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.
Lumen watched in awe as many of the other wax figures got up and started to move. Harry Potter started a conversation with Jacob Too Too, Anne Shirley threw off her straw hat and yanked on the hair of who Lumen assumed was a Twilight character. The room was abuzz with talking, moving, wax figures. All completely in character.
"I say. Why is the rum gone?" Lumen turned to see Jack Sparrow had followed Lara in. He draped himself lazily across Lara's shoulder. She faltered for a second then gave him a shove with a smile. "The last time the ol bugger passed out we had rum." he picked at his teeth apparently oblivious to Lara's shove. He stared at Paul in a half lidded sort of way.
"Jack Sparrow, you're nothing but wax. You know any attempt to swallow wine will only leave a mess." replied Sherlock. He was now down by Lumen and he held out his hand. "Holmes, Sherlock Holmes." he introduced himself. "I'm afraid my partner Watson is in the back room for repairs."
Lumen shook the hand- it felt like a candle. She exchanged glances with a puzzled Paul. "Uh, hello." She said "I'm Lu-"
"Lumen. We know already, love." Jack had now sauntered away from Laura- still holding her sword- to wrap an arm around Paul. "And you'd be Paul. Where'd you find this one mate?" he asked with a grin.
"Wha-?" Lumen turned back to look at Sherlock who was shaking his head looking embarrassed.
"What Jack means to say, is you've picked an excellent time to visit us. We wax figures are lucky to come to life once a year. If there are any people in the vicinity we awake as if we'd known them our whole life. Nobody really know why but-
Jack cut him off. "But the fat man in the smart suit sleeps and here we come!"
"So... this has happened before?" asked Lumen feeling a little more relaxed. Well, as relaxed as a person could be in a room full of talking wax people.
"Yes, It seems the security guard has a rather strange mutation. Come now Lumen, if you wish to find your brother your skills of deduction need a bit of work." he adjusted his hat as he spoke and motioned for Paul, Lumen, and the other wax figures to follow. "We may as well see which others of our kin are awake. Not everyone awakes you know. Come now! he clapped his hands in a 'chop chop' sort of way. "Onward to the hall of film and music stars from the 1950's and 60's" he led the way with a walking stick.
Lumen fell into step with Paul and slung an arm through his. "Can't seem to have a normal date can we?" she teased. "This could still prove quite interesting." she looked behind to see that Lara had just given Jack another shove which had sent him flying. The two of them soon followed suit after Lumen and Paul.
ooc: holy typos in my last post |@_@ went through and fixed them, sorry about that!
IC:
Sedna sat pleased with herself as the two men came to a stop. Naveed had sweat on his brow and sat quietly, reserved. She was impressed with Luke's insight to use animals from him own journey. It spoke volumes to her. She got up from her seat and disappeared into the kitchen. The men were left to sit in their own silence for a moment- the only noise being Sedna's own shuffling through things.
Naveed sat pensively watching Luke. Such a small man, he could easily squash. He did indeed rise a few points in Naveed's respect however, for even attempting the throat singing.
Sedna returned with a paper in hand and passed it to Luke. It was a print out of Raina's itinerary, all the stops she had to take and plane transfers, and finally the address of a remote school she'd be working for in the Caribbean. "She finally settled." remarked Naveed. "And she signed a year contract after a lot of reflection. Don't expect her to simply run off with you when you arrive."
Sedna gave him a swat on the ear. "Oh be quiet." he crossed his arms a bit embarrassed. He was a cold North bear, but Sedna was supreme. "Another plane arrives tomorrow, it'll take you to Ontario where you can start the process of navigating that way. It may take a few flights unless you can secure your own private one from Ontario." Private jets didn't come to the North. "I think it could take a few days, Raina's planes only lined up by pure chance, she would have only arrived there a few hours ago. I wonder what she's doing?" wondered Sedna out loud with a smile.
~~~~~
What Raina was doing, was unpacking. She'd spent a good 45 minutes swimming with her welcome committee but soon it was time to head up to the youth hostel where she'd be staying. It was quaint but really all she needed. On the walk up there she even dried out mostly- it was that warm! What a welcomed change.
She neatly put her clothes in the small dresser and closet, laid out her things for the bathroom, and took off her jewellery. The pearl necklace was the last thing she removed. She sat on the bed staring at it for a moment. Her eyes were stinging. "Nope" she growled. "Not today." and with that she got up as quickly as she could, and made for the school
"I gotta admit, Im a superwoman gal." explained Lumen standing next to the figurine of Kara. They looked similar with their platinum hair, but in the comics and cartoons Kara was always younger than Clark (despite actually being older) and never seemed to age. Lumen certainly looked more mature. "It would be fun to have a flying mutation." she observed. Well, no mutation was really fun. It had to at least be better than turning on lights.
As they lingered in the super hero room a man sitting in front of security cameras fell asleep. He was a disgruntled employee with an interesting mutation. Lumen and Paul were about to find out just how interesting it was.
"Looks like the room of fictional book characters next, Harry Potter and such." she wondered how many would be based on movie adaptations and was pleasantly surprised as they all seemed rather original. She stopped in front of Sherlock Holmes "Well isn't that something," she exclaimed. Her certainly matched the idea she held in her mind of the great detective. "I read all the books as a kid." any good detective would.
There was a clicking sound of heels, or perhaps heeled boots coming from the super hero room. Lumen turned to see they were being joined by a female patron. Something was a bit odd about her when she came into view. Her skin was fairly shiny - even more than Lumens. She was dressed fairly inappropriately for the weather, and she had a very long braid down her back. Lumen felt herself almost gasp as the woman came closer to Paul and put a hand on his shoulder. "You shouldn't be walking any further without checking for traps first."
"Is that... Angelina Jole?" Lumen gaped at the beautiful woman.
"Indeed, though it appears she's circa late 1900's early 2000's tomb raider Lara Croft." came a voice from behind her. Lumen wheeled around to see that Sherlock was not in the position she'd left him in. In fact he was carefully lifting one stiff leg over the velvet rope and stepping down to her level. "Come now, a detective like yourself needs to notice things a little more I should think."
Okay, well, I am thinking it can be one of those time moves fast there but slowly here, so when we start it its like our characters are only missing from regular time for a day or two. That way people can continue on with all their other threads as normal without things being disruptive. I havent had a chance to read the Jack thread but I know Lumen really wants to know what happened to her brother. If she goes to see Jack, perhaps meets him in a bar or a pubic place, he can do his thing and accidentally send Lumen and everyone around her, not back 20 years like she wants, but back to medevil times!
Sedna hummed to herself quiet as a mouse as she rocked the chair and listened to Luke. Her eyes were closed but her body was alert. Naveed sat stiffly and awkwardly as far away from Luke as he could holding his tea cup like a giant.
Sedna hummed and hummed and when Luke finished she began to hum a little louder. Soon she was making noises while rocking back and forth. The singing didn't exactly surprise Naveed... so much as the fact she'd just started doing it randomly without embarrassment.
When Naveed didn't respond Sedna became louder and he looked at her quizzically. she was making animal sounds and she finally opened her eyes to meet Naveeds.
"Sedna..." he began when she stopped the noise. "I doubt Luke is interested in a throat singing match with you." Sedna's eyes glinted in that odd way.
"No, I'm not challenging Luke to a match," she paused "You are."
Naveed's face went taught and red. "It's for women." he said curtly.
"You both need a little women in your life right now." Sedna observed. "There is no embarrassment in mimicking the animals around us. Your dog sled moves you from place to place, the seals provide meat and warmth, and the great white bears are bold predators. Why should only women mimic these great beasts? I think you two have a lot to learn from them." she continued rocking as they sat in silence.
"You've got to be kidding me." said Naveed plopping his forehead into his large hand. Sedna simply smiled and waited. Finally Naveed turned to what was probably a confused Luke "Remember your vision quest? It's a bit like that. On the days and night on the land women used it as a mark of challenge. The woman who could mimic the animal sounds perfectly was always well respected. I am thinking Sedna wants you to prove you've got the traits of the animals in you. The warmth of the seal, the courage and strength of the bear, the loyalty of the dogs."
Without much else Naveed sat with his legs crossed on the floor. "Sedna may not look it but she'd one of a few shawmen left, and one of the only women." Sedna just beamed at the mention of her name and motioned for Luke to sit across from Naveed.
"It's easy really." explained Sedna. "You face Naveed, but still ignore him. Focus on the sounds you're making, imaging yourself transforming into the sounds around you. You aren't limited to the animals I picked, make any sound. But you must beat Naveed. Then I will tell you where Raina went."
Naveed looked smugly at that. He started making a low guttural noise that started almost like a groan. The sound seemed to acquire a few layers and he grunted in different octaves. He stared at Luke intently while doing it. To close ones eyes and listen you'd swear you were hearing a heard of caribou moving across the tundra.
"What are you waiting for Luke? It's not a turn taking challenge, you must join in and overpower him!" she leaned over and gave him a swat on the back.
Lumen was falling into a comfortable rhythm with Paul. Paul was clean. Paul was polite. Above all Paul was quiet. Something Lumen revered in a man. Especially when it came down to the wire on wrapping up cases. She'd been continuing the investigation into Jude's missing mother as much as she could. She'd also been reading up on end of the world theories. Specifically modern day ones. But, she needed to save money (she couldnt live with Paul forever) so she was taking on a regular case load too.
She had to admit, the sexual tension was getting to her. She didn't trust herself not to be impulsive so she buried herself in her work. Lumen hit the gym frequently as well. She wasn't sure if it was helping by burning off the energy, or hurting with all that extra testosterone. When Paul suggested a date she'd been contemplating making a move. A bolder move than he did by asking her, so she was all too happy to say yes.
In traditional Paul/Lumen fashion they took a cab to their destination. Paul had thought the local wax museum would be a fun place to start New Years. She'd taken his advice and brought a camera. She feinted interest in it while they drove, secretly wondering what was appropriate for a second date. Considering he died the first time. She felt intimate, and yet still like a business partner. Should she hold his hand? Sit closer in the car? Since when did she care this much about the etiquette of a date?
The ride was over in a minute and before she knew it she was following quickly behind Paul. They got inside the lobby, shivering a little, only to see cameras weren't allowed. Lumen groaned. One of her biggest pet peeves were places like this not posting their camera rules on their website. It wasnt like she had a little point and shoot she could pop in her pocket. She begrudgingly handed it over to an unhappy looking man who promised her she could retrieve it when she left.
They entered the first hall of figures- female super heroes. "Wow, now that is life like." exclaimed Lumen walking over to a catwoman. The figure stood perched with a whip in one hand and a fake diamond in the other. Michelle Phieffer style. There was a dusty velvet rope in front of her. Lumen wondered if each sculpt was made of the same general body mold then detailed. "Looks like we're the only ones here." she commented taking off her jacket and slinging it over her arm.
She was wearing tight skinny jeans and a loose blondie t-shirt. The jacket was thick, and with her light energy she knew she'd stay warm when they went to the ball drop later. Large hoop earrings dangled by her cheek and her hair was smoothed into a side pony tail. She looked like a child of the 80s.
Lumen felt like she'd been hit with a truck when she figured out through the conversation that Unicorn Man was married to Jude's mom. She winced for a second and rubbed her temples. Hell yeah, this was a big web.
"So you've seen him end it. I suppose your visions aren't normally wrong or you wouldn't be making any money here." she stood with her arms crossed pacing a little. "Im sure people have already told you maybe you're misinterpreting things...." You know, like maybe you didn't just see me kiss my own brother. Maybe he didn't kill me.
She wasn't sure is Riori killed her, the vision just let her know she'd be choked. "Paul saw me in his vision, but he didn't know it was me, and he didn't know I'd be a glowing mutant." she rocked back on her heels trying to put the puzzle pieces together. "I dont know, I'm going to need to think on this one. Maybe dig around for apocalypse theories..." it wouldnt be so strange if newer theories involved mutants. Bigoted preachers had been claiming mutants would end the world since they first 'came out'.
Jude started to elude that he'd be willing to help so Lumen fished out her cards again. Only this time, she handed him one that had nothing but a phone number on it. The number was listed to her unlisted back up cell phone (she had one now after the church incident.) She could throw it away if she needed to. "First of all, you need to be sure you feel safe. I know it's cheesy sounding and all, but it'll be bags for us all if the Unicorn Man finds you with a sword. " she handed him the card. "Id like it if you'd... well.. using your discretion of course, perhaps consider letting me know if you have any separate visions that involve this outcome. Something we could work together as a group to piece together. I respect the privacy of your patrons, there'd be no need to involve the police so long as people remain safe."
She turned her direction toward Paul. She was feeling physically exhausted and mentally overwhelmed. The Riori vision was bad enough, but this was worse. When she turned back to look at Jude he looked identical to the way she'd seen him in the vision. She blinked a few times. Like a strange de ja vu. That didn't take long. She had an uneasy feeling.
"For now, I think Paul and I here should get out of your hair. Im sure future business is very draining. If we find any information at all about your mother I'll let you know right away." and she meant it damnit. Boys in blue be damned. No person should have to worry about the state of their mamma. She'd been through enough of that for the whole world as far as she was concerned.
Raina had finally arrived at her destination. It took several plane rides and then a boat ride but she was now on a remote Caribbean Island with fellow volunteers running along the docks to meet her. She was embraced before names were even introduced. Island native children smiled up at her with bright eyes taking her luggage.
She was staying at a resort that has been converted into a school and a place to house volunteers. Right away she noticed the difference in the environment. She fished sun glasses out of her bag and stuck them on, answering a flurry of questions while she strolled down the dock.
They'd been waiting excitedly for her all day. She was getting briefed on how the week would work out, and children were pulling on her arms. She turned to look down and smile. They spoke something in Spanish that she didn't understand, so Raina turned to look at one of the women who she'd just met.
"They want to see your tail." she said with a wide smile.
Raina kicked off her sandals and was thankful she was wearing a dress. She gave one of the kids a pat on the head and passed him the remaining bag she was holding. With that she kicked off the dock, did a twist in the air, and crashed into the water- sunglasses and all. The children screamed and hooted in excitement as she surfaced, laughing herself. Her tail broke the water behind her and she thumped it with a FWAP right against the surface.
-------------------------
Sedna, was no longer on the land. She was in her small quaint home sitting at the kitchen table painting. It looked like your average house except for the seal meat she'd left to dry on a piece of cardboard by the window. She was still wearing her boots and had a quilt around her arms.
As Naveed led Luke in she made no motion of acknowledging them but instead said, "Ainngai" as if she'd been expecting them all along.
Naveed (with a puffed up chest) gave Luke a little shove from the back to get him moving. Luke said he wanted to see Sedna early, and well the woman was usually all up and doing her usual routine by 5:30am. Being up early never bothered Naveed. The sun didn't stick around much in the north so it always looked like night time for nearly 2/3 of the year. "Ainngai Sedna. I've brought a visitor." he kicked the snow off his boots as they moved into the main room.
Sedna was still painting away as they entered. Not until she'd finished everything did she dip the brush in the glass and look up from her work. "Ah, Luke. Yes. Ainngai" she greeted him with bright old eyes and a crooked smile. "Have you told him yet that Raina is no longer here Naveed?" she turned to Naveed and he could feel his face redden. "Obviously not if you brought him to me." she commented not giving Naveed a chance to answer for himself.
"Well, I-" he protested.
"Never mind all that. Make yourselves comfortable on the couch. I will bring us some tea" it only took the woman a few moments to bring them tea made with loose tea leaves. It seemed she'd been brewing it before they even came.
She set two mugs in front of them and sat adjacent in an old driftwood rocking chair. "Naveed was right to bring you here first." she said. "Regardless of how angry it may make you," she blew the steam from the cup then took a cautionary sip. "Tell me Luke, why must you find Raina?" her eyes seemed to shine at the question.
ooc: I'll probably let you all skip over me too from now on til I feel there's anything significant for me to do
IC: Lumen stared in total shock while Jorge tried to talk the mutant down. What's worse was the mutant seemed to be responding. He curled into a ball rocking back and forth. She even thought she saw tears but they were a strange colour... "God... he's acting like a kid. Could he be a really young mutant?" she said out loud to no one in particular.
She checked on the guy laying in her lap, she still had her arms across him protectively. She didn't think he was going to wake up and started to worry he was going to need a hospital. How in the hell was she going to get him to one? He was too heavy to drag out of danger even if she did use her powers. Calling an ambulance right now didn't seem like the best idea either. All she could do was focus on keeping him safe until this blew over. She'd need to save her power in case Jorge couldn't get through to the creature.
Lumen face grew darker as Jude explained the Unicorn Man's ability to elude death. Paul could die and be reborn... that could make him very dangerous to his enemies. But she knew Paul wasn't in on all of this. This Unicorn Man was tied up in it all, he couldn't die, and she wasn't sure if the police knew that. When Jude said he was on a path to end the world Lumen bristled.
"Does he truly think he can end it? Or does he have some nuclear missiles we should know about...?" she said it only have joking. She'd met some insane apocalypse obsessives in her time. Some just wanted to preach that the end was nigh, some would do anything (even illegal things) to convince you as such... and some would destroy the world at any cost. Literally. She felt goosebumps on her skin.
"Whether he thinks he can do it, or he actually has the capabilities... we need to know more about him." she paused noticing that Paul and Jude were conversing in French, "Par le anglais s.v.p?" she put her hands on her hips.
"I'm going to level with you here Jude. I'm a private detective who's been contracted out by the NYPD to help with this case. I can get into place the police cant. I can find out things they cant. And because I have the ability to use discretion where they are bound by laws I can get around... people getting in trouble." like how she could get around Paul being caught stealing something. "The police know he's tied up but I'm not convinced they understand just how much or what he's planning. Any information you can give me would be of help."
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ooc: sorry for referencing his name without being told it @_@
IC
Paul and Lumen weren't technically lovers but from the intimate way he caught her, led her up, and stood there protectively- they might as well have been. She was disoriented for only a second before she straightened up, smoothed her hair, and in a cold voice said "Well, at least I didn't see myself die. Always a silver lining." it hadn't occurred to her that the vision might actually show her death she meant it more as a joke.
She turned to leave but the young man who introduced himself as Jude grabbed her wrist. She went rigid at his touch but turned around gracefully. The memory of Riori's hands around her throat was still too raw. "The unicorn keeps popping up." she said grimly getting her answer about what Jude could and couldn't see. She suddenly felt very weary. "What makes him so powerful? His mutation surely must be more than a horn sticking out of his forehead."
She wasn't going to leave without a little more information about this Unicorn Man. He was in the files, he was in her vision, and he was involved. She had to know what she was up against.
ooc: I think this should be okay, let me know if any re-writing is in order! Just tried to make it vague and open. ic
Lumen listened intently. Well, it did actually sound like it made perfect sense. She could focus fairly well- so she should really have no trouble seeing the future of this case.
She took a seat where it was offered and made herself comfortable. She was about to reach for his arms the way she'd seen in the movies when he laid out the rules. Oh. Well. Looking into the eyes, er, sunglasses, it is!
She'd stuffed the receipt in the pocket of her coat after making a mental note to make sure she kept it filed away. She might be able to expense this trip to the NYPD. She took one of the offered candies and enjoyed the fresh taste of peppermint in her mouth before finally telling Jude she was ready.
She wasn't quite sure how it happened- but suddenly as he moved away the sunglasses Jude was the most interesting person in the world. The rest of the world melted away in one swift motion. Lumen's belly even did a little flip like she'd been on a roller coaster. Her senses seemed a little dulled but she'd be prepared for that. She didn't think a vision into the future would feel or smell like much. So far, Jude's image in front of her had only been blurred into colours like someone mixing paint.
While Lumen was in her trance her body relaxed and unbeknown to her began to glow. Her heart rate slowed down in response. She felt calm, lucid, and in control. I want to see the future of this case! she thought as hard as she could.
Images danced in front of her in swirls. Detective Jorge- well, that one made sense. She'd likely meet up with him several times with this case.
Next, she saw a much clearer image of the unicorn man. In real life she'd only seen a photo of him and it didn't even show his whole body. From this she could tell he was well formed and fit. There was almost the feeling of sadness around him but Lumen didn't have time to pick up much from it before the image swirled and twisted again. She got the profound sense of loss... but somehow is still seemed to clash?
Lumen saw Jude in front of her. Not the Jude who's eyes she was staring into, but a Jude deep in thought about something. It was almost like he was speaking to someone outside her view and the second she turned to see who, he was gone. She wondered if Jude was seeing this too. To her it meant she'd talk with both him and Jorge sometime in the future, and possibly see the Unicorn Man for herself.
Next, she saw children. A few young girls and a boy. They were angry with Lumen and desperately trying to explain something. Something about getting it all wrong. Getting what all wrong? She tried to speak and ask them, but nothing came out. She remembered then that this was a vision and not real life. She wondered if Jude could see this too. He'd know now for sure she was investigating the missing kids. Maybe that wasn't a bad thing...
Paul was standing in front of her now, she couldn't help it when her thoughts drifted to him. As soon as she remembered she was having a vision she remembered Paul was with her and he naturally bubbled up to the surface. He was rolling his eyes making a comment about something when Elvis came up and slung an arm around him to lend advice.
In real life Lumen's glow was brighter and she almost laughed out loud. Her lips twitched, just a little. The left side of her face curved in an ever so faint smile. She wasn't even going to try and decode this one. It would have to wait til the vision ended. Then she'd ask Paul about it.
Speaking of Paul, he was kissing her. In the vision. At least, she thought it was Paul. He'd only kissed her once, but the smell, the taste, the feel, was right. Was familiar. Wait a second. She was feeling? She was tasting? Something was off... She pulled away from the kisser and stared into a familiar face that wasn't Paul. But he was familiar. In fact it was almost like looking into a mirror. He even smiled when she smiled. His eyes were like hers. So was his hair. She knew then. A pit of both guilt and excitement welled up in her stomach. Riori. She'd see Riori again. Like she was seeing him now. He looked happy, healthy, and hansom. Her own eyes were stinging with tears that threatened to spill over.
Riori smiled at her, the same smile he had when they were 6. The smile she'd been dreaming about for 20 years. Then he put his arms around her. He squeezed tight. But he was squeezing the wrong place. He wasn't hugging her. His long slender hands were around her neck. Riori was choking her. The last image she saw in the vision was the face of Riori lit up with complete rage.
She wasn't sure how she did it but she managed to tare her eyes away from Jude and turn her head. The instant she did she began to cough like a person come up for air. Her light went off, and the lights in the room flickered.She snatched a hand to her own throat. It had felt real. It looked real.
She composed herself as quickly as she could and exchanged a I'd really like to leave now look with Paul. Finally she spoke, "Well, I can see now why you get payment up front." she forced a smile. "I can't imagine many people wanting to see what I just saw."
She tried to tear her thoughts from Riori- angry with herself that the vision even went there. She let herself become distracted once again when she should have focused on the goal. But she did learn a few things. She'd see these people again, she'd probably see the unicorn man, and she'd be finding some kids, soon. Just because she saw Riori in the vision didn't mean she'd see him in real life- she knew it. She didn't want to think about the maybe of if she really did find him after that.
