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Tangent is busier than most her age. She revels in this fact. There’s a certain level of pride to be taken in the fact that she can manage so much more than her peers. She’s not particularly strong or brave like her brother nor is she skilled in socializing but she is smart. A genius even. Which Tangent believes is more valuable than anything else. Knowledge is power, after all.
That being said, Tangent does not have many friends. Lack of social skills aside, Taangent simply doesn’t have the time to go and meet people. She’s a double major in both biochemistry and biomedical engineering. Not to mention her internship under her guardian Instance. Her schedule is full and that isn’t going to change any time soon.
Hence why she’s sitting in the school’s library studying rather than taking her break to meet up with friends. Tangent is a woman of science and even if she did have the time for friends she wouldn’t want any. It’s the one thing she and her brother can agree on: friends are a waste of time. She’s better on her own.
Which is why when a girl with long blue and gold braids sits across from her, Tangent pretends she doesn’t notice. She can quietly admit that the girl is attractive. The way she holds herself with a confidence that Tangent does find enticing. She doesn’t recognize this girl though. Her flashy outfit suggests a humanities major rather than anything scientific or logical. Tangent has better things to do than talk to some girl about art.
She is gorgeous though… Tangent can’t help but glance up from her book again. Why is she even sitting here? There were plenty of other tables open, so why Tangent? It wasn’t unknown to her that she wasn’t very approachable.
The girl catches her looking and grins, an insufferable combination of smug and friendly. Tangent feels her face warm but forces herself to not look away. This only seems to please the other girl. Her smile widens and she sticks out her hand, “I’m Marzipan, though most people just call me Marz.”
Hesitating, she shakes Marz’s hand. “Tangent.”
“So, what kind of major are you?” Marz asks, apparently taking Tangent’s introduction as an invitation to keep talking. Tangent silently mourns her study session. “I’m a double major in political science and cultural studies.”
Tangent opens her mouth to speak when Marz cuts her off, “Wait! Wait! I want to try and guess. It’s something with science, right? You’re literally wearing a lab coat like those mad scientists on TV so- plus you seem pretty smart. Why else would you be in the library during your break?”
“You’re here for your break too,” Tangent points out.
“Because I’m smart too, duh.” Marz brushes some of her braids behind her back, leaning over the table so she can get a look at Tangent’s textbooks. She’s close enough now that Tangent can smell her perfume: jasmine, maybe? Tangent doesn’t know very much about perfume. It smells good though and Tangent can feel her flush creeping down her neck. Is she doing this on purpose?
“I was right!” Marz hums, pleased. She points to a random diagram of the brain. “Biology?”
“Close enough,” Tangent acquiesces. She’s almost impressed. “Biochemistry and biomedical engineering.”
Marz whistles, earning her a glare from the librarian behind the front desk. She doesn’t seem to notice it though, bright eyes focused solely on Tangent. “Pretty and a genius? Don’t tell me you're single.”
She hears the unasked question for what it is. What she should do about it, Tangent is unsure. Is she interested in this girl? Marz is appealing. She’s objectively gorgeous and she’s intelligent, if not in the same way as Tangent. She’s outspoken and confident, uncaring about how others perceive her. Yes, Tangent is forced to admit to herself, I wouldn’t mind being with her.
There’s just one thing… “I suppose you could say I’m single. However, I’m not very interested in serious relationships in the first place.”
Marz grins, “What a coincidence! Neither am I.”