1835/A Sinister Plot: Another Brick in the Wall

A Sinister Plot: Another Brick in the Wall
Date of Scene:	25 May 2020
Location:	Unknown Lab
Synopsis:	Sinisters victims talk about their captivity and try and keep their hopes up... not entirely well.
Cast of Characters:	Gabby Kinney, Roberto da Costa, Danielle Moonstar, Emma Frost, Julian Keller, Henry McCoy

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Gabby Kinney has posed:
*SHUNK*

The ominous doors at the back of the cells open simultaneously. There's no one standing there to have done it so it must clearly be automated. In a 'facility' such as this it made sense to have as little immediate interaction with the subjects as possible to prevent issues. However that doesn't mean that they aren't allowed into the social area. A 'waiting room' as it were which is little more than a much larger cell. The walls and ceiling are still concrete, the lighting the harshest form of cheap fluorescent bulk bulbs that can be bought. The only ammenities that were set up inside were a few folding card tables and matching metal chairs. At one point they had some form of cushioning likely, but it was flattened down to be as bone achingly unpleasant as possible.

It wasn't Gabby's first time out of the cells into this area, so when it opens she doesn't hesitate to enter. Anything to offer a break in solitude and a change of scenery as it were. She drags her blanket along with her wrapped around herself like an oversized shawl.

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto had mostly kept to his cell since his arrival here, first out of rage, then out of fear, then despair. Though now as the cells unlock again he ventures out for the first time, peering out of the door at first then slowly then making his way fully into the social room, head turning left and right. Another time Roberto might have made a joke about the decor being consistent or something, but the young man seems somber and pale now, a shadow of his former self.

Spotting Gabby the first words out of his mouth aren't a greeting but, "Good idea," when he sees the blanket-shawl, he slips back to his room and when he returns he's doing the same as she, blanket draped over his shoulders. He takes a seat on one of those uncomfortable chairs, "So they got you too, huh?" it was less a question but an invitation for conversation, anything to banish the boredom and fear.

Danielle Moonstar has posed:
This is the first that Dani's been awake since she was brought here. The Cheyanne woman was likely visible from her cell to the others; unconscious and inert upon her bed. She's a pale imitation of her usual self. It's visible in so many ways. From the lack of braids leaving black hair long and limp to the way her skin has taken on a slightly pale sheen that gives it a sort of grey cast to the usual tan. The latter is likely from whatever she went through to arrive here.

At least she hasn't thrashed around or otherwised seemed to have an upsetting sleep. But then, if it's a drugged sleep...

Maybe it's timing. Maybe it's the sound of the doors opening. Either way, Danielle Moonstar blinks awake with a gasp and her table-bed rattles as she sits upright, grabbing at one of the side bars in that sense of 'where the fuck am I' panic.

At least she's awake! Give her another minute or two before she ventures out.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma slowly pads out of her own room, not wanting to stay in there, looking at the hellish equipment beyond, for even a moment longer than necessary. Like Gabby, she has brought her thin scratchy blanket, wrapped around her for a bit more modesty.

Considering what she's worn to 'court' before, there's a small part of her entirely amused at how much less she feels the hospital gown covers. But there it is. The 'shawl' at least covers her bare back and buttocks, which is a MARKED improvement overall.

She moves over to Gabby and gives the younger girl a half hug, slightly reassuring. "Berto. It was you I heard," she says, looking to the da Costa scion.

Julian Keller has posed:
Julian Keller didn't have the craving for fresh air some of the others might have, nor the hunger for company. Only child that he is, his instinct was to hole up in his room and stay there. Still, in time, even he becomes curious enough to wander his way out.

He, too, wears his blanket somewhat like a cloak, draped over his shoulders. His eyes are bloodshot, with dark circles beneath. He is not wearing captivity well, it seems. Or, more precisely, he's not handling fear well. He isn't used to being afraid.

He sits down next to Gabby but doesn't seem able to say much. What comfort could he offer? What hope? Instead he just says, "Hi," nodding to the others, finishing off with a soft nod, "Miss Frost."

Henry McCoy has posed:
Trundling out of his own cell, is Hank. He's got his blanket around wrapped around his waist - for warmth and modesty. He pauses as he enters the common room, looking to see who might be about - who had the gumption to get out of their cells. A nod is given to each person, the big man finding a seat. It's so much colder! Damn, not having fur!

"How is everyone holding up?" He asks, though he's clearly not expecting a glut of positive responses.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney leans in toward Emma to return that half-hug though she's quick to wrap her arms around the other woman's waist to make it a firmer hug for just a moment or two longer than might be considered normal. Because she knew hugs were good. They were always good. "Hi Emma, Berto," she greets with a small nod toward the older folks starting to meander out of their cells. When Julian joins beside her, it's her that turns to him to offer another hug without hesitation. "I'm glad everyone's okay so far." So far.

At Hank's question she flashes a grin at him with a little shrug. "I'm fine." And really, she was. This wasn't new to her. Sure, the torture part would be, but that hadn't happened yet. This was just familiar captivity for her so far, and she was doing her best to keep in mind for the others it was new and terrifying.

"Hey, did you guys hear about the kidnapping?" She pipes up. "It's okay, he woke up."

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto looks up with surprise as the others come in, especially Hank, he blinks a little when the teacher arrives before the man speaks and he can put it together. "Wow," he says faintly. Then shaking things off, he greets everyone with a single, "Hey," and a weak wave. "So, they got a lot of us, anyone else around?" he asks.

Danielle Moonstar has posed:
After a few more moments, Dani finally decides to get off the bed. That's awkward because those hospital beds are never the easiest thing to contend with. The cold floor is somewhat sobering at least, but it doesn't help. It doesn't give any sense of -where- or -why- and with nothing in the room itself, Dani ventures out down the only open path... which does lead her towards the voices. Voices are good. Voices mean she's not alone.

And that's how Mirage appears. She's got the blanket like others do, but hers is clutched in her left hand like a lifeline. She clings to the wall with her right as if she wasn't -entirely- sure it was real. Or maybe she's still finding her feet. At the moment, modesty seems to be the least of her concerns and one of the ties on her hospital gown has come undone, leaving it to slip over one shoulder. Brown eyes sit wide and uncertain as she looks over the others, her chest rising and falling with something near to but not quite hyperventilation.

This isn't fear. Dani knows fear. Dani can process and manage fear. This is panic and an attempt to make -sense- of a situation that begets everything but.

For the moment, the woman doesn't speak. She just stares.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma looks up at Dani, someone she doesn't recognize, as she staggers in. Another victim. For a moment Emma's thoughts are on the poor girl from the other night, and she shudders. "It's okay," she says reassuringly. "No one in here will hurt you."

Julian Keller has posed:
Julian Keller watches the others with sullen eyes. He cocks his head at Beast, "Gee, Doc, how do you think we're doing?" he snorts, closing his eyes and laying his head back against the wall. "I'm never going to one of those stupid escape room things again. I spent an hour trying to believe this was one, that what happened to that girl was just a...trick. A special effect. But it isn't. We're grade-A, first class, all around fucked."

He reaches over and pets Gabby's hair for a moment, "I'm sorry you're in this most," he says. "You don't deserve...this. I'm at least an asshole."

Henry McCoy has posed:
The older man rolls his neck, not letting tension build up. "Enough of that. We've got people coming for us. That, I can assure you of. All of us..." Hank motions to the people gathered in the room, "... we all need to keep our wits about us. This is not going to be easy, but we cannot fall to despair. Our friends have bested Essex before, and they will again." He growls, no lack of confidence in his voice.

As Dani arrives, he nods to she and Roberto both. "I am glad to see you are not injured. A few of us were in this..." A motion to the room, "... common area earlier. Do either of you remember what happened to bring you here?"

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney leans into Julian's touch a moment with a sigh at his remark. "Stop that. No one deserves this, period." Her lips purse together in a tight line as she looks around a moment among all the faces, including Dani who staggered down the hall. "Okay. I guess it's up to me then." She leans in toward Julian to give his cheek a quick peck of a kiss before she stands hauling her thin blanket with her. Glancing to Hank she gives a nod, "Let's get everyone together. Everyone," she suggests even as she goes over to Dani reaching out for one of her hands. "We got kidnapped. We're trapped. Help is on the way, but we gotta stay strong. Alert. And willing to fight if we get the chance," she explains as she tries to gently tug her into the room to join the others.

Raising her voice she speaks louder, loud enough to be heard in other cells hopefully. "I've been through this before. Not exactly this, but... I'm a lab experiment. I was created in a lab, raised in a lab, tested on... It's going to be hard but we *can* and we *will* make it through this. I know it's hard but we're not alone. Not *any* of us. No one deserves to be here, no one did anything to be put in this situation. As of now, we're all family, and we're gonna look out for each other."

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto looks around. "Yeah, thought about the escape room thing too," he says before pausing a moment to watch the PDA between Gabby and Julian. Another time he might have asked 'when did this become a thing?' or something like that, but right now he only shrugs. Gossip was for when they got out of here.

"None of us deserve this shit, but Gabby's right, we should meet everyone, stick together, work things out," he says before he answers Hank's question. "No, just remember driving home from Warren's party and then waking up here, nothing in between."

Danielle Moonstar has posed:
No, there's no injuries on Dani. The woman just has a bit of that shell-shocked look about her. She's lifting a hand towards that collar, spotting one on everyone else as she looks around the room. It might be for the best that Gabby approaches and takes her hand. One less thing to panic over at the moment.

"I can't feel anything," she says, voice thin. Uncertain. And those that know her and what she can do: it's not -feel- in the physical sense, but in the empathic one. What might once have been a blessing (to not have to filter out all those surface emotions) now feels like an emptiness.

"I don't," she says to Hank, his question suddenly processing to her. "I was out on a hike and then... I just woke up. I'm sorry."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma looks to Dani sharply. "You're a telepath too?" she asks quickly. She KNOWS DANI'S FEEL (though not precisely). It's horribly empty and quiet in ways that make everything seem even more terrifying. "These collars... they seem to just shut everything off," she explains softly. "I've tried to pull mine off, but I can't find any place to unlatch it."

Julian Keller has posed:
Julian Keller isn't one of the hopeful types. He isn't big on team spirit or unity with his fellow mutants. Truth be told, he doesn't like many of them very much and he's pretty unhappy that those imprisoned with him include some of the ones he likes best. He knows this isn't about him, but he FEELS like it is and sometimes feeling is enough. He's just full of resentment.

But, he won't let his own cynicism out enough to shoot down Gabby. He just keeps his mouth shut at her stirring speech, nodding as she finishes. "I was at a club. I just thought I blacked out," he says. "Wouldn't be the first time."

Henry McCoy has posed:
Seeing Gabby take charge here brings a smile to Henry's face. She's got the right idea, that's for certain. There's a nod to her, approving in her methods. "Right then, no one can recall. I doubt any of us came along without resistance. Either we were mind-controlled, or fought and subdued." The big man shakes his head. "Regardless, no one has a clue as to what happened - just what is happening." A look to the group as a whole, chuckling at Gabby's joke.

"So, for those who missed it - the person holding us is Dr. Essex, also known as Mr. Sinister. He is an absurdly talented scientist with no moral code and the behavior of a sociopath. He captures mutants to experiment on them, as we've evidenced earlier." His voice drops a bit at the end of that. "He's got telepathic abilities, a glut of superhuman physical adeptations and a very robust healing factor." He says, with a frown. "We have beat him before. We will beat him again." His eyes go to everyone's in turn. "This will not be easy. There will be pain. There will be physical and psychological torture. But we will be free, and we must be ready to act when our chance comes."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney keeps hold of Dani's hand giving it a reassuring squeeze. Thankfully it's Emma who explains the collars, and she allows a nod of agreement. "None of us remember what happened. We think the guy holding us is a teep, too," she points out. Then if Dani lets her she carefully tugs the older girl to join them. Specifically to be nearer to Emma. If their powers were similar in some way then they would understand one another the most. Commonalities were a bonus. "Maybe a TK too," she adds hesitantly with a glance toward Hank to confirm. "It looked like he forced her hand down some how." Which... she won't explain the details. If Dani was blessedly passed out when it happened then all the better.

"All our powers are repressed, but that doesn't make us helpless. A lot of us know how to fight to begin with," she reminds. "Even if being without our powers is disorienting." Her? She was rather lucky in that hers weren't anything external or mental. When Hank gives more information on the 'good doctor' she turns to listen with rapt attention. "I'm used to the psychological. Which is why I know we need to stick together. The only reason I'm not totally murder-happy insane is because I had my sisters with me. If I hadn't? I'd probably be more like Laura." For those who knew her older sister, that would make sense.

"We're not without a few surprises of our own though," she points out looking among everyone, then toward Julian with a reassuring smile.

"I can't feel pain. It's not a mutant ability--It's from some of the testing I went through. Emma helped me check earlier. It's still the same. So, if I can, I'm going to use it to our advantage to get the hell out of here." Yeah, help was on the way, but 'sit tight' didn't suit her.

Danielle Moonstar has posed:
"No," Dani tells Emma, brow furrowing. "Similar... methods? Xavier's been teaching me." And it's not as if she knows any other empaths. "He called it tele-empathy. I feel people's emotions." And talks to animals, but that's just getting into more details than she can handle at the moment. At least Emma knows the feels! The sudden quiet. The absence.

Once Gabby leads her to a spot, she lifts a hand to adjust the hospital gown. Only then does she follow suit like some of the others and wrap herself up in the blanket. "I can fight," she says quietly. And it's not a bluff. With powers that aren't so much in the physical realm and only really affect biological beings, it's something she's had to learn. "But it sounds like we're... we aren't getting out until the others find us, are we."

Julian Keller has posed:
Julian Keller looks around, "If anything we say in here can be considered secret," he sighs.

"I won't lie. I can't fight my way out of a paper bag. Without my powers, I'm not much use. I need this stupid collar off if I'm going to be any good to anybody," he says, smacking his hand against it probably more roughly than he should.

"I'd be less worried if the biggest brain on the team wasn't locked in here with us," he says. "Also, are we not going to talk about the Cyclops thing? Maybe he's a captive like us, but whatever's going on there is real messed up. The only reason I doubt anything is just that he seems to be taking orders from that Sinister dude and Cyke doesn't strike me as anybody's bitch."

Henry McCoy has posed:
That does cause Henry to blush. "Brain or not, this is a situation I am very unfamiliar with aside from knowing who has us." He rubs a big hand over his face, sighing. "If I had the tools, it's possible that I could disable the collars. These look more advanced than any of the other ones I've run across, though." That's another frown. "They are likely alarmed as well, to notify Essex and his... companion to any tampering."

A glance to Julian. "It is very much unlike Scott, that is true. It is possible he had been captured and mind-controlled to ... participate in this. We're still trying to sort this out. Mind control, duress, clones, shape-shifting mutant - all are possible and not outside plausibility. I am sure that when we are rescued, we'll see the resolution to that puzzle."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney takes a deep breath that she lets out slowly at this particular topic. "Yeah, well. Apparently Scott has been a captive of this guy before and so it's not unheard of." Looking toward Emma she adds, "I think maybe his whole family has at some point? Though," she considers as she reaches out of her blanket to rub at her chin considering Hank's words. "It's possible. I mean he calls us by numbers rather than name, which is part of trying to dehumanize us." ... Since when the hell was Gabby this smart? "And he calls Scott number seventeen. So either that was his 'patient' number at one point, or yeah, could be a clone number. I was number 10 after all."

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Having zoned out for a bit, Roberto looks up to warn the others, "Probably safe to assume he can hear everything we say here," he says, adjusting his blanket a little. "Back home, my dad had me take a training course on what to do when you get kidnapped, it was for guys looking for ransom, not psycho mad scientists, but some of it applies, our best bet is to try to keep our spirits up and survive this. After all we've got the team, plus whatever resources, the Frosts, Kellers and da Costas are going be throwing at finding us. At least that's my take on things."

He lets out a breath when it comes to Scott. "Not sure what happened with Cyke, but if he's been controlled for awhile it makes sense how Sinister was able to get us all as well. But we need to figure out how we can help him. I don't think any of us want to see him left here if we do get out of this place."

Danielle Moonstar has posed:
A lot of this is going in one ear, but out the other. Partly because Dani is still trying to process everything and partly because she's just starting to grasp things. She's found a spot to sit... even if that spot is sinking in against the floor, back to the wall, wrapped up in the thin blanket as best she can.

And pieces start to come through. Her features shift: brow furrowing, lips turning downward. She makes a sound that's somewhere between a gasp and a sob.. both entirely unbidden.

"It was Scott," she says, suddenly. "And Jean." She looks up, dark eyes big through the dark hair that hangs lank across her forehead. She lifts a hand to push it aside. "Scott and Jean came for me. I... I don't remember what happened, but it was them." Her hand on the blanket tightens, more and more.

"I thought we could trust them." -Someone- isn't buying the clone (or shapeshifter or whathaveyou) theory. Not right at this moment.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma frowns at Dani's comment, but then, her own expression falters. "...I think... I think I remember it too. The cab stopped, and Scott got in?" She shakes her head, almost violently, as if trying to drive the memory loose. "I don't remember anything more. Just being startled and confused-- I thought he was going to stop me from meeting Alex." Her eye look distant for a moment. "I know that... doctor... can block memories. But without my powers, I can't break those blocks!" she looks frustrated.

Julian Keller has posed:
Julian Keller frowns. Even though he was the one who brought it up, he's not that interested in whether Scott - or Jean - are involved. Truth is, he's having a hard time being interested at all. If he's going to get rescued, he'll be glad of it. If he's going to suffer and die, he'd rather not dwell on it.

The worst part is that he more or less feels helpless. Without his powers or his wealth, he's nothing. Just a useless hostage, just another head to be saved.

"Don't count too much on the Kellers. I'll be surprised if my parents even pick up the phone if anybody calls them. They're not exactly doting," he snorts.

Henry McCoy has posed:
He casts his gaze to Dani and Emma. "I do not doubt you, either of you. But I know Jean and Scott. They would not do this without being controlled some how. Not either of them." A nod, Henry's eyes showing his utter loyalty to his team. "This all smacks of Essex's attempts to twist our thoughts the wrong way. Deception will benefit him, as it keeps us off balance."

He stands up, needing to pace. Keep moving. Get the blood flowing to let the brain think clearer. There are too many unknowns. His hands clench and open, clench and open.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney once again moves over to Julian to offer him a hug. "Doesn't matter, there's still people coming for us, you included. Even if it's not your parents," she points out in an attempt to cheer or at least reassure him that he wasn't being forgotten out of their group. The talk of being abducted and recalling things causes her to glance over again with a frown.

"I still don't remember. ... Which means either his hold on you two isn't as strong, or he's purposefully letting you recall to try and fuck with your heads more." Seemed logical to her. Maybe the fact that they had mental abilities as well meant he couldn't do quite as much a whammy on them as the others.

Roberto da Costa has posed:
"Right, sorry man," Roberto says to Julian. "Anyhow, like Gabby said people are looking," he says.

Pushing up from his seat, Roberto says, "Might be he's messing with us, wouldn't put it past him to have this whole place set up just to do that. Hell for all we know the psychological side could just be part of the experiment." He rubs his head, "I hate this stuff."

Danielle Moonstar has posed:
Slouching forward, Danielle puts her head in her hands. The people of Xavier's being what passes for family is nothing new to her. She has nothing to add to the 'who will come for us' conversation.

It's the rest, really. "I have shields to prevent this sort of thing," she says, in a quiet voice. As if reassuring (or reminding) herself. "People aren't supposed to be able to mess with my head."

Julian Keller has posed:
Julian Keller shakes his head, "There's no limit to the ways people can mess with your head. Doesn't take powers or fancy tech to do it," he says. Of course, Julian's used to the one being the instigator of such shenanigans, not the victim.

"I know they'll come eventually. I'm more worried about how long we have to hold out until they do. Because, judging from what we saw yesterday, some of us won't make it to being rescued if we're not careful. We have no idea what he plans. If he wants to drag one of us on that table and rip open our chest and start playing Jenga with our organs, there really isn't much we can do about it."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney glances down at the floor wordlessly then. There really was no denying that at all, not at all. "I don't know if it'd help at all, but... Try to pass out as quick as possible if you can. Hold your breath, hyperventilate, whatever necessary. It seems like he wants to force us all to try to use our powers beyond our abilities. We can't do that if we're unconcious." Though she would hope the test would FINISH at that point. If no, then... Then at least they'd be unconciuos when the worst happens.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma cringes at that. "He wouldn't." She saw for herself that he would though... so it's more of a hopeless plea.

Henry McCoy has posed:
"Julian, remind me to educate you in bedside manner." Henry grumbles. "We will get through this. Worrying about what will come, or speculating on the worst case scenario, will only serve his purposes." He says, with all seriousness. "Do not feed into the hysteria." He looks directly at Julian for that.

His pacing continues, anger rising again at the situation. He's trying hard, so hard, to control that rising rage. He needs clarity, not emotion right at the moment. Save the rage for the experiment table.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
"Okay. We do need to keep our spirits up. That's the hardest part," Gabby has to admit with a nod as she knew this well. "Which is why we should all group hug before we have to leave again. I know it might seem weird, or touchy feely, but... We aren't gonna get a lot of positive things in here. We gotta make positive things when we can.

Danielle Moonstar has posed:
The others are in motion, are planning. Dani? Dani is just making herself as small as possible against the wall. She's curling into her blanket and putting her hands up against her head. As if she could perhaps will herself into having her powers again. Or maybe to not think about the torture... and unlike the others, she hasn't had to witness any yet.

Which is both a good and bad thing. Thanks to her powers, she has a really, really vivid imagination.