nextgen_asgard:

The lie-smith had drawn lots with the lady of strife, and they'd each chosen a handful of targets. Loki had, of course, cheated. His hobby and his grandson were too amusing to leave to chance. His favored granddaughter might feel some of the sting of this game, but all that he did served the greater Loki, which was what mattered in the end.

These days would be most amusing.

your_talents:

Lisa stopped by a bench in the middle of her jog through Central Park, She checked her pulse with satisfaction. Bradley had cleared her for general exercise and activity, even if 'feeding' was still off the table per Julian's request. Minnie was gone, somewhere, and without her around to confirm the success of more feedings by Julian, they'd been proceeding with caution. She was feeling better, physically, and working out more often than just maintaining her weight dictated had been part of that. She'd felt so helpless during the struggle in Mutant Town. Julian, all of her co-stars, the Genoshans, they all had powers no matter what. Without someone to feed on, she was vulnerable.

The cravings, the need to hunt, were still miserable. She'd gotten very good with her powers. She could pick up other mutants and genetically altered individuals at medium range now, even if she still couldn't tell exactly what made them different. She'd passed by four of them just in the hour and a half of her jog today.

She sat down and took out her water, things running through her mind. She was comfortable with where her life was right now. More than enough money for herself, even some put aside for her little sister Emily's college fund. She was recognized enough that she got into any club she wanted and all the best shops, but she could still go out in public without getting swarmed. She actually counted Pauline as a friend she could talk to about most anything (aside from Julian stuff).

And there was Julian. Unless she's at work on something, she does find it difficult to think of him without smiling. He was definitely more than a boyfriend, but there was a certain emotional descriptor she'd never used aloud before. It wouldn't have felt right, not while he still had so much control. She delighted in being able to push him to do better and more, but being an equal was a important to her.

The moment they'd met, he'd been the one with everything. She'd fought tooth and nail to use the resources he gave her to pull herself up as well. Sure, she didn't doubt he had the pull to harpoon her career if he wanted, but for the simple fact that he wouldn't; but as it was, she could walk away from X-Factor, cut off any support from him, and still stand on her own. She maintained her own calendar without her agent having to hold her hand, she did her own shopping and managed her own money. She was strong.

And she was still dieing.

Alright, too much time to sit and think. She texted her significant other to check his dinner plans, then got up to resume her jog. She was dieing, but she wasn't dead.

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.

your_talents:

To hell with both of those narrow-minded creeps, Lisa Graves thought to herself as she hopped off the back of the truck shed hitched a ride on. She was sixteen, she was a mutant, and as of yesterday, she was disowned.

There hadn't been any ranting. No being locked in the basement or shipped off to some camp. She had simply come home from school to find the locks changed, a packed bag on the porch, and a slip of paper with the address and access code for storage unit where the rest of her things could be found.

She choked down her rage and frustration as she made her way down the last mile of road towards the Xavier school, pressing the intercom at thr front gate.

"Hello? My name is Lisa. Someone told me you help mutants here."

your_talents:

"Well Miss Graves, you're an interesting case study." Dr James Bradley, a.k.a. Dr Nemesis, commented, browsing through some data as Lisa got herself dressed again. Julian had been asked to wait outside the room they used for her exam, and once she was decent enough for anyone that might have been passing by, she opened the door to beckon him back in.

"Well that's encouraging.." She mutters in response to Bradley's analysis.

"Honestly, I was just making small-talk. I've seen much more radical and interesting genetic deviances than your personal stepping stone to reality tv stardom, oxymoron that that is, and a trendy new addiction. You're relatively pedestrian." He shrugs, tipping his hat slightly as he double-checks something. "You can come in whenever you want, corporate overlord. Your girlfriend's a tad edgy."

yourtruecolors:

There. That had finished the business they were working on for now. Julian's posture was sifting as he looked ready to settle in for some private time. Time that Minnie wanted. Time that she wasn't sure she could get enough of, when soon she'd be beginning her "errands" with the LOHN in earnest.

But she had to tell him. She'd been reviewing her memories, and she had to tell him.

"Julian? I need to talk to you about Lisa."

yourtruecolors:

Minnie had been running countless background checks, but her hands were empty as she knocked quietly but distinctly on Julian's door late one morning. Anything her Julian might need to know was in her head.

She'd already knocked when she noticed the colors bleeding through the door didn't seem right. Was he not there? And whose was the pattern that was?

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.

hellfireprince:

Each member of X-Factor receives word of the meeting at X-Factor Plaza's Boardroom with instructions to attend as soon as possible on a matter of urgency. Julian has some minor refreshments set up, but doesn't have the usual feast ready; they may need to move quickly regarding this matter.

Julian waits in the boardroom for the team to arrive.

They'll all notice immediately that there are no cameras in sight.

your_talents:

Lisa got out of the town car and told the driver to put it on her usual tab. She was fresh off another modeling gig to pay off the date she'd lined up from the auction. She told herself it was a good cause, even though she knew she'd be telling herself that even more intently if she didn't get a 'taste' of her date. She also needed to have a 'talk' with Julian to further figure out what the two of them were.

Plenty of time for that, and freshening up for her date. The shoot had let her borrow a simply stunning black number that she'd be treating her date's eyes to. Possibly hands as well. She smirked as the car pulled away.

She had taken five steps when the rushing air was all the warning she got. Hands grabbed her from behind and the block blurred past. She was shoved into the front of a building and dragged across it for several yards, before being thrown to the ground.

The damage to the building itself showed that if not for the super-strength she'd helped herself to earlier in the day, there would be plenty of herself embedded in it. As it was, her clothes were all but destroyed and her belongings were thrown across the street. Her breath had been pulled out of her by the shock and the velocity.

Her attacker was silent, dressed all in black. They seemed to hesitate before speaking. "You need to shut your mouth and stop asking questions Stick to being pretty on tv." Their voice is muffled by the mask. They take off again, leaving car alarms screaming in their wake.

Lisa's eyes are wide with disgust, rage, and panic. She slams a fist into the ground, letting out a scream of frustration as the pavement cracks. She pulls her clothes, what's left of them, around her. Mercifully, her phone had survived.

She calls Julian.

nextgen_parent:

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the first annual Maria Stark Foundation Charity Auction. I'm Alison Blaire and your host for tonight's festivities. Prepare yourselves for a night of fun to help a worthy cause. In just a few minutes many very handsome men will be brought out one by one for your chance to win a date with one of them.

Before we begin I would like to bring out Her Imperial Highness Anya Stark. Miss Stark helped arranged tonight's event and will give you a little more information on the charity organization tonight's proceeds will help."

Anya walked out on stage and smiled. "Thank you, Ms. Blaire. All of the proceeds from tonight's event will go directly to Doctors Without Borders or Médecins Sans Frontières. This organization was created in 1971 in France to benefit the citizens of the world. The organization is committed to bringing quality medical care to people caught in crisis regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation all across the globe. MSF operates independently of any political, military, or religious agendas.

I'm happy to announce on behalf of the Maria Stark Foundation, that all money collected here tonight will be matched dollar for dollar by the Maria Stark Foundation."

"Thank you Miss Stark and that is a very generous offer by the Maria Stark Foundation. Now it's time to begin. So open those wallets and let's bring out our first man." Anya left the stage and went to take her seat.

"First we have the son of Captain America Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanoff. James Romanov-Rogers is currently an Avenger and has recently moved to Seattle to lead the West Coast Avengers."

"Let's start the bidding at a hundred dollars."

hellfireprince:

"Thank you, Shawn and please tell your wife I appreciate both of you helping out with relief concerts in Fargo. Roc Nation is has been really good to me, and I'm glad for it. We still on for the Super Bowl? Good, I can't wait. See you both tonight." Julian says, then hangs up the phone. He's still smiling when he does so, looking at the table full of gifts he's already received, like some kind of tribute.

Despite what his mother always says about aging, birthdays have yet to lose their mystique for him. Then again, his mother is also seventeen millennia old, so that /may/ color her views on life and aging somewhat. Besides, her gift to him each year is the gift of life and someone new to taste it through, so Julian won't gainsay his mother on something as small as a matter of opinion.

After finishing his mother's gift (and asking Paulo to sweep up her remains), Julian is feeling much more animated . He takes one  more look at the preparations for this evening's parties and goes over the guest list, which reads like a who's-who of the entertainment industry from actors to musicians. There are also a few businessmen and women among the names, and even a politician or two. Even on his birthday, he's still working to get Andrew's message heard by those who most need to hear it.

The text messaged invitation and location info goes out at 2 p.m. to those that are twenty and under, inviting them to come out and see him at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House at 6p.m.

At 6 p.m. the second set of messages goes out to the twenty-one and over crowd, providing only an address, a password and a time: 11 p.m. - ????

With that,  Julian started getting ready for the party, readying himself to enjoy the night.

your_talents:

Sirens went off for the fifth time of the night, less than two blocks from Lisa's apartment in Mutant Town. Not that this was anything new. The recent crime wave, the drug traffic, and just the fact that it was District X meant that something was always going on. Or going down. Deals, hookups, people looking for fixes, college kids looking to dash in and out of the wrong side of town, everything that made the district come alive, and was slowly killing it.

Lately though, it seemed like the death of the area was approaching faster than ever. It was time to start taking action.

She called up her female co-star.

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.

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?

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.

nextgen_media:

Spider-Man on a Rampage! - Just when you thought it was safe to walk the streets of New York again, the menace known as Spider-Man has reared his web-covered head. Recent months has seen an surge of gang violence gripping New York, beginning with the shooting death of a 15 year-old student from Midtown High. Since then, the so-called "Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man" has attacked any groups with gang-affiliations. Members of street gangs such as the Poison Memories, the Midtown Saints and the Grim Bastards Motorcycle Club have been admitted to hospitals with alarming frequency. ..(CONTINUED ON PAGE 2A)


Local Media Mogul Seeks Support For Relief Efforts- Julian Howard, known as the manager behind the mutant reality sensation, X-Factor, has met in recent weeks with a slew of politicians and attended Congressional hearings in Washington D.C. seeking ways to bring more federal aid to the embattled citizens of Fargo, Georgia.

"We are just a few months removed from this tragedy, but we cannot forget its impact or that there are real people still suffering." Howard says.

Mr. Howard has been outspoken in his desire to bridge the divide between humanity and mutantkind in the wake of the tragedy that took the lives of over 3,000 people. A three-day benefit concert is close to being announced and is rumored to have the names of several prominent mainstream and independent artists on the marquee. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 10A)


USA v. Mutants? - A robbery enacted by a group of mutant criminals two weeks ago was thwarted by a new task force created by the Department of Homeland Security. A unit of the Mutant Response Division, led by Command Master Chief Windham Carter, apprehended the crew of mutant thieves after an hour long stand-off. Eyewitness reports also state that another group of mutants came to the aid of the MRD, but this cannot be confirmed. Colonel Audra Wesker, head of the Division, expressed relief and gratitude that there were no serious injuries or deaths. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 3B)

clothesline:

X-Factor was a team, right?  Jason didn't know much about teams, but he was aware that MOST teams actually sat down and got to know each other.  He didn't rightfully give a damn, but the press did.  So, like a good boy int he public eye, Jason set up a dinner with his team at Masa.  If somebody was unable to find something appropriate to wear in their current wardrobe, they were set up with information to contact Jason's people and get something appropriate.  As for Jason?  He was looking fancy and dashing in a custom suit.  He was always overdressed.

Jason, of course, was at the restaurant to make sure everything was in order.  The menus were already on the table, including the all-important drink menu.  They were seated near a window so the press could see them having a great time.  And by God, they were all going to smile-even if Jason would have to force them by the hairs on their lips.

nextgen_holiday:

Mothers are the place that we call home.
On them we rest our heads and close our eyes.
There's no one else who grants the same soft peace,
Happiness, contentment, sweet release,
Erasing nighttime tears with lullabies,
Restoring the bright sun that makes us bloom. - Anonymous

hellfireprince:

As much as Julian wanted to settle the issue with X-Factor's secret admirer (or detractor), life had to go on. Business was booming, and the Outcast was still making a killing on the club circuit, as the rich and famous were now patronizing the place. X-Factor, along with N.I.C.H Machinegun, made the Popular Outcast the place to be, and Julian had finally traded the loft above the club or his own penthouse apartment inside X-Factor Plaza.

He packed his suitcase, and readied his garment bag with three days worth of suits, wanting to make an impression on the new partners in Atlantic City. Next, he'd be off to New Orleans to make an offer to another partner, and then California. If he could get all of the clubs open by the end of the year, he'd consider most of the work done. For now, though, he thought it prudent to focus on Atlantic City and put the rest of out of his mind. One goal at a time.

Anyone asking after him would hear that he was preparing for a trip, and couldn't be disturbed unless it was important.

ng_independent:

After she had seen them on television, she'd gone into her bedroom for a long heart to heart with Daddy. He was so happy, so proud. They'd laid down the ground rules -- lots and lots of rules, or it wouldn't be any good, after all.

Now for the opening move. She had a meeting with some of the Foundation for a Finer Life's best and brigh--- well, they were good boys, anyway. Nice boys. They tried hard; and that's all Phoebe was asking for.

Starting that night and continuing throughout the week, there was a surge in break-ins, burglaries, and vandalism in the area of town surrounding X-Factor's new home/studio.
Three churches -- all coincidentally connected by their contributions to such things as 'sexuality rehabilitation' centers -- ransacked with 'Glass Houses!' spray-painted in bright yellow on the inner walls. Numerous stores robbed only of their entire supply of cigarettes, with 'Nasty Habit!' painted across the empty storage display cases in the same bright shade.
Scores of cars stolen from a parking lot that had been made just a few months before by paving over greenspace, with 'Ride a Bike!' in yellow.

Every single security camera anywhere near any scene of the crime had been taken as well.

By the end of the week, letter with no fingerprints or return address will be delivered to the plaza which reads simply,
'Welcome to the neighborhood. And nobody hurt yet. Ain't we sweet?'

hellfireprince:

The results are in: Everyone wants a piece of X-Factor.

He's gotten offers from Letterman and Leno. Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein want to speak to Jason about joint projects.  Slash and Gene Simmons thinks DJ and Pauline are the future of music. Harry is morphing into a young heartthrob; between the ladies from The View and Oprah, the young man might never know another day of obscurity in his life.

And Julian's thinking he may need to get another phone if the Owner of Suicide Girls doesn't stop trying to blow his up about having Lisa do a shoot for them.  Besides, Maxim wants first dibs.

As for Julian, bumping into Jay-Z at a recent after-party (he can't remember where) landed him a spot in Rihanna's newest video.

X-Factor's star was rising higher with each passing day, and he still hadn't had time to tell the team about X-Factor Plaza yet. He'd have to get them all together, but time was conspiring against them. And there was still the World Tour, actions figures and everyone's solo ventures to discuss. Not to mention his trip to New Orleans to open up another nightclub. 

Julian asks Paulo to call the rest of the team to the Outcast to discuss the next step in their adventure together and set down some rules. This is probably also a good time to give anyone who wants out the chance to get out clean.

nextgen_misc:

The media watched the battle from the safety of Ellis Island while on Liberty Island the battle raged on.

your_talents:

[Before the events of Watching It All Play Out]

Lisa didn't have an appointment, but mentioning the 'special project' of Howards' got her to his office. She knocked sharply at the door.

This whole thing was interesting enough to catch Lisa's attention, particularly with the implied chance of meeting other mutants, but she had particular plans to put in motion. She didn't trust this guy further than she could throw him, unpowered.

He did, however, interest her.

hellfireprince:

( Read more... )</div>