ArchivedLogs:Horrible Human History Stuff

Horrible Human History Stuff
Dramatis Personae Marinov, Nekara	2017-02-07 "Hmm, it does indeed sound like there is quite a lot that I will need to learn about the ways of this city still."
Location <NYC> Evolve Cafe - Lower East Side
Spacious and open, this coffeeshop has a somewhat industrial feel to it, grey resin floors below and exposed-beam ceilings that have been painted up in a dancing swirl of abstract whorls and starbursts, a riot of colour splashed against a white background. The walls alternate between brick and cheerfully lime-green painted wood that extends to the paneling beneath the brushed-steel countertops. There's an abundance of light, though rather than windows (which are scarce) it comes from plentiful hanging steel lamps. The walls here are home to artwork available for sale; though the roster of prints and paintings and drawings and photographs changes on a regular basis it has one thing in common -- all the artists displayed are mutants. The seating spaced around the room is spread out enough to keep the room from feeling cluttered. Black chairs, square black tables that mostly seat two or four though they're frequently pushed around and rearranged to make space for larger parties. In the back corner of the room is more comfortable seating, a few large black-corduroy sofas and armchairs with wide tables between them. There's a shelf of card and board games back here available for customers to sit and play. The chalkboard menus hanging behind the counter change frequently, always home to a wide variety of drinks (with an impressive roster of fair-trade coffees and teas largely featured) though their sandwiches and wraps and soups and snacks of the day change often. An often-changing variety of baked goods sit behind the display case at the counter halfway back in the room, and the opposite side of the counter holds a small selection of homemade ice creams. A pair of single-user bathrooms flanks the stairway in back of the cafe; at night, the thump of music can be heard from above, coming from the adjoining nightclub of the same name that sits up the stairs above the coffeehouse. Evolve is a pretty usual spot for Marinov to visit these days, and they have the kind of allowance that allows them to sustain the habit of visiting frequently. The weather has been gloomy, so Marinov has brought a black umbrella to protect their charcoal coloured birdseye suit with a kelly green tie and diagonal blue stripes. The teen is carrying their books in a grey business case, slung over their shoulder. "Ugh, terrible weather," they comment, miserably as they look back to their tail, which had unfortunately not made the trip untouched by the chilly winter rain. "I am starting to wonder if it ever is nice here, always either cold, or wet... or both." Nekara offers in reply with a slight laugh, having her own umbrella as well as she follows along with the teen who was kind enough to agree to show her the best ways to get to the city and back, and some places of note there... or a place at least. She is wearing a black full length skirt and a similar color, fairly loosely fitting long sleeved shirt, though at the moment most of that is covered under the long heavy coat she is wearing over that. "Why do you bring books with you to the city?" is inquired a moment later with somewhat curious look given to that business case. "Well, it's the dead of winter. It was always pretty rainy back home, too, so I guess I'm sorta used to it. Doesn't mean I gotta approve of it, though," says Marinov, pointing out towards the street-facing window. "I brought my books 'cause I usually come here to get some work done. I need a bit of bustle to keep focused, otherwise I'll just fall asleep. Oh! And they have bulletproof glass here, so that's good, too." They pull up a chair at one of the tables and places their bag on it. "Really, for the most part, I come to the city to either come here or to go on walks with my friend Paige." Nekara takes off her coat as they get inside, as it is pretty hot to keep on in room temperature. "Well, to be honest, I don't actually mind rain... although for the opposite reason than you, it was actually rather rare back at my home, so it was always welcome when it did happen. -Cold- rain though... not so nice." is noted with a chuckle as she hangs her coat over the back of one of the chairs at their table. Giving a curious look to Marinov when they talk about their studying habits. "Really? That is quite unusual, I would imagine it to be the opposite.... getting distracted by stuff going on. Uh and... does a cafe need bullet-proof glass around here? I am not sure if that makes me feel more safe." she notes with an arched brow. "Paige? Is she a mutant also?" "Well, I'd leave it up to Paige to answer that question," says Marinov, scratching their neck lightly, "I mean, I think she wouldn't mind my answering to you in particular, but..." The teen glances about and then says, "As for needing the bullet-proof glass. Er... I mean, maybe it doesn't /need/ it, but..." They look momentarily uncomfortable and then say, "Listen, anywhere that there's a mutant-friendly establishment where known mutants show up to on the regular, there's gonna be assholes who try to ruin it. Better than being on my own and having assholes trying to ruin me, though. I am glad that Evolve makes sure to create a safe space, you know?" Nekara offers a slight shrug at Marinov's reply to the question about Paige. "Fair enough, maybe I will get to meet her at some point." she offers, then listens to the description about the place, nodding. "I didn't meant to upset you. I was just surprised about a cafe having bullet-proof glass, thats all. I will take your word on it though, as certainly you know this city and its ways much better than I do. It is sad to hear though that people like that would be so bold as to attack such a public place. And I definetily agree with you that it is very important to have places to gather." "Oh, you didn't upset me or anything. I mean, I've been attacked in this city before, and I've been hurt by the police, so when a place like this puts in measures to protect its clientele against that sort of stuff, I just think, yeah! That's a selling feature for me," says Marinov as they start towards the counter to place an order for some tea, wet tail flicking lazily behind them. "It's a good place to get my caffeine, too. I can't taste sweet, so I don't really eat much of their snacks, but I like the drinks." Nekara listens to Marinov's words, frowning some at the part about being hurt by the police. "Hmm, it does indeed sound like there is quite a lot that I will need to learn about the ways of this city still." Considering for a moment about what Marinov says regarding their diet, she blinks a few times. "You know... it just occured to me that I don't think I have actually ever tried to eat anything in my other forms, so I have no idea if the same would be true to me in those. But I imagine it well might. Perhaps I will test that sometime." Standing up to follow Marinov to the counter to place an order as well, getting a tea of her own. "It must be rough though, to not be able to taste I mean. Especially if you used to before your mutation manifested... or were you always like that?" She does know that some physical mutants at least are born like that. "Oh... no, I changed when I manifested," says Marinov, "I mean, I know that some folks are born with the physical mutations, but I changed over a couple of weeks. It was... pure agony, really. Does... changing feel that bad for you?" They glance back, ears flicking back a bit anxiously at the thought. "Anyways... yeah, lots of dietary changes. I can't eat chocolate, but it doesn't taste like anything I want to eat anyways, and most vegetables make me throw up. I gotta eat meat. It was a big adjustment for me. But... I dunno. I guess I'm used to it now?" They don't sound completely convinced. Nekara winces a bit as she listens to that description. "Oh... that does not sound fun indeed. My apologies for bringing up such an uncomfortable topic. For me it doesn't feel painful, no. And it happens quite fast, over just a few seconds, it is really hard to explain how it feels, but its not painful. I would probably be able to describe better if I wouldn't still feel such dizziness from the extra sensory input that comes with changing to one of my other forms. Need to spend more time in those forms to fix that. I have also noticed that I heal much faster in that form you saw me in the gym, that might be reason why it doesn't feel that painful." she offers, not sounding quite sure if that really is the reason, but its best she can think of. "Having that limited diet though does sound pretty rough. I can imagine it being difficult to adjust to." "You heal better in that form? Huh. I heal pretty regular in this one, and it's really the only one I got!" says Marinov, "Sort of shit shapeshifting if you ask me, to do it once and then never again." The teen picks up their tea and sits back down at the table that the saved, turning the chair so that their tail can hang free and dry. "I used to be a vegetarian so it was an adjustment, and since then I've killed animals with my teeth. It's sort of fucked up," admits Marinov, being a bit free-er with their language than normal while around teachers. Nekara nods in reply to that question. "Yes I do, though its not like instant or anything, so I suppose it would not really make much of a difference in a fight, but I imagine it could be useful if some accidents happen in school with someone losing control of their powers or the like..." she notes with a shrug. paying for her tea before she comes back to the table and takes a seat. Sipping it carefully as she looks to Marinov. "Hmm, I am not sure if shapeshifting would be the correct term if you only actually have one form. Though I am not a scientist so I am not really sure of what the correct terms to different types of mutations are." she admits, blinking at hte last part. "That must indeed be quite shocking... I recall reading something about people specifically -becoming- vegetarians after seeing how the meat is acquired." The more direct speaking does not seem to bother her, not when 'off-duty' anyway. "Well, I shapeshifted one time! Once upon a time, I did have another form," says Marinov, leaning back in their seat and propping one foot against the leg of the table. "I think around the school, it'd probably be useful to have the reflexes and stuff, but... I dunno. Like, I'm way stronger than I used to be, and faster, and all that. So... in terms of safety, if I could switch forms, this one would probably be better at school. But how I looked before... much safer in public." Nekara stirs her tea some more to help it cool a bit more while she listens. "Hmm, thats another difference, I don't really gain any noticeable increase in strength in my other bipedal form, though certainly do in dexterity and coordination, I think only improvement in strength is in the legs as can jump pretty far. My four-legged full-on cat form though is quite a bit stronger, but has obvious other limitations." she explains. "And yes, it can definetily have its advantages to look normal, even if I am not -entirely- normal in this form either. With the strange looking eyes and that feeling of unease I cause in most people." "Ah, yeah, I can jump... really well, I guess. My legs are super strong," says Marinov, "Which is probably why I have such great looking legs." They peer towards Nekara's eyes and then say, "I guess I forget that you make people uneasy, since I've never really noticed anything like that around you. But I guess I've smelled it on others. Your eyes, though, are just striking is all." The teen takes a sip out of their cup. "I know it was weird when I changed. The world was so much different. I guess it's probably like that for you every time." Nekara laughs softly at the talk about Marinov's legs, smiling. "Well, since it would be most improper to look under the table for that, I will just have to take your word on that. Although I doubt they would be anything but great." she offers, tilting her head to the side some as she looks back to them. "Hmmm, Mr. Tressier said that he would try to help me find out why that is happening, and why it affects different people in different ways. And, thank you." she has to think for a few moments at the last part, and takes that opportunity to sip from her tea. "Hmm, its probably worse for me, since I don't really spend enough time in those forms to get used to it, though maybe I will start doing that when I get the clothes. Try to stay entire days in that form, so I can get accustomed to all the sensory input, like it feels so strange to be able to gather that much information from scents especially." "Ah, well, Mr. T might be able to help you figure it out," says Marinov, "He's pretty good with powers and stuff, figuring them out." They tap their claws lightly agains the surface of the table, in thought. "Well... yeah, I mean, I imagine it was like when I changed in the hospital, I mean. Where I could smell and hear every little thing all at once. Sorta overwhelming. So I can see why you might get uncomfortable and want to switch back after awhile. But... I dunno, I got used to it and all, so it's get-used-toable." "Yes, he told me that his power is helping others with theirs, which I imagine is very useful in the school." Wincing then as Marinov mentions the hospital. "Uh... I can imagine that not being very pleasant, as hospitals don't actually have the nicest smells even with -normal- level senses. Learned pretty quick to avoid shifting in cities if could avoid it just because of all the less than pleasant smells. Though once it gets bit warmer outside, I am looking forward to go to the forest in the school grounds to get more used to my cat form." "Yeah, well, the smells sure weren't great!" admits Marinov about the hospital, "But I mean, I visit doctors plenty, so I'm sorta used to that sorta thing." They pull their foot down from the table leg and cross one leg over the other. "And yeah. The forest is nice to have a jog through. I do it in the winter, too, but not when it's raining like it's been today." Nekara sips from her tea again as she listens, giving a look to Marinov about the doctors part. "Oh? I hope you are not sick?" she wonders, looking them over for a few moments, then smiles at the last part of what they say. "I might start doing that too once I get somewhat more used to the cold. Maybe wasn't the smartest idea to move here right at the coldest time of the year." she notes with a chuckle, shaking her head a bit at the thought. "Not sick, no," says Marinov, waving off the question dismissively, "I just have lots going on with my doctors." They swirl their cup and take another drink of the tea, "And... yeah, I think moving from a warm climate in the winter is just bad timing. I've sorta wondered about that, like... seems odd to have jungle cat fur pattern so far north? Mutant powers are weird." Nekara nods a few times at the first part. "I imagine it wasn't easy to find a doctor who can understand enough about your unusual physiology?" she inquires, giving a somewhat curious look at the mention of the patterns. "Well, I suppose regular cats come in all kinds of different colorings and patterns too. I don't think there are any cats in Egypt currently that match my coloring either, though there have been as there is plenty of art from older times depicting large black cats. But, I am not sure if mutant powers are really at all linked with your surroundings." "Yeah, my physiology is pretty fucked," admits Marinov, sighing miserably at that, "Medicine has generally been a bit of a crapshoot for me." The teen headshakes and then exhales, "Anyways, I dunno. I guess cats were a big thing in Egypt back in the day, huh? Pretty popular animal. Well. Given my limited understanding of history. Not my best class, to be honest!" Nekara sips from her tea again as she listens more about what Marinov says regarding how they work, but since she is not a doctor, doesn't really have much help to offer in that regard, apart from a sympathetic look. "Yes they were, there was entire temples dedicated to them, and well the sphinx itself obviously was modeled mostly after cat. It was definetily a good time to be a cat, unlike say the Europe during the middle-ages." she notes with a bit of a frown thinking about that particular era of history. "Huh? What happened in Europe in the middle-ages? I mean... Probably some kind of terrible shit, that's what the middle ages were in Europe based on my understanding. But I mean, to cats, specifically," says Marinov, tilting their head slightly. They pull their cup towards themselves and then take a sip, holding it between both hands. Nekara tilts her head to the side some in surprise at that question. "Mmm, I guess you indeed aren't too studied in history. The religious fanatics that held power back then thought that cats were familiars of the devil and they were killed in massive numbers, they in particular liked burning them in baskets that witches standed on when burned at the stake. It was especially bad during the black plague which they believed was caused by the devil, which turned out only making things worse, since cats were actually killing the true causes of the plague, which were the plagued rats." "Oh, yeah, I guess I sorta knew some of that.... sorta weird to me, but yeah, it's just more terrible Middle-Ages stuff," says Marinov, scratching the back of their neck awkwardly. They pull their bookbag up to their lap and remark, "Or I guess... human history stuff."