Logs:Long Haul

Long Haul
Dramatis Personae Anahita, Tok
In Absentia Charles	2024-06-15 "Between you and me, I don’t think it’ll last long"
Location <NYC> Evolve Cafe - Lower East Side
Spacious and open, this coffeeshop has a somewhat industrial feel to it, grey resin floors below and exposed-beam ceilings that have been painted up in a dancing swirl of abstract whorls and starbursts, a riot of colour splashed against a white background. The walls alternate between brick and cheerfully lime-green painted wood that extends to the paneling beneath the brushed-steel countertops. There's an abundance of light, though rather than windows (which are scarce) it comes from plentiful hanging steel lamps. The walls here are home to artwork available for sale; though the roster of prints and paintings and drawings and photographs changes on a regular basis it has one thing in common -- all the artists displayed are mutants. The seating spaced around the room is spread out enough to keep the room from feeling cluttered. Black chairs, square black tables that mostly seat two or four though they're frequently pushed around and rearranged to make space for larger parties. In the back corner of the room is more comfortable seating, a few large black-corduroy sofas and armchairs with wide tables between them. There's a shelf of card and board games back here available for customers to sit and play. The chalkboard menus hanging behind the counter change frequently, always home to a wide variety of drinks (with an impressive roster of fair-trade coffees and teas largely featured) though their sandwiches and wraps and soups and snacks of the day change often. An often-changing variety of baked goods sit behind the display case at the counter halfway back in the room, and the opposite side of the counter holds a small selection of homemade ice creams. A pair of single-user bathrooms flanks the stairway in back of the cafe; at night, the thump of music can be heard from above, coming from the adjoining nightclub of the same name that sits up the stairs above the coffeehouse. It's lazy Saturday afternoon with summer just in the offing, and Evolve's lively business and energy both are spilling out onto the patio. Anahita is ensconced in a corner of the front window where she can watch both the indoor tables and out. She's wearing a gauzy cotton tunic in leaf green, a purple handkerchief hem skirt over a longer black on, and black-strapped sandals that are not actually Birkenstocks but have a similar energy. One of the staff has just come by to refresh her tea, and she pulls it close to her now, leaning back to watch the crowd filter in and out. She isn't smiling at all, but there's something indefinably solaced in her expression. Tok overheard some talk about some famous mutant cafe, and went hunting for it as their Saturday activity. They were wearing their baggy cargo shorts and an oversized t-shirt, with their sweat jacket sleeves tied around their waist, much too warm out to wear it despite the looks they were surely getting from passerby’s. Upon spotting the cafe, they first poked their head in, cautiously, before allowing the door to shut behind them. Their fluffy tail immediately began to wave back and forth in interest, and growing excitement, upon spotting some fellow mutants in the cafe. They’re about to get in line for the front cashier, when they spot Anahita by the window and their long pointed ears perk up. “Hey!” Their voice most likely blends into the crowd, and they push on forwards towards where she’s sat. “Hey hey! You’re uh…Ana…shit…” their face falls a little as they scramble for her name, and quickly abort the sentence, “I know you! From Freaktown right?” They ask excitedly. "Anahita. And yes, I was in Ash House." Anahita waves for Tok to sit. "Tok, was it? I remember you. Would you like something to drink, or a snack? It's on me." She looks them over, though not too pointedly. "I think you got out before things got violent back there. I hope you've been doing alright, as such things go. Do you have somewhere safe to stay?" Tok beams when she recognizes them, teeth still sharp as ever, and quickly takes a seat at their assumed invitation. “Nah I’m all good! I ate earlier, thanks though.” Their claws tap against the table as they talk, “Yeah I got outta there quick, now I’ve been at that Xavier school. I got’em all thinking I’m an actual student there it’s great. I even enrolled to really seal the deal! Buncha suckers.” They say proudly, and sigh. “Man, I’m glad you’re alright though.” There’s a genuine relief in their voice, “I was talkin to some other Freaktown people and turns out they found someplace new and it’s apparently super secret and cool. You find some place safe?” Anahita arches her eyebrows, leaning forward slightly. "You pulled one over on Professor Xavier? That's impressive. I heard it's been pretty crowded up there, but hopefully that's a little less intense during summer break. Is there anything you need that the school isn't providing?" Her fingers tap gently against the ceramic of their mug, silent, not quite in time with Tok, bt out of time in an intentional sort of way. "I am always glad to hear our people finding safety in the secret places of the world, even if I hate that we should need to. I have someplace safe. Come to think of it, in fact..." She gives a very small smile, no teeth showing, and leans in a little conspiratorially. "...it is a kind of secret place, too." Tok does seem to consider her question, humming in thought, “Yeah it’s pretty cool. It seems pretty uh, providing and all that. Between you and me, I don’t think it’ll last long,” For a moment, their smile twitches downwards, “Most places I been don’t. But might as well have some fun while it lasts right? Then we’ll find someplace new!” Their tapping has shifted slightly, subconsciously structured to slot into the offbeats of her taps. Their eyes widen at the mentioned of a secret place, her lean in, and they immediately buy in. They lean forward as well, “It is?!” They whisper, “That’s so cool! Are you a secret agent now? Do you have a secret handshake to get in? How much can I know?” They ask excitedly. Anahita's smile eases into something sadder. "Most places I've been haven't, either. For what it's worth, Xavier's has been around for a good long while. And on the bright side, you will only be there for so long regardless." Her eyes glint with amusement, and her tapping quickens as she lowers her voice conspiratorially. "Pretending to graduate would make an excellent grand finale for your scam." She takes a sip of her tea. "I wouldn't be a very good secret agent if I told you that, would I? I might take you to see it, some time, but for now I will say this: you have been so close to it, at least once." Tok’s tail has begun wildly flicking back and forth, their leg now bouncing with their foot hooked on the metal support of the chair so it can’t shake the table. “You’re a genius. Can you imagine? That’s a long haul scam…But then I’d have a fake diploma which would be so worth it. The looks on their faces when they realize—at graduation too? It’ll be incredible.” They grin. Their tapping pauses in thought at the reveal that they’ve been close to it, “No way… I have?” They bring their fingers to their temples, “I need to retrace every step I’ve ever taken. How do you know I was close?” They gasp, “Did you see me? Do you have eyes everywhere?” Anahita tilts her head slightly. "I can indeed imagine. Perhaps I will even go to your fake graduation. Not to worry, I will not give away your game." She looks up and gives a thoughtful hum. "I do not have eyes everywhere. But I am fairly good at seeing things, wherever my eyes do happen to be, and I saw you. Just a few weeks ago. You were dressed splendidly." “Wait!” Tok gasps, then their ears pin downwards as they process the compliment, realize what it means. Some red burns at the tips of their ears, and they wave a hand with a bashful grin, “pshhh thanksssss someone helped me pick it out.” They lean forwards, “But I think I may know where this secret place is now.” They wink, very obviously, “Your secrets safe with me. I’m great at keeping secrets. The greatest in fact.” They say seriously, oblivious to their earlier track record. They open their mouth to say more, but hesitate. Their tail wraps around their waist and they mess with the fur on the end of it, “…Can I…maybe… come visit you sometime? If it’s okay.” They smile, “I only shed a little, I promise.” Anahita twirls her hair around a fingertip where it hangs down over her shoulders far enough to do so easily, and makes a show of considering this request. "Only once you have proven to me you can keep the secret, and have completed important secret missions." Her voice isn't actually very hushed but she hunches forward far enough to give the impression of confidentiality. "Your first mission is to visit other Freaktowners whose secret places you are allowed to go, and ask them what sorts of help they need. There are funds set aside for them. For all of us who need help settling back down to build homes again." Her eyes go distant, just for a moment, but then she smiles. "Tell them I can help them access those, if they haven't already. So can the Mongrels. Then come find me here another day and tell me." Tok’s eyes widen, and they nod along, fully enraptured by Anahita’s words. Their tail unwinds from their waist and goes back to darting back and forth, “Yes! Yes I can totally do that. You can count on me, Anahita.” They say, determined. “Mission accepted. I won’t let you down.” They tilt their head, “You got any places to start?” "Why, you could start at the secret school you're pretending to attend," Anahita suggests. "I know that you are not the only young person from Freaktown who fetched up there. I suspect many of you will be staying at the school over the summer break, even those who are not taking classes. But it'll be the perfect opportunity for you to suss out what support they might need." She straightens up and nods sagely. "There is no hurry, of course, and you shouldn't badger anyone, or they might not be as keen to give you the information you need. Patience is key." She quirks just the shadow of a mischievous smile. "But you know how to play for the long haul. I have faith in you."