Spilled Coffee [Tamsin/Yuri]

It was 11:42 am. The sky was clear, to Yuri's displeasure. It shone in his eyes, making it hard to see. At the metro station he sat, backed up against a wall, reading. The book he held detailed the expansion of America throughout the 19th century. A truly fascinating subject. The knowledge he would find here, Yuri thought, would surely be of great use to him someday. He heard a noise, prompting him to look up. It appeared someone bumped into another and spilled their Islabucks coffee on them. 'Whoever's fault it was...' He looked back down at his book. 'Is a waste of space. How inconsiderate. Such incompetence. I've wasted enough time thinking about them already though.' His focus returned completely to Lewis and Clark. He thought about the land beyond the city. Did the country still look as pictured in books? Could he cross the same trails they did? 'Perhaps I'll have to see for myself. Someday. Just under twenty pages left. I'll finish now.'

Tamsin looked down at the coffee pooling on the ground with a forlorn expression. It wasn't often she got to drink coffee. She had to buy it with her own money, of which she rarely had much. So the fact that some inconsiderate guy rushing to one of the terminals had blindsided her, and spilled her coffee all over the floor, was mortifying. It may as well have been her blood pooling there on the pavement. Quickly standing she looked around, but she didn't see the man anywhere. She vaguely remembered a muttered apology, but that wasn't hardly good enough.

The young girl pushed herself out from the crowd, feeling suddenly claustrophobic. Her face felt hot and the edges of her vision blurred. Was she seriously about to cry over this? stupid. She huffed, looking around desperately for a distraction. It was then that she saw the familiar young man. She was surprised to find him sitting there, reading a book in a place like this. Granted, there was a small book seller's kiosk in the station, but to sit here and read? So confounded was she that she forgot her coffee. Well, not entirely, but enough to not start tearing up over it. Instead she schooled her features back into her more typical aloof expression and strode over to where he was sitting. She squatted down beside him, arms hugging her knees, and watched. "Why are you reading in a place like this?" She asked simply after a moment, raising a curious eyebrow. Some of her forlorness was left in her voice, and she wanted to strangle herself for it.

Yuri looked up at the Ferrell child. 'There's nothing wrong with this place. Why does she ask as if there is?' He put his finger on the page and said "It's about the country before the Divide. I wonder how it is now. Is it all wasteland, or does nature still exist in healthy amounts?" He paused for a moment, then continued. I want to explore outside the city. I'll simply kill the demons," Yuri stated aloud, not even after the fact considering that wasn't a wise thing to say. "What are you doing by yourself? You are a young child, are you not?" Children shouldn't go outside alone, it's not safe. The Ferrell child seemed the type to do so often, regardless, and he wanted to know why.

Tamsin blinked, reminded suddenly of the way Misha openly spoke about government conspiracies and demons as just like animals. Suddenly people in broad daylight were making light of demons, and their work in the shadows. He would simply kill them? Seriously? Saying that was like saying "oh look at me over here, I'm a psyche terrorist!" But in a busy place like this, Tamsin was content to let it ride for the time being. She didn't want to start an argument that might get either one of them suspected. As it was, he'd said it so nonchalantly most people probably wouldn't have even noticed. She was sure the irritation showed on her face, but she did her best to shake it off before answering his next question.

"I'm young I guess. But I've been mostly taking care of myself and the younger kids for...well, a while. Don't worry, I can take care of myself too." And there was an assuredness in her voice that she hoped didn't betray her own strength. As nice as it was to have power, it was also scary to know that there was always someone with more power. Someone like Patty, who could pulverize just about anything given the right circumstances. "Thank you for your concern, though." She offered genially.

Killing demons aside, she had to admit that the idea of exploring had merit. "I don't know about killing the demons, but I'd like to know what's out there too. I wonder what's left of society in other places. It's strange to think there may be other cities like this that survived, and even stranger to imagine how many must be ghost towns, with no one to greet you but demons." She hadn't intended to be so cryptic. Maybe it was the irritation at having lost her coffee talking.

"Perhaps demons have built their own cities," he suggested. "We have to tear them down. This earth was made for us, not them." Before changing the subject, he remembered the Tamsin implied she was interested in the outside as well. "Do you want to go outside? We can bring many people," thinking of those Platinum Playhouse individuals as he said that. They had Personas as well. He was getting ahead of himself. First he'd need a vehicle. Affording that was no concern, however. What would work best? A truck? A jeep? Perhaps there wouldn't be any point in going outside, though. "There might be nothing out there. Perhaps that'd be a waste of time. It's best to focus on what's in front of us." He scrapped the idea as quickly as it came to him. "Do you go to Seven Stars? Is there a student council there? Perhaps I'll run for president. I'm the most charismatic person there is, it's impossible that I'd lose. You should run for a position too. Then people will know you more. Fame allows you to do almost anything." If someone he knew personally worked under him there, he'd have a lot of pull at the school, or so Yuri thought, so it was potentially worth pushing her to do that.

Tamsin let Yuri ramble for a minute, not sure exactly what to say. She remembered the first time they met, and he'd said he should be king, because naturally there was no better candidate. Now he was talking about how this world was made for us, not demons, which she could probably agree with, and then he invited her to go outside with him - which would be suicide. Still, it didn't take long for him to abandon the idea, which was good, because she would have had to say something about that.

But he went right on from that into how he should run for student council president and stuff. Tamsin's jaw dropped incredulously. Was this guy for real? Hubris. That was the word. "Sorry, I can't help you with that. I won't be attending until next semester, and I'm pretty sure that the student council is broken up by grade? Probably? You should ask about it in the faculty office. you'll probably have to start campaigning soon if you want to run next year." She offered. "I don't really care about fame, to be honest." It was true. Influence was power in a lot of ways, but right now the only power Tamsin cared about was Ghost Train, and what she could do with him. Destroying demons, helping Patty with this giddy drug problem...those were the things that mattered most to her right now. If she had a choice, she wouldn't go to school at all.

How unfortunate. Though, it mattered not. He could do it himself just fine. "Is that so? How commendable. I recall you mention a desire to be a Cadet. Then that must truly be solely out of a benevolent will. You're the ideal Cadet. I hope you succeed to become one. You certainly seem capable." That's great. It seemed Tamsin truly was a great person. "Perhaps I should become one myself." He briefly considered that idea. No, he'd just get held back. He was too good to work under another. Yuri would only fight for exactly what he knew was right, not waiting for instructions from someone with an inferior world view. 'In that case, it would also be preferable Tamsin worked under me, rather than them,' he thought. "However, if an opportunity better than joining the Cadets showed itself, I trust you'd take it?" He looked at her, waiting for a response.

Tamsin fell silent at the mention that she would make a great Cadet. The words were sent a mix of validation and cruel reality down her spine. On the one hand, yes, she could make an amazing Cadet. She had proven now that she could handle the power. Unfortunately, the power that had awoken inside her also damned her. She wasn't sure how she felt about the Cadets or the Playhouse right now, so she would remain neutral in regards to them. All she knew for certain was that Archie, Patty, and their group had accepted her when she wasn't sure anyone else would. That was enough for her to fight alongside them for the time being at least. Again he exalted himself again, saying he should also become a Cadet. His egoist attitude was baffling to Tamsin. He did seem rather accomplished though, she had to admit. Despite his strange words, he gave off an air of unwavering confidence that she was frankly jealous of. She had no problem making a decision and living with it, but that didn't mean she always knew the right answer. She wished she could be as confident as this man.

"I can't join the Cadets." She said after a moment. She had to take time so that it wouldn't sound too painful when she said it. "What do you mean a better opportunity?" she asked, interest piqued, but suspicious. Was he a member of that platinum playhouse? Was he about to offer her something that shouldn't be spoken of in broad daylight? Talking about Terrorist activities in a public setting like this could be really bad. But even so, this man didn't seem to have much issue spouting anti-government sentiments to strangers, so she could see him doing it. She merely had to wait for him to continue his thought. There was a look in his eye as he had ask the question that unsettled her. But at the same time, it was challenging and confident, and all the things she wanted herself to be.

She couldn't? Was it a lack of confidence that prompted her to say that, or was something prohibiting her? "Oh? Why not?" Just the other day she so adamant about this. What could have happened in such a short time frame to change her mind? He remembered that he should consider that when someone has recently had something, an ideal, person, or group they were devoted to taken from them, they will much more easily devote themselves to another. "Everyone claims they themselves are in the right. Don't consider yourself an ally to someone unless you're absolutely certain they are. Though, when you do find the one you know you can put your absolute faith in... don't hesitate." He gave Tamsin a wry smile. Yuri thought of his own situation as he spoke. While he was indeed rolling with the Playhouse, at least for the moment, he didn't yet consider himself a member. In fact, to his knowledge, he hadn't even conversed, casually or otherwise with any members outside of last night's demon hunt. He decided he would change that, in time. What was Tamsin's social life like though? Was she involved in any circles? He toyed at the idea of her perhaps being a Persona-user, like himself. Possible, yet unlikely. Anyone could be. A Persona-user as a Cadet, though... They'd be able to uphold the law better than anyone, were it not for their legal bindings. Yuri went on imagining all about a Persona-user vigilante force, not thinking to attribute such a title to that Playhouse he was involved with.

"I just can't, okay. It's not a big deal." She shrugged at his continued line of questioning. Ofcourse she couldn't tell him why not. She wasn't about to make something up though. It wasn't any of his business in the first place. Then, came the advice, however, and she rose an eyebrow. When you find the one you know you can put your absolute faith in...

Tamsin thought of Patty. She hadn't known her very long, but the group worked so well together, like clockwork. Even though they were all just a bunch of outcasts. Tamsin wasn't sure about much, but she was sure about that feeling from the other night. This had to be what he meant. As strange as Yuri was, it seemed some of their beiiefs resonated with each other, on some level. "I know what you mean. I think I might have found that person, too." She smiled, just a little, as she considered the topic.

Tamsin's reaction suggested it was, in truth, a big deal, but continuing to press her on the subject would clearly be counterproductive. He wouldn't bring it up again, at least for the time being. He'd get to the bottom of this mystery one day, though.

It was probably good she found "that person." Hopefully she meant he himself. There was no one as trustworthy as him, after all. "Is that so? Wonderful. You know, one time I met someone like that too." He put his hand on his chest. "It was myself. I've never done him wrong. You should trust yourself like that too, in addition to the other person you trust, of course."

Tamsin looked bewildered at first by what the older boy had said. He'd found himself trustworthy? She was trying to figure out if it was a egotistical comment or a comment about believing in yourself. Maybe it was both. The look of bewilderment passed though after a moment, and she smiled a little.

"Yeah, you're right." If she really thought about it, there were things about herself that she didn't trust. She didn't trust herself to be a Psyche Terrorist without Patty and the gang. Without them she was a runaway train liable to run over some unsuspecting bystander. She was a child and she knew it. But that didn't mean she couldn't trust her instincts sometimes. Right now, they were telling her that this person here might also be someone she could come to trust, even if he was a little strange. They were all strange in a way. Especially the ones with power.

"Thank you, Yuri."

Of course he was right. He was always right. "You're welcome. In any case," he said, looking at his wristwatch, "I must be off. If we've run into each other twice, I'm sure there'll be a third time." At least, he did hope so. Standing up, he'd end with "Have a good day, Tamsin," before heading away.