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 Less withdrawn.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

[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."

[firstlanternsson]

"And hide the second pot for yourself too?" Todd laughed with a playful grin. "How's this batch coming along?" he asked after a moment, hoping he wasn't distracting Sandy too much.

[granularity]

Sandy looked down at the beaker in his hands for a moment, still mixing it with one hand.

"Well, it seems like it's integrating with the rest of the formula well enough," he admitted as he looked into the beaker itself. "I can feel the movement of the mixing stick here. It takes a bit of concentration, but it works."

[firstlanternsson]

Todd nodded as he scribbled some notes on this batch. "Good results even if that does sound a little strange," he chuckled. "Now we just have to see how it goes when completed."

[granularity]

He looked around the lab space thoughtfully.

"Not really any place to test it around here, is there?"

[firstlanternsson]

"Not in here," Todd agreed. "But if you have a place in mind, I can get us there in a blink," he added, calling up some shadows.

[granularity]

"I know a spot. Can you follow me if I go through the ground?" Because he wasn't exactly sure if he knew the location otherwise.

[firstlanternsson]

"I should be able to," Todd replied after a moment of thought. "At the very least I can search for you through the ShadowLands."

[granularity]

"There's a spot out in the desert that I figure it should work. The air's relatively still so it should be a good place to try it out."

[firstlanternsson]

"Sounds like a plan," Todd confirmed, gathering more shadows around himself. "Lead the way and I'll be there in a moment."

[granularity]

He took a moment to load up the canister with the new formulation as well as load the canister into his smoke gun. Then he disappeared into the floor to head to his destination, a portion of the Arizona desert where they wouldn't be troubled.

[firstlanternsson]

Todd needed a moment to track Sandy, traveling through the shadows. Soon after Sandy arrived, Todd lifted out of the shadow he cast onto the sand. He pushed his cape back and looked around.

"You come out here to test things often?"

[granularity]

"I come out here to think sometimes," he admitted as he straightened his coat. "When I get restless."

[firstlanternsson]

Todd nodded in understanding. "It looks like a good spot for that. I'll keep it under my hat," he offered a smile as he said it. Todd knew what it was like to need a nice, private thinking spot.

[granularity]

"I trust you," he said easily enough before looking around a moment to see which direction he'd want to shoot in. "Now, you might want to stay back for just a moment..."

[firstlanternsson]

"Thanks," Todd replied. Nodding, the shadow-user stepped back. "Yes, I'd rather not get gassed tonight," he chuckled.