capeandcowllogs | two empaths walk into a bar

two empaths walk into a bar

WHO: Raven, Soldier Blue
WHERE: Some more store-laden street not far from Moonybase
WHEN: 6/24, late morning, early afternoon
WARNINGS: God idek just verbose speaking I guess
FORMAT: No

It was a relief. There had been a general sense of calm overtaking the neighborhood where Blue lived. It was like a hesitant sigh that hung over the buildings and the people as they bustled to and from work. Lives were lived as normal, but always with that underlying tension, as if bracing themselves for the next incident.

It affected him, as it affected any who couldn't help but feel the world around them on a less tactile level. Tired as he was, sleep came difficult in the night as the city itself was endlessly anxious. The No Time disturbance only made it more unnerving.

Still, Blue was still determined to keep himself a part of this fabric. There were many people he had become concerned for, and simply laying idle did nothing for them. As tired as he was, he wanted to keep moving as long as he could.

But for the moment, a break. Sitting at one of the benches arranged in front of a small antique store, catching his breath, Blue took the time to take in the colorful unspoken moods and sensations of the people that passed by. Eyes downcast, of course--the glaring white hair was unusual enough without anyone noticing the red of his irises. He did not want to add to the distress of the people that were becoming all-too used to distress.

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The city had never felt so alive. Funny how things like that seemed to take shape in one's mind after being cooped up in one area for a period of time. She could count herself lucky that she hadn't been put in an actual jail cell, but the small office had proved plenty restricting for the weeks she was in it. Now, as she walked through the city, she no longer smelled any foul odors, or noticed the glares or sour moods of the people that passed her by. Rather, she smelled fresh air, felt life and love all around her.

... or was that just her new outlook on things?

Out on yet another walk, heels clicking against the pavement with every flowing step she took. It was brisk pace, but one she enjoyed as the passed various stores, boutiques, and restaurants.
She clutched a small purse to her side, just underneath her arm. Inside of it - a kitten, who contently watched the world go by. She would be attached to this creature for awhile, not having seen him since her imprisonment - he seemed to return the favor.

She would often pass people and steal a glimpse of their emotions, hoping to grab hold of any positivity they would give off.
However as she began to pass Blue in particular, a hint of familiarity struck her. ... She had to pause and turn.

A gentle rush of optimism lifted over the anxiety and practically raised his head up. Raven passed by with that sensation--it was like a light too bright to ignore. Not just that feeling of content, but that suggestion of having met somewhere that drifted from her to him.

His eyes locked on her as she turned; his face was a mixed expression of mild surprise and curiosity. She was certainly nobody he had met face to face before, but then, many of the people known to him here were voices and words on a screen.

And she seemed to have a similar idea. His head tilted slightly as he spoke. "Good morning."

The chakra on her forehead gleamed in the warm sunlight, her stance remaining the way it had been when she first turned to look. She studied him in silence far too long after his greeting, eyes even narrowing in confusion. She knew this presence before, and the voice was very---

"Blue." she stated firmly before a friendly smile began to spread across her features again. "Good morning."
She relaxed her body language, taking a few steady steps over to where he sat. Yes, this was definitely the boy she had spoken to before - now that she focused, it was easy to tell. However the look on his face said otherwise, she felt it best to help him out.
"Raven --- otherwise hailed as Desdemona on the comms."

Desdemona?

Ah. Blue's expression flickered with revelation and waned into a gentle and welcoming smile. Though he had no memory of it, Desdemona was the young woman who had helped him manage his then-unruly power when he was turned into a child. Beyond that, he knew she was an insightful individual, perhaps laden with some troubles of her own, since their most recent conversation took place while she was in prison. But there was no need to press on that.

"Desdemona," he repeated, giving a light nod. "It is good to finally meet you."

She took that as a cue to sit, even if he hadn't meant it to be in any way. She had felt starved of outside communication, despite the visitors she had during her time at the headquarters - and the opportunity to speak with this young man had always been in her mind. As she sits, the purse is slid from her shoulder, and placed delicately in her lap.

"As it is you, Blue." the smile warmed considerably. "I did not expect to run into anyone I was acquainted with here. It's quite a pleasant surprise."

"I had heard you were released," he said, "and I had meant to congratulate you earlier, but..."

Blue shook his head, his eyebrows furrowing apologetically. "Either way, it means I can say so to you now. It is good that you are free to do what you wish."

She unzips the top of the purse just a bit more, allowing the tiny calico kitten to peer up out of the flaps and begin to examine the world around them. Her fingers scratch his head momentarily before she smiles back at him.

"Thank you, that does mean a great deal to me. Having a 'jury of my peers' find me innocent of my charges was a tremendous weight off my shoulders." she pauses again, looking a bit distant in the eyes, "I must admit I had not expected that."

Blue's eyes follow the action of her hands, noticing the kitten nosing its way out of the purse. Aside from the small creature Jomy had brought with him to the Shangri-La so many years ago, Blue had never made much contact with pets. He could see the appeal.

The pause is enough to bring his eyes back to Raven, watching her expression. Another lapse of silence passed after she spoke. Blue's stare flickered away for a moment, then returned, thoughtful. "Because of how others preceived what you had done or...because of how you think others see you?

"Perhaps some of both." she nodded to herself softly, tucking some ebony hair behind her ear as she answered his question. She rests her hand delicately atop the kitten for a moment, as a butterfly floating past had caught his attention. Content the kitten was settled, she removed her hand again, and continued on as if nothing had happened.

"I have always been judged based upon who I was born as, and the abilities it provides me. Many are judgmental, and wish only the worst for those who lose control now and then. I had expected a much lengthier trial because of that."

Blue's heart went out to her as she explained. It didn't seem fair for her to endure the judgement and maybe even the wrath she expcted--her gifts were similar, as far as he knew. A Mu from another world. How could he not feel for her?

"In ways," he said slowly, gently, "this place...is a blessing. For those of us who had never experienced acceptance from the outside. As surprising at it may be...I think it is best to be content with your freedom than to wonder what could have been."

He smiled back down at the kitten. "Regardless of your lineage, I think...that it is good that you can be free to live as you see fit, with as little persecution as possible."

The warm smile returns to her face, and she turns her body to face him now, body language showing complete immersion in this conversation. Her elbow rests on the back of the bench, cheek leaning against her hand. The kitten now took to staring up at Blue curiously, between attempts at chewing the small piece of leather attached to the zipper pull.

"And that is precisely why I believe I belong here. I had always dreamnt of a place where I would be able to find my own way, to be my own person, free to experience life as it came to me. I have met many individuals here who I now consider family - I treasure them dearly."

She gives a light shrug, but it's in an upbeat manner.
"I have faced many trials here already. Yet it has not hindered my wish to stay. In fact, the reactions and assistance of those around me have only made it stronger."

Blue's eyes lifted again, genuine. "I am happy for you, Desdemona. I think others would benefit from that sort of resolve."

Maybe even him. The thought passed and made his expression slip slightly, reacknowledging the kitten as it tried to wriggle a paw free.

"It is very easy to forget that there is good to be had," he murmured, hesitating before offering a finger to the cat.

She smiles as the kitten leans forward to sniff the tip of his finger before pushing his head against it in an effort to be pet. She always knew the small feline had a love of humanity and all those in it, but seeing it like this only lifted her spirits more.

"It is... and that could be said for any reality, universe, or place. Negativity is always a constant. But so are attributes such as joy, love, and harmony. There is never one without the other."

Blue traced a couple fingers across the kitten's head, letting it push his hand around where it wished. There was something so simply comforting in that, though it would have been hard for him to really say why on the spot.

"There is very little talk like that here," Blue remarked thoughtfully. "Then...there seems to be little time to spend on it, as something always happens that causes grief. It is rather overwhelming."

"Believe me, I know." she laughs somewhat at that, eyes never really leaving the kitten. "I have had my friends run through the ringer recently, each of them facing their own set of personal trials, not to mention ones that seem to affect the entire city."

"But, at the end of the day..." her fingers lower to stroke along the kitten's back slowly. "... something as simple as a shared sandwich between friends, a kiss goodnight between lovers, or the comfort of having a home in which to belong to - it all makes up for it."

Blue watched Raven's expression as she spoke and pet the kitten, his smile warming slightly. There was another pause after she had spoken before he said, "Maybe you were released because of how much good your outlook on this place is, and how much it would benefit people to be around you."

Another laugh, much brighter than before.

"Perhaps? I'm not sure. I think a lot of it also had to do with good behavior. Teleportation is one of my abilities - I could have been halfway around the world in only minutes if I desired to escape. But instead I remained incarcerated until my trial, willingly, and did my best to not make a fuss." in one smooth motion, she lifts the kitten out of the bag, cradling him to her chest to allow him a better view of Blue.

"But regardless, I am free now. I have a life I need to lead, and not to dwell on the past."

Blue's hand returned to settle in his lap, listening to Raven while gazing off placidly. The notion that someone could teleport so far so suddenly was still an amazing one, despite the fact that since he had arrived here, Blue had heard about dozens of extraordinary powers that he would have never fathomed in his world.

"I will hope for your success," he responded softly, looking back as he said so. The young people here had so much to look forward to--and so much more ability to achieve it, it seemed. It was something he wished was so easy for those he had left behind aboard the Shangri-La.

She smiled at him again, her lips pressing just behind the small kitten's ear in a joyful motion before she placed him back down into the purse. Blue was definitely a remarkable person, someone she would always have a hard time forgetting - he made a definite impression, even in this short time they had been speaking.

"I will hope for yours as well. There are many who deserve such a thing, but you especially."

Her remark resulted in a mildly curious expression on his part. It wasn't that she had said so without sincerity--maybe it was just that Blue was beginning to wonder how much of that was said with the knowledge of the things he had known. It was entirely possible; powers here were much more diverse and potent than his own world.

Rather than press on it, Blue resigned himself to a grateful nod. "I appreciate that, Desdemona." It seemed that the conversation was nearing the end, but in the pause that followed, the thought struck him, and his expression brightened just slightly.

"I do not know if you know," he started, "but a friend of mine is preparing an event of sorts for the sake of some children. Perhaps if you are not busy when it happens, we could meet again. I will try to attend."

"Event?" the word stood out in her mind, and she blamed the company of Blake Angler and Tony Stark for such a reaction. She remembered her employer's charity ball well, and it had also been the night she originally met Tony face-to-face - nothing but pleasantries had come from such a thing.
"What sort of event will it be, or do you not know that yet? Regardless, I am sure I would love to attend, if it is for a good cause."

The smile on her face spreads at that. "And of course, hope to see you there."

"Nothing very formal, if I understood correctly," Blue replied. "Felicia suggested it would also do well as a way for many of the estranged arrivals to this place, both new and old, could find a neutral ground and perhaps connect. There are few times I can think of, short of Sirius' plans, where many gathered without there being a crisis to gather them."

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two empaths walk into a bar

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