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Post by Adrian Veidt on Nov 1, 2016 19:14:46 GMT -5
"I'm sorry for not making more of an effort over the last few weeks," Adrian said as he and Teja passed the Scholars' Gate into Central Park.
It was a crisp, pleasantly overcast day in early November, chilly enough to demand a coat but not bracing enough to make it uncomfortable even with one. Adrian had gloved both hands and was wearing a wide-brimmed hat along with his coat and scarf.
"It has been a very time-consuming period at the office, I'm afraid, and even that has been in itself a question of when I can get into it. I've been doing nearly all of my work that doesn't require me to speak to anyone in person at home since Ingrid was born, and at this rate that's going to become most of my work. I'm rather unpopular with the board at present."
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Post by Teja on Nov 1, 2016 19:18:18 GMT -5
"Well, you can't totally neglect a business that large, a lot of people depend on you," said Teja a little querulously; realizing she was arguing about him spending less time with his granddaughter, she had to soften it with a faux-serious, "although it would be selfish of you to choose your career over the baby. In fact, it's clearly the downfall of our society that you haven't quit entirely."
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Post by Adrian Veidt on Nov 1, 2016 19:24:32 GMT -5
"It's not even that," he said. "I'm attempting to implement the pay redistribution, and I'm meeting, er, resistance. There are threats of walk-outs. I would be more sympathetic, but I'm hardly asking anything of them I haven't already applied to myself."
He sighed.
"It's far from universal, but the ones who leave are easily replaced."
Adrian looked down at her again.
"Happy belated birthday, by the way."
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Post by Teja on Nov 1, 2016 19:26:11 GMT -5
She looked down, smiling distantly. "How did you know?"
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Post by Adrian Veidt on Nov 1, 2016 19:27:03 GMT -5
"Loki," he laughed.
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Post by Teja on Nov 1, 2016 19:27:36 GMT -5
"What! Since when does he tell you that sort of thing-"
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Post by Adrian Veidt on Nov 1, 2016 19:28:32 GMT -5
"He was asking how it's typically celebrated. Why?"
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Post by Teja on Nov 1, 2016 19:29:29 GMT -5
She groaned. "What on earth did you tell him-"
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Post by Adrian Veidt on Nov 1, 2016 19:30:53 GMT -5
"Cake, balloons, so on-"
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Post by Teja on Nov 1, 2016 19:32:07 GMT -5
"Did you say anything specific there, or did you say, 'three cakes, and balloons from the floor to the ceiling?'"
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Post by Adrian Veidt on Nov 1, 2016 19:34:37 GMT -5
Adrian winced but started laughing.
"I should have known. Good Lord-"
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Post by Teja on Nov 1, 2016 19:36:35 GMT -5
Imitating his accent, she said, "'I meant to ask your favorite, so there's a white, chocolate, and - don't you like carrot cake, darling?'" Returning to her own voice: "There were also flower petals everywhere, but I liked that part, I have no complaints to speak of about that."
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Post by Adrian Veidt on Nov 1, 2016 19:38:56 GMT -5
"Has he ever explained why he sounds like that?" Adrian asked.
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Post by Teja on Nov 1, 2016 19:39:57 GMT -5
[With a blank expression, in RP English] "'Sounds like what.'"
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Post by Adrian Veidt on Nov 1, 2016 19:44:44 GMT -5
"I see," Adrian laughed.
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