Twas the night before the night before Christmas... Part 2

[shard_bishop]

Ah ... only vaguely, but I'd been sent to find her.
* Gabriel raises eyebrows. Paranoia, wut?
* MollyHayes stares at Talos. And then loudly protests. "Politicians are pigs and lyers who are out for to suck the humanity from everyone."
* Gabriel looks at Tesla. "Do you know this man?"
* Tesla` shakes her head.
* Isis sghs. -,-
Entirely true, yes.
*sighs
(( Who are out to suck. Not out for to suck))
And... Really? Why should she, or we believe you?
* Gabriel looks back to Ardru. "And who are you, then?"
She's lost, you see, I've come to bring her home--terribly sorry, manners have gone missing, I'm afraid. My name is ArdruKuru.
Your relation being?
And who do you work for, Mr. Kuru?
* Talos 's voice can be friendly and still perfectly easy to end every sentence with 'fleshbag'.
* Tesla` looks closer. She wants to go home...
* Gabriel can't argue if she wants to go with him. He's still going to be paranoid, though.
* chiafk is now known as chi
Does she know who you /are/? Because if not I don't think anyone should trust you because you /say/ you know her. That's how little kids get their flesh shaved off.
* Shard[child] isn't leaving Tim's side right now.
o,o
....
* ArdruKuru stares at Molly
... Okay, seriously. How is that helpful?
You know, that sort of wording probably isn't helping
...
I'd have worded that a little less violently, but she has a point. We need a better explanation.
...
* Shard[child] reaches up and tugs at Tim's hand. "I don't think I ever want to go to her world."
* Gabriel will not facepalm.
* Talos does not take those metal sockets off Kuru.
Well. But! (she stares around the room) Sorry but it's true. I didn't mean to freak anyone out.
* Gabriel doesn't even know who half these people /are/.
*faintly* That is ... utterly barbaric....
Answer the question.
I think I prefer the Sentinels.
* Ez[kid] gives Molly a thumbs up and a 'that's a very good way to think' expression.
* Tim[Talon] pats Shard. Aren't they from the same world? ... He won't mention that.
Look, Mr. Kuru. This young woman is lost, aye. If she's to go with you, then it would be her choice. I'm sorry for the rest of... *glances around to the others*
* Tesla` looks from face to face. This is not helping her confusion!
* Shard[child] is from way in the future of Molly's world. She doesn't know things like that. But yeah, they are. Shard just doesn't remember right now.
*blinks and looks at Gabriel again. Ah. Someone reasonable*
* Gabriel is trying to be the voice of reason here.
* Tim[Talon] is only guessing on account of both of them knowing who the X-Men are.
Still, even a little more explanation to show you're not actually a stranger would help.
You're not -going- to offer any explanation, are you.
Forgive my rudeness--I haven't been entirely clear. I'm the Director of the facility she lives in.
What facility?
What sort of facility?
Oh, well that clears ALL our suspicions!
*blinkblink*
She is an orphan.
* Gabriel wonders if everyone else can calm the bloody hell down and let him speak like a civilized person.
* MollyHayes will go stand next to Ez now. T_T ONLY HE and that guy she doesn't know understands her! The girl plays with her beard. "Ew, a facility? That never means anything good. They tried to stick me in a facility."
*to Ez and Talos* Maybe you could just let Mr. Gray speak.
Ah.
* Ez[kid] smiles at Molly.
* Talos ignores Anonymous Brat X.
....
* Ez[kid] rolls his eyes at Tim.
Why would she not recognise you?
And you're here because she got lost, eh?
* Shard[child] might be grumbling that maybe Molly belongs in one. But she is grumbling under her breath, so maybe only Tim understands her.
Because, you know, simultaneously barking out questions is ... real efficient ...
o,o
... and not at all confusing ...
Yes. I found her through the tracking implant--everyone has one.
* Isis blinks.
* MollyHayes will look at Tesla now. "Do you like the facility? You should only go if you like it."
* Gabriel tilts his head.
I... I just wanna go home.
It's her home, apparently... Hm.
Because it's sorta understandable now, that you don't know him, if he's a big wig at the facility. They never walk around and give out hugs because they're busy being The Man.
*looks at Talos* She doesn't recognise me because he hasn't seen me, so far, only the Keepers.*
((-*))
Why don't one of you presumptuous assholes go with them, and if she says that's her home, then you can leave her there?
* Ez[kid] 's brows have narrowed a little. His expression says: this girl knows nothing of the world, and he just wants to take her back to that place...
* Talos nods. "And the director is here, as opposed to the police or other staff being sent, because...?"
You see, Mr. Kuru, we offer asylum to anyyone that needs to escape er... less than positive situations. We simply want to make sure you're who you say you are.
You know my Keepers?
... because they are minding the children.
* Talos nods, again.
It's ludicrous to interrogate him based on your own universe's procedures.
I know some of them, yes.
One of you listen to the bossy one and go with them!
I'll go.
* Ez[kid] smiles. :D
* ArdruKuru is being inundated with questions. Blinks at Gabriel.* I"m sorry... what?
* Hat[cat] arrives. He is a tiny furball of a black cat, and he is wearing a collar with an LCD panel that says 'Hat' on it. Seems fairly straightforward, huh?
Mii.
* Gabriel is having a hard time, in this insane asylum.
* Ez[kid] pads over to recover his shoes, since they're still next to one of the couches.
:|
* Tim[Talon] is half amused, half exasperated. 'Grown ups'. "Hey, cat."
* Gabriel turns to Tesla. Okay. Breathe, Gabriel. "Do you want someone to go with you?"
* Shard[child] looks over when Tim says that, then smiles. "Kitty!"
I want MaluRum. ._.
* Hat[cat] has claimed these shoes in the name of Hat! No, not really. Will maybe sniff Ez, though. And look at Tim. Hopefully, Tim was not expecting the cat to say hello back.
* Ez[kid] smiles at the kitty and pets Hat a moment.
* Tim[Talon] was open to the possibility, but not particularly expectant.
* Talos is about to say something, to judge by the gesture, when she freezes and disappears.
* MollyHayes rolls up her sleeves and steps forward. Her eyes are glowing again. "I'll go with them. If he's lying I can hit him into the stratisphere."
I'm here to bring you home. She's there, and she's wondering where you've gone.
*blink*
* Gabriel looks between the both of them. Well. It seems legitimate. He might just be ridiculously paranoid.
* Hat[cat] leans into the pettings.
* Ez[kid] straightens up (sorry, kitty) and smiles at Ardru. "It'd still be nice if somebody from here could at least get to see that she's ending up in the right place."
>.> <.<
Who, now?
* Wonderbeast slinks in from a door, after giving the room a good look around. He's man-shaped, wearing human clothes, but -not- human; pale, and purple, and speckled, and glowing.
o,o
*blink*
We have no idea what the 'right place' is. *looks between the two of them.* If she wants to go, we can't do anything about it.
..*Blinks*
* Tim[Talon] has also thought of the possibility that the person that goes with Tesla may be, uh, hit over the head and left in a dumpster or whatever equivalent, but he doesn't care enough to suggest that.
* Shard[child] blinks at Kuru. "Why does nobody touch where you're from?" What? It bothers her.
* Hat[cat] has nothing better to do at the moment, might volunteer.
* Ez[kid] 's expression, right until the 'waaah' at the new entrant, was 'hey, I'll volunteer :D'.
* Hat[cat] peers at the Wonderbeast. o.o
* Shard[child] is, of course, still leaning against Tim. Or close to him, at least.
* Wonderbeast grins, too wide, too thin. He walks through the room along the sides, to the bar, still half slinking.
It's ... ah, considered rude. An invasion of another person's space.
* Shard[child] blinks again. "Why? They'll just tell you to move if it's bothering them."
My apologies.
* Tim[Talon] will pick Shard up, if she is not adverse to this. It's tricky with one arm, but he'd prefer to relocate if the Wonderbeast is going to be around the bar.
* Ez[kid] would be all right with somebody trying to hit him over the head to leave him in a dumpster, since he figures if they can carry something big enough to do that with and he doesn't notice they deserve the chance.
* Wonderbeast will notice the reaction, and watch Tim closely.
* Shard[child] might flail a bit, but only until she can get herself wrapped around Tim. And staring at Wonderbeast.
* ArdruKuru wonders if it's really the time to get into a discussion of cultural mores with a small child*
* Wonderbeast crouches and rakes around the bar, silent, efficient. He's listening, and seems intelligent enough to understand it...
* Tim[Talon] only glances at Wonderbeast one more time before apparently dismissing it. "Different cultures have different customs, Shard. It's ... well, it's something that happens."
Mao. o.o
* Tesla` still has her arms wrapped around herself. Personal bubble is a go.
If anything, I think the young woman needs to be in a quieter place. *worried look.*
Okay, it's totally taking forever for you guys to decide anything. If you need me to go with them and punch people, I'll be --who's that? (Is gape-jawed again.)
* Shard[child] lays her head on Tim's shoulder. "It's...different." Will just let it go for now, though. Different cultures seems to have satisfied her for the moment.
I tried to go home and it was -so loud- and someone tried to grab me.
o.o
* Wonderbeast glances at Molly, sharply.
* Gabriel nods.
Is everyone here so violent--*derailed* How did this happen?
* Tim[Talon] sits on a couch so Shard has the option of getting down, but he seems pleased (and sort of surprised to be pleased) at Shard.
*quieter* Unfortunately, it tends to be this way more often than not.
Violent?
o.o
We got her back to the right page, but it was the wrong line.
There were -cars- and um. I think it was rain. And I almost got hit, and they yelled and tried to grab me and I hit the button and came back here.
* Ez[kid] nods.
Perhaps, if you're not going right away, you should take a sideroom? It's much quieter, you could have a bit of privacy.
* Shard[child] shifts herself into Tim's lap instead of clinging to his neck. Easier on Tim's back, too.
* ArdruKuru is staring at the cat.
* MollyHayes squeaks and ducks a bit behind whoever is closest. Wonderbeast looks damned familiar but that look was not in the least bit comforting.
* Hat[cat] stares back. o.o Is a cat. What.
th...
The cat? :D
* Gabriel is paying no attention to the cat. Cats talk here. They turn into people. It's the usual thing.
* Ez[kid] reaches to pick up Hat?
*That's Tim's next training exercise. Small children hanging from his neck for long periods of time. ;__;*
*Maybe later, Tim*
Y-yes...
* Ruto sticks her head back, where did all these people come from?
Miao. o.o *is picked up - seems totally okay with this and is utterly passive about it. Maybe he's used to being handled* ^.^
* Wonderbeast furrows his brow. It's the wrong shape, different muscles than normal.
* Gabriel pauses. Looks at Tesla again. "Are you hungry?"
* Ez[kid] carries hat over to Ardru. :D
((*Hat))
* Tesla` nods. "I missed lunch."
* Hat[cat] is helo to Ardru! So is his nose. Sniff, sniff.
What do you like?
* Wonderbeast glances around. Everyone is concentrating on Tesla, the little commando is protecting the blonde girl, the one that looked at him...
* Wonderbeast ...and there's an old man.
Maybe she'd like some cookies?
* Gabriel is NOT that old. B|
((X3))
* Shard[child] totally didn't mention that because she wants cookies. Nuh-uh.
* MollyHayes is still sort of hiding behind furniture and people, studying Wonderbeast and keeping a fair distance.
*blinks* Cheese sandwiches.
* Gabriel looks up. "Sorry, what?"
*looks at Gabriel* She likes cheese sandwiches and soup.
* Ez[kid] skritch skritch Hat.
* Tesla` looks up at Kuru, and smiles a little. "How did you know?"
* Hat[cat] purrs and headbutts Ez. Friendly!
* Tim[Talon] is willing to risk the bar for cookies. Or cokies, which is what his typist first typed.
((UNwilling. UNwilling.))
I do pay attention sometimes. *smile*
* Gabriel smiles. "I think I can handle that."
* Wonderbeast is not a coke dealer.
* ArdruKuru looks at the cat again. As though daring it to speak.
* Ruto frowns at the whole goings-on, then decides to ask Shard, since she was here earlier. "What's going on?"
I'll be right back. Sit down, try to relax... *yes, he knows that's currently an impossibility* ... have some tea.
* Gabriel heads kitchenward.
* Ez[kid] pokes Hat lightly.
* Hat[cat] looks back at Ardru. "Maaao."
...
* Wonderbeast analyses and -sniffs- as he walks past.
* Shard[child] looks up at Ruto. "Tesla went home, but went to the wrong place. So she came back here. And he--" Points at Kuru. "--followed her so he could take her home. But nobody really trusts him, so it's a little awkward." Blunt, thy name and all that... "And there's a girl here who is a meanyhead."
* Hat[cat] is kind of a dick when it comes to people being surprised that he can talk.
(strokes her scraggly beard again and then takes a deep breath) Are you Wonder Man? Because you look funny to be him (she has carefully placed a couch between them, just in case)
* Gabriel smells like a human. And kinetic energy.
*blinkblink. The girl. That IS why he came here.*
* ArdruKuru smells like human and technology.
Ah... Tesla... would you like to stay here to eat, then?
* MollyHayes makes a sharp face at Shard.
* Shard[child] smells human. No mutant powers yet. And cookies.
* Wonderbeast 's gaze affixes on Molly again, steady and incendiary.
* Tim[Talon] puts his left hand inside the sling that his right arm rests in. There is, entirely coincidentally, a taser located there, but Tim is not surprised! For some reason!
Oh, well THAT part's no surprise... Well, if she doesn't know him...
* Ruto ponders.
*strange, too-smooth voice!* Wonder Man?
* Shard[child] looks at Wonderbeast. Oh, she's not too sure about that voice. "Leave her alone." She might be mad at Molly, but she doesn't want to see anything happen to her.
* Ez[kid] smells like human, technology, and fire and stone.
*with just a hint of the ocean.*
I definitely don't trust that one.
Ssh. She can take care of herself. *focused!*
Me...meep! (She ducks a little further behind the couch before taking a big breath and puffing out her chest) Wonder Man. Big and strong and com...comparable to Thor.
* Shard[child] still has her Batman shirt on. It...probably doesn't mean anything to her, even, but she likes it.
Thor.
...
Thor?
Hammer? Beard? *gestures, quieter voice* Helmet, horns?
Thor. :o
(her fingers go up to make make like Thor's silly helmet) Thor.
* Gabriel returns with a tray. It has several cheese sandwiches, a bowl of soup, and a glass of pineapple juice. He wasn't sure about milk.
No. Why?
* Wonderbeast folds his arms: he has abomnible hooked claws.
* Nick_Wright enters. He's got something in a bag with him. He goes over to the bar.
* Wonderbeast is a man-shaped thing that isn't human, purple, spotty and glowing.
* Ruto waves to him as he does, then goes back to peering suspiciously at the beast-thing.
((er, human;))
* Gabriel sets the tray next to Tesla and sits down himself.
* Nick_Wright barely bats an eye at either of them.
* Nick_Wright does, however, wave a bit to Ruto.
* Shard[child] looks up at Nick and waves. Because she waves at just about everybody. And goes right back to glaring at Wonderbeast.
(bravely. Which is pretty much 'loudly' and 'over-eager' to others) Because you remind me of Wonder Man only ...only. Funnier looking.
Hullo, Mr. Wright. *finally, a face he recognizes*
* Kai_ is now known as Changeling
Eh? Um, Gabe, right? Hey.
* Hat[cat] looks at Nick. o.o
* Gabriel nods.
* Tim[Talon] takes this opportunity to try and stick a tracer in Shard's hair ._. because CLEARLY if she's going to be out and about in this state...
* ArdruKuru sticks near enough to Tesla to keep an eye on her, but not so near that he'd touch her.
* Nick_Wright is da one wit da glasses.
* Tesla` is a twelve-year-old girl, in white pyjamas with filthy soft shoes, and now with soup and sammich. Mmm. :D
* Gabriel will assure you the food is not LOLed. He ate a bit of it first, and he's still 'normal'. Whatever passes for that around here.
* Wonderbeast narrows his eyes sharply, with a little red spark from each as he does so.
* Ez[kid] is an 11-year-old kid, wearing jeans and a t-shirt, and holding Hat.
* Nick_Wright watches Wonderbeast, vaguely wondering what species of critter he is.
...Lotta kids in here today.
* Hat[cat] is a kitty!
* Ruto is a fifteen year old fish princess!
* Changeling is a tall, entirely green guy who chooses this point to walk in, wearing a Tibetan style shirt (black!), arm bands/bracers, and his usual tight trousers. His hair is tied back in a low ponytail and, er, sporting a small sprinkling of snow?
* Shard[child] probably already has a tracer courtesy of Bruce on her somewhere, too. She's still five and sitting on Tim's lap at the moment. And looking none to trustingly at Wonderbeast.
* MollyHayes makes a tight sound in the back of her throat again and then thins out her lips and her eyes start glowing a brighter pink then even before in retaliation.
* Nick_Wright thinks he's met this guy briefly. A slight wave.
* Nick_Wright blinks and looks back at Molly. Uh?
* Hat[cat] peers at Green Dude.
* ArdruKuru is an adult. Tall, with longish, thick brown hair, wearing a neat suit and a longcoat with insigniae. He looks pleasant, harried, and tired.*
* Tesla` o,os at the green guy over her soup.
* Ruto raises an eyebrow at him.
* Wonderbeast raises an eyebrow, the wrong way. Not impressed.
* Isis turns to a new page in her sketchbook and resumes sketching.
* Hat[cat] might PAW at Ardru. Possibly, his thoughts are along the lines of 'HAY I'M TOUCHING YOU'
*also o.o at the green fellow*
*is kittypawed*
*blinkblink*
mii
* Tim[Talon] doesn't pretend not to have seen Changeling, but he's still focused on Wonderbeast. B
* Changeling waves briefly to Nick, and completely ignores all o_oing.
((B| I can type.))
You aren't fooling me, I heard you speak.
Are you /sure/?
* Wonderbeast snorts.
You should stop staring at people like that! It's ..it's. You're making me worried!
* Ez[kid] offers Hat to Ardru. :D
* Nick_Wright chuckles a bit, shaking his head.
* Hat[cat] is offered! o.o
* Changeling also sits next to Tim and Shard, entirely casually. "Hmm. Hello."
That's not the weirdest thing in the Nexus. *To Ardru. Though exactly what she means is anyone's guess. There's so much weird in this room.*
* Shard[child] turns and looks at Changeling, squinting. "Garfield?" Hey, that's what he insisted on.
*to Molly* Who -are- you?
Hi. *takes his hand out of his sling, because he is not keen on Changeling getting the impression he's going to /tase/ him or anything*
* ArdruKuru has a cat.
... Sort of. Hi, Shard. *His expression is unreadable at that name.*
My name is Molly Hayes.
* Hat[cat] blinkies at Ardru. Also, headbutts. Aw.
* Tim[Talon] doesn't "correct" Shard.
[Hmm. I should probably message Georik before I drop in on him...]
* ArdruKuru instinctively scritches. It's a cat. It's what one does with cats, whether they speak or not.*
* Shard[child] makes a small 'oh' sound. "Hi."
*purr* ... Okay, you can't be all bad.
* Changeling gives shrugs to Tim. "I was stuck at eight and a half for a while. Mentally, as well. Which... yeah."
* Tesla` has foooood. :D
* ArdruKuru smiles a little wanly.* Do cats speak often, here, I wonder?
* Tim[Talon] glances at Changeling and nods. He'd seen it, but he's not going to mention that.
Well, you can't really expect anything NOT to talk around here, honestly.
I've been told that they do.
It's more common than back home, I'd say.
Though, I have met some cats here who don't speak.
Ah, I see.
I just assume all animals are shapeshifters. That's usually what happens back home in the camps.
Molly Hayes. I don't recognise it. I've never seen you.
Who is Wonder Man?
* Changeling wasn't sure if Tim was ignoring everything he did in the Nexus or not. Or, you know, dead. Whichever.
The camps?
* Tim[Talon] cannot confirm or deny. _>
* Ruto raises an eyebrow at Shard. "Really?"
The containment camps. It's where the Sentinels keep all the mutants so they aren't a danger to non-mutant humans.
* Hat[cat] yawns. Totally isn't a shapeshifter, what are you talking about?
* Nick_Wright 's eyes widen a bit. "Oh Jesus."
* Changeling is just quietly aware of Wonderbeat. He sees what you're doing there B| But, he has stuff to do.
*scritches. Goodness, he's sleepy. He'd been hunting all up and down for the girl and now all of this and a cat on him....*
o_o What the?
((*Wonderbeast. Ahaha >_>;;))
That doesn't sound good.
* Hat[cat] leans into the skritching.
:/
[Man, why do people always think things are dangerous if they're different?]
* Shard[child] nods and points at her tattoo. "That's why I have this. So if I leave the camp, they can find me easy."
Oh...
He's a hero. He was a West Coast Avenger before they were disbanned. (Her eyes are still glowing and she's removing the santa beard so she looks less ridiculous) Victor says he was an /asshole/ and I believe him because Victor is a big fat fanboy.
* Isis blinks.
* Ruto frowns.
* ArdruKuru blinks at it. Tracking implants are so much more civilised, really.*
... Oh, that's why you expected me to have one.
* Shard[child] isn't bothered. Though, really. She's five and the tattoo is well healed by now. What does that say about the people who put it there?
Man, it really gets on my nerves when people curtail the human rights of the few so that the many don't have to think. >_>
* Shard[child] nods at Changeling. "I thought you were a mutant. All mutants have them where I'm from."
* ArdruKuru thinks the cat is a very wise cat.
* Hat[cat] is kind of chillaxed about this. You wouldn't be terribly stressed about anything, either, if you were a cat.
*quiet* We call them metahumans. Though... that's not quite right either.
* Nick_Wright sighs. "People can be total bastards sometimes."
Mm, no. Not quite, but close enough.
Yeah, that's what they call them on my world, too. We don't have camps yet, though. *not an optimist*
"Yet," huh?
You should try and stop them from happening. :/
I'm a mutant. (her attention is drawn by this new conversation)
[I wonder if I would be considered a "mutant" on another world...
]
No, but I'm not an optimist. When I look at it rationally, though, I don't think that that's the direction things are headed...
Asshole, how?
Did he -steal-?
There's always conflict between fundamentally different peoples. How it works out... takes time, either way.
* ArdruKuru is watching Tesla a little sadly.
I have Grandma and Bishop. It's more than some people have. *She peers at Molly* You...Bruce said something about time travel. Are you a time traveler?
* Changeling Thank you for this good food. *has a little of the tone of ritual to it*
So... *not really awkward /or/ super casual, just kind of disconnected* you're going to help with the thing? Batman's Christmas complex?
* Gabriel nods. "You're quite welcome."
I wasn't really given a /choice/ in the matter. So you'd better, too.
* MollyHayes now directs her attention between two conversations -- the mutant one and the one with Wonderbeast. "Victor didn't say. We were just bored and going through slides." She turns back to Shard. "No. But Gert's parents were! They went through time and /stole/ things and then they crashed and meet alla our parents and they tried to take over the world like Pinky and the Brain only they almost did it and were going to kill everyone."
* Tim[Talon] doesn't argue, but yeah, that's not agreeing either.
* Nick_Wright blinks. Wow.
* Shard[child] blinks at Molly. "Wow. That wasn't nice of them."
* Gabriel has half a mind to drag Ardru into a sideroom and grill him.
o.o
... *>:/* If you don't, you're just estranging yourself from all of them to... what, prevent awkward? Don't be ridiculous.
She must have had a fantastic upbringing.
Your friend 'Gert'.
...That does sound bad, yes.
My parents helped. (she admits, scuffing her toes) They were evil mutant doctors. Not, like, mad scientest doctors, though. That's Chase's parents. They were just happened to be doctors while they were ev-- oh, no. Gert didn't know they were and she hated them anyway. Her parents were The Man.
. . .
* Gabriel smiles to Tesla, the picture of serene calm and harmlessness. "Do you go to school, where you live?
"
* Tim[Talon] laughs at that a little despite himself. "It's under control." ... whatever that means.
*not complaining* You make little sense.
[Boy, remind me to thank my folks fo rbeing nice when I go home for Christmas.]
You sure talk about The Man a lot.
* ArdruKuru would break down and tell Gabriel everything. He's just that guiltridden. >.>
* Tesla` shakes her head. "What's school?"
That's because The Man beats ya down. (she scuffs her toe again) Plus it's almost Christmas and I really miss Gert so I'm trying to act like she's here.
Ah. Hm. Its where you're taught things, history and literature and whatnot.
* Changeling sighs and removes an (entirely too large to be in there!) present from his pocket, which he shoves at Tim. "Here. Just in case you decide that you /have/ to miss out, dorkface, I'd better give you this now." If he tries to object, he is getting his cheeks pinched, sir B|
Where is she?
* Tesla` ohs. "My Teachers teach me that stuff."
*Keepers
Gert? She's dead. Like Alex.
* Gabriel nods. "There are others like you, then, I bet. Your age..."
* Nick_Wright purses his lips. [So much tragedy in this girl's life...]
* Tesla` shakes her head.
* Shard[child] ohs at Molly. "I'm sorry. My parents are dead, too. I don't remember them, though. Grandma says they were good people." And Grandma always tells the truth. About EVERYTHING, Molly.
Must happen fast with that lifestyle.
* Tim[Talon] have suspect this very thing! Still, the way he takes the gift is all passive and stuff. "... I would say your present isn't ready yet, but. To be honest. I messed it up." Wry and mild self-directed irritation.
No one at all?
* Ez[kid] looks between Tesla and Ardru. :|
Oh? That's a rarity.
>.>
Just me. The Keepers and the Doctor are lots older.
* Hat[cat] is on Ardru. Looks at Tesla. o.o
* Batman_II walks in. Future-Batman in the redesigned Batsuit, wearing a Santa hat and beard. And ho ho ho, look who's here. He nods to Changeling and Tim before turning to stare at Shard.
* Gabriel pauses. Keepers? He looks back over at Ardru again.
Not really. ... *Okay, NOW he's awkward, because THANKS HI BATMAN*
[Lotta superhero types in here today...]
What do you do when you're not learning? *smile!*
That's nice. My parents weren't all that bad to me. They loved me a lot but they sacrificed little girls and put their souls into containers and that just... it wasn't nice and they were evil so we had to stop them. And Alex ended up being evil too and he nearly killed Chase so-- (she stops to stare at Batman) I have a beard too!
* Shard[child] waves at the Batman person, then points at his chest. "Hey! I have a symbol like that on my shirt!" And it's true, because she's wearing that Batman shirt of hers.
They huh?
* Tesla` smiles. "I play, and I paint, and I have my telescope and my television."
... *Facepalms*
...That's terrible, Miss.
That sounds like great fun.
-- Not it. *IT DOESN'T WORK LIKE THAT, TIM*
You do, don't you?
* Shard[child] stares at Molly for a moment. "No wonder you're so weird." Okay, she can forgive a lot for that sort of shit. Though not so much the badmouthing of the X-Men.
* ArdruKuru looks a bit uncomfortable.
Also not it. *Doesn't care how it works, that might... work... no wait DAMN IT.*
Heh.
* MollyHayes scurries onto the back of the couch so she can see better. "It's not really terrible. I'm totally over it, mostly. It was wrong and so it had to stop." She stares at Santa Bat. "....Hey, I'm not WEIRD!"
* Hat[cat] looks up at Ardru. Nuzzle!
* Shard[child] doesn't know why they're not it-ing. Doesn't care. "Yep! Mister Alfred got me this shirt. It makes Bruce glare, though."
* Tesla` nodnods. "I love watching the birds."
* Ez[kid] watches Ardru. You have a continuing :| locked on you, sir.
* Tim[Talon] is actually pretty grateful to Molly for engaging Shard's attention for the majority of his conversation with Changeling. >_>
* Gabriel grins. "They're fascinating."
* Batman_II glares suspiciously at Talon and Changeling. But in a friendly way!
* Tim[Talon] refrains from making an obscene gesture. Yuh-huh! You're totally weird.
* Changeling does not.
YOU'RE weird!
Well duh!
I'M Californian! That's different.
I'm a mutant. We're all weird.
* Gabriel has a thought. "D'you want a sweet to finish up?"
What's a sweet?
Cookies!
* Shard[child] may have a one track mind...
I think most people are weird, sometimes.
* Nick_Wright smiles a bit. He likes Molly. Feels sorry for her, but he likes her.
* Batman_II is noticing that, and chuckling. Little Shard is cute.
Biscuits, something like that, aye.
What's a biscuit?
* Gabriel smirks. "What you yanks call cookies."
* Shard[child] blinks. "What's a yank?"
* Tim[Talon] gives up and also makes an obscene gesture, because he didn't react to the first. His is different, also. See? Variety.
* Gabriel is English. Liverpool, actually.
*to Shard* You.
* Ez[kid] pads into the kitchen, comes back with a package of chocolate-chip cookies.
An American.
Yesplease.
* Hat[cat] is allowed to say that. Is Canadian.
Here, Mr. Kuru. Why don't you help me pick out something suitable?
Oh! Okay. *nods and reaches out to pet the kitty if Mr. Kuru is close enough*
So, is everybody enjoying the spirit of this fine holiday?
Hmm? I suppose. A lot on my mind, though.
* Wonderbeast gets up.
*blinkblink* Eh? Ah... all right. *absently hands the cat to Shard and leaves the sofa, following Gabriel.* I'll return in a moment, Tesla.
* Batman_II cannot actually manage a straight face as he says this, but his Santa voice isn't half bad.
* Gabriel pads off to the kitchen.
* MollyHayes beams back at Nick. She likes him too. He's cool for an adult. "Can I have a cookie? They're too expensive to buy because Mr. Christie apparently makes really, really good cookies."
Mister Alfred makes really good cookies too.
* Tim[Talon] , exasperated, attempts to bounce one of his tracers off of Batman's head.
I don't see why you can't have a cookie. *looks at Ez*
* ArdruKuru follows Gabriel.
* Changeling snerks into his hand.
* Shard[child] is so glad she moved out of Tim's lap. A while ago. >.> Really.
* Hat[cat] is carried with Kuru?
* Ez[kid] opens up the package and offers the open end - mmm, cookies! - to Tesla.
* Batman_II gets a tracer to the back of the head! Turns to glare at you darn kids.
* ArdruKuru is now known as ArdruKuru[kitchen]
Mr Alfred isn't a brand I know.
He's not a brand. It's a guy!
* ArdruKuru[kitchen] had placed the cat on the sofa, actually.
* Nick_Wright chuckles a bit.
* Tesla` gingerly takes a cookie.
* Changeling waves cheerfully to Batsanta >:D
Guys don't /bake/!
* Tim[Talon] :)
Why not?
Eh? Why not?
* Isis continues sketching quietly
* Hat[cat] does not get to kitchen. That's just as well, anyway. He falls asleep instead!
* Shard[child] takes a cookie when they come around. Because...well, cookie.
They do sometimes!
Because Chase said so and Nico says so and Victor doesn't count because he's a /robot boy/.
* Shard[child] also pets Hat.
* Ez[kid] takes a cookie himself. Munch munch.
* Ruto eyes the cookies. She's never anything like those before, they look weird.
* MollyHayes will happily take two cookies for herself, despite her brandname loyalties.
* Hat[sleepingkitty] purrs in his sleep. |3
* Batman_II rolls his eyes at Changeling.
Apparently I'm going to enjoy the spirit of the season whether I want to or not *pointed look at Batman.*
* Tesla` nibbles the cookie. At least she's no stranger to finger food.
Mister Alfred makes cookies. And he cooks. Because it's just me and Bruce in the house with him. Though he let me and Garfield help him make some the other day.
* Nick_Wright waves to Batman a bit. "Haven't seen you in a while."
You should. How many times have you before?
* Shard[child] has a habit of speaking in run on sentances.
Well, last year was my first.
* Wonderbeast leaves, suddenly sprinting.
* Ez[kid] sets the package on the bar. :3
Does /everyone/ you live with have a stuffy name? (she wrinkles her nose at Shard as she nibbles)
* Batman_II just nods to the both of them, then waves back to Nick. "I don't come around this part of the Nexus too often." Two words: Jonathan Crane. "But I figured I'd spread a little holiday cheer."
* Shard[child] blinks at Wonderbeast'sexit. "Huh."
* Tim[Talon] directs a vague smile sidelong at Changeling. "So. You have a lot of Christmases to catch up on."
And then, I suppose I enjoyed the one in the dimension I'm staying in *even though his mun hasn't written that narrative yet >_>* Which was, oh... two weeks ago, local time?
* Shard[child] shrugs at Molly. "That's who I live with. So...I guess? Bishop doesn't live with us."
* Tesla` likes her cookie. ^,^
* Nick_Wright nods a bit. "Good to see you again, though."
Maybe I should just dimension hop until I have as many under my belt as I theoretically should.
* MollyHayes should warn Terry not to mention any dislike for Jonathan Crane aroun Molly. "Bishop is a funny name too. For the record. But then so is Xavin but he's an alien so he gets some leeway."
They don't count unless you're with -- friends.
* Nick_Wright remembers the guy kicking some serious ass during the whole Soze malarky.
It's my last name. But Bishop's my big brother. Only Grandma calls him Lucas.
Lucas is stuffy too. But only because it should be shortened down to Luke. That's less stuffy.
* Shard[child] doesn't nibble cookies. She takes big bites out of them.
Ha. I suppose the one with - hm. My... trainer. That one doesn't so much count, then. Well, then you'd /better/ show up to Batmas. Just to make sure.
* Batman_II is the goddamn Batman, after all. Even if he's a little hard to take seriously right now. "You too." He remembers Nick being helpful in other ways. Also, he doesn't mention Crane one way or the other, most times. It's easiest. "Batmas is mandatory, yeah."
What's Batmas? *Asks a lot of questions, doesn't she?*
* Changeling 's Christmas in Shiva's dimension was, for the record, spent participating in a tournament where everyone wanted to kill him to take his place. ~*FESTIVE*~ 8D
I thought I might. See my dad. *awkward, and scentwise, confused sort of lying sort of not in that he /had/ thought about it but it's not likely*
... Make time for both. I am.
* Changeling is not going to point out the scent, he's pretty sure Tim realises he can tell :|
* MollyHayes slips down into the couch and uses her beard as a pillow as she finishes up her second cookie. "Your dad might appreciate it. I know mine would if they were alive, even though they were evil. Normal dads and moms must like it even more."
Batmas is a very special holiday that you would really, really like if you were an adult right now.
Batmas, huh? *snrks a bit*
* Shard[child] pouts.
* Tim[Talon] tries not to look intensely irritated at all the input, and doesn't say anything.
Why does all the interesting stuff have to happen when I'm older?
You could come live with me, then interesting stuff will happen to you all the time.
* Changeling pokes his cheek B| "Isn't it going to be difficult, anyway?"
...*just pats Shard on the head*
* Ez[kid] slips out.
* Ez[kid] is now known as nap
((Rawr, wrong pup >.>))
...*just pats Shard on the head*
* Shard[child] thinks about that for a moment. "I think Mister Alfred would worry about me if I did. And maybe Bruce."
And Nico will ground you if you get kidnapped by dudes in sewers who make you rob banks but it means almost nothing when she does so it's cool.
Bruce would, believe me.
((Bruce: (freaks out. Quietly and with an obsessive gleam in his eye as he checks all his sources)))
* Ruto sniffs a little, then turns to Molly. "You come from a very strange place."
* Tesla` thinks this whole place is like the stories on TV.
You get kidnapped by dudes in sewers? *Pauses* Cool.
Um, most things in my life are? *rubs his cheek* It's not a time issue. I only have so much -- *repressing irritation again*
It's California. Like, duh, it's strange. (she beams at Shard) He could turn kids into stone but I and these other kids -- the artful dodgers, he called us -- we pulled the rug out from under his feet and beat him up with sacks full of nickles!
>_>;
That's rather impressive.
Hmm. That's not exactly what I meant, but. I suppose it's not up for discussion. Anyway, you really should attend Batmas, if only for five minutes. Otherwise I'm sure his Robin will devise some horrible punishment, such as dragging you around a giant mall.
* Shard[child] certainly looks impressed.
I am, aren't I? (sounds proud)
I'm sure just trying to find me for something like that would be excellent field training. B|
Do you have any other stories you'd like to tell?
* Batman_II looms at Tim half-heartedly.
We beat Ultron to a pulp?
Who's Ultron?
Victor's dad. He's an evil robot! (gleefully) Not Victor, though, because we're changing the future about that part but Ultron is.
...*a little lost* What's a robot?
* Shard[child] frowns, then nods. "'Kay. That sounds like a good plan!"
Very true, although the frustration involved might make things worse. I haven't tried, you know. It would be inefficient, hm? *Shrug.* Oh, and whoever that purple guy was, he acted entirely like a predator. Should be careful around him.
* Isis slips out, since her mun is just so utterly lost. x_x
* Isis is now known as Matt
* Shard[child] does a lot of advocating for changing the future, normally.
A robot has a lot of circuits and stuff. Like a computer that walks and talks. Technically Victor is a /cyborg/ because he's, like, half human.
* Ruto blinks. "Computer? Circuits?"
* Shard[child] shakes her head and nods to Ruto. "She doesn't trust math."
* MollyHayes blinks the wiggles her fingers about again. "You know, whooooOOoooo technology?"
* Nick_Wright has been in here listening. Yeah.
* Ruto 's lips twitch. "I don't! Math is suspicous. Computers are math?"
* RShini is now known as Soma
* Soma enters the Nexus. Same thick down-filled winter coat, blue pants, brand new bookbag.
* Nick_Wright waves. "Heya Soma."
Hey Nick
* Changeling flops back against the couch with a sigh.
* Ruto waves to the Soma, though she doesn't recognize him.
Hey Changeling.
*shortly* I noticed. *frowns at Batman, suddenly severe, impatient* I get it, I get that it's Christmas, but I stay away to make things easier, okay? And it's /hard/ to come back and just mess around and then leave.
[Boy howdy, Scrooge.]
It doesn't make things easier, and if you avoid doing things just because they're hard you won't get anywhere. It was your choice to leave, now accept the consequences instead of running away all the time. Dork. *He looks like he's getting ready to take a nap rather than engaging in serious debate.*
* Tesla` has seriously taken this long to eat one cookie.
What he said.
* Shard[child] waves to Soma. Not that she knows Soma, but hi anyway!
And, whatever your opinions, it'd mean a lot to the kid.
* Soma double takes, and just realize what is off about this room.
Something wrong, Soma?
* Shard[child] turns to look at Tim, serious and...well, wise as a five year old can be. "Maybe you shouldn't stay away, then."
* MollyHayes peeks over at the arguing group. "But he's right there /with/ the kid. "
Not that kid. THE kid.
Uh, /what/ consequences? People asking me to spend time with them? Yeah, that's a real burden. Coming /here/ is what's running away.
Who's the kid?
The Kid is a lame name. (raises her eyebrows)
o,O
Just remembering what Nexus can do.
* Tim[Talon] pushes himself off the couch one-handed, all ruffled and aggravated. Which isn't uncharacteristic, exactly, but he usually devotes more energy into at least /looking/ less bothered.
* Batman_II shrugs. "It's not a name." Dammit, people, stop interrupting his Bat-vagueness!
((Yeah.... "The Guy" is much better!))
* Changeling shakes his head. "You're oddly stupid for such a genius. Yes, people asking you to spend time with them - and you saying that it's /hard/ or whatever. Social ramifications. It's just as important as anything else, unless you seek imbalance. Which is /stupid/, and I should know. And... do I really have to point out what you're running away from by not coming here?"
You should stop nagging him, you know. You people aren't his mom.
No, obviously we're not.
Wanna bet?
You're not exactly on my 'to do' list, Changeling. *That's more like it. Pretty cold.*
Even if there is some random vague kid. Naggers! (sticks her tongue out at Terry)
I really didn't think I was on anyone's, any more. *B|*
* Shard[child] clambers down from the couch, watching Tim and biting her lip. Nooo, not to be leaving.
* Batman_II waves a hand at Molly. "Robin says that I'm every Bat's mom. So nagging them is my job."
* Shard[child] is totally the Batmom. When she's older than five.
He doesn't look like he needs your nagging! He looks like you're just making him angry and he was just fine before. (waves her hands at Shard wildly) He was totally hanging with the little weirdo.
* Shard[child] sticks her tongue out at Molly for that.
* MollyHayes sticks her's out at Shard, grinning.
* Nick_Wright decides maybe it's starting to become a good time to think about seeing Georik's sister. He PINmessages ahead, natch.
He looks weird, sometimes. But if he really doesn't want to do this, I won't make him. *he frowns, that admission is more serious than he planned on being tonight*
That's a shock. *assessing glance between Changeling and Batman, deliberately gentling his voice in a way that's mean* It's not hard to spend time with you. It's hard to leave. And I'm needed elsewhere. And I -- need that. More than I need you, obviously.
* MikhailRamphet walks in, looking tired but smug. His hair is wet and the smell of fetid water clings to him.
* Nick_Wright grins a bit. "Well, I'll see you guys later."
* Changeling also stands up. "I think you're being a hypocrite. But maybe you're just changing. It's not my business any more, except as a friend. Which I'll always be, even when you're a jerk. All I really wanted to say was that you have choices, and you shouldn't try cutting them off. It's inefficient. Try remembering that." Lala GHOST, and go.
Hello, Phoenix Wright.
Ah... hey Mr. Ramphet. Really, it's just "Nick." Actually, I was just about to take off...
Wow. That was, like, soap opera levels of exiting. (Molly is sprawled across as much of a couch as a thirteen year old can be)
* MikhailRamphet is about to make some pithy comment or other when he notices Ruto. "...."
I suppose so. It was a bit off-putting, I think.
Are you leaving, Mr Wright? Can you pull off a cool exit too?
..ah... Nick. Alright. I will remember that.
* Tim[Talon] exhales pointedly and glances at Batman again with that same restless irritation. "It's better this way. You'll see." He seems to shake it off as he goes.
* Shard[child] chews on her bottom lip, watching Tim and Changeling and she really has NO idea what's going on.
Er, no, I just PIN I'm afraid. sorry.
* MikhailRamphet stares at Ruto. You'd think he'd never seen a princess before.
* Ruto huffs. "What are you looking at?"
I'll see you guys in a while, okay?
...you are a Zora.
Say something awesome when you do then. Like. (she jumps up and draps her arm in front of her face and lowers her octave) BEHOLD MY AMAZING EXIT. BWA HA HA!
Er...
Wonder PIN powers activate?
* Soma snickers.
[Where the hell did THAT come from?]
I am -princess- of the Zoras. *sticks up her nose*
....Oh, that was lame, Mr Wright but if it's the best you can do....
.5 on the catchphrase scale.
* Nick_Wright deflates a bit. "I, uh, think I'll just go now. Um. Later."
* Batman_II stands. "I've only met one person who could do this, really do this, and none of us -- not you, not me, not Changeling -- are the old man. You can laugh, you can cry, or you can go nuts, Tim. Personally, I'm a fan of the first one."
* MollyHayes deflates back at Nick. "Goodbye."
* Shard[child] climbs back up onto the couch, pulling her knees to her chest and staying quiet for the moment.
* Nick_Wright PINs out. Where to, Mikhail would probably have a cow. If he knew. But he doesn't. Ha.
* Tesla` curls up in her corner of the couch, her posture an unconscious echo of Shard's.
It's a little late, Batman. But thanks.
* MikhailRamphet nods a bit. "I did not know that the Zora had a princess."
It's not too late.
Well, they do. How much have you dealt with them?
* Soma gets some coffee.
* MikhailRamphet gestures towards the yard. "I journeyed to your kingdom under the ocean out there, once." Either Zora's Domain has annexed part of the Nexus, or there's an alternate group of Zoras living in the same mini-universe as the Sanctuary.
* MollyHayes plops her beard on Shard's head and scoots off home. Since this is just too much angst and soap. No kid should have to endure sitting through soap operas.
* Ruto hums. "Did you?" She has no trouble believing one or even both, Zora's River has a tendency to lead directly into some of the rivers of the Nexus on its own.
* Batman_II is a little disappointed when Molly leaves -- she's fun.
((Just pretend that was Ruto >.>))
* Shard[child] is still curled up, chin on her knees. And beard on her head, apparently.
* Tim[Talon] exhales again, absently rubbing the back of his neck. "You say these things, but nobody actually trusts me to make the right choice. So which part do I listen to?"
Both of them. I know that sounds like a non-answer, but you're smart enough to find the balance.
Then do the same for me.
* MikhailRamphet nods again. "I had no idea that there were other creatures out there with human intelligence, before."
There are a few races, actually. The Gorons, for one, though my people rarely deal with them directly. And more in the Nexus, I'm sure.
* Batman_II exhales, shaking his head. "I will."
* Shard[child] looks up at Tim. "You're going?"
*nods* Take care, Shard. Especially when you're here. *moves out almost immediately, like he can't wait to get back to wherever*
* Batman_II waves to Tim as he goes, shaking his head. "Guess I can keep an eye on you, for a while," he says to Shard.
* Shard[child] nods. "Maybe I should go home." Still really not sure how to handle all this. It's way too much for her.
Yes. Such things do not exist on my own world... perhaps it is for the better. Humans are cruel enough towards one another, as it is.
* MikhailRamphet pauses a bit, as if remembering something, and drops suddenly to one knee before the little blue fish-head kid.
*Terry stands up, nods, and heads out as Alfred walks in. Shard'll be safe and everyone else he recognized is gone.* Miss Bishop! *Alfred, meanwhile, seems a bit distressed to find Shard here*
* Tesla` watches the door to the kitchens, where Gabe and Ardru went. The little girl's eyes are getting heavy.
* Shard[child] looks up and clambers off the couch to run to Alfred. She's not scared, but she does hug his leg.
* Alfred_Pennyworth smiles as she does. "How long have you been in here?"
I dunno. Couple hours. I hit the wrong button on my teleporter thing.
Hello. *he nods to Alfred.*
o,O
* Tesla` still thinks that hugging thing is RUDE.
* Alfred_Pennyworth nods back to Soma. "Well, I'd say it might be time to get back. Master Bruce will be worried."
* Shard[child] nods, not letting go of Alfred just yet. After all the weirdness here tonight, she's just as glad to have someone she knows again. "All right." She waves to Tesla and Soma. "Bye. I hope you get home all right, Tesla."
* Shard[child] waves to Ruto and Mikhail too.
* Alfred_Pennyworth will wait for Shard to say her goodbyes, then lead her out and back home!
* Ruto waves to Shard! Aww, the fun people are leaving. She turns to Mikhail, then, and gives a complicated bow.
* Tesla` nods. "Good night."
Forgive me for not showing you the proper deference, Princess Zora.