xmutanthigh | [OPEN POST] NEW BRO'HOOD

[There's nothing surprising about seeing Logan, stretched and broken and captive in the middle of the small clearing they are approaching. John merely gives Kevin a indecipherable and probably troublingly blank glance; anyone witnessing it might say something like this is just business as usual for him. Technically, for a long time, it was.

Still, despite the fact Logan's in danger now (mostly of pain, let's be honest; John could actually die), he can't help but let a bit of amusement into his expression as he all but strolls on over. It's all in his quirked brows, the slight turn of his lips. John gave him up. Someone Logan thought of as a spineless, stupid, scrawny terrorist who posed no threat at all.

He leans against a nearby tree, watches quietly.]

[Mystique glances to Pyro, noting his small amusement. She isn't surprised, one thing that clearly hasn't changed about the boy is that he always did love a spot of violence.

She presses Kevin's shoulder, nudgeing him toward the snarling Wolverine.]

Wither, perhaps it's time to put this old dog down. He's outlived his usefulness, hm? [Another gentle shove, Magneto's eyes reassuring but stern. There is no option here, no room for argument. Kevin has pushed his luck when it's come to usefulness, his disobedience and reluctance to kill making him seem more and more like dead weight. She speaks, and Magneto's kind but solemn voice fills the silence.] It's time to prove your loyalty, my boy.

[Kevin strides purposefully to Wolverine, hoping to give nothing away to the other Brotherhood members in his body language, and stops right in front of him. Then as he looks at Logan's grizzled face, Kevin sees an image of his dad, and then he knows. He can't do this. Logan has always been good to him. A good man. Not exactly a father figure, but he's been good to him.

Kevin wishes desperately right now that he were a telepath. He'd give Logan some words of reassurance, some kind of hint that he couldn't hurt him. So instead, he relies on the only things he has at his disposal -- the distance the other Brotherhood members have kept from them, the fact that nobody here but Wolverine has heightened senses, and the memory of when Kevin used his powers on Laura.

He leans in, with his bare hands reaching out towards the exposed skin on Logan's neck. Kevin's hands shield his mouth from lip-readers and lowers his voice enough so that only Logan can hear him.]

Just play dead for awhile.

[Kevin makes sure that he and Logan lock eyes for a split second before making firm contact. Then Kevin's pupils shrink and he sucks in a breath as his powers take over.]

[Logan's eyes fly wide, he can feel the fight between his powers and Kevin's. He knows...is fairly sure that Kevin's no match for his healing factor. He remembers the incident with Laura, Kimura. He tries to force his healing factor to slow a little, just enough. His breath hitches, labours, and his vision spots, goes black, his consciousness wavers.

The last thing he thinks before he's consumed by the black is At least we weren't too late...]

[Kevin whips around to face Magneto and the others.]

His healing power is keeping the body alive. But it's done.

[Only Kevin knows his own power so well. The deed is not done, of course, but Kevin's confident tone and clipped, detached way he calls Logan a body, he hopes, is enough to satiate the Brotherhood. He slips his gloves back on.]

[Mystique places a hand on Kevin's shoulder once again, nudging him aside so she can come forward, Magneto's old fingers, gripping Logan's chin and tilting it up, the whites of the unconscious man slow between lax eyelids. The flesh where Kevin had touched Wolverine is slowly knitting itself back together, nerves spiraling back into existence, muscle blossoming cell by cell across the glistening sheen of adamantium that coat's Logan's bones. It looks as though that adamantium sheath around his skeleton, his spinal cord, his brain is what keeps him protected from Kevin's wasting power over organic material. She nods, glancing back at the others, at Polaris.]

That lovely adamantium that covers his bones will protect him from young Wither's touch. [A terrible thought skirts across her mind, but she must speak with Polaris in private, away from these fresh ears and eyes. She turns her attention back to Kevin.] I may have use for your skills again in this matter, but for now, that was sufficient.

[John barely flinches throughout the entire scene, but his gaze is steady, intent, even a bit hungry, and maybe a little bit for show. He resists the urge to straighten, do anything but relax and act casual as Kevin is requested to do the deed. He knew it was possible, expected even - he just hopes the dumb kid knows to go through with it after their little campfire talk.

Besides, not even Wither can kill the Wolverine. John's not worried for the old man, even slides his gleaming, bemused hazel eyes to his feral ones for a moment as Kevin steps forward.

It's pretty fucking disgusting, what happens next. And it smells. John's nose scrunches up; his lips sneer. But he can't help but smirk a little after it's done, yet still tries not to feel concerned, let alone look it when Logan doesn't heal right away.

Only then does he step forward, his lips in a heartless, curious smile. He punches Kevin's shoulder, circles around the other man, peers closer at Logan.]

Dog's not so tough now, is he?

Tough enough, Pyro. He's still alive.

[Green hair blocks John's vision as Polaris glides to crouch before Logan, her eyes flashing. She give a momentary glance to Magneto, Mystique and she smiles, knowing she needs no approval, turning back to the groggy Wolverine. There's still a glint of exposed adamantium and she calls a tiny glob of it forwards into he waiting hand. This brings the beast in Logan fully alive, while the human part of his brain still sleeps. He lets out a savage roar, his desecrated body struggling to reach the Mistress of Magnetism. Her words are for all to hear, but she leans in close, two fingers stilling Logan's feral struggles, her eyes meeting his bloodshot ones.]

Until I rip the adamantium from his bones...

[John might be a fantastic liar, but not even he can hide the shock and horror at Polaris' play, at Logan's bellow. He stumbles back, startled by the volume and absolute agony and rage in Wolverine's roar; not to mention he's the closest to the decayed corpse.

John bumps into Kevin, swings his head around to catch the younger mutant's eye, hopefully any concern on his expression masked by his shock. And for that, he would be glad. Because it gives John the opportunity to get himself under control, to ignore the dread and hopelessness he feels.

I did this. I'm responsible for this.]

Edited 2011-02-21 05:35 (UTC)

[Kevin's starting to look panicked as well, his eyes growing frantic. He steps back, boots sinking deep into the snow, and wonders if it's time to break all pretenses of siding with the Brotherhood completely. Desperate, he looks to John for guidance, but realizes he has to get out of this situation himself. After all, he did say earlier in the cabin that he'd try to keep John safe. So he makes a call.]

Polaris. I followed orders to take him out. That's done. But he's still alive. Let's stop. He could be the most valuable prisoner we'd ever get.

Edited 2011-02-21 05:45 (UTC)

[Logan's screams stop as Polaris halts and Mystique eyes her cautiously as the younger woman turns to glance over her shoulder. The glob of adamantium, perhaps the size of a large marble, floats in the air, spinning faster and faster as Lorna's eyes flick from Kevin to John to Mystique in the guise of her father. There is the barest of nods from the elderly gentleman Mystique is wearing, and Lorna straightens, the adamantium orb, floating over to hover above Magneto's outstretched hand.]

A good enough point you make, Wither. We'll bide our time, wait until he's coherent. He's worth more to us alive. [Magneto's eyes meet Lorna's and there is an unspoken promise between them.] For now.

[Kevin's still a bit freaked -- he lets nothing show on his face, drops his gloved hand to his side and breathes evenly. He's bought Logan some time, and figured out something important: John doesn't want Logan dead, either. Something's going on, and it's bigger than he suspected. What if the X-Men were here to take out the Brotherhood? Maybe they've decided to kill the Brotherhood - himself included if necessary - and write him off as a casualty. Maybe John was sent as a mole? Whatever it is that's lying underneath, Kevin can't figure that much out.]

Edited 2011-02-21 12:01 (UTC)

[John's more or less in the same boat - freaked but hiding it well. He's relaxed after his initial panic and rush of guilt; now he simply raises a curious and slightly impressed brow at Kevin. It was a good save - better than he was in any state to suggest so quickly.

Now more than ever, despite Kevin's stoic expression, he knows the kid is brimming with questions - that was panic on his features; John tucks that information away with a bit of assurance. But he also knows there's only so many unanswered questions Kevin can think of before he starts answering them himself - and who knows how off base they could be?]

[Polaris and Magneto may be busy having a family moment, or whatever, but that's exactly why Longshot's been following Pyro at a distance since he showed up again. Watching. Waiting.

He catches that look whatever it is, that passes between John and Kevin and his face twists, just a little, suddenly awash with smugness. Was this what he's been looking for? A hint of falseness creeps across the story Pyro's laid out for all of them, but only a hint.

If I get lucky, he thinks, smiling to himself, and I almost guarantee I will, I'll find out what the hell those two are up to.

This isn't entirely true, since Longshot's skills for altering probability don't work when he changes the odds for himself, but he can ensure Pyro and Wither's continued bad luck without any problem at all.]

[OPEN POST] NEW BRO'HOOD

MANY TIMES GLOSSING IS NEEDED

MYSTIQUE/MAGNETO - Kayt

iris

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MYSTIQUE/MAGNETO - Kayt

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POLARIS - Kayt (not Poliris)

Re: POLARIS - Kayt (not Poliris)

iris

MYSTIQUE/MAGNETO - Kayt

iris

no subject

LONGSHOT - Kayt