#using plume and ayla

[northerngoshawk]

how's yall's pgr savings going? i'll start:

[commandantexekial]

(Lee walks by Exekial’s office to see Exekial shuffling a bunch of Black Cards, muttering to himself, surrounded by piles upon piles of materials.)

Lee [Entropy]: Commandant? What are you doing?

Exekial: Hm? (Looks up) Oh, hey Lee. I’m counting my funds for Lucia’s new frame.

Lee [Entropy]: Pyroath?

Exekial: Mm.

(Lee enters the office out of curiosity. He cranes his neck over Exekial’s shoulder as Exekial punches some numbers in a calculator.)

Lee [Entropy]: (Frowns) Didn’t we have more black cards? Why do we only have 15k?

Exekial: (Drops a Harmony Accelerator on the ground and frowns at it) I figured that with the accelerated patches, I could try to get Watanabe his weapon. Easily build the funds back and all.

Lee [Entropy]: I see… and did you manage to obtain it?

(Judging by Exekial’s expression, the answer was a resounding no.)

Exekial: (Stoops to pick up the Harmony Accelerator before turning back to take inventory) The only good part about the entire thing was that I scrapped enough together to get Echo a good bow. Now she and Alpha can actually deal some real damage in PPC and War Zone.

Lee [Entropy]: (Crosses his arms) I still can’t believe you replaced me with an Ascendant of all people.

Exekial: (Looks at Lee guiltily) Sorry, Lee. Alpha’s just easier to play, and her leap really takes some of the burden off the powercreep. (Turns back to pile of materials) On the bright side though, I don’t intend to leave you in the dust for too long. I’m gonna get you your Hyperreal frame and Liv her Empyrea frame.

Lee [Entropy]: (Scoffs) A waste of funds, if you ask me. Hyperreal’s already powercrept by Pyroath. (Frowns) And why are you getting Liv’s Empyrea frame? Wouldn’t she get hurt using it?

Exekial: Normally, yes, but remember? We’re outside the bounds of canon when it comes to gameplay. (Taps head) Liv won’t be harmed if she has Empyrea here. Also seeing as she’s the only Fire Amplifier in the game right now, I kinda need her to boost Lucia’s Pyroath capabilities.

Lee [Entropy]: (Wryly) Careful, Commandant, your favoritism is showing.

Exekial: Not at all. And as for Hyperreal, I just think you’re one of the better units to play. Your gameplay’s fun to use, and besides, this is the first time all of you will have the same element. I can’t pass up the thought of having a full Fire Gray Raven team now, can I?

Lee [Entropy]: Now you’re just trying to flatter us.

Exekial: (Shrugs) Flattery or not, it’s the truth. Although, if you’re truly worried about funds, don’t worry. I’m planning on getting your frames from the Selectors.

(Lee doesn’t say anything in response. He picks up one of the Memory Resonance Pick chips and examines it. That’s when he notices the corner filled with skulls. Lots and lots of skulls.)

Lee [Entropy]: Uhhh, Commandant? What is that?

(Exekial turns in the direction Lee is pointing towards. A sheepish expression comes across his face.)

Exekial: Oh, that. Well… (Scratches the back of his neck.) I might��ve tried to attempt Ultimate PPC.

(Lee blinks once. Twice.)

Lee [Entropy]: You what.

(Before Exekial can respond, the door to the lounge opens. Enter Lucia, Ayla, Watanabe, Alpha, and Alisa. All of them are in various beaten up states, with Watanabe having the least amount of scratches.)

Watanabe [Epitaph]: Hm. Well, that was quite a different experience than what I’m used to.

Lucia [Crimson Abyss]: Speak for yourself. Our team barely made the time limit for the last stage. (Begrudgingly jabs a thumb at Alisa.) As much as I hate to admit it, it’s only thanks to her that we managed to beat it at all.

Alisa [Echo]: (With Cecily hovering over her shoulder) I’m glad I can be of service.

Lucia [Crimson Abyss]: Tch.

Ayla [Kaleido]: We weren’t able to make the time limit of the last stage, but Lucia and I still managed to score high enough to get 20 black cards! (Holds the black cards up with a bright smile.)

Lucia [Plume]: (Comes up to Exekial with a solemn expression) Commandant, I request that we never do that ever again.

Exekial: (Rubs the back of his neck sheepishly) Sorry, Lucia. I should’ve known that this week wouldn’t be a good matchup of any of our abilities. But, on the bright side, I got enough skulls to SS your Pyroath frame!

(Lucia brightens at that. Alpha tsks and flicks vital fluid off her katana before sheathing it back into place.)

Lucia [Crimson Abyss]: If our business is done here, I’ll be heading back to my sister now.

Exekial: Alright, Alpha, take care. I’ll see you next week, yeah?

(Alpha only makes a vague gesture as she walks out of the lounge. Everyone watches as the door shuts forcefully behind her.)

Watanabe [Epitaph]: (Wryly) Just as pleasant as the day I first met her.

Exekial: I’m assuming your battles went well, Watanabe?

Watanabe [Epitaph]: (Scratches his chin) Well, it wasn’t exactly a walk in the park, but BLACK★ROCK SHOOTER and I did as well as we could’ve hoped, considering our enemy didn’t have reduced Fire resistance.

Lucia [Plume]: Speaking of, where is she?

Watanabe [Epitaph]: (Shrugs) Not sure. She said something about “taking care of business” and disappeared. But I’m sure we’ll still see her around, at least until Lucia gets her new frame.

Lee [Entropy]: Commandant and I were just talking about that, actually.

Watanabe [Epitaph]: Lucia’s new frame?

Lee [Entropy]: Mm.

Ayla [Kaleido]: (Throws her arms around Lucia and nearly throws her off-balance) I can’t believe Lucia’s leaving me to handle the Ice Team all by myself! We’re already missing a Tank and now we’re losing our only Attacker T_T

Lucia [Plume]: (Sweatdrop) I won’t be leaving you all by yourself, Ayla. I’m sure Commandant has a plan so you aren’t left all alone.

Exekial: Indeed. (Taps terminal and brings up the blueprint of Wanshi’s new frame) HQ informed me that Wanshi’s new frame is coming out right before Lucia, but he’ll be in the dorm shop. I’ll have enough saved by then to grab him.

Ayla [Kaleido]: Oh! Well, if you say so, Commandant. (Lets Lucia go) But I’ll be holding you to your word!

Exekial: (Wryly) I wouldn’t expect anything less of you, Ayla.

Watanabe [Epitaph]: (Stretches and checks his pocketwatch) My comrades are probably getting worried about me, so I’ll have to head out for now. (Waves at Exekial) Same time next week?

Exekial: You know it.

Alisa [Echo]: I’ll take my leave as well. Supposedly there’s still another branch of Utopia that hasn’t been crushed yet. (Performs a complicated farewell salute) Until next week, Commandant.

Exekial: (Bewildered) Uh… sure. Until next week.

Ayla [Kaleido]: (Yawns and checks time) The WGAA probably wants me to finish that painting. Guess I’ll have to pull another all-nighter tonight. (Waves cheerily at Exekial) See you soon, Commandant!

(Everyone leaves one by one. Soon, all that’s left in the Gray Raven lounge is Exekial, Lee, and Lucia.)

Lucia [Plume]: Oh yeah, where’s Liv?

Lee [Entropy]: I think she went to the Science Council for something. Not sure what.

Exekial: She’ll be back before we know it. In the meantime though… (Rubs chin, absentmindedly staring at his office door) I need to take inventory of all the materials I still need for Pyroath. We’re running a bit low on Memory Enhancers and EXP Pods…

Lucia [Plume]: (Frowns) Can’t that wait until tomorrow? The bags under your eyes are rather dark, Commandant…

Exekial: Mm, maybe you’re right. It’s not like I have anything else to do while I wait for your banner anyways.

Lee [Entropy]: (Amused) Don’t forget it’ll still be another four months until it finally rolls around.

Exekial: Don’t remind me.

------------

a/n i'm going insane

[practically-an-x-man]

Additional X-Men OCs

Olivia Hart: Mira Hart's sister, younger by five years. She is a cisgender lesbian woman, a non-mutant, and middle-school level history teacher. Despite the tensions that rose between Mira and their parents once her mutation developed, she and Olivia remained close.

Anna Fischer: Rae McKinney's best friend. Born and raised in Germany, she was Rae's roommate in Berlin and they remained friends even after life threw a few wrenches in that plan. Anna is a caring friend with an outgoing, bubbly personality. She is a telepath with the gift of foresight.

Jessica "Jess" McKinney: Rae McKinney's older sister. She is a non-mutant, and lives in Lochcarron with her husband Harrison and son Andrew. She works as a nurse and is known as the most mature and rational of the three sisters. She is gentle and nurturing, though still maintains that characteristic zeal and spirit of the rest of the family.

Virginia "Ginny" McKinney: Rae McKinney's younger sister. She is also a non-mutant, and studies engineering at a university in Glasgow. She is similar to Rae in that she is fiesty, somewhat reckless, and spirited. She's a bit brisk, and doesn't enjoy long conversation, though she's very bright and academic when she finds the proper setting.

Malcolm and Catherine McKinney: Rae's parents. Malcolm's side of the family is native to Lochcarron and stems from a line of strong feral mutants. Catherine's side of the family is from Edinburgh and is largely non-mutant save for Catherine's mother, Ayla

Ayla Buchanan: Rae McKinney's maternal grandmother. She was very similar to Rae in her youth (spirited, daring, a risk-taker), and possessed the same ability to create energy shields. After her first marriage turned sour, she took a chance and moved to Lochcarron for a chance at safety. From there, she met her husband and built a family in Lochcarron. She passed away when Rae was roughly eight years old.

Frostbite/Ivan: the first mutant Warren battles during Friday Fight Night (within the context of the fic). Native to Siberia, he was kidnapped and sold to the fighting ring. He has the ability to survive and generate freezing temperatures, including exhaling plumes of frost and dropping his skin to frostbite-generating temperatures. He lost his fight, but was rescued before he could be killed and has since been off the grid.

Puppeteer: a notable enemy from one of Warren's Fight Nights. He is a mutant with the ability to control minds and compel people's actions, which generated quite a scare when he blackmailed Warren by using Rae as bait. Though he lost his original fight, he generated enough intrigue to be spared the execution, and became a repeat threat later in the story.

Alecia: a temporary ally and friend from one of Rae's and Warren's missions with the X-Men. She has the ability to see people's auras, with different colors symbolizing different core traits or stages of life. After breaking the X-Men's cover during a hidden mission, she chooses to help rather than ratting them out.

Clarity Mitchell: a young mutant with the ability to reverse physical trauma - though in reversing trauma, she also unintentionally wipes the person's memories. She is deafmute and uses ASL primarily to communicate. By using her ability in combination with Rae's mental shielding, they are able to restore Warren's wings to their natural feathered state without sacrificing his memory.

Clémentine: a young mutant recovered by Rae and Mystique on a mission to Normandy, France. She is an empath with the ability to sense and manipulate emotion, though she gives off an uncontrolled aura of magnifying emotion.

Jack: a friendly cameraman who assisted on an interview with Charles Xavier and a few of the other X-Men. Notably from the American South, and has a very outgoing and pleasant personality.

Alistair Harris: a snakelike mutant living in Lochcarron. He is 96, though appears no older than 70, and his skin is covered in russet-brown scales like a copperhead snake. He has sharp, venomous fangs and snakelike yellow eyes, though he has a short, stooped posture and wispy white hair. His personality is lighthearted and grandfatherly, and he acts as an honorary member of Rae's family. He runs a pie shop in Lochcarron.

Philip Olsen: Alistair's long-time life partner, a caribou mutant originally from Oslo, Norway. He is over 140 years old, and came to Lochcarron seeking safety after a lifetime of wandering. He is 6'4" and barrel-chested, with a large rack of antlers like a caribou. His skin is covered in a thin layer of brown-white fur, and his hands are somewhat hooflike. He is a painter by trade, and is soft-spoken and gentle in nature. It is implied that his past includes a mutant-fighting organization not unlike the one Warren was trapped in.

John Patton: a caretaker at the Worthington estate, who acted as more of a father figure to Warren than his actual father ever did. He is in his mid-sixties, though he dyes his hair black to appear younger. He is old-fashioned and chivalrous, though he has a paternal joking side around Warren.

Diane Worthington: Worthington Jr.'s second wife. She is in her mid-forties, and is friendly and chipper though not terribly sharp. At the time of the fic, she and Warren's father are coming up on a year of marriage.

Hazel Woodard: One of three triplets adopted as Madison's sisters. At the time of Smoke and Mirrors, she is thirteen. She is Black and wears her hair in a natural hairstyle. She has the ability to manipulate plant life. She is confident and protective, not unlike Madison, and often serves as the leader of her sisters.

Honesty Woodard: Another of the triplets. She, like Hazel, is thirteen at the time of Smoke and Mirrors, and also chooses to wear her hair in a natural style. She and Hazel look very similar, and it often comes down to their choice of clothing to distinguish them at a glance. She has the ability to sense when somebody is telling the truth, and later to compel them into honesty as well. She is quiet and observant, and often acts as a mediator rather than engaging in conflict herself.

Hope Woodard: The third and final of the triplets. She is thirteen at the time of Smoke and Mirrors. While she appears identical to her sisters in physical traits, she chooses to wear her hair in braids and is therefore easier to distinguish at a glance. She has the ability to heal someone by drawing the injury out of them and into another person, which works best when the injury can be spread across a large group of people. She is compassionate and empathetic though slightly naïve, and would do anything to find a peaceful solution to conflict.

Trevor Sly: the primary villain in Smoke and Mirrors. He has no corporeal form, and instead appears as a large cloud of thick greenish smoke. He takes various "hosts" to strengthen himself, though it ages and weakens them in a manner of months. Without a host, dispelling his smoke (such as with a strong gust of wind) would kill him. He is relentlessly driven and motivated, particularly when it comes to protecting his daughter, though this leads to him becoming cruel and not knowing where to draw the line.

Kimberly Sly: Trevor's daughter, roughly age thirteen. She is in the process of developing the same mutation as her father, and gradually loses her corporeal body as she instead becomes a bluish cloud of smoke. She refuses her father's plans to find her a host, though this doesn't stop him from trying. She is quiet and somewhat mournful, and regrets the carnage that has been caused supposedly on her behalf

Jonathan "Johnny" Douglas: Madison's older brother, two years older than her. He was on the football team and was a decent student outside it, and seemed to be on the fast-track to a bright future. His unfortunate death was what spurred Madison into running away.

Casey Crane: one of Johnny's football teammates in high school. He was crass and rude, and especially enjoyed making harassing comments towards Madison when he got the chance. One day he crossed the line, and it sparked the chain of events that led to Madison fleeing home.

Bravo: a wolfdog adopted by Madison in Smoke and Mirrors. He is one-half grey wolf, 25% husky, and 25% Bernese mountain dog. He is a very large animal, with mottled gray-brown fur, large triangular ears, a long and wolfish snout, and amber-brown eyes. He is very well trained, and primarily acts like an affectionate, spoiled house-dog - unless his "pack" is in danger, that is.

Yoda: a cat adopted by Robin Cassidy. He is a Cornish Rex with a black-and-white tuxedo coat. He is often aloof and shy around newcomers, as cats are, though affectionate towards Robin and Peter.

Six: a clone of Warren Worthington III, encountered when Robin Cassidy is captured by Trask's cloning organization. He appears physically identically to Warren, save for a much shorter haircut, though he showcases childlike wonderment and confusion at times. He has a blending of Warren's memories and some of his own, and sometimes experiences migraine-like "lapses" where he is painfully overtaken by Warren's memories. He is only a few months old, though artificially aged to adulthood.

Jay: a clone of Jean Grey, also encountered during Robin's capture. She is "fragmented", and cannot get a good grasp on her memories or telepathic abilities because of something that went wrong in the cloning process. She appears physically identical to Jean, though her hair is shaved down to a clinical buzz-cut. She is largely conflicted and sometimes shows genuine remorse and caring, though her need to follow authority gets the better of her.

Max: a clone of Peter Maximoff, encountered during Robin's capture. He appears completely physically identical to Peter, hair included, since he was intended to switch places as a means of infiltrating the X-Mansion. He was discovered as a few minor quirks were noticed by Robin, and the plan was halted. He is twitchy and restless, and devoutly follows Trask's orders, though he is not entirely badhearted.

Cindy Green: Robin's director at the operahouse. She is in her mid-fifties, and treats her operahouse and actors as her family. She is brisk and businesslike, a woman who has a very specific artistic vision and knows just how to achieve it, though she has a loyal and compassionate streak that comes through when Robin or another of her close-knit group of actors is in trouble.

[aylacaleashantie]

First ever fan fiction

So while I wait for my AO3 invite. I have started to write my first ever fan fiction. I'll post it here, and help me think of a story title!

Her body slammed against the counter and the air wheezed out of her lungs and mouth. “You demon!” Her abusive father, whose name was Kent grabbed her braid and pulled her to standing. “What did I tell you about this?” She clenched her jaw. her anger rising. She was covered in bruises, had a black eye and looked like she had been through the wringer. Instead of answering, she held her side. She guessed she had broken ribs but couldn’t be sure. All she knew was that she was adopted by this abusive asshole and today was the last straw for her. “I don’t fucking care what you told me! I’m eighteen, if I want to find my biological parents you can’t stop me, you abusive fucker!” Her “father” for all tense and purposes draw a knife and tackled her to the floor. “Now you listen to me, you ungrateful bitch!” And held the knife to her throat. Her jaw clamped down even tighter, her eyes went from their beautiful blue to yellow. They looked like a snakes, and if her father had better sense, he would have backed off. But no, he just laughed in her face, his hands shook, and the knife was making tiny cuts into her throat. After years of abuse, Ayla had finally had enough. Her anger flared to new heights. She started smoking, black plumes of smoke misted around her and when she could hold it no longer, it released. Thunder rolled and lightening sparked throughout the house. Ayla’s father’s eyes went wide with terror as he scrambled away from her. As he stood he got struck by lightening and slumped to the floor. “Serves you right, you abusive asshole!” She didn’t even check if Kent was alive or not. Instead she packed a couple changes of clothes and left the house forever. 

She walked as far as she could, which wasn’t very far but luckily for her she came upon a strip of business. There was a music shop, a seamstress shop, a coffee shop called “ Give me coffee or give me death.” Ayla smiled to herself. People going to and fro from the shops gave her a somewhat wide berth, which didn’t bother her any. But she needed to find a place to rest a while. Her legs were shaking from exhaustion, she swayed slightly and closed her eyes. She noticed by feel that she bumped into something. But couldn’t tell what.“Watch it!”a man exclaimed with a growl and glared at her through sunglasses. But as the gentleman took in her state his eyebrows rose. He grabbed her by the wrist and growled out “What the fuck happened!?” Ayla eyes snapped open, revealing the predator. The man’s grip tightened. “I don’t fucking know you, why should I tell you?” she growled back. Ayla grabbed the man by the wrist and he immediately dropped her wrist, it was like he was zapped by an invisible force. “What’s up with your eyes? Those contacts?” Ayla gave him a confused look. “Names Crowley, Anthony. Yours?” Ayla couldn’t explain it but she felt she could trust Crowley. “Ayla.” Crowley nodded at her slightly and pointed with his chin “You look starved. I don’t normally do this but whadda say I buy you a nibble and a drink.” For some un-explainable reason Crowley’s heart (for lack of a better term) went out to her. He gently led her through the door of the coffee shop and to a table. Ayla grabbed  the spoon from the silverware sitting, ready to be used, and looked at her face. Man, she was a sight. But she did notice what Crowley was talking about her eyes where a snake’s! “Those contacts?” Crowley asked and the only reply Ayla gave him was a slow shake of her head before she whispered “First time its happened actually.” Crowley frowned and pondered her answer, after a  few minutes later, a beautiful African American with box braids in her hair approached the table. “Crowley! What has it been? Twenty years?” He shrugged his shoulders. “Get you your regular 6 shots in a big cup?” he only nodded. As Nina took in the state of the woman occupying the table Nina looked from the woman to Crowley and back again. Instead of speaking her mind, like she normally did, she kept it internal. “For you miss?” Crowley watched as Ayla eyes slowly changed from the predators to a familiar blue. His almost gasped aloud but managed not to. Ayla looked at Nina and before she could stop herself she asked “Are you related to Mr. Fell?” Ayla’s face crunched in confusion “No?” she didn’t sound confident of that, but she quickly added “I mean, I have no idea. I was adopted.” Crowley stored this information away for later as Ayla then ordered a Croissant and an Iced Chai tea. Nina went and put the order in. It wasn’t long before she was back and placed the items on the table and left to tend to the other customers. She made a mental note to ask Crowley if he found out what happened to the woman. 

“So, what happened?” Crowley asked Ayla. Ayla’s jaw clenched and Crowley watched as one of her blue eyes went back to a snake’s. “My abussssssive assssssshole of a father” she hissed as she continued “Didn’t want me to find my biological parentssssss.” Crowley slowly nodded his head and he watched Ayla eat her croissant. He couldn’t help himself, it had been eighteen years since -. He stopped that thought in its tracks. No, no. He was not going to drudge up the past. Azriaphale made his choice.