Ted and his mother have an arrangement.

If Ted agrees to stay in the museum after she takes him to the museum, he gets free reign of whatever he wants to do while he's there.

Sight, anything. And lately, she's been restricting his Sight use, because the fits that it brings on are worrying her.

So here the boy is, wandering aimlessly, eyes unfocused.

Or, more realistically, focused on something no one else could see.

He's already tripped over two benches and a security guard. Of those, the benches were easier on him.

The lad is distracted.

And the exhibits are pretty.

((SoMINE.))

Alexander isn't quite as pretty. (There are some who might dispute this, but he prefers the adjective 'handsome.' Or better yet, 'distinguished.' It doesn't have the same connotations.)

He is however, almost as distracted as Ted, but that's not unusual. The museum is a soothing place. He would wonder why he didn't come here more often, if it weren't for the fact that he was so often too busy to make time for it. Even busier, lately.

Anyway.

Tall man with black hair, suit and a deep red tie that's just barely loosened, just barely giving the impression of relaxation. The suit does not help with that impression, though, nor does the distant look on his face.

He's missing Bo, worrying about Keye, thinking about Katrina--which leads his thoughts to Kevin--and brooding about his violent tendencies. He does occasionally feel guilty for doing horrible things, you know.

Actually, more than occasionally. But that never really stops him from doing them.

And because Ted is free from consequence here, he wanders over without fear.

Ted isn't a very cautious boy. Or a very sensible one.

"'lo, mister."

Ted likes the word mister. He shares the old-fashioned mannerism with his mum.

He and his mum are, really, rather more alike than she is to her daughters.

Anyway, the mister Looks interesting.

Alexander looks down at the boy, senses power, and smiles a very slight smile.

... believe it or not, he likes children. Wonders never cease, do they...

"Hello, little one."

And he means that in an entirely different way than he means it when using it in reference to Sombra Alley.

Flash of anger. Challenge, like an old wolf proving to itself that it's still the top dog. Curiosity. Frustration. The desire to hurt the other man.

Ted blinks.

Ted blinking is rather like a (magical) light flickering on and off briefly.

And then the light focuses on you.

Rather like an eye exam.

This would not be readily apparent for someone not a mage.

"What're you, mister?"

...I told you. The kid is stupid. The kid is lacking in caution.

The kid is....

Well.

You get the idea?

"Human."

... Alexander is flippant.

Then again, to someone who knows about all the various species running around, maybe it isn't such a flippant remark.

He's intrigued, but perhaps not in the obsessive and rather frightening way that he gets about other things. (CoughSombracough.)

"Why do you ask?"

And yes, he does notice the 'magical light.'

"'cause when I look at you you're all glowy. It's real cool."

Well, Ted's honest.

"Imma mage." He's very proud of himself.

Mostly because he remembered which word to use. Last time he was talking to someone cool, he didn't remember at all.

Yes, Wick is very cool. Didn't you realize?

Also, does Ted's grammar make Alex twitch yet?

"So am I."

He doesn't bother to correct Ted's grammar. Mostly because there are far too many mistakes in the previous two sentences for him to correct without growing annoyed.

He's pretending to ignore it, at the moment.

"Though I would not recommend that you go about announcing that fact to anyone who 'glows'."

Because, y'know, some of them don't know that they do.

"Coooooool."

Ted wrinkled his nose. "That's what mom says." Obviously, he is a higher form of life than his mom, and thus exempt from her petty rules.

"Can you See?"

"Your mother is right."

He's a man quite old enough to be Ted's father, you know. So of course he would agree with Amanda.

"No, I can't. My talents lie elsewhere."

He can sense magic, but he cannot See. At least, not in the same way that Ted does.

(He can scry, but it's hard.)

Ted looked artfully sullen.

"Figures."

Figures that interesting people always pretend to be boring.

That people lie.

Ted can see the truth.

He will, he decides.

Again, that feeling of an eye exam, only stronger. Magic, light, whatever you call it.

...what does Ted see, I wonder? What secrets? What faces? Whose faces? Do Alex's shields block this?

"Now, stop that. It's impolite to pry."

And it makes Alexander nervous. Because there's not much that shields can do against observation, he's noticed.

He can sense Ted doing this, but he can't stop him.

There's a girl, with blonde hair and blue eyes and a cheery smile. The image of her is hazy, clouded by something other than a foggy memory. She keeps wanting to turn into a boy.

There's Bo. His image changes, young to old to friend to foe to... something else. But I don't think Teddy will understand the lack of clothing. Lots of confusion involved in that image.

There's Keye, much smaller than he is in real life, in comparison to Alexander. Protective fellow, Alex.

Sombra. Douglas. Somebody white, white, white and menacing. Somebody white and young.

"...you're scary, mister."

And Ted stops.

But he's seen a lot.

Nothing he understands.

But at least there aren't secrets anymore. That's good.

Secrets make Ted... unhappy.

It's complicated.

Alexander smiles an amused smile.

"So I have been told."

The looking is done, therefore Alexander is going to be comfortable--ish--again and comparatively friendly.

... no, he has no designs on Ted's energy. He's not (quite) that unscrupulous.

"Why...."

Teddy is confused, and not by what Alex has said.

The Sight dazes him.

Why did Alex have so many secrets?

It hurt to look at him, and not the real Look either. Just with the eyeballs looking hurt, yes it did.

"It's very, very complicated."

And not something he'd explain to a random child that he met in a museum. Not even a magically gifted one.

"You really ought to control that better," he adds, referring to the Sight.

"Dunno howta." Shrug.

"What's your name, mister?"

Ted doesn't worry about silly things like uncontrollable gifts.

He's invincible, y'know.

... he almost answers 'Alex.' But he doesn't.

"Dr. Barclay. I'm a teacher; maybe I could help?"

Hey, he's doing some magic-teaching without an ulterior motive.

I'm amazed.

Ohmygod.

Oh.

Mygod.

Barclay.

/Barclay/.

Ted's eyes get very big.

"I. You. Books?"

Ted's read Alex's books.

Alex has a fan.

Ahaha.

That's funny.

"Yes, I've written books. Did you like them?"

He's mentally chuckling; none of his books were written to appeal to a younger age group, but apparently, at least one member of that age group enjoyed them.

He's also vaguely impressed; he uses large words, sometimes. And complicated sentences.

Think Hawthorne.

Ted can't stop nodding.

"Mum reads them to me at bedtime."

Well.. that's... different?

Amanda believes in constructive bedtime reading.

... apparently.

Alexander... grinned. He's amused, and it puts him in a good mood to meet someone who likes his work.

Though if there were a mob of screaming fans, he'd probably hide in the bathroom.

The men's bathroom, of course.

Ahem.

"I would say that your mother has good taste, but that would be a bit vain of me."

Ted nodded proudly.

"She does."

She's his mother, after all.

And. He should really go soon.

But. Author!

"Well then, that settles it. She does."

And he doesn't have to sound vain to say it anymore.

"You didn't answer me, though. Would you like me to teach you to control your abilities?"

"Iunno. I can ask mum, I s'ppose."

She's gotten a bit more stringent about talking to strangers since Ted wandered off to look at motorbikes that one time. Hmph.

"Of course. I wouldn't want to do anything that would upset your mother."

Like killing her son. But we've already established that he's not going to hurt Teddy. Unless there's quite an interval between now and when they actually put the plan in motion...

Heavens, I hope not.

"Is she here with you? We can ask her."

"Nuh-uh. I can tell her when she comes 'n picks me up."

...which was now.

And a very flustered Amanda comes in, sees her son talking to a strange man, and reacts a bit strangely.

"Teddy, we're late. C'mon."

"But, mum-"

"No buts. We're going home."

He's too big for her to pick up and carry, sadly.

Alexander withdraws smoothly.

"My apologies, madam. I assume you are the young man's mother? He's quite talented."

White, white, white smile.

The man is very handsome, when he actually bothers to smile and not look grouchy.

Also the suit helps. It's tailored specially for him.

"He's a precocious boy, sure enough, but his talent for getting into trouble boggles my mind. Now, we really must get home.. I'm sure it was nice meeting you, but I'm running late."

Amanda is in a rush.

"Muuuuum, this is Doctor Barclaaaay."

Sometimes, the only way to get through to Amanda is by whining. It shocks her out of her Projects.

Blink.

Barclay?

Wow.

And not half bad-looking, either.

"It's an.. honor." And it is.

Now she wishes she has one of his books for him to sign.

Sigh.

The smile doesn't waver as he makes a dismissive gesture with his hands.

"No, no, I'm honored. Your young man--Teddy, is it?--is quite talented, though lacking in control."

He tilts his head, slightly.

"I'm sure you recall that I'm primarily a teacher. I suppose it would be presumptuous of me to offer, but..."

Hah.

And now we see just how much of an actor this guy is, don't we.

Mmm...

well, it couldn't hurt.

Amanda flashed him a smile.

Ted knew that smile. He sighed, and settled down to wait while she did whatever folderol she wanted to get through.

He also mumbled, "Ted," not that anyone cared.

One day, he was going to get rid of that nickname.

Amanda replied, "Well, I. I'd be happy, honored, exstatic. Trying to find a trustworthy tutor in this city is like pulling teeth. My oldest girls I could teach myself, but Teddy is a bit... unusual... in his skills. I don't know where he gets it, the dear, but he certainly didn't get it from my side of the family. We're witches to a tee, us, and my little mage, well."

She rambles when she's nervous.

Pause.

"Teddy?"

"'s Ted. 'N I want to."

"Yes, dear, but do you have time do it and your homework?"

"Muuuum."

Pause.

"Yes, mum." Geeze, mums are weird.

"I certainly wouldn't want to interfere with his regular schoolwork; my other students don't seem to have a problem." That's because they're not allowed to be his students if they do. Most of them like him enough to make the effort.

He's very strict like that.

"Shall we arrange a time for this? Perhaps once a week?"

He's a busy man, after all. Conspiracies, grades, beating up semi-helpless other professors...

Ted nodded solemnly.

He's rather in awe of Barclay, y'know.

"Teddy's free tuesday and thursday afternoons, weekend mornings..." She's brainstorming. "When do you normally meet with students like Ted?" She assumes he does this often. Few who don't would volunteer to teach a stubborn ten year old (or was it eleven, now? She lost track..)

As a side note, she's going to lurk around campus very nearby while Ted has his first few lessons, because she has no reason to trust Dr. Barclay and at that distance, she'll be able to feel if Teddy gets distressed.

"I teach classes at Keaton in the mornings, but I think I have a slot free on Tuesday. Around three, I believe."

He's in between classes, then, and he hasn't packed his schedule with magic students yet this semester. He arranges that around their schedules, you know. Of course.

Oh, now whyever would you think that Alexander would distress Teddy?

I mean, aside from the whole 'he's insane' bit.

He's a random older man and may or may not be a pedophile. Do the math.

Amanda has no reason to be overly trusting, even if he is a good writer.

"Tuesday at three works just fine." Now where does she go to find Alex's office, I wonder?

Unless Bo counts, I'm pretty sure Alexander isn't a pedophile. But I applaud Amanda's caution.

And she'll find his office because he's giving her directions right now. Though he is assuming that she knows where Keaton is.

"I suppose I will see you then?"

"I'm sure he looks forward to it. And now, we're off to make dinner, my lad- I'm thinking pasta."

Ted and Amanda argue amicably about the relative worth of pasta versus meatloaf as they leave.