A steaming cup of tea sat alone on a table in a moderately sized room.

It was a cozy setting, neat, but not at all immaculate. The room's denizen felt as if too much cleanliness created a sort of... sterile, hospital atmosphere, so there were folders here or there, a painting perhaps a bit off level to the more than casual observer. A click was heard as the door opened, and a giant cockroach walked in, two hands holding a tea pot, and another steaming cup, and the other two carefully balancing a plate of small round cakes... Crumpets, they were called.

They would be quite warm as well; he'd just ventured to the kitchen to make them. He normally wouldn't have. In fact, be would normally be at his own house, rather than his rather empty room, here. But to tell the truth, his home's location was a carefully guarded secret, and he certainly didn't want anyone he would invite here knowing where it was.

For all intents and purposes, this was his cozy abode, and he was inviting his first official guest over for tea. Syn, was her name. The letter he'd posted on her door stated it was rather important he meet with her here. So, he'd embellished a little. Truest truths told, he didn't plan on this all being for pleasure, though... He wanted to talk business.

A whiff of the crumpets made him sigh contently; How could it not be all pleasure with such good accommodations, though? He gripped the handle of his tea cup gently, lifting a pinky, and bringing it to his mouth for an elegant sip.

He did hope she would arrive soon; he couldn't wait to have a crumpet or ten.

Reading the note left on her door Syn tried to think of why someone she didn’t really know wanted to discuss something of importance. What sort of importance would remain to be seen, but it couldn’t hurt to see what the urgency was about. Maybe it was a chance to gain leverage of some sort.

She arrived at the room belonging to the large bug man she had met in the War Room. Knocked a couple times she waited to either be let in or for a response to enter. Once in the room she noticed the little tea party setting and she raised an eyebrow slightly then let it relax again. “Nice to see you again.”

The door opened rather promptly upon her knocking, revealing a Cockroach with a fancy, though well worn top hat. He waved her in merrily. "Syn! Right on time, the crumpets are still cooling, and the tea is still hot!" He turned and danced over to the nearest chair, pulling it back for her, and inviting her to sit.

"I assure you the pleasure is all mine." light on his feet, he floated on over to his seat across from the one he'd invited her to sit in, and took his own seat. "I must apologize for demanding your presence under such false pretenses. I thought it best to ensure your attendance... And, in some ways I suppose this is urgent. We will be working side by side, after all, and the only member of the council I have yet to have any real interaction with is you.The same is true for yourself, is it not, Ms. Ssyn?" He grabbed the tea kettle before him, and offered to pour for her. Regardless of whether or not she wanted tea, he poured himself a fresh cup, and took a long sip, having already finished his first waiting for her.

He then crossed his legs in front of him, leaning back, and placing his hat on the table off to the side, allowing his antennae to roam freely. "I'm sure you agree that it's important that all council member's intentions should be known to each other." This was a falsehood. He knew it, and he knew she knew it. In the end, the statement was a tactful formality; the order members were destined to each have their own motives, though some were less underhanded than others. In a way, the statement might be hinting to her that he didn't mind being underhanded at all. "After all, we all have our ideals, when it comes to where this Order should be headed. Perhaps you could enlighten me on your feelings regarding such things."

Gosh, was he wording all of this mighty careful or what? Perhaps she might be looking to be more blunt, if it came to that, he wouldn't skirt around the issues so much, but he wasn't the type to rush in prematurely.

"Oh, and please, have a crumpet! They are quite tasty."

While the aromas from the offerings were tempting Syn just acknowledged them as she walked further into the room. She looked around and noted the general appearance of the room. It looked better than she had initially imagined it might.

Sitting down she focused more on the bug man. It was very different to see a human sized insect. She had seen various looking mutants and had gotten used to the thought of there being a possibly incalculable number of looks and abilities. Though with each one there was usually something unique even if similar talents were shared between one or more mutants. With this mutant she had already observed his ability to communicate with smaller insects as he demonstrated in the War Room. This led to other thoughts of course, but they would remain thoughts for the time being.

“How curious. We’re to work together and yet you demand my presence even though that in itself was misleading just to get me here. I see working together might be more difficult.” She was testing her host now. He already admitted to being false towards her and had back peddled a bit with his apology, but now she was pushing to see how far back he really would go. If this was to be a meeting to divulge intentions then she certainly would find out as much as she could as well.

“In regards to were the council is concerned, is it not all of our intentions to make things better for the Sanctuary, the Order and our fellow mutants?” The dark woman paused for a moment. She was trying to watch his body language and learn what she could from it before carrying on. “Maybe you’re hinting that each member has their own agendas. You and I both know that’s true. It’s always been that way as we are all individuals and have our own ideas.”

Politely waving off the offer of the goodies Syn wanted to know more about her host. “You’re talent is quite unusual. Would you mind sharing more about yourself? I can see the obvious, but I’d like to know more of the finer details if you don’t mind.”

“How curious. We’re to work together and yet you demand my presence even though that in itself was misleading just to get me here. I see working together might be more difficult.” She was a staunch negotiator. His antennae bristled in a pleased manner as he held his tea to his maw, and eyed her silently for a moment. He blew softly on the amber liquid, and then took a sip. This was going to be a stimulating experience; a game of mental chess. He had the advantage here, though. He could see the glint of greed in the eye of his friendly opponent, and all she would see was a rather large bug.

Slowly, he set down his cup, and looked directly at her. "We are to be leaders, Ms. Ssyn. Leaders of a business, leaders of a movement. If we cannot demand things from each other, how can we hope to meet the demands of our ilk? Yes, I demanded your presence, and I find it perfectly acceptable for you to demand my own in the future, should the need be pressing. Does that sound agreeable?"

“In regards to were the council is concerned, is it not all of our intentions to make things better for the Sanctuary, the Order and our fellow mutants?” An artful dodge... Delightful!

"Of course." He purred, grabbing a hot crumpet and placing it on the small plate he'd brought with him. His pleasure, however, was soured by her continuation; “Maybe you’re hinting that each member has their own agendas. You and I both know that’s true. It’s always been that way as we are all individuals and have our own ideas.” Perhaps she wasn't going to play his little game... Oh well. They would have to get to the point at some... point.

“Your talent is quite unusual. Would you mind sharing more about yourself? I can see the obvious, but I’d like to know more of the finer details if you don’t mind.”

"Of course... I was a late bloomer; I have only been a visible mutant for a few years... I have the ability to talk to cockroaches, and to augment them in order to increase their cognitive abilities... I make them about as smart as the average human being, by most estimations... Though they tend to be much more polite." Would he tell her how hard we was to kill? Of course not; he would leave that out, an ace in the hole. "I also have enhanced strength, though nothing close to your dear brother."

He took a bite of his crumpet, voicing his pleasure. "Mmm... They really are quite good... Now... I do believe, since I have answered your question, it would be simply inconsiderate for you not to answer my own... What is your... agenda, when it comes to the Order?" He wasn't playing around, either. The Roach set his crumpet back on his plate, took another sip of tea, and then eyed her patiently, awaiting a response.

She watched him carefully, all his subtle movements from his antennae to any twitches of his body. He was going to be difficult to read, but she had hopes of learning at least some of his tells. The hardest part would be to determine if his movements were from some kind of emotional response or just his insect body having bursts of spasms. The length of their conversation might help her learn which was which.

He was a strange one for sure, but then Syn had never encountered a mutant with insect talents. More recently the only physically mutated person she had met was Aurion. He was more reptilian though and his movements more fluid and easier to read. This would be a most interesting meeting.

She knew they were to be leaders and thus looked towards for guidance by others. She had already been THE leader once before however. The way she had run The Order was more like a militant force with her as the Commander In Chief and others like her brothers and Isabel as her supporting Generals. This new situation was uncharted territory for her, but she wouldn’t let it stay that way. She was eager to learn just how much power she could wield as well as what kinds of events required having to deal with the other designated council members. So to be having a meeting with one of them already was something of a welcomed experience.

“That sounds very agreeable indeed my dear Roach.” Whether or not she would actually call on him at a later date would depend on what she could find out about him first. She needed to know just where his loyalties fell. Were they selfish intentions or was he connected to others somehow. She remembered when he brought in a folder to Lenna during the meeting in the War Room, and how its contents were never divulged. Ideas swirled from just fetching information for something after the meeting to the possibility of him being some form of informant. The latter holding higher position when she remembered him speaking to a cockroach that was in the room behind a picture.

And then he began telling her about his talents. His first statement only raising her thoughts of him being some sort of information gatherer. Literally bugging places with his little informants and then asking what they found out? Oh yes! Her suspicions of him just shot up as well as her own thoughts of what she could use him for, but she kept all that to herself of course as she smiled and nodded in acknowledgement to his description. “That sounds like quite an interesting and handy talent you have.”

She watched him munch on one of the crumpets and insist how tasty they were. Politely she declined the invitation. Syn never really was one to accept offerings from those she didn’t know. That had become more of an acute selection since her betrayal and disappearance.

Smiling genuinely and tilting her head just a bit as he brought back his inquiry of her agenda. “My agenda for The Order is to ensure we maintain a foothold in this world. We need to help our brethren as many are downtrodden or just lost and in need of direction. So I plan to help change that by whatever means at my disposal.” Her turn. “What might be your agenda for The Order my dear Roach? Do you mind that name, or do you prefer another?”

She was staring; her eyes scanned him, drawn to every twitch, every absent movement of a limb... It was interesting enough for him to probe at the issue by purposefully twitching an antennae to see if her eyes would follow it. The giant Roach sipped at his tea, wondering if she knew just how absorbed she'd become in her examination of him. It intrigued him to no end; most people whose eyes lingered on him did so out of disgust, or horror, but she? It dawned on him that she was trying to learn him.

It was adorable; he let out a tiny squeak, small enough she might miss it, though he doubted it, judging on how intently she watched him. Still, even the slightly high pitched sound would seem to have little motivation behind it. It was as if they were playing an intense game of chess, but his side was muddled by the fog of war. He couldn't blame anyone for not being able to read him; at times he couldn't even read himself... Physically, and mentally... he was more bug than man, now; his DNA warped enough to blur the line between the two.

He chuckled as she mentioned his talents. "Indeed, and from what I hear yours are impressive as well. It's only natural that a council in charge of this group would be quite formidable..."

His free hand floated about his crumpet for a moment, but decided against it as his chest hands fought each other passively to try and grab at the treat; the larger limb opted to try and break up the fight. He ignored the scuffle as she spoke about her... agenda.

“My agenda for The Order is to ensure we maintain a foothold in this world. We need to help our brethren as many are downtrodden or just lost and in need of direction. So I plan to help change that by whatever means at my disposal. What might be your agenda for The Order my dear Roach? Do you mind that name, or do you prefer another?”

His tea cup froze at his maw for a moment, and then he set it down, a sigh being the accompanying sound effect. Sitting straight, and looking her right in the eyes his own compound set blank and empty as always, he responded dryly. "Roach is fine. My agenda for The Order is to ensure we maintain a foothold in this world. We need to help our brethren as many are downtrodden or just lost and in need of direction. So I plan to help change that by whatever means at my disposal..." He parroted her exact words, staring at her a bit longer to let the response sink in.

"Now that we have that veneer of an answer out of the way, why don't we both take a look below the shiny surface... I'll start with some observations, and correct me if I'm wrong... You don't like Lenna. During your meeting with her, you poked at her verbally, using calculated statements to test her boundaries; you were trying to see what you could get away with, perhaps? More importantly, the look in your eyes when she wasn't looking back... How did my servant describe it? A predator, sizing up it's would-be prey? Mind you, they aren't so articulate, so I'm prone to a bit of embellishment. My greatest guess would be you would like nothing more than to lead this Order again. You did so in the past, and according to all of the information I have collected, you have been very consistent when it comes to a pro-mutant stance... Lenna not being a mutant, and still being in a position of power, I could only assume you aren't so fond of it."

He stared at her for another moment, and then grabbed the plate of crumpets, talking as he moved. "I think you are hungry, Syn." he brought the plate to the edge of the table, and tilted it sideways. "I think you are naturally gifted at manipulation, and thus, you are quite dangerous." The bread slid slowly from the plate, and onto the ground below."I think I do, indeed, want you on my side." He then tossed the plate over his shoulder, where it shattered against the wall behind him. "I think I would like to know what is going on in your head." After that task was completed, he placed his half full tea cup on his head, dumping out it's contents over his antennae in the process. "And finally, I think that you should give up on trying to find out what is going on in mine." A stream of tea ran down his head as he finished his statement.

Trying to pick up any possible tells from the giant roach was far from easy when compared to a more human looking conversationalist. Though she did try, and caught every little movement while still watching the overall figure. Unfortunately she would still be guessing at any possibilities. Reading his insectoid features at this point wasn’t turning out so well.

So she listened to him instead. Syn listened to Roach’s response to her question regarding his agenda. Then he indulged her with his observations. Everything he had said was completely true when commenting on her position towards Lenna and the Order. Then he did something unexpected by making a spectacle of himself.

Laughing genuinely Syn shook her head slightly. “My dear Roach. There’s no need to mimic me, nor to make a scene of yourself. I can only guess that your response towards your agenda for the Order is either truly the same as mine or you mock me. As for your observations…you should give your little spies a bonus.” She wasn’t about to openly admit specifics to what he had said. Instead she turned it back towards him by complimenting his ability to speak with other roaches. “As for what’s going on in my mind why would you like to know that? Isn’t it only fair that I know what’s on yours?” The goth princess paused and decided if she couldn’t read his body movements she would try reading his verbal responses and so she tried poking her host with more words. “Or perhaps you’re only a spy for someone who dangles power in front of you because that person knows you are hungry.”

“My dear Roach. There’s no need to mimic me, nor to make a scene of yourself. I can only guess that your response towards your agenda for the Order is either truly the same as mine or you mock me. As for your observations…you should give your little spies a bonus.”

"I do mock you, just a little, but it's all light hearted. I already know that you want what's best for our kind. Everyone on the Council does, including myself. I stated during our meeting, the world needs to change, and we can do that. As for my little friends... I have one in mind that I do, in fact, plan to give a... bonus. Though perhaps non in the way you think... You see, I've been experimenting with my gift... It's very possible I may be able to bring forth a sort of... transformation beyond what I have done before... That's a story for a later time, though, I fear I have gone off on a sort of tangent."

“As for what’s going on in my mind why would you like to know that? Isn't it only fair that I know what’s on yours?" His mandibles clacked one time, and he tilted his head. Fairness... What a concept. Still, she had a point; the pattern to their conversation thus far had been give and take. One gave up a little information, and tugged gently at the mind of the other to achieve their own progress. It was working fairly well so far; his suspicions when it came to her attitude toward Lenna had proven true, though he had given some information away as well. "I find that agreeable... I'll tell you what interests me, then... Though only because I see in you a hunger similar to my own, and I appreciate it. As you know, change is required, and very much impending. We will change the world, for better or for worse... Only the sharpest of minds tend to see that with change comes.. a vacuum of a sort. Where leaders of the old cause fall, vacancies pop up... Where followers become causeless, new leaders appear. I speak, of course, of power. With change, comes power, and with power comes the ability to enact further change. We want things to change... I want to see mutants at the top of the world, where the WASPs currently sit. In the process of that change, I wouldn't mind gaining my fair share of the power. To use your term, it's only fair that should we put the work in, we should reap the rewards. Somewhere inside you, you feel the same. Am I correct?"

He sat back comfortably, not minding her comments on him making a scene; he reveled in making scenes. It was what he did best.

“Or perhaps you’re only a spy for someone who dangles power in front of you because that person knows you are hungry.” He stared at the woman for a long moment, absorbing what she said. He knew exactly what she was thinking of; he would suspect the same. It was an interesting thought. "I will forgive you likening me to a dog begging for scraps. Lenna does not know we are speaking right now. Does she suspect you have designs to see her ousted? I wouldn't doubt it. She's particularly clever. Have I told her such? No. Do I plan to? Once again, the answer is no. Am I a spy... In a million ways, yes. Currently, I have bugs checking on ten sanctuary residents. Some, I am assessing for possibly usefulness for the cause, fewer I suspect of disloyalty, and one is that damned pyromancer kid who keeps pulling the fire alarm. Thinks he's clever, that one."

He eyed her for another moment, and then nodded. "I will say this, though... Lenna stands on our side of the line; this has been made clear to me. I would know right away if she didn't; I watch her as well. I propose that we have more important things to tend to, and she has proven to be nothing but useful. Plotting her downfall, in my mind, would be a waste of resources better spent. Especially because such plans could backfire, and end up seeing us dead instead. Your thoughts?"

Roach spoke of things that were along the same lines as Syn’s ideas. Doing things to cause change. To help push mutants up above humans. The betterment of their kind. All things Syn held onto closely. “Yes, I agree that we should be able to gain our share of power through our efforts.”

There was an actual noticeable moment when Roach reacted to the comment of being a spy for Lenna. His tone changed and some of his words hinted to the fact that he was actually insulted. Progress had been made, but Syn listened to him and let him finish. It was good to hear that he was keeping this meeting from Lenna though. That meant there was something he didn’t want her to know.

“You’re human side is showing my dear Roach. I had to test to make sure you still had it. I wasn’t trying to offend you just for the sake of doing so. I am curious as to why you’re keeping this little meeting from the one you just said is on our side of the line. Useful or not you have a reason for not telling her you’re talking to me. What’s the reason?”

“Yes, I agree that we should be able to gain our share of power through our efforts.”

"Good. That is what I wished to know. I have a feeling... A storm is brewing. Our kind have been mistreated, and thus they lash out... that leads to violence, and violence will soon lead to much, much more. I can only hope that when something does happen, we are prepared to bring our kind out on top... And, of course, by proxy... ourselves as well." Roach absentmindedly cleaned his antennae after he finished speaking, still focusing on their conversation.

“You’re human side is showing my dear Roach. I had to test to make sure you still had it. I wasn’t trying to offend you just for the sake of doing so. I am curious as to why you’re keeping this little meeting from the one you just said is on our side of the line. Useful or not you have a reason for not telling her you’re talking to me. What’s the reason?”

"Interesting, that you still see humanity in me; I often have troulbe finding it myself. I think I've better for it, though. Humanity is such a dirty little thing. As for why I would not tell Lenna about this... We all have our private little moments, do we not? If you think I've told you about every little talk I've had with anyone in this place, you're sorely mistaken. I think things work best that way, though. I would be quite surprised if you and your brother have not chatted about the state of things in private as well. If you haven't, you should.... Do be aware, though... If you talk here, I won't be able to help but overhear." He tilted his head back and forth, the gesture that often came with a wink on a human face; a lack of eyelids made the real thing impossible, but he had a feeling she would catch the gesture well enough.

The giant bug yawned, and stretched all of his arms, and then looked to his as if he were peeking at some invisible watch. "Well, look at the time. It's been a pleasure, Syn. We'll simply have to talk more in the future; Perhaps not under such false pretenses. If you'd like, I can see you out. I have urgent matters to get to."