Late April 2012, Geneva, Swizerland

[damncompass]

The door opens, probably miraculously on Joshua's living room. The chaos isn't as bad as in the bedroom, but there are notes and papers all over the desk around his computer, and a few books lying on the couch across from the TV.

"Sorry about the mess. One of these days I'll clean. Really."

Comments

[claudiometer]

"I'll believe that when I see it, brother dear."
Seriously, how big is his temple to takeout?

[balancingminds]

Its not terribly messy and Charles glances at the various scattered notes and papers to see if any of it makes sense,

"I've seen worse at Oxford."

[damncompass]

The notes are a combination of data from the Collider and notes about his dissertation.

"Yeah, well. I could say a few things about Claudia's room too." Or at least the room she had when she was tiny.

He goes to the desk and pockets a English/French dictionary, as well as his wallet. "Alright. Shall we, then?"

[claudiometer]

"It's not that bad now." Or as bad as the one she had before her foray into kidnapping a federal agent.
(Chrles would get an interesting visual of Claudia's old apartment; she absolutely covered the walls in notes and leads about Artie, most notably: WHERE IS ARTIE NOW?)
"I'm good to go if you are."

[balancingminds]

Its an arresting visual and Charles raises an eyebrow but doesn't ask,

"I know French, you won't have to strain yourself too much."

[damncompass]

"Good, because my French is absolutely miserable. I know antimatière now, but that's not really helpful ordering dinner." He leads them out of his apartment, down a couple flights of stairs, and out the front door of CERN after nodding at a security guard.

Outside the door, Joshua takes them down the street, and stops at the next corner. "We'll have to get on the bus, because this street's a bit busy at ideal times." He rummages in a pocket and comes up with a few coins, handing them to Charles and Claudia. "I have a card, but I can't give it to either of you."

[claudiometer]

"I have... American money. Right." Claudia's protest doesn't last long in the face of that.
"And I know programming languages but can't keep more than one spoken language in my head, so I'm glad someone's fluent."

[balancingminds]

Charles gestures to his head, "I've got some ways to learn quickly."

[damncompass]

"Claud, you don't have Euros. Shut up." Joshua shrugs. "I'm learning, but for some reason it's really freaking slow. My German's not too bad, but since we're so close to France... yeah."

[claudiometer]

"I still say Looney Tunes principle should apply."
Le antimatter! Le antimatter! (Hey, if 'los bluejeans' is valid Spanish...)

[balancingminds]

"Languages are difficult and you understand the language of science, that's tricky as well."

[damncompass]

"Yeah, it is. And most times, it's the only thing that I can explain well."

The bus comes, and they all pile on. "So Geneva. It's not a bad place, really." He looks out the window as a few fields pass by. "Miss home sometimes, though."

[claudiometer]

"Well, Mister Bored, you did start the coming-back process."
Not as much as Claudia thinks he should, considering what she knows about Joshua's side research, but they have at least talked about that.

[balancingminds]

"Its also one that be finished in time. Beginnings are what's important, no matter how hard they are. I keep discovering that with Erik and my own work."

[damncompass]

"Yeah, I know, Claudia. And yes, beginnings are important. I'm trying to maybe get somewhere." He falls silent as the bus rounds a corner, and they pile off on a side street.

"Right. It's this way." Joshua leads them up a street and around the corner.

[claudiometer]

Don't mind Claudia, she's just following the guy who knows where he's going. Not like she got to do much touristy stuff last time she was here.

[balancingminds]

Charles follows along, looking around and enjoying the languages they're walking by.

[damncompass]

Joshua points out a few things as they walk, slipping into German, realizing it, and checking himself.

Eventually after a short walk, they get to a small restaurant on a corner that advertises fondue. "Here we are. It's become one of my favorite places."

[claudiometer]

Good thing he checks himself. Claudia would've had to call him on it otherwise.
"I am definitely down for some cheesy goodness."

[balancingminds]

"Yes, fondue is one of the best food inventions."

[damncompass]

"Oh, but it is so much more than cheese, little sister." He grins and takes them into the restauraunt where the host grins at him and leads them to a table in the back corner. Menus are provided, in French.

There seem to be three different areas on the menu. One for cheesy goodness fondue with bread, one for hot oil fondue with various meats and veggies, and sweet fondues with fruits.

Joshua explains what's on the menu. "Get what you want, guys. We can try a bunch of different things, or get the same thing and share. I'm rather fond of the emmenthaler cheese."

[claudiometer]

"I never said it was only cheese." Seriously.
"Hmm. Fruit version for dessert, maybe?"

[balancingminds]

"I think a variety of everything would be perfect. Its been a while since I've had fondue but I recall some delicious combinations,"

He starts pointing to ones on the menu.

[damncompass]

"Oh, of course the chocolate one. Charles is right. We should have one of everything." Joshua grins. He waves over the waiter, and orders one of each type, as well as a bottle of wine. The waiter nods, smiles, and wanders off.

"The wine's traditional. I'll take it home if no one else wants it." Shrug.

[claudiometer]

"...Think I'll pass," Claudia says, after considering it for a moment. "Artie'll be confused enough if he calls me and I'm in Geneva. I don't need to be drunk on top of that."