Missed Steps and Pitfalls

[Nayt]

For talking (or babbling) under pressure, Hrothgar handled himself pretty well. Kei was unnerved enough to let him do all the talking (which was probably a bad idea), but even she had to acknowledge how well played that was. Feed into both of their scientific egos. That'd certainly get the both of them on their side. Unfortunately, getting these two unique researchers on their side was not exactly the best course of action. Kei bit her lip as she looked slightly to her right, down the hall towards the door. They were stopped right at the intersection: behind them was the lab Hessenfeld originally was leading them to, ahead were the stairs down to the old man's lab/library, and to their right was the exit.

Kei was almost tempted to grab Hrothgar's arm and make a break for it. The only thing that stopped her was the likelihood that these folk would become suspicious of them and have them arrested for trespassing, spying, or something to that effect.

"Mendelsson!" cried the old philosopher.

His facial hair curled up ever so slightly. It was almost possibly to see the smile beneath his mustache. He couldn't have been more elated.

"A well read scribe and one that knows Gebelsberger," the old man nodded to himself, "Yes, yes, the two of you should most definitely come with me."

"And be the ire of the scientific community, no doubt," Hessenfeld added.

Hrothgar had a decision to make. He could go with the old philosopher, stick to the original plan and go with Hessenfeld, and further attempt to excuse he and Kei from this facility . . .

[adi]

"Oh," Hrothgar brightened the smallest bit at the compliment of being called 'well read'. It wasn't often that his talents were recognized-- after all at university everyone was by the very requirement of being enrolled in classes, and one does not often get praised for doing what is expected of them. It also helped that it was an area he was clearly interested in. Not that science wasn't interesting, but Hrothgar was never quite suited for it's rigor.

His unease at the situation dissipated the slightest bit with the old philosopher's cheer. He reminded Hrothgar of a small number of his instructors and tutors he had over the years-- somewhat kooky but knowledgeable and enjoyable despite their quirks. Hessenfield just seemed to scare the piss out of him. Hessenfield worked in the lab down the hallway behind them, but the philosopher had mentioned the basement before them that Hrothgar felt so drawn towards. There was a once in a lifetime chance to see what was beyond those strikingly familiar stairs-- he might never see another set just like them. He knew Kei was eager as hell to dash out, back into the sunlit streets, but a part of him seemed to be eager as hell to dash down that darkened stairwell.

"Actually, Kei," Hrothgar gingerly reached forward and took the old man's notes from Kei's hands and tucked them under his arm. It was a definite gesture, as though he had already decided whom he was going to work for. And he had. Hrothgar raised his eyebrows the slightest bit, an insinuation of plans to let her leave and also a plead to allow him to placate his curiosity. "Don't you have that appointment with your sister to keep later today? It wouldn't be very bad for you to get caught up in and lose track of time and miss her. You know how she gets when you're even the least bit late."

It was a complete fabrication, obviously. Hrothgar had never once asked if Kei actually had any siblings at all. But he hoped that Kei would catch on well enough. It surprised even himself how easily he could convincingly lie when he wanted something. And he wanted to see what the hell was down those stairs, apparently. He turned towards the mustachio'd philosopher, whose name he realized he had never learned. "That is, if you would be okay with only having only a well-read scribe rather than both, sir? I can understand if you'd decline, in which case we'll be on our way."

So that was Hrothgar's decision, a previously unlisted fourth object of staying himself and allowing Kei to leave. Provided she could catch on and act accordingly, and the philosopher was okay with it, of course.