[closed] we're headed to the dive bar we always thought was nice

[agoddessonce]

WHO: Ororo agoddessonce and others. Starters posted in the comments!
WHEN: late June and into early July, post-Mission 003
WHERE: Harry's Hideaway Pub, Up in the sky
WHAT: When you're reeling from some trauma, you gotta chase it down with a beer and some good company.
NOTES\WARNINGS: Drinking, healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms, probably some discussion of X-Men-typical bigotry.

Comments

[redvisor]

I said I was sorry.

( he says that as if it should be obvious. )

All I've ever been is sorry. Angry. Upset that she wouldn't let me- ( he cuts himself off there. gives just the faintest shake of his head. ) She didn't even give me a chance.

[agoddessonce]

If she didn't give you a chance, then it is not your fault.

But I understand your anger -- she saw a situation and simply made an executive decision for all of you. Is that right? [ Ororo tries to insert a little wryness to her voice. ] That sounds like Jean.

What happened then? If I may ask.

[redvisor]

( another swig, because he needs it. )

The other Jean here ( the one ororo knows. ) obliterated her. Started going on about some psionic energy and phoenix, as if that's supposed to mean something.

( because it doesn't to scott. )

[agoddessonce]

Ah. Well... That is her story to tell in full, I think. If you'll let her. [ It's very complicated. And not something she thinks she ought to say to Scott who might be on his way to tipsy, if not already there.

She takes a swig of her own drink - because talk of the Phoenix Force should always mean taking a drink - and studies him. ]

It does mean something. It doesn't make it better, or help you feel less angry or guilty, or miss her any less, but it means something. [ His feelings are valid!! And he should get to say them. ]

[redvisor]

So, what? I'm supposed to believe some cosmic bird took her over and that's why she died? Sounds a little science fiction, doesn't it?

( and they've never been out to space, so. yeah. he has a hard time swallowing that. )

[agoddessonce]

You are supposed to believe that she died for you. [ Ororo can't and won't resist the defensive tone to her voice. Not for this. She'd done this exact song and dance with her Scott the first time Jean died, and she'd do it again.

She sets her bottle down on the table, unable to keep thunder from booming in the sky outside. ]

... I don't know the circumstances of how it happened for you - so I can't truly say that in good consciousness. But Jean Grey wouldn't simply let things happen, so I would hope that you give her sacrifice more credit than calling it fiction - because it is real. Real for you and, I'm sure, for all the X-Men who were mourning with you.

[redvisor]

I’m not calling what she did fiction. I’m saying some magic bird being the reason for it sounds like fiction.

( he finishes the rest of that second drink. not wanting to relive this. he’s carried the pain of her death and sacrifice with him for so many months now. he’ll never be over it. how could he? regardless of whether or not it was The Jean Thing To Do, it doesn’t make him hurt any less.

setting the empty bottle down, he drags a hand down over his mouth. takes a second for himself before he’s looking away. )

I’m not talking about this anymore.

( because he’s liable to get upset and storm doesn’t need that. )

[agoddessonce]

[ That magic bird is your wife,--

Ororo's already a little upset, and actively trying not to let it seep further into the sky. If this were her Scott (it's not her Scott--) she would have pursued the topic anyway. But he's not, and she knows she'll need to choose her battles with him or else she'd end up chasing him away.

She sighs, crossing her arms across her chest. ]

Alright. Was there anything else, then?

[redvisor]

( scott summers, no matter the version, is going to scott summers. )

You can fly. Have you been able to make it to any other cities or places around here?

[agoddessonce]

[ This part is, at least, familiar. Even if the response probably isn't very nice to hear. ]

There are no other places around here. The city is encased in an invisible dome, and we are unable to get past it to get out.

[ Her eyes flick to the window and up to the sky. ]

... If you look out into the sky at night, however, there seems to be other enclosures just like this. But they are too far away for my own eyes and senses to really see.

[redvisor]

I'm guessing a strike of lightning to it won't cause it to crack or shatter?

( maybe he could see about blasting it with the removal of his glasses, but. sounds like it won't do much either way. )

[agoddessonce]

If it was that simple, the barrier would be long gone by now. [ And it's still around, keeping them in here like birds in a fancy cage. ]

I do think that we could try doing something together - your blast with my lightning. But that might cause more damage than would be safe for anyone else here.

[redvisor]

It would also help to have my visor on me.

( because he does not and while the glasses do their job, with his visor, he's able to better control the blasts. )

[agoddessonce]

[ She frowns, not realising he'd been brought here without one. ]

You might try to request one. It's possible to ask for such things, from Aurora. [ or Echo? She isn't sure which of them truly ran those requests. ]

[redvisor]

You trust her with that? To not tamper with anything we request?

( for it to only work or last for a certain amount of time before it malfunctions or falls apart. )

[agoddessonce]

I haven't yet. [ she admits, frowning. ] I haven't asked for anything of my own.

But I've seen it work for others so far - Clint Barton has his bow, and it seems to be working as intended. [ So far. She knows the visor is a little trickier, however. What if the ruby quartz wasn't even authentic? ]

If she would give you something defective, wouldn't she have tampered with the glasses already?

[redvisor]

I didn't have my visor on me at the time.

( if he's going along the lines with he'd been nabbed here at the time of what he was doing. )

[agoddessonce]

... So I am gathering, [ she says dryly. ] It's a good thing you were not around for the labyrinth last month - there were several beasts and enemies in there that would have made it difficult for you.

[ So, you know, getting a visor might just be a good idea. ]

[redvisor]

Not like taking my glasses off does anything, right?

( also said dryly, he gets himself up then. )

I'm heading out. I'll catch you back at the school.