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| Set Fire to the Rain; tag: Forge | |
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| Topic Started: Nov 5 2011, 06:27 AM (210 Views) | |
| Moonstar | Nov 5 2011, 06:27 AM Post #1 |
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Fear Illusions and Psionic Arrows
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Date: Oct. 1st Time: Brunch With her trip to the Savage Lands being less than a week away, Danielle was beginning to become a bit nervous. Even though she knew and understood that this arrangement was not permanent, there was a certain air finality to the relocation that Dani couldn't shake. A chapter of her life was ending, that much was blatant, but it felt larger than that...like a metamorphosis. She wasn't simply shedding her skin, it was more of an evolution into a more resilient version of herself. For whatever reason, the illusionist associated this adaptation with her move to Antarctica, as if stepping off of American soil was the last stage in her transformation. In Utopia, she would be 'a whole 'nother' beast...something darker and hollow, but as long as she stayed put she could remain her old self. Dani could feel the changes inside her, but it was easier to fear the uncertainty of her new environment, rather than fearing herself. "Good morning, can I get you anything while you wait?" Asked the waitress, whose smile actually seemed genuinely cheerful, which Dani found obnoxious. The little café wasn't busy, but there was a decent amount of customers breezing through, looking for their next fix of caffeine and sugar. "Uh, yea...sure. I'll have a coffee, black...and a chocolate muffin." Danielle's return smile was wan and flimsy, but the waitress didn't seem to notice. The mutant had only been seat a few moments before the server came and interrupted her thoughts. Whenever she had a quiet moment to herself, Dani's mind seemed to wander back to the month before, or pondered her indistinct future, so she welcomed the respite. In fact, she avoided spending time with herself as much as possible for that precise reason. Rapping her knuckles on the table, Dani checked the time on her inexpensive prepaid cell phone. The Worthington building was just around the corner, so she was early for her meeting with Jonathan. "Alright, and here ya go...enjoy." Without realizing it, the waitress came back with her order, and left Dani to sit...brooding over her coffee while she waited for the White King. In truth, she still didn't understand the relationship or alliance she had with Forge, it was odd to even think about. Just last year she would have laughed at the idea of trusting anyone from the Hellfire Club, but Jonathan became somewhat of a lifeline during her stay in Colorado. So she found herself giving the man the benefit of the doubt as of late, and it was nice having someone who understood the culture she come from, even if that person shunned it for whatever reason. She couldn't (or wouldn't) understand the White King's reasons for wanting to get to know her before, but now more than ever, she related to the desire for a connection...what with her lack of blood relatives and everything. Idly using her fingers, Dani deconstructed her cold muffin without actually eating any of it. Stirring her coffee also helped to keep her occupied, and the clink of metal against the ceramic mug was oddly soothing. "Ah, I was beginning to think you stood me up...my muffin is cold and everything." She said with an affected smirk, knowing that her coffee guest wasn't actually late...and her muffin arrived cold. "How does it feel to be out of the shop? I hope all of this fresh air and sunshine isn't giving you a headache...or a skin rash." |
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| Forge | Nov 5 2011, 05:33 PM Post #2 |
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Unregistered
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Invention was Forge’s greatest gift. It came naturally to him and his mutant ability of intuitive genius allowed him to understand machinery’s function and create anything that imagination could envision. He used his inventive prowess to further his own life and station but the Maker was not above using his ability to create for others. Forge had made the image inducer for Mesmero. He had created many things for several members of the Club. The White Queen had been on the receiving end of his generosity on several occasions. She had her set of armor and he had planned no less than twenty options for returning her vision. There were numerous occasions when Forge used his gift for invention and did not expect a favor in the end. The White King shared a special friendship with Danielle Moonstar of the X-Men. They shared a cultural heritage with similar backgrounds and upbringings. Forge had sought her out at first to serve as a lighthouse beacon in returning to the life and other gift had squandered but it had evolved into something much more. The two had cultivated a friendship. While the White King had gone to Texas to set the affairs of Naze Industries in order Dani had been in Colorado and they had been in contact. There was an incident involving her grandfather, a man named Black Eagle. For Dani he occupied a similar role that Naze had filled in Jonathon Silvercloud’s life, before he had become Forge. Perhaps that was the true connection that Forge had wanted to establish and nurture. When Danielle had corresponded that she wanted to meet for brunch the Maker had obliged and put the finishing touches on a gift that he had designed specifically for her. Forge approached the bistro where Dani was waiting. He was on time so she must have arrived a little early. As he neared and took a seat he took off his hat and set it on an adjacent chair, not on the table, and his briefcase on the floor next to his feet. “I would never break an appointment with a woman such as yourself. I have a feeling that any man so foolish would live to regret it,” he said. She was obviously joking, poison in jest, with the light insult about his isolation. “As they say, ‘All work and no play…’” The waitress sidled up with a cheerful smile and asked what he would like. Forge ordered a plain black coffee, like Dani, and the simple coffee cake. The coffee brought a pang of remembrance to him. He remembered being young and drinking coffee with Naze early in the morning after an overnight meditation session. That was the best coffee he had ever drank. It was simple and rich tasting having been brewed over an open campfire. If the Cheyenne remembered correctly Naze bought the coffee from a hardware store. “I know some excellent coffee for you to try. If I can get my hands on it, I’ll send it to you,” he said. That small treat was from so long ago and Forge didn’t even know if it was still made or available. For all his money and gifts, the only thing beyond his grasp was time. “I want you to know I am very sorry for everything that happened,” Forge said. He was not one to mince words but knew that the subject of Dani’s dead friends would be a hard one to address. “But now. How are you finding Worthington’s penthouses? I imagine they aren’t quite up to the standards of the Club but still I imagine you’d be more comfortable in something a little more…humble.” |
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| Moonstar | Nov 6 2011, 03:00 AM Post #3 |
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Fear Illusions and Psionic Arrows
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It was nice, visiting with Jonathan, and as usual, it was odd seeing him out of his natural element. Danielle was used to being with the king while in the amidst of opulence, confusing looking contraptions, or an odd mixture of both. In the casual and unassuming environment of the bistro, he looked out of place, which was probably a sign of the stereotypes she still associated with him and the Hellfire Club despite his best efforts at showing her the contrary. And in truth, Danielle was nothing if not stubborn, so he had his work cut out for him on that front. Though she'd be more willing to believe that the moon was made out of cheese than actually trust the Hellfire Club, Danielle was prepared to give Forge the benefit of the doubt. In her eyes, his desire to simply get to know her and help her was worthy enough of her respect, because she hadn't made it easy on him. "So, Mr. King...how does it feel to be back in your domain?" She asked, hitting Forge's official title with her usual dash of sardonicism and English lilt. "I'm sure everyone's missed you, what with all the madness going on. Is your Queen well...all things considered?" It was easy to forget that the X-Men weren't the only ones having a shitty couple of months. Being consumed in her own woes was tiresome, so she would distract herself with the distresses of other mutants...as she doubted Betsy Braddock would care one way or another, whether or not she asked after her. Not for the first time, Dani wondered what Forge's colleagues thought of her; whether they cared that Jonathan spent time with some shabby X-Man. If she had to hazard a guess, she would have to say no...no fucks were given as far as she was concerned, and in any case, the gesture was more Forge's benefit than the White Queen's. "And Jay Guthrie, y'all better be treating him well! I have to admit, I'm not a fan of his new lifestyle choice, because I'm fairly certain this is his way of punishing everybody." She'd hoped to bring some nugget of news to Sam, concerning his brother. In truth, she didn't understand anything about Jay's decision to stay with the Hellfire Club...nor did she want to. "Don't get me wrong, I know what you did for him and everything, but you have to admit...he's a bit out of his depth, isn't he?" For no other reason than to have something to do, she took a sip of coffee. "I think I know what you're talking about...Kopi Luwak, right?" She asked, seemingly misunderstanding Forge, and leaping to the conclusion that he was talking about the most expensive coffee in the world. "You know, I'll try everything once...even cat poop coffee. Sounds like a deal." But it would be awhile before Danielle was in the position to receive packages. Traveling to and from the Savage Lands wasn't as simple as catching a taxi, though whether or not Forge was aware of the new X-Men base, Dani did not know. She certainly wouldn't be the one to spill the beans...so to speak. But then the conversation turned serious, yet Dani's façade never faltered. "Ah, yes...that." She said, pushing a wayward strand of dark hair behind her ear. "Yea, thanks Jonathan. At this point, I should be used to death...alas..." Shrugging, she left it at that, clinging to the change of topic gratefully. Dani gave the king a leveled glared in response to his biting remarks, and said. "Well, it's not encrusted with blood diamonds if that's what you mean, nor does it come with a retinue of the Village People knockoffs for servants...but otherwise it's perfectly lovely, if not a smidge crowded." Her glare turned into a smirk in midsentence, and she took another swallow of the bitter liquid...making sure her little finger was properly extended. "Haha! Should I be huddled up in a teepee somewhere? You'd be surprise, Mr. King...I feel as at home in a Ritz-Carlton as I would in a muddy ditch. I can hobnob with the best of them." All of this was said, of course, while she picked her teeth with a pinky nail, and leaned on the table with her elbows. "So...million dollar question, are you in the city to stay?" |
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| Forge | Nov 7 2011, 11:07 PM Post #4 |
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Unregistered
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Danielle used Forge’s Hellfire moniker with a hint of sarcasm. Forge thought it was her way of teasing and not so subtly pointing out how different they truly were. They might have been born in the West in the reservations but their paths had led them to essentially opposite sides of the spectrum. At the core, however, there was as civility and a kinship, or at least that is what the White King thought. Otherwise, it didn’t really matter. He had no real regrets about the way he arrived at his station in life. Yes, Jonathon had turned his back on Naze, his teaching and his heritage, but Forge was in a position that he could do more help than if he had allowed himself to remain on the reservation all his life. “Yes, I am glad to be back and the Court is glad to have me. Elizabeth is very well, all things considered. She is one to thrive in the face of adversity,” he explained. “As for Mr. Guthrie, he is doing well for himself. I doubt he could be happier unless he was home in Kentucky. He is very pleased with the choice he has made and the gifts he has been bestowed.” Forge supposed it was true. Jay’s wings were working splendidly and there had not been a complaint about the Southern Gentleman. The boy even had a quaint charm that many of the more urbane patrons found pleasant; it was a strange and rare commodity. Forge cracked a small smile at the comment on the coffee. He would definitely have to find that old fashioned brew in that case. Forge was not hurt by the comment that Dani should be used to staying in a bead work teepee, it was just unexpected. “Of course,” he said making an apology. “I should have known better. But yes, I am staying in New York indefinitely. As with the nature of my business, I will have to travel abroad but I plan to remain here.” With Naze Industries it was customary for Forge to travel at times. Then as a member of the Hellfire Club, and it’s White King in New York there was the standard travel. Then throw in any necessary excursion to save the world the amount of time that he would be spending in the Big Apple did seem to dwindle, but it would be his home base once more. “I expect you will be doing some traveling yourself, some time, which brings me to this. I have a gift for you,” he said. Forge bent over quickly and popped open his briefcase. He retrieved a smaller leather bound case roughly the size of a hardcover novel. He opened it to expose a velvety interior and a device the size of a mobile phone. “If you were to return west it might be of more use there for you. I know you are very good with animals but this will heighten what you are already capable of doing,” Forge explained. “It is small enough to go into your pocket or strap to a belt, or your forearm even. Though, I would not expect to be surrounded by woodland critters like some animated princess, if I were you.” |
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| Moonstar | Nov 13 2011, 09:11 PM Post #5 |
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Fear Illusions and Psionic Arrows
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Danielle's face remained stern as talk of Jay Guthrie floated across the table. To say that she did not agree with his defection would be an understatement, however it was not her place to pass judgment, or try to stop him from making his own choice and mistakes. After all, she was sure he was getting enough of that from people who were closer to him than she was, and the ranting and ravings clearly did not work. People tended to believe that she was immune to the pull of glamour, but that was far from true. She understood the lure he must have felt, as well as the obligation. They'd given him a new lease on life, and he was indebted to them whether he liked it or not. "Mmhm...so everything is beautiful and nothing hurts. I'm not sure if that comes as a relief or a bother." She replied with her usual sass and skepticism. Then, more sincerely, added: "I won't pretend to know what goes on over there, or even if you have any say in the matter...but just, be responsible with him, okay?" With that bit of business completed, her manner softened and she rolled her eyes at Forge exasperatedly. Getting the man to let loose was about as easy as convincing the sun to take the day off. Her bit of self-deprecating humor was meant to poke fun, but the King's face remained as impassive and staid as ever. Shaking her head and chuckling, she replied. "That was a joke, you know? You remember what that is right...teasing, witticisms, repartee, joshing, needling....tomfoolery." And speaking of tomfoolery, a mischievous glint sparked in the illusionist's eyes, which probably should have worries the King, because Danielle silently promised herself she would get him to lighten up one day. "Couldn't you just make the city the home for your headquarters? Or at least, somewhere in the state...there'd be less of a commute anyway?" She asked conversationally, sipping a bit of the cooling liquid simultaneously. Dani knew there was limited space in the city, and she also realized price of living here was outlandish...but somewhere upstate would do just as well, in her unbussinesslike opinion. "Though I suppose jetting off here and there is about as exciting as catching a cab...do you have a private jet?" "I expect you will be doing some traveling yourself, some time, which brings me to this. I have a gift for you," For a moment, Danielle thought he had to have been talking about her steadily encroaching trip to the Savage Lands, but she didn't say anything just in case. Forge's ability to know things he shouldn't was impressive, but she wouldn't make it easy for him; instead, she simply sat up straighter and leaned across the table...her interests having been piqued. "You do know my birthday was two months ago, right?" She teased, craning her neck to see as his bent toward the ground. With her eyebrows furrowed with curiosity, and a smirk between her lips, Dani held out her hand as the little contraption was presented to her. However, as Forge explained what he was giving her, Danielle almost dropped it like a too hot potato. "I um...thanks and everything but..." Her mouth was suddenly dry, and her tongue clumsy. With all the tumult in her life, Danielle was unsure whether she was capable of putting herself through another grueling session of chasing hopeless lead after lead. And she certainly had no plans of going back home unaccompanied. The mountains had claimed her entire family, and they frightened her more than she would ever admit. "Really, Forge...I appreciate it but, I don't think I can accept. With everything going on with X-Men - I just need to be here, you know? And besides that, it's been nearly five months, I'm not pretending like he's still out there anymore." Wearing a grim expression, she stumped back into her chair and crossed her arms. Gone were the playful barbs, instead, she merely stared into her coffee to avoid meeting the White King's eyes. "Honestly, thank you. As fun as running through the forest, and playing Pocahontas sounds, I just don't think it's necessary at this point." |
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| Forge | Nov 20 2011, 03:14 AM Post #6 |
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Unregistered
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The White King could tell by her tone that Dani was not a supporter of the idea that Jay Guthrie had joined the Hellfire Club. She was not put at ease by Forge’s words. His word and order went a long way in the Halls of Hellfire but he was not everywhere at once. Jay was bound to make his own decisions and would likely fall into traps of his own making. If the young man listened to his humble Southern upbringing surely he could avoid any missteps. Mrs. Guthrie didn’t raise him to be some rich man’s finger puppet did she? There were probably terrible images running through Dani’s head of the terrible misdeeds and abuses that Jay could fall prey to, but she probably didn’t have the imagination to fully grasp the appetites of the members of the Club. Forge mulled over her suggestion of moving the headquarters to New York. It could be a possibility in some instances but the Maker had decided against it. “I could, but for the transfer there would be many employees that would have to uproot their families,” he explained. “Besides, how else would I find a reason to use my private jet?” As the Maker handed the gift across the table he waited momentarily as Danielle inspected it. He remained cool and studied the amplifier subtly and noticed an improvement that he would make on the second generation version. Forge was ready to tell her that thanks were not necessary but she had declined his offer of the gift to enhance her powers. The Cheyenne took enormous pride in his work but it had seemed that much of it had been refused as of late. Betsy had turned down his offers at repairing her sight and now Dani was doing the same. His feelings were not hurt but his sense of professional ego, that trait that bordered on the edge of hubris for the White King, had taken a blow. The White King barely noticed Dani’s mention of her Grandfather and that she was not pretending he was still out in the wilderness after five months. He really wanted the gift to be accepted and wanted to say that perhaps his amplifier would come in handy on some droll X-Man mission but begging, much less asking twice, was not in his repertoire. “Very well,” Forge replied taking the device back and placing it back into the case. He did not mention the potential upgrades he had just envisioned. “If you change your mind, feel free to ask for it.” The White King eased his back against the chair and took a drink of the black coffee. “I regret that about your grandfather, though. I know what it is like to lose a mentor,” he said trying to reestablish the connection they shared. “Perhaps you could honor his memory in some way. Other than running around like some historically inaccurate Disney princess." |
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7:34 PM Jul 11