Beyond brawns

Caleb. Are you busy?

(she calls out as she sees him in the hallway. She hadn’t seen him a lot lately, most likely due to his promotion. Catching up to him, Yue walks by his side). I was hoping there’s something I could talk about with you (she says with a bit of a low tone. She knew he was a busy man, especially now that he was a board member, but he was the only person she trusted enough to talk about this particular topic).

#convos #convo10: yue #brotp: drift compatible

Whatever it is, can it wait? I've got a meeting in about fifteen minu- Yue. [Caleb stops walking as quickly as his normal pace took him, turning to face her while she fell into step with him] Um, yeah okay. I've got fifteen minutes, what's going on?

Can I come in?

(she asks as she stands by the door of Caleb’s office. He’d left it ajar, so she just a step in and waited by the door, returning it to its semi-closed state). I heard you got promoted. Congratulations (she says with a smile, because it was a good thing Caleb had gotten some recognition from all his work and dedication).

#convos #convo09: yue #brotp: drift compatible

Huh? Oh Yue, yeah you can come in. [Caleb looks up from his desk where he'd been sorting old papers, giving her a small smile] Pretty weird though huh? On the council...just never expected it. But Hearst trusts me, so it counts for something. [Mostly he'd taken the promotion for his parent's sake. A part of him still wanted to believe in the institution, and it wanted so badly for Hearst to be in the right. But he knew that wasn't the truth] How have you been?

tristan-tillstrom

Huh?

tristan-tillstrom

Promoted. Yeah, I heard that part. Give more power to the idiots, huh? (he says with a bit of a mocking tone, but unlike how he used to mock Mr. Spock before, this time it was a more friendly teasing. The impossible had happened, but the two of them were on more or less friendlier terms now than they’d been for years). Aww you care about me now, Spock (he smirks and laughs before he turns to throw the ball to the small basketball hoop on the wall) I suck at it because I refuse to kiss ass, Burkhart (he shrugs in a carefree way) So what shit do I have to take care of now that’ll you become a suit-and-tie robot?

#convos #convo04: tristan #anti-brotp: Darth Maul and Mr. Spock

Huh, well if that were clearly the case, where's your spot on the council Maul? [Caleb smirks, something he didn't do so often and even the joke itself was unusual for him. He rolls his eyes at the idea of 'caring' for Tillstrom but he does chuckle a bit anyway] Sure I do, you're so lovable you know, it's hard not to. [Catching the ball once it ricochets through the net, Caleb turns it around in his hands and sends Tillstrom a look] Come on man, gotta fake it to get what you want right? Look, maybe now that I'm on the council, I can convince Hearst to change a couple things. Maybe. Either way, I'm in charge of you now, so be a good little camper would'ya? That means less Ellington, more working. [He raises an eyebrow at him, and points his finger at Tillstrom before making a basket of his own] Basically paperwork, getting a few more classes, you'll have to take over my duties and actually go to those facility meetings now.

tristan-tillstrom

Huh?

What was that again? (he asks, looking up from the ball he’d been fiddling with for the last minute. He’d been a little distracted lately, to say the least, and he had no idea what the person in front of him had just said).

#covnos #convo04: tristan #anti-brotp: Darth Maul and Mr. Spock

I said, I was getting promoted so most of my duties will be past onto Blackwood or Dunham but I suggested you take over some of my duties. I know Webb can handle it most on his own, and with both assistant instructors and Fitzwilliams, he should be fine but I figured me suggesting you may put you on Hearst's good side for a while. [Leaning against the door to Tillstrom's office, Caleb raises an eyebrow at the man, looking him up and down] Because god knows you fucking suck at it. [He smirks, tapping a finger against his folded arm]

(Yue doesn’t say anything for a moment. What the hell could she say now? Knowing that Caleb didn’t regret kissing her changed things… It wasn’t a one-sided thing, and she couldn’t help but think that if they both wanted it they should go for it. She just looks at him in silence, her eyes fixated on his. She lets out a breath and looks down as he speaks, not moving from her spot, still leaning against the door) The last thing I want is to be another complication in your life, Caleb. You got enough to deal with as it is… (she speaks softly, but with some confidence as well. She appreciated him enough not to want to make his life a bigger whirlwind than it was at the moment). What I think we should do and what I want to do are completely opposite things (she finally looks up again, saying those words in a somewhat low tone. Wasn’t it obvious? What they should do was go back to how things were, what she was wanted was… well, him).

This wasn't suppose to be complicated, I mean it isn't really if you take out the fact that you're a student and I'm an instructor...it would actually be perfect if you took that out of the mix. [He smiles lightly, chuckling to himself for a minute before he rubs the back of his head and the laughter dies down. This wasn't how he wanted things to turn out...messy. He liked Yue. He liked her a lot. But at what cost would he do this?] Exactly. They're two different things with two different outcomes. I think...we should sit on this. There's nothing to decide yet and there's nothing wrong with being friends right? I can sort out the other stuff, I want this to mean something, you know? It's important.

(When he starts talking she could already imagine what he was going to tell her… and then it changes. She looks at him incredulously for a moment, not quite believing he’d actually said it. Sure they were compatible in many ways, but she’d imagined his position was a teacher and his morals would take priority, that he would draw a line between what their relationship could be and what couldn’t. Instead he was kind of blurring that line by admitting the things he had) You… don’t? (He said he didn’t regret it… That wasn’t something she’d expected at all). What are we going to do about this, Caleb? (she asks softly, rolling her lips for a moment. She knew what she wanted to do about it, but that wasn’t necessarily compatible with what they should do…)

No, I don't. [The first thing he'd told himself when he walked to her room was that he'd tell her it would be best if they stayed distant, still partners in combat but nothing more. As soon as he'd seen her, stepped into her room though...that sort of just changed. Exhaling lightly, he runs a hand through his hair, shaking his head] I don't...Yue I don't know. I still haven't mentioned a thing about my views to my parents, I don't know where this is taking me and now this...I just don't know. How...how do you feel we should handle this? And not what you think we should do but...what you want to do?

Sure (she replies with a light nod before pushing the door open. Once inside, she steps to the side to let him in. They definitely needed to talk, but after what she’d done… Yue had no idea where this conversation would go. Once she closes the door, she leans her back against it and looks at him with a composed expression. She’d fucked up their friendship really bad, hadn’t she? Everything about kissing him had felt right, but the action itself hadn’t been, she knew that now. He was a professor at St. Mary’s and she was his student, they could be partners and friends, but they couldn’t be more than that…) Yes, about that… I’m sorry, Caleb. It was completely out of line for me to do that.

I'm a professor, Yue- [He sighs lightly, cutting himself off as a hand runs over his face. How the hell did he go about this? Where did they go from here? Caleb wished he had the answers, but he didn't. He didn't have answers for a damn thing] That being said, I didn't exactly give you any reason that I wouldn't be alright with that. It wasn't just you who kissed me, I- I also, kissed you. [He had also kissed her, therefore Yue was not the only one at fault here. They had this...it was just so easy to talk with her. Everything about it just felt right. So maybe that in itself was okay. He liked her. He really did] And I don't regret it.

Pepper spraying your opponent is not appropriate.

arianna-carrington-blog

Sticking her tongue out at Caleb as he teased her, she starts to munch on the carrots. “I don’t know why you like celery. It tastes like… nothing. It’s just crunchy. So weird.” Grinning when he kisses the top of her hand, she gives him two thumbs up. “I’ll eat healthy food for my favorite person in the world!” Nodding her head, she pauses for a moment and dips the carrot in the hummus. She’d known Caleb for so long already and the two had spent so much time together that she knew when things were wrong - just like he did with her. Biting down on her bottom lip when he looks over at her, she leans her head to the side. “Yue… kissed you?” Staring at him for a moment, her hand flies to her head and she jumps up from her spot. Starting to pace back and forth, she looks over at Caleb. “Caleb and Yue. Yue and Caleb.” Her hands fly into the air for a moment before she stops pacing and moves over to him. Sitting back down beside him, her hand plop onto her legs and she stares out into the training facility. “I’m psychic.” The words were probably ones that Caleb didn’t expect her to use, but she had seen the way that Caleb treated Yue and the two of them were just… compatible. Anna always saw it that way - but for it to happen and for her to be right… “Oh, Caleb… it looks like you’re confused about it. When two people kiss, that means they like each other - right? Because Pato & I did that and… well… before her left… and.. yeah… I wasn’t supposed to say that. Crapadoodle.”

#convos #convo06: anna #brotp: to infinity and beyond

What? Celery tastes like celery and I like the taste. Have you tried it with peanut butter and raisins? Ants on a log, classic snack. [Caleb puts a finger to his chest] I'm your favorite person? Wow, I'm honored. [He chuckles a bit, biting into the celery stick again. Celery wasn't his favorite but it was healthy. She did have a point though, no real taste other than water] Yeeeep. [Sighing lightly, he watches her get up a pace back and forth before sitting down again. He wasn't quite sure of her reaction, it wasn't what he'd guessed she'd do. But then again, it was something he loved about Anna most. How unpredictable she was] You're psychic? [What, did Anna know before Caleb that Yue would kiss him somehow? Or was it just that obvious they had some sort of...chemistry?] It's...it's more confusing than that, Anna, she's a student and- wait what? Flounder kissed you? [It was Caleb's turn to throw his hands up] When were you gonna tell me this eh? Never?

(Things had been weird between her and Caleb since she kissed him. They just saw each other in class and that was it, they didn’t even train together anymore… That was all mostly because of her fault, she’d been the one who had become more distant. But how could she not? She’d stepped over a line she shouldn’t have and with that kiss she’d single-handedly ruined the most meaningful relationship she had… She was about to open the door to her room when she heard a familiar voice behind her. She freezes for a second, before she turns to look). Caleb. Uh-… Hi.

Hey. [Stuffing his hands into his pockets, he looks around before nodding to her bedroom] Can I come in for a minute? I think we should talk. [After what had happened between them, they'd become distant. Caleb was confused as all hell and after talking with Anna he felt even more so. Did he really want to risk everything and be with Yue? What the hell was this? He shuts the door behind him, standing there for a moment before he meets her gaze] So...about what happened...

Pepper spraying your opponent is not appropriate.

arianna-carrington-blog

Watching as the students begin to file out of the training room, Anna walks over to Caleb and plops down onto the floor. Patting on the floor as indication for him to sit, she starts to go through her bag and she pulls out carrots and celery with hummus, grapes, sliced apples, and two sandwiches made with whole wheat bread and 2% cheese. “I know you always take me to eat ice cream and you eat like a rabbit to keep in shape, so I thought we’d have this for lunch for a change.” Looking up at Caleb, she smiles softly. “I feel like I haven’t seen you around much, Caleb… is everything okay?”

#convos #convo06: anna #brotp: to infinity and beyond

[Caleb raises an eyebrow at Anna as she begins to take various things out of her bag, most of which surprised him that she even had. He sits down beside her, taking hold of one of the celery sticks and bitting into it] This is different...Anna bringing healthy food to me, is it my birthday? Did I forget? [He jokes lightly, leaning over to kiss the top of her head] Thanks princess. [For a moment he sits there eating his celery stick, not looking at her. Then he sighs and turns to her with a slightly perplexed look on his face] Yue kissed me.

Pepper spraying your opponent is not appropriate.

zoe-elizabeth-hastings

Hanging around the back of the room, Zoe had taken the time off from her open classroom to actually get to know some of the teachers on the premises. Benjamin was quite the character and she easily took a liking into him, but Archer had been peculiar and didn’t take well to their meeting. There was no use on basing the school on the entirety of two people and as such, it made her hang around the corners of the training room to watch Caleb teach. Zoe was thoroughly impressed with Brian Webb and his connection towards the students that she had put it on her list to meet him – it was why she was here. Alas, it turned to be Caleb Burkhart training the kids – ah well. “Kids, right? Drive you nuts sometimes? Sometimes their affable and they take well to class, other times they’re obnoxious little brats. Makes you miss the world of being in the field, doesn’t it?” With a warm smile, Zoe holds out her hand and gives Caleb a quick wink. “Zoe Hastings, weapons extraordinaire. If it exists and there’s a will, there’s a way to make it a weapon. Words I go by. Caleb Burkhart, yes?”

[Turning towards the voice speaking behind him, Caleb looks over the woman standing in the corner and furrows his brow in thought] I haven't been in the field in quite some time actually. Wow, it really has been a while. The kids I've always been fond of, maybe not as patient and understanding as Webb or Blackwood, as much of a hardass as Tillstrom or even a bit of Dunham, Tess certainly has that quality to her 'helpful hand' too. But I'm trying to inspire these kids to want to learn, y'know? The pepper spray is a definite set back. [He chuckles, running a hand along the back of his head before he undoes his training gloves] Zoe Hastings, weapons extraordinaire huh? Well, I'm sure Shepherd could use some help with all those kids he's got down there at the range. Nice to meet you, yes, I'm Caleb. So what brings you to my neck of the woods?

#convos #convo01: zoe

Pepper spraying your opponent is not appropriate.

parker-blackwood

[Webb and Burkhart, both having more experience and generally more knowledge when it came to combat, usually taught the classes and Parker would help as needed. Hearing the words ‘pepper spraying’ he turned from where he had been tending to some dummies that were in a sad state and just watched. He couldn’t help but chuckle as the students filed out.] Well, piss, I guess I’ve been doing this fighting thing all wrong. [He shakes his head before giving the other a somewhat sympathizing smile.] Seriously, though pepper spray? Couldn’t they be more creative?

[Turning around when he hears Blackwood pipe up, Caleb can't help but chuckle a little while he rubs the back of his head] Man, I hate snapping at them like that but really? Pepper spray? Christ, we've got special abilities, I could fry the hell outta someone, pepper spray doesn't phase me. [Sighing lightly, he grabs another dummy and motions for Blackwood to follow him to the back. They'd been advised to change out the equipment anyway] Anyway, I appriciate you coming in here to help out. We've got Tess and Dunham helping out too and of course Tillstrom, but I always thought you're approach was the most gentle of the six of us.

#convos #convo01: parker

Pepper spraying your opponent is not appropriate.

How many goddamn times do I have to say this eh? At least once every week! Give me that thing, you're no longer allowed to have this on the premises, if I catch you again with it, you'll be out of my class. [Sighing lightly, Caleb puts the pepper spray into his pocket and waves a hand in the air] Class dismissed. Next week I'd like to see improvement people, keep your logs updated. [Turning away from all of his students, he begins to take the wraps off his hands, shaking his head. These kids...they never learned]

#continuum:starter

So… (she starts, raising her eyebrows slightly at him to see if he’d go first. He’d been the one to say they would talk about this, whatever this thing was between them, he’d said it after that embrace and after leaving her wondering exactly at what point she started to fall for him. But then again how could she not start to fall for a man like him? He was her teacher, yes, but he hadn’t always been that. What he’d always been since they met was her friend, her partner, that one person she trusted above anyone else. Kissing Caleb, even if just for a brief moment, had been a so surreal and gloriously amazing. The rush of blood through her body that gave her a warm sensation in her chest was unlike anything she’d ever felt as she did in that instant that their lips had met. He even kissed her back, he held her close, and that wasn’t even something she thought Caleb would do. He also wanted it…). Sorry, I- I shouldn’t have… (she trails off, rolling her lips for a moment. Kissing Caleb was supposed to be a mistake, but why didn’t it feel like one?). I know… I know that’s supposed to be wrong, but- (‘but it doesn’t feel wrong’ she thinks to herself. She knew Caleb and his morals too well, surely the fact that she’d kissed him wouldn’t sit too well with that for him…) I’m sorry (she says again, feeling an amount of guilt for putting him in the middle of a dilemma regarding his moral code. The last thing she wanted was to disrupt that for him).