16465/Park life

Park life
Date of Scene:	09 August 2024
Location:	Salem Center, Westchester County
Synopsis:	Just a day in the park in westchester, odd encounters and unexpected path crossings.
Cast of Characters:	Sinister, Storm, Phantasm (Drago)

---

Sinister has posed:
Confidence is a preference of the habitual voyeur of what is known as...
A morning suit can be avoided if you take a route straight THROUGH what is known as...

Park bench people watching is a thing, mainly when one is thinking deep thoughts and attempting to iron them flat, examine them for signs of error or flaw. It's just the choice of where Doctor Essex has a tendancy to refresh his brain that makes some people nervous. Like in the middle of a pleasant August evening, in Salem westchester, not a stones throw from certain schools and a population that generally dispises him and with good reason. He's quietly eating his way through a bag of caramel corn, quite literally watching the world go by, which is ENTIRELY disturbing if you have any inclination who he is. The Highschool with its lack of active pupils but abundance of summer field sport enjoyers, keeps getting glanced at. The clinic over the way, people coming and going into restaurants, the mall...

Each punctuated with thoughtfully narrowed eyes and a crunchy popped kernel. He looks ordinary enough though, in black denim and expensive shirts, with blue lennon specs today.

Storm has posed:
Storm is out for a stroll. This happens sometimes when the proposed goddess gets a bit restless - which is sort of an unusual thing for one who truly does enjoy just sitting in her attic listening to music and drinking tea. However, sometimes the world continues to move on and the only way to feel a part of it is to actually go out and experience it. So she's wearing a long sun dress of light blue with a darker floral pattern. It does set off her skin tone a bit - but that doesn't seem to bother her much. It goes well against her white hair and sapphire eyes.

As she reaches the park and begins along the trail, passing people and their dog walking or trail jogging. She's just about gotten into a nice steady pace when she spots a very familiar face. Sans a few telling features, but familiar all the same. It makes the hairs on the back of her neck ride a little to see Sinister so casually out in the wild sitting on a bench eating...popcorn?

No no. He must be up to something. Yet, she is never accusatory by default nature. Instead, she steps to the side to be mostly out of the way of others using the trail and looks down upon the fellow munching. "Nathaniel. Odd to see you out of your labs or not trying to kidnap the next genetic theory..."

Sinister has posed:
"The next genetic theory has to be better than the work I've already got in progress. Honestly, I don't spend all my time..." he clucks his tongue "...well, I'm not going to lie about it. I do -think- about the ongoing state of things rather frequently."

He glances up at her, over the graceful appearance of the proud egyptian and offers the slightest of smiles and the popcorn as if t'were a humbug. "It is good to see you hale and hearty, since last we encountered one another."

And HE takes his eyes off of her, possibly because he doesn't believe such is necessary. He is rarely completely unaware. "You don't need to worry about me doing so today, either. Boring parklife is giving me a nice balm against an overactive thought chain. I will not be making off with the population."

Storm has posed:
"Well. That's a...slight relief. For the time being I suppose." The woman offers while reaching to take a few pieces of the offered popcorn before then motioning to the seat beside him on the bench. "I am still on the fence of if it's good to see you out in public or not. But, random encounters are what they are for a reason." Assuming he gives her leave to sit beside him - she will.

She pops the few pieces she snagged into her mouth to chew on thoughtfully and then side eyes the man. "Overactive thought chain? I would never have guessed you would be plagued by such. Dare I offer to lend an ear for your supposed troubles?"

Sinister has posed:
Tis a graceful gesture that makes for invite. "Well, it's like meeting Asteroth in the supermarket, I'm sure, picking up some fish on a friday. I am not where you expect me to be, comparing 'ingredients labels'..." he makes air quotes with another slight smile, implying human composition and poptarts have anything in common.

There is a deep sigh though.

"I've been through this a few times, of late. This incarnation of me is not a threat to you all, unless you are a threat to me. I have plenty to keep me occupied and a vendetta going on with my own self. If you speak to half your faculty though, they'll give you quite the lowdown on how much I can, or cannot be trusted." Another popcorn kernel is tossed up and caught in his mouth with high-school jock skill, which defies appearance.

"Have you thought much on how well the great fight is going? I did put that idea in your head for consideration when you found me examining the latest and greatest in scientific papers on genome splicing and CRISPR technology in the Manhattan library."

Storm has posed:
Storm lofts a single brow upwards and then seems to think on things a moment. "Well. That is something interesting for you to say. Course. If I thought you a threat, I do not believe I would have opted to sit beside you." She reaches for a little more popcorn to continue slowly munching as they talk. "I am also not the others, they have their squabbles, and their beliefs for such but... while I do not think you will ever -change- per se. I do believe we have bigger things to worry about than you." This is spoken with a calm that only she can afford. A disposition that actually goes against what one would think a namesake like Storm would bring.

"I mellow on it now and again. There are pros and cons to each side of the fight. The right thing for the wrong reason. The right thing for the right reason. Who benefits the most in the long run? It's a lot to weigh and measure.... I would think even Anubis would have a hard time putting such against the scales." Her Egyptian showing brightly there as she finishes the small bit of popcorn she recently procured.

A pause. "Why do you have vendetta against yourself?"

Sinister has posed:
"And this also is contrasted in relevance against an ethos that may or may not care -- right and wrong, morality and ethics are social but also personal as you well know. In the end, the planet won't care how any battle is won, or even if we continue to exist upon it. That is purely on us and the white and black hats of the world. Really, it's quite jarring at times."

No comment is made regarding her perception of his threat level, apparently Sinister is simply going to take it for what it's worth. Storm is, after all, more mature and wiser than a good many of her counterparts.

"Some of me has in recent times, attempted to kill me. Internal civil war, based on personal conflict, so to speak. I am, according to some of me, straying from the plan. I personally disagree and I do like to argue the point with myself consistently. So be it albeit, I will not be victimized by my own iteration x."

Storm has posed:
"In the end, I know you're right. So then the battle becomes an inner struggle. I have my personal morals...and they have clashed with many a person in my life. Including my teammates. Eventually it will all fizzle out, as mankind ceases more and more to exist. There will be the last of us. In due time." Storm says this much and then listens as Nathaniel explains further about his own inner battles.

"Do you have any idea why you fight yourself? Why a part of you thinks you are off the path you set forth? Paths are meant to bend and weave. It is the nature of life itself." The woman continues to speak and then looks out across the park. At the people enjoying their lives, or perhaps the couple that's having a small argument. The kids that are chasing each other. She breathes in deeply and blows out a flush of cooler air which causes people to pause for a moment. Then she smiles.

"You may like to argue, but to argue with yourself...how do you know which you wins?"

Sinister has posed:
"I always win. And I always lose. But it gives one perspective on an issue." Sinister replies after the philosophy of nihilism is contemplated for its due worth. More popcorn ferries to his mouth, is crunched quietly and with his mouth shut, chewed, like it's cud in a slower manner that eventually stops altogether.

"Hmm. Well, yes. I do -- Some believe that a mindless replication of the self is hollow and nothing before there is a mind within it. But each one is ever so slightly different, which is a thing many are unaware of. The way a thought occurs, the way a pattern forms even when an imprint is placed, takes on the flavour of the individuality within. I don't like to think of myself as a mass production, in some faces and they all tend to think that they are me. They are not. But then I might not be, if honesty is being held firm." He chuckles, glances at her with storm grey eyes over the blue spectacles. There's actual warmth in his regard, which might just be creepy.

"It is as if some of me faces things fresh, others see things as grey and jaded but very few see the entire game board. I have been researching -why- we become as we are. The mutated, that is. And others, as mutation is not the only path to evolutionary leap -- which makes a good, which makes a bad, which can lie dormant for generations hidden in odd places on a massive code base, activated or not. Some of these mutagenic influences have been residing in mitochondrial DNA for thousands of years, you know, hidden in a tiny portion of RNA transferase or in the code switch. It's been an interesting investigation into things thare are not so very /visceral/."

Storm has posed:
"You mean you might not be you? Like some clone of you killed the real you and took over in such a seamless way that no one would have ever noticed?" Storm asks this, almost in a thoughtful manner, while stealing more popcorn as if they're just two friends talking on a park bench. "So then how would you ever know if you are you and not another you pretending to be the you you were?" Her brain seems to go into a frenzy of thought now.

"Then you would have to think on how far back this could have happened. When did the real you cease to be. How did the real you cease being. Or maybe it's not even that you ceased, but could be frozen or dipped in carbonite..." She makes a mild joke there. "You know, all of that is a slightly scary thought in and of itself. I would hate to spend even five minutes in your head. No offense."

Sinister has posed:
"None is taken. I am quite a rare breed, in that you could consider me a hive mind. I understand the brood quite well, as a result..." Sinister wraps the top of the popcorn bag down a measure or two, then tucks it into his jacket pocket, taking a cigarette from a silver case and going through the tapping process to get it the way he wants it. Soon, the scent of cloves briefly tickles nostrils.

"One might consider all of me is Sinister. But then I might be seguing from the truth. I like the quiet," he taps his own temple with the cigarette hand here, smiling oh-so-faintly.

"The interesting thing is when one of me thinks they can one-up me. I consider that a test of myself. So far, I think I have annihilated at least fifty spares."

Storm has posed:
"The only thing I do not consider you in the slightest - at the moment - is a threat. If you are true to your word, then it seems you will not be a threat unless we threaten you. I do wish my comrades would take that into consideration, but grudges can run deep." Storm says this, watching as the popcorn is tucked away and so she simply crosses her legs and continues to listen as Nathaniel speaks.

"I mean, if you have clones of yourself, and you can speak to them all....I suppose hive minded is the best way to describe it. To be battling against yourself, quite literally, has got to be annoying at times. Which you've expressed. How do you cope with it?" She asks and then she looks to him, sitting on a park bench, then around to people on their daily routines or tasks. "Is this it? Coming here to simply... people watch?"

Sinister has posed:
"Sometimes. Idle hands make mischief. Idle thoughts make menace. But idle body sometimes makes peace," Sinister replies, flicking ash to the curb and taking another long, slow inhale of clove. He watches a while, seemingly that might be her answer, until...

"Life is a many splendoured thing, is it not? As is listening only to the wind and the whispers of a thought half had. Occasionally, I explode one of them. Or implode. Less mess."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
There are good things and bad things about being a performer.

Bad: It can be hard to get a foothold in the business if you don't pick your acquaintances well.

Bad: A LOT of your unpaid time is spent practicing to keep your skills up so you CAN get paid.

Bad: Stalkers and obsessively scary fans.

Bad:

Hey wait a minute.

What?

You said good AND bad. But so far you've only listed bad things. Could we switch it up a bit?

...Ah ok. Fine.

Harumph.

...

Good: Irregular work hours mean actually being able to go to the bank during bank hours without having to take off from work.

Better?

Keep going.

Oh for c- GOOD: Being able to shop during the lighter points of the business hours of stores, FAR away from most potential fans.

Much better.

Bad: But not all.

Oh for f-


Anyways, Nick is currently enjoying one of the good parts about being a performer. He's using the light point of the shopping day to knock out the quest of purchasing supplies. And what better place to get a HELL OF A LOT OF DRUMSTICKS than Music Center?

Hmm. Maybe ordering bulk or getting Wade to spe-

Good: EASY HOOKS INTO SCENES.

What?

Either way Nick is shopping. And as a door to a shop opens with a ding announcing his departure, the musician can be seen with a loaded down backpack. And Oh look. He's heading to the park.

Storm has posed:
Storm seems to think on this for a moment, not immediately giving a comment. Then she simply nods. "So. Aside from possible inner turmoil, destroying rogue clones and...people watching. How have things been for you? Surely these are not the only things you have been dealing with as of late?" Asking this, as if to probe a little deeper. Or even prove a bit further that she truly sees him - at least in this moment - as an acquaintance at least. Things can turn on a dime, however, and she is still cautious. Though more for the sake of Nathaniel should any other X-Men wander towards the park. She'd hate to have to face one of Scott's infamous lectures.

If there's any notice of Nick coming towards the park, he is regarded like anyone else. She doesn't know him and therefore, he is just another stranger doing stranger things.

Sinister has posed:
There is a deep inhale from Sinister and he leans back on the bench, stretching legs and crossing his ankle as he does so, gazing up a the sky, the clouds all fluffy and cumulous -- but /he/ rolls his head bonelessly in the direction of the overstuffed bag and the ponytailed incognito performer. There's a singular loft of eyebrow and /perhaps/ lowering the 'see me not' vibe he often has at least on a low burn.

Looking back to the egyptian, he chews his cheek briefly, mulling what, or perhaps how much to say. "If I said... saving the world, preventing mass annihilation, disrupting a few menacing plots and inventing means to view causality in effect, would you believe me?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Perhaps. There was a lowering. Or perhaps this is about to be one of the shortest appearances made by the musician. Nick's pace as Sinister looks his way seems to be reasonably quick. Not in a panicked manner but more of a man on a mission type of vibe.

But as Nick's trek leads him closer to weather witch and diablo delighting doctor, the steps start to slow.

"Good morning, Nathaniel." Nick greets, giving a still waking up but not at all upset about it smile in the process.

The rocker slows to a stop, glancing to the doctor, not placing Storm either. "What brings you to Salem Center today?"

Storm has posed:
Storm seems to consider Nathaniel's question for a moment as he presents a possibility of things he could have been doing and then asking if she would believe him. Again, her answer does not come quickly, but after a bit of quiet thought. "I would." She offers. "I would at this stage. If you had told me this several years ago, I likely would have laughed in your face. Then again, I also would have avoided you, all truth told. There is -something- different about you...I just cannot put my finger on it..." She offers with a kind smile and then looks over when the stranger-to-her approaches and actually...greets...Nathaniel?

Oh this has GOT to be explained...

Sinister has posed:
It's a mystery isn't it? A terrific, unfathomable mystery, that someone seems to be GLAD to see the Kindly Vampire.

Nathaniel lifts a hand in greeting. "Good morning to you also. You look rather overburdened, but I suspect the early bird gets all the drumsticks?" He chuckles, flicks ash again, glances out of the corner of his eye to Storm and back. "We're busy doing five impossible things before breakfast, of course. And people watching, I needed to wrap my head around the latest issue and forget the other /other/ noise... have you met Ororo?" He glances to Ororo and the questions that hover, smiles a rather charming smile and indicates the rockstar with an open palm and a cigarette, vapour trails of clove spiralling. "Ororo, Nick Drago. Nick, Ororo Munro..."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick turns his head slightly to the hint to what he has in his backpack but he doesn't outwardly look to the pack. "Not all of them." Nick allows, "But it does help me avoid a line."

And unplanned recognition.

"Perils of working muliple gigs. Keep running out of sticks."

Nick turns his head to look over to the other person as Sin looks to her. Once the name is offered, Nick directs his smile over to her. Offering a hand over to her, "Hello Ororo. Nice to meet you."

Storm has posed:
"I believe the pleasure is mine, Mister Drago." Storm says this and then gives a smile. "My name can be a mouthful. You can simply call me Storm." She offers this much before turning her gaze over towards Nathaniel. "Well. I am curious now. You actually have people who associate with you freely? I must know this story, Nathaniel." Yes. She calls him by his given name. The other name holds a bad taste in her mouth to use - for many reasons. Besides, even if that is what he is underneath it all, she prefers the given name. A glance is given back to Nick. "Ah. You're a musician then? By hobby or trade?"

Sinister has posed:
"Both, I believe..." Sin informs, with a chuckle toward Nick. The popcorn slips out again, is unfolded and set on the bench with a gesture to everyone. His cigarette is still smoldering quite nicely, another drag taken an a flick of ash.

"Honestly, Nick is better placed to inform you of guilt by association, my dear Storm," is cheerily offered. "But yes, this is a new thing I'm trying, involving actually cultivating relationships. It's experimental, but the outcome seems to be not being attacked quite so often, amongst other things."

He tilts his head to Nick.

"It did sort of just end up happening. Serendipity, I suppose. I /can/ be quite helpful. Sometimes."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick glances over to Sin as Storm makes the comment of people freely associating with the doctor. He may not be a mind reader but he sometimes can read expressions.

Sometimes. Kind of depends on the day he's been having

Turning back as a question is directed to him, he pauses as Sinister answers for him somewhat. A nod is given in confirmation. "Music does give me a bit of joy to perform." He adds in, "And sometimes people will pay me for it. Amongst other things. I've taken part in some acting roles from time to time as well."

To the mention of Serendipity, Nick chuckles, "...Ah, We sort of met a long while back when he was assisting with a friend."

Nick conveniently opts not to mention the magic involved, gouging out a demonic monster's eyes, or the dream travel needed to get the group back, but there's enough of a pause to indicate some details are being cut out of that interaction.

"But, we didn't really start talking on a more regular basis until almost two years ago. And while we might be different, we had a few more things in common than we initially thought."

Storm has posed:
Storm nods. "Oh? I wonder if I have seen you in anything." Storm is, at times, a cultured individual of course. There's looks back and forth as Nick and Nathaniel speak and then she smiles softly. "Well. I think it's a good thing that Nathaniel has such influences in his life." She gives the Doctor a side eye. "Perhaps this also has something to attest towards your disposition..." Though she wouldn't doubt - if given even half a chance - Nathaniel wouldn't try to take advantage of her or her teammates if it came to it.

"Well. As fun and...eye opening...as this has been. I should likely head back home. New school year is about to start and we need to make sure we are well prepared." She stands then, offering a smile to Nathaniel and Nick both. "Again, Nick, pleasure to meet you. Apologies I meet and run. Nathaniel...I actually do hope we can meet again and have more conversations like this one."

Sinister has posed:
"And now we know that hell has frozen over, don't we?" Sinister says with a grin, inclining his head to the egyptian. "Have to take care of those impressionable young minds, they are the future after all..."

Now he might just be teasing a little bit. But it's not malicious seeming. "Do be well, Ororo."

ANd then, with a nod to Nick, he indicates the bench to the side. Perhaps there will be conversation had about the other issues that were facing their friendship, who knows?

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Well, I haven't been any blockbusters yet but It's possible. Teachers seem to love those books to movies for their tv class days. And I've been in a few of those." He shrugs, "Well, maybe now that we've met it'll be more noticeable should you spot me in something."

Another teacher. To the mention of the new school year. The general location they were at, other things garnered over the years, and the general response Storm had to Nick's greeting of the doctor, it doesn't take long to put two and two and two and two together.

"...Would that be Xavier's?" He wonders.

Seeing the unspoken prompt, Nick nods, starting to slide off his bookbag. "Either way, it is good to meet you Storm. Perhaps we'll run into each other again."