Kevin Kinross (better_now) wrote in exiles,
@ 2011-01-24 21:50:00

Entry tags:

Dogs of War: Prelude
They arrived in a new place. Kev looked around. They were in an alleyway in New York City. No dead bodies surrounded them. Always nice. No rampaging mental patients at the moment, also nice. And there was a newspaper. January date. "Worthington Enterprises donates $1 billion to Lenore St. Croix Foundation. Subhead: "Also $10 million to CEO's mutant-specialty alma mater." Kev grinned. "What a terribly normal newspaper." There are sounds above and quite some ways away, and Kev looks up to see, swinging between the skyscrapers, four superheroes on weblines: one in crimson and navy, one in scarlet and azure, one in maroon and gold, and one in black and white.

Kev beams. "CIVILIZATION AT LAST!"

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Re: Sarah, Gwenny and Dorrek/Valentine

rogue_star
2011-01-26 04:50 am UTC (link)

Sarah nods. "Good to know. I'm familiar, so far, with about half a dozen different takes on 'junior Avengers', including my own original group. Good to know you have some training. In any case, I should also state the lesson we've learned the hard way. Don't assume anything. Any world may have different factors at play. Anyone - anyone could be a villain, even if they're a hero in your reality, or vice versa. Its nice to find points of familiarity, but don't count on it.

Second thing, also learned the hard way. Some of the worlds out there are horrible. Ruled by super villains, run by villains who were friends in your world... run by vampires who have killed or enslaved most of the human population. It is really nice to get worlds where we can grab hotel rooms with beds, eat decent food, research... but do not ever count on it. We've been attacked right out of the gate. I've been arrested by Reed Richards' science council..." she pauses, looking to Gwenny to explain. "Reed Richards typically being a major hero, about fifty years in your future. Anyway, be prepared, and don't count on creature comforts, and enjoy the easier worlds where you can. We don't get a lot of luxury, comfort or familiarity. And if you need to talk - at least I'm willing to listen.

Third - try and keep arguments with teammates to a minimum. We don't get to choose our team, and we're stuck with each other. In fact, we're all the 'others' any of us can count on. Disagreements, personality conflicts, objecting to someone else's views or actions are inevitable. If something is bad enough, I'd prefer we try and deal with it as a team. We are in this together, and no one can count on going home any time soon.

Fourth, you will not bring along anything to the next world that isn't either on you, or considered part of your 'normal' gear. Mjolnir and the shield have jumped with me even when I'm not wielding them when we disappear from a world. Other things haven't. If something is important to you, keep it on you at all times or it may get left behind.

Finally - S.O.P. when we hit a new world where we're not attacked right away, and things appear normal-ish -- someone works on getting a current newspaper so we can get the dates and current events. Someone works on immediate needs and resources - food, lodging, things like that. I typically stay out of the way, as I'm pretty conspicuous, and try and fill in any newcomers.

Again, questions?"

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	Re: Sarah, Gwenny and Dorrek/Valentine a_pal 2011-01-26 04:52 am UTC (link)
	"....golly." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	Re: Sarah, Gwenny and Dorrek/Valentine notallhunkydory 2011-01-26 05:12 am UTC (link)
	Dorrek's attention turns back to the ring in his pocket, feeling his heart clench within his chest. He doesn't want to imagine a world where Billy is a villain, especially not one this team would have to face. "No questions," he answers. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

Re: Sarah, Gwenny and Dorrek/Valentine

rogue_star
2011-01-26 05:17 am UTC (link)

Sarah hates seeing the expressions on people's faces when they get the 'exiles' talk. She can see them picturing friends, family, loved ones as villains or vampires, post-apocalyptic scenarios and the rest. She just figures its better to level with people right off.

"Ok, let's rejoin the others then. So far, the paper actually makes this world seem pretty good. Fairly pro-mutant, reasonable resources... and Kev seemed to have a lot of touchstones here. I'd like to get on with trying to figure out what the Tallus means - its often unhelpful, but not quite this impenetrable. If Kev isn't able to get us lodging, Tasha should."

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Re: Sarah, Gwenny and Dorrek/Valentine

better_now
2011-01-26 05:31 am UTC (link)

And soon, Kev and Dane are rejoining them.
At the same time, a portal opens.
Two young women step out of the portal. The lilac-skinned one controlling the portal, a Miss Clarice Ferguson for those who know her, hides a little behind the younger one, who has adamantium claws out and is the one who speaks.
"All right. Which one is Kevin, and has he tried to hurt any of you?"

"Oh, Hang on a minute, Miss Kinney, I haven't hurt anyone in /fifteen years/, unless you count the Shadow King." It takes a while for things to sink in for Kev.

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Re: Sarah, Gwenny and Dorrek/Valentine

rogue_star
2011-01-26 05:34 am UTC (link)

"Blink?" she asks. Then notices Clarice hiding behind the other. Yeah, the one she knows... not shy.

"No... he hasn't hurt anyone." She can't quite say he's harmless, but tries to imply that its something like that. "Kev doesn't have the Proteus abilities. I'm Sarah Rogers... and I'm willing to answer any questions you might have on behalf of the group, if you can take me to your headmaster."

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	Re: Sarah, Gwenny and Dorrek/Valentine notallhunkydory 2011-01-26 06:02 am UTC (link)
	The mention of 'Proteus' gets raised eyebrows from Dorrek, if only because he'd considered a similar codename and been told about his universe's version of the man to explain why he ought to go with something else. He also shifts his weight to a better stance in case he needs to keep the other members of this team from getting skewered on those claws. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	Re: Sarah, Gwenny and Dorrek/Valentine a_pal 2011-01-26 06:26 am UTC (link)
	Gwenny just watches in consternation. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

Re: Sarah, Gwenny and Dorrek/Valentine

better_now
2011-01-26 06:36 am UTC (link)

Blink looks at her. "Yes?"

Laura looks at Kev a little. "The bit about sending people to Baltimore before you came didn't exactly --" She spots Dane. "Oh. Okay. Makes sense now."

"Thank you," Kev replies jovially.

Laura sniffs, looks them over, nods, sheathing her claws, and steps back. "Dr. Summers is acting headmaster while the Professor is on sabbatical. You can talk to him and Mr. Summers." A pause. Another look at Sarah. "Miss Annamarie isn't around either, just to let you know. Right this way." And she'll step back through Clarice's portal.

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Re: Sarah, Gwenny and Dorrek/Valentine

rogue_star
2011-01-26 06:41 am UTC (link)

Sarah sighs at mention of her mom not being around. Always a bit of a shame, but good in some ways as well.

"Sorry... long story." she replies to Blink. "Ok folks, on guard. If this is legit though, I'll talk to Dr. Summers, people can try and settle in and start gathering information." she says, before taking the lead for her group through the portal, just in case.

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	Re: Sarah, Gwenny and Dorrek/Valentine notallhunkydory 2011-01-26 06:54 am UTC (link)
	Dorrek wonders if they ought to wait for Natasha, or if they're keeping her in reserve in case this goes poorly. Best not to ask Sarah that in front of the people they might be hiding her from, though. He shrugs and follows Sarah through the portal. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

better_now
2011-01-26 07:05 am UTC (link)

And Kev follows.

On the other side of the portal is the Xavier Institute for the Genetically Gifted. It looks much like many versions of Xavier's School throughout the time streams, perhaps more expanded than some. It is currently clean and orderly and finished with all repairs since the last time there was an accident or attack.
Ready to meet them, in a wheelchair brimming with extremely high-tech modifications, is Dr. Alexander Summers. Laura is already talking to him quietly.

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	a_pal 2011-01-26 07:06 am UTC (link)
	Gwenny comes through, looking around wide-eyed. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	steelandsorcery 2011-01-27 02:54 am UTC (link)
	Dane follows, maintaining his healthy suspicion of this world and its inhabitants. However, the woman's look at Dane, followed by her comment to Kevin cause Dane to narrow his eyes. "I don't much appreciate being talked around in my presence. What is she getting at?" Dane asks. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	better_now 2011-01-27 03:03 am UTC (link)
	"Well, y'ken how I said I'd made sure they'd send the teleporter who isn't scared of Black Knights? Well, the one who is...well, terribly powerful fellow, but the lad's not all right in the head." Yes, this is Kev talking. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

steelandsorcery
2011-01-27 03:08 am UTC (link)

Dane isn't certain he understands Kevin's meaning for a moment, because many euphemisms go right over his head. But he /thinks/ he's got Kevin's meaning.

"The individual there were going to send is afraid of...me? And he is off ill-humors? No man has reason to fear me unless he consorts with demons or those who would elevate false gods over his fellow man. I take issue with those who would do so." Dane says, looking between Kevin and Laura.

"Who is this man and why should he fear me?" Dane asks.

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better_now
2011-01-27 03:32 am UTC (link)

"Aye, basically," Kev says. "And it wouldn't do much good trying to sort this all out with him around having a fit, aye?"

Alex sighs, hands on either side of his nose. "If I may interrupt?" He says wearily. "It's hardly something personal," he says to Dane. "If you aren't the Black Knight involved in the massacre at Acre or various other 12th century incidents, then the patient in question is not afraid of you. Or enraged, or whatever sets him off on talk of blood and betrayal and, in fact, demons and False Gods. Unfortunately, we're told the resemblance between our local Black Knight and this man is fairly...uncanny."

"Which, since we have avoided that particular situation, is slightly beside the point," says the man joining them, with long dark brown hair and deep brown eyes. "Can we get down to business?"

"Just about to, Scott."

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	steelandsorcery 2011-01-27 03:44 am UTC (link)
	Dane deigns to let the matter rest, for now, as the new person enters the room. He /will/ be bringing this up again later. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	rogue_star 2011-01-27 06:39 am UTC (link)
	Once she confirms that there's no trap waiting for them, and people are reasonable, if suspicious - as she might well be if things were reversed, she calls Tasha to give her their coordinates and the all clear. They'll have to work up communicators for the newcomers. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	notallhunkydory 2011-01-27 07:19 am UTC (link)
	Dorrek crosses his arms and watches the mutants assemble for this discussion. He hopes that, if they're scanning the team for other mutants, they won't say anything about his decidedly non-mutant biology. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	a_pal 2011-01-27 12:42 pm UTC (link)
	Gwenny stands between Miss Rogers and Mr. Valentine, trying to take all this in. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	better_now 2011-01-27 07:36 pm UTC (link)
	Kev manages to look attentive. He wants to find out about Rahne. "So," says Alex. "I'm Dr. Summers, this is my brother Scott. And, well... five dimensionally displaced people walk into the Institute. What's the punchline?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

rogue_star
2011-01-27 11:58 pm UTC (link)

"I'd love to tell you, but its in Latin." Sarah replies. "Dr. Summers, it appears we're going to be here a little while. I'm willing to accept going under heavy guard as a guarantee of the good behavior of the others if you could arrange rooms and a hot meal for them, by chance? After that, I think you and I should speak... and then, if you're not ready to kick us out yet, perhaps I could speak to Dr. McCoy or someone else who speaks Latin?"

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	iron_widow 2011-01-28 12:02 am UTC (link)
	Natasha acknowledged the all clear and let Sarah know she would be back in a little while. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	better_now 2011-01-28 12:27 am UTC (link)
	Alex nods, and guest suites will be arranged for these people. "Hank should be home shortly. Doug is home, but... I don't know if he's up for work right now." "Doug's here? Can I talk to him?" Kev asks eagerly. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

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steelandsorcery, 2011-01-28 01:04 am UTC

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notallhunkydory, 2011-01-28 03:29 am UTC

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rogue_star, 2011-01-29 02:30 am UTC

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