Logs! Two 0_o.
Emma! Why don't I listen to you? I should have known the situation with that Invisible Man was hopeless. But I'm going to try to get one last shred of use out of him. They can't arrest me for sending a spy to Xavier's (Can they?), and even if he does somehow manage to screw up, I have papers ready to write him off as delusional (That means nut, in professional terms).
Emma! Why didn't you tell me how stupid it would be to have hope in this kind of person? I didn't mind scaring him with my powers, he needed some sort of wake up call. Sabretooth... really? Come on! I've done some stupid things in the past, I even heroically stood up to Magneto when he decided that he does, infact, /love/ Humans (That's how I remember it). But even /I/, someone who could probably bash the man's head in with a car hood, the future King of the entire world, would not go out Sabretooth hunting.
Emma! Is it acceptable to beat up your henchmen to teach them things? I use the term henchmen not because I'm some crazy villain, but because that's how /Humans/ see me. It's like the mafia, how they took terms from movies to strike fear into the general public. Well, if Humans would see me as a villain, then I will call myself a super villain, and I will have these things called henchmen, and one day with the combined funds from being a talent agent and a psycho therapist, I will have a space laser that shoots cars... from space!
That's all.
When David finally decides to return, Leonardo chooses noon for the appointment. Knowing that Emma is here, he's remodeled a bit. Upon entering the office, the first thing one sees is Leo sitting in a leather navy blue chair. Across from him is an identical chair, and off to the side is a matching 'therapy couch' as some call it. The walls are white and the floors have oak tile, and the last notable thing are the few pieces of art, his degree, and off to the right of their seats is a bookcase right next to a large wood framed mirror, which Emma can easily see through. He's had her room completely furnished with anything she would have asked for (He offered of course), and also included a mini bar and a small table with a wine glass, for her comfort.
It is a little early in the day for alcohol, so Emma is content with a large cup of thick and creamy hot chocolate she had brought with her. It has cooled somewhat as she's waited behind the mirror. Her silver-shot jacket crinkles at elbows and waist where she folds her arms and sips at the cup.
David shows up a block down the road taking a cab then once out of sight he stashes most of his supplies behind a dumpster. All the stuff no one would steal. Slipping on a fresh pair of rubber gloves and putting his hair in a hair net under a bandana David washes off his shoes with handy wipes then he thinks he is about ready. Once inside David says, "Hey Doc." Setting down a metal bucket on the floor with a clank next to the therapy couch before sliding onto the couch making it dip inwards to the contours of his invisible body. The bucket is a metal bucket with a slit cut in the top of it for putting in donations but not taking them out. It has Montgomery Shelter painted on the side of it.
"I might have found you a patient." David says to start off the session.
Leonardo takes his notepad from the small wooden circular table next to him, clicking his pen and watching in the direction of the voice. "Is that so? Well, tell me about it, then I want you to tell me what you've done this past week and how your mood is compared to when you first arrived."
"Well, I've been doing a lot actually. Most of it while being invisible. School and everything like normal but I started helping out with a homeless shelter. That's what the bucket is for. I have a tree in central park that I make partially invisible so it looks all barren and uninteresting and hang a sign up that says if you pay a dollar for charity the tree does tricks. Then when someone pays I release some of the tree branches and they seem to grow out of nowhere and I let a second sign become visible which offers more if you pay another dollar. Then when they do -bam- the whole tree erupts into view like magic. Its like being a magician you know, but with only one good trick." David explains, "While I was doing it I met a mutant that has a real problem. Like he could kill a lota people problems."
Leonardo is in therapist mode, so for once is actually not thinking about Emma! Yes, it's amazing. << Hmm, potentially dangerous use of his powers, though definitely showing creativity and less signs of depression than a week ago. He's likely in a transitional period with his life right now... this is certainly the best period for Emma to mold him into something. >> Alright, so he had to at least /mention/ Emma in his thoughts. "That's certainly creative, you're putting your mind to something productive, and this is a sign of very quick progress. See, I told you it wasn't hopeless, you simply need guidance." he explains, writing his observations and gives a calm look of approval in David's general direction. "Tell me a bit more about this Mutant."
David says, "When I did the -Bam- at the end of the show he freaked out and started sucking all the heat from everything. Within seconds I was literally frosty with ice. I had to get away from him before I froze to death. He seems to be hiding out in the park where there is lots of room for him when it spikes. He freezes everything around him in a spherical effect from what I saw based on the damage patterns. Possibly even a bloated human figure shape its hard to tell from collateral damage and all but he was like drawing in the heat from everything to himself. It was kinda neet but scary." I gave him your card told him to call you so you can talk him through it and tell him what to do to keep himself out of trouble. That ok?" David asks Leo. "
"Very interesting." Leonardo adds while writing every detail. << It's like Christmas, I couldn't have picked a better time to let Emma in... >> "That's perfectly fine, I'm sure I can do something for him. Now, let's get back to you. What's been on your mind lately?"
Making his clothing visible. A long brown duster, the red and black bandana on his head, the black fingerless leather gloves on his head, a blue T-Shirt with the Superman chest symbol on the center of his chest, a pair of black jeans and his squeaky clean white Nikey shoes. Putting his hands behind his head David says, "Well, I have been trying to be a lot less paranoid about things. I guess not everyone is out to get mutants. I just keep seeing patterns in things. Like the whole Stark thing and how the terrorists are going to use bio-weapons. I know it's really unlikely that its actually going to happen but yet I still am afraid it will. I know it makes no sense but I just have this gut feeling that they wouldn't have taken Stark in such a messy way if it weren't something really big. They must be on a timer, desperate. Which leads me to think they have a bio-weapon of some kind they need to have a deployment system for. I keep having nightmares about people's skin melting and eyes bleeding. But I think its just nerves and too many bad movies."
Emma rolls her eyes and taps the edge of the cup against her lip as she watches and listens. Worry over Tony's condition nibbles at the very edges of her thoughts (Sorry, Tony, you only rank a nibble!), but self-interest pushes the subject of his monologue out of the way. So. He can control the degree of his mutation, as well as make other things invisible. << Encourage the paranoia, >> she suggests to Leo.
<< Yes Ms. Frost. >> "Well, there certainly is reason to worry." Leonardo agrees with a subtly cautious frown, possibly one that's supposed to be hidden but manages to slip out a bit. "Most of what you're saying makes perfect sense, but there isn't much we can do except trust that the government is capable enough to protect us. Other than that, the power is largely out of our hands." he explains to a person who's likely paranoid about the government too, if his current paranoia has told him anything. << What was that for? It's quite counter productive to his mental health, though could make him more vulnerable. >>
"I know, I'm trying to learn to follow the lords Prayer philosophy. Accept the things I can not change and all that. Mark my words though. Less than 2 weeks and boom! Cloud of death! So live your life to the fullest while you got it that's my motto." David says reaching down to scratch the side of his face. "What else.. let me think."
"Oh, also, I figured out why I was so stressed and anti-social all the time. Why I never could seem to make it work out with girls. See, I would date a girl for a while then we would get serious and I would make a jackass of myself until she dumped me and I never understood why. But I figured it out. Even tested it. It wasn't really the fact I have strong morals that kept me from sneaking into the women's showers at the school all these years. I think I'm just kinda gay." David says and from the sound of his voice its still kind of a shock for him. "I don't know how I missed it all these years. I mean I have always found some kind of men attractive but I thought that everyone was a little gay. That's what people say. But after thinking it over and getting kissed by a supermodel I finally had to admit to myself I'm just a little gayer than I thought I was. How weird is that? Its been a busy week for me."
<< I did, I just don't quite understand your motives. But you know best. >> Leonardo thinks, then adds a personal thought, << And if I encourage /these/ thoughts, he'll certainly stay away from Emma. >> "Yes, praying is all we can do in the face of biological warfare. Prayer and guidance, those are the two things you need to depend on right now." he explains, nodding as if they were like-minded individuals. "You most certainly could be homosexual, and if you didn't enjoy getting kissed by a supermodel, that's a warning sign. Actually, don't think of it as a warning sign, think of it as the dawn of a new life for you, there are many fine homosexual men out there whom you can share yourself with. Think about it."
<< My... he certainly seems full of the self-revelation today. >> A lazy brush of telepathy tugs on the strand of thought reaching back to the memory of the supermodel who failed to excite David's libido. Though rendered more with an animator's eye, the face and hair are clear enough, and Emma chokes back a sudden laugh. The chocolate splashes dangerously close to the lip of the cup. << Oh, dear. Be careful, Leo, darling, of any more dabbling with Ms. Braddock. It appears she has a detrimental affect on male heterosexuality. >>
David does indeed think about it, "But I mean, I've never, you know, looked for a guy. It would be really cool to have someone to be like partners with. I want to have to help me along in life and for me to be able to do the same for them. I could use someone to keep me on task and stuff. But I mean, wow you know?" David says thinking back about all the little things that should have been blaring clues. His never using his powers to peek at girls. The feeling that Betty Shovaski in high school made him kinda sick when she wore that one bikini that left so little to the imagination. The fact he reads fashion magazines. "I don't even know where to start. With the impending doom and all." David says then his mind jumps tracks again to Storm! "Oh! And I totally told off this African lady who was doing a speech on mutation at the U. she was like "We all must live in peace together. Practice our powers. Be unafraid to be mutants." But she lives at that private school for muties. What does she have to be afraid of? She's a freakin token mutant and I told her so. People like that piss me off. She had this perfect life with the power to control the weather and what does she do with it? She spends her time living in a mansion eating bonbons and writing speeches so everyone can know how good she has it. I so told her off. I hate rich people who don't give back to the community. Facist wench." David says as he crosses his arms.
There is a sense of a door closing and sudden withdrawal of presence. Emma frowns in dainty disgust and turns from the mirror. << Thank you for the offer, Leonardo, dear, but I don't think he's suitable at all. >> The weather witch might as well be at work in her mind for the sudden temperature plunge of the communication.
<< It was Ms. Braddock? I see, well, you don't have to worry about her anyway. I've been avoiding sleeping with her for fear of what you might do if you found out. And I still have high hopes, for, well, you. >> "I'm sure you can find someone, there are clubs, you know. Though I don't think you'll find your soulmate in one, you can certainly learn more." Leonardo explains, smiling with encouragement. Then Storm comes up, he's never met her, but he does know what speech David is talking about, one he couldn't go to personally. "Ah, Ororo Munroe's speech. I didn't hear it, though I read a transcript. I don't agree with what they do at Xavier's, teaching children an idealistic view of Mutants and Humans while they alienate themselves from everyone else, though I did agree with some points she made. Having a lot of money and power however, is not as simple as you think."
The invisible mutant says, "I don't see other people having a problem with it. That woman, the one who helps fund the mutant research center next to Emerson. She even comes down there in person to check on things. I met her once. Nice skin. I mean, Tony Stark, political warmonger does charity donations. There are lots of things rich people can do without having to do more than sign a check but few of them seem to put forth even that effort these days." Sitting up David kicks the charity bucket making it tip a little then fall back.
"I'm sure Miss Munroe does her share of charities, have you researched her before jumping to conclusions? You have to think and research clearly before you decide on a set opinion, this is what leads to paranoia and hatred." Leonardo tries to explain, realizing that David could be thinking a bit dangerously. << While his opinions and paranoia are potentially dangerous, I believe I can make him more suitable for her, if she ever wants him. Though this will set me back with her I'm sure, I can still learn about that heat Mutant... >>
David lets out a sigh and says, "You're right. I'm sick and tired of being angry all the time. I want it to stop. I want to trust people. Its hard for me. But I guess I have to start somewhere." He says as he becomes fully visible in all his tanless glory. He says, "Small steps right Doc?"
The door leading from the small, hidden room is opened, and Emma leaves, trailing the residue of anger and bitterness that had accumulated around David. A small notecard is left in the room for Leonardo's finding, with a promise to discuss the subject at a later time.
"Small steps, and definitely consider researching Ororo Munroe before you decide your ultimate opinion of her. Xavier's may be idealistic, but they do have good intentions." Leonardo eyes the clock, closing his notepad and walking over to dial the security code into the door. "Well, time's up, but I feel we've made much more progress."
Getting up from his seat and grabing the bucket of donation David says, "Yeah. I think so too! Thanks Doc. You have no idea how much coming here means to me." he says as he head out the door happier than he has been in years.
Leo has a secret room for Emma to spy on patients, because he's the most ethical doctor /ever/!!!
David, having vanished from the hospital with enough painkillers to keep him going, Mr. Black makes his way across town. Not going home to his family. Not going to his so called friends at school. No, he goes to the one person who he can be himself with. The one person in the entire world he feels he can come clean with. Leo gets a knock on his office door. No prior phone call. No appointment. It is the rather distinctive knock that David used all the previous times though. Standing out there, invisible David waits for the door to open.
Leonardo isn't expecting any appointments today, infact he was only here to document some files, and remove anything /too/ 'classified' so he could take them home. When the knock comes, he walks to the door and opens it. When no one is seen, he assumes David, having thought to feel for any pieces of metal when the Invisible Man is around now. "Dionysos?"
David is indeed carrying metal. Metal in his pants and his jacket. He pushes past Leo since, well, he can't really say anything. He moves towards the place Leo normally seems to have kept his note taking pad. At least David will have something to write with that way.
Leonardo closes the door when David walks in, slightly perplexed at the silence. The notepad is indeed there, a fresh new one since he always locks up his notes. "Is there a reason for your sudden arrival?"
Picking up the note pad David writes, "Don't read the news much do you?" Holding it up for the Doc to read he looks around for a computer or something that he can use to show the Doc why he isn't talking.
"I'm a very busy man, I haven't gotten a chance to check the latest news." Leonardo follows David over to the computer when he hears typing, not too alarmed since the actual files are passworded. When the news comes up, he reads, appearing visibly surprised. "I see, so, you can't speak. What you did was quite noble though..."
Writing again David composes, "But more importantly, I have never felt more alive! I thought for sure I was going to die and part of me just wanted to run but something inside me just kept pushing and kept pushing. I just couldn't stop laughing at him. I think I'm a little crazy Doc. But now, now I feel much better. I am going to drop out of school. I might not even go home. I'm not sure what I want to do really. But I do know I want to find that Sabretooth guy. I want a -rematch-!" then he rips out the paper and hands it to the Doc.
Leonardo takes the paper and begins reading, walking over to take his seat with a sigh of exasperation. "Well, while I am glad you appear to have a new lease on life, you probably shouldn't abandon school or your family completely, and you especially shouldn't want a rematch. But, why do you feel this way? Tell me about it."
The pen moves in the air above the floating tablet even while Leo reads and talks. He writes. "I'll need some kind of body armor. He is much stronger than me. I need something to protect what's left of my face. The tongue thing I don't mind so much. I took his eye and he took my tongue. All's fair in love and war. " then when Leo asks him the question David crosses that part out and writes, "Leo, you are a good man. You couldn't possibly understand what its like to live your life hiding what you are. Hiding what you can do. You can never know the feelings that come from being like this. From the knowledge of the power you can have just to do, well, almost anything. I fought that man tooth and claw and I think I did a damn good job of messing him up. It just felt right. Like I was meant to do it. Fighting for my life is the only thing I have ever done that has made me really feel alive. "
"I understand plenty. I can't say that I understand your own personal experience, but I have my own experience. Now, I will not play the 'I'm so sad money doesn't buy happiness'. Money /does/ buy happiness, large sums of it. But I can't simply walk into a bar or have a conversation with a nice woman without hiding my actual life. I have to worry if a woman will want me for my money or if she'll be intimidated or have a predisposition based on my family and position in life." Leonardo tries to explain, since being rich isn't /all/ good, and it does involve a great deal of hiding, at least for him... unless he /does/ want a woman to be impressed by his money, but David doesn't need to know that. Especially since it never works. "Do you understand?"
The pen writes again and says, "Well, Doc. I can't really make you understand it unless you experience it. Have you ever jumped out of a perfectly good airplane or went cliff diving? Did anything like that? Violence is its own world. It's like the language of the blood and the soul. I can't explain it without showing it to you. " David writes then he hands the note to Leo and waits for him to read it. He doesn't want to hurt Leo he really respects the man.
Leonardo reads the note while walking cautiously to the table. The note is laid down, his clothing is straightened, then he looks in David's direction. "I understand just fine, you likely can't imagine the kind of things I've gone through, though I suspect losing your tongue brings you fairly close. The difference is, you appear to want to throw your life away for that wild animal."
That makes David laugh, which is a disturbing sound now, not at all like any normal laughter not only because of his vocal impairment but because of how robust, almost mad the laughter is. Daivd writes, "He did have buns of steel." Then he follows it up with. "I'm not throwing away my life Doc. Everything my life was, the art, the photography, the computers, all of it was just something I did to make the days hurt less. It was all just something to pass for temporary meaning in a life with no meaning at all. I can't throw away what I never really had."
Leonardo takes the paper, his tone growing more serious with each read. "Giving into instinct is simply an escape mechanism. You're a Mutant, the next stage in evolution, and you want to revert back to simply being an animal?" He begins to approach David, tone darkening with passion burning in his every word. "You want to become like some beast who abandoned his superiority to roll around in filth and attack people, instead of finding a greater purpose? He will kill you, you are throwing your life away. You have a choice right now, at this very moment, to either improve yourself, or fade into obscurity as a John Doe so beaten and battered in an alley by that animal, he's never identified."
Writing one more note David dictates, "You remember when you said I was right about how the world sucks and we are all going to die eventually anyway? That all good men can really do is pray? You pray Doc. You be a good man. Me, I'm going to be bad. I'm going to be so bad even Creed fears me. So if you think that's fading to nothing, from now on, you can just call me Fade." David writes the note but doesn't rip it off the pad. He puts it down with the pen on the computer desk then starts to walk towards the door.
Leonardo watches him, lights flickering for a moment. He doesn't bother with the security system, when David tries to open the door, locks unclick and it opens /hard/. That door's system will need fixing. "I gave you an opportunity, you're turning your back on it. When you're getting mauled by that animal again, remember what I said to you. I have far more power to offer than that /thing/." Now he sounds just plain angry, and the door is beginning to groan a bit, though it doesn't visibly do anything.
Power you say? The door slaps David in the face making him become visible for a moment before he fades out again, "Someone has a seeecret." David taunts in his head. He rubs his jaw and walks back over to the desk to pick up the note pad, "What are you talking about and why are you so angry? You never offered me power. You offered me words. Words mean nothing. I want -revenge- if you can offer me that then I'll do what ever you want. I like you Doc I didn't want to put you in danger by having you be close to me when I'm on his list of people to kill." Then he hands the note to Leo.
Leonardo takes the pad, reads it, then drops it back on to the table. "If you want revenge, you will have to cease these misguided thoughts of throwing your life away, you will have to /trust/ me, and if you are willing to trust my judgement, your life will suddenly improve." The door slams, lights flicker more noticably, then the metal on David's clothing begins to tug in his direction. Sure, it's kind of a secret, but he has a temper, this justifies everything! "If I wanted, I could destroy this piece of filth while sipping a glass of wine. If you want him gone, you're going to have to listen."
The young mutant smiles and writes down famous last words, "I'm all yours." Handing it to the Doc and sitting down on the couch. This could be the beginning of a beeeutiful friendship!
Leonardo walks over to his chair, sitting down and releasing the metal in David's clothing. "First, you do not simply go and attack someone, that's absolutely foolish and will only serve to get you arrested or killed. I will handle the situation for now, until you're ready for your 'revenge', meanwhile, you will do something for me."
Writing down on the note pad David makes a large question mark to show Leo.
"Your tongue being ripped out is an advantage, you will win sympathy and tell others that you have learned your lesson and want to try very hard to stop being brash." Leonardo begins to explain as he rips a piece of the paper from the notepad while David is holding it, and starts writing. "Go to Xavier's, tell them these things and how redeemed you are since losing your tongue, and say you'd like to work very hard to help the school, or at least hang out to learn more about the 'great' things they do."
Once more David holds up the large question mark. He isn't sure that will fly. One telepath later and poof he's exposed.
"The bottom line is, you will gain access to Xavier's, befriend them, do not go on an opinionated rant, just pretend to conform." Leonardo sighs softly at something while rubbing his temples, as if he were a bit annoyed at some of what he just had to say. "You will be my spy, relay what's going on with them. It may take a while to gain their trust, but you can do this. And don't worry about Jean Grey, she's far too much of a good girl to read your mind."
If it will get him his revenge and hey, a free meal or two he will do it. Whatever makes Leo wants, Leo gets. Standing up the note pad floats towards the door as he writes, "Cool. I'll ask them for sanctuary because I am afraid that if I go home to my parents he will kill them too. I did tell the police a place they could look for him. So the police reports will collaborate my story. I'll keep in touch from a payphone outside the mansion."
"Very well, and do not mention my name, or that you know me, at all. That will compromise everything." Leonardo states firmly after reading the last note, then the door flies open again and he simply waits for David to leave. Angry serious Leo is angry and serious.
And Seriousy evil David does leave with a new lease on life and a new mission. He will have his revenge and it will be glorious!
Leo shows self-control, but self-control makes Leo do illogical villain things.
Emma! Why didn't you tell me how stupid it would be to have hope in this kind of person? I didn't mind scaring him with my powers, he needed some sort of wake up call. Sabretooth... really? Come on! I've done some stupid things in the past, I even heroically stood up to Magneto when he decided that he does, infact, /love/ Humans (That's how I remember it). But even /I/, someone who could probably bash the man's head in with a car hood, the future King of the entire world, would not go out Sabretooth hunting.
Emma! Is it acceptable to beat up your henchmen to teach them things? I use the term henchmen not because I'm some crazy villain, but because that's how /Humans/ see me. It's like the mafia, how they took terms from movies to strike fear into the general public. Well, if Humans would see me as a villain, then I will call myself a super villain, and I will have these things called henchmen, and one day with the combined funds from being a talent agent and a psycho therapist, I will have a space laser that shoots cars... from space!
That's all.
When David finally decides to return, Leonardo chooses noon for the appointment. Knowing that Emma is here, he's remodeled a bit. Upon entering the office, the first thing one sees is Leo sitting in a leather navy blue chair. Across from him is an identical chair, and off to the side is a matching 'therapy couch' as some call it. The walls are white and the floors have oak tile, and the last notable thing are the few pieces of art, his degree, and off to the right of their seats is a bookcase right next to a large wood framed mirror, which Emma can easily see through. He's had her room completely furnished with anything she would have asked for (He offered of course), and also included a mini bar and a small table with a wine glass, for her comfort.
It is a little early in the day for alcohol, so Emma is content with a large cup of thick and creamy hot chocolate she had brought with her. It has cooled somewhat as she's waited behind the mirror. Her silver-shot jacket crinkles at elbows and waist where she folds her arms and sips at the cup.
David shows up a block down the road taking a cab then once out of sight he stashes most of his supplies behind a dumpster. All the stuff no one would steal. Slipping on a fresh pair of rubber gloves and putting his hair in a hair net under a bandana David washes off his shoes with handy wipes then he thinks he is about ready. Once inside David says, "Hey Doc." Setting down a metal bucket on the floor with a clank next to the therapy couch before sliding onto the couch making it dip inwards to the contours of his invisible body. The bucket is a metal bucket with a slit cut in the top of it for putting in donations but not taking them out. It has Montgomery Shelter painted on the side of it.
"I might have found you a patient." David says to start off the session.
Leonardo takes his notepad from the small wooden circular table next to him, clicking his pen and watching in the direction of the voice. "Is that so? Well, tell me about it, then I want you to tell me what you've done this past week and how your mood is compared to when you first arrived."
"Well, I've been doing a lot actually. Most of it while being invisible. School and everything like normal but I started helping out with a homeless shelter. That's what the bucket is for. I have a tree in central park that I make partially invisible so it looks all barren and uninteresting and hang a sign up that says if you pay a dollar for charity the tree does tricks. Then when someone pays I release some of the tree branches and they seem to grow out of nowhere and I let a second sign become visible which offers more if you pay another dollar. Then when they do -bam- the whole tree erupts into view like magic. Its like being a magician you know, but with only one good trick." David explains, "While I was doing it I met a mutant that has a real problem. Like he could kill a lota people problems."
Leonardo is in therapist mode, so for once is actually not thinking about Emma! Yes, it's amazing. << Hmm, potentially dangerous use of his powers, though definitely showing creativity and less signs of depression than a week ago. He's likely in a transitional period with his life right now... this is certainly the best period for Emma to mold him into something. >> Alright, so he had to at least /mention/ Emma in his thoughts. "That's certainly creative, you're putting your mind to something productive, and this is a sign of very quick progress. See, I told you it wasn't hopeless, you simply need guidance." he explains, writing his observations and gives a calm look of approval in David's general direction. "Tell me a bit more about this Mutant."
David says, "When I did the -Bam- at the end of the show he freaked out and started sucking all the heat from everything. Within seconds I was literally frosty with ice. I had to get away from him before I froze to death. He seems to be hiding out in the park where there is lots of room for him when it spikes. He freezes everything around him in a spherical effect from what I saw based on the damage patterns. Possibly even a bloated human figure shape its hard to tell from collateral damage and all but he was like drawing in the heat from everything to himself. It was kinda neet but scary." I gave him your card told him to call you so you can talk him through it and tell him what to do to keep himself out of trouble. That ok?" David asks Leo. "
"Very interesting." Leonardo adds while writing every detail. << It's like Christmas, I couldn't have picked a better time to let Emma in... >> "That's perfectly fine, I'm sure I can do something for him. Now, let's get back to you. What's been on your mind lately?"
Making his clothing visible. A long brown duster, the red and black bandana on his head, the black fingerless leather gloves on his head, a blue T-Shirt with the Superman chest symbol on the center of his chest, a pair of black jeans and his squeaky clean white Nikey shoes. Putting his hands behind his head David says, "Well, I have been trying to be a lot less paranoid about things. I guess not everyone is out to get mutants. I just keep seeing patterns in things. Like the whole Stark thing and how the terrorists are going to use bio-weapons. I know it's really unlikely that its actually going to happen but yet I still am afraid it will. I know it makes no sense but I just have this gut feeling that they wouldn't have taken Stark in such a messy way if it weren't something really big. They must be on a timer, desperate. Which leads me to think they have a bio-weapon of some kind they need to have a deployment system for. I keep having nightmares about people's skin melting and eyes bleeding. But I think its just nerves and too many bad movies."
Emma rolls her eyes and taps the edge of the cup against her lip as she watches and listens. Worry over Tony's condition nibbles at the very edges of her thoughts (Sorry, Tony, you only rank a nibble!), but self-interest pushes the subject of his monologue out of the way. So. He can control the degree of his mutation, as well as make other things invisible. << Encourage the paranoia, >> she suggests to Leo.
<< Yes Ms. Frost. >> "Well, there certainly is reason to worry." Leonardo agrees with a subtly cautious frown, possibly one that's supposed to be hidden but manages to slip out a bit. "Most of what you're saying makes perfect sense, but there isn't much we can do except trust that the government is capable enough to protect us. Other than that, the power is largely out of our hands." he explains to a person who's likely paranoid about the government too, if his current paranoia has told him anything. << What was that for? It's quite counter productive to his mental health, though could make him more vulnerable. >>
"I know, I'm trying to learn to follow the lords Prayer philosophy. Accept the things I can not change and all that. Mark my words though. Less than 2 weeks and boom! Cloud of death! So live your life to the fullest while you got it that's my motto." David says reaching down to scratch the side of his face. "What else.. let me think."
"Oh, also, I figured out why I was so stressed and anti-social all the time. Why I never could seem to make it work out with girls. See, I would date a girl for a while then we would get serious and I would make a jackass of myself until she dumped me and I never understood why. But I figured it out. Even tested it. It wasn't really the fact I have strong morals that kept me from sneaking into the women's showers at the school all these years. I think I'm just kinda gay." David says and from the sound of his voice its still kind of a shock for him. "I don't know how I missed it all these years. I mean I have always found some kind of men attractive but I thought that everyone was a little gay. That's what people say. But after thinking it over and getting kissed by a supermodel I finally had to admit to myself I'm just a little gayer than I thought I was. How weird is that? Its been a busy week for me."
<< I did, I just don't quite understand your motives. But you know best. >> Leonardo thinks, then adds a personal thought, << And if I encourage /these/ thoughts, he'll certainly stay away from Emma. >> "Yes, praying is all we can do in the face of biological warfare. Prayer and guidance, those are the two things you need to depend on right now." he explains, nodding as if they were like-minded individuals. "You most certainly could be homosexual, and if you didn't enjoy getting kissed by a supermodel, that's a warning sign. Actually, don't think of it as a warning sign, think of it as the dawn of a new life for you, there are many fine homosexual men out there whom you can share yourself with. Think about it."
<< My... he certainly seems full of the self-revelation today. >> A lazy brush of telepathy tugs on the strand of thought reaching back to the memory of the supermodel who failed to excite David's libido. Though rendered more with an animator's eye, the face and hair are clear enough, and Emma chokes back a sudden laugh. The chocolate splashes dangerously close to the lip of the cup. << Oh, dear. Be careful, Leo, darling, of any more dabbling with Ms. Braddock. It appears she has a detrimental affect on male heterosexuality. >>
David does indeed think about it, "But I mean, I've never, you know, looked for a guy. It would be really cool to have someone to be like partners with. I want to have to help me along in life and for me to be able to do the same for them. I could use someone to keep me on task and stuff. But I mean, wow you know?" David says thinking back about all the little things that should have been blaring clues. His never using his powers to peek at girls. The feeling that Betty Shovaski in high school made him kinda sick when she wore that one bikini that left so little to the imagination. The fact he reads fashion magazines. "I don't even know where to start. With the impending doom and all." David says then his mind jumps tracks again to Storm! "Oh! And I totally told off this African lady who was doing a speech on mutation at the U. she was like "We all must live in peace together. Practice our powers. Be unafraid to be mutants." But she lives at that private school for muties. What does she have to be afraid of? She's a freakin token mutant and I told her so. People like that piss me off. She had this perfect life with the power to control the weather and what does she do with it? She spends her time living in a mansion eating bonbons and writing speeches so everyone can know how good she has it. I so told her off. I hate rich people who don't give back to the community. Facist wench." David says as he crosses his arms.
There is a sense of a door closing and sudden withdrawal of presence. Emma frowns in dainty disgust and turns from the mirror. << Thank you for the offer, Leonardo, dear, but I don't think he's suitable at all. >> The weather witch might as well be at work in her mind for the sudden temperature plunge of the communication.
<< It was Ms. Braddock? I see, well, you don't have to worry about her anyway. I've been avoiding sleeping with her for fear of what you might do if you found out. And I still have high hopes, for, well, you. >> "I'm sure you can find someone, there are clubs, you know. Though I don't think you'll find your soulmate in one, you can certainly learn more." Leonardo explains, smiling with encouragement. Then Storm comes up, he's never met her, but he does know what speech David is talking about, one he couldn't go to personally. "Ah, Ororo Munroe's speech. I didn't hear it, though I read a transcript. I don't agree with what they do at Xavier's, teaching children an idealistic view of Mutants and Humans while they alienate themselves from everyone else, though I did agree with some points she made. Having a lot of money and power however, is not as simple as you think."
The invisible mutant says, "I don't see other people having a problem with it. That woman, the one who helps fund the mutant research center next to Emerson. She even comes down there in person to check on things. I met her once. Nice skin. I mean, Tony Stark, political warmonger does charity donations. There are lots of things rich people can do without having to do more than sign a check but few of them seem to put forth even that effort these days." Sitting up David kicks the charity bucket making it tip a little then fall back.
"I'm sure Miss Munroe does her share of charities, have you researched her before jumping to conclusions? You have to think and research clearly before you decide on a set opinion, this is what leads to paranoia and hatred." Leonardo tries to explain, realizing that David could be thinking a bit dangerously. << While his opinions and paranoia are potentially dangerous, I believe I can make him more suitable for her, if she ever wants him. Though this will set me back with her I'm sure, I can still learn about that heat Mutant... >>
David lets out a sigh and says, "You're right. I'm sick and tired of being angry all the time. I want it to stop. I want to trust people. Its hard for me. But I guess I have to start somewhere." He says as he becomes fully visible in all his tanless glory. He says, "Small steps right Doc?"
The door leading from the small, hidden room is opened, and Emma leaves, trailing the residue of anger and bitterness that had accumulated around David. A small notecard is left in the room for Leonardo's finding, with a promise to discuss the subject at a later time.
"Small steps, and definitely consider researching Ororo Munroe before you decide your ultimate opinion of her. Xavier's may be idealistic, but they do have good intentions." Leonardo eyes the clock, closing his notepad and walking over to dial the security code into the door. "Well, time's up, but I feel we've made much more progress."
Getting up from his seat and grabing the bucket of donation David says, "Yeah. I think so too! Thanks Doc. You have no idea how much coming here means to me." he says as he head out the door happier than he has been in years.
Leo has a secret room for Emma to spy on patients, because he's the most ethical doctor /ever/!!!
David, having vanished from the hospital with enough painkillers to keep him going, Mr. Black makes his way across town. Not going home to his family. Not going to his so called friends at school. No, he goes to the one person who he can be himself with. The one person in the entire world he feels he can come clean with. Leo gets a knock on his office door. No prior phone call. No appointment. It is the rather distinctive knock that David used all the previous times though. Standing out there, invisible David waits for the door to open.
Leonardo isn't expecting any appointments today, infact he was only here to document some files, and remove anything /too/ 'classified' so he could take them home. When the knock comes, he walks to the door and opens it. When no one is seen, he assumes David, having thought to feel for any pieces of metal when the Invisible Man is around now. "Dionysos?"
David is indeed carrying metal. Metal in his pants and his jacket. He pushes past Leo since, well, he can't really say anything. He moves towards the place Leo normally seems to have kept his note taking pad. At least David will have something to write with that way.
Leonardo closes the door when David walks in, slightly perplexed at the silence. The notepad is indeed there, a fresh new one since he always locks up his notes. "Is there a reason for your sudden arrival?"
Picking up the note pad David writes, "Don't read the news much do you?" Holding it up for the Doc to read he looks around for a computer or something that he can use to show the Doc why he isn't talking.
"I'm a very busy man, I haven't gotten a chance to check the latest news." Leonardo follows David over to the computer when he hears typing, not too alarmed since the actual files are passworded. When the news comes up, he reads, appearing visibly surprised. "I see, so, you can't speak. What you did was quite noble though..."
Writing again David composes, "But more importantly, I have never felt more alive! I thought for sure I was going to die and part of me just wanted to run but something inside me just kept pushing and kept pushing. I just couldn't stop laughing at him. I think I'm a little crazy Doc. But now, now I feel much better. I am going to drop out of school. I might not even go home. I'm not sure what I want to do really. But I do know I want to find that Sabretooth guy. I want a -rematch-!" then he rips out the paper and hands it to the Doc.
Leonardo takes the paper and begins reading, walking over to take his seat with a sigh of exasperation. "Well, while I am glad you appear to have a new lease on life, you probably shouldn't abandon school or your family completely, and you especially shouldn't want a rematch. But, why do you feel this way? Tell me about it."
The pen moves in the air above the floating tablet even while Leo reads and talks. He writes. "I'll need some kind of body armor. He is much stronger than me. I need something to protect what's left of my face. The tongue thing I don't mind so much. I took his eye and he took my tongue. All's fair in love and war. " then when Leo asks him the question David crosses that part out and writes, "Leo, you are a good man. You couldn't possibly understand what its like to live your life hiding what you are. Hiding what you can do. You can never know the feelings that come from being like this. From the knowledge of the power you can have just to do, well, almost anything. I fought that man tooth and claw and I think I did a damn good job of messing him up. It just felt right. Like I was meant to do it. Fighting for my life is the only thing I have ever done that has made me really feel alive. "
"I understand plenty. I can't say that I understand your own personal experience, but I have my own experience. Now, I will not play the 'I'm so sad money doesn't buy happiness'. Money /does/ buy happiness, large sums of it. But I can't simply walk into a bar or have a conversation with a nice woman without hiding my actual life. I have to worry if a woman will want me for my money or if she'll be intimidated or have a predisposition based on my family and position in life." Leonardo tries to explain, since being rich isn't /all/ good, and it does involve a great deal of hiding, at least for him... unless he /does/ want a woman to be impressed by his money, but David doesn't need to know that. Especially since it never works. "Do you understand?"
The pen writes again and says, "Well, Doc. I can't really make you understand it unless you experience it. Have you ever jumped out of a perfectly good airplane or went cliff diving? Did anything like that? Violence is its own world. It's like the language of the blood and the soul. I can't explain it without showing it to you. " David writes then he hands the note to Leo and waits for him to read it. He doesn't want to hurt Leo he really respects the man.
Leonardo reads the note while walking cautiously to the table. The note is laid down, his clothing is straightened, then he looks in David's direction. "I understand just fine, you likely can't imagine the kind of things I've gone through, though I suspect losing your tongue brings you fairly close. The difference is, you appear to want to throw your life away for that wild animal."
That makes David laugh, which is a disturbing sound now, not at all like any normal laughter not only because of his vocal impairment but because of how robust, almost mad the laughter is. Daivd writes, "He did have buns of steel." Then he follows it up with. "I'm not throwing away my life Doc. Everything my life was, the art, the photography, the computers, all of it was just something I did to make the days hurt less. It was all just something to pass for temporary meaning in a life with no meaning at all. I can't throw away what I never really had."
Leonardo takes the paper, his tone growing more serious with each read. "Giving into instinct is simply an escape mechanism. You're a Mutant, the next stage in evolution, and you want to revert back to simply being an animal?" He begins to approach David, tone darkening with passion burning in his every word. "You want to become like some beast who abandoned his superiority to roll around in filth and attack people, instead of finding a greater purpose? He will kill you, you are throwing your life away. You have a choice right now, at this very moment, to either improve yourself, or fade into obscurity as a John Doe so beaten and battered in an alley by that animal, he's never identified."
Writing one more note David dictates, "You remember when you said I was right about how the world sucks and we are all going to die eventually anyway? That all good men can really do is pray? You pray Doc. You be a good man. Me, I'm going to be bad. I'm going to be so bad even Creed fears me. So if you think that's fading to nothing, from now on, you can just call me Fade." David writes the note but doesn't rip it off the pad. He puts it down with the pen on the computer desk then starts to walk towards the door.
Leonardo watches him, lights flickering for a moment. He doesn't bother with the security system, when David tries to open the door, locks unclick and it opens /hard/. That door's system will need fixing. "I gave you an opportunity, you're turning your back on it. When you're getting mauled by that animal again, remember what I said to you. I have far more power to offer than that /thing/." Now he sounds just plain angry, and the door is beginning to groan a bit, though it doesn't visibly do anything.
Power you say? The door slaps David in the face making him become visible for a moment before he fades out again, "Someone has a seeecret." David taunts in his head. He rubs his jaw and walks back over to the desk to pick up the note pad, "What are you talking about and why are you so angry? You never offered me power. You offered me words. Words mean nothing. I want -revenge- if you can offer me that then I'll do what ever you want. I like you Doc I didn't want to put you in danger by having you be close to me when I'm on his list of people to kill." Then he hands the note to Leo.
Leonardo takes the pad, reads it, then drops it back on to the table. "If you want revenge, you will have to cease these misguided thoughts of throwing your life away, you will have to /trust/ me, and if you are willing to trust my judgement, your life will suddenly improve." The door slams, lights flicker more noticably, then the metal on David's clothing begins to tug in his direction. Sure, it's kind of a secret, but he has a temper, this justifies everything! "If I wanted, I could destroy this piece of filth while sipping a glass of wine. If you want him gone, you're going to have to listen."
The young mutant smiles and writes down famous last words, "I'm all yours." Handing it to the Doc and sitting down on the couch. This could be the beginning of a beeeutiful friendship!
Leonardo walks over to his chair, sitting down and releasing the metal in David's clothing. "First, you do not simply go and attack someone, that's absolutely foolish and will only serve to get you arrested or killed. I will handle the situation for now, until you're ready for your 'revenge', meanwhile, you will do something for me."
Writing down on the note pad David makes a large question mark to show Leo.
"Your tongue being ripped out is an advantage, you will win sympathy and tell others that you have learned your lesson and want to try very hard to stop being brash." Leonardo begins to explain as he rips a piece of the paper from the notepad while David is holding it, and starts writing. "Go to Xavier's, tell them these things and how redeemed you are since losing your tongue, and say you'd like to work very hard to help the school, or at least hang out to learn more about the 'great' things they do."
Once more David holds up the large question mark. He isn't sure that will fly. One telepath later and poof he's exposed.
"The bottom line is, you will gain access to Xavier's, befriend them, do not go on an opinionated rant, just pretend to conform." Leonardo sighs softly at something while rubbing his temples, as if he were a bit annoyed at some of what he just had to say. "You will be my spy, relay what's going on with them. It may take a while to gain their trust, but you can do this. And don't worry about Jean Grey, she's far too much of a good girl to read your mind."
If it will get him his revenge and hey, a free meal or two he will do it. Whatever makes Leo wants, Leo gets. Standing up the note pad floats towards the door as he writes, "Cool. I'll ask them for sanctuary because I am afraid that if I go home to my parents he will kill them too. I did tell the police a place they could look for him. So the police reports will collaborate my story. I'll keep in touch from a payphone outside the mansion."
"Very well, and do not mention my name, or that you know me, at all. That will compromise everything." Leonardo states firmly after reading the last note, then the door flies open again and he simply waits for David to leave. Angry serious Leo is angry and serious.
And Seriousy evil David does leave with a new lease on life and a new mission. He will have his revenge and it will be glorious!
Leo shows self-control, but self-control makes Leo do illogical villain things.