Bon Appetit (closed)

[Bradley Reeves]

Earlier that week, Bradley had passed Sean in the hallway and realized it had been a while since he’d had his friend over for dinner. The two weren’t extremely close, but since they had both lived in the area for a while and both worked at Hammel they talked from time to time. Since Bradley considered the man his friend, he made a point to invite him over for dinner and/or drinks every now and then. He enjoyed spending his evenings in the kitchen preparing full meals. But since he lived alone, he wasn’t always able to finish all the leftovers or enjoy others complements on his cooking. So his solution was to invite others over whenever he could.

He told Sean to feel free to bring along a friend or two. But that he wasn’t aloud to feel like he had to bring a dish of any kind. Of course, he was more than welcomed to bring along a bottle of wine or something similar. Although Bradley kept a selection of wine and liquor in his kitchen, he worried that he wouldn’t have something his friend might want.

He had told Sean to arrive around seven, so by six forty-five Bradley had fresh mozzarella, roasted peppers, and bruschetta sitting out along with small plates and napkins. That way his guest(s) could sit at the barstools in his kitchen and enjoy the appetizers while he put on the finishing touches to the pollo fantasia and the penne vodka. The table was set and his place was spotless (of course). The sounds of Billy Joel were coming softly from the record player in his living room. Bradley was so excited he had even put lit a few candles around his place.

When he heard the doorbell, he couldn’t help but run around his apartment quickly to make sure everything was in order. As much as he enjoyed inviting company over, he did tend to get a little anxious about it.

He opened the front door and realized at the same moment that he was still wearing his kitchen apron. “Entri prego,” he said, blushing slightly about his appearance. “Spero che abbiate fame.” He started to blush even more, realized that he was speaking Italian.

“Sorry,” he said, walking towards the kitchen. “I hope you like Italian. I’ve set out something to get you started.” He mentally kicked himself for starting off the evening on a bad foot and immediately wished he hadn’t. He often worried about his inner dialogue when Sean was around. The price of having a telepath as a friend.

((OOC: I'm still decideing how to show Bradley's powers, since I don't speak every language he can. Right now I'm using Babelfish, so sorry if I butchered his Italian, just assume that he said it right, even if I didn't.))

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean had never turned down an invitation to supper. For all of his perceived strengths, his most well-known and easily discoverable weaknesses were food, drink, and company. He likes Bradley, and while they didn’t spend as much time together as he did with many of his other friends, he had been delighted by the invitation to come over for supper. He had passed the invitation on to Josh, but because it was short notice, his partner already had other plans that included other men and drinking.

While Sean wouldn’t be present for the event, he certainly looked forward to the aftermath. Assuming Josh returned home under his own power; otherwise he could expect a phone call. That was why Sean had his cell phone on and in his pocket.

As such, he put on a dinner jacket after work, picked up the bottle of wine he considered customary, and the dessert because there could never be too many desserts, and drove himself to Bradley’s house to make sure to arrive on time. The telepath didn’t like tardiness himself, and he knew how proper his friend could be. He certainly didn’t want to cause any difficulty. Fortunately, traffic was on his side and he arrived on time.

He smiled upon seeing his friend, clad in an apron; the telepath didn’t have a cooking apron per se, although he had one he used for grilling. It was the quintessential Bradley to wear one while preparing supper, however. And upon hearing Italian, his smile widened. The other man’s ability was a fascinating one, and a lover of languages, an enviable one as well.

“I love Italian,” the telepath assured him, both the food and the language. He also had full confidence in the other man’s cooking skills, having sampled them before. Before he could go inside to where the mentioned appetizers were, he held out the bottle of wine and the covered pan to the other man. “And these are for you. The wine is a dessert wine, and there’s cake in the tin.”

[Bradley Reeves]

Bradley smiled as Sean handed him the bottle and tin. Although he had told the man there was no need to bring anything, he was pleased at the gesture. Besides, now he knew for sure that there would be something his friend would enjoy to have to drink. He was also glad that the telepath didn’t seem bothered by his language mix-up.

“Have a seat,” Bradley said as the two entered the kitchen. “I’m just finishing up everything. Help yourself to some appetizers.” He pointed towards the bar stool where the bruschetta and such sitting. In earlier years, Bradley would have worried about not being ready by the time his guest arrived. But had learned that sometimes people were running late and by then the food was getting cold. So now, he usually kept things on the stove awaiting their last minute touches, just in case.

After setting down the wine and cake Sean had brought, Bradley began putting the food into serving dishes. “So how are things?” he asked his friend over his shoulder. He considered asking if things were cooling down since the Talk, but he was afraid it might be a sore subject.

Finished with everything, Bradley removed his apron and hung it on a hook next to the fridge before he started to carry the dishes into the dinning room. “Dinner is served,” he said, feeling a little stupid because of the huge smile on his face. He tried to make sure Sean had everything he might need or want, before sitting down and serving himself. He had almost taken his first bit when it occurred to him, that he had forgotten the salad. “Sacrebleu!” he yelled, jumping to his feet and dashing into the kitchen to retrieve it from the fridge. “Sorry about that,” he said bashfully, when he returned with it. “I hope you won’t think me a complete idiot.”

“Anyway,” Bradley said, wishing he could think of an interesting story to tell or at least a topic of conversation besides his lack of preparedness. “How was your day? I’m sorry that Josh couldn’t make it tonight. Perhaps another time?”

[Dr. Sean Neville]

The telepath had been taught that it was important to bring a small token with him when he went to someone else’s home for supper and alcohol was often the appropriate present. As well, it was impossible to have too many desserts.

“Thank you.” He followed the younger man into the kitchen and smiled upon seeing the food on the bar stool. Admittedly, he was hungry, and the other man was an excellent cook. He seated himself as requested and reached for one of the pieces of bruschetta. “It looks and smells marvelous. You’ve outdone yourself.” That sentiment was confirmed with another smile after Sean took a bite.

Typically, the telepath would offer to help, but he knew that Bradley was particular about everything in life, including his kitchen, and he didn’t want to impose. As such, he stayed out of the way, ate bruschetta, and watched as the younger men went about the finishing touches.

“Things are fine, for the most part,” Sean said, as he turned to better face the other man. His personal life had ironed out which made life quite pleasant. Bradley was as aware of the administrative changes as Sean was and he was certain the other man didn’t need a rant. And as for the Talk... “I do look forward to the students settling down a bit. I understand why they haven’t, but I’m at an all-time high for sessions right now. And how are things with you?”

The telepath smiled at the announcement that supper was ready, followed by a concerned look when Bradley shouted and jumped to his feet. Over salad. “Not at all,” he assured the other man. He certainly didn’t think anything of the incident.

He waited for Bradley to serve himself before taking appropriate portions of everything. “My day was fine; yesterday was more draining than today but yesterday was also Mia’s weekly appointment.” He couldn’t go into details about those sessions but surely the other faculty understood what they theoretically entailed and how they could be less than amusing. “And I’m sorry that Josh couldn’t come as well. But next time, surely. I just have to get the offer to him before he has other plans. He’s popular.”

[Bradley Reeves]

Bradley, of course, was pleased with the gesture of Sean bringing along something. Even though it was not required, it was very well mannered of his friend. In short, a classy move. Which was always appreciated by Bradley.

"Thank you," Bradley said, blushing slightly after Sean's comments about the food. He was again pleased that Sean was enjoying himself. He worried sometimes about preparing meals for friends that he didn't know very well. What if they had become a vegetarian? Or had a horrible allergy to a crucial ingredient? Sometimes it kept Bradley up the night before.

One advantage to having a telepath for a friend was that Bradley had no need to explain his need for Sean to stay out of his way in his kitchen. Although he was always nice about it, he hated having to explain to his other friends that he had a system for everything. And that by trying to help, they were really causing more of a problem.

Bradley could imagine that after the Talk Sean would have quite a few students to deal with. Some that wanted to be there. Most that did not. He was glad that he hadn't been present for the event and didn't have much to do with dealing with the aftermath.

Still a little out of sorts about forgetting the salad, Bradley took another deep breath to calm himself. He smoothed his napkin on his lap as his listened to Sean talk about his day. "That's perfectly alright," Bradley said. "I must admit, I'm interested to meet him. I guess I'll have to wait in line." He smiled at his joke.

He considered asking Sean if he'd had any personal dealing with the new headmistress, but he knew it was a bit of a sore subject. He was a tad apprehensive about the idea of being alone in a room with that woman, himself. But he wasn't sure Sean would say anything to calm his fears anyway.

Since, he was failing at conversation topics, he took another bite of his meal and wondered if he should have added more garlic.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

The telepath had assumed that Bradley would appreciate it. Additionally, Sean had been raised that it was always appropriate to bring either alcohol or dessert, if not both, and at fifty-four he was too old to break the habit.

“You’re welcome,” the telepath replied, still smiling. He spoke only the truth regarding Bradley’s culinary ability; it was formidable and greatly appreciated. Sean always appreciated fine cooking and good hosting, two abilities that the music teacher displayed in spades. He knew that the other man both put forth the effort and cared which also went a long way in making him a good host.

Sean understood systems; he had systems himself, although to a different extent and in different realms from Bradley’s. As such, he was happy to let the other man cook and organize as needed, and he remained out of the way without complaint. Hosting was a big enough cause of fretting without the telepath adding to that by trying to help.

“The only good to come of the recent antics, and there isn’t a lot of good, is that with the privacy lecture we gave after punishment, there seems to be some greater respect for boundaries. I think the students are compensating, but we’ll see how long this lasts.” Of course, what minor good that was had been greatly overshadowed by the rest of it, and the students were otherwise in disarray. And unfortunately, for different reasons, Mia and Zac were both impervious to normal empathy-building exercises.

The telepath returned the other man’s smile. “You’ll definitely have the chance to meet him. He’s good at integrating himself and he loves get-togethers.”

Of course, Josh’s extroversion could occasionally run afoul of introverts and anxieties, but the attorney meant well.

The telepath took a few bites of food and swallowed. Then he added, “Actually, we’re discussing a barbecue while the weather is still nice; you know how Vermont gets, and we want to beat the snow. As soon as we have a date ironed out, you’ll have an invitation, and then you can meet him there if not before. It shouldn’t be chaotic, and if I get my way, there will be plenty of people from Hammel there, so you’d know several of the guests.”

The guest list wouldn’t consist entirely of Josh’s friends.

[Bradley Reeves]

((I'm sorry this is so late.))

When Bradley had first met Sean and learned about the other man’s power he had been…uncomfortable, to put it mildly. Since he worked so hard to keep up his outward appearance, he worried constantly what Sean would see inside his mind. For a while, he had avoided any situations where he might be alone the other man as best he could without making it seem that he was a total jerk.

It helped a great deal that Bradley had always found Sean to be an extremely understanding and gentle individual, but even after all these years he found himself trying to keep his thoughts in check whenever the telepath was around. So as he forced himself to settle down and appear calm as they continued their dinner, Bradley was also trying his best to stop scolding himself in his head for not being fully prepared. After all, Sean seemed to be enjoying himself. So he must not be a complete failure at being a host.

“Well,” Bradley said, speaking a little slow as he searched for the right words (and ones in the right language). “I’m glad that things have settled down for the most part. If you ever need to…unwind after one of you more…difficult session feel free to come over again for dinner.” He smiled, hoping that Sean would at least give him some notice in advance if he ever chose to take him up on that offer. “Just make sure you bring along some wine.”

“Sounds delightful,” Bradley continued as Sean informed him about the barbeque. “I certainly look forward to meeting Josh. I’ve heard some…interesting things about him around the town.” One of them being some sort of protest turned arson, although Bradley wasn’t sure that was a safe topic to bring up.

Speaking about unsafe topics, Bradley couldn’t help but ask Sean the next question. “So…have you met any of the new government officials?” He looked down at his plate as he spoke. “Operation Patriot is their title, if I’m right.” Bradley was a little spooked by the whole concept of the government becoming involved with metas. He hoped that his friend would be able to calm his fears.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean had taken little offense to the discomfort that Bradley had felt when they had first met. While the psychiatrist had strong opinions about the anti-psychic sentiments which pervaded the culture, he believed most of that bias could be overcome by exposure and patience. For the most part, the patience proved worthwhile, as new friends and respect was to be had, as had happened with Bradley. Eventually, the other man had come to relax around the telepath; he attributed that to proving that he didn’t judge Bradley for his thoughts.

He was trying not to overhear the music teacher’s thoughts while they ate, which was increasingly easier as the other man calmed himself. Admittedly, Sean enjoyed what glimpses he had into Bradley’s mind, because the different flow of languages was melodious in a way.

The telepath smiled in gratitude at the offer. “I appreciate that, and I might take you up on it.” However, he knew about Bradley’s desire for order, and so he added, “But I promise to give you at least a day’s notice, and to bring the biggest bottle of wine I can find.”

Sean quirked his eyebrow at the admission of rumors surrounding his partner, and his lip twitched in amusement. “And what have you heard?”

The telepath shook his head in the negative. “I haven’t, unless you count Moira and Lenore.” Of course, Sean had strong opinions on the subject of Operation Patriot, beginning with the fact that he was uncomfortable with nationalism, and the organization had chosen to title itself something so blatant, and ending with his discomfort with the intersection of meta-humans and the Military Industrial Complex. The United States wasn’t Russia, and he had no desire for it to become Russia. “I’m curious to meet them. Have you met anyone?”

Sean had a list of topics to discuss with Yvette, related to the military personnel and the new direction of Hammel, but there never seemed to be time for it.

[Bradley Reeves]

Bradley was starting to be more at ease. Dinner seemed to be going well, and Sean seemed to be enjoying the meal. Although Bradley though that Sean would have probably said everything was excellent even if it wasn't. Sometimes Bradley wondered what it would be like to know what those around him were thinking. It would certainly come in handy from time to time.

"Splendid," Bradley replied. And he really meant it. Although the preparations caused him a bit of stress, he enjoyed being a host. Especially when he had a chance to show off his cooking.

Bradley took a large bit of his meal on purpose so that he would have a moment to think about his reply. He had heard a few things in the hallways of the school about Sean and Josh. One of them being a story about Josh setting a public landmark on fire and Sean showing up to bail him out of jail. He didn't feel that was something to bring up. Besides it was possible that the rumor wasn't even true. The last thing Bradley wanted to do would be to start a fight between co-workers.

Soddenly realizing that Sean probably "heard" he had just been contemplating, Bradley half choked on the food he was still chewing. "Um..." he said, coughing a little to clear his throat. "Just that he is an...interesting...I mean," in his distressed he switched to Latin. "I'm sure he's a wonderful...and exciting...person to uh...meet."

The red was returning to his face as he glanced at Sean, hoping the other man wouldn't be angered. "More wine?" he asked, still in Latin.

"I can't say that I have met any of them," Bradley, back in English and glad for the change in conversation. "I've seen Moira and Lenore in passing. But the two...I mean three of us haven't really spoken." Bradley was curious as well. He was uncomfortable with the whole idea. Although he didn't know much about their organization, it was more the fact that they stood for the possibly of change that concerned him.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean was most certainly enjoying the meal; Bradley was an excellent cook, and the telepath did so enjoy Italian food. The food was absolutely delicious, and it was a treat to have food prepared by someone else. The telepath did all of the cooking at home, since Josh’s idea of an acceptable meal was a grilled cheese sandwich, and the attorney had no comfort in the kitchen.

The telepath had tried to clean up the mess that had involved Josh, Mitya, and Thomas; although it was admittedly imperfect. After all, he hadn’t been there for the actual incident and thus didn’t know who had been a witness. He’d only been called in after the fact, because he was Josh’s emergency contact, the same way that Josh was Sean’s emergency contact for medical matters. The telepath was grateful that Bradley didn’t bring it up explicitly, because it wasn’t an incident that he wanted to think about on pleasant occasions.

The psychiatrist offered the other man a small, apologetic smile when Bradley choked on his food. That hadn’t been his intention, but unfortunately, not everyone was as comfortable with the fact that his telepathy was often active as some people, the way that Josh and Anya were. “He is, and I think you’d get on well.” He couldn’t think of anything Josh might do, off the top of his head, which would set off one of Bradley’s compulsions.

“Please,” the telepath replied, not remarking on the fact that the other man was still speaking in Latin. As a former Catholic, and a former Catholic school boy, Latin was one of the languages that Sean spoke and understood, and “wine” was such an important word that he would recognize it anywhere. The telepath lifted his glass and held it out to the other man for the refill.

After his wine had been refilled, Sean brought it to his lips to sip, and then he set it down. “Aside from Yvette, I haven’t spoken to anyone who’s had any sort of in-depth conversation with them. It’s curious.”