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Post by havok on Jul 24, 2005 11:32:40 GMT -5
White Queen
((Crossposted from Penthouse))
Walking into the hall, Emma opened the phone and said, "Sabastian? What's wrong?"
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Post by Siryn on Jul 24, 2005 14:59:44 GMT -5
White Queen
Emma sighed softly. "Tell Jono he shouldn't have a problem now. I was in a meeting in a psychically sealed room and that's why he couldn't get through. As for Forge, that is troubling, especially if Jono can't reach him. Have him keep trying but I have a strange feeling I know where he is," she told Sabastian matter of factly.
Then Emma smiled when Sabastian added softly, "And Jono would also like to ask if everything is all right. He seemed a bit worried."
"Jono is a worrywart, Sabastian. You had better get used to that. I'm fine, just tired and in need of sleep but that will probably be hours away. Take care of each other and I'll see you in a day or two," Emma added, allowing a bit of emotion to escape into her voice. After seeing her precious students dead in that vision, she was feeling a bit sentimental toward them.
Hanging up the phone, Emma stopped to lean against a wall. She had taken the stairs from the penthouse to the next floor and was standing in the stairwell. Allowing her mind to reach out, she focused on one mind that she knew quite well and just as she expected, she found him.
Opening her eyes, Emma climbed down one more flight of stairs and headed for the area she sensed Forge in.
((Continued in Hotel: Regency: Hellions Room))
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Post by Cyclops on Jul 27, 2005 14:09:49 GMT -5
Scott went into one of the lobbies and tried to concentrate on the information Xavier had given him. He was too angry and exhausted to comphrend the complicated legal jargon and other technical information involved. Letting out a long heavy sigh, he carefully pulled off his sunglasses to rub his eyes.
Replacing his glasses, he stood up, stashing his laptop in its bag. Stretching, he rummaged through his pockets, looking for his key card for his room. That's when he found the slip of paper with his brother's name and room number. Alex. He'd completely forgotten his promise to go see him. It was now very early in the morning, almost dawn. Would he mind Scott dropping by now? He hoped not. He'd made a promise and he intended to keep it.
Shouldering the bag he kept his laptop in, he headed towards Alex's room.
[[ Exit Cyclops to Havok's Room ]]
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Post by Phoenix on Jul 28, 2005 2:52:31 GMT -5
[[Cross-posted with "Hotel: Regency"]]
Frowning Jean’s eyes followed after her husband as he gathered his things and left. He was just beginning to unwind and even smile a bit when Magneto showed up. His frustration was clearly warranted as it washed over her psyche. She totally understood why he left. It wasn’t as if the Professor was being forthcoming with any information, and to see him dealing with Magneto was a blow to Scott’s view of the world. Everything was very clear cut to him, with few shades of grey.
But Jean wanted to hear what Magneto had to say. Seeing that Charles wasn’t being very opening, she thought it best if she stick around for a few minutes. < It’ll be alright, love. I won’t let anything happen to Charles. And seeing as Magneto is being very frank, we might be able to learn some valuable information concerning the Senate hearing. I’ll join you soon. > Sealing her message with a kiss, Jean kept her distance from the Master of Magnetism as he entered the room.
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Post by Phoenix on Aug 1, 2005 1:13:35 GMT -5
[[Enter Phoenix from “(Hotel Regency) Penthouse”]]
What had gone on up there?
The elevator pinged open and Jean stepped out, not really paying attention to what floor she was on. She knew there were lounges at the end of each floor, and this early in the morning she doubted there would be anyone there. As she approached the mid-sized room, she knew she was correct, because she didn’t pick up on anyone’s mental signature.
The soft sofa and armchairs were arrayed in a distinguished manner about the room, coupled with an ice machine, which Jean barely took notice. Releasing a long sigh she slipped onto the sofa facing the windows of the lounge. The sun was just beginning to rise.
’This must be the east side of the hotel.’ Irrelevant to her current situation, the thought flittered in and out of her thoughts quickly, the reference to Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” coming to mind for some reason.
Like how confused and uncertain Jean was feeling. Why did she feel so out of control lately? It was getting harder to reign in her feelings, especially when she got angry. She just wanted to cut loose and let everyone know how she felt.
And that was beginning to scare her.
Because if she let loose, there was no telling what could happen. Charles was working with her on expanding her abilities early on, but there had been a few times where she was in danger of causing some extreme damage to the things and people around her. If she hadn’t had help to be in control, the consequences could have been severely dire.
Somewhere, deep inside where she didn’t want to admit it, she couldn’t believe Charles had yelled at her like that and used his telepathy against her. She wanted to march right back up there and show him exactly what she could do for treating her like he did. It clawed at her, in the deep recesses of her mind, just waiting to take hold and unleash.
But her rationale won over. This time. What if something like this happened again? Jean didn’t know if she had the will power to keep herself in check.
’There are so many images.. fire.. and something—something else.’ The pictures were hazy in her mind, as if taunting her, leading her on. But to what? Jean shook her head, raking her hand quickly through her long crimson hair. She knew she was probably going to get an earful from the Professor. But right now, she didn’t even want to think about him or his dealings with the White Queen and Magneto. It was just adding fuel to her fire and she was too weary to want to think about it.
< I'll be there in a minute, Jean. > Scott’s reassuring voice entered her mind. < I've got a situation on my hands right now. I think Alex's new girlfriend might be a member of the Brotherhood. > With everything going on in the penthouse, Jean hadn’t been very alert to Scott’s situation. Gladly pushing aside her own stresses, she watched the situation between Alex and a pretty young redhead and an older black-haired man. After the scene played, Scott continued in his worried tone, < Are you sure you're all right? >
Always.
The word circled around her mind, slipping in and out, leaving nothing untouched.
< Yes, I’m …sure. I just need some rest, and I’ll be fine. > Jean tried to sound positive, though her tone was weary and uncertain. She was confident about her next statement though, < I think you’re right about Alex’s girlfriend, Sweetheart. From what you showed me, it seems she and this Tom fellow aren’t exactly on the straight and narrow. > Scott was able to catch things that would otherwise go unnoted by someone who wasn’t as perceptive. Jean felt his suspicion concerning Genosha and when this Theresa kept mentioning the ‘job.’ Only someone as discerning as Scott could make the connection between the two.
< Don’t rush, love. Take care of things there. I’ll be fine. > Jean repeated her statement from earlier, but she knew it probably didn’t sound as sure as she would have liked. But she didn’t want to worry him. If there was one thing Slim was good at doing, it was worrying. And he had enough on his plate already.
For a moment Jean sat back in the sofa and stared at the beginning hues of the sunrise. The weight of the past few hours seemed to melt away with the tender light of the sun’s rays, but seconds later, everything came crashing down again. Burying her head in her hands, she choked back a shuddered breath and waited for the tears that never came.
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Post by Cyclops on Aug 1, 2005 12:37:19 GMT -5
It took Scott a little while to find his wife, even with their telepathic link to guide him. The hotel was enormous and he kept making wrong turns. And he could feel Jean's pain and frustration the whole time. She hurting, confused and more than a little bit angry. He had the urge to go throttle both Magneto and Xavier for upsetting her.
He finally found her in one of the setting rooms, sitting on a sofa, her face buried in her hands. "Jean," he murmured, concern in his voice and flowing through their link. Along with the urge to break whoever had made her cry. He hurried across to her, dropping his bag next to him. He went to his knees in front of her, reaching for her hands. He didn't know what was wrong, why she was so upset, what anyone had said or done to hurt her so, but he was here now for her.
Scott didn't say anything as he pulled her into his arms. He didn't have to. Through their link, he sent soothing, calming thoughts, expressing his concern and love for her in ways he never could in words. The mental link allowed her to know all the things that he couldn't say. He had been so relieved when she asked him if she could create the psychic bond between them. He'd had such a hard time expressing his feelings for her in words. Now he didn't have to. He still tried, on occasion, but times like this, words wouldn't help.
He held her close, stroking her hair, letting her know she wasn't alone, and he was there for her, by her side. He also couldn't help letting a bit of his anger towards Magneto and Xavier show through. Whatever Magnus had said or done to upset Jean, Charles should have been backing her up. He was beginning to wonder what was wrong with their mentor lately. The alliances with their enemies, the lack of details, sending himself and Jean on a mission they weren't suited for. None of it made any sense.
Finally, he had to ask her what had upset her so much. "Honey, what happened?"
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Post by Phoenix on Aug 1, 2005 22:28:18 GMT -5
Jean felt him near moments before he appeared in front of her. She knew he would find her, since it wasn't as if she wanted to hide from him. Face buried in her hands, Jean didn’t look up as Scott pulled her into his arms. Hearing his voice and feeling his touch, the tears triggered and flowed, steadily streaking the contours of her cheeks. What was happening to her? She just didn’t understand it. And Scott held her, just letting her cry. She needed to get it out, and to just feel like he still cared for her. Needed her. And loved her.
No matter what.
It was always difficult for him to verbally say how he felt. She knew this when she entered into a relationship with him. Though part of her always wished he’d be more vocal with his emotions, she was grateful for the ways that he did show how he felt. And now, more than ever, she was glad he had agreed to the psychic rapport. He was immersing her in his feelings, using their link to let her know the love and concern she so desperately needed to feel.
"Honey, what happened?" Jean could feel Scott’s speculation, coupled with bouts of anger at whoever made her upset.
It took her a few minutes of just resting against him, feeling the strength and protection he offered her before she could even begin to try to explain what happened. Jean wiped at the tears on her cheeks as she spoke, "Magneto.. he explained that he apprehended a spy that had been on a mission to watch the Professor. And Charles—he talked about forming alliances against the greater cause, meaning this Bill tomorrow. Which I suppose could make sense in a way, but with Magneto?" Jean looked at Scott, her features doubting. "And the White Queen as well? They aren’t the alliance-making types, unless it serves their own purposes and work by their own rules. It just doesn’t make sense."
Jean shook her head and continued on. "And then Magneto mentioned the White Queen in his own backhanded taunting way, and well, you know how I feel about her." Jean’s eyes flashed dangerously. "Things got heated, including the room temperature, and I suppose Charles thought I was getting too upset. He.." She paused, still upset from the memory, "He used his telepathy to either attack me or try to calm me down. I’m not sure which now." The more Jean thought back through the events, the more upset and hurt she became, laced with the underlying anger she’d tried to squelch when she left the penthouse suite.
"Then Magneto said something about the room temperature hurting Charles and you called for me, and I was able to calm down some. It just—I don’t know what to think anymore." Using their psychic rapport, Jean showed Scott everything that had happened after he left the room. He’d be able to grasp a better understanding of what she was describing.
Part of her feared what he would say after he saw it. Was it her? Was she losing control of herself? Maybe things weren’t as skewed with Charles’ behavior as she thought they were. Confusion began to creep its way back into her mind, clawing at the edges of comfort and love Scott supplied her. Eyes blinking back tears that threatened to return, she glanced away from his, fearing not only what he might say, but what he might feel.
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Post by Cyclops on Aug 2, 2005 22:36:12 GMT -5
Scott listened to Jean's explanation, his face betraying nothing of fear that was quickly building inside his heart. Was he losing her to that entity again? It had taken her from him once, replacing her with that part of it that was and was not her. He couldn't take that again.
He stuffed those fears to the back of his mind almost before they surfaced. No, he wouldn't lose her again. He would not let it happen. Her loss of control was Xavier's fault, for letting Magneto goad her. He stroked her hair, trying to think of some way to comfort her, reassure her, reassure himself, that she was not losing control.
And what was Charles thinking? Jean was right about Magnus and Emma Frost. Neither of them could be trusted and both would resort to any means necessary to achieve their goals. An alliance with the Hellfire Club and The Brotherhood could only end in disaster. Scott hugged her closer and nodded his agreement with her concerns about these tenuous alliances.
Then Jean began to talk and then show him what had happened when she had become angry. He saw Magneto become defensive, electricity crackling around his fist and in his eyes. He saw Xavier look almost afraid of his first student, heard Charles scolding her, then winced as he felt and heard the psychic attack. No, Scott thought, panic rising. Charles over reacted. Jean is not losing control. This is just an impossible situation. I was furious too. Yes, but he didn't have the power Jean had. He was strong, but what she could do made the destruction his powers could create look like nothing. He refused to consider that thought further.
He pulled Jean close again, his own mind a whirl of confusion, frustration, and fear. The Mutant Registration Act was threatening to take everything from him. If it were passed and something came for the students or the X-Men, she might lose control completely, trying to protect them. She'd allowed the entity to take over before to save them. He knew she'd do it again in a heartbeat if she had to.
Scott didn't know what to think either, but he knew Jean needed him and he needed her. And he would stand by her no matter what. They would get through this, somehow. He stroked her hair comfortingly, leaning his forehead against hers. < We will get through this, > he assured her, sounding more confident to himself than he really felt. < Together. I promise. >
He let out a long, heavy sigh. They were both exhausted and hadn't even started on the research they were supposed to be doing. Frankly, Scott was still frustrated with Xavier for all that he was obviously keeping from them. Who knows what else their mentor was hiding? He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Come on Red," he murmured against her hair. "Let's go to bed. We're going to be no good to anyone without some sleep. We can cram for the hearing after we crash for a few hours."
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Black Tom
Full Member
Ahh, the perks of being in Magneto's cabinet
Posts: 153
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Post by Black Tom on Aug 3, 2005 14:46:49 GMT -5
Tom pulled the phone from his coat as he walked to Exodus's room. He opened it and called the front desk. In a polite and friendly voice he began to speak with the receptionist who answered. "Hello Ma'am. My name is Tom Cassidy. I'm staying in the hotel. Some friends and I were having a Christmas party in room #305, and as I'm sure yuir already aware there is a hole in the wall........Yes Ma'am I'm terribly sorry for the incident but ya know how it is. We were drinking, having a good time, and before you know it, there's a hole in the wall. Anyway charge it all to my room, and again, I'm terribly sorry for the inconvenience."
Tom snapped his phone closed as he reached the room Exodus was supposed to be in. He opened the door, nothing. Of coarse, where else would a good lapdog be but in his master’s room. Tom thought, hoping Exodus was listening in. He moved down the hall a few doors to Magneto’s room.
((Continued in Magneto's room))
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Post by Phoenix on Aug 4, 2005 0:46:29 GMT -5
Unknowingly Jean held her breath, awaiting Scott’s emotions to peak through their rapport and waiting on his reaction. For a second she felt the desire to not want to know, to just go on without knowing. As quickly as it came, it passed. She had to know, whatever his reaction.
As he stroked her hair, she felt the fear of what could happen circle the back of his mind, coupled with a desire to protect her and anger at what had occurred. Relieved he agreed with her about Charles’ negotiations with the Brotherhood and the Hellfire Club, she released her breath, leaning into his arms. At least it wasn’t just her. Something wasn’t right about the whole situation, and she felt better that Scott recognized it, too.
When he pulled her close, she felt his frustration and bewilderment, fearing what would occur in the next few hours. Jean let the tears slide down her cheeks, sharing his feelings, knowing how important the next 24 hours would be to them.
Swallowing gently, she rested against him as he leaned his forehead on hers. < We will get through this. Together. I promise. > He sounded so confident. He was always so strong, irregardless of what he was feeling inside.
And it was exactly what she needed to hear. Jean knew he would keep his word. The confusion over what was happening to her melted into the deep recesses of her mind, where she didn’t have to deal with it. She pushed back the memory of the entity and what had happened in the past—what she’d had to do, in order to set things right. Wiping at the tears streaking her face, she nodded against his forehead, knowing that no matter what happened, they would be facing it together.
"Come on Red," Jean’s forehead tingled where Scott gave it a soft kiss before whispering against her hair, "Let's go to bed. We're going to be no good to anyone without some sleep. We can cram for the hearing after we crash for a few hours."
"Sounds like a wonderful idea." Jean replied softly, finally gathering herself enough to speak. All she wanted to do was curl up with Scott in their bed and forget about everything for a few hours. If this bill passed amongst other things, it might be the last relaxing sleep they would have in a while. She didn’t want to have to go back to the penthouse to sleep though. Pushing the thought aside, she sighed silently.
< As long as we’re together, Slim, everything will be all right. > Leaning close she rested her hand lightly on the nape of his neck, touching her lips to his in a gentle kiss. Even if this bill passed and the world came crashing down in waves of chaos, it wouldn’t matter as long as the rest of her time was spent together with him. Finally she moved to stand, but made sure to keep close. She laced her fingers between his, leaning her head on his shoulder while they walked.
[[ Exit Cyclops and Phoenix to "Cyclops and Phoenix’s Hotel Room" ]]
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Post by Siryn on Sept 12, 2005 12:01:44 GMT -5
((Continued from Cyclops and Phoenix's Hotel room))
Theresa pushed the button in the elevator for the floor where her and Tom were staying and she knew without a doubt that Jean was linking to her. Somehow, she just knew although she felt nothing abnormal. The elevator was slow, people getting on and off constantly and it amazed her how many people could be in one little place. She kept her position near the control panel and when she finally arrived on her floor, she was the only one to get out. Letting out a sigh of relief, Theresa took a deep breath then continued on her way.
Going to Tom's door, she knocked three times. He didn't answer any of those times and she called out just loud enough to be heard in his room, “Tom, are ya there?” He didn't answer and he had no reason to ignore her. Frowning, she stepped back and tried to figure out where he could be. He could be down in the restaurant eating or he could have already left. The thought of him leaving without saying goodbye to her saddened her deeply and she tried to push the emotion away before Jean got too much of it although her and Scott were just going to have to understand that Tom was her father and she loved him.
Pacing the hallway a minute, she figured she would start on this floor and if he didn't turn up, she would move to the main floor and look there. Concentrating on throwing her voice just enough for it to penetrate the doors of the few rooms she knew to be with the brotherhood and purposely staying away from where she thought Magneto was staying, she called out, “Tom, where are ya?” If he was in one of the other rooms, he would hear her and would know it was her. Otherwise, she would go downstairs.
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Black Tom
Full Member
Ahh, the perks of being in Magneto's cabinet
Posts: 153
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Post by Black Tom on Sept 13, 2005 2:24:25 GMT -5
Tom walked out of Sabretooth’s room and look both ways in the hall. Theresa was down at the end of the hall. She must have used her powers to throw her voice. “Theresa,” he called out to her. Once he had her attention, he began walking to her. He had to walk maybe a hundred feet to get to Theresa. Being more than a little tipsy, his first instinct was to give her a big hug, and he did just that.
After a second or two in a tight embrace, he let go and pulled back. “What brings ya back here? Saying goodbye before ya run off to yuir new life.” He hoped that was it. The longer she stuck around, the harder it would be for her to leave. Suddenly, Tom remembered his letter to Theresa. He felt for it in his coat but it wasn’t there. Well, they’d have to relocate in that case. “How about we talk in my room?”
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Post by Mystique on Sept 13, 2005 4:43:38 GMT -5
Stepping out of Sabretooth's room in her own shape, not bothering to hide the fact from Tom, she walked down the hall toward where he was embracing a redhead. Probably his little renegade niece or cousin or lovechild or whatever the hell she was. It didn't matter. As she passed them, she smiled at Tom and winked, then headed off to her own room.
((Mystique goes to her room))
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Post by exodus on Sept 13, 2005 7:59:30 GMT -5
Exodus opened his door and stepped out to see Black Tom and Theresa in an embrace. Mystique had just walked away leaving the two family members. It was obvious that Exodus would be intruding but that didn’t stop him. The presence in her mind was interesting.
“What brings ya back here? Saying goodbye before ya run off to yuir new life,” Black Tom said to her. Exodus shook his head. There was no way Lord Magneto was going to let her leave without at least having Exodus wipe her memory clean of the Brotherhood’s existence. The thought occurred to him that he could easily wipe her new friend’s existence from Theresa’s mind as well. “How about we talk in my room?” Black Tom asked her.
“That does not stop you from being spied upon,” Exodus said, announcing his presence to them. He shut the door to his room and walked closer to the two of them. “Another telepath is at work here. The energy is quite delicious,” Exodus explained to them. He turned his attention more onto Theresa. “Who is with you Theresa?” Exodus asked her. He already knew the answer. The energy signiture was one he had been trying to track for quite a while and he found the source having breakfast with Theresa a little bit earlier.
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Post by Siryn on Sept 13, 2005 12:16:49 GMT -5
Theresa was just about to make her way to the first floor when a door opened and Tom came out of it. Looking in the wrong direction first, he turned and saw her. Calling out her name as if she wasn't paying attention to him, he practically staggered toward her. When he was within arms length from her, Tom wrapped his arms around her and pulled Theresa into a full embrace. God, he stunk like alcohol. “Why're ya drinking already this morning, Uncle Tom?” she asked him, wanting to hold her breath. Who's room did he come out of anyway?
Before he could answer, she saw a woman come out of the same room and change her shape right there. Theresa's eyes grew wide at the sight of the blue-skinned woman. What on earth had he been doing while she was...... never mind. Theresa honestly did not want to know. Especially with the look that woman gave him.
Tom pulled back and looked at her, saying, “What brings ya back here? Saying goodbye before ya run off to yuir new life? Then he felt around his jacket like he was looking for something and added, “How about we talk in my room?”
She was about to reply to him when a familiar voice sent a chill up her spine. “That does not stop you from being spied upon. Another telepath is at work here. The energy is quite delicious. Who is with you Theresa?” Exodus called out.
Theresa whirled around at the sound of his voice and instinctively back into Tom. He knew that Jean was linked to her and from the sound of it, Jean could be in danger from him. She wanted to “call” out a warning to the older woman but didn't just in case Exodus was already in her head. Then her fear gave way to anger at the thought of him just skipping along in her mind without permission. Jean had asked if she could link with Theresa. Exodus never gave her that much consideration. Besides that, he was the one who told Tom where to find her last night, she was positive of it.
Anger overriding her fear and common sense, Theresa stepped away from Tom and approached Exodus, her voice steady but her eyes flashing in anger. Theresa stopped directly in front of him and put her hands on her hips, looked up at him and said, “I've been meaning ta talk ta ya, Exodus. I want ta know what makes ya think ya had tha right ta go spying on me last night and run ta Tom like a little gossip monger? What I do on my own time is none of yuir business. Stay out of my head from now on, got it?” By the end, her voice had raised several levels and she was barely holding on to her temper.
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