Jun 20 16:07:17 105 PA

From Chronicles

The current game time is: Sat Jun 20 16:07:17 105 PA.

"Incidentally, the hug comes from a pretty woman who is also intelligent and friendly, it is even better," Kelley winks, slight color coming to his cheeks. If she'll allow it, Kelley will snake an arm around the Inuit woman, pulling her close, friendly, but happily, basking in her warmth, smiling ever so slightly at her embarrassment. She is cute! He thinks to himself. "I have not seen you selling your herbs around town, Monique. You must be very discrete in your dealings," he says, looking down and smiling at the woman. "Can Tornaq hunt for you? Polar bears were the largest land carnivore before the Apocalypse - did you know that? Splendid creatures, though that, I am certain that you know." He smiles at the day, which has suddenly become brighter, and searches his bag for any bits of food left to toss to the ducks. Finding a small piece of bread, he offers half of it to Monique and begins to squeeze off chunks to toss to he ducks. Yes, the day is brighter, the grass is greener, the wind is more gentle on his face. Life, is pretty good.

With more compliments finding her ears, it's hard for Monique to do much other than blush all the more, her cheeks warming quite a bit from it even though the blush itself is hard to see for the colouring of her skin, and her chin ducks in response to her shyness. She's not really used to being complimented, especially this much. Looking up at him through the veil of her lashes, her dark eyes hold a shine within them, and she allows his arm to be settled about her. It takes a moment for her shyness to fade, though to his mention of her herbs, she gives a small nod of agreement. "I am careful with them. I do not... I think... advertise? ... that I can do things with herbs, but when I hear of someone needing some sort of help that what I know could help, then I offer it," she says softly, her tone thoughtful in nature. It doesn't bring her much in the way of money, but she doesn't really think she needs much in the way of money either. Looking up at him, she smiles warmly as she nods, comfortable there next to him. "Mmm-hmm, he can hunt for me. And he helps me hunt. When we know we will be travelling, we try to find things which are larger... deer and other things like that. He has a better nose than I do, so he finds things easier. He even finds fruits and nuts and things like that that, too, so that if we have extra meat, once it's been dried, then I have something to mix into it so that it's not so dry. I did not know that, about polar bears," she says softly. The offered bread is accepted, and she watches him for a moment as he breaks pieces off, doing so for long enough to get the idea of how it's done, and then she starts to break off pieces to toss to the ducks. She's never fed ducks before.

Kelley smiles as he is allowed to pull the woman close, and is quite content with that. He smiles down at her, peering through thick lashes to meet her eyes. "What do you do with your herbs? Are they remedies of illnesses? That is quite a skill, if it truly is so. An herbalist form England would be jealous!" Looking over to Tornaq, he says, "Tornaq is an amazing -" the he stops and says to Tornaq, "Tornaq, you are an amazing creature. Monique is lucky to have you. Friend, companion, hunting partner, protector. You are truly special," Kelley nods to the great bear. "You are fortunate to have a friend like Tornaq, Monique, as I feel I am lucky to have a friend like you. Though vastly different types of friendship," he adds. I know a little of herbalism, but not much. Biology, botany I know. But only in abstract ways. Perhaps some time we can 'compare notes' as it were. I enjoy sharing my knowledge with others - and enjoy learning new techniques from others." He gives the young woman a gentle squeeze and considers sharing his knowledge with her.

Monique seems to be quite content with being held close, with having a friend like him whom she can trust with so many different things. Tossing out a few more little torn up pieces of bread to the ducks, she takes a moment then to look up at him, to meet his gaze again. "I do what I can with them. Sometimes, they are to help with things like pain or aching or stiffness in joints. Other times, they are to help fight the symptoms of a cold... like a runny nose or coughing or a sore throat. Sometimes, to help with sleeping or an upset stomache. It depends on what herbs I have managed to find and what sort of things I know they will help," she says softly, her tone thoughtful. She blinks a little, then tilts her head slightly to one side. "Umm... England?" she inquires, unfamiliar with the reference. There's a lot of things that she just doesn't know, and geography is one of them. Tornaq's attention is fully regained when he becomes the one being talked to by the doctor, and the bear's steadfast gaze settles upon the man as he listens. The words bring him to bow his head in a sort of nod, accepting them, and he gives a gentle rumble. "We are both fortunate, to have each other, Tornaq and I. And I, too, am lucky to have a friend like you," she says softly. He is what she considers to be a true friend, and the only person that she's really trusted with telling about some of the dynamics of what she is. "I know of things to do with herbs, though some find the methods to be... unusual, I think. Although... I do not really have notes to be able to show you. I cannot read, or write," she says quietly, one of her shoulders moving in a slight shrug. "But I can show you what I know, and how to make the things I know to make," she adds, a smile tugging at her lips.

This time, it's Kelley's turn to blush, though he doesn't hide it from the small woman, instead looking at her and giving her a squeeze. "You know many things about herbology. Perhaps you could teach me someday? I would teach you something in return, if you like. Perhaps navigating by the stars, or understanding plants on a cellular - a very small - level," he says, correcting himself and assuming that the Inuit woman probably wouldn't know what "cellular" meant. Not that she's stupid, not by a long shot, just uneducated. "I could have used some of your cold remedies a week ago. My nose was running, I was coughing... well, you don't really need to know that and take all of the magic away, now do you?" Kelley laughs. "I'm not quite sure how it happened, Monique - though that is the great mystery of relationships to begin with - but I find myself very, very... friendly toward you, in a way that I've not felt for quite a time. Forgive me if I am being too forward - please understand that I mean absolutely no disrespect - Tornaq, he makes sure to point out - but if you need a place to stay, I have plenty of room at my condominium. Even for Tornaq. If you ever need food, I would be happy to provide it. Just think of me of me as your one stop necessity store." Once more, the tall man grins down at the small woman.

"It is easier, here, to find the herbs that I use. In the North, there is such a short season of things growing that it can be difficult to find everything needed to hold through the Long Winter. But here, the season of growing things is longer, so things can be found for a longer period of time," she says softly, her tone thoughtful in nature. A smile tugs at the corners of her lips as she studies him, her dark eyes showing a shine within them, and she lifts one of her shoulders in a hint of a shrug. "It is normal for women to know of herbs... we do much of the gathering and preserving of food and other things, and help with the hunting. It is... necessary knowledge for survival," Monique comments, smiling at him again. "It would be an honour to teach of what I know, and to learn of something that you know in return. I would like to know more, about plants... how they grow, how they do what they do when I mix them," she says softly, her tone thoughtful in nature. She is quiet for a moment, as he speaks of having been sick, and a frown touches at the corners of her lips, her brow furrowing a little as she gives him a certain semi-scolding healer's look. "You should have told me that you were ill, then... I could have helped, and gladly would have. You know of what I am, Dr. Kelley... although... I suppose knowing what I am isn't the same as knowing what I can do," she considers, her expression turning thoughtful at that notion. "I know, that you would never mean disrespect towards me or to Tornaq. There is no need for you to be forgiven by me for speaking as you have. You offer me much, and I am thankful to you for it. Friendships, relationships... they are like a flower in bud -- and when the sun shines upon it, it is allowed to open and to grow," she says softly, smiling warmly at him. "What is... condominium?" she asks, sounding out the word slowly, carefully. Unfamiliar with it and puzzled by it. The great white bear, ever-present as he is, studies his small shaman for a moment before teasingly whuffing at her hair, and then he rises to his feet to give himself a mighty shake and a wide yawn, and then he settles back to his rump again. Listening, and keeping an eye to the rest of the park, just in case.

Kelley smiles one more at the young woman. "You are right, of course. However, I knew you little when I was suck, so were unaware of your powers - skills," he corrects himself. He jumps a head in the conversation a bit, raising his face to the sunshine. "My homeland had a pleasant sunshine, a rainforest, mountains. It was truly beautiful, before They came," he says, deflating a little. "But to your question, Monique - a condominium is a like an apartment that you own; you don't pay rent on it. Sure, you pay property taxes on it, but otherwise, you own it. Property taxes - he anticipates her question - are something that you have to pay to the city so that they may continue to take care of roads, public buildings, and such. It is always groaned about, and no one wants to pay them - but they really are a good thing." He pauses, enjoying the feeling of his arm around his waist. "Perhaps, if I get sick again, I will call on you. No, no, I take that back. If I get sick again, I *will* call on you. No perhaps." He smiles again. Then, he looks curiously at Monique. "Your speech, it is far better than my Inuit.. but perhaps you would appreciate some lessons? And I assume that you cannot read American? I could teach you that, as well.

Monique raises an eyebrow slightly as she looks up at him, and a smile touches at the corners of her lips. "Well... some parts of what I do are skills, others could be called powers, I suppose. It would depend on what I chose to do for you, to help you be not sick anymore," she says softly, her tone thoughtful in nature. She has healing powers which she has sometimes used in situations where her herbs have not been of full help, though that's something that she also doesn't seek to make common knowledge. Watching him, and listening to him, her smile lingers, and she gives a small nod of understanding in regards to the explanation of a condominium. It sounds a little complicated, what with property taxes and all, but she thinks she understands the concept of it. "Where is your homeland?" she asks softly, her curiosity drawn by his mention of it. "Well... if you get sick again, you have a choice... you can either call on me and start to feel better soon or you can not call on me and suffer with being sick," she points out, a grin teasing at her lips. "I listen to people, as they speak... and listening helps me to learn how words are supposed to be said. I don't always say them right, or in the right places, and I don't always understand them, but listening helps. And I would appreciate some lessons, yes... there are words that confuse me, that I do not understand when they are spoken. And I do not know how to read or write, either... and I would be thankful to learn those, though I have heard some people say that they are hard to learn, especially when a person is no longer a child," she says softly, a little frown touching her lips. She wants to learn, and like anyone else would be, she's afraid of failing. "You would want to teach me these things?" she asks softly, sounding hopeful and looking up at him through her lashes.

The man answers the questions the way they come in. "My homeland... I do not often speak of it, as it is to be kept a secret among what remains of my people." He looks at her and says, "But I trust you, Monique, not to share my secret." He slides his sleeves up and exposes two tattoos on his wrists. One is a flaming sword, the other and heart with a stake through it. "I am an Atlantean. My homeland, was, as I'm sure you've determined, Atlantis. But don't feel bad if you've never heard of it - most people have never heard of it. Twenty-five hundred years ago, when I was born, Atlantis was an island continent in the Atlantic. Then.." he frowns, "then it was invaded by demonic intelligences known as the Splugorth. We fought, but there were too many of them and too few of us. And we were too weak to confront them. We fought, but to no avail. I.. I saw my family killed the instant before I made a dimensional jump. You see, Atlanteans are masters of dimensional travel. But, I digress. We fought, but the Splugorth took over." Kelley takes a big breath and sighs. "We were able to dimension shift the continent off of Earth. But recently, the Splugorth have been able to return. We - Atlanteans - believe that it was our failure to defend Earth that ultimately led to the Apocalypse. So we travel from dimension to dimension, wandering the Megaverse, looking for someone or something to give us the edge over our sworn enemies. We are hopeful, but there are fewer and fewer of us remaining. Some of us has simply given up the quest. I have stopped here at Kingsdale to learn what I can, before I move on. I imagine that it will be a while before I leave." The man looks sadly upon Monique, failing to answer her other questions, simply saying, "Yes, I would be delighted to teach you these things."

Listening intently, Monique is at first puzzled by what he says of his homeland, for she'd never really given much thought previously as to where he might be from. "I will keep your secret, of where you are from... I will not betray your trust," she says softly, solemnly, her gaze holding his for a lingering moment. Then it slips, falling to the tattoos as they are revealed, and she lifts her left hand to lightly trace a single fingertip first around the edge of the one of a flaming sword and then the other one, studying each for a lingering moment, the touch of her finger retreating. "I... had not heard of it, until you gave it a name," she says quite softly. She finds it hard to believe that he could have been born as long ago as what he says, and yet... she believes it at the same time. After all, she has no reason not to believe him. When he mentions of what had happened to his family, genuine tears shimmer in her dark eyes. "I am sorry... that you saw such a thing happen to your family. I do not understand what dimensional travel is," she begins, having to sound it out from how he had said it rather than her own understanding of the word, "but... I am glad that you are here, that you were not killed," she finishes, her voice having a bit of a husky tone held in it. From the threatening tears, no doubt, and perhaps even from the sadness that she can see in him. Moving a little, closer to him, she just gives him a hug without asking first if it's all right, just wanting to feel the warmth of such an embrace again. Tornaq shifts his weight, vigilant as always, though his attention follows his small shaman, himself a bit concerned at the emotional shift in things, and a quiet rumble echoes softly from his chest.

Kelley accepts the hug gratefully, having wanted to ask for another hug himself, and happy to share the conflict with Monique, hoping that she will not become too depressed. "Shh, shh, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have go into so much detail. I'm sure that you didn't want to hear it. Sometimes, however, it is.. cathartic.. to discuss it with a friend." He bends down farther to hug the small woman, his eyes closing as he quietly inhales her scent. It's flowery, most likely from the herbs that she works with. Whatever it is, it makes him smile. He waits for her to disengage, not wanting to upset her need for a hug. "Yes, it was horrible to see my family killed. But I have had many, many, many years to come to terms with it. I am still sad, and I still grieve, but now they serve to provide me with strength. Strength to fight the Splugorth. Strength to free my homeland. The greatest feat that I could accomplish for them would be to see Atlantis freed. It will be hard. It will be difficult. It may take a long time - but I have a long time, and I am patient to wait." He hugs the woman again, and says, "Please do not grieve. It is not what they would have wanted."

It doesn't so much make her depressed to hear of his family having been killed as that it makes her sad for him that he had to watch it be done. She gives a slight tremble and nestles close against him, just hugging him for a long and lingering moment. For the duration of the hug, she's quiet, but she does then slip from the hug to be sitting close at his side, and she lifts her left hand to brush a tear from one of her cheeks, doing so a little quickly. Almost as though trying to clear it before he'll see it, even though the effort is likely unsuccessful. "It is all right, the detail that you spoke with. It can be good to hear of the past that another has come through... and it is good to tell of it as well. Besides, even if listening to what happened might bring tears, if you feel better afterwards, then I do not mind," she says softly, a small smile touching at the corners of her lips. "It is... hard to hear of a family being lost that way, to such an evil force," she adds, then gives a quiet sniffle before smiling at him again. Her attention shifts to Tornaq at his rumble, and she lifts a hand towards him, the great white bear moving his nose to press it to her palm for a brief moment before drawing away a little to look to Dr. Kelley.

"It's okay, Tornaq, I promise that I will not hurt her," Kelley offers, for what it's worth. His eyes tear up now. "It is not easy to move on with one's life, when one has seen the things that I have seen. But when you have two millennia to think about it, it gives you some.. comfort, perhaps? No, not comfort. I can't explain it really. Just as I cannot understand what it is like to have Tornaq, I do not think that you could understand the length of my life, and the perspective that it has given me. I cannot put things behind me, but there is nothing ahead of me, either, save revenge through education. I *will* free Atlantis, some day. That, I promise." He gives her another squeeze and tries to help wipe her tears away with the knuckles of his right hand. "But as for you, Monique, I would be more than happy to teach you American, both speaking and reading. It must be terribly isolating to be without both. And my condominium is always open to you, for food or rest. Feel free to stop by whenever you wish. Tornaq could eve fit in my living room, if I move some things out of the way." The man smiles at the small woman and gives her another squeeze.

The great white bear studies the man, some of his muscles shifting and causing a bit of a ripple across his fur. His gaze lingers on the man for a long moment, before he looks to Monique, considering her briefly before looking again to the tall man, and he gives a small yet definite nod. He understands that promise, and he will hold the other man strictly to it. "It seems... a very long time to have. Although... I think I understand what you mean. The time makes the hurt easier to bear the burden of," Monique says quite softly, her tone thoughtful. She's not really able to understand having a life that long and how it can change a person's perspective, but she can understand the effect of time on a great sadness. As his knuckles brush her cheek, to wipe her tears away, she ducks her chin slightly, her cheeks warm from a blush. "The future is yet unwritten... and only by passing through each day to reach the future can we find out what it might hold," she says softly, her tone thoughtful. "I would be grateful to learn more of speaking, and to learn of reading and writing. Now, when I wander the city, I could not say where I have been or what places I have been inside of... I do not understand the markings on the signs, and trying to fit sense to them gives me a headache," she admits, looking up at him through her lashes. "Your... condominium," she begins, sounding out the word that she's still unfamiliar with and trying not to make it feel disjointed, "is that here, or is here where your work is?" she asks, withdrawing the business card that he gave her so long ago, retrieving it from a bag made from a whole otter-skin. The card is a little worn at the corners, from her having taken it out to study the markings on it, but it's still whole and legible. "You would not mind him, in your living room?" she asks, a little sheepishly.

Kelley eventually unwraps his arm from Monique and goes to simply hold her hand. "My condominium is both where I live and where I conduct business. I have two bedrooms and two baths, a kitchen, a living room, and small office. I run my company out of the office, but most of my work is actually done at NewTech. For now, as these robots attack us, at least. I fear that we will be seeing combat against them soon. I am no combatant, and do not look forward to it, but if it is for the good of Kingsdale, then it is the right thing to do." Then he chuckles and a says, "No, I would not mind at all. Tornaq would be more than welcome to sleep in the living room, and you in the guest room." He pauses, then continues, "Well, I mean, you can stay in the living room, too, if you like." He squeezes her hand. "May I invite you out of the cold tonight?"

The small Inuit woman lets him lay claim to her hand, and as he does, she turns her hand so that her palm faces his, her skin warm and soft against his. She listens as he speaks of everything that his condominium has within it, though she doesn't really understand what it all means. After all, where she's from, igloos only have one room, so it's a much less complicated thing. She tucks the business card back into the pouch where she'd brought it from, keeping it safe and secure, and then she gives a small nod. "I am not much of a fighter, either... but I can, if I must," she says softly, her tone thoughtful. Monique exchanges a look with Tornaq, who gives a nod to her, and then her attention returns to Dr. Kelley. "You may, and I accept your invitation," she says softly, her words holding a serious note to them. She's never stayed at someone else's place before, so this will be a new experience for her. Though true to what she is, she'll likely end up sleeping curled up with Tornaq. There are just some habits that are hard to break.

"Of course, Monique, let us go to my condo, and I'll show you around," Kelley stands, gently holding her tiny hand in his.

Kelley smiles, the small woman allowing him to hold her hand. The night is nigh upon us. Perhaps we should retire to my condominium? Get you in before the weather turns?" He smiles again at the short Inuit woman. "I can cook up some dinner, too, if you like. I'm not sure how you take your meat.." he says, unsure as to the degree of cooking that the small woman is used to. But, at least she's up for sleeping inside tonight, which is a good place for her to start fitting more into Kingsdale society. "Have you considered joining the Magic Guild?" asks Kelley. "I'm not sure that they'd accept someone as young and.. strangely powered as you, but it would be a fantastic place to start. But like I said, I don't know much about them."

The small Inuit woman gives his hand a gentle squeeze, and then she delicately slips her fingers free of his. "So it seems. The night comes swiftly, sometimes," Monique says softly, her tone thoughtful in nature. "More so when one is not really paying attention to it," she adds, quirking a hint of a smile. She takes a moment, to stretch, and then she smoothly rises to her feet, unfurling from where she'd been sitting there next to him. Her gaze turns to the sky, to study it, and then she tilts her head as she looks back to him. "Do you think that the weather will turn?" she asks softly, her tone thoughtful in nature. Perhaps she has an idea of if it will or not, herself, but if she does, she doesn't offer it up. She giggles softly, when he makes mention of how she likes her meat, her dark eyes reflecting a sparkle within them. "I prefer it cooked, though I would have to admit that I have eaten it raw before," she says softly, ducking her chin a touch. Sleeping inside is a good thing, especially since if he's asked around at all that he's likely learned she doesn't tend to actually sleep at the apartment that she has, even though that's where she keeps her spare things. Some habits are very hard to break, indeed. "What is the Magic Guild?" she asks curiously, watching him. Tornaq gives his small shaman a particular look, whuff-rumbles at her, and then rises to his feet to shake himself off in preparation of heading out of the park.

Kelley too, rises to his feet, towering over both Monique and her four-legged friend, at least when he's on four feet. Carefully putting hand on her shoulders, he goes to turn her in the direction of his condominium. After that, he comments, "I can't say if the weather will turn or not, but I have a feeling; the weather changes so quickly around here, you know. One moment it's sunny and pleasant, the next it's pouring rain." He shrugs. Even if it doesn't rain, you might as well sleep somewhere safe and warm tonight. He smiles at the back of the girl's head. "The Magic Guild, as I understand it, is a mass of magicians; sorcerers; mages, whatever you want to call them, who trade spells and the like. I don't really know much about them, being a non-magic user." He grins again and gently pushes the small woman toward the west. He looks back at the mass of ducks and ducklings who are finally beginning to disperse after the bread ran out.

The great white bear gives the gathered ducks and ducklings a lingering look before bringing his gaze to rest on Dr. Kelley, studying the man for a moment before he gives himself another shake and a wide yawn. Licking his nose, he reaches towards Monique to nose at her shoulder, giving her a gentle nudge. The small shaman lifts her left hand, lightly catching a stray lock of her hair to sweep it aside and tuck it behind one of her ears, and then she gives a small nod. "It does seem to change often, here. Tornaq smells rain, drawing nearer and coming to the city," she says softly, a smile touching her lips. Some would consider that cheating, but the great white bear has a very keen nose, and he's learned to smell that sort of thing simply as a survival technique. "Both safe and warm... it seems a long time since I could consider somewhere I have slept to be both warm and safe," she says softly, though as she considers just what meaning could be drawn from that particular statement (especially since he knows she has an apartment), she just ducks her chin and blushes a little. Not really the best thought out statement, but not entirely the worst either. She would have to admit, though, that it would be nice to wake up and not be soaked to the skin from rain, which has happened more times than she can count. And which has also caused her to use many herbs on herself towards fending off sickness. It's a wonder she hasn't caught pneumonia or something of that nature. "I have not thought of there being such a gathering of people... and, as you say, I do not know if they would accept me. I cannot really teach what it is that I know how to do... I just... know it," she says softly, chewing a little on her lower lip as she mulls over the idea. When nudged by Dr. Kelley towards the correct direction, she looks to him and giggles softly, then starts to head in that direction. Tornaq, as always, takes up his typical position next to her, walking along almost lazily.

Chuckling, Kelley watches the ducks completely disperse and smiles warmly at Tornaq, apparently having befriended the great bear. "You have no place to say within the city?" inquires Dr. Kelley. "You should get a place where you and Tornaq can go to relax, out of the rain. He sniffs the moisture in the air. "Yes, definitely rain coming - but I'm sure that you knew that already, with your wilderness experience, didn't you?" he asks the Inuit woman. He pats Monique on the shoulder again, laughing at himself. "I too know the ways of the wilderness. My wanderings have taken me across the Megaverse. I have smelled rain in many dimensions, and it always smell the same. Well," he adds, "except in Wormwood. I hated that place." He blushes a little bit as he realizes that he's taking a woman back to his condominium, something he's not done since.. her. But, he adds to himself, this is completely plutonic in nature. Just helping out a damsel in distress, as it were." He fishes another business card from his pocket and points at the words to Monique. "This says, 'Coventry Place,' it's where I live. Watch the street signs and compare the symbols against the street signs, and you will take your first step into a larger universe," Kelley says with large, warm eyes.

Monique casts a glance back to the ducks, just as the last of them disperse from the pond, heading to wherever they go to spend the night. Her attention turns to Dr. Kelley as he makes that fateful inquiry of her, and she ducks her chin and looks to him through her lashes, lifting one of her shoulders in a bit of a shrug. "I have an apartment, but... the outside is more comfortable more often than not. I am used to being outside, and sometimes... it is hard to sleep inside. It gets too warm, sometimes," she says softly, her tone thoughtful. Considering the climate she's used to, that comment isn't all that strange in nature. Quirking a smile at him, she gives a nod. "I could feel it coming, as well... but Tornaq smelled it first, and warned me of it before it drew near enough for me. Maybe, sometime... if you wanted... I could make you some bannock, or some pemmican. Although most people who are not used to pemmican tend to not really like it. It's used more as travel food, and a main food during the winter," she says softly, her tone thoughtful. She hadn't thought, earlier, that it was the sort of knowledge that she could share with him, but she thinks of it now. "It seems hard to believe, that the world is larger than this one world. Wormwood? Is that somewhere here, or somewhere different? What did the rain smell like there?" she asks, her voice reflecting curiosity within it. She raises an eyebrow slightly at the bit of a blush she notices in his cheeks (where it's easier to see than when it's in her own), glancing to Tornaq before looking back to the taller man. As he offers up the business card, she accepts it, her brow furrowing a little as she focusses on the markings on the small piece of paper, not really paying attention where she's walking as she does. "I tried to do that, before... but I think I kept taking wrong turns. Well... wrong guesses, in direction. I was curious," she says softly, smiling as she looks up at him, her dark eyes shining with warmth.

Kelley meets Monique's eyes with warm browns of his own, blushing slightly and looking away quickly. "I will take you to my home, and you may compare symbols along the way," the man says. "I can understand wanting to sleep outdoors. Believe it or not, I too, miss the wilderness. But I have become accustomed to living in a condominium because it is what people expect of a scientist. And besides, I don't have a Tornaq to protect me," the scientist smiles. "As for Wormwood - it is a totally different dimension. It smells.. it smells like death. Everything smells of death. I would not go back there on a sure bet," he says, making use of a colloquial. "It held nothing good for me to take back my homeland. Only.. well, death." He shakes his head, as if trying to clear it. "You see, my people are dimensional travelers. We travel ley lines, and operate dimensional pyramids. I am no shifter. I can only go where the pyramids take me. The ley lines are useful though, for reconnaissance. I can see far into the distance, traveling the lines. But my favorite are the dimensional pyramids. That's how the rest of the Atlanteans and myself escaped." He sounds briefly sad, but picks up his voice again, more upbeat.

The small woman smiles up at him again, and then she gives a small nod. "I will," she says softly, her dark eyes shining brightly. She's eager to learn of reading, and of writing, though at this point she's not sure which will turn out to be the more difficult one to learn. "I am lucky to have Tornaq to protect me... he has had to, a handful of times, in the night when I've been sleeping. Though since most do not want to tangle with something his size, most things leave me be when I sleep," she says thoughtfully, then chews for a moment on her lower lip. At mention of Wormwood smelling like death, it brings a rather unpleasant memory to her of a time when an old bear-kill had been found, one which had been sitting in the sun for many days and which had a very rank odour all around it. She gives a little shiver, wrinkling her nose a little, then lightly shakes her head to clear the memory away. "I do not really understand what you mean by dimensions... but I do know what you mean with the ley lines. I have used them, sometimes," she says softly, a smile curling at the corners of her lips as she looks up at him. She takes a moment then to study the card again before looking to the few signs in the area, her dark eyes narrowing a little as she peers at them, trying to find one that fits what she has.

Once again, Kelley smiles as he watches the girl search for matching symbols. "Dimensions.. dimensions... how to explain dimensions," Kelley ponders for a moment. "They are entirely different worlds. Nothing is the same. Well, that's not true. Sometimes things are the same, other times they are different. Maybe I will take you on a journey someday, if you are interested." He then feels stupid for saying that. As if the woman would really want to travel to strange dimensions when she seems perfectly happy here. How stupid can one man be? He boffs his forehead with his hand, and asks Tornaq, "How do you eat, Tornaq? Do you need the same amount of food as your more 'normal' cousins?"

Monique is forced to stop walking as she tries to piece together the different symbols which are on the card with those showing up on the signs in the area. Blinking a little, she finds some that match, but none which match entirely correctly. Chewing a little on her lower lip, which she seems to do when she's thinking or trying to figure things out, she considers it for a lingering moment before turning to look to him, her attention caught by the offer he's made. A smile turns at the corners of her lips. "That could be interesting," she says thoughtfully, her dark brown eyes reflecting a shine of interest within them. "Would Tornaq be able to come as well?" she asks, curious. Tornaq pauses and looks to Dr. Kelley, studying him before rumbling a reply to the questions posed to him. "He eats mostly when he wants to, when he feels a need to. He doesn't eat as much as normal polar bears do and he can be for a long period of time without eating at all," Monique relates, stepping over to the great white bear to lift a hand and scritch at his chest some. "Do we keep going to the west?" she asks of Dr. Kelley then, her tone curious.

"Of course Tornaq could come," Kelley say gently. "I'm not going to break up a great crime fighting duo," he says with a light laugh. He then points over to a sign and compares it against the symbols on the card. "Now, this isn't quite fair, because the letters are a bit faded, but that sign matches you symbols. It says, 'Coventry Place.'" Then smiles and points out the similarities between the letters. "Tornaq, my place might be a little cramped, but I think that you'll be able to make do in the living room. And Monique, you're more than welcome to stay in a real bed for once."

Kelley keys in the code in the pad next to the door and allows it to slide quietly open. He removes his boots by the door and put them on the boot hanger on the floor. "Well, welcome in," the scientist say. "You're welcome to anything that you want in here. Food, a shower, a bed, anything you'd like All I ask is that you try not to get dirt on the carpet. It's near impossible to get out once it's in!" Kelley chuckles. "I'm going to make myself a chicken sandwich. Would you care for one? Either of you, he laughs. And don't worry, Tornaq, I can move the furniture out of the way for you." The man as broken out into a long-term smile, happy to be of assistance for once.

Monique giggles softly, her dark eyes sparkling with a touch of amusement, and then she grins at Dr. Kelley. "I do not know how great of a fighting duo we are, but... well... we fight when we have to," she says softly, her tone thoughtful. Raising an eyebrow slightly and looking to the sign he indicates, her eyes narrow as she studies the symbols on it, then on the card, taking a moment but seeing how they match up, helped by him to see the similarities in the letters. "Tornaq has been in more cramped quarters, I think," she says softly, glancing to the great white bear. There was that time when they took shelter in a cave where he could barely fit inside and turn around. Which was almost amusing. Following him to the condominium, Monique can do little other than simply marvel when the door slides open in response to keys being pushed, her dark eyes a little wide. She's really not used to technology or everything it's capable of doing. She tarries a moment outside the door, then quietly removes her boots outside before stepping inside, placing them next to Dr. Kelley's. Tornaq takes a moment to give himself another final shake as though to rid himself of any dirt (not that any can be seen on his snowy white coat), and then he ambles in to stand next to Monique, considering the space beyond. The great white bear is first to move further inside, careful of where he steps, his nose leading him to investigating the many plants. Monique, meanwhile, takes a longer moment to look over things before she starts to walk inside as well, marvelling at the many plants living indoors. How unique! To her, at least. She's never thought of plants being inside before. "A... shower?" she questions, not sure of the term used or quite where to apply it. "A sandwich would be good... for each of us, if you do not mind," she replies, turning to look to him, a smile lighting her face. "Did you want any help?" she offers, starting to follow after him.

"No, no, you are my guest, I am here to serve you this evening, Monique," Kelley says with a grin. He takes out some pre-cooked chicken breast and begins to slice it into thin, wide strips. I'm afraid that this isn't gourmet, but I enjoy it." He lays out three piece of bread, mixes the chicken pieces with some mayonnaise, adds some salt and pepper, covers them with another slice of bread, and begins to pass the sandwiches around, one for each member of the tiny community that they've established. Just to prove that it's safe, he makes sure to take the first bite - and enjoys the cold sandwich. As for a shower.. strange that she's unaware of such a common cultural thing. "A shower is like.. standing naked in the rain.. with soap to make the dirt slide off of your body. It too is.. cathartic," he smiles. "You can use warm water. It's quite relaxing. I have a tub, too, if you like to soak. But, of course, it's yours to do with what you will. I'm certainly not trying to push you in any direction." He pauses as he chews another bit of sandwich. "So, what do you think? You like the flowers and the plants? It helps to remind me of home."

"I heard someone say once that food doesn't have to be gourmet to be good," Monique says softly, her tone thoughtful in nature. Though considering what she's used to eating, something that she doesn't have to cook herself and that tastes good would likely fall under her category of 'gourmet'. She's really not hard to please when it comes to food. Having partly followed him anyway, she steps a little closer to be able to watch him as he slices up the chicken and makes chicken salad sandwiches. She accepts one when it's offered her, giving a thankful nod before she takes a bite from it, chewing it thoughtfully before swallowing, then smiling brightly at him. "I like it, it's very good," she comments. Tornaq rumbles in agreement, having glomped the sandwich in one bite... something which is quite normal for him. There aren't really showers up North, so she's not really familiar with such a thing. And in her travels, when she's wanted to wash, she's just found a river or lake or pond or any other body of water that would suffice. The ducks know, they've seen it happen. Taking another bite of her sandwich, the wheels of thought could almost be seen turning within her mind as she considers the options -- a bath, or a shower. "I think... a bath," she decides, after a lingering moment of thought. "I like the plants, very much... though I am not sure that I know all of the different ones here," she muses, her gaze wandering over them again.

Smiling, Kelley says, "Oh, I could go down a list of plants that I have in here. Suffice it to say that it's a wide variety. Personally like the smell of the Star Jasmine. It's very sweet." Kelley then walks down into the guest room to show Monique the bath - and how to make it go - and how to stop it, just in case this is her first one. He then retreats back into the living room again and begins to move furniture out of the way for Tornaq to curl up in. It's a surprisingly large room, once you get the stuff against the walls, and even Tornaq should have no trouble finding room to sleep. "Here's the bed, in case you change your mind," Kelley says, patting the guest room's queen-sized bed and pillows. "Oh, and towels are in here.. why don't I just get them for you," he chuckles, and leaves a load of fresh towels on the sink. "If there is nothing else, I must go to sleep, as I have an early meeting tomorrow. Perhaps tomorrow night we could catch a vid, if you're still here," the man offers. He walks over to the woman and gives her another plutonic hug, then begins to retire to his master bedroom. "Oh, by the way," he calls over his shoulder, "if you get hungry during the night, or leave before I am awake, please help yourself to the food! Goodnight, Monique; Tornaq." He offers each one a short bow, and begins to disappear into his room.

The small Inuit woman moves along with him, learning how to work the bathtub so that she can have a steamy bath. "I will have to have you go through the plants so I can learn what you have," she says softly, her tone thoughtful. She likes plants, and learning more about them. She sort of shadows him to the living room, and she giggles softly as Tornaq helps in moving some of the furniture. "I will try the bed, first," she promises, her dark eyes showing a sparkle. "Thank you, for the food... and for inviting me here. It means much to me," she says softly. She willing gives him a hug in return, then gives a nod to what he said. "Have a good night, Dr. Kelley. Sleep well and sweet dreams," she says softly, her tone thoughtful. She looks to Tornaq for a moment, then back to Dr. Kelley, and the great white bear lifts a paw to the tall man as well.

"It's my pleasure," Kelley says before disappearing into the master bedroom, calling behind him - "Goodnight, all!"Tags:kelley, monique