|
   |
A man in a long coat wanders the streets of East Village. And why not? The weather is fine. His business won't open for another few hours at least. A bit of an aimless walk if it matters. He stops at one of the street vendors hawking flowers, but doesn't buy anything. Another look over the hysterical headlines of the newsstand is enough to ward him off trying anything crazy, like breathing or walking or taking the ferry to Staten Island. Lucian shakes his head at the Italian owner. "The more things change…"
He pays for a newspaper he probably won't read, and opens a metal case for a cigarette he probably won't finish. The stick goes into his mouth, a lighter burning the end until smoking. After a deep inhalation, it's back to the street.
*
There are certain parts of the city where Kurt feels more comfortable and open; perhaps it is the nearness of Mutant Town and his own Hell's Kitchen that makes the East Village one of these few, special spots. He's out and about on this lovely day, enjoying the people-watching in the city as well as a soft drink from a nearby bodega. Choosing to sit out in the open, he finds a bench and perches on the back of it, his bare feet on the seat. Golden eyes glance about and any who make eye contact get a friendly wave and sharp-toothed smile.
*
Ahh the assorted charms of New York. So much for an alien in a (not very good) disguise to see. Starfire wanders down the sidewalk with a white summer dress over the top of her alien attire, enjoying the delights of a chocolate icecream cone. While the village isn't a vast distance away from Mutant Town people still don't always react well to her unusual skin tone and, possibly more importantly, the fact she's floating a good hands distance above the ground.
*
Nightcrawler certainly isn't one to talk if someone doesn't want to walk on the New York pavement. It's not the cleanest nor is it often the safest. At least his feet are toughened by a lifetime of not wearing any shoes. "Fraulein, you may want to float a little closer to the ground if you are wearing a sundress," is offered in a friendly manner as the woman nears his bench.
*
Starfire pauses, turns towards Kurt and frowns. "Why is that?" she wonders. "Do people find the height I am flying at unnerving?" She pauses then adds "If you would be more comfortable replying in German I should be fluent, although I have not had much chance to practise." Happily she has a little of her icecream. In German she adds <Fraulein was German, yes? I sometimes muddle languages up.>
*
Nightcrawler tilts his head some at the question but grins when she starts speaking to him in German. He's more than happy to speak in his native language, although it's tinged with a bit of another accent or two. <Yes, it was. It means 'Young Woman', sort of the equivalent of the English 'Miss'>. He was being polite. <And I only mention the floating because some people are not so polite and you are floating and wearing a dress. People may also find the fact that you are flying a but 'unnerving' as you said…> but they just might add it into the rest of her unique appearance.
*
With a completely lack of concern Starfire lifts the side of the dress to reveal another shorter skirt beneath. <I am wearing this dress over another dress.> She explains as if this makes everything okay. A startled man takes one look at the scene, gasps in shock and crosses the road. <People in this city get upset at the strangest things some times.> She lands and brushes her skirt back down.
*
Having a cigarette and watching the world go by, Lucian is unhurried. He blows out a stream of smoke into the air. It doesn't smell like tobacco afflicted with carcinogens and various poisons. The smell is something very different, thinner and spicier. Sights wait to be seen. Blue-skinned people. Floating women in dresses. The plucked stick from his mouth is tapped, leaving a stream of ash to collect in the gutter. "The different is disconcerting," he says. The slight touch of a grin warms the statement. It's not intended as overly critical. "You're not offending me. There's always someone who wants to be offended, though."
*
Switching back to English to include the other man who joined the conversation, Kurt nods, "Und some people like things that are different. Und some are afraid of it. Und America is a little…what is the word? Prudish?" He looks to the other two for confirmation or correction. "He is right. Some people are offended by everything."
*
"I think prudish is a real word. I have not met enough people to know if applies to the country as a whole," Starfire says thoughtfully. "But many people are also quite nice or willing to buy a stranger a drink." She shrugs. "I do not really mind if people are offended. I would rather not upset anyone, but I was always told it is impossible to make everyone happy. So must use your judgement and try to do what is best overall." She smiles. "And today I think that what is best is icecream and the shopping of the windows."
*
"Prudish," Lucian repeats, nodding his agreement. The serpentine bands of the smoke go up loosely around his head, drawing ovals and floating higher. Pale hair gleams blond in the sunshine. "This country, for all its taste for war and glory, blushes at seeing ankles. Something to do with the Puritans, they say." The grin grows a little. "I've heard no complaints about ice cream, though. He's correct though. Going higher up in the air will get attention you may not welcome."
*
Nightcrawler grins brightly, "There is nothing bad about ice cream!" Ever! He nods to Lucian as the other seems to put his warning into better words. The smile fades, "You think it likes War und Glory? I think that if they did, then they have not seen War. Anyone who sees it would not like it."
*
Starfire laughs. "I can promise you that I will be unharmed by flying further up in the air," she assures confidently. "The view is quite wonderful. Especially at night when everything is lit up. I would offer to show you, but it can be quite cold and I do not think it would be enjoyable to wait until then."
*
"Ironic. I'm fairly sure the artists and actors who find war beautiful haven't been on a battlefield firsthand." Again that cigarette is pulled free for Lucian to speak. He blows out a fine curl of grayish smoke. It takes a certain bit of shaping his mouth correctly to blow out a smoke ring. But it comes out in an expanding ring. "They do like their movies about war and their books about their heroes. Criminals and bad guys getting beaten don't bat an eyelash. But boy, you have a girl in a bathing suit or hint of kissing, they get ready with the pitchforks." A nod to the east side of the street. "Activists showed up in Washington Square Park for some kind of music festival and got run off for spreading immoral activity." Shaking his head, he puts the cigarette back in his mouth. His hair's a bit too long and the cigarette is a bit too cool for him to be that uptight. Starfire he shakes his head at. "I'll let you explain the basics to her, sir."
*
Nightcrawler lifts an eyebrow at Lucian before he looks back to Starfire. "It is not about -your- view or -your- comfort level, but the people around you. It is not about -you- being harmed by flying higher. It is about what others can see. As this gentleman said, people are offended by a girl in a bathing suit or showing too much of her leg or her shoulders. But if you fly higher, and anyone looks up, they will see…beneath your skirt." He shrugs. "In the end, it is up to you. But I have learned, Fraulein, that people who are afraid can only take so much. They can only think about a few new und strange und frightening things at a time." There's another glance to Lucian, as if expecting some sort of corroboration. "A woman such as yourself, who does not look like they do und does not walk with her feet on the ground…that is new und strange und frightening to them. Not all, but many. But if you fly up in a dress, even with two skirts, und they can see up them? That might take them over the edge of their reason. It is difficult to be us sometimes."
*
"When I fly higher in the sky it is generally far enough up that no-one can see me at all. Let alone what I am wearing," Starfire points out. "But I shall keep this in mind. It has been a pleasure speaking to you both! But it seems my icecream is melting and I must head off to reach the library in time." She offers a wave and then resumes floating along the sidewalk.
*
"Well, that worked out nicely. Thank you, it's quite cogent." The Morningstar waves his hand slightly. "It's more the seeing up your skirt you might be bothered by." He hasn't inserted his own thoughts into the matter, much less because he isn't going to tell a departing chit she might flash anyone. Rather, he gives a warm wave. "Come by Lux sometime as you like. We have desserts with ice cream, and I'm compelled to whip something up in a drink worth it."
*
"I am sorry if I have disturbed you," Kurt offers apologetically. "I do hope you enjoy your ice cream und the library! It is a wonderful place, even here." When he can get in and wander among the stacks before someone screams. Fun times. Another glance is given to Lucian, "Und thank you for your observations as well," and there's an unspoken thanks for not attacking them or staring or…well, treating them like they're any different. It's rare these days.