2019-11-14 - Questions, Answers, More Questions

Minerva wasn't expecting anyone else for the moment, except for Devlin. So she'd set up for going over things in the meeting room and sat out some stuff. There was also a fresh pot of coffee on. The woman was dressed in the usual black clothing. A black dress with a black sweater coat pulled over it. Her hair was down and she was wearing little makeup.

There are two growing mastiff puppies that are asleep in a bed near the table. A beige one and a black one. They have a toy in the middle of them where they gave up the fight to sleep.

Knocking at the door, Devlin is there with something in hand. He is looking much better but still recovering from the flu at this point. One hand has a smallish box with Chinese lettering on it and under his arm is a weather beaten, abused ( may be seen battle?) that has what could be a collection of papers with in.

Minerva gets up from her seat and there's a moment taken to go and open the door, a red lipped smile given to the man that is standing there, "Hey, come on in. We're in the same room we were." she tells him. Once he's in, she locks the door behind him. Hopefully no one would come busting in. "You're looking better, how are you feeling?" she asks him as she leads him back to the room. "There's coffee and I can make tea if you don't like coffee. Or hot chocolate. Figured warm drinks were nice." she tells him as her hands flit nervously to point out selections.

Devlin says, "Coffee is good, and yes feeling much better. The fever dreams were the worst.. thought I was back in country.. felt pretty real." He touches his arm, "Even had a cut on my arm from a rock I fell against." He pauses, "Oh.. and thank you for being willing to help me figure things out." He passes you the box, "This is Jejien White tea. I made sure there are instructions for it in English." "

"Coffee it is then." Minerva smiles to that as she moves coffee making supplies to the table, "Please, have a seat." she motions to one of the chairs. "And yeah, the fever dreams were horrible, did the cut get looked at?" she asks him. "A few of us had the fever dreams while dealing with a dead serial killer...it's how I got the wounds on my arms." she frowns. "But it's over now." she states softly. When he passes her the tea there's a bit of a warmer smile, "Thank you, you didn't have to bring me anything." she tells him. Then she smells it and there's a smile, "Wonderful though. Thank you again." she states.

Then she settles into her chair, "It's kind of why I'm here, to help." she admits. "Now, where to start." she looks to him.

Devlin takes a seat, "Yes, the really strange thing was in my dream I bandaged it from the other medic's kit. I could not figure out why he had is and I didn't have mine in the dream. But the bandage was there in the morning and when I checked my first aide supplies, I was not short one?" He looks a little embarrassed, "I don't make mistakes on supplies like that. But it got me to thinking about times when I handed off patients to the surgeons. Time when I reported the wound was worse than what they got." He then opens up the old leather folder, "I have some copies of my hand offs and their reports where they differed."

Minerva gives a bit of a nod to that, "Well, depending on situations, you probably brought it out of the dream with you." she tells him. "It's not a rare thing, so don't worry on it." she adds. "I was knifed in the side and the blade snapped off in a dream. I came out with it." she states as she twirls the spoon in her coffee. "Don't be embarrassed or anything like that. You didn't make a mistake." she tells him gently. Then she reaches out to take the papers that are offered. "One of the first things to learn and to remember is that the Veil will always keep it's secrets. So things that happen, it will always change details if it's needed to not let others in on it." she sighs. "Which makes some of us look insane." she adds.

The paperwork is of various wounds that Devlin worked on with the follow up surgeon's report. Common thread, surgeons did not have as serious of an injury as Devlin reported. It would appear differences wax and wain in the amount of possible healing.

Devlin nows, "Ok.. so I'm sane and the rest of the world is crazy then?" He laughs, "I know a few soldiers that would agree with that.. may be an Uncle or three." He rubs his chin.. and blinks, yeah.. that thought alarmed him.. "So when I thought I was tasting chocolate syrup after this weird dream where I thought I was racing in something like that wreck it Ralph movie candy race track... I was?" yeah now his eyes are a little wider.. He pours himself a cup of coffee holding it like may be someone holding a drink. A sip is taken, may not be alcoholic but it helps for the moment.

"Sometimes the rest of the world just hasn't woken up yet. We're one of the stronger places for folks with Glimmer. Other places have it, but I'm not sure where...or how powerful." Minerva admits. "So you are definitely not crazy." she smiles to that. "And yep, it was probably chocolate syrup. If you get hurt in the dream you generally come out banged up unless there's a healer with you." she states. She looks through the papers while he sips his coffee, "What is the biggest question you have, Devlin? Any specifics?" she asks him.

Devlin takes a breath, "I've got a few as you may imagine. What is this Veil you speak of? Sounds like something out of one of those roleplay games some of my medics would play in their down time." He takes a pull from the coffee.

The earliest incident he has there happened in 2005 with other incidents happening in his last tour about 3 years ago.

Minerva's pale eye takes in the information on the pages and there's a bit of a clinical way she dissects the information, but with her background she's not really looking for the normal signs. "The Veil is the other side. Think of it as...another dimension. For example, Steve, the old man who came in the other night wanted us to send him back to a place that's rumored to be a part of the veil." she tells him. "There's ways of getting into the veil and all of that. I don't really recommend it unless it's dire though." she shakes her head.

Devlin nods, "So bad guy country, no going without the grunts along." He nods, "Or desperate.. So if I had to go there and I have a full medic's bag and combat life saver's bag.. they'd come with me and I could treat people assuming the opportunity is there to do so?" He pauses as he realizes he skipped a step of that mental process, "So who are the bad guys? The ones Steve mentioned wanted to eat us? We dealing with Cannibals?"

Minerva gives a look to him and there's a nod, "Bad guy country, yes. Go with a group." she tells him. "Or call me and I'll go with you." she admits. "And yes, you can take stuff in with little issue." she smiles to that. "As for who are the bad guys. When we use our powers we attract the attention of what's called The Dark Men. They can mess with our dreams and all that fun stuff." she admits. "There are tons and tons of Veil monsters and denizens though. Some of them are nasty." she frowns. "Steve might have encountered Cannibals, I'm not sure on that one." she adds.

Devlin sighs, "Lovely.. so why me? Why has this stuff been happening to me?" That gets another pause, "And why would you be willing to go into hostile territory with a" you can almost feel the mental cringe there as he says it, "Cherry.. huh.. Newb like myself." He takes a breath followed by a sip of the coffee. "Oh shit.. is meditation dangerous?"

Minerva shakes her head, "It doesn't really work like that. You could have opened something up inside yourself while you were across seas. People from all over have came here, never having visited and it keeps them here." she frowns. "It can pop up in anyone. For me, I was born with it." she looks not quite happy with that. Then there's a bit of a look to him, "For one, don't think of it like that. None of us are in a pecking order here." she points out. "And we aren't going to haze anyone." she adds. "I go with people, because sometimes going by yourself is the stupidest thing you can do and sometimes back up is needed...and I'm pretty good backup." she chuckles. "Meditation...shouldn't be dangerous, but I haven't heard of anyone being drug in that way." she tells him.

Devlin nods and is clearly relieved to hear that, "I do a lot of meditation as a part of my martial arts training. Twenty to forty minutes a day, mostly in the morning. Sometimes, at night when it is peaceful." He flushes a little, "A little hazing is an old and respected tradition in the Eighty-Second. But being a Cherry is a state of mind. Some guys are only a cherry for a few days.. others.. might be a year." He nods, "Well, when it comes to back up, better not enough help quick than to much help too late." He then asks, "So anything in what I brought make sense to you? Also, there were some other things I have experienced not in those documents that happened to me."

Minerva gives a look to him, "What sort of martial arts?" she asks him curiously. And there's a bit of a look back to the paperwork as she asks him that. "Getting sleep and meditation in when it's peaceful sounds like a good thing. I tend to have rough nights." she admits. Then there's a smile, "I mean, we aren't really a military group or anything. Generally your first experience with Glimmer and the Veil is hazing enough." she frowns softly. "And you don't seem like the kind of guy that's going to stay a cherry for too long." she states. Then she looks to him, "Do you want to tell me about the other experiences you've had? Or explain what exactly you've done?" she asks him.

"Chinese martial arts, I have a black sash in both Kung Fu and Chang style Tai Chi Chaun. I do practice some other related arts." Devlin states actually with a humble nature to him and not as prideful as others might. "I have been practicing the arts since I was eight." He nods, "Sure.. may be you can help me unravel a few weird threads from my life... and let me know why I wasn't so aware of what was happening." He ponders for a moment, "Well strange things.. like my lifesaver's bag was a meter or two out of reach some times due to circumstances beyond my control. I'm needing an IV bag or something important..yet there is my bag, right next to me now. Yet.. I know it was over.. there. I've had some other weird things too."

"Very impressive." Minerva states when he tells her what type he does. The humble nature is noted as well. "It takes a lot of discipline for learning different styles. I'm a bit reckless when it comes to fighting, so I often wonder what I could have done if I'd joined a karate class or something." she states idly. Then there's a few things that he says that make her look thoughtful. "We're going to do a test, if you won't feel silly?" she asks him. "I promise you aren't going to have to do anything weird either." she adds.

Devlin nods, "Sure.. " He then offers, "If your having problems sleeping, there are some simple breathing exercises that can help. And if you want something good to do for meditation in motion that does help the body, I know a few simple Qi Gung forms you can do. Takes a couple of weeks to get the basics down, but they do help an unsettled mind."

Minerva gets up to set up a few things on the table. In his line of sight. She's listening to him as she goes, "I tend to have nightmares a lot. More that it's the dark men messing with me. I tend to be a favorite for them." she shrugs. "But, I would be happy to try things. Maybe if I get into a habit of doing forms or something I can beat them a bit." she nods to that. Then she looks amused at the 'unsettled mind' comment, but doesn't belittle herself. "So, I need you to focus on moving one of these little things for me. And don't laugh. Just focus..." she smiles to that.

Devlin takes a breath and focuses. It is easy to see that he does practice meditation as he slides to a borderline state for as he breaths a nice deep breath and slow exhale... repeating several times. The one object that looks the least breakable is what he focuses on wanting it closer..

Minerva watches as Devlin breathes and there's a soft smile when he is able to move the pencil sharpner. Because she wasn't sitting anything up there that could break! It screeches across the table closer to him and there's a bit of a chuckle at the noise, "Ouch..." She then nods, "So you've got some physical abilities." she admits. Then there's a bit of a hmm, "Try sending me a thought or an emotion." she tells him as she settles back down in her chair.

Devlin nods as it takes him a moment to focus on something other than.. war and pain. Then it comes to him. He starts to think about how it felt floating down under a parachute on a clear day over Sicily dropzone. It was a perfect non-combat, non-training jump. A wonderful sensation and joy of just hanging there in his harness as the C130's go off in the distance.

Minerva wasn't expecting that much of a sensation and there's a smile, "You enjoyed that." she looks to him. "And with that we know you have a bit of Mental aptititude." she tells him. "Now...this next one is going to be a bit odd, but stay with me." she looks to him. "You see the flowers in that vase?" she points to them. "Imagine them withering, or imagine them blooming." she gives a look between them.

Devlin is a little tense rather than as relaxed as he was before for this one. It is easy to see, his breathing not as steady and even as before. His expression shifts a little as if he's trying to force it rather than let it flow like he should. Nothing happens..

Minerva gives a look to the flowers, nothing happens. She ticks the little box for the moment. "Doesn't mean you don't have some Spiritual abilities. But...I don't want to stress you out doing tests." she admits. "And don't force it. You don't have anything to rush." she tells him gently.

Ok, this time he stands up and performs a circle arms breathing exercise a few times. His breath following motion and he finds his relaxation point again. He sits down and tries again, "Just grow a little.. bloom.. life please..." more relaxed this time but his tone has a touch of pleading to it.

Minerva gives a look to him and then she looks to the plants. Then the blooms start to be opened up and new ones popping up. "Oh hey!" she grins at that. "Seems that you do have some Spirit mojo." she states. "Well, you've got a little bit of everything. Which isn't a bad thing." she tells him.

"So Doc," there is more respect in the tone of how he says that than Doctor, "Does this mean I will live? And be able to dance the tango?" Yes a bit of his humor coming out there. Devlin then sips his coffee, "So what does all this mean.. and how did you know I could do this?"

Minerva gives a smile when he calls her Doc, "You're most assuredly going to live and dance the tango." she tells him. "Do you know how to dance the tango already or is that on the list of things to learn?" she asks him. "And we don't always know what others can do or if they can do anything related to the powers." she admits. "For example..." she raises her hand and there's a littl illusion that plays out on the table top, Devlin dancing the tango. Just in miniature! "Mentalists as they grow more powerful can do some nifty stuff." she tells him quietly.

Devlin whistles, "Damn.. and still need dance lessons.. my forms are good but I'm not trying to move to music." He then hmms, "So.. when I look at you and some others, there is this shine.. glow.. is that important? I don't see it on everyone? Always thought it was due to mediating pretty deeply or.. combat stress.. sign that may be I may be at risk for PTSD issues." He knocks on the wooden leg of the chair, "So far.. so good. Though I talk with other vets.. reminds me.. support groups.. should join."

Minerva ends the illusion, not wanting it to be too weird. "I think once you brush up on your form you'll be a fantastic dancer." she murmurs to him. Then there's a smile, "The shining...or Glimmer is something that is different for everyone. I'm highly powered. There's a few of us like that around town. As I said in the meeting, I've been like this since I was a child." she states. "A friend likes to call it Singing." she adds. "And not everyone has it. So that's the thing, not everyone has the powers." she tells him. "If support groups and things help I know of a few in town. I'm sure they'd love to see a new face. Even if you don't have signs of PTSD. Sometimes talking helps." she nods. "I mean...I talk to my dogs." she muses.

Devlin nods, "I can see that to be honest. I was part of some Veteran support groups in Cali. More there to help men and women that needed someone that understood what they had been through." He takes a breath, "But I clearly need to learn about this. Especially concerning to me are these comments about using abilities attracting these Dark Men? I used the right term, yes? What is their deal and how are they screwing with you?"

Minerva gives a look to him and there's a nod of agreement, "Yes, it is good to have support and people that know what you've been through." she admits. "Part of the reason for the paranormal society is to help those with powers and those effected by them." she tells him. "And we can help you out with that. The problem with the Darkmen is that you'll never see them. They mess with your dreams and other things." she frowns. "Or they send people in their stead." she adds. "It's the right term, yes." she nods. "As for them, they are just...well...The Dark Men feed on nightmares and dread. So by messing with stuff..." she trails off. He'd get the picture probably.

Devlin nods and pauses to think for a moment. He sips his coffee and then asks, "Doc, I have recently discovered that I have a 2nd cousin, who is here in town. Mom did the 23 and me thing.. so did Hera. Mom knew I was coming up here and suggested I meet up with Hera. She had the Shine. How should I approach her about it?" And there comes that protective medic personality one could say. "If she knows.. should be ok, I guess, right? But if she doesn't know, that would be dangerous?"

"Congratulations on the found relative. Sometimes that can be a whole new adventure." Minerva admits. Though she listens and there's a bit of a soft 'hmm', "If she doesn't have any powers...then I would keep things slow with her. Because sometimes it's terrifying to those who don't experience it." she admits. "If the dark men find out about her it will give them someone to use against you should you have a tight bond. Like they enjoy dragging my niece into things." she frowns.

Devlin nods, "Thank you. It is getting late. If your game, I can teach you meditation and qi gong exercises without violating the fact I am not yet certified as an instructor. If it helps you with what the Darkmen do, that is good. If not, you may have a new tool to use to help find a relaxed state again and sleep well."

"It's no problem, Devlin." Minerva tells him. "And since it is late, how about teaching another day? I still have to get the boys out for their walk and I have some conference calls to prep for tomorrow, so going to be a late night for me as usual." she smiles. "I can see you out though and it was nice to get to find out more." she tells him.

Devlin says, "Oh," He reaches towards the folder, "As you know some of those are not just government documents but some may be covered by HEPA. I don't want you taking a fall for my actions. Safer for you in my hands. And thank you, Doc. We can work out a schedule .. mine will be open for a few weeks till my certifications and a couple psych evals.. should be ok"

Minerva gives a smile to that, "Oh I didn't want to keep those." she admits. "I'm sure there's a lot of things that are safer in your hands." she nods to this. Then she's standing, when she does, the pups stir and there's the tail thump of one. "Oh no, the beasts are waking." she muses. "I've got a pretty open schedule this week. Friday I fly out of the country, so I'll have to keep in touch via text and things." she states. "I'm sure you're going to do great on your certs." she tells him.

Devlin takes the folder and then makes a small respectful bow to you. "Catch you later Doc."