[United States] [Locate the Gifted Thief] In the Big Apple

There was no denying the energy that New York carried...Even when the sun was just rising on the horizon. Already, the streets were flooded with people going to work or just carrying on with their lives in general...The atmosphere so different from the one at Rivers’ Pointe. This city was alive no matter the time and everybody was too busy to notice the five strangers standing on the corner of the block.

The five students - all here for a mission, found themselves standing outside of a small coffee shop that sat on the corner. Despite the door being closed, the rich smell of freshly brewed coffee and the delectable, sweet scent of pastries could just barely be smelled. They were all here to meet a contact, the person who had alerted Rivers’ Pointe of the trouble brewing in New York… A lawyer with connections to the hidden city.

Stepping into the coffee shop, the smells becoming nearly overwhelming but glancing around, there is no sign of your contact or at least nobody that matches her appearance. There are however a female barista and two customers, a gentleman leaning at the counter and looking at his phone and a lady sitting at a table in the corner, reading a newspaper…

It seems you have time to kill before your contact, Miss Morris, arrives.

The pleasing aroma of coffee and bread hit Allete's nose as she stood outside a coffee shop with the other students near her, who really were nothing much more than acquantances and strangers. She honestly didn't know why she came along on this mission. It was a bit good to leave the academy though. Amura stood beside her, leash grasped tightly in her owner's hand, calmly waiting in case Allete would start walking and would need her seeing-eye dog to navigate the busy streets of New York. Allete didn't need to see the people to know there were crowds of them walking the streets. She could hear all the footsteps, the indistinct chatter, the humming of car engines. It was truly the city that never sleeps.
However, she didn't come here to indulge in sounds and smells. If only... She was here to serve as a lie detector for this group. The back of her mind was deeply offended by her purpose here, but her concious mind was aware that she knowingly volunteered for this mission. Sadly though, the subconsious mind doesn't listen to reason. Besides, her gift could be very useful for missions like this. 'Maybe that could be my future, using my gift to weed out petty thieves' she thought, smirking slightly to herself, 'Though I'd probably be the best interrogator in the world.'.

Jin sat on the curb of the street not really caring about the other people around, certainly trying not to stay out of the way. He was used to life of the city. His home being very similar to what was around him but under a different name and a different place. He remained silent, watching the other students from the corner of his eye. Hopefully their contact would be here soon, while the people walking on the street didn't mind their presence it was a bit annoying just sitting here.

The Korean looking boy blinked and stood up quickly, startling someone that had moved to go around him. Jin quickly followed the others inside, taking note of the now stronger smell of coffee. It smelled wonderful. He looked to the line to order and then back to the others. Was he allowed to order something?

Blue eyes had only been tilted up at the buildings stretching far above. Despite the pain in his neck, Shepard stared, first at the tall buildings, then at the busy life that early in the morning. River's Pointe would have still been asleep. Phone up, the blond snapped a few pictures on their way there, unable to hide his amazement--his unadulterated awe. His distracted gaze leading Shepard to collide with a few locals, whom he quickly apologized to. Though none of them had even bothered to look his way, let alone accept his apology or even yell at him.

That being said, as the group approached the cafe and slowed to a stop--the blond didn't notice and ran right into Stephan. "Sorry--Ah, come on Steph." Shepard ducked past his best friend and finally lowered his head to see where he was going, phone storage filling up fast.

The coffee aroma was all too similar to his mother's house. It wasn't a bad thing! It merely reminded him of home. An odd comfort in such an alien town. The blond didn't hesitate to order a house blend. He wasn't much of a coffee drinker, but they had an image to upkeep. While he pays with a crisp five-dollar bill that he rarely ever had to use in River's Pointe thanks to the Credits, Shepard inspects the man with the newspaper. The novelty of using paper money was not lost on him.

Well, he hadn't been in New York for a long time. It was almost nostalgic, wearing a simple face mask and sunglasses, just like in the old days when he'd hide his identity from prying fans. Now he was hiding his identity from conspiracy theorists, claiming his death was just one big publicity stunt - and honestly, why not turn it into one, as soon as he's free from the clutches of whatever this school even was? Could do wonders for his album sales.

Virgil edged around the group, inspecting each of them curiously. Somewhere along the way, fame had taken away his taste for small talk, but there was no time like the present to try and wedge himself back into the rhythm of mundane things. He ducked into the coffee shop, avoiding the stream of pedestrians already out and about, threatening to wash him away. Joining the rest of the students inside, he dug through the pockets of his over-sized jacket for some change, eyeing the menus on the walls. "Buy you a coffee, teammate?" he nudged the taller, black-haired boy to his side.

Shepard do the rolly polli to investigate the woman with....a moli???? newspaper gal plox

The member 'Splotch' has done the following action : Dice Rolls

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'd20' : 4

Surprised etched Jin's features for a small moment at at Virgil's offer. He shouldn't have been so shocked seeing how he was eyeing the menu the whole time since they walked into the shop. He wasn't sure if he should accept or deny the other students offer. Keeping his inner conflict hidden from his outward emotion as to not influence his team mates, he offered a reply keeping any emotion from it besides a slight hint of happiness. "Oh, I would love one. I appreciate it greatly. Jin replied. "I'm not the best at deciding what to get.. What would you recommend?"

Allete soon went inside the shop after she heard some familiar voices going in. It was a lot less noisy in the shop, plus the scent of coffee was more clear. Should she order something? Where even was the back of the line? Before she came to Beata, a friend or relative would guide her to the back of the line or read off the menu if they didn't have one in braille. An espresso sounded pretty good right now, and it's not like she couldn't pay for it. She could have someone fold different dollar bills in different ways so it wasn't like she couldn't tell the difference between 1$ and 5$. 'Why did I have to be born blind..?' she thought to herself.

Virgil offered the other a friendly expression, completely concealed by most of what he was wearing to hide his face. "Mocha. Or at least I hope they can make a good one. But I suppose that's always the gist with those... common coffee places." he hummed, in his usual light and melodious tone. There was a hint of nosiness in the way his eyes stared on the random civilians, like he was observing an exhibit of some kind. Turning back to face Jin, he pushed his sunglasses higher on his nose with his little finger.

Waiting their turn to order, the boy noticed one of their other teammates, the quite alone-looking girl. If rumors were anything to go by, her sight wasn't exactly... in top condition. In any condition. Virgil willed himself to not feel any awkward pity. "What'cha getting?" he asked instead, tapping a hand softly on her shoulder. "You can order with us, if that's cool with ya?"

Allete suppressed a flinch as a teammate suddenly tapped his hand on her shoulder. She honestly didn't like needing help sometimes. Even so, she answered, "I'll get an espresso..." she answered, "And I guess I can order with you...

'Why did I sign up for this when I can't even order a coffee?' she thought, but soon shook away. It wasn't like she was useless, she could navigate the streets just fine and her gift could be useful for a mission like this.

Stephen barely budged when Shep ran into him. "I'm comin', I'm comin'," he said, eyes scanning the menu. He needed the caffeine but didn't really like the taste of coffee. Waiting for his turn, he decided on his order. Walking up to the barista, he rattled off what he wanted. "I'll have an iced white mocha with two extra pumps of white mocha and a pump of caramel," He handed the barista a ten-dollar bill and pocketed the change.

ooc: sorry ;;

As the barista gave him his coffee, Shepard took up a booth overlooking the entire cafe. He knew they had to choose a spot that let them see anyone coming in or out. Settling in, the blond sent a picture of him holding up the coffee with Stephen behind, just having finished ordering his-- to Joanna. Satisfied, Shepard beckoned the rest of the group over to sit at the table. "Allete, we are over to your left when you are done ordering your coffee." Having Cody as a close blind friend, Shepard knew not to baby anyone who is blind. Help if they need it--but don't baby them. After all, she would be a valuable asset during the mission.