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.
Booker paid intense attention to what Javier was explaining about his idea. There had to be a certain functionality to a costume if he wanted to exist in it for a full day. Javier thought about the possible attachment to a belt, and as he was explaining, he forgot for a moment about not poking at the model. Luckily, Booker did not seem offended by the gesture.
>> ”You’re a genius! That works out perfectly! I knew were the right person to come to about this!”
Javier blushed a little at the compliment. He did not see it as such a big deal; having grown up with his father the tailor and his mother the fashion model, such tricks and solutions were simply something that made sense to him. But it was nice to see he was on the right track.
"Well then..." he walked around the work table to look through the shelves that held boxes, and several bolts and piles of fabric. After some searching, he found what he had been looking for, and he pulled up a step ladder to reach the bolts he needed.
"I'd say, maybe one of these two" he said, lifting both down and placing the on the table. Now that they were working on things, and his anxiety was slowly ebbing away, he felt at his normal strength again. He glanced at Booker across the room "I might not have exactly what we need, in which case, we'll have to buy something else. But." Climbing down, he unwound some of the two bolts; both were flexible materials, relatively thin, one a lighter shade of pink and the other a darker magenta color. "These should be flexible enough... but still possible to sew. I'd say, if you like one of them enough, we could mock up a shirt, and see how it works..."
"Sorry" Javier smiled, holding up his hands "You don't have to." Jack was one of the few people that could call him out on things without making him feel anxious, or a total mess. It took a special kind of person, and a lot of time, for him to feel at ease like that. But he really did care about Jack, and wanted to offer the chance for her to vent.
>>"Just... didn't 'ork out. Gettin' in sights, all dat. Nei'er uzz us 'ere ha'y, so 'e called it oss."
"Well... when it's over, it's over" Javier noted, going back to his work. It was easier to work and talk at the same time.
>>"'s a dan shane. Was kinda nice has-ing sun-one around."
"I hear you" Javier sighed. It was hard to find someone one could connect with, and especially hard for the two of them for different reasons. "You'd think New York would have a better dating scene." he added as a joke.
For someone so easily excitable, Booker did his very best to stand still while Javier measured him. He only twitched once. Ticklish? Javier chuckled as he worked, jotting down numbers. For a librarian, Booker was in really great shape. No wonder he was not shy about cosplaying superheroes. With the kind of muscles he had, Javier would have to account for the flexibility of the fabric he use for the costume.
>>”Of course. I don’t think they’ll need to be that long. The comics have it cover the entire arm but I don’t want to be too hot with the trenchcoat on either, so maybe just just t-shirt length? Even sleeveless could work if it’s easier for ya.”
Yeah, okay, so the flexing was impressive. Javier immediately discarded the idea of long sleeves. He hummed, tapping his lips with the pencil as he thought about options for a moment. A lot depended on the fabric, and what Booker planned on doing in it.
>>”Anything to keep safe and...unburned? Ugh, normally cosplays need to be worn most of the day. It’s going to mean a lot of walking, a lot of sitting, and a lot of posing for pictures. So long as I can move, it doesn’t get too hot, and I can, you know, use the bathroom without having to disassemble the entire thing, I should be good.”
Javier nodded with a small smile. It was about what he knew of cosplay, and people who were active in it. It did not have to be the same an an actual vigilante outfit, with all the bells and whistles and fire resistance, but it had to be quality enough that it did not devolve into a mess halfway through a convention.
"It'll need to be able to breathe and stay in place" he summarized "And not made out of something that is easily flammable. Got it."
>>”I knew this guy that went dressed as the red police box from that show, Mr. What, and he had to ask people for help removing the doors from his costume whenever he needed to pee. I”m ambitious, but not that much.”
Javier chuckled at the anecdote. Some people were... more dedicated than others. He had never been to a convention, but it sounded like it would be a whole lot of fun. Sure, stressful for someone like him, but also fun.
"Okay, so it has to hold like that" he pointed at the phone, indicating the original picture "But without being a one-piece body suit. Hmm." the original image did not really give any indication of what Bandit did when he had to pee. Then again, comic book heroes rarely did such mundane things. "Well, here's an idea. If you construct the belt to be heavy enough to sit..." he reached out to tap Booker on his hips, but then reconsidered the gesture immediately on contact, and pulled back to gesture at his own "... to sit here, on your hips, then it could hold the shirt down, as well as holding the pants up. And it would be easier to... undo the whole thing."
>>”Yeah. One sister. Complete pain in the ass. Obviously,”
There was a funny thing about other people's embarrassment. Javier was sensitive to it; he tended to deal with a lot of second hand anxiety, watching people do something embarrassing or saying something wrong. But at the same time, when someone he liked ended up in one of those situations, it tended to have the opposite effect on Javier: As the witness, he held the power to let them off the hook. And since he was constantly on the hook in his own eyes for everything he said or did, it came with a certain sense of relief that he could just let things slide, and make someone else more comfortable. Like he did, accepting Booker's half-hearted attempt to blame his sister for the Humpr message, and moving straight on to something a lot less awkward. Hopefully.
>>”Oh! Yeah! Of course. Just tell me where you want me.”
Javier blinked as Booker took off the hoodie and stood. The shirt was not nearly as tight as the one in the picture, but still... okay, so. Measurement. Javier put his donut down, pulled up a notepad and a pencil on the table, and picked up measuring tape. It was as good a place to start as any.
"Okay so... stand still." he told Booker, starting to take his basic measurements. For such a form-fitting attire, he needed a lot of them; shoulders, torso, around the waist, along his arms. He did all of them with practice, occasionally keeping the pencil between his lips while he measured. He also kept to minimum physical contact.
"How long do you want the sleeves to be?" he inquired once, measuring along Booker's arm "Can you, uh... flex your arm for me?" There had to be a balance in the material between stretching and holding, and that largely depended on how much movement Booker was going to put it through.
"Do you want it to actually be fire resistant?" he asked, jotting numbers down, before he took a break to think "What... kinds of activities do you generally plan on doing in this costume?"
>>”I know right? I swear a steady diet of these will give you diabetes but at least I always manage to work it off”
The donuts really were good. Javier smiled a little. Booker certainly looked like he worked out regularly, but did not seem like the person to brag about it - or even to pick costumes because they highlighted it. He was delightfully unassuming in showing off what he was excited about. It was refreshing from some other men Javier had had to work for.
>>”Yes! OH I have an idea for the belt. I can make it so it isn’t too heavy and rigid like actual piping so I’m good there. But it’s the rest I wanted your expert eye on. So, how do we begin? If you have the time, that is. I would hate to keep you doing your actual work.””
"Well... this is my actual work" Javier smirked. Booker had insisted that if they ended up working on a costume, he would pay Javi for it, which was nice. Not because of the money, but mostly because people not assuming friendship equaled free work, they showed respect and courtesy, and made Javie's anxiety a lot less to chew on. He liked Booket for that. "I mean... I don't have anything else for the afternoon. First we should..."
And then the phone went off.
>>Hey handsum. Hungry for some [eggplant.gif] tonight?
Booker blushed and snatched up the phone. Javier blushed too, and averted his eyes. Why did he have to look?! It was rude to look at people's phones. He had only done it on reflex. But the message was short enough to glimpse... and now Javier was back to feeling super awkward for glimpsing something that was clearly very private business.
Not that he was judging. Which people did usually assume. As a demisexual, Javier did not participate in hookup culture, mostly because a combination of anxiety and his sexuality made it a huge waste of time and a fertile breeding ground for awkward encounters. But that did not mean he thought it was bad. People could definitely do whatever made them feel good. Or whoever... Javier cleared his throat, glancing at Booker. He was not usually guessing people's sexualities, but he did wonder in the past weeks (briefly!) if Booker was into men too.
>>”Sorry...ugh...sister likes to install stuff on my phone when I’m not looking. Hah...damn her… anyway! Where were we?”
"Siblings, huh" Javier chuckled a little, allowing Booker a way out of having to explain himself. He had no experience with how these apps worked, or who was allowed to message you out of the blue and who wasn't. It was definitely none of his business. "I'm sorry, um..." where were they again, before the eggplant intrusion?... "... I think we should start with measuring you." blink "For the costume."
Javier leaned over to see the phone screen, and bit into his donut. It was... heavenly. All chocolate and caramel, and just the right consistency. Javier made a muffled sound, similar to Booker's and then caught himself. Looking at photos of Booker in revealing costumes and making those kinda sounds did not bode well for the conversation. He cleared his throat.
"Good donut..."
>>”Here are some things I’ve worn in the past: Star Baron, the Atlantean, Emerald Torch. I did...okay with them as you can see,”
Javier nodded, trying to focus on the craftsmanship in the pictures, rather than Booker's looks. Which was hard, with the Atlantean, because there was definitely more looks than craftsmanship (*diosmiothoseabs*). Sure, not professional level, but the costumes looked like intended, and they seemed to hold together pretty well. Which was all most people wanted from cosplay. Looking cool was the added bonus.
"Nice work" Javier noted honestly. Most people did not go into so much trouble to look geeky in public.
>>”Oh but this is the one that I REALLY want to do -- Bandit!! I love his costume, especially his 90’s outfit. However, as you can see, while it seems easy...it isn’t I really want to incorporate some kinetic energy lighting effect and while the coat is easy, the suit underneath is a little more difficult.”
Again, Booker's enthusiasm for the project was kind of contagious - and a lot more distracting, at least for Javier, than the abs had been. There was something about him as he was beaming with the mere idea of having fun that was... special. Javier had a vague idea who the Bandit was, from his younger days. He was definitely one of the favored eye candy superheroes, but also, as Booker had noted, not the easiest to pull off. Definitely not just a speedo and accessories.
"Interesting choice" he noted, taking a longer look at the picture. Comic book art was not the same as fashion photos, but one could get the general idea.
>>”So...what do you think? In your expert opinion, is it possible?”
"Hmm." focusing on work got a lot easier when there was a specific problem to be solved. And Javier definitely liked costuming challenges. "I'd say it's doable... Not sure about the lightning effects, but the suit definitely is. Although that shirt might as well be body paint." he added with a small chuckle. "Definitely needs something very stretchy, and flexible, which makes it a pain to sew..." he hummed "And that belt is not going to be comfortable to wear... But, yeah. Doable."
The first awkward moment passed relatively fast. Booker was the kind of guy that liked to be goofy, and he did not seem to notice that Javier froze up at the little display he was putting on. So far, so good.
>>”Oh, not just any doughnuts. A culinary experience. Plus there is so much sugar I’m pretty sure that this is basically a narcotic now.”
The donut Javier had picked was soaked in chocolate, but it was impossible to tell what was inside. He would just have to try. They all looked delicious, and sugar was probably good to have right about now. Less chance of him accidentally passing out. Especially as Booker was starting to make satisfied little sounds as he tasted his own donut. Javier hid a blush by leading him into the workroom.
They had a job to do.
>>”I actually did! I uploaded some good costumes that I made in past for you the look at, as well as saved some ideas I have for the Wrath of Con expo coming up in a few months. Eager to get a professional’s opinion on what’s workable and what isn’t.”
"Alright" Javier nodded, pulling his chair over to be able to look at whatever Booker had brought "Show me what you..." nah "... let's see."
Booker had his usual warm smile and easy attitude with him. Javier's shoulders relaxed a bit, reminding himself of his usual mantra of no one is scrutinizing you as closely as you do yourself. Booker was looking around the shop curiously, half distracted by all the things piled on shelves and arranged on tables and mannequins when Javier greeted him.
>>”You as well! I hope I’m not too early? I’m usually early wherever I go. Rude of me, i know.”
"No no, not rude at all" Javier waved "I was ready... Uh, I'm usually early too. Much better than being late."
That was somewhat of an understatement. Javier usually arrived way ahead of time to every meeting, due to the fact that he factored in time for everything, from flat tires to cancelled flights. He tended to be notoriously early, and then awkwardly wait around, being mistaken for an organizer or a loiterer. In the end, this option was not less stressful either, but the idea of missing a bus or walking into the middle of something was much worse.
Booker stepped closer.
>>”May I…tempt you?
Javier froze up. Wha... Brain completely void of any discernible reaction, he just stared back at Booker's playful expression for a long moment. There was literally nothing to say or do that was not going to embarrass him.
>>"You like doughnuts? They can be a little much sometimes, but one every once in awhile certainly won’t kill you, will it?”
"Oh. Donuts. You have donuts." Javier let out a small sigh as the box was opened. Right. Food. Delicious, unhealthy food. Of course that was what he meant by tempting. Obviously. Duh.
The donuts looked delicious. Very artisanal, as far as he could judge, but sugar was sugar (probably), and since Booker brought them all the way here, he could not turn them down anyway. Javier hesitated for a moment before he picked one (the one that looked like it would make the least mess).
"Thank you" he smiled a little. It was a nice idea from Booker to bring snacks, especially such nice ones. "Um... you want to come to the work room? There is more space there... To put them down, I mean." he led the way into the back room, pulling out chairs and clearing some space on a table for the box. This was not the store front, but rather the space he spent most of his time in, working; he felt more at ease in there. "So... you brought some ideas?" he asked, waiting for Booker to pick a seat and start talking before he would bite into the donut.
Someone walked into the shop, a few minutes before the appointment with Booker. Javier froze. Was this a walk-in customer? It would be just his luck, and since he could give no preferential treatment to Booker just for... being Booker, he would have to help the other customer first, and Booker was no doubt going to think that Javier had double booked the afternoon on pur...
>>”Yo! Javier? It’s Booker. Totally not a knife-wielding maniac.”
Javier let out a slow sigh.
People are sometimes early, you idiot.
Showtime.
You can do this. Just be normal.
"Hey" Javier smiled as he walked out of the back room of the shop, giving Booker a little wave. He had deemed a handshake too formal, and... yeah. "Good to see you... again" that was normal, right?
Between meeting Booker at the farmer's market, and the day he got his call, Javier had ample time to do re-runs of their encounter in his head. It was kind of excruciating, but his brain did it on its own, while he was working on projects, or trying to go to sleep; focusing in on the awkward things he had said and did, until he concluded beyond all reasonable doubt that Booker probably thought he was a weirdo, and he was definitely not going to show up to have a costume made. When he did call, to agree on a time to come in and talk costumes, Javier got a minor anxiety attack the moment he hung up the phone. He had managed to sound normal while they agreed on a time, but the moment he was done with the conversation, he had to sit down and remind himself to breath. He really doubted that it would have been worse if Booker just never called again.
But he had said yes to the appointment. So now, as the time drew near on the day they agreed on, Javi was pacing up and down his workshop, straightening things, putting things away, trying to make the place look okay without making it look obsessively organized. He rolled his sleeves up and own a couple of times, not sure about the look of his teal colored shirt, and tried to remind himself what Booker was focusing on getting his cosplays made, not on what the tailor looked like. In his head, Javier was already going through the motions of making the planning as smooth as possible, without having awkward pauses for small talk or something. He had tools and notepads prepared, and he also made sure that there was nothing else on his schedule for the day. He also checked his phone three times to make sure he remembered the date and the time right, and that Booker had not sent a text, canceling the whole thing.
Work was usually tiring, but this day promised to be mentally exhausting. He left his sleeves rolled up.
One thing about Booker's excitement: It was contagious. Javier could not help but actually look forward to the prospect of working on a cosplay project with for him, not only because he enjoyed his company, but also because he was one of those people who truly had a passion for something. Or several things. Javier, who was very cautious about experiencing new things, found that he could live vicariously through others who were eager to talk about their passion.
>>”I’ll definitely do that. Honestly I’d show you some examples of the costumes I’ve made but the only one I have on my phone is when I went to a convention dressed as The Atlantean. Which, as we know, he only wears a green speedo and not really a prime example of my sewing prowess.”
Javier tried really hard not to picture Booker in a speedo while he also tried very hard not to look like he was trying very hard not to picture Booker in a speedo. The result was him stuffing the rest of the chestnuts into his mouth as a distraction, and looking vaguely like a chipmunk. Leave it to the hot librarian to cosplay in basically nothing. Javier envied his confidence.
"Well, um..." he chewed and swallowed to be able to speak, which gave him time to think "You can bring pictures when you..." yeah right no don't say that "... I mean, if you come by, you can bring pictures. Of costumes. That you want to do. In the future."
Yup, he would be kicking himself over replays of this conversation for years to come.
The way Booker's face lit up when he found something exciting was a truly unique sight to behold. Even Javier, being socially awkward as he was, could not help but feel more at ease with such an openly excitable person around. Booker seemed to see the good in everything. Or at least find enjoyment in it.
>>”Oh my god! Yes…! I’ve always loved superhero costumes. They can be so awesome!”
There it was. Javier was not the least bit surprised that Booker was a fanboy. Then again, not many things were as iconic or telling as superhero costumes; even Javier had to admit that, from personal and professional interest (and the job Ghost had recently brought to him). He was still not sold on superheroes, but that was not currently relevant. Booker was probably not one, or if he was, he was hiding it really well.
>>”To tell you the truth, I cosplay for a lot of the comic conventions. Dressed up as a lot of superheroes in my time. I’m definitely going to have to figure a way to coerce you into making a costume for me.”
"Of course you do" Javier chuckled under his breath. Booker was... well, an open book. Cosplay was something Javier was familiar with, although only marginally, mostly through her interest in design and costuming. Many people made their own outfits, which was admirable, if not always professional, and he had helped some of them back in college. But the thought of making a full costume for Booker... he did not have to be a tailor to know he would rock that.
"Well, if you want..." he shifted on the bench to pull his wallet out of his pocket, and shuffled around in it for a business card "... this is my shop. You can come by, if you have some costume idea, and..." totally do not take this as a date or anything please I might die "I am happy to help you with making it happen." There. A nice round sentence. How was that for a success.
Booker took enjoyment in the story they were making up, as silly as it was. Javier admired people who could so easily enjoy the little things in life, without being distracted by all the other little things that were less enjoyable.
>>”Haha, you’re good at this. Better trademark that idea before a comic company lackey makes off with it and pitches it to his boss. You'll be famous.”
Javier chuckled at that. Their little story was not a work of genius by any stretch of the imagination. Sure, it was fun, mostly because they came up with it as a game, while watching people. Javier doubted anyone would actually pay for it.
>>"Javier presents the next comic sensation: The Paddler and Paddle Boy! You'll be as famous as that comic artist, Akshay Malik, and his 'Slaggathor' series."
Javier could not help but laugh at the title; then he glanced around to see if they had drawn any attention. No one seemed to think to guy laughing at some joke were out of order. That put him at ease.
"Nah, I am not much of a writer" he waved the idea off, eating another chestnut. Writing superhero stories... yeah, that was just not really his style. "But I bet I could design some cool costumes for the movie. I'm not a big superhero guy, but... the costumes, those are fascinating. They have to be iconic, and functional, at the same time. And they have to adjust to mutant powers..." Javier was usually shy about his interest in unusual costuming challenges... but somehow, Booker seemed like a guy who would appreciate the topic.
