007; Video; Backdated to Mother's Day

[myselfexcluded]

[Heeere's Washu, beaming at everyone.] So I think by now, we should start to see a downswing in Newcomer arrival. Hopefully, everyone's getting settled riiight in. Now, for those of you who just got here or just came back, hi! My name is Washu- professor Washu if you're one of my students and Little Washu if you're anyone else- and I'm one of the local geniuses here in Siren's Port, if not the most brilliant one. Which is relevant, because I'm hosting the first 'meeting of the minds' at the Newcomer Community Center at the end of the month. Anyone who thinks they have a few ideas to toss around or discuss with a bunch of likeminded individuals can feel free to attend- and I especially extend this invitation to any new arrivals. You might just learn something, y'know? [Grin. There's movement offscreen and Washu looks in that direction, frowning and then lowering her voice.] Hold that thought.

[A woman with a baby sits down next to her on the bench she's currently sitting on. The baby goes wide-eyed at the sight of Washu and Washu uncomfortably tries to scoot to the edge of the bench, but too late. The baby has already grabbed a large wad of her rather impressive hair and yanked. Hard. Washu lets out a squeal and the mother gasps, prying her child's fingers away from its stranglehold on Washu's head.]

Oh, I'm so sorry. He didn't hurt you, did he?

[Washu's voice goes up a few notches higher than normal, doing a perfect imitation of an embarrassed young girl.] Oh no, it's all right. He didn't hurt me at all.

Good. [The woman gasps again, attention diverted elsewhere.] Oh, look. There's Daddy. Hey, sweetie. We're over here.

[Washu seems to have completely forgotten her NV is still recording, so for a moment, everyone gets to see just the slightest look of vulnerability and pain on her face, before she shakes it off and turns back to the computer, all annoyance.] Good riddance. The nerve of that kid...

[Oh right. She was saying something. Funny how that can distract you, especially today of all days. It's a human custom- a whole day to honoring moms. And more than that, it dredges up a lot of grown-up feelings Washu doesn't want to deal with. Stupid holiday.

.... She stares at the NV for awhile, her train of thought very clearly derailed. She covers it up sheepishly and rubs the back of her head.] Uh. Right. So yeah, think tank meeting at the end of the month. Don't miss it, 'kay?

Comments

[scienceshow]

... 'most brilliant'?

Washu, don't sell yourself so high. People will be disappointed.

[Kindly ignoring that derailment, because seriously, why would she ever get derailed by something as simple as a human brat tugging at her?]

[myselfexcluded]

[BECAUSE SHE HAS FEELINGS.

SURPRISE. Either way, the joy of RUBBING SZAYEL'S NOSE IN HIS FAILURES is better than wallowing.]

Oh, don't worry, Szayel. I don't plan on unleashing any cyborgs on the city accidentally, so my credentials aren't in any danger. [Giggle]

[scienceshow]

[Instant deadpan.]

Oh yes. Because bringing that up at every opportunity never gets old.

[myselfexcluded]

Live a little, Szayel. Where's the fun in life if we can't laugh at our failures.

[Not that she's... Ever failed.

Much...

Maybe Kagato counts.]

[scienceshow]

I'm not exactly accustomed to such a thing.

[Because seriously. Perfection doesn't fail... and if only you knew how much he played everyone like a fiddle.]

[And yes, Kagato counts!]

text | anonymous/untraceable;

[thefourteenth]

What kind of genius are you looking for?

text

[myselfexcluded]

Scientific, of course. The kind that works for the betterment of the entire city. If we're all gonna be stuck here, we might as well make the most of it, right?

text -> video/private/unhackable;

[thefourteenth]

[Betterment. Right. Sure. She read about that in a book once.]

Right, of course.

[To video, then!]

Washu Hakubi, right? My name is Eva.

video/private/unhackable;

[myselfexcluded]

Hello, Ms. Eva. Nice to meet you. Interested in science, are we?

video/private/unhackable;

[thefourteenth]

You might say that.

I'm part of a people that specializes in scientific exploration and collaboration.

[Conquest and using other races as warm bodies to control from inside. It's all about rhetoric.]

[meddler]

Now, I don't know you too well, but I wouldn't go so far as to say most brilliant. Not while there's two of me around, at least.

[ pause ]

Anyways, I'd love to check it out.

[myselfexcluded]

[Oh, she remembers you~] Oh, don't worry, Doc. If you didn't agree to come, I'd have dragged both of you bodily, myself. In fact, I'm reeeeally interested in getting the two of you in the same place, anyway.

[meddler]

Only if you don't call me "Doc" again.

[ Which means... she probably will. ]

[myselfexcluded]

The other one doesn't have any problem with it. [BEAM.

Although, she'll... probably find something worse. Just to distinguish the two.]

[meddler]

Well, the other one is a bit older. Younger. Looks older. Mind might be going.

Possibly.

[ he may or may not like teasing him. ]

[voice]

[kuritsun]

[ ... that seemed a little underhanded, if not for the brief expression she'd shown there. Kurisu responds dryly. This 'girl' sure has an attitude. ]

Right, 'think tank.' Do you have a day and time yet?

[voice]

[myselfexcluded]

[WASHU?

UNDERHANDED?

...Not a bit. Ever. Really. :|]

I'm thinking the last Saturday of the month, around late afternoon. Let's see- that puts it at the 26th, around 3:00. [BEAM... And just like that, any kid awkwardness and residual memories is gone.] Can I expect you there, Ms. Kurisu?

[voice]

[kuritsun]

I'll mark it on my calendar. We'll see.

[voice]

[myselfexcluded]

No need to be shy. Just because most of the brilliant minds in this city are a bunch of old men and me doesn't mean we don't respect the opinions of the young.

[voice]

[kuritsun]

[ twitch, and then, defensively: ] I don't need you to tell me that. How do you think I got this far?

[Voice]

[gaveherwings]

Wonderful that we're arranging things like this. I'll be there.

[Voice]

[myselfexcluded]

Well, someone had to. We've got too many brains in this place for all of us to keep sitting around doing nothing.

[Voice]

[gaveherwings]

Wise. I'll see what I can do about securing materials from the committee.

[Voice]

[myselfexcluded]

Oh, don't tell me you're too busy to make an appearance? Just for me? [POUT SULK.]

Re: [Voice]

[gaveherwings]

I plan to.