originallutece | (no subject)

I'm alarmed that you're still encouraging me toward acts of international espionage.

Everyone ought to have a hobby where they meet interesting people.

And murder them, presumably.

Well, not always. Mr. Bond didn't murder his temporary girlfriends, as I recall.

That goes a little beyond "meeting", don't you think?

I suppose that depends on how fast you work.

DOCTOR LUTECE

If you're going to text me on non-university related business, you're going to have to confront the fact I know what sex is, Fawkes, and sometimes make references to it.

this is indecent

i text you on a matter of personal courtesy and concern and this is how you repay me

How on earth is this indecent!

The business of temporary girlfriends assuredly is!

Is that what you call them? My, how very proper of you.

That is the metaphor that was used prior in this particular conversation.

I'm simply delighted you continued using it. Are you going to get further scandalized if I use another phrase?

I suppose that would depend on the phrase.

I'll save it, then, for another time.

[And because she's not entirely sure you're allowed to menace your assistant when it's over text messaging.]

In the meantime, speaking of Mr. Bond: you'll be delighted to know I managed to vanquish no less than three insects, and with a gun that straps to one's wrist, no less.

...I heard something about wrist guns. From Professor Dawes?

Yes. He gave me one on temporary loan. Which reminds me, don't let me forget to bring it to the school on Monday, I have to remember to return it to him.

I'm fairly certain a wrist gun is against SOME school policy or another.

Yes, but it's not as if I'm going to be waving it about.

It's a pity, though. I rather enjoyed using it, I must say.

Well, I will make certain to remind you to bring your wrist gun of mass insect annihilation back to school on Monday, rest assured.

Aren't you glad you were assigned to me? You wouldn't have these kinds of conversations with other professors.

. . . most other professors.

Anyway, the point of this is you ought to be impressed, I got quite good in the span of an afternoon.

You're being modest. You call it being assigned, I remember it as a veritable academic bloodbath of trying to prove myself worthy and fit for the position.

Speaking of which, when have you ever known me NOT to be impressed by you?

And you proved yourself magnificently.

[But oh, that compliment gets her smiling. Truth be told, she'd known he appreciated her academically, but it's one thing to know he's read her papers; it's another to hear that he's apparently been actively impressed by her for ages.]

And I had no idea you were so consistently impressed. I'm flattered.

You're an impressive person.

That's not always a positive, to be sure, but it is assuredly always a constant.