A Day Off (Sean)

[Lyn Ivchenko-Lewis]

It had been a long while since Lyn had a real day off. Despite being a quiet little town, there was quite a bit going on in Pilot Ridge and the surrounding towns - it had kept her very busy for a good few months now, so much so that she hadn't even gone to the animal shelter like she'd planned to see if there was a pet for her. Oh well - not much she could do about it now.

She still managed to grab coffee or a quick lunch with Sean from time to time, but often it was on a weekend when Josh was busy or out of town, and the frequency had declined recently. So, it was time for them to have a day together, away from the office and the school, from students and clients, and especially away from cases. So, they'd arranged to have an afternoon all to themselves, to watch familiar old television and eat dinner out. It was a lazy day; a day to relax and talk and complain like people their age did. Because since they weren't getting any younger, why couldn't they indulge a little in being older.

After picking up lunch from a lovely Greek restaurant, the lawyer drove her way over to the Neville-Bernstien residence, keeping herself mindful of the two bags (one for the salad and one with the hot food) sitting in the seat beside her. The little two-seater wasn't the best thing to transport anything but herself in and had a vindictive tendency to throw things off its passenger seat. Of course, that was a personification on her part, but it still happened often enough to be suspicious.

Pulling up to the house, Lyn parked in front on the street (rather than in the driveway, since she didn't want to inconvenience anyone else who arrived) and stepped from the small car. She was dressed more casually today, choosing to wear a soft grey cardigan and skirt despite the chill in the October air. She stepped around to the side of the car, took the lunch from the seats, and locked the little machine with its key fob, then turned and walked up to the front door. Her flats - well worn from over two years of use but still presentable - scuffed slightly on the walk and overturned a few leaves fallen from a nearby tree. Not quite full fall, but still a start in the change.

The small woman was certain her contemporary already knew she was here, but knocked on the door regardless; no sense in startling anyone else in the house by just walking in.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean was in the habit of keeping the house clean and organized. He had done so when he had lived alone, and he had continued doing so after Josh had moved in and then when Bailey had been assigned to them as their foster child. Still, in anticipation of company, he always did an addition bit of tidying, to make sure that the house was presentable. With his plans with Lyn, the telepath had set about organizing the common rooms on the first floor of the house. Then, in anticipation of their supper, he had taken out plates, glasses, and cutlery and set them out in the living room.

This was a casual day, and there was no reason to use the dining room when they wanted to watch television. After setting out their dishes, he’d found his M*A*S*H: Martinis and Medicine Complete Collection DVD and put it out. Once Lyn arrived, they could discuss which episodes to watch.

The telepath sensed the arrival of his friend, and thus he’d gone out to the foyer before the knock. However, the knock was to announce her presence (and opening the door after that, as opposed to before, was more socially acceptable). Opening the front door, he smiled at the small woman and ushered her inside.

“The food smells delicious,” he said, and his stomach made a noise of agreement.

[Lyn Ivchenko-Lewis]

Lyn (back when she was at Hammel and still called "Rose") had bonded with Sean for the first time over watching episodes of the then-new television show M*A*S*H*, and for a day to themselves relaxing and watching the old show seemed to be just the trick. They both liked older movies as well, but with how well they knew the show, running commentary and overarching conversation was not particularly rude. They had done so even when they show was new, so it would be a pleasant reminder of relaxing Sundays during their school years.

The almost instantaneous opening of the door proved the lawyer's shrewd assessment of the telepath's range, and she wasn't the least bit surprised by it. Giving the tall man a smile, she allowed herself to be brought in and removed her shoes just inside the door before handing off the bag of hot food. "It is delicious," she praised. "This restaurant has some of the best lamb I've had in years. I hope you like dolma as well - their lemon sauce is spectacular for it."

Listening around in the quiet, Lyn's ears perked ever so slightly despite her being still in human shape. "Is there no one else here today?" she asked. "I've brought enough, in case there is, but don't hear anyone else." Being that her old friend knew her abilities and their side effects very well (and could read her mind), speaking plainly came very naturally when there wasn't a sense of decorum to observe. In those cases, she was herself - her normal, sharp-tongued, sly and over-all barely charming self. But relaxed? Relaxed made her more open to simple things, such as light conversation without quite as much banter.

Not that either of them seemed to mind it. And there was still likely to be banter yet to come, knowing her personality.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Once she had stepped over the threshold, Sean shut the door behind them. Mopsy was safely in her cage, and Josh had no other animals that might escape, but he still preferred the security and privacy that came from closed doors. Neither he nor Josh had a policy about shoes in the house; Lyn was welcome to either keep them on or take them off as she felt comfortable doing.

“I would hope so.” Sean knew that the food was delicious, because the Greek restaurant was one of his favorite places for takeout in the entire Pilot Ridge area. He’d never had a bad meal from there, and thus he had high expectations; the aroma only made him surer and hungrier. “And I do like dolma.” And, for that matter, their lemon sauce as well.

“The dishes are already set in the living room,” he informed her, as he began walking in the direction of that room. “You can set it down and I’ll help serve it up in a minute. What would you like to drink?” Once he tended to beverages, he could focus on food, and in doing so, he could satisfy his stomach.

“Josh is out, and he took Bailey with him. She’ll be back before he is, most likely.” Josh might drop her off before going out to meet with his friends. If he did so, then Bailey could join them in watching M*A*S*H reruns and eating baklava.

[Lyn Ivchenko-Lewis]

Taking her shoes was indeed more comfortable for the lawyer, as she did so automatically in her own home. It was also freeing to have her feet clear, in case she needed (or wanted) to shift into her feline form for any reason. She usually did so at home, but this was not her home and she was not yet familiar enough with all who resided in it to know if that was acceptable behavior. Better not to assume, even if she knew Sean had no qualms about it. He did, after all, go to school with her and thus knew her habit quite well.

Being that it was too early for wine and most other things disagreed with Lyn, she simply said, "A glass of water will be just fine, thank you." Helping set out the food amongst the dishes, also added a bit slyly, "Oh, that's right. I had forgotten that you two had decided to become foster parents. Any major breakthroughs or arguments yet? Or is she a little young to start bringing home bad boys?"

Sean had wanted to be a family man for as long as she could remember - Catholic upbringing, she assumed, not to mention how much Irish ran in him. Though she was teasing him a bit, the younger woman felt happy that he'd finally gotten pretty much everything that he wanted in his personal life; friends, a domestic partnership, and children. Lyn firmly believed that good people should be happy, and in her books, Dr. Sean Patrick Neville was most certainly Good People.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean disagreed that it was too early for wine, since it was past noon and that was the etiquette convention that he followed. However, he wouldn’t force alcohol on her; he fully expected that Lyn would be at the house for long enough that she could switch to wine when she had the inclination to do so. As such, he replied, “Water it is.”

Once he had led her to the living room so that she could set out the food, he disappeared from the room to return to the kitchen. He filled one glass with ice and water for Lyn, and the other with ice and freshly-brewed iced tea for himself. With glasses in hand, Sean returned to the living room, setting each down atop a coaster on the table.

“Bailey is twelve.” While girls underwent puberty (on average) a bit younger than boys did, and children in the United States underwent puberty around that age (on average) these days, Bailey was still young. Far too young to date within any serious meaning of the word, and the telepath would be critical of anyone trying to engage his foster daughter on that level. Bailey was a “young twelve,” who showed no interest in teenage activities and was still pre-pubescent in her mindset. “And she’s very sweet. We haven’t had any real arguments. She’s been adjusting well and enjoying some of the exposure to activities.”

He and Josh tried to keep her engaged with family time, with accompanying them on errands, and by finding a variety of activities and trips for weekends and holidays.

With the food laid out, the telepath turned to the DVD set. “Do you have an episode in mind to begin with?”

[Lyn Ivchenko-Lewis]

Picking up the glass of water for a sip as Sean answered, the very feline-natured woman nodded. Yes; that made sense. She hadn't known how old the girl (Bailey, she was determined to remember) was, only that her friend and his partner had finally received the chance to adopt and had done so. Though, it really had been only teasing. "Well, that's always good to hear," she replied with a smile. "Let's hope she doesn't turn into a little terror once she starts noticing how much she can get away with from you two."

Not that it in any way implied that Sean and Josh would be bad parents; teenagers would just be teenagers, and testing boundaries came with that, part and parcel.

The choices was a difficult one, considering that there were eleven seasons of the show they both enjoyed and so many wonderful episodes. "Let's do something a little more lighthearted," Lyn mused after a moment. "Season six, I think; 'Your Hit Parade'." It was one of her favorite relaxing episodes, probably because there was so much music involved and it really allowed Radar (a uniquely amusing and deep character in his own right) to have a bit of a spotlight without being overt.

While the psychiatrist set up the system, Lyn opened the containers and gestured; there was dolma, as well as roast lamb with potatoes, and a traditional Greek salad, all from the restaurant in town. "What would you like and how much? I'll dish up."

[Dr. Sean Neville]

“So far so good.” Sean had firm ideas when it came to parenting, ones that went far beyond the laws of Vermont and the guidelines to which he had agreed when he and Josh had agreed to foster. He wanted to have a similar relationship with Bailey that he had with Ryan, where he was an authority figure but also a friend, and wherein they could talk about her problems rather than have to engage in any sort of punishments. He didn’t believe in punitive discipline at work, and he certainly wouldn’t employ that in his own home. Josh was of a similar mindset. “When she reaches puberty, if she’s still living with us, I have a plan.”

But that was likely a ways off.

The telepath smiled at the suggestion, offering a nod of ascent. He knew each episode of M*A*S*H by season, title, and/or a small description, and he recognized that episode title immediately. Moreover, he agreed with her reasoning; it was a good episode. “Your Hit Parade it is.” He pulled out the appropriate season set, and then pulled out the third disc, which he carefully placed in the DVD player slot.

“I’ll have everything,” he replied, turning in her direction. The DVD went through its typical setup routine, and he settled in an armchair. “A little of everything to start.”

[Lyn Ivchenko-Lewis]

A chuckle and a shake of the head was the limit of Lyn's response there, though the essence of her surface thoughts had something to do with "Plans rarely survive first contact with the enemy." But Sean was a man who understood people the way others just... didn't. And it wasn't just due to him being a telepath; he was a genuinely caring person whose gift only amplified his ability to make a difference. He'd be just fine with a teenage girl, especially since everything the younger woman had heard about Bailey thus far showed that she was nothing like Lyn had been at that age.

Which was good for everyone involved.

Dishing up plates for herself and her host, the attorney curled up on the couch, the scents of the meal making her mouth water despite the fact that she'd eaten breakfast a short time ago. Good Greek was hard to find, but this place always seemed to make everything just right. The small town really had such a diverse culture, and probably the whole minority population of Vermont all in one place, and it showed in not only the students but the shops. It felt good to be back.

Although...

As the main screen popped up, Lyn glanced to her friend. "So, I've heard something... interesting," she started. "Looks like there's another little group popping up in town, you may have seen them around. 'People United for Safety and Equality'?" Her tone stated exactly what she thought of such a euphemism for a discriminatory hate group, and though she had her own veiled opinions on the matter, the shifter wasn't opposed to an open discussion on the conflagration with a level-headed friend such as Sean.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean rolled his eyes upon hearing her surface thoughts, although the act was playful rather than born from frustration. “The inevitable pubescent girl is not my enemy, and, even if she feels that way sometimes, it won’t be the lasting truth.”

The telepath had devoted most of his adult life to interacting with teenagers. He would never be a teenager again, he hadn’t been the most typical teenager during his adolescence, but he could reach an accord with most teenagers. Moreover, he never took anything personally unless it was intended as such (and even then, it typically rolled off his back like water); that could be only beneficial as Bailey grew older.

He had only managed to take a mouthful of potatoes – and he would attribute that to his heritage as it was his first mouthful of food – when Lyn made her not-so-casual remark.

That was a topic of real enemies.

Always one to mind his manners, the telepath chewed carefully and swallowed before he even thought of replying. After a sip from his glass to clear his pipes, he said, “I’m familiar with them. I actually have the President of that group in my rolodex.” Also on his refrigerator, where the information had stayed after being copied into his rolodex.

[Lyn Ivchenko-Lewis]

Well, that was an equally careful and measured response.

There was very little information surrounding the group, still so young in its lifetime. From what Lyn had gathered (from coworkers and her own investigations) was something that on the surface seemed genuine; a desire for all people to be safe and equal, both in representation in politics and under the umbrella of the law. This included everyone, supposedly. Ethnic minorities, protected classes, and yes, even meta-humans.

However.

From the practices involved in the group, it seemed like they were more interested in preventing meta-humans from holding positions of office, or really any power on any sort of scale. Her own office was targeted (though only tangentially), and their main focus recently seemed to be implying that Elizabeth Greene wasn't a good fit for the Pilot Ridge community either. All of this may or may not have been true, but given her own experiences with hate groups in court, Lyn wasn't about to just brush the idea aside.

"And what do you think of them?" She was under the impression that they needed to be watched very carefully, but that could have just been her own paranoia and bitterness shining through. As a resident of the small but not-so-quiet town, Sean would have a much more balanced overall view on the grand scheme of things.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean took his time chewing his food. Everything hit the spot, and he wanted to be able to enjoy the flavors and the experience. This was complicated somewhat by the topic of conversation, since PUSE’s actual goals were antithetical to him being able to enjoy anything in his life.

The older man swallowed the bit of pita that he had been chewing and then washed it down. That served the dual purpose of clearing his throat and cleansing his palate a bit.

“I think they’re metaphobic.” In fact, Sean was sure of that. His interactions with their president made that clear enough, and the nature of their rhetoric only confirmed this.

Considering the fact that meta-human status was not protected under the law the way that several other forms of marginalization were, meta-humans already had a marked disadvantage in society. The existence of Pilot Ridge as the meta-human capital of the United States was all the more important as a result, and Sean believed that the local government and community had an obligation to meta-humans. To go above and beyond in securing their rights and representation.

That some baseline humans resented Pilot Ridge’s status was not Sean’s responsibility to accommodate.

“It’s the same rhetoric they used to strike down the Voting Rights Act earlier this year.” And, while a separate issue in one sense, it was born from prejudice all the same.

[Lyn Ivchenko-Lewis]

Unknowing that the topic of conversation was souring the mood, Lyn ate a piece of lamb with a bit of relish, paying attention to the conversation even as her eyes tracked the movements on-screen. It was a delicious meal, and though speaking on this new PUSE was indeed something probably better restrained until after lunch, it was still casual enough for her. After all, part of her job was discussing unpleasantries over meals; it was one area in which living in New York had helped her rather than amplifying a negative trait.

"Of course they are." That was obvious enough, even if it helped to confirm with someone else. Why else would someone try so very hard to promote their agenda in such a way? The whole town would have turned against them if the straight truth were known from the start.

Pilot Ridge was a special place, whether everyone else in the world knew it or not. Few people lived in this town who did not know that there was a higher saturation of meta-humans than anywhere else in the country, even if the majority of baselines were unaware of the true nature of the school just up the road. Everyone in local politics knew about it, Congress knew about it - anyone who had any say in what happened in and surrounding the town knew just how important the Hammel Institute was. To fight to subjugate literally a town of people who were your friends and neighbors, whom you'd never know were different unless they told you out of a sense of trust or openness...

It was like being back twenty, thirty years ago, with all the propaganda against the 'homosexual agenda'. Nowadays, people laughed and scorned those who objected. But then? Just as serious as the fears against people like them, people who were different by a fluke of genetics.

That, if nothing else, pushed the lawyer to find more information. To find a way to stop this cancer before it spread too far.

"What's the city council doing about it? The law firms? The school?" Being that she was part of the judiciary system, she was privy to some information. But not all. She just kept an eye out for the criminal activity, worked with the police departments as close as possible. So far, there'd been no sign of violent contact or outright oppressive behavior, but things could change at the drop of a hat. One act, one moment could change everything.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

It was obvious, and Sean didn’t credit his particular abilities of telepathy or insight in his knowledge. He did credit the telepathy for the fact that he knew far more about the organization’s president than the man wanted to advertise, but that also wasn’t his to divulge. It was safe to say, without victimizing the girl again, that her father’s opinions were hastened by a terrible personal experience. That didn’t excuse the group’s purposes, but it did factor in for the purposes of strategy. Exposure to good-hearted meta-humans or proclaiming that they were just like baseline people would be insufficient to sway Joseph Honnick.

“At the moment, they don’t advocate violence, but one can only imagine what the more extreme elements say behind closed doors.” Sean had lived through the AIDS Crisis as a man in a relationship with another man. He knew how bad it could get.

Lyn’s question contained three questions, not all of which Sean could answer due to confidentiality or lack of specific knowledge. However, he would try his best to provide what information he could. Setting down his glass, the telepath said, “I don’t know what, exactly, the city council is doing about. They’re aware of it, and I’m sure that Councilwoman Greene is keeping an eye on them. Josh is not thrilled, and while there’s no way to bring them to court now, I’m sure that he won’t hesitate to do so should the opportunity arise.” Sean couldn’t discuss Cobalt’s law firm but he was sure that the shadow manipulator was also less than thrilled.

“As for Hammel, we’re on it.” The psychiatrist had discussed it with Yvette individually and then had brought it up at an administrative meeting. Hammel was prepared for a protracted fight, but at the moment, protecting the students was their highest priority. “I can’t divulge more than that.”

[Lyn Ivchenko-Lewis]

Lyn agreed with her friend entirely; something of a rarity between them. Despite living in New York, she had a much more conservative viewpoint than him in a number of subjects, but this matter was something they both could agree on from personal and professional experience. It was doubtful that anything could change the minds of the members, since any action could only spur them into thinking they were in the right. That was the trouble with blind yet intelligent bigotry, after all.

"So long as it stays that way," the feline groused, taking a drink of her water before continuing her meal. Violence (or any other kind of law breaking) was exactly what she meant to put a grinding halt to the moment it reared its ugly head. It had been hard enough making deals some days; this town, where she came to know herself, was above such viciousness. Or, so she hoped.

Nodding in response to the answers, the younger woman ate her lunch thoughtfully, allowing her mind to wander a bit as the music of the episode played in the middleground. The council had seemed divided recently, but at the very least (from what she could tell, which was little) they weren't ignoring the issue entirely. That was good. "Should Josh bring them to court, I'd be more than happy to help him right along in criminal proceedings," she promised. It wasn't like she itched for the conflict, but there was something to be said about triumphing over a group of close-minded antagonists. "We can even share reports, if necessary."

Or available - some things were DA's eyes only, simply because they were still open investigations by the police.

"Good to hear." If Sean said they had a plan, it was pretty much settled. Hammel had not lasted so long by winging themselves around by the seats of their pants - if they had a contingency for it, the matter was as good as settled. So, in the meantime, they could at least relax and enjoy a good show. "You know, I can't remember - who was your favorite character on this show anyway?"

Despite her personality, Lyn had never much liked Major Houlihan, instead enjoying the antics of Klinger and the loyalty of Radar the most. Granted, everyone worked so well together, but those two had always been her favorites to watch whenever episodes focused on them.