[b][I]Mikhail Chekhov[/i][/b]

Mikhail felt a burst of respect for Merja as he saw her defend his actions and give Alex the Dense a reinforcing explanation that confirmed what he himself had said. He also felt a slight feeling of warmth at Romani as he saw that despite the latter's skepticism, he was willing to help Merja.

[b]"Nice, nice, coffee boy."[/b] he said to the other foriegn-born student. He was French, right? Or actual Romani? [b]"Thanks for the help - You can now go -"[/b]

Then everything went to hell in a handbasket again, with Alex the Dense Snob opening his wide big bouth to express his doubt. Gritting his teeth, Mikhail said to Alex, [b]"I [i]am[/i] Mikhail Chekhov. That part is - "[/b] Then he was taken aback by Merja's kindness and attempt to settle things between them.

Sincerely surprised, he gave a slight bow to the Finnish girl before saying, [b]"Thank you. This means a lot and I appreciate your kindness."[/b] There was a firmness to his tone that was lacking before, a firmness that implied genuine respect. [b]"Goodbye for now, both of you, and... Thanks."[/b] Then he glanced at Philip, waiting for the older boy's reply to darken the day once more. 

And Philip tore through him like a knife through butter. Mikhail looked away from the other young man, saying, [b]"I approached you because we're both kids - Because we are both part of the same age group."[/b]

He then recovered his nerve, and said, [B]"You aren't as honest as you think, if you believe that [i]adults[/i] don't deserve any resentment. Tell me, if you had full trust in the establishment, scientific or otherwise, you'd be following your father's footsteps in a University [i]already[/i] - You're that smart. Instead, you're studying at either Evergreen or St. Paul's."[/b]

Mikhail presses on, [b]"And why is that? I don't presume your parents would approve of you 'lowering yourself' or being percieved as lowering yourself, so I think you did this against their wishes. So I think you have your own rebellious streak as well."[/b]

Then to Philip's genuine points regarding the antidote. [b]"And okay, true, the antidote probably already exists, but how are we supposed to know the adults will produce it in enough amounts to be useful? And how do we know that they won't just forget about it if the Russian Government shifts to a different poison? Too many variables left in the hands of an establishment that is deaf-mute to the grievances of those below it. At the very least, redundancy is important. And finally, peer-review is a problem, but I can swallow my distrust long enough to secure at least nominal recognition."[/b]

A pause. [b]"And as for my obsession with politics, well, what do you recommend instead? That I go on with my life? Or wait for a day that might never come?"[/b]

[@LetMeDoStuff][@FalloutJack][@Conscripts]