tushanshu | [video || cafe post || action?]

[video || cafe post || action?]

[Reid hates technology. No, he really, genuinely does. Computers don't move fast enough to keep up with him, and he has a long-established love of hard copies where literature is concerned. But the fact of the matter is, there are very few books here. So here he is, seated at a console, half a dozen of the local books he could find stacked beside him and several empty coffee cups as well. Recently, he's taken to drinking green tea, but a lapse in that particular habit seems appropriate considering his surroundings.]

You know, the terminology relating to a meta or 'multiverse' was originally coined by William James, a philosopher and psychologist in the late nineteen hundreds. His paper, titled 'Is Life Worth Living?' was published in the 1985 October Edition of the International Journal of Ethics. He postulated that, with the decline of social religion all 'visible' nature (that is to say, everything we see and experience) is in and of itself a 'moral' multiverse as opposed to being a moral 'universe'. He was referring to the visible nature of the world - good existing alongside evil, with every imaginable shade in between. Each nuance of the world then became in and of itself a 'multiverse' in James' ideal.

The neologism didn't actually enter into common vernacular until much later and under a drastically different context, but the concept of other worlds or parallel universes - what we today call a 'multiverse' - has actually been around for centuries, generally tied to religious philosophies of the time. Muslim theologian al-Ghazālī believed that it was not only possible but highly probable. His extrapolation was that that Earth was the best of all possible worlds and that humans occupied it as a form of divine right, stating that 'there is in possibility nothing more wondrous than what is'.

[a brief pause, because... he's generally not used to speaking so long without interruption.]

Essentially, the concept of a 'life, death or dreaming' state faintly echoes several Buddhist or Hindu philosophies, though equally suggestive of liminality. The continual repetition of that 'life/death/dreaming' theme represents a trinity; three is often considered a holy number in any number of doctrines. Three also represents the body (life), the soul (death) and the spirit (dreaming). And then, the fact that there are five districts also reinforces the ties to numerology. If you go by the numerical value of the Hebrew letter 'He' or 'five' it symbolizes the universal life, the breath of man, the air, the spirit and the soul.

Oh-- right, liminality. Liminality was another word coined in the same philosophical era as William James' 'multiverse' by Arnold Vann Gennep in his 1908 paper Rites de Passage. It's from the Latin līmen which means 'threshold' and it's a word used to describe the transitionary phase during a ritualistic transformation, during which the participant's own identity is considered to be void until the process is complete and the individual can be reborn. It's almost a contract – during this process you forsake your identity, your sense of self, your titles and earthly possessions all for the sake of a form of theoretical transcendental enlightenment. It's this fluidity of self that enables change and dissolution of old habits or customs to make way for the new. It's not limited to an individual, either; it can be applied to groups of people – such as a graduating highschool class – or to societies and cultures as a whole and I believe it's what we're technically undergoing now.

Liminality is considered a tripartite structure, and each segment of that structure is as follows: preliminal rites, or rites of separation. This stage involves a metaphorical 'death' undergone by the initiand. They're essentially forced to leave something behind by breaking away from previous practices and routines, or by, say, coming to Keeliai.

The liminal rites – or transitionary rites – involve the creation of a sort of... tabula rasa, a blank slate, through the removal of limits and forms previously taken for granted. There are two primary characteristics to this stage of the rite, first: the rite 'must follow a strictly prescribed sequence, where everybody knows what to do and how'. Because this rite is a fundamental deconstruction of the self and self-held values, it's meant quite literally to mirror the act of walking over a threshold between two worlds.

The postliminal rites, or 'rites of incorporation' are the third and final sequence. During this stage, the initiand is re-incorporated into society, essentially born again as a 'new' being.

[CRICKETS. CRICKETS ARE CHIRPING IN THE BACKGROUND, REID. He awkwardly clears his throat.]

All... right so... um, hi. I'm Doctor Spencer Reid. Any questions...?

[for those of you who didn't turn the console off ten seconds into his impromptu lecture??

ooc; also: a permissions post.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Should it not?

[She's not answering that one properly because it would be a "yes" and she feels a little bad about that. It's not his fault she doesn't trust anyone involved with the police.

Okay.

She's legitimately speechless, unable to decide exactly how she should feel about everything he's just said. He's a behavioural analyst, though she didn't realize they were that good at analysing behaviour, and she didn't exactly expect him to do it to her.

Which was probably a mistake on her part, since people like that can't really switch off, in her experience.

She tenses a little, but the way he said it - she thinks he's trying to get her back for commenting on how he could do anything? - keeps her from freaking out too much. It takes her a little longer than it probably should, but she shakes her head, managing a bit of a laugh.]

I guess I don't have to worry about introducing myself, then. [Since Reid has apparently gone through the network. And she'e just. going to skip straight onto addressing his other comment rather than dwelling on the fact he picked most of her college subjects.]

We've been working on that for a while, with mixed results. How are you finding it?

I guess it depends on the ones you've met.

[It's not... unusual for people to be mistrustful of Agents. After all, law enforcement officials often develop a bad rep before a good one.

And then, given how she reacts to his casual mention of the information about her majors, he sort of fiddles with one of his pens and sets it down on the desk he's working at just so.]

Sorry, it's a-- sorry. Habit.

[AND HE ACTUALLY DOES SOUND APOLOGETIC? What is this witchery.]

It's actually incredibly complex, but deconstruction is hardly impossible. There are overlying patterns-- see, here, I'll show you.

[He opens a book, flips it open and to a page, scans halfway down--]

See, here, the proliferation of this symbol as specific to this paragraph. It's usage seems almost purely tied to emphasis, like italicizing a word or phrase in modern literature. It's meant to draw attention to this particular passage. As far as I can tell there are six gendered nouns and pronouns, which isn't surprising given the fact that the kedan are shapeshifters and don't seem to enforce the ideas of a masculine or female identity.

I've met you.

[She's had brief contact with others before, but that was mostly as a vigilante and brief really does cover it. It isn't as if she was working cases that were important enough to drag the FBI into it, she mostly deals with detectives. (She wonders, idly, if the people who told her that her dad was dead were FBI, but that seems unlikely).

As for the apology, she shrugs and gives him a smile, a little rueful, but genuine.]

Don't worry about it.

[Partly because a regular college student probably shouldn't care so much about someone profiling them, but also because, well, she can easily believe it is habit. And she's used to Bruce.

And despite everything, she does lean forward a little to look at the book he's gesturing to, peering at the page. Languages aren't her forte, so she's left the deciphering of it to people like Damian and Bruce, but it's still interesting.]

The six different pronouns would explain why the auto-translate can't seem to settle on one for my boss. [She looks over at Reid, expression wry.] You should ask around on the network when you get the chance, there are people who are a lot better with languages than I am who could probably help.

[It's almost apologetic. Sorry she's can't be of more help, Reid.]

One person isn't usually enough by which to judge an entire group of individuals. From a-- purely scientific standpoint I mean.

[Because there's definitely more to it than that.]

I'd thought about it, but... uh, my initial communique was already a little long. I know a few people are at least looking into it, though and I plan to, um, contact them when I can.

[She's quiet for a moment, considering both things he's said, figuring out what she wants to address. Her thoughts are still a little all over the place after his announcement of her classes.]

Maybe next time a script might be an idea. [It's said light, but is an actual suggestion, not a teasing comment.] But talk to Annabeth Chase, I think you two would get along.

[Hopefully Annabeth won't mind, Steph just thinks she's really smart, and if her and Reid got talking they could figure some things out.

There's another moment of silence, and now she's watching him a bit like she's weighing him up.]

Did you ask if I trust FBI agents just for the sake of asking, or is there something you wanna know? [If he's been analysing her, he must have been doing it from the start, so she figure he wouldn't be asking things idly.

Or maybe she's just paranoid.]

I'm not sure text would be ideal, given that the consoles don't auto-translate. The language of choice around here does seem to be English, but that doesn't discount those individuals who don't or can't read it.

[Taking everything seriously one well-meant comment at a time.]

Annabeth... I've heard that name in my analysis of the network. I'll do that, thanks.

[And then he just lifts both hands into the air in a gesture of surrender.]

There are a large percentage of people who dislike or are uncomfortable with law enforcement officials for a variety of reasons, either stemming from being in a position where their inherent authority was abused to a learned wariness based on past concerns being dismissed or overruled by politics or bureaucracy. It can also be systemic, the cultural or societally held belief or acceptance of acknowledged corruption within legal agencies either real or assumed. I, um, just wanted to make sure I wasn't-- making you uncomfortable by nature of my employment.

[... brief pause.]

You know, no one on my team introduces me as 'Agent'.

I meant make a script for yourself. Write out what you wanna say and read from it, rather than just - talking. [She's assuming that's what he did for his first network post, since it seems like that sort of rambling thing that academics and really smart people do.

She nods for the thanks, and listens to what he has to saw about law enforcement, which is all true and a reasonable assumption to make. She appreciates that he was checking for her comfort, rather than his own curiosity (some people just like to know they're right). It's partially why she decides to give an honest answer.]

I was taught that cops were the bad guys, when I was growing up. I know most of them actually aren't, but it's kinda hard to unlearn. [Her tone suggests that it's not really a big deal, which it honestly isn't. She knows some good cops, she knows some bad ones, and generally it doesn't affect her life too much to distrust them a little.] You don't need to worry about it, though, if I was uncomfortable I'd leave.

[And although she has a few guesses, it's easier to ask:] Why don't they?

Oh-- right. Um. I could do that, I guess. It might do a little better to keep me on track. I-- ramble.

[A small, sheepish wrinkle of his nose, the sort that someone used to wearing glasses might do.]

At the end of the day cops aren't any different from anyone else. They're people doing a job, and although there are clear and distinct behavioural patterns in those who generally choose law enforcement as an occupation it's never as black-and-white as you might think.

[He's ... trying to be encouraging. Sort of? And then he smiles a little, face downturned.]

When I first joined the FBI I was technically underage as per their requirements. And, well, I look about twelve years old. So my-- [Talking about Gideon is still hard, but he's good at controlling his reactions, so there's barely a pause there] mentor at the time decided that I should be introduced as 'Doctor Reid' rather than 'Agent Reid' so that people would take me more seriously in my capacity as a BAU member. It worked, for the most part. With some exceptions.

I wasn't gonna point it out. [The rambling, she figured that might be a bit mean, but since he's brought it up himself she definitely won't disagree.]

But they still carry guns and come into people's homes to arrest their parents. That sorta thing sticks with a kid. [It's not really arguing, since she agrees with the general point, and she's not trying to justify herself, but she won't apologize for it either. She just feels guilty enough about it that she wants to explain.

The comment about looking twelve does get a huff of a laugh. He must have been really smart to get the FBI to bend the rules for him.]

I'm glad it worked. [She means t, despite sounding a little amused.] What do you prefer? [Somewhat motivated by the fact she wants to know how to address him, but she's also just - asking.]

[His smile is wry. He already knows he rambles. Honestly, most of the people in his day to day life point it out on a regular basis. But at her next words his expression grows a little sombre.]

They do, and I'm sorry for that. I wish we never had to.

[The BAU has done its fair share of taking parents away from children. And in some cases, the reverse. He's sincere, though.]

Oh, I-- Spencer. Spencer works. I mean you're not under any obligation to call me 'Doctor' and 'Reid' sounds a little strange coming from anyone who isn't on my team.

[Just please. No 'Spence'. There are a select few individuals who call him that.]

Don't be. [It was for the best anyway, and she doubts him and his team would be as - rough as the GCPD were a decade or so ago. But with that comment she's decided she's talked about it enough, and she's hoping he's good enough at his job to pick up on it.

She offers her hand to shake, with a wry awareness that it's a bit late in the conversation for this particular gesture.] It's nice to meet you, Spencer. And it feels weird not to give a name in return even though you know it, so. I'm Steph. Hi.

[WOW THAT WENT DOWNHILL FAST.

She's fine chatting at people but sometimes social conventions are weird.]

[Count the ways he's not a fan of physical contact. He sort of-- smiles at her in a 'please don't be offended' way.]

I'm not really a handshake person. I-- sorry, it's just. It's not you.

[Oh. Oh okay. She smiles back as she presses her hand over her heart instead, to make a bit of a melodramatic gesture of it.]

I will try not to let it to damage my ego.

[Which is her way of saying "it's cool". And she's making a note to be careful with how she initiates physical contact.]

[Well at least she took it well.

That's taking it well, right?]

Thanks. I'd... um, appreciate that.

[words are a thing aren't they???]

[She can't help laughing a little, though it's definitely not mean spirited]

Sorry, I was just playing. [She does that sometimes (all the time)] It's fine, really. If anyone has a problem with you not wanting to shake hands they're probably a dick.

[She has feelings about that. No one is surprised.]

Physical contact is actually a very important ritualistic part of human interaction. People who refuse it are often seen as untrustworthy or strange. Although it is highly contingent on the source culture, since varying societies have varying opinions.

[... he does this a lot, Steph.]

[She just looks at him for a moment. Good God he's like a walking encyclopedia.]

Yeah, well, maybe our society could stand to change that opinion. I don't think you're strange or untrustworthy.

[... okay maybe a little strange but not because of the handshake thing.]

First impressions are what form the lasting baseline for all future interactions. It's as difficult to shake a bad one as it is to malign a good one.

['Which is why so many serial killers--' yeah no he stops himself before getting into that realm of thought. It's almost like having a Shoulder Morgan.]

But I'm-- um, glad.

Good. [That he's glad. He now officially has to accept her friendship or else, because she's decided that he's alright for a cop.]

I actually made really bad first impressions with my two best friends. [a beat and she looks a little thoughtful] I'm not sure what that says about me.

[Maybe that she likes saying things that contradict his facts.

Good job, Steph.]

That you're... good at overcoming adversity?

[Which. Given their conversation so far seems likely in more way than one.]

You don't seem so sure about that one. [Considering the delay there, although she's mostly just teasing him still, partly because he seems so damn sure about everything else]

Well I'm trying not to, um-- [YOU KNOW...] profile you.

[Oh that's sweet. Her expression softens]

It's okay. [Well no it's not. Let her try again:] I mean-- I'd prefer if you didn't, so thank you, but I'm not gonna get annoyed if you do. I figure it's not an easy thing to turn off, if it's your job.

[That went. better.]

Unless you're actually a serial killer I don't really have any reason to.

[... that's a joke.]

[She picks up on it! Well done, Reid.]

Well, it'd give you something to do if you get bored of deciphering the native language.

[She'll murder people just so he can profile her!

No that's terrible, Steph. Stop.]

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