2019-09-22 - Guest Lecturer

Summary:

While studying, Steph and Tim encounter Doctor Pamela Isley.

Log Info:

Storyteller: None
Date: Sun Sep 22 22:06:44 2019
Location: New York University

Related Logs

None

Theme Song

None

stephanie-brownpamela-isleytim-drake

Not every hour of every day is about jumping around in costume. It's been a full day of classes over at New York University, and Tim and Stephanie still aren't done: there's homework to tackle, and so they've come over to the library. Tim has been in a yawny state all day; he'd been out late the night before, apparently. He sits beside Steph at one of the study desks with a hand on her shoulder, while he stares blankly at his laptop. He's read that paragraph like three times now.


"Do you need a Bang?" Stephanie asks, her voice a low whisper aimed at Tim. She's got history books in front of her. Fashion history books. It's supposed to be interesting, but really, the way things are written make it completely uninteresting, and she's considering poking Tim in the ribs with the eraser end of her pencil, just to see if he falls over or not.


Meanwhile, not seeming to notice the pair of students at the table, a prim and proper looking redhead moves down the aisles relating to botany and organic chemistry. She wears a modest green skirt and an off-white blouse, her hair tied back in a bun as she occasionally peers at titles of books through her glasses. She has a few already in her hands, but is apparently doing some research for something.

Of course, those in the know would likely recognize her as Dr. Pamela Isley, aka Poison Ivy. But she's not rocking the green skin today so it might be a bit more difficult…


That wording makes Tim blink, and then immediately blush. "A what?" She surely did not mean that how it sounded, but that's not going to keep Tim from his first, glowing-cheeked interpretation. No, he's not going to fall over, but study isn't going to happen. Not in his brain in this easily distractible state.

To wit: he gets distracted by movement in the corner of his vision, and his head turns to look up at the not-presently-green woman. He still knows the files off by heart, and that includes pictures. But there's no reason to go around calling her Poison Ivy when she's not causing trouble, so he just waves a hand of greeting. "Good morning, Doctor Isley." Pause. "Er, good evening." He's a bit out of it.

He gives Steph's shoulder a squeeze to centre himself… and then turns to frown at her. "Jeez, are you okay? Your shoulder's like an iron bar." Fuss fuss fuss.


Of course she didn't mean it like- She meant the energy drink, Tim! WIth her mind not leaping to the same conclusion, and her eyes still on her text, she doesn't notice the blush and so she just carries on.

"A Bang, or a Monster. Have you tried the Rainbow Unicorn flavor? It's like that cheap pink bubblegum that had the powder on it thta came in the yellow and blue wrapper. Double Bubble or something? It tastes like-" Stephanie's ramble cuts off as Tim's head turns away, the motion large enough that it catches the blonde's attention and so her words trail off and her eyes follow Tim's.

Unlike the batling at her side, Stephanie does not have all the files memorized, so she doesn't immediately recognize Dr. Isley as anyone familiar at all. It has her smiling politely as Tim greets the woman whom Steph assumes is maybe one of Tim's professors. The time-slip, however, is noticed and Steph's gaze flicks to the young man sitting at her side. If he thought her shoulder was tense before, him being a bit out of sorts has Stephanie's shoulder squaring off subtly.

"Umm… yeah. i'm fine," she mumbles out the batling's lie: Fine when not Fine.


Pamela chuckles a little at Tim's question, "I've been giving a few guest lectures to the studentbody in the spirit of continuing education," as well as the terms of her government deal, "… so, I'm just getting some research material." She arches a brow slightly at Tim's misspeaking about the current time, "Sounds like midterms are getting to you, young man." Granted, she's not that old, and there's a bit of sympathy in her voice as she remembers the college grind herself.


"Oh. Oh. Ohh." Now Tim gets it. And is left realising that the dirtiness was all in his own head. Monster, he remembers; it's pretty much everywhere, France included. Bang had… slipped his attention. "I'm fine," he assures them both. "Just a bit out of it today; I'll catch an early night tonight, and be all sorted out tomorrow." Steph would know what kind of late-night activity keeps him out and about, while Pamela can surely just assume he's being a College Kid.

He tuts at Steph's claim of fine-ness, and turns to face her more fully. "You most certainly are not." Both hands go to her shoulders, starting with an immediate, greeting squeeze before continuing into a slower massage. "Bet you can't even focus with tension like this. Here, allow me." Though he's kind of already started.

He nods to Pamela. "Good, that's good. I'll have to check them out, pick up some more botany." Because a Bat is always learning.


Why was Tim sounding like he just got a joke? Steph didn't tell him a joke. She purses her lips a bit, trying to study him but… Dr. Isley's here and Tim's trying to rub her shoulders - which is very very nice but she doesn't want to drool in public. So, Steph smiles and tries to catch Tim's hands with her own even as the pressure of his fingers has her wanting to melt.

"I'm fine, Tim," she gets out again, cheeks pinkening faintly as her blue-green gaze slides to the professor.

"You lecture on botany, Doctor Isley?" she asks, half turning back to Tim again. "I… didn't know you were taking botany classes."


Doctor Isley grins, "Guest lecturer, really, so it's adjacent to some classes. I've done a few lectures with Dr. Connors over at Empire State regarding organic chemistry, but mostly I just show up, fill students full of ideas, and leave. Perfect for me as then I don't have to grade any papers." She smiles a bit wider, then says, "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt your studying."


Tim pouts. Maybe he wanted to make Steph drool in public. But she's nudged him to stop, so he just pats her shoulders one more time before relaxing back down into just having an arm around her. He gives up on his own study for the time being, to focus on enhancing Steph. "What about your water bottle, d'you need a refill? I could do with a refill." He honestly could… and this way, it's not just Steph asking him to do something for her, but him doing an easy extra while he's on his feet anyway. When you love a Bat, you learn just what tricks you have to pull to get her to accept help.

He shakes his head to Steph. "I don't currently — all engineering — but given how famed Doctor Pamela Isley is in the field, I'm sure there's a lot of good stuff to learn." He smiles at the doctor. "My brain needs a break either way; not going to get much more done trying to force this thing to stay on task."


Dirty dirty tricks, Tim. Especially when they work! Having just his arm around her shoulders has Stephanie relaxing into the half embrace. Her cheeks dust pink again, eyes flicking to her mostly empty water bottle.

"Umm… yes, please. If you're already getting up. Otherwise, I've got enough to last me," she replies, meaning that she'll make it last however long she needs to. When you're a Bat, you learn to ration things out. Back to the conversation of his coursework, Stephanie lifts her gaze to Dr. Isley again, looking over the woman and smiling politely again. Guest Lecturer. Famous in her field. Tim thinks there is a lot of good to learn from her.

"Oh. Well, sounds like your lectures are fascinating, Doctor. I'll ask Tim to take me to the next one?" she offers. Batlings must keep learning, afterall, and if Tim's flagged it as interesting enough it might just end up as a homework assignment anyway. Might as well plan ahead.


Pamela chuckles, "Wouldn't mind it, though I suspect a lot of students are disappointed that I don't give any information about pheremones or giant man-eating plants and how to grow them for yourself." She looks mildly amused at that, then chuckles, "Looks like midterms are as bad as I remember them, at least. Engineering is a course that was always brutal, at least from what I recall of my classmates that were doing that."


Tim smiles. Ah ha! Victory! He pecks Steph's cheek as he gets to his feet. Once he's up, he stretches, letting out a long groan… and then picks up both water bottles to head to the nearest cooler. Hydration is key! He returns in time to hear her suggestion of going to the next lecture together. "It's a date!" Tim Drake has weird ideas about what makes a good date. He tuts at Pamela, shaking his head. "That's like the guys in my classes who keep on expecting the course material to jump straight into, like, death rays and dirigibles. And dirigibles with death rays on them. People who can't even fix their own cars, and they want to make flying ones."


Pheremones? Giant man-eating… what in the world does she research?! Blue eyes widen faintly. Maybe it's because Tim calls it a date and then goes on to ramble with whomever this is about death rays and … did he say Digi-Gerbils? Stephanie reaches out to collect her now full water bottle, offering a soft word of thanks, as her gaze bounces between these two out of sheer confusion. Sipping her water is a really good reason not to blurt out anything that would give away just how odd this conversation has just gone for her. Maybe she'll figure it out if she listens long enough.


Pamela nods, "Indeed so. There's a lot more to it than… well, nevermind." She grins innocently at Stephanie, as apparently isn't recognized, and decides to be nice about it, "I see your boyfriend didn't really introduce me yet. Doctor Pamela Isley, or as I sometimes go with, Poison Ivy." Her lips quirk a bit, "Which, well, is a bit of a long story."


Tim blinks a few times, turning to look at Stephanie. The conversation's weird? He'd had no idea. He gives her an awkward, sheepish look when Pamela clarifies it all for her. "That's why people keep bugging her about super-pheromones and man-eating plants. But Doctor Isley is turning over a new leaf." Why yes, he did have to put it that way. "The lecturing, it's part of a… kind of community service, right?" Now that he's back beside Steph, he runs his hand over her back. No, it's not massaging; just touching. No drool risk.


Pamela Isley… Poison Ivy. It's clear that Stephanie's familiar enough with the name that when it's said her eyes open wider and the bottle is pulled from her lips. Her cheeks pale the tiniest bit before she swallows and refuses to let her thoughts drift toward wishing another one of Batman's villian-types would have turned over… might still maybe turn over… a new leaf. She turns her face to Tim, a tiny smile trying to form.

"That sounds wonderful, Dr. Isley. I'm.. really glad to hear that you're… working on that… and things," she gets out, body leaning into Tim's touch. "I… promise not to bother you about how to make an Audrey Three." Because sometimes a 1986 musical comedy horror is just what you watch during long quiet patrols or nights that you're not scheduled for patrol but your body's so used to being awake that you can't sleep.


Pamela smiles, "Good, though I might sing the Dentist song if properly motivated." She shakes her head a little, as that type of flamboyance is more Dr. Quinzel's speed than hers, then she continues, "Yes, it's part of the deal I made with the government, though most of my time is spent helping with cleanup efforts in the Disaster Zone. The ecological problems there require a more… patient touch than just Damage Control paving everything over."


Tim sees that pale look on Steph's face, sees that effort at a tiny smile, and kicks himself. How could he have not realised what thoughts a reformed villain would bring for Stephanie? His hand tightens on her back, fingertips digging in; he's right there with her, and he's not going to run off and get himself arrested, he promises. Just not aloud; it'd be pretty suspicious, all around.

He gives Pamela a slightly distracted nod. "Yeah, I saw a Bugle article about that recently. Betty Brant, I think. Something about there still being some unexploded ordinance hidden among the rubble, so the recovery effort's more dangerous than normal? And something about Stark making a new charitable foundation for it."


The Dentist Song. It makes Stephanie giggle. Small, tiny, fragile, but a giggle none the less. She won't press it, however. Dr Isley is making good now, paying back. Stephanie wants to let that give her more hope than she had yesterday.

"I'm sure the ecosystems are glad for you help, Doctor. It really is wonderful that you're stepping up and helping. I… would offer to help but.. I can't even keep a house plant going, and… it's just… I'm glad you're working on it, though," the blonde falters on that a bit, finding the warmth of Tim's hand a balm. Of the ordiances still out there, Stephanie turns her face toward Tim, browing knotting, a frown forming. That is something they could do, isn't it? Find some of those things? Disarm them? But could they do it without making Big Daddy Bat annoyed and without getting caught by authorities in the area? If Ivy's goingto be working in that area, and she's turning over this new leaf, making amends for past crimes then… shouldn't they try to help her by making the area safer for her? It turns into a jumble in Steph's head, and she brings her bottle up to sip more water.


Pamela makes a bit of a face, "Yeah, it's tricky work sometimes, but I've had a fair amount of help out there already. Though I suspect some of them are watching me more than watching for Zone problems." She chuckles a bit ruefully, "Not that I blame them, really. And I've received a fair amount of help from other foundations, too, which is nice."


Tim reads the look on Stephanie's face, and gives her a thoughtful nod; helping in the DZ is a good idea, and they'll just have to work out the particular plans of how to do it. His mind would usually be sparking with ideas, perhaps even already knowing what he'd need to search for to find the remaining munitions… but right now, his head is still a touch foggy.

So for now, he just nods to Pamela. "Well… thank you for what you're doing. Is there any kind of support you think you could use more of? And have you ever talked with Betty Brant about it? She seems interested in what's happening, there and in Mutant Town."


That Tim isn't already moving for idea is a bit worrisome. She'll check in with him on that after Ivy's stepped away and they can talk bat-things more freely. So, turning her gaze from Tim, she looks at Dr. Isley and waits for the answer to his questions.


Pamela chuckles, "The terms of my government deal are pretty strict about proactively contacting members of the media. But I wouldn't say no to an interview." She grins at Tim at that, "So if you know Ms. Brant, feel free to point her in my direction. But I suppose I should let you two get back to studying. It was nice to meet you both."


Tim hrmms, nodding his head. "I don't, like, know her personally. But I could float the idea over in her Ask Betty column." He gives her a smile, nodding his head. "Yes, a pleasure to meet you too. We'll see you at your next lecture, I'm sure." He sees Steph's concern, and wraps his arm tighter around her shoulders. "I'm fine, really; just still a bit sleepy-headed."


Stephanie smiles at Pamela again, leaning into Tim wrapping his arm about her. She nods at Tim's words, confirming that she will go to the next lecture with him. Waiting for Dr. Isley to move away, Stephanie turns a bit in his half embrace to level a worried frown on him.

"How about you catch a nap? I can study while you sleep and wake you up in time for your shift?" she offers, wording to make it sound like he just has a parttime job.


Tim hrmms over the suggestion. He slowly closes the laptop; at least his machine can go in 'sleep' mode. "I'll nap when we get home. For now, you have some of that chapter left, and I'm here to help. Even if it's just little things, like…" Like his hand straying to the back of her neck, and squeezing in to work against the knots of tension.


Stephanie has inhaled and parted her lips to reply that she could scan the pages she needed to read to take this with her when the pads of Tim's fingers find just the right spot and was escapes her throat is much more like a moan than actual words. Her eyes lid and her shoulders sag.

"Mmnnff… dont…. mmmff stop…" fight? what fight?


Aah yes. That sagging response, that's the stuff. He gives her a wicked smile, while his hand seeks out all the worst spots to wear away at them. "Now, is that 'don't, stop', or 'don't stop'? I have to be very clear about that." Though he's absolutely going to keep massaging while he waits for the clearer answer.


Her response is an incoherent grumbly mess of sounds that are not anything like actual words from any known language, human or otherwise. Perhaps, now and again, the syllables would string together into something like 'ah right there' or 'you're annoying' or 'stop and the terrorists win'. Whatever she's saying, the little moans and whimpers and groans all translate tot he same thing: message feels incredible and Stephanie is putty in his hands.


Well hey, being called annoying is not the same as being asked to stop! And the other two are clearly positive indications. So Tim happily continues on; he even turns in his seat so he can use both hands. It's not quite symmetrical, not with the extra tension in her right shoulder, but he works on it. "You could use this," he says, "And you deserve it. And I like doing it. So all put together, it's an obvious choice. Not to mention, it's something which can let my brain cool off a while, and just do something that comes naturally."


"Nnhmff, you're aaahh dork," stephanie manages, leanign forward to pillow her forearm on her arms, folded now on the desk in front of her. The position muffles most of the mews and whimpers the blonde makes. After all, this is a library!


"Yes I am," Tim says with utter pride. Yes, he is a dork. A dork who is very pleased with making a little puddle of melted Stephanie right there at the library desk. Now, she should still be studying, but he's not going to nudge her just yet.


Studying? What is that? Can you eat it? Drool on it, maybe? Because drooling is about all Stephanie's capable of doing right now. Eyes closed, she gives in to those coy kneeding fingers, and the pressure that melts the tension in her shoulders, in her mind. Sure, her car troubles and so forth will still be there, because no she hasn't rebrooched that subject with Tim, and no she hasn't found the time to meet with Bruce (maybe because she's using tricks to keep her path from crossing his?) about actually really living in the Manor can getting a more reliable (read: working) vehicle for her civilian life… but for now, none of those things are things she wants to think about. Not thinking right now seems like the best idea.


Tim's attention is entirely on her. She's easy to focus on, not like that chapter he'd been trying to read before. But… he can't focus on her forever. Not with the giggles coming from the peanut gallery elsewhere. Yes, others have noticed the way the lovebirds are acting. He pouts and gives her shoulders a slow squeeze. "We should head out," he murmurs.


"mmmhmm… head… yes," Stephanie mumbles, mind slow to regain focus. His kneeding done, Stephanie lifts her head before pushing herself back to sitting up, eyes slow to open and slow to focus on the books in front of her. She peers at them for a full three seconds before she moves to start packing up. He said head out, right? Right.


Tim packs things up, too. Notebook and laptop both go back into his bag, while he lets out a slow yawn. He side-peers at Stephanie. "Anything I could help carry?" Because dammit, he's always going to at least offer.


"I got it," she replies gently, hands putting her books into her backpack. The book is laid out flat and her phone is used to snap pics of the pages she had left to read so she can go and return it to the cart. She leaves her backpack on the seat by Tim as she returns the book, trusting him completely with her things.


Aah, modern technology. Time was, she'd have to take it to that flatbed over there and photocopy a few more hardcopy pages. Now she just takes a photo, nad there it is. He rises to his feet, ready to go, and keeps a hand on the backpack while he waits for her.


Returning, Stephanie reaches for her backpack, a soft smile on her lips for him.

"Your place? My place?" she asks. Not because she means anything by it. In truth, that didn't cross her mind. But, she asks because it will give her a sense of how much time they'll have to study or relax or both before patrol.. and if she'll have to alot extra time to use Public Transit to get to Staten Island or if Tim is once again giving her a ride.


Tim has perhaps recovered a bit, just from having the time to put his brain on Steph instead of study. He actually makes connections this time, seeing how he can get in ahead of her needing that transit to Staten Island for the night's activities. "My place," he says. "I'll…" Wait, no. Still sleepy-brained. "Do you want to drive?" The offer is made without hesitation; he trusts her implicitly.


The offer brings Stephanie up short and she turns a surprised look on him.

"Are.. you … offering to let me drive…. YOUR car?" she asks him, surprised.. excited. The thought has her eyes brightening, cheeks pulling up with color, lips starting to curl up.


Tim blinks at her. "Yeah? I mean, I shouldn't drive while I'm this tired, and you know all about how to handle cards like the Bird." What happened to her car isn't a matter of driving skills; he knows that. "It just makes sense, doesn't it?"


He's never offered to let her drive his car before! A bright smile, alive and energetic, graces her face. Her hand is held out, palm up, asking for the keys before he can change his mind.

"Perfect sense, yup. You're absolutely right. No driving when tired," she chirps, almost bouncing on her toes.


The keys are already out of his pocket and in his hand, and he deposits them readily into hers. "Exactly. So, I parked…" He shuffles his feet, turning a few times. "…this way. On-campus parking." He leads the way for that part; but actually getting to Staten will be her section.


social/New Leaf


Unless otherwise stated, the content of this page is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License