8345/Tense

Tense
Date of Scene:	20 October 2021
Location:	Cafeteria and Bar
Synopsis:	Clarice and Mystique talk about Kurt - they visit the Iguazu Falls with Talia, and after catching up with Lydia - Clarice loses her temper over continued misunderstandings. Also: Halloween Shenanigans are planned. Will Sabretooth agree to wear the Princess Buttercup costume? Time will tell.
Cast of Characters:	Clarice Ferguson, Raven Darkholme, Talia Wagner, Lydia Dietrich

---

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Everyone needs a break in their workday - and Clarice was certainly no exception, even if it was sometimes difficult to get that through her head.
    But she was trying. Having finished a workout in the training room, the young teleporter has now found herself a quiet table in the bar, sitting over a cup of tea heavily dosed with brandy and lemon. She sips at it slowly, while reading another of her comic books - occasionally chuckling quietly to herself. She really seemed to be getting into the Lumberjanes - which was undeniably a good thing. She even seemed to be struggling less, though she was occasionally still stumped by a word or phrase.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique was finally starting to be less of a rampaging bitch, mellowing slowly, and getting things locked back up inside herself. For lunch she ate a bagel, nothing on it, not toasted, just the bagel, then headed to the bar for a rum and coke. Wandering into the bar she headed to the counter to shock Sascha with her drink order, then turns slightly to look around the room. A young couple in the very far corner beating each other up in some video game, Clarice, and that was it.

Collecting her drink she walked over to Clarice's table. "Mind if I join you?" she asks, because she knows she's been a bitch lately and Clarice might want to be alone.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Anytime, boss," Clarice answers casually without looking up just yet. Her fingers are tracing the words on her page - and she gets to the end of the page before she flips the book upside-down and leans back in her seat, looking towards Mystique. After a sip of tea she asks simply, "How are you?" The usually simple, socially obligated question carries a little more weight - as she seems to actually care about the answer.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Sliding a chair out, Mystique settles herself into it and puts the drink on the table.

"I've managed to get things locked backed up, thanks for asking," she replies with a half grin, half smirk. "Yes, I realize I've been a bitch lately. I can't deal with all of it at once, so I've locked parts up for now. How are you doing?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Yes. Locking things back up is clearly the same as being fine," Clarice answers in a dry tone - before flashing Mystique a brief smile. She gets it, though. "It's okay to be a bitch sometimes, you know. I'm not going to hold it against you. Not after... all this." She takes a sip of her drink before adding, "I'm... coping. Adjusting. Theo, and Pete and I are going to hit Disneyland this week - which should be interesting." Her brow furrows slightly at the thought. "I'm actually curious to see what a roller coaster is like."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
At the mention of Disneyland, Mystique's eyes actually light up.

"Oh really?! That's fantastic, Clarice. Disneyland is a /lot/ of fun." Reaching into the top of her boot she pulls out a credit card and slides it across the table. "Use that while you're there, it can get expensive and I want you and the boys to experience /everything/. And if you do the Disney Princess make over, I need pictures."

Picking up her glass she takes a sip, the mixture of coke and rum perfect. It's her second favorite drink, used when she's in a casual mood rather than going for alcohol to knock her on her ass. "Roller coasters are fun, just be prepared to be upside down."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Disney Princess make over," Clarice repeats without much comprehension, sliding the credit card towards herself, and pocketing it without another word. "...I'll get one for Pete," she suggests, flashing a brief, broad smile, before taking another sip from her tea.
    "Stopped by Xavier's yesterday," she remarks casually, like it's not a big deal.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
The glass stops midway to Mystique's mouth, then gets set back down on the table.

"I'm sure Pete would indeed like it," she comments, a little on guard now. She looks Clarice over before taking a slow deep breath, then takes a drink of the mixture and asks bluntly, "How is he?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Better, I think. Not great, but better. Actually found him at Harry's - we shared a beer," Clarice explained. "We talked about... other stuff first. Rahne, and whether or not the Brotherhood is a dangerous influence for her. The ethics of my murderous tendencies - I'm sure you know his opinion on the matter. That sorta stuff." She takes another sip of her tea before adding, "It was a little while before we got around to the topic of talking about family."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
The glass on the table is tapped a couple times, as if she is trying to decide if it's enough or if she should go for something stronger, but it's locked up. Nothing shows on her face, so she clearly has it under control.

"He was raised Catholic, his religion means a great deal to him. I believe that's the root of his aversion to murder," she offers calmly. "How did he handle your murderous tendencies over all? He kept talking, so I assume it wasn't that horrible."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I mean - we were civil," Clarice answers with a wry smile. "He said he believes me to be a good person, or at least be trying. We'll never totally see eye to eye on killing, however. He was concerned that I would one day kill someone I discovered didn't diserve and regret it." There's a slight pause before she adds, "A bit late for that, of course." She takes another sip of tea after this remark, sitting in her chair with a relaxed slump.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique smiles softly, she just can't hear enough about Kurt it seems, even if he was chastising Clarice for murdering. "Who did you kill that you regret killing?" She asks, then adds, "Obviously you don't have to answer that if you don't want to... do I have to ask how the conversation went regarding family?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "The ones that weren't my choice," Clarice answers simply. "Knowing that I didn't have a choice doesn't just make it... fine." Her gaze goes into the depths of her cup as she talks. "I just try not to dwell on it too much." After another sip she adds, "It went alright. I mean, we basically agreed that... family can be a mess. But he did say that it was better to know. He also said he'd like to sit, and talk sometime but that... he just isn't ready, and he doesn't know when he will be."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique nods, taking another drink. She was right to stick with the rum and coke, she doesn't need anything more right now.

"He doesn't have to ever be ready," she states simply. "But I need to find a way to keep Azazel away from him, and that won't be easy." She shakes her head slightly. "Kurt doesn't have to do anything he doesn't want to do. If you do speak to him again, could you perhaps find out, how he wants to verify I've changed? He said he'll keep his eye on me, but let's face it, that's not an easy thing to do when he has no idea where I am."

She pauses there a moment then shakes her head, "Wait, never mind. I don't want you as some kind of go between, just let it go. I'll figure it out."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I think he will be," Clarice answers, giving Mystique a reassuring smile. "Like I said - he's still in pain, you could see it. But it's- it's not as heavy. He'll be alright. I mean, I don't think any of us really expect to be one, big, happy family and go on picnics and the like - but I do think he wants to know more about you. Eventually."
    She takes another slow, thoughtful sip from her dosed tea before she suggests, "I could give him your number. That way he knows the best way to contact you - if and when he'd like."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique nods, taking a large drink.

"That's the best idea," she then says. "I didn't want to stick around the other night, did exactly what he asked. Said my piece and left." She sighs softly, closing her eyes for a moment. "He looked good. I wish he could see how beautiful and amazing he is. He shouldn't have to live in shame like he does, fearing that others see him as a demon. Humans are morons, of course they think he's a demon, they think all mutants are demons or from hell or some other moronic thing, but that religious twist to his thinking."

Opening her eyes, she offers Clarice a smile. "Thank you for checking on him."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Yeah, well - I don't like seeing people in pain." Clarice takes another sip of tea before adding, "Even less when they're family." Which is not something she said to Kurt - they can cross that bridge later. Much later. "And I wanted to make sure there's no bad blood between us - thankfully there isn't." Shaking her head slightly she adds with a quiet sigh, "The whole religion thing - we're just trapped with it, unfortunately."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique pulls her tablet out of her boot, like magic really, but it was technically stored in a pocket in her own body. Turning it on, she slides it over so Clarice can see what she's been reading.

"I thought it might help me understand him a little better," she says softly, the tablet revealing a web page on the Catholic religion. "It did not. I can't understand how anyone could believe in an invisible, all powerful being that doesn't do /shit/ for anyone, anywhere on the planet, but... I am trying. It's important to him, so... I'll keep trying."

She pauses there for a moment, watching Clarice, debating. "So I have a question for you, but I don't want to piss you off again, so I'm not sure how to ask it without just asking and you realizing I'm not trying to piss you off."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice leans over, reading the title of the page, and giving both a nod and a shrug. "I did similar," she admits. "To try to understand Rahne. I don't get it either."
    At Mystique's little preamble, Clarice just watches her for a moment, taking a sip from her dwindling supply of tea. Finally she simply remarks, "Okay. Shoot."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique nods once, taking a deep breath. "First off, I did not want to imply the other night that you don't want to help family. I know that you are very much pro-family, and would do anything for family. When I kept you off the list for Lydia, it was more about trying to keep you comfortable. I know this all has been a huge shock, and a major change, it wasn't about wanting to disclude you." A short pause for a sip of her drink. "That said, I was wondering if you'd prefer to be on the back up emergency list, rather than the full on possible list."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I never thought you believed I didn't want to help," Clarice answers - only the briefest flicker of annoyance showing on her features at the topic. It was more remembered aggrevation than anything else. "What I prefer is to do what's best for Lydia," she answers simply. "And if me giving more often means helping us keep the secret, and keep Lydia safer or-" She shakes her head, letting out a slightly frustrated sigh. "I'm //fine,// and I'm not what matters here. The best thing for me, is if we're all doing the best thing for Lydia."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique lifts a brow, she can hear in the tone the annoyance and frustration, though that's not what she was trying to do at all. "Listen, you look out for everyone around here as much as I do, but that means I also get to look out for you, Clarice. The best thing for Lydia is unfreaked out sources, and last time I saw you, you were a little freaked out. If that's changed, then alright, regular list."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Of course I'm still a little freaked out," Clarice answers quietly. "A week ago my sister was alive. And then we were too late to save, and we watched her die. We watched her die." Why shouldn't she be freaked out? "But the thought of Doctor Hathaway taking a pint of my blood every month or so, so that Lydia can- can continue to be here, with us? That doesn't bother me. That isn't the problem."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique takes a drink from her glass, one brow lifting. "If that's not the problem, then what is?" She asks bluntly, making note to tell Lydia she was right, there will be no biting Clarice, period. "I'm not trying to be a bitch, I know this hasn't been easy on you, and trust me when I say I nearly died when she did, so I get that too."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice shakes her head, and shrugs her shoulders both. What is the problem? "We didn't get there in time. I'm sure that eats at you. I can't- I keep thinking of how frightened she must have been, and how we weren't there when she needed us. And I hate that. I hate that- that we can't keep each other safe, no necessarily. We can't guarantee it."
    She frowns as she adds, "And I just- this isn't something I've really had experience with before. It isn't something I understand. And I just- for a while, I was afraid if- if we'd made the right choice, if it's what Lydia would have even wanted, if she would even be Lydia anymore - or- or if it would be something else walking around in her body. How much control she'd have over her powers, over her hunger. Because the last think Lydia would want would be to responsible for hurting or killing any of us. I just- it's a lot. And I know she's okay with the choice we made, and that she's... she's herself, and she seems to be in control, so..." She takes a deep, slow breath, then adds, "It's better."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique slides her chair around to sit beside Clarice, one hand going to rest on the magenta mutants shoulder.

"I'm going to tell you something no one else knows, especially Lydia," she says quietly. "She's accepted and adapted, seems almost excited by all the newness of this. Yes, there was the possibility that she wouldn't be here, but I've seen Hatshepsut enough to know that wasn't likely... but not getting there in time? Realizing that it was all a game played by that bitch Irappu," yeah, she remembered the name alright. "... I want blood Clarice, I want revenge, and I want Lydia alive again. Only two of those are possible, so I have to accept, and I do... but I still blame myself, no matter what logic is thrown at me."

She takes a moment to ensure it's all locked up still, that she's calm and stays that way. "You and I, we need a crash course in all this vampire information because I'm telling you now, there is no way in hell that Lydia is going anywhere for a while without an escort to watch over her because I can't do this again."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I want blood too," Clarice agrees, leaning into Mystique's presence. "But I swear - I'm alright. You know... mostly." She closes her eyes before she adds quietly, "Watching her feed on you, though? I- I don't know if you were aware of what that was like. You went so... passive. So helpless. And I- Seeing you like that..." She shakes her head slightly. "It's Lydia. Hurting you is the last thing she would want, but seeing you like that was //wrong.// So deeply, inherently wrong."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique gives Clarice's shoulder a light squeeze before she says, "You wanted to be there, so you were there. I had some hint of what it might be like, but no words can really explain it. Also... Lydia was so freaked out she'd hurt me, she may have accidently over done it with the channeling pleasure aspect." Not that Mystique minded at all, but she wasn't going to say that. "Don't worry, you don't have to it that way... but I can tell you, it might be worth a brief try, cause DAYUM."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "And I might," Clarice answers quietly. "Just... not yet. I just... I need a little more time with all this. It's a lot." A few tears sneak out of her eyes, and she shakes her head before repeating, "We watched her die. And- and part of me feels like we should be mourning her, and that we can't. And part of me thinks that's ridiculous - because she's here. She's //right here,// and it's still her. So- Ugh. I hate this."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique wraps her arms around Clarice now, hugging her tight whether she wanted to be or not.

"Trust me when I say... I get it," she says quietly. "Lydia is right there, same as always, and yet not the same, and yet yes she is... I get it. I thought she was gone, that we'd lost her, and I was ready to just... lose it right then and there. I let emotion answer the question, but turns out Hatshepsut would have... what was the term?" She pauses a moment, then nods. "Right, Embraced her... anyway. We didn't lose her, we watched her be reborn, try to focus on that part, cause that's the part that's keeping me from losing my shit all over the place."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I'll try to," Clarice admits, leaning into the embrace. "I'm trying to. I just- you know how I cling to things. I just wish we'd gotten there sooner. Just a few minutes sooner. It's hard not to- it's not our fault, but it feels like it is. Like we should have been there for her. Like we should have been able to save her. She doesn't blame us, and it's not our fault, but..." it is. It still is. She takes another deep breath in, letting it out slowly. "I'm okay."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mother mode still engaged, Mystique kisses Clarice on the top of the head. Anyone in the room who may have seen it, did not see it, they know better, and Sascha gives no fucks.

"It's going to be alright you know," she then says as she lets Clarice go. "We'll get through all this shit, I'm wearing hip waders to get through it, want a pair?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I know we will. We'll get through it together," Clarice agrees, flashing Mystique a brief smile as she pulls away. "And I know this has all been hell for you, everything piling on top of everything else, and- it's okay. It's okay that you're struggling. I know we had a, uhh, tough time the other night, and it's already forgotten. You know?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique offers a smile, "I am sorry about that, but we'll go with forgotten for the most part, alright? I'm trying to do better because I don't get the luxury of losing my shit here on the asteroid. I've got an organization to run, and an image to retain."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "You're still- well. 'Human' - as it were. Still a person. You have to be able to lose your shit sometimes, no one is perfect all the time." Clarice leans towards Mystique to nudge her with her shoulder. "If you need to freak out around me sometimes - it's alright. If you can't be yourself around your family, then... well. What the fuck is family for, then?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique glances around again, but that couple in the corner are still totally involved in killing each other in the video game.

"There's a certain image I have to maintain Clarice," she offers quietly. "Perhaps in private I'll lose my shit, but you saw what happened last time... I freaked you and Lydia out because H & D don't know how to keep their fucking noses out of my business."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "What, in the training room?" Clarice answers, shaking her head slightly. "You shouldn't push yourself so hard it might do you harm." Especially not so soon after she'd been rescued from the Deep. "But sure - in private. In one of our rooms or- hell, I've got a couple places in mind that're both private - and just some of the most gorgeous places on the planet, at the same time."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique snorts, taking a drink of from her glass. "I have to push myself hard Clarice, it's the only way to ensure I stay focused and ready. Admittedly, that may have been a little /too/ hard, but the pain reminds me I'm alive and what I fight for and that death isn't an option. I stop before any real injuries, and the program won't kill me.... but I get your point."

She offers Clarice a little smile. "I will try not to do that except when I'm really, really, really pissed off. In the past I would just hunt someone on the list down and kill them, but I can't do that any more."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I mean. ... I could hunt someone on your list for you," Clarice offers with a wry smile. "But it's not the same sort of relief, I know. It's not quite the point."
    Finishing off her tea she adds, "And look - if you need to vent, scream," cry, "whatever, you can. We can go somewhere, like I said - anytime."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
"I appreciate that Clarice, I really do," Mystique says softly, then hugs the magenta mutant again... this time, for herself. "I'm still not used to having people who give a fuck, you know? You'd think I would be, but then something happens and... I want to bolt, just grab gear and go. I can't do that, and I know it, and the only thing that reminds me why I can't... you and Lydia. Just... being there, a smile, your laugh, that annoyed expression you get... it reminds me why I stay."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice returns the hug, murmuring quietly, "Oh my God, you can be sooooo annoying, you know," before the pair parts, and fixes her with an amused grin. "And just where in the world do you think you could actually bolt? I know you're good at hiding, but..."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Sitting back, the cobalt mutant smirks. "See, that's just it Clarice," she explains with a snort. "I don't want to be anywhere else. I'd just go some place... relaxing, put on a bikini and take a break from everything. Which isn't exactly bolting, but it's what I'd do. I love this place, the people, you and Lydia... I couldn't leave that and I know it, but my brain still screamed, 'Bolt' and a part of me almost did. Notice I'm still here though."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "You're still here. Still - the little mini-vacations help, too. I mean - I bolt off to blow off some steam... all the time. Take you anywhere you want, anytime - obviously."
    She reaches for her cup, realizes it's empty, and gives it a look like it's just betrayed her. "Anyways, I appreciate that you're still here. I-" There's a brief, but still noticeable pause before she practically forces it out. "I do love you - boss."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique waves Sascha over to get Clarice more tea.

"I know you do, and you don't need to say it. I see it in everything you do for me, and how you worry about me. That's enough for me to know." She offers a smile. "As for a vacation, I don't want to go alone and Lydia has to remain some place Hatshepsut can get, to teach her."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice nods, flashing Mystique a brief smile. Why, she wondered, was it harder to say to the other woman - and so easy to say to Theo? She wasn't sure. "I'm not talking about a long vacation - even a few hours helps me. I mean - have you ever been to the Iguazu Falls? They're... gorgeous. Hell, you and Lydia could go together. Though-" She frowns as soon as she brings up the idea. "You wouldn't get the same effect at night..."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique smiles, "Lydia can go in the sun, she just doesn't have her powers and likely would be tired and weaker, but that doesn't mean she couldn't see it, then nap, and we could goof off at night. Not likely something she'd be interested in though."

Sascha returns with a new tea for Clarice, taking the old cup away as he leaves.

"She said something the other night that..." she stops, shaking her head. "No, not here."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice takes the tea - with its brandy doctoring - offering Sascha a brief smile before she enjoys a slow sip. As Mystique cuts herself off, she doesn't bother to conceal the curiosity on her features. "Something we could discuss at Iguazu?" she suggests with a grin. "Seriously, if you haven't been yet... It's breath taking."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Pulling out her phone, Mystique looks over the screen to see what's on her schedule, then it disappears back into the top of her boot. "You want to shoe me Iguazu? I got about an hour, maybe two, then I have to be back for meeting over the computer."

Talia Wagner has posed:
TJ wanders in toweling off her hair with a towel in one hand and drinking from a sports drink bottle with the other. She isn't wearing any of her battle gear or street clothes. Just a pair of reinforced tactical yoga pants and a tank top. Yes those exist. They are stretchy and comfy and not as sheer as yoga pants. Also you could tuck a weapon in them.

Spotting two of her favorite people over yonder she wanders that way. "Sup fam?" she asks cheekily her devil tail swishing behind her.

She must have been working out earlier, though she seems fresh from a shower thankfully.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    'Sup fam?' looks to be a more loaded question that TJ intends it to be, as Clarice - who was just holding her hand out towards Mystique - pauses and gives Talia a look, before directing a questioning look to Mystique. Honestly, it might be easier to Mystique to have an open conversation with the woman if the three went on this trip together.
    Or maybe Mystique wasn't ready for that.
    Still - she has to at least ask it. "Trip for three?" she murmurs quietly.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Reaching toward Clarice's hand, Mystique pauses and looks over at Talia. It was timing, the will of the invisible gods, or perhaps just the streak of bad luck that was plaguing her this week.

"If Talia would like to join us," she says quietly. "I'm fine with that. A few things she needs to know anyway."

Talia Wagner has posed:
TJ pauses at the look from Clarice and then the look from Mystique. Her head cocks a tiny bit.

Then there is the part about things she needs to know anyway. That gets an arched eyebrow above the yellow right eye.

"Um.. sure I'm free. Whatever you need." she tosses the towel pretty much doen with it onto one of the bar chairs and steps much closer now.

"So where we going?" offering her hand towards Clarice.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Road trip!" Clarice declares brightly. Without bothering to explain further, she nods Talia closer - and once the woman approaches, she takes that for permission enough. The trio blink away - reappearing on a tall bluff, overlooking a sandy beach, with a placid river bend passing by. That was not the point, however - the point was the long span of tiered cliffs, over flowing with one of the most spectacular sets of falls in the world. The water cascades in a sparkling spray, lit by the light of the early rising sun at the trio's back. Surrounding the falls were deep, verdant green falls, and the morning calls of countless birds can be heard. Shortly after they arrive, a flock of brightly colored macaws raucusly leap for the sky, calling loudly to one another as their wings beat for open sky - and all the while Clarice just beams brightly, glancing briefly at each of her companions to see their reactions. "This is Iguazu Falls," she tells Talia simply - you know. Once they're already there.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique is probably too used to just blinking away, but where they blinked to causes her breath to catch in her chest. Turning slowly to take in the world around her, she stops to look over the falls.

"When the hell did you find this place?" She asks softly, as if speaking too loudly might disrupt the very serene nature of the place. "Christ Clarice, you've been holding out."

Without fear, she carefully steps a little closer to the edge to look down... that was one hell of a fall... so she steps back and looks to Talia, to see her raction.

Talia Wagner has posed:
TJ seems pretty used to traveling with Blink to be honest. So when Clarice pops them to South America she looks around and then just nods to herself. "I absolutely love your taste in beaches Clarice." she says with a genuine smile.

She tips back her sports drink and just watches the birds flying across the waterfall. This is a really calming view despite everything shitty in the world. She seems to genuinely be enjoying the view. Not too jaded as to not enjoy the vista.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Well - I've been getting better at my reading and writing," Clarice explains, "and I just Google searched 'beautiful places' and this was one of the spots I found. It's not //mine// by any stretch of the imagination," as the boat docks below for the tourists attests, "but I do like it." She breathes deeply of the fresh, damp air - letting her breath out slowly before adding, "I told you I could take you on some amazing mini-vacations when you need to get out of your head, boss. Lydia won't even have enough time to really miss you. A few hours, here or there... It helps."
    Glancing towards TJ, she adds with a smile, "Glad you like it, too."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Sitting her butt on the ground right there, Mystique takes a long, deep breath of the air and closes her eyes. It would be better if Lydia was here, but it was still pretty damned effective in calming her ass right down. Another deep breath, then she opens her eyes to look over at Talia.

"I told Kurt that I'm his mother," she just states bluntly, no warning, no sugar coating. "He's having issues, but Clarice says he's doing better than the night I told him."

Her yellow eyes turn to look out over the water again. "I don't know what you've said to him, what he knows about you, or anything like that, but he now knows about me. It's probably best if you never bring my name up, he's not ready to deal with it yet and I don't want him any more upset than he already is."

Talia Wagner has posed:
"This is definitely one of the more beautiful places on earth. Good job Clarice." she grins over to her and takes another sip of her drink.

Which she promptly spits out coughing a few times. She thankfully isn't right by the cliff face. "Oh.. oh.." she wipes her eyes with the back of her arm. "I.. oh."

She looks to Mystique. "He knows I'm his kid with the Scarlet Witch and ... I guess um they know the connection to Eric cause well the last name and Wanda isn't that secret about it. I thought it best to not tell him that you're his mom though because he really didn't seem to know it and telling people stuff they don't know is a good way to fuck up the timelines."

She looks sympathetic at Mystique though. "He is ..resiliant and won't stay mad forever if he is like my dad. So he will definitely calm down. Though the lengths you're willing to go too will probably never mesh with Chuck's dream and his values."

She looks out at the falls once more. "He will really take finding out about his father worse though when that bird comes home to roost. He is .. a lot of trouble."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice takes a seat next to Mystique, sipping at her tea and brandy with a contented sort of calm - the place just evoked that feeling, if not an outright sense of awe. "You know. As much as I still don't get religion - when you see somewhere like this... You almost get it, you know? The thought that someone must have made this? Even if it is complete bullshit."
    She takes another sip, looking between grandmother and granddaughter - and offering absolutely no comment on the subject of Kurt's dad, her expression going as blank and bland as possible.
    Instead she remarks, "Maybe, Talia, we could offer him a trip to the Iguazu Falls? Might lift his mood."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique looks back to Talia. "I intend to talk to Azazel about it, and see if it really matters to him if Kurt knows, because it would be better for Kurt that he never find that out. I'll protect Kurt with my life if I have to, which..." she laughs dryly. "... is actually how he found out at first."

Looking up at the sky she sighs softly. "It was in China, guard put a gun to his head and I snapped, just... lost it. Murdered the guard right in front of him... way to go me." She shakes her head. "While screaming in German for the guard to get away from my son, how dare he even look at him... freaked him out so much."

Adjusting her position, she folds her legs up Native American style, "I know he'll be alright, and perhaps in time he'll be able to accept, but if he never wants to speak to me, or see me again, he never has do." Falling silent, her mind wanders off again to that moment in China, but this time it isn't a trip of self abuse. Watching the water it was impossible to be angry, or sad, or depressed even.

Talia Wagner has posed:
TJ glances at Clarice and considers the trip idea. "Well taking him on an adventure would be useful I imagine to get his mind of stress. If it involves swashbuckling all the better." she smiles though, only half serious.

She looks back to Mystique her eyes widening. "You're still in touch with Azazel?" that news seems to surprise her. Wheels turning a little bit. Maybe Mystique doesn't know. Maybe this place is different. She keeps it just at that question not expounding on it besides the widened eyes.

"Well.. I'm glad you saved his life. It was the right thing to do and ... it sounds like it was a deep one two punch. I'm sure it will settle out though..."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "He showed up the other night - for the first time in over twenty years, apparently," Clarice explains simply, her gaze still on the falls. In fact, she's sitting with ler legs pulled up to her chest, and her head resting on one knee.
    "Kurt's already well on his way to coming to peace with everything, I'd say - but you know him far better, obviously. He just needs to find a little peace, somehow. Something like this might do that." She shrugs her shoulders. "Or maybe not. Maybe I'm overestimating the power of a pretty view." But it's //such// a pretty view.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Leaning a little against Clarice, Mystique glances up at Talia again.

"Azazel has just returned from his banishment to the nether realms," she states bluntly, that seems to be how she's handling this. "I have a meeting arranged with him later this week to go over things he's missed. You think I don't know what he is Talia? Well over three thousand years old, manipulator and soul taker, human hating, demon mutant. Did I miss anything?"

Now the yellow eyes go back to the falls. "It's a beautiful place, Lydia would like this, day or night."

Talia Wagner has posed:
"The view is perfect Clarice." then TJ rubs the back of her neck. "Well I mean.. 'banishment' ... okay so Azazel is back." she is chewing on that in a way that chewing on that on a whole other level than the whole Kurt knows about Mystique thing. She just keeps thinking as Mystique lists off Azazel's resume.

"That mostly covers it. Did the .. um... others escape the Brimestone dimension with him...?" she is still hedging a little bit, tail has stopped swaying. "Also does he know about me yet?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice's smile alters subtly as Mystique leans in against her - growing somehow more content, and relaxed - as if she hadn't already looked that way. "We can bring Lydia sometime," she promises quietly. She shoots TJ a brief look and a nod, before her gaze returns once more to the falls.
    The look of peace on her features is marred slightly as she wrinkles her brow to ask simply, "What others?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Shaking her head, Mystique answers, "No, and no. He's alone, which is something else I intend to talk to him about and telling him about you isn't my business, unless you want me to." even as she watches a bird fly past.

"As I said, I don't think Kurt knowing who is father is is a good idea. He already believes himself to be some kind of demon, and he's not. He's a beautiful mutant, nothing more, and seeing his father? Christ, that would just..." she shakes her head. "No... there has to be a way to make certain that doesn't happen in this lifetime."

Looking to Clarice she says, "That's Azazel's business, not Talia's or mine to share, just be grateful they didn't come with him."

Talia Wagner has posed:
TJ nods and moves over to sit on the edge of the cliff and stare out at the waterfalls. "Okay. I'm glad he is alone." she looks down at the river below and then back up to the falls. "Yeah, I don't really want to talk about them to be honest just glad he is alone."

She just fishes up her sports drink and sips it as she stares off into the waters. "I mean Azazel did battle Mephisto once to decide who got to call themselves Satan." sourly. "Dad does not take him well, so I'm on board with this plan Mystique."

She shakes her head. "Also in my experience Azazel gets a little squirrelly at the idea of his blood mixed with Wanda's and has more than once tried to use me to tap chaos magic and brimestone."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Ooookay," Clarice remarks, looking between Talia and Mystique - well, as much as she can when she and Mystique are leaning up against each other. "I have no idea about any of this," she declares. But apparently that's fine. "So I'll have to let the both of you sort it out. I take it weren't not ever going to have that entire-family picnic, though," she teases with an amused grin.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Yellow eyes narrow, and Mystique actually growls, "Over my dead body does this realities Azazel try that with my alternate reality granddaughter." Clearing her throat a little, she shakes that off and goes back to enjoying the scenery. "Honestly Talia, I don't think he would do anything like that, but if you'd rather he not know, I won't say a word. You kept your promise to me and didn't say anything to Kurt, I can return the favor."

Glancing back to Clarice she adds, "Azazel has some pretty dark, nasty friends Clarice, but thankfully they aren't on this plane right now. And no, no picnics I'm afraid."

Talia Wagner has posed:
TJ actually is quite touched by Mystique's reaction. It is really a bit of a jab to the feels and she glances over. Not saying anything for the moment but it is clear she appreciates it. Finally she nods "Thank you."

Clarice though gets a laugh. "No picnics. We will just have to have a brotherhood picnic maybe..."

After a last sip of her bottle of sports drink which she sets down behind her so it doesn't roll off the cliff and litter. "I hope your right, if you think it is safe go ahead and tell him, or use it as leveraged information. I trust you."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Surprise registers on Clarice's features at the protective growl from Mystique, and she turns her head to regard the other woman. She hadn't realized that she'd come to care for TJ like that - it was interesting to note. She makes no comment, however, as she returns her gaze to the view. "Considering the friends //we// keep - if you think his are note worthy... well." That's saying a lot.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique had spent too long with no family, and now she had opened herself up to all the family, and that included Talia. She may not be from this reality, but her blood was still a part of Kurt's and thus her own, and that made her family.... and anyone who fucked with her family was asking for full wrath. Kurt learned that the hard way.

"Clarice, we need to plan a Halloween party for the asteroid," she says out of the blue, just random subject change even as she looks up and offers Talia a smile. "You're my granddaugther, Talia, never forget that. I'll kill anyone who tries anything with you that you aren't open to."

Talia Wagner has posed:
There is a faint blush under her blue fur. Okay this is nice.

"Thank you." voice not entirely steady so she looks out at the waterfall before she cries. God damned reality outcasting and emotions. This hits her right in the gut and she just stares at the horizon. Eyes definitely misty. Must be waterfall mist.

"Halloween bash sounds fun."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "...just because my birthday falls on Halloween doesn't mean I know much about the holiday," Clarice remarks with some bafflement. "I mean - some of the immigrants to Genosha brought it with them, but it didn't exist in Barbados, so..." She gives an uncertain shrug of her shoulders. "Maybe Theo knows more about it than I do?" she muses thoughtfully.
    Her gaze flicks towards Talia - lingering on the woman before she suggests, "Why don't you go sit on Raven's other side?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique hmms softly, giving Talia a moment to just be, and keep her calm. She hadn't meant to get all fuzzy on her, but it was something that needed to be said and had needed to be said. This was the perfect, calm, soothing place to say it.

"I know too much about it, but since I can be my own costume, I never really got into it. I just think it's a good idea," she says with a chuckle. "A party, for everyone to enjoy, drinking, pumpkins, bobbing for apples if they still do that... yeah, let's talk to Theo." She pauses, then a playful grin touches her lips. "Think we can get Victor into a costume?"

Talia Wagner has posed:
Deep breath and she wipes the back of a fuzzy arm across her face.

I mean Clarice has a good idea and she rolls back and up onto her feet then swings around to plop down to sit on Raven's other side. Bookending her really now.

"I think if anyone can get Vic into a costume it is Clarice." amusement. "And I can help with a Halloween rundown, we did it extreme mode in the mansion most years since so many kids couldn't go home."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "If I can talk him into being Princess Buttercup, who will be the Dread Pirate Roberts?" Clarice deadpans, without looking away from the falls - but there's a distinctly amused quirk to her lips as she says it.
    No. There's zero chance of getting him into //that// particular outfit, but it's a funny mental image.
    "I'll try to think of something he'll actually wear," she promises a moment later. She's a silent a short time before asking, "How much pain you think I'd be setting myself up for if I let Theo and Pete decide my costume for me?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique ooohs and even mocks a wince, "A lot, I mean... major pain, but it would totally be worth it." She glances to Talia as she sits down and offer a smile, before looking back to Clarice. "If you can get Victor as Buttercup, I'll Dread Pirate, other wise... I'll need some suggestions. As I said, I don't really do Halloween, even though I can be anything."

Talia Wagner has posed:
"Honestly I think Theo and Pete should set the tone and we should do some theme costumes for whatever they pick for themselves or Clarice."

Signing everyone up for the pain. Such pain.

"Man Victor as Buttercup"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Right?" Clarice answers TJ - grinning broadly at the mental image. "It would be //great//!" Too bad he'd never do it.
    She's silent for a moment before deciding, "Yeah, okay. I'll let Theo and Pete decide my costume. ...what sort of budget should I give them?" she muses in an uncertain tone. "How much does a decent costume cost?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique stares at Clarice for a moment, then starts laughing. There's no real reason for the laughter, at least not that most people would understand. "Clarice, I have no idea what anything costs," she finally says, explaining the laughter right there. "I don't even buy clothing, so a costume?"

Turning her head to look at Talia, "Think you can help her with that one, cause I've got no clue... wait."

She looks between them, "Are you saying you want Pete and Theo to decide the entire theme? I'm okay with that, so long as we allow for any costume people might want to use."

Talia Wagner has posed:
"I mean yeah sure, but then who cares what it costs. It isn't like we really have a budget to throw an awesome halloween party and get awesome costumes. So I vote we go all out."

She grins. "Which I will totally help with.. and I was just offering up the three of us for their theme. Of course people should have a choice. Except Vic."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice can't help but let out a quiet laugh. "God. Mister Creed is going to murder me." That would be an alarming through to anyone else - but Clarice is simply grinning away. Nah, he'd growl at her, and call her 'pup' or 'kid' - and then probably shred the dress. But still.
    "Alright. I'll just hand them my credit card and tell them to go to town. But I really dread that bill coming due..."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
"You can use mine for that as well Clarice," Mystique offers with a grin. "Because I am going to /love/ whatever it is they come up with and am more than willing to pay for every painful moment you spend in it. So once you all figure out the theme, let me know, and I'll get the ball rolling while they torture the fuck out of Clarice."

Talia Wagner has posed:
"Woah now.. I didn't mean just give them the credit card. I figured we would just go with them and get costumes too and pay for it..." she sort of boggles at the idea of just handing them the credit card.

She does laugh though in a good mood. She pulls her legs up to her chest as she sits by Raven. "We should do this day trip stuff more."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Well - then you and Mystique will have to take them, because I'll be you anything they keep me in the dark until the day of. I //know// those two by now," Clarice asserts firmly, an amused expression on her features.
    "And sure - we can do this more often. Maybe we go his that hot spring sometime? That place looked nice - and Raven and Lydia certainly enjoyed themselves there."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique watches another bird fly by, a smile touching her lips. "I'll take them," she offers. "And I think this should be a once a week thing, even if only for a couple of hours. We all need to let go at least once a week."

Looking back to Clarice. "You realize I'm not going to tell you what they pick out, right?"

Talia Wagner has posed:
"Ooh diabolical." she laughs and leans back just laying out and staring up at the sky and enjoying the tropical breeze kissed by the nearby falls.

"I'll go help too sure."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Oh, I know. I wasn't even going to bother to ask - it'd be pointless," Clarice remarks, letting out an exagerated, long-suffering sigh. "And after I take you to such a beautiful, wonderful, perfect place, too. And... sure. We can go somewhere new once a week. That would be nice."
    Her gaze follows the flight of the bird before she asks in puzzlement, "Why is it's beak so large?" Someone hasn't seen a toucan before, apparently.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique offers casually, "Toucan, lovely birds really, I think the beak is that large because of the fruits they eat, but honestly never cared enough to find out."

Looking at her watch again, she sighs, "I need to get back soon. If this wasn't China, I would put it off."

Talia Wagner has posed:
"Probably to eat something odd. Not sure what. But something odd."

She hooks a blue digit at Mystique "Basically what she said..." and then glances to Mystique's watch. "That works. I need food still."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "It's a neat looking bird," Clarice decides - reaching over with one arm to casually drape it over Mystique's shoulder.
    "There was something you were going to say - but you said 'not here' - when we were in the bar. Can you say it now?" she asks curiously. "I think it had something to do with Lydia."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique glances to Talia for a moment, nods a little then looks back to Clarice.

"You know I don't age, and now Lydia doesn't either," she says quietly. "She said something the other night that hit me wrong, not sure how..." pause, she won't add that part. "... she said that somewhere in the future it was likely we would get tired of each other and move on. I know she's not talking next week, or next year, but I didn't like hearing it."

Talia Wagner has posed:
Talia doesn't seem too shocked by this news. "I didn't know Lydia wasn't aging." she looks down at herself. "Far as I can tell I haven't aged a minute in any fashion since I was Unhinged from Time."

She looks back up. "I'm pretty sure the relationship can persist no matter how much time to be honest. I've run into more than a couple of immortals still in love with each other."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Well - not after- ...not after everything that happened, no. You wouldn't like hearing somethng like that," Clarice agrees, looking aside at Mystique. "But what are you getting at? We just need to take things a day at a time, right? Just see where things lead. You have the whole future ahead of yourselves."
    She glances past Mystique to Talia, then back to Mystique with a questioning look, clearly hesitant to be any more clear than she already had been.
    Lydia's secrets weren't hers to give away, after all.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique wasn't going to go into details, it wasn't her place to tell Lydia's secrets beyond what she already said. Talia was family, that was very true, but she didn't know how Lydia felt about her knowing so she wouldn't say any more.

"Just that I didn't like it," she finally says, then shifts to stand herself up and brush her butt off. "I don't think she meant anything by it really, talking long of distant future, just wasn't the greatest time to hear it."

She glances to Talia, "There's things about Lydia that aren't me or Clarice's business to talk about, but yes she is immortal. Hell, I don't even know if I am, maybe there is a line in the sand for me, no one knows."

Talia Wagner has posed:
"Mood." is all TJ says to the bit about maybe being immortal and no one knows.

"No worries, I respect the fact it is Lydia's business. Don't need to worry." she smiles "I get it." and well yeah she has sort of proven she does. Most of the time.

She shifts moving to sit up and then stand up. "This was nice."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Of course you didn't," Clarice agrees. "But at this point - I can't imagine you two apart. I just hope she grows more used to Mister Creed, eventually." Because it would make her life easier. Because she didn't want Mister Creed to be alone - and the more long-lived people he had in his life the better.
    None of that needs saying, though.
    She pushes herself to her feet, leaning over to pick up the empty bottle, after brushing off her pants. "Home it is. I'll pick us somewhere else stunning for out next trip - unless you have something particular in mind." And with little other preample, the trio reappear in an invariably empty corner of the bar, with a quiet bliiiiink.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique had already long ago promised that Victor would never be alone. So long as she was alive, he would always have a place to call home and people to go murdering with. She meant it, as she truly adored Victor for reasons that no one will ever know.

"Well, that's what I wanted to say... I just needed to say it so my brain would get over it," she offers a smile and bam, they were in the bar again. "Oh look, my drink."

Talia Wagner has posed:
TJ makes sure to snag the empty sports drink with her tail before reachingf out to Clarice for the blink back to the station and the bar. "Like someone would steal your drink." she chirps.

She walks over to a recycling chute and drops her sports drink in now.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "You should have brought it with you," Clarice answers with amusement. She'd brought her tea! It was cold by now - what little of it remained. She didn't mind. She takes the mug to the counter, setting it down atop it, before turning to lean back against it, and regard her two companions. "Well. I hope it's a productive meeting - tell the Brotherhood of China I say hello."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
When the others get back to the Asteroid, Lydia is already at the bar with a drink in hand. Her clothes have little rips and tears in them and the pale woman looks rather annoyed. She looks relieved to see that Mystique is one of those to come in through Clarice's portal.

She gets up and goes over to her and gives her a hug and a kiss. "You have no idea what kind of evening I just had. It turns out I have something of a temper, now." She shakes her head, going back to the bar to pick up her Manhattan so she can join where the others were sitting. "It's something I'm going to need to work out how to deal with."

Her nose twitches as she takes in the scents of the three. "You've been to the beach?" she asks. "No... fresh water, not salt. Some place that has plants, too. A lake?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Spotting Lydia at the bar, Mystique offers a smile as the she picks up her drink and moves to join them at the table. Her drink is still sitting right where she left it, she had assumed Sascha would remove it, but nope. Settling into the chair by her drink, she slides out a chair for Lydia as she approaches.

"That is another mark of the predator Lydia," she comments, picking up her drink to take a sip. It may have gotten warm, but she didn't get ice so at least it isn't watered down. "We went to a lovely location in South American that Clarice found."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "She says 'found' - I Googled it," Clarice remarks with amusement, rejoining Mystique at the table, after having returned her mug to the bar. She wraps an arm around Lydia briefly before she sits, relaxing back into her chair with a comfortable slouch.
    "So I've been thinking," she remarks in a quiet, musing voice, "About the boys. I mean, I appreciate you both saying that they're not going on the list - really. But why don't we at least put them on the back-up list - for emergencies? I mean - in a couple months we won't really have any good cause to refuse Pete's offer..." She looks between both Mystique and Lydia - watching them for their reaction to the suggestion.

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
"Is it?" Lydia grumbles. "I don't like it." She takes a sip of her drink and looks morosely into it. "I wonder if I get you drunk and I drank from you if I could get drunk," she muses.

When she mentions her mini-vacation Lydia perks up. "Oh? Where did you go? Did you have a good time?"

Clarice's suggestion just kind of comes out of nowhere and Lydia is caught blindsided. "What? No! They're just kids! I can't feed off of kids! I'm not a /monster./"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique slips her arm around Lydia's shoulders, leaning to place a kiss on her cheek then neck before sitting up again.

"Pete isn't a child," she states simply. "He'll be eighteen in December, which makes him an adult by American and Genoshan law. In come countries, they're both adults already, and as emergency back-ups, they are unlikely to even be needed." She glances over to Clarice, before looking back to Lydia. "And tell them no is going to be an issue, given they've both already volunteered. I don't think any of want another fight on our hands, so we say they go on the back-up list, knowing the likelihood they'll be needed is slim, and make sure others are before them, and we aren't talking biting Lydia, that's a definite no."

She takes another drink from her glass, then sets it down as she offers Lydia a sly grin, "I could get really drunk and you could find out if you'd like."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice nods in agreement with Mystique. "In about a month and a half, yeah - he's an adult." And technically - her son. That's still weird. "Raven's basically just said everything I was thinking myself. And honestly - you act like they're five. Do you think they don't comprehend what they're offering? And they're both old enough to donate blood, with parental consent. I... looked it up," she admits with a wry smile.
    "It's ultimately your decision, Lydia. And honestly, I genuinely appreciate the thought, and the concern - but I honestly think it's better if we put them both on the back-up list.
    "And be prepared for the possibility of Pete insisted on being put in the regular rotation come December. If you really want to keep him off, he'll probably want a better reason than still being considered 'a kid.'"
    She lets that sit for a moment before asking, "Have you ever heard of the Iguazu Falls?"

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
Lydia looks sullen as the two make their points about Pete and Theo, and she lets out a heavy sigh. "I suppose you're right. I'd really rather not, but if I don't we'll have a fight on our hands, and .... yeah. We'll have them bleed into a beaker." She still looks uncomfortable about all this. "I won't say no to Pete if he wants to be on regular rotation once he's 18," Lydia decides. "I don't have a good argument to keep him off."

So far of the people that she's feeding from it's about fifty-fifty as to who prefers to be taken from directly, and those who would rather have Doctor Hathaway draw blood from them into a container which Lydia, then drinks. She's found that if they do it that way, it gets stale, quick, so she needs to take it as soon as possible after it's been bled.

She gives Mystique a mischievous smile. "The things I want to do to you I want you to be sober for," she says in a throaty growl.

Her attention turns back to Clarice. "Iguazu Falls? No, I've never heard of it." She pulls out her phone and does a quick search for it. "Oh! I've seen those before! Not personally but in pictures and stuff. They look really pretty!" She looks up from her phone. "I hope you had a good time there."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique wiggles her brows, licks her lips and only sips her drink. Tonight she will be sober.

"It was beautiful," she says with a soft sigh. "I know you're weaker in the day time, but you really should go some time and see it, like at sunset maybe."

Setting her drink back on the table, she lets her now free hand wander over to caress Lydia's cheek. "I know it's a difficult concept, with the young men, not calling them boys any more, but thank you. I need things to just mellow the fuck out for a little while, and that's one less fight."

Mystique doesn't go into anything else regarding feeding, safe that thus far she's insisted on being there when Lydia actually bites someone. Perhaps there is a hint of jealousy to the cobalt mutant, because she needs to be there to remind who ever it is just who Lydia is dating and what will happen to them if they even think about it. It might all be in her own head, but it does make her feel better about it.

"We're also planning a Halloween party," she adds with a grin. "Clarice is letting Theo and Pete decide her costume, once we have a theme."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "And I really am trying to pick my battles with Theo," Clarice agrees. "Like still trying to find a way to convince him not to become a murderer," she mutters under her breath. Somehow, it seems to slip her mind that - this is almost certainly the first Mystique is hearing about this.
    Continuing on without a pause she adds, "Mister Creed is going as Princess Buttercup - and Raven is going to be the Dread Pirate Roberts. I just have to figure out how I'm convincing him."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
Lydia nods in agreement about how things need to chill the fuck out. Slowly, they're getting into the routine of things, which is helping.

Lydia scowls at Clarice. "Is he still wanting to do that?" she asks. "I really don't want him killing somebody. I don't think any of us do. I think part of it is that we still think of him as innocent, but his innocence was taken a long time ago. I don't blame him for his feelings, though. I don't know how to deal with it other than to just /deny/ him the opportunity."

She perks at the mention of the Princess Bride. "Oh, I /love/ that movie," she says. Who doesn't, really? "We've already decided that I'm going as Elvira. Pete's already lent me one of his bras and he's helping me find a good wig. I'll also need help getting it on with all this hair," she says running a hand through her thick curly locks.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique blinks and turns her head to Clarice, for a moment just looking at her with a puzzled expression. Everything else they had just been talking about flies right out the window.

"Wait... what?" She finally says, starting to put it all together. "Trying to find a way to convince him not to become a murderer? What the fuck?" She actually confused by this, not upset, there is no anger in her tone she's just trying to figure it out. "What exactly is that supposed to mean?"

She looks between Lydia and Clarice now, since they both seem to be on the same band wagon over this. This is news to her, not something anyone has mentioned around her, and she suspected there was a reason for that.

"How about we just do horror movies as the theme? Cliche I know, but it would work."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "We haven't discussed it - not since that last time, when you were there," Clarice admits. "But it's still on my mind. Which means, I feel like I can pretty much guarantee, that it's still on his. We're too much alike, and neither of us feel like it's resolved." With a heavy sigh she adds, "Of course they're not completely innocent - neither Theo nor Pete. But that's not the same as cold blooded murder."
    Her attention goes to Mystique next - her expression sheepish as she explains, "I brought up the idea of trying to find the people who killed Pete's parents. Find out if they were acting in free will - or if they were puppets, like I once was. And- well. Theo insisted that if we could find them, if they were still alive, if they //were// culpable - he wants to be the ones that kills them. And the thought of that just- It tears me up."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
Lydia nods along with Clarice. "He's pretty adamant about it," she says. "It's hard to justify stopping him when the two of you /do/ kill. It's a 'do as I say, not as I do' kind of situation." She sighs and shakes her head, "Like I said, I think the only way out of this is to just not give him the opportunity. He'll hate us for it but that'll pass."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
A very, very deep breath is taken before Mystique leans over and kisses Lydia rather soundly. It was the best way not to flip her shit right there and ensure her calm, and it worked. Leaning back she looks over at Clarice.

"You're his sister," she states. "You don't get to decide that for him. No matter how much you hate it, don't want it to happen, would rail against it... you don't get to decide it. So you have to ask yourself, do you want to spend the last year of his teen years arguing and fighting over it, every single time it comes up, and it will come up because he's even talked to me about joining the Brotherhood... or do you want to try and realize that in the end, you don't get a say?"

Taking the last drink of from her glass, she stands up. "I realize that's not what you wanted to hear, and I know it sucks so hard that it could pull chrome off a bumper, but the harder you push against him about it, the harder he will push back. That piece of information comes from having raised Rogue, may not have been the best mother but I still know the tricks of the trade."

Leaning down she kisses Lydia again more lightly, "I have a video meeting with Xiou Liang to get to, shouldn't be longer than an hour."

Straightening she looks back to Clarice. "Lydia is right though, you can't pull a 'do as I say, not as I do.'... but not allowing him to join? Sorry, when he hits eighteen, that's his choice and no one elses."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Where the //fuck// does everyone keep getting that?" Clarice practically explodes with frustration, sitting forward and thumping her hand on the table. "I have never //once// said he can't join the Brotherhood. Never once. I wouldn't. I'd be proud to have him join - both of them. This organization is my life, my family. I wouldn't be here without it. I'd be dead, or a puppet, or- or who knows."
    She slumps back into her chair abruptly as she adds more sullenly, "I haven't even forbidden him from killing these guys - if that's the way things turn out. Because I can't do that either. I just- I wish- I'm trying to find a way to make him understand. To convince him, to show him why it's a bad idea. There has to be something..." Doesn't there? If she just says the right thing? She sighs heavily, shaking her head as she adds, "I'm fine. Go to your meeting - I don't want you to be late."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
The first kiss takes her by surprise, but returns it willingly. The second one is less of a surprise and she returns it passionately. "Mmm," she says after they part. There's a bit of red in her eyes as she looks up at her lover. "Go. Have your meeting. I'll be in our bedroom when you get out." She leans up and nibbles on an ear as she whispers, "Try not to let this distract you."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Mystique blinks as Clarice loses her shit, then looks between Lydia and the magenta mutant for a moment.

"Clearly I missed something in this conversation, but the rest still stands true. If you want to talk about it more later Clarice, with the understanding now screamed into my previous no clue head that you don't mean not joining the Brotherhood, we can."

Stepping around Lydia she leans down and nibbles her neck then whispers, "You are always distracting." Before she stands up and heads out of the bar.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice takes a deep breath, letting out in a //slightlly// less aggrevated huff. "I'm sorry," she means that at least. "We can talk later."
    She's silent for a moment as Mystique leaves - and for several long moments after, her gaze fixed on the tabletop. Finally, she lifts her gaze to Lydia to offer her a wry smile. "I guess it's still eating at me a little. I just- I don't know how everyone keeps thinking I don't want them to join the Brotherhood at all. I don't get what it is I'm saying that..." She shakes her head, and runs her hand through her hair. Reaching out, she collects the comic book that's been sitting on the table this whole time. "I should probably get back to my studying today."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
Lydia nods, sitting back down and turns to her drink. "I get it. I do," she says. "It's frustrating to want better for your brother, when he doesn't want that himself." She scowls and then takes a sip of her drink. "I wish I knew how to help."

When Clarice gets up to go she nods. "Probably for the best. You still owe me that book report on that last Lumberjanes you read."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Yeah, yeah," Clarice agrees with a wry grin. Her expression sobers again as she adds, "I keep hoping the people responsible are already dead - so we'll be saved from this. Long dead, so they'll both know I couldn't have been the one deprieving them of their revenge. And part of me thinks - perhaps we could plot a way to kill them off - without revealing we were behind it. But that could just be causing different trouble down the line." So there's no easy out.
    She climbs to her feet, giving Lydia a one armed hug. "I'll take you to see the falls sometime - with Raven. It really is gorgeous there. Whatever happened today - I'm glad you're alright."
    After a small smile, she gives a nod, and makes her way towards the door, herself.