7462/So. Guitars, is it

So. Guitars, is it
Date of Scene:	20 August 2021
Location:	Clarice Ferguson's Quarters
Synopsis:	Cynthia and Pete impress everyone with their musical talents! Everyone is amazed by Pete's footie skills. There's bonding over trauma, and milkshakes. What else could you ask for?
Cast of Characters:	Clarice Ferguson, Raven Darkholme, Xiomara Rojas

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Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    If they aren't used to it already - the children at the Genoshan orphange-tent will soon enough grow used to purple tears in reality outside their tent-flap doors, as Clarice summons just such an entry, and steps through with her younger sister in tow. She'd already had a few conversations with Kelly to sort out all the details of what is-and-isn't allowed with her young charges, so Clarice simply gives Cynthia a nod and a smile. "Off you pop to fetch him. And then we'll decide if it's guitars first, or milk shakes first? But milk shakes are //definitely// happening."
    There's a slight pause as she muses, "If we do milk shakes after than we can bring a whole case of them back for all the kids and staff- that's probably a better idea. Ask Kelly for a current head-count if you see her!"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Cynthia was beginning to love this teleport traveling. There was just something so dang cool around a purple portal and then she's some place else. She was also beginning to wonder if she could train herself to do it, but that was thought for another time.

Stepping through the portal she looks around at the all too familiar setting. The kids were playing soccer again, well trying to, they all sucked at it just like she had.

"Guitars first," she comments with a nod. "And I don't have to go anywhere... in fact, count down from five... four... three... two... one..."

Pete erupts from the tent and hugs Cynthia. "Yes Pete, I'm visiting," Cynthia laughs and hugs him back.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "...right. Telepath. I mean, //that's// cheating," Clarice remarks with a broad, amused grin. She let's the hug happen, smiling to see the two friends reunited again.
    She'll wait until the pair have parted, and then she extends one hand towards the teen with a broad, welcoming smile on her features. "It's a pleasure to meet you properly at last, Pete. Cynthia talks about you //all the time//. Seriously," she remarks with fond amusement.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Pete is a skinny, tall, lanky guy. If one had to guess at his age, they'd likely put him around sixteen or seventeen, just like Cynthia. The clothing he's wearing is a little large on him, because to get the length in the pants they had to go with larger, but the shirt being large is entirely his choice.

Pete looks at Cynthia for a moment, then back to Clarice and very tentatively takes Clarice's hand to shake.

"Pete, use your voice," Cynthia comments quietly.

"Hi," Pete practically whispers while shaking Clarice's hand, then adds just a little louder. "Nice to meet you."

Cynthia takes his other hand in her own and in that second Pete smiles so broadly and finally speaks more loudly and clear, "Oh! That's so nice!"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "So. This is a thing I'm going to have to get use to," Clarice remarks with amusement, as Pete responds to something that she //asumes// he picked up from Cynthia's mind. "Pete - are you able to tell - umm - how many people are here at the orphanage right now? Kids, staff, and visitors? I was planning on bringing back some treats - and a headcount would be useful?
    "Cynthia and I are planning on kidnapping you for a bit, by the way. But I promise it'll be worth it," she assures him as her hands go casually into her pants pockets.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Pete is careful with his telepathy, he doesn't know Clarice so he doesn't touch her mind, instead he bombards Cynthia, but apparently she's used to it.

"Thirty-seven kids, five adults, and one dog," Pete says in response. Cynthia has to nudge him lightly after that and he blinks. "Oh... where are we going?" He then asks.

Cynthia smiles, quite proud of him being so bold. "You can trust Clare," she states. "She's wonderful, amazing, and you should see her girlfriend... wow."

Pete laughs and finally smiles, nudging Cynthia, "Stop that."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "God, yes, please stop that. She's //mine//, you know," Clarice answers - a little embarrassment coloring her features an even deeper magenta for a moment. "Okay. 42 people - and a dog. I can handle that. As for where we're going..." With a gesture of her hand, Clarice opens a portal onto an alleyway of a street in New York. People are seen walking to wherever they're headed - crossing in front of the portal repeatedly. The first two people don't even seem to notice - though the third person, a woman, turns to stare. Behind her - over her shoulder - is an instrument shop with several guitars and violins and the like on display in the window.
    "We're going shopping."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Pete blinks and steps behind Cynthia. He's over six feet tall, she's barely five-five, this hiding has obvious issues and yet he feels safe.

"Pete, you've seen her portal before," Cynthia comments, but let's him 'hide' behind her. "Come on, we'll go through together."

Pete hmmms then Cynthia is pulling him through the portal whether he was ready or not. He felt the pull on his arm and he followed it out of habit and now their in New York.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice steps through a moment later - letting the portal close behind them, and leaving that lady on the sidewalk in front of them - just gaping. After a roll of her eyes, and a nod of her head, the woman gets the hint and moves on with her day. //Portal people//. That's a thing now. //Fine//.
    "So. Welcome to New York. That there is Rogue Music, and I have it on good authority that they have quite a few used guitars on consignment. And if they don't have one you like - we have a whole world full of guitar stores to check. Yeah?" she offers, linking arms casually with Cynthia as she starts to lead their little human chain along.
    "And by the way - we're starting a mentor program for all of the kids, and I've picked you. I'm afraid there's absolutely nothing you can do about it, Pete. You're absolutely stuck with me." She flashes the boy a broad, hopefully encouraging smile.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Pete stares at the music store with big eyes while Cynthia rubs her head and says, "Pete, dude... use your voice. That's a lot of words at the same time."

He laughs, turns a lovely color of crimson and says, "Sorry Thia, I... that's a lot of instruments."

Looking over to Clarice, Pete tilts his head, "... Mentor... stuck..."

Cynthia starts laughing, "The words missing there were 'your my mentor' and 'how am I stuck with you'. Getting better Pete."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "It's quite a lot - but I'm only buying you one," Clarice agrees brightly.
    "And, well, since I'm stuck with Cynthia - it seems I'm also stuck with you. Which means that you are stuck with me. Terribly sorry, you'll simply have to endure it somehow. I am, Cynthia can tell you, just the worst. And a cheater to boot." Conveniently, they reach the street corner with the light changes, and they're able to make it to the correct side of the street in no time at all to approach the music store in question.
    She'd have liked to have teleported straight into the shop itself for best dramatic effect - but she just didn't know the space well enough for that to be safe. Plus - teleporting into customers is bad.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Cynthia is guiding Pete as they walk, because he's busy starting at Clarice and bombarding her brain. She's answering him mentally because it's so much easier than trying to get him to speak, at least at this particular moment. He finally seems to get enough answers and looks to Clarice.

When they reach the store, Pete waits for Clarice to stop moving and hugs her. "Consider yourself accepted," Cynthia says with a grin.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice does indeed stop just outside the store - with one hand on the door's handle. The abrupt hug catches her by surprise, and she blinks her eyes in response, letting her hand drop away from the door so she can return the hug with both arms. "Oh, good," she remarks. "It would have gotten awkward otherwise." There's a smile on her features as she adds quietly, "Thank you for looking after my sister for me. Yeah? Now you've got me in your corner. And that's all there is to it."
    After another moment she adds, "...should we go find a guitar? I want to hear you guys play together." She won't be singing along.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Cynthia opens the door, since Clarice is busy being hugged, "Come on Pete, you can maul her after you get a guitar."

"Play together?" He says as he steps back from Clarice. "You have a piano?"

"Yep," Cynthia answers. "Clarice found one for free on Craigslist."

Both head into the store, and Cynthia snags Clarice hand to pull her in as well.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "But the same trick doesn't work for guitars. Pianos are big and heavy, is the thing. Guitars? Nice and portable. People don't give them away unless they're utter crap."
    It doesn't take much of a tug to get Clarice to follow into the shop - where instruments of all sorts are displayed on stands, or in glass cases, or hanging from hooks on the wall. There's a large section of electric guitars - both new and used. And acoustic guitars. And electric accoustic guitars.
    "Now. I know absolutely //nothing// about guitars. Except that I think they have strings? So you're going to have to figure this out on your own."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Pete is already moving around looking, which means Cynthia is moving with him.

"It's alright Clare, he's know about them," Cynthia offers. And then something incredible happens... Pete moves around a rack of instruments without her. So she pauses to stand with Clarice and whispers, to her, "Well this is a first, don't act like you noticed it though or he'll freak out. He's in heaven right now, you wouldn't know it by looking at him, but he is."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I haven't noticed a thing," Clarice remarks, wrapping an arm around Cynthia, and just leaning up against her. She smiles as she watches the boy, patient as the day is long - in this moment, anyways. "Good choice of a first outting then - huh?" she remarks.
    And the bonus is - she gets to charge it to the Brotherhood's credit card. Not that she would have minded charging it all to her own.
    "Oh. I should give Mootant Milkshakes a heads-up that we need 45 or so milkshakes made... but I don't know how long //this// will take."
    Hrm.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Cynthia offers her phone to Clarice, habit on her part. At the orphanage if someone said they needed to do something, usually meant they needed a cell phone to do it with, and not all of them have one, so you offered yours.

"Yeah, you won him over really easy," she comments, moving slightly so she can see Pete. He's picked up a guitar and is testing the sound, but has to adjust the strings. "He also knows not to go into your head, by the way."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I do appreciate that," Clarice murmurs quietly. "I had... a bad experience with a telepath once. It was- yeah. It was scary." She gives Cynthia a wry smile as she adds, "But it was also understandable. She was protecting her brother." She gives her sister a nudge and adds, "You can put your phone away. I have Mootant Milkshake's number programmed into mine." Of course she does
    Pulling out her phone, the thumbs through the phonebook until she finds the one she wants, speaking casually when the employee picks up. "Hey, it's Blink. I need 45 milkshakes. A variety pack, your choice of flavors. Labeled clearly for allergens, of course. Uh-huh. Yup. Yeah, charge it to the Brotherhood's account."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Cynthia blinks as she looks at her phone, then slides it back into her pocket. "Sorry, it's habit." She comments, then finally moves around the rack to watch Pete tuning the guitar.

"I didn't know about that," she says more quietly. "I just told him you knew things he couldn't because Brotherhood, and he was fine with that. What did the other person do?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice is silent for a moment, looking at her phone even though she's hung up for now. She takes a breath in, then lets it out before remarking, "You don't tell this to anyone." She gives her sister a serious look.
    "She reached into my head, and froze me in place. I just- I didn't have the //will// to move. I just stood there. And I knew she was doing it. And I was just... okay with it. In the moment, I was okay. And when your mind thinks it's fine - how can you even begin to fight it? Anyways, she realized I wasn't a threat to her brother, that I was trying to help, and she released me. And apologized."

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Cynthia's eyes go wide, a look of shock and fear on her face at this revelation.

"Why... why would anyone do that?" She asks quietly, staring at her sister. "Why would you hurt her brother? Why would she think you'd hurt her brother? Why... why would she do that?"

Glancing over to Pete, who seems to finally have the guitar tuned to his ear, has started to play. The tune may not be familiar, but the style most certainly is... Pete plays Spanish guitar. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhxMNHfsrNI&ab_channel=SoulCandle

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "He was badly injured - I teleported in carrying him, because he was asking for her. And I am a member of the //Brotherhood,// not everyone thinks well of us. She must have thought I'd injured him in some sort of show of power? It was a misunderstanding." Clarice gives a shrug of her shoulders before she adds, "I should have taken him to a hospital and then gone to fetch her. Anyways, it was an... unpleasant and unnerving experience, but I don't really blame her for it."
    As Pete begins to play, her attention shifts from Cynthia towards the boy - a smile growing on her features. "Hey - not bad, huh? Have you ever been able to hear him play before?"

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Where as Cynthia has been caught up in the idea that someone would do such a horrible thing to another person, that melted away when Pete started to play. Slowly her head turned to stare at him. Many nights she had heard the music in his mind, the way he played to help him try and sleep, but this was the real deal.

"No," she whispered. "This is the first time I've heard him actually play. I hear the music in his mind, but..." she stops, just listening and staring.

Pete feels the music, it courses through him like the blood in his veins. It's obvious to anyone watching that the music he plays it also his emotion, and for the first time in a long time, he looks truly happy.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    How much, Clarice wonders, does the guitar he's holding cost? A couple hundred she could manage easily. That was a good enough quality guitar for a kid. Yeah?
    "He's not bad, huh?" she remarks quietly, with a smile on her features. This was worth it - giving these kids back a piece of normalcy. Cynthia'd needed it. Pete clearly did, as well.
    "Think you guys can work out some sort 'f a duet?" she asks curiously.

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Cynthia grins at her sister for a moment, then moves over to an electric keyboard not far from where Pete is playing. Sitting down, she turns it on and checks the settings to ensure it sounds like an actual piano, not some electrified imitation. When he starts into the next verse of the song he's playing, she joins him. To those in the store watching, it seemed like pure luck that the two knew the same song, but Clarice could likely tell that they were sharing one mind in that moment to play the song.

Together, the song sounded complete, nothing missing, the music whole and emotional. One of the men who works at the store wander by with a soft comment of, "I wish this happened more often."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "It doesn't?" Clarice asks. It's a //music// store. Don't people come in and... play music? She crosses her arms over her chest, leaning back against a support pillar as she listens to the two friends sharing their art. She couldn't join them - but did that really matter? She didn't think so.
    Maybe she should let Mootant Milkshakes know they were going to be a while? Hrm.

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
The guy shakes his head a little, "Not like that."

The song comes to and end, which is when Pete notices that people have stopped what they were doing and were listening. He smiles, clearing his throat before looking over to the Cynthia.

"That the one then?" Cynthia asks as she stands up, walking over to Pete.

"Yeah," he replies quietly. "It's been well loved."

"We have a winner, Clare!" Cynthia chimes, then hugs Pete.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Thing is - he hasn't even touched a guitar in a year in a half," Clarice remarks to the employee, before pushing off the pillar and moving towards the two teens. "Excellent! Glad there's a winner around here. So. ...we need a guitar. Ummm... and extra strings, maybe? And... a case, yeah? Anything else?" she asks uncertainly, looking between the two of them.
    The piano, as far as she was concerned, was easier. You just needed //a piano//. Done.
    "That was amazing - both of you. Now, you can be forewarned, I'm a bit of a slave driver and I shall be demanding future musical performances. I know it'll be such a hardship for both of you, but there's simply nothing you can do about it," she remarks with a grin.

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Pete laughs at this, a hint of a blush touching his cheeks.

"You could consider it renting music for buying the guitar," he comments. "Um... new strings are a good idea, and a case, but nothing else is needed."

Cynthia is already looking at the various cases, sizing up which ones the guitar might fit in. Most guitars are pretty standard in shape and size, that makes it a lot easier, so she points out a blue case, not standard, "Hey Pete, this is close to the blue you like, right?"

Pete glances over and nods, "Yeah, dark blue... not particular after that."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Usually the Brotherhood takes a dim view of indentured servitude," Clarice remarks. "It's usually just another word for 'slavery' after all. But I think I'll get away with it this time." She pulls out her Brotherhood credit card, setting it on the counter near the register. "So I guess we're getting the guitar, that blue case, and a replacement set of strings," she remarks simply.
    Calling back to the teens she adds, "Milk shakes next - we'll drop them off at the orphanage. And then if you wanted to go see the Asteroid, Pete...? You're welcome to join us, or we can keep the first visit short. It really is up to you..." She doesn't, after all, want to overwhelm him.

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Cynthia carries the case over to Pete, who is taking a moment to wipe the guitar down, then he puts it in the case. They're clearly having a conversation in their heads because he laughs and pokes her, and she giggles and wiggles her brow.

When Clarice speaks to him however, Pete looks over to Clarice and says, "Milkshakes? I love milkshakes. I'd like to visit the asteroid," he glances to Cynthia who is deliberately looking some where else. "Um... sure, we could... deliver then... visit?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Then it's a plan," Clarice agrees, signing for the purchase, and pocketing the receipt and credit card. She's all smiles as she approaches the pair, joining arms with them. "So - what are your favorite milkshakes?" she asks, as she starts leading the way from the shop. "I'm a chocolate peanutbutter with brownie chunks girl, myself. They won't have some of the flavors your used to, though - like jamalac, or pawpaw, or jackfruit, or breadfruit..." she remarks, naming off some of the local tropical fruits she used to enjoy there. "But they have mango and coconut."

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Pete gets the guitar settled in the case, the new strings go into a special little compartment, and then he closes it and picks it up.

"I like berries," he offers, moving to follow Clarice.

Cynthia falls into step with Pete, "I'm all chocolate, anything else in it is fine, but it needs a chocolate base."

"What about chocolate and berries?" Pete offers.

"Sure, there's chocolate," Cynthia replies with a snerk.

"She's easy, I get complicated. I need berry choices," Pete teases.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I know they have cherries, sometimes. And raspberries. And there's always strawberries..." Clarice offers. Once out on the street, she opens a new portal, that appears in the alley adjacent to Mootant Milkshakes. "This is Bushwick," she explains to the two teens. "The most heavily mutant populated neighborhood in New York - in all of America, really. Though there's some neighborhoods in San Francisco ad Los Angeles and Seattle that come pretty close. One in Miami, too."

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Both the teens step through with Clarice, and almost immediately they start looking around, in the same direction. It's rare that that happens, that two people choose the same direction to start wandering in, it's just another indication of the connection they maintain.

"This is the place that always gets attacked," Pete comments quietly, looking back to Clarice. "I read about it online. You were involved, something with the... oh hey, will be see the golem?"

Cynthia spins around, "Wait, that's here?! I read about him, he sounds really cool!"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "We can find the golem - if you like," Clarice asks in amusement. She pulls out her cellphone again, as she nods her head towards the milkshake shop. "That's where we're picking up our shakes, though."
    Moments later, though, she's on her phone to the individual monitoring the golem. "Hey, it's Clarice. Where's B at right now? Uh huh. Right. Headed east, got you."
    She slides her phone back into her pocket as she remarks, "He's only about 2 blocks from here - and headed this way, actually. He's got precognition, Lydia says. So many he knows he's wanted here? Who knows how that works."

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Pete starts dancing in place with excitement.

"Milkshakes and a giant golem," he almost sings, though his voice is still quiet. "Can I help carry the... oh, only one hand."

Cynthia laughs, "I'll take care of the shakes, you carry the baby... how long does it take the golem to get here you think? Should we get the shakes after?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "It should just take a few minutes - if he keeps heading this way. I mean - we can grab the shakes, and he'd either be here - or I could drop us in on him. Or we could go visit him first. It's really your choice," Clarice offers.
    "Last I check he still had a 'Free Mystique' mural all over his back," she adds in an amused, fond tone. Honestly, she hopes it //stays//.

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Cynthia and Pete look at each other then it is actually Pete who says, "We should wait for the golem, stare at it for about a minute, maybe poke it, then get milkshakes and take them back to the others."

Cynthia just nods along with this because apparently they'd already had the conversation.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Then we shall," Clarice agrees, pulling up to a stop in front of the milkshake shop, and leaning back against the building's facade. She nods to a few familiar faces wandering past, as she's gotten to know many of the residents by now.
    "Hey! Hey Blink! Thank fast!" a kid with a pair of curling rams horns off the side of his head calls. He kicks his soccerball up into the air, and rams it with his skull, sending the ball headed towards Blink. She, naturally, opens a portal to send it right back at the kid.
    "Nice try, Sid!" she calls good naturedly, at about the same time the golem turns a corner to head towards them.

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Pete actually goes to lean against the wall by Clarice, trying to look relaxed but he's not until Cynthia leans beside him.

"Don't worry Pete," she offers quietly. "You'll get there."

He looks over at Clarice, "It's nothing personal... I was... alone for a while," he tries to explain, but that's all the more he can say on it.

Both watch the ball coming at Clarice then blink back at the kid. It really was just like anywhere else in the world, kids playing, real life. Their conversation remains in their heads, but it's obvious that Pete is starting to relax more and more.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "How could it be personal?" Clarice asks. "You don't know me yet, Pete. Let's give it time." For what? For him to find //personal// reasons to dislike her?
    "Sid's had a tough time, as well," she remarks. "His parents couldn't handle his, you know, unique appearance. He's been through a few foster homes. He's in a good place now though, I think." At the moment, Sid is huddled up with a few friends, and after a brief consultation, the ball is sent flying back towards Clarice. Only as it's kicked, it's split into 3 different balls. She blinks in surprise, and summons three small portals to intercept the balls. One of the portals shoots a ball back at the kids - the other two? The balls go through the portals - and continue on their original trajectory.
    "Huh. Neat trick, guys!"

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Pete watches the kids for a moment, then looks over at Cynthia.

"Go a head and ask," Cynthia says with a grin.

Pete looks back to Clarice, "Do y... you think they'd like some pointer for their kicking?" He asks, shifting his weight a little. "I've been playing soccer since I was four."

Cynthia moves a little closer to Pete, and nudges him with a smile on her face.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Hey Sid! Jules! Umm," give her a second, "Fred?"
    "Frank!"
    "Sorry! Frank! Give me that ball again."
    For the third time the ball flies at Clarice - and she catches it in a portal again - only this time it exits right in front of Pete, aimed skywards, so that it loses its momentum and falls at the teen's feet.
    "Hey!" one of the boys calls.
    Clarice gives him a 'what of it?' look, then nudges Pete. "Show 'em what you got. Yeah?"

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Pete hands the guitar case to Cynthia, stretches his back slightly, then hooks the ball with his feet and starts to do this dance with the ball that you see pro soccer players doing, to move it and himself away from the building a little. Spotting where they have set up the 'goal', he turns his body and gives the ball a kick, sending it soaring straight into the goal.

Rubbing the back of his neck a little, Pete steps back by Cynthia and takes the case back.

Cynthia grins and says, "And that's Pete folks, he'll be here ten more minutes."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Blink can't do //that//!" one of the boys crows, to which Clarice can only shrug her shoulders in agreement. It's true, she can't. Of course, B is lumbering closer all this time, and one of the boys runs out the the ball, dribbling the ball towards, and around the golem - all the while dramatically narrating his actions like he's evading some pro soccer player in the middle of a game. Clarice grins in amusement. "Hey, B. Let's clean the camera lens, yeah?" she calls - summoning the big golem over.
    He complies with lumbering movements, offering out an arm which Clarice nimbly jumps onto and off of to get high enough on his shoulder to access the camera. She tears open a little packet for a lens wipe - and cleans off the cameras lens, which should allow Pete and Cynthia time to study the hulking figure.

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Study yes, that they both do, but they both also poke his foot.

"He really is made of clay," Pete comments to Cynthia.

Running her hand over his foot Cynthia nods, "I thought he was rock, but he's claw alright."

The both pause in their poking to look up at Clarice, wondering what she is doing. They can see the spray painting on his back, which makes her giggle. "I agree with that alright."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    When the lens is cleaned, Clarice gives the person on the other side of that lens a big smile and a thumbs up. She kicks off the golem, arcing in a backwards flip, and landing nimbly on her feet in front of the golem. She reaches out to pat the hulk fondly as she adds, "Go keep some people safe. Yeah B? You know what to do." The magical construct begins to lumber off while Clarice watches, commenting simply, "I'm pretty sure it's not actually intelligent? I don't think he //understands// me exactly. But... I don't know. Lydia would be the one to ask, if you have any questions about B."

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Cynthia hmms softly, and in the moment Pete starts laughing.

"She's making a list of questions," Pete comments, then nudges Cynthia.

"What? I have to be prepared, right?" She grins and looks over at Clarice. "Milkshakes."

They both start to head toward Mootant Milkshakes, each offering Clarice a hand. Seems she is warming Pete up little by little.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice is more than happy to link arms with both of them as they enter the shop. In a glass-fronted freezer, stacks of smoothies are waiting for them - though it seems the staff are still working on some of them for their order. They greet Clarice cheerfully, and she nods in response, leading the kids up to the counter, as she stares up at the menu with them.
    "The usual, Clarice?" one of the staff calls.
    "You know me," she answers. "We'll be getting 48 shakes total. The 45 I called in the order for, my shake, and their shakes." She nods her head towards Pete - though obviously she means both teens.

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Cynthia hmms as she looks at the menu, the orders. "Chocolate with more chocolate, and some raspberry."

Pete has to take a little longer as he looks at the menu. "Raspberry with a hint of strawberry, please, and maybe an extra shot of vanilla."

Cynthia nudges Pete, "I'll carry the extras, trust me."

Pete snerks, "Cachette." Then he looks to Clarice, "Th...thank you by the way."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "You're more than welcome," Clarice answers Pete with a smile. Her expression turns more serious, though, as she turns towards him and adds, "I don't know how much of my past you know. But... when I was freed from the Mutate Program, I was about your age, and I believed I was alone. A man named Victor Creed took me in. I don't know what would have become of me otherwise. I can already tell you're... pretty amazing, Pete. You deserve to have someone who cares about you. So honestly - no thanks are ever necessary. Or if you want to thank someone, you thank Mister Creed. Yeah?"
    Clarice turns back to the menu as she adds, "Besides, can you imagine just how annoying Cynthia would be if I //didn't// make you a part of our lives? //God.// Just think about it."

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Cynthia nods to Pete. "I'd make her life a living hell, that's true."

Pete giggles at Cynthia, but he looks back to Clarice. "My momma, she told me you always thank people," Pete begins, then starts waatching them make the shakes. "You thank them even if you don't mean it you thank them for their time, their kindness, generosity, or anything else they do for you. Because if you stop being civilized to one another, then you become the thing that humans fear." He sighs a little, then looks at his shirt, realizing he said a lot, more than normal, and he's not sure he's comfortable with that.

Cynthia hugs him, to let him know he did good.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "The only real thanks I ask for - is that someday, you try to do the same," Clarice remarks quietly. "If I manage to make a difference? You do the same. You find someone who needs you - and you give them a hand-up. We can make this be a better world. We have to." Even with everything she's been through - there's a spark of an idealist at Clarice's heart. She moves to the counter to accept her shake, pushing a spoon down into it as she remarks to Pete and Cynthia, "These things - they're always way too thick to slurp through a straw. Not unless you let them sit around for a while first And why do that?"

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Pete takes his shake with his free hand, and is instantly aware of a problem. With the guitar case still in his other hand, he can't use a spoon to get to the creamy goodness. Not being one to miss out however, he just sticks his tongue in it to taste it.

Cynthia giggles profusely at this, "You can put the case down silly. Did we want to go sit to eat these, then take the others?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "At least while the finish up the last few on our order..." A glances towads the employee, and he flashes clarice a five with one hand. "Alright. Should be about five minutes." Clarice makes her way towards one of the booths, dropping into it casually so she can dig into her milkshake in earnest. After all - Mootant Milkshakes are serious business.
    "So. I already know that you're an expert football player, a very talented guitarist, and my sister's best friend..." she remarks idly. "Is there anything you wanted to ask me, though?"
    She glances towards Cynthia as well as she asks this, letting her know she was free to lob questions at her sister, as well.

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Once Pete can set the case down in a place he feels safe, right by his feet, he grabs his spoon and starts to dig in whole heartedly. He glances to Cynthia and the two once again hold a conversation, while she too is shoveling milkshake into her face.

"Is Mystique a murderer?" Pete asks bluntly, because Cynthia gave him the go for it. It was a question Cynthia has considered asking at one point, but it was better that he ask so they both knew.

"I mean..." he hmms. "I know she's kills humans protecting mutants, but does that make her a murderer?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Yes," Clarice answers simply. "It does. But... it makes me one as well." She stirs her shake with her spoon, frowning slightly, but not seeming at all upset with Cynthia or Pete for having asked the question. "Morals are tricky. Some people believe it's okay to kill in self defense, or defense of others, to prevent imminent harm. Others feel killing is never justified. And some people killing is justified in revenge, or as justice, or to prevent a forseeable harm..." She shakes her head. "It's complicated, and it's a mess, but Mystique is definitely a murderer, and that's why she turned herself in. So that people could stop seeing her and the Brotherhood as a terrorist threat." Hopefully.

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Cynthia and Pete look at each other, their eyes meeting for a moment. Cynthia nudges Pete but he shakes his head, so he nudges him again and he gives her a 'look'.

"She shouldn't have turned herself in," Cynthia says since Pete won't. "She's a hero to mutants, and maybe her crimes were bad but she's still our hero. Pete wouldn't say it, so I will.... just like Magneto."

Pete jerks his head up to look at Cynthia, then shakes his head quickly.

"Come on Pete, Clare isn't going to judge you for what you think," she then adds and nudges him again.

Slowly Pete looks over at Clarice. "I don't think Magneto is bad, despite what he did... he wasn't the pure evil that attacked Genosha, he tried to make a safer place for us, even if we didn't all make it there."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I agree," Clarice answers. "And believe me, I wasn't happy when Mystique turned herself in, but- it was her choice. And she ordered me to stand down. I understand why she did it, but I didn't like it." At all. The memory deepens her frown, but she drowns that with another scoop from her shake.
    "Maybe you'll get a chance to meet Magneto, though... he's a bit reclusive," she admits. "And honestly, I was angry with him for taking all that metal, but he was disoriented and not quite himself after being freed from the Braniac's trap. I think after he built the asteroid - well. That was the only time I ever raised my voice to my King," she admits. "Lorna is my Sovereign - but Magneto is still my Liege. I serve them both, and I respect them both. I owe them both for the person I've become. Without Magneto, the Magistrates and their government would still be in power, and I'd still be a slave."

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
The minute Clarice said Magistrates, Cynthia wraps her arm around Pete and lays her head against his, so he can't do what he was going to do. Instead he just violently twitches, like he was about to do something but with Cynthia there, he can't. Cynthia sets her own shake down then takes his and sets it down on the table as well.

"She doesn't know," Cynthia says out loud, while looking at Pete, whose eyes are closed. "Don't crawl away Pete... HEY!" She actually yells that and it makes him snap his eyes open.

"Talk about it Pete, don't crawl away into your mind."

For a long while they sit there like that until finally Pete says four words, so quietly it might not be heard unless you are listening for it. "Magistrates killed my parents."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    She'd //assumed// they'd died when Genosha fell. There's sympathy in her eyes, and concern, as Clarice reaches out one hand towards him across the table, leaving it resting upright and open. "I'm sorry, Pete. I am. They were a true evil in this world. They made me a cog in their machine, too. But we live on, and we make the best we can of this world. And that's how we remember people like your parents. Yeah?" She smiles across at him encouragingly. "They must have loved you."

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Pete actually pulls away from Clarice's hand for a moment, then realizes it's just her hand.

"Can't... touch you right now," he mutters. "Bleed over...."

Cynthia wraps her arms around him now, her own face growing a little pale as she takes the bleed over he was referring to. "Psychic bleed over from his emotions," she offers to Clarice. "If he touches right now, you'd get it."

Pete closes his eyes, taking a few deep breaths. "I don't like... talking about it."

Cynthia bonks her head lightly against his, "But not talking about it makes you run away when things like this happen Pete, you gotta find the strength to talk about it and Clare's just the kind of person you should talk to about it. She's been there."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Alright," Clarice agrees, pulling her hand back. "This... isn't the place the talk about it," she admits quietly. "And Pete, I won't ever //make// you talk about anything. Okay? But I'm always ready to help, and to listen."
    She's silent a moment before adding, "I get it, you know? Having stuff that's hard to talk about, hard to even think about. There are things I don't like to think about at all."
    Her gaze locks down on her shake as she adds, "But they're a part of me. Those things helped make me who I am, and that's just the way it is."

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Pete finally opens his eyes and is able to sit up, no longer desiring to run away. Picking up his shake he gets a spoonful and pokes it into his mouth. "Easier in the head," he mumbles through the shake.

Cynthia smirks and nudges him, "Great, now you're talking with your mouthful." She looks over to Clarice. "He was trying to say it's easier to talk about things mentally, less emotional that way. Forming the words to actually /say/ them is really hard for him... but I've always told him," she looks back to Pete. "It's hard for everyone to actually form the words and say things."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "It is," Clarice confirms. "Anyone even mentions the Pens, or the Mutate Program and I..." She sighs and shakes her head. "It's jarring every time. It still hurts." She stabs at her smoothie and adds quietly, "They had me for more than 11 years. They never called me by my name. I was #83," she admits. "I can't hear that number without-" She shakes her head. "I can't hear that number."
    She looks over towards the counter and gets a nod, then looks back to Pete with a small smile. "Well, when you're ready, we'll drop these shakes off with the orphanage. Then we can go to the asteroid. You can just explore it if you want... See Cynthia's piano, and her room, check out the view of the Earth...
    "And if ever you want to share something with me, or if you want to ask about my own past, you can." Her gaze goes to Cynthia as she repeats quietly, "It's okay to ask."

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Pete scoops another spoonful into his mouth, watching Clarice. It was hard not to trust her, given one, she was so damn nice and two, she was Cynthia's sister. Cynthia had been there for him when everyone else ran because of his power, when he was out of control with fear. They all ran away, and Cynthia ran to him.

"Another time," he finally says with a nod, after swallowing. "Not today."

Cynthia conceal her smile by shoving another spoonful in her mouth, because if he said he'd do it, he'll do it.

"I like guitar, football, dancing and... rabbits," Pete then says, to answer the question that had been asked a while back.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Another time," Clarice agrees. "Because I'm not going anywhere. Yeah?" She smirks as she adds, "And I'm remarkably stubborn. Ask Mystique. I drive her completely //nuts//."
    She takes another spoonful of her shake before asking, "Rabbits? Like - pet rabbits?" Her brow crinkles slightly. "I know people keep rabbits. I've never met a pet rabbit before, though."
    She's hunted down a few wild rabbits. Maybe best not to mention that?

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Pete nods slowly. "I used to have two rabbits," he says quietly. "As pets, I loved them a lot but pets are hard in the tent. The dog is Roger's, he needs it to hear for him."

Cynthia nods, "Rabbits are really cool, and soft, and make a great stew... I mean when they're not pets." She nudges Pete with a grin.

Pete laughs, "Yeah, rabbit stew is amazing, rabbit pets are amazing, but never together."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I have to admit - me and Mister Creed had some good rabbit stews," Clarice remarks - as she frowns slightly in thought. Rabbits... as pets? Mystique has her fish, right? She could get a pet, if she wanted?
    Did she want a rabbit? Did she want to be responsible for another living thing, when she was just now getting used to being responsible for Cynthia? And Pete.
    "Well. Maybe on one of our outtings we'll visit with some pet rabbits. Since I've never met one and all. You can... convert me from my rabbit-stewing ways," she suggests.
    She studies Pete for a moment before adding, "You ready? We can go drop off the shakes? Or would you rather finish yours off first?"

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
On the spot. Pete looks at Cynthia which makes her just nod at him, and he sighs.

"Too much shake," he admits plainly. "I can take it with me though, and we can take the other's theirs. They will all be excited, these are really good."

Cynthia grins, "These are large."

"I think maybe though, we should... visit the asteroid next time? This is... a lot." Pete admits.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Well - and everyone will want to see your guitar," Clarice agrees.
    She holds her hand out towards Pete, palm up on table again, smiling at him encouragingly. "By the way - it's okay if I get caught up in some of that bleed-over. As long... well. As long as you accidentally projecting into my head, doesn't mean you'll be reading what's in my head at the same time. I really do prefer to keep my thoughts to myself - Cynthia was right about that."

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Pete looks at Clarice's hand, making sure he's all kinds of locked up and controlled, then takes it with a smile.

"I... can't control when like that, better not to."

Cynthia picks up the guitar case grabs her shake, since Pete is now holding Clarice's hand. "He's still working on control," she offers. "He developed his talents later than most, so he's still learning."

Pete grabs his shake, "It's only been a couple of years for me."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Alright," Clarice agrees, giving the boy's hand a light squeeze. "I mean, it's your head. It's your power. I trust you to know what's best, but I do want to be there for you. Yeah? If I can. When I can."
    She climbs to her feet, picking up her shake and letting go of Pete's hand so she can retrieve one of the bit packages filled with shakes. A second one rests on the counter - and they're pretty heavy. I mean - 20+ shakes in each? It's nuts.
    "We have some telepaths on the Asteroid - not the strongest out there, but they're reasonably well trained. They're been working with me to learn shielding techniques. If you don't have someone advising you already... Maybe they could help?"

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Cynthia stares at her sister for a moment, then another moment, then touches the stack of shakes and they disappear. Reaching over she touches the other stack and they disappear.

"Sometimes I think you lose track of, well, everything around you... pock-et." She grins with a slight eye roll, then gives Clarice a nudge, "They'll be just as fresh as they were, remember?"

Pete start giggling, but then he notes the guy behind the counter looking at him with 'that' look, you know, the one that says 'hey, you're kind of cute'. Tilting his head, Pete offers the guy the most innocent smile which makes the guy blush and need to be in the back.

"That was new," Pete comments as he looks over at Clarice, his own cheek turning pink. "I can use all the help I can get. I scare everyone, at night, people are afraid to sleep because of me."

Cynthia snorts, "They are not. They used to be, but they aren't any more Pete."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "...right," Clarice remarks with amusement as Cynthia makes them disappear.
    "I have nights I'm afraid to sleep," she admits, looking back to Pete. "When I know I'm in for a bad night, when I've had one of those... triggery sort of days, I ask Mister Creed for a shirt. And I put it on my pillow. Helps me feel like I'm less alone, which- yeah. It makes a difference. If your dreams are still affecting the other kids - it's not your fault. But I'll see what help we can get for you, so you can learn the control you need to stop it from happening in the future." With an encouraging smile and a gesture, she opens a portal back to the orphanage - where the kids are seen still playing soccer on the otherside. Though it's getting pretty late in Genosha.

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Cynthia pats Pete on the shoulder lightly, "You know Alesso and Roger don't mind being your security blankets Pete, and Roger actually finds you cuddly. You'll get to a point that you can sleep alone, until then stop worrying so much."

She looks over to Clarice now, for a moment wishing she was telepathic so she could tell her things to help with Pete, but she can't so she'll just add, "We're ready when you are."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice nods - stepping through the tear in reality she'd opened before she calls out brightly, "Who like //milkshakes//? Fresh from New York City! Get 'em while they're nice 'n brain-freezy!"
    How to get mobbed by children in one easy step... The children start rushing towards the portal, all chattering away eagerly. 'Chocolate? Do you have chocolate?' 'Can I get jamalac flavor?' 'What about cookies and cream!'
    "Alright. I think you guys better help me read out the names of these flavors so we can start passing them out," Clarice remarks with a laugh.

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Cynthia pulls Pete through, then makes the shakes reappear on a table, exactly as they were before. While Pete gets mauled, almost literally, but a couple of the kids, Cynthia helps read out the flavors and pass out the shakes. Kelly is one of the last people to arrive, with her a young boy with a dog on a leash.

"I didn't warn them at all," Kelly says with a laugh.

"They're really good shakes," Pete offers, then reaches to guide the boy with the dog over to him. "Vanilla for Roger," he calls.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Does anyone need non-dairy? We have some non-dairy here. This one's coconut, this was just raspberry..." Clarice offers. Yeah, reading the little labels is hard for her, but she does everything she can to help distribute them quickly. Soon, there's clusters of kids sitting at tables, and on the ground, happily eating shakes and talking with their friends.
    Sure, it's a small thing in the grand scheme of things. But Clarice can't help but smile to see them all enjoying the long-distance treats.
    "What flavor do you like, Kelly?" she asks - as the streams of kids demanding shakes begins to slow to a trickle.

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Kelly shakes her head slowly, "No, those are for the children. Adam! Do not make me come over there with my flip-flop!" She already turned toward the boy pulling a girls hair, and all over a place on a bench to sit. "Go sit by the tree with the other boys and eat your shake."

Looking back to Clarice, she blinks, "What did you just ask?"

Cynthia picks up a chocolate and strawberry shake and puts it in Kelly's hand, then walks all the way around her and Clarice, to walk back over by Pete and Roger to give Roger his shake.

Kelly blinks and looks at the shake in her hand, "Right, shakes... are you sure there's enough? I don't want any of the kids to miss out."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "We brought back 45. Pete gave me a headcount of 42 when we left," Clarice explains. "If there's not quite enough - you and the staff and guests could split a few?" she suggests - though she really hopes there's enough. She'd feel bad if she misjudged the number.
    "I bought Pete a guitar while we were out. I think - I hope it'll make a difference. I'm no real judge of talent, but the people in the shop seemed pretty impressed," she remarks. "If there are any other kids who used to play instruments - or who would like to learn an instrument... Let me know. I've told Pete he's my spy here - to help me figure out stuff like that." She scoops up a little of what remains of her shake, letting out a contented sigh.

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Kelly ahs softly and nods. "That is more than enough," she comments, but her eyes are following the kids to make sure that each one that had a shake finds a place to sit with it. No walking with food, tent rules.

Only after she's complete the head count, sent two shakes into the tent for the two kids that never leave unless they're forced to, and there are still a couple on the table does she looks back to Clarice and fully accept her own shake. "Pete has been wanting a guitar for a while," she says tiredly. "I think Monica is the only other child here who has asked for an instrument, a violin I believe." She has to search her brain for a moment and then nods, "Yes, violin. I don't know if any of the others want to... Rachel!" her attention is drawn to a girl trying to run by, with shake in hand. "No running, find a place to sit." And then she's back to Clarice, "play an instrument. I will ask around, see if there are any interested. I have to admit, that's never been a priority so I never gleaned that information from them before."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I get it," Clarice agrees. "I mean - instruments are a luxury, not a necessity. But... I can see how much it means to Cynthia and Pete, to have their music back," she explains quietly. "And if we can find ways like that to give them back something they lost, that they had before, that means so much to them..." She gives a shrugs of her shoulders. "I'm going to encourage members of the Brotherhood, and the X-Men, and the Bushwick Neighborhood Watch to consider being mentors to these kids. And that should help, yeah? I mean, not only to build a connection and show these kids they matter to someone - but each kid'll have someone who's trying to figure out what's missing in their lives. What they need most. Someone who can focus on figuring out just that one kid.
    "I mean, I know you guys have been doing the best you can, in really bad circumstances, but... I want to help make sure you guys have what you need to do even better."

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
Kelly stabs at the shake a few times with the spoon.

"If you manage to find anyone who will actually come do that, then you'll be one step ahead of me. I have tried that myself, but life is too hectic for most to give their time. Most around here are working so hard to rebuild Hammer Bay or the palace, and reaching out beyond Genosha is difficult. Technically, I'm not supposed to looks beyond Genosha, because anyone who enters Genosha is supposed to go through all that legal stuff. Just like the kids are supposed to have all that legal stuff if they enter other countries." She smirks. "You and I both know that's nearly impossible, so I look the other way, but we still have to be careful, because the law is the law."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "If there are any problems with the local law enforcement types, I feel pretty confident I can get Her Majesty to sort that out," Clarice replies. "I try not to speak for her - but she'd be sympathetic to something like this.
    "I'll look into expediting visas and the like for anyone who doesn't have Genoshan citizenship, though. Just to try to avoid any messes, and if you think of anyway I can help, you let me know." She smiles at Kelly, giving the woman a nod before she moves to rejoin Cynthia and Pete.
    She'll happily sit with them, finishing her shake - and then see if she can coax Pete into playing his guitar for everyone, once he's done with his. She'll take Cythia home with her once Kelly starts coaxing everyone inside for the night.