Welcome to Gaia! ::

He followed along, sipping his drink politely. He was leaned forward in the chair, one elbow on the armrest and inclined towards her with interest.

She was good at skirting the line of keeping things basic and recognizing what was necessary to an explanation. "I have gone to public schools all through school so far, " he nodded. "They are easier about enrolling, and about leaves of absence. At least once or twice I missed chunks of school to go to competitions, and they never gave any hassle about making up the work. I never asked much about why they were all sort of the same programs at every school, it never seemed important."

There weren't any private schools near where he'd been living, just three public schools and a Montessori for kids, which he had no idea what that even meant. So it sounded like mostly the rich attended private schools, doing whatever rich people did. 'or you're not'....scholarships for really smart girls then. Only the smart ones. Normal people not welcome, he bet.

"I can't say I've ever had much complaint about public schools myself, but I don't fit much of any normal facility....so my complaints would be the same at any sort of institution, " Björn chuckled, lifting a hand to motion from top to bottom of himself. Desks, doors, gym facilities, little cafeteria tables and seats, none of it had been on his A-list of convenient. He doubted private schools would do much better. His old school had had to go searching their attic and scoured out some old, early 1930s oak student chairs from before the renovations to put in classrooms for him instead of the plastic and aluminum pole variety.

"You're certainly proud of your school. That speaks a lot for it, to get such loyalty. " Why shouldn't she be proud? If she could enter such an institution, she must be smart and well off. Something like a little noble. She'd graduate and face different standards and expectations, different responsibilities. To rule, even a small fief, was in many ways harder than to be ruled. At least to do so and do it well.

"You are so nervous of it. Do students from the other schools give you hassle for attending Crystal?" Björn quirked an eyebrow disapproving of the idea. "Jealousy is insecurity. You are good with words...I imagine they must be good swords for your hands against it. Still, sometime people resort to fists and not words."

"I compete in whatever I can find, to be honest. Deadlifting, Highland games, fitness challenges, and muscle and bodybuilding competitions. I was suggested not too long ago that there are lumberjack competitions that test endurance, strength, agility and speed....maybe I will look into them. My goal is the World's Strongest Man competitions. I'd like to have earned enough in qualifiers by the time I am twenty to represent America. "

His expression didn't sour at the sound of his first name on her lips, instead he smiled. "A Noble without virtue is a pretty ring with no gem. But there is place for pride and competition between houses of men and women. It happened at courts and tourney all the time."

"Unfortunately, I cannot say it is competitions that brought me to Destiny City. Though of all the places my mother and I looked, it seemed the best choice. A school that would take me with a record, enough people that competitions may exist or be organized, and a metropolitan flavour that would appreciate her art and cooking. "

"I defended a friend at my old school, but I should not get into fights." He just stretched his arm out to reach the near-ish trashcan, throwing his empty drink cup in the paper waste and the lid in the plastic. She seemed interested, and he had no reason to lie. He wasn't ashamed of what he'd done, only of the problems it had caused for his mother. "I broke many of the bully's ribs just putting him to the wall. Nowadays that is assault, even if defending someone. So it is a police record and expulsion from normal schools. Too many lawsuits make things unreasonable in the law of schools, but that is how it is. But David is safe and doing well. "

"Does that seem stupid and foolish?"

The first words from her mouth were not only stunning, but wholly a blessing. He was speechless for a moment, then in lieu of being able to express himself he offered gesture instead: Björn lifted his hands to his mouth, kissing the pads of his fingertips gratefully, as though there were hem of gown or sleeve there, then opened them in motion to her.

Finally some English made its way to the fore of his thoughts, "I could not have thought as I came here to find a possible sponsor, and I cannot say I will never ask for that favor now offered. But I am honored, Talia. "

More than she could ever know. Sponsors made higher level competitions and training possible by paying for travel, for training, for time and effort. He wouldn't dream of asking right away for arrangements, but that she was willing at all was something. Something like a lady to champion, a favor of ribbon tied to reins. He wondered if her family owned a corporation or business, if he would have a logo to wear someday as a patch on his shirt. It would be a feeling of being more authentic, more complete. More than himself to win for.

But lighter than the gratitude he felt, however plain that was worn on his face - or heart on sleeve- he offered less heavy words in hopes of further smiles, "I should open doors into girls more often. "

He let that stay a moment before continuing on, "Yes, David was my lab partner. He was smart, but not athletic at all. Too interested in computers and games to know how to protect himself."

He hand was small on his arm, but the sentiment was felt keenly. Yet it was shadowed, he knew not by what. Her eyes were distant in that instant, drawn somewhere else. The conversation had turned towards acceptance, was that the source? "You bring hope and gladness to replace uncertainty. Though the offer is repeated back to you, if someone so bright needs acceptance. If I can help you in any way, I offer what I have: my two hands. It isn't much of a service."

"Could I give you my number, should you ever need it?"

He fished his own phone out of a front pocket in his messenger bag. It was neither a smart phone, nor particularly high tech. Though from looks alone one could guess it was fairly new and could text and take photos like any standard model. It did have a case-covering used by contractors with rubberized edges. It was phone meant for someone who either might drop it, or was working around a lot of heavy, potentially dangerous metal objects.

"518-605-5878. It is a New York Area Code, out-of-state charges may be a problem for calling, but not for texting. "

He wasn't sure about the protecting bit, as soon as she said it. Not for any suspicions of what may be going on in her own thoughts, but more that hands could be useful in other ways if they were offered. Was she planning on getting into the sort of trouble that required protection? He would serve, if called and needed. Maybe it just related back to the brief conversation about David, which had been an instance of protection gone horribly awry. He wished she had some other use in the fore of her thoughts for him.

Both of their coffees were done, or as near to as an inch of tepid stuff in the bottom swished around for the sake of something to do with one's hands. She had been on her way out to something else, and he had only meant for a short break. Exchanging numbers was a comfortable place to begin partings in most cases. He stood with careful speed and offered his hand if she wanted. "I will look forward if I hear from you again. For now, I draw out too long excuse of pleasant company and apology to stop returning to work. But I should return, and stop taking all your time as well."

Busy, but glad of the interruption as far as he was concerned.

He took her outstretched hand gently in his, but gave it a squeeze of recognition. "It was a pleasure. Unexpected. Maybe the chances in life are better than the plans."

She was looking down. He wasn't certain how to take that, disappointment maybe. They need not learn all of each other in a day though, and this would let them meet on more deliberate terms the next time, he hoped. Purpose could offer more to conversation that just introductions. "Joy and care go with you."