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 Liz Sundance on Nov 4, 2021 20:43:33 GMT -6
X-Men
Metazoa
Chartreuse
Straight
949
9
Apr 12, 2024 15:17:35 GMT -6
Zek
As Hercules stepped around to block her view, Elizabeth shifted her focus to the shoulder bird’s sight, nudging it’s attention toward Razorbeak’s rapidly vanishing form. She couldn’t actually spy on Razorbeak’s moves, no matter what she had said, so Liz wasn’t going to drop her guard until the pigeon could no longer see the winged woman.
About the time that happened, Hercules started roaring with laughter. Liz snapped back to herself and the pigeon bolted from the man’s shoulder, winging its way to a safer, less muscley perch. Then the man, his tattoos blazing with eldritch light, was down on his his (and still almost eye level, she thought wryly), before taking her hand and kissing it.
Wait, what now?
The next minute or so came at her way too fast. Pledging--kneeling, no, standing-- holding a hand - then...what?
Then she realized the man was barely wearing anything at all. What had once been a lovely suit was now just an expensive bundle of ragged threads, all the better to see his slicked up muscles through.
That was just the last straw.
“Oh I am definitely going to collapse later. But now, I think I need to sit down,” she said, promptly pulling her hands from Hercules and striding over to the wooden chair. Pigeons vacated the set and a moment later every single one of them exploded into the air as Liz belatedly released her hold on them entirely. Lied to and emotionally free, the birds scattered to the four winds. After the cloud of feathers finally settled down, Liz was slumped in the chair with a grin on her face.
She started laughing. “Oh God, I can’t believe that worked!” she said. She was about to slap a palm to her face when she realized she was still holding the knife and the bloody fork. She tossed them to the side and then threw her head back in a bellow of manic glee.
“I’ll be okay,” she said, holding up a limp-wristed hand and wiggling some fingers at Hercules. “I just got to process this. Shouldn’t take me too long. Practice makes perfect and all that.” Her legs were shaking a bit, all the terseness, the muscle tensing, the rush of adrenaline, and all the emotions she’d siphoned from those cocky pigeons were coursing through her, after all the suppression she’d undergone. “Dear me, I don’t think I could have kept that up much longer! She actually believed me! That’s ridiculous!” She was starting to tear up. Whether that was from the laughter or some of the shock, she didn’t know, nor did she super care. She didn’t even care if it ruined her makeup.
She shook her head and flashed a satisfied smile at her date. “Oh no need to apologize,” she chuckled easily. “This isn’t the first time this has happened to me. Not even the first time it’s happened to me on a date.” She cocked her head for a moment. “It is the first time a woman kidnapped me though. Well, there’s a first time for everything, I guess.”
She waved her hands at herself. “And who says I can’t do magic? It would certainly explain how I keep getting myself caught up in these situations,”she laughed. It was a much easier thing to do in recent years. She never would have laughed about these things as a teenager.
The god beamed his brilliant light on the rooftop then suddenly wondered if he had done something wrong. Elizabeth seemed out of it? Was it shock? Was she bluffing this whole time? The god chuckled and stood back as she slumpped into the nearest chair. Thankfully there were three on the roof they were on. If only they had a third to fill the other. No matter. The god hefted the chair and set it across form Elizabeth and sat.
When she sat the birds dispperesed leaving them, a curious rat and a club on a roof of a building neither one of them had anything to do with. The prince of power very rarely worried about property damage but knew someone wouldn’t be happy with the indents of the roof he left. Keeping his mouth shut for a moment he looked back to his date. Who was now laughing.
She WAS bluffing. She dropped her tiny yet effective weapons of choice and the god returned the laughter in kind. It had been too long since he hD A good laugh with an ally after a battle. Most of the mortals he met up with now were too busy running away before they could shake hands and laugh.
”Elizabeth, I didn’t know you were such a wonderful actress! I would have thought you had done this many times before!” the god still chuckled but he did have a level of concern now for his date who said it was ‘fine’. Hercules had binged enough television programs to know that now. ‘Fine’ meant something else now. So he sat and waited for a moment trying to get a read on his beautiful and feirce date.
”Well having fought many a battle for most of my life I can say without a doubt you handled your self well. The best thing to do in those situations is to find a foothold and remain calm.” Hercules bent over and picked up the dining fork and chuckled as he stared at it. ”A solid imporvised weapon. I’ll have to remember that!” he said weilding the tiny utensil in his massive hands.
”I’m talking magic like what William can do.” he said gazing at her, then tapping to one of his glowing tattoo’s that quickly started to fade. The threat was gone and he no longer needed to be channeling any more from his master. ”Some would call thay unfortunate luck. Have you crossed ‘Thyche’ by any chance?” he chuckled hoping she didn’t. Most gods were vindictive. None more so than her.
”You might be ‘magical’ even if you can’t preform magic.” Hercules said giving her a wide smile. ”Shame what happened to my clothing. It was a nice suit.” he sadi looking at a few rags that clung to his legs and then sighed, ”William is going to be upset.”
Posted by Liz Sundance on Nov 12, 2021 11:00:45 GMT -6
X-Men
Metazoa
Chartreuse
Straight
949
9
Apr 12, 2024 15:17:35 GMT -6
Zek
Elizabeth slumped bonelessly in her chair and exhaled loudly. “Thank you, thank you,” she said airily, “I’d like to thank all my family and friends and especially all the people who’ve kidnapped me in the past - I wouldn’t have gotten here without them.” She laughed. Loudly. Because the only other option was to start gibbering.
“Sadly enough, this is maybe the tenth time someone’s snatched me away, not including the times only my body got taken,” she said, idly watching and appreciating as Hercules bent over to pick up her utensils. How thoughtful of him. “I used to completely break down in seconds. For several years I was terrified to leave the mansion without someone to protect me.” She shrugged and leaned her head on the back of the chair. “But I got tired of doing that. It’s so boring always playing the same role.”
She giggled at Hercules’s compliment. “Personally, I’d stick with the club if I were you. I imagine it would be infinitely more useful,” she said, smirking. It was still pleasing to receive the compliments, even if she felt Hercules was going out of his way. It was just part of his charm.
“Can’t say I’ve ever met this Tyche person. But don’t worry about William - I’ll be more than happy to explain to him that the suit fell in battle as you sought to rescue me from my metallic captor,” Liz said, flashing a dazzling smile toward the ragged man.
Her blonde head snapped up again and she stared at Hercules in raptor-like focus. Like the rat, she too was suddenly very, very curious. “You keep talking about magic,” she said slowly. “What exactly do you mean by it? Do you mean like card tricks and stuff, or mutant powers? Or do you mean actual spells and incantations and such?” She saw his tattoos cease glowing and a dozen different silken strands came together in a web or insight. She just knew she was onto something here, something that would tell her the truth about who Hercules was.
Posted by Hercules on Nov 18, 2021 16:55:00 GMT -6
Mystic
422
10
Jan 26, 2024 6:11:27 GMT -6
Even if she didn’t meet Thyche, it sounded like she had been cursed with misfortune. ”I’m sorry that has happened to you. It seems to have made you stronger though!” he said encouraging her current situation. ”Most mortals would crumble in the situation.”
”My club is a phenomenal weapon but it seems to bring destruction every time I swing it. William has requested I refrain from summoning it if I can help it.” he said hefting his other hand and summoning it to his free hand. There was a low ‘hum’ as he called to it and it shot to his hand and he hefted it. ”Not many can wield such a mighty weapon and even fewer can call it.” Hercules said bragging.
”I would appreciate it greatly.” Hercules replied as he set the club down with a loud ‘thud’ next to him. Then started looking around on the roof top for the rat he promised some cheese to. ”Master William doesn’t approve of my heroics all too much. It is.... draining on him.” he said recalling the conversation they had with Liz and the Healer of the mansion. He knew the burden he put on any of his masters but knew he was still needed. Mortals always needed help and that was his curse.
”Hmmm?” Hercules looked over his shoulder to Elizabeth then hit his fist together lighting up his body once again lighting up the rooftop. ”It is magic. Or rather a curse.” he turned towards her as the tattoos danced across his torso and up and down his arms as they continued to glow. He looked to his chest then touched one. It was something he could read, which was rare so it obviously wasn’t part of the curse that forbade him for trying to break said curse. ”This is the Nordic rune for strength. There are others along my body that shift and flow.”
”I’m talking real magic. Most spells don’t need incantations, only the stronger ones do.” he said offering what he knew on the subject. ”I once was stronger, however these bind my powers. Without a Master to channel said magic to me I loose my form and will fade from this plane of existence.” he said summing up his curse. Elizabeth had already proven to be trusted which meant she could have all the information she wanted about the god and his ‘pact’ with his master.
”It’s different from Mutants. They call upon their own power. Magic is calling on the power around you and channeling it. Similar to how William channels magic for me. For I am not able.” he said.
”Is there a rat still up here?” he asked squinting to the corners of the roof, the ones that weren’t illuminated by his glow as it faded again.
Posted by Liz Sundance on Nov 18, 2021 21:49:38 GMT -6
X-Men
Metazoa
Chartreuse
Straight
949
9
Apr 12, 2024 15:17:35 GMT -6
Zek
Elizabeth smiled amiably at Hercules. Although her offer of explaining things to William had been mostly a joke, Hercules took it so seriously so she likewise adopted such a manner. It wouldn’t hurt her any and it could be fun.
She started to frown moments later though, because Hercules was responding to her inquiry. She immediately wanted to laugh. He took her question so seriously, even if the subject wasn’t realistic, just like everything else in the short time they’d known each other. And just like everything else he’d said and done, Liz was compelled to listen and want to believe.
She managed to not become distracted by the man’s lightshow and her gaze followed his finger to the rune. She had never studied Nordic runes and in most cases wouldn’t be able to point one out of a crowd, but she didn’t need a background to see irregularities.
“If you’re a Greco-Roman deity, why do you have a Norse rune?” she asked, raising her hand a bit but not waiting to be called upon. She could make out little snatches of other tattoos, enough to vaguely recognize the language or alphabet, even if she couldn’t read most of them. Something like cuneiform passed along some Aztec numbers while meandering amongst something Arabic-looking. “Wait, that’s a stupid question.” People got tattoos in other languages all the time.
His explanation brought up so many questions though, because they fit in completely with what he had said before. The implications….good grief, the implications! Assuming the simplest explanation was still the correct one though, much as she’d been thinking the whole time.
“I have a lot of questions,” she said immediately. “And I’m sure I’m going to come up with a lot later. But first, this is what you were talking about back at the hospital, wasn’t it? When you said mutants didn’t have the right kind of power.” She was frowning hard now, but not in anger. No, it was scrutiny and concentration, her mind running down dozens of paths in a race to piece disparate clues into a single image.
“So...William is a dynakinetic,” Elizabeth said slowly, thinking out loud. “He’s manipulating ambient energy and transferring it to you to enable you to maintain a corporeal presence in this dimension?” The scientist immediately called up diagrams of atomic bonds in her head. The amount of power contained in those bonds could be incredible - splitting one could wipe out cities. If Will was continuously converting that much surrounding energy into power capable of maintaining atomic bonds for an entire person... “Amazing,” she breathed. No wonder the boy would need to recite “spells” or formula or something - long term concentration when pushing powers to incredible heights was a severely taxing process and hard to keep one’s focus straight.
“That would certainly explain why William has no additional energy for healing,” she said. “And I’ve certainly never heard of a mutant with that unique of an ability - no wonder you don’t have more….masters?” It was no surprise that Hercules couldn’t do magic, if magic was merely the manipulation of various forms of energy. But that begged another question.
“What exactly is the nature of your…curse?” Liz said, leaning forward. “It’s weakening you, breaking you down, and pulling you to another dimension. Is this molecular degradation? Some kind of disease? Who did this to you?” She’d never heard of a mutant ability persisting for such a long time, especially when directly opposed by other mutations of similar natures, such as Doc’s. Maybe if they introduced Hercules to Gemma, she could eradicate the disease?
"And yeah, there are rats everywhere. One is right over there if you want to say hello." Liz pointed in the rat's direction.
Posted by Hercules on Nov 19, 2021 15:51:16 GMT -6
Mystic
422
10
Jan 26, 2024 6:11:27 GMT -6
It was true his life did start as a Greek but over time he had traveled and became a servant to all different types of mortals ranging from one corner of a map to another. One thing remained constant though, ”It’s simple, magic is universal. The one who cursed me specialized in various forms of it from other lands. It was how she became a goddess. No... she was feared above by even the gods.” his fists clenched enough to crush a diamond. All these years it seemed he still hadn’t forgiven her.
”I may have a lot of answers? I shall answer them to the best of my ability.” the prince of power offered. He didn’t know if he would be right but there wasn’t really anyone he knew of that had experienced various masters and types of magic as he.
”A what?” Hercules asked confused. Did they have a name for someone who could channel energy like William? That couldn’t be right, Elizabeth was still questioning magic in general so she couldn’t know. The god pondered for a moment wishing he was still in contact with Athena. She was always more equipped to answer questions. ”You just described someone who can channel magic. The totem is what transfers the energy to me. Giving me access to my godly powers.” he said truthfully.
”Aye, that too is part of my curse.” he agreed. He knew most masters alone couldn’t sustain him but so far he hadn’t found many that had risen to his expectations. William was a special case and one of the reasons he wanted to find others like William. Those worthy of his power. Hercules wanted more than anything to see what kind of man William would become. If he couldn’t heal properly....
The next question was one that was a welcome distraction the behemoth already felt tears well up. ”Never to stand amongst the gods again.” he said reciting the curse he had heard in his nightmares. ”You will be reminded of your failures constantly, you will never grow old, never sire more sons, stripped of your powers and forced to serve those that you would betray us for.” he trailed off again not recalling if that was it or not. The nature of the curse was impossible to comprehend so he eventually stopped trying.
”I must harm mortals to exist. That is the nature of my curse....”
His tear streamed cheeks turned to Elizabeth then followed where she was pointing. ”I owe the rat cheese! I abducted him from the streets hoping he could lead me to you before I saw all the birds. I’d like to return him to where I found him.” he said crouching down and offering a hand to climb. ”Come little one! I shall find you cheese!”
Posted by Liz Sundance on Nov 23, 2021 9:16:48 GMT -6
X-Men
Metazoa
Chartreuse
Straight
949
9
Apr 12, 2024 15:17:35 GMT -6
Zek
It seemed once there was a woman, one able to imprint a lasting effect on another, including a permanent dampening of power. She was some sort of dynakinetic then, one of seemingly unparalleled ability if she was so feared by the highest tiers of ruling mutants. At least, that’s what it seemed like Hercules was saying. Gods just seemed to be the category for mutants of exceptional power, filtered through ancient understandings. It reminded her strongly of the Atlantean caste system, actually.
So they were working with different terminologies then. That explained some of the confusion. If Hercules was indeed a few millennia old, that could account for some of the beliefs attached to those meanings. Before science took the forefront of common thought, magical thinking was an acceptable way of explaining the world and wasn’t inherently bad.
“A dynakinetic,” Liz repeated. “Able to mentally manipulate energy. So you’re saying this woman was able to learn new ways of manipulating energy? Fascinating!” Did that mean she was able to increase her own mutation somehow? Or was this a mere matter of discovering new facets of her abilities? The blonde’s eyes shone with curiosity as she contemplated the meanings. That was powerful indeed, in either regard.
It seemed as though she had made excellent headway in ironing out definitions, although a nagging part of Elizabeth still felt like she was utterly missing out on something, something just below the surface that she couldn’t quite name or distinguish. That annoyed her to no end.
Until Hercules revealed the nature of his curse. Elizabeth’s mouth fell open and she froze. Hundreds of thoughts and feelings roared inside her like a maelstrom. Immediately her heart broke as the impact of what he said hit her. To live forever, alone, causing pain just to survive? A burst of fear mingled with awe crested that wave immediately after. A mutant capable of….what, altering genetics on a permanent basis to rewrite how a person’s powers work? While also instilling a self-rejuvenation ability and enforced infertility? That sounded like molecular--no, atomic manipulation, and on a vast scale, too!
The power. The malice. The expertise involved. All for this man, who cried because a single single could not walk.
“Why?” she whispered, her voice catching a bit as her own eyes turned glassy. “Why did she do that to you?”
Hercules’s abrupt topic change didn’t alter Liz’s expression or mood, even though it did cause some amusement. The rat scurried out to sniff the man’s fingers, but then it shook its head and zipped across the rooftop to climb up Elizabeth’s chair and perch on her arm.
That did get a smile out of her. “Well aren’t you a friendly and helpful fellow!” she said, gently scratching behind the rat’s ears before stroking its back. Another smile threatened to bloom as she imagined Hercules randomly picking up a rat in order to try and find her. It seemed he gave her way more credit than was properly due. “Maybe it’s for the best we get down off this rooftop anyway. It’s starting to get chilly and I don’t exactly have a jacket.”
Posted by Hercules on Nov 23, 2021 15:28:57 GMT -6
Mystic
422
10
Jan 26, 2024 6:11:27 GMT -6
Hecate was indeed once fascinating he however didn’t feel she was anymore. The god nodded his head again trying to understand as she described being a magic user again. Clearly she knew more about it then he and the prince of power wasn’t sure he’d understand further. It must have been one of those things where it was just known as a different name. Maybe he should start calling William a ‘Dyna-kinetic’.
Hercules refrained from responding for a moment as the rat appeared and ran right to Elizabeth. The bright one knew he was smart to bring the rat. It was clear to him his plan would have worked. ”Ah yes...” looking down he opened his arms and gestured at himself, ”And I have little clothing left. Maybe it is best if we return to get your jacket.” he didn’t know what the situation was back at the restaurant but he doubted it would have been exactly pleasant. The food was probably cold by now.
After a moment passed he responded to her earlier question knowing it would in turn raise more questions. ”It wasn’t her call... she seemed almost sorry she had to do this to me. I refused to destroy a city one they thought was a ‘threat’ and when I thought I suffered enough for my disobedience then began my banishment...” he had come to terms with his fate. That didn’t sadden him anymore. It only saddened him how he sap the power from mortals harming them in the process. The ones he swore to protect.
”Would you prefer the stairs?” Hercules gestured, ”Or travel by god?” he asked starting to glow. He might have flexed a bit in the process.
Posted by Liz Sundance on Nov 23, 2021 22:54:12 GMT -6
X-Men
Metazoa
Chartreuse
Straight
949
9
Apr 12, 2024 15:17:35 GMT -6
Zek
Elizabeth nudged the rat with her mind and she gently picked him up and transferred him to her shoulder, his claws gently gripping her dress. She was about to layer a measure of calmness and a feeling of security across his mind, but found he was perfectly at ease and mildly interested in riding on her shoulder. He was just curious about things, especially her. Well, that certainly saved her some effort.
The blonde looked over the hulking man and shook her head with a slight smile. “Hmm, you do seem a little underdressed for Spinelli’s, although you certainly cut quite a figure,” she said, winking at him in an over-exaggerated fashion and grinning. “But at the very least I need to get my purse.”
And so the blonde pulled herself to her feet and walked over to the glowing, flexing man. The rat remained perfectly poised on her shoulder, not a single bit of alarm coming from him despite the fact he was highly unlikely to have ever ridden a human before.
She reached out and once again took one of his hands into her comparatively tiny hands. She allowed her smile to fade as she looked the man in his green eyes. “I am so sorry for what they did to you,” she said. “That...what they wanted….sounds horrible. I’m glad you did the right thing.” She let go with one hand and reached up to gently pat one of his cheeks. “I can’t begin to imagine what you’ve gone through, nor do I have the ability to change any of it, but if you want to talk about it, at any time, or about anything, I’ll be there for you.”
The smile reappeared, faint and tinged with sadness.
“Now, I don’t really feel like tromping down several flights of stairs tonight, so let’s try it your way,” she said, stepping away and snapping a cheeky smirk at Hercules. “How’s this going to work? Scoop me up and away we go? Summon a giant eagle? Make a rainbow bridge? As long as nobody is going to look up my skirt, I’m pretty open to ideas.”
A large calloused finger reached over and gave the rat a little pat on the head and then he turned his attention back to Elizabeth who still looked fierce despite all that has happened. She truly was an impressive mortal. ”Thank you!” he grinned in kind flexing a bit more. ”It has been said I was sculpted of marble and my father breathed life into me. Although that was just a rumor.” he had a mother. One that was mortal. He didn’t know her that well for she had died when he was younger.
”It is...” what was the world to describe his fate? Fine? Upsetting? Was there a word to describe it? The god paused and took Elizabeth’s hands and gripped them. ”I am a protector of mortals. It is a burden I was willing to shoulder.” he nodded his head. Maybe not at the cost but as Atlas ‘carried’ the world he carried his own burden well. He had to. Otherwise what purpose did he have? The thoughts swirling around his head lingered and festered till he spoke banishing all negative thoughts.
”What they asked was indeed horrible. They still managed to destroy the city with one less god. They suffered far more with out me. Both parties.” he said calmly. ”Nor can I reverse time and change the events of the past. Nor would I want to. I have done far too much good since then. I appreciate your kindness. You are a fascinating mor- woman.” he corrected himself.
”HA HA! YESSS!!!!” he boomed the sadness of the conversation seconds ago faded as the god crouched down and scooped Elizabeth up with ease placing his other arm gently under her legs making sure the dress was between her legs and his arm to increase warmth and privacy for her. The son of Zeus was a gentleman after all.
”No, the rainbow bridge was a means of travel for other gods and the eagle was my fathers method.” he chuckled. ”Though he just turned into one. My method is far more direct!”” he crouched then leapt towards the direction of the restaurant from once they came, as they approached overhead the sense of falling quickly overtook them till he landed on the pavement outside of the place in the best spot, surrounded by flashing lights and adoring mortals. ”It seems we require a check.” he stated hoping the joke he heard once would be appropriate this time.
Posted by Liz Sundance on Nov 24, 2021 9:34:28 GMT -6
X-Men
Metazoa
Chartreuse
Straight
949
9
Apr 12, 2024 15:17:35 GMT -6
Zek
Elizabeth was flying.
It wasn’t the same as someone with wings, or even having wings herself, but the rocketing feeling of her date’s leap was a rush nonetheless. The rat squeaked in thrilldom as well as they reached the peak of the arc and then plummeted toward the ground.
After touchdown, Liz extracted herself from Hercules’s grasp and set her feet on solid ground. My, the things one missed when they were out of contact long enough. “I must say, I quite approve of your method of transport,” Liz chuckled as she patted Hercules on the chest.
Elizabeth locked onto the presence of the other two rats and she tilted her head to stare at them, peeking out from the corner of the restaurant. “This is where we part ways, friend,” she said to her passenger as she crouched down as lady-like as possible and set the rat down on the ground. “Maybe we’ll meet again.” The rat turned to stare up at her and for a brief moment Liz caught a flash of scrutiny and intense calculation before the rat spun around and dashed off to the alley.
“Huh,” Liz said as she stood back up.
The couple’s arrival had not gone unnoticed. Hercules’s entrance had momentarily stalled all chaos and kerfuffle in the area and it still took several minutes before it fully picked back up. The shiny, glowing, musclebound giant in shredded rags and his modestly elegant companion who carried rats around with her were a sight even most New Yorkers didn’t deal with on an average day, much less at a crime scene like this.
Several police officers came over immediately. “Sir, Ma’am, you need to clear out,” one officer said as she came nearer. “We’re working here.”
“My apologies, officer….Rodriguez,” Liz said, quickly reading the woman’s tag. “We just came back to retrieve my purse.”
Officer Rodriguez frowned and then actually looked them over. Her hand which had been drifting toward her gun froze. “Came back? Were you here earlier?”
“Yes, we were about to enjoy some lamb and pasta when a woman so rudely smashed the window and interrupted us,” Liz said. She squinted in the slowly gathering darkness and then brightened. “Ah! I see my purse now! Thank God it’s still there.” She pointed to the demolished window and the place where she’d been sitting. The purse was sitting amid a shower of glass and a splintered chair. “Do you mind if I retrieve it? My identification and everything is in there.”
The officer glanced to where Liz was pointing and then did a double take before looking back at the duo.
“Ma’am, I’m going to need to ask you two a few questions…”