Office Hours, Monday, 3/30

[tyler_gone]

Tyler was hunched over his laptop, poking at ThinkGeek.com.

Tony's birthday was in a couple days. What were you supposed to get a billionaire, anyhow?

No, he wasn't going to chat up a supermodel.

The office door was open.

Comments

[intraspective]

She rapped lightly on the open door. "Tyler-sensei? You, like, super busy or interruptable?"

[tyler_gone]

"Entirely and completely interruptible," he said, minimizing his webpage and swiveling to face her. "What's up, Ino?"

[intraspective]

She held up a small scroll and made a face. "Mission," Ino said, "I'm leaving tonight, and apparently it's supposed to be at least a week in duration, so since I was already in the school I figured I'd save you the phone call and come tell you in person."

[tyler_gone]

"Good to know," Tyler said, nodding and just a little grim. "We're on 1968 but I don't have my notes together yet, so, uh, come bother me about it next Monday."

"Any idea what they're having you do this time?"

[intraspective]

"Yes sir," she said, and shrugged a bit. "Honestly, I couldn't even make a guess? Considering the time of year, playing mailman is likely, 'cause the rains are making it harder for the caravans to get through, but that's just a guess. I mean, they all say the same thing, 'come prepared for anything' and well, that's all I can really do."

[tyler_gone]

"Boy scout motto," Tyler said. "Good luck and see you soon. But before you go, question from a couple weeks ago -- do you understand why I couldn't let a 7-year old fight adults?"

In truth, if she'd done what the child Leto had done and just gone around the organizers, he wouldn't have intervened to stop her. But since she'd asked for permission, she had to be told no.

[intraspective]

Er.

"...no?" Ino said, looking rueful. "Back home, I'd have gotten the fight. I'd have lost, and it probably would've been more of a training session than a fight, but..."

[tyler_gone]

"But that's how things go," Tyler finished, with a sigh. Nope, he wasn't going to be able to explain this one, either. "All right. Just asking. Go play mailman."

[intraspective]

"Sorry?" she said a bit dubiously, because she wasn't sure what she was apologizing for.

"I go, and come back," Ino said, smiling slightly. "You know, like a ninja. Bye, Tyler-sensei! Tell Algren-sensei where I've got off to, 'kay?"

[tyler_gone]

No apology was needed, really, the whole thing just made Tyler feel a little old and a little sad. "Will do," he promised, turning back to his computer. "Bye, ninja."

[intraspective]

She stared at him for a second before shaking her head, smiling a bit, and darting out the door.