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
As the back door clicked open, albeit with no corporal presence in obvious proximity, Xavier responded to Hank's questioning summoning.
<Oh, Hello Dr. McCoy, I trust your visit was both enjoyable and productive. I am in the Danger room. We have an ongoing situation. It can wait, but please join me once you are settled in and have taken care of your needs.>
((You can join him immediately, or freshen up, grab something to eat, and socialize for a few minutes if you like)) Edited by: Paid by the Word at: 2/5/06 6:12 pm
Re: Home Sweet Home: *tag Professor X*
The manner through which the skyscraping door of the mansion opened itself didn’t repulse the good Doctor in the least. In fact, he was quite accustomed to such abstract use of surprising abilities – most people who live in a house with genetically empowered mutants tend to be that way. Why, Dr. McCoy himself was known to show off his uncanny animal-like “gifts” at certain times. Jumping from the balcony over the staircase down onto the marble flooring of the foyer was one of his favorite feats to perform – but only when none of the students were around. He was usually able to make the accomplishment without a single sound, agile as he was.
He proceeded into the warm mansion and up the red-carpeted staircase, down a hallway to a brown, wooden door on the left. Fumbling his hand through his pocket, the oddly-proportioned man slid a key into the socket and turned, granting himself entrance to his dormitory.
A situation? he thought. Must be something to do with the cruise ship…that would explain why it’s so…
His sentence stopped midway as a large group of kids dashed through the hallway to the staircase and noisily took themselves down. Moving swiftly to his still-open door, he stuck his head through the door. “No running! I’ll have you cleaning the Blackbird for that next time!” he shouted in his deep voice. The noise level noticeably decreased as he finished his sentence. A faint “Sorry Dr. Beast” was heard from a younger female student, unseen.
Children…Good Lord, why am I here again? A brief moment passed as Hank somewhat drifted off, not doing anything, merely staring at his suitcase, laying sideways across his bed. With a twitch of his ear, he snapped back to reality, a bird singing at the round windowsill right above the head of his bed. He was instantly reminded why he stayed here: it was pleasant.
Sure – maybe he was hard at socializing. And maybe being a “teacher” wasn’t what he was cut out for. But this place seemed to have a nice atmosphere about it. And…even with the stress of being a modern-day “super hero” of sorts, he seemed to get a kick out of it. And maybe, just maybe, on top of gaining access to all sorts of technology he never would have dreamed of touching, he might find something special about himself. Maybe one day he could proudly tell his grandchildren about all of his…well…friends. All of the memories he made here at the School. And it might not be coming together so well right now, but one day. He promised himself: one day.
Location: Not entirely sure, it wasn't clear in the previous posts. I am assuming they are in the main office/classroom/administrative area of the mansion near Xavier's office.Warren had left Jean finishing her meal. The lovely redhead had stated that her headache was abating and that when finished eating she was going to check on the status of the mission. Asking that he be kept informed as well, Warren had eased to his feet and taken his soiled dishes into the kitchen, rinsing and putting them in the dishwashers.
Still out of action himself due to the recently dislocated shoulder, Warren decided that his best course of action was to catch up on any legal and administrative duties that had come up in his absence. Taking a bottle of water from the refrigerator, he headed out of the kitchen and toward the classroom/admin office area of the huge Xavier mansion.
Rounding a corner he stopped as he spotted several people. Two he knew...Mana and Pyro. The other two were strangers to him although he believed he had seen the young man involved in some form of altercation or disturbance in the kitchen earlier in the day. Warren had chosen not to interfere at the time.
Warren twitched his wings back, careful not to flare the one attached to the injured shoulder. Nodding his head pleasantly, he glanced at the group gathered near the admin waiting area.
"Hello. Mana, I didn't realize you were back from the ... training area..." Warren amended what he had been going to say quickly. He sincerely doubted Xavier had told everyone at the mansion about the mission in the Mediterranean.
After speaking to Mana, he grinned at the young man beside her, "Pyro, good to see you again. Hope all is well." Finally he turned his intense turquoise eyes on the two unknowns.
"Good day, I'm Warren Worthington." He indicated where his arm rested in a sling, "Forgive me for not shaking hands, I had a...swimming accident."TAGS: Mana, Pyro, Mex, X-23
Location: Kitchen to Window Embrasure/ Tags: Open
Jonathan had taken a leisurely route in reaching the mansion, enjoying being out of doors after so many days on the road. He entered through the covered patio area, nodding at Jean Grey as he continued toward the kitchen.
The scent of freshly brewed coffee drew him and he mentally thanked whoever had seen fit to leave a fresh pot. Pouring a cup, he found an abandoned New York Times newspaper. Taking the purloined newspaper and his coffee he headed for the interior of the mansion stopping at a favored window seat overlooking the lawns, forest, and distant glimmer of Breakstone Lake.
Jonathan intended to head for his office soon and make sure all of his class plans were filed and approved and catch up on any school related business that had come up in his absence. He also figured to have a large amount of correspondence to tend concerning his ongoing professional consultations with various wildlife organizations and zoological parks.OOC: Apologies for the length, really just wanted to get Jonathan moved inside the mansion and available. Don't hesitate to disturb him, he'd rather socialize than read the newspaper.
Also edited to put Jonathan in a more logical spot for X-23's tag.
Edited by: DrJonathanChase at: 3/5/06 9:36 pm
Re: Location: Kitchen / Tags: Open
X-23 had followed Mana through door after door into the true heart of Xavier's Mansion. Her posture was hunched, her small hands clutching the file in her hand to her stomach as if she were about to be sick; truly, her stomach as flipping up and down as person after person passed her. There were so many little ones here...children, younger and older, like she had never seen before. As they stepped through the door X-23 let out a loud gasp as she jumped back, thrusting herself against the wall in an attempt to catch her shock.
There was a boy! A boy with wings! Karika had never seen a boy with wings, not any of the doctors or scientists had wings; not even had she ever met another project like her with wings. Her pale face began to flush pink as she hid her embarassment. It must have insulted him; X-23 understood being insulted...and she didn't like it. Chances were, by her assumption, that he would not either. Trying to avert her gaze and make it obvious she wasn't staring at him, her dark eyes kept travelling back to him.
Turning to her, he spoke. "Good day, I'm Warren Worthington.""Forgive me for not shaking hands, I had a...swimming accident." Her dark eyes turned on him, examining every inch of him; to the untrained eye, as there may have been a few here, it would probably look like she was sizing him up as if he were tonight's dinner. Sniffing the air, she drank in his scent. Eh, it wasn't bad. He didn't smell like the pidgeons outside in the park who had wings...she was very glad for that. His language was peculier though; he had been in an accident with swimming. "Hurt?" She said, keeping her hands pressed to her file against her abdomen. "With water?" With a slight smirk she made a gesture with her hands that let him know she understood. "Clumsy."
Backed against the wall she felt as if maybe she were safer. With the gentle coolness of the structure on her back, it reminded her of her cell...it was a place that they never hurt her. No, she'd admit, they hurt her everywhere else but not in her cell; it was a safe haven in the darkness. And darkness enveloped her now...all around her were unfarmilliar faces, new smells and above all, strange boys with wings.
Looking over, she saw there were others around. Maybe it was a good time to make herself known here. Pointing at her file quite enthusiastically, she nodded. "Karika Yashida...not X-23." She explained, her body nearly shivering with the intensity of her fear and necessity of getting all of this information out there. As she tried to tell them what was in the file, she must've looked like a fish out of water. Her breath hitched in her chest.
"Kill snake girl, escape here." She started, her voice miming the trembling in her body. "Danger there, run. Come here." What she was trying to tell them was that during a mission to kill a snake girl, she had planned her escape; that outside of the Weapon X base she was in danger and that she had run here...
What she truly said was a jumble of unintelligible words. Looking around, she tried to see if there was anyone who understood her...anyone. Turning, she looked over at a man reading. Starting toward him, she touched the inky blackness of the newspaper. "Read?" She asked, pointing to her file and then back at him. "Read, now?"
____________________________________________________
OOC: Holler for edits!
Tags: Warren, Mana, Pyro, Jonathon, etc (And anyone else who comes in)
Location: Great Room near Admin Offices
Tags: Mana, X-23, Pyro, Mez,
Jonathan Chase had watched the small group enter the room followed shortly by Warren. He kept his eyes focused on his newspaper, only slanting a glance upward from time to time in order to observe the activity. He listened to Warren introduce himself, apologize for not shaking hands, then chuckle at the girl's comments regarding his injury. His attention sharpened and focused as the girl began to speak again.
"Kill snake girl, escape here." She started, her voice miming the trembling in her body. "Danger there, run. Come here." What she was trying to tell them was that during a mission to kill a snake girl, she had planned her escape; that outside of the Weapon X base she was in danger and that she had run here...
What she truly said was a jumble of unintelligible words. Looking around, she tried to see if there was anyone who understood her...anyone. Turning, she looked over at a man reading. Starting toward him, she touched the inky blackness of the newspaper. "Read?" She asked, pointing to her file and then back at him. "Read, now?"
Jonathan carefully folded the newspaper and laid it in the window embrasure next to him. He made direct eye contact with Karika, long enough to let her know he wasn't afraid, then glanced away, indicating that he wasn't challenging her either. When he looked back, his dark blue eyes softened with compassion for the young woman.
Smiling, but for the moment making no move toward the folder she carried, Jonathan spoke softly and clearly for her. He did not speak too slowly. It was obvious the girl was not stupid but perhaps had been kept in a situation where learning to communicate was not a priority. He had heard of places where Mutants were kept for horrible experimentation and research. The thought that this child had been a victim of such a place angered him but he carefully kept that emotion under control for now.
"Karika, very pretty name. I am Dr. Jonathan Chase. You may call me Jonathan if you wish."
In ordinary circumstances, he required students during school hours to address him as Dr. Chase. If, however, this young lady were a victim of some experimental program or research, the appellation of 'doctor' might be distressing.
He thought he followed her story. She had either voluntarily ... or perhaps not ... killed a 'snake girl'. Jonathan assumed that was her designation for perhaps a Mutant with the physical characteristics reminiscent of a snake or another reptile. This Mutant had told her of Xavier's and she had come here for safety. The killing of the other Mutant was a concern. There were a lot of children dependant on this school for their own safety. Jonathan could not allow that concern to color how he was dealing with Karika though. Everyone at Xavier's had secrets, he thought. His own was quite a doozy.
"You have come here to be safe," Jonathan reiterated to the young woman, his deep voice with its British accent gentle. "This is pack, this is family." He continued, indicating the Xavier estate with a sweep of his hand, "We all protect one another here."
With that stated, he finally turned his eyes to the file she held so protectively. "I am not the director of this school, the leader. I will read your file, though, if you like." Slowly, he extended his hand, palm upward and fingers uncurled flat, again using what he knew of dealing with the traumatized creatures of the wild, to indicate a lack of threat and a hope of friendship.TAG: Karika, Mana, Mez, (Warren has taken the opportunity to slip off to Xavier's office and warn him of Karika's arrival)
Re: Mansion Interior / Encountering X-23
OOC: You people are machines!
IC:
....
The young man named Mez, watched carefully as a man with wings found them. Mez smirked at him, his reaction opposite to Karika's.
"Second Lieutenant Gabrielle James..." He said his hands behind his back, a dap sounded out of the question. "Call me Mez, its short for Mezeker...it means 'To Remember' so please do." Mez said to him.
Her dark eyes turned on him, examining every inch of him; to the untrained eye, as there may have been a few here, it would probably look like she was sizing him up as if he were tonight's dinner. Sniffing the air, she drank in his scent. Eh, it wasn't bad. He didn't smell like the pidgeons outside in the park who had wings...she was very glad for that. His language was peculier though; he had been in an accident with swimming. "Hurt?" She said, keeping her hands pressed to her file against her abdomen. "With water?" With a slight smirk she made a gesture with her hands that let him know she understood. "Clumsy."
"Don't be too quick to judge, water can be one of the most deadliest forces on the planet, grind you up and spit you back out." Mez said to Karika. "I was in the Banzai Pipeline on the North Shore...swimming..." Mez stopped and smiled breifly. "Everybody there knows when the waves start crankin' they look like they're big enough to turn you into mulch. I got ate up, real bad." Mez said remembering the bones and cuts.
Mez found it odd that he was defending Warren despite his belief that his accident had little to do with water. Warren left most likely to tell that Head Honcho about Karika, a wise move, as Mez had found out earlier.
With that stated, he finally turned his eyes to the file she held so protectively. "I am not the director of this school, the leader. I will read your file, though, if you like." Slowly, he extended his hand, palm upward and fingers uncurled flat, again using what he knew of dealing with the traumatized creatures of the wild, to indicate a lack of threat and a hope of friendship.
"You may want to keep that hand back a little, sir" Mez said his voice in a friendly warning tone. "Karika here, seems to have no problems removing them, I almost learned that the hard-way." Mez said looking back Karika, with a friendly smile.
"Best progress I've been able to make is not get killed" He said. "Know a few people that probably are tryin to get to that goal." Mez said humourously. "Who knows they be already on their way." He began that with a smile.
Mez had learned enough about Karika to figure, that she wasn't too fond of him. He hoped he wasn't pushing too far, she had already threatened to skewer him alive before.
Edited by: Mezeker808 at: 3/6/06 9:52 pm
Location: Great RoomOOC: Warning, mild sexual referances.
Karika stood for many seconds, holding a file she safeguarded with her life out to a man she barely knew. If he had tried to take it away from her at that point, she would've, without a doubt, stabbed him repeatedly with the adamantium latched to her skeleton. To her relief, he merely made eye contact with her; dark hazel eyes examined the emotions playing within his head. She was no telepath, but she had animal instinct that gave emotions dead away...not only that but she could smell fear, betrayal and anger. Being a feral did have its advantages.
He had set aside his newspaper, making it clearer that he was willing to help her. Something about his eyes made her relax somewhat; her posture had stiffened painfully since she arrived, making her tremble with the pain of stress and the fear. But his dark eyes soothed her, she breathed more easily as he smiled, and spoke to her in a gentle voice. "Karika, very pretty name. I am Dr. Jonathan Chase. You may call me Jonathan if you wish.” "Jonathon." She repeated, her voice only straining slightly at the difficulty of pronouncing his name. The word doctor frightened her though and she pulled back the file ever so slightly. "Doctor hurt." She said firmly, her hazel eyes clouding with doubt.
It didn't look like he wanted to hurt her...and she was an excellent judge of character. Searching his body language for any sign of malice or ill intent, she settled once again. With her nose for changes in scent and eyes for body language...along with the speed at which she could extend her claws, she had nothing to fear but fear itself.
"You have come here to be safe,” This is pack, this is family. “We all protect one another here.” Karika almost cried at the sheer joy of what she felt. "Family." She repeated, pointing to the file. "Find family." That's all she ever wanted, she wanted to be away from death and destruction, she wanted to stop the killing and enjoy life. She wanted what she had seen on the outside world: friends, parents, anyone to confide in. The last word she understood...protect. She wanted to protect and be protected; it was the Weapon X way. And yet, during her countless assassinations, she had seen her victims die protecting their little ones or to protect something dear to them. It was what had made her run away from Weapon X in the first place.
"I am not the director of this school, the leader. I will read your file, though, if you like.” Examining him once again, she looked at the manila file in her hand. It was in pristine condition, she had taken care of it as if it was her very child...and in a way, it was. This file would give her the answer to every question she ever had about herself, her 'family' and life in general. Biting her lip slowly, she had to decide if she wanted him to look at that...if she wanted to share her entire life with him.
As if to make it worse, Mez piped up in the back. "You may want to keep that hand back a little, sir""Karika here, seems to have no problems removing them, I almost learned that the hard-way.” Karika growled, turning her eyes on him. "Quiet, Stupid!" She needed to think hard about this, ignoring all else she began to fiddle with the chain at her neck. Despite all the talk of being human, she was still dressed for her animalistic missions...
The black leather bodysuit clung to her like a second skin, its characteristic metal X at her waist and on the metal zipper at her throat. If one looked upon her at any given moment, they might mistake her for some leather clad sex demon performing sadomasochistic arts on her victims...and maybe it was true. But X-23 knew for a fact that she made her assassinations as quick and painless as she could. Running her fingers through her short, military-style bob...she let her heart decide for once.
In one fluid movement, she placed the file in his hands and let go...bringing her tiny, child-like hands to her side for the first time since leaving Weapon X. Her pale hands trembled as she forced herself to stand there, prostrated for the entire world to take advantage of. This was the true test; this would determine for her if the world really was a place worth living in.
Re: Location: Great RoomHe had set aside his newspaper, making it clearer that he was willing to help her. Something about his eyes made her relax somewhat; her posture had stiffened painfully since she arrived, making her tremble with the pain of stress and the fear. But, his dark blue eyes soothed her, she breathed more easily as he smiled, and spoke to her in a gentle voice. "Karika, very pretty name. I am Dr. Jonathan Chase. You may call me Jonathan if you wish.” "Jonathon." She repeated, her voice only straining slightly at the difficulty of pronouncing his name. The word doctor frightened her though and she pulled back the file ever so slightly. "Doctor hurt." She said firmly, her hazel eyes clouding with doubt.
Jonathan smiled as she pronounced his name carefully. Names and designations were important and vital in first communications. He softened his expression further at her comment of ‘Doctor hurt.”
Keeping his body relaxed, his expression gentle, and voice soft and soothing, he replied to her. “You have been hurt by doctors.” The first was an affirmation of understanding. With his reply he nodded, a universal signal of acknowledgement. “I understand. I am not that kind of doctor.” Jonathan continued. He did not want to give her so much detail it was overwhelming, but at the same time, he needed to tell her enough to calm her somewhat. “I am a healer for the creatures of the wild. I heal them here, here, and here.” With his words, Jonathan gestured to his body, then his heart, and lastly his head. “I try to mend their injuries…physical, spiritual, and emotional.”
It didn't look like he wanted to hurt her...and she was an excellent judge of character. Searching his body language for any sign of malice or ill intent, she settled once again. With her nose for changes in scent and eyes for body language...along with the speed at which she could extend her claws, she had nothing to fear but fear itself.
Jonathan waited patiently for Karika to process her own determination of his sincerity or threat level. He had nothing but time and it was critical to earn her trust from the outset.
"You have come here to be safe,” This is pack, this is family. “We all protect one another here.” Karika almost cried at the sheer joy of what she felt. "Family." She repeated, pointing to the file. "Find family." That's all she ever wanted, she wanted to be away from death and destruction, she wanted to stop the killing and enjoy life. She wanted what she had seen on the outside world: friends, parents, anyone to confide in. The last word she understood...protect. She wanted to protect and be protected; it was the Weapon X way. And yet, during her countless assassinations, she had seen her victims die protecting their little ones or to protect something dear to them. It was what had made her run away from Weapon X in the first place.
He nodded at her, smiling to show he understood, “Family. Yes. IF we can, we will help you.”
"I am not the director of this school, the leader. I will read your file, though, if you like.” Examining him once again, she looked at the manila file in her hand. It was in pristine condition, she had taken care of it as if it was her very child...and in a way, it was. This file would give her the answer to every question she ever had about herself, her 'family' and life in general. Biting her lip slowly, she had to decide if she wanted him to look at that...if she wanted to share her entire life with him.
Again, there was silence while the young girl before him analyzed the situation, and no doubt Jonathan himself. The file was obviously dear to her and sharing it an issue she had to resolve for herself without being pushed. He waited patiently, hand outstretched and unfurled in a passive offer of help, friendship, and trust.
As if to make it worse, Mez piped up in the back. "You may want to keep that hand back a little, sir""Karika here, seems to have no problems removing them, I almost learned that the hard-way.” Karika growled, turning her eyes on him. "Quiet, Stupid!" She needed to think hard about this, ignoring all else she began to fiddle with the chain at her neck. Despite all the talk of being human, she was still dressed for her animalistic missions...
Jonathan spared a short, sharp glance at the younger man along with a frown, though he refrained from replying. There was no way the man could know of Jonathan’s background or that he had dealt with far too many similar cases in his four years at the school. Although Jonathan left the politics and recruitment of students to the Professor and his able senior staff, so many of the children came in from conditions worse than one would keep the lowliest wild animal in. This is where Jonathan had found his niche and his calling. He was as good at earning the trust of these maltreated kids as he was with any of his wild brethren.
Inclining his head for a moment, a dark blond lock of hair straying onto his forehead, Jonathan realigned his breathing. He was as calm as it was possible to get and remain conscious and alert. The expression in his dark blue eyes, serious and kind. Without making his regard to obvious or threatening in any way, Jonathan took in the appearance of this half-wild, woman-child that stood before him. Clad in clinging black leather, she looked for all the world like a youngster that had been turned out on the street to make her own way in a world that was always less than kind to those that were different.
The dark, flecked hazel eyes were the most arresting thing about her. Young, old, fearful, bold, feral, and intelligent. They reflected everything she was and all her potential. Jonathan hoped he could gain her trust enough to earn a place as mentor and teacher, perhaps even a friend someday.
In one fluid movement, she placed the file in his hands and let go...bringing her tiny, child-like hands to her side for the first time since leaving Weapon X. Her pale hands trembled as she forced herself to stand there, prostrated for the entire world to take advantage of. This was the true test; this would determine for her if the world really was a place worth living in.
Jonathan carefully took the offered file. He sensed this was a vital point in his relationship with this child of the wild. Holding the file as it were as important to him as it was to her, he pulled it briefly against his chest, a wordless indication that he would guard it and its contents as vigilantly as she had. Before opening it to read, Jonathan shifted so that there was room in the window seat with him. He kept his posture and demeanor open and inviting by holding the file down and open where Karika could sit next to him and see it also if she wished. It was a way for him to show that he intended to keep nothing from her.TAGS: Karika, Mez, Pyro, Mana
X-23 watched Jonathon's expression change from the calm, speculative gaze to something much gentler; it was almost like pity, but it was more of understanding. Jonathon seemed to understand the pain that ripped through her every second of every day, he knew that she didn't want to be lied to and that above all, she needed his help. “You have been hurt by doctors.” “I understand. I am not that kind of doctor.” I am a healer for the creatures of the wild. I heal them here, here, and here.” I try to mend their injuries…physical, spiritual, and emotional.”
She watched as he motioned to his body, his head and to his heart. As little as she understood about conscience, she had heard about the heart. Inside her body it pulsed, creating a fluttering feeling within her chest; but deeper than the muscle was a connotation that feelings lied within that cavity. Nodding at his affirmation, she balled her fists. It was not a show of anger or to hit him, it was merely her reaction to steeling herself against the emotions flooding her system. "Hurt...yes." Karika answered her girlish voice thick with emotion. "Pain, in heart too." She explained that the pain was everywhere...and with a small sigh, she gave him her spiritual permission to look through that file.
For some odd reason, he seemed to be able to read her mind. “Family. Yes. IF we can, we will help you.” Karika sure hoped that he could...the only thing she ever wanted was family. It was why she had run from Weapon X in the first place. She has seen mothers and their children laughing and playing on strange toys outside of a school; she had noticed brothers in a cafe talking about football; she has seen a newlywed couple necking on the Golden Gate Bridge still in wedding attire. And she had wanted it...and Weapon X had kept it from her. It's why she had escaped and this file was her key to everything she wanted.
Karika would not entrust it to just anyone.
Her dark eyes were trained on that file, even as Jonathon searched her face. Maybe he was looking for exactly what she was: violation. Well he had found it, X-23was violated beyond everything else in this world so far...Weapon X terrorized her, making her the little she-devil she was now. Yet there was a softer, gentler side of Karika that made her stop and think. She was not merely a killer, she was a girl or a woman, depending on how one defined womanhood. Physically she had the body of a preteen, thin and not curvy...but mentally she held wisdom far beyond her years. Karika had stared the worst fears in the world, and yet stood there shaking at the thought of opening herself up to pain and heartache.
Taking her file, Jonathon shifted in his seat. From her gauge he was making a seat for her and she immediately took the seat so she could be closer to her file. Plus, she had spent the entire night crouched, unmoving in the ferns just on the outer borders of the school. Her legs weren't very sore due to the fact that she was used to being crouched, but it felt nice nonetheless to sit in a comfy seat for once. Looking down at the file she wished so deeply that she understood it all. Yes, Karika had been taught to read...mainly so she could read signs, information and take the correct papers off the dead bodies of her victims. But the medical jargon before her was so strange...it wasn't like anything she had ever seen before. There were chemical formulas and compounds listed out in long tables telling exactly what substances had been tested on her and what the results were; there were pictures of her tiny body, her as barely a toddler, before and after adamantium had been grafted to her skeleton; some of the most shocking reports were her psychological evaluations that said she was 'abnormal' and 'mentally perturbed' by the killings...and how they continued to force her out on more. But the most important report was the one that detailed her birth...how she was a genetic copy of the mutant Wolverine born by the egg of Yashida Mariko.
It was her entire life there in front of Jonathon. It was no wonder she was shaking. Her posture was hunched, her dark hair falling over her eyes as she wrung her hands; she looked so small and helpless. Examining the dirt beneath her nails only lasted for so long. "Done?" She asked, searching his face for some details. "Done yet?" Tags: Jonathon, Mana, Pyro, Mez
"Quiet, Stupid!" She needed to think hard about this, ignoring all else she began to fiddle with the chain at her neck. Despite all the talk of being human, she was still dressed for her animalistic missions...
"Name's Mez, not 'stupid'." Replied the young man, right back to her, his eyes trailed her up and down breifly, he tried his best to examine the fight in the girl. He never forgot the quote "Ain't the size of the dog in the fight its the size of the fight in the dog". Under that belief his gaze looked challenging. From there and for reason he didn't feel like explaining his eyes grew with sympathy, for someone that often reminded Gabrielle of himself.
"You can do whatever it is you feel like boy, but don't bother comin' back to this house" Were the words of Mez's father to him. Mez had been probably the most hot-headed and ill-disciplined youth that there ever was. Probably still was to a lesser degree.
"Hurt...yes." Karika answered her girlish voice thick with emotion. "Pain, in heart too." She explained that the pain was everywhere...and with a small sigh, she gave him her spiritual permission to look through that file.
The arrogant young-man folded his arms across his chest as Karika and the Doctor sat down. Taking a few steps back he minded his own business. Karika's life whatever that may have been wasn't part of his business.
Mez turned his back to the wall and relaxed there standing upwards. He glanced at Karika out of the corner of his eye from time to time.
"Ever here of Nu'uanu Pali?" Mez asked Mana and Pyro. "I believe in the so-called urban legends I call it Hawaiian. A lot of bad juju goes on near the Pali. I don't know what in the heck Karika's been through but she reminds of the Pali...kind of place you don't disrespect...or maybe she's Pele trying to test me once again". Mez said turning away his eyes going down. "Maybe she believes I haven't learned the errors of my ways yet, and is lookin' to teach me how." Mez said.
OOC: I wanna tell the story of Pele? Please Mana its really good.
Re: Down the hall from Xavier's Office/AfternoonTags: Mez, for the most part.
Quote:"Hello. Mana, I didn't realize you were back from the ... training area..." Warren amended what he had been going to say quickly. He sincerely doubted Xavier had told everyone at the mansion about the mission in the Mediterranean.
At the sight of Angel Mana couldn’t help but smile. He was definitely one of the few men she admired the most in the world. His ability to stay calm and collected under even the most serious of situations really did impress her, and she would have answered him, however X-23 was quick to respond to his words.
Her smile would have told him all he needed to know.
Quote:After speaking to Mana, he grinned at the young man beside her, "Pyro, good to see you again. Hope all is well." Finally he turned his intense turquoise eyes on the two unknowns.
Pyro managed only to say, “Heya, Angel,” before Karika took over the conversation. He stood back and listened, as surprised as Mana was by the “kill snake girl” comment, and the further explanation as how she came to be at Xavier’s. It was clear she held the file in her hands sacred to her heart.
Quote:"You have come here to be safe," Jonathan reiterated to the young woman, his deep voice with its British accent gentle. "This is pack, this is family." He continued, indicating the Xavier estate with a sweep of his hand, "We all protect one another here."
Mana wanted to speak up and voice just how much she agreed with Jonathan’s statements, again not wanting to interupt a clearly important conversation, X-23 trusting the doctor enough to give him the file to read. That certainly was progress.
Pyro had to try very hard to keep his laughter in from the comments about keeping his hand back and just barely managing to stay alive, and he so loved it when Karika called Mez stupid. That was just perfect; priceless, a smile hidden behind the hand that held his lighter close to his mouth.
Quote:Keeping his body relaxed, his expression gentle, and voice soft and soothing, he replied to her. “You have been hurt by doctors.” The first was an affirmation of understanding. With his reply he nodded, a universal signal of acknowledgement. “I understand. I am not that kind of doctor.” Jonathan continued.
He did not want to give her so much detail it was overwhelming, but at the same time, he needed to tell her enough to calm her somewhat. “I am a healer for the creatures of the wild. I heal them here, here, and here.” With his words, Jonathan gestured to his body, then his heart, and lastly his head. “I try to mend their injuries…physical, spiritual, and emotional.”
Mana admired Jonathan for his gentle words. It was clear this young girl had seen terrible things in her life, and learning to trust again was going to take some time. In fact, Mana was a little surprised X didn’t react more vehemently towards the realisation he was a doctor.
Quote:"Ever here of Nu'uanu Pali?" Mez asked Mana and Pyro. "I believe in the so-called urban legends I call it Hawaiian. A lot of bad juju goes on near the Pali. I don't know what in the heck Karika's been through but she reminds of the Pali...kind of place you don't disrespect...or maybe she's Pele trying to test me once again". Mez said turning away his eyes going down. "Maybe she believes I haven't learned the errors of my ways yet, and is lookin' to teach me how." Mez said.
Both those standing back with Mez knew what he was referring to had something to do with a legend or some sort of god, but for the life of them they couldn’t figure out what he was talking about.
“Ah, question, who in the world is Nu’uanu Pali?” Mana asked, rather pointedly.
Re: Xavier's Office/AfternoonTags: Angel
The mentor of the school, rather quiet, and pretty much keeping to himself since his X-Men left for the mission, sat at the large mahogany desk within his office, his mind once keyed into the mental ‘net’ between those on the cruise ship, now free to worry what was actually going on.
Neither Scott nor any of the other older X-Men had checked in, and he was well aware Jean, Mana, and Angel had all returned, either injured, or seriously drained. They had all been gone for such a long time, he couldn’t help but worry.
Paperwork had been his sole purpose for the morning, that now pushed aside to enjoy a break with one of his favourite novels, now rolling his chair over to the bay window, one elbow leaning on an armrest, eyes roaming over the outside world for a few seconds, before looking down at the words on the page he was up to.
He found it hard to concentrate with most of his family off somewhere, in danger, maybe hurt, maybe unable to get back. This was insane. Closing the book, Xavier headed towards the door. It was time to use Cerebro to locate the leader of his X-Men; to find out what was going on, and hopefully help them to figure out a way to come home.
Re: Down the hall from Xavier's Office/AfternoonWarning: Violent references
“Ah, question, who in the world is Nu’uanu Pali?” Mana asked, rather pointedly.
Mez looked up he was sort of leading the both of them into that question.
"Pali means 'wind-cliff' in Hawaiian its called that because up high there, you catch a whole lot of wind. Nu'uanu is the name of it. In 1795 Kamehameha the Great was on a quest to unite the Hawaiian islands. Oahu was one of the stepping stones towards that goal." Mez began telling the tale of the Battle.
"Kamehameha's men took heavy fire as they approached the Pali, cannons tore them to pieces, bodies of the dead and dying floated downstream, the rivers turned colors with their blood." Said the young-man.
"Kamehemeha sent two divisions of his best men to take the Pali, they snuck up behind the gunners, startled and in the confusion, Kamehameha's men killed all them, many of which were pushed off the Pali's 1000 foot cliff." Mez stopped explaining the back-story of the Pali.
"Thats the story of the Night-Marchers, they are warriors said to have perished, at night they go chanting and beating drums, to attract the attention of people near-by, anyone said to be caught by the Night-Marchers dies. A young couple one day was out in a parking lot in Nu'uanu, their car had broken down, it was late, it was dark, the young man told the girl to stay inside while he went for help, the next morning the girl woke up with her boyfriend hanging from the tree. And blood covering the car" Mez said his tale quite terrible.
"In all my life I did whatever I could to stay away from anything having to do with Nu'uanu. But I was young and while I was out hunting. The air grew cold. I was carrying our prize and large pig on my back. Everything went silent, it was quiet enough that we could hear the sound of water dripping. You ever see darkness before?" Mez stopped and asked a question that Mez didn't wait to hear for an answer.
"I saw some real darkness that night, the kind that's thick, so thick that you feel it out there, moving and dancing, waiting for you to come closer, so it can open its jaws and devour you. Its got so thick that it started to bite at you clawing at your fingers and toes, turning your body stiff with the fear, the kind an animal feels before its slaughtered, it was undeniable, unpenetrable and completely terrifying." Mez stated.
"Thats when we saw the mist. In a long-line the mist grew and came closer, there was no one out there but we heard chanting of songs of warriors as the mist grew bigger. Drums pounds out in the trees, and in turn out hearts felt like bursting. I dropped the boar and our rifles and we ran. Ran for our lives, as if with a mind of its own the mist chased us, picking up pace with us, drums beat louder, I thought it was growling the night-marchers of Nu'uanu who had been killed so many years ago were chasing after us. Their bellies growled with the hunger for our blood. I was dumb enough to try and look back, instead of finding out what was going on I tripped. My chest hit the floor. My heart was beating so hard I felt as if I was doing push-ups on the ground. Running for dear life, Koa, my friend picked me up and carried me half the way, we ran all night to our homes." Mez stopped taking a short-break from his story to calm himself down, reliving the tale forced goose-bumps on the back of his neck.
"We arrived panting and passed out on the front-porch. We thought that we were going to die right in front of our own homes. We woke up the next morning in bed a Kapuna or Hawaiian elder trying to remove any bad spirits. For the next week we laid Ti leaves outside our home to ward off the bad spirits from returning. Not that me and Koa left the house anyway. My father told me that there were thousands of foor-prints outside and that they couldn't have been our own. We followed our trail to where our guns were, they were stacked on top of one another near the spot where we left the boar. Except the boar was gone, everything except its blood which covered everything when I picked up the gun, it slipped out of my hands. I vomited all over the place, but the trees were covered in it too. I slipped...taught me the meaning of 'bloodbath'" Mez stopped, sighing.
"That 'X' on Karika's chest means something, it comes from something, and I don't want to get involved in the details, its bad juju." Mez said shaking his head.
Tags: Mana
Edited by: Mezeker808 at: 3/8/06 11:37 pm
Re: Down the hall from Xavier's Office/Afternoon
Mana could feel her insides clenching with horror and disgust, Pyro noticing her take a couple steps back in an effort to get away from the terrible things Mez was describing, feeling via their link her sudden wish that she had never asked him to explain.
Pyro felt a shudder pass up his spine too. Both he and his foster sister didn’t believe in such things, but it didn’t mean they didn’t happen. After all, there were definitely bad spirits out there, it was just, to Mana and Pyro, it was the Devil and his demons causing it all, but everyone had their own beliefs. Thankfully, neither of them had experienced anything like what Mez was telling them
Mana was so tempted to just walk away, a voice in her mind telling her to steer clear of such stories. However, there was another voice that warned her not to hurt Mez’s feelings, so she stayed, just instinctively taking another two steps back.
“Okay, so, no more, thanks,” Pyro said, a slight edge to his tone, his protectiveness coming to the fore. He was sure one of the two people he loved the most was about to hightail it out of there.
Re: Down the hall from Xavier's Office/Afternoon“Okay, so, no more, thanks,” Pyro said, a slight edge to his tone, his protectiveness coming to the fore. He was sure one of the two people he loved the most was about to hightail it out of there.
Mez bowed his head in apologies, "Sorry for my bluntness." James was trying to reassure himself just as much as he was Pyro and Mana.
"Later on in life Koa and I came of age for tattoos. He was bestowed upon the the Nahulu Io or the many feathers of the Hawk, it was quite the ceremonym only chiefs or officials of high-rank got such honor. I got my tattoo out of honor for his Aumakua and done in the ways of my tribe." Mez said pointing to the tattoo of the shark he had on his body. Pulling his shirt back slightly, he showed just how much the tattoo covered his body. "I never feared sharks during my time in the water, I would sometimes drift into shark waters, dozens of them swimming around me, and not once was I afraid, I knew that they were ancestors of Ancient Hawaiians, and that they were there to protect me." Mez said.
"On the age of 16 young men who become warriors must recieve a tattoo. It marks the spiritual connection to everyone that walked their path before them. I got the tatoo of this shark and octopus fighting, because it came to me in a dream, a dream I've had since I was child. The Shark fighting the Octopus."
"My mother didn't much approve of me getting such a thing, neither did my father, but he knew what it meant to me adn he had gotten his when he was younger. Both my mother and father are catholic, reason why some people find it odd that I haven't shed the beliefs of the past to embrace my religion. I never have, I love both, I respect the ways of the old, and to continue that line of respect, the entire geneaology of my family was etched into my skin." Said the proud young man, tracing the lines of the dark tattoo showing how far back the lines of his blood went.
"On everything I love, it says, my family, my blood and my life, on everything I love." Mez said telling the lines of the poem.
"Anyway." Mez tried to find a better way to speak to them. "Koa was one of my best friends. I think we got along real well cuz he was part Mexican. Black people and Mexicans got a lot in common, probably the reason we get along so well. For one thing we have food in common. Black people love fried food...and so do Mexicans, sheeit they love it so much they refry it." Mez said cracking a smile.
Edited by: Mezeker808 at: 3/9/06 7:32 pm
It's Just A Phase
Posts: 373
(3/9/06 11:17 pm) Reply
Re: Location: Great Room near Admin Offices
Kitty groaned and rolled over in her bed. "I can't sleep..." she sighed and sat up. Slipping out of bed she headed out her door and down the stairs.
She slipped a hand around her stomach as it growled, "Ok so maybe the LIGHT dinner at Dr. Chases wasn't enough." she peered down the hall and grinned as she seemed to just 'float' off into the wall to her right and into the kitchen.
Reaching into the fridge she pulled out a pudding cup, "Yes! Vanilla! I'm getting better at this!" she grinned as she tore off the lid and licked it as she scampered out of the room.
Lid on her tongue, she was paying no attention as she phased into the Great Room, "Ah hewwo...." she blinked at X-23 and Chase. Removing the lid from her tongue she swallowed what was on it and then cleared her throat, "Uh sorry about that." she spoke slowly.
'Ok whats with the outfit?' she blinked at her again and then looked at Johnathan again. "Uh, my name is Kitty. You must be new. You hungry?" she stretched out the vanilla pudding cup to the new girl.
Re: Down the hall from Xavier's Office/Afternoon
Ben and Jubilee stepped out of the elevator and Ben then used the wall for support as Jubilee headed for the kitchen.
"Ok, we're here. Let me fix you something."
"Sure thing," Ben said, not sure if he was on the brink of passing out again or not as he walked to the kitchen, leaning against the wall as he tried to re-gather his strength.
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.
. Lol.
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