Logs:On Course

On Course
Dramatis Personae Flicker, Tian-shin	2020-02-17 "If anything we should be surprised Space Force doesn't already have giant robots."
Location <XS> Danger Room
It's hard to tell where in New York they are, with smoke still drifting amongst the recently ruined buildings. A metallic hulk rises from the rubble, improbable in its bright colors--pink, purple, and silver--as well as its sheer colossal scale. Despite all the desolation, there are no signs of emergency vehicles on land or in the air. All is quiet on this battlefield now. Tian-shin has scaled the mechanical giant's shoulder and perched herself on a purple epaulet. Her black hair is coming loose from the neat bun at the back of her head, blowing across her ash-smudged face, and her black X-uniform is dirty and scuffed from the battle. "You know, I appreciate these fantasy training scenarios," she says, still breathing hard, "but I'm really not sure if we're likely to need to take down any giant robots." Flicker's uniform is oddly neat, although his hair is ruffled and he is still rattling an inhaler in one hand as he settles down in the loose-curled grip of one cracked purple hand. He leans up against a finger, forehead resting against it as he looks up at Tian-shin. The serpentine length of his mechanical arm is retracting back into place, the claw tip folding itself neatly closed until it looks almost harmless. "I don't know." There's a smile on his face, but his voice is rough. Ragged. "Have you looked at the world lately? If I read in the news that Trump was like, 'we're making a giant robot army to kill all mutants' I'd be like, yeah, that sounds about on course for 2020." Tian-shin's head rolls back eyes toward the sky for a moment before she looks down at her teammate, shoulders slumping. "Oh, nooo, you're right," she groans. "If anything we should be surprised Space Force doesn't already have giant robots." She tucks a tress of glossy black hair behind her ear. "Well, I guess we'll be ready." Her expression softens, a concerned frown gathering her brows briefly. "I'm glad to have you back, even if your lungs aren't too happy with it. I hope you've been getting enough rest? When you're not helping me face down the robot menance." "For a while recently I feel like I was getting nothing *but* rest. I'm very over it." Flicker shifts uncomfortably against the metal pillar. The sharp end of his arm rotates. Opens. Lights briefly with thin-bright lines of plasma arcing between the claws that shave a small slice and then another off one of the metal fingers in front of him. His eyes fix on the robot as he continues the steady segmenting of the already-dismembered limb. "Though I've -- been talking to Hive about school so I might. Have a different opinion on rest a month from now." "Sorry," says Tian-shin, her tone sympathetic rather than apologetic. "Oh!" Her eyes widen slightly, but whatever she had first intended to say she breaks off and reconsiders for a long moment. "Are you feeling ready to jump back in? I'm guessing it's going to take a lot of paperwork and maybe a little extra. Push." She blushes. "On the bureaucratic front, I mean." "Hive's -- got that part handled," Flicker admits with a faint blush, a dip of his gaze. The sharp tips of his claws snap closed again, one last sliver of purple metal falling to the floor with a clatter. "And I --" A pause. It stretches longer. His teeth press down at the inside of his cheek. "Well," he finally says, careful and quiet, "the world needs more decent doctors, and I can't really keep my life on hold forever, so --" He shrugs. Tucks his inhaler back into a jacket pocket. "It'll be good. But, you know." When he looks up again his smile is quick and bright. "If you need any furniture quick that window's probably getting narrow." Tian-shin nods. "Good. Well, not good that he has to do that but...good that he has it in hand. Still, if at some point in the process you feel like it would motivate them better to hear 'my lawyer will be in touch', I've got your back, too." Her smile is still genteel, showing no teeth, but it does pull crooked for just a moment. "I might be partial, but I think you would make more than just a decent doctor. You'll be amazing." Then, with a thoughtful hum. "How serious are you about last call for furniture commissions?" "School bureaucracy is a nightmare so I might just take you up on that." Flicker's blush has deepened. "Oh, I'll still *have* a queue once I go back to school," he assures Tian-shin brightly. "But if you want something finished before we're all in Xavier's Home for Gifted Senior Citizens together you should probably let me know *before* I'm back in the swing of rotations." He flutters easily down from his perch on the hand -- unnecessary though the precaution may be, a moment before voicing his request: "-- Cere, end simulation, please." He's shedding his jacket, folding it neatly over one arm as the ruined city melts away into the clean smooth dome of the danger room. "I've been using a milk crate for an altar for..." Tian-shin's mouth tugs to one side thoughtfully. "Since I moved out, honestly. I keep thinking I should buy one, but I'm sure anything you make would be better. It wouldn't be a huge project, either, if you're interested and wouldn't find that...weird." She doesn't bother climbing down from her vantage point, evidently trusting the danger room to ease her to the floor, which it does at Flicker's request. Landing lightly on her the balls of her feet, she rolls her head to one side, then the other. "You sticking around for dinner? I'm not sure know what it's going to be, but it smelled pretty good when I was passing by earlier..." "Oh!" Flicker's eyes open wider. He holds his jacket a little bit tighter against his chest, nodding. "I -- yes. I'd be glad to -- we can talk about what you need in it, but I should have time to fit in another table before school." He stretches his shoulders, too, then heads for the door. "Sure. Nothing like giant killer robots to work up an appetite." Tian-shin's gaze dips to the featureless floor for a moment her face inscrutable, but in reply she only says, "Thanks, that would be great." She falls into step beside Flicker, her smile returning at a small delay. "As if it takes that to work up your appetite."