Ninth Hell Campfire, Monday evening

[future_sandworm]

Clearly he had chosen completely the wrong workshops this time. The one he had thought was about art had turned out to be about stealing art (and why would he do that?) and the other one (Leto wondered if he had accidentally got it wrong) made even less sense. Clearly he would have to find some other means to further his education during the rest of the summer.

While contemplating this, Leto watched the flames of the fire, his hands wrapped around a mug of spice coffee. Perhaps he should attempt to make some of those s'mores that were so popular here.

[Open, of course]

Comments

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

Fiona and Eliot did it often, usually without a word spoken.

"I think speculation would be wasting time, but that's just me. He's our teacher and we're stuck with him for the semester, I guess."

[future_sandworm]

"And in order to stand it we have to mock him behind his back," Leto replied. "Do you know any languages that he is unlikely to understand?"

Using any of the ancient languages from their memories, Ghanima and Leto used make rude (but truthful!) comments about people around them.

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

She considered for a moment before reaching into her bag, pulling out a pencil and paper, and writing down the following:

If I did, I wouldn't say it out loud where the squirrels could hear. German might be out since he used a little of it in class today. But I know quite a few.

Then she held it up for him to read.

[future_sandworm]

He reached for the pencil and paper, and added:

As do I. French? Latin? Greek? He grinned at Fiona, pleased to have discovered an enjoyable game, and kissed her cheek.

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

All three. I'd prefer French, though.

She liked the way it sounded. She also liked his kiss and it made her smile a little as she leaned against his arm.

[future_sandworm]

He liked that smile, and said, speaking in French: "Then perhaps we will be able to make the classes more enjoyable."

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

"I should think so," she replied. "Though I also think we should be all right if we don't take the instructor too seriously."

[future_sandworm]

"The two strategies don't contradict each other," Leto observed.

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

"Do you think we can come up with other strategies?" she asked with a little grin.

[future_sandworm]

"Are you in any doubt?" Leto asked, switching to Greek.

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

Her Greek accent was sort of odd but entirely passable.

"None whatsoever. Any ideas?"

[future_sandworm]

"I believe that the inspiration of the moment may have a lot to offer." And with company, it would be twice as amusing.

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

"And I'm pretty sure almost everything will go over his head no matter what language we use."

[future_sandworm]

"So am I," Leto replied. "And clearly we have a plan.

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

Fiona grinned... and switched to Italian.

"Yes, we do. We'll have to make sure to sit next to one another. Unless you'd like to use ASL as well."

[future_sandworm]

It took Leto a while to identify the language; it was long extinct in his time, after all. "ASL? And you know I never say no to being close to you." That last part was said teasingly, with undertones that implied more than just sitting next to each other in class.

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

"American Sign Language."

Then she grinned at him with a sideways look.

"Yes. It's one of the best parts of spending time with you."

[future_sandworm]

"There is an American sign language? The Bene Gesserit have one; it's quite useful, but no one but my sister and my stepmother knows it here." He let out a soft laugh. "And I'm pleased you find it as enjoyable as I do."

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

"There is. There's also sign languages for other countries. I only know ASL, but I know some of the signs from the others. What's the Bene Gesserit one like?"

She wouldn't ask him to show her since she had a feeling it was probably something he would be in the uncomfortable position of telling her no. But she figured that was innocent enough.

"I wouldn't have adjusted half so well without you there to help me, Leto. I care about you, a lot."

She had the feeling that if she looked, if she unfocused her eyes and peered between them, there would be a faint thread from her to him. Some part of her was afraid of that, of the fact that she loved him even if she thankfully wasn't in love with him. There were the parallels to the chocolates, of course, but there was more to it than that.

Despite that, she smiled.

"I'd thank you," she said in English, "but you wouldn't accept it."

[future_sandworm]

"And I care a lot about you too." Leto told her this in the Bene Gesserit sign language, knowing that Fiona couldn't understand. Then he smiled a little.

"Only because thanking me is unnecessary," he continued in Latin. "I care about you too, your presence brings me comfort, and your touch... " He knew he would lose her, eventually, but then there would be Ghanima. "But it is a part of life worth cherishing."

He leaned close and kissed her lightly.

[bedtime!]

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

She kissed him back, just as light, and tucked in next to him. She couldn't think of anything to say to that, but she was pretty sure she didn't need to. It was one of the nice things about spending time with Leto.