Max nodded at Lance's statement.
”Man has it been two months already? Mardi Gras was the last thing I did before coming here to Xavier's. Bit of a…farewell party really. It was amazing! Bourbon street alone is a sight to see, though I'm not sure why we're discussing this when there's a more pressing issue at hand.” He said as Klara responded to Annie's guess as to why the two Asgardians were presently here at the mansion. Pietro seemed to want to get the ball rolling, but then again that didn't surprise Max one bit. That speedster seemed to always be on the run, and slugging down a meeting wasn't any exception. Cyclops and Jean entered the room, and it felt so odd seeing them.
Max had viewed them so many times on television, in the news, and back then he revered them both. All of the X-Men really. But now he'd seen other sides to the mutant struggle, sides he hadn't seen the X-men take interest in and it gave him conflicting feelings upon seeing the pair in the flesh. Their explanation didn't do much to ease that feeling in his stomach. Between the mention of Mary having a mental issue as well as mention of the Hellfire Club, a group he had formally aligned himself with and some members who he's personally seen grow into better people, it felt odd. But the idea of Mary holding a psychotic alternate ego (especially if it was anything like her twin) while wielding the power of the Phoenix, it sounded catastrophic.
Already Max's mind was turning, looking for a solution or way to help when suddenly all gears ground to a halt. New Orleans? Mary was in New Orleans?! His home, his family, it was all there at the fingertips of a psychotic space entity of enormous power?! Max suddenly felt very cold at the thought of his family being in danger. Without thought, and with well practiced motions, Max summoned his soul staff and pointed it at the center of the room. His magic flowing through him and towards the point as a Portal ripped open in the space between them all.
”I have an idea where Mary might be in New Orleans. Especially if she contacted Gambit. But right now, my families in danger and I need to get them to safety before Mary levels my town.” Max stepped through the portal, into a dark green room with wooden paneling and bookshelves lining the walls. Everything seemed antique (a simple enough thing when you could create all of your house decor). It definitely appeared as though it was the residence of a centuries old wizard, yet still holding onto that New Orleans charm and magic the house carried.
”Babe! Casper! James! We’ve got trouble!”The radio played a quiet song as James hummed along, content to catch up on chores while Danni sat in his little play chair nearby. Transitioning from Genosha to here hadn't been easy and he wouldn't say that he was comfortable; his time in the Underground probably ruined that for him forever, but it was somewhere that he could keep his little family safe. James couldn’t help the smile, thinking of his husband’s bed head this morning. Obnoxiously cute and he couldn't resist a photo to add to his folder of things he found endearing about his husband. Since moving to New Orleans, he took five or six a day. Kept him anchored when his mind began to slip back to…
James sighed as he heard Max shout into the room. Probably another poor mutant from Asteroid M. He'd never turn anyone away, but he did want a nice day with his husband and his evening that he'd planned out was in very real danger. He wanted to spoil his husband tonight.
[color=newspringggreen]“Well, let's go see what your Uncle needs fixed up, huh?”[/color] James asked Danni, drying his hands after he put the last of dishes in the drying rack, tossing the dish towel over his shoulder, and picking Danni up and settling him on his hip.
[color=newspringgreen]“Welcome back, dude. Didn't expect to see you so soon. What's going- ”[/color] James asked after he came around the corner, pausing as he looked past Max into the portal. [color=newspringgreen] “Shiiiiii- Stuff better be hitting the fan, Max. Otherwise, that portal needs to close.”[/color]
”James! Thank god you guys are alright. I know, I know, the mansion is the last place any of you want to see after…well…everything. But this is bad man. Selene level bad. An ancient force of magic and destruction has just touched down in New Orleans and I need you guys to get to safety. I dont care if it's New York, Kamar Taj, or a day trip to Disneyland Paris, so long as I know you're away and safe that's all that matters. But I cannot fight this threat and worry about your lives at the same time.”Casper had been deep in his beauty routine - something that was evolving more and more since the aftermath of Genosha, his skin care regimen consisting of seven different steps and his ever-changing makeup including at least six. Today, he had gone for a vivid red eyeshadow with a faint shimmer, sharply contrasting against his pale complexion. He hadn’t completely finished, however, when he heard a familiar scream.
”Awww, Maxi-Pad, you don’t need to make up an emergency because you miss me!” Casper gushed, shutting the bathroom door behind him, dressed in a pink fluffy robe with matching slippers.
”If you’re not careful, you’re going to – ….”He stared past Max, gazing into the portal - gazing into the halls of his father’s school. His breath came quicker, his hands started to shake, and a burning need filled him, as memories ripped through his mind - of the mausoleum, just off the grounds. Of the night Xavier had locked him inside. He needed a drink he needed something
stronger than a drink he needed…
Casper took a breath.
He hadn’t really processed a word Max had said.
He knew where in New Orleans to go to get what he needed. He’d just grab something from the house, pawn it on the way - he just needed cash - maybe one of the antiques from the living room, one of the things Max had picked up along his travels?
Casper clenched his sweaty palms.
”... is he coming?” he croaked out.
A second later, the front door was flung open - not by a hand, but by a strange tentacle, sprouting from the chest of Ben, Max’s partner. Strapped to his back in a backpack was a baby - little Dorian Gray, Max and Ben’s son. “Max! What’s going on?” Ben asked, scanning the room for threats, his tentacles constantly moving in a very clear message:
no one fuck with my son. When his eyes settled on the portal, Ben didn’t immediately recognize the surroundings - he hadn’t been to Xavier’s school - but he knew what line of work Max had chosen. It wasn’t too hard to put it together.
Max slowly approached Casper. Arms slightly out but at his sides as he went to take one of his in hand in an attempt to comfort him while he spoke.
”He isn't coming, he's not even in the room. I wouldn't have left this open if he was. I wouldn't do that to you Casper…you look beautiful by the way, love the new shimmering red.” He looked over towards Ben, trying to find the best way to answer him without having to repeat too much.
”Someone's become the host to a powerful force of destruction. For one reason or another they've been slipping and can't hold it off for much longer. We last attacked them here, to New Orleans. I need so take you guys somewhere safe. Somewhere far far away from here. Pick a destination and it's yours.” Max's voice was torn, the weight of his family being in danger hanging heavily on him as he tried to memorize the features on all their faces as if it may be his last time seeing them.
