Awakening

[Morven]

Her remark had been in ribald humour, though she couldn’t quite discern from his reaction if he actually got the joke. But his reply about dinner did earn him a languid look from top to toe and back, and her amusement lingered as she slid into the pulled-out seat. Though Morven possessed an iron professionalism for when she needed it, little about her was ever subtle: she’d quite clearly looked him over anew. “I accept,” she said, momentarily leaning in across the desk, still grinning with the glittery-eyed look of a cat who’d discovered the unexpected boon of a mouse in its paws.

“Your theory seems sound to me,” she added a moment later. Her own experiences suggested the power was confined by at least some physical laws, and his analogies made sense. Which meant it stood to reason that if he was as strong as he claimed, she was unlikely to have as easy a time cutting through his work. In the circumstance humility didn’t appeal – not necessarily because she might fail, but because she suspected he might pull his punches. “I use the same thread a lot with patients, both diagnostically, and in speeding up the healing process. Never considered it for a scythe.”

Throaty rich laughter met the apparent chivalry. Morven didn’t have many delicate sensibilities, but she was at least mindful that he did. She very much doubted this was a consideration with his regular students. Elbow rested on the desk between them, she offered her arm out, wrist up, for him to restrain however he saw fit. “Aye, might as well test the theory of strength. Don’t be shy now. I think you’ll have the right of it though.” She watched him meanwhile, and continued speaking, since the task would not be taxing on him and she would feel when she could begin her own exploration. “Either way it proves interaction is possible between the different powers. There must also be a way to work them together.”