As the name indicates...this RPG will revolve around Crossroads and New Beginnings.CrossroadsWe would like to see characters come to a 'crossroads' in their lives where important and life changing decisions have to be made. These events can be very personal...i.e. a relationship beginning, ending or changing, or they can be moral or spiritual. Whatever is decided, they should show 'growth' for your character.New BeginningsThis can be any number of items as well and most likely will relate back to the 'crossroads' in your character(s)' life or lives and/or career. They may be starting a new career as teacher or student at Xavier's School for the Gifted or may have been selected to train for the upcoming X-Men team(s). Their 'new beginning' once again may be as simple as establishing a new relationship or changes in an old one.
The X-Men and all likenesses are the property of Marvel Comics, 20th Century FOX, and ALL the creative minds therein. X-Men Crossroads is a non-profit RPG board. We here participate for the pure enjoyment and satisfaction writing in the X-Men Universe brings.Most of the Bio information is courtersy of Marvel Directory
OOC: Anyone not going on the mission is welcome to join them. Continued from the Auditorium.
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He watched her; took in the way her hair flew around her face, moved because of the gently breeze flowing around them; observed the way she bent down to start setting up the picnic, stared at eyes so green when she looked up at him, and felt his insides melt with that uncontrollable swell of complete happiness only true love could bring.
He wondered why she had chosen him. Even though his beautiful wife had already told him many times why, he still thought about it from time to time. His eyes fell to her stomach; to the unborn child still so small, but growing inside there. Again, that clench of emotion came and this time it was mixed with the worries a pending father had... would he make a good Dad? Would the child even like him? And then there was the question only mutant fathers had in its full meaning... would he be able to protect the child from a world that hates and fears them?
Skye knelt down on the blanket they had grabbed, and unpacked the bag of stuff they had brought with them. She could feel what John was thinking about, never caring to turn off the link they shared. "John....stop worrying about you’re impending status as a father...I’m trying to stay calm as it is...and you’re not helping," she said, as she fixed him a sandwich.
He crouched down opposite her, managing a reassuring smile. “Hey, it’s just general nerves,” he told her, brushing them off. “Anyway, what do you think about it? I mean, you must be freaking out? And, Skye, be honest with me.”
"I’m scared to death, John...I have so many thoughts in my head I’m amazed that you and Mana don’t yell at me to shut up...I mean...are we ready for this money wise...do we want to raise the child here or in Colorado? How are we gonna do this? Are we ready for this as a couple?" she asked, softly.
John reached over to grasp the wrist of the hand currently placing a piece of salami on the sandwich she was making for him. “We were ready for this a long time ago, Swann,” he whispered, sincerity in his eyes.
"I know...I’m just scared...it’s normal...I think..." she said, softly.
He nodded, “Yeah, well, look at me, and I’m not the one carrying the baby,” he said, lifting her hand and kissing the top of it. “We’ll be all right, Skye. And just remember how many people we’ve got to turn to for support.”
Skye smiled. "I knew I loved you for a reason, John...you manage to keep me calm," she said, leaning in and kissing him softly.
He raised an eyebrow at that. “Well, that’s strange, cos you do the same for me,” he answered, returning the kiss with another before sitting down cross-legged, seemingly settling in for the day, staring into ignited flame just for the fun of it. “So, did you see how close Mana and Gambit have gotten? What do you think of that? Personally, I don’t trust the guy.”
Skye looked at him. "John...don’t start...Mana is a big girl...and I didn’t get anything strange from him...no odder then the rest of us," she said, as she handed him his plate of food. She then began work on her own.
John shrugged, “Fair enough, it’s just, he just doesn’t feel right,’ he added, taking the food and digging in. “Even though I don’t think Mana is falling for him or anything. At least not yet.”
"He doesn’t feel right to you because Mana could be interested...you’re over protective, John...you just don’t want to let her go," Skye said simply, as she finished making her sandwich and began to eat.
Pyro looked at her, a smirk on his face. “And how did you come to be able to read me so well, Babe?” he asked, swallowing what was in his mouth before taking a sip of the can of coke he’d just pulled from the bag. “It’s not that I don’t want to let her go. It’s just that I don’t want to see her get hurt. Not everyone finds their soul mate first up like I did.”
Skye had to smile. "I know you don’t want her hurt, John...I don’t either...I mean...that’s our sister we are talking about...but on the other hand...Mana is a big girl and should be able to handle her own," she said.
Pyro laughed, “She’s a pyrokinetic, regenerative, healer, I’d say handling her own is a given!” he answered, grinning.
Skye threw a piece of bread at him. "You are such a brat, St. John Allerdyce!" she said.
The look on John’s eyes suddenly went from complete cheekiness to mock horror. “Aaaaah, don’t call me that!” he cried, shuddering.
______________________________
Re: Lake/Pyro & Swann JP/Open Tags
As the two of them settled into their picnic routine, a crashing swell of rock music - in a style similar to Cold Play, Green Day, and The Replacements, a fused mixture of rock and punk with just a hint of folk, but mostly just noise - infiltrated from the woods surrounding the front gate area and just to its left.
From where the two were seated, it was still possible to converse, with voices raised but not yet shouting. After a span of 15 seconds, the noise was replaced with the sound of racaous cheering as a long metal guitar riff started up.
Re: Lake/Pyro, Swann, & Wolfsbane JP/TagsOOC: JP between Mana (Pyro), & Thena (Swann,& Wolfsbane)
John's movements were swift, jumping in front of Skye almost by instinct, eyes widening towards the noise in the distance. "What the heck is that?!" he cried, his gaze not leaving the general direction.
Skye looked at John as she covered her ears. "What is that horrid noise...find it and kill it John," she said.
Shaking his head, the flame manipulator looked over his shoulder at her, one eye still searching for the source of the noise. “I am not going anywhere near that thing and leaving you unprotected!”
"John...telekinetic...can take care of myself," she reminded. "But understood. Should we make a run for it?"
“Ah, yeah,” Pyro answered, hesitating a moment. ~What if something shoots us in the back?~ he thought, turning to shove Skye gently forward, keeping his body in between her and whatever was causing all the ruccus.
"John...maybe whatever it is isn't here to hurt us..." she said softly. "Don’t you think that a far off attack would have been tried first?"
“Bad guys are cocky, I should know, I used to be one,” he said to her, stopping for a moment, slowly turning his head back. “You are not going to invesigate, and I am doing everything in my power to keep the two of you safe should there be an attack.”
"You’re not the only one keeping Skye safe, Pyro," came the Scottish lilt of a red-haired green-eyed girl as she dropped out of a tree nearby. The sound and the change in the smell in the air brought Rahne out.
John smiled appreciatively at her, relaxing a little. “Nice one, Rahne,” he said, in greeting. “You got any idea what's going on... any significant smells in the air?”
Rahne shook her head. "Not anything noticeable which is what bothers me..." she said, ruffling Skye’s hair.
“Then I suggest we get somewhere that’s not so open,” John offered, looking at them questionably.
Skye nodded. "Let's go," she said, as she quickly began packing up the picnic. "We can continue this inside. And just how long were you in the tree, Rahne?"
Rahne smirked. "Before you came out...and didn’t want to interrupt," she grinned.
“You were in the tree the whole time?!” Pyro asked, incredulously. ~What I wouldn’t give for a little telepathy!~ All the while, his attention was still in the direction of all the noise; watching, waiting, preparing to defend now two people with his life if need be.
“John... stop being protective over me," Rahne said, catching his body scent as it changed. "Let’s take Pregasaurus inside."
Skye shot her a look.
Under normal circumstances, John would have laughed at that; this time he just nodded, hurrying them on.
Tags: Er, Paid by the Word... Edited by: BladeGirlMana at: 9/15/05 4:07 am
[PG] What seems to be the trouble?
Elisabeth Braddock had just left her taxi behind and was dragging her luggage behind her using her telekinesis. She was suprised to see three other people outside, and she sensed that something was wrong... They seemed to be worrid about something.
Not wanting to be rude and invade their minds, Elisabeth (AKA Psylocke) approached them slowly. "'Ello!" she called out in a pleasant voice. "Is this the Xavier Institute?" she asked, desiring a meeting with this Xavier... Apparently, he was someone who knew a great deal about mutants, and she had a ton of questions for him.
When she got within a few feet of the small group, Betsy asked, "What seems to be the trouble? You all appear quite agitated..."
Re: [PG] What seems to be the trouble?
The noise in the background died down momentarily, and life seemed to return to normal for a few moments. A wandering flock of songbirds settled into the hedge garden nearby, and the air was filled with the sights and sounds of normalcy.
In a loud cry of echoing electric guitar riffs, a heavily metalicized version of Jimmy Hendrik's "Star Spangled Banner" guitar riff from Woodstock filled the spaces inbetween, and as one the flock of birds rose in loud racaus calls.
It seemed to be comming from an area some short distance outside and to the east of the front gates, adjacent to a picnic enclosure which was just barily on the estate grounds, the site of the Institute's Friday night barbeques.
Re: [PG] What seems to be the trouble?
Psylocke jumped when she heard the guitar riff. It was so unexpected. "What the...?" she uttered as her head turned towards the direction of the intrusive music.
She looked back at the others who she'd just addressed and asked, "What's going on here?"
She'd been under the impression that something was wrong, but it sounded like someone was having a racous party! ... or a rock concert.
Betsy gritted her teeth and waited for someone to answer her. "Isn't this the school run by Professor Charles Xavier? I'm Elisabeth Braddock - I'm expected..."
Re: [PG] What seems to be the trouble?
John looked around at the purple haired woman before them. He'd been ushering Skye and Rahne back towards the mansion while looking back at where the noise was coming from, starting to think it sounded like something familiar, something he hadn't been to in a long time. "I don't know what's going one, and yeah, this is Xavier's school but he's kinda busy now," he glanced at Skye and Rahne. "Isn't he?"
Skye and Rahne both looked over at John. "He's been busy for a bit, hasn't he? I dont remember seeing him around too much." Skye said.
Rahne nodded. "Allright Elisabeth...I'm sure that we can get you settled in and then off to see the Professor."
"Yeah,"John started, nodding. "I assume he's busy with that mis..." Pyro's words trailed off. "With the after affects of the school meeting we had earlier. You are welcome to go inside, if you are expected," John told the woman. "I'm going to check out what is going on. I seriously do not think it's anything more than just a concert," he laughed. "See, this is what happens when you get to your mid-twenties, you totally forget what they ever sounded like."
"I'll go with you, John," Skye said, giving Rahne a look that simply said, 'Keep an eye on the new person...just in case'. Rahne caught the look. "Why don't I take you inside...I'm Rahne Sinclair..." she said, to Pyslocke
"Of course you will," John answered, grinning at his girl, holding out his hand. "We'll talk to you guys later," and with that he led her towards the sound.
Rahne looked at Betsy. "Come on then," she said.
Skye slid her fingers into the flame manipulator's and rested her head on his shoulder. "Such a bad sound out there...we should kill it," she teased.
John laughed, "Ah, no, I actually find it kinda cool. I just paniced before, I guess, wanted to keep you safe from everything," he told her, squeezing her hand tightly.
Swann gave him a look. "It's hurting my head." Skye had found that she had a headache that was growing steadily worse as the day went on.
He leaned forward to kiss her forehead, "Wish I could make it go away," he whispered, the love he felt for her clear in his tone. "You sure you wouldn't be better heading back to our room and lying down for a bit?"
Skye smiled at him. "You know I can't sleep without you there...so as long as you're up...I'm up," she said. "Let's go find this noise and stop it," she said
Nodding, Pyro walked further into the forest, wondering just what in the world they would find when they finally reached the extremely out of place music.
END, tag The Plot Master, and Psylocke.Edited by: Mana4X2 at: 9/24/05 2:51 am
alias rogue Can't Touch This
Posts: 76
(9/25/05 2:22 am)
Re: [PG] What seems to be the trouble?
Elisabeth was pleased that someone was finally going to show her around! She didn't pick up on the fact that they just didn't trust her, and she didn't read their minds, as that would be quite rude.
So, as the couple headed off towards the awful music, Betsy smiled at Rahne. "Yes, let's go," she said politely, hauling her luggage behind her with her TK as she followed Rahne inside the mansion.
Re: [PG] What seems to be the trouble?
As the group moved towards the noise, those that had been with the Institute for a while began to realize it was comming from the location of the picnic grounds just a few hundred feet west of the main gate; the location of many a weekend barbeque.
Care had been given to the construction and placement of the picnic grounds: resting on high ground, one could observe the front gate with relative ease despite the surrounding woods, and yet anyone at that spot would be unable to make out the grounds without a very sharp eye and foreknowledge of its location. Landscaping obscured its contours, while observation lanes had been cleverly cut into the trees and surrounding underbrush to effect observation. The picnic grounds themselves were sunk into the earth by a meter: cedar steps flowed into them. A short, reenforced concrete wall of irregular greenish-brown pigmentation covered with ivy projected above the earth's surface, surrounding an area some 20 feet on each side; the wall itself was surrounded with junipers and other low shrubs. On lower ground some 20 feet distant, a gazebo stood, totally obscured from the gate. Its front half was open to the environment; it held cabinets, stoves, and a small refrigerator which made the structure functional for preparing and storing food. In the back were a restroom and locked storage area.
That storage area was an elevator, connected by an underground passage to the Institute itself.
Closing in on the noise, the trappings of an outdoor concert could be observed, with close to a hundred in total attendance. Cars and vans were parked on either side of a dirt road not too far off. Nearby, a tower had been constructed and young people in dark green T's were climbing about on it.
A large white sign on plywood was emblazoned with the words "If an amp is powered in the middle of the woods, does it make a noise?" Above it, in larger font was posted "Treefalls Concert", and a yellow sash was hung beneath with the simple word "TRYOUTS!".
The majority of the attendees were on one side of a granite marker which separated the stage from the picnic area, although the inevitable few were taking advantage of the gazebo and grounds. Edited by: Paid by the Word at: 9/26/05 4:20 pm
Re: [PG] What seems to be the trouble?
OOC sorry..
Rahne led Ms Braddock into the mansion, keeping her heightened senses trained on the violet haired woman. "The Professor is currently busy with some important stuff so I am going to take you to a guest room for the time being." Rahne said, looking over her shoulder as she spoke.
Rahne walked up the main staircase, leaving the new arrival to follow with her bags. She seemed to do just fine apparently. Wolfsbane found an empty room and opened it. "You can stay here till you get to speak with the Professor." She said, walking into the room.
Psylocke followed Rahne into the mansion and was pleased to hear that she would be shown to a guest room. ~Oh, good... I get to stash my things out of the way and make sure I don't look hideous from the long trip...~
"Thank you, Rahne," Betsy said graciously as she was shown to her room. "How will I know when the Professor is ready to see me?" she asked, using her TK to set her bags on the bed.
Re: Concert/Pyro/Tags: Swann
The scene before him brought the hugest grin to the flame manipulator’s face. Not even Swann knew just how long it had been since he’d been to a concert. He’d been in his teens when he’d caught Nickelback on tour.
“Wow! Check this out!” he commented, pulling Skye along, completely lost now in the atmosphere of the place. “There was once a time I so wanted to be in a band!”
~Ear plugs,~ he thought, ever considerate of his beautiful wife’s needs. ~Wonder where I can get some for her?~
He stopped, looking back at Swann, “You want to head back?!” he yelled, over the guitar and drums beating in his head.
Seemed strange he hadn’t heard anything about this gig. It was so close to the mansion and everything. Somewhere in the back of his mind he felt a niggling voice warning him to be careful, and, as always, he was alert, and even more so when the one he loved was by his side.
A rising, ear-shattering squelching noise could be heard commencing from one of the speakers on the tower, and there was a great scurrying on the stage as dark green t-shirted folk ran to the equipment, fumbling about until the area was encompassed with a sudden silence.
A brown-haired ponytailed woman with a clipboard climbed onto the stage and waved her prop about for attention. Picking up a megaphone, she shouted "OK, all, we're going to take five, just relax for a bit and we'll get everything worked out". Her words were felt with a delayed registration more than actually heard due to the delayed echo effect the device gave to her voice; she might have just as well said "Gentlemen start your engines" or "There is a tan Honda Accord with its lights on licence plate ...". Still, enough came out for the general sense of what she had said, and people relaxed.
More people in dark green T's were running about, some with clipboards or other badges of office in their hands, and all with nametags of some sort.
To Concert or not to Concert/Kitty *tag anyone*
*Gah! Don't shoot me. Posts are a little confusing here, so bear with me on this one.*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kittys ears winced as a sudden loud blast made her jump. She was in the middle of programming something. 'If thats the boys practcing INSIDE again, I'm gonna leave em in a wall, I swear!' the 21 year old grumbled as she got off the couch and headed into the foyer.
She then noticed it was coming from outside. Poking her head through the door she looked around, 'Hmm odd.' she thought, passing the rest of her body through.
'Sounds awfully close though.' she walked around and finally determined where it was coming from, 'A concert in the park?' she blinked.
'Things to do Pryde, things to do. Ya need to keep an ear out in case your needed. Not have your drums busted.'
'Yea yea! I suppose so. 'sides I am sure some of the others are there now. Ask em later.'
alias rogue Can't Touch This
Posts: 94
(10/10/05 11:17 am)
[PG] Moving in (Psylocke) Tags: anyone in the mansion
After not hearing any kind of reply from Rahne, Betsy shrugged. "Well... I guess I can find him on my own. Thanks again for showing me to my room," she said to the Scottish girl, using her TK to close the door, ensuring a bit of privacy.
Betsy then proceeded to wash herself up - to freshen up - from her long trip from England. In around 5 minutes, the Brit was ready to present herself to Professor Xavier.
She exited her room and looked around. The mansion was quite beautiful, but it didn't impress her too much - it reminded her of home: Braddock Manor.
Betsy began to wander the halls, trying to find the Professor's office, or anyone she may run into...
Re: [PG] Moving in (Kitty) Tag Psylocke
Deciding on going back to her work, she went back through the door, quiet literally, nearly colliding with someone.
"Gah! I'm sorry!" Kitty laughed. Collecting herself she then noted she hadn't seen her before, "Oh hello there. You must be new. The names Kitty."
Re: [PG] Moving in (Kitty) Tag PsylockeOn a mission...?Betsy thought, unsure exactly what this meant. She knew of his X-Men, of course, they had been in the news on a few occasions, but... He was just an administrator, or so she had assumed...
"I'm sorta one of the staff here, well, in a few months anyway. What did you need? I think all of the teachers are gone at the moment."
Betsy smiled at Kitty. She was impressed that she was one of the staff of this school. "Well... I'm looking to meet the Professor, to learn about his school and to see if he could help me hone my powers, as I know he's an expert," Betsy replied.
"So, what do you do?" she asked. Remembering what Storm had taught her, "Er what I mean is, what gifts bring you here?"
Betsy laughed. The girl was clearly not as polished as she was herself, but she was definately making an effort. Besides, she was cute in that teddy bear-adorable kind of way with her little slip-up.
"Kitty," she began. "My mutant ability gave me telepathy and telekinesis - much like the Professor," she devulged. "And, what of you? What is your specialty?"
Re: [PG] Moving in (Kitty) Tag PsylockeBetsy smiled at Kitty. She was impressed that she was one of the staff of this school. "Well... I'm looking to meet the Professor, to learn about his school and to see if he could help me hone my powers, as I know he's an expert," Betsy replied.
"Well if anyone can help you out there it would be him." she nodded.
"Kitty," she began. "My mutant ability gave me telepathy and telekinesis - much like the Professor," she devulged. "And, what of you? What is your specialty?"
"Ah I see! I like that power, especially the ablitity to move things with your mind. The mind reading would drive me nuts though I think." she shook her head.
"What do I do?" Kitty grinned as she walked over to the front door and phased her hand through, "Let's just say I can get out of tight spots."
"I can pass my whole body through solid matter....including people. When I pass through electronic things I can short them out. I can also float, or what we call 'air walking."
"By making my body intangiable I can dodge any physical attacks, others, well...." she pointed to her head, "I'm a sitting duck when it comes to that."
Background: Many, many years ago, Charles Francis Xavier established Xavier's School for the Gifted. Also, seeing other Mutants misusing and abusing their powers, he created the first generation of the X-Men.This original team was trained and lead by an old friend of his...Logan, aka Wolverine. Logan's co-leader was a young woman and student named Ororo Munroe, aka Storm. Once the team was trained and fielded on active missions, they took on the additional responsibility of teaching and helping new Mutants deal with their powers.On one horrible night, the X-Men were fielded to stop a particularly powerful Mutant and his 'gang'. The 'intelligence' received on this Mutant and his cohorts was sketchy and actually turned out to be a set-up to entrap the X-Men and take them captive. In the ensuing melee', 'things' happened and a number of the team were killed outright or severely injured.After making sure his remaining team-mates were going to be okay, Logan left. Xavier has not, to current time, explained his absence or even whether or not he survived.Current Time/Game Time: Almost seven years later, as Human/Mutant incidents are on the rise, Xavier once again sees a need for a Mutant 'police force'. He sees this new X-Men team as a force for good and a way to help peacefully integrate the rapidly emerging Mutant society with the established Human society. To this end, he has contacted Logan and asked him to 'come home' and train his 'new' team.
Logan has reluctantly agreed.Can shadows from their past be put aside for the good of the new X-Men? How will the surviving members of the original team react and what will they do as 'truths' are learned about that disastrous night?Note: We want the new X-Men to include younger versions of the old familiar characters such as Scott, Jean, Beast etc...as well as many of the OCC’s and other Canon characters that are available.Please ask the Staff BEFORE stating or establishing that your character was one of the old, now disbanded, original X-Men.
Edited by: 
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