Elixir's Room

[Cyclops]

*where Josh sleeps*

[Chamber]

Jono was bored. It was break and his wasn't heading back to England for it, that was for bloody damn certain.

So he was stuck at the school with the handful of other students. He'd watched some tele, played some video games, and wandered about the school. It was nearly empty and there was absolutely nothing to do. That's when he'd tossed on some black leather and decided to head out for Hammer Bay's clubbing district. Enjoy some music, dance, chat up a totty or two.

As Jono headed down the hallway, he noticed another one of his fellow Hellions was about. The door to Josh Foley's room was open a touch and the light was on.

Foley was a decent bloke. Powerful mutant, good in a scrap, and liked to give Cassidy almost as much grief as Jono did. The Brit stopped, and tapped on the door before pushing it open enough to be seen.

"Hey, mate," he greeted the resident 'golden boy'. "Headin' out to the clubs. You know dance, drink, music, maybe chat up a pretty gel or a few. You game?"

[Elixir]

With break and having no place to go, Josh stayed at the Academy with a few others who were either shafted by their families or chose to stay behind. Technically, he was a little of both, but didn’t really bother anymore with the first part. Except for the occasional email.

Josh sat at his desk, rereading the same email for about the tenth time. Daniel, the middle child and Josh’s older brother, had sent him an email a few days ago. Not that they were the best of friends or anything. But Danny at least kept in contact with him every couple of weeks now. It was more than he could say for the rest of his family.

"Hey, mate," Josh turned his head slightly, glancing over his shoulder from where he sat. There weren’t many people who spoke with a cockney accent, so Josh knew it was Jono, “Chamber,” before he saw him.

”How’s it going, Oz?” Josh asked noncommittally. He knew damn well that Jono was from London, but liked to rag on him every now and again, earning him the nickname ‘Oz,’ as in Aussie. An amiable nickname of sorts.

"Headin' out to the clubs. You know dance, drink, music, maybe chat up a pretty gel or a few. You game?" Josh’s eyes reverted back to his laptop, pausing a moment before he closed his email and logged off.

”Definitely. This place has been dead the past couple days.” Grateful for the invite Josh stood, stretching his golden arms quickly, his white T-shirt creasing upwards before he relaxed. “Just let me change my shirt quick.” It was known Josh didn’t like to go out to the clubs looking like he just woke up. He walked past a shelf with a few trophies from Academy tournaments and other various competitions lined on it. Some looked exactly like him, and if he stood just right, it was like they used him as the model. At first it annoyed him (and sometimes still did), but now found it amusing, for the most part.

As Josh took off his T-shirt and picked out something more suitable for being in the presence of the opposite sex, he nodded for Jono to come in if he wanted. They got along fairly well. Jono had a nice cutting attitude that made Josh nearly double over laughing numerous times. Depending how Jono was feeling, knowing he could get a powerful psi-blast to the face, Josh commented psuedo-innocently, “I thought you didn’t drink.”

[Chamber]

”How’s it going, Oz?”

Jono's brows knitted together. Oh, Foley was in cheeky mood tonight. Anyone else would have gotten a smack in the gob for that insult, but since he was going have a good night, he let it slide with a friendly warning.

"Wotcher, Oscar," he replied with a smirk, taking a jibe at Foley's resemblance to the American movie trophy.

Luckily, Josh didn't want to spar with Jono. He was more interested in the Brit's offer. ”Definitely. This place has been dead the past couple days. Just let me change my shirt quick.”

Jono leaned in the doorway, crossing his arms over his chest. "Take your time, mate," he said idly. "The night's young and the totties are probably still dead sober."

Not that either of them would be hurting if they stayed that way. They were both members of the Hellions, and would be member of the Red Guard someday. Even without good looks and charm, that reeled in the talent. Considering their looks and reputations, neither of them would be lonely tonight unless they chose to be.

He adjusted the black leather half gloves he was wearing while Josh changed. Foley was more straight-laced than he was, but all right. Had a sense of humour. Rare for Americans, who usually took themselves far too bloody seriously. When the golden boy had deemed himself fit for the fairer sex, he turned to Jono.

“I thought you didn’t drink.”

Jono let out a snort and pushed off the doorway. "I don't," he agreed with a smirk. "But when it comes to wine, women and song, mate; you're welcome to get as arseholed as you like. I've my own vices." He pushed the door open. "Shall we?"

[Elixir]

"Wotcher, Oscar." Josh smirked slightly. They enjoyed poking jibes at one another every now and again, but if it were anyone else, they’d be face-planting onto the ground right about now. It was no secret Josh could be moody about his appearance. He wasn’t in too much of a touchy mood though despite silently brooding over the email from his brother and was concentrating more on heading out. It'd be a good distraction.

"Take your time, mate," Jono replied casually as he leaned against the doorway. "The night's young and the totties are probably still dead sober."

Totties. Josh chuckled slightly as he changed. He didn’t tire much of hearing Jono’s British slang, and even found himself using a word or two at times, though it didn’t surprise him. They differed in dress and personalities, but Josh got on well with the Brit, when Josh wasn’t in a funk, that is, or Jono, either. Something about the British reminded Josh of sarcasm and rain. The latter was probably because of Jono’s trench coat.

"Well we’ll just have to help them out with that, won’t we." Josh tossed Jono a grin as he slipped on a snug white short-sleeved shirt that showed off his muscles. He wore loose dark jeans and slipped on a pair of boots. After checking his hair and making sure his cologne was just right, he grabbed his leather racer jacket from his closet. It had a thin 1-inch collar that snapped at the top though he left the jacket unzippered and open, and it was made of soft black leather with a red stripe running down the left breast and three thin white stripes cuffing around his arms just above his elbows. It had cost quite a bit of his allowance from the Red Guard, but it was well worth it. Damn, he looked good.

"I don't," Jono replied to Josh’s comment about drinking. At least Josh didn’t get a blast to the face, which he’d been half-expecting. Jono straightened, a light smirk on his face, "But when it comes to wine, women and song, mate; you're welcome to get as arseholed as you like. I've my own vices."

"Don’t we all." Josh agreed, raking a hand through his hair one last time. His thoughts traced back to the email, but he pushed them back. No family wangst tonight. It was a time for ‘wine, women, and song,’ as Jono had so eloquently put.

"Arseholed, indeed." Recovering, Josh matched Jono’s smirk, though he probably wouldn’t get drunk. A few drinks were fine, but Josh wasn’t one to get totally plastered. It was a personal choice. Also, because of their status it was frowned upon. Not that they never went against protocol, but being in the Hellions meant they had to keep face, or at least try to. Besides, they got hell for anything that might sully the Hellions or the Academy’s name. But that was the trick. They just had to not get caught. And ironically in part due to their Hellions training, Jono and Josh were both skilled in that particular area.

"Shall we?" Jono had pushed the door open, and Josh batted his eyes coyly, "Why, thank you. We shall," And exited his room, locking his door after Jono followed. He pocketed his keycard into his jacket as they proceeded down the desolate hallway.

"You’d think Frost was on the warpath with the way everything is so damn quiet," Josh observed. Emma Frost, their headmistress, could be a beast when she wanted to be. Josh wasn’t intimidated by her, but when she was pissed, nearly everyone felt it.

Then Josh turned to his partner-in-crime in tonight’s upcoming shenanigans, "Which club do you want to hit first?"

[Siryn]

((Entered from Cassidy Estate))

It hadn't taken the driver terribly long to get from Cassidy Estate to the Academy. It was obviously a great night to be out on the town as there were people everywhere, though. Theresa pouted a bit in the back of the car, envying them their ability to forget life and just...party. She'd been in such a hurry to get out of the house that she had forgotten to change out of her shorts and tank top and into her uniform. Not that it really mattered, especially since evening had set in and it was still just too damned hot for that blasted thing.

The whole way “home”, she thought about what she had learned regarding the Red Guard today. It was interesting information but she would have to see if it could be put to any use. Tom had offered to call Agent Darkholme for her but Terry knew exactly where that would lead. More harassment from her classmates and possibly from her fellow Guardsmen. No, she was determined to see this through to the end if it killed her. And some days, she felt it very well might. She had enough credits to leave the school but she didn't want to without a position offered. Besides, she was still getting experience by helping to teach some of the underclassmen.

The driver pulled up to the front of the dorm and offered to carry her bag to her room. It took all of her will to not roll her eyes at him. She already had a reputation as being a spoiled brat because of her father's status within the military (although none of them knew what he did in his position) and the last thing she needed was her father's personal driver carrying her one little bag to her room. Shaking her head politely, she watched as he pulled away from the dorm and then turned to enter the building that had been her home since she was eleven.

As she passed through the hall, she rounded a corner and almost ran smack into Josh and Jono, of all people. Holding back a surprised squeak, she stepped back and eyed the boys. They were obviously dressed to go out and Theresa couldn't help but ask, “Oh, and where are you two off to tonight, looking all snazzy?” She rolled her eyes as she said it to let them know she wasn't serious in the least.

[Chamber]

"Don’t we all." Josh agreed, raking a hand through his hair one last time. "Arseholed, indeed." [he] matched Jono’s smirk.

As they headed down the hallway, Foley looked around the quiet halls. "You’d think Frost was on the warpath with the way everything is so damn quiet."

Jono let out a snort, and shook his head. "No, mate," he remarked idly. "If old Mum was brassed, they'd be cowering in the corners, whimperin'. Scary woman, when she puts her mind to it. Pun completely intended, there."

As they turned the corner at the bottom of the stairs, Josh asked where they were off to. The Brit shrugged. "Wherever you fancy," he replied. "I'm easy. So long as the music isn't complete bloody crap."

Jono was just pulling a cigarette out of the pack when he nearly collided with a redhead. He was about to apologize when the familiar trill of an Irish brogue graced his ears. “Oh, and where are you two off to tonight, looking all snazzy?”

Theresa Cassidy, otherwise known as Siryn. Shrew was more appropriate, even if she was right cracking. Jono had a weakness for redheads, but this one drove him completely bleeding insane. In more ways than one.

He popped the cigarette out of his mouth and smirked at Terry, his dark eyes dipping downwards on purpose. He was hoping to wind her up. Loved antagonizing the Irish girl.

"Noplace interestin', sunshine," he replied lightly, bring his dark eyes back up to meet her blue ones. "Heading out on a bender. Not somethin' a gel like you would enjoy." He shrugged and put the cigarette back in his mouth, moving as if he was about to walk past her. "Of course, a few beers might loosen you up. We might even be able to find a bloke sloshed enough to ignore your screechin' and chat you up."

Terry was likely going to thump him for that. Let her try. Jono enjoyed getting her wound up. It was good for her. Reminded her she had to earn her respect, not have it handed to her because her dad worked for the bloody government. Like he and Foley had.

[Elixir]

Jono snorted, "If old Mum was brassed, they'd be cowering in the corners, whimperin'. Scary woman, when she puts her mind to it. Pun completely intended, there." True, Frost could be a beast when she wanted to be. Josh had a feeling she secretly enjoyed striking fear into her students. Probably some power-trippy high.

Turning down another hall, Jono shrugged, not caring where they went. And there would be many places to attend, that is, unless they met a cute girl or two who kept their attention. Either way, this was definitely going to be an all-nighter. "So long as the music isn't complete bloody crap."

"Of course. No rap or annoying techno." Not that techno was a bad thing. But there’s only so many consecutive ‘ump-cha ump-cha ump-cha’ beats you can dance or listen to before it gets extremely irritating.

As they rounded the corner, the boys almost crashed into a pretty, curvaceous, redhead. Perhaps they could convince her to come alo—'Oh. It’s just Theresa.' Josh held in his smirk. She was indeed captivating in her own way. Challenging, to say the least.

"Oh, and where are you two off to tonight, looking all snazzy?" Theresa rolled her eyes at the boys as she spoke, hinting she knew exactly where they were going. Of course, their clothing indicated they were heading out, and Josh knew he looked good, as usual. His eyes locked with hers, a confident, competitive spark in them which paralleled Theresa’s. As much as he hated to lose anything, Josh had to admit he admired that competitive streak in her. She and Josh were pitted against one another in nearly every rank of Academy competition, vying for the top spot, whether it be in academics or training. And the veiled goading rarely stopped, especially around competitions and exams. Neither was willing to settle for anything but the best, and both liked to win.

"And here I thought we ran into a pretty girl, but no, it’s just Theresa." Josh shook his head, mock-disappointed before unsuccessfully hiding a lazy grin.

"No place interestin', sunshine," Jono struck his ‘cool’ pose, pulling out a cigarette, "Heading out on a bender. Not somethin' a gel like you would enjoy." Both boys enjoyed provoking the young Irish girl, and it was amusing to watch Jono push her buttons. "Of course, a few beers might loosen you up. We might even be able to find a bloke sloshed enough to ignore your screechin' and chat you up." Damn, that was cold. Josh actually enjoyed hearing Theresa’s accented voice, not that he’d let her know that. It had a soft, mesmerizing fluidity to it, when she wasn’t screaming like a banshee.

Josh shook his head, slipping his hands casually into his pants pockets as he smirked slightly, "Oh, I dunno, Jono. It’d be just about impossible to find someone that sloshed." A challenging glint sparked off his eyes as he eyed the redhead, "Besides, her Old Man might not like his precious little girl getting tipsy, seeing as the Princess has to set a good example and all." Another nickname Theresa had earned at the Academy. She was born into status and wealth and everyone knew it, so she was stuck with the name, whether she liked it or not. It might suck, but when you have everything served to you on a silver platter like she did, life couldn’t suck that much.

"I’m sure Theresa has much more important things to do and more good examples to set," Josh dropped a careful eye down Theresa’s torso, noting her summertime apparel before quickly meeting her eyes again as he started forward, as if to match Jono’s departure.

[Siryn]

"Noplace interestin', sunshine. Heading out on a bender. Not somethin' a gel like you would enjoy. Of course, a few beers might loosen you up. We might even be able to find a bloke sloshed enough to ignore your screechin' and chat you up,” Jono taunted in his thick British slang that he knew irritated her to no end. The bleeding man couldn't talk without it sounding like he had just stepped off the streets of London.

Before she could snap a witty retort, Josh chuckled and added, "Oh, I dunno, Jono. It’d be just about impossible to find someone that sloshed. Besides, her Old Man might not like his precious little girl getting tipsy, seeing as the Princess has to set a good example and all."

Theresa was fuming but it would be a cold day in hell if she let either one of them know that. She hated the nickname “Princess” more then any other that had been “bestowed” upon her during her seven years at the Academy. She wouldn't be one bit surprised if Josh himself had conceived that very one.

She was about to walk past them, completely ignoring them and already plotting what she could do to their bedrooms while they were gone when Josh just had to go and add, "I’m sure Theresa has much more important things to do and more good examples to set.”

Theresa hadn't missed either boy's eyes wandering over her body and while she knew it was only in jest that they did it, she still knew she had an amazing body. She'd had enough gentlemen friends to prove that and a few of the lucky ones had even seen her well toned and amazingly fit body up close and personal. Not that these two would ever get that privilege, poor little boys.

“It's tha weekend, Josh. Even Princess' are allowed ta take a break every now and then,” she began with a growing smirk across her face. “I'm sure that whatever club you boys go ta, I can have every straight, single man in tha place eating out of my hand before we leave. Can ya say the same for all the women? And that's without getting them drunk,” she challenged.

“I'm going ta put my bag in my room. If yuir up ta it, you'll still be here when I get back. If ya aren't, we'll all know that ya just know I'm right and win by default. It's up ta you, lads,” Theresa told them as she walked past them and down the hall to her room.

Quickly dumping the bag on her bed, she ran a brush through her long red hair and grimaced at the curls the action made. Not bothering to deal with them at the moment, she put on a bit of lip gloss and threw the tube into her pocket along with her ID and some cash. Terry didn't expect to have to pay for a thing tonight.

Finished, she walked back to where she had left the boys and wondered if they would have waited for her. Either way, she was going to win and with that, Theresa entered the lobby with a smile on her face.

[Chamber]

"Oh, I dunno, Jono. It’d be just about impossible to find someone that sloshed." A challenging glint sparked off [Josh's] eyes as he eyed the redhead, "Besides, her Old Man might not like his precious little girl getting tipsy, seeing as the Princess has to set a good example and all."

Jono let out a snorting laugh at Foley's jibe. Winding up the 'Princess' was right fun, and the school's golden boy was one of the best at it. Cassidy, for her credit, did her best not to show just how brassed she was at them. She started to brush past them, her manner as regal and as 'I don't give a bloody damn' as she could muster.

Then Foley piped up again as they headed towards the door, giving Siryn one last appraising look. "I’m sure Theresa has much more important things to do and more good examples to set.”

“It's tha weekend, Josh. Even Princess' are allowed ta take a break every now and then,”Terry gave them a cheeky grin. “I'm sure that whatever club you boys go ta, I can have every straight, single man in tha place eating out of my hand before we leave. Can ya say the same for all the women? And that's without getting them drunk.” She turned towards the stairs. “I'm going ta put my bag in my room. If yuir up ta it, you'll still be here when I get back. If ya aren't, we'll all know that ya just know I'm right and win by default. It's up ta you, lads.”

Jono let out a loud laugh and half-turned to Cassidy, shaking his head a moment. He glanced over at Josh. "Blimey, mate," he observed. "Now she wants to prove she can out-whore us." He pulled a lighter from his pocket and lit his fag, pushing open the door. "Didn't think you were such a tart, Cassidy. What will Daddy think?"

He took a drag on the cigarette as she hurried away. He glanced over at Josh and shrugged. "Why not?" he replied, exhaling smoke out the open door. "We can lose her at the first club if she's too much of a pain in the arse."

He took another drag on his cigarette. "'Asides, you know how much she hates it when we let her win," Jono tossed Foley a cheeky smirk as he stepped out of the hallway. "I'll be out here havin' a smoke until the shrew is ready. I'm gonna enjoy watchin' her get arse over tit and make a right fool of herself. Show us, she will."

Jono let the door swing shut behind as him as he stepped outside to smoke his fag in peace before the shrew came back. He knew just the places to take them. Cassidy would be right. She would have every bloke in the place eating out of her bloody hand. And grabbing her arse, and all the other lovely bits.

Would be good for her. Either bring her down a notch or brass her off she'd start a brawl. Either way, Jono'd enjoy watching.

[Elixir]

“It's tha weekend, Josh. Even Princess' are allowed ta take a break every now and then,” At least she admitted her ‘royal’ status. Though Josh had a feeling their goading, especially that particular nickname, irritated Theresa more than she let on. Especially with the next challenge, “I'm sure that whatever club you boys go ta, I can have every straight, single man in tha place eating out of my hand before we leave. Can ya say the same for all the women?” Oh yes, they definitely could. ”And that's without getting them drunk.” As if either Jono or Josh needed the girls to be plastered. They couldn’t really help it that girls willingly fawned over them.

“I'm going ta put my bag in my room. If yuir up ta it, you'll still be here when I get back. If ya aren't, we'll all know that ya just know I'm right and win by default. It's up ta you, lads.” She tossed them a winning glance.

"Blimey, mate. Now she wants to prove she can out-whore us." Josh caught Jono’s eyes and shrugged nonchalantly, pretending Theresa wasn’t even there. “Well, if what those rumors about how she ‘gets around’ are true..” Zing. That’s one. "Didn't think you were such a tart, Cassidy. What will Daddy think?" That’s two. Josh grinned. Jono could always be counted on to come up with a snarky remark or five.

“Oh, he’d just toss some money on the situation to ‘make it go away.’” That’s three. The confident smirk rested on his face as watched Theresa leave, then turned his gaze back to Jono. Looked like the Englishman was ready for a smoke, pulling out a cigarette from his endless supply. Josh never had a big thing for smoking, though he had smoked occasionally. His healing factor canceled out the immediate affects anyway. And Jono—well, that whole not needing food, drink, or breathing thing did the same.

"Why not?” Jono acquiesced, "We can lose her at the first club if she's too much of a pain in the arse. Asides, you know how much she hates it when we let her win," Jono grinned slyly, walking towards the exit. Oh, they would have to lose her if she became too much hassle. Though Josh knew that would most likely not be the case. While Theresa might be able to get under his skin, she was rarely that annoying. But that didn’t mean he didn’t like teasing her about it.

"We’ll never hear the end of it." Josh straightened slightly, putting on a near spot on imitation of the Irish girl in a piercing Theresa-like falsetto voice, "‘Aye, did ya see all tha lads that’re lining up?!’" He glanced upward before smirking, letting Jono leave to smoke in peace.

Indeed, Theresa would have a sizeable amount of suitors, if you could call them that. More like overeager testosterone-driven guys out looking for an easy breezy good time. But hey, if Theresa wanted to come along and play with the Big Boys the Irish lass was welcome to give it a Guinness-induced shot. She knew what she was getting into. Now that there was a challenge on the table, Josh wasn’t about to back down. It was two against one. The odds weren’t looking good for her.

Josh leaned casually against the hallway as he waited, not bothering to right himself as Theresa approached. "About time, Your Majesty. Don’t worry, Jono’s readying the royal vehicle." It had only been a few minutes, if that, but Josh couldn’t resist. It would annoy the crap out of Theresa. And Josh knew the faint smell of smoke told her otherwise about Jono’s whereabouts. Add in a jibe or two about Theresa’s pseudo-royalty and so far the night was starting out fairly well.

Josh raked an eye over Theresa’s form. She hadn’t changed her clothes but had an extra curl to her hair and something else he couldn’t decipher. "You’re going like that?" He said it almost critically, shaking his head slightly though he knew the opposite. Theresa didn’t need much to look good. Unfortunately that added to that ‘better-than-you’ air about her. A little humble pie along with a night out with the boys might actually do her some good.

Tossing her a glance as if to say ‘It’ll have to do,’ Josh turned and held open the door, "Age before beauty," And smiled innocently before following after her. "Her Royal Highness finally decided to grace us with her presence," Josh greeted Jono, a tiny smirk on his face.

Alright, enough with the thinly veiled teasing. For now. "Chauffeured or the subway?" That is, if Theresa could stand being in the subway, what with her delicate royal senses and all. Unless one of them wasn’t planning on drinking tonight or Jono felt like being the designated driver. They could be dropped off in one of the clubbing districts and walk or take the subway or a train. Hell, he didn’t care. Just as long as the night got moving faster than it had started.

[Siryn]

"Blimey, mate. Now she wants to prove she can out-whore us. Didn't think you were such a tart, Cassidy. What will Daddy think?" Jono threw in her direction as she walked away.

Keep walking, Terry-lass. He's expecting a reaction. Just keep walking, she told herself.

It didn't help when Josh added, “Well, if what those rumors about how she ‘gets around’ are true..Oh, he’d just toss some money on the situation to ‘make it go away.’”

The hair on the back of her neck stood up as Theresa forced her feet to keep walking forward and not turn around to claw their eyes out. She knew damned well that if Tom found out about half of what could happen tonight, he'd be on her butt in no time. He would remind her that she worked too hard to let a couple of boys ruin her future and he'd be right. But there was no way she could let them get away with their snarky little comments and 'we're so much better then you' attitudes.

She put on a mask of sereneness as she walked into the lobby to find Josh waiting for her. The smell of smoke coming from outside indicated where Jono was. "About time, Your Majesty. Don’t worry, Jono’s readying the royal vehicle,” he snipped at her and Terry simply rolled her eyes to indicate she knew he was lying. Besides, she'd been gone all of five minutes at most. She could have easily made them wait much, much longer. "You’re going like that?" he added.

Theresa simply shrugged her shoulders and touched the collar on shirt as if there were a stain on it. “Same could be said for you, Sunshine. Besides, I could care less what ya think of my clothes. It's not you I'm going ta knock tha socks off now, is it? Although I'm sure ya'd like that...”

Pushing the door open, Josh grabbed it and said, "Age before beauty.”

Stopping in the doorway, she turned to him and gently patted his cheek in consolation. “Perhaps one day ya'll learn what a little experience can do. When ya grow up, that is, and yuir golden face doesn't buy ya everything.” she replied before turning back and heading out the door.

She stepped slightly ahead of the boys and heard Josh say, "Her Royal Highness finally decided to grace us with her presence.” She chose to ignore that remark, focusing instead on his next one. "Chauffeured or the subway?"

Theresa glanced back and said in a humorless tone, “Subway. I've already sent Daddy's car back home.” Then she started walking toward the subway station, stopping long enough to look back and add, “Ya lads coming or have ya already conceded defeat?” With a grin, she turned and continued on to the station.

((Exit to Shopping District in Hammer Bay))