Snow Swing

Participants:

anna_icon.gif gavyn_icon.gif

Scene Title Snow Swing
Synopsis Gavyn calls Anna out of worry, and the two have a talk on the swings during the winter cold.
Date November 21, 2010

Roy Wilkins Park

Located off of Merrick and Baisley Boulevard, the Roy Wilkins Park is a plot covering just over fifty acres of land, with a number of features to entertain those from the very young to the very old. Boasting four outdoor tennis courts, a quarter mile jogging track that circles the rec center, and a wheelchair accessible basketball court, anyone visiting the massive park can find a reason to spend hours idling away their time. In addition to these features there is an indoor pool open all year round, and a number of baseball fields - two towards the northern area of the park with a smaller field towards the south end, in the Nautilus Playground, which is just south of a small pond.

For convenience of the park visitors, restrooms are located both in the playground and at the rec center. Pristine, with a relatively clean pond, the facility also hosts a summer day camp, a counseling center, and hosts a variety of community events. Along with the rec center and play areas, there is a jogging path and a series of picnic tables scattered throughout the park, complete with nearby barbecue grills for outdoor eating. Far more than an ordinary park or recreation center, the Roy Wilkins Park is a cultural landmark, home to the Black Spectrum Theatre, an acting troupe given to perform socially conscious drama. The most famous feature of the park, however, is the four acre vegetable garden that gives locals an opportunity to grow their own produce, which is often donated to charity.


In spite of the cold snap and the inch or so of white stuff on the ground, Gavyn suggested the park when she'd called Anna. The snow litters the ground, clings to the tree branches and the ameneties of the park. Few feet have broken through the thin crust, the die hard joggers that use the trails daily being the main disturbances. And Gavyn's own shoes prints that lead from the walkway and to the playground.

The Frontline officer, dressed in blue jeans, running shoes, black fleece, and ever-present sunglasses, has taken claim over a swing. Her feet push her idly forward and back again while she waits for the teen to arrive. Chances are Gavyn's been out here for a while, enjoying the crisp air and the fluries that still flutter from the sky, with her cheeks red from the cold.

Dressed in thicker clothes this time, Anna is braving the weather as well. She doesn't seem to be quite sure why she's braving the weather, but that's a different matter entirely. With her long boots, wool hood, and thick russian military-style longcoat, she is ready to brave the weather as it comes, and it comes cold right now.

"Hey Gavyn." The girl speaks as she heads over to the Frontline officer. She takes the other swing, smiling faintly despite the cold… a cold she is well protected from, mind. But still, it's quite cold out here right now. "What's up? Why are we meeting outside in this weather?"

That is a good question. There were places, indoor places, she could have suggested. But no, outside it is. Gavyn grins up at Anna in hello. "Because it's quiet. And I needed the fresh air." It's been a long week of training, with only a few breaks in between that took her outside. Besides, the chill isn't all that bad.

"Thanks for not freaking on me calling you this time," Gavyn says as she pushes off the ground and sets her swing in motion. "But I wanted to see how things were going for you, since lunch the other day." Her concern is genuine, the girl seemed better but troubled during their last meeting.

Anna offers a smile as she starts to swing, her coat making it seem a little funny. "I guess." The girl answers, though her avid swinging is inclination to her recognition that it's necessery for her to keep herself warm despite the thick layers of clothing.

"It's okay, my call was probably weirder than yours." The teenager points out, "And I guess I'm okay… there's things I need to think about, problems I have to solve… debts I'll have to repay…" Debts at fifteen..? "But overall… I'm doing okay. Could be much worse, at least…"

"What kind of debts or problems," Gavyn asks carefully. She doesn't want to outright pry into the teen's life, but the theme of their first two meetings have made her curious. Concerned. She looks over to Anna, watching her from behind dark lenses while letting the motion of her swing wane.

"Community service at the Suresh center, forced councelling, a criminal record, being an Evo known to hate Evos, that kind of things for my problems." Anna starts the explanations, "As for the debt… I have to pay my foster parents back the fine I cost them…" Anna keeps swinging despite Gavyn's lack of doing the same. "I'll need a new cell phone too… but I don't have the spare cash…"

Gavyn seems to take all that as the perils of being a teenager, though she listens with an honest interest. "Well, we all make mistakes then move on. All part of growing up." She shrugs. Such is life.

Turning to look across the park, taking in the cleanliness of the newfallen snow, Gavyn sinks into momentary silence. Her eyes lift as she checks the surroundings, looking to see just how near any other passersby may be. "Anna, I was wondering," she begins quietly, once more with caution in her tone. "What made you think your ability might kill someone?"

"I dunno, really…" Anna responds to the question, "I haven't manifested yet, so I couldn't tell what my ability will be." The girl sighs before she continues, "It's just… some of those abilities seem to be… really lethal, and only lethal, I guess?" A pause, "I'm afraid my ability will turn out like that, I guess… and that I'll kill someone before I learn to control it…"

Gavyn studies the girl for a long moment after she's answered, brows knitting together. She can accept that worry for what it is, especially since Anna's yet unmanifested. But it's still cause for concern. "Some are like that," she says after a moment. "But… Anna, if you manifest, call me. As soon as you can, okay? I don't want you worrying about it otherwise."

Anna nods, "I will, promise." The girl answers, smiling a little again as she speaks up, "Who knows… perhaps it'll be something harmless, like regeneration or something…" She thinks, "Or maybe illusions, or precognition, or what else there's out there…" A shrug as she slowly slows down the swinging, "But I'll contact you once I've manifested, promise."

"There's lots it could be," Gavyn says with a small nod, offering the teen a smile. "Doesn't have to be something harmful, there's plenty that don't cause physical harm." Still, even some of those can be hurtful or uncomfortable in different ways. Her own ability, for example. "What happened to your last phone," Gav asks suddenly, changing the subject.

"Got stolen… I got pickpocketed the day I bought it." Anna responds, "And the one before that got smashed up by a thug as I tried to call nine one one." The girl shrugs, "And the one before that got caught under the rubble in the riots, you know when." Okay, so that's what? Three phones in two weeks?

Three in… That's got to be some kind of record. Gavyn lets out a whistle and shakes her head. "If not for bad luck," she says with a chuckle. "Tell you what. You stop worrying, and I'll see what I can do about getting you a new phone. Just a non-fancy reloadable thing."

"That'd be nice… thanks." Anna responds to Gavyn, smiling genuinely now… "I'll try my best to stop worrying… can't guarantee such things though… sometimes it's like I don't control my own mind…" Her smile lessens somewhat, "But I'll try."

"I understand," Gavyn says with a smile. She stands up from her swing, hands delving into her pockets as she hunches against the cold. "Okay. My head is a little clearer now, and I should check in. You know how to reach me."

Anna keeps on swinging for now. "Yes, I do… and once you get me that phone… you'll know how to reach me too." Anna chuckles, "Not that you didn't know my landline number already… but mobile phones are … easier to catch someone on, right?"

"Definitely." Gavyn takes in a deep breath and slowly lets it out before she grins at the girl. "See you later, Anna," she says before turning to retrace her steps and leave the park.


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