[Man, if only Junpei had dropped out of school for an interesting reason, and not just being kind of bummed about stuff. It might make him feel better to be in this place now, basically signing up to take superpower classes, or something? He's made a lot of assumptions about how much "institution" and "school" is really happening here.]
If you say so. You being convinced is pretty big, gotta admit.
[You know, especially given his lackluster greeter performance... Junpei hefts his backpack on his shoulder and looks around, like that's enough of a tour of the entryway, right? Sure.]
This is a getting-your-own-room situation, right? Well, besides... I mean, it's not a dorm.
[It's a private space, right. One he can smuggle his boyfriend into. Right. Scott.]
A. Horror Mansion [Step into this dream, and suddenly you're standing in one of the halls of the X-Mansion - but something is wrong. The ceiling lights are casting a dim red glow rather than the usual warm light, and the walls are lined with vines. The vines are spindly, spreading out over the walls from the floor upwards, the reddish hue from the lights giving the brown growths the appearance of veins.
Then Morph comes rushing down the hall, looking downright terrified.]
There's - he's - there's no time to explain! We have to find the others!
[Without waiting for a reply, Morph grabs you by the arm and drags you down the hall. At the end of the hall the vines have nearly overgrown an entryway, but they shove some aside and start climbing through, urging you along behind them.
On the other side is a living room that is likewise lined with vines, a few more frightened superheroes rushing into the room. Only half of them are actually in their colorful spandex uniforms; and at the front of the group running in is Scott - only this one is in his 30s, in a polo shirt and jeans, solid red glasses perched on his face.]
"Downstairs, now!"
[The first to answer is a short, stocky man in a yellow costume with black stripes, with long metal claws emerging from the back of his hands. He sheathes them as the other X-Men join him in the room, turning to demand,]
"What the heck is goin' on?!"
Haven't you figured it out?! [It's just then that Morph has finished climbing through the vine-covered doorway, eyes as wide as saucers. They pull a loose vine from their shoulder as they hurry over to Scott, shouting at him,]
We're in HELL!
[Immediately after, the room shakes, bright green fire lining the wood in the ceiling and the floor. Underneath their feet, the floor falls away to reveal a firey pit, dumping everyone down into its depths. Somehow, they all land safely on rocks at the bottom - you included - but the island of rock is surrounded by lava, and flying all around are winged creatures that could only be described as demons, gargoyle-like creatures the size of a person, sporting colorful skin along with sharp fangs and teeth. The demons only briefly circle around the group before zooming in to attack.]
B. Grabbing a Drink [Step into this dream, and suddenly you're standing right inside a honkey-tonk style dive bar. It's the kind of place that looks like half the surfaces might be a little sticky, and there's a faint haze of smoke hanging up near the ceiling. But despite that, the atmosphere is strangely pleasant. Most of the blue-collar clientele are chatting among themselves or watching a rerun of a baseball game on the TV over the bar, and the clinking of balls from the pool table in the back is underlaid by the crooning of a classic Reba song playing on the jukebox.
There is one person sitting at the bar who stands out. It's Morph, in their human form and dressed casually in jeans and a button-up shirt, but despite the surroundings not being to their usual tastes, they look fairly comfortable. Both bar stools on either side of them are empty, but there's an old leather jacket draped over the stool on their right side, its owner is currently nowhere to be found.
Just then Morph turns, expression lighting up in recognition, even if you are a stranger.] What are you doing here? [they ask, waving you over to the other empty stool.] There's no big emergencies at home, right?
[OOC: Both prompts OTA! Combat is optional in the first prompt; there's an entire superhero team there that can handle the situation on their own. You're also welcome to have your character stop earlier in the prompt if desired.]
[Her attempts to change his mind might have almost been sad if he'd had the space to consider them. Unfortunately he's too fixated on the slowly dawning realization of what her presence could mean.]
I was alone.
[(Always alone. He could never let anyone else carry this.) In here, there was no one. And how could they be? He doesn't even know if this space was ever real in a physical sense or if it was something conjured by the meeting of his mind with the Spirit that had shaped most of his life.
Accusingly, every voice sharp like a knife being pointed at her:]
“So?” Hiei doesn’t know how exactly this human schooling works. He’d had a good grasp on Kurama’s schedule, at one time, but he doesn’t necessarily keep track of Kuwabara’s. Shocking, really.
At any rate the little demon seems very perturbed about this, not quite grasping what is going on around the din of being incredibly annoyed at all of this.
“This net has not been up since .. Kaito and that deal with Botan if I came along.” Yes he’s sort of telling on himself for lingering in human world even when he did not have to, at times, but that isn’t his main concern at the moment.
“I’ve been on border patrol and training. What the hell could I have done?”
[This is home. It is easy enough for Aloy to incorporate the idea. Sure, the outcast grew up in cold mountains, but for the moment, home is closer to the wild than it is a specific environment. And she's seen severe storms in a desert, even if it pales to the extremes of Vulcan. Aloy's fingers trail the stone as she delves into the alcoves, eager for tactile connection, and to see new places.
Until the eyes, anyway. Until there's a spear tip pressed against her.
The clone stills, and frowns down at the youth. What a reversal - she's been in this arrangement before, but with a grown warrior pointing a spear down at her as a child. She doesn't dismiss the threat the spear represents, regardless of the child's condition.]
Aloy. [No family names, no tribes, no titles. There's a slight ironic twist to her expression, and after a moment she adds:] You?
Sorry, I didn't get notice to pull out the red carpet.
[But Scott does a... decent job at least pointing out the different rooms. Well, mostly that the kitchen is nice (mostly because meals are cooked and prepared for everyone) and better get used to sharing a bathroom with other students, but there's something light and easygoing in his voice. It's more like he's teasing this place because he actually loves it, rather than feeling any sort of contempt.
Don't you feel like you belong here yet--
At some point, Scott turns to face Zekarion, walking backwards as he continues his chatter.]
And of course you'll have to share a bedroom with another student. [Is Scott going to be the roommate??] Didn't actually catch your name. Unless you want me to call you newbie for now on.
[ The weeping man took notice of the shadow. His scarlet eyes, filled with sorrow, now turned to rage. Brows furrowed at "Death", but he does not see Thanatos as himself, but as another deity of the world that Gilgamesh once lived in. ]
NERGAL!
[ Gilgamesh's voice boomed with raw emotions that no man should bear to have. The Fifth King of Uruk stood up, a raging tempest that glared at "Nergal." The God of Death. The one that deemed that his one friend should "die." ]
How dare you show your face before me! [ Death can only take, it cannot give back. Gilgamesh knows this well enough, as he is like Death. He can only take from the people, but he will not give back. ] Have you come to mock me? Because that damn goddess Ishtar is related to you?
Nah, just asking because we could just grab a quick bite from the fridge. You know, grab a sandwich that's just in there.
[Stealing someone's leftovers-- okay Scott isn't that bad, but he would offer to make the kid something to eat if he was truly hungry. But if he's okay, then they can just continue on with the regular tour. Either way, the mutant doesn't seem upset, trying to give the obviously nervous kid some reassurance.]
But if you're not hungry, then we can skip it. It's fine.
Wouldn't be hard, all the carpet's red around here.
[... wait. That's... weird. Why is the carpet all red? Why is everything—
He follows along with the tour, keeping his thoughts to himself and only giving the occasional mutter of acknowledgement. Zekarion can't say he's at all pleased with having to share a space with anybody, but... he'll suffer through it. It's not the worst thing he's been through, probably. Maybe it could even be... better? For all this guy's whining, he seems to actually like it. Not that he necessarily puts any stock in the opinion of somebody so stuck-up...]
Altius. [Of course they're roommates. Who do you take me for? But that probably means Scott's seen his full name on some roster, which is always a risk with these things, so—] Don't call me anything else.
[This is where he'd ask Scott for his name. He does not do that.]
[The answer is quick, self-assured. Aloy likes certainty, whether that's the belief in her own capability or this thought, as she looks at the other woman, that Visas will be correct.
There's no time for questioning where she is. There's just seeing the world through a particular lens, and an intelligent mind incorporating it as best it can.
[Time to get the tour started! Well, sort of. Because Junpei is a friend, Scott's half-assing it just a bit, just being a tad less professional. What?! It's fine! He's still pointing out the important things, like the kitchen, bathrooms, and other community rooms. Just enough that he can say with a mostly straight face that he gave the newbie a tour of the mansion to the Professor later on.
Yeah, he's going to try and outwit a telepath. Don't worry about it.]
Uh sorry man, you are getting a roommate. [There's just not enough space for everyone to have their own room, even with the mansion's size. However, Scott's grin turns into a small smirk, like he personally arranged for this next thing to happen:]
But I'm pretty sure Charles is your roommate.
[Because Charles is obviously here too, somewhere. He's alivesafe here and everything is fine. Like ugh okay he doesn't need to hear his friends smooch and be gross with each other, but they deserve to be happy.]
[ The King of Heroes was merely on a stroll, where he stumbled upon a peaceful and quaint dream. Boring perhaps. Sipping on the tea given to him in this dream, Gilgamesh is not interested in helping others. One must break free of one's pleasureless paradise. ]
[It feels like he should know this kid in front of him, but that doesn't make any sense. He's obviously new to this school; it's why Scott's here right now, so the thought just fades away, forgotten by dream logic as he takes in Yu and his overly polite demeanor. Probably a Japanese thing, right?
What?! He's heard about that stereotype!
Luckily, Scott doesn't say any of his thoughts out loud, uncrossing his arms as he takes on a more relaxed position. Even though he should be a little more professional because he's the official tour guide right now, he has to add some of his own flair. Besides, something about Yu just feels friendly, despite everything.]
Scott Summers, nice to meet you. [...] You know, it feels good that you're here.
[Huh, strangely honest for him, especially for someone he just met.]
[ He is merely an observer. The dream before him was nothing more than a comedy but endearing all the same. His legs were crossed as the King of Heroes watched the life of an everyday young boy. He jumped down on the wall, hands in pockets as the blonde began to walk down the path to which Sawada Tsunayoshi bolted. Will the Decimo be successful in his confession, even in a dream? We'll see. ]
So young yet so eager to live.
[ Gilgamesh smirked. He was quite fond of these types of people. ]
Yeah... everyone's happy. [Which feels like a corny thing to say, way too mushy for a teenager like him, but right now, it feels good to admit.
But despite his own comment, there's a seed of anxiety in him, something he desperately tries to hide behind his usual self-satisfied and goading behavior. Everything right now is nice, good. His friends are here. Mutants are safe. There shouldn't be anything to worry about. There isn't, right? It's just stupid teenage thoughts; he's just having them.
Nonetheless, he pats the ground next to him, inviting Ryoji to join him.]
How was your first day? Don't tell me you got lost, because if you did, that's totally on you. [He gave a great tour!! 1000%.]
[Of course she's a mutant, that's why she's been officially enrolled. In fact, many students are excited and pleased to have a newcomer here, especially one with such a cool ability. In fact, some of them hope that she does some poses while transforming, because they want to see them and copy them.
But most importantly, just be yourself. Because everyone will just accept you without issue, right? Yeah. That's why no one wants to leave--]
Actually, yeah. There is one test.
[Who let Scott be the tour guide again? Professor Xavier is probably regretting his choice by now.] You have to knock down a tree. It's how I was officially enrolled.
[He's going to get detention for months. GRANTED he's not fully lying either...]
[Oh, that's dreadful, that's Octavian's hands going back over his ears too, with a slight wince. He sways for a moment in place before simply sitting down on the... floor... or what passes for a floor, like being down there will, again, help him get away from all the scraping and shrieking sounds.]
Fascinating, [he says, in the tone of a man who is perhaps intrigued, but not really fascinated. Not yet, anyway. Then,]
It would not be exciting to watch until the very last moment.
[Kurt, there's the fuzzy elf-- wait, when was Kurt fuzzy? The confusion enters Scott's mind for a moment, but it doesn't last long, because who cares? He's just glad his friend is here and he can finally introduce him to his brother. Funny how they never bumped into each other until now, but guess that's just how things are around here sometimes.]
Huh--
[There's another bout of confusion from Scott before Alex rolls his eyes, lightly ruffling his younger brother's hair before looking at Kurt with a small smirk.]
Is that what Scott's been telling everyone? [And Alex doesn't question the 'surfer' comment, simply slapping his hand back because he's just being cool with one of Scott's friends. Finally his brother managed that...]
Clearing this up now, just in case, I'm Scott's older brother.
[Scott hurries to clarify himself, he can't let his friends think he hangs out with his older brother for fun on a daily basis. Honestly, it's only recently that they sort of reconnected. Funny how becoming a mutant sort of brought them closer, but maybe it's not really surprising given how long Alex has been one. Almost like he was waiting for his younger brother to finally develop powers like him.
Anyway--]
Oh, and this is Ange. [Looks like Scott is just going to do the introducing for her, because then he gets to add one extra comments, like--] She's one of my best friends.
[Alex just raises an eyebrow and it almost reaches to the sunglasses perched on top of his head. He seems amused though.]
[He is himself, and yet he's not. Lost in the dream, Yu becomes a soldier, a patriot, an ardent supporter of this falling kingdom--
He is the closest of the soldiers, as far as he can tell, and in his mind he runs the calculations over and over and over. They all lead to the same outcome. He can't make them work, and it's maddening, it's devastating... But whatever the odds, there's no way he can stay here. Not with the sound of those words ringing in his ear.
Help us.
He starts off running through the sands, close and getting closer and knowing that it's not enough.]
Must suck for the guys with weaker abilities, huh.
[... Is it dream logic? Or is she just gullible? Either way, she isn't doubting him for a goddamn instant. She's immediately looking around for a tree to knock over.]
Fauna glances over the golden man. Something about him is familiar, but whatever she knows him from slips out of her grasp... Maybe he's just a regular here.
Still... The peaceful atmosphere keeps her calm, even despite the name-calling. She just gives him an annoyed look.]
My name is Fauna.
[... Is it? No, that's not her name- She already stopped using that name. But for some reason, it's the name that comes out.]
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expiationlogs2025-01-13 12:39 pm
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