8121/Urban Survival Ain't Always Easy

Urban Survival Ain't Always Easy
Date of Scene:	04 October 2021
Location:	Bethesda Terrace
Synopsis:	A scouting trip into the city turns into conflict on multiple levels. 911 gets called to the scene.
Cast of Characters:	Tabitha Smith, James Proudstar, Michael Erickson

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Tabitha Smith has posed:
Anyone who knows what they are talking about will tell you that while Central park is a fabulous place in the daylight it gets a bit dicey as nighttime approaches. This does not appear to bother Tabitha Smith who has decided to do Urban Survival planning in the company of her favorite Wilderness Survival teacher this evening. It's far easier to get into the city when your companion can fly and is willing to carry you.

AS they touch down at her chosen nicely open space around Bethesda Terrace Fountain, Tabby says, "I have been thinking about dropping the students off right here. I'm just not sure what time of day I want to do it."

James Proudstar has posed:
James Proudstar smiles and accompanies, Tabs for the planning session this was his idea after all. He lands and takes in the scene reaching out with his senses, making sure that no one is too close. He sets down and looks around placing Tabby gently on the ground. He's wearing a long sleeve shirt over his usual dark raw denim jeans. His only concession to the chill in the air. He nods, "Nice open spot, a good plac to gather and what do the do from here? Get home? Scavenger hunt? Survival tours?" He smiles watching her, and nodding glad that she seems to be warming to the idea.

Michael Erickson has posed:
    Legend has it that Michael's supposed to be able to fly, but it's the subway he takes to the 79th Street Station and, then, walks across the park to where the fountain awaits. He lives in Murray Hill, so it isn't /too/ much of a problem to get there. The fountain is beautiful, of course. Intellectually, he knows this as he comes walking around the pond, hands in the pockets of his jeans - he knows this intellectually, but he doesn't /feel/ it. Not like humans say they do. Ah, well.

    Spotting Tabby and a large gentleman with whom he is not familiar, the tall man lifts a hand to hail her as he slowly approaches. "Tabby," he calls, "See you're still up here. Any luck?" The other fellow he nods to, outwardly friendly but inwardly wary. Perhaps he's harassing her and she hasn't the heart to incinerate him.

Tabitha Smith has posed:
If Tabitha can swim in a freezing cold Breakstone Lake, she's not about to make concessions to a little fall chill in the air. She's still dressed as she prefers, in this case bright pink tights and a paler pink top that bares both shoulders and midriff. At least her feet are warm in her sturdy combat boots. Despite the encroaching darkness she has a favorite decorative (heart-shaped) sunglasses perched atop her head. She is thus quite easy to spot.

As Tabby looks around, she comments, "Well I was thinking this for a kind of final exam type thing after some sessions talking about how to tell when you're being followed without powers and how to dumpster dive behind restaurants without getting chased off and things like that. This is where I take their phones and money and strand them to make it back to Xavier's on foot."

As Michael comes up to them Tabby offers him a grin, "Wasn't sure if you'd actually stop by, Mike. We were just talking things out." She gestures to James, "This is James Proudstar. Jimmy, this is Michael, obviously one of the friendlies."

James Proudstar has posed:
James Proudstar frowns at Michael, and nods, he knows exactly who the Shi'ar spy is. Smelled him around the mansion since the attack. He promptly goes back to ignoring the man, "It sounds like you're really thinking things out Tabs. That's great. I like this idea, though we'll have to keep eyes on the kids in case they get in over their heads?"

Michael Erickson has posed:
    "When we were finalizing our training in the Imperial cadres," Michael says, looking out across the moonlit water, "They dropped us on Wakkal. My squad and I. Minimal supplies, minimal water. We had two days to cross the ash wastes to get to what we were told was a science station." He trails off, looking back to James. "Is there something wrong, Mister Proudstar?"

Tabitha Smith has posed:
Tabitha Smith glances between the two men and lightly elbows James in the ribs for being dismissive. She nods to Michael's comments, "That's actually the kind of thing I was thinking of. Drop them with no money and no phone with only the most minimal of supplies that they might have had if they were fleeing without their go bags for some reason. And since we want them to get back to the school without using their powers if possible, we'd obviously monitor them so we could intervene if things get dicey."

She starts walking away from the fountain slowly toward the street, "There's enough ability to scavenge if they paid attention to the lessons that we shouldn't need to give them food for the brief time it will take them to get home. Maybe just a single bottle of water."

James Proudstar has posed:
James Proudstar raises an eyebrow, "Nothing Lilandra needs to know about. You? Anyone you're planning to set up so the Dominators can take them?" He looks down and Tabby and exhales, "They took my brother, they tortured me for weeks before you found me. Come on Tabs." He sighs and takes breath, "That sounds like a good plan, we don't have to use the same brutality as warrior cultures but, yeah, that's solid."

Michael Erickson has posed:
    "Right." Michael looks to Tabby, then, expression flat. "Have a good evening, Tabitha." And then he's off, going back the way he came. No stomach for the situation, apparently.

Tabitha Smith has posed:
Tabitha Smith elbows James a little harder and steps away from his side to call out, "Hey... Mikes you don't have to leave..." She doesn't actually try to stop him though before rounding on James, "What the hell was that? Did I miss a memo? What have the Shi'ar got to do with you being kidnapped?"

James Proudstar has posed:
James Proudstar sighs, "They set up the cruiser Tabs, it was a Shi'ar ship that we boarded, the Shi'ar made an arrangement with the Dominators. I'm not sure what it involved. but my guess is more clones. They Shi'ar were also the one's using clones of my brother to attack us. He's a member of the imperium in good standing, sure, Lilandra is on Charles' side now but what happened when they have a spat or we aren't politically expedient? I'm Apache, Tabs. The US Government has been actively trying to exterminate my people for generations. You think it's a coincidence that all the nuclear test sites and wacky top secret facilities are in the southwest, same land they gave my people? it's not."

Tabitha Smith has posed:
Tabitha Smith holds up her hands. For most people this would be a surrender posture but for Tabby it can just as easily be a prelude to an attack. "The Shi'ar took us to get you. They were go-betweens and backed off the instant it was clear the Dominators were dicking us around. And Mikes helped out on OUR side when they attacked. I dunno what happens if Lilandra decides we aren't friendlies anymore but Jean invited him to teach at the school. So you don't have to be friends, but that's not gonna stop me from being friendly and I don't appreciate you being mean when I'm being nice."

James Proudstar has posed:
James Proudstar nods, "I know, and I know you also think I'm over reacting cause isn't bird guy just hunky dory. I know the type Tabs... " Jim frowns and drops his voice, this is pitched just for you, "I am the type, Boom. Why do you think Charles sends me on all the behind the lines stuff? Had me routing out Hydra and tracking down anti-mutant militias?" He looks at you imploring, and sighs, "I'm not asking you /not/ to be friendly, I wasn't mean. I was willing to ignore him."

Tabitha Smith has posed:
There's just enough separation between them to make pitching something for Tabby's ears alone a bit more difficult but it works. Unfortunately Tabby still turns and walks north as if scouting the area even though she knows it pretty well from previous times here. "And I know nothin' right? You want me to teach urban survival skills because I'm completely clueless right?"

She's not. Honest to gods she's not, but that doesn't mean she notices everything. She's just peeved enough to to immediately notice that their minor spat has drawn attention from some people who think they can capitalize on the lack of harmony that's distracting the pair of them. Jim's intimidatingly big, but some people think a gun can make the difference in such situations. After all, with other people they might even be right. Jim likely smells the gang members begin to close in around them though.

James Proudstar has posed:
James Proudstar sighs, "No Tabs not clueless, it's just... you aren't wired to see this. It's like a genetic blind spot." He closes his eyes, he can hear them smell them they moving like pack trying to isolate the weakest, in this case the distracted, but Jim is a predator on a whole different level. He lets the level of frustration just a touch of the rage carry in his voice giving it gravitas and volume, "You don't need this guys, you should walk away."

Tabitha Smith has posed:
Saved by the stupid gang of crooks? James' irritated comment is enough to bring the people around them to Tabby's attention even though the growing darkness makes them difficult for her to spot with her lack of enhanced senses. She sighs heavily and glances around them, "Can a girl not get in a fight with her fella in peace around these parts or what? I promise you he doesn't need your help to get him out of trouble." Is she trying to be funny??

A voice answers as someone walks up the terrace stairs from the area below. "I think we do, Homie. Y'see, you're on our turf and you ain't paid the toll."

James Proudstar has posed:
James Proudstar nods, "I really don't. I can get into and out of trouble all on my own. Thank you." Jim laughs, "Okay, Troll, run along, you and your friends drop the hardware and leave and we can forget about it."

Michael Erickson has posed:
    He'd forgotten to tell Tabitha something; halfway down the way to the park road he realizes it, and is on his way back, Proudstar's suspicion aside, to do just that. So naturally, hour that it is, he arrives to find trouble starting. Now. He knows that Proudstar, big lad that he is, can probably handle himself. Knows exactly that Tabitha can for sure. But he's feeling a certain way about things, given the scenario that had momentarily passed, and has drawn his own pistol from its shoulder rig under his jacket as he comes in, cheerfully holding it out from the hip as he does so. Blocky thing, like a beveled-off lozenge of matte black metal with a recessed aperture in one end. Would be hard to wear if it wasn't so flat. In the light of the streetlamps, it is a black carbon shadow in his hand.

    "Gentlemen," Michael says to the punks, a horrifically cold, empty cheer in his voice as he enters. "You've been given your warning. Now I can get you all right here before you draw - don't tempt me. Please." His brows arch. "If you don't wish to leave, what do you want us to tell your families once this is all done?"

    Because. He's smiling when he says it. That's not. That's not normal.

Tabitha Smith has posed:
It's an interesting place the gang leader is in. One doesn't wish to look bad in front of his homies by backing down in a simple thing like people paying the toll. Someone's gun is already drawn and he cocks it rather than dropping it rather than look a coward in front of his homeboys. This testosterone fest is starting to work toward a critical mass of male stupid when Tabby gives another exasperated sigh and says, "Oh for cripes sakes guys. Can we tone down the stupid a bit? I for one, am not stupid enough to bring money into the park this time of night and if you try to take it out in trade one or both of these gentlemen is going to break you. Please don't..."

That's as far into her spiel as Tabitha gets before the guy with the readied gun tries to take a shot at Michael. To their credit she does get through to about half of them who do in fact drop their guns and fade back into the darkness more quickly than they arrived, leaving half a dozen still, all armed.

James Proudstar has posed:
James Proudstar raises his eyebrows, he is not fast enough to cover that distance before the bullet arrives but he does shift close to Tabitha, placing himself between her and the gunman, ostensibly blocking her view. His voice is even reasonable, "You want to run now, you really do. Tabs, 10:15 and 11:20 at ten, 12:30 at fifteen, 1:25 at twenty, 2:40 at eight and 3:07 at 25." Jim faces them down, not even a little bit afraid.

Michael Erickson has posed:
    Michael expects to be shot at. Always. The guy with the drawn pistol is his mark, and so when he does lift his gun to fire Michael takes a step to the side, wide enough to clear an incoming shot. His pistol emits a harsh buzzing noise, brief and sharp, and though nothing seems to come out of the recessed business end the punk with the gun suddenly goes down screaming. Clawing at his arm, his chest.

    "Oh, shit, oh shit," he's howling as he goes down, falling onto his back. "Auuugh, oh god, I'm on fire! I'm on fire!"

    But he is very obviously /not/ on fire. He is, however, very clearly in agonizing pain.

    "You'll be fine, you idiot," Michael bellows over his cries, turning back to the rest. "Better go, lads, I'm the soft touch in this scenario." Big smile. So many white teeth.

Tabitha Smith has posed:
Michael's demonstration is far more convincing than Tabby's speech was and Jim's confidence is quite offputting as well. Then Tabby says, "Yeah. And I'm NOT a soft touch. And since I know where every last one of you is now, You REALLY wanna run before the rest of you go down." She immediately proves she wasn't meaning the rest as in the ones Michael hasn't already taken down by producing a time bomb (just a little one) and tossing it at toll troll's knees. The small explosion knocks him back down the stairs he came up and then the rest of the gang are just footsteps quickly retreating into the distance as quickly as they can move. You don't have to be smart not to be completely stupid after all. This is not a trio balanced toward the not scary side. Unfortunately the guy Michael shot keeps going on about how much pain he's in when his homies abandon him.

James Proudstar has posed:
James Proudstar smiles at Tab's, and nods. He looks at her and nods and places his forehead against hers, "Nicely done." It's an intimate beat but then James is all action once again, crossing the distance to the downed man in a heartbeat, he casually flicks the bridge of his nose and then the man goes out like a light, the bliss of unconsciousness ending his pain, "That'll wear off?"

Michael Erickson has posed:
    "In a week or so." Michael walks over to where the man lies - though the howling has subsided into a gasping string of curses before James knocks him the hell out. Standing there, the gun still in hand, he stares down that the fallen ganger and makes a face. "M'kaa aztera vesho," Michael says softly, shaking his head before putting the gun back in its shoulder rig and looking over at James and Tabitha.

    "Sunburn gun," he tells them. "Spartax riot control weapon. He'll have a bad sunburn for a bit, but he'll be fine."

Tabitha Smith has posed:
Tabitha Smith smiles at James and then at Michael, "Okay. I want one of those. That's just... amazingly effective. I don't think of you as a soft touch though. Glad you came back. Shall we walk rather than standing here like targets? Getting onto the sidewalk under the lights might discourage further incidents."

Michael Erickson has posed:
    Michael shakes his head. "I don't know if that's a good idea," he says, gesturing with a hand to James. "He's not gonna want me here, and since I don't blame him for feeling that way I really don't feel like being an asshole and making him deal with it."

Tabitha Smith has posed:
Tabitha Smith glances at James then back to Michael before frowning. "Well this is gonna make my time management really problematic if you guys cannot be in the same place at the same time."

James Proudstar has posed:
James Proudstar shakes his head, "I can be in the same place as people I don't trust. I do it all the time, Erick, Charles, Jean, Him... I may have trust issues, definite authority issues." James gives Tabby a bright smile, "Honestly, You, Sam, Yana, Shan, Rahne, the others is where my trust ends, I trust Scott to be Scott but I don't know if that counts?"

Michael Erickson has posed:
    "Look," Michael says, lifting his hands. "I don't expect you to trust me at all - nevermind the situation with the school, my people are enormous colonizers and you're about the last person I'm going to expect to be okay with that. I know my human history." A nod to Tabby. "And I don't want to get in the middle of your relationships and cause problems because of what my people have been up to. I'm old, you two, even if I don't look it. I've caused enough grief for people. Whole point of my turning my back on the Empire is to pay this planet /back/ for some of my people's nonsense."

    That said, he looks down at the guy they stunned, sighs, and takes a phone out of his pocket. "I'm just gonna call 911," he says. "Give me a minute. But --" He points to James with his free hand. "Seriously, I'm not taking it personally. I'd be suspicious as hell if I were in your place."

Tabitha Smith has posed:
Tabitha Smith snorts loudly in a brief laugh at James' comment about Scott then nods. She simply takes him by the hand and begins to walk toward the street. She stops when Michael mentions 911 and says, "I don't want to be involved with the police tonight. I'm just going to scram back to campus now if that's what's gonna happen. I'll see you later then?"

James Proudstar has posed:
James Proudstar nods, he takes Michael's statement impassively. He does smile at tabs and offers her his arm, if she takes it he starts to drift slowly away from the scene, heading toward the perimeter of the park, but also starting to rise. Taking Tab's in his arms. as he heads back towards the school.