6388/The Brotherhood Patrols Bushwick

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The Brotherhood Patrols Bushwick
Date of Scene: 31 May 2021
Location: Bushwick <Mutant Town>
Synopsis: What should have been a simple patrol ends with a new friend, Haunt, on Asteroid M, drinks for everyone! And who should happen by? Lorna Dane and Magneto, now that's entertainment!
Cast of Characters: Nicolai Codona, Raven Darkholme, Clarice Ferguson, Tommy Shepherd, Erik Lensherr, Lorna Dane




Nicolai Codona has posed:
    Not that there's really a 'good' side to Bushwick, but this is a particularly bad area. It's late, what some call the 'wee' hours, somewhere between 'fuck me it's late' and 'damn, it's morning' o'clock.
    Nicolai, eyes glowing faintly in the dark, steps out of a particularly narrow alley between two rundown tenement buildings with a young woman in his arms. The remnants of some sort of string clings to her clothing. She's pale, unconscious. He looks left, he looks right and then he mutters to himself, "Now which way did that maps app say that clinic was?" Of course when muttering to himself, he does so in his native language, Romanian. For anyone that doesn't speak his native language and doesn't know he's looking to help this poor woman, he might look a little suspicious.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
In Bushwick, Mystique does not conceal herself, she sees no reason to do so. If a human sees her, recognizes her, so be it... she will deal with it accordingly.

Out today in Mutant Town, she wears her usual body suit and boots, though in black not white. Agreements were made, plans set in motion, and so she will act and lead by example and start the patrols of Bishwick by being there herself. The wee hours are the primary hours, when those of the more criminal mind are most likely to be out, doing their thing.

Moving up the street she hears a language she hasn't heard in quite a while, before she evens sees who is speaking it. Romanian is an older language, so she starts searching the darkness for signs of where it came from and her eyes settle on the man with the woman. If she hadn't understood him, he would have just had a very bad night.

"Do you need assistance?" She asks in a calm, neutral tone, not at all what anyone who has heard of this cobalt mutant would expect, the language choice being Romanian since that is what he spoke.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice is here at Mystique's behest - similarly attired (at least, as far as the color scheme goes) in a black duster that brushes against her legs, with black pants and a charcoal grey shirt. Her bright green eyes scan the street vigilantly as she walks - on the other side of the street from her mentor. She has no doubts what this mission really is - a potential opportunity to assess her abilities, and perhaps offer real-world training, as well.
    If she overhears the words being spoken, she doesn't understand one bit of it - but her gaze is drawn to the man with the woman in his arms - as a slim silver javelin seems to apparate in her hand. It doesn't seem like there's cause for alarm, however - not if she's judginng by Mystique's body language.
    Which she is.
    

Nicolai Codona has posed:
    When it seems that help is arriving on the scene that's not... six inches tall, Nicolai breathes a sigh of relief. When he speaks again his first words are in Romanian as well, "Thank you." But he continues in English, "Yes, please. I need to get this young woman to the clinic if it's open at this hour. I called 911 ten minutes ago, but I don't expect a speedy response." He glances over his shoulder into the alleyway and explains, "She was attacked, in the alley." He just knows they're going to think him daft or insane but he simply has to give credit where it's due. "A little... mouse girl, about six inches tall intervened just in time. You might have seen her scamper away just as you were approaching the alley."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice remains alert - her gaze going up and down the street for any signs of danger before she slowly begins her approach - the javelin still held at the ready. "Police response times are just one thing we need to fix," she mutters - if this man is right about it take more than ten minutes. "Attacked by who? Are they still there?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique has seen the scampering mouse, but honestly thought it was just a mouse or a small mutant, it hadn't drawn much of her attention. She looks the woman over, without touching her or the man holding her. "Is she a mutant or human?" She doesn't ask for the reasons most would think. "It matters only for which clinic to take her to." She looks toward the alley for a moment, but Blink asked the other question she has intended to ask.

"Blink, give the ally a 60 second look over then return, if they remain I'll deal with him while you take this woman and her rescuer to the correct clinic."

Nicolai Codona has posed:
    "A mutant named Andrei Aldea," Nicolai replies with absolute certainty. "He fled and I couldn't leave the girl without medical attention to give chase," he explains further. He shifts his weight a little bit, more shifting the weight of the woman in his arms. She's not heavy mind, but he also has nothing in the way of super human strength and she's dead weight. She hasn't even stirred. She's pale, gaunt, drawn even, cheeks all sunken in, but she's breathing evenly. "The clinic, is it open?" he prompts gently. "Given Aldea's know M.O. and his abilities, I'm guessing mutant."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "If we had Mister Creed..." Clarice mutters under her breath - then they could track the coward. But she wasn't able to track prey in the city. Ah well - little use lamenting over what you don't have.
    She steps quickly into the alley - her gaze taking in the refuse blown there by the wind, and a corner where //someone// had relieved themselves recently enough to leave quite a stench. No signs of their foe, though - and so she soon emerges, shaking her head and giving a shrug of her shoulders.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique nods once, "Blink, come back. We're going home and taking them with us." She looks around the area. "The patrol will have to wait."

Blink should know what that means, they are going to Asteroid M, the clinic there is always open and this was a mutant in need of medication attention /now/.

"She'll be taken care of, but this might be a bit of a shock to you," this is said to the male. "I need your name, are you a mutant and you will stay with me at all times."

Nicolai Codona has posed:
    The glowing blue eyes might be a clue before Nicolai answers, "I'm a mutant." Those eyes widen a bit. "Uh... I no... I mean... where are you taking me?" He sounds, perhaps, a little defensive. He's maybe a little nervous. Not AFRAID mind, but nervous. It might just be the wind, it might be more than that, but little pieces of that debris start floating about a little more and did the lids to those dumpsters in the alley just start rattling... is it COLD suddenly? Why yes it is. And Nicolai, well, he suddenly looks like the picture of a B-Movie ghostly ghoul. Blue eyes now glow red, black hair is whitish gray, his skin is a sickly, death-mask shade of pale.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Home? Alright. Clarice doesn't question Mystique - she simple lifts one hand, and a large, slowly-swirling portal opens before them, surrounding by a faintly glowing purplish light. Through the portal is the sight of the gleaming metal corridors of Asteroid M - just in front of the clinic. "Don't worry," she says in a reassuring voice, offering Nicolai a smile. "There's literally nowhere safer for our kind, I promise you. And I can bring you back to anywhere on Earth you would like to go. If you don't mind," she invites, gesturing the man through. She'll wait for all three of passengers to choose to step through - if they do.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
This change to the area, to the man, it doesn't seem to phase Mystique at all. She merely watches him alter, his body language change, the nervousness come through. "Easy there brother," she offers soothingly, with a hint of a laugh to it. "We're all family, and we are taking her to a clinic that is always open for mutants. If you would rather stay, then I will take her myself, but it is the only option because she is a mutant and everything else will be closed to her. Make your choice quickly, step through or hand her to me."

Nicolai Codona has posed:
    "I have to find him. He needs to be made to pay," Nicolai states firmly. In that statement is also a question not so deeply hidden beneath the surface. ... you'll bring me back to let that happen? He won't step through until he has her word. But, the poltergeist-like activity in the area calms and he does slowly shift back to looking mostly human save those eyes.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Stepping closer to the man, "Not only will be bring you back to where ever you want, but we'll help you hunt this man down." She then gestures toward the portal. "Go a head, you have my word you will be safe and that we'll find the one who did this."

Nicolai Codona has posed:
    Nicolai offers a nod, a firm motion, kind of a signal of solidarity. ...and then he holds his breath and steps through with the woman in his arms.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "'making them pay' is part of our MO, really," Clarice offers, waiting for Nicolai, and then Mystique to step through. She goes through the portal last, closing it with a quiet 'bliiiiiink' sound - leaving the sidewalk empty, where a moment before four people had stood.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
The clinic is really more than that, it is a fully functioning hospital in the stars. Not only are there normal doctors on call, but there are mutants who can heal even the nastiest of wounds. This woman really could not have been taken anywhere else in the world and get better treatment then she will get here.

Stepping through just outside the hospital, Mystique waves the guards off as the unknown man appears after her. "Medic!" She calls into the hospital and almost immediately there is a response, three people headed toward Nicolai, all in scrubs.

Nicolai Codona has posed:
    As he's rushed by scrub clad people, Nicolai is happy to hand the woman in his arms off to them. "Check her blood volume and she'll need fluids desperately. The man that did this drains mutants of ... well, everything in order to take on their powers and their physical appearance," he tells them, just trying to be helpful. Only after she's whisked away and safe does he take a moment to really note his surroundings. "Impressive," he murmurs quietly.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I've been in the care of the doctors here a few times myself," Clarice remarks - still using her reassuring tone of voice. "She couldn't get better care anywhere in the world," she promises - before pausing a beat. "Which we aren't... currently on, to be fair. Shall we take in the view?" she suggests - gesturing towards where the earth can be seen slowly spinning below beneath its layer of cloud-cover. "While you tell us everything you know about this individual? A mutant that preys on other mutants?" she asks - in a disapproving, nigh-disgusted tone of voice.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
The woman is whisked away by two of the three, the last one remaining to hear what Nicolai says, then he also moves off.

"We need to take this one step at a time. I need your name," she says calmly, keeping the guards at their posts with a gesture. "I'm Mystique, this is Blink, you are...?"

Nicolai Codona has posed:
    Wow, that's a little dizzying? Nicolai isn't entirely certain how he feels about the Earth being Way Down There. Sure, he's flown before, but this isn't... well, that. This is entirely different. So, he chooses to not think about it and focus on... "His name is..." But then Mystique is asking HIS name. "Oh... I'm sorry." It has been a rather crazy half an hour or so, that feels more like ten hours at this point. "I'm Nicolai. Nicolai Codona. You can call me Nix if you prefer the short of my given name or Moroi if you prefer that given to me by those that fear me back home."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice frowns at some of his words. "You choose what name //you// want to be called. The people who fear you don't get to chose it for you." She gives a shrug of her shoulders - a smile returning to her lips as she adds, "But if you choose to claim that name, that is your perogative, as well - Nicolai." Sincerely she adds, "Thank you for stepping up to help that woman. It speaks volumes about your character."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
A smile finally touches the cobalt mutants lips, "Blink is correct. You claim the name you want used, and that's the name you get called by. Those around us don't get to decide who we are, we decide." She offers another smile, looking for a moment to the earth below, then looks back to him. "Would you like something to eat or drink while they tend to her? A moment to recover and tell us what happened?"

Nicolai Codona has posed:
    "I couldn't not help her." And that is just a matter of fact, even if Andrei wasn't part of the equation. To the offer of food, Nicolai shakes his head but... "I could go, perhaps, for a finger or two of scotch?" Here's to hoping he's not breaking any social rules with his desire for a drink with a kick. "Particularly if you are asking me to tell you the tale of Andrei Aldea." Just a beat and he adds. "The name they gave to me, I'm not opposed to it. It fits, I suppose. But perhaps not in this country."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "The scotch here is good. I indulged in it - not too long ago," Clarice replies - flashing Mystique an amused smile. After all - the older woman had been there, to see Clarice's fury. She gestures towards the bar not terribly far away from them, waiting for Mystique's permision for the group to proceed before she begins to walk down the corridor.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
A slight shift of Mystique's body as she stands there, then a nod is offered. "Scotch, whiskey, brandy, you name it, we have it." That is when she turns to start walking toward the bar. "Cordona... any relation to Cristian Codona?" She asks casually as she walks. This is again not her specialty, but she is trying to be 'nice'. She can be nice, but most people don't believe it, especially if they believe all the rumors, so she is pouring on the extra nice, just in case.

Nicolai Codona has posed:
    Color him surprised when Mystique mentions Cristian's name. "Yeah, he was my father and the reason that he was... not is... is Andrei Aldea." So, this is very very personal. He follows along, still a little weirded out by *where* he is, but at least the company seems pleasant enough? "I've been tracking him for nearly a year, but he always manages to stay one step ahead."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Surprise, followed by a mix of sympathy and anger cross Clarice's features as they walk towards the bar, and then slip onto stools at the counter. "This man - this Andrei Aldea - he killed your father?" she asks - before turning her gaze to Mystique. "I know Mister Creed is away. Who else do we have who could track a scent trail through the city?" she suggests.

Tommy Shepherd has posed:
There's a brief rush of air and Thomas Shepherd is suddenly there wearing a white hoodie that matches his white hair and makes his green eyes pop mischievously. He's behind the bar holding a shaker. He leans forward and rests an elbow on the bar top, "So then... what's your poison? Ladies and gentleman?"

He eyebrow waggles because he's a teenager in front of a wall of good liquor, but hey! eighteen is an acceptable drinking age in many parts of the world. He drums his fingers and waits for orders he probably doesn't know how to fill.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique moves behind the bar to collect the good scotch, not the every day crap. The bartender just nods and moves out of her way, he won't argue, nope. He also wasn't expecting the teenager, but he's getting used to all these changes.

Three glasses are set up on the bar and the scotch is poured, although she could let Thomas try, she prefers to do it herself. "Sabertooth will come in for this," she states bluntly and to the point, no questioning that authority. "I will contact him myself."

One glass is slid to Nix, another to Blink, and the last she slides toward Thomas. "Help yourself." She's not his mother after all, if he wants to drink, he's old enough. She gets another glass and pours herself some scotch as well.

Nicolai Codona has posed:
    "Yes," Nicolai confirms as he slides onto a stool himself. Thomas' sudden appearance catches him a little off guard, just enough of a start that glasses behind the bar rattle gently. His order is easy enough that a rock could probably get it right. "Scotch, neat," he tells Thomas. Right before Mystique is filling his order. "Aldea was a serial killer, terrorizing mutants from around 2012 to 2015 in Romania. You may well have heard the tales if you know my father's name. They called him Strigoi. Doing the same thing he's doing here. Draining mutants of their very life in order to take on their appearance and their abilities."
    That scotch, it disappears in one quick bend of his elbow. The entire glass. He places it back on the bar and taps his finger next to it three times, the near universal sign for 'may I have another please'.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    It's Clarice that picks up the bottle to offer the refill - she makes it a generous one, before she picks up her glass to take her own sip. Nicolai's tale is listened to with concerned attention - but it's Mystique's words that she abruptly hones in on - her expression widening into a sudden, and very bright smile. "Oh, I can go fetch Mister Creed, that's no problem at all," she offers.
    Yes, unlike many on the Asteroid, she looks forward to seeing perhaps the most ruthless member of the Brotherhood.

Tommy Shepherd has posed:
Tommy accepts the glass and with another blur and slight rattle of glasses, he's on the other side of the bar sitting on a stool. He eyes Nicolai for a moment with squint, pushing out his lip in the 'I'm impressed' expression, before he takes a brief sip of his Scotch.

Tommy's eyes dilate almost instantly as he's abruptly tipsy. Super metabolisms have their advantages and draws back. He croons and rests his forehead on the cool table top, chuckling. "Okay... that's really strong."

He holds up a finger then sits up a few seconds later. "Whew, okay. Clear head again. So who's?" He leans an elbow on the bar top speaking in a mock serious voice, "Mister Creed."

Nicolai finally is offered a hand for a shake. "Tommy... Speed when in the field."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique leaves the rest of the pouring to someone else and moves back around the bar. Instead of sitting, she leans against it and watches Nix. He seems edgy, jumpy, the nervous type, not always a good combination. She doesn't miss the change as Thomas startles him, or how quickly he reigns in control again.

"I recall hearing about those events Nix, and if he is in Bushwick now, we need to remove him permanently. I can't promise you will get the killing blow, but I can promise you will get to see him die painfully. Keeping Sabertooth inline can be a challenge at times, but I think Blink will be able to assist with that."

Nicolai Codona has posed:
    "Nicolai, or Nix if you prefer," he offers as he shakes Tommy's hand. This time he doesn't mention the name given to him by those that fear him. "Do you mind?" he asks of Mystique as he reaches toward the bottle. "He is definitely in Bushwick now. After tonight, I know this for certain." He falls silent for just a moment, thoughtful even. "What do you think of the name Haunt? I like it." His father's death is still a painful subject for him, so maybe that little sidetrack was to help him keep himself in check, his emotions in check. But then the story must go on...
    "The authorities couldn't catch Aldea, but my father could and he did. He tracked him, honing in on the trail of his particular powerset, his genetic make-up. He was the reason Aldea ended up rotting in prison. But Romania has no death penalty. Last year Aldea escaped. A month later, I came home to find my father dead, his body nothing but a husk wrapped in spider's silk."
    ...that wasn't string clinging to the girl.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I can," Clarice promises quietly, when it comes to reining in some of Victor Creed's darker impulses. It was a rare claim to be able to make - Magneto himself was one of the few others who could say the same. And Blink doesn't always approve of her mentor's methods. Let's be honest - she often doesn't. And yet, somehow, the strange relationship //worked//. It was what she'd needed during a very dark time.
    Looking towards Tommy she explains, "Mister Creed taught me some of my fighting skills - when I first joined the brotherhood. I was a year younger than you, I think, at the time. You might know him as Sabretooth, though?" she offers - almost casually offering a rather feared name.
    She looks back to Nicolai as he continues his tale - her expression darkening. "That's... I'm so sorry," she offers in a quiet voice. "We won't let someone continue to prey on our people. And unlike Romania - we aren't so restrained."

Tommy Shepherd has posed:
Tommy nods after he receives the introduction. "Nice to meet you, Nix."

The young guy then resumes his escapades with the Scotch whiskey. Squinting at his glass, he experiments with volume and frequency, looking for the sweet spot of producing a buzz and maintaining it without getting horribly impaired.

For the range of facial expressions, he doesn't quite have it perfected. He looks toward Clarice and nods, "Sabretooth, huh? That name sounds... sort of familiar. I spent a lot of time in captivity, so you'll have to excuse me if I seem like I lived under a rock for the last half dozen years.... because I basically did."

He blinks at Nix and frowns, "That's a rough deal. Your Dad sounded decent. Mine... Well... Best left unsaid, I guess."

Hands go to the side of Tommy's head at Blink's statement. "I'm really going to have to kill people, huh? That's just a part of the job?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
A shake of her head, red hair dancing, and Mystique slides the bottle to Nix. She doesn't have to be an empath to understand he needs it, and likely the whole thing from here on out. This was one of many stories she had heard, the death of a parent at a the hands of a mutant out of control. Humans then blamed all mutants, which lead to humans going mutant hunting and getting themselves hurt. No, Mutants had to police mutants, detain them and punishment them if necessary, it was not in the hands of humans nor their right.

She takes a sip of the scotch, or perhaps she looks like she is taking a sip, who knows. "Human authorities won't be involved this time Nix," she offers first, then turns her amber eyes to him. "Haunt... I like it. So tell me Haunt, after a good nights sleep, some more scotch, and arranging Sabertooth to join us, are you ready to be done with this Aldea once and for all?"

Nicolai Codona has posed:
    "Cristian was more than just my father. I was an orphan, in *Romania* with these eyes?" Nicolai gestures to those faintly glowing aqua blue eyes of his. "He was my literal savior. I would have certainly not survived." He catches the slid bottle and pours himself a second round. He doesn't drain this one as quickly. "I do not care who delivers Cristian's justice, so long as it is delivered and I'm there."
    The mention of being done with Aldea once and for all? It does cause a small little rush of emotion in Nicolai, just enough to make a few things around him shake and just enough for a brief flicker of his 'other self' to show through along with a brief flash of cold in the room. "Indeed. I am," he replies to Mystique, his voice gone hard and callous, so different than before. Until now, he's sounded ... well, what he is most of the time, compassionate, intelligent, respectful. "You will be compensated handsomely for your troubles as well," he assures them.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice smiles at Thomas, then offers him a shrug of her shoulders. "A job like this? It calls for it," she replies simply. "I mean - the other choice is to imprison him for life and just hope he never gets out? Why?" She shakes her head. "Better and safer just to end it. But there's no need for you to go on this job. I'm in, though." Making sure that Mister Creed stays on his proverbial leash while in Mutant Town was more than reason enough to bring her along for this ride. "If you do come along - Mister Creed will be the one to take the kill, I'm sure." If there's blood to be spilt, and he doesn't get to spill any of it? She's not crazy enough to try to make //that// impossible situation happen.
    She takes a small sip from her glass, her attention returning to Nicolai before she answers with, "There's no need for compensation. This is what we do for our people. We protect one another, and we police one another. It's how it has to be."

Tommy Shepherd has posed:
Tommy listens to the rest of the exchange, rolling his scotch glass between his palms. He gives Clarice a side-eye and frowns, "Honestly, better off dead then in prison for forever. I know I'd rather someone just off me before getting put back in a cell... especially one run by 'normies'."

Tommy shudders and drains the rest of his scotch, folding his arms to rest his head while his body processes the liquor. His voice muffed, he responds, "So what you say makes sense... And some situations do require you to be hard. There's probably a few people I need to chase down myself, if I'm going to be honest, but nothing like..."

He waves toward Nicolai, "that... Just some bastards who shouldn't be allowed to put needles in others anymore."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique remains cool, just as she has been all along. "You don't need to compensate us Haunt, we are brothers and sisters, we do this for family, for what is right. I wouldn't ask for your money, perhaps a favor and no, no in that sort of way. Not the 'you scratch my back, I scratch yours' way. I mean perhaps help, if your unique abilities are needed."

She takes another sip of the scotch, apparently she really is sipping it, then turns the rest of her body toward Nicolai. "I don't know what you have heard about the Brotherhood, most likely all the news reports about us being terrorists and monsters, hunting humans, murdering innocent people. Those things /were/ true. We did it, and at the time it was the right thing to do... but no more, that's not our way now. The only humans who die now are those who truly deserve it. We do not harm our own, unless, like in this case, they have sacrificed their right to live by killing family. Actions speak louder than words of course, given time we can show you through actions what I speak the truth, if you will permit us that chance."

Erik Lensherr has posed:
Erik Lensherr comes into sight escorting Lorna, pointing out features of the station as they move along. He seems to be guiding her to the bar area, however, as they take a fairly direct path in that direction. As they come within speaking distance, he looks over the group gathered there and speaks up, saying, "Mystique, Blink, good news. I've been talking to Lorna and Genosha is going to accept the help I have offered, so we will be starting work on that shortly." He glances at the others here, "Ah, Thomas, settling in, I hope." A look to Nicolai and a thoughtful look comes over his face. "I'm afraid I don't know you, young man, but you seem a touch familiar." And yes, he's in the standard Magneto suit and helmet. It's the Dark red and Black verion he's moved to, however.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Better off dead," Clarice agrees quietly - and for a moment, there's a haunted look in her eyes, and a sad expression on her features. She's had her own experience with being at the mercy of some 'normies.'
    She takes a larger drink from her own glass of scotch.
    "If you need anyone along for the ride to chase them down - if you need a lift. You know where to find me."
    Her attention flicks to Mystique as she describes who the Brotherhood was - and who they //are// - but other than flashing Nicolai a brief smile and a nod of her own confirmation, she doesn't add to the description or comment on it in any way.
    Out of the corner of her eyes - Clarice sees who's coming. It's hard to miss Magneto, in his full costume. And the green hair beside him. She's on her feet in a moment. "Your Majesties," she offers immediately. No - it's not her usual response to //either// of them. ...it seems to be the result of both of them entering at once. "I mean- Lorna. Magneto." There's a moment of hesitation - and she retakes her seat.

Nicolai Codona has posed:
    Nicolai polishes off the rest of his scotch and pours another. He'll have that bottle gone before it rightly should be gone. "Of course I have and Cristian always cautioned me that there were two sides to every story and neither side was ever the whole story. You'll find no judgement from me." He glances sidelong at Mystique and adds, "I have my fair share of blood on my hands, just perhaps not so public as yours. I was always able to wash mine clean in the dark."
    To Tommy he adds, "Killing for the sake of it is never appropriate, but killing in the defense of those otherwise defenseless should never be carried as a burden." Words he grew up on, those.
    "At least then, you will all allow me to pay for the celebration after Aldea is gone from this world for good?" he asks of Clarice.
    Then, well, there's Magneto himself. To his credit, Nicolai remains cool under this new pressure added to an already pressurized evening. "Mr. Lensherr," he greets, hand extended. "Nicolai Codona." Maybe it's the eyes that are familiar? Even as a child Nicolai had those eyes. Not easy to forget. "Haunt, now, apparently, if you prefer, or Nix." At the mention of the name Haunt, he glances at Mystique and offers her a wink and a smile.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique stands herself up straight the very moment she hears Erik approaching... yes, she has his gait memorized. Lorna is offered a nod of acknowledgement that she is there, and a polite, "Lorna, good to see you.". To Erik however, she offers him something more like a brief bow, clear who this one follows, "Evening Erik, good to see you well."

Now her attention shifts to Nicolai, "Haunt is so much better," she offers the man a smile, but her attention goes back to Erik almost immediately. "We had just started a patrol in Bushwick when we came across Haunt with an injured mutant, she is being tended to in the medical wing."

Tommy Shepherd has posed:
Tommy listens intently to Mystique's description of what the Brotherhood does and stands for. He finds himself nodding through a scotch-driven haze. "The ones that deserve it, right."

He cracks a smile toward Blink and salutes her with his glass. "Noted. Heck, you are the only one I've met thus far I think could really keep up. So you bet."

The white-haired youth looks toward Nicolai with a contemplative expression. "Never carried as a burden..."

He nods then gazes toward the arriving Erik and Lorna. Looking entirely too much like a younger Pietro in trouble, he offers a sheepish grin and waves his glass. "Settling in very well, sir!"

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna Dane was the splash of green that strode next to her father as she's given the fifty cent tour. The destination was known before they arrived as he had informed her of Clarice and others being here, of course. A smile creeps over her when Clarice jumps up to greet them in that fashion. It was so very much like her. "Good to see you again, Clarice. Mystique," she greets only to look at the others.

Nicolai she didn't know, but he was focused on Magneto. Which left the other face that was new to her to be stared at. Abjectly stared at with green eyes widening in a look of surprise. Was that...?

Instinctively she turns to look sharply at Magneto expecting some kind of explanation in his own response to the boy. Not finding what she sought there, she looks instead to Clarice giving the woman a silent shrug and gesture as if to say 'The HELL is this!?' Of course that was terribly rude of her.

"I... I don't believe we've been introduced."

Erik Lensherr has posed:
Erik Lensherr shakes Nicolai's hand, "Ah, Cristian's son, no doubt. A great pity about your father, he was a good man. Did they ever track down the person who took his life? I fear I have been a bit.. distracted in the past year, or I would have looked into it myself."

He glances to Lorna, then says, "This is Thomas Shepherd, I found him living on the streets of Bushwick and offered him something better with the Brotherhood." Glancing at the young man in question, he perhaps sees him clearly for the first time and gets a bit of a questioning look on his face. "It's strange, but you actually seem rather familiar, somehow. Something in the eyes."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice looks about to speak - but she falls silent as Magneto handles the introductions, himself. If she has her own suspicions, she keeps them to herself, for the moment. The fact that she's perfectly aware of the nature of Thomas's power, of course, adds a little extra weight to things. she does introduce Lorna to Thomas, however. "Thomas, this is Lorna Dane, Queen of Genosha - naturally." Was there a little teasing in her gaze and the smile she directs towards Lorna as she gestures from Thomas, back to her friend. She leaves Magneto, Mystique, and Nicolai to their conversation as she adds towards Lorna, "We were just having some scotch. Would you like some as well?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique steps around Nicolai to the bar again, since she chased the tender away earlier she'll be ready to pour drinks.

"Actually Erik, that's who I will be hunting down with Haunt here. I'm afraid I have call Sabertooth in for this, but I intend to take Blink to help keep things a little in order." She offers as explanation. "Aldea attacked the mutant in our hospital."

Tommy Shepherd has posed:
Tommy gives his head a shake, his metabolism clearing the alcohol. In a rush of air, the stool is empty and Tommy is abruptly standing in front of Lorna. He offers a wave and then extends a hand. Having already been introduced, he just beams a grin, "Nice to meet you. I've definitely seen you on T.V. before. I used to dream about living in Genosha. Call me Tommy or Speed, whatever your preference."

The young man blinks at Erik and waves a hand in front of his face, "Uh, don't know what you mean. First time I ever met you was down in Bushwick just like you said."

Another woosh of air and Tommy's back to his stool, tapping a finger on the bar.

Nicolai Codona has posed:
    A little rattling of the glasses, another cold spot in the room, another flash of 'other Nicolai' with that pale skin, white hair and red eyes but it's gone quickly enough. All things considered, given the fact that his father's killer was SO close, he's really doing a decent job at containing his rage... and the by-product of that rage. "Yes, he is here, in Bushwick. He's been a step ahead of me for nearly a year." Rattle, cold, red eyes. Deep breath, more scotch.

Lorna Dane has posed:
"No, Clarice, thank you. I'm not in the mood to--" To drink, was what Lorna had intended to say. The words don't make it there as Tommy zips in front of her causing her to blink a single time in surprise. Automatically her hand lifts to take his to shake out of habitual courtesy. "Tommy. Tommy Shepherd," she repeats to fix the name in her mind. "Pleased to meet you." By the time he's back at his seat, she lifts her other arm just slightly. Just enough to elbow the ever loving heck out of Magneto's side giving him a look of 'really?'

"On second thought, I could use a drink, Clarice. Thank you." Or Mystique it would seem as she's the bartender. "So who are your parents, Tommy?" She asks not-so-subtly... But her suspicions aside she has to focus on the more dire situation mentioned. "Attacks on hospitals? That's unacceptable."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Nicolai - Haunt," Clarice answers with sympathy, "It will all be over soon. Mister Creed's prey... they don't escape him. Not for long," she promises. Her eyes flicker towards Lorna for a moment. If there's one thing she knows, it's that her relationship with Victor Creed was a bit of a sore subject between herself and Lorna. In fact, she avoids bringing up the man's name around her friend. ...ever.
    "No, no," she quickly corrects her friend. "The person who was attacked is here in the hospital - on the Asteroid. They were attacked in an alley, though. In Bushwick. It's- we're going to deal with it. This man - the attacker, he's a mutant serial killer. He attacks other mutants and kills them to take their powers and appearance," she explains with a disgusted look on her features. "Apparently."

Tommy Shepherd has posed:
Tommy's expression sours abruptly at the question regarding his parents. He's ready to drop some serious snark, but Lorna seems nice and she is a 'queen' after all. He sighs, "Frank and Mary Shepherd. But I'd call them parents loosely. Divorced when I was three. The 'system' has been my parent really. I lived in a juvenile facility for mutants for the last ten years. I haven't really seen either of them since day one."

His glass vibrates then shatters into dust. Tommy blinks. "Whoops."

Fanning with his hand, he casually pushes the glass dust onto the floor.

Erik Lensherr has posed:
Erik Lensherr nods to Mystique, "Sabretooth is quite good at hunting people down, I imagine you will have no trouble at all. Remind him that we need to not hurt people who don't attack us, I know he can get a bit twitchy when he's been cooped up for a while, we don't want any incidents."

Looking back to Nicolai, he says, "Well then, we will help you find him. Allowing someone who does such things to go free is not an option. I just wish I had been able to aid your hunt sooner." His visage grows stern as it is explained that the killer is another mutant, "Even worse, one who preys on his own people must be brought to swift justice. Do you wish to kill him yourself Nicolai? If not, let Sabretooth have him, it will soothe his nerves to be able to... deal with this person."

A slight oof as Lorna elbows him, and he blinks, looking much closer at Thomas, "Are you certain? Ever met a man named Pietro, by chance? Your look and powers remind me of him when he was younger. I admit, I hadn't taken a really good look at you before, absorbed in my own things you might say."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique had taken the look, suspected, but suspicion was just that. She could look like anyone, what was to say that there not others out there who looks like Lorna, in the face at least, or even Nicolai? There has always been the rumor floating around that there is someone out there who is your doppleganger... Mystique hoped one day to find hers, and kill her.

Collecting another bottle of the scotch, she pours some into a glass for Lorna, however she lets Blink deliver it... playing bartender was fun, she even started wiping down the bar.

Nicolai Codona has posed:
    In his defense, it's been a rather dizzying night. But still... when he finally takes a real notice of Lorna, he's mortified at his ownself, yes he is. "Ms... Lorna is it?" he begins. "I'm so sorry. I'm Nic - Haunt..." Again he gives Mystique that same wink as before. He nods along with the wink, yes... yes he thinks Haunt will do nicely.
    "I do hope so," he replies to Clarice. It's been a long time coming, it truly has. "I did ask that little mouse girl that was present tonight to follow him should she see him again as well. Perhaps he will lead her to where he's holed himself up."
    "As much my fault as anyone's that the hunt has been solo this far," Nicolai says to Erik. "I guess, for a while now, I've been too consumed by my own grief and desire to catch him that I never thought to ask *anyone* for help."
    Just a beat, a moment spent really studying Erik's face and he asks, "Have you ever visited Romania?" Specifically Cristian's home...

Lorna Dane has posed:
"They sound like simply *lovely* people," Lorna assures with a ton of voice that made it clear she'd probably not like them one bit. Understandably so: She wasn't very fond of the system herself. "We're glad you found your way here, then." Her expression softens, only to sour when the topic returns to her least favorite person in the Brotherhood. A look is quickly shot toward Clarice, then up to the ceiling as if she were seeking the answers from some higher power to this. She knew the man was important to Clarice. But. UGH.

"Keep him reigned in, if you could. And away from the school. There are more reasons to garner his attention there now than before." Vague, but best to leave it that way. The last thing she needed was him visiting some of the newer students and faculty due to relations to someone he disliked. Thank god Nicolai introduces himself giving her a reason to ignore that particular topic once again. "Pleased to meet you, Haunt. I also go by Polaris," she informs matter-of-fact. There was also another title she went by recently though she opts not to add that in. Clarice likely would at some point.

Tommy Shepherd has posed:
Tommy waves a hand dismissively, "Nope never heard of a Pietro. Though if you told me I was secretly adopted, I wouldn't be sad about it. Maybe a little angry. Guessing he's someone else who can move fast like me?"

He turns with his back to the bar and leans both elbows on it. "Sounds cool. Maybe he could be a mentor or something. I could use a good 'power coach'"

Nudging Haunt, Tommy comments "You should stick around here if they let ya. Safest place I can imagine. Great views. Good place to cool your heels until the big vengeance mission."

Hopping to his feet, Tommy stretches then thumbs in the direction of the living quarters. "I'm going to go do the mopey teenager thing then crash now. Thanks again for the crash space. Hope to get more chances to earn it."

Whoosh, and he was gone.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Nowhere near the school," Clarice repeats promptly, and firmly, as she offers the glass of scotch that Mystique handed off, to her friend and Queen. She'd heard quite an earful after Creed went to the lake - after she was supposed to have already warned him away from the grounds. "I'll- I'll stick close to him," she promises. If there's //anything// she can do to prevent any collateral damage, she will. "It's just the one target," she promises. She shifts a bit awkwardly - wanting the conversation off of the topic of her mentor just as much as her friend does. She wishes Lorna could understand - but she doesn't think her friend ever will.
    Picking up her own glass of scotch, she takes a sip of it - after offering Nicolai a brief, encouraging smile. Yup. Nothing awkward at all about the current conversation.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique mutters something under her breath that only those close might have a slight change of hearing, and then it was in another language, but the dark smiles on her face clearly indicates that there are things she would love to let Sabertooth do and they might involve the school. Christ did she loath that place, but she looks back to the wiping of the bar and lets the group talk about nicer things that her mind is presently cooking up.

"You're welcome to stay Haunt," she comments more pleasantly, though it takes her a moment to get the dark sparkle out of her eyes and look cheerful again. "There is plenty of rooms, and getting to and from the planet is easy as poking a teleporter."

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna Dane takes her glass which is immediately tipped back to chug the entire bit of scotch. Slamming the empty glass back on the bartop she blurts out (now that Tommy had sped off), "I'm going to kill Pietro. Did he seriously have a kid and leave him or just not know about it!? There's *no way* that boy isn't blood! He's the spitting image." Not to mention the powers. Though her siblings powers differed, it did seem that there was some instances of family transference of similar abilities if her own were any gauge.

"I apologize, Haunt, that is very off topic. I'm just a bit shocked. You're more than welcome here-- Ah. Habit. I'm not in charge here."

Erik Lensherr has posed:
Erik Lensherr nods to Nicolai, "I have, yes. In fact, I visited your father several times. As I said, he was a good man. And yes, you are perfectly welcome to stay with us for as long as you like, there are plenty of quarters." He glances at the others, then nods, "Yeah, do keep Sabretooth away from Charles' place. He tends to get quite distracted around Logan, and we don't need additional problems with that right now. We're tracking down this killer, not starting fights."

At Lorna's outburst, he looks over with a raised eyebrow, "Calm, Lorna. Now that it's been noticed, we will test him and find out for certain. It will not take long."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I //do// have other things to do sometimes, you know... other than constantly ferrying people around." Magneto, or Mystique, or Lorna were one thing. But the whole population of the Asteroid?
    "I'll keep him away from the school," she promises again - not touching the topic of Thomas's parentage. Nope. That's for the Royal Family to sort out, themselves. Instead, she shifts her attention to Lorna as she adds abruptly - perhaps with slightly forced cheer, "So. We're going to work on the reconstruction? What do you need me to do?" Blatant change of topic? ABSOLUTELY.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique smirks slightly, "I already have his DNA." Nah, she wasn't prepared or anything, it wasn't her nature to suspect everyone, not at all. "I can get it tested tonight."

Another bit of scotch is poured into Lorna's glass, just in case she wants to repeat that slamming. "It's alright Lorna, you can tell him he's welcome because he is."

Now she is ready to address helping Genosha, or rather the ability to help. "I'm willing to go between Genosha and Bushwick."

Nicolai Codona has posed:
    While Mystique may have been singing 'We Are Family' pretty loudly earlier, Nicolai is pretty sure she wasn't referring to the family drama type stuff happening now. He clears his throat a little and busies himself with downing his what... third glass? of scotch and pouring his fourth to avoid the awkward of that moment. But he does give Lorna a smile before covering all the invitations to stay with one, "Perhaps for now. I haven't decided if I'll be returning to Romania after that monster is gone or not." There's not really a lot left for him there other than a sprawling, creepy old castle.
    "I should probably move my bike from its hiding spot before someone finds it," he suddenly remembers that his BABY is down there on the mean streets of Bushwick all ALONE. That simply won't do. All the rest of the conversation is going over his head or maybe it's getting lost in the scotch induced fog? He actually slams back his fourth in... half an hour? 45 minutes? "We need music," he announces.

Lorna Dane has posed:
Lorna Dane rolls the extra Scotch around in her glass contemplating the contents being emptied in the same manner once again. There was just so much going on. She was already stressed to the point of anxiety. Now this. It was almost refreshing to have a more mundane issue crop up as opposed to the massive, no-quick-answer one of Genosha. "Yes, we'll work on the logistics of getting Genosha up and running again soon. You'll be instrumental in moving the mass of metals to Genosha, Clarice, but I don't want to wear you out either. Tell me if you need a break. Everyone does now and then." Including herself. Likely why she sips at the newer scotch in a more leisurely manner.

"I know, we'll figure it out. I suppose I've just hit my limit of surprises for one day. I apologize for my outburst." Raising her glass she grins toward Nicolai. "That I can get behind."

Erik Lensherr has posed:
Erik Lensherr smiles a bit at Clarice, "Not to worry Blink, we do have some other teleporters in the Brotherhood, you're just the most versatile, which is why I fear we tend to overwork you a bit. I do want you to rest, because as Lorna said, your portals will be quite useful in getting materials to Genosha. Other than this mutant killer, that will be our current priority. I personally am going to go and begin collecting the asteroids outside the station, as my music probably isn't the type you younger folks are thinking of. Have a good evening, and I will see you all at various times soon." He nods politely, then walks off in the direction of the landing bay.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "It's good to push yourself - now and then," Clarice counters. "To really know and understand your limits. Better to figure that out when there isn't any danger, right?" she asks. "I can move it," she says with confidence. At least - she likes to believe so.
    As Magneto prepares to leave - she rises back to her feet, nodding her head as he, also, urges to rest. "...yes, sir," she replies, looking between him, and his daughter. She's caught between the both of them now. Not much way to resist that, is there?

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique feels she has to say it, "Yes, rest is important Blink. If you push yourself too much, then you are down and out and what if there is an emergency." She finishes wiping the exact same spot she had been wiping all along and tosses the rag... away.

"Even I take breaks." She looks after Erik as she says that, wondering to herself how often he took breaks. He says he does, but that doesn't mean he actually does, but she's not going to ask because... duh, Magneto.

Nicolai Codona has posed:
    "There doesn't happen to be a guitar laying around up here anywhere?" Nicolai asks. He's happy to provide the entertainment. Something to take his mind off this whirlwind of a night, the seemingly inevitable capture and painful death of his father's killer, the fact that he's on... an asteroid and the fact that he really has no idea what he's going to do with his life once his year long purpose is fulfilled. He's thought of nothing but catching Aldea since he came home and found his father dead. So... what's next? It's a sobering question. "I do a mean Elvis," he asides to Erik before pelting out the first few lines of 'Heartbreak Hotel'. <<Well since my baby left me, I found a new place to dwell, it's down at the end of lonely street...>> His head's all bobbing along with the music in his brain. Damn, he is GOOD, but it gets ruined by the little sniggering laugh at the end. Someone's tipsy.
    "I'm happy to help with... whatever it is you're talking about... but I can't portal. I do see dead people though."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Fine, fine!" Clarice relents with a laugh. "I'll rest! I mean - I do rest sometimes, you know. I mean- I need time to- well. To study, sometimes." That's how she //rests//? Clarice... "I'll spend some time on my island." Yup. Her private island. It might be owned by someone - she has no idea. All she knows is it's in the middle of nowhere. And it's beautiful. And she can go there anytime she likes.
    Something Nicolai says, however, has her attention focusing in on him. "...what do you mean, you can see dead people?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique will remain where Nicolai is, getting him a guitar to play, whatever it is that he wants. When he is ready to sleep, she will show him to guest quarters and inform him she will see him in the morning, literally as he won't be able to get out until she's there.