capeandcowl | 021 // Video, 'round lunchtime

[Peter's sitting cross-legged in one of those swanky mesh office chairs, what looks like a scientific journal propped open on one knee and a mechanical pencil held loosely in one hand. Judging from the camera perspective he's propped up his communicator on one side of his desk, but it's hard to see where he found the space. The rest of the visible surface is covered in the detritus of research: a half-open laptop; scattered print-outs; coffee mugs both paper and ceramic; graph paper notebooks open to half-completed diagrams of molecules and circuits both; a haphazard stack of journals with arcane names like PNAS, Biopolymers, Advanced Materials and the like. A couple of empty sushi cartons are balanced on top of the stack, chopsticks and a crumpled napkin tucked inside.]

I've been buried in research lately, and it just occurred to me that other than Carol's book I haven't read anything that's not in a cover like this-- [he picks up the journal off his lap and flaps it to demonstrate; it appears to be an issue of Physical Review Letters, whatever that is]-- in, what, six months?

I think I could use some help breaking out of my rut. What kinds of things do you read for pleasure, Network? Any recommendations? For those of you who are big readers, anyway-- I know not everyone is. [Though he clearly doesn't get why not.]

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[He flaps his journal at her.] This. Or when I find the time, science fiction, maybe a little philosophy.

Well, I've never had pleasant experiences with the sciences, but philosophy is perhaps a subject I should become better versed in.

I'm a big fan of Camus and Sartre -- we can do a book trade if you like.

I can recognize the merit in this agreement! It would benefit me to better understand human modes of thought to improve my interactions with your culture.

Right, exactly. Call it a cultural exchange.

What kinds of things do, ah, trolls -- is that the right name? -- do trolls like to read? Other than office romance, that is.

As previously stated, most of my compatriots regard my predilections as distasteful. Many of them who read are more interested in historical texts.

Sounds a little on the dry side.

I'm sure they can be informative, and I do not eschew a proper education when it is needed, but it is a truly dull direction for one to express their passions.

Well, I guess I can hardly judge. [Gesturing at his own stacks.] I know people who'd rather gouge their eyes out than read this stuff.

That strikes me as something of an extreme reaction! Despite my assurance that adoption such an action wouldn't be terribly permanent, I'd much prefer to read them for the sake of my personal edification. It may not be the most glamorous prospect, but it can at least be useful.

Oh, no, I meant -- it's a figure out speech, meaning you find something incredibly boring. No actual eye-gouging, I promise.

Uh, right. Of course. Though why one would use such a phrase to imply that their last visual memory would be something so undesired is curious.

Because humans think hyperbole is the most amazing concept to have ever existed in the entire history of the multiverse, of course.

Humor based in insincerity I can grow accustomed to, but to extend it to deliberate exaggeration and empty overdramatic theatrics just strikes me as a needless contrivance to be kept in the toolkit of rhetoric.

Well, sure. But you're forgetting it's also fun.

Edited 2012-06-07 14:03 (UTC)

It seems far too pedestrian a mode of verbiage for my tastes. In fact, I get quite enough of it already, now that I think about it.

That's what you get for being pals with all us human wiseacres.

How arrogant of you to assume it to be exclusive to your own species! I was actually thinking of my fellow expatriates, though I suppose I have experienced it among your kind, as well.

Hey, my bad! I guess I just misunderstood -- I thought you were talking about a cultural difference.

[ she laughs a bit ]

Oh, we have enough of those that I can imagine they'll get confused now and again. The mistake was mine for not providing greater clarity.

Howzabout we split the responsibility and call it even, then?

It wasn't so dire a misunderstanding, I could agree to a compromise.

021 // Video, 'round lunchtime

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