8415/Where in the world is Theo Ferguson

Where in the world is Theo Ferguson
Date of Scene:	25 October 2021
Location:	Clarice Ferguson's Quarters
Synopsis:	No description
Cast of Characters:	Raven Darkholme, Clarice Ferguson, Lydia Dietrich

---

Raven Darkholme has posed:
New York, the city that never sleeps. It was rolling around on eight o'clock at night, and still Ritz had not gotten the usual call. This of course was unusual, so she went to check and see if perhaps Clarice had gotten the call instead. The door chime sounds, followed by her saying, "Yo, Clarice, you there?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Door, open," Clarice answers from her desk. She has one of her comic books open in front of her, and is slowly and painstakingly writing out a report on the Lumberjanes. Book reports were not, she had decided, her favorite thing in the world - but Lydia expected her to complete the assignment, and she had little cause to put her studies off for the moment.
    Finishing off a sentence, she swivels in her chair, giving the other teleporter a curious look. "Hey Ritz. What's up?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Pete is sitting at his desk, but he has head phones on and is presently listening to his lessons. His internal clock is all kinds of messed up, given that most of the time he's on Genosha time like the asteroid, yet also New York time, and ahhhh... he's used to it.

Ritz steps into the room, glancing around first, but when she only sees Pete she looks back to Clarice, "According to New York clock, it's like almost eight and I still haven't heard from Theo... thought maybe he called you?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Is it that late already?" Clarice says in surprise, glancing towards the time on her computer with a faint frown. That was unusual. "Theo's been staying later after school though, right? Maybe he decided to go out for dinner with friends or something?" she suggests - even as she's pulling out her phone to check it for messages.
    She doesn't see any.
    She continues to frown at the screen as she tries to decide how best to approach this dilemma - without somehow coming across as too 'mothering.'
    'Tara msg'd me about pigs. 1 more week. Are we ready?'
    There. That should at least get a response. Right?

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Pete turns slowly, pausing his lesson and removing the headphones. "What's going on?" He didn't hear anything, but he could feel the change of emotions in the room.

Ritz nods a little, "Yeah. I don't mind hanging out and waiting of course, but it was getting on into dark and that wasn't usual, so thought I'd check."

Minutes tick by, five of them, and then Theo messages: 'Rooms ready, pens are ready, need food for them.' but that's it

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Theo's out later than usual," Clarice tells Pete simply. She stares at her cellphone, willing a response. It's fiiiine. Theo's fine. "He's probably just hanging out with friends, and lost track of time. I mean... What else could it be?"
    Looking towards Ritz she adds, "If you need to turn in - I can tell him you're off the clock and he needs to message me for pick up. I'm sure it's fine." There's only a small, niggling bit of doubt there - as she glances at her phone again, checking for the response again.
    ...probably fine.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Pete frowns and looks at the computer clock. He has it set to show him time in numerous places, including New York. It was getting late, so turning his back to the two adults he pulls out his phone and texts Theo.

'Asshat, it's eight o'clock, you need to come back now.'

Theo responds immediately to Pete, 'I almost got it!'

Pete glares at his phone and replies, 'COME HOME NOW!'

Ritz shrugs, "If you don't mind. I got a hot date with a group of partiers in California. Halloween is a kick ass time for free parties, but I can stick around if you need me to."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "It's fine, Ritz. Thanks for checking in with me, though. Have fun at the party." Clarice glances at Pete as he starts texting away - rolling her eyes slightly. So much for playing it subtle. Now she glances down to find the reply, letting out a quiet sigh. If he's texting - he's fine. Right?
    'Make sure you pick some up this week, then. Also: Ritz is off the clock,' she texts him back.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Ritz gives a thumbs up, "Call if you need something." then she heads out. She worries about the kid obviously, but she's placed it back in the hands it should be in.

Pete finally sighs, then shoves the phone in his pocket at he stands, "Clarice..." he begins, then stops, just staring. "I won't break a promise. I won't tell a secret, but if you found out on your own, that's not... that wouldn't be my fault, right?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice's eyes fix on Pete, and she's silent for a moment, turning those words over in her mind. There's clear worry in the way her features wrinkle around her eyes as she tries to figure out the best response - for Pete, for Theo... For protecting their relationships with one another.
    "Is he in some sort of trouble or danger?" she asks simply.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Pete waggles his hand a little, "Uhhh... nooot yet?" He sighs softly, trying to find words to explain that wouldn't give away too much. "He found something in his pocket," that's safe, could be anything. "It's got his full attention right now, but... could end up bad and I can't say any more then that, and that's already too much... he's going to be so pissed at me."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    If Theo would just //talk// to her... "You know I don't ever want to do anything that'll come between you and Theo," Clarice remarks. "You're too important to him - and he's too important to you. But you're obviously concerned..." And therefor, so is she. "If there's something wrong, I want to know about it, but I'm willing to handle this however you think is best, Pete."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Pete takes a moment to center himself, a calm deep breath, and breaths out the stress.

"It's a really beautiful night in New York," he states out of the blue. "And the scenery around Happy Harbor High can be really nice this time of year... leaves turning colors, and the closer to get to the warehouses, the prettier the leaves get."

It was obvious he was giving directions to something, but he couldn't really say much more without risk.

"Theo doesn't always think," he then adds. "He gets caught up in his own head and how many secrets he's had to keep, he just keeps doing it out of habit. The only reason I know is that I'm always in his head, with his permission, and he's only ever once said no, then later said yes, and then I knew anyway... so yes, Happy Harbor is lovely this time of year."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Alright," Clarice agrees. "I mean - I hate doing homework anyways, so I could use a walk to clear my head." She pushes herself to her feet, closing the distance to Pete's desk, so she wrap the teen into a hug. "We'll work things out so he's annoyed with me - not you - if it comes to it, yeah? ...I'm getting used to it, anyways," she says in a wry tone.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Pete laughs quietly, "No, he'll know it's me... but so long as I didn't actually say anything, and he will know, I didn't break a promise so he can't stay mad."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Well. It'll all work out," Clarice promises, giving Pete a squeeze, before stepping away. "See you in a little bit," she adds.
    She steps into her room for a moment - grabbing a thin jacket, before she blinks away - reappearing in Happy Harbor. She uses her phone to check the local map - zooming in and searching for a warehouse district as she starts to walk.
    Pete had mentioned fall trees, more than once... Maybe there was a company there with trees as part of their logo? Or was she already overthinking this?

Raven Darkholme has posed:
The trees all around the school are starting to turn colors, but there are also all kinds of signs pointing out the attractions, and of course the main docks and warehouses way off in the distance to the east.

As Clarice pops in, the main road not that far off, a delivery truck with a giant orange leaf logo and the words "We leaves nothing behind!" on it goes by toward the warehouse district.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Well. If that's not a sign, what is? Clarice watches the truck going by, and waits for it slow as it approaches an intersection. She decides that's the right moment to hitch a ride. She blinks away - reappearing with her feet perched on the rear bumper, her hand gripping firmly at the corner of the trick's back side. Hopefully it doesn't accelerate too quickly at any point, or she might lose her grip entirely.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
As the truck rounds a corner, coming up on three very large warehouses and a large parking lot of 18-wheelers, delivery trucks and all kinds of trucks in between, it slows down and almost stops. As Clarice takes in the area around here, the first large warehouse is clearly marked with the same logo as the truck she borrowed a ride from.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice hops down as the truck slows considerably, shoving her hands into the pockets of her jacket. She watche the truck to see where it goes - ensuring it's out of sight before she starts to approach the building at a casual stroll. She still has no idea what this company is, or what could possibly be stored inside the building. Was it all a coincidence, or was this really what Pete had been hinting at? And what did any of it have to do with her brother, if so?
    She scans for watching eyes, and for security cameras, as she tries to determine her best and easiest way in. If she can just see in through a window - that would obviously be the safest.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
As she gets closer to the building, something to the left of her in the parking lot catches her attention. Either she miss sees, or perhaps she doesn't... wasn't there a black 18-wheeler with a trailer sitting by that red truck just a moment ago? Maybe? It was a quick glance, maybe she was seeing things or not seeing things as the case may be.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice looks towards the truck, then the building, then the truck again.
    Well. The //building// isn't going anywhere. She might as well investigate, right? If she miss-saw (it's not unheard of). then she could still go find a way into the building later.
    She starts cautiously towards the truck, eyes roving the area as she searches for signs of life, or danger.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Theo comes walking around the front of the red truck and damn near shits himself as he almost runs into Clarice. What happens tells Clarice just how jumpy and prepared for this sort of thing Theo actually is.

Instantly a baseball bat appears in his hands, even as he does a back flip away from the sudden person. Only then it registers that it's Clarice and both green eyes go wide as saucers.

"Clare?! What are you doing here?!" he sounds both panicked and mad at the same time.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    The bat comes out, and Clarice immediately goes into a flip, cartwheeling clear of the threat. The last thing any of them want is for Theo to call Ritz in with an emergency SOS to deal with his sister's head trauma. She comes to a rest with a wary look, that quickly softens into a smile. "I don't know how you stand doing homework for so long at one time. I needed to take a break - I thought a walk in Happy Harbor could be nice." She shoves her hands casually back into the pockets of her thin jacket.
    "I think I got turned around, though. Which way's the beach?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Theo manages to catch his breath, the panic slowly dying out since it was Clarice. After another moment the bat disappears again. That could have been so bad, if he had gotten what he was actually trying to get from pocket and used it.

"Yeah um.." Theo starts, trying to look like he was supposed to be here and wasn't in fact on private property. "The... beach is just off the main road before you get... here."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Yeah?" Clarice starts moving back towards Theo, as if nothing untoward had ever happened. When she gets close enough, she links arms with him. "Show me the way?" she asks. "...unless you're not finished here?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Theo cannot accept her arm and start walking fast enough. He throws out a, "It's this way," as he starts walking. "I got a little lost myself, shouldn't be here, but if you get into the trucks like this you kinda lose track of where you are and where your going."

He was talking too fast, he realized that now, and walking too fast... ease back Theo, she still doesn't know, but she's not here for a walk on the beach. She has an island to go walk on. Pete must have said something. Just take it slow, that's it... normal walking pace.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Sure," Clarice agrees. "It's easy enough to get lost in a new place - and you haven't been going to school here that long," she remarks, before lapsing into silence, matching his pace evenly. She seems content to remain silent as they walk - though a faint frown tugs at the corners of her lips. Whatever it was - whatever secret he was still holding - it didn't seem to be forthcoming. She'd be lying to herself if she claimed that didn't sting a little.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
As the silence lingers between them, even as they reach the road, Theo finally says, "Pete sent you, didn't he?"

He knew his sister could go anywhere in the world she wanted to walk on a beach, so might as well call a spade a spade and get it out there.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Something is bothering him - but he wouldn't tell me what," Clarice offers in response, keeping her voice quiet - but calm and even. "So I came down to check on you." The arm she has linked with his gives a squeeze as she lapses back into silence.
    Either Theo will tell her - or he won't. She can't force her brother to talk, and she wouldn't want to, besides.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Theo walks with his arm in Clarice's, mind turning around several things at once in his head. Pete had been worried about the whole thing from the minute he opened the trailer, which wasn't a horrible thing to be worried about given what was found.

"He's worried," he finally says quietly. "But he doesn't need to be, I got it under control and haven't done anything stupid, but I want to make sure it's useful and safe before..." he sighs then stops and looks at Clarice.

"You're going to find out, cause Pete's not going to be able to keep quiet for much longer, so I might as well tell you, right? That's what this is? Wait and see if Theo tells you what has Pete so worried?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice stops, and turns towards Theo, meeting his eyes - and giving a shrug in response. "What am I supposed to do?" she asks. "What would you have me do? Something's eating at Pete. That worries me some. I don't want to 'mother' you and start another fight. But if I just turn my back on it all - well. It's like I don't even care."
    She lets out a sigh before she adds, "I told Pete not to tell me. I don't want to ever cause tension between you two - you need each other too much. But... I'm here. 'cuz I can't not care - I just can't do that."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Theo chews at his bottom lip, then starts to pace. A car honks as it goes by so he flips it off, better to aim the anger at a stranger, because he wasn't angry with Pete or Clarice, he was angry with himself.

"You didn't do anything wrong," he says as he paces. "Pete didn't do anything wrong. I /know/ this is all me, alright?" he sighs and stops to look at Clarice again.

"When I was in Genosha, before the Magneto freed it, I was out with some friends. We were just running around, goofing off, when we came across a 'deal' in progress. No idea what they were dealing or what was actually going on, but the next thing we all knew there were shots being fired. I ran to hide and touched this truck and pop, truck gone. I panicked and ran."

He looks back toward the road and starts walking again. "Trucks been in the pocket since then. I was never brave enough to open it and see what was inside."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice stands still and silent - following Theo with her gaze, but very clearly taking pains not to push or crowd her brother. "Okay," she remarks as he finishes the story. "But I mean- they're probably all dead, don't you think?" The people who's truck Theo inadvertantly stole. So why were Theo and Pete so worried about this?
    "What's in the truck?" she asks curiously.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Theo keeps walking, watching the road ahead.

"Um... I'd rather now say just yet," he replies quietly. "It's not what I thought it was, that's for certain. I mean, I know the guys involved are likely all dead, either they shot each other or died when Magneto came, because oh man, yeah... they gotta be dead from that."

He pauses again and looks at her, "Can you... just give me one more day, and then I'll tell you, I promise, I just... I want to see if I can figure one thing out before I do."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    As Theo turns to continue their stroll, Clarice mirrors him, matching his pace easily, and listening in silence as he speaks. At his request for another day, she can only offer a shrug of her shoulders. "I can't //make// you tell me anything, you know," she points out. "And I wouldn't, even if I could. I'd like to know what's going on, and I'm willing to listen whenever you're willing to talk, and- well. That's just the way it is." She looks aside at Theo as she adds, "You know I'll always be here for you."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Theo is walking at a normal pace now, chewing at his bottom lip.

"I know you can't make me, but... I know I /should/ want to tell you," he admits. "It's not that I don't trust you, cause I do, it's just... this is my mystery, you know? I happened upon it, and it's something I /can/ help with and do, and the minute I tell you, it's stops being mine... because I know at that moment, you'll swoop in and take it and it will belong to the Brotherhood."

He sighs again, kicking a rock off the side of the road into the grass. "Yeah, it's kinda that big... and it's not dangerous, Pete thinks it is, but it's not."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice is silent for a moment, a thoughtful frown on her features before she suggests in a quiet voice, "What if it were //our// mystery? Just you and me?" she suggests, looking aside at Theo to guage his reaction to that suggestion.
    "I mean- if you'd rather not, I get that. You should be able to have stuff that's your own."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Theo pauses again, looking to Clarice. "No Brotherhood? Just you, me and Pete? Maybe Lydia, cause... biggest sister?" He asks first, pondering that as he watches her face. The answer to that will decide his answer and reaction, so he waits for it, just looking at Clarice's face.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I'd only bring in the Brotherhood if I thought we were putting ourselves at significant risk," Clarice answers. "Otherwise - just me, you, and anyone else you like," she agrees. "And you say it's not dangerous?" she confirms.
    She even allows herself a bit of a smile as she adds, "I think it'd be fun to have a mystery to solve - but it's your call."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Once more Theo chews at his bottom lip then he says more firmly. "No Brotherhood, at all, unless I say... other wise, you, me, Lydia and Pete." He looks around before stepping back beside Clarice and taking her arm. "We need a better place than that parking lot though, cause I almost got caught yesterday. It is all fueled up, the truck I mean, so we could drive it some place if needed."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Theo - I could blink us //anywhere//," Clarice reminds her brother in a dryly amused voice. "An abandoned patch of highway. A patch of hard-packed earth. The top of a glacier - just check Google Earth and find somewhere you like - that's in its night-cycle when you finish with classes. Otherwise Lydia is out."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Theo nods, "Alright... to tomorrow after dark, I'll pick a place. You and Lydia can then see my mystery," he continues walking with her arm in his. "H & D will be happy I finally told you though."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice's brow furrows at //that// particular comment. "H & D?" she repeats. "What have they got to do with this?" She tries to suppress the pang of frustration and anger that apparently //they// warranted telling before she had.
    Had she really hurt Theo that badly with her 'mothering'?

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Theo shrugs, "I needed a code broke, so I took it to them. All they know is its a secret, and apparently they /love/ secrets, right up until they learn it's one being kept from the leader and her second. They're not so happy about that, so they'll be glad that I told you. No, I didn't go around telling everyone but you. I didn't tell anyone the whole truth."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "...oh." Well, that makes sense at least, Clarice decides, giving Theo's arm a squeeze. "You know, I'm probably the one being ridiculous here. You have a right to your privacy, and I've got no right to expect you to tell me everything. I guess- I'm still adjusting to what it's really like to have family."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Theo shrugs a little, "I'm having the same problem Clare, I mean there's stuff you don't tell parents, its just how it is, but some things you share with a sibling... and I'm kind of caught between those with you. On one hand, you're my sister, and on the other, your my guardian... so I get... stuck, in what I'm supposed to do or how I'm supposed to act and what I should tell you or shouldn't."

He sighs softly. "So it's not just you being ridiculous. I guess we need to figure out the basics, and go from there."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I'm not sure how to figure it out," Clarice admits. "I'll always want to keep you safe - I know that much. Even though I'm trying not to be, I know I'll //always// be a little protective. It's why I never want to be directly in command of you, within the Brotherhood. I won't ever be impartial.
    "And I know how awful it must be for you every time I go out on a job. I get it, and I wish it didn't have to be that way. I //hate// worrying you and Pete." She keeps her gaze stubbornly turned straight ahead as she talks, her voice quiet.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Giving her arm a squeeze, Theo offer a smile even as she looks forward down the road, "The thing is, Pete and I get that this is your job. It's not much different then the kids of a cop or military, or firemen for that matter. Risk comes with the job, we get it." he gives her another squeeze. "Sure, it sucks, but we get it... so stop worrying about that part. Just remember the briefcase and it's alright. Keep telling yourself that over and over, "They get it, it's alright.""

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice returns the squeeze, glancing aside at Theo - and offering a nod of her head after a moment. "Okay," she agrees. "I will. And I will always do everything I can to come back for you, and Pete. No matter what it takes, I'll never give up."
    She looks forward again as she adds, "I'm sure you and Pete are already plotting my Halloween costume... But you and I need to start plotting Pete's Birthday party. Eighteen, that's a big deal. But- you'll be able to keep it from him, yeah? Tucked away in that little pocket of your mind?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Theo nods, "Oh yeah, I can lock that up. He doesn't want a big bash though, just friends and family. You know, he's still not able to just jump into stuff as himself yet, but he's getting better." He suddenly stops and looks at her. "Clarice, why are we still walking? You weren't really here for the beach or anything. Maybe we should go home and let Lydia know she's in on the mystery tomorrow."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Because I like spending time with you - when we aren't busy yelling at one another," Clarice answers bluntly, giving her brother a wry smile.
    "But sure. We can get Lydia in on the mystery - and the Birthday planning. Just because it's a small group - doesn't mean we can't make it special. We just got to figure out what that would be..." she muses, simultaneously pulling out her cellphone. 'Where u at?' is all she writes, before sending the message.
    "Somewhere remote, but spectacularly beautiful?" she muses thoughtfully. "Or - umm - how does one 'drag queen' a party? Is it possible to throw a drag queen themed party? Without bringing in too many strangers..."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Theo grins ear to ear. "I was just thinking of drag queens and karaoke, cause well, performing..." he offers. "We might be able to work with that. I'll think, you think, we'll get Lydia thinking, then there'll be three people thinking."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Alright. Something like that," Clarice agrees - before showing her phone to Theo. "I think she's busy magiking," she remarks.
    After Theo's had a chance to see it she taps out to Lydia, 'Theo & I want to plot with you.' Why plan, when you can plot?
    "I was looking for ideas - what to get Pete. You know, for his birthday - I found this," she remarks, pulling up, and showing the picture of Billie Porter being utterly fabulous in a tuxedo dress. "I was thinking we could get someone to make something similar. Yeah?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Theo's jaw drops. "He... would... love that!" he exclaims as he looks it over. "That's like perfect for him! See, you get him." He nudges her. "I already know what I'm getting him, and honestly it would go well with that... so I think it's perfect."

He glances back to the road, the traffic getting less and less as the night progresses. "I wonder what Lydia is magicking, ever get curious and think about just dropping in on her?" He grins as he looks back. "I'm kidding, that's how you get a magic spell midfiring in your face."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice grins at the response the dress gets, relief showing on her features. Apparently, she hadn't been sure - not at all. "Okay," she agrees. "You get me his suit - so the tailor can use it for measurements. And I'll get someone started on it." After a brief back-and-forth to confirm what the 'LM' is - Clarice turns her attention back to her brother. "Okay. We have fifteen minutes, should we go pick something up before we go get Lydia? Some milkshakes? ... maybe some conkies?" she suggests, an amused grin on her features. "Bit late for picking up conkies - but I bet if we go to the real touristy areas, there'll still be some shops open..."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Theo sings out, "Conkies!" While nodding. "There should be a few places still open, cause now I /need/ a conkie, and some of the loose leaf tea to go with it... you add a little milk and it's perfect, just like dad used to drink. So we going to Barbados for conkies, please? I need a conkie."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Conkies it is," Clarice agrees.
    Of course, it only takes her a moment of concentration to blink them both away - and they reappear, strolling from an alleyway in the heart of downtown Bridgetown. Bars are open, and a few eateries. A few people shy away from the very obvious mutant that just appeared in their midst, but Clarice ignores them as she leads the way. "That looks promising," she remarks, nodding to a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant serving Barbados cuisine. "I'll bet they have conkies on the menu for dessert."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
The tourist trap of Barbados, people coming and going, the main strip of downtown was always open and there were conkies at every other little hole in the wall place. As Clarice and Theo arrive, Theo is actually sniffing the places that have signs he can read, looking for one that smells like he remembers.

"This one!" He points, then his eyes go down the street to where there is a bit of a commotion by a bar, a group of people being loaded into a police van. Whatever happened was already over, five people being tucked into the back by three officers.

Theo steps a little closer, trying to figure out if it was anything interesting when all of a sudden he scream, "HOLY SHIT! CLARE!" and points, but even as he is, the office he was pointing to is climbing into the van's drivers seat. "Clare! CLARE! That..." he stops, because it couldn't be, there was no way, so he says more calmly, "... I mean, that guy looked like dad."

The van pulls out onto the road and drives off. It couldn't be him. He died. "Conkies!" he then sings.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    The tone in Clarice voice has her turning immediately - her gaze going towards where Theo had been pointing - but it was too late. The man was already in the vehicle. She looks from Theo, towards the van again, and finally back to Theo once more. "Maybe... we have an uncle?" Clarice suggests in an uncertain voice. Could they have other family here on Barbados?
    She's still pondering over it as she places the order for conkies. She soon has a take away bag filled with hot, fragrant, steaming little bundles of banana leaves. After a last glance towarads wehre the police van had been, she takes Theo's arm to blink them onto the sidewalk outside the Laughing Magician.
    "One of the guys getting arrested looked like dad?" she asks uncertainly.

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Theo patiently waits for conkies to be bagged, then he has to sniff them and nods, "Yep, those smell right." he announces, then walks with Clarice to blink through to the sidewalk outside the place they were getting Lydia. He has no idea, he's just along for the ride and the conkies.

"No, one of the cops," he says shaking his head a little. "He looked just like dad, I mean in better shape that he was, but still. I suppose he could be an uncle, I mean I think we have an aunt some place as well so why not an uncle?"

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
"Who was getting arrested?" Lydia asks as Clarice and Theo shows up outside the Laughing Magician. She steps up and gives each of them a hug. "Thanks for picking me up. Are those conkies I smell? I looked them up after you mentioned them to see what it would take to make them, and they smell delicious." (They don't really. They smell good, sure, but there's only one smell that pings *delicious* to her anymore)

After the hug she steps up and entwines one arm around Clarice and the other around Theo. "So what are we plotting?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Oh - we don't really know who was getting arrested, but Theo said one of the officers reminded him of our dad," Clarice explains. "Could be an uncle?" She wraps her own arm around Lydia, looking past her to Theo as she remarks, "I could stop by some of the police stations there - as if there's an Officer Ferguson? Maybe show dad's photo and ask if anyone has a family resemblence to him?" she suggests.
    With a thoughtful look on her features she adds, "Pete's probably still in our quarters at this hour - where should we go for plotting? We could hit a coffee shop?"

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Theo hugs Lydia as well. "We're planning something for Pete's birthday in December, but also the plotting of bringing you in on well... my secret mystery, tomorrow after school."

He looks to Clarice, "I really don't think going around in a foreign country, asking about a cop and showing pictures is a good idea Clarice."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
"A secret mystery?" Lydia asks curiously. "Color me intrigued." She looks thoughtful for a moment. "I know a place in Crown Heights that has some of the best coffee in Brooklyn, and they're open 24/7. Do we just want to port there? I could fly us there instead. It'll take longer but it'll be more fun that way."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "It's not 'a foreign country.' It's //Barbados//," Clarice insists. "I was born there. And besides, if I explain we're looking for a family member, what do you really think will happen that I can't handle?" She shrugs her shoulders before adding, "I could have Raven look into it instead - but I honestly think the direct approach'll work here."
    At Lydia's question, she glances at her brother, remarking, "Has Theo tried flying yet? Why don't we fly."

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Theo blinks at Clarice a few times, opening his mouth then closing it before looking to Lydia with a majorly confused expression on his face. "I'm not talking about you not being able to handle yourself," he looks back to Clarice. "Hell Clarice, do you just... do whatever you want without thinking? Sure you can blink away, but why would you risk getting the police all riled up and pissed by asking about one of their own?" He looks back to Lydia. "Is it just me that sees that as insane?"

He sighs and shakes his head, "No, I've never been flying, I didn't know you could fly."

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
"I'm with Theo on this one, Clarice," Lydia says cautiously. "I don't think a random mutant suddenly showing up and asking around for a specific cop is that great of an idea. Could stir up trouble for us and for /him/." She shakes her head, "If he /is/ related you probably don't want that. Probably safer to have H and D hack into their system and pull employee records." There she goes just casually suggesting that the Brotherhood just /hack/ into government computers violating God knows how many international laws.

She nods at Theo. "Used to fly everywhere before I met Clarice. Then I kind of got lazy." As you do when one of your best friends is a teleporter. "Hang on."

Lydia extends her ectoplasmic aura so the fat black ash flakes envelop her companions, and big black wings unfurl from her back. "Here we go!" And with that, they lift off into the air. At first she takes it easy keeping the speed low as they float up high enough to clear the rooftops, and then she accelerates at good highway speeds making a beeline for Crown Heights.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I can use an image inducer," Clarice counters. "Hell - I could show up looking like 'Cynthia' - with the entire album in hand. Complete with contacts, and dyed hair - and no one has any reason to think me a mutant at all," she points out. "You guys really are paranoid if you think that would seriously cause a great deal of fuss." She lets out a frustrated sigh, but her aggrevation doesn't last as she is lifted up and into the sky.
    Who can be annoyed when they're flying?

Raven Darkholme has posed:
Theo grabs onto Clarice rather tightly, he wasn't expecting to just be flying. He didn't scream, but he also looks like his eye balls my in fact have just jumped out out of his head.

"Flying..." he manages to say.

Everything else will have to wait because he's busy /not/ panicking or freaking out, just staring, big eyed, over tehre.

Lydia Dietrich has posed:
"There's this cafe," Lydia says as they zip along the sky, "that's right underneath the Jewish Children's Museum. "Chocolatte. I remember going there every time my parents would take me to the Museum and getting the chocolate rugalach and a hot chocolate while they enjoyed the coffee." She looks down at her two passengers and grins, "It may not be the best coffee in the world but it holds a special place in my heart."

She's silent as she flies the rest of the way. She's always enjoyed flying ever since she discovered that she could do it, and likes to share that joy with others. Soon enough they land at the place.

The Jewish Children's museum is a modern building that stands about twice as tall as the brick brownstones that line the neighborhood. Tucked into the side of the building is the cafe, a cozy little place that offers comfortable seating inside, as well as outside, though now that the nights have gotten chilly nobody really eats outside anymore.

"Here we go," she says, setting them down in front of the shop. "Let's get to plotting."