fluxnet | Text; un: Mysterio

We can meet. If you want to.

Where?

I'm open. I don't have a vehicle but I'm willing to walk. I work at the bookstore. Barista, if you'd like to talk over coffee.

Is that the same place?

[Coffee at the bookstore.]

Sorry, yes it is. Snowflurry Ave Books. I'm a barista there

Alright. I'll stop by soon.

See you then

[ Shadow wasn't sure if Mys]terio would show up sooner than later. He went about his business, reading a book while the bookstore was quiet. His eyes would glance up for customers if anyone walked past the counter. ]

[It was nearing an hour later by the time Beck enters the store. He's dressed normally, a stocky and tall man with his most distinctive feature being that severe old-fashioned bowlcut hairdo. He looks a bit shifty and nervous, almost as if he's come in the rob the place - and he cautiously heads over to Shadow. Since they'd only conversed through text, he doesn't know what his appearance was or even his actual name.]

... Excuse me? I'm looking for... moon_shadow.

[It sounds like a secret code, the way he says it. Something spoken to find that special someone.]

[ He eyed the man while wiping down a counter. A contrast to the stranger, the barista understandably wore an apron over a t-shirt and jeans (the latter not visible unless seen from the side or from behind).

Shadow stood about six foot four with a muscular build and could be considered a formidable figure yet was more often than not, seen as approachable--the opposite of intimidating. At least, to those who didn't mean any harm. ]

I'm Shadow Moon. Are you Mysterio?

[ He tried to give the man the benefit of the doubt, believing the suspicious behavior made sense given the entire existence in Haven. Besides, who robbed bookstores? ]

Shadow Moon?

[He repeats the name, wondering if he'd somehow got the username backwards.]

Yes, yes, I am Mysterio. Or I used to be.

Yes. You can call me Shadow. [ He offered after Mysterio repeated his name. Shadow didn't even think about his username on the network that other man might be confused by. ]

What do you prefer to be called?

My name is Quentin Beck. Just Beck would be fine...

[He does appear uncomfortable.]

It's nice to meet you, Beck.

[ He offered the man a pleasant closed lip grin. Where Beck looked uncomfortable, Shadow was a little confused but didn't dwell on it. ]

Would you like something to drink while we talk?

Ah, sure. Coffee? If you're making it.

[Since he is the barista.]

Cream and sugar.

Light and sweet or just a regular amount?

[ Shadow asked while stepping back and immediately pouring one of the carafes into a cup. ]

Regular.

[He pauses, adds.]

Thanks.

[Still seems nervous.]

[ With a nod, he finished making the cup of coffee all in purview of Beck before handing him the cup. Shadow told the other barista that he was taking a break so he could sit down with his newly made acquaintance. ]

Is the coffee okay?

[ He asked while taking a seat across from Beck. ]

[He tries it and nods.]

Yes. Fine.

[And falls quiet for a moment. Somehow it feels like he's stalling.]

Ah, so... tell me a bit about yourself.

Sure. I can do that.

[ He kept a pleasant expression but also felt concerned for the uptight guy. Beck seemed so uncomfortable. Shadow let his shoulders fall, not in defeat or disappointment but just in an effort not to look his full stature. ]

I was born in the US but my mom raised me mostly in Europe. Never met my father. She'd always tell me that he was 'dead and gone, nothing to miss'. We returned to the states in the summer that I turned sixteen. Brooklyn, New York.

[ Shadow had kept a mostly neutral tone throughout. Some sadness seeped into his features as he continued. ]

It was also the summer that she was diagnosed with cancer and I lost her.

I'm sorry to hear that. I never knew my mother. Well, her name. Pictures. But she died when I was a baby.

So I guess we kind of have something in common.

Thanks. And I'm sorry you never knew your mom. Did you have a relationship with your father?

Or, sorry, you don't have to tell me.

[He grimaces, staring down at his coffee; his hands cupping it. His voice is tight and quiet but hard.]

He would rather I didn't exist. Most of the time he treated me as if I didn't.

It's difficult for a kid to be ignored or told he was useless. When you hear it often enough you just wish you hadn't been born.

Sounds like something else we have in common. It turns out my father wasn't dead and gone. He just couldn't be assed to be in my life until he needed something. Then he completely ruined my life so I'd have nobody to turn to but him.

That's rough. Parents are... Some people are just not fit to be parents.

But it made me want to prove I could be better than what he thought of me. That I wasn't worthless. It hurt to hear it when I was a kid but it gave me the drive to succeed.

[And heavily overcompensate with wanting praise and attention...]

You're absolutely right.

[ Odin might not have been at the top of the list but Shadow's father was pretty close. The same sounded for Beck's dad.

Shadow picked up his slightly defeated slouch when Beck talked about succeeding to prove his father wrong. ]

That's great. Nobody's worthless. No child should ever be told that.

[Beck makes a face, shudders slightly and picks up his cup, taking a long drink of it before putting it down and looking across at Shadow.]

Well, this did begin on a grim note, didn't it?

But maybe you have a happier memory to share? A nice hobby you enjoy?

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omg, I lost this tab and didn't realize it! :( completely understand if it's been too long for you

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