Hugh was early, he had a thing for punctuality. He liked to have time to prepare things for his presentations anyway. Today he had a slide show set up on his laptop which he needed to get synched with the university's projector. Not to mention artifacts. When one is the currator it helped a lot with red tape for things like artifacts. He got his display set up while his laptop booted up. A couple of the lecture's attendees wandered in. Some were obviously students, one was a TA that Hugh knew. He gave them a nod and kept working.

Today's lecture was more anthropology than archeology, but he was untroubled. Choctaw ceremonies were interesting to study anyway, but he was excited to have a painted skull in a lexan case to pass around during his lecture on the bone picking ceremony.

Once he had everything ready to go he stood and checked the microphone's position at the podium and adjusted his jacket a bit. He was wearing a dark navy suit and a black turtle neck today, formal, but not too formal. Which felt like the right choice in light of seeing one of the students wearing flip flops.

As a regular attendee of lectures, Xanthe was more or less excited about the one she was on her way to attend. As much as she loved learning about the various cultures and spiritual practices, those who gave the presentations were usually old, monotonous and uninspiring. If it weren't for her love of lecture in general, she probably would just read the given material, but there was a sense of person that was missed in that course of action.

The weather was beautiful so Xanthe had decided to walk to her lecture from her small house on the more scenic side of town. It was only about a thirty five minute walk, and she had her comfy moccasins on anyway. Her golden brown hair was pulled back into a beautifully messy ponytail with a blue ribbon that matched her sundress, her overlarge purple purse slung over her shoulder. Large sunglasses covered her eyes and cigar was held in between her pink lips. As she approached her destination, she took one drag from the cigar she had been nursing and then threw it into the public ashtray.

As she stepped into the classroom, the golden haired woman noticed a few things. Firstly, there were more people in this lecture than she had seen at any in some time. Secondly, there were some very interesting looking things up at the front, including what looked like a colorful human skull. And, thirdly, the man standing at the front whom she supposed was the instructor was in no way old, monotonous and uninspiring looking.
Shamelessly, Xanthe gave him a good look as she took her seat and got herself settled. After a minor battle with the purple purse, she had her note pad and pen ready.

The lecture went smoothly, Hugh had a clear voice and a charismatic presence, so there weren't the usual lecture problems with people interupting, or falling asleep. No one even had a phone ring in the middle of it to his delight. He stuck with his usual formula, and had a period at the end for questions and discussion. A lot of those in attendance cleared out at that time, the bulk probably having classes to attend.

Those who stayed tended to be more serious academians.

Among the few that stayed was Xanthe. She sat silently for a few minutes, writing out her own thoughts alongside her notes as she watched others approach the red-headed man. As a public speaker, she had to admit the man was fantastic. As one who regularly gave compliments where they were fit, she finished her jotting and, after getting her things together, made her way to the front of the class to tell her instructor just how much she had enjoyed the lecture.

Besides, she'd like to get a closer look anyway. Just for curiosity's sake, she assured herself.

Hugh was always both cordial and professional in such settings, he had a reputation to maintain afterall. He greeted every one that came up to talk and shook their hands while debating points or elaborating.

Xanthe was the last one to make it to the podium. A few of the hanger on's behind her had decided to bow out, perhaps he'd answered their questions while speaking to another.

As the individual in front of her departed, she realized she was the last person there. For a moment, she wondered if her continued presence gave the impression she wanted to be alone with the man, but she quickly brushed it from her mind. He was a professional, wasn't he?

Walking to the podium, Xanthe gave him a winning grin. Her blue dress made her eyes glitter prettily, now that they weren't hidden behind sunglasses.
"I believe that was one of the more enjoyable lectures I've attended in some time. You gave fantastic detail about the funerary rites." She said, her sincerity apparent in her voice.

"The funerary rites are interesting to deal with, they went through some evolution both due to contact with other tribes, and later through Americanization. I'm glad you liked the lecture." He told her smiling warmly.

He did notice her winning grin. He liked to think she really had enjoyed the lecture, it was nice to think people still persued higher learning just for knowledge's sake.

She nodded. "I doubt many Christians would approve of 'ripening' cadavers before picking away the bones, but as you said, those rites had all but disappeared by the time America was colonized. Fascinating, though." Gazing down at the skull still on the desk, she gave a crooked grin. "I much prefer their ideas of funerals, in any case. Remembering what you loved about the dead."
Her gaze returned to him. "I didn't catch your name, by the way."

"Hugh McKnight, the university says I should use my title, but I think of doctors as being able to prescribe things for people, and that's not within my scope of powers as a museum currator." He joked making light amicable banner.

Xanthe cocked an eyebrow. "You're Mr. McKnight? I figured you'd be... uhm. Older."

"Yes, I get that a lot, though really, I'm not even always old enough to know better. I'm afraid that you have me at a disadvantage now, I don't know who you are- Miss?"

Xanthe smiled nicely. "Xanthe Reigner, I'm a student here at the university." She adjusted her purse on her shoulder. "Do you give lectures often? I'd like to attend another."

" Miss Reigner, a pleasure to make your aquaintance.As for lectures, every six to eight weeks I give one here at the school. Every couple weeks I give one out of town. Third Monday of every month I give a short one at the museum, though those are usually on artifact preservation. I'm delighted that you'd like to attend another of coarse."

Xanthe nodded and brushed her bangs from her face. "Yes, as I said I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation. I'll do my best to attend another." She looked down at the skull he had presented. "Spiritual practices are an integral part of my studies. I enjoy learning as much as I can."

"You should attend next week's then, if you aren't planning to already. Doctor Hollinger may be old and a bit dry, but he knows a great deal about the ritualized use of peyote, and he isn't afraid to debunk some of the myth's about it having been through some ceremonies with it.

It's also fun to take him to dinner afterwards, get him drunk and ask him questions about Central American ruin excavations and poison arrow frogs." Hugh told her.

"I think I've met Doctor Hollinger before, actually. I was very interested in the Native American views of the plant and it's ritual uses, and I looked him up. He's a card." She giggled lightly, looking back at Hugh. "I have a habit of befriending those who are knowledgeable about Early Spirituality and Ritual. It's more fun to pick brains by dinner and a good bottle of wine, and it's only civilized." She chuckled again at herself, as if the thought was humorous.

"Hollinger's been around yes, always a gas at dinner parties.

What specifically is your field of study, if you've said I missed it?"

She looked down for a second, collecting her thoughts. "The different spiritual traditions of cultures, specifically shamanistic traditions that involve the use of psychedelics in ritual. Old magic, if you believe in that sort of thing."

"Are you speaking in a literal sense, or in the sense that we don't fully understand the capabilities of the human mind? When perhaps ancestral people's had a better grasp of the doorways that could be opened in human consciousness?" This was turning into an interesting conversation, though certainly, perhaps a dangerous one. Magic wasn't a subject to just be bandied about easily.

Xanthe grinned. "Both, I think. In my own mind, I believe it's obvious that our ancestors were in possession of knowledge unknown to our generation. The relics left from times past are evidence in themselves that these people were intellectuals and masters of the land they lived upon. But, there were secrets of the living world beyond that as well." She paused momentarily. "There are doors in our minds that require the right keys, and I believe some of them are unlocked through use of certain chemical compounds in addition to ritual. It can create spiritual transcendence, and a way to learn the secrets of the other planes." Absentmindedly, she twisted a lock of her hair around her finger.

"I think we're masters of our own minds, though there may be more than one route to mastery." He told her more amused than worried with her talk of magic for the moment.

"Well, everyone has their own opinions... and that's the beauty of it. To those who are true to themselves and to the expansion of their own reality, I don't think there are any wrong answers. And that's why it's so very important to share views with others."

Hugh smiled. "More open minded than most of acadamia then. Care to join me for lunch? I really should pack up and clear out so that the meteorology department can use this hall in a half hour."

Xanthe blinked once, twice.
"Sure, lunch would be lovely. Anywhere in mind?"

"There is a decent little deli across from the museum I'm fond of, sound alright with you?" He suggests.

"Yes, that sounds fine." Xanthe was still smiling slightly from the surprise of being asked to lunch.

There were two factors working in her favor regarding the invitation, the first being Hugh was hungry, the second being he could rarely resist the company of young women.

"Splendid. I'll just be a minute packing up." He was winding up laptop cords already.

Xanthe rocked on her heels and hummed lightly to herself as Hugh packed up his things. She watched him now and again from the corner of her eye.

He noticed the humming, and found it strangely charming. He liked quirky people, pending they didn't cross the line into psychotic.

"All set." He said finally once he had everything rounded up, laptop bag in hand, and skull tucked under his arm. "Shall I drive?"

"Yes, if you'd like to. I'd offer, but I walked here."

"Oh, even better, I like to show off my car anyhow." He admits, because it's true. He leads her out to where he's parked and turns off the alarm, which is a very modern addition to his silver 1970 Triumph Spitfire GT6.

"I can see why." Xanthe said, eying the car appreciatively. "So, how did you get your start into Archeology?"

"Digging for dinosaurs in my backyard, I found some old bottles and parts of a bootlegger still, it went down hill from there and I became obsessed with the discards of bygone days. You just never know what you'll dig up." He told her.

"I was always digging for skeletons." She chuckled lightly. "But I know what you mean. I'm always looking for that lost sense of mystery in the world."

"It's good to retain a sense of wonder." he agreed.

Xanthe nodded and put her sunglasses on. It was still bright out and when you travel in a beautiful car, you travel in style.

"I think wonder is something our culture is missing. We would all be much happier with a little work and adventure."

"Yes, it's depressing, there's no wonder, and we take everything forgranted, then wonder why suicide's on the rise, along with violent crime, and the general morale decay of society as a whole."

While glancing at Hugh from the corner of her eye, Xanthe's face split into a white toothed smile. Her freckles were accented by a light touch of pink from the sun.

"We're getting into territory where I start sounding like a raving hippie." She said. "Just giving you fair warning. I've always wanted something different from this world and sooner or later, this way of life will be gone. Maybe not in our generation, but soon all we take for granted will be destroyed by our own willfulness and sloth."

"That does seem to be the trend. We've stopped learning from the lessons of our past, and heeding their wisdom. Mankind has begun to believe it's entitled to pillage any and every resource there is based solely on need and the warped justification that we're intelligent." Hugh mostly agrees, but is really too lazy to take up a crusade and do anything about it.

Xanthe nodded and opened the car door and sat down in the very shiny car.

"I've tried telling people, convincing them that our ways are wrong... no one listens, not really." She let out a sigh. "But let's talk of happier things, shall we? It was very nice of you to invite me to lunch."