IC Contact Post

[mathemagier]

[Screened calls go straight to voicemail, where an impatient recording answers]

You've reached Dr. Hermann Gottlieb. Leave your name, number, and business if you expect a return call. Thank you.

Comments

[medalsome]

[EAT YOUR SOUP, HERMANN! As much as Joaquin wanted to just buy junk food all the time, he understood it wasn't good for someone working all day and night to just eat sugar and bread.]

Yeah, got... got some imPort duties. Going to try and win the U.S. some support from Mexico. A, uh, diplomatic assembly. Manolo's going too, so you'll have to have someone else check on Liebling for the next couple days.

[He doesn't think they'll be gone long, and god he hopes not! But he is eager to see Mexican soil again, even if just briefly.]

Really? I wouldn't think flying could possibly be all that safe, but if you say so. [Hermann was the scientist, after all.]

[mathemagier]

[Hermann nods, fishing for a spoon to ladle the soup with and finds the temperature ideal for consumption. Diplomatic assignments, government support, securing international allies-- politics. He doesn't envy them in the least.

Another reminder of the new breed of war they're facing. An ordinary human war he strangely doesn't feel suited for though the dozen years he'd spent battling literal monsters for the sake of humanity as a whole.

But they've taken Newton.]

If you take some time to consider it, there's not much of anything that an airplane risks colliding with at that altitude. They cover more ground much more quickly, and without having to steer clear of a multitude of obstacles.

[medalsome]

[Joaquin tilts his head at that description.]

Well, when you put it that way... [No, he was still hella nervous. But those points would keep him afloat during the trip. Probably.

He watches Hermann for a moment in silence, just content for a while to know he's at least eating. But worry overrides his common sense.]

... You never answered my question.

[mathemagier]

[Hermann's wise enough not to extoll the other complications and risks planes are faced with at least, or make an attempt to explain statistics.

It seems he hadn't managed to side-step Joaquin's inquiry as successfully as those dances.

Hermann stirs his soup with a frown]

I slept too much the night before last, and I have no delusions of achieving rest so easily again.

[medalsome]

The night before... oh. Right. That.

[Manolo's music had some power, all right. Well, it had accomplished what he had set out to do, at least.]

Well, Newt will be glad to hear you've gotten some rest, at least. But I take it that means you didn't take too many breaks yesterday or today. I hope you're not pushing yourself too hard.

[mathemagier]

[Hermann works his jaw and just manages to keep a lid on his temper. Even so, his voice holds the edge of a bite]

I'm just fine Joaquin, thank you. I have managed under considerably more pressure for years.

[medalsome]

[He bites his bottom lip. He isn't trying to be rude, but in his experience it seemed people with physical impediments often resented offers of help and voiced concerns. But he couldn't stay silent.]

... You know I'm just asking because I care. I mean, with eh-everyone being gone for so long, it's hard not to worry but I'm still going to worry about you pushing yourself too much.

[He can't seem to look at Hermann at that moment, instead keeping his gaze on his hands, his fingers lacing and fidgeting. He felt warm rising inside him; he was no good at this sort of thing.]

[mathemagier]

[He should probably be touched by Joaquin's concern, and he is to a degree- but there's only so much of it he can take before it begins to feel patronizing and overbearing.

His gaze bores into Joaquin's averted eyes, evaluating the extent and motives behind the man's concern]

There is a difference between desperation and self-destructive tendencies, Joaquin. I simply cannot stand to be idle. I will eat when not doing so is otherwise distracting from my work, and sleep when my mind refuses to focus any longer. Pushing those limitations certainly, but not purposely exceeding them out of some maudlin need to suffer under duress.

[medalsome]

[Clearly his motives aren't visible enough, otherwise Hermann would likely be seeing things he would rather he not see.]

No, I... I understand you don't want to hurt yourself during all this. You want to be able to keep working.

[He knows this but it doesn't make him feel at ease, unfortunately. He doesn't like how pale Hermann has become.]

Go ahead and eat. I'll try to not distract you from it.