604/Family Reunions

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Family Reunions
Date of Scene: 18 March 2020
Location: Front Yard (Xavier's School)
Synopsis: The Magnet kids meet up.
Cast of Characters: Lorna Dane, Pietro Maximoff, Andrea Marguiles, Roberto da Costa, Wanda Maximoff




Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna had been in and out of the Mansion for the past few days. Wakanda. Genosha. The Hellfire Club's various restaurants and smooshing with those in power and with money.. It had been a blur of panic attacks, too many drinks, trying to pretend that she could function and diplomatic meetings.. And still she was nowhere closer to figuring out who had attacked Genosha. There were many questions and few answers to be had.

So the young Queen found her quiet time more precious than ever. Today, that involved standing outside in the chilly, foggy morning in Westchester before the rest of the Mansion had entirely sprung to life. She was bundled up in a winter coat still, too cold to adapt to the New York temperatures after living in Genosha's tropical climate for years. She wore a pair of black skinny jeans, and a pair of knee high boots, which were also black. A majority of her wardrobe had shifted to somber colors as of late.

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    Speaking of being around, the wayward brother of the Queen has been....missing, as of late. Pietro did not take the attack well, which....would be an understatement. And, as such, Pietro was gone. Wanda had general ideas what he was doing, but even she didn't have a solid lock on his actions. Which was concerning.

    And then, just as suddenly, he was back. Without announcements or even explanations. Perhaps that is why Pietro decided to take a walk to the mansion. To offer an explanation. Or, most likely, to at least check on his other sister. He arrives dressed more appropriately for the weather, with a light jacket and jeans. He sees the green tresses of Lorna and, after a moment of consideration, approaches.

    Time to play the brother role.

Andrea Marguiles has posed:
Andrea Marguiles is in her softball uniform again, with a cap, jersey, and shorts, with a tight black bodysuit beneath it all. She's holding a softball, hand stretched slightly to hold it easily in one hand, as she comes around to the front fields of the school. Seeing Lorna and... someone, she waves and starts approaching from a distance.

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto also had a lot on his mind. Family matters mostly. His mom had moved to Gotham, the family was in an uproar about the pending divorce and then there were the girls on his mind...

He needed to do something or he'd go crazy, so, depsite the fog and chill Roberto headed out in shorts and a jersey, after he brought his own heat wherever he went, dribbling a football (soccer ball to you heathens) up and down the driveway.

The young man's just making a return trip, when he spots Lorna wandering out of the fog, he pulls up short, resting a cleat on the ball, before kicking the ball up into his arms and waving to Lorna. "Miss Dane," he greets carefully not sure if he's intruding or not.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Several things happened at once. Lorna waved to Roberto, and flashed a distracted smile toward Andrea. She had been intending to take a walk along the road, to be alone with her thoughts. But instead there were people. Constantly people. But one was a sight that she had longed to see, to speak to, and to simply be around. Her half brother.

"Pietro!" She gasped, and a smile blossomed on her features. Lorna had cut her hair short around to a bob compared to what he'd been used to seeing. She looked healthy otherwise, and she made her way toward her half brother in a rush.

"Where.." She broke off and shook her head, trying to get a hug from Pietro was hit or miss, still she was willing to try. "Never mind. I don't care."

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    Public displays of affection were really never Pietro's thing. However, considering the situation and recent events, this seems to be one of the times where he is willing to make an exception. The hug is given, albeit a little stiffly, as Pietro's hands fall gently upon Lorna's back. "Hello, Lorna..." The hug is held, for a second or even two, before released, as blue eyes drift about, catching the forms of two additional people. Oh, showing emotion in public. Pietro must be getting soft.

    But, for now, all others are ignored, as the question that was not asked is, nevertheless, answered. "I went hunting." No further explanation is given, but it is enough for Lorna to know what Pietro is alluding to. He went looking for those responsible, too. "I will find them." Then....with a pause, he changes his tone.

    "We will find them. And we will hold them accountable."

Andrea Marguiles has posed:
Andrea Marguiles tilts her head, watching Pietro and his friendly behavior toward Lorna. She feels like... something's going on, so she keeps walking, but for the moment she goes quiet, and just fires a softball across the lawn very quickly.

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto is about to speak and ask Lorna how she was doing, dumb question given the situation, but then a blur moves throught he mist and appears, hugging the Genoshan queen.

He recongizes the mutant of course, but he doesn't but into what seems an awkward family moment. Instead spotting Andrea for the first time and lifts his head in a nod to her. "Andy," he greets her quietly.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna didn't look too inclined to let her elder sibling go, and she eyed him with no small measure of affection mixed with a desire to push for more answers but unwilling to do so. She knew Pietro. He was a facet of their father, no matter how much he disliked it. They were too similar. And if she pushed, she knew it would end badly.

Regardless, her half sibling offered something at least, and she smiled weakly at him. "I know. .. to an extent. Wanda told me. And I hope so." She hesitated, trying to not unwind everything that had happened to her. She had been on Genosha when it was destroyed. She had been originally assumed dead... Instead she let her grip on Pietro go as she stepped back and glanced briefly at Roberto and Andrea. She pushed her shorn locks back from her face.

"Pietro, this is Roberto. Andrea is a student." She murmured and gestured to each.

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    If Pietro was acting kindly before, the shift in his demeanor is obvious. The defenses are up, the expression cool and more than a little controlled. This....is the normal facade that people are used to seeing. There is a slight tip of the head to Roberto first, then Andrea second, as he remains at Lorna's side.

    There doesn't seem to be anything more in regards to the topic the two were discussing. At least, for the moment. Instead, a murmured greeting is offered to both Roberto and Andrea. "Pleasure to meet you." Strangely, it doesn't *sound* like a pleasure...but at least someone is keeping his manners.

Andrea Marguiles has posed:
Andrea Marguiles stretches her arm a good 100 feet, with a grunt, turning her body into the turn, throwing her shoulder out as well, but she snags the ball and reels it in. Mid-way in the reeling in the ball-holding hand replies to Roberto's greeting with her own wave. "Hi." Now getting close enough to Lorna and Pietro, she slows down. "Hi, welcome." she smiles to Pietro.

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Technically Roberto was a student too, missed most of last year due to let's call it an accident, but he doesn't correct Lorna, 'high schooler' bringing the same sort of stigma in his mind as 'leper' or 'Nickleback fan'. Just two more months...

Okay, focus.

"Hey," Roberto says shifting his ball to the other arm so he can extend a hand, "Good to meet you.," he says. "Don't worry I don't want to step on your moment with your sister, just wanted to pay my respects," he says and seems to mean it.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna glanced at the other two briefly, having made introduction she flashed a smile that did not reach her eyes. She nodded, and that done, turned her focus to her half sibling at her side. "Did you want to come inside? Have a snack before you rush off? I'd very much like to talk to you.." She trailed off, biting her lower lip.

Lorna was not okay for all that she tried to put on a front of doing so. She was a hot mess, and it showed in the small ways that she fidgeted or in the shadows that ringed her eyes. Little things that Pietro would doubtlessly pick up, but that people who did not know her might yet miss.

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    Oh, it was apparent that Lorna was not quite okay. At least, apparent to her brother. And yet, Pietro isn't all that okay, either. He just tends to hide it better. Although, at the mention of 'paying respects'....that got a reaction. Enough for all three to see, the sudden flash of anger followed immediately by the cooldown and emotional detachment. It would seem that Pietro had more than his share of people paying respects. Still, when Pietro speaks, it is with a reserved tone. "Yes. and thank you for such." That...sounded sincere. "You are not intruding. I am the visitor here, after all."

    With a nod to Andrea, acknowledging her welcome, the white-haired speedster turns to Lorna. "You do not have to feed me every time I come to visit." Perhaps a slight attempt at a joke. "But I would not mind a longer visit. I assumed that you would want to talk and..." a pause....as words are considered. "...I think that talking will be good. For the both of us."

Andrea Marguiles has posed:
Andrea Marguiles gestures to the pair. "If you two, um, you know, want to talk privately, I can go practice somewhere else and stuff. But if you want to eat, we have plenty of food. Don't feel bad about having food with us." she offers, trying to smile to the obviously angry man.

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto nods to Pietro's words. "Still man, it's family, I get it," he says. He wasn't a prince, but he had his own share of complicated family life. "So like what Andy said, if you want us to bail and let you guys talk, just say the word. Though the food thing does sound good and there's probably breakfast on so...."

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna snorted a laugh, and pressed a hand against her mouth to stifle it. "Yes I do need to feed you every time you stop in. Otherwise you'll never eat something solid other than a granola bar." She teased, and nudged Pietro with an elbow as she nodded to the Mansion proper. "Besides, I made cookies earlier today. Chocolate chip with walnuts." She glanced at Andrea and Roberto and nodded.

"Thank you, both of you. I appreciate it. But we're going to chat about what happened.. and where to go from here, I think. And you're both mutants. So in a way, it affects you." She paused, and glanced at her older sibling with a raised eyebrow.

"If you don't mind? They're young, and I figured could use the perspective."

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    As Lorna laughs, two rare things happen. One, Pietro actually smiles. Not a forced smile for public relations or anything of the sort, but an actual genuine smile. And....he laughs. Well, it is more like a chuckle, but still, an unbidden expression of amusement. "Well, yes, but granola bars are very portable." Oh, an attempt at humor! Will wonders never cease?

    After careful consideration of the two students, then a glance back to Lorna, there is a nod in agreement. "I do not mind. It does certainly affect them, even if indirectly, and they have every right to know." Then, with that, he actually turns and speaks to both Andrea and Roberto. "It will not be a light topic, but you are certainly welcomed to participate, should you want to. It is, after all, your decision."

Andrea Marguiles has posed:
Andrea Marguiles nods to the pair. "We're all mutants. And in a crisis, we need to try to help each other, even more than usual. If there are ways." She fidgets a bit with the softball as she considers. "I'd like to join you."

Roberto da Costa has posed:
"I'm game," Roberto says. "And thanks for letting us join you, I appreciate the opportunity to hear more about what's happening."

It wasn't as though his attention hadn't been focused on the incident since it happened but hearing word from the ground was something else entirely.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna's frame relaxed slightly as Pietro laughed, or rather chuckled and she turned to start heading back inside to the Mansion proper. "C'mon, let's make sure you don't pass out from fidgeting at two hundred miles per hour." She teased, and swung the door open with a wave of her hands. Pietro wasn't //technically// a cleared member of Xavier's, but he worked for the Avengers alongside Wanda and if her sister was allowed in then damn-it, so was her brother.

A glanced was spared behind her as she made a bee-line for the kitchen where she'd tucked away a few of her cookies. Once there, she popped open the cookie jar, which wasn't completely empty and set it down on the counter before she turned toward the fridge again and started to rummage for food.

She turned back around with a plate of leftovers and a handful of other odds and ends, setting it out where Pietro could easily swipe at whatever he wanted. "So.."

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    The tease about the fidgetting is left to the wayside as Pietro follows Lorna into the Mansion proper. There might have a bit of a nervous glance as he enters, but it is quickly covered as the foursome cross over the threshold. He lets himself be led to the kitchen. When the cookie jar is opened, it suddenly seems to be less two cookies than when it started, with Pietro barely twitching in his spot, the two cookies nestled into his hand. No excuse given.

    Finding a countertop to lean against, Pietro picks up where Lorna leaves off. "So." Then, with a glance at the two students, he continues. "I wasn't there when it happened. By the time I could get there, it was already too late. That....in and of itself, was the reason I went looking. If I couldn't have helped then, I would be damned if I didn't try to do something later." And....Pietro needed something to punch. For the good of everyone involved.

Andrea Marguiles has posed:
Andrea Marguiles follows the group in. Watching Lorna with teh cookies, for her part she helps by trying to get out some milk, pouring some for any who wants. "I can't even imagine."

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto gestures to Andrea for milk. "And yeah, same, I couldn't imagine," he says though he's heard the rumours that Lorna doesn't need to imagine such things. Though he leaves that to be her story to tell.

"We did rescue one survivor, Ellie, calls herself Negasonic which is pretty dope actually," he offers with a slight smile.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna smiled haltingly at Pietro, and her gaze went distant. She pursed her lips, pausing to finally take off her winter coat and set it aside with a flicker of her wrists and her powers. she glanced back at Pietro. "Wanda told me that you both thought I was dead." She looked down, and bit her lower lip.

"I wasn't in the right state of mind for a long while. Still working on it.." She grimaced and shifted her weight upon her feet.

"I met Ellie, she's a sweet girl." She paused, "She went through the mutate bonding process, but was one of the few that was able to be saved after father came into power. We lost a lot of mutants in those early months." Some just couldn't be saved. Their minds were too broken.

"I'm working with Ms. Frost and a few others to start cleaning up Genosha. To bury the dead. Most of the refugees are still in Wakanda right now.."

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    "Wanda and I did fear the worst." It was an admission of concern, as much as anything. "I understand not being in the right state of mind." There is a hardening of his features, a sign that he is holding back emotion as he continues to speak. "It was partly the reasoning for my absence. I needed to do something. Anything. Or I would go mad. It was only after I managed to work out my....frustrations...is when I was able to return." Hence, the sudden appearance.

    Those blue eyes of Pietro's focus on Lorna. "I know about the refugees. T'challa has been most considerate. And I heard of the other offers." It seems that, wherever Pietro was, he still had access to current new sources. "It is good to have others willing to help. We should be vigilant, though. Nothing is given freely. There will be some repercussions further down." A shake of the head, as if debating with himself....then a change of topic, somewhat.

    "Regardless, I will be there to help. Whatever you ask....it shall be done."

Andrea Marguiles has posed:
Andrea Marguiles gestures to Pietro. "I met the King of Wakanda," she nods. "Whatever it may look like, with him coming in after to help, I think he really means it. He really does want to stick up for mutants. I'm glad of that." She will set out glasses of milk, then find a cookie, nodding thanks to Lorna.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna shot Pietro a look, filled with emotion and no small measure of guilt. To say she'd lost her mind in the weeks after Genosha's destruction was an understatement. She had wandered the wastes of the destroyed country, calling a magnetic storm to try to dig out the black box her father had told her existed far below the palace's sub basements.. And she had pulled it out. Just as the X-men had arrived and found her.

She didn't speak for a while, and merely inclined her head at Pietro's words regarding T'Challa and the rest. "Wakanda doesn't wish to see our people suffer and he has been entirely open and honest with me. I worry more for other business interests that have shown a sudden interest in Genosha. They will doubtlessly demand contracts and the alike when we are once again on our feet." She pursed her lips together.

"I trust some more than others." She shook her head, and glanced at Pietro again. "You want anything else to eat?"

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    "That is an appropriate reaction." For Pietro, he was referring to the trusting some more than others, but it could also mean the reaction after the destruction, or even the response with Wakanda. But then, for Pietro, he happens to know T'Challa on a more personal basis than others. "I trust Wakanda. Simply because they have nothing to gain from assistance, yet give it willingly." For Pietro to say that, out loud, speaks volumes. There is respect there, most definitely.

    "It is the others I do not trust. Someone constructed that....monstrosity...and pointed its sights at Genosha. For what, I do not know....but I wouldn't put it past anyone that it was done as a show of power more than anything else. And, if there are people twisted enough to lay waste to an entire nation....then there are those twisted enough to seek to gain a profit from that nation, seeing us bound and tied financially, socially, politically to whatever ill vision they possess."

Andrea Marguiles has posed:
Andrea Marguiles winces at Pietro's conclusions, but then takes a moment to try some cookie, and take a big drink of some milk. Gathering herself, sighing deeply. "It's true. So what do we do?"

Lorna Dane has posed:
"I trust Miss Frost to an extent..." She stopped and started, "She has shared a few secrets with me that I find more motivating than just business." She glanced at the others and back to her older brother instead. Lorna twisted about, and grabbed an apple from the countertop basket, waving her hand and summoning a knife to her, she directed it to start slicing the apple into bite sized pieces and silently handed it over toward Pietro and offered a piece to Andrea and Roberto after.

"However, Latveria and Doom have an interest as well. When I spoke to him, he said.. in a roundabout way.. That he was concerned that the same might happen to his country. So we can cross Doom off the list. He is decidedly not trustworthy, but I trust his paranoia the same way I did father's." She mused, and popped a bite of apple slices into her mouth.

"Mystique came to visit me the other day.."

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    "I had heard that Doom was offering assistance. And yes, I had the same thought. To not trust him, but his love for his own country. If he said he was concerned that the same might happen to his country, then I would believe that." With the apple slice accepted, he holds it as if he would a pointer, ticking off an invisible list. "Miss Frost offered assistance? I would admit, I wasn't exactly expecting that, though yes....it would make sense. She's shared some secrets, as she? Now that is very interesting." The apple slice is then promptly eaten, before the next little surprise drops on Pietro.

    "Mystique? Came here?" An assumption made, but perhaps not too far off the mark. "That is surprising. Tell me, what did she want? To join her in using less than savory methods to extract justice?" It isn't mentioned....but Pietro suspects that Lorna may know what he is talking about. If Mystique was around, it may be a recruitment effort.

Andrea Marguiles has posed:
Andrea Marguiles looks back and forth between the two. A step or two behind in this conversation at this point, of course not having their personal context and full information. But the high school student sits there, nibbling on cookie, listening.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna inclined her head once, and munched away on the remaining slices of apple, waving the know dirty knife to the sink and turning on the tap with another flick of her wrist. "Indeed. You know how paranoid monarchs speak, it wasn't outright said, but that's the sense I got from him. He came with enough of a presence that SHIELD came looking to make sure everything was above board." She shrugged once and glanced at Andrea and Roberto and back.

"Indeed. Miss Frost might be the only one that I trust has //mutants// interests in mind when it comes to Genosha." She murmured, but left the rest unsaid. She wasn't going to outright say anything, Emma was a telepath after all.

Regarding Mystique however, Lorna clapped her hands off on her jeans. "She came to me demanding I seek justice and stop hiding. Threatened to run around looking like me to get it too if I didn't start doing something." She shrugged again. "So. Yeah. She's out of jail."

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    There is a roll of the eyes from Pietro. Yes, he knows how paranoid monarchs speak. "Shades of Father, I would imagine. And so glad to hear that the world's self appointed babysitter came along to make sure Doom played nice." Of course Pietro has an opinion on SHIELD. He has an opinion on everything.

    And his opinion of one Emma Frost is given. "Mutant interests, you say? Well...that is somewhat refreshing. I have seen her in New York recently, but I did not realize she was speaking to you."

    The commentary about Mystique does cause a wry little smirk to appear on his lips. "Yes....that does sound like Raven. She was always one to follow her own devices." Is that a hint of admiration in Pietro's tone? No, it can't be, can it? "It may be better to point her in a direction and let her go. We both know her methods, while questionable, do get results. Not that I am condoning collusion with a known terrorist."

    Of course, he isn't suggesting collusion with Mystique. Not in the middle of Xavier's.

Andrea Marguiles has posed:
Andrea Marguiles finishes her cookie, and smiles to Lorna. "Thank you for sharing." She goes to take care of her dishes real quick. "Thank you both, and I hope that with as many people who care... something will be done. But I have to go to the team practice." She then waves and takes off.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna glanced toward Andrea and nodded, offering a wave as the younger mutant ran off. Her focus returned to Pietro to settle on him more firmly. "Of course not, and I didn't want to alarm anyone either. I find that being diplomatic to the point that people think they're getting what they want and asking for help goes a long way to put them at ease. Rather than father's method of diplomacy and all.." She drawled, her voice dry with humor. Still, her voice hitched slightly as she said 'father'. She pursed her lips and glanced away.

Pietro and Wanda had a very different experience with their father than she had...

"I don't know what I'm doing Pietro.. I wasn't ready to be a leader of a nation.. Even a broken one.." She muttered, her lips twisting as she exhaled a breath.

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    Andrea doesn't get a second glance from Pietro as he remains centered upon Lorna. "Well, yes. Father was rather headstrong with his approach. He would tell you that asking for help would be considered weakness. But, you are not him. Do what works for you.

    There is a step taken towards Lorna, as Pietro places his hand upon her shoulder. It is a gesture he picked up from Wanda, a simple touch to let Lorna know she is not alone. "It is quite a lot to ask. But you do have help. You have family. You have but to ask."

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna exhales a breath, shrugging lightly with a roll of her shoulders. "Maybe I should be more like him. It's what people keep telling me to do. To act, to stop being sad and moping. That he fought and stood up for what he believed in.. That I'm just.." She floundered and let her hands rise and fall away as she pursed her lips together.

"He didn't even have a chance to fight back Pietro.. the Palace was.. nothing was left.. It was just gone.. And I was a coward and I just stood there.." She shook her head blinking repeatedly as she shoved back her tears in frustration. But then Pietro's hand settled on her shoulder and she sniffled once.

"You should be in charge, Wanda should be in charge. God, I feel so useless... I haven't done anything productive."

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    That hand remains stalward upon Lorna's shoulder, while Pietro actually laughs. This isn't a heartfelt laugh...but a short and most certainly sarcastic affair with little in the way of any emotion short of scorn. "No. I should not be in charge. I would be too much like Father. Much too much like him. Wanda....Wanda would be better than me." The other hand rests upon the opposite shoulder now, as Pietro's voice drops, actually speaking from the heart without any filters in place. "No. Father chose his heir well. There was a reason he chose you."

    Past affilliations nonwithstanding, having Pietro lead anything but a race is a very bad idea. And Pietro is well aware of the fact.

    Then, back to Genosha. "I know. I went back afterwards. From what I saw, there was nothing that could be done. Not for how sudden the assault was." Then....another observation. "You were at least there. You didn't run. And you are not running now. You are doing what you can." For not the first, nor the last time today, Pietro finds himself wishing Wanda was here. Not for him, of course...but because she was so much *better* at this comforting thing. At least, he is trying.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna sniffled again but her lips twitched faintly as Pietro spoke, she even broke into a weak and bitter laugh as Pietro spoke of how very badly he would do if he were put in charge of Genosha now that their father was... gone. "Here I just thought Dad picked me because he didn't want to bother changing the decor of 'all steel all the time'." She teased, and her gaze lowered as she bit her lower lip again.

"I wanted to ask you and Wanda... I know that you both weren't close to him. That ... he was deeply flawed and all.. But I think we should do something private. For him. Even maybe going to a Temple and asking someone else to say something... It's not like he has a grave. And we can't exactly have a funeral.." She mumbled.

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    "Well, yes. You do have an advantage in being able to redecorate at a whim." Pietro may not be all the comfortable at comforting...but among the many languages he speak, he is certainly fluent in snark. And it is what he falls back to readily when given the opening.

    The snark falls away though, as Lorna suggests some sort of service. "A private affair." It isn't a question, but spoken as a statement. "Yes. I believe we can. For, yes, Wanda and I had our issues with him in the past..." Like, abandoning his newborn children, then coming in later with the dad bomb and conscripting said children into his terrorist cell. You know, like a normal dysfunctional family. "But he did work to redeem himself, and he is our father. He deserves a proper ceremony." With that, he releases Lorna's shoulders, stepping around to be by her side. "I am sure Wanda would like that."

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna's expression warmed to a smile as Pietro spoke, and she reached out to loop her arm through his as he came about to her side. "Good because my other threat was going to be to get Wanda to drag you, and really I would prefer to have you come along willingly." She teased, snark was a family thing, it would seem.

"If he had a grave he'd roll over it in, to think that I might ask a rabbi to say the Kaddish for him." She grinned, and tilted her head. It was better to inject humor into her voice rather than to fall back into the sniffles. It helped that Pietro was so willing to do the same thing. If Wanda had been there, well there'd be tears and hugs, and more tears.

"I know I don't have to say it, but I'm here for you too Pietro."

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    Pietro chuckles softly as Lorna reveals her dastardly plan. "Using Wanda. Shrewd play, Lorna." There is a shrug, as a smirk curls the corners of Pietro's lips. "It would have worked. Wanda is an undeniable force. I am just glad it didn't have to come down to that."

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna stood in her quickly becoming usual, all black, jeans and sweater. She was still cold, they were in the kitchen, a plate of what had been cookies and had been a cup of milk. A cut up apple and a few other bits of food were scattered on the counter. The youngest of the three siblings had hooked her arm through her older half-brother's and she was faintly smiling.

All in all, not quite the matching mood that Wanda had seen Lorna in a few weeks ago.

But at least, Pietro was back in civilization, and that mattered a great deal.

"Hey, I'm the youngest sister. That means I get to be the baby of this family from time to time. I missed out on years of dibs."

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
Wanda teleports up to outside of the gate and buzzes to be let in. It's how she usually arrives, but then she doesn't make so many trips to the school that it would be called a routine. More of late though since the happenings that brought Lorna back to it.

And now her brother as well. Wanda walks up the lane and one of the students walks her through the halls, chatting about his latest Danger Room session with the instructors. "Thank you, and good luck with your next one," she tells him as they reach the kitchen.

"Is there room for another in here?" Wanda asks softly, giving her brother and sister a smile as she sees them in there. "I'd have told you that I'd race, you Pietro. But... well, we know who would have won," she says with a faint grin as she walks inside and over to the pair.

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    Pietro is indeed standing in the kitchen, with his arm hooked through with Lorna's, in a light jacket and jeans. And....he is smiling. That....is strange, in and of itself. But, standing in the middle of the kitchen at the X-Mansion, with Lorna on his arm? That could be considered downright disturbing.

    "Well, just as long that you use your power wisely. And I am not referring to your penchant for floating flatware."

    And, as if on cue, Wanda arrives. Pietro glances to Lorna, gives a slight tip of the head towards their newly-arriving sister, and gives Lorna a wink. With his face in profile to Wanda, so she doesn't see the gesture as he repeats his last statement. "Use that power wisely."

    Then, with a shift, he turns to regard Wanda fully. "I would have let you win. Maybe." That smile remains present, though it does gain a wicked little tilt. Snark....it's a family trait.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna laughed outright, near a giggle, something that she hadn't done in far too long. She grinned, and shook her head at her older brother. "But what's the point if I don't abuse it? That's my right." She teased and then... well, then was Wanda. She shifted about and let go of Pietro's arm as she all but sprinted over to her older half sister and promptly made to throw her arms around her.

"Wanda!" She grinned, leaning back after a minute. "Is the world ending? It must be, I have both of you here and present in one room." She glanced between the twins and arched a brow.

"No zombies eating everyone?"

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
Wanda Maximoff greets her sister's pouncing on her by catching the green-haired girl and holding her in a tight hug. After recent matters, those are even more freely given than they had been in the past. As if Wanda is making sure to take advantage of each opportunity now to express her feelings for her sister that she'd thought she lost.

Wanda lets Lorna go finally and then gives Pietro a warm laugh. "Probably not," she says of him letting her win. She flashes him a grin as she moves over to give him a big hug as well. She hasn't been able to give many of those lately while they were apart, and just like with Lorna, is making up for it now.

"No zombies that I have heard of. But it is only Wednesday. Give it time," Wanda says with a small shrug as she lets her brother go. "How are you both doing?" she asks, smiling to see them all together like this.

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    Two hugs, in public no less, in a day? Why, it must be approaching Pietro's limit of emotional displays of affection. But, it's Wanda, so of course he returns the hug. Still, it is to Lorna that Pietro speaks to first, in regards to rights. Again, that smirk upon his lips...."Spoken like a true leader." This time, he reaches over to tossle the green locks with his fingers, in a gesture that might be reminiscent to Wanda as something he did when they were younger.

    Then...back to both sisters. Wanda gets a grin and a nod. "Probably not. But maybe." Then to Lorna. "I might have told Wanda where I was going to be today. But only because the last time I left without warning, I am still paying the consequences. Those disapproving glances from your sister are murder." No hint of a jest in Pietro's voice. He's playing that comment straight.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna didn't mind the hug from Wanda, in fact it was welcome. A physical reminder to root herself into the world just a little further. And besides, Wanda was good at giving hugs, just as much as Pietro was awkward with them. She laughed softly as the conversation continued, light, and comfortable.

At least for the moment.

And then the speedster was messing with her hair and she made a peal of complaints, reaching up to straighten the curls as they tangled between his fingers. "Pietro!" She huffed, but it was all in good humor as she smoothed her hair back down and glanced between the two twins.

"Hey, you can excuse my questions about the world ending. We rarely get a chance to just all be together and not have a disaster on our heels."

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
Wanda's smile grows by measures at the playful hair-rub. And she gives Pietro one of those disapproving glances for good measure, though this one turns into a playful smile at the end.

"Yes, we should enjoy it while we can," Wanda agrees of the lack of world-ending events at the moment. And rather than risk it going in the direction of talk of such things, Wanda broaches a different subject. "By the way, I thought maybe I should mention to you both..." Wanda says, before trailing off for a second.

Her lips grow into a bit of a small, private smile. "I've started seeing someone. He's been very good to me. Helped me through a lot, and is very caring. And I'd really rather you not hit him, Pietro," she says, glancing to her brother warily.

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    It was an impulse action....a practiced gesture that was automatic. But, it does bring a smile to Pietro's face to see the reaction. Even the mock glare melting into playfulness is a welcomed sight. "I am not sure I am used to not experiencing dramatic shifts."

    And it seems that Pietro spoke too soon. The mention of Wanda seeing someone causes that smile to dull. It's still there, but almost as an afterthought, while a more reserved expression threatens to take over his countenance. "I make no promises, Wanda." It was probably meant to be a joke, but there was little humor in it. "Do we know the lucky individual?"

    In other words, who is the person that Pietro isn't promising to not slap around if necessary?

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna arched a brow, but leaned against the countertop, leaning back to grab an orange and to start peeling it. Pietro was a speedster, he needed to keep eating, right? Besides, it gave her something to do with her hands. She listened and waited for whatever 'news' it was that Wanda had to share and she blinked repeatedly as her older sister spoke of 'seeing someone'.

Uh oh.

Her gaze swung to Pietro, and she snorted a laugh. "No killing him and dumping the body either." She drawled, "At least until she dumps him. Then I can help." She offered, a bit too cheerful to promise her older sibling death on someone that she didn't even know yet. Her gaze swung back to Wanda. "Care to share with the class who it is? C'mon, no dropping bombs without finishing us off." She murmured, breaking into the orange and holding out a chunk to Pietro.

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
Wands moves over to one of the clear counters, sliding up onto it to sit with her legs dangling over the edge. She peers closely at Pietro as he doesn't make any promises on the matter. But then she probably wasn't expecting that he would. "I should probably have told him to put on body armor," she comments to herself, but loud enough they can both hear.

Wanda gives a little side nod of her head. The mention of the person is bringing a soft smile to her face as if foreshadowing her feelings on the matter. "Yes, it wouldn't do good to pummel... a teammate," she says, eyes glancing over to Pietro for his reaction. "Hawkeye," she says. "Clint and I have... well, we'd spent a lot of time together. And... it has turned out to be something. Something good," she says with a small nod, her expression warm.

Wanda looks to Lorna and says, "I don't think you've probably gotten to know him very well before, have you? Maybe we could get together and amend that, if not?"

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    Well....that is a surprise. Apparently, Pietro did not expect that it would be Clint. The news catches him offguard...enough so that the orange being offered is forgotten. "I honestly....did not see that one coming." It takes Pietro a minute to recover, at which point the orange slices are taken, automatically. "I actually do not have an issue with that. At least, not yet."

    So, a winning endorsement from Pietro? At least, about as good as one can get from him.

    "At least I wouldn't have to go far to find him if he ends up breaking your heart. Which, if he knows what is good for him, he won't do." Ah.....there's the overly-protective brother now. And all is right in the world.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna blinked, and as Wanda spoke, a sly look crossed her younger sister's expression. "No wonder he was playing guard duty at the Wakandan relief camp! HA!" She snorted a laugh, tossing her hair back. "I thought he was sticking pretty close." She shook her head and as the orange vanished from her grip she glanced toward her brother and lofted an eyebrow upward.

"Well that makes one of us. I don't know him well enough to say one way or the other. But if he makes you happy Wanda, that's all that matters. We don't have to play 'catch-up' and have us all go out and try to be 'cool'. I mean at this point you're both adults." She shrugged and reached up to twist her hair back from her face. Lorna's own dating history was a gaping wide empty nothing. No one had wanted to try to date Magneto's daughter when that had first come out. Before that, she had been the bipolar kid with green hair and dead parents. No one had wanted to date her then either...

Now she was Queen of a dead nation and those prospects seemed to be turning into the negative ratio.

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
It's a good wager whether Pietro is more surprised by the name, or whether Wanda is more surprised by her brother not having an issue with Clint's identity. "I don't think I saw it coming either," she admits with a soft smile. "Probably part of why it happened. I thought he was involved already and so, I wasn't really thinking of him like that," she says in her slow manner of speaking. "Until... I found I was. And found he wasn't. Involved."

Wanda shrugs and then smiles over to her brother, reaching over to give his arm a squeeze. She looks back to Lorna then to say, "Yes, he was being a bit extra protective. Which was kind of nice. But I would like for you to get to know him too," she says.

Wanda leans back, resting her hands behind her as she sits on the counter. "So Pietro, are you up to anything special now that you're back?" she asks. "And have you caught up on all the reading while you've been gone?" She doesn't mention the return of Superman yet, given the Man of Steel is keeping it on the downlow himself. But it's there in the files.

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    For once, Pietro doesn't offer an opinion. Instead, realizing he is still holding orange slices, he just eats them. Because it is easier than not. When Pietro does speak, it is more to himself than to anyone else. "This is what happens when I run off without notice." As if Pietro remaining around would have actually had any effect.

    Then, as Wanda asks him about his activities, he takes the opportunity to answer. "No. Not particularly. I did go to the Hellfire Club, but that was painful. Drunken patrons offering condolences was not what I needed that night. And...that is all I received." There is a nod about the reading. "I did catch up on reading, though. It is my usual, as you well know." Then, with a glance about the kitchen, he addresses both sisters. "Otherwise, this was my 'something special'. Checking on Lorna."

    The fact that Pietro actually purposely set time to see Lorna betrays the fact that the casual meeting outside in the fog was hardly casual. He had planned it. And, of course, only told Wanda.

    Typical.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna snorted lightly, "I do not need to hang out with you and Clint while you two make bedroom eyes at each other, no thanks Wanda. I love you, but I am not interested in playing third wheel to my older sister." She teased, "Besides I have been keeping busy as it is. Diplomacy, relief efforts, meetings.. you know." She shrugged, and glanced back at Pietro, lofting an eyebrow upward as she listened to him discuss his 'something special being this visit.

"Well, I guess I'll take being ranked higher than the club's bar in terms of something special." She murmured, "They had some good beer though." She mused, as if being all of 22 permitted her to have an extensive knowledge on what served as good or bad. But knowing Lorna, there was a high chance she'd drank on Genosha long before her 21st, it was a different country.

"Anyways.. I hate to ruin the good mood, and all.. but I know I discussed this with you before Wanda, and Pietro agreed.. but we should figure out what we want to do for.. uh Dad's memorial. Our private one."

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
Wanda Maximoff gives a gasp and gives a very sisterly tiff about, "I do not make bedroom eyes at him!" Wanda complains, finding something she can pick up and toss at Lorna. An oven mitt will do, the soft glove-like shape tossed at her sister with a grin from Wanda.

"I do know," Wanda says more quietly, her life for weeks having been occupied with them as well, apart from the distractions she'd allowed herself. Or had forced on her in many cases.

"We should, yes," Wanda agrees about the memorial. "I know he might have been flashy in life, but I think something just quiet, for us, might be appropriate," she suggests. "The rest of the world already has what they will of him." She glances to Pietro and Lorna to see if they agree.

The auburn-haired sister looks over to Pietro. "I know what you mean about condolences. I know they are well-meaning, but I'm to the point I want to focus on looking ahead and not... not have those memories pulled up."

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    "My feelings exactly." Pietro turns attention to Wanda as she shares her feeling on condolences. "I have heard enough of them. They are well-meaning, perhaps, but they are empty. They do not bring us any closer to finding resolution. And....that is what I want."

    Then, shifting to the manner of a memorial service, Pietro offers a nod, turning to Lorna. "See? I told you she would like the idea." Because of course Pietro would know. "The rest of the world can fall by the wayside, for all I care. This act isn't meant for them. It....is for Father. For him as much as it is for us. To help us move forward." Because all of them need that. That much is apparent.

    Then....Pietro steps over to stand besides Lorna, side by side, as he faces Wanda. Speaking sidelong to Lorna, he watches Wanda as he comments. "Well....I am not interested in being the odd man out, either. But, I imagine both of us there would make for a rather awkward situation." Then, as an aside, he adds, "for them." With a smirk, he then nudges Lorna. "We can go to the Rathskeller together next time. They do have some good beer. And, you will always be rank higher than everything else, with very few exceptions." Of which, said expections are not mentioned.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna shrieked with laughter as Wanda tossed the oven mitt at her and she caught it, barely, and put it back on the counter behind her. She laughed, and smiled, but the expression faded all too quickly as the conversation shifted. She sighed, looking down and nodding thoughtfully. "I told Pietro maybe we could go to a rabbi or something... I dunno. I thought it might be nice. For him." She murmured and bit her lower lip in thought.

Which is also when Pietro came up alongside her and spoke of causing trouble. She rolled her eyes, her lips twitching again briefly.

The comment about going to the club again with her older brother made the twitch turn into a full smile. "Yeah, that might be fun." She murmured, and let her crossed arms fall back to her side as she leaned up against the countertop again. She didn't comment on Pietro's kind words, even if they brought warmth to her expression again. She did love her siblings, and had missed them both.

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
Wanda smiles at Lorna's reaction. After the state she'd found Lorna in after the attack, seeing her sister laughing and smiling again leaves Wanda with a warm feeling inside. It lingers even as the topic shifts to more somber matters.

"I think that would be nice. Pietro and I never knew of his religion until late," when they found out he was their father, "but I think it would be a good thing to do," Wanda agrees.

She takes out her phone and taps out a short message on it while they all talk. "You will have to tell me if any of these places are worth going, Lorna," she says. Wanda doesn't really get out to such places very often, herself. She does glance up to say. "They made a play. On Broadway. About the Avengers? I've been afraid to go, frankly."

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    The mention of a play of the Avengers does elicit a reaction from the older brother. That of a groan. "Really? And it hasn't tanked yet?" There is a shake of the head as Pietro considers the implications. "That has got to be the worst idea ever. I mean, really, could you imagine Stark...singing? He is already has aspirations of public office. His ego gets any bigger and they will have to build an annex just to house it." There *might* have been some form of jest in there...but it sounded like a pretty genuine sentiment.

    Pietro, however, does not fall back on darker topics. He certainly doesn't want to dwell on it any more than necessary. And...with Lorna and Wanda both in good (or at least better) moods, there really isn't going to be a push from him to disrupt that.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna shrugged once, "I spent a few too many nights listening to Dad when he was in a mood." She murmured, "Typically when he broke out the german beers, and sat by the fireplace. I still can't figure that out--he had a tropical island and demanded to have a fireplace of all things. He had to crank the AC on full blast and ugh.." The youngest of the trio made a face and shook her head. By far the most normal of all possible complaints to be made regarding their father.

She glanced between them, "But yeah, for all that he said his faith was dead I don't think it was.." She added, softer then, heaving a soft sigh. As Wanda shifted topics to an Avenger's musical she arched a brow, crossing her arms. "Oh geeze, now I have to go see this. Just to see who they have play as you both." She snorted.

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
Wanda gets a small smile at the mention of Magneto having enjoyed having a fireplace. "I get it," she says with a little nod of her head. "When it gets warmer, I've thought of doing the same thing. Though I haven't. Or, only rarely," Wanda says of the thought of having a fire even in warm weather.

She reaches over to rest her hand on her twin's shoulder. "Spend enough time in... draft cold homes in winter? Or even without a roof over your head? And the warmth and the light of a fire becomes a very comforting thing. Even when you don't need it, it still can have that effect. On me, anyway. Maybe on him as well."

Wanda draws a deep breath and chuckles warmly towards Pietro. "It's Banner that I want to see. There's apparently a piano number. I don't know what happens, but I'm just imagining," she says, picturing Hulk flipping the piano eventually, or something along those lines.

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    That hand upon Pietro's shoulder has the usual calming effect upon him. The ego rant subsides, as Pietro sighs softly. "I would imagine that would be something to see. Would they purposely bring in an undersized piano, just for dramatic effect?" The question is left out there, but an answer is not needed. Purely a rhetorical...and amusing...question to be had.

    As far as Magneto's little quirks, the male Maximoff offers his own little perspective on it. "We all have some coping mechanism to help us get through. Father's thing may be the fire. Mine is reading. One of the few things I can do in my own speed, with my own time. So, cannot fault the man for that."

Lorna Dane has posed:
For all that the twins had insight into their father and his habits, the youngest of the trio only managed to look vaguely thoughtful. She hadn't liked it when her father got into one of those moods as she had put it.. Mostly because that meant he was brooding and reflecting back on the past. Which typically wasn't a positive thing.

She sighed, and nodded once as she considered the two twins as they spoke of the Avenger's musical. She shook her head once.

"Right that's too weird for me to think about. Can we all go out and grab some lunch or something? Snacks are great and all, but I want to get an actual meal."

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
Wanda gives a slow nod at Pietro's mentioning coping mechanisms. In her soft, Eastern European accent she says, "And I like to play the guitar. In... front of a fire." She adds the last part with a small smile. "Lorna, some day you must get Pietro to tell you of how we got our hands on my first guitar when we were younger."

Wanda glances at her phone to check the time. "Of course. Why don't we get out of here and just... get away for awhile?" Wanda suggests. "Where would you like to go to? Japan is just about serving lunch now. Or some Thai street food maybe? Something spicy?" she suggests, clearly ready to take them somewhere interesting to help them all clear their heads of other thoughts.

Pietro Maximoff has posed:
    The mention of the first guitar for Wanda causes Pietro to cough, politely, into his hand. "Now now, Wanda, let's not corrupt Lorna with our tales of daring do." Now...that was definitely a joke, as it becomes quite apparent he is smiling behind his hand. "After all, she's the baby. We need to preserve her innocence." There is that snark again...a sure sign that Pietro is feeling comfortable.

    And...with Wanda suggesting locations, Pietro realizes he is more than ready for lunch. And...with both sisters with him? Even better. "I'm up for whatever." Then, with a smirk, Pietro offers three words.

    "Race you there..."