He was now leaning forward, engaged in her engagement with him. That ticking was getting louder, something he had to do, and soon....
Tick tick tick tick....
...or maybe it was only louder in his mind. And now it was his turn to quote, raising a hand, single digit raised pointing upward, in an almost professorial type gesture, especially evidenced by condescending old men, ?"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic", I know exactly what you mean, that was what I meant about it being subjective, at least in part. I mean....if people don't know what they're seeing, but write it down, how can we take it as," gesturing with air quotes, totally losing propriety, ?"Gospel!?""
Still smiling at him, Lydia said, "I completely agree. In fact, I-" She stopped, turning her attention to two students who came inside the classroom to find their seat. Several other students followed. She turned back to him with a surprised expression. Usually so punctual, she had lost all track of time. "I have to sit in on a class down the hall. You'll have to excuse me, Mr?" She realized she never even asked his name.
Tick tick...
He held up his hand, and rolled a sleeve back slightly, peering at his watch...
Tick tick...
His other hand raised up, pulling out the little toggle to wind it.
Tick....
"My father, was Mr, or Sir." his eyes raising to meet hers, as all other movement in the room stopped, completely. "My name is Brend," smiling, "I look forward to your next lecture....Ms. Tolmay." He cleared his throat, full of nervous energy now at the sudden interruption, and quickly headed towards the door, turning to face her as he backed through it, trying to avoid an explanation, at least at the moment. He'd only turned to look at her again, shooting her the most curious, inquisitive glance before smiling and turning, and disappearing out the door. It was, after all, easy to lose track of Time.
As soon as he was out the door, movement sprung to life around her again, slow at first, but quickly returning to its unaltered state, leaving the doorway and halls both awash in moving students.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a student stopped in mid step. She turned to look as the entire classroom had been frozen in time. She turned back to him, speechless as he spoke, then walked out of the door. She stood there watching the students return to their motions as if nothing had happened. Staring blankly at everything moving around her, it took one of the students bumping into her to break her stunned trance. She grabbed her materials and fled out the door, determined to make it to her appointment on Time.