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.
It had been about a week since that disastrous dinner and she'd had some time to think on things. Leah had decided that she was going to talk to Gerald directly about his behavior and bring up what was going on between them as well. She figured if she just blew the issues out into the open they could confront them directly and resolve some stuff.
... For better or worse.
After a late lunch date with an acquaintance, she headed on over to meet up with him at his upper city condo. She was nervous if she was being honest. She didn't know how the talk would go. Did he still feel the same way about her as he once had? Were they just drifting apart? Was it too late to pull him back in?
The ride up to his apartment seemed way longer than it actually should have been, and the time it took for her to unlock his door and enter made her reconsider the whole thing at least once. "Darling?" She'd messaged him ahead of time because she didn't want him accusing her of springing anything on him. Though.. she might not have been very clear about what exactly they would be talking about.
"Back here, Bunny."
She dropped her purse and kicked off her shoes by the door, and headed in. It was nice hearing that nickname. It had been a hot minute since he'd last called her by it. Goodness gracious, just hearing it already had her smiling.
She turned the corner into his bedroom, where he was standing with a short glass of scotch in one hand. He had his white button-up open and untucked and was still wearing his black work slacks. She offered a warm smile from the doorway as he turned to her with a slight smile on.
"Are you done having your little temper tantrum now?"
Annnnnd that smile slowly slid right off of her face.
"Oh."
Looks like they had a lot more to talk about than she'd realized. He started taking his shirt off and she lifted a hand to signal him to stop.
"Yeah, no, that's not why I'm here Lovey." She stepped to the side and claimed the lavish seat he often used to put his socks on for herself. She made herself comfortable, crossed her legs, and linked her fingers together over her knee. "That was a perfect example of what I came here to talk about, though."
She frowned at him, looking slightly up now that she was seated. "You've been really rude to me lately, Darling. What's up with that? A lot of what you said and did the other night was just... SO unacceptable. I-"
He had shrugged his shirt back on with a sigh and set his glass down on the side table with a soft slink. "Don't tell me you came here just to have some sort of argument? Bunny, I don't have time for this." Indeed, he was making a show of checking his watch.
She offered a slightly strained smile and didn't budge. "Then make time." She challenged, "As I do for you."
She could see his jaw flexing as he clenched and unclenched his teeth. "I am not having this conversation with you, Leah."
Ouch. Her real name so early on? "We need to. I am not going to put up with this. Why are you being so rude all of the sudden? You hardly paid any attention to me at all at dinner and-"
"Just because you've been spoilt with attention your whole life doesn't mean you are entitled to it, Leah. I have more important things-"
"More important than me?"
She stood, crossing the room so she could look down at him. Even without heels, she was taller than him. A fact that he made no effort to hide irritated him.
"You are being immature."
She crossed her arms. Sure, he was many years older than her. That didn't give him a right to treat her like a spoiled child.
"No, I am demanding to be treated equally in this relationship."
"I'd hardly consider this a relationship."
... That stung. Enough so that she flinched back a little from it. "Then what is it? I was under the assumption this whole time that we were dating, and even if it wasn't exclusive, we were still an item."
"It's pretty hard to have a serious relationship with someone of your profession."
Her frown deepened. "That was unkind, Gerald." She knew full well he was off seeing other women when he wasn't with her.
"Was it? Sounded like the truth to me. If it weren't for who your parents are, you'd hardly be anyone to bring home to ma and pa."
He'd turned to retrieve his glass. She sucked in a little breath at the insult. He... was just full of all sorts of cruel barbs.
"What changed, Gerald? Why are you suddenly like this?" He laughed and drained his glass.
"Have I changed? Or do you just get easily fixated on things you like and ignore everything else? Leah, Bunny, you're overthinking this. Really. Just drop it. How about we go to that boardwalk you like?"
Her eyebrows pinched together and she drew herself up. Shoulders squared. "I will not! This is not acceptable behavior! If we are going to remain a couple you are going to have to change how you treat me!"
He whirled on her and stepped closer, face twisted and angry. It was an expression she had never seen him wear before. "Don't think you can tell me what to do, Leah! You are an overly emotional child!"
"I am your girlfriend!!"
"You are whatever I say you are!" They were fully screaming at each other now, faces only a few inches apart. Leah wasn't a fan of raising her voice normally. She preferred trying to talk through things calmly as she couldn't reply on snap decisions in the heat of the moment.
"The @#$% you will?! You're acting like a jackass, Gerald! A total, complete JAC-"
He slapped her.
She barely moved other than her chin shifting slightly, but her cheek and the bottom portion of her lip stung.
She blinked at him, shocked, and he stared back at her. He looked... maybe a tad shocked himself.
"... I'm going to go." She mumbled and then turned to head back for the front door.
"Lea- Bunny, wait!" He sounded desperate. She turned and help up a hand at him as he moved toward her.
"Don't."
They stared at each other for a tense moment, and then she resumed gathering her things and leaving when she felt he wasn't going to try and follow.
The ride back home once more left her with even more questions she had started with, as well as a slightly swelling bottom lip and a red cheek.
She kept trying to pepper little snippets of conversation at him as they ate, which were all shot down with similar Mhm's or head nods. She picked at her salad, eating what she felt like eating, while he delicately and methodically worked through his own plate.
"What would you like to do after this, dear? A movie? Oh! What about that lovely little boardwalk again? It's been a few years since we last went there!"
He finished his meal, set his fork down and lifted his napkin to wipe his mouth and beard. Then he emptied his drink and returned the glass to the table.
"Thank you for dinner."
She watched, frozen in complete shock, as he STOOD and fished out a little business card from the pocket on the back of his phone case. He placed it on the table beside her as he tucked his phone away and straightened his jacket. "See you later."
And then that man turned from her and LEFT. She literally watched him walk right out of the restaurant and leave her. She was so caught off guard she didn't even think to stand and follow him or call out to him.
Like... what? Who just left in the middle of dinner?!
"Wha-?" She blinked down at the card he had left her, picked it up, and stared at the name of a hotel and a room number he had scrawled on the back.
"...."
Oh, dear. Her eyes itched a little. That was no good!
Leah dropped the card back onto the table and set her water cup over it. She... suddenly wasn't very hungry. The rest of the salad would go untouched, unfortunately.
She had a lot of things she suddenly needed to process, alone, while looking out over a slowly darkening sky that should have been beautiful and romantic.
Now it just felt lonely.
Eventually, the bill would arrive, which she would pay after ordering a second glass of wine. It was fully dark outside by the time she left.
She wasn't sure how to feel about leaving that calling card back on the table, under that cup of water, as she was driven home.
Leah sat and settled the nice cloth napkin in her lap, waiting as their water cups were filled. As soon as the waiter walked away she took a sip and stared at the man across from her. Goodness... her heart flip-flopped a little. He was always so well put together and he held himself up with such raw confidence. It was one of the reasons she'd fallen for him in the first place if she were honest with herself. The tall woman sighed dreamily and set her glass down. "Darling-"
The waiter appeared again and she shushed herself. "I will have the Lobster Frittata," He handed over his menu, "and a Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year." The young waiter turned to her and she beamed a blinding smile his way and opened her mouth to order. "I-"
"She'll have the White Truffle Salad and a glass of Maso Canali."
Her teeth clacked softly as she shut her mouth again and blinked at her date from across the table. The waiter ran off with their dinner items. "I wasn't going to order that?" She laughed lightly and shifted forward in her seat a little so she could lower her voice. He barely even looked at her as he pulled his work phone out and took a drink from his water glass.
"You've been bulking up far too much lately, it's almost becoming unseemly. Eating something light won't hurt you."
Shocked, she sat back and went back to openly staring at him, only for an entirely different reason. Had he ever said something that hurtful to her before? She didn't think he had. "Oh." She wasn't... she wasn't getting bulky!
.... was she?
Someone else arrived to give him his drink, and pour her wine for her. She dove on the glass as soon as it was available. As soon as they were alone again she fidgeted and tried to think up something to break the ice she felt like had formed suddenly. He used to be so warm.
"So... how's the big case going, hm? I know you've been working on it for a while."
"I won't discuss sensitive details about work with people not involved." Again, he hardly looked up at her. Was he scrolling through emails over there?
She frowned and twirled the stem of her glass in her hand. "Oh." She turned to look out the window as the sun started to set and the sky lit up in vibrant organes and reds. She'd been with this man, Gerald, for going on five years now. The first two had been a whirlwind of secretive passionate encounters and warm dinners late at night in swanky restaurants. Somewhere after the third things had started to shift, and she couldn't figure out why. Had she changed things? Had he? He was a lot more distant now... a lot more commanding (which she normally didn't mind) and a lot less willing to be seen in public with her in any sort of context that could be taken as romantic. She knew he'd wanted to keep their relationship a secret due to his work- he dealt with a lot of high-profile criminal cases as the defense, and was damn good at his job. He didn't want anyone or anything getting in the way of that. She knew that, and had accepted it a long time ago.
But... now he hardly even looked at her for more than a few seconds. She had a bad feeling and wasn't sure what to do. She knew she didn't want to lose him, though.
"Okay, no work talk. Hm... How was your trip to Italy? Isn't it supposed to be lovely over there this time of year?"
"It was good."
Her expression soured. How was she going to get anything out of him at this rate?
"...Good. I'm happy you had a great trip." She tapped her fingernails on the cloth-covered tabletop. So... asking him about himself wasn't getting her anywhere. Maybe she could tell him about what she had been up to?
"I took a two-day trip to Cancun last week with a friend. The weather was just perfect and the waters were oooh so beautiful. We flew out just in time to avoid a major storm as it moved in, though."
"Mmmhm. That's nice."
She propped up her chin in one hand and sipped at her wine some more. How mad would he be if she stole his phone from him? Hmm. Probably pretty mad.
Their food arrived. A large still steaming plate for him, and a medium-sized, dainty-looking salad for her. She forced a polite smile for the waiter and picked up a fork. She'd already accepted that she was going to starve until their date was over. "Thank you!"
They were left alone again and Gerald dug into his food while still scrolling through his phone. Her smile twitched a little and she started picking away at her own food.
"Gerald!" Leah waved excitedly as his car pulled up to the curb outside of the building they would be dining in that night. It had been a while since she had seen him, so she was obviously excited. He was an older man, just turned 50 a few months before. Salt and pepper hair that he kept well-styled and combed back, with a dark manicured mustache and beard to match. He was fit for his age and sharp as a tack. She'd fallen head over heels from him basically the first time they had spoken.
His driver pulled over and let him out, and the man stepped from his car with the grace of a leopard. He was dressed to the nines in a fine black suit and a silk tie.
"Leah." She restrained the urge to run over and hug him. He'd always been iffy with public displays of affection, especially with the height difference between them. He 'had an image to keep' and all that. "You look good tonight. No heels?"
She smiled, lips a deep ruby red, and lifted the bottom of her dress a little to show slim strappy shoes with just the barest of a heel on them. "Just a little, Darling~! I felt more like flats tonight."
He hummed his approval and offered her an elbow. The restaurant was on the 4th floor of the building, so once they were passed the doorman and the elevator, they'd be able to check-in.
"Isn't that a dress you've worn before?"
"Hm? Oh, this? Yes, it's only of my favorites." She plucked gently at the black silk-chiffon fabric, "I just love what it does to my figure!"
"I bought a new suit for the occasion. The least you could have done was picked out a new gown. You didn't forget about this, did you?"
Leah balked, "What? No! I just really like this one! I'm sorry, I didn't know you were going to get a new suit for dinner." Oh geez, right off the bat she was already stepping on his toes.
"Mm. It's alright. That one's at least a designer." He adjusted his tie as they stepped onto the elevator. "Just try and put a bit more effort in next time."
She shifted uncomfortably. "Alright..." There was nothing wrong with her gown... it was an A-line, black, caped dress that went all the way down to her knees and covered her shoulders and uppers arms in a sheer drape. There were crystals hand-sewn into the upper portion in delicate floral patterns, and it had been made specifically for her in France, by a very popular designer. Yet, somehow, next to Gerald, she always felt like she'd been caught in used clothing from the discount bin at the local superstore.
Leah sighed, pushing past the minor annoyance, and tucked some of her curls back behind one ear. She'd had it curled and put up in a large elegant bun, with little curls left loose to frame her face. It was fine. Clothing issued aside, she was ready for a wonderful dinner and the potential to get to know each other even better!
"Did you manage to get that table I like?"
"Sure did, Darling! The one overlooking the park, right? Oooh, and with the sun setting that will just make such a pretty picture!"
He hummed his approval again. The elevator dinged and the doors slid open, revealing a line of people waiting on both sides. "Is the reservation in my name, like I asked?"
"Of course!"
They glided past all of those waiting, right to the front. "Two for Wright."
The snazzily dressed greeter didn't even need to check his book. He recognized the name, as well as Leah from all of the times her parents and she had come to dine. "Right this way, Sir!"
They were swept inside and to their secluded little table by the window immidiately.
Her pout intensified a bit and took on a bit of a grumpy edge. For someone her size and level of fitness it barely sat on her face correctly. "I wouldn't say I'm totally blameless. I've lived my whole life taking advantage of the resources my parents have, and only with the last few years have I started to help people with it instead." She crossed her arms, "What good is having money if you can't help people with it when you want to?"
Simon started explaining to her various things found on the test and... she went a bit blank in the eyes. Backing around corners? Parallel parking? Why on earth would she need to do any of those? "...I.... thought all modern cars were capable of doing that on their own?" Was she sweating? A bit. She was only now realizing how out of her element she was.
If those things were on the test there was no way she'd pass!
"Eh? Alone?" She noticed that there were two lines formed past the ticket machine. She reached out and poked the button like he had, and took her little ticket from it. "Okay!" That was fine, even if she hadn't been able to talk his ear off like she'd wanted too. There were plenty of people in line to chat with!
~~~
All of the people in like were grumpy and didn't want to talk. Well, except for one guy. He only wanted to talk about her 4Devotees page though. She humored him as the line trudged along, smiling and nodding, and answering any questions he had. He seemed nice, if a little sweaty and nervous, and she didn't mind talking to fans.
"Y-you're a lot bigger in person than I thought you'd be..." The guy mumbled while fiddling with his phone. She giggled, "I get that a lot!"
By the time it was her turn she'd posed for a few pictures, explained how much of her was fake, and declined a date as nicely as she could. She wished David well, as that was his name, and stepped up to the counter.
"Hello! I would like to take the test!"
~~~ She was waiting outside by the time Simon was done, cheery as ever and updating her social accounts. She spotted him and tucked her phone away.
"They told me to leave when they saw that I have an active driver's license!" She shrugged.
"That's just.... sooo unfair, though? If people have precious little time out of work as it is, then how can they be expected to spend it doing stuff like this?" She was working away at the problem in her head, wondering if there was a quick and easy solution to it. There were a few politicians in the family, sure... but she didn't think they would have enough clout to throw their weight around when it came to that department of the government. Assuming they would even agree to talk with her on the matter, all things considered.
And it wasn't as if she could just hire a bunch of people to take care of everyone else's stuff, either!
Faced with the reality that there wasn't conceivably anything she could do in this situation (which she wasn't a fan of) she defaulted to a pout. Not the same degree of a pout she had laid on Simon the night before, but still.
Her seemingly innocent question was apparently an admission of something to a maddening degree, and she threw her hands up in surrender at his outburst. "I'm sorry?! I didn't even know it was a thing! My parents just took care of stuff at the time and I didn't bother questioning things back then! A lawyer showed up and I just signed a few papers." She laughed, because it was kinda funny, wasn't it?
"How is driving different?" Now THAT was a question she wants to know! She'd driven before, obviously, but not a whole lot. Little stretches here and then. "You didn't seem to drive any differently than I did, or how my chauffeurs usually drive."
"Oh, no, I'm not saying you're off. I know how privileged I am... well, as much as I can know, that is. I just... wouldn't ever want anything to get in the way of where I currently work. It's my second home!" She added cheerfully, even though it was more of a home than any home she'd ever been in. She loved the fact that people called her out there all the time, made fun of her teased her.... The people there relaxed around her and that was just amazing. Similarly, that was why she was currently just thrilled walking beside Simon. He wasn't going to pull punches with her, and that alone had already endeared him to her.
Her statement about the title confused him, or irritated him? She couldn't tell. He stopped, so she stopped, and she just blinked down at him in innocent confusion as he processed it. Then he mentioned re-transferring everything, which confused her, until he explained how long it normally took.
"HOURS?!" She wasn't surprised by how long paperwork could take, over even that he expected her to wait that long for it when it was already done. She was surprised that everyone else hadn't thrown up their arms and rioted because of such a long wait time. "How does anyone get anything done there, then?! They can't expect someone to wait that long, people have lives!" Was she outraged all of the sudden? You bet! How dare it take that long for everyone else when her father's people got it done in-
....
Oh. Her father's people had probably worked all night on that. One simple request, and had probably pestered a lot of other people to get it done too. Had it even been done by the books, or had the rules been swept under the rug because she'd asked and he'd pulled some strings.
Her expression soured just a bit. She hated to think that her impatience had forced someone to work overtime or break the rules somehow. She'd need to track down whoever her dad's contacts had been and make sure they were compensated properly.
Her cheerful smile snapped back on like an elastic band on the rebound. "Well, that's OK, then. No time like the present to learn the proper way of things, and it gives us plenty of time to talk!"
He mentioned a driver's test. She blinked at him. "There's a test?"
Professionalism? She was missing something here, clearly. Nobody would have dared to laugh at her if she were applying herself to any of the professions wanted her to go into... but she knew that was because of the threat her last name carried, more than from anything she would personally do. She was also starting to wonder if she had somehow confused him with her request. A "normal" job sounded an awful lot like what she already had... unless, like her fashion sense, he didn't think dancing counted.
That just wouldn't do!
"I'm open to hearing what your ideas are, but I do already have a normal job. It would only be temporary, right?"
Oh... so D.O.L stood for the department of licensing? Well, that made sense, then! Silly her for thinking it was food-related. "Oh! I actually already had the title transferred to you! My dad's people got it done last night, and they got the paperwork to me early this morning!" She had it all folded up neatly in an envelope in her backpack, with a heart sticker keeping it closed. "And... Well, I never got the chance to go. My mother had me take my tests in France while we were on vacation once, and by the time we got back everything was already done."
Well... he wasn't wrong again. The way she often chose to dress and decorate herself wasn't classically what others did. There was a hefty dose of privilege that allowed her to do what she wanted with her appearance. She also loved the attention it often brought, usually from other like-minded people who also enjoyed flamboyant makeup.
She smiled just as brightly, "I know! But, I mean... Simon, there are things about my physical appearance that will never be normal. I like the way styles like this look on me. It makes me happy."
He mentioned a 'DOL' and she honestly had no clue what he was talking about. What was a dol? Wasn't that a brand of fruit? "Oh, I'm fine! I tend to run hot so a little chill won't bother me at all." She walked around in all sorts of outfits with no issue, usually. Unless it was pouring down raining or had a foot of snow on the ground, she was fine!
She picked up a slow pace beside him, matching his speed easily. She was used to having to slow down next to people. He asked about food. "Oh. um." She paused to think about it. She'd had a smoothie this morning... so she wasn't exactly starving but she could eat more, sure. "A little? Is the DOL a restauraunt?" She blinked down at him with her long, doe-like eyelash extensions.
She hadn't been aware of the three-day rule, as no such thing had ever been explained to her. If she wanted something, or to see someone, all she'd ever had to do before was called. Or send a messenger.
.... Only a day in and he was already teaching her things!
"I'm so glad she's doing well in her new school! I know transferring was hard for me, but she's always been pretty adaptable, right?" She was all smiles and sunshine. Leah turned when she felt someone draw near and noticed it was Simon.
"Simon!" Her rays of sunshine kicked up a few notches. She threw her arms out and moved in for a hug. Oh, yes. Leah was a hugger. Simon managed to distract her momentarily with his gesture and question, and she paused.
"With this?" She pointed a finger at her face, which highlighted that she had an entirely new set of nails from the day before. They were pink and white with heart glitter. They matched her eye glitters! "Oh, this! This is one of the newest ClikClak trends! Isn't it cute?"
She straightened back up to her full height and took in his appearance. Slacks, button-up sweater, collared shirt, and a tie.
.... Soooooo CUUUUTE!
She turned momentarily to bid the doorman farewell, who looked relieved as soon as her attention was off of him. Unfortunately for Simon, it was focused acutely on him now.
A very quick 'Poor sod' could be heard from the doorman's direction if picked up.
By the goddess, if that wasn't the most adorable thing! His whole face went red. That was probably the first time she'd ever seen that in person. Leah offered a kind smile and a cheery tilt of the head as she stepped back again, swiftly too, seeing as the guy with the knife was charging in. Geez! They were really serious about this, weren't they? She'd expected maybe a few punches thrown or something seeing as Mr. Winged angel man seemed pretty confident in himself and had been in a scuffle with them before. Came out as the winner from what it sounded.
She couldn't help but gasp and cover her mouth with her hands, hoping the one shield was enough to keep him from severe harm.
Thankfully the knife was stopped. Her shield flashed into existence upon the point impacting it, absorbed the deadly force behind the blow, and dissipated. Would she need another? It was kinda risky getting in there to try and slap a kiss on him again with blades and fists flying.
As luck would have it the weapon was quickly lost, clattering onto the sidewalk as her winged guardian angel leaped into the fray like a fearsome beast, and Leah was able to sneak in and quickly kick it away. She wasn't about to pick it up... she hardly knew what to do with regular knives, let alone ones used to threaten people.
The fight quickly turned bloody, and she averted her eyes for the most part. Violence just wasn't her cup of tea, even if it felt justified in this case. Once the first guy was put down and the winged one launched an attack on the second fellow, she shuffled in just a bit closer in order to poke at the downed guy with one shoe. He groaned but remained down. She cringed a little as a small smear of blood now on the toe of her shoe.
The second fight didn't appear to be going so smoothly. The other guy got a hit in on her savior, which earned another gasp from her, and she definitely started worrying.
Goon two fell, barely catching himself and staggering back into a defensive stance. "Immortal? PFT! Yeah, whatever. I don't know what trick you pulled, but I bet it wouldn't work twice! Come down here and fight me like a man!" He snarled back, trying not to let on to how frazzled his nerves were. "Always showboating yourself around like you're some kind of @#$%ing god. You aren't any different than the rest of us, Carrie!"
"Really?!" She whipped around to face him, filling up most of the middle of the car, and her eyes sparkled like goddamn diamonds. That was an offer she absolutely would not refuse!
"It's a date!" She was giggling like a schoolgirl as she got out, carefully shut the door to his car, and then turned to hurry up the steps.
As he pulled away she was met halfway by a flurry of maids who rushed out to gather her things and lead her inside. She couldn't be bothered to care though... her mind was firmly fixed on a future date with a very charming senior citizen.
~~~
Literally one day later she took him up on his offer and called him. She could absolutely barely contain her excitement over the phone. She figured that since she had paperwork to give him (which she'd begged it from the people who usually took care of stuff like that...) she could give him all the stuff that would finalize the car being rightfully his, and also he could take her out and show her what normal people did!
So, after a short phone call, she got ready. White name brand sneakers, black fitted jeans with just a hint of stretch, that were purposefully ripped at the knees, a pink ruffled tube top with little lace straps that tied in pretty bows on her shoulders and showed off some of her favorite inkwork, a black velvet choker with a silver heart dangling from it, and a mini name-brand backpack bag. Her hair was up in a velvet pink scrunchy in a high ponytail that highlighted the length of the extensions she currently had in, and her face was adorned with minimal trendy makeup and two glittery gems under her eyes.
She was waiting outside of the entrance to the building where her second condo was, in Noho Manhattan. She had a very friendly doorman and security detail to chat with, so she wasn't bored while waiting. The doorman had been there longer than she'd been alive, had three kids and a cute little wife, and had known her since she was just a bit higher than her father's knee. She loved him to bits and gave him very elaborate gifts every year for Christmas, for his family.
He was lying? He didn't have a sick dog at home? Her disappointment doubled and she crossed her arms with a pout. "Who lies about a sick dog? How cruel."
The winged one, who she was very tempted to start referring to as an Angel (though she hadn't on which one he reminded her of yet) said that he'd come because he was worried, and that brought a thousand-watt smile onto her face. Aww! He'd left his table behind because he cared! She knew Steffy was wrong on so many levels about people, and this just confirmed it!
"That's so sweet of you!" Leah, who was quite a bit taller than all of those currently present, tilted her head as he further explained. Ah, so maybe there were a few uncouth individuals running about then.... but still, that didn't ruin it for everyone else!
Even worse, they apparently weren't wrong in their assumptions. Aside from her shield, she wasn't exactly the type who was well prepared for a fight or even to defend herself effectively. The one scuffle she'd been in a long while ago had involved hairpulling and mean words. Not exactly street fight with a knife territory.
Ah, but it looked like they were serious. They wanted her money, and his as well. Did that mean offering hers up wouldn't be enough anymore? She huffed, and with a little finger wiggle behind his back (which earned at least one crooked eyebrow from the other goon) she had her spell primed and ready. She wasn't about to use it on herself, though.
Leaning over the winged one, she placed a chaste peck of a kiss on the very top of his head and then stepped back.
"Yeah, really. You might've gotten the best of us before, but we're stronger now too." The knife holder aimed a nasty sneer Carrick's way, "Wanna find how much I've grown, Carrie~?" He dove in right away with a burst of surprising speed, aiming for a jab with the knife.
Really, she probably should have been worried. There was a knife involved and she was clearly being mugged. Normal folk were afraid of that, right? She just felt so... disappointed. Yes, that felt right. This was super disappointing. All they had to do was ask and she would more than happily help them out. Why did nobody ever ask?
"No, I don't think I will." The one with the blade stepped toward her and she was very tempted to lift her purse up out of his range and make him jump for it if he wanted it so badly. "You should reconsider your life choices."
Looks like she didn't have to do anything, though, because a voice piped up from above them and all heads turned toward it.
"Oooh! SO cool!" It was a card table guy! His wings actually could make him fly! "Hello again!" She waved like the excited toddler she was and reached up to move her glasses again.
Apparently, they all knew each other to some degree? The banter seemed playful, but then again she wasn't great with subtext.
"Me? Oh, I'm just fine." Leah offered a pretty smile and plopped her hands on her hips. Then, almost as an afterthought, she remembered the two others and the knife, and her smile dipped back into a frown.
"What did you even need to try and rob me for, hm?" A ton of wild tragic scenarios sprang to life in her head. People didn't just do stuff like this with no good reason, right? "Are you in a pinch financially? Sick family members at home? Do you owe a large debt to the mob?"
The two men blinked and exchanged glances. "Er...uh... sure. I've... got a sick dog at home?"
"Oh goodness! Poor puppy! What kind? How sick?"
She got distracted again a moment later as if just remembering Carrick was there.
"Oh, right, Mr. Magician! What brought you here? Are you all done for the day?"
The guy with the knife in his hand felt more than a little put off. This chick was really clueless, wasn't she?
"Oh, don't worry about it! I'm not about to leave someone to bleed to death in my alley. I'm just glad you're okay."
He explained further as she retracted her hand and crossed her arms. "Guy with a sword? Huh." It wasn't unusual necessarily... she'd seen a few people here and there with swords. Like Rai, for example! "A message? What a horrible way to tell someone something! Are you in trouble?"
It was hard not to just feel like you needed to try and take care of everyone when you were at least a foot taller than most. This poor guy, Rex, had just been left to die out there. How rude!
"Do you have a phone? Would you like to call anyone? I'd feel horrible if I just sent you out there with some attempted murderer still lurking around."
A lightbulb went off above her as an idea struck, and quickly took root. "I know! I'll drive you home! Wherever home is, that is. Is that alright? I'll call one of my drivers to swing by."
She already had her phone out and was dialing someone.
