Columbus Neuroscience Center (09/18/70 to 09/19/70)

[Hollywood Heidi]

Columbus Neuroscience Center

Hospital located in Columbus, Ohio that specializes in Neuroscience.




Jewel O'Neal's room

[Ariel]

*** Thursday, September 18th, 2070. Early afternoon. ***

If navigating around a large University wasn't confusing enough, finding the way to a volunteer group while running late was enough to set the stress bar fairly high. Emmett puffed slightly as he started to run out of breath from being directed from one unit to the next. He scanned his orientation paper again and in his frustration could not figure out why in the world he could not make sense of simple directions. If anyone looked at Emmett, he was the happy-go-lucky guy who never let anything bother him. Yet from within, Emmett was feeling worn down by studies that did not interest him and a father that expected too much from him. His stressed out system made his head spacey, and simple things like how to get to the inpatient wing seemed to pose as difficult tasks. Emmett sighed as he looked down at the directions then up at the board on the wall with arrows pointing in multiple directions, one of which he was supposed to go. He heaved a sigh of relief, finally setting himself onto the right track. The volunteer program could have placed him anywhere, preferably a theatre company in Emmett's mind, but a hospital? Why a hospital?

Pushing through the final set of doors, Emmett came face to face with his Volunteer course professor who was now standing alone. Emmett looked around to see the class already dispersing to their assignments. Emmett felt sick, knowing very well he placed priority in planning his next Oasis venture over school work. Again. He felt the inkling that he was beginning to let people down.

"Gosh, Mr. Joestar, I'm really sorry - I got lost and couldn't find my way, and then one floor called some sort of code thingy and a bunch of nurses were running and I panicked and-"

"Emmett, it's quite alright," Mr. Joestar patted Emmett on the shoulder, "I understand the workload of your classes. Not every first year decides to take on a full time course load - look, you basically just missed introductions. This volunteer assignment is to provide everyone in the Business course the ability to improve their professional empathy," Mr. Joestar handed Emmett a work booklet, "This is your work booklet for this course. It's mainly a reporting journal and some exercises for you to put into practice. You will hand it in at the end of each term."

Emmett sheepishly grinned through Mr. Joestar's whole speech, still feeling terrible about being late. He removed the hand that nervously itched the back of his neck and received the work booklet from his teacher. "Thanks, Mr. Joestar, I promise that I won't let you down again!"

"I appreciate that, Emmett. Now, your main assignment is marked on the front cover of your booklet. There is a young patient named Jewel O'Neal. In her current condition, she is in a coma. Your task is to keep her company, talk to her. Even if she does not respond, actively talking to coma patients is proven to help increase the chance of brain activity and even recovery. Her father usually is with her, however, he is also very busy with work and unfortunately cannot be with her all the time," Mr. Joestar placed his hand on Emmett's shoulder and pointed him in the direction of the young patient's room, "She is located at the end of the hall to the right. I'll be here at the nursing unit clerk station if you have questions."

Emmett nodded wordlessly, still trying to wrap his brain around the assignment itself. Clutching onto his booklet he made his way down the hall. His eyes scanned over the name and room number multiple times, expecting it to change for some reason. He figured that this task would be low key in terms of exciting hospital scenarios and that he could have been assigned worse. Come in, do his work, leave and repeat. And if he messed up or stumbled over himself, at least the patient wouldn’t be able to judge him. How hard could this be?

Emmett stood at the open doorway of the inpatient room with the name “O'Neal, Jewel” on the card in the frame that sat in the middle of the door. For a moment, his heart stopped at the sight of the young girl who lay motionless, her body from the waist down covered comfortably by a hospital blanket. Emmett’s attention flickered to the beeping noises that the machines hooked up to the patient made to monitor the other parts within her that were actively functioning. Emmett was unsure about how to proceed, but he also knew that he didn’t want to be rude even if she was unresponsive. With his fist, he gave a few knocks on the wall inside the room before stepping a foot inside.

“Hey there...you must be Jewel,” Emmett started as he slowly made his way into the room. He was afraid to move his gaze off of her in case he missed anything. Yet, she lay peacefully as if she was in an incredibly deep sleep. Emmett made his way up to her side. This entire situation he found himself in was surreal. When he woke up this morning, little did he know he would be making conversation with a girl in a coma.

“I’m Emmett,” Emmett’s hand flinched forward out of habit and the politeness of his heart. Yet he pulled it back the instant he remembered that she wouldn’t be shaking his hand back, “Right. So, uh, oh nice,” Emmett had scanned the room looking for the next step to take, and noticing the chair behind him he took a seat, “So the reason why I’m here, is uh,” Emmett flipped quickly through his booklet to look for his first set of instructions. He was nervously stumbling over himself, what he feared would happen. But why? She’s in a coma. But the way she lay peacefully kind of reminded him of a Sleeping Beauty. He felt intimidation rise within. Emmett sighed and took a moment to himself. Taking a deep breath, he closed his booklet. Looking up at Jewel, Emmett couldn’t help but to break into a half smile, “...is because, well, I’m here to keep you company.”

[DarkSideCookie]

*** Brian enters from Brian and Jewel O'Neal's house ***


Brian was still tired as fuck, even after the large coffee-to-go he'd gotten himself on the way. Well, the way that piss water had been tasting, it probably was thinned down enough to have no effect on him at all. Fuck rip-off everywhere. There was also a chance he had slept in way too long so that his messed up circadian rhythm thought it was soon time for another period of rest. While others might think that the sunglasses on his nose would be just a fancy accessory, they were, in truth, to hide the dark circles around his eyes, same as to, even primarily, shield them from daylight.

He took one last drag of his cigarette before letting the stub fall to the ground, grinding it under his heel. When Brian tore the door of the hospital entrance open - that usually would open automatically, but he never had the patience to wait for that to happen - a woman just stepped out, almost running into him because of his way of just rushing through. Despite his manners, Brian earned a quick flirty smile from her once she got a closer look at him. In other circumstances, he might have appreciated and at least replied that with a slight smirk, although he was taking no active interest in these things for quite a while, but this was simply not his day. So instead, Brian just walked past her without any reaction at all.

Inside, he straight-up walked towards the facial scan machines, receiving his visitor badge from it, and then took the stairs that led to the floor where Jewel was stationed. By now, Brian could have sleepwalked through the building. There had been days that he actually felt a bit like he was, but more because of his late permanent state of walking around like a zombie.

Brian didn't think of this day to be any different from the last four months. That was until he opened the door to Jewel's room.

"What the...?" he first uttered in a whispered yet audible disgruntled way. And when that boy, sitting on a chair at the side of his daughter's bed, was only looking at him in utter shock, Brian pulled down his sunglasses with a quick movement of his hand to look him straight into the eyes. "You mind tellin' me what ye doin' here, boy?" The volume of his voice was not loud, yet the tone within harsh.

[Ariel]

"I know what you're probably thinking 'she probably lost interest in the game and he's over-obsessing' maybe I am. I dunno," Emmett shrugged as he talked to the unconscious girl who lay peacefully in her bed, listening to Emmett's laments about the Oasis. The assignment had started on track, Emmett had tried his best to follow his booklet. Then he went off on tangents and before he knew it, his mind was back in his favorite subject and it wasn't anything to do with his studies. He couldn't help it. The only other two people that would listen to his Oasis talk were his two friends at school. Everyone else expected him to grow up and be a responsible adult. Even though Jewel couldn't respond or talk back, Emmett was surprisingly enjoying sitting here giving her the company she needed. For some reason, he even felt compelled to tell her about one of his all time favourite players in the Oasis. He spoke of what she was like and the many adventures they had went on. All the fun they had. Right before she suddenly wasn't there to meet him in their usual spot one day. And the day after that.

"People grow up and lose interest in the Oasis all the time. I guess...I guess she could have at least said goodbye first," Emmett was quick to turn his frown upside down with a lighthearted chuckle as he realized he was going on about the same topic for so long, "Sorry, it's just stupid stuff. You probably are into way cooler things anyways." Emmett sighed, wishing he knew what Jewel liked and disliked. If she preferred tea or coffee, and if she was a city or country kind of girl. If only she'd wake up and...

"What the...?"

Emmett's gaze whipped upward out of shock to suddenly find a man staring straight at him. He stared at the man, his jaw unhinged slightly as he stammered to find his words. His heart hammered loudly against his chest as the man began to take his sunglasses off. Emmett could only assume that this man was Jewel's father who had returned from whatever his day job was to be with his daughter.

"You mind tellin' me what ye doin' here, boy?"

Shooting upright from out of the seat beside Jewel, Emmett held his booklet to his side in one hand as he tried to address the man through his shaky nerves, "I-I'm so sorry Sir, I'm from school, I was just keeping her company," Emmett figured he should leave, yet he found himself frozen in place as his legs suddenly forgot how to work, "Are you her Dad?" The question slipped out of Emmett's mouth and he figured he was probably digging the hole deeper rather than making the situation any better.

[DarkSideCookie]

Brian watched the boy as he shot upright from out of the seat, still looking at him in utter shock.

"I-I'm so sorry Sir, I'm from school, I was just keeping her company,"

If this wasn't about a boy in Jewel's age who he just had found sitting by her side while Brian had no fucking idea where he'd come from all of a sudden, he might have found this even amusing. Especially because the boy had something goofily about him that was even likeable. But this was about Jewel, and so he was not amused at all.

"Are you her Dad?"

Brian watched him for another moment, in his eyes a look as if he was trying to scan the boy's intentions by just staring at him urgent enough. Then, eventually, he turned around towards the door to close it shut behind them. Actually, only for reasons to not entertain the whole ward, but Brian would lie if he said that he didn't find it fucking funny to see how scared the boy suddenly looked while he did so.

"And who are you?" Brian asked back without actually answering the question he had gotten asked himself. However, it must be obvious he was her dad, judging by how he gazed at him. Because that was the way an overprotective father would gaze at any stranger boy he found being in one room together with his sleeping daughter.

[Ariel]

"And who are you?"

"I-I...," The thing that Emmett enjoyed the very least was confrontation. He tried his best to avoid it whenever he could. Which could typically explain why he was a people pleaser. The less crap he had to put up with, the faster he can squeeze his way out of a situation and be done with it. Looking up at the stern Irishman towering in front of him, Emmett gulped as he tried to think of ways to get his knees to stop shaking without this man noticing. He was trying to think of a proper excuse to give to this man that would make any sort of sense as to why he was in here talking with his unconscious daughter. He had nothing. "...I'm no one," Emmett spoke in a tone of surrender as he cowered slightly in his man's intimidating shadow, "To be honest, I'm here on a school assignment for volunteer hours. But your daughter, she is no school project," Emmett's soft gaze drifted from the father to the sweet sleeping girl resting peacefully amidst their chaotic kerfuffle, then back at the father, "I don't want to disgrace her, or you. I'll ask my teacher to transfer me elsewhere." Emmett began to hung his head shamefully as if he had dishonored this man and his family.

[DarkSideCookie]

"I-I...,""...I'm no one,""To be honest, I'm here on a school assignment for volunteer hours. But your daughter, she is no school project,""I don't want to disgrace her, or you. I'll ask my teacher to transfer me elsewhere."

If the coffee Brian had had this morning - well, afternoon - hadn't been so sickening, he probably would have just broken into a laugh, telling the boy that he shall grow a spine. Unfortunately for the boy, that coffee had been fucking sickening. So, first of all, this was too much talking for his not yet fully wakened brain.

Brian kept staring at him in silence for another moment, this time though not looking like he was going to kill him but rather like someone who was just trying to grasp any useful information between the stammering and jabbering. Granted, that expression might as well look like he was going to kill him.

Man, this wasn't working that way. Brian let out a deep sigh, raising one hand to his uptight neck to ease the pain around that area which lasted for months already. Then he finally spoke up.

"Okay, no one, for now - why don't ye sit back down?" Still crumbled, Brian decided to look after himself first. Vending-machine coffee wasn't exactly the greatest, but then again, it couldn't be any worse than what he got before. He swore he had seen one on this floor. Brian was waiting for the boy to do as he was told, although it was obvious that he was only doing so to not piss him off - oh man, that look on his face was practically an invitation for teasing -, before suddenly asking: "Coffee?"

His hands were already busy searching for some loose cash, while he wasn't looking up at the boy. Nowadays, only the fewest were still walking around with coins in their pockets. Brian was one of them.

[Ariel]

"Okay, no one, for now - why don't ye sit back down?" 

"Oh, uh, okay - I mean, yes sir," Emmett hadn't been sure what to expect from this father's response. I'm sure any parents going through something traumatic with their child stunned by the situation would have allowed him to apologize and slide past. Yet, this man seemed different. Perhaps he had been dealing with this situation with his daughter for a while. Maybe he wanted to scare the living daylights out of Emmett so that he would run far away and never bother him or his daughter ever again. Or maybe, just maybe, he was alone and needed someone. Anyone.

"Coffee?"

Emmett's mind was rather boggled by what was happening here. First this intimidating man asks him to have a seat, and now is offering hospitality? While his daughter is here in the hospital? Any other kid might want to get the hell out of this kind of situation, but Emmett was intrigued. Behind this man, there was a story worth getting to know. And Emmett craved to know more, so on that note, his bottom would remain planted where he currently sat, "Sure - I mean, yes please sir." Emmett graciously accepted this man's coffee offer, as he remembered that someone once said that it was impolite to refuse someone's offer of hospitality. Emmett looked back over at Jewel. Her facial features were laid out so perfectly in her resting complexion, it was hard to believe that she was real, "How long has she been here for?" Emmett asked with sincerity, yet he had rather blurted out a question he had only thought of in his mind.

[DarkSideCookie]

"Sure - I mean, yes please sir."

That boy had manners. Sure, there was no rule saying that you mustn't decline an offer, but people who did were still a fucking nuisance. Or maybe it was just him because he might be a little queer as for that. Brian couldn't stand to eat or drink anything whilst sitting across from somebody who didn't. It was giving him a feeling of disproportion, and he fucking hated disproportion. Probably one reason why employers weren't capable of handling him. It was not like Brian fucked things up on purpose. God knew he had tried. And he had told Cara so when she got him that job interview. Yet still, Brian would do his best to not fuck up again. He knew the stakes were high this time, for also only God knew when Jewel would wake up. As soon as this last thought came up, Brian pushed it back to the depth of his mind, even looking as if literally pushing something with the help of the muscles in his face.

Brian had just finished the fiddling with the coins when suddenly the boy spoke up again, this time by his own accord.

"How long has she been here for?"

Usually, Brian didn't like to talk about this, but the boy had just asked nice and, as long as they didn't go into details about it, it would be alright. "A while," he answered only vaguely, after all. Then he turned his gaze towards the bed as well, once again a feeling of difficulty coming up, yet not too much heading towards that red zone in his head for now. "Here she lies there, still lookin' like an angel even in her sleep, isn't she?" For a moment, he almost forgot the boy was still around, for he could as well just have talked to himself like he did a lot lately.

[Ariel]

"A while," 

The short answer from the father gave Emmett a signal to pump the breaks on his questions. Oh boy, did he have many. Nothing like this had ever happened to anyone he had known growing up. Unlike others, Emmett didn't have close aunts, uncles and cousins that he had spent years going through life circumstances with together. His life experiences were barely even touched by death, other than the distant grandparents that had now passed on. It was just him and his parents for as long as he could remember. Instead of letting his mouth run with the questions that danced around in his brain, he politely nodded in the man's direction, continuing to sit with his hands folded neatly into his lap.

"Here she lies there, still lookin' like an angel even in her sleep, isn't she?"

Emmett stared at the father looking down upon his coma ridden daughter. A well of feelings began to rise up, Emmett could feel the overwhelming power flood the room. Diverting his awkward lingering gaze, Emmett also brought Jewel into his view alongside the father. The reference to her appearance by her father was very sweet, sad but sweet enough for Emmett to subconsciously crack a half smile without knowing it, "Yeah. Like sleeping beauty...," Emmett let the words slip out without thinking, yet he hadn't realized what he had done yet as his dreamy gaze was caught up in the girl's peaceful beauty.

[DarkSideCookie]

"Yeah. Like sleeping beauty..."

The reaction to that started on Brian's features already while his head was still turned towards the bed before he let it, very slowly, move in the boy's direction. Their eyes met in an intense exchange of looks, one with a sudden panic and the other with unpleasant surprise and at the same time as to pierce him right there while the lips formed a silent and kind of unfinished Wha---?.

Brian was originally going to have the boy stay in the room whilst getting them the coffee, but after that line, he was not so sure anymore about that. For the actually little moment, in which time felt like standing still though, Brian was even about to let the coins in his hand disappear back into his pocket, but then he decided against it after all. Well, fuck it, the coffee couldn't wait. He could as well have sent the boy to get it instead, but Brian was no asshole, not all the way, at least. After all, this boy didn't seem to him like he would dare to play fucking Prince Charming once he was out of the room. Still, a little bit of threatening had never hurt somebody, not himself at least. Or maybe it was just too tempting for him not to.

By the time he spoke up again, Brian was only playing the bad guy. "Okay, ye just sit there - no movin' - while I'll be gettin' us this coffee." Just as he was about to step out of the door, he turned around one more time. "And believe me, boy, ye don't wanna leave from that seat. Because if ye do, I will know." Brian gave him an 'I'm watching you' sign with two of his fingers raised to his eyes and then onto the boys, ending in a finger pistol gesture at that. "Got my eyes and ears open. Always."

He waited to be outside of the room before this held chuckle of amusement would finally make its way onto his features, accompanied by a slight shake of his head. Sleeping Beauty... Almost hard to believe that boy isn't befriended with Jewel, he thought in a joking way as he headed towards the coffee vending machine on the same floor. Little did he know that he wasn't so wrong with this assumption.

[Ariel]

Oh no, Emmett's heart felt as if it could have physically stopped beating for a moment as his eyes grew wide in terror, Was that out loud? Unsure if he had truly spoken those words or if they had only been in his head, Emmett was unmoved at first as his eyes shifted to bring Jewel's father into view. The fact that a bewildered stare coming from the man was burning a hole right through Emmett told him that yes - he heard. "Uh, I uh -" Emmett turned defensively to face Jewel's father, quaking in his seat right down into his sneakers. He thought of any way to excuse himself, but he knew none of the suggestions his brain threw around would suffice for this man. To be honest, Emmett didn't blame him. Emmett was still stammering until her father spoke up again.

"Okay, ye just sit there - no movin' - while I'll be gettin' us this coffee."

Emmett sighed in relief as the man had put an end to the awkward situation. He relaxed in his seat as he leaned his back against the chair as he unarmed his defenses and watched the man leave his chair and bring himself to his feet in front of Emmett.

"And believe me, boy, ye don't wanna leave from that seat. Because if ye do, I will know." "Got my eyes and ears open. Always."

"Yes sir...," Staring up at the protective father towering over him, Emmett felt like a deer in the headlights again. His body was frozen as he watched the father perform the 'I've got my eye on you' motion between two peace fingers, his eyeballs and Emmett himself as he backed himself out of the room and into the hallway.

Emmett let out a whistle as he was able to heave an exhale before looking over at Jewel, "Your dad is sure intense," Emmett nervously chuckled. A warm half grin sported on his chin, Emmett gave the man the benefit of the doubt to say the least. Him and his daughter seemed to have a bond like no other. Something genuine, that he could only wish to have with his own dad and was left to stew with these thoughts until the father of this beautiful young girl returned with refreshments.

[DarkSideCookie]

Even though Brian had acted intimidating towards the boy before actually leaving him alone with his little angel for the while it would take him to get their coffee, he was surprisingly relaxed as for that. Usually, Brian wasn't someone who quickly trusted others, especially when it came to Jewel, but this boy seemed to be all right. He even remembered him of Jewel a bit. And yet again, Brian did that pushing thing. Sometimes it was not easy to decide which feelings would keep him sane and which would cause him to freak out, which had made the pushing thing become a way of defending himself. It hadn't happened in a while, though. Probably due to the fact that, lately, he hadn't been leaving the house a lot at all. Eh, whatever.

"Oh, ye fuckin' kiddin' me..." Brian murmured with upcoming anger when the display panel was showing him a red signal and the words please refill after he had pushed the button that said coffee, black. He pushed it again only to find himself getting the same answer, this time pissing him off even more, whereupon one of his hands slipped him, forcefully making contact with the machine in front of him.

"Fine," Brian eventually gave in grunting, then pressed cappuchino. While the vending machine went into action, he allowed himself to exhale that heavy breath he'd been holding for some seconds. "Calm," he told himself before taking the first filled cup out of the bracket and repeating the process from the start. Just as he finished, about to leave back to Jewel's room, a figure behind made him turn around once more. A man, obviously slightly perturbed, was staring at him and, when Brian gave him a questioning look, drew his attention away all of a sudden. "Coffe's out," Brian said in passing, then continued his steps along the floor.

With the two cups in his hands, and no sign of even bothering to hold them by the top to not make contact with the torrid part of them, Brian reentered Jewel's room. For a moment, he paused his steps, giving the boy - still well-behaved sitting as he'd been told - a look that silently said good form while he had, yet again, to hold back his amusement about the teasing. Then he stepped closer to offer him one of the cups, not commenting on the fact that this wasn't exactly what he had announced them to get. Silently, Brian took a seat on the chair at the other side of the bed, positioning it as close as possible to be face-to-face with the boy while there was only his sleeping daughter between them.

"So," he eventually broke the silence with a harsh expression on his face, "Let's start with your name. Unless ye want me to keep callin' you no one..." Brian took a first sip of his cappuccino, still not bothering the heat, not even on his tongue, while he patiently waited for an answer.

[Ariel]

Emmett knew that 'sir' would be returning back shortly with caffeinated, liquid sustenance in hand. Yet he jumped in his seat slightly when the father emerged back into the room. Immediately removing his gaze from Jewel and onto the man holding two piping cups of coffee, Emmett showed his pearly whites in somewhat of a nervous smile when the man a stern look of approval in his direction. Receiving the cup of coffee from the hand that stretched it out to him, Emmett was still unsure as to how to respond to this man other than remaining attentive and polite until the moment it would be time to go back to school and his teacher would come around to be his saving grace.

"So," "Let's start with your name. Unless ye want me to keep callin' you no one..."

Keeping his eyes on the man at all times, Emmett decided it would be appropriate to take a sip of the steaming drink at the same time as Jewel's father did. He swallowed back the sip of coffee, along with the ball of nerves that had been hanging around before introducing himself, "My name's Emmett, sir. I mean, Jewel's father. I mean...uh...," Emmett stammered as he wanted to ask this man for his name as well, yet he kept on his tippy toes as to not be rude and set the father off in any sort of way.

[DarkSideCookie]

"My name's Emmett, sir. I mean, Jewel's father. I mean...uh...,"

Brian watched the boy for another moment before he decided that he had teased him enough. He was no asshole, well, maybe sometimes, but he didn't like to scare the shit out of this kid so much that he would be getting nightmares while he had nothing wrong yet. The thought of causing somebody nightmares, though, brought the hint of a smirk to his face, after all; this time even visible.

"No more 'sir'-ing or I swear I..," Brian stopped in the middle of his sentence as he noticed that this was yet again turning into a direction he hadn't meant to take. Totally honest, he didn't even know himself what this was about anyway. Maybe he should just let the boy off the hook, but, on the other hand, there was at least one explanation that Brian could give to himself to make this conversation reasonable. He needed to know Jewel in good hands in times he couldn't be around himself. Good hands, however, had to be proven.

"It's Brian," he finally said with his features more at ease before taking another sip of his cappuccino, stalling more time. Only because he had told himself that he wasn't going to stretch a point with his teasing didn't have to mean to do that not at all. So he took his time before going on.

"Emmett... huh," Brian suddenly repeated the boy's rather rare name. He couldn't help but think of the classic trilogy of 'Back to the future'. The kid's parents surely must have been fans of those as well. "Okay, Emmett. What's yer story? Gotta admit that you'd lost me at I-I-I am no one." This hadn't been meant offending, actually not, yet he was aware of anything he said could kind of sound like it was, so Brian actually added a slight lopsided sneer this time to show his goodwill.

[Ariel]

"It's Brian,"

"Brian, right," Nodding his head up and down, Emmett eased up a bit as the father took it upon himself to allow Emmett in on how he would like to be addressed. 'Sir' and 'Jewel's father' were starting to get a little repetitive, and from Emmett's experience some adults preferred those terms. Yet, Emmett had massive respect for the parents who didn't mind to be called by their first names or had the audacity to let the kids know what they appreciate to be called.

"Emmett... huh,"  "Okay, Emmett. What's yer story? Gotta admit that you'd lost me at I-I-I am no one."

"My story?" Emmett started off by repeating the main question that was presented by Brian. No one usually bothered to ask Emmett about himself other than his closest friends. He actually thought it was kind of cool that Jewel's father was interested in knowing who he was and what he was all about. Yet, he was at a bit of a loss for words as the last time he had to describe himself was during the interview to get into the University, "Well, I was born and raised up north in Washington State. Moved down here recently to study business with the University - that's kind of why I'm here at this hospital. Kind of a volunteer sort of thing in order to graduate - eventually I guess," Emmett nervously chuckled to himself. To be honest, he was rather on the fence about his program. Yet, he pressed onward with making things work as his father was counting on him to take over the family business someday. That was another story for another day, though. Emmett looked up at Brian who was casually studying the boy, "And what about you? You don't sound like you're from America. Not that there's anything wrong with that, you're accent is kinda cool. Reminds me of an action movie star or something." Emmett retracted a bit when he figured his question might have sounded to offensive, yet he always approached Brian with an immense sense of curiosity. 

[DarkSideCookie]

"Well, I was born and raised up north in Washington State. Moved down here recently to study business with the University - that's kind of why I'm here at this hospital. Kind of a volunteer sort of thing in order to graduate - eventually I guess,"

Brian gave him this kind of look that silently asked Really?, about to give voice to that even, but Emmett would just go on, diverting the same question to Brian before he could.

"And what about you? You don't sound like you're from America. Not that there's anything wrong with that, you're accent is kinda cool. Reminds me of an action movie star or something."

"No, come on, kid," Brian replied with a shake of his head, yet with still that sneer on his face. Instead of reacting to Emmett's question, he turned the tables back again. "That's not your story. Doesn't even sound like a story ye're actually involved." He shook his head slightly, then gave the boy an intense look as if studying him to get out the real story. "Where I come from - and yes, that's not America but Ireland -, when somebody's askin' ye about your story, we don't wanna get that datasheet shit." He leaned a little closer, yet again looking like he was trying to read the story out from Emmett's eyes. "We mean yer values, yer dreams." Maybe he was going out on a limb here, yet Brian couldn't help but wonder about something. Even though he made it sound like having paid no attention to what Emmett had been giving him before, Brian had very well listened, not only to the loud spoken words but also to the unspoken. "This isn't where ye wanna be, is it?"

[Ariel]

"Where I come from - and yes, that's not America but Ireland -, when somebody's askin' ye about your story, we don't wanna get that datasheet shit." "We mean yer values, yer dreams."

Emmett was staring forward at Jewel's father as if he had just clocked him in the jaw. He started to grow small again, as if this man was exposing him with every layer being torn away to reveal Emmett. Just Emmett. As feelings that he did not want to address started to creep in, he realized how much of a security blanket the story he told had been versus the story he wanted to live. That scared the crap out of Emmett....and also this Irishman's abilities to practically look into his soul. His heart was booming through his eardrums and wondered if the man could hear it too. Emmett remained frozen as the man tried to poke him for information.

"This isn't where ye wanna be, is it?"

"I uhh-I," Emmett chuckled nervously as he sheepishly looked away for a moment. As much as Emmett wanted to tell the man he was wrong, he was right. Deep down, Emmett knew that his heart wasn't in any of it. He wanted to live for himself, he just didn't know how to. The true feelings he had been trying to shove down through this entire moment began to surface. Emmett turned his eyes back to Jewel's father, yet this time there was something new glazed over his gaze. A sense of desperation.

"How do you do it?" Emmett asked with a despairing tone, as if he was asking for the key to the universe, "I mean, not care about what people think?"

[DarkSideCookie]

"I uhh-I,"

"Hey, I'm just anybody. Not expecting anythin' from ye," Brian stated with a casual shrug of his shoulders and a sip from his cappuccino as he sensed Emmett's nervosity increasing. At this point, he had no intention to scare the boy at all. His true intentions, however, might not even be clear to himself. They were good-natured for sure, though. There was something about this boy that he liked, just like something that he wanted to see break free.

"How do you do it?"

At that, Brian let the cup sink back into both his hands, giving the boy a puzzled face since he made it sound like he'd be holding the key to some secret chamber.

"I mean, not care about what people think?"

"Oh," he then got it, nodding his head slightly. For another moment, Brian kept just staring at him, though, still looking like he was trying to read parts of Emmett's true story out of his face. Then he leaned back in his chair, even more casually than before, since now he felt that there was mutual respect, and more importantly, trust, between them. "People won't pay your bills nor live with the choices ye make, Emmett. Not forever, at least," Brian added, as he had a guess who Emmett was trying to please with his life decisions. "Parents, huh? Just my guess, but yer face tellin' me that been a bull's-eye." It had not even been asked as a real question. Brian was quite sure that he was right. Taking another sip of the drink in his hands, he patiently waited for Emmett to react.

[Ariel]

"Oh," "People won't pay your bills nor live with the choices ye make, Emmett. Not forever, at least,"  "Parents, huh? Just my guess, but yer face tellin' me that been a bull's-eye."

Brian continued to surprise Emmett with how good he was with reading him like a book. He always had some level of awareness that he was highly expressive and wasn't able to conceal his thoughts and expressions as well as some. Deception of any kind was never his strong suit, he could barely even keep a straight face the one time he tried to prank his peers growing up. Though, he wasn't aware of just how much or often these truthful expressions silently escaped from his gestures until now. Emmett continued to silently stare at Brian for a moment, fidgeting with the cup in his hand. With nothing left to sugar coat in front of this man who was keeping things very real, he was at a loss of what to say to the remark about the parents. But he barely even knew this man. Who was he to judge Emmett for how he really wanted to live his life? Emmett exhaled, and as he had pushed his façade of perfection away he found that he was able to dictate the real thoughts and feelings that came to the surface. Not his parents or anyone else's thoughts. Just Emmett's.

"Yeah. Parents," Emmett confirmed, without really giving much away. He decided it was time to be realistic with his words, yet he wasn't sure if he was ready to face the music as of yet with his life decisions, "The past while, I was able to put up with it all because I had found a way to cope. Not like drugs or anything bad. I found this cool place and met someone there. A friend...," At least, I thought she was my friend. Emmett couldn't understand how his heart could be so warm and yet so sad at the same time. Flashes of the meadow played around in his mind. Fragments of Tink's pixie like avatar smiled back at him. Emmett could still hear the sweet tone of her voice. And yet, she was gone. He had been checking his DMs every single day, and now it became less and less as she left every single one of his messages on unread. Emmett replayed as much of their conversations back in his head as he could remember, and he still didn't know what he could have said or done wrong. All he knew was that if she didn't like him anymore, then she could have at least said goodbye, "...Being in that place with my friend made me forget about what was expected of me, what was already decided for me. Even if it was just for a little while...I lost that place and friend, and without it I guess I lost my form of therapy." Emmett shrugged, finally ending his long story. He knew he had rambled, but he suddenly didn't feel the need to apologize for some reason. Talking with this man had gone from terrifying to incredibly easy, and Emmett could only wish to be able to talk with his own father like this.

[DarkSideCookie]

"Yeah. Parents,"

Brian was reacting with no more than a slight nod at this confirmation. He hadn't needed one to know that his guess was right. Still, they were strangers to each other, and he didn't want to give the boy a feeling like he was some wiseacre, treating him condescendingly. Brian surely appeared like that at times, yet in a whole different way, or at least to himself. However, it was not what this boy needed right now. So, Brian just sat calm and listened.

"The past while, I was able to put up with it all because I had found a way to cope. Not like drugs or anything bad. I found this cool place and met someone there. A friend...,"

Brian was sure he was talking about the OASIS, not only because a lot of people were using it to escape from reality but also because he had seen this story playing out before. Brian's eyes were wandering towards Jewel for a moment, then back to Emmett to give him not the feeling of paying him not his full attention.

"...Being in that place with my friend made me forget about what was expected of me, what was already decided for me. Even if it was just for a little while...I lost that place and friend, and without it I guess I lost my form of therapy."

"Come on, that's bullshit," Brian suddenly stated with a slight shake of his head. Realizing that this could have come off wrong, like so often when he spoke up, Brian added a little more empathetic: "I mean, I get that, but, ye know... best kind of therapy is lookin' after yourself. If people ditch ye like trash, then they ain't worth feelin' bad about 'em. I'm not sayin' here you shall walk alone. Just let go of... ah shit." Who was he to give words of advice that he didn't stick to himself, at least not when it came to his current situation? He'd been living in the past for months now, seeing this kind of therapy not working so well anymore. But would he admit that to himself? No.

Brian had probably been appearing absent-minded for a little too long to pretend to be just looking for words. "Guess I'm just another adult givin' ye smart-alecky advice. Ain't the prime example." A joyless chuckle left his throat before he went on so that Emmett got no time left to turn the conversation around to himself. "Anyways, ye should stop searchin' for somethin' in the outside while ye're still strugglin' on the inside."

[Ariel]

"Guess I'm just another adult givin' ye smart-alecky advice. Ain't the prime example."  "Anyways, ye should stop searchin' for somethin' in the outside while ye're still strugglin' on the inside."

Emmett shook his head in disagreement with Brian's initial statement, "No no, it's far from smart-alecky. In fact...I think it's the advice that I've been searching for all along," In the end, he knew that this man was right. Emmett chased after something in the OASIS that he thought could fulfill his life. When really, he needed to start taking care of himself and his owns needs instead of finding someone to fix that for him. Not that he ever really thought that was Tink's purpose. He truly cared for her. But their 'escape' wasn't healthy, and what was once a hobby turned into an obsession to escape from life's curveballs, "Thank you, uh, Brian. I'm not sure if you know it, but you really helped me out today," Emmett looked from Brian to Jewel, laying in the bed before them, "She's lucky, ya know. To have you as her dad. I'd kill for a good dad like you. I mean, not literally, but like, figuratively-," Emmett took into realization that he was rambling again, before clearing his throat to clear his slate, "Thank you." Grinning in admiration at Brian, Emmett didn't even realize that his teacher was standing in the doorway.

"Emmett, the bus will be leaving back to campus shortly!"

"Oh, yes sir!" Emmett stood to his feet, addressing Jewel first, "Thanks for letting me hang out with you for a while, Jewel. It was fun," Chuckling lightly to himself, Emmett shifted himself over to Brian, "If you're around my next visit, coffee's on me," Emmett winked at the father before turning his back to exit back to school with his teacher and the rest of the classmates.

*** Emmett exits ***

[DarkSideCookie]

This time, Brian didn't say anything to Emmett's words, but instead gave him a slight nod every now and then; Not because he wouldn't appreciate what the boy said - quite the contrary, but because he was, for once, flabbergasted about a reaction to anything he'd said to someone. For some reason, Brian truly cared about Emmett; Maybe not even about him in general, or not only, but about kids like him. Nobody should feel like they had to live the life the parents wanted for them while they had completely different dreams. Until now, he had only given advice to his own daughter, so he had no idea that this could turn out giving not only the boy but also himself a feeling of satisfaction. Brian honestly hoped to see Emmett again one of these days.

"Thanks for letting me hang out with you for a while, Jewel. It was fun,"

A warm chuckle, even though barely noticeable, was spreading across Brian's features for a moment. He and Jewel surely would have gotten along well.

"If you're around my next visit, coffee's on me,"

"Yah yah, we shall see," Brian answered with a casual nod and a hand wave as if to dismiss him even. He was still not ready to act like one who couldn't wait for that to happen. Besides, Brian didn't like getting bought something by others; Maybe because he didn't like showing appreciation for a kind gesture like that. Who knew?

Once the boy was out of the room, Brian turned his head back around towards Jewel. He sighed. The silence had been, although awkward at first, more pleasantly with someone else around. With his jawline tightening, Brian's eyes were wandering down to the empty cup in his hands. Shit...


***

[Ariel]

*** The Next Day, September 19, 2070 ***

If there was one thing that everyone knew about Emmett, it was that he was firm on keeping his word. If he said he would do something for someone, he was always there on time with no complaints. The two cups of coffee perched in Emmett's hands sloshed around slightly as he dodged a nurse or doctor here and there throughout the hallways, on his way to Jewel's room. Sure, meeting her father the other day was quite a shock to his system. The man was protective and firm in his ways. Though, there was something about the conversation they exchanged that left Emmett wanting to talk with him more. He wasn't quite sure what it was, as the man wasn't overly warm. All he knew was that they might be two opposites, but his company appeared to be Emmett's cup of tea.

Bracing himself, Emmett exhaled as he stepped foot into the hospital room, only to find Jewel peacefully laying in her bed just as she did the day before. He sighed with slight relief as he was sort of happy to be the first to arrive. "Knock knock! Hiya Jewel. It's me, Emmett from yesterday." Placing the two cups of coffee on the bedside table, Emmett pulled up a chair from the wall and sat close enough to Jewel so that he could speak to her yet far enough to not piss off any threatened fathers that may suddenly make an entrance. Just as he sat down, Emmett didn't realize the top of his backpack was opened and as he dropped it to the floor, some contents spilled out. "Ah! I'm such a clutz," Emmett murmured to himself as he scooped up the papers and books. He thought he had picked up everything, except for one shiny object painted in a deep blue whose presance caught Emmett completely off guard, "What the...how did you get into my bag?" Emmett scooped up the final object and stood upright. He stared down into his hands at the replica Ocarina. He had bought it from a convention before school had started, as it resembled the very Ocarina his avatar used in the Oasis to play his friend her special song. Memories of those times began to flood back into his mind, and Emmett couldn't help but to shed a grin as he completely zoned out to escape into those good times.

[DarkSideCookie]

For some inexplicable reason, or maybe for one too social to accept, Brian was, once again, earlier for his hospital visit than usual. Not just earlier, but actually at the same time like he'd been the day before. He pushed possible motives for that to the back of his mind, as usual.

Today he was, at least, much more rested. So, when Brian stepped into Jewel's room, finding the boy from yesterday, Emmett, on her bedside, obviously deep into his thoughts, an almost relaxed smile appeared on his lips. For some moments, he just stood in the door frame, one arm casually leaned against it, watching the boy and his sleeping daughter.

"To be totally honest," Brian's rough but, at the same time, calm voice eventually broke into the silence, "after yesterday, I thought ye might not be comin' back here." After a short pause, a little more hesitantly yet without feeling ashamed about it, he added: "Glad ye did. Not so much 'cause of me but... well, for my sweetheart over there." Of course, Brian had to weaken his former statement a little; before the boy would get the idea that he was acting nicely. Maybe he was, but people didn't have to know; not just like that at least.

[Ariel]

"To be totally honest,"  "after yesterday, I thought ye might not be comin' back here." "Glad ye did. Not so much 'cause of me but... well, for my sweetheart over there." 

Emmett jolted upright at the sound of the familiar, yet rough irish accent that emulated through the room. He quickly stashed away the Ocarina as if he were acting upon a reflex, afraid of getting caught. Of course it was over nothing, and Brian wouldn't think absolutely anything about the porcelain, blue instrument. Yet, now was simply not the time nor place to be playing around. Especially in the presence of the father figure.

"A promise is a promise, sir-erm, I mean Brian," Emmett turned around to grab the cup of coffee, and stepping forward he greeting Brian with a sheepish grin as he offered the piping cup of refreshment in his direction. Others looking into this scenario would like that it was rather absurd. Coffee dates with the unconscious girl's father. Yet, Emmett knew he was rather abnormal, and it became far much more than simply meetings over coffee with Brian. It became the beginning of a father and son relationship that Emmett could have only dreamed of with his own dad - something both him and Brian needed but didn't even have the slightest clue that they did.

[DarkSideCookie]

As assumed, Brian thought absolutely nothing of the little thing that looked like an instrument, though he didn't see much of it anyway since Emmett was good to hide it quick enough. Brian was no nosy man, as long as it wouldn't affect his daughter's wellbeing. But, at this point, he was sure nothing this boy did would anyway. Usually, Brian wasn't so easy on trusting people, but Emmett was just... well, different. In a good way, though. Still, he probably wouldn't trust anybody just blindly when it came to Jewel; but, for now, enough to relax a bit.

"A promise is a promise, sir-erm, I mean Brian,"

"Oh," Brian uttered in surprise. Not only had he forgotten that promise, nor had he have attached a lot of importance to it. Emmett had manners, something Brian appreciated a lot. "Thanks," Brian added with a slight nod as he received the hot cup, in a way like it was not hot at all. Instead of taking a sip right away, though, he lowered the cup in his hands before rather hesitantly asking: "Ye still havin' time or... dunno - gotta babysit some other daughters?" It was obvious that he was only joking, although Brian was barely smiling. On the other hand, he wasn't doing that a lot just naturally, so sometimes people wouldn't get his jokes as such.

[Ariel]

"Ye still havin' time or... dunno - gotta babysit some other daughters?"

Brian was like a breath of fresh air. Emmett wasn't sure what he liked best about him, his protectiveness over his daughter or his unique Irish lingo. Either way, Brian's question brought a lighthearted smile to Emmett's face as he gladly shook his head, "I'm all yours - until the block is over, that is - wow this is still hot," Emmett assured, before nearly burning his lip on his own drink. He blew the steam off of the top of the pipping hot liquid before sinking his behind down in a nearby chair, looking to Brian once more, "Looking good today - I mean, not that you weren't looking good before, it's just that you look like you got a good night's sleep. That's probably been hard for you to get these days." Emmett remarked, only meaning for his comment to be a compliment rather than critical. To leave here and go home alone without his daughter everyday, Emmett couldn't even imagine what Brian must be going through.

[DarkSideCookie]

"I'm all yours - until the block is over, that is - wow this is still hot,"

Brian had to chuckle at Emmett's particular nature. It was truly refreshing and a welcome change from his latest everyday life. Still, he was holding his own cup of coffee like it wasn't hot at all. Brian was glad when the boy wouldn't react further to what he said before. It had already taken him a lot of effort to come up with that, so there was no need to make his pass the topic of their conversation. However, the offered alternative wasn't much better since it was still about Brian.

"Looking good today - I mean, not that you weren't looking good before, it's just that you look like you got a good night's sleep. That's probably been hard for you to get these days."

"Yeah, well, not exactly the best year of my life," Brian stated as he took a first sip of his coffee, above all to busy himself. "How 'bout yerself, kid?" he asked back before Emmett could ask any questions himself. "Have ye been thinkin' about the place ye rather wanna be?" Of course, this wasn't something that could be decided overnight, but, first, was Brian sure there already was a personal dream on Emmett's mind, and, second, was the meaning of his question rather if the boy would be going for his advice at all. Or maybe actually just to keep that issue going.

[Ariel]

"Have ye been thinkin' about the place ye rather wanna be?"

Emmett hesitated in his mannerisms for a moment as Brian caught him off guard with questioning his life choices again right out of the gate. If this man kept it up, Emmett would be newly dubbing him as the Irish Jiminy Cricket. The very thing Emmett had been working so hard to avoid acting upon or even thinking about. Out of sight and out of mind only works for so long before the people around you start growing concerned. As for Emmett, the less conflict he had to deal with right now on top of the stress of school and studies the better.

"I've been pretty busy to give it anymore thought," Emmett blew the top of his hot drink lightly in between sentences, the billowing steam being forced to evacuate the cup, "The daily tests in World Religions have me buried in my notes every night. Professor Ganon seems to be a glutton for punishment." Emmett chuckled as the pain of testing was noticeable on his features, though he kept things light as he pressed onward and placed the conversation back onto Brian, "So, Brian, what is it exactly that you do for work?" Emmett asked out of curiosity as he continued to make small talk.