[hr][hr][center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/FKJKRczH/the-gifted-591b350cc9ba7.png[/img][/center][hr][center][@Nallore][@FantasyChic][@BlueSky44][@Achronum][@Trainerblue192][@KazAlkemi][@Framing A Moose][@MsMorningstar][/center][hr][center][color=f7941d][b]December 18th, 2020 - 1:50 PM[/b][/color][/center][hr][color=f7941d][b]The Hellfire Club Headquarters - [/b][/color]

	Polaris glanced up, her dreidel ceasing to spin as Anastasia entered the room. She didn't trust the White Queen of the Hellfire Club at all. Her powers over morality manipulation made her dangerous, even more than most telepaths. Polaris' headpiece protected her from mental intrusions much like her father's helmet did, but even then Anastasia set her on edge. With her telekinesis, she could easily try to [i]remove[/i] the headpiece and then control her. She shifted uncomfortably, watching Anastasia warily. 

	[color=B1C1EB]"Anastasia, dear, it's lovely to see you,"[/color] Reeva said, plastering a fake smile onto her face. [color=B1C1EB]"You slept in quite late today... Are you sure you're feeling alright?"[/color] she asked, seemingly concerned. It was unlikely to be genuine. 

	Sage didn't move to greet Anastasia, continuing to monitor the progress Jinx and Ice Queen were making. She was also secretly sending messages to the Mutant Underground, hoping they would be able to get Desiree to safety. If Desiree didn't join the Hellfire Club, Reeva would kill her. Her powers were uniquely suited to be able to take down Reeva, making the Black Queen vulnerable. Reeva didn't allow herself to be vulnerable, [i]ever[/i]. 

	[color=11FCBC]"I have a visual on them - Jinx and Ice Queen have made contact with the target,"[/color] Sage announced. [color=11FCBC]"Jinx's nose appears to be broken."[/color]

	[color=B1C1EB]"If you have nothing to do, Anastasia, you may wish to go... [i]play[/i] with Ice Queen and Jinx. They do not have nearly the same level of competency as you do when it comes to these things."[/color]
	
[color=f7941d][b]Macy's - [/b][/color]

	Jinx's job on Desiree's voice had been quite thorough - she wouldn't be able to make a sound. It was like in nightmares, where no matter how much you wanted to, you just couldn't scream. Should she trust Leighton? Or should she try to break her nose as well? Out of the corner of her eye, Desiree would be able to see that mall security was on its way over. It was a crowded mall - someone had seen her punch Jinx and break his nose. And without her voice, how would she convince them she had been the victim?

	It was time to make a choice - which was the lesser of the evils? Jinx? Leighton? Or mall security?[hr][hr][center][h3][b][color=935DB8]Veil[/color][/b][/h3][img]https://i.postimg.cc/cJ9KkvcN/original.gif[/img][hr][hr][b][color=935DB8]Location:[/color][/b] Mutant Underground Hideout - First Floor: Training Room 
[b][color=935DB8]Skills:[/color][/b] Invisible Energy Manipulation [hr][/center]	Veil's phone vibrated again, featuring another incoming message from Sage. [url=https://i.postimg.cc/HkCHbtrJ/Screen-Shot-2020-04-14-at-5-51-13-PM.png]This one was longer[/url], yet she didn't have a chance to immediately decode it. She forwarded it and the previous message to Spark Plug, fully intending on going with the team to deal with this, but also hoping that Spark Plug might be able to decode the new one from Sage while she dealt with Sapphire. Her friend seemed... [i]broken[/i]. She shivered a bit from the chill in the air, yet she continued to keep Sapphire invisible to give her privacy. 	

	[color=935DB8]"I grew up at Xavier's - I was a student when Jean Grey became the Dark Phoenix. I can believe a lot of things,"[/color] she said quietly to Sapphire. [color=935DB8]"If you want to tell me, that's cool. It doesn't have to be now. But... if punching something would help, Sage texted. The Hellfire Club is up to something. Probably nothing good. It could be a way for you to let off some steam..."[/color]

	Veil glanced up, seeing Glimpse and Moonwalker enter the room. Glimpse had Moonwalker outmatched when it came to fights, yet Moonwalker's compassion and empathy exceeded that of Captain Britain's heir. He was incredibly sweet, coming and sitting down in front of her, asking if she was okay. She didn't know if Sapphire was comfortable with being seen at the moment. [color=935DB8]"Magneto's palace...?"[/color] Veil considered things for a moment. [color=935DB8]"I wouldn't be surprised if that did exist. Magneto's always had a flair for the dramatic. But... It's worth looking into. Can you go ask Casper for more information? See if it's something real or... well, it [i]is[/i] Casper."[/color]

	Veil brushed some hair out of her face, but it fell back into place a second later. [color=935DB8]"I'm fine. Thanks for asking. Just got word from our contact - we've got a mission. Hellfire Club."[/color][hr][hr][center][h3][b][color=DBA1DE]Casper Theriot[/color][/b][/h3][img]https://i.postimg.cc/vDFx7Ctg/image.gif[/img][hr][hr][b][color=DBA1DE]Location:[/color][/b] Mutant Underground Hideout - the Second Floor Hallway
[b][color=DBA1DE]Skills:[/color][/b] Mediumship[hr][/center]	Casper returned James' kiss passionately, getting little tastes of what he had eaten for lunch. He held onto him tightly as James rested his head on his shoulder, only to then jumped slightly, startled by Waverley's sudden appearance. How long had she been watching them for? Had he been in a more jovial mood, he might have teasingly told Waverley that just looking would cost her $20. But now wasn't the time. Everyone was in so much pain. He needed to make sure that the people closest to him were safe. The door swung open to reveal his brother and Jack instantly lied to all of their faces. 

	[i]"Maybe don't do this..."[/i]

	[color=DBA1DE]"Jackie, I know that you're feeling heartbroken about Lexi. But we're going to find your daughter, I promise!"[/color] Casper swore. [color=DBA1DE]"How hard can finding a little six year old mutant be anyways? You're a detective! James is super smart! And I've got the rockin' bod that gets us access to anywhere we need to go!"[/color] 

	[i]"... in front of Waverley,"[/i] Ben finished. He wondered why he even bothered. 

	James then had the good idea to point out that they ought to tell Veil before they went anywhere. Maybe Veil knew something about Lexi - she was the leader of the Washington D.C. Underground station, she had a personal relationship with all the other station leaders. She could put out a description of what Lexi looked like and get information back quickly. She also could call Xavier, ask him to use Cerebro, and spare Casper from having to speak to his father. [color=DBA1DE]"Let's tell Veil, we can pack some stuff, and we can road trip to New Orleans... Or where were you sexually active about six years ago, Jackie? We should start there. Do you remember who Lexi's mom was?"[/color]

	Casper then blinked, seeing the dead rat appear on the ground. [color=DBA1DE]"...Is that Sunshine's pet?"[/color][hr][hr][center][h3][b][color=#DAF7A6]Sunshine[/color][/b][/h3][img]https://i.postimg.cc/fLzs6CB3/Sunshine-S2.gif[/img][hr][hr][b][color=#DAF7A6]Location:[/color][/b] Mutant Underground Hideout - First Floor: Dining Room
[b][color=#DAF7A6]Skills:[/color][/b] N/A [hr][/center]	Sunshine glanced up from her empty Capri sun, having sucked all of the juice out of it. Her granola bar had similarly been devoured. Her stomach was aching with hunger, yet she didn't dare take more than just that. They didn't have enough food for everyone to be fed appropriately. If she ate more food, then someone else in the Underground wouldn't get to eat at all. Going on a mission would help to distract her from being hungry - and maybe she'd be able to steal some food while they were out. Could she convince Sapphire to call her agent friend to get them some chicken fingers? 

	[color=#DAF7A6]"What's the mission?"[/color] Sunshine asked Spark Plug, getting up and throwing her garbage in the trash can. She had no idea if it would be something as simple as a supply run - which meant food, a bonus in her book - or if it was something more complicated, like rescuing mutants in trouble. That was also pretty fun. She liked using her powers over disease to make Purifiers ill. They so easily gave into a fever, succumbing to the ground and vomiting their guts out. 

	Of course, her secret ambition was to get a working bow and arrow. She had perfect aim. And she liked archery, having gotten to try it once when she and her found family had gone "camping." What really had happened was they were avoiding the cities and ended up finding a summer camp that wasn't in use during the winter, letting them have access to the cabins and archery range and all until the ranger found them and drove them out.