little_gabriel:

The magic of the holidays was finally dying down, and Gabriel had started a solid relationship with Warren.  In fact, he had proposed to bring Warren and Lyta to Scotland to see Connor.  Something unexpected happened, though, after he informed Professor Xavier about the trip.  Gabriel got outside of the building to find that word had gotten out about the Scotland trip.  'Oh Jeez,' he thought. 

"At least I should have a nice flight today."

got_the_touch:

Mason had been feeling like an ass.

Well, no, that's not entirely true. He was feeling pretty good in some aspects. Survived his first mission, chemical burns were pretty much healed. He also had a really pretty girl that he was dating (way too soon to declare girlfriend).

The ass part came in with teammates having given him way better presents than he'd had the money to get them at the time.

Now however, he had some government paychecks under his belt, and it was time to start making some contributions to the team. Starting with picking up on what Jordie had missed out on with his man teen-cave. Official-looking signage politely explained why there was a large two foot thick iron plate blocking the doorway should anyone open it. Heavy enough it took multiple transfigurings to open and shut the hole in it he passed, but security was important for this.

First order of business had been seating. Leather couches were slick, and shiny, but they just didn't have that crash space feel. That's why everyone was getting their own Sumo chair. Plush, stylish, nice. Not being shippable to Canada, these had taken some doing. Fortunately, Mason still had the address of a primary school pen-pal from New York on file, so they were shipped there, then the friend was wired the funds to mail them on to the base. Well, not the base actually, but the nearest post office he'd been able to rent a mailbox at. Along with regularly renting an unmarked van, Mason had been able to get them to the base without ruining the surprise of what they were. The same trend of mailbox followed by private transit followed for the rest of the gear.

Jordie had done a great job getting the place situated so far for music needs, but there was a vital component missing. Karaoke. Mason bought the best machine his budget allowed for, then had it sent to his Dad, who installed a speech to text program and hardware so they could make non-karaoke cd's work just the same as regular ones. There was some disclaimer Madison included about the potential of the unit melting if certain selections by Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, James Brown, Curt Cobain, or Jimmy Reed were put in for translation. This was clearly marked on a sign next to the unit, requesting that official cd's be used for them. The machine was set up with a small stage for people to step up on, various microphones (stand, overhead, or headset), and small spotlights. The stage was notably wheelchair accessible.

Finally, not to rain on Mel's culinary parade, but junk food was needed. What Mason referred to in his head as a 'campus kitchenette' took shape in a corner nearest the main tv. Soda fountain from a restaurant supply store, toaster oven, and microwave. A cabinet had been installed that was now stocked with Hostess products, Pop-Tarts, candy, chips, and dip. There was no need for microwave popcorn, as an actual popcorn popper stood next to the soda fountain. A mini-fridge in the bottom of the cabinet stocked with cheese and cold-cuts seemed to furnish nacho and sandwich needs, and a bulletin board with takeout menus arranged by cuisine style completed the setup. Paper plates and biodegradable disposable utensils only.

"Awesome." He smiled and nodded to himself as he finished with the last of the installations, then retreated to shower and change.

After he was presentable, he announced that everyone was to report to the Temple of Boom for the unveiling of what the Official Jeffries Business had been for the past half a month. They'd find him in one of the sumo chairs with a plate of fresh nachos.

swashbuckler:

In the weeks following the battle to free the various women from the Deviants, Steve had seen almost no super-heroic action.  It was as though the world of crime had decided to take a bit of a holiday break.  He'd continued to take his regular doses of growth formula, just in case, but had only had one call to change size during that time.

Now, though, he entered the training room, ready for a giant-sized work out.  He concentrated, getting ready to push himself to his nominal fifteen feet fighting height.  He felt the usual tingle run through his body and then...  pain.  It started in his guys but quickly spread to the rest of his body, feeling like his every nerve was on fire.  He couldn't move, his muscles felt locked, couldn't even cry out in pain or cry out for help.

He saw the floor coming up to meet him (or was he coming down to meet it?  He couldn't tell) but could not do anything to stop it.  He hit the floor with a hard thud.

hellfireprince:

Julian Gallio found himself with a lot of time to think after his meeting with Viveca, and decided that another meeting was in order. After watching the tapes, he decided to change gears in his plan.

He'd spent the next day or so trying to arrange a meeting with Emma Frost or Roberto DaCosta, and surprise, Emma's people responded first. Julian introduced himself as a "the son of a friend" in his message, though he knew that Selene and Emma co-operated as long as during their acquaintance in the Hellfire Club.  Selene warned him that the White Queen's mind was a doubly deadly weapon that could easily spell doom for his plans...but she also conceded that Emma was an advantageous ally to have if he wanted to become a member.

So it was that Julian accepted Emma's offer to meet at the <i>Popular Outcast</i> and talk over business.

When Emma arrives, she is ushered to the back of the club by Paulo, Julian's Spaniard assistant, and she'll note the polished tables, the dancing cages for the younger crowd, and the large dance floor. It's easy to tell that this club caters to the younger elite crowd, and the Grand Opening is tomorrow night. 

Paulo approaches the door ahead of Emma, and quickly speaks inside. "Mr. Howard, Miss Frost has arrived."

"Escort her in, Paulo. Don't make her wait!" Julian says, as if the man should have known this already.

When Emma enters, Julian rises and comes around the front of his onyx desk, his expression neutral. He extends a hand quickly as Paulo waits for further instruction.

"Miss Frost, thank you for meeting with me today. I appreciate you taking time out of your schedule to do so." he says. "Paulo, please bring a cup of coffee for me, and Miss Frost whatever she likes."

He stopped a moment and allowed Emma to choose her beverage, if any.
 

nextgen_misc:

"Today we cut the ribbon and open a new shelter for the homeless here in Manhattan. The facility has two hundred, yes, two hundred beds and a kitchen that can feed all of them. New York will not ignore the homeless any longer. They are citizens of our city and we will help them."

The crowd around cheered.

"This is but one of five shelters, one in each of the five boroughs, opening today. These shelters are but the first of new shelters that will be opening here in this great city. I urge all New Yorkers to volunteer at these shelters and help your fellow man. There are some that call us New Yorkers rude, arrogant and cold, but I say they are wrong and it is time we show them how wrong they are. Show them by being generous with your time and energy. Show them what it means to be a New Yorker!"

The crowd cheered again.