|
Elisa is no stranger to libraries. You really can't be a college history professor, even a young one without a great familiarity and appreciation for libraries. But she's been working for hours and her eyes are starting to burn so she's stood up to stretch and walk around a bit. She knows her hair is a bit of a mess from hours of idly running her hand through it as she's read, but at least she's still in her teaching clothes rather than sweats so she doesn't feel like a complete slob. Maybe a walk around will make her feel more refreshed.
(Blush active.) Atalo looks up as Elisa draws nearer, currently dressed down from his usual brown suit and now in a plain white shirt and jeans, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. This also reveals a fairly simple tattoo on his right arm, a mix of a crescent and anchor. He cants his head as he considers her, offering a polite smile as he registers her slightly dishevelled appearance. "Good evening." He offers quietly, nodding her way.
"Evening" she replies with a nod. It's late enough that the library's emptier than normal, prompting her to ask "What brings you here this late?"
"I'm a bit rusty on the early twentieth century, namely, the geopolitical situation in Europe that led to.." He stops. "And that wasn't exactly your question. A few reasons, but, one of the prevalent ones is that I'm not always settled around large groups of people." He pauses, as if ticking off a mental checklist before offering a hand. "Atalo."
"Elisa," she says with a smile, shaking his hand. "And while I can't say that's my particular specialty, history is sort of my job, so I could at the very least point you in the right direction."
"That would be appreciated." He hums, gesturing to the chair opposite him in invite. "History's a rather large place, so guidance is welcomed. And while it's something I take a keen interest in, it's not my own job. Exactly, at least." His fingers tap the table. "And this is a question hard to answer, with differing opinions, but it comes down to the tensions before the war, and whether it still would have happened in the Archduke hadn't been assassinated."
Elisa takes a seat and rubs at her chin in thought. "There was a lot of tensions already in place, so probably something else would have happened. Sadly." She frowns a little at the thought. So much needless wastes of life, just for the pride of monarchs and governments. But it was past, not present, so it was easier to consider from an academic perspective. "I've always wondered if things would have gone better if the Crown Prince Rudolf hadn't killed himself. Then Ferdinand wouldn't have been in the line of succession." She gives a somewhat sheepish smile. "Though I'll admit my interest and knowledge in that comes from a German musical"
He nods lightly, processing this. "Oh? Which musical? And war, I feel, often achieves very little in the long run. But when tensions and frictions are that hot.." Atalo shakes his head. "My understanding is that Germany felt threatened and struck out. But also that Austria intended to retake Serbia. So, your thoughts make a lot of sense. I admit, part of my interest here stems from a wondering of how much a single event can reshape history."
"Elisabeth," Elisa says, feeling slightly self conscious. "But it got me interested in the Hapsburgs of that era. Rudolf was in favor of warming relations with Germany which might have diffused tensions, but..." She shrugs. "Personally, I always believe that not the a single event, but a single person can reshape history. The problem is finding the person willing to take the risk."
He pauses at the mention of Hapsburgs, checking through the books he has on the table for a moment. "Ah." With a nod, Atalo looks back her way. "That is the challenge, isn't it? As it's not only about the risk, important though that might be. It's because the world is a complex place. It's relatively easy to look back at history, at what was, and to see where other paths might have led.
Harder to extrapolate where the future might lead based on actions we take to affect it."
"Well, of course. We can never exactly tell what the future will hold. You just have to make sure your actions further the future you'd want to see." She shrugs with a slight smile. "Thing is, sometimes that means putting yourself directly in the path of people who want a different future. Most folk aren't willing to take that risk, sadly. It's really easy to get complacent and just tell yourself that you wouldn't have had an effect." She flushes slightly. "Sorry, that's edging in my pet areas, so I can get rambly."
"Or opposing those who don't even think of the future?" He suggests. "I try to do my small part, I run a thrift store to raise money for charities. Though that isn't, I admit, a detailed plan for affecting future events." He smiles, a touch of warmth entering it. "I don't mind you being honest. I take it then that you take your own risks when you can?"
"I try." She looks away, staring off into the middle distance for a long moment. "I feel... responsible I guess? I've had a super easy life comparatively. And I've got a lot of privilege going on, so it seems only fair to put that to use helping those who don't have those advantages." Her mouth quirks in a sardonic smile. "I've been told I'm just trying to work out my white guilt on more than one occasion. But if I can step in and use my 'respectable white lady-ness' to keep the cops from beating up some black kid or something, I feel like I really should."
He blinks. "Why would you need to feel guilty for the colour of your skin, or the fact you were born into a good life? There are reasons to feel guilty, such as not helping others when you can, or using wealth to belittle and harm others. Do the people who level those accusations at you prefer you hoard your own wealth and privileged instead?"
"I think people project their guilt onto others." Elisa says with a shrug. "And there are unfortunately people who do do performative activism. So I can understand the push back sometimes. But I try not to let it bother me." She shakes her head and busies herself trying to pull her hair back into a slightly neater ponytail. "Where's your thrift shop? I always like looking for unique things"
"Performative activism?" He asks, looking unsure. "And, good, that's good." A slight nod. "You're responsible for your actions, not for those of others." The kindred smiles, producing a card and offering it over, it showing the address and telephone number. "It's mostly clothes, but given the random nature, I do get unique items every so often. You're quite welcome to come and look."
"People for whom getting the acknowledgement for their activism is as or more important than the activism itself. You see it more often in young people, but," She shrugs again. "No one's immune to the desire for recognition."
She takes the card and looks at it, making a mental note of the address. "Hey, clothes can be unique too. Trust me, I work at Temple. I see plenty of unique clothes. Some are even unique in a good way." She gives a wink. "Interesting choice of occupation though. Are you actually able to make enough to live on, or do you work elsewhere?"
"Ah." A nod at the clarification. "I honestly prefer to avoid being seen too much. It might be one reason I work at a quiet store and keep my head down." He smiles wryly. "I think I outgrew my own need to be recognised." Maybe a century or two back, but that's not the sort of thing you can say out loud. "Students are keen on interesting looks, I take it?" Leaning back, he spreads his hands. "I manage. I'm able to keep my food costs low and I'm careful with bills. I sometimes joke that Cerberus costs more for food then me."
"Students, faculty, staff... Especially anyone in the art department. Some of them I think consider it a challenge to come up with the wackiest styles. It keeps things bright and interesting at least."
"I take it Cerberus is a dog? Only one headed I assume?"
He chuckles. "Colour's not a bad thing. Though I suspect from your words, there's sore eyes in there too?" A nod. "Mm. It's a fairly poor joke. He's a dog and I'm from Greece, so.." A light shrug. "One head. And he doesn't guard over the souls of the departed."
Elisa lets out a short laugh. "No, no, it's a good name. Way better than the typical dog names. And I'd be a little worried if he did guard the souls of the departed. I'd hate to think that was a job that needed doing in Philly of all places."
A small smile forms at that laugh. "Thank you. I didn't want to call him.. hm. What *are *the typical dog names? And if you do come to the store, you'll likely see him there. As for souls, indeed, let's hope not. Things are often chaotic enough."
"Well, common human names get used for dogs a lot, but also stuff like 'Buddy', 'Fido', etc. People are way less creative than they think they are sometimes. Then again, it's not like I've ever had a dog, so I probably shouldn't talk. And yea, the last thing Philly needs is the dead wandering around."
"Dogs make good companions. They're honest in their love and how they feel. People are.. more complicated." His eyes crinkle in quiet amusement at her last line. "Mm. That would be awkward." He agrees. "And, I haven't been entirely original, of course, but I'm glad he's not a Fido."
"Oh, I don't hate dogs or anything," she says quickly. "I think they're great pets, for other people. They're too... needy for my tastes." She shrugs. "My parents weren't dog people either, so that probably affected my opinion. I joke that I like dogs in the same way I like children. They're great when they belong to other people." She smiles, mostly at herself. "I like the name you chose for yours. What sort of dog is he?"
"Ah. What is it people say? That you're a dog person or a cat person?" A light smile. "Cerberus is a little grumpy, so he's less on the needy side. Except when it's time to eat.
But I will admit now that I am terrible with children." His smile grows at the question about Cerberus. "A cross between a German Shepherd and a Labrador."
"I've heard that, but I'm allergic to cats, so I end up being neither. Instead I have guinea pigs and cockatiels. Because apparently I hate silence." That bring another smile. "Your Cerberus sounds like he's a pretty dog."
"Most people do, I feel." He offers a sympathetic look. "A shame for the cats, but clearly you've found your own companions. Though a collection of parrots sounds extremely loud." A keen nod. "Yes. I'll introduce you when you visit. Or try. He's not as social as other dogs tend to be."
"There's only the two of them, so they're only really loud in the morning before they get fed. I think that's common to a lot of animals." She nods at the comment about Cerberus. "To be honest, I've had some bad experiences with overly social dogs, so that sounds great to me."
"Oh?" He pauses. "Is that something I should ask about? Cerberus isn't noisy about being fed. He just stares a lot. But, he'll behave himself with you, yes."
She shrugs. "There's folks that think that it's totally okay to let their dogs jump up on people. When I was young I got knocked down a couple of times. So I get a little skittish sometimes. I like the lower key dogs. Or better trained ones." She rolls her eyes "Honestly, the number of people who think they don't have to train their dogs is practically criminal"
There's a blink, then the corner of his lip curls up in what's almost a snarl. It's brief, but it's there, a flash of intense anger as she explains about poorly trained dogs. It's a moment before he responds, voice a little quieter then before as his tone is carefully controlled. "Dog owners have a responsibility. You don't have a dog without training or guidance. It's vital for their own development and well-being. If you can't keep to that, you don't deserve to have a dog."
Elisa gives a small, tight smile, glad to find someone who agrees with her on this subjects. "I know this. You know this. People?" She waves a hand to indicate humanity in general. "People are dumb. Especially when it comes to animals. Too many folks think they're... props, rather than living creatures."
"Which is another reason I tend to keep to myself more." He admits. "I've no patience for ignorance or arrogance, and too many people have those both." A small smile. "I'm glad you agree. Animals, pets, deserve their own dignity and to be well treated."
"I just think all things deserve to live their best lives. Animals, humans, whatever. As long as you're not needlessly hurting others, everything deserves dignity. Humans are just really bad at that."
Atalo settles back thoughtfully. "Not all humans it seems." He comments. "But a mix of insight and empathy is needed. The world's too broken to be fully fixed. But, we do what we can." Fingers drum the table again. "Better to do that then to decide we can do nothing, as you said."
"Exactly. It's hard though sometimes. Really easy to get bogged down like you said, with everything." She also goes quiet, thinking. Finally she says, "I think that's part of what's wrong with how we teach history sometimes. So much focus on the people who do do things it's easy to think they're somehow special - the whole Great Man thing. But really it's only ever normal people choosing or not choosing to act"
"A general without an army is just someone giving empty orders? There's truth there. No one has ever achieved anything along. Some may have genius ideas, but they still need others to make use of them. You teach history, clearly. How much influence do you have in how and what you teach?"
Elisa wobbles her hand in a so-so motion. "More than I probably should, considering my current place in the pecking order. Why?"
"Because it sounds like something you think about a good amount. So I'm glad you've some influence for it." Atalo nods simply. "Teaching isn't just education, it's inspiration too. A drive for people to reach for more of their potential."
"Part of why I got into teaching was I wanted to inspire people." She smiles. "I'm glad someone else understands that. My students don't always, they just complain about the reading."
"And yet hopefully most of them do it." He smiles wryly. "I suspect all you can do is show them the paths they can walk, they need to choose to go down them. Do you find the work satisfying?"
"Most of the time." She shrugs. "And I try to do other stuff that helps outside of work. There's this... blog I read, that has a whole community around it, and they help a lot when things get overwhelming. Or I start sliding into despair. Community's important when you're trying to do good, don't you think?"
"Blogs are, online writings, aren't they? I'm not always best with computers." He admits. "But I can use the world wide web at least." A rueful smile. "As for community, yes. I've a few friends I'm in contact with when I need advice or ideas."
"Basically. It's like..." She pauses, thinking. "It's like, y'know how newspapers will have opinion columns by a particular person on a regular basis? It's like that, but you can comment without having to write a whole op-ed of your own. No one calls it the world wide web though. It's just the internet these days."
"Oh." A slight pause. "Internet, yes. And, that makes sense to me. Though it feels like a lot of newspaper articles are opinion pieces, even when they're not meant to be. And I'm going off a tangent, apologies. Does your blog cover any specific topic?"
"It's not my blog" Elisa says quickly, shaking her head. "Just one I read a lot. It covers a lot of things, but united around the idea of nonviolent resistance. And trying to stop violence in general."
He nods in understanding to that. "Well, that's a lesson I've learned myself. About violence. Open conflict is never a good thing." He pauses, then offers a wry smile. "Realizing I appreciate talking to you, perhaps you'd be willing to meet again another time? I'd happily invite you for a coffee."
Elisa gives a broad smile. "That would be lovely. I can also ask some of my colleges about some resources for your pre-world war interests. I know some of them would love to suggest readings for someone who'll actually do them."
His mouth turns up in a smile and then a slight grin as he nods, this one reaching his eyes. "Done then. You've my number on the card if you're happy to send me yours. And I'd very much appreciate that, thank you."
Elisa's eyes light up with an obvious thought. She digs around in the pocket of her slacks and comes up with a fast food recipt and a pen. Quickly she scribbles her cell number on the back of it and hands it over. "Here, then I won't forget." She sighs. "I really should get back to work before they kick us out. It's been great talking to you."
Atalo takes the receipt, glances at it and then tucks it into a pocket. "Then I look forward to the coffee and more conversation." He smiles, standing and gathering up the books to return to the shelves, along with the notes he'd been making. "And I enjoyed it too. Until the next time Elisa, have a good night."
|