ArchivedLogs:Changing Perspective

Changing Perspective
Dramatis Personae Marinov and Paige
In Absentia	2017-01-19 "If I ever kill someone, I'll tell you."
Location <NYC> Central Park South
Central Park South is home not just to the park itself, but also to the Belvedere Castle, the Alice in Wonderland statues, and the Central Park Zoo. These areas tend to draw tourists like a magnet - it is, perhaps, for that very reason that places like Bethesda Terrace tend to attract more New Yorkers than not, if just to escape the press of tourism that infiltrates the whole city. It's afternoon, after Marinov's classes have concluded. They are presently on one of the park benches, holding a hot dog, though not presently eating it, just throwing bits of the bun at birds. The teen is in their Xavier's school uniform, or rather what they think should be the Xavier's school uniform if it had one, with a grey skirt, long stockings and a navy jacket over a tie, complete with the school's logo on the breast pocket. On their lap rests their phone, which was used moments ago to update their social media, with a picture of a pigeon and their caption: 'Appeasing the birds in #centralpark. They seem like they're scheming.' Ten minutes pass before Paige arrives, sitting herself down on the bench next to the felinoid teen. "I got your text earlier," she says as she gestures idly with her phone in her hand. She's wearing her usual attire - blue jeans, grey sweatshirt, ushanka hat, hooves scuffing at the ground. "How have you been holding up? I mean I know she's more my friend than yours, but still it's got to be a, uh, shock to you, right?" Marinov glances towards Paige and nods a few times, "Yeah, I mean, yeah it's sort of a shock. Like...I dunno. I thought it was a misunderstanding or something was all. I... I mean, was she... did she...that thing in the news?" They shake their head incredulously and throw more breadcrumbs to the birds. "Holy shit." Paige's ears press back as she reaches a hand to rub at her arm. Her brows furrow and her gaze drops to her hooves as she says, "You really think she killed someone? I mean, the police must have a pretty strong case if they're able to hold her like that, right? I just--I just can't believe it. I don't -want- to believe it. But part of me--I think part of me knows it's true. She never answered my questions during the arrest, remember? And what she said when we spoke with her..." The goat girls shoulders hunch. "'Blood calls out for blood.' And she said that the--the person who, um, the person who died killed her family." "I mean... I get it, losing family like that must be real hard," says Marinov, eyes turning towards Paige. "But... what she said in there, it... I felt like it amounted to a confession. And... yeah, geez, which means that news report might've been really about her." They rub their brow lightly and say, "If it were, she painted those slogans. Why would she do that? That... aw man, I know sometimes she seems not to think things through but... fuck." Paige nods silently along with Marinov's words. "They -were- talking about New Year's when they came through that door," she remarks quietly and then her ears flick up. "Tay, did you notice--did you think she seemed detatched? When she talked about the man who died--the man she--the man she killed. Did you notice anything odd about her?" The older mutant shakes her head slowly. "The only reason -- the only reason that I can -think- of for her to paint those slogans -- did you hear what she said? She killed the guy, Mr. Greene, because he killed her family. It had nothing to do with mutant-hating. It was -personal-. The only reason I can think of that she would paint those things is to throw them off her tail." Posture straightening, she turns her head to Marinov. "Do you think--did she -plan- this?" Marinov glances towards Paige and lets out a long, slow breath. "I think... she might've. I dunno if she planned to get caught like that. And it's like I said, she didn't smell like... guilt. I mean, not that I'm an expert on smells or anything, yeah? But I can sometimes tell who started shit at school just by sniffing." The teen crosses their arms and says, "But I didn't really talk to her about that before, so maybe she had other shit on her mind?" "You should have seen her during the arrest. It was...it was scary. Chilling. It didn't seem like it was her. She was--she was way too calm, too collected. She was going to walk right out the door with a gun pointed at her until it--well, I think it must have been Officer Kelly who made it burst into flames. She only -acquiesced- to being arrest. God, Tay, I thought she was going to get killed by the MID. It's like she had no conception of consequence. Like--" Then Paige's jaw clenches as her expression hardens. "I can't believe she did it. I can't fucking believe it. We had a good thing going, you know? Fiona, me, and Mai. Staying at her place. She was my fucking -friend-. She was my -family-. Why would she do this? Why would she do this to me? She couldn't -possibly- have had anything else on her mind in the visitation room, Tay. That doesn't even make -sense-." "Well, in the visitation room it was more like anxiety. I dunno," says Marinov, shrugging a shoulder lightly but looking rather worried and perplexed. "I dunno Paige. I'm sorry that she... she might've done it. I think... I'd be surprised if she didn't, honestly. I know that the justice system is stacked against mutants but..." They take the hot dog out of the crumbled bun and take a bite out of it. "I mean, that guy was probably shit, and... I think she did it before you were in the situation you're in now? I dunno though." Paige shakes her head and there's bitterness in her voice. "It's not that she might've done it. She did it. It was her. Like I said, they have evidence. I think she might have--you heard her in that room. You heard what she said. You even said it yourself - what she said basically amounts to a confession. I thought she was a good person, Marinov. I thought she was a good soul. But, no, I was wrong. -Clearly-." Ears pressing back and up at an angle, the goat girl gestures angrily with her hand. "It doesn't matter when it was. I was wrong. I was very wrong about who she was. I thought I could trust her. And I -did- trust her. Now we've seen where that gets me." Grinding her teeth for a moment, she then adds, "Maybe she deserves it. Maybe she deserves to be in there." Marinov shrugs their shoulders lightly, "She still deserves a fair shake, which she's not gonna get with a public defender." They sigh and cross their arms uncomfortably, tail curling around themselves protectively, "Paige, if I ever commit a murder, I'll tell you about it right the fuck away. Please promise me the same. And... and I dunno, none of us believed she was capable of that." Although she's trying very hard not to care about her imprisoned friend, Paige's jaw works as her ears twitch upwards a bit further and her right hand forms a fist. "I could get her a lawyer, you know. I could get her something other than a goddamned public defender. I could get her out." Her shoulders are tense, but her hardened expression softens when she regards Marinov before looking back down at her hooves. "If you ever murder someone, I know you'll have had a damned good reason for it. And if I ever kill someone..." There's a moment of hesitation before she finishes the statement. "If I ever kill someone, I'll tell you." "Heh, yeah, I expect that I'd have a good reason for it," says Marinov, before they glance towards Paige, "Nah, I wouldn't... I mean, anything you or me are gonna be able to afford is gonna be not a lot better. I expect it's something that a mutant lawyer might take up pro bono or something, like I said. Even though..." They trail off and sigh deeply, looking back down at the birds. They toss some crumbs at them. "Well, I dunno. In any case, I'll at least be able to connect her with something. I mean, it's most likely that it'll be in her interest to take a plea bargain or whatever. 'cause the trial would be a farce." "She's sixteen, Tay. She's -your- age. What would happen to -you- in the prison system?" Paige gives her friend a worried, pained look. "Even if she takes a plea, who knows how long it will be before she gets out. The papers made it sound like it was a pretty gruesome murder. What would her chances even be once she got out? An ethnic minority mutant convicted of murdering a defenseless human in their own home. What sort of job could she ever get? The entire -thing- is a farce, Marinov. What if Mr. Greene has friends? What if they go after her once she gets out? Or what if they're already in prison waiting for her? What connections do you even have?" Marinov takes a deep breath at what Paige says, "I dunno what would happen to me in the prison system, I dread the fucking thought." They look back towards Paige and say, "I'll do what I can to connect her with a lawyer through the school. But yeah, I'm guessing that this Greene guy does have friends, if he's actually some kind of anti-mutant person." Paige looks about to say something more before she glances away. After a pause, she offers, "She says he killed her family. I suppose I can understand why that would drive someone towards murder. Perhaps the guilt hasn't set in yet. She most likely believes that she did the right thing. But there were other options. She could have let the police handle it. She could have--she could have told me. Maybe I could have done something about it." However, as she says this, the goat mutant's ears droop. "I tried my best to protect them - Fiona and Mai - to keep them out of trouble. To keep them safe, you know? I listened to their problems and their feelings -- but this, -this- is beyond my skills. Let me know what you find out through your school, alright? I need to know if they can help." "Alright, I'll let you know..." says Marinov, nodding a few times, "But like I said, you and me, we'd have a tough time finding proper lawyers for this sorta thing on our own." They scratch their own chin lightly, eyes half lidding, "And yeah, she might've been able to hand all that evidence over to MID, they mighta done something about it. Or... I dunno, hand it over to someone at least." "Who said we have to do it alone?" Paige gives a possibly forced smile to her companion. "We've got friends, right? I mean, fuck, I know Captain America. Just for example, you know. And I know other people. Maybe I can talk to them. Maybe they can help us out. I have friends. I know people." These last two sentences are accentuated with nods. "You know?" "Yeah, I mean, yeah, you're right. I think you know a fair number of people who could probably help," says Marinov, nodding slowly, "And I've got the school. I just... I guess I'm worried that this is not gonna be a cause that many people will rally behind because... well..." She's guilty. Marinov doesn't say it, but they trail off as they think it. "I just don't want to get my hopes up, yeah?" "Because she killed someone," Paige finishes for the teen. "Because she murdered a man with her powers. Sometimes I wish I had powers, you know? So I could protect people." The statement is accompanied by a shrug. The older mutant examines her friend. "If you're worried about getting your hopes up, then don't. I don't want to see you torn apart by this. There might be nothing we can do. I wouldn't say that I know a 'fair number' of people who could help her out, but I think I know at least two." There'a a pause as Paige glances upwards in thought, chewing on the inside of her cheek. When her gaze comes back down, she continues. "One of them I don't think would be interested. Especially if--especially -since- she seems pretty guilty. The other one, though...maybe." Marinov nods to Paige and says, "Yeah, I mean, I get that. I have powers, I guess, but I think it's more 'cause my body is all differently made up now." The teen chuckles and shifts on their seat, "And... don't worry, I don't think that I'll get torn apart by this or anything, just. I dunno, trying to set realistic expectations, I guess. Sometimes I just think that means being sort've grim." Paige's eyes narrow slightly at Marinov and she doesn't join their laughter. "My body's different too," she offers with another shrug before nodding. "It's good to know that you won't get torn up by this. As for realistic expectations, I think you're right." She looks down as her fingers clench and unclench. "I think you're right," she repeats. "I think it's time I started setting some more realistic expectations. I think it's time I've stopped being so naive." Marinov blinks slowly when Paige points out her own body is different and says, "Oh. Yeah, I mean, I know. I just meant... I dunno..." Their tongue flicks over their teeth, "Prosti." They fold their hands together and say, "It's just, a lot of this, I guess I don't really believe it's happening. It's just so... I dunno. I don't even know what to think." Her expression softening, the female mutant lets out a small sigh and regards Marinov with weary eyes. "Then don't worry about it," she offers with a tired smile. "Leave the worrying to me, alright? This isn't your battle, Tay. You have so many things on your plate already, you know? I've--" Ears flick up and she reaches a hand to scratch behind one of them, causing it to twitch about. "I've got help already, okay? Heather's helping me out. Well, I mean she's helping me out with different things. But very important things. So let me worry about our friends." Her gaze flicks up and down the teen as she bites her lower lip before attempting to change the subject. "You've got school and that kick-ass arts show coming up. I've reached out to some of the places on your list, you know? A few can't actually offer anything -- it like has to go all the way through corporate or something like that. But some of the other places seem interested. Said they might be willing to put up posters and stuff." Again a shrug. Marinov wrings their hands for a bit and say, "I can help how I can, yeah, I said I would." They sit up and look towards Paige as she talks about the places on the list, "You called them? Good, good! I mean, yeah, if they'll put up posters that would be good, none seemed to interested in spotting any cash so far though? I've had a few bites on my own call list. And I'm getting spaces opened up. I need to talk to Mr. Holland. I mean, the Mr. Holland who I would call Mr. Holland... I'd feel weird calling Shane that." Paige's brow raises as her mouth cracks into a grin. "Shane. Mr. Holland?" There's a short, brief moment of laughter. "You really have to call him that? I'm pretty sure I've heard you calling him 'Shane' outside of school, you know, so you can't fool me there. And, yeah, I called them. Some places--I mean, maybe I didn't phrase it right -- but some places are willing to offer gift cards." The goat girl shakes her head. "I think we'd have to offer them something in return, you know? To actually make it worth their while. I don't think many places are up for charity these days. Even if it -is- to support the arts. As for supporting mutant rights, I'm guessing most of the money goes into politics, into lobbying, you know? I mean I think your show is -very- important." As she says this, she watches Marinov's face. "-Very- important. So maybe we just need to make it more clear just how important it is, you know?" Then a shrug. "You my thoughts." "No, I wouldn't call Shane 'Mr. Holland', I'd call his dad, 'Mr. Holland', I guess," says Marinov, scratching the back of their neck, "I don't think I've ever called Shane anything aside from 'Shane'." The teen nods a few times and says, "I mean, yeah, depending on the level of sponsorship, their corporate logo would show up on some of the advertisement stuff, or on our banners and stuff like that. Corporations, even ones that do good stuff for mutants, usually are only into this stuff for the ad space. Which is corporate bullshit, but I live in a corporate bullshit world, so... yea." They lean back and sigh, "I just wish they just shoveled a bunch of money at it and we didn't have to do anything in return but put on a show." "Yeah," Paige replies as she watches her palms meet in her lap, fingers gently tapping against each other. "It's a shame, really. You know some companies are way more concerned with marketing their products, right? So, I mean, what if--just what if corporations could set up tents or something to promote or demonstrate their products, you know?" She bows her head, hands scratching at her hair. "I'm probably over-thinking this. I'll just keep calling, alright? It's also just all new to me. I've only been a mutant for a few months and I grew up with anti-mutant rhetoric being stuffed down my fucking throat. I still have a lot to learn, you know?" "Yeah, I know that they want to market their products, which... I dunno, that's why their logos will show up on programs and shit, even though I've always hated that," says Marinov, sighing softly, "But yea, I know what you mean, for awhile after I manifested and stuff I didn't really know how to talk properly about mutant issues. Well, I sorta did, 'cause I talked about them as like... an ally I guess? But not from my own perspective. I just didn't expect to be anything but a sideliner." They cross their arms and lean forward to rest against their lap. "If you want, we could arrange a time and both make some calls and sorta talk about what's working." Paige nods to Marinov. "Maybe. It sounds like a good idea, at least." She reaches a hand up to rub at the back of her neck. "My own perspective is...well, it's very skewed by what I grew up with." Her eyes glance to the side. "I believed a lot of things at face value that were not true." The hand lowers and she shakes her head. "Not even near to being true. And, yet, I'm still functioning on some of them. I still see the word partially through their eyes - the wrong eyes. I think it's time I got more perspective, as I said. But--" She gives her friend another smile. "Now is not the time to talk about that. I will keep calling and you will keep doing your homework and your organizing, okay? And leave me to deal with Mai. Ask around at your school, but don't push at it too hard. You need to stay focused on what's important to you, right? I've got more time to handle the other stuff." With that, she pushes herself up into a standing position. "I'm thinking of heading back to that shelter. The bed there really isn't too bad." Marinov stands up as well, stretching and making a big yawn, "Yeah, I'll take a look to see what I can see. I have been pretty busy lately, but... well, I dunno." They shrug and say, "But... if you do need anything, you know that I'm always around? I've got important things to do, sure, but I'm not gonna pretend any of that shit is as important as my friends." The teen bows their head slightly. "I'm glad that you are starting to see some of those things that you saw through their eyes are untrue." "Mmm," comes Paige's response. "Let's just say I'm becoming a little more open to different ways of thinking. And I know you're always around," she remarks with a soft smile. "You've always been here for me, Tay. You've never let me down. You are a -very- good friend to me. The rest of your friends are very lucky to have you, for certain. But, yeah, we've both got important things to think about. Take care, Tay, and be good." She turns to leave, giving a small wave to Marinov as she does.