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Post by UrbanBlue on Jan 4, 2021 4:09:52 GMT -5
"Good sir, for the chance to see another realm I wouod gladly volunteer."
Turning to Ms. Frost he quirked his lips into a tight smile.
"Kiss for good luck Madame?"
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Post by Gris on Jan 4, 2021 5:18:39 GMT -5
Pryde doubted. Were they playing up the dangers of what they wanted to accomplish as a way to weed out pretenders? Or was it just that dangerous a task? It was a chance to prove her worth, that was for sure, but she could also walk out of there and be safe. Even before finishing that thought she knew what she was going to do, the last time she played it safe was before she got those powers and a permanent visitor in her head.
"Before you ask no, I can't see who's the girl they are talking about" Kate offered, sounding cranky. "So we'll have to go with their word that the girl is important" a small pause, her voice brightening a bit, "and I know you've been itching for some action, so go along" she was about to finish, when Frost projected her thoughts about that psyche link of hers. "Three is a crowd, but we'll manage" she sighed.
"You know me" was all that Pryde really needed to answer back to Kate. "I'm in, and also glad that I dressed in a practical way" shrug and smile, make this look like business as usual. Just another heist. Just before she was about to jump into action she asked.
"What's the name of the girl?"
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Post by phencerx on Jan 4, 2021 9:48:41 GMT -5
"Bloody fools" Peter mumbled to himself. He knew about other realms because of his sister, but actually traveling to one was tantamount to suicide.
He pulls his flask back out and takes another big swig. "So let me get this straight. You found a machine that opens a portal to another dimension, or reality, or whatever. You don't fully understand how it works, and can barely get it to operate, and you have already lost multiple people going through. What exactly makes this girl so special that you expect us to blindly jump through that sod all contraption?"
Suicide missions were a common enough thing for Wisdom, but going in blind has never been an option. If he was going to play along, he needed more information.
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Post by OurLadyWar on Jan 4, 2021 10:18:51 GMT -5
They were pawns. Simple enough. Plied with fancy champagne and social gallivanting in the country, and pawns were likely to do anything. Square your shoulders and posture all you want -- you're still a pawn. In this case, they were about to take their first square on the board. The Last Lady of Braddock Manor had higher aims than this, but knew where she had to start to get there.
Elizabeth wanted to stay behind to make sure the others surely had a way back, but that also would isolate her in Shaw's company. Normally? Not a problem. However, something about Shaw --
"He and the Master would often meet here, and the others, discussing Club business......"
-- was suddenly turning her stomach. Frost did little to help the matter. She had turned the doctor and count into goons already. At Hank's display, she allowed her eyes the slightest roll, before they snapped to Peter, hearing his miffed mumbling. By the conclusion of his brief interview with the room, and their hosts, Betsy concluded this one was the most in line with her current thoughts. Something about this stank, and if she was going to play along, she needed to know just what sort of game was afoot.
All of these cold attitudes slipped and rolled softly beneath that placid look and those rehearsed doe eyes. She knew how to sell any look, but this one was her favorite.
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Post by mcr on Jan 4, 2021 16:24:40 GMT -5
Emma says nothing to McCoy's flirtations except to sigh wearily, though more from exertion than exasperation: "Perhaps...it is better if I show you...?" She says aloud. Three pairs of footsteps echo through the chamber in succession: "Mr. Wisdom, these are my...." A voice cuts her off, then another, and a third, in staggered unison: "Sophie." "Esme." "Phoebe." In their presence, the White Queen relaxes considerably, the psychic load apparently shifted from her shoulders. Shaw offers: "Her daughters." One of the triplets corrects him: "Sisters." The resemblance is unmistakable, and, given a few years, there is no doubt that each of the trio would come to look, if not dress, exactly as Emma. Emma explains: "We are at...an unprecedented time. Watson and Crick. Charles. And you, too, Doctor McCoy, if I'm not mistaken? The field of 'genetics'?" The uncertainty in her voice apparently genuine, she continues: "Our own Doctor Millbury has taken it upon himself to try and discover what makes us so...unique?" It was indeed a puzzling choice of words, considering the identity the four blondes seemed to share. "And as for this equipment, it was left by the manor's previous owner, himself a scientific luminary. If we had the time to study it, we would. We've had three days since the abduction. And every second counts."
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Post by phencerx on Jan 4, 2021 17:18:30 GMT -5
Peter just raises an eyebrow at the appearance of the three new "sisters". "Is this a club or a cult" he thinks to himself.
He takes a moment to think over what Emma just said and lights up a cigarette to stall for time. Looking to Dr. McCoy he takes a long drag and says "Pick your chin up off the floor you tosser." Then back to Emma, "And the sisterly party trick aside, you still haven't answered my question. You refer to Doctor Millbury as a man, but it's a girl you want us to jump in blind after. So once again I ask, who is she, and why is she so important. As you said, every second counts. Otherwise, piss off."
He knew that Shaw and Emma hadn't shown their whole hand yet and his job was to get that information. Deep behind what could prove to be enemy lines and now portals to other dimensions involved, this had turned into a serious high risk mission.
Without breaking eye contact with Emma, he takes another drag of his cigarette. "Well?"
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Post by Black Sam on Jan 4, 2021 17:37:26 GMT -5
Azazel listened, one of his eyebrows rising to a steadily higher point on his forehead as the conversation carried on. Finally the range of his brow topped out and his thoughts spilled out of his mouth.
"Perhaps my English is not so good," he said, interrupting as he shifted his stance one step closer to Peter Wisdom. "This sounds like – how do you say? Crazy talk? Yes. Not the machine, or the danger, but the expectation. I do not know you, Mr. Shaw, and though the potential of your Club excites me, so far I have only seen your taste in party guests. What do we stand to gain from this errand? I can go through portal and find your friends, but there must needs be...assurances. You understand."
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Post by mcr on Jan 4, 2021 22:09:07 GMT -5
In answer to Azazel's question, Emma joins hands with Irene and the sisters, before linking their minds with the group.
A scene plays out - a memory, but of an event yet to come. Each of you can feel the cold and wet beneath your feet, the rain falling on your heads, and an abject fear washing over you, almost paralyzing you. You can feel yourselves running as the roar of loud jet engines echoes through the air.
The darkness of a shadow threatens to engulf what little light remains - a specter that the elder Kate Pryde knows quite well, though the scene is not from her own memory, but of another. A loud thud and clang shakes the ground, metallic footsteps booming in the street.
A robotic voice chirps:
"Mutant identified. Begin extermination protocols."
Several more Sentinels land, crushing buildings beneath them. Their eyes glow with a menacing, burning red, palpable heat building within them. You feel yourself throwing your hands up in a vain effort to protect yourselves before a searing, white hot heat washes over you, the Sentinels scorching you and the ground beneath you for good measure.
"Destroy mutant gene carriers."
The Sentinels rise, launching dozens of rockets raining down upon the city around you. A giant mushroom cloud erupts beneath them, then another, and a dozen, and a dozen more.
"Life signs remaining: zero. Resume protocol: mutant identification and elimination."
The Sentinels fly off, leaving the rubble of a place Azazel knows quite well beneath them as the once proud city of Moscow now lies in ruins, distinctive landmarks he grew up around fading into ash.
As Emma cuts off the not-quite-memory, Irene appears shaken, though for their own part, Frost and the clones are stoic as ever.
Shaw merely whispers:
"Behold the future....."
It is one Kate knows quite well. There is no doubt he, or Irene, have seen what she has experienced first hand.
He continues:
"Unless we stop it."
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Post by Gris on Jan 5, 2021 6:05:53 GMT -5
"What the..." Pryde muttered, seeing a bunch of... little Frosts? Was it some byproduct of this strange secret society? The ultimate groupies? It was soon clear that Pryde was just fooling herself by thinking that, as strange science beyond her comprehension was going on. At least it served to take a peek under Frost's facade, as she seemed genuinely distraught, even for a moment, by the events. The rest of the guests had reservations, of course, only one that was as bold and probably naive as Pryde would jump in at such a strange chance. If she hadn't retired with her money and lived a pleasant life until the end of the world had come one way or another it was due to her sense of... responsibility? She didn't feel heroic, that was for sure, but if Kate was the only one who could see what was coming and she was stuck with her... what options did she have?
As it turned out, beyond the disquieting but short encounter with Irene, it soon showed that Kate wasn't the only one with access to what could be.
The vision froze Pryde in place. Kate had been... detailed in the dreadful aspect of her stories, trying to convince her to do the right thing. But getting a vivid account of such a future paled compared to living it, feeling it. "I'm sorry you had to go through that" Kate said, her inner voice trembling, so many horrible memories being awakened. "Rachel..." she muttered, only to fell silent, contemplative. The veteran was shocked by the vision, unable to do much more, sinking in her own fragmented memories. The young's reaction wasn't precisely intimate nor discreet.
"That's bullshit! It has to be!" Pryde protested. "We- I stopped that! It can't happen! It shouldn't..." she clenched her teeth, a deep angry breath through her nose. Both old Kate and her had already averted that result and a few different more as well. Had the events returned to their path? Kate sometimes mumbled about the flowing quality of time, as a river that returned to its course as soon as the humans that interrupted it grew idle, distracted. Or if there was a storm, a flood. Pryde had thought it was all cautionary tales, ramblings of an old woman who couldn't take a win at face value, but maybe she had been horribly wrong.
"Can't speak for others, but I'll get you the fourth of them back" Pryde assured, glancing serious at the triplets. "I'm trusting you when you say it averts such a future" she added, stepping close. "Don't betray that trust, Frost" she finished, looking straight at her.
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Post by Black Sam on Jan 5, 2021 10:12:00 GMT -5
Azazel subdued his shock when the future vision withdrew from his mind, and his sharp features fell downward to an angry scowl. He turned and took a step as if to walk away, then vanished in a flash of fire and noxious smoke. Gone. Half a minute went by, plenty of time for the new and old members of the Helfire Club to assume that the Count had abandoned them. Then... BAMFSmoke. Fire. A demon – Azazel in his true form, probably not a surprise to Emma Frost as his glamour wouldn't fool her eyes, but shocking nonetheless. Gone was his silk shirt, fancy shoes, and tie, replaced by atire that was functional along with a pair of wicked-looking swords... "War it is," Azazel said, walking towards where the portal had appeared. "And Miss Frost..."He turned to look at her and projected his thoughts: Stay out of my head – I would like us to be friends...
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Post by OurLadyWar on Jan 5, 2021 10:56:22 GMT -5
Once the image was terminated, Elizabeth was left shaken, eyes glassed over in tears that threatened to tumble with a single blink. All color had left her cheeks, any masks she had left to offer were stripped away in that moment of apocalypse and destruction. Azazel's disappearance seemed to bring her back to reality. She blinked, the tears fell, and she swiped her hand once, twice across her cheeks, hoping no one saw. The shock, more than anything, brought them on.
His reappearance, however, invited a different reaction. Her senses were all still jarred and her thoughts fried, fragile, and frayed from the vision. When what she could only perceive as a demon appeared, she whipped around, and there was a loud --
CRACK -- FWOOM!
Pink and violet fused teke streamed down her arms, gathered in her hands, and produced a long sword that crackled and spat energy from pommel to tip. That tip was instantly at the monster's throat and that pretty face behind a rosy glow was now a mask of bared teeth, sneering lips, and determined eyes sparkling, begging him to make a move. Perhaps she was not as demure as she let on, after all.
Suddenly, the expression melted. A soft surprise as she recognized his voice. "It's you..." she stepped away, blade lowered toward the floor.
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Post by Black Sam on Jan 5, 2021 11:11:04 GMT -5
Azazel didn't expect Braddock's reaction, and so was taken off guard. His response wasn't fearful, however, nor angry – he was confident that he could have escaped her deadly blade – but he couldn't help a verbal parry once she withdrew.
"War before foreplay, kotik," he gave her a slicious wink, then teleported across the room, out of reach. "Please, Mr. Shaw, let us begin our mission."
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Post by OurLadyWar on Jan 5, 2021 11:23:54 GMT -5
The soft surprise was replaced with a disgusted hiss through her teeth. "Right," she grumbled. "Gird your loins, mates," and bent to tear two long gashes down the sides of her dress with the end of her sword's crossbar. She was grateful for the moment to collect herself and hide the flush that had crossed her cheeks. When she straightened, it was like a completely new woman was in the room. The time for pretend was in the party, this was a new battleground, one she was seemed just as familiar with and comfortable abiding in. The sword snapped back into her hands, the energy flowed back up her arms and seemed to sink into chest, right over her heart. "Let's begin."
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Post by Gris on Jan 6, 2021 4:44:55 GMT -5
Pryde had to remind herself that those two were on her side as far as she knew. Of course, who knew what their motivations were, but as the task at hand was concerned, they were a team of sorts. Of course, that didn't diminish the impact of one of them literally looking like a demon from hell and the other spawning strange energy swords from thin air. If things came to that, could they fight Pryde even if phased? She hoped that wouldn't have to know the answer to that.
"Finally" she snorted, as both colorful guests were on track, trying to look unfazed. "What about the rest?" she asked. Kate was still silent, so it was no use to prod her further about the issue at hand.
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Post by phencerx on Jan 6, 2021 13:27:42 GMT -5
Peter shakes the image out of his head. He'd seen enough bloodshed done by mankind, but now giant robots. Just what had he gotten himself into. At that moment, the Count vanishes in a puff of fire and brimstone. Immediately he moves to a more defensible position in the room and scans the other people to see just who might have been able to perform such an act. Upon the appearance of this red devil, his hands begin to glow as fiery knives emit from his fingertips. "Now this I'm trained for."
Before he can move though, he watches as the normally poised Elizabeth flashes in a violet glow and prepares to strike. "Interesting." Upon hearing the demon speak, Peter drops his guard and let's his knives fizzle out. "Well, well, well. It looks like everyone here is full of tricks."
He walks right past Frost and the weird sisters, and right up to Shaw. "Bollocks. Why don't you be a darling and get me my firearms that you so graciously confiscated upon my arrival."
Wisdom turns and looks at the rest of the motley crew of misfits assembled and lights up another cigarette. "I guess it's in for a penny, in for a pound then loves."
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