideration to my circumstances. It was quite a lucky find for me."Â?
It was close enough to the truth. It was a private university and they did offer some consideration but most of that was because she was family and they understood her quirks. That wasn't to imply she was less than qualified but when one's employer knew one turned into a wolf three days out of every month it did help.
"Travel is quite educational, broadens one's perspective."Â?
She slid on the gloves and nodded unconsciously holding her breath as she leaned over the journal with the magnifying glass. He was obviously protective of his work, at least given what the library had told her she assumed it was his work, and she respected that. Skimming for what she wanted she found it, but also found she had to stand back up to breath and so answered Kem's question. With a smile she answered him accurately, while not addressing his meaning.
"By way of six of the seven continents."Â?
Nikhila had not traveled to Antarctica, yet. It was on a list of things to do. Stalling for a second or two she tried to work out an answer that left out Xeph and the Pack. She didn't know why she felt it was important to leave Xeph out but something told her to be a bit careful, and Nikhila often listened to that little voice.
"I've traveled as a student and guest lecturer far too much. I've only seriously been considered for tenure once and that didn't work out."Â?
That was to say she felt the sand in her shoes and desperately had to move again.
"The Academy here is small enough and private and were able to offer some consideration to my circumstances. It was quite a lucky find for me."Â?
It was close enough to the truth. It was a private university and they did offer some consideration but most of that was because she was family and they understood her quirks. That wasn't to imply she was less than qualified but when one's employer knew one turned into a wolf three days out of every month it did help.
Kem`Raaisu
16 years ago
Kem inclined his head toward Nikhila and her views on travel. "It was an eye-opener for me," he said truthfully. "I did a lot of growing up."
That much was true. Kem had always wanted to travel, even before his turning. What a twist of irony, that the very thing he'd spent the past few hundred years resenting had been the catalyst for him to persue that particular dream. He gave a mental shrug... of all his long history, the traveling had perhaps been his favorite part.
Watching Nikhila carefully scan over the old journals, he considered the very politic, very polite answer she gave. Of course he hadn't expected a life story, but he did wonder what she was leaving out. Any college he knew of would have been happy to have a researcher of Nikhila's caliber associated with them. He wasn't going to pry into the "circumstances" she mentioned. They all had their secrets. Especially so in Nachton, apparently.
Instead he drove the conversation away from anything that she might consider too personal. Poor manners were inexcusable no matter what the situation.
"So, am I safe in assuming the seventh continent is Antarctica? Or did you actually have occasion to visit at some point?"
While he didn't normally make assumptions he figured that one was a given. He didn't think Nikhila's particular area of study would have led her there for any reason.
"Planning on hitting that one just to complete the set?"
That much was true. Kem had always wanted to travel, even before his turning. What a twist of irony, that the very thing he'd spent the past few hundred years resenting had been the catalyst for him to persue that particular dream. He gave a mental shrug... of all his long history, the traveling had perhaps been his favorite part.
Watching Nikhila carefully scan over the old journals, he considered the very politic, very polite answer she gave. Of course he hadn't expected a life story, but he did wonder what she was leaving out. Any college he knew of would have been happy to have a researcher of Nikhila's caliber associated with them. He wasn't going to pry into the "circumstances" she mentioned. They all had their secrets. Especially so in Nachton, apparently.
Instead he drove the conversation away from anything that she might consider too personal. Poor manners were inexcusable no matter what the situation.
"So, am I safe in assuming the seventh continent is Antarctica? Or did you actually have occasion to visit at some point?"
While he didn't normally make assumptions he figured that one was a given. He didn't think Nikhila's particular area of study would have led her there for any reason.
"Planning on hitting that one just to complete the set?"
Nikhila
16 years ago
"I might have to agree with you on that point. I hate to sound cliché but I rather learned a lot about myself."�
And thank god for it. It couldn't possibly be good to have a werewolf with an identity crisis running around the world. Actually it hadn't hurt anything but there was always the possibility she'd become, problematic.
Holding her breath again, she still hadn't noticed she was doing it, she went back to the journal. The Latin didn't bother her at all, it just went to show how old what she was looking at was. She would have very much liked to have copies of these articles too, but that was certainly out of the question given their state. She wouldn't insult Kem by even asking that question.
She did, however, ask to see one of the others he had managed to unearth. As these articles, as radical as they were at the time, were the basis for the research Kem had brought from Meridian she felt it was important to see and understand them.
The little bit of humor was appreciated and she smiled.
"It is on my list of places to go. You'd be surprised the amount of micro biology that happens in Antarctica. I'm rather eager to see it but it will probably have to wait few years at least. If you tell me you've been you'll find yourself piled with questions."Â?
And thank god for it. It couldn't possibly be good to have a werewolf with an identity crisis running around the world. Actually it hadn't hurt anything but there was always the possibility she'd become, problematic.
Holding her breath again, she still hadn't noticed she was doing it, she went back to the journal. The Latin didn't bother her at all, it just went to show how old what she was looking at was. She would have very much liked to have copies of these articles too, but that was certainly out of the question given their state. She wouldn't insult Kem by even asking that question.
She did, however, ask to see one of the others he had managed to unearth. As these articles, as radical as they were at the time, were the basis for the research Kem had brought from Meridian she felt it was important to see and understand them.
The little bit of humor was appreciated and she smiled.
"It is on my list of places to go. You'd be surprised the amount of micro biology that happens in Antarctica. I'm rather eager to see it but it will probably have to wait few years at least. If you tell me you've been you'll find yourself piled with questions."Â?
Kem`Raaisu
16 years ago
"It's only cliche if it's true enough to have become cliche," Kem said with a wry smile. Every stereotype, wive's tale, and cliche had some kind of grounding in reality. Otherwise they'd never have become what they were.
When Nikhila asked to see the second article Kem rearranged the journals and then carefully moved the first one out of the way, leaving it open so Nikhila could still view it if she wished. He was amazed the paper was still intact. The journals had been donated by someone who'd been rummaging through Grandma or Grandpa's attic once upon a time. They certainly hadn't been preserved, and even after all of Kem's efforts the paper was still brittle and fragile.
He shook his head at the indirect query about Antarctica. "Can't say that I have. I'm sure the microbiology is thrilling, but between the cold and the lack of good archaeological record, it's pretty low on my list of places to vacation. The bulk of my studies have been on Egypt. Ancient Egypt to be exact. I'm no Zahi Hawass but I know enough to get by."
And he was definitely all for keeping to the warmer climates. Over the years Kem had learned not to mind the cold, and he appreciated winters. He actually enjoyed ice skating... but if anyone had ever asked the old, "would you rather be too cold or too hot" question of him, his answer would have been immediate and emphatic.
When Nikhila asked to see the second article Kem rearranged the journals and then carefully moved the first one out of the way, leaving it open so Nikhila could still view it if she wished. He was amazed the paper was still intact. The journals had been donated by someone who'd been rummaging through Grandma or Grandpa's attic once upon a time. They certainly hadn't been preserved, and even after all of Kem's efforts the paper was still brittle and fragile.
He shook his head at the indirect query about Antarctica. "Can't say that I have. I'm sure the microbiology is thrilling, but between the cold and the lack of good archaeological record, it's pretty low on my list of places to vacation. The bulk of my studies have been on Egypt. Ancient Egypt to be exact. I'm no Zahi Hawass but I know enough to get by."
And he was definitely all for keeping to the warmer climates. Over the years Kem had learned not to mind the cold, and he appreciated winters. He actually enjoyed ice skating... but if anyone had ever asked the old, "would you rather be too cold or too hot" question of him, his answer would have been immediate and emphatic.
Nikhila
16 years ago
Nikhila blinked at that statement. It was rather unexpected and she wasn't sure if it was humor or wisdom or humorous wisdom. Perhaps if she knew him better, but as she didn't it was a bit of a mystery. Although given the smile she was guessing some humor was involved and returned the smile. He was correct for there to be a cliché there had to be truth and/or consistency.
She watched a bit warily as he moved the journals. While Kem very obviously knew what he was doing they were old and clearly delicate, she would probably feel it was her fault if something happened to them.
"It is rather remarkable they are in any kind of shape at all."Â? She nodded to the journals. "I was quite shocked to hear that the library had them at all. I had almost made up my mind to go to DC and see if the National Archives had them."Â?
She was a bit relived Kem hadn't asked why she needed to see such old journals. Most scientist preferred to move forward, well that was the nature of the work; not backwards.
Laughing slightly,
"If there was anything there yes I'm sure it's well preserved. But then again the heat and dryness do that too, so I suspect you're off the hook."Â?
Nikhila suspected Kem was being modest, probably in the extreme. But in the same situation she would be as well and so she didn't push at all. Not much.
"At least until they find an obelisk or something along those lines. Then you'll probably be beating the door down."Â?
Temperature wasn't really a factor for Nikhila. Hot was hot and cold was cold. She managed both equally well before she was gifted and continued to do so after. Although there were some nights in the Middle East, Africa, South America, The States and any number of other places where fur was not as comfortable as it cold have been.
She watched a bit warily as he moved the journals. While Kem very obviously knew what he was doing they were old and clearly delicate, she would probably feel it was her fault if something happened to them.
"It is rather remarkable they are in any kind of shape at all."Â? She nodded to the journals. "I was quite shocked to hear that the library had them at all. I had almost made up my mind to go to DC and see if the National Archives had them."Â?
She was a bit relived Kem hadn't asked why she needed to see such old journals. Most scientist preferred to move forward, well that was the nature of the work; not backwards.
Laughing slightly,
"If there was anything there yes I'm sure it's well preserved. But then again the heat and dryness do that too, so I suspect you're off the hook."Â?
Nikhila suspected Kem was being modest, probably in the extreme. But in the same situation she would be as well and so she didn't push at all. Not much.
"At least until they find an obelisk or something along those lines. Then you'll probably be beating the door down."Â?
Temperature wasn't really a factor for Nikhila. Hot was hot and cold was cold. She managed both equally well before she was gifted and continued to do so after. Although there were some nights in the Middle East, Africa, South America, The States and any number of other places where fur was not as comfortable as it cold have been.
Kem`Raaisu
16 years ago
After Nikhila commented on the state of the musty pages, Kem briefly explained how they'd come to be in the Nachton library, adding, "Whoever the estate belonged to lived nearby, so the journals came to the library here, then briefly to Meridian so I could work on them in a better lab, and then back here."
As they talked Kem noticed Nikhila seemed to be opening up a bit. It wasn't that she'd been standoffish at all... more as if he recognized something of a kindred spirit, speaking of cliches. She seemed comfortable behind a veil of formalities and manners, something Kem himself was also quite comfortable with. As they chatted amiably, what had begun as polite interest warmed to a covnersation of interests between colleagues.
"That's a good thing," he remarked, carefully arranging the first journal in such a way that Nikhila could move back and forth between the two if she wanted. "I will leave the Antarctic to folks more suited to it."
Her comment about an obelisk made him laugh softly. "Perhaps," he said. "All the same, I think I'll hold off on ordering my parka." Elaborating, he voiced to her what he'd previously been thinking about to himself. "I can deal with the cold if I have to, and I have grown to like winters, but I think I'll always prefer warmth."
Aishe was always amused when even in the dead of summer he coccooned himself under their comforter and turned himself into, as she called it, and undead radiator.
Leaning back against one of the metal cabinets in the main area of the vault, he observed Nikhila, taking the chance to memorize her features. She was tall and willowy, very graceful, and appeared to be in her upper 30's or so, if he had to guess. She wore her years easily. He noted her physical characteristics the way his scribe's mind had been picking up on her speech patterns, just in case any questions arose out of this meeting.
Somehow, given Aishe's advice to him to use caution, he had a feeling there would be plenty of questions.
As they talked Kem noticed Nikhila seemed to be opening up a bit. It wasn't that she'd been standoffish at all... more as if he recognized something of a kindred spirit, speaking of cliches. She seemed comfortable behind a veil of formalities and manners, something Kem himself was also quite comfortable with. As they chatted amiably, what had begun as polite interest warmed to a covnersation of interests between colleagues.
"That's a good thing," he remarked, carefully arranging the first journal in such a way that Nikhila could move back and forth between the two if she wanted. "I will leave the Antarctic to folks more suited to it."
Her comment about an obelisk made him laugh softly. "Perhaps," he said. "All the same, I think I'll hold off on ordering my parka." Elaborating, he voiced to her what he'd previously been thinking about to himself. "I can deal with the cold if I have to, and I have grown to like winters, but I think I'll always prefer warmth."
Aishe was always amused when even in the dead of summer he coccooned himself under their comforter and turned himself into, as she called it, and undead radiator.
Leaning back against one of the metal cabinets in the main area of the vault, he observed Nikhila, taking the chance to memorize her features. She was tall and willowy, very graceful, and appeared to be in her upper 30's or so, if he had to guess. She wore her years easily. He noted her physical characteristics the way his scribe's mind had been picking up on her speech patterns, just in case any questions arose out of this meeting.
Somehow, given Aishe's advice to him to use caution, he had a feeling there would be plenty of questions.
Nikhila
16 years ago
She moved to put her finger on a line to follow it better, but checked herself before getting anywhere near the pages. It was a habit but she was mindful of where she was and what she was doing. It really was truly amazing what they had worked out so long ago with out the benefit of DNA, computers, or even extremely powerful microscopes.
“Adaptability is one of the great strengths of humanity. I’m sure you’d be as suited as any one to such an inhospitable environment.”
Nikhila noted practically.
“I’m not sure I have a preference, although I must say I seem to spend more time in warm climates but I lived in Dharamsala for so long...”
She offered a self-effacing smile as she trailed off. It was simply just like her to look objectively at the question in front of her and work on pros and cons. However, she suspected Kem wasn’t terribly interested and so she had trailed off.
The move from hot and humid southern India to the extremely high elevation had never really struck her as odd or drastic. Perhaps that was because she had gravitated that way after months that it hadn’t been so drastic for her.
“Adaptability is one of the great strengths of humanity. I’m sure you’d be as suited as any one to such an inhospitable environment.”
Nikhila noted practically.
“I’m not sure I have a preference, although I must say I seem to spend more time in warm climates but I lived in Dharamsala for so long...”
She offered a self-effacing smile as she trailed off. It was simply just like her to look objectively at the question in front of her and work on pros and cons. However, she suspected Kem wasn’t terribly interested and so she had trailed off.
The move from hot and humid southern India to the extremely high elevation had never really struck her as odd or drastic. Perhaps that was because she had gravitated that way after months that it hadn’t been so drastic for her.
Kem`Raaisu
16 years ago
Watching Nikhila without trying to appear like he was watching, Kem winced as she moved to put a finger on the delicate pages of the journal. With all possible delicacy he very carefully applied the most subtle of telekinetic "pushes" against her finger. That was more difficult, in some ways, than lifting an object. It required a finesse he had taken centuries to acquire. A millimeter more and he'd have leaped out of his position against the cabinet to stop her, but she seemed to recall herself and corrected her motion.
Kem let the ironic little smile he'd been wearing remain at Nikhila's words. "It is, indeed, one of humanity's greatest strengths. And one of its greatest weaknesses at the same time."
He pondered it for a moment, trying to adequately suit thoughts to words. "Theorists speculate that mankind will ruin this world for future generations with its proliferation and its ready adaptability. So indirectly, our very survivalist capabilities could be what ultimately overtax Earth."
Shaking his head he shrugged his shoulders apologetically at her. She'd let out the scholar in him and he had a tendency to think out loud sometimes. There was a great irony there, however, and he was no stranger to irony himself. Conversations such as these inevitably reminded him that it was his very own survial instinct, his sense of self-preservation, that had allowed him to adapt to being undead. At the time he would have rather died.
"Makes me wish we could stay alive just so we could see the outcome of it all... observe whether or not mankind pulls its head out of its ass long enough to save the universe. Or something like that."
He flashed a quick grin at the older-looking woman. "So far our efforts, sadly, seem pitched toward giving the Earth up for lost and colonizing other planets. I can't help but wonder if all that evergy might be better spent correcting the problems here."
He raised a finger. "And before you say it, no. I am not volunteering. In spite of your assumptions, I am not adaptable and can't stand change."
It was said with good-natured finality.
Kem let the ironic little smile he'd been wearing remain at Nikhila's words. "It is, indeed, one of humanity's greatest strengths. And one of its greatest weaknesses at the same time."
He pondered it for a moment, trying to adequately suit thoughts to words. "Theorists speculate that mankind will ruin this world for future generations with its proliferation and its ready adaptability. So indirectly, our very survivalist capabilities could be what ultimately overtax Earth."
Shaking his head he shrugged his shoulders apologetically at her. She'd let out the scholar in him and he had a tendency to think out loud sometimes. There was a great irony there, however, and he was no stranger to irony himself. Conversations such as these inevitably reminded him that it was his very own survial instinct, his sense of self-preservation, that had allowed him to adapt to being undead. At the time he would have rather died.
"Makes me wish we could stay alive just so we could see the outcome of it all... observe whether or not mankind pulls its head out of its ass long enough to save the universe. Or something like that."
He flashed a quick grin at the older-looking woman. "So far our efforts, sadly, seem pitched toward giving the Earth up for lost and colonizing other planets. I can't help but wonder if all that evergy might be better spent correcting the problems here."
He raised a finger. "And before you say it, no. I am not volunteering. In spite of your assumptions, I am not adaptable and can't stand change."
It was said with good-natured finality.
Nikhila
16 years ago
“But that very adaptability is what makes it even possibly to consider colonization. It’s our own short sightedness that might prevent us from getting there though. There are other creatures on this planet that we rely on and they are just as if not more adaptable.”
Nikhila was quite willing to admit she often saw the small world before the large one. In addition, to see how so many microbes were adapting to man’s need to stamp them out in order to be clean, sanitary and healthy was something else. Sooner or later they would fight back, not organized war just a the same desire of every being to stay alive. To say nothing of what tiny life they might find else where in the galaxy.
Of course living in harmony for a virus for so long did almost biased one toward the microbes. It had been a major factor in her course of study at the very least.
“I don’t think everyone has given it up for a loss, but its so much easier to make the same mistake somewhere else than try and fix the problems in front of you.”
She smiled at Kem and his disavowal of immortality. She might live to see one hundred or so but that would be enough for her as well.
“Which is why you restore old things and manage an archive I’m sure.”
Nikhila was quite willing to admit she often saw the small world before the large one. In addition, to see how so many microbes were adapting to man’s need to stamp them out in order to be clean, sanitary and healthy was something else. Sooner or later they would fight back, not organized war just a the same desire of every being to stay alive. To say nothing of what tiny life they might find else where in the galaxy.
Of course living in harmony for a virus for so long did almost biased one toward the microbes. It had been a major factor in her course of study at the very least.
“I don’t think everyone has given it up for a loss, but its so much easier to make the same mistake somewhere else than try and fix the problems in front of you.”
She smiled at Kem and his disavowal of immortality. She might live to see one hundred or so but that would be enough for her as well.
“Which is why you restore old things and manage an archive I’m sure.”
Kem`Raaisu
16 years ago
"I restore old things because understanding our past is the key to repairing our future," Kem pointed out. "Human evolution cycles itself, as does human culture. We repeat the same mistakes again and again but we come up with varying solutions to them, and that's what archaeology can help with."
He was loathe to interrupt the conversation, but Nikhila had yet to return to the first journal she'd looked at and Kem was protective of his work. Every second this journal was out of its protective environment was a second exposed to air full of Nikhila's pesky little microbe friends.
"Do you still need this out?" He said, gesturing to the first journal.
Returning to the previous topic, realizing he was going off on a slight tangent, he said, "That's the fascinating thing about digging around in the past. It's not just seeing how people lived or what they ate; it's finding out how they came up with solutions to similar problems. Granted, I don't think any of those involved what to do when our sun burns out or we pollute our environment beyond human tolerance, but you get the gist."
He was loathe to interrupt the conversation, but Nikhila had yet to return to the first journal she'd looked at and Kem was protective of his work. Every second this journal was out of its protective environment was a second exposed to air full of Nikhila's pesky little microbe friends.
"Do you still need this out?" He said, gesturing to the first journal.
Returning to the previous topic, realizing he was going off on a slight tangent, he said, "That's the fascinating thing about digging around in the past. It's not just seeing how people lived or what they ate; it's finding out how they came up with solutions to similar problems. Granted, I don't think any of those involved what to do when our sun burns out or we pollute our environment beyond human tolerance, but you get the gist."
Nikhila
16 years ago
Aware of an understanding Kem’s desire to protect the journals Nikhila made one final skim of things. Before shaking her head slightly.
“No, I think I’m done with it thank you very much.”
It was amazing she could divide her mind well enough to analyze the articles and keep up with Kem. It was years of practice and study though, one could train one’s self into anything. Having, already, a vague sense of Kem’s character Nikhila felt certain he could do the exact same thing if the situation called for it.
“Not all the mistakes, we do manage to correct some of them.” She smiled, with a bit more humor and politeness for a change, “And make new ones to take their place.”
She nodded both respecting and genuinely pleased by Kem’s apparent passion for his work. She could relate to that. For a number of hears her work was the only thing that had given her any kind of direction or stability at all. Her tour guide seemed quite nice and she hoped his work wasn’t the only thing driving him.
“No I suppose even history couldn’t teach us that, I think that situation might qualify as one of the new mistakes I mentioned.”
This particular article was more canine in nature and so Nikhila, while able to divide her attention, had more of focus taken by the old publication and was slightly distracted.
“No, I think I’m done with it thank you very much.”
It was amazing she could divide her mind well enough to analyze the articles and keep up with Kem. It was years of practice and study though, one could train one’s self into anything. Having, already, a vague sense of Kem’s character Nikhila felt certain he could do the exact same thing if the situation called for it.
“Not all the mistakes, we do manage to correct some of them.” She smiled, with a bit more humor and politeness for a change, “And make new ones to take their place.”
She nodded both respecting and genuinely pleased by Kem’s apparent passion for his work. She could relate to that. For a number of hears her work was the only thing that had given her any kind of direction or stability at all. Her tour guide seemed quite nice and she hoped his work wasn’t the only thing driving him.
“No I suppose even history couldn’t teach us that, I think that situation might qualify as one of the new mistakes I mentioned.”
This particular article was more canine in nature and so Nikhila, while able to divide her attention, had more of focus taken by the old publication and was slightly distracted.