"Just catching up, really. --well, I learned about botany, but."

"You must know him well," says Oscar. "I mean, between that and the chai and the quantum physics text."

Hm. "We've only spoken a few times before, but-- last time it was astronomy, we got to talking about how the constellations are grouped differently in India and Japan than in Europe, I mentioned liking physics and missing chai."

I'm pretty sure I'm the only person he talks to who isn't white, she does not say, because, well, she sure is talking to a white man right now.

(It's not exactly the same. Oscar's an immigrant too. But-- she really doesn't want to have to admit to him that the only people she talks to who aren't white are Mr. Sano and William Jing.)

"He's nice. Or I'd known him to be. But this visit I got a sense he's chilled to me. I mean, the thing with the book, right?" He pauses. "Probably a bit much to assume. I used to be better at giving people the benefit of the doubt. But uh, that hasn't worked consistently."

"Maybe? I don't know if I'd be able to tell. ...sounds like it'd be difficult, though."

Meanwhile--

Terrence leaves a note for Jing Yi - "Visiting Prof Tolkien in Oxford to learn about Ben Best, expected back tonight. - T" - packs his notebook, and heads to the train station. He'll read more from British Gods on the way.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Markham! I hope your train ride wasn't too difficult."

"Not at all! Thank you for inviting me out here, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Terrence knows things about Tolkien. A cheerful extrovert, not very bright. Probably cheats on his wife a bunch.

A small child emerges from Tolkien's house and grabs onto Terrence's leg. "Read me a story!"

"Chris, Mr. Markham is here on business--"

"STORY!"

Well, Terrence knows about academics that are only that in name and don't deserve their positions. Still, he's here to be polite and friendly and he can do that. Also, a child!! "Well, hello! Chris, is it?"

"Christopher John Tolkien!" Chris says, with the air of someone who just learned this fact two days ago and wants to show off his knowledge.

"Well, Christopher John Tolkien! Do you like myths? I know quite a few - if we have time, of course." He glances at Tolkein, seeing if he's in a rush.

"I LOVE myths! Daddy tells me myths. About Bee-a-wof."

Tolkien looks at him with utter fondness.

AWWWWW.

"I don't suppose there's anything wrong with a story or two-- if Mr. Markham doesn't mind."

"Not at all. Beowulf, huh? That's a good one."

"Yes!"

And now they're going to go into the parlor while Professor Tolkien smokes and Chris demands "ANOTHER story Mr. Ham."

How about Pandora, that's a fun one - although he'll lean heavily on the 'and then hope came out too' part and frame it as overall a good thing.

Also, this kid is great.

Eventually, Professor Tolkien says, "I think Mr. Markham might wish to stretch his legs, Chris. It was a long train ride."

Chris starts to cry.

"It was very good to meet you, Mr. Christopher." Terrence offers him a hand to shake, very mock-formally.