ArchivedLogs:How fast should plants grow

How fast should plants grow
Dramatis Personae Corey, Hanna, Felix	2013-06-05 Corey has mutant powers, but what are they?
Location <NYC> Village Lofts - Rooftop - East Village
It tends to be windy, up here, but the presence of plastic table and folding chairs suggests that nevertheless building residents occasionally make their way out to this rooftop. With a good view of Tompkins Square Park less than a block away it's a good spot for city-watching. There's a railing around the edge, though it might be possible (if /unwise/) to climb over it to the narrow concrete ledges beyond and from there to the fire escape. Centrally, someone has broken down crates and constructed a small raised-bed garden up here, barren in winter but filled in three other seasons with a small assortment of herbs and vegetables. It is a wonderfully clear day, with the sun still quite high in the sky keeping the rooftop of the Village Lofts comfortably warm, the breeze keeping it from being overly oven like. It is thankfully quiet up here, with the sounds of New York traffic a mere echo of its typical clamour several stories below. Hanna has set up a small folding table and chairs for herself, made of colorful stretched canvas that seem like they would fold up neatly into a bag for easy transport. On the table is a plastic picnic plate with what look like the remnants of a sandwich, as well as a a clear plastic tumbler, or possibly a stemless wine glass, of a fizzy amber liquid - a green glass bottle below the table seems to have provided the contents. To her side sits a large wicker basket - likely how she transported her dinner to the rooftop. Hanna herself is relaxed into the folding canvas chair facing out towards the nearby park, for once wearing something other than a vintage style dress. Well fitted dark jeans hug her legs, while a flowey water colored silk tunic flutters around her upper body, her long hair loosely held in a low pony tail. Felix met up with Corey in the lobby and they took the elevator to the 7th floor. It is only a matter of taking the stairs up to the rooftop from there. Aside from the noise of the city, it is usually a relatively private place to hold a conversation, and hang out in general. A good bet many interesting discussions have taken place there. "I brought coffee, its from Evolve, and since I was not sure how you like it some packets of cream and sugar." Felix says as they reach the entry point to the roof. "Hmmm, somebody up here already," a bit late, the door is already being pushed open, which makes an obvious little creaking noise. He takes a stop on to the roof, looking to see who is already up here. Felix is wearing is usual sport coat, jeans, and button up shirt, and he is carrying a brown paper bag in one hand. Making his way up to the roof with Felix, Corey is wearing a cream colored button up shirt, and a pair of khakis. "I'm sure I can mix it up quick enough with what you brought" , he says in reply to Felix with a smile. He is carrying a small plant that has been improving from dehydrated and splotchy towards health the ride up the elevator. In his other hand, he's got a box of cookies from a nearby bakery. "Hrm? Well guest's aren't necessarily bad..." and as he sees who is already up there, he gives a smile. "In fact, its someone quite convenient." The opening of the door on the roof barely registers to Hanna, and it is only after she hears conversation and familiar voices that she glances back over her shoulder to see who had joined her. Slowly, she rises to her feet, turning to face the entrance to the rooftop, cheerily smiling to the young men. "Hi - please, don't let me hog all the rooftop real estate. I've been up here for a bit, just finishing up dinner - if you want I can head back down to my room," Hanna says starting to stack her plates up to clear her table setting. She raises an eyebrow at the half dead plant in Corey's arms, "Ah - forgot to water your plant there, sweetie?" "Hello Hanna." Felix had not noticed who was on the roof right away, probably because he was looking at Corey and wondering if if may be preferable to go elsewhere. However, he seems to rethink this now that he sees who is up here, and considering Corey's comment. "You do not need to leave because of us." He has a welcoming smile on his face. "When did you move into the building?" Apparently unaware that he and Hanna live in the same building. "No, not precisely Hanna. I wanted to see just how well your theory held true." Corey gives her a smile and a bit of a shrug at that. "So, I brought a good proof of concept." Holding up the plant, he looks a bit sheepish as he lowers it back down from being so obvious. "And you have more right to stay than me, so don't feel put out on my account. I have some cookies, but well I don't know how they'll stack up to yours." He does at least set down the plant as he held out the box of cookies. "Hm?" Hanna tilts her head slightly at Felix's question, "I, well, I moved in here shortly after I decided to open the bakery. So, ah, about four months or so? I've been so busy getting the bakery all set up that, well, I rarely get a chance to come up here. Or do much else but return to my appartment to sleep." She smiles when she's told she doesn't need to vacate, but still swaps her neatly stacked plates for a cleaner, smaller set, as well as a crisp white box from her own bakery. Corey's offer of cookies gets a quirked eyebrow, "I also have some cupcakes I brought home after work, so, we can all share, if you're interested. They're from this morning." Hanna smiles and gestures at the chairs that are typically on the roof, eyeing Corey's plant with renewed interest, "Interesting idea. I suppose that's a good test - it's quite visible when it's having issues." "I was busy with my doctoral thesis at that time, no wonder I did not notice that somebody new had moved in." Felix sets the brown paper bag down on the plastic table and pulls out a large thermos, two coffee mugs, and several packets of sugar and creamer. "Corey and I are hoping to get a bit more insight on his abilities." He seems pleased at the thought of sharing cookies and cupcakes. "I can run down and get another mug if you would like some coffee." Setting the cookies down on the little folding table, Corey gives a nod at that. "I'm content with sharing all of it. She can have my cup, I'm fine without any coffee for now." He gives a smile to Felix, inclining his head with the motion. "So I went and got tested after our good professor here told me the news. And it does seem that I hold the genetic markers." He nods and he gets the plant and sets it on the table to be watched. "So, now to test Hanna's theory. Et Voila, one slightly less dead plant." Hanna chuckles, "No need to give up coffee on my account. I'm quite content with my sparkling apple juice this evening. Which I will happily share." She raises her glass in salute to the men, "Well, a slightly belated congratulations on your thesis, Felix." Smiling at Corey and his plant, she leans against the railing of the rooftop, "Well, congrats, to you as well, I suppose. Or condolences, given the current social climate, I suppose." Her smile flickers, only for a brief moment, her eyes dimming to a dull earthy brown, as she gestures to the city at large with her glass. Shaking her head and smiling broadly again, "Please, feel free to sit, have a cupcake. What sort of tests were you looking to do?" Felix takes a seat and pours himself a cup of coffee, but does not add any cream or sugar, then sets the thermos down next to the other cup. Staring at the plant for a moment as Corey says it is 'less dead', he looks to be thinking as he finally takes a sip of his coffee. "How much closer to dead was it, and how long ago?" Looking over to Hanna, "Tests, well, I am not sure yet. The power does not appe1ar to be harmful." He smiles, and glances back, "It is really up to Corey, if he wants me to use my gift to see if we notice any changes." "I don't know. Ten percent? Twenty percent? Its not exactly something that I can easily measure or quantify. I gave it some water, and I carried it with me." Corey takes out his phone and checks the time on it. "I'd say I picked it up about ten minutes before I met you, and then its been a couple minutes getting up here?" He shrugs and glances to Felix. "You can if you think it will help to quantify things? It doesn't seem to be very fast either way so I don't think Off will do anything impressive." Hanna raises an eyebrow at Felix, looking the young man over skeptically, "Your gift?" she asks, a touch of curiosity in her voice, her eyes tinged pale green with curiosity, "Don't think you've ever actually mentioned that you're a mutant, Felix. Not, of course, that you are obligated to. Just never came up." She idly sips her sparkling apple juice, idly swishing the fluid around in the cup as though it were a fine wine - although this does make the beverage fizz up considerably. The curvy woman just leans against the railing mulling over this new information, "D'you mind if I watch? I'm curious, I suppose." "I guess how long is a relative question." Felix smiles. "Under normal circumstances, I would think it would take days, or even weeks, to nurse a near dead plant back to health. This would mean that a change in the last twenty or more minutes is faster than usual." His attention shifts to Hanna, "No, I do not believe it was ever mentioned and I do not mind if you watch. But, you are of course sworn to secrecy as I am not big on everybody knowing these things." He holds his hand out to Corey, "If you think /off/ will not do anything, then I can try the other direction" he smiles, knowing Corey did not know this trick. "I wouldn't say that. I mean plants without water just kinda deflate, so when you add water back they sorta come back quick. Well, at least plants have always recovered quickly around me anyway, so I guess I'm not exactly the best person to make claims on the subject." Corey shakes his head bemusedly. "Makes me wonder how many things I take as a given are just because I've had this capability all my life. Course, I lived in Florida, where grass just grows that fast." He does however raise a brow at Felix's statement of the opposite direction. "Wait, you mean you can make it stronger too? Eesh, I can understand why you said you wanted it secret." At mention of just what Felix is capable of, Hanna's eyebrows shoot skyward, and her eyes flash a decidedly warmer yellow brown, just for a moment, before settling back to their normal golden brown color. "I, ah, I can understand your desire for discretion. Your secret is safe with me. As far as I am concerned, you never said or demonstrated anything - you're human, if anyone asks." She crosses one arm over her chest and watches, sipping her juice quietly, a bemused smile on her lips. Felix just smiles at Corey and Hanna, and then takes a bite of his cookie followed by a drink from his mug of coffee. He is still holding out his hand, waiting to see if Corey wishes to attempt this test. "Fair warning, you will get a warm feeling as I give you a little boost and a chill when it goes back down. I will also go slowly so that we can observe any changes." Looking at his hand and then Corey, he waits patiently. "Alright, I guess we can handle that. All done in the name of truth and understanding after all." Corey places his hand in the other man's and gives a nod to show that he's ready. "And we appreciate it Hanna. He's been able to let Penny have a few moments of normalcy now and then if nothing else." Giving a warm smile at that, he relaxes in his seat and glances to the plant. "So if the theory is that my genes help plants grow, then boosting it, will make the plant grow better in some way. In theory." Hanna nods, "I'd actually like I chance to see Penny again, some time," she says quietly, "I haven't seen her back around the shop lately, but I figure you'd mention if something happened to her." A quiet smirk passes over her lips, "Oh, I am so glad that Jayna is closing up tonight. That would have been an awkward situation, potentially, if she'd been in the apartment." She then falls quiet, and simply watches with curiosity. "Yes, we have given Penny several normal moments." Felix has a big wide smile that beams with pride on his face. "Well, let us see if the plant will grow," he applies his power slowly, which should give Corey's abilities a boost. At the same time he reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a strip of photos, the kind you get at one of those novelty photo booths at the mall. He holds the pictures out to Hanna, apparently using his power does not require much concentration on his part. "I have not seen her around in a while either." this saddens his expression a bit. "But, I have these so I can always have her with me." As Felix's power starts to flow into Corey, the plant does seem to improve. Those who have seen the time lapse videos now see it in real time happening, as leaves flesh out and petals start to perk up. Those in the general vicinity however also get a taste of the power as well, though in this case general vicinity is expanded now to the entire floor below. Aches that you didn't even know you had fade away, little catches in the breath just aren't there anymore, paper cuts seal up just fine. "Wow you're right, it really does give that nice bit of warmth. Feel like I've just had a power nap followed by a cup of coffee." He does however tilt his head, and reach out his hand to the plant to make sure that what he's seeing is real. Hanna's jaw drops open, and her eyes widen considerably, as her eyes just decide to stop pretending being normal color, quickly passing through the spectrum to settle on a brilliant teal-blue. Her hands shake slightly, as she sets down her tumbler on the ledge of the rooftop, her eyes still latched onto the blooming plant. "Holy shit," she whispers, crossing her arms across her chest as she just watches. After a few moments, she looks down at her hands, and quirks an eyebrow, muttering to herself, "Well, damn. It took me years to build up those caluses. Rolling out the cookies is going to be fun tomorrow." For a moment Felix forgets that he is still holding the pictures in his hand, as he just stares at the growing plant. After a moment, "Well then, I guess that confirms it. You make plants grow." he looks over to Hanna and adds, "Your calluses disappeared? That is something we were not expecting, hmmm." When he realizes that he is still holding something in his hand, he sets the pictures on the table, for now. "Looks like you do more than make plants grow." Glancing to Hanna, Corey raises a brow. "Wait, your calluses are gone? But how would that even happen? I mean, callusses sorta go away on their own, or you exfoliate them, but" he pauses, with confusion on his face. "So we know the plants thing is there, and that makes sense. But I'm affecting Hanna, and she's not a plant as far as I know. Is it possible that whatever you did made it do more than its supposed to? The plant thing was pretty damn impressive after all." Hanna shakes her head, "Yeah, callouses will go away, in time. They heal up and go away, but, um, I've had continual use of them for, uh, longer than I care to admit. They don't normally go away, especially not this fast. They aren't gone, but they're actually flexible again." She blinks down at her hands - the only part of her that really typically shows her age - instead, they have smoothed out considerably, the rounded calouses of a baker fading away unexpectedly. "That is, ah, a bit more than I was expecting really. Huh." Hanna flips her hands over, held out so they can both see what is going on. "No, my ability does not add anything that is not already there, it only boosts what you already have." Felix seems quite sure of this fact. "If you repaired the calluses on Hanna's hand, that sounds more like some kind of regeneration affect." He takes a look at her hands, "Yes, that is rather remarkable. I think I actually feel pretty good, like I was just at the Russian bath house or something, my muscles are very loose and relaxed," as he rolls his shoulders around a bit. "I can tell you still do not have any control over this, and since we do not know the extend of your powers, I think we should put you back to normal level now." "Probably for the best since we don't know what precisely is happening. Maybe it will go back to normal when it drops back down, then Hanna wont have to worry about using the rolling pin tomorrow." Corey gives her an apologetic smile at that and looks back to Felix. "So, things just get better around me then? Thats actually pretty cool." He gives a smile at that and decides a cookie would be a good reward to himself. Hanna shrugs, "Eh - they'll get back to normal soon enough - doesn't take long to build them up, they're slower to go away than to form." She yawns slightly, and stretches, smiling slightly, "I have to say - I do feel better than I have in some time - probably since coming to New York. It's that Island feeling again, which I don't really get around here too much." She shakes her head and grins, "No need to apologize, Corey. I appreciate looking like I have normal hands again." With a bit of a grin, Hanna gestures towards the box of cupcakes, "I did bring work home with me, if anyone is interested in addition to the cookies." Felix has another bite of his cookie too, and then a drink of his coffee. "I am not sure if the effects will go away or not." that look that he gets, the one where he is putting some puzzle together in his head, he has it now. "Though, I suspect the changes will stay. I could be wrong. But, in my experience, once the ability has worked its /magic/, then it can only be reversed with an opposite ability." He turns to Corey, "Ok, putting you back to normal now. Remember you may feel a sleight chill." Once again, Felix applies his power, this time in reverse, and Corey should feel his powers return to their normal levels. A slight shiver escapes him as the boost reverts, Corey looks to the plant, then to Hanna. "How do you feel? Close enough to how you had?" Looking at his own hands, he stands up from the chair and stretches abit. "I feel pretty much how I had already. And the plants fine, so I'm guessing its all permanent." He smiles at that and seems thoughtful. "I'll have to see what it can do really. But if it makes people feel better, then that's definitely up there in the positive category." He chuckles and shakes his head. "At least no body will have to worry that I'm some danger or anything." Taking his phone out again, he frowns at the cover. "Sorry I've got a text, I need to go take care of something. Sorry to do whatever that was and run, but I'll catch up with you guys later alright?"