Davenport and Grayson

While you didn't mind sitting in the coffee shop with Annabeth, you really, REALLY, didn't want to meet with the dastardly duo who, you feel, tried, and failed, to manipulate you.

The two of you had arrived for the meeting early. You ordered your usual Americano, Annabeth a Mochachino. Jennifer, Allyson and Kathy were waiting a block away in Jennifer's car, your mind connected with theirs. You stare at your coffee, not really looking at it, your mind filled with turmoiled thoughts. Annabeth reached over and touches your arm, trying to reassure you both pshycially and through your shared bond. You're grateful for the attempt, but her efforts fall flat.

"Hey, we'll get through this," she says assuringly, though her expression is one of deep concern. "What's wrong?"

You sigh. "I'd just, for once, like to feel like I wasn't second rate. So of course, my first foray as a super being has me asking the one person who's always been better than me for help."

"James..." Annabeth says sadly, unsure of what exactly to say.

Ever since the two of you returned from the shared vision, your thoughts had been in a perpetual downward spiral.

"You're not second rate. No one who knows you, thinks that. Honestly, we could probably count the number of metas in the country with power equal to yours on one hand," Annabeth continues.

"And circumstances, being what they are, has me asking one of the few people who fits that bill for help. Someone who has literally been seemingly better than me at pretty much everything and I actively hate nearly as much as my mother," you say morosely. "I always thought that once a person got superpowers, that if I got superpowers, I could be better than I was. But, as it so happens, nothings changed, I'm still that same outcast who has to settle for second best."

"Metahumans are still as human as the next person," Annabeth points out. "And as powerful as some of us are, none of us can think of or do everything. That's the reasons why super teams, both good and bad, exist. You're biggest problem is that, outside of me, Jen, Ally and Kathy, you haven't really had anyone truly appreciate you for who you are. And even if somehow the unthinkable happens and the others abandon you, you're stuck with me."

You frown. "More like you're stuck with me. I'm not blind. Without our link, our powers, I doubt you'd have noticed me."

"I'd like to think I would, some how, some way," Annabeth replied. "Even if most of it's only been in dreams, you've been a part of my life, a part of me, for so long, I can't imagine you not being in my life. And I wouldn't want to. And it's why I have faith that you will find a way to save the Conclave."

"And what happens if I don't... If I fail... And we're **** to destroy them," You ask apprehensively.

"Then we lean on each other and the others, because I'll have failed them every bit as much as you if WE fail, even if you are the one stuck doing the heavily lifting," Annabeth responded.

Anything more being said is put on hold, as you sense the presence of Ashlynn Davenport. You'd been passively scanning the area since you left the apartment, and since you've actually been deep inside of her mind, you're familiar with the way her psychic presence feels. With her is her expected and necessary, if not necessarily want, companion, Christopher Grayson, The Singularity. The two of them briefly exchange some words quietly, and she charmingly smiles at him as he goes to the counter to order for them while she makes the initial approach.

"H-Hey..." Ashlynn says hesitantly, her smile ****. "Didn't expect to hear from you so soon."

Or at all, given the way your previous meeting went. Part of the reason you have Annabeth with you is so that she can, hopefully, calm you down in the event that Chirstopher pisses you off again. While you're not adverse to throwing down with him and potentially kicking his ass, you'd like to keep property damage to a minimum.

You gesture her to sit with you and Annabeth. Annabeth shoots you a strange look. "Last time, I mentally held her hostage and threatened to lobotomize her if Grayson didn't behave."

Annabeth looks at you in shock.

"I... Wasn't exactly at my best," you reply. It's not an apology, nor are you going to give one, but if nothing else, you can attempt to give her reassurance, if nothing else. "But that's not why we called you here."

"Then why did you?" Grayson asks as he sets Ashlynns coffee down in front of her as he slides into the booth next to her. He's defensive, as if ready to lash out with his powers if you so much as twitch wrong. You are similarly prepared, having already summoned up the psychic energy to, hopefully, put HIM on the defensive this time.

"I... We... Need you help," you reply, nearly **** on the words.