"Oh yes, quite functional," Mariusz said as a waiter wandered over and deposited the soup and sandwiches he had ordered in front of him. "I also find it is easiest to fly most places, I am sure you know how difficult it is to get a cab in this city. Besides that why should I pay for transportation when I have been blessed with a perfectly acceptable mode of transportation?"

He fell silent for a moment as he sampled the soup and sandwich. The drstkova polevka soup was a little bit light on the tripe and the paprika, no doubt because those weren't really what could be considered American tastes. The obložené chlebíčky were of the variety that included mozzarella cheese and tomatoes making them both almost like a caprese salad, but without the balsamic vinegar. All in all it was a taste of home with a bit of an American twist, but it certainly wasn't bad.

"Not too bad," the Czech mutant said, taking another spoonful of the soup and sliding it into his mouth.

Flying places. Now that was something she envied if only because that was something she had done and now shouldn't. "It's been... two years since I've used my power to fly anywhere." Maya tried to smile about it, despite her feelings.

She should explain. "I'm an air elemental. Actually, I've helped test those gifted with flight at the Mansion before." Carrick. Maya had been ill at the time and a sneezing fit had ended up grounding the poor gryphon mutant.

Her brother had helped her gauge how her mutation was affecting her body and they'd come to the conclusion that so long as she didn't turn incorporeal it should be alright but that meant no flying. That was sort of a lot to dump on a stranger, though.

She picked at her food. It wasn't that the food was bad, it was just her poor eating habits. The falafle was actually quite delicious.

"I would never have guessed that you were a mutant if you had not said anything," Mariusz replied, taking another bite from one of his sandwiches. In truth he felt just a little bit like a pig with so much food in front of him. But, one had to face the facts that flying burned a lot of calories so he needed to take in a lot of calories.

"I think I am supposed to start teaching flying classes at the Mansion soon. How come it has been so long since you used your powers," the Czech man asked in an ever so slightly prying tone. Of course, he used his abilities all the time but hiding the fact that he was a mutant also wasn't really an option for him. He took another bit of his soup and mused a bit more, perhaps those who had powers chose to hide them in order to avoid reprisals. That would be yet one more reason to run for mayor.

Maya wasn't sure how to feel about not being immediately recognized as a mutant. "I used to be terrified I would be outed as a mutant. Now that it doesn't matter, seems like nobody notices." Not using her power probably made a difference in that. Not to mention the very, very obvious mutant at her table.

"For a time, using my power was bad for my health. Now I can use most of it. Not all, but enough to give you the flight of your life if you wanted." She just wouldn't be participating. "When I was an X-man, my handle was Ghost. Now I'm just Maya." Just a bookstore owner. Nothing glamorous or dangerous any more.

"I can certainly see, after living here for a few months, why it might be scary to be outed as a mutant. I am actually trying to become one of the X-Men as well. I think I may have even thought up a handle for that: Talon. But that is a long story," the Czech man said, beginning on the second sandwich before taking another spoonful of soup.

"How could using your powers be dangerous for you," he asked, tilting his head slightly to one side. He couldn't understand how anyone's powers could be dangerous to themselves. That didn't make any kind of sense. Why would someone have mutant abilities that they could use to directly harm themselves. Of course, he could kill himself with his powers if he was in mid-flight high enough in the air and broke a wing.

"Do you miss flying," he asked, taking another bite of the sandwich.

"The X-men are a good team. They'll be lucky to have you." And she could make a guess about the Talon thing. It was at least still a bird-themed name.

Maya was really just stirring her soup by now. The conversation just wasn't that appetizing. "I have the ability to turn myself into air, but the process is delicate. I can loose pieces of myself that way. It's dangerous, but also wonderful."

As for flying. "I do miss it. All the time. Like you said, no traffic. Well, less traffic anyway. There's freedom in flight. And safety for me when I was made of air. It's pretty hard to hit." She shrugged and offered a bit of a melancholy smile. Things were what they were. No changing it, really. She could try to learn to fly solid, but even Zephyr with all his control couldn't mange it well. Wind is surprising rough on a body.

"Yes, I suppose I can certainly see how it might be hard to hit someone that had turned themselves into something non-corporeal, like air," Mariusz said, finishing off the last of his two sandwiches and turning his attention to what remained of his soup. "Do you not find your food to your liking," he asked.

His spoon chased the last of the soup around the bottom of the bowl before disappearing into his mouth. "As for the missing flying, I think I can solve that. I can carry another person with me, provided they are not too large. I think I could carry you no problem, especially if you created updrafts with your own abilities to help out. I imagine it is not quite the same, but something is better than nothing is it not? Now, if only my own problem in the next few weeks were as easy to fix..."

"No, it's fine, really." Maya spooned up a little soup just to show that she did like it. It was good. She just wasn't hungry once she started to dwell on things. Now that Mariusz had pointed it out, though, she was trying to make up for lost time. If she didn't eat now she would be starving later.

Being carried wouldn't be the same and she didn't have anywhere that she needed or even really wanted to go. All the same... "Could you? I mean, would you? Really?" Maya checked her watch. She had some time before she needed to get back. A quick flight might be just the thing she needed to get her out of this slump.

"What problem might that be, Mr. Mariusz?" She asked with every intention of helping in any way that she could. Not because he had offered to take her flying, but because she was the kind of person who would bend over backward to make someone's day just a little bit better.

"Of course I could," Mariusz said, casting the dark-haired woman an appraising glance. "I hope you will forgive my saying so, but you do not seem to be such a... well, to be blunt, such a large woman. With your own abilities, coupled with my own wings, carrying you would not be a problem at all. That is, of course, provided you do not mind being in close contact with a man that you truthfully barely know. I admit though that I am not dressed for such an excursion at the moment."

The Czech mutant fished in a pocket for a moment before drawing out a business card and passing it to Maya. "This is my contact information. Let me know a time that is convenient for you and we can work something out for you to meet me at the Mansion."

"As for my problem, my father is the Czech Ambassador to this country," Mariusz began, making a somewhat expansive gesture with his arms as a way of indicating America. "In a few weeks time he will be hosting the Embassy's major summer event, a large party. Rumor has it the President himself may even be in attendance. Of course, I am required to attend but I have also been told to bring a date. Preferably an American date. I am not, at the moment, seeing anyone. Still, one does not lightly turn down one's own father... I do not suppose you would care to attend the fancy masquerade ball?"

Close contact with a stranger? She would make that sacrifice in a heartbeat. Though, he was worried about his clothes... Maya accepted the card politely with both hands. She didn't even bother to hide her disappointment. She was always an open book anyway.

"Sure. I'll give you a call and we can schedule something." How very adult they were, making flying appointments. She shook off her disappointment. "I've needed to visit the Mansion again anyway." Maya folded the card into her wallet so that it would not get lost.

Mr. Mariusz's problem was not so simple. "Oh. I... Actually just got out of a really complicated relationship." And that was using the term "got out" a little bit liberally.

An embassy and Presidents and Ambassadors sounded all quite glamorous, though. Especially with masks and fancy dress as a requirement. "Sorry. If you just need a body. Like a friend and not a date-date, I might consider it." But that was the best she could offer, really. She would get the details about when and where it was exactly and then think it over.

"Sounds like a plan. Scheduling a flight is easier for me and it will allow for a more extended trip since you will not have to turn around and get right back to work," Mariusz said, continuing to talk with Maya while she finished up her lunch. He sipped at what was left of his drink while Maya discussed, very briefly, her past personal issues.

"Oh no, I did not realize... I would not want you to do anything you would feel uncomfortable doing," Mariusz said quickly. "Besides that, there is no need to make a firm decision right this moment. The event is still a good ways out. If you change your mind you already have my card, so you know how to reach me. As for the flight would you prefer something during the day or at night? I am told that there are some days when the Mets baseball team shoots off fireworks after the game."

If he needed someone, Maya would like to be that someone. Though... it would be uncomfortable to the extreme if he wanted to make it an actual date. She just... wasn't ready for that. She might never ever be ready for that.

"I would hope that I don't constantly look like I was just in a failed relationship." Well, she tried to make light of it anyway. Better than the alternatives. "Anyway, I'll think about it." She would think about the fireworks too. For now it seemed they were both out of food and she was thinking about escaping back to work.

"Thank you for the company."

"Very well, I quite understand," Mariusz said, rising from his place in the booth and offering a hand to Maya in case she wanted the hand to assist getting out of her seat. It was the polite thing to do, to his way of thinking. "I sense that our lunch has concluded, would you like for me to escort you back to your store," he asked, that was also the polite thing to do.