"I think I've been playing a bit too much 'day job' life.  Time to get focused on what really matters.  Besides, if I'm going to be moving, I have some new friends to say good bye to."

A warm smile is offered as he excuses himself.

Walking out into the main room, he takes notice of the new people that had arrived since he had.

And the puppet with the wild eyes.  The apparently animated puppet without anyone controlling it.  Still it didn't seem to be harming anyone.  Though that's how it usually started.

Flexing his hands a little, he starts heading for the door.

At one of the corner booths sat a family of five. The Father was wearing a suit, though his jacket lay on the seat beside him, and his tie was loose. He had short blonde hair and piercing blue eyes that seemed to take in his entire surroundings. Beside him sat a woman in a casual dress with long wavy red hair, and across from them sat two children, a boy of about five and a girl of about seven, and an older gentleman also in a suit, presumably the grandfather judging by the resemblance.

Anyone familiar with local politics or superheroes would instantly recognize the family, in fact anyone who turned on a television in the last 10 years would have trouble not recognizing them. The Father was Donald Derring, U.S. Senator and key figure in the parahuman rights movement, but his fame truly came from his time as "The Hunter" bow wielding vigilante and founding member of the Legacy. Which would make the older man David, aka "Mr. Hurt' ww2 era supersoldier and veteran of the Secret Defenders, a top secret squad of parahumans that fought the Nazis' Occult Science division.

The woman was Eleanor Derring, heir to the Van Diemien family fortune, and the children Diantha and Donald Jr. The children were both born with active parahuman genes and have already found themselves as a sort of symbol to the rise of parahumans.

Kevin notices the Derring family, though doesn't want to intrude on their family time out.  Still if he manages to make eye contact with David, a polite but slightly imperceptible nod is offered his way.

Dane nodded in response to Antoinette, but then smiled as he saw Senator Derring, and, folding his napkin and setting it down, he stood and walked over.

He paused, still smiling, and he said, "Senator! It's good to see you again! I don't want to intrude, but I just wanted to tell you again how much I appreciated your kind words in DC."

He nodded to the Senator's wife, "Ma'am," and his father, "Sir."

And then crouched down, and smiled at the kids. "Hey, kids. I got to meet your dad a few months ago, and I got to meet the President, too."

Then he leaned in and whispered, a twinkle in his eye, "Your dad was waaaaaaay cooler."

[From Home]

Serena walks in the cafe looking slightly rumpled but clean. Her face is drawn and she has dark circles under her eyes but she's steady on her feet as she waits to be seated.

"Well thank you, I'm new to this part of town. Got a new job or at least a chance for it" he said to Antoinette. John recognized "The Hunter" and nodded but did nothing more.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:31, Thu 07 Sept 2017.

In reply to Dane Sinclair (msg # 101):

Don looked up, smiling in recognition, as he heard Dane's voice. He stood up, offering his hand for a shake. "Sergeant Sinclair, it's good to see you again. How have you been adjusting to civilian life?"

  Diantha smiled at Dane, and waved at him, poking her brother as she did.  Little kids WILL be little kids, after all.

Antoinette didn't notice Don walk in. But she did notice Dane get up and walk away. As if it took her a second to notice, though, Antoinette slowly turns her head to look in Dane's direction. Anyone paying attention to her expression would see that for a little while, she doesn't really seem to notice Don or his family even though she is looking directly at Dane. But that moment passes and her curious expression, rather than turning to shock, simply turns to a smile and she waves at Don and his family, whether they look her way or not.

The girl then turns her attention back to John and Mittens' puppet. In her usual, soft tone, she says, "My name is Antoinette. What may I call you?"

In reply to Hunter (msg # 104):

Dane smiled. "Very well, sir. I took some time and did some hiking and traveling. It was nice to travel in some remote areas without having to watch out for the Taliban. Yosemite is still, from my experience, free from bad people."

Then he shrugged lightly. "I've decided to work with Director Sharpe. See if I can make a difference."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:51, Mon 11 Sept 2017.

In reply to Kevin Jordan (msg # 98):
The puppet's eyes follow the good looking guy headed for the door, but then a war hero strikes up a conversation with a senator, and the poor puppet looks shocked!  "I'm beginning to think I have a deeper superpower than I thought..." it whispers, "Or is this the workings of that 'fate' mumbo-jumbo they spoke of in Space Zen School."

Antoinette's addressing the thugish looking guy with the pleasant demeanor snaps the puppet back to the immediate matter at hand.  Introductions.

"There are some who call me... Mittens!"

The puppet spews fire out of its mouth!  Ok, not really real fire.  It's just a trick using a portal in front of the mouth to a Halloween decoration:

https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB...-Flame-LED-Light.jpg

With that Monty Python reference out of the way, the puppet takes note of the slightly rumpled person who just walked in.

The young woman standing there has haunted, almost lifeless eyes that wander the cafe constantly, never seeming to settle on any one person or place for long. Something- exhaustion perhaps, has leeched the colour from her cheeks and left her looking ghostly white. Her hands seem to shake very slightly now and again as she waits for a seat.

There was that slight uncoiling as the fire is shot from the puppets mouth, but it is reigned in and fairly well masked as realization settles in.  A breath and he centers himself again.

This world was strange, and was going to take a lot of getting used to.

A glance is given towards Serena as he excuses himself past her.  The smile on his face is warm enough though he doesn't maintain eye contact with her for long.

With that he was out the door.  The visit to the Café had been very educational.  And he was feeling a bit overwhelmed in a way.  It had been a long time since he had been around so many new people.  Not to mention seeing abilities being used out in the open, identities made public even if they were in the past.  And then there was the registration.

Getting into his car, he pulls away from the area.  It was a lot to take in.

And he had work to get to.

>>>>>>>  Cliffs of Weston >>>>>

Even as Antoinette is waiting for John's response, she looks in the direction of the doorway to the cafe. Should Serena look in Antoinette's direction, she will see Antoinette's eyes locking with Serena's.

Serena's eyes continue their aimless wandering of the cafe until she catches someone looking at her and there her gaze stays, caught in the intensity of the other woman's eyes locked with hers.

The hand holding the strap of her purse tightens until the knuckles turn white and she returns the stare, mind going blank.

Antoinette makes a beckoning motion at Serena. She is saying something, but unless Serena's superpower is heightened hearing, Serena will likely just see Antoinette's mouth moving.

To John and Mittens, however, they hear Antoinette say, "There is room over here."

Serena's breath hitches for a moment as she is beckoned over and hears what Antoinette says and she, for just a second, looks like she's about to bolt before she begins slowly walking over.

"My name's John" nodding slightly. He noticed Serena but decided not to look at her after seeing her nervousness.

In reply to Kevin Jordan (msg # 109):

"The puppet identifying itself as Mittens is a little embarrassed that her display caused someone distress, so maybe it's for the best that only one person reacted to a puppet breathing fire in the room.  Would have expected a reaction from the kids at least.  Maybe they were distracted."

Said puppet "scooches" a little in order to make room for the newcomer.  In truth, the portal the puppet "standing" in simply moves to the side while the puppet makes a scooching motion.

"Mittens is loving the company of her new friends but is unsure how to strike up a conversation...  The horrifying sight she had seen that day was probably not a good starting point.  Oh right!  John had mentioned a chance at a new job."

The puppet addresses John without making direct eye contact, if such a thing is possible, "What sort of job, Sir John?"

The newcomer starts to say something but stops and clears her throat. "Serena."

Her voice is hoarse from lack of use or strong emotion - likely both given the look in her eyes.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:31, Mon 11 Sept 2017.

In reply to Dane Sinclair (msg # 106):

The Senator smiled. "That's good to hear, had a bit of trouble myself but my case isn't exactly typical. And last I checked there's still no criminal organizations in the national parks, though I suppose some are big enough they could fit a smuggling ring or two. I'm sure not needing to march with sixty pounds of gear on your back makes the trip much more pleasant as well." Don nodded at the mention of Ethan. "He's a good man, him and my Father served together in the Defenders. They still go out drinking about once a month."

Having not yet sipped from her glass of water, Antoinette offers it to Serena. "Nice to meet you, Serena." she says softly.

She looks at Mittens' puppet inquisitively at the mention of throwing fire out its mouth and stuff. "...I thought it was neat." she comments quietly.

With Mittens making room for Serena, Antoinette didn't need to scoot. But she has a small smile for Serena before looking at John in anticipation of his answer to Mittens.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:43, Mon 11 Sept 2017.

Serena takes the offered glass and drinks most of it in one swallow. "Thank you. It's good to meet you."

She resumes looking through the cafe, lapsing into silence unless someone talks to her.

Dane chuckled. "I'm not one for parties, but for THAT one I'd go. Sir." he finished, nodding respectfully at Senator Derring's father.

Then he straightened up, and nodded to everyone, in turn. "Senator. Ma'am. Sir. Kids. I've taken up enough of your time. Good to see you, Senator."

John looks over at "The Hunter" "If everything goes well I'll be like him, a hero. That is assuming I don't die in the process".

Antoinette doesn't bother looking. She already waved to The Hunter, knows who John is talking about and wants to keep her eyes on the people in front of her.

She continues in her soft tone and answers John, "All we can do is our best."

Then slowly turns to look at Serena. "What is it you do, Serena?"
This message was last edited by the player at 07:15, Sun 17 Sept 2017.