Reading by the River ((open))

[Odin]

"It helps to seek people out," ::Odin replied. He wouldn't encounter nearly as many people otherwise. If his desire to meet mutants hadn't outweighed his otherwise introverted nature, he'd likely be at home right now.::

[Aqua]

"I'm sure it does," Emily nodded, "but I have no such intention." In fact, she rather tended to avoid people, mostly preferring music and studies. There were people she liked to be with, but they were special in many ways, and quantity did not always lead to quality in those matters for her.

[Odin]

::Odin comprehended that, and he nodded to express his comprehension. Slipping off his glasses, he breathed lightly on them, before wiping them with a tissue.:: "It's not for everyone."

[Aqua]

"Do you have a set goal in mind, or do you just like the process itself?" Emily asked. Rather unwillingly drawn into the conversation, she was nevertheless beginning to find more curiosity in her towards the man to continue it.

[Odin]

"One learns through exposure to others, so I suppose you could say that learning is my goal," ::Odin found he was right; once she began asking the right questions, they weren't quite so grating, and he could enjoy the back and forth, without his upper-hand.:: "Everyone has something to teach."

[Aqua]

"Wikipedia personified, in a way?" Emily smiled.

[Odin]

::Odin smiled at the suggestion. Clever.:: "In a way. But you get a sense of personality, rather than merely staring at a computer screen."

[Aqua]

"I enjoy bare facts the most," Emily said. "Any personalized data comes as unnecessary noise and makes it harder for me to deal with information."

[Odin]

::Odin had heard that his entire adult life, from the company he had kept before the career change, and from his time at University. He had once been similar.:: "You're either a budding scientist or a budding doctor, am I right?"

[Aqua]

"Yes," Emily said, deciding not to be surprised at any of his guesses anymore - it was obvious that guessing was something the man was extremely good at. "The latter, - at the moment, at least."

[Odin]

::Yet she had been scouring the classified section, perhaps, Odin surmised, for a means to pay for tuition. One fact was certain; he was still able to easily recognize the scientific mindset, and with her abilities, medicine or lifeguarding perhaps, was an understandable choice. Not quite the same if she had been a healer, but the connection was enough.:: "Have you chosen a school to go through pre-med?"

[Aqua]

"Yes," Emily replied. "New York Institute of Technology, and maybe I'll also take a course or two at NYU by way of open university." Talking about her upcoming studies made her excited, and she leaned forward, ready to keep talking about it.

[Odin]

::Odin smirked to himself; he'd found the key to conversation with her. Future plans and education, like so many others, it was held near and dear to her heart. And he was happy to listen.:: "Are you enrolled for the fall?"

[Aqua]

"Yes, I am," Emily smiled. "I even have a dorm room already. All I need now is a job and some patience." She had been very hasty about it; as soon as she had received the news about her enrollment, she had insisted that her parents let her move to New York right away and get settled beforehand.

[Odin]

"Patience will come," ::Odin responded to the last part of her statement first. As she couldn't speed the passage of time, she'd acquire patience.:: "And that's quite exciting. You should enjoy your last summer of freedom, before life takes over."