936/Getting too much blood in the coffee stream. Time to fix that.

Getting too much blood in the coffee stream. Time to fix that.
Date of Scene:	02 April 2020
Location:	Hot Joe Coffee
Synopsis:	Girls got their caffeine. Phew!
Cast of Characters:	Rachel Summers, Illyana Rasputina, Jean Grey, Karen Starr, Daniel Hastings

---

Rachel Summers has posed:
    Coffee coffee coffee coffee. Okay, so you get the idea. Rachel is avoiding the mansion most days. But today, rather than reaching out mentally... she sent a text to Jean. It was a simple text. It read: Coffee?
    At the time she sent that, she was already seated in a booth in the coffee house, sipping on her third espresso. Phoenix... and super caffeinated. Nothing could POSSIBLY go wrong there.

Illyana Rasputina has posed:
Illyana must be having one hell of a morning. Several mornings strung together. She needs coffee, and it is pure accident to find her hunting down her favourite prey after demons, certain omniglots, and ne'er-do-wells cursed by evil. The girl already wears a black coat wrapped around her, the vaguely goth attire residing in a tank top and black leather pants. Doesn't she know it's still practically winter by New York standards? Fools. This is Siberian June, minus the twenty hours of sunshine. She beelines for the coffeehouse, because there _is_ coffee, and it will be hers by right of divine purpose and Russian fatalistic intent. The blonde trudges into the lineup, her gaze singularly pinned to the caffeine menu boards. Pick your poison? "Large, black." The order is given to the barista. "Dark roast. More darkly roasted."

Jean Grey has posed:
One thing you can use to lure Jean out of the mansion in the morning? Coffee! Especially when you're a daughter from an alternate-timeline who has been a bit scarce lately.

So, Jean shows up, flashing Illyana a grin as she was right behind the blonde, ordering a, "Caramel mocha, triple shot, skim milk."

Hey, if you're going to go all in, get the sugar //and// the caffeine. Clearly nothing can go wrong! Though when she spots Rachel at her booth, she gives the slightly younger woman a wave.

Rachel Summers has posed:
    Is it weird to have a mom who is only a couple years older than you? YES IT IS! Is it weird to be from the future in a timeline that went nothing like this one? Well, yes again, it is. Is there anything not weird about Rachel these days?

. . . NOPE!
    Either way, she lifts a hand to greet Jean silently, her other hand sipping from her coffee. The minor telepathic illusion she uses to keep most folks from nothing her facial markings is so minimalistic that the odds are... aside from having zero effect on Jean, it might not even be noticed by the other telepath.

Illyana Rasputina has posed:
Illyana doesn't a mom, at least one that would shake her head and insist black tea is better than coffee. It's still a luxury to have any sort of drink like this in such copious abundance. She shuffles down the mortal coil of the counter, fixated on the barista preparing that drink from a great carafe. The cup is positioned, the liquid poured, all under the auspices of the Demon Queen's frost-blue eyes. If anything goes astray, they are bound to see what the wrath of an undercaffeinated, overstimulated teenager looks like.

Luckily for all, nothing does go wrong. Yet. The cup is brought over and she produces a number of coins and crumpled bills from the unlikely pocket of her pants. Leather pants shouldn't have pockets, and yet hers do, and manage to look cool. It's unfair. She covers Jean's in turn, looking to the redhead and giving a grave upnod. As always, she's a psychic null; any attempts to espy her thoughts or even her presence leave a glaring void there, a woman-shaped hole in the fabric of thought and time. "Morning."

Is it morning? Well, checking shows her Rachel, the time-displaced telepath getting a blunt stare. That means hello in Russian! It really does.

Karen Starr has posed:
    It's morning. The sun is shining. Technically, Karen doesn't even need this.

    However, the shop -just- opened and she can -smell- that everything is so -fresh- and despite that she's not in her alter -ego- she just can't -resist- when flying overhead.

    That's why, outside the front door to the cafe, clad in white with that red, flowing half-cape... Power Girl descends from the heavens at a casual pace. For coffee.

    Pushing through the door and stepping up to the counter as if this just -happens- (It's New York so... Maybe it does? Doesn't mean people won't be starstruck.) and ordering something a little familiar.

    "Salted Caramel Mocha. Whole milk. Extra caramel. Plenty of cream."

    A pause.

    "Yes, large."

    Power Girl has some level of respect for the presence of others- and doesn't necessarily greet anyone just yet.

Jean Grey has posed:
Jean gives Illyana a cheerful smile, "Thanks, 'Yana." She doesn't seem to mind the bluntness from the Russian, or else she's just used to it. Taking her drink, she looks over at Rachel, giving her a bit of telepathic reassurance, then looks over at Illyana, "Did you want to join us?"

She does remember PeeGee from the fundraiser for Coast City a while ago, giving her a slight nod. Of course, whether the hero remembers her is to be determined, as she makes her way over towards Rachel's booth, coffee in hand.

Rachel Summers has posed:
    Okay, let's be honest, everyone who is a mutant here can see the branded scarification that marks Rachel's face. She is really ashamed of those hound markings too. Either way, she sets down her cup and lets her eyes dance over towards the door as Power Girl enters. She almost spittakes, but manages to swallow the coffee in her mouth rather than decorating Jean's seat-to-be with it.
    "Um." she says... with the utmost of eloquence. Yep, that's her. Eloquent.... her eyes follow the caped woman like lasers.

Illyana Rasputina has posed:
The smile isn't returned. Illyana's smiles are rarer than hen's teeth and occur with the frequency of moonquakes. It's not common, in other words. She considers the pastry offerings in the case for a moment more, gravitating towards almost asking for them.

That's until the barista hands Jean an empty cup instead of the full one, busy staring at PG wandering inside. Floating? Triumphantly inquiring. Must be from Yonkers to be still stunned by it. Westchester County doesn't get to be quite so blase as their cooler cousins in the city.

"Is that okay?" she asks, gauging Rachel's response and then Jean's. The lockdown around her is possibly unsettling, or potentially comforting. All the same, she is cagey enough to take a sip of her coffee and look as cool as a cucumber entombed in the Siberian permafrost for the past ninety thousand years. Captain America, eat your heart out. Her shoulder lifts in a faint shrug and she nods to the blonde incoming. "Morning." Practicing those manners, the highly loquacious Russian sorceress is.

Look, she really needs the coffee. Rachel has it right. That cup is not quite full, clearly signifying more medical intervention via Dr. Caffeine is needed.

Jean Grey has posed:
Jean smiles over at Illyana, "If it wasn't okay, I wouldn't have offered. Come on, Illyana, you can sit with us." She then ahems very gently at the barista, waggling the empty cup in her direction. She's not mad, since... well, Power Girl is quite a distraction, especially in sleepy Salem Center. Understandable, completely.

But Do Not Deny The Phoenix Mom Her Coffee.

Karen Starr has posed:
    Karen remembers Jean, of course. She remembers basically everything she's ever experienced, in often excruciating and nightmarish detail. Some things are better than others, though- the charity event was one of them.

    The barista is slipped a bill and then Power Girl waves off the change, slipping the money clip back into the compartment on her glove.

    While waiting for her drink, she turns her attention to Jean, and offers a friendly smile. Two fingers of one hand tap to her forehead, and she offers this genial mock-salute.

    Then, Rachel catches her attention, if only because Jean heads that way and the other redhead is staring. A lot of the people Jean associates with apparently have facial scars.

    Her gaze doesn't linger, but she is acknowledging enough that the other woman's gaze -is.- Her attention returns to the barista. In silence, sticking out like a sore thumb, Power Girl just sort of stands there... Until Illyana breaks the silence.

    Karen gives her a friendly nod. "Morning."

    For the moment, it's impersonal. She's trying to blend in, which is difficult at six-foot-three, but she'll give it the old college try.

Illyana Rasputina has posed:
Rachel venturing out of the place opens a space in the booth, alas. That means Illyana has a place to perch until the Little Phoenix makes her way back. If she can, at any rate. Until then, the Russian is perfectly able and willing to be that bulwark for Jean.

Important matters proceed as she squeezes into the space, her coffee in hand. The barista hands over the full cup to Jean, still goggling at Power Girl because, hello, superhero coming for coffee in her sleepy neck of the woods. Never has $9 per hour been so worth it, and the tips are probably just enough to make the day look better. Squeaking breakdowns in the back room to ensue when updating her Insta story or snapstarking the network of friends and Russian bots to eagerly tell them /someone finally came and it was awesome and oh my <3 <3 <3'

Rarely does it happen that Illyana actually breaks the silence for anyone, unless it's with a shattering war cry. Not happening in this situation. "Is the caramel coffee worth it?" This is an open-ended question to both. She just doesn't get small talk. She really doesn't. But others can do it, so she'll brave it. Or try.

Jean Grey has posed:
Jean smiles, "Personally, I say yes. Might be a bit sweet for you, though. Did you care to try mine?" She looks a bit more settled now that she has her coffee, and gives Power Girl a warm expression, a bit of a blush as she's... apparently remembered???

"And hello, Power Girl. I... must admit, I wasn't expecting to see you around my neck of the woods. It tends to be pretty quiet and superhero-light around here."

Daniel Hastings has posed:
Dingading. It's morning. Morning's require coffee. Sometimes the cafeteria coffee.. just doesn't cut it. Or they're out. Or the line is out the door. Which prompts Daniel to head out to local Salem for a cuppa. As he comes into the shop, one cannot help but note the presence of a cape in the space and his attention turns towards Power Girl even as he heads to the counter. "Caramel macchiato if you could. Venti." He's gotten into the swing of things with the more recent offerings at least.. though he does have to be reminded to pay. Superheroes are so distracting.

Karen Starr has posed:
    There is some recognition there- Power Girl very clearly does recall Jean's presence. Before she can say much, the starstruck Barista offers her a large cup filled with more caramel, cream, and sugar than coffee, despite that there's a tint to it that clearly indicates coffee is part of the mix.

    Jean answers Illyana's question- which means that Karen believes the blonde was speaking with her. Rachel seems... More than momentarily distracted. Either way, Power Girl approaches the table, just to make a friendly appearance.

    "Morning," she repeats, "Sorry I haven't had the chance yet to visit the school. I intend to, but I've been a bit busy with a few other things." There's a pause, and she offers a shrug.

    "I go a lot of places. People looking to make noise sometimes choose the quiet parts because they think it's safer. I don't typically post up in New York, but if I'm here I make sure I look at all of it."

Jean Grey has posed:
Jean smiles a bit, "Well, I'm sure a visit from you would be worth it, but don't feel a need to rush on that, Power Girl. I mean, things get pretty busy for you I'm sure." She gives the taller blonde a knowing smile.

"And yes, I can imagine being quieter is good in a lot of different respects. Maybe something is more likely to happen here because it's quieter... but also, well, if it doesn't, then you can actually relax a little bit."

Daniel Hastings has posed:
With his cup of not quite coffee in hand and a danish that he honestly feels is more sugar than pastry, Daniel turns from the counter and looks for a table. Call it bravery but he takes a seat at a table for two next to where Power Girl and her unknown companion are sitting. That's when he takes a newspaper out and gets on with reading it. Coffee, danish, newspaper..'quiet' coffee shop. This is how one is supposed to begin their morning. He gives a polite nod to Power Girl and company nearby as he settles in, "Morning."

Karen Starr has posed:
    Power Girl chuckles at that, raising her shoulders again somewhat impassively. The first part of that is... Intense, and as usual, it honestly ought to be illegal.

    "Yeah. Quiet usually remains quiet, but the moment you make the bet on it, it won't be." She offers this sigh. Her friendly tone downplays that she's, frankly, talking about -violent-crime-.

    When Daniel seats himself, her attention shifts. She takes the first few big gulps of her Mocha. She's sipping at it when he greets the pair of them. She responds with an acknowledging incline of her head, and a small smile. "Morning." she responds, detaching from the straw. "Better scenery here. No news about anti-mutant activism is good news. Even if there's no beer."

Jean Grey has posed:
Jean smiles, "I suppose it is. Personally, I like the idea of living just far enough outside the city to not have the hustle and bustle, but close enough that if I need something there, I can get it." She tilts her head at Power Girl, "Guessing your life keeps you pretty busy."

She then tilts her head and looks curiously at Daniel, arching a brow and giving him a friendly enough smile. "Good morning." She doesn't exactly lead with more than that, but when Power Girl mentions, "Anti-mutant activists? What happened?" Her friendly expression becomes more sympathetic as she regards Dan, head tilting as she makes a bit of a face, "Those people are some of the worst." And she definitely means it.

Daniel Hastings has posed:
Daniel does at least get so far as skimming the front page of the paper before folding it down and looking to the ladies adjacent, "Oh nothing recent. Power Girl and I merely had a few words regarding a press briefing by Pro-Humana where we were in firm agreement." He most certainly doesn't like them. Jean will get vibes of disdain and resolve from him. "After the memoriam, I'd considered getting a small apartment in Mutant Town. Just.. to be handy. Though as I look around this quaint little town.. I can feel the draw." He shrugs. "I'll have to decide sooner than later, of course. It's not as if I'm Tony Stark and can buy an island or three for vacation homes." There's a faint laugh at that then he leans over to offer Jean a hand, "Dan Hastings."

Karen Starr has posed:
    There's a short pause as Karen considers things momentarily. "Eh," she argues, downplaying it. "I think you'd be surprised. Not as much as you'd think." That's kind of a lie, but it's one that promotes safety.

    She sighs a bit. "Yeah, there was this... Basically a rally. Some group named Pro-HUMANA. The guy that chairs them, he decided to turn his daughter's birthday into a big charity benefit promoting anti-meta and anti-mutant sentiments. I couldn't really let it slide because it was just -days- after Genosha. It felt like a victory lap." she remarks, pausing afterwards to down more of her oversweet candy-in-a-cup.

    "Good luck with that." It's really all she has to say about Dan's current conundrum. Power Girl has two apartments, but at the same time... She could buy an island, if she really needed to.

Jean Grey has posed:
Jean takes the offered hand from Dan, "Jean Grey, and I can definitely relate to that." She smiles warmly, "And yeah, I don't have much patience for bigots of any stripe, especially ones as crass as them. Though, well, I've spent most of my life here in Salem Center, so I definitely see the appeal. Personally, I'd take this over the inflated rents of New York any day of the week, but then again I'm also a schoolteacher so..." Yeah, not like she's in a well-paying profession!

Daniel Hastings has posed:
    The reminder of the rally..well..it draws a small sigh from Dan. He very much agreed with Karen but wasn't feeling like reliving the moment just now. He does at least chuckle at Power Girl's 'good luck' blessing, "Thanks?"

    Now it's Jean's mentioning of being a school teacher that gets Daniel's attention, "Oh? What subject? I got roped into teaching part time at a school in New York.. in addition to my usual research. Not that I dislike it. I love passing on knowledge. I'm just.. starting to fray at the edges between everything I need to get done in a day." There's a chuckle at that. "If I had my druthers, I'd likely get a country home somewhere and commute.. but that brings its own headaches." A beat. "Physics. My field that is. Well, astrophysics.. relativity.. or at least breaking Einstein's rules. He was a brilliant man I have to say but if we're ever to enjoy interstellar travel we'll have to find a way around them."

Karen Starr has posed:
    For a good period of time, Power Girl follows along with the conversation whilst voraciously consuming her drink. Truth is, though, that by now the conversation had moved past her. Eventually, there was the telltale noise that there was nothing left in her cup and, before she could mourn it too intensely, Karen was tossing it into a can.

    "Okay. That was good- but I have to get back to it." she remarks, making her way for the door. "Dan, Jean, it was nice seeing you both." an earnest tone definitely present. She means it. Without much further ado, though, she steps out of the cafe, and rises into the sky- and once done, she's just gone.

Jean Grey has posed:
Jean smiles a bit, "Was nice to see you again, Power Girl." She waves to the blonde as she leaves, then looks back to Dan, "Physics? Well, nice... I actually teach, well, it's a bit of a variety. But then I teach at a small private school, so we tend to be a bit more flexible in staffing. Right now, I'm just finishing up work on my psychiatry degree. Though I do know a little bit about physics. Been teaching sciences for the younger kids."

Daniel Hastings has posed:
    Daniel rises when Power Girl does. It's polite. Right? Then he settles back into his chair. "I'll let you in on a secret. I'm envious. I think I'd much prefer to teach younger students than the older. High schools are.. well.. they run rampant with hormones and I don't think I'm the right personality for that." He seems to take solace in quieter places like.. this one. "Not that I don't expect the younger ones to rebel but I find that they're.. more accepting? Of things that others might find fantastical. Physics is one of those fields where everything is on just such a grand scale that a lot of people I've met would much prefer to put their head in the sand than try to comprehend it." Which he finds disappointing. "I suppose I might serve better in a college setting.. but I'm trying not to make too many grand life decisions just now." Now his thoughts and words diverge as he tries to come up with an innocent cause. "I've just come back from being overseas you see." Overseas.. more like.. his mind has flashes of an interstellar journey of intergalactic distances.. big explosions.. the moon.. SHIELD headquarters..

Jean Grey has posed:
Jean snickers, "Oh, we have our share of hormonal teens as well, you have //no// idea." She smiles warmly at Dan, sipping from her mocha as she considers. Then she arches a brow as she gets a glimmer of surface thoughts about Dan being 'overseas', and she quirks a grin, "Yeah, I've been overseas a fair amount myself. One of the perks of being with a private institution as I am." She's looking remarkably like a Cheshire Cat with that grin.

Daniel Hastings has posed:
    "School trips?" Daniel inquires, intrigued. "It must be a fairly well off school to take students overseas. Is it one of those boarding schools for the wealthy type places?" Part of him hopes that's not the case. He's apparently not fond of the idle rich. Reminds him of that Pro-Humana fellow.. not that he'd expect her to work for such as place as she seems pro-mutant. The idle thoughts as he sips his coffee and enjoys his danish. "Believe it or not, I'm here on a work visa. I'm Canadian." Though his accent is a little odd for a Canadian. There's a heavy British influence with a dash of French. Perhaps a Quebecois who worked in England a while? "I imagine that's not too much the surprise since we're not so far off."