nightmare

[veramartin]

smitebound​:

        “fair amount, yeah,” he admits, cheeky smirk plastered across his face. “’course, you’re one of the few who won’t drive home after the fact. good, little citizen, aren’t you?” following the rules has never been his personal style, but it can be amusing to see it in others. a little ( or rather, a lot ) alcohol had never stopped him from driving home, even on the motorcycle. still… he can heal in the event of an accident. not everyone can. “hey, i pride myself on being the least predictable bastard in this city,” he jokes, fangs displayed in a grin. “but i s’pose we’ve all got our habits, don’t we?” a pause. “guessing this isn’t your usual, then?”

“i have to uphold the law, you know?” there was always a moral duty to uphold with her profession, that’s always how vera had interpreted it. her attention to detail is off in this moment but it’s amusement for the woman. “i’m a model citizen.” the laugh that follows signifies that’s not entirely true. she doesn’t want to admit that she’s make so many mistakes when it came to family and she may have single-handidly ruined it. “no.” she shook her head. “this is far from my usual but i don’t see anything wrong with it.” she shuffled in closer. “how unpredictable are you? should i be worried?” it was all in jest as a soft laugh followed. “because if i should be, i think i’m okay with it, for now.” se was eing really irresponsible and if her daughter ever found out she would no doubt be mortified by her behavior.

[veramartin]

mctherearth​:

one of the good things about alyssa joking about the ground was that she didn’t expose too much about her mutant nature, especially since not that many non-mutant supported them. letting out a small chucklle, she quickly stood up from where she lay and stood beside the other. “that’s a secret i’ll never tell. xoxo, gossip girl.” she teased, blowing a kiss to the older woman.

vera stared at the younger woman, unsure whether she was angry or confused about how she was treating her. “are you-” vera needed to be careful about how she approached the situation as her anger with her current affairs were driving her emotional reactions. the woman had always been driven, focused and composed but that had gone out the window as her life began to crumble. “are you alright? or do you just like doing this as a hobby?” the question wouldn’t harm anyone but that didn’t stop her from being afraid of the answer.

[veramartin]

mcntalism​:

“When you’re a mutant who looks like me with my mutation, you learn to use it to your advantage, doctor.” A high IQ and the ability to process data faster than any living person. What a treat. Hesitation. Forced facial cues. Stilted tone. The assessment was trepidation, a sort of uneasiness she only knows by people looking at her in some rinky-dink town that barely had any mutants in it. Why in the world she’s going to a mutant school is hardly her business, but it was at least a curiosity to be thought about. She isn’t commenting on that yet, but Jackie’ll make sure that she gets an objective look at the Institute. 

A new arrival. Packing up and moving to New York brings more questions than answers and with it, Jackie wishes that Vera had someone else to give her the grand tour so she could snoop around. “Extreme perception and intelligence is both a burden and a blessing. Looking like a nightmare is simply a bonus.” They walk together as she gives her the tour, talking about what the Institute does and showing her the facilities, even making it a glowing recommendation like Charles wanted it to be. “So, what brings you here, Doctor Martin?” Jackie looks at her from the corner of her eyes as they walk, the tone decidedly neutral. “Are you a mutant looking to us for help?”

the casual nature of it all is almost stunting to vera. it leads to an association of some sort, like this could never be real with her inability to process it. there was a part of vera who wished that her daughter wasn’t a mutant, not for her sake but for hers... the technicalities were more a blur when she had almost died at the hands of her daughter’s inability to control herself. that’s something she doesn’t want to admit. vera was someone who had a good reputation in her field but didn’t want to be known as not being about to control her own daughter.

from a young age, it was all about control for her. nothing particularly horrific had happened but she had seen her mother’s lack of control play out and she didn’t want that. she wasn’t to know that the lack of control spouted from the woman being an empath and not knowing how to deal with it. if anything, vera’s complicated emotions had made everything worse for her.

another uncomfortable smile is formed before it dropping from the woman’s featured. “no.” she was quick to shake her head and avert her gaze. the pressure felt so much more real now she was hear and the words were trying to be coaxed out of her. “does by proxy count? it’s not me, my, um.. daughter, she-” her speech pattern breaks. “i’ve not been the best for this.” she doesn’t want to say any more, not while they’re both walking - it doesn’t feel appropriate.

[veramartin]

“so, do you always do this then.” she takes a breath. “be in the back of some random woman’s car, that she can’t drive because she’s over the limit because...” vera’s common sense had checked itself out but at least she was still a law abiding citizen. “you probably do.” the woman couldn’t help but laugh at herself. “still, sometimes being predictable is a good thing?”

@smitebound​

[veramartin]

heroicals​:

i’ll be out of here in a sec. theodora’s eyes narrow at the woman in worry. the words make her brows furrow, unsure if she’s the one being spoken to, but she’s the only person closest to her. nevertheless, she walks toward her, eventually seeing how visibly faint she looks. “oh, my goodness,” theodora softly gasps, stooping down to meet her eyes, “are you alright? do you need some water? or… if you need to go to the medlab—” she shakes her head, waiting for her response.

everything was now all too real and there was no going back. the woman has tried to take on as much as possible but now she’s only thinking of the things she’s done wrong and a shut-down felt imminent as things started to spin. she hadn’t helped her child and now they all suffered because of it. there was information overload and there was this. vera couldn’t work out if she was about to pass out or burst into tears. she doesn’t hold eye contact with the other for long. she wasn’t good with emotion and it often presented as anger but now and again, it would hit her hard. “that sounds like a good idea.” maybe if she drank something it would stop her from crying. “i don’t feel too well.” she had to drive back but couldn’t make it past the front door.

[veramartin]

billie-foster​:

Billie is a fan of popping in unannounced. Many hate it, of course, but it’s not like she’s trying to catch anyone out. Her ‘inspections’ are really just idle chit chat, asking if there’s anything that needs fixing or upgrading if the budget allows for it. One of her newest arrivals was a young family of three. Deciding that an apparently single mother is likely always a little harried, Billie let them settle in. Mostly. She could always offer some help.

The door opens and— Did you need something? Billie closes her mouth, as she was just about to say welcome in a cheery voice. Rude. Vera continues, assuming the girls were making too much noise. Maybe she’s simply stressed out, Billie reasons. She replaces her subtle look of shock with a smile.

“No, dear, nothing bad! No noise complaints. Let the girls have their fun!” Billie smiles, but decides to tone her usual enthusiastic welcome down a notch, even if being mildly professional always feels like an ill-fitting shoe, “I am actually just here to say welcome to Silverhouse! Have you settled in fine? Any problems with the apartment?”

her landlady is already knocking on her door, it can’t be good. as generous as the older woman is, the establishment doesn’t compare to what she has at home but she’s grateful for the last minute accommodation. she shouldn’t have been worried about keeping her assets at gome intact but she was. it was what she had worked for and crises could come but that was hers that she’d earned.

her parenting methods, however, could be called into question when her daughter needed help and she thought she could handle it... or moreso manage. that was her fault and now her entire family unit was in turmoil. she would be lucky if her kids didn’t ended up hating her more than she hated mathilde, her own mother. it wasn’t exactly hate but the woman had put her through a lot and despite vera’s best efforts, she was unable to help her.

“thank you. yeah-.” she looked back. “there’s a little problem with the tap in the bathroom but it’s fine, really.” the woman closed the door a tad to help disguise the mess it was already in. she was trying her best but she felt like she was between a rock and a hard place at the moment - it frustrated her. “crap.” the woman sighed. “you were just being nice, right? look, i’m sorry. there’s just a lot going on right now.” maybe in her own bubble. “don’t worry about the tap.” why did she keep focusing on the damn tap? she was stressed and the tap washer next victim.

[veramartin]

a pale vera walked towards the exit of the xavier institute for the first time expecting a weight to be lifted from her shoulders, it was too bad that it felt heavier. she didn’t get far before she stopped to sit down, feeling faint from the revelations that had just occured. “i’ll be out of here in a sec.” she nodded. there was someone there but she didn’t look far enough to see who is was.

@heroicals​

[cestlaviiiie-deactivated2022040]

OPEN STARTER : @c23starters​

alyssa didn’t do much when she wasn’t working, besides helping out the newer students at the xavier institute. she didn’t necessarily graduate from the school, but she was also not about being one of those people that didn’t have a career while they attended. ;aying on the ground, the first thought that came to the mutant’s mind was that she wanted to cause chaos. “the ground spoke to me and she said you’re a bitch.” she replied, a small smirk appearing on her lips. truth be told, alyssa wasn’t really able to talk to the ground itself, but she was able to move stuff off the ground and use it to her advantage if need be

[veramartin]

vera had been wrapped up in her own problems for a while now and the sudden move had made the woman aggitated. her frustration with her situation and how she had made it worse, not better, was manifesting itself in her. an already tightly-wound individual that spoke her mind with little patience, she had become less accommodating. exhausted and knowing that she had to start work again to uphold her house back home while things got ‘fixed’, it was no surprise how quickly she snapped at the rude comment. “excuse me? who the fuck do you think you are?” it shouldn’t have mattered to her - a careless comment delivered by no doubtedly a wind-up merchant. her head was far from clear. she had too much to do yet was choosing to engage in a hostile conversation.

[veramartin]

nicholxswalker​:

“Oh, new to the city?” He asked her, though it was obvious if she was still trying to get used to the store. “I can help you out, if you want that is.” 

“it’s that obvious, huh?” the woman smiled at his willingness to assist. “sure. i have my list.” she brought it up to him. “anything in big pink writing, ignore it. my youngest, matilda thinks that if it makes the list, it’s definitely coming home.” she shook her head and smirked. “though i suppose i could allow one.”

[veramartin]

mcntalism​:

“You’re in luck. I’m actually a member of the administration.” Jackie puts a hand on her hip, and takes a glance at her. Oh, what she wouldn’t give to have a telepath or a mnemokinetic to wipe strangers’ memories if they proved to be a problem; maybe a secondary mutation would sprout from her first, but that proved doubtful. She was nervous, maybe a little afraid. Talking to the administration meant Charles or a professor. Enrollment or sanctuary. Like Emmeline, but that argument was hashed and rehashed by her and the Professor over and over again.

She lets silence ring out for a moment before relenting; if she wanted to cause trouble, the woman was going to have enough on her plate with a pack of angry mutant adolescents that could do any number of things to her. Jackie beckons, opening the door to the entrance of the Institute. “Welcome to the Institute, miss. My name is Professor Jacqueline Rumley, Ph.D., self-defense instructor and professor of higher mathematics, calculus, physics, and abstract math. If you’ll follow me, please.”

there was an obvious hesitancy from the doctor to follow the other. she couldn’t know what she was walking into and the previous attitute within the first few moments of their interaction made her more wary. vera had to do this for her daughter and her famly but being on these grounds didn’t mean all her fear was suspended instantly. this trip had been put off for a long time, a form of burying her head in the sand and hoping things would settle. that decision lead to a lot of people being hurt either emotionally or physically.

vera was never great at passing off feigned smiles as genuine but as her corners of her lips rose , along with a furrowed brow, she was making an effort. the woman rarely tried to appease people and that was now showing. “professor rumley. that’s quite a list of subject material.” vera was still unsure of the situation but after a few seconds of not moving, she began to follow the other. she would have lead with admitting that she needed assistance, help, but that was a little too much for her to lead with. vera had seen first hand her mother being seemingly weak and was left to deal with it - vowing that she’d never become her.

“doctor vera martin. i’m due tostart working at st. luke’s in the next week or so.” the woman hoped that the hint of being fresh would be picked up on so she didn’t have to say it out loud.

[veramartin]

unxgxdly​:

The young mutant stepped back. Holding his hands up in defence, not intending to offend or make the woman feel uncomfortable at all. He was hoping more than anything that she wouldn’t make a scene. He didn’t need his boss catching on to the fact he was asking patrons some person questions, let alone the fact that he was doing it whilst sneaking drinks.

“I didn’t mean to- no stronger than any other bar…” he trailed off, looking away and then back at her with a worried look “No- I’m sorry. You should stay. I shouldn’t have asked, I really didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable, or like you shouldn’t be here…” It was probably rather odd, seeing such a large demonic looking man stress and worry so much. But Zach hated the thought of hurting people.

everything had got so strange and that was one of the reasons as to why vera held on so tightly for the known. either she was having a breakdown under her own standard of pressure or her eyes weren’t deceiving her. even with most recent events, vera did think it was the former.

“this is just not what i’m used to, it’s not. it’s really not...” the woman had caused a lot of issues for her family through her reluctance to seek out help and that guilt of not doing it sooner was beginning to manifest. vera couldn’t have known what to do but not listening was her biggest flaw.

“it’s not that. it’s just that...” the woman shook her head and took another drink. “bet you get this all the time in here. lonely spinsters drowning their sorrows..." she felt like a disaster. her romantic and familar relationships were a disaster and she felt no real push to start up work again even though she was paying for the upkeep on her expensive property back home. “it’s fine. i’ve just had too much.\2

[veramartin]

nicholxswalker​:

“Oh, new to the city?” He asked her, though it was obvious if she was still trying to get used to the store. “I can help you out, if you want that is.” 

“it’s that obvious, huh?” vera nodded to herself. “that would be very kind of you, thanks.” the woman held up her list (she was always a list person). she wanted to blurt out that she was here for her daughter, because of what happened, but she resisted. “new move. always takes a bit of getting used to, right?”

[veramartin]

Out of the negative emotions of greed, anger, jealousy and hate, which one would you say affects you the most?

"why are all these questions so negative? i suppose it’s anger because it’s always been on me to make things happen or take responsibility. ringing me up after a near-death experience does not constitute to repairing bridges with your daughters. i’ve always worked really hard yet i’m the bad guy. i’ve tried my best but don’t you think i’ve had enough punishment?”

[veramartin]

how do you sleep at night knowing you've destroyed the relationships you have with your family?

"destroyed my family? are you serious? it’s almost as if i haven’t pushed for my future to happen. my mother is another matter but if you’re insinuating for one second that i don’t love my children and that i’ve ruined it, you’re mistaken. i’ve had mistakes, i know that but how am i supposed to react? what’s more scary? the fact your own daughter could kill you by accident or the thought of an overbearing mother? things got out of hand and now the youngest blames the eldest for me nearly dying. so, i suppose if you’re talking about me love life, this is fine? wait... so i’m the bad guy for wanting a relationship to work from the fall out of a will-they-won’t they-will they ever marry saga? i messed up but being pulled in so many directions, it’s difficult not to.”

[veramartin]

it's inherited, do your worst

[sebxrhds]

O'Donahues || Open || @c23starters​

Zachary often got bored on his quieter shifts. It was a Friday but it was early so the bar hadn’t really started to fill up just yet. He had spent most of his shift so far with a single thought on his mind, whether or not he could really tell if somebody was a mutant, just by looking. 

Of course not everybody was as obvious as him, but with the ones that weren’t as physical, was there really anything inside him that could sense it. 

He stood, staring at a random customer. Trying to figure it out. Until his boredom got the better of him and he just had to know if he was right or not.

“Hi there…” he started off, awkward smirk hiding his mild embarrassment at what he was about to ask. “Random question but you’re a mutant right?” it was probably something Zach would never think of asking, if he hadn’t snuck a few whiskey and cokes earlier on in his shift.

[veramartin]

vera felt like some things were off to her but put it down to stress. in her mind, all of her senses must have been heightened since her near-death experience, making her more wary of new situations. if she were to be honest with herself, the woman would have rather not to come to new york at all because it was a last resort. she had tried to manage a ‘problem’, a probelm she hated calling a problem and it had backfired.

the woman had always done her best to accept mutants, to help them but she was struggling with it even more than she’d care to admit ever since her daughter had (accidentally) nearly killed her. the already skewed dynamic of her family was now holding on by a thread and vera hated every second of it. she had clung on for so long because she liked being in control. she knew how to deal with things that were in her control and as soon as they weren’t, panic ensued.

being in a bar was not something she expected to do but figured a few before her girls were dropped off home to their new apartment wasn’t a terrible idea. the woman couldn’t help but feel like she’d had one too man as she looked at the person who now spoke to her. was he red or was it just her vision?

“no...” what an odd question... but it was enough to unnerve her. “i think i’ve had enough. you pour a strong drink here or what?” the more she looked at the man, the more different he looked.

things were getting more peculiar. “why? am i not supposed to be here or something? i’m new to the city and needed a drink but if that’s a crime then i’ll be on my way.” the woman didn’t want to accept that she would land in a place for mutants by chance, it was too on the nose.

[veramartin]

doctor-crowe​:

A hand lifted and rubbed at her browline as she walked into this floor’s breakroom. Her eyes were cast down, looking over the papers secured on the metal clipboard in her other hand. They were documents referring to the patient she’d just left; a young woman, who had presented with fatigue, select organ damage, and pain in her joints. Her original attending doctor had diagnosed it as fibromyalgia, combined with early onset arthritis. Thankfully, the woman had enough sense to get a second opinion– with one Dr. Crowe. Stevie had taken one look at her and her ability had told her she had Lupus, and tests had just come back proving her right. Hence why she pulled the original physician’s notes- in the hopes of figuring out why the correct tests hadn’t been ordered in the first place. 

She’d been so caught up in the documents that she hadn’t noticed anyone else in the room- much less anyone new- but at the slow, sudden greeting, she looked up. “Oh. Right, I’d heard they were bringing someone new on.” She started with a nod of her head, tucking the clipboard under her arm so that she could extend her hand towards Dr. Martin with a friendly, if tired, smile. “Dr. Stephanie Crowe. Nice to meet you Dr. Martin.” Stevie did her best to mimic the way Vera pronounced her name, though she was sure that she butcherer it. She’d never been very good with accents. “I take it that the Chief is showing you around? What do you take of our St. Luke’s so far?”

the quick move was probably an impulsive decision on vera’s part. trying to seek out the xavier institute’s help was a last resort and she was at that point. the woman probably didn’t need the stress of taking on a new work environment so quickly after a near-death experience and trying to consciously navigate the mutant world but her credit card expenses weren’t going to pay off themselves. a control freak by nature, vera had done nothing with her house and was even still paying people to upkeep it. that was what she had worked for and she couldn’t let go. as much as she would like to argue about it, she was slightly materialistic.

the first say seeing a new hospital was disorientating so she was lucky that it wasn’t her official first day. taking the other’s hand, a big grin bestows her face.

“doctor crowe, lovely to meet you.”

hesitation follows. “oh, it’s... different.” she hadn’t had time to come up with an opinion so that was her default answer. she needed to make it work until she got the ‘quick fix’ she was hoping for by coming here in the first plce. for someone so intelligent, she was so blind. a part of her was afraid of accepting that her daughter needed other mutants to help her because that then created a divide, however, it could be argued that vera herself had drawn that line unconsciously herself. “honestly just trying to get my bearings around everywhere.”