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[@Dezuel][@Almalthia][@Pilatus][/center]

	The sensory input was getting a little overwhelming for Lex.  The haunting threat of an ever-advancing motor in the distance, the speakers being hijacked, blaring the soundtrack of a stranger.  Ayel and Uná's words trading before him.  The knowledge that more adversaries were on the way weighed further on his mind.  He was losing control of the situation.

	The accusation that he was a clone by this Beacon fellow was enough make Lex reassess how powerful this person really was.  As he watched him hover across the room, he picked up on two things.  Apprehension and uncertainty.  That was comforting, anyway.  Beacon didn't have a plan.  He had grandeur.  As Uná rejected his company, Lex ate up the situation like a warm, fluffy brownie.    At the end, he heard her mention a 'Demo', a knight she was expecting to come to her rescue.  That introduction should prove interesting as well.  Lex's eyes bounced over to the clock on the wall, taking in the time for but a split second before recentering on Beacon.

	"[color=a9a9a9]Like I said,[/color]" Lex reiterated after Uná declared her preference for him over Ayel.  "[color=a9a9a9]I was a little quick to describe you as an intruder.  Perhaps I should more accurately describe you as an unexpected guest?[/color]"  The motor sound from outside continued, distracting Lex for a moment, but he snapped back.  "[color=a9a9a9]You talk to me about confused purpose, yet here you are tasked by children to 'save' a woman who doesn't need nor want saving.[/color]" Lex made sure his eyes were boring directly into Beacon's as he spoke, his face unflinching, looking at the hovering mutant with a sense of caged, ravenous hunger behind a colorless mask of seriousness.  

	"[color=a9a9a9]You want to be the shepherd, but you have no flock.  You want to be a big man in a world that has no idea who you are.  That sort of feat takes money, resources, contacts, strategy... Lucky you.  Those children with whom your mistakenly kowtowed to just introduced you to the man that can give you access to all of that.  I was hoping to discuss it now, but it seems as though we are short of time.  We're left with a blind decision, then.  A potential leap of faith.  The children who commanded you like a dog to come fetch my guest will likely be here soon.  Along with whoever else seems to be looking to raise some hell.  I've not harmed this young woman and, indeed, I helped keep her safe from whatever that monstrosity was at Avalon.  I look at the mirror and I see a savior of benevolent intent.  Like you.  They look at me and baselessly see me as a malevolent abductor, a evil that needs to be squelched.  Over nothing.  Even if you did deliver this young woman back to them, how long until they look at you the same as they do me?[/color]"

	It was inevitable.  The truth used to be something that was solid fact.  These days, the truth was subjective.  Everyone loved to see heroes fall, rising stars crash, glory crash into misery.  The moment Beacon assembled his flock of mutants with anti-human intent, he'd be the next target of wrath.  Lex just hoped he was forward thinking enough to realize this truth.

	"[color=a9a9a9]So your choices are simple.  Remain on the children's leash and fell a good, albeit misunderstood mutant, one of the chosen.  Or take the leash off.  Be the shepherd and let me help you do it.  But I'm of no use to you dead.[/color]"  Lex extended his hand out, offering a shake, a path for both of them to succeed in their endeavors.