2020-01-07 - Checking In For Information

It's late afternoon and Minerva was taking appointments after Seraphim closed. The front door is locked, but the privacy entrance is where Devlin can enter without having to go through the whole place. Minerva is seated at the table with her laptop and some files and adding notes to things. Azriel and Dumah are absent, but there are heavy paws sounds above which means they are in the apartment. There's the smell of fresh coffee that lingers in the air.

As per his usual politeness, Devlin knocks on the lintel post to the room. He then speaks, "Morning Doc? Got a few minutes?" He looks well rested and perhaps for a change.. happier that is usual.

Minerva gives a look towards the voice when it is heard and there's a smile, "Afternoon, Devlin." she gives him a little wave. "Come on in. I've got a minute." she nods to that. "You're looking good. Is the year treating you well so far?" she asks him with a soft smile.

Walking in he nods, "Yeah.. dating and was not alone for New Years. But the best thing was getting the notice on the 3rd.. my state certifications are approved. Granted, I think my volunteering to see you for evals helped reassure them I am not.." Devin grins with a bit of humor as he speaks, "Certifiable..." He gestures to a chair, "May I?"

Minerva gives a soft smile, "Well, congratulations on not spending New Years alone. Was this the girl you were talking about when you last came in?" she asks him. "And good job on the recertification. That will be something that helps out with things." she smiles. "And yes, have a seat." she motions to the chair.

Taking a seat, Devlin settles. "Yes. As pleasant as that is, I do need to let you know about things that happened the other night on a run. I saw something.. something strange.. And I managed something.. not very well though." his tone hinting at a degree of surprise in himself. "And something perhaps you can advise on."

Minerva looks to him as he settles in and she sips her coffee, "Saw something?" she asks him. Then she lets him get fully sat down and finished speaking. "What happened?" she asks him. Letting him tell what transpired.

Devlin says, "We got a call for a rather strange victim. Turns out he was beyond help.. dead already. But the place felt.. weird.. like there was this cold around us in the room." He pauses for a moment to gather his thoughts, "The man's fingernails were dug into the wooden floor and a lot of blood on the floor. Back of his shirt ripped open but no wounds. Should have been wounds. Then I saw movement that was not there.. felt it too." He pauses again, "The uniform was not sure if he cleared the place when I asked him so he went to the next room. After all, their supposed to clear things before we come in. Oh.. and I did call for an ME, so the guy can be pronounced.""

Minerva seems intrigued by this, "And after the uniform went to the other room? Did something happen?" she asks him as she looks at him.

Nodding before he speaks. "Yes. I saw a something that was sort of like a shadow of a biped. When the offer moved to the next room, it followed him. Then there was this ball of red energy that appeared to follow it. Like someone shooting through a wall." He pauses and then goes on, "I felt something in the back of my mind.. a voice complaining that I love him. The voice wanted him to know it loved him. Not sure whom it referred too. I followed where the officer went and saw the shadow was against him.. it's maw on his mouth..something about it just felt off. I didn't know what to do, but remembered your warning about if you can heal you can harm. So I followed my instincts and used a modified brush knee technique to focus. I swear that I felt and saw something that looked like a ying-yang ball fly towards it and splash against it like a water balloon hitting a wall. Then my partner yelled about pushing it out of here.. I tried to focus again.. to trip it. Don't think I managed a damn thing.."

Minerva gives a bit of a look to him and there's a soft pondering noise, "I wonder if it was some sort of ghost." she wonders aloud. "Do you think it left the home or that it might still be where this happened?" she asks him as she looks to him.

Devlin says, "Not sure. It went through a window and the window actually broke. The cop totally lost it and ran off in a panic that resulted in a few other things. He was a wreck. I didn't look out the window, just relieved that it left the building and I followed the cop knowing he was going to need me." He takes a breath, "I was right.. like dealing with a soldier that just killed up close and personal for the first time. My partner may have seen something.. Stephanie. Is everyone in this town got these powers? I even tried to help Bennie with her burns and she got upset even though she was seriously sedated. Told me it would piss off the one's feeding off the pain. And later she called me a baby that didn't know better.. we have not spoken since."

Minerva sits back and listens to him, her eyes worried. She wasn't sure if she would be able to help with this. "I'm guessing that it might be something we could look into." she tells him. "The number of people with powers is a lot. Some don't have it so high...but it's there." she admits. "And yes, some of us get really weird with powers. I use mine when I have to or it attracts the dark men." she frowns. "Bennie might just need some time." she points out.

Devlin nods and then.. "Oh... I remember hearing Hera's voice when I went into the building. She might have seen something outside.. what.. not sure. Still, if you need more information she might have it." He hmms, "How much at risk am I do you think?"

"Aha, that might be something to look into." Minerva tells him with a smile. Then she's listening to him, "It's not that simple to answer really. The more you use your powers, the more beacons that are sent to the Dark Men." she admits. "So if you keep running around and healing people, they're going to start looking at you more and more. And if they come for you they won't come for you directly sometimes. They'll use your loved ones and friends sometimes." she frowns.

Devlin says, "So they fight like terrorists...I know simplistic.. but easier for me. So how do you beat them?"

"Beat them?" Minerva shakes her head at that. "You have to realize that the Dark Men aren't...like you and I." she admits. "They aren't whole beings that sit around and eat and go about daily lives. I...have never even seen one of them." she frowns.

Devlin nods, "So an unknown enemy.. " A slight frown on his part, "So.. we have to wait and learn.. play resistance."

"Basically that's what we have to do." Minerva tells him with a frown. "Or well...we try to take precautions." she clarifies. "I null my Niece's room most times given she's just coming into her gifts and we don't need her bothered." she tells him. "We can just try to be a bit better prepared." she adds.

Devlin nods, "So.. sounds like more training for me." He chuckles, "I have been practicing what you showed me I can do. Question is.. what do I work on?"

"Work on protection. Work on gathering research and resources that will help besides using your powers." Minerva tells him with a bit of a smile. "They aren't the only thing that we have at our disposal." she points out.

Devlin nods, "Protection? Research.. not my strong suit. but may be I can keep a good eye out for things." He hmms, "Though, as I am a medic and not a grunt. May be getting better at healing is what I .." He ohs.. "Now I remember, Bennie's friend said something about them being after healers..." He shrugs, "talk about a painting a target on my back.."

"You don't have to be good at it. Get a study buddy or something like that." Minerva tells him with a smile. "Also, thank you for the Christmas present. I put it up in the apartment." she admits. "Most of us have targets on our backs...which is a saving grace for others." she frowns.

Devlin nods, "Your welcome. I have some interesting friends. Sometimes it's good to be the medic.." He then hmms to himself, "I'll have to figure that out.. the study friend. Thanks for listening and I hope the information was helpfull for you. I may not understand, but I do see.."

Minerva gives a smile, "I never have issues with people coming in and asking questions. We tend to work better when everyone is involved." she tells him. "So it's no problem." she adds. "And it is. I'll see if I can find anything on it as well." she points out. "Was there anything else you needed to talk on?" she grins.

Devlin says, "I think for now, that is it. Figured I would come in today rather than the meeting to share what I learned." He takes a breath, "I have a feeling till some egos are tamed.. we will have more incidents like what happened the first time I was there.""

Minerva gives a look to him, "Hopefully it won't be as unruly as the last one." she admits. "And I have no idea what happened. This time I'll be making sure that we keep things from spilling over." she states.

Devlin nods, "if there is anything I can do to help, let me know." He rises, "And Doc.. thanks."