7292/The Sweet Taste of Freedom

The Sweet Taste of Freedom
Date of Scene:	09 August 2021
Location:	Fred's Diner
Synopsis:	Burgers with Hank, Clarice, Mystique and Remy turns tense before the gentlemen leave and Lydia arrives. Dinner and drinks at Saints and Sinners follows.
Cast of Characters:	Clarice Ferguson, Raven Darkholme, Henry McCoy, Remy LeBeau, Lydia Dietrich, Robert Marksman

---

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Freedom! From Mystique's desk. Who knew how horrifying that thing could be? Mystique had been eager to get back to work - Clarice had been eager to let her have at it. So eager in fact that she'd cheerfully exclaimed five magical words. 'I'm taking the day off!'
    You don't know what a struggle it was for Mystique to teach Clarice that taking time off to relax was a //good thing//.
    Now she was seat in one of the booths - sideways, so she leans back against the window behind her, and has her feet propped up on the bench beside her while she studies the menu.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
There was no doubt that Raven was quite pleased to be free. A week of gumbo, nothing but gumbo, and she was craving ANYTHING else. Having checked over things after Clarice was in charge, there were only a few minor corrects required, so minor that Raven was exceedingly pleased that she could go to Bushwick and get a garbage burger from Fred's.

Wearing a pair of jeans and boots, along with a t-shirt that reads 'I have a bomb in my head, that's how', she sat across from Clarice looking over the menu.

Henry McCoy has posed:
Food, and an escape from his lab! It was on Henry's agenda for today. Much like Clarice, Henry also had to grasp the lesson for time off of work. The man was tinkering, sciencing, building - everything he could to help his team and friends. It often meant burning the candle at both ends ... and in the middle. Stubborness often over-rode his logical brain, after all.

Looking a bit tired, Henry meanders into the diner - looking to get a full belly and to stop pressing his nose to the grindstone.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I say we get the fried cheese sticks," Clarice suggests as she continues to study the menu. "And I'm getting... hrm. The BBQ bacon burger - with grilled onions, and sweet potato fries." Because, really, sweet potato fries are just //better//. She makes no comment about the shirt her boss is wearing, aside from the agrieved look she'd briefly given the woman for manifesting that particular clothing choice.
    Just... ugh. As if she wasn't furious enough about the situation.
    The sight of familiar blue fur in her periphery catches her attention as she turns towards Hank to call brightly, "Hank! Do you like fried cheese sticks?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Point made in getting here, Mystique's t-shirt changes to reading 'In my defense, I was left unsupervised'.

"Fried cheese sticks are a must, as are the onion rings," she offers around the menu, then takes a drink of her water. Glancing over to the door as it opens, she sets the menu down to offer Hank a nod.

"Care to join us? We intend to eat one of everything," she offers, gesturing to the table and leaving who he sits by up to him. "I was thinking a double bacon and swiss with sauteed onions myself."

Remy LeBeau has posed:
    Speaking of Gumbo, the ragin cajun takes this exact moment to walk into the diner, a simple navy blue shirt on with a yankee's logo and slogan on the front and a pair of cargo pants, Remy is quite a forgetable sight in the dinner. The man does a quick look around the place, slowly and casually, not trying to drum up anyone's concerns, practiced, patient, and cool. His eyes hidden behind a pair of cheek sunglasses, no need to go looking like a mutant when it's so easy to keep people calm and unasuming.

    Clarice and Hank aren't too hard to spot in a crowd and Remy lets a sigh escape his lips, puffing up his cheeks slightly.

    Crap.

    "Heya Doc." Remy says, moving over there after dismissing a waitress saying he's meeting a friend who's just over there. "Clare." Remy says before figuring out who the third person at the table is... "F*** me..."

Henry McCoy has posed:
As Clarice is lounging, Henry accepts the offer - taking a seat next to Mystique. "Evening Clarice, Mystique." He offers as he sits down, glancing to each. "One of everything sounds like the perfect amount of food. I want to eat, then curl up in blankets for a twelve hour snooze." The man offers, with a tired grin. The chair groans a bit under his bulk - but he's careful not to wreck the furniture.

As Remy enters, then makes his way over towards the table, he offers a wave. "Hey there, Remy. How are you doing?" No looking normal for Henry, no hiding the blue fur, animal features or muscled bulk.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice goes from offering Hank a cheerful, relaxed smile as she remarks, "Cheese sticks and onions it is," to letting the smile fade from her features as she glares at Remy cooly. She certainly doesn't bother to move her feet off the seat to clear a space for him.
    "LeBeau," she says simply, without bothering to explain Mystique's presence.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique scoots over to make sure Hank has room, then slides the menu to him so he can make his choice.

"You can call me Raven," she offers to Hank, offering a very slight smile. It was time to expand on who could use her name, just as she was embracing new ways, she was trying to embrace a part of her past that she had deliberately tried to forget. It wasn't an easy process in her mind, dealing with the emotions connected to it all, but she was trying.

As Remy approaches the table, she sits back a little in the booth, waiting aaaand... there it was. "Sorry Remy," she comments with a smirk. "That would be trading down." Her eyes shift from the cajun to Clarice, gauging how well she was taking him being there. "Care to join us?"

Remy LeBeau has posed:
    "Ah've been better Doc." Remy says honestly but not going deeper into his issues, not that the cause of is hard to determine at this point. Then a glance towards Clarice from behind his glasses, the cajun simply looks at her, not bothering to expand upon their deep and fascinating conversation.

Mystique's got jokes. She always did. Heck everyone around here is a damn quipy commedian. Even himself at times, and as such, Remy shrugs his shoulders, "It wasn't an offer. An' a don't think Ah'm welcome t'join." Remy notes finally with a shift of his head towards Blink's feet still on the bench where Remy might possibly be able to sit, "Ah think Ah'll be gettin' t'go."

Henry McCoy has posed:
Accepting the menu from Mystique, Henry grins. "I thought you said one of everything?" He chuckles, clearly up for the challenge. "And... all right Raven." He says, trying out the name. Could be a trap, right? Sane people would assume so - but Henry is optimistic. "I'm famished."

Yellow eyes go from Clarice to Remy, then back. "Does anyone mind Remy joining us?" He asks, looking then to the women. A smile to Remy after that. "Indeed. I think we've all seen better days. It's been a hectic few weeks, right?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    The look Clarice shoots to Mystique begs a simple question. 'Are you fucking kidding me?' Still - after a moment spent unmoving to allow her sentiments to register with everyone, she turns and slides her feet to the floor. "No. Don't mind at all. Why should I?" she replies - her tone still cool. God, this place doesn't have a liquor license does it? Damnit.
    She lets out a sigh before agreeing with Hank. "It's been pretty nuts."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Continuing to watch Clarice, waiting for her to move, Mystique nods once as she says, "I wouldn't have offered if I had a problem with it."

Leaning closer to Hank to look the menu again she offers a slight grin, "Alright, one of everything. What we don't eat we can share with the 5th Street Crew. They've almost completely cleaned up fifteen alleys in Bushwick."

Now her eyes shift to Remy, she debates for a moment going into what her week was like but decides against it. Honestly, no one needed to know that. "Take a load off Remy, get yourself something to eat, try to relax... Clarice won't do anything."

Remy LeBeau has posed:
    Remy stands next to the table, his eyes upon Clarice behind his buck fifty sunglasses, waiting for the 'dutiful soldier' to obey. But he doesn't feel that way about Clarice, he feels sorrow for her, having mixed up in the wrong lot at the worst time. She's still mosty innocent. He's still very guilty of things himself. These thoughts pass behind the very black lenses of his glasses before the spot is opened up and the cajun makes a show of wiping the dirt off onto the floor before he sits down.

    Yeah, he doesn't continue the 'how was your week' convo because that will turn into top trumps and that'll devolve into 'who deserved to have a terrible week' and no one really wants to play that game.

    Instead. "Ah'm spendin' more an' more time in Bushwick lately, since Emma's gettin' outta de area figure dat'll be anot'er power vaccum."

Henry McCoy has posed:
See? Friends having a meal together! This is all fine, everything is fine. At least in Henry's hopeful mind, it is. "Sharing sounds like a good option - they are working overtime." He comments, not mentioning the heavy lifting they are all doing in their own way. Once Remy is seated, he sets down the menu - placing the order for one of everything... and a chocolate shake for himself. Once the order is in, he relaxes a bit more, sighing as he starts to unwind.

"Is this the new hangout then? Where all the cool kids come to get their malts and dance to the jukebox?" A grin on his lips shows that he's teasing, mostly.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Add grilled onions to the BBQ Bacon Burger and switch out the fries for sweet potato fries, yeah?" Clarice appends to the order, before giving Mystique a look. The //hell// she won't...
    And yet, she shows no signs of trying anything. ... yet.
    "Robert's trying to step into that vaccum. You know, bought up the hotel and some of her other properties. Though - well. Maybe we don't get Raven started on Robert," she remarks, before taking a sip from the glass of water the waitress had left for her. She makes a face - the water is tepid. Where's the ice?
    "This place is alright, but I prefer Mootant Milkshakes, honestly."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
A soft snerk is heard from Mystique as Hank comments on the 'cool kids', something she really does not believe she is, but she looks back to Remy.

"Emma leaving changed nothing," she offers. "We've been working hard to show the people here they don't need one person to lead them or show them the way, they only need each other. The hotel was purchased by another mutant, who intends to offer up part of it for community programs and rental spaces, way more than Emma intended to offer.

Making certain to order at least two orders of the cheese sticks, as Clarice showed a keen interest in those, her amber eyes shift between Hank and Remy, but she continues on the subject of Bushwick.

"The Brotherhood has no interest in commanding mutants in Bushwick, never did, the honest truth is we always intended to help out the mutants here, but became very keen to doing so to stop Emma from White Queening her ass all over the people here."

Shifting her eyes to Clarice she offers a smile, "My problems with Robert are /my/ problems, doesn't change that he's trying to help Bushwick, right?"

Remy LeBeau has posed:
    Hard to understand why we're ordering 'One of Everything' and then ordering more on top of that. "Just a chocolate shake. Extra malt por favor." Yeah, it's spanish and Remy isn't exactly in a friendly mood as it stands.

    He sits on the booth and raises his glasses onto his head to get lost in that mangy mess he calls hair, but for the most part he stays quiet for the moment. Waiting, watching, listening.

Henry McCoy has posed:
"So many changes over the world, and among our friends." Henry murmurs, tapping a claw on the table absently. "Robert? Roberto?" He seems a bit confused, not certain who Clarice is refering to. Too many nights with his nose in a book. A glance to Mystique, nodding. "There are going to be skeptic. There are some almost irreconcilable differences with some of our people and some people in the Brotherhood. It will certainly take time.

Another glance to Remy, as if trying to suss out his situation through body language. "I'm behind on my Emma-sightings. Where is she off to?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Robert Marksman," Clarice supplies, as she nods in response to Mystique's words about the man. "He's one of the doctors in the Bushwick Clinic."
    "I don't think any of us expect the X-Men to welcome all of the Brotherhood with open arms. Mister Creed's certainly made his share of enemies. I know we're unlikely to change opinions on that front anytime soon." She's gotten enough dark glares off Logan just for having hints of the man's scent on her to be well aware of that much.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Again Mystique's amber eyes shift to Remy, just watching him as Hank talks about irreconcilable differences, but they return to Hank in short order.

"I'm looking for people to accept everything the Brotherhood does," she states plainly. "There's no way they will, because our goal will always be Mutants first, humans second, with the hope of working out differences. That said however, there are clearly members that will never be accepted no matter what," she nods to Clarice. "Victor being one of them, but that doesn't matter over all. The idea is to stop fighting among ourselves so we can /finally/ work together toward the same end goals, mutant equality."

She takes another drink of her water, stealing an ice cube to crunch on before she continues. "I'm sure you both have questions," her eyes shift between Remy and Hank. "So ask them. There hasn't been a chance until now for either of you to actually believe I was serious, I'm hoping the Lasso of Hestia and this last week were proof enough... so ask your questions, I have nothing to hide any more."

Remy LeBeau has posed:
    Listening to Mystique's explanation and then stealing a glance of Clarice, Remy finally ends with his gaze on Hank and his alluring blue fur. "Ah dunno big guy, she says one thing, then something different the next sentence..." Remy shrugs his shoulders, and makes a show of looking back towards 'Raven'. He hasn't earned that right yet, and he's smart enough to not push some buttons.

    "Ya say your goal is mutants first, and den ya say mutant equality..." Remy notes with a look towards Hank, "Dat sounds ... what's de word?"

    "Incompatible."

Henry McCoy has posed:
At the prompt from Mystique, Henry cants his head to the side. "You assume doubt on my part, Raven. I hope I haven't given you any reason to suspect disbelief from me?" A slight frown at that, the man shaking his head and sipping his shake for a moment. "I've not been around as long as others, but I do understand what the Brotherhood was founded for. Protecting our people against prejudices of others, human or otherwise. I share that want."

Another sip from the shake. "It's the methodology that differed. I want harmony with the humans - I'd rather meet them at the table, than on the battlefield." A shake of his head. "And yes, it comes to blows more than I'd like - but I will always try with the olive branch first."

A shake of his head and a smile to Clarice. "I do not think Victor and I will ever see eye to eye, alas." It's a rueful comment. "But if he is content to do things in a different manner, then I am willing to give him a chance."

Henry McCoy has posed:
Hank then nods to Remy. "It's a process. It's... going to take time, mon ami. We all have our dark times, we all have our pits to climb out of. I cannot expect a change over-night, no matter how much I hope for it."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Over a hundred years of believing one way, LeBeau - and a few months of trying a new way. Cut the woman some slack, will you?" Clarice shoots back, in agreement with Hank. "I have no intention of letting the Brotherhood to change back to the way things were - and I'm her second. She can't simply dismiss my input. And she hasn't gone through all this on a //whim// to simply go back to the way things were."
    She shoots the man an annoyed, angry look, before turning her attention back to her glass. She takes a deep breath in - and lets it out slowly. "We'll never be the idealists that Xavier tries to create. If peaceful solutions will work - fine. But when they won't? We'll do what's necessary to protect mutants from harm. To save them from abuse, and slavery. That's where Mister Creed gets to play his role."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique smirks, crossing her arms across her chest as the food begins to arrive. She'll wait for the waiter to be gone before speaking, he doesn't need to hear this, he's just trying to make a living.

"See Remy," she begins, picking up her soda for a sip. "In places like Genosha and Bushwick, and hundreds of other little squalor places like Bushwick, Mutants come first. This is their place, where they can be themselves without fear of ridicule. Sure, humans come in here all the time, and I hope some day they do that without blowing up a stage or our clinic, or going after my ass for reasons I still don't know... because that gang that used the attack on the Golem to draw me out was most certainly not about 'my past crimes'."

For a moment she glances to Hank, he gets a partial smile, then she looks to Clarice. At last her eyes return to Remy. "Right now, the fight is about making sure Mutants are taken care of, so they come first, some day equality will happen, or so everyone else believes and I'm trying really hard to believe, and when that happens, mutants stop being first because we're all equal, right?"

Now she settles her amber eyes on Hank, "I don't mean to imply that you specifically have issues Dr. McCoy, I'm sure there may be a few little things in there like methodology, but I know many do, so it's an offer in general, to get answers."

After another sip of her soda, she picks up a fried cheese stick but sets it on the plate she's putting her food on. She looks at it for the longest time then says quietly, "He doesn't have to cut any slack Clarice, clearly I some how screwed him over personally and he has every right to hate me for it. You can't tell people how to feel," she finally looks up at Clarice. "Remember?"

Remy LeBeau has posed:
    Remy looks down to his own blood stained hands and hides them under the table. The metaphor isn't lost on him. He understands what she is selling. What Mystique has sold to Clarice, and everyone else like her. "Don't get me wrong, Ah'm not going to kumbyah with anyone, but Ah don't think Charles thinks that is how thing will go down either." Remy beings.

    With a deep breath, the stuble sporting x-man looks back to Clarice and Raven, "That willin'ness to fight, and to kill ot'ers cause dey look down on you, or us, dats not gonna win hearts to our side."

    Then Remy stands up and with a moiton he's dropping a twenty on the table, before he's even gotten his milkshake. "An' neit'er is actin' like you deserve better because you're intentions are good. Dese people have laws an' rules, if ya want t'be respected and be a real catalys' fo' change... den you need t'stop actin' like you're more importan' dan everyone else." With that, the cajun lifts his hand to his glasses and drops them back down onto the bridge of his nose and moves towards the door of the restaurant. "G'luck Doc."

Henry McCoy has posed:
Henry's eyes follow Remy as he stands, nodding to the other man. "Be safe Remy. I will see you around, oui?" He offers to the man, sympathetic to his feelings - he has those too. But his optimism and hope is overwhelming in this specific instance. He shifts a bit in his seat, thinking on a great many things.

A look to Clarice, then to Mystique. "Right now, the bothersome thing to me is a certain explosive." The man frowns. "It is unconscionable and inhumane." There's a bit of a growl at the end of that, his canines showing for a bit.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice opens her mouth, then clicks it shut as Mystique uses her own words against her, a grimace on her features. No, she can't tell Remy how to feel.
    Even if the idiot is wrong.
    She picks up one of the cheese sticks - dipping it into the marinara sauce and nibbling at it sullenly. There are times when she is so very much like a teenager. She remains silent as Remy leaves, continuing to take small nibbles at the food. What's the point with arguing with someone who will not listen?

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique slams her hand down on the table, hard enough to rattle the dishes as she nearly screams, "The fuck you say to me boy?! I don't think I'm any better than anyone else here, in Bushwick or the world! You don't fucking know me Remy LeBeau, you know the past and you cling to it like some kind of fucking safety blanket! I was dying for our people before you were even born, and never once... NOT ONCE, did I ask for one fucking thing in return! Go fuck yourself LeBeau, and remember... I can undo what I've done for you, who I killed FOR YOU!"

Stuck in the back of the booth she can't leave, she can't move, so she chooses to punch the wall instead... never once in her life has she acted like she wanted anything from anyone, or that she wanted to be acknowledged for the things she done. She wanted others to join her, others to help her, but she never asked for fame of infamy.

Her eyes remain fixed on Remy, "Get off your high horse thief, come down off the mountain murderer, you have no ground to stand on, and you never will. You got your second chance from Charles and Rogue, you never earned it, you never saw one moment of jail time or any form of punishment for the things you've done, assassin's guild... hypocrite, mother fucking hypocrite."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    Lydia had gotten a little peckish, and decided to see what her girlfriend was up to. A text was sent, and another was received telling her that they're at Fred's so off Lydia goes to head to the diner. Today she's decided to take the Toaster. As fun as flying around is, sometimes you want to get there via mundane means, and besides the poor little thing hasn't gotten much love recently.
    She putts up to the diner, and parks right outside, stowing away her helmet. She walks inside, smiling at the little ding-a-ling of the door's bell, and then stops, frozen in her tracks, that smile instantly turning into a frown. Remy is there. With Mystique. And Mystique is yelling. Oh boy, this can't be good.
    She gives Remy a wide berth as she makes her way to the table and eyes the Cajun disdainfully. "Hello," she says coolly to him before turning to Mystique. "Hey, is everything going to be all right?"

Remy LeBeau has posed:
    Remy looks at Mystique with pity in his eyes, but he's already started walking away, knowing he's struck a nerve and she's trying to do the same thing, only thing is, this is all he's ever really thought about since running into the x-men, and since he's been with Rogue. They are his penance, they are his daily striving and reaching to be a better man and to atone for the sins of his past.

    He feels words aren't needed, with as hard and as loud as she's bellowing and bemoaning he knows for a fact that she's extremely mad at him, and he's not going to push his luck. Plus he feels he might sense a bit of jealousy in the azure woman.

Henry McCoy has posed:
The anger doesn't really surprise Hank - he'd seen the building tension and the ramping up of sharp words. He does, however, take deep breaths. The urge to react, to respond out of instinct is damn near overwhelming. Fingers drum at the table, as if trying to distract himself. As Mystique punches the wall, and Clarice goes quiet - Henry gets to his feet. He carefully keeps himself between the departing Cajun and Mystique, the man offering a shake of his head.

"I'll have to take a raincheck on the meal, Raven." He says, offering a roll of his neck and a nod to both she and Clarice. "Another time, yes? When tempers are cooler." He does, however, put down a good amount of cash. They did order one of everything, after all! With that, he turns to the door, offering a wave to Lydia in passing.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Mystique's explosion catches Clarice by surprise, and she looks up from sullenly picking at her food to consider the woman across from her - a worried frown on her features. "He's an idiot. He doesn't get it," she mutters quietly, before voicing her own frustration, though in a quieter voice than she would have if not for Mystique's own outburst. "For months I've told people you're different. You've changed. That the Brotherhood has changed. That we want to work with the X-Men, and that we won't be using fear and terror anymore. For months people have told me that I'm a naive child, that I've been manipulated and lied to. We have the proof at last that everything I said was true, and- and still it isn't enough." She lets out a huff of frustrated air, nodding to Lydia, before glancing back out the window.
    She can see Remy getting into a car - and on a whim, she concentrates on opening a small portal - just for an instant. With a flicker of purple energy, it neatly severs the rear plate off the car, which immediately vanishes from sight.
    Enjoy dealing with that, LeBeau. I hope you get pulled over.
    Her gaze is soon back on Hank as she adds, "Hank- I- At least take something with you!"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Now the anger is turned toward herself, but Raven nods to Hank.

"I owe you a dinner, any time, anywhere you want to go," she offers. "Just give me a call, Rogue has my number of you don't."

She looks back to the wall for a moment, getting every emotion in check, locked down, shoved back in the boxes then her looks back Lydia, "Yeah, it's fine. You should sit, we have one of everything here."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    Lydia slides in besides Mystique and gives her a peck on the cheek. "Don't let him get to you, okay? I didn't hear what he said, but he was probably just getting your goat, trying to get a reaction out of you." She looks over the expanse of food and breathes, "Wow. You really /did/ get one of everything."
    She picks something at random, something that smells delicious and starts to dig in. "So... besides some asshole pushing your buttons, how are you doing?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice takes another fried cheese stick and - now that Remy is gone, and a small piece of her vengence has been carried out - she happily munches on the treat, much of the tension melted out of her form. "Your burger should be out in a minute," she reminds Mystique with a smile. "...should we ask the server if they can cancel whatever they have started preparing yet? Maybe they can."
    She lifts her hand, trying to get the attention of one of the servers, as she dips her cheese stick into the marinara sauce again for another bite.
    Yes, she's double-dipping. Deal with it.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique has to close her eyes a moment. The kiss on the cheek from Lydia makes her smile, instinct reaction because it takes her brain a few more minutes to finish shoving things down. Opening her eyes again, she turns on the bench, wraps her arms around Lydia and kisses her so hard that perhaps her tongue might shoot out the back of Lydia's head, but... she needed to vent out some of the anger in a less violent way, and attempted murder via a deep passionate kiss wasn't illegal.

Breaking the kiss she sits back and finally, the smile on her face is real. "Nah, we can have then deliver the rest to the 5th Street Crew," she offers to CLarice, but is look at Lydia still. "Up until fucktard McHypocrite showed up, been a decent day... and now that you're here, the rest of the remainder of the day will be perfect."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    "Mmph!" Lydia is caught by surprise by the fierceness of the kiss, and it takes her a moment to relax and respond in kind. A hand creeps up to the back of Mystique's head, running her fingers through her hair, and when they finally break, naked lust can be seen in her eyes. And then embarrassment for feeling such out in the open.
    "Ah ahem," she clears her throat and turns back to the food, this time stealing a mozzarella stick from Clarice and dips it into the marinara sauce, double dipping be damned. "Glad to hear it," she says.
    Deciding to change the topic at hand she says, "I've gotten some work done on the new book. Quite a bit! I'm happy with my progress."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "And you're writing it at a simpler reading level so I can manage it?" Clarice suggests - smiling with amusement. She knows damned well Lydia wasn't.
    She's back to lounging sidewise on the booth's bench, her feet perched on the seat beside her. Her glass of water is ignored as she picks up a shake to slurp at - it's not as thick as a Mootant milkshake, and honestly - it's sweeter. //Too// sweet. But it's still good.
    "I actually, uh, started listening to the audiobook version today," she remarks, "while following along in the book." Surely that must count as some sort of reading practice. Right?

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique hasn't touched the food, despite having come here to get the food. She had taken one fried cheese stick a while back and it sat lonely on her plate. She finally picks it up and dunks it, not caring about the double dip either. Mythbuster's proved it didn't matter.

"That's a good way to learn to read actually," she offers to Clarice. "That's how I learned Italian, truth be told. That's one of like 20 languages I speak, I think... I'd have to sort them out in my head and right now, I'm trying to keep my head from exploding so let's not."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    Lydia's eyes light up at Clarice, "That's a good idea!" she says. "I wish I had thought of that. You're not reading one of /my/ books? Because they get pretty steamy," she warns. "Actually...." A thought comes to her. "The new Kindles have a read along feature that will highlight the words as they're read to you, that and you can pause it, tap on a word that you might be unfamiliar with and it'll open up the dictionary entry for it." She pulls out her purse to fetch her phone from it. Tapping on the screen a few times she goes over to Amazon and puts in an order. "What color case do you want for it?" she asks.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Yours, yeah," Clarice answers - before sucking on the milkshake in her hand, and seemingly without intending to make any further comment on the subject.
    "I don't think my vocabulary's the problem," she adds. "I know what the words mean. I just- ...can't read them." As for the color of the cover - its probably a surprise to no one when she supplies, "Green." Obviously.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Slowly Mystique's mood improves, so she munches on that cheese stick and slides her arm around Lydia's shoulders.

"So what would you both like to do with the rest of the day, after eating everything in sight?" No, she doesn't mean that. She can eat a burger, that's about it.

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    Lydia nods, and taps a few more things on her phone. "Green. Got it." She shakes her head, "I didn't mean to imply that you had a sub par vocabulary, I apologize. It's just that even I will come across a word that I'm a bit fuzzy on the meaning and will want to look up." She waves a hand lazily, "all in all it's just a handy feature to have."
    Lydia considers Mystiques question for a bit before suggesting, "We can go visit Saints and Sinners. Get a few drinks, maybe do some dancing." She drops her voice and grins suggestively, "Maybe show Clarice Heaven?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "It's not like I was offended or anything," Clarice reassures Lydia. She takes another sip of her shake, then turns as her burger finally arrives - with the plate overflowing with sweet potato fries. Nice. She picks up the burger with both hands, and suggests, "Well if the weather's alright - we could bring some scuba gear to the Bahamas."
    ...and then Lydia has her own suggestion, and after giving the woman a wide-eyed look, she decides to hide herself in her food instead, dropping her gaze and taking a large bite out of her burger.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique shakes her head, giving Clarice a poke with her foot under the table.

"We aren't doing that Clarice," she says. "That's on you, we'll have no part of it."

She glances to Lydia for a moment, "Want me to get naked right here in the diner? No? Because it would embarrass you, right?" She doesn't need to say anymore on that matter, at least she doesn't think she does.

"I have something to tell the both of you, need a more private setting however. It's good news, something you will both be very glad to know.... so maybe drinks, but that's it."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
     "I was just teasing," Lydia says with a grin. "Like Mystique says, it's all you." Then her lover gets her attention and her cheeks flush. "Right. Sorry."
    The mention of good news does get her interested. "Oh? You'll have to tell us!"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice's gaze flicks between the two woman, as she remains intent on simply eating her burger. She's not embarrassed. It's a good burger! That's all. Honest! She swears!
    After swallowing her third bite or so she adds, "Well. If we need private I'm happy to provide transport," as if they didn't already know that. "But I'd love a drink after this." She picks up some of the fries, and starts munching at them contentedly. "Try the sweet pototo fries. They're good."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Reaching over to collect one of the sweet potato fries, Mystique takes a bite. She's never had them before so this was something new. The first bite of course doesn't count, it gets your mouth ready for the second bite, which really is a precursor to the third bite, uh oh... it's gone.

"Those are really good!" she exclaims. "How have I never had them before? Yes, drinks after and then I'll tell you both the news."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    "Don't mind if I do," Lydia says as she liberates a couple of the fries from the plate. The first one she munches on plain, but the second one? This one she dips in the marinara sauce. "Hm." she says thoughtfully. "That's not bad. You should try it."
    She leans back and when Hank's food comes she claims it for herself. The trio then settles into comfortable banter during their dinner talking about a myriad of light subjects before paying for dinner and heading out to the club.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Well. It wasn't Hank's food so much as 'the rest of the entire menu.' But once everyone's satisfied with what they've got, the rest is simply packed directly into to-go boxes which Clarice blinks away to its final destination.
    Clarice's burger is devoured, along with her fries, some of the onion rings, and another cheese stick. It's more food than she technically needed, but sometimes you splurge.
    Once they're on their way, she links arms with Mystique - for once simply enjoying the walk towards Saints and Sinners. it's close enough that it's hardly worth a teleport. As they make their way in she asks, "Should I get the drinks? Granadine and whiskey, and a Manhattan?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique nibbles at her burger, eats a few onions rings, and eventually manages to /finally/ get the thought of gumbo out of her mind. A week of it, an entire week of gumbo...

Mystique arranges the 5th Street Crew to get some drinks and a pie as well, then orders for herself she arranges a piece of chocolate-banana cream pie to go.

Along the walk, her clothing changes to something more 'club' like, yet pretty plain for her. Skin tight shiny white pants, a sparkly long sleeve bounce in light blue, and barefoot. She's giving no fucks today.

Once to the club, she goes to her booth and nods, "Yep, that's my drink."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    Lydia settles in with a vodka martini with the olives absent, and answers any questioning looks with, "What? A girl has to have at least a /little/ variety." While she's not dressed like she was going out to the club, she obviously doesn't look like she cares, even so far as wiggling in her seat to the beat of the music.
    "So. What's this good news you've got to tell us?" she asks curiously.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice returns with all the orders. She's even gotten a cocktail herself this time, remarking with puzzlement, "This is called 'the Green Room.'" It's a prohibition era cocktail. She had literally asked the bartender to surprise her. She takes a sip before letting out a, "Mmm. It's not bad." She offers it to the other pair, to see if they want a dip - but otherwise looks curiously to Mystique as she waits to hear this 'good news.'
    She is also not dressed for clubbing. But unsurprisingly - she doesn't care. Really, what 'clubbing' outfits does she have, other than that lovely white dress she wore the last time - that Lydia bought for her?

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique accepts her drink, a small sip taken before she settles in comfortably and looks between the two. The music is loud, but in the booth that she prefers the distance from the speakers is perfect to allow for conversation and not be over heard by others.

"Well," she begins, getting them to both scoot a little closer. Her arm goes around Lydia when that happens, then she continues, "You remember how I said I had to talk to Erik, after getting back?"

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    Lydia accepts the glass and takes a sip, letting it sit on her tongue as she hands the glass back. "Interesting," she concludes. "Not bad at all. I'll have to get myself one once this martini runs out."
    Lydia scoots her chair close enough to not only listen to what Mystique has to say, but to also snake an arm around her waist where she rubs her back slowly. "I remember."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice nods a confirmation, taking another sip of her drink once Lydia returns it to her. "What did he have to say?" she asks curiously. She sits with a relaxed posture, her elbows on the table, and her glass cupped in both hands.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique takes another drink, a little larger than the first, then actually takes a slow look around to ensure there is no one near them.

"Yeah, he was pissed," she states plainly. "I mean like, livid pissed... I don't think I've seen him angry, but you can see it in his eyes when he pissed... anyway," another large drink. "This is the part that will make you happy, but you have to keep it to yourself, it cannot be known by anyone else."

Another quick look around and she says even more quietly, "The bombs gone. Erik wasn't having that and just... gone. I did not get a say in the matter."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    Lydia looks stunned. "Gone? Just.... gone? Like that?" She blinks uncomprehendingly, "The sheer power and control that would take to not set it off and..." her brain is just reeling with what it must take to be able to pull of a feat like that. "But you still need to pretend that it's in there right?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice is grinning ear to ear with this piece of news. Somehow, it doesn't really surprise her - but she's relieved to hear it, nonetheless. "To His Royal Majesty," she remarks - lifting her glass before taking another drink from it. "That's- well. It's a relief. I'm glad," she says sincerely.
    "...now we just have to hope they're never dumb enough to ask you to do a job that goes against your beliefs."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique rubs Lydia's shoulder with her hand, "Yeah, we have to pretend it's still there." She lets out a slow breath, looking over at Clarice.

"His exact words were, 'No one removes your dignity like that.' and it was gone. Most people don't realize just how powerful Erik is, then think it's jut the magnetism, but the truth is, he can control magnetism at the atomic level, simply gone. I've seen him do some amazing things, and I've seen him do some horrifically scary things. So... when he decides to remove a bomb from my head without my permission, you can bet both your sweet asses I just smile and accept it."

Another sip is taken, "And if Waller decides to try something against what I would do, and thus I refuse to do it, and then I don't blow up... I still get to tell her, 'Hey, did how many of your missions for you without that thing in my head, learn from the example bitch."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    "What will you do if one of the people who put it in you decides to scan you?" asks Lydia sounding a bit worried. "Don't get me wrong. It's a huge relief that it's out of your head, but...." she just shakes her head. "Maybe I'm worrying to much."
    "Still. This Waller person. I think I would pay to see her expression after trying to blow your skull off your head doesn't work."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I mean - really, how often are detailed internal scans taken of anyone?" Clarice remarks - not seeming //too// worried about that possibility. "Did it contain any metal, though, that might have been picked up by some sort of metal detector? That's a much more common level of technology. If so - maybe we should put a little //something// more inert there in its place?" she suggests, giving a shrug of her shoulders. "Just to be cautious."
    She gives a small, tight smile as she adds, "All of this is too much like slavery, though... for my comfort."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Crossing her legs so she can lean more into Lydia, pressing lightly against her, Mystique places a soft kiss on her lips before just settling in against her. "They are so certain that no one can remove it, that they don't even have a scanner to /see/ if it's still there. Once they put it in and activate it, that's it, they're convinced no one can remove it after that."

She goes quiet for a moment as a couple wonder by, heading for the Inferno. "It was mostly metal, or Erik wouldn't have been able to do anything about it, but it was so small a metal detector couldn't pick it up. I know, because to leave the petitionary I had to pass through one."

With the tense part out of the way, she returns to just sipping her drink, "As someone who has never faced to choices of a death sentence, life in prison, or this Clarice, I can see how it would look like slavery, but anyone who chooses this option has other choices. I could have just stayed in jail, or perhaps even ended up in a court and received the death penalty. When faced with those choices, most criminal masterminds like myself," she snerks. "and the others, whom I can't name, will choose life with a bomb to get a reduced sentence."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    Lydia leans into the kiss, and nods. "That makes sense. It takes a certain kind of hubris to do plant a bomb in one's skull to begin with and think that you know every little thing that that person is up to for you to judge." She turns to Mystique and giggles, "Criminal mastermind. You certainly stole my heart. All part of your dastardly plan."
    "God, can you imagine how livid that walking Cajun stereotype would be if he ever found out about this?" She shakes her head. "He'd blow a gasket."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "It's still slavery. They've just convinced themselves it's morally justified slavery. Or 'indentured servitude.'" Which is, let's face it, synonymous for slavery. Clarice shakes her head before adding, "They had the proof of the lasso to show that you already meant to do good in the world. That you regretted things. I- I feel much easier now," she admits. "But it still doesn't mean that I like what they're doing to you, or what I'm happy about what happened." And that's just the way it is.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique rolls her eyes as she growls, "Remy can go fuck himself."

That's enough on that particular subject for now. "Clarice, you're forgetting a very important part of this. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not keen on the whole bomb in the head thing, but you're forgetting what would have happened if this wasn't an option. You're forgetting just how bad some of these people are, including me. You're forgetting that being sorry does not equal justice for the victims and their families."

For a moment she lets her eyes look to the dance floor, the people moving to the music and into each other. "That's what jail is about, justice for the families, cause the dead don't care. Look at how we react when someone hurts a member of our family, you think the people I've hurt don't feel the same way we do?"

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    Lydia looks thoughtful for a while, her eyes drawn to the dance floor as well. "Jail isn't always about justice," she says. "It's for punishment, and those aren't necessarily the same thing." She bites her lower lip for a bit before continuing, "Sometimes what people are really looking for is revenge, not justice. They think, 'this person hurt me, so they must be hurt in turn. She shakes her head, "But what good does that thinking do? All it does is make people hurt and it doesn't actually /solve/ anything."
    "I don't think there can be justice without rehabilitation." She says gently. "Sure, the person needs to be punished, but they also need to be taught how to do things differently so that they don't make the same mistakes." She looks over to Mystique and grins, shoulder bumping her, "Some people figure that part out on their own."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I have forgotten," Clarice replies. "How can I - with Remy so eager to remind us?" she asks, while rolling her eyes. "It doesn't many any of this stuff right, though. But of course, I'm thinking about //my// family, and not wanting to see it hurt." She lets out a sigh, adding, "I know it's complicated. I don't know if there is a 'right' answer - not for everyone. I only know I don't agree with this one. Certainly not in this case."
    She nods towards Lydia as she adds, "And I doubt Lydia'll disagree with me, either."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Looking between them for a moment, Mystique smiles rather broadly, "I don't agree with this shit either, but I understand it. You think I wanted a bomb in my head? Hells no..." she takes a drink of her mixture, savoring it for a moment. "... but there was no way in hell I was staying in jail. Remy will never understand that, but I think I can fix that problem. If he tries to push my buttons again, he'll find out the hard way the difference between revenge and rehabilitation."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    Lydia takes a hold of Mystiques hand and brings it up to her lips to kiss. "Raven, I love you sweetie, but don't do anything that would get you in trouble." There's a pregnant pause before she adds, "Let /me/ punch him."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I mean, I can also punch him," Clarice remarks with dry amusement. "Or teleport him somewhere extremely inconvenient. I mean, not the shadowy depths of space or anything like that..." Though that's tempting as well. "More like a remote village in Tibet." Steady sips were quickly draining the contents of her cocktail as she continues to lean back into her seat with a relaxed, slumped posture.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique laughs, shaking her head. "No, because if either of you do that, it's illegal, and that wouldn't get the point across to him. All that would do is reinforce that I'm a bad influence on both of you, and the blame would come back to me. So... if the blames coming back to me anyway, I'll make sure it's well worth it."

She finishes off her first drink and slides the glass away, "You two want to dance?"

Robert Marksman has posed:
Robert Marksman got a call from Clarice, and was happy to hear from him. He has been running the watch of late. He made sure the Golem still had someone watching it, and was cleaned anytime unflattering graffiti was put on, but if it looked cool he left it. The clinic has been working out of a couple rooms in the hotel while the new one is being built. He does come in carrying a folder with him looking about.

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    Lydia gives Mystique an exaggerated pout, "But I want to punch him so badly!" she whines. "And it's only a /little/ assault. It'd be my first offense, too! I'd get out with a fine and a stern talking to. My dad's a lawyer. He knows people."
    When the offer to dance comes she drains her martini and grins. "Yes. Dancing is good." She turns to get up but spies Robert looking just as out of place as the rest of them (save Mystique). She waves him over, "Robert! Over here!"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I wouldn't mind dancing," Clarice agrees, finishing off the last of her cocktail, before rising to her feet. Like Lydia, she's dressed in just casual clothes - jeans, boots, and a simple shirt with a jacket on top, in her case. She hadn't really planned on a trip to the Club to cap off the evening. As they start moving to the dance floor though, and Lydia points out Robert's presence, she raises her hand to help him home in towards them, greeting him with a friendly smile on her features.
    "Hello Robert!"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique was just about to get up when she spots Robert. At least the important news was already talked to death and didn't need to come up again. She offers a nod in his direction, then settles back into the booth.

"One more drink, then dancing," she offers. She's wearing a pair of skin tight shiny white pants, a sparkling long sleeved blouse in light blue, and no shoes. She hates shoes.

"Evening Robert," she gestures toward the waitress who immediately comes over. "Pick your poison, on the house."

Robert Marksman has posed:
Robert Marksman will lean in to give Clarice a hug if she seems ok with it. He smiles to the other ladies, and says "Hey, good to see you all again, I had read some disturbing news and was a bit concerned." He comments, and hmms and says "A scotch and soda." He will tell the waitress before having a seat if the lasies are sitting back down, folder set on the table.

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    Lydia slips back into the booth and nuzzles into Mystique's side. "A Manhattan for me," she instructs the waitress. "It's been one heck of a week, I'll tell you. "Things have been.... just all over the place. I haven't gotten a chance to come down and check in and see how the golem is doing. It still functioning okay?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "It's been a challenging week," Clarice agrees. "For all of us." She does return the hug, though, before slipping back into a seat - dancing delayed for the moment. "I'll get another of the same - a green room," she tells the waiter, before turning curious attention towards Robert.
    "What news had you so alarmed, Robert?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
"My usual," Mystique tells the waitress even as she is snuggling into Lydia again. Leaning over she nibbles lightly on the glowing mutants neck, the ectoplasm tingling her lips, which she is not only getting used to, but really likes. Sitting up she looks back to Robert, "I'm assuming the alarming news was either the aliens or my arrest."

The waitress moves off to collect the drinks, which doesn't take long before she's back to set them on the table.

Robert Marksman has posed:
Robert Marksman looks over and says "Mystique's arrest, I figure between the Justice League, Avengers and other teams, the aliens will be taken care of and if they get to the ground, I am sure it will not be what they expected. " He looks over to Lydia "Had to clean him up a few times, but right now, he has a Free Mystique Mural across his back." He tells the ladies. "Got a copy of incidents we had while your away here." He slides it out for Mystique or Clarice to take. "Think the Aliens may have actually gotten us a bit of quiet to be honest."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    Lydia giggles at the nibble, reaching up with a hand to run her fingers through Mystique's hair until she's done. "Have you gotten a chance to dig out any of the bullets yet?" she asks Robert. "The police want them so they can match them to the guns that were used during that firefight." She turns to the table at large, "I thought about telling them that they'd need to get a warrant first just to see how they'd handle processing paperwork to get at the insides of a golem but..." she shrugs. "In the end it's easier this way."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Well - it isn't like we're opposed to prosecuting these assholes," Clarice remarks her smile going a bit tight at the mention of Mystique's arrest. "That was a bit stressful, but... all's well that end's well."
    Oh, it's significantly more complicated than that, as the glances Clarice shoots towards Lydia and Mystique may attest, but the details aren't hers to share.
    "We're all planning on punching Remy, though. It's just a matter of who gets to him first."
    As the drinks are delivered, Clarice picks hers up for another sip, letting out a contented sigh. She needed a few drinks tonight.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique looks at her new drink, noticing that there are three cherries in it as well as the syrup and alcohol. Lifting her eyes to look at the bar she ahs softly and offers the tender a nod before looking back to Robert.

"So I assume you saw the news," she offers with a sigh. "Remy was being a douche, that much is obvious from the recording, but he was even more a douche when he found out I wasn't in jail." She takes a sip from the glass. "Thing is, I'm in a rehabilitation program with a high risk ending."

Robert Marksman has posed:
Robert Marksman looks over to Lydia, and says "I dug them out, since I could see where they are inside him, but I honestly don't think they will help the case. If we are wanting them to be useful, we need to have the police there as we extract them right after any fight. The lawyers will say as long as we had them we could have done most anything to them." He sips his drink and says "A rehabilitation program interesting, so that mean I will be seeing all of you around more often again?"

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    Lydia snorts. "High risk is understating it," she says. "It's not an ideal outcome, but it's better than being in jail for the rest of your life, or the death sentence." She turns and plants a kiss on Mystique's cheek. "I'm just glad to have her back."
    Robert's response elicits a sigh from the glowing green mutant. "I know, but hand them over, if you could, or give them to me. There's nothing to lose by playing nice." She smirks, "Besides, I think they're a little intimidated by him."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Well, he's intimidating, so that's hardly surprising," Clarice remarks, sipping from her drink and allowing Mystique to take the files.
    "And yes - she'll be around. I want no part of taking over the Brotherhood - not yet, anyways. I still have far too much to learn," she complains. "I know Mystique's week was much worse than mine. But running the Brotherhood is exhausting. I don't know how you do it all the time, Raven."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique slides the files over, but for now they just get set to the side... she's off the clock, so to speak. Of course if something emergent comes up, she'll be back on the clock.

"Yes, the patrols will include Brotherhood again," she offers, taking another sip of her drink. "Thank you for helping out Robert, consider it brownie points in your favor."

As a grin plays across her face, she shifts subject again, "That Golem is impressive, makes things a little easier around here and yes Clarice, it's a nightmare of little things piled on top of each other, miss one thing and the whole thing comes tumbling down. As for my week, it was a blast..." she snorts and laughs a little. "... well it could be, if I fail to rehabilitate. At least I have Wonder Woman as a personal cheerleader."

Robert Marksman has posed:
Robert Marksman says, "Well thats one heck of a cheerleader." He tells her and says "Been planning a few changes with the clinic and the hotel. resisting the urge to turn the neighborhood into a fort or something, but I believe, the area will be more secure, as planning on the second, third, and fourth floor of the hotel being for community projects, classrooms, kids club, maybe a night school for adults.""

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    "Well that's the /point/," Lydia says to Clarice. "He wouldn't be so effective if he was just cute. Besides," she mutters to herself, "I'm not good enough of a sculptor to do anything but hideous."
    Lydia gets a wistful look as she imagines Wonder Woman in a cheerleader outfit. "Raven," she says quietly to her lover, "I have an idea I want you to try on tonight."
    Robert gets her attention though. "About that. I've been tasked with getting an all ages school set up for Bushwick." She turns to Mystique, "I think it should be k through 12 plus continuing education for adults. Not just for high school kids." She turns back to Robert, "Something that will help all parts of the community. I'm still looking for somebody to run the thing, but I also need to start scouting locations. Can I get your help with that?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I never said //hideous//!" Clarice protests, giving Lydia a smile. "I think there's almost something... charming about him. Especially with the community artwork on him. It really says something about the neighborhood."
    As Robert starts rattling off his plans for the hotel, her gaze goes towards him, her smile encouraging - though at the mention of a night school, the smile changes, growing almost embarrassed for a moment, as her gaze flicks towards Lydia for a moment.
    "Ah- yes. With everything that's going on... The school project's slipped to the back burner the last few weeks, hasn't it? We should get to work on that..."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Technically speaking, Mystique was already three thoughts a head of Lydia regarding tonight, her prior mention, and a lasso that will not be of Hestia. A mischievous smile forms on her face and stays there as she looks at Lydia, there's even a slight lick of her lips. Either she just took a small trip to her own imagination, or Lydia's words triggered a lovely little day dream, but either way she has to shake herself out of. She leans over to nibble and lick Lydia's neck then whisper something in her ear.

That's when Lydia gets all serious and business again, so she sits up and let's her talk about the school. "Yes, I was thinking K through 12 myself, then programs for adults to help them get up to college level, and finally, programs to get them into colleges. I admit, that's the harder one in the end because what college is going to accept mutants willingly, so we'll play the minority card." She looks over at Robert now, having put her business face back on.

"There are hundreds, if not thousands of mutants that aren't allowed into the public schools, or are and then get abused. This is important, we need a large space to allow as many students as possible, but the Brotherhood will /not/ be directly associated with the school. We're merely primary donation."

Robert Marksman has posed:
Robert Marksman looks to the ladies, and says "Well, I will admit, I have not been thinking on that scale, I was thinking 1 floor of the hotel for classrooms and such basiclly 12 classrooms 1 per grade. If your looking for more than that, your going to have to have security as well, as lets face it, a place where someone could find hundreds of mutant children is going to be a target. Will need to have multiple safe rooms, and such. Speaking of which the clinic will have one when it reopens." He sips his drink thinking for a moment. "I would say someplace on the water front, to help if there was people who might be aquatic or such, but that opens to easier attacks as well."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    Lyida's eyes go wide at the whisper, and her cheeks flush a bright red. She giggles and play bats at Mystique. "Oh, stop," she says, but there really isn't any heart in that. Still, she has /that/ image in her head now, and it's going to be a while before she gets it out.
    Once things turn serious again, Lydia nods. "I was thinking of setting up scholarships that we can award to folks who want to go to college. We'll have to scout out /which/ colleges accept mutants and have a firm no tolerance policy." She sighs and shakes her head. "It's all about money, really. Once colleges see that certain ones are getting money specifically because of their inclusive policies, they'll fall in line. /Especially/ if we make a big stink out of it at first. Everybody will fall over themselves for the publicity."
    Lydia looks looks pensive. "We need to keep the school /in/ Bushwick, though, to keep it accessible. Getting a pool installed isn't a bad idea. And roof access for flyers."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I wonder," Clarice muses quietly, "If we could get one of the Names like Stark or Richards to help? Either with tools to help increase the security, or donations to help us get off the ground... Something. They don't seem unsympathetic, you know, in the news." But she's never met either to be certain.
    "I suppose I could see if they'd meet with me. Or- well, with us," she nods to Lydia."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique bumps Clarice's leg under the table with her bare foot, "Lydia's task, you run the Neighborhood Watch... but those are good ideas. Wonder Woman might know some of them, and perhaps if I explain what it's about, she'll arrange a meeting for you Lydia, what do you think?"

Robert Marksman has posed:
Robert Marksman hmms and nods a bit and says "It may not be the best solutions but there is also the possibility we might be able to find a college that has had some troubles, and put money and work into it and make it a majority mutant college."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I simply meant that I- well. I could personally attest to some of the unique challenges that face mutants in getting an education, and that that might be useful," Clarice offers quietly. That she was even considering outting her lack of education to the likes of Stark and Richards said something about how she felt about the project. "If Lydia wants me along. Just for the initial meeting, mind. Arranging all the details, that's up to her, not me." She flashes the other woman another smile, before downing the last of her drink.

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
    Lydia blinks at Robert. "That's a really good idea, actually. I'll add that to my list of things to look into." She considers Clarice seriously for a moment. "Only if it's okay with you. I know how you wanted to keep it quiet and going with me like that... is kind of the opposite."
    She peers down into her Manhattan which has somehow managed to become empty. She looks back at Mystique and grins, beginning to feel the buzz. "Okay. Enough shop talk. It's dance time," she concludes, and stands up, holding out her hand to the cobalt mutant like a proper gentleman would. "M'lady could I have this dance?" With that they trot off onto the dance floor, and the rest of the night is filled with laughter, music and dance.