17982/Man with the Answers

Man with the Answers
Date of Scene:	18 May 2024
Location:	Fred's Diner
Synopsis:	Hank and Tandy talk about serious and not so serious topics while grabbing dinner at Fred's.
Cast of Characters:	Tandy Bowen, Henry McCoy

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Tandy Bowen has posed:
After the discussion with Tyrone, Tandy had felt conflicting emotions. Better, because he'd finally confessed what was going on to her, and a mix of confusion and concern about the situation that she really disliked. She'd texted Hank almost immediately after she'd gotten on the bus, wondering if they could meet up for lunch or dinner the next day to catch up... and so she could ask them in person. So here she was, back in Mutant Town after the abrupt departure a few days ago. The scene was clear. If the locals weren't still a little extra wary and some of the harder hitters she recognized loitering in various areas - not watching the obvious mutants, but the most "normal" looking of them, especially the ones that didn't walk around like they were familiar with the place - she'd never know anything had happened.

Her nose wrinkled as she entered Fred's, because smelling one diner was frequently like another, and she'd worked 36 hours that week already. At least she had the weekend off, as long as nobody asked her to cover. Instead of eggs though, Fred's smelled like burgers. Bit of char, flat-top onions, the sizzle of butter. And instead of snippets of news she was getting some of The King's best. It helped make up for eating diner food for the... well. She wasn't going to count the number of days in a row, but it was more than 7.

The furred blue man she counted as a friend was already there, sitting with his back to her in the farthest booth from the door, so Tandy edged and slipped her way past the other patrons with an ease that spoke to her waitressing knowledge and flexibility, and wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders in a from-behind hug, pushing their cheeks together affectionately. "What's a cutie like you doing in a joint like this by your lonesome, sugar?" she teased, putting on her best grizzled old waitress drawl.

Henry McCoy has posed:
Hank liked diners. Always had. Reasonable prices, hearty portions, and if he could find one that wasn't too concerned about the blue and the fur, Hank made sure to reward them with his business. The tension in Mutant Town was thick enough to cut with a knife but for once - for _once_ - he didn't draw a second look from most that he passed. It also helped that he was wearing a nice button-down and professional-looking slacks. And shoes that only pinched his feet a _little_! He was running a little early, at least according to the text he'd received, and his stomach rumbled at him. Maybe he'd have time for a sandwich and a pot of coffee while he waited. He had _just_ started to dig in when Tandy entered and walked up to his booth. "You look well." he said with a fangy smile. "It was the funniest thing. I just happened to be in town and felt a craving for a Reuben and a cup of coffee. And thus, here I am!"

Tandy Bowen has posed:
"Just happened to wander all the way down from fancy town?" Tandy grinned as she took the other seat. "Checking up on the neighborhood after earlier this week? It was... not a good thing." She'd stopped and ordered before looking for Hank, and it was a matter of seconds before a soda was placed in front of her. "How have you been? It's been a while, sorry. Work keeps me really busy, and it's not in the friendliest part of town."

Henry McCoy has posed:
Hank waved off her apology. "Nonsense, my dear. It's always a pleasure to hear from you. And I agree, things of late in this fair neighborhood have been ... tense. Some of my people were here trying to keep things contained and I'm told of a young blonde woman with daggers of light was also there. Your doing, I presume? Are you all right? Do you need medical attention?" he asked.

Tandy Bowen has posed:
Tandy Bowen says, "Cloak had my back," she replied with a shake of her head. "But I have... questions about some of what happened. To him, specifically, but-" she lowered her voice, leaning in. "The cops, too? The weirdness, it-"

Words were hard. She broke off abruptly, trying to figure out how to phrase it and stirring her straw idly through the glass in her cola. "They weren't acting right. Tense, nervous, sure. But not murderous. And then they were. It didn't make sense, Hank. A-and Cloak, he heard voices in his head. I'm worried.""

Henry McCoy has posed:
Hank took a bite of his sandwich to give himself time to think. "Order something. This ... could take some time to explain." he said after washing down his bite of sandwich with some burnt-yet-delicious diner coffee.

Tandy Bowen has posed:
She grinned, filching a fry from the edge of his plate with a quick pinch of fingertips. "What, you think I'm a rookie at ordering now? I've got a burger plate on the way. And a salad... slice of the chocolate pie for both of us too. I worked 60 hours last week, I'm splurging a little." And she was hungry. She'd used almost all of her light, between the fight and feeding Ty yesterday, and hadn't had the appetite for a big meal despite it. It had emerged overnight, and though she'd had a decent breakfast, it was time to refuel. Curse her miserably good metabolism sometimes.

Henry McCoy has posed:
Hank frowned at her, but it was only mildly reproving. Then he took another bite of his sandwich, savoring it for a moment before swallowing it down. "How much do you know about the phenomenon called telepathy?" he asked her quietly, then took a single fry and popped it into his mouth. The rest he'd let her steal, he just wanted to claim his fries symbolically.

Tandy Bowen has posed:
Tandy scowled at the word. She'd seen movies. It'd been awhile, outside of freebies offered by the library or parks and rec, but she'd seen a few with mind reading. "Mind reading," she said flatly. "Manipulation too?" She cut off her next question as her food arrived, eyeing the still steaming burger with an almost predatory gaze as she thanked the waiter and rearranged everything to her liking. "Tell me how it really works?" She wasn't mad at Hank, but the idea of someone rummaging in her brain made her feel slimy.

Henry McCoy has posed:
"It, like so many other things, is a continuum. At the mildest end is thought-reading. On the strongest end is ... domination." he said quietly, the took and swallowed another bite of sandwich. "The leader of the Mutant Liberation Front..." he said with his features twisting in distaste "... is a man that calls himself Stryfe. A powerful telepath, among other gifts." he said. "Very dangerous."

Tandy Bowen has posed:
Ugh, this burger was glorious. Juicy, piping hot, perfectly steamed bun and melted cheese... Tandy wished the conversation was adding to the enjoyment as she chewed, but it was just adding to her questions. "So. This... Stryfe guy. Is a mutant that goes around killing mutant kids?" Her eyes narrowed. "Why isn't he dead yet? And why would he tell Ty not to kill those cops?"

Henry McCoy has posed:
Hank hrmed. "Very unlike him to tell Cloak to not kill." he said. "There were other telepaths present. Perhaps one of them? I'll need to make some inquiries. I take it that was your ... <strike>lover's</strike>friend's first experiece with telepathic contact? It takes some funny the first time." he mused as he ate.

Tandy Bowen has posed:
Tandy nodded tersely as she shoved fresh, salty fries into her mouth. She hadn't even bothered grabbing the ketchup yet, but that was fine. They were fresh enough that it didn't matter. Swallowing, she took a long sip of her drink. "I appreciate it," she said once she was done. "Everything about the situation was weird. Bad weird. And you know how I feel about people hurting children." She stabbed her salad viciously with her fork at the thought, tines scraping harshly against ceramic. "If that guy and his people did kill a kid and we get hold of him, you know we won't be holding back," she warned carefully. "I don't care who he represents or what sort of supporters he has. Children. Are. Sacred." The bite of salad was shoved into her mouth, house dressing dripping down her chin as she chewed. Politely, though. She was hungry, but she remembered her manners.

Henry McCoy has posed:
Hank nodded. He knew it well, as much as he agreed in theory and disagreed in practice. "Steps are being taken. The person that controlled the NYPD was apprehended and stopped, so there's that. It was an attempt to inflame an already tense situation and it very nearly worked." he said reprovingly. "Now, I myself was not there, but I have perused the after-action report."

Tandy Bowen has posed:
"Give us 15 minutes with the guy that got caught." Her smile was dark. Generally, her smiles for Hank were friendly. Sunny. Tired. Weary. But this one... it had teeth. Not literally, but a sharp reminder that as holy or righteous as Tandy's light could seem to the average person - bright, a little scary, might scald your fingers but will ultimately help - to those too far gone to redeem that fire was all of the pain and suffering they had heaped on others. She switched back to her burger. The salad would still be good after, but hot food had a shelf limit that she didn't have to ignore today.

Henry McCoy has posed:
"Sorry. Can't do that and you know better than to even ask." he said, eyeing her with a sad expression before finishing off the last of his Reuben. Tasty sandwich, that. He'd have to tell Kate. Raging stereotype that it might be, she was as fond of a good Reuben as he was. "But what I can do is make some inquiries. Maybe even set up a meeting, if Cloak would like a more rigorous explanation about telepathy and some assistance in handling mindtouch." He'd communicated telepathically so much in his career as an X-Man that it didn't even register sometimes.

Tandy Bowen has posed:
Tandy shrugged as she drizzled ketchup in a dizzying spiral over the top of her fries. "He needs to be shown the error of his ways." Pity her burger was gone. It was really good. She'd come back, get two burgers next time. "I... am not sure he'd be comfortable with that, unless I'm there as well. I do appreciate that you're willing to ask." She changed the subject abruptly. "Tell me something good happening in your life."

Henry McCoy has posed:
Hank blinked but he gamely went along with the change in topic. "One of my students stopped by to chat the other evening. She brought home-made rugelach sent to her by her mother. They were delicious." he said with a fangy smile, his honest one. "It was pleasant just spending some time in conversation, even if she is a filthy Cubs fan." he said with a mock-shudder.

Tandy Bowen has posed:
Mm, rugelach. "I think I'm gonna try to finish school," she offered in return. "I saw a flyer about that Happy Harbor place? I'm going to an open house soon, see if it might work for me." She grabbed a fry with too much ketchup, then a few more underneath that had none. "No shame in being a waitress but that and slinging dishes ain't what I wanna do the rest of my life, y'know?"

Henry McCoy has posed:
Hank beamed at Tandy. "Why, that's excellent news indeed! I wish you success in your endeavors." Hank said. He was a big believer in education as a path to power, but then again, he cheated unmercifully with his vastly increased intelligence from his mutation. "Do you want or need any help with making this happen?" he asked, careful of her sensitivities. She'd rather, he suspected, die than take charity from him.

Tandy Bowen has posed:
"I don't know. Tutoring maybe, if I can make finishing work? And maybe..." She bit her lip, uncertain. A few more fries disappeared into her mouth until all that was left on the plate were a few lonely smears of ketchup. "Do you know anyone that offers speech therapy on a sliding income scale? They might, but. As a backup option, if I can't make going there work?"

Henry McCoy has posed:
Henry blinked again. Another strange request. "I'm ... not sure offhand. Not something I've had reason to look into before now. But I can certainly make some queries on your behalf." he promised her.

Tandy Bowen has posed:
Tandy's smile was sunny, dimpling into the sides of her cheeks as she beamed at Hank. She slid one of the slices of pie in his direction now that she was finished with the main part of her meal, and tackled her salad methodically. "I really appreciate it. Everything you've done for me, really. You're a good friend."

Henry McCoy has posed:
Hank waved that off, embarrassed just a little. "It's the least I can do." he said modestly. He looked at the pie, shrugged, then grabbed a fork to dig in.

Tandy Bowen has posed:
She finished her salad after a few minutes of quiet, licking her fork clean and stacking her plates neatly at the end of the table before pulling her slice of pie close. "I don't have so many people I consider a friend that I'm willing to leave my appreciation when they do extra for me unacknowledged," Tandy said as she sliced into her pie crust-end first. "But I can't just go buy you a nice steak dinner or something either, so words and a slice of pie have to do it."

Henry McCoy has posed:
Little did she know that he was going to pick up the bill for their meals! That'd show her! Or ... something. "I do not think I shall ever grow accustomed to the way you consume a pie ass-backwards." he noted as she cut into her pie crust-first.

Tandy Bowen has posed:
"It's better this way," Tandy argued, settling into the argument. "You don't run out of topping and end up with just crust. It's the logical way to eat it." Pizza too, sometimes. That was trickier. She stuck her tongue out, scrunching her eyes at him the way she'd seen a few children do to their parents after being denied a second slice of pie at the Copperpot. "I save the best for last."

Henry McCoy has posed:
"I've often wondered what it was like to be so _wrong_. Then I watch you eat pie, and I undergo revelation." he said with a smile. "I think this is what you get for being from the Peoples Republic of Ohio." said the proud Illinoisan.

Tandy Bowen has posed:
"Hmph." Her noise of disapproval was followed by the sound of tines lightly scraping across ceramic as she chased the remnants of chocolate. "There's a whole song about MY city that's called 'Cleveland Rocks', so obviously all I got from being there was awesomeness. You should try it sometime." Tandy winked to show she was joking, then reached for the cash in her wallet. "C'mon, you can walk me to the bus stop."