ArchivedLogs:Symbols

Symbols
Dramatis Personae Akihiro Anette
In Absentia	2016-11-15 Takes place after Fuck
Location <NYC> Lower East Side
Historically characterized by crime and immigrant families crammed into cramped tenement buildings, the Lower East Side is often identified with its working-class roots. Today, it plays host to many of New York's mutant poor, although even here they are still often forced into hiding. By the time Anette's chased after Akihiro, she's already put her sunglasses and coat back on. It's been a few minutes since he left, maybe he was hard to track or maybe she just took her time. Regardless, she is eventually standing in the entrance to the alley, watching him for a moment before she releases a strained sigh. "What the hell was that?" It's not said angrily or accusatory, more tired, whether in general or of him specifically. Akihiro wasn't too hard to find. He turned into the alley, and that's where he's been, punching a brick wall. If he didn't heal so damn fast he'd have no skin and broken knuckles. But as it is, all there is to show for it is a smear of blood. "I'm not too keen on the war. Especially on hearing how cute Captain fucking America is." "He's a guy who played a character. He's no more real than Rosie the Riveter or Uncle Sam. Still..." Anette takes a deep breath, running her talons through her hair. "I'm not saying you're wrong. But did you really have to storm out like that? And I wasn't joking, Steve's helped me out a few times. At least give him that." "I don't think I can." Akihiro stops hitting the wall at least. "I don't even think I can lie like I did with Killian." At least he finally admits that much. "I lost family. I'm sure they would have all fucking hated my half-breed adopted ass, but it's not like I got the chance to find out." "You are aware he didn't drop the bomb himself, right? And I think he was more concerned about Nazis than Japan." Anette raises her hands in defeat, shaking her head. "Never mind. You're not going to listen. Fine, stay angry over something he had nothing to do with half a century ago." "It's what he represents. It's the image. The man's a symbol. While he might be a symbol of hope for you, he's a monster to me. Stars, stripes, and killing civilians." Akihiro turns to face Anette, his lips pressed together tightly and his nostrils flared. "Half a century may seem like a long time to you, but it was just yesterday to me." Anette listens to him, eventually giving a slight shrug. "He's not a symbol. He's just...some random guy who's actually stood up for mutants on occasion. Hell, he got arrested for using his 'mutant' abilities in public until someone picked up a history textbook and figured out he wasn't a mutant." Someone's been internet stalking Captain America. "But that's not...that's not even the point. Pa-Penny? P...whatever, she brings him up and you immediately bring out the claws and storm out? You scared the poor girl to death, I practically had to peel her off the floor. You say you're trying to change and then you...you act like you." "You're right." Akihiro sighs. "Maybe I should pack up and leave again. Stay gone longer until I'm not me anymore." Whatever facade he'd been using falls apart, revealing the real Akihiro. Sad, broken, and unsure of himself. "Why does everytime I talk to you end with you threatening to leave?" Anette says, raising her hand to her face and rubbing her eyes. "Look, I'm...I'm not going to fight with you anymore. You know how I feel. Leave, don't leave, whatever you want." With that, she turns and begins heading back out of the alley again. "Yeah." Akihiro mutters, turning and heading further into the alley.