20 December
Another surprise. The second one in four days. Noll is in a terrible mood, but he cannot show it lest he lose all his research and equipment funding.
"Congratulations on your graduation!"
He forces a stiff smile. "Thank you," he answers, and the celebratory lunch begins.
"Two Bachelor's degrees in Religious Studies and Psychology, a conferred doctorate in Religious Studies, and now a Master's degree in Cognition and Brain Sciences… I've truly hit the jackpot when I decided to invest in SPR and Oliver all those years ago," beams Mr. Pratt, the main sponsor of SPR's Pratt Laboratory as well as its eponym. He is also the one who covered Noll's living expenses while in Japan. In short, he is an important patron whose good graces Noll must remain in.
"Indeed," adds Dr. Hinnells, one of Martin's long-time friends and, in Noll's opinion, one of the best in the field of psychology and parapsychology. "With Cognition and Brain Science now in your arsenal, Oliver, I hope you can continue your research full-time without resorting to brain dissection."
This earns a few chuckles… and a cough. Noll searches for the source and sees Mai choking on her lunch in an attempt to suppress a laugh. He shoots her a glare. She meets it boldly. After drinking water to keep her food and laughter down, she raises her brows at him.
'Happy?' she seems to ask.
Of course he is not; this celebration is a waste of time. Instigated by Madoka, Noll deduces, as she was so pleased with herself after seeing his thunderstruck expression a while ago.
Once everyone starts to disperse into smaller groups in the living room, he retreats to the wall, where he can inconspicuously observe the party. Lin is talking quietly with Martin, Dr. Hinnells, and Dr. Irving in one corner, while Madoka and some of the higher-ups in SPR are gathered near the fireplace. Luella has just started a debate with her friends regarding the country's recent withdrawal from the European Union. Mr. Pratt sits at the mini bar, enthusiastically discussing the recent developments in parapsychology together with fellow sponsors of the laboratory and those who fund Noll's research exclusively. Now that all the guests are preoccupied, he can safely slip out and flee to his room.
"Brain dissection, huh?" Mai stands beside him, proffering a cup of tea. Noll feels the urge to ignore her, but a glance at Martin reminds him that he is being watched. He releases a resigned sigh as he accepts the tea. She takes a sip from her own then continues, "It's a running joke in your lab, too."
"Do I look like I joke around?"
"...I guess not."
"I grew up surrounded by great-minded individuals. I even used to live with a true medium. How can I not be fascinated by how their brains worked?"
"Is that why you took your Master's?"
"I was… urged to take it under SPR's funding."
A wry smile forms on her face. "I can see why."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. Even I wouldn't dare die in front of you and give you a chance to dissect my brain."
"I doubt doing that will yield interesting findings."
She huffs indignantly. "Idiot."
"Please do not drag me down to your level."
"It's so saddening to see that your attitude hasn't changed one bit."
"Likewise."
"Hey, what do you mean by that? I exposed you in your lecture last time, didn't I?"
"But you refused to discuss it further with me."
Mai looks away.
Noll shakes his head.
And then silence.
At length, he pushes himself off the wall.
"Where are you going?"
"I can introduce you to Dr. Hinnells if you prefer to consult him."
"What?! No!" Mai reaches for the sleeve of his jacket and tugs at it to keep him in place.
He quirks a brow. "Are you scared?"
"Yes!"
"So you would rather keep your queries to yourself than ask the authors themselves?"
"…" She presses her lips into a thin line. "I'll just wait for the book."
Noll shrugs. "Suit yourself."
But even after letting the matter drop, Mai's grip on his jacket sleeve remains for a long time.
Author's Note: They've returned to the level of bantering~ Thanks for reading/faving/reviewing/following!
Disclaimer: I don't own Ghost Hunt or any of its characters.