ArchivedLogs:Past And Future

Past And Future
Dramatis Personae Micah, Iolaus, Alec
In Absentia	23 April 2015 '
Location <NYC> Tick-Tock - Greenwich Village
The quiet sound of soft music and softly running water greets the entrants to this tea house, playing from speakers hidden and trickling waterfalls cascading down the rocky fountains by the entryway. The ambiance here is subdued, a quiet escape from the bustle and noise of the city, focused on only one thing: tea. Tea of very good quality. They serve it in over eighty varieties, black and white, green and oolong, rooibos and herbals and mate, flavored and straight up. The seating here comes on cushions or kneeling chairs around low tables, the decorations in earth tones, and the knowledgeable wait staff is always helpful with a recommendation or a snack suggestion to pair with your drink. Behind the long counter along one side is an entire wall of bins of loose-leaf teas, available for purchase by weight. Winter seems to have crept its way into late April in the city, bringing a biting-chill wind along with the dripping rain to steal away the scant promises of spring that had dared to show themselves. Micah seems to match the weather for demeanour, slumped on a cushion at a table with a fresh cup of milk oolong sitting in front of him along with a bowl of mushroom bisque that has yet to be touched. He seems to be studying these items, instead. His attire declares the lunch to be on a break from work: typical TARDIS-blue polo shirt and khakis making another appearance. Today, Iolaus looks almost professional - though, as often happens, he ends up looking slightly shabby next to his companion. Both Iolaus and Alec are dressed in suits - Iolaus in a grey wool lightly checked twill jacket and a broad-striped tie, and Alec in a more aggressive marine suit sans tie, and a dark blue shirt open at the throat. Both look somber, reserved, as they step into the tea shop. Iolaus makes his way immediately over to Micah, raising a hand in a wave, as Alec steps over to the counter and blends neatly into the background. "Hello, Micah." Iolaus says, flashing the other man a restrained smile. "How are you holding up? I saw the news this morning." Micah is slow to look up and certainly slower in finding a small smile to offer Io than usual. “Io, hi. Guess tea was the order of the day. Kinda...needed a warm drink an' a quiet place for a minute.” That might be a pretty good indication of the holding up status. “Did you wanna sit? I'm...prob'ly not the most chipper company just now.” He lifts a hand to gesture at the seat across from him, regardless. "That's alright. If I wasn't alright with silence, I'd never have gone to grad school. As I'm sure you remember." Iolaus says, taking a seat down across from the other man and glancing around the room. "Between the weather and everything else going on, it definitely feels like a day for tea." Iolaus picks up the menu off of the table, holding it lightly between his fingers but not yet looking down at it. The doctor crosses one leg over the other, eyes flickering over the younger man's face carefully. “Your school had silence? Like, outside of the library? Where'd you go again?” Micah is still capable of joking a little, though the grin that comes with it is not his usual wide, lopsided thing. “Definitely a day for tea. I heard the early reports were claimin' that the Clinic had somethin' t'do with the whole mess. S'anythin' comin' of that or they just blowin' smoke on the air?” He finally does claim his teacup, if only to hold it in his hands to warm his fingertips. Iolaus' chuckle is light but sounds genuine enough. "The lab. Especially the BSL-3 biosafety lab. Just me, the hiss of the pressurized air systems, the hum of the centrifuges, and the vet students who mostly avoided me like the plague. Which, of course, we had some of." Iolaus shrugs his shoulders, glancing down to the menu. "Not that I particularly minded, really. Not much time for socializing." There is silence for a few moments as Iolaus studies the menu, and then he looks back up at Micah. "Just smoke. Every time something happens, we get blamed - but our donors who haven't already left aren't so easily dissuaded." "Yeah, think the folks in my field tend t'be a little noisier. Our work sure is, t'boot." Lifting the cup, Micah takes a slow breath in through his nose before sipping from it. "The Ti Quan Yin here's good. Seemed...the thing t'go with t'day." His head shakes just a bit. "Never been amazin'ly good at /not/ socialisin', m'self. Get stir crazy on m'own too much. 'Less m'hands're busy the whole time." He pauses for another sip. "S'good nothin' came from it on your end. I still...I teeter back an' forth b'tween disbelief an' a sense of inevitability whenever these things happen anymore. Some luck, this time. Didn't hafta cross m'fingers an' hope that lawyer from upstate'd work with us again. Turns out Tag's sister's into precisely these kindsa cases. She's doin' what she can for the situation. Don't know if you've met her?" "No, I've never met her. But if she needs any help, please reach out to me - the Mendel lawyers are on retainer as always, in case Jax needs them." Iolaus offers with a brief smile. "I think I'm feeling a Lapsang Souchong right now myself," he says, putting the menu down and glancing around a room to make eye-contact with a waitress. Come hither. "It was surprising to me how quickly I adapted from going through medical school and mostly private research to residency." He pauses for a moment, contemplatively. "I guess I did take a break before residency, though." "Of course. I'm not sure...what exactly needs doin' on that end. Farther into the legal world than m'knowledge covers in any kind of detail. I'll let her know, for sure. More lawyers is good? Contrary t'all the jokes, I s'pose." Micah's head tilts a little at the description. "How private d'you get in your research? Pretty much anythin' I'd be doin' comes with a team, still. Patients, engineers, programmers..." He chews at his lip, looking down into his tea again. "They shot 'em with arrows again." It seems almost a non sequitur at this point in the conversation. "Jax an' one of our students." "It depends. With some of the infectious stuff, the teams are pretty small. Just me and one other grad student." Iolaus shrugs his shoulders. "The largest research team I've ever been on was the one at the Clinic, during the Rising. Also my most successful, by far." His smile slants and he winks. "None of my other research was even published anywhere really reputable. The smile fades, though, as Micah transitions - rapidly - in conversation. He pales slightly and frowns. "Why haven't I seen him yet? Is he being treated at the school? I didn't hear anything from Hank." “I'll...try t'avoid bein' on a team in that capacity ever again, from my end,” Micah replies with an oddly light sort of ruefulness. “Joshua took 'em straight t'the school, yeah. He's doin' okay, so prob'ly just didn't need t'go t'the clinic. Jax was lookin' a little rough, but... It was late. An' then the news came out the next mornin' an' he went right t'turn 'imself over. It's so many people got shot with arrows now. An' one of the /kids/...it's just...” His head shakes. "Arrows." Iolaus' brow furrows and he runs a hand through his (now not so neatly combed) hair. "Christ, I'm not even sure what kind of injury those would do. I mean, sure, penetrative trauma, but..." The doctor wrinkles his nose and shakes his head. "I'll have to read up. Not exactly something I came across in my ER rotation." They are interrupted briefly by Alec stepping up to the table with a mug of tea for Iolaus. "O-oh. Thank you, Alec." Iolaus says, giving the man a surprised glance. "It's appreciated." Alec nods politely to Iolaus, then to Micah, and heads back in the direction he came from. "That was... unexpected." Iolaus murmurs, peering suspiciously down into the dark liquid of the cup. "Arrows," Micah agrees simply. "S'like we're up against the Sheriff of Nottingham here." Setting his cup down, he picks up his spoon to twirl through his soup instead. "Some crazy guy showed up on our doorstep that mornin'. 'Fore we even had breakfast, much less the news. Askin' all these questions 'bout what happened. An' the kid that got shot. An' some weird story 'bout 'is dad all mixed in. Think he was a little /off/. But in all 'is ramblin' he mentioned that /he/ had friends got shot, too. With rat poison on the arrowheads." He pauses when Alec arrives, giving him a nod and a whisper of a smile. "Hi, Alec." An inclination of his chin indicates the tea after the other man has left. "S'it the tea y'were gonna order?" Iolaus sniffs suspiciously at the mug, frowning down into it. “It smells about right.” He pauses for a second and then lifts it to his lips. The first sip is cautious, slow - even tentative. A brief pause later, Iolaus takes a larger sip. “Huh. It is.” Iolaus blinks and gives Micah a lilting smile. “I didn’t know Alec was a telepath. But apparently, he is. At least where tea is concerned.” Iolaus takes another sip, frowning across at the other man. “Rat poison?” He frowns, eyebrows furrowing together. “That’s not good. If they’re using poisons commonly… that could be very difficult to treat if they vary them.” “Maybe he reads lips? Y'did mention it just a bit ago,” Micah posits with a shrug. “Either way, tea without even needin' t'order. Bonus.” He finally scoops up a spoonful of his soup to eat before it goes cold. “Yeah. Who's t'know if that actually happened, given the source. But s'far as I know they didn't with Jax an' the student. Thank goodness for small favours, at least.” The spoon continues moving in circuitous patterns through the soup between slow bites. “Have y'seen these signs they're puttin' up? Like they can ban people with X-genes from certain neighbourhoods? I have no idea how any of it's legal.” A small shake of his head contradicts his own statement. “I mean, not that this stuff /surprises/ me anymore. Just that it shouldn't be able t'be legal.” “Signs aren’t official bans. Hell, they put up one by the clinic; one of the guards tore it down. We’re not so easily moved.” Iolaus shrugs his shoulders and takes a long sip of his tea. “Still, it is an escalation. Perhaps something worth bringing up the next time you see your friend, the mayor.” Iolaus says, with a lilting smile. “A bug in her ear could be helpful.” “Even so. It's just /askin'/ t'start violence. Let people think they're doin' good public works by hasslin' people with obvious X-gene expressions an' that they're breakin' ordinances by existin' /officially/. As if it weren't bad enough already.” Micah drops the spoon back in his soup, picking up his cup for another swallow. “I...should see if I can arrange a meetin' with 'er. We don't really end up seein' each other in a casual fashion no more. She's busy an' all... Took long enough for me t'get in t'see 'er when they were starvin' Dusk t'death in jail for self defense. But. That is a good idea. I'll start callin' t'day.” “Very busy. I live only a few doors over, but I hardly ever see her. Sometimes, I see her ride waiting out front when I leave in the morning, but. Her, not very often.” Iolaus’ face is split by a smile. “Then again, unlike you, she tends to /avoid/ dealing with me as much as possible. I just keep asking for more favors, more help. A thorn in her paw, I’m sure.” The older man takes a long sip of his smoky tea before putting it back down on the counter. “Don’t worry too much about Jax. I’m sure this trial will be over and done with quickly; god knows the city doesn’t want the bad press again.” “Yeah, I forgot that she lives in your buildin'. I did see her there one time.” Micah sets his cup down and turns his palms up a little helplessly. “/She/ don't avoid me, but her 'people' don't do me no favours gettin' through to 'er.” He can't help by sigh a little at Io's optimistic forecast. “I...appreciate the optimism. Wish I could have it m'self. I just feel like...they'll take this chance t'try their hardest t'convict 'im an' make /him/ look bad. Save face after the fact. Like, see? We were so justified in accusin' 'im of terrorism 'cause he beats women on the street.” “Maybe. You could be right. Still, with the number of times that he’s saved -- the mayor, me, random people on the street -- I feel like it’s not going to be so simple for them to impeach his character.” Iolaus says, reaching one hand across the table to place it in front of Micah, palm facing upwards. “And these fights are won in the newsroom as much as the courtroom. He’s got a hell of a head start there.” “I don't wanna be right,” Micah admits as he picks up his spoon to poke at his soup again. “But the way this's played out from square one... Those women weren't arrested. The news was sayin' he attacked 'em for bein' activists. Like they was just standin' 'round at a protest or somethin'. There's /still/ people that blame 'im for the zombie plague, y'know? Not...a tiny number of people.” He gives a little nod, free hand reaching out to settle into the other man's. “He does so much for ev'ryone. All the time.” Iolaus squeezes Micah’s hand, reassuringly, letting his thumb run over Micah’s knuckles in a smooth motion, back and forth, back and forth. “He does. But there’s a long way from an arrest to a conviction, and he’s been up on much more serious charges before.” Rub, rub. “Deep breaths, Micah. You both will get through this; I’m sure of it.” Micah's hand squeezes back, his eyes pressing closed for a moment. “It'll be long, no matter what happens. That's 'bout the one certainty.” His teeth dig into his bottom lip. “I'm never entirely sure what t'tell Spence when these things happen. He only asks more questions as he gets older.” Iolaus doesn’t stop the gentle motion of his thumb on the other man’s hand as he considers this. “The truth, I suppose, is still a little too hard to bear? That his dad is in jail because there’s racism in the world, but that he will be home soon?” “No, I gotta tell 'im the truth. Always. S'just a matter of with how much granularity.” Micah's eyes open, but only to watch the movement of Iolaus's thumb. “S'gotta know that the world is dangerous, but without scarin' 'im too much. An' that people can be terrible an' prejudiced, but without makin' 'im think ev'ryone's out t'get 'im. That Jax's in jail again's prob'ly the least of it. S'a familiar song an' dance for our house. But I can't even say that--when he'll be home. For how long. That ev'rythin'll be okay. I don't know any of it.” Iolaus’ hand squeezes tighter as his thumb runs over Micah’s fingers with a slightly harder touch. “It’s a difficult balance for you to strike, I’m sure. But you’ll get through it, Micah. One way or another, I know you will.” The older man gives Micah a warm smile. “Besides, do it enough times, and I’m sure it will become rote,” he jokes, lightly. “S'pose I'll have to, one way or another,” Micah relents. “Kinda afraid that's the way things're goin', t'be honest. Just another cycle of attacks an' injuries an' legal battles. Must be Thursday.” His version lacks the smile and the joking tone. Iolaus’ smile fades slightly, and his grip tightens and loosens, a squeeze to go with the smile on his face. “At least he’s alright. And with a little bit of luck, he’ll be out on bail soon. I can’t imagine they’ll deny him bail under the circumstances.” He doesn’t sound exactly sure, but there’s a thrust of confidence nonetheless. Micah's hand returns the little press once more, thankful for the contact even if his mind isn't taking to the soothing too easily. “I hope so. Tian-shin bein' on it...s'a good. They're lettin' 'im meet with a lawyer. Which is better'n some of the circumstances he's been in in the past. Havin' 'im /out/ s'a big enough win. So's he can eat an' be in the sun, even if this's still hangin' over 'is head.” Another little squeeze passes between the hands on the table. “Thanks for sittin' with me through the bein' dour. S'just. Hard t'keep watchin' this stuff happen t'my family over an' over.” “I sympathize. It’s not an easy position to be in. It’s hard, for everyone - for him, you, your children - all of us. But, I’m confident in your strength. I’m confident in his strength.” Iolaus’ smile is gentle, tilting his head slightly to one side. “You’ve got good kids. B and Shane will manage. And with your help, I’m sure Spencer will, too. You all have been in worse straits; these days, we all have.” “We'll get through,” Micah agrees softly. “One way or another.” His free hand lifts his tea cup to finish off the last of the liquid inside. “S'a cheery thought. S'been worse an' it'll likely be worse again in the future.” For all the dismalness of the idea, he does say it with the slightest bit of teasing in his tone. He does give a little shiver at the phrase 'worse again in the future', the sound of his own words a little troubling once he can hear them. Chuckling, Iolaus shakes his head. “It was worse in the past -- but there’s no saying it won’t better in the future. You never know; there’s always hope.” He doesn’t, admittedly, say this with a whole lot of confidence. Picking up his tea in his free hand, Iolaus drinks deeply from it, draining it and returning it to the table. “We’ll see.” “There's always hope, provided y'don't pay too much attention t'your crazy dreams 'bout the apocalypse,” Micah half-grumbles in an almost off-hand way. Dealing with that variety of crazy for a year will get there eventually. “S'how time works, yeah.” He manages a hint of a smile, vaguely playful, with that. This statement, for some reason, makes Iolaus pale and his grip strengthen. “Yes, definitely.” Iolaus says, smile still intact on his face. He glances at his cup and then sighs. “I have another donor meeting soon. I should get going.” Iolaus gives the other man a regretful look. “Thank you for the tea, though, Micah.” Micah's teeth meet with his lower lip, eyes rising to Io's face with clear concern. “Apologies. I'm just. There's been a lot goin' on.” He nods as the other man readies to leave. “Yeah. Yeah... I should eat an' get back t'work. Just been a little slow-goin' lately. Don't mean the rest of the world winds down t'meet m'pace. Thanks for talkin'.”