not_adorable:

For most people's birthdays, they're content to let the cake and the rest of the food be made by someone else. Not Angelo. He'd been burning the candle at both ends, to have the Consulate able to host anyone who deemed fit to show up. A triple-tiered cake stand of chocolate, vanilla, and red velvet sat at the center of a host of other pastries, accompanied by sandwiches and other light fare. It wasn't every day you turned eighteen, after all.

nextgen_misc:

General Kendrick stared at the phone for a time, almost as if willing it to give him an answer that would solve everything, but in the end he knew there was no easy solution to this. In war sometimes you had to make sacrifices in order to achieve a more important objective. It didn't get more important than this. Finally with a sigh, he puts in the call to the Genoshan Embassy.

burnwithlight:

Giovanna Bennet thinks of herself as a soldier. Born to soldiers, named for a soldier, raised to serve her country. The thing was, for more than three years, that service took the form of administrative assistance as much often as security. Making baby steps. Trying to play by every blasted rule.

Immediately after the incident, she called home. Partly to convince Father to stay at home, but also for something else. Genoshan national security had some of the best technopaths. Who had some of the best facial recognition software, and access to some reasonably impressive databases of worldwide information.


When possible for everyone at the embassy, she asks them all into one of the larger rooms.

ng_xtremists:

Cape Citadel, Florida, home to a portion of the United States nuclear arsenal.  Notable for being the first public target of the then-terrorist mutant Magneto and the first public appearance of the X-Men who battled him there.  Not especially remarkable in and of itself, but quite notable in that the events there first brought the idea of mutants and the causes involved to the public attention.  It was a day that changed everything.

In the decades since, the stock of mutants has risen and fallen, sometimes with a fair amount of public support, sometimes with even those who called themselves heroes a little afraid to show themselves in public.  In the time since, Magneto had gone from a wanted and hated terrorist to a leader of men, with a nation of his own.  The X-Men continued their fight for mutant rights and equality, trying to show the world that they to, could be heroes. 

Today... today was going to be a day for the history books again.

It began with a flash of energy in the middle of the base, a teleportation device, and the appearance of seven women.  One, monstrous like a giant frog.  Another, taller than all the rest and built like a truck.  A slender, pale woman in red and a similar looking woman with blue hair.  Another, a blonde, staying at the fringes.  Another, a beautiful red haired woman.

And last, in crimson and purple armor, cape trailing behind her, and dark helmet upon her head.  She floated on the air on currents of magnetic force, looking at the world like she owned it all.  In scant moments, they defeated the soldiers who came to challenge them, mutant powers making it all too easy.

One of the others, the frog-woman, pulled out a small, camera-like device and pointed it at her.

She raised a hand, and a magnetic force field sprang into existence around the base, bent just enough to allow her transmission through.  It would soon be appearing on every television in the country.

"People of the United States, I am Magneta, daughter of Magneto.  And for too long have you oppressed our people!  Today, as my father once did, we mutants strike back to take what is ours!  My X-Tremists and I have seized your nuclear arsenal.  We demand the total surrender of your government, or else I shall unleash them upon you.  Today is a call for all mutants to join us!  Rise up!  Rise up and join our cause!  Cast down your human oppressors!

To the government of the United States... you have twenty-four hours to abdicate.  You know what shall happen if my terms are not met."

The transmission ended there.

lottelensherre:

It had taken her forever to fall asleep the night before, far to excited. Today, she started her new job. Internship. The title was a little unclear - whatever it was, it was starting today. Today...Charlotte Lensherre would walk through the front doors of Xavier's School for the Gifted. She would observe in classrooms, help the teachers as needed....it would look great on her college transcripts and on top of that...the personal connection between her father and Charles Xavier had always fascinated her. Maybe this way she'd figure out some answers...

But! That wasn't all she had been looking forward to. The other side of the bed was already empty and she could smell something *heavenly* wafting in from the kitchen of the one bedroom. Charlotte had been spoiled *rotton* by Angelo and his cooking but on such a special first day she knew he'd go all out..

nextgen_misc:

Gbadu and her followers gathered outside a small unknown temple in the desert near the ancient site of Akkaba. Inside one of the ancient temples the mutant known as En Sabah Nur lay in a state of suspended animation. Today they were here to awaken Apocalypse and unleash him on the world.

nextgen_holiday:


You are cordially invited to attend the 28th annual Maria Stark Foundation's Winter Charity event.

Four Seasons Hotel
57 East 57th Street
New York, NY 10022

Friday 21st of September
Seven O'clock pm - Midnight

Formal dress required.

Please bring a donation for Toys for Tots.


The grand ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel on 57 East 57th street was festively decorated for the holidays. A series of lit candles on every table gave off warm light and the dulcet tones of a jazz ensemble filled the room.

People, the upper elite of New York society, Hollywood celebrities, musicians, politicians and even superheroes moved around the room. People sat at tables and talked, while some moved gracefully around the large dance floor.

Tables loaded with unwrapped and unopened toys lined one wall and at one end stood a very large decorated Christmas tree. Wrapped presents sat under the tree, but they were just empty boxes wrapped for decoration. Mistletoe hung from the ceiling near the tree and people stopped to kiss.

The air was light and the mood happy and festive.

nextgen_parent:

Charles Xavier, head of the Xavier Institute of Higher Learning and mentor of the X-Men, had been busy in the recent days. Together with an old friend, Erik Lehnsherr, the two of them pushed the anti-human groups into action. Attacks on humans started happening all around New York City.

In Times Square the MLF appeared and started attacking the sea of people in the "Crossroads of the World". They also targeted the nearby Police and fire stations to hinder efforts to control the chaos they were creating.

Down on Wall Street the Brotherhood started attacking the bankers and investment brokers.

Leading the attacks on humans were Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr.

Mutants attacking humans prompted responses from anti-mutant groups such as the Friends of Humanity, the Church of Purity and other pro-human groups.

The streets of New York quickly became a battleground between humans and mutants.

not_adorable:

The first thing had been Gio's insistence that the dinner take place in Genosha, for security reasons. That had been a non-issue for him to agree to. Then there was some discussion of a menu, and the headcount range. The seating arrangement had nearly been the source of a small anxiety attack, before Andrew helpfully intervened.

It had taken multiple jumps, both the day before and the day of the dinner, but Angelo had assembled everything he needed for dinner. Mother's kitchen was the next best thing, of course, but it wasn't his kitchen. Besides that, there was a balance of ingredients he wanted to buy the day of, fresh, rather than drop them off the day before. Genosha was, of course, the most beautiful country in the world, but as Andrew had pointed out, it was somewhat lacking in cattle, and even some poultry. It was amazing what putting together a large scale tapas-French fusion meal did to calm his mind and keep it off the Worst Possible Outcomes of the dinner.

Plus, his girlfriend loved watching him prep and cook, which made him feel wonderful. True to his word, he'd let her help to the best of her ability, which also included making sure Mother didn't lift a finger so far as dinner preparation went. He left it to Andrew and Gio to handle any interim small-talk until he put the first course, a simple set of salads, out.

He gave Charlotte a brief kiss before they headed out, ringing a dinner bell before grabbing the tray of dishes and heading to the dinner table, set for a very decent number of people. Angelo, Charlotte, Gio, Andrew, Sengai, Rikki, Simon, Magneto, Paris, Carmella, and three extra seats kept ready in case Alex, Lorna, or (for a very slim chance of likelihood) Raven made themselves present.

"Dinner, is served."

nextgen_misc:


You are cordially invited to attend

Terra Nova Charity Fundraiser

Twenty-Fourth of September Two Thousand Twelve

New York Botanical Gardens' Enid A. Haupt Conservatory

Seven pm until one am.

Formal dress required

quitethecharmer:

The appointment had been made remarkably quickly, as politics go. Vincent, accompanied by Kristoff and carrying several folders in a briefcase, arrived at the Genoshan Consulate.

"Vincent Vernard, Junior Ambassador for Latveria, to see Andrew Summers."

not_adorable:

It wasn't a course of action Angelo had taken to without considerable preparation. Budgeting for supplies, much communication with Charlotte, and conferring with Gio for backup plans. Checking of medical qualifications and building ordinances. Background checks and multiple on-site examinations.

Bearing a medium box under one arm, and a larger one resting at his feet, he knocks at the door to Charlotte's apartment. She really should be living at the embassy, or at least with Rikki or someone else in the same apartment for a bodyguard.

nextgen_genosha:

He'd rounded up the gang. 2500 was ready and everything. Now just came the doing it by the book.

"Yes," he said when the call finally went through. "This is a fellow-citizen wondering if Mr. Summers had any space on his calendar today."

perenawska:

Irina loved New York City and being a teleporter meant she could reach New York any time she wanted. Today she felt like lunch in the Village. Corey had also requested certain items that Irina knew she could find in the city. Two birds, one stone.

She ordered a coffee and drank that while she looked at the menu.

lottelensherre:

No one had ever made an appointment with her. When Angelo had asked if she could meet him downstairs in the garden at 3, of course she'd agreed...though she didn't know why he couldn't just walk up to her and ask her instead of *calling* her . She hadn't seen him since Halloween...she had to assume he was avoiding her, that she'd crossed some major line and he was finally going to tell her that waht she'd done was inappropriate...and he had the right...but hell, it wasn't like she was a trogladite.

 

She headed down to the garden at 5 to 3, to wait.

not_adorable:

Days later, and Angelo was still skittish. Research on schools, daily assignments, volunteer work, and neighborhood patrolling had been able to keep him busy until he found a spot in Andrew's schedule that he could reasonably impose upon. The trick had been finding one where he wouldn't have to go through Gio first, besides not taking Andrew away from all of his very important work. The boy had been a bundle of nerves ever since... the unthinkable* had happened.

He ran a hand through his hair and did his best to collect his thoughts, which seemed to keep running out of his head like water from a sieve. "Nella vita, chi non risica... non rosica," he told himself sternly, before knocking on Andrew's door.


*Unthinkable in a fantastically good way.

not_adorable:

Angelo had gotten a text from his sister while he was out shopping that when he had some time to spare, that day, they needed to talk. Nothing was out of place about her wording or the timing of the message, but it stuck in his mind like a knot in a rope until he got back. After making sure all the perishables were properly secured, he knocked at her door.

"Sorella, you needed to speak with me?"

marvel_girl:

Okay, so, yeah.  This being in a real relationship thing?  Pretty dang nice.  It didn't hurt to have the mess that had been the Mojoverse long behind them, though she admittedly still felt kinda bad about David.  Not so much that it colored her current relationship with Starbridge, but certainly a thought now and then.

But these days, it was a certain Shi'ar prince than held her thoughts.  And more often than not, shared them too.  Having telepathic powers and a boyfriend with something of the same made of a level of connection Rachel never would have thought possible.  Of course, considering she was person non gratta back in his galaxy (or possibly public enemy number 1, she wasn't quite sure)...  Well, she wasn't going to think about that.

As for tonight?  Well, as nights on the town went, this one was really good.  Granted, she hadn't had too many dates to compare it to, but she knew what she liked.

Rachel looked up from her food.  "This is nice," she said.  "...And I've said that already, haven't I?"

lottelensherre:

Manhattan was beautiful in those weeks where summer hadn't quite ended yet, but there was the nip of Fall in the air. The trees had yet to begin to turn, but the frenzy of the summer was dying down leaving the city oddly relaxed. It was a perfect dayt for three people to explore the city that was to be their new home.

Charlotte Lensherre, "Lottie" to her friends, had finally slept well for the first night in she couldnt remember how long. The constant worry over her mutation (or lack there of) had finally lifted a bit, finally wasn't so pressing so she felt constantly strangled. She hadn't realized just how badly she'd been worrying, how strained she'd been in, as if holding herself in a constant tensed state would force the mutation to surface. That's just not how it worked...And now that she could think of something else, those thoughts turned to the city around her.

The view from her bedroom was beautiful - lush green trees overlooking a quiet street. She'd spent the evening on the computer. There was so much to see and do...China Town, Wall Street, Penn Station, The Statue of Liberty, Maddison Avenue, Central Park, the Zoo...And there was the food, pizza, hot dogs...she'd barely slept. It was like Christmas, except a total void of parental supervision for the first time in her life!

She was waiting twenty minutes before the appointed time that she, Angelo and Sangai had agreed to the night before, bouncing on her heels in anticipation as she looked up the street one way, then the other before sitting back down on the steps leading up to the consulate to try to wait.

burnwithlight:

When Gio returned to mutant town with Angelo, Miss Fantasia, and Sengai, who was carrying a somewhat sleepy young boy, there were a few hastily-repaired cameras in her face.

She was glad to see that the poor man had been taken down and was sedated in custody. She hoped he'd be dealt with fairly, considering the entrapment he'd been in, but who knew?

To the slew of questions, she responded only, "Upon realizing how agitated his father's situation was making the younger Mr. Carter, we evacuated him, along with Miss Fantasia -- thank you again for the help, Pauline -- away from crowds and buildings so that he could calm down."
Mrs. Carter, meanwhile, was running for her son, and Gio stepped back to let her at him, nodding to Sengai to hand the tired boy over.
"Mom! There were men with guns opening the door, and Dad got so scared, and then everybody was hitting him, and I just wanted to run and there was only one way to go--"
"It's okay, honey!"
Gio nods politely to the reporters. "If you'll excuse us, we're hoping all the families displaced at this difficult time can be kept together."

And she gives Sengai, in particular a 'good soldier' nod as they walk away.

nextgen_citizen:

"If we do this... there's no going back. This is going to burn through every favor you and I have above my pay grade." Police Captain Erica Strauss poured herself and her associate a shot of whiskey. The strongest she had.

"And yet you will do it. District X's time is over, and this is the way to do it." The gentleman raised the glass, before downing it. He pushed a dossier across the table to her. "This file does not exist. There is no file which contains this exhaustive a cataloging of the District's residents, and their... unique qualities. Just make sure you don't get anyone with wings involved. The media loves them, almost as a rule."

"Nobody's going to love anything about that hellhole after this, not until it's torn down and rebuilt as high-rises." Strauss flips through the files, downing her own drink. "This... if this existed--" she humors him. "--it would be perfect. Let's see those brats try to derail this now."

-----


"The public was shocked today as, in an historic announcement, the governor signed an act to grant emergency powers to the 11th Precinct. Martial law and standing search warrants for the entire District X area have been put into effect. Policymakers are still reeling, as this is the first act of it's kind within the city. Captain Erica Strauss was available for comment earlier today."

"I want everyone in the five boroughs and beyond to understand that no-one involved in this is looking to make any kind of history. These are unfortunate measures to have to be implemented, but it's been determined there is no other appropriate response to the still surging crime wave from District X, and the continuing allegations of disappearances. I'd like to thank my fellow captains of the neighboring precincts for helping to pool emergency funds, as, in an effort to protect taxpayers from the cost of bringing in the National Guard, as well as keeping public safety our first priority, we will be bringing in the brave men and women of Castleton Security Holdings to support our own men and women as we deploy into the District." Every syllable was crisp, except for the parts where the public would respond better to signs of stress or remorse.

Strauss locked her gaze on a camera. "I want those people hiding within this district of our fair city to know that we will not stop. We will put everything as it should be. To the law-abiding citizens of District X, I promise you this, we will be among you."

----

The searches started the next day at dawn. Doors were pounded on. Homes were turned upside down. Residents were subject to 'mandatory relocation' to hotels and shelters in other parts of the city. Every 'successfully' searched building had security stationed nearby afterwards. By nightfall, and the enactment of the district-wide curfew, over five hundred residents had been moved, with well-crafted gentle assurances they would be back in their homes soon.

The efficiency alone was something of wondrous terror.

whoholdsthewhip:

Senagi was...well..culture shock didn't really describe what he was seeing. He went from a small village to..this. Being in a place like this with all the power sources would have been a nightmare normally, but he'd be outfitted for this. Under his clothes was a dampening suit which greatly hindered the amount of excess energy he'd passively absorb. He also wore a pair of thick glasses, Andrew said it was similar in design to his uncle's protective eyewear. If someone asked about the glasses, he'd just say he had "eye problems..which was technically true.

"Angelo..no words come to me to describe this."

whoholdsthewhip:


Things had been moving fast for Sengai Senyaka. First he met with  Andrew Summers, head of the Genosha Consulate, and his bodyguard Giovanna Bennet, http://www.scribbld.com/users/whoholdsthewhip/318.html .  He had explained his reasons for his coming then, the nature of his often difficult powers, and his own desire to to learn about the conflict between humans and mutants.  Summers struck him as a good man, young perhaps, but he defintiely knew what he was talking about. He seemed like the kind of individual Sengai could see himself working under, but he wasn't going to make a hasty decision. Afterwards, Giovanna had engaged him in a sparring session in order for him to attempt to control his powers during a combat scenario.  http://www.scribbld.com/users/burnwithlight/1827.html.  He was pleased the progress, but knew it would still be some time before he was comfortable enough with his powers. Still, it had been a rewarding experience. He was pretty sure he could could consider Andrew and Giovanna friends, but he tried not to get too attached to the idea. Afterall, he wasn't there to make friends.

He was currently in the consulate lunchroom, sash on his shoulders. After the training session, he looked forward to simply sitting and having something to eat.

not_adorable:

Angelo had done some preparation for this. He knew that he and his sister had divergent views on the group occupying his thoughts, but he was confident they could approach the situation like rational adults. Of course, he wasn't above cheating, just a little bit. The jug of homemade cider he'd buried in the neighborhood garden had finally been dug up after fermenting long enough, and some was currently on the stove with butter and cooking brandy milling in it. He'd also just finished dusting some krapfen with powdered sugar as he approached his sister, who was going over his latest home-school exam.

"Gio?" He set down a plate of Italian pastry and cider in front of her. "There was something I wanted to confer with you about."

burnwithlight:

Giovanna dragged Angelo out of bed one morning, even earlier than they normally woke up.

"Come on, mon frere. Get dressed -- warmly -- and let's get you some exercise on the roof."

nextgen_holiday:

There's a piece of paper and a pen attached to a bulletin board. Across the top is written:

New Year's Resolutions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
+

Anonymous entries accepted.

burnwithlight:

Giovanna Bennet had just dropped up a delivery at the courier service not far from the building in which she, Andrew, and Angelo lived. She sighed as she headed back into the New York cold, heading back there.

nextgen_holiday:

Christmas. Yule. Saturnalia. Dies Natalis Solis Invicti. Many cultures have celebrated and still celebrate a winter festival. There have been many names for it over the millennia. No matter the name it is a time to come together and celebrate with feasts and gifts with friends and loved ones.

Each culture has a legendary figure who would deliver gifts to children during this time. In Russia and some Slavic cultures he is known as Ded Moroz, Grandfather Frost, and comes not on Christmas but on New Year’s along with his granddaughter Snegurochka, or ‘”Snow Maiden”. In the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe he is known as Father Christmas. In the Netherlands and Belgium he is known as Saint Nicholas or “Sinterklaas” and in France he is known as Père Noël. In the United States we know him as Santa Claus.

No matter the name or who is delivering gifts, it is the season of peace, joy and togetherness. It is the season for thinking about loved ones, friends and those less fortunate. It is a time to witness the goodness and generosity the human race is capable of. It is a time for peace on Earth and goodwill toward man.

nextgen_media:

DAILY BUGLE - Crime rates near the so-called "District X" continue to climb in recent weeks, as what are being reported as mutant street gangs ransacked thirteen stores in the past three weeks, with half a dozen home invasions as well. Property damage estimates are estimated to be in the tens of thousands and still rising, and insurance carriers for the claimants are currently entering litigation as to whether or not mutant violence constitute valid claims under criminal sections of their coverage.

THE BUZZ - (editorial by Khan Keorattanavong) Police Captain Erica Strauss commended her precinct's officers today, in a grandstanding public ceremony where the collective members of the 11th Precinct by all rights should have snapped in half from how fast they bent over to kiss their own collective rears. Arrests for possession are at an all-time high as Strauss continues her war on drugs, specifically MGH, Mutant Growth Hormone. Arrests are at an all-time high, with a soaring conviction rate on possession charges as well. Sources also claim that pleas from defense attorneys for what would normally be minor charges have been ignored by the DA's office.

We've all seen what MGH can do, but voices within the local community cite that the arrests have been focused on users carrying empathic and telepathically communal strains, rather than your typical lasers and super strength varieties. Cops beating up on hippies, where have we seen that before?

not_adorable:

Angelo hummed to himself as he busied himself about the apartment. This was amazing. The entire city of Manhattan was just outside those windows. Of course, he was living with Gio and Andrew, and had to let them know where he was going if he was to be out for more than just a quick errand.

There were his lessons to keep up on, and learning about the diplomatic work (and the necessary decorum thereof) Gio and Andrew were doing, and at the moment, keeping house. While Andrew's room was off-limits except by request, and Gio needed little in the way of cleaning, the rest of the apartment would be kept spotless under his watch. He'd just finished cleaning the windows when the first timer he'd set went off, and he went to check the oven.

A smile creeped across his face as the apple cinnamon muffins looked to be just about done. He slipped on a mitt and retrieved the tin, setting it on the stove-top to cool.

not_adorable:

After the whole mess in Symkaria, Angelo was all too happy to be home, and have everyone else there. After the most pressing reports had been filed and Magneto had reassured Paris (repeatedly) that he would be fine, they went home.

Angelo had ushered everyone into the living room and all but demanded they sit down. He busied himself in the kitchen fixing a modest dinner of pasta and salads, returning with juice for his parents and coffee for Gio while the noodles cooked.

After he set the tray down, he just looked at his parents, finally letting out a breath he felt like he'd been holding in for over a day. He dropped pretense for the moment and simply hugged each of them, followed by doing the same for Gio with considerably less neediness.

nextgen_parent:

Paris and Carmella had gotten to bed late, after some extra time and work and much interest and speculation on the whole Latverian Thing. But going to bed late normally never prevented them from getting up early.

This morning, it didn't happen. The sun was starting to climb high by the time Carmella groggily stirred, barely able to open her eyes.

nextgen_media:

Staggered and vague reports are coming that Dr. Doom has now followed his unprovoked aggression against neighboring Symkaria with attacks against Atlantis and Wakanda. As both of these nations are insular and isolated, these reports have been difficult to confirm, and no public announcements have been made by any of the governments involved.  There are even rumors that the respective kings of Atlantis and Wakanda are missing in action.

Even though all the reported victims so far have been isolated or marginalized nations, the U.N. and various governments around the world are reported to be in an uproar trying to decide what action to take.

not_adorable:

Angelo stared at the phone. It was a simple hunk of plastic, wires, and a rudimentary circuit-board. Nothing to be afraid of.

Except maybe the disapproval of the person at the other end.

No time for second thoughts now. He was already overdue to call and catch up on things with her. If the incident came up in the course of talking about school, it came up. Simple as that.

He dialed his big sister, Giovanna.