9239/=A friend is back in town.

=A friend is back in town.
Date of Scene:	22 December 2021
Location:	Guthrie/Carr Residence
Synopsis:	A night with friends.
Cast of Characters:	Samuel Guthrie, Roberto da Costa, Alexis Carr

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Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie has heard Berto was back in town, and after making sure Alexis did not have anything planned for them that day, he invited his best bud over to the new place. Sam and Alexis got it since the last time he saw his friend. The bottom floor of the building has a comic shop, and then above that is Alexi's Ballet studio.

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto da Costa has his car service drop him off outside the building. Trying to find parking in town is a mess and he's not about to take his Bugatti to be subjected to the vagaries of the world. His security system is good, but not -that- good. He's wearing a three piece suit, black and white, classic Tom Ford. He's grown a well-trimmed beard since last Sam saw him, brown eyes flecked with amber as he makes his way in and rings the bell.

Alexis Carr has posed:
    Alexis had morning lessons, and was still in her yoga pants and tank top combo with her ballet slippers on, wearing a scarf as a shawl over her shoulders. Dark hair was pulled up into a bun, dark eyes looking over the month's bills, and she looks up as the bell for the Guthrie/Carr residence is rung.

    "Sam? Would you be a dear and get the door love? I've got to finish sending out these cheques!" she calls out, turning over another bill.

    ROUS -- isn't that Rats of unusual Size? Why are they being *charged* for that?

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie will nod, and heads towards the door. Sam is wearing his normal jeans and a t-shirt. This one says "My girl friend is a ballerina" A shirt Doug got him a while back. He will open the door to see who it is. That might not be the safest way of things in New York, but Sam aint from New York, and can be neigh invulnerable with a thought. When he sees it is who he expects it to be he calls out "Berto, his arms open to hugging his friend.

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto da Costa returns the hug, clapping Sam on the back as he makes his way inside, "Formally dressed, as usual," he smiles to the country boy. He raises a hand to Alexis as well once he's in, loosening his tie a little bit. "I figured I'd check in on you two, once I made it into the city. I stopped by the school for a couple of days, but I figured I'd best not set up shop too much before they'd start trying to draft me into teaching," he says with a faux shudder.

Alexis Carr has posed:
    "Berto!" comes Alexis's tone from upstairs, and she comes to peer out over the railing. "Happy Christmas meu irmao!" she calls down, the much, much shorter Alexis Carr coming down the stairs to offer a hug to the young man.

    "And what would you teach? Economics? Sneaking into parties?" she teases lightly to him. "Welcome, welcome -- come in. I can get a kettle on if you'd like something hot to drink."

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie grins and says "Hey you can teach some off the flying classes, Ah help out with some, but with my own classes, and working at Harry's Ah don't do as much at the school as Ah was, but still try to put some time in there." He will lean over kissing Alexis' cheek after she hugs his friend and leads towards the living area. "It is good to have ya back in the same hemisphere." He teases his friend.

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto da Costa smiles and shakes his head, "Every generation of Xavier's must learn to sneak out to parties on their own. It's part of the nature of evolution. I wouldn't dream of interfering with their development," he teases.

"I'm glad to be back, too. Don't get me wrong, I like the boardroom - it's exciting in its own way. But I still prefer friends to colleagues, people who can look me in the eye and not just defer to me because of who I am."

Alexis Carr has posed:
    "How extremely kind of you." Alexis replies back to Roberto, and leads the way upstairs, and ducks into the kitchen to make good on her threat of hot drinks and possibly snacks.

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie nods his head and says "Well your amongst family here my man." He will motion for his buddy to have a seat, and says "Welcome to our home, Alexis has the studio down stairs, had me back in slippers about once a week now, might have to draft you to help show some of the kids, that not just their teacher's goofy boyfriend can dance but other guys can too."

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto da Costa laughs, "You always manage to find your way to be big brother to a bunch of kids, even this far away from home. Just like you were for a lot of us," he says, squeezing Sam on the shoulder.

"So, how have things been while I've been away? I didn't really get a full rundown. Mostly just drank a lot of cider some kid named Jimmy was warming over a fire. I may have flirted with Storm and somehow not gotten stricken by lightning, so my luck seems to be running strong."

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie says, "Well, there has been a few things. Big thing for our group of guys, we had to go rescue James a few months back. Seems some aliens got ahold of him, and made clones. We fought them, and for a bit thought James was dead, but found they had him, so a group of us headed out and rescued him" He lowers his voice so not to carry far. "They had John as well, but just his body, he was no longer there, they were using both brothers to clone them.""

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto da Costa winces a bit, "That sounds awful. I can't imagine having to fight your own clone. I mean, how could I punch myself in this face?" he says, making light of it but obviously genuinely concerned underneath. "I'm glad you managed to set him free," he says. "I'm sorry about his brother, though. I'm sure James has a hard time with that. He reveres John so much, having his body desecrated..." he says, shaking his head as he imagines the big native's rage.

Alexis Carr has posed:
    "You don't need to punch yourself, we can do that for you." comes Alexis's very posh Brit accent from the kitchen, and she comes out with tea service on a tray. There's oreos and some British Biscuits with raspberry filling, and she sets the tray down on the coffee table and begins to pour.

    She hadn't been part of the fight; Alexis had fully withdrawn from Xavier life and been very, very quiet.

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie nods a bit and says "I had Rictor and Magma help me put a major scare into them. Had each stationed out on an astroid, and had them let loose on it, put them in less of a mood to fight, was still a fight but I think it was less at least. But on a better note, he seems to be doing well, him and Tabby both, Tabby is even working at Harry's with me.

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto da Costa raises an eyebrow, "You know, you guys don't have to work in the bar. I can probably find you gainful employment that doesn't require having drunks throwing up on your shoes once or twice a week," he says. "I know, I'm a snob, but seriously, you can do better." He was never quite as crazy about Harry's as the others - rustic is definitely not his style.

He takes one of the raspberry biscuits with a smile, "Tea, eh? Some habits live on even across the pond, I see."

Alexis Carr has posed:
    "Let him be, Roberto. Sometimes we have a dream that we'd like to follow. For instance, I dreamed of not pandering my talents for ProHUMANA, and now I teach ballet out of my home to underprivilaged mutant children." she jokes, and sits back on the couch with her cup of tea.

    "And hush. I only serve tea to people I like."

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie smirks a bit and says "Well, I just needed a job it works, and don't get a lot of drunks, and the few we do get are helping Tabby learn not to blow up everyone who pisses her off." He smirks a bit and says "And when I finish the academy I need to decide, if I am actually going to join the police force or not. Not sure if I can get on for Bushwich for sure or not.

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto da Costa wrinkles his nose a little at the idea of Sam becoming a cop, but he holds his peace for the moment about it. The Kentucky boy's allowed his own ambitions, even if they baffle Roberto. "Most of the people who piss Tabby off probably deserve to be blown up," he says.

He nods to Alexis, "I appreciate the cuppa, then," he says, taking a sip. "I'm glad you've at least gotten your father's fingers out of your life. That can be a complicated thing. Powerful men don't like losing control of their offspring."

Alexis Carr has posed:
    "I know they don't. My very name is in litigation for contracting and advertising reasons. I know now why Prince chose to use an Unpronouncable Symbol. That and the drama." she gives a huff, dark eyes narrowing as she takes her cuppa, and sips her tea.

    "Don't join the police, Sam. There's always some investigation into their poor behavior, and you'd be targeted as a mutant, if it got around."

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie looks to the two of them, and sighs a bit "The folks of Bsuhwich need people besides the neighborhood watch to look up to. " It seems Alexis' worries maybe getting to him though since he is considering doing it or not instead of just going to do it. "Well we will see, but the stuff they are teaching us, will be useful even, if just used on missions with t he X-men on figuring out things or knowing when the police might respond to things and how."

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto da Costa nods to Alexis, "If you need a good lawyer, I have about a dozen on speed dial. Most of whom would take great pleasure in teaching your father a lesson. Especially if there were a fat percentage at the end of it," he says.

He sets down his cup and steeples his fingers as he adresses Sam, "I get it. A lot of what we've been throug, being hands on is the first instinct. But being a cop...I agree with your lovely lady here, old buddy. They have a bad reputation for a reason. And that particular brotherhood doesn't treat dissidents very well."

Alexis Carr has posed:
    Alexis gives a small smile to Roberto, and she finger steeples a moment. "My grandparents have made the same offer, to pay for barristers, but it's international, and just such a mess. I thought it would be solved when I turned eighteen just... the man doesn't like that I fell away from him."

    Literally.

    Down eight stories before Sam caught her.

    "... I was considering coming out as a mutant, just so he'd want nothing to do with me."

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie nods a bit and says "Ah am somewhat surprised he did not try some kind of campaign saying Ah kidnapped you, but guess he realized that it would come out that you were ok with mutants and all his buddies would give him the stink eye or something." He looks over to Berto "So, whats your plans now that your back about staying for a while Ah hope."

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto da Costa nods, "My own father has asked me to be circumspect, although not out of prejudice. He merely knows that many of his investors and workers are of a conservative bent. Ignorant, in other words,' he sighs. "I have chosen to live my life openly. I did not announce my mutancy, but neither will I hide it. He has had to learn to respect that, because the respect between us must be mutual. We had a lot of conflict before he learned that lesson."

He shakes his head at Sam, "No one would believe you would kidnap anyone, Sam. May as well accuse St. Nicholas of robbing an orphanage," he says. "I do plan to stay, although I'm unsure of my plans in the long term. For now, I want to get an apartment, relax a little bit after a few months of working. Maybe see how the dating apps treat me," he smirks.

Alexis Carr has posed:
    "He did, I threatened to counter with the actual, quite romantic story and he stopped. He didn't want his daughter being *associated freely* with mutants." she rolls her eyes, and gives a little smile.

    "I'm being as patient as I can, I enjoy teaching, but I miss performing. Not being able to perform under my real name is... an irritation I wasn't expecting." she gives a small smile.

    "Oh? Planning on finally settling down with a lady, Berto?" she blinks innocently, giving a little lilt. "Make sure you expand out to Hyper Loop distance."

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie will move over to put his arm around Alexis, and rubs her shoulder. "We can find a way." He has thought about seeing if she wants to preform under Allegra Guthrie, but is pretty sure she wants to get this stuff sorted out. "Well, just make sure your not making it rain in the photo." He jokes a bit to his friend.

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto da Costa frowns, "It's ridiculous that you can't. Whatever papers your father may have compelled you to sign - and it's relatively easy to demonstrate that he had undue influence - your name is your name and should belong to you first and foremost. But he knows very well his claims don't have merit. He just wants to make your life miserable," he sighs.

"I'll have you know I haven't made it rain in...almost two weeks," he smiles. "I don't see settling down in my immediate future. But I try not to do predictions."

Alexis Carr has posed:
    "He signed them on my behalf, as my father, guardian and manager." Alexis gives a soft scoff, and she sips her tea. "The Arts world is lawless, strange and full of assholes." she states, "Because my name was connected with ProHUMANA, they own it, so any money I make using my name until it is proven that I have signed no contracts or until such expire, they can claim at least a percentage of it. Which is stupid and I hate it." she scowls. "BUt I like teaching. Always have. My best students tend to stumble in, though. Odd ducks." she recalls, and she gives a smile to Berto.

    "Almost two weeks? New record?"

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie nods, a bit and says "YEa, like that girl who came in the other night after your normal class." He looks over to Berto, and says "She had the student, me and her all dancing to the ABCs." He grins at her though and says "You are great with the students, that is for sure."

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto da Costa shakes his head in disgust, "Entertainment corporations really do have a nasty habit of getting into the business of exploitation. Lots of singers under lots of questionable contracts, most of them teenage girls," he sighs.

He flashes a smile, "I give dancers honest patronage. Sex work isn't as stigmatized where I come from as it is here. Americans have those darn Puritan ancestors," he tsks.

Alexis Carr has posed:
    "That's why we kicked them out of England. And Italy has no problem with beautiful women. A dancer is a dancer." she states... but gets a playful look about her as she eyeballs Sam.

    "Maybe I Should take up pole dancing. It's got to pay better than ballet classes." she jokes.

    And she taps her fingers lightly against her thighs.

    "... on the subject of Bushwick, though... the Brotherhood of Mutants have taken to patrolling it, I think. That's what I heard, in any case."

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie looks over to Alexis a brow raises, while he would get to be there to watch her practice, he is not so sure on letting others see her. He nods a bit to the other thing Alexis says, and says "Ah have worked with Mystique and Clarice both out there a bit. They actually seem to truly be trying to help out the area.

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto da Costa nods, "If you ever wanted to pursue that, I definitely have the connections to help you get a job at a reputable place," he says, not entirely joking, although he can't help but grin at Sam, "I think it might make our boy's head explode, though. More than it already does, anyway."

"I've heard the Brotherhood seems to be turning over a new leaf. I guess anybody can change, given the chance. Of course, when you're already at the peak, there's no real need."

Alexis Carr has posed:
    "Just because you think you're hot stuff --" Alexis states, holding up her hand and forming a loose fists. Her hand explodes into flame, warming the room around them. She sips tea nonchalantly.

    "... and I'm pretty sure it would upset poor Sam and his good notions." she teases slightly, though she leans against the Kentucky farm boy.

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie will smile and leans in to kiss Alexis on the top of the head. The group will continue talking and catching up till the wee hours in the morning. Sam and Berto catching up, and Alexis learning embarrassing stories about both of them. Plenty of laughs and fun is had by all.