Evelyn had traveled through the subway system on a fair number of occasions. Even with Jensen around she had opted for public transportation because it afforded a certain amount of freedom. It wasn't always pretty, or particularly fun sitting and waiting in the dank tunnels for the next car to arrive. But she did enjoy seeing new people, and sometimes even listen to the local music.

Today there wasn't much happening as she moved towards the platform, but she did hear the subtle tones of a violin somewhere off to the side. The echoes drew her attention in that direction and she pause, slowing her pace. Then she felt a strange sensation that she couldn't place the harder she tried to listen.

Evelyn had a perfect memory, and she heard music in the subways a few days, but never close enough for her to investigate. She was going the other direction, preoccupied or dismissed the echoes entirely. This time, however, she wanted to know what was there. Curiosity drew her forward, and she wandered around the corner to where the stringed instrument was being played.

Seyta Grinned pulling the bow across her violin to start I love Rock n' Roll. A simple song, but as classic that many people knew. Which meant more money for her. Seyta hadn't been playing for a while, it felt good to get out again.

Even better was that she wasn't working the stockroom later so Seyta could stay here all day if she wanted. Considering her mutation, she might have to if she wanted some decent pocket money from this.

The echoes were...confused. That was something Evelyn did not know how to deal with. It was like something kept cutting into their feedback, like static on a radio. Curiosity aside, she had to figure out what was happening. She didn't like it. Not at all. The closer they got, the more they seemed to struggle. What they wanted to take note of was resisting as far as she could tell. What could resist being noticed?

There was the sound of a violin, and the more she focused on it the clearer it got. But when she tried to look towards the player, the echoes struggled again. There had to be a player, but she couldn't quite...take note of them. She probably looked strange, standing there in the middle of the walkway staring intently at the violin player. The more she focused, the greyer her eyes became, and a headache threatened to follow. [Mutation interfering.] The readings finally placed together.

Evelyn looked at the ground, where the echoes confirmed a shadow across the tiles and the violin case. She looked to the wall and the way the light was blocked. She listened to the music in front of her and anchored her mind to that. Then slowly, she turned and focused on the figure sitting there. She could almost make out a face... a hairstyle. And then she was looking at the woman playing the music and planted the face to memory. She had seen this figure, in the subway at a distance, but never had she come this close. Perhaps it was limited by distance... Whatever it was, she didn't like it. "You have...an obnoxious mutation." She final said, brain struggling with the information it was receiving.

>> "You have...an obnoxious mutation."

Seyta looked up; the woman had been staring at her for a while and finally spoke. Seyta however finished the last verse of Sweet Child o' Mine before smiling and tucked her violin carefully under her arm. How exactly this woman knew she was a mutant threw off how Seyta was planning to respond. "Um, yeah I guess so..." She glanced at her meager earnings so far. The hat on the ground held a few buck and change. "Makes me glad this isn't my day job."

Evelyn rubbed her forehead, and gave another shake of her head. The pressure was still there, but she kept her focus and continued the conversation she had started. "I don't...What are you doing?" She finally remarked, not removing her hand from her forehead but giving the woman what could only be described as an accusatory look. She frowned, and glanced at the violin, then back to the girl, feeling the flicker of resistance.

"I mean, what are you powers doing? It's like trying to stare at the sun, and your eyes burn. But...with your brain. That was a dumb example, and I'm being rude. I'm sorry. You play well." She added, stumbling over her sentence and giving a firmer shake of her head. A deep breathe in, then out, and she tried again.

"I take it your normal patrons don't stop and interrogate you normally." She glanced sideways, and studied the behavior of some of the other patrons. They glanced her way, but didn't seem to look at the blond by her side. "Useful defensive technique though?" She turned back, focused again, and let the echoes argue as they found with the woman's mutation. The more the echoes tried to note things about the girl, the more they met resistance. It was like two children bickering.

Not touching you.

Are to.

Are not.

Don't notice me.

[Notice her!]

Are not. She mentally sighed and wondered how long she could continue talking like this.

>> "...That was a dumb example, and I'm being rude. I'm sorry. You play well."

Seyta could see the woman was struggling, more than most people, to talk to her. "Thanks, I try."

>> "I take it your normal patrons don't stop and interrogate you normally. Useful defensive technique though?"

"Yeah, its useful. But no most people don't even look my way." Most people can't tell it because of a mutation either. So this woman probably was a mutant as well. Probably a psychic judging from her head-ache. "As for what my mutation does... Its complicated, but basically it makes me hard to notice and i can't turn it off."

Evelyn analyzed what the woman was saying. It was easier than just trying to focus on her at least. Her mutation made it hard for her to be noticed...

...Well, that made a lot of sense then.

"That explains a lot. I mean, my powers make it so I notice things most people miss. So it's like your powers are having their own private argument with mine. Sort of the 'unstoppable force meets immovable wall' type situation I guess. Rambling still..." She took a deep breathe. It was like trying to talk over a rock concern. "It's the first time I've really encountered something like this though... Normally I just have to listen to a lot of useless information from my powers. Any long term analysis about subway walls can drive you a little nuts..." She trailed off, and glanced around them. People seemed to glance occasionally at the rambling white haired female, but it was like the other female was invisible.

Trying to salvage the situation a bit, Evelyn held out her hand. "I'm Evelyn, by the way." She said as politely as possible.

The echoes, meanwhile, started inspecting the violin case and trying to guess the brand by it's shape and musical qualities.

>> "I'm Evelyn, by the way."

Opposing mutations... That was surprisingly a new idea to Seyta, She new that some mutants could cancel her own ability but to honestly be the opposite. Taking the offered hand Seyta she shook it with a smile. "Seyta, nice to meet you."

Noticing Evelyn glancing at her violin she held it out. "Are you a violin fan?" There was a hind of eagerness in Sey's voice. Most people liked the music but real fans of the violin were hard to find, mostly because they where so expensive. Her own was a Guarneri del Gesu reproduction, with the top being white spruce, the rest was made from red maple.

Evelyn hoped that eventually her echoes would adjust to Seyta's powers, but the more they talked, the more her brain seemed to hurt. It was a...strange, sensation. Having a headache was one thing, but this felt like a physical pressure in her thoughts, in her head, making it hard to think and act. It was a challenge, but she tried to keep her expression straight and keep talking.

>>"Are you a violin fan?"

"A bit. I love visual art but music has it's own beautiful quality to it that I appreciate. Your violin is wonderful though. It's got such a strong sound even down here in the subway. Do you prefer an arched bridge more or more of the fiddle style where the strings are closer? You can play faster on the fiddle bridges I've heard, but then you'd have to have a bit more control over what you're doing... Sorry, rambling..." Her echoes were honing in on the stringed instrument in a desperate attempt to relieve the tension the girl herself was creating. She wondered what the long term consequences of spending time around Seyta would be. If this were a cartoon she'd probably get a nose bleed...

>> "...You can play faster on the fiddle bridges I've heard, but then you'd have to have a bit more control over what you're doing... Sorry, rambling..."

The fact that Evelyn knew something about violins made Seyta grin wider. "Not a problem, I don't get to chat about instrument style often. Personally I like the classical style. Makes rock music more of a challenge to play." Moving her instrument back into position she checked the tune quickly. "So, since i have to get back to playing for my numerous fans, got any requests?"

A smile, and an out. While Evelyn enjoyed the company, she was somewhat grateful for the chance to drift away. Maybe with time she'd be able to control her powers more to at least tolerate the conversation, but for the time being, it might be safer to admire the music from a distance.

>>"Any requests?"

"Anything upbeat would be welcome traveling music, but so long as it's something you enjoy." She dropped a bill into the violin case, then gave a smile as she took a step back. "I'll let you get back to your work, but I'll be sure to enjoy the music as I go. It certainly makes the commute more enjoyable." Once Seyta went back to playing, Evelyn politely took her leave, wandering back the way she had come and disappearing into the crowd. Later, when Seyta would go to look at her 'spoils' from the day, she would find the money Evelyn had thrown in. What looked like a 10 on the outside would turn out to be a $100.

Some musicians played in fine halls, but Evelyn did have an appreciation for the simple music that traveled through the subways.