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[peelingscales]

November in London was always grey and dingy, but this day seemed to be greyer and dingier than the rest of the month had been up until now. Eustace was unutterably grateful he did not have to leave the flat until much later; he had no interest in ending up soaked and frozen, at least not until he was on his way to a pub where he could unfreeze

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[healerofharms]

"Extra sugar, please." She squinted down at her book, tugging the rough wool lower over her hands. "I still don't understand why we've got to read all this slop," she mumbled, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. Her toes curled as she swung her foot, her foot skimming the carpet.

"Although, I also don't understand why yours is more interesting." She made a face at him, leaning back enough to watch him in the kitchen. "Just because you're a bloke- that's hardly fair, Eustace."

[peelingscales]

"Yours isn't less interesting because you're a girl," he retorted, "it's less interesting because it's hogwash, and mine actually happened." He was quite enamoured of his history and science, which had little to do with the fact that it was fun to tease her about the novels and poetry she was always having thrust upon her by her professors.

Eustace put his back against the counter as the kettle began to heat up, and crossed his arms over his chest with a bit of a sigh. "When I was younger I used to love reading. All I really enjoyed in the world, actually-- thought I'd love to be a professor when I grew up. Now I'm thinking if I never see a textbook again it will be far too soon."

[healerofharms]

"Well, there's a difference, isn't there?" She flipped forward a chapter, scribbling something down. "Between real books and textbooks, I mean. Quite the difference, really." She leaned back enough to look over at him. "Still has to do with you being a boy. After all, it's not like I could get into your classes, even if I'd wanted to."

She shook her head, and chewed on the end of her pencil for a moment. "Now you've other things to enjoy, though. Are you going to the pub tonight?" She tried - and failed, really - to not sound interested. She wasn't the sort to go alone, and John was off at a polo competition, so she was in for the night. Was probably better for her grades, anyhow.