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.
She moved to the same couch, sat down and then said, "Tonight?" She did not want to assume his meaning but rather mulled over it herself, "Okay." And then she did something she would probably not do normally... She moved closer, settled against him, and then for the first time in what felt like years, she relaxed in the presence of a male. It was nothing suggestive, she wasn't expecting certain things, nor displaying any kind of desire just beyond the simple contact.
Her head moved to rest on his shoulder after a moment of hesitation, and then she closed her eyes and just rested there unless he stopped her from doing so. Her lower lip is sucked into her mouth and bit, she shuddered slightly and took in a few, ragged breaths, before just giving in and whispering, "I will move if you say but do not want to. You holding me even just for moment... I did not know I need it so much." The words were laced with stark honesty.
If he let her, she would take his hands and guide them so his arms were around her. And then she would simply rest like that. She didn't ask for more, she didn't make any moves, she didn't expect him to do any hanky panky but decided she would welcome it, should it happen. But God, it felt good just to feel safe even though he would leave eventually.
Posted by Xavia on Apr 9, 2017 22:20:18 GMT -6
Daydream likes this
Beta Mutant
c21e56 - Rose Red
Bi-curious/Straight
Artair's Lady
542
70
Sept 21, 2017 11:25:52 GMT -6
Kimmie
She led Kendra into the greenhouse, which was made of green trimmed glass and plastic in some places. A myriad of smells, from the sweet smell of warm strawberries that looked to be as big as a child's hand, to the strangely wonderful scent of heirloom tomatoes, both green and ripe. There were flowers there were bushes, there were house plants and saplings. "T'is place is for my botany class, but is also my sanctuary. You ever want midnight snack? You come here. Look..." She picked a cluster of raspberries from a bush and showed them to Kendra.
She smiled, then went to the front of the greenhouse by the desk she had there, a stack of ungraded papers settled neatly in the basket. There was a rather large cage with plenty of room, with a fluffy white rabbit curled up in the grass grown right in the cage. Xavia opened the small door and set the berries into the cage. The rabbit eagerly hopped over and began to nom on the berries, eventually making quite a mess with the crimson juice all over it's mouth. She repeated the process with the guinea pig in the next cage over. "Kids ask me for pets to take care of..."
Everything was arranged by plant type if Kendra took a look around. For instance pumpkins would be off to one side, watermelons in a completely different corner. Xavia would lead her through a door, inside that section was a set up to study monarch butterflies. There was milkweed all over, and plenty of areas where the caterpillars could nestle into their cocoons to eventually break free in glorious bursts of orange.
"Sometimes I bring biology kids in here so t'ey learn about butterflies." And one just so happened to be emerging at that monent. Xavia moved over, holding her breath and smiling as the bug shimmies from it's hiding place to stretch and flutter it's wings, only to fly high into the air and dance about.
The moment he enfolded her the way he did, she took a shuddering breath. She closed her eyes and found herself leaning into the embrace. Her head dropped to his chest, and she sighed the sigh of comfort. That was it, she thought.. Maybe that is what she needed... Simply a hug. When he stepped back, she leaned toward him and then rocked back, saline streaming down her face without her being aware until the breeze touched her wet skin.
Her throat was too thick feeling for her to give a proper reply. A myriad of different emotions seemed to trace across the honey skin of her facer. She only nodded in response to all of his words, including the last thing. She let him puck up the basket, she shouldered Stella, the guitar, and then led the way to her house.
The walk was pretty quiet because she was trying to control herself. It was also somewhat long, but it was worth taking in the city between the park and the house. The sun climbed higher in the sky and white fluffy clouds drifted lazily with the gentle breeze. The sound of laughter, of traffic, of cussing, of various city sounds provided a sound track to the trek.
She eventually came to the stone pavers that marched up the lush lawn of the old, Victorian house. The house stood, four storeys high, siding painted a soft blue color, trim painted white, and the fish scale shingles dark against the blue sky. Rose bushes, lilac bushes, and spring flowers rested happily in the small space the yard afforded. She unlocked the red door and led him into the grand looking, open concept entry way that one could see into the marbled kitchen with the stainless steel appliances and copper cookware, with the foyer floor gleaming in restored glory. The center of attention would be the fully restored, antique, grand piano, situated in front of the double staircase.
One could see how much care went into furnishings, for it wasn't the cold, impersonal crap that one would see in the lifts of Manhattan, but the warm, country feel with hand made quilts and afghans, comfortable looking couches and those big, wicker bowls with the cushions inside.
She moved to the nearest closet and gently rested Stella inside, before turning to look at him. She did not ask what he thought, she was not flaunting her small wealth but trying to ensure the place was welcoming. "T'is was t'e place I hide in when I had no home. I buy from t'e bank, I fix it. I sleep in attic t'en and now, it survive bullets, it survive bad men. I fix it because it spoke to me. T'ey were going to tear it down but I would not let t'em. It even survive t'e fire of t'e church t'at used to be behind. I buy t'at too so I could rebuild it too as a place of rest for weary. I only turn someone away if t'ey use powers for bad."
She moved over to the old piano and touched an ivory key with loving touch, "T'is is heart of t'is house. I find it here too, broken. Just like me." The last part came out very soft.
"Biology and botany. Biology because botany was not yet a course here, Botany because I just want to. I am a plant manipulator, I t'ink t'ey call it? Grew up working in my papa's greenhouse, cannot get enough of plants." She took another bite of her salad, chewing and swallowing before continuing "Umm, I have been here for few years, I guess." Which was said honestly. She lost track of how long she had been in employment.
"I feel overwhelmed t'e first day I teach here. Sometimes still do..." She ket her gaze drop pointedly to that blasted stack of paper, then she gave an ironic smile. She took the last bite or two of her salad,before moving on to what loojed to be like a black bean burger, and it did not look too tasty even to her, if the look on her face was any indication. She took a tentative bite anyways, her expression went blank as she chewed, then she grabbed for her napkin and turned her head to get rid of the vile concoction. Whoever had made it had faiked to season it properly and they added too much balsalmic reduction.
She took a hefty sip of only slightly cooled off coffee to try and help the situation, and her lips nearly puckered as the drink tasted too sweet after the burger. Xavia cleared her throat, and put her dishes back into the lunch box, along with the horrid excuse for a burger.
"I am glad to see you back around here. I know we only meet in passing, but I know most of t'e teachers less t'an t'at, even. I stick to myself, most times."
She lifted just one brow this time. A simple no would have sufficed, she was not offended that he said no. She gave a light shrug, saying, "I understand. T'at is what my home is for, so you know." Feeling depressed by that point, though not by his actions just at the thought of going back to an empty house, she smiled anyways. Though the smile was not genuine at the moment, she had a pretty one. She did not speak of the sadness, figuring things would just get more awkward.
She was also starting to feel the tiredness she sometimes felt from thinking about the past. The smile faded into a frown, and she felt quite foolish. What to do now? She said, "I do not mean to be strange." And then she hauled herself to her feet, then held out her hand for him to shake if he desired. "It was very nice to meet you, Geo."
If he took her hand, would he feel something pass between them? If he didn't, she would just let it drop by her hip before turning to gather her things again, not rushing this time, fighting the sinking feeling the best she could, not wanting to lose the battle with herself in front of him.
Problem was, she seemed to have visibly wilted in front of his gaze and it wasn't even him that caused it to happen.
She sighed and took in the fresh air as well, feeling a bit better by that point. She was quite happy with how blue the sky was and decided that she would damn well take advantage of the warmth the sun had to offer. Perhaps she would be able to get a much needed run in after all, or work on training. Either way, the day wasn't half bad.
She sat up after a time and said, "You want I show you greenhouse? Not far from here, five minute walk." She had reason to be anxious to see the greenhouse. She wondered if the new plants she had ordered arrived yet or not. She had ordered some cottonwood, a poplar tree and various fruits and veggies she intended for her students to take care of in botany class.
"We grow all kinds of t'ings... I hope to get DNA from extinct plant sometime to see if I can bring back for medicine, maybe. Not my idea, but I can do it if I just touch or eat." Obviously she was not looking for money to do ut, but she just lijed to help people out.
She didn't feel too bad he did not remember her. It had happened years ago. "I do not remember if I even tell you my name at t'e time, but I am Xavia. I was homeless back t'en, you help me get away from some bad guys. It was awesome." She smiled at the memory of jumping.
Oh, how the time went since then.
She made herself a cup of coffee with said creamy, nodded toward her mountain of papers to grade and said, "Break time is grading papers." And then gestured toward an empty spot at the table, "You sit over here if you like. I know t'e first day can be interesting to overwhelming, eit'er way, break time shoukd be enjoyed while you can do so." That was something she had learned quickly in the time she had been a teacher.
Xavia moved to reseat herself, setting her coffee down, balefully eying the papers, then chose to take bite of her lentils. Hmph, she could just pull an all nighter or something, she thought as she tried not to stare at the thing. After a moment, she sighed and moved the pile to the floor under the table.
If he chose to have a seat, there would at least be some friendly conversation. She hardly knew the other teachers, but was not opposed to talking to them, should they be interested. It was just that she happened to recognize Shin, which was easy for her to do since she had kind of a memory for faces.
"She is wit' my mama in Michigan, plan to move t'em bot' into my house. I miss her. Hope to enroll her here if she has gift like I t'ink she does." No matter what other people said about her kiddo, how because she had Downs, she would never be able to do certain things. Xavia refused to treat her like she was different. She was like a bright light for Xavia, and oh, did she miss her. If Jupiter never came back, if he never got to meet her, he would miss out ob the vibrant personality of his daughter.
"I cannot wait to see her again. She is so funny and joyful. I miss her so much." She sat up, already looking like the color was returning to her face just from taking in sunshine. The dark circles were fading over time. The woman now had a bit of blush to her cheeks that hadn't been there since the incident the night before. Xavia was a very vibrant creature when healthy.
The scent of roses also seemed to be picking up as her mood picked up, but one would always smell those when around her unless she willed a different flora or was ill. The happier she was or more content she was, the stronger the smell.
She was behind on grading papers, but when one had been absent for a few days due to blood loss, one had to play catch up. She rarely ever used the teacher's lounge for relaxing. No, she preferred to be in the sanctuary that was the mansion greenhouse. The only reason she picked the lounge was to grade papers without students coming and going freely. She had a nice stack of paper tucked beneath her arm and a vintage lunch box dangling in her free hand.
She moved to take a seat at the table, dropping the stack of papers in front of her, lunch box next to that. Xavia nodded to co workers, giving an easy smile when regarded with a surprised expression or two. "Heya," she drawled as she eased herself into the chair she pulled out. She opened up the lunch box, pulling out the bowl of lentil salad and the bamboo fork she was going to use to eat it.
At first, Xavia was busy staring at the first paper, scanning to make sure the student explained findings on blood cells and dna and the like, when she glanced up. She caught sight of a vaguely familiar face, her brows lifting as she tried to place his face in her past. Who was he? Oh my god, why is he so familiar?! She wracked her brain for the answer, then looked back at the paper. She set it down, resolving to just catch up later.
She stood and moved toward the Asian man who was obviously a new teacher even if a familiar face. She made for the coffee machine near him so it wouldn't seem like she was going straight for him, and she said in his direction, "Coffee is good here, I suggest caramel creamer." The accent was a thickish Hungarian sounding thing, said in alto tones with a musical quality.
Her light brown eyes settled to study his face closer, and a sudden image from years before flitted through her mind. Wait, he looked like the guy who had helped her when she was about to be kidnapped again. He had been there the day that house got shot up. Her eyes widened when recognition and memory registered. "Woah, I remember now. You help me to get out of a house some time ago. Shin, yes?"
Of course, she would not make the comment that it was a small world; the mansion was the place she met many mutants over the years and she knew he was probably one who came and went. But it really had been a long time since she had seen him. Genuine pleasure lit up her face.
"How are you? It has been long time since I see you last. It really is nice to see you!" Hopefully he recognized her as well. She looked just as young as she looked when they had briefly met. She did not remember if they had exchanged words so much back then, but that did not matter.
Damn it... Homeless. Her first instinct was to help him because that is what she did... Help people. Mutants... Mostly women... But he did not seem troubled by the fact that he had no home. What would he do if she just outright asked if he wanted a place to stay? She took ina deep breath and pushed herself up. She seemed to mull his words over for quite a spell.
After that she finally said, "You want I give you place to stay? I have empty rooms." She was being serious, her eyes said so, and it wasn't a weird, come on or anything. She was offering him one of the rooms because that was just her. "Come, I have beds and place you wash clot'es... Hot shower... Not sure you eat vegetarian but I have food... No boarders right now. You stay free and pay later."
There was a big part of her that wanted him to say yes because there would be another person in that house, appreciating it and maybe laughing in it. If he said no, she would understand, but she just couldn't not offer. She already knew that he wouldn't be stupid, he would have already done something by now if he had wanted to hurt her. "If you do not like idea of free room and board, you work for me, I pay you. Simple. You have place to find footing."
Oh please, say yes, she thought but knew he would most likely say no. It was her turn to be earnest. She could not help it, though, it was something she was most passionate about. Having known the frights of living on the streets, or Central Park in her case, wandering aimlessly, scared in her case, she made it her mission to help out in any way she could. Part of that was taking other mutants in, though he would be the first man she offered a room to. Technically, she had never run into a male mutant that did not have a home, she did not see a difference.
"No... As much as commute annoys me, I like my home. I can only take so much chaos. I do love to teach, just... So much stuff here it overwhelms. Anyway, will be great if t'ey give you t'e okay. I will pay handsome just for graded papers, let alone you helping wit t'e greenhouse. You will not be getting t'ings like soy latte for me or running odd errands... I just need a hand wit' making sure t'e kids take care of t'eir assignments. Good opportunity for you to learn t'e class and get paid for it." She seemed cheerful at the thought of having at least a little help.
But that still did not end the nagging tired she had. "I am going back into city early today since I had to skip today. Need to rest up if am going to be any good in the morning for actual work. DocProf told me I should take a few days but I would rat'er not." She would at least be there during the week. but she seemed to be more of a homebody.
She put the cap on the bowl that still had a tiny bit of food left and she tucked that and her fork in her bag, then she stretched out in the grass, tucking her hands under her head.
"I am sorry," she said to the first part. Empathetic eyes settled upon the face of her new friend and stayed there for a span of silence. She listened intently to whatever Kendra had to say. When it came to the talk of Xavia doing the work, she gave a light shrug. She was one who did try to be modest despite opening up about the things that had gone on in her life. She only showed off the scrapbook to encourage Kendra to stay for the night if she needed a place. It was what she did.
Then Kendra brought up wanting to sign up for classes and Xavia shook her head softly, "I do not know, to be honest. Perhaps you ask the dean?" That was the best reply she could give for the moment. She did not recall ever having an adult student. Last she knew, it was a school for youngsters, though. Still, it wouldn't hurt to direct the younger woman toward the dean. "I could use assistant if not. Perhaps you bring t'at up if you do go to dean?"
She wasn't joking when she said that. It was not easy making the commute to teach classes, be able to take care of the plants in the greenhouse, grade papers, and still find time to train before she made the commute back home and also take care of the house. All of that stuff did kind of fill in the void she felt within her, being alone in that big house. She missed the feel of sleeping next to someone and the security it brought to her.
God, maybe she really did need to get out more, put herself out there and move on. Jupiter wasn't coming back, it seemed. She shook her head at her own, random thoughts and forced herself back to the present where she could regard Kendra with a thoughtful gaze. "I only teach biology because t'ey do not have botany as a class. I suppose t'ey do teach t'e same t'ing on some level, but plants are my specialty. I had to brush up big on t'e ot'er portions of it just so I do not look foolish teaching it. My students are all patient wit' me if my brain stalls. Good class, sometimes a bit rowdy but not too much."
It probably helped that Xavia looked younger than she actually was. She did not know that Kendra probably thought she was in the same age group when Xavia would soon be in her mid thirties. Kids tended to trust the younger teachers more since they seemed more like a peer in comparison to older teachers. "I am sure if you are able to be assistant, I can make arrangements to pay your salary myself. I do not ask for pay since I do not need it." Yeah, she was still sitting pretty on the money coming in from being Layla, as well as her investments using inheritance. Not that she was multi-million dollars in the black yet, but she was comfortable.
"Just tired," she responded, setting her nearly emoty bowl on the ground next to her. "I do not sleep well in clinics... Ptsd? Sun helps me feel better. Wish to run but too tired today." The only other time she had really bled like that was giving birth, and even then, it wasn't nearly like that.
"You get rest even t'ough your soul wanders?" She wasn't so drugged that she did not remember what Kendra had told her already in that she was a dreamwalker. That was at least helpful, yes? She mused over the dream walker thing, pulled out a little memo pad to write a few things down for later. There had to be a song in that.
"I t'ink I eat too much quinoa, but was delicious. You eat yet?" She yawned, even though she tried not to. Hopefully the iron would help her out because it stunk to be so tired. She did not comment on the cigarette smoke she had smelled, it did not bother her too much as long as it was not blown right into her face. "How are you doing after last night? You do okay?" After all, SHE was the one who was being stalked by some jerk.
Xavia recalled the satisfaction she felt when she downed the man by using something as simple as thorns. He deserved it.
"Because of who I am... I am Xavia, Heiress to my family's greenhouse business, who got kidnapped during my sixteent' birt'day, all of my friends die as t'e bad men look for me. And t'en t'ere is me as Layla, singer who somehow make it big. I did not remember my own name when Layla came about. I hate t'e medfia attention, but I t'ink my solitude helps keep tabloids at bay." She rolled to her stomach, unconsiously closer to him, and said softly, "Now I work at mansion just because I wish to help. I train to fight. I was never in order."
She lay her cheek on her arm, her eyes hakf closed. It was nice to take a break from it all. "I got tired of needing bodyguards where I go. I change my look so it is harder to spot me." Her voice sounded sleepy by that point, but she refused to sleep even though she needed that the most.
"Jupiter... I... I know he was wit' Order, but I never really have a pkace in t'is world t'at wasn't of my own making. I was homeless at first, I use money from business to buy t'e house I used to squat in and fix it. I do not feel I belong anywhere." And it was true.
She took in a deep breath and turned it around on him, tired of talking about herself. "Tell me about you, Geo. Please."
"T'e fight we fight, Geo. Sometime we put ourself in danger by standing up for ourself. I cannot just stop fighting, what happens if she gets caught in crossfire? My home is safe haven for women like me, what happens if I take in t'e wrong person an' she is t'ere?? She is special needs and still young, she does not yet understand concept of caution. I would die if anyt'ing happen to her." She took a deep, shuddering breath at the very idea. "And I fear someone will do to her like t'ey do to me, especially wit' me constantly in media. Media does not know I even have daughter."
She bit her lip and rubbed the side of her face. "T'e first one who kidnap me is long dead, but t'e one from Romania might not be." That was the god awful truth.
Why was he so easy to talk to? She started to pick at the blanket again, then moved to lay on her back. She watched the clouds for a time, silent as she fell into deep thought. Xavia eventually rolled her head to look at him.
