Continued from [x] with @distopea
Professor Queen was charming. His smile was charming and it put Nunnally into a light and cheerful mood despite her awkward apologies. Were they perceived awkward? Was she perceived awkward? She was aware that was often the case outside her social bubble. But she was not sure she could do anything about it without losing the demeanour that was so useful in the world, where she belonged (or had to belong). Nunnally was also aware of her not-so-good time management, but it was not something that would get used against her. At least most of the times. She was just about to proceed with her questions (and she hoped for the discussions following her questions) when Professor Queen started to talk (or perhaps she should call him Anthony?; she was more used to that).
His words – in her opinion – were in a clear contrast with the tone of his voice. With his demeanour. Was he scolding her for being late? Belittling her knowledge on the subject? Why? She didn't have much troubles to follow the lecture. She came prepared. She had read his essay before coming to the lecture as well as some of the other works he cited. So, why these words? Clearly suggesting (in her mind at least) that she had not read his work before coming here. But doing that would be a waste of her and his time, right? Was it again because of how she looked? Was it because others usually considered that if you're pretty you cannot be smart? That she could not be interested in (and knowledgeable about) science? That all her qualities were her looks and her fate was to simply become an arm candy of a rich and powerful man? Well, they were wrong, but it was neither the time nor the place (and perhaps also not the person) to prove the world wrong.
Nunnally was usually not the one to cause commotion in the public. So, she kept her polite (although now not so genuine smile) as Astra was continuing to talk. However, if he was a careful observer, he might have noticed that her eyes suddenly stopped sparkling and were almost lifeless, dull for a few moments.
“I understand. I understand that you are busy. Perhaps another time then.” – she said politely; her voice gentle, but distant – “…but I am afraid I will not find answers to my question in your essay…I have read it before coming here and I was triggered by some of your ideas that I wanted to discuss further…” – perhaps she should not mention that; perhaps just the first part of her reply should have been enough, but Nunnally couldn't resist the desire to hint him, to let him know she was not what (or who) he was thinking her to be – “I just thought you might have elaborated on some open questions that seemed to be there in your essay…”
His next words were able to lighten her mood ever so slightly. She offered Astra a small smile when he – perhaps unintentionally – compared her with a star. Nunnally was used to getting compliments, but this one (if at all meant as a one) was a refreshing one; one she had never heard before.
“It’s so beautifully said, Professor Queen. You now made me wondering if you also write poetry…” – she had that unexpected thought that she would like to sketch him, but she was aware that asking him to become her model, especially now, when he implied he was busy would be awkward. Not to say simply rude. She wondered for a few moments if she truly wanted to give him her surname. Nunnally avoided that as much as she could as it immediately stripped her (in her own view) from being a person of "her own" and instantly making her “her father’s daughter”. Which she disliked, but accepted as the years passed. But she knew who he was, and it was also not a secret who she was (perhaps he might have known and it was just a way to verify, to confirm his assumptions). So, she simply decided to grant what he so nicely asked for: --
“It’s Nunnally. Nunnally Ambly des Ayvelles.” – it wasn’t technically a lie. In fact, it was what her birth certificate said, although her family, or more precisely her father, in his public and professional life used the second segment of their surname. So did she. To make it seem less aristocratic? Less high-class? Although Nunnally didn't expect him not figure out the connection, she still hoped that perhaps he’d not notice that. Or not care about it – “But now when you have all atoms and neutrons in front of you, would you mind simply signing it for Nunnally? I would appreciate it, if it would not make you uncomfortable, Professor Queen.”
Now when she was able to brush off her first disappointment, Nunnally made a gesture as if she wanted to take another paper out of her folder, but she changed her mind stopping her hands in the middle way. She smiled to Astra again: --
“Professor Queen…do you give interviews?”
