Dimensions

Demi:

I giggled and my cheeks heated again. “No, I think maybe landscapes. Since I don’t have any windows it might be nice to at least see pictures of the outdoors,” I said. I couldn’t help bringing these things up constantly. He had no control over it and I knew he would do something for me if he could. It was just always on my mind.

I laughed with her, covering my mouth full of food as I did so. After I had a moment to reply I chuckled out, "Landscapes? I can get that. Anything else you want or need? Might as well do a bunch of shopping all at once." I always felt bad thinking of her as a prisoner. She was a sweet girl, put into a poor circumstance because of her power.

Demi:

I asked for a clock as well. While my internal clock was pretty accurate, I would like to have something to be certain. After we finished with breakfast I gave Simon a hug. “Thank you for this,” I said softly. I had hugged him a few times before, but this time I held on a moment longer.

Hugs were rare, for me at least. My family wasn't touchy feely, and certainly here at work no one was going to do such things. Even my night classes was not a time for such things. So I'd learned to treasure the little contacts I got with people. I loved being able to hug people and I didn't mind that Demi's hug was longer than usual, I only smiled happily at her after she pulled away. "Of course, it's a pleasure to do something for someone who isn't grumpy all the time."

Demi:

I laughed again and smiled as I returned to my book, waiting for one of the doctors to come collect me.


Veronica:

“Tobi, that’s not something to be pleased with. It isn’t an accomplishment, it simply means no one likes you,” I sighed. “Don’t you think you would be happier with people who you got along with? Wouldn’t it be better to just suck it up and be civil for once in a while?” My words were harsh but my expression was one of concern.

"Why?" I looked at her with genuine befuddlement. "In the end they are going to leave. They will return to their nations and all will be forgotten. Each one of us is a top scientist in differing fields. I don't hate them for that, and some of their ideas and work is very impressive." Leaning back in my chair I folded my arms and stared at the ceiling. "But above all that, I don't like sharing my data source. At the end of it all, sure I'll give all my findings and let the ravenous dogs rip it apart. But how can I do all of that, when I am limited in the time and energy I can spend?"

Veronica:

“You could work together. I’m sure things would go more smoothly if everyone worked to find the same answers instead of on their individual things,” I said though I knew it would never happen. There was too much ego involved. I sighed. “Don’t you ever get lonely, Tobi?” I asked. I did. I got lonely quite often, even with the dog around.

Sighing I shrugged. "Why would I get lonely?" Touching the back of my neck I looked at her. "When I look at people I see chaos, I see no appeal. Emotions can hold you back from logic. Love could be explained by chemicals and neurons firing." Looking away I kept going, "Alone I don't need to get approval from anyone."

Veronica:

I looked at him silently for a moment. That may be what he thought but I knew it wasn’t how he felt. He did get lonely. He simply drowned it in the drink. “If you say so. Still, it wouldn’t hurt you to be nice to them. Keeping them happy makes my job easier, not that it matters much to you.” I stood up and brushed invisible dust from my shirt front.

"Easy is boring. I'll end up going crazy if I did nothing but easy things." When she stood up I stood as well, grumbling under my breath about it. "So heading back to the office? Take care of yourself. All that touchy feely bullshit."