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 was hard to believe how forward and open Agnes was being around Nessa. Yes, she did think she was attractive and she always looked forward to the time they spent together, but normally that would result in a prolonged friendship with little hope for anything truly romantic to happen. And yet here she was, her inhibitions lowered, her interest pretty clear as she shifted a little closer to the blonde.
She was honest with what she wanted. A little more honest than she figured she would be. After being abandoned by Rhythm to be little more than a one night stand (not the best for your first time and first time coming out), Agnes made it a point that anyone else she dated would have to be honest. She didn’t want to feel like that again, not unless it was mutually understood that things would not extend beyond that one night.
But she didn’t see a one-night stand when she looked at Nessa. With how much they had hung out, all the truths that they laid at one another’s feet, it just didn’t feel right. She liked her. What that meant and where it would lead, she wasn’t entirely sure just yet, but she wanted to find out eventually. So long as she didn’t scare her off.
Still it was hard to concentrate on such fears with as loopy as her head felt. She smiled easily, watching Nessa’s face as the young woman hinted at the possibility of throwing her own hat into the dating pool. The idea of going out for milkshakes honestly sounded like the best way to cap off this night of hot, bubbling water.
”Oooo…” she purred. ”...milkshakes sound amazing. I know that...heh…I could certainly go for sipping at a tasty treat.”
Mmm, what was she saying? Honestly things sounded almost too good to be true. Nessa was so close, so warm next to her. The smile of her lips, the light in her eyes, it made it hard for Agnes to look away -- but why would she want to? In an instance, flashes of more risque images fluttered through her head. Images of looking up at Nessa, or stroking her cheek, of a shadowy silhouette of two girls leaning in for a kiss, and many others. They were all so instantaneous and quick that she could hardly focus on any but a few.
And apparently she wasn’t the only one.
Teasingly Nessa mentioned that she saw her thoughts. At first Agnes didn’t understand that. She was clearly joking, right? But no. Through the haze of her mind, somewhere, she remembered Nessa saying she was a telepath, able to read mines. And suddenly Agnes’ cheeks colored. How much did she see?
However, as much as she wanted to be embarrassed (and she was to an extent) she shook off the anxiety that tried to envelope her. Instead, surprisingly, she leaned into it. With a tilt of her head and a little smile, she leaned in and whispered into Nessa’s ear.
”Good,” she whispered. ”Then I don't have to pretend otherwise anymore.”
Agnes wasn’t used to this kind of flying but she was more than willing to try. Ever since her wings came in she had easily been able to take to the skies whenever she wanted. it was an amazing feeling. But looking out through the window, she had to admit that she had never been this high before. Rather than terrifying, she found the view rather exhilarating. Well, it wasn’t only the view, it was the fact that she was going to Europe with a close friend.
A close friend she certainly wasn’t having any thoughts about. Nope. Just in case, she kept her sunglasses on as she peered outside the window until a sharp sound pulled her attention back to the screen in front of her. The movie was...okay. Thankfully she didn’t have to dwell on it for much longer as the space next to her was immediately filled with the return of said friend that earned no thoughts.
Yes. Her sunglasses were still on. But it was probably best to pull them off. She set them on top of her head and gave the returning woman a warm smile while she pulled one of the earbuds out.
”Oh sure,” she said with a faux-serious tone. ”The spunky navy captain managed to hit one of the alien spaceships hiding under the water with a well-placed torpedo. Totally action-packed.” She shook her head. ”I still can’t believe they made a movie out of ‘Warship’ board game.” She hazarded a peek around before continuing. ”Think someone here can deage me again so I can forget watching it?”
A joke. That was all. In reality she really hoped that things weren’t going to change any further. It seemed that the deaging phenomena was hitting a strange point. Some people were returning to their normal ages, others were staying permanent. Agnes had a little anxiety as to what would happen to her. Did she want to know her older self? A look at Nessa, and the new life she was crafting, told her that no, she didn’t. She just hoped she wasn’t in for any more surprises.
Her eyebrows lifted as she turned back to the telepath. ”Yeah, you’re probably right. But I can’t help it! I’m too wired. We’re going to Europe! I never thought I’d see the day.” she snickered.
She didn’t know why she found this so enjoyable. Never would she have considered doing this kind of workout but there was something so nice about it. Yoga was quickly becoming a new obsession for her. It was to the point that she didn’t even mind the tight, curve-hugging clothes! Her old self would have been petrified and beet red even slipping these pants on. But now? Heck with it! It felt good!
In the fitness center, Agnes had greeted a few other students, even chatted with a passing friend as she made her way to her spot and unfurled her yoga mat. Dressed in black and yellow leggings and a top, she she put in her earbuds and slowly breathed as she moved into her stretches. Gosh it was a good feeling, to tighten those muscles and feels the blood flow course through after it was done. It was such a zen moment, she would have missed Nessa’s peering about if it weren’t for the full mirror she was standing in front of.
She popped her earbuds out, her wings giving an involuntary flutter as she moved into the next stretch. A grin appeared at Nessa’s comment. Bending down, her curvy behind in the air as she held her stretch, she counted in the mind as she replied.
”I’ll have you know that us insect girls and/or forest nymphs don’t sweat...” she straightened up with a long sigh and turned around to face her. ”...we glow.” With a grin she picked up her towel and started to dab her forehead. ”What’s up, sweetie? You here just for the show?”
The hot tub was certainly a lot more magical than she thought it was going to be. While she was a little nervous to be walking around in a bikini, she knew that some aspects of her older personality were beginning to shine through. They served as reminders that she didn’t stay the same quiet, meek girl she always remembered herself being. And now certainly felt like that new bravado was coming through again.
She felt so at ease. Warm bubbles caressed her from all sides, massaging away any and all tension in her muscles. Her face felt warm but that could easily be from the bubbling water...or her blush that wanted to color her cheeks. It was hard not to blush when a beautiful woman was looking at you the way Nessa did.
The tub felt even warmer with Nessa now sitting next to her. Originally her shyness would have moved Agnes away, but, in a direct contradiction to that sensation, she practically purred as she edged a little closer as well.
What did she like? She didn’t know what Professor Grey did to charm her (and she really didn’t want to know), but to her knowledge she was still fairly new to all this dating thing. Jasmine was her first serious relationship and even then it was so brief to her knowledge. And Rhythm? Well, that wasn’t a relationship so much as a lustful dive into lesbionic spontaneous combustion.
But her uncertainty didn’t reflect on her features. Rather she just smiled, feeling the ease and calm flow throughout her body, carried on the rolling waters that lapped against her bare skin. Thoughtful, sapphire eyes briefly looked up, staring into nothing, a little hum vibrating through her throat, before she finally spoke.
”Hrm...what do I like…?” she asked softly. ”I guess I like to keep things...simple...and direct.” Her head swam as she continued. ”Honesty...sweetness…” she sighed, looking into Nessa’s eyes. ”And the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen looking at me with complete adoration…”
Agnes couldn’t imagine what her parents would have thought of her right now. She was raised in the most restrictive household by people who believed that anything that was abnormal was a sin. The fact that their daughter was a mutant and queer probably would have put her on the chopping block -- not that she wasn’t already when they attempted to exorcise her. But that was the past, the long past, and not something she needed to really fear anymore. Or so some people have told her.
Nessa had a similar, though different, story. Her parents were judgemental and naive. They thought her want to transition was little more than a phase. That was tragic in and of itself. Parents are supposed to be one of the few people you’re supposed to be able to trust unconditionally. Though things weren’t exactly the same, the fact that Ness went through such trials also struck a particular chord within the young insect queen.
Watching the water of the pond silently lap onto the dirt, near Nessa’s feet, made Agnes sigh softly. The grass squished under her shoes as she walked up next to the young woman. Planting herself onto a nearby stone, Agnes leans back on the palms of her hands, looking out over the water. Sapphire eyes glanced to Nessa as she brought up the alternative to family and she gave her a soft, crooked smile.
Again, all of it was a little cliched but given their upbringings, they were words that meant so much more than being simple platitudes. She nodded her head enthusiastically as she turned back to look at the water.
”Agreed. You don’t get to pick the family you’re born into,” she muttered. ”But you get to pick the one you keep in your life.” She shrugged her shoulders. ”So, I guess, fuck ‘em.” She was a little surprised by her own words as Agnes was never one to speak this way, but in this particular case she was willing to roll with it. ”Besides,” she smirked. ”I hear ’cool-girls-in-private-woods’ are so much better for the soul.”
It was a stupid thing to do. Coming out of a complete stranger as being trans required a bit more care and understanding than just showing them a really bad drawing. But the truth was that Agnes didn’t know Nessa. She didn’t know what would be comforting or what would be too much to say. So she worked with what she had. What was it that they say? Laughter is the best medicine?
Well, if that were true Nessa was probably cured of the plague by this point.
Her wide, blue eyes had locked onto Nessa after the teen had knelt down to pick up the notebook. Upon doing so she was immediately met with an onslaught of laughter as the gamer girl stared at the horrible, stick figure vampiress with a really poor interpretation of a bust. And so infectious was this laughter that Agnes couldn’t help but broaden her own smile and laugh along with her.
”Hey,” she giggled. ”I never said I was that kind of artist?” Still laughing, she shook her head.
She was a musician, not an artist. She was sure of that now and could easily laugh at her mistake. After sidling up next to Nessa, she peered down at the drawing before taking the notebook back and tucking it under her arm. The look on Nessa’s face changed. There wasn’t that panic of coming out any more. Instead, there was just joy reflected in the shine across her eyes. It was a pretty look for her.
With a slight blush she turned to look down and took another step or two away from the girl, and towards the edge of the pond. Kneeling, she carefully dragged her fingers across the surface, watching the water ripple before she spoke.
”It doesn’t bother me, you know? That you’re trans?” she shrugged her shoulders. ”Long as you are happy with you, that’s all that matters.” She turned sat at the edge of the water, looking across it but glancing over to Nessa as well. ”My parents were major religious fanatics. Fire and brimstone. Ignorant. All that shit.” She shrugged. ”I decided a long time ago that I wasn’t okay with what they were preaching. I believe that love is love.” She nodded firmly and offered Nessa a warm smile. ”As cliched as that sounds.”
A week ago, if she had been asked if she was a cheater, she would have vehemently denied it. That didn’t sound like her. As a matter of fact, after her date with Jasmine, she was already entertaining thoughts about making it exclusive. She couldn’t imagine cheating on a significant other, especially after going through such awkward lengths to ask them out on a date and share such an intimate side of herself with them. Who would do that?
Still, she had to admit, Ms. Grey did look at her rather oddly now and again; a fact that was ten-fold since she walked into this party with Nessa. Is it true? What were the odds of all of this happening? Stubbornly she shook the thoughts away, trying to focus in on Nessa rather than her ex / professor.
Another shrug. ”Yeah. I guess she has that going for her,” she said. ”I mean, I don’t know if it was me. But if it was at least she kept that bit of information to herself.”
With a contented sigh she tried to relax in the water. Leaning back, she soaked the back of her head in the warm, bubbling waters and let the warmth radiate across her scalp. It was extremely relaxing. When she sat up again, her cheeks were a flush red. But not just because of the warm water, rather the slip of the tongue that Nessa just provided.
Sexier, cool you? She smiled awkwardly. Despite how it sounded, Agnes knew that Nessa had a valid point. That Agnes? That older Agnes she was told about, that wasn’t her anymore? It may never be her. Now that she knew some of the life she had led, there’s no telling if she would make any of those same choices.
She could grow to be an entirely new Agnes.
But why focus on that? A strange sensation swept over her. She suddenly felt far, far more relaxed. An easy smile came to her lips and her head lulled a little to the side. Unsure of what happened, she did know that she didn’t want to dedicate any thought to it. Not when there was a gorgeous girl in front of her offering up some amazing revenge ideas.
Wait...what? That was an amazing idea? She tried to shake the thought from her head but the idea of edging closer to the pretty brunette, pressing her lips against hers, honestly it started to make her feel warmer than the water she was dipped in. It still felt awkward, but she just felt so...relaxed about the idea.
She hazarded a glance back to where Ms. Grey was supposed to be, then turned back to Nessa. She blushed fiercely but couldn’t help the smile that came to her lips. ”That would be sweet revenge, wouldn’t it?” she giggled. ”Oh but I’m not that easy, Nessa Bookman,” her head swam a little as she spoke. ”I gotta be romanced first, you know. I’m sure that’s what Ms. Grey would tell you.”
The idea of Nessa asking Ms. Grey about dating her filled the insect queen’s head. And she snorted. What a funny thought.
Agnes was grinned and stuck her tongue out playfully at Meg as she awaited the brunette to admit to cheating or not. She really didn’t think she would attempt it again, not so blatantly anyways, but watching the other fluster to defend herself was adorable. But that was enough distractions.
She turned back to her own game, smirking as she attempted to snag one of the ducklings but frowned at her failure. Darn it. It was Megan’s fault. She blushed a little and almost choked when the other stated that she had been entranced by her. Though she was going to try her hardest now to avoid it.
Damn her and those honeyed words. Agnes attempted to shake it off when Megan stammered and giggling from another was heard. Her sapphire eyes darted up to see that worker behind the table was bubbly, apparently finding the two of them adorable. It was Agnes’ turn to blush as she refocused on the game.
”Though the thought of tiny spider floaties is completely cute and squee worthy…” Agnes said, ”...I’m not going to let you distract me, Megan.” She sounded resolute in her statement. ”Though now I demand tiny innertubes for my roaches and centipedes! FRICK!”
She stomped her foot. As she was talking she was zeroing in on another duckling and whiffed it at the last second. Head rolled back she sighed before trying to get another line out. Their round was running out and, at this rate, these were still tied. Come on, there had to be at least one plastic duckling stupid enough to get snagged in a magnetic lure.
Though Agnes had been looking for solitude, it was with company that she apparently found the most comfort. She didn’t know if this was something that her older self had developed that still lingered in the now, but it was certainly different from what she remembered. When she lived on the streets, it was necessary to kind comfort in yourself; trusting others was too risky. But this place, these students, even this person that she just met, she actually felt comfortable here.
It was easy to smile in Nessa’s presence. The girl had a quick wit that Agnes truly appreciated, finding distraction and a smile with her. It also helped that they were essentially going through the same thing, teenagers caught in a time warp where everyone knew them by their future selves. It was a good place to find common ground.
Teasingly Agnes suggested that Nessa try to list her plans for the future. It was failing her at the moment but maybe it was something that would actually work for her newfound friend.
With an agreement to attempt her method, Nessa suddenly went stock still. Agnes arched her brow, curious as to why she suddenly seemed to have a 404-Error flashing in her eyes when she awkwardly tried to change the subject and pointed out a pond that was on the other side of some trees. As she wandered off towards her, Agnes paused and once again went over everything that Nessa had just said.
...oh.
Agnes went quiet, watching Nessa for a few moments before she stepped forward, following her through the brush and into the vicinity of the pond. She didn’t say anything, instead just stood nearby, chewing on her bottom lip. She didn’t want to make any assumptions about why Nessa’s behavior changed but she had a vague idea. Should she address it, or should she wait?
Finally, her hate of the awkward silence made her move. She stepped closer to Nessa, casually slipped her fingers into a specific section of her notebook and…
”Oops,” she muttered as she looked down. her notebook had fallen onto the grass in front of Nessa. And there, opened, was what she had been promising the other couldn’t see -- a very, very poorly drawn vampiress with large circles for boobs and tiny triangles for teeth. The stick figure body didn’t help bolster it’s fearsomeness in any way.
Agnes grinned and winked to Megan as the two of them ran off to the next time. She had an idea of what she wanted to request should she win (when she won) but she was open to changing her mind to suit whatever she required. Megan was too adorable to pass up and she wanted to make sure that whatever she asked for was going to be exactly what she wanted. Right now, there were a few ideas but she would fully commit until she knew with certainty that she had won.
They made their way to the next game -- fishing. Agnes had never gone fishing in her entire life. Her father, the bastard, had gone but never believed in taking his daughter, just her brother. He was of the firm belief that some things were for men to do, and others were only for women. It was no wonder she was put through the hell she was.
But that wasn’t here. She was here to participate in a fun game with a newfound friend and take her mind off an existential crisis that attempted to squeeze itself into her brain. It turned out that a beautiful, blue-eyed temptress was just the tonic she needed to chase the dread away.
Handing off tickets to the next game, Agnes took up her fishing pole and watched as the little duckies continued on their rotation around the pool. Megan was skillful enough to at least get the magnetic hook close to its target. Agnes, on the other hand, wasn’t nearly as lucky. Instead her hook bobbed into the water as ducks smugly floated past it, unaffected.
She stomped her foot in slight annoyance and tried again. She then shot Megan a look, grinned and shook her head. ”You don’t have the upper hand yet, missy,” she said, sticking her tongue out at her. ”And you better not be cheating.”
She was getting more comfortable talking about it, about her, the other Agnes. The one who had lived the life she had always wanted and then threw it all away for reasons that were unknown. It was maddening knowing that. Knowing that she could just toss everything she held so closely away without an important reason. It was enough to turn her stomach if she thought too long upon it.
She smirked a little sadly when Nessa began to fawn over how cool her apparent future had been. There was no foot implantation this time around, however, as Nessa also lamented the sad ending. But her optimism proved to be somewhat infectious. Despite how long she had been grumbling and whining, Agnes actually cracked a smile at her companion’s words. Really, that was the sweetest thing she could say.
”Y-Yeah…” she muttered. ”...I guess that’s true.” She shrugged her shoulders. Often she was accused of being too humble and, thus, didn’t care for compliments. But this was something that she didn’t get the warm fuzzies about. After all, it wasn’t as if Nessa was wrong.
Conceding Nessa her point, she “Huh”’d and proceeded to continue along the path of the reserve with her. Really, how big were the grounds here? Ridiculous. But amazing nonetheless! But she needed more conversation. Her hands slipping into her back pockets, notebook safely tucked under her arm, she turned the question back around onto Nessa. What was her story?
Wow. So, was what was happening just affecting the quasi famous? Nessa apparently was some internet star, to a degree, before the clock was turned back. Now it was Agnes’ turn to be impressed. What was even better was that Nessa had people who knew her and were willing to bring her back into the fold. There was a small pang of jealousy but it was short lived as Nessa voiced the same concerns that she herself was having. Could she be that person again? Could she live in that shadow that her previous (future?) self had created?
Agnes smiled genuinely as they walked, her sapphire eyes focused ahead. ”Seems we’re in similar boats,” she sighed. ”But, for what it’s worth, seems like you have some good people who will help you figure out whatever it is you want to do. And if you’re just not sure…” she waved her notebook. ”...try making a list. It’s working wonders for me.” She placed a finger to her temple, pulled the trigger, and rolled her eyes back into her head before she broke out with a smile.
It was a hell of a coincidence. The idea that Ms. Grey dated both of them in their youths? What were the odds? It almost boggled the insect queen’s mind. That was why she asked for Nessa to elaborate. There was still a lot that she didn’t know about herself -- such as why she would date the teacher? Granted she understood that that wasn’t current Agnes, but she was interested in how it came about.
From what Nessa said, it was her brother who told her about the crazy break up. That things had been “messy”. That’s unfortunately. Nessa was so nice. Who would make things complicated like that?
With Nessa’s admission, it was only fair to say that Agnes herself had also apparently been an ex of the English teacher. Stepping into the hot tub, careful to mind the wings, she slowly submerged herself, sighing at the warmed that colored her pale skin. A soft moan escaped her lips, moving low enough for her to dip her head back and soak her scalp.
That felt superb.
Agnes smirked as she took looked over to see that Nessa had spotted Ms. Grey dangling her feet into a hot tub, staying on the edge. ”Right? I can’t even imagine the odds of this. She grows up to be a teacher and two of her exes appear, deaged, and she has to teach them? Very strange.”
Agnes sighed contentedly, her gaze shifting over to Nessa who had just turned back from staring at Ms. Grey. There was an odd look in her eye, like she had more that she wanted to say. After a moment, Nessa finally spoke up, posing a rather interesting scenario. Apparently the “messy break-up” had been because Ms. Grey had cheated on Nessa with an ex. Nessa didn’t seem truly bothered by it but thought that it would be interesting if Agnes herself had been that ex.
Did she know? Did she help her cheat?
Agnes stared at Nessa for a long pause before her lips cracked into a wide smile. A bubbling laughter floated out. ”I don’t think so? I mean, what kind of odds would those be?” she laughed. ”Ms. Grey told me we were on and off for a long while but never said we cheated with one another. All she told me was that we drifted apart and soon after she lost track of me.” Another shrug of her shoulders. ”But, it’s like you said, that feels like a me that’s…not me, you know?” She leaned back against the edge of the tub. ”I don’t know who that Agnes is. And...maybe I never will.”
Her voice grew slightly morso at that comment. There was a lot she missed out on but as the weeks passed, it felt more alien to even consider that the future Agnes was ever her to begin with. More like a dream that was half-remembered at this point. It still hurt a little but it was a scar that was beginning to heal over. With her head turned to Nessa, she gave her a smile.
”I hope you’re making Ms. Grey feel bad for cheating on you and milking it for all you can.” She giggled.
Yeah, they were definitely in similar boats. Agnes listened intently as Nessa explained her own situation. For her she was found in the bathroom of a convention center, having lost several years and a couple of exes now. Truly that was a tragedy and one that Agnes knew only too well. To suddenly blink and be told you had missed out on several years as the entire world moved on without you? That was a hard pill to swallow, but one that Agnes was now forced to do.
”Wow, that’s harsh,” she said with a sigh. She wouldn’t go into the whole “I was forcefully exorcised and tortured by my own parents” schtick. There was no need to and she didn’t want it to be misinterpreted as her trying to one-up Nessa. After all, her parents were dead and locked-up. That’s all that mattered to her now. The less thought she gave to them, the better. ”At least you’re in the right place. Xavier’s should be able to help.”
But that was enough lamenting. Nessa was out here on a walk. When a pretty girl asks you on a walk, the only conceivable answer you can give is a resounding “yes”. So, stepping away from the tree, she nodded as she proceeded to head off towards the thicket of trees, Nessa at her side. They could both certainly use the company right now.
The grass bent underfoot, causing a scent of chlorophyll to cloud the air. That added with the rustling leaves and the cool breeze that wafted through felt so absolutely rejuvenating. Agnes breathed it in and smiled deeply. This really felt good. Movement out of the corner of her eye pulled her attention to Nessa. She smirked as she turned her attention back to the extensive woods in front of them. Who knew something like this existed in New York City of all places?
To fill the empty space, Nessa inquired a bit further about Agnes. Namely, what was on her list and if she had any clue what she had been doing before all this happened. She hummed for a second before she nodded.
”I was told a little. Apparently I graduated and went to music school. It had been my lifelong dream,” she said with a little shrug. ”I guess I made it as a violinist for the New York Philharmonic. And then…” she sighed and shrugged. ”Guess I dropped out. Teacher’s say that I left it. No reason why. Just that I fell out of life and they lost track of me for a couple years after that. So…” she shrugged. ”...that was disappointing to hear.”
She cracked another smile. She couldn’t believe that she had given up on her dream but this wasn’t her time. There had to be a little trust offered if she were going to make it in this world.
”As for the list...I dunno. Just some random ideas. I’m still trying to figure out what to do next. It’s like of a bitter pill to hear that I achieved my dream only to give it up after a couple of years. So, you know, deciding if I want to go back to music school or pursue something else.” After taking a breath, she nodded back to her. ”And you? Who was ‘Nessa’ before she deaged? Globetrotting superstar? Singer songwriter? International femme fatale?” she grinned.
Oh that little spider! She knew that it wasn’t the arachnid’s fault, but driven by the inclinations of its cheating master. That was the only reason she wasn’t rolling on the ground, trying to squish the little creature, nor sending her insects after it. But Megan? Oh, she was certainly going to make Megan pay for this. Just as soon as she could find a second to catch her breath!
After the sound of popping, she felt the little spider skittered out from the collar of her shirt and scampered off back to its mistress. Agnes clung onto the booth, sucking in air, feeling like all the nerves under her skin were still lit up. Her eyes turned to Megan who was looking extremely apologetic to the runner who was now soaking wet, and then back to Megan who had now turned to her.
And she smiled. Agnes actually smiled as she looked over the brunette, shaking her head, plotting whatever vile revenge she could get upon her, but thoroughly enjoying being in the other’s presence. Straightening up and regaining her composure, she turned to Megan and arched her brow. She would still give her a hard time for making her laugh until she nearly peed, but it wouldn’t last too long.
Megan seemingly wanted to quell whatever comeuppance may be coming by announcing that Agnes had clearly been the winner. The insect queen turned, noting that indeed her balloon had been the first pop between the two of them. But, upon looking, immediately got another dagger-filled look from the worker in the booth.
Yeah, it was time for them to move on. She looked to Megan’s outstretched hand and Agnes felt a small swell in her chest. Smiling she stepped up, seized her hand and proceeded to be led to the next game.
”You better not,” she said quasi-threateningly. "Otherwise I may have to rethink my reward for winning in the end.” Mentally cackling she jogged with Megan to the next game, immediately setting down a ticket and grabbing the little fishing pole. This game was hers!
It didn’t take Nessa long to confirm Agnes’ suspicions. She was a deaged as well. It seemed that while she didn’t take the list approach that Agnes did, she found her own methods of dealing with this trauma. Mainly deciding between staring into the darkness from her bed or watching videos of her older self that she was missing out on. Agnes did wonder why she would have videos of herself, but she would rather ask about that later.
Still the comment made her snort a little. She definitely understood that pain. Sadly she didn’t have videos of an older self to turn to. Apparently Miss Grey knew who she was (intimately) but she didn’t share many photos and apparently there were no videos. Understandable. Whomever she had grown up to be, she doubted that filming herself was going to be a major aspect of her life. That seemed like a thing someone with more confidence would do.
Then again, she couldn’t help the confidence she was currently having. But that was besides the point. Point was, she seemed to have much less to go on so she had to turn to lists as opposed to anything else. But to each their own. Nessa had her way and Agnes had hers.
”That does sound crisis-y,” she smirked a little. ”I mean, for me, the worst part was the last thing I remembered was going on this amazing date with a really cute girl and then, boom, I wake up in an alley and she’s now in her thirties and married to someone else. Apparently we had drifted apart,” she shrugged. ”Seems there’s plenty of existential crises to go around.”
Chuckling she stepped away from her tree, holding her notebook in her hands and trying to decide what to do next. She was glad to have the conversation with someone else. She knew that there were others in the mansion who were dealing with this mess, but she didn’t actively seek them out. To find someone who was willing to freely talk about it meant a lot to her. Already she could feel the knot undoing itself in her chest.
That was why, when Nessa invited her to partake in a walk in the woods that she agreed. Her sapphire eyes caught the other and she nodded her head with a broad smile. ”Yeah,” she said, turning to walk towards the woods, offering her space to join her at her side. ”Let’s feed our souls, shall we?”
Her cheeks were still warm but the color was finally beginning to drain. Nessa seemed to be eager to change the topic as well, turning her comment into a joke and making the both of them laugh. Agnes was glad for the easy escape and, instead, contemplated what to do next. There was the auction (for which she didn’t have money), there were drinks (for which they could only get soda), and there were the hot tubs, the source of the party tonight. Feeling it was probably better to enjoy the warmth and bubbles now, she pointed those out as the best option.
Nessa agreed. She articulated that she didn’t feel comfortable forcing anyone into a date. Agnes just snorted. ”Doesn’t have to be a date. Can just go out, have dinner, watch a movie, and some harmless making out.” She was teasing, of course, nudging her new friend before she nodded understandingly. ”But I agree. Doubt I’d win anything anyway. So let’s enjoy the hot tubs before things get crowded.”
She nodded and the two of them sought out a hot tub that wasn’t in use just yet. It was still early enough that there were some open so they made a beeline for one. Along the way, Nessa laid out the stipulation that they do not join one with Miss Grey. When Nessa revealed the reason, Agnes had to stop, open mouthed, staring at her. What a coincidence was this? She continued to stare, obviously confused, not watching as Nessa took the lead. However when she finally snapped out of it, she chased after the girl until they were near the hot tub.
Clearing her throat, she looked a bit shy as she lowered her voice and whispered to Nessa. ”So...by ‘ex’ you mean, like, an EX ex, right? Ex-girlfriend? Ex-Wife?”
Normally she wouldn’t have attempted to ask such a personal question but her curiosity was through the roof. She had to know exactly what Miss Grey and Nessa relationship was. Not because it would change her mind about hanging out with her, but because, what were the odds? She would wonder if the english teacher was just some predator preying on students but neither Nessa, nor her, had ever been to this school before their teen years. So if it took place in the past, she would have been a teenager too. Totes legal and far less creepy. But still, the odds were astronomical.
Standing by the water, Agnes couldn’t help but shake her head, covering her mouth as giggles began to pour out. She gave Nessa a look before she cracked another grin. ”So, while we’re on that, I guess I should tell you something too -- umm…” a brief pause. ”...you’re not her only ex who’s been deaged.”
