fandomhigh | Professor Chaucer's Office Hours for Tuesday

Elizabeth laughs. "I have to admit that space travel is fascinating, yes," she says. "Not that I've done it," she adds on after, very quickly.

Nice try. Geoff raises an eyebrow. "You're going to have to learn to lie better than that if you're going into politics, Elizabeth. So here's where I get to be nosy again. Why do you want to keep it a secret?"

She sighs. "Because it's classified by the USAF?" she asks hopefully. "I keep slipping up at the moment; I'm too relaxed."

Nodding, he replies, "So...what is the 'USAF'? And what sort of classification do they give to travel via space-ship?"

"Sorry... it's the United States Air Force. Basically the part of the military of this country which uses, as the name says, flying machines to defend and attack. Planes and such. Not so much space ships. As for space-ships themselves, the line is that they do no exist," she explains.

Geoff leans his arms on the desk, leaning forward and listening with interest. "Flying machines, but not space-ships. How are they different, then? And how can it be claimed that space-ships don't exist when it's obvious that they do?"

"The Air Force uses airplanes, which can only travel in the atmosphere," Elizabeth says. "As for space-ships... this island isn't exactly normal, and from where I'm from, it's pretty much only a few select who get to go up into space in space shuttles."

"So, the space-ships are from some other place, or some other time." He nods, accepting Elizabeth's explanation. "But...your government has them, they just don't want anyone else to know that. I think I can understand the need for secrecy, in that case."

Smiling, he adds, "Don't worry. I won't say a word about it."

"Something like that, sir," she smiles. "And thank you."

"You're welcome. I'll file that away with the topics not to discuss around Elizabeth, lest she forget the things she's not supposed to know." He grins.

Elizabeth laughs. "Hopefully that list of topics won't grow too long," she says. "I enjoy talking with you, Professor."

"I enjoy talking with you too, Elizabeth. I'm glad you came by today." He grins, saluting her with the coffee cup. "And not just because of the coffee."

Elizabeth smiles. "Anytime, Professor. I usually bring CJ a cup each morning. Spreading coffee is always a good thing."

"I'd never had it before coming here, but I'll have to say it's addictive stuff. But the conversation's worth far more to me than the coffee. So thank you for that as well."

Elizabeth grins. "That it is. And you're very welcome."

"May I ask you a favor, Elizabeth?" He says with a grin. "Outside of class, don't call me Professor. It makes me feel like an old schoolmaster or something. Geoff will do fine."

Elizabeth blinks, and then smiles. "Of course," she says. "Geoff."

"Thank you! Chaucer's fine if you feel uncomfortable with the idea. I just...I'm not a professor. It sounds strange to hear it."

"I think I can manage Geoff," Elizabeth smiles. "It's just slightly odd having teachers so relaxed around you."

"Maybe it's because some of us aren't teachers by profession? Or that we're all feeling a little overwhelmed sometimes by this place. Or I suppose it could be that once you've faced off against an invading army of the undead side by side with your students, the distinction becomes a little harder to maintain." He returns the smile, laughing a little.

Elizabeth laughs. "All that could quite conceivably be it," she agrees. "I've known some people who weren't originally trained as teachers who found it difficult to get to a place where they felt natural with what they were doing. Although the invading army of the undead is a bit more local to this school!"

"Well I'm glad to hear that it's not a regular feature of American education!" Geoff joins in the laughter, grinning broadly. "Although I have to say it amuses me just a little to be able to even discuss the idea of a zombie army with such matter-of-factness. And I won't even start on the gremlin infestation, or the fact that the students seem to be turning into animals with great regularity."

"Well, it wasn't a feature of my education at least," Elizabeth smiles. "I think we just have to chalk up Fandom to something completely else!"

"I've been working on a set of tales about Fandom -- a commission for CJ in fact. But I have the feeling that unless they've actually witnessed this town first hand, most people will dismiss it as too fantastic."

He pauses for a minute, looking contemplative. "I wonder sometimes if this place even really exists."

"Really? I'd love to see them someday," Elizabeth says, tilting her head slightly.

She purses her lips. "I think it's a case of this alternate realities, where something exists in the reality it's in." She sighs. "I don't really know."

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