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 Welldrinker Cult
A shadowy group is gaining power, drawing in people who are curious, vulnerable, or malicious, and turning them into Mystics. They are recruiting people into their ranks to spread the influence of magic in the world, but for what end goal?
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.
Posted by Tempest on Sept 11, 2017 20:40:07 GMT -6
Haven
Founder of Haven
TEMPEST
4e9cf5 / 0555b1
Good Question
Single
877
335
Feb 3, 2024 10:42:17 GMT -6
Tempest
It was likely not the most professional thing in the world but when the person you are supposed to be guiding on a re-integration to society has to point out you need a night off to relax, you listen. Devon and Nate had met a couple days ago for their usual check-in. Nate was doing well at the school, work, and even a little help at Sanctuary. Devon was all work: patients at the Havens, patients at the mansion, Haven, Haven’s faction activities, volunteering at Sanctuary. Nate had pointed out the problem because it’d been hard enough to ensure his spot on the man’s calendar.
That was a problem; Devon agreed. Priority had to be considered. Just because someone called to meet that didn’t mean you had to meet as soon as possible. You needed windows for those emergency cases. But more importantly, you needed time for you. It had been months since he’d hung out with Serena and watched books turned bad TV. The night out with Artair had been brief and that was following that gang’s attack on the young girl. He and Jorge had gone out for donuts some time ago – what was that the beginning of the spring? Devon was seriously lacking on the relax time.
The plan was a Thursday night in, hanging out with no particular agenda. Of course, Devon didn’t quite handle that correctly. He mentioned it to Architect who encouraged him to pick up a gaming console or two so they could play games together. Devon had never been a gamer, even casually. Maybe the escapism failed him when he was outside playing with the wind. More likely it was his dad trying to push him with his classes and then a rebellious, dysfunctional need to be out drinking even in his mid-teens. Either way, Architect helped him grab some good games and two consoles so that Devon and whomever he had over could play too.
Between streaming services and the internet, Devon had some ideas for tv or movies. He’d gone by the grocery and picked up various cold cuts, some bread, but some junk food too. Maybe Nate would want pizza and then they’d just order anyway. The idea of proving a bad host and making for a boring evening certainly was worrying him. Devon maybe worried too much.
To try and relax for the night of relaxing he headed for the pool, swimming a few rounds on what was one of the last days of summer. Dusk was falling as he floated along in and out of consciousness. It was hard to fall asleep lately, thinking about work but also the organization focused on Sanctuary or the Other Devon. He watched the sky slowly darken and the clouds eventually disappear when the doorbell rang.
Off the float and into the water he went. Maybe he’d lost track of time a bit but that wasn’t a terrible thing. He didn’t do that enough maybe. The snuggly swim-suited gentleman grabbed his towel, throwing it over his shoulders as he went to the guest elevator’s door. Throwing open the guide and unlocking it, the otherwise bare-chested Devon opened the door with a grin.
“Hey, sorry. Was actually spacing out a bit in the pool,” he laughed, “But I’m ready. I got food and everything. How are ya?”
Times were busy at Haven. Nate knew for certain that his own over-full plate was constantly threatening to spill over. Between his work for the organization, his teaching, his volunteering, and his daughter, it could be hard to find time for his own piece of mind. The key was that he forced himself to make time. When Nate could shuffle appointments around, he found ways to work on his own art, take a trip to the bar, or hit the gym in the Headquarters. It was not always easy, but Nate did not want to overwork himself into a burnt-out cinder.
If he needed a good example of what a potential cinder looked like, Nate need not look further than his friend Devon. The man was over ten years Nate’s junior, but he had three times the drive and ambition, and at times it seemed like he had three times as much on his own plate. Devon was a good guy, but he was, (and Nate said this lovingly,) a control freak who wanted to help everyone and do everything. He was still helping Nate with occasional sessions to make sure his reintegration to the world was going well, but Nate now thought of him much more as a friend and coworker, with “therapist” as a tertiary title.
As a friend, Nate felt responsible for reminding Devon that he was still a person who needed things like food, rest, and fun. With all the power he was amassing with Haven, the last thing anyone needed was their Founder to be overtaxed or stressed to the point of poor decision-making. Nate proposed a night to “chill,” framing it as not just a personal concern, but a professional one in the long term.
Nate took his own advice and took the day off leading up to their evening hang out. He had taken advantage of the dwindling summer weather, taking Norah to the zoo, so he returned to Haven with a fresh tan on his arms, shoulders, and face. He got to his apartment with time to shower and change before heading up to Devon’s apartment.
The doorbell was pressed and Nate waited patiently at Devon’s door. When it finally opened, Nate looked his friend up and down, unashamedly taking in the splendor that was Devon in a swimsuit. ”Remind me to get my own massive corporate building so I can have a private pool in my lavish penthouse apartment,” he joked with a grin.
Nate stepped into the apartment and, in typical Devon fashion, his friend was assuring Nate that food and festivities were all set up. It made sense given Devon’s role as occasional event-organizer of Haven that he would try applying order to a casual night in. ”I’m doing good, and I’ll be doing better when you actually start relaxing. Come on; this is gonna be an easy night of games, food, and no stress, remember?” He was teasing, but it could have been a legitimate question; the purpose of the night could have very well slipped Devon’s mind amidst his preparations.
Posted by Tempest on Sept 14, 2017 16:56:27 GMT -6
Haven
Founder of Haven
TEMPEST
4e9cf5 / 0555b1
Good Question
Single
877
335
Feb 3, 2024 10:42:17 GMT -6
Tempest
Devon felt what he presumed to be the judgement of Nate’s gaze with a lead weight to the gut. He didn’t believe he’d remembered did he? Or maybe Nate thought he wasn’t ready? Hopefully he didn’t believe he’d blown him off. Maybe it was some sort of expectation he’d be dressed to go out? No, they’d plan to stay in.
>> ”Remind me to get my own massive corporate building so I can have a private pool in my lavish penthouse apartment,”
Devon blushed slightly, smirking as he stepped back so Nate could come in. He closed the door and locked it quickly, setting the digital code back in place too. After the Other Devon break in, they needed all the security they could get. His voice betrayed the guilt he felt for the lavish space as he spoke, “Hey I donated some to help Haven get the building. The org owns it, not me, and I paid for the penthouse for my own space. Might as well be close to everything, and having that view…” His eyes went toward his park-facing windows. “I mean, I like being in the city but I always prefer to be outside.”
They went into the kitchen first with its now well-stocked fridge and some snacks were already laid out. Some chips, some cookies sat on the counter anyway. And there was soda, preferably root beer and grape. Coke and Sprite were over at the bar, mixers more than anything else. Devon almost never drank anything other than water.
>> ”I’m doing good, and I’ll be doing better when you actually start relaxing. Come on; this is gonna be an easy night of games, food, and no stress,remember?”
“Yeah, yeah, but really my fridge was almost empty,” Devon laughed. “Carrots and cheese slices mostly.” He gestured past the kitchen to the living area with its plush leather couch, chairs, and television. “Feel free to grab a seat, gonna throw my towel out to dry,” he added, walking in the other direction through the small seating area with the bar and outside. He draped the towel over a couple chairs.
Entering back inside, Devon stopped at the bar. It was a night to hang out and he hadn’t anything in the morning – on purpose – so a drink didn’t seem unwise. “Hey, you want a drink?” he called through the large apartment. He poured himself some vodka and Sprite while waiting for his friend’s order. “Vodka and sprite are a great start I figured,” he laughed.
Devon felt the need to defend his penthouse and his lavish lifestyle, which Nate found honestly cute. He was a good guy and he too noble to let someone think he was taking advantage of his position as Haven’s founder. Nate was only teasing him; he knew the types of people who would selfishly enjoy luxury without a care for people less fortunate. Nate used to be one of those people. Devon was not.
Standing next to his friend, Nate looked out at the Park stories beneath them. ”Of course. Can’t keep you too far away from those clouds of yours.” Devon was a wicked atmokinetic, (which was a word Nate had to look up to appropriately describe his friend,) so it made sense for him to want to be near the open air. Being in a penthouse apartment close to the sky must have been nice as well. ”I’m just glad you helped me grab one of the park-side apartments.” It was one hell of a view, after all.
Devon left to toss away his towel, so Nate took his advice and made himself comfortable. He noticed the snacks that were set out and chuckled. As he thought, everything was set out neatly, reflecting Devon’s knack for organization and order. He grabbed a chip and popped it in his mouth with a satisfying crunch before finding a seat for himself.
Nate sank into the couch, appreciating the comfort as he committed to relaxing away his active day. Time with Norah was always wonderful, but the zoo was large and meant a lot of walking. Nate was content with minimal movement for the rest of the night.
He craned his head in the direction of the bar, where Devon was offering to make him a drink—still in his swim shorts, of course. ”Sure! A rum and coke’s always a classic.”
Nate watched Devon from across the apartment with a grin. ”So, are you planning on staying in your swim trunks all night? And to be very clear, that was not a complaint. Just an observation.” Maybe it was Nate’s recent string of encounters with both the opposite and same sex, but he was finding himself slipping into flirtatious behavior as a default setting. He had settled down for a while, but when things with Sarah came to an end, Nate embraced some of the boldness he prided himself on in his youth. After all, he was not getting any younger, so why shy away from making life a little more fun?
>> ”I’m just glad you helped me grab one of the park-side apartments.”
Devon grinned. Convinced that happier people did better work, he did all possible to encourage people. Nate deserved as much for what he had done, the changes he’d made for himself, let alone what he was working toward.
When he asked what Nate wanted to drink, the man didn’t miss a heartbeat. “Rum and coke it is!” he called back with a brief glance that way. Three cubes ice, two shots silver rum poured over, and then coke went into the tumbler. He didn’t have any lime cut and normally he would have gotten some out of the fridge – if he had any limes, which wasn’t certain – but Devon figured Nate would honestly care more if he started fussing.
>> ”So, are you planning on staying in your swim trunks all night? And to be very clear, that was not a complaint. Just an observation.”
Devon paused briefly, his hand on the cap of the rum. Had he heard that correctly? The thought passed as quickly as he blinked, tightening the cap and picking up their glasses. A quick sip of his drink and back to the living room he went, drinks in hand. “Yeah, sorry I should have told you we could take a swim,” he apologized as he neared. He offered over Nate’s glass, “You can always go grab your own if we want to later.”
Sitting down on the other end of sofa, Devon continued, “Games or movies first? Architect had me grab a couple consoles we could both play. I figure I can put them in the recreation room after. There’s a new first person shooter Fate 2 that I picked up. I’m not opposed to throwing something action or comedy on either.” He sipped his drink again before setting it carefully on a coaster.
Devon returned to the living room holding two glasses. Nate gladly took his rum and coke on the rocks and took a sip. It was smooth because he doubted a man like Devon would keep low quality booze in his apartment.
The idea of swimming had not been mentioned, but it was not an idea Nate was averse to; on the contrary, it could be refreshing to cool down after a day in the late summer heat. ”Sounds fun. We can definitely play it by ear.” Going down to his apartment to grab swim trunks was certainly a possible plan. Whether Nate decided it was worth the trouble to take a walk was up for debate.
There were options to consider indoors before they took a break out by the pool, and Nate considered them carefully. ”Hmm… well, we have the Gamestation at our disposal, and if we start with movies, we might just end up too lazy to put in the effort for games. So… yeah, I say games, followed by chilling with a movie or something.” he said with a grin. He placed his drink down on the table, following Devon’s lead by carefully setting it on an available coaster.
Devon felt foolish, though he didn’t express it. He lived in his own head sometimes, overthinking things. One moment Nate was joking, making silly comments, and the next he wasn’t. Clearly he truly needed to relax, making mountains out of mole hills.
>> ”Hmm… well, we have the Gamestation at our disposal, and if we start with movies, we might just end up too lazy to put in the effort for games. So… yeah, I say games, followed by chilling with a movie or something.”
Leaning forward as Nate spoke, Devon glanced down at the Gamestations he’d set up with Architect’s assistance. With a quick nod, Devon stood again, grabbing his drink as he did so for another quick sip. “Great. I think that’s a good plan,” he chuckled, “Not that we should make much of a plan.”
He set the drink down and then moved over to the entertainment center, bending down to rummage through the cabinet of games Architect had donated to the cause. Devon glanced over his shoulder and back at his friend, “I meant to tell you that I’ve given my final report to the city. Based on your performance, I told them we didn’t need to meet anymore. I don’t think we ever really needed to. Of course, I’m glad we did.” He smiled, and then went back to plucking out a selection of games, some of them puzzles, some co-op adventures, some player vs. players, and of course that Fate 2 shooter game.
“Apparently this has a story mode that’s better than the first, but Architect said we’d be able to play it together,” Devon nodded, straightening and adjusting his shorts. “I say we try it.” Back again, he bent down and grabbed two controllers while he put the game in. He smiled as he stood once more and returned to his seat, tossing a controller to Nate.
As the game loaded and installed some updates, Devon picked up his drink and asked, “And just because we aren’t meeting any more professionally doesn’t mean we can’t chat about what’s going on. How are things with Natalie and your daughter? There was some… tension when I left our meeting.” He grinned slowly.
Things were shaping up into a relaxing evening, even if Devon was trying to fight his nature to use the dreaded P word on such a casual night. ”Yeah, I don’t want to hear the word ‘plan’ off those lips for the rest of the night. We’re planless. Just gonna go let things flow naturally.” Devon needed to discard the pressure he felt to be the best host he could be. Nate was not someone he needed to entertain; he was his friend. His presence for the night should not warrant stress.
Business talk was supposed to be off the table, but Nate would forgive Devon for providing the good news that his mandatory therapy sessions were fulfilled. ”Cheers!” he replied, raising his glass and taking a sip. ”I mean, I’m still on my probation, but that’s one step down!” Therapy was not the only facet of Nate’s sentence, and probation for several major white collar crimes was not quick.
It could not be understated how much Nate owed Devon, not just for the therapy, but for a new chance to do something great. Haven was a big part of his life, and it gave him a renewed sense of purpose. ”Now if I want to talk to you about my problems, we can probably just do it over drinks.”
Nate received the controller that was thrown in his direction and nodded his agreement with the game selection. They had time while the game loaded up, and Devon seemed interested in talking about Nate’s problems over their current drinks. He asked about Natalie and Norah, but his emphasis seemed to be on Natalie. Devon was no fool; he felt the vibe in the LIE.
”Norah is great,” he replied, choosing to focus on his daughter first. ”Smart and she already has a taste for art. No offense to Haven, but she’s definitely the best thing to happen to me all year.” It was surprising that Nate took so quickly to his role as a parent, but after meeting Norah, he could not picture his life without her.
And of course, onto the real question of the hour. ”As for Natalie, I think tension’s the right word. The two of us have nothing but tension.” He paused before deciding to be more honest since Devon probably put two and two together anyway. ”Okay, lots of sex and tension.”
>> ”Yeah, I don’t want to hear the word ‘plan’ off those lips for the rest of the night. We’re planless. Just gonna go let things flow naturally.”
Devon laughed and nodded, relenting. He raised his glass and joined the celebratory sip as Nate’s therapy sessions were clear, done, ended. Devon didn’t see a lot of Nate and he guessed it would become even less so now, especially if Natalie and Nate were going anywhere…
>> ”Smart and she already has a taste for art. No offense to Haven, but she’s definitely the best thing to happen to me all year.”
“Certainly no offense taken,” Devon grinned. He nodded along to Nate’s words, pleased to hear the guy was so enthused by his daughter. She even made Natalie a softer, warmer woman. Of course, having a child could also make you a colder, deadlier person. It was a topic that would be hard to broach with parents but safety was increasingly important to Devon.
>> ”As for Natalie, I think tension’s the right word. The two of us have nothing but tension.”
Devon’s head slowly tilted as a smirk grew on his face.
>> ”Okay, lots of sex and tension.”
Laughter filled the penthouse as Devon slapped a hand on the armrest of the couch. “I thought so!” he chuckled. “Well good. I’m glad. God, if I heard Natalie slam Noel once more I was going to have to suggest you two go take a trip privately to discuss the problem and er, fix it. I can’t imagine it’s easy getting involved again. Natalie’s not a chaotic, free-spirited person after all. She’s got a lot to guard.”
The game loaded and the two started to build up their characters. Devon didn’t stress the choices; he knew he likely wouldn’t play again. Getting some blue and green into his outfit seemed appropriate but apparently equipment changed all the time. Well okay, eyes then, glowing blue. It would have been so nice not to have black eyes and be referred to a demon when using his abilities.
“And what about you? Eager, excited? How much of a relationship is this, hm?”
In therapy sessions, Nate shared a lot of his first experiences as a father, but it never felt like he was talking through things with his therapist. Talking to Devon was always casual and conversational. Devon was there for him as a friend, genuinely caring about Nate’s happiness and his relationship with Norah.
His interest in Nate and Natalie’s relationship might have come from a caring place as well, but he also could have been curious about the Haven gossip. With the tension between the two, people around Haven must have whispered all the popular theories. Natalie lived a very private life and Nate was respecting that, but Devon earned his trust.
Devon was, of course, proud of himself for his intuition, laughing up a storm. ”Yeah, yeah. We’re just all about creative dispute resolution,” Nate joked, acknowledging how easily the work-up of an argument could end in an explosive payoff with Natalie.
Nate worked on customizing his character, but he was not putting much thought into the character. Growing up, Nate missed the video game craze. Crafting himself a place in the criminal world did not leave much room for the kind of time needed to devote time to a hobby that would not make him money. He was looking forward to a fun, relaxed time with Devon, and he had no plans of taking their game too seriously since he knew little about the game as it was.
Instead, Nate could devote more of his focus toward answering another question about Natalie, and an interesting one at that ”I don’t think I’d use the word relationship. This is supposed to be nothing serious. We’re just colleagues and co-parents who happen to sleep together sometimes. I think.” Nate was pretty sure that was what he and Natalie agreed upon at least, though some of her actions made him question if he misinterpreted their arrangement.
>> ”Yeah, yeah. We’re just all about creative dispute resolution,”
Devon laughed at the joke, a smirk on his lips as he nodded appreciatively. “That’s important, yeah,” he chuckled.
>> ”I don’t think I’d use the word relationship. This is supposed to be nothing serious. We’re just colleagues and co-parents who happen to sleep together sometimes. I think.”
With a confirmative button push, Devon’s character was ready. He glanced to the friend at his side and smiled anew. “Sounds complicated. I’d be wary of resentment if and when a title doesn’t get used, a label as it were. I’m not quite sure I’d expect Nat to ask for it either rather than already be annoyed waiting for you to bring it up,” Devon warned, “Based on what I’ve seen with her. But hey, I’m sure she likes to have plenty of fun. She’s an independent, hard-working woman after all.”
The loading screen ran up as their characters were finished and soon an opening narrative began. An enemy force had attacked their home base and they had to fight their way through the wreckage and carnage to join up with their leadership. “At least it’s familiar territory,” he commented.
Devon had plenty to say about Nate’s relationship (so to speak) with Natalie. It was unsurprising; Devon was a therapist, so there was always going to be the habit of analyzing and providing advice. It was well-intentioned, but it was a bit of a reach based on what the Haven founder had seen from Natalie. Nate knew there was a softer side to Natalie he was getting to know, but that was a side she kept well-hidden from the world. ”I don’t know, based on everything you’d see here, I’d think she’s tolerating me more than anything else,” he shot back, his eyes focused on the game.
It could have been left there, but Nate sighed and gave Devon credit for what he still thought was a guess. ”Admittedly, there might be more there than that. Who knows? Nat’s almost infamously guarded, and that really doesn’t go away behind closed doors.”
Nate’s character followed Devon’s into battle as Nate tried to figure out the controls to avoid dying. It was surprisingly intuitive, despite Nate’s relative inexperience with video games. ”I get it though. If we got serious and it didn’t work, that could be tough for Norah. If keeping me at arm’s length is the easiest way to deal with that, it is what it is.” It was the line Nate kept using to temper his frustration.
>> ”I don’t know, based on everything you’d see here, I’d think she’s tolerating me more than anything else,”
Devon’s character ran between cover. He wasn’t sure what to make of the comment. It sounded like denial, like Nate was purposely trying not to get his hopes up. That meant he’d been thinking about it already, worried about the outcome…
Nate went on, admitting the idea was possible. Natalie might want more. Didn’t most? And with the two sharing a child, a daughter… Didn’t that put more possibility in the mix? Devon knew the woman was guarded; she certainly wasn’t a social butterfly without the opportunity for drinks with the partners per se. Devon understood the reserved, guarded nature though. He shared it, but admittedly not until recently with Noel had he realized his way of hiding it was through the extroversive need to meet more and more people. So many acquaintances, so few friends. >> If keeping me at arm’s length is the easiest way to deal with that, it is what it is.”
Too quickly, Devon’s character got separate from Nate’s. Alone, Devon’s character shot furtively at their monstrous combatants but too many hits and he fell. The load of a respawn slowly ticked as he watched, hoping Nate’s character would survive long enough for them to partner back up.
Devon sighed and laughed, “Well, they say people first got together for survival. I guess I should be careful not to get away from my teammate too easily. For you, well I’d say – and I know you aren’t asking so I’ll apologize first – but Norah won’t keep you apart.” He smiled brightly, “She’ll bring you both closer together.”
He grinned, “In the meantime I can enjoy the back and forth in meetings.” A blue eye winked as Devon the Fated character respawned. “Alright, let’s try this again.”
Nate was unsure exactly why he spoke up against Devon’s assumptions. They sounded nice, and in a way, almost believable. In their private moments, Natalie and Nate connected in a way that was hard to ignore. At the same time, he knew if Nat was there, she would have torn Devon a new one and for some reason, he felt the need to say something in her absence.
There were many things Nate trusted Devon’s opinion with, but the weather wizard was not exactly well-versed in matters of the heart. Maybe on a clinical textbook level, but Nate had already seen first-hand that Devon was guarded with others, especially others with a potential romantic interest in him.
Nate noticed Devon’s character was out and waiting to reenter the game, so he kept himself behind cover, attacking conservatively until his teammate respawned. In the meantime, Devon took the opportunity to remind him again that they were better off not letting Norah keep them from taking chances. It was well-intentioned, but not exactly what Nate was looking to hear on a night meant to let him relax. ”Yeah, yeah, I think that’s enough of my… whatever-that-is life.” Love life was a bit of a stretch, at the moment. ”Let’s focus on you, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome. Any ladies on your radar? Or gentleman? You must be one of the more eligible bachelors in New York, after all.” Rich and attractive was not exactly a hard sell.
>> ”Yeah, yeah, I think that’s enough of my… whatever-that-is life.”
Devon laughed, “Sorry, I guess it seemed like you were unsure and I wanted to encourage you.”
>> ”Let’s focus on you, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome. Any ladies on your radar? Or gentleman? You must be one of the more eligible bachelors in New York, after all.”
A spray of energy bullets, a few quick jumps, and a sudden shout and Devon’s character was dead again. “Oh uh, hey now,” his laughter turned into an awkward chuckle, “When did this become about me? I’m married to my work as is. And did Noel tell you to talk to me about this?” There was his character respawn screen slowly ticking away again.
Devon sighed, head momentarily hanging as he went for another sip of his drink. He idly crossed his other arm over his bare stomach, a glance running to the small hall to his bedroom. “She brought up my apparent need to find and or date someone. I think she referred to it as alone at the top of the tower,” he smirked. “I don’t know. It was an odd conversation as she was wiping memories of me, but not me, that were of the Other Devon. That day was messed up.” It’d taken a day to get his bedroom sliding glass doors fixed. He’d spent still another trying to get everything clean and put back into place. He’d found the missing watch, clothes that the Other Devon had taken.
“And why did you ask ladies or gentlemen?” he asked, narrowed brows over his eyes as he turned to regard Nate. “Is it that you aren’t sure what I’m interested in or expect both?” He was curious – maybe that kind of curious – okay, it was hard to tell sometimes. He’d joke about it with Serena.
God, he hadn’t seen Serena in so long. Or Juliette. Was Nate his only friend now? He’d not really done much with or seen much of Artair in a while. Spasm and Max were busy, away. Noel had Ranger. Muse was recovering. Ghost had basically vanished and she was busy with the mansion, the X-Men. He was working all the time. It was meetings with clients, press or meetings here at Haven, appointments at the Havens, time at Sanctuary, speaking with students at NYU. Was this really his first day off in two weeks or was it three? He couldn’t even recall the last time he’d had a visitor besides Other Devon and Noel that night. Was it Memorial Day?
Devon’s eyes blinked rapidly a few times as the thoughts flew through his mind in the rapid succession of a couple seconds.