ArchivedLogs:Giant Bugs, Man

Giant Bugs, Man
Dramatis Personae Melinda, Micah	9 June 2013 Humanfriends finally keep that drink date! (Takes place after Panic Call.)
Location <NYC> Green Carnation Pub - Gramercy Park
Melinda holds the door open for her companion as she leads the way into the pub of her choosing, her eyes briefly on Micah before turning her gaze on the rest of the bar, scoping out a place to sit. "This is where I first met Lucien. It's a great place, if you don't try to buy yourself, and the drinks kind of flow more freely than other places, so I figure it's a good place to just sort of relax and take a load off, you know." She's wearing a skirt and a couple spaghetti strapped tops that crisscross in the back, leaving most of her shoulders and upper torso free for the evening air to start to cool. "Come on, Micah. We gotta get your mind off things for a while." Admittedly, Micah has been trying to get his mind off things for a bit! After a prolonged freakout session at Hive's and a series of slowly less panicked phone calls, there was a hot shower. Because that's supposed to be relaxing. His auburn hair is curling a bit at the ends from having recently been damp, but Micah doesn't look /terribly/ more relaxed for it. He has traded in his T-shirt for a jade green button-down and a pair of blue jeans that are actually in good condition. He trails behind Mel, hazel eyes darting around the unfamiliar place. "So, what d'you do if you don't buy drinks? That seems odd. Though, I've been havin' the oddest day I've /ever/ had, so I really shouldn't be marvellin' at it any. An' that’s /sayin'/ something, 'cause I've had some odd days." "Well, watching giant bugs take your boyfriend and devour the diamond district isn't ever going to be easy to top." Melinda's heard some of this before, on the way over. She wraps an arm around Micah's shoulder and gives him a squeeze before finding a place to sit. "Well, you could probably get all the drinks you wanted if you offered to tell people your story, but if you're not in the mood, you can just sit, make little nods at people and see if you can attract any interest in your adorable good looks." Mel shrugs and releases Micah when they get to their chairs. "Also if you're not up for it, I'll buy the first round." "Giant bugs. Also bug people. Also boyfriend tryin' t'ride giant bugs and then /passin' out/ randomly before gettin' bugnapped." It is hard to tell if Micah is repeating all of the rest of this because he feels like Mel needs to hear it again, or because he's still trying to get a firmer grip on the reality of it. A hint of a lopsided grin pulls at just one corner of his mouth. "Y'know Hive asked me if I was /high/ when I called him for help?" He actually chuckles at this. "Ohhh," Micah says with a nod at Mel's explanation. "It's an encouragin' interaction between tables kinda gimmick. I gotcha. Well, how's 'bout you let /me/ buy a first round just t'get things goin', 'cause I still owe ya a drink or three, then we'll see what happens?" He pulls a chair out for Mel and waits for her to sit before slipping into his own. "Yeah, I probably would have asked you the same thing, but I have twitter to keep me up to date on the insanity of the city. You were not the only one talking of giant bugs, so ... either mass hysteria or truth. I like you too much to assume you're off your nutter." Melinda settles into her seat and then relaxes, taking a moment to let her gaze sweep the group to see if there are any early takers. After that, she'll just wait for a waiter. "Sure, you can buy the first round. I'm not going to say no. You're the one vague associated with the medical profession. You probably make more than me." “Hm, yeah, I might’ve asked me the same thing, too,” Micah finally admits with a snort of laughter. “I was a little too busy panicking for much else at the time. Totally forgot t’carry a towel this mornin’. Poor plannin’ for insane incidents.” He keeps an eye out for a server, in that obvious way that tends to make them more likely to notice and approach. “Yeah, could actually be doin’ pretty decent if I didn’t make bad decisions about when t’start a business. It’s true. What’re you thinkin’ to start with?” "Yeah, I don't know. Towels are nice and all, but they're actually a pain in the ass to carry around, no offense to Mr. Adams." Melinda smiles as she shifts her hair over one shoulder and leans back in her chair, looking Micah over. "And they are kind of warm for travel in the city." She purses her lips as she considers before remarking, "I'll start with a gin and tonic. What's your usual, Micah?" “Little towel. In a pocket, maybe. I wonder if handkerchiefs count?” Mel’s reference-catch and smile spark a brighter return smile from Micah. He settles in, as well, leaning a forearm on the edge of the table. “My go-to’s a dark’n stormy. Hard to mess up, an’ /lots/ of sweet’n spicy.” Micah manages to attract the attention of a young woman on the wait staff, placing an order for the specified drinks along with two glasses of water. Because water is /always/ a good plan. "I suppose, though with the heat in the city, I'm assuming my little wash cloth would end up being a sweat stinky mess after a while. Though, my face would be less of a problem. That's a point in the towel's favor." Melinda is quiet while the order is made, then leans her elbow on the table as well. "Mmm. Never really got the hang of spiced rum for some reason. It seems to be the exact same chemical composition of my gag reflex. I can sip it carefully, if but if I get too much, I end up coughing terribly." “Hm, yes. The towel is good,” Micah utters with mock solemnity. “Oh, some of them /are/ a little strong. But the good ones are all…like caramel an’ vanilla that someone set on fire a little bit.” Ah, there we go! The giggle is back! “That’s okay, I pretty much can’t drink gin at all, either. It’s like…someone poured rubbin’ alcohol over an evergreen an’ put it in a bottle, then convinced someone it was drinkable.” He bunny-crinkles his nose. “So…I guess we won’t be sharin’ our drinks much.” "Maybe I just have a thing for trees," Melinda offers dryly. She takes a deep breath and shrugs. "I'm sure there are bottles of liquor that we both like and won't have a problem sharing. I mean, there are several wines out there that I really enjoy, and fuzzy navels are delicious." She glances at Micah as she sees the drinks starting to arrive. "How's Spencer holding up?" Micah winces /visibly/ at that joke. Because Jim. "Yeah, fruity drinks are generally pretty okay. Wine tends to be mostly lost on me. I always have to give wine tastin' people that look like...prob'ly they're makin' half of that stuff up?" His shoulders rise and fall in a little shrug. "I usually prefer a nice cider. But I usually don't get accused of bein' excessively fancy, neither." Micah offers a quiet thanks to the server as glasses are placed on little paper napkins in front of them. His hand goes raking through his hair at the question about Spencer. "Okay, I think? There's a bit too much of people goin' missin' in his life. Fortunately, we didn't tell him nothin' 'til after the school had heard from Jax that he's okay. So...we just told him Jax was away talkin' with some folks unexpectedly. Wouldn't-a been no good me tryin' to tell him anythin' while I was still panickin', anyhow. Kids just pick up on that stuff an' amplify it like crazy." "Yeah. Setting the mood for kids is hard when you're messed up about something." Melinda shakes her head and exhales, reaching over to grab her glass and slide it over, using the tiny straw to poke at the lime floating in the clear liquid. "It still rather blows my mind that you've already heard from Jax. I mean, wow. He's up and snatched away this afternoon, and by evening, it just seems like some sort of meeting where attendance is required and - fuck. I don't know." She shakes her head again. "Giant... bugs?" “That’s the truth an’ then some,” Micah agrees, before pausing to sip from his drink. The bubbles tickle at his nose a bit. “I dunno…maybe they’re really /nice/ giant bugs? I woulda been a whole sight less worried if he hadn’t’ve been /unconscious/ when they flew off. ‘Cause I figured maybe one of the bugs stung him with a thing or somethin’? Bugs that big could pack quite the dose of venom. But maybe…I dunno. They just sedated him ‘cause they didn’t want him to know the way to their secret lair or somethin’.” He bites down on his lip to catch a laugh. “Hm…now I’m picturin’ the bugs givin’ him a PowerPoint presentation. All dressed up in little bowties an’ glasses. Hive productivity figures projected into the next quarter…” There’s no help for it, he’s giggling again. "Sure, Micah. Nice bugs, just don't mind them as they destroy part of the city." Melinda continues stabbing at her lime with her straw before finally taking a sip. She suddenly looks up, having forgot herself. "He probably only fell asleep because they told him that they were going to have powerpoints. Preemptive boredom." She gives him a small smile, her forehead crinkled up in concern. “Well, if they /are/ bugs, maybe they just don’t understand what they’re doin’ is harmful? Or they aren’t used to bein’ giant, so the scale of things is beyond them? I dunno. Giant bugs! How do I know what they’re thinkin’? But Dr. McCoy insisted Jax said everythin’ was okay. So they can’t be entirely evil maim-an’-torture bugs or anythin’.” Micah provides another eloquent shrug to summarise /his/ thoughts on the matter. “They really didn’t tell me much. An’ ohman, PowerPoint /is/ like the best cure for insomnia. I’m gonna have to try threatenin’ presentations to get Jax t’sleep when he’s bein’ stubborn about it…” "Yeah, and if that doesn't work, I can lend you my roommate. She basically is an insomnia cure, and I suppose if everyone is willing and perhaps a little incentive was provided, she might be willing to make it a side business." Melinda smiles and waggles her brows before diving into her drink more. “Giant bugs, man. Micah, I just ... can't wrap my head around it." “There are folks would pay well for a guaranteed way t’fall asleep quick. Schedule to see her at a particular time every night.” Micah grins at the idea. “What an odd business plan that would be to write up, though.” He hmms, taking another sip from his glass. “We certainly live in interestin’ times.” "Yes, yes, we do." Melinda agrees.