Office #26, Wednesday

[chosehumanity]

Had it not been for the ASS meeting tomorrow, Mitchell would've portalled back early today to catch George for a quick pint at their local (listening to the man rant about Americans during St. Patrick's Day would have been hilarious on several levels). But since he didn't have the opportunity, he'd settled for a phone call.

That had been a mistake.

For the second week running, Mitchell spent a good chunk of his office hours on the phone, soothing George about running into his ex-girlfriend at the hospital.

[[ ooopen ]]

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[vanillajello]

"We're such a good team," Kate snorted, setting the container down on his desk before searching her backpack for the plastic bag where she'd put the plates and utensils she had by no means stolen from the common room on her floor.

Just borrowed.

[chosehumanity]

"Jack might be by to get a slice," Mitchell confided. Because using other people's baking products to make peace with other people was an excellent way of doing... stuff. "Although I can't promise him it's been accurately tested for poison."

[vanillajello]

"Pfft," was the only dignified response to that she could think of right now. She took the lid off to reveal the cake. The chocolate icing wasn't perfect – because Kate had less patience than her brother – but there was plenty of it, which she considered a priority.

"Anyway, it has a little bit of rum in it. Jack will love it. Even if it isn't neon green."

Ah, memories from the Bahamas.

[chosehumanity]

Mitchell pulled the phone back to his ear. "Yeah. George. Just talk to her. I'll call you back later."

Click.

He tossed the mobile onto his desk and considered the cake. "Neon green? Is there a story I'm missing here?"

[vanillajello]

Kate set the plates and the spoons and the knife meant for cake-cutting down next to the cake.

"Back in the Bahamas, when Jack was oh-so-subtly checking up on me," she explained, dragging her chair closer to the desk before sitting down, "he bought me this frozen rum drink that was such an unnatural green that it looked like it came from a radioactive lab or something."

[chosehumanity]

"Shall I do the honours?" he asked, picking up the knife as he got up.

And... snickering. A little bit. "He's enjoying the 21st century then."

[vanillajello]

"Mm, apparently," she smirked with a half-shrug. "Or the Bahamas. Either or."

[chosehumanity]

"Or just the fruity green drinks," Mitchell said, thoughtfully. "If he's about on his next birthday, you'll know what to get him."

[vanillajello]

"Either green rum drinks, or a new liver," Kate snorted. "I think he's graduating, though, so we'll see." She pulled a face. "Ugh, graduation."

[chosehumanity]

"Not looking forward to it?" he guessed.

[vanillajello]

She shrugged. "Too many people leaving."

Too many important people.

[chosehumanity]

He gave her a rueful, somewhat sympathetic smile. "Anyone special?"

[vanillajello]

Kate rolled her eyes. "No one's special to me."

Far, far from the truth, but also easier to say.

[chosehumanity]

Mitchell winced theatratically. "I think you just made Moosh cry."

[vanillajello]

"No, but he probably feels like he should ask like, 'why do you always have to be like that?' right now, and doesn't know why."

[chosehumanity]

"Then answer the question, Kate."

[vanillajello]

"He's in Kansas. I didn't hear him ask the question."

[chosehumanity]

"Why," he said, sitting forward, "Do you always have to be like that."

See? He was helpful.

[vanillajello]

Yes. Incredibly helpful.

"Because this is who I am." Beat. "Now. Before you launch into any spiels about how I'm too young to know anything definite about myself."

[chosehumanity]

"You're also lying through your teeth," Mitchell said, dryly, "But I'll be kind and pretend like you're not this time."

[vanillajello]

"I don't even have a word for who is leaving, okay?" Kate replied, resisting the urge to glare. "Now cut me a slice of cake, will you?"

[chosehumanity]

"Yes, sir," he deadpanned, finally planting the knife in the cake and cutting a few neat slices. "But I'm afraid you're stuck with me for the time being."

[vanillajello]

"What, teachers don't graduate?" she asked, mock-shocked, then slumping theatrically in her chair. "Thanks for taking away the light at the end of the tunnel."

[chosehumanity]

There wasn't a light at the end of that tunnel anyway, but that was hardly anything Mitchell was about to share with someone living.

"Afraid not," he said, "I'll be coaching you through your graduation-related woes into next year, I think."

[vanillajello]

"I'm crushed," Kate said. "And really not thinking about the future all that much, anyway."

[chosehumanity]

"Yeah," Mitchell said, wryly, "That's always worked for everyone."

It was a gentle ribbing, though. Come on, she was a junior, she was allowed.

[vanillajello]

"It's worked for me fine so far," she shrugged. "I think about two weeks into the future is the furthest I can think, right now."

[chosehumanity]

"Give it time, we'll work you up to a month," he promised.

[vanillajello]

"What, like practice makes perfect?" she asked, vaguely amused. "Not sure I'm into that idea."