Cliff Edges: Bronze Strike Force
After having gone through what she had those many years ago where she was kidnapped and tortured in her own mind by a powerful telepath only to become crazed from his killer thoughts and kill him as she fled from her prison to be free with no memory on who she was, Betsy Braddock had come a far way to remember everything and find her way back to the institute where she got all the help she needed. It took some time but eventually she remembered everything and all her powers became as powerful as they once had been, perhaps even a little stronger, more or less. Now she was the leader of a school team and flying one of the smaller X-Jets, something she had made sure to learn after her return.
Luckily her group wasn’t filled with those who looked out for themselves over everyone else. Yet it wasn’t quite like all the other groups, most were filled with just mutants but not Betsy’s. There was also a young merman and a knight from the fourteenth century in the team. This didn’t bother Betsy just concerned her a little to how they would fit in but it seemed they both knew Connor so they weren’t alone on the team. It was good to have Connor on her team, he was probably the one out of all the members that she knew of the most. She knew of his strength because she had sometimes seen him in the Danger Room
Then there was Jacob who was loud, loved attention and probably the comedian of the group. However, Connor and this loudness, which involved his power, could prove a bit of a problem as the son of Wolverine has his enhanced hearing, but it was something the team had to work with.
Julian had a very interesting power with his tantrums and he seemed like a nice young guy, though the new team leader could see that he seemed to care about what others thought of him, it was evident in their one and only meeting they’ve had so far.
Last but not least was Kylora, the one female on the team other than Psylocke. The fact that she was the only other girl on the team hadn’t hit Betsy until they had their team meeting. Kylora was also the newest member of the institute so Betsy hoped she wasn’t being rushed into things by being placed on a team so quickly. However, she hadn’t declined being part of a team so it mustn’t have been too bad for her.
Now was a time for all these different people (or merpeople in one case) to work as a group for the next two days. She had a lot of faith in them and held no doubts concerning them as she lowered the small jet to the ground below them. Unlike the other team leaders who probably had a safe landing, Betsy lost control of things for a brief moment, causing a bit of a rough landing, but with seatbelts on everyone should have been fine.
"Whoops," she said sheepishly looking over her shoulder as she unbuckled her seatbelt and got up out of the drivers seat. "C'mon, out we go," she said waving her hand as she passed her group in a gesture for them to follow after her. Being the first to step outside Betsy was the first to see their area.
They were situated upon rocky cliffs on the far side of the main island. The cliffs were tall with waves heard crashing a fair few metres below from where they stood. Their jet had landed not too close to the edge of the cliffs, which was good since the new team leader didn’t trust the edges. They didn’t look all too stable and if one went near the edge there was a large chance that it wouldn’t support their weight. But where they all stood was safe, the sturdy ground consisting of grass and dirty patches with sand lightly coating the top that had obviously been carried from the beach by previous strong winds. Luckily today’s wind was only a cool sea breeze continuously blew making Betsy grateful that she had put her long purple hair up for the day. It was nothing too strong but could have proved annoying if her hair was flapping about her face as she addressed the group.
"Alright guys, I hope you didn't have any exciting plans for the weekend unless you all intended on spending it with each other," there was a slight smile on her face as she spoke. Most teenagers lived for the weekend and wouldn’t like spending it on a rough camping trip like this one that was planned for the X-Men teams, "Because it’s going to be spent here on this training island!" She sounded motivated. Well, it sure beat staying back at the institute for the weekend correcting a pile of work, the bad thing being that it wouldn’t correct itself while she was gone. She gave an inwards sigh at that thought.
"Four groups, the Blue Strike Force, X-Force and the newly formed Green Strike Force and Exiles are here to get to a certain meeting point upon this island. It is up to us, and the other remaining teams, to stop them. If we do a good job we'll be getting points, same goes for the other teams. Of course the ones going to the meeting spot get points for getting there and not for not getting there," she paused a little at her last comment and thought over what she had said briefly before continuing, "Anyway, I think we should spend the next few minutes getting used to our surroundings so we know how to use this place to our advantage, since I'm sure none of you would like any of the other teams coming in a getting past us easily." Alright, Betsy wouldn’t have liked that but she was sure that the others wouldn’t want that to happen as well. She was actually looking forward for when their group came across another, to see how things would match up. Some of the other teams had been around for longer than others and since the Bronze Strike Force had been created the day before last they were really one of the newer groups out there, but she still felt that she had a good team.
"Any questions? If not, begin to know your surroundings," She’d be more than happy to answer them if there were any since she felt that she could have possibly forgot to mention something. Purposefully, she had left out the part on the shortage of food and drink. It was best to keep that as a 'surprise'. If told of that now it probably wouldn’t have motivated them too much and the last thing she wanted was her team getting grumpy over having to ration food. Seriously, they only had to wait until tomorrow night to get a decent meal anyway!
TBC- Bronze Strike Force Members
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(ooc- Okay, I’ve intended that we already had a meeting. Something short, not too long but things went relatively good during it. Sorry we couldn’t have actually held a meeting but since this team was made very recently I didn’t want to hold up the storyline while we just had one. Since it was short, perhaps held at around lunchtime since I know I don’t like getting my lunch cut short… *directs herself back to the right track* everyone could still be getting to know each other a little say for those who already know other characters. Is that alright with everyone?)
Angel: Psylocke a little help here. These two... gross... slug maggot - things ate my two-by-four
and now they are coming for me!
Psylocke: You're a hero Warren. Save yourself. I'm busy.
Julian Edwards had only been with the Institute for a mere six months and while he liked the idea of being among mutant kind, who he thought of as 'his people', he didn't think that the fact he was on a team among others and currently flying with these people had really sunk in yet. The teenage mutant's green eyes glanced around the interior, taking in his fellow team members. They had met earlier at a brief meeting and Julian had been able to form his own opinions about some of them quite easily but others took more time. We're an odd assortment of powers and personalities, Julian thought to himself. He couldn't say for certain but the tantrum mutant suposed most teams didn't have a merman, a knight, a son of the famed Wolverine or a mutant who was quite possibly certifiably crazy in their midst.
Julian didn't usually have problems getting along with people, he being the amicable person that he was but he thought that Jacob might be the one person on the team that could stand in the way of his otherwise excellent self control. Even during their short meeting Julian had found himself clenching his fingers in a fist a few times at the younger boy's antics. He had been raised as a proper English lad who pretty much fit the drinking tea, stiff upperlip stereotype and the Canadian was his opposite in every way. The others however, including the only girl on their team aside from their leader, seemed easy enough to put up with and Julian hoped that if they had to do something as a team it would not be too trying for his patience.
The green eyes observed everyone in the jet once more and he let out a barely audible sigh of relief at seeing that the hyperactive mutant was quietly reading to himself although even when still his hand involuntarily twitched as if he had too much energy to ever be completely still. Julian's wide eyes filled with alarm though as they decended in a rough manner which led to a loud expression of "woa" and a bad joke about crash landing and talking to volleyballs from Jacob who referenced the movie Castaway although upon looking at the sea of confused faces Jake figured they hadn't seen the film.
As their leader summoned them to leave the jet Jacob was, unsurprisingly, the first out of his seat as he climbed over other seats in a race to get out. Julian kept his usual pleasant demeanor despite having a strong urge to roll his eyes at the energetic mutant's actions. They assembled outside the jet and each mutant looked around with wide eyes at their surroundings. Julian felt momentary annoyance as his long dark curls moved with the wind while the mutant beside him had no such problem since his dark locks were gelled into his customary fauxhawk.
The female leader teased about weekend plans and Jacob amazingly passed on the perfect opportunity for a jibe or joke, letting her continue. As she mentionned that they'd be spending a whole weekend here Julian really had to work at remaining calm and he thought to himself, well I won't have a problem working up a tantrum if we need to train. A few hours had already put him off the more emotional mutant and he didn't know how he would deal with a few days. Perhaps if he just stayed with some of the calmer and more controlled members of the group. Jacob on the otherhand seemed fairly happy about the arrangement. He did afterall have a tent in his room since he had wanted to go camping once he got both good weather and good company so an earlier campout seemed like fun to him. As Betsy began to explain their training exercise Jacob seemed quite excited, sure that this could be quite the adventure although of all the team members on the island participating he was probably in the minority with those views.
Betsy was right, the one thing Jacob and Julian agreed on was that they didn't want to be beaten and both of them nodded along with her comments. She asked if there were any questions but neither mutant had any questions they could think of at the moment...well Jacob had questions but none related to their meeting and he had a sneaking suspician that Betsy probably wouldn't appreciate being asked irrelevant questions. Jacob's immediate question was when did they eat since he was often a bottomless pit when it came to food but he could wait and was sure they would get a meal soon, how was he to know that this was not the case?
Julian took this opportunity to move away from the hyper mutant and began moving to his right and looking around. Jacob on the other hand practically hopped over in the other direction with the bounce of the energizer bunny. This was certain to be an interesting mission.
Re: Cliff Edges: Bronze Strike Force
Kylora looked around at her classmates as she stepped out onto what was called "Training Island". She had had a lot to think about on the flight there. She had only arrived in this dimension three days ago and already she was on a school team! As usual, she had made a somewhat impulsive decision to join the Bronze Strike Force when Ms. Braddock had approached her. Her thinking at the time was that it would force her to interact with the other students and get to know everyone. Well, she had gotten what she had wished for, though not in the way she had thought.
'On the plus side, there is a whole lot of eye candy around here,' she thought to herself,'I guess I can get to know some of the other girls later, I suppose. I mean, this *is* every girl's dream...To be stuck on a team of guys...I think.'
She shook her head then. She had a feeling she'd get all she could of these guys soon. Now that she had her possible crushes on her very own team, Kylora knew she'd have to worry about being friends with the girls around Xavier's. This was something she wasn't too crazy to jumpstart since she knew that some girls could be brutal to the new girl. She shrugged it off though as she touched her leaf-shaped emerald gem.
"Nice environment," she said to no one in particular as she stretched her arms over her head, standing on tiptoe as she did so. She was wearing her wavy dark chocolate locks in a high ponytail, tucked into a loose loop secured by a black scrunchie, her elfin ears keeping stray strands in place tucked behind them. Her attire today was a bit airy. She had opted for a baby blue sleeveless shirt with the word "Sweet" appearing across the front in dark blue letters with little glittery stars around it. Her light blue jeans were a relaxing stretch fit, giving her the ultimate in comfort. She wore some grey all-terrain New Balances with ice blue Ns. Overall, her look screamed comfort with a little style, her silver hoops, setting off the look nicely while her emerald leaf stirling silver necklace accented it.
She had an all purpose backpack slung over her shoulder. The contents were varied since she just kept it out of habit for the occasional getaway with her Mum. Even though she didn't have to worry about being on the run anymore though, she found the all-purpose contents were pretty good to keep on hand for everyday life. Either way, it held a warm grey jacket, a poncho, a space blanket, a journal/sketch book, pens, mechanical pencils, a worn copy of the first book of the series of the Descendents of Merlin, swiss army knife, a Spiderco knife (in case the swiss army knife wasn't appropriate), a compact bo staff, a few snacks, a water bottle, a compass, and a few other things that had come in handy on many occasions.
Kylora heard all that Psylocke had to say about their mission and nodded. She could feel the life of the island. She knew that all she had to do to get more information was to reach her mind out to the local flora and fauna. She looked around at the others before she looked overhead, spotting a redtailed hawk circling above. Her eyes started to glow the bright green of her very own eldritch light as she reached out her senses to the hawk, gaining permission to look through her eyes to see what she saw. She had seen her mother's eyes, and even her body, glow this very same way with a blue eldritch glow surrounding her whenever her Mum used her hydrokinesis. The eldritch glow came from the mixture of magic in their blood, the drop of Tuatha De Danaan. This magic mixed with their mutant gene had caused her mother and herself to have powers more towards the elemental side.
Kylora felt pride in her heritage and especially in the uniqueness of herself. Through the hawk's eyes now with her mixture of magic and mutant ability to interact with animals, she saw just how big the island was and how beautiful and insignificant she felt, as she always had, when witnessing the intricacies of mother nature. Her connection with the hawk at that moment allowed her to get a very detailed map of the island. She knew she could keep her connection to the hawk up longer, but for now, she thanked the hawk and wished her a happy hunt (the she-hawk was out hunting at the time that Kylora had established a connection with her and had been curious about the arrival of the X-Jet and the humans, resulting in her circling overhead at that exact moment) before she slowly let her senses retreat back to her own body.
Her eyes stopped glowing now that she wasn't using her powers, leaving her with the image of the island stuck firmly in her head. She turned the image over and over again in her mind as she tried to figure out a way to tell the others of what she had seen. She wished that she could find a way to transfer the image to the others, but seeing as she wasn't a telepath and didn't really know that Psylocke was one or even any of the other's powers yet besides their codenames, she really didn't have that option. All she could do was say something and hope that someone would understand the significance of what she was saying.
"Um, I just got a hawk's eye view of the island," she said a bit timidly as she glanced up at the sky, willing herself to stop trying to figure out what to say and just say it,"If anyone with a telepathic ability could access my mind and transfer the image to everyone else, I'm sure we would have a bit of a better idea of where everything is right now..."
OOC: I really am just playing with the ideas of how Kylora interacts with the animals right now. At first I figured she'd just talk to them and had no idea how to do that really, but now I think I have a bit more of a feel of how her powers work. I believe she astral projects herself in a sense to the animals or something like that. Really though, she interacts with them by reaching out her senses to sense the presence of one and then interacts with them mind-to-mind through imagery and talking to the voice in their heads, be it any language that animals talk in their heads or whatever. Anyways, that just a sketch of how I'm doing her powers and just wanted to let ya'll know that though this wasn't in the bio, I really am working within the limits that I put there originally. Also, this is how she'll work with the plant life too.
*Rubs her eyes as she thinks about all that this implies and shakes her head* Anyways, just stay with me. I've never RPed Gaia before. So this is all new for me too...
Re: Cliff Edges: Bronze Strike Force
It had taken, much to Betsy’s surprise, quiet some effort to get Arlen to join them, the mer-Prince seem to have lost all interest in anything and everything that didn’t involve Arisa. The fact it had taken Connor a while to convince Arlen to join the team he had more then excitedly been waiting to be a part of since Jean promised to set up a new team with him, Heath and some others a month or so ago when they fill up the final free positions. Now Arlen had lost that enthusiasm, he’d been withdrawn and callous the last week more then ever, he seemed alien to Connor and Heath, yet a flare of… something… ignited when Connor mentioned Arisa used to be on a team, that she’d be impressed with him if the Prince did well, maybe even coax Connor’s youngest sister to return to the school and try out another team herself, Arlen would be the example she needs to push herself into trying to be part of this lifestyle again. It had been talk like that that coaxed Arlen from the lack and towards the hanger, poor Connor seemed to have spent the morning running around gathering the late comers, after that he had to go find Riley.
Heath was quite honestly petrified as well as astonished of this flying contraption, how such a large heavy object was managing to soar through the skies he had no idea and was sure even if they explained it to him that he wouldn’t understand. But his knuckles were going white while he sat with his back pressed firmly to the seat, his hands gripping the ends of the arm rests while he bright blue eyes moved from the window to the back of the seat in front of him with nervous frightful feel that he was trying to bravely cover as best he could. And to think, Heath thought the miniature portrait makers were amazing, those little things people call cameras, well this giant metal bird thing was definitely topping that!! The former Knight shut his eyes for a while, since it was smoother then riding a horse it unnerved him a little, it all felt so unnatural, so comfortable and safe, how did they make such wonders? What kept it in the air? Was it some form of magic or more of what Lauren calls ‘machines’.
"Whoops," The instability caused Heath to squirm around panicky, but he stopped when Arlen turned his eyes away from the window and stared at the alarmed Knight. The rather heartless, emotionless… lack of care towards the fright this strange way of travel had brought Heath, it subdued the young man from the past, he wasn’t used to this Arlen, he didn’t feel comfortable with the merman any more, where had the bubbly curious carefree and love of life Arlen they all knew gone to? That’s exactly what Heath felt like asking, but instead pressed his lips together and looked away as Betsy called out "C'mon, out we go," Looking uninterested with the whole thing Arlen just turned his head back to the window, he was only here to impress Arisa, but he was already bored, he wished she’d stayed longer, she had only visited for such a sort time. Struggling to get, Heath wiggled about a little frantically, but the seat belt pinned him down, his fingers tried to tug it apart but he didn’t know how to operate the thing so it had him held securely.
“It has a hold of me!” A slight frustration was heard in his voice when Connor paused to stare at the struggling Knight, then gave Arlen an annoyed look since the Prince had unclipped his own belt at that moment without offering Heath any assistance at all. The whole personality of Arlen seemed to have altered, Connor thought he ought to mention it to Betsy, but wouldn’t she know, being a telepath and all? Maybe later he could try and talk with Arlen, maybe there was something upsetting him and he just didn’t know how to handle it… Reaching down, Connor smirked a little as he pressed the button on the center of the belt which caused a clicking sound as the belt that spanned over his chest in an X fashion, the ends dropped apart and Heath blushed a little at the simplicity.
“And I thought your lot hunted dragons and fought wizards… and all those other saving damsels in distress kind of things.” The teasing comment from Connor caused a sheepish little grin to spread over Heath’s lips as he blushed a little, his cheeks gaining a faint rosy tint as he stood up.
"I, good sir, was a Champion Jouster, not a dragon slayer," Heath corrected Connor with a teasing look of indignant nobility, most people found the way the people of his time talked to be humorous, though Connor already knew that Heath was a jouster, more of a sport hero instead of a fighter, though Heath was excellent with a sword, his love was to joust, a noble Knight he had become only through his skills at those festivals and tournaments. People instantly heard ‘Knight’ and asked if he ever killed someone… though he could understand why they associated Knights with war or combat. It was a sort of private joke amongst those closer to Heath, since they’d be around when he tried to explain to countless people that he wasn’t a warrior like they imagined, he was just – as Lauren had once put it – a sportsman with fighting skills!
The group followed Ms. Braddock, their moods damped by Arlen’s odd behaviour, the merman following behind them all, his tail slack and only the very tip swaying from side to side as he walked, startling diamond eyes looking from one face to another and then boredly looked around at their surroundings. Connor had a rather relieved expression for a moment as he closed his eyes and took in the fresh air, his ears rung from the noises inside the jet and its occupants, the air had been stuffy inside and being claustrophobic towards the lack of space didn’t help the feral who had always naturally not liked being cramped up for any duration of time in a small environment. Heath was glade to be back on the ground, with solid earth beneath his feet – as long as he didn’t go near those edges – and certainty that he was where he ought to be… on the surface of the world, not flying through the heavens.
Admittedly the loud voice of Jacob stung Connor’s ears at times, but right now he was preoccupied with too many thoughts to focus much on the antics of the hyperactive member. Besides, as long as he didn’t talk in his loud voice right next to Connor, the son of Wolverine was pretty sure he could cope with it for a little while. After all, not everyone knew that he had sensitive hearing… Connor was going to assume that once Jacob realized Connor’s delicate problem that the boy wouldn’t go bouncing around the feral with his voice blaring out of control. As the glistening blue iridescent eyes of the power-absorbing mutant opened once again, the feel of the winds fingers gently caressing across his skin, it was nice to be outside, especially with all the captivity of some form he’s been going through the past week. Being sold off to the highest bidder at that demonic market hadn’t been a highlight of his life, but he had to admit he preferred that to when A.Corp was shoving their needles into his arm… and every other part of his body.
The sea had its usual call for Arlen, the Prince’s tail flicked about his ankles as he stepped closer towards the edge, the long blue arrow pointed whip lashing about anxiously as he considered just submerging himself into the waters. The merman had the ability to shift his body, not exactly a shape shifter, but around that sort of power. He could add fur, have a mer-tail or legs, or a tail like Arisa Howlett’s, Connor’s half sister, the daughter of Mystique and Wolverine after the blue skinned shape shifter had pretended to be Connor and Madison Mother. Not that Arlen knew any of this, and the Enright’s assumed their father willing slept with that two timing backstabbing red headed villain, it wasn’t like Logan ever explained himself, his stubborn pride getting in the way when people just assumed the worst of him right at the start.
"Alright guys, I hope you didn't have any exciting plans for the weekend unless you all intended on spending it with each other,"
A shifty little look crept into Heath’s expression before he dropped his eyes almost as if Betsy had singled him out and started yelling and pointing her finger at him. It wasn’t that he had any real plans… but he had thought about asking if Lauren wanted to go on the lake with him in one of those little boats the school owned. He would have packed a small lunch and snacks and treats and drinks he knew she liked and that would have been nice… if she would have said yes anyway. The former Knight – who was not of noble blood and so had to lie about his heritage in order to be able to joust – found his mind wandering for a moment as he thought over what it might have been like, just floating on the watery surface with no one but her for company. Lauren had saved his life when he nearly drowned in the lake, his body being dragged under by the weight of his armour when the wizard’s portal had opened right above the waters glistening body. Both Heath and his mare struggling to swim, but his faithful steed was not weighed down by metal and on top of that she knew how to swim… Heath was still a little lacking in some common day skills.
He was learning to read, and he could write now as well, a lot of the times he’d read something though and most of what it said made no sense to him due to the language barrier and strange sentencing of the current century. And he wasn’t the type of person to openly admit for no reason that he couldn’t read or write or swim or any number of other things, he’d only mention it if asked or if it needed to be stated due to a reason (like someone wanted him to swim with them in deep waters). Lauren knew he had troubles with water, aside from pulling him out with a little of her luck power, Heath spent a lot of time with the horses at the school stable and when the horses were really hot and they wanted to be in the cool waters of the lake, Heath would have to go with them, sometimes he’d wash them with the water to help cool them off. But he’d step around the shallow edges as if it was quick sand ready to gulp him up if he stepped in the wrong spot, his foot constantly testing out the ground before putting his entire weight onto any spot.
"Because it’s going to be spent here on this training island!"
A pleased expression was still written all over Connor’s body language, it had always been his favourite activity, to go out into the wild, the woods, the mountains, even just the beach! It was so freeing and spectacular, it was one of the few times that people could actually see Connor constantly smiling about one thing or another (albeit a faint little smile most of the time). They had a survival course at school, and Connor had taken it for a few years, but once the teachers take you to every part of the country imaginable, it’s rather dull to repeat the class over again, and not very fair to take the spot of someone else who hadn’t yet had a chance to learn about survival. Sometimes special outings where planned for the students to take part in though, so Connor settled on those once he turned fifteen – living at the school meant he had devoured most of what the classes had to offer earlier on his life.
"Four groups, the Blue Strike Force, X-Force and the newly formed Green Strike Force and Exiles are here to get to a certain meeting point upon this island. It is up to us, and the other remaining teams, to stop them. If we do a good job we'll be getting points, same goes for the other teams. Of course the ones going to the meeting spot get points for getting there and not for not getting there,"
The slender contours of Connor’s arms flexed slightly from a thought, Michael was on Green S.F, what if he had to fight Michael again? The young Wolverine didn’t think he had it in him, he wouldn’t ever show his claws around Mike again, not after what had happened in Harmony. Maybe he would be lucky, maybe Michael and the rest of the Green team would just try another way, then again, luck rarely seemed to be part of the Enright’s daily routine.
"Anyway, I think we should spend the next few minutes getting used to our surroundings so we know how to use this place to our advantage, since I'm sure none of you would like any of the other teams coming in a getting past us easily."
It was interesting for the Knight, who was really just a commoner, just a farmer’s son, but while travelling, moving from one town or village to another, Heath had to camp like this every day, this was normal for him, it was a little exciting that he’ll finally be able to do something with skill that people of this time might find a little challenging.
Arlen would have no troubles surviving here, he spent the part thousand and two hundred years surviving in the sea, as long as he was near it he was safe. Being a Prince also gave him a certain rank amongst the animals, he may not be their Prince, but he was the Prince of the seas and animals from all over usually respected that. They would help him survive if he couldn’t manage on his own, this hardly seemed worth his time, he was just going to get bored, why did they make him come, didn’t they think he already knew how to survive without their precious buildings and fridges and beds? Well he’ll prove to them just how capable he was then! And then he’d tell Arisa, and if she asked any of them they’d say how wonderful a help he had been. That was motivation enough for him to not just crawl off and sit things out for the entire time.
The merman hadn’t always been like that, he used to be so happy and friendly and communicative, but since coming to the upper world so many things have happened to him, amongst them was Arisa. He may be young for his people but he knows how he feels towards her and all he wanted to do was make sure she knew the love that swelled inside of him when she was around. It had been so confusing; she’d come closer to him, and then pull further away. She’d kiss him, then avoid him, she’d stand close to him, and then walk away, she’d say she loves someone else… when he knows she loves him. Arlen would find out who this other was, as long as Arisa continued spending time with him Arlen could deal without becoming violent, because he knew she loved him, and that’s what he had wanted… right? But then why would she come and tell him of this new mate she has obtained? And what did that human – for obviously that’s what he must be – have, that Arlen himself didn’t? Or was it what the human didn’t have that Arlen did which swayed her opinion of the human for the better?
The species of mer-people that Arlen was part of were a unique group of ‘Sea Angels’, as they have been named in fables, the golden tails of their people singling them out amongst the usually green or other coloured tails. When the stunning creatures withdraw from their emotions, hiding from the pain they feel and locking out the chances of being hurt again, it effects them greatly. They lose the lustrous golden scales that glimmer with all the colours of the rainbow when the sunlight strikes upon them, and dull in hue to become a silvery colour. Still holding great beauty, they however become callous, and often self-serving, the present is all that matters to the silver tails, their memories often known to fragment and fade over the centuries that pass.
The Prince wasn’t so far gone as to actually become randomly violent to get his way, he wouldn’t force his will on others yet and still had patches of golden hue on his scales, which no one could currently see since in human form his only scales where below his lower stomach and above his upper thighs. He was just finding it hard to be motivated by anything, save for the chance of impressing Arisa, there was still the need to prove his worth to her, he would show her that he was a better mate for her then that weakling of a human. Even if Arlen had to find that human and fight for dominance over the legendary Wolverine’s youngest daughter. The ice blue gaze of the sea creature stared out to the distant reaches of the ocean, he could heard the melodies of the sea, feel the call of the underwater lands, almost imagine what it was like to swim within the strong currents as the gentle breeze slithered over his form.
"Any questions? If not, begin to know your surroundings,"
A sniff of the air from the feral followed Betsy’s comment, Connor had no questions, none that couldn’t wait till later anyway, one of the problems with Connor was that his metabolism devoured his food reserves quickly, which meant a day without food would leave him starved, ill and weak. Not that he was overly concerned, he knew from experience it was unlikely that they’d have a packed three course meal handed out to them, but they were beside the sea, if anything he could hunt, that’s what he’d ask Betsy, if he was permitted to gather food, sometimes that wasn’t allowed just to make things difficult, luckily this time that rule hadn’t been made and hunting was permitted.
The use of Kylora’s power was felt by Connor as the sense of the influence from her x-gene heightened greatly, but he gave the other mutant little attention as he began to walk off from the group. The black shirt Connor wore clung a little to his body since he had intended on going some exercises before he was called to the hanger. At least it wasn’t tight; Connor would have rather run about shirtless then deal with restricting fabric chocking him, and with a girl on their team that would have resulted in Connor making sure he was well out of view while not completely dressed.
"Um, I just got a hawk's eye view of the island," Pausing as he was walking Connor glanced over his shoulder and stared back at Kylora, "If anyone with a telepathic ability could access my mind and transfer the image to everyone else, I'm sure we would have a bit of a better idea of where everything is right now..."
A wave of disappointment flooded Connor as he looked over towards Betsy, that was so easily done, he wanted to go and look around as well, just get a feel for the land around them. Betsy had him in her martial arts classes and knew his personality well enough to know he didn’t enjoy taking the easy way out when it came to challenges.
“Betsy?” The voice of the feral rang out a little curiously, but also the disappointment could vaguely be heard, not that he intended on having it there, it’s just he’s been cooped up in cages and rooms and little cells, he wants to forget about all that and this was his perfect chance. His voice trailed off but he gave her a looked that was basically screaming out if he can still go look around instead of having a map imprinted into his mind. After all, there are things a bird cannot see that might be hidden by branches of trees and things they cannot smell from such a high distance.
At her signal that he could go, Connor flashed a rather rare and bright grin as he took off, his steps instinctively making sure to land on the harder ground or stones instead of the softer areas that would leave a more noticeable footprint. Fair enough the school had nice large grounds, a lake, was close to the beach and had so many things to occupy a bored student, but Connor had spent his life there, nothing compared to the freedom of the world aside, a world many of the X-men’s children often don’t get to have much interactions with. A normal child’s life was just a fairytale for many of them, not that Connor was overly jealous that he didn’t get a normal childhood, after all, he wasn’t exactly normal himself, was he?
I can hear you whisper.. but you can't hear me scream.
Re: Cliff Edges: Bronze Strike Force
A sigh escaped her lips as Kylora watched Connor disappear into the forest. The thought, 'Was it something I said?,' promptly sprang up in her mind and she found herself thinking it out loud to no one in particular at that point.
'Correction,' she thought to herself,'I don't think that this is every girl's dream.' For one thing, it seemed that all the boys were off in their own little worlds, as was she at that moment. The merman, Arlen, seemed to be especially gloomy at that time. Kylora figured that he, like the knight, Heath, was dwelling on a girl. That or he was just depressed. Yet, something told her that the boy's problem concerned female troubles. She wasn't going to say anything, of course, but she was a bit perturbed by the whole group following suit and really not even talking that much.
How she figured that the knight's mind was on a girl however was the mixed look of guilt, disappointment, and day-dreamy that Heath had when Betsy had said what she said about their weekend being spent on this training island doing a training exercise. That was just her assesment though. By this time in her life, however, Kylora had figured out how to read people fairly well.
Shout and Julian, however were just quiet and that kind of bothered her. Shout's choice of codename screamed the whole loud possibility, yet this guy was abnormally quiet. Julian, however, just seemed to be quiet in nature. She didn't worry too much about him.
Then you get to Betsy. Psylocke seemed to be everything a leader should be. She also just happened to be Kylora's only female teammate. This girl looked like she could kick anyone's butt with her eyes closed and actually seemed to have done just that on at least one occassion. Kylora didn't want to think too hard on that subject though. Betsy could defend herself and others if she had to and that was all Kylora needed to know.
Kylora herself felt a bit newish. Not that she hadn't expected this; she had signed up for this, hadn't she? No matter, she couldn't afford to dwell on this fact for long. Right now she just was waiting on Betsy to peruse the map that was held firmly in her head of the overview of the terrain of the island...
Re: Cliff Edges: Bronze Strike Force
The trees weren’t thick at first, but Connor ran on, his sprint carrying him further then most people could see within moment and far beyond their sight moments later. Obscured by the environment and lost into the wilderness, a tamed one however that lacked the abundance of wildlife save for what was handpicked and placed here to form the tiny self sustaining ecosystem. But Connor didn’t dare travel too far away from the group, incase Betsy ordered him back by calling for the group with her voice. But that still enabled the young feral to get a good look around, with his sensitive hearing he could go further without risking not hearing her.
Meanwhile Heath was cheering himself up by glancing around at the others and focusing the chance of making new friends, though if any of them where like Max Chadstone, Heath would not enjoy staying on this team. Max had a habit of trying to scare Heath with modern day technology, which admittedly could be frightening for the Knight, and being told people’s souls are sucked out and stuffed into a TV box for people to entertain themselves with or a stereo to sing on command hadn’t been the most pleasant introductions to the entertainment systems.
Part of Heath really wished he had his sword with him, everyone here had their own powers but quite honestly what could Heath do when put aside these fantastically gifted people? He’d only just started with his physical training really, hand to hand combat wasn’t exactly an art when he was fighting, he just threw punches and grabbed and did whatever felt right at the time, as did most people of his time where he was from. Here it was different, all worked out and planned and so much care and thought put into everything they do.
The boys were hard to make out, and Heath wondered if Jacob realized he had something metal stuck to his mouth, a few stares had already been given to the mutant when in the hanger so Heath was now at the point where he didn’t get completely mesmerized by the painful looking item pierced into him, though Jake didn’t seem bothered at all. Another glance was thrown towards Connor and then a rather suspicious one studied Arlen for a moment before taking the chance to examine the other two. Julian had not said much, and usually once Heath knew people he talked a lot more, even though at first he was overly shy and made him hover behind in both groups and topics. So maybe Julian would become more talkative once he got to know the rest of the team, at least that’s what Heath hoped, the Knight wanted to get along with everyone on the team.
The young looking woman seemed interesting, she was attractive but Heath was never one to fall head over heels for every beauty that crossed his path. The young Knight was drawn to Lauren’s pleasant company and upbeat personality, she never failed to make him laugh, even if he was clueless on what she was actually on about, though he was getting better in understanding things with every month that passed. It wasn’t the first time he’s looked over this team, he felt greatly relieved that Connor was with him, at least Connor was someone who understood Heath’s capabilities and restrictions as well as Lauren. Although Heath didn’t spend a great deal of time with Arlen, aside from the fact that the Prince’s rank unnerved Heath, the young merman tended to prefer to stick with Scott or Arisa or on his own. Though his distance between those around him has grown to be a great void that many didn’t understand the cause of.
"Uh, Forgive me my lady-" No no, Lauren said it sounded odd when he said that, but it was such a hard habit to break, Heath had sort of started towards Betsy but paused as he stumbled for words, "I mean La-ma’am…miss!" So many different words to address a woman of rank, but Miss and Mrs were definitely something he has heard students call their teachers. But as usual with Heath, he got distracted with his own thoughts as he went over the name in his mind, giving a perplexed look as he mouthed ‘Miss Betsy’ while staring at the ground. It did not sound formal, it sounded like something he would call a team-mate, not his leader. In addition, there was no way he was brave enough to call her just plain old Betsy or Psylocke at the moment as she had said he was permitted to do. Though Psylocke would end up being something he would feel less uncomfortable in addressing her given a little further contact with the telepathic Ninja.
"Might I inquire," The Knight continued after a moments pause, pulled from his thoughts as Connor reappeared in the distance and took his time to make his way towards them, "Are we to set snares, or do we propose to merely waylay the others, or both?" In plain English was asking if they were to set traps or hide in ambush, some people would understand it but others have had trouble translating his sentences. Heath still had a habit to use words he was accustomed to, despite his old English taking up newer words he learns from Lauren and others as well.
"There’s a few traps within the trees, two dug out pits covered and hidden in the sand just along the beach that I passed, probably more so everyone should watch their step," Connor added rather casually as he rejoined the group.
There was an instinctive urge for Connor to add his own suggestion on what they ought to do in preparation for the islander’s arrival if indeed they were the prey of the Bronze team, he was too used to leading his own team and yet he was never one to try and take charge of another leaders group. So he would wait for now, but there was an impatient excitement bubbling in his eyes that hinted to his keen hopes for them to get started with things right away.
Kill both of you, that's what I'll do, yeah! *Waves axe about*
Re: Cliff Edges: Bronze Strike Force
Maybe it was Kylora's impatience that sparked her uncharacteristic answering of someone else's question, but really, she just couldn't take the silence anymore. Betsy had been seemingly in her own little world for the last few minutes and it was starting to bug Kylora that no one was especially talkative.
"Perhaps we should do both," she said in a semi-quiet voice as she contemplated this,"I can interact with the local flora and fauna to help with traps if need be."
She really didn't want to sound like she was taking charge at all, because she wasn't. She was, however, volunteering her services. She knew their team mission now and really wanted to get started and quit standing around. True, patience is a virtue, but patience can only get you so far in certain situations. Right now she just wanted to see how well this team was going to do.
"I can also detect the traps for us in advance so that we can go around them if need be," she said once she heard Connor's warning.
Emerald green eyes flashing with eldritch light in her excitement, was it that?, to get this mission underway, Kylora waited once more with a bit more of her patience as she waited for the rest of the team's reply to her comments...
(ooc- Aaaangie… *looks at map Matt made of the training island* Exiles are on the other side of the island… unless his vision is THAT good. I know you posted before Matt made the map, therefore we can blame him, which will end up being my fault… Aaaanyway, I’ll just leave that little bit out!)
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There was only so much Betsy could do. If she did too much she’d risk the team not learning a thing from this weekend, something she was determined not to allow happen. Therefore, she stood back and allowed her team to let the information sink in and allow them to get used to the area.
Kylora was the first to grab a good hold of the area they were in, aided easily by her power and a creature of the air who flew above the team as she looked for food. Looking away from the other female, Betsy looked to the other members of the Bronze Strike Force. Any worries she had the previous night of her team members not liking the training weekend could be wiped out of her mind at the sight of Jacob bouncing, almost, around as he got to know the area.
"Um, I just got a hawk's eye view of the island," with that Betsy looked away from Jacob and back to Kylora. "If anyone with a telepathic ability could access my mind and transfer the image to everyone else, I'm sure we would have a bit of a better idea of where everything is right now..." There was a slight hesitation on Psylockes’ part. Ever since her mind had been messed up she’s never really liked diving into the minds of others or even having anyone look into her own. It was something that she cursed herself for. What if there was danger and she hesitated? What she didn’t realise was that if there ever was she wouldn’t even allow herself time to think over what had happened, her mind would be too focused on what was happening.
“Betsy?” Connor’s voice took Betsy away from her thoughts. Luckily she had hesitated otherwise she would have that image inside Connor’s mind without realising he liked to do things his way. Seeing the look upon the young Wolverine’s face the team leader gave a nod, approving Connor’s request and watched as he happily walked off to do his own investigating.
"Uh, Forgive me my lady- I mean La-ma’am…miss!" A small smile curved from Betsy’s lips as Heath struggled to find a comfortable way to address her. It was normally so easy for someone to address a teacher, even if there was the whining and stretched out ‘miiiiiissss’ when she had asked her students to do something they didn’t want.
"Might I inquire, Are we to set snares, or do we propose to merely waylay the others, or both?" If she didn’t know who Heath was she might have given him a rather blank look but since she did know him and his heritage she easily understood what the young Knight had asked. Originally she had just thought about setting traps after she had been told of the training mission, but while piloting the small jet from the mansion to the island she had thought over the other option. Perhaps a bit of both would work nicely. Use traps as much as they could and if they failed to stop a team they could ambush them. Besides, an ambush sounded like a nice little task she wouldn’t mind putting the team through.
"Perhaps we should do both, I can interact with the local flora and fauna to help with traps if need be." Betsy gave a nod, if anyone had a power that could help the team then they were more than welcome to use it. Of course, not everyone had such handy powers but theirs could come in useful later on. Before she could reply verbally Connor had arrived by the group, her mouth remained closed. If this team was going to work they had to listen to each other as well as their leader.
"There’s a few traps within the trees, two dug out pits covered and hidden in the sand just along the beach that I passed, probably more so everyone should watch their step,"[/v] Useful things to know. It would be quite an embarrassment if those who were to set traps and be an obstacle for other teams actually fell in a trap. Also, with traps out there it meant that it saved the team some time in setting any in those areas.
"I can also detect the traps for us in advance so that we can go around them if need With two mutants able to detect the traps it seemed as if no one would fall into a trap. The other teams she didn’t care about, they weren’t under her care.
“Good,” she replied in reference to both Connor and Kylora.
“And to answer you question Heath, we’re doing as Gaia suggested; both,” at least she got her reply across, oven if it seemed to be an old topic with the mention of traps. “I suggest that you go about setting up traps first, after they’re done look over them, see how they could fail and come up with a plan on what to do if they fail,” It wasn’t as if she couldn’t see her team making failsafe traps, but the other teams would be looking out for traps and would be prepared to stumble across them. If they had a back-up plan they could strike while the other teams were unaware.
Her eyes wandered off her team for a moment, looked up to the peak that was the meeting spot for the other teams. Her mind wondered whether or not they should move off from this place to cover more ground.
“I guess you’ll be wanting those birds eye view of the island now, any objections?” she asked, as she once again looked over her team, eyes landing on Kylora. The look upon her face easily telling her what she was going to do. Betsy took a small, deep breath, ‘stop worrying, just get on with it’, she told herself. A moment later she had focused on getting that image out of Kylora’s mind, nothing else since she wasn’t going to pry into any students mind without their permission. Finding it almost instantly as it was still on the animal communicators mind, she left her mind.
Psylocke then looked over the other members of her team. One by one she quickly placed it in their minds, except for Connor since he had already stated he wanted to do things his way. For those that did take the image, she wondered how they’d react with having it inserted into their minds.
(ooc- If anyone’s character wouldn’t have wanted the image in their mind, just say that they stated it and that Betsy didn’t do it.)
Re: Cliff Edges: Bronze Strike Force
"Nice environment". The comment came from the one girl on their team and Julian turned to look at her even as everything was explainned to them. He didn't say it aloud but he did agree that if they had to be stranded in a place this was the place to be stranded. He recognised that a training mission wasn't really the place for relstaionships or anything like that but despite his self-control he was still a teenage guy and couldn't help a quick appraising glance at Kylora. She certainly isn't an eyesore, he thought to himself for the woman was pretty and a nice change from the several guys on the team, not that he disliked the fact that there were so many potential friends, especially considering he hadn't been at the institute for very long and hadn't met that many real friends. Julian ran a hand through his windblown dark curls as he listened to Betsy finish speaking. Already he had a great deal of respect for the woman, she seemed a more than capable team leader and yet she wasn't arrogant or too confident in her abilities or those of her team and he appreciated that. Sure they were a new team but maybe, just maybe, they stood a chance.
Jacob, who was easily distracted and could rarely focus on something for more than a few seconds, noticed the glow in the one girl teammates eyes as his own hazel eyes bright with excitement hopped from one subject to another. The glow immediately caught his eye, as did most shiny objects, and he wondered briefly what she was doing before his attention was drawn away again, this time by the call of a bird. He stood silently but his mind buzzed, never resting as it filled with a million thoughts and his fingers tapped against the side of his body. To add to the energy coursing through his body he shifted weight constantly which he was sure would have drien anyone who was seriously watching him crazy.
"Um, I just got a hawk's eye view of the island." Jacob blinked as his gaze returned to Kylora, listening absently to her speak. How would she have managed to do that? The vocal mutant hadn't paid attention and didn't know much about anyone here's powers so the comment took him by surprise and it showed in the confusion on his face. "If anyone with a telepathic ability could access my mind and transfer the image to everyone else, I'm sure we would have a bit of a better idea of where everything is right now..." That's cool, Jake thought. It wasn't a profound thought by any definition but it was the first thing that crossed his rapidly thinking mind and he wanted to see himself the image of this island.
I wonder what my folks would think of this, Julian thought ryely although he knew all to well what his father thought of mutants in general. There was a reason why he had lied to his father, telling him that the institute was an institution for higher education and not a school for people with mutant abilities. Hell his father hadn't even been able to accept mutant heritage in the woman he loved, how could he in a son who he had never truly felt for or at least showed that he felt for openly?
“Betsy?” There was a questionning tone to Connor's voice as he addressed the Team Leader and Julian's green eyes went back and forth between the two. He hadn't really talk much with Connor although he knew from friends and from research he had done about the institute before writing to come here who Connor was decended from and that made the rather proper and restrained mutant a little wary although not by any means intimidated by him. A glance out of the corner of his eye revealed that Jacob was still twitching and Julian's lips closed, his teeth gritting together as he tried not to be bothered by the other mutant who couldn't seem to stop moving even for a second. He knew what would happen if he got too worked up, You wouldn't like me when I get angry, Julian thought to himself with a slight smile at the quote he had seen in an old movie once. Well at least he didn't get green but his tantrums, if big enough, had enough power to put someone out of action for a few days or even a week and Julian figured that the professors probably weren't intending for team members to take down their own.
There was somesort of signal that passed between the leader and the feral mutant for Julian watched him take off being careful even about where he stepped, something the British mutant who was so unused to the wild outdoors would never have thought of doing. Jacob watched too with interest, wondering what the other mutant could possibly want to go and do and why he would be allowed. They spoke a language without words, understood eachother on another level and he didn't get it but then again he didn't have to.
"Bathroom break?" Jacob asked rhetorically. His tone and the twinkle in his green eyes, even though they were upon an abnormally innocent looking face, let on that he was joking however. He had no idea how strange it was to see a look of childlike innocence, even if it was faked and over the top, on the face of a guy who would probably be best described my many elderly people as a 'punk'. The lip ring and fauxhawk detracted from the effect but Jacob was an expert in the dramatic and for a moment looked like he was serious before a wide grin broke out on his face. Jacob's grin widdened even more than most observers would have thought possible as Heath struggled to address their leader.
Snce Jacob knew little of the knight's backstory all he thought was that it was particularly strange, and he was an expert in most things strange, to talk in that way. Snares? Snares hadn't even occured to him before now and he wondered how they would make or get these snares, having had no experience in that sort of thing before. As Connor rejoined the group he also casually mentionned a bunch of old traps and other assorted things that made Jacob nervous since he had gotten lost in his on basement before and had a habit of doing stupid things unintentionally. Yup he was probably going to be a liability but hey live is short and you might as well enjoy it to the fullest while it lasts and that meant making the most out of this weird island experience. If nothing else it would make for a good set of exaggerated anecdotes after they finished this mission.
The news of traps and other such things said so casually got Julian to raise an eyebrow wondering why this sort of news didn't merit some form of expression more than that which had come across in the feral mutant's voice. Connor seemed to have alot of experience or something, probably has to do with his father, the curly-haired mutant thought absently.
Kylora seemed to be rather impatient and eager to help out Julian thought as she answered the question whether or not it was directed to her. It didn't really bother him though, as long as someone put something forth worthwhile he was alright with butting in. Interacting with plants, well that was an interesting sort of power and one far less destructive than his own presumably. He looked over her once more, impressed in spite of himself with her power and suggestion. The fact that she could detect the traps appeased him as well and Julian resisted the urge to sigh or express his relief in some way.
"Well that's handy dandy," Jacob said looking relieved himself at the news and despite his strange and somewhat annoying manner and choice of words Julian had to agree that it was awfully handy to have a person with that sort of power on their team. He certainly didn't fancy getting caught in some sort of trap on his very first mission and if she could avoid that happening than by all means he was happy to have her along. Their leader spoke again afterwards, answering a question already answered but it was good to have it from a igure of authority Julian thought and he nodded.
Setting up traps? As soon as she mentionned that Julian felt a little panicked having no idea of what he was suposed to do. Near him though Jacob seemed to have stopped twitching for once and looked even more confused and somewhat nervous himself.
"Right there with ya buddy," Jacob said aloud, making their confusion known although he wasn't as loud as Julian had thought he would be considering the codename. He could only assume that it referred to the hyperactive mutant's powers in some way.
“I guess you’ll be wanting those birds eye view of the island now, any objections?” That was Betsy and while Julian was content to keep silent and give a simple shake of his head Jake's head shook no as if it were a dog's wagging tail. The British mutant was almost amazed that his head hadn't fallen right off or something, an especially ironic idea considering Jacob didn't really, to use a cliche phrase, have his head screwed on very tightly.
"Huh," was Jake's ever so profound comment as a bird's eye view of a land mass appeared suddenly in his head. Well that was a nifty sort of power to transfer images like that, imagine the sorts of things you could put into people's heads and it would be so much more fitting than words although as a songwriter and a strange sort of poet Jacob always managed to find words apt to say what he was feeling even though his writing was usually thick with metaphor. His mind was on overload though as he wondered about the implications of having a power like that. After a few seconds he remembered the point of having the map in his head and thought it over, looking at the entire place and finding it really qute pretty.
"Okay question," he said aloud. "Where are we on here? oh and how do we make these traps and snares 'cause I'm clueless," Jacob continued, stating his thoughts bluntly as he often did. As blunt as his words were Julian found himself agreeing with the sentiments expressed. He wanted to know where they were as well and wondered about how one would go about making a trap or snare with no prior experience in the matter and his green eyes flickered and glanced over at Betsy, hopeing she could shead some light on the matter.
Re: Cliff Edges: Bronze Strike Force
"Well that's handy dandy," For the moment Connor was somewhat hypnotized by the active mutants constant movements, endlessly shifting, the sound of his clothing rubbing against his skin and each other and his fingers drumming endlessly on the leg…’thud, thud, thud’ So silent an action yet Connor’s ears picked it up along with everything else, not loud enough to actually be causing any sensitive pains, but there was definitely a headache forming as the restless mutant only added to the surrounding sounds of the wildlife, nature however was far more relaxing then Jacob’s more bothersome sounds.
The young Knight glanced over towards Jacob in an effort to actually translate what the boy had said, but got distracted with Arlen who was slightly disorientated or something similar at having the image of the map placed into his mind, although Heath hadn’t commented on it Betsy would have sensed the extreme concern and so Heath was spared the frightful experience of having someone playing with his mind in any way. And Connor of course had already expressed a desire not to have the image pollute the natural way he enjoys exploring, if he sees a map of the island from above it wouldn’t entirely help him in the sense he is better at getting his grips on things by actually moving through the area, getting their scent and sounds.
"Okay question," Heath looked a little lost for the moment, he felt out of place knowing now that there wasn’t any image being placed into his mind, maybe he could get Arlen into a good mood and the merman would draw a map for him in the sand. "Where are we on here? oh and how do we make these traps and snares 'cause I'm clueless," A sparkle of enthusiasm raced over Connor as he looked over at Betsy, not that he didn’t want to get to know Jacob more but this was a chance to get some distance from the restless young man and perhaps a moments peace for Connor…
"Perhaps we could split into groups Psylocke?" Okay, so that was probably an obvious thing to do if some knew how to make traps and some didn’t, but there was an abundance of Connor’s own form of restlessness that was making him appear slightly impatient. "I could take Julian, Heath could have Jacob, I’m not sure if Kylora is aware of how to make them or not, either Arlen and herself team up or they join either under you command or Heath or myself, that way we can show them how to do it while working." A delighted smile flourished on Heath’s handsome features as the young Knight enjoyed the possibility of actually not only leading any sort of group for a short time but also teaching them. He quickly hid it however as the former Knight cast his curious eyes over towards Betsy, not wanting to appear overly eager for something she didn’t approve of and yet not considering the fact that her powers gave her the chance to know full well what he was thinking if she truly desired to know.
Re: Cliff Edges: Bronze Strike Force
A light breeze carried the scent of wildflowers to Kylora's sensitive nose, stirring up a brief early memory of working with her mother in their garden in her hometown, Riley, in her home dimension. It was Mother's Day and Kylora was five years old at the time. She had given her mom a packet of wildflower seeds for the garden and her mother loved it so much that she insisted that they plant the seeds that very day. Her father had helped her dig the holes while her mother sprinkled the seeds into each one and Kylora covered them over with dirt afterwhich her mother watered them to help them grow.
The thought of this particular memory brought a sad smile to her face before she shook her head, bringing herself back to the present. Those days before her life was turned upside down were very precious to her and she had found herself visiting those memories more frequently by writing down the memories whenever she found herself thinking of an old one that she hadn't remembered until then. The one she had been thinking of, however, had been one of the first memories to be written down in her memory journal. It was very precious to her since just the thought of wildflowers reminded her of that day.
As she slowly brought herself back to reality, she noticed two things. One of them was the peculiar sensation that she had recently had a look-over recently from the direction of Julian and the other was the fact that she had heard the mention of her name in the past few minutes.
Since she had her attention in two places, one being on her memory and the other on the stuff going on around her. She replayed the last few minutes in her head and found that there was the mention of the group being split up into twos and teaching the other how to make traps while they worked with the question of whether or not Kylora knew how to make one.
"I know how to make them," she said with a grin as she thought of when she and her mother had taught her all she knew about traps when they had been hiding in the Highlands of Scotland,"My Mum taught me."
Mum. She knew that was the British way of speaking of a mother, but her mom was Scots-Irish and that was what she had called her since she was little. She didn't know it was weird to hear that around the South until she was in preschool.
She lifted her backpack from the ground and put it on her shoulders and smiled as she looked over at Julian. She had only met him briefly at their team meeting and she knew she had kind of overlooked him earlier, but now that she was looking around at the team more closely, she found that he seemed to be the handsome quiet type.
'Maybe he's new too,', she thought to herself,'Perhaps he's just been here longer than me, but not as long as the others here.'
She shook her head as she silently reprimended herself. 'Work now, my girl, and you can flirt away later,' she thought to herself as she tightened her shoulder straps.
Now, all she had to do was wait for the others to figure out what the team was going to do next...
Meh, sorry people Loza's suffering computer troubles still, she thought she got them fixed but they are still worse, if not more so. I suggest we all skip forward to the night, that way we can have character interactions between us and NPC Betsy being all... quiet and thoughtful XD
Either Lady, or myself will post the next reply, I'll try and get to it, but I will be offline for at least a few days! So sorry, especially since Kylora is so new and this must be a frustrating to be waiting so long, we sorta clashed with christmas as well which added the festive slowness...
Welcome back Looooza! Now, what I meant to ask you but forgot entirely all about it for weeks and weeks...
(Loza, considering Bronze was originally setting traps to catch teams passing them (logically I assumed it was Exiles since most others aren’t starting right on the shore) doesn’t it make abnormally little sense (even for us Aussies!) to be setting traps in an area behind the mountain? It would mean one of the teams have decided to take an unusually long way by walking right around the meeting point and from there to the edge of the shore and then back to the mountain to climb up the other side of it o.O Maybe I’m out of the loop on something, I just noticed that we’re on the opposite side of the mountain to every other team, that’s all XD)
. . : : Maybe I'm tired of trying so hard for every single thing I do : : . .
Re: Cliff Edges: Bronze Strike Force
(OOC: Well Loza's back but I hope it's okay if I go ahead and post here anyway, jump things ahead a bit. That way we can move ahead and if Loza wants she can jump in with Betsy )
While his green eyes were fixed mainly on Betsy in hopes of getting a response Jacob was a multi-tasker and his short attention span meant his gaze was constantly shifting. As such his glance picked up on Connor's look in the direction of Betsy and Jake thought that the feral mutant seemed much more at home on this island and far more knowledgeable than he. Not that Jacob really minded, he was eager to learn even if in all likelyhood it would take him awhile to pay attention to what was being taught. The hyperactive mutant had never been a good student even if he had actually put forth all the effort he was able to.
Jacob shrugged as Connor spoke of teams. He was game for just about anything right about now and even though the question had been addressed to their leader he offered his opinion by way of his facial expressions. It sounded like a good idea to him, especially since he didn't think that he and Julian shared the same sense of humour or fun. Although contrasting personalities had worked before in friendships Jacob somehow got the impression that the British mutant who seemed so unusually uptight would not find a best friend in him.
Although he didn't say it aloud Julian was similarly happy with the prospect of splitting up and of getting away from Jacob. It wasn't right to say he didn't like the guy since he knew that the other mutant hadn't really done anything wrong by traditional standards. It was just that they didn't have anything in common and obviously their upbringings had led to one mutant being reserved while the other felt free to bounce off the walls, even if there were no walls around.
Julian's silent but intense gaze fixed on Kylora as she spoke of knowing how to create teams. He wouldn't have guessed by looking at her that she would have skills needed to create traps but then again appearances could be decieving, he had figured that out in his time here brief though it had been. She didn't seem familiar aside from their team but then again he didn't really know many people here so that wasn't a big surprise. Still she seemed new and he hoped he'd get the chance to get to know her better. Solitary though he often was Julian hadn't made any true friends here and it wouldn't hurt to have at least one person to rely on.
The teams idea was accepted and they parted ways, Jacob practically skipping through the forest as he went one way. It was a very odd sight, Julian thought as he watched the mutant with the lip ring skip in one direction, to see a man who would have been all accounts been grouped in with the 'punk' classification in high school skipping along but like he had reminded himself a few minutes ago appearances could be decieving.
It wasn't too long before he found himself being taught how to make traps. It was difficult at first but Julian was an interested pupil and that made the teaching much less difficult. It was blissfully silent without the hyper mutant around and Julian thankfully basked in the quiet while he could, knowing that the teams were to meet back with Betsy before darkness covered the island.
When at last they did make their way back the few birds that had earlier been absorbed in their songs had ended their melodies and silence fell like a blanket over the already quiet surroundings. Julian ran one hand through his dark curls to brush away a fallen leaf which had lodged itself there and by the time he had brushed the dirt off of his jeans and jacket he found himself back at the meeting place.
The group of which Jacob had been a part had made it back first and there was a devilish glint in the shorter mutant's eyes as he grinned. He hadn't really minded being a part of a smaller group but for the boy who always wanted to be the centre of attention a larger group was preferable, even if the team members weren't exactly all his biggest fans.
"Can we start a campfire?" Jacob asked. The question was full of excitement even though he thought as soon as he had voiced it that the other teams might see the fire and therefore it wouldn't be the best idea. Everything was worth a try though, especially since Jacob knew that they'd have to stay form and all that somehow. His mouth kept running though and it always seemed to find a thought before that rational part in his brain so he carried on, firing another question at the group. "Can we sing campfire songs?" That one he knew would be rejected but Jacob loved to sing no matter what he was doing and he just had to ask. At least that way he could say that he had tried. "We could sing softly," he added, a childlike tone now to his voice. The childlike quality wasn't so much that he was begging although he was but because he sounded almost innocent for a moment in time. Jacob of course wasn't so innocent but sometimes he would get puppy dog eyes without even trying and the glint in them or the look upon his face would seem so unphased by the hardships of life although he certainly felt them as much as the next guy.
Briefly Julian saw this expression and envied the similarly dark haired boy. There seemed to be such simplicity in Jacob at times and perhaps that was why he had his own quaint sort of charm that a certain type of person would respond to. Julian might not have been among that group but for a moment he could understand and he could hope that oneday the weight would be gone from his shoulders, that he would appear so carefree. The moment passed though as Jacob asked one last question, again without timidness that most people on a team would feel when asking seemingly trivial questions to a respectable leader.
Re: Cliff Edges: Bronze Strike Force
The day was pleasant for Connor who had an easy time showing Julian the basics of trap making, the feral however was starved by the time they all returned to gather about Betsy, and it took a lot of will power not to blurt out ‘can we eat now?’.
"Can we start a campfire?" Almost utter disbelief formed on Connor’s expression. Alright, fair enough most people didn’t take up wilderness survival as a holiday camp whenever possible, but come on! Lighting a fire in the middle of the night on an island full of people that would rather avoid you at all costs? "Can we sing campfire songs?" Being so new meant that Connor hadn’t yet read Jacob’s profile, but the feral wasn’t stupid, a code name like ‘shout’ wasn’t going to be given to a mutant with the ability of causing sun showers. The mere thought of vocal noise, especially an entire GROUP of singers, was enough to unnerve the acute sense enhanced mutant. If someone didn’t have a visible mutation then no one seemed to care to ask if there may be a problem regarding certain things. Why didn’t anyone care to ask ‘hey, Connor, since your ear drums will explode if I start screaming at the top of my lungs a feet in front of you, thought I should ask, mind if I traumatize you by screaming?’ That woman from Harmony wouldn’t make such obvious and careless requests, she’d know he was vulnerable to loud noises, she’d rather protect him from them then expose the unbearable sounds to him.
"We could sing softly," Yeah, like THAT would help. It was common knowledge that you can’t whisper an entire song without occasionally slipping up, especially when a group was involved and someone as energetic as Jacob to boot. The young Wolverine threw a disgruntled look off towards the ocean. People never cared to understand their team mates nowadays. Connor always hoped that he got his team more personally involved with each other then some of the ones he’s been part of in his lifetime on various teams. "What about marshmellows or S'mores?" Iridescent blue eyes peered skywards, the unnatural gleam that was forever present giving off a pale glow as they reflected the lights of the night sky.
"I’m unclear on what ‘Smores’ are," The second generation X-men started with a tone of voice that seemed unusual for him, the mere fact you could hear vague irritation would concern people like his father or sisters who knew him well enough to know he never, ever, permitted himself to speak down to others unless they stepped out of line, and bore even greater resilience to newer members. "But unless you plan on hunting wild marshmallows, I suggest we stick to what’s logically around, fish would probably be the more abundant, if not most obvious food source." Unlike Arlen’s best friend Scott, who was a fairy Prince, the merman had no hesitations towards consuming meat, like most animals in nature it was a vital food group for Arlen’s people, in addition it was also the most easily accessible, save for seaweed… So the prospect of fish gained his attention, a flick of his blue tail showing that Arlen registered the mention of food with keen gladness.
"I could gather food for us all," The Prince added with slight pride, he used to practice a lot over the last millennia, if Arisa was ever hungry, he knew he could find her food faster then any other at the school – at least in his opinion and regarding hunting in the sea.
"We wouldn’t be able to eat raw fish," The image of Connor’s father biting the head off a still wiggling fish popped into the young feral’s mind. Sure he’s never seen his dad do that before… but for understandable reasons it seemed so likely that such a thing has happened before in the past. "With Arlen’s hydro kinesis we could form a bubble on the sea floor, he could vent the smoke and smell out further away from the island to avoid others seeing or smelling the fire and aroma. And of course to supply the cooks with air." Connor’s eyes lingered over towards Betsy, he was starving, and unlike Jacob, Connor was determined to try and come up with some sort of half decent idea which could feed them. "The smell might be too much for me however, someone else would have to help cook if we do that, I could meanwhile go find fresh water, I saw a small river running not too far from here." Being useless was a nightmare for Connor, almost as bad as being strapped inside a glass tube and engulfed in water…his slight fear of being submerged within water one of the other reasons he wasn’t keen on taking part in his offered scenario. Besides, that aside the space wouldn’t be very big, and if there was one thing that was worse then being submerged in water, it was being confined to small spaces. Put the two of them together, and Connor would suffer a panic attack of sever dimensions.
Re: Cliff Edges: Bronze Strike Force
A lot had been going on that day. Kylora had been able to show off her trap-making skills and feel useful at the same time. Arlen had been quiet, but that was okay. She tended to concentrate a bit harder when remembering how to make traps.
Now that all that was over, however, Kylora had to admit that she was very hungry. Jacob's mention of s'mores also didn't help not one bit. She would so enjoy a campfire, but as Connor pointed out, a campfire would compromise their location. On a brighter note, however, it was possible to cook a few things on the sea floor with the help of Arlen's hydrokinesis.
"I could cook something if need be," she said with a shy smile, "My mum was a hydrokinetic, so I believe I'm familiar with the methodology of the plan suggested. Besides, it'd be good to have something to do instead of just waiting on the food to be cooked."
With that said, the raven-haired beauty fell quiet as she waited for others to voice their opinions. She couldn't think of any other ideas, after all, and she doubted anyone would like the idea of alerting the other teams to their location. Now all that was left was other outside input...
Re: Cliff Edges: Bronze Strike Force
... HONE-SHEESHLY!!
There comes an age when people have to take over responsibility. It remains the question whether there is also a time when they can get rid of it again.
)
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