Achronum

Avengers Academy: Junior Year 💥

James Kingston

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James Kingston

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Character Overview

Name: James Daniel Kingston
Alias: Caduceus
Age: 42 (still looks mid 20s)
Gender: Male
Powers: James is an omega level mutant. His powers manifested at age 14.

• Omega Healing Factor - James's healing factor allows him to heal anything shy of death. He is capable of transferring this to another individual, but must maintain contact through the process. He's honed this power himself and with Dr. Sinister during his time on Genosha when trying to work to unfreeze the Mutant Underground. His control over it allows him to understand most issues in a person's body.
• Reactive Adapability - James's body automatically changes to external environments and threats. His internals do not!

Personality Traits:
Patient ~ Protective ~ Affectionate ~ Reserved ~ Stubborn ~ Optimistic

Summary:
Born in Oregon, James grew up in a single father household. Some of his favorite memories are summers that smell liked like oil and grease, stains on his clothes, working with his Pops in his mechanic shop. When his powers manifested, he kept them hidden for fear of anti-mutant extremism and instead reckless experimented with the limits of that power. It wasn't until he met his first mutant friends, Max and Sunshine, that he learned it wasn't actually a terrible thing and that he was deserving of being cared for despite it.

During his time with the Mutant Underground (his so called friends instantly forcing him to flee from society), James formed an inseparable friendship with Max and Ben and found the love of his life, Casper. Although on the bad path, James fell in love with the kind and affectionate goof underneath the drugs and the fear and decided in the wake of the Mutant Underground and the destruction of Genoshia to raise a family together. Since their relocation to New Orleans, James has been steadily investing and purchasing business and land in the French Quarter to create a quiet replica of their home on Genosha so that his family would never have to suffer like that again.

Extras:
James Kingston
James runs an underground clinic that takes anyone.
James keeps the family at whatever age they want to be.

Avengers Academy: Junior Year 💥

Peadrus Neacal Macleod

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Peadrus Neacal Macleod

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Character Overview

Name: Peadrus Neacal Macleod
Alias: Nicholas
Age: 614
Gender: Male
Powers: Nicholas is a mutant and a witch.

• Illusion Magic - Nicholas weaves illusions in the physical world, misdirecting and misleading those who would persecute them.

Personality Traits:
Aloof ~ intelligent ~ Observant ~ Judgmental ~ Self-Serving ~ Patient

Summary:

The Macleod twins are relics of a time long gone, born in the 15th century. Growing up in a secluded village a few days travel south of Forres, it wasn't until they past their first century when they experienced the first taste of religious extremism a d watched their village and their people burn in its rancor. They fled Scotland for the New World after that, leaving behind what few survivors there were forever.

From there, Nicholas and his brother, Barty, were always on the move and rarely set down roots for long than a few decades at a time. The longest they stayed somewhere was New Orleans during the 1800s and when their lover tried to kill them after revealing themselves to be the descendant of an enemy they'd made at the end of the 16th century, the twins adopted an even more nomadic lifestyle and numbed themselves in a haze of sex and drugs.

However, they found themselves back in New Orleans nearly two centuries later when the rumors of a school for the strange, supernatural, and magical was founded and flourished. They enrolled and even though they'd not know a moment of peace in nearly 5 centuries, they hoped this would be different.

Extras:

• Link to Nicholas's Strange Academy Sheet

James Kingston

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James Kingston

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Character Overview

Name: James Daniel Kingston
Alias: Caduceus
Age: 42 (still looks mid 20s)
Gender: Male
Powers: James is an omega level mutant. His powers manifested at age 14.

• Omega Healing Factor - James's healing factor allows him to heal anything shy of death. He is capable of transferring this to another individual, but must maintain contact through the process. He's honed this power himself and with Dr. Sinister during his time on Genosha when trying to work to unfreeze the Mutant Underground. His control over it allows him to understand most issues in a person's body.
• Reactive Adapability - James's body automatically changes to external environments and threats. His internals do not!

Personality Traits:
Patient ~ Protective ~ Affectionate ~ Reserved ~ Stubborn ~ Optimistic

Summary:
Born in Oregon, James grew up in a single father household. Some of his favorite memories are summers that smell liked like oil and grease, stains on his clothes, working with his Pops in his mechanic shop. When his powers manifested, he kept them hidden for fear of anti-mutant extremism and instead reckless experimented with the limits of that power. It wasn't until he met his first mutant friends, Max and Sunshine, that he learned it wasn't actually a terrible thing and that he was deserving of being cared for despite it.

During his time with the Mutant Underground (his so called friends instantly forcing him to flee from society), James formed an inseparable friendship with Max and Ben and found the love of his life, Casper. Although on the bad path, James fell in love with the kind and affectionate goof underneath the drugs and the fear and decided in the wake of the Mutant Underground and the destruction of Genoshia to raise a family together. Since their relocation to New Orleans, James has been steadily investing and purchasing business and land in the French Quarter to create a quiet replica of their home on Genosha so that his family would never have to suffer like that again.

Extras:
James Kingston
James runs an underground clinic that takes anyone.
James keeps the family at whatever age they want to be.

Avengers Academy: Junior Year 💥

@Morose Here is my SA NPC sheet!

Peadrus Neacal Macleod

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Peadrus Neacal Macleod

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Character Overview

Name: Peadrus Neacal Macleod
Alias: Nicholas
Age: 614
Gender: Male
Powers: Nicholas is a mutant and a witch.

• Illusion Magic - Nicholas weaves illusions in the physical world, misdirecting and misleading those who would persecute them.

Personality Traits:
Aloof ~ intelligent ~ Observant ~ Judgmental ~ Self-Serving ~ Patient

Summary:

The Macleod twins are relics of a time long gone, born in the 15th century. Growing up in a secluded village a few days travel south of Forres, it wasn't until they past their first century when they experienced the first taste of religious extremism a d watched their village and their people burn in its rancor. They fled Scotland for the New World after that, leaving behind what few survivors there were forever.

From there, Nicholas and his brother, Barty, were always on the move and rarely set down roots for long than a few decades at a time. The longest they stayed somewhere was New Orleans during the 1800s and when their lover tried to kill them after revealing themselves to be the descendant of an enemy they'd made at the end of the 16th century, the twins adopted an even more nomadic lifestyle and numbed themselves in a haze of sex and drugs.

However, they found themselves back in New Orleans nearly two centuries later when the rumors of a school for the strange, supernatural, and magical was founded and flourished. They enrolled and even though they'd not know a moment of peace in nearly 5 centuries, they hoped this would be different.

Extras:

• Link to Nicholas's Strange Academy Sheet

Testing well everything!

Peadrus Neacal Macleod

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Peadrus Neacal Macleod

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Character Overview

Name: Peadrus Neacal Macleod
Alias: Nicholas
Age: 614
Gender: Male
Powers: Nicholas is a mutant and a witch.

• Illusion Magic - Nicholas weaves illusions in the physical world, misdirecting and misleading those who would persecute them.

Personality Traits:
Aloof ~ intelligent ~ Observant ~ Judgmental ~ Self-Serving ~ Patient

Summary:

The Macleod twins are relics of a time long gone, born in the 15th century. Growing up in a secluded village a few days travel south of Forres, it wasn't until they past their first century when they experienced the first taste of religious extremism a d watched their village and their people burn in its rancor. They fled Scotland for the New World after that, leaving behind what few survivors there were forever.

From there, Nicholas and his brother, Barty, were always on the move and rarely set down roots for long than a few decades at a time. The longest they stayed somewhere was New Orleans during the 1800s and when their lover tried to kill them after revealing themselves to be the descendant of an enemy they'd made at the end of the 16th century, the twins adopted an even more nomadic lifestyle and numbed themselves in a haze of sex and drugs.

However, they found themselves back in New Orleans nearly two centuries later when the rumors of a school for the strange, supernatural, and magical was founded and flourished. They enrolled and even though they'd not know a moment of peace in nearly 5 centuries, they hoped this would be different.

Extras:

• Link to Nicholas's Strange Academy Sheet

Avengers Academy: Junior Year 💥

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Location: Outside Kingston-Gray House
Skills: Omega Healing Factor

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James chuckled as Casper promptly ignored everything and tackled the shocking part of everything: Andy and Zari. They hadn't been with them long truly, but the Mutant Underground was family. At least, he'd considered them family so their abrupt disappearance after everything they'd been through together was frustrating. And now? He was just happy they were back where they were supposed to be.

”V why would I want you dead? I t'ought you said it was an enormous amount of magic t'at does you in. T'is? T'is is like t'e baseline average amount of magic. T'en again I can't see magic so… maybe I can't gauge it as well? But Aggie and Pa ‘ave it all covered!” Dorian remarked back, a bit shocked that Vicky would even imply and malicious tendencies to come from a superhero.

James had been ready to step in when Danni invited everyone just to start heading to the house, but a phone call distracted him thankfully. Danni leading a charge on the house was likely to devolve into absolute chaos. “Don't take too long on your call, kiddo. You got guests over.” James said quietly to his son, ruffling his hair, and clapped Dorian on the shoulder. “Not even introducing your own family? Making us do it ourselves? I'm wounded.” James teased before holding his hand out to shake Percy's.

“Welcome to the…” James paused as Percy shook his hand, a bit robotically, but he could feel the pounding in Percy's head, the nausea, the light sensitivity. It was familiar, almost an afterthought to take the pain away, but it felt just like Casper trying to hide a hangover. “Family. I'm James. If you're ever hurting, don't hesitate to let me know. Even if you can't figure it out, I can.” James offered, before patting Dorian one more time and heading to round up his errant husband so they could get everyone settled in.

”But you guys do such a good job of doin’ it yourselves! Besides I've told t'em loads of stories about all of you so it's like ‘e already knows you!” Dorian replied back to James before hearing Danni mention April's name. He bolted over towards the call, pressing his ear against the other side of the phone as well so he was cheek to cheek with Danni. ”April!!!!! Did you guys arrive ok?! ‘ow is t'e ‘otel? Which one are you at so we can visit maybe? Oh you ‘ave to come over for dinner at least!” He chimed in, unsure if she could hear him or not.

“Waaaa, Dee! ‘old on, Princess we gotta… Wait, where's Amélie? Amélie! What are you-? No, stop chasin’ t’e bugs! Come on, you gotta meet t’e ‘rents in person!” He yelled back through the portal. Amélie grumbled and snorted a puff of smoke, still too little for real fire, and bounded through the portal with Amour close behind, pushing through Andy and Casper’s legs and hooking her claws into Danni's clothes to climb him and take her rightful place on his shoulder. “Okay, what’s up, Princess?”

There was a brief moment of silence as they listened to April and then…

"WHAT?! POISSON-PAS IS DEAD?!”

Testing well everything!

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Location: Outside Kingston-Gray House
Skills: Omega Healing Factor

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James chuckled as Casper promptly ignored everything and tackled the shocking part of everything: Andy and Zari. They hadn't been with them long truly, but the Mutant Underground was family. At least, he'd considered them family so their abrupt disappearance after everything they'd been through together was frustrating. And now? He was just happy they were back where they were supposed to be.

”V why would I want you dead? I t'ought you said it was an enormous amount of magic t'at does you in. T'is? T'is is like t'e baseline average amount of magic. T'en again I can't see magic so… maybe I can't gauge it as well? But Aggie and Pa ‘ave it all covered!” Dorian remarked back, a bit shocked that Vicky would even imply and malicious tendencies to come from a superhero.

James had been ready to step in when Danni invited everyone just to start heading to the house, but a phone call distracted him thankfully. Danni leading a charge on the house was likely to devolve into absolute chaos. “Don't take too long on your call, kiddo. You got guests over.” James said quietly to his son, ruffling his hair, and clapped Dorian on the shoulder. “Not even introducing your own family? Making us do it ourselves? I'm wounded.” James teased before holding his hand out to shake Percy's.

“Welcome to the…” James paused as Percy shook his hand, a bit robotically, but he could feel the pounding in Percy's head, the nausea, the light sensitivity. It was familiar, almost an afterthought but it felt just like Casper trying to hide a hangover. “Family. I'm James. If you're ever hurting, don't hesitate to let me know. Even if you can't figure it out, I can.” James offered, before patting Dorian one more time and heading to round up his errant husband so they could get everyone settled in.

”But you guys do such a good job of doin’ it yourselves! Besides I've told t'em loads of stories about all of you so it's like ‘e already knows you!” Dorian replied back to James before hearing Danni mention April's name. He bolted over towards the call, pressing his ear against the other side of the phone as well so he was cheek to cheek with Danni. ”April!!!!! Did you guys arrive ok?! ‘ow is t'e ‘otel? Which one are you at so we can visit maybe? Oh you ‘ave to come over for dinner at least!” He chimed in, unsure if she could hear him or not.

“Waaaa, Dee! ‘old on, Princess we gotta… Wait, where's Amélie? Amélie! What are you-? No, stop chasin’ t’e bugs! Come on, you gotta meet t’e ‘rents in person!” He yelled back through the portal. Amélie grumbled and snorted a puff of smoke, still too little for real fire, and bounded through the portal with Amour close behind, pushing through Andy and Casper’s legs and hooking her claws into Danni's clothes to climb him and take her rightful place on his shoulder. “Okay, what’s up, Princess?”

There was a brief moment of silence as they listened to April and then…

"WHAT?! POISSON-PAS IS DEAD?!”

Testing well everything!

James Kingston

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James Kingston

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Character Overview

Name: James Daniel Kingston
Alias: Caduceus
Age: 42 (still looks mid 20s)
Gender: Male
Powers: James is an omega level mutant. His powers manifested at age 14.

• Omega Healing Factor - James's healing factor allows him to heal anything shy of death. He is capable of transferring this to another individual, but must maintain contact through the process. He's honed this power himself and with Dr. Sinister during his time on Genosha when trying to work to unfreeze the Mutant Underground. His control over it allows him to understand most issues in a person's body.
• Reactive Adapability - James's body automatically changes to external environments and threats. His internals do not!

Personality Traits:
Patient ~ Protective ~ Affectionate ~ Reserved ~ Stubborn ~ Optimistic

Summary:
Born in Oregon, James grew up in a single father household. Some of his favorite memories are summers that smell liked like oil and grease, stains on his clothes, working with his Pops in his mechanic shop. When his powers manifested, he kept them hidden for fear of anti-mutant extremism and instead reckless experimented with the limits of that power. It wasn't until he met his first mutant friends, Max and Sunshine, that he learned it wasn't actually a terrible thing and that he was deserving of being cared for despite it.

During his time with the Mutant Underground (his so called friends instantly forcing him to flee from society), James formed an inseparable friendship with Max and Ben and found the love of his life, Casper. Although on the bad path, James fell in love with the kind and affectionate goof underneath the drugs and the fear and decided in the wake of the Mutant Underground and the destruction of Genoshia to raise a family together. Since their relocation to New Orleans, James has been steadily investing and purchasing business and land in the French Quarter to create a quiet replica of their home on Genosha so that his family would never have to suffer like that again.

Extras:
James Kingston
James runs an underground clinic that takes anyone.
James keeps the family at whatever age they want to be.

Testing well everything!

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_{Nicholas Macloud
Nicholas Macloud}

^{"What time do they have to empathize with us monsters?"}

C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ C H A R A C T E R P E R S O N A L I T Y C H A R A C T E R P E R S O N A L I T Y _________________________________________________________ | Aloof | Intelligent | _________________________________________________________ | Observant | Judgmental | _________________________________________________________ | Self-serving | Patient | C H A R A C T E R N O T E S C H A R A C T E R N O T E S _________________________________________________________ [+] - M I S C E L L A N E O U S ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ ► Character Info Aliases: Nicholas Birth Place: Scotland Age: 616 Birthday: July 18, 1454 Gender: Male Pronouns: He/Him Sexuality: Yes Habits: Smoking, drinking, Talking to his plants Hobbies: Reading, crossword puzzles, smoking ► Fears Religious Leaders Burning at the Stake Supernatural Hunters Barty dying ► Toxic Trait(s) ► Likes Magic Reading Crossword Puzzles Sex Vampires Smoking Plants Drinking ► Dislikes Short lived creatures Gossip Religion Modern Magic Bats Witch Stereotypes - P O S T C A T A L O G P O S T C A T A L O G _________________________________________________________ [+] - G R I M O I R E & S K I L L S ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ ► Grimoire Fireball Fireball Fireball Fireball Fireball Fireball Fireball Fireball Fireball ► Skills ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? -

C H A R A C T E R H I S T O R Y C H A R A C T E R H I S T O R Y ________________________________________________________________________________________ The Macleod twins are relics of a time long gone, born in the throes of the Renaissance and the rise of the printing press. The twins lived a relatively sheltered life in northern Scotland. Travel was difficult in the 15th century and their coven was content with the village well south of Forres. However with suspicion and fear of the supernatural rising out of Germany and carried on in ink, it wasn’t long until the witch hunts of the mainland spread to the Kingdom of England and beyond. When they were not yet twenty summers old, Elanor Cobham found imprisonment for life for treasonable necromancy and Margery Jourdemayne was burned at the stake in a market square. Both were once well connected and well established in their communities and yet it did not save them. Fear amongst the populace was encouraged and manipulated in a twisted game by the nobility of England and they sent their inquisition north, carrying Kramer’s Malleus Maleficarum. They thought their village safe, nestled quietly in the foothills in the shadow of their mountain. The village traded less, hunted closer to home, and year by year became less and less present in the world. Their magic flourished and the children of the village played without fear and time was meaningless. However, there were enough stories for the inquisition to find it. They struck at night, the comfort of a century unbothered lulling them to safety. They carried torches and pitchforks and rope and kindling. The stench of burning flesh and the screams of men, women, and children carried across the hills into the uncaring darkness. Their family was not spared this horror. Their parents fought, like the others, but their murderers came prepared and their magic found no hold. A special pendant, bearing the mark of the Inquisition of England, was pressed against their coven and their magic broke and failed and the witches found themselves powerless. If not for the ego of the Priest of Forres, the twins would not have been so lucky as to carry the horrors of their village with them. It was the children they could not bear to see hurt and as the Priest tossed the torch upon their own parents, the twins struck. Illusion and Enhancement, hand in hand, wove the death of all. Fire springing forth, spewing from their parents' mouths, finding purchase in the flesh of friend and foe alike. According to the Inquisition, the Devil himself dragged the village to hell in his wraith and none survived. But the truth was, the twins burned it to the ground. Entranced in their domain, the twins set an uncontrollable blaze to consume the Inquisition and fled with the few survivors they saved. Neither of them were prepared to mourn their people nor handle the grief of those still living. They travelled the Scottish countryside, incorporating a few of their broken coven into new ones each time they stumbled across them until the twins found homes for all. 16th and 17th Centuries Sickened by the murders they committed and terrified of the newly created Church of England, the twins escaped England to the New World with Sir Walter Raleigh and assisted in establishing Roanoke. They were withdrawn and quiet, focused on working and presenting a godly image as they worked to find a way to escape. In 1591, a young girl introduced herself to the twins as a vampire and expressed her interest in turning and controlling the settlers. The twins agreed to help in exchange for their own freedom and kept the settlers calm and controlled until she struck. They disappeared into the wilderness for another two decades and reemerged in 1608, joining the citizens of Jamestown. Their magic ensured questions about their age disappeared on the tongue, kept them well fed and unbothered, even as plague and famine ravaged the settlement. Poor planning had left the colonists without water and poorer tempers wore the relationship with the native people thin. The twins watched without interfering, only stepping in to help with the revolution of 1676 when Nathaniel Bacon ousted Governor Berkley. However, they disappeared when Berkely returned and began hanging those involved. The twins reappeared some short years later in Salem, Massachusetts, where they found a distant relation, a child of one of those they saved many moons ago. They lived peacefully for a decade, before the witch trials started again. The twins watched as their history repeated itself but this time, the saviors they were had long been lost as they themselves condemned their kin to the flames. It had been too easy, when suspicion fell on them, to plant the devils’ iconography on her and invite the Salemites to find it. 18th and 19th Century During the 18th century, the twins shuffled from place to place and avoided the growing tension between England and the colonies. They would eventually find themselves in Boston, working in The Green Dragon Tavern. With the rise in tensions against the Crown, the twins once again found themselves assisting in the growth of revolution. Their magic wove privacy around the founding fathers, illusions making them unnoticeable and enchantment easing the concerns of questioning soldiers. Gossip from the RedCoats were a little louder in the tavern and lips a little looser. In the Siege of Boston towards the end of the revolution, the tavern was burned to the ground and the twins lost their home again. They migrated west with the Louisiana purchase, settling in the melting pot New Orleans had become. When the War of 1812 was declared, the twins decided they would stay out of it and kept to their own business. Intending to stay this time, the twins put down roots. Peadrus entered the workforce as a teacher, using his illusions to age and die as necessary. Again, they decided not to intervene with major events and keep their heads down so they could finally stay in one place. Unfortunately, a threat to their growing home appeared and the twins found themselves stepping in again. In 1815, whispers made their way to the twins that Andrew Jackson was poised to lose his final skirmish. Outnumbered and outgunned again, the British had the upper hand and were poised to strike the next day. Under the cover of darkness, Peadrus slipped the pair behind the British lines and Pàrlan messed with Edward Pakenham’s head. In the morning, the British assault was disorganized and messy, leaving them with 2,000 dead and wounded. Jackson went home a military genius and the twins contently settled back into their lives. It was in the Gilded age that they joined a “coven”. A wealthy plantation owner found fun and mystery in the supernatural and the twins, curious to see if it drew any real bumps in the night, offered to participate. The word coven, the twins realized, was loose indeed and it became more of a gathering of debauchery and decadence. Some real powers floated in and out: a moody Asgardian goddess, a vampire, the occasional sorcerer or witch, a demon, an eldritch horror, a Moon Knight, and even a Ghost Rider once. They passed a decade in a pleasurable haze of drugs, sex, and wealth until Marcus. Marcus was an easy sort, energetic and eager and the twins were drawn to him like a moth to a flame. The three of them became close friends and eventually, they opened up about their magic and found acceptance. Marcus joined them at their home, broke bread with them, and even helped Peadrus at the schoolhouse. He’d blown in from the growing west coast, scars waved away as civil war injuries, and slotted himself perfectly into their lives. Which was why, when he tried to kill them, it shattered their trust forever. Marcus was a vampire hunter, a descendant of Sir Walter Raleigh, who had discovered the truth and swore to save his people from the clutches of the Devil. The twins part had been discovered through a mix of magic and torture and Marcus was tasked with eradicating them. The resulting fight was entirely one-sided, the twin’s magic unsuited for direct engagements, but their spells managed to find purchase and they broke his mind, leaving him at a workhouse where he’d work out the rest of his miserable life in deplorable conditions. 20th and 21st Centuries The Twins followed the Klondike gosh rush, settling in Seattle for a while. Although they had worked odd jobs at the beginning, the twins opened their own speakeasy in 1920 as the aggressive prohibitions against alcohol were signed into law. Although their magic was used in a pinch, the pair more often sold out their competitors to the authorities (and offered a hefty discount) to ensure their business was safe and enshrined as a center of the underground community. After the end of prohibition, they stayed until the end of World War 2 and sold their bar. The twins found themselves in Memphis, enrolled in a local high school to keep up with the world at large. It was there they met Elvis, a struggling guitarist with a unique hillbilly style and a blend of cultural music that inspired the worst in people. The twins saw the desperation for fame and fed on it, weaving magic behind his back that made the people love him. He walked out of high school signed by a record label and the twins rode his fame, and more, for an easy life. Nothing more than a charm here, a hex there, and drugs, sex, and music numbed everything else. They were… concerned for their stability when Elvis was drafted was unfounded, the early work they did still holding strong with the addition of records made on his leave. They lived on their golden egg, rode it plenty too, up until the early 1970s when they decided to slip out of bed one night and never return. They didn’t hear of his death until 2001. This would repeat over the next few decades, clinging to blossoming talent, building their careers for an easy life, and then abandoning and forgetting them when they moved to their next project. Rarely would the twins stick their necks out or get themselves involved in world affairs - they left no footprint, no tracks or marks, no paperwork for someone to find them. Occasionally, they would rehome a werewolf, get a vampire out of the sun, direct a baby witch to the proper herbs and books, but each time they charmed their memories, or never let them see the real them, so that what happened in New Orleans would never happen again. Of course, whispers of a school for the magically talented reached even them. They believed it a lie, a falsehood circulated by hunters and madmen alike to capture their kind and kill or keep them. They never knew which was worse. But with the itch to settle down again growing, they found themselves back in New Orleans, the French Quarter louder and busier than ever before, and it was true. Strange Academy, a haven for their kind, was real. P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S ) P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S ) ________________________________________________________________________________________ The twins are shaped by their drive to survive. Their choices have all ensured that, at the expense of those around them, they continue to thrive. They have seen cruelty over the centuries and they do not bother to pretend that is not the nature of man. They are always one step away from disappearing on the wind and selling everyone else down the river to do it. In reality, they wandered to find a place that is safe, that they can relax in for the rest of their centuries, that they can be with their magic and their peace and not have to worry about the world burning it down. Nicky, in particularly, wishes for connection and friendship and family, but their transient nature leaves them with on one. He prefers to find community with other creature of their age, but those are few and far between. Strange Academy has seemed like the perfect place. For now.

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Avengers Academy: Junior Year 💥

If there were two things you avoided while in New Orleans, the first was the nasty curses settled onto innocuous objects and the second was a Kingston-Gray cleaning spree. Armed with windex, fabuloso, and a veritable army of lint rollers and microfiber cloths, James and Ben tore through the house, pressing anyone who dare get too close into service. Windows were scrubbed to shining, pictures frames nearly new, and for once, the various piles of games, books, and other miscellaneous clutter that sat in the corners suddenly found new homes. Max, of course, would have preferred to clean the house with magic but there was love in the elbow grease they used and magic wouldn't satisfy the pair.

It took longer than they'd like but eventually, the house was spic and span. Though, knowing the boys, it’d be put back through the blender soon enough. Still, James and Ben liked company thinking they had some part of their life together so it was an important part of anyone coming over. James stored the chemicals and supplies while Ben tossed the clothes to wash.

“Shit, shit, shit.” James muttered before raising his voice. “Less than five minutes until we're supposed to open the portal! He shouted through the house, rushing to his bedroom to change quickly.

Max stood in the center of the room where they were cleaning, checking his watch periodically to ensure they wouldn't be late. He watched as James flew through the room, letting out a sigh as everything became immaculate. ”You're robbing the house of its personality. A healthy layer of dust or clutter can help add character to a location. Unless your goal is to turn our place into a showroom for a museum.” He protested. He'd offered up his magic, not just for ease but also to keep the house from becoming too clean. When James shouted it was five minutes till arrival, Max looked back at his watch and noticed it had stopped ticking. Blasted thing must've finished its wind without his notice.

Ben turned around on his heel, covered in a fine layer of sweat, the collar of his shirt popped open, and a tacky pair of yellow gloves on his hands. “Maximilian Gray, if you do a single spell to give the house personality by making everything dirty again…” he warned, “then you’ll be sleeping on the couch!” he threatened, as if he wouldn’t fold at a single request from his husband - as if he could ever deny him anything, especially these days.

”Jaaaames it’s an emergency!!!” Casper screamed from the bedroom, surrounded by a veritable avalanche of shoes. There were specific shoes that he had wanted to wear for today - they were his favorites, a cute little pair of sparkly pink pumps that went so well with his kimono - and they were missing. He couldn’t find them. He had thrown every pair of shoes he owned out of the walk-in closet and into the middle of the bedroom, and while he had managed to find one of them, he couldn’t find the other! There were easily two hundred shoes surrounding him, as Casper repeatedly slipped and fell like in a ball pit, struggling to unearth anything that even remotely resembled the missing heel - but he owned so much pink. ”Jaaaaames!!!!”

James was pounding his way up the stairs as his husband screamed. He'd left Casper alone for too long; who knew what trouble he'd gotten himself into. James skidded to a halt in front of their door and threw it open, breathing heavily as he took in the sighing in their bedroom. The once beautifully cleaned and organized bedroom was now…

James sighed, equal parts irritation and fondness in his chest. He stepped gingerly into the shoe avalanche and supported his husband, guiding him to lean on him. “Babes, I would really like to help you but I need to change really quick and you know how bad I am at telling the difference between your shoes.” James picked his husband up, wading through the mess and into their closet, putting him down and kissing his nose. “Give me a moment to change, we'll find your shoes, and then head downstairs.” James stripped efficiently, swapping out The ratty cleaning shirt for something clean and pressed, basketball shorts swapped out for tight jeans. He picked up his loafers, paused, and looped his fingers through a pair of pumps and lifted them out for Casper's inspection. “Are these what you're looking for, babes?”

Max quirked an eyebrow at his husband, as if they didn't have couches so soft you could pass out in them at a moment's notice. But that wasn't what the threat was, no, it was a night without his husband by his side. A part of him debated on teasing him, telling him if that was the case he could spend the night with a certain necromancer they shared. But in Ben's current mood that wouldn't go over too well. ”I don't plan to don't worry. No Mystic Mischief making more messes.” He said with his hands in the air to prove innocence. ”However it's now time and you're not even dressed yet. Let alone showered, so perhaps we focus more on that?”

”...Shit,” Ben muttered, his shoulders slumping for a moment. ”Can you pick something out? While I’m showering?” he then requested. His husband’s fashion sense exceeded his own - and unlike him, Max wasn’t color blind. He waited for a moment, before rushing up the stairs to shower and change as quickly as he could - it would only take him a few minutes, if he was fast about it. He didn’t have a really complicated shower routine - just basic soap, shampoo, and conditioner.

In the bedroom, Casper gasped, his eyes positively sparkling. THOSE WERE HIS SHOES! He rapidly looked between the pair of pumps in James’ hands, and then back at the single one he was holding. Identical. The same. Did he get a second pair and not remember it?? Had he always had duplicates?? Were there more duplicate shoes to be found in the pile?? Had Max conjured an extra set of his favorite shoes and never told him?? ”You found them!!!!” Casper squealed, jumping right back up into James’ arms, whether his husband was ready or not. ”I didn’t know I had three - I didn’t know shoes could come in threes!!” He covered James’ face in kisses, tiny little red imprints from his lipstick slowly coating his husband.

Max nodded along as he gestured for Ben to hurry along and get ready. They were already falling behind, and now he needed to find an outfit for him while he finished getting ready. Max trailed along behind Ben, slapping his ass as they made their way up the stairs and went towards their room. He pulled out a soft green button up shirt, specks of gold and red splattering across almost like flowers in an oil painting. It cut low, just below the collar bone, and he paired it with a pair of brown earthy toned pants and some loafers. ”Clothes is on the bed honey! I'm going to go check on Casper and James.” He shouted through the running water before making his way over to their side and knocking at Caspers Door. ”Are you two ready yet? We are late. How are we late when I literally bend space to my whim?”

James was well acquainted with his husband's eccentricities. So when he saw the brief disconnect, he could piece the puzzle together. He was ready when Casper launched himself, catching him and laughing as the kisses tickled his face. He returned one and carried his husband back to the bed, setting him on the edge and kneeling down. “You had Max duplicate these once when you lost one that time you went out drinking while I was in Venezuela.” James reminded him, helping into his shoes and pressing a kiss to the inside of his knee. He looked up at the sound of Max pounding at the door and tsked.

“We're coming now, Max!” James shouted back, pulling Casper to his feet.

”Ohhh right… Huh,” Casper shrugged a bit, before looking down at his beautiful husband, kneeling before him. ”You know… If you’re already down there… And we’re already running late… Do they really need all four of us to show up to the portal?” he pouted, doing his best to look like a princess.

”Casper I can practically feel what your thoughts are and the answer is no you don't have time and yes you two do have to be down there when the portal opens! Now let's move it people!” Max said as he made his way back downstairs and towards a small wooden box, opening it up to show a small metal medallion. If it wasn't for Agatha, this would still be locked up, but a student needed it in order to stay or even visit here. He let out a sigh before closing the box and pocketing it into his coat.

James took a deep breath. It was tempting, but James shook his head. “I'll make it up to you after the kids have settled in.” James promised, wrapping his arm around Casper's waist and leading him out of the bedroom, following Max's grumbling.

Casper preened at James’ promise, fully intending on cashing it in the minute that he was bored with teasing Dorian about his boyfriend - the other kids coming over didn’t interest him as much. Well, the kids that weren’t his kids after all - he was excited to have his baby boys back around the house, things were far too quiet and clean with them gone! ”You’re just jealous, Max!” he shouted out, before following along with his husband.

Ben hopped out of the shower, using his tentacles to quickly grab a towel, drying himself off, and with the other tentacles, he grabbed the clothing and got himself dressed in the gray shirt that Max had picked out for him. He didn’t super understand the choice of gray - maybe a play on their last name? - but he trusted his fashion expertise. Once dressed, Ben rushed from the room, before hurrying his way downstairs. “I’m surprised you didn’t pick something more colorful, honey,” he said, giving Max a kiss on the cheek. “But thank you.”

Once everyone had gathered together in the kitchen downstairs, Max led them all outside, walking to the edge of their property with the house framed right behind them. ”Agatha had gotten a hold of me, one of the studenrs cannot step inside for now but we have…measures. So for now we can greet them from out here.” Max returned the kiss back, half tempted to do so when the portal opened but he didn't want to traumatize all the kids, only his son. ”It's a magic shirt honey, but you need to wear your glasses in order to see that magic happen. Special enchantment just for you.” He said as he began to hold one hand out while the other spun in a clockwise formation at his side but just from the wrist.

At first a singular minute star had appeared, like a diamond glistening in the sky with shades of pink, blues, and purples radiating off of its center. Then, it moved, leaving a trail of those triadic colors with a silver center as it followed Max's hand movement until a circle was fully formed. On one side stood the children waiting to come over, and the other, the Kingston-Gray family. Before the students stood the Kingston-Gray family and the estate in the background. But more importantly than that, for two certain individuals (Mads and Vicky), they would be able to see more to the scene. Swirls of magic radiated from every aspect of their surroundings. Flowers, grass, the very gate behind them and even the housing was hued by a series of ultraviolet lights that mimicked at psychedelic painting. Max's eyes instantly snapped to his two boys. Danni and Dorian, a warm smile growing as he got to see them once more since Thanksgiving break. Besides him, or rather attached to him?, was another boy, younger with shaggy hair, his shirt being unbuttoned by Dorian as they muttered something. Then again blonde he recognized from a photo, the young Van Dyne whom he'd need to have a chat with, and finally…

Max froze for a moment as he feared his eyes or magic were playing a trick on him. As if he needed his own pair of glasses to remove this spell. Three people from his past, all lives he (to his knowledge) couldn't save in one way or another, and here they stood at the age he'd lost them. Three was a very important number, and now Max had to wonder what was going to happen to his little slice of life after this all cleared up. Max cleared his throat to gather everyone's attention. ”Good evening students of Margaret Carter Academy. I am Maximillian Gray, Master of the Mystic arts, father to the wonderful Dorian Gray and Husband to Ben Gray who is right over there. Next we have James and Casper Kingston, fathers of Danni Kingston as I'm sure you're all aware. We welcome you to Kingston-Gray Estate, it may not seem big but you'll find nothing is as it seems here in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Everyone has their own rooms, I will be providing you all with a key that will lead you to them, but before everyone gets settled…please watch your hands and feet as you are exiting the portal, maintain them at your sides at all times and enjoy your stay. Oh. And Miss Van Dyne? A word before you enter our abode please.” Max said as he took a step back and gestured for them all to enter and go past towards the other family members, his eyes locked onto Vicky, Andy, Zari, and Mads.

James gave Max a side eye. For a moment, he could have swore Dr. Strange had somehow taken over his friend’s body. He’d tuck that away for later, when he could tease him mercilessly. His delighted at seeing their sons turned to surprise when a familiar pair of faces stared back through the portal. Andy and Zari looked almost identical to the last time he saw them. James, and Casper by extension, had kept himself from aging but he didn't recall them having that ability. “Are you two- OOF!”

Danni hurtled into Casper and James at full speed, jumping up and grabbing them both in a hug that threatened to knock them over. “Papa, Pops!”

"Danni!!! I’ve missed you kiddo!!!” Casper beamed. He had the constitution of a wet noodle, so as his son barreled into him, he wasn’t able to put up much resistance, instead having to just have faith that James would be able to support all three of them - that or they’d end up sprawled on the ground, which was perfectly fine with him. It wouldn’t be the first family cuddle pile, and it definitely wouldn’t be the last. He was so distracted with seeing his kiddo again that he didn’t notice the ghosts from his past - didn’t notice the girl he had given a safe sex talk to that had essentially just been kick him in the dick.

Ben rolled his eyes a bit at his husband’s theatrics - and as Max was giving his speech, he reached into his pocket, his glasses magically appearing as they were enchanted to do so. When he put them on, he couldn’t help but shake his head, seeing the greens and reds of the shirt. His husband was such a troll sometimes. But then something else caught his attention, and Ben cleared his throat. ”Dorian…” he raised an eyebrow, seeing his son unbuttoning his boyfriend’s shirt.,

Dorian had been fixing Percy's shirt, no matter how many times he told him you don't button every one up, he still managed to do so every time. ”Perce it's a flannel in New Orleans, trust me you'll want it at least halfway undo-” The all too familiar sound of his family coming from behind him, including his father's stern voice with just his name as a command, a challenge, as is to ask him what it was that he thought he was doing. ”Appa!” Dorian shouted as he sprang forward through the portal and wrapped his arms around Ben's waist before motioning for Percy to follow him in. T'ats's Percy, my boyfriend I told you guys about over break. T'e one who sends me Chaucer.”

”Pleasure to meet you, Percy,” Ben said, giving his son a tight hug. He couldn’t help that he was curious about this boy - Dorian had barely been able to shut up about him. ”The Chaucer you selected was rather nice - good taste,” he complimented. He wasn’t going to admit it, but he had started looking forward to Dorian revealing the daily Chaucer text during Thanksgiving break - it had been a nice little bit of intellectualism to start the day with.

Every muscle in Percy’s body was tensed as he stepped through the portal, grateful that the sunglasses were hiding how bloodshot his eyes were. He couldn’t help but hyperfixate on every interaction, every exchange - was he standing normally? How was he supposed to stand to look casual? Or was casual the wrong approach for meeting Dorian’s parents? Should he make a quick jump back another ten minutes or so, just to get a bit more reading done on how to make a good first impression? Or should he let this entire chain of events play out first, and then jump back for another shot?

”Erm… Yes,” Percy said, completely flustered. ”I’m… I’m Percy. It is very nice to meet you.”

“Welcome home, Danni. It's been too quiet without you too.” James laughed, reaching out as he held the three of them up to ruffle Dorian's hair. Danni beamed up at his parents mischievously.

“Well, it's gunna get a lot louder now! Guuuuuys! Come on, I wanna see your rooms! Pa always makes t'em a little different when ‘e adds ‘allways!” Danni whirled to address his friends, waving them to come over. “We can get y'all settle din and t'en we got a ton of games t'at we can play and movies ta watch and stuff ta do! Come on, come on, come on!” Danni jumped as his phone vibrated, fishing it out and beaming at the group chat photo on the screen before answering. "'ey, Princess!!!! Everyone's just gettin' 'ere and I'm givin' them a tour! What's up?"

Max made his way over towards Percy, still waiting for the others to come on through. ”Mr. Novikov, it's a pleasure to finally meet you. I've heard so many things about you from Dorian. Including a series of messages about…a certain museum? That I will apparently need to fix.”

”Paaaaaa! It's Novikovaaaa. ‘Ow many times do i ‘ave to remind you. T'ere's an ah at the end t'ere. I'd say ask Perce but ‘e doesnt even know ‘is own name.” Dorian joked.

Testing well everything!

NICHOLAS
BARTY