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.
Posted by Ashton Drake on Nov 7, 2024 14:17:11 GMT -6
Alpha Mutant
Cinnamon
897
14
Nov 20, 2024 21:49:57 GMT -6
Mugen
>>> ”Thanks…” the Redhead said, ”But I wasn’t really prepared for this and I can’t carry much more. If the bag is open when we’re in there, I should be able to get more if I need it…”
The redhead… Quin… was right. He had a bag full of stuff, but she had no bag. Ashton opened his mouth to offer the bag entirely, but then… Fred… came over, hyper-excited and talking and acting like Ashton would be his bestest best friend. Ashton just smiled politely, and kept any uncomfortable words to himself.
Ashton slid the shoulder bag back into his shoulder. Glanced at Fred.
Fred could provide. He confirmed it.
“Great.” Ashton said.
Fred was nice, but too excited and it all felt off. When he moved to slide an arm around his shoulders, Ashton casually took a step to one side, towards Kealey and the rest of his group. Like he had not even noticed the man’s attempt at a shoulder snug.
A glanced back at Fred and the other two, calm smile aimed at Fred. Mainly. A reassuring look, like he was not mad , and was merely on this, laser focused on the mission. No need to make things weird one minute in to the mission.
His focus returned to Kealey. He stood and listened.
—
Kealey spoke, telling of guards. Figuring out a plan. The guards would return, couldn’t stay away forever. Ashton knew they would, and needed to be dealt with. Kealey mentioned that shortly, but spoke of the woman and her item first. About how, when they entered, dealing with the woman and her magic item was most important. Get it away, get it away, get it clear. That was key. As for the guards, be gentle.
Ashton nodded. Basically his plan the whole time. His plan and her plan stopped overlapping right about there. She wanted to spearhead toward the woman, with William and Lee, and Tarin. And not him. The guy who could potentially trivialize the whole thing. A flare of annoyance flared in him, but he quashed it. She was the leader, he would follow the leader. It was entirely possible the woman knew something about their targets powers that he personally did not.
He could protect and assist the remaining folks. Mr. Excited, Red, and other Will. Did that make him team leader of that squad? No. But he may have had more experience, just maybe, from his time on the police force. If he was having an ego. Ego aside, He could still do his part to keep them focused. As a team member. Keep them safe. It just sucked an X wasn’t watching him, which had been the entire point of the whole mission. But whatever. Deferring and proving reliable were important skills, too. Listening was paramount.
Kealey had asked if they could do what she asked. Ashton said ”Yeah.”
Tarin and Lee broke for a second, to talk. William, with the glow, was off to one side, with the glow. Other Will just stood by.
>>> Fred turned to Ashton, "Score! We're on the same team! Hey, if we encounter any dogs, I've got some extra molotovs you can use!"
Ashton have him a thumbs up. ” That’d be great,” He said.
Fred started dancing in place and his eyes were glowing with bright blue light as he got ready to go. Ashton took a piece of jerky, when it was offered, because hell. He could trade places with anything. He shoved it in a pocket in his armored vest, for later.
He reached into his drawstring bag and idly palmed a couple of tennis balls. As He looked up, his eyes fell to the middle distance. The guards. Approaching. All 6. He squeezed his balls for reassurance. They could do this.
They chattered as they approached.
Excuse me, leave!
Nothing to see here! We’re closed!
Nothing is wrong!! The third said. One of the other guards glanced at him, and Ashton took note of the name on the tag. Jeff Illegible-Charcoal-glyphs.
‘He’s my favorite,’ Ashton thought
Jeff threatened them with a good time.
Please, they said. Please, Jeff repeated. He would take Jeff out first.
Lee and Tarin rejoined them, just in time.
>>> "I can't deal with six of them at once," Lee told them, looking at Kealey and Ashton in particular. "Not without injuries. If you can manage only one or two getting close to me at a time?"
Ashton held up his tennis balls. ”Yup.”
Lee then turned to Tarin. "Guess I'm up. If Tony and friends can catch them once they're out? I won't have time to stop their heads hitting the ground."
Lee was first to take action, plodding toward the men. Ashton got the impression, from brief words prior, Tarin and Lee were a thing. Ashton approved of Lee. Smart and quick. Good for him!
He mentally played his next moves. Keep them off Lee while she worked. Leave one open for Quin, help Will… keep Fred entertained.
He could bounce in and—
Oh— Will was copying Lee. Walking towards the guards. Slow and steady wins the race.
Ashton had two balls in one hand, one between index finger and thumb, the other, middle finger, pinky and ring. Without losing grip on the second, Ashton underhand threw the first. It went off and to the left, wills General direction , bounced, rolled, came to a stop. Highly visible, in yellow. Exactly why he picked tennis balls over baseball.
Lee had one by the arm. And things started happening.
Tarin summoned his ghosts. ‘And to think, some people go to therapy to get rid of those,’ Ashton thought wryly. Tarin told his to go, and they did.
They appeared by guards.
Neat.
Will lunged. Caught one guard by the wrist.
Others acted, too.
Quin dashed past him, and as She went, he noticed her wince for a split second. Like maybe she had gotten injured within the last 24 hours, and the sprint had agitated it.
Note to self: we may not all be at 100 percent.
He had triggered a bad headache, a nose bleeds and a bad migraine from all his swapping the day prior, and claimed a few bruises as well. It’s just, he was no stranger to a bruise: former cop. Etc. Which was why he noticed the gun on a guard before anyone else did.
Jeff. God dammit, Jeff.
William closed the gap to zap, and Ashton drew in his focus to That gun. As William sent loads of electric currents into one guard, Ashton appeared within six inches of another. In front of Jeff. Just as He had dropped his hand towards his holster. Which was empty now. The gun was where Ashton had been. It fell from chest level, to land on the concrete. Near Fred. And did anyone smell cinnamon?
1st teleport of the hour. 2 seconds before another. Cooldown period. If he went to his hourly limit, that doubled. Then, it tripled.
Ashton smashed his riot shield into Jeff’s chest. The man’s arms rose as He staggered backwards.
”God dammit Jeff! Watch out people, they may be armed!”
He didn’t know if 1 was or all of them. And He didn’t want to take chances.
The 2nd tennis ball “pong pong” bounced on concrete by their feet as Ashton’s (now free) hand went to reach out and touch somebody. All the coolest kids were grabbing wrists, so Ashton did it, too. That’s peer pressure!
He grabbed hold of the man’s wrist, and shoved his shield up into his face as He pulled and worked to shove him bodily to the ground. He had a few inches on Jeff, and more muscle mass, from training. Plus the big shield, and weight from the vest and pads. He got him facedown after a couple seconds, with his arms behind his back. One was pinned by his free hand. The other, by a knee. The shield was pressing down against the back of the man’s upper body and head, to make sure he knew he was downed. But that left him without a free hand to tie him down.
“Quin!” Ashton tried to get her attention. He glanced back to where he remembered she had been… you know… ahead of him, until he had teleported. ”I have a perfect situation for you to put one of those zip ties to good use.” Hurry on over here, Red!
As Ashton held Jeff down, He started a quick head count, but he never finished it. Lee had 1. William, 1. Will had 1 in his grasp, but— there was another standing behind him, raising their hands, and Ashton did not really want to give them a chance to do whatever they were planning to do to Will’s exposed back. And right beyond them, in Ashton’s vision, a little yellow ball. Very visible, where he had put it earlier.
Enough time had passed.
Ashton focused on the guard and the ball.
Teleportation count: 2
A headache instantly bloomed as He swapped something about 20 lbs over his weight limit of 100. The guard was about 5’2”, and skinny. 117-118 lbs. Lucky for Will. These were museum workers. Not mall cops. If it had been 250 lbs, Ashton would have blacked out.
The day before, He had needed to pick targets wisely. Gone to bed with a migraine. Mainly from over use. But he had picked one or two humans to swap with. He had been training, But He needed to bulk up.
Behind Will, where the guard had once been, a tennis ball dropped from chest level. It bounced a few times, then rolled away. It had traded more than just location, it had traded speed. Appeared chest level to where the guard had been. The now “not in a position to strike” guard? He was about 25 feet away from Will, at present. Confused. Both the ball and him now smelling vaguely of cinnamon.
Ashton grimaced at the headache. He had painkillers in a pocket, but he could wait til later to use a blood thinner. It wasn’t that bad.
He had done math earlier. With gear… shotgun weighed 6-8 lbs, the average weight of a riot shield was between 6 - 14 lbs… his was clear plastic, with reinforced fittings, and on the heavier side. It weighed about 14 lbs. His gear probably weighed 20-30 with armor and padding. Collapsible Baton weighed less than 1 lb. The bag of tricks was 3-5. Altogether, his whole kit weighed about 58 lbs. about 62, with clothing and ammo. Not close to his 100 lb “take with me” Maximum. For Sidealong teleportation, he’d probably only be able to take lighter folk. Like the ladies. Sorry, fellas. He didn’t want to pass out. 110 lbs, plus 62-65 in gear? Migraine. Instant migraine. Or nose bleed. Use when needed. But he could do it. Might make his ears bleed. Maybe he would leave some gear behind.
Posted by Ashton Drake on Nov 5, 2024 11:39:20 GMT -6
Alpha Mutant
Cinnamon
897
14
Nov 20, 2024 21:49:57 GMT -6
Mugen
Kealey invited him to help. And told him to take things seriously, which Ashton very much agreed with.
The man’s eyes quite literally lit up. Uh oh.
If Ashton would require a word to describe this person, he thought… capricious might be a good one. He was given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior.
He wasn’t nervous, but he was a bit wary and uncomfortable about the new guy. As Kealey had said? Things were dangerous. Clowning around for fun was a sure fire way to have a bad time. Get yourself hurt. He sympathized with her. And as she told him her powers, he realized she empathized with him.
Emotions shifted as new information became known. If she felt feelings, he would tamp down on anything that might make her job more difficult. master himself. He was big boy.
Almost immediately, someone was present in the vehicle who had not been there, prior. Between him and the other guy. Ashton was Startled. Driver was startled. Sudden stop. Then, calming himself, He relaxed. Focused on mob dress, he missed seeing the driver’s bout of glow.
The newest newcomer relayed information. Strange person. But not an inherent threat. He breathed. Then compartmentalized what the mob dressed person said.
Tarin and Lee… he knew a Lee. Was the world that small? He was curious. And two other kids? Hm,
And, wait. Had new guy said he could give them stuff? Items? Guns? Disguises? Some sort of portal power with item summoning, then? He liked the newest new guys outfit. And What had he said his name was? Fred? No. That wasn’t it.
”Okay, To-dinner.” Ashton said wryly. Under his breath.
Kealey started talking. Ashton droooed the subject to listen. His focus was on her, and he was calm, if a bit distracted by the mob guy, to-Dinner, and everything else. He tamped those things down without her assistance, preparing his game face. Until what was left was largely just collected calm.
>>> Taking a deep breath, Kealey addressed the car, ”Alright…so once they get here….” she said.
———
A few minutes later, the rest of the party arrived. Huh, it was the Lee he knew, small world.
>>> "I do not want to be shot today," she told him firmly. "So if you shoot that with me anywhere around, I swear to God, Ashton, it will no longer be functional."
She meant the shotgun, right? Not— never mind.
”I was a cop before I was an electrician,” He supplied. ”I am all about gun safety. I will be careful.”
He was not even annoyed, just… focused on making sure she understood. So she felt less insecure. The guy right next to her, he was surprised she knew him.
”We know each other through work. I fixed something at her bar,” He addressed the guy. Tarin, maybe? If the informant had informed them about the two most important, ‘and the rest,’ and he was with her in the lead… made sense.
Suddenly, the person who had been between him and to-dinner vanished. Yea, he knew the guys name wasn’t actually to-dinner. He got mild amusement from referring to the person as such.
Ashton blinked at the missing person. Confused.
>>> “I don’t know what kind of recon you were able to get…” Tarin said, addressing Kealey in the front of the car, ”But besides the guards out here, there’s a few patrols that seem to not be employees inside the museum. They’ve got some kind of dogs with them. I couldn’t get anyone into the Egyptian wing, but we were outside my range…once we’re within about a hundred and fifty feet I can figure out more.”
Well he was instantly useful. Ashton took all that information and put it in a box in his mind. Focusing. Nodding slightly.
The man’s next comment sort of explained where the mob guy had gone and where the information had come from.
>>> ”I’m Tarin, by the way. I do creepy ghost stuff.”
With so much weird going on, he hadn’t dwelled too long on the vanished… ghost. Okay. That was a weird moment where he processed that, his heart raced, then he forced himself down. He wasn’t afraid of ghosts. At least, not if this mutant was behind them. He seemed… Ashton didn’t know how he seemed. He’d know of him less than a minute. Capable, if a bit intense? Might that have been a first impression? As for the people with them…
Ashton looked behind him and Lee.
”Cool, cool,” He idly commented, about the ghosts. To-dinner was likely over the moon. Or hungry.
Probably both.
He was processing. He was calm. This was compartmentalizing. Putting people and things in boxes, to deal with later.
One of the two was a guy, Will. Probably somewhere around his age, which… William Faraday, the other Will, who he had called kid… they were probably both close to him in age. He regretted calling the man a kid, but oh well. Shit was happening at a mile a minute.
William was electrical. Will manipulated senses. Through grabbing. Okay. And the woman near him? Red hair, very pretty.
God, Kealey would feel the interest. And it was not just because she was pretty. It had been a long time since he had read his diaries from before he had deaged, but something about her— appearance, his own notes— made him interested. Because it clued in on something in his memories. But he would have to mess with that later.
A Quin, who manipulated plastics. Red hair. Hmmm.
Didn’t he have old pictures from before everything went down?
Hmmm…
>>> ”Are we really going to do this? If so, where’s the gift shop?”
Without context, that comment made no sense. But she manipulated plastics, and did not appear to have a lot of plastics. So— he was fast on the uptake. He followed.
He stepped out of the car to stand near William Faraday, the guy with the purplish glow.
Ashton held up the shoulder bag he had carried.
”If you’re wanting the gift shop for plastic stuff… I brought a bunch of things. Dunno what all you can use. Mainly zip ties and super balls, and little plastic beads.”
He glanced back at the rest of the group. For the people who had not heard his name, he repeated it, and shared more. ”My name is Ashton. My power is trading places with things, and making things and people trade places with things. If I get close to the lady with the ankh, like line of sight… maybe I can replace it with something. If things are ever that easy.”
He looked back at Quin. ”Take what you need. Leave me the tennis balls and whatever you don’t. Hrm… are riot shields in your bag, I wonder… I can work with pretty much anything. Oh, and Fred over there sounds like he has ways to get whatever you need, right Fred?”
Emotionwise, he was calm, a little curious, mostly just earnest and trying to be helpful. Tamping down on the overwhelmed feeling from earlier. He had to extend a little confidence and trust. He felt better with Lee there. Knew she was a competent mom. If people goofed off, she would… do exactly what she said she would.
Posted by Ashton Drake on Nov 3, 2024 19:28:41 GMT -6
Alpha Mutant
Cinnamon
897
14
Nov 20, 2024 21:49:57 GMT -6
Mugen
>>> ”We’re going to have to be careful not to injure those guards.” Kealey said.
Ashton nodded. ”Yeah.” That was why he had lead them on like he was going to leave. And they’d left… it had worked. For a while. He hoped they had figured his motives out, but he wasn’t going to blatantly point them out for a gold star or anything.
The kid brought their attention back to the guy, and he did not really trust the guy, from the brief interaction Kealey had with him. With the way he turned it back on her, and—
“Have fun”? He was there to have fun?
Yeah, Ashton got bad vibes from that. It really weirded him out. And he was making things vanish and—
Wait, had he called him Mr. Sweary? Nobody else had sworn outside the car, but he had sure and hell said what the hell.
The new comer drew their attention to returning guards, and the driver backed away. As if leaving. Deeper into the lot.
”Smart, kid.” He said to the driver. Then he turned towards new guy. ”and No, new guy. I don’t think any pantsing will be required. I’m Ashton, by the way. Not Sweary guy or Mr Swear. Maybe we should all introduce ourselves so we don’t call each other new guy or driver. And maybe share powers, if you’re suddenly committed to helping strangers break into a museum…”
Posted by Ashton Drake on Nov 2, 2024 9:17:40 GMT -6
Alpha Mutant
Cinnamon
897
14
Nov 20, 2024 21:49:57 GMT -6
Mugen
The guys, the guards… wandered off? Had his ruse worked? Actually worked? That was a shining first.
Well, whatever.
He got the giant vehicle, when she asked him to. The reasoning was good. Maybe if it looked like they were committed to leaving, the guards would stay gone.
The driver backed the vehicle up a bit, then
Thump. The sound of a body hitting the ground nearby, muffled by the fact of it being outside the vehicle.
”What the hell?” he rolled down a window, and stared down at the person- it was a person- who had landed on his side of the vehicle.
He blinked, then carried on.
”So anyways. Your question. The guards, they were all talking in unison like they were being controlled. And their name tags had weird rune-looking things scrawled over their actual names. Like, Egyptian hieroglyphs. In charcoal or something like it.” he explained.
That had been his cue. Visual. The weird marks.
”And- He glanced at the guy outside. He was kind of annoyed by the weird interruption.
Posted by Ashton Drake on Nov 2, 2024 9:13:49 GMT -6
Alpha Mutant
Cinnamon
897
14
Nov 20, 2024 21:49:57 GMT -6
Mugen
Well. He had already done cardio. Cardio was running. Fitness. He was good on that. He didn’t need any more of that. That left powers and combat.
Trading places with stuff, making things trade places with things, in combat scenarios. There was a lot of overlap there. He did that one a lot. That was honestly the one he had been planning today. Combat. But…
He didn’t really want to jump Lee into combat. After she had expressly shown disinterest in the danger portion of the danger room. So, his tone a bit beleaguered, grumbly, Ashton said: ”Powers, probably.”
If she had any situational awareness, she might catch onto the fact he didn’t sound thrilled, like he had changed plans. For her.
But. Whatever.
He could do this. It could be good. Great practice. He was making himself be more excited about it, changing his mood. Because he didn’t want to be Grouch.
He glanced back at her. ”Do you have an extra ability?” he asked. That was what one mutation expert called them, wasn’t it? A power. An extra ability. Yeah.
They were almost to the room. When they got there, he put in his code. The door opened up.
Posted by Ashton Drake on Oct 31, 2024 20:10:33 GMT -6
Alpha Mutant
Cinnamon
897
14
Nov 20, 2024 21:49:57 GMT -6
Mugen
Six people. Friggin idiot. He had paced in the parking lot, walked around a bit, and attracted enemy attentions. Because those were definitely enemies, right? Under someone’s… sway? Like in a vampire flick, yeah? All coming out like—
“Excuse me,”
and
"But the museum is currently closed to the public. You are trespassing. Please leave."
There were hieroglyphics on their badges, scrawled over the names in black… and they were acting in unison, giving creeper vibes. Repeating ‘please leave’, all together now. Like they had rehearsed.
Another car pulled in, and half the group split off to approach the new vehicle. Ashton, meanwhile, had to figure out the best response. Because these seemed like normal, mind-controlled, people. He couldn’t just go and hurt them. It also did not seem like a mentally balanced response. And—
Damn, that other vehicle was HUGE!
Okay. So violence was out for the moment. He could certainly dispatch them with a clever move later if they needed to, but a ruse might be better. Some good old fashioned American lying.
”I am so so terribly sorry. Y’all are doing your jobs and I just traipsed in here hoping to see the exhibit, but now— I feel terrible. I should go help you get that other vehicle to leave. Then I can get out of your hair. Here—“ Ashton cut the sugar sweet monologue by breaking into a brisk walk in the direction of the big vehicle.
He approached from the side, right around the time the three goons did. He slipped in front of them, and started talking over anything they could say.
”Hey, you folks, I’m terribly sorry. These guards here are doing their very best to do their job, and their job is currently sending folks away. I wish they cared less, but they seem to care an awful lot what their boss wants. I think maybe we should regroup somewhere else and get out of their hair!”
Emotion wise, there was concern for himself, the people in the car, and the folks getting manipulated. Also, whatever emotion was tied to smooth talking liars. That clever emotion, you know? The “thinking on your feet” feeling. What was it called? Slickness? Sly…? He wanted to give everyone a chance to back out and determine a new attack plan, since hey, he didn’t want to brawl with what were most likely innocent people. He also was curious if the blonde woman and the guy driving were X-men, or help Shard had sent.
He looked to the blonde. He saw a ring on her. Might as well ask. ”Is your husband named Shin…?”
Shinbo, Shard, Shin, Testy Ah, guy had way too many names.
Posted by Ashton Drake on Oct 30, 2024 22:07:50 GMT -6
Alpha Mutant
Cinnamon
897
14
Nov 20, 2024 21:49:57 GMT -6
Mugen
Oh good. Thank god. He wasn’t the first one there. Awkwardness, dodged.
Ashton pulled into a spot outside the museum, and took the tedious time to park the car, lock the vehicle, and put on his gear. “Suit up,” as it were. That meant helmet on head, bag over shoulder, riot shield on arm.
He knew what he needed to do. He saw other cars in the lot. Maybe these were his backup? He had to get within eyeshot. Then he could lower the boom. Get the ankh. Save the world. Strap, zip. He was suited.
He slammed the trunk. Oh. He had also brought a shotgun. In the trunk. He had a permit, it was all cool. Probably wouldn’t even need it. He stuffed that in the holster by the shoulder bag. Overkill was always probably about the right amount when it came to X stuff, if the mansion asploding and stories he had heard of riots, camps, Romania, and Big pharmaceutical were any clue as to what to expect. One time, a whale— never mind…
He looked around. Nobody by the cars. So it was just cars, then! Maybe they were the bad guys cars. A simpler mind would have thought about kicking em or slashing tires, but Ashton just sighed and walked away from his locked car, to find other people. Except there weren’t any. He was the first to arrive at the location.
Ashton swore, intently, loudly, and internally, for a good long while. Then, he scoped out the area and walked a perimeter.
Posted by Ashton Drake on Oct 30, 2024 10:58:41 GMT -6
Alpha Mutant
Cinnamon
897
14
Nov 20, 2024 21:49:57 GMT -6
Mugen
Oh boy yesterday. Yesterday had been a lot of— a lot of him using his powers of people who were causing harm, to cause them to cause less harm. Ashton had not gotten a lot of screen time with his efforts, because that time period had been incredibly busy. But— in a former life, he had been a police officer, and some habits transcend space and time. Even if he was not one, not any more, he could still assist.
He had seen police officers trying to calm situations, he had used his object teleportation to make things trade places with things. So a cop did not get stabbed by a knife. They got stabbed by a traffic cone. A man did not point a gun at someone and pull a trigger rapidly to end lives. They found themselves holding a piece of shattered brick from the pavement, or a discarded teddy bear. Using that wonderful little power of his had led to Ashton swinging a lot of uneven fights the other way. Gave a lot of police officers and civilians who would be heroes a chance at coming out on top. And from range.
He himself had stepped in a handful of times to bring a few people down. He had swung in to swap with guys who were about to do a coup de grace, just to pick the downed fighter up in time while their assailant looked around, thoroughly confused. (Instant headache). He had thrown a few tennis balls in one direction, then made the person trade places (and speeds) with the tennis ball. Causing them to hit a wall. (Upgrade grade to a migraine). He had done a lot of really creative, weird shit, and he was kind of sad no one had spent the time to write it all down. But such is life, the important thing is that he had prevented a lot of people from getting hurt.
He was not an X, not officially. But did he have contact with them? Yeah. And was he trying to improve his situation, to join the team? Hell yeah he was. It just meant getting experience alongside X men. Doing missions and such. He just needed more under his belt. Which was what today was about— in addition to helping folks. Because some people just can’t help themselves from putting themselves in dangerous situations others might simply walk away from… yeah. Sticking his neck out. His sensitive neck.
He got a call from an X. Some Shinbo Shard guy he had met once or twice at the mansion, who was taking it upon himself to help him get more involved in team crap. Another person on the team helping him, and Sam and Cervantes… it was weirder, though. Because Shinbo Shard knew him from another life.
He just didn’t personally know him. Or had not known him. Their first meeting, the guy had seemed wary, like in a previous life, he (Ashton) might’ve been an asshole to him? But now the guy (Shard) was just so cautiously optimistic that this new opportunity would turn out nice. It was great He wanted to help the team. The world still needs heroes!
He (Shard) had called, filled him (Ashton) in on the day before and any pertinent information he had gleaned from contacts— then sent him to a place, to do a thing.
Ashton had put on some riot gear he had legally acquired. Mainly a padded black chest armor set, some leg guards and arm guards. A strapped on collapsible baton at his side, and a black AC/DC drawstring shoulder bag full of stuff like tennis balls and marbles. Plastic beads, super balls, brightly colored things to trade places with. And zip tie riot cuffs. For utility. He had a helmet. Some camouflage pants and black and gray tee. Because why not? Now he was in transit. The bag and his ungainly riot shield were in the trunk. The helmet was on the seat next to him. He hoped there would be parking when he got there.
He had a name and an address. The name was Shinbo Shard’s wife, Kealey Shinbo. The x-man had texted her about him and she was to expect him. Backup. Clearly someone he trusted enough to back up his wife, which kind of mad Ashton feel warm and fuzzy like some sort of silly dog. But whatever. As for the address? A museum. Weird.
Apparently the x-men and folks had shared notes. Some one at a museum had an important ankh. Named Akh? Way too convenient. Ashton had a few ideas on how to take Akh’s ankh.
The car radio was blaring Take On Me. He turned that shit up.
He was en route. He hoped he wouldn’t be the first one there. That was always awkward.
Posted by Ashton Drake on Oct 28, 2024 20:17:38 GMT -6
Alpha Mutant
Cinnamon
897
14
Nov 20, 2024 21:49:57 GMT -6
Mugen
She wasn’t busy.
She had planned to head home, as an uncool mom, because kids can be so mean. And her son had new friends who would think less of him if his mom were around visiting. Ugh.
Kids.
She just started walking. And Ashton? Well, he supposed he followed. Because she knew the way. It kind of felt off-putting, put him off his game. This entire day, really. He did not much care for it.
Time to flip the script. He saw a waste paper basket, and traded places with it. It appeared in his prior location, and he appeared ahead of the woman. The two objects smells vaguely of cinnamon.
Had she asked about the floor plan? ”I suppose it’s probably the same,” Ashton admitted. He carried on as if nothing had just happened, except that now, he lead the way.
Posted by Ashton Drake on Sept 20, 2024 14:51:41 GMT -6
Alpha Mutant
Cinnamon
897
14
Nov 20, 2024 21:49:57 GMT -6
Mugen
>>> "'War room' would have been an even worse name for it, Ashton," Lee replied, and Ashton blinked.
Did she not know what they called their board room for discussing missions? Granted, he knew about it mainly from Jorge, and the man was a full X. But still.
Her humor was overshadowed by the fact she thought it funny, the idea that the x-men would get together prior to a mission, and talk about stuff. Rather than rushing off, blindly. Ashton was not an X. But he felt offended for them, by proxy. Seemed a terrible thing, to think the men in the X-men would rush off blindly, 9 times out of 10. And maybe a little sexist? Were there women on the team? They needed more women. He thought maybe the majority of women were married… he’d heard a rumor about it… and heck, even married to each other. Which meant not single. Which was a shame.
Yeah, the x men definitely needed more women in the team. More members, in general. And that was spoken by a guy who planned to join. Not just someone who appreciated the insights of the fairer… and smarter, let’s face it, folks… sex. She was probably right. Dudes probably did barge into danger, all braggadocio and ice armor, or water whatever, or whatever the hell it was the Asian did with his mind.
He totally missed the humor, yeah. He kind of stone faced past Ms Smith’s joke. So he made small talk. And she had seen the danger room once before, but not since the rebuild. She was not entirely clueless about it. Okay. Gave her opinion on it and who she would want exposed to it, a bit more weight. Better than someone who just hears danger and says “I don’t want it.”
”Well I was just about to go. If you wanted to see the new and improved room. But you were busy, weren’t you?”
At this point, he realized maybe he was artificially extending the conversation, and maybe he needed to let the woman get on with her day. Stop being selfish, monopolizing a woman’s time. Unless she wanted to kill the time, that was. With him.
Posted by Ashton Drake on Sept 15, 2024 8:28:34 GMT -6
Alpha Mutant
Cinnamon
897
14
Nov 20, 2024 21:49:57 GMT -6
Mugen
The 80s slip up had got her looking at him, and strangely. He didn’t smile about the comment, played it close to the chest. Whoops. Yeah, he did look way younger than an 80s kid. So what if his youngest memories before the age change were of stuff like hair bands and really good rock and roll? That did not mean a thing. But he would share if anyone ever asked. Just an old geezer, rambling about the good ol days.
Music these days. Not enough hair rocking. Too much emotion. Not even the right kinds. Stuff like asking what you’re made for because you’re unhappy, or whatever, when you could be focusing on how happy you were, or how happy you would make someone else, although there was that song about someone being happy… and it was mostly catchy and annoying. A real worm for your ear.
He Did like some modern music. Recent rock, some flavors of old. Maybe u2, the foo fighters, hozier, royal blood… He needed to check some out, too. The lemon twigs was supposed to be 60s-70s feel, dirty honey! He had friends that helped him on the music scene. Turned him to stuff like Allah las. Natural child, Greta van fleet, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Phanerons, Holy Wave, Triathalon… He even liked the Mars Volta. Stuff like that. Foxy Shazam, specifically their self-titled album and The Church of Rock and Roll. White Reaper sounds like early Cheap Trick. He could go on. But this was all internal monologue. Nobody was listening (not even him).
Miss Smith said:
“Then wouldn't it have made more sense to name it the 'power training room', Mr Drake? Or even simply the 'training room' rather than the danger room?"
He winced a little. Mr Drake.
” But it’s dangerous… “ He said sardonically. ”And you can call me Ashton. I’m off the clock. As for the room, yeah, maybe power training is pretty literal. The war room sounds melodramatic, too. But they probably mostly use it to play cards… not a lot of going to war lately. Except there one time they did, and it didn’t get used at all… the headmaster must enjoy melodrama.”
They were getting pretty far from the original thing He had meant to do today.
” Have you ever seen the danger room?” As thin asked curiously.
Posted by Ashton Drake on Sept 15, 2024 7:55:30 GMT -6
Alpha Mutant
Cinnamon
897
14
Nov 20, 2024 21:49:57 GMT -6
Mugen
Jorge slapped him on the shoulder, and moved to help him by showing him to the war room. Perhaps there was a job he could tackle? Jorge wanted to test him out.
Okay, okay.
Ashton, he listened to the volcano tale, and was like ‘wait, what.’ And an office building that had come to life.
”Who writes this stuff?! I guess it’s true what they say… sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction.” He shook his head, and chuckled to himself. Yeah. There was no way anyone could have made this stuff up.
Jorge led him to the mansion, next stop, the war room.
Posted by Ashton Drake on Sept 3, 2024 10:04:26 GMT -6
Alpha Mutant
Cinnamon
897
14
Nov 20, 2024 21:49:57 GMT -6
Mugen
>>>”Uh, not sure how many people," Lee admitted. "But for most of those, probably after the first time the company lost a lawsuit.
Ashton wagged a pointed finger at her, like yes! Exactly! He nodded a little. Did she get his point? Mansions and Ass covering? No, from her next comment, it seemed not.
>>> "And you and I must have had very different childhoods, because danger definitely did not sound like fun to me," Lee said.
He had respondes for that, but age looked like she were thinking. Ashton gave her a moment.
Lee agreed, maybe it was a valid point. He thought she got there. But then she talked more and proved she had reached a different location, altogether. Or maybe the same one? He did not know. His face still fell in a disappointed frown.
”Maybe it’s a guy thing. Or an 80s kid thing. Danger being cool. Loud music that damages hearing? Cool. Most of the other self destructive stuff from then…. Cool? What I meant was, maybe the name is covering their asses. Legally. Hard to argue people weren’t warned. You don’t call a gun range a training park. There are guns there.”He finished lamely.
Words matter. Word choices matter. It has to have been intentional. That name was absolutely a choice.
They lock the room best they can, and warn people.
Posted by Ashton Drake on Sept 2, 2024 13:12:44 GMT -6
Alpha Mutant
Cinnamon
897
14
Nov 20, 2024 21:49:57 GMT -6
Mugen
The disrespect. Making him a trainee, as a grown man. Jorge had sighed at the question, nodded. That was confirmation. Ashton just shook his head.
—
On the costume question, Jorge snorted.
>>> ”Depends on what fits you and your abilities best. There is some uniform between them but they are always fit to what you need.”
Ashton nodded. That made sense. If someone had a special need, like a fire mutant and fireproof clothes… whatever those were… or someone with explosive sweat, collecting the sweat in grenades, or—
>>> “You’re coming at a good time, though. X’s got a special tailor that does the fittings now. I hear he’s the best. Wish I had that…”
He said tight leather and water— Ashton did not devote much time to that mental image. He just agreed, outright.
”… yeah. That wouldn’t be the best fit. But it’s good to know they’ve got a costume person now.” Ashton said.
>>> ”If you like we can head into the war room. See if there’s anything mission wise that could interest you. Sam is probably there already. He’s always looking for trouble.” Jorge said.
Posted by Ashton Drake on Aug 29, 2024 11:30:16 GMT -6
Alpha Mutant
Cinnamon
897
14
Nov 20, 2024 21:49:57 GMT -6
Mugen
If age was a state of mind. It was probably Florida. There was duality in Florida. Old folks, set in their ways. And freaking insane people, doing whatever possessed them.
After He had finished speaking, Cervantes shared some bad news.
”Ugh. Trainee sounds like training wheels. Like I should wear an apron and be learning to make lattes. I mean, it makes sense for kids, but adults?” He gestured with both hands, like come on.
”Wait. They didn’t make you— no….”
Animals.
— So it was as He thought. Missions. Several. Then getting signed on by the old guard. Full X men. And how long to get out of being trainee? Become full, himself. Not that He was full of himself. He could pay dues, be the lower rank. Earn it.
” What’s the costume situation like? Guess I don’t know. Matching? Leather? Kevlar? Mini— never mind.” One too far.
