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[That question gets a strange look, out of character with his current mood, because it's just bizarre enough to cut through his high.]
You know a lot about - either of those?
You know a lot about - either of those?
Come on. I know you're a tough crowd, but pyrotechnics are a step above pulling on your pigtails. Credit where it's due won't kill you.
[The words are peppered here and there with laughter. She probably never thought she'd be considered a constant delight, but here she is, meeting John Allerdyce.]
[The words are peppered here and there with laughter. She probably never thought she'd be considered a constant delight, but here she is, meeting John Allerdyce.]
[The elevator stops and spins open again, revealing the sub-basement of the school, but John doesn't move.]
Osborn.
[Any mutant with sense knows Oscorp. They're into genetic manipulation, and that's the kind of work mutantkind watches very carefully. Anything from weaponizing the X-Gene to eradicating it could come out of a company like that.
God, how did he not figure this out before?]
Osborn.
[Any mutant with sense knows Oscorp. They're into genetic manipulation, and that's the kind of work mutantkind watches very carefully. Anything from weaponizing the X-Gene to eradicating it could come out of a company like that.
God, how did he not figure this out before?]
[ harry pushes away from the wall, thinking they're going to step off now. but then he presses his back against it again - cutting his eyes to john and blinking. ]
Yeah?
[ it's awkward. he smiles awkwardly - that sort of nervous smile like he's waiting for john to snap at him. like he's expecting to be lit on fire. ah, yes. the reason harry doesn't introduce himself by first and last name here ever and waits for it to come out of something else. the reason people might not sit next to him even if they didn't know what his mutation did. slip up because he's so fucking high on fire energy right now, he's just excitedly expressing how people favor rounder elevators when they're doing lab work. it's either round or glass.
there's a pause and he straightens himself out, chin up. hardens his gaze. no weakness. ]
What of it?
[ got a problem? ]
Yeah?
[ it's awkward. he smiles awkwardly - that sort of nervous smile like he's waiting for john to snap at him. like he's expecting to be lit on fire. ah, yes. the reason harry doesn't introduce himself by first and last name here ever and waits for it to come out of something else. the reason people might not sit next to him even if they didn't know what his mutation did. slip up because he's so fucking high on fire energy right now, he's just excitedly expressing how people favor rounder elevators when they're doing lab work. it's either round or glass.
there's a pause and he straightens himself out, chin up. hardens his gaze. no weakness. ]
What of it?
[ got a problem? ]
Nothing. [And he's just as high, so he smirks arrogantly and cocks his chin even higher.] Just surprised you're here and not in one of your own labs as the prime test subject.
[Okay, now he's leaving the elevator. Harry's move.]
[Okay, now he's leaving the elevator. Harry's move.]
The company doesn't experiment on people.
[ ...maybe. he's not exactly informed on that one. it SHOULDN'T. he sounds offended at the suggestion. he waits a moment then follows john out of the elevator, keeping three steps behind him instead of almost invading his personal bubble like usual. he's looking around the hall. ]
Besides the mutant gene is genetic. [ a vague gesture ] I seriously doubt my father's going to do anything that fucked up. [ PROBABLY? unsure face ]
[ ...maybe. he's not exactly informed on that one. it SHOULDN'T. he sounds offended at the suggestion. he waits a moment then follows john out of the elevator, keeping three steps behind him instead of almost invading his personal bubble like usual. he's looking around the hall. ]
Besides the mutant gene is genetic. [ a vague gesture ] I seriously doubt my father's going to do anything that fucked up. [ PROBABLY? unsure face ]
Edited 2014-10-01 04:05 (UTC)
That's comforting. [His tone is scathing. He doesn't believe it for a second.] Mutation'd be the goldmine of genetic science, I'd think. Look at what some of us can do. Isolating the source of each individual mutation, finding a way -
- but yeah, ethics. Way more important. Of course they'd never do that.
[He shakes his head briskly, then stops in front of a huge, round door with an X carved into it, a perfect replica of the school logo. There's a small circle at the center of the X: a retina scanner, which means he's never been in here and probably never will. But one hand presses against the door, fingers curling a bit hungrily.]
This is how he finds us all. Cerebro. You know about that, right?
- but yeah, ethics. Way more important. Of course they'd never do that.
[He shakes his head briskly, then stops in front of a huge, round door with an X carved into it, a perfect replica of the school logo. There's a small circle at the center of the X: a retina scanner, which means he's never been in here and probably never will. But one hand presses against the door, fingers curling a bit hungrily.]
This is how he finds us all. Cerebro. You know about that, right?
I mean ...sure. They probably do some testing into it. Just some samples and - [ puts a hand on his chest ] They cured a disease with mine. Nothing bad! Just helpful stuff. Ethics is important. It should be.
[ he's about to go into a full ramble about it but just closes his mouth and looks to that round door. yeah, he knows about that. heard about it from someone else. ]
Now that's questionable. [ pointing at the door ] Guy connecting to everyone's heads? Not okay with it.
[ he's about to go into a full ramble about it but just closes his mouth and looks to that round door. yeah, he knows about that. heard about it from someone else. ]
Now that's questionable. [ pointing at the door ] Guy connecting to everyone's heads? Not okay with it.
I hear that. And I'll talk to the other teachers. We'll see what I can do.
[Convincing people isn't exactly his best skill, but he'll give it a shot.]
[Convincing people isn't exactly his best skill, but he'll give it a shot.]
Oh, I know you pyrotechnic types. Think you're firestarters by right and nobody can take you on 'cause you're just so fucking crazy, man.
[you ain't impressed her yet, boyo. But at least she's talking. And not giving you a headache.]
[you ain't impressed her yet, boyo. But at least she's talking. And not giving you a headache.]
Neither of us count in any group that fits the description 'most of the world', kid.
[That grin gets one in response, pleased and relieved. It was good, he doesn't want to stop-- that soothes the lingering worry he's had since he last saw John, and while he's still incredibly pissed with Petre... it can wait. He can set that aside.]
I don't want to stop either.
[The thought comes with an image, sent mostly intentionally, bleeding through with how badly he wants it: himself moving in and leaning down to kiss John again, arms wrapped around him. An obvious edge of frustration is there too, though, and it's finished with-]
(this is so unfair)
I don't want to stop either.
[The thought comes with an image, sent mostly intentionally, bleeding through with how badly he wants it: himself moving in and leaning down to kiss John again, arms wrapped around him. An obvious edge of frustration is there too, though, and it's finished with-]
(this is so unfair)
[His back straightens up, goes rigid, an obvious shiver passing through his body at the image - the way Ryan can enfold around him completely, surround him, is still something new and rather thrilling, and seeing it presented in that way sends a spike of desire right into his gut as well. Everything with Ryan is new and it makes him crave more: things they haven't tried yet, things he's only just realized he ever thought about in the past, everything.
He turns his head up again, bare longing in his eyes for just a second as they meet Ryan's, then looks away.]
It's bullshit. But I'll fix it somehow.
He turns his head up again, bare longing in his eyes for just a second as they meet Ryan's, then looks away.]
It's bullshit. But I'll fix it somehow.
[It's as though Petre was expecting to find the room empty; John calls him out with a question and he looks up like he just realized the room's supposed to have someone else in it. His eyes are a little dazed, lines deeper than usual, denouncing a severe and deliberate lack of proper sleep. His lips are pursed when he sees the other boy, not quite contempt, just something like 'oh. You.' that never quite makes it into words.
Petre doesn't answer, he just walks on over to his bed and drops the key and takes out whatever he's been keeping in his pocket. Just one condom, a phone, loose cigarettes and a cheap plastic lighter. They took his prized golden one.]
Am I done yet? [He motions his head with a slight mock-tone, words paced and eloquent. I don't know, John. What am I supposed to be done with?
Petre doesn't answer, he just walks on over to his bed and drops the key and takes out whatever he's been keeping in his pocket. Just one condom, a phone, loose cigarettes and a cheap plastic lighter. They took his prized golden one.]
Am I done yet? [He motions his head with a slight mock-tone, words paced and eloquent. I don't know, John. What am I supposed to be done with?
True. I just hate therapy questions and stuff like that.
[Honestly, he was expecting this disdain. Petre's had time to build up the whole charade, even if John's presence was sprung on him. Maybe he really is just that unconcerned with the fact that John's here and speaking to him, but he feels like he can see the effort behind it - just a sense that Petre's nonchalant dismissal tends to come more naturally.]
You tell me. [Now his gaze is a bit more pointed, but he's still keeping his tone even.] Whatever you're doing right now. Proven your point?
You tell me. [Now his gaze is a bit more pointed, but he's still keeping his tone even.] Whatever you're doing right now. Proven your point?
[With a small, biting smile, he lifts both hands at his sides, as if to show he's holding nothing in them anymore.]
My work is never done.
[Which is a cheap way out of John's actual question. Has he proven his point? He thought he did that when he laid that order on John. He's eager to know how much it's been eating him up inside, and why, but that's not something he's going to voice so soon.
It could all just be another provocation, but matter of the fact is that he's still bitter. And it's plain to see.]
My work is never done.
[Which is a cheap way out of John's actual question. Has he proven his point? He thought he did that when he laid that order on John. He's eager to know how much it's been eating him up inside, and why, but that's not something he's going to voice so soon.
It could all just be another provocation, but matter of the fact is that he's still bitter. And it's plain to see.]
Oh, I know that. I just don't follow anymore.
[He leans his elbows on his crossed legs, like it's storytime. And now the edge is creeping into his voice.]
Taking the school down? Appreciated, but I had more planning to do first. Looking for attention? Doesn't seem like your style, any more than crying for help. Actually losing your shit on a grand scale? That's as close as I can figure it right now.
[Slowly, he cocks his head, all curious puppy.]
So what is it?
[He leans his elbows on his crossed legs, like it's storytime. And now the edge is creeping into his voice.]
Taking the school down? Appreciated, but I had more planning to do first. Looking for attention? Doesn't seem like your style, any more than crying for help. Actually losing your shit on a grand scale? That's as close as I can figure it right now.
[Slowly, he cocks his head, all curious puppy.]
So what is it?
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