15080/Another year older, Another year wi- Ok just older.

Another year older, Another year wi- Ok just older.
Date of Scene:	03 June 2023
Location:	Craic
Synopsis:	Rick and Mike have a birthday conversation on history, identities, and cake.
Cast of Characters:	Michael Hannigan, Richard Stadler

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Michael Hannigan has posed:
As the warm weather months come up and the threat of tourist season looms near, there are a few days left to enjoy the Craic in its uncrowded glory.

Well, uncrowded is an overstatement. Despite it not being their busy times, the tables have their share of people with them and the bar does have a few people taking advantage of that area as well. It just hasn't reached standing room only status yet. And so long as people are willing to share tables, there may not be need to hit that status tonight.

Mike has so far avoided the need to share tables yet. He had picked one of the two seaters, set off to near the wall, close to the kitchen and semi-close to the bar. It is furthest from the window so most people have avoided broaching the topic with him which is all the better.

There is no menu set before the man. The glass before him sits, half full with a dark, almost black liquid inside. With these two elements combined with the arms resting upon the table, one extended upwards to give his chin perched and the somewhat distant look to his face, it could be surmised that his order has already been taken and he is left to wait out the delivery of the requested item.

His attire is similar, yet a a bit different than what he normally wears. They're still dark tones, but the dark shirt has an actual collar to it. The top few buttons undone. And instead of dark jeans, he wears dark slacks. Certainly there could be more details picked off, but then one would be asking what the viewer was doing crawling under the table. So this is sufficient detail for now.

Richard Stadler has posed:
    mit Rick had only seen the tail end of tourist season so far at Happy Harbor, but things were wrapping around, and he wasn't a complete stranger to sleepy settings getting mobbed by city-folk looking for natural beauty they don't get during the normal hum-drum. Nothing that affected him, though; he worked in once of those places and lived in another.

And that meant visiting the tourist places for relatively mundane uses. Craic's wasn't exactly his normal place to be, but pubs did well with their food menu, even if you were mostly a tee-toller. Rick's plan happened to be a quick meal... up until he looked to his left and saw Mike sitting at a table. It left him... indecisive, in general. What, would he just sit down and say later 'Oh, I saw you at a bar and decided to not make a greeting'? Supposed to be a fresh start, after all, so there was a deep breath and a pace over to the table itself.

His own dress was bog standard; a poloshirt and slacks, well polished shoes in the uniform for the aging middle class male. "Not exactly a Guinness man, myself, but I see you enjoy something bitter."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Not expecting anyone to speak to him other than the server. There is a momentary pause as the voices don't quite match up to what is expected. Voice familiar but out of context, pale eyes shift, taking in the newcomer. The exhausted looking eyes squint for a moment but the name soon comes to mind. "Oh hey Rick." Mike greets, "Well, its not exactly drinking coffee with half a cup of sugar melted into it but the Stout's one of the sweeter ones. Kind of a chocolate, black coffee taste to it."

There's a glance behind the teacher and upon assessing the tables being taken up, the musician adjusts his posture. Sliding back in the seat, the musician moves his arms from the table and gestures over to the empty seat across. "Need a seat?"

Richard Stadler has posed:
    mit Stadler gives a brief nod. "Don't need one, but I'd appreciate having one. Always so tough to get service at the bar in between people buying drinks." He says, moving to slide into the seat across from Mike on the two top. And at that point he has a quick moment to look over the man in a bit of detail.

"Never gave stouts a chance, I suppose, and I'm far past my drinking days. The standard glass of champagne or wine if I'm at a social function and... scotch, when things require it. Which I might check in on, here. You look like a man whose gone around the horn, sleep wise. Are you doing all right?"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
With the invite accepted and Rick sliding into the seat, Mike lowers the arm that was indicating the seat. He glances over to the glass, nodding as Rick explains his being past his drinking days. "Well, I guess in that sense I'm blessed." The musician gives a weak smile. "I've been 21 for the past decade. Although, it'll probably get weird when I'm sixty and still getting carded." He lifts the glass, drawing it towards his lips to give a proper gulp before setting it back down upon the papery coaster.

The smile that had formed fades quickly, it never really having a good foothold upon his expression anyways. He tilts his head to the side, considering the question. The lips twist to a small frown. "Bad time of year for me." Mike finally admits, glancing down to his sleeves. A hand idly messes with the button upon one of the wrists, undoing it before he shifts over to focus on the other wrist. "Some memories pop up and- But, I'll be okay in time for the field trip. I've got a process for this."

Richard Stadler has posed:
    mit Stadler pauses for the moment when the question of age comes up, opening his mouth, then closing it... before sighing. "Oh, what the hell. I have to ask, is that a statement on genes or magic there? Certainly I wouldn't begat both, but as I've said before, I'm floundering a bit in terms of this... magic stuff. It's got benefits if you can keep yourself in your prime, though. Lord knows I've been feeling more creaky than I'd like, lately."

BUt that was about the end of the small talk there, as Stadler walked into the minefield of difficult social situations. At the very least he can give a small nod at the admission, eyes fflickering briefly to the buttons being handled. "Ahh... well. I know I shouldn't pry. Just... I can understand those bad times. And the processes. Sometimes things require a little alcohol to handle things."

He moves to look over the bar, hunting to try to catch the eyes of a server itself. "Happy birthday, by the way."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"Well, being I don't really know much about my family-" Mike considers, "Probably more the magic. There are other benefits, but there's a cost to it as well." Buttons undone, the sleeves are slid up partially, making the dress shirt seem more like a three quarters sleeve. The scar on Mike's lower right forearm peeks out from the area newly exposed from the action.

Certain utterances tend to draw a server's attention. And with Rick's birthday wishes, he does end up getting a glance from a passing server as they're carrying a tray to another table. But as they're currently engaged with another task, it doesn't get the response Rick was likely wanting.

There's a slight tenseness that forms to the jawline of the musician to the wishes. Mike takes a long moment to take the glass, drinking his beer but as he was already halfway there when Rick sat down, the method of delay is short lived.

An empty glass sets back down on the coaster.

"I'm tempted not to tell you but privacy is not something I'm often afforded. So it's probably something that can be Googled. But, I don't really celebrate my birthday because it's also the date I lost my mom."

Mike lets that soak in for a few moments, glancing to the side for a few moments. "But...sentiment noted. Just for future notice. Thank you."

Richard Stadler has posed:
    mit The scar is noted, but Rick's done enough digging for the moment. Asking about where that happened to have come from would be a step too far... if, of course, he hadn't already passed that line a while back, given his reaction to the question. Stadler does look back, noticing the man's jaw set, and simply shaking his head at the approaching server.

"I imagine that there's a cost for everything. Even if it's just the time it takes to master the skill. But I imagine youth is... a valuable commodity to many people." But then there's the family talk, and things take a turn.

"I... well. I'm... there's my foot in my mouth again. I just looked up the basic biographics; date of birth, filmography. Family... well, that's something I should have paid more attention to. I'll offer the standard condolences, even if... I imagine they're.. trite, at the moment. Like you said, you have methods to cope, already, and I can understand them. Sorry to... poke at the scar, as it were."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Having taken care of one table, the server had been moving towards the table, but upon catching the glance from Rick, there's a halt to the motion, a glance over to Mike and then Rick. A head is lifted up in a large nod before she heads back to the kitchen.

Mike nods. "...You're fine. It's not really something I typically would start off introductions with. So, how would you know?" He brings up the non scarred arm, cupping his mouth for a moment considering the teacher, there's the slight gasp of what could be considered a laugh as he lowers his hand. "...So you did Google me. I guess the last interaction led to that. I actually avoid Googling myself so I was guessing what might be on there. I assumed wrong so..."

He crosses his arms, "Uh, just...no 'Happy Birthdays' directed to me. They just aren't. But...typical holidays are still safe. So wish happy those as much as you want."

Richard Stadler has posed:
    mit Rick let's out a sigh of relief there. Birthday wishes at restuarants were harrowing most of the the time, something to be grinned through with the slight glimmer of satisfaction someone cared enough to mark the passing of time. When you didn't want it, it was certainly hell.

"I... dislike not knowing things like that. I've had to do a lot more improvisation these days because there's so much I'm going in blind for, and it's not something I like. I should have known. Dug a little bit deeper, at least." He says, sighing. "And some google, some other sources. Again, just the biographics and your standard filmography. Not like I have your high school grades, or anything. I really don't have to call registrars." As if that was the only thing keeping him from doing it.

"But... understood. No happy birthdays. I'll keep it to the basic holidays. Happy Early Solstice." He notes. "You seem to be... doing fine, for the most part."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"Well, Rick. There's going to be a lot of things you just don't know until the time it occurs. Things will be missed so there's no point kicking yourself about it. Besides, It seems you know a bit more than me than I know about you so- you got me beat on that." Mike cracks a small smile, "And No lie, I'd probably be concerned if my transcript was just out there through a simple search."

Mike pauses as a different server comes up with a tray. Another glass of Guinness is set down along with a plate consisting of a darkly braised piece of chicken and a decent helping of colcannon. "Thank you." Mike states to the server before looking over to Rick. The holiday greeting gets a tilt of the head. "...And a happy early solstice to you too. And yes. Routines are very helpful."

Richard Stadler has posed:
     "Oh, I understand." Rick nods. "Plans don't survive contact with the enemy, you'll never have a complete set of intelligence, certainly, that's how things are. That doesn't mean I have to like such a lack of information. There's not a day goes by I don't miss having a dedicated S2. In terms of knowing about me... My apologies for that. If it's any consolation, you've got more than I ever want to show the students. In terms of the transcript, though, it's honestly just about knowing the right mechanism. Places to push, places to call."

"Oh." He says, waving at the server. "The salmon boxty, if you have it? Thanks. Water's fine." He'll note to the server themselves, before giving a slightly sheepish smile over to Mike. "It was the closest holiday I could think of off the top of my head. We're a month out from the 4th of July, after all."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"Not sure how I like being compared to an enemy but... yeah. And, I like the Fourth. Funny thing is I didn't even consider the solstice as a holiday." Mike admits, "Although, considering the people I hang around with, maybe I should start thinking about it like that more."

When Rick puts in his order with the server, the musician grows quiet, giving a curious look. "What's a S2?" He asks, once the server has made their leave.

Richard Stadler has posed:
     A pause, and Rick shakes his head. "Sorry, I didn't meant to imply that. More... plans don't survive contact with adversity. So you do need to adapt. Though the solstice is generally something I've heard of as a holiday with a few people. Weirder people, but... yes. We do happen to deal with weirder people don't we?"

After the server leaves, Rick answers matter-of-factly. "Member of the staff that deals with intelligence. Had one at the company level, and for a few short years at the battalion. Honestly, you get enough smart people together, you'd be suprised what you can do. Now the closest I have depends payment in... automag ammunition and that fancy shampoo that costs 40 bucks a bottle."

He pauses. "Just... so we're clear, that sort of talk... I like to keep it between certain people. No mentioning any of this to the students, yeah?"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike gives a nod as Rick explains the S2. Being that Rick just ordered and Mike already had his food, the general 'wait until the other has been served' rule doesn't really apply. The paper napkin's band is snapped off, once the utensils are freed from the napkin, they are set upon the plate. The spoon is not shown the same courteousy as the others and is set on the tabletop directly.

The napkin returns to the table surface. "I'm already assuming you mean the intelligence part. Don't they already know you're military?"

Richard Stadler has posed:
     Rick's not the type to stand on ceremony here, Certainly not when he came in late and just made an order himself. At least the water is delivered with a quick movement by the server, giving him something to sip and hydrate as he considers the question. "Oh, no, the intelligence part too, of course, but especially the military. Doctor Macintyre knows, certainly. I'm sure Ms. O'Connall suspects, and you were their in Ireland, and it's a bit hard to cover my previous employment when you've seen me put forty caliber Smith and Wesson through a cultist's throat. Students... nope. Oh, maybe Belinda might suspect there's more since that little field trip to Latveria, but she has a lot going on."

The water class is put down on the table with a thunk. "But for the most part, no. Students don't get told, either about that or the fact I have a Ph.D collecting dust in my basement. That's.. not the image I want them to come across with. Especially Crush."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike nods slowly, "...Ok so they don't get TOLD that you're military. But that doesn't mean they don't alrea-." He pauses, shaking his head, "Ok. I won't bring it up with them. But, they probably already figured out the military thing. Because you-"

And now it is time for Mike to be a bit awkward with his words. Well, more so than he already has. "The way you carry yourself. Your concern with decorum. That stuff."

He reaches down to pick up the knife and fork, cutting into the chicken. "...And don't you use the Ph.D for teaching?"

Richard Stadler has posed:
     At that, Rick just sits back in his seat, and... grimaces, like he's swallowing something distasteful. Which he is. "Just... yes, don't bring it up, even if they... well, might guess. It's just... tough. After doing one thing for so long, unlearning those habits. I thought I was doing a good job of fit, but... well. I've been getting dragged into that part of my life recently. And it's...

"He takes a breath, let's it out in a rush. "This is supposed to be a different life I'm living here. I don't want them looking at me and seeing that part. Same thing with the Ph. D. I use all my knowledge, don't get me wrong, but I don't want to be a 'Doctor' or some soldier in front of a class. I /want/ to be a teacher, and I want them to see that in me. Which... I know. At this point says more about me than them."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike nods, "Ah. Reinventing yourself. But, old habits die hard. Yeah, I can get that. Probably even harder when you're exhausted and you just switch to auto-pilot."

The musician takes a moment to chew upon a piece of chicken, considering the man across from him for a moment.

Once the bite of food is finished, the silence is broken once more. "Starting over isn't something that can be done immediately. It took me years. And- honestly it's not all straight forward. Sometimes you think you're doing great and you just- backpedal over the stupidest shit." He starts to cut up another piece of chicken, " But, If it helps, I do see you as a teacher. The other stuff are just accents."

Richard Stadler has posed:
     Rick sighs. "Well. Trying to. It's been... difficult, and this school and some extracurriculars are making me wonder if I really... should. At this point. Though exhaustion is is a bit harder to deal with with my caffeine tolerence these days. Nicotine is an ever present temptress."

Another sip of water. "I appreciate that. It seemed like a... way forward. I knew where I'd end up otherwise, and as mush as I wanted to see Carlisle for a couple months, it's been... good, being back in New York. But I think you're telling me you haven't always been a performing artist here. I would have to wonder how someone like you ended up in show business. With, you know. Magic."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike shakes his head. "Focus less on the magic." He replies, "That isn't the story. That's just...I don't know what it is but- I went into music before that even was a thing."

The fork and knife lowers. The musician frowns for a moment before he shakes his head, "Well- the time between when my mom died and when I became eighteen was pretty much a shit show. And by the end of it I had a GED, a job in a convenience store, an aunt who didn't want to speak with me ever again, an-" Mike pauses, "Well. End result is a dead end life and lots of anger issues. So that in mind, someone stabbed me at work and I met Rod at the hospital and- he got me into music. And I wasn't leaving much of anything behind so that was probably the easiest career change decision ever made."

Richard Stadler has posed:
     Rick winces a bit as the story is told, "That's... certainly a tough life, I'm sorry. I should have known that when you mentioned things at Columbia because that's... rough. The only word I have for it. And this happened before the magic part, then? The stabbing at a job? At least it... wasn't lacking excitement. I'm curious as to what happened between youy and your aunt, but that might be a bit too much to pry to, though... I might guess she was your guardian, then? After your mother passed, I mean."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike nods, "Yeah, the magic didn't come into play until after we released our first album. Well, after Rod and Jack died a-" Mike shakes his head again, "Tangent...Sorry, yes. She was my guardian after the m-. Mom's passing."

Mike lifts up the newly brought over Guinness and takes a long sip of it before setting it down. "Don't get me wrong, I don't have any ill will to her. She tried. It was just- too much for her."

Richard Stadler has posed:
    Rick gives a nod. "It's a bit hard to hear, still, though I shouldn't judge someone I don't know in a situation I haven't been in. Don't get me wrong, though. There's... a lot of the story hear I do want to hear. I imagine Rod and Jack were important, but there's a mystique on how someone gets power like that. Though I imagine you don't think it's that odd, having lived it."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Before Mike can respond, a server returns and sets Rick's order down in front of him. But before she goes, she sets another plate down, this time in front of Mike.

Mike glances down curiously, not having ordered anything else. Upon seeing a slice of bundt cake glistening in a shiny, sugary glaze. Pale eyes look over to the server questionably.

The server smiles. "Happy Birthday." Before any protest can be made, the server already scoots off.

Mike looks down to the slice of cake, looking a bit grumpy for a moment. A deep breath is taken and he shakes his head. "...So you know. Rick."

He looks up to the teacher, "You're eating half of this."