Xavier's Institute for Higher Learning [IC]

[Ruby]

IC|OOC

"When our President came out and said it was okay for two women to marry, or two men to marry, I'm dissapointed. The Bible's against it, God's against it, I'm against it, and if you have any sense you're against it. But for our negro President to come out and say that these 'mutants' have legal rights? HE'S A BABY KILLER AND A GAY LOVER! But now...NOW he's ACTIVELY trying to destroy us. These 'mutants' are the beginning of the end! The coming of the Anti-Christ!"

Click, the television went dead. The image of the Preacher up at the Pulpit with the Crucifix and American flags behind him gone black and silent. "Reverand Billy Stryker of the Universal Church of God. A graduate of the Jerry Falwall's Liberty University. The Reverand goes on to claim that mutants are the product of Satan possessing pre-natal souls and twisting them to demonic purposes. In his reality, you and I are demons." Tessa Niles smiled at the idea. Charles Xavier did not. "You're not supposed to enjoy that fact, Tess."

Niles shrugged. Xavier continued. "What worries me most is while this church is based in Georgia, there's a large branch outside of Albany that serves Upstate New York."

"Upper upstate, Charles. In the hills and sticks, the Republican gun-waving types. The American crazy. At least two hours drive away from our school, and they don't know where we are or what we are."

Charles let his eyes move about his office for a moment, his right hand running through the top of his darkly haired head. "Yeah. You wouldn't believe how much range people have these days with those fanciful internal combustion engines and these mobile telephonic devices. Why, you can stand right here and call your mother if you wanted to. Carry on a whole conversation. It's incredible."

Tessa Niles stood like a sentinel of logic and purpose in a black Armani suit featuring a pale white blouse and 'Preacher' style raised collar around the sides and back of her thin neck. "Sarcasm betrays you, Charles." It was only at that point in which Tessa allowed the slip of a smile to trace her dark red lips. Charles could see it on her, he needn't read her thoughts. And it wasn't at all what most would think, Charles had a feeling. "Crazy thoughts have quick wings. And say the worst of that fear should come true...we should really look into those discussed security upgrades."

Charles frowned. "The sub-levels took their toll on coffers."

"Right." Tessa nodded, slightly, slowly. "But of course, that's simply because you refuse to let others help. Don't for a moment think I'd let that stop me." Charles tried to say something after that, but a split-second before Niles turned on her heel and was heading for the door; announcing the arrival of the pizza. With the staff and the small group of students, the pizza bill usually wasn't that bad: only around a hundred US. "Do come down for a slice, Charles?"

Charles nodded, drawing both his hands into his trouser pockets and his body into his desk chair. "Remember Hank, Scott, and James down in the Danger Room. They might actually try to stay down there for a while if no one reminds them it's time for nurishment."

"I'll let you when to make the announcement."

First, however, was telling Jean.

---

"I think I'm pregnant."

Jean's sudden admission fell to silence in the dormitory room on the Mansion's east wing. The window was open, despite the cold: Estella had never liked artificial heaters unless they were necessary. It dried her out. Jean was used to being cold, being a Boston brat, so she couldn't have cared less. Estella pictured Jean with her parents at a Boston game, and smiled. "Shut up."

Jean Grey rolled over the wide surface of the bed, then again, until she was on her back--shining crimson hair spread out and down towards the ground by gravity. It was a Queen size bed, the largest of any student at the Institute. How? Because of the first students to arrive, Jean and Scott, Jean was the one who really cared about the size of her bed. It was a Princess move, and one of the last remnants of the Evil Jean. That's how Jean described herself after the accident and before Charles really broke through to her. That was the only way Jean had ever described herself during that period.

Dark a relic as it might have been, Jean covered in every exotic fabric to flesh: furs, silks, cottons, and even soft fleeces during winter. Usually, Estella was right there next to her. Not tonight. Tonight, Estella stood in the doorway to the room, the only two out of the four girls left in the wing. According to Jean, Angelina had discovered Kenji in the Library tower. And Chris was bugging Olivia in the big kitchen. Or Olivia was bugging Chris. It was hard to tell, Jean had to admit.

Besides. Estella knew she and Jean were the only two in the Wing. She could feel it.

When Jean started talking, Estella almost missed it. Something about those green eyes were a strangely bright sight upside down for Estella. "Swear to God. I've been craving icecream all week."

"All week?"

Jean nodded, reaffirming herself, it seemed. "Yep."

"Why didn't you just have some icecream?"

The red headed girl's nose wrinkled a moment, before her voice continued on the wings of a soft sigh. "No. It's not the same. I'd say let's do movie and icecream, but--"

"--It's Pizza night," Estella said, finishing the thought for Jean. It was something she could do more and more of in the past few months. Neither girl doubted they'd spent too much time with the other recently. It's just, at the same time, neither seemed to care too terribly. So on it went. Scott had seemed to make a move to prevent that, but then Scott just stopped--leaving Jean anything but the honeyed sweet Northeastern prep she normally was. Estella actually saw Jean bitter for a moment during a retro girls movie night. It was shortly after Gidget Goes Hawaiian that Jean really got flustered about Scott's lack of killer instinct.

Since, it hadn't been the biggest of issues. Jean just seemed to move on. "Yep. Speaking of which," Jean was up and off the bed in a flash. Jean had a shined silken blouse on, the shoulders revealed to show the smooth milkwhite skin below. Elsewise it was black leggings and old deckshoes. "Pizza guy's getting close to the front gate now."

Estella didn't question it, she just moved to follow. Estella was looked less glamorous compared to Jean, a soft old sweater of Christmas trees, skinny jeans, and a pair of light brown Uggs. Simple, amazingly comfortable. "We could do a trip for ice-cream after the Pizza gets served, before we get sucked into anything, sneak out the back. Maybe take a few folks."

Estella's Jeep could fit five. Probably eight to nine, if the trunk area wasn't filled with stuff as it was. "Did I mention lately that I love you?"

Estella smirked as the pair rounded the bottom of the stairs and emptied into the main dining area next to the main entrance. The table could fit just over twenty, a dark and polished wooden table with a surface so polished and clean your reflection was never terribly hard to find. "Hey Josh."

Josh was a nineteen or so old guy from nearby Salem, wearing the polo of Paulie's Pizza, with matching baseball cap, and the red insulated pizza carrier underneath his right arm. Josh was used to seeing Jean and Estella--half the time, they paid him. Tonight, however, Tessa was on the ball. Even if she looked a little overdressed for the party. Tessa liked variety; there were ten pizzas in total, something for everyone. Jean went for the plastic plates, Estella for the red pepper and parmesan. Drinks were a cooler filled with ice and soft drinks and water next to the table. Jean was halfway through her first slice of Veggie by the time Xavier gave the all hands call:

Pizza in the grand dining room.

Estella was licking off pizza sauce as she piled two pieces of meat and mushrooms onto her place and grabbed a water from the cooler. Estella took her place near the middle of the table next to Jean, and began to carefully pick pieces of pizza off each piece as she ate. Jean wasn't near so dainty, folding a slice of spinach and cheese in half and devouring it.

Estella couldn't help but smile. "Slow down, woman, damn."

"I told you. Pregnant."

For once, Tessa Niles actually sounded scared as her ears and eyes perked in their direction. Estella actually laughed, "She's not, Tess. She's just crazy today. Thank God."

"Why are we thanking God?"

Estella finished a pepperoni before answering inbetween sips of water. "Because," She said, before a sip, and a smirk: "You'd probably give birth to the mutant Anti-Christ."

Tessa Niles flinched. "Anti-Christ?"

Estella blinked. Innocent as a doe. "What?"

"Nothing," Charles Xavier answered for Ms. Niles as he entered the room through the main entry's walkway. Charles approached the table casually, his eyes scanning each open box and the steaming pizza pie it revealed, judging his options. "I think...cheese tonight. And Pepsi. Do we have Pepsi?"

Jean took a long sip of water, before answering: she had put the cooler together, afterall. "Yep. And Diet Pepsi. Not that you need it, Professor."

"I don't know," Estella grinned, after wiping her mouth with a napkin. "Looking kinda tight around the midsection, Professor X."

Charles and Tessa exchanged a long, amused, look before Charles stiffled a chuckle, and nodded quick and firm. "Water it is."

"Jean's pregnant," Tessa offered in a quiet 'Oh by the way.'

Charles stopped, and starred. At least until Estella started laughing, and the impossible mask of Tessa Niles actually cracked--and a rueful smile showed itself to Xavier, exposing the ruse. Xavier breathed, and walked towards the opposite end of the oversized dark wood table in the oversized dining room with stately red walls with white plaster trim work and paintings of the nearby countryside--or how it appeared in the mid 1800's, at least. "Where's everyone else?"

Jean began talking without ever looking up, stating as plainly and matter a factly as possible. Eyes still on her pizza prize: "Scott and James and Hank were downstairs playing war, I think. Chris and Olivia were bugging each other, scary as that may sound. And Kenji and Angelica are in the Library Tower, doing God knows what."

"Well," Xavier forced himself to smile. "That's the kind of report that makes one feel right as rain."

Estella snickered, motioning to the red head next to her with her thumb. "Welcome to my world, Charles."

[Cressida Hawker]

Angelica walked into the library, intent on getting some extra classwork done. Even though she didn’t need to read and annotate the first two chapters Gulliver’s Travels until next Tuesday, she wanted to get ahead. Maybe squeeze some extra time in for Danger Room practice later on the weekend, when everyone else would be outside and she wouldn’t be able to hurt anyone if she lost control.

She turned her head from side to side, tucking a strand of red hair behind her ear as she looked around for a table to sit at. The late afternoon sunlight slanted in through the high windows, painting patches of dull yellow light on the brown wood tables. Tall full bookshelves lined the walls, and small wooden tables lined up in orderly rows, their green cushioned chair pushed in neatly. It was quiet, most of the other mutants were off somewhere else doing their own other activities.

Angelica noticed Kenji reading a book at one of the talbes, with his adorable spirit cat Nia sitting nearby. She stared for a minute, trying to gauge the Japanese mutant's mood, then walked over to a nearby table and sat down. Angelica couldn't help but find him a bit fascinating. He looked so different. Angelica pulled her book out of her bag and started to read it, trying not to keep glancing at the cat out of the corner of her eye. About thirty pages in, she gave up, put the book down, and reached for Nia.

“Hereeee, Nia,” she said. “Can I pet you?” She carefully began stroking the soft fur from head to tail, testing whether or not the cat would be in a testy mood. But she seemed calm enough, so Angelica continued petting the cat, whispering silly pet related things in a low babytalk voice. As she petted Nia, she felt the worries and stress from the previous week start to relax and melt away as Nia purred and arched into her hand. Angelica smiled She couldn’t help it. Angelica always had a soft spot for animals, nevermind if they were supernatural or not. It was easy enough to pretend that Nia was normal, anyway. Or as normal as anything could get in the Institute.

Pizza in the Grand Dining Room

Angelica pulled her chin up and stiffened at the sound of the mental broadcast. That would be Professor X, then, calling everyone in for Friday Pizza night. Angelica felt her spirits lift, and she cooed to Nia, “Pizzaaa tiiime.” Angelica stopped petting Nia and began to put away her school supplies in her bag. When she had finished packing up, she put the bag on her shoulder and stood up.

“Coming?” she asked Kenji. “The pizza is here.” She tilted her head and twitched her feet, waiting for Kenji's response.

[justice]

Spoiler

Quick Key on how to read my posts.

When something is spoken it will always be in Bold. If something is thought then it will always be in italics.

The position (right, left, or center) shows who is able to hear/read the thought that is being written.

"Anything written on the left will be spoken words able to be heard by everyone."

'A thought that is in the middle can be 'heard' by anyone will telepathic abilities.'

'Where as something that is to the right is being spoken though a telepathic link and is only able to be heard from the one linked.'

“Well that didn't work.” Scott said with a frustrated huff. His arms now crossed and his face muddied with a look of confusion and deep thought. The ruby colored shades hid this somewhat, but those who had lived with Scott for some time were all masters at reading his body language by now, and it didn't take a telepath to know that Scott was downright stumped by what was wrong with the danger room.

[James comments]

“The obstacle course isn't meant to make you break a light sweat James, you should be challenged. That last time you didn't even have to go faster than a light jog. And the randomizer is obviously be affected by the fact that it is you going through the trials.” Scott began to type some different commands into the obstacle course programming. It wasn't anything beyond basic computer skills since anything beyond what he was doing had to be done by Hank, but it was something. “I would say try it now, but I don’t think it fixed anything.”

[James comments and then runs through the obstacle course again. Once again needing to do little of anything to get though unharmed]

Scott rolled his eyes and clicked the immediate stop command. The Danger room became fully lit and the different contraptions and machines sank into the ground and walls. He was about to say something over the microphone, but he was stopped by hearing, if that is the best way to describe it, the Professor mention that there was pizza in the kitchen area. Normally Scott wouldn't have dropped what he was doing just to get some food, but tonight was a special night and he knew how important it was that everyone gathered together for dinner.

Before leaving the control room overlooking the danger room Scott’s fingers danced around the keyboard one last time as he saved all the recordings from his time today with James. In an effort to keep himself updated and to help with creating new programs and challenges to the teams Scott had the danger room record every practice. Even when he wasn't there to oversee someone’s training the computer would stash a record in their personal file which Scott could watch later. The file now saved and the danger room shutting down Scott spoke a final time into the microphone. “Alright that is it James. Let’s get up and claim some pizza before it is all gone.”

Leaving the room and heading down the hallway towards the elevator he waited by the door of the danger room for James to come out. When he did Scott stopped leaning against the wall and fell in step with James. The two began to make their way through the underground portion of the Institute and towards the above ground kitchen. Along the way they chatted about this and that. “I noticed your movements are getting more deliberate and smooth James. Whatever you have been adding to your workout is really starting to show. Keep up the good work.” Scott smiled as he gave James the well-earned compliment and acknowledgement of personal growth.

The two reached the elevator and turned around as the massive metal doors of the elevator closed. The short jitter of the elevator starting its climb upwards was overshadowed with a somewhat odd selection of elevator music. Unable to place where he had heard the song before Scott tilted his head towards James. He saw the young man smiling and actually tapping his toes slightly to the fast beat of the music. Shortly after James looked back at Scott and smiled. “It is a song from Street Fighter 2.” He said and then turned his attention back to the song. “Wasn’t me though.” He added as Scott was slow to turn back.

Just after leaving the elevator Scott and James saw Nyx walking towards them with her tail wagging the way it always did after she saw Scott and dinner time was coming close.

‘I take it this was another unsuccessful attempt?’

“That would be correct.” Scott said. “Though you can’t blame James now can we? After all he is the only one so far who has been able to beat their personalized obstacle course past level 5.” Scott knew that James had heard what Nyx was ‘saying’. There was a slight difference between communicating though telepathy and communication through their link. For now Nyx seemed content with walking with the two mutants into the kitchen where several people had already arrived and started eating. Scott saw the Professor and Tessa were in attendance as well as Estella and Jean.

Waving to everyone as he walked in Scott stopped in front of different pizza boxes and picked up a few slices. He then made his way to the counter where everyone had seemed to set up and took a bite. He glanced this way and that, though since no one could see though his ruby glasses it looked more like he was eating in comfort. Finally he found himself looking towards Jean for a moment longer than normal.

‘You’re staring.’ Nyx said to Scott.

‘I am not.’ Scott shot back with his mind. ‘I was just…’ While normally good with words even Scott couldn’t come up with something
to excuse his staring. His only safe from grace was the fact that he was wearing glasses. After that thought he frowned slightly. ‘I can’t stare.’

‘Ooo cut the whining you little puppy!’ Nyx’s tone was that of an aggravated mother.
‘You have been in such a rut this last few days and it is enough to make me want to go running
by myself. If you want to sloth around your feelings go do it in your room like everyone else and stop
hiding away in that infernal practice room.’ Nyx rarely went to the danger room due to the fact all
the machinery can get her confused.

[Mogtaki]

The library was always the most quiet place in the institute, whether it was because it was enforced or because everybody hated the place because of its association with studying and homework. Kenji didn't mind the place, the room had everything he needed and often monthly issues of various resources that would please only a certain group of followers and foreign students. He could read the newspaper in this place, he could sleep in the far end where nobody ventured and best of all he could find the quiet of the room and feel safe and could find calm immediately; of course, those were just the choices anybody else would pick out if they were to name Kenji the ideal student to have around in this place.

While others he knew were down in the Danger Room showing off to each other in their own combat-orientated games in their own competitive way, Kenji tried to avoid that place with little prejudice to the room itself. He didn't like being there and disagreed with being forced to have lessons down in that place, even though he would have to eventually have the lessons if he was going to better his skills. Throughout training, Kenji would at some point lose control of himself and end up winning, but not in the way he had wanted to win. There were times where the Danger Room would become damaged somehow as he let out bursts of his energy, it was as if the room was angry at him and would decide to zap him right back. He doesn't remember much from that day, probably because he had been given a massive negative charge that nearly totalled his mind; either way, Scott wasn't happy with what he had done, especially in the earlier days.

Well whatever, he didn't need to use his abilities, he didn't like using them and was a competent fighter without them, otherwise others wouldn't refer to him as a ninja at all. 'Ninji' the Ninja was something somebody had come up with in an attempt to make fun of his name and origins, but it didn't phase Kenji and simply stuck instead, so long as nobody called him 'Ken' or something.

With his eyes drawn to an English written book in an attempt to perfect his reading skills with something more intermediate than what he should had been trying to read, he hadn't taken much notice to the presence of Angelica who happened to had been stalking his cat. Even when Kia was part of his external Ki and a general indicator to how his mood was functioning, she still had her own eyes and own mindset that Kenji couldn't read even though she could do that to him. She could see everything he saw and know what was going through his mind, only she would ignore it and continue on with her own business. As Kenji neared the end of the hefty looking page, his mind suddenly darted elsewhere as Nia let out a meow in response to Angelica and started getting all friendly with her. Looking up and immediately to Nia and Angelica, he looked back to his page only to see everything was a great jumble of words and letters that he barely understood, his eyes widening briefly only to narrow again in confusion.

Well, that was him done with that book, he would never be able to find his place on the page and couldn't be bothered trying to search for it again; he barely understood what was being said in the book, anyway. Complicated words was something he had not been taught and was expected to learn himself, but it didn't help when he pushed too hard on a Friday night. As a tired sigh echoed through the quiet room, he was suddenly interrupted by Professor Xavier calling out to the students as if 'pizza' acted the same as a whistle does to a dog.

He really couldn't be bothered with pizza, even if he was hungry. Pizza night just meant sitting around a table while everybody talked and joked away while Kenji struggled to keep up when they went deep into their accents and phrases he still couldn't understand yet, he always felt a little awkward sitting there unable to start a conversation. Oh well, as he looked to Angelica for a few seconds as she asked out for him, eventually making him stand up and scratch his chest as he went to leave, "Okay", he said quickly in response, definitely sounding like somebody not up for conversation.

Where ever Kenji went, Nia followed. As Kenji walked along the corridors to get to the pizza, Nia strolled along not too far behind as happy as Larry. Letting out a brief yawn through the mental tiredness of staring at a book all day, he looked around to see who had arrived. Shifting along the table for the pizza of his desires, he snatched one slice with cheese only with some sort of grace in his movements before plonking himself down on a chair in a less than graceful fashion. He probably should had grabbed more slices for himself, but he had always done that on pizza night with the excuse that he wasn't all that hungry. The fact was that it wasn't even a problem, there was plenty for everyone, but if some people had left over some slices then he would take them without somebody getting upset that they didn't get a slice of their favourite topping.

[Hillan]

James had darted through the obstacle course with ease, the tranquilzer darts being shot at him was dodged with ease , he leapt over the various obstacles, and then came the wall. Oh, how he hated the wall. The wall was actually rather simple, You had a rope, and an 8 meter high wall, and you were supposed to scale it. This sounds easy enough, right? Wrong. The wall moves, pulsates, vibrates, the panels on it moves randomly as you climb it, making it rather hard to scale. Surely, this doesn't happen unless you're at James's Level 3-Course. None the less, James did manage to get over it, with relative ease, breaking nothing more but a light sweat, he leapt down from the wall, rolling to take away the force from the impact as he landed.

He turned around, to Scott. You're just mad that I'm fitter than you, Scottie! James joked, as the room changed again. "What, no Chainsaws? You'd make a horrible Bond-Villain" James said, as he began the course again. This time, the darts was exchanged for lasers, of similar properties, only faster. James smiled, as there were 4 canons in a row, that all fired at different heights. James began sprinting towards them, and as he was about half a meter from them, he slid down on his knees, and slid under them. He kept his sprinting momentum, and cleared the wall in half the previous time, landing on the ground on one knee. He began holding is hands to his mouth, like a megaphone.

"And he does it again, the crowd goes wild, Whoooaahhh, whooooaaahhh! He said, imitating a sports-commentator, and the typical distorted shouts of a crowd fro said events. Just as James was about to boast for Scott, he heard the sound of the professor. "Oh man, Pizza." He said to himself, as he smiled. He nodded towards Scott, as he headed into the changing room, and into the shower. Coming out 3 minutes later, the door slid open just as he was pulling the blue T-shirt over his head, he was wearing stone-washed jeans and a pair of black Converse. In his hand, he held his duffle bag, that was black with Nintendo-prints along with their most famous brands, Pokemon, Mario, Megaman.

“I noticed your movements are getting more deliberate and smooth James. Whatever you have been adding to your workout is really starting to show. Keep up the good work.” James blinked, as he looked at Scott again.

Did Scott Summers just compliment me?... No.. He must be like, an imposter, killed the original and took his place... James thought.
Then came the elevator, and Scott could remember the Street Fighter music, James knew it by heart, somewhat. And now he was actually worried for Scott. But then he smiled.

I wouldn't mind.

The dog came running, and used it's telepathy to talk to him and Scott. James never did enjoy having people putting thoughts into his head. If he couldn't be alone in his own head, where could he be alone? But he sighed briefly, as Scott covered for him. He did actually get a little fed-up with how Scott, at times, looked down at him for doing too well in the Danger Room, despite not having to train a lot. But yet, James smiled, as he usually did, keeping his emotions to himself.

As he entered the Grand Dining Room, with Scott, he tripped, most likely on his own feet, and fell on his face. He looked up, to find Tessa standing over him, with her hand outstretched. "For someone with such amazing Agility, you sure are clumsy, James." She said, her voice was kind and warm, as it always was to James, whom grabbed her hand and helped him get back up on his feet. James smiled, a little. "Thanks, Tess." James said, with a smile, as he saw how Angelica and Kenji got into the room, and he waved at them, he now set his sight on the pizza.

Three slices of Peperoni, two with mushroom's on, and four with extra everything. Needless to say, he was the one who ate the most, and always had the messiest' plate. He began stuffing his face, as he looked at the others. "Where' the hell is Chris?" James asked, no one in particular.

"James, I do not believe that Chris is in hell, as contrary to popular belief. The professor told him, James could barely understand what Charles meant, but he got it after he had thought about it for a few seconds "Hey, X- has some humor? I didn't see that one coming." James said, with a smile.

[Gravija]

‘Reflections of a past injustice, iniquity, forlorn scrawly written pages of a first person narrative: explaining, arguing, exclaiming, diminishing, and descending into bedlam. A postmodernism view of anecdotal material relating to the apparent relations and interconnectivity of…’ The monotone, apathetic, tapping sound of keystrokes suddenly dozed off in a poorly lit room resembling that of a dormitory, a place of sanctity and recuperation. Olivia had never quite grasped the meaning of the word “reflections”, in regards to a mandatory assignment connected to a relevant field of study; how was this relevant at all? Her vivid, mesmerising, eyes of eternally phantasmagorical motion gazed deadening into the radiant hazard of a computer screen. She was overcome, by the lucid feeling of temporal weightlessness, a rush through the tunnel of the worm, beyond time and space; the feeling any ordinary man could experience by staring into a source of light in absolute darkness, a loss of the conception of reality. However, Olivia quickly snapped out of her stargaze by breaking the hypnotic link between herself and the computer.

‘I obviously need a break.’ Her mind wandered.

While traversing the mansion Olivia mused what she had become in contrast with what she once were; to what cost did this exchange of timeless experience adhere? ‘A past injustice’, what did she mean by that? What did I mean by that? Suddenly, Olivia was lost in translation as her mind wandered too far beyond the boundaries of her perception of the, to her, fifth dimensional space; indulging in a narrative with herself with strong traits of insanity. Perhaps it was understandable, even if her body appeared that of a young adult, her mind must’ve been closer to a forty-year-old, considering all the time in the world at her disposal. It was a similar means of “astral projection”, a torpid state of time manipulation, only ever possible in a setting of lull; an utmost dangerous portion of Olivia’s ability, one where she could possibly trap herself for decades.

Upon arriving in the kitchen, by the purpose of acquiring caffeine oriented beverage, Olivia stumbled into Chris, who also had journeyed there for whatever superfluous aim. It was a welcomed relief, a temporary cancel of her delirious woolgather. He was but a dark monolith obscuring the all-encompassing radiance of the star, a portion of the facet that Olivia was struggling with. Hers was a fool’s rush in where angels fear to tread, as she stood next to him in silence compiling the ingredients for her beverage. But no man could near, nor touch, as such, was fear obsolete.

Where the great argument began was unclear; a clash of opinion forced against each other in a platonic act of love, a false allegiance never before tested in the heat of truth. An epic argument of trivial proportions, revolving a televised broadcast plotting four young boys in the 4^th grade, in a small Colorado town, where they indulge in matters of utmost inappropriateness. As such, the conversation, to her perception, began in medias res.

“… All I’m saying is that Cartman is the very essence the American Dream; do what you want, and fuck everyone else and what they think.” Olivia said as the warm cup of coffee attached itself to her lush lips, eyebrows soaring the foundations of her forehead. Her motion continued by relieving herself of the cup and approaching the man of a thousand faces, closer and closer. “Not that you would know anything about that, now would you, Chris; how can you know what you want, if you don’t know who you are; do you know who you are?” She said and had the tip of her left set of fingers gently go through his hair, gazing deeply into his eyes, all in the essence of mockery and provocation; Olivia's mind rapidly fluctuating between her two sets of persona, putting heavy strain on her body and soul.

[Taka Uchiha]

The night sky was probably the most beautiful thing to the one known as Christopher Lee Gryphon. The feeling of the soothing winds and the moonlight shining upon could calm him better the his own mother. A force that extended into his soul and made him feel as though he need not worry about his problems. He wished he could forget his problems but, the world seemed to think of his as a freak. A sign that something was wrong with the human race. A race that pushed them away and some wanted them dead. Death was not what was needed for the mutant race but, instead an act of peace to extend friendships. Chris could only hope that one day that mutant race would become accepted amongst humans with Chris their shining beacon of heroics. Well that's what he had hoped would happen on day after being under Xavier's tutelage.

Then there came to what Chris had been actually doing in the night. Most people would be watching TV, or working out, or generally just lounging around. It would take probably a month to guess what Chris was actually doing. Unlike normal people.....or anyone for that matter, Chris had become a hawk in his passing time. The moonlight illuminated the hawk shaped Chris was doing what he called an exercise. It was something that everyone was used to be now or they were forced to get used to it. Charles allowed Chris to change shape and take lap around the school since it was a form of exercise for the young shifter. Last week he scared Jean into thinking there was a brown bear roaming the mansion grounds which was probably the most fun he had all that week.......well that was until she yelled for Scott, who nearly blew Chris to hell and back.

For the being, Chris was finally finished with his exercise and flew into his open window. Chris shifted back into his original form whilst upon his bed. The room was messy for a man of his age and he was glad women weren't allowed to be in the boys' rooms or he'd probably be the laughing stock of the students. His mind was warped around the idea of shifting into one of the staff members and messing with everyone. He even had the thought of becoming Scott just to get at him and talk to Jean. He knew it would piss Scott of to no end but, it was all in jest. Suddenly he remembered that it was pizza night so, it'd give him an excuse to go downstairs and mess with his friends. In an instant, Chris had now taken the form of a husky puppy.He from his room, quickly making way for the kitchen. Once he arrived, he instantly shifted back into a human form just so, Charles or the others wouldn't get on him.

He stood in the kitchen for a moment whilst wondering what he actually wanted and that's when Olivia entered the scene. "I can name something I want now." His words too low for her to hear. Olivia was definitely someone he would call a good friend as she tolerated EVERYTHING that Chris did, Maybe this shabby little alliance was the best thing for them. Well not for Chris but, for Olivia. Now after a year, Chris would have her back through anything excluding when she tried teasing James while around him. That's where he drew the line and it couldn't be erased. The two began a devious talk that someone led into a ruthless conversation about the children of South Park.

"But you forget that Stan is the hero. The man has the brains and saved everyone more times then you or I could count. Eh Cartman's just greedy and selfish." Chris replied in a goofy voice. Then she attempted to provoke him per the usual which literally never worked so, it was a wonder that she was trying now. Chris walked behind her, shifting in an instant. Walking to her other side, Chris responded with a grin, "Well Olivia, I'm your dear Charles Xavier."

[Ruby]

Jean watched the room from her seat at the middle of the table, bite by delicious bite. Charles and Jean had discovered Paulie's on accident one day while running errands in Salem her very first weekend at the Institute. They were simply rolling down the road in Tessa's black Volvo S60 when Jean pointed at the small white brick square of a building with a few too many neon signs in the front window and a sign overhead that said, "Paulie's Pizza. Established 1942." Each slice was large, and the dough was never chewy or too moist--it was always just right. When Tessa brought up the idea of a pizza night...the choice on which pizza place was easy.

Jean waved back at Scott, then turned with a smile to say something privately to Stella. Even as her bright eyes began to skip around the room all anew. It wasn't until Kenji entered that Jean tilted her head to her left side, and stole a glance of Stella's face. The latina didn't even seem to notice Kenji enter, which didn't make a lot of sense: Stella could 'detect' people with an aspect of her mutation Hank best described as 'kinetic radar'.

In the light of the room Stella's looked both autumnal, golden brown, and lost to the nothingness. Estella was just...staring off into space. It wasn't until Jean turned her head to follow Stella's line of sight that it occurred to her. In the direction of the kitchen. Jean also had more ways than the normal human senses to detect a person's presence.

Jean wasn't shocked who it was in the kitchen. She was only surprised that there was someone else present, and just who that person was: Chris. Olivia's presence had brought to Jean's lips a faint frown. Jean knew, deep down, that Olivia was the better bet for causing Stella to stare off into space than Chris at this point in everyone's collective history together. Whatever Olivia did Stella...Jean's friend still wasn't the same.

Xavier had chuckled after James and gone back to his chat with Tessa. That is, once Tessa helped James off the ground.

Jean tapped Stella's shoulder; almost grinning at the sight of that stupid old sweater. "Hey. Ready?"

It took Stella a moment to catch up to Jean's meaning. Once she did, she nodded. They would go in Stella's Jeep. It was a very nice black jeep, with a supple brown exterior and room enough for five. Two in the front, two in the back benchseat. Four was ideal, but that all depended on just who wanted to go. Jean had already wanted to take Angelica along. Who Estella had in mind to take?

Jean had a feeling she knew, and it was enough to spur the redhead's attention elsewhere. Who to ask? The problem with the guys that most of them wanted...to do something besides relax and hang out. If they weren't concerned about being funny, they were concerned about being intense enough. Or they bumbled easy opportunities. It was a gross generalization, one not a single of the guys fit completely. But it was more than enough to make Jean feel annoyed.

Charles and Tessa had been talking up Josh; asking about the town, asking about the young man himself. Josh stuck around and chatted, something Xavier had a habit of getting people to do Jean had always noticed. It wasn't long until Charles was seeing Josh out, and Tessa was beginning to ride herself of empty pizza boxes. Jean moved across the room as Estella took care of plates and cups for her, before slipping off towards the kitchen herself.

The first person Jean found herself beside was Angelica. And to the girl, Jean simply leaned in, and whispered: "Stella and I are sneaking off to Salem for ice cream. Just meet us in the breezeway in ten or so minutes, and we'll head off from there." Jean didn't wait for Angelica to answer. She thought that Angelica would go; if for no other reason than it was a way to get off Institute grounds for an hour. And who in their right minds turned that down? Some people, Jean was sure. Maybe even Angelica tonight. But she wanted to extend the offer, if nothing else.

Jean was sneaking up beside Scott when she looked up, and found Tessa and Charles standing over Scott, and now her, too. Scott gave her a quick glance, surprised to see her suddenly beside him. "We have to make a quick trip. We'll probably be back in thirty minutes to an hour. I wouldn't worry about it, we just need to pick something up. Hank already knows, so if anything comes up, just let him know."

And just like that, it seemed Xavier and Tessa were gone and out the door. Jean almost felt herself frown. Jean dug the toes of her decktoes into the polished wooden floor of the dining room, her eyes fixing on the intricate plaster sculptures along the uppermost edge of the room, where wall met ceiling. In a blink, her eyes were back on Scott. "Well. I was going to ask..." Jean let her voice die down, her mind quick scanning to see if anyone was listening--when it was safe, she lowered her tone to a whisper and continued. "If you wanted to sneak out with Stella and me and go get some icecream in Salem...but," Jean shifted, both her tone and expression. For a second she looked almost...hurt. "I'm sure you'll want to man the fort with Charles and Tessa gone. Have fun."

When Jean stirred to get up and leave the room, it was just in time to see Estella walk into the kitchen. What Estella saw...it was hard to tell sometimes with Estella if she was genuinely upset, or if she was just playing rough around the edges. But when she saw who she knew to be Chris in the guise of Charles Xavier...it became much easier, much more quickly, to determine by appearance alone if Estella was upset.

"Not him, Chris. Have some respect." It was all Estella said to the young man, and it was all said rather flat. Rather matter of factly. And then...Estella's dark eyes swung, and cemented to Olivia. She looked just as happy as she had with Chris. "You and I need to talk." In a heartbeat, Estella's eyes twitched, from Olivia to Chris, and back to Olivia. All quick as a flicker, all no kinder than the first had appeared.

[Gravija]

The great argument was left dissonant; one opinion put against the other, but perhaps all that was good was not lost. The man of a thousand faces’ words lingered and echoed within Olivia’s mind, even if they were presented a silly tone; they carried more weight than he could possibly fathom. Words that described the essence of Greed and Gluttony (selfishness), words that Olivia, not few moments ago, had described as false positives; virtues of sorts. And how could she not? Her Mother and Father had taught her that these concepts were acceptable and necessary in order to make ones’ way in this world, as the very best of the best; “A grand victory won by the means of necessary evil” as her Father used to say. Perhaps this was a sign that Olivia’s “therapy” was beginning to work; she thought twice about something that she would never have done before, as a delicate sting underneath her skin, roaming throughout her body. However, the finish line was far beyond the horizon yet, on the path towards reincarnation.

Chris’ idea of a joke by disguising himself as Charles Xavier was an outrageously distasteful and inappropriate act that only someone like Olivia could enjoy; this was their absurd humor that they shared, almost as siblings. Olivia instantly forgot all about her sudden burst of sentiment for moral dilemmas, and a mischievous smirk emerged on her face as she stared at him. “You’re sick, you know that?” Olivia said and gently & playfully pushed him with her elbow. However, Olivia’s and Chris’ childish moment together was suddenly interrupted by the Grim Reaper’s (Jean) right hand, Estelle. The bringer of Doom advised Chris not to appear as Charles as it, apparently, was disrespectful. “Oh, you’re fucked now Chris.” Olivia said and giggled. However, this was not the reason for Estelle’s sudden appearance. The young woman requested, or ordered, depending on how you would look at it, Olivia to speak with her about something. Olivia could think of a thousand reasons why Estelle would want to talk with her while being this serious, not to mention their “unique” history.

While Chris continued to the Great Dining Room Olivia lingered behind as per request from Estelle. Olivia’s face was blank at this point, although a subtle layer of malicious intent could possibly be detected at the corners of her facial attributes. “Alright sweet cheeks, what do you want?” She said and twisted Estelle’s right cheek with her fingers, like an old lady.

[Ruby]

The moment Chris left the room...Estella snickered. Contrary to how, it seemed, Olivia had portrayed Estella in her mind. Estella's light toned hispanic skin almost seemed to shine when her smiling face turned and faced Olivia. Estella didn't appear to react to the girl's mischievous nature--when wasn't Olivia pushing personal and social boundaries? That was how Olivia explored those around her, either disguising it as or adapting it from her 'mischief making.' In either scenario, half of Estella felt sorry for Olivia. And half of her didn't care.

The most dangerous part about Estella's appearance after Olivia pinched her cheek, unlikely as Olivia was to know it, was simply that her smile remained on her clear glossed lips. Her brown eyes were saucers of shadows and shine as the overhanging light of the kitchen overtook the quickly dying natural light as twilight surrounded Xavier's Institute. There was nothing that would have hinted Estella's next move. Nothing except who Estella was--but Olivia wasn't familiar with that person. In truth, only two were.

Estella knew something about Olivia that most didn't. Something revealed to her after Olivia's 'assault', in case Olivia ever tried something like it again: Olivia was unable as of yet to manipulate time in any significant way (read: debilitating way) when she was the in the heat of a fight. This was especially true if she was in pain.

Estella wasn't going to hurt her...but Estella was quite certain that picking Olivia up like she was weighed nothing and placing her, bottom first, roughly down upon the edge of the kitchen's massive black marble surface would sting a little. Estella didn't physically touch Olivia. Estella didn't need to physically touch someone to move them. What moved Olivia was the invisible force of kinetic energy, unseen arms that touched Olivia warmly and gently.

Despite how the girl was set down. Estella just wanted the girl's attention.

Estella had moved to the island and leaned her body against the island on her side. Not leaning into Olivia, but certainly not leaning away either. And even better, Estella was still smiling. This time...the mischief in her eyes. "I'm taking a few of us into Salem for icecream. Go with me?"