11871/Pancake Hermit

Pancake Hermit
Date of Scene:	04 July 2022
Location:	Empire Diner
Synopsis:	While out getting pancakes, Greg and Jessica run into each other. Jessica's turmoil is enough for Greg to ask her what's wrong, talk to her, and reveal she's at least got one friendly heroic type.
Cast of Characters:	Jessica Cruz, Greg Rollins

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Jessica Cruz has posed:
After a scare where Jessica thought she saw a mobster, she locked herself in her 'fortress of solitude' and hasn't come out in months. She has an online work-from-home job so doesn't lack income - isn't making large purchases - just a grocery delivery. But - after several months - there was one craving she couldn't itch - pancakes! Doing them herself just wasn't the same. So she finally put on a drab gray outfit, glares at the dark green ring on her wrist, hisses, 'Behave', and goes to her favoriet spot and took an area in the corner, back to the wall, glancing all around, and starts with a cup of coffee to calm her nerves.

Greg Rollins has posed:
There was something to be said about good food, especially when one was from way out of town. And one thing that Gex, or Greg as he was known on Earth had? It was some good pancakes. That had lead him to finding out who had the best in Metropolis and heading there while on his hunt for a teacher in psychic abilities.

Said hunt had gone slightly... screwy. Being psychic had lead him to a different diner that his phone app had said was one of the best still. So, here he was in normal clothes with a cowboy hat on. The slight orange tint to his skin is easy to pass off. But he does happen to be looking around after he enters.

And well, there's an emotional mess in the corner that he just has to see if he can help. Blasted society of psychics upbringing type of stuff.

With that, he moves to approach where Jessica is with a small smile on his face, "Hello. Do you mind some company?" He pauses, as if trying to figure out how to bring it up, "Or at least someone to talk to?"

Jessica Cruz has posed:
Jessica Cruz lifts her face up to STARE at the man approaching her. "Who sent you?" she whispers harshly, staring you up and down, suspicion and doubt on her face. She then sighs softly. "There isn't many other tables here. I should've come three hours ago when it was quieter - but pancakes have a way of getting to me." A faint evil masculine chuckle can be heard, and Jessica swats her left hand with her right. She sighs softly. "Sure, why not? You seem harmless enough," she grumps as she gestures to the empty chair as she waits for the waitress to come back to take her order as she sips her black coffee.

Greg Rollins has posed:
The faint chuckle sound has Greg looking for where she slaps. His eyes narrow a bit. "No one sent me. But, you are basically a beacon for those of us with particular... abilities. I just happened to be raised to try to help and see what is wrong."

He sits down, removing his hat to put on the floor beside him before commenting, "I know it is a bit rude to talk mind to mind as well on this world, too, but well... I like to think that I can at least be an ear since I can not exactly do the calming bit or whatever else people can do here."

Now that he doesn't have his hat... this isn't a man. It's a teenager. Yep. "That, and I from out of town and pancakes are something very, very different here that I happen to like."

Jessica Cruz has posed:
Jessica Cruz raises an eyebrow. "'Abilities'?" she asks softly, tilting her head. She is calming down, realizing that you can't possibly be one of those who would be looking for her. "What... abilities?" she asks softly, shivering softly, jumping slightly when the waitress shows up. "Two tall orders of pancakes," she state, "and whatever this young man would like to drink." She sighs softly. "Again - what kind of abilities? Are you a magician? I could see that happening..."

Greg Rollins has posed:
He shakes his head, "No."

Then he looks up at the waitress, "Oh, same as her. And thank you." He waits until the waitress leave before replying to the abilities question.

"I have a limited ability to read and speak to minds as well as emotions around me." He says simply, then pauses, "It's a natural thing, not mutant. I am what you would call an alien."

Jessica Cruz has posed:
Jessica Cruz just nods slowly as she sighs softly. "Of course..." she mutters softly. "That would do it too..." She clicks her tongue. "I'm Jessica," she murmurs, very very quietly, as if she didn't want anyone else to hear. "And... I'm not sure what you can do to help me. I have a curse and... am... well..." She slumps in her chair, then blinkblinks. "Wait what? Alien?" She is not a loud person so her voice wouldn't travel far.

Greg Rollins has posed:
Perhaps he's trying to get her off balance? Maybe? Greg's good at that as a teenager. The alien thing has him smiling a little. Then reaches up to move his hair on the side nearest the wall. His ears are more pointed and slightly grown into his head. No holes. "Yes."

A small shrug is given, "I find being at least open is helpful. So... a curse that is messing with emotions? I do not usually deal with magic, but I may be able to ask someone to contact another who can help a bit."

Greg hums, "Oh, my name is Greg on this world. About as close as they could get to Gex." He looks thoughtful, then motions up to his head, "Um... may I? Or would you prefer to just... talk about what is going on? I am not able to go beyond the surface, I assure you."

Jessica Cruz has posed:
Jessica Cruz murmurs, "I'd rather not - already have someone else in there. That curse is part of this ring - and the fear you're sensing is... not from it, but the ring isn't helping," she mutters softly as she sighs softly. "I have a mob hit on me. I saw some stuff. And... I haven't stepped foot ouside my house in eight months. Also, this ring talks to me and ins't very nice... rather not have a third voice in my head."

Greg Rollins has posed:
That has him staring a bit at her. "So why keep it?"

Greg's question is obvious on that one. But he's also looking at the ring itself. His eyes narrowing a bit. "Hm..."

"... is that a Power Ring? I did not know those were cursed." He pauses, then frowns. "... I... hm... you should go to the Justice League."

Jessica Cruz has posed:
Jessica Cruz widens her eyes. "It is... of sorts... and I have," she murmurs softly. "It's... complicated. It's rooted to my hand. I can't take it off. It's.... bonded." She then sighs as a faint maniacial laugh can be heard. "Shut up, Akakios," she hisses, glancing over at the corner of the booth, as if she is talking to someone who isn't there (but there is a _presence_ of some kind). "I shouldn't have come out... and my 'friend' isn't too forthcoming about his past. Just that he wants to be real again... but... it'd come at a terrible cost..."

Greg Rollins has posed:
Greg looks thoughtful, "It looks different from those I have heard of... well the main ones. The others were rumors."

He frowns as he looks at the ring, "So... it's not normal? Hm..." He eyes it. "Akakios, was it?"

Greg looks thoughtful, then looks to Jessica, "Is he able to talk to us without the... laughing and at a volume less overheard?"

Jessica Cruz has posed:
Jessica Cruz rolls her eyes. "Only when he wants to. He's an asshole most of the time." The waitress ocmes with the pancakes and the presence disappears. He knows that causing havoc is counterproductive to his schemes. "Not really sure what to do - I have some people working on it - but... I can do some neat stuff, but this isn't the place. But the cost is... a burden on my soul already..." She starts to dig into the pancakes, trying to focus on them.

Greg Rollins has posed:
Greg shrugs, "I'm technically a teenager on this planet due to biology and planetary rotation differences. Dealing with assholes comes with school."

He starts to cut into his pancakes, after syrup and butter first. And sip at the coffee. He wrinkles his nose at it. "Mm... coffee, right?"

Jessica Cruz has posed:
Jessica Cruz nods slowly. "It's an acquired taste. There are other beverage choices," she mutters as she drinks it slowly. "I... haven't seen a person in real life in eight months - I should check to see if anyone still is working on my little problem.." she mutters. "I bet they all forgot about me..."

Greg Rollins has posed:
Greg shrugs, "I might like it eventually." He shrugs.

"Well... were they heroes? Because if so, I doubt it. They may be waiting for you with a solution or perhaps more to go on." Greg notes before taking a bite of the pancakes.

Jessica Cruz has posed:
Jessica Cruz nods. "I don't think they want me to talk about them, but they are good people. I've had my fill of bad people." She sighs happily as she polishes off one stack of circular goodness, and glances at the other she ordered, considering.

Greg Rollins has posed:
A nod is given at that, then sighs, "Well, the best you can do is hope they found something."

Greg looks considerate, then frowns, "I hope I was of some help. The Power Rings are something that I think only their makers could help with. Maybe."

He eyes hers. "The question of course is who made that one."

Jessica Cruz has posed:
Jessica Cruz murmurs, "From what I can tell, my sorcerer friend made it. But not sure how truthful he is. Might've taken a power ring and corrupted it or something... owww!" The ring on her hand flashes dark green. "Well, that basically confirms it."

Greg Rollins has posed:
Greg looks at the ring, "Akakios, huh? Bad move corrupting something I hear is basically cosmic gods property. They might actually get mad at you."

Jessica Cruz has posed:
Jessica Cruz shrugs. "It's just speculation. But he does get cranky sometimes when I get too close to his secrets." She shakes her left hand and shrugs, starting to work on the next set of pancakes.

Greg Rollins has posed:
Greg sighs, "Typical bad guys. They don't want to give their secrets, go into a rage, and try to hurt someone whenever it happens. Usually in ways that point back to said secrets. But... well... you mentioned a mob hit or something? I thought that was Earth television, not real life."

Greg sips at his coffee again, less nose wrinkling this time.

Jessica Cruz has posed:
Jessica Cruz shrugs. "I thought so too," she mutters, being very quiet. "My friends and I were camping and saw some people burying a body... we ran like hell but... only I made it..." She lowers her head. "And... I'v ebeen hiding ever since."

Greg Rollins has posed:
Greg hums, looking at her carefully. "Did you recognize anyone or try to report it?"

He does look up and actually scan around. Perhaps with his abilities he can spot possible mobsters? Who can tell?

Jessica Cruz has posed:
Jessica Cruz shakes her head. "I moved. It was years ago. But... they still might be looking... and... I can't count on my little green friend to help..." she whispers shiveing, shoveling more pancakes down to stop herself from talking. "I... should go to my quiet place..." she whispers softly. "Where nobody can bother me for a bit..."

Greg Rollins has posed:
Greg seems to consider, then pulls out a small notepad and pen. "I know you do not trust me yet, but can you write down a phone number or some way to contact you? If I do find a way to help you, I will contact you."

Jessica Cruz has posed:
Jessica Cruz nods as she pulls out a piece of paper that seems to have a dozen phone numbers on it, and writes one donw. "Fine... I keep some disposables just in case," she mutters softly. "You being an alien makes me trust you more - you definitely are not Italian mafia. It helps." She goes quiet. "You're not doing some psychic mumbo-jumbo on me to get me to talk to you, are you? Or are you like Guinan in Star Trek, that you just... are a good listener?'