Who: Zoe and Zayne What: Coffee When: December 13, morning Where: The cafe
Zayne opened up the cafe. He had the music he liked on, which usually meant he was dancing a little and singing along, until other people came in for their shift and the shop opened and regular music was put on. Then in the morning, it was busy. There were all sorts of coffee to be made and to sell and Zayne liked this part. He much rather close the shop than open but he liked how busy they were. It kept his head busy. It kept him moving. It kept him smiling at people and being social.
He was glad when he got his break. He made himself a coffee and stepped away from the bustle to savour his coffee and get a moment’s peace. He stood outside, by the door, his eyes closed for a moment.
She didn't have to report in to work until the late morning/early afternoon. Something about the first day being more about tours and a basic introduction to what she'd be doing. Or at least more details than she'd already been given. She made sure to dress nice, thankful she'd packed something semi-professional when they left for the boat. So she'd donned some black loose dress slacks and a white blouse. Of course it being winter she also had a dark overcoat, collar up to keep the wind away. As Zoe approached the coffee shop she glanced at the ID of the gentleman outside, it matched the name of the profile she'd been speaking with the previous day. Mentally she registered the new data from him, danger level listed on his badge and his face along with what she already knew. All of this happened pretty much on its own.
“You must be Zayne.” She said, trying not to startle him.
Zayne was in the middle of taking a drink when Zoe approached him. He smiled as he swallowed quickly. He nodded and thought quickly; was this Zoe? The girl that he was talking to the night before? Well, he didn’t expect many other people to know who he was.
“Hi,” Zayne said, “You must be Zoe, right? Otherwise I’m off base here and sorry for that.” He was pretty sure he was right. He wasn’t going to say anything else until he was right or else he would just start rambling.
She smiled and nodded. “You're right.” Her nose wrinkled slightly. “It was weird just to come up and refer to you by name right?” She asked. “I mean we do have these,” she tapped her ID that was clipped to the belt loop of her jeans. “But most people tend to ignore them.” She understood why. “But yea, I'm Zoe.” And she should probably stop talking before she spilled that she'd sort of stalked his profile out of boredom… hell she'd stalked a number of profiles. Each one creating and adding to her mental registry of people.
Zayne tilted his head to look at her ID. He did tend to ignore them. He didn’t really think about them either. They were like a driver’s license or a health card. He smiled softly and said, “We’ll just pretend those IDs don’t exist.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Zoe,” Zayne said, “And here you come all this way to get coffee from me and I’m on break,” he looked down at his cup, a playful smile crossing his lips, “and I’m not one to share my coffee.”
It was interesting the ranking systems for the residents. For example what made her more dangerous that the man before her? “Sharing coffee is sacrilege. But hey break means getting to talk a moment.” Zoe smirked. “Coffee can wait.” She tucked her hands into the pockets of her jacket. “And maybe you can distract me from the nerves of starting my first day of work. Something about going to work at a place called ‘The Facility’ just sounds like the start of a movie that ends with at least half the main characters dead before the end.”
Zayne gave a mock gasp and said, “Coffee can never wait!” He laughed lightly, “Wait. That may just be me. I always need my coffee in the morning or else I’m not nearly as adorable as I seem.” He took a sip of his coffee. This was his second one of the day.
“Congrats on the new job,” Zayne said. Working at the Facility did sound pretty important. It wasn’t just a job anyone could do, “I suppose asking you what you do is not distracting you at all, is it?”
“Fortunately I’m not quite that dependant.” Anymore. Before her powers kicked in hell yes she needed coffee to jumpstart, but now her mind always seemed to be going and she didn’t have that same groggy feeling in the morning. She still drank coffee, but it didn’t affect her in the same ways. “Thanks… I think. Honestly I’d rather be finishing school and my masters, but I guess if I’m here a job will keep me busy.” And apparently extra income or she assumed. Still wasn’t quite sure how it all worked. “They said I’m going to be working with the training department? Like using my note-quite degree to help create things to help people train their powers on or something. I honestly have no idea. ‘Build stuff’ is I think the main requirement of my job.” She chuckled. “Which is why I went to school so…” Zoe shrugged.
Zayne laughed and shook his head, “I really shouldn’t be but I’m not really a morning person. I do the best work in the middle of the night.” He always did. He remember fans complaining that his tweets would come at 3 in the morning and not when they were at school, watching for them.
“What did you go to school for?” Zayne asked, taking another sip of his coffee, “Did you want to stay talking out here? Or did you want to go inside? Where it’s slightly warmer?” Not it was that cold outside but it wasn’t quite summer anymore.
“Might be nice to sit.” She said, following him inside. “Mechanical Engineering.” Zoe answered his question as they sat down. “A semester away from my masters too.” At least she had her AS and BS, but still that masters was so close. “Would be graduating in the spring.” Her tone was a little annoyed. Clearly not pleased by being pulled from school. She did watch for his reaction as she revealed her major. After all, there weren’t a ton of women in her field. As much of a stereotype as it might be, it was true. There weren’t many women when she started her program and by the time she reached her masters classes she was the only woman in some of them.
Zayne opened the door for her and found a seat on the couch. He liked the couch. People liked to hang out there, talking and having a fun. Usually cards were pulled out at some point. Zayne also liked sitting there when things were slow. Comfy couch was comfy.
Zayne faced Zoe and asked, “Why not see if they can do a correspondence course so you can finish?” As for her major, he was impressed because Mechanical Engineering sounded difficult. It definitely was something harder than he could do but then again, he never tried. Science was never really his field but that was him.
“Unfortunately the courses I need aren't really offered that way from Berkeley. And my project is stuck in a lab on site.” She sighed. “I could probably take two of the final classes correspondence, but the rest are half or fully lab based. Which means hands on.” Zoe shrugged. “I'm trying not to dwell, especially since now? I could probably learn everything the courses could teach me in a week.” She laughed lightly. “It's amazing how things change so quickly.”
“If it’s important to you, can’t you try? Talk to someone higher up?” Zayne asked. He wondered if he should drop it. If she said she wouldn’t be able to get her masters, then she must know what she was talking about. It wasn’t like he was trying to get a degree or anything. He had no idea.
“In a week? Really? Are the labs that advanced here?”
She chuckled. “No idea. But since these powers developed I retain information a lot more than I used to. And can recall it easier as well.” Zoe admitted. “So the coursework would be a cakewalk, lab time would take the most time but that's where I excelled in the first place.” She shrugged. “If rumors are true and once you get on the island you don't get off… which they don't really share in the flyer… what good will a degree actually do me?”
“That’s a neat power to have,” Zayne said. Again, he wished he knew more about his own abilities. There was that incident while baking cookies but he could pretend it was something else. Maybe it was something April did. Or Evie. It may not have even been him.
“It seems important to you,” Zayne pointed out, “Even if we are stuck here, isn’t doing things that are important to us a thing we should seek out? Otherwise what else do we have?”
“You should be a self-help public speaker.” Zoe teased. “You do make valid points.” She glanced around the place, mentally filing away faces to be matched with names later. “I wouldn't call that power neat, helpful yes. But…” She put her focus back on him. “You know how people see someone day dream or something and say they're lost in thought? Well when that happens to me it's a little overwhelming. Imagine trying to… say write an email but multiple YouTube videos keep popping up and blocking your email and you have to wait until they're done playing before moving them away.” She hoped to gain control of it at some point. Thankfully if she remained focused and tried not to let her mind wander she didn't get lost as much.
Zayne laughed and shook his head quickly, “Oh, no. I’m not a public anything.” Not in the least. Or at least not anymore. He did listen to her explanation. That sounded incredibly overwhelming. It sounded like a bad computer virus too. Maybe he was lucky not knowing what his power was.
“So what is your ability, exactly? Do you just absorb information quickly?” Zayned asked, finishing his coffee and putting his cup down.
“I'm a copier.” She said with a small giggle. “Mental, physical and powers.” Her voice got a little quiet. “I didn't really tell them about the mental… I don't think he would have understood. Basically my mind is like a computer I guess. I can recall anything I've seen, heard, read, experienced… basically life. I also seem to be able to copy moves I've seen. Like how to do pretty much anything physically once I've seen it done once. And if I touch someone who has powers. I can copy them. For a limited time. Still trying to figure that one out.” Zoe realizes she rambled a little but was pleased with herself that she didn't go into too much detail. It was something she'd started to do more and more since her processing capabilities increased. “Handy side effects, I read a lot faster now and can make connections I never would have been able to before.”
The more she dealt with it the more she felt that her mind was very much like a computer now, able to process data from multiple sources at once and run multiple ‘programs’ at a time which allowed her to talk to Zayne while at the same time analyze her surroundings, and filter through the cookbook she read the previous night for a recipe for dinner without missing a beat.
Zayne listened to her, rather impressed that she was able to copy all that, “That must be really overwhelming too. So how do you copy? Is it something that you have to focus on and then you can do it? Or can you look at someone and know their power? Or their kung fu moves?” Not that he thought anyone in the cafe could do kung fu moves but the point still stood. He wondered how it worked. How did any of these abilities actually work?
“Physical stuff it’s a monkey see monkey do situation. Powers I have to touch and focus. If I don't focus it doesn't always happen and sometimes it does but like I'm not ready for it.” She shook her head. “I haven't had a lot of experience with practicing them yet… save for on my brother.” Zoe explained. “So is it rude to ask what you can do? I'm not really sure of protocol when it comes to this sort of thing.” She found the powers people were getting fascinating, but that could just be the scientist in her.
“You practice on your brother?” Zayne asked. Poor guy. Or maybe not, “Does he have abilities too?” Zayne wished he hadn’t finished his coffee so quickly. It gave him something to hold, something to do with his hands. He paused at her question and shook his head, “I don’t think it’s rude. I like knowing what everyone can do too,” he shifted slightly before answering, “I honestly have no idea? Apparently I can do something because I have an ID card but I don’t know what, honestly, and I have no idea how to find out.” He supposed he could mention the incident with healing but, again, he didn’t know if that was him. He had no idea.
She nodded. “Yea he does. Actually he's how I figured out that ability.” Zoe shrugged. She listened to him not describe his powers. “Clearly…” she tilted her head. “I mean something brought you here. Something told them you have powers. Have you done anything strange?” She inquired. His openness about wanting to know what people can do while not sure of his own powers was curious to her.
“How was that? Did you copy his powers for a bit?” Zayne asked. He paused. He didn’t really want to mention the friend that begged him to come so he wouldn’t be alone and then ditched him. That was a sore spot. So he laughed and said, “Who hasn’t done anything strange?” That wasn’t the answer to her question. He paused, “I came here with someone close to me. They were demonstrating abilities and didn’t want to be alone.”
“Yea, basically. They don't last long yet. But the more I do it the better I get. I just don't do it often.” She said with a small smile. It would definitely be rude to go around just taking others powers for a while. Even if it doesn't impact the other person at all. His story of coming with someone struck her, “You're a really good friend to do that. Especially since you're now stuck here.”
“Why don’t you do it often?” Zayne asked. He shrugged when she called him a good friend, “I suppose it’s a good thing in some ways, I mean,” he flicked the ID card, “They clearly found something in me. If only their tests could tell me what. Unless they were wrong, I’m not sure.” He shrugged again.
“It's a little rude.” She shrugged. “I mean it's definitely rude to just go around borrowing others powers.” Zoe laughed. “I'm sure it was something.” She wondered how they knew. Did they have some way to sense the mutation? Was it in the blood or some other way.
“When you borrow, do they lose their powers?” Zayne asked. He wondered if she would sense his but if she only copied, then she would have no idea what she had copied or what she had to do. It was worth the thought. Zayne shrugged again, “I’m sure I’ll figure it out one day. Maybe it’s just so super awesome it’s dormant a lot of the time.”
“No, thankfully. But also good to know what I'm copying… I mean I don't get immediate skill with the copy so I don't want to take a volatile power and then blow something up ya know?” She laughed. “I'm sure you will. Hell maybe I'll make you my first project.” She smiled. Zoe had no idea how her job was going to function, but if she got to pick some of her projects she'd help Zayne. Hell maybe she'd do it in her off time.
Zayne laughed and said, “I don’t know. Blowing things up could sound like fun. It would make things more interesting around here, that’s for sure.” It was amazing more things didn’t go boom with the way that people didn’t always necessarily know how to control their powers. Zayne smiled and ducked his head a bit, “I don’t need to be a project,” he had too many secrets for that, “I’m sure it will happen when it happens. In the meantime, I get to hear about other people’s cool powers.”
“I don't mind. I mean part of Training is supposed to be helping people with this sort of thing.” Zoe's mind was already working on the problem. Generating a list of ways to try to tackle from biological tests to brain mapping to brain scans while she tries to copy his power and a dozen more. Most of which she'd have to learn how to do before she could actually do it. She couldn't help it. “And it's no trouble. I mean it might help with others too. And wouldn't be a problem.” She tried to exit the analytical path her mind was on, tucking some hair behind her ear. “Would also mean spending more time together… get to know each other.”
“But how would you even start? I think the only thing we can safely assume is that I did not get extra physical strength. Or super smarts. So that just leaves a world of other abilities. And if you poke too much, what if it goes into hiding? Can abilities hide?” Zayne may have been a touch nervous about finding out his ability too. It was really a mix between wanting and being okay with not knowing. He glanced at her as she tucked her hair behind her ear, “That doesn’t mean we can’t get to know each other outside of the lab.”
“Friends here are a good thing right?” Especially the cute outgoing ones. “And I have a lot of ideas… and a lot of reading to do to figure out how to accomplish those ideas.” She responded to his questions. “It's like with any… and sorry I don't have a better term… science experiment. Generate a hypothesis, find a way to test that hypothesis, review your results and if you don't get answers… start over from the top.” The basics of science was the same, even in engineering. “I'd probably start with brain scans, try to see if the ability is linked to a certain area of the brain.” It might help narrow down the type of power. “I'll have to read up on the topic first of course.”
“Friends are good everywhere,” Zayne agreed. He stretched his leg and bumped Zoe with his knee. He made a face and said, “I’m not a big fan of being called a science experiment but I suppose we all sort of are. That’s why we are here. Well, not to be science experiments but to get better? Or something.” He was rambling and being hopelessly hopeful to what this place really was. He just didn’t want to confirm that out loud.
“I know, it's a horrible term. But it's the only one I got and better than guinea pig.” Zoe smirked, registering the physical contact. “Then again you're not the experiment per se, you’re just a participant -in- the experiment.” She shrugged. “As would I.” Waving her hand slightly to brush the topic aside. “But that would be a ways away as it is. So, tell me, this place… who do I need to know and who should I avoid?”
“Let’s focus on the ways away for now then,” Zayne said with a smile. He didn’t like the idea of being in an experiment nor being a guinea pig. He didn’t sign up to be either. He waved his hand too, copying her action, and said, “There. Topic away too,” he smiled, feeling a bit goofy, “Well, I’ve only been here for a few months myself so I am probably not the best at naming names. Though I can tell you that this is the best place for coffee. And Amazon becomes your best friend, if you don’t mind them going through your packages.”
“There's two coffee shops?” She asked with a giggle. “So long as I can keep my kindle charged I should be ok. Though I may have to order physical copies of some books.” Zoe laughed at the idea of someone going through her mail- not because it was right but because she could just imagine the reaction to some of the box she'd probably have to order. “I would love to see one of the meatheads see a book on advanced mechanical engineering equations and see what they'd do with it.” She smiled playfully and a little evilly. “I would be really easy to mess with them.”
Zayne nudged her with his knee again and said, “And don’t forget I’m the best damn barista that you have ever seen.” He glanced up at the clock. His break was almost over. He would have to return to work soon. Well, that just meant that he would get to prove his statement to her sooner than later.
“Ha. I would love to see them give you the book back and they have calculated some of the answers for you,” Zayne replied with a laugh. Though he doubted they would care about books, unless they were hollow books but even then. There was really no reason to go through their packages.
“Oh no I mean like ordering a book on quantum physics, molecular biology, viral patterns and the just for fun throw in Twilight or the Kama Sutra. All in the same order of course.” She smirked. “Like going to the store and buying toilet paper, lunch meat, whipped cream and a bulk box of condoms…. not that I've ever done that.” She noticed him looking at the clock. “Almost done with that break huh?” She knew the time when she'd walked up to him and assuming he'd had a few minutes prior, the timing worked out.
“Wait. You aren’t reading in Twilight normally?” Zayne teased. Hey, everyone needed brain candy. His sister loved Twilight and she had so much wanted to be in the movies. She had been too young for that but it didn’t stop her from wishing and watching the movies a million times.
“I can’t exactly say I’ve done that either but maybe next time,” Zayne said with a grin. He nodded, “Unfortunately. I have liked sitting here, talking with you.”
She had done it. “I was more an Anne Rice girl. Prefer my vampires non-sparkly.” Zoe sat forward a bit. “Well, I guess this is perfect timing then for me to get one of your excellent coffees and then head to work.”
Zayne laughed and nodded, “Vampires were never supposed to sparkle. Though if I remember correctly, Anne Rice’s vampires were like marble, were they not?” He had watched Queen of the Damned a couple of times. He had liked the music in it. Zayne glanced up at the clock and nodded, “Give me a minute to punch back in and I’ll make you something. What’s your poison?”
“Not the normal ones.” She laughed. Zoe considered his question a moment. “Something strong with caramel.” She honestly hadn't paid attention to the menu at the time but she had looked at it. Her mind recalled the image of the menu when she walked in. “Double espresso caramel cappuccino, with whipped cream.” She said, putting a little innuendo on the last ingredient.
Zayne winked at her and stood up. He headed back behind the counter, after clocking back in and hanging his coat. He grabbed a cup and began to make her drink. He made sure it was caramely and definitely topped it up with whipped cream. He walked over to Zoe and handed the drink to her, “I love whipped cream.”
“It's so much fun.” She said knowingly, taking the drink. “Tasty too. How much I owe?” Zoe asked, reaching into her pocket.
“I do enjoy using my tongue,” Zayne stuck out his tongue at Zoe. He waved his hand. He would cover this one, “Don’t worry about it. Good luck on your first day at your new job. You’ll rock it.” He grinned at her.