A carefully worded letter {open}

[Ollie James Eldridge]

Olliver was stumped. Usually he found a simple way around his problems, but he had one very large failing. While he could accept them - he had to, as they had been a large part of his life recently, he was very bad at phrasing goodbyes. He sat on a bench, with several street performers around him, and people bustling to and fro. The sudden wave of fans exiting from a nearby stadium, as a seemingly important sports game had receeded, and the quiet babble of people was a comfort to him, and helped him pluck the thoughts floating around in his head into coherent words.

...and so, with my role finished, I await the next opportunity for me to take to the stage. Life here flows in much the same way, but I find that the streets of our beloved London were less harsh than the streets of New York, if only a trifle. I await your next letter eagerly, and hope that we may see each other soon.

Your friend always, Ollie.

Satisfied, he folded the paper delicately and placed it neatly in it's pre-stamped, pre signed envelope. It was adressed to Danni Olburn, with some obscure adress in London fixed to the name. He sat for a few more minutes, drinking in his surroundings, before omitting a sigh, and rising to his feet.

Letting the gentle breeze blow through his hair, and the warm sunlight caress his face for a second, he started out towards a post-office he knew couldn't be far off.

Quite suddenly, he saw a face ahead of him that he seemed to loosely recognise. He knew that it was either a face from the theeatre or the academy, but he hadn't seen them well enough to be sure. He took up pursuit, in the off-chance that it was an aquaintance of his, and that he might be able to take them to lunch. Dashing quickly after them, he stowed his letter in his long coat's inner pocket, and buttoned it, to make sure that it didn't fly out.

[✿ngela wingrose]

Angela was beaming.

Today was a good day. Hopefully the first of many. She had her daughter with her, and pushed the little blonde girl in her stroller down the street. Kelly was asleep, mouth hanging wide open, long blonde lashes resting against her pudgy cheeks. Atop the baby carriage was the latest edition of People magazine; the source of her big smile.

Alright, so People wasn't anything like Vogue or Bazaar, but it highlighted the lives of celebrities. It was a gossip rag, and although Angela never actually read the thing (she was an avid Cosmo subscriber), she was ecstatic to be on the cover. Sure, it was an old shoot, but when the magazine called and asked for an interview, she readily agreed. Apparently they were having a slow month, but Angela didn't mind at all. Her face was out there again, circulating to every newsstand and convenient store in the country. It was only a matter of time before her modeling career took off again.

So... she'd maybe lied about the movie role, but she hadn't known they'd put it on the cover. But maybe if some casting director picked up the magazine, they'd be like 'yeah, she fits this role!' and ask her to audition! Whatever, she wasn't going to dwell on the details. This was big! Angela tucked the glossy papers away in the back of the stroller, then continued on her way.

[Ollie James Eldridge]

Ollie looked ahead with his clairvoyance. He definantly recognised the face - he'd seen her recently, not in person, but in a news stand. He thought back, but he only remembered the face - not even the magazine, or her name. He rolled his eyes - typical Ollie. He continued to run after her. He knew that he had seen her before, in person, somewhere. Maybe she was in the VIP box in one of the shows he'd been in. But a part of him knew that she was supernatural in some way.

He reached out with his mind, to see if her surface thoughts would help him. He received some idle babble about a magazine, and a baby that was nearby. He reached in deeper, ignoring any secrets or memories, and soon found what he was after - her gift. She had gravitational rejection. He quickly withdrew his mind, and casually intercepted her path.

"Hello!" He said, a cheery smile on his face. If she reacted badly to the fact that he'd just read her mind, that was, if she could tell at all, he could just apologize and say that he didn't want to seem like he was hitting on random girls.

He cursed inwardly. He wasn't going to hit on her anyway, he thought, chastising himself. A pretty-looking frenchman got in his way, and he had to dodge out of the way. Ignoring the cried "Désolé!" he re-joined the woman. He hadn't even asked her name yet. He was looking rather flustered, but his traditional grin creeping back onto his face.

"French people, eh?" He said, winking. He scratched an itch that had crept onto the side of his face, almost absently. He had to stop that - it was the kind of habit that wouldn't be good in the theatre.

{{OOC:Sorry if the telepathy isn't quite right. First time I played a character like that~}}

[✿ngela wingrose]

"Uhm... I suppose...?" Angela wasn't quite sure what to say to the stranger. She'd worked with her fair share of French people, and they were every bit as diverse as the English. She recognized the lilt of his accent though, and it reminded her of home.

He didn't look like he was too eager to get on his way, like the other hustling and bustling New Yorkers, so she awkward nibbled her lip before asking, "Can I help you?"

She didn't know his face, and she knew she'd remember someone as handsome as him. Sure, he was a bit scruffy, but Angela had always been attracted to very masculine men. Ollie was a bit leaner than her fiance...

Kelly gurgled within the stroller, deviating Angela's attention from the stranger. She checked up on her daughter to ensure everything was alright, before returning her attention to the man.

((Eh, I can't remember the last time I actual rp'd telepathy. It sounds about right.))

[Ollie James Eldridge]

At her uncommited response, Ollie laughed. The woman was pretty and sensible. Ollie liked her already - exept her nose. There was something about it that he found... peculiar. Socially adept enough to avoid that subject matter entirely, he pushed it out of his mind.

He was slightly dismayed that she failed to recognise him at all, but he didn't let it show. He'd seem like a mad desperate loner if he let it show. He put on an indifferent face - possibly not the best choice, but it was a face that was impossible to see through.

"Possibly. I think I'm suffering a bad case of amnesia." He said, running a hand through his hair. "I seem to recognise you, milady, though, for the life of me I can't remember where from." He stated, in mock puzzlement. "You didn't happen to see 'stark Bewilderment' in broadway recently, did you?" He asked. "Or," His tone grew quieter, almost hushed now, "do you frequent the academy?" He winked slyly, before his face returned to it's usual, almost sombre appearance. He didn't try and look so serious all the time - his face just assumed that shape naturally.

[✿ngela wingrose]

It was a good thing the man didn't comment on her nose - Angela was vain enough to fuss over it for the rest of the day. Though she didn't recognize him, his admitting he knew her from somewhere put a smile on her face.

"I ah... I haven't had the chance yet, sorry," She apologized, assuming he was part of the production. Perhaps an usher, who escorted many young blonde women to their seats... then he asked about the Academy, and she clued in. Oh, he was Gifted. Perhaps that narrowed down their acquaintances enough that she should know him. Which sort of put a damper on her mood - she was hoping her celebrity status was what piqued his realization, and not a high school yearbook.

"I'm not there anymore," Let him assume she graduated, instead of flunked out, "but I suppose you attend?" Or teach, perhaps. He didn't look young enough to be a student. Possibly a University attendee?

She thought about asking what his Gifts were, as that topic was always a source of interest for her. Maybe they should take this discussion elsewhere, instead of having it in the middle of the sidewalk. She was beginning to get jostled around by more than Frenchmen. Angela looked around for a place the two of them could chat, but someone had occupied the bench Ollie vacated down the street. There wasn't an immediate solution in the area, unless they wanted to sit inside a grungy pizzeria and talk at the bar-like layout.

[Ollie James Eldridge]

"I recently got a job teaching there." He said, somewhat wistfully. "It fills my time when I'm not on stage." He winked. "I've only been there a couple months... So if you've graduated..." He trailed off, looking at her, and then her baby. An image flew into his imagination, and he snapped his fingers. "You were on the cover of that magazine. A magazine. I can't remember which one." He waved his letter in his hand. "I was a little pre-occupied." He laughed, looking around. There were a few people giving them funny looks and he even saw a couple of tourists snapping photos. He gave them irritated glances.

The street had suddenly become rather busy, and he realized that she was looking around for someplace more private. He reached out with his mind to look around as well, and he noticed the same pizzeria, and saw that she was considering that, before saying to her -

"No place for a baby." He said, before searching once more with his mind. "Telepath, clairvoyant." He said, with a shifty look on his face. He saw a bar that looked none to good on the outside, but when he looked inside, it was a rather warm, pleasant environment, and there were even curtained-off alcoves for privacy.

"In there." he pointed, suddenly annoyed by the fact that his telepathy was entirely receptive. He had an urge to take hold of the situation, as he always did when secrecy was in order, it was just one of his traits that he found hard to surpress. "Trust me." He said, with a wink. This girl, who had appeared on the head of a magazine would probably be disinclined to enter such a vulgar-looking place, but there was even a man to take them to their seats. He walked confidently towards the place, that was not too far off, and held the door open for the lady, smiling.

[✿ngela wingrose]

"You teach," It was an almost surprised statement. She shook her head, "You're right, I wouldn't have had the pleasure. What subjects..." her voice trailed off when she followed his gaze to the tourists with the cameras. There was one point in her life when she was fleeing the paparazzi. And now she offered a bright smile and a friendly wave. When he suddenly remembered where he knew her from, she returned her attention to him with a small smile. "People," she offered the name of the magazine, instead of asking what had him so distracted that he didn't take note of it. Through living with a boy for the past year and a bit, she viewed magazines completely differently.

The professor seemed to read her mind concerning the pizzeria, and her quizzical look was greeted by a confirmation. He could read minds. She tried thinking back on all the thoughts she'd had in his presence and blushed. She automatically apologized mentally, then was distracted by his suggestion.

"There? Really?" Angela hesitated. She'd never taken Kelly to a bar before. Was it sanitary? Did she want to risk being viewed as a bad mother? Oh, not to mention being guided to a dingy hole-in-the-wall taphouse by a stranger. The young woman might have been naive enough to follow him before, but a vampire attack, an attempted rape, a kidnapping, and a child later made her wary enough to refuse.

"There's an outdoor cafe around the corner. There might be a small wait for a table, but I don't mind if you don't," If he could really read her thoughts, he should understand that it was nothing personal against him, it was merely for her own peace of mind. Besides, if they stayed outside, more people might recognize her, which would definitely boost her confidence.

[Ollie James Eldridge]

Ollie snapped his fingers. People magazine. He was usually fairly interested in magazines, even if he only ever flicked through them. However, a part of him had never really gotten over Danni, and he spent a long time carefully wording each letter he sent her, laboriously trying to just seem like a friend who enjoyed writing to his old aquaintances.

However, the simple effort and dedication he put into doing this, made it more than evident that he was still in love with the Londoner. However, she'd never know that, and neither would anyone else. Unless someone else with telepathy came along, but he was usually quite good at blocking any attempts on his mind.

Ollie regarded her hesitations with little more than a light humor. He could understand perfectly. But by listening to whatever was at the forefront of her mind, they were almost having two conversations, and she had alternate motives for choosing the other place.

"Ok." He said, with a crooked little smile. He raised his eyebrow before continuing; "I'll humor you. A little publicity never hurt anyone." And he let the door close, before jumping into step beside her. He leaned over and smiled at Kelly, before standing straight up, a peculiar tingling going down his spine.

"So, Angela, I hear you're brittish." He said, arily. "That makes us kinsmen...women... or, something." He laughed. "I'm Ollie. Ollie Eldridge, resident flamboyant leading man in broadway, fighting desperately for my next role." He frowned. "I notice you're a little more famous." He said, looking at the hangers-on with disapproval.

"Where did you say that cafe was?" He asked, his face unreadable.

[✿ngela wingrose]

She was warming up to the man for understanding her. Sure, he could read her mind, but not everyone would get where she was coming from. A fellow man in the industry, however distant the connection, would comprehend the necessity of attention.

"It's nice to meet you, Ollie. I suppose I don't need to introduce myself," She was referring to his Gift, not her fame, but he'd know that through her silent intentions. She waved goodbye to the tourists and started leading the way to the cafe.

"It's not too far," The directions were quick to jump to her mind, "A few blocks up, and then we turn left on 49th," she motioned ahead after checking once more that Kelly was asleep.

"Sorry, what did you say you taught at the Academy?" She couldn't remember if he'd already answered, or if she'd been too preoccupied entertaining fans. Her stomach gave a guilty squeeze and she gave Ollie an apologetic smile.

[Ollie James Eldridge]

"I try and help students cope with using their powers in a modern day setting. There is a certain degree of elegance in being able to use your powers subtly." He said, archly. "Many gifted children feel the urge to use their powers to make a big difference to mankind - I try and purge that. World peace, or the lack of poverty or hunger, or keeping animals from being extinct is all well and good, but it'd be at a large risk for us." He said, following her as she walked down the crowded street.

He looked at the buildings around him - nothing ehre qas quite familiar yet. He thought about looking for a post office, but maybe it wasn't the best idea. Were there even post boxes in New York? He thought it'd be a dumb question, so he kept it to himself.

"Personally," he continued with his answer to her question, "I like to call it being a "style coach". I seems to get a little respect." He smiled. Her answer as to her identity was rather cryptic, and he assumed that he was allowed to reach into her mind to find more. He wished that he wasn't just a receptive telepath - it would make it much easier to have secret conversations.

Angela Wingrose, mother of Kelly, occasional film star and British model. No wonder people were following her - she was pretty famous. He smirked knowingly, giving her a sly look. Deliberately avoiding her memories - it was always the most awkward ones that flung themselves at him first, he probed deeper into her soul. He saw a deep sadness in the form of a mother, and he could feel the affection for Kelly.

"She's a beautiful baby." He said, smiling. "It seems that I've stumbled across someone quite special." He stated finally, tripping over a loose paving stone, and nearly landing flat on his face. He held himself up with his telekinesis, and rose to his feet again, a crimson blush having crept across his face.

"Good thing stages are flat." He said, sardonically. "We're quite similar, you and I." He said. "Apart from, obviously, you aren't clumsy. But, what I mean is - we both got famous without using our gifts." he carefully avoided a lamp post. "Well, I say famous..." He laughed sheepishly. "By the way, you don't happen to know where there's a post office nearby?"

[✿ngela wingrose]

"Ah," Was all she could say about what he did at the Academy. For lack of a better description, he was basically hired to make sure none of the students turned out like her husband. Heroism and vigilantism weren't recommended pasttimes, she assumed. She had mixed feelings on the matter, but in the end she would have to agree with the Academy. Risking exposure to those that didn't know of their abilities was dangerous.

"Thank you," She appreciated his change of subject. There wasn't anything she loved more than talking about Kellyn, and his compliments would go a long way concerning her opinion of him. Angela giggled when he corrected a sidewalk mishap. It wasn't a cruel laugh, rather she felt safe laughing with him at this minor folly. They'd all been there before, and it wasn't something to stress over. She carefully maneuvered the stroller over the uneven crack, and continued with him down the street.

At his comparison, Angela quirked a brow. How were they similar? He went on to explain and her lips curled into a smile. "I suppose you could use me then as an example for your students," Seeing as how he promoted NOT using Gifts in public, he might appreciate meeting someone else that went through the same struggles as he did. It was unfortunate that her Gift wasn't as subtle as his... how she longed to fly. But in a place as crowded as New York, you couldn't just lift off the ground and soar without anyone seeing you. It had certainly been a while since she just cut loose...

His inquiry about a post office was greeted with a reluctant expression, and even more regretful thoughts. No, "sorry." Her apology was written on her face.

[Ollie James Eldridge]

"I could..." He trailed off, pretending to think about it. "But then I'd have to pin you down for a demonstration. I understand you celebrity types are quite busy." He sighed melodramatically. "What I'd do to have no free time." He laughed, in an almost sprite-like fashion, and picked up a quarter that was on the sidewalk.

"As the saying goes..." He trailed off once more. He could tell that she was thinking of flying, even now, and the feeling made him was a mixture of longing and regret. He patted her hand affectionately. He could understand - he'd seen so many people who had a kind of regret that they'd never recover from. He sighed. Of course, it must be worse for Angela, who had to control her gift every second of every day.

"It isn't easy for me, either. When you tell people things that you shouldn't know, it gets a little awkward." He scratched the back of his head nervously. "And, how could I explain that that dingy hovel back there was actually one of the nicest places in this area, they just keep up a façade." He shrugged, as he noticed they neared their destination.

"So, how old is she? She really is just adorable... I love babies." He said, with his own pang of regret. Any thing like that reminded him of London. It wasn't a memory he'd like to revisit. "I mean, seeing someone young, and in the public eye," He was rather deliberately poking fun at her now, trying his hardest not to make it sound as if he was being sarcastic, "with a child, it just makes me wonder if it really was time to settle down... Well, that would involve me finding someone to settle down with." He grinned.

"It's not as easy as it seems." He said, donning a serious face, his eyes gazing piercingly ahead. He tried not to make a point of it- it would just make him seem desperate - which he was - but Angela need not know that.

"Is it just me, or are there no post boxes in New York? In London you can't move for them! How do these Americans expect to send letters?" he asked, his face genuinely incredulous.

[✿ngela wingrose]

"Hmm, demonstrating how not to use your power..." Angela pretended to think for a moment, "I don't know, that sounds awfully difficult." She chuckled, and shook her head, "I think you're mistaken. This celebrity type right here has nothing but free time."

Angela frowned however when Ollie tried convincing her the dirty bar was actually a nice place. She'd stick with the comfortable and the familiar, thank you very much. She was a little unnerved that he could read her mind, and she didn't appreciate the lack of privacy she had around a complete stranger. Couldn't he just turn it off? She knew some telepathic people absolutely refused to go into someone's mind without their permission. The doctor at the Academy was the first example that sprang to mind. But soon Ollie had her thinking of something else, and her annoyance with him subsided.

"She's fourteen... almost fifteen months now," Angela replied, looking down at her daughter just in time to miss the look of longing in his eyes. She couldn't hear the remorse in his voice, but what she did hear was his comment concerning her youth and indiscretion within the media concerning her child. She bristled slightly, not fully understanding what he insinuated. His tone didn't sound cruel or condescending though, which confused her to the point of not commenting. He seemed to be more concerned with his own family, or lack thereof.

"I'm just... ahead of my time," It was her attempt at consoling his thoughts. His remark was dead-on though. He was right; it wasn't that easy to find someone you loved enough to settle down with. Angela thought she had her whole life sorted out, but it all dissolved. She didn't want to think about her dysfunctional family life, and thankfully Ollie offered the perfect distraction.

"I've moved on with the rest of New York into the digital age, Mr. Eldridge. I suppose mailboxes just aren't as practical as e-mail boxes." It was a playful smirk that flickered on her lips, and Kelly stretched, a small smile on the girl's face, as though she could sense her mother's good humour.

[Ollie James Eldridge]

Ollie rubbed his arm as if she'd just punched him,a and threw her a reproachful look. He grinned slyly, to show he was joking.

"Well, I've always found letters to be a little more elegant." He said, in the most pompous voice he could muster. Which, considering he was a leading man in Broadway, was very pompous indeed. "Besides, I'd like to make the effort for this person." He said trailing away, before flushing. "But, not too much effort." He murmured. He may have been the telepath, but he had just been so obvious that he wanted too smack himself on the forehead.

Ollie suddenly felt the discomfort at his plucking and probing of her mind, so he sharply withdrew. He bowed his head in apology. He went too far - he'd forgotten how much of a powerful telepath he had actually become, and unless he was concentrating, he often forgot to be sensitive.

"Sorry. It runs away with me sometimes." He said. "Anyway, doesn't all this media coverage and whatnot get to you? So far I've only done theatre acting, so it isn't like I'm going to get famous anytime soon. But, you know, having people watch with me while I walked my child down the street..." he trailed off, awkwardly. "I admire your confidence." He stated firmly. He looked again at the child, and smiled. He liked babies, when they weren't screaming or crying. And the seemingly contented sigh coming from this one made his opinion of them even higher.

He had firmly decided to let the whole gifted thing go - it wasn't particularly interesting, it just payed the bills when acting wasn't cutting it. He thought he saw the cafe Angela was talking about it, and smiled. He wondered if they served paninis. He liked paninis. A lot.

"So, I hear you're getting a role in a film. If it isn't a vampire chickflick, wanna see if they need any extras?" He asked, winking, with a sarcastically rapacious grin covering his face.

{{OOC:Oh, the Irony}}