Players:
Summary: Cloud and Jem encounter Aiden in the park, where talks of relationships and various things occur.
Date: June 5, 2011
Log Title: Blue Birds and the Bees
Rating: PG-13
Local Park
In the spirit of being impulsive, and having someone to drag along with her, Jem is up and off of school
grounds again, though not really in the same way as last time. She just walked out, but she had a bit of a
notion of something she wanted to do with Cloud that was outside of sanctioned class time. As it is right
now, a walk through the park will take them closer to where they need to go, which will be out of the sight
of most people, and where no major damage can be caused. She knows these parts, being from around here and
all. The girl opting for her pair of black leather pants, just as tight as her jeans, along with her black
halter top with the word 'Hot' across the front of it. "So, I was thinking.. Maybe we can work on getting on
the same squad? I'm pretty good with working with a partner, and it seems your ability kinda meshes with mine
in a way. So maybe we can work on some outside stuff, get some synergy going and maybe blow them away in
class. What do you think?" she looks to him with a grin.
Cloud pretty much jumped at the chance to head out again with Jem, if theres one thing you can say about the
girl it's that shes fun and quite unpredictable, he's dressed in dark jeans, black sneakers, and a purple
plaid shirt, "Sounds good, i know Xorn is really impressed by teamwork, so learning to work together well
should get his attention, if not your skill with your powers should do the job anyway", he grin pretty much
matches Jems.
Needing to head to a place where it was quite and where there weren't a lot of people, Aiden headed to the
one park he knows outside of New York City. Touching down on the ground he ruffles his large blue feathered
wings a bit before folding them against his back. He's dressed in a pair of tight black pants with zippers
and buckles on the legs and are tucked into knee length black boots with buckles on them. His sleeveless
black shirt reading Skinny Puppy on the front has two custom holes cut in the back for his wings. All along
his arms and neck, green tattoo like markings are visible. Once he's on the ground he places a duffel bag in
the grass with a loud clunk of metal banging against each other. He starts to dig around until he pulls out a
small boombox followed by two metal batons.
"Good." Jem smirks, "Sooooo… Baring that in mind," Her upper row of teeth biting down on the corner of her
bottom lip a moment, peeking around. Not too crowded, so she holds up a finger, in front of her and him, and
it takes a little bit of focus, but a small pinball sized sphere of plasma and flame grows about the tip, a
bright yellow in color. The likes of which you would see on those happy faces. "Can you hold that?" she asks
him, "It's.. pretty hot. Not my hottest but.. I figure if you can handle it, you'll be able to hold onto me
when say… this" she nods to the flame, "Is all over?"
The sound of the bag hitting the ground catches her ear, and Jem looks over to see someone with wings. It's
not unusual just not too common of an occurrence in her daily routine, so she is staring a bit, "Whoa,
hey. That dude's a bird." she smirks. She seems more amused by it any anything negative.
Cloud is not really sure if this will work, he very inexpirienced with Jen's type of energy and will have to
time this right if he gonna avoid getting hurt, he reaches out and absorbs the offered energy, turns his palm
over and does his best to copy the energy he absorbed, he sort of gets it right but it's kind of all over the
place, "Like that?", his attention is also caught by Aiden, "I've heard of a mutant with wings before, i
wonder if thats him?"
Resting his two batons on the ground, Aiden sits down and starts flipping through a CD case his drawn on
eyebrows furrowed in contemplation. It's not until he hears himself being called a bird that he looks up
inquisitively. "Sorry to put a damper on your theory but I'm not a bird, just a guy with wings. Unless you're
talking about my stage name then yes, I am Blue Bird."
Jem makes a face as he kinda gets it right. "Well, it's— sorta but…" she doesn't really know what the
best way to explain it is. It is all a pretty complex process. "It's… liquid, kinda. But thicker? I guess?
And really hot? So it's gonna be all over the place. But I sorta.. think it into place? Or feel it maybe?
I dunno. I just sorta will it to go and stay where I want it to, and it just does." Which means it's probably
connected to her mentally somehow. "We'll figure something out." she waves her hands a little. "I'm just
making sure there is a way to keep you from getting hurt by it right now anyway." Which that seems to
have been achieved.
"Ahh." she comments to Cloud on his assessment of mutants having wings, "Of course. Mutants with wings, I
understand that some people have visible mutations like that. Still though…" she smiles, looking back over
at Aiden, "Oh, no offense, dude, really. I think it's cool as shit, to be honest. I have to put in work and
effort to even make something similar that serve no purse at all other than to look cool. And even then,
they're pretty crude at best, so you have one up on me already." Another carefree smirk from her, "I'm Jem,
this is Cloud." Of which she ponders that for a second, "Unconventional name, I know. Buuut, we are who we
are, right? You said stage name? Are you in a band or something?"
Blue Bird?, nope the guy Cloud was thinking of was called Angel, "A few of the kids at the mansion have
physical mutations, you can see a few in mutant town too", ok, Jem really has no issues with just straight
out starting conforsations with strangers does she?, he closes his fist shutting down the energy, no point
wasting the energy until he figures out how to control it, and it's kinda rude to do during a conforsation.
"Well they don't really take work, they're just kinda there. It's like having arms and walking." Aiden says.
"Though it did take a while to learn how to fly when I first got them." He explains before shaking his head.
"No, not in a band or anything famous. I'm a performer at a Freak Show down in Coney Island. That's what I
was doing out here, practicing my dancing for the show. I'm Aiden by the way." He introduces himself and
offers a hand.
Nope! Jem is pretty forward and out there where it counts. She might be the first to tell you that beating
around the bush only scares the birds away. "It just kinda slipped my mind a bit. I'm just so used to
people up and surprising me with their abilities that I forget some people can't hide it. Little bit rougher
than most of us have it, I guess." Of course, she is probably the type to not really put much investment into
what others think about her, given how she comes off and carries herself.
"A freak show? Are you serious? And you're okay with that? I mean, don't get me wrong. I used to love those
things as a kid. They were weird and awesome, but.. it sorta takes on a different meaning when you actually
become one of the freaks. Though… I suppose one of the best things to do about adversity is to laugh
along with those that are laughing, so.. sure, that makes sense." she nods and smiles to take the offered
hand. She then chuckles, "Actually, I was planning on pelting Cloud here with a few dozen fireballs, see what
happened. Buuuut.. I'm considering a different route. I do ice skating, and I'm used to working with a
partner, so… maybe I can get some kind of simpatico going with someone who isn't easily hurt by the fire."
"You were what?!", ok impulsive is one thing, but pelting him with fireballs?, Cloud needs a lot more
training before he can keep up with something like that, "Were you gonna tell me or just hope i go with the
flow?", he may need to knuckle down to some serious training if he's gonna keep up with her. "You're
willingly partaking in a freak show, wow that takes some serious balls".
Aiden rubs the back of his head after shrugging. "Everyone thinks it's just a weird thing but I'm not in a
freak show because I have wings. My act isn't standing there and flapping around, I'm a fire breather, sword
swallower, escape artist and a fire dancer. Though I learned it all because my mentor ran a freakshow of all
mutants that had physical mutations. I don't really think it's something to laugh at, actually I take my
profession very seriously." Adien says before he raises his drawn on eyebrows and his green like tattoos
start taking on an orange appearance. "Wait, you were going to pelt him with fire balls to do what now?"
"Well I don't mean laughed at in the literal sense. I just mean metaphorical, I guess. I'm sure people
make fun of you or persecute you for being pretty different, but I'm just saying that it's best to not let it
bother you, and to showcase your difference whenever you can. The more people get to know that part of you,
the more they will get to know you and the less they'll stop behaving shitty towards you. That's what my dads
taught me." she shrugs lightly. That and many other lessons.
Their reactions to her initial intentions has her laughing, "Of course I was going to say something. I
may be impulsive, but I'm not a heinous bitch by any means. No, it's just that since you can absorb it, some
heads on contact might up your skill with handling it a bit." she shrugs, "Or so I figure." Looking between
the two, she smirks, "I mean.. I could start you off with lifts, tosses and assists, but I'd like to know
that you won't get burned first. Right?" she looks to Aiden for confirmation. "Makes
sense."
Cloud is genuinely impressed, "That must be one hell of a show, especialy if they ignore the fact you've got
wings", he scratches his head at Jem's explaination of what she was planning, "I'm not sure how that would
work, might be a good idea to talk to someone at the mansion about it first, i don't wanna be walking round
without eyebrows you know?", or on fire.
There's shake of Aiden's head as Jem looks for confirmation as he doesn't want to get involved in that
conversation. "I wouldn't say ignore them since I use them as part of my show." Aiden says with a grin before
giving Jem a bit of an odd look. "Um…I haven't really been persecuted against that much cause I have wings.
I mean it happens but then I'm happy with the way I am so as long as they leave me alone it's cool. And it
sounds like you have some smart…Dads?" He says before Cloud gets a raised eyebrow. "Hey, there's nothing
wrong about walking around without eyebrows." As his are completely shaved off and drawn on as black angular
lines.
Jem looks at Cloud, as if what she had said were common knowledge, "You know, assists, lifts, tosses? Ice
skating? I'm sure you've seen it, where the guy braces and then holds the girl up, or tosses her into the air
to pull off a maneuver? It'll probably be a little harder since you're not moving too. But you played
football, right?" she smirks, "I'm sure you can take a little weight being thrown into you. You just have to
get a bit of grace behind you, rather than just force." Of course, looking at her, she doesn't seem as
graceful as she actually is when she starts moving. "But if you're concerned, we'll ask someone." She
sighs, possibly a little disappointed as she shakes her head a bit.
She nods to Aiden. "Yep dads. They're a couple. I don't have a mom. I was orphaned when I was just a baby.
They adopted me so.. they're all I really know." And she has never really been curious as to who her real
parents are, for some reason. Probably because she doesn't really have any, but it isn't something she is
aware of. "But hey, if you're performing or something. Maybe we could come down and see it sometime. I like
Coney Island."
"But that's your look right?, i'd just look weird like that, looks fine on you", Cloud can't help but think
he should just stop talking, "Jem i've told you some of the dangers of my powers and yours pack some extreme
heat, we could end up hurting each other or other people, i'm all for trying to learn this stuff but you
gotta do it smart, some danger is fun but not thinking about things at all can blur the line between fun and
fatal".
Aiden nods to Jem as she explains. "I wasn't raised by my real parents for the most part. My father wasn't to
happy with a mutant son so, I ran away and got a better family." He says with a grin. "I was raised in the
Freakshow since I was twelve, best family." He says with a nod. "That'd be cool, it's a good show…" He says
trailing off as he looks at Cloud. "Cloud, you have a sister, Star. She's talked about you before." He says
assuming it's him since Cloud isn't a common name at all. "I don't know a thing about figure skating but when
dealing with fire you have to be really careful. Maybe I'm saying this because I use it in my job and I know
how dangerous it can be when dancing or breathing with it."
"No no, I get it. You're just trying to be careful or something." she waves a hand about a bit, "You guys are
just not really used to dealing with it like I am. I suppose since I don't get burned, I'm a little biased
about it. It's cool. We'll just… do something else I guess." The likes of which she isn't sure of, but it
is something that has never stopped her before. Though she does seems to go into her own little process of
thought, "What would be ideal is to find a partner as flame retardant as I am." rubbing her index fingertip
back and forth across her bottom lip while she contemplates. After a moment, she abandons it, shaking her
head, "Anyway. I have to think of something else to do now. It's too bad the rink is closed, or I'd see about
skating."
Cloud is about to comment when his phone starts ringing, pulling it out of his pocket he reckognises his
brother's number, "Sorry you guys, i gotta take this, i'll be back in a few", with that he puts the phone to
his ear and starts walking away.
Aiden nods to Cloud and gives him a wave. "If Star is your sister, tell her I said hi." He says as he's
become friends with the fellow empath. He then looks to Jem and raises his eyebrows as the orange has since
faded from his tattoo like markings leaving them green again. "Sorry I don't know anyone whose flame
retardant, actually Alejandro might have been, we never tested that."
The rather vibrant and wild flame of Jem's personality has been set on simmer while she tries to figure out
her next move. It is as if she is distracted or divided in some way. Simply giving Cloud a bob of her head in
acknowledgement in his need for a momentary departure. "Alejandro? Might have been?" Jem questions, "Is he
gone now or something? My current ice skating partner isn't so good with flames. He's just now sorta getting
over me accidentally burning him once before."
"No, no. He's not gone now..not that I know of." Aiden says. "He's like an older brother to me just, I
haven't seen him in two years since we got separated. He was made of metal in a sense, a strong man type. He
could have been resistant to but I never tried to set him on fire so I don't know." He says. "He was part of
the freakshow I grew up with. And yeeaah I can see why that would take a while to get over. Does he have
super powers too?"
"Well, that depends really, on what kind of metal he's made of. Steel tends to not last all that long around
me. Maybe for a little bit, but yeah, I get pretty hot." Which is ironic for someone in her sport. "But
that's okay. I mean.. I'm just kinda trying things out. I might be better suited going solo or something."
the girl shrugs, idly stuffing her hands into her back pockets. "Valentin? Powers? No.. not that I know of."
she comments, "I mean, I never really asked him, and he hasn't shown me anything so, I can't be certain
but I don't think he does. My older brother does, though. Not blood related, but yeah.."
"I honestly have no clue. I mean it's not like he was just some guy who a mad scientist created out of metal,
it was his skin so…I dunno." Aiden says. "Everyone in the Freakshow were mutants. Howard found us and
brought us together in one family and that's what we did till about two years ago. As for blood related
siblings, I don't know if my brother is a mutant or not. I haven't seen him in a very long time."
If there is one thing Jem believes in, it is family, "Well, it could be interesting to track him down and
see. You might be pleasantly surprised, either way." She seems a little confused, or perhaps just not quite
understanding something she is picking up, "It sounds like you've had a pretty rough time with family, or
family-like members. I kinda feel for you in those regards." she takes a hand through her blond curls a bit,
"But you seem to be hanging in there still, which is cool. Kinda takes a strong person to endure all that."
there is a bit of a smirk from her.
Aiden shakes his head. "Not really, I mean maybe? I never felt it." He says. "I'm twenty-six years old so
anything that happens with my blood family was so long ago that I barely remember it. Well not barely but, I
had so many happy times with my family that it just seemed distant. We did get separated but I know I'll find
them again. Especially Lauren, she's my girlfriend." He explains. "But if you lie down and admit defeat, then
nothing good is gonna come but if you believe in something and work for it, it'll come true."
"That's… kinda true actually. I can believe that, yeah. Sometime it just seems like I will things to
happen, or believe them into being. Not literally but in the sense of positive thinking? Life's too fun to be
wandering around, moping all the time. Or fighting, really." Jem seems to pick back up a little, letting
whatever fire she had before slowly return in how she comes off. Though she does chuckle at the term
girlfriend, "Oh, I've been one of those many manymany times so far. I guess I have a bit of a weakness for
boys, especially the ones I should probably stay away from." she shrugs, "But normally, I'm the one that
comes out on top, because I do the breaking. I dunno, I just.. go at a certain speed, and usually they're not
able to keep up, so they get left behind."
Aiden raises an eyebrow at Jem and shakes his head slightly. "Lauren's the only girlfriend I've had. We've
been together since we were sixteen. I think cause I'm an empath, I can't do the go from girl to girl. Also
growing up, we traveled a lot so Lauren and the others were the only people I saw on a regular basis. I
haven't seen her in two years but I love her just as much as I did the last time I saw her." He says as the
green markings shift to shades of blue and purple. "And I agree with the moping around and the fighting, it's
just not worth it. There are too many other things in this world to do."
"Right! Like doing the stupid stuff that teenagers are supposed to do!" She says with a little burst of
excitement, which quells a moment later. Her own emotions are quite like various aspects of a fire. Sometimes
they're wide and raging, other times they're soft and crackling and even steady, yet still unpredictable as
to where they'll go next. "Well, you're not a teenager anymore, but I'm sure you know what I mean,
generally." Meaning just to have fun with things, really. Be who you'll be and enjoy it. "I've had.." she
starts to count on her fingers, silently mouthing names off, "7, since I was 15. And, what's really bad is
that normally it is the girl who wants something more and then the guy ends up dumping them. No, it was me.
They were.. okay at the time. But I just didn't really see any kind of relationship future with any of them.
Not the answer they wanted to hear, but.. that is just how it was. I'm not ashamed or sorry, because I never
led anyone on."
Aiden shakes his head. "Not really. I don't really know what teenagers are supposed to do. If it's spending
hours a day learning the proper way to swallow a sword then, yet?" Aiden says as he had a far from normal
teenage life. "Lauren, Ben and I would hit the clubs often but that's about the extent of my wild times and I
still do go to clubs fairly regularly but…I dunno, relationships mean more when you can feel what the other
person is feeling. When you know they care about you the same way you care about them it's….amazing. That's
what Lauren and I had…have."
Jem almost chortles, "Pffft. No! Well… maybe." she has to think about that for a second. "If that's what
you're into, then sure. I guess it is different for everyone. For me? It was hitting the ice, working my ass
off to make something really beautiful and award worthy. Kinda changed since I got my powers. Now I'm just
sorta looking for a new… thing.. I guess. But if anything, I'm patient." Another ironic thing for how
impulsive she is. But it is possible to be both, "It'll come when it comes. I'll just enjoy myself till
then." A shrug of her shoulders, "And maybe that's where it's gone sorta wrong or something. The kind of guys
I attract, they are worried less about how you feel, and more about how you look standing next to them. It's
okay for a while, but then it gets boring, and I just have to go do my own thing."
Aiden has an expression on his face that a lot of what Jem is saying is going over his head. "I think I
missed something not going to High School or just times have changed a bit." He's really not sure. "Though I
understand about working your ass off, I still do training and practice to do what I do on almost a daily
basis. You have to when if you screw one little thing up you'll seriously injure yourself, others or worse."
Jem laughs, "Oh god, do you know how bad it hurts to fall on your ass on the ice? Oh m'god, I get so many
bruises, I end up looking like I was assaulted. It's almost enough to make you quit for good, but if you
keep at it, and you work close with someone, learning to trust and get to know their strengths and
weaknesses, you can pull off some things that are pretty spectacular." Her lips push together tightly, "Which
is kinda why I wanna work with someone on my abilities. But not just any partner will do, obviously." she
just holds up her hand, letting a fiery plasma coat and radiate from down to her forearm. "Imagine that, only
across my whole body. Most people cook with heat, and burn with fire this hot, so you can probably see my
issue." she closes her hand and cuts the fire from around it. "I like learning with someone. I can do it
alone, but I prefer not to."
"Yes I do know. I used to ice skate as a kid. I was born in Canada." Aiden says chuckling. "Watching hockey
was a family event." He knows he doesn't look like the sports type but as a kid he did enjoy it. "Sorry, I
don't really know anyone who ice skates anymore though and I don't really know anyone who wouldn't get
burned. Sometimes you gotta do stuff alone even though you'd prefer your partner there."
Jem snaps her fingers, "Ha, that's it. I need a hockey player." she grins, "They're used to taking bumps and
blows, and can move on the ice." She rethinks that for a moment, "Well, I mean.. not really. I don't really
move on the ice with my powers, just move like I'm on the ice. It's a little strange, but pretty cool
when you're actually doing it." Even in standing there, her stomach growls rather loudly, as if she hadn't
eaten all day. "Geesh, it's been a few hours already? Ugh.." she rolls her eyes, "I've gotta go get something
to eat." She takes a look around for signs of Cloud, "I don't think I can really wait for him. When I get
hungry, I get hungry. You'll have to totally excuse me for right now. I need to track down a McDonalds or
something before I start getting dizzy. But, I'm really gonna see about dropping by to catch a show. So..
keep an eye out."
"Sorry I don't know any Hockey Players anymore." Aiden says with a chuckle. "And don't worry about it, I
gotta get some practicing for my new dance. Gotta get it memorized before next week. It was a pleasure
meeting you Jem and enjoy your lunch..or dinner." He's not sure what time it exactly is.
