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

[spidey2099.livejournal.com]

"Where YOU can't find her and force her to do things she doesn't want to do," is the Spider's barked response. "She's safe."

[lehnsherr-erik.livejournal.com]

"How dare you say such things. She is safe with her family."

[spidey2099.livejournal.com]

"If by 'safe' you mean being pressured into marrying someone she doesn't love and barely even KNOWS, and as such, threatening your entire reality, then I'd suggest you consult your Webster's."

[house-of-mystiq.livejournal.com]

Raven pulls out a pre-paid cellphone.

"Lord Lensherr."

She wants to tell him how much respect she has for what he's done. She wants to appologize for her doppleganger's obvious incompetence. Part of her even wants his autograph. Instead, she keeps a straight face.

"You have 90 pre-paid minutes. Then both numbers will expire and you won't be able to reach her again. She is safe."

[lehnsherr-erik.livejournal.com]

Her voice is the only thing that kept him from unleashing deadly power on the one daring to question him.

"Your idea of managing a situation is to come in, kidnap the person, manage to kill or injure dozens of people not directly involved and then insult the person whose daughter has been taken." It's pretty clear he thinks they are all idiots.

"Did it ever occur even once to attempt to actually speak to the people involved? Or are you so in love with blood you would go to these lengths?" He takes the phone and looks at Mystique.

"If she is harmed in any way there is no barrier that will keep me from killing you all even retreat to another world. Do you believe that promise?"

[spidey2099.livejournal.com]

"Hey now. Keep in mind that WE are not responsible for THAT," he says, pointing to Ghost Rider. "She's kind of... special."

[lehnsherr-erik.livejournal.com]

"She arrived with you, she stands at your side, you claim no responsibility for those you bring into my house?" The voice is deadly calm.

[spidey2099.livejournal.com]

"Talk to your daughter and then we'll talk, but judging by the tire tracks, I'd say she invited herself. And we can't control who stands at our side. Call it a curse..."

[house-of-mystiq.livejournal.com]

Raven has to forcibly resist the urge to salute. "My Lord. There are elements here beyond our control." If only he saw something familiar in the uniform. She reaches into her damnable satchel and pulls out a $10 with his face on it. "Believe me, My Lord, I would never allow any member of your family to come to harm."

[lehnsherr-erik.livejournal.com]

He takes the money and examines it, then examines her.

"You should have approached me if you felt that way." It's still dissaproving but not full of that deadly quiet.

With one more glare at the others he retreats a few steps to call Lorna.

[house-of-mystiq.livejournal.com]

"We never intended for it to get this far out of hand, My Lord. Things... snowballed."

[spidey2099.livejournal.com]

"You know, it's really eerie to see you all subjugated," he asides to Raven. The one he knows.

[house-of-mystiq.livejournal.com]

She gives this Lensherr a polite nod, then grabs the asshole by the upper arm and steers him off to one side.

"It's called respect," she hisses. "I know it's an alien concept to you."

[spidey2099.livejournal.com]

Spider-Man straightens sharply.

"Oh, that's right, you only subjugate humans. Silly me, I can never keep all the despotic tendencies straight..."

[house-of-mystiq.livejournal.com]

"Christ, not that again. Can I trade you for one of the locals this jump?"

She steals a pack of cigarettes off an immobile body and lights one up. God, she's going to miss smoking in public.