Presto just wants off the ride. (callmepresto) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2016-08-24 20:29:00 |
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Entry tags: | !partner thread, anna of arendelle, presto |
Who: Presto and Anna
When: recently
Where: Adviser office
What: Random encounter; partner thread
Rating/Warnings: pg
Status: Complete
Presto was nervous. He was entering his second year at UC: I, even though he had only done half a year last year. He was already working there, too, in the servers, helping maintain it, as he had experience and skill there. But he wanted to sign up for more classes now, and he hoped that he would learn more. He needed to get back out of his self-imposed exile from humanity.
Taking a number, then a seat, he smiled as he waited his turn to turn in paperwork. He had already been in to see his advisor, and now he wanted to get the paperwork in. That would lock in his classes for him.
Glancing around, he nodded to the person closest, and smiled. “Allo.”
***
Anna was in the advisor office because she was adding a second major. It meant more work, but Anna wasn’t shy from taking classes. She just drank lots of Red Bull and stayed up all night studying. She’d been taking eight classes each quarter, and her GPA was about as close to a four point oh as it was possible to get. Though last spring she’d messed things up a bit and ended up with a three seven five.
She turned and broke into a bright smile. “Hi! Are you registering?”
***
Presto nodded. “Yep. Been in to see the advisor, now I’m just waiting for the clerks.” he grinned at her, feeling bouncy. “What’re you taking?” Because why else would she inflict this on herself if she was not taking new classes.
“I’m a Computer Engineering major.”
***
“Ah, I know that pain!” Anna said, beaming brightly. The whole world was a beautiful place at the moment. She was signed up for some amazing classes, she had amazing friends taking her out to buy school clothes, and she was full of caffeine and sugar. Things couldn’t be better.
“Wow! That sounds smart!” She teased. “I tried to do math, I really did. It just doesn’t like me.” She winked. “But no, I’m an Art History major. That’s actually why I’m here, I’m just adding another major. Journalism, too. I think it’ll be good!”
***
Presto couldn’t help but smile back as she did. She had a great smile, and it felt like she was beaming right at him. He chuckled as he nodded to her. She was definitely a bouncy sort!
“Eh, only as smart as a lot of other things. And art takes brains too.” he nodded. He had known a few artists, before, and definitely respected the hard work it took.
“Wow, two majors? You’re a lot braver than I am!” He stared.
“How do you even take enough classes for that?”
***
“Aww, that’s so kind of you to say!” Anna said. She liked this gentleman. He seemed like such a nice guy! And he had really groovy hair, too. She couldn’t help but smile around him. Then again, Anna couldn’t help but smile around everyone lately! Things were really good. She hadn’t gotten the summer boyfriend that she’d wanted in the spring, but maybe the time she spent with Wash was something better.
She laughed. “Braver? Or stupider?” Anna teased. “I just know that I’m stuck in classes all day every day, then so much studying! So much!” She shrugged her shoulders. “I’m going into my third year of college.”
***
“Just the facts, ma’am.” A quote from an old show he liked. Presto grinned back, smiling at the enthusiasm and warmth she showed. She was pretty darned cool. He was glad to talk to her. Maybe they could even hang out some time!
“Bah. Braver. You don’t seem the stupid kind.’ he chuckled. “You are going to rock it.” He shook his head. “I’ll stick with one my major, thanks.’
***
Anna laughed. “What… Ma’am? Really?” She was pretty well versed in all things media--especially television!--but she’d never seen Dragnet.
“Oh you have no idea. I’m a pretty stupid one,” she teased. “Thank you, though. And what kind of Computer stuff are you into?”
***
“It’s a quote, from a television show. Sorry.” He grinned at her. “An old one, admittedly.”
He shook his head. “Somehow, I doubt you’re stupid in any way.” He grinned at her.
“I do engineering. Designing new systems and maintaining current ones.”
***
“Ohhh! What television show?” Anna asked. “Sometimes the older ones are really good! Like I Love Lucy? I love that show! Maybe I should be Lucille Ball for Halloween this year!” That was a cool idea! She had the dress and the hair already. And some killer heels.
“Aww, you’re very kind.”
She nodded. “That’s amazing! Do you design computer programs and stuff?”
***
“Dragnet. It’s from the Seventies.” He grinned at her. “That is a good show too, yeah. I used to watch them a lot while playing with computers.” He chuckled. “That would be cool. You would knock a lot of hearts out.” He grinned again. She was pretty cool.
“Just telling it how I see it. And no, I do the hardware, like make the computers themselves.”
***
“Oh! I’ll have to check it out!” Anna said, smiling warmly. She pulled her phone out so she could take a note, fingers tapping the glass of her touch screen with the practice and speed that only a girl who’d had one as a teenager could. She blushed deeply at his words. “Really? You’re so nice to say so!”
Anna pocketed her phone once more. “Wow, that’s awesome! You build computers? Like, from scratch?”
***
He wasn’t going to argue with her, and he grinned at her blush. “And red looks good on you, too.”
“Yeah. I prefer from parts, from scratch, so I can test each piece and even sometimes make the pieces.” he nodded. He liked making things like that, creating the components, then fitting them together, and making it all work.
***
“Red?” Anna asked before she could stop herself. Then she realized what he must have meant, and lifted her hands to cover her bright red cheeks. “Oh. Well. Heh. Thanks.” She felt sheepish, flattered and a little embarrassed. “Thank you.”
“I bet you’re good at it, too,” she said, thankful for the subject change. “I mean, someone doesn’t go to college for something if they’re not passionate about it and good at it, too.” She smiled. “I wish my brain worked that way.”
A man behind the counter called out Anna’s name. The young redhead jumped. “That’s me! I should go, they’re calling for me. But it was nice meeting you,” she said, giving him a smile.
***
Presto grinned. “You’re welcome.”
He nodded to her. “Your specialty, your special place, is where you will find your strength, and I believe you will, Anna.”
As she was called, he nodded, and waved. “It was nice meeting you, too. Take care of yourself, Red. ”
And he went to sit and wait his turn, grinning.