17216/Been A While

Been A While
Date of Scene:	18 February 2024
Location:	Recreation Lounge: Triskelion
Synopsis:	A brief moment, ships passing in the night - but, at least, to the same harbor this time.
Cast of Characters:	Michael Erickson, Jessica Drew

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Michael Erickson has posed:
    Everything has been mad the last year. With the Shi'ar around, war almost breaking out -- alien birdface nonsense, really, into the middle of which SHIELD's single resident member of that species has been plunged. Xenopedia with two legs, this man. Which means, unfortunately, that the last few months have seen him buried in an office, a conference room or a bunk rather than out and about in society.

    But! Hope for respite and polite company springs eternal. And it is answered, at least a little, by the appearance of a couple of agents in the lounge, two of whom he had trained with previously -- a kind word, a few laughs, and now they're off to do whatever the agency requests of them. Michael is left in silence now and he sits, in yet another suit from Brooks Brothers circa 1985, reading from a sheaf of papers while he reclines on a sofa like a properly militarized Wall Street warrior. Previously long, shaggy hair again trimmed back into a slicked back coiffure. Lips set in a flat frown of concentration. You know. The works.

Jessica Drew has posed:
The agent floats down the hall after lying through a psyche evaluation. HYDRA training sticks. They taught her all the moves to appear normal. She wanted to be out on another mission, though in reality, she hadn't come back from her last. So, she smiles and nods her way down the hall, headed for some of the best coffee in the Trisk, pretending to be back in this world.

Jessica pauses a moment in the doorway when she catches sight of him, groomed and slick in his version of Men in Suits that on anyone else would be ridiculous. He disappeared the last time they had been apart for several months. She forges into the room, not quite smiling, and heads toward the couch.

"I've only just gotten back. Been in debrief. How're are you?" Inadequate words for the surge of feeling, making her feel short of breath. "I haven't had time to call or been back home yet."

She gestures at her tactical suit and acrobatic slippers, "I haven't even changed."

Michael Erickson has posed:
    For Michael, 'Home' has been largely the plush interior of the Shi'ar yacht taken as prize of salvage and parked out in SHIELD's maze of hangars -- but as hard and frowning as he when she arrives, it melts away to see her. "Tired," he offers, getting to his feet and leaving the paperwork on a coffee table. "Been a long day. Let me make you some tea, won't you?"

Jessica Drew has posed:
Jessica nods after taking a moment to digest his words. "You look so handsome. I don't think tired covers it. I would love tea with milk please and honey if there is any, if you don't mind." She waves a hand at the couch, then sits. "I'll let you be mother."

Michael Erickson has posed:
    "Now that's a term I haven't heard in a while." He laughs faintly, and is gone long enough to brew a pair of mugs' worth in the kitchenette before returning to set hers down before her.

    "Alas, this is what passes for Darjeeling, I'm afraid," Michael says, tearing off the foil lid from a plastic thimble of creamer before pouring it into her tea. "But I suspect it will be sufficiently caffeinated." He follows up with a packet of honey, and makes with the stirring stick before speaking again. "You've been playing in the sandbox, have you? Sharing with the children?" A wink is cast her way as he goes to pick up his own mug. "Teaching them rough lessons and all?"

Jessica Drew has posed:
"Not unless I've been instructing the gods in martial arts. It was rather the reverse, I'd say. But I can't say more right now." Jess holds the mug of tea up to her face to breathe in the sweet smell of milk and flowers, then takes a sip. "Alright, it's not Harrods Premium Crop but it is very good. They don't skimp on certain amenities here. Thank you, Michael. What have you been doing that's not classified?"

Michael Erickson has posed:
    Her approval seems to please him; he leans back in his seat with a quiet smile, sipping at his own tea before speaking again. "Spilling my guts about the Empire," says Michael with the faint shrug of a shoulder. "Ever more so now than before -- with its representatives here for the duration and relations to maintain, it only makes sense to collate and spout, eh? The need for secrecy is, after all, a moot point when they've rolled up onto your front lawn." He's quiet a moment, then an impish smirk tugs at the corner of his lips as he notes, "You've hardened up your figure quite a bit lately. Looks good on you."

Jessica Drew has posed:
Her eyes riveted on him, Jess neglects her tea while he recounts his recent activity. She frowns once, "Are you good with that?" She takes another sip, eyes trained downward in thought.

At his compliment, she tosses her head with a snort, and looks at him from the side of her eyes. "I'm glad you approve. I'm in a new weight class now whether I want to be or not. How long are you here today?"

Michael Erickson has posed:
    His eyes match hers in that moment, and he gestures faintly with the mug. "This is my planet now, Jessica," says Michael, putting the mug down on the table now. "Its people are my people. As are you, as it happens. You all deserve to everything that I can tell you. Besides..." His eyes twinkle, mirth returning to his face. "...I'd be a poor example of my species were I to shirk /all/ oaths I've made."

Jessica Drew has posed:
"I am a member of the human race, again. And, I'm off duty now," she replies with another sidelong look at him.

Michael Erickson has posed:
    "Like I said." His smile widens. "And I, too, am off duty. I don't suppose I could interest you in dinner, could I?"

Jessica Drew has posed:
Jessica consults her empty hand, pretending to frown. "I think I can squeeze you in. But I will need to change first. I have a change of clothes in my locker." Tea finished she sets the mug down on the coffee table. "We can talk about where to go on our way back into the City."