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.

nextgen_citizen:

"And we're back. If you're just joining us, we're talking today about what local voices have been calling the 'Exodus of Mutant Town', along with the current wave of mutant crime sweeping the five boroughs. With us are Julian Howard, the man behind the modern sensation of X-Factor, and Police Captain Erica Strauss, of the 11th Precinct, which oversees District X.

Before we had to go to break, Mister Howard had brought up the reports of disappearances of transients and the alleged sewer-dwellers of the district. Captain Strauss, your thoughts?"

Strauss gave a practiced smile and tilted her head with a modest shrug. "Well, to be honest, we're at a bit of a loss for the situation. Strictly speaking, we're not even sure that people like that can be classified as 'missing'."

anyastark:

Word about certain things spread fast in the cape community and Anya learned that Vernique and Svalin were getting married, in Asgard, and Svalin was expecting a baby. This of course meant one thing. There had to be a party to celebrate both things and Anya was the perfect one to throw it. Anya had known Vernique since forever and there had been many marathon shopping trips.

She sent invitations out to the female members of the X-Men, Champions, Avengers, West Coast Avengers, Defenders, X-Force, Alpha Flight, Excalibur, Fantastic Four, Sammy and Alice in SHIELD, Kelly and Melissa. It was also the first get together the Thunderbolts would be hosting.

The renovated firehouse in Cambridge was cleaned from top to bottom and supplies were laid in. Stephanie was given cart blanch on the menu and snacks. Anya and Molly went shopping for the drinks and for gifts for Vernique and Svalin. Since the crowd was very varied they got a wide selection of sodas, juices, beer and also picked up a lot of water. Anya even booked rooms at a nearby hotel just in case people didn't want to make the trip home that night. Anya had spoken to Irina and arranged for pick up of the various team members around the world.

Saturday rolled around and Anya was up at the crack of dawn double checking everything. Then she headed down to the lab until the first ladies arrived.

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.

nextgen_citizen:

A pair of uniformed officers arrive at the Whedon residence around noon, knocking sharply at the door.

"This is the police!" The older of the two officers hollers.

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."

pym_kitten:

Chris stepped off the train onto the platform at Grand Central, heading up the ramp into the main concourse. Time for Date Number 3 with Pauline. It had been a slightly awkward conversation after she'd realized what she'd said, but she'd gotten them tickets to an art-house double feature of both Disney Fantasia movies. The unofficial word was also that the original cut's "Sunflower" sequences of Pastoral Symphony would be shown during the intermission.

She headed for the clock and information booth in the center of the concourse, an eye out for her date.

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.

pym_kitten:

Chris had always thought that the six day interval between Christmas and New Year's was the hardest section of days on the calendar to get anything done at all. However, this year on the 28th, she had something she damn sure wasn't going to miss. Pauline had invited her to come to one of her shows, and to go out afterward for sandwiches and whatever else.

For fun, and to make sure Pauline saw her there, she'd brought along a sign with a picture of a kitten with "I CAN HAZ!" pasted beneath it.

She couldn't help but grin as the band was introduced and brought out.

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.

indie_minor:

Pauline dialed the number she'd been given.

indie_minor:

The X-Factor cameras were following NICH Machinegun at band practice this afternoon.

Pauline sat at the edge of the performance space while the rest of the band adjusted and soundchecked, looking thoughtful and idly fidgeting back and forth just a little bit.
Suddenly, she spoke up. "I want to do 'In My Backyard' at our next show."
"Uhhh," Ignacio the drummer speaks up. "I dunno ... I think it needs a lot of tweaking. Especially with that ending. I know it's making a point, but..."
"We can pull off the ending, Nacho. It'll come together. Let's go over it right now." And Pauline simply looked at him intently until he gave in.

And so they start. The music begins much more sedately than is their usual wont, and Pauline pretty much croons cliche-laden lyrics painting the very picture of normality. Then DJ's guitar cuts into things in earnest at the line "But it's just not safe for the children when the neighbor kid grows wings."

Pauline's proud of this song. She and DJ collaborated pretty heavily on it. They'd adapted for the verses a lot of the 'explanations' given by School Boards and PTAs in calling for the firing of mutant teachers or transferring of mutant students. Most of them they got from DJ's mom, of course, but there was even a phrase given by the Two Forks School Board when firing her mother -- before she went crazy. Not that anyone but Deej and Miss Vangey knew about that. Still, it was very personal, and Pauline really got into the song, the heavy, deadening sorrow in her voice adding to the effect.

And as the song approached the end, her voice weaving into the now-fervor of the music, Pauline sings the throwback homage to a much older song that had raised such concern with her friend behind the drumset. She starts it first sing-songily, then gradually approaching a snarl -- a better one than one would figure a sweet, tiny blue thing like Pauline could manage.

"'Cause you've gotta be taught, before it's too late,
Before you are six or seven or eight,
To hate all the people your relatives hate!"

Her voice cuts off abruptly at that exclamation, and all the instruments follow one emphatic chord later. And Pauline, rather than let a look at her exhausted expression spoil the effect for the viewers who will end up watching the rehearsal if it's cut into the show -- and it will be; the girl knows when she's killed -- goes straight into the practically patented Argosy Fantasia bow.

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:

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.

indie_minor:

Pauline was absently humming, not consciously thinking about what song it happens to be. She's putting on her makeup. As always, she'll look  like she's wearing a bit too much, but the little eye-of-horus decor makes that look a purely aesthetic decision, not to hide something. Her gloves on the counter beside her.

It's been a week since DJ turned into a dinosaur in the middle of a show. It's funny how in this household, that made sense as a merely surprising and problematic situation, not a bad dream.

It's not until she's almost done that she realizes two things: that she's humming Krieger and Russell's "Come Look at the Freaks," and that she's no longer alone.

hellfireprince:

Julian was still counting the money and good press from the Battle of the Bands a few days later, when the Battle of New York began. People were calling the club at all hours, wanting to know when N.I.C.H Machinegun was performing again, and that put Julian in a good mood.

That all ended the moment Paulo came in and turned on the television.

"Sir, there is...something you must see." Paulo says, rewinding the newscast. TiVo was a wonderful invention.

Julian, for a moment, did not understand what--or who-- he was looking at. Over the space of a few more seconds, his recognition of the young man became clear.

"Andrew...?" Julian said, his eyes widening. "Paulo, bring the car around. I need to get to Ellis Island."

"Sir, may I suggest that you call in aid? The...terrorists have hostages, and you don't know their numbers. It would be unwise to walk into a situation like this without a plan and back up." Paulo said.

Julian considered it for a moment. "Very well. The X-Men can handle themselves. Call Lisa and the others and ask them to come here. If they aren't interested, fine, but anyone I want to talk to anyone who is. We need a plan and someone needs to get to those children." he says, keeping his eyes on the television.

Andrew, it would be unwise for you die right now. It might get us all killed.  Julian thought to himself.

hellfireprince:

( Read more... )</div>

nextgen_deviant:

The Eternals had always been a race that sought out the cold. It didn’t come as a surprise that their two cities of Olympia and Polaria were situated in the coldest climates on the planet. Olympia was in Antarctica, well secluded in a very desolate location. Only the most hardy and stubborn of humans would hope to find the city and even then the residents didn’t like interlopers.

The Eternals were a reclusive race, but there were a few who ventured out to mingle among their cousin humans.

Another race, the deviants, were another creation of the Celestial, were the enemies of the Eternals. They wanted to enslave the humans and rule the Earth. The deviants had always been stopped by the Eternals, but the shift of power was now changing.

The Deviants were stronger than they ever had been. They didn’t have the numbers they had had in the past, but now they had powers they never had. Powers that could now help them stand up to the accursed Eternals.

They climbed out of the cold waters and onto the ice shelf and headed for Olympia. An ally waited for them not far from the city.

Today was the day the Eternals would fall and the Deviants would start their rise to power.

hellfireprince:

The orange-and-black posters are put up at various locations around the city, though they are concentrated most heavily near the clubs and bars that advertise live entertainment, or 20 and under nights.

The fliers read simply: 



WHAT: SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST- BATTLE OF THE BANDS

WHEN: 2-7-10

WHERE: The Popular Outcast

WHO: YOU


1st Place- $20, 000

2nd Place- $10, 000

3rd Place- $5,000



BRING YOUR A-GAME AND ROCK THE HOUSE!

(Note: No alcohol served during this event as minors may attend.)



Julian supposed the idea wasn't terrible, but he was skeptical when Paulo brought it up. Then again, how else was he going to find who he was looking for?