8377/Grinding on Stone

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Grinding on Stone
Date of Scene: 17 July 2019
Location: Grind Stone Cafe
Synopsis: Dazzler and Cyclops have coffee and catch up.
Cast of Characters: Cyclops, Dazzler




Cyclops has posed:
Between rushes, the Grind Stone Café is not especially busy. There are a few people on their phones or laptops at a couple of tables and the staff are most busy cleaning up and getting ready for the late rush. Scott arrives at the little hipster coffee shop early and parks his bike outside. The weather is overcast but there is no hint of rain. He leaves his helmet on the bike and walks inside. Rose quartz shades tint his world, but the earthy tones are still nice. Scott orders an Americano with cream and adds some sugar.

The two comfy chairs across a low table are free, so he grabs those and drapes his jacket over the back, revealing a grey NYCFC t-shirt underneath. He wipes his hands on his jeans as sits down and taps one black boot on the ground. Unable to sit still, he is soon head down on his phone reading.

Dazzler has posed:
Alison parks the Outback beneath a tree to keep it shaded. Thank goodness for that moment between rushes when that space is free. She gathers a paisley hobo bag up with the strap over her shoulder. She's dressed down, in a breezy white blouse will bell sleeves and jeans with worn leather boots that have seen a mile or ten.

Once inside, she stands idly, looking for Scott before recognizing the top of his head as he reads. "Care if I join ya?" she asks, seating herself already, since she was the one who asked him here in the first place.

Cyclops has posed:
"Be my guest," Scott says and pockets his phone. "Can I get you anything?"

If she accepts the offer, Scott will go and order Alison's drink and bring it back in a green wide mouthed ceramic mug that looks hand formed.

"You look good," Scott comments, he picks up his mug and takes a sip, but makes a bit of a face and sets it down. "Enjoying being off the road?"

Dazzler has posed:
"Thanks, Scotty," Alison says playfully, and she offers a lopsided grin. "I think I've had enough caffeine today for three days...Maybe just a green tea, twist of lemon?" When Scott grabs her tea, she watches him intently and thoughtfully. She glances back down, busily folding her napkin in her lap as he returns. "Yeah it's god to be off the road. I've gotten a few gigs at Evolution, but I'm gearing up for some benefit concerts in the next month."

Cyclops has posed:
Scott snerks a bit when Alison calls him 'Scotty', and comes back shortly with her tea.

"I heard about the Evolution gigs," Scott says. "I think some of the others are planning to see you there. They were excited."

"Scott adjusts his glasses by one hinge. "Tell me about the benefit concerts. I didn't hear about those."

Dazzler has posed:
"Ohhh thank youu..." Alison coos as she takes the tea from Scott and takes a sip. "Well, what I'm thinking is...they're looking for new dates to schedule big protests over the sentinels. The problem with that is, those protests are not regulated in the least, except for the poor NYPD, and they don't need to deal with that hassle right now. Especially with that new smack out there. I want security to keep stuff in line, and I can do that. But it gives them a safe and regulated opportunity to hold their protests, and they're none the wiser. Everybody wins...Whatcha think?"

Cyclops has posed:
"Huh," Scott says and drinks his coffee.

"Makes sense," he says eventually. "Known location to protect, can control access, establish security, monitor it easily. I like it. Makes sense."

Scott sits and thinks about it a moment longer and then nods to himself.

"Makes sense. Might even be safe right now, the Sentinels have just vanished since the Governor ordered them to stop all operations."

Dazzler has posed:
"Yeah, who knows...I don't trust anybody who has one of the things. What they were doing before was against the law, too. Who's to say they wouldn't just deploy then anyway?" Alison shrugs, lifting her gaze up meet Scott's ruby lenses. Her aqua eyes seem a little lost, but she seems to anchor herself on him. "So how are things going with you? I haven't had much of a chance to catch up with you lately....Except for uh. Salad burger night."

Cyclops has posed:
"Was that weird, or what? I should have known better than to do a random cookout in the backyard," Scott jokes dryly. If he catches Alison's look it does not show, he just lifts his cup to his mouth and drinks. "Been busy, always. I was overseas for... Three months. That was long. Then I got back and things are not how I left them," Scott says. Reports. "I resigned my teaching position so I can focus on us full-time. It's not a part-time deal anymore."

"I work a lot," he shrugs with a wry grin. "What else is new? You must have some interesting stories from your tour. You were all over the place."

Dazzler has posed:
"Oh yeah, things had changed a lot since I left too. And stories I've got, by the bucketloads. But...what had ya overseas? Hopefully something of your own choosing?"

Cyclops has posed:
Scott shakes his head. "No, it was business, the Professor sent me. I can't talk about it," Scott says apologetically. "I'm just glad I don't have to keep up an act all the time now. I caught your show in Paris. You were really good. I didn't know so many French people were crazy for you. Can you go anywhere without getting recognized anymore?"

Dazzler has posed:
Alison shrugs, and shakes her head slowly. "Nah, it's pretty much a circus anytime I leave New York." But her expression is one more of shock than anything else. "Scott...you caught MY show? In Paris? You shoulda let me know, I'd have LOVED to take ya backstage. It gets surprisingly lonely that far out in the wilds." She smiles faintly, looking down at her tea. "Would've been nice to have ya there."

Cyclops has posed:
"Sure, why not?" Scott says with a shrug. "Like a little bit of home. Besides, you're good, always thought so."

Scott clears his throat and drinks some more of his Americano. "I couldn't say anything though, I was undercover. It was a stupid risk, now that I think about it. I won't do that again," Scott says, chastising himself. "No harm done though. Surprised you're lonely out there. You've got your whole group, the roadies, the... whatever else you have with you. I have no idea how it all works."

Dazzler has posed:
"Naah, I have my group. They're there if I need anything, but it seems like the more people are screaming, the more I need to retreat. Decompress, y'know? Shame about that assignment, though." She stirs her tea idly, and takes a sip. "Would've liked to have seen you." She smiles, sincerely.

"I found Jesus on my last tour, y'know."

Cyclops has posed:
"It would have been good," Scott agrees with Alison. "And I know the feeling. People just want and want from you, and sometimes you just to push back and be alone.

Scott raises an eyebrow when Alison says she found Jesus. He takes a moment to look at her face to make sure she was not making fun of him. "You did? Really? How did... Congratulations. How did that happen?" he manages awkwardly.

Dazzler has posed:
Alison smirks and rakes her fingers through her hair. "He was on a longboard, at a festival in Northern California," she replies matter-of-factly. "Kind of an interesting weekend. When I wasn't singing, I was running across the guy - dressed on orange and white robes, sandals, the crown of thorns, the whole nine yards. And you never had to wonder where he was. Somebody, somewhere would yell, 'JESUS CHRIST,' and then ya knew. I took some pictures. Documented exactly what Jesus /would/ do."

Cyclops has posed:
Scott sits and looks at Alison with his coffee mug frozen halfway to his face.

"I walked right into that, didn't I? Why don't I ever see it before I walk into it?" he asks dryly and puts his mug down.

"Well, you have to show me a picture now," he says with a wry grin. "I should at least get to /see/ Jesus after that one."

Dazzler has posed:
"Oh sure thing, I've got several. And for the record, If someone ever asks what would Jesus do? He would turn a box into wine. He'd attempt SEVERAL high-end tricks on a longboard, but not actually complete any of 'em. And he would DEFINITELY take his own TP to the Port-a-Potty. Because ya just never know, y'know?" She smiles wryly now, shaking her head. "It was entertainment for the weekend. Saw him walk on water, too, but I suspect it helped that he threw a bunch of big stones into the storm runoff before he did it." Alison regards him with that same smile for a moment.

"You've changed a little, Scott. So serious. But I like to see ya smile. Is everything all right? Y'know you can talk to me."

Cyclops has posed:
Scott even smiles a bit and shakes his head at Alison's story about Jesus. "Sounds like a festival Alex or Remy would be at. Plastered and having the time of their lives watching the Second Coming."

Scott drinks from his coffee and frowns at little when Alison asks how he is. "I haven't changed," he disagrees and shrugs a mite defensively.

"I'm the same as I always was. There's a war on and I'm fighting it so people like Alex /can/ go to festivals and get smashed. So I manage a team full of headstrong people who want to do their own thing, get them trained, keep them alive and meet our objectives. And take shit, but that comes with the job," Scott says. He makes a final face that expresses his distaste for his coffee, puts it down and pushes the mug away.

"As long as they fall in line when it's time, I don't care what they say the rest of the time."

Scott crosses his arms and sits back a bit. "Not important, I shouldn't be saying this stuff to you. I'm fine, I haven't changed," he goes back to.

Dazzler has posed:
Alison nods slowly, listening to Scott's lament. "Well," she begins, when he's done, "You don't see it from the other side. What I see is a team that's maybe headstrong, but they're well-trained, and they know what's what. They may complain, but they're gonna complain about anyone and anything. Because that's the human way." She half-smiles. "But in the end? When they come back home in one piece, you can bet that they're thankful that they were prepared for what they were facing. And that's on you. Nobody can take that away from ya."

Cyclops has posed:
"Thanks, Alison," Scott says with a bit of a smile. "Just doesn't feel like it most days. Nobody complains when the Professor tells them to do something, or Hank. They could use someone with more charisma. Some days I just want to put one of them in charge and let them deal with it. But I never would," he says wryly. Scott smiles a shakes his head."

"So, since you're going to be here a while, you will be back on training rotation? We have things coming up we could use you for. You're level-headed, you're capable, you're perfect for the team. I could really use your help making sure we don't have another mess I need to explain to the Professor."

Dazzler has posed:
"Anything ya need. You know that. All ya have to do is say the word. I'm not going anywhere for awhile. All ya have to do is yell 'Jump,' and I'll already be in the air. /You/ I respect. But after that debacle at the factory, well...let's just say my trust and respect come in measured doses." Shadows flit through her eyes at the thought. "I didn't much care for being depowered. But it happens, I guess. It was just a mess. If it weren't for you, I'd have signed my own walking papers after that."

Cyclops has posed:
"At ease, soldier," Scott says with a chuckle. "I appreciate you staying, I do. I need you, I can't keep this thing on the road without people I can just count on. Even if you keep flying off to be super famous or something boring like that," he adds dryly. "I'm almost mad you're so talented. IF you weren't, we'd have you on the team full-time."

Dazzler has posed:
Alison laughs. "Well just so long as you know where I stand. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere for the foreseeable future. I can walk away from a lot of things. But not you. For you and the team? I'm here."