ArchivedLogs:Taking Risks

Taking Risks
Dramatis Personae Josiah, Selene
In Absentia	2014-03-06 '
Location <NYC> Figment - SoHo
Sleek and chic in a cool understatement of glass and chrome, Figment is a playground for the rich and trendy. Its polished bar wraps around the back, a place both to be seen and to obtain the best in libations, and the tables sit recessed in alcoves for those who have come just to relax and socialize. The stairs wind up to the VIP balconies, overlooking the main dancefloor, and in warmer weather the back patio stays open as well, where the elegantly-clad waitstaff will bring you your drinks on the terrace overlooking SoHo's glittering lights. Late night at Figment and the crowd is beginning to disperse. There's still a handful of heartbeats, though, elegantly dressed with half-empty drinks in their hand. Some mingle at the bar, others at tables, and more than few dance languidly to the late-night house being spun by a hammered DJ in the corner. Josiah is among those at the bar, though unlike most he's by himself, stirring what's left of his sloe gin fizz. "So this is it," he thinks. "Time to face the music, see what they all think about the big, bad mutant in the office." He downs the rest of his drink and motions for another, saying, out load this time, "Last one. Thanks." Frustrated by registration, Selene's also heading towards the bar, scanning minds. She recognizes Josiah's, and remembers what happened last time she scanned him as well. Reading his surface thoughts, she takes a seat by him..and does something particularly rare for her. << I see I'm not the only wealthy person with this problem. Atleast you already know what you're going to do. I, myself, haven't decided. >>. A mental voice hammers at Josiah, but the source isn't hidden. Infact, it's basically showing that it's Selene. << We meet again. >>. Josiah stiffens at the mental voice, it being his first time hearing someone speak to him that way, though he's certainly heard about it happening to others. "Woah...Oh, hey there. It was, um, Selene, right?" He lifts his hand in a tipsy wave, thinking that it's a pretty strange situation to end up in, though not an entirely uncomfortable one. His drink is set before him and he instinctively wraps his fingers around the glass. "You, too? I'm not entirely sure I made the right choice today. It could make or break my career, really." After ordering her own drink, Selene decides to reply in voice as to not alert the bartender just yet to her presence as a mutant. "There's always a risk, though. That's what I've learned.". <<Almost 100 years of life. I don't even have an occupation, yet. If I lie, I die. If I hide it, it gets worse. Telling the truth will harm my social life, possibly my immigration. But, it seems like a risk worth taking. >> Once her drink arrives, Selene's taking a sip, speaking via mind. << I cannot believe I am the one saying this, but go with your gut. >> The admission isn't what Josiah expects to hear. Then again, he didn't expect this sort of conversation at all. "Sure," he responds. "I like risk, though. Never accomplished anything without it." He drinks some of the new cocktail before abandoning it on the bartop. Turning to Selene, he taps the side of his head and thinks, <<Is this how it works? Sorry, but I'm kind of new to it. I'm only 28.>> Selene laughs. "Risk is essential to life. Everything has a risk. Everything.". << It's much simpler. I can read every thought you think. No tapping required. >>. A grin from the centegenarian. Selene takes a sip of her drink. << What exactly is it you do? I know you have some sort of ability that grants you some sort of..increased brain function. Last time we met, I noticed three seperate thought processes. >> Josiah chuckles as well, dropping his hand from the side of his head against the polished chrome of the bartop. He clears his throat and goes for his drink again, not sipping from it, though. Instead, he rolls it around distractedly, letting the ice play against the glass, tinkling. <<Well, I do have three different thought processes, yes. Not always, though. You can probably tell there's only one, slightly inebriated process tonight.>> He's not sure how much he should tell, being used to keeping things a secret, but that's something Selene will probably pick up. <<And you? I doubt you get to be 100 just by reading people's thoughts.>> << I feed on life. >>. Oh man, Selene's getting to the good part. << The life energy of others keeps me younger, more or less. A full store gives me two weeks of youth. >>. Though, she hasn't stated she's a serial killer. She'll leave that vague. << Yes, I can tell. And, even if you wanted to, you can't hide anything from me. I could dig. >> This juicy bit of information brings the lip of Josiah's glass to his lips. He empties half the glass before setting it down. <<That sound's an awful lot like a certain creature of the night.>> He chuckles, more nervously than he would have expected, and looks to change the subject. << I can replicate my genetics, my cells, create copies of myself. It's how I can get so much done.>> "So," he says out loud, wanting to keep up the ruse of a normal conversation. "Cheers to taking risks!" << I consider myself a Psionic Vampire. Though, I'm not bugged by the light. >>. A grin from Selene. "So, how have you been since the last time we met?". << What is your job? I could check, but, I'd prefer letting you tell me. Sounds more polite. >> << Cloning. Hmm. >> "I've been well, despite deciding whether or not to change the trajectory of my life," Josiah responds verbally, grinning wide, as if such a thing can be joked about now that so much is out in the open. Inside his head, he continues with the more meaty bits of the conversation. << I'm a writer, mainly non-fiction and mainly for the New Yorker. I'm hoping that by registering and opening up, I can land something better than the online culture desk. Mine could be a really unique voice in a big publication. It could influence people.>> He nods to himself, as if saying this out loud helps to further legitimize his decision to register. "I think change is great. Everyone needs to change something, afterall.". Selene smiles. << I see. Then maybe I could make a change too. After all, what we are doesn't change us. We can get back up from this, can't we? Look at this country, as an example. It's been through enough stuff that could destroy it, yet, it's strong. Stronger than Italy was 80 years ago, stronger than it is now. And the US has gone through a lot worse. >> Josiah nods in agreement and lets a genuine smile cross his face, nothing goofy or childish about it. << I agree. And I have to admit I'm feeling better about this. After talking. Let's make some changes and see what happens. Maybe we'll both be surprised.>> Standing from his seat at the bar, Josiah extracts a business card from his pocket, handing it over to Selene. "I should be going, but you can reach me here if you want. I know I wouldn't mind a friendly ear regarding all this." And with that he finishes his drink. Selene grabs the card. "I will.". << I'll give you ten seconds to get out of my range, if you'd like. I'm about to start my first change. >>. Selene's doing something she never thought she'd do. But she's decided. Besides, perhaps being open will strengthen her cause. She doesn't need to stand beside the humans and hide as one of their own anymore. No, she's a goddess. She's not hiding anymore. Fuck those who do. Putting her money on the bar, she stands up after 10 seconds. "I apologize, but I won't be coming here anymore. You don't service my kind.". And then she's walking off. It takes the bartender a good ten seconds before realizing what she meant, but she's long gone.