Players:
Summary: A meeting in the park between those with a mutual friend.
Date: April 9, 2011
Log Title: A Mutual Friend
Rating: PG
NYC- Thompson Square Park
Thompson Square Park is a small park in the middle of Mutant Town. The benches might need a fresh coat of paint, the fence might be rusted in places and the pavement is raised and has cracks but it's all part of the mutant haven and fairly relaxing. Trees and grassy areas are in between the many paths, there are a few structures and benches along the path as well as a special area of the park that is marked 'the dog walk'.
Two trees have been planted in the park as a Memorial to Carmencita Florez and Detective Baxter each with a plaque stating the tree is in their memory.
Early evening in the Park and as the sun goes down a sound familiar to the regulars begins to drift on the wind. Vinny is seated on a bench near the center of the park, a long cylindrical case resting against the back of the bench and a small cooler beside him. In his hands rest the long wooden tube of a didgeridoo, the circular breathing technique keeps a strong thrumming tone drifting on the wind, trills and other tones breaking up the droning as he plays.
It's been a while, since Rashmi has visited Mutant Town; given the recent upswing in drug-related insanity, the redhead has resigned herself to worrying from afar, keeping abreast of the recent developments as best she can. However, the neighborhood seems to have hit a lull at the moment; a perfect time for her to make good on a promise she made to a new friend. The decidedly unusual droning of the diggeridoo draws her, the low, mournful tone catching her curiosity, and a small smile breaks out as she follows it to its source. The resemblance to the stuffed animal in Jeremy's hands confirms her suspicion, and she approaches the bench, quiet until acknowledged.
Vinny plays on, his elctrolocation having detected the approaching figure the second she walked into it's range. His eyes glowing a brilliant blue color as several large columns of water have risen from the surrounding storm drains. He's practicing his powers it seems as the columns sway back and forth like giant serpents. In a moment the columns leaps through the air from the gratings and fuse together into a single large mass of water, at least 400 gallons worth.
Rashmi blinks sharply, taking a step back as the columns of water rise, and another as they fuse into a single mass. Eyes darting from water to platypus, she clears her throat, settling down on the spot. If she was reluctant to interrupt him before, she most definitely is now, and is content to wait until his practice is finished.
Vinny seems to smile against the instrument and focuses back on his task. The mass begins to flex and move, it's form compacting in on itself as he manipulates the water's density. The mass forming into a perfectly round sphere, then begins to change again, changing and spreading out as it begins to take on a humanoid shape.
Rashmi watches the sphere, eyebrows rising in appreciation of the fine control needed to move that much water, and retain the decidedly unnatural shape it seems to be taking. Still, she leaves him to it… not least because the risk of ruining his concentration could mean a good soaking for her.
Vinny continues his work, the form slowly taking shape before a rough aproximation of the human form stands about ten feet away. He begins trying to define the shape a bit more and it flexs and morphs, unfortunatly the light in his eyes fades and the water sloshes to the ground. Vinny lifting his feet as the spreading wave sweeps under the bench. He lowers the instrument and sighs "Ah bloody hell.. always lose it right there."
Rashmi hops to her feet as the water hits the ground, taking a half-step back to make sure the hem of her skirt stays dry. "…Well it was still pretty impressive," she says, breaking the silence at last. "Vinny, right? My name's Rashmi. I, um… I'm a friend of Jeremy's, actually. From school."
Vinny looks to the puddle, his eyes glowing again as the water begins to flow back towards the drains. He nods and smiles "Yup that'd be me." He gets a bit more serious look at the mention of Jeremy. "Good ta meet ya Rashmi, wasn't sure the poor bloke even had any friends the way he went on. So how is he?"
"…Well," Rashmi says after a moment's silence, "…probably more accurate to say a *recent* friend. I'd seen him around, but I never really talked to him all that much until a couple weeks ago. He said you've been helping him with his powers, and I thought you'd want to know… He checked himself into rehab last week."
Vinny nods "A very good idea, I was helpin' him try ta get control on his powers but the more he went back ta tha kick tha harder that was ta do. He's got a good shot at gettin' control if he can get clean. He still totin' Monty around?" He manages a bit of a smile, glad to hear the news.
Rashmi chuckles. "Yeah… Probably it's the only thing he has that he can really touch, y'know? I mean… I've never seen *anyone* who just needed a hug as bad as he did, but I don't dare. I don't want him to know the kinds of things I've been through this last year, y'know?" Sighing quietly, she shakes her head. "Mostly I came here because I wanted to thank you. You've been helping him out, probably when he needed it most, so… Thanks."
Vinny nods and smiles "Good, that little bugger helped me through a rough time, he'll see Jeremy through this and I'll be waiting here for him when tha rehab is over and he's ready ta try again. As for thankin' me there's no need, always glad ta help when I think I got somthin' that'll do tha job. We gotta look out for each other, somthin' alota folks are forgetin' these days."
Rashmi chuckles. "I know there's no need. But that doesn't mean it's not polite, y'know? You're right, people *should* be looking out for each other. But it's not any better if we just take that for granted. So I'm sorry, but thank you anyway."
Vinny nods "Well then yer certainly welcome, when ya see Jeremy next let him know I'm glad he's gettin' better. So yer one of them Barnes students eh? Got some info on that place from tha Texas Twister a few months back, never got around ta checkin' the place out."
Rashmi bobs her head. "First year pre-law, actually," she says, lifting a shoulder in a casual shrug. "I wasn't going to originally, but it's sort of hard to pass up a free ride when you live where I do, you know? Besides… with all that's happened the last couple years, I suppose I'm better off preparing for stuff most lawyers won't deal with."
Vinny nods "Not exactly where I figured I'd be either really, but here I am and I'll do what I gotta do since I am here. Bit of a outdoorsman myself, if tha rugged good looks weren't a dead giveaway. Biology, Ecology, bit'a this an that."
Rashmi smiles. "Hey, you never know. I've had friends where you'd *swear* they were complete intellectuals…. except for the working out and the martial arts and stuff. That's a pretty broad set of disciplines, though… You're a field researcher?"
Vinny smiles "You might say that, more like Activist in training I suppose. Studies were mainly aquatic and Amphibian life, wetlands, marshs, underwater.. that sorta stuff. Seemed ta be a good fit given my condition eh?"
Rashmi chuckles. "Well *I* wasn't going to say anything… But I imagine it'd be a lot easier for you to get a good look than most others. What is it you're looking to lobby for, if I may ask?"
Vinny shrugs "Ah dunno yet, my folks championed habitat preservation, opposed industrial expansion like strip-mining and deforestation. Fought ta protect endangered species. Figure one'a these days I'll get involved in safety regs for offshore drillin', oppose the drainin' of natural wetlands. Course the way things are headed I could just as likely be workin' towards mutant rights."
Rashmi nods her head. "Well, I wouldn't mind much if you did… That's sort of why I wanted to get into politics, after I found out I *was* one. Probably what I was going to do anyway, given the way civil rights in general have been going the last few years… Still. If you need help with anything on that line, let me know, okay? I've um… sort of made friends with a lot of people these last couple years, I'm pretty sure I know one to two numbers that would help out."
Vinny laughs and nods "Ah I built up a good calling list myself, but I'll certainly keep ya in mind. These days I'm just tryin' to do what I can around here ta keep the peace and handle this NMO and MGH trouble."
Rashmi nods, sighing. "I'd like to help… But honestly, what's going on now is *way* over my head. The best I think I can do is just be here for people who need to talk, y'know? Also I work the Embassy Saturdays, so there's that."
Vinny nods "Well tha Embassy might turn inta ground zero for this mess, so be careful. Right now I'm just tryin' ta fight the good fight…"
Rashmi bobs her head. "Well thanks for that, too," she says quietly. "I'm glad to hear you're doing what you can. And if *you* need any help, and not from my call list, let me know. You don't have to fight the good fight alone, Vinny, and if I can help it you won't."
Vinny reaches down and pulls a smartphone from his vest pocket. The same kind of phone carried by Xavier faculty. "Now where is tha number for this thing…" He fiddles with the screen for a moment "Ah here we go, here's my contact number if ya somthin'"
Rashmi nods, pulling her cell out of the bag at her hip, programming her number in. "Here, here's mine too. Just in case, right?" Passing the Xavier's cell back, her lips twitch up at the corners. "Well there goes half the numbers on my call list. That's good, though, they're good people."
Vinny nods and programs the number "Gotta get used ta this thing, havn't had it long. Never had much use for um back home." he pockets the phone again once it's programed. "So what is it ya do for tha Embassy if I might ask?"
"Interning, actually," Rashmi admits, shrugging slightly. "Putting reports together, gofer stuff, that kind of thing. But it's Saturdays, and it's good work, so."
Vinny nods and laughs softly "Ah gotta start somewhere eh? Hey with what yer doin' I'd say it's good a place as any ta get yer feet wet."
Rashmi grins. "That, plus the training at Barnes, yeah. Besides, it's *good* for people to start at the bottom. Helps you keep perspective, y'know?"
Vinny nods "I can certainly understand, that's why I'm out here every night practicin'. Gotta learn tha basics before ya can hit the bigtime eh?"
Rashmi bobs her head. "That's sort of half the point of getting anywhere, the work it takes to get there." Drawing in a breath, she brushes off her skirt, stuffing her cell into her bookbag. "Well it was *really* good to meet you, Vinny. But I should be getting back, I have some jogging I need to do before bed."
Vinny nods and picks up the Diggeridoo again. "Was nice ta meet ya Rashmi, ya need a hand around mutant town ya give me a hollar ya hear? Course I'm not all that hard to find either way."
Rashmi nods, smiling brightly. "I'll be sure to keep an eye out, Vinny," she says, turning and lifting a hand in farewell. "Be safe, okay? And good luck!"
Vinny nods and smiles "Same ta ya mate, safe travels out there." He waits until she's walking away and begins to play once again, the water beginning to rise from the storm drains.
