[center][h2]Lana & Zeke[/h2][/center]
[hr][hr]A collab between [@Zetsuko] & [@PureHeroine]
[b]Location:[/b] Carl's Grocers
[b]Date:[/b] 3rd August 2017
[b]Time:[/b] 2:00PM[hr][hr]


It had been a rough few days for Lana with losing Ty at the auction, bearing witness to the events in the time cube, and having to put up with a grieving Al. She didn't want to think about it anymore, it was stressing her out, so she was putting all of her focus into work. It was just menial tasks, stacking shelves, packing bags, and sweeping and mopping floors, but it was just mind numbing enough to distract her. She was actually dreading going on break. She didn't have anyone to talk to, none of her colleagues would go near her, so it meant she would have to find some other way to distract herself. 

[color=306754][i]'Maybe I could-'[/i][/color] She was cut off mid thought when she felt herself walk into something, or rather, someone. Lana's eyes jolted up from her phone -at which she had been staring while trying to find a song to listen to- and were met with the face of someone she didn't recognize; at least not right away. It took her a few moments to realize he was the new guy, in her defence, she didn't really pay any mind to the other people working around her. 

Rather than apologizing, the green haired woman just stood there staring at his face, with her head slightly tilted to one side and her brows furrowed. There was something about the "tattoo" on his face that just seemed...off. [color=306754]"You...you're a-"[/color] Lana stopped herself before she said anymore, when she realized they were still standing in the middle of the store.

It was rough losing a friend, sure he may not have been that close with most of the other guild members but being the one that found Elizabeth's body and then having to be the bearer of bad news, it could only make things worse. He had only sent a message to Salem to let her know before finishing his patrol, deciding he'll give his full report the next day.

Carrying on like things were normal was probably the hardest part since it was still fresh in his mind, more so with his other have nagging to answer the challenge in the message left behind at the scene, to "even the score" as it were. Still he managed to deal with it, focusing on his job. Though with his focus on his menial-yet-distracting tasks he didn't notice someone coming toward him until they bumped into him, causing him to drop what was in his hand.

[color=000000]"Oh, I'm sorry"[/color] He quickly picked up what was dropped and placed it on the shelf before turning to find the woman staring at his face. He just stared back in the moment. He was told that the green-haired girl in front him was Lana but didn't know much else about her since she kept to herself before. Eventually he figured he should speak up but she beat him too it and what she said surprised him. 

He briefly considered trying to play it off like he was a gang member with a face full of past mistakes or something like he usually does but with the way she was looking at him he knew it would be no use. Instead he just glanced around, lowered his voice, and asked [color=000000]"How do you...know about that?"[/color]

At first Lana was unsure whether her assumption about him being a mage was right or not. The marking on his face certainly stood out, but she could still be mistaken. At least if she was wrong, she hadn't said anything she couldn't come back from. Fortunately, it didn't take long before the male responded, asking her how she knew and confirming her suspicions. She couldn't very well go into detail in the middle of the aisle, so she took the man by the wrist and began leading him out the back towards the break room. Once they were finally there and she was sure they were alone, she let go of his wrist, but kept her back towards him. 

For awhile she just stood there not saying anything, contemplating whether or not it was a wise decision to tell him. There was a chance he worked for The Guild, and if he found out she was aligned with Dark Shadow, things could get out of hand very easily. She had to give him some explanation how she knew what he was though. Eventually Lana would reach one hand behind her head and brush her hair up far enough for him to see the black marking on her neck. Then she would finally turn to face him again, cautiously awaiting his reaction.

Zeke soon found himself being led by the wrist, Lana dragging him along toward what he guess would be the break room or storage, just somewhere private. Along the way he caught another coworker snicker at their passing out of the corner of his eye, to which he only returned an awkward smile as they passed along. When they did finally reach the break room he waited in silence, watching her back while she stood in front of him until she finally moved. After she revealed the she was a mage herself and turned around it was his turn to go silent.

Unknowingly making similar contemplations to her he wondered if it was safe to reveal what he really did. If she was part of Dark Shadow and found out he was with the guild, things could get out of hand very easily. [color=000000]"You're one too?"[/color] He didn't want to assume the worst of course, but it couldn't hurt to play it safe, so in the end he decided to start where first meetings usually do. [color=000000]"The other's told me your name: Lana, but we haven't really talked.”[/color] He briefly thought of holding out his hand but instead put it on his hip. [color=000000]"My uh, My name's Zeke"[/color]

[color=306754]"Oh, well it's nice to meet you...Zeke."[/color] Even for someone who didn't socialize well, it was the most awkward introduction she'd ever had. Especially because she didn't even introduce herself, he already knew her name. Lana also didn't know how to proceed. She had to be careful, or she would risk giving herself away to a potential enemy, but she couldn't just say nothing. If he wasn't a Guildy, then she might just be able to recruit him. [color=306754]"Do you often meet other magi? I honestly can't remember the last time I met one myself."[/color]

Zeke let himself relax a little, maybe this was just another mage trying to get by just like he used to. Still, he wasn't about to mention the guild just yet, it would be nice to meet another mage without that hanging over his head. Shrugging he answered with [color=000000]"I've met a few, don't think I'd say I meet them often though. I tend to move around a lot, usually keep to myself."[/color]. The whole thing was a bit awkward, but seeing as how neither of the two where really people persons that's probably to be expected [color=000000]"What about you? You been in New York long?"[/color]

Things seemed to be going well, so Lana allowed herself to relax a little and moved to sit down on one of the chairs that were placed around a small table in the middle of the room. [color=306754]"I see. I moved here with my family a few years ago, though I don't live with them now."[/color] While thinking of what to say next, she decided it would be better to stick to basic questions rather than bring up anything Guild related. Although The Guild was pretty common knowledge to any mage, it would still be unusual to mention them so abruptly. [color=306754]"What brought you to New York? I mean, of all the places you could go why here?"[/color]

Zeke took another one of the seats at the table [color=000000]"It was just kindof the next place to go really. I've been wandering about the country for about...16 years now. I've been almost everywhere else"[/color] Technically it was true, though it was all about the old him before the guild and his broken mind. [color=000000]"Left home when I was nineteen"[/color] he gestured to his face [color=000000]"didn't want to draw too much attention to the family"[/color] there was a pause before he spoke again [color=000000]"So why'd your family come here?"[/color]

Lana crossed her arms and brought them up to rest on the table to hold herself up as she leaned forward. She couldn't tell whether anything he was saying was true or not, but it was interesting nonetheless. On the subject of truthfulness, she wasn't sure about how open she should be about herself. Lies tended to catch people up, but she didn't want to go giving away too much personal information to someone she just met. [color=306754]"My parents just wanted a change in scenery I guess. We came from a small town, so adjusting to a big city was difficult, but exciting at the same time."[/color]

[color=000000]"I see"[/color] He leaned back in his chair and leg his chair and let his legs stick out [color=000000]"City been good to you? find the change you guys were looking for?"[/color]

All this talk about her family was beginning to stir up old thoughts and feelings, things she hadn't thought or felt on a long time. It was beginning to make her a little uncomfortable, as he could probably tell by the way she shifted in her seat. She slowly straightened herself up and moved her arms up to cross under her chest. [color=306754]"It's...certainly brought change, but, it was far from what we were looking for."[/color] Her voice was soft, her eyes dropped from him to her lap, and she sat there for a second or two trying to keep herself composed. Finally, once she was sure she wasn't going to lose it, she looked up at him again and returned his question. [color=306754]"What about you? How's the city been treating you so far?"[/color]

Zeke muttered a small [color=000000]"sorry"[/color] feeling bad that the topic's got her a little upset but carried on as she asked him another question [color=000000]"City's been...decent to me, I guess. Like most places I kinda just go by unnoticed really"[/color] glancing in a random direction he thought of what to say next. Since her past seemed to make her uncomfortable he thought it was best to change the subject so he went with what they had in common [color=000000]"So, when did you discover yours?[/color]

Another question the had her mind delving even further into her past to the time where everything changed. It wasn't as painful a memory to think about, but it still bothered her. Bryan Mathers was someone she preferred not to think about. It wasn't that she regretted what happened, just how and when. [color=306754]"It happened not long before we moved here, actually. It was quite sudden. One second everything was normal and the next it wasn't. I guess that's how it is for a lot of people though."[/color] In order to try and keep the mood light, Lana forced what she hoped was a believable enough smile onto her face. [color=306754]"What about you?"[/color]

Zeke returned her smile, even if he could tell she was still affected by the topic [color=000000]"I found out real young, both my parents were magi so it wasn't as much of a shock for me. Guess I was...kinda lucky"[/color] he shifted and rested one arm on the table [color=000000]"Can I ask what you can do? what your magic is?[/color]

Lana was reluctant to answer at first, she didn't know if giving her power away was a good idea or not, especially since she had no idea what he was capable of, or who he really was yet. She had no reason to believe he was dangerous though, so in the end she decided it wouldn't be too bad. [color=306754]"Better yet, why don't I show you?"[/color] After checking to make sure the coast was clear, Lana began looking around the room for something she could demonstrate her power on. Eventually she settled on doing something simple, like levitating one of the empty chairs from the around the table.

Zeke smiled at her display, it was kind of exciting to find someone with the same power as him [color=000000]"haha, I don't think I've ever met another telekinetic before"[/color] since she showed him her's he figured he should return the favor. Soon the chair opposite the one Lana was levitating would rise up along with it. He let the chair back down a moment later, still smiling but seemingly at a loss for what to say next.

Lana's first reaction was surprise, and then...jealousy? She couldn't be sure, but meeting someone else with the same power irked her. She didn't let that on though, and kept the smile from earlier on her face. [color=306754]"Wow, what are the chances of this?"[/color] She finally set the chair she had been levitating down and turned back to face Zeke. [color=306754]"So...are you, with The Guild?"[/color] It might have seemed strange to ask, but The Guild was common knowledge to practically all mages, so it wouldn't be unusual for her to know about it.

Zeke admittedly got a little nervous at the mention of the guild and looked down at his hand. He still didn't want to reveal he was part of it [color=000000]"No, no I'm not with them"[/color] he nervously tapped his fingers on the table [color=000000]""My family always kept their head down, we never really got on either side of the whole thing...part of the reason I felt like I had to leave"[/color] he looked back up at her [color=000000]"It's also why I moved around alot"[/color] his smile faded slightly, face becoming a bit more neutral

Lana noticed his nervousness in the way he was acting, the way he looked down at his hand, the way his fingers drummed nervously at the table, and the way his smile faded when he was finished talking. In turn, this made her a little nervous and she began second guessing her decision to bring The Guild up. Though based off of the answers he gave, she convinced herself it had been the right move after all. [color=306754]"I see. Well personally, I'm not particularly inclined to their way of thinking, I would prefer to be free from their rules and restrictions."[/color] 

Lana paused to glance around for a moment just to be sure there was no one else around listening in, before she leaned over the table again and spoke in a hushed tone. [color=306754]"As it turns out, not so long ago, I stumbled across a group of like-minded individuals, known as Dark Shadow. We are dedicated to fighting for the freedom of all magi and as far as I know, we are always welcome to new members. If you're interested, I could set up a meeting?"[/color]

At the mention of Dark Shadow Zeke eyes widened a bit, in surprise mostly but with a little recognition [color=000000]"That...I-I'm not exactly fond of all their rules, and all the moving around can be tiring but...something like that"[/color] He trailed of in uncertainty. While it may seem like he was conflicted about joining, in his mind he was contemplating whether or not he should reveal himself and arrest her for the guild or if he should take this opportunity to try and infiltrate Dark Shadow's ranks.

Lana wasn't surprised by his hesitancy, in fact she expected it. Of course joining a group like Dark Shadow was frowned upon, and she didn't expect any mage to jump at the chance of it. His reluctance was actually a little reassuring, it meant he was really considering his options, which meant he must at least be of sound mind and not like the bunch of crazy people she worked with. [color=306754]"I understand. Honestly, I was skeptical myself at first. But I know I made the right choice in the end. I don't necessarily agree with everything Dark Shadow does or stands for, but I'm not just going to sit by and watch while my fellow magi get prosecuted for simply wanting to be free. We didn't ask to be born this way, but we are, we shouldn't have to live in fear or shame of that. The Guild do more to help their precious nonmagi than they do their own people. Where is the justice in that?"[/color]

The girl could make a convincing speech, if he didn't know what he knew he'd probably have considered joining. But as it stand he knew what Dark Shadow did and what they were capable of, and whether or not he completely agreed with the Guild he knew they had to be stopped. He made his decision a moment later, nodding slowly [color=000000]"you're...right. This running and hiding, we shouldn't have to live this way. I'll help, I'll meet your people"[/color] He hoped he was playing the semi-reluctant prospect well enough, things could go all kinds of wrong if he walked into the rest of DS and they found him out.