4640/Iced Coffee Shop

Iced Coffee Shop
Date of Scene:	13 June 2018
Location:	Bludhaven
Synopsis:	Summary needed
Cast of Characters:	Iceman, Wiccan

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Iceman has posed:
     Having traveled to the town of Bludhaven to deliver a package to an old friend, Bobby found himself wandering the streets of this quiet town, enjoying the lack of super villains or even major crime. It was nice to just be Bobby Drake for a time without the sudden need to suit up in a block of ice and fight evil. Not that he didn't enjoy that, but it was hard being one of the few, if not the only, gay hero on the X-men roster. This is what found the young accountant walking down the Main Street in the commercial district. Just as the thought of 'what do folks do here?' crossed his mind, the lights of the coffee shop sign caught his attention. Shrugging, Bobby headed off in that direction since what better way to get a feel for the locals than to visit a neighborhood coffee shop.
    A small bell sounded at his entrance, followed by the obligatory stares from a few regular patrons checking out the new arrival. Most went back to their coffee and conversations as Bobby made his way up to the counter to look over the menu. Dressed casually, he didn't seem out of place but something about him said he wasn't from around here.

Wiccan has posed:
Wiccan hasn't had too much time to explore his new town, but he brought some more things over to the new apartment and decided to take a walk. Miracle of Miracles, there's a coffee shop nearby...and wait, what? There are new agey, witchy books? Has Billy died and gone to heaven? His excitement is barely contained as he grabs a few books to look at before he goes towards the counter to order.

A book falls off of his stack and as he reaches down to try and pick it up, another book falls. It's like a slapstick comedy only it's actually happening.

Iceman has posed:
    While he waits for the barista to make up his Iced Coffee...yeah cliche but tasty!...Bobby takes a moment to look around the place. It has some charm and character and seems to be a mashup of a lot of things all trying to be The 'in thing'. Even when he's not on 'duty' his reflexes remain sharp. That's how he finds his hand snapping out towards the second falling book before it hits the ground. Though his first instinct is to use his powers, he is glad he hasn't, since this place is filled with folks who may not have a good reaction to that.
     When he lifts his gaze to the perpetrator of the literary avalanche, he pauses without speaking. After an awkward moment, he quick shifts the book to his other hand and reaches down for the first book that hit the floor with a thud, "You're lucky the librarian is on her coffee break...she looked mean!" he says to break the awkward moment.

Wiccan has posed:
"Oh, thanks," is offered as Billy straightens, trying to keep hold of the remaining books. He glances down at them and gives an embarassed little grin, "I got a little excited, I think. I'm sure places like this exist somewhere in Manhattan, but...I hadn't found them." And this one's so close! "I feel like I've gone to Hogwarts!" His cheeks flush pink as maybe that wasn't the right thing to say to a random guy in a coffee shop holding books about Chakras, Crystal healing, and Past-Lives.

Iceman has posed:
    "Well, I wonder where you'd get sorted. I'm guessing Ravenclaw based on how excited you are for books." Apparently the geek is strong with this one as well. Bobby keeps hold of the two books he picked up and looks over your shoulder, "You better let me carry these. We can't have you causing a scene on my first night in town." There's a genuine warmth in his smile as he walks over to a corner table and slides the books across towards the center of the table. There are two comfortable chairs at the table but he doesn't move towards one yet. "Looks like my Iced Chai is ready. Can I get you something? It's the least I can do for interrupting your opening act," he says with a playful wink to show the humor in his words.

Wiccan has posed:
"I'd like to think Ravenclaw, but I'm probably Hufflepuff. Or Slytherin. Probably not Gryffindor." If there is any place to discuss such a thing, it might be this one. "Uh..." is offered when the books are brought over to one of the tables and he tentatively sets the others down. He may not be looking through them if he's going to be chatting. His cheeks flush a bit more at the offer to get the drink, "Oh, really, it's ok. I don't want to put you out or anything."

Iceman has posed:
    "I'm already out," he says, though he doesn't make it an obvious double entendre, he does throw it out there just in case there's any doubt. After all if things don't go well he doesn't need to return to the town. Before BIlly can comment on his remark, he shakes his head "Seriously, It's my first time in town and I'd like to." He waits for a moment before glancing at the barista who's called his name twice, "Oh, yeah that Bobby she keeps calling. That's me, so you'd better give me your order before he tosses my drink away." Again there's that disarming smile.

Wiccan has posed:
Wiccan isn't used to being flirted with so it's a little unnerving. "I...uhh...I should probably order it, if that's ok..." but he'll let the other pay if he really, really wants to. His order is one of those fancy, overly-complicated ones and he even adds one of the seasonal syrups. It's more sugar than coffee. "Thank you..."

Iceman has posed:
    Bobby accompanies Billy to the counter. The barista seems relieved and annoyed that it took him almost a third time before he picked up his drink. However, the tip Bobby left seems to calm her as she takes Billy's order. "Yeah better that you ordered it, since I'm sure I'd have gotten the double shot mixed up with the syrup." When the other man gives the woman his name, Bobby puts out his hand, "So Billy is it? I'm Bobby, if you couldn't guess by the cup," he smirks as he turns his cup around where his name is written and spelled correctly. "I was going to ask what else there is to do around here, but you seem new here also?" Maybe he's just intuitive that way.

Wiccan has posed:
"Technically, I live a few blocks away," Billy points out, taking the offered hand. "But I haven't really had a chance to explore much. I'm not sure that there -is- too much to do, seeing that it's kind of the suburbs," Billy grins a little shyly. "Nice to meet you, Bobby. What brings you to a sleepy place like Sunnydale?"

Iceman has posed:
    Bobby takes a sip of his iced chai before responding, as he needs to give it some thought. He can't really say he was bringing a highly radioactive chunk of metal in a lead-lined box to a scientist to study how to penetrate it next time Iceman goes up against the villain, so he just says "I was delivering some research to a friend." It's not a lie, technically. "I figured I could use some down time so I thought I'd see what I could get into in Sunnydale." By the time he's finished, the barista calls Billy's name so Bobby looks over at the table and back to the young man. "I guess you'll want to start hitting those books?"

Wiccan has posed:
Wiccan takes his drink with a smile to the barrista before turning back, "Oh, interesting." Surely there are research centers nearby...he hasn't really thought about it. It sounds legit, at least. Dark eyes glance to the table with the books, "Well, I just sort of grabbed them because they looked interesting. I can always write down the titles and find them later." He lifts the coffee cup to his lips for a quick sip. "Socializing is better than hiding in a book sometimes."

Iceman has posed:
    Bobby nods at that, returns the smile with one of his own, then walks over to one of the two chairs, "Mind if I join you? It'd be nice to talk to someone who isn't one of my students or trying to kill me." His voice falters and he clears his throat as if he said too much, quickly adding, "So are you...into the metaphysical stuff?" he asks. It's not very smooth but he was more concerned about covering up his earlier remark, "Is that your major?" he asks, making an assumption on Billy's age by the look and dress.

Wiccan has posed:
"Students?" Billy also moves to the table where the books were set and he nods when asked if the other could join. "You're a teacher?" He doesn't -look- that old! Dark eyebrows shoot up as he's asked about his major, "How did you...do you read minds?" It's a legit question nowadays. Not that Billy was thinking about classes seeing as they've been over for at least a month. "And I don't think you can major in New Age stuff. That would be...well...I mean, it might defeat the purpose?"

Iceman has posed:
    "I teach some accounting classes at the mans....at a school for gifted students. I only graduated myself a few years ago but we were short-handed." he corrects in a casual manner. It's a safe bet that sounds innocuous and if Billy is familiar with it, it won't be hard for him to make the connection. "And no, I don't read minds, that's Jean's thing," he adds without thinking again. Man he's not used to talking with people who don't know about him, and it's hard when it's a handsome guy. "It's two thousand eighteen, I think you can major in anything you want. Whether it's a valuable life choice is another thing. "

Wiccan has posed:
"Accounting? Wow. I'm lucky if I can keep to a budget..." Billy arches an eyebrow as Bobby goes on about a school for 'gifted students' and someone named 'Jean'. He takes another sip of his coffee drink, "I haven't actually declared, but I might be doing something with Social Anthropology and Religious Studies. We were talking about some sort of double-major at the end of the year." There's a glance to the books, "They seem like they're kind of silly but there's truth in some of the New Age Stuff."

Iceman has posed:
    Bobby looks impressed. "A double major? That's ambitious." After taking a sip of his drink, he rests both hands on the table, wrapped around his cup. "I did only the one, but I kept busy with training." That's an odd choice of words, but who knows what it means. "I had some good friends I hung out with too. that got me through a lot of the hard parts."
    "What about you? Do you have a good circle of friends for support or as wingmen?"

Wiccan has posed:
"Training for what? And nothing's been decided about the majors. I may minor in one. I don't really know..." because like most his age, he has no idea what he wants to study. College is more of an all-around experience right now. "I like taking a bunch of classes, but I don't think you can major in Esoteric Stuff." Billy grins some and takes another sip of his own drink.

The question about friends has him tilting his head, "That's a bit of an odd question. What, are you seeing if there's anyone who might miss me if I disappear?" He's mostly joking...

Iceman has posed:
    "Sorry, that sounded stalkerish didn't it? No, i didn't mean that. At least no longer than it would take for a walk around the park." His easy smile surfaces again as he leans back against the back of his chair. "I figured with your interests, you might be a people person, unless it's just extinct people? i know when I was in high school I was a bit of a loner until .... well until things happened. I tried to keep out of the spotlight whenever possible. Then, we'll, things changed and I found having people around was pretty ice."
    Realizing he's rambling a bit, Bobby clears his throat, "Hey Sorry didn't mean to wax philosophical or anything. Kind of heavy for a first conversation."

Wiccan has posed:
"Kinda stalkerish, yeah," Billy admits. "I have friends, sure. And I don't mind people. Would I come into a strange, new coffee shop if I didn't like people?" He then answers his own question, "I suppose if I needed coffee badly enough." There's another sip of his drink, "Is anyone really their best self in High School?" As if it wasn't just a year ago for him. "I mean, if they are, I feel bad for them. High School sucks for most people."

Iceman has posed:
    "Point, Billy." he declares with a soft chuckle to break the awkwardness. "I think High School is there to show you the worst things can get and so you know you can only go up." He pauses another moment before referencing your books, "Are those for a project or personal study? I've never delved much into new age or mysticism. Being a math geek didn't leave a lot of time for interesting classes."

Wiccan has posed:
"Well, I think it's just a product of when it happens. Being a teenager isn't easy either..." seeing that Billy is still one, but a 'college teenager'. It's different, of course. "And people are learning what sort of power they can have...over themselves or others. And everyone's trying to figure themselves out and who they want to be. No wonder it sucks." The question has him looking at the books he gathered, "A little bit of both, really. Some of the new age stuff is a little out there, but so much of it is perception and how you see the world."

Iceman has posed:
    Bobby leans forward at that comment, "It can be out there, but that has to be part of why it is fascinating. Don't get me wrong, I love math and science. I mean I couldn't teach it if I didn't. But, it's pretty ... straight forward, at least the work I do. Numbers are constant. If you do operations on them, you know what to expect." Even as he speaks, his smile grows, "The new age stuff and even other topics like that are mysterious. You don't know what you'll get and I imagine that's part of the allure and the excitement. We all probably need some more mystery in our lives these days."

Wiccan has posed:
"I'm not a big math geek, but isn't there some variance in that too? I mean, the higher stuff? And in terms of new age and mysticism, they had to get at these philosophies somewhere, right? Aristotle was a Philospher and a Mathematician...so was Socrates. I don't think that they're mutually exclusive. I think a lot of people think that they are." Billy sort of shrugs, as if explaining this isn't a big deal. "I wouldn't call it 'mysterious'. Maybe less linear. But it's less rigid, I guess."

Iceman has posed:
    "There's variance in what you can do with the math. What problem you're trying to solve, but the math is...well it's math." He chuckles at some unspoken thought. "Science has variance, so you have the scientific method to keep things straight." Just then Bobby shakes his head for a moment, letting his hair hang down as he lowers his head, "Wow Hank would really love to hear me talking like this."
    After lifting his head, Bobby apologizes, "Sorry about that, a friend of mine. He's a scientist and he's always going on about it." He nods then at your words, "You're right, they aren't mutually exclusive. Maybe that's why they go well together, with the whole opposites attract?" He muses on that for a few seconds and then in a rather announcer like voice exclaims "You got your Philosophy in my Mathematics...no you got your Mathematics in my Philosophy...wow now there's a commercial for college waiting to happen!"

Wiccan has posed:
"Isn't that the point of college though? To explore all of that stuff? I mean, we get a taste of it in High School, but we can focus more in College since there are less 'required' classes. Mostly the ones that make sure you're a little well-rounded by the time you graduate. For example, I have to take a science or math class before I graduate even though it's not anywhere near the Social Sciences or Philosophy." Billy smiles a little, "So you teach math and have a friend who's a scientist...and yet you come to hipster, pagan coffee shops?"

Iceman has posed:
    "If you taught math and had a scientist friend you'd understand *why* I could to a hipster, pagan coffee shop," Bobby remarks with a wink. "I mean that's where all the cute guys hang out. I mean cool, cool guys!" he corrects. "Besides, I like to broaden my experiences too and sometimes...well when you're around the same people, friends or not, all the time, it's nice to get out and see who else is out there that you'd otherwise miss out on." After a brief pause to sip some chair, he asks, "Does that sound lame?"

Wiccan has posed:
Wiccan arches an eyebrow but he does smile as he takes another drink from his coffee cup. "It sounds a little cheesy," he admits, but he does seem amused. "It beats going to a bar. At least you might have something to talk about besides just making out...not that there's anything wrong with that either.

Iceman has posed:
    Bobby finds it's his turn to raise an eyebrow but it's more as if he's considering your words and their meaning rather than put off by them. "I always try to do the former before the latter at least," he offers with an innocent shrug of his shoulders. "Well there was that one time, but everyone has those right?" He shakes his head, "Kitty drags us out dancing sometimes, but I'm not a go-to-a-bar-myself kind of guy really. With the internet, it seems a lot of people don't bother leaving their houses to meet people anymore."

Wiccan has posed:
"Is 'Kitty' another scientist friend of your's?" Billy asks, "Dancing? Like at a club?" He makes a face at the mention of the internet, "Or they use the internet to meet people solely on their picture alone. But everyone has those times too, right?" There's a smirk, "It makes it both easier and harder. It's easy to meet -people-...just not always easy to meet people who could be friends."

Iceman has posed:
    "Kitty is most certainly a friend, but she's most certainly not a scientist. Well she might be but Hank keeps her away from his equipment. She and technology don't mix well." Bobby seems to agree about the dating apps, "Kitty made me a profile once and I had about five creepy guys send me pictures of...well, let's just say they weren't yearbook photos." With a shrug, he settles back in his chair, "I'll take the old fashioned way any day."