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.
>> "I don't like that direction, There's not much over there."
Fair enough, honestly. She hadn't found anything she really liked over there as well - plus, it was very noisy and bright. It was a pretty annoying spot in the mall. Celeste couldn't blame him for not wanting to go back that way. So forward was the way to go, it seemed.
Celeste perked a brow, waiting for him to tell her his name. He.... Had no idea. That wasn't good. Maybe she could call Xavier's and see if someone might know him? If skin made it pretty clear he was a mutant, there was a chance that they knew about him. Maybe? But why would he be here? That didn't make much sense but she figured she'd follow up anyways, "Do you go to school?" Plus, small talk never hurt when you were walking around a mall with a lost kid who remembers nothing about himself.
She watched his eyes go to a Brooks and she nodded. "Okay, Brooks, well, let's try to find out who you really are." How though? She had no flippin' idea.
Celeste waited patiently as Juliette looked over her schedule, eager to hear her comments.
>> “You can always just go in there and train for a bit, but since we’re in a bit of a strange environment, especially politically, it’s always a good idea to take something that’s going to give you a bit of a basis for combat. Mutated combat, anyway. We have a couple of teachers that do training classes like that, Obviously, it’s not a requirement, and if you want to take other classes instead, then you totally can, but it’s something to think about. Oh, and you may want to try to fit an English class in at some point.”
She nodded, taking in her advice. That was a very good point. The US did have concentration camps a few years ago... It took a while for damage like that to go away, on both sides. With that, she decided to add a training class in and quickly checked off the box. "Training class added." That really was good advice - she needed to be prepared in case someone tried to attack her. Not to mention, people tended to freak out about radiation in general, let alone a person that could literally emit it from their body. "I'm pretty good at English," or at least she thought she was, "I also know a few other languages as well - French, Spanish, and pretty good in Latvian. Do you think it'd be necessary? I could drop Home Economics for it... I had taken some economic like classes back in Regina..."
>> ”Well, we can end there if this is a bit overwhelming, or I can give you a tour, if you’d like? Maybe you could sit in on a class or two?”
It was a bit overwhelming, Celeste wouldn't lie. But she was glad she had the opportunity to meet Juliette - she had made the process a lot easier to handle. She could do the tour another time but sitting in on a class seemed like a good idea, actually. She nodded, "Sitting in for a class would be pretty awesome, that way I can kinda see what it's like."
Celeste was a perfectionist - she wanted everything to be perfect. Whether it was her work, to her grades, to various assignments. It was more of a defense mechanism than anything - if she was perfect, her parents had to eventually love her and protect her, right? That wasn't what happened, her parents still ignored her, but it was a trait that Celeste was left with after her difficult upbringing - she needed to be perfect. That meant she shouldn't have enemies, she should be great at drawing, she should know what she wanted to be 'when she grew up' - and she already felt grown up to begin with. That's part of the reason - it seemed like she wasn't a high school student but she was stuck going through the motions even though she should be somewhere else.
She took a deep breath as she tried to regain control of her emotions. She just wasn't sure if she would fit in here.
>> ”It definitely feels that way, but you’re moving forward. It feels slow, but you are. You’re still new to Xavier’s. Mutant school or not, this is still school. It’ll take you some time to find your place, but you will. Mariah has her own issues she must have to work through, but don’t let one person spoil your impression of the place. This class has no assigned seats, but I will let Mariah know that, for the time being, I would like you two to stay apart. This is your school too, regardless of how long she’s been here.”
She nodded slowly. He was right after all - she had come very far from where she was just a few months ago, back in Regina. She had trekked to a whole new country, integrated, had a good job, was finishing her school, and was going to college in a few months. That by itself was a pretty significant feat that she shouldn't discredit. But it still felt like she didn't belong. Plus, her mutation. It was best for attacking people and that's something that always weighed heavily on Celeste. She wasn't an offensive or even defensive kinda person - she was a 'get along with everybody and avoid conflict' kinda gal, which led her to a whole new confession. "Plus, Mariah is right. My power is dangerous. I can control it very well, but it's still offensive, it's still defensive, how am I suppose to help people with it? You can't blast someone with radiation and hope there cancer goes away. The best I can do is make people very sick and that's it. I can't bring world peace, or see things, or do anything useful with it." Maybe she was getting a little too deep?
>> ”If you have the opportunity, I’d also recommend spending some of your downtime in the public areas of the Mansion. The lounge, the kitchen, or maybe take advantage of the good weather before New York turns on us.That might sound intimidating, but you’d be amazed how much easier it is to connect with your peers when they can see you.”
She nodded - that was a good idea, "I will do that, Mr. Holloway." It might be hard but for the most part, Celeste was an outgoing person. She enjoyed talking with people. She might could find at least one person she clicked one.
Celeste didn't really know where anything was in New York yet. Her primary places were her apartment, Xavier's, or the NY Public Library. There was little deviations besides grocery shop, cute little restaurant here and there, maybe some clothing stores.
>> "I live in a co-op waaaaaay more south in Brooklyn proper. Sad, but my work is the halfway point if you live in the area where I think you are. Maybe... like 12 stops?"
She shrugged. She honestly had no idea so there wasn't too much she could say, "Nice, nice... A co-op? That sounds pretty fun - private bedroom but shared living space kind of thing? Well, that's not too bad I think." It didn't sound too bad, at least. Not that it mattered how far it was - if he invited her there, she wouldn't mind a little bit of a subway ride to see him.
Celeste giggled at his emoji but tucked her phone away back inside her purse. She was really enjoying the moment, feeling the energy from their hand holding, and the walk along the streets. She had never really taken the time to just walk and look the city over. She event felt kinda like a tourist again.
>> "Don't you like the cold? You're from Canada. I love the cold because that's when you get to wear all the things and crunch in all the snow. I mean, being cold sucks, but then there's coffee and hot cocoa to make up for it."
Celeste bumped into him playfully, "Just because I'm Canadian doesn't mean I have some die hard love for the cold." She chuckled, "I don't mind the cold, though." She grinned at him and how he phrased how much he loved the snow - 'all the things' and 'crunch in all the snow.' It especially endearing and even elicited a small giggle from Celeste, "You're super cute." And he was. He was right though - Celeste had a mean fall/winter outfit that she was itching to wear, "But yeah, you're right - there is some pretty amazing fall and winter clothes that I can't wait to break out. Add in some cuddling with hot cocoa and coffee, and it's nearly a perfect picture." Wait, did she just say cuddling?
>> "I don't love raw celery, but it's never said anything bad about me so it's not like I can hold a grudge. I love trying all the weird ethnic foods around town. That's why I've walked all over. You can't find the hole-in-the wall places on the internet. They're too busy spending their money on ingredients and stuff."
She laughed, "Well, you got me beat there. I don't think I would eat celery raw... Ever. Well, maybe with wings... So I guess there is some exceptions." She nodded - she hadn't really tried that many places - she'd mainly stayed in and cooked or ate from her diner where she worked. There was a few places here and there that she had been too. Ultimately, she just didn't really have anyone to go to restaurants with. That made it weird and a bit lonely to go sit at a table, all by herself. Maybe that would be changing now, though. Maybe.
>> "Ahh. I was learning Russian because I lived with someone who spoke it fluently. It's kind of a long story, but I dunno. I haven't really looked at it in a few years. I guess it doesn't hurt to know more languages and it's always best to have someone to practice with."
Long stories are always exciting - something drama filled? Maybe it was the homeless person he let live with her? She decided it wasn't worth to pry on this one - his 'long story' and general vagueness seemed like it wasn't something he wanted to share, at least not yet. "Do you know Spanish? Spanish is a lot more useful here." She actually had been using her Spanish very frequently - especially at her diner. It turned out to be a great asset. French was great in Regina and Spanish was kinda getting more popular, but here Spanish won out.
She took a look at the chalkboard sign and perked a brow, "Huh... You got a point, there. Well, what's the weirdest ice cream you're willing to try?" She wasn't sure if she would be willing to try something that had perverted ice cream flavors - she was all about her vanilla and strawberry ice cream. Plain, basic, delicious. Plus, sea food and ice cream didn't seem like a good fit... At least in her mind.
Celeste had come to Xavier's to get a fresh, new life. She was putting behind her parents, her sister, her old life for this new one in New York. It was hard at first, but she seemed to have adapted pretty quickly - and pretty well, too. Everything in her life seemed to be falling into place. But once school started and this whole Mariah thing started, it felt like a few steps were taken back.
>> ”It’s a small school. In some ways, that’s really good, but it also means rumors and secrets can get around quick. Sorry, Celeste.”
Celeste nodded. She understood that in a way - in the neighborhood she lived at in Regina, her parents were really close to all of the individuals on that cul-de-sac. It was very... Desperate Housewivey, honestly. Celeste was a bit surprised they didn't start an anti-mutant gang there, considering how they treated her and other mutants in general. Even Canadians can be bigoted jerks, despite the stereotypes.
Celeste took the box and took a couple tissues out and dotted her eyes. She didn't want to mess her make up, after all. Especially not because of that Mariah.
>> ”You’re welcome to talk to me about it. Obviously, Miss Taylor might be able to help you get through it better than I can, but I’m happy to be here for you, too. ”What’s been weighing you down, Celeste?”
Celeste sighed and bit her lip. Celeste had heard about Miss Taylor but have never met her. She heard that she was pretty sweet and an amazing guidance counselor. But she felt like she might just tell Celeste what she thought Celeste needed to hear, not the reality. That was a bit assumption, of course.
She wasn't entirely sure how honest she should get with Mr. Holloway. He seemed like a good guy and someone she could talk too, though. So she decided she mine as well let some of her issues out, since there was no one else she could really talk to.
"I just don't really feel like I... fit in here. I don't really have any friends," Had she ever really had friends though? Even in high school back in Regina, she was popular but she didn't feel like she had anybody she could confide in. "I don't really know what I want to do in college... And I literally have 4 months or something before I start." She gave a little defeated shrug, "And then Mariah just started being a total jerk - I didn't even know her name until you said it in class. It's like I'm trying so hard for stuff to go right and it feels like she set me back a couple steps."
Yikes. Celeste decided it was in her best interests to stay as quiet as possible during the exchange. It was nice to see Mr. Holloway defend her - there was some karmatic justice in watching Mariah squirm and try to defend herself. At least Mr. Holloway knew she was full of it or at least put her in her place. It made Celeste feel a little better about the situation. Of course, Celeste couldn't believe that Mariah kept trying to defend herself. It was kind of pathetic, to be honest. It would have been a lot easier if she would just admit it and get on with her life. But finally, it looks like she did. And she left. And she even said goodnight to Celeste? Weird.
"Goodnight, Mariah," Celeste muttered back, unsure of what else to do.
Once Mariah had left the classroom, Celeste leaned back and sighed with relief almost at the same time as Nate. She really wasn't sure how she was feeling right now - she was upset over how everything had happened. She had lost her cool, Mariah was a bag full of d*cks, and she just felt very small and pathetic all of a sudden.
>>”Sorry about all that. Are you holding up okay, Celeste?”
Her eyes were a little watery because of all the stress and she gave a small shrug, "Holding up as much as I can, at least. I just don't get what her problem was. We never even talked before. I don't even know how she knew about my mutation." She sighed again. She wasn't sure how much she could or should confide in Mr. Holloway. She was still distraught and her face clearly showed her disappointment in, well, everything. She didn't even know how to begin explaining her frustrations, how she didn't feel like she really clicked into the school, or anything else. Everyone here seemed so high schooly and she just didn't... She felt like she should be out in college, or even working, honestly.
She took a breath, "There's just a lot going on, Mr. Holloway..."
Celeste put her hands on her face with a long, deep sigh. Could today get any worse? Could this semester start off any worse? Everything seemed.. Awful. Plain awful. Celeste didn't have, well, any friends who actually attended the school. She was by herself. It wasn't a problem - Celeste was busy anyways, with work, volunteering, and school. So when this random girl who had no idea, it left Celeste feeling more discouraged than usual.
Celeste watched with shame as Mr. Holloway went and got his coffee. The suspense was killing her. Mariah seemed fine though - she had that same evil, grin that she had all period.
>> ”Okay, girls. There is still a lot of year left and it’s gonna be long if I have the great civil war raging in my third row. Would either of you care to explain to me what I’m missing here?”
Celeste was completely clueless as to why Mariah hated her so much. She did her best to be as agreeable and nice as possible to everyone she meets. It was in Celeste's nature to be a friendly, happy person despite everything that is thrown at her. Of course, Mariah was really testing her on that front.
Celeste almost started to talk before Mariah began. "Mr. Holloway, I don't feel comfortable being in a room with a girl who is irradiated. Didn't the school administration think before putting a nuclear disaster in a classroom with a bunch of other kids?" She paused, glared towards Celeste with that evil grin, and looked back to Mr. Holloway. "I just don't think she should be in here with us. For safety reasons."
Celeste rolled her eyes but said nothing and let the girl finish. "Clearly, you're not worried about the radiation - you literally kicked me in the shin." She shook her head, "Can I please just sit as far away as possible from her? Like on the front row?"
Mariah chuckled, "Of course you'd want to be on the front row, ya loser" she whispered. Mariah had not meant to say it as loudly as she had, though, because she ended up putting her hand over her mouth. Celeste literally just stared at her and shook her head and looked back to Mr. Holloway. She was done with this girl and her issues, she really just wanted to be able to learn in peace.
Celeste picture was okay by artistic standards - it followed the general rules that Mr. Holloway had laid out but it definitely wasn't an art piece that would be hanging in a museum. Celeste was content with it, though. It looked better than almost any other piece of art she had ever drawn before, so that was something that she was pretty proud of. Maybe that's what Mr. Holloway wanted us to get out of this? She'd find out when she got her grade for it.
Celeste was raging. The insults, whatever. It was annoying but she could handle it. The gum was awful but tolerable. The rad girl was tolerable, because... Well, it technically wasn't wrong. But physically kicking her? That was well over the line and she had the right to defend herself. Surely Mr. Holloway would see that when Mariah was on the floor, vomiting her lunch out...
>>”Alright, that’s enough of that!”
Celeste immediately folded her arms and sighed in frustration - not at Mr. Holloway, but at the entire situation. There was no reason for Mariah to continue to bug Celeste repeatedly. Over and over. For no good reason. But Mr. Holloway was going to probably throw them both in detention now - even though Celeste hadn't really done anything wrong. Would it show up on some type of record and effect her ability to get into college? Would Mr. Holloway hate her? Ughhhhhh.
>> ”I’m dismissing class a few minutes early. Y’all can finish your portraits next class. Go get an early start on your homework or procrastination! Stay seated. We’re going to have a quick chat.”
Oh no. He actually dismissed class? She looked at his gaze and quickly looked down at her desk, fiddling with her pencil on the paper. She was literally just making a dot on it, mainly out of nervousness. Well... This was it. The final moment of ruin. Could Celeste file a restraining order against Mariah...? That is a possibility, right?
She kept a reassuring smile on her face as she began to talk with the boy with no shoes.
>> "Celestina, That's a long name."
Celeste chuckled and nodded, "It is, so you can call me Celeste. That's a little easier."
>> "I don't know, I don't remember. That's what I'm trying to find-out."
She perked a brow. So he was definitely lost. And he began to walk again.
"Well, let me try to help! You were walking from the other direction... Do you think what you're looking for is the other way? Do you remember your name at all?" She checked her watch, they had a few hours to spare. Celeste wasn't entirely sure where the place with the security guards would be at, but it's not like she could just grab his hand and force him somewhere anyways. So, Celeste decided the best course would be to at least keep him company as he walked. She could at least make sure he was safe from any ill-intentioners roaming about the mall. They'd eventually run into a security guard or the security guard station, anyways.
Celeste was happy to go to the mall on a field trip. She had picked out a plaid button up shirt, dark jeans, and some white shoes - a nice outfit for the weather. It seemed like it would be fun - except she didn't really want to stay in a bowling alley all day. In fact, she hated bowling. It was too loud, too many people, bad food, God knows how many people wore those bowling shoes before... Imagine what their toenails might look like? She shivered even thinking about it.
Luckily for she had asked if she could just roam the mall until it was time to leave - and they had said yes. It surprised her that they would be that okay but she was 18 and did trek all the way from Canada here, so it probably wasn't that too big of a risk.
Today was a shopping day. At least, that was her goal. She needed to find some a new, more formal outfit. She just needed another one in her wardrobe, just in case she needed it. It had nothing to do with her next 'friends gathering' or whatever with Jude or anything.
At least, this was her plan until she saw what looked like... Maybe a young boy walking down the mall with no guardian and he was definitely a mutant - she could tell from his skin color and texture. He couldn't have been apart of the field trip - he seemed a bit too young. Or maybe he was just really short? In either case, this wasn't good. Celeste knew how bigoted people could be even, even when someone doesn't have an exterior mutation. It definitely wasn't safe for him to be by himself, a kid, in a huge mall with who knows roaming through it.
So, she decided to walk over to him and gave him a small wave and a reassuring smile, "Hey there. I'm Celestina - are you lost?" Maybe she could take him to the police desk, help desk or whatever they're called?
Maybe she could just get her GED. Right now, her GPA was pretty good. Schools accept GEDs. She could put in her admissions letter about her sad story of running away from her home because her parents were human bigots with no ounce of love for her. That might help her get in without needing an actual high school diploma. Maybe getting expelled would be worth watching Mariah cringe over, puking everywhere. Celeste wouldn't mind it, that's for sure. And maybe the kid that sat beside her would feel more likely to come back to class.
Celeste nearly jumped out of her seat but Mr. Holloway had it taken care of.
>> ”A medication myself and the staff are fully aware of as it has been documented with DocProf. I understand your concern for your classmate, but another student’s medical needs are something you don’t have to worry about.”
Celeste leaned back in her seat, with a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Mr. Holloway," she whispered. She was clearly getting frustrated over the whole situation with Mariah. But on a side note... Did the staff know about her near constant nausea and her need for nausea medication, actually? Celeste filled out her medical paperwork and put it all on there, but she didn't know Doc Prof told all the professors about it. Heck, she didn't even think Doc Prof looked at it - it almost immediately went into a filing cabinet.
>> ”Celeste, good job so far. You have the shape of her head, which is a good initial step.”
Celeste beamed with a smile, "Thanks, I'm not the best with art, but I'm trying to follow your guidelines," she made a point to at least somewhat show that she had paid attention during class, despite the awful person sitting next to her. "I can sing, but that's about as much art related things I can do," she muttered under her breath with a sigh of defeat. Celeste began to finish her drawing. Maybe she was debating putting devil horns on the top of her head, but decided against it.
The minute Mr. Holloway left, Mariah was back at it. It was the typical insults about her mutation, about her hair, about this and about that. Celeste had managed to block it out but Mariah only started working on the forehead. That was it - and now there was now only 15 minutes left of class. 15 miserable more minutes.
Mariah kicked her in the shin - Celeste yelped in pain, quickly putting her hands over her mouth. Celeste was officially raging, her arms sparkling, noticeable to anyone who was paying attention. Mariah didn't seem to notice nor did any of the other students but most of them were busy working. She was relatively close to being finished with her picture of the devil.
She felt his fingers slide in between hers and she was pretty sure her heart was trying to jump out of her. She felt her butterflies intensify. Maybe it would be more appropriate for her radiation to intensify? Hm... Another question for Doc Prof. But the emotional shock waves it was sending through her skin made her tingle all over. It was just a hand hold, though. Friends held hands all the time - she had held plenty of her friends hands... Usually when something bad was going on, but she did. She avoided his gaze but there eyes caught as he gave her that conspiratorial smile. She gave one right back.
>> "I'll be surprised if I haven't walked past your building. I must have walked all up and down that area."
She smiled and nodded, "Hm, you probably have actually, then. Its on Astoria Boulevard, close to Humphrey Street. It's also right beside a tire shop." She smirked at the last little bit of information. It got a bit noisy, even though they were in the mid-stories. It seemed to be a popular place to live, but that was probably just about anywhere that was as cheap as their little apartment was.
>> "The building we're in is in the really crummy part of that area, by the west docs? But it's security. Nobody's going to mess with those guys. I wouldn't say no to food. There's a park that's close that might be easier. Here."
Celeste chuckled. Seemed like a lot of the places around New York City had some pretty sketchy areas. But he did have a point - it probably wouldn't be too safe for her to go walking around some sketchy place she didn't really know. She didn't have a good sense of direction and she didn't have a smart phone, at least not yet. She had this stupid, little flip phone. "A park works fine, picnic during the breaks." It would actually be really sweet, "Well, at least until it gets colder." It was getting close to autumn.
She took his phone when he handed it over and typed her number in, "Send me a text so I can add you?"
She grinned, "I like pretty much everything. I'm a bit of a foodie. The only thing off the table is octopus. What about you?" She could never bring herself to eat that kinda junk. She shivered even thinking about it. Languages, though, that was something Celeste loved. "I know French, as you know, Spanish. I'm pretty good at Latvian and... I'm actually just starting with Russian, I can do basic sentences but nothing complex." He had started Russian too? Wow. Were they somehow connected telepathically but never knew about it? "I can't believe you were looking into Russian too, that's so awesome! Maybe we could look into it together or something, if you're still interested in learning a bit of it." Wow, the universe sure is funny sometimes with all the coincidences.
Off the bus, Celeste was a bit more relaxed. She stretched a little. She had no idea where an ice cream shop was, plus she had a flip phone. No maps for her. "Well.. I can't even search with my rinky dink flip phone, so I guess we can just explore until we come across one?" She offered, and as they began to move, she sneakily moved her fingers in-between his again and locking them in.
Celeste dedicated herself to ignoring Mariah. She was not about to let this little jerk face bug her anymore. Celeste focused entirely on Mr. Holloway and his instructions. Despite the annoying girl, Celeste had managed to actually take some pretty good notes. She wondered a bit on what her powers were - how to be the most annoying person in the universe? There was no way this girl could be in her last year of high school; she acted like she was 3 years old.
>> ”I’m not expecting masterpieces, but I do want to make sure you were at least listening to the basics so I didn’t waste all that time talking,”
Now that was something Celeste could definitely do. It may not be pretty but it would at least be symmetrical looking. Well, hopefully, at least. She nodded, mostly to herself. That was officially her goal - at least make her crappy art look like what the basics would look like.
>> ”Mariah, Celeste, I genuinely hope you understand the difference between the trash and the ground.” ... “Of course, Mister Holloway. I know trash when I see it.”
Celeste sighed. She put her head on her hand, which was being held up by her elbow on her desk. She was exasperated with this lady. Seriously? And the teacher had to know it wasn't her. She didn't even have any gum! Anywhere! At least he rolled his eyes at her. That Celeste definitely did see. She just hoped he wouldn't dislike her. She didn't care too much about the other students - but the teachers she would need as references and everything else. She couldn't afford to have them not like her, especially due to some brat.
>>”Since Riley still hasn’t returned from the bathroom, it looks like you’re pairing up. I’m sure you’ll impress me.”
Her mouth dropped. She was surprised and, honestly, a bit terrified. No way, he could not be making her team up with that b*tch. This was like all those TV shows and movies with the kids in high school. With a very grim face, she turned towards Mariah.
Mariah was getting a bit more brave in her bullying though, "So, rad girl, ever kill a bunch of kids in a classroom before?" Celeste rolled her eyes and ignored her. Ignore the bully. She shook her head and muttered a French cuss word under her breath. That was her mantra right now. She had her pencil in one hand and her paper was lined up perfectly. She had her notes to her right.
Beep. Beep. Beep. It was her watch, which meant time it was for her nausea medicine. Great. She could just go to the bathroom, but she didn't want Mr. Holloway to think she was just leaving because of Mariah or she couldn't do her work. So, she did the dumbest thing ever - she took it right in front of Mariah. Ignore the bully, right?
Mariah latched onto that instantly, "Aww. Rad girl, kid killer, and a pill head." Celeste rolled her eyes, "It's nausea medicine - it's a chronic condition for me. It's also prescription, with my name on it. Can you just, focus please? I'm trying to draw you and you should be drawing me." Celeste already had the top part of the girls head done - but it looked like Mariahs paper had nothing written on it. Hopefully it stayed that way when Mr. Holloway went around to check on everyone's work.
Celeste chuckled at his groan and eye roll. She was expecting that reaction, but she was sure he thought there was some humor in it. Unless there wasn't, and well, then she guessed it was too late to take that back.
>> "Well... that sounds like a fair deal. Although I don't know how a couple of sick kids measure up to butterfly wings..."
She laughed and shrugged, "I mean, terrorizing a few kids. It's at least kinda similar." The kids in her class kinda deserved it though - they were being jerks to her and a bunch of other people, mainly a couple other mutants who's powers had also manifested only a short time before. Celeste kinda wondered how long it took them to sanitize that classroom - that was a lot of puke to clean up...
>> "Alright, well... you've already seen the Mansion grounds... and you'll see the classrooms soon enough. Let me know if you have any questions, but otherwise... ta-da!... Welcome to Xavier's. Again."
She smiled and nodded, "Thanks so much for your tour." She gave him a playful nudge, "Let me know if there's anywhere I can leave a review. I'll be sure to leave a good one for your touring abilities. It really was great. I can't wait to see you around! And, of course, Angua." She sighed, taking another glance over the mansion. It was going to be a good semester.
Celeste did not expect to find herself going on a bus ride to get ice cream with a cute guy today. Her initial plan was simple - scout out her classes so she'd know where she'd be going tomorrow. Well, she did complete the first goal with an amazing guide - and they were actually going to get ice cream together now. Today was turning out to be a pretty great day. It was wild how life goes sometimes. And it was definitely a wild she liked.
She watched Jude from the side of her eye, occasionally pretending to look for a bus but instead looking towards him. She had watched him edge closer to her. So, she edged a bit closer to him. There arms were almost touching. Not quite, but she could feel the heat from him. And then she felt his knuckles touch the back of hers. Oh gosh, their skin was touching. It was barely, just the touch of their knuckles, but it still sent what felt like little shock waves through her. Did he want to hold her hand? Should she just go for it? She did offer to get ice cream first, so it wouldn't be that surprising if she decided to grab his hand.
She turned her hand around and stretched her fingers out. That was an unspoken compromise, right? If he wanted to hold her hand, it was offered. If not, he could just keep bumping the palm of her hand. No harm, no foul.
>> "You are unlike anybody I've ever met before."
Oh. Eye contact, for a little bit anyways. He had looked away from her. Sweet words. Butterflies were literally all inside her. Her face flushed and she looked in the opposite direction he started looking but she had a big smile on her face. After a couple seconds and some courage that her voice wouldn't betray her, "I have never met anyone like you before, too, and... I'm really glad I have met you."
>> "Brooklyn's perfect, actually. Work's not too far from La Guardia, actually."
Oh good, the bus is here. Gross, nasty buses. She nodded, "Oh? If it's not too far, I could bring you lunch or dinner during your breaks!" Celestina wasn't one to brag but she was a mean cook - a totally foodie. One of the many things she'd tried to perfect about herself to make her parents somehow love her.
>> "Didn't you say you hate the bus?"
Celestina nodded. She had actually had an initial phobia of them when she first arrived in NYC. She did her best to walk everywhere but it just took too long and her poor legs were just too sore to keep it up. Once on the bus, Celeste definitely accepted the window seat. The bus didn't seem as bad this time - but it was probably because Jude was sitting beside her. Pretty close - there arms just barely touching. Celestina leaned a little against him.
Once they arrived at their destination, she not very patiently got off the bus with Jude. "It wasn't too bad this time but typically, yes, I hate buses."
