Owner	Pose
Paris Bennet	Hammer Bay was once a thriving metropolis, and may yet be again if the sight of pristine new skyscrapers and laborers milling about are any indication. The tragedy that was visited upon this nation is still fresh in the minds of most such that it can be difficult to tell migrant from native. The story is that horrific that it shocks the minds of most, just being in the place where millions died in the face of the best efforts of mighty defenders. Such would humble most, even those of stout hearts and steel spines. Such as the pale faced man in purple and black standing at the base of the new recruitment center for the Civil Defense Corps. It is presently being built on the very sight of the previous, which is to say they are repairing a crater. Sentinel parts litter the bed of dump trucks, craned out by magnets along with the guts of the previous building even as on the far side the construction is well underway of the new building to come. The man observing this is stoutly built and tall, with a European style longsword at his hip. His eyes are literally gold within gold.
Shredder	A quiet day in some respects. Perhaps not for most people here as the Civil Defense Corps repairs the damage from the Sentinels. A tall Japanese man with angular features walks, keeping to himself. A man out of place. He's calm, he's stoic. He's attentive. A thin scar rakes over his left eye. He wears a suit charcoal suit jacket with a black dress shirt under it. Nothing remarkable. Nothing noteworthy.     He stops by a piece of sentinel arm, and bends down to pick up something. It is a mechanism that was part of a toe of one of the sentinels, somehow managing to be undamaged in the midst of chaos. Certainly the toe and sentinel it used to be connected to are gone, but this portion is still perfectly intact. He turns it in one hand, and continues for a few paces, and looks up at the dump trucks filling the crater. He stops again, looking at the work commencing, not commenting, standing across from what used to be a complete street from Paris. His purpose here? It seems unclear perhaps.
Paris Bennet	The tall man in purple and black is visibly emotional as he surveys. Aside from his waxen features and gold eyes, he appears to be of Frankish stock. His build is hardly abnormal for one who lives a life of action and would be admirable for any professional athlete. He is either migrant or paying respects, or both? In either case, the construction slows for neither. Businesses are also coming back as well, but this isn't important to his eyes at the moment. In evidence of that, he extends an arm to a chunk of debris causing a shudder. The workers clear at this, and Bennet through some invisible means causes it to fly over to the nearby pile of rubble staged for removal.
Shredder	A shift of steel gray eyes toward the man in purple and black, and another shift to the clearing of the debris by telekinetic means. His hand closes around the mechanism in his hand, and he casually walks toward Paris, shoes more silent than most dress shoes. They lack the distinct clack across the concrete.     He comes to a stop next to Paris, but doesn't speak. He just continues to survey the work going on. He rolls the device in his hand again.
Paris Bennet	If Bennet noticed his approach, he doesn't indicate it. Instead he goes back to allowing the men to do their jobs. The big European does speak however, verifying the stock of descent with his french accent delivered in a snarl,"Such cowardly means of combat. They are right to fear us, but to stoop to such base methods... unworthy. They deserve an education in righteousness."
Shredder	"Hm." The man responds simply, giving a pause before further exploration of the topic. He watches as the dump truck starts to tilt back the soil into the hole.     "Fear, in my experience, is most commonly experienced by people who see no path forward. Or are else unconvinced of the path they have chosen. A man convinced of his path has no cause for fear. I see a great deal of fear in this place. The humans are not the only ones who are fearful."
Paris Bennet	As Bennet's eyes are monocolored, it is difficult for most to notice then shifting towards the Asian gentleman speaking. He is plainly listening and considering before giving a reply,"That is a wise observation. In mine, there are two varieties. One, the fear of one whose discipline and resolve are broken..." He then turns to the hole being filled, waving a hand towards it to smooth over the pile for the next load of dirt as he replies,"And the other, the fear of those who lack either love or respect. The fear of the chastened."
Shredder	"That definition makes it difficult to determine who is weaker, Genosha, or those who attacked her," the Japanese man notes. "Both seek power, but believe that the strength of their force equals it. Power is not a sentinel, nor is it a genetic gift bestowed upon people. Nor magic, nor any other differential that is commonly sought after. Power is something that can only be attained by the effect one person has on another. Certainly something can be said for brute strength and technology. But in the end, power is like a currency. It only has the value because people agree that it does. Wars happen because people do not agree on the value of that currency."
Paris Bennet	Bennet considers this line of reasoning. Expression bordering on consternation as he folds his arms. He knows Reason when he encounters it. Watching the work underway, his mind turns... Then Bennet hits upon a response as his hand extends to deliver another round of telekinetic assistance for the next truckload of soil,"The coward is always weaker, regardless of victory. The chastened has yet a chance to reforge his resolve, but the coward...he will always be fragile. Destined to shatter at the proper stroke. That is the decisive difference, a lack of wisdom and proper temper will undermine any prosperity of power."
Shredder	The Japanese man turns to face Bennet fully. "The coward can be weaker and still hold power. It does indeed make it easier to bring his house of glass cutting down around his ears, but until it happens, it is nothing but bravado to claim otherwise." He glances over the rebuilding. "They still hold the power, much as you are loathe to admit it. Not forever. But they do now. The lives of most here will expire before that changes." Perhaps a bit of a stinging assessment. Perhaps provoking.
Paris Bennet	If the assessment was deliberately provoking, the Asian gentleman succeeded as the ground beneath Bennet goes smooth as a plane, save for the spider network of cracks beneath the soles of his boots. Those golden eyes narrow as he delivers his riposte in an archaic manner that seems natural from his tongue,"Know ye that I was born before anyone on this island and may yet live beyond them. Such trivial concerns are beneath me, as I should not be seen to cow tow before the base and slovenly. Least yet before they taste the blood laced bile that is the gift of the bitter stroke."
Shredder	"Is that so?" the man answers, maintaining his composure. "Then what shall you do to affect it? You see, as people here, and people elsewhere trivially banter and skirmish over the place of mutants in society, there is an overwhelmingly distinct problem. Neither realizes that they shant ever destroy their enemy. Mutants will continue to be born even if they round up every last one living and exterminate them. Humans will continue to be born even if they round up every last one of them and destroy them. It is just very simply the case."     His pace of speech picks up. "You seek to overcome them with ability. They seek to overcome you with technology. The brute strength of either is a standstill. One shall gain the upper hand, and as Sun Tzu observed, the one with no escape shall fight harder for their survival and find bolster and resolve. It's fruitless never-ending cycle. So how. Do you. Break it?"
Paris Bennet	The waxen features Frenchman with the golden eyes is displeased with this line of questioning, but the evidence of his capacity for reason is in the fact that he has not taken any sort of aggression to alleviate his temper. Rather his is ice for the moment rather than white hot flame as those waxen features seem to shine with some inner light held at bay by force of will. The man then replies with a mirthless smile,"Deus Volt, mon ami. Carpe Diem, Deo Vindice."
Mystique	Stepping through a purple portal, Mystique allowed herself a moment to take a deep breath of the salty sea air before glancing around. It had been quite a but since she went to the capital city, most often she would go to Carrion Cove where the majority of heavy construction was still happening. Today the cobalt mutant wears a tailored suit coat in black over a blue silk top. On her legs was a pair of plain black leggings tucked into mid-thigh high boots with a few hundred buckles. Over her shoulder was a simplu leather satchel in which she carried numerous tablets from Magento to the construction teams left in Hammer Bay. The port itself was complete and functioning, bringing commerce, supplies and business to the city. That left in Hammer Bay to complete just the numerous small business that required the port to function, and the final touches on the apartment complexes and houses.
Shredder	In the view of the clear threat, the Japanese man does not seem to yield any concern with the golden eyes. "Quips do not solve problems. I do." He glances in the direction of the portal that forms, and then continues. "The battle is one of economics. Not strength. If mutants really wanted to rule the world they could have done it decades ago, too bent on their rights, and not bent enough on their leverage. I am a man who deals in leverage," he says. "My name is Oroku Saki." He gives the mildest of bows.
Paris Bennet	The introduction halts the escalation of Bennet's luminosity. His is such that there is nary a shadow in his immediate presence, save that cast by Saki himself as Bennet turns to face him properly. As his head and hands are the only exposed skin, that is the primary source from his personage, as opposed to a true aura. His eyes especially. Bennet replies promptly to the name, brows knitted and neck tensed with restrained but reasoning frustration,"Bennet du Paris." The name is given icily, but it is followed with a similarly cordial gesture of a bow.
Mystique	Mystique is an expert at reading body language, so as she takes in the sights around where she appeared, it is not difficult to see that something is occurring between Bennet and the Japanese man. She can only sort of hear their conversation, given the out in the open location in a busy city once again coming to life, but even without knowing the words, the tones and bodies tell her enough. Adjusting the satchel on her shoulder, she begins a hip swaying saunter toward the two, a smile sliding into place with the 'in the public' mask she was already wearing. She didn't intend to interrupt whatever was happening, at least not yet, but she was moving in closer to make herself known and offer greetings. "Good morning gentlemen," she offers in an uncharacteristically cheerful tone. "It is a /beautiful/ day in the city, don't you think?"
Shredder	Saki pivots on his heels slightly as Raven inserts herself, seeming not concerned in the least with a newcomer to the conversation. "Indeed," he says with a stern yet polite tone. Mr. Bennet here and I were just in a rather riveting discussion of the nature of the current mutant situation, and the most optimal approach to improve it. I am Oroku Saki," he re-introduces himself with a slight bow to her.
Clarice Ferguson	Clarice had arrived with Mystique - but had spent a few moments transfixed by her own memories - a fact that the woman beside her had given her the time she needed to recover. It was as Mystique started to move away, that her attention was drawn back from her own thoughts, following in the blue woman's wake with a polite expression sliding into place on her vibrant magenta features, as she greets the two men with a neutral nod.
Paris Bennet	Bennet turns to see the approach of Raven, and only then does he turn down the glow that is apparently his version of blood pressure. He greets her thusly,"Bonjour, Lady Darkholme. Lady Ferguson. Quoi de neuf?" The big man briefly glances over to Saki, then back to the newly arrived duo before elaborating only slightly,"Indeed. His is a decidedly pragmatic mind." The tone he takes on his view is decidedly... unapproving.
Mystique	A bow is offered to Oroku in return from the cobalt mutant, and that smile remains firmly place as Mystique replies, "A pleasure to meet you Oroku. I'm Mystique," a pause for the smile to turn a little mischievous at the mention of her own name. She's been in the news but that doesn't mean a damn thing. "A riveting discussion on the current mutant situation," she then repeats. "Here in Genosha, in a specific city, or are we talking all over the world in general? Depending on where you are in the world as a mutant, changes the situation entirely." She takes another moment to look between the two men, noting that she has managed to slightly defuse the situation for the time being, but whatever it was that upset Bennet would likely come back up, and she's guessing it won't make her all that happy either, given the topic.
Shredder	"As far as it relates to," he turns back to some reminiscent damage nearby. "This." He rotates back toward the group, and gives an assenting nod toward Clarice's arrival. "I was just mentioning that there could be a great deal more progress made in relations where they are still in a rather reductionist environment. Mr. Bennet is correct when he says I approach things with a pragmatic mind. It is why I have come into the level of-" he looks back at Paris "-Power...that I hold today. I've come to this country particularly on that account."
Clarice Ferguson	"Mister Du Paris," Clarice greets the man, before looking between Shredder and Mystique with polite curiosity. "Progressing the matter of mutant rights and equality is a complex topic, and the location where said mutants reside is only one of the many variables in play. Naturally, the Brotherhood will forever do everything it can to ensure the safety and wellbeing of mutants worldwide," she remarks at her most diplomatic.
Paris Bennet	Bennet is quite defused by the adjustment in the discourse. In fact he is back to relative normalcy for his personage. The big man folds his arms loosely as he follows the new lines of dialogue. He perceives a thread that needs pulling in Saki's latest elaboration, and so dives back in with his interlocutor of the moment,"And to what purpose is that, precisely?"
Mystique	Yellow eyes glance around the four of them before shifting back to Oroku. This man spoke of power, a significant power base being implied, but Mystique would continue to offer that expertly trained perfect smile as he spoke... then Clarice opened her mouth and knowledge that perhaps didn't need to be known just spilled right out and all over the place. Diplomacy was one thing, intrigue and cunning another, and though the cobalt mutant loved Clarice dearly, she knew that the young magenta Mutant was /not/ a good spy type. It was what it was, so Mystique shifts her thinking to another direction and with Bennet's question, things seem to get back on track for gathering intel on this person. "Are you looking to speak to those in charge of Genosha," she adds her question to the mix. "Presently the nobility is away while things are rebuilt, but it may be possible to arrange a meeting should what you offer be enticing enough."
Shredder	Saki arches his scarred eyebrow. "To the purpose that this world is disunified, and no governmental structure will ever be able to contain a context of unity. Governments are weak by their very identity, seeking to herd the opinions of disparate people like children trying to keep a pile of marbles from scattering across a hardwood floor. They all fail sooner or later. All of them. I've lived long enough to know that there is no one world government that will ever solve the issue."     "That is not to say they are not without use for those who can tap into their resources. I find you to be an excellent race," he says, indicating perhaps that he is not among those with an X-gene. "Your abilities give you considerable potential. But presently your leadership uses a combined struggle as the means of unification. What happens when that struggle comes to an end? Nothing remains. It's an old problem, and those who have memories past a single generation such as myself, have seen it play out time and time again. Perhaps the oldest on this island could agree?"     Saki turns to Paris. He doesn't know how old the man is, only that he claimed to be older than anyone else here, which tells him that his aging is reduced at the very least.
Clarice Ferguson	Clarice raises her eyebrows, arms folding over her chest as she considers the man. "I'm fairly convinced you didn't actually answer the question," she remarks in her usual blunt manner, amusement more than anything else coloring her tone.     "And I think you're being rather disingenuous. Just because we're currently unified by the struggle we all face, doesn't mean that that will //remain// the unifying factor as time and the cause progresses."
Mystique	A human. This changed the way Mystique viewed the man, power base or not. There was no change to her expression or body language, the alteration was only in her thinking. Humans came and went from Genosha just a mutants did, the difference of course was that the government was mutant, the country was for mutants. To the cobalt mutant however, the humans that visited should do just that, visit, spend their money, gawk at the sights then go the fuck home. "The struggle will never end," she states bluntly, her weight shifting slightly as she also folds her arm over her chest. "It's all well and good to arm chair quarterback a situation, but the struggle between mutants and humans will never end, and you stated the reason yourself." A quick glance is offered to Bennet and then to Clarice before her gaze falls on Oroku again. "Governments all around the world are run by humans, with human wants in mind, and their fear of what they don't know will continue to keep them on alert against mutants, and thus you are correct, no matter how old you are, that no one world government will ever solve the issue." Now a smile plays on her lips, an almost impish one really. "So you see, the struggle will never end. So long as government continue to treat mutants like second class citizens, authorize experiments on mutants and do everything in their power to ensure that mutants have to fight for the basic every day rights that humans are afforded... the struggle will never end, and the Brotherhood will continue to stand right at the center of that struggle, guiding the way."
Paris Bennet	Bennet was addressed, and like a certain other here has the subtlety of a brick to the face as he responds,"I agree that fortunes change, and that struggle makes quality. But I live in the now, and my concerns begin and end with the pursuit of justice and maintenance of dignitas. I trust that clarifies my position." The golden eyed man then draws a refreshing breath, shoulders rising and falling with the event. Head cleared, he finalizes,"As for matters of subtlety and politics, I leave that to others more shrewd than myself. I am aware of my limits and the nature of my own... leverage."
Shredder	Saki tilts his head toward Clarice, "Externally informed, perhaps, but not disingenuous. Whether I am quite on point or not, as Ms. Ravenholme pointed out, there is no win condition for your scenario. It takes the fight out of people to know they cannot win." He seems to sense the tension of objection from the rest, and addresses it directly.     "You can loathe my assessment, you can despise that I'm an "outsider" so to speak, who does not live your life. You can take as prejudice a view of me as others do of you. You can villify me. But let's be honest. You can't ignore what I say. I have brought a challenge to the way you do life. I've just told you that your tactics and pursuits are flawed. It's natural to be angry. It's natural to want to prove me wrong. But what proves you right?" He glances over the harbor.     "You can hide behind people who you believe are wiser, more commanding, or more powerful than yourselves to find direction dictate your views. Or you can take it upon yourself to come to conclusions that will upset the process. I too have been in your shoes, faced with that same dilemma. Persecuted and betrayed by people who I actually thought were my allies. Who I thought were my family." Shredder turns his gaze specifically to Mystique. His gaze is steely and undeterred. "Here I will tell you," He shifts to look at Paris and Clarice as well, "I will tell all of you the win condition for your situation. But you need someone to help you bring it to a reality. The one who controls the business of livelihoods controls the decisions of the masses. You can control commerce, and regardless of what people think of you, they will bow to you."
Clarice Ferguson	Clarice rolls her eyes broadly - not that anyone but Mystique is likely to notice. It's hard to tell when her eyes are featureless, electric green orbs. It's the other, subtle shifts on her features that tell the tale. "I think it's rather presumptive of you to think you are the one and only one to have discovered a path out of dilemma, and now here you are, come to tell use the way out - ready to guide us. When none of us have ever met you before," she remarks in a dry tone, "and when you've yet to tell us anything concrete about yourself to give us any reason to listen to you." The guy was the height of arrogance.
Paris Bennet	The big man refolds his arms more firmly as the illumination of his countenance begins to restore. His eyes shine as he gazes down at Saki and his response issues forth thusly in beginning,"You think that money buys faith? Or loyalty? I know but little of this world as yet, but I assure you that that mindset is what has brought about much of our woes. That is not what offends me so, however." Bennet rises ever so slightly from the earth as his brilliance grows with his altitude. Only a few feet however, but it is enough to give him the sense of being on a platform to deliver his point of order. This man was in dangerous territory where respect was concerned, and his tone conveys this as he continues,"As the Lady Ferguson says, we know almost nothing of your person, Mister Saki. I know you are not of the Strong. Your methods alone tell me that, but I feel no kinship with you and that bears it forth before your admission previous. Your grievous misstep however..." With a temper tottering on edge, Bennet snarls the last..."Was presuming to mock my place! Know thyself, the commandment of the oracle and basis of all civilization! The world turns smoothest when the Mighty presume not to be greater than the Wise, and they do not presume to be greater than the Mighty! Decadence is when the King bows before the Guardian, and THAT is not so grievous as what you seem to offer us!"
Mystique	Listening to this stranger ramble, Mystique quite suddenly loses all interest in anything he has to say. She realizes in part that he is correct regarding the control of money in todays society, but that is human thinking and the very sort of thinking that has the United States completely fucked up. Both Clarice and Bennet seem to be thinking the same thing she is about the man, and each voices their thoughts on the matter with words that might not be her own, but relay her thinking just the same. Bennet's show however, she recognizes it for what it is, a presenting power and authority. In his time, it would have been an effective way to make people pay attention and listen, into today's world however it was just a way to piss people off. "You are an arrogant man," she finally says to Oroku with that same smile still on her face. "You presume to come here and inform the masses of all our failings based entirely on your on perspective of the situation." Now she laughs, which is not the nice sound it should be. "If and when you decide to come down off your high horse Mister Oroku, and muck about with the peasants of Genosha and the mutant world... when you are capable of sharing who and what you are and why you even have an interest in this... then perhaps we might listen to your words, and at the time we will tell you to shove it, because as Bennet said, money doesn't buy loyalty." Snorting she glances up at Bennet for a moment, then looks back to Oroku, "Walk a mile in my shoes before you judge our ways wrong."
Shredder	"Hm." The Japanese man continues in a certain defiant lack of concern for the bolster of condescension thrown at him from the three. "I deal not in situation. Only nature. But be as you have it. I will seek those who are more open to success, I have no inclination to push a rope."     Counterpoints? Arguments? Nope. "I have walked in nine hundred years of shoes and across dimensions you would not fathom. Walk your path to its end, and I shall walk mine. I need not your approval. Good day to you all." He starts to walk away without another word. He even turns his back to them as he does it, strolling as casually as he arrived with a seeming presumption that they will allow him to leave, whether that true or not.
Clarice Ferguson	Clarice can't help but let out a quiet snort, giving Mystique a simple, 'Can you believe this guy?' look. She watches him move away, for a few moments, before turning back towards Bennet as if the stranger had never been there at all.     "How are you finding Genosha, Mr. du Paris?" she asks politely. "It's not what it once was - but it will be soon. I'm glad you've been spending some time down here."
Paris Bennet	Mister du Paris floats back to the earth, his lumens declining as he does. He wears the face of one distinctly displeased with the man walking from him. A soft growl rumbles in his throat at temper restrained, but ultimately turns his gaze from him to face Clarice. Just bottle it in. Put it in a nice, clean mason jar. It'll be there later. Promise. Snorting vehemently, he replies,"It will improve shortly." No insinuations there at all...
Mystique	With her arms still folded lightly across her chest, Mystique watches the man depart. There are a few other choice words she would offer, but she's already put him into the 'doesn't listen' category that many humans end up in. It wasn't a racial thing at all, there were numerous humans who did listen, who did care and had shown a real interest in attempting to help mutants with their case... this man was not one of those. She was pretty certain he was looking for a way to get his hooks in and make some money off mutants, and /that/ would not be permitted. Pulling her phone out of the top of her boot, she swipes it on and snaps a picture of the man. Really what she was doing was offering H & D a chance to begin their search for information on who this Oroku Saki, and she knew they would get to work immediately. "He has typical human thinking," she states as she slides the phone back into her boot. "He isn't human, to have lived that long means there is more to him, but that search has begun... let us instead find a lovely cafe for some pastries and coffee and, for the time being, forget he exists."
Clarice Ferguson	"Well. Certainly it's better than it was," Clarice remarks in a quiet tone. She tries not to think of that day too much, but sometimes it's hard to avoid it, when she's here in the midst of the rebuilding. She's not sure how those who actually live on the island still manage it.     A smirk of amusement crosses her features as Mystique snaps the photo, but she makes no comment on it. "This time - I agree completely. There's no value in talking to someone so arrogant, and clearly uninterested in all we have been doing, and all the progress we have and shall continue to make."
Paris Bennet	The big man shakes his head slowly as he swallows the part of him that wants to do something rash. He was really trying. Bennet eventually replies,"He could be similar to myself, though I doubt it. He is too well adapted to the ways of this world." Thinking on the offer then, Bennet replies yet again more cordially,"I have yet to try coffee. That does sound pleasant."