Photo Hut, 1/31/07

[sneerkite]

Steerpike had reached the point in his research that talked about how photos could be doctored to misrepresent their subjects.

He was fascinated.

He was absolutely positive that he had to get his hands on a computer, a copy of this "photoshop" and a camera.

This could only end in tears.

The Photo Hut is open.

Comments

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

Annette took a gamble that Steerpike was working today, and she came in for no other reason than to talk to him.

But she lied smoothly when she spotted him, saying, "Hey, Steerpike. I need some more film for my camera."

[sneerkite]

Steerpike looked up and offered Annette a smile, even as internally, he groaned at the interruption. "Certainly. What kind of film do you prefer?"

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

"Polaroid." She said with a little nod.

[sneerkite]

Steerpike nodded. "Size? Color or black and white? I want to make sure I'm giving you . . . exactly what you want."

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

"Uh, I don't know what size." She pointed to the camera in the display case. "My camera is like this one, so I need film for it. Color."

[sneerkite]

"Ah." Steerpike took a moment to examine the camera on display, then ducked into the back of the store and returned with a package of color film. "There you go. I hope I'll get to see the finished product."

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

She smiled and took out her wallet from her pocketbook. "Well, I've just been taking various pictures of various things." She shrugged and pulled out enough cash to cover the film, and handed it over to him.

Looking at him, she asked, "You've been doing okay? I haven't seen you around lately."

[sneerkite]

"I've been being played by a lazy-ass mun studying. There is a great deal to catch up on; the technology, the culture, the history. . . . It can be a little overwhelming."

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

"Studying has its benefits. Hopefully soon you won't feel overwhelmed at all." She said, tucking her wallet away.

Annette chewed her bottom lip for a moment, contemplating just leaving or talking with him further as she intended.

[sneerkite]

"It is . . . lonely, though. My main interest is people. But I feel I can't understand the people in this time and place without understanding the other things, first."

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

She tilted her head, watching him. He had this way about him that always made her feel a bit bad for him.

"I suppose in order to understand people, you must understand their surroundings first." She paused and looked down, putting the filt into her pocketbook. "Did you, um, not get my phone message?"

[sneerkite]

Steerpike frowned. "I must not have. I'm still getting used to the fact that I have a phone."

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

"Oh, yes, I didn't think about that. You know, you not knowing the technology and whatnot. Well, all right then, it was no big deal." She started towards the door.

"If you need help, with anything...let me know."

[sneerkite]

"Annette," Steerpike called. He might be able to use a good character witness, and continuing to woo the rich princess would look good for his social standing on the island. "What . . . was the message?"

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

She turned around. "Oh. It was nothing really. Just a friendly hello." For some reason she felt embarrassed to tell him she bought him something. But then he might go back to his room and fiddle with his voice mail and hear it, so she added nonchalantly, "I bought you something." She shrugged. "Just wanted to give it to you, but I can wait until you are free sometime..."

[sneerkite]

Steerpike blinked. Kind of a lot. This was entirely outside of the realm of his experience.

No one had ever bought him something before. Not anything that wasn't absolutely necessary, and certainly not without a great deal of complaining.

"Thank you," he finally said, very softly. "I . . . have nothing to give in return."

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

She knitted her brows for a moment, shaking her head. He surprised her constantly with his mannerisms.

"I didn't buy you something for you to give me something in return. I bought something for you because I wanted to. Because it made me feel good." And then she wondered if she had somehow bothered him by doing so, affecting him negatively instead of positively as she had hoped.

She smiled uncertainly. "If I somehow offended you, or something, I can take it back."

[sneerkite]

Now, Steerpike was merely baffled. She didn't want anything in return?

That was practically unheard of.

And he began to get suspicious. Perhaps she was garnering future favors.

Well, he could deal with that, if he had to.

"No, no, you merely caught me by surprise. I'm honored."

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

Annette gave him a genuine smile. "I didn't mean to, really. Perhaps then, I might see you later sometime, so I can give it to you?"

[sneerkite]

"Yes. That would be very nice. I'll . . . look forward to it."

He would definitely have to do something for her, something unexpected, to balance the scales.

Or, better yet, tip them in his direction.

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

"All right then, see you later." She waved and slipped out the door, feeling much better now that she talked to him.

And hopefully he hadn't just been avoiding her because of that call...and her gift.

Annette frowned as she walked back to the dorms, wondering now if Steerpike had just been trying to subtly tell her something. She was never very good at reading people, and it bothered her now to no end.