Aurion growled and shook his tail and Shade along with it. His fin pressed against the man's throat hard enough to cut a thin line. "You lie." The mutant man flexed he free hand in front of Shade making sure he had a good look at his claws, the blood still visible on them. "Lie again, I take liver." Bringing his hand towards his mouth, his long forked tongue shot out and twined around his claw, the back in, leaving a claw free of blood. "If you Order, if you care, I'd know you. I'd seen you. I don't."

"I should take lung. Bring back to Sanc." He smiled maliciously. "You fixed when see you wrong. I like idea." Looking at Syn. "What you think?"

Syn watched the shadow man’s features change a few times. It seemed to her that he was struggling with something in his head. It was understandable that he might think she wasn’t real since he hadn’t been at Sanctuary when she informed the others of what had happened. That didn’t change the fact that she was the only Syn the world needed, and if she had to she would gladly prove it. For now, however, she would continue with her words.

“Ahh, but if you are loyal to me then you wouldn’t attack so blindly without first confirming my presence.” She narrowed her eyes a bit as she listened to the rest of his little speech. “My dear Shade, you should know that you can’t win with words against me. That’s my specialty and from your own admission I know you haven’t been around Sanctuary much lately. While I was gone the Order was restructured and Sanctuary is still the symbol it has always been for mutants and for the order. So even if I had died there wouldn’t be any changes. Though I do appreciate your view on my position.”

Without taking her eyes off the shadow man Syn acknowledged Aurion while continuing to talk to Shade for a moment more. Giving the massive mutant a pat on the shoulder she smiled subtlety. “You see? Even Aurion here knows you haven’t been around Sanctuary recently. Where have you been my dear Shade? What have you been up to?” Syn gave a brief response to Aurion’s idea. “No, not right now. Let’s see where this goes.”

If it was possible, Shade's face contorted even more with rage. He was shaken like a rag doll before being cut again on his already bleeding neck. This lizard mutant was trying his nerves. Shade wondered how it would like his blade against its scaly neck. However, the shadow mutant kept his cool. Not like he had a choice as his attempted murder had landed him in a precarious situation.

"You wouldn't see me unless I wanted you to!" Shade shot back with more anger in his voice than was wise with a blade against his neck. He tried to calm himself as he knew the only way he was getting out of his situation was through persuasion; at least, it was until he was given an opening. All he had to do was to keep talking, something the imposter seemed to share with the late Syn.

"Oh you know me, I like to keep to myself." Shade cooed at the Syn skinned mutant before him. He would play her (if it was a her) game, for now.

"As for the why, lets just say I don't agree with the current management. I might be in the Order, but I will not be told what do to with by that...thing." It was the least disrespectful word Shade could think to use for his supposed leader. Although he might not win against Syn- wait, it wasn't Syn. Or was it? Shade did not know anymore. Either way, the shadow mutant was now more rehearsed in the use of language as a weapon. He might not be able to 'win' so to speak, but Shade could at least hold his own, for a while.

"Listen, if you are really Syn, then this is just a misunderstanding. So how about you call off your dog?"

Aurion laughed at Shade, he couldn't help it. Maybe it was something inherent in mutants to defy those who tried to control them. "Silly Shade. I not human. Not human eyes." He leaned towards the man. "I see more. Saw you first, before you see Syn. See you move there." He indicated where the shadow man had come from. "Saw you before you try strike with flimsy blade." Of course his vision wasn't any better than humans, not really. Sure he could see in the dark as well as if it were lighted, but only if there was some light around. But Shade didn't need to know that. If the shadow mutant thought Aurion could actually see him, all the better.

At first Aurion thought Shade was saying he didn't agree with Lori, but the way he said 'thing' made him change his mind. He could understand being irritated or even disapproving of decisions and not getting along with Lori, but that didn't seem to fit. He couldn't help it, even though he tried not to react to what Shade said, he found himself glancing at Syn, briefly, to see her reaction. His eyes slid back to Shade with a grimace. He wondered to himself what this mutant knew that he didn't.

An~d that was gone with his next words. It wasn't a misunderstanding, Shade was being dumb trying to kill Syn without even trying to figure out what the other Orderlings knew. And he called Aurion a dog. "Woof." The word came out at the same time as Aurion's tail tightened around Shade and flipped him upside down. "You get down, you run, you try kill again. I no think so."

He reached a hand to grab Shade's leg and sink his claws into the calf muscle. "I no trust you. I think you lie. Too much lies."

“Yes, I do recall you preferred to work alone and that’s exactly how I used your special talents.” The lady listened as Shade continued on. The way he spoke of the current leadership struck a chord within her that was of the same note as her own feelings on the situation. Was he referring to Lenna as the thing? As far as she was concerned it fit.

When Shade started to try talking into an exit and added Aurion in the mix Syn glanced at the large mutant. He stated he could see Shade and that was rather interesting as Syn recalled Shade could hide in the dark very well.

Aurion expressed his dislike for the dark man. It was understandable as he didn’t know Shade. The comment and reply about Aurion being Syn’s dog was a bit strange. “I wouldn’t call him a dog, but I might keep him around. If he can catch someone like you then I’m sure I could have use for him.”

“My dearest Shade, there is only one me I assure you. I’m not exactly fond of the thought of my beloved Order and Sanctuary being run by those who are currently in power either. I will find a way to change that dilemma. So I suggest you end your little quest to harm me as I may have use of your abilities again.”

Shade's anger flared again as he was unceremoniously flipped upside down by the giant lizard. He was finding it easier and easier to want to kill this genetic defect, if he ever managed to get out of its bondage. The reptile tried to reach for his leg, but Shade flailed violently, trying to kick away the sharp claws. However, Syn broke up the little struggle by bringing up a potential mission. His struggling stopped as he locked back onto the dark and red haired beauty.

"Really?" Shade replied, the familiar grin returning to the parts of his face that were visible. Even though this may not be the real Syn (and he was beginning to believe so) and if the prize was to destroy the Adapted, then he was all for it.

"Well, do tell! And I promise I will not try to kill you ever again...even if you are not who you say you are. An enemy of an Adapted is a friend of mine."

Aurion was getting annoyed at the would-be assassin. He huffed a little laugh as Shade flailed with his legs. Even if he hadn't grabbed the man's leg, he moved his fingers a little bit and allowed Shade's flailing to stab his leg onto the claws. The man made that way to easy.

He listed to Syn and Shade, looking from one to the other. Aurion didn't say anything, didn't make any facial twitches to give away the fact he didn't know what an Adapted was. Nor that there was one in power at Sanctuary and the Order. He'd ask later. For now though, it seemed the two of them seemed to have come to some sort of agreement. Raising the man a little higher in the air, he let go when Shade's head was a few feet above the ground.

Though he had let the man go, he left his tail above him. If Shade tried anything, he'd smash him into the ground before he could move. "I no want fight, hurt other mutants." He said to the man. "If you no try kill us, we good. Yes?" Aurion put a hand out to Shade.

“Yes, really…I haven’t put together much detail. For now I need to learn more about the current leadership. I need to find things to use to my advantage.” Syn looked at Shade and smiled. “That’s were you come in my old friend. You’re talents in the dark are better than anyone else’s.” She left that up for interpretation as to what he might do.

With Aurion letting Shade go and stating his feelings regarding fighting other mutants Syn couldn’t help but comment. “My dear Aurion. While in most cases it would be best that we don’t harm others of our kind, there are those who would disagree with us and fight us. Would you be willing to fight other mutants then?”

Pain shot through the trapped mutant's legs as the claws dug into his calf. However, Shade's pride did not allow him to utter more than a hiss of annoyance at the pain. He was then slammed into the pavement rather unceremoniously. The Orderling only managed barely to avoid landing on his head by rolling onto his shoulder. However, that left his shoulder sore and raw.

Shade did not allow the lizard mutant any pleasure in his pain as he was quickly back on his feet. He may be bleeding from several cuts and scraps along with a hurt shoulder, but he was still able to maintain his composure. Shade eyed the extended hand with distaste and only gave a grunt of acknowledgement as a reply. He was not about to get close enough to have the big brute get close enough to entrap him again. Shade could only hope the reptile man understood the gesture as a sign that he would comply with the terms for now. However, his eyeless gaze traveled back to the dark queen as she laid out her plan.

"Well, you do know how to compliment people." Shade replied with an evil smile. Of course, his skills in the dark were largely do to his mutation, but he had developed his own stealth through the continued use of that mutation.

"Any ideas on how large this effect of hers is? I would hate to be caught being a peeping Tom." The shadow mutant said, before addressing the other mutant as well.

"I find killing mutants to be a necessary part of my work. You just can't persuade some people to see the errors of their ways. Well...at least, I can't." Shade added, glancing at Syn when he uttered the last part. He always wondered what made her so good at what she did.

Aurion watched Shade pick himself up, without Aurion's help. To which Aurion smirked at him, glad that the point was made. He brought his bloodied claws up to his mouth as he listened to Syn ask him if he would be willing to fight another mutant. Aurion didn't get a chance to answer before Shade spoke up. He took the time to lick the man's blood from his claws while he spoke.

"We agree something Shade." He said after the man finished rambling. Aurion looked at Syn. "I no like fight mutants." Gesturing to Shade. "If no listen and come'round." He shrugged his large shoulders. "Then fight. And I like fighting." His face broke into a wide, ear-to-ear, razor edged, toothy grin. "Free food when fight end." Aurion looked at Shade from the corner of his eye.

Aurion glanced around the group. He noticed how humans had decided it was best to go to the other side of the street instead of pass by them. "Maybe should move...Go different place, keep walking?"

With Shade back on his own feet and both of the male mutants keeping to themselves Syn first replied to Aurion’s suggestion of moving elsewhere. “That’s a wonderful idea my dear Aurion.” Taking a quick look around she spotted a nearly empty parking lot not too far down the street. It wasn’t very big but it was off the sidewalk and they could talk a bit more privately.

Now that they could talk more freely Syn directed herself back to Shade’s question after a smile and a slight nod to his compliment. “I’m not sure on that. I believe an Adapted’s field might vary from one Adapted to another. However it only extends out several feet around them. Call it a personal bubble if you will.” She recalled back to when she had been abducted and the information she got so freely from Cross in regards to Mr. Knuckles aura.

Both Aurion and Shade expressed their views on fighting other mutants. She was pleased with both responses as there was always a possibility of having to confront other mutants. “Well, now that we’re all on the same page. I’m giving you a task Shade. With your wonderful talents I’d like you to see what kind of information you can dig up on the Adapted in question. Anything at all that would be helpful as well as any possible associates.”

Turning to Aurion now. “As for you, I may need you to help watch my back. You’ve already proven capable and it would be a comfort knowing you could and would be willing to do it again if need be.” She thought back to Shade’s earlier comment towards the larger mutant. “I know you’re not a dog, but a fine pet you’d be nonetheless.” She smiled at Aurion and patted his arm.

Shade followed the black and red haired beauty as she walked across to the street to the parking lot, blinking in and out of visibility as they moved from light to dark and back again. He was trying as hard as he could to not show the pain in his calf, but he couldn't help but limp slightly as the blood ran down the back of his leg. Not to mention that the blood trickling down his neck might have mysterious disappeared after he had returned from one of his disappearing trips.

Once in the parking lot, he leaned up against a light post with a soft groan, listening to the answer to his question. He frowned at the information. He hated unknowns, especially when it could decide on whether he was exposed or not. Maybe even whether he would live or not. But his face quickly switched back to his evil grin as Syn explained his mission.

"I'll do it, but I want something out of it. I want in when you kill it!" Shade exclaimed. The shadow mutant already knew in his head that this was not going to be an easy mission. It had problems ridden all over it. However, the best thing was Shade was already an inside man so there would at least be a little bit of a reason why he was in the Sanctuary. If she left to meet someone and he was discovered, Shade would have a lot explaining to do. He gritted his teeth silently as he rolled these thoughts over in his head. There were so many uncertainties about this mission.

When they went across the street he watched with some surprise and fascination as Shade seemed to disappear whenever he was out of the light. That filled in to Aurion how he had been able to get from that initial light pole to behind Syn without Aurion being able to see him. Aurion was beginning to learn that sometimes it was best to just watch other mutants, it could teach him a lot.

Shade and Syn took a position within the direct area of the parking lot's light, Aurion took a spot outside of the light, where he could see the entrances of the parking lot easily, yet still keep an eye on Shade and Syn. The large lizard man mostly kept to himself while Syn and Shade spoke. As he listened he was trying to piece together information about this 'Adapted'. The more that they spoke about the thing, whoever it was, the more Aurion felt uncomfortable about it. They way Shade called the adapted an 'it' made Aurion believe it wasn't a mutant or human. It hadn't been too much over a year ago that he learned there were such things as mutants, now throwing something new at him roiled his guts.

He was taken out of his thoughts by Syn as she turned to speak to him directly. He took a couple small steps to close the distance between them. Though Syn said he'd be a fine pet, he didn't take offense to it like he had when Shade called him a dog. From her it seemed like a compliment, and he was okay with that. "That what family do, no?" He tried to give her a reassuring smile as he put a large hand over hers as she patted his arm.

Looking at the two of them, "Something done'bout it tonight? If no, I say enjoy night. Take care it later."

The obvious discomfort from Shade was apparent to Syn. His limp was a dead give away though he covered up his pain delightfully. She would have to talk with Aurion about how to handle a situation like that in the future. Doesn’t do any good to injure those you plan to work with, but he had no idea of Syn’s thoughts so he would be forgiven.

“Oh yes, of course my dear Shade! I would be happy to allow you such an extravagant kill.” Truth was she didn’t really care if the Adapted was killed so long as it was out of her way permanently. For now however it was information gathering time.

Aurion’s reply and gesture made Syn smile. She was glad he was accepting of his new position. He would be a most worthy asset. “That’s right Aurion dear. Family looks out for family.” In response to his last statement Syn nodded in agreement. “No, nothing will happen tonight. It’s too soon and we have work to do.” She looked to both of them in case any other questions or concerns arose.

"Great! Now, if you don't mind, I think I will have to excuse myself. I think a visit to Sebastian is in order." Shade said with a forced smile. He pushed himself up from his post. He had to grit his teeth from the pain when he put weight on his injured leg, the only outside sign being the tightening of jaw muscles, but he refused to give Aurion the pleasure of a groan. Shade gave Syn a little tip of his hood as he passed.

"I'll let you know more about this Adapted as soon as I have the information. And I'll see you later." He said, offering the last sentence to Aurion before taking a step back, allowing the shadows to swallow him up. Several minutes later, he was inside the Sanctuary and visiting the infirmary in order to ensure the recovery of his wounds. It appeared the lizard man had stabbed almost through to the bone, but with the miracle of mutant healing, Shade was fixed up quickly. The only reminder of the pain being a slight tingling feeling in his calf and a light pink mark on his skin.