[center][h1][b][i][color=A2797E]Sabine[/color] and [color=42A9FF]April[/color] Bust Some Cheaters[/i][/b][/h1][/center][center][img]https://images.steamusercontent.com/ugc/1660102810270915462/89963B5EF78D66011C5CAC5EFE9FCE43ADCCAAB3/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false[/img][img]https://media3.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExNmJsb2V2eHc0ZmVqZGwxbmhwY3g0dHpvaW90MDBvMmtmcHo0MzY5cyZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/2URZlHvEIzKjDKY6GJ/giphy.gif[/img][/center][center][/center][hr][center][color=A2797E][b]Location[/b][/color]: New Orleans: Hotel
[color=42A9FF][b]Gear[/b][/color]: N/A
[color=A2797E][b]Skills[/b][/color]: Perception, Acting
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Sabine had to admit this side of April was incredibly hot. It had been a battle she had been waging in her head for a while now. She had doubted herself on numerous occasions, wondering if she made the right call when she shifted a memory, locked something out, implanted something new, or even just read the most recent thoughts. Messing with people’s autonomy wasn’t something to be taken lightly.

But April was right. She could do good with these powers she had. She knew a villain wouldn’t pause to decide if their powers would hurt another or mess with them. She just had to be mindful and make the best decision. Ultimately, decide if it was justified and not determine she knew best.

Her phone vibrated in her pocket, and she checked. A message from Vision. She wondered if he was checking to see if she had found proof or not. She read the message.

Excelsior had won.

Sabine read it again. She nearly dropped her phone. [color=A2797E]”Holy shit, they won? They won!”[/color] Sabine nearly collided into April to give her a hug but stopped herself. They weren’t there. Yet.

But now….what would she do? She was here to find proof of the Hex Girls cheating in the event that her team lost, but was there a point? Then Sabine remembered that it was likely one of the Hex Girls had messed with Leah and used her father and, in turn, nearly messed with Sabine and April.

So no, they had to pay.

[color=A2797E]”You coming?”[/color] Sabine led April inside the hotel and strolled up to the front desk. [color=A2797E]”Hello, I am so sorry to bother you and I can respect guest privacy, but I was wondering if you knew who it was that checked the Hex Girls team into their room tonight? I heard about their recent loss and wanted to send a gift with my condolences.”[/color]

“A fan, huh?” The hostess, Astrid her name tag read, glanced around for a second before leaning in. “It was actually me. Let me see what you're sending and I'll put it in their room for them.”

Sabine figured this would happen. She had an idea, but she needed help. She quickly turned to April and whispered [color=A2797E][i]”Distract her, I have a plan.”[/i][/color]

They’d won? 

They’d won!

April’s brain short circuited, fully frozen for a good sixty seconds. She was aware of Sabine talking with the front desk lady, yes, but that awareness was relegated to the background. Her heart was pounding as a fresh wave of adrenaline hit her. 

They’d fucking won!

And as Sabine turned to her, whispering for a distraction, April acted without any impulse control. There was one distraction and one distraction only that came to mind. She grabbed Sabine by the shirt collar and kissed her. 

“Um…” Astrid looked back and forth between the two who'd suddenly sprung a kiss in front of her. “Congrats, I guess, but maybe let your freak flag fly not in my lobby?”

Sabine felt heat rise to her cheeks as April kissed her. All at once she felt uncertain and worried, but also at her best. She did ask for a distraction, after all. Sabine attempted to send her mind into Astrid’s memory to find the room, but…this was odd…Sabine tried and tried and couldn’t do it.

Sabine knew the feeling when her powers didn’t work. This was not it. Something or someone was blocking her attempt. Though she didn’t want to, she released from April and quickly scanned around her, noting nothing out of the ordinary and nothing off. 

She returned her attention back to Astrid. [color=A2797E]”I am so sorry! We got caught up in the moment. I forgot I left the gift in my own room. I’ll go grab it quickly and be right back!”[/color] She pulled April away from the desk and, once safely out of earshot, spoke up. [color=A2797E]”Someone blocked my attempt to get into her head. I don’t think it was her, which means we are being observed.”[/color] Sabine decided not to speak about the kiss just yet, though every fibre of her being wanted to.

Even April was stunned by her own actions, as Sabine pulled her away from the desk. But she didn’t find herself regretting them. Her lips felt like they were tingling, and the euphoric feeling of victory hadn’t left her body. 

[color=42A9FF]“So… what’s the plan, then?”[/color] If someone had prevented Sabine from using her powers, and they were being watched… did they want to pursue that? They’d beaten the Hex Girls. They didn’t need to prove that they’d cheated to move onto the next round. They could let this go. Unless this was about more than just winning - if this was about morality. 

She glanced back at the desk, at Astrid. Maybe someone here in the hotel was trying to protect the Hex Girls. 

Sabine shook her head. [color=A2797E]”I don’t know. This is more than just the cheating thing. We won so it is what it is, but even with a loss the Hex Girls will be praised for their efforts and maybe they don’t deserve that. Also I am reasonably sure one of them at least was behind messing with Leah regarding her father. So if someone is protecting them, then they know we know. I wish I could like…scan everyone’s memory in the vicinity to see if I can find them.”[/color]

April pursed her lips, considering for a moment. If there was someone here protecting the Hex Girls, someone powerful enough to rebuff Sabine, she wasn’t sure how they’d be able to find them. Most telepaths were tricky that way - even among mutants, they tended to just look like ordinary humans. And she doubted anyone would willingly give themselves away. However… They [i]did[/i] happen to know some folks who had expertise in this area - one of who just happened to be a teacher at the academy. [color=42A9FF]”Maybe we get some help from Max?”[/color] she suggested. [color=42A9FF]”He might have some ideas?”[/color]

[color=A2797E]”That’s a good idea.”[/color] Sabine pulled out her phone. Max had provided his contact after he spoke to her after she royally messed things up. She sent off a message to him. 

[color=A2797E][i]”Max, there’s something going down at the hotel. The Hex Girls cheated and more than likely tried to mess with Leah before the match. I know we won, but I don’t think they should get away with it. But I’m trying to use my powers here at the hotel to find their room but someone is blocking me from using my powers and I can’t find out who. Can you help?”[/i][/color]