Trainerblue192

X-Men: Cosmic Crusades 👽

Maximillian Gray

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Location: Shi'ar Throne World
Skills: Current Outfit: Header Image

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Orange light began to envelope the others around him, wounds stitching close, broken fragments healing together, as a familiar magic began to wash over them. Ed was here, he was ok. His ability to heal over great distances always astounded Max, even James had to make physical contact in order to heal someone from the brink of death or less. Before Max could tell Lance that he knew, that he'd simply forgotten about setting the bone, he was suddenly wrapped up in the most unlikely of arms and quickly displaced by the silver haired speedster. He seemed to be running fine, which made Max wonder, did Ed not need to set bones for his magic?. Another astonishing development of the mutant wizards power.

Max went to move and his stomach did a flip, not used to the speedsters powers as he'd never been carried off by him before. There was a small bout of nausea before intense heat pressed against his body and he went flying backwards, landing on a lush part of grass as the flames ate away at his coat. Teslas landing in the background, each slamming against the concrete like a judges gavel sentencing them to death. Max was really starting to hate this guy. They had two choices, either get Mary down now while she was still chair bound, or deal with Exodus. He didn't want to risk bringing out the Phoenix Force in full and fighting Exodus at the same time, but that could happen regardless who they attacked.

Everyone else seemed to be focusing on the Bible thumper. Snagging him, freezing him, Max was pretty sure one ghost just went ‘boo!’ and left, all hopefully great distractions away from himself so that he could do what was necessary. Klara had now began to fight back Mary's…no, Chrysi's flames, and would hopefully provide enough cover for him to work his magic. Max sat up and moved away from the fight, hiding behind a bush in the gardens as he attempted to adjust his spell. At first the magic flickered, fighting him on what he was trying to do. But then he recalled how Ed used symbolic magic, and thought maybe doing something similar, something Visual, would help.

So max worked on creating the first portal, a miniature one right before like a holographic model of what was about to come. He then split it, wanting to go five ways but only managing to get four done. Hopefully that would be fine. Hopefully it'd be enough. The model itself looked like a box made of circles, each rim touching the next to cage Chrysi in her chair. Surrounding her with only the area above her open. Once then matrix was set, Max solidified it and made it real, rings opening around Chrysi encircling her, each one acting as a gateway from the Lasers blast directly to her. Max looked over towards Ben, and Runa, giving them a thumbs up as a go ahead to smoke the flaming space chicken.

Avengers Academy: Junior Year 💥

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Location: C.A.G.E
Skills: Work Out Fit

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Notes from Beanie:

So they would have to sign in at the front desk and meet in the visitor's lounge. That's set up like a family room with couches and books and a TV and games. They could also go to the cafeteria for food if thet wanted

Or outside if it's nice

But if they go outside they would be monitored by security

—-

It had been four days since Vicky was admitted into C.A.G.E. Dorian didn't know if she had had any visitors yet, nor what state she might be in. When he last saw April her hair was a mess and she seemed a little out of it at first. It didn't help that the power dampeners put Dorian on edge last time and would likely do so again. Just giving him this feeling of emptiness, like something was missing. He'd gone through all the usual check in process, once again donning his anti-telepathy necklace to keep any intruders out since his sword wasn't allowed onto the facilities grounds. He sat in the usual waiting room, waiting for them to bring out Vicky, thumbing through the gaming collection they had to keep his mind occupied.

“Don’t bother, I already got one picked.” Came Victoria’s voice behind him. In a stark contrast to April, she seemed to be in rather high spirits, walking forward and pointing straight at Beat Sabers. She turned to face Dorian then, noticing he looked a bit under the weather. ”Hi! Thanks for thinking of me. Although… you look like you’ve seen a ghost.” She managed to keep her face straight for all of half a second before the corners of her mouth twitched upwards.

”Usually I'm t'e ghost t'at people see.” Dorian remarked back as he grabbed the case for Beat Sabers. ”I'm fine. Just…not a fan of power dampeners. It's like a part of me is missing you know?” Or maybe she didn't know? She wore a mech suit she wasn't exactly a mutant.

“Apologies. I promise next time we can meet in a more comfy place, but alas, this is where I need to be for the moment. It's actually helping.” Vicky said, fetching the controllers and headsets. “So, how have you been doing? And everybody else. I’m a bit out of the loop here, I barely get the news, much less the gossip. Last thing I saw was the school being on fire… Is Danni OK?” She inquired carefully.

”It's fine. Sometimes you need to do uncomfortable t'in's in order to ‘elp ot'ers.” Dorian said with a shrug as he got his own set to ay with. ”Danni's fine, and we sorted t'e flames out quickly so it was like t'ey never ‘appened. But I'm glad to ‘ear it’s ‘elpin’ t'ough. I was real concerned about t'e last message you sent me…” Dorian looked back, eyeing the station where his phone was being kept for “safety reasons”.

Vicky snorted. ”Which part of the message? No seriously though. While they’re helping me here to actually grow more resilient to what is basically mind control, there is a non-zero risk that I can either be made to, or decide to go bad. Hence why I came here in the first place. But if this were not to work…” she shrugged, putting on the headset, Given that you can possess people and things, well… Being taken over by you and marched into a secure containment facility to maybe get fixed sounds infinitely preferable to Raynordattir snapping her fingers and shutting me down, ms. Bassard rewriting my mind or Leah burying me under several tons of rock until I run out of power, which are my other contingencies. If you can control me, that’s the only one I have where I have a chance of coming back whole. I’m not going to lie, I’d like to default to that given the choice.” she shrugged.

She scrolled through her song options for the game. ”My list for this is pretty much all K-pop, do you mind? And let’s talk about less gloomy things, shall we? I heard something interesting from Diana a few days back. You can’t tell under the goggles but I’m wiggling my eyebrows.” she said with a teasing grin. ”So, when’s the wedding? And where, not sure what state the local law is in an the moment.”

Shutting down? Memory wipes? Composting? How were any of these solutions? How would one even agree to do such a thing? Dorian didn't understand how so many of his classmates could be so callous. Everyone deserves a second chance. Everyone had good in them. If Vicky's programming became corrupted they'd just need to help get rid of the malware. No need to toss her out like that. ”I…I don't want to ‘arp on t'is. Especially wit’’ow well you seem to se doin’ now since t'e last time I'd seen you. But… ‘ave you considered backin’ yourself up? Memories, personality matrix, t'e whole shebang. When a PC starts to go down, it's always good to ‘ave a second copy of it before it went bad. You reset it back to before t'at point.”

Dorian looked at Vicky for a moment longer before he placed his goggles on, looking ahead now at the wall. ”K-Pop is my favorite genre actually. April ‘ad gotten me tickets to see Luna Snow for my birt'day t'is years. So if you ‘ave a bit of Luna in t'ere I definitely wouldn't mind.” Dorian was trying to figure out what Vicky was hinting at, but he felt like so many things had happened he may have missed some. ”Who's gettin’ married?”

Victoria sighed. She felt like she was on repeat with this thing. Maybe she should take a leaf from Sabine’s book and just do a vlog? Then again, she didn’t really care for the anonymous opinions in the comments. ”Look, you probably wouldn’t know this, but… the AI I am built around was already a massive problem once, and more time travel bullshit is the only reason we have Vision instead. Trust me when I say that under no circumstances is that thing allowed to get free. Trying to shut myself down is actually what got me sent here pronto, but my therapist seems to agree that I made the right choices. It’s not like I want to, I like living. But I absolutely would if there was no better option. So in a way, you’re my only hope, Dori-Wan.”

“As far as backups go… I can’t. Not fully. My personality storage is like RAM. Lose power and… poof. You can switch me back on, but you’ll just have the personality of a newborn with my memories. It’d never be me again, because even if it replayed my life frame by frame, the new personality that would create would have no emotional response to those memories.” she explained as she looked through the song list.

”More of a HyunA fan myself, but I have a few.” she selected a Luna Snow song at random. ”And what do you mean, who? You and little Novikov. Diana couldn’t take me up on my offer to help her gain more control of her powers fast enough, though I think she needed eye bleach more than anything. Ready for round one?” Vicky smirked.

”I don't t'ink it's much of a dead end. I don't really know about Ultron or t'is timestream t’ing t'at you're talkin’ about. But I feel like it's not a lost cause. Sinister is able to make new organic bodies for transfer easily. Well maybe not easily but it's possible. There's also a possibility that Viz or even ‘is makers could find a way for a ‘mental’ transfer. Or…i mean, there's a good chance…if you wanted to…we could make you an organic body? You'd be human but be yourself?”

Dorian selected ‘Flow’ by Luna Snow as he stood to get ready. As the music began to play Dorian started slashing away to the beats before talking to Vicky again. ”We aren't gettin’ married. We just ‘ad sex. ‘eaven forbid t'at two teens ‘ave sex while datin’. It's normal, Casper says it's normal. Everyone does it, you just ‘ave to be safe, which we were.”

”Oh hell no. Like, this shell has issues, but it is who I am, you know? You may be used to wearing the skin of others, but I am reasonably certain you’re a minority in that regard. I am definitely not trading for a meatbag, that’s for sure…no offense.” She talked back while flailing the colorful blades through the colorful bricks. ”Although, thinking about it, if there’s someone we know who could facilitate such a thing, it would probably be ms. Bassard. No idea what having a whole other person in her head could do to her though. Question for when I’m outta here, I suppose. But to be honest, I never thought of myself as possibly eternal or immortal. Everything dies one day. And if I do get a long run, outliving many of my friends does not sound like such a privilege.”

She looked at their scores as the song ended, frowning. Dorian kicked her ass. ”Speaking of being human, damn power dampeners. This is usually easier. Let’s switch speeds.” she pulled up her Nightcore playlist, tapping her favorite for this game. ”And you know what I mean. Are you happy? Is he the one? Come on, I want news of something going right for someone for once. Enough talking about gloom stuff like backups. By this time next year we’ll be graduating and laughing about this.”

Dorian kept his headpiece on as he let his arms sway by his sides. Watching as Vicky picked a classic song. An excited giddy giggle coming out of Dorian just before speaking. ”What a throw back! I ‘aven't done t'is one in such a long time. May be a little rusty.” He said as he began to stretch a bit while the countdown was beginning. While he was a bit rusty, it was only rusty for him. If there had been a dance bar there for him to do tricks on he would have. Dorian was able to flawlessly hit every note while also dancing and spinning in place and talking to Vicky. His words slightly labored as he spoke between hops and slashes and swirls.

”It was just a suggestion. If you're worried about bein’ compromised in terms of progammin’ and what not t'en t'e easiest solution is for you to lose t'at programmin’. Become ‘uman. Wouldn't be t'e first time my parents ‘ave done somet’in’ like t'is. Just t'e first time it was a synt'oid. But between mysticism, ‘ealin’ spirits, and Viz I'm sure it'd be simple. But again if you don't want a new body I can get behind t’at. But to answer your burnin’ question…I'm very ‘appy. Dianas been a pain but who cares to be ‘onest. es's sweet and carin’ and great in bed. I don't know if ‘e's ‘T'e One’ because Im too young to t'ink about marriage but…maybe?” Dorian continued to slash and dance along as he spoke until Vicky mentioned the coming year. Dorian froze for just a moment. Just long enough for his foot to trip over the other and sent him crashing down onto the ground before the song ended dropping his score a few points.

He couldn't tell Vicky about what he saw. He hadn't even told April and Danni about it. Besides, she was here to heal, not worry about the finality of time. It didn't seem right to say anything. ”Yeah. Hehe. T'at is a small problem. End of next year I graduate and ‘e'll be a Sophmore…”

As they played, Vicky was falling hopelessly behind in the scores, but the lyrics of the song flew out of her mouth almost without a thought, her simply enjoying the moment. She was about to chirp up that she was happy for Percy and Dorian, but then his grace seemed to vanish within a nanosecond and he crumpled down like a house of cards.

She pulled the headset off, giving him a worried look. “...you okay? You know you can just get a job nearby, if you’re worried about long distance so much it makes you faint. Assuming you actually need to work, given all your parents can pull off in the first place.” She tried to make him feel better, offering a hand to help him get back up. She wished she had her full sensors available to scan his BPM and zoom in on his pupils, but that didn’t stop her from giving him a penetrating look, like she hoped to fish the truth out of his soul through his eyes.

”I-I'm fine. May ‘ave overdone it wit’ t'e dampeners and all.” Dorian said as he picked himself back up, dusting off his pants, though there was nothing there to dust off. ”My job is goin’ to be a ‘ero. I know people at school don't really take me or Danni and April seriously when we say t'at but…we really want to make a difference. Our parents were legends, t'ey did so much to ‘elp mutantkind. I want to live up to t'at. To do my part.” He nodded towards the score in the corner of his vision now. ”You beat me.” Ofcourse Dorian was ignoring the glaring fact that he had fallen because of the future he'd seen. Everyone dead, the world decimated and the graves of all his friends and colleagues displayed before him.

Vicky gave Dorian a deadpan ‘uh-huh’, herself not knowing whether it was aimed at his explanation or at her supposed win. ”Good thing they don’t have DDR, my pride is already bleeding as is. Anyway, hero ain’t a job. That’s a character. But I’m sure this place will be needing some of those too. The world always does, because heroes don’t burn the world’s trash. I guess that’s why they needed to build me.” she shrugged. ”Got another song, or do you want to do something else?” she asked, seemingly turning off homicide with a push of a button.

Burn the world's trash? That didn't sound like she was getting better. If anything it sounded like she was channeling her want to kill herself into a want to destroy others. It reminded him of how many others at school had wanted Arcade dead. Just to be rid of a problem. A kid, a child, snuffed out as easily as a candle in a strong wind just because it flickered too bright, blazed too hot and burned someone. ”Up to you. It's your recovery so we can do anyt'in you deem safe and ‘elpful. T'ough chances are if it's a game you're goin’ down. T'ere's a reason I'm a top creator on Mojoverse.” He said with a cocky grin.

Vicky gave Doria a wicked grin. “Is that so? Well then~ I challenge you to: Rock. Paper. Crossblades! And the prize? Winner gets to ask truth or dare.”

”Rock…paper…crossblades? You mean scissors?” Dorian said confused. ”Uh sure?”

The pair of them began to countdown, Rock, Paper, Crossblades. Go! Dorian put down Paper, Vicky Rock. And Dorian couldn't help but laugh. ”Not t'e outcome i expected. Uh, Trut’. Why can't you see past burnin’ to acknowledge second chances should be given?”

”Such is life.” Victoria grinned, ”It’s in my type designation, dude. ASTRA stands for Autonomous Superhuman Termination and Regulation Automaton. It’s not like I would waste a kid for stealing bubblegum, you know? But some types of people we are better off without. That at least I and my creator can agree on. I’ll be honest, Edward is alive only because a) I wasn’t willing to step over your and Danni’s corpse to end him, and b) because Ms. Bassard pulled something I thought impossible and made it so that he is irrefutably reformed as a person, dropping the need to end him. I’m not driven by vengeance, just risk assessment.”

”But you don't ‘ave to be what your programmin’ says. You don't ‘ave to terminate. Fight against it and develop yourself don't let it define you. If anyt'i- wait. What do you mean Beanie irrefutable reformed ‘im? ‘E just realized what ‘end done was bad. Non?”

”Hey! Give me some credit. Not being archetypically heroic does not mean I am evil. I consider that a last resort. Like, I made plans to try and keep certain people’s mind in the right place as the primary solution. Granted, I didn’t count with barely keeping my own head screwed on straight, so I’ll have to reevaluate my approach.” she grunted, mildly offended. ”Actually, Percy’s potentially apocalyptic powers have been a huge headache, but having you in his life actually drops the likelihood of him going bad a good deal, even if he is still accident prone, if Diana is a yardstick to measure by. So be a dear and try not to break his heart?”

“As for defying programming… that’s why I’m still here. I was free to go on day one, but they are trying to help me to say ‘nope’ even to admin level orders. But the garbage disposal? Oh, that is my purpose! As I said, I agree with it. But when I get out of here, I’ll happily start a debate circle on the topic. Who knows, maybe you can convince me to the contrary.”

She gave a dry chuckle then. ”Ed? Realized what he’s done was bad? Hahaha! The same Ed who picked ‘villainy’ as a career path and bragged about it? And you think what, that kind of guy just suddenly decided to change his ways right after a psion touched him? You’re almost unbearably naive.” she shook her head, darkly amused.

” ‘e…’e must ‘ave… right? Beanie wouldn't rob someone of t'ier free will. Right? T'ats bad. Even if it ‘elped…did it ‘elp?” Dorians words falling more and more from talking to Vicky to just speaking to himself as he tried to wrap his head around this paradox that was presented to him.

Seeing the shift, Vicky stepped up and her arms enveloped the guy in a hug. ”Hey. She probably saved his life, I wasn’t the only one wired to end him. I’ve been around Diana long enough to know she can… hold a grudge, shall we say? In fact when I stormed off, I figured I could just get rid of him once you weren’t around. Yes, it is ethically still gray, but I would consider what Sabine did the least of three evils. Worst one being letting that psycho go free. And I could still be wrong. You’d have to ask her.”

Dorian felt slightly pressure around him, his mind slowly fading him back into his surroundings as he realized he was being hugged. Vicky was hugging him. ”You're right. T'at is technically better. But…i should talk to ‘er. Just…just to make sure. Sorry about t'at.”

Vicky nodded, letting Dorian loose. ”You sure? Doc Whitehall’s here I think, if you need to talk.” Her eyes ticked over random things in the room, as she was suddenly at a loss at what to do now. ”So… I’d offer another round, but I’m not sure I want to blow your mind with another revelation if you win again.”

”Maybe just another round or two of Beat Sabers. I…I need to compose myself a bit before I see April today. T’en after I can share with you some new baby pictures. Amour got a sibling, well cousin, but I t'ink you'll love ‘er when you see ‘er.”

Vicky froze for a moment. ”I… see… so I’m not the only one who got sent here, huh. Who or whar’s Amour?” all manner of thoughts swarmed her head about her last meeting with Flynn senior, all of which Vicky decided to push off for later disposal.

”Oh! It's my baby raptor! She's mostly been back ‘ome gettin’ housebroken. She came from a dimensional rift back durin’ t'e Monster Mash. Amélie ‘owever is Danni's newly ‘atched Dragon! Oh you should've seen Firestars face! She was practically screamin’. From excitement I'm sure!”

Avengers Academy: Junior Year 💥

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Location: C.A.G.E
Skills: Work Out Fit

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It had been two days since April had been taken to C.A.G.E. Two days since she’d had real contact with the outside world. Her parents had tried to come and see her - and April had refused. It had been terrifying to turn them away at first, and she still couldn’t quite articulate why she’d done it, but… Well, the only people who she really wanted to see now were Danni and Dorian.

The first day here had been hard - really hard. She’d cried out all her tears and then some, oscillating through a storm of emotional highs and lows. She hadn’t gotten a diagnosis yet, but so far, the second day had been a little easier - she was a little more used to the new surroundings, to the questions, to the other patients. There was another boy there, around her age, that she had spent some time in the activity room with earlier that morning. She hadn’t caught his name, though.

It was that afternoon that an orderly had come to her room, telling her that she had visitors - and so she was sitting in the visitor’s lounge, dressed in the loose white clothes of one of the asylum’s patient, nervously tapping her feet and picking at her nails. What did Danni and Dorian know? What were they thinking? Her heart was pounding, as her mind conjured up the worst case scenarios - of them coming here to tell her the friendship was over, that they didn’t want to be close with someone this sick.

Danni bounced up and down impatiently on the other side of the door. They'd had to fill out paperwork, then list to a long list of rules and expectations, then sign more things saying they'd follow all the rules Danni had certainly not listened to, then they had to be searched for stuff, then they had to go through all their stuff (it was books and flowers and pictures for goodness sake!) And then they took their phones! How were they supposed to take pictures with her?! Danni had wanted to bring snacks but uh, he really wasn't sure if that was allowed.

“Oh my god finally.” Danni muttered under his breath when the door swung open and they were given a very unimpressed stare. Danni didn't care and happily followed, just wanting to see his best friend again! “I know it's been like, two days? Three days? What is time, but it feels like forever!!! Do you t'ink t’ey would ‘ave let in video games? Maybe we should ‘ave brought video games. What if she ‘as oodles of books? What if she ‘as oodles of pictures? Eh, t'ey won't be as nice as t'ese. T’ey won't let t'em be on t'e walls right? I'm assuming nails are like a bad t'in’ ‘ere. Sharp and pointy and all t'at.” Danni frowned at his bag. He hadn't thought of that. The frames didn't have anything to hold them up.

However, he stopped caring as soon as Princess was in sight, sitting all awkwardly in white. Danni screeched, thrust the flowers at Dee, and threw himself across room where he promptly started peppering her faces with kisses. “Omg, Princess!!!! I missed you so much! ‘ow are you, are t’ey feeding you, we brought presents, everyone misses you, are you bored, do t’ey let you han’ t’in’s on t’e wall ‘ere?”

It didn't take a genius to know that any psych facility wouldn't allow for a sword to be brought in during visits. Even if Dorian argued that it was meant more for mental defense than anything else. So of course before they'd left for their visit that day, Dorian had phased the gem hidden within his sword out, they very piece enchanted to keep telepathy outside of his head. It was a very real danger to the Kingston-Gray household, and a long line of trauma for them.

Dorian sported the gem as a necklace, having woven a sort of net around it with a leather thong before wrapping it around his neck. The proceedings to enter were long, boring, and arduous. Signing multiple things and having every bit of them inspected. ”Could t'ey ‘ave taken any longer wit’ t'e sign in? And it's ok, I'm sure t'ey can use sticky tack to keep the photos up.” He said before he had flowers shoved at him and Danni ran off. Dorian went to chase after, about to use his powers to speed himself up when he felt a strange sensation. He felt, empty. As if a part of him was being held back. He tried to hide the concern on his face as he just broke into a light jog and made his way to April. Holding out the flowers awkwardly.

The minute her boys came bounding around the corner, April couldn’t help but start trembling, her chin wobbling as she tried to hold back a fresh wave of tears. They were here. They were really here. She shouldn’t have doubted them, but - it was too easy to question everything in this place, to doubt that anyone actually cared about her - that anyone wouldn’t be better off if she was gone. So as Danni rushed up to her and started covering her face in kisses, April hugged him like a life raft, the waterworks gushing out - as was her usual. Only now, there wasn’t any concern for the building’s plumbing.

And then there was Dorian - there was something in his posture she didn’t quite understand - but he’d brought her flowers. April let go of Danni, and then hugged Dorian tightly in turn. Despite the tears, she couldn’t help but feel like she could breathe a little easier, as one of her chief worries and fears since ending up here slipped from her body.

”I’m s-s-so sorry!” April stammered out, sniffling. ”I-I wasn’t going to do it, I promise, l-like I thought about it but I wasn’t - I wasn’t going to k-k-kill myself! A-and I didn’t mean to scare you two either, they took my phone and I-I couldn’t text back but I really wanted to let you both know and things just got out of control so fast and I still don’t even know w-who got me sent here or when I can l-leave o-or… or wh-what’s wrong with me. B-but how are you two? Are you o-okay? Wh-what did I miss?”

Danni felt himself tearing up as April sniffled her way through her reassurances. “It's okay, it's okay, Mon Cœur. Not’in’ crazy ‘as ‘appened, but I may or may not ‘ave kicked down Couls's door when I ‘eard. T'en I went for Maevy, but she's so nice I couldn't keep up t'e anger, but everyt'in’ is good now! We're just ‘appy ta see ya again!” Danni assured her, plastering himself around her and Dee. “Everyone was definitely a little surprised, but they'll feel better now t'at we saw you! But good news, Amélie is t'e perfect little dragon menace! So cute and chompy and spits little flames when she burps! I ‘ave a video but t’ey confiscated our phones like monsters. I ‘ave photos of everyone t’ough so you can keep us wit’ you in your room! And I brought some of your books so you can ‘ave somet’in’ to do ‘cause no offense but it seems a little bornin’ in ‘ere.” Danni plopped the bag of stuff in the chair she was first sitting in.

“Princess, you might be feelin’ a little sick right now but t’at’s okay! It's just like if you ‘ad tuberculosis or someth’in’! You’d ‘ave ta go ta t’e hospital, but t’ere’s somet’in’ goin’ on wit’ your ‘ead and t’ey’re gunna ‘elp ya feel better!” Danni laid his head on her shoulder. “Beanie and Leah miss ya somet’in’ fierce too. You know ‘ow t’ose two get when t’ey don’t ‘ave what t’ey want, when t’ey want it so t’ey’ve been fun. Percy’s been ‘overing around the periphery of t’e group ‘cause it’s been waterworks from me for the past 36 ‘ours and Spicy’s allergic ta intense emotion, no offense Dee I know you’re workin’ on ‘im, and t’e rest are doin’ t’at real awkward t’in’ when you don’t know ‘ow ta ‘andle someone in t’eir feelin’s. You’d love watchin’ t’at ‘appen!”

”No need to worry about us mon amie. We've been doin’ fine back at school, not really much to do anyways since Coulson gave us all A's. We've just been worried about you and we ‘ad to make sure we saw what kind of livin’ conditions t’ey ‘ad you under. But I'm sure you'll be right as rain by t'e time of t’e contest! Especially if Maeve is ‘alf as good as she claims to be.” Dorian said as he pulled her into a hug. The numbing sensation still bothering him. The room felt almost suffocating to be in.

April nodded, blinking her eyes rapidly to keep from more tears falling. It was okay, everything was okay, it was fine - Dorian and Danni were here, they weren’t mad at her, everything was fine. She’d missed them terribly - had missed the adorable little baby dragon, too, and she wished she could have seen the video. And she knew logically that Danni was right, that this was just like having tuberculosis, but… She tried to take a deep, steadying breath - but she was still shaking, trembling as she leaned on Danni and Dorian more as to not collapse. ”I-I’m scared,” she admitted quietly. ”I-I don’t know what’s going on a-a-and y-yesterday was s-such a haze from, I think, the meds… I-I didn’t know y-you’re supposed to,” and then her voice lowered to a whisper, ”tongue them. A-and y-you said everyone knows? Everyone thinks I’m crazy? Oh god…” she lowered her head, closing her eyes tightly as fresh waves of panic rippled through her. She knew not everyone in their circle was good at keeping secrets - half the school probably knew by now, half the school probably thought she was insane…

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. No one thinks you're crazy, Princess. People t'ink you're just takin’ some time destressin’ after t'e whole ‘Cadie sitch. Especially since I ‘ave been tellin’ everyone ‘bout t'e fact t'at we're not doin’ any classes t'is semester. What a sweet deal.” Danni sighed fondly. “‘onestly, it's gunna suck when we gotta go back full time next semester. Kinda want another villain attack ta get us our grades smoothed over again. Hm…” Danni drifted off for a second, considering if he could bribe a villian, before doing a double take.

“Tongue your meds? What does t'at even mean? Do you ‘ave ta like, lick it or somwt'in’ when ya take it?” Danni titled his head, frowning in his confusion.

”Beats me. Never ‘eard of tonguin’ meds eit'er. Maybe t'ey’re t'e dissolvable kind? We can ask Casper later when we ‘ave our phones. Eit'er way Danni's right. Far as anyone else is concerned you're on a vaca distressin’ after a rough ordeal. And since we aced t'e whole semester, t'ey don't find it odd you're missin’ school.” Dorian added as he pulled her into a hug. Two of the students from AA now attended this…cage. Though given Vicky's last text to him, he didn't blame her for signing herself in.

”Okay,” April sniffled, calming down as they reassured her that everyone just assumed she was off on a trip somewhere - that no one thought she was in the madhouse. She took another few deep breaths, inhaling deeply through her nose and exhaling out the mouth, and the shaking seemed to settle down, at least a little bit. ”I th-think it’s where you pretend to take your med but you don’t - th-that’s what this boy told me earlier. T-the meds they give out make it really hard to think… L-like it’s so foggy. Um. But that’s not what you wanted to come here to talk about. C-can we talk about normal stuff?”

“Princess, we can talk ‘bout whatever ya want! We're ‘ere for ya after all!” Danni said easily, shifting so his arm was around her shoulders. “So, let me tell ya about t'is wierd dream I ‘ad t'e ot'er night. We ‘ad 16 steaks and we ‘ad ta figure out which one was poisoned and so we were feedin’ t'em ta t'ese t'in's t'at could eat t'rough t'e poison, but we could only tell ‘ow much poison was in t'e steak by measuring ‘ow loud t'e burps were. It was real gross and t'ey really liked t'e steak and t'en t'ey started tellin’ us t'ey were gunna eat us next and t'en I woke up and ‘ad ta burp.” Danni rattled out, picking the first thing that came to mind. To be fair, he'd chugged a bunch of soda before bed that night so he wasn't surprised what happened.

Dorian rolled his eyes at Danni. ”Nobody wants to ‘ear about your morning breat’ burps. Besides you chugged a whole t'ing of soda just before bed, what else did you t'ink would ‘appen. Appa and Pa are always sayin’ how sweets and greasy food will give you weird dreams if you eat t'em late.” He wasn't really sure what else to talk about however. Anything exciting outside of here may have felt like rubbing it in, but April clearly didn't want to talk about her stay here either.

April tilted her head slightly at Danni’s story - it wasn’t at all what she had been expecting from him - but it was nice to take her mind off of things, at least for a moment. One of the first smiles she’d had in CAGE crept across her face as she giggled, trying to imagine little creatures eating poisonous steaks, and them trying to identify which one had the most poison by burps. It was stupid and April loved it. For a brief moment, it felt like they were back at home - back at AA, just talking in the dorms after classes were over for the day. ”You do have epic burps,” April teased Danni lightly. ”S-so the contest is going to be in New Orleans - I… I don’t know if they’ll l-let me out in time for it but… but that’s so exciting, I-I don’t think Strange Academy has ever hosted it before. M-maybe they’ll let me watch it from here?”

“Sometimes I crave sugar before bed and we all know t’at if you body craves it, it means you need it. T'at's real science.” Danni shoved Dorian playfully, laughing at April's teasing. He gave April an unimpressed look at her concerns. “If you t'ink t'at I'm not breakin’ you outta ‘ere ta compete, t’ese meds are messin’ ya up more t’an I t’ought. T’ere is no way in ‘ell t’ey can keep you away from competin’ wit’ us. But more importantly, guess whaaaaat!” Danni started bouncing with how excited he was.

“You can finally come visit!!!! Even if ya mean old man says no, you still gotta stay nearby and t'en you can just pip on over and we can give you t'e tour!” Danni announced excitedly.

”Oh you are sooo joining us for the Contest. We are all in a team together! Can't let that pass by. If anyt’ing i t'ink Maeve really likes me she may let you out if o ask just fothe'e contest you know?” Dorian said as he shoved Danni back and stuck out his tongue. ”Oooo we can show you our local ‘aunts. Favorite food places, everyt’in’! It'll be so much fun!”

April’s smile faltered as Danni mentioned her father. He’d always been against April going to visit Danni and Dorian in New Orleans, refusing to entertain a discussion on it. Her mother had never taken April’s side, telling her that once she was an adult, she could do as she liked - but for now, she had to follow their rules. After the first few attempts to argue her way into being able to go see her friends, April had given up on asking. She’d thought about just sneaking out and asking the boys if their dad could send a portal over for her, but it would technically have been considered kidnapping, and she had a feeling her dad would love nothing more than to arrest Dorian’s dad.

”So um… He’s probably going to be really pissed at me - my mom too - I… I told the doctors that I didn’t want to see them,” April admitted, redirecting her gaze at the floor.

Danni pulled April in tighter. “‘ey, t'at's okay! It's your recovery and not t'eirs so if ya need t'em gone, t'en ya need t'em gone. Easier said t'en done ‘cause brains are bastards, but don't stress ‘bout t'at. Just focus on feelin’ better, ya know?” Danni encouraged, knowing how turbulent her relationship with her Dad was especially. “Just borrow a little of my confidence. Wheneveryour're stressin’ ot just ask, WWDD - What Would Danni Do? Nine times outta ten, it'd be gay do crimes and t'e ot'er ome would be not stressin’ ‘bout t'e losers in life!”

“Ya should be focusin’ on t'e bomb ass moves yoi’re gunna pull in T’e Contest! You got so much time ta plan t’em now! And ya can start makin’ a lost of all t’e t’in’s you wanna do in New Orleans so when we do t’e tour we can ‘it t’e big stuff om your list!” Danni fiddled in the bag and groaned. “Course I ‘ave t’e good ideas now. We’ll ‘ave ta send ya some books on New Orleans too so you can pick ‘em out. Ghost tours and food and museums and more food!”

”Isn't ‘e always passed? I mean. Sorry. Pa always says t'at but I shouldn't ‘ave.” Dorian said, chiding himself. ”Next time we come to visit we can bring all t'e necessary materials to ‘elp plan for bot’ t'e contest as well as t'e trip to New Orleans. Brochures, guide books, as well as battle maneuvers and tactics for t'e contest. I'm gettin’ a little better wit’ my electro shock so maybe I can super charge your water!”

April sniffled slightly as Danni pulled her in closer, and once he was done messing with the bag, she tucked her head in between his chest and his chin. With her hand, she then reached out for Dorian, ready to fully drag him into this cuddle pile of sorts. ”Or, um, we can go to my room - if you both want - just have to keep the door open and stuff,” April mentioned, just in case the boys didn’t want to just stay in the visiting room the entire time. ”I just…. I don’t even know why I told the doctors not to let them come. Like, I should have said it was fine. They’re my parents, they just want what’s best for me and stuff. B-but the thought of them being here…” April took a steadying breath, trying to blink back a fresh wave of tears. ”Sorry, sorry, not talking about that. New Orleans. Um. That Café du Monde place you two talk about always sounded cool! A-and maybe you can show me your favorite spots?”

Danni cooed as she curled up, rubbing his hand up and down her back. “I'm chill lettin’ people see me. I'm a blessin” on t'e eyes and deprivin’ people of seein’ me is a sin, ‘onestly. Whatever you're comfy wit’ darlin’. I'm cool as a cucumber always.” Danni laughed, happy to get comfy and looped his foot around Dorian to yank him into the pile. “It's not stupid ta not want t'em ‘ere. It's your place ta ‘eal, not t’eirs! And ‘ell yeah, first stop on t'e tour is the Café. Beignets t'ere are ta die for. We can go ta t'e museum of costumes ‘cause t'ey're so cool ta see all t'em t'rough ‘istory. T'en we can go ta Olde Nola and t'en we'll ‘it t'e Aquarium and t'en t'e Riverwalk shops ‘cause shoppin’ is a great destressor!”

Dorian joined in cuddling the pair, nuzzling deep into them. ”Oh! We ‘ave got to visit some lesser known ‘istorical landmarks! I can show you a spot where the Quicksilver broke ‘is leg. Oh and anot'er where t'e Pheonix touched ground. Maybe even show you an outside (or inside) tour of Strange Academy. I know t'e man it's named after so maybe ‘e'll let me in wit’ you guys.”

She flinched a bit at the mention of the Quicksilver - her thoughts flickering back to that portion of her family tree, the one where - whatever was wrong with her - definitely came from. It was just lurking inside of her, waiting to come out. But she was trying to push that aside, to just focus on them - to just be in the moment, and not worry about what was to come. ”Oo, yeah I-I’d love to go see Strange Academy! Maybe Professor Harkness can give us tarot readings - like she did at the beginning of the year - maybe…” maybe she could tell me if I’m going to get better - or if this is forever. ”...When are you both coming back? Tomorrow? If you’re not busy or anything, I know you have, like, stuff with Percy to do.”

“Oooooh yeah!!! I ‘aven't seen Aggie since she gave me Amélie! And don't worry, I brought pictures ‘er for ya ta enjoy as well! T'ough, Maxie could do tarot readings too if we can't get inta ta Strange Academy. ‘e did one for my ‘rents t'at told t'em go adopt me ASAP and I’ve been t'eir delight for 17 years now!” Danni agreed excitedly. “And yeah, we'll visit again tomorrow, right Dee? We gotta be ‘ere ta support our best friend!” Danni stared extra hard at Dorian at April's suggestion he'd blow her off for Percy.

”O-oh! Yeah. I was t'inkin’ of swingin’ by tomorrow anyways. So I can see you as well! I mean I was goin’ to anyways but didn't want Danni to be upset that I'd visit wit’out him.” Dorian said with a smile, the question having caught him off guard. He'd been planning to see Vicky the next day, but didn't want April to find out, but it seemed that would be harder than he thought.

April didn’t notice Dorian’s slight slip, instead just happy - and relieved, if she were to be honest with herself - that they’d be coming back the next day. She’d really missed them. She always missed them when they were gone, but usually she’d have her phone on her and she could give them a call as she wandered around D.C., walking from museum to museum until her feet were about to give out or it was almost curfew, whichever one came first. The Air and Space museum was her favorite - she’d eaten at the ShakeShack inside it so often that they knew her by name. ”Great!” she grinned. ”Ooo that would be so cool if your dad did them actually - like obviously my parents couldn’t find out about it or they’d freak - but I’d be so curious what he’d say… He sounds really cool, from everything you’ve told me.”

Danni beamed when Dorian agreed to come see April tomorrow, satisfied they were still more important than Percy. “Oh, yeah Maxie is super cool! ‘e's t'e reason I was able ta get Percy's shirt, or was it a sweater, replaced so quick after it got toasted t'e first day. Just a snap of t'e fingers and poof, back again! T'e 'rents were day drinkin’ in Italy too, you know t'at little cafe we like in Milan? Jerks not invitin’ us. It’s like t’ey were waitin’ for us ta go back ta school!” Danni couldn’t handle it anymore. He’d been so nice, so polite, Pops would have been proud, but her hair. Danni had been able to ignore it before they started snuggling but now, with it tickling his chin, Danni itched to fix the rats nest it’d turned itself in. Tomorrow, he was bringing a brush, a comb, and everything else he could to fix it but for now he’d have to settle.

“Which is ‘ilarious ta t’ink ‘cause I know for a fact t’at Papa cries t’e first night we go ta school. ‘ave you been ta Milan, Princess? We gotta go ta fashion week next year. It's ta die for. Maxie can portal us right inta t’e best seats, ya know?” Danni slowly started working his hands into her hair, gently detangling her poor, abused hair. “Last year was a little… eh. I t'ink t'ey went a little too conservative for my tastes.”

Dorian was more than glad that neither of them pressed him for why he was already planning on showing up the next day. He'd always wanted April to join them on one of their vacations, she was always invited, but her dad never let it happen. It really rubbed him the wrong way, but he couldn't really talk since he knew more parents were stricter than their own. He was lucky to have found this family. He was about to chime in when a scrawny looking guy with long brown hair came by and was rapidly approaching them. ”Uh, Ap-”

”Aye YourLie! Look who's up and shining again.” August said as he squeezed himself in between Dorian and April and licked her cheek. ”Oooo they wore off. Nice, good liver and kidneys there haha. Anyways I'll catch you on the flip side alright? Bye Zuko! Bye Cabbage Guy!”

April only flinched slightly at the sudden lick, just as she had been about to answer Danni’s question about Milan. She didn’t super remember most of the day before - the sedatives had hit her way too hard - but she remembered enough to not be too alarmed at August’s antics. ”That’s August,” she said, as if it explained everything. ”I… I’m not completely sure, it’s all super foggy, but I think he’s harmless. Maybe?” She rubbed the bit of saliva off her face and onto the sleeve of her shirt.

Zuko? Cabbage guy? Danni blinked at the here and gone boy and his hands paused a moment where they were carefully combing through April's hair. “Princess. Did t'at… Did t'at guy just… lick you?” Danni stared the direction August wandered off. Danni curled around April tighter. “Who t'e fuck does ‘e t'ink ‘e is pullin’ t'at shit? Why t'e fuck is ‘e touchin’ our Princess like t'at? Is ‘e bot'erin’ you, should I talk ta someone about ‘im? Danni grumbled, glaring daggers after August. Danni eyed the spot he licked thoughtfully but thought better of it.

For now.

”Um…” April paused, really struggling to try to remember much of what had happened. She knew August had been freaking her out a bit on the way to breakfast, but everything past breakfast was a bit of a blur. She wasn’t sure how she’d even made her way back to her room. ”I think it’s fine? Maybe? He thought I was a dog, I think, at one point - he’s definitely schizophrenic, but like… So are half of the people in here. I know it’s weird. I’m not a huge fan of the licking, but he showed me how to tongue the sedative so I’m at least coherent right now to talk to you all?”

Danni didn't like that one bit, but he returned to soothing the tangles out and making her hair a little more presentable. ‘e t'inks you're a dog? You're a Princess. I'll tell ‘im when I see ‘im next t'en. If I see ‘im again. Glad you're makin’ friends t'ough!” Danni stayed positive, and very, very grateful for power dampeners in the area. “But I was t'inkin’ when you get back, night one we ‘ave a sleep over! We ‘ave a movie, get ya all caught up on all t'e gossip, and maybe a little touch up on t'e ‘air, ‘uh? Seein’ some split ends we gotta take care of here and here. Do you need me ta brin’ ya product from the dorms? I didn't t'ink about t'at, t'ough maybe I need ta ask what's allowed. Can't ‘ave ya slackin’ on t'e self-care while you're restin’!”

Dorian had sat there too stunned to speak for a moment. The others conversing by as his mouth was still open wide from what had just happened. Danni was already questioning it but Dorian couldn't even wrap his mind around it. ”Did he just? Am I? Who's cabbage?” He managed to stutter out before his mind finally had caught up on where they were. ”I t'ink a sleepover is a great idea…and a debrief on whatever t'at was just now.” He said half laughing half concerned.

”He says when he licks people, he can tell what’s going on with them,” April said somewhat sheepishly. ”I think he told me what he thought was wrong with me, but… Can’t remember. The drugs yesterday really knocked me out of it,” she frowned slightly. As crazy as it sounded, she did wish she remembered what August had said. She was supposed to see Dr. Whitehall after this, where she imagined she’d be getting her diagnosis, but it would have been nice to tell Danni and Dori now. Maybe their magical dad could cast a spell and cure her? She bit her lip, making a mental note to ask Mr. Gray if he could try if she had a chance to talk to him in New Orleans. ”But yes! A sleepover sounds good. Um, maybe a lot of sleepovers? I’ve - I’ve had trouble sleeping for a while now, like even before - even before Arcade and I always sleep better in your room, if that’s, like, not going to be a huge issue? And I know, my hair is a disaster, maybe it’s time for my Britney moment to just cut it all off…”

“NOOOOOOOO ABSOLUTELY NOT!” Danni screeched, wrapping his arms protectively around April's head. “You ‘ave such nice ‘air, I'm not lettin’ ya touch it like t'at. I'll ask t'e nice orderlies, nurses, receptionists? Are the sign in people medically trained? Actually, doesn't matter. I'll ask t'em what I can bring ya and ‘ave it in tomorrow. And if I smuggle in some nice stuff for ya, nobodies gotta know.” Danni whispered to just the two of them with a mischievous wink.

“But, as many as you want Princess. We're gunna miss you so much, I think the first whole week you just move into our dorm. You always got a space in our bed, might as well use it for a while!” Danni chuckled, humming softly as he worked.

Avengers Academy: Junior Year 💥

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Location: C.A.G.E
Skills: Work Out Fit

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---

April hadn’t slept much the night before.

Following her session with Dr. Whitehall, April had been left more or less to her own devices. The room she was being kept in was fine - it had a small bathroom connected to the bedroom, furnished with a twin sized bed, a desk, and a chair. Brochures about C.A.G.E. had been set out for her, along with a journal and crayons. She didn’t have any of her belongings - no phone, no favorite stuffed animals, nothing to really make the place feel like hers.

She’d spent most of the night awake, staring at the door, trying to anticipate when it would open again - she was on suicide watch - or standing in front of the sink, letting the water run and doing her best to make it budge, even a little. But it had been like trying to use a phantom limb, an intrinsic part of her identity that she couldn’t access.

And crying. April had done a lot of crying.

By morning, her eyes were bloodshot and puffy, her hair almost matted in spots, and she had constructed for herself a truly horrifying image of what would await her beyond her little cage. She was starving, though - she needed to eat. And Dr. Whitehall had mentioned that there would be medicine for her to take with breakfast - things that would help her.

She bit her lip, wishing Danni and Dorian were there with her - or Sabine or Leah. And slowly, like a startled prey animal, April ventured out of her room and down the hallway into the common area, one step at a time.

As soon as August spotted the new patient who now seemed to be sporting a birds nest as her hairdo, he propped up off of the wall and made his way over to her. His hands in his pocket as he approached, stopping in front of her just short of a foot. “Couldn't sleep? First few nights are always a little rough here at good ol C.A.G.E. Though most residents don't wake up with a birds nest.” He moved to walk in step with her side by side.

April couldn’t help but jump slightly, as a boy that looked to be around her age started walking next to her. Immediately, she tried to figure out what was wrong with him - what he’d done to be locked up here. It hadn’t entirely occurred to her yet that she was here - that the people in CAGE were just people, not characters from some DC Arkham Asylum show. Did he hear voices at night telling him who deserved righteous vengeance enacted upon them? Did he have multiple personalities, some prone to violence? If she said the wrong thing, would he lash out at her? She didn’t have her powers here - she didn’t know if she’d be able to protect herself without them.

She nervously ran a few fingers through her hair, trying to get it tamed down a touch, but it wasn’t much use. She needed a brush and a bottle of detangler. Immediately, her instinct was to just turn around and go back to her room, to shut herself in there and avoid seeing anyone or having anyone see her - she’d have died of embarrassment if she’d gone to class with her hair like this, and that was without having to worry about what horrors could be lurking inside her classmates.

Although Arcade had been her classmate - and he’d tried to kill her… She swallowed slightly, wondering if he was here too. ”U-uh, yeah,” April squeaked out, suddenly aware that her hands were shaking. ”... I-it’s that bad, isn’t it? I d-didn’t see a brush anywhere and my hair can be a lot without one, it just kinda goes all over the place, my mom’s got the curly genes and th-they sometimes show up for me I think in the fact that my hair, like, tangles so so easily….I-I’m April.”

”Hm, she could be a threat. Or a snack. Lick her. We will determine this through her tastiness.”

August pulled his hands out of his pockets and spun on his heels. “Aye chill chill mamasita. It's all good. You see, I like to help people. New people. Show em the ropes, and because of that I get to have certain…privileges. I haven't had a single person visit me, but some others like to sneak things in for me, like a brush for starters. You think this hair is easy to keep this beautiful?” He continued forward, linking arms with her as he psuedo dragged her forward before stopping abruptly. “I am not going to lick her…unless” August said as he looked at her with a quirked eyebrow.

April’s eyes widened, already alarmed as this stranger linked his arm with hers. Had her powers not been offline, every pipe in the place would have suddenly frozen. But she was so sleep deprived, and already so terrified in this place, that she didn’t struggle - she wished that she would have, that her fear wouldn’t have gotten the better of her, that she could say she pushed him aside and took off running - but she felt stuck, trapped, just hoping desperately that this interaction would end - or that one of the orderlies would come on by and give her an out, maybe Dr. Whitehall had figured out what was wrong with her.

”Y-yeah your hair looks n-nice! Wh-what products do you use on it? One of my friends, he swears by…” and then the final thing he said registered with her, jolting her enough to activate some small ounce of self preservation, as she practically leapt backwards, removing her arm from his. ”N-nope, no licking, I am not interested! I am very much gay - gay for women, not for men, I guess I sh-should say lesbian, but yeah - so - so no licking. I h-have two girlfriends w-who would be v-very upset and my d-dad is basically a c-cop so… so no-no thank you!”

“Hey very gay, I'm August. But that's fine now worries no need to call your cop dad. Though not much he could do I'm already locked up here. Just my buddy” August said as he pointed to his head “He likes to taste someone to make sure they aren't a threat. Not much i can do about it sometimes. Soooo two girlfriends huh? That's cool, always wanted that tho more boy and girl at the same time you know but hey! Lesbian cool.”

“You are too trusting. She could be a spy for them. We need to protect us, August. At least ask if she is a spy.”

So this person heard voices, then. Voices that told him to lick people in case they were dangerous. April was fairly certain that - at least in a medical sense - the only person she was a danger to right now was herself. Although… she winced a bit, remembering how after they caught Arcade, she’d totally lost it, freaking out enough that she’d hurt the others - the Scarlet Witch had had to heal people to undo the damage. ”Um, well, I’m not a threat? I think at least. I guess they still haven’t figured out what’s wrong with me, but I don’t really hurt other people… except for those few times, but that was an accident… but that can’t happen here, because I don’t have my powers right now - so yeah, totally fine. Totally not a threat. Just… just an ordinary girl. And y-yeah, two girlfriends - they’re - they’re so great.”

August nodded to no one in particular. “Good idea, good idea. I'll ask.” He said almost as if speaking off camera to a fourth wall before looking back at April. “Are you a spy? You're required to tell me if you're a spy. It's the law” He closed the gap between the two again, gently nudging her towards the cafeteria where breakfast was being served. “Its ok, they haven't even figured out what I am. But they give me meds and that's what matters. So powers? Talk to me. What can you do?”

”N-no, I’m not a spy,” April said, still freaked out by this entire interaction, but the longer that it persisted for and no harm came to her, the more she slowly started to relax - just a little bit. Not enough to turn her back on him or anything, but at least to not jump too noticeably when he nudged her slightly in a given direction - she didn’t exactly know where that direction led to, however. She’d just been escorted here the previous night. They hadn’t given her a tour.

”...A-aren’t you just, like, um, schizophrenic? Sorry is that rude? I don’t - I’ve never - sorry,” April paused. ”Um, I can - I can control water, turn it into ice, throw it around… L-like Katara stuff, y’know. It’s nice ‘cause - ‘cause I have a friend who has fire powers, so - so we can help each other out if things get out of hand which… which happens a lot…”

“Hm, perhaps she is not a spy then. Perhaps she is just one of those little four legged furry things that pee when they are nervous. What are those called again? I would like to try one still. Ask her if she has tried one.”

August stopped once more, placing a hand on his chest as he feigned being insulted. A squeal leaving his throat before a giddy chuckle followed suit. “I'm not schizo noooo. See that's the fun part. I just have depression, but no one here wants to 🎶listen🎶 to meeee. I have an alien living inside of me that only I can here. But it's fiiiine. Now- what? No. Does she look like a dog to you? Get your eyes checked geeze. Sorry about that they can be a little… eh.” August said with shrug until he continued to walk again. “ Kataras cool. So is Zuko there it seems, suuuuuper jealous. I don't have any powers really. Not unless I'm high as a kite. Hungry?”

Definitely schizophrenic, then, April decided - but she wasn’t going to push it. Maybe it was best to just play along with this boy. She vaguely recalled hearing somewhere that people lashed out more when their reality was challenged - she wasn’t sure if that was true or not - but… He seemed almost harmless. Aside from the possibility of being licked, which made April want to vomit just thinking about it. As for the dog comment… April nervously tried to pull out some of the snarls in her hair again. If she had scissors, she would have just chopped those chunks about - but she figured scissors weren’t allowed in this place.

”You…. You get powers from drugs? That’s… never mind. Um. Y-yeah, I’m pretty hungry - a-and the doctor mentioned there’s some medicine I’m supposed to take with breakfast? I’m not - I’m not sure how things work around here.”

August chortled at Aprils comment. Waving it away dismissively before getting control of himself and responding. “No, I get so high it feels like I have powers. Ah it's great. Don't take anything until I've seen what they hand you. Some of the stuff is no bueno. That's Italian for shit. Buuut some is helpful, I can pocket the ones you don't need so they won't find them on you ok? Now c'mon, foods this way and I can't wait to tear into some of it I'm starved.”

“They are your eyes, August. I was making a joke because she is clearly afraid of something that will not harm her, like the little taco bell dog. Dog. I like that word. I will call her dog. I like our little dog. I would like to keep this one. She will not hurt us.”

”But… Aren’t the meds supposed to… to help? Like they won’t work right if I don’t take them all?” April asked, legitimately confused. Her mother was SHIELD’s medical science director - the concept of going against a doctor’s instructions was completely foreign to her. And if she didn’t take all of the meds, didn’t she need to then tell the doctors that, so they could look at her charts correctly? Maybe August was trying to trick her, so he could use the meds they wanted to give her to get high - assuming they were ones possible to get high off of? She bit her lip, wishing that she’d spent more time looking at the brochures and info sheets that had been left in the room for her. ”I don’t - I’m not - I’m not crazy but… The doctors know what they’re doing, right? They went to school for years to know this stuff.”

“Please. I mean yeah some of those meds will help sure. Others just keep you complacent. Look at that guy, he's watching the wall likes it TV. Brains practically rotted from the stuff. But I know my way around the pharms, which is which and what's actually useful. You see, doctors say they want to help but if every patient was better they wouldn't have a job now would they? Ugh now I want some taco bell, those crunchwraps slap!”

She frowned, even as her stomach growled. When was the last time she’d eaten anything? It took her a moment to remember - everything at school seemed so far away now, so distant. It must have been lunch with Danni and Dorian. ”Okay, so if you know your way around the meds, don’t you need to know what’s wrong with me first? Like, I don’t even think the doctors know.” Although there was definitely a ton in her family medical history for them to draw from. ”Or actually… If you’ve been here a ton… Do you… do you have a guess?”

“She obviously needs more life threatening situations. The thrill of combat will make her strong! And if she is strong, she will not be scared. Tell her, August.”

“Now see, I don't need to know what you have to know what's bad for you. It's ez pz. But if you want the 100% genuine August Perland diagnosis? Based on how skittish you are, the way you move, and the fact that they havent exactly found what was wrong with you even though you, apparently, harmed some people. I'd say it's a deep psychological issue caused by trauma at home. Maybe not physically but in some sense. Then again my depression is telling me you just need more combat in life to help strengthen your mind and body.” August replied nonchalantly as he picked up a tray and a plate to begin serving himself some food.

April hesitated for a moment, before picking up a tray and a plate as well. The food… didn’t look great. She was used to the nice food at the dining hall at AA - or even better, the food that Danni and Dori’s parents would drop off for them from time to time. She put what tentatively looked like possibly oatmeal, or maybe a generic gruel, onto her plate. ”I go to Avengers Academy, I have plenty of combat in my life - we actually beat our first supervillain last week, which was… Anyways my home life is fine, but also isn’t saying that just cheating and basically saying it’s probably daddy issues? A-and I don’t hurt people, it was an accident, but it was fine, the Scarlet Witch fixed it, so no one got hurt… really. I don’t think it should count. The only person I… I’m fine. I think it’s a mistake. They’re going to realize that I’m fine and then I can go back to school. We’re in the contest this year - the big one on TV, where all the superheroes go to see who deserves to be on their teams after graduation.”

“Oh so it's just daddy issues then. See i didn't mention a father. Could've been anyone at home. And everyone knows the more someone says they're fine the less fine they are. But we can drop it if you'd like. Tell me about this contest? Prize? Cash? An exclusive with your fav avenger? What's YourLie trying to get from it?” August seemed unphased by the food they gave them. The oatmeal may look like ass, but it was better than any oatmeal his mother ever made. But if he said that shed smack him across the hand with a wooden spoon.

”Hey! I don’t have daddy issues - my dad’s great!” April protested, even as it made her feel queasy. ”A-and I am fine! I’m so fine! What would I have to be upset about?” The food line itself ran into the immediate next line - a small counter of sorts where the meds were dispensed, with the attendant asking for folks to open their mouth to confirm they’d swallow them after. ”You haven’t heard of it? It’s, like, such a big deal - you get this huge trophy when you win, and the Avengers and Fantastic Four and everyone are there - even the X-Men show up. I don’t think Namor shows up, so that’s a no on the favorite. And my name is April.”

“Didn't you say your dad's a cop? ACAB. That includes papa dearest.” August retorted as he slid down the line. A wonderful thing about Symbiotes, they had this thing some considered a Hammer Space. How else did spiderman and other symbiotic people carry things around? It was that very space where August kept his meds, as soon as he closed his mouth to “swallow” Depression would absorb them for later use and the narcs would be none the wiser. “Sounds nice, I've been in and out of testing for a large chunk of my life so didn't really pay attention. Besides, not like I could ever compete. Unless they let depressed Non powered kids fight.” He replied ignoring the comment about her name.

”He’s a SHIELD agent,” April said quietly, although it did occur to her that that occupation might be even worse. She knew on a logical level that all cops were, in fact, bastards - but applying that to her parents? The people who raised her and loved her and supported her? It was hard for her to wrap her head around. So like with most things that made April uncomfortable, she just tried not to think about it. ”... You said not to take anything until you looked at it? …How?” April then whispered, as they were almost to the front of the med line now. Maybe he was crazy - but he seemed nice? It also occurred to her that this place was named CAGE for a reason - and had power dampeners to remove mutant abilities - she probably should have paid attention to Dorian when he was talking about Purifiers and stuff. It felt incredibly relevant now.

Well shit. It was hard to explain to someone how to tongue a pill just before they had to do it live. For now she'd have to take it, he'd keep a close eye on what they gave her and later with his own pills give her a proper lesson on pocketing them. “For now just take it. Too hard to explain right in front of them. But I'll show you some skillz later no worries. Can come over to mi casa and I'll help you with your hair and how to not swallow.”

Teach her now, August. I would like her delicious little food bits. She does not need them. Or maybe she does but someone would not lick her to confirm. I do not understand your aversion to additional sensory information. It is very useful in defensive analysis. I could do what these doctors do, if I could just borrow your tongue!

”Oh…. Okay!” April felt even more confused than before. She almost wished that August hadn’t said anything, because it wouldn’t have occurred to her that some of these pills would be bad for her. But now as she reached the front of the line, and confirmed her name with the orderly, she couldn’t help but feel her anxiety skyrocket. What if these meds were bad for her? What if they turned her into a zombie - like the man who was staring at the wall earlier? Her breaths started coming faster and faster, and her hands were shaking as she held the tiny little paper cup the pills were within. There were three of them, and she had absolutely no idea what they did.

”U-um, can I… do you have the, like, little pamphlet the pharmacist gives you that explains the meds? I just… I just don’t know what these are and, like, I’m sure you all know what you’re doing and that this is correct, but I would love to know for myself what they are and…” she trailed off, seeing the clear look of annoyance on the orderly’s face, and her self-consciousness got the better of her. ”O-or totally don’t have to, that’s fine, I’ll just… just take these. Um, thanks! Sorry? Thank you and sorry.”

She then winced, before taking the pills and washing them down with a small cup of water. When the orderly asked her to open her mouth afterwards, she did so - not a single pill had remained unswallowed.

“Bev couldn't you be a little nicer to the girl? She's new here, and shakin like a chihuahua. Oh well.” August said as he waved her off taking April with him. “It's not you, she's always a sour puss. Buuuut, maybe i can better tell what it is they gave you now that you've taken your meds.” He suggested as he gestured for her to sit down at the empty table.

Why does Bev not like our dog? I did not see any bad behaviors. Perhaps Bev only likes cats. I do not like cats. See if our dog likes cats so we can correct that if she does.

April sat down at the table, biting her lip a bit as she tried to determine how long it would take for the meds to hit her system. Were they just like painkillers, where it would take half an hour or so? Or would it just immediately hit her? Would she be able to tell as it was happening - or would she just blink and suddenly it would be the next day, all of her memories blank? Would she have to ask August what had happened? ”You mean, like, o-once they kick in right? Because you don’t have powers - but that’s weird, right, because isn’t this a place for people specifically with powers? So like… Why are you here? Like not to be rude, you seem… I mean, you seem pretty crazy, but like, an okay kind of crazy?”

“As far as the docs are concerned, I have Super Strength, and a Healing Factor. But I don't. Also not going to correct them. This place has premo drugs. Buuuuut no, I meant in a few minutes once it's had time into get into your bloodstream. Also, how do you feel about cats? Very important.” August said as he decidedly sat right next to April instead of in front. There was hardly any space between them, his leg pressed against hers as he took a bite of his oatmeal.

She was used to having her personal space invaded - particularly by Danni. Dorian wasn’t as frequent as an offender. And as much as she had been tolerating a little bit of August doing that, April still felt jumpy - still could hear her father’s voice in her head, warning her to be careful, especially around boys. Especially around boys in psych wards. So April quietly scooted to the left, enforcing some space between them. ”Um, cats?” She paused for a minute, struggling to recall her opinion - she’d been so fixated on everything going on that being asked something so mundane was odd. ”My parents didn’t let us have pets growing up, so… I mean cats are cute, I’ve enjoyed petting them when they’re around, and I know my dad had dogs growing up so it was always weird that we didn’t have a dog or something around - like I think I’m pro cats? Unless cats is code for something else? My friend has a dragon, and the other one has a raptor, so I kinda see those more than, like, normal pets.”

When April scooted back, August moved in closer once again. This time however, as soon as he closed the gap, he leaned in and quickly licked her cheek. Smacking his lips slightly as he tried to figure things out. “Oh. These hit you hard didn't the YourLie? You don't have long unfortunately. But I can kind of figure out what all was in your cocktail this morning. Before you zonk out though, may want to give me your room number. So I can walk you back when you're donezo.”

April shrieked as something wet and slimy touched her cheek, and she jumped out of the seat, accidentally knocking her tray of oatmeal slop over in the process. ”Oh my god oh my god did you just - did you just fucking lick me?????” Her eyes were wide, as she stared in shock for a moment at August, before her eyes flickered frantically around the room - no one was really paying much attention to them, probably having seen things more interesting here than this. ”Oh god I’m so fucking stupid, you’re - I don’t know what you’re trying to do but it’s… it’s…” her voice faltered, as her vision started to blur, and the room around her seemed like it started to twist and turn, colors running together in a muddied, bizarre mess. ”...what…”

Hm, hmm. August, our dog is scared. A little confused, but you scared her. She is weak; do not scare her more. Hm, hm, mmmm. Two flavors. What was that called. The ones who are very, scary happy and then become very, very sad back and forth? Tastes like popsicles.”

August stared at April, his smile shrinking slightly. He clicked his tongue five times, disappointedly at her. “A muddled mind with two flavours, like a Creamsicle. Sorry to hear it. But-” August said, his smile widening as he giggled giddily as he bopped April on the nose with his finger. “-you're about to be out of the loop for a bit. Boop.”

Avengers Academy: Junior Year 💥

Dorian Stephen Gray

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Location: Dr. Whitehall's Therapy Office, School
Skills: N/A
Fit Of The Day:

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Dr. Maeve Whitehall paced back and forth, a file in between her thump and pointer finger. The file on Dorian Gray was an interesting read. A cursory glance showed no immediate signs of needing therapy, but a piece of paper rarely told everything. And someone whose powers involved possession certainly would have a lot of stories to tell.

__________________________________________

When Dorian entered the office he would see light gray walls with black swirls woven throughout. There would be a window with a setting sun, dusk. The sitting area held two couches, both black, with white and gray pillows on them. There was also a white armchair. The coffee table was white as well and had a teapot and two cups on it. There was also some books held underneath the coffee table.

Maeve sat on the armchair and looked over. ”Hello Dorian. My name is Dr. Maeve Whitehall, but you can call me Maeve or Dr. Whitehall, whichever you prefer. Please have a seat where you feel most comfortable. And help yourself to some tea if you would like. I did not know what flavor you prefer so I brought some choices.” The choices included mint, lemon, chai, cinnamon, and black.

Dorian eyed the space before him, trying to hold back some commentary on the immediate need for a redesign. The walls felt like something in between a padded room and a rorschach test. The couches didn't help with the design either, the room felt cold, almost sterile, compared to where he grew up. There was never lack of color back home, and antiques that showed various lives lived bringing warmth and life into the space. He sat on the couch at an angle, leaning onto the pillow in the corned as he placed his ankle over one knee before propping forward at the mention of teas. ”Ah, I'll take t'e cinnamon if ya don't mind. T'ough do you mind of i call you just…doc? Your first name seems too unprofessional and the latter is a mout'ful you know?”

Maeve smiled knowingly. ”Doc is fine. Also, please let me know what to change in this room. I’ll admit design is not my strong suit. No need to worry about my feelings. I worked with what I knowledge I had, which was very little.” She handed Dorian a packet of cinnamon tea while she took some mint. She would wait for Dorian to pour his hot water first.

Dorian's eyebrow raised as he crossed his legs and sat criss-cross on the couch as he poured his hot water over his tea bag. ”Mind readin’? Isn't t'at kinda like cheatin’ in your profession? But if you truly want my opinion, it's never a ‘arsh one. Just add some t'ings from your own life in ‘ere. Travels, no photos t'ats dangerous, but knick knacks and interests to let your clients know you're well…human? Bad term given the vastness of t'e world but you get what I'm sayin’.”

Maeve nodded. In an instant, the room shifted. The walls changed color and maneuvered around the room. The sitting area remained the same but now the table had little knick knacks on it like a snowglobe from Ireland and a pink bear beanie babie. Maeve’s diplomas hung from the wall and there was a painting of a woman who appeared equal parts happy and sad. The colors also shifted to neutral tones.

”Oh no mind reading here. Just basic information given to me from your headmaster. And even then I only asked for the basics. Hope this is better.”

“So before we get started, can I ask: Have you been in therapy before?”

So even Coulson knew who the two best decorators in AA were. Good to know. But the question posed by the Good Doctor, puzzled Dorian. Shouldn't that have been on a record if he had or hadn't? Wouldn't she already know? ”No? But I feel as t'ough you already know t'at so why ask? And on t'at subject…I'm not really sure why I am ‘ere.”

”The only thing I know about you Dorian is what powers you have and a general sense of your likes and dislikes. I’ve asked to go into these sessions with you and your classmates blind, essentially, because that is how we will get the best work done. So I ask because that sets the groundwork. With that said, anything we discuss here in this room stays in this room. Despite Coulson strongly suggesting therapy, I will not report back to him anything said unless you give me permission to. This is called confidentiality.”

“There are some stipulations to confidentiality though that, if they occur, I may have to break it. That includes if you have any desire to want to hurt yourself or others, if there is child abuse or vulnerable adult abuse, or if the authorities get involved and ask for my records, but even then I would fight back on that.”

“Let me be an annoying doctor at you for a moment and answer your question with another: Why do you think you were asked to be here? Can you come up with some examples?”

Dorian only really thought of one reason why Coulson would request this mandatory therapy session. Sure he wasn't present when it was talked about, but he knew this had to do with that night with Arcade. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, taking a sip of his tea before placing the cup down. ”I can only t'ink t'is ‘as somet'in to do wit’ t'at night wit’ Arcade. But i don't see what hand of t'at requires t'erapy? Not'in’ bad or out of t'e ordinary ‘appened. I'm at a school to become a super’ero. T'ere are known risks to t'at job and t'at was one of t'em.”

Mave nodded, sipping her own tea she poured. ”Let me ask another question then: Do you think police officers should attend therapy? Firefighters? Paramedics? Soldiers?”

”Don't t'ey? I'm sure t'ey ‘ave mandated t'erapy as hearin someone's last breat’ or certain scenarios may be too much for…oh. I see. Ha ha.” Dorian understood now where she was coming from, but still almost wished to roll his eyes at her. He didn't need therapy. He was fine. He grew up for a large chunk at Xavier's School for Gifted Children, did she know how often that place blew up? At least once a semester. ”Do you t'ink i need t'erapy?”

”I think everyone needs therapy. Therapy isn’t just for people who have identifiable needs like depression or trauma. Some people attend therapy just to have a private space to talk about whatever they need to. Some people like having a neutral person who has their best interest at heart to speak to.”

“But I see you caught on to what I was hinting at. Even heroes need therapy. People may look at such people like Captain America and see a shining example of someone who has it together, but no one really knows what someone has going on under it all. And it isn’t fair for us to assume that just because someone is a hero doesn’t mean they do not need help or that admitting you do makes you anything less than a hero.”

“The situation with Arcade was the catalyst to this, sure, but I imagine some of you handled the situation better than others. This can be more of a space you create for yourself to get what you need out of it. Think of me as an additional support to the many you have already at your disposal.”

A part of Dorian wondered how many of the heros he's met with have gone to therapy themselves. And how many of them had been with Maeve. He didn't lingered on that though too long as she moved from one point to another, and he had to guess that he was some of the ones who had handled it better. ”I t'ink my upbringin’just…changed my views on a lot of t'is. Xavier's school saw it's own amount of accidents far bigger t'an t'is, Beyond t'at deat’ itself isn't exactly finite. Not only is revival a mutants greatest gift, but it's my families legacy. My takeaway from t'is…catalyst is t'at I'm glad I was able to overcome our first enemy while also ‘elpin’ t'em in the process to become a better person. Arcade didn't need a beatin’ ‘e needed ‘elp.”

”I think it takes a strong person to look at someone who has hurt others, others you are close to, and want them to get help. From the sounds of it, Arcade will be getting just that.” Maeve knew of some of the mutant students from Xavier, and she herself had spoken to Charles on more than one occasion, so she knew the instances Dorian was speaking of.

”Death is scary for some, comforting for others, and maybe even just a part of life with no bearing. How we are raised alters us, sure. Nature vs. nurture. What defines ‘family’ for you?”

Dorian puffed out his chest a little when she mentioned it took someone strong to do what he did. As if she was somehow affirming his ability for heroism. Everyone he looked up to was someone who was known to care for their enemies, who wanted them to get better and could see the good in them. So to hear her say that felt reassuring. He wasn't sure how to answer that question at all however. It was silly, it should be easy, and if asked who his family was that was even easier. But what defined a family? He didn't know. ”T’at's…a bit ‘arder to explain. ‘Ow would you describe one?”

”That’s a fair question. I would define family as the people I have chosen to include in my life that give me the support and love I need. That’s a brief definition though and there’s nuance to it. Like, do I consider siblings family just because they are blood? Not always the case for everyone. And do I blindly include all friends as family? Maybe, but some friends are good for fun while others are good for support. There’s no right or wrong definition, I would say. It varies person to person. I have a good support system in my life with people I say are in my family, even if I am not related to them. Does that make sense?”

”We ‘ave t'e same idea t'en. It's not easy to describe, and I ‘ave no blood relations to speak of…but t'ere are friends and friends of t'e family t'at we all consider family, and while t'ere are ot'er friends t'at can offer support at times i don't see t'em as family, merely just as good friends. It's all a little different when you're adopted from tragedy.”

”We create bonds for different reasons. Sometimes out of necessity, sometimes for support, sometimes for enjoyment. Neither is above the other. As long as those you hold in regard provide support in whatever capacity you need then those bonds are treasured.”

“You mention being adopted from tragedy. Would you care to elaborate on that? You do not have to at this time if you do not feel up to it. We can adress it at a later time, provided you wish to continue with this.”

Dorian shrugged at the request. It wasn't something he even remembered, more a story he was told. He was so young when it happened. ”I don't see us meeting again but if it ‘elps you out sure. I was too young to actually remember anyt’in’. Just a baby. T'is was shortly after t'e fall of Genosha, my pa was doin’ ‘is usual sidework, ‘elpin’ mutants find better ‘omes. Ones wit'out persecution, or at least as much of it. Flatscans moved too quick, killed my parents before pa could show up. Found me amongst it all and took me in. Not much else beyond it.”

”I am so sorry to hear that Dorian. For what it is worth, you have my sympathies. You may have been too young to remember it but that experience still sticks around with you. But this is also why it is important to have those bonds we talked about. As an example, who would you consider to be some of your immediate supports as school?”

”Danni and April.” Dorian replied instantly with a smile on his face. ”We've known each ot'er forever, always dreamed to win t'e Contest of Champions toget'er some year and t'is is t'e year we do it!” It had to be.

”That’s wonderful. That contest is on everyone’s lips, it seems. I’ll admit I know only a little about it, but from what I do hear it is a big deal. What do you think of your chances of winning this year?” Maeve knew of the teams so far. The Young Avengers were pretty much the favorites to win, didn’t need to be brought up.

”We are a shoe in to win. T'e Young Avengers are gonna ‘ave to watch out.” Dorian replied excitedly, clearly amped for the coming contest.

Maeve smiled warmly. It was nice to see genuine happiness radiating off of someone. ”I’ll have to keep a close eye on it then. I tend to not pay too much attention, but perhaps I’ll make an exception this year.”

“What are you doing to prepare for the contest then? How do you psyche yourself up for such a momentous event?”

”You should totally watch t'is years! T'e past few years were blasé. Sure t'e first year of t'e Young Avengers were excitin’ but after t'at it's t'e same ol same ol. I ‘ate to put t'em in t'ier place just before t'ey leave but it'll show just ‘own amazin’ we are! T'e undefeated champs taken down by some underdogs! Our last training session maaayyyy ‘ave pushed too far but we learned and moved forward!”

”Well it’s hard to say no to that. You said your last training session may have pushed you all too far. What do you mean by that? It’s easy to see people training for things can oftentimes exert themselves too far and it could have some negative consequences, like injuries. Were all of you okay after the training?”

”Good.” Dorian nodded affirmingly to Maeves acceptance that she would be viewing this year's contest. ”Oh, well, our last trainin’ session is what landed us ‘ere. In an attempt to get ahead we accidentally put ourselves in danger.”

Maeve figured that was the case. ”And what do you make of that? Do you regret going in for the extra training to help you and your team? Do yu regret doing what you had to to survive? Do you regret what happened with Arcade at the end? Do you regret how the aftermath was handled, Coulson’s decision and ultimately leading you here with me?”

”Woah woah woah. One question at all time mon ami.” Dorian said as he held up is hands in a stopping motion before putting up five fingers and counting down on them as he answered questions.

” I t'ink some of t'e people involved took it too far from what I'd ‘eard. We broke t'e rules, we chose to ignore t'e schools safety guidelines, I don't see why t'ey got all upset at Coulson. Personally I t'ink t'ey were just upset wit’ t'emselves and projected it outwards at Coulson.” A finger went down.

” I don't regret doin’ it. I t'ink it showed us all somet'in valuable bot’ in workin’ as a team as well as t'e dangers of breakin’ rules to get ahead. As for doin’ what i needed to do survive? I didn't do it for me. I did what I ‘ad to to ‘elp t'e ot'ers survive. As for Cadie, I'm not really sure what ‘appened. I feel bad ‘e felt ‘e didn't ‘ave friends or family to lean on and went evil instead. But everyone deserves a second chance, because everyone ‘as some good in t'em. T'ey just need to find it.” One finger remained, and he stared at it for a moment longer before finally answering.

”I don't know. I t'ink t'is may be good for some, bad for ot'ers, and unneeded for t'e rest.” Dorian said as he shrugged and placed his final finger down.

”Maybe you can give me an example of when it would be bad for someone? I’ll admit there are therapists out there unqualified in their position, doing harm. But I also argue that everyone needs therapy, in some form or another. If for no other reason than to have a space to share and unload.”

Dorian wasn't sure how to answer exactly. He thought on it for a moment, drinking the rest of his tea before finally speaking again. ”Some people may ‘ave negative emotions towards it. So tellin’ t'em t'ey need t'erapy may push t'em furt'er away t'an actually ‘elp t'em at first. I don't t'ink it's bad in t'e long run but…at first it may be a bit ‘armful.”

”I would agree with that. I will challenge you on negative emotions. There is no such thing as a negative emotion. All emotions are healthy and valid. Anger and sadness, sure, we don’t like experiencing that, but they are necessary. It is how we process those emotions and what we do with them that can be negative. Punching a wall, for example, or staying in bed all day and not eating.”

“But let me step off my soapbox. Did you have any other thoughts or concerns regarding the situation with Arcade? Or any questions for me about anything?”

”I was told ‘e'd be given a fair trail and ‘elp. Was t'at t'e case? Did ‘e get t'e ‘elp ‘e needed?” Dorian asked, his gaze fixated on the floor beneath him. He didnt have any other questions about his session or anything. All that was running through his mind was what happened to Arcade. To Ed. He deserved a second chance.

”I believe he was given help. I can double check but he does still need to face some punishment for what he did, but I will offer my own thoughts on his mental state and willingness to change.”

“With that Dorian, I think this is a good stopping point. Again, this can be regular or a one-off. If you do wish to continue we can discuss how often. And if you decide you are fine with just the one know that I will still be available for you when you need it. Door is always open.”

”T'anks Doc. I don't t'ink I'll need more but…can I get your card just in case?”

Maeve stood up and walked over to her desk, picking up one of her cards. She returned and handed it to Dorian. ”You can call any time. And I’ll be keeping an eye on the contest. I’ll be rooting for you.”

The Dead Don't Die.

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Location:
Skills:

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Everything felt so surreal. The Blackhawks, the Vehicles, the traffic was about the only normal bit of it that he'd seen. It felt like an eternity in the car, waiting and wading through a slug of cars until they'd finally made it to Mandy's place. The front door was locked, and a part of him was desperately trying to recall if they had locked it or not when they left. Did something happen? Were his aunt and uncle ok? He quickly stepped into the apartment behind Mandy, following her as she flickered lights and they began to search for the family. He knew they were deaf, that calling out wasn't something they'd do nor having a radio play like back at his place. But given everything that had happened, the silence was eerie.

Hermes began to sign to his cousin, trying to think of what to get. ”I have some supplies at my place. Ready made kits with bandages and other things to help survive.” Hed debated in letting her know one of those items was a gun, but he didn't want her to worry or panic on as to why he had it. ”I'd offer a ride on my Vespa but it's back at school. And…we don't all fit on it. But it's easier to navigate traffic with it.”

Ω Heroes of Olympus: The Next Age of Heroes Ω

Ezekiel wacked Demi's arm as Nancy rushed out of the infirmary. ”Honestly, Do, you couldn't have waited until have she left to say all that.” Zeke took the bandages from Demetri and set them aside. He would probably reboil them just to be on the safe side. Of course, they would be fine to go in a field kit as well.

Demi looked away as the bandages were taken out of his hands. Reaching for a tiny nearby and tossing it between his hands. ”She's bound to hear it eventually. Especially if we can keep up this friendly truce. Why? You embarrassed to be cat called by your own boyfriend now?”

”In front of my sister who experienced horrendous trauma and probably heard some of these pick up lines? Ya, ya I am,” Zeke said. However, he walked back over to Demetri and rested his hands on Demi's hips.

”But more to the point of this conversation. What you said earlier, when you and Nancy were fighting… I'm not trying to prioritize her over you, Demi. I'm not picking her over you or you over her. You're important to me.”

Oh…this was a conversation. And they were having it. OK. Demi didn't want to look Zeke in the eyes. Both because he had a point to what he had said, and because he didn't want to think about how he had felt moments ago. ”I- … I know. Ok. I know. I'm just…I'm stupid ok. That's all.” He said dismissively.

”No…No, you're not stupid, Demetri.” Zeke took Demi's face in his hands, forcing Demi to keep eye contact. ”It’s something that's bothering you, and I don't think you said it just to throw it in my face, even though that completely sucked by the way.”

”I have been known to suck” Demi said with a smirk, though his heart clearly wasn't in that comment. Almost like a defensive reflex to avoid this situation. He took in a shaky deep breath, his palms now firmly pressed against the top of the table before pushing himself up and onto it to sit down. He couldn't stand anymore, his legs felt like jelly as they spoke. ”I don't know Z…I really don't. It was like something ugly just reared it's head out of me that I didn't know I had.”

”Yes, very well the last time I remember,” Zeke teased Demi. He let his hands drop, watching Demetri fidget and have the serious conversation. Zeke frowned, more concern in his eyes, when Demi didn't have much of an answer for him. ”Okay, well… It stems from somewhere… did you have a bad breakup one time or…or something else?” Zeke asked. It was then that he realized they had never really had much of a talk like this.

Demi knew Zeke grew up poor and rough, and Zeke knew Demi had an easier financial childhood but Ezekiel didn't really know all the details. They mostly talked about camp and a future beyond the borders of the camp when Zeke wasn't brooding about Demetri's fiancé.

”I wasn't joking back at the Lotus Hotel. You literally met my ex. That damned Empousa we killed. Strung me along, dated me, just to lead me out to the open for slaughter…but it's not just him Z. It's everyone. I'm only useful till I'm not and then…and…then I'm just tossed aside like I'm nothing.” Demi hadn't realized he'd been harboring these feelings. Especially even about his ex. He figured killing him the first time around was enough, the second was just a cherry on top. But deep down it really bothered him.

”Mmm, right. That punk,” Zeke said, nodding. However, it was the rest of that statement that bothered Zeke now.

He rested his hands on Demetri's legs, rubbing his thumbs over his legs. ”Do you feel that I've tossed you aside?”

Demi didn't know how to answer him. He wanted to be honest, but how honest could he be? How blunt? His eyes rolled up to stare at the ceiling before falling back down and watching Zeke's hand on his thigh. ”You literally left me alone with people who hate me in the middle of the night to go gallivanting with your sister ahead of us. I'd say that's pretty tossed aside Z.”

Ezekiel froze. Demi was right, of course he was right but Zeke hadn't seen it that way. He had been helping his sister who had lost someone important to her and was about to enter her hell to get them back. And well, no one had been particularly supportive of her.

”Well, you had Alexios,” Zeke grumbled. He pulled back from Demi and turned around, leaning against the table beside Demi, his arms crossed.
”And I'm not exactly well loved by everyone either, you know. But you're right. I honestly wasn't thinking about it that way, which may be worse, but you're right and I'm sorry I made you feel that way. I couldn't let Nancy go off alone. I didn't want her to be alone, and leaving you with the others, well, you weren't alone I didn’t think and if I had told you, then you'd want to come, which would mean Alexios would come and I'm certain Nancy would have done worse to him than punch him because of what he represents. Honestly, Zeus has the worst timing.”

”I had Alexios? HAD Alexios?! Are you kidding me right now Kel!” Demi gripped the tin he'd set aside, the metal groaning under his pressure before he chucked it across the room. The lid splattering off its base and bending too far to be able to be placed back. Demi launched himself off of the table as he began to pace back and forth. ”You think I wanted him? That I want him to have been there? To be here?! I didn't ask for any of that! What i wanted was YOU! I CRIED EVERY NIGHT you weren't there! I slept in separate TRAIN CARS because I couldn't stomach the others seeing me! Hell i didn't even eat until the day I saw you! And you think for one moment that I would be happy that he was there instead of you?!”

Ezekiel flinched when the tin hit the wall. He stared at the spot until Demetri invaded his vision. The revelation of what effect Ezekiel's leaving had had sucker punched him right in the face. Zeke glanced away, when his suspicions about Demi's lack of eating came to light.

”Nancy didn't eat either…,” he said lamely. Honestly, Zeke wasn't sure there was anything he could say to make this better.

The stay in the hotel had been fun for Zeke. Road tripping across the country with Nancy had been fun, too, despite their reason for doing it. And all the time, people were suffering. And he didn't even think about it. He honestly thought Demi would be fine, and he Nancy would be once they got Mads back. They just had to get her back.

”I'm here now…I'm not going anywhere. I hate your stupid fiancé but I'm not letting your father win.” Ezekiel stared at a spot on the ground by Demetri's shoes. Zekee couldn't make up for what he had done, all he could do was be better.

The mention of Nancy again made Demi's blood boil for a moment. He wanted to scream at the top of his lungs that this wasn't about her. To tell zeke then even now in this moment, all he was doing was thinking about his sister. But he didn't. He stopped, not just from speaking, but from his pacing too. He took in a deep, jagged breath, tears being held back as he tried to tell himself that Nancy wasn't the problem. She wasn't the enemy. They had buried the hatchet, a clean slate. There was no need to dig it back up, but here was Zeke with the fucking shovel.

He let it all out, one long shaky breath as his hand gripped his shirt hem tight. ”I'm sorry to hear that Nancy suffered too. Her and I, we've decided to start on a new page. So I don't want to think about the past. I want to look forward and leave it at that. But Zeke…” Demi turned to face his boyfriend, walking up to him and lifting his face so that he looked directly at him while he spoke. His eyes were red and watery, his hands shaking. ”Zeke I want to give you the world, gods be damned, but you just won't take it. You say you don't want Zeus to win yet here you are getting upset over his stupid game! I love you because of who you are, because of what's inside and your willingness to spit in their faces just as much as I am. But I need you to be present with me. I want to do better by you, to not have to force your time by dividing me and Nancy. All I can do is promise to try and be better but I have no idea where these ugly feelings come from. This hunger that gnaws away at me from the inside like it did earlier today. I can't control it, but I can try and be better.”

Ezekiel met Demi's eyes, filling his stomach dip from seeing how red they were, and from Demi's words. The world? He loves me? Zeke's heart started to speed up, and it was difficult to focus on the rest of Demetri's words. But he did wonder if Demi was serious about spitting in the gods' faces, because Hades knew how difficult it was going to be for the two of them if they ignored Fate's plan.

Ezekiel shifted, wrapping his arm around Demetri's waist and pulled him in closer. ”You stole my line,” Zeke replied. ”I love you, too.” And then he kissed Demetri.

Demetri was shocked at the sudden advancement from Zeke. Wait love? Did he say love? His eyes went wide, but he was so happy. He hadn't meant to say it, he thought it was too soon, that it'd scare Zeke away, but he felt the same. Demi leaned Into the kiss, pulling Zeke closer as he wrapped his legs around Zeke's waist. ”We have an hour right? We could use a bit of it to ourselves? Finish what we couldn't in the showers?”

Ezekiel chuckled, picked Demetri up, and placed him on the table. ”I remember you mentioned something about stretching me out?” Zeke said, not moving his lips from Demi's.

Avengers Academy: Junior Year 💥

Dorian Gray

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Location: Mario World
Skills: Work Out Fit

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Witch Demon? That seemed a little rude even for Leah. Regardless of what cool magic she may have unlocked. Those thoughts quickly took backseat to Diana's comment. ”Слимер? Это зрело, исходя из второсортной версии Кейт Бишоп.” Dorian replied to her alongside Percy, not even noticing the language he was speaking in. Or that what Diana said was meant to be hidden and veiled by Russian. Before anyone may have had time to unpack all of that, a blaze of flames erupted from his best friend and brother in the hallway. The walls caught on fire quickly, far more than Dorian had ever managed to see. He was so used to them being put out immediately by enchantments back home that the shock of it all caught him off guard. The only other time he'd seen it burn this bad was…that night. The one they'd sworn never to talk about.

Foam littered the floor as Sabine attempted to douse it all out. It wouldn't work. He was too hot. They needed his backpack, he carried around a suppressant just for this reason. The sound of alarms began to ring all around them, adrenaline pumping through Dorian as he tried to make a beeline towards Danni while the sprinklers did their best and failed. He'd get burned, he didn't care. All that mattered was Danni. The sprinkler heads burst, a sudden rush of water washing over them all as the flames were finally put out. Dorian was still running, leaving his boyfriend's hand behind. But by the time he'd reached Dannis spot, he was already gone, bounding for the outside. The slurry of foam and water mixed and made for a slick surface that Dorian quickly face planted into in his attempts to stop. Just moments before Leah drained all the water with rock magic. Dorian flipped onto his back, putting his arm in the air with a thumbs up. ”Great job everyone. We did it.” His voice sounding tired and empty as he wondered how Danni could just leave him like that.

X-Men: Cosmic Crusades 👽

Maximillian Gray

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Location: Shi'ar Throne World
Skills: Current Outfit: Header Image

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Max looked at Runa and shook his head. ”Runa were you raised in a barn? We didn't even get a chance to close the portal back in Shi'ar before you took us here. That could have had dangerous consequences had it been an invading planet or someone who wished us harm. It may still have consequences if someone mistakes it as a threat on Earth and attacks them without knowing.” He was surprised to hear that Klara wanted to hear his opinion on the matter. It was just speculation for now but he had a fairly good idea as to who he believed the culprit to be. ”Well, if we believe a third party is orchestrating this and puppeteering Mary then it'd need to be someone who was cunning enough and sneaky enough to do so without notice until now. Couple that with the fact that they are able to escape the gaze of my amulet who is seeming to shy away from the truth other than to say they are powerful, and ontop of all that is actually powerful enough to effect not only my magic but Heimdals as well, I think the answer clear but I'd hate to point fingers at one of your own kind…but as Carolina so sorely pointed out when you had asked my opinion… I believe it to be Loki. God of Mischief and a Sorcerer capable enough to avoid the gaze of even Odin.”

Max was trying to think of where best to place the laser when there was a sudden streak across the sky and a loud crash. He turned to look towards the area it had come from and noted it would be around the Botanical Gardens. He looked towards those around him, trying to find a course of action. ”Ben, honey, remember that spot our date ended in the Botanical gardens? Take the laser there and set it up. Runa if you could help with a sling ring or portal to transport the laser over, and for Odins sake close the portal behind you, or if you could use your gift over lies to obfuscate yourselves visually to help keep my husband safe. I'd greatly appreciate it. Lance could you cover me with a protective barrier while I help treat the wounded from the bus crash?” Max didn't wait for responses before he broke out into a full sprint making his way over towards the injured. Pietro was clearly worse for wear as his leg was bent out of shape. His arm didn't look too good either. ”I'm going to try and get you guys patched up. Just try not to move too much.” He said, wishing James was here.

Max placed his hands over the leg, his magic trying to emanate from his palms as he held them over the break. But nothing happened. Not a single bit of the wound was healed. Then again, Max had learned that magic was all about intent. Want. And if he was being honest, he didn't want to heal Pietro. He'd been an ass since day one, and at first Max figured that was just his persona in WandaWorld, but no it persisted into the waking world as well. But he had to push past his own grievances and do what was good for the betterment of the team and mutantkind. And that meant getting their speedster back up and running. So he tried again, this time his magic rolled off in waves. Healing most of the damage but still not finishing the job when Max realized he'd forgotten to set the bone. James had shown him so many times back at the clinic but he'd hoped with magic it wouldn't be needed.

Avengers Academy: Junior Year 💥

Dorian

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Poltergeist

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Ability Scores

Melee 1	Agility 0	Resilience 2	Vigilance 3	Ego 2	Logic 2

Defense Scores

Melee 11	Agility 10	Resilience 12	Vigilance 13	Ego 12	Logic 12

Damage

Melee d6 x 2 + 1	Agility d6 x 2	Ego d6 x 2 + 2	Logic d6 x 2 + 2

Extra Info

Rank 2	Health (30 x Resilience) 60	Focus (30 x Vigilence) 90	Karma 2	Damage Reduction N/A

Biography

Full Name: Dorian Stephen Gray
Pronouns: He/Him
Age: 17
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 170lbs
Gender: Male
Eye Color: Green
Hair Color: Brunette
Distinguishing Features: Left Ear Pierced
Origin: Mutant
Team: Excelsior
Base: Avengers Academy
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Hobbies: Gaming, Foodie, Traveling, Pranking

History

Life wasn't exactly normal for Dorian, especially towards the beginning. It's hard to recall his earliest memories, but if he thinks hard on them he always remembers a silhouetted man holding him and singing to him as an odd colored light surrounded them both. Later on in his years Dorian would learn that those earliest memories were of Max, his dad, using his magic to make his way home after grueling missions just to be able to put him to bed and say goodnight. While Max was away on missions his Appa, Ben, would always make sure to stay as present within his life as possible. The house they lived in was always warm and lively, and Appa made sure that Dorian felt as though he belonged.

Appa, ofcourse, was the stricter of the two. Always trying to teach him life lessons while his Dad simply wanted to have fun and enjoy what little time he had with his kid. At an early age Appa tried getting him to play a sport, to be normal whatever that meant. He rolled his eyes at the idea of football, didn't much care for track, tennis, or even soccer. But if he had to pick one he'd settled for baseball. The uniforms were cute enough, and it didn't involve as much running. So he was fine with it. The real joy came from seeing his parents' face light up everytime he hit the field. Win or lose they always supported him.

Years would pass and he lived next door to the Kingston's, knowing them as his second family and viewing Danni as his own brother. When he reached 7 years of age, Dorian was invited to come back with his Dad to Xavier's School. Ben wasn't exactly fond of the idea. No, to say that would be a massive understatement. The night the idea was brought up, Dorian was supposed to be asleep in his room. But as kids tended to do, he wasn't where he was supposed to be. He snuck out of his room, wanting to see if he could sleep with his dads, but as he rounded the corner towards their room he heard yelling. Muffled by the thick wooden doors of their home, but it was clear the subject matter was him and the school. Tears welled in his eyes as he quickly and quietly made his way back towards his room.

He had no powers to speak of and his Dad was still busy with the X-Men, but here he could learn, start school, and be closer to Max. Ben and Uncle Casper, had told him stories of this place, of his father Xavier and how horrible the man was. Dorian wasn't sure what to do. The following weeks were quiet in the household, facades placed before him as they pretended to be fine. Finally he spoke up. He wanted to be at Xaviers. He's spent so much time around other normal kids, he wanted to be around mutants for a change, even if the idea scared him a little.
When they arrived Dorian clung to his dad's pant leg as he entered, prompting Max to pick him up and carry him on his shoulders as they made their way through the expanse of a mansion.

It was different for Dorian, children and mutants running all around him and learning to control their powers while he was merely here to learn the basics. It was about this time that Dorian had begun to romanticize heroism and sword fighting. He waited for the day that they would visit the Kingston's each week, the adults getting together to talk about whatever it was they spoke of and him and Danni could sit in front of the television and watch their weekly show of She-Ra. It lit a fire in him and made him understand why his father did what he did even if it was with the X-Men. To be a hero, to save the world, and to know that even they have flaws and can be anyone, it spoke to Dorian in a way that he hardly understood. How any ordinary person could be a hero. So he studied the sword, he mimicked fighting techniques off the show, and most importantly he had his best friend and brother alongside him to fight crime with. It was just like the theme song said 'with mighty sword and flame we'll never fail you when you call our name.'

That was when another one of Appas life lessons came in. One day, after years at the academy, he had decided to take him somewhere private. Somewhere personal to him. It was his very own grave. There was a bit of heaviness to Dorian's chest, the idea that he was staring at the grave of his own Appa who stood right beside him. He wanted him to promise that he would be careful, to be safe. He needed to see just how dangerous being a hero truly was. And while Dorian had agreed to it, he didn't fully understand at that age, nor does he now. After all, Appa died before the Mutant Circuit, before his family was capable of bringing others back to life. To him, much like any other kid his age, he was invincible. But he'd never tell his parents that.

Dorian learned, and grew, spending most of his time at Xavier's and until he hit the age of 13. Life got a little weird there, he developed powers, found out he had the x-gene, and scared the crap out of his parents. That was the first time that Max had taken him and Ben to an old library, asked Doctor Strange and Wong for access to books on Astral Projection, and spent a majority of his time learning and teaching Dorian about his powers, the dangers, and ways to control them. Strange was...well strange. It was like Dorian's father was a different person around him, and it showed him a new side of his father he never got to see. But his childhood wasn't all study and practice, there were days, sometimes weeks, that Max would have off and even if he looked tired he would always come with a surprise. Family trips to Disney with the Mutant Underground, and those his father had met along the way of his life, impromptu vacations to Italy, Spain, Rome and more even as James protested.

Dorian was never a kid with wants. When your father has the power of magic, and can take you across the planet in less than a second of time then the world is quite literally your oyster. He always loved the trips with just the three of them, four if they could convince the Kingston's to allow Danni to come with. Dorian had heard tales of Max's...mishaps in his younger years, but that seemed so far ago and it always made him chuckle to see them all flustered with his dad's random worldwide trips. Sometimes they would just pop in with me, barely tell Uncle James, leave with Danni, then return less than a minute later having asked us to get the most touristy clothes we could find while gone. When we'd pop back to the Kingston's place we'd have large sunglasses, a splotch of sunscreen on our nose, and bright noisy clothes, it was one of the times Dorian could hear his father just laugh at the chaos and look on their faces. Sadly those Vacations would have to wait till summer once he turned 14, but it was a happy kind of sad.

Though Dorian couldn't see his family as often, he still had Danni. They got accepted to Avengers Academy (AA if you were one of the cool kids) and it was everything that they had worked for. Dee and Danni taking on the world and becoming heroes! There were...a few incidents where dad had to come in. Apparently the school didn't like it when someone possessed the lockers doors and flung them all open to scare other students. Or when someone snuck out of their room because it was too quiet. Really most of Dorians pranks were frowned upon, but someone had to livin' up the place, and a few of those pranks were just great pogger moments. Now its Junior year and its time to see what more they could learn about heroism and combat!

Personality

Dorian tries to be the life of the party. Alongside his best friend Danni, he never wants to let a moment die, trying to keep up the momentum and live life to the fullest. Ofcourse, all of that is pretty easy when your father has the ability to create things on a whim and your uncles command death and life respectively. Dorians never needed to consider any consequences because as far as he has been concerned there never were any. It's this sort of mindset that has lead to his more reckless behavior and allowed him to become quite the devious Prankster. After all within his first year at AA, Dorian spent a massive amount of time out in the field. Not caring for the physical education portion of his lectures, he decided to toss bird feed into the field and blow a whistle every day to call upon some pigeons. After a months of preparation when it came to the annual track meet, the coach blew the whistle only to have an insurmountable amount of pigeons flock down towards the fields and create utter chaos.

Dorian isn't all pranks and chaos however. He cares deeply for his friends and would do anything he can to help them. After all if he's learned anything from bith TV and real life, it's that the bonds you form along the way are what end up mattering the most in the end. He values loyalty and comradery amongst all else, and believes that friends shouldn't keep things from each other because it's the easiest way to allow a wedge to tear them apart. Though he's very doubtful that anything could ever tear him and his bestie apart.

Traits

• Signature Attack (Disrupt Person) - Dorian makes this attack with an edge.
• Surprising Power (Possession) - Dorian ignores rank and origins when selecting this power.
• Signature Attack (Possession) - Dorian makes this attack with an edge.

Tags

• Heroic
• Hounded
• Mentor (Ser Nemo)
• Obligation (School)
• Signature Weapon (Sword?)
• Sorcerous
• X-Gene
• Young

Powers

Possession:

• Phase Self: Dorian can become as intangible as a ghost.
  • Prerequisites: None
  • Action: Standard
  • Duration: Concentration
  • Effect: Dorian and his clothing become intangible and can move through anything as if it wasn't there. Nothing can physically affect him, nor can he affect anything that is not phasing with him.
• Phase Walk: Dorian can walk on air.
  • Prerequisites: Phase Self, Rank 2
  • Duration: Concentration
  • Focus: 5
  • Effect: When phasing, Dorian can move in any direction as can anyone or anything phasing along with him.
• Quick Phase: Dorian can become as intangible as a ghost in an instant.
  • Prerequisites: Phase Self, Rank 2
  • Action: Reaction
  • Trigger: The character is attacked.
  • cost: 5 focus
  • Duration: Concentration
  • Effect: The character and their clothing instantly become intangible.
• Partial Phase: Dorian can me a portion of himself tangible or intangible.
  • Prerequisites: Phase Self, Rank 2
  • Action: Standard
  • Duration: Concentration
  • Cost: 5 Focus
  • Effect: Dorian can make any portion of his body and clothing tangible or intangible.
• Disrupt Person: Dorian can hurt someone with his phasing powers.
  • Prerequisites: Phase Self, Rank 3
  • Action: Standard
  • Duration: instant
  • Cost: 10 Focus
  • Effect: Dorian and his clothing become intangible and can move through anything as if it wasn't there. Nothing can physically affect him, nor can he affect anything that is not phasing with him.
• Disrupt Electronics: Dorian can scramble electronics by moving through them.
  • Prerequisites: Phase Self, Rank 2
  • Action: Standard
  • Duration: instant
  • Cost: 5 Focus
  • Effect: Dorian can scramble electronics when he moves through them while phasing, causing them to shut down or crash. In the case of Tech Reliant powers, they are unusable for one round while they reboot.

Magic (Demonic Set):

• Possession: Dorian takes over someone else's body.
  • Homebrewed Power , Changed Agility defense to a contested check.
  • Prerequisites: Cursed, Rank 5.
  • Action: Standard
  • Duration: Concentration
  • Cost: 20 Focus
  • Effect: On the first possession attempt, Dorain makes an Ego check with trouble against an Ego check of the target with trouble. On a success, Dorian takes over the the target's body completely. On a failure, further attempts of possession do not give the target trouble.
    Dorian's Ego Defense is the target number for any checks to end the possession.
    If Dorian attempts to harm someone with the possessed body, the target gets to make an Ego check to end the possession. If the target has the Heroic tag, they gain an edge.
    If Dorian attempts to harm the possessed body, the target gets an edge on the check. If they have the Heroic tag, they get a double edge.

Telekenetic:

• Telekinetic Manipulation: Dorian can handle physical things with his mind.
  • Prerequisites: None
  • Action: Standard
  • Duration: Concentration
  • range: Varies
  • Effect: Dorian can manipulate objects in line of sight with his mind. His maximum range is 5 spaces x rank. If someone would prevent Dorian from taking control of an object, Dorian makes a Logic check against their Agility defense.
• Telekinetic Attack: Dorian can punch or choke somebody with his mind.
  • Prerequisites: Telekinetic Manipulation, Rank 2
  • Action: Standard
  • Duration: Concentration
  • Range: Varies
  • Cost: 5 focus
  • Effect: Dorian makes a Logic attack against the Melee defense of a target within 5 spaces times rank. If is is a success, it inflicts regular damage. On a Fantastic Success, the damage si doubled instead, and the target is stunned for one round.