Sept 20 - Sushi!

[Mercy Wilkins]

Mercy grins. "I see no downside to this plan."

She adds sauces, eating in small dainty bites and sampling a little of everything.

"So tell me something about yourself, that you don't usually tell people at school."

[Juma Ngomo]

Juma chews and ponders the question, then swallows and speaks in measured tones, "I left my village to escape from a gang of criminals who trade in human organs on the black market. Apparently the heart of a mutant always fetches a high price among those seeking health, youth, and beauty."

[Mercy Wilkins]

Mercy blinks. "Wow... that's horrible. I can see why you want to go back and clean that place up."

[Juma Ngomo]

He sighs and nods, "Yes. It is no secret, but I rarely mention it these days. It tends to put most people ill at ease.. in fact, I am being a rather morbid date tonight, please accept my apologies. Perhaps something more upbeat that I do not normally share.." he pauses for a moment, then a small smile quirks on his lips, "I have never really learned to sing in English, but I can sing in Swahili. I am not an amazing singer either way, but I am always off-key or off-tempo in English."

[Mercy Wilkins]

"It's alright, I like morbid. Though the singing is a much more cute fact. Besides, I'm flattered that you chose to share something like that with me. It was obviously something personal."

[Juma Ngomo]

He nods, "It is difficult. There are so many conflicting layers, shades of gray. Part of me wants to just go home as fast as I can and start attacking the militias and the gangs and everyone responsible for the violence. But will that work? I doubt it."

[Mercy Wilkins]

"Violence begets violence. Unless you use too much. I don't know you very well yet, but I think I know you well enough that you wouldn't want to use enough violence to really put an end to what's happening."

[Juma Ngomo]

"No, I try to avoid violence. I do not have the stomach for wholesale murder. On the other hand, I don't think a totally non-violent approach will work either. I am fascinated to read up on non-violent action but it is too dependent on culture. When the aggressor places no value on a life, pacifism is simply suicide and I am not willing to give up my life in vain. So, I study, and I train, and I try to find a solution to the problem."

[Mercy Wilkins]

Mercy nods. "I believe education is key to making things better, but you have to have a certain amount of stability before you can teach someone anything."

[Juma Ngomo]

"Exactly. Maybe I'm fooling myself that I'll be any more successful than those that have tried before, but I have to try. The journey is certainly proving to be very interesting." He sips from a glass of water then returns the question to Mercy, "What about you? Tell me something you don't normally bring up at the University."

[Mercy Wilkins]

"I sometimes feel I'm being watched, and I suspect that it's by creatures from the Darkforce realm. I know it should make me afraid, that's not a place full of nice creatures. But... I like it."

She smiles coyly. "On a lighter note, I don't have the faintest idea how to drive a car."

[Juma Ngomo]

"Guardian djinns, or something of the sort? That could be disconcerting." He lets out a laugh at the latter revelation, "I have a little more than the faintest idea, but it's never appealed to me much. Another side effect of the wings?"

[Mercy Wilkins]

"Wings and circumstances. I've just never needed to do it, and now I find myself without any easy way to learn. But the wings would complicate it a bit, true."

[Juma Ngomo]

"If it was not for the hassle of clothing, I would probably fly more often myself. Without shifting fully, the best I can manage so far is a glide, and that's less useful as a way of getting around. Do you want to learn how to drive?"

[Mercy Wilkins]

"It seemed so necessary in the US. I don't know, it's not as needed here, so I think I'll keep putting it off."

[Juma Ngomo]

"I'm in no rush either. I know enough to get by in an emergency, but there's really no point in driving in London. Between the traffic and the parking it's way more trouble than it's worth. Besides, there are only so many hours in the day and I want to have some time for fun stuff."

[Mercy Wilkins]

"Well, one of the advantages of driving is cutting down on travel time, but I know what you mean."

Mercy orders some candied ginger as the meal winds down.

[Juma Ngomo]

"At least downtown, I doubt it. Once you're out of gridlock, well, yes, that does make sense." Juma samples the candied ginger, interspersing it with more sips of his drink, and lets out a happy sigh. "There is something to be said for the satisfaction of a full stomach."

[Mercy Wilkins]

Mercy grins. "That there is." Unless Juma intercepts her, she'll take the check and pay.

"Are you busy, or would you like to extend the evening a little?"

[Juma Ngomo]

Juma allows Mercy to snag the bill and smiles his thanks, "If you insist, thank you! You will have to let me return the favour. As for the evening, I have caught up on my reading and I am not on duty, so I would enjoy extending our time."

[Mercy Wilkins]

"Well, I invited you, so I should get the check."

"Any suggestions for where to go? We could take a walk, or a flight, or whatever you like."

[Juma Ngomo]

"If you are able to carry me for the flight, that sounds like a lot of fun. Perhaps we could fly closer to the Thames and walk along it?"

[Mercy Wilkins]

"Perfect. And, I think I can do it. If not, we'll have a funny story to tell later." Mercy winks, stands up and flexes her wings.

[Juma Ngomo]

He laughs and rises, "At least I'll land on my feet."

[Mercy Wilkins]

Mercy steps out of the restaurant and walks to a nearby alley. "I haven't channeled this much Darkforce in a long time, so give me a second."

She closes her eyes and concentrates.

[Juma Ngomo]

Juma nods and stands quiet, though his dark gaze watches Mercy with intense curiosity while she prepares for the feat.

[Mercy Wilkins]

When Mercy's eyes open, they're jet black throughout, and Darkforce starts spilling out of her arms and body, but mostly from her wings. The inky substance shoots out at Juma in ropy strands, wrapping around him but mostly gathering behind him and around his legs and rear. It forms a sort of chair or hammock behind him and scoops him up.

Mercy takes to the sky, wings beating, though most of the motive force here is provided by the dark energy. A few people look over in surprise, but high-powered mutants are becoming more commonplace, so it's not too big a deal.

Once in the sky, Mercy and Juma are nearly invisible against the dark. Mercy makes for the Thames, moving a bit more slowly than her usual soaring speed.

[Juma Ngomo]

It takes a small force of will, but Juma relaxes into the tendrils of darkforce as they materialize. He's no stranger to darkness himself, though rarely in such a tangible fashion. "Impressive!" He spends most of the flight looking around, unused to a human perspective while in the air.

[Mercy Wilkins]

Mercy nods, responding with a strained, "Thanks!"

The journey to the Thames has Mercy straining, but she manages to set Juma down on the banks of the great river, without dropping him.

She sinks to her knees, surrounded by flailing, barely controlled tendrils of darkness. Her wings barely look feathered anymore, they're nearly pure darkforce.

[Juma Ngomo]

In a liquid motion, Juma kneels by Mercy and gently slides his arm around her waist, under her wings and arms. "Oof.. here, there is a bench nearby, let me help you over to it."

[Mercy Wilkins]

Mercy manages to pull in her darkforce and sits on the bench, leaning against Juma. "Oh, thank you. Sorry about that, I guess I overextended a little. It was good exercise though."

[Juma Ngomo]

"In spite of what I said at the restaurant, I am glad you did not drop me," he chuckles. He leaves his arm in place to support Mercy at first, though as she recovers, it stays there just for the closeness and contact. "And I meant what I said, it was a very impressive display. I imagine many people would find that unsettling."

[Mercy Wilkins]

"I'm surprised you didn't freak out a little, actually." Mercy shifts a little to snuggle into a more comfortable position.

"I guess you X-Men really are tough."

[Juma Ngomo]

"It was disconcerting at first, but I am quite comfortable with darkness. We didn't have much electricity when I was growing up, so many nights were incredibly dark. I respect shadows, but I don't fear them." His hand brushes lightly along Mercy's hip and side as they snuggle closer, relaxed and at ease.

[Mercy Wilkins]

Mercy leans her head on Juma's shoulder. "I've always liked the dark nights in unindustrialized places."

[Juma Ngomo]

"I miss it," he nods, "The stars and moon, or even just clouds. The quiet.. it's not truly silent, but it's usually peaceful." As Mercy leans in he tilts his head down, brushing his cheek over her hair. "The world could use more spaces like that."

[Mercy Wilkins]

Mercy brushes her lips against Juma's neck. "There are quite a few out of the way places, really, they just tend to be really hot or really cold."

[Juma Ngomo]

"Give me hot over cold anyday. At least until I hunt down a polar bear or something..." he trails off as he feels the kiss and tilts his neck, then shifts around to face Mercy directly. He leans in and bumps noses briefly, then leans in further for a gentle yet confident kiss.

[Mercy Wilkins]

Mercy closes her eyes and joins in the kiss, slides a hand up over Juma's shaved head to gently stroke it.

[Juma Ngomo]

His own eyes close in kind, and the hand around Mercy's waist glides over to her back, where it traces small circles around where her wings sprout. He draws the kiss out with a soft sigh, staying in close and focusing on the woman in his arms.