Aodh Breannan
Ireth
Bio Prof. Not Actually A Bat
To be blind is not miserable; not to be able to bear blindness, that is miserable.
Posts: 58
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Post by Aodh Breannan on Aug 22, 2010 23:23:48 GMT -5
Aodh sipped quietly at a cup of coffee, reflecting absently on life as it was right now. In a few months' time he had settled into a new home, a new job, and had made some good new friends. He even had hope of being rid of the curse that dogged him. For the moment, though, he still wanted to look for find Ellie to see speak with her about his eyes. Then he'd finally be able to put faces to the voices of those he called his friends. Especially Rivienne.
He blew on his coffee and sipped it again, leaning back in the armchair he was settled comfortably in. He mused to himself that he probably had it easier than most of the other professors: his aide handled the majority of the grading, etc., since Aodh's blindness kept him from seeing the written or printed word, and getting everything transcribed into Braille was time-consuming. The teaching itself was difficult enough with his disability. He had learned his lesson after that awkward meeting with Michael on his first morning here; he didn't use sonar in human form unless absolutely necessary, and especially rarely in front of others.
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Post by Rivienne Volkova on Aug 22, 2010 23:46:08 GMT -5
Rivienne set her coffee cup on the table, letting the ceramic clink against the wood to announce her presence. She wasn't quite sure how acute the other professor's hearing was, and it would have been rude to sneak up on him.
"Good morning, Aodh," she announced brightly, taking her seat on the sofa across from him. "Doing well?"
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Aodh Breannan
Ireth
Bio Prof. Not Actually A Bat
To be blind is not miserable; not to be able to bear blindness, that is miserable.
Posts: 58
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Post by Aodh Breannan on Aug 22, 2010 23:49:40 GMT -5
Aodh heard the clink of another mug hitting the table, and had only a moment to wonder at who was there before he heard Rivienne's voice. Sweet, lovely Rivienne. He smiled and turned to face her as she sat down.
"Morning, Rivienne," he replied cheerfully. "I'm doing very well. And yourself?"
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Post by Rivienne Volkova on Aug 23, 2010 0:07:20 GMT -5
"I've been worse. I think I've finally managed to catch up on my grading over the break." Rivienne leaned back in her seat and took a sip of her coffee. She smiled ruefully. "Now I only have to hope the headmistress doesn't call me with some list of long overdue tasks, and I might actually get a few days peace before spring break is over."
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Aodh Breannan
Ireth
Bio Prof. Not Actually A Bat
To be blind is not miserable; not to be able to bear blindness, that is miserable.
Posts: 58
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Post by Aodh Breannan on Aug 23, 2010 0:22:58 GMT -5
Aodh smiled, taking another sip from his own mug, setting it down carefully and speaking after he swallowed. "That's a fine thing to hope for. I can tell you've been tired lately; you deserve as much peace as you can get.
"So I hear you're going to be a bridesmaid for Vincent and Diana's wedding," he remarked, his smile turning to a grin. "I hope I'll be able to actually see the ceremony. I've been meaning to speak with Ellie about the possibility of getting my eyesight back, but that will have to wait until she's back from Greece, unfortunately. Certainly would make my life a hundred times easier."
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Post by Rivienne Volkova on Aug 23, 2010 1:15:18 GMT -5
"Well, if anyone can manage that, it would be Ellie. She's the finest doctor I've ever seen, magical or not." She leaned forward and ran her fingers idly over the rim of her coffee mug, staring down into the gently swirling froth in her cup.
Rivienne really hoped that Aodh didn't set his hopes to high on recovering his sight. It seemed simple enough, and Ellie was a superb physician... but there was always a chance it was permanent.
She smiled back up at him. "I hope for your sake that Ellie can reverse it. It seems like it would be simple enough to me, but then, I'm no mage, either."
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Aodh Breannan
Ireth
Bio Prof. Not Actually A Bat
To be blind is not miserable; not to be able to bear blindness, that is miserable.
Posts: 58
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Post by Aodh Breannan on Aug 23, 2010 11:22:47 GMT -5
Aodh smiled and nodded, shrugging one shoulder. "I've heard it said that if one enters a situation having low expectations, then it's impossible to be disappointed if things go wrong. But I say, if there is hope that things will be better, why not hold on to it? Michael assured me that it would be easy to deal with. I'm looking forward to being able to see the faces that belong to everyone's voices."
He shifted slightly where he sat and took another sip of coffee. He knew there was a chance that his blindness would be permanent, even though Michael had assured him otherwise. He couldn't be expected to know everything, after all. If that turned out to be the case, well, then nothing would really change, for the worse or the better. Aodh still had his aide to help him where he needed it, and he was able to get around the school fairly well with the senses he had left. On the other hand, if his hopes came true, then it would be that much better.
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Post by Rivienne Volkova on Aug 23, 2010 22:24:24 GMT -5
"I suppose that's one way to look at it," Rivienne replied. She smiled slightly. "And I suppose if Michael is sure about it..."
She took another sip of her coffee, then sighed. "It's surprisingly quiet around here without my family," she mused. "It's strange. It seems like I hardly ever see Rudeth or Tristan, but I can't remember ever having this much time to myself. It makes me a little stir crazy, spending so much time by alone."
She laughed slightly, then looked back at Aodh. "I must sound rather foolish. A few days without my family, and already I don't know what to do with myself. I don't know what on earth I'll do when my son leaves Dunehelden."
It was strange, she thought. Only a few months ago, she was encouraging Rudeth to leave and tour colleges with Thrall, to try out other places and maybe even go somewhere different than his brother. After all, wonderful teacher that Vincent was, Rudeth could only do so much with music at a magical university. But now... now she was almost afraid to let him go.
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Aodh Breannan
Ireth
Bio Prof. Not Actually A Bat
To be blind is not miserable; not to be able to bear blindness, that is miserable.
Posts: 58
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Post by Aodh Breannan on Aug 23, 2010 22:29:46 GMT -5
Aodh smiled and nodded, his expression growing curious. "Was there any particular reason you stayed behind when the rest of your family went to Greece? If you don't like being alone for so long, why not go with them?"
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Post by Rivienne Volkova on Aug 23, 2010 22:52:36 GMT -5
"I thought I had things to do, and that I wanted time alone." She gave a humorless chuckle. "I suppose I was wrong."
She sighed slightly. "Maybe I'm just feeling maudlin lately. I'm used to being so busy, but now that I have free time, it seems things are starting to catch up with me."
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Aodh Breannan
Ireth
Bio Prof. Not Actually A Bat
To be blind is not miserable; not to be able to bear blindness, that is miserable.
Posts: 58
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Post by Aodh Breannan on Aug 23, 2010 23:10:30 GMT -5
Aodh nodded in silence, sipping from his mug again. He dearly wished he could see Rivienne's face; a voice could only portray so much about a person's feelings.
"What do you normally do in your free time?" he wondered. "Doing something you enjoy might help cheer you up."
He took a final sip, draining the mug, and stood up carefully, standing still for a few seconds and looking down in Rivienne's general direction. "Can I get you some more prom while I'm up?"
He realized what he'd said at once, and rushed to correct himself. "I mean -- coffee. Aye. Would you like some more coffee?"
Well, that was one way to ask a woman out, he supposed, feeling his ears start to burn. He'd been meaning to ask her ever since hearing about the prom, but had held back and held back, uncertain. Who would want to dance with a blind man, anyway? He couldn't see where he was going. Why had he even bothered to ask?
Well, there was no taking back what had been said now. He stood, smiling silently, waiting to hear her reaction.
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Post by Rivienne Volkova on Aug 23, 2010 23:25:38 GMT -5
Rivienne clamped her hand over her mouth and stifled back a giggle, and was more than a little relieved that Aodh couldn't see her face at the moment. She took a breath to compose herself.
"Coffee would be lovely, thank you," she replied, her smile evident in her voice. "I take it you've been thinking about prom?"
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Aodh Breannan
Ireth
Bio Prof. Not Actually A Bat
To be blind is not miserable; not to be able to bear blindness, that is miserable.
Posts: 58
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Post by Aodh Breannan on Aug 23, 2010 23:35:17 GMT -5
Aodh heard Rivienne's giggle despite her efforts to stifle it, nodding in response to her words. There was no point in beating about the bush now, not after that slip. He wondered yet again at the expression on her face. What was she thinking about? He knew she was smiling; that much was evident in her voice. But was she surprised, amused, embarrassed, or something else entirely?
"Aye, I have," he replied with a nod, his smile slowly losing some of its awkwardness. "I was wondering if you'd like to accompany me to the prom. With luck I'll have my sight back by then, so I won't have to worry about stepping all over your feet when we dance."
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Post by Rivienne Volkova on Aug 24, 2010 0:07:52 GMT -5
Rivienne hesitated for a moment. Aodh was sweet, but she hardly knew him, and she wasn't quite sure if she was interested in him in that way... Still, what could it hurt?
"I'd be happy to." She smiled. "Though really, you don't need to see to dance. In fact, looking at your feet is rather discouraged. I'm sure you'll be fine either way."
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Aodh Breannan
Ireth
Bio Prof. Not Actually A Bat
To be blind is not miserable; not to be able to bear blindness, that is miserable.
Posts: 58
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Post by Aodh Breannan on Aug 24, 2010 0:12:47 GMT -5
Aodh smiled gratefully and nodded. Rivienne had a point about the dancing. "Very well. I'll do my best, either way. Thank you." He paused. "Now what was I... oh, coffee. I'll need your mug," he told her, holding out his free hand.
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Post by Rivienne Volkova on Aug 24, 2010 22:30:22 GMT -5
Rivienne's mug wasn't quite empty yet, but she had drained well over half of its contents. She handed it over to him, carefully placing it in his hand.
"Careful," she warned. "It's not quite empty yet."
Rivienne sat back against the couch and hugged one of the pillows to her chest. "Will you be returning home for the summer, Aodh?" she asked.
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Aodh Breannan
Ireth
Bio Prof. Not Actually A Bat
To be blind is not miserable; not to be able to bear blindness, that is miserable.
Posts: 58
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Post by Aodh Breannan on Aug 24, 2010 22:38:05 GMT -5
"Oh, aye," Aodh nodded, taking the mug carefully from her. "One of my students hopes to help me be rid of my curse while I'm there. I hope it succeeds."
He crossed carefully to the counter, setting the mugs down and feeling carefully for the sugar and cream to have them close to hand. He hunted even more carefully for the coffeepot, bringing it over to the mugs and filling them both carefully. He held the pot by the handle in one hand, using the other hand as a guide to make sure he was actually pouring the coffee into the mugs.
He replaced the coffeepot and reached for the sugar and cream, pausing for a moment to speak over his shoulder. "How do you like your coffee, Rivienne?"
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Post by Rivienne Volkova on Aug 25, 2010 0:17:09 GMT -5
"Black with sugar, please." Rivienne watched him for a moment, and had to stop herself from jumping up to help him. He wasn't so helpless, after all.
"Oh?" she asked, interest piquing in her voice. She tucked a strand of hair back behind her ear. "Which student?"
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Aodh Breannan
Ireth
Bio Prof. Not Actually A Bat
To be blind is not miserable; not to be able to bear blindness, that is miserable.
Posts: 58
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Post by Aodh Breannan on Aug 25, 2010 0:33:29 GMT -5
"Dubhiarr MacNamara," Aodh replied, before turning back and carefully spooning sugar into both mugs. "Apparently a fortune-teller in Greece hinted that she should. Interesting name, Dubhiarr," he murmured to himself, stirring the coffee carefully. It had to be made up.
He put the used spoon into the sink, then picked up the mugs again, bringing them carefully back to where Rivienne was sitting. He walked much more slowly this time, not wanting to spill the hot coffee on his hands or anything else. He suffered a drip from the mug in his left hand, and gave a soft hiss of pain, but shrugged it off quickly. He'd had worse.
He set both mugs safely down on the coffee table after finding it carefully with his shin, then moved over to the couch and sat down again.
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Post by Rivienne Volkova on Sept 2, 2010 21:39:48 GMT -5
"Oh?" Rivienne raised an eyebrow. "Do you have any idea how you will go about it, then? I don't imagine it would be an easy task."
She picked up her coffee mug and looked over at Aodh in mild amazement. For being blind for so short a time, he had adjusted remarkably well to this life. She couldn't imagine how hard that must have been for him.
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Aodh Breannan
Ireth
Bio Prof. Not Actually A Bat
To be blind is not miserable; not to be able to bear blindness, that is miserable.
Posts: 58
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Post by Aodh Breannan on Sept 2, 2010 21:54:59 GMT -5
Aodh reached carefully for his own mug and brought it toward him as he spoke. "I have very specific instructions. I need to find the bats whose home I destroyed, apologize to them, and then give them a new, better home. There's the option of going back to the mage who cursed me after that's done, but Michael said it shouldn't be necessary. I'm most worried about finding the bats in the first place. Building them a new home shouldn't be too hard once I get my sight back, and with Miss MacNamara helping me it should be even easier."
He blew on his coffee and took a small sip, finding it much too hot to drink just yet. He held it carefully, his head turned in Rivienne's general direction. Finally getting his sight back was an exciting idea, and he clung to the hope that it would be possible.
"If it's not impolite to ask," he spoke up, leaning forward a little, "what do you look like? I'd like to be able to recognize you by sight when and if I get my sight back."
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Post by Rivienne Volkova on Sept 9, 2010 22:10:02 GMT -5
Rivienne blushed slightly, hooking her hair back behind one ear. How did one answer a question like that?
"Ah, well..." She hesitated for a moment, considering how best to respond. "I'm about half a foot shorter than you, with long blond hair and violet eyes. If you like, I..." She paused, deciding whether or not to give voice to her next thought. "I could try to be with you when you open your eyes. Then you wouldn't have to keep speculating."
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Aodh Breannan
Ireth
Bio Prof. Not Actually A Bat
To be blind is not miserable; not to be able to bear blindness, that is miserable.
Posts: 58
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Post by Aodh Breannan on Sept 9, 2010 22:18:38 GMT -5
Aodh nodded slowly as Rivienne described herself, wanting to ask more but deciding it was probably rude. Was her hair straight or curly? What shade of blonde was it? About how long was it? Hopefully he wouldn't have to speculate for long.
He smiled at the offer she made. "Thank you, Rivienne. That's very kind of you. I'll be sure to forewarn you about it if I can."
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