Nice Chat Over Coffee (Lorna)

[briggoom]

It was a long day for Hank, with his research, teaching, and other matters. However, with his mutation, sleeping was less of a requirement, and he could sleep less than most people. As a result he stayed up later and woke up early, still a hot cup of Joe was always nice. Setting up the coffee, Hank grabbed his favorite mug out of a cabinet, and sat down, waiting for his drink to be ready. A lot was on his mind, and he enjoyed the late nights because with the students in their rooms it gave him time to digest what was going on in his head.

His research was always on his mind, the mutant genome is ever changing and complex matter, one that required constant and diligent attention. To an extent it could grow frustrating, as it is more complex than that of human DNA, but Hank enjoyed every minute of it, even the tough times. Added on top of that the students here at the school and their need for tutelage and help. This wasn’t a nuisance, but merely another matter that needed his constant attention. Hank loved the kids, he wanted nothing but the best for them. The future was there and he wanted to do everything he could to set them up with a bright one. Be that by enabling them to use their powers and tap into their potential, or by leaving them with a more open minded world.

Added on top of that the political stress and tension that was building between mutant and humans and at times Hank felt overwhelmed. However, he knew he was capable of handling it, otherwise why would he have been given them job? He hoped and longed for the day that mutants and humans could coexist, but in times like this it was difficult to maintain hope. Getting a few cookies out to eat with his coffee, Hank set up his cup of coffee and sat down. Some nice peace and quiet to gather his thoughts and tribulations.

[lorna]

She'd done it again.

Lorna had every intention of going to bed early that night and getting a good nights sleep. She'd been tired, had wanted to just sleep away all her worries, her fears and her growing resentment toward a man who asked her to trust him. Which was going to be impossible. However, instead of going straight to sleep, she'd picked up the book that was lying on her night stand and curled in her bed, giving in to the fantastic tale that was spun within the covers.

The next thing she'd known, it was ten thirty and she'd started reading almost two hours beforehand. Making her way to the end of the chapter, she had intended on climbing under her covers and finally closing her eyes. Except that she found she had grown incredibly thirsty in the time that had passed. With a sigh, she slipped on the fuzzy flip flops that she kept by her bed during the winter and walked down the hall toward the first floor and kitchen.

She'd often thought about adding a small fridge to her bedroom for just this sort of occasion but had yet to actually bring herself to purchase one. Tonight she was regretting that decision.

Dressed in her typical pajamas of a midnight blue tank top and sleep pants in the same blue with stars scattered across them, it took her a moment to register the fact that the light was on. Walking into the room, the first thing she did notice was the smell of coffee. Coffee? At eleven at night? Who in their right mind would...

That was when she turned and saw Henry sitting at the table. Raising a dark eyebrow, she asked with a grin, “Planning on pulling an all nighter?” before she made her way to the fridge and pulled out the carton of milk.

Grabbing a glass from a cupboard, she proceeded to fill it nearly to the brim with milk before replacing the carton into the fridge and padding over to the table, taking a seat across from the blue furred doctor.

[briggoom]

All Hank could see in his head were images of genetic coding scrolling down in a binary code kind of fashion. To many people genetics seemed like an impossibly hard topic to understand, on they could never fathom getting a grasp of and doing research on. People were content on just reading a quick article that was put into simple terms and claim they understood the complexities. At least they educated themselves somewhat, but Hank felt that people needed to empower themselves, mutants especially, on the topic of genetics. Not to a Ph.D. level of course, but at least be able to understand certain areas of it, especially after the incident at Alcatraz with the shots.

Having enhanced senses Hank could hear someone coming towards the kitchen, not that he was worried, the mansion was well protected so any intruder was usually detected. Of course every machine had its weakness and there had been intrusions before, but Hank wouldn’t fear anything just yet. Sipping his coffee, Hank didn’t turn to the person just yet, but was hoping it was not one of the younger students. He wasn’t usually tough on reinforcing sleeping schedules, but the younger students did require their sleep, it was good for them. “Planning on pulling an all nighter?” Hank finally looked and spotted Lorna Dane getting some milk. He chuckled lightly at her remark, “An all nighter? My, I haven’t pulled one since my doctoral days, but I can tell you this in the words of Mohandas Ghandi: Man should forget his anger before he lies down to sleep.” Sipping some more coffee he watched as she filled her glass and sit across from him.

It was around eleven thirty and many here at the mansion considered this late, but Hank would most likely be awake until 2 or 3. He had never really gotten to know Lorna, he had heard of her, and probably been around her, but never truly met her, ”Why are you still up? Are you pulling an all nighter?” He smirked, tilting his head, and looking at her. She was old enough to sleep when she pleased to, but Hank couldn’t help but pull someone’s leg here and there.

[lorna]

Lorna yawned as she opened the fridge and grinned when he chuckled at her comment. Then, in true Henry McCoy fashion, he quoted someone. She'd listened to him speak before, had a lot of respect for the man and what he did for them but he sure did enjoy quoting. The fact that he could pull them out of thin air rather amused the green haired young woman.

“If we are supposed to put down our anger before sleep, we'd have a lot of sleepless residents here,” she replied as she put the carton away and moved toward the table.

Lorna hadn't intended to stay in the kitchen after getting her drink but she also hadn't expected to have company. She was usually dead to the world by now if she wasn't still out so evenings like this with the good doctor were not only rare, they were unheard of. Besides, she'd been trying to keep a low profile lately. With Magneto in the mansion, she didn't want to hear one more comment about how similar their powers were. Betsy was lucky she hadn't tried to electrocute her when she'd commented that her and Wanda were sisters.

She smiled when he asked her if she was pulling an all nighter herself. “Nah,” she replied. “Like you, I haven't done that in a while. I just got too caught up in a book and the next thing I knew, it was late. Fortunately, my class tomorrow is late morning so I don't have to be up too early.”

In so many ways, she missed her undergraduate days. She'd been carefree and hadn't taken too much very seriously. Now, she knew that she had to be good or she'd never pass the classes. The days of goofing off were over and she was well and truly an adult. Life sucked at times.

[briggoom]

Hank’s eyes looked at the green haired girl through his spectacles. This girl was the daughter of Magneto; it made sense due to their powers. Hank had heard tell of her and her relations to the man. He had also heard of the reaction warranted by telling her of such connections and even speaking of the topic. Witty or just plain mischievous as he was at times, Hank was no fool, and he didn’t want to upset the girl at such a time anyways, it was night time after all. Not to mention if her power were like that of Magneto’s, he wouldn’t want to deal with a big blue walking afro for a few days. Chuckling to himself at the thought, he snapped out of his thoughts and back to Lorna.

“If we are supposed to put down our anger before sleep, we'd have a lot of sleepless residents here.” Hank nodded and an eyebrow quirked up in agreement, ”The sad thing is you are right my dear. The younger ones especially, to be away from what they knew and to have to deal with their gifts. But nothing a hug from a big blue furry teddy bear can’t fix right?” Hank was in a rather upbeat mood, he had been in his lab unbothered for most of the day and some company did the heart some good.

“Nah, like you, I haven't done that in a while. I just got too caught up in a book and the next thing I knew, it was late. Fortunately, my class tomorrow is late morning so I don't have to be up too early.” Hank nodded a book? Naturally he loved to read and before he knew it he had a few questions to ask her, ”A book? They’re great company aren’t they until they keep you up late. Had it happen myself, but if I may ask, what book was it you were reading?” He noted not to sound too show offish, not wanting to come off as a genius who likes to gloat his intellect, he just liked to converse was all.

He remembered when he was working for his degree still; those days were hard, full of studying and work. They were good times, but he loved the days he had now as well, his research was his life. Looking at the time again he noted it was late, ”I know it’s late, so if you wish to go to bed, don’t let this furry old timer keep you up.” He smiled politely at her, sipping some of his coffee after having said so.

[lorna]

She grinned at him. “You know we all crave a hug from Cookie Monster every now and then,” she teased him as she sipped at her milk.

It was a running joke through the mansion that one of the most brilliant men who lived there was lovingly referred to as the famous Sesame Street Muppet at times. Really, all they shared was the blue fur and love of sweets but to a scared young teenager, it could be a comfort to have something leftover from their childhood joys be there for them, handing out a lolly pop if they were good. He likely had the best bedside manner of all the physicians in residence there.

When he asked about the book she was reading, she actually flushed slightly. Her choice of reading material was usually scoffed on by many and considering how well read she assumed Hank was, she was a bit embarrassed to admit it. However, she did so anyway. He might as well realize that he was sitting at a table with probably the most boring of people.

“Well, it's called Carbonate Sedimentology and it's actually a recommended text at the University of California. It wasn't used here but I thought it looked interesting so I bought it recently,” she admitted a bit reluctantly. Where most girls her age were reading romance or suspense novels, Lorna picked up books on rocks and soil. Even to her own ears, she was weird.

When he called himself an old timer, she laughed. Yes, Hank was older then her, had probably done much more with his life then she would by the time she was his age but he wasn't old by any means. Magneto was old. Xavier was old. Hank wasn't. It was that simple.

“Come now, Hank. You are not that old,” she scoffed with a smile. Although there were days she felt like she was eighty-two instead of twenty-two, she knew that Hank was far from needing Geritol. “And I'm fine. Really. If I was so tired that I couldn't have a conversation, I wouldn't have sat down.” As long as she stayed away from the coffee, she'd still get a decent nights sleep.

[briggoom]

“You know we all crave a hug from Cookie Monster every now and then.” Hank laughed and looked at her, wagging a finger, ”You know I’m much nicer than the Cookie Monster because he would charge you a cookie for his services. I, however, will even read you a bedtime story for absolutely free.” He winked and laughed some more sitting back.

He had heard of the joke going around the school, he knew of several nicknames he had been given, but what he loved was that most of them were out of affection not like in his childhood. Whatever made the kids feel better, he would tolerate, they all needed something to be able to handle these times.

Carbonate Sedimentology… The topic did strike Hank a bit, he had never heard of anyone just reading it out of sheer enjoyment, but then again he was the one who would read an encyclopedia just to get a better understanding of things. Of course reading about limestone, rocks, and sedimentary rocks wasn’t his forte he was never one to frown down upon someone else’s pursuit of knowledge. In a way it made Hank think about reading outside his comfort zone, maybe read about things he had never thought about.

He nodded his head slowly, ”That it quite the reading selection Lorna, I never took you as the type to be interested on that subject matter. The study of sedimentary deposition is usually one an average person would find boring, but its nice to see you have a thirst for knowledge. I respect that, and I will be honest with you, I don’t know much about the subject. Next time I have a problem with a stone I know who to come to.” Finishing the rest of his coffee, Hank put his mug down, and leaned forward in his seat.

“Come now, Hank. You are not that old.” The first remark was nice, since hitting 30 he had feared he was becoming an old geezer. Nothing against Xavier or Erik, but Hank personally did not look forward to the day his blue fur would turn white, but age would catch up with most of them right? He smiled at Lorna, ”We all have those days where we feel old, and compared to a young beauty such as yourself Miss Dane, its hard not to feel like an old timer,” He smirked, ”But thank you very much, I appreciate it.” They said a person is as old as they feel, and to this day Hank felt like he did at 20, he was still in prime shape.

”And I'm fine. Really. If I was so tired that I couldn't have a conversation, I wouldn't have sat down. Her response was true, but manners were always on his mind and so Hank had offered her an escape, ”Thank you for keeping me company then, after long days of work, its comforting for the soul to have someone to chat with.” The coffee he had drank wasn’t strong and therefore wouldn’t keep him up too long, but he had thought it wiser not to offer the young woman a cup. Instead he offered her a cookie he had brought out to eat with his coffee, he figured it would go well with her milk, ”If you don’t mind me asking Lorna, how old are you? I would say not a day over 21, but then again I can’t recall off the top of my head.”

[lorna]

Luckily, Hank took her Cookie Monster remark in stride. He had a good sense of humor and if there was anything that Lorna truly appreciated about a person, it was their ability to laugh at themselves. It was a lesson she was still trying to learn as her own insecurities had always held her back. However, time was being kind to the girl and she was slowly realizing that she could laugh at herself and no one thought less of her.

“You want to know a secret?” she asked him, her face turning to one of mock intrigue and her green eyes danced in merriment as she leaned closer like she was going to spill a deep, dark truth. “I was terrified of Cookie Monster as a kid. I always thought he was the monster under my bed and no matter what my parents did to tell me otherwise, I was convinced he would think I was a cookie and eat me.”

She leaned back again, smiling at her own childish silliness. There had been so many things that had frightened her back then but she'd been so very lucky. Her aunt and uncle really did love her and they helped to soothe all those fears and tried to build her confidence the best they could. It wasn't their fault she'd been terribly odd since birth.

Lorna flushed a bit when she admitted her own preference in personal reading. He was probably a fan of the classics, enjoyed reading anything that great scholars of old had deemed exciting and she chose to read about rocks. She had always wondered if there was an odd gene she'd inherited from her parents but they'd been about as normal as two humans ever could be. It wasn't until she found out she was adopted that it dawned on her it could have come from somewhere else.

“Well, you do understand that just because I'm charming and good looking doesn't mean there isn't a keen mind under the green hair, right?” she teased him, her own levity obvious. Lorna knew she wasn't ugly but she also realized she'd never be a great beauty. If people could get beyond the green locks then she was quite happy. And Hank, of all people, would understand. How many times had he been disregarded because of his physical mutation? If she had a keen mind then his was simply stunning.

“I must warn you, though. If you bring me a rock I might put you to sleep while explaining it's entire make up and all the elements that reside within,” she added, still grinning. It wouldn't be the first time she watched someone's eyes glaze over and their head start to droop due to boredom. So far, the only people she had discovered that shared her interest were her own classmates.

Lorna insisted that he wasn't that old but to be perfectly honest, she had no idea how hold he was. His face was hidden beneath the blue fur and if there were wrinkles, they weren't obvious. However, she would definitely put money down that he was less then a decade older then herself. She barely resisted the urge to roll her eyes as he called her a “young beauty”. He was definitely a charmer, she had to give him that.

“I am of the mind that the phrase 'Youth is wasted on the young' is quite true. The older I get the more I realize just how young at heart I really am. I was much too serious for my own good when I was a teenager and I see that all too often around here. I just wish my sense of humor hadn't waited until I was in college to show itself,” she told him honestly.

She had always been so concerned over what others thought of her that Lorna had nearly missed out on all the fun that being a teenager entailed. She'd made up for it in spades once she started college but many things she'd done was likely not terribly healthy. But she'd managed to muddle through like all kids did.

“It is definitely my pleasure, Dr. McCoy,” she told him when he thanked her for staying. “For as long as we've both lived here, I think this may be the first time I've really sat down and talked to you, just one on one.”

Lorna happily took the cookie and tried to resist dipping it in her glass of milk but she failed miserably. Cookies and milk brought back happy memories of her childhood when Sarah would bake her chocolate chip cookies and have them all nice and gooey warm at the table as she walked in the door from school. For not being her biological mother, the woman had amazing instincts. She always knew just when Lorna had needed that extra bit of love.

With a finger, she wiped off the bits of crumbs that stuck to her lips after she bit into the now milk laden cookie and smiled as he asked how old she was. “Well, a little more then a day but not much, I admit. I'm twenty-two,” she informed him.