Colin's posts

"That's really nice of you." Leo replied.

"I'll let you know when I start making real strides towards it." he told her.

"For now, I need to concentrate on having a set of product lines, even if just 2 or 3, and REALLY know how the business side of things for this goes." he went in, sighing quietly.

"Nakia doesn't want me to be the sort of person that's just the tech guy, and gets swindled and robbed by some fast-talking businessman that wants to usurp control of the company from me." he explained.

"...granted, with Nakia around, there'd be REAL dire consequences for anyone that did so, but she'd rather I be able to head it off at the pass and nip it in the bud in case someone DOES try it." he added.

Leo sighed.

"Firstly, online classes are an option. Just remember that." he told her. "And that's all I'll say in regards to THAT subject, right now." he assured her further.

"Secondly, I do still want to start of that tech company." he then said.

"I have ideas, I have prototypes, I think I have the capabilities to potentially shake up the industry, or at least carve my own niche into it, but... uh, well... running a business is... a lot of work..." he mumbled.

"I'm doing a lot of research into running one. Nakia's told me that this has real potential to become one of the Fortune 500, and I need to prepare for that level of success." he went on.

"So... yeah, the dream is still alive, but I need to have a sturdy launching pad for said dream."

Leo thought for a moment.

"I think I know of a place that would grant a scholarship for philosophy." he told her.

"I'll need to double-check." he said.

"As for your grades, if you don't think they're up to snuff, why not take an adult education course?" he asked her.

"Hell, I'll sponsor you if you do end up needing to." he offered.

"And no, it's not me just giving charity, this is me genuinely trying to help you smoothly get your life moving forward." he then stressed.

Leo shrugged.

"I know of a few kinds." he told her.

"Like, I know one that goes for the sciences, one that's purely physical-based, one that specifically looks at people going into physics." he listed off.

"And I know of a couple that give out scholarships for more... er... hm, how do I put this...?" he then wondered. "They tend to favour those that study the mind." he told her.

"But not the BRAIN, if that makes sense." he added.

"Psychology and other such things."

"I fully support that idea." Leo told her.

"And if you can get money for tuition, huh?" he then asked, before crossing his arms and thinking about it.

"Hmmm." he mumbled.

"I wonder..." he said further, drifting off a bit.

"I might know of a few businesses willing to give you a scholarship, depending on what you're going to college for." he told her.

"Just need to apply if your area of study is within their bursaries."

"Makes sense." Leo replied.

"Anyway, let's eat!" he then said.

And so they did. They devoured a good part of the food, with still plenty left over for Desiree. Leo was happy to see that, and sat down on the couch she had.

"That was satisfying." he commented.

"So what are your plans now?" he asked.

"Or are you just winging it?"

Leo raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?" he asked.

"Well, fair enough then." he said.

"If they would be willing to test a beta or two, that would be a very big help." he told her, before pausing.

"But I don't even want to even attempt it until I do research on it." he insisted. "I want to see if, even with mana, such a thing is possible." he stressed to her further.

"So I don't want ANYONE else knowing about this until much later."

Leo paused for a moment, before nodding.

"Yeah, you're right." he said. "And... yeah, you ARE!" he realised. "I'll let you know when I have a prototype ready to be tested." he told her further, before pausing.

"I also have the idea for another specialised tablet, but you wouldn't be able to help with that." he then said further. "It'll be for those that are VISUALLY impaired." he continued. "I want... well, I want to convey braille digitally." he told her.

"And I know that sounds weird and crazy." he said. "But hear me out. A tablet that can be put into a 'reading mode' of sorts, and the touch screen then can transmit tiny electrical impulses to the finger that match with the letters on the screen." he continued.

"And they don't need to use a text to speech thing." he went on.

"THAT, however, is going to take a while." he said.

"Like, I need to start the research for that first." he chuckled.

"See if it's even feasible."

Leo sighed again.

"Well, mostly, I'm trying to find a screen that doesn't blind the user." he told her.

"After all, it's not good when the screen is too bright to read, but dimming it makes it harder to see." he went on.

"Think backlighting, but more... overall." he muttered.

"Finicky to do." he said.

Leo just smiled again.

"Yeah, there's a few things new." he told her.

"I'm trying to develop a tablet for those that are hearing-impaired." he said.

"One that is superior to all other tech out there right now." he went on.

"...might take a bit, though." he lamented.

"It's finicky, and I'll need unbiased deaf individuals for testing. Plus, I'm not sure where to start with it."

Leo smirked, though he had mild surprise in his expression from her swear.

"Fair point." he said.

"And it's a good attitude to have." he told her.

"Also, good. I'm glad you still have that survival and stubbornness in you." he added with a chuckle.

"And lemme know when you get internet." he then said.

"We can get back to that one game I know you like to do co-op with me."

Leo's eyes hardened a little.

"If they find you quickly, I'll be angry." he told her.

"You deserve safety and peace of mind." he said.

"...and it's not fair to you that you've been denied it for so long." he lamented.

"But... well, let's focus on the now." he then said further.

"Things are looking up for you!"

Leo laughed out loud at that.

"That's fair." he said.

"But anyway! Again, congrats on the new place, Desiree." he said once more.

"Seems you've got your life back on track again." he went on.

"Not the nicest place in the world, but it seems all right, neighbourhood aside." he commented further.

"Super lucky you happened to meet Dean, huh?" he then asked.

Leo just laughed quietly and scratched the back of his head when she said that.

"Ah, yeah, that." he said.

"That's why there's three orders of it, admittedly." he told her.

"I wanted to make sure that was the ONE thing I actually took back, thanks for reminding me." he said sheepishly.

"So yeah, leave at least one order untouched. I'll be taking that one back." he went on.

"The rest can stay here, though."