The X-men run missions and work together with the NYPD, striving to maintain a peaceful balance between humans and mutants. When it comes to a fight, they won't back down from protecting those who need their help.
Haven presents itself as a humanitarian organization for activists, leaders, and high society, yet mutants are the secret leaders working to protect and serve their kind. Behind the scenes they bring their goals into reality.
From the time when mutants became known to the world, SUPER was founded as a black-ops division of the CIA in an attempt to classify, observe, and learn more about this new and rising threat.
The Syndicate works to help bring mutantkind to the forefront of the world. They work from the shadows, a beacon of hope for mutants, but a bane to mankind. With their guiding hand, humanity will finally find extinction.
Since the existence of mutants was first revealed in the nineties, the world has become a changed place. Whether they're genetic misfits or the next stage in humanity's evolution, there's no denying their growing numbers, especially in hubs like New York City. The NYPD has a division devoted to mutant related crimes. Super-powered vigilantes help to maintain the peace. Those who style themselves as Homo Superior work to tear society apart for rebuilding in their own image.
MRO is an intermediate to advanced writing level original character, original plot X-Men RPG. We've been open and active since October of 2005. You can play as a mutant, human, or Adapted— one of the rare humans who nullify mutant powers by their very existence. Goodies, baddies, and neutrals are all welcome.
Short Term Plots:Are They Coming for You?
There have been whispers on the streets lately of a boogeyman... mutant and humans, young and old, all have been targets of trafficking.
The Fountain of Youth
A chemical serum has been released that's shaving a few years off of the population. In some cases, found to be temporary, and in others...?
MRO MOVES WITH CURRENT TIME: What month and year it is now in real life, it's the same for MRO, too.
Fuegogrande: "Fuegogrande" player of The Ranger, Ion, Rhia, and Null
Neopolitan: "Aly" player of Rebecca Grey, Stephanie Graves, Marisol Cervantes, Vanessa Bookman, Chrysanthemum Van Hart, Sabine Sang, Eupraxia
Ongoing Plots
Magic and Mystics
After the events of the 2020 Harvest Moon and the following Winter Solstice, magic has started manifesting in the MROvere! With the efforts of the Welldrinker Cult, people are being converted into Mystics, a species of people genetically disposed to be great conduits for magical energy.
The Pharoah Dynasty
An ancient sorceress is on a quest to bring her long-lost warrior-king to the modern era in a bid for global domination. Can the heroes of the modern world stop her before all is lost?
Are They Coming for You?
There have been whispers on the streets lately of a boogeyman... mutant and humans, young and old, all have been targets of trafficking.
Adapteds
What if the human race began to adapt to the mutant threat? What if the human race changed ever so subtly... without the x-gene.
Atlanteans
The lost city of Atlantis has been found! Refugees from this undersea mutant dystopia have started to filter in to New York as citizens and businessfolk. You may make one as a player character of run into one on the street.
Got a plot in mind?
MRO plots are player-created the Mods facilitate and organize the big ones, but we get the ideas from you. Do you have a plot in mind, and want to know whether it needs Mod approval? Check out our plot guidelines.
Mondragon Labs was outside of New York City by a fair few miles, so it took a bit of a drive to get there. For someone living in the city, it wasn't an unpleasant commute. The drive probably took about the same amount of time as a commuter going a fraction of the distance toward the city. In the dark of the rain it was difficult to see much of the scenery, but usually the scenery was quite pretty, especially in the fall.
Melissa pulled into the expansive first level of the garage and parked her humble woody next to the fleet of identical black jeeps. On a night like this, it was nice to have an indoor parking space. It would also be nice to take a nice warm shower, but she had things to attend to first, namely getting the handsome blonde man in her car a Kabal contract.
“Well, here we are at Mondragon Labs, the humble headquarters for our little operation.” Humble was probably not really the appropriate word, in all actuality. “If you'll follow me, I'll introduce you to Noin Mortman, the woman who basically keeps this place running. She'll have all the paperwork we need to get you on the payroll.”
Roland's initial survey must have been taken well as he now found himself being escorted to the headquarters of this mysterious third party mutant organization. Escorted in the fashion that he preferred, the non restraint wearing variety. He now had a similar surveillance task for his own pleasure, that of trying to sneak glances at young Melissa while they headed down the road. They were both in a downtime mode, it seemed. A night of surveillance usually left one longing for a warm shower and a warmer bed. Perhaps they could share their visions.
Pulling into a large indoor parking garage, Roland was aware at once of the scale of the place, considering the fleet of identical black jeeps parked next to them. She was easing into the parking spot and then they were both out of the car. “Well, here we are at Mondragon Labs, the humble headquarters for our little operation.” Whether or not she was kidding, he decided she was. The garage alone could have echoed laughter at the statement of humility.“If you'll follow me, I'll introduce you to Noin Mortman, the woman who basically keeps this place running. She'll have all the paperwork we need to get you on the payroll.” Roland simply nodded and followed, though he knew that following Melissa around was quite easy.
" I wanted to thank you again for the opportunity. I look forward to working with your organization for a long time. I hope to see you as well. Is that possible? Are you single? Or at least single enough?" His smirk placed itself in its usual position. " Also, I think we should get something cleared up right away, for paperwork's sake." He walked up next to her as they slowed their pace. He reached over as her eyes followed and tapped the umbrella under her arm with a finger. He then pointed under his arm where it was resting as it was hers. When she looked back down, it had popped back under her arm. " I normally keep that to myself, but I heard mutants are paid better."
>>>“ I wanted to thank you again for the opportunity. I look forward to working with your organization for a long time. I hope to see you as well. Is that possible? Are you single? Or at least single enough?”
Melissa smiled and nodded to his questions. There had been someone that she had been interested in, but nothing had come of it yet and possibly never would. “I'll be around, and you'll be able to contact me should you need anything. And yes, I'm single.” It was interesting that he would include an “enough” at the end of his question.
>>>" Also, I think we should get something cleared up right away, for paperwork's sake."
Melissa was startled at first by the disappearance and reappearance of the umbrella.
“Oh.” Her voice perhaps betrayed her surprise, but she regained her composure quickly. So he was a mutant after all. A mutant that like to pretend to be human when he first met strangers.
“Well, I could see how that ability could come in very handy. I'm sure it will be worth every cent of extra pay you will receive. Efficiency packaged with a very useful ability will be helpful indeed.” Not to mention his acting skills, which were very convincing.
They were quickly approaching the reception area, near the front door. Melissa remembered how these halls had all seemed the same when she had first arrived. Every hall exactly like all the others made for a very confused new employee. The only thing that was easy to find was the reception area. For some reason, whenever she had gotten lost in the labyrinthine hallways, Melissa had always felt like every hallway led back to Noin's desk. Once, when she had been looking for the canteen, she could have sworn that she passed the secretary three times on her way. Quickly she had learned that the easiest way to find the canteen was to wait until meal times and simply follow the flow of gaurds.
“Now, we don't really worry about background checks, resumes, or interviews around here. Your credentials are your skills and your loyalty. The forms you will have to fill out are simply the most basic employee information types of things. You'll also be provided with a bank account into which your salary will be deposited, if you don't already have one you'd like to use.” They were just short of the reception area now, where Melissa would introduce him, when she remembered, “I still don't know your name. What would you like to be called?”
Affirmative responses were the best kind, so long as you actually sought affirmation. In this case, Roland did and was sated with the acknwledgment of Melissa's single status. His smirk remained as she seemed to glance at the enough comment as it fell from his lips. He was equally pleased at what seemed to be genuine surprise at the revelation of his mutation. Who could really tell what was real or imagined here? Roland thought it best to stay true to the course,wherever that course may be in this labyrinth.
All of the halls in these types of businesses looked exactly alike. Only the initiated would know which door was a superior's office and which one a broom closet. It could even turn out being a broom closet that actually became a superior's office. Nothing was certain in the world of espionage, where subterfuge was as plain as the ID badge that no one wore.“Now, we don't really worry about background checks, resumes, or interviews around here. Your credentials are your skills and your loyalty. The forms you will have to fill out are simply the most basic employee information types of things. You'll also be provided with a bank account into which your salary will be deposited, if you don't already have one you'd like to use."
Roland listened and nodded some more. At the mention of a bank account, he summoned up the memory of the authorization codes for his Swiss account he had picked up some time ago. One that even the Feds didn't know of. He could see the reception area approaching as quickly as their feet carried them.“I still don't know your name. What would you like to be called?” Roland turned his head and smiled. " As far as a name type name, let's go with Ronald Turpit. I assume this kind of place goes more for the codename business once the training videos are over. If that is the case, hmmm...how about Vagabond?"
(Sorry I didn't post this last night. My 'net connection went poof at some point.)
Melissa noted his smirk at her admittance of her single status and was not surprised by it. Despite how good an actor he was, she had doubted that his kiss had been completely an act. She acknowledged his smirk with nothing more than a raised eyebrow, for now.
>>>“I assume this kind of place goes more for the codename business once the training videos are over. If that is the case, hmmm...how about Vagabond?”
She'd let him assume that until he figured out any differently on his own. Code name, real name. It didn't really matter which one people chose to go by in this organization. Most of the humans went by their real names, unless they were playing dress-up in the training rooms. The mutants were split. The boss man went by his real name, as far as Melissa knew, and some of the others didn't even have a pretended original name listed in any Kabal records, having forsaken their names completely for their chosen aliases.
“Vagabond it is then. Or perhaps Vaga?”
“Anyways, this is the reception area and this is Noin Mortman.” Melissa gave a warm smile to her colleague who didn't even slow her nine fingered typing as she looked up at them. “Noin, meet Vagabond, our newest recruit.” The code name would clue in the nine fingered secretary that he was a mutant.
And now the quick clacking of keys ceased momentarily as Noin reached for a file folder with one hand and extended the other for a handshake, “Nice to have you aboard. Please fill out these forms while I get some basic equipment assigned to you. Will you be needing a room as well?” And she was back to typing and clicking her mouse again, just as fast as before, without taking her eyes off of Vagabond for more than a second at a time. By the time he would open that folder and read the first question on the questionnaire, Noin would be finished emailing Doc Jimmy about getting a communicator for him. It would be waiting down in the lab soon enough.
During these proceedings, Melissa leaned nonchalantly against an unused corner of the desk, her somewhat tired mind wandering just a little bit toward that hot shower. She was thinking she might even settle for sleeping in one of the emtpy rooms that were formerly occupied by refugees rather than drive all the way back to her apartment. She snapped to when she realized that she was being spoken to. Had Vagabond already finished his paperwork? She didn't remember the questionnaire being that short.
The secretary didn't look anything other than professional and polite, but Melissa knew she was probably cringing on the inside at the inefficiency of having to repeat herself, “I said, 'What type of position did you envision for Mr. Vagabond.'”
Melissa held back a yawn, “I suspect he'd be successful pretty much anywhere. He seems very efficient.”
“Ah,” was all the secretary answered, but her fingers typed, if anything, at an increased speed.
“Vagabond it is then. Or perhaps Vaga?” Roland chewed slightly on his lower lip as he mulled it over. " If you need something shorter, call me V. You, personally, can call me whatever you like." It was probably slightly inappropriate to say so at the desk, but Roland usually steamrolled pleasantries for the most part. It took generally 30 seconds for a man and woman to decide something. One just had to be aware of the moment and seize it.
She introduced him to Noin Mortman, a woman who was clearly a stronger personality. She seemed nice enough, though Roland couldn't help but notice the lack of a little finger on one hand. It looked incredibly similar to the type of thing that the Yakuza did. He subconsciously toyed with his fingers. She was the majordomo here. Her presence demanded respect. Roland did his best to provide it. He actually sat in the chair across from her, to show this respect as well as maintain the air of order that hung in the area.
“Nice to have you aboard. Please fill out these forms while I get some basic equipment assigned to you. Will you be needing a room as well?" He took the forms, assigning the roles on the pages to his dedicated aliases specifically made for this kind of paperwork. No hesitation that way, as the process of memorized regurgitation basically comes off from a regular person remembering their intimate civil details. Looking up from his writing, he replied to the mistress of machination. " I won't be staying, regretfully. I live off campus. I have a lovely estate near the city." Also close to the Mansion, but not everything needed to be on paper.
He glanced over at Melissa, who was definitely at the end of a shift and looking like it. His fingers continued to write, even being open and honest about the length of his ability. After all, Roland was the one who didn't have powers. He'd played an alias with his ability before. It came easy as most lies do the practiced liar. Noin was asking Melissa about Roland's usefulness. Her answer came quickly through tired lips.“I suspect he'd be successful pretty much anywhere. He seems very efficient.” he smiled at her, nodding to her. " Why thank you, Miss Rivers. I do appreciate the compliment." The account number and deposit codes for his Bahamian cache went down and he returned the file back to the desk, placing the pen neatly beside it, nodding also to Noin as she glanced at him yet again.
>>>" If you need something shorter, call me V. You, personally, can call me whatever you like."
Melissa smirked. He was being forward, but for some reason she didn't mind in the least. It was the end of a long shift, and her mind was not at all eager to try and decipher subtle hints and hidden messages. Vagabond's straightforward way of doing things was much preferable, at least when she was this tired.
>>>" Why thank you, Miss Rivers. I do appreciate the compliment."
Melissa nodded. She had meant it, too. She suspected he would be good at infiltration, assassination, burglary, whatever was needed. In any case, it seemed that he had finished filling out his paperwork and it was time to move onward.
Melissa turned back to Noin before grabbing their newest employee's arm and leading him off down the hallway again, “Well then, did Ingram get back to you about when that equipment would be done?”
Noin had already returned to her typing, and was rapidly entering Vagabond's employee information into the system's files, “He hasn't replied to my message yet. I predict that he is either so engrossed in some project or another or he has gone to sleep for the night. I would try first thing in the morning.”
“Thanks,” Melissa gave the secretary a curt nod, then led the way down the hall, or escorted if V would allow her to do so.
“So, it sounds like we'll have to wait until morning to get a communicator for you. I believe Ingram is working on a new model, which should be quite a bit less bulky than the old style. From what I hear, it's actually worth the wait. For now, would you mind if the first part of the tour includes a stop at the barracks? There's a couple of unclaimed rooms, and a hot shower would be really nice after all that freezing cold rain. You could take one as well, and I'm sure we could find a spare uniform in your size if you'd like something dry until we can get your clothes washed.”
Roland listened as Melissa spoke to Noin about someone named Ingram. Judging from the details of the conversation, he assumed that this person was one of the technical types that he enjoyed working with. The types that could create the devices he would need in the field. Someone to warm up to, though his present company seemed much more open to the idea of being warmed up. His arm was taken by Miss Rivers as they began their way down the hall.
“So, it sounds like we'll have to wait until morning to get a communicator for you. I believe Ingram is working on a new model, which should be quite a bit less bulky than the old style. From what I hear, it's actually worth the wait. For now, would you mind if the first part of the tour includes a stop at the barracks? There's a couple of unclaimed rooms, and a hot shower would be really nice after all that freezing cold rain. You could take one as well, and I'm sure we could find a spare uniform in your size if you'd like something dry until we can get your clothes washed.” Roland did his best not to immediately absorb innuendo, as it was more than likely created by his own mind, as well as other biological outlets." Many things are worth the wait, Melissa. I'd much rather wait for the most updated technology. "
They arrived at one of the aforementioned rooms and he waited for her to enter. " I could certainly use a good warming up, but please, you go first. You seem quite tired and I am sure you could use the relaxation and comfort. I appreciate the use of the facilities and the uniforms, but I actually have a lovely estate I recently purchased. Perhaps you could come visit sometime. " He waited for her to enter the bathroom, taking care not to ogle her. He knew that there was attraction there, but there was no reason to load wood on a fire that was burning fine without it.
He slid the wetter parts of his clothing off and turned the heat on in the room via the individual thermostat. He heard the shower running, so he turned the television on, watching a report on the local news about the false alarm at the cafe, though the story was more of the equine consumers therein. Roland stepped to the door and checked it, finding it to be unlocked. He removed his clothing and stepped into the room, the steam already building. " The showers seem quite roomy. Perhaps I could join you?"
>>>"Many things are worth the wait, Melissa. I'd much rather wait for the most updated technology. "
Melissa was sure he would rather wait. One didn't have to be a telepath to know what he was thinking about. It didn't take long to arrive at the barracks and find a room that was unoccupied. Vagabond stepped back and let Melissa enter first.
Melissa wasn't a big fan of the sterile decor of the rooms in the Labs. While they were always perfectly functional, they were also incredibly bland. Even hotel rooms were more homey than the plain white walls and plain white bed linens. The silver color of stainless steel was the only other color in the room, found in the headboard, chairs, and table. The chairs were modern and fairly comfortable to sit in, but not especially attractive in Melissa's opinion, merely functional. She opened a small empty closet next to the door and hung her coat on one of the wire hangers she found within.
>>>" I could certainly use a good warming up, but please, you go first. You seem quite tired and I am sure you could use the relaxation and comfort. I appreciate the use of the facilities and the uniforms, but I actually have a lovely estate I recently purchased. Perhaps you could come visit sometime. "
“Thank you. Perhaps I shall visit. It sounds lovely. Feel free to make yourself at home while you wait,” Melissa indicated the sterile room with a slight gesture of her arm before walking into the bathroom.
The bathroom was just as plain as the bedroom. Straight in front of the entrance was the shower with a plain white shower curtain, to the left was a pedestal sink- plain white porcelain with stainless steel fixtures, to the right, tucked into a niche in the wall was the toilet. If someone were sitting on the toilet, the door could very well hit them in the knees if someone were to swing it open carelessly. There was a plain white bathrobe hanging from a stainless steel hook on the wall.
Melissa closed the door behind her. She did not lock the door. It was more of a test than an invitation.
He seemed a man who could very efficiently get what he wanted, and Melissa could easily guess at what he wanted right now.
She started the water, so it could have a chance to get warm before she got in, then started undressing. She could hear the TV over the rush of water, it sounded like the early morning news. She dropped her clothes unceremoniously in a pile on the floor, set her gun holster carefully on the back of the toilet seat, and slipped her arms into the soft terrycloth of the bathrobe.
It was getting steamy in the bathroom. Outside the bathroom Vagabond had turned the TV off again. Melissa stepped over toward the toilet and listened to find out what he was doing; a moment later, he was testing the doorknob. She had expected something to happen, but she had expected to have to wait slightly longer. A few moments later, the door swung towards her and a figure stepped into the bathroom.
>>>"The showers seem quite roomy. Perhaps I could join you?"
The door swung closed again. The blonde man must have been pretty confident in what her answer would be, because he was already completely undressed as he asked the question. Just a little cocky, aren't we?
Was he the company man type who would devotedly wait for orders to follow or would he rush off to do his own thing, then come back asking for forgiveness rather than permission? So far, signs were pointing to the latter. Luckily, men were the easiest of animals to train, if they were given the correct motivation. He wasn't too old to learn. Lessons started immediately.
“Put your hands in the air,” came a calm voice from directly behind him. If he had trouble understanding that, the cool metal of a hand gun barrel was pressed against the back of his neck to help highlight the important points of the lesson.
Roland stepped into the bathroom finding the water running and a pile of clothes on the floor. He was almost excited, though his keen awareness and a movement in the mirror quickly changed the feeling. A cool metal gun barrel was pressed firmly against his neck. It certainly wasn't the first time nor would it be the last. “Put your hands in the air.” Roland went against his better judgment and smirked slightly. He really couldn't help it as he lifted his arms as requested.
Fortunately, the heat of the water had not come to a point to begin steaming the room up. Roland had a good eyeful, in the mirror, of Melissa as she stood behind him, stance firm, two hands on the gun. Then it became no hands on the gun. It was Roland's hands on the gun. He stepped forward and turned quickly on his heel. He now had the firm stance and the little point sight aimed squarely at Melissa. He waggled his eyebrows in a slightly comical fashion."Your turn. I suppose that makes you it."
In a smooth chain of movements, Roland had the clip free and the single bullet in the chamber free. It ejected and spun in the air slightly before finding itself sitting peacefully next to its family on the counter. Roland looked down the barrel." Is this the standard issue sidearm here? It's not bad. Not bad at all. I apologize as I seem to have misread you. I interpreted the chemistry between us to be of a different stuff than it obviously is." He placed the pistol next to the clip and single bullet.
He walked past Melissa, his eyes still locked on to hers, should she feel like pulling anymore tricks. He stepped out of the room and pulled the door closed behind him. He should have expected as much, his first day and all. He thought on it as he slid his clothes back on. She probably thinks I am little more than a quivering man, easily turned at the sight of a woman. I simply appreciate beauty and have no qualms with self expression. The stark quality of the room actually helped Roland think more clearly. He felt no regret nor shame for what he had done. In his mind, it was no different than a handshake.
The blonde man smirked in the mirror as he lifted his arms, and a moment later waggled the low eyebrows that arched over his pale blue eyes as he pointed her own gun back at Melissa. In an instant, all the power was in his court and he was making light hearted jokes about it.
>>>"Your turn. I suppose that makes you it."
Melissa was speechless. She'd never felt so helpless that she could only stand dumbfounded. She wasn't happy about the turn of events, not happy at all. Her eyes smoldered at the Kabal's newest employee as he calmly stood naked in her bathroom removing the bullets from her gun and examining it as if it was for sale.
>>>" Is this the standard issue sidearm here? It's not bad. Not bad at all. I apologize as I seem to have misread you. I interpreted the chemistry between us to be of a different stuff than it obviously is."
Then, inexplicably, he apologized for his behavior and left the gun and bullets on the counter. He took away all her power in the situation then offered back as if he hadn't really wanted it in the first place, which made her feel even less in control than before he had returned the weapon. Here, take back your gun, it doesn't really matter if you have it anyway.
Without another word, he walked out of the bathroom and closed the door too gently behind himself, all the while, keeping his eyes locked on hers. Melissa glared at the back of the door. He should have slammed it. If she felt like this, doors should be slammed, not closed quietly and gentlemanly.
Melissa was frustrated, confused, and angry. She didn't want an apology! She didn't want her gun back! She didn't want him to walk out as if nothing had happened!
He'd gotten it all wrong. He hadn't only failed the test, he'd crinkled it up, thrown it in the garbage bin, and dropped a match in on top of it. The chemistry that he blamed himself for misinterpreting had not been his imagination, Melissa had felt its as well. She just didn't want him to be the one to make all the moves. She was fairly certain she had wanted him, but she had wanted him on her own terms, not only on his. He couldn't just kiss a girl without asking first, then invite himself into her shower. She wanted to invite him. Couldn't he see the difference?
Melissa grabbed the gun and bullets off the counter, opened the bathroom door, and threw the whole fistful of metal at his head. She didn't care if it hit or not. If he turned around fast enough, he might see a small sparkle at the corner of her eye before she slammed the bathroom door properly in his face.
Leaving the room, Roland's pleasure in himself was so overwhelming that he almost didn't hear the door reopen. He was quite easily amused with the relationships between men and women. It was as rare as the rarest of gems for such relationships to come easy, without the baggage or hassle that biology and memory summoned. His head cocked, he turned to receive an apology. Instead, the butt of the gun slammed into his temple, bringing prickly stars to his vision. He could feel a warm trickle ooze down the side of his face.
The initial reaction would have been to go strike her in the temple. However, it only took a moment to realize that he had merely misinterpreted his misinterpretation. The look in her eye was a mix of 'Serves you right' and 'Come hither'. She was a very unique and interesting woman, this Melissa Rivers. Leaving the dismantled gun on the carpet with a few drops of blood, he stepped toward the door and opened it, leaving it ajar for a moment prior to entering. He didn't feel like a matching wound on the other side of his head.
Steam roiled out into the room once the door had been opened. Stepping into the bathroom, Roland saw a flash of white. His mutation worked in response to the assumed threat, but the bathrobe, which now hung over his head, was obviously one hundred percent cotton. He heard the curtain draw closed from his dark cover. He dropped the robe on the floor, along with the rest of his clothes that he had managed to get on before the minor assault.
Perhaps she had initially thought she would give him things to do at gunpoint. It should have crossed his mind, but having been in the company headquarters for such a brief time, it was hard for Roland to comprehend simple relaxation. He would give her the reins now, though he certainly intended to milk the head wound if possible. He stepped through the curtain, finding her back to him, a lovely back to behold. She was letting the water course over her, shoulders slumped. " Message received. I apologize for being rude, but really, I only just filed my paperwork. Guns don't make me nervous, but they do make me aware." He made no attempt to approach her, waiting to see what she did in response. He simply looked down and watched the blood drip from his head and make its way across the basin, between her legs, and down the drain.
After slamming the door shut, Melissa had hurled the bathrobe at it as hard as she could and stepped into the shower. She needed some time to just warm up and get all her thoughts straightened out. Why did this man cause her such frustrations so easily? Then again, there were other men she knew that were just as thick headed and clueless, but it had never bothered her as much as this particular misunderstanding was troubling her.
The metal rings of the shower curtain clicked together, alerting her to the presence behind her. Melissa declined to turn around immediately, choosing instead to let the water from the shower run over her head, wetting her hair letting warm streams run down her back.
The intruder spoke, >>>“Message received. I apologize for being rude, but really, I only just filed my paperwork. Guns don't make me nervous, but they do make me aware.”
He was right, he was a newcomer and wasn't familiar with his new workplace yet. What's more, despite and chemistry between them- real or imagined- they were still strangers to each other. It would be silly to expect anything resembling a relationship to work out right away, no matter how frustrating that might be.
Melissa crossed her arms and turned her head to face him. His eyes were downcast and his temple was bloodied. He looked like a sad, abused puppy trying to beg the forgiveness of its master by looking cute and helpless.
“Thanks for the apology, and for what it's worth, I'm sorry as well,” for ambushing him, for injuring him, for the entire unfortunate awkward situation. She didn't move any closer and left her arms crossed. She wasn't trying to be inviting, nor was she pushing away, but at this point she could be easily swayed to do either.
“Look, maybe we should get that wound taken care off. You're bleeding all over the place, in case you hadn't noticed.”
The blood seemed to work. Her head turned in his direction, Melissa looked over to him and apologized. They were back to civility, which was the cornerstone for any good relationship, be it personal or business. His arm stretched out, palm turned up and cupped. He let it rest gingerly on her shoulder as it filled with the warm water of the shower. He slowly withdrew the contact of skin on skin, emptying the contents of his hand against his temple, a slight sting coming with it.
“Look, maybe we should get that wound taken care off. You're bleeding all over the place, in case you hadn't noticed.” He smirked slightly. " Yes, I did notice. First though, I would like to start over slightly. I am sure it will suit us both. If you would like to call me something, call me Roland. It's my name. I believe we have simply let our professions get in the way of what we feel. I'll try to fix that if you will." He stepped closer to her, closing the distance between them. His arm reached past her wet body again, this time to turn the water off. It left only the sound of dripping water and their breaths.
Roland stepped from the shower, grabbing a towel and handing it to her. He then toweled himself as he looked into the mirror's reflection at her. She was a beautiful woman. She seemed tired, though. The work would do that to a person. He secretly hoped she found another line of work before her beauty faded completely. He let the water in the sink get very hot and then put a washcloth into it, wringing it out and pressing it against the head wound to slow the bleeding. " I believe we both know what we want, Melissa. Let's just take the time to know each other enough to appreciate it properly."
Melissa tightened her arms around her torso ever so slightly as Roland reached out with his hand. Then, as he rested it non threateningly on her shoulder she relaxed again.
>>>I would like to start over slightly. I am sure it will suit us both. If you would like to call me something, call me Roland. It's my name. I believe we have simply let our professions get in the way of what we feel. I'll try to fix that if you will.
He sounded really sincere about starting over, and surprisingly even admitted to having used a fake name before. It sounded like Roland even was his real name, but it didn't really matter whether it was or not. The sentiment seemed truthful enough. This time when he reached past her to turn off the water, she didn't flinch.
She did nod in agreement to trying to fix the whole professions getting in the way thing as she accepted the towel.
>>>" I believe we both know what we want, Melissa. Let's just take the time to know each other enough to appreciate it properly."
It was a sweet sentiment, and not one Melissa originally would have expected from him. It further illustrated that he was still a stranger to her, but gave her further incentive to get to know him better.
“I'd like that,” she responded simply, meeting his eyes in the mirror as she finished drying off.
