for firstlanternsson: Chemistry and You

[granularity]

Carter Hall was out of the country, so there was no feathers to ruffle, but that didn't mean that Sandy wasn't glad to be spending some time in the lab.

He'd been making an effort to try and be more... personable. Less withdrawn. He'd actually, much to even his own surprise, looked into perhaps attending a few sessions with a psychiatrist after significant urging from Jesse and Rick both. But this was his first real... social engagement in what felt very much like forever. That it was with Todd was coincidence to some degree, but he was also somewhat glad of it. He trusted Todd after all, as he'd said. And Todd was probably more aware of how much a wreck he was than most people.

But it all added up to him being in the labs at 2:50pm, a little early to start figuring out what he might need for the work they'd be doing. He wasn't sure what Todd might be thinking of contributing, but that wouldn't stop him from attempting to figure it out himself a bit, at least in the abstract. Of course, time flew when you were focused on your notebook...

Comments

[granularity]

Sand considered that, tilted his head back and forth a few times, frowned...

"I don't know. Not that you can see much with the cowl on him, but it's not a bad jawline. Makes me think of the movie-stars I remember." His finger circled from one side to the other. "Whereas Nightwing's more like a movie star from nowadays, I think."

The joke about the tech got another quick smile.

"Maybe that face mask filters out all asinine requests?"

[firstlanternsson]

"Well, I was factoring in personality too," Todd chuckled.

"If it does, he needs to stop holding out on us. I'm sure you get some stupid ones too."

[granularity]

"Maybe that's what we should work on," he offered with a crooked grin, "filters for our masks. Much more important than the gas."

[firstlanternsson]

Todd smiled a bit, returning to his shadow form. "I don't really wear a mask," he remarked. As he lifted his cup to take another sip, Todd shifted back human.

"And I'd be even less help with tech than chemistry," he chuckled.

[granularity]

"You're providing color commentary and my allotment of human interaction for the week," he said as he finally started over towards his usual lab bench.

[firstlanternsson]

"Only a week, huh?" Todd laughed, following along. "Hopefully I'll be actually useful too. In case my color commentary skills aren't up to par."

[granularity]

"So far you've brought devious raccoons, Batman-mocking, and a good excuse for me to drink more coffee."

He pulled out a few of the chemicals used for his standard formula, then considered the methods he'd been working out for possible changes in the gas canisters.

"Definitely all in the positives, as far as I'm concerned."

[firstlanternsson]

Todd smiled, setting his cup down out of the way and looking over the chemicals. He was somewhat familiar with Sandy's formula from watching him a few times. The changes got a little hum from Todd as he looked them over.

"Let's hope the trend continues," he remarked. "Let's start with what you were thinking of for changes so far?"

[granularity]

"I was actually wondering if it might not make the most sense to introduce a silicoid component," Sandy admitted, "which would serve the dual purpose of giving me greater control of the gas and making it impossible for me not to know where it's spread."

He turned a grin over at Todd.

"Thanks for the idea."

[firstlanternsson]

Todd looked surprised for a moment but ended up smiling. "Well, you're welcome. Have you thought of a way to keep the component in a smokey form long enough to be useful?"

[granularity]

That had him holding up a finger.

"And thus we come to the experimentation portion of the evening."

[firstlanternsson]

Todd smiled, nodding.

"Alright, so let's get to experimenting," he said. "I'm guessing we should start with something ground very fine."

[granularity]

"My first thought was this," he explained as he pulled up a small bottle of something that moved like liquid. Almost like liquid.

"Superfine ground quartz. Used for certain decorative automotive paints. It's small enough to be used in airbrush-compatible paint... so it should be small enough to go in one of my canisters."

[firstlanternsson]

Todd peered curiously at the bottle. The liquid-like substance reminded him a little of how shadows could move under his control. "That does sound like it could work. Just have to work out the right amount so it doesn't make the gas too heavy."

[granularity]

"I was thinking five percent," he admitted as he started pulling out a few other canisters. He'd have to re-balance the rest of the ingredients, but with such a small percentage, it wasn't going to require TOO much work.

"I can pick up pretty small particles, after all."

[firstlanternsson]

"Sounds like a reasonable place to start," Todd replied, examining some of the canisters. He was already starting to do a little mental math.

"I can take some notes, make sure we don't repeat anything," he says, moving to grab a bit of paper and a pencil.

[granularity]

"Much appreciated," he said, somewhat absent as his mind was focused on the actual work now. He could make his sleep gas, well, in his sleep by now. His hands practically moved on their own.

It was probably best if Todd took the notes.

[firstlanternsson]

Todd just smiled and began scribbling notes. He'd seen Sandy work like this before but it was different watching from right next to him. As they worked, Todd glanced to make sure ventilation was still ready just in case. Just some 'chief of security' paranoia.

[granularity]

He caught the look in between a bit of musing and gave Todd an arched eyebrow. It was mostly teasing, however.

[firstlanternsson]

Todd just smiled back. "What? I was just making sure we wouldn't accidentally knock everyone upstairs out," he joked.

[granularity]

"It'd make for a quiet night," he pointed out with a sideways glance over at Todd, "plenty of sweet dreams."

[firstlanternsson]

"But a noisy morning," Todd laughed. "When everyone comes down annoyed when they realize what happened."

[granularity]

"That just means I get to brew more coffee for everyone," was his counter.

[firstlanternsson]

"Everyone?" Todd gave a mock-skeptical look. "Or just yourself?" he teased.

[granularity]

The mock skepticism was met with mock scandalized.

"Of course I'd make coffee for everyone," he said with a lift of his chin.

"...after I finish off the first pot."