11668/A Sabertooth Walks into a Bar... no joke, he really did

A Sabertooth Walks into a Bar... no joke, he really did
Date of Scene:	19 June 2022
Location:	Cafeteria and Bar
Synopsis:	What starts at Victor and Mystique talking in the bar, turns into a small gathering for conversation and brownies.
Cast of Characters:	Raven Darkholme, Victor Creed, Clarice Ferguson, Lorna Dane, Lydia Dietrich, Pietro Maximoff

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Raven Darkholme has posed:
As of late, the asteroid had a way of running itself. There were still things here and there that Mystique had to deal with of course, but for the most part these days, it had become a well oiled machine... almost literally.

With the New York refugees all finally back in New York, the throng of the place had dimmed a little, which is exactly how she liked it. No more mediating between humans and mutants over the piddly little every day things. Mutants always won of course, but she had made it appear just and fair.

Sitting in the bar at her favorite table, the one that permitted her to see the door and keep her back to the wall, she held a glass in her hand with her eyes fixed on the large screen across the room. Two of the younger mutants were playing a video game on the massive thing, which was amusing her due to their constant crashing, shooting each other when they were on the same team, and there had been one incident of a rogue grenade that killed them both at the same time.

Victor Creed has posed:
Victor had chafed when it was crowded, and more then a few almost violent situations had to be talked down, for sure. Now the man can finally stretch, so to speak. He shoulders his way into the area and immediatly starts towards the bar. Tight jeans, battered boots, and a sleeve,ess faded Skynyrd shirt make up his outfit today, with his dogtails jingling. He leans over the bar and gets his claws on a shot of tequila, falled by a Jack and Coke.

Once he has that he turns and makes his way over until he is standing over the group. His nostrils flare briefly, before his drink comes to his lips, as if that is suitable as a 'hello'.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Dressed in more casual attire for a change, Mystique is in a pair of white jeans that are tucked into white leather knee boots. A pale blue tank top covers her chest, no emblem on the front. Whether the clothing is a part of her, or actually real was hard to determine, but the white belt complete holster and her side arm that also straps to her thigh was likely very real.

Watching at Victor entered the room, her yellow eyes followed him as he moved. Not out of a sense of danger for herself, more out of habit. When that man was present, there was always the possibility of something hostile happening, though very rarely to herself.

Collecting her drink from the table, she stands to calmly walk toward the group playing games that Victor was now towering over. Reaching the back of the couch, she turns her back to the television and leans against the couch.

"If you watch long enough, Victor, one of them will murder the other one," she offers with a coy smile. "Then the screaming will begin as they each blame the other."

Victor Creed has posed:
"Sounds like humans in general," the man growls, glancing down at the game being played. He tries to follow the sprites on the flat screen for as long as he can, before he shakes his head and turns back towards Mystique. "Looks like you got all those people outta here," he grunts, bringing his drink to his lips for a long sip."

The leer she gets from him is hardly personal, she'd know by now. He tends to look at people are if they were a ptoential threat or a potenail mate and...not really too much else. Oh, and a potential annoyance, too, let's be honest. He glances away again and sighs.

"Anythin' new? I'm thinkin' about pickin' up a contract dirtside just so I got somethin' to do. Feel like I'm growin' roots."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Just having Victor there the performance in the game starts to falter, as the three young adults attempting to play find themselves getting nervous. Mystique seems to enjoy their sudden tension, perhaps because it means they might leave and there will be quiet in the bar, but more likely it's because she enjoys how people react to Victor.

"There is... " she glances to the children, really to her they were, on the couch. "Join me at my table Victor, and I will explain why you won't need to go dirtside right now."

With that, drink still in hand, she saunters back over to her table and takes a seat.

Victor Creed has posed:
The big man grunts and turns. He stands there for a moment, just to watch the woman walk away. He finally turns to follow and sprawls out on the couch, manspreading and lounging there with one big arm looped over the back of the seat. The children are annoyed by him now (Likely to their relief), and the dangerous shapeshifter has his full attention now.

He watches her with intense, amber eyes, and he takes another pull from his drink, ice tinking against sharp canines.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
The glass is set on the table as right leg cross over left and Mystique settles herself in the chair. From this place she can see the entire room, it really was the perfect location.

"In the next couple of days I will be going on a scouting mission, following up on a lead about the treatement of mutants in a few nations that refused to sign the Sokovia Accords. Yes Victor, boring political stuff."

She offers the man a smile before lifting her glass to take a sip. "Once I have hard facts, the Brotherhood will be going in to offer aid and relocation to those mutants and their families who want them." Her smile turns darker. "I will offer these geovnerments the chance to allow this to happen peacefully, but you know how these countries are, They will consider it an invasion, we have no right, blah, blah, blah... and then they will attack us, and we will ensure they regret that decision."

Victor Creed has posed:
He grunts a bit at her words and nods, before draining his glass and setting it aside. "Well, you tell me when people need to be gutted and I'm your mutant for the job. Am I just supposed to sit on my fuckin' thumbs till then?," he growls, turning to glare at the woman. A moment later he glances aside, deciding it is smarter to redirect his anger.

"Well, here's hopin' they do somethin' stupid.."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique accepts the anger, not because she deserves it but more because she understands it. It was difficult for Victor to sit still. One does not cage the animal and expect good results. So as he glares at her, she merely slow blinks once and waits, and when he looks away she almost smiles... almost.

"Would like a little side job in the mean time Victor," she asks soothly, head canting, almost sounding cute. "I'm sure we could arrange for you to murder someone in the mean time, if that's what you need... but yes, they will do something stupid because it is human nature. They believe that they have the upper hand because they have the numbers. They're inability to even attempt to understand mutants will lead them to their own demise in time."

She takes another small sip from her glass. "In the end, we will help those mutants and their families who want help, and these countries will have had more collateral damage as a result of their failure to see the logic in just letting them leave."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice strides in, arm-in-arm with her 'sister,' Lydia, a bright and cheerful expression on her features, still in discussion about the surprise trip to a music festival she'd sprung on her two younger brothers. "How many pictures do you think they'll 'torture' us with when they get back?" she asks. They both needed it - after the disaster that Theo's school trip to Egypt had turned out to be. He needed cheering up.
    "Oh, hey boss! Mister Creed! Are we missing anything good?" she asks, making her way to the bar to get a glass of her cognac.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna Dane had yet another meeting which had stretched far longer than she liked. Though she could do this 'Earth side' she'd taken to hopping up to the asteroid on occasion to take video call meetings from other nations because the reception was amazing. An empty coffee cup is carried in hand which she breaks away from those entering in front of her to veer off to the side so she can deposit it on one of those little bin/tray cart things that are meant for used dishes to be left so the cafeteria and bar staff can clean up easier. A half-yawn is stifled, and she turns back toward the bar and those here with a simple nod.

"I want a steak and a drink and ..." There's a pause while contemplating what else it was she wanted right now only to let out a sigh. "And something I can't have right now regardless. Food and drinks will do." With that stated she nods toward the others finally allowing herself to just relax a bit more. "I hope everyone's doing well."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    "At least a hundred," Lydia answers as she steps through the portal with Clarice. "Maybe two. I also suspect that they'll bring back at least /three/ t-shirts."

    When she sees Mystique here with Victor her face lights up. "Hello, sweetness!" she says walking over to her fiance and giving her a quick peck on the cheek. She gives Victor a polite nod. "It's good to see you again, Mister Creed." She can't help it. It's what Clarice calls him.

    She starts walking to the bar and asks, "Either of you would like something from the bar? I'm going to make myself a Manhattan. Oh! Your Majesty!" Lydia does a little curtsey to Lorna before resuming her journey to the bar. "Can I get /you/ anything while I'm here?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique turns her head slightly, yellow eyes falling on Clarice and Lydia as they enter, then shifting to Lorna as she comes in.

"What can't you have right now, Lorna?" She asks first, because she was curious and then she stands to give Lydia a hug and a light kiss, before letting her head to the bar. Sitting back down, she makes certain the table has enough chairs. Creed has claimed the near by couch, which was probably more comfortable for him anyway.

"Evening love," she offers to Lydia. "You and Clarice here having a good evening?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice takes a seat on the bar, letting Lydia fetch her drink for her - since she offered. "You know what to get," she tells her friend easily, a broad smile on her features, as her foot taps idly in the air.
    "Oh, not as good an evening as Theo and Pete!" In fact - her phone goes off, and after checking her messages, she lets out a laugh, and shows it to Lydia. It seems the boys had already started texting her images from the music festival. "//It begins,//" she says in a mock sinister tone.
    "Is it anything I can pop over and grab for you, Lorna? The freshest glacial ice from the farthest reaches of the globe? Fresh fruit from the shores of Papua New Guinea - their pineapple is amazing. A rare orchid from the depths of the rain forest canopy?"

Lorna Dane has posed:
"I'll take a screwdriver please, Lydia. There's no need to curtsey," Lorna informs while she moves to join the others. It's the questions that come from her half-asleep thinking out loud which cause her to pause. A green gaze sweeps over each in turn before settling on the apparently lost-in-thought Creed. Then away again with a sigh.

"No, thank you Clarice. I'm just a bit stressed." There's a pause as she reconsiders. "Maybe some dark chocolate. Lots of chocolate." Her hand lifts to wave off the notion lazily. "So how are you all doing? I'm guessing the boys are enjoying themselves."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    Tendrils of golden ectoplasm extend from her ectoplasmic field to start handling bottles as she makes everybody's drinks. Some Cognac for Clarice, a Screwdriver for Lorna (she makes it strong. Looks like Lorna needs it.) and a Manhattan for herself. The tendrils then reach out to hand each their drink.

    She laughs when Clarice gets her text and nods at Lorna. "They're having the time of their lives. They need it too. Like you, they've been under a lot of stress." She shakes her head, and comes around the bar to sit next to Mystique. "You need to be able to relax a little, yeah?" There's a slight little *nudge* in her voice. Something barely perceptible...

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "You don't need //me// to fetch dark chocolate. H&D probably have it on its way over here already," Clarice remarks in amusement, as she plucks her cognac out of the air, flashing Lydia a grateful smile. She takes a sip, and lets out a grateful sigh.
    "Theo and Pete live and breathe music. So... we sent them off to enjoy a festival. I have plans to send them to this thing called 'Earth Celebration' in August, too. It had some very interesting reviews online..."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique pulls the chair out for Lydia so she can sit close by, accepting the nudge as the hint it was. Yes, she knew she needed to relax more, but there was just too much going on right now for that. Between planning to take over the world, or at least rescue mutants, and her own wedding, she decided she'd relax later.

"Theo and Pete are both very talented musicians," she offers, taking a sip of her own drink. "I hope they're having a good time."

Death by chocolate. So many different ways it can be made but the one Eddie has chosen to deliver to Lorna is a dark chocolate brownie with white chocolate chips for a hint of sweet, topped with chocolate fudge and a dash of whipped cream.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna Dane sits forward to reach for the drink that Lydia brings with a flash of a grin. "Thank you. I do need this. There's only so much politics I can take in one day." Just as she's about to take a sip of it though, Lydia speaks those words causing her to stare off in space a moment. It's only when Clarice starts to speak of H&D that she shakes herself out of whatever little spell she'd been under to glance back toward her friend.

"Ah, yes, that will be nice as well..." And then Eddie is there giving her the brownie which earns a rather grateful smile from her once again. She finally takes a sip of her drink, nodding at the strength of it, and sets it down in favor of the treat in front of her. "It's good to be the Queen," she utters jokingly as she plucks it up for a quick bite.

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    Lydia scoots the chair offered to her a little bit closer so she can lean on Mystique when she finally sits down. "I'd be /very/ surprised if they weren't," she says. "This kind of thing is right up their alley."

    The smell of chocolate catches her attention before its appearance does. She looks at what Eddy brought Lorna with, perhaps, a tiny amount of envy. "Wow, that looks good," she says. She knows that her past self would inhale something like that and there's a little twinge of regret.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I have no desire to ever rule a kingdom," Clarice remarks casually, leaning back on one hand, while still sitting on the bar. "So more power to you. But I still wouldn't say no to being a... say, Countess, or Duchess..." She winks at her friend, grinning in amusement, before taking another sip of her cognac.
    "I have enough in my life to keep me busy already."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Yellow eyes follow the brownie as it is brought into the room and presented to Lydia, Eddie being quite proud of his creation offers a slight bow and a quiet, "Enjoy." before making his way back out. Yes, H & D were on the ball as usual.

Looking back to Lydia, Mystique offers a smile as she says, "I went to Woodstock. I did not have the same good time everyone else did." with a completely straight face.

"Sometimes being the Queen, or leader, has it's advantages Lorna, this is one of those times. Eddie has been experimenting with his own creations, and that is one of them, let me know how you like it." She takes another small sip of her rum and cherry grenadine syrup, then swirls the glass to mix it back together.

"Azazel will be joining me on the scouting mission," she then comments as she looks back to Lydia. "He can assume a locals form just like me, so we will be finding the facts needed before the mission begins."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    Lydia nods, taking a sip of her Manhattan. "Is this related to the mutant situation?" she asks. "I know I don't have to tell you this, but be careful and stay safe." She leans over to give Mystique a quick kiss on the lips. "If you ever get into trouble you know I'll come for you."

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna Dane makes a noise that's a mix of decidedly pleased and possibly pornographic to show her delighted approval with the brownie. Her free hand lifts giving a thumbs up as she's busy chewing on the indulgent brownie. Royalty approved. Once she's finished though she grabs a bar napkin to dab at her mouth with a grin toward the others.

"Just so long as you're all careful, of course. Though I imagine with Azazel there you'll be fine. Unless you get distracted," she points out a bit teasingly.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Where did Clarice get that fork? One of the many benefits of portals. Without so much as a 'by your leave, your majesty,' she steals a small corner of the brownie - with all its various toppings - and nibbles at it curiously. "Royal poison tester," the remarks, should anyone give her a look for her audacity.
    "Okay. That's not bad," she agrees. Then with a casual toss, the fork disappears in a brief flash of purple energy, landing in a sink in the nearby kitchen.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique slides her arm around Lydia, leaning more into the woman and placing a soft kiss on her forehead. She understood the concern, she had some of it herself, but she also knew it would be difficult to get caught this time.

"I give you my word love, I'll be careful," she offers to Lydia. "Azazel won't let anything happen to me, he'd rather bamf me out then allow that."

At Lorna's comment there is a sparkle to Mystique's yellow eyes and she glances over with a broad, playful grin on her face. "Azazel is /very/ distracting, but since he'll be looking like some random human, it won't be as difficult for me to avoid distraction."

As Clarice borrows a fork then tosses it back, somewhere in the kitchen a dish washer yelps in surprise as the fork appears.

"If you'd like one of your own Clarice, let Eddie know. He's really eager for people to eat his creations. Hard to be an artist when your tools are food that most won't try."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    Lydia snorts, grinning. "Mystique has a strict 'no canoodling while at work' policy placed on her. By me." She still has a bit of a jealous streak when it comes to her fiance, but Azazel has managed to worm his way past that into the 'canoodling allowed while not at work' category.

    She shakes her head, "I don't believe that most people won't try Eddie's food. Eddie's a genius when it comes to food, and I'd be surprised that people don't flock to him to try out the dishes he comes up with."

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna Dane licks a few of her fingers to get some of the yummy brownie bits off as she'd gone straight in instead of using a fork as Clarice had. Her friend is eyed at the stolen bite only to shrug a bit over the incident. "Generally most brownies are baked in a large batch. I'm sure Eddie has quite a few more. It is *really* good. Helps with cravings for things." A breif grin comes, and she rolls her eyes a little at Lydia and Mystique's conversation.

"No canoodling at work is a very good rule, yes. And yes, Azazel does cut a rather dashing figure. Maybe it's the suit." Her smile starts to spread again as her mind wanders. "Of course Tom looks good in one too."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I'll have one - after dinner. Wouldn't want to ruin my appetite," Clarice replies with amusement. She takes a sip of her cognac, her gaze going back to Mystique at all the talk of the scouting mission - but her expression seemms utterly unconcerne. Mystique is perfectly capable of taking care of herself - especially with a teleporter along for the ride.

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
"Tom who?" Pietro asks, as he zips in - already having a brownie on a plate in hand. Perks of moving so dang fast! He's got himself a glass of milk as well, nice and cold. He finds a seat at the table, nodding to those present in a polite fashion.

"How is everyone?" The speedster asks, relaxing a bit in the nice cafeteria. "Things are going well, I hope?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
For a moment Mystique looks totally shocked, the perfect shift of facial expressions and body language, the actress in her coming to light. "What do you mean no canoodling!" she replies, reaching up to wipe an eye as if a tear had formed there. Then the act ends with a laugh, and she kisses Lydia lightly. "No canoodling while working. I've actually had that rule for a long time, unless the canoodling is required as part of the job."

She leaves the rest of that particular topic alone, it was the past and not the sort of job she did any more. She had other people to go sleep around for information, and they did so regularly.

Some where in the kitchen, Eddie is demanding to know who ate the brownie that is now missing. H & D inform him that Pietro has it, and the kitchen returns to normal.

"Evening Pietro," she offers, leaning back into Lydia. The talk about the upcoming mission would shift now, unless Lorna felt the need to tell her brother. The cobalt mutant still wasn't entirely sure where Pietro stood on things.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna Dane was just about to take another bite of the brownie when Pietro speaks. It's this that startles her more than anything and she mentally berates herself for speaking out loud given his penchant for zooming in. One of these days she would find a way to keep track of his appearances. Lightly she clears her throat, and glances over toward him, then the others.

"... He's someone I've started dating recently," she finally says with a bit of a sigh. It was only fair she shared that with him given she knew of his girlfriend. Though there was always the worry that this would lead to endless teasing. "He was looking into the issue with Tommy that occured at the embassy and we met several times along those lines before he asked me to dinner."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Which of us is going to threaten him into being on his best behavior at all times?" Clarice asks Pietro glibly - a grin on her features, that she aims towards Lorna, briefly.
    Looking towards Mystique she asks, "How long is your dosier on Tom, now?" she asks. "It still fits in the one folder, right? Or did you have to get a box to store it all?"

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
His brow goes up a bit, looking to Lorna. "Tom, hrm? Looking into the issue with Tommy..." That name alone raises Pietro's hackles. It's still likely that he's some sort of clone of the Prince! "Interesting. And he asked you out to dinner?" A bite is taken from the brownie, washed down with the milk.

A quick nod to Mystique, then a glance to Clarice with a grin. "I suspect I'll only act if the man does something untoward, or tries to hurt her." A shrug and a grin. "She's met my girlfriend, and hasn't read her a riot act - so I think it's only fair I act the same."

A wink to Lorna. "But I will be watching."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
One brow lifts on Mystique's face as she looks to Clarice. "Dosier on Tom? I have no idea what you're talking about," she states with a perfectly straight face, knowing will well that everyone in the room would know that was a lie. "I would never gather information on the Queen of Genosha's boyfriend, about his past, former lovers, places of residence, work history, what schools he attended, when he served in the military or anything of that nature, Clarice."

She manages to keep that same exact serious face through the entire speech, then takes a sip of her drink as a playful smile plays on her lips. "Or maybe I did, and it's all in a box in my office."

Now her eyes shift to Pietro. "You aren't the only one watching, but probably for entirely different reasons.... so, tell us about your girlfriend, Pietro."

Lorna Dane has posed:
"God I hope he does something untoward soon." Another bite of brownie is taken before she leans back in her seat glancing at Pietro's own plate and drink. "Mm. Milk would go great with this," she has to admit even though she herself has something way stronger. It probably doesn't work as well with the chocolately treat but it did help with the relaxing part. Although since Lydia had spoken to her a moment ago she did feel strangely relaxed.

"Mmhm. I appreciate the thoughtfulness, Pietro. And since I haven't gotten a report dropped on my desk by ninjas," she adds glancing at Mystique, "I'm guessing he's checked out so far."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    "She has many boxes in her office," Lydia confirms with a sly grin. "I couldn't tell you if one of those are his, though." She takes a sip of her Manhattan, "Only /special/ people get a box."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice can't help but let out a snort at Lorna's statement, mischief an amusement showing in her eyes. "Well. If there were anything untowards in the box - which surely doesn't exists - I suppose I would have been made aware by now." After another sip of her cognac, she adds, "Yes, Your Highness. Please do tell us about the lucky woman you've found yourself with."
    There's another sound from her phone, prompting her to glance at it - and let out a laugh, before showing it to Lydia.

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
A covered cough at the comment from Lorna. "I see. I hope he behaves as you would like, then." Pietro comments after a moment. His glass of milk is offered to her, should she want a sip. He looks to Mystique and Clarice, as they've sent questions in his direction.

"Micola is a wonderful young woman, who is the proprietor of Hunter's Moon Tattoo. She's a mutant, with gifts relating to ferrying those who have passed on and helping them find peace." A slight smile. "Lorna has met her, and even suggested she help design some artwork for her."

A look to Lydia. "I'll have to see if I can find the proper box for this Tom."

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna Dane flashes her brother a grin as she makes him suitably uncomfortable. Since she'd behaved with his girlfriend it was only fair she somehow get to annoy him. The offered drink is accepted though to take a sip washing down the last bite of brownie she'd taken. Then it's offered back with a thankful nod. "That was excellent. I'll have to get another at some point." Later. She wouldn't be binging on brownies all evening.

"Yes, Micola is rather nice and I'm looking forward to getting my old tattoo covered. It's out dated to say the least." Did they know she had a tattoo? Hopefuly not, she'd tried so hard to keep it covered when she could, even taking to wearing those single-shoulder shirts.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
The box didn't exist, but the file containing all the information Mystique had on Tom did. That file existed in the minds of H & D, stored there where no one could get to it save for the twins themselves. Security at the highest levels.

"Tattoos don't work for me," she sighs, actually sounding upset by that idea. "I could keep one for a short time, but the minute I change, it's gone."

Gesturing to Sascha behind the bar, the man nods once and bring over a cup of coffee that gets set on the table in front of the cobalt mutant.

"Perhaps we should have a get together," she then says. "Dinner, or a brunch, I hear bruches are nice... even if it would be after the sun set. I'd like to get to know your new partners." She pauses there and realizes how that sounds. "As something more than a file, that is."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    "Jews aren't supposed to get tattoos," Lydia says, "But more and more of us are getting them anyway. Pretty much only the orthodox and more conservative Jews really care about it." She takes a sip of her Manhattan. "I've always wanted to get a tattoo, but I never really knew what to get." She shakes her head, "I don't know if a tattoo would even stick on me now, or if I'd just heal it over."

    She turns to Pietro, "I'd love to meet your girlfriend, however. I've... uh... had to do some tattooing myself. I'd love to get some tips."

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna Dane leans back in her seat again reaching for her screwdriver before she settles properly. The talk of tattoos and what to get only earns a small, wry smile. "I," she begins, glancing down to her drink. "Have asked her to design a memorial tattoo for all of those lost in Genosha in the past. Those we found in the mass grave left by the Magistrates, as well as others after. I thought if a Queen has a tattoo it ought to at least be meaningful," she points out while lifting to take a sip of her drink again.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique studies Lorna for a moment, then offers a solemn nod. "That is a wise and rather beautiful sentiment Lorna, I hope she creates something amazing for you."

At that moment there is a buzz vibration from her pocket. "And that is my reminder of a meeting I need to get to."

Lydia gets a soft kiss before the cobalt mutants stands, taking her cup of coffee in hand. "We should plan a dinner together some time. No work, no business, but family and food. Perhaps after the wedding."