1964-10-19 - Somebody I Used To Know
Summary: Emily is observing, Kurt is people-watching, and Clarice is jogging. The three meet and there's a bit of deja-vu for Clarice.
Related: None
Theme Song: None
clarice-ferguson nightcrawler emily 


Time: 11:00 A.M., or so, on a cool, brisk October morning in New York City. Central Park is a hip place for people to gather now, having undergone recent renovations to allow for public performances and the like. Buskers, hippies, beat poets, and all sorts of "individuals" huddle in small groups to brag to one another as only they can: with performances and chitter-chatter in hushed, knowing tones.

Emily is virtually indistinguishable from them: dressed in black, as if to shun the very concept of color and light in the world, man. She is perched on a bench, looking across a walkway at a hilltop, where a small gathering of well-to-do college students laugh and socialize. A cigarette burns by her face, held gingerly between two fingers. She watches with an expression of both curiosity and longing, unguarded.

And then she sighs heavily. Wistful.

*

The word 'jogger' is a new word, relatively speaking. Only introduced a couple of years ago, it's not made it's way fully into the lexicon yet. However, the maueve mutant in shorts that hang loose from her thighs, a long sleeve jacket and her pink/purple hair in a ponytail that bounces behind her is doing exactly that, manuvering the park at a leisurely pace.

Clarice knows by now that her appearance will draw stares, because of her unique color and pointed ears, but she tends to try to ignore most of the gawkers, concentrating instead on the path ahead as she moves. This seeming obliviousness may make her a target. But only to those that don't know what she's capable of.

*

Nightcrawler is familiar with the beatnik culture…the new offshoot of it is less familiar, but he's a curious sort. Thing is, even those who purposefully 'outcast' themselves from 'traditional society' don't always welcome those who are truly untraditional. So Kurt also watches from afar, from a perch in one of his favorite trees in the Park. Maybe it's the wistful sigh from the girl with the cigarette or the pinkish-purple woman running through the park that catches his attention but he hops down from the tree to land in a crouch, out in the open. His jeans and button-down bowling-style shirt can't hide his tail, dark blue skin, golden-eyes, or all-around strange appearance. That said, he doesn't seem to be -trying- to hide as he straightens some, those bright eyes still watching.

*

Unlike the other two salient figures, there's nothing immediately out-of-the-ordinary about Emily. She looks normal. And she's sitting: that's normal too. Smoking? Uh-huh. Normal.

Once Kurt hits the ground, Emily's eyes are drawn to him. She's not startled; she's not frightened; but she is surprised. She blinks twice, as if unsure if she's seeing an illusion. And then, she just watches the obvious mutant, somewhat fascinated, and not at all apprehensive.

Absently, she flicks the end of her cigarette. A second passes. Then, she smiles at Kurt, and gives him a finger-wave, as if to say: 'i see u there hi'. She seems about ready to get up and walk, but, at that coincidental instant, Clarice passes, and Emily is forced to remain where she is.

Naturally, Emily's gaze also moves to the other passing mutant of a lavender/fuchsia shade. And she blinks again, in curious wonder.

*

Moving past Emily and the other beatniks, it seems that Clarice is just going to pay them no mind. However, the finger-wave triggers something in the woman, a sudden combative sense that has the girl glance over to who she's waving at. And the young woman slows to a near halt, blinking bright green irises that fill her eyes without pupils at the blue mutant.

It takes everything she has not to immediately blink over and tackle Kurt. She knows him. Well. A him. Not this him.

But there was one of him on her world. That showed her how to use her powers more effectively. But he's gone. She draws in a breath, her hands come up to her mouth, and she forces herself to be quiet. A reminder to herself that this is not her world, not her Kurt.

*

Kurt returns the little wave with a three-fingered one of his own as well as a sharp-toothed smile. Not-screaming or running away seems to at least be enough of an invitation to strike up a conversation, which is his intent…until the lavender woman's jog comes to a stop nearby. He turns his attention to her and cants his head some, "Are you all right, Fraulein? I hope I did not frighten you…" is offered in his German/Romani accent. There's a quick glance around to make sure that they are being left alone for the time being and not being targeted for some sort of attack.

*

Emily looks at Kurt, and then at Clarice. Then, she shakes her head. "I'm not frightened." That's probably half-true, but she does a good job hiding whatever she's really thinking, now that she is in the presence of someone who is blue and someone who is purplish.

"You just — " Shrug. Emily takes a drag off her cigarette, and looks at the ember on it. " — surprised me, I guess. Just — " She makes a pssh! noise, and gesticulates figuratively. " — dropped out of nowhere." Her accent is something-British, and almost indecipherable. Almost.

Attention draws towards the 'jogger', to whom Emily mumbles, "Hi." She shifts, her legs coming up under her.

*

"No, not frightened. You just reminded me of someone I knew…" Clarice starts to say and then realizes that Nightcrawler was referring to Emily being scared, and the pink mutant's cheeks flare a little darker shade of magenta. "Dropping out of nowhere was something that he was excellent at." she admits with a small smile.

Turning her attention to the young blonde, the teleporter offers a smile. "Hi. It's a nice day for a run. Thought I'd take advantage of it." she admits as she pushes some of her hair over her ear, further exposing the tattoos that mark her face.

*

"It was not 'nowhere'," Kurt grins and gestures to the tree, "I was just up there, on a…branch is the word, ja?" Although yes, he -could- have dropped out of nowhere. The jogger's words though, have him looking sharply over to her, "I do? You…knew someone like me?" That seems almost incomprehensible! And it was a 'he' and not his mother? "Who was this, if I may ask?" He steps a little closer to Clarice. His own skin has scars in purposeful shapes…for the most part. There are a couple of scars on one of his forearms that seem to have been put there in the attempts to be rid of some sort of dark tattoo.

*

"But I didn't — " Emily cuts herself off almost immediately. Instead, she pops her cigarette into her mouth, and just looks at the two mutants. Why not? The two of them appear to be engaging with one another, and she's now the odd-one-out. This is something that she seems perfectly fine with, for the moment, tucking her hands down into her lap and watching nearby with the same fascination twinkling in her eyes.

*

"His name was Kurt. And he was a dear friend that showed me a great many things." Clarice starts to explain. "But.. that is past." she shrugs, and turns her attention back to the blonde. "Hi. I'm Clarice." See. She's polite. "I didn't mean to interrupt the conversation." There's a hint of a frown offered before she draws in a breath. "I should let you two get back to it." After all, amongst all the dark colors, she's the one that stands out, a bright magenta against the dark hues.

*

Nightcrawler takes a step back and makes sure to try and include Emily in their conversation but when Clarice mentions the name of the one she knew like him, he looks a bit stricken. He can't go pale, but his eyes widen and his jaw drops a little before he offers, "My name is Kurt…but I have not seen you before." Because he'd remember! He'd certainly remember someone else who probably had similar experiences as he did when being out in public. There's a deep breath before he turns to Emily, "I am sorry. Please." A hand is then held out to her in introduction as well.

*

In response, Emily just shakes her head. The smile comes easy to her. "Please." She shrugs. "I'm Emily." Beat. "And you're not interrupting. We all just met." Stating the obvious.

And that's all she says on the matter, eschewing further discussion in favor, apparently, of becoming a listener or onlooker. Content, for the moment. Emily's eyes move down the path, one way then the other, before returning to the two mutants meeting before her.

*

"As I said.. it was another.. it's a long story." Clarice admits as Emily seems to be blending in with the background. "And not one I'm quite ready to share." she murmurs as she looks down and brushes back some of her hair before her hands drop to give herself a comforting hug. "I shouldn't have even brought it up. I'm sorry."

*

Nightcrawler glances to Emily again and offers a smile, "It is good to meet you, Emily." As she steps back to observe, he looks to Clarice again and takes a step closer. A hand reaches out as if to try and comfort her, but he hesitates at her words, "I am sorry. It is your story und you do not need to share it if you do not wish. But…well, I am glad that this one meant so much to you und that I remind you of him. That is good…nein, high praise. I only hope that I can be as good to people as your friend was to you."

*

"I.. I…" Clarice is trying to find the words. "Thank you." she finally decides on. The maueve mutant moves suddenly and squeezes Nightcrawler in a tight hug, holding him tightly for a moment as a sob shakes her body, tears against the sides of her eyes. "I need to go." she offers suddenly, and pulls away. "I.." she looks up at him again. "Thank you." she echoes. It's all she can say, before a portal of green energy snaps around her and she *blinks* away to parts unknown. That was heavy.

*

The hug might be a surprise, but Kurt isn't one to push anyone away if they need one! The hug is returned, however briefly and there is concern in his eyes when she looks to him. "You are welcome. Any time you wish to talk…" he starts, but then she 'blinks' away in that green energy. Indeed, that -was- heavy! Now he has so many more questions!

*

"Mm." Thoughtful. "That was sudden." Emily lets tendrils of smoke escape from her mouth and nose after a long drag. She smiles lazily. "I'm guessing she must've been close with her other friend?"

The ordinary-seeming young woman seems not-at-all preturbed about the sudden teleportation away. Or the mutants' appearances. She's probably not as ordinary as she looks.

"Or, maybe not." Shrug. "I guess. I don't know." Another shrug. Topic forgotten, for now.

*

Nightcrawler turns back to Emily and runs a hand through his dark hair, "I think so too, ja. Now I feel bad that I remind her so much of her friend but am not." Yet. Maybe that can change? He gives a little sigh but then gives a little smile, "It is the first time anyone has said to me, 'I know someone who looks like you' so it took me also by surprise."

*

The corner of Emily's mouth turns up for a second. "I suppose you don't hear that often. I hear it all too often." She pulls her cigarette from her mouth. "It's funny, I guess." Whatever that means.

Emily taps off some ash from her cigarette.

"I didn't mean to stare, by the way. But you both look different." Beat. "And that's not a bad thing, it's not a good thing, but it's a different thing, yeah?" Chin-bob. "But, I'm wondering: what's your deal, then? I mean, what's a German doing here in Central Park?"

*

Nightcrawler isn't too sure how to reply to the first statement, but he can to the next. "I am used to the staring. I do not mind it as long as I am not then attacked. Although it makes me a bit sad when people run or scream und then run." The question has him lifting his eyebrows, "My deal?" But then she clarifies, "Ah. I moved here a little over a year ago. I was in Europe, but…some people did not like me coming to their town so we all thought it best that maybe I should leave. I had a friend here, so I came to New York."

*

This makes Emily smile for a moment. "That's cool. Coming to New York because you have a friend here, not people running and screaming." Her chuckle is mirthless, and short. "I can't imagine enjoying that at all."

She rolls her shoulders slowly. "Still, I'm sorry if I was staring."

Emily takes a long drag from her cigarette, slow and thoughtful.

"You know, I figure, if someone's staring at you — " Beat. " — if someone's staring at you, then I figure they want something from you. They want you to be how you look, or how they think you look." Another beat. "They see what they want to see."

Her words seem to come off of her like ramblings, but there's note of loathing and disgust in them.

"Ah well. I think you look neat." Another long drag.

*

"I did not want to stay in Germany," too many memories. "Und…well, I thought it might be better here." Maybe it is, maybe not? Today seems to be going well. Kurt listens at the thought, his lips curling into a smile, "Maybe you are right. I do think that they see what they wish to see, but maybe…maybe people like me confuse them so they need to look a little longer?" The smile grows at the compliment, "Danke. Und I think you also look 'neat'."

*

To that, Emily laughs. "Sure. Thanks." Her laugh comes easily, as does the smile that appears on her face. "I'll take 'neat'."

She puts her cigarette in her mouth, and then puts her hands in her lap. "Can I ask, Kurt, what it's like to be — to be you?" To be a mutant, is what she might be asking. "Not just the way you look to others. Just — what's it like to be you?" This is asked with genuine curiosity.

*

Nightcrawler cants his head at the question, "I am not certain I know how to answer your question. I have never been anyone but me. Do you mean different from others?" Although it might not get much of an answer then either. "What…what is it like to be -you-?" is asked right back, as if maybe she'll give him an example of what she's looking for.

*

Emily considers her response for a moment. "That is a good question." She looks at her hands for a moment, turning them over so that she can spread out her fingers and look at her palms. "I suppose, compared to what I see on the news or in the papers, my life is very different from others." She draws in a breath through her nose, and puffs out through her mouth.

She looks at Kurt with serious eyes. "Everyone's talking about the war. About race, about the riots, about the demonstrations." Shrug. "No one really talks about not having a job. Or being hungry." There's a pause for consideration.

"I saw this girl yesterday jump into a dumpster behind a pizzeria." She pulls her cigarette from her mouth, and breathes out as if exhausted. "Blonde hair, like this." Emily touches her hair. "Couldn't be more than eight. Just jump into a dumpster, looking for something to eat." She looks behind Kurt, figuratively, to the college kids on the hill. "And yet, there are people who think the real struggle's about getting their poetry accepted by their professor." Disdain. "Like that really matters."

She looks back to the mutant. "That's what it's like. Kind of."

*

Nightcrawler ahs quietly, "I think maybe I understand. I want to help people understand that we are all the same inside, here," he touches his chest over his heart. "That because someone looks different, it does not mean they are more good or more bad than you. They are different, but they love und are afraid und are hungry und have dreams just as everyone does. That they should not be feared only because of how they look…or what God they pray to. Or…things like that." Is that more of what she wanted? "Some people do not see the world..was ist the phrase. Past their nose?"

*

Maybe. Emily doesn't look any more or less satisfied with Kurt's answer than she was with the question. "Sure. I can understand why you'd do that." Beat. "But I don't agree with you. Sometimes, people are as they appear to be." Another beat. "But the color of their skin won't tell you that. It's how they are."

She frowns for a moment, and then lifts an eyebrow thoughtfully. "Do you try to help people understand by yourself? Do you help people try to understand what it is to be a mutant in New York City?"

*

"Und I disagree with you," Kurt smiles. "Everyone is more than what they appear to be…even if they do not always know it." He's fairly confident of that. "Now, it does not mean that they are always good." The smile fades then, "I have met some very, very bad people who I do not think ever had good in them. Or if they did, it was taken from them." But moving on. "I try to help people understand that we all have things common whether we are white, black, or even blue."

*

"Well — " Emily shrugs, and puts out her cigarette on the sole of her shoe. " — I suppose you're right there." She smiles for a moment. "Doesn't matter how people dress or act at times, there's always something they want. Just under the surface."

She sighs, and puts her hands in her lap again. "What about mutants themselves?" Beat. "Do you help mutants figure out who they are?" Another beat. "Like, say, if something happened to them, and they don't remember who they really are or where they come from — do you know of anyone that might help them figure out the truth?"

Seems like a pointed question. Emily seems to be altogether too serious for her own good.

*

Nightcrawler looks thoughtful for a moment, his brows drawn down but then the proverbial lightbulb goes off. "Ah. I think I know what you are asking. I do know people who may be able to help with that. Do you have a way they could get in touch with you? A telephone number or even an address I can share?" Because he doesn't quite know how secretive they want him to be…or not.

*

To that, Emily makes a face. "That's a good question." Beat. "I don't have a phone number. I don't really have much. I'm actually difficult to find, or so I've been told." She makes a vague gesture with her hand. "I try to keep low as well. I — " She clears her throat. " — I may or may not have done things that I'm not entirely proud of, so — " Shrug. " — it's best I'm not trying to draw attention to myself."

She gently scratches the back of an ear. "I mean, I don't know — I don't know what to tell you. I thought, for a moment, that maybe I was like that guy, Superman? I heard he's not from this planet." Beat. "But I don't know. I don't — I don't remember much of anything past about a year, yeah? Not even how I got to New York City." Another beat. "What would you suggest?"

*

Again, Kurt thinks a moment. "I do understand," he finally offers, pacing a couple of steps. "Ah! What if we meet back here in a week? Or maybe a few days? I do not know how long it may take me to get this message und an answer. But if we meet back in a week maybe I will have someone with me who can help? Or a place for you to go?"

*

To that, Emily rolls her shoulders. "I'll tell you what." She reaches into a pocket for her cigarettes. "I'll sit here — right here, at this bench — every day, for lunch." She draws in a breath through her nose. "For a week. I like to listen to people and watch them."

"I'm looking to learn a bit more about me, that's all." Beat. "Where I'm from, why I'm here, that sort of thing. Do I have family here? I don't know." She puts her cigarette into her mouth, and then lights up. "Everything else, I guess — I don't know — I can show you, or whoever. Then I can figure out if I'm a mutant, an alien, can do magic, I don't know."

And then, she grins, for just a moment.

*

Nightcrawler returns that grin easily, "It is a deal. I will see what I can find out for you und see who I can find to maybe help you. I do not know that I can help you in that way, but I know people who can, I think. Or they can try." He then holds out a hand, maybe to seal the dea, maybe just in friendship.

*

There is a moment of hesitation before Emily shakes Kurt's hand. It seems to have less to do with apprehension as to his appearance than consideration of the circumstances.

"Thank you, Kurt."

And then, Emily lets go of his hand, and re-adjusts how she perches on the bench. "Guess I'll let you go your way, then." Beat. "Unless you wanted something?"

*

Nightcrawler gives the hand a gentle yet firm shake before letting go. He doesn't take liberties with familiarity. "You are welcome, Emily." He smiles warmly bac before glancing about, "I should go make a phone call, I think. I will see you soon at around lunch I hope. Even if I cannot get anything, I will come und let you know." And with that, he takes a couple of steps back and teleports away, leaving a cloud of swiftly-dissipating, brimstone-laced smoke in his wake.

*

Unless otherwise stated, the content of this page is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License