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 Pharoah Dynasty
An ancient sorceress is on a quest to bring her long-lost warrior-king to the modern era in a bid for global domination. Can the heroes of the modern world stop her before all is lost?
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.
Cursed plans! They have made a powerful enemy this day. Now, granted, this wasn’t the first time that Nessa had come across one of his lovers first thing in the morning. Chris was definitely a sight she got used to as the man always found himself doing push-ups or jogging in place first thing in the morning. Beyond that, there had been a one-night stand or two who could be found sneaking out of his bedroom, hair all askew and clothing battered who came across her snerk-filled smile. But for some reason, this one was a little different.
Svetlana was nice and while Booker knew that this was just another one-night stand, after his break-up with Chris, Booker had been pretty…for lack of a better term, chase. The man had been still recovering from his failed relationship so he was taking things slow getting back into the dating scene. There had been a date or two but nothing that progressed to the bedroom. This, however, this had certainly gone to levels far beyond just meeting for coffee, and it was still a state that Booker felt a little self-conscious about.
Thankfully he had explained quickly enough that Nessa was his sister and not some other conclusion for Svetlana to jump to. She seemed to take the news in stride, greeted Nessa, and then asked where the bathrooms were. Booker felt bad for not pointing that out to her sooner, but she his sibling took the reins from there…
>> ” Nice to meet you, Nessa…I'm sorry, I... was looking for the bathroom."
>>”Certainly a pleasure, Svetlana…The bathroom is the first door to your left.”
”Um, yeah…” Booker said awkwardly as he pointed off in the direction of the bathroom. God he was lame.
When Svetlana had finally disappeared into the bathroom, closing the door behind her, Booker breathed a small sigh as he turned back to face his sister – who was staring at him. He winced, already feeling where this was going, so he started to awkwardly shift his footing. Booker wasn’t normally the shy type, but considering how intimate and naked this all felt…he glanced down…Oops! Quickly he reached down, pulling up his boxers so that the once revealed happy trail was not so visible anymore.
Lifting his gaze again, he watched as Nessa prepared to speak but he quickly raised his hand. ”Nessa…don’t even…” But it was too late. When she got on a roll, it was difficult to dissuade her.
>>First of all: very nice job…Good to see you bouncing back.”
Booker rolled his eyes, narrowing them at the creature that called itself his sister. ”Yeah, could you say that, oh I don’t know, a couple decibels higher? Don’t think she actually heard that last part.” He sighed.
Shaking his head, Booker briefly popped back into his room to grab his brown Jedi bathrobe. He didn’t mean to be so embarrassed about the whole thing but he had certainly not been prepared for Nessa to be home. He had hoped that hanging out with Kitty would mean he had to evening to himself (not that he was expecting to being Svetlana home). But now that he was caught red-handed, it was difficult.
Slowly he approached the kitchen, sighing as he grabbed a chair at the table, pulled it out, and plopped down onto it. Last night had been so incredibly…incredible, how did he get from that feeling to the embarrassment that he was feeling now. He knew he would shake it off, it was just too early in the morning. He sighed as he eyed his sister milling around the kitchen and heading to the coffee machine. That would be a good right now…
>> ”Does Svetlana like coffee? Do you know?”
Ouch. He knew it was just a tease, but still, ouch. Nessa was too good at reading into these kinds of things and being able to pick apart the fact that this was most certainly an unplanned occurrence, she immediately pounced. Again, it was too early for this so Booker did his best to defend his position by answering her question…
”I…am…reasonably sure that, like most of the world populace, she may enjoy a cup of ground up, brewed coffee beans, yes…” He stopped, staring at his sister for a minute before he rolled his eyes. ”Just…you know…make one…just in case…” he sighed. ”Dammit…I’m bad at this…” He placed his forehead on the table for a moment, shaking his head before lifting to look at his sibling. ”I…didn’t plan it. Just…kinda happened…” He then shot her an accusing look. ”And the next time your ‘plans change’ maybe trying giving me a call or something?”
Yeah, it was Nessa fault. He’d try to stick it out with that train of thought…
What the hell was wrong with him? Booker still couldn’t put his finger on the reasoning for his behavior. He had met and chatted with and flirted with bunch of attractive people before but afterwards, but they all were just confined to the moment. Booker was a natural charmer so his flirtations weren’t always the most intentional, but when it came to Juliette, it was just hard to not go that direction, even with the knowledge that she was already in a relationship. He had told himself he would respect those wishes, but back there on the steps, watching her gaze, her smile, man found himself utterly enchanted.
Stop it, Booker, the man had to tell himself, over and over again. This wasn’t right. As a matter of fact, he knew precisely how wrong it was. His last relationship, the man cheated on him. Even Vanessa, his sister, was going through something precisely like this. If anyone knew the pains that unfaithfulness can cause, it was him. And yet, still, the man persisted, dancing along that line, teasing it as a young boy would to a line he was instructed to not step over. Not only was it not fair for him…it wasn’t fair for her. Juliette didn’t deserve to be treated like that.
So, when he approached her, Booker stopped and stumbled into the only line of thought he could concretely focus on – the no running allowed signs. It was a stumble and a close observer could have seen that other things may have been on the librarian’s mind, but it was the direction he chose. Watching as the smile tugged on her lips and the slight slump of her shoulders, Booker guessed that she must have been relieved by it.
Good. He was a good guy, not some roguish rake or scruffy lookin’ scoundrel (maybe a little)! He just needed to keep reminding himself of that.
>> ”Of course…I’m a rule follower. To the T.”
He didn’t know why, but he picked up the faintest tone, like she was trying to convince someone of that fact. Following the rules was important, of course, especially the no running in the library because you can get hurt, but it was clear that that wasn’t entirely what her comment was directed at. So that begged the question, who was she trying to convince with that…him or herself? Booker gulped, but shared a small and understanding smile with her. They were both good people…
Finally regaining some composure, Booker decided the next spot to take Juliette to would be the Rotunda. It was a beautiful spot with some of the most elegant frescos ever seen. Surely the view there would be enough to focus his mind away from fanciful pursuits…right?
>> ”Sounds good,”
He nodded, giving her a grin as he led the way.
Moving through an archway and turning the corner, Booker stopped and turned to face her. He gave her a wide smile as he stretched out his arms and gestured her attention to the large room they were now it. Oh, it couldn’t have been more elegantly decorated. Natural light shown through from the high windows, but electric lights formed into large candelabras were seen at doorways and along the walls. Around them, several large frescos had been painted, depicting scholars and learned individuals, people decided to the word and to knowledge, however the most breathtaking sight would be located directly above their heads.
The high, vaulted ceiling, carved with wood, inlaid with gold pain and intricate designs, all met in the middle where there depicted a wonderfully classic painting that was very reminiscent of the Sistine Chapel’s masterpiece, ‘The Creation of Adam’. It truly was one of the most beautiful spots in the library and they hadn’t even gotten to the books yet!
Booker stopped and smiled as he turned his eyes back down to Juliette,, waiting to see her reaction to the majesty around them. ”This is the Rotunda. One of the most beautiful spots, in my humble opinion,” he smiled. ”The care that went into this one room dedicated to the honoring those who attained and gave out knowledge is…just awe-inspiring.” he smirked and pointed to a marble bench in the corner. ”I used to sit there, when I would come in to study, hoping to maybe absorb something from the scholars I was surrounded by. I like to think in some small way, it worked.”
Booker was one of the few librarians in this building who actually liked to give tours. The rest would do it, but it was more begrudgingly than anything else. Tours could be tedious, with people who were really only doing it because A.) they had to, or B.) there was nothing else better for them to do. Truth was that most of the staff would rather be doing anything other than spending time, repeating the same spiel around, over and over again, to a sea of blank faces who either couldn’t care less or who didn’t understand the real majesty of it all. It was enough to crush most people’s enthusiasm over the subject – well, most but Booker B. Bookman.
Booker thrived in conducting towards. Given the ability to flexed his library knowledge, to pass it along to those people who took the time to attend these things, was a boon for the man. Unlike others, he didn’t look at the blank faces with hopelessness, instead he considered it as more like a challenge. If he could get through to one, just one of them, to see those lights of understanding shimmer in their eyes, then it made everything utterly worthwhile. Maybe he was an idealist, but there was nothing wrong with that, in his opinion.
Marching throughout the building, a smile on his lips, he was in full on tour guide mode, pointing out all the views of interest, the little factoids that only a few knew, and presenting all this information with a cheery, yet knowledgeable voice. Booker was in his element, that much was apparent.
Climbing the stairs to go deeper into the building, the man paused on the steps as he started to point out a few of the stone busts of the founders of the library, inscriptions on the wall, but paused. He turned back to the woman whom he was showing around, giving her a warm smile as he inquired if he was boring her or not. He wouldn’t have been offended if she had said yes, it just meant that he would have to have changed his approach. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case…
>> ”Heck no,”
The smile of relief on his lips couldn’t be helped. As she looked around the library in astonishment, Booker could feel that same level of excitement filling his own chest. It was a similar look that he possessed whenever he walked into this place. It was…good to see it on the face of another.
Arms crossed over his solid chest, the man smirked as Juliette suddenly turned and started to race up the steps to the next landing. She didn’t run but she did move far quicker than most did when they climbed these steps. He couldn’t help but watch her ascend, his jade-like eyes watching her every step as she climbed. Subconsciously he was taking a mental picture of the moment, tracking the waves of her dark hair as they bounced, the weight shifting from leg-to-leg as she climbed each step. Even when she reached the stop of the landing and turned, his gaze immediately locked onto her sweet face as she breathed out a single sentence.
>> ”This is beautiful,”
”Yeah…” he said quietly. ”…certainly is…”
A beat…then Booker blinked the thoughts away. He climbed the steps, smirking a little at the vision of Juliette with her arms extended. Stopping a few steps from the top, he was at eye level with the woman, finally, and gave her a small smile.
”Juliette…” he said softly. He got caught looking into her eyes. Dammit, why did she have to be so pretty and sassy; his personal Kryptonite. ”Um…t-thank you...for observing the ‘no running’ signs.” Smooth, Booker. So smooth. He would chastise himself for that later. After he climbed the last steps, he started the tour again. ”Come on, I think I got something you’d like to see.” He said enigmatically, at first. But just so that it couldn’t be misunderstood, he clarified. ”…the McGraw Rotunda is pretty breathtaking, if I do say so myself.”
The funny thing about librarians is that no one ever really expected them to command a lot of respect from the patrons of the building. They are always pictured as old, quiet women who shush people harshly and glare at them through thick glasses hanging from beaded chains. It was a stereotype, really, but the world of library workers was far more varied than one would expect. They had all personalities, all walks of life, but one thing that was indeed universal amongst them all was the fact that they had to be able to be authoritative. After all, without the ability to maintain order, then the library would be in shambles.
One way to achieve this was by being able to slip in what many called the Authoritative Voice. It was what teachers were bred to have and, as librarians were teachers in most respects, they possessed it to. It was the voice that was necessary to calm a room, to maintain order, and to ensure that these precious tomes of information were well-kept and ready for consumption. It was a trial and it wasn’t a skill everyone could process, but Booker did indeed possess it.
>>"Authoritative voice? You? Well that's something I've got to hear,"
Okay, so maybe he didn’t really seem like he type of person who would have a voice like that. Booker was sunshine incarnate (most of the time) and he rarely needed, or liked to, raise his voice. Therefore, Juliette’s disbelief was well-founded; Booker couldn’t hold that against her if he tried. Still, her request at a sample of his skill was met with a raise brow and a smirk.
”I would but the last thing I want to do is scare you off,” he said with a smirk. ”Maybe you’ll get lucky and there’ll be some misbehaving student stalking around the bookshelves.”
For a second Booker felt like he may have crossed a line, but really it was only in response to everything that the woman threw at him. This was just part of the game to him (mostly), especially since he wasn’t sure if there actually was any interest for her to have in him. He teased and joked as he would have with most others, but true to form, his mouth did have a bad habit was swallowing his foot whole. The last thing he wanted was to make the woman uncomfortable; so maybe it was best if he try harder to tone down his flirtation-masked sass. It was only fair.
Standing in awkward silence for a moment, Booker recomposed himself, shared a small smile with the woman and inquired if she were ready to begin. It was probably best that he distract himself with the giving a tour, rather than swallow his foot any deeper.
>> "We shall. Lead the way, sir!"
A bow and a smile and Booker was suddenly on. Moving down the path, Booker turned around to face her as he started to walk backwards with clear practice. As he moved he started to speak, talking about the various architecture in just the walls alone, the painted frescos, and some basic history about when the library was created and its stance in the city over the years. It was indeed a magical place and it was only made more magical by the man who spoke of it. Booker was clearly enthused, ecstatic to be able to speak on this subject and his energy and passion clearly rang through with each and every word that he muttered.
Marching up a set of cold, marble steps, Booker pointed out the busts of the important figures in the library, include such individual as the architect, Thomas Hastings, and John Stewart Kennedy, a vice president of the library. Booker’s voice rang through the large, cold staircase, but his words provided enough warmth to fight off any chill someone could get from being in here. He was all smiles as he marched his way up the stairs.
”As you can see, the entrance alone is enough to inspire people. From the quotes carved on the walls, to the sheer majesty that seeps out of every stone,” he sighed happily. ”This truly is the gateway to information.” He paused and then shrugged his shoulders. ”Sorry, I’m beginning to sound a little like my library instructors.” He stopped climbing the steps to turn to her. ”I’m not boring you, am I?”
>> "Who knows, maybe if you hadn't taken that tumble, you might have won. The judges, after all, were children, who are always absolutely impartial."
He just smirked and shook his head. ”Dance career robbed because of a misplaced nurses station. It’s the oldest story in the book, am I right?” he couldn’t help but match her teasing with his own. It was just so…natural.
Booker couldn’t help the gleeful light that had filled his eyes upon seeing the sweet nurse again. He truly thought when he had left that hospital that seeing her again was simply not going to be in the cards. She was just one of those people who would flash through his life, that he would meet for a day and never hear from again, a phantasm who appearances would be delegated to the deepest and most tender of slumbers and nothing more. And yet, here was the woman again, before him, and Booker was now forced to rethink how life worked.
The woman was pretty and she was nice, but she was already attached to someone, as per her own words. Really he had no right to pursue her; he wasn’t that kind of man. But there was something about being around the woman that made him feel light and airy. He wasn’t quite sure what it was and, at most, simply assumed it was just his fanciful mind running away with him. After all, why should he torture himself like this? Why fantasy about what wasn’t there? If she were interested in him, why state so clearly that she already had a boyfriend?
Well, his thoughts on the matter were getting far too confusing and he needed something else to ground him. A tour. That would do it. If he could focus on work, still spend time around her and see her as little more than another patron, then he could certainly overcome these strange thoughts and feelings.
Plans set and the front desk managed, Booker moved around the counter, grabbed a couple of pamphlets, including self-guided tour sheets for reference, and so on just to have over. Of course when she commented on his bowtie, the first response that came to mind was a playful one, one he spoke without fully realizing what he was saying. He said it was good for picking up chicks and it earned him to quirkiest of eyebrows in his direction.
>> "Planning on doing a pickup or two at work, Mr Bookman?"
Lips wrapped under his teeth, he immediately felt a small wave of embarrassment. He really should have minded his words better. Again, she was taken and while the man liked the flirt, there were some boundaries that he needed to respect. Still, the man was who he was and to deny that would be to deny himself. Besides, again, there was nothing wrong with a little playful flirtation every now and again, right?
He grinned at her. ”I never like planning for it,” he said innocently. ”I just prefer to let what will happen, happen.”
There, that seemed fairly innocent enough. Straightening up and peering around her, he couldn’t help but notice that the woman’s intended (a man whom he had indeed invited when he told her about the touring) wasn’t around. For the purposes of recording and knowing how many people were going to be shown about, he needed to know how many were in her party; at least that was what he had told himself.
>> "Uhm, yes. Party of one,"
He did catch a look on her face. He wasn’t entirely sure what kind of look, but it was a look nonetheless. He wouldn’t say anything about it, though as it wasn’t his place to point out anything that may seem off about her. Instead he he just wrapped himself up in a small bit of happiness that he got from the knowledge that he would get to show just her around his workplace. It wasn’t much, but it was something in the moment that the man could appreciate.
Tilting his head, he took a breath, held up the self-guided tour pamphlet and gave her a happy grin. ”Well…good…” he said sweetly, but in order to not appear too callous on the matter, he had to tease. ”Less people less roughhousing and fewer for me to have to wrangle with my super scary authoritative librarian voice.” Another smirk. Another pause. Then he awkwardly cleared his throat and gestured off to the side, around the front desk, that would lead deep into the belly of the building. He gave her smile, complete with a twinkle in his eye. ’Shall we?”
There was really no words to describe what happened that night. Good alcohol. Amazing food. Pleasant company. It was apparently the recipe for success as, when the night began to grind to an end, the both of them discovered other means to occupy themselves. It was just a flirty suggestion, once that was spurred on a little by alcohol that had loosened his tongue, but it was a suggestion that seemed to sit well with the gorgeous blonde. The next thing Booker realized, the two of them had just stepped inside his apartment where lips found lips and he led her by the hand towards his room.
Even though alcohol was had, it was a night that he would not soon forget. Svetlana was engaged and Booker was all the willing to bring a smile to lips. The two had made a rather clear mess of his room, his bedspread half popped off the mattress, clothes were strewn about, and at least one box of his comic collection had been knocked over (a sacrilege he was willing to let slid this time).
Sex was both such a simple and such a complicated thing. Humans were made for sex but it tended to elude many when it was needed. Most simply didn’t realize how needed it actually was. That chance to just break down to your most basic, to simply feel, to breath, to move…to simply be. It was an intoxicating sensation, one that kept both Booker and Svetlana up until the wee hours before the two of them were finally tired enough to simply fall asleep in one another arms.
It shouldn’t have come to a surprise that Booker was a cuddler. While he didn’t think that this wondrous evening with the blonde was going to last more than a single night, at the end of the day, all that mattered was the now. If the morning they should part ways never to see one another again, then so be it; he was going to get his cuddles now. Therefore, at some point, the man had found himself with his arm draped around the very nude woman he shared his bed with, holding her close to his tight chest. And thus he slept in comfort and serenity.
As the sun broke, its rays fell through the window, illuminating and lightening his hair. The scruff around his chin and cheek was a little scratchy, but not enough to fully pull him from his comfortable and well-earned sleep. Not even the feeling of the smaller woman’s form wriggling free from his managed to really stir him into the realm of the waking, but it did start the process.
A wince of his eyes trying to close tighter, the lightening of the blackness in front of his vision, and a deep, drawn in breath. The man sighed, burying his face deeper into his pillow, but not before he reached out and noticed that something was wrong – why was his butt hanging out of the blankets? And why could he feel that? He was nude? Remembrance started to flood in as Booker grabbed the end of the blanket and draped if back over his posterior. Turning in bed, he finally began to remember that he had shared it with someone..and now they were…gone?
Svetlana. That’s right, the mutant, boxer chick he had met at the gym. But where had she gone? He didn’t think she would just sneak off like this.
Momentarily confused, Booker sat up in bed, sighing, blinking his eyes, and shaking his head. Looking about the room through squinting eyes, Booker stifled a yawn and noticed the mess that had been made. However, what was more significate, were the women’s clothing he spied still sprawled out across the floor. The sounds of footsteps outside his door must have signaled that Sveta had stepped outside. He gave a small, little smile, and was about to lay back in bed for a second before donning clothing to see about making breakfast and coffee for the two of them.
Wait…he smelled coffee, though. If Svetlana just left and coffee was already brewing…shit!.
>> ”Hey, Darren.”
He was a blur. Throwing off his covers and picking up a pair of stray, cotton boxer shorts with the insignia of Arachnid Adult, he started to pull them on and he made his way to the door. A very interesting sight met him as he stepped out into the hall. From there he spied a still very nude Svetlana dressed in nothing but a towel wrapped around her body, and, of course, his sister Nessa in the kitchen, looking a little lost for words. Oh, and it didn’t help the situation that standing just outside his door, Booker had only managed to lift his boxers to just an inch or two below his bellybutton, leaving quite the view of his happy trail.
Looking between them, Booker started to blush a little. ”Uhhh…hi…Nessa…” he said, his hands on his hips. ”I…kinda thought you had plans with Kitty last night…” A gulp and he turned to Svetlana, only imagine how the situation looked. A explanation was needed ASAP. ”Svetlana…” he gestured to the brunette. ”This is my sister, Nessa. Nessa…” back to the blonde. ”Svetlana…my new...friend...”
Okay so maybe it was a little presumptuous of him to ask to shake the woman’s hand, but after hearing everything she just described, Booker simply couldn’t help himself. This was a woman who scarcely could ever touch someone without feeling like she needed to flinch or be scared of their reaction; deep down, he couldn’t stand that. She had every right to be happy and it simply wasn’t fair that she was denied that happiness. Not that one handshake from him was going to correct all the issues that Svetlana has had! He wasn’t magic, mind you, but it was a simple gesture, that was all.
So, boldly, he asked. He was fully prepared for the woman to say no. Even though the pair of them had only an hour before been throwing punches at one another, the man knew this was different. It was, for lack of a better term, far more intimate. This wasn’t training, this was human bonding, it was the touch of skin-to-skin that wasn’t fast or tensed, it was gesture that meant family, friendship, love. He would understand if she said no – but she didn’t.
There was a smile on her lips. The way she looked at him, the look of both surprise, amusement, and excitement that danced in her eyes was intoxicating. She seemed to taken his question in carefully before she finally straightened up and started to pull her glove off. Booker smiled, encouraged by this, straightening up his own posture too. It was very reminiscent of teenagers playing Spin the Bottle and preparing for their first kiss. They were slightly awkward, they tried to be proper and not too eager, and they both had one another’s full attention; anyone passing them would have thought the scene was utterly adorable.
Her glove removed and carefully set on the counter top, Booker watched as the woman reached out, placing her hand out for his own. A small smile on his lips, he kept his eyes on hers as he reached out, and very, very gently slipped his hand into hers.
Her hand was so soft to the touch, clearly smoothed by the placing and removing of gloves over time. Compared to his, much larger, tanned from the sun, calloused in a small spot or two from work, there was a clear difference. But it didn’t really matter at this time, did it? There was some sense of honor in Booker at the fact that he was one of probably only a select few who ever hand skin-to-skin contact with this woman. As his hand grasped hers, he gave it a tiny squeeze, not too much pressure of course, and gave the hand a few pumps.
Svetlana seemed to be somewhat distracted by the touch. He couldn’t really imagine what she was thinking or feeling as she shook his head. Her eyes drifted to his hand, the want to flinch was there but so long as she was within his aura, there was no reason for her to. It was understandable that she would still feel that way, though. She was so used to shying away from touch that even though she couldn’t hurt him, it was a hard habit to break. That was why, when she held his hand longer than she meant to, he didn’t say anything. It seemed that this was a handshake that they could both enjoy.
Her cheeks colored when she finally realized that she had shaken his hand for longer than was probably appropriate. Booker smiled, but not in a mocking or teasing way, but a sweet way. He let her retract her hand, he pulled back his own and set it upon his leg.
”Sorry.”
”No…no need to apologize,” he said gently, earnestly. ”It was a pleasure.” A small bow of his head. ”An absolute pleasure.”
Booker explained what he could about the origin of his abilities. It was funny because when he was growing up, reading comic books and watching television shows, the man had always hoped that he would one day discover that he was gifted in some way. He wanted the power to fly, to be super strong, to shot lasers from his nose, anything that would prove that he was as special on the outside as he felt on the inside. But as the years passed, as school changed to college, the man knew he was just not one of the lucky few. It was unfortunate, yes, but he learned to accept it; that is until Jamal.
That night, Booker still remembered it with clarity. It was labeled as one of the worst disasters on the campus’ history, but so few people actually knew about it. The school was good at covering stories like this up and only a few details managed to leak out to the press. Though Booker wasn’t the only survivor that night, he was the only one to have survived under the circumstances that he had. It was a strange feeling to find out that, yes, he was special, but totally not in the way he ever figured he could.
The subject of his origin was a little rough for him to tell. That much was evident on his face as his smile dimmed a fraction in explaining it to the blonde. It was sad and there was some guilt, but time managed to heal the wounds a little; not entirely, but just enough for him to actually talk about it. Besides, she asked and he would have felt bad if he didn’t give her an answer.
>> "I know her…I used to live at the school where she works."]
Booker beamed happily at Svetlana’s interjection. So, she had actually known the woman whom he was talking about! That was amazing! Maybe, at the end of this, she could get her contact information. Just to at least drop her a friendly email to let her know how much she helped him without meaning to. It wasn’t much but Booker liked to pay it forward whenever he could.
”That’s awesome!” he said happily. ”If you have her email or something, I’d love to be able to message her and thank her for her help.”
As they started to settle, Booker had his own question on his lips. Of course he didn’t want to pry too much into the woman’s past, but he was curious about certain things. The most prevalent that came to mind was how she felt being around him. She had abilities that were on all the time and if he could turn them off, was that a distraction for her? Was it good? Bad? He merely wanted to know, of course.
Svetlana’s smile was magical as she gave him a grin, clearly amused by his question. All he could do was smile in response and listen.
>>"Different good…Without someone like you around... I am always keeping an eye out, to make sure I don't bump into anyone, or accidentally touch…My powers are... stronger with touch. So I am always alert, and I don't touch people unless I am sure they are not a mutant... and even den, sometimes it turns out dey didn't know..."
He nodded his head, a little elated that it was a good difference for her. But he also felt a pang of sympathy for the pretty woman. To have to go through her life, unable to really touch another person without risking giving them an over-the-top coffee buzz was terrible. And it had a stronger effect on mutants? Part of him wondered in what way, but he didn’t interrupt her. In a gentlemanly way, he kept silent and just watched her as he listened.
When she reached the end, the man nodded, but lifted his head up when the bartender returned with their drinks: a rum and coke for him and a rum sour for the lady. Once their drinks were set down and she vanished, Booker reached over, taking up his own glass and taking a sip of the drink before he spoke to Svetlana again.
”That sounds like a lot to have to watch out for,” the man said with a small sigh. His eyes drifted down to her arms and the extralong gloves. He lifted his own, large hand, looking at his skin, the tiny hairs on the back of his hand, the ridges of his fingertips. She was deprived of so much, even just a handshake? Hrm…He turned to her, giving her a sweet smile. He scooted his stool a little closer, so she was fully within his aura, straightened up and cocked his head cutely. ”Svetlana…may I…shake your hand?” he said sweetly. Clearly he meant with her glove off, but, just in case, he clarified. ”You know…with the glove off? If you want to, that is.”
This is a great concept! And a lovely job to you! I wouldn't mind seeing a couple on my own characters. Whenever you have time, that is. ^_^
JORGE Face claim name: Jeffrey Dean Morgan Power: Water Manipulation Favorite hobbies: Swimming, reading, being a cop, cooking, playing guitar Place of birth: Long Beach, California
AGNES Face claim name: Alexis Bledel Power: She is a living insect hive (with roaches, wasps, ants, flies, and centipedes living inside her) and has insect attributes likes antennae, fly wings, and so on. Favorite hobbies: Playing the violin, sewing, listening to music Place of birth: New York City, New York
BOOKER Face claim name: Chris Pratt Power: Adapted Favorite hobbies: Comic books, video games, literature (he's a librarian and its a BIG part of his life), movies, fandoms, geekdoms, nerddoms, dancing, playing the ukulele, OH and BOWTIES! he always wears bowties. >.> Place of birth: New York City, New York
So this was an interesting turn of events! As much as he wanted to believe that he would see the pretty nurse again when he left the hospital that day, deep down he didn’t know if it was something that was really in the cards or just come fanciful dream of his. Besides, really, if she had agreed to come see him way back then, she had a boyfriend. She had said so herself. And Booker wasn’t the type to pursue someone who was already taken. Flirt with them a little, maybe, but willfully break up a relationship, certainly not.
Still, he was over thinking this. He knew he was. That was, unfortunately a probably that he did have. Booker tended to think of things over and over, over analyzing, picking things apart, and then trying to guess what was going to happen in the future. But that was no way to live a life and, if experience has taught him anything, it’s that the world loves to defy explanation, no matter how hard he tried.
Juliette being here was a surprise but it was certainly one that he was not going to second guess; you couldn’t second-guess a smile like that.
After his initial exchange with the sweet, yet ornery Ms. Washington, Booker focused back on the nurse across from him. He gave her a grin and arched his eyebrow as he accused her of trying to shake him down for medical bills when they had already agreed that he didn’t have to pay anything. She, however, found a loop hole…
>> ”No, no. I never collect money myself. I’m much too important for that. That’s what nursing students are really for… From what I can remember, though, you lost the dance competition. That means that medical bills still need to be paid. Sorry.”
There was that sass that he was so fond of. The woman certainly had a way of words and she didn’t back down. She met him, jab for jab, and Booker couldn’t help but dig the hole of his admiration for her just a little deeper each and every time. This was truly tragic just how cruel fate was. But, being the professional and a gentleman, the man soldiered on and masked whatever pain was there with humor; it made the perfect defense.
”Oh excuse me m’Lady,” he said with a chuckle. ”And I’ll have you know, I would have completely won that dance contest if the jury weren’t so clearly biased. Yes, she was more talented, skilled, cuter, and passionate than I was but…um…” he thought for a second, tapping his chin. ”I forgot where I was going with that...”
“You were outclassed by a better dancer than you in every way.” Ms. Washington said, a playful smirk on her lips, but focused entirely on her computer screen and not on the faces of either participant at the desk.
”THANK YOU…as always…Ms. Washington…” the man said with a sigh. Tapping her shoulder, he gave her a sweet smile when she finally caught his eye. ”Listen, I just have to say this. I know we joke around a lot, that we mock one another, hate each other sometimes even…”
He didn’t finish his sentence. He did that one purpose, earning him a subtle flipping off from the older woman as she returned to her oh-so-important game of solitaire. Booker himself had returned his gaze to Juliette, the thought crossing his mind as to what brought her here. He could guess, actually, since he did invite her by leaving her one of his business cards the last that they met. Could that have really been the reason to bring her back into his life?
As she leaned against the desk, Booker couldn’t help but draw parallels to how flirtatious that could have been taken. Her smile, her relaxed posture, the librarian let his mind wander briefly through dangerous territory. With his eidetic memory, he could recall how she looked at their last meeting. The flashes of smiles, the glint in her eyes, they were similar to what he saw now. Oh how he wanted to believe that something more was there but he just couldn’t really bring himself to actually consider it – at least not yet. No, he had to keep his focus on what she was here for…
>> ”I’m here to see what you’re like when you’re not semi-concussed. And perhaps to take you up on that offer of a tour.”
His smile couldn’t have brightened more than it did when he heard that. Not only did Booker LOVE talking about the library, he loved talking about it with people who were genuinely interested in it. Juliette was a reader, though she had yet to experience this place. To be there to witness that, to be her personal tour guide, he couldn’t help but feel somewhat elated. To add to that euphoria, though, was that fact that he couldn’t help but notice that she was here by herself. Where was her boyfriend? Though, not really broken hearted he didn’t get to meet him, still, he couldn’t help but be curious.
”Oh, well, of course!” he said with a beaming smile. ”Pretty slow day today and I definitely have the time. So long as you do as well?” He grinned before he turned back to Ms. Washington. ”Miss…” he started to say, but stopped when she nodded her head, informing him that she would get an intern to do the book drop. A flash of relief on his face as he turned back to Juliettle. ”I think we’re good to go.”
>> ”Nice bowtie.”
As he caught her eyeing his bowtie, Booker reach up and carefully adjusted it so that it was nice and straight. He didn’t hid his nerd, but rather put it on full display. He grinned as she pointed out his pixeled bit of clothing and chuckled.
”Like that huh?” he said after adjusting it. ”I can see why, total babe magnet.” He smirked, obviously kidding as he made his way around the counter and stood in front of her. He towered over the much shorter woman but he clearly didn’t let such things bother him. Instead he reached over the desk, pulling out a pair of pamphlets, including a small map of the library which he presented her with. ”Shall we?” he asked, but stopped as he looked around behind her. ”Am I to assume that this will be a…party of one?”
Booker was a busy boy. When he had a task on his mind, the man worked hard to get it done. It was just his way. It was actually what made him such a good librarian, his attention to detail and his focus. So as he busied himself with books from the book drop, organizing them into crafts alphabetically so that they could more easily be sorted onto shelves, she didn’t pay attention to the rest of the world around him. If he had, he would have noticed the familiar face that wandered in through the front doors and the fact that she had approached the desk with a question on her lips.
Again, Booker was a harder worker and, unfortunately, that tended to mean that, from time to time, he wasn’t all together present.
>> ”Hi, is there any chance that you could help me find… never mind.”
He both heard the voice, and didn’t hear the voice. With a little song on his lips, the man quietly sang to himself, holding up handfuls of books at a time and placing them into order on the spot before moving them back into a more organized crate. Really this was work that he should be passing off to his interns but seeing as they were out on a shifting project, he didn’t want to put too much on their plates. Besides, this was nice, zoning out work, and Booker, if anyone, loved a nice session of zoning out.
Again, that meant he wasn’t all-together present in the moment. He didn’t hear the voice of the most medically knowledged DJ on the east coast when she started to ask her question to Ms. Washington. As a matter of fact, to Booker it was little more than white noise that he drowned out with his own humming as he continued to work. His deskmate, though, knew how to get his attention whenever he was in these states of mind.
>>“You’re looking for Booker? Good choice. Booker, sweetheart, you have a visitor!”
Booker made an inquisitive sound as she turned on his heel to face the woman. He opened his mouth, about to throw some sass and a grin the older woman’s way, but stopped when he suddenly caught sight of the woman in front of the counter.
It only took a second for Booker to instantly recognize her as Juliette, the nurse whom he had met a few weeks ago. Without really meaning too, Booker smiled genuinely at the sight of her. She looked a bit different than from when he last saw her, but that made sense since she was wearing scrubs. That wasn’t the twenty-four hour dress of all medical professionals; they did have lives outside of those places. A quick glance would show that she must off work for whatever reason. Her attire was far more casual and it definitely, definitely suited her.
”DJ Dizzle…” he said with a pleasant surprise in his voice.
In all fairness, he really wasn’t expecting her to come visit at the library. He had assumed that maybe she was just talking, agreeing she would visit, as a means of letting him down easily. So imagine his surprise when he found that she was actually here, actually standing before him, with a smile on her lips. For a moment he wasn’t exactly sure what else to say but a sound of something clearing their throat pulled his attention back to the present.
Ms. Washington tilted her head down, pulling her glasses onto the bridge of her nose as she eyed him close. Her lips pressed them, she subtly, and silently, mouthed to him “Go” before she turned back around in her chair to face Juliette.
“He’ll be with you in a moment, hun,” the older woman said lightly. “He’s busy regaining his senses.”
His cheeks colored in slight embarrassment as he walked up to the desk, giving the woman a dismissive wave and keeping his eyes on Juliette. ”Don’t mind her, she’s just…you know…bitter.” A playful slap landed on his arm, to which Booker feigned it being a far more grievous injury. Said injury only lasted a second, though, she he shared a well-meaning smile with the woman before turning his attention back to the off-duty nurse. ”Good to see you, Lady Juliette,” he beamed. ”What brings you to my neck of the woods? If it’s to collect on my medical bill, we did have a verbal contract that I didn’t have to pay on account of my amazing dance skills.”
Booker absolutely loved this place. The drinks were good, the food was good, and it was just unknown enough that it hadn’t pulled in the annoying younger crowd who wanted to claim discovering it first. Additionally it wasn’t some suspicious dive bar, but actually a fairly nice place to bring someone and just have a nice, private conversation. That was what they were both looking for today, just a chance to relax, have a drink, and chat. To Booker this place was spot on and he hoped that she would think the same.
When she muttered about the food smelling good, Booker was already ahead of her. It seemed that their workout had indeed stirred up some hunger for the both of them, and he was all game. Now it just deciding the most important factor…where to sit? He offered her the choice of a table or the bar top, both excellent places that embodied comfort. It was all up to her to decide.
Her decision was made when she moved toward the bar, Booker quickly at her side. Once the both of them were seated, they were greeted with the kindly barmaid who brought over a pair of menus and left them to decide their fate.
>> "You'll need to tell me what's good here…Other than the salsa I mean. I'd like something spicy though... and enough that the drinks won't knock us down. Hm?"
Booker chuckled as he looked over the menu with the parameters for what she wanted in mind. He nodded his head understandingly. ”If you are looking for a lot of good drink that won’t easily knock you on your butt, then I have to say that the either the Uno, Dos, Hop-cho microbrew beer would be a good choice, or they also make an amazing Rum Sour. Honestly I’d suggest either.” he beamed. ”As for food, if you want something with a bit of a kick to it, then their Carne Asada tacos has this amazing spicy marinade.”
Those were his suggestions. Booker came here enough times, usually by himself or with his sister or work friends, to be able to offer good suggestions to fit whatever it was that Svetlana wanted. He wasn’t entirely sure if she would agree, but the most he could do was try, right?
Once their bartender returned, Booker ordered himself a Rum and Cherry Coke, as well as a plate of the delectable tacos that he was just talking about. One may not assume that tacos would be filling, but the plate came with three, corn tortilla and were stuffed with marinated meat and peppers that gave them a heft few expected. It was good eatin’!
Once Svetlana was done with her own order, the man smiled as he turned to face her. They were here to chat after all and she certainly didn’t disappoint. After a few seconds of silence, the woman cautiously moved on to a subject that she was clearly curious about.
>>"So... mind if I ask something?... It is kind of easy to notice your aura, when someone like me is in it. But... how did you figure it out?"
He nodded when asked. So she wanted to know how it was he knew what he was. Booker went silent for a moment, thinking back to Jamal and the discovery that he was more than just another ordinary person. It was a hard story to tell so he would start with a watered down, more practiced version of the tale.
”Friend of mine in college was a, you know, mutant,” he started. ”He could charge things with energy and make them explode. Or so I heard because he was never able to do so around me. Anyways, one night at a party, he got a little too drunk and he just lost control. Everything started exploding, lot of people got hurt…except for me.” he said with a small, guilty scoff. Survivors remorse, and all. ”Anyways, I knew I was different from that point on. Couldn’t put my finger on it until I watched an AMA with this woman, a Miss Gemma Taylor.” He beamed. ”Apparently she was just like me. It was to put the dots together.”
Booker still couldn’t believe that he had eventually gotten an answer to what he was. That had been a shocking and elating day, if he had ever had one. There was nothing like finally finding an answer as to what you are to help alleviate some burden. After the incident with Jamal, Booker didn’t know what to think. It was good to know that Ms. Taylor was able to help him, even if neither of them knew who the other was.
However, his own interest was piqued as he turned back to Svetlana. ”I have a question, though.” he asked, turning the topic back to her. ”Your abilities seem…interesting to have to live with…” She had said she was life walking coffee, giving people around her a buzz, especially via touch. Seemed to be a difficult life to him since that couldn’t be a pleasurable sensation to have to be around all the time. ”...if you don’t mind my asking, do you find it…different good or different bad being around me?” He gave her charming smile. ”I mean, I’m already a distraction given how hideous I am, but I mean ability wise, of course.”
It was a good day today! Not only did Booker have an amazing jog this morning, the breakfast he had made was impeccable (which he knew because he had to protect his waffle every time Nessa tried to steal bits whenever she passed by the table and if she wanted one she should have said so when he asked the FIRST time instead of burying her face deeper into the pillow!), AND he made it to work in plenty of time to actually get a jump on some much needed work. Over all, Booker was in an absolute good mood and couldn’t wait to see what else the world was going to bring him.
Wandering through the New York Public Library, pushing a small bookc art of books, Booker was must have made quite the sight. For starters, the man who easily towered past six-feet, was pushing a small, half cart made of wood that barely reached up to his waist. Slightly hunched as he pushed the cart with books, Booker looked every bit the dedicated librarian with his dark jeans, his lilac colored, button up shirt, and the smoky gray vest that adorned his muscular chest. Around his neck, of course, was his patented bow tie. At a glance it looked rather plain black with a repetitive pattern, but upon closer inspection one could see it was from a classic and popular video game series entitled Average Giuseppe Bros.
Booker did nothing to hide his fandom. It was a good thing, then, that few, if anyone, ever actually called him out on them. Booker wasn’t afraid to defend his fashion choices, but he was fortunate enough that few, if anyone actually bothered him on the matter.
Fresh-faced for the morning, Booker casually whistled in a low tone to himself as he moved throughout the bookshelves, quietly picking up books and sliding them back into their empty spots on the shelves for other people to find them. As he did this, he picked up a clipboard from his card and casually made notes about work interns had done in the same area, nodding when they shelved books correctly and sighing when they didn’t. He shook his head, made a note of a bad shelving, and pressed on.
His light hair looked slightly disheveled but the man managed to pull it off to utter perfection. Added to that the rugged, five-o-clock shadow and he certainly cut a roguish figure. The man got more than a few stares from other patrons in the building but he was too engrossed in his work to actually take notice of any of it. Instead the man moved his way back to the References Desk, the area which greeted most every person who entered the library.
Pushing the cart behind the desk, Booker smiled to the older woman who was sitting up front, a Ms. Washinton, who was sweet with every patron who came in and every co-worker. Of course that didn’t mean she didn’t get handsy whenever she took part in happy hour. More often than Booker liked to admit, he had been a victim of those surprisingly spry hands. And, my god, she knew how to punch. It had been months he could swear his left buttcheek was still sore where she last pinched it.
Luckily it was both daylight and work hours, ole Righty would be safe to work around her.
As Ms. Washington covered the desk, Booker had his back to her, and anyone who would approach the desk, as he looked at the stacks and stacks of book crates that had been collected from the bookdrop this morning. It seemed that most of the big exams were finally over and all the local students who used their services had returned everything en masse. It was going to be a pain-in-the-butt to check-in everything, but first thing was first – he needed to move these boxes.
”Yo Washington,” he smirked and scratched at his stubble. ’You can handle lifting all these crates, right?” He beamed innocently
“Now why would I do that?” she asked with a devilish smile. “When I can sit back and enjoy the show?”
Booker chuckled, blushing a tiny bit and twirled his finger, giving her the signal to turn her chair back around. Maybe he wasn’t as safe as he initially thought he was. When Ms. Washington gave him a wink and swiveled her chair back around to help someone who had walked up to the desk, Booker snerked as he turned his back to her again, and faced the crates. He sighed. Leaning down, he easily managed to pick up a crate that looked far too heavy for most anyone else to pick up and set it aside. Once that was moved, he bent over again to pick up another crate and moved it.
Ugh, okay, so maybe this was annoying, but he still had a great morning and high hopes for the rest of the day. Come on, karma! Make it a good one!
