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.
Steph’s grin grew wider and wider as she saw the thought process in Raine’s expression. She could see it sink in that Steph was here drinking illegally. The scandal of it all!
A little too pleased with the surprise, Steph shrugged a casual shoulder. ”Of course. There’s so much you need an ID for, right? Seemed like an essential to me.” Getting a fake was easy when you made connections with criminals. Steph was sure with some practice, she could fake one herself. She considered using the older-her’s license, but she looked too weathered in the photo, and there was no way Steph was passing for her mid-thirties.
Raine seemed like such a good and pure person. Steph did not want her feeling uncomfortable, but at the same time, she did find it amusing that Raine might see her as a bit of a bad girl. A fake ID was not the biggest deal; she doubted it’d taine Raine’s opinion of her completely. There were plenty of other deep, dark secrets to do that.
”Hmm… Raine the bartender.” Steph mulled it over, eyes flitting between her sweet friend and the dutiful bartender behind the bar.
When it clicked, a smirk played at her lips. ”Actually, I totally can. You, trying to be the most attentive barkeep in history. Probably wholly unaware of all the people there falling for the cute bartender. Unless I’m totally wrong and you actually spent your whole shift flirting shamelessly.” Steph gasped, covering her mouth in surprise. ”That’s why you’re not a bartender anymore, isn’t it? Scandalous!”
Stephanie would vehemently deny being a romantic, but she could acknowledge that the date she planned was cliche and romantic. It had been a long time since she went on a real date, so why not enjoy an excuse like this? Hopefully April understood not to read too far into this.
The city was busy as it ever was, even as the evening was fading to night. The reputation as the city that never sleeps appeared to be well earned, because there was never a time when nothing happened in New York City. Smaller towns had that time; when restaurants all started closing and the streets were abandoned. Steph liked the buzz of the city as she waited for someone to find her buzzing in the right frequency.
A taxi pulled up and Stephanie stood a little straighter. Her good posture was rewarded by a stunning blonde approaching. Steph smiled broadly. ”I was waiting for someone hot to save me from the cold. Looks like she found me.” Despite her smirk, Stephanie did glance into the warm restaurant and added, ”Really though, it’s cold as all get out so why don’t we head in?”
Leading April into the cozy restaurant, Stephanie let the warmth and delicious scents hit her and relax her from the Winter chill she escaped from. A hostess asked for her name and offered to take their coats as she walked the new party of two to a table nestled in the back corner. Steph pulled her jacket off her shoulders, leaving her less concealed in her white dress. ”Oh, I didn’t think about it. I hope we aren’t too far from wherever you’re living, sweetpea. I knew this place was close to me, but I’ll feel guilty if I had you running around New York just to get ready for a date with little old me.” Maybe she was playing up the southern angle, just a bit.
The plan was casual, so Stephanie was not policing when Raine arrived. It was a night out between friends and Steph was confident she was not going to get ghosted by Raine of all people. Their meetup time was the kind of time you added an ish to at the end. She was not nervous; she was just keeping an ever-present eye on the time because of her excitement.
Leading up to tonight, the two young women had taken to trading text messages occasionally when either found time or had I thought to share. Stephanie was proactive and striking up conversation because she did not exactly have many people to talk to who were not clients or her one-year-old.
After helping Raine pick out a cute peekaboo dress for the night, Steph devoted extra time into scanning her wardrobe for options. Older Steph did her a favor by leaving a diverse closet with several dresses to choose from. In the end, it was hard to go wrong with a little black dress, with lace patterns only partially obscuring her collar and chest. Classy but playful was what she was hoping to achieve, but she would find out if she succeeded as the night went on.
The mobile device in front of her on the bar buzzed and Steph snatched it up. Raine was on the way, which was the uplifting news she was looking for. Now that her phone had done its job, Stephanie could shift her focus exclusively to the door until--
> "I hope you didn’t wait long!”
The voice came from behind Stephanie, catching her by surprise. Swiveling around on her bar stool, it was not the only surprise. The dress had been cute on the floor, but it was hot on Raine. The cutouts at her sides offered a glimpse of her toned, athletic figure which also accounted for the legs on display. And then there was that mischievous little window at the center of Raine’s chest.
And Stephanie was lingering on Raine for seconds, but she was sure they accounted for hours in awkward silence. ”No! Not at all. I mean, I’m glad you’re hear.” Slowly, Stephanie was easing from initial excitability into her trademark relaxed tone. ”I was just enjoying the piano and sipping at my first drink while I waited. Didn’t want to get started without you, right?”
Stephanie had been preoccupied with her phone and waiting on Raine. Now that some of her processing power was free, she noticed how the piano bar was busier than when she sat down. In fact, the accompanying band was joining the pianist on stage to get the night going in earnest. Their timing was great, evidently.
”I was going to be cool about this and order you a drink, but I actually didn’t know what you’d order,” Stephanie admitted, feeling lame not to have enough experience to feel confident in her ability to pick a drink for a woman who was actually of legal drinking age. ”You don’t need me, though; you’re a strong, independent woman who can order her own drinks.”
And that felt lame, too. Since when had Stephanie Graves been lame? ”You didn’t have trouble finding the place, did you?” Directions in this universe could be an obstacle for AV refugees, from what she saw on the internet forums. She could certainly agree to that struggle.
Wendy was already proving herself to be a valuable asset. The young woman was a hard worker and kept a surprisingly open schedule. Maybe she was not a social butterfly, but Stephanie was not going to complain if it's been she had a reliable babysitter on hand.
This came in clutch now that Stephanie and Raine’s plan to go out dancing was finally coming to fruition. It certainly took time; both women knew how to stay busy, even if one of them did so through less legitimate means.
Still, they clearly both wanted a night like this and they kept pretty consistent contact since their first meeting. It was not difficult, considering Raine works at the place where Malia spent most of her days. Stephanie’s initial impressions had not let her down yet. Well, with the exception of worrying Raine might be uncomfortable around mutants; that was fortunately wrong. Otherwise, she was genuine and easy to feel comfortable around. It was just… nice.
A nice thing in a friend to be sure. And that was who Stephanie was waiting for sitting at the edge of a bar near the door of The Ivory Keys. The evening was just starting, so only one of the two large pianos showcased by the first floor was in use. One of the pianists for the night was getting into practice by taking requests, playing to the crowd.
Steph hummed along to the music, nursing a glass of wine. Her fake ID came through, which was good; she would have felt like the worst criminal ever if she got busted for a fakie at a piano bar-slash-night club. Steph arrived early, so now she was alternating between checking her phone and keeping the door in the corner of her eye. She was excited to see her friend and enjoy a night of partying and she was in no way nervous. Nope.
It was fortunate Stephanie had spent the afternoon testing Wendy out as a babysitter, because her services were needed almost immediately. Their little walk in the park ended with Stephanie scheduled a date. She planned it for the same night because planning further came with scheduling challenges and also meant she was putting too much thought into a date.
That was, of course, against the rules. A fun, romantic date was totally acceptable as long as it was impromptu and led to nothing serious. At some point in the night, she would have to clarify her intentions, but no one wanted to have that talk at the beginning of the date. Heck, that could end the date right there and that would just be a shame.
After putting a responsible amount of time into her makeup and pick out a white number held together by the string around her neck looping into a golden hoop. She wore a white leather jacket over the dress because it was still cold and she was not about to suffer to look sexy standing outside a restaurant. April could get the whole effect when they were in the warm confines of Antonio's.
It was a cozy upscale Italian place, with dim lighting and amazing reviews. She was lucky to snag a reservation last minute, but the woman she spoke with let her know someone canceled and a spot did open up. Honestly, Steph was not used to upscale dates, as much as she talked a big game. She was an eighteen-year-old who lucked into not having to change her date plans.
Steph stood to the side of the wooden door to the restaurant, holding her arms for warmth. She checked her cell phone to keep an eye on the time. Things went well with April, but she had to be prepared to get stood up, just to be safe. If that happened, she'd just cope by ordering two servings of tiramisu and bringing some lasagna home to wallow with.
It was hard to imagine a less savory Raine. Everything about her seemed sweet and approachable. If anyone could work back from the negative rep a doppelganger settled her with, Steph had faith it would be Raine. Heck, Steph had known her for less than a day and found it impossible not to like Raine. She'd make a great friend, since that was the safest thing for her to be.
The girl had enthusiasm, which the more casually-paced photographer noticed to be infectious. The plans to go dancing were an off-handed hypothetical one second, but Raine was really committed to making them a plan. That last suggestion, though, made Stephanie giggle like she was some kind of teenager. (Well, she was, but don't tell her that.) "If I did sing, that would definitely be a second date activity, at a minimum." Not that she made it to second dates, and not that their plan was a "date," but Raine knew what she meant.
"I think I've heard of a place, come to think of it. Little bit piano bar, little bit dance club-- I know, it sounds like a weird mashup, but the reviews are actually great." It was funny how often people suggested places to go dancing or drinking to Steph.
Malia, who had been well-behaved throughout dinner, was starting to turn fussy. Ah, the mom time limit, she thought with a sigh. "I should probably get my little one here back home soon. This is what I get for picking her up late." Steph used a napkin to wipe her hands clean before offering a hand to Raine. "But what do you say? Have I succeeded in winning you over for a much-needed girls night out?"
Apparently, Raine had a credit to herself as an actress, though the commercial role made Stephanie giggle. How often did she literally giggle? She put on a professional face so often, it was nice to appreciate silliness.
Stephanie had offered the subtlest, very not obvious hint that she liked women, but Raine wasn't biting just yet. Not that she should, because they were just going to be friends. Still, Stephanie couldn't help but watch for a sign of recognition. Even better would have been some response of solidarity. Was it too much to ask for a, “Ah yes, I also date and kiss the womenfolk?”
So there was no conclusive evidence, but she did know that there was no one in Raine’s life romantically. She kept busy but lived a tame, responsible life. Apparently, her counterpart from this universe left her with a fair bit of baggage to contend with. Stephanie furrowed her brow, because it was not like Raine was the same person as… well, whoever this version of her was that sucked.
”I don’t know who it mighta been, honestly. I haven’t dug around much, but I haven’t located a Stephanie Graves who strikes me as my mirror-match.” Probably for the best; she would have hated to know she was the Stephanie who did not have her shit together.
Stephanie wiped any remnants of pizza grease from her lips with a napkin. ”Honestly? Whoever our doppels were, they aren’t us and we should get to be happy. If you can’t make long term connections? Focus on the short term and work from there.”
From the corner of her eye, Steph noticed Malia beginning to fuss because attention had not been on her for far too long. Her dutiful mother found a toy filled with little beans to make it rattle and captivated the infant’s attention. ”Honestly, with Malia, I don’t think I’m worrying about the long term for a while. One-off dates are fun, but bringing a woman into Malia’s life like that? It’ll be a while before I’m ready.” At least until she had gotten enough thieving out of her system to keep Malia comfortable for the next eighteen to twenty-five years.
”So yeah. You’re going to shake off the habit, Sister Raine, and we’ll go out dancing. A night out could do us both good.” A safe night between friends. With her pretty friend whose eyes she kept getting caught in every time she met them.
Stephanie needed to be careful. Initially, that centered around Raine’s role in Malia’s life. Sleeping with someone who took care of Malia was bound to blow up in her face. Now, I'm starting to feel like she was developing a real friendship with Raine. This was an interesting, easy to connect with woman, and Stephanie was short on friends in this new universe. Did she really want to risk the potential friendship for an amazing night with a cute blonde?
Then again, surely one night of dancing would be something to responsible young women could handle. Going out dancing you could be entirely platonic. Straight female friends did it all the time, and for all Stephanie new, Raine might be straight. Had she said or done anything yet to the contrary? It was 2020, but there were still plenty of straight women out there. Seriously, they needed pins or special shoelaces or something the flag each other down.
Thankfully, instead of doubts surrounding her blossoming friendship with Raine, Stephanie could nibble at her pizza and focus on doubts regarding her parenting. It was easy to assume she was failing constantly, but it was a relief when Raine let her know this was okay. She could not devote every available hour to her daughter. She needed to be a person and recharge.
Stephanie smiled, feeling the warmth in her stomach she could only partially blame on pizza. ”Okaaay, I suppose dealing with clients is not a proper mental health break. Though if my new favorite actress ever comes around for headshots, I’m still going to make time and offer a slew of friendly discounts.” She had thrown her support behind Raine after all, right?
”For real though, a night out with a friend sounds perfect. Thanks, Raine.” Stephanie visibly relaxed, finishing up her large slce. ”I think I’ve had like one evening to myself in recent memory, and even then I felt kinda guilty. Like I shouldn’t be bothering my babysitter so I could take a cute girl out for the night.”
Yeah, dating as a parent was its own challenge. One Raine did not have to worry about, unless she was hiding a secret family. ”I certainly hope you’re out there living it up in the nightlife for those of us tending to baby monitors. Or were you the ‘settle down after high school’ type?” Okay, maybe this constituted digging, but it was not crazy. Yes, Raine had mentioned going home to eat alone, but maybe there was some boyfriend working late. She was good-natured and responsible for her age, not to mention beautiful; it would be crazy to assume someone would not try wifing her up ASAP.
It was reassuring to have Raine speak up in defense of Stephanie. Honestly, it warmed her heart because most of her insecurities were built around how she was doing as a parent. ”Oh, I can't even imagine. How could someone focus on anything besides their child when saying goodbye for the day?” I'm just so constantly worried I'm doing the wrong thing when it comes to Malia. But I don't think I worry for selfish reasons, I just want to be a parent she deserves to have. She only has one oh, so I need to do this right.”[/color]
Despite a change of topics and an attempt to focus on the pizza, a struggling Raine did consider the offer to dance. To head out to a club, even. God, how long since Stephanie had had a good night of clubbing? It felt like too long.
After being offered a bite of the slice, Stephanie took a bite and immediately understood where the struggle was coming from. ”Whoo!” She glanced up, realizing what Raine had blurted out. The red on her cheeks? Pepper related. ”Sorry. Those peppers really are no joke. But… yeah, okay. That does sound like a fun idea! I think I might have settled on a go-to babysitter as long as I don’t overwork her.”
Going out for a night with Raine would be a far cry from the other reason Stephanie needed a sitter some nights. Was it selfish to take nights off when she could afford to just stay in? Her smile faltered. ”Sorry, I guess I worry i sound too excited for a night away. Is that selfish?” The young mother sighed. ”I'm just so constantly worried I'm doing the wrong thing when it comes to Malia. I don't think I worry for selfish reasons, like those narcissist parents; I just want to be a parent she deserves to have. She only has one, so I need to do this right, you know?”
It was hard not to respect a girl who could work in the medical field in any extent. A hospital was a stressful place where you had to be constantly present and ready to help at a moment's notice. Compared to that, Stephanie bet working with a room full of children might be a comparably easier task. then again, she struggled with the one child so maybe this was still its own impressive feat.
”I deal with adults most of the day, so I get it. Even when the parents come in, half the time they are fussier the kid they bring with them.” Stephanie chuckled as Malia made a grab for the pepper pizza, but she was also glad Raine was aware enough to keep it out of those pudgy little fingers. ”Though in hindsight, I hope I wasn’t the fussy parent all along.” Was she fussy that morning? She was certainly focused on getting Malia situated and put in the right hands.
Evidently, Little Miss Raine wanted to be on camera, and it was not hard to see a face like hers on a screen. Heck, Stephanie could absolutely work with her. But she was not just beautiful, she was talented-- modest, but talented. ”I’m sure the kids are just learning how to heckle. Don’t mind them; some of them might come from pineapple pizza families and lack taste.”
Watching Raine masterfully manage a loaded pizza, Stephanie mused aloud. ”Overthinking is the enemy of dancing, or so they say. Maybe we should try it out one night and test the theory.” The suggestion left her lips before Stephanie caught herself. You did not just ask your daughter’s caretaker out dancing.
Change of topic, change of topic. Malia was still making whiny, fruitless attempts at Raine’s pizza like she was not recently fed. ”Heh, at least my daughter knows what’s up. That slice does look delicious. I’m almost tempted to steal a bite myself.”
April did not view Malia’s mutation with disgust, which was promising. Stephanie might not have been looking for a girlfriend, but she also had no interest in sleeping with a bigot. Anti-mutant sentiment was not as rampant on this side of the now-closed rift, but Stephanie was still careful with who she shared Malia’s mutant heritage with. Malia had no concept of control, making it difficult to be cautious, but Steph was still trying.
Despite the appearance of a child, April was not scared off by the prospect of a dinner date. Good; Stephanie could use a night of interacting with another adult.
”Wait, you get prettier than this?” Stephanie smirked, keeping her hands at her hips. ”Well heck, I might be screwed.” It was not a disingenuous comment; April was gorgeous, and seeing her dolled up would be a welcome sight.
Handing over the paper with the details, Steph was glad she picked some place on the higher end. ”Well, get nice and dressed up. I’m in the mood to treat a gorgeous woman tonight, and it looks like you’re gonna help me do just that.”
Starting toward Malia and Wendy, Stephanie offered a final wave of farewell. ”It was nice meeting you, April!. See you tonight?” One last chance to back out before it would officially be considered ghosting.
There was a noticeable reaction to the news of Stephanie's age, which was not uncommon. She carried herself with a sense of professionalism and confidence, and many people didn't associate that disposition with a teenager. Maybe part of it came from being out of her own generation’s timeline. Maybe being responsible for herself for so many years just aged her, and that only grew more noticeable with Malia. Stephanie would only smile and let the flushed cheeks go unaddressed. For now.
It was good to know Stephanie passed the pizza test, which was a very important metric of friendship compatibility. To tell you the truth, she had no clue if the Abomination pizza was just some kind of mro universe specialty or if there were Heretics on their side of the fence, too. ”Well, so far you have yet to disappoint. If there's some dirty secret about you, I have yet to find it. Til then, top marks.”
Taking their seats with plated pizzas in hand, Raine confessed to her dream profession and it was Stephanie’s turn to flush. She had absolutely said wannabe actresses, didn’t she? Oof, that was a bad move in hindsight.
It sounded like the universal transfer left Raine hanging high and dry, which made Stephanie annoyed for her. How dare universities and universes get in this sweet young woman’s way? ”Well, you’re just a swiss army knife of secret talents, aren’t ya? I can tell your patients must be fans, because Malia already seems to adore you.” Malia’s judgments of people she met mattered to Stephanie; if Malia disliked someone, her mother would raise her guard. If the baby was excited to be around someone, like she clearly was with Raine, they got more leeway.
Folding her pizza for stability, Stephanie took a bite and reveled in the hot, greasy, savory collection of flavors. ”Though if you want to be an actress, I’m rooting for you. Camera or stage? Oh, please tell me you sing and dance?” Stephanie knew the professional questions to ask a prospective actress, but when asking Raine questions, she was just genuinely interested in understanding the kind blonde.
Steph had been debating what to eat once she picked up Malia, but she knew she was starving and nothing at the apartment sounded good enough. Pizza, meanwhile, always sounded good. In fact, it sounded perfect now that she had company. Pizza was casual. You could go to get a slice with someone and it was clearly a meal between friends. This was the safe choice with Raine.
With their path set, Raine shifted topics to get to know Steph. Historically, Stephanie was careful with details about her life, but Raine would be seeing her often and her job was actually legit. It was the whole point right? A job to tout in public.
The initial guess was hilarious, though. ”I doubt anyone would trust me for legal advice. Not many eighteen-year-old lawyers running around.” Because, you know, that was her big disqualifying factor. ”I’m a photographer. Little freelance, some work by appointment. Lucked into a small little studio I can barely afford. Thankfully this New York is not short on professionals, doting moms, an wannabe actresses, so there’s some demand.”
The pizza place was modest with just three small tables for indoor seating. Steph imagined deliveries were there bread and butter, but at least she spotted one free table for their little party. Raine asked an important question that interrupted their ongoing conversation, but it was fine. This was a dealbreaker question. (Not that there was a deal here. Deal-less, they were.) ”Pepperoni and olives—spicy and salty. Not too picky though. And you? You’re a woman of taste, so I hope you’re not part of the pineapple cult.”
Taking a look at what was available today, her go-to was not fresh and ready, but she did spot a beautiful, big slice of pepperoni and mushrooms. She could accept that as a valid Plan B. After placing her order, she turned back to Raine. Fair was fair. ”So I can’t ask what you do since we literally just left your work. Still, is childcare the long term plan, or do you have a goal beyond it?”
Raine was clearly good at what she did from how she handled Malia, but that did not mean this was her dream job. Steph was curious what motivated this woman. What aspirations were behind those stunning blue eyes?
This was a precarious moment, even if April was unaware of the implications. When it came to flirting, Stephanie might mention her daughter, but the men and women she charmed rarely met her bundle of joy. If they were uncomfortable about Stephanie being a mother, she could understand; some people were not ready for kids. It was funny though, because that always implied they thought Steph might see them as a long-term prospect and she was just not in the market for that.
April showed Malia the proper adoration, which pleased the infant. Steph smiled, but she was cautious; girls who were put-off by kids were one thing. Bringing someone into Malia’s life was more perilous when Stephanie knew she was not looking to keep someone around. She did not want to get into the habit of letting Malia grow attached to men and women she saw as temporary.
Steph still smirked as April fawned over Malia and Wendy gave the mother an upate. “So she loves the snow, but she was getting fussy. I think she might be hungry. Oh, and she did the thing.”
”The thing?” Almost as if taking her cue, light radiated from Malia’s skin. This was mostly covered, but her face shone through. ”Ah. The thing.” Yep, there was no way to effectively convince a baby to conceal her powers, so Steph had to live with that.
Malia was momentarily pacified by her mother’s affection, but she did need to eat. ”I think maybe it’s time to head back, then. Get this cutie a snack,” she decided, handing Malia back to Wendy who would get her settled in despite her whining. ”Get her ready if she’s willing to behave. I have to finish something up with my friend here.”
“Yes, Mi—er, Stephanie.” With a nod, Wendy stepped away to return Malia to her stroller.
With time of the essence, Stephanie returned her attention to the pretty blonde and tried to power through the revelation of her mutant daughter. Taking a small notebook from her purse, Stephanie scribbled down a restaurant name and an address. ”So. Since duty calls, what do ya say? Tonight at eight? My treat?” She tore out the page and extended it as an offering.
What were the odds, honestly? Stephanie doubted anyone managed a comprehensive registry of all the dimensional stowaways left behind after the Rift closed. How did you start? Most people had a doppelganger much like themselves here, making it a mess. This was the kind of mess that allowed someone like Steph to slip through the system. Still, there had to be thousands, with how common commuting between world became.
And yet, here they were; the last two adults at the daycare center connecting over an unlikely shared history. Was that not just the most New York thing?
It was easier to just smile and appreciate this twist of fate than it was to talk, but Raine did try. Sure, it was… round about, but it did make sense. Raine was right; she knew. She also knew where Raine’s concern for Malia stemmed from. ”I am lucky. It’s still something I’m growing used to—being in a place where people aren’t as scared of my daughter and mutants like her. It’s not perfect, but… I just want her to be safe, ya know?” Hate was a universal constant, but mutant rights were more respected here. Heck, even with SUPER in this universe, Steph was not hearing about rampant government-inflicted disappearances. She was keeping her ears trained for trouble, though.
Out into the world, Stephanie shivered as the crisp evening air of New York in Winter hit her. While Raine considered her offer, Stephanie fussed with Malia’s blankets, making sure to keep her daughter protected from the cold. She was listening though. Stephanie valued details, even when she was running near empty.
Frozen dinner alone. Alone? Well, that was interesting. In the kind of way where she had information she was going to do nothing with, like a smart woman. The cold air reddened her cheeks but she was in control, even when Raine decided to playfully challenge her offer.
”You don’t say? Well, when looking up spots near here, I found a hole-in-the-wall pizza place with amazing reviews. My treat, if you’re interested.” Her voice then dropped lower as she added, ”But if the pot’s not sweet enough yet, I’ll have to think of something else to spice up the deal.”
Stephanie Irene Graves, what the everloving fuck do you think you’re doing?
Leaving that comment hanging, she led the way and guessed Raine would follow.
