It was tacky. Gaudy. Lori hated it.

The Cathedral on the Sanctuary property was like a big Lisa Frank Unicorn sticker. Nothing against Unicorns, but the red and black banners and the throne? It stank of immaturity. The structure, the very stones of the cathedral were new. The architecture was poor. Not a single buttress, rose window or freeze.

Where the heck had Syn gotten the horrid thing? It didn't fit into any art period that Lori had learned about in school. None of it matched her books. They just didn't build them nowadays like they used to.

So there was only one thing to do. Take it down.

Throne first.

It was mostly wood and ornate, delicately worked metal. Lori pulled it toward herself, violently and only the metal bits came. Most of it seemed anchored to the ground somehow. The heck? Someone had wanted to secure their throne.

Lori directed the metal flying toward herself up and over herself and then smashed it down behind her into the ground. It crashed into the stone floor. The magnetic field she had used pulled down the candle stands near by.

This wasn't a cathedral to any god. This was a monument to an ego. It would have to go. All of it.

The conversation had gone just about as well as could be expected.
A lot of caring, a dash of fact, a generous amount of gossip, the usual ample helping of nagging, and the keen edge of a guilt trip.

Yep, Tris had just that very night had a conversation with her mother.
It had been mostly great- getting to know what her brothers and sisters had been up too, having someone care absolutely whether she was getting enough vitamins, having a mother type person to whine to about the tiny grievances of the last couple of weeks.

It was one of Tris's precious conversations with her mother.

But while she loved her mother, and while she missed her, and while she tried to be as honest with the women within the confines of secrets to do with work and having powers and all as possible. She kept ending up lying about one more thing that gave Tris a slightly uncomfortable sick feeling in her stomach.
“Yes Mum, I’m still going to church every week like the good little Catholic girl I was raised to be.”

It was these words as much as anything else that gave her mother a little more peace of mind about her daughter living on another continent- too bad they were a lie…well mostly a lie, but that was what today’s outing was about, but more about that in abit.

Sadly Tris, unlike her mother, had grown to rather detest going to church. It kept her from a perfectly good Sunday sleep in for one thing. There was also that whole objection to (in her opinion) a patriarchal and hierarchical ideology of a hypocritical church who’s bloody and corrupt exploits could be seen smeared across the pages of history.
…but yeah, mainly she liked the sleep ins.

So short story rather longer, Tris didn’t go to church anymore than she had to.
Unfortunately due to her mothers gift of a guilty conscience, it seemed today was one of those times she ‘had’ to.
….But still, didn’t mean she had to put in for an hour or more mass session.
No, Tris was more into the whole going and hanging out, possibly doing some reflective thinking, and most importantly- easing the slightly perturbed feeling she got whenever she used the church line on dear old mum.

Besides, she’d found the perfect church to go to- well, a cathedral actually, and very mutant friendly too since it was located on Sanctuary ground. Discovered on one of her outings with Venus, Tris actually liked the squat, mostly abandoned structure. It was….
Well hideous, true be told, monstrous in size and very lacking in elegance, taste or art.
Yep, in the ‘1000 most beautiful cathedrals ever built’ award, this thing wouldn’t ever get a mention.
But that, conversely, was why Tris thought fondly of the structure.
It didn’t have the pretend beauty of some of the more well regarded houses of God had.
It was just there, big and unsightly and there.
A tribute the power and massive ego of man.

Tris didn’t mind it- at least it was honest.
….sides, there was a throne which didn’t suck to lounge around in while contemplating the meaning of life, the universe, and that cute little sweater at Bloomy’s.

The fact that the red head who had just arrived outside the Sanctuary cathedral expecting quiet contemplation could hear a god awful crashing and banging from inside had her hurrying in and down the aisle to find out what in the world was going on.

The fact that the self same red head who had arrived on the scene could see this random blond chick trying and succeeding in completely demolishing the throne she had been planing to sit in, did not put Tris in the best mood to start a conversation.

….but the fact that the blond was pulling out a really heavy metal/wood combo throne all on her little lonesome, and the way that pieces of the throne seemed to arc and float past her before hitting the ground with a crash some ways away, labeled little miss blond thing a mutant.
In deference to this fact, Tris stopped with a small distance left between them- she was still well in range for her powers though, so she wasn’t overly anxious about avoiding confrontation.

“Hey!”
Not exactly the most original war cry in history, but Tris’s voice added to the single word an amount of urgency and force that it seemed to convey her message.

“If it’s seven years bad luck to break a mirror, just imagine the drop in your karma points for desecrating a cathedral. So how abouts you call it quits and walk away before you get struck by lightning or somesuch.”
Said the fierce eyed red head figure, who’s stance in her boots, jeans, and ‘some like it hot’ black top ensemble seemed to indicate that if she didn’t get a good answer she wasn’t going to go away.

Lightning? Lori snerked. "Wouldn't be the first time."

This girl was a mutant. It showed in how close she remained to Lori. Probably within range to get off a defensive move if she was smart. She didn't seem worried that Lori had just thrashed the throne. Only commented in a mildly disapproving manner. That meant this girl was a mutant with some kick to it.

Enough kick to tear down walls? It was worth a shot.

Lori looked the girl over once from top to bottom. She had an accent. New Zealand or Australian- she could never tell them apart. Red hair. Temper. Black slogan tee. Not out of Lori's fashion league. Jeans. She was sensible. Cute boots and a wide stance. She was ready in case of action. She wasn't an amateur. But the temper, Lori could use.

"And what do you think you are doing here? Mommy send you to confess?"

A subtle flick of the wrist. Lori wasn't good enough to do without the gestures. One of the candlesticks that had been pulled over now raced toward Lori. Slight problem with that moving metal candle holder. There was a Tris between it and Lori. If the girl did not do something, she'd get brained.

"Wouldn't be the first time."
Blondie, with what could only be described as a 'snerk' commented, not seemingly at all concerned about fire raining down at her from the sky.
....That was what Tris would call- a clue.
Hmmmm.

Still, contemplative analysis was not enough to make Tris relax her ready stance, especially as she saw she was being sized up.

"And what do you think you are doing here? Mommy send you to confess?"

Despite herself, Tris couldn't stop a small smile from slipping, lightning fast, across her features before it was gone again.
She shrugged casually, admitting;
"Something like that."

The conversation however, took a pause then- quite understandable really, quite hard to keep the conversation flowing when things are flying at your head.
Despite her keen concentration on her surroundings, the swiftness of the incident and the subtly of the move was inspiring.
Indeed, Tris might have missed it and got brained in the head if not for 2 main factors.
1- She knew something was going to happen. Her 'spider sense' was tingling if you will. Cause well, with the attitude Blondie was sporting, how could it not?
Besides, being attuned to the subtle gestures of the hand through her own link to her powers, Tris had learned to notice small movements that could be the start of big events.
2- Her adrenaline fueled senses were alerted as they caught the slight chinking and scraping sound coming from behind her as a metal candle stick holder was pulled from the ground by invisible forces to come sailing at her head.

Tris whipped around, hair flying out as she sought the original of the sound, eyes searching, hands raised and ready, and lo, she was rewarded for her efforts by the sight of a heavy ornate candle stick holder flying towards her at rapid velocity.
So it was gonna be one of those days was it?

An extended hand, a narrowed eye and a dismissive wave of a gesture of her own, coupled with her powers and her strong desire for the 'thing' to not be there anymore, had her wish granted.

The link established, Tris's command over molecular speeds caused the dense candle sticks cellular make up to speed up rapidly, lose integrity as a solid object, and well, explode- with a satisfying BANG.
Sure you could do it without the noise- but where was the fun in that?

Tris turned back to Blondie with the deadpan face and the bland yet edged voice of one who was trying to not let her annoyance get the better of her.
"Now, now."
She managed fairly calmly, with the trademark hint of sarcasm.
"Play nice."

It... exploded. Heavy metal exploded. BANG and what was once solid matter was now a flutter of ash flakes. Oh. Lori like. She could not ask for a better mutant to walk along. Maybe some god somewhere had sent her this gift to destroy this horrible place.

"Awesome. Do it again." There may or may not have been a little jumping and clapping, but she refused to admit that there was any former cheerleader showing through. She was just happy. And a little bit impressed.

Lori held out her hands and wiggled her fingers using her personal magnetic field to help her locate the metal of a structural pillar. It worked and looked a little bit like a dousing rod. But at least it did work.

"Try this one." Lori slapped her hand against the stone that encased the metal and immediately wished that she had not hit it as hard as she did. Ow. Stupid pillar. She glared at it. It bit her before she'd even taught it a proper lesson.

If that stone were not there... or if the stone were somehow weakened, Lori could pull that support right out from under the roof. It wouldn't be enough for the whole building to come down, but it would be a real start. Also... she was now glad there were no flying buttresses. Now the shoddy structural integrity was going to work for her.

Tris had expected awe and maybe a little fear at her own impressive show of power on the incredible disappearing candlestick holder.

"Awesome. Do it again."
....But instead the little bitty blond was simply enthusiastically amused, sickeningly perky even, with subtle suggestions of the bouncing and clapping.

"Try this one."
Blondy wiggled her fingers and slapped a stone pillar for emphasis, her point clear- here, blow up this bit of the church for me her gestures clearly stated.

Tris scowled, unimpressed with this performance- if she wasn't careful she would come away from this experience with frown lines.
"Ummm.....how about no, no way in hell, and nuh uh."
Tris crossed her arms tightly, emphasizing her complete stubbornness.
"I'm not your lackey, or your pet so it's not like you can boss me around."

"Oh?" Lori wasn't bothered by stubbornness or snoot. It was quite useful, in fact. The blonde stepped behind that very pillar that had been saved. "Suuuuuit yourself."

The pillar between them was adequate cover since Lori was such a small person. A few times in life it was a trait that was helpful. She focused on the ceiling supports. They were metal and left exposed to the air. Probably for flair or design though it appeared more like they had run out of material and then tried to get fancy with what little was left.

In Lori's estimation... that one was just above the brunette's head. As soon as Lori got the other girl to look up or dodge it would be time to move to a new pillar. Because hopefully Trixy McDestroy-a-lot would start to take revenge.

"Oh?..........Suuuuuit yourself."

Tris's stubborn 'I'm not gonna take any of your crap' crossed arms stance didn't last long however, as foreboding words floated to her and Blondie leapt behind the very pillar she'd wanted Tris to blow up.

The tone of Blondie's words and the fact she'd run for cover were things Tris added to her list of vital clues and so she reacted accordingly.

So Tris traded stubborn stance in for survival instead, arms free, feet wide, hands up and waiting defensively, and eyes scanning the area, waiting for.....what?

Ahhhh, there it was.
The creak and strain of metal being twisted and abused were the first signs that Tris was right in her assessment of the situation, the second being movement as one of the metal ceiling supports gave way and started sailing towards earth.....her piece of earth in fact.
Really that girl must have incredible aim- or just be darn lucky.
But never mind these thoughts, they took time Tris didn't have.
She reacted, throwing her power and thoughts at the metal- the thought I don't want you here anymore, and the disbanding of molecular structure happening as a direct consequence.

Newest projectile dealt with, Tris's attention returned to the pillar which had at last glance, a Lori hiding on the other side.
And if Tris's power had been melting stuff with a red, hot glare instead of what it was, the look she was sending at the pillar would of had Bondie in seriously hot trouble by now.

"Are you trying to get me killed!"
Her words indignant, after all, she's been attacked twice now with flying metal pieces that could have done some serious damage if she hadn't dealt with them, with definite signs of the anger that was the root of Tris's exploding power coming through, the anger that Tris anyways tried to keep control of cause dangerous things happened when it controlled her.
"Or just trying to make me angry..... "
She went on.
"Fair warning princess, both of these options wont end well for you."

The petulant need for revenge that always haunted Tris reared at this moment, pointing out the girl had actually asked for the pillar she was currently hiding behind to be blown up....
She sent a blast of her power at the stone pillar to prove her words, hoping some of the blast wave would be felt by little miss psycho barbie and knock some sense into her.

She was already diving when the blast hit. Geez louise! This chick could pack a punch. Debris pelted her on her way. Of course, this was what she had asked for and what she wanted. It made her heart race to be in the thick of a fight. Of course, she never really counted on getting a chunk of concrete slamming into her shoulder, but all in all it was a nice blow to the support of the building.

She rolled underneath a bunch of scattered pews. Nothing had really been upended yet and the cathedral still stood in all it's hideousness.

"Princess? I only get princess?" She was actually a bit offended by that. The last Order leader had been called queen. She'd had a throne installed and everything. You know. The one Lori had just moments ago smashed to little pieces?

Lori was feeling out her next target, counting on the fact that the pews would give her at least a modicum of cover.

There.

She started forming a good sized magnetic field below the metal ribbing of the roof. It probably was no where near the exploding lady, but it was a good step toward pulling this building down. If something hit the chick? Bonus.

Pieces of the plaster that clung to the bottom of the ribbing cracked and started raining down in the building. The ceiling groaned before shifting downward slightly. Hm. Still too many pillars.