xmutanthigh | [open thread] He's baaa-ck

[Logan nods, just barely, still deep in thought. His mouth is a grim line, turned down at the corners. He runs through all the intel they've sifted through over the past weeks in his head, focusing on overlaying phenomena, trying to build a pattern. They had thrown around ideas of a potential hideout somewhere in the Green Mountains, this time of year use of the Long Trail for hiking was discouraged and there were a number of shelters set up for the summer months that could be made use of.]

Montreal's just a skip and jump away from Vermont. Less for Porter. Making a raid across the border's clever, keeps our eyes there instead of where they really are.

This is good. [Logan inspects the article again, finishing his beer and setting it aside. He nods to himself, speaks slowly now, thinking aloud.] They're still just using Mortis for the kill crew. Means that Kevin...

[He lets the thought trail off into silence, hanging heavy and thick around them again.

Kevin hasn't started killing.

Yet.]

Won't be long, though. [John says this mater-of-fact, slouching in his seat, reaching into his pocket for his lighter. It gleams in the low-lighting, the comforting snapping of it opening and closing filling the room with its jarring sound. His eyes are steady, lashes lowered in that perpetually bored way of his.

Old man's right, of course. Kevin might not be lost to them yet, not in the way that counts. But he's got to find a way to pledge his loyalty sooner or later. Do something to be accepted into the fold. John feels numb most of the time over this situation, over Kevin. Over this. Killing has never been hard for John. Maybe that makes him a monster. It's only been until recently -- but that's not the point. The point is Kevin craves taking life in a way John can't relate to. Anger has always driven him, always drowned out and trampled whatever compassion he's felt. But Kevin, he's hungry for it. Hungry to be accepted, hungry to learn to control himself. And sooner or later, the Brotherhood will convince him using his powers for their dirty work is the only way to get what he wants.

Maybe John should be worried of that. Instead, he's resigned.]

No. [Logan frowns. John is right. They both know people don't pocket a killer unless they intend to use them.] Not long at all.

[The feeling of time pressing down on them, an unset deadline fast approaching is unshakable. The click and snap of John's lighter slides along Logan's mind like a soothing, meditative focus. At first, it had grated on him so that he was tempted to cut the thing in half, but now it was almost a comfort.

A plan was trying to take shape in Logan's mind, a way to get John in with the New Brotherhood safely, how to monitor him, how to know if he needs help. Logan doesn't think about it, but it's funny how much his attitude has shifted towards the younger man in only a few weeks. No longer is the kid easily expendable, now Logan finds himself feeling oddly protective of him, as he is of Laura, of Rogue.

But these things don't matter right now because like it or not, John isn't just their last resort, he's their only shot at getting Kevin back before too much damage is done. Logan's eyes grow hard, shifting from X-man, from teacher to the Weapon. The Weapon is what they'll need now.]

We need to move. Soon. Now, even, if we can. Make the drive up--we could make it to White River Junction is six hours, maybe less. I'll toch base with a few contacts, see if there's a way to narrow down which part of the range they're in. All we really need is a story to get you in.

[At this, the clicking of John's lighter pauses, almost like a held breath. Then it continues on as if nothing very monumental was said. John's expression is calculated, deceptively resigned. But the prospect of running headfirst into this scares him. Makes his pulse speed up.

He snaps his lighter shut and swipes the warmed metal edge along his bottom lip.]

It's been more than a month. If Kevin's told them I'm here... it's too risky. I can't tell them a bullshit lie anymore. I gotta say I've been here or I'm as good as fucking dead. [He picks up the paper at this and then drops it pointedly because guess who would probably do him in?]

Edited 2011-02-03 22:49 (UTC)

[Logan looks at him, eyes cold steel. He's clocking John now and his stare is piercing, expectant. What he offers isn't a challenge, there isn't a point. If John's going to sell the Brotherhood anything, he's going to have to believe it so if it's all the better if it's something he devised himself.]

What do you suggest instead?

[At this, John stares at Logan, a flash of something genuine and worried in his eyes. He expected the question, but it doesn't make it any less difficult to answer. Because he left for a reason. A good reason. A reason that was more important than his hatred of this place and its holier than thou fucking principles. His jaw tightens.]

I go back, tail between my legs. Say I was tired of their fucking rules and not getting anything accomplished for an entire year. I tell them I came here for shelter and asylum, lied about changing how I felt, and so you placed me under house arrest and gave me a second chance like the idiots you are.

Just maybe then they won't think of a creative way to making an example of me.

It'll have to do. [Logan nods, turning this over in his mind. He doesn't bother assuring John that Mystique wouldn't make a creative example out of him, they both know it's a very real possibility.] Take a souvenir with you, something they'd want. A piece of Forge's tech or...

[He shrugs. What else could they offer? Beast's research? A hostage? They already had who they'd come for.]

We could get him to custom build you anything, make it look like R&D. Maybe build in a panic button. [Just in case...]

[John lets out a pessimistic snorting laugh at the prospect of a panic button. A panic button on what will probably be a suicide mission. Still, he's not opposed to the general idea.]

What, you think bringing them a trinket's gonna sway them? I abandoned the cause. I shacked up with sapien lovers. I bring them anything, it's gotta be a shitload of intel and something useful.

Edited 2011-02-04 16:24 (UTC)

Whatever you need. I'll tell the maker. [Logan cracks just the tiniest grin, easing the intensity of their conversation for just a moment.] We'll bill it to the school. As for intel, tell them what you need to to stay alive.

[Logan's eyes darken to a steel grey. If John ever didn't know the Wolverine's endgame, there's not denying it now.] Once they're dead, it won't matter what they know.

[John's lips tick just barely into a grim smirk at Logan's trademark "bill it to the school" notion, but the expression slides away for a much more intense and turbulent one at Logan's last words. John's jaw sets, his lips slacken. All that's telling on his face is the steady and deep abyss of his gaze.

John's not stupid, of course. Maybe slow sometimes, but it still doesn't take much intelligence to figure what Logan would do to neutralize the threat of a new Brotherhood. A wave of something washes over him. Something, he doesn't know what. He's fucking fine with the idea, and maybe that's where the feeling comes from. He's thinking, Good riddance despite the people he knows that will die, the friends. Ali's sister.

John's life would be easier if they were are dead.

He stands then, pocketing his Zippo.]

Sounds like a plan.

Edited 2011-02-16 01:50 (UTC)

Get yourself ready, kid. [Logan takes a swallow of his drink.] We'll be gone within the week.

[open thread] He's baaa-ck

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