Ambrosia was excited about the prospect of playing with a new friend.  She'd only met Cait briefly, a patron at the shop she worked in, and they'd hit it off right away.  It turned out, they were both musicians with a passion for music.  Always looking for new people to jam with, it was only a matter of time before the two of them got together to create auditory art.

That's what today was supposed to be all about.  It was beautiful and warm and she had the day off work with few personal responsibilities.  She gave her new friend a call and they made arrangements to meet at the park with some acoustic instruments.  Outside really was the best place to play, in her opinion, although it came with the obvious limitation of no electric instruments unless you also happened to bring a generator and that sounded like a whole lot of work.

Parking her little smart car, today she had brought her violin and her acoustic guitar. Walking from her car to the park, she picked a nice little patch of shade under a large tree and waited for her companion to arrive.

OK, maybe she had been a little over eager setting off so early, but she wasn't about to let New York buses make her late for this. Getting to play instruments with Ambrosia was too exciting a prospect for public transport to mess it up. Playing music was one of the true pleasures of life to her, being able to share that with others was even better.

Making sure to get enough sunscreen on, as well as carrying a spare bottle just in case, she had dithered over whether to take her violin or guitar, instead settling on both. They might have been bulky and taken up a spare seat on the bus, but she could ignore the evil looks today. It was just way to nice to let them put a dampener on her day. Today there was music to play, sunshine to enjoy and good company to enjoy. Nothing could ruin her mood now. Especially not the grumps of the world.

Arriving and deciding to grab some food before they played, she found herself wandering through the park having a lovely sandwich. Passing a tree, she was so glad she'd been paying attention, spotting Ambrosia under the branches of a large tree. "Ambrosia!" she shouted, waving and walking up to her, "How are you!"

This park was one of Ambrosia's favourites and one she'd performed in a few times before.  Part of a mixed organization of both humans and mutants, she did drum circles and dancing in order to build energy and awareness towards the cause of mutant/human peaceful relations.  When her little group had first formed, they usually performed in the same park every time.  Unfortunately, the idea of peaceful relations was a controversial one among many and they had been interrupted by violent elements a few times, both mutant and human supremacists, eventually leading to the decision to start varying their locations.  Now days they were rarely bothered, but still had to remain vigilant.

Their last performance at this particular park had been about a month ago.  Normally she wouldn't come back at least for a few months, but what harm could come of just the two of them?  It wasn't like they were advertising their presence and it wasn't like they were likely to draw a crowd.  No, it was just two women making music in the park; nothing threatening or controversial about that.

Ambrosia was just tuning her guitar when Cait arrived.  "Cait!  I'm doing wonderful and how are you?  Can I give you a hug?  I hug all my friends."  If given the ok, she would place her guitar on the ground and run up to her new friend with a friendly embrace.  Hugs were the best!  

She was already excited about today, music and friendship was awesome. But now it was serious, there were hugs! This day had just gone from a ten to an eleven, and they hadn't even started. "Great to hear, and of course you can, I'm a hugger myself so you don't really need to ask in the future. If you want a hug just go for it." Putting her instruments down for better hugability and holding out her arms towards the other woman, "So cool to meet someone else who loves them as well. Had to wear down to many of my friends to get ones out of them."

With the important business out of the way, and her snuggle reserves topped up to full again, it was music making time. "Is there anything you'd specifically like to try or do want to do more free flowing stuff? I'm up for anything, honestly but I do have some sheet music if you want to take a look." Cait had spent a lot of time hunting out all sorts of music, some from online, others from old books. A few she had even tried to write out herself, but those attempts hadn't quite been successful.

While most of her experience had been with fairly structured playing, but she was quite interested to try 'jamming'. Her dad had told her often about folk bands back home coming together in a pub to just play together, inventing music with the aid of a little whiskey and a lot of good company. He'd often lamented not being able to expose her to that part of her culture growing up. Well, now she was doing it all herself.

It was so great when others were just as enthusiastic about hugs as she was.  Why anyone would dislike such a lovely gesture was beyond her, but sometimes there was just not accounting for other people.  She grinned happily.  "I'll keep that in mind!  There have been more than a few people I've had to work on myself.  Most come around to my way of thinking eventually."  She winked playfully.

Proper greetings out of the way, she picked her guitar back up.  "I'm usually a free form sort of girl myself, but if you prefer to start with sheet music, I'm open."  There was something about the simplicity of just letting your emotions and the music flow that she'd always enjoyed.  She was a decent player of sheet music, but where she truly excelled was when the music came from the heart.

A better day could not have been asked for.  The sun was shining and there were people around enjoying their day, but not too many people.  Music should be enjoyed not only by the musicians themselves but also by other people.  Nothing was sweeter than touching someone's soul with a melody of your creation.

"Free form I can do, if you can just lead for the start, I'll be able to get a feel for it." This was awesome, like all the stories she'd heard growing up. Sitting, playing what came to mind and just losing yourself in the music. What could be better than that? "Since you've got your guitar out, I think I'll go for the fiddle. Definitely my favourite to play."

Taking her fiddle out of it's case and quickly tuning by ear, she couldn't help but stare at a little. As much as she played an electric fiddle for work, she still preferred the older fashioned model. Something about it's sound and feel a machine just couldn't replicate. "Mind if I warm up for a second? It'll not take long and I'm sure my dad would somehow find out if I skipped it and have a go." It had taken more than one lecture for her to get into the habit. He was right about it of course, but she'd been young and stubborn.

Going through her standard warm ups, a few scales and a little piece she used to get her mind focused and her fingers stretched, Cait reckoned she was ready to play. "Well I'm all good to go Ambrosia. Lead on," gesturing to her to start, she was really excited to see where this went.

"A fiddle is always a beautiful accompaniment to the guitar," she agreed.  There was a reason the violin and guitar had been her first two instruments.  They were her favourites and especially so when they worked together in harmony.  While she had a few regular jam partners, none of them played the fiddle so this was a rare opportunity to be on the other side of things for once.

"Take all the time you need."  Having arrived a little bit early, she'd all ready had time to warm up.  In her experience, it always went a little bit smoother when your fingers had been given the chance to stretch themselves out a little bit first.

"All right, lets do this!"  she agreed with exciting, striking the first few chords.  What she didn't realize, as the music began, was that behind them in the far corner of the park, was a growing group of malcontents.  Had she been closer or had she bothered to turn around to fully take in her surroundings, she might have recognized a couple of them as past troublemakers, mutants who believed they were better than humans and that humans should be subjugated beneath them.  Mutants who took issue with any mutant 'race traitor' who chose to befriend the lowly humans.  Mutants who had violently interrupted protest circles she'd been a part of before.  Unfortunately, she didn't turn around and didn't know any of this.  All she knew was that she was about to make beautiful music with her newest friend.

Stretching out her fingers and making sure everything was just right, she liked the feeling of warming up. It was like gently pulling the music from deep inside, coaxing it out and letting it fill the air. Grinning at her friend as she started playing, letting the chords resonate, before picking a key a playing a few long notes to accompany it. Starting slow seemed a good idea. Let it build energy and pace naturally, rather than just open the flood gates. Even the distant shouting couldn't upset her mood.

"There she is! Playing her stupid music like always!." OK that had sounded more directed at them than the general hubbub had before. What on earth was going on? Rather than look away from the playing, she intensified her strokes, making the music stronger and louder, drowning out the anger with beauty, or at least with theory. Anger seemed to win out as the got closer.

"The traitors playing with humans again eh?" One of the bigger brutes leered down at Ambrosia, his slightly off coloured skin giving him a weird uncanny valley vibe to Cait. He looked strong as well, like he could throw a car as someone with one hand, easily. In fact the group had a couple of people with visible mutations, but that wasn't what was bothering her. One of the people in the back looked familiar. Cait could have sworn she'd seen him before, in a picture maybe.

"I'm sorry, but is there a problem here, my friend and I were trying to enjoy the park like everyone else." The young Scot hated bullies, they always seemed to push her buttons and she wasn't about to let a group of them interrupt her awesome jam session with her friend. "And what business is it of yours if I'm a mutant or not?"

The first few chords sent a thrill of excitement through her.  There was something special about working out a rhythm with a new partner, as your melody and their melody twirled and combined around one another seeking that perfect balance between them.  Sometimes it was a little clumsy at first, but that was all a part of the magic.  This time it went smoother than most and she smiled at Cait as the music began to take hold of her.  It never got old!

"There she is! Playing her stupid music like always!."

Oh no.  That sounded like a familiar voice.  It couldn't be though, could it?  It wasn't like she had her protest circle with her, or anything.  It wasn't like she was that well known...was she?  Her music became faster and heavier to match the notes of her partner.

"The traitors playing with humans again eh?"

This time she did lift her head and a quick count indicated at least 5 or 6 people in a very angry looking group.  The man with the unusually coloured skin who had spoken last was familiar, as were a couple of the others.  Great.  This was exactly what she needed right now.  And by exactly what she needed, what she really meant was exactly what she didn't need.  Not now or ever.

"I don't suppose there's any way you'd just let us leave in peace?," she asked, meeting the gaze of a bumblebee girl she'd seen in the past and who had always seemed a little less into the whole violence and intimidation than the others.  She didn't really expect a positive answer and the nasty snickers she received from the group only served to reinforce that expectation.  Crap.

Her gaze kept drifting to the one in the back, what was going on, why did his face ring a bell? It wasn't like she'd ever met him before, so why? Before she could dive into the memories more the big guy pulled her attention right back into the moment.

"If one of us is make friendly with one of you, then it is my problem!" Oh, so that's what this about. Why did so many mutants act like this? They were all the same deep down so why build up walls and make everything so much harder. Living peacefully was just so much more fun! Playing music and frolicking in the park beat acting like a thug any day.

Big man's hand shot out and took a grip around wrist and boy was he strong. Can't beat a girls intuition sometimes. "Is this really something you want to do? There's plenty of people around to see the big bad mutant bully a sweet, innocent little Scot. You can just let me go and walk away, no harm done."

He seemed to genuinely consider it. See, all people needed was a chance to prove they were nicer than they looked. Maybe deep down he was just a sensitive soul.

"Nah, I think I prefer my way!" Oh dear. That wasn't good.

Why was there so much damned hatred and intolerance in the world?  All Ambrosia wanted to do was to make some music in the park with her new friend and maybe entertain a few people in the process.  Why did people have come and ruin her fun and probably also the fun of everyone else in the park?  Was this fun for them?  Is this what they did in their spare time?  Harassed innocents mutants because sometimes they were nice to humans?  Well poo on them, then!

Beside her, Cait also tried to reason with one of the offending mutants and he too, metaphorically spat at the suggestion.    At least he hadn't literally spat.  Now here they were, two young woman outnumbered and innocent.  Fat chance of any cops coming to help save their asses, they'd have to be the ones to rescue themselves.

"Well, you can't say we didn't give you a chance to back down," Ambrosia spoke, gently putting her guitar down onto the ground.  Inside she was quaking in fear; she'd never been much of a fighter, but on the surface she put on a brave face.  She wasn't a coward and she'd be damned if she was just going to fly away and leave Cait to face the mob on her own.  Taking a deep breath, she let out a very impressive stream of green an purple fire in the general direction of the little mutant gang.  In truth, it wasn't really all that dangerous but it put on a good show.  Maybe a little intimidation would go further than diplomacy had.

So, not only was Ambrosia kind and musical and all around awesome, she could breath freaking magic coloured fire! How could one person be so cool? There was no way Cait was letting her get hurt by these bullies, even if she had to reveal her power. Thankfully it did scare the group enough that she could slip out of the guys grip and quickly step back, standing just in front of her friend.

If she could only get to her guitar case, she’d be able to open up its false bottom and get the two knives she had stashed there for emergencies. Being armed right now would really help stop any violence before it started. In theory. “See, there’s people already calling the police and shouting about mutants fighting. You can go now and can’t stop you, won’t know who you are or how to tell the authorities about you.” Sometimes Cait did wish she could be more bad-ass, like Combatant or Impact, able to scare people like this into submission.

“Stay behind me when I start moving, try to scare them again if they look like they charge,” she whispered to Ambrosia, “If I can get to my case we should be fine.” She hoped. If they were angry and stupid enough to attack, she was not looking forward to having to fight them. With how out numbered the two of them were, she’d not be able to pull her punches.

The whole little mob took a collective stunned breath and step back when Ambrosia released her torrent of fire and that was very satisfying.  Unfortunately, that moment of stunned silence only lasted a moment until they re-collected themselves and realized they still outnumbered the pair of them significantly.  Nasty (although possibly slightly nervous if she was interpreting correctly) laughter followed.

"I don't suppose you're secretly a shapeshifter and can just fly away, are you?" she asked her friend, keeping her voice as quiet as possible.  Boy, it sure would be nice if the two of them could just fly away to safety.  Assuming, of course, that none of the gang could also fly.  Or shoot bolts of energy at their retreating forms.  Or, now that she was really thinking about it, any number of other powers that could potentially do bad things to tiny, flying dragons.  Why did she dwell on these sorts of horrible things, anyway?!

She nodded her acknowledgement at the instructions given.  Just because her fire made her look bad ass and dangerous didn't mean she was bad ass and dangerous in truth.  Alas, it was quite the opposite.  

As if to give form to the horrible thoughts she'd been having, a green bolt of glowing energy shot out of the hands of a young man with a biker jacket.  It shot between Ambrosia and Cait, barely missing them both and she let out a nervous 'eep' as it went whooshing past.

God she wished, flying seem really attractive right now, despite her own reservations about it. "Sorry, but this is the only me there is." Keeping her voice low and still edging towards the cases step by step, "If anything happens I can stop them, but not without hurting them badly. I tend to avoid that." She was tense, all her instincts on high alert for the moment chaos broke out. Once it did, all bets were off though, keeping Ambrosia safe was her priority and if Becca had taught her anything, sometimes you had to hurt people to protect your friends.

As soon the first shot was fired she was off, diving towards he guitar case, while she pulled five knives out at once. God that always sucked! Losing so much energy at once left her shaken, but she managed to get her paired knives out the hidden compartment quick enough to dodge another bolt. "Run Ambrosia! I'll cover you."

Starting a simple tune in her head, the blades started to dance around her, picking up speed and looking very, impressive. Or so she'd been told. Cait just hoped her friend could at least get behind her if she didn't get away. "OK lads, last chance. You want to hurt her, you go through me and my friends." With her flurry of blades glinting around her, they looked a lot less sure of themselves. "I don't want to hurt you, really, so anyone who wants out can leave now."

A couple wanted too but the guy at the back kept whispering to them, calming them down. Something was weird here and now, she was going to find out what.

Well, apparently flying was out.  That sucks.  Not unexpected, but she had to try.  It sounded like Cait possessed some skills that could help keep them safe, so that was good.  It also sounded like those skills might hurt some people pretty badly, so that was less good.  She didn't want anyone to get hurt, not really.  She just wanted them to leave the two of them in peace.  Was that too much to ask?  Maybe she was too much of a bleeding heart.

When the command to run was given she listened, although probably not quite as fully as her new friend might have wanted.  Capable or not, there was no way she was going to leave her all alone to face the entire mutant mob.  Instead, she made a mad dash to the nearest tree  and crouched down behind it, triggering the change of shapes into her faerie dragon form.  Sure, it was small and weak but it was also far quicker and more agile than her human body.  She was counting on that speed to keep her safe.

Unaware of what was going on in the fight behind her, she felt the tree she was hiding behind shudder just as she was completing the change.  Taking to the air, she spotted a woman who's hands were glowing blue.  The woman spotted her a moment later and she fired off a sphere of blue energy.  When it collided with the tree, narrowly missing Ambrosia as she dodged, it revealed itself to be water.  Reacting to the woman's momentary distraction as she prepared another water bomb, Ambrosia dived down and blew fire at her target, lighting her up like a green and purple candle.  She collapsed to the ground, moaning and holding her stomach.  Score!

"I'm coming," she called out, flying to stand (or hover) at her friend's side.  Hopefully she wasn't too late.