Callie was in much the same boat as Orion Lykos.

"No."

Spoken plainly when asked. Her mind wandered for most of these meetings. The coordinator would always give her this pitying look when she had to sign Callie's attendance record at the end.

At least they had free food.

The community center kitchen was where she always came after. It was never extravagant. Just a few snacks, maybe a pizza, but Callie still took her pick as if that would get her back her lost time.

Being a community center has it's disadvantages. A child runs by in the cramped space, having been let out from the Cubchoo Scouts down the hall, which makes Callie jump back to avoid him.

She backs right into Orion.

"Fuck. Sorry."

Callie backs into someone and sputters out her apology.

She gets decked in the fucking face.

That metal arm slams into her bad side. She has no chance to anticipate it even know it's coming. That eye had been melted out years ago, laving only a scarred over and puffy red scar with the rest of that side of her head. Pain blossoms and she can taste blood in her mouth, feel how her teeth clack together painfully. If Orion Lykos has any capacity to feel with that hand, the damaged skin will feel more like a thin skinned, ripe tomato than like flesh. It bleeds where his knuckles dug into her cheek, tearing easy like paper.

And here is where the problem comes in.

Because Callie, much like Orion, has a similar synapse fire of events that goes off in her brain. Trauma is a hell of a drug. Step two of this problem is that since she dropped off the radar to try and recover, she's been training with John Sullivan. Her body isn't weak anymore. While she's not star athlete, she's strong enough to defend herself. Callie has picked up basic self defense to feel more comfortable in public.

So she whirls around and has flung Orion over her shoulder, onto his back, before she even realizes it.

Knees down on his shoulders to try and pin him, one fist raised for a punch. She snarls down at Orion like something vicious and unhinged, eyes somewhere else. Fighting in a war that was lost years and years ago.

She blinks before she strikes and forces herself to take a few deep breaths.

"... trauma response?"

Callie wipes her bleeding cheek with the back of her hand. Looks at it with something like disgust before pushing herself up.
Her other, non bloody, hand is offered to help Orion Lykos up. If he accepted, she would more of less haul him to his feet. Stout.

"Shit happens."

A few of the other people there, particularly a few kids, watch them with wide and stunned eyed. Violence and then... not violence?
What the hell was this.

Callie meets there eyes and gives each person a sharp look, making a few look away.

"Coffee?" She glances at the mess they made, shrugging. "Better than this shit."

"It is." There is a measured pause. "I don't do autographs anymore." It wouldn't be the first time someone had the audacity to ask for one if they recognized her.

"Orion?" There weren't very many people with metal arms in class. Orion Lykos was easy to recognize.

She was already making her way for the door, expecting him to follow.

"This place nearby has good coffee. The little pies they make are much better." Oh, she was already wanting to drool over them. If Orion wasn't careful, she would start rambling about food and not stop.

Callie gives Orion Lykos a Look that shows she clearly heard his first question. She just very pointedly does not answer it.

Instead, he steps into a trap.

"Oh, yes. They're divine. I quite like the cherry ones. You see, they-" And she leads off on a whole tangent the whole time they walk. Talking about the texture and consistency and how the different flavors were unique on more than taste alone. Orion has unlocked Calliope's autism.

When they arrive at the shop, Orion will surely have learned a lot about pastries.

The lady behind the counter smiles and waves when Callie enters. She raises a brow and glances at Orion, but Callie just shakes her head and goes to take her seat.

"They know what I like. You'll have to order for yourself."

Callie just hums at Orion Lykos's admission.

The coffee is dropped off. It's a length of time just long enough for Orion to no doubt think he made some social faux pass.

Callie picks up her coffee and sips. It's creamy and brown and smells like caramel. Her single eye seems to stare into soul before she finally answers.

"You're not my type. I'm a lesbian."

Her fork is picked up next. It sinks into the fluffy crust of a blueberry piece of pie.

"Carla doesn't realize I've been flirting with her for two months."

It was very sad for her.