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Summary: Travis tells Rashmi something he really shouldn't.
Date: September 30, 2010
Log Title: Telling Secrets
Rating: PG-13
NYC - Ellis Island
For generations this was the gateway to America, with literally millions of immigrants pouring through the doors to find new lives and new hope. These days it's a museum dedicated to that heritage. Wide corridors and high ceilings cause every sound to magnify and echo and distort. That, combined with the weight of history, tend to breed a sense of reverence and quiet not unlike a library or church.
Travis was inside watching the Rockies vs Cardinals game, which was a big game when he used to live in St. Louis between him and his old friends. There was just a lot of emotion starting to get to him, combined with the fact that the Rockies were losing, so he had to just get out of the confined spaces of Barnes. He stands outside with his hands against one of the railings, four hands griping the railing and one holding onto a bottle of water while the other hand looks at his cellphone. "I hate this place." He mutters not really meaning it.
Being the sort of person Rashmi is, there's very nearly not enough hours in the day to do everything she has on her plate. However, the redhead is far enough ahead of her schoolwork to allow herself an hour or so topside, and where does she go to fill it? Not a cafe, nor shopping… no, just wandering the halls of the museum, soaking herself in two hundred years of immigration history. Spotting Travis as she exits the building, Rashmi puts her head to one side, approaching the other student cautiously, clearing her throat when close enough to be heard.
Hearing the cleared voice, Travis turns and looks. "Oh hey Rashmi, how's it going?" He asks putting on a smile like he isn't out here to mope. "Come out here to get away from the lack of fresh air under the sea?" He asks before taking a drink from his water bottle. "And honestly, who thought college would be like this? Math classes, Composition classes than fire arms training."
"Supernatural Studies, Magic Theory as an elective, and Admin staffed by Secret Government Agents," Rashmi finishes, shaking her head and chuckling. "If you told me about this place even a *year* ago, I'd've wondered what size your tinfoil hat was… now? I don't know," she murmurs, moving to the railing and leaning over. "Personally? I sort of like it. It's like walking outside your house for the first time, and seeing just this big huge world you didn't even realize was outside your door…"
"My tinfoil hat would be around 7 to 7 and a quarter size." Travis says just reciting off his own hat size. "Though I know what you mean, it's just weird for me though. I feel like..this is whole new life here. That I'm just isolated from who I was." Which is quite true since he can't go back to his old life or anything. "I can't really talk to my old friends and…it's always weird making new friends. And here, it's just weird."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Rashmi says quietly. "I sort of know how you feel, but not really… I mean, I sort of stopped talking to the people I knew way back at my old high school, but that was mostly just cause I ended up at a boarding school, you know? But it *is* kind of like a new life, and it *is* weird for awhile, until you get used to it. But I mean, it's not like you don't have *any* friends here, right?"
Looking over at Rashmi, Travis shrugs. "I was getting along great with Jakob but he left for bigger things or something. Then Billy's okay, Teddy's a bit…enthusiastic. I'm just used to…I guess more vanilla life then this?" He says laughing as he thinks he was 'just a baseball player' in High School. "I guess it's nice my Mom's here too. So, boarding school, what was that like?"
Rashmi lets out a breath. "Crazy," she says, chuckling. "But then it wasn't really a normal boarding school…" Reflexively, she glances left and right, turning to rest back against the railing and pull her braid over her shoulder. "It's a place for mutant teenagers. It's *really* incredible, but, it's also sort of a trouble magnet. I mean, it's been around for a long time, and a lot of the staff there used to be students, and I guess there's some *really* weird people who pretty much have it out for them. But still, it was pretty fun… I liked it, when I wasn't out of my mind worrying about my friends."
Travis turns around so his back is resting against the railing and he lets out a large sigh with a smile. "I don't know if that would have helped or made things worse…maybe helped." Going to a boarding school like that. "I just wonder what my friends back home think since my Mom and I packed up and just left after the house fire and my mutation and all that….you know a bit about criminal stuff right, cause don't you work with that lawyer?"
Rashmi bobs her head. "A little, yeah… But I'm not exactly an expert. Mostly I just do filing and paperwork and stuff, and take notes when we're out consulting." The mention of a house fire earns a questioning look, but the redhead doesn't press. "Why?"
"Well..just wondering if you knew anything about this group called the Maggia. I guess they're based over the US and knowing to employ? Work with? guys with super powers. They're kind of mafia." Travis says wanting to know what he can learn about that group. It's definitely a personal thing with him. "Just…I've been wanting to learn more."
Rashmi frowns quietly, eyebrows drawing together. "…No, I don't," she says slowly, gently. "…Travis… is there some kind of trouble you're in?"
"Honestly…I don't know." Travis says as he he looks down at Rashmi and then looks back at Barnes. "I'm not really supposed to talk about it but…I think it's different then back in St. Louis. Just…my father was killed by the Maggia. We saw something we shouldn't have seen, like in a movie or something. Family sees something they shouldn't, testify against the mob and have to go into hiding…something like that." More exactly like that.
Rashmi looks down for a moment, silent, and reaches out to rest a hand on Travis' upper shoulder. "…I'm *so sorry,*" she whispers, concern writ large on her face. But I'm glad you're here… There probably isn't a safer place in the world for you and your mom… And don't worry, I *promise* I won't talk about it to anyone."
"So yeah..anything about the Maggia…I'd like to know just..cause. Not to seek revenge or anything just…make sure it won't happen again." Meaning they won't find Travis or his Mom again. "Yeah, so that's why might seem so disjointed here. Just having to forget about everything and start again…again. Still adjusting and all that."
Rashmi nods quietly. "If I hear anything, I'll let you know," the redhead says quietly. "…But I'll also be letting the people here know too… Mostly because they'd be the ones who could handle it, y'know?"
Travis nods. "I understand. I'm just…I don't know much about them beside the fact that they're basically mafia and such. Just kinda wanna know more. I don't plan on going looking for them cause…honestly, it'd put my Mom in trouble."
Rashmi pats the boy's shoulder, letting out a long, slow breath. "That's good to hear, Travis… I know a lot of people here are all huge superhero fans and stuff… But, honestly? I'd be *really* worried if you tried to go after them. But there's nothing that says we can't give the Avengers leads, you know?"
"I might have six arms and some powers but honestly…I'm not suicidal." Travis says with a chuckle. "Wouldn't do my Dad's memory any good if I got myself and my Mom killed. More..those guys scare me." He says as he yawns and stretches with six appendages. "Well, I'm gonna head inside, see if the games over or if my Rockies are still losing. Let's hope they came back while out here." Says the baseball fan. "Thanks Rashmi." He says sincerly.
Rashmi chuckles quietly. "Anytime, Travis… And I mean that. Everyone should be able to talk to someone, you know?"
Travis nods. "Yeah, well, you have a good night Rashmi and I'll see ya later in Supernatural Studies." Cause really, who wouldn't take a class taught by a real live fairy.
