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Post by GRAYSON TUCKER SCHULTZ on Aug 18, 2012 18:58:50 GMT -5
 "Herrrrmannn..." His voice was soft and gentle as he spoke, bright blue eyes scanning the floor with superb scrutiny. The carpet was clean at the very least considering the man found himself on his hands and knees, crawling around his office like an infant who had yet to walk. His office was in disarray as it always was; an organized mess that only Grayson could navigate with the greatest of ease. Even so there was always a chance to lose a student's homework or even a coffee mug from the previous morning's dose of caffeine. In fact, the Thunder professor lost items quite a bit. "Here crabby, crabby, crabby...I'm going to have to get a leash for him..." Grayson mumbled to himself as he bent over ever further and checked underneath a nearby bookshelf. Still no luck.
How did the professor come to find himself in this predicament? It all started with him allowing his two dear pets to wander the room freely, as though they were some sort of dog or cat. There was always a chance to go and take on a more furry and compatible animal but Grayson preferred something simple. They could go where he went and were easy maintenance. Until now, when Herman decided to go on his own little adventure and disappeared. Nora was tucked safe and sound in their little plastic container, hidden inside of her shell. "Where is he?" The man was growing more flustered as time went on, still scuffling around on his office floor. A stack of papers fell over in the process; it would take a bit of time to re-sort the pages in the correct order. Damn.
Little did Grayson know, the door to his office had been left open just a smidgen, just big enough for a larger sized hermit crab to fit through. And, about the same time he set his cheek to the floor and looked at the chair closest to said door, it swung open and Grayson was met with a pair of shoes. "Oh," He started, blinking slowly before sitting up and looking at the person who entered. "I seemed to have lost my crab." What a random explanation to give, but what else was he to say? That was what he was doing, after all. "Have you seen him?" Maybe this guy has seen him or could help. He would have come up with something more to say but was not quite sure what. Grayson stood up to full height and brushed off his khaki pants.
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Post by JOSHUA DONOVAN DALE on Aug 19, 2012 1:53:28 GMT -5
The biology department was his favourite wing of the school and it was in Joshua's opinion that it could only be made better if it was in closer proximity to the mess hall and the library. He had to travel to another part of the castle for reading material or caffeine, sometimes actual sustenance, but apart from those ventures there were days when he'd be content not to leave. He was surrounded by people who understood him here. They were all like-minded dorks and biology nerds just as he was and he didn't get weird looks if he got excited over some new scientific or medical development. He read books and magazines, he talked to people, he kept up with what was going on. It was nice to have people to talk to about it. There were some professors and teachers that kept to themselves and didn't have time for curious students but there were others who were a little more patient and willing to lend an ear, some advice, a conversation partner on a lazy afternoon. That was probably why he felt so comfortable walking around the place like he was one of the professors himself. Funny thought, that, Joshua teaching.
He paused when he recognised the door to a certain room, the office of one of his Biology professors. He was working on a paper for the class and he'd been disappointed to find that the library had been picked clean by students who'd had the time to hit the books before he had. Maybe Dr. Schultz would know of some alternatives that could help. Despite his senior-level Biology professor being a bit of an, erm, odd guy, Joshua was not very phased by it. He was good at what he taught and perhaps it was their similar passion for the subject that caused Joshua to make some allowances for the strangeness. Deciding that it couldn't hurt to just push open the door a little and see if the man was inside, Joshua did just that and stepped inside... to a very weird site.
Grayson was on his hands and knees with his cheek pressed against the floor, like he was listening for disturbances in the force or something similar. The odd sight only lasted a moment before Schultz seemed to notice he had company and slowly sat up but it still left Joshua with a sense of confusion. "Yo, doc," he said by way of casual greeting, then couldn't help but wonder, "What—" He stopped himself so that they didn't accidentally talk over one another when he realised he'd started asking a question at the same time Grayson had been about to provide an answer. It wasn't anything like what Joshua had been expecting. He lost his crab. What. The crab part wasn't really what was continuously throwing him off, though. He'd seen the hermit crabs before, he'd already accepted that as a Grayson-ism. Nah, it was more the fact that he was still trying to wrap his mind around the fact that he'd walked in on a grown man with his face pressed to the floor.
Okay, he thought, deciding to just accept and roll with it. Guy was looking for his crab. On the floor. He shook his head at the question, taking a quick survey of the room in case he happened to glimpse a shelled creature. "Nah, sorry. I could keep an eye out, though. Actually..." He trailed off for a second or two with a thoughtful frown, then figured, Why not? "Need help? The door was open, maybe he got out." That would be a story to tell his friends later, wouldn't it? "Oh, sorry, I was helping the biology professor hunt for his crab." It sounded almost sexual and he fought back the immature desire to chuckle.
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Post by GRAYSON TUCKER SCHULTZ on Aug 19, 2012 4:30:55 GMT -5
Grayson was completely unaware how strange he probably looked, cheek pressed to the floor and rear end pushed up in the air as though he were a cat ready to pounce on his prey. This, to him, did not seem out of the ordinary being as he was indeed searching for his pet, who was about two inches tall and had the tendency to blend in with the carpeting rather well. Oh, what he would do if he found out Herman had been stepped on. The world might come to and end and he would weep for hours in a little ball. Aside from his hermit crabs and Trent, he did not have many other people or animals in this world he cared for as deeply. His social skills were heavily lacking, which did not help him in the least.
"Would you? That would be great," Grayson managed, still not quite sure how to effectively respond to Josh. Did it sound okay? He was not sure. The taller man frowned; maybe he changed his mind in helping watch out for the little creature. How discouraging. "Oh," He said again, surprised that the offer was now out in the open. A hunt for Herman. How delightful. "I didn't even realize the door had been left open. Normally I keep it shut so he doesn't get out, but..." Maybe when that student left a couple hours before, they did not shut the door as he had requested. Now Herman was out in the world, alone, with only his little shell to protect him. Against the mass of a human being that was nothing. "Well I suppose the search should commence. I can't have Herman become one with the bottom of someone's shoe." That would depress him, and right now he had work to do. It was hard to function when you were feeling down.
After observing Josh for a moment, Grayson passed by him and poked his head out of the doorway, scanning the hall briefly before stepping out. It was like he had entered the world of Frogger and had to ensure the coast was clear before stepping into hallway traffic. "He has a natural colored shell," The man explained, proceeding to make a circle with his thumb and forefinger. "And he's about this big around. I'm sure that no one else has left a random shell lying about the hallway so it should not be too entirely difficult..." His finger met his chin as he thought, wondering how far this little critter could have possibly gotten before growing weary and taking a breath. After a time, Grayson realized that the student had actually come into his office for a reason and took a moment to turn his attention to Josh mid-search. "What was it you wanted to see me for? After I find Herman we can fully discuss whatever it is you need."
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Post by JOSHUA DONOVAN DALE on Aug 22, 2012 7:05:16 GMT -5
Though he was partially aware of Grayson's awkwardness from taking the man's classes and occasionally speaking to him outside of the class environment, Joshua didn't realise that the professor was going through any sort of internal dilemma over his words. To him it sounded perfectly fine and he nodded absently as he cast his gray gaze around the room again. He's probably already scoured it, he reminded himself. Judging by the way that Dr. Schultz had been ass-end-up on the ground with his ear pressed to the floor when Josh had walked in, he took the hermit-hunt pretty seriously. Despite it being a bit weird, he could sympathize at least with a lost pet. He knew he'd tear apart the school if he'd taken Zerda or any of the cats there and they'd got loose.
The general disorder of the office was something that Joshua was unable to understand. He was a very organized and meticulous person so he had to wonder if Grayson was really as attentive to the door as he claimed or whether he was just as prone to leaving it open as any of the students. Deciding to give the man the benefit of the doubt—people could surprise you—he opted to believe him. "No, that definitely wouldn't be good." The hermit crab was probably having the time of his life right now as he scuttled along the unfamiliar territory of the hallway but he would indeed be no match for an inattentive student's shoe. Joshua kept his gaze straight ahead when he walked and knew that, especially with his height, he'd easily miss a small creature on the ground. Shit. What if... He resisted the urge to lift up his foot and check the bottom of his boot, for if he had accidentally stepped on Herman he'd feel really awkward in front of Schultz. Better hope we find him.
Joshua blinked, a series of colours coming to mind at the word 'natural'. Earthy browns, leafy greens, beige. He realised that he had no idea what a natural-coloured shell looked like and so, though he hated to admit lacking knowledge on anything, he wondered, "And, uh, what colour is natural?" He said it not to be rude or snide but with a mild confusion given the fact that he honestly didn't know. "I'm sure we'll spot him pretty quickly if he's out there. It's a good thing classes are done or we'd have a much more difficult time." They'd probably be the only people save for a stray student or professor wandering around the mostly-vacant halls of the Biology department. There were people around, sure, but they stayed holed up in their labs and offices for the most part.
He was peering down a small hallway when Grayson inquired about his reasons for dropping by the office. Determining that Herman was nowhere to be found down it, he turned to his professor and waved a hand lightly. "Nothing too urgent. I got the bottom of the library pecking order, though, so there's no good source materials in the Biology section. Wanted to ask if you knew of any alternatives." He could also afford to purchase books if he knew where to buy any but he decided that he'd leave that detail until they were actually back in the office. No need to distract Grayson from the Herman-hunt. "How long's it been since you noticed he was gone? Like, how far do you think we should search?" A small hermit crab probably couldn't get too far but it all depended on the length of the adventure, Josh supposed.
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Post by GRAYSON TUCKER SCHULTZ on Aug 23, 2012 12:06:22 GMT -5
It was fortunate that the topic of discussion was hermit crab related, otherwise Grayson would probably find himself in quite the quandary. Talking to people was as difficult as tying a cherry stem with your tongue--well, as difficult as it could be when you knew you could not manage something so complicated. Biology and his pets were a comfort zone, a place he felt safe because he knew what he was talking about. Friendly chats about life and weather left the man fumbling. Josh seemed kind enough, and understanding of the situation Herman was in, so Grayson settled into a mild comfort with the taller man. "No, no certainly not. I remember when he first switched to his larger shell. They grow up rather fast." He spoke of the shelled creature as though it were his child, or at least something other than a hermit crab.
Grayson blinked at Josh and assessed him, confused by his inquiry. To him it seemed logical that 'natural' was just that. Natural. How to go about explaining it? That was a different story. "Well," The man started, looking thoughtful. "Like a mixture of browns and some flecks of sandy yellow." He quickly pointed to the carpet as a sort of example before adding, "Somewhat like this." It was one of the reasons he took to scouring the entire room first before making any moves to search elsewhere; there was that small chance Herman was blending in with the carpet and he had passed over him by accident. Now that his presence here was not to be found he had to expand the search. "I agree." Grayson nodded seriously, glancing down the sides of the hall in case Herman decided to try and stay away from the middle to avoid foot traffic. What a smart crab. He mused to himself, glad he did not have to teach the crustacean how to be street--or well, hallway--smart. Grayson would not be beyond attempting a lesson watching for feet, either.
Once again, the man knelt down and looked under a door to an empty office, and after realizing the gap was too small for Herman to have slipped under he stood up and brushed off his pants again. "Of course I do," Grayson stated simply, tone light and airy. "I have more books than that library could ever hope to have. What are you needing, exactly?" His collection was massive and forever being added to. Whenever new editions arose or if he found any sort of research the information was instantly added to the repertoire. It was his passion, after all. What sort of Biology professor would he be if he had less than the library in terms of reading material? A poor one, he thought. "I honestly do not know," He replied with a distant expression. When did he last notice that Herman had been in the room? Surely it was after the student left, but as to when he was unsure. "Maybe about an hour. I cannot be sure as to an approximate time..." This was so complicated. Nora would be awfully lonely if Herman were not to be found and Grayson could not cope with a depressed hermit crab.
Just as the man turned to try a different side hallway, something caught his attention. "Ah," He exclaimed in a rather calm voice before wandering over to another door. There, wedged partway beneath the floor and the bottom of the door, was Herman. Grayson gently removed him and settled him in the palm of his hand. "There you are my dear Herman. I think you'll need to stay in your tank for a while. Can't have you thinking you can become a lone free ranger." And again, talking to his hermit crab as though it could understand him. The man never claimed to be all there, at least. No one had too high an expectation for him to be normal. He gave Josh an appreciative nod. "I appreciate your efforts. I'm just glad he survive his adventure." He patted the shell and walked back into the office, placing Herman in the tank with Nora before turning to look at the student and gesturing to the wall lined with books. "Take your pick. I have plenty. I do not mind giving out loans so long as they find their way back at some point." He could appreciate a diligent Biology student and did not mind sharing what he had with them.
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Post by JOSHUA DONOVAN DALE on Aug 24, 2012 6:21:10 GMT -5
He couldn't say that he knew much about hermit crabs. Joshua was highly intelligent and had learned a lot about the world and its many fascinating subjects over the years but no man could know everything there was to know. He was still young and besides, most of his knowledge was based off of history and biology for obvious reasons. I wonder what a hermit crab's biology is like. The inner workings of different life forms intrigued him but he shook off the curiosity, not wanting to drift off in the middle of conversation. "Is he fully grown?" He couldn't say that he was hanging onto Gray's every word about his crabs but hey, the professor had an affection for the small crustacean and Joshua was understanding about that because of his own pets. He'd gladly ramble about his fox for hours to someone that wanted to listen. So he inquired half out of actual interest and half to make conversation. He didn't know much about what Dr. Schultz liked to chat about besides biology and crabs so he went off his narrow knowledge of the other man's hobbies and interests.
Joshua blinked, frowning as he stared at the indicated carpet and tried to mentally transfer the pattern onto something's shell. It might not have given him the most accurate representation but it was at least enough to go off of. It would have helped if little Herman was scuttling around and boasting a neon green shell or something but he wasn't and so he'd need to keep his eyes peeled. Weird expression, that—who the hell would want to peel their eyeballs?
It was a relief to know that Grayson carried a wide selection of books, especially in comparison to the library's number. "Their biology section is a bit scarce at times," he agreed. "I guess because it's not the most popular subject or something, but still, it's pathetic when they have more of the reference books for history than bio." History was fascinating, he wouldn't have taken on a double major to study it if he hadn't thought so, but it wasn't as useful as biology in his opinion. Here he was learning biology so that he could become a doctor and save lives, make a difference somewhere on down the line. History... well, you could become a historian, he supposed, but the world only needed so many of those. "I've got a pretty broad collection of books in my own library at home but nothing relating to what I need for the paper. I'll need to change that, I think." He frowned in thought as he spoke. He was always looking to expand the literal library of knowledge that he had at the mansion. It had started in the front room of the third floor, the one with all the windows letting natural light in that he'd liked, and then he'd slowly taken over half the floor like an empire expanding its reach. "Uh, as for what I need," he added, realising he'd gotten a bit side-tracked, "I go for the more in-depth stuff if I can." Books that covered the basics were great for most students but Joshua always liked to stay one step ahead of everyone else. He was competitive academically but it was a subtle competition where no one would realise there was a challenge until he came out on top.
An hour? Though it didn't show on his face, this concerned Josh. What if he was long gone? Hell, maybe someone had found the crab and figured that it was from outside and thrown it out a window or something. It was probably for the best that he didn't voice these thoughts aloud, especially since they ended up finding Herman safe and sound under a doorway. He wasn't too creeped out by Grayson's talking to the crab—a lot of people talked to their pets. Joshua did, too. He knew logically that they probably couldn't understand a word of what he was saying but since humans relied so heavily on speech it was more habit than anything. "Yeah, no problem," he said with a brief smile when Grayson basically thanked him for the effort of searching for the crab. "Glad you found him, really." It was devastating for anyone when they lost something they cared about. He could relate to that. He thought most people should be able to understand.
He chuckled as he scanned over the impressive selection of books. "You weren't kidding when you said you had a lot." Not that he'd actually thought that Grayson was pulling his leg or anything. It was a figure of speech. As he looked over the books to see if he could find anything of use (he had no doubt that he'd be able to), he said, "Not interrupting anything, am I? Like... whatever you were doing before Herman got lost?" He didn't like to impose on people's time when they didn't want him there. It made him uncomfortable.
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Post by GRAYSON TUCKER SCHULTZ on Aug 25, 2012 10:26:47 GMT -5
"I consider him to be fully grown, yes," Grayson replied, placing a contemplative finger on his chin. "He's already molted at least once and is still thriving so I consider that to be an accomplishment." Hermit crabs could live for up to fifteen years but most of them did not survive past their first year of life. The fact that Herman and Nora were past that marker was worth noting and Grayson liked that he managed to care for them properly. The only thing he had not yet done was celebrate their birthday, which even he considered to be strange. It's not like they can enjoy eating birthday cake or ice cream. Even then the professor had to refrain from wrinkling his nose. He did not like sweets. That was his fathers' fault, he supposed. Having a dentist for a dad did tend to deter him from anything in the sugar department.
He had to agree with Josh on that one; the library was quite sparse with their biology material. Rather disappointing, really. That was one reason he started to collect his own books and research, aside from the fact that he simply enjoyed having them readily available. "History is pertinent but I enjoy biology more myself," He replied. Grayson knew that even something as seemingly useless as memorizing the past could be useful at some point. Knowing of the past helps prevent future mistakes. And that was the reason he did not mind the subject all too much. The man's expression lit up slightly when Josh mentioned that he had a library of his own. "Oh, you have a library? That sounds nice. I have bookshelves full at home but certainly nothing the size of a library." Even if Josh did not mean it literally, Grayson took it as such. It was probably one reason he never did well with jokes and did not have much of a sense of humor; it usually made no sense. "I have plenty of that. Plenty of books and journals at your disposal."
It was good to see Herman back in his tank with Nora; many of his students thought him weird to have taken on such an interesting pet, but Grayson did not particularly care what others thought. Comfortable in his own skin, despite his lack of social skills. He did tend to get awkward when it came to things outside of his comfort zone. He flipped back and forth between confident and insecure quite often depending on his environment.
Grayson blinked and tilted his head a little in curiosity before leaning down to pick up the papers he so clumsily knocked over before. Not that it made a difference in the disarray but at least he made an effort. "No, definitely wasn't joking," He finally said, not sure why he would even make a joke about something like that. Why would he tell someone he had an expansive collection of biology books, only to come up with none? Ridiculous. "Hm?" The question was lost on him for a second before putting a few of the stacks of paper on his desk. "Oh, no you aren't interrupting anything. I was merely grading some papers, which are now scattered all over the floor." He said this as though he were discussing the nice weather outside. "So until I get them sorted I won't be doing much of anything important. Please feel free to take your time." Despite his tendency to act a lot like his pets and become an office hermit, it was nice to have company every once in a while. Company that seemed to share in his love of biology, no less. What could be better?
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Post by JOSHUA DONOVAN DALE on Aug 25, 2012 12:02:01 GMT -5
Grayson revealed something that Joshua had not been aware of. The graduate considered the fact for a moment. Hermit crabs moult? He'd heard of birds and snakes doing it but this was a new one. He accepted it as fact, though, and made no comment on the subject. He did not like admitting that he was unaware of things, no matter how simple the subject. It wasn't that big of a deal, hermit crabs and their lives hardly existed within the realm of common knowledge, but Josh was stubborn.
The professor's comment reminded him of a certain quote and his lip twitched with faint amusement. "I thought history was supposed to be bunk, though." Though he was not serious it was no surprise that he sounded it and offered no further comment on the matter other than, "I don't have much of a preference. History is fascinating, biology is useful." He loved to learn about what might have been different hundreds and thousands of years ago but it didn't really help him much in his daily life. Biology was understanding, it was knowledge that he could apply to the medical field in the future in the hopes of saving lives or solving the puzzles of science. He knew that if he had to choose between them, his love for medicine and desire to become a doctor would win out.
Some people considered their 'library' a collection of three or four shelves in a study. To Josh, that was not a library but a collection. He had several rooms full of more books than a lot of people would read in their lifetime unless they were bookworms as he was and they even had silver plaques naming their sections on the shelves. He was proud of the network of rooms. "Yeah, started collecting books when I hit high school and I realised I needed a place to put them all." One shelf hadn't been enough. His father had bought him the first set of shelving and they'd treated it like a project, building and arranging the shelving, installing the plaques. Josh had been the one to organize everything but the help had been nice. It had been a moment when they'd gotten along. "I can't claim to brag a wide selection of subjects but I definitely have a lot of books. I can't remember the exact number myself but it's probably in the computer log." He had indeed catalogued all of his books so that he didn't have to waste time trying to remember where a certain book went when he was putting it back. He got a little obsessive with his organization.
His organizational skills made Grayson's office appear like an unnegotiable maze of information and confusion to Joshua, who was positive he couldn't find a lot of the things that probably existed in the room if you paid him. All the same he was not judgemental enough to look down on Grayson for it. He was amazed at how quickly Annabel could find a single paper in her binder when the whole thing was such a mess. All the power to the people that could navigate a disorderly room or collection. He blinked when Grayson seemed confused by the comment, unsure of how he could explain that. "Ah, nevermind." It was the only thing he could think to say. At least it got him out of responding. He nodded when Gray reassured him that he wasn't being a pain. "Thanks." He found a few of the books he was looking for and then happened across another one that made his expression light up like a kid on Christmas. Trust Josh to get excited about biology. "Oh, hey, I've always wanted to read this. Could never get a hold of it, though." It had nothing to do with the subject in question, though, and Josh wasn't a fan of dishonesty. "Mind if I borrow it?" It wouldn't come to any harm in his presence, he was incredibly careful with books.
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Post by GRAYSON TUCKER SCHULTZ on Aug 27, 2012 11:37:54 GMT -5
Grayson's lips dipped down into a frown of confusion, not quite grasping Joshua's comment. You could always rely on him to miss out on a joke or a quote that anyone else might have understood. Another check on the 'what makes Gray awkward' list, to be sure. Instead of saying anything, the professor merely shrugged and let that one go. He was not the type to comment on something he was unsure of. "History is only fascinating when it can be made into something useful," The man said, thinking on this. He was not actually intending to argue, merely stating how he felt on the subject. He was capable of turning just about anything into a debate if given the chance, though. Today he had been more concerned about finding his precious crab and knew he had to get back to grading those damned papers. If only I hadn't made a mess of them... Grayson thought sadly, knowing that the process of putting it all back together was going to be a chore.
"Ah, then you've surmounted quite the collection, then." He concluded with a nod, rather envious of the fact that Josh was capable of harboring so many books. Grayson had quite the stash to be sure, but nothing rivaling that of an actual library. Not to mention a lot of his reading was biological in nature and not much else existed too far beyond that realm. He enjoyed other journals and books of course but the amount he actually owned was small in comparison to the rest. He blinked. "You have a computer log? Then obviously you have a massive amount. I'm surprised you're having to borrow from me." He said this with nonchalance, not really displaying any sort of definite emotion. Then again Josh did say that he did not have a wide array of different genres. Perhaps some of the books Grayson had were not as easily accessible? He liked having things others did not have sometimes, especially when it came to his passion. "But always feel free to take whatever you need, especially if it helps you complete a paper." If it were for his class, Grayson knew what he liked in his student's writing. He quietly admired Josh for his determination to find more than just the basics.
He waved the other man off with a limp flip of the hand, his hands full of another stack of paper. It really was one big mess. "You are welcome. It is no trouble at all." In fact there were times he enjoyed the brief company of others in order to fill up the silence. He had his classical music playing in the background most times but a human voice was always a welcome change. Even Grayson knew how the human mind operated; leave it alone without human interaction for too long and you slowly slip into madness. The man looked up from the papers, a few of them slipping off of their designated stacks and onto the desk. Damn it all. He frowned at them before glancing at Josh again. "Oh, of course," Grayson managed after a second. "I don't mind. Not many students come in here to borrow things so it is a bit refreshing to see someone interested in what I have."
Some students did, but not enough to make a big impression on the professor. "Let me know what you think of it. I found it to be quite fascinating." After a moment or two, the man turned his attention back to the papers and started to try and re-sort them. "Are you taking biology out of passion, or is it part of your major?" There was a difference, at least he thought so. Many people did not like to turn their passion into a job, because they felt that it took away from the enjoyment.
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Post by JOSHUA DONOVAN DALE on Aug 28, 2012 12:31:57 GMT -5
Joshua was a man of logic who liked everything to make sense and to be of some purpose, so he frowned thoughtfully as he considered Grayson's words. He was not offended and more contemplative than anything. "Most things can be useful, it's just a matter of finding what they're useful for. There are some things that don't have purpose, though." He didn't like doing things for no reason. It was part of the reason he didn't enjoy fantasy books as much as those based on reality and truth. What could he learn from them? Nothing. He'd read some of those which could be considered classics in the world of fiction but his spectrum did not go far beyond that.
The computer log had been a rather quick addition to the library when Joshua had realised that keeping track of more than a few shelves would become a hassle. He liked to be able to keep things neat, organized, and easily located. "It's for conveniences sake, really. Better than having to comb through an entire section for one book when I can simply look up where it is." The computer wasn't top of the line, it hadn't needed to be for its sole purpose of keeping a catalogue, but it was still nicer than a lot of people would bother buying for such a simple task. That was being rich for you. "As for borrowing, well, there will always be books I have yet to come across." If he went to the book store and saw something he didn't have he would almost certainly purchase it for himself but he only sought out specific books if he needed them for something or if he really enjoyed them. Either that or they were given to him by his father, one of the few people who truly understood Josh's obsession with biology. It was Donovan's fault, anyway. "Thanks." It was simple but genuine. He needed no more words than the one that was offered.
The organizational tic that he had acquired over the years of keeping his own things neat begged him to stride over and help Grayson with the papers but common sense reminded him that he didn't know how they were meant to be organized and besides, the biology professor seemed like he had it handled. "Will do," he promised when Gray requested a review of the book once he was done. He loved going over books and so he had no issues with doing so, especially with someone that would understand what he was talking about. It was the reason he enjoyed this department and a lot of the professors that resided within it—always nice to find a like-minded soul.
Asking him about biology was a dangerous thing when you weren't interested in the subject yourself but Dr. Schultz was a pretty safe bet. He always tried to keep babbling to a minimum anyway unless there was something he needed to let out because he knew from experience how much it could irritate others. "Well it is my major," he started, "or one of the two, anyway, but I took it as such because it's a passion as well." Just as history was a passion, though biology was his favoured subject by far. "Plus it's kind of a necessity," he added with a small smile. "I'm applying for medical school in the fall and I'd be shit out of luck if I hadn't taken the right classes." You didn't have to be a biology major to get into medical school but there were certain classes that were required for it. The date for sending in applications was fast-approaching and he'd be lying if he told himself that he wasn't nervous about it. Why wouldn't he be nervous? It was his future. "I don't even think I have to ask you, huh?" He chuckled. You didn't become a professor if you weren't interested in a subject. Well, all right, maybe some people did, but it would be a stupid idea if you asked Josh.
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Post by GRAYSON TUCKER SCHULTZ on Aug 29, 2012 17:59:11 GMT -5
Grayson nodded, looking a bit thoughtful before he said anything further. "I agree with that. I suppose that I just don't have the desire to search for a usefulness when some things simply display it without having to look." Perhaps that could be, to some, a means of being lazy but the professor simply liked to know that what he was researching or studying had a use without digging deep.
Well, that sounded simple enough, though he still admitted to having a silent envy that this man had such a large library. Even so the man kept a neutral expression. His job paid decently well but not that well. His family was not unwealthy by any means but Grayson also liked to supply for himself and would rather buy his books on his own. His parents did enough for Trent as it was. "New books are always being issued, so that would make sense. Although I'm a bit disappointed that they do not come out with a new plethora of biology books like they do fantasy books." Fantasy books were constantly appearing on the shelves left and right, but Grayson often found himself disappointed in the array of biology books they offered. That was why he did a lot of his own research and made his own journals if possible. He nodded. "It is no trouble, really." From one biology lover to another, the professor was more than willing to share. He had to admit it was nice to find common ground with someone. There were not many of them around.
It was probably a good thing that Josh did not try and offer to help sort the papers; although Grayson was not the most organized of people he did have some sort of twisted way in remembering where certain things were. Not all of the time because things did turn up missing. "Two majors, hm." It did not sound like a question but Grayson was surprised. Impressed, even. I'm definitely not alone in the world. At least he was not the only person who enjoyed gaining knowledge and learning. "Well, then," The man said after Josh explained his reasons behind his major, tapping a few pieces of paper on the desk. "What sort of medical procedures are you hoping to do? Brain surgeon? Or something more simple?" There were so many options and types of doctors, and the professor was genuinely interested. It had been some time since he had a nice conversation.
"Ah, no need to ask me," Grayson waved his hand dismissively, sorting a few more papers. "Though I plan on having a few other majors under my belt over the next several years on top of what I already have." He liked the diplomas, the notoriety. It was something he was good at and he cherished it. After a few minutes of silence, the professor turned his attention on Josh and looked as though he were contemplating something. "Do you have your letters of recommendation for medical school?" He finally asked. Josh probably was, but it could not hurt to make the inquiry.
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Post by JOSHUA DONOVAN DALE on Aug 29, 2012 19:22:55 GMT -5
They were similar and yet different, kindred spirits with unique things that set them apart. His lip twitched. "Ah, I like the challenge," he explained. "It's satisfying to find a purpose for something that you never knew existed." In his opinion. He didn't add that onto the end because he figured that Grayson would know he wasn't trying to one-up him or insist that his way was the only way of thinking. Many people made up the Earth and it was only through a combination of their thoughts, ideas and feelings that the most fascinating of things were discovered or created.
New books. It reminded him of the smell when you took a new book into your hands and leafed through the pages, one of his favourite scents. Not that he would admit to having a favourite smell, much less admit that it was as dorky as it was. He also liked mint and citrus and he wouldn't mention those, either. Burning wood? That related to his element, he felt safer there. "I suppose there is no limit to what the imagination can create but then, there are also many things to be discovered in the field of biology. If those that wrote out their fantasies spent more time putting their minds to better use, advances could be made that much sooner." He didn't usually come across as so opinionated because a lot of people looked down on it but he could not help himself when it came to biology. He was too passionate to hold back. "I'm biased, I guess, but it's a shame either way." The people who enjoyed fantasy would probably say the opposite but Joshua would not budge from his views. He was stubborn as a mule and set as a stone.
Joshua chuckled. "History is the other. I do have a passion." He pointed it out mostly to explain why he'd spoken so fondly of the subject earlier. He found it hard to explain why he found it so intriguing. Most didn't ask and so he was lucky there.
He had an answer for the professor's question right away and so he did not pause to consider what it was that he would say. "I considered becoming a physician-scientist for a long while, I found it hard to decision between the two, but the program offered at MHU closed down due to a lack of funding." MHU was Maple Hollow University and they had a medical school affiliated with them. Unfortunately due to the smaller size of Maple Hollow, their MD-PhD program had fell flat. He'd been bummed but he'd come to accept it. "So I'm thinking I'll wait for clinical rotations and see if I find my calling there." That was what rotations were for, after all, to introduce students to all the many fields that they could go into after graduation. "Simplicity has never really been my thing, though. If I'm going to do what I love, well, I may as well make it count." He didn't know if he wanted to become a brain surgeon, though. He'd been so set on his one path that he hadn't thought much on the others.
Like the doctor himself, Joshua felt a certain kinship with Grayson when he expressed a desire to broaden his expanses. "What do you have already?" he asked with curiosity. After giving enough time for the man to answer without interruption, he explained for himself, "I'll probably end up stopping after I get my doctorate. I'll need to focus on residency, specialization, and then actually doing my job, I think." He laughed. So he might be narrow in terms of a spectrum but at least he'd learn a lot about what counted. And he'd have that bachelors degree in history that wouldn't count for anything but that was all right, too. It didn't need to count, it had only been curiosity. "I have a few people I can rely on from the hospital and my old boss'll vouch for me but..." He considered Grayson for a moment, then asked, "Would you be willing to write on my behalf? You've got a lot of credibility, I'd really appreciate it." His words were genuine. He had a lot of respect for Gray, weird or not.
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Post by GRAYSON TUCKER SCHULTZ on Aug 29, 2012 22:33:35 GMT -5
Out of anything, Grayson enjoyed finding common interests and thought patterns with someone else above most things in a social aspect. He was awkward, he knew that, and talking to people about normal, average things was admittedly difficult. So Josh was a nice splash of refreshing conversation because it did not deal with something on an extremely emotional or personal level. "Don't forget that not everyone's brains are programmed the same way. Some work with the left, some with the right. They can't control which side they function best with, unfortunately." While Grayson wished that more people had a passion for more factual things and helpful subjects there was no way to alter one's mental functions. "But I do agree it can be a bit of a shame." It would always be nice to have more people interested in finding cures for illnesses or how to prevent them from occurring in the first place.
"Ah, that would make sense." He was actually curious as to what Josh's second major was, so silent question was answered.
The professor inclined an ear and listened to his student go on about his aspirations for the future, and a faint smile creased his lips as he did so. Although Grayson would never find himself being a doctor--he enjoyed teaching others what he knew in a classroom setting despite his personality--it was still very admirable. "Yes, I heard about that. A shame, really." Especially when there were other, less useful programs being offered currently. "I wish you luck in your rotations, then. I'm sure you'll find the niche you are searching for. Most people who aspire to be a doctor normally do." So many branches and options available, and the word doctor covered that entire range. Amazing, really. Grayson nodded and continued to look impressed. "That's the best way to go. If you're going to do something, do it well and go above and beyond if you are able." If you had the means to do so, then why not?
Is he actually interested? The man was not sure if this was a question out of courtesy or interest, but of course he was more than willing to answer. "A doctorate in biology and a masters in education. Just recently received the doctorate, of course." It had taken him quite a long time and although he was proud of that diploma he was glad it was on his wall now. And yet he wanted to have more. "Well, that would make perfect sense for you considering your upcoming occupation." If the guy wanted to be a doctor it was a bit different than doing something for study or education. He allowed Josh's sentence to trail off, not quite sure where it was going or if he should say anything just yet. Fortunately he made the inquiry that Grayson was subtly suggesting and he glanced at Josh. "I would not have asked if I had no intent of offering a letter," He stated factually, finishing off more papers. "So come to me after this paper, and we'll get one sorted out."
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Post by JOSHUA DONOVAN DALE on Aug 30, 2012 14:50:26 GMT -5
While he certainly hadn't forgotten about that key fact of science, Josh still had a lot less respect for someone that wasted their time on things that were of no use to the world. He was stubborn in that sense and also a little bit ironic given his enjoyment of music. Being an opinionated person had its downsides when your opinions clashed with each other. "I suppose you're right," he shrugged. "If only facts could serve to make things less frustrating." He thought of the program he'd been so eager to enter and his frown deepened. "Then again, even science has its flaws. They spend time on studies out of simple curiosity when they could be putting their brilliance to use in a medical research lab." What if the guy studying silly things switched over to something a lot more useful? Would he be the one to find the cure for cancer? Joshua figured that he would never know, as he wasn't stupid enough to believe he could change the world with sheer power of will.
He looked forward to so much about medical school but rotations were definitely one of the highlights. He also looked forward to residency afterwards despite having heard from several sources that it was a taxing experience. He felt he was ready for it, or at least that he would be ready as soon as he reached that point. "I'm sure I will." He was a man with a lot of confidence and that was one thing he was glad to have on his side. He hardly doubted himself. "That's what I've always done," he assured his professor with a quick smile. Joshua had always been an overachiever. His parents were proud of him, they talked about him to their friends, but it was not for their satisfaction that he worked so hard. It was for his own. He grinned briefly. "Bet it's nice to have everyone call you 'doctor', huh?" Joshua couldn't wait for that moment. He wanted his doctorate as a sign of his achievements and hard work but he had to admit that 'Dr. Dale' sounded pretty bad ass. He liked the idea.
Letters of recommendation were one of the hardest parts of the application process. Joshua's own father would have been a credible name but you couldn't use family and he wouldn't have even if it were allowed. Donovan was biased. The man had already offered to ask some of his notable colleagues but Josh had turned him down—he wanted all of this to be his own. He needed to ask for himself, he needed to prove that he was worth more than just a collection of bribes. He'd always pushed himself to do as best as he could. So when Grayson agreed to write up a recommendation, it made him feel like he'd earned it rather than taking the easy way out. "Will do, doc." The 'nickname' of sorts betrayed the fact that Josh did not feel uncomfortable in the presence of the older man. There were some of his professors so strict and overbearing that he tried to avoid them at all costs outside a classroom environment but this guy wasn't one of them. "Speaking of that paper, I should probably head home and start working on it. See you around." He lifted his hand in a lazy wave before leaving the room, in a fairly good mood now that he knew he had one less thing to worry about for his future application.
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