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.
Member of the X-Men Mansion Swim Teacher MRC Detective
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Married to Gemma
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Sept 9, 2024 10:46:38 GMT -6
Jorge
In the blackness of his mind, the only thing that Jorge could latch onto to was the faint sound of laughing. But it was not a joyful laughing, or laughter that seemed to be able to denote any kind of joy other than malicious and sadistic. It was the type of sound that chilled the blood, splintered bone, and caused the very flesh to want to crawl and run off. It was so truly horrendous that even the bravest of police detectives would feel that ball of ice at the very pit of their stomach. Every bit of joy would be sapped from him and twisted into a decadent candy for whomever the sick owner of the laughter to enjoy at his pleasure.
With that as the only sound in the darkness behind his eyes, there was no wonder that Detective Cervantes was a little bit on edge. But that did not mean that the man was completely riddled with fear. He was cautious and tried to find some way through the darkness, some way back into consciousness so that he could meet that terrible, taunting voice.
So he followed it, forced himself to try and draw ever closer to that terrible, mocking laugh, and the sting words that followed:
”Hehehehehe! Heeello detective! I know you can hear me! I made it so that you could hear me. Do you know much fun it is? To peek into a persons head? To scramble things around and make them sees exactly what you want them to so? It is soooo much fun. Especially with my special brand of it. Hehehehe! You are in for such a treat, I really wish I could wake you up early. But that’d ruin the surprise…wouldn’t it?”
A pause…
”Then again…it is my birthday and I should get what I want, right? I always get what I want on my birthdays! Cake! Ice cream! LOTS of presents! Presents like a nosy detective , unconscious and left for me on my doorstep! It was such kismet! It had to be destiny! I mean…I know you’ve been poking around my operation, trying to spoil ALL my fun. But you get to make up for it now! You get to be my playmate!”
Another pause. Then a slow rumble started up and turned into another rolling wave of maniacal laughter…
Jorge felt that tickle down his spine but he didn’t stop. He didn’t over think it. Instead…he swam through the darkness of his mind until finally…there was a flash of light...
Member of the X-Men Mansion Swim Teacher MRC Detective
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Sept 9, 2024 10:46:38 GMT -6
Jorge
>> “I...It was my...I-It was my fault. I-I did s-something b-bad…M...My mom brought me food sometimes...un-..until she left.”
Jorge frowned a little but tried to not get too emotional over the what he was listening to. Though the boy was talking only sparsely and not really speaking in too much detail, it was vivid enough for Jorge to just barely imagine it. And everything that Michael went through, it was absolutely nothing that he deserved.
The boy was hurt, it was evident in how he reacted to the world around him, but Jorge was not here to cure him of that (nor did he have the power to). What he could do, though, was bring the boy justice. And that was exactly what he intended to do.
He sighed a little but said nothing more as he glanced and saw the hurt look on the boy’s face. This was obviously something that he really did not want to talk about but he was managing to push himself to do so. Jorge had to admit that that took a lot of bravery for Michael. Not many children could express the things they went through, no matter how bad they were, no matter how much they wanted justice for them. For some, it was simply beyond their understanding.
Maybe Michael didn’t truly understand that what happened was not his fault but the detective would make sure to do everything in his power to remind the child that he did not need to accept that.
He cautioned another glance and the sight nearly broke his heart. He could see the tears welling up in the boy’s eyes but he was making no sounds or sniffling or anything that indicated that he was actually crying. No, instead, the boy was upset but apparently it did not have the outlet that he required. Jorge frowned again but he did not reach over to comfort the boy or say anything reassuring. Silence was his best option at the moment.
>> “I...I haven’t left in...in four years...o-or more. I...I couldn’t count.”
Four…years? The number was simply staggering for Jorge to believe. He would make sure to not forget that little number so that he could make sure to accurately report what the boy said. This was all just too horrendous and cruel for him to really comprehend of it. But still, he kept his cool. He’d nail that father to the wall though, if it took his last breath.
Carefully, once he was sure that the boy was composed enough, he handed the badge back to him. It was Mikey’s turn to ask the next question…
Member of the X-Men Mansion Swim Teacher MRC Detective
Seablue
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Married to Gemma
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Sept 9, 2024 10:46:38 GMT -6
Jorge
>> "I cannot claim nearly as much stress on my end... But, Jorge, I must admit you have me worried for you. You are taking care of yourself at least? If you say anything other than yes, I swear to you that I will have to personally make sure you are taken care of.”
He smirked a little. It really was interesting to see Andrea react in this manner to his admission about his crazy work schedule. Unfortunately he didn’t have much choice in the manner. He was a police officer and, because of that, the man needed to be on call whenever he was needed. Different cases required his attention and, honestly, crime really does not work on any set time slots. So it would be of little surprise if he were awoken about a double homicide at one in the morning or received a call just as he was about to head home, or first thing in the morning.
Jorge was out to make a difference in the city and the only way that he could achieve that was if he was ready for it whenever it was required of him.
But, to sate the young woman’s fears (and to calm that motherly gaze) he smiled warmly and nodded his head.
“Yes, I take care of myself as best as possible,” he responded. “And when I can’t, my girlfriend makes sure I take care of myself first and foremost.”
It was true. Gemma was always the type of woman to keep an careful eye on those most important people in her life. Thankfully she cared about Jorge enough to want to keep him safe and reminded him that he was not actually married to the job. He had a life to live, a life that he wanted to share with her as much as possible.
So, needless to say, his bases were covered…
>> "Thank you, that is very kind of you to say… I already ate about a dozen of these earlier today though, so I really shouldn't have anymore."
He was glad that she had agreed to take at least one of the cookies. He doubted that he could have finished them all himself even if he wanted to. Plus, at least the guilt would be lessened now that he was sharing them with someone. They really were good cookies. Finished was the first that he had and now he was already reaching for another. Two! That would be his limit…until he got back to the office…
…okay maybe the car.
A turn to Andrea and he smirked when he saw her enjoying the cookie greatly. “You know…I’m glad you are doing well. The last time we saw each other…was not under the best circumstances,” he cautioned to say. He didn’t want to ruin their good chat but they could not avoid the incident forever.
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Sept 9, 2024 10:46:38 GMT -6
Jorge
>> "Of course! You look as if you are doing well yourself..."
“Thank you,” he said with a chuckle as he followed her to the nearest bench.
It was funny to hear her complimenting him like that. He knew, deep down, that it was not true, though. After all, he was an older cop running on fumes, and barely getting more than five hours of sleep a night. The city was just getting a bit busier these days, so much so that he really did not know what else he and the rest of his department could do. It was tiring work, not always with the rewards that they required, but it was a job nonetheless. Maybe Jorge really didn’t make a difference every day, but the few times he did, it really made everything worth it.
Still though, he knew that he would probably look better with more than just a couple hours of sleep. But the man knew when to take a compliment.
Silently he took the seat next to her as he opened up the basket of cookies. They all looked absolutely glorious. Jorge did indeed love butter cookies; so much so that Gemma was trying to hide them from him these days. Thankfully, this ready supply of the treats would serve him well. The man did love an excellently made cookie…
>> "How have you been since I last saw you?"
He smiled warmly, his eyes twinkling a little with tenderness. Jorge had always enjoyed this young woman’s company and always hoped for the best for her. Especially after her attack, he wanted nothing but to bring her peace as swiftly as possible. That was proving to be quite difficult though. Thankfully, she didn’t bring up that issue and had shifted her conversation elsewhere.
“Oh, I’ve been well,” he said gently. “Working, losing sleep, then working some much.”
Oh by the way I also fought a giant volcano, saved a village, joined the X-Men, and travelled through time! He kept all that inside since he really did not want to delve too deep into explaining all those shenanigans. Andrea has surely had her fill of excitement in her life so that last thing she probably wanted to hear was a bunch of adventures concerning someone who considered her a friend. He just shrugged as he picked up one of the cookies and bit into it.
“You know, pretty mundane. Yourself?” he said as he shrugged and began to eat the cookie. Instantly he felt his soul sing praises for the oven-baked master piece. It was so indeed far better than Andrea attempted to make it sound like earlier. Modest chefs, bakers, etc., were always at the top of his list of culinary geniuses. “Wow, Andrea, these are fantastic!” he smirked as he eyed the cookies. “I’m glad I agreed to take them,” he beamed as he offered her the chance to sample her own work. Every cook/baker should sample their own work…it was only fair…
Member of the X-Men Mansion Swim Teacher MRC Detective
Seablue
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Married to Gemma
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Sept 9, 2024 10:46:38 GMT -6
Jorge
He had apparently caught the woman by surprise because he noticed the small little jump that she did when before she turned around to face him. He smirked when that look of recognition had flashed across her face. It really was good to see her. He had been worried that she was going to end up scarred for life from her ordeal. Who knows, maybe she was and he was only seeing her on a good day or something. Jorge just didn’t know how to deal with the situation so he was just going to have to wait and see and gauge her reactions like that.
>> "Jorge! It is very good to see you again."
He smirked as she leaned up and kissed each cheek. This was definitely a far cry from the girl that he used to run into before. Normally she was scared and timid but she seemed much more confident and less terrified of the world. That was at least good.
He hoped.
Then, as she stepped back, she presented a basket and Jorge had to smirk. That obviously must have contained the cookies that he was promised over the phone. Gently he placed his hands on the basket…
>> "The treats, as promised. I do hope you like Butter cookies."
A chuckle fell from his lips as he was about to take the basket but there was a change in Andrea’s eyes. Almost as if she was second guessing herself about whether or not to give him the cookies that he was promised. As a rule, Jorge did indeed love all kinds of sweets. He still remembered the time that he rescued Drew and the young man presented him with some freshly baked cookies as well! They were most delicious. Yes, he was a man that was a slave to any type of pastry or dessert.
>> "If you do not like them.. that is okay. I'm am not very good at baking yet..Not.. that you won't like them, or anything. Iamjustgoingtoshutupnow..."
Wow she was apparently really flustered about this whole thing. The detective could only smile warmly as he nodded and very gently took the basket from her after she agreed to shut up.
“I’m sure they will be wonderful,” he said with a smile. “It is very good to see you. You’re looking very well,” he then nodded to be nearby bench. “Care to sit?”
Member of the X-Men Mansion Swim Teacher MRC Detective
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Sept 9, 2024 10:46:38 GMT -6
Jorge
>> “Well, I hear that all their burgers are really good…But I like the mac’n’cheese.”[/color]
Jorge nodded. Though he loved a good burger, the man was indeed partial to macaroni and cheese, especially when it receives such reviews from someone like Chase. Besides, Jorge was on stake out last night and he had a burger then. Maybe some cheesy pasta was exactly the change up that he needed. Besides, it would probably help relax the situation a bit when he did finally get around to asking Chase what he had brought here in the first place.
It was a scary thought though. He was essentially going to be changing his relationship with Chase drastically. Whereas before he was just the boyfriend that Chase had to tolerate because he was around when the boy was adopted, he was now going to technically be his father. Technically? Pssh, he WOULD be the boy’s father for all purposes. While part of Jorge was actually pretty excited by that prospect, he worried about how Chase would react. After all, the boy had just gotten used to have a loving mother like Gemma around. How was he to react when he would suddenly have a father to? If Gemma even said yes?
But Jorge shook his head. He had to stop. He was really over thinking this a lot. Maybe he was just still a little shaken up because he had never had a relationship like Gemma’s before and did not want to mess things up. After all, Gemma was married before; who knows if she even wanted to get married again, especially with a new kid in her life.
Enough was enough, though. He really needed to get out of his head…
Jorge sighed as he watched Chase working a particularly challenging puzzle on the placemat and smirk. He was a sweet kid; hopefully he wouldn’t feel like the burly detective was intruding onto his life.
“You know, I think I’ll have the mac-and-cheese too. It seems to have gotten rave reviews from you and I follow the treads,” he chuckled with a smirk. It didn’t take long for them to wait as soon their waiter had appeared at their table side. Jorge nodded for Chase to go first.
“Hey there partner!” the man beamed happily as he held up his little notepad. “What’re you going to be having today?”
Member of the X-Men Mansion Swim Teacher MRC Detective
Seablue
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Married to Gemma
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Sept 9, 2024 10:46:38 GMT -6
Jorge
Actually I'm pretty open to any idea, Enders! Jorge is a tough MRC cop so he could meet Joe while responding to a job or tries to help out in some dangerous situation. He also does tend to work out, go on walks with his dog, frequent bookstores if you don't want something actiony.
Agnes is pretty open too. She many frequents the city, preparing for her move to Julliard or just trying to get back in the swing of having a normal life. She is also supposed to be part of Sebastian's church so she may be helping people or just trying to spread the word.
Member of the X-Men Mansion Swim Teacher MRC Detective
Seablue
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Married to Gemma
2,231
469
Sept 9, 2024 10:46:38 GMT -6
Jorge
It had been a bit since Jorge and Chase had just some guy time. Ever since their last adventure the two had managed to spend more “just guy” time together (which seemed to please Gemma greatly) but it had been a piece before Jorge was able to actually take Chase out. Unfortunately work just got too hectic for him to really just set a day aside. Oh he spoke to Chase and he hung out with him whenever they were all out together, but just dude time had been vastly limited. Jorge had vowed to make it up to him and finally he was!
Plus…there was a small ulterior motive for this little outing. It had been something that Jorge had been mulling over for a long time and he knew it was the decision that he wanted to make. But first he needed to make sure that it was okay with Chase. After all, this would not only just affect Gemma, but it would affect her son vastly…
…he wanted to ask Gemma to marry him.
It was a terrifying step. The man had never been married before since more women he dated tended to flee because of his life’s work before they ever got that serious. But things had been serious with Gemma for a good while now and she was still around. Even through strange, Halloween insanity, large-handed thugs, and various other monstrosities, Jorge could always count on Gemma being by his side and vice versa.
She was a one of a kind woman and he would have liked nothing more than to be her husband. But she had new son living with her, a boy whose life started with such turmoil. He was only now starting to get a balanced life and Jorge was simply not sure if his asking Gemma to marry him would cause the boy more issues. After all, they were getting along just fine but there was not that sense of permanence that comes with marriage. If he asked Gemma, and she said yes, that would automatically bring Chase into the family as well. Jorge loved Chase, dearly, but he needed to make sure that the boy would be okay with this change too.
That was why he was taking him out to lunch, where he could have an honest discussion with him; man-to-man.
That was why Jorge was now sitting in a booth, across from Chase in the boy’s favorite restaurant “Chartreuse Bluejay”. Jorge had never really stepped into this place before but he always used to hear great things about their endless baskets of fries and their burgers were supposed to actually be pretty good. But none of that mattered to Jorge, so long as Chase was in a comfortable atmosphere.
He smiled across the table as the boy looked over the menu. “Now, I’ve never been here before,” he explained, “So you have an suggestions?”
Member of the X-Men Mansion Swim Teacher MRC Detective
Seablue
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Married to Gemma
2,231
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Sept 9, 2024 10:46:38 GMT -6
Jorge
Jorge held the badge loosely as he waited for the boy to ask his question. He really did like the boy, it was just tragic everything that he had to experience. No child should have gone through what he did, what the stories said he went through. Just the little snippet that Michael gave him made the detective’s heart swell with sympathy and a righteous anger to throw the man that did this into jail and throw away the key. No parent had the right to do anything like this to a child; there simply was no justifying it in any way imaginable.
But the detective did not say any of this out loud. Instead he did his best to keep his cool since he did not want to worry or cause the child to shrink away. He needed him to talk, which was why he remained silent and decided to go along with this game…
Jorge regarded Michael in silence as he waited for him to talk. Before long it seemed as if Mikey had finally came up with a question…
>> “P..police have..have families too. And probably have kids and…Do...do you have any of me?”
Head tilted curiously, Jorge watched the boy before he turned his attention back to the leggos (since he didn’t want to startle him with staring). At first he really did not understand the boy’s question. Any of him? He half thought about asking the boy to clarify what he had asked but Jorge did not want him to think that he did not know how to play his own game. So Jorge remained in silence as he tried to piece together exactly what he was asking him…
>> “And...and I’m a son. Like...like a boy.”
Click…Click…Click…
OH! In that second Jorge finally seemed to grasp what Mikey was asking him; about whether or not had he had any kids. He had to admit that it was a perfectly reasonable question to ask. He shook his head before he actually responded.
“Unfortunately, no. I don’t have kids of my own.” he said honestly. “I do have a couple of nieces, nephews, and other children that I do my best to help when they need me, though.” Quietly, once he made sure that that was the end of his answer, he handed the badge back to Michael. Only when the boy took it back did the detective finally open his mouth to talk. “Michael, after your father got mad, how long did you stay in your room?”
Member of the X-Men Mansion Swim Teacher MRC Detective
Seablue
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Married to Gemma
2,231
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Sept 9, 2024 10:46:38 GMT -6
Jorge
Jorge…had received an odd phone call on his voicemail. At first he did not recognize the number but as checked he checked his phone log but once he heard the message he had to smirk a little bit. It was Andrea. When was the last time that he had actually spoken to her? It was probably at the hospital after her grizzly attack. That was his last memory of her, lying in a hospital bed, IVs stuck into her body and her head and limbs bandaged up from so much trauma that she had undergone.
It was terrifying to imagine that she had gone through something so horrendous. But on top of that, what was probably the most disturbing, was the fact that he still had not found her attacker. There were more leads, rumors about a lion-headed killer, on top of the fact that he had attacked another young girl, Gina. And yet they still could not find him?
That probably irritated Jorge the most of all; that sweet people like Andrea and Gina had to go through such horrible circumstances and the person responsible was still not being brought to justice. Jorge didn’t care for that but he knew that he was already doing absolutely everything in his power to find their attacker. And he would find him, because this was a case that Jorge was not going to simply let fall to the wayside.
He would find the Lion Man if it took his last breath.
He blinked though as he heard the beep of the message on his voicemail ending. Damn it, he was too busy in his own thoughts to notice it! He hit the replay button…
****
LATER…
Jorge entered the park. While he really did not need to keep this meeting, he really wanted to check on Andrea just to see how she was doing. Seriously, that was it (he was not at all in this for the cookies; though the man did love desserts). But despite his reasons, the detective was in the park and was strolling to where he was hopefully able to interpret where Andrea was going to be at. He eyed people that passed by, keeping an eye out for Andrea but didn’t see anyone that remotely looked like her. Still though, he pressed on.
As he rounded around a tree, up ahead, he found someone waiting with a basket in her hands. At first he was going to look past her and continue but he paused the second he caught her green skin. That was indeed Andrea, but…there was something different about her. A confidence that she did not quite exude before. He could tell that she had changed...
He smiled, warmly, as he strolled up, dressed in his normal dark blue suit with his gray trench coat on. Hands idly in his pockets, he smirked as he watched at her.
“Afternoon, Andrea. Long time no see,” he said with a friendly smile.
Member of the X-Men Mansion Swim Teacher MRC Detective
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Married to Gemma
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Sept 9, 2024 10:46:38 GMT -6
Jorge
I'm actually open for threads with all my characters if any are interested. I have Jorge Cervantes, Agnes Nicholas, Vicente de la Sangre, and Akshay Malik! I'm pretty open for anything.
Member of the X-Men Mansion Swim Teacher MRC Detective
Seablue
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Married to Gemma
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Sept 9, 2024 10:46:38 GMT -6
Jorge
>> "That was not me…Keep looking."
Jorge sighed. Of course it was not the boy. He really was not looking forward to taking on a pack of wolves right now, but he found that he had little to no choice. The kid had told him that the simulation would not stop unless they were beaten unconscious or that they had defeated the game. Some twisted game this was. This was absolutely madness; but the detective would deal with the situation. He faced down some pretty gnarly experiences in his life and he was not going to succumb to computerized pack of dogs!
The first and most important thing was that he needed a weapon. He didn’t bother to bring his gun with him to the school (for obvious reasons) so that meant his next most natural weapons were his fists and water. While the detective did not know how he would fair out in fisticuffs against a pack of wolves, he was not really going to risk it now.
He needed to find water.
He continued to lead, letting his sense guide him to where he felt the water closest to the surface of the ice. Trudging on, he tried to keep focused, tried to keep in mind that he was fighting for his life and did not want to give in. With every step ice crunched underfoot but Jorge felt the pull of nearby water all that much more. But just as he felt he was felt he was near, suddenly he heard the sounds of more howling.
A feeling of being watched and eyed crept over his person…
>> "Have you seen Ice Age? With the silly sloth and the cuddly mammoth and the nice fuzzy sabertooth? This is exactly... the opposite of that…At least we can hear the wolves. Tigers don't howl."
“Heh,’” Jorge smirked. “So I guess I shouldn’t expect any jaunty musical numbers?”
Just as he finished talking he paused. He felt the water, so close! He peered ahead and spotted that there indeed was a rather deep fissure into the ice. The call of the icy water was magnetic and felt almost like a lifesaver. Of course, though, as he took the first step towards it, that was when he heard the growling.
Spun back around to look in the same direction that Gawain was looking and groaned. There, of course, was the pack of wolves, snowy and white and blended nearly perfectly with their environment. Their bright, yellow eyes glared at them, menacingly, as if daring them to move. They looked…slightly bigger than the average wolf.
Member of the X-Men Mansion Swim Teacher MRC Detective
Seablue
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Married to Gemma
2,231
469
Sept 9, 2024 10:46:38 GMT -6
Jorge
>> “This…the badge of a policeman. The policemen sometimes are good, unless they’re using fake ones.”
Jorge nodded. The boy had taken his badge and was looking it over carefully, methodically, regarding it as if he were trying to figure out whether Jorge’s words were true or false. To Jorge that badge always meant trust and capability, but the boy was right, there were those few people who would use the badge for bad means. His ex-partner, for one, was one of those people. He used his badge in order to steal from those people trying to protect the rest of the populace.
But Jorge was not that type of cop. When he wore the badge, when he identified himself with it, he knew that there was a trust there that he would never break. To him, the badge actually meant something. He hoped that Mikey would be able to understand that.
When the boy was done looking at the shield, he didn’t lift his gaze much higher towards Jorge. Instead he kept hugging his teddy bear. But he did seem like he was finally ready to open up a little more about his experiences. At least that is what Jorge assumed when Mikey held the badge back out to him.
Carefully, gently he took it from the boy’s hand, but he did not put it away. Instead he held it loosely as Mikey started to speak…
>> “I have to tell…now I have to tell the truth. We take turns, and th…then you tell the truth next…Wh…when I have the policemen badge you can ask me a question and I have to say the truth…because this means that you tell the truth. So…so you…you can have the policemen badge first.”
At first Jorge didn’t understand what the boy was saying but it gradually dawned on him that he was trying to turn this into some type of turn-based game. Jorge didn’t know if that is just what the boy needed to get the words out but it so, that was just fine. The detective was only glad that he was finally feeling comfortable enough to talk. Michael still was not looking at him but at least he seemed like he was trusting him more with every passing second.
Jorge nodded. He would agree to this game.
“Okay,” he said, holding the badge in his hand. “Ask me anything.”