Meeting the great Kerr

[Noam Levin]

Noam almost glided across the floor as he wandered toward Dr. Kerr's office. He knew that using his ability frivolously was against the rules, but no one would know if he was as light as a feather. Living on the edge was Noam's way of doing things anyway.

He moved up to the door of Dr. Kerr's office, resuming his normal body density. Excitement flowed through the senior agent's veins. Maybe I will get a junior agent to train today. Noam had been hoping for a junior agent to apprentice under him and it finally seemed like that time had come.

Even being able to change his density didn't make Noam's nerves any stronger. Anyone who had been through basic training knew that Dr. Kerr's office was a scary place to end up. The situation was different for senior agents, but there still lingered a mite of fear. He raised his hand and knocked on the door.

[Geoffrey Kerr]

Geoffrey Kerr looked up from what he was typing into his computer when he heard the knock on his door. "Enter," he said, watching the door. He expected it would be Noam, as the boy was supposed to be coming any minute. When the boy cautiously opened the door, however, he finally saw that he was right. "Come in, Noam," he said with a smile, and indicated two chairs on the opposite side of his desk. "Have a seat. And try not to look so nervous; you're not in trouble."

||Sorry for godmoding. . . I can edit if need be; just let me know if that' what you want.||

[Noam Levin]

Noam came in and saluted the Dr. before sitting down (ooc: do they salute or do something else or nothing?). It felt weird to be sitting comfortably in Dr. Kerr's office. He shifted positions a few times then finally sat tall on the edge of his seat. "I was told you wanted to speak to me sir." Noam said, excitement and fear building up turmoil in his stomach. "What can I do for you?"

[Geoffrey Kerr]

||They don't have to salute. It's not that military.||

Dr. Kerr nodded at Noam, taking note of his apparent nervousness and hoping that he would relax as the conversation progressed. "First, I wanted to let you know that, since a new group of trainees is finally going through basic training, you'll be getting your assignment as handler within the next few months. I know you've been waiting for some time, but we haven't had very many new recruits for a while now."

He took a breath. "But there is another reason I called you up here." As he said this, he rubbed the back of his neck. "I wanted to talk with you about your sister."

[Noam Levin]

Noam looked down, his excitement turned to worry. His sister hadn't been the same since father died. Come to think of it, he hadn't either. Noam hadn't known what to do with Tali over the last months. He was glad for the guardians help, but there were times it seemed nothing could help.
"I'm thankful for your confidence in me. I'd love to a handler." Noam finally said. "How can I help with my sister? She begins training tomorrow, doesn't she?"

[Geoffrey Kerr]

Dr. Kerr nodded. "Yes, she does. After today, you won't be able to see her for the next three months. I was hoping that perhaps you could have a talk with her before she starts tomorrow. Her attitude has been. . . not quite acceptable over the last few months. I'm sure you know about her skipping classes, and the fights she's been in. And her overall performance level has dropped as well."

He sighed. "I know your father's death has been difficult for both of you, and I don't want to dredge up painful memories, but perhaps it would help if you talked to her about it. I tried to get her to speak with a counselor, but she refused.

"If nothing else, maybe you can share some advice with her. If she applied herself, she would make it through basic training without much trouble. And after that, she could do very well as an agent, especially on missions." Dr. Kerr smiled gently. "She takes after you in many respects, and I expect great things out of both of you. Just. . . see what you can do." He paused. "And Noam? Remember that yours and Tali's well-being comes before your training. If either of you feel you need time away from your studies or even just someone to talk to, you let me know. Alright?"

||I don't think I should post things like this so late at night. I think I rambled. . . a lot.||

[Noam Levin]

Noam stared the man in the face as he spoke. The idea of betraying sadness of weakness of any kind had not occurred to him. In Noam's mind work was work, and private time was to be taken separately. He knew how his sister had taken their father's death though.
"I'll speak with her." Noam said in his voice of unaserted discipline. "I imagine she'll be unpacking now." Noam thought aloud.
"I'm not sure how I can be of help though." Noam admitted. "She is quite closed as of late. Is it wise to allow her to continue training if she won't even see a counselor or psychologist?"

[Geoffrey Kerr]

Dr. Kerr sighed. "I can understand your need to question my judgment, Noam. It's a difficult situation, but I think the best course of action is to allow Tali to go through basic training. We'll be keeping a close eye on her, and at the first sign of trouble, she will be pulled out of training. My hope, however, is that things will go as planned and she will benefit from the training.

"You remember how difficult it was, don't you? But despite that, you didn't have much time to think about missing your friends or your warm bed back in your room. You got through it day by day, and I think Tali will as well. But, as I said, at the first sign of anything going wrong, we'll pull her out." He smiled a forced, tight-lipped smile, wishing he could do more to put the boy's mind at ease.

[Noam Levin]

Noam was still slightly unsettled by this. There was no need to question the judgment, however. There was nothing more to be done. "I understand. Then by your leave I will see my sister before her training begins tomorrow."

[Geoffrey Kerr]

||Watch the length. ||

Dr Kerr nodded slowly. "That's fine Noam. You may go now, unless you have anything else you need or want to talk about?" He raised his eyebrows as he said this, attempting to let the boy know that he could see past his facade. It was plain to Dr. Kerr that Noam was still troubled by their conversation--which was understandable--and possibly also by his father's death. Perhaps it was something more, he thought, but he had no way of knowing unless Noam told him. And, somehow, he doubted that the boy would do so.

[Administrator]

Locking.