Data walked through the Academy Library, his arms over flowing with books. He always enjoyed the feel and structure of novels, even though he could get all of the stories on his room's computer, he liked the traditional style of reading. That was most likely his father's doing, Dr. Soong never really liked to read from PADDs or from having them read to him by a computer. His guess was that he wanted Data to have some of his traits and pet peeves.
The Androids favorite works were of Sir. Arthur Conan Doyle, the famous author of the Sherlock Holmes stories. Those were just the books he searched the library for. The Library was very large, it had a very old, antique look to it. Large open windows where the sun would shine through and cast halos over the heads of cadets reading. It had marble flooring, such an unusual blend of marble that Data suspected it was from another world. The book shelves were high and made of stained oak. Anyone who enjoyed reading, and a comfortable environment to do it in, would surely appreciate it's beauty.
"I can't be in a relationship with someone who is unemotional, T'faal..."
Voices were heard from behind a large shelf. Data wasn't the type to eeves drop, but he would grasp at any opportunity to study humanity, to develop, and hopefully find his own humanity. He stood directly behind the shelf and listened.
"I apologise, I do not know what you expected from me. I am a Vulcan, Samantha" another voice responded.
Intriging, she is terminating a relationship for something the other can not control, Data thought to himself as he took a book off of the shelf. "I just need you to try a little harder to express your feelings with me, darling...even if it's only in private..." the girl named Samantha shook her head, stepping toward the Vulcan female named T'faal. The Vulcan looked at her with a stone but soft expression, "You know I love you, T'hy'la.." she reached for the others hand with two fingers, tangling their fingers together. "I will try harder.." the female whispered.
The Android turned away from the conversation as though he wasn't listening. Romantic relationships will continue to fancinate and confuse me.., he thought. Data continued to walk down the Fiction section until he came across the Sherlock Holmes books. He reached up to grab the book when his hand collided with another, that of another cadet. He immidiately retracted his hand and looked in the direction of the other student. He was a few inches shorter, of African- American decent and had a Device wrapped around his eyes. Some sort of visual enhacement device? or perhaps a new style of sun protection? he thought, taking in the sight before him. "I apologise, you may take out the book if you like" the mechanical man finally spoke, handing the book to the other student. The blind man put his hands up, "No, you take it, you reached for it first" he smiled, chuckling. Data raised his eyebrows, "Are you certain?" the brunette asked unsure. "Yeah, as long as you promise to let me borrow it when you're done" he smiled, exposing his pearly teeth. Something spread through Data's chest that he was not expecting, a sort of warmth.
He ran a complete system diagnostic. Finding nothing..
Data attempted to emulate a small smile, the corner of his mouth curling up slightly. "Of course" he nodded, agreeing to the friendly contract. "Thank you...?" he raised an eyebrow. "La Forge, Geordi La Forge"
"Thank you, Mr. La Forge" Data responded, as formal as ever. Geordi never really liked formalities that much, unless completely necessary. "Just plain old Geordi" he shook his head, smiling. Data nodded, "As you wish, Geordi" he shook the cadet's hand. "I am Data"
Geordi shook his hand, "Nice to meet you."
"Like wise" Data responded, simply.
"Where are you sitting, Data?" Geordi asked hopeful. Data pointed to the table filled with books at the end of the tall shelves. "May I sit with you?" the coffee skinned man questioned, pulling his messanger bag higher up on his shoulder. Data's eyes widened slightly, nobody has ever offered to sit with him unless they were engineering students trying to pick his brain about his inner workings. "Of course" mental note: do a complete self diagnostic to find the source of these heat fluctuations...End of note.
"So you're the Android created by the famous, Dr. Soong?" the engineer gasped, scooting his chair closer to the Android. "That would be a correct assumption" he nodded, flicking through the pages of the complete works of Sir. Arthur Conan Doyle, reading at a pace no human could. "Thank you for letting me read it first, it was quite interesting" Data slid the book toward Geordi as he picked up another to 'Speed Read'"
"No problem" Geordi said flicking open the book. "Do you mind if I picked your brain a little more?, perhaps over dinner tonight?" the blind man asked, internally praying. The mechanical man looked up from his book, golden eyes meeting a Visor. Perhaps I should ask, Reg usually tells me to ask if it is a date or not, to avoid confusion and embarassment, Data thought. He flicked through the rest of the book, and placed it on top of a stack of already read books. "Would this be classified as a 'Date' ?" the pale man inquired gently.
Geordi blushed furiously and grabbed his bag, scrambling to leave. He was embarrassed about asking him out. Data's eyes bulged slightly, and he reached out, grasping Geordi's arm as lightly as he could without harming him. "Please stay, I did not mean to upset you.." he got up, still holding on to Geordi's arm. Geordi didn't dare look him in the eyes, still blushing horribly, "Yes...as a date.." the engineer mumbled. Data nodded, releasing his arm, "I will meet you for dinner at 19:00 hours, we will decide where to go from there" the Android affirmed, lightly grazing Geordi's finger's with his own.
Geordi was surprised, he could only nod. "I'll see you then"
Data nodded as the engineer turned to leave, watching him smile to himself as he decended the stairs.