fandomhigh | Library [01/16]

Bridge spends most of first period very, very focused on his coffee.

And there was the mysterious new librarian, emerging from his office to meet the one aide who had been missing last week.

"Bridge Carson, correct?"

"Um!" Bridge yelps, standing up straight. "Yes, sir."

He smiled faintly at that, holding out a hand in an calming fashion. "No need for that."

"Sorry. Reflex," Bridge says, relaxing a bit and running a hand through his hair. "Anyway, yes. I am- Bridge is me."

"Bridge." He smiled again, nodding slightly in greeting. "A pleasure to finally meet you."

"Yeah," Bridge grins a bit sheepishly. "About last week. Um. Sorry for missing work, and all."

The smile didn't fade or waver in the slightest. "Your friend, Karal? Was kind enough to tell me you would not be there."

"Oh, good," Bridge says, relieved. "I would've called you directly, sir, but, well, I didn't actually know who you were and it's hard to call someone when you don't know them, or at least don't know how to get ahold of them."

"Nothing to worry about, I was simply waiting to meet all my aides."

"Um," Bridge says, fidgeting a bit. "I was wondering. And I hope this doesn't seem rude, but. You know my name, and, well, I've got no idea what I should be calling you, sir?"

There wasn't exactly a flinch.

Just a remembrance of the name Bob.

"I have none. You my refer to me as you wish."

No name? Well. That was kind of weird. "I'll, uh. Keep that in mind, then."

He was more than mildly relieved that River had not seemed to share the name she had taken upon herself to bestow.

Sighing faintly, he looked away. "Librarian is fine if you need."

Bridge isn't actually here for second period, he's off at Tactics.

Back from class, Bridge is currently going over notes from both this week and last.

Sky wandered past the library after class, surprised to spot Bridge working there. He didn't look too busy, so Sky came in and approached him.

"Hey, Bridge. Got a minute?"

"Uh, sure," Bridge says. "Just let me, um," he waves one hand to indicate the paper he's currently re-copying notes on to. He finishes the page he was working on and then closes his notebook and looks back up at Sky. "What's up, dude?"

Sky fidgeted nervously for a while. This "being honest" thing still took some getting used to.

"Look, ah... I just wanted to say thanks for... ...telling me what you and Z found out. I know it can't have been easy, especially considering that you didn't even know I was going to be here."

Seeing Sky fidget was just kind of... weird. Usually Bridge was the fidgety one. "It's no problem, dude. You deserved to know just as much as any of us," he says reasonably.

"True enough," he conceded. "Still..." He sighed. "How do you feel about it? Z came and talked to me yesterday and made me... stop feeling sorry for myself, but I still don't feel quite right about the whole thing. Especially not about going back to SPD."

Bridge shrugs. "It's not Cruger's fault," he says finally. "Or even Doctor Manx's. And... we've sort of got a duty to do, still, you know? I'm not about to let innocent people get hurt just because of my feelings."

Sky fidgeted again, tapping his fingers on the counter.

"Of course," he said. "Of course. We still do have our duty, and you know me, I can't neglect that." He glanced around, contemplating his next words. "Uhm, there's something else..." Then he shook his head. "...Ah, no, forget it. I'll let you get back to work. Sorry I bothered you." He turned and started to leave.

"Wait," Bridge says. "What is it?" he asks.

"...Nothing," said Sky, though his expression likely told otherwise. He stopped and turned to face Bridge again. Remember what you and Turtle talked about the other day. People are good, he intoned to himself. "...OK. Alright. This is going to sound completely pathetic, and you can laugh at me if you want... but... I'm lonely." He could feel his face going hot as he blushed.

Yeah, because Bridge is *known* for his tendency to laugh at people. More like he's usually being the one laughed *at*.

Still, it wasn't exactly something he ever expected to hear out of Sky's mouth. "Lonely?" he echoes.

Sky sighed hard. Confessing this wasn't easy for him.

"Yes. Like I said, pathetic. But I am. I've hardly made any friends since I got here. I spend a lot of time alone in my room. And with Dru being gone where I can't reach him easily..."

Edited 2008-01-17 17:51 (UTC)

"Oh," Bridge says quietly. "Well, um. You know where my room is, right?" he's not *actually* sure if Sky's got any idea. But he found Bridge's phone number, so it's not much of a stretch to assume.

"I do," Sky said with a shrug. "It just seems like you guys don't want to be around me, though. I can tell that Z doesn't like me very much. And you... are unusually quiet, at least from what I know. What gives?"

"I'm talking now, aren't I?" Bridge points out. "And besides, last time we spoke, *you* yelled at *me*, so, uh..." he shrugs.

"How else did you expect me to react?" Sky questioned. "If that's what's the matter, then I apologize."

"I didn't say I expected you to react differently," Bridge says. "Just that that's how you did so I thought, well, maybe you needed some time, and I wasn't going to push you."

Sky gave a little embarrassed smile.

"Well... admittedly, I haven't wanted to be around people much, yes. But I do now." He looked up at Bridge and took a deep breath. "I'm going to be honest, then. I know... I'm supposed to be the guy who doesn't feel anything, is all focused on work and nothing else, and is more than content with his own company. But I've tried that here. It doesn't work. I've been miserable. The way I relate to people at S.P.D. is doing me no good whatsoever here. So now that I'm done brooding and feeling sorry for myself... I know you've made your own way here, and have your own friendships and happiness, but I want to be friends with you. If you're willing..."

"Of *course* I am!" Bridge doesn't go so far as to eyeroll at Sky, instead he just grins encouragingly.

"...Good. Good." Sky could feel himself blushing and wished fervently that he wasn't. He was embarrassed enough already. "I hope that you and Z haven't been slacking on your training, then," he said, smiling a little and hoping Bridge would catch on that he was being sarcastic. OK, only half-sarcastic. "Now that we have to... correct a few things, we'll need to work extra hard from now on."

During lunch, the library's closed unless you work here.

It's fourth period, and Bridge is out in the stacks, busy putting away returns. But he's totally available if anyone needs help.

And he spends fifth period tidying up the library in preparation for closing.

So you know what's not awesome? Your wireless keyboard dying JUST AS YOU ARE ABOUT TO CLICK ON "UPDATE JOURNAL". Cue mad scramble for batteries. And cryptic IM messages to people of "kb died" that make them go "WHO IS KB? WHO DIED?"

You know what's also not awesome? Having to work on your day off. Yeah. So I'll be afk from about 10-5 Pacific time but around otherwise!

Actually I believe the message I got was "kb ded." ;)

Yes!

needsaparrot got the version with the i ;)

I GOT THE I.

And I wracked my brain trying to think of who kb could refer to and OMG why can't she type? She's not answering! ACK WAS IT SOMEONE WE KNOW?

My wireless mouse has died on me so many times that I'm afraid of trying a wireless keyboard. In the last instance, I actually had to re-install drivers for the USB controller just to get the mouse (and all my other USB devices) to work again.

Edited 2008-01-18 00:01 (UTC)

Mine just eats rechargeable batteries for breakfast. When I got it I was all "oh, I'll use rechargeables and I won't have to keep buying batteries!" Uh, no. They'll last a week tops, whereas regular cheap store-brand ones will be good for a couple months. Rrrrr. The only reason I keep the wireless setup is I've already got a small jungle of wires, so two less is helpful.

I have nothing to add, really, I just wanted to use this icon again. Since I'm sure I'll, like, NEVER use it IC.

*LICK*

Library [01/16]

First Period [01/16]

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Lunch [01/16]

Fourth Period [01/16]

Fifth Period [01/16]

OOC! [01/16]

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