17) Why Do You Want to Study Archeology?
Sep. 23rd, 2013 05:00 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
starjargonMels has a secret guilty pleasure...
Mels never was one to care about the opinions of others- with the occasional exception of Amy and Rory. So it really shouldn't have surprised Rory when he discovered her new hobby. She was sitting outside on a bench one day- reading. That alone was enough to startle him. He was excited for her- he knew she was brilliant, and with a little encouragement, could be a real academic should she so choose.
He smiled as he approached her, mesmerized in her book, and asked her if it was good. She responded with a positive grunt, and he was optimistic she would finally begin to earn the marks he knew her capable of. Then, he asked her what she was reading, and all his dreams of finally having a proper study buddy were crushed. As she turned the book to him, still enthralled in its pages, he stammered his Rory stammer and blushed- both at the rather graphic title and the suggestive front cover. And he had thought she had begun to take literature seriously.
After that, she had one of those novels with her constantly- and would pick it up at a moment's notice, sometimes so engaged she exited the conversation, other times flicking through the pages as casually as one would a magazine at a doctor's office.
Amy would always insist on reading the summaries on the back cover- slowly reciting each line in a seductive tone, always with a hint of amusement as she read the first the synopsis then each review of the new book. She never actually dared open one though- reading was never her thing regardless of the topic. Besides, she argued, who wanted to read cheesy romance novels when there was life to be lived?
Mels, though, never blushed- instead giggling as Amy delivered her overdramatic performance before snatching the book away or adding her own scenarios playing out on Amy's tongue. Sometimes, Rory really didn't know why he was friends with these two. The girls would laugh and joke and it became another game of theirs to see who could turn his face reddest.
Finally, when the two of them were walking home one day, Rory tripped on his own two feet and in her effort to catch him, Mels dropped her bag, the contents spilling all over the sidewalk. Rory helped her gather her things, picking up her latest novel, a hardback with a very explicit title and image on the front. It had fallen face- first onto the ground, and he tried very hard to subtly pick it up and close it- when a certain name caught his eye. He paused- fully opening the book and turning his body to keep reading when Mels, who saw what he was holding, lunged for it.
No matter how much his eyes took in, his brain nearly refused to process what he was seeing.
"Rory Williams. If you have any sense of self- preservation you will give that back to me. NOW." Said his very aggressive best friend.
"Mels- I- Just- WOW. This is nothing to be ashamed of, you know."
She reached over and grabbed the book from his hands, slamming it shut with a fervor.
"How much did you read?"
"Enough. Mels, why would you keep something like that to yourself? It just proves how brilliant you are. I don't understand-"
"Just forget it okay?" She seemed very, dangerously flustered and very, dangerously angry.
"Okay." Said Rory, very much not intending to forget it.
Two weeks later, while they were waiting for Amy to get home, he walked into the room where she was casually reading another book on the bed.
"What's this one about then?"
She rolled her eyes, maneuvering the book so he could see the title without her having to look up.
"I mean, what is it really about, Mels?"
She gave him a warning look that told him he'd better drop it, and was saved from further conversation when Amy walked through the door.
The next time, she was more careful about her reading habits, shutting the book she was reading at lunch when he approached the table, not- very- subtly resting her arm on top of it. He took the hint.
Finally, his curiosity got the best of him, and when he approached her on the same bench where he first saw her reading, he simply took the book out of her hand and flipped to the title page on the inside.
"Howard Carter and the Discovery of a King's Tomb. Before that, it was The Truth about Cleopatra and before that was something about Hitler. Someone's more fascinated in history than they'd like to let on."
"Shut it, Rory."
"I just don't get it Mels. Why hide? Why pretend to read such…un…academic things when you actually have something intellectual and clever to show off? Why act as if you're only interested in trash? Scared people will catch on to how brilliant you are?" He added with a slight chuckle.
"I'm not scared! I just- well, what business is it of theirs what I read? They're going to think what they think either way. Why not just let them keep believing whatever they want? Not like it matters to me anyway."
"Who's they?"
"Them!" she gestured obscurely. "The world. Teachers. People. Does it matter?"
"Oh. I get it." Said Rory, slightly saddened at his realization. "Mels, just because people seem to have low expectations of you, doesn't mean you have to meet them. In fact, I won't stand for it. I've always known you're a genius, and now I have proof."
She scoffed. "You'll have a hard time proving anything to anyone."
"It's not me who needs to, Mels. It's you. You've already proven to me how clever you can be- just this ploy to manipulate people's perception of you showed how cunning you are. Now you just have to prove to yourself how brilliant you can be."
"By doing what? Get top marks in history? Go to university? Then what? Become a teacher of ancient gossip? Is that really what you expect me to do, Rory? Is that the great thing I'm destined for?" She was going for sarcasm, but Rory could sense the desire under the humiliation she was trying to bestow. She really wanted someone to believe in her. Wanted him to believe in her.
"It's a start." He said, not letting her words hit their mark. "Maybe travel a bit. See those places you read about. Then write your own books that blow everyone else's out of the water. Become a world- renowned doctor of history, then when you've finished showing everyone else how brilliant you are, be the most popular professor of any school of your choosing."
Mels looked up at him, a derisive look on her face.
"You know, despite what everyone says about me, I think you're the one who's crazy."
He smiled- an action that made her lips curve up as well.
"Well then, I guess we make the perfect team. The crazy nurse and the psycho historian. Watch out world."
"Watch out universe." She turned to look at him seriously, her smile only evident in her eyes, "Don't tell Amy. She and I- we've always been the same. Had the same interests and stuff… Just please. Don't tell her."
"Don't worry. I'm not one to ruin a girl's reputation. Especially one so carefully constructed as yours."
He never blushed at her novels after that- even found himself joining the conversations about them. And he was pleased when, the next time he asked Mels what she was reading, she went into a detailed explanation not only about the book, but her own theories connecting the burial practices of the ancient Mycenaeans and the Sumerians, excitedly babbling in a way he had never seen her do before.
He never did let on that he knew exactly what was in Mel's "naughty" novels.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
She was furious at him- really, properly furious. He'd done it again!
"Doctor! How many times have I told you my books are not for coloring?!"
Amy and Rory looked up at their livid daughter, while the Doctor put his hands up, trying to protect himself from any wayward slaps that may be coming his way.
"River, I wasn't coloring. I was fixing."
"My books are for MY research. NOT for you to show off how many times you've shown up in history!"
"But I was helping you!"
"Writing the word WRONG in bright purple crayon every three sentences is not helpful, Dear."
"See, that's the problem with archeology- no one's ever willing to admit that their conclusions don't make any sense based on what really happened!"
"No, the problem's with nosy time- travelers who can't keep their hands off other people's books and let them come to their own conclusions based on the available facts!"
The argument went on for several minutes more- moving throughout the TARDIS at the rate of several slammed doors per hallway.
A few days later, when River was trying to hide from her husband and get some real work done, Rory knocked on the door.
"I, erm, I thought you could use this."
He handed her a large hard- covered book. She raised an eyebrow when she looked at the front.
"Well. I certainly didn't expect you to ever give me something like this."
"Just open it." He said, cheeks slightly flushed at her teasing tone.
The first few pages were just as blush- worthy as the cover suggested, then after the "first" chapter came the title of the actual book.
An Elucidation of 31st Century Rome, by Doctor River Song.
She smiled up at her father. "You remembered."
"Well- not too long ago for me. Made for some very awkward moments, after all. I put that one in just to test it out. You know- a girl's got to maintain her reputation and all that. Anyway, I found that one in the library after explaining the situation to the TARDIS. Figured she might be inclined to help- you being you and all."
"Thank you, Rory. I have a feeling this will really come in handy."
One day, when she was walking past her bedroom, she heard a high- pitched squeak from the Doctor and a clatter on the floor. She kept walking, a smile on her face.
She never had purple crayon in any of her books ever again.
Mels never was one to care about the opinions of others- with the occasional exception of Amy and Rory. So it really shouldn't have surprised Rory when he discovered her new hobby. She was sitting outside on a bench one day- reading. That alone was enough to startle him. He was excited for her- he knew she was brilliant, and with a little encouragement, could be a real academic should she so choose.
He smiled as he approached her, mesmerized in her book, and asked her if it was good. She responded with a positive grunt, and he was optimistic she would finally begin to earn the marks he knew her capable of. Then, he asked her what she was reading, and all his dreams of finally having a proper study buddy were crushed. As she turned the book to him, still enthralled in its pages, he stammered his Rory stammer and blushed- both at the rather graphic title and the suggestive front cover. And he had thought she had begun to take literature seriously.
After that, she had one of those novels with her constantly- and would pick it up at a moment's notice, sometimes so engaged she exited the conversation, other times flicking through the pages as casually as one would a magazine at a doctor's office.
Amy would always insist on reading the summaries on the back cover- slowly reciting each line in a seductive tone, always with a hint of amusement as she read the first the synopsis then each review of the new book. She never actually dared open one though- reading was never her thing regardless of the topic. Besides, she argued, who wanted to read cheesy romance novels when there was life to be lived?
Mels, though, never blushed- instead giggling as Amy delivered her overdramatic performance before snatching the book away or adding her own scenarios playing out on Amy's tongue. Sometimes, Rory really didn't know why he was friends with these two. The girls would laugh and joke and it became another game of theirs to see who could turn his face reddest.
Finally, when the two of them were walking home one day, Rory tripped on his own two feet and in her effort to catch him, Mels dropped her bag, the contents spilling all over the sidewalk. Rory helped her gather her things, picking up her latest novel, a hardback with a very explicit title and image on the front. It had fallen face- first onto the ground, and he tried very hard to subtly pick it up and close it- when a certain name caught his eye. He paused- fully opening the book and turning his body to keep reading when Mels, who saw what he was holding, lunged for it.
No matter how much his eyes took in, his brain nearly refused to process what he was seeing.
"Rory Williams. If you have any sense of self- preservation you will give that back to me. NOW." Said his very aggressive best friend.
"Mels- I- Just- WOW. This is nothing to be ashamed of, you know."
She reached over and grabbed the book from his hands, slamming it shut with a fervor.
"How much did you read?"
"Enough. Mels, why would you keep something like that to yourself? It just proves how brilliant you are. I don't understand-"
"Just forget it okay?" She seemed very, dangerously flustered and very, dangerously angry.
"Okay." Said Rory, very much not intending to forget it.
Two weeks later, while they were waiting for Amy to get home, he walked into the room where she was casually reading another book on the bed.
"What's this one about then?"
She rolled her eyes, maneuvering the book so he could see the title without her having to look up.
"I mean, what is it really about, Mels?"
She gave him a warning look that told him he'd better drop it, and was saved from further conversation when Amy walked through the door.
The next time, she was more careful about her reading habits, shutting the book she was reading at lunch when he approached the table, not- very- subtly resting her arm on top of it. He took the hint.
Finally, his curiosity got the best of him, and when he approached her on the same bench where he first saw her reading, he simply took the book out of her hand and flipped to the title page on the inside.
"Howard Carter and the Discovery of a King's Tomb. Before that, it was The Truth about Cleopatra and before that was something about Hitler. Someone's more fascinated in history than they'd like to let on."
"Shut it, Rory."
"I just don't get it Mels. Why hide? Why pretend to read such…un…academic things when you actually have something intellectual and clever to show off? Why act as if you're only interested in trash? Scared people will catch on to how brilliant you are?" He added with a slight chuckle.
"I'm not scared! I just- well, what business is it of theirs what I read? They're going to think what they think either way. Why not just let them keep believing whatever they want? Not like it matters to me anyway."
"Who's they?"
"Them!" she gestured obscurely. "The world. Teachers. People. Does it matter?"
"Oh. I get it." Said Rory, slightly saddened at his realization. "Mels, just because people seem to have low expectations of you, doesn't mean you have to meet them. In fact, I won't stand for it. I've always known you're a genius, and now I have proof."
She scoffed. "You'll have a hard time proving anything to anyone."
"It's not me who needs to, Mels. It's you. You've already proven to me how clever you can be- just this ploy to manipulate people's perception of you showed how cunning you are. Now you just have to prove to yourself how brilliant you can be."
"By doing what? Get top marks in history? Go to university? Then what? Become a teacher of ancient gossip? Is that really what you expect me to do, Rory? Is that the great thing I'm destined for?" She was going for sarcasm, but Rory could sense the desire under the humiliation she was trying to bestow. She really wanted someone to believe in her. Wanted him to believe in her.
"It's a start." He said, not letting her words hit their mark. "Maybe travel a bit. See those places you read about. Then write your own books that blow everyone else's out of the water. Become a world- renowned doctor of history, then when you've finished showing everyone else how brilliant you are, be the most popular professor of any school of your choosing."
Mels looked up at him, a derisive look on her face.
"You know, despite what everyone says about me, I think you're the one who's crazy."
He smiled- an action that made her lips curve up as well.
"Well then, I guess we make the perfect team. The crazy nurse and the psycho historian. Watch out world."
"Watch out universe." She turned to look at him seriously, her smile only evident in her eyes, "Don't tell Amy. She and I- we've always been the same. Had the same interests and stuff… Just please. Don't tell her."
"Don't worry. I'm not one to ruin a girl's reputation. Especially one so carefully constructed as yours."
He never blushed at her novels after that- even found himself joining the conversations about them. And he was pleased when, the next time he asked Mels what she was reading, she went into a detailed explanation not only about the book, but her own theories connecting the burial practices of the ancient Mycenaeans and the Sumerians, excitedly babbling in a way he had never seen her do before.
He never did let on that he knew exactly what was in Mel's "naughty" novels.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
She was furious at him- really, properly furious. He'd done it again!
"Doctor! How many times have I told you my books are not for coloring?!"
Amy and Rory looked up at their livid daughter, while the Doctor put his hands up, trying to protect himself from any wayward slaps that may be coming his way.
"River, I wasn't coloring. I was fixing."
"My books are for MY research. NOT for you to show off how many times you've shown up in history!"
"But I was helping you!"
"Writing the word WRONG in bright purple crayon every three sentences is not helpful, Dear."
"See, that's the problem with archeology- no one's ever willing to admit that their conclusions don't make any sense based on what really happened!"
"No, the problem's with nosy time- travelers who can't keep their hands off other people's books and let them come to their own conclusions based on the available facts!"
The argument went on for several minutes more- moving throughout the TARDIS at the rate of several slammed doors per hallway.
A few days later, when River was trying to hide from her husband and get some real work done, Rory knocked on the door.
"I, erm, I thought you could use this."
He handed her a large hard- covered book. She raised an eyebrow when she looked at the front.
"Well. I certainly didn't expect you to ever give me something like this."
"Just open it." He said, cheeks slightly flushed at her teasing tone.
The first few pages were just as blush- worthy as the cover suggested, then after the "first" chapter came the title of the actual book.
An Elucidation of 31st Century Rome, by Doctor River Song.
She smiled up at her father. "You remembered."
"Well- not too long ago for me. Made for some very awkward moments, after all. I put that one in just to test it out. You know- a girl's got to maintain her reputation and all that. Anyway, I found that one in the library after explaining the situation to the TARDIS. Figured she might be inclined to help- you being you and all."
"Thank you, Rory. I have a feeling this will really come in handy."
One day, when she was walking past her bedroom, she heard a high- pitched squeak from the Doctor and a clatter on the floor. She kept walking, a smile on her face.
She never had purple crayon in any of her books ever again.
