Hidden 1 mo ago Post by PatientBean
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PatientBean Hi, I'm Barbie. What's up?

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Dr. Maeve Whitehall liked to have things in order. She had files filled with treatment plans, progress notes, and other such documentation when working with her clients. It made it easier to keep track of things. She kept them all under lock and key, of course. Privacy above all else.

Coulson had asked about her sessions and she gave him the barest of bare details. She noted no one had her worried or concerned apart from the two that were currently in C.A.G.E. and even then she was positive they would be all right and out soon.

Given the grand scale of the undertaking she was assigned, she thought it best to compile a report for herself regarding the students at Avengers Academy. It helped to understand the work completed and the work that needed to be done.




"This is Dr. Maeve Whitehall reporting on the work done with the students of Avengers Academy, asked by Director Coulson. Two of the students are currently under the care of C.A.G.E. and the rest were seen for initial screening sessions. These are my personal notes on the diagnoses of said students and my idea for treatment with them provided they are willing to continue sessions.

I will start with the students at C.A.G.E. April Flynn was brought in due to possible suicidal ideation given April's behavior and comments. While I believe April is not a current threat to herself I do feel strongly that she was suicidal. April appears to be under a great deal of pressure I believe stems from her parents and other family members given how strongly she didn't want her parents to see her. Despite this it is evident April has a strong support system behind her, one she is actively engaged in. My hope is that she continues to use her supports and be more open with herself going forward. I have diagnosed April with Bipolar II as there is no evidence of April being hospitalized previously for manic symptoms, this being the first and this being due to depressive symptoms. While I believe there is more going on under the surface, it is clear this is the most pressing issue.

Next we have Victoria van Dyne. This one is a bit more complicated due to Victoria being an android or robot created for a specific purpose. While there are human characteristics within Victoria treatment for her included bringing in a staff of roboticists and A.I. experts to help ensure she remains safe. Victoria came in due to a statement she made about wanting to kill herself. This warranted concern from Director Coulson. After speaking to Victoria I determined that, while she meant what she said, she did so with the belief it was the best option to prevent further harm to others. Victoria struggles with an internal "dialogue" telling her to do one thing despite her wanting to do something else. If this were a regular human I would consider schizophrenia or delusions, but I know there is an actual voice trying to control Victoria. The work being done includes learning to tune out this command, in a sense, and reprogram herself to make decisions that follow her own set of morals and beliefs. If I had to give Victoria a diagnosis I would say Unspecified Anxiety Disorder as this does present some anxious features within Victoria.

Now for the students seen for regular sessions. Percy Novikov seems to be a very bright student. It was easy to see him put up defenses when he thought I had a complete file on him with information he didn't want out. Once it was shown that wasn't the case he became less defensive, but still seemed on edge. He spoke highly of a boyfriend and seems to value that support, though I understand that Percy may rely too heavily on this partner and not value any other relationship. There seems to be tension with his sister regarding his boyfriend. While I am hesitant to say anything along the lines of co-dependence, I would keep an eye on this and ensure Percy is able to self-regulate himself and rely on other supports. Percy is diagnosed with Unspecified Anxiety Disorder.

Leah Jordan. I'm used to some people being aggressive when having to be engaged in therapy but she is on another level. Immediate distrust of an authority figure is not out of the question when someone has struggles from childhood and Leah definitely falls into that category. I do not know much about her father but from the information shared he is someone Leah fears; enough so she takes on the responsibility of managing him and pushing out anyone else willing to go to bat for her. This adds pressure to Leah and pressure needs to escape or it will blow up. Given the nature of all of this Leah is diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder, though this will need to be monitored and potentially add anxiety from the stress.

Diana Novikova seemed put-together, especially given the events with Arcade. What seemed to upset Diana the most was the sense of betrayal. This is also noted in her relationship with her brother and his boyfriend. While the situation itself was awkward Diana seemed to take it a step further and outright insulted her brother's partner and demonstrated some anger towards her brother. Perhaps Diana sees this as another betrayal? Diana is then diagnosed with Unspecified Anxiety Disorder.

Madalyne Crane is dealing with struggles to her identity. I have worked with various other "species", whether that be actual demons, vampires, or "monsters" if other people's words are to be used, but Madalyne is in the middle of being human and demon, neither identity seeming to manifest outright. Madayne struggles with other people's opinions on her and while she says she doesn't pay much mind to what others say, even untrue words hurt, and I believe Madalyne is putting up a shield to defend herself. I also do not get the sense she has much in the way of support. I do not get the sense she is depressed or fearful, though there is underlying stress. Unspecified Anxiety Disorder for now until I can do some more tests.

Dorian Gray was fun to talk to. I believe him when he says he doesn't see the need for therapy, but I also believe he understands its value. If anything I think Dorian appreciates having someone to talk to that isn't his immediate circle. Dorian seems to put himself in charge of his loved one's safety and wants to be there for him, even at his own expense. He was quick to change the subject a few times, though when we discussed heavier topics he did not shy away, instead asking questions to fully understand what was being asked. I think he has dealt with a lot of trauma that hasn't fully manifested itself quite yet, though the signs are there. I think he has a solid support system and will be fine ultimately. As of right now Dorian is diagnosed with Unspecified Trauma- and Stessor-Related Disorder and I will keep an eye on him.

Daniel...sorry, Danni Kingston is a very active person. I believe therapists are guilty of immediately diagnosing ADHD with clients who are hyperactive and engaged, though I do not believe Danni falls into this. I think he is just that type of person. I think it is a defense mechanism to protect himself from handling intense emotions and, unfortunately, Danni finds himself doing more harm than good. I believe Danni cares greatly for others but that means he often puts himself down or prefers helping others versus himself. I think he holds it all in and, in doing so, unleashes it when he doesn't want to. I will give Unspecified Anxiety Disorder but I believe he may qualify for full Generalized Anxiety Disorder if this continues.

Sabine Bassard likes to put on a good appearance of having everything together. More often than not this stems from either a desire to want to ensure they are fine to other people or to themselves. Sabine has a history of self-harm and panic attacks, though I do not believe she wants to hurt herself significantly. A lot of the pain stems from her deceased mother and her biological father's treatment of her. Sabine has a steady support system that I don't think she uses to its full potential. I think a lot swims underneath the surface and she is scared of what that means. I think she puts pressure on herself and that is slowly forming cracks. I believe she has depression though I am hesitant to diagnose Major Depressive, so for now Unspecified, though I feel strongly this will change if she does not accept help.

Zarina was a ball of enthusiasm. She had no idea of what therapy consisted of but that did not deter her from opening up. I admit to being fascinated in what Asgard is and what it does for the people there. To hear it from Zarina's point of view they do things differently. Despite this, Zarina was given potentially more freedom to explore other avenues of who she is. I am admittedly hesitant to diagnose her with something but if I had to I would say there is underlying stress and confusion along with learning to step into who she is and make decisions for herself. Unspecified Anxiety Disorder for now though I believe this will change if she comes regularly.

Zelda Flynn kept her heart close to her chest, which is not unfounded when someone starts therapy. Despite this she did participate. I get the sense Zelda is slow to open herself up, even to people she considers close. She is dealing with emotions, both her own and ones she gleans from others and that is a bundle of stress within her. As someone who also notices people's emotions, it can be hard to parse through them as well as your own and that can often lead to confusion. I believe Zelda possesses the strength to overcome this, but it will take work to manage and mitigate the potential harm. As of right now I believe Zelda would be diagnosed with Unspecified Depression.

Andy had lots of good questions and wanted to learn more about therapy which gives me hope. She responded well to therapy and I believe she is willing to put in the work to help overcome what she is struggling with. There are major concerns regarding her family which I believe would be an eventual focus for her, but as it stands Andy struggles with being both her past self and her future self. What does it mean for her to be who she is and how it impacts her relations, and vice versa? Unspecified Anxiety Disorder for now with a potential Z-code for parent-child stress, but that will be for a later date.

Mary Sue came in hostile and I cannot honestly blame her. Thankfully it seems she is open and willing to work on addressing her concerns. There is a lot of hurt there. Worry. Fear. Guilt. While I believe some part of that stems from recent events with Arcade there is a lot more going on with her. Unspecified Depressive Disorder that I believe can step into Major Depressive once I delve more into her history.

Overall I believe the students each struggle with something. Whether it be issues of he past, concerns for the future, or the bonds that bind them they all are impacted. Some are more accepting of it than others. Each of them is hiding something within, something that worries and concerns them. This is not surprising and is standard. We don't like to admit there are problems. Even the ones who were eager for therapy or were, at least, not averse to it were not completely open at the start. While I believe none of them are a present danger to themselves I will note some of them display dangerous tendencies that would need to be addressed if they don't want it to progress further. I am not Big Brother, but I remain a support for them should they need it.
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Hidden 28 days ago Post by Blizz
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Blizz Grand Chancellor Supreme of the Wizard Council

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Leah Jordan

Location: New Orleans
Gear:
Skills:





Not even Sabine.

That fucking hurt to hear. What the hell happened?

Sabine could be a catty bitch when she wanted to be, it was just one of the things that made her so damn hot. And Leah had noticed that Sabine was avoiding April. But she figured things were just awkward. That maybe, just maybe, Leah wasn't the only one who didn't know how to handle things in a healthy and graceful way, like people expected. That would've made sense, but she didn't think Sabine was turning her back on April. She didn't think that those two had just become fucking strangers.

Is that what was happening? Was she going to have to choose between her girlfriend and the first person who ever treated her like a person? Her hands twitched at her sides, so she stuffed them into her pockets and glared down at the floor. April already had someone she could turn to, and it didn't help that Leah had been wondering if she was part of the problem because April hadn't turned to her.

I should have been better to you, was what she wanted to say.

"...I'll be around," was what she actually did say. So then she turned and walked back the way she came. Leah wanted to hit something solid. Too much of this whole mess just didn't register properly in her head. Why was I supposed to be mad at her? Why is Sabine mad at her when she's looking out for herself? Why can't I just be fucking good enough that she could trust me?! Constant questions going in and out of her head. None of it was April's fault, she got that. But she didn't get why April expected her to be mad. Or why it would've been weird to talk more.

Leah grabbed her bag by the door and stormed up the stairs.

All these little unspoken things that people communicated, Leah couldn't read. It was just so fucking weird, like a language she didn't know. Or like everyone but her was a telepath. Was that why she didn't see April's breakdown coming? Despite being her best friend? Did April try to convey she needed help?

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckFUCK!

She had to ask Sabine about it. She didn't know what else to do at this point.
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Hidden 28 days ago 28 days ago Post by Nallore
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Nallore RPG's Grope Master & Taco Hunter. :P

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Diana Novikova


Location: New Orleans - The Sorcerer's Inn
Current Outfit: Current Clothes
Skills: N/A





"Yeah maybe." Diana answered Gideon and gave a slight shrug, she did feel bad about Nemo dying though she got the feeling that there was something more to it. But they just found out that he died and there probably wasn't much else to really work with for now anyway, her attention turned towards the group that entered the building, Diana recognized both Harry and Eva pretty quickly. Though they seemed to be in their own little conversation, Zelda still hadn't answered her question on what she thought about Nemo dying. She listened to Mary who seemed to be upset that they were just being told about it right now.

"Personally I would have prefered to know as soon as possible than being told sometime afterwards or being lied to about it." Diana said to Mary, she preferred honesty over anything else really. Though she was curious since Lady Nimue and Ser Nemo weren't around to be their coaches for the contest. "Do you know who will be the replacement coaches for the teams?" Diana asked looking over at Vision.




Madalyne Crane


Location: The Kingston-Gray estate
Current Outfit: Current Clothes
Skills: N/A
Grimoire: N/A





Madalyne looked over at Andy she at least was able to answer her question, Selene was her mother apparently and she seemed to be pretty bad or something. She watched as Max summoned up a portal and the little cat carrier was sent through it, at least they wouldn't have to worry about her. Madalyne heard a voice coming from the neighbor, and Andy seemed to recognized it and she went to leave and headed to the house next door.

"Yeah we could do one later if you want to." Mads said giving Danni a slight smile as her attention turned back towards Vicky, she still didn't answer her question. "Are you sure that you are okay Vicky?" Madalyne asked her, she didn't enter the estate just yet and wanted to make sure that Vicky was still okay before heading inside.
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Hidden 28 days ago Post by Forsythe
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Forsythe Graf von Kaffeetrinken

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Location: The Kingston-Gray estate
Outfit: ASTRA Armor
Skills/Powers/Equipment: N/A

"Baseline averag-" Victoria deadpanned, before realizing Dorian was right. He couldn't see. She took her phone, filmed a panoramic shot of the estate and the surrounding area, and then connected to the phone and edited the shot to look like what she saw, before sending it to Dorian. "There. Now you can. The place is so-" she struggled to find the right word. Bewitched? Cursed? "-Enchanted, it is a unicorn short of me thinking it was woven out of a rainbow." she explained.

Then the news dropped, and the whole conversation about Nemo being dead through Dorian apparently having visions of the future to Danni bringing up talking to ghosts - Because that's a thing, apparently. - happened. Vicky merely nodded in agreement: "One of the staff was Arcade's plant and tried to kill us, another has the philosophy that we have to suffer in life to amount to anything good. So plus one on checking he actually died, and this is not one of Nimue's pain games. At this point, if a member of the MC Institute staff says the sky is blue, I'd still rather check."

Her gaze followed the direction to the estate after James suggested they go inside, but one look at the creepy hand of a doorhandle that looked like it belonged to a SCP foundation's containment cell made her decide there was no way in hell she was touching it first. Instead she turned to Mads. "I'll be fine, thanks. Whatever this is, it's working wonders." she tapped the piece of jewellry around her neck. Hanging there very loosely. One tug from being snapped off, and sending her to the afterlife.

She pouted, grabbed an edge of her armor's chestplate and instructed the piece to detach to expose her silver, gold printed skin. She told the nanites to let the object pass through, and the necklace sunk below her nanite skin, now safe from being removed. Nodding approvingly, Vicky reattached the chest plate.
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Hidden 27 days ago Post by PatientBean
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Sabine Bassard

Location: Bourbon Street, New Orleans - The Sorcerer's Inn
Skills: N/A
Fit Of The Day: Pink Fall Outfit





Sabine had, for the most part, calmed herself down. She was in an arguably better headspace. She needed to talk this through though. Among other things. Leah maybe? No Leah had gone after April. Which was good. April needed someone nearby to support her and Sabine couldn't be that person. Not yet. But Leah wasn't the most well-versed in managing emotional and mental wellness, though she tried, bless her.

And anyone else she considered a friend was not at the hotel. Which meant...she would need to go to the Kingston-Gray residence. And that sent further anxiety through her body. If she set foot on the property would alarms ring out letting them know a telepath has entered? Would she be blasted on sight? She still struggled with Dorian's lack of trust in her but they had worked it out; she could only imagine what his parents would think of her.

No, she needed to talk to them. Sabine moved up from the wall and took a step forward and ran into something. Or rather, someone. Sabine fumbled and fell, but she gathered herself. The person who fell was someone she had not seen before, and trust, Sabine would have noticed her. Sabine offered her a hand to help her up. "Do you say that to tall the girls you run into or am I just special?" Sabine instantly felt sick. Was she seriously flirting with someone?

Bad thoughts raced through her head. Her and Leah never had a conversation on exclusivity and they had a relationship with April, would Leah be open to a third again? And what the hell was she even doing considering that? God, she was fucked up.

"I'm here with my school taking part in the contest. Are you participating also?" Sabine looked around, seeing if she could catch someone she knew. Draw them into the conversation to say 'hey look, I am just meeting a new person, nothing sketchy!'.
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Hidden 26 days ago Post by Natsu
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Natsu Weierstrass Personified

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Mary Sue Sullivan

Location:The Sorcerer's Inn.
Skills:



Mary Sue had just been emotionally deconstructed by a robot, and she flinched back at his words. She opened her mouth for a few moments, as if to speak, but no noises came out. The one phrase, "Grief is better conquered", stuck with her for a moment, something intellectual to maybe break through the wall of shit between herself and her emotions, and she shut her eyes tight. "Sure." She said, her lips contorting into a frown. "That is... not an unreasonable analysis. Thank you Mister The Vision." She said, holding on to a bit of sardony to hide behind, attempting to not directly answer his question.

But, nevertheless, something in her was chipped away, and she was left with that awful feeling that something was broken that could never be fixed. Why didn't he just let her deflect? Ser Nemo would never not be dead, and she didn't know what to do with that. Grief didn't make sense to her; there wasn't anything to be fixed. She couldn't cure death, so why did she feel bad? What purpose did it serve? These problems circled through her head, and she gritted her teeth, tears welling up for a moment before she forced them back down. This just sucked. "What is the use in grief if the thing that caused it can't be fixed?", she asked quietly, maybe to nobody in particular..
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Hidden 26 days ago Post by Morose
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Morose ✹Krakoan Princess✹

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@BlueSky44@Nallore@Trainerblue192@Achronum@PatientBean@Forsythe@Blizz@Kirah@Natsu
3:30 PM - Sun. December 12th, 2038 - New Orleans, Louisiana

@PatientBean:

She took Sabine's hand, pulling herself to her feet, and bringing Sabine's hand to her lips to press a kiss to it. "Only when they look like art and royalty all wrapped up in one pretty package." She grinned, a little crooked, and chuckled at Sabine's revelation. "Yeah, on the Strange Acadmy team myself. Getting the parents settled before this afternoon." She took half a step into Sabine's space, drawing her hand to rest on Thuy's should and thumbing at the inside of the wrist softly. "I'm Thuy. I don't have anything goin' on until the exam so maybe we can... play around with something else you'd wanna call me." Thuy glances down at Sabine's mouth. The shadows on the wall stilled and drifted back down onto the floor.

@Blizz:

While the Sorcerer's Inn may not be the most extravagant of hotels, it makes up for it in character - with old peeling paint, dusty carpets in desperate need of resurrection, and furniture that must have predated the Battle of New Orleans. And of course, one of the more notable features was the almost random procession of hallways, a veritable maze with poor, inconsistent signage. It was easy to get lost - she must have passed the same copy of Circe Invidiosa at least half a dozen times when she would feel her goosebumps crawl up and down her arms, and a tingling sensation at the back of her neck. She would feel his presence before she saw him - before she saw her father at the other end of the hallway, dressed in a button up-shirt and shorts like he was any other tourist, a soft smile on his face.

"Mayra. It's good to see you, dear." He took a step forward, before holding up a finger, shaking it slightly as if to chastise her. "Now, I obviously do not need to tell you the consequences will be severe should you run off to any of your friends. Such as your girlfriend, Sabine Bassard. Huge fan of her social media. Such a pretty face. It would be such a shame if her brief brush with fame had to come to a premature end. So you will come with me, then, and I will talk, and you will listen. Do we understand each other?"

@BlueSky44@Nallore@Natsu:

The Vision regarded Mary Sue carefully, a pang of sympathy running through him. He had often wondered the same thing - for the loss of people he loved, through death or other means. He had grieved the loss of his marriage, just as he had grieved the loss of friends. Nothing in his programming had provided him with an answer to that same question - what was the function of grief, when faced with an unsolvable problem? Many feelings had a utility to them - pain was no different than an alert, a notification that there was a problem that needed to be solved. Even love was a sign of safety and trust, the foundation by which communities could be built in order to ensure survival, from simple companionships to larger families to entire peoples.

But there was no function to grief - no actions that must be implemented, no strategy beyond to simply feel it. It was only after Wanda had left him that he began to glimpse the true purpose of grief, to see that it was simply a different emotion under another name. He knelt before Mary Sue, bringing himself to her eye level. “Grief, my child, is love persevering. To ask what is the purpose of grief is no different than asking what is the purpose of love.”

He then rose back to his feet, considering Diana’s question. “There will not be replacement coaches. I will be here to offer you guidance in their place. I believe there will be additional teachers coming to act as chaperones, but they are not prepared to coach you, nor have they been approved by the Contest of Champions organization to act as coaches.”

Gideon, of course, wasn’t listening. Any conversation that didn’t involve her or something she was interested in, it was like it didn’t happen. Just in one ear and out the other. At best, if she really focused, she could catch a few sentences here or there. But it was soooo hard to bring herself to care about what the robot was saying. She didn’t listen to her vibrator so she definitely wasn’t going to listen to Vision. Instead, as she looked away from her phone for a brief second, her eyes latched onto an absolutely fucking gorgeous ginger across the way. She pulled down her sunglasses to get a better look, hardly believing what she was seeing.

Evanthe fucking Moore. Her favorite artist's favorite artist. She didn't even notice the other celebrity next to her, instead completely starstruck. Pop wasn't usually her taste, however songs about eating box definitely were. Gideon pulled her sword out of its scabbard, where it had been strapped to her back, and made a beeline up to Evanthe, the two-handed broadsword easily six feet long, if not longer.

"Would you sign my sword?" Gideon asked. "Please? You're, like, a legend, my dude."

Wiccan approached the pop stars a bit more nervously, constantly glancing back to Teddy with a bashful blush. Was he sleep deprived, stressed, and in the middle of learning about a demiurge problem that threatened all of existence? Yes. Was he a teenage gay boy meeting Harry fucking Simmons and Evanthe fucking Moore? Yes. "I love all your music," Wiccan gushed, preening a bit as he stood in front of Harry and Eva - as if Vision hadn't just told them one of their teachers had died. "My boyfriend and I, we got them to play David at prom last year, it was absolutely incredible. A-and your last album, Evanthe, can I call you Evanthe? It's a masterpiece. I'm - I'm Billy, by the way. It's an honor to meet you both!"







April Flynn

Location: Bourbon Street, New Orleans - the Sorcerer's Inn
Skills: N/A
Outfit: Khaki-Colored Work Jacket + Grey Tank + Light Wash Jeans + Combat Boots


"Okay," April said softly to Leah, as her insides briefly felt like they were curdling. For a brief moment, she couldn't help but wonder if she had hurt her - if she should have stopped the call to go talk to Leah instead. It wasn't what she wanted for herself, right now she just wanted to talk to Danni and Dorian, if she talked to anyone at all. And yet, she felt anxious, guilty that maybe she should have gone to Leah - even if they were exes, even if nothing was the same anymore and they could never go back to the friendship they'd once had - even if her fears were right and Sabine really had messed with her mind, and maybe then Leah's, too...

There were times, when talking with Danni and Dorian, that April felt like an alien. Her tears stopped for a moment, as she listened to Danni explain that it was fine, that Nemo was just a ghost now, and they could call him back to talk as much as they liked - that his death wasn't really any different than someone going home for summer break.

Death to her, it was... Final. Scary. Horrifying. It was an end. It couldn't be walked back - sure, some superheroes managed to get resurrections, but most of the time, death was death.

But just like money, death meant something different to Danni - it seemed almost... meaningless.

She stared at the phone. If she had gone through with it - if she had died that night - would he have been just as cavalier about it? Would he just have casually asked his dad to summon up her ghost? April wanted to hide from the thought, to bury it and never return to it. She wanted to break the promise she had made - the promise to not hide. "D-Danni... Is this what you would have done if I had died?"

Then Dorian dropped a bomb - Nemo wasn't supposed to die yet. He'd somehow seen this on the Astral Plane - April didn't know anything about how that realm worked or operated, had Dorian been seeing visions all along? Or was this something brand new? But if Nemo wasn't supposed to be dead... She didn't know what to make of that. Was the TVA going to come and prune their entire timeline then, because someone had died who was supposed to be alive? Had Nemo faked his death with Nimue's help? Was Nemo going to be resurrected somehow? Was the grave in Dorian's vision just incorrect?

Hypocritically, she couldn't help but be hurt too that Dorian hadn't told them - that he hadn't trusted them with this information. If she had seen that... it would have messed with her head. Hadn't they all just promised no more secrets? What else had Danni and Dorian been keeping with her? First the house, now this...

The emotional rollercoaster continued as she heard Danni ask one of the dads if they could do a seance, and then shouted out by name all the kids who had been lucky enough to get to stay there, including Vicky... Her body tensed up. It was killing her that Vicky, the person who had gone out of her way to bully her in Coulson's office and then again at CAGE, got to be at the home of April's best friends - meanwhile, April was stuck in a hotel with people who hated her. It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair.

All the water in the pipes came to a complete standstill.

Her breath caught in her throat.

Her hands felt like ice.

And her heart was pounding so furiously she thought it was about to burst.

"I-I have to go," April squeaked out, before hitting the end call button, and a fresh wave of tears rocked her.

She'd been doing better. She really thought she had been. She thought the meds and the new tools from Dr. Whitehall had been enough. She'd thought they'd fixed her.

But she felt just as broken as ever before.

Percy Novikov

Location: New Orleans - Kingston-Gray Residence
Skills: N/A
Outfit: Dorian Approved Outfit #2 - Sunglasses, Flannel, Skinny Jeans


Percy didn't know what to think, as he caught onto the course of the conversation - that Ser Nemo was dead. He had the vague sensation of his skin crawling, discomfort enveloping him. He knew that death was natural and that it happened - that one day, each person on the lawn outside of the Kingston-Gray home would be dead, including himself. But death was normally distant, something that happened to people he didn't know. He didn't know how to feel about Ser Nemo dying. He hadn't liked Ser Nemo. He had hated him at times. Percy hadn't known exactly why, either - there was just something about the old man that got under his skin, that brought out this irrational anger he couldn't entirely control.

The others were discussing holding a seance to call back his ghost, and whether or not he was even dead. Dorian was on the phone, so Percy had made sure to hang back, unlike some of the others who seemed content to crowd around and join in on the conversation. Phone calls were supposed to have some element of privacy to them, even if Danni and Dorian had decided to have it in front of everyone else, so Percy did his best to respect that. In some ways, it felt almost like an out of body experience, as he watched so many strong opinions and personalities interact and clash, while he felt completely lost and untethered, an outsider looking in. Even Zari was preoccupied with other things.

"Weeell..." Casper paused for a moment, glancing over towards James. No conjuring ghosts on the lawn. Not after what had happened last time. He nodded, before giving his husband two big thumbs up. "I gueeess if your father says it's okay, then sure! Your coach wasn't violent, right? I might not be as scared of them now that I have babes around to help protect me, but I would love to not have to deal with an angry violent ghost if I can avoid it. Wait. Babes! Do we need permission slips for them to summon ghosts? Or is it okay since it's their teacher's ghost?" He then spun around, quickly locating Max. "Maaaaax can you make everyone really cute seance outfits too, if we are doing a seance? We all need to match the ✹aesthetics✹ of the room you built for me for this or it won't be nearly as fun!"

Needless to say, Ben wasn't exactly thrilled to hear that his sons' teacher had died - and he was somewhat concerned about the idea of hosting a seance. Not everyone had the relationship to death that his family did. And even among his family, Ben was somewhat of an outlier - he still usually excused himself whenever Casper summoned up a ghost for them to chat to, even if it was for the best of intentions. He remembered all too well what it was like to be on the other side, stuck, unable to change, while the world moved on without him. His tentacles grew restless inside their pocket dimension. "Yeah, let's all go inside, and get everyone's stuff put down, and then we can talk about this," Ben agreed, before trying to catch Max's eye.

"Thank you," Firestar said softly to Max. "I... I have obviously never had to do this before," she admitted, somewhat sheepishly. "And... yeah. I might take you up on that later. Thank you," she repeated, before stepping back away from the portal, still in California, as she had seen all of the children safely through. She had so much going on today, she wasn't able to step away to go attend the Contest of Champions - couldn't do more than just this one little duty to help fill in.

"...Yes. I will participate," Percy shifted his weight a bit uncomfortably. He didn't really want to - Nemo's death made him feel strange - but he assumed it would have been rude to decline, especially given that one of Dorian's dads would be running the seance. He wanted to make a good impression. So he would chat with the ghost if that was what was required of him. And then, having seen no one move towards the door, but still motivated to try to win over Dorian's parents...

Percy stepped forward, and carefully gripped the door handle. His hand jerked away from it suddenly, as an antique key appeared in the palm of his hand, the metal cool to the touch. The door then swung open, and a small glimmer of light shone off of the key, leading towards one of the staircases. He quickly looked back at the adults present, before specifically looking at Dorian. Was that supposed to happen?
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Hidden 25 days ago Post by Kirah
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Kirah Dragonbunny

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Location: Home <3
Skills: Enhanced Reflexes (Passive)





Magneto was waiting for her, once she had finished washing up. Even with the Louisiana heat, he found a hot cup of tea to be one of life’s few simple pleasures. Of course, his small home did have air conditioning - a must for a man of his advanced age. With a guided wave of his hand, a tray floated from the kitchen into the sitting room, laden with two small china cups, a teapot and cozy, and some biscuits he kept on hand for just such an occasion. There was a small television set in the corner, but the room was largely dominated by old black and white photographs, a record player, and shelves upon shelves of books. “How do you take your tea these days?” he asked.

”Sweet and strongly caffeinated.” She was still addicted to caffeine. Even though she did her best to get full nights of sleep these days. Maybe Andy had damaged herself by drinking so much caffeine that she could sleep through a dose that would kill others.

Andy sat down across from him. Her face was clean of any makeup. It was in her suitcase, which she had left in Max’s front yard. Hopefully, he had brought it in. If not, well hopefully it was still there when she left the house to go over there. She’d live with almost everything in the suitcase being stolen, but not the jacket. Even if Max conjured it back it wouldn’t be the same. It wouldn’t be the jacket that Ash had given her.

”How detailed do you want me to be about stuff since I got to this time?” There were things she definitely wanted to tell him. Some stuff would be fine to glaze over. But she also wanted to be honest. She wanted to start this relationship fresh. The nervousness and worry was still there, but it wasn’t as prevalent as it had been on Genosha. The pervasive fear that had lived in her bones seemed subdued. Even with the new worry that was clawing at her. She did not have the look of the kicked puppy that she had on Genosha.

Magneto nodded, pouring her a cup of tea and preparing it as to her liking. He wasn’t going to offer a comment on her overindulgence in caffeine - there were worse vices to have. And after all she had been through, she had more than earned a vice or two. Should she cause any damage to herself, it was nothing that James could not fix - a fact that he took great solace in. He set down the cup in front of her, before preparing one for himself.

“Andy, my dear - every detail that you are willing to share, I would like to hear.”

Andy nodded, ”Alright. Well the first thing we did was went to Zari’s world. I met her parents. That was a bit awkward. Her dad is a god of lies. He was able to tell that I was only there because Zari asked me and I didn’t have any ill intent. Once he got over the protective dad thing they helped me get an identity here.”

She smiled and pulled her wallet out of her pocket and handed over the ID in there. It wasn’t a driver’s license as she couldn’t drive, but it was a state ID. Andy had been through a lot of names. She even still had her fake ID for Andrea Elliot that Ash had gotten for her, it was extremely expired and she didn’t keep it in her wallet. Andy had been born with a name she had never bothered to get from Selene. She had been given a name from the foster system - Andy Lee Phillips. And then after the Drummonds died she took their name and became Andy Lee Drummond. On Genosha she had become just Andy, or Thundering Champion. Now though she had taken Magneto’s last name and hyphenated it with Selene’s. She kept the Drummond name as those two years were as like a family as she had ever had.

He studied the ID for a moment, a tiny smile breaking out on his lips. Erik Lensherr was a name he had assumed so long it was like a second skin - to see Andy using that surname filled him with a painful warmth. He had taken the name for his wife, for Magda, almost a century ago - disguising himself as one of her people, to conceal his heritage, his origins. Not that he considered Max Eisenhardt to be his true name any longer - it was closer than Erik to the truth, yet still eluding it, still missing the mark. His name was Magneto, now and forever. “A fine choice,” he said, “although I am somewhat surprised by the inclusion of Selene, my child.”

Andy smiled brightly, pleased he approved of the name choice. There wasn’t much of a choice in changing it again so she was thankful for that. ”Ah, well she realized I was taking your name and got jealous,” Andy explained. ”See the box that we imprisoned her in, changed. It became a doll and she can talk and interact with the world a little bit. I had a cat carrier bag I kept her in. Right now Max has her.” That was a relief. Even with the curse Selene had thrown at her she still felt lighter than she had in months.

“It became
 a doll,” Magneto repeated, his tone filled with disbelief - not disbelief in what she was saying, but rather in the fundamental rules and structures of reality. At least Max was now guarding Selene - Magneto had faith in Andy’s abilities, but she was still just a child forced into a role that many adults would fail to cope with. “I see.”

Andy nodded. She could explain that later if needed. Though she didn’t really know the answers. Max would probably be better to ask than her.

”After all that we went to Avengers Academy for school. Her parents thought it would be good for her and she has a friend there. I thought it would be a good idea to join her too. I’ve not had the best formal education. I also did want to learn how to work in a team. We didn’t have a lot of time for that.” She frowned a little. ”Things went okay, sort of. The first day was kind of a mess.” She sighed. ”But I’ve forgiven the people who made that day bad. Let it go. We are friends now actually. I have a lot of friends now. It’s nice. Up until I met Zari I hadn’t had anyone my age that was a friend. Now I have a bunch.”

”School itself has been...difficult. I think something is sort of wrong with me and my ability to read. I always thought I was stupid. But a friend lent me these books and in the books the kids have something called dyslexia. That sort of matches what I experience when I read. It takes me forever to get through stuff. So I think adding that issue on top of not a whole lot of formal education, and what education I’ve had was sporadic, has just made it hard for me to learn.” Andy sighed and shrugged.

”Something else to worry about I guess. Anyway, just before Thanksgiving break there was an incident. We were all training really hard for the Contest and this kid on Zari’s team. Ed, or Arcade, he had set up these uh, tanks that the school has called the Framework and invited our three teams to go in and train in a simulation he had set up. However, he actually was using the whole thing as a ruse to start his path to supervillainy or something.

We get into the simulation and Zari isn’t there. He didn’t let her in, instead dosed her up and tried to kill her. He told us that if we died in the game we died in real life too. We had to play the games to survive, but there was no end to it. Eventually I was killed in the game. But the girl, Ardere, who was helping him, dragged me away. She touched my skin. I...”
Andy took a deep breath. ”I killed her. Ate her soul and brought myself back to life.”

She didn’t feel bad about it, and she didn’t expect Magneto to judge her for it. It was just another body in her past, another person she hadn’t had a choice to do anything but kill. Andy didn’t know how many people she had killed. Had lost count in between the fire at the Drummonds and the fall of Genosha. A dozen or so between Purifiers and SHIELD agents alone (though the latter of the two were not her fault directly).

He frowned. There was a lot that he wanted to touch on - beginning with the fact that she had been murdered (even now, it seemed mutant children could not simply be children, a truth that made his blood boil, and the metal furnishings in the house shake ever so slightly) and ending with her description of herself as stupid (she was not. None of his children were - except for perhaps the speedster). At least she was making friends - he remembered how lonely she seemed on Genosha, even with her friend’s company. He did note how that friend was not here - but as to why, he could only guess.

“You are not stupid, Andy,” he reminded her somewhat sharply. “You are a child, one who has been robbed of the opportunities human children take for granted. You have survived for nearly eighteen years in a world that hates and fears you. You have lived when so many others have been slain. Perhaps you cannot see your own intelligence yet, but I do. And I will not stand for a child of mine to think of herself as lesser in my home.”

“As for this
 Arcade
 I should hope you killed him, if not, there is nowhere he can hide where I cannot find him.”

”Thank you.” She appreciated his reassurances. It was something she had not had a lot of in her life, and he made really good points. She had slipped through so many cracks. The fact that she was alive was surprising. ”As for Arcade, I don’t know exactly what happened, but he became contrite after. Part of the group was ready to kill him, and I would have if I had been left alone with him. Drained him of his life with no mercy.

However, Zari and I fought one of the teachers, Usagi, who was also working with Arcade. Then went up and fought Arcade. But we failed to save the others. He hit a button and they all died horribly in the game. So Zari reset the timeline. We went back and tried again. This time we were able to save everyone.

Then the Avengers showed up. They sent us all home, and took him. I don’t know where. I didn’t know you were here. I went with Zari back to her world. We spent Thanksgiving break there.”
She paused. Should she tell him about her sleepwalking? She took a sip of her tea. The sweetness rolling over her tongue. It was good tea.

”While there, the last night we were there, I killed someone else. But this was different. I did it in my sleep. I don’t know what happened. I’m a little worried I’ll do it again. I don’t trust that it can’t happen again.” There was other stuff that happened. Little things, but a lot of it was parts of other people’s stories. Things like what happened with Leah.
”After that Dorian told me he found a picture of Zari and I on Genosha. I told him the truth and we planned to surprise his parents. He did not tell me you were his dang neighbor.”

She smiled and shook her head. Andy also wanted to unpack some of her feelings about Zari. She knew Magneto didn’t care for her. Andy had also come to realize that even if Zari did love her back it wasn’t in the same way that Andy loved her. It was time to let that relationship change. They’d be better as friends. She didn’t see a future for them as lovers. Andy wanted someone to give as much as she did. She wanted a relationship that was more than just friends. Even if a part of her was scared that it’d burn like everything else had. She couldn’t keep hiding from relationships. She needed connection with people and the relationship with Zari wasn’t what she needed. Not anymore. So it had to change. Had to match what it really was, which was good friends. Friends that had been through a whole shit ton together, but not lovers.

He then considered the next portion of her tale - the sleepwalking in particular was alarming to him. He knew many mutants who had had their autonomy stolen from them, who had been forced to wonder if they were responsible for the sins they had committed. Magneto took some solace in the fact that every death he had caused, the choice had been his own. But he did not think Andy to be one to make that choice so lightly. “Andy
 When we are done speaking, would you humor an old man and allow James to take a look at you?” He wanted the warlock’s consultation as well - he was vaguely aware that Max had a means of revealing the truth. Perhaps they could glean what was responsible for her sleepwalking.

He then shook his head at the revelation that young Dorian Gray had not shared his location with Andy - “It’s the chattering one’s influence,” he dismissed. “There is too much of Casper in those boys.”

Andy snorted. ”Yeah, if I hadn't learned early on that Casper and Max were involved in raising them I would have figured it out on my own quickly I think. I’m glad that we were able to make a friendship. Even before they knew who I was. It was funny actually. One of the first times Dorian and I were hanging out he told me all about Genosha and how his parents had been involved. He told me that they had looked for me and he didn’t even know it was me. I was too scared to tell him the truth though. Later when he found the photo and showed me, he was afraid I’d be mad at him. Really I was afraid they’d all be mad at me.

As for James taking a look at me, I am alright with that. I like James. He was very kind to me when I first met him and the MU.”
She remembered accidentally wandering into his room, the room of the guy who had died at the college. The two were roommates, and James hadn’t been told yet. Andy hadn’t had it in her to tell him the truth. He had no idea who she was but he had been so sweet. He let her stay there in the quiet until things settled and she was put in a trio room with Stareyes and Zari. At the time she hadn’t liked Zari much. She had thought Zari was insane. Andy had realized how mean she had been and felt bad about it and apologized. She also had promised that if Zari needed any help she would be there for her.

“Mm, Maximilian is far more palatable these days,” Magneto admitted. “His ambition has finally grown into his power - and his diction has certainly improved as well.” He nodded though, pleased that she was agreeing to have James take a look over her - even if the sleepwalking was not due to some outside influence, it would bring him some comfort to know that his child was well, and that she was not suffering from some unseen malady. “I understand why you were afraid that they - that we would be angry. You are grounded, as I previously said. But it is not anger I feel, Andy, my dear. It is relief - relief that you are home, that you are safe, and that you are happy.”

Andy smiled. She was thankful. Happy. Even if there was an aching fear that wasn’t going away. ”I am happy. Thankful to be back. I’m glad no one is mad. I accept being grounded. That’s fair.” She sipped her cooling tea. She had talked a lot. More than she had for a long time before coming to Avengers Academy.

”What about you? What have you been doing? How did the world become...so welcoming?” She frowned. ”I found it kind of unbelievable when we came to the future and there were just schools for mutants. For a while I was afraid the other shoe would drop and it’d be some sort of trap.”

Magneto paused for a moment. It was a question he had asked himself many times - one that plagued him on a sleepless night, wondering when the other shoe would drop - when mutants would be led into the gas chambers, and the horrors of his childhood would be repeated once more. He wanted to believe that history was on the trajectory of progress, he wanted to believe that they were safe. And yet
 if he truly believed that, he would not still cling to life. He would not be here, waiting for the humans to show their true natures once more.

He allowed the Kingston-Grays to keep him alive, so far beyond his allotted lifespan, because he feared that mutants still needed him - that they still needed Magneto.

“I have done what I always have done,” he said finally, holding a steady gaze. “I have been the monster the humans fear, the nightmare lurking in the dark. The world may have changed, Andy. I do not believe the humans have. The moment that they return to their ways - the moment that they come for us - I will be ready. And for every drop of mutant blood they spill, I will answer with theirs.”

She wasn’t alone in not trusting this. A part of her was worried she had missed some massive brainwashing that had happened or something equally bizarre. The universe didn’t seem to be afraid of bizarre situations. Andy nodded.

”I don’t think I could deal with it going back to what it was.” She looked down at her tea. ”The world was so terrifying and seemed to want to drain any joy from me. From the day I realized I was a mutant I knew my life was in danger. That I’d constantly be one step from a horrible fate.” Andy hadn’t talked about her childhood much with anyone. The Drummonds had been the last ones she had really told everything to. Not even Dr. Whitehall or Zari knew everything. She didn’t think Zari would even understand. Her worldview was so skewed. Andy decided now wasn’t the time to get into it all. No one needed to hear it all. Maybe someday she’d tell Dr. Whitehall, it was different with a professional. Telling family took time. It had taken Andy months to tell the Drummonds everything.

”On Genosha, I was afraid it’d fall apart like everything else. I wanted it to work out. God, I wanted it to be home. I was starting to feel like it was. But my experience has always been once I start to trust a place is when it falls apart. Every foster home, the Drummonds, then Genosha. It’s been a pattern since as long as I can remember. So even if I thought that things were real here, that whatever had changed over the last almost two decades had been enough, there is this constant fear bubbling in the back of me that tells me I can’t trust it. I think that’s why I’m doing the Contest. It is why I am making sure I’m capable. I say it’s just so I know I’ll be able to keep Selene contained for as long as possible, but it is also because I know there will come a day when I have to fight for my life again.

I’m not afraid to take lives. Not anymore. Not since the Purifiers took the Drummonds from me. Part of me felt a little bad. But in the end I choose to kill because they chose it first. That’s why I don’t feel guilty about the girl and I wouldn’t have felt bad about Arcade. They chose to kill first. I will not allow myself or those I care about to die at the hands of another. Never again.”


“Never again,” Magneto repeated, setting down his tea and placing a comforting hand on Andy’s shoulder. “We will not allow this place to suffer the same fate as Genosha,” he swore. “Within the confines of the French Quarter, mutants are safe. It may not be an island, but it is a home. And when the time comes
 You and I will be ready. You have made your father proud, Andy, my dear.”
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Hidden 25 days ago Post by Blizz
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Blizz Grand Chancellor Supreme of the Wizard Council

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Leah Jordan

Location: New Orleans
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Skills:





It really shouldn't have been this difficult to navigate a building.

Leah found herself struggling to figure out the right direction to go in. It didn't seem this hard looking for April, how did she find her way around? It was just a straight walk away, then she'd gone up the stairs... Weren't there supposed to be doors up here? It was just hallway after hallway, sign after sign, in a language she probably should have started learning a while ago given it was one Sabine spoke. It wasn't that far off from Spanish, all things considered, but she just never got around to it. And this annoying building was mocking her for that, it seemed. Did they not have people coming in from all over the country to witness the Contest? Leah doubted every person who checked into a hotel from out of town spoke French. Honestly, how the hell did anyone even navigate this at all? This sucked.

It took her mind off of the pit forming in her stomach, from the way April seemed to be drawing inwards. The way she'd run off to Dorian and fucking Danni. She didn't have anything meaningful against either of them, but Leah had been feeling like shit for being worse for April than them. Unable to think about it, she just kept walking. All she wanted was to find a damn room and get her fucking room sorted. And then she could sit down and stare at a wall for the next half hour while she worked on packing away the feeling of what amounted to a rusty knife dragging across her skull that she was feeling right now. She felt fucking awful and nothing was going right. These hallways were giving Leah a bad vibe. She'd been aching everywhere since the Andy situation, she and April weren't okay.

Sabine was probably going to make her choose between one of them. The people she gave a damn about were mourning a guy who couldn't possibly have died.

Her skin itched, which was weird to process when Leah had stopped thinking of it as skin the other day. More like rocks or a million tiny geodes all up and down the places where her skin should be, but wasn't. She couldn't scratch it away, there was something weird about it. Like something was following her.

Leah turned a corner, and she almost didn't recognize the man who was there at the other end of the hallway. She almost didn't think twice about his presence, given the way he was dressed. But then, he was always good at that sort of thing. The same dark brown curls that she got from him, that grin, none of it would have even registered with Leah's brain given how casual he'd been about appearing there. He might've been entirely invisible if it wasn't for one simple word.

Mayra. No one called her that.

It was him. Her dad. Imperator. The ghost she couldn't get rid of. The egotistical, irredeemable piece of fucking SHIT. He was just standing there, and it made Leah's veins turn to ice, her feet became blocks of lead in the ocean.

"...You."

She became painfully aware of every single breath moving about her lungs. Aware of how each one got a little quicker and that she needed to keep them quiet. Leah's hands jittered until they were fists, she almost brought the place down on his head. It would have been so easy to bury him again, she'd gotten stronger since last time. She was stronger now thanks to whatever had happened with Andy, probably. If Leah could close the gap and grab him by the throat, it'd be over.

And he knew that. He had to.

The expression on Leah's face twisted into something dangerous. Something feral. Something Wild.

He knew she could kill him. That was why he'd brought up Sabine just now. This- No. He didn't bluff these things. There was no guarantee she hadn't been shot the second Leah walked away. She knew that, and Imperator, no doubt, knew she knew that. It could have been one of his mind games. The hotel's vents could've been loaded with modified M-Pox or Terrigen mist days in advance, set to only release into the air if he didn't stop it. Or maybe he'd planted a nano-bomb in their room and had the detonator in his pocket. For all Leah knew, Sabine could've been perfectly fine and this was just Leah getting stuck in her own head. That was why he had the GALL to stand in front of her. Alone, without his wings, without even a fucking weapon by the looks of it.

He already knew she would've tried it. So he made himself tactically bulletproof. But she so desperately want to try it. The world would be safer. She would be safe at last, and it'd be done.

You knew this day would come. Don't be weak. Even if he knows you are, don't show it.

Leah managed to dig her voice up out of the abyss it'd sunk into. And she snarled at him. "That is not my name, you fucking monster."
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Hidden 25 days ago Post by Kirah
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Kirah Dragonbunny

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Location: Sorcerer’s Hotel
Skills: Fangirling Hard





Eva kissed Valerie’s temple. ”It should be fine. Let him have some time.” Eva then stepped forward, joining Harry, not in the spotlight of course, but between the teens and Val and David. Her body language shifted a little from the relaxed teasing that she had had moments before, into ‘on stage’ mode. This shift was common, something the little group was used to. It wasn’t like David’s shift as this was still Eva, she was just ready for performing.

As the girl with the massive sword approached her Eva took a half step back. She was used to some crazy obsessed people but giant sword was a new one. Eva was not a fighter, sure she and Val spared, but that was not the same as someone coming at her with a sword. She had never had to fight for her life. Never had to defend herself against more than a stalker or two. That’s why she had bodyguards, they kept her safe. She was a mutant, but her power was not good for fighting women with swords. However, it quickly became apparent that the girl was not murderous. Eva smiled, recentering.

”Certainly, I’ll sign your sword,” Eva said, she held back a laugh. ”Yes, Billy, you may call me Evanthe. It is a pleasure to meet you too.” Eva pulled a gold paint marker out of her pocket. She kept a few different pens on hand. This one was her favorite. She wrote her name with her standard flourish on the sword.

Harry tensed as the stranger began to approach them with a sword drawn. His attention pulled from the young boy and towards their possible assailant. Every step, every breath, a vibration that he focused on in the event he needed to weaponize them against her. But before anything could happen, she
asked for an autograph? Perhaps it was due to one of Eva's performances where she wore a Knightly outfit, but that definitely opened the door for more trouble down the road.

With tensions eased Harry focused once more on the pair before him. Smiling warmly at the mention of one of his more personal songs being used for a Prom. He studied the kid before him, the ones he was with and suddenly it all clicked. ”One of my favorite songs, shame I couldn't play it for you live. Billy, did you say? You wouldn't happen to be Wanda's son would you? What could I do for you? Signature? Photo?” He asked as he pulled out a neon pink paint marker.

Val’s eyes widened, as a muscular young girl came forward with a gigantic sword, headed straight for her wife. She was a split second away from pulling up a shield around Eva and Harry, and making them all just disappear - just a split second away from falling back into her old routine, her old habits, just to make sure they all got out of there safe. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust her brother and wife to defend themselves - it was more that she never wanted to see them put in a position where they had to do so to begin with. But unlike the others, her anxiety didn’t fade as it was revealed that the kid was just a fan - she couldn’t shake off the adrenaline as easily, couldn’t just dismiss the dangers. She shifted uncomfortably, torn between standing back and letting the pop stars do their thing, or telling them that they needed to get moving, so they could get to their actual hotel and away from a group of unstable children with swords and powers.

Just a himbo, Davie’s voice whispered into the minds of the other three. He grinned a bit, hearing that the kid, Billy, had used the song Harry had made for him at prom. That was cute. Some of your best work, he then added privately to his husband. He didn’t want to take away from the moment of Harry and Eva meeting with their adoring fans. He knew how much joy his husband took from things like these - and while Davie wasn’t as shy as Valerie, the spotlight didn’t suit him the way it did Harry. His husband was absolutely dazzling.

“Thank you!!” Gideon gushed, staring at Eva’s signature on the sword. She was going to have to find a way to make that permanent. Or maybe just take a selfie with it like that. Or maybe the ghost inside her sword would do her a solid and make sure that it stayed. “This is so incredibly rad. You’re so incredibly rad. Can I take a picture with you? My ex-girlfriend is going to be so fucking jealous.”

Wiccan, of course, gasped as Harry knew him. Or, well, knew his mother. Sometimes he forgot that his mother was famous - to him, she was just a mom. “Yes, she’s my - I’m her - yes!” He was completely flustered. “Can I take a picture with you, and then I can conjure up a print of that picture, and you could sign that? Or you could sign my face? Whichever is easier!” he gushed.

”Ohh, I love making an ex jealous,” Eva said, laughing. She even had a song about it, another about watching an ex burn their life around themselves post break up. She had a lot of songs about messy relationships. Considering how long she had been with her wife, that was sort of funny these days. Eva took off her sunglasses so her face was fully visible for the photo. Careful of the sword she leaned in so Gideon could take a photo.

Harry couldn't help but chuckled at the completely exasperated teen. ”Couldn't you conjure a Polaroid then? Might be easier than conjuring a selfie taken with a phone.” He replied as he uncapped his marker, holding Billy's chin with one hand as he gently tilted it to make it easier to sign his cheek. His marker glided effortlessly across the cheek as he spoke. ”This way your selfie can have my signature in it as well, and of course I can sign the photo too.”

Gideon did not remove her glasses, as she took out her phone - a little awkwardly, the sword did require two hands - and snapped a selfie with Eva. She had a light sensitivity issue, the actual reason that she wore them indoors - that and she looked cool as hell doing it. Only cool people wore shades inside. Case in point, Eva fucking Moore wore shades indoors. “Sick, thank you!! And yeah, this is gonna make her so mad, she’s going to pop a vein or something,” she cackled. And if a certain brunette happened to see the photo on SuperLink and give it a like
 Well, that would be good too.

“Oh! Yeah! Retro! That’s such a good idea!” Billy almost hyperventilated as Harry touched his chin, tilting his face back a bit to sign. He couldn’t believe this was really happening!! Was he dreaming? Had he manifested this by accident with his powers? “You’re really supposed to be here, right? Like I didn’t make this happen?”
Hidden 24 days ago Post by BlueSky44
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BlueSky44 Tech Monkey

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Zelda Flynn

Location: the Sorcerer's Inn
Skills: N/A



"I don't really know," Zelda said with a bit of a shrug towards Diana when she had asked what she thought about the whole thing. Stuff like that just sort of happened. People lived and people died, it was just how things worked in the world. Even in a world of people with superpowers, aside from those who had the power to basically be immortal or something, death was kind of the one certain thing in the universe.

Of course, Mary Sue had basically tried to argue about Vision telling them the whole situation at the moment and right now. Well personally, she'd prefer to know now rather than wonder where Ser Nemo was in the long run. And Vision's response to it seemed to agree with her own thoughts on that matter. Better to rip the band aid off immediately. Not like the whole people dying thing hadn't come up with this group of people or whatever before anyway. Others were sort of just getting distracted by a few other things, but personally at the moment, she didn't overly seem to care one way or another what was going on over there at this point.



Zarina Raynordattir

Location: Kingston-Gray Residence
Skills: N/A



Zari eventually stepped through after everyone else, more or less just looking around the area as she went. The group was mentioning someone being dead, which she wasn't entirely sure who it was at first, but then it was mentioned that it was one of the coaches which was probably not a good thing. And now was the talk about Casper summoning up ghosts? Well, that probably would explain what happened to the dead person. Still this was not probably a good thing to be doing at this point honestly. But it might be a lot of fun to do, and a bit of an adventure.

"A seance sounds like it might be fun if you're alright with doing one," Zari said with a bit of a smile, as she followed along after the others a bit as they were being herded along to the actual building. Did it make her giggle slightly at the fact that James was very pointedly telling people that they couldn't summon ghosts in the front of the house? Definitely. It was a little odd to her, since for her it had only been a few months since Genosha, for them it had been a lot longer.
Hidden 23 days ago Post by Achronum
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Achronum The Pyro

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James sighed. “No one is summoning anything right now. You all have a physical in twenty minutes and you need to find your rooms. Danni, Dorian please help your friends follow Percy inside. We,” James gestured to the parents, with an unamused look at Casper. “Will discuss if a seance is within school regulations. For now, you all have a competition to focus on and if you want to participate, I recommend getting your things in your rooms as quickly as possible and getting back down here so we can take you to the Academy. Remember that this is mandatory and failing to show promptly could result in disqualification.” He directed sternly.

Danni hesitated as April abruptly hung up. Did he mess up again? Did he forget to think about how April was feeling? But he was offering to help. Wouldn’t talking to Poisson-Pas help? He didn’t understand why she was so upset and she hadn’t explained anything, just asked some cryptic question and then suddenly had to go. That wasn’t fair! He wanted to- Danni made a noise of protest as James plucked his phone out of his hand.

“Pops, no I need t’at! I don’t know why Princess was mad!” Danni pleaded, giving his best pleading face. James held out for all of two seconds before sighing and offering it back.

“One text. You’ll see her in just a little bit so you can talk it out there” Danni was texting before James finished talking, tongue stuck out in concentration.



Max nodded to Firestar as he took a step back from the portal. ”You have my contact information if anything. Oh, and do let me know if they're allowed a seance? It won't be till later anyways but it may help the children with closure and grief.” He said before closing the portal to California and turning around to focus on the group still standing on the front lawn. ”Casper you heard James, this can wait until later in which
yes I can arrange some outfits for everyone at the time of the seance. Until such time happens however, everyone should listen to James. We're running short on time and I doubt you all want to be disqualified simply due to tardiness Dorian, help Mr. Novikov out, he seems to be having issues with his key.”

Dorian was hovering over Danni's shoulder making sure he saw what was being said back. April had hung up so quickly he didn't know what to think. ”Maybe she ‘ad to go because a teach said so? If t'ey knew before us chances are no ones checked in yet so
could be she ‘ad to? I don't t'ink you said anyt'in’ wrong.” Dorian said trying to cheer Danni up. He went to grab his own phone to message his friends not present to ask if they were OK, but found it missing before looking towards his dad.

”Its indoors, where you should be.” Max said with a nod towards the door.

”Fiiiine. I just wanted to see if everyone was ok
” Dorian sulked before running over towards Percy at the door alongside Vicky and Zari. ”Won't work for me as I ‘ave a room ‘ere buuuut. Everyone go ahead and shake the ‘and on t'e door. It'll give you a key like what Perce ‘ere ‘as. T'e trail of magic leads you to your room.” He explained as he held Percy's free hand and began to lead him indoors. ”Let's go.”

Danni frowned at his phone and James's hand before offering it up quietly. James softened and pulled Danni in for a hug. “It's normal for people to be upset, kiddo. Just have some patience.” James told Danni. “You can have it back once everyone is settled in.”

Danni hugged his Pops back and sniffled with the effort it took to keep from crying. He got that but
 He shook himself off, picked up AmĂ©lie, and twirled with a smile on his face. He could deal with that later. “Maaaads, Zariiiii come oooooon! We gotta see your rooms!” Danni shouted, excitement quickly bubbling up inside him on command. He let AmĂ©lie scamper up on his shoulder and grabbed both their hands before hauling them towards the house. “Stop bein’ slowpokes!”

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Hidden 22 days ago Post by PatientBean
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PatientBean Hi, I'm Barbie. What's up?

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Sabine Bassard

Location: Bourbon Street, New Orleans - The Sorcerer's Inn
Skills: N/A
Fit Of The Day: Pink Fall Outfit





She was no better than a man.

She stared into Thuy's eyes finding herself going numb. What the hell was up with her? She should know better and not make bad choices. But damn did she want to make those choices....

Sabien looked around to see if Leah was nearby. Not because she was worried, but because she wanted to bring Leah in. When she didn't see her (was she still talking to April?) she returned her attention back to Thuy. "Well I am afraid that makes us rivals. I don't suppose you're willing to tell me all of your secrets for an edge?" Perhaps this could lead to something.

No, she was better than this. "Would that I could stand here and just take in your energy, but I should find my girlfriend. Perhaps we can reconvene later? Maybe after I kick your ass in the contest?"
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Hidden 21 days ago Post by Forsythe
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Forsythe Graf von Kaffeetrinken

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Location: The Kingston-Gray estate
Outfit: ASTRA Armor
Skills/Powers/Equipment: N/A

The place was growing more bizarre by the second. Victoria watched Percy... interact... with what in the stretchiest terms may be called a doorhandle, and retrieve a key that seemed to also work as a homing beacon. The whole scheme seemed to her convoluted for the sake of being convoluted, which... kind of explained a lot about some things about Danni and Dorian, considering they spend a bunch of time of their life here.

Still wary of what sort of reality defying magic could be hiding here despite the necklace working rather well so far, she approached the handle slowly and shook hands with the house. A key that looked older than the country appeared in her hand, just short of a few cobwebs on it. "Well... let's see, I guess." she said for herself, following behind the Dorian and Percy towing operation.

If Vicky was to be honest, a mop closet would do for her just as long as there was a power plug in it. She has never even visited another person's house, let alone stay for any longer time, and it was making her feel like she was intruding on holy ground. She felt like the walls were just exuding this pressure that wanted to push her back the way she came. It was probably just in her head, or maybe it was this magical mansion, but it left her feeling like she was shrinking, and it only intensified as she walked deeper into the house.

She finally reached a door the key was seemingly pointing her to, and, curiosity overpowering her shyness, unlocked it, unsure what to expect. What she saw wasn't any of the variants she imagined, but the more she thought of the scene in front of her, the more she saw the appeal. In front of her was what appeared to be an endless white void, with only a hanging chair that seemed to be built to handle more weight than one would usually expect, and a shelving unit to the side big enough to accommodate all of her armor pieces. "You know what? I like." she finally decided. She thought about how to name such a place, and a sanctum seemed appropriate.
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Hidden 21 days ago Post by Nallore
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Nallore RPG's Grope Master & Taco Hunter. :P

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Diana Novikova


Location: New Orleans - The Sorcerer's Inn
Current Outfit: Current Clothes
Skills: N/A





Diana nodded slightly she agreed with Zelda she still wasn't sure what to think about it, as she looked at everyone else that was in the lobby, Mary-Sue was talking to Vision, April was still in the bathroom, Leah had left the bathroom and wandered off somewhere else. Along with Sabine probably to her room or something, Gideon was busy with fangirling with Hulkling and Wiccan with Hary and Eva. "I'm gonna head up to my room and unpack my stuff, if you want to come with me." Diana said to Zelda as she looked over towards Vision. They weren't going to have any mentor, and she didn't really trust Vision since he was basically the mentor for the Young Avengers.

"Just let me know when we have to leave for the physicals." Diana said to Vision as she grabbed her things and started to make her way towards the room that she was given looking down at the room key that they were given. Diana started to wonder what everyone else was doing over at the Kingston-Grey residence and how her brother was doing. Diana still wasn't really talking to her brother, and he hadn't come to talk to her since their fight in her room. Diana was able to find room 4 putting her key in she unlocked the door picking the bed closest to the window tossing her suitcase and bag onto the bed.




Madalyne Crane


Location: The Kingston-Gray estate
Current Outfit: Current Clothes
Skills: N/A
Grimoire: N/A





Madalyne smiled and nodded towards Vicky. "Let me know if theres any trouble and i'll try and help." Madalyne said to Vicky, when she felt Danni practically grabbing her by the hand along with Zari she shook her head slightly. "I'm coming, i'm coming." Madalyne said as she held out her hand and a key appeared in her hand. She was led into the main entryway of the house, and the key slowly started to lead her down the hallway towards a door.

When she used the key to open the door it revealed a cozy little room with several book cases to read, a little couch at the foot of the bed and a rather comfy looking. A large red carpet covering most of the room and a hard wood floor to go with it as well to, it kind of reminded her of her own room back at her home.
Hidden 16 days ago Post by Morose
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Morose ✹Krakoan Princess✹

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@BlueSky44@Nallore@Trainerblue192@Achronum@PatientBean@Forsythe@Blizz@Kirah@Natsu
3:40 PM - Sun. December 12th, 2038 - New Orleans, Louisiana

@PatientBean: "A contest rookie, beating us? Big talk pretty girl. Hope you aren't too disappointed when I have you on your knees, all tied up like the present you are." Thuy laughed. "But why wait until after the contest? We could have a little fun tonight. You, me, your girlfriend, dinner and drinks and maybe a little more fun if the night takes us that way. I know you have curfew and all that jazz, but you won't be the only student out on the town." Thuy pressed another kiss against the inside of Sabine's wrist before letting it fall away.

"I typically hangout at Beach on Bourbon, so come see me if the two of you want to live a little." Thuy offered, one hand in her pocket as she stepped back and sauntered towards the opposite end of the hall. "And heads up rookie. If you're late to the exam, you're disqualified!"

@Blizz:

Leah's father tutted slightly, shaking his head. "Marya, I raised you better than that - snarling, really? So juvenile." He strolled calmly towards her, not a single weapon or piece of armor in sight. Perhaps he really was unarmed, defenseless. Perhaps this was all just a dramatic show, to emphasize how much power he had over her simply because she believed it to be true. Or maybe he really was the nightmare she feared - maybe the weapons and strategies he had at his disposal were ones she could not see, a trap threatening to spring at her first misstep.

"I had wanted to afford you a bit of dignity that this... charming hallway doesn't afford you, but I suppose you're quite low on that these days anyways," he chastised. "Very well. I've come here to tell you this - your silly game, dressing up and playing hero? You have only been able to play it because I have allowed it. You will complete this school year, work diligently in your course, and then you will come home. If you do not, there will not be a school to return to. Do I make myself clear?"

He smiled. "Good." He hadn't waited for her to respond. "Good luck with the competition, Marya. I expect nothing less than greatness from my child. I'll be watching." And then, as quickly as he had appeared, his form flickered and he vanished.







April Flynn

Location: Bourbon Street, New Orleans - the Sorcerer's Inn
Skills: N/A
Outfit: Khaki-Colored Work Jacket + Grey Tank + Light Wash Jeans + Combat Boots


April didn't look at her phone for a few minutes, even as she felt it vibrate with an incoming message. It was probably from Danni or Dorian. They were probably worried about her - not that their fears were unfounded. She'd been a danger to herself. Maybe she still was one, as she shook with tears in the bathroom stall of the hotel, a swirling black cloud occupying her brain, a self perpetuating storm of fear and self-hatred and guilt and grief. It was supposed to be a good day. She was supposed to be happy, excited. She was competing with her friends - with her very best friends - but instead everything felt so incredibly wrong. She wasn't where she was supposed to be. She wasn't who she was supposed to be.

When she looked in the mirror, she didn't recognize the face staring back.

Her hands felt like ice as she rubbed them against her eyes, her face already swollen and puffy. And as she got up the courage to take a peek at the message, her heart shattered.

Why did she run from the people who cared - from the people who mattered?

What was wrong with her?

"I'm... I'm sick," April whispered, a bit hesitantly. She stared at the screen of her phone, as if another message would appear - as if Danni would be able to reach out again, even with his phone taken away. She could only guess that was her fault too. "I'm sick and that's okay." Maybe she hadn't been ready to leave CAGE. Maybe she should have still been there. Maybe that was where she belonged.

Slowly, she started to type, deleting each message before even sending it:

I think I need help. I'm really struggling, and I'm scared.

You didn't do anything wrong! I'm just losing my mind.

Sorry I didn't want to scare you! I just hate that everyone is there but me. I'm jealous.

I'm in the bathroom at the Sorcerer's Inn. Can you come?

I think I need to go back to CAGE.

Everyone seems to hate me, and I think I hate me too.



And then -



And -



Maybe they liked Vicky more than her.

There was a gentle knock at the door to the women's bathroom. "Ms. Flynn?" the Vision called out softly. Her uncle, technically. Well, ex-uncle. She stiffened. As much as she knew she needed help, hearing an adult put her on edge, bringing all of her defenses online. Was the night at the pool about to play out again? She both did and did not want Vision to tell her that she was going to be taken to the hospital - that she wouldn't have to struggle against her own mind, that she could let the doctors and the nurses and the pills do it for her.

"We need to leave for your examination at Strange Academy momentarily," the Vision then paused. "Are you alright? My sensors indicate that you are in distress."

"I'm..." She could lie. She could tell him that she was fine. If she didn't lie, would he take her away? Would she watch everyone else compete in the contest without her from a medical ward? Would her parents pull her out of school? The thought of them made her nauseous. She never wanted to see them again. "I'm having a hard time," she admitted, her voice breaking.

"But... I'll be okay," she added. She didn't want to miss the examination. It was part of the agreement to participate in the contest - a moment where they could be checked to make sure that no one was trying to cheat, that no one had hired a super skrull to pretend to be them or were abusing mutant growth hormone to get ahead.

She took a deep breath, and dried her eyes on the sleeve of her coat, before unlocking the stall, and then opening the door to the woman's restroom to face the Vision.

April avoided eye contact with him for a moment - and when she got the courage to meet his expression, it was surprisingly tender for a robot. Was he pitying her, seeing the familial curse play out once more? She had never really interacted with him - he didn't teach any of her courses, and she had never been picked for his team for the Contest of Champions. He was a stranger, the ex-husband to an aunt that April had never really known.

"You're not alone, Ms. Flynn," the Vision said gently. "Remember that."

They did not speak, as April returned with Vision back to the lobby, where only a few remained - The Young Avengers, Gideon, her sister, and... April's jaw dropped.

"What the fuck?!" she stage whispered, her eyes wide. Evanthe Moore and Harry Simmons?! They were both just... just casually here in the hotel?! It wasn't even a particularly nice hotel, it was one of the cheapest ones on Bourbon Street - that was part of the entire reason why they could afford to stay here, after all. The school wasn't paying for the rooms. Her brain short-circuited, the intense feelings of sadness and self-loathing and fear and insecurity vanishing for a moment, replaced with starstruck awe.

"Language, Ms. Flynn," the Vision chided. He then blinked, and text messages would appear on the phones of all of his charges: Please proceed to the lobby. We must depart for your examination or you will risk disqualification.

Percy Novikov

Location: New Orleans - Kingston-Gray Residence
Skills: N/A
Outfit: Dorian Approved Outfit #2 - Sunglasses, Flannel, Skinny Jeans


Casper tilted his head slightly, a little perplexed. He could have sworn there was something going on between Andy and Zari, but technopath hadn't made a single move to go off after Andy. It wasn't something he could relate at all to - even in his own marriage, he whined a bit every time James went into a different room. He still "pretended" to be bad at pool and other activities, just for an excuse to get his husband to put his arms around him and guide his hands. The honeymoon phase had never really ended for him - so whatever was going on with the little lesbians, it was... He just couldn't understand it.

It was so confusing that he completely missed his husband's slight irritation, still trying to figure out what was going on between Andy and Zari. Had it been another set of tiny girls on Genosha he was thinking about? Was he mistaking them for Sunshine and Marrow? Where were Sunshine and Marrow, anyways - weren't they coming to see their nephews compete? He spun around on his heel, trying to see if there were any half-feral adults breaking into the house, as was their custom, but he didn't spot anyone. And as he finished his spin, he did catch his own name. "What?"

He replayed what Max had said. Casper you heard James, this can wait until later. But what had James said? He furrowed his eyebrows, concentrating as much as he could. Max went on to talk about the seance. So it must have been that James didn't want the seance to happen now. Or did he even want it to happen at all? Was he not supposed to summon ghosts for children? Was James worried that the kids would be scared of the ghost of their dead teacher? Casper had been terrified of ghosts as a kid - and as an adult, too, well into his thirties. "... Right. No summoning ghosts on the lawn... Or before dinner," he said very sagely, nodding his head.

He wished Ben was here - he was always so much better than him at paying attention to things.

He then gasped slightly. Ben was here. Casper then desperately tried to capture his eye, hoping his ex-service ghost could give him a brief rundown on what he had missed while he was... What had he been doing, again? What had distracted him? He couldn't remember. It had been important, right? Right? It had something to do with... He had no idea.

Meanwhile, the portal to California had finally closed, after Firestar had promised to send Max a text as soon as she found out if a seance was okay - ordinarily, she would have consulted with Lady Nimue, the magic professor, on this but with her off in Otherworld after Nemo's passing... Firestar was going to have to spend some time combing through the teacher handbooks and pray that there was a mention on whether or not students were allowed to commune with the dead.

As for Percy... He turned a faint shade of pink as one of Dorian's fathers remarked that he was having issues with his key. All of this magic, it was very new to him. He didn't understand it. He didn't intuitively know what he was supposed to do with a glowing key, and his lack of knowledge being advertised by Dorian's father made his skin crawl with a bit of shame - shame that compounded on top of the fact that another one of the parents knew that he had been extremely hungover. He'd barely said a word to them and already, he was messing it all up. He just wanted Dorian's family to like him - to make a good impression for his boyfriend's sake. A few months ago, he would have bitten back with a snarky comment, likely snapping that he wasn't having issues with his key, that he was having issues with the over zealous use of magic - that there was no reason to use a magical system to find a room, instead of just telling people where they were.

But he'd changed since then.

Instead of lashing out a bit to hide his insecurity, Percy sat with it. He was both grateful and embarrassed as Dorian took his hand, and guided him into the house, and along the glowing path lit by the key. Once the door opened, though, his eyes narrowed in confusion. "Is this... supposed to look like your half of the dorm room?" he asked. It was like a carbon copy of Dorian and Danni's room at Avengers Academy, only with Danni's space mysteriously missing, as if it had never been there. The same decorations were up on the wall, the same bedding on the bed - even the same nicks in the desk, worn in there by either Dorian or some student before him.

It was a magic house.

His eyes widened, as a deeper blush hit his features. "Dorian... Are these rooms enchanted beyond the keys?" Agatha had told him on the first day of school that he was hopelessly in love with him. Was the house saying the same thing? Or was this a mind game from Mr. Gray, a way to let Percy know that he knew how obsessed he'd become with his son? Or was this just Dorian's room, and the key had made a mistake? He wouldn't have been entirely surprised if his boyfriend had recreated his room at home at school.

Percy was still feeling flustered as he put his bag down - not on the bed, of course, he didn't want to let the dirt from the suitcase's wheel touch the sheets - and stared around the room for a moment. It made him feel strangely calm. He didn't know how to examine that feeling - didn't know what to do with it, instead turning his gaze to meet his boyfriend's eyes - and in the moment, that sense of peace spread all the way across him.

Agatha had been right, of course.

He was hopelessly in love with Dorian Gray.

He leaned forward and kissed him gently, softly.

Meanwhile, Ben and Casper were both still out on the lawn, as Danni hauled the stragglers into the house. Ben let out somewhat of a sigh of relief, all of the children finally sorted. It had taken a shockingly long time to get everyone inside. He walked up to his husband, and propped his chin on Max's shoulder for a moment. "You're going to have to open up portals beneath their feet to get them anywhere on time," he murmured. Danni and Dorian were already enough of a handful. But at least most of the time, they weren't outnumbered. And now they were. Three adults and Casper against six children. "Are we allowed to use those backpack leashes? Or one of those long ropes they use to escort a group of preschoolers around with?"

"Beeeeeen we can't put kids on leashes that's inappropriate!" Casper chided.

"Not those kind of leashes, Casper."

Moments later, the lawn of the Kingston-Gray residence was finally empty, as the adults - and Casper - reentered their home.
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Hidden 16 days ago Post by Blizz
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Blizz Grand Chancellor Supreme of the Wizard Council

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Leah Jordan

Location: New Orleans
Gear:
Skills:





Her teeth clenched together tight enough to snap a man's leg. She noticed him doing that thing shitty parents did where they wanted one thing, then pulled back to guilt trip a kid when the kid refused. Fine, I'll do it myself, and other sniveling little gaslights. Or was he actually doing that at all? Imperator- She refused to think of him as dad- He might've worded things that way just to instill the thought in Leah, and it worked. But Leah wasn't the same person she was four years ago. She didn't even have the same face anymore. Leah was different now, she wasn't scared of him. No, not at all. She was just scared of what he could do. The things he did to people just for looking at him funny, the world leaders he could assassinate at any moment.

He’s not a fire or a robbery, he’s a fucking invasion, an atomic bomb falling right on your head. She told the therapist that, the day she went there. It was true, as far as she was concerned. And he didn't seem to care that she was stronger. Imperator was always cocky like that, and seeing it again not made Leah's blood boil up until it was ready to burst from her veins. He mocked her.

Back when Agatha had first told her that he'd survived the collapse, a feeling had been nagging at her. The feeling that she was right, that he hadn't once taken his eyes off of her. That there wasn't a single lapse in his intel on where Leah had gone. He was showing that to be the case, and he had his reasons. He always did.

She found herself straining to stand still and not tear his fucking throat out. A person could only handle themselves so much. There was a breaking point for every sapient creature to ever exist, Leah considered herself to have one that was so far into the metaphorical weeds that she didn't know it even existed. But that breaking point wasn't always someone snapping, having a breakdown and going to CAGE for self-harm. That breaking point was sometimes a person's patience. People could only handle so much bullshit. Leah was nearly out of patience with him.

"You want to try and fucking stop me?" She growled. And it was an honest-to-god growl. A snarl as much as it was human speech. "You might be fast than me, but I only need to hit you once." Leah was speaking unusually quick. She was on edge even if she thought she could take him out in one swing. Of course, it was never that easy, but she REFUSED to be in his shadow again.

But, of course, there was his millionth trick up his sleeve. The school.

The one she tried her best for so long to not be attached to. The one she thought she'd just coast through and walk away from not remember the name in a month. The one April and Sabine called home.

Andy. Vicky. She didn't consider Dorian and Danni friends, but they were good to April.

He'd consign it all to oblivion if he got bored, he chose not to. Because she was there. Did he think the place could actually teach her something important, that he couldn't? That couldn't be, he was the closest thing to fucking omnipotent a mutant could usually reach. It was a callous, idiotic mistake to let a building mean something to her. Leah's heart skipped a beat, and then it banged against her ribs like a hammer.

All he had to do was snap his fingers, press a button, or email some dictator in another country. Doing that, he rain holy hell from the sky in the form of nuclear bombs, or maybe he'd just set the place on fire. Leah could never tell which he'd be more likely to choose.

"You know what happens when people I care about die." And he likely learned a lesson in the last time it happened: Do it from further away.

Imperator wanted her to come home. Back to the old life. Back to Arizona, that fucking hole in the ground.

And in hearing that, the weeds were parted, scythed away and burnt to ash. Leah's fist went out faster than a bolt of lightning. She might've hit Andy square in the nose with that, or cracked Thor's jaw, but all she hit was empty air. He fucking vanished. Of course he knew she'd try that, before she knew she would. Her hand stayed there where his skull should've been, taking stock of reality.

He was there. He was right in front of me. I missed him.

Leah felt the white noise of the hotel go mute. It was just her and her thoughts. And those thoughts were like water from the North Pole, because they made her feel numb. He was in her reach...

Her chest started to do that thing it did when she didn't feel right. It jittered, like she was cold or like she'd been electrocuted. It made her breath shorten, and come and go quicker than was normal. That was strange, and not just because she felt like she could breath in entire clouds after the Andy situation.

He didn't say anything about what she'd turned into. He didn't even have to fight her.

"No. Come back here, you- You fucking piece of shit... We're- We're not done- No...

She teetered towards a wall, and for the first time since she was eight, tears fell down her face.



Leah slumped down, feeling the sting of tears in her eyes. She clawed at her face as if that would stop the waterworks. It didn’t, but it just smeared it all over her hands and face. She looked like a madwoman, gasping for air and sobbing like a toddler, with her hands trying to tear out whatever part of her eyes were responsible for this.

Leah was a fighter. She was a mountain in form a teenager, inscrutable and unmovable. There was pride in being the last one standing, the one who endures the worst the world had to offer and says No, you move. That was Leah’s way of reckoning with the universe.

Right now, she felt pretty damn fragile.

It was happening again, history not quite repeating by echoing all the same. Family that she confided in, murdered without a second thought by a walking nightmare. What was she thinking?

Mayra had died when she flew into the air. Leah came back down to Earth in another state, but no matter how far she went, no matter how high she built herself up, that scared girl was still there. It wasn’t something she could just tear out with her bare hands, strong as they were. It wasn’t enough to stick it behind bravery and a new name, behind walls of stone and sheer willpower to carry on.

Nothing felt like enough.

There were bugs crawling underneath Leah’s skin. The tears wouldn’t stop, they were streaming down her shirt. Her hair was getting wet at the ends, but she didn’t feel like parting it from her face.

Someone could’ve walked by and saw her like this. But Imperator did something to her by appearing and disappearing. He won a battle Leah couldn’t fight, and left her this way. The most dangerous thing she’d ever had to deal with was her own fucking thick skull. He knew that. She was his daughter, after all.

Precious moments went by, where Leah sat there on the floor blubbering like a newborn. Her eyes were bloodshot, orange where a normal human’s would’ve been red. Her face felt like she wakes through a sauna.

Leah didn’t feel like standing.

She felt like screaming. Burying this entire hotel, and there city around it, a mile beneath the planet’s surface just to tell herself that there was no possible way that devil of a man could find her again. It wouldn’t even be that hard, she could just snap the bedrock a stomp of her foot.

She wanted peace. She needed it, and she could only have it if the walls were intact. Walls that Leah needed in the same way April needed her brothers. The same way Andy needed someone’s soul. This wasn’t her.

For a moment, Leah wondered if she could’ve just stayed at the hotel while her team went to the contest. She would be disqualified, but that wasn’t a concern. Besides, Leah dreaded having to fight Sabine. Not just because they were dating, but because Sabine was scary in her own ways. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad, if she’d just gave in to that voice in the back of her skull that told her to tap out. It felt so damn tiring at times, the thought of not bothering for once was enticing.

That thought passed when her phone went off.

It was a message from Vision. They had to do the medical thing soon. Leah hated stuff like that, but she was distracted by this. It didn’t sit right with her that Vision could just hack her phone. It was probably nothing to fuss over. Still, it felt weird when some guy who was maybe 40 in human years could just do that.

Deep breath in.

Deep breath out.

The mountain was very much moved by the wind this time. But Leah had to go back out there and put her stern face back on again. The thought of being seen feeling sorry for herself would’ve made her sick. April and Sabine would’ve-

”
Sabine.”

Leah clutched her phone in both hands, completely ignoring the fact that she’d just put a crack in the screen with that movement alone. Her hands were bigger now, flying across the screen with enough force that someone on the other end of the hall might have heard the sound of her typing messages.

She pulled up the old group chat they had made.



It wasn’t a rational course of action but it was was the sort of thing that Leah’s current mindset made possible. She wasn’t the young superhero Jotunn right now, and when the numerous messages she fired off in less than ten seconds, to a group chat no one used anymore, Leah scrambled to her feet and bolted.

Her feet were like blows of a hammer, it was hard to miss the sound of Leah storming down the hallways in a half-senseless frenzy. Wherever she had ended up, there hadn’t been people to stop and ask for directions. She didn’t pass anyone on the way back and she didn’t know if this even was the way back. She didn’t know if Vision could secretly read the messages on her phone, she didn’t even know if Sabine was alive.

April could’ve been in that position too. There were starving predators that ran slower than she was running. He might’ve killed her just to remind Leah that she’d always lose.

It was a maze, Leah had to wonder if Imperator stole a fucking spellbook and put her in some Lotus Eater shit. Thankfully, it was just the way this damn building was constructed. She rounded a corner like a bat out of Limbo, and locked eyes with Sabine.

She was alive. There was some other girl there holding her hand- A detail that Leah paid little mind to. She ran so fast that she was still short on breath. Leah towered over both of them, making absolute zero effort to conceal the murderous, outright desperate madness on her face.

One of them was okay.

Good.

”Did he hurt you?”
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Hidden 14 days ago Post by Forsythe
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Forsythe Graf von Kaffeetrinken

Member Seen 21 min ago


Location: The Kingston-Gray estate
Outfit:
Skills/Powers/Equipment: N/A

Wasting no time, Victoria started taking off her armor and shelving it. The others were supposed to go to Strange academy for medical checkups, and she could hitch a ride... Or poral or whatever... With the rest. She had a different destination in mind though. Checking the time, she figured any classes at SA were likely to be over by now.

Fishing the letter she started writing prior to her vacation at C.A.G.E., she wondered if it would still act as a communications medium. Well, no reason to not try. She clicked her pen open and wrote below where Agatha's response appeared before.

Good afternoon Professor,

If you are free to talk, I can arrive to the Academy with the contestants. Also, I should let you know there's others who want to visit you, but if it's fine with you, I'd rather discuss what I want to discuss in private.

With regards,

Victoria van Dyne


Madalyne would find time to Visit Agatha no doubt, but knowing Leah, Victoria bet that the woman has already forgotten they talked about her visiting also. Checking that she still had the pictures from Leah's CAT scan saved, Victoria checked the letter for any response before making her way to the estate's entrance, shuddering to think through what means they were to travel to the Academy. Did nobody just take a cab anymore?
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Hidden 13 days ago Post by Kirah
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Kirah Dragonbunny

Member Seen 0-24 hrs ago







Location: Home <3 -> Kingston-Gray Residence (front porch)
Skills: Enhanced Reflexes (Passive)





“Now, I do not wish to keep you from your friends. I do, however, have a standing invitation from the Kingston-Grays for dinner. I expect to see you then - perhaps without a seventeen year long absence this time.”

Andy had enjoyed the rest of her tea and the conversation with her father. Her father. Her worries, while still present, took a back seat. She felt more relaxed than she had in years, even her constant fidgeting had slowed down some. They had plans, she’d come home for the holidays. They had exchanged numbers.

Andy didn’t mention what Selene had said to her when she handed her over to Max. Didn’t want to dwell on it, because really how was the curse any different than what her life had been. She would be worried it would all fall apart even if Selene hadn’t done that.

”Thank you. I’ll be there.” She hugged him and headed over to the Kingston-Gray household. Her bag was still sitting where she left it. Andy picked it up.

She looked at the house, uncertain which side of the building she was supposed to go into. Eventually she just picked the one closer to Magneto’s house. Andy knocked on the door. Uncertain if she should just come in or what.

A brass door knocker that looked like a chubby gargoyle began to come to life. Its nose twitching as its mouth began to scrunch before a loud yawn was let out. It smacked its lips, eyes looking around until they looked down and saw Andy standing there. A rough gruff coming out before a deep voice began to speak. “Who is it that stands before me? So that I may announce thee?”

”Andy,” she said, sounding a bit confused. She had not expected the door knocker to talk.

“Andy. Andy?! Andy! Andy who? How am I to announce you child, if you I know not if you try to beguile? If it is entry that you seek, then your full name you must speak?” The Brass knocker said with a bit of sass.

Andy blinked. This was weird. Even for Max this was weird. ”Fine, my name is Andy Drummond Gallio-Lensherr. Happy? Most people just hear the door being knocked on and come and answer it.” She looked around trying to see if there was a doorbell instead.

The knockers mouth scrunched once again, pensive as it stared at the young girl before him. “Andy Lensherr? The girl who time lost. Through this threshold you may cross. But know first you need a key, for which I give to you with glee.” The knockers mouth closed once more, movement happening within its mouth before it spat out a skeleton key at her.

”Uh, thanks.” Andy looked at the key that the door knocker had given her. She wanted to ask why she had been given a key, but the door knocker seemed to have gone back to sleep. Was she supposed to use it to unlock the door? Was it hers to keep, or was it just for the next few days?
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Hidden 12 days ago 12 days ago Post by Achronum
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Achronum The Pyro

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Danny Kingston

Location: Kingston-Gray House
Skills: N/A



“Oooookay! Everyone’s in and gettin’ settled and now I got a whittle dragon t’at needs some attention!” Danni cheered as the door shut and the others scrambled upstairs. He scooped up Amelie, giggling at her little screech before pressing a flurry of kisses on her head. Danni loved his little girl and although he had her for less than a semester, he would burn himself and everything else around him if anything was to happen to her. Amelie gave a happy little chirp as he smothered her, swinging her around and bouncing her, before pausing as Vicky came back downstairs. Amelie gently headbutt him in protest. “‘Eeeeeeeeey, ‘ow’s t’e room? Tell me all about it! I wanna know! Can we ‘an’ out in it, or is it like, real personal? I don’t really know ‘ow Pa made t’em cause we ‘aven’t ‘ad t’is many people over wit’out bein’ broken into, ya know? Are t’ey totally customized or like, super basic?” Danni asked as Amelie wriggled in his arms, huffed a cloud of smoke in protest, and climbed him, propping herself up in his shoulder and batting at his chest with her tail.

“Yes, yes. I’m sorry. You deserve all t’e attention.” Danni cooed, resuming bouncing her around. Danni perked up as the door knocker spoke, giggling at the silly thing. Danni couldn’t remember why Pa had dreamt it up, but it was so fun for Danni to mess with the old thing. It got so flustered and blustered so easily, how could he not?!

“Danni, can you answer the door? Andy still needs to get settled before we head over.” James called from the kitchen.

“Ooooookie dokie!” Danni sang, skipping over to the door and throwing it open. “ ‘eeeey, girlie! Welcome ta t’e ‘ouse! ‘Ope old man Erik wasn’t too grumpy today, ‘cause sometimes ‘e’s a little spicy. But quick, quick we’re gunna be late if ya wait too long! We got a portal opening in like
 idk, 30 seconds or somet’in’ ‘cause we can’t be late or we get disqualified! Plus you get a super personal room! Or a super bland one! Vicky ‘asn’t told me yet but I wanna know!”
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