Reading by the River ((open))

[Aqua]

"Freedom makes me listless," Emily said. "And none of my hobbies can cover the amount of free time I have on my hands."

[Odin]

::Restlessness was a powerful motivator, and Odin conceded that with a brief expression of acknowledgment.:: "That's fair; just don't let the working world consume your soul so early in life."

[Aqua]

"Let's put it this way," Emily said, "I don't need money or a rat race award. What I need is at least an illusion of independence."

[Odin]

::That brought a smile to Odin's lips, not at her expense, but rather from self-identification in her position, although that had been years ago. He remembered well that strive for independence.:: "When you put it that way, I can't help but empathize."

[Aqua]

Emily's smile grew wider and more sincere. She'd been in need of acceptance and understanding on the part of other people. Her parents were not too excited about her choice of field. They were rather indifferent towards it - it was as okay profession as any other, unless Emily had chosen something like art or music, which she didn't, preferring to keep it as her hobbies. More than that, she'd encountered some problems while trying to enroll at the institute, where not everyone was okay with her haircolor and mutation - a fact she'd been unable to lie about. "Thank you," she said.

[Odin]

::To Odin, it appeared as though he had struck a chord with the girl. And in turn, that told him that she was in need of either approval or acceptance, possibly both. Such an impressionable stage in life.:: "It isn't easy to find your way in the world, but when you find it, it's like nothing else. First step independence, second step the world."

[Aqua]

"I don't feel too confident there, so it looks like I'm probably doing a bit of both steps at the same time. But there's no rush." Emily looked around, at the people passing by, as if to make sure she was still a part of the world, and returned her glance to the man. Now that they were on the subject she enjoyed discussing, all discomfort of talking to a stranger had dissipated.

[Odin]

::Lack of confidence was a common affliction, one which had plagued Odin in his younger years, but that had been remedied after he'd developed. Exposure to the world would do wonders for her, he was sure of that.:: "Since it's possible to put on slacks both legs at the same time, then there can't be any harm at taking both steps at once, if that's your pace."

[Aqua]

"A wonderful analogy," Emily complimented. "I might just add it to the list of my mottos."

[Odin]

::Odin smiled a bit like that; he did enjoy being quoted, rare as it tended to be.:: "Feel free; I haven't had it copyrighted."

[Aqua]

"Even if you had," Emily remarked, "I wouldn't have known who to attribute it to."

[Odin]

::Odin rarely noticed when he didn't introduce himself in conversations; he was used to semi-anonymous conversations at this point.:: "That's also true. Nor would I know who was quoting me."

[Aqua]

Emily noticed he either missed her hint at introducing himself or ignored it. Either way, she decided it wouldn't happen, so she abandoned the topic. "You can't know you're being quoted at all," she pointed out. "Unless it's another aspect of your mutation?"

[Odin]

::Odin's expression became one of amusement, at the prospect of such a curious mutation.:: "It isn't, but that would be quite the ability. A copyright infringement sense."

[Aqua]

"How very topical in the Western society," Emily mused. "Definitely an environment-induced type of mutation."