Almalthia

X-Men: The New Era - Avalon Rising

Kaylee Everose

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<sub>Miss Everose

In my absence, I ask that you give the following exercise to Aya. This is an older technique and one with which I am sure you are familiar. I have consistently found it to be one of the most effective and trust you will administer it with the utmost diligence. Present these four sealed envelopes to Aya and ensure that she absolutely does not attempt to discover any of the information therein by withdrawing from her body to access the Astral Plane. It is critical that this step be followed exactly. To reinforce, please have her record her visions by hand. This will assist in keeping her grounded throughout the exercise. Allow her between 20-30 minutes for each envelope or until she feels that she no longer has anything more to record, then have her seal the results herself. To keep the integrity of the exercise, and as you know, it is imperative that you do not read the recorded contents of her vision or present yourself as anything other than a strictly impartial proctor for this work.

Leave the final contents in a sealed envelope on my desk at the completion of the exercise.

-Dr. Ashford</sub>

Kaylee sighed and read the flowing script admitting that it looked much more feminine than the man who wrote it. Once again Ashford had decided to leave her out of the loop. Kaylee had a vested interest in Aya’s development of her powers. She saw so much of herself in the girl. She wanted to help but not in a way that would hinder or inhibit Aya’s progress.

Checking on Aya so Kaylee could assure herself that Aya was alright. The young girl had seemed to heal well enough but Kaylee wanted to speak with her before the test. Kaylee stood and collected the black envelopes with silver lettering clearly marked one through four in Roman numerals. Fingerings the envelopes Kaylee sighed and walked out of her office.

Arrowing to the class that Aya was going to be in. Kaylee found herself wondering if Aya would be happy or worried that Kaylee was pulling her out of class to test her powers. She was hoping for the former rather than the latter.

Arriving at the class Kaylee knocked on the door.
_@c3p-0h

X-Men: The New Era - Avalon Rising

Collaboration with @Almalthia, @Pilatus, @Silver Carrot & @Damo021

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Finally

“So yes,” Heidi continued. “Ayel. He talked in a bizarre, old-fashioned dramatic way, like a Shakespeare play or something similar. There was something very Quixote-esque about him. I wouldn’t call him harmless, but talking into people’s heads was all he had the ambition to do that night. Jason was there too.

Aya came back to her senses, and told us the name of the location where Uná was being taken; Nocturne. I happened to know where Nocturne was, because I’d seen it on google maps several days earlier, as one of many buildings in the area. So Ayel and I left Aya to Jason, and set off after Uná. Ayel could also....fly. Well, more like levitate. I’m not sure what other abilities he could have but once we got to Nocturne, we entered through the fire escape and split up. He searched up, I searched down. And I never saw him again.

He killed every henchman he came across. which was most of them, as he found Lex first. That was the name of the one who kidnapped Uná. I don’t know what they talked about. Uná herself might know. I was downstairs. I took down a few guards and rendered them unconscious but it soon became apparent that I was looking in the wrong place. So I went up. I found the bodies, and no Ayel. He’s still out there but I’m not sure if that’s something we need to worry about yet.

The sprinklers got set off shortly before I got to the room with Lex and Uná. Before I could find out too much, Uná turned invisible. I got closer, close enough to see the dance floor from the window.

There was a man on fire. And it wasn’t getting put out by the sprinklers. And they weren’t flailing. They were calm and deliberate. Just looking at them was the first time that crazy night I felt truly frightened.

Lex went to confront them. I picked up Uná and slowly started making my way to the entrance. Once we got there, we saw you two,” Heidi gestured to both Kaylee and Cleo. “And everyone else. And then we were stopped by what I’ve since deduced must have been an illusion of Lex. You probably know the rest. You were there.

So that was my perspective of the night’s events. Anything you need clarified or expanded upon?”

Cole rubbed both hands over his face slowly as they were scantly out of the car and it felt like she was calling a staff meeting. He did not like being called Mr. St John. Cleo had barely got a word in before Kaylee had turned on Heidi like a recording. He listened as she talked, stepping over to a concrete parking block and sitting down so he could watch the waves as the story was recounted. The rest of the evening was news to him. He hadn’t seen what happened in Avalon and only knew that it had basically been destroyed and that somehow Ashford managed to cover it up. He shook his head slowly as the story continued; his stoic expression hidden as he sat facing the beach in the dark.

“The man on fire, Heidi” He said finally, not turning his head. “Describe him, what did he look like?”

Heidi shuddered slightly as she recalled the memories. ”He was wearing leather, like a biker. He was dragging a large chain behind him on the floor. He wasn’t all burning. Just his hands and his head. He was wearing some kind of skull helmet, I think. I could have been a real skull. And...it wasn’t just him in fire. His footprints burned as did the trail of the chain, and the fire looked like it was spreading from them to the rest of the room.”

“How the hell do you remember what that guy even said?” Cleo interjected after Heidi had finished. “Oh… Forget I asked that.” Cleo paced a moment in thought, she couldn’t remember everything she was drunk. But some bits did begin to come back when she thought hard enough about it, she was fidgeting with her hands as the night was an uncomfortable one.

“Oh where to begin…. Okay so yeah I remember hearing a voice in my head just like Heidi amazingly remembered. Oh and Nik and Uná were dancing together. I think at some point I was on the dance floor before I saw Uná dancing with some really pale white guy, yeah he was pale white” She reassured herself.

“So yeah I was dancing the night away before there was this huge ass loud roar, all hell broke loose, to be honest I didn’t know what was going on, then there were gunshots, like lots of them, then... Then I saw it, this thing, a monster.” Cleo paused a moment in hesitation. She partially removed her leather jacket, gingerly pulling out her right arm from it’s sleeve, she then slight pulled down her arm sleeve and lifted up short sleeve of her shirt to reveal the small bandage covering where she got shot, she kept it secret from everyone while playing the lovely smile all day while still being in a bit of pain.

“I was shot when trying to save someone on the floor, I lost sight of Heidi, Uná and Aya..” A tear had begun to run down her face. “I saw a man die.” She cleared her throat before covering her arm back up. “Drake and Nik were still in the club and stood up to the monster, I grabbed a broken barstool leg and joined up with them to take it on. I know probably stupid thing to do. We attacked it and I managed to drive the barstool piece into its leg, I think I only made it angry, because all I can remember from the fight was being thrown by it and everything went black.”

“Next thing I remember, I woke up in a car, you were there, Miss Everose. We turned up at another club, it was darkened out if I remember correctly. Then that pale guy was there holding Uná, he wouldn’t let her go, I managed to sneak into a lit up side entrance using my abilities and ran from behind taking Uná out of his crasp, but I didn’t see Heidi and ended up crashing on the floor and failing to rescue them. I felt useless at that point, I couldn’t even save my friends”

Cleo Sighed. “After that I don’t know, It was all bloody confusing. After that, Uná started doing some weird things, Attacked Miss Everose and…I pleaded with her to stop, I couldn’t do anything.” A couple more tears ran down her face. “I am sorry miss, I couldn’t help you. So I just ran up to her and punched her as hard as I could in the face. It was the only thing I could think of doing. Everything seemed to stop, Uná was like standing in front of the place which was on fire and collapsed and not where I punched her, it’s all very confusing but she scares me, I have not felt right ever since”.

It was quite apparent that Heidi was taking this better than Cleo as Kaylee watched both girls go over the night. Heidi was detached and logical. Cleo was an emotional wreck. Sighing inwardly Kaylee came from around the car and put her arm around Cleo’s shoulder. "Hey hey. Shhh. We are here to help you all learn control. You and I both know that if Uná had been in control it wouldn't have happened. She looked terrified when the illusion broke last night. No one here, besides the staff, has full control of their powers."

Kaylee looked over at Cole. Heidi had just put everything out there that Cole said. She wasn't sure that he wanted it known what exactly he had done. At this point now the only reason she had to talk to Uná about the night in question was to take a pulse check on her mental health. Which brought her back around to Cleo. Looking back down at Cleo Kaylee went on. "Cleo we need to get you checked out by the nurse. I know things are difficult. I've been there. I was young at one point too. I'm here so you can hunt me down anytime. Now how do you think Uná feels, humm? Bet she's heartbroken and just scared if not more scared than you are." She looked back at Cole, worry and unsaid the weight of questions hung in the air.

Cole listened to Heidi’s recounting of the night, still just watching the waves as she spoke and listening to their rhythm over the sound of her voice. The sound of fear in her words prickled around a familiar feeling in his chest. He had never seen himself, but he had a sense for his appearance just in brief glimpses. When the time came, he was too focused to care. The sensation was far too overwhelming, like he was the final enactment of some law of nature, as natural as gravity. The wicked paid the price. There were no deals and no second chances. Judgment was final. He rubbed his chest uneasily as she described the man on fire.

He let a breath out slowly as Cleo gave her story, feeling his pulse calm a few beats per minute. The apparition the others encountered was not something he could explain, though he felt no remorse about not being there to help. His purpose was dictated firmly for that night and he had followed it through to completion. Everything else was an aside. He stood up and crossed his arms as Kaylee attempted to console Cleo. The ocean wind ruffled his hair as his thoughts churned. What he wanted to say, as the young girl sobbed, he wasn’t sure about. Once it was out there, he wouldn’t be able to take it back. Heidi was like a human recorder. Nothing would escape her memory and he wasn’t sure how they would react. He turned around and looked at them for a moment. “It was me that you saw, Heidi,” He said finally, knowing she could read lips. “I’m not a mutant, it’s... something else.” He paused for a moment and let a breath out slowly. “And neither is Una.”

Cleo leaned gently into Kaylee when she put her arm around her, her mind had been racing through so many thoughts that she really never stopped to take stock and assess. But it did feel relaxing at least when the teacher was consoling her. ”I know, it just sucks ya’ know. Maybe, but can you imagine me staying still for more than five minutes?, but thank you”. Cleo managed a faint smile to Kaylee for her caring efforts, Maybe she could spend some time with Aya.

Cleo began listening to Cole, he was still a man with few words and Cleo wondered why he was here with them, but from what Heidi said she saw it could be possible he was there, he seemed to confirm it and what he and apparently Uná was. “Wait what?” Was all she could come out with at the revelation, a concern and probably even more worry appeared on her features. Just what the hell was she? “I got a lot to think about.” She murmured quietly.

Heidi also had a lot to think about, but given her power, she had already processed this information by the time Cleo had stopped talking. Her brow was creased. It was hard to tell whether she was scared, angry or both, but whatever it was she was trying to restrain it. So, she wasn’t emotionless after all. She looked Cole in the eyes.

“I have a lot of questions, but...what happened to Lex? The guy with the white hair. What happened to him?”

Cole’s expression was unmoving at the mention of “Lex” by Heidi. There was something about the memory of any one of his marks that felt satisfying like he had fixed something that was wrong with the universe and in all honesty, just like he had decribed to Kaylee before, he wanted to tell them about a scorching inferno that erased the man from reality, but knew it would be better to spare them the grim details of Lex’s final moments. He could already tell that Kaylee was absolutely mortified that he had shared his opinion about Una in front of two students. “He didn’t survive the fire,” Cole said, answering Heidi. “When the building collapsed, he didn’t make it.”

X-Men: The New Era - Avalon Rising

@KatKookAbsolutely! You bringing Khloe back?

Sol City Modern Slice of life - Chapter 3 - (all welcome new and old)

Siobhan

Location: University; Developing photos

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Mentions: Joel @Pilatus

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Siobhan smiled at the noise as a warm feeling filled her at the sound of Joel's voice. "Well hello Speed Racer. I'm done with the prints at the college just picking everything up. I was headed over to the shop…"

Something was off. Siobhan looked around as she came out of the Theater & Art building. People liked to joke and call it the T 'n A building but it never caught on in certain crowds. As she exited Siobhan saw that her car wasn't the only car in the lot. Which wasn't a big deal. It was a university after all. "Joel something is off. Or maybe Paige is rubbing off on me. But stay with me for a second."

Smiling brightly and forcing herself to stay calm as she observed the scene. Siobhan started to notice what was off. "Yeah I can run by and pick up a couple of things. No problem. I'll just be a little longer. Love you too Speed Racer." She muted the phone and instead of putting it in her pocket she slipped it in her bra.

Siobhan smiled but it didn't reach her eyes. Looking around she noticed at once that the guys hanging out were a little too casual. Unlike most of the students who would dress as presentable as possible or they'd dress to not care. These guys dressed to be overlooked and it triggered an internal alarm.

Siobhan was pulling her keys out of her pocket just as someone approached her. Her stomach tossed as he looked at her and smiled. It felt like slime running down her back and she smiled back mechanically. "Hello are you new or lost? You don't look familiar. Can I help out?" She didn't really want to. He was creeping her out. Plus she could feel eyes on the back of her and it was starting to become really scary. But this could be nothing or it could be more. She really hoped it wasn't.

X-Men: The New Era - Avalon Rising

Collaboration with @Almalthia, @Pilatus, @Silver Carrot & @Damo021

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Part 2

Kaylee stopped the car and got out. Leaning back in she looked at both the girls as she pocketed her keys. "Well are you two getting out or just gonna sit there and stare?"

The smell of the tangy sharp salt from the ocean hit Kaylee and she breathed deep. The roar of the waves was a soothing dull crash of white noise. She straightened and closed the driver's side door softly. She leaned against the car lightly waiting for her students to exit.

The engine popped through its raucous chorus as Cole dropped another gear and glided down the small roadway into the mostly vacant lot where Kaylee’s car was parked. His shadow crept beneath dim orange street lights as he glanced past the car towards the beach seeing a few figures strolling by and others out just enjoying the contrast of the night versus the still blazing daylight sun. Pulling into the next space he shut the engine off and dropped the kickstand, running a hand over his face and through his wind-ruffled hair. He could feel the accumulation of a day riding in the open air on his skin along with the smell of exhaust in his t-shirt and jeans. Glancing over at Kaylee and the girls, it felt odd that they had only just seen one another a few hours ago and being around students outside the campus seemed to infer an unusual sense of informality. He briefly glanced at his watch seeing that his estimate on time had been fairly accurate and they couldn’t have been waiting for very long before nodding his head in greeting. “Hey,”

When the car stopped, Cleo had been staring out the window looking at the beach. One would think she had not seen one before but in reality it had just been that long since she had gone to one, It took her a few moments to realize the car was parked up, and that was because Kayleee had spoken up.

Unbuckling the seat belt, Cleo opened the passenger door and stepped out, the smell of salt and crisp air hit her senses and took a moment to take it all in. “Sorry, It has been a while” Cleo spoke as she rounded the car in time to hear the soft sounds of their locale being disrupted by the sound of a loud engine of a bike.

Soon enough the bike pulled up to reveal some hot guy, however she had a strange sense again, it felt…. Familiar to earlier but again she could not understand it and instead remained speechless staring at the guy for both those reasons.

Heidi also got out of the car, and looked around. Now this was a beach. Of course, there had been beaches back home, around the Firth of Forth, but they were a two-for-one deal with biting cold sub-zero winds from the North Sea. She turned back to Cleo, Kaylee and Cole, so that if anyone said anything, she’d catch it.

”So, we came all this way to talk. I’m assuming it was to be away from ears at the Institute. So, let’s start.” Heidi remarked, looking a little unsure of herself. She was trying to ignore her brain as it started thinking up hundreds of reasons.

Kaylee smiled at Heidi's enthusiasm. She rather liked the girl. Not that she didn't like any of the students but some she understood more than others. "I wanted to make sure I knew what exactly happened last night. I also wanted to let you know that no one is directly at fault for what happened. No one." She looked pointedly at Cleo for that last statement. "I asked Mr. St. John to join us because you girls might have some insight into what we could do to better protect the school. We'll start with Heidi first then move on to Cleo. Mr. St. John or I may ask a few questions so forgive the interruption beforehand." She signed to Heidi 'Please go ahead' and waited for the girl.

Heidi nodded, before starting her story. She contemplated omitting Ayel from her story, but she saw no reason to keep his involvement a secret. It complicates the story, but better to include him than not. ”So, at the club, things started getting unusual when every mutant there heard a voice in their head. Including me. And I don’t hear voices very often so that caught my full attention. I can remember what it said, too;

‘To the lonely souls lost in the world, to the forsaken and depressed. Do not be afraid, there is no need to cry, no more need to run away or hide. I am one of you, you not alone. We are the chosen ones, the ones whom are currently being oppressed. Where we are forced to hide from sight, where we are called freaks and monsters. We are not monsters my brothers and sisters, we are a different branch of mankind. So I urge you to leave where you are hiding, find others like yourselves out there. Tomorrow I will guide you to where we can all meet. Under a new light. A beacon to guide us to the future which is waiting for us. Seek love and passion, and go forth... with my prayer.’

Shortly after this, I saw Uná sitting with a stranger with white hair. And then, a monster appeared in the club. Some of the others who were there started fighting it, but I noticed the stranger carrying an unconscious Uná out of the club, so I followed. I saw a car drive away which I correctly assumed was the one they were in, and spotted Aya in a trance, so stayed by her. Then a good samaritan approached us to help. His name was Ayel. As I’d learn later, he was the one who’d spoken in everyone’s heads.”

Kaylee nodded. "Please continue." The gesture for the sign smooth and practiced.

X-Men: The New Era - Avalon Rising

Collaboration with @Almalthia, @Pilatus, @Silver Carrot & @Damo021

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Part 1

Kaylee was still brooding over the events of earlier today as 9:30 rolled around that evening. Well night really. She still hadn't caught up with Heidi about last night's events. Plus she'd heard about the little incident with Cleo and Uná. Shaking her head she looked down at her schedule and penciled in the redhead for tomorrow.

She wanted Uná to know that Kaylee's door was always open and that someone cared about what happened to her. Uná also needed to know that Kaylee didn't blame her for her loss of control with her powers. That's why these kids were here. So that they could learn control in a safe environment. Not to mention that Kaylee wanted to know Uná's perspective on the incident but after she talked to Heidi and Cleo.

Getting up Kaylee pulled out her phone and dialed Cole. She wanted him to know what she was up to since he was security. It was important for him to know who came and went and why. She just hoped that she wasn’t waking him up.

California One felt like it had to be one of the most picturesque roadways on the planet. The sun bleached pavement that divided rock escarpment and sand sat in front of a deep blue that covered over a quarter of the Earth seemed to be tailor made for a bike and after leaving the Institute earlier in the day, Cole set about what he had originally planned for the weekend until the events of the previous night had shifted perspectives for a while. The evening sun cast a painted explosion of oranges, reds and violet over the horizon while waves crashed white against beachrock in a steady rhythm he could only hear in his mind over the howling exhaust beneath him. He leaned the bike through another long bend glancing behind his sunglasses at the scenery and at the road ahead. It probably would have been a good afternoon to take Kaylee along, but after the morning, he felt like some distance was needed. She was torn between what he was trying to explain and what she had seen with her own eyes. There were still questions- on both sides, many of which science and logic would not explain. The conversation played through his head multiple times since he had set off on a giant circuit that was bringing him back down CA-1 into Los Angeles.

It was properly evening when he rolled into a small filling station on the outskirts of town fully intending to fill his stomach and his fuel tank where the prices were considerably cheaper before turning in for the night. Downing an energy drink he watched the container ships moving slowly across the water in the distance sitting atop a picnic table. An old song played faintly through an even older, weatherbeaten speaker mixed with the continual movement of traffic and jet engines in the pattern for LAX. His mind was clear for a moment, but his stomach growled a reminding protest. With some reluctance, he pulled out his phone.Though he knew of several local places, he was also partly in the mood for something new. Thumbing up and down the map at the myriad of options a call broke through the screen: It was Kaylee.

He gave a slight sigh and partly felt guilty about it. His eyes glanced up at the time as he debated answering, reasoning she would send a text if it was really important. They had parted ways earlier when she seemed to not have time for Heidi and it was a conversation for which he didn’t particularly want to be present. She needed to learn the truth from an unbiased source, not one she was forming an emotional attachment. He looked at her name as the phone vibrated in his hand and with some hesitancy, went ahead and swiped his thumb to answer.

"Hey Cole. I wanted to let you know that I was going to take a couple of the students off campus so I could talk to them. Get them away from the pressure of school and see if they open up about last night, as well as an incident earlier today. I'm going to take Cleo and Heidi out to the beach. Did you want to be there?"

Kaylee was texting Heidi as she had Cole on speaker phone. With Heidi being deaf she wanted to give the girl some warning. Cleo was another matter. Cleo, as adorable as she was, was a troublemaker.

Hello Heidi. I'd like to talk to you and Cleo about last night and see if you're processing it in a healthy way. Can I come in? ~K. Everose Kaylee was at Heidi's door as she sent the text and took Cole off of speaker phone.

Almost the second after the text was sent, the door opened, and Heidi stood there. It was as if she’d taken a split-second glance at her phone then came straight to the door. In fact, that’s exactly what had happened. Heidi looked a little unsure of herself. Truthfully there was a lot she wanted to talk about, but this wasn't the right place.

”Thanks for coming. I wanted to talk to you earlier, but it seemed like a bad time. I...do need to talk about this with somebody. So, are we going to get Cleo now or is she meeting us wherever we’re going?” Heidi answered. It seemed she wasn’t even aware she’d skipped a few steps. Maybe she was finally starting to get used to her mutation.

Kaylee blinked. "Hold on Cole. You're welcome Heidi. I'm sorry I was busy grading some papers and approving some transfers. There are some students that come and go. Then there are others coming in. I'm sure you met some of them today or you may tomorrow or during the week. I'm here now and we're going to get Cleo on the way. You might want a jacket, we're going off campus." She smiled reassuringly and pointed over her shoulder to Cleo’s room.

Moving to the center of the hall Kaylee went back to the phone conversation. "Sorry about that Cole. I'm getting them right now. What's your take on this?" She looked back to Heidi to make sure she was alright and getting ready.

Part 2

Cole had scantly got a ‘hello’ out before Kaylee was inviting him to meet up with her and two of the students. Suddenly, despite having just knocked back an energy drink, the prospect of going home and going to bed was seeming much more appealing. On the other hand though, the fact that she wanted to get them away from the Institute to talk felt like a passive admission that she, like him, was getting suspicious of Dr. Malcolm Ashford. He let her talk for a moment, glancing down at his watch and looking at the bike as the still warm engine ticked over quietly in the dim light. “I’m a little ways out of town,” He said. “I can probably meet you at Dockweiler in thirty or fourty-five minutes or so.”

"Alright I'll see you there then." Kaylee was aware that she hadn't said the name of the place outright on her end. Maybe she was being paranoid but with her responsibilities... then again maybe not. She tucked the phone into her cardigan inner pocket. She stepped up to Cleo’s door and knocked.

Heidi, who had quickly slipped on some jeans, sneakers and a cardigan, quickly joined her side.

For one to think that Cleo would be sound asleep at this time of night would be gravely mistaken. On the weekends she stayed up normally gaming or doing something troublesome. Like banging on peoples doors and vanishing, being careful which doors she picked. She was getting ready to sneak out her room when a knock came on her door, someone just beat her to the punch. But again like earlier she got this vague sense, it didn’t feel the same but it was there, it was driving her mad in her own mind.

Slowly and quietly she opened the door a little. Her head suddenly appeared at the small gap “Miss Everose, Heidi?” She whispered in surprise. “Whatever it was, I swear I didn’t do it.”, she thought it odd that a teacher and another student would be knocking this time of night.

Kaylee raised an eyebrow at Cleo’s response. "I dare not ask why you jumped to that conclusion, just yet. No matter, for now. Collect your jacket. We have things to talk about and we're not doing it here. I'm not forgetting the fact that you looked like you were out to stir up something before I knocked on your door." She smirked and waited for Cleo to grab her jacket.

They headed down to Kaylee's car. Turning to the two girls Kaylee smirked at Cleo. "Heidi gets shotgun." Kaylee had picked up a little ASL when she found out that one of the students would be deaf, but had yet to use it. Now was as good a time as any. Granted she was still working through it but she had the basics down. "Let's go girls." She signed for Heidi's benefit.

Hitting the key fob Kaylee unlocked the car and got in.

Heidi’s smile showed that she did genuinely appreciate the gesture of being spoken to in ASL, and she responded by signing ‘Thank you’ in response, before speaking aloud. ”Though I can read your lips, so as long as you’re facing me when you talk, we can hold a verbal conversation. Still, I do appreciate the gesture.”

Heidi got in the passenger seat of the car, and buckled up.

Cleo couldn’t hide her grin as she swayed like a little innocent girl. “What little ol’ me?” However her eyes did light up at the mention of her jacket. “A late night road trip? Awesome!” she said, trying to avoid being too loud, she quickly went in and grabbed her black leather jacket before heading out with the other two.

Heading down to Kaylee's car, Cleo was belining for the front passenger seat when her beloved teacher smiled at her and called Heidi shotgun. “Bu… Bu... Bu… Fine” she admitted in defeat. Once sorted Cleo jumped in the back before leaning forward. “So where are we going? Not another nightclub I hope.” Cleo loves drinking as much as the next person, but she could go through another action replay of last night.

As Kaylee started the car she turned her head toward Cleo so that Heidi could catch what she was saying as well. "No. No night clubs till all of you are old enough. Without fake IDs." Raising an eyebrow she pointedly looked at Cleo’s lack of a seat belt and as the girl settled back and put it on Kaylee drove out of the lot.

Settling into driving Kaylee decided to fill the silence. Reaching over to lightly touch Heidi on the arm she waited until she could feel the girl's eyes on her. Signing 'Thank you' she continued. "I often needed a place that I could open up and talk about things freely. When you're young and struggling with things others don't understand it's important to know that you can relax. So I would, oftentimes find myself walking trails in my Virginia home town. I found nature soothing. Understandable with the fact that I can see auras and read energies." She paused and let that sink in.

Weaving into light traffic Kaylee headed past the main bulk of the city. "Sometimes you have to understand how everything fits together to realize how to proceed. Or you need a moment away to know what you did was wrong. But you can't get that if you're constantly bombarded by your own self importance. My escapes to a location where I could breathe freely helped me think things through."

They were passing the airport and Kaylee made the turn off for Dockweiler Beach. "When I came out to California it was a big change. And at first I didn't have anywhere I could go to get away. But I found a place. I'm not taking you there but there's something I found peaceful about a beach at night time that is...soothing and relaxing that I think will help you both."

X-Men: The New Era - Avalon Rising

Collaboration with @Almalthia & @c3p-0h

Part 1

Uná watched as night fell and looked down at her phone. I wonder where Aya is? I should have gone to see her but I really had homework to do so I could spend some time with Nikki. She blushed as she remembered the dance and the kiss. It felt so...right. Like it was meant to be. Unfortunately those thoughts lead to others as she went over the night in her mind.

Save for the times she was unconscious she remembered everything perfectly. Well as perfectly as any human can recall. Unless you're Heidi. I wouldn't want that power if you paid my a million dollars a day to have it. She swallowed and tucked her legs up to her chest sitting on her bed, her back against the headboard. Laying her cheek against her knees.

Aya pulled the door of her shared room open, and paused when she saw Uná.

“Oh… Uná.” Aya realized that she hadn’t actually thought of what she would say when she found her roommate. Where was she even supposed to begin? Hey, I think you have a split personality and are maybe part of the royal family of a group of supernatural beings and also they’re hunting you.

Yeah. That was a conversation Aya was fully prepared to have.

“...Hey.”

Good start, Aya.

“How… how are you?”

Uná looked up as Aya came through the door. She tilted her head back and forth then wrinkled her nose. "Well I could be worse. So much worse. But I'm good. Are you okay?"

Uná faced Aya turning on the bed and letting her knees fall apart then criss-cross. She still had on her running outfit minus her shoes. The look of concern and guilt for being the one that got them all into this mess reflected on her face.

Aya blinked. She didn’t know why she was taken off-guard by the question — why wouldn’t Uná ask if she was alright? She’d spent the last night in the hospital wing after passing out from overexerting her powers. Still, Aya had to take a moment to get her mind back in order. She closed the door behind her, moving to sit on her own bed across from Uná. She dropped her bag on the floor.

“I’m alright.” Relatively speaking. “I think I was just tired.” Definitely not. “There was a lot going on.” Understatement.

Raising eyebrows Uná thought that Aya was making light of the situation but decided to let Aya set the pace for that conversation. "Cleo is scared of me. Nik hesitated. I saw it but he didn't scream at me. I didn't mean to hurt anyone. I don't know what happened."

Lying to your best friend is great. You know you panicked and lost control waaaaayyyy before you saw the others.

The guilt on Uná's face said it all. She blamed herself. It was the same with her parents. She'd hurt them that night. Well her powers had but she should be able to control them to some degree. But she couldn't. Story of my life; lose control and hurt people.

Part 2

Aya’s instincts kicked in the moment she saw Uná’s distress. “Hey,” she said, moving to Uná’s side of the room. Aya sat next to her, a hand on her back. Her eyebrows drew together. “No one thinks you meant to hurt anyone. I think… we just all got in over our heads last night, y’know? But we’re ok. We’re all still here.” Her hand was going up and down Uná’s back in slow, soothing motions. She offered a weak smile. “No harm done.”

The smile Uná sent back to Aya was just as weak as Aya's. "Yeah try telling that to Cleo. Hesitation I understand. Well sort of. I mean I forgave Nik as soon as he took my hand. But it was disappointing. Then that girl...ugh. Veronica or Vanessa something like that. She was a jerk to Heidi and I couldn't let that slide. I did offer an olive branch after I made it clear that she had no right to talk to anyone that way. But she threw a fit saying she was dragged into it. Did someone hold a gun to her? If there was one I sure didn't see it."

Sighing heavily Uná rested her head on Aya's shoulder. "I missed you. You'd have been so much better at getting people to pull together than me. I screwed it up. Lose control and I turn into a monster. My powers turned on me. Have you ever lost control?"

Looking up at Aya with a question that reached out screaming "I can't be normal". The pleading in her eyes faded as Uná shook her head. "I'm sorry that was pushy of me. And I promised you that I wouldn't pry. You don't have to answer, I understand."

Aya’s hand paused on Uná’s back. She looked up at their ceiling, tiny glow-in-the-dark constellations that they’d glued to it a dull yellow color in the sunlight.

Her mind flashed to those three terrifying days when her power had trapped her and a terrified classmate. She thought of all the days she’d spent trying to activate her power again to fix what she’d broken — trying to bring Kainoa back to his body. She thought of the Sluagh, and the way its claws bled fear into her body like poison, and how the only thing in Aya’s mind was the overwhelming need to get away. There’d been a force, she remembered, like the sonic boom of a ruptured sound barrier, blasting everything away from the focal point. And then… nothing.

She’d still never told Uná about her power. Professor Everose had an intimate knowledge of it from their sessions, and she’d demonstrated once for Drake… but other than them, none of her classmates really knew what Aya could do. Even after they’d witnessed her disappear the Sluagh, she doubted any of them really had a clue — or an interest. That was fine with her.

...Of course, she’d used her power to enter Uná’s dreams last night to find her… but there was no telling if the younger girl actually remembered that.

Aya rested the side of her own head atop Uná’s and gave a small, quiet sigh.

“I don’t think,” she began after a stretch of silence, “it’s really fair to expect us to be in control right now. Of our emotions, our powers… I don’t know what happened in the Danger Room, but I don’t think it’s fair to expect Nik to not hesitate, or Cleo to not be scared, or Veronica to not be frustrated… and it’s not fair to expect you to know exactly what you’re doing, either. None of us really know what control feels like yet. It sucks. Uná, I’m…” Aya’s hand dropped to the bed and she slowly straightened up, giving her roommate time to remove her head from Aya’s shoulder. “I’m terrified. All the time. And it’s exhausting.” She’d never said that out loud to anyone before. The truth of her words rang through Aya’s body like a bell, reverberating. She turned to look Uná in the eyes. “I want my old life back but none of us get to have that anymore. And trying to adjust, it’s a learning curve for all of us.”

Uná lifted her head off Aya’s shoulder and looked at her friend being the voice of reason. "See that's what I'm talking about. That right there. That whole speech. You're sure you're not like forty? Cause that was some deep adult thinking. And I feel like a jerk."

Waving her hands and looking worried that Aya would take it the wrong way Uná went on quickly. "And it's not your fault. Looking back I was a jerk for thinking that way. You're right. Normal isn't for us. Well till we find a relative normal in our own lives that is. I sound like Professor Everose, which might be a good thing." She mused for a moment. "Did you really come back in here to reassure me or get reacquainted with you're side of the room?"

Aya raised an eyebrow and nudged Uná’s shoulder with her own. “Hospital wing’s too chilly at night.” A teasing smile curved her lips, before fading again. Why had she come back? Where did she start? Aya’s mind spun, searching for a thread to latch onto. She eventually decided to begin with the subject she knew the least about.

“Today, after the Danger Room… there was a man in the courtyard. Did… did you know him?”

Uná jerked and looked toward the courtyard. "I don't remember meeting anyone like him before. He was a little odd so I think I would remember him. But I guess I shouldn't judge. It was just a feeling."

And an eerie song only I heard.

"Why do you ask?" Uná was puzzled as to why no one else had asked and why specifically Aya had asked.

Part 3

“I just get a bad vibe from him,” she lied. “Also, I’m pretty sure it’s ok to judge adult men who stare at teenage girls.” Aya pressed her lips together, rethinking her words. Uná deserved the truth. But then the threat from not-Uná rang in her mind again, warning her not to speak. After a moment warring with herself, she opened her mouth again. “I don’t think he’s… normal. I —”

I had a dream.

Aya bit her lip.

“Uná, how much do you remember from last night? When that man took you from the club? Do… do you remember that monster?”

Do you remember speaking with me?

Uná laughed as Aya made her comment about judging people. "Yeah definition of perv. Adult man who stares at teenage girls." She blinked at the not normal statement but as she paused to weigh her answer Aya asked about the man at the club and a monster.

Brow puckering the memory was hazy. "I remember the guy but I don't remember a monster Aya. The guy was enough of a monster for me. What did it look like?" Uná was rattled. Aya seemed more serious than usual and that was enough to let Uná know that something was bothering Aya. "What are you hinting at Aya?"

Aya let a short huff of air, her own eyebrows crinkling together. How was she supposed to explain everything? What if the threat had been real? She wasn’t equipped for this, she wasn’t qualified, she was just…

“Last night, when you got taken, this...monster appeared. It was—” Terrifying. Petrifying. Haunting. “Enormous, and almost skeletal looking. Like its skin was stretched tight over its bones. It was almost shaped like a human, but with sharp teeth and claws, and these bloodshot eyes...” Aya didn’t know when her breathing had quickened. She hadn’t realized the way her breathing got short and shallow, how her hands began to tremble in her lap. Aya squeezed her eyes shut and clenched her jaw. She ran her fingers through her hair. Then she shook her head.

“It wasn’t… I don’t think it was from here. It wasn’t just some mutant using their powers, or…” Aya opened her eyes again to look back at Uná. “Uná, it wasn’t from this plane. I think that man is the same way.”

Uná went chalk white when Aya described the monster. "That came after my parents when they told me I was adopted almost three years ago. My mom was in the hospital for a week. I passed out so maybe it's just a coincidence, you know like; anniversary of the worst moment of my life kinda thing."

Not panicking. Perfectly calm.

"Yeah the two can't be related...can they?"

Aya gave Uná an incredulous look. “Uná,” she said in a flat voice.

She looked down at her legs, her feet resting on the carpet below. Her fingers curled into Uná’s comforter behind her.

“This isn’t great. But… you’re not dealing with this alone, at least? I talked to the dean this morning and he said he was handling it.” But then, he’d also been standing with that unsettling man in the courtyard, as comfortable as could be. “I… I don’t know,” Aya admitted quietly. She looked back up to Uná. “I just… need you to be careful. I’m sorry, I don’t wanna freak you out, but there’s things after you.” Aya pressed her lips together, feeling herself toe a delicate line. She remembered the not-Uná’s dark eyes. “I’m sorry,” she repeated weakly.

If those words had come from anyone else Uná would have laughed. She looked at Aya then ran her hand through her hair snagging in a tangle as she pulled her way through it. "I believe you. I want to tell other people but it would sound like we've gone off the deep end. Let's not even mention that I thought I heard something earlier when we were crossing the courtyard. That will get me locked up and on drugs then who knows what my powers would do? This is a mess. Aya what am I supposed to do?"

The question froze Aya like headlights on a deer. What to do? How would Aya know that? She was floundering, barely keeping her own head above water. Her mouth opened, but no sound came out. She tried again.

“You’re not alone,” she said, taking her friend’s hand. “You have friends who’ve already proven they’re ready to go to bat for you. And Ashford knows, at least. He and the other teachers will know what to do.” Aya was desperate to believe her own words. “But I agree that we shouldn’t tell the other students. Not yet, at least.” Not because Aya didn’t think they’d be believed — they were at a school for mutants, they’d fought monsters, and they’d all well passed the threshold for ‘normal’ ages ago. But everyone was already pulled taut and thin. She doubted another reason to panic was what they all needed right now. Aya paused, an idea coming to her.

“I don’t think you remember this,” she went on, hesitant, “but last night, I…” The words caught in her throat. Her mutation felt like an oppressive weight, blocking her windpipe. If she said it, it made it real. Aya didn’t want it to be real. She felt like a child, covering her eyes to make a monster go away. Aya closed her mouth, worked her dry throat. Her friend needed her. She began again. “I sort of entered your dreams while you were knocked out. It was how we found you.” Aya looked between Uná’s eyes, searching for any sign of recognition. She bit her lip. “I think… I’d like to try that again tonight, if you’re ok with it.” Aya didn’t think she wanted Uná to agree to this. She didn’t want to know if this half-baked hunch was right.

She didn’t want to see the other Uná again.

Uná blinked. "You can dream travel?" Her jaw dropped as she looked aghast at Aya. "That is sooooo cool!!" She was excited but the memory of Aya being passed out in the car at Nocturne popped into Uná’s head.

Uná bit her lip in worry. "I think we should give you time to get up to full strength. You scared me last night. Plus Nik and I need to talk...about stuff. Like the fact that he took off his shirt earlier. The new guy took off his glove and we had to put it back on and all around us were girls. Shirtless guy, not really an issue. Shirtless girl, problems. Double standards." Uná grinned for a moment then looked serious.

"But he isn’t knowing about this. This is too much, for now. Are you still in the hospital wing or are you fully released by the doc?"

Part 4

Aya let out a soft breath of relief when Uná turned her idea down. Then she felt a rush of guilt. She was supposed to want to help her friend, not be a coward.

The thought crossed her mind to correct Uná about the extent of her powers, but that still wasn’t quite a conversation she was ready to have with anyone yet. Besides, Uná had rushed right past to share some interesting news about Nik.

“I think I technically snuck out,” Aya said, looking guilty. She probably should’ve been in the medical wing, still. She was in better shape than she’d been this morning, but there was still a bone-deep ache in her body, and she knew she had heavy bags under her eyes. But the thought of being in a hospital again, even just somewhere hospital-adjacent, sent a cold pit to her stomach. “But no one’s come to drag me back to a hospital bed yet, so I might be in the clear.”

Aya shifted then, cracking a small smile. “But… Nik.” She nudged Uná with her shoulder again.

Uná blushed. "I really like him. Like boyfriend material, going steady, exclusive or whatever it is called. I just don't know if he wants that too. So I was gonna ask him. I mean after that iconic romantic dance and the kiss…" She smoothed out the covers on the bed looking up a couple of times while talking.

Letting her words trail off Uná recalled the best part of the night. Smiling, she looked at Aya. She could tell she was blushing, still, but didn't care.

Aya laughed. It was such a relief to have something to be joyful about — to talk with her friend about boys and crushes, like any other high schooler. “He’s cute.” Not quite Aya’s type, and a little young for her, but she was just happy Uná was smiling again. Her tone turned teasing as she all but whispered, “And he likes you.”

Uná grinned wider. "You're sure?! How can you tell?!" Her heartbeat sped up. Her voice came out a little higher and she cleared her throat.

Aya’s smile grew. “The way he looks at you. The way he turns into a big dork around you.”

Laughing, Uná pushed Aya gently. "He's always been there when I needed him. He's not perfect, but he's perfect for me. And his dorkiness is hella sexy. Plus he can dance." She sighed dreamily. "Do you have a crush on someone? Maybe someone back home?" Uná was curious and wanted to know if Aya might be able to give her some pointers or dating advice.

Aya’s smile faded. Her eyes shuttered and she seemed to draw into herself.

“Umm… no. Not really.” Aya tried to force a smile and shrugged her shoulder.

“Put me back, you freak!”

Aya tried to force the voice away. “I think I might’ve almost had a moment with Drake,” she offered, feeling like she had to say something. “But he’s… I don’t know. I think we both just have too much going on.” For an instant, Sally, a girl who didn’t even attend Ashford anymore, flashed in her mind; sleeping, copper-haired, and so beautiful. The thought stopped her.

Aya didn’t know where that’d come from.

She looked back up at Uná, giving her that same weak smile. “I don’t think I have it in me to date right now.”

Uná's shoulders slumped in defeat for her best friend. "I'm sorry Aya. That was incredibly insensitive of me. Drake is letting a great thing go. If you're half as good a girlfriend as you are a bestie then anyone who passes on you is pretty stupid. And you don't give yourself enough cred-"

Uná’s words were cut short by a sharp rap on the door. Looking over at Aya with raised eyebrows she whispered. "I think the ol' dragon found you."

Uná went and opened the door. There stood an old harridan in a pair of black slacks and a blue blouse. It was a powder blue button down. Her age was indeterminate and Uná winced as her gaze shifted back to Aya. "You missy are marching straight to my wing and staying till I say you can leave."

Uná watched as the nurse fussed about leaving with Aya. Uná wavered but gave Aya a hug before she left. "Please get some sleep."

Aya couldn’t help but shrink back from the nurse’s fury. She guiltily looked up at the woman, then at Uná, as if the younger girl could offer some escape. The thought of spending another night in the medical wing tied a knot around her heart, memories of her father’s last days coming to the surface. But she knew there’d be no escaping it.

Aya returned Uná’s hug. When she pulled back, she looked into Uná’s eyes. “You too.” She took Uná’s hand a moment, giving it a squeeze. The knowledge of the Sluagh, of the mysterious man, sat between them, heavy in the air. “It’ll be ok.” Aya offered her a soft smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Then Aya allowed herself to be ushered away by the nurse, back to the medical wing.

X-Men: The New Era - Avalon Rising

Collaboration with @Almalthia, @webboysurf, @Chev, @ViolentViolet &@Brioko Jobe

---

Part 1

Daniela’s mouth was practically watering at the smell of hot food as she entered the cafeteria. She had gone without a hot meal for quite a while. The last time she could remember having a hot meal was around a week and a half ago. She could smell...Pizza...Possibly cheeseburgers. The last time she had tasted either had been quite a while ago. She wiped a few tears away as she was overwhelmed for a moment by the smells and the fact that she may have finally found a place where she could let down her guard.

Matt walked in stomach growling. Soon...the food is right here you will be fed. He took in the smells and turned to everyone “So is there a limit to what we can eat here or is it like smorgasbord time; because I can eat. Anyway Sparkles what’ll it be? Also Nik I can’t remember, where are you from again?”

Jasper had never been the most talkative of children, and that had followed her into her teen years. She merely listened while the others bickered for the most part. Uná’s snark hadn’t bothered her in the slightest, and neither had any of the outbursts from the other strange mutants. What she didn’t learn about them today she would dig for later, when she recharged and allowed her mind to wander. Thus, her hands shoved into her jacket pockets, the technopath followed along as the others began to move towards the cafeteria. The Dean caught her attention of course and she filed away the strange faces for later. A man taller than her seemed far more intimidating than he should, though she found the air of danger more fun than she did frightening.

The cafeteria itself was a room she rarely tread upon. She had no real need to come here apart from pleasure eating, and even then she never found food truly amusing. There were far better things that she could be doing with her time. Like right now for example, she studied her companions in silent calculation with an easy smirk on her lips. Whatever she was thinking was hidden behind amusement at their bickering and confusion. She slipped past most of the group on arrival to plant herself not far from Daniela. Blue-grey eyes flicked over to the other girl, lips parted around a short chuckle. “Hey Sparks, you look like you’ve never seen a cafeteria before.” She greeted the girl who she hadn’t spoken to back in the Danger Room. She was new, a face she didn’t know, and someone who could likely overload her own internal battery.

“Nice light show back there.”

Daniela was somewhat lost in the sight of the food and she snapped back to reality after a moment. “I have no idea.” She said. After a moment she realized that she apparently had a nickname. “The name is Daniela by the way. Daniela Steele.” She smiled at the two who had called her sparkles. “Never been called that by the way.” She sniffed the air and her head swiveled towards a plate of Meat lovers pizza. “I haven’t really had hot food in a while. When Uná found me I was eating the snacks in the snack shed.” She frowned after a moment of thinking. “That was actually the best food I had that week.” She smiled sheepishly after she heard Jasper comment on the lightshow she had put on back in the danger room. “Sorry about the light show...I...don’t really have control over it. The closest thing I can figure out is the more stressed out I get the harder it is to control it. I had no idea what was going on back in the danger room so I was kind of frustrated.” She looked towards the meat lovers pizza and seemed to be pulled in by it as she grabbed a plate. “Is there a limit on how many slices you can take?”

Snapping back to reality after the spine tingling staring contest Uná walked with Nik, Daniela, Matt, Jasper, Heidi and the new blonde girl to the cafeteria. She had no idea what was going on and it was starting to become really irritating. Naturally she gravitated toward Nik having let go of his hand, out of self preservation to not be that girl. Sometimes life is hard.

Upon reaching the cafeteria Uná was quickly inundated with the smell of pizza and while Matt asked where Nik was from; Uná looked around. Jasper started talking to Daniela and Uná smiled as she caught Matt’s smorgasbord comment.

“I don’t know that there is a limit. I think I keep too busy to have really noticed. With Dance, Parkour, and trying to control my powers I’ve been almost non-stop on the go. I’m pretty sure Professor Pierce will find a way to work off extra weight, if he sees it.”

Matt whirled around at the mention of no limit on the food and started piling burgers and pizza on his plate he made sure to grab a piece of fruit. Talking while collecting his plate. “Sorry about the Sparkles thing but ummm Daniella Steele like the children's author mom had all the Max books for me when I was kid although I skipped the one about Granma and Granpa Winky title seemed a little weird for me; sorry if I’m babbling just haven’t had much chance to talk in a while.” Having grabbed his food he kept talking on the way to a table. ”Anyway what is it like here? Are there limits on when or where we can use our abilities? Danielle I think we all probably have some issue controlling stuff I mean we are kinda still kids. We are sposed to have issues.” With that he sat down and started eating like a farmboy just in from the fields.

Nik seems sort of out of it as he enters into the cafeteria. His mind was still processing what the Hell Uná was talking about when everything hit him back at once. He managed to grab himself a couple hamburgers that he would eat without the bun and a salad, and his mind quickly processed all the questions at once. ”Uhh… well, I’m from Seattle. And there isn’t really a limit, it’s a take what you can eat sort of situation. As for powers… the rule seems to be try not to hurt other people with them. Though that rule seems to be sort of bendable depending on who is on the receiving end. Don’t even think I got a slap on the wrist when I helped fend of Isaac.” Nik talked as he disassembled his burgers quickly near the compost bin, keeping only the meat patties on his chicken cobb salad. He gave the newer people a small smile as he added, ”And this place is all about learning to use your powers. I’m sure you’ll get some Danger Room time soon enough. It’s a fun place to experiment. Still trying to learn how to rocket jump with my powers.” Nik sat down with the others and began digging into his food, being a bit more… delicate than he usually is.

Uná snagged a buffalo chicken wrap and a small cup of ranch. Moving with the others she deposited herself in a chair next to Nik at the table they all wandered to. “What Nik meant to say was when he finished what Isaac started. He had it coming Nik.” Taking a big bite of her wrap so that she had an excuse not to respond for a moment. Sitting back she let Nik handle the pleasantries wondering when he’d decide that he’d had enough and pull her back into the conversation. Chewing she smirked at Nik raising an eyebrow.

Daniela looked up sharply from her plate at Nik’s comment about hurting people. For a brief moment she looked as tense as a human being could possibly be. Images of charred bodies flashed through her mind for a moment before she forced herself to bury the images again. She threw around seven slices of pizza on her plate with two burgers and sat down and quietly looked at her food for a moment. She didn’t speak for a moment. “Have any of you...ever hurt people?” She asked in a voice so quiet it could barely be heard.

Part 2

Matt looked up at Daniella’s question. ’Can’t say that have or even could...guess it depends on what you consider hurting people. So like for me I can...well I guess it's like a holodeck on Star Trek only with like… things and sometimes people. With an object I have some control like a vcr but with people it’s kinda different so if I touch someone skin to skin we both kinda get locked in a memory that I am unwillingly projecting and have no choice in the matter so definitely if you have something you don’t want seen the no hugging rule is in full effect. That’s why the gloves.” He paused only long enough to take another bite. “But I can see how some abilities have inherent dangers and require caution and control but know one gets there without some level of collateral damage. Sorry I have had a lot of time to read and Sun Tzu was actually interesting.” He went right back to eating as if nothing he had said was all that important. That was also the moment he realised he had nothing to drink and got up to go to the drinking fountain.

Uná’s gaze tracked over to Matt when he talked about his powers. Interesting. I wonder what would happen if he touched my hand, made physical contact. Good idea or bad idea? Daniela had just as much food as Matt did. Smirking she watched the two of them look like they were having an eating contest and just hadn’t told anyone else.

Reaching over Uná stole a large chunk of bacon from Nik’s salad. Smirking she popped it in her mouth and chewed. She gave him the look of “whatcha gonna do ‘bout it”.

Daniela quietly continued eating. On the one hand, eating actual hot food was awesome after what she had been eating for the last week. But Nik’s comment had somewhat killed her appetite. She knew that she was going to need some serious therapy at some point. There were times that she woke up screaming in a cold sweat and that usually led to unwanted attention. Should I tell them? She wondered to herself as she took another bite of pizza. I don’t want them to think I’m a killer but in a way, that’s what I am. She shook her head for a moment and then went back to her food before quietly speaking again. “I was in New York with my friends when my powers first showed. What about you all?” She asked in the same quiet tone.

Matt studied Daniela as he headed back to the table. Ok...so somethings bothering her. Does she want to talk or just feel she has to? He took a deep breath and put on his biggest fake smile then in an awkward but jovial voice said. “I was in my room when it happened and saw things I'd rather forget. Trust me, memories can hold you down sometimes, but we find a way to deal with or ignore them until we are ready. I am excited to be here. I hope they have a fencing program or something like it. I think my dad said something about a history Professor that was sposed to be really good. Do you like history?” He hoped that eased Daniela a little something seemed to be troubling her and he was pretty sure he wasn’t equipped to deal with it right now.

It seemed to her that everyone was getting along rather well despite the rocky beginnings. Daniela asked about food limitations and then suddenly several of the group were piling food up onto their plates. Jasper couldn’t remember the last time she ate as much as they were about to, and watched with the same resting snark that had graced her features before. There was something up with Uná and Nik, though she supposed that was teenage hormones doing their job with the two of them. She’d never had that problem and she quite liked it that way; trusting and being close to people only resulted in pain after all.

Jasper waited until the others managed to get their food before deciding whether or not she was going to eat. If she planned to stay mostly hidden from them, she should eat - even if she didn’t need to. Most days she might have just stuck a fork in an outlet in the library when no one was looking, but today she was pseudo-trapped with a bunch of rather interesting mutants. Daniela asked if any of them had hurt someone and her gaze snapped over to her while the plate in her hands stilled. “I killed my brother.” Not necessarily a lie, but not the entire truth. Vague but dangerous enough to warn anyone listening away from her.

The blackette went back into motion after that, her back to the group while she browsed across a row of food she couldn’t really taste. In the end she settled on a milkshake and several grilled cheese sandwiches, the few items a normal sized meal that she was unlikely to finish. The cheese was gooey and the bread was nice and golden-crisp, though she seemed largely unfazed by the delicious aroma. Jasper sat on the opposite end of the table, already putting physical distance between herself and the others, just as she kept the emotional distance there.

“Struck by lightning.”

Still not a lie. Still not a truth.

Part 3

Nik sort of sat back during the conversation, doing his best to eat his food. As Uná ate off his plate, Nik simply scrunched up his nose and shook his head. The smile on his face lasted as he sort of just listened in on the conversation. He was stuck in his own world. Until Jasper’s words struck him to a halt. He turned his gaze towards Jasper for a moment, unsure how to respond. He had spoken to her earlier. And met her the night before. But just that statement… it sent chills down his spine. He realized that he truly didn’t know the people around him. He just wasn’t sure what to do with that knowledge. He just stared at his food for a moment, before just shaking his head. ”I just scared someone with mine. That’s all.”

Matt let his face drop and his tiredness show. ”You know; one thing my father always said about my abilities is that they only show a moment.” He said as he slowly took one glove off. ”Often you see the events as they unfold and it only raises more questions.”

Matt set his hand on the table and the room came to life with sounds and images. He removed the overlapping sounds and reduced the sharpness of the images making the projections seem ghostly and transparent. Pulling the images in reverse; he rewound events. People came and went setting food out, all backwards and at 4 times the speed in which they entered. Then paused the images 5 minutes before they had entered. ”I used to think this would show me the truth of a situation, but dad would always ask what happened before and after this? What were the cause and effect of the situation? Did the catalyst even start here? Now look at everyone’s face as they walk in.”

He let the images move along their normal course still not projecting the audio. Wincing from a sudden headache and not hiding the pain of it he went on. “If we did not already know what had happened just prior to coming in this room all we would know is that some of us were troubled, some of us excited, or some of us were the cause.” The projected images seemed to flicker and fade slightly, although they were still there. Matt’s voice showed weariness, but he went on. “I have observed all of you during this conversation. Seems we are all scared. Both of ourselves and each other. Some want to reach out and help the others, but we are human; no different from those out there that would have us all locked up just for possessing abilities they don’t understand.”

The images had continued to fade and were now barely visible. With a physical strain and a grunt from Matt the images became sharp and frozen just moments before he started talking. So that everyone looked doubled in their place. (unless they moved while he was talking) “I don’t know how or why but we need to trust each other to…” His hand fell from the table and he collapsed from exhaustion; leaving the words unfinished. The images gone as if they were never there.

Uná glanced over at Jasper at her statement. She blinked at how easily that came out of Jasper's mouth. Swallowing a bite of her wrap Uná decided to let it go. Not touching that one. Why can't someone have a nice shiny happy past?

Uná scrunched up her nose back at Nik and grinned. Matt started talking. Jeebus this kid is gonna eat us out of house and home. She watched as he pulled off his glove and set his hand down on the table.

The sensation of a cool breeze brushed over Uná's skin. Raising an eyebrow she watched as Matt shifted the past around them in illusion. Well that's pretty freaking awesome!!!!

Grinning Uná struggled to pay close attention to what Matt was saying. She caught the gist of it glad that he was willing to bring them all together, or at least help. She was waiting for Matt to finish so she could have a reason to dance for joy when the illusion and the boy dropped.

Gasping Uná reached over and froze. No touching! No one knows what will happen if that happens. Looking around she noticed that no one had an over shirt on. Freaking LA. Nikki's gonna have to lose his shirt cause I'm not asking a girl for hers and all those napkins are dirty. I'm not touching a dirty napkin.

"Nikki dear...I need your shirt. Someone needs to put Matt’s glove back on without touching him. And well...the rest of us are girls." Uná looked around at the other girls. "Not that I'll really enjoy this many females staring...unless you want me to take off my shirt?" She plucked at the thin racer-backed tank top she had on over her sports bra.

Daniela was deathly quiet for a moment. “I killed four people when my powers showed up.” She said in a very quiet voice. “One of them was one of my best friends. I-I was just so scared...I thought I was going to die and all of a sudden there was this light and I woke up and...and there were bodies all around me…” She forced back a sob and wiped the tears from her eyes. “I still see them, sometimes when I sleep I still see them.” She stared seemingly directly into the table as though she was staring directly through it. A moment later she looked around, startled as though she had been separated from her body for a few moments. “S-Sorry. Bad memories.” She said quietly. A moment later she looked over at Matt with concern evident on her face as he collapsed on the table after he seemed to try showing off his abilities. She was about to go over to him and help out when she heard Uná say something about...someone wanting her to take off her shirt?!

“Uhhh…” She muttered as a massive red blush appeared on her face briefly before she forced it away. She stole a look at Uná as the others looked over Matt. Uná wasn’t bad looking but she doubted she would ever have a shot with her. Not to mention she seemed to be involved with Nik.

“Is there something I can do to help?” She asked quietly.

Part 4

Nik sat in silent contemplation as things took a massive turn. Matt’s powers were remarkable… but something that he had surprisingly grown used to being around Uná. He gave a small smirk, mentally noting something about this being the ideal form of entertainment… until he heard something that he wasn’t sure how to process. He tilted his head slightly as his gaze fell towards Daniela. Concern was written across his face as he looked at the stranger he had introduced himself to so very recently. To be fair, he was lucky he hadn’t killed anyone when his powers emerged. He began to piece together her reluctance to be around people.

And then Matt hit the deck. Nik jumped a little as he wasn’t paying attention to him when it happened, and just sort of sat there confused for a moment. As Uná spoke, Nik’s eyes fell back on her. He was fine with taking his shirt off, and his hands began gravitating towards the neck of his own tank top. They only stopped when Uná’s final words penetrated his mind. Nik’s eyes followed her fingers as they had moved to her own shirt. For just a small moment, his mind raced like most men of his age. The sneaking thought of calling her bluff crept in, only for Nik to physically shake the thought out of his mind. ”Yo… I mean, no. No. It’s fine.”

Nik’s gaze turned towards the other female students in the cafeteria, and a sly smirk graced his lips. He had almost missed a few of her words. Not that I’ll really enjoy this many females staring… He stood up and decided to be a bit more performative, slowly lifting the tank top up over his abs and eventually over his head. For the first time in a long time, probably emboldened by the stares of a couple girls at a table not too far away, Nik handed over the shirt to Uná and whispered in her ear, ”You can keep it.”

Uná's attention was taken up by Daniela and she looked up at the older girl but she'd seen the flare of heat in his eyes as she mentioned taking off her shirt. "I'm sorry Dani. I-"

Catching Nik standing up and putting on a show of stripping Uná's mouth went dry as she watched fascinated. She blushed scarlet as she watched his shirt slowly rise. She could feel her heartbeat kick like she'd been running for miles and her stomach did feel like it grew wings. OH. MY. GOD. Washboard abs… I've died and gone to heaven.

As Nik leaned in putting his shirt in Uná's hands her eyes widened. His whispered response of telling her she could keep it made her stomach; which had grown several sets of wings by now, flutter and goosebumps raced across her skin as his breath slid over her. "I…uh...yes please." Uná had no idea what she was saying at this point.

Of everyone, Jasper likely tried the hardest to be emotionless in the face of the spectacle. Her classic smirk dropped from her lips, only to be replaced by a flat line that was firmly pressed into place by the tightness of her jaw. Her teeth ground together inside her mouth, and it took every inch of her self control not to walk away. They were interesting, and would come with experiences that would only aid in her goals. Yet still some presumed far beyond their reach of wisdom, making assumptions based on little observation. This illusionist hadn’t a clue what she’d gone through, and likely had no idea what anyone else had without being told. She thought him a child to attempt to lecture the rest of them, and she put no stock in a word he spilled.

She wasn’t scared; she wasn’t capable of fear anymore. Whatever had changed in her had taken that away from her. There was no desire to feel, and code written lacked empathy. Jasper was the computer, and refused to acknowledge that she had that programming still locked beneath layers of complications. Fear wouldn’t help her. Fear would only inspire more and more death, though she had no real inclination either way. Jasper watched as he collapsed mid sentence, blue-grey orbs following the movement of those around her. Some seemed concerned for the boy that hadn’t known anyone in the room. Others seemed as if they didn’t care.

Jasper on the other hand, simply watched events unfold for several moments before standing from her seat. Her lunch was left largely uneaten, milkshake nearly done. Slim hands shoved into her jacket pockets and she stepped around the table, another glance over the now shirtless male, with Uná blushing beside him.

“He’s in room 8. He’ll be fine with rest.”

She kept walking.

Jerking at the sound of Jasper's voice Uná watched Jasper walk away out of the corner of her eye. Uná licked her dry lips and blinked like she was coming out of a trance. She looked down at her hands with Nik’s shirt in them and shivered. Picking up Matt’s glove she got it back on him awkwardly but managed not to touch him. She nodded to Nik as she tossed his shirt back at him. "You heard the lady. Room 8. Let's get him to his room."

Eventually they got Matt to his room. Depositing Matt in the bed was easily done and Uná took off his shoes for him, careful to leave his socks on. They moved out of his room and shut the door quietly. "Well that was interesting. I have Dance in a little while. I want to see you after 10 where we meet in the mornings for our run. Be there or I'll come find you Nikki." Uná stretched up on her tip-toes and kissed him on the cheek and whispered. "And bring that shirt. I remember you telling me I can keep it. You're just borrowing it right now." Waving Uná took off doing her usual Parkour stunts that she wasn’t supposed to do indoors.

X-Men: The New Era - Avalon Rising

Uná O’Brian

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Location: Institute

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Interaction: Nik

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Mentions:

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Uná raised an eyebrow at Veronica. Jesus she acts like she didn't willingly walk in on her own two feet. Paranoid, selfish, immature girl. I have no idea what she expects to find out but there are certain aspects of last night that I will not be sharing with strangers. I don’t know her from Adam and I certainly don't want to now.

Just as Uná was thinking of how much of a selfish petulant child that Veronica was Matt's stomach rumbled. Covering a grin Uná waited till he was done and Nikki gave her shoulder a squeeze. She looked back and up at him.

Nik's words were somber. Uná frowned for a moment as his hand fell from her shoulder. He summed up the issue of the feelings involved with last night really well. If I wasn't already in love with him then that would seal it. Her eyes widened. Wait! What?! Oh. My. God. It's true. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO HANDLE THIS! I'M NOT EVEN SIXTEEN JUST YET!

Uná didn't even feel his hand fall from her shoulder as she panicked missing everything else he said before grabbing a bite to eat and hitting the gym later. Mentally shaking herself Uná smiled again and looked at everyone. "That sounds brilliant Nik. Daniela still needs to get settled in and food." She looked at Daniela pouting and trying to keep the grin at bay so her eyes twinkled with mischief. "You really need some real food. We can all go together. Unless of course someone objects…? Well I'm going for sure."

Squeezing Nikki's hand Uná leaned up on her tip-toes and whispered in his ear. "We should talk about...stuff…" She rocked back on her heels and smiled at him with an uncertain look that clearly stated she didn't know if she was welcome in his life but hoped she was.

Wanting to drag Nik along Uná held back as they all found their way to the surface. Coming out of the subterranean levels they had to cross the courtyard to get to the cafeteria. Uná took a deep breath as the sun hit her face. Closing her eyes she tilted her face up to its warmth. She heard a haunting melody faint but there.

Shading her eyes for a moment Uná shuddered as goosebumps ran across her skin. Feeling a chill despite the heat she let go of Nik to rub her arms. "Where is that coming from? Does anyone else-" She stopped as she felt eyes on her.

Turning she looked behind her and from across the courtyard she saw a man walking with the Dean staring at the group. More than that though as if staring at her. A tingling chill ran down her spine as the haunting voice seemed to be trying to tell her something that she wasn’t quite grasping and stayed just out of reach.

Uná couldn't seem to break eye contact. She was pale and had the look of being frightened. She knew she was staring and it was considered rude but couldn't look away. This must be how a rabbit feels staring at a wolf. Frozen to the spot. I really hope someone else heard that song… It was illogical to think she was frightened. Some Jedi mind tricks here carry on. I'm not really afraid. He hasn't done anything of the sort to be suspicious.

X-Men: The New Era - Avalon Rising

Uná O’Brian

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Location: Institute; Danger Room

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Interaction: Everyone

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Mentions: A lot of people

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Uná blinked at Jasper's sudden mood swing. "Oh my apologies Jasper. Though I can see it would have been more fun if you'd been there from the get go." Smiling at Jasper.

Following Jasper Drake and one of the Uná doubles walked in. Meeting the double's eyes Uná let it go. It faded out and Uná let out a soft sigh.

The second Uná double followed a screeching Cleo in. Both the double and Uná looked heartbroken as Cleo’s words echoed back at everyone. Uná shuddered as Cleo delivered the blow that Uná didn't want to face. I can't get away from it… I'll always hurt people. My parents, Cleo, Ms. Everose… I shouldn't be here. What if it's Nikki next time? I can't deal with that. What if I kill someone? What if it's Nikki?...

Snapping her head toward the new blonde who called her freckles Uná's expression cleared. "Being the voice of reason isn't being in charge."

Uná's eyes glided over to Veronica as she made the statement that she wanted to get on with her normal life and laughed without humor. "I hate to stuff you in a barrel kook but your life isn't ever going to be 'normal'. Better wise up to that soon."

Uná sighed heavily and let the last illusion go as Heidi started talking. She was basically restating what Uná said and found obvious. Which means she hadn't seen Uná address it earlier. Great I left Heidi out of the conversation. It's so easy to forget that she's deaf. I'll try to do better next time.

The sparks of lightning that followed the "Enough" that was yelled got Uná's attention quite readily. Uná backed up into Nik, which wasn’t hard since she wasn't that far from him anyway.

As the words poured out of Daniela's mouth Uná smiled brightly. Well there's two people who are willing to be there for me. Nikki and Daniela. I just have to keep them safe. And that power is pretty cool. Uná mouthed Thank you to Daniela as she caught her eye.

Uná blinked as a curly haired boy named Matt introduced himself. She puzzled over why he wanted something from last night and she opened her mouth to ask just that just as Drake decided to join the living. She winced slightly at the near shout of his name. "Thank you Drake, Matt and Daniela. As I said before to Veronica my name is Uná O’Brian. Uná like the fairy in Legend. With Tim Curry. About the unicorns...with Tom Cruz before he was persona non grata…" She trailed off looking around at the others.

Clearing her throat Uná went on. "I can make illusions reality. I was taking some medication that allowed me to access my powers without being unconsciousness but those seem to have backfired. I just used the last of the compound to get Cleo and Drake back in here. I'll try to keep everything sunshine and rainbows so that I don't let a nightmare lose." She made sure she faced Heidi so that she included Heidi as well.

Looking around at everyone else Uná raised an eyebrow in question. "Who's next?"