[OPEN]

[mathemagier]

WHO: Hermann, Newton, StarkTech employees, & OPEN to anyone that might want to stop by!
WHERE: StarkTech
WHEN: All of November
WHAT: Nerds and science!!
WARNINGS: Swearing and biology stuff?
NOTES: Feel free to respond with prose if that's your preferred tagging method! Also let us know if you'd rather tag with only one of them, as they'll likely both be responding to a given thread by default.



[The biotech lab is divided by a line of bright yellow tape.

Equipment is divvied up with most of the medical-looking equipment to one side, and most of the computers on the other, as if the division heads simply couldn't reconcile their differences.

Large, imposing chalkboards stand as a strange centerpiece to the technological side, complete with a sliding ladder and numerous boxes of chalk stacked on a desk nearby. Equations litter the surface, complex formula with strings of variables written in lowercase, notations entirely capitalized.

To the right is a ten foot robot, with panels missing and wires exposed, hooked into a small set of monitors running streams of code and projections nearby. The left side of the chalkboards is an engineer's work space, with half-completed bits of tech, spare parts, tools, wiring, screws, and 3D displays strewn about in an organized clutter. Even a small collection of books on what looks to be a neatly maintained personal desk.

The biological side of the lab stands in stark contrast to the professional work environment cultivated on the far side of the tape.

It looks a bit like a college student moved in, complete with cheesy posters, various dinosaur and Godzilla toys decorating the shelves, and humorous science puns and memes that were printed off the internet for display. There are jars everywhere, labelled a bit overzealously with differently colored sticky notes and warnings about the contents.

Paperwork litters most desk surfaces in a disorganized array, backdropped by a large fluctuating holograph depicting lines of chemical readouts. A radio and keyboard stand nearby for no discernible reason, but are nevertheless surrounded by scientific charts and various graphs.

Woe betide anyone that attempts to restore order to the biological division, or disrupts the structure of the technological side.]

Comments

Anywhere- Off the clock

[mathemagier]

[Lunch or after hours is a good time to mingle and share ideas with colleagues and/or hang out conduct experiments with visitors. Feel free to snag them in their lab or anywhere else in or around the facility!]

Re: Anywhere- Off the clock

[knifecollecting]

[Jo checked in with Newt every once in a while, and after their last conversation she made sure to seek him out during a lunch one day. Sure, she wasn't off the clock, but this totally counted as work.

Right?]

Hey, Newt.

[driftsintobuffetline]

[He pushed the bag of Doritos in her direction in offering and he almost finished his bite of sandwich before talking.]

Jo! Hey! ...I'm not in trouble with security, am I? Because if it was about that debacle with the delivery, I swear, it was TOTALLY on the delivery guys, not me. I told them they'd have to take the live samples to the loading dock.

[knifecollecting]

[She takes a few of the offered Doritos out of politeness and munches on them while he speaks.]

Nah, you're fine. The head security guy took care of it. How are you doing?

Lunchtime - for Hermann (sometime during the Newt regeneration experiments)

[medalsome]

He said he would stop by sometime to take Hermann out to lunch and so he did. Joaquin hoped making it a surprise wasn't going to be that big of a deal, but he had second thoughts as he made his way through the StarkTech building. Maybe he should have sent a text message sooner to make sure Hermann didn't have any other appointments...

Oh well. Even if he did, Joaquin was sure he could still find something fun to do in De Chima. He shot off a message then, informing Hermann he was in the building and coming to see him. He walked with an easy gait and a smile on his face, not going to let himself be perturbed by anything.

[mathemagier]

He's been distracted all day.

It was unacceptable really, this preoccupation with Newton's hand, where an entire finger is missing. Although he could admit that the regrowth rate so far was impressive, the sharp bites of pain and phantom sensations were unwelcome. Clearly Newton hadn't anticipated that accelerated cellular regrowth would be painful.

But Hermann couldn't bring himself to lecture him for the oversight. The man had gamely made it through nearly three months of sporadic pains and spells of sudden immobility. So instead all he could do was cast brief looks at the hand in question, and repeatedly exercise his corresponding finger to remind himself that yes, it's still there. At least it looked like it may well be completely healed within the next 24 hours, if not sooner.

The thought of future experiments makes him vaguely nauseous to even consider.

He was in the middle of deciding whether or not to skip lunch when his phone chimed a text message. With a brief glance over to Newton (busy working for once), Hermann pulled on his glasses to read it. Well it seemed he's taking that lunch after all, and it was just the sort of pick-me-up he needed.

After a short word with Newton, and a determined effort not to look at his hand again, Hermann met his unexpected guest in the hall.

"Mr. Mondragon. This is a pleasant surprise."

[medalsome]

Joaquin was ready with a grin, quite happy to see his lunch invite was being accepted. But when he caught sight of Hermann he noticed the man looked paler than usual. His voice seemed unaffected but whatever ailed him but it made the soldier worry.

"I'm glad to be a pleasant one," he responded, reaching out to offer Hermann's hand a welcoming squeeze. "Sorry it was short notice but I kind of liked the idea of giving you a surprise. I hope I'm not interrupting any other lunch date you may have planned..."

[mathemagier]

Hermann took his hand in a brief shake that could stand to be stronger, much like the wan smile he offered the man in turn. But he'd be fine, and getting out of the lab was definitely appealing.

"Certainly not." If anything, he'd saved him from an hour's worth of discomfort."You've come at a rather opportune time actually. I could use some fresh air. Unless you had other plans?"

But they could wait- probably. He hoped.

[medalsome]

Fresh air, yes, though it was rather cold. If Hermann was getting sick it was best to stick to hot dishes for lunch.

"Excellent! And no, I took some extra time to come see you because I wanted to, so it's best we make the most if it." He followed along with Hermann, again watching his pace. It helped that they were about the same height; he didn't have to adjust his steps too much to keep in line with him.

"I saw a cafe and bakery not too far from here. Have you tried out their menu yet?" He had kept an eye open for restaurants close by. That one he was sure had hot soup and coffee and tea; perfect for heating up an ailing man.

[mathemagier]

Hermann turned a look on Joaquin as he fetched his coat from his underused office and pulled it on. The man really was exceptionally smooth. No wonder he had no shortage of admirers in his home world. Occasionally he caught himself wishing they were closer in age.

"Not extensively, no," he rejoined once his fingers had cooperated long enough to zip, then motioned toward the lobby. "They have decent beverages, if it's the same one you're thinking of, but I can't say as I've tried much from their main menu other than a few pastries."

[medalsome]

"I believe they have a few homemade soups available," Joaquin said, keeping along as they headed out the door. A brisk wind blew, causing him a slight shiver. "On a day like this, soup sounds great, eh?"

Yeah, definitely not just because Hermann looked like he could keel over any minute now. Definitely not the reason he was pushing for that.

He shrugged his large shoulders. "But if you have a preference for something else, I'm up for suggestion."

[mathemagier]

"You should get a proper coat," Hermann observed with a kind of smug satisfaction. Overlarge hood pulled over his head, the wind was only a passing coolness against his face.

He spent a moment wondering if Joaquin was considered a friend enough that he'd need to buy him something for Christmas. ..Probably, by then. Well, if the man didn't purchase one before then.. But he probably would if he was anything close to sensible, so he'd need to come up with something else.

Fortunately Christmas was still a month away.

"No, no preferences. That does sound lovely, actually."

[medalsome]

"Yeah, maybe," Joaquin said absently. It wasn't the first thing on his list, considering he was getting a loan for a motorcycle and working to get his friend an iPod for Christmas. Other things had priority.

"I haven't had much need for one back in Heropa. But then again..." he glanced out of the corner of his eye to Hermann, a smile playing on his lips, "...I'll probably be finding myself up here more often in the future now that I've been invited."

The cafe it was, then! Joaquin was more than happy to hold the door open when they got there not a few minutes later, also allowing a few other customers a clear path as they were on the way out before he stepped in himself. It was toasty inside and while it lacked the same energy as the Lucky Cat Cafe it still had a pleasant atmosphere. Yes, this was very nice indeed.

[mathemagier]

Ah yes, Florida. If not for StarkTech, it might have been nice to live there.

Hermann returned the smile with a pleased one of his own, and nodded, ducking through the door with a murmur of thanks. Newton didn't usually stand on such ceremony, but Hermann felt almost certain that Joaquin was just that side of chivalrous that he would have done so even if he didn't have a cane.

He pulled his hood down and took in the warmth of the cafe with a breath of relief. He was feeling better already.

"Butternut squash soup," he read from the menu with a squint, glasses tucked too far underneath his coat to bother with them. "Sounds interesting."

[medalsome]

"It does," Joaquin agreed, giving his date a sideways glance. "Feeling adventurous?"

As far as drinks were concerned he was pretty sure he was going to get a hot coffee. Perhaps with some French Vanilla flavor that he had grown to love since coming to this time. And for dessert, there were tons of pastries. Pumpkin pastries seemed popular all around in this time and he was not against giving that a try either.

"I guess squash is just in season," he muttered as they stepped forward to place their order. The cashier handed them a number to place at their table. Apparently if you were dining in they brought the food out to you. Nice.

"So, how has work been?" Joaquin began, now that they were settling in to wait for their meal. It wouldn't take long, he was sure...

Nov 25, for Newton

[medalsome]

Joaquin didn't really think when he headed out of the house that afternoon. He hadn't planned on leaving Heropa, but he found himself taking the porter out anyway, moving in a mindless haze as if looking for someplace or something that kept eluding him. He didn't remember if he stopped by any other places first, but eventually he wound up in De Chima again. He didn't know much about the place at all, but the one building he was familiar with was StarkTech, so he headed that way.

It was getting late, most people were probably already leaving work but if anyone was still working it was probably the scientists Gottlieb and Geiszler. Maybe that's why he had come, to find a distraction in talking with Hermann or in joking with Newton. He didn't know, he just didn't know anymore.

But when he got to the building he didn't go inside. Why would he be stopping by to talk to them so late? What did he really have to say? Damn, his mind was spinning with all kinds of crazy, disastrous thoughts and it was driving him up the wall with nerves. Shakily, Joaquin pulled out his package of cigarettes, already nearly gone despite having just bought the package a few days ago, and put one to his lips to light it.

He pace in front of the building, glancing up occasionally but otherwise preoccupied with the rapid spiraling of his thoughts. He was down two other cigarettes in less than ten minutes.

[driftsintobuffetline]

Hermann of course insisted that he would stay late to finish up some equation or another, though Newt was pretty certain that as soon as he left the room, Hermann was just toying with Mako's model. But whatever, man. Someone had to go home and figure out how to cook a small turkey for tomorrow, and fuck it, Newt was a genius. He could certainly handle a bird, some basting, a bit of stuffing, and an oven.

In theory.

It was weird to not leave with Hermann, though--they left together just about EVERY DAY--and Newt felt surprisingly lonely on the elevator ride down to the lobby. He said bye to Jo on his way out and, heading to the street to catch a cab, he was surprised to find Joaquin outside. With an uncomfortable bit of jealously he had to wonder if that was why Newt was being sent home early. Date tonight, huh, Herms?

"Hey, Hot Stuff, do I need to get you some pamphlets on the 'Dangers of Smoking?' Hate to repeat the lecture, but I told you: Herms isn't going to like it much if his date smells like an ashtray."

[medalsome]

Newton addressed him and for a minute Joaquin wasn't sure what to say. Usually he was good with the comebacks unless Newt was talking science, and then he was allowed to be perplexed. But this, this was kid stuff. And yet...

"Uh," Joaquin fidgeted, fighting back the urge to both douse and snag a new cig at the same time, "uh, right! I was... waiting for Hermann..."

Not really but anything sounded good right now. At least he was speaking in full sentences. He wondered if he could actually play this off until Hermann got here then maybe he'd have someone to focus on that would talk without expecting much in sharp returns. Or at least the two of them could be so distracted talking to each other they wouldn't notice Joaquin's lack of responses.

He took another drag and attempted a smile. "He's not going to take much longer will he? Kinda chilly out tonight."

[driftsintobuffetline]

Newt glanced up at the building towards their department's floor, his face going between a frown and another expression, one that tugged downwards a bit more at the corners of his mouth and furrowed his brow deeper. Not quite a pout, but a look of hurt nonetheless.

Whatever. What the fuck ever. So he was waiting for Hermann. Big deal. What did it even matter to Newt.

He turned a snide smile on Joaquin. "Keep puffing like a furnace and you'll be plenty warm," he shot back bitterly. "Besides, you've got enough meat on you. Endure pain stoically, isn't that what heroes do?" Newt glanced up and down Joaquin once, as if appraising him. "Now, Hermann on the other hand, he's kind of shivery, skinny thing, so you better take him somewhere warm, and let him wear his parka indoors if he needs to." The parka I bought him, Newt thought with an oddly placed sense of pride.

[medalsome]

Heroes. Enduring pain. It was a lot to ask all of a sudden. It felt like the walls were caving in, squeezing tighter, tighter still.

Joaquin took another puff and then shoved the end of his cigarette into an ashtray. His hands were still shaking as he reached for his pouch.

"Warm, right. I-I'll make sure he stays warm." He reached for his lighter and found his fingers trembled a little too much to get it going. Where the hell was Hermann?

[driftsintobuffetline]

I'll make sure he stays warm.

Those words made Newt irrationally angry with Joaquin, and for what? For promising to do exactly what Newt had asked him to do? He had half a mind to tell Joaquin to hit the road, to keep his hands off Hermann, to remind them of the age-gap and the time-gap and whatever else he could think of to explain why this was a bad idea. Hermann didn't need someone to keep him warm.

"...Nice, hot-shot. Becoming a human torch wasn't how I envisioned you keeping Hermann warm, okay." Newt made a grab for the lighter without really thinking about it, thankful after that Joaquin hadn't actually managed to light it. He looked at the way the other man's hands were shaking--recognizing that feeling, recalling his own hands shaking and Hermann holding them as he helped him into a chair...--and resented him a little for the vague similarity. "If you're going to smoke, at least get a hold of yourself before you burn the fucking place down."

He held out a hand insistently for the lighter and a cigarette to light for him. Better than watching Joaquin light his fingers on fire. "Gimme one of those. Don't say-- This doesn't change my stance, okay. You smoke around Hermann and I swear to god I'll skin you alive."

[medalsome]

"I'm trying," Joaquin mumbled, but he couldn't seem to stop the shaking. Why did he feel so cold? Was it really just the weather?

He blinked in confusin when Newt held his hands out then slowly tried to hand the items over. He mostly managed though there was still some fumbling with his seemingly nerveless fingers. "Right, right... Bad health and all that. I just... You gotta let me have this."

Usually they helped calm him but it wasn't working tonight. Why wasn't it working tonight? Why was his heart pounding like this and why did he feel so hot? No, cold. Hot?

[driftsintobuffetline]

"Let's be real. I don't gotta let you have anything." It took a little figuring out how best to hold it to light the cigarette, since Newt hadn't tried one of these things for almost fifteen years and even then he hadn't exactly been successful with them. He was a little too fidgety and had to remind himself (a) what it was and (b) that it wasn't his, so as to not put it in his mouth while he lit it. Finally, he handed Joaquin back a lit cigarette.

He pat him on the back almost mechanically and not with a great deal of sympathy, watching him, unsure what to make of Joaquin's less-than-confident behavior and nervous appearance. "You okay there, buddy? You look pretty pale. You know, I get that Hermann's quite a looker," he said, trying to make light of it. "But you don't have to be nervous. I mean, I don't THINK you've got to worry about getting to Third Base yet." Newt shoved his hands in his pockets, considering the thought he'd only meant as a teasing comment. "Hermann doesn't seem the type... Besides, not something I'm sure a big Hero Man like you hasn't had to deal with before anyway, right?"

[medalsome]

Joaquin accepted the cigarette given to him and took half a drag, releasing a shaken drift of smoke. He couldn't breathe well. Sure, filling your lungs with smoke probably didn't help but it was like he couldn't inhale enough before he was forced to exhale. His chest felt compressed, like an invisible weight was pushing against his lungs and holding itself there.

Third base? Not the type? Joaquin blinked, confused. Nothing was making any sense. He could hardly see Newton at all through the dark haze smothering his vision.

And then there it was, like a gunshot sounding in a silent room. An innocuous comment meant to just be a joke, or perhaps as a backhanded compliment, but just the right words to set him off.

"Big hero...? Hahah..." Joaquin chuckled, the cigarette falling from his lips and hitting the sidewalk, smoldering uselessly. The lighter also fell from his hands but he didn't seem to notice. He only laughed, hallow and shakey and suddenly he was coughing, wheezing, crying, doubled over while clutching at his stomach.

"Oh my god... Oh my god..." Words tumbled from his lips as he gazed unblinking and unseeing at the ground. Horror etched out along his features like he was watching a gruesome scene only he could see. Then, he said the words he hadn't been able to say but needed so, so badly to admit. "He's dead... He's really dead... And it's my fault!"

[driftsintobuffetline]

Newt was really out of his element here. For the last five years his constant companion had been Hermann--who rarely emoted his own shortcomings and, if he did, it was usually some form of anger. Dealing with people and their emotional breakdowns was a messy messy business and while Newt had a bit of experience since arriving in this world, it was still a bit like trying to navigate an alien culture.

What was his life? Newt was supposed to be the frantic chicken with his head cut off, the unstable one.

He looked down at the cigarette and lighter a bit awkwardly and helplessly, expression pinched, as he brought his eyes back up to Joaquin himself. The scene reminded him too much of Hermann, of Qubit...their haunted eyes and babbling at the Swear-In in August... (Crane ...he couldn't...not again, not yet) ...of things in Newt's own head and days spent with the lights off, cocooned in his own world, trying to escape reality. He hesitated, unsure about offering physical comfort, and finally grabbed a fistful of Joaquin's sleeve.

"Hey. Hey! Hermann's fine," he insisted. And he was glad for their connection, for the solid reassurance in Newt's brain that Hermann was indeed just fine, or else Joaguin's words could have set Newt off into panicked hysterics too. As it was, he could feel anxiety sinking in deep into his bones, as contrary to his own words, Newt could now imagine horrible ways that Joaquin could be right, that some impending doom was coming Hermann's way and... His voice wavered and he tightened his hold on the fabric to keep his twitching hands from full-on shaking. "He's not--He's not dead. Look," Newt swallowed and tried a little more force behind his voice, "look, I'll take you up to see him, if you want--but first, dude, you need to snap out of this." Impulsively, he shook Joaquin by his shoulders, or did so as well as his shorter stature and lighter muscle mass could manage. "Come on, man. Come on. Breathe. You're scaring the shit out of me. Sit down--yeah, okay? Head between your knees, breathe, before you hurt yourself."