'I could be walking right into a trap,' Tricity thought, sighing as she parked her black mustang a block from one of the entrances leading into Central Park. Was it really necessary to meet outside when it was so damn cold out? "Hate the winter..."

Tricity crossed the street, pulling her floor length peacoat tighter around herself and buttoning it down her body. The wind was whipping hard and she could feel herself beginning to chatter. Seeing the opportunity to cross the heavy circle of New York traffic, Tricity ran across the street and into the almost empty park except for the year round runners.

She made her way to Bethesda Terrace, where Syn had indicated to meet up. At least Syn had picked one of the more beautiful areas of the park. Tric had always loved the architecture of the fountains surrounding the lake. Admiring a greek statue of an angel in the middle of the active fountain, she sat down on the stone edge and waited for Syn to arrive.

Syn wanted to know what was on Tricity's mind. Under any other circumstances Syn would take this opportunity to kill Tricity. Literally take the head off the X-Men and watch them fall apart. However, Syn was curious to get a glimpse of what was going on in her rival's mind.

When picking the place to meet Syn knew about the architecture and fountains. She found it somewhat ironic that there was a statue of an angel and yet she was the self proclaimed Queen of Darkness. In ancient times she would probably be thought of as a demon. So here it was where an agent of darkness would meet with one from the light to talk.

Syn had already been at the meeting place long before Tricity. The girl stepped out from behind one of the scupltures and casually approached the other woman. "Now that we're here why don't you delight me with your surrender."

The sound of the other woman's voice surprised her as Tricity turned around to face Syn. "Surrender? Hardly... As much as it would please you, for some strange reason to have your own kind surrender to you, this isn't what I'm here about, as I've already explained." Tricity didn't think Syn would actually sit down next to her on the fountain to have this talk, so she finished the gap between them by approaching the woman.

Tricity let her eyes flicker around the area for a moment before returning her gaze to Syn. Did Syn keep her bargain about coming alone? "Listen... I'm not stupid enough to start an unnecessary fight with your... friends for no reason. I'm not going to put any of the residents or my team in harm's way, especially over a prank like taking your doors." She said this in a tone as if it was the stupidest thought anyone could ever think.

"I would think you would be more interested in finding out who would want the two of us fighting," Tricity continued, playing in a bit to Syn's personality. "I would think you would be wondering who's been toying with you." She wasn't looking for The Order to go out and get revenge for what happened on the mansion grounds, but more trying to find out if Syn knew anything else about who would want the two groups fighting.

Tricity relaxed a bit and began talking more casually to Syn. "I remember the delivery men. Well, mutants I should say. One was a bird and the other something like a robot. Ring any bells?" Would Syn actually want to talk this out? Tricity could only hope...

Tricity’s response to Syn wasn’t a surprise, but nonetheless it would’ve been much sweeter if the woman had surrendered. Giving a slight shrug as if to say ‘suit yourself Syn stood her ground as the X-men leader stepped closer. “You can’t say it wasn’t worth the try.”

She watched Tricity scan the area briefly before focusing back on the girl. “Don’t worry my dear Tricity. I assure you that no one is here but myself, and from what I know about you I’m pretty sure you came alone as well.” Syn entertained the thought of the wounded X-Men being finished off for good.

Before Syn could say anything else Tricity spoke up again. Her tone was on the edge of mocking the dark girl. Luckily the woman changed to a more relaxed tone as Syn was about to finish what was started at the mansion. “I may be younger than you but don’t speak to me like I’m a child. I’m not in a leadership position just by chance.” That being said Syn let the frustration go and continued to listen to Tricity.

Reaching into her coat pocket Syn retrieved a CD case containing the recordings from both outside and inside Sanctuary during the time the Golden doors were taken. “I’ve seen the bird man and his metallic friend.” The girl reached into her pocket a second time and pulled out one of the black feathers left behind after Lisa attempted to defend herself. “I’m not sure what kind of resources you may have but I’m sure it’s DNA will point to who it belongs to.” Syn offered both the feather and the CD case to Tricity. “I’ve seen that type of van before. There were similar ones at Mondragon Labs where those who weren’t captured for Registration hid out. So for the moment the guilt points there.”

She took the items from the woman, running her fingers over the feather. "Mondragon Labs, huh..." Tricity went deep into thought. She and the other X-Men had had their run ins with mutants from the Mondragon Labs before. Getting the CD back to Streak and Johnathon for review was top priority. Perhaps the Doc Prof would be able to analyze the feather for DNA.

"So, any idea what the fools at Mondragon Labs have rolling around in their minds to have us fighting each other?" Tricity asked, bringing her eyes back up to Syn. "Did any of you find something of importance missing when you went back to your home?"

Syn gave almost half a shrug when asked what her thoughts were regarding Mondragon Labs. "I'm not sure exactly. I haven't heard from Hunter in a very long time. He was the one running things. My guess is the balance of power has shifted and the new leader wants to test the waters. Having us fight each other was a sure way to get an idea of our strengths and weaknessess. I don't think whoever is in charge would provoke both of us into a two on one fight." Syn thought for a moment. "Then again it might've been just for fun."

Tricity didn't respond at first and kept wondering what the mutants from Mondragon Labs could want between the two factions. She placed the CD and feather in the inside pocket of her pea coat and folded her arms over her chest. "Well, I suppose I'd better get back."

Could this be anymore awkward?

She looked at Syn and with much pain said through a sighing breath, "Thanks. I'll let you know what we find out as soon as possible."

Syn could feel the uneasiness eminating from Tricity as the woman placed the disc and feather in her coat. When Tricity said the word 'Thanks' Syn smiled. The girl knew it wasn't easy to say given recent and/i] past events between their factions. Giving a slight nod and a smirk Syn replied back. "I look forward to hearing from you again." Turning to leave Syn was now testing the X-men leader. Would she take advantage and attack the girl from behind or let her go?

Tricity watched as the woman turned and proceeded to leave Bethesda Terrace, disappearing down the park's path and out of sight. She wondered how the two were able to have a meeting without Syn's hands ending up around her throat. Perhaps it was the commonality of having the same enemy. Whatever the reason, Tricity backed away a few steps before turning around and heading quickly out of Central Park.

She needed to have these items analyzed yesterday....