There was no better opportunity. Chaos had erupted at the mansion and people were pouring into Haven. Sam saw it as his best opportunity to test on as close to a perfect target as he could and get out.

It would be easy to get in and scope out who was there. Sam had the connection with Sveta and the authority and status as an MRC detective.

Sam slid past a crowd of people entering Haven. The air was thick with fear and worry. His eyes scanned across the crowd. No. No one was right. He wanted younger. Could he cure a mutant at a young age and it persist? That was what he needed answered.

That day was the day Sam knew he would make history, he only needed the right target. Perhaps Sveta could be of use. He stopped someone who looked like they were from Haven and asked then, ”I’m detective Samuel Travis, NYPC. Where’s miss Sergeyeva?”


((Svetlana Sergeyeva / Tempest ))

Haven was living up to its name. Ever since the warning about the attack - from Atlantis, of all places - Sveta and Devon had been coordinating with Xavier's, and other mutant organizations, to shelter people. All staff and students from the school who couldn't (or shouldn't) fight were moved to be housed at Haven, or the Sanctuary. Sveta was also in contact with Sabine, who was taking a more direct role in defending the school (and, basically, the mortal plane). Sveta wished she could be with her. But she wasn't, for too reasons. One: she was too powerful. Overboosting a mutant would have been very dangerous - not to mention drawing the attention of all mystics by doing so. Two: someone had to look after Haven. And Sveta was ready to do so. Along with BlacTac. And Tempest.

She was checking numbers and lists with an assistant when someone told her a detective was looking for her. Oh. Travis. She nodded, telling them to bring him up to her office. He'd been there before. As she walked up there, she looked around, spotting Devon.

"Hey. Come with me. I need to introduce you to someone if you have a moment."

Devon was looking far better. He’d bulked up a bit; regular meals and rest will do that. The fitted black shirt and vest gave his broad shoulders and narrow waist a refined look. The cane he was walking with helped, if also suggesting maybe he had an ankle or hip issue. He didn’t. Devon had also allowed a bit of scruff to develop over his face and the longer locks atop his head were astray. The look fit the crisis and the management of it here at Haven.

As Sveta came down the hall to the larger lounge area, Devon spotted her as well. He was talking to some of their best trained full time, part time, and volunteer individuals that often helped those that had recently suffered from an emergency situation whether a fire took their home, violence in the household, or worse. Devon was continually reminded in the last few weeks why Haven was necessary and valuable to the community, as well as how amazing Sveta was persevering to help Haven’s public leadership and group thrive.

“Excuse me,” he said and moved to her. She bid him follow and make introductions, and so he would. Giving a brief nod, he followed her.

“What should I know of this person before we meet?”

"It's the detective I mentioned to you. Samuel Travis." Sveta told Devon as they made their way to the office. "He's a mystic. Apparently a neutral one, since he is not in that damn battle out there. He knows... some things about me, but not all. It's... a mutual agreement." That was about the gist of it. Sveta had told Devon about Travis before. She left the office door open so Sam could walk in once he arrived.

Sam was informed that Sveta was up in her office. Sam nodded and waved off the offer to show him there. The path to Sveta’s office had been well trod by Sam. He would have to delay his hunt for a target, but that was fine. All good things came in their due course.

As he approached Sveta’s office, Sam noticed the door was open. More than that he heard speaking. It seemed someone might be in there with Sveta. As he turned and entered the room he saw Sveta with a well dressed man a few inches shorter than Sam was.

Sam nodded to Sveta, ”It looks like all hell broke loose up North. I came to see how I could help here since I heard you were taking people in.” Sam turned to the man who was there with Sveta and extended his hand, ”Howdy. I’m Detective Samuel Travis.”

Devon gave a single nod as Sveta spoke the name. He recalled hearing of the officer and magic-user. Neutrality was a funny consideration, not that Devon was going to say that aloud. He didn’t believe in it, and an officer of the law could not be neutral. Ultimately he answered to the police and the government. Considering his experience at Sanctuary long before Haven had even been a dream, well… His experiences with so-called law enforcement had not been pleasant. “Of course,” he said simply with a faint smile.

The well-dressed, slightly shorter man pivoted as the older, slight taller man entered. Devon winced a little to hear of the unfolding dangers up north, but nodded to hear the man wanted to help.

“Good to meet you, Detective,” Devon said with a smile as he leaned forward with a slight bow of his head. One hand rested atop his cane and the other rubbed at the scar of the first. “Apologies,” he glanced down to it, tone sounding sincere.

“Miss Sergeyeva has told me of your assistance and capabilities. Your help is appreciated, these people - all of them - need it,” there was a slight sigh. “Your presence at the entrance and lobby would be good to help give a formality to the activities here, and hopefully a deterrent to anyone who’d try to make an opportunity of the chaos.”

A slow series of nods follow, “Haven’s long support from local and federal government, as well as the police and emergency services, will offer at least some peace of mind to those seeking refuge here.”

"We are on high alert" Sveta nodded, watching the men introduce themselves. No doubt they were sizing each other up. Both were formidable in their own way. Right now, she would take all the help she could get. There was no telling if the Supremes planned on going after the more vulnerable targets. "Drinks?"

For sure they had a lot to talk about. She moved around the desk... but just then, the door popped open. Clara, one of the executive assistants poked her head in. A head that was marked by very clearly visible spots in various shades.

"Ms. Sergeyeva? Mr. Hadden? Just wanted to update you and let you know that... um. In case you were wondering, it's not an outbreak. It's just the toddler. She's handing powers out like candy and... spots seem to be today's menu. Doc looked at them and they are harmless. Nothing to worry about."

Sam nodded back to the man and closed his hand before withdrawing it, drawing it close to his chest. It was always awkward when you had a handshake rejected. Even if it was understandable.

”You have me at a disadvantage then.” Sam had only heard of the man before him from old news articles from when he built up the very place they were in. Sam recognized the face but the name was eluding him. ”I am happy to help. A fight with a large group of people throwing around spells isn’t exactly what I’m trained for. I felt I could be of better service here. And, as you said, deter those seeking to use the situation for their own gain.”

Sveta offered them drinks. Sam cocked his head, considering. ”Coffee. I have a feeling today will be a long one.”

When an assistant poked her head in, Sam was confused by the spots. However, beyond reminding Sam of Devon Hadden’s name, she peaked his interest in a target.

A mutant. Giving out powers. Even better, a toddler.

”Handing out powers…Today?” Sam narrowed his eyes slightly, ”You have a kid here who hands out powers that could be potentially dangerous?” His tone was one of curiosity and worry, not one of a detective latching onto reasonable suspicion.

The detective didn’t appear to know him, and that suited Devon fine. He’d been gone a while, mostly doing discrete activities with the very rare pop up for a Haven public relations gig internationally. Saying he was focusing on his personal business while new C-level leadership took on the public running of Haven made that easy.

Devon gave a nod at Sveta’s word; they were on extremely high alert. He politely shook his head at her ask of drinks. He wanted to keep a clear head in case stormy skies were required. Considering the chaos to the north, somehow a storm felt like a safe haven. He gave a small, understanding frown and nod at SAm’s words: today was already long.

Clara came in, possibly ill? But no, it was just Iris’ abilities manifesting in a new way. She probably was thinking polka dots because of a cartoon? Ya never knew how random genes would get activated, but Devon nodded eagerly. He was glad a doctor had taken a look.

Sam seemed worried. If you’d ever watched the Incredibles and seen the baby you might be concerned too, though Devon was always more concerned of Iris’s abilities manifesting young and people not understanding. People had expressed fear of his abilities but he couldn't share them. Muse had had her share of people kidnapping her, using her, exploiting her and hers was about amplification. He never wanted to be one of those exploiting Muse and wanted to ensure her safety, autonomy. The same was true for Iris. Someone was bound to want her help to gain abilities...

“It’s more of an isolated concern than it is danger,” Devon said with a slight shake of his head. But Iris wasn’t his child and he wasn’t close to Mirror, so he turned to Sveta for perspective before speaking further.

>>”I am happy to help. A fight with a large group of people throwing around spells isn’t exactly what I’m trained for. I felt I could be of better service here. And, as you said, deter those seeking to use the situation for their own gain.”

Sveta nodded. Even the Detective, always up to something, decided to come and pitch in. That was a brownie point in her book. They needed all the help they could get; many of the city's heavy hitter vigilantes were at the school, and Haven was full of vulnerable people. Even with Sveta, Devon, and BlacTac on site, it was a volatile situation.

Not as volatile as the toddler, though. Sveta looked up from the coffee machine.

>>”Handing out powers…Today? You have a kid here who hands out powers that could be potentially dangerous?”

>>“It’s more of an isolated concern than it is danger,”

Sveta chuckled, shaking her head. "More annoying than dangerous, really. She transfers powers by touch, but none of them are particularly bothersome. Today, it seems to be polka dots." She shrugged. "We have a lot of mutant kids in the building right now, obviously. But they are the least of our worries."

It was like the universe had aligned to help this child.

Sam was at Haven because of an attack on the mansion. There was a toddler who passed on powers to others like a curse. Sam had the prototype of the means to lock away mutant powers with him. Sam needed to test the spell and to test the longevity he wanted to test on someone young.

The challenge would be to find a way to be near the child, unnoticed.

”Okay.” Sam nodded his head. ”Then back to the apocalyptic elephant in the city. I know you have private security here, but today you will likely see more than your average threat. Y’all know here better than I do. Where could I be the most use?” Sam looked to Devon, ”You had mentioned being visible, give some formality. Be a deterrence. Anything else? ” Sam looked back to Sveta. ”Should I walk through where people are being helped. A reassurance that the city is also here to help?”

More annoying than dangerous…

It was hard to blame a toddler for learning and developing their personality. Give them a gift that evoked power and literally brought differences to others, and you couldn’t fault them much of anything. A catalyst created change and mutants were accelerated catalysts.

Devon gave a nod at the word of the mutant kids in the building. There were many. Many had no home or at least home didn’t feel that way. Some had well-intentioned parents. Some were here while the Mansion dealt with catastrophe. It gave Devon a thought on the future, but that was for tomorrow. Today was about keeping everyone safe.

Sam was running down the job aloud. Devon nodded on the private security and slowed such movement at the threat presented. Risks were part of the job, part of the life, but limiting them here was key. This was a place of learning and support, of celebration and of self. It was good the detective recognized the needs of the moment, including that visibility.

“I assume not many other officers are on the way that aren’t already here?” Devon asked, expecting most to be out facilitating crowd control, hysterics, helping people flee dangerous areas… “It's a good idea to do a patrol of sorts. The reassurance is welcome. Some here have not had positive experiences with the NYPD or other police. I’ve seen both good and bad in this city, and abroad. It’s important to remember the individual makes their choice. It’s not the badge or the gun that is inherently a problem.”

Devon nodded, “Also I’d ask if you do find anything amiss that isn’t outright violence you report it to us, so we can handle or have a discussion as necessary. We want it to be Haven’s policies followed and not seen as some cop just butting in as it were.” The blue-eyed young man grabbed a headset off the side table and handed it over to Sam. It fit easily over one ear with a small device you clipped to your collar. “We use these to stay in communication for those that don’t have access through their phones.”

Sveta nodded. They moved on from the topic of the toddler, which was good, because she didn't want to give the impression that the daycare part of Haven was descending into chaos. (Which it might have been). Sam being here and making himself visible in an official capacity was definitely going to help.

"Alright, then." She nodded. "Thank you, detective. You two go and be visible." Devon's presence had done wonders for the general mood, and he had a way of making people feel better about the situation. "I'll..." stay well away from mutant guests with various powers "... go check on logistics. We have more people coming in, scared of the mess at the school, seeking shelter. We might get more if someone starts blaming all this on mutants. Once this is all done... we'll have to look into opening up some of the other apartments or safe houses for Mansion residents. I'll make some lists." She nodded to the two men, heading for the door.

”That would be a correct assumption. ” Sam said. NYPD’s ESU was on full deployment and headed toward the mansion. All off duty officers were being called in to work to help provide safety and security for the rest of the city. An event of that magnitude would bring out all kinds looking to take advantage.

Devon’s first ask was not that bad. Do a patrol. That worked in Sam’s interest. His second request had Sam slightly inclining his head and looking at Tempest like he was asking a genie for more wishes. Sam had a fairly sizable range of discretion per the law, but there were issues that could run contrary to policy.

”Here’s the best I can promise. Any nonviolent, non-felonious acts, I will report and leave you to manage. Beyond that I must step in. If I must make an arrest I will coordinate with y’all before a decision is made to take them from here. I’m required to stop the event, but I have more discretion regarding if I take them in.” Sam finally said as he took the mic and earpiece. ”I’m not here to stir anything up, but I still have rules I have to follow.”

Sveta thanked Sam and Sam nodded to Sveta as he fit the earpiece over his ear.

”I’ll start in the lobby then make my way around. Get a feel for where everyone is and what state they’re in. Figure out where my presence is destabilizing or reassuring.”

Devon gave Sam a nod as his assumption was confirmed. The detective had a less than stellar reaction to his request, however. It at least spoke to Devon that Sam thought he was being tricked into something, or had to question the ultimate result. Either someone used to being suspicious or someone accustomed to interesting deals. The specificity of his response was interesting but got a nod from the weather warlock.

The Texas at least seemed to understand the intent of Devon’s request, and that was good enough. “Thank you,” he said as Sam put the earpiece on. Another nod was given Sveta of her planning and running operations. If they hadn’t put a few others into the C-suite, she would’ve been the perfect COO. But well, that was a full time job and Sveta’s presence was beyond that. She was a board member effectively.

Also part of the secret vigilante group doing whatever it took for the good of mutantkind. And others. Yes, others too.

Devon gestured to Sam as Sveta headed out the door. “Thank you both for all your help,” he called while withdrawing his phone to check for any security notifications or messages. Technology in your own building had many benefits after all like coordinating communication and locations.

“Animals too, hm,” he muttered as they departed for the next tasks.