1stwitness | (no subject)

"Fancy meeting you here," Alex says, depositing her own stack on the opposite end of the table. The titles are varied. The American Revolution. The French Revolution. A few on her specialty, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which if he checked the frontispieces, would post-date her death.

He glances at the titles, then up at her with raised eyebrows.

"Hello, Miss Drake. Doing a little research?"

"Always. I'm in a perpetual state of research, it seems. Especially around here."

She eyes his own stack of books.

"And you?"

"There are books here that were considered long lost in my time", he says, in tones of faint awe. "To pass up the chance to read them, even if they must remain here... impossible."

She walks around the table and leans in to read over his shoulder.

"Oh the early Shakespeare. A fan of the Bard, are we?"

"Thomas Kyd, in point of fact", he says absently, turning the book back to the cover page for a moment to show her. "Or so it's believed. Shakespeare's Hamlet came later, this may have been part of his inspiration."

"Oh how interesting... See, this is why I love this library. I learn something new every day."

She peers at it, and then leans back, pinching the bridge of her nose and rubbing her eyes for a moment.

"And eventually, I'm going to have to break down and just admit I need reading glasses."

"There is no shame in it", Ichabod says mock-sternly, twisting to look at her. "And much in damaging your eyes further by the refusal."

She scoffs, and blinks at him, batting her eyelashes in a fashion that is utterly facetious.

"A woman has her vanity, Mr. Crane. I don't want to look like my mother. Besides, it's not that bad."

"And do they make no spectacles in your time that would not make you look like your mother?" he inquires. "If you begin complaining of headaches, I will know why."

She narrows her eyes at him.

"Would you believe they make lenses that sit directly on the ocular surface? They're flexible, and can either be changed daily, or weekly."

"...yet another advance I would never have dreamed of." He grins at her. "So it seems you have no excuse to continue straining your eyes to read."

Again, she scoffs and shakes her head.

"How about this? I won't nag you about putting on a proper shirt, and you don't nag me about reading glasses? Deal?"

"It is hardly the same thing", he retorts. "My lack of what you call a proper shirt will do me no physical harm. But I suppose, if you insist..."

"It's a matter of principle, Ichabod. And comfort. Honestly, have you seen the little divots those things make in the side of your nose?"

Her brow furrows and she shakes her head.

"I'd rather squint."

"But these lenses you spoke of... surely those leave no such divots? Or is it that you do not like applying them - in which case, yes, I can quite see your point?"

"Yes, they're supposedly quite easy to manage, but the thought of putting my finger in my eye does not appeal."

Really, she's in denial and she knows it.

"And I don't need lenses all the time. Just when I'm reading."

Which is pretty much all the time for Alex.

"Hmm." He eyes her. "Have you taken any advice on the matter? From those more qualified than I?"

...not that the optometrists of the 18th century were up to much.

She fixes him with a Look, one eyebrow raised.

"If you don't leave off, I'm going to take you shopping for a suit. A proper suit, with a tie. And a shirt in colours utterly unheard of in your day and age."

"You can take me shopping for it", he says, cheerfully unrepentant, "but you cannot make me wear it."

...he probably would, though. At least the suit and tie.

"Is that a wager you offer, sir? Because I am a formidable opponent, and not one to be trifled with."

"A wager? Perhaps. Find me a modern shirt I will consent to wear, or you must see an eye doctor."

She sits back on her heels, arms crossed over her chest. Her gaze rakes up and down his long frame.

"How long have I got?"

"...three months", he decides after a moment. "I am not exactly in a position at the moment to bring people into my world for shopping expeditions, but I hope for that to change shortly."

"You're on. If I can't find you a suit that you look good in and are comfortable with, I will see someone about my eyes."