November 5th
Around 10 am
Xavier's Mass Academy
Tag: Travis

On this subject the boy had done his homework, Jynx had already spoken to Blythe to acquire the needed permission he needed to leave for the day. Jacob didn't want to spend the three hours it took to drive there and had asked about some way around it. They were mutants after all. He was pointed in the direction of Travis, but from a fellow student. The teacher didn't seem keen on the idea, at least the thoughts brimming through her mind could explain why.

It took him half an hour to track down the teleporter, someone he hadn't spoken too much to since his arrival. That wasn't strange, Jacob hadn't gotten friendly with anyone just yet. "Uh Travis?" He had located the boy in the central common room, what he was doing... Jacob had no clue. "I was wondering if I could ask a favor of you..." He continued to explain in detail his dilemma. He hadn't seen his baby sister in five years, could you blame the kid for not wanting to drive for three hours? It was sad enough he had let half a month of freedom pass, but he knew Carolina well... she wasn't going to be happy he hadn't called, wrote or anything in the past four years.

Travis appeared to be a good friend of Carolina's, something that left Jacob stiff jawed but thankful for the help anyway. Big brother possessiveness kicking in.

~~~~~~~

Xavier's Institute for Gifted Youngsters.
11.00 am
Front Foyer
Tag: Max, Chance, Fenix
Open

The brief walk through the portal left Jacob feeling light headed and queasy, something Travis had warned him about earlier. "I think I'll drive next time..." he muttered lightly, scanning the front foyer as if he expected Carolina to just be waiting there patiently for his arrival. He should have called first, Jynx was starting to feel a little apprehensive about this trip. "Um... any idea where I should look first?" Golden gaze landed the spot where the portal had been, with no one around but himself. "I thought he was coming with me..." Jacob growled lightly, feeling like he had just been thrown into the fire. The thought of fire made him shudder slightly, maybe the boy had just forgotten something and would follow in a moment.

A small sigh escaped his lips as he moved forwards down the hall, this place reminded him greatly of his school... designed to be similar probably. Gaze scanned the corridor, moving into what appeared to be the empty common room. Just my luck, there would be no one here on the one day I decide to show up... He grumbled subconsciously. The hairs on the back of his neck rose, the feeling of someone behind him made him turn. To his dismay it wasn't his sister, but maybe the kid could help. "Hey... know where I could find Carolina?" Jacob rarely called her by the nickname 'Lina', being the big brother he always gave her the pet name of 'Lee Lee', but he wasn't about to announce this to anyone else. A hand brushed up through his shaggy brown hair, grinning lightly as he showcased his fanged teeth; something he didn't even realize he'd done.

Loud whistling echoed through the hall as the tall young man skipped through the halls. It was clear that he was happy about something. Spending the morning with Lina discovering what this liking one another could mean, definitely could be the reason. Sighing happily he turned the corner and noticed a very familiar portal. Travis had the same energy signature. It wasn't odd to see the teleporter's portals around campus. Apparently he was the glorified taxi between Massachusetts and Westchester. What was different was the guy walking away from the portal. It definitely wasn't Travis.

Coming up behind, there was a bit of surprise as the man whirled around as if sensing him approaching. Just then the question came up about the girl he had just been thinking about. Uncanny. The flash of fangs wasn't really surprising as if the guy came through Travis portal he was no doubt a mutant. There was something familiar about the guy. As Lina floated to the mind again it came apparent. There were things very similar between the two, and he recalled mention of a brother. Oh boy.

"Umm dunno, we were hanging out this morning, but haven't seen her in a bit. Supposed to be meeting her for lunch in a bit though." They had agreed to meet outside with Max preparing some food for a secluded picnic. Not something to mention to what was possibly an over protective older brother. Max liked his head where it sat after all.

Hanging out this morning? This could be true enough, the boy certainly smelled like he'd been around Carolina. Creepy animal thing, don't ask. Jynx settled the moment Max talked about lunch, being momentarily side tracked by the thought of food. He was in the middle of considering what he could dig up for lunch when Max's thoughts pulled his attention back, and very quickly.

Jacob glowered towards Max for a few seconds, trying and failing to hold back the rumbling growl that grew from the pit of his stomach. Time to work on your people skills, the growl ceasing shortly after it began. "How much has my sister told you about me?" He asked, curious. Carolina didn't know of his mutation, but he was mildly curious if she had mentioned Jacob's whereabouts and the reasoning behind it. He was almost positive she hadn't.

Now not being the greatest time to drill the possible new boyfriend about family trivia, Jacob huffed a sigh. "If you could keep your thoughts about my sister to yourself, I would be very grateful..." Having just absorbed another round of the boy's giddy lovey dovey affection for his sister was bound to make him feel sicker then he already did.

Chance came rolling into the common room on her new skate shoes. The things were way cool. She came to an abrupt halt as she saw Max talking with a total hottie.

Evidently her entrance caught his attention because he suddenly looked to her. ‘Those eyes, they are the sexiest… Oh please don’t be a teacher because I would so like to…Oh shit it feels like he’s looking right into me… Lina I should’ve taken your advice and come out… I could be wearing that little black dress we got last week for the club.’ Her thoughts came fast as she stared at the visitor. Hormones in full flare some of the visuals wouldn’t even be fit for an R rating.

“Hey Max, are ya gonna introduce me to your friend?” Chance asked trying not to fall over her tongue.

She was suppose to meet Max, Lina and Fenix here for lunch. When Chance had asked her friend what they were doing for lunch Lina had mentioned that Max was preparing a picnic. Chance had missed that it was a picnic for two, and before the misunderstanding could be sorted they were whisked away to separate classes. Of course Chance then text Fenix about Max making a picnic for the gang. Max really was a thoughtful guy, she was glad Lina was hooked up with him.

On the way here Chance had been looking forward to it especially if Max cooked. She was also looking forward to just hanging with Fenix as she hadn’t seen him for awhile… OK a day, but it seemed longer. He was her second best friend after Lina, and though she occasionally spent too long looking at his cute butt she chalked it up to health hormones and not real attraction.

So the trip from class to the common room had been filled with happy thoughts of visiting with friends. That was until she came across Sexiness incarnate. He looked as if he’d just stepped off a magazine cover. Chance then though of which magazine she hoped it would be.

This post has been edited by Chance on Nov 5 2009, 12:10 AM

He was wearing shades inside, but no force on heaven or earth was going to get him to take them off. A not so subtle growl at anyone who stared too long was working so far to save him from the embarrassment of explaining that he had hit himself in the face with a basketball and now had a black eye. Fenix was not a great athlete, but only because he lacked practice. Up until this moment he had been down in the gym working on free throws and three pointers when the soft humming vibration of his new cellphone, an earlier birthday gift from his mother, alerted him to the arrival of a new text.

If he were honest with his self Fenix would say he knew exactly what had caused his reaction to reading that text. He was going on a picnic with his friends... and Max. He had almost refused Chance's invite. Spending an afternoon in the lovebirds' presence was hardly appealing and his lost of appetite was pretty much guaranteed. Even though Fenix had realized he had less than a snowball's chance with Lina, even though he had given up nearly a month ago and resolved to get over it he still felt bitter sometimes. He was mulling over that bitterness when he had thrown his basketball, not at the hoop, but at the wall. Of course it bounced back and smacked him right in the face.

Happy Birthday to me. Fenix grumbled in his mind sourly. That was right. Today was his birthday. He was officially sixteen years old. Truthfully Fenix had completely forgotten about it and he had not told anyone either. Oh well.

He finally made it to the common room and his eyebrows lifted up passed his shades in confusion as he looked from Chance to Max to some older guy he did not know. Where was Lina? And what was up with the weird looks his friend was giving this stranger? Chance was getting really, really, really weird. Maybe he was gay.

Somehow that thought did not make Fenix feel any better.

"Umm not much really. She just mentioned she had a brother." There was clearly something up with the guy, probably something he didn't want known. Thank goodness Max didn't know. It was already awkward enough as is. Then came the request about his thoughts.Oh god a telepath. Clear the mind. Clear the mind. No Lina. No Lina. For the love of all that is living and holy clear mind, clear!

"Oh god, I'm sorry. I didn't know that you were a telepath...didn't know the thoughts were so loud....oh god. This is definitely not my day today." Way to get off on the right front with the girl you like's family. Smooth Max. Why not just have naked...no don't think that! God you are so asking for it Maxy boy.

"Umm maybe I should go find Lina and send her back here or somethi.." The words cut off as Chance wandered into the room. Just like the night at the lake when looking at him, the guy was staring at Lina's brother in that odd way. One moment he seemed straight, the next gay. The radar was way off for the guy. It was bizarre.

"Umm this is Lina...Carolina's older brother....umm I don't know his name..."

Seeing Fenix arrive added more tension. It was clear that the red skinned guy had a crush on Lina before. No doubt he was jealous of Max and couldn't help it. The growing mutant knew hormones quite well. The lunch that Chance and Fenix had apparently been invited to by Chance's words was going to be even more awkward than he had figured. The day really had it out for Max it seemed. Lucky me.

Lina was left standing speechless as Chance bounded away from her, mistaken about the picnic. A sigh escaped her lips as she trudged down the hall, it was never her intention to create a group lunch. Gaze scanned the halls in search of Chance, hoping to correct this error before anything too drastic happened.

Heading in the direction of the common room she paused at the blockage at the door, bumping into the back of one of her friends. Gaze lifted, locating just the girl she was searching for. Mouth fell open with a pop, eyes landing on the one person she never expected to see and especially here. "JACOB!" she squealed, hurtling herself forwards to wrap her arms around her brother. The momentary excitement backed down as she took a step back, swung and landed a punch on her brother's chest. "You are a jerk!" she snapped "How long have you been out?" she demanded temper flaring in an instant. "Don't call, no letters... I can't believe you!" she temper flare was gone as abruptly as it came, catching sight of her company.

Cheeks flamed red, looking from Fenix to Chance and settling her gaze on Max. "Guess y'all have met my brother Jacob..." this was followed by a nervous chuckle. "Jacob, I'd like you to meet Chance and Fenix" a nod was sent in the direction with each name, picking up on Chance's oggling of her brother. "And this... this is Max" cheeks became a deeper red, no further explanation needed.

~~~~~~

A small sigh was heaved as Max's thoughts went on a rampage, answering his question with a mumbled "Sort off... I guess that's half of what I can do..." before lifting his gaze to the Asian kid. He gaped at the so called boy for a moment, taking in the appearance and then the thought patter. "Your a...." he let the comment fade, clearing his throat.

As the red fellow appeared, clearly looking disgruntled, Jacob was once again reminded of his first day at the collage "Do you people have like beepers or something... everyone appears at the same time" the words came out in a frustrated mumble, followed by a "Happy Birthday dude"

Then it was the familiar head of brown hair that caught his attention, grinning madly as his sister went from excited, pissed and back to a blushing chika. Oh it was good to see her. Can I explain everything Later Lee-Lee, rather not do it here.... He knew Lina would be extremely confused by the sudden words projected into her mind, but he would get to explaining everything in time.

Relief flooded through the body as Lina bounded into the room and into the arms of her brother. If it wasn't such a tense situation, a comical hand would rise to wipe at fake sweat upon the brow. Now was not the time. That much was certain. The girl's temper flared, and Max was almost scared for the other guy. Definitely never wanted to be on the receiving end of that himself. God no. Then just as soon as it flared up it died down as she noticed the rest of them. The red flush upon her face was soon matched as she eyes him. Even though their feelings were laid out, she still could make him blush. The girl had power.

The comment almost made about Chance resurfaced to the brain, and eyes fell upon the two guys. Jacob seemed to know something the others didn't. Maybe it had to do with why Chance was always seemingly oggling the guys. It didn't' matter at the moment. Lina definitely needed privacy with her brother it seemed. The older man wasn't saying much and Max had been at the school long enough to realize when someone was mind talking.

"Umm if you guys need some time, we can totally get out of your hair." Hands gestured out of control towards the door, the nervousness still plaguing him. It was the girl he likes older brother, so sue him.

“I thought only old people and drug dealers wore beepers these days.” How had he known-? Fenix mentally slapped his forehead. Of course Jacob was a mutant. That was the most plausible reason for how a guy he had never met could know his birthday. Insert giant duh, here! He was probably a telepath. Am I thinking of anything I do not want him to know about? He did not exactly have any deep, dark, embarrassing secrets so Fenix did not think so, but to be safe. Just do not think of purple walruses....

Wow. Elaine was right. That did work. Now all he could think about was purple walruses. Big ones that sang and had pink tusks as long as their bodies with butterfly wings and candy cane colored spiral horns and.... Fenix's train of thought came to a complete halt when he realized that Lina was now in the room with them.

When had she come in? He had not even noticed.

Boy when his brain tuned out it went all the way to Pluto.

Chance kind of missed it when Max mentioned that the hottie was Lina’s older brother. The dude said something about having beepers and Chance thought ‘only drug dealers use beepers still…’

The thought was echoed out loud seconds later by Fenix causing Chance to look at Fenix and wonder how he did that. Her gaze shifted back to the hot guy for a second as he wished Fenix happy birthday. What the fuck? She looked at Fenix, was it his birthday?

Fenix however seemed to have slipped into some kind of trance. How she could tell considering his eyes were always held a blank white gaze she couldn’t explain but she could tell that Fenix was in la la land.

Then Lina bopped into the back of her, knocking Chance forward a bit. A smile lit up the Korean girls face as her best friend showed up on the scene. She gave a jerk of her head to indicate to Lina ‘check out the hottie’. Then Lina went off on the guy, followed by introductions.

“YOUR BROTHER!” Chance said a bit louder than she’d expected. She had no idea if this was a good thing or not. She’d heard about best friends hooking up with the older brother… but the outcomes tended to very. No matter how hot the guy was he wouldn’t be worth risking her friendship with Lina. Well maybe a little.. No! Definitely NO!

“Oh good somebody turned your brain back on.” Chance said to Fenix as he looked around a bit bewildered. A feeling of nausea went through her as she wondered if perhaps her friend had that virus thing. Would he die? She suddenly felt like crying. ‘Damn hormones.’

Mouth opened, but no words came out as she stared gaping at her brother. "Your a... your a..." was the only thing she could form, looking around as if searching for a loud speaker. She released a small sigh, raising a hand to her head. This was making her head hurt even more.

When Max suggested leaving the pair along she made a soft squeak of protest, torn between two things. Of course she wanted to spend more time with her brother, but she didn't want Max or her friends to leave either. "Okay, how about Jacob and I have a moment and we'll meet up for lunch after... since it seems your cooking is so popular.." she grinned, winking at Max. There was no way she would be able to have a nice secluded picnic with him now, they would have to save that for another day... besides, it was Fenix's birthday and that meant a party.

Chance's loud words made her jump, smacking a palm into her forehead. "Yes, brother... jeez Chance, pay attention Ragazza" she muttered, before latching onto her brother for another hug.

~~~~~~~~~~

Jynx waited patiently for his sister to calm down, work through what ever stage her brain was currently in and come back to sanity. Gaze slid to the red devil, arcing an eye brow as he started to think of the most random things. Purple walruses, really? Jacob let out an exasperated sigh, rolling his eyes before settling them onto the Asian girl as Lina confirmed his thoughts. So she was a girl.

Catching himself checking out the little cross dresser his attention was abruptly turned to the new Lina sized growth on the side of his body, wrapping an arm around his sister's shoulders. "That all sounds good to me... I er... didn't mean to ruin any previous plans..." he apologized, his older brother instincts in check over the whole 'my sister may be dating some crazy mutant guy I've never met and I hope he doesn't have extra hands' thing. A fanged grin was flashed at the trio as he patted his sister lightly on the head, only to receive a small glare.

A smile was returned as Lina started it and winked at him. It was hard to refuse anything to that girl. "Sure, sounds good to me. Maybe I can get these two to help me with the last minute getting the food ready and haul it out there. I'm pretty sure I made quite more than enough food, so the more the merrier." Nodding at Jacob, there was a slight feeling of nervousness again. "No problem dude, it's all good."

Eyes turned towards Chance as the guy was seemingly checking out Lina's brother quite blatantly. It just confirmed Max' suspicions that the guy was bi-sexual or gay. There was no other explanation, right? Shrugging it off he turned to both Fenix and Chance. "You guys ready? Maybe we have time to whip up a cake or such for Big Red here." Gesturing towards the kitchen with a smile, he motioned for them to follow him.

Once again Fenix thanked his lucky stars that he did not have the ability to really blush. Chance had caught his mind's little trip to outer space. “Was just practicing a mind clearing technique my sister taught me.”

“Any chance you have made tapenade?” Fenix asked Max. The little devil was still thinking about ducking out of the picnic. Maybe go back to his room and call home, but then Max said the magic word. A cake? For him? A devious little smile began spreading across his face. Sugar on an empty stomach. It was a recipe for explosive hyperness. Not that he ever needed help in that department. “To the food!” Fenix grabbed Chance's hand with his own and pointed towards the kitchen with the other hand. “Charge!”

Chance’s focus on Lina’s brother was distracted by Max suggestion of food. Chance was very happy her friend had hooked up with a really nice guy, but the fact that the dude could cook was a super bonus for them all.

All further ogling was cut short as Fenix literally dragged the young woman away towards the kitchen. She felt her shoulder pop as she went stumbling along trying to keep up with her red skinned friend. Her eyes shifted to where her hand was clasped in his, the contrast of the colors blended nicely, and then she felt her throat go dry. Coughing as her face reddened she attempted to shift her thoughts.

Yanking her hand free as they slowed to a walk she smacked him on the shoulder. “How come you didn’t tell me it was your Birthday?” Of course now she found herself missing the warmth of that hand. Still there was no way to get it back.

“Max what kind of cake do you make for one of the Lords of the Abyss?” She teased sticking her tongue out at Fenix.