Frenemy Interlude
{{ | date=09/18/2018 | time=13:00 EST | summary=If only Aaron understood patch dynamics | cast=
| place_name=Hall of Science | log=Tuesday...Afternoon...
Aaron's walking down the hallway, having just come from Emma's office. She wasn't there. She seems to almost never be there when he comes calling lately. He's only barely paying attention to where he's going, just in case he has to dodge a student or a suddenly open door. He seems lost in his thoughts.
Thunderstorms? Why stay in the office? Alma is working in the atrium. This is productive work, which involves bursts of analysis and writing intersperced with staring off in to space. Space filled with thunder, rain, and people. Like Aaron.
Up the stairs and out into the atrium, Aaron doesn't even give the atrium much of a glance, he's so lost in his thoughts. Nonetheless, he still manages to notice Alma sitting over there where she's at. Hard not to, as spread out as all her things usually are. He picks up his pace and tries to cross the atrium to the exit before _she_ notices _him_.
"You," Alma says. She tries to meet his eyes but he seems not to be paying attention. "You!" She repeats herself. Is he still not paying attention? She sweeps her work in to her bag and stands up to be very obviously in his way.
So much for not being noticed. Aaron stops and rolls his eyes as he lets out a sigh. "Yes, me. What do you want, Ms. Hunter?"
Alma looks both puzzled and disgruntled. "I don't understand you. How is it you are so... linear. You're a mathematician... equivalent. Whatever you are, it's adjacent. You should be able to follow." She looks more irked. "Look, why don't you just come with me to the staff lounge. It will only take a few minutes of your time." If he does that maybe he will be less goddam irritating once she prints this thing out for him that she just thought of.
- Words inside Alma's Head
Another sigh accompanied by an eyeroll. "No. Your inability to
communicate effectively is not my problem, Ms. Hunter, and given how the last
time you ambushed me here went, I'm disinclined to accompany you anywhere." He
gestures with his hand sweeping across his body and to one side. "Now, if you
would excuse me, I've got important things do do." Emphasis on important, with
the obvious implication that what she wants isn't.
"Your lack of ability to understand intertidal systems and model them puts Detroit and myself at risk. Not only are you contributing to the decay of the watershed system in the greater Detroit area -- you put me at risk with your attitude. All I wanted to do was print out an article for you to read. It would introduce you to some of the basic methods of understanding the Heirarchical Patch Dynamics Scaling and Modeling Framework Ladder Approach. It seems like something that you should be able to grasp given its heirarchical nature, which is ultimately limited, but you have to start somewhere."
Aaron just stares at Alma for thirty seconds and then shakes his head. "Ms. Hunter, you're young, and I'm sure that you feel that it's crucial I understand that. But, I can assure you that it's much more pressing for you to realize that just because _you_ feel something is important doesn't mean that it _actually is_. Now, if you'll please excuse me, I have matters of consequence to attend to." Again with the dismissive hand gesture.
"Yes, well I'm sure when we are all suffocating due to the effects of para-climate change you'll be so happy you weren't paying attention to me. At least/some of us/ care. I hope I can save you from yourself. Good day," not. }}
