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Perry had eyed the contents of the pub, satisfied in her search. She turned to see Max entering behind her. While she liked Max, he was also competition. Sharing stuff was paramount in Clue, though this game meant someone was a murderer and would lie and disguise to win. So was it better to find someone to trust or be sus of everyone.

She sauntered over like an old fashioned flapper. "Why not buy a dame a drink before you pester her with questions, big boy?" She was loving this moment. "I'll take a dirty martini. Extra dirty." She winked at Max. As she waited for her drink, she continued. "It's looking like the pub might be a dead end. Poor choice of words, but you know what I mean. After we partake in our inebtrations I suggest scouting elsewhere. Perhaps somewhere nearby holds more clues."

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Jaclyn's observant eyes first did a cursory comb of the Dock as she arrived on scene -no other souls about at this particular moment, save for the gulls- then a more thorough look as she carefully walked around.

She actually concentrated on the gulls for a bit to see if they had snatched up any clues, but it didn't seem so. In fact, it didn't seem anything was around until two of the creatures' antics on the water directed Jaclyn's eyes there, and among the ripples she could just make out something beneath that gave her a feeling of not belonging.

Nearing the spot, Jaclyn still couldn't quite make out what she was seeing, or even explain why she felt the thing seemed out of place, but it definitely did. She rolled up one of her sleeves and reached in -the invasion scattering the two gulls- extracting a Cricket Bat.

A bat out here? Holding it across both her hands, Jaclyn looked it over carefully. It didn't seem like a junker someone had tossed, and it hadn't been terribly hidden that someone who had just dropped it by accident wouldn't have been able to locate and retrieve it. No, her instinct was it was tossed into the water for another reason.

Reaching back into the cool water, Jaclyn decided to replace the object as she had found it.
She had her reasons.

Task completed, she waved her arm a small degree in front of herself to circulate some air around it, drying it some, before bringing her sleeve back down; glancing around to see if anyone had observed her at all.

As far as she saw, they hadn't.

Jaclyn didn't notice anything else of note here, deciding to move on.
As one shady area proved useful, she traveled towards another, proceeding towards the Dark Alley.

This happened to take her in front of the pub again, and just like the first time she turned her head to eye the goings-on inside as she passed the window at a cool pace. Her eyebrows raised; Perry had been joined by Max. They looked like they were getting cozy, or at least Perry may've been hoping so, given the body language Jaclyn could see. Was she observing conspirators? Or a trickster and soon-to-be trickee?

The consideration was made to join them -and she would give a somewhat closed yet acknowledging look if either met her eye- yet ultimately she walked on. It might prove more useful to catch up with them after their private chat.

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Mira wasn't really finding anything else useful, and had wandered out of the park and was looking around to see what area she should head to next. She wasn't sure where to head. Though she had been leaning on heading towards Baker Street, when she saw that everyone was seemingly heading for the Pub. Hesitating for a moment, she eventually chose to head that direction now too.

Walking in, she saw Max and Perry already there, and she looked around the room to see if anything was interesting to see or anything. Behind the counter she saw what looked like a display case that had been tampered with, the outline in the dust of the display seemed to show that it likely was the Revolver weapon that had once been there. Definitely made an interesting note of sorts to keep in mind. The fact that it clearly had been taken off it's shelf for whatever reason.

"I've programmed various things for the Danger Room before, yet sometimes it still amazes me all that it can recreate perfectly," she commented to the others, choosing not to get anything from the bar as Max and Perry's drinks arrived. "I was passing by wondering what you two were up to, before I maybe head back to some of the other areas. Since as someone who likes the occasional detective story and Sherlock Holmes, I am kind of curious to see what Baker Street looks like."

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"Well here's the thing, is that most ways sound like they are essentially going to only really be close enough and not actually getting her location. Whether through magic or trying to find her through technological means or whatever. And we don't know what she's doing or whether it's important or not."

"I mean, probably could try a spell of sorts, but for me that would require a map, but not necessarily any other sort of thing but a cup of water for me," Klara said with a shrug. "That is if you want to know where she is before we go there. In the event that she is actively doing something. Could at least give you a city, and then maybe more than that if you had a more detailed map of that area. But could give you an idea instead," Klara suggested, looking at the others again.

"That might be a good idea first," Lance wasn't too sure how great of an idea it would be to just pop in and check on Mary if she was in the middle of something. Heading off alone was weird to most people, not him really or anything like that, but everyone else found it more concerning than he did, so it might be best to just go with what everyone else seemed to think.

---

Annie and Guin
"...We figured it out during the Galactus incident," Pietro responded, clearly referring to himself and Guin. "But pretty sure it was before even the whole mess Wanda created, either that or it happened then."

"...The Galactus incident was over a year ago,"

"This could also prove to be a really big problem though. Because while her mind is splintered like that, who knows how the entity will act."

"Care to explain?"

"Part of what caused the Phoenix to go down the pathway it did with me, was in part due to the manipulations of the Hellfire Club. That wasn't the only thing that caused it though it was the biggest stressor. It was human emotions, thoughts, feelings those sort of things. With a personality split, well, that would make that much more complicated of a situation since you don't know which ones thoughts are fueling it."

"So... Decent chances that this could lead to all of us dying then? Sounds like fun. And yeah definitely sounds like we probably should go tell the others now."

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Ed nods agreeing that this is probably the best course of action for now. "I might have a physical map in my car from when I first got here." Ed was old enough to remember using physical maps. Google didn't exist until he was basically in high school. The American streets were confusing when he first moved here so it had taken him some extra time to get used to it.

"If not does anyone else think they might have a physical map? Or would Google pulled up be enough?" Any map magic Ed knew about required a physical thing, he didn't know if a digital map would work. Not that a map would work for him usually anyway. It would take an incredibly intricate map for him to use it for his magic. He had heard of a guy who had diligently made a map out of pewter and pieces of buildings, but that map was dangerous to use. It could have blown up in the guy's face if anything got misaligned.

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The more the others talked about Mary and the Phoenix, the more worried Antoinette became. Mary had led them all through many battles and saved all of their lives at least once on separate occasions. If they couldn't help her with this, what would all their training be for?

"We have to do something. We have to save mary," Antoinette said with a fierce determination. She looked at Guin and Pietro before nodding. She left the group, on the hunt to find the others.

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"I say we should look for her just to make sure that Mary is actually okay." Bethany suggestion as she thought for a moment there were probably a few physical maps laying around in the mansion or something. "A map from a smart phone might work, it's more or less the same thing just in a digital format." Bethany suggested.

She dug into her pocket and pulled out her phone going over to Klara and pulled out the map app she had on it and looked between Ed and Runa. "I don't know if it'll work but all you have to do is tap a location on the screen and it'll give you a GPS location." Bethany explained to Klara and Runa not sure if it'll work or not at all really.

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Avery's heart was beating fiercely, as Carolina put her arms around them and pulled them into a kiss. It had been a while since they had kissed anyone - the last person had been Sera, and she had broken their heart, rejecting them after learning the truth about their family. But Carolina already knew - already knew about the devil worshippers, about where people in Avery's family drew power from. And as far as Avery was aware, it didn't matter to her - it didn't change things.

So this kiss felt different - it felt healing.

When it ended, and Carolina pulled away, Avery's body was both buzzing and still. They took a deep breath, just taking the moment to look at her face, to study it, before Carolina asked what this meant - and kissed them again.

Truthfully, Avery didn't know what it meant. "Is that what you want?" they murmured.

---

Runa tilted her head, considering the map on the device. The sling ring that she used did require a location - a person wasn't a suitable anchor for its spell. It was honestly difficult to parse, whether or not this would work - she had never tried to divine a location by these means. Perhaps the electronic map was still a map, but perhaps it would resonate differently. Runa was familiar with spells where a map would be burned to reveal the location, or where water would be spilled onto the surface and pool at the location - neither of which seemed feasible with this Midgardian technology. "What do you think, cousin? I am unsure if this would be feasible..." But their magics were different, perhaps it would work for Klara where it would not for Runa.

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Guin felt sick to her stomach, as Pietro and Annie explained the situation to Scott and Jean, and the former X-Men confirmed how dire this was. She hadn't been unaware of this - she'd known for a while how easily this all could go to shit, how quickly Mary could just lose control and kill them all. But she hadn't been able to do anything about it, and with each passing day that Mary was more or less fine, the danger slipped away a little bit more. And it wasn't like she could build a giant gun to kill the Phoenix and force it out of Mary - she'd chatted the logistics with her dad already, before everything with Miranda, and neither of them had been able to come up with something suitable.

Not yet, at least.

She wished that she felt inspired, ready to go save Mary. Instead, she just wanted to go to her room, curl up into a ball, and watch TV until this was all over. Instead, she closed her eyes, and put a hand to her head. They needed all hands on deck. It was time to go save the fucking world - or die trying.

At first, she couldn't quite get a hold of everyone's minds properly, a giant ringing noise pulsing through them all. But then, the ringing cleared, and Guin got her message on through:

Emergency situation. Meet in the war room, X-Men. It's Mary.

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Perry enjoyed her drink waiting with Max when Mira walked in. Mira did a good job programming all of this, it made sense to admire one's work. "We were just talking. I haven't found much in here."

Perry glanced at the two of them. While Clue was cooperative in a sense, they were still trying to win. She would share clues she had and found, of course, and vice versa. "Thus far I am enjoying what I am seeing. It's like you stepped through a Sherlock Holmes novel."

Perry put her drink down and got up. "I think I'll head over to the dark alley next door to see if I can find something. A dark alley is a prime location for clues and shady business." While not inviting them, they were of course allowed to tag alone.

Perry flapper'd her way over there to scope out the alley, hoping for some damning clue to solve the whole thing!

That is, until she heard Guin throughout the Danger Room. Perry pouted and stomped her feet, though she quickly got it together. It was important. Still, she REALLY wanted to play the game. But duty called. X-men had a job to do. Perry made her way to the others to leave together.

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Jaclyn was already in the Dark Alley when Mira had come out of Hyde Park, and hadn't noticed her join the others in the Pub.

Dark alleys had a way of being more than they were -reminding Jaclyn of numerous edgy or vulnerable scenes from media.
As well as more "slice of life" situations -the desperate street life. As her eyes roved over the most shadowed places which a part of her felt she dare not step into, and another part felt she must -perhaps though, not without a light source- they landed on a heap of something; garbage by the looks of it, though it was hard to tell in the gloom.

There was just enough light in this portion of the alley that Jaclyn could make some objects out when she stepped closer.
She had wished, though, she hadn't left the Cricket Bat behind. She would prefer to use it to leaf through such detritus.

She was actually looking around for something else she might use for the purpose and something that seemed like it could do, with enough of it poking out that Jaclyn could comfortably grab it. When she did, however, she realized what she was holding: the Blowpipe.

It was not long after this when distinctive footsteps could be heard coming up, and Jaclyn turned, still grasping the possible weapon, to find Perry. But ahead of any following action on Jaclyn's part, a voice not her own quite literally interrupted her thoughts.

It was Guin's. Calling them to action -or at least to pre-action.

At once Jaclyn's character persona fell while she listened. Out of reflex she looked at Perry again, as if making a nonverbal comment about the message they clearly all just received given the wording if not fellow reactions, then Jaclyn started moving back towards the Pub: "Sounds like we'll have to save this for later," she called out as she neared Max and Mira. Her absorption in the game giving way to mature concern; it was fun while it lasted. In what way did Mary need them, now? "Max, can you get our outfits back to what they were?" Jaclyn asked, paused while she waited for the sim to disengage so they could head out the real door.

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Max chuckled at Perry's insistence to buy her a drink first. He was about to ask what her poison was before she ordered her drink herself. He couldn't say he was particularly interested in a dirty martini, the ingredients never sounded too appetizing if he had to be honest. A shadow lurked by the windows as Jaclyn made her way past them, Perry's back towards her as she walked on by. Max met her eyes, nodding as she did while scanning her motions to see if she was merely investigating, or trying to hide and tamper with evidence. Before he could decide, another walked into the bar. Mira seemed to be praising the program, and he had to agree. It was all too breathtaking.

Perry had gotten up and left to check on the Dark Alley. If Max recalled his map correctly, it was the same location Jaclyn was headed towards. Perhaps there'd be a double homicide tonight. ”I had a dead end, figured I'd snag a drink to help shake it off before I continued onward. I was thinking of hitting up Baker Street myself, wishing to see the housing of the great Sherlock Holmes myself. Perhaps there would be some hidden clues beyond a weapon or blood stain, something only Sherlock himself would notice and then use a strange coded message or item to signify such a thing.” His eyes followed behind Perry as she exited the bar. Max went to speak again, a sudden ringing overtaking his mind. He leaned himself against the bar, fingers pressed against his temples as if to try and stop the intrusion before it finally broke free and into words. Guin needed their help.

When his mind came back into focus, he saw Jaclyn was now at the doorway. Max swept off of the barstool and made his way out, catching Perry in his glance. ”If you really want to.” He said as he snapped his fingers and everyone's outfits but his returned to what they had been beforehand. Max had been accustomed to fighting in dress wear, back with his time in Hellfire as well as during the Gala. Really any occasion where one could dress up, it appeared to get tainted by some form of assault. Max held his hand out and traced a circle in the air with one finger as a Portal opened up towards the War Room. ”Even a shortcut courtesy of your resident Mage of Chaos. Now, let's see what this is all about.” He said as he made his way through the portal, pulling his amulet out into full view now.

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"Not sure if it would work. I've never tried to use this sort of technology before. We'll find out though it seems," she commented, looking at the phone that Bethany had handed her and looking at it not entirely sure how it worked even with Bethany explaining it.

Lance saw Annie walk into the kitchen where they all were, right when Guin's message rang out through their minds. "...Guess that answers the question of whether or not we should be concerned, let's head downstairs then, but if you at least want to try the tracking spell Klara now. Otherwise we can maybe get an actual map downstairs."

Klara nodded her head, though she wasn't sure how it would work out entirely since the others seemed to miss the part of needing some water for her spell to work. Hopefully Bethany didn't mind if the screen got wet or anything. She turned on the kitchen faucet and just got a few drops of water floating around before turning it off again. "Følg henne," she said, the water around her glowing with a faint pink light, before one drop bolted and landed on the phone screen.

The screen started glowing as the water droplets seemed to be moving the map around all on it's own. Before eventually stopping on a place. "Looks like the map says she's in some place called New Orleans at the moment? I think. Sorry, not entirely sure how super accurate that even was with Midgard technology, a lot of our magic doesn't typically mesh too well with it." Klara said, before making the water disappear and handing it back over to Bethany.

"Well at least it gives us a potential start," Lance said, before he instantly headed out of the room to head down to the lower levels of the mansion. Though when he walked out into the main entrance area, he saw Guin and Pietro there, with Scott Summers and Jean Grey standing there. "Well can see where this is headed since those two are here," he commented, referring to the other two.

"Yeah, does it surprise anyone that all hell is breaking loose, that's kind of the norm," Pietro commented, before he picked Guin up and raced downstairs, figuring it was quicker that way, and Scott and Jean started heading that way as well.

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As soon as Guin's words echoed throughout her mind saying that there was trouble, Mira got fairly concerned. For more than a few reasons, the others didn't seem to be super freaked, but she'd been around long enough that even though she didn't constantly talk with everyone, she definitely knew a lot that went around. "Danger, end program and save it so we can pick it up again, light up the War Room if you could please too," she spoke out loud, talking to the AI as the world around them dissolved and shifted back to the normal room that it had been before. Max for some weird reason created a portal, and she rolled her eyes a bit. "The War Room is literally right outside the door, we don't need a portal."

To prove her point she headed out of the room and stepped into the hall, and Max would be able to see her and she gave a slight wave as she walked over. "You made that a bit more complicated than it needed to be, your powers might be better used getting others down here faster since we don't need to take an elevator," she added as monitors lit up and she took a seat at the table nearby.

"Let me know if you require my assistance," a computerized voice rang out in the room, and Mira just nodded her head.

"Hopefully it isn't that dire that we need to, but will let you know... I have a feeling where this is going, and it is not good..."

There was a large gust of wind, as Pietro came racing into the room with Guin and tow, setting her down on the ground when he came to a full stop. "Guess we wait for everyone else to get down here, if people don't hurry up though I can go race around and grab them if needed," the speedster said, seeing the portal that Max had created that seemed to connect to the Danger Room. "...Did you really make a portal to go here from the Danger Room? That's like, what, 30-40 feet or so to walk? Doesn't exactly take that long... Eh well whatever."

Guin would hear Pietro's voice in her head though, So... All hell is breaking loose as usual but what are your thoughts on this? And are you doing okay? Yup, Pietro was asking if she was alright for what probably felt like the hundredth time at this point, but he was pretty concerned, considering at this point if worst comes to worst, it might end up with one of her best friends dead, and all of that combined with the past month had him seriously concerned for her at this point.

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Luckily Bethany had bought herself a heavy duty case for her phone as Klara went over to the sink nearby putting some water on the screen itself. Magic really wasn't her forte as she watched Klara doing her thing as a pink glow went over her phone as the spell did it's work eventually Klara handed it back to her. "Well I always did want to experience what Mardi Gras is like down there." Bethany said as she took back her phone and looked down at it seeing that the map was over New Orleans.

Bethany started to wince slightly as she felt something going in her head, eventually a voice came through and it was Guin's voice. "Looks like Guin had the same idea or something." Bethany said as she put her phone away into her pocket and headed outside seeing Guin, Annie, Pietro as well as Scott and Jean. "Heya long time no see." Bethany said to the both of them as she started to make her way over towards the War Room downstairs.

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Carolina looked up at Avery and gave them a loving smile as she leaned in and gave them another loving kiss while gently holding their hands in hers. She felt happy once again and was glad that Avery had the same feelings for her she wanted to just stay up here with them the entire day. "I'd love to be your girlfriend." Carolina told them giving them a smile, then she stopped and took a step back as a voice suddenly invaded her head she did really hate telepaths sometimes.

It had something to do with Mary and Guin needed them all to meet in the War Room together she would let out a slight sigh. "Looks like duty calls.." Carolina said as she held Avery's hands and met their gaze once more. "C'mon lets go." Carolina said as she offered her hand to them, she started to wonder what was wrong with Mary and if it had something to do with her constant disappearances.

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Ed frowned at the message from Guin. He understood why she did it, but that didn't make him appreciate the invasion of his mind. If it were anyone else he would be slamming up more mental fortifications. However, she was just sending a message in the fastest way she could. He finished his sandwich while Klara worked her magic. He was impressed it worked through the phone. Maybe his family was just too old-fashioned?

"Is it Mardi Gras season?" Ed asked, then shook his head, that question wasn't important. Focusing on Mary was. With Guin's message confirming their fears he knew they needed to act now.

He joined the others down in the Danger room. It would be best for everyone to gather before starting to talk. At least they had an idea of where she was. He didn't know how big New Orleans was, but he knew it was in the southern states. It was a good thing they had ways to teleport there. Ed knew the drive would be long otherwise.

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As Antoinette entered the kitchen, Guin’s voice filled her head. She looked at the others, eyes widening to find Klara and Runa there with them. She headed out, sort of leading the others down to the basement and listened in to some of the conversation the others were having.

”Are you two here about Mary, too?” She looked at Runa and Klara as she asked. ”Jean and Scott are. She sent Gambit a letter stating she's in trouble and doesn't know how long she can hang on for. It is quite alarming,” she explained.

After she entered the War Room, Antoinette went to stand with Guin and Pietro. It seemed to make more sense since the three of them had a certain amount of information, plus they were dressed similarly in workout gear.

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Perry pouted for approximately 2 minutes before she pulled herself together. She really wanted to finish the game, but the work of a hero was never done, it seemed. She followed the others as Mira ended the program and Max summoned a portal to the War Room that was a literal hop, skip, and jump away from them. It was cute he wanted to show off. She followed through the portal, not wanting it to go to waste.

Everyone was making their way, but Perry could feel the tension. The emotions in the room was getting a bit much and she felt a headache coming on. Perry only caught snippets of conversation, including Mardi Gras and Mary. It didn't take a genius to put it together that something was wrong and Mary was in trouble.

"Just once I would love a week where people have their actual poop together. Is that too much to ask? Like I get things are happening every day, but seriously, humanity needs a reboot or something. Control Alt Delete. Alt F5 it. Upgrade to Windows 15 or whatever the new one is. Anyway, I digress, what's going on?"

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The amount of the present situation Jaclyn was aware of wasn't so much that Max's reluctance to revert their outfits, and subsequent choice to keep his, didn't still hit as amusing. She wound up going through his portal as well, as it seemed only sillier to avoid it since it was more right in front of her than the door.

Jaclyn took note of how concerned Mira was, and wondered if she'd had some inkling of something regarding Mary that this call from Guin confirmed. She also wondered what kind of assistance the computer could provide that fell into the "dire enough for it" category.

At that point, Peitro arrived with a gust of wind and Guin in tow. Jaclyn thought she perceived another level of concern in Peitro, and it didn't take Sherlock Holmes' deduction skills to discern the reason; one look at Guin.

Jaclyn knew she was closest with Mary. On top of that was this fact of something that, even without learning the details yet, felt major coming so soon after Asteroid M. Par for the course, she knew, but that didn't make shouldering the heaps any easier, and the earliest members of the team, like Guin, and Mary, would have much more compound stress in that regard.

Naturally she wanted to ask those who weren't just in the Danger Room what was up, but waited for everyone else to gather.
Not in the least anticipating that "everyone else" would include two of the OG X-Men -talk about earliest members.

Despite the situation, Jaclyn couldn't help thinking of Holo. If her sister were presently at the Mansion, and had noticed them, she'd likely now be in a inner debate with herself regarding sneakily following them to see what was up -even though she'd know she couldn't sneak in the presence of telepaths. Probably Holo would've decided on actively waiting for her big sister to fill her in, however much Jaclyn felt she appropriately could.

Presently, multiple internal answers for what might be going on crossed Jaclyn's mind at once. One involving a plan, one involving a need to alter that plan, and two involving reactions to recent events.

Regarding the legacy members with a gaze of due respect, Jaclyn waited to hear the reality.

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Max waved at Mira from the other end of the War Room as she had decided to walk down the hall instead of taking the portal he'd made. To his defense, he mostKY got around with portals, attempting to practice and perfect his use of them so that if a situation like Asteroid M happened again, he wouldn't falter. In doing so, however, it did mess with his scale of distances within the mansion a bit. Hardly taking the halls to the kitchen when he could appear within it, same for being at others doors. So the idea that the War Room was just down the hall was partially lost on him until he'd gotten his bearings across. ”While I'd love to open rifts to everyone being called, I have no idea where they are. So I'd need several more spells to be able to do that. Not that I couldn't, just that it'd be more time efficient if they each made their way here.”

A gust of wind entered the room, and Max was all too familiar with what, or better yet who, followed behind it. Pietro arrived with Guin in arms, ”In all fairness, nothing takes that long when you're a speedster. Actually, out of real curiosity, how fast can you travel from east to west coast? Like record time?” It was clear that the others would take longer to reach the War Room downstairs. They didn't have portals or speedsters, just two legs and the urgency to get here. Slowly but surely everyone began to file in, but what was most concerning was what Annie had just said. ”Hold up there Penguin, what do you mean Mary sent a distress letter about not being able to hold on?”

Max wasn't aware of how many others here knew of Mary's predicaments. Between the evil alter ego he faced back in WandaWorld as well as the flaming chicken of death that stirred within her. He didn't want to say anything too revealing in the event that this wasn't that sort of disaster, but there was a fear in his stomach that it was. ”Is she burning up? Or is this some other form of trouble we should worry about?” Max looked towards the others who had entered along with Annie. Searching them for some sort of answer before finally landing his gaze back at Guin who had called them all here in the first place.

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"Mardi Gras is usually in March, so about 2 months ago," Lance commented, figuring to answer that question more or less.

It took a few minutes for everyone to get into the room, but once everyone was there, Scott and Jean walked in last and looked at everyone there. Klara was a little confused as to what it was that Annie was talking about, and actually she wasn't even sure what her name was again. "Um... What are you talking about?"

"Well, looks like everyone is here so guess it might take some explaining from the sounds of things," Pietro commented, not entirely sure what the whole plan was.

"Loos like we've got some newer faces around here since the last time we were really here for any length of time, for those who don't know, I'm Cyclops, but you all can just call me Scott, and this is Jean, we came to the mansion because we were closer and Gambit called us asking that we check on Marygold because of a message that he got from her saying she needed help."

"We don't know how many of you know the full extent of Mary's mental instability, and that is a problem. A big problem. The Phoenix can be manipulated and such usually by human emotion, it is part of what happened with me years ago. I was manipulated by a group known as the Hellfire Club who sought out to control the Phoenix, which resulted in emotions going haywire and which ended up resulting in the destruction that was caused," Jean explained, "That leads to the bigger issue."

"You mean the alternate persona that is a bit of a psycho that Mary developed a while ago?" Lance couldn't help, figuring that he'd clue in the few people in the room who really didn't know about that whole thing at all.

"Now, as Annie mentioned, the message she left sent to Gambit is one that mentions not being able to hold on for much longer, odds are this is referring to holding off the influence of the alternate personality, or it could refer to holding off the power of the Phoenix. Those are the two most likely instances of what it is.

"So if we're going to stop her or help with whatever is going on that would mean we'd need to find her first. And not sure about anyone else, but I haven't seen her in a while. Not to mention we don't exactly have any sort of idea how we could potentially help the situation. Since the the Phoenix has chosen not to leave, and it wouldn't easily be fought against for whatever reason...This is kind of seems like we're at a loss of what we can do..." Mira ended up speaking up, looking around at everyone.

"...I can answer that. Well, at least the first part. I did a spell, not sure how accurate it was with modern technology but fairly sure it worked. Spell said that right now Marygold is in New Orleans," Klara commented, looking around at everyone.

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Max nodded at Lance's statement. ”Man has it been two months already? Mardi Gras was the last thing I did before coming here to Xavier's. Bit of a…farewell party really. It was amazing! Bourbon street alone is a sight to see, though I'm not sure why we're discussing this when there's a more pressing issue at hand.” He said as Klara responded to Annie's guess as to why the two Asgardians were presently here at the mansion. Pietro seemed to want to get the ball rolling, but then again that didn't surprise Max one bit. That speedster seemed to always be on the run, and slugging down a meeting wasn't any exception. Cyclops and Jean entered the room, and it felt so odd seeing them.

Max had viewed them so many times on television, in the news, and back then he revered them both. All of the X-Men really. But now he'd seen other sides to the mutant struggle, sides he hadn't seen the X-men take interest in and it gave him conflicting feelings upon seeing the pair in the flesh. Their explanation didn't do much to ease that feeling in his stomach. Between the mention of Mary having a mental issue as well as mention of the Hellfire Club, a group he had formally aligned himself with and some members who he's personally seen grow into better people, it felt odd. But the idea of Mary holding a psychotic alternate ego (especially if it was anything like her twin) while wielding the power of the Phoenix, it sounded catastrophic.

Already Max's mind was turning, looking for a solution or way to help when suddenly all gears ground to a halt. New Orleans? Mary was in New Orleans?! His home, his family, it was all there at the fingertips of a psychotic space entity of enormous power?! Max suddenly felt very cold at the thought of his family being in danger. Without thought, and with well practiced motions, Max summoned his soul staff and pointed it at the center of the room. His magic flowing through him and towards the point as a Portal ripped open in the space between them all. ”I have an idea where Mary might be in New Orleans. Especially if she contacted Gambit. But right now, my families in danger and I need to get them to safety before Mary levels my town.”

Max stepped through the portal, into a dark green room with wooden paneling and bookshelves lining the walls. Everything seemed antique (a simple enough thing when you could create all of your house decor). It definitely appeared as though it was the residence of a centuries old wizard, yet still holding onto that New Orleans charm and magic the house carried. ”Babe! Casper! James! We’ve got trouble!”

The radio played a quiet song as James hummed along, content to catch up on chores while Danni sat in his little play chair nearby. Transitioning from Genosha to here hadn't been easy and he wouldn't say that he was comfortable; his time in the Underground probably ruined that for him forever, but it was somewhere that he could keep his little family safe. James couldn’t help the smile, thinking of his husband’s bed head this morning. Obnoxiously cute and he couldn't resist a photo to add to his folder of things he found endearing about his husband. Since moving to New Orleans, he took five or six a day. Kept him anchored when his mind began to slip back to…

James sighed as he heard Max shout into the room. Probably another poor mutant from Asteroid M. He'd never turn anyone away, but he did want a nice day with his husband and his evening that he'd planned out was in very real danger. He wanted to spoil his husband tonight.

[color=newspringggreen]“Well, let's go see what your Uncle needs fixed up, huh?”[/color] James asked Danni, drying his hands after he put the last of dishes in the drying rack, tossing the dish towel over his shoulder, and picking Danni up and settling him on his hip.

[color=newspringgreen]“Welcome back, dude. Didn't expect to see you so soon. What's going- ”[/color] James asked after he came around the corner, pausing as he looked past Max into the portal. [color=newspringgreen] “Shiiiiii- Stuff better be hitting the fan, Max. Otherwise, that portal needs to close.”[/color]

”James! Thank god you guys are alright. I know, I know, the mansion is the last place any of you want to see after…well…everything. But this is bad man. Selene level bad. An ancient force of magic and destruction has just touched down in New Orleans and I need you guys to get to safety. I dont care if it's New York, Kamar Taj, or a day trip to Disneyland Paris, so long as I know you're away and safe that's all that matters. But I cannot fight this threat and worry about your lives at the same time.”

Casper had been deep in his beauty routine - something that was evolving more and more since the aftermath of Genosha, his skin care regimen consisting of seven different steps and his ever-changing makeup including at least six. Today, he had gone for a vivid red eyeshadow with a faint shimmer, sharply contrasting against his pale complexion. He hadn’t completely finished, however, when he heard a familiar scream.

”Awww, Maxi-Pad, you don’t need to make up an emergency because you miss me!” Casper gushed, shutting the bathroom door behind him, dressed in a pink fluffy robe with matching slippers. ”If you’re not careful, you’re going to – ….”

He stared past Max, gazing into the portal - gazing into the halls of his father’s school. His breath came quicker, his hands started to shake, and a burning need filled him, as memories ripped through his mind - of the mausoleum, just off the grounds. Of the night Xavier had locked him inside. He needed a drink he needed something stronger than a drink he needed…

Casper took a breath.

He hadn’t really processed a word Max had said.

He knew where in New Orleans to go to get what he needed. He’d just grab something from the house, pawn it on the way - he just needed cash - maybe one of the antiques from the living room, one of the things Max had picked up along his travels?

Casper clenched his sweaty palms.

”... is he coming?” he croaked out.

A second later, the front door was flung open - not by a hand, but by a strange tentacle, sprouting from the chest of Ben, Max’s partner. Strapped to his back in a backpack was a baby - little Dorian Gray, Max and Ben’s son. “Max! What’s going on?” Ben asked, scanning the room for threats, his tentacles constantly moving in a very clear message: no one fuck with my son. When his eyes settled on the portal, Ben didn’t immediately recognize the surroundings - he hadn’t been to Xavier’s school - but he knew what line of work Max had chosen. It wasn’t too hard to put it together.

Max slowly approached Casper. Arms slightly out but at his sides as he went to take one of his in hand in an attempt to comfort him while he spoke. ”He isn't coming, he's not even in the room. I wouldn't have left this open if he was. I wouldn't do that to you Casper…you look beautiful by the way, love the new shimmering red.” He looked over towards Ben, trying to find the best way to answer him without having to repeat too much. ”Someone's become the host to a powerful force of destruction. For one reason or another they've been slipping and can't hold it off for much longer. We last attacked them here, to New Orleans. I need so take you guys somewhere safe. Somewhere far far away from here. Pick a destination and it's yours.” Max's voice was torn, the weight of his family being in danger hanging heavily on him as he tried to memorize the features on all their faces as if it may be his last time seeing them.

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"Looks like it'll be next year we can experience Mardi Gras then." Bethany said as she made it down to the War Room of the Mansion. She looked at the others as they started to enter the room as well. She listened to everyone as they started to speak, she didn't think the situation was that serious but they knew a general location where Mary was right now which was all that mattered.

Hopefully they'll be able to convince Mary to come back with them and get the help that she really needed. She watched as Max wondered off to do something as she looked at the others they just needed to get there they could get there pretty easily now with a few portal users and whatnot to bring them over to New Orleans.

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Carolina eventually made it down to the War Room with everyone else, she was surprised to see both Scott and Jean there and gave the two of them a friendly smile and wave. "Hey you guys." Carolina said as she looked over to see if Avery had joined them, before turning her attention back towards the group as they all started to speak.

She didn't realize how bad the situation was for Mary and hoped that they could try and help her out or something. "So we just try and find Mary and then what?" Carolina asked looking over at Scott and Jean wondering if the two of them had any insight on how to deal with Mary and her crazy other personality she wondered which one would be in control when they get to her.