I13DT: Hard at Work

[Roland Sackville]

"Well, she looked just like you. You're a bit older than she was when I met her, but definitely close. Skin a bit darker, features a little different, but that's to be expected due to ethnic differences.

Your personalities, though? Different. See, what you share, essentially, is the ka. That's the thing that makes you alive. That's put into you when you are born--or at least, that's what we believed at the time. Part of the...soul, I suppose, would be your modern Christian defnition. Your ba, however, is entirely different and unique. That's what makes Haley Haley, and not just Kiya part...I'm going to be generous and say two."

[Haley Crusek]

"When did you get....you know...involved with her then if you met her so young?"

[Roland Sackville]

"Just about your age, a year or two younger.

You have to remember, this was long ago. What you consider adults today is a cultural thing; what we considered adults back then was a biological thing."

[Haley Crusek]

Haley shifted in her chair a bit uncomfortably.

"Right...so...uh...I guess...how are you...so sure it's me?"

[Roland Sackville]

"I haven't done any rituals on you in your sleep, if that's what you're wondering.

It's the eyes. Windows of the soul, you know. You can learn a lot from the deepness of someone's eyes."

[Haley Crusek]

"Well that makes one of the teaching staff," she mumbled under her breath.

"...this is really, really awkward..."

[Roland Sackville]

Roland nodded. "I can see what you mean. And you might be...intimidated, because I'm in a position of authority."

[Haley Crusek]

"Yeah..." Haley shifted uncomfortably again.

[Roland Sackville]

"Alright, forget that. Forget it for now. What if I wasn't 'Professor Sackville'. What if I was just Roland? A friend?"

[Haley Crusek]

"I...I dunno..." she stammered her stomach fluttering and her cheeks bright red.

[Roland Sackville]

"...if a friend asked you over to dinner tonight, what would you say?"

[Haley Crusek]

"S-sure," she smiled a bit nervously.

[Roland Sackville]

"Then my place, around 7ish? I'll cook something again, and maybe we can...you know. Try to talk. Some."

[Haley Crusek]

"Okay," she smiled, standing up. "I should go finish my homework before then...I'll see you at 7, Profes... Roland?"

[Roland Sackville]

"I'll look forward to it," he smiled.

No matter who shows up.