Heaven and Hell in an Old Gray City

[uneasy-rider.livejournal.com]

It has come down to the moment. Scores of mutants, mundanes, and power-mad people living in between them are scattered across the once grand ballroom of the hotel. A day of peace and reconciliation has been revealed to be a lie and the Exiles are caught up in the riptide of violence.

At least one man's sins are being revisited upon him from an unearthly stare.

"Tell us all about your sins in the world, Professor!" The woman is undeterred by the people Xavier has put in her way. "How does it feel?"

Comments

[canadiansixpack.livejournal.com]

Wait, are they about to have a catfight over him?

Of all the damn times for that to happen (the number of times it's happened before having been counted on the fingers and claws of one hand)...

"I'd say it is our concern, Bonehead, considerin' th' mess ya just made here. Some two-bit political weddin' wasn't going ta be the end o' this place. What Xavier woulda gained from it sure as hell woulda been."

[house-of-mystiq.livejournal.com]

"Fuck you. It's not me he wants." She stares at the carnage rather than look directly at this version of James. "And I'm tired of these near misses. Relax. He's yours."

[canadiansixpack.livejournal.com]

His dark gaze flicks between the two of them. "Plenty o' me ta go around, darlin'." The earlier confrontation aside, the shock's passed into bemused acceptance.

He may come to regret that comment, though. But after what they've been through, he'll say it was worth it.

[house-of-mystiq.livejournal.com]

Raven's eyes narrow...then she breaks out laughing.

[ms-tique.livejournal.com]

Ramon steps in front of Logan. He grows a couple inches in height, blocking Logan from the stranger's view.

[house-of-mystiq.livejournal.com]

"Oh, come on." Raven lays a hand on that familiar blue cheek. "Why let him have all the fun?"

[ms-tique.livejournal.com]

Ramon backs up a step, bumping into Logan.

[canadiansixpack.livejournal.com]

Backing up into him is like coming up against a brick wall of flesh and bone. He isn't going anywhere, though his hands settle briefly on his former wife's hips. He raises a craggy eyebrow at the other Raven.

[house-of-mystiq.livejournal.com]

Raven smirks back. She reaches under her doppleganger's arm to put a hand on his shoulder and leans in to whisper to herself, "Think about it? When will you ever have an opportunity like this again?"

[ms-tique.livejournal.com]

"You're a perv."

His eyes are wide, but he's not exactly resisting.

[canadiansixpack.livejournal.com]

There's a brief snort from over his shoulder. "Pretty rich, comin' from you."

[house-of-mystiq.livejournal.com]

Raven winks at this James. A blue finger hooks in the remains of one of his beltloops, pulling him closer. She drapes an arm over her doppleganger's shoulder, so one hand brushes against his face. Then she leans in, still grinning, and kisses herself.

[canadiansixpack.livejournal.com]

There likely isn't a straight homo sapien or mutant alive who wouldn't appreciate that. And he does.

A great deal. As Ramon will be able to attest.

"So whaddya do fer an encore?"

[house-of-mystiq.livejournal.com]

Raven rests her head on her doppleganger's shoulder, a slightly confused but bemused expression on her face.

"I'd demonstrate, but I don't think we have much time left here."

She glances over to Sarah. "And my granddaughter is watching."

[ms-tique.livejournal.com]

"WHAT!"

Ramon's blue cheeks flush a dark purple.

"We're all going to hell."

[canadiansixpack.livejournal.com]

Logan grunts. "We're headed that way regardless o' what we do, if ya listen ta some people. Might as well enjoy th' ride." He pauses, looking at the chaos laid out before them. "Xavier had more than gettin' his hands on th' Lensherr money in mind with this weddin'. A means ta an end, sure. But it wasn't all o'it."

[uneasy-rider.livejournal.com]

"You are destined for other places, Wolf Man."

She deliberately not looking at the people assembled, but Lord help them if they attack. the stink of sin hasn't been cleansed with the death of Xavier.

[canadiansixpack.livejournal.com]

That earns the stranger a dark look. He doesn't know who this biker is, and he's not sure he wants to know. "I ain't no animal, Bonehead."

[uneasy-rider.livejournal.com]

"If you were an animal," the inhuman thing notes quietly. "I wouldn't avert my eyes."

[ms-tique.livejournal.com]

"What? You get off on going to the zoo and watching the lions fuck?"

Ramon turns to his double. "Don't tell me what the guy in the clown suit does." He gives SpiderMan a suspicious look. "You people are making me feel wholesome."

[house-of-mystiq.livejournal.com]

"Shh. I want you to be able to sleep at night. No point putting images of Wrestlemania getting freaky in your head."

[uneasy-rider.livejournal.com]

A fist closes. "You have sins on your soul that an animal wouldn't have. Both of you. But you don't need to look at them today and I am fighting right now to contain myself." She gestures to the professor. "We've had a bad day. Please don't push it."