Angelo and Clarice; Angelo and Madelyn
Aug. 30th, 2004 08:09 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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xp_logsAngelo decides Clarice has a right to know what's going on with Jono, so he tells her. Immediately after that, he seeks out Madelyn for some help dealing with his crisis of faith, and leaves feeling at least a little better.
Angelo was looking for Clarice, having decided there was something he had to do. If it ended up that Jono didn't come back, she was the closest to him after the three who already knew what was going on, and she deserved to know why. So he started out looking in the obvious place: her room.
Unsurprisingly enough, Clarice was sitting on the floor, trying to fashion kitty-clothes for Delphine was was Not Helping. "Oh come on, Delphine, you want to look pretty for Papa, don't you?"
Angelo peered around the open door, looking amused, and knocked quietly before speaking. "I don't think cats generally like wearin' clothes, y'know."
"She liked the bow I gave her," Clarice replied, pushing some of the fabric away, "and I think I've figured out how to do those leg-things so she doesn't get caught in it!"
Angelo nodded, moving further into the room and sitting down. "Clarice... I kinda need to talk to you. There's stuff you should probably know."
"Sure," she put her scissors and other sharp things back in their box and turned to face Angelo, "What's up?"
"It's about Jono", he answered, trying to keep his voice neutral so as not to scare her. "How much do you know about why he went away?"
She shook her head, "Nada. No one's saying anything, but that's nothing new. Is he okay?
Angelo shook his head in turn. "...I think it's pretty safe t'say he's not, no. Emma... didn't just take him off for a field trip."
Clarice's face clouded, and she nodded slowly, "Figures. He's...he's going to be okay, though, right?"
Angelo shrugged sadly. "I don't know. Look - this is what's goin' on. His mutation started actin' up while we were in Asgard. It's like... it's eatin' away at his body from the inside, an' no one's sure how to stop it."
Her mouth moved and no sound came out. Finally she recovered well enough to say, "His own mutation is killing him. Oh my God..."
"He might yet be okay", Angelo told her hastily. "But I thought I should probably tell you in case he's... not."
"Yeah. Thanks. Um...why'd you tell me now? I mean, instead of when he left?"
"When he left, I didn't know how bad it was. I mean, I knew what was happenin', but Emma'd taken him to see all these experts, an' I was sure they could fix it. But I heard from him a couple of days ago, an'... well. It's not goin' as well as it could."
"Oh." Clarice didn't really know what to say, this was too much and yet, she was still glad to know. She leaned over and gave him a hug, "He'll be okay. He has to be. Who else will be the walking angst machine?"
Angelo returned the hug, glad of the comfort. "You keep believin' that. He probably will be, you're right."
"Of course he will," she said positively, trying not to sniffle.
After leaving Clarice, Angelo headed upstairs to Madelyn and Cecilia's suite. He needed to have another talk with someone about the situation with Jono, and his increasingly wobbly faith that his friend would be okay, and he suspected Madelyn might just understand and be able to help. Arriving at the door, he knocked and waited.
"Come in," came the muffled reply. Madelyn was curled up on the couch, surrounded by the gutted remains of the morning's newspaper ("Mystery of unknown radiation source remains unsolved" read one of the headlines). She looked tired but she looked up and smiled at Angelo as he came in, slipping her glasses down her nose so she could see him properly. "Hi there, Angelo. Did you need me for something?"
Angelo returned the smile somewhat wearily. "Yeah. Could do with someone to talk to, if you're not busy..."
"No, not busy at all. I've gotten my news fix for the day." She loosely gathered up the paper, set it aside. "Come in, have a seat. Can I get you something? Pop? Tea? Cecilia's been converting me to the relaxing properties of tea, so there's plenty."
Angelo nodded, moving into the room and sitting down on the indicated chair. "Tea sounds good, actually. 'Specially if it's relaxin'."
"It's been a tough few days," Madelyn said, getting up and crossing to the kitchenette to start the kettle boiling and get out cups. "How're you holding up?"
Angelo swallowed hard. "Up an' down. I got some books from Shan for distraction, an' they help. It's just bein' in that room... I slept in Paige's the last couple of nights, while Jubilee was in medlab, because it's easier in there."
The kettle didn't take long to boil, and Madelyn poured hot water over the tea bags in the cups, tucking the sugar bowl under her arm before returning to Angelo. "It can be like that, when you've gotten used to someone being around," she said gently. "Especially when that someone's a friend."
Angelo took the cup she offered him. "Yeah. An' he is, y'know? Not sure I quite got that before he went away, an' now it's seemin' like he might not come back..."
"He will," Madelyn said firmly, taking her seat again and looking at Angelo intently. "He's got a lot of people working on his problems, and between all of them, they'll come up with something."
Angelo nodded, wanting desperately to believe it. "But we heard from him a couple days ago, an' it doesn't sound like anythin' they can think of is helpin'. So far at least..."
"It's been what... A week? Rome wasn't built in a day, Angelo, and neither was medical science." Madelyn's tone was calm, reasonable in the face of adolescent impatience. "Emma won't let anything happen to him, I guarantee it. She'd take it as a personal effront."
Another nod, as he took that reminder and tucked it away as a little piece of hope - even if it wasn't enough quite yet. "But even Emma can't make somethin' happen just 'cause she says it won't, if they can't figure out a way before things go too far..." He bowed his head, and repeated what he'd said to Moira. "It'll kill Paige if he doesn't make it. An' I... I'm not sure I can take another funeral, not now..."
"Hey, Angelo, kiddo..." Madelyn leaned forward, putting her tea down and reaching for his hands. Possibly crossing over the line a bit, but the boy was really hurting, and human contact was important. "Jono isn't dead. Not yet. And believe me, they will do _everything_ in their power to help him. _Everything_. That's the reason for him leaving, to get the help we couldn't provide. You have to remember there's a lot of very clever people out there, and between the lot of them, something will be done."
Angelo squeezed her hands gratefully, something very vulnerable in his eyes for once. "I've been tryin' to believe it. But I'm kinda short on faith this last couple of days - 's why I came to you, or one reason. I'd've gone to ask the priest, but it'd be a bit hard to explain the whole situation." He sighed. "I know... always knew... people do horrible unfair things to each other, an' that's not somethin' God has any power over. But this... to let Jono come here an' maybe start t'be happy again, an' then he's hit with this..."
"I know it's hard to understand God's will sometimes, Angelo," Madelyn said quietly. "So much doesn't make any kind of sense. But that's what having faith is - believing that things happen for a reason. Perhaps having this happen was a way for Jono to get help with his powers - he's been spinning his wheels for a good long time. Not saying he deserves what's happening, but perhaps some good will come of it."
Angelo listened, and began to regain some degree of hope for the first time in days. "I guess... that's the best way t'look at it. I've just been so scared he'll never make it back here..."
"You're scared because you care." Madelyn gave his hand a final squeeze before moving back. The angle wasn't the best for her back, and she'd been on her feet a lot the past few days. And her tea was getting cold. "It's the part they don't mention when you start realising other people in the world exist." She smiled. "You're a good friend, Angelo. Just don't let the worry consume you, or you'll be no good to anyone."
He nodded. "Yeah, I know. Promised Dr. MacTaggart I'd look after Paige, so I guess there's somethin' to keep me busy if I don't feel like readin'. An' there's the puppy, of course."
"Distraction is good. If you find yourself needing more, I've got quite the movie collection. Lots of fun mindless violence and pretty men with swords," Madelyn said, nodding at a particular shelf near the entertainment system that was full to overflowing with DVDs and videos. "And talking to people is good. You'd be surprised how much time that can take up."
Angelo smiled slightly. "I'll probably take you up on that at some point. An'... yeah. I'm tryin' not to do the hermit thing so much. Thanks for listenin'."
"Any time, kiddo. Door's always open, well, except when I'm down in medlab. But you know what I mean." She smiled at him again. "Hermiting has its place, but don't get too entrenched, or you'll start having acolytes asking you for divine wisdom or something. And that's just a pain."
Angelo chuckled slightly. "Not sure how much good it'd do them, so best not t'take the risk. I think I got a better grip on stuff now. Hopefully."
Another laugh. Score two for the doctor. "Well, anytime you feel that grip slipping, let me know. And if you like, you can catch a lift with me to church next Sunday. Light a candle for Jono, talk to the priest perhaps? Considering Kurt's so scarce these days."
He nodded firmly. "I'd like that. I'll talk to Paige, see if she wants to go too - she's not Catholic, but she might want to all the same."
"That sounds like a good idea. And I daresay she needs distracting as much as you do."
Angelo nodded again, finishing off his tea and getting up slowly, ready to leave. Then he paused and asked hesitantly, "Could you... could you let us know, if any of the doctors hear anythin' about how he's doin'?"
"Of course, Angelo. First thing," Madelyn promised, standing to walk him to the door. "Have faith, kiddo. He will come back to us."
That brought a tentative smile, and he answered, "I'll try. Thanks again, you've been great", before slipping quietly through the door.
Angelo was looking for Clarice, having decided there was something he had to do. If it ended up that Jono didn't come back, she was the closest to him after the three who already knew what was going on, and she deserved to know why. So he started out looking in the obvious place: her room.
Unsurprisingly enough, Clarice was sitting on the floor, trying to fashion kitty-clothes for Delphine was was Not Helping. "Oh come on, Delphine, you want to look pretty for Papa, don't you?"
Angelo peered around the open door, looking amused, and knocked quietly before speaking. "I don't think cats generally like wearin' clothes, y'know."
"She liked the bow I gave her," Clarice replied, pushing some of the fabric away, "and I think I've figured out how to do those leg-things so she doesn't get caught in it!"
Angelo nodded, moving further into the room and sitting down. "Clarice... I kinda need to talk to you. There's stuff you should probably know."
"Sure," she put her scissors and other sharp things back in their box and turned to face Angelo, "What's up?"
"It's about Jono", he answered, trying to keep his voice neutral so as not to scare her. "How much do you know about why he went away?"
She shook her head, "Nada. No one's saying anything, but that's nothing new. Is he okay?
Angelo shook his head in turn. "...I think it's pretty safe t'say he's not, no. Emma... didn't just take him off for a field trip."
Clarice's face clouded, and she nodded slowly, "Figures. He's...he's going to be okay, though, right?"
Angelo shrugged sadly. "I don't know. Look - this is what's goin' on. His mutation started actin' up while we were in Asgard. It's like... it's eatin' away at his body from the inside, an' no one's sure how to stop it."
Her mouth moved and no sound came out. Finally she recovered well enough to say, "His own mutation is killing him. Oh my God..."
"He might yet be okay", Angelo told her hastily. "But I thought I should probably tell you in case he's... not."
"Yeah. Thanks. Um...why'd you tell me now? I mean, instead of when he left?"
"When he left, I didn't know how bad it was. I mean, I knew what was happenin', but Emma'd taken him to see all these experts, an' I was sure they could fix it. But I heard from him a couple of days ago, an'... well. It's not goin' as well as it could."
"Oh." Clarice didn't really know what to say, this was too much and yet, she was still glad to know. She leaned over and gave him a hug, "He'll be okay. He has to be. Who else will be the walking angst machine?"
Angelo returned the hug, glad of the comfort. "You keep believin' that. He probably will be, you're right."
"Of course he will," she said positively, trying not to sniffle.
After leaving Clarice, Angelo headed upstairs to Madelyn and Cecilia's suite. He needed to have another talk with someone about the situation with Jono, and his increasingly wobbly faith that his friend would be okay, and he suspected Madelyn might just understand and be able to help. Arriving at the door, he knocked and waited.
"Come in," came the muffled reply. Madelyn was curled up on the couch, surrounded by the gutted remains of the morning's newspaper ("Mystery of unknown radiation source remains unsolved" read one of the headlines). She looked tired but she looked up and smiled at Angelo as he came in, slipping her glasses down her nose so she could see him properly. "Hi there, Angelo. Did you need me for something?"
Angelo returned the smile somewhat wearily. "Yeah. Could do with someone to talk to, if you're not busy..."
"No, not busy at all. I've gotten my news fix for the day." She loosely gathered up the paper, set it aside. "Come in, have a seat. Can I get you something? Pop? Tea? Cecilia's been converting me to the relaxing properties of tea, so there's plenty."
Angelo nodded, moving into the room and sitting down on the indicated chair. "Tea sounds good, actually. 'Specially if it's relaxin'."
"It's been a tough few days," Madelyn said, getting up and crossing to the kitchenette to start the kettle boiling and get out cups. "How're you holding up?"
Angelo swallowed hard. "Up an' down. I got some books from Shan for distraction, an' they help. It's just bein' in that room... I slept in Paige's the last couple of nights, while Jubilee was in medlab, because it's easier in there."
The kettle didn't take long to boil, and Madelyn poured hot water over the tea bags in the cups, tucking the sugar bowl under her arm before returning to Angelo. "It can be like that, when you've gotten used to someone being around," she said gently. "Especially when that someone's a friend."
Angelo took the cup she offered him. "Yeah. An' he is, y'know? Not sure I quite got that before he went away, an' now it's seemin' like he might not come back..."
"He will," Madelyn said firmly, taking her seat again and looking at Angelo intently. "He's got a lot of people working on his problems, and between all of them, they'll come up with something."
Angelo nodded, wanting desperately to believe it. "But we heard from him a couple days ago, an' it doesn't sound like anythin' they can think of is helpin'. So far at least..."
"It's been what... A week? Rome wasn't built in a day, Angelo, and neither was medical science." Madelyn's tone was calm, reasonable in the face of adolescent impatience. "Emma won't let anything happen to him, I guarantee it. She'd take it as a personal effront."
Another nod, as he took that reminder and tucked it away as a little piece of hope - even if it wasn't enough quite yet. "But even Emma can't make somethin' happen just 'cause she says it won't, if they can't figure out a way before things go too far..." He bowed his head, and repeated what he'd said to Moira. "It'll kill Paige if he doesn't make it. An' I... I'm not sure I can take another funeral, not now..."
"Hey, Angelo, kiddo..." Madelyn leaned forward, putting her tea down and reaching for his hands. Possibly crossing over the line a bit, but the boy was really hurting, and human contact was important. "Jono isn't dead. Not yet. And believe me, they will do _everything_ in their power to help him. _Everything_. That's the reason for him leaving, to get the help we couldn't provide. You have to remember there's a lot of very clever people out there, and between the lot of them, something will be done."
Angelo squeezed her hands gratefully, something very vulnerable in his eyes for once. "I've been tryin' to believe it. But I'm kinda short on faith this last couple of days - 's why I came to you, or one reason. I'd've gone to ask the priest, but it'd be a bit hard to explain the whole situation." He sighed. "I know... always knew... people do horrible unfair things to each other, an' that's not somethin' God has any power over. But this... to let Jono come here an' maybe start t'be happy again, an' then he's hit with this..."
"I know it's hard to understand God's will sometimes, Angelo," Madelyn said quietly. "So much doesn't make any kind of sense. But that's what having faith is - believing that things happen for a reason. Perhaps having this happen was a way for Jono to get help with his powers - he's been spinning his wheels for a good long time. Not saying he deserves what's happening, but perhaps some good will come of it."
Angelo listened, and began to regain some degree of hope for the first time in days. "I guess... that's the best way t'look at it. I've just been so scared he'll never make it back here..."
"You're scared because you care." Madelyn gave his hand a final squeeze before moving back. The angle wasn't the best for her back, and she'd been on her feet a lot the past few days. And her tea was getting cold. "It's the part they don't mention when you start realising other people in the world exist." She smiled. "You're a good friend, Angelo. Just don't let the worry consume you, or you'll be no good to anyone."
He nodded. "Yeah, I know. Promised Dr. MacTaggart I'd look after Paige, so I guess there's somethin' to keep me busy if I don't feel like readin'. An' there's the puppy, of course."
"Distraction is good. If you find yourself needing more, I've got quite the movie collection. Lots of fun mindless violence and pretty men with swords," Madelyn said, nodding at a particular shelf near the entertainment system that was full to overflowing with DVDs and videos. "And talking to people is good. You'd be surprised how much time that can take up."
Angelo smiled slightly. "I'll probably take you up on that at some point. An'... yeah. I'm tryin' not to do the hermit thing so much. Thanks for listenin'."
"Any time, kiddo. Door's always open, well, except when I'm down in medlab. But you know what I mean." She smiled at him again. "Hermiting has its place, but don't get too entrenched, or you'll start having acolytes asking you for divine wisdom or something. And that's just a pain."
Angelo chuckled slightly. "Not sure how much good it'd do them, so best not t'take the risk. I think I got a better grip on stuff now. Hopefully."
Another laugh. Score two for the doctor. "Well, anytime you feel that grip slipping, let me know. And if you like, you can catch a lift with me to church next Sunday. Light a candle for Jono, talk to the priest perhaps? Considering Kurt's so scarce these days."
He nodded firmly. "I'd like that. I'll talk to Paige, see if she wants to go too - she's not Catholic, but she might want to all the same."
"That sounds like a good idea. And I daresay she needs distracting as much as you do."
Angelo nodded again, finishing off his tea and getting up slowly, ready to leave. Then he paused and asked hesitantly, "Could you... could you let us know, if any of the doctors hear anythin' about how he's doin'?"
"Of course, Angelo. First thing," Madelyn promised, standing to walk him to the door. "Have faith, kiddo. He will come back to us."
That brought a tentative smile, and he answered, "I'll try. Thanks again, you've been great", before slipping quietly through the door.
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Date: 2004-08-30 12:54 pm (UTC)Rossi? You have such a gorgeous flow with that woman; it's stunning. Thanks for taking her up.
You guys rule and make me cry all at the same time.
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Date: 2004-08-30 01:24 pm (UTC)Woobie.