14764/Misfits at Xavier's

Misfits at Xavier's
Date of Scene:	08 March 2023
Location:	Frontyard - Xavier's School
Synopsis:	Sinister and Lucifer go meet the X-Men and contract a favor.
Cast of Characters:	Lucifer, Sinister, Emma Frost, Wolverine, Cyclops, Phoenix

---

Lucifer has posed:
The way Lucifer can travel means it won't take him and Nathaniel long to reach the school at all. Lucky for anyone else, he lands them just inside the gate - meaning no one has to suffer the stench of hellfire and brimstone.

Because of the reason behind their necessity to be here and what it all entails. Lucifer is actually dressed up just as he would be for a night in his club. A three piece suit, immaculately fitted to his form, black with a red shirt, black tie, and a red handkerchief tucked in his outer left breast pocket. He smiles towards Nathaniel and then gestures so that they can begin their approach. "So, how does one handle this? Do we actually just walk up to the door? Or is this the part where I slither my way inside, find someone and say boo?"

Sinister has posed:
Much in the same vein, Essex is dressed in smart and slightly old-fashioned business attire. The shirt, scandalously undone by the top two buttons, is black. Red vest. Black pants, black and extremely well tailored frock coat in leather. Well heeled shoes, etcetera. His hair is tied back, a long tail with not a single line out of place. "Well, doing that might be chaotic, but liable to not be terribly productive. You say boo and sometimes all you get is an explosion in the face. No, it is perhaps best to just knock. And prepare for technological defenses."

Glancing up around the school, he looks to Lucifer with a hand spread toward it. "Quaint isn't it? A lovely summer residence."

Emma Frost has posed:
Hellfire and brimstone didn't frighten Emma much. She'd been associated with such for long enough and encountered its stench on others besides Lucifer, whose scent had least had a hint of refinement mixed with that contaminating reek. Not that any of it showed. Emma's poker face would make Lady Gaga gag.

She's dressed in a modern dress suit, with a white blazer complete with shoulder pads, a lacey scarf cinched tight around her throat with a splash of a bow, and a knee length skirt split up the side far enough to show the garter of her stockings leading down to her ultra-high heels, custom-made by a French cobbler using vintage materials. They had cost more than most luxury automobiles.

"Villains, aren't we all?" she says to Essex as she emerges from the house, "I thought I felt a shiver up my spine. Who's your well-attired friend, Nathaniel?"

Wolverine has posed:
Logan is the absolute contrast to everyone here. Dressed in jeans, a black tanktop, a well worn and loved chocolate brown bomber jacket and a light brown cowboy hat. Obviously, he missed the memo about a dress code or just ignored it entirely. While Emma's outfit cost more than some houses, Logan's number people could find in an outlet mall. Possibly on sale.

"Thought I smelled somethin' odd," and those blue eyes leave Nathaniel and focus on Lucifer. "-What- are you?" because Logan has never smelled hellfire nor brimstone so strongly. Not even any high-end cologne could cover that smell. Ocean blue eyes just focus firmly on Lucifer.

Lucifer has posed:
"Quite a charming little place, indeed. Though I wouldn't much call it a summer home considering..." Lucifer says this to Sinister as they approach the school. School? House? Por que no los dos! None the less, his eyes travel to Emma first as the young lady comes from the door - and this without them having to knock! He offers a grin.

"Lucifer Morningstar. It is a pleasure." This said as he places a hand on his chest and gives a gentle bow. "I am simply here accompanying Doctor Essex while he makes his...." A pause with a grin. "House call..."

Then eyes drift to Logan and a single brow quirks up. "What am I? Well, now, that certainly IS the question isn't it?" He seems to actually think on it. "I cannot tell a lie. I am the Lightbringer, the Prince of Hell himself. Brought into existence at the beginning of time and here before you now in the flesh." Another, more florished bow is made then - even if he's still all grins from ear to ear.

Sinister has posed:
Sinister's eyes actually light up, which isn't a positive thing for most people to witness, but in this instance. "Aah! Of all the delightfully wicked things I might have encountered here, you are quite the wickedest, my dear Emma. The dapper dark and debonaire?" He gestures with an open palm toward Lucifer, as the fellow has a knack for introducing his very own self without such a thing as generalized modesty. Mind, Logan -did- ask.

Hands are tucked into the small of his back, posture as perfect for his time period as could be attained and he inclines his head to both tall drink of ice-cubes with a diamond stirring spoon /and/ short, rough and Canadian. A glance to one side has a flag manifesting in the air, white and waving energetically. "We come here peacefully by the by, before curiosity gets the better of us."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost preens a bit at the positive attention, basking in the regard of the civilized, something she rarely gets around here. Especially when a certain Canadian is around. She gives an amazing mixture of a smile and a sneer at Logan, crossing her arms firmly just under her breasts, doing the expected plumpening one would expect of her eecolletage.

Emma has always been on the side of flaunting it.

"Of course you bring the devil himself along with you. How appropriate," she says. Does she believe Lucifer? She would remain agnostic on the subject. Demons say a lot of things, but Essex wouldn't keep company with this one if he didn't have power to be respected.

"If you smelled something odd, Logan, I daresay you should try and remember what you ate last. What did its squeal sound like when you killed it? Did you cook it at all or was it too hard to make a fire with sticks?" she taunts, her tongue a playful razor.

Wolverine has posed:
Logan wants to think Lucifer is lying. The evidence just isn't there. That smell is just too strong to ignore. There's just an aura to those truths. When people are honest, they're confident and Lucifer oozes that confidence. Plus, present company -doesn't- help Lucifer's case.

Then there's Emma's look, "Ya look nice darlin'. Why ain't ya on the cover of fashion magazines again?" and he actually means classy ones.

"I don't think he's lyin' darlin'," Logan says just to add some weight toward the claims that could be questioned.

"I took a shower n' brushed long after. Besides ya liked it, remember?" Logan teases and shakes his head. That taunt is something he would expect in calmer times. The literal devil showing up is not a time he would consider to be calmer.

"What do you and the devil for?" Logan doesn't expect this to be peaceful. However, he's willing to entertain the notion before things get. . .biblical.

Lucifer has posed:
In all truth, Lucifer cannot lie. He is incapable. He can, however, omit things just enough so not everyone knows everything. It's just how he plays his hand most of the time. "She's got the looks of an angel and the tongue of a devil. I like her..." Saying this as he glances to Emma and then back to Sinister. "Why haven't you shown her to Lux? She would fit right in..." That much and then he shrugs a single shoulder.

"Again. I'm just here in case things attempt to go upside down or bat shit crazy. Doctor Essex and I -do- come here with no ill intent. But I will let him explain why he is here. Better for him to anyway." Cause he knows what he's looking for. Sort of. Lucifer...does not.

Sinister has posed:
"Aah, the meat of it." It should be expected that the declaration made by the Prince of Hell himself, is taken exactly in stride by Sinister, not a measurement missed and not a stumble made. But there is an aside -- "What makes you think I haven't?" to Lucifer, he smiles without teeth, just a tad widely and inclines his head Emma's way. "She has open invite to go exactly where she pleases. We have even had the pleasure of cooperation in the past, which makes me hopeful..." a sly look sent to Logan there, but he's not flown into a ginsu rage yet. Oh, the calm that can linger when there's not ahh... 'shit stirrers' as they say.

"As you know, I'm a busy man. Lots of places to be, lots of things to get done. Suffice to say, as this is currently all that really needs to be said--" he pauses, smiles with teeth this time "--I have mislaid a good portion of my headspace. Now, most days ending in a Y, that would be cause for twnenty seven trombones and a hooplah, but a mind like mine, all loosey goosey, is probably not the best thing to have zipping around like a gas molecule. It could do some serious damage. I had hoped to borrow five minutes in Xavier's golf-ball."

Wolverine has posed:
"I woudln't trust ya wit' Xavier's actual golfballs. No," Logan says firmly to Sinister. He doesn't trust Sinister in the mansion at all. And it doesn't help how the King of Hell is with him.

"Gotta find that headspace where ya originally left it," he says and looks back to Lucifer. "Probably at his place," and he nods to Luci. "And I don't mean the club," Logan isn't sure he belives the gaseous state story about Sinster's conscious. Or if it is true, there may be another reason to use the "Golfball" too.

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer takes a breath and lets it out slowly. "It's a bit more complicated than that I am afraid. Yet Nathaniel is confident that using whatever this...machine is...that's apparently located here. Will help us find the piece we're looking for." He's softer in tone now, not in a pleading way but...maybe very close to such. "Believe me if it were at my place, regardless if it's my club, my penthouse, or Hell... I'd know and we wouldn't have to be here asking you to use something. He's putting a lot of faith in you and yours to let him this moment without causing a scene, so if I were you, I would graciously consider letting him use it."

Sinister has posed:
Those are all honest to goodness valid responses and perhaps they're predicated on an expectation or twenty.

Nevertheless, it ends with Sinister pressing his lips firm and looking to Lucifer with a peculiarly attentive expression haunting him, for frankly, such a look shouldn't really be a daily occurence. "Sometimes, you can set your watch by this kind of thing," he states in a murmur, attention sliding back to Logan with a tilt of the head, studying him a couple under his brows.

A finger gestures around the courtyard at this little scenario playing out. "You have to admit, this is a tad unusual."

Wolverine has posed:
Lucifer seems genuine, again! That's the unsettling wild card to this situation. This is the devil. Is he the king of lies? Unable to tell the truth? That's the kicker, Logan can't tell. It feels like when a rock meets an immovable object.

Logan's quiet for a long few moments. Thinking and wondering about how many people he oul get to escort these two in the school. "How bad would it get if this thing goes 'round unchecked?" that's an honest question from Logan. He's starting to play Devil's advocate, no pun. The ocean blue eyed canadian eyes the duo and looks to see if Emma is still there. Then he waits for the pair to respond.

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer glances over to Sinister for a moment and then back to Logan. "Imagine having him running around, but without any conscience to stop what he's doing. It's all just mayhem and destruction... and currently that is what is going on." He wasn't trying to be the one to do all the explaining, but here we are. "And apparently this machine can help us track it down and bring it back to where it belongs. Keeping the greater part of mortal kind safe once again." He's pretty sure he has it all right but he glances to Nathaniel just to be sure he didn't miss anything.

Sinister has posed:
"That might be a slight exaggeration on his part, but embellishment is nevertheless relatively apt," Sinister taps at his lip a moment, gazing off at the distance. "My mind is like the hoover dam, for want of a better analogy. Something impacted it square in the middle and its cracked clean side to side. If it isn't repaired, the cement found and the wherewithall to get it repaired and the water contained, well..." He sniffs, looking back, at both individuals. "I don't like to come and ask for boons from Xavier's men -- just like you all have been very reluctant to seek my aid, even when it was actually a very valid and important option. I will note: I could make a match for Cerebro. It would take me time. it would take effort. And each hour that ticks by with my mind loose in some parallel, it could find the means, with all the thoughts that I have and that are usually ticked, checked, balanced and vetted... to oh... No. I will let you fill in your own blanks, Logan."

Wolverine has posed:
Logan hates this because he has no idea if this is a ruse, real or a little of both. He suspects a little of both. And he's not sure how much Lucifer should be trusted on principle. The man -is- the King of a Hell.

Logan will let the two people in, it's under protest. "You owe us," he says letting them know that this is a favor. Because this would probably go back on Sinster somehow. Maybe not -right- away, but eventually.

And he will show the duo to their location. Logan will make sure every psychic in this place will check logs, machines and everything else. Then there's a pause, "Should probably blind the two of ya," yes, Logan's trust goes very little for thse two. However, he understands this is a very precarious situation. Logan thinks of threatening to burn Luci's club to the ground. But he suspects Lucifer to have a big insurance plan for the place. Will somehow make money on the deal then make the club even -bigger- and still make bank. So, the threats are kept to a minimum.

Lucifer has posed:
"And you're to be our babysitter then?" Lucifer asks as he follows Logan into the mansion proper. He takes a look around and actually gives a small whistle of appreciation. "It's a lot nicer than I anticipated..." Saying this much before looking to Logan once more.

"Oh believe me. I'm quite good with favors. We'll pay our debt when the time comes. To whomever comes to collect it..." He says this with a grin and then looks over to Nathaniel. "I should probably wait up here? Or should I go with you. I doubt I'm much help any further than this point. Besides...there's a LOT of power in this place...and a lot of..." He inhales. "I could feast here for DAYS at this rate."

Sinister has posed:
"Enforcer. Babysitter. I think that the answer is probably a pick and mix, without the licorice allsorts," Dutifully though, Sinister actually waits to be blindfolded. "You do know that I know where it is, don't you? Nevermind, lets pretend that I don't it's probably less likely to cause vexing wolf's hour thoughts..." there's that charming smile again, one that makes everything that he is, all the worse for it. "My dear, sometimes your choice of words is epically ill-timed. By feast you mean recharge like a battery --" pause "--pride, avarice, envy, gluttony, all those good things that teenagers have innocently in spades. Hormones, they're fantastic little bastards aren't they?"

But there is another pause, one that is a little more sober. "Actually, I do need you, down there. You're a dimension walker, I am more of a higher plane surfer. I'll need you like a tuning fork. And Logan? If I show signs of losing my composure, please do feel free to annihilate my head."

Wolverine has posed:
"Yep," Logan says unphased to the new title. Ocean blue eyes look over the pair. And the compliment gets a nod, "Yer club probably has finer things, but this is a school," sometimes they can't have nice things because of rushing students. It could create a big debt real quick in replacement decorations.

Pausing at Lucifer, "No feeding," he will add that one, just making sure there's not a bunch of young adults following them to the club.

Although he does trust Lucifer when talking about debt. He imagines Hell has a lot of accountants.

Logan starts to wrap Sinister's eyes with a makeshift blindfold,. Logan ignores those comments, but that smile. That disgustingly smile. That of a charmer, but Sinister is the kind of guy that would sell snake oil. Maybe the type to give you that smile when stabbing you from the front.

"Wit' pleasure," Logan says to Sinister's request of him. Then he will go and blind Lucifer because this guy -doesn't- know where things are. Logan will be texting Hank and dozens of others to cover security and everything else. He really doesn't like this, but it's a mutant mexican standoff.

Lucifer has posed:
Currently, within the main foyer of Xavier's School and Mansion, Logan has allowed Sinister and his accompanying Devil (literally) to enter. Sinister has been pleading his case that he needs to borrow Xavier's 'golf ball' for five minutes to do some locating that he cannot do himself. Lucifer is with Sinister, and has been asked to join the man in the room to be used as a sort of proxy and help locate the thing Sinister has missed.

Logan has also sounded the alarms - so to speak. In every way he could silently do so. Scott Summers, Jean Grey, Storm, Gambit even! In some way the message has been attempted to get out that Sinister is here - but for the moment he claims to come in peace. Logan's even got the two other men blindfolded! As if that's going to help...but if it eases Logan's mind then so be it.

And now...the continuation of...Misfits at Xavier's.

Sinister has posed:
Sinister now patiently waits. Frankly, he knows what he'd be doing if someone rather worrisome was suddenly exactly where he didn't want them to be -- the waiting for the back-up, the cavalry... it is anticipated. What probably isn't, is the smalltalk. "So. How have you been?" Directed at Logan, the doctor's hands remain in the small of his back, whilst the blindfolds are entirely secured.

Cyclops has posed:
Scott Summers comes running down the hall in his blue and yellow costume visor over his eyes. "Logan it isn't like you to...." He then looks and sees Sinister. "Sinister....what are you doing here?" He asks his tone cold and business like.

Wolverine has posed:
"Been better. Got stood up by Emma Frost, so y'know, it's a Tuesday," he jokes since Emma is now suspiciously absent (or merely silent). Logan is leading a blind folded Sinister -and- another gentleman throught he mansion. Both are blindfolded.

The other man could be called dapper, to downright good looking. Brunette with a five o' clock shadow and a suit that would impress Emma Frost. However, that's where the impressiveness ends. Because in the various messages Logan sent out included phrases like like, "The Devil. Yeah. That one," or some kind of emphasis on Lucifer is the devil. So, for some reason Logan thinks this man is the literal devil.

Guiding the pair through the mansion, those ocean blue canadian eyes look about. He did call for enforcements on this one. No oen is coming down.

Then Scott is in front of him. "Somehow Sinister lost his consciousness. So if ya thought he was bad before. . ." his voice trails letting Scott digest that picture. "He wants to repair his brain," Logan explains, but he's not one to use technical jargon. "We hate him, but he's still the Monster we know n' not whatever he is now."

Lucifer has posed:
"I'm sure the young lady had more important matters to attend to than us coming to ask a simple favor." Lucifer offers to the comment Logan makes concerning Emma. He can't see anything - but that doesn't take away from his senses of scent and hearing.

"You know, Sinister, I'm getting the distinct feeling that you are not very well liked here. Which is a pity given that you've done some amazing work with the help of...some people from here." He comments off-handedly and with a grin. His head tilts in the direction of where he heard Scott's voice come from. "Truly it will only take a few minutes and then we will be gone."

Sinister has posed:
"Mister Summers, it has been a -very- long time. I'd ask you how you've been also, but I feel like I'd have less of a reply than I got from the hirsuit Logan. Short short answer: I don't have the time nor the inclination to build my own cerebro and I need to use it to collect some of my mind, because if it's loose in a dimension where it can wreak havoc, it is absolutely going to. It's likely very angry at having been ejected. And if that happens, well... as I've noted to Logan; my mind is bad enough when it is actually tempered by my decision making, judgement, consciousness and the like. Without those, I fear I might be absolutely ghastly to deal with. Not to mention rather hard to, given that we know how everyone in the past has had such a fantastic time with handling the Shadow King, right?"

He waits, with an actually pleasant smile on his face, for that to sink in. But there's also a cluck of the tongue and a slight turn toward the devil. "My dear, your talent for the nuances of social dynamics. It is truly understated."

Cyclops has posed:
Scott Summers smirks. "So let me get this straight you've come here to ask us to allow you access to a machine, that could literally be used for you to find anyone anywhere based solely on your word, and the word of someone that we don't even know??" He starts laughing. "Wow that's good that's really good." He then looks to Lucifer. "This guy done good? He's always been a bad guy, he's always hated and tried to destroy us, so no he's not liked."

Wolverine has posed:
"That's what said, but playin' Devil's Advocate," Logan looks at Scott. Then he gestures toward Lucifer. "If it were just Nathan. I wouldn't trust it. This guy, can't tell. Claims he can't lie, bible versus did say he was an angel, but same book calls him 'King of Lies'. N' I can't smell emotional changes outta the guy," and that's why Logan has doubt. Lucifer is unlike anything he ever smelled before. It's hard to get the usual triggers when Lucifer is anything -but- usual.

Lucifer has posed:
Oh but here comes a change, Logan. The scent of hellfire and brimstone getting stronger around a Devil now angry. Lucifer would narrow his eyes, but they're covered by fabric so it wouldn't do any good. Logan won't know it now, but covering the eyes of the Devil is likely a safe thing to do when one is going to stand there berating him and the man he's come with. "Hate? You think Sinister hates you? I would argue the opposite. Has he done some questionable things? Of course he has... but I would argue that so have you. And your friend here. And at least half the people living in this school. Prideful and arrogant. That's you in a nutshell. We came here to use a machine that Sinister thinks will help find the mind he's lost. Do you think we'd announce our presence and ask for this favor if we had any other ill intentions. Oh. Right." He pauses. "I forget. You're the one Sinister has said doesn't trust much, if at all." Lucifer then turns his head to Logan.

"And if you're going to believe everything in that man-written, sadist, masochistic, horrid fairy tale book...you have a lot of things to learn. I am Samael Lucifer Morningstar. Also, an Archangel - not just an Angel. And I still AM an Archangel. Just because I raised against my father and spun him into a coniption doesn't change my title." A pause. "What will it take for you to let us use this machine of yours?"

Sinister has posed:
Sinister's mouth opened, but then Lucifer happened. It's almost comical how he turns, however blindfolded he is and manages in posture alone to convey mild surprise and a smidgeon of impressed with it. "And now we can add candour to your social repetoire," he flashes a grin, then turns his head to look directly at Scott. "Summers, you do have a good reason to dislike me. You of all here, I think, the most. Mind, I also gave you a roof over your head, clothing, food, an education, helped you control your eyeballs -- and if you would care to look back on the interactions we have had, I will agree, most all of them have been out of an irritating necessity, unpleasant... but I haven't tried to kill you. Much. What would be the point? Destroying the lot of you is the exact opposite of my goals, you know. But you think as you wish. The fact is, I did come to your front door, I did ask. I did not barge in, I did not sneak around the back, I did not control some child in your care and have them fiddle around with the technology on my behest and I remain, moderate and patient."

A deep breath. "Now. Literally five minutes. I don't -need- the contraption you hide here, to find anyone I like. I'm more than capable of doing that without assistance. But I do need it to find myself. Will you stand in my way, or will you have a favour owed?"

Cyclops has posed:
Scott Summers steps forward. "Your goals are sick and twisted Sinister, they always were." He then looks to Lucifer. "You claim to be some big shot and the devil, that's cool. But let me make one thing perfectly clear. We've never experimented on living beings trying to make the ultimate in superior races. We haven't tried to tear down the world to start our own order." He smirks. "And we've never harmed or killed innocents, at least never intentionally. So yea vile and villainous vs honorable heros. As for Cerebro, without out the professor here anything regarding Cerebro or the school is Jean's call."

Wolverine has posed:
Logan inwardly smiles as he discovers a sore spot. It's one he did not expect to be so reactionary. That's something he would store for later. It could be useful.

Logan will admit the pair would have to be foolish to come here like that. While he's not about to trust them, logically speaking there is a point to Lucer's earlier comments. He looks toward Scott for a moment, expecting the leader to be firm again. It's surprisingly different.

Logan's quiet when it comes to Sinister. That's Daddy(?) issues between the pair. It's someting he's not about to poke or prod.

"We could have Jean sweep the machine. Hank n' the egg heads thorough scrub the machines," and he thinks Cyclops could shoot the pair if they get nefarious. Logan figures that's just something that remains unspoken, but shared.

Logan remains quiet about killing innocents. There are parts of his past that are pretty bloody. "Scott's got a point," he will say to the pair.

Then the eyes flick back to Scott, "But we can stay on top of the guys. 'Cause Sinster's the Devil we know, but we got him n' the literal Devil sayin' he's worse without his mind. That makes a devil we don't know," it's a threat that Logan understands conceptually, if true.

Lucifer has posed:
Since they aren't going anywhere, and Lucifer is tired of being in the dark. (Hello, Lightbringer for a reason!) He lifts a hand up and pulls the blindfold down. His eyes, normally a deep blue, are black and there is a distinct rippling of something within them. As if fire were literally burning in his pupils. His hands go to fists, but then he thinks better of himself, and they relax again. "Look. We can all butt heads and argue semantics later. The machine is needed, and if you're going to call a third party in to give us permission then fine. But do hurry up? We've wasted enough time and allowed the mind outside of Sinister roam free wherever the fuck it is causing whatever the fuck it wants to cause and the longer we wait, the more catastrophe is at stake. You stand there and talk about his desires to destroy and yet we stand before you trying to make sure that precisely does NOT happen." He then reaches and pulls the blindfold off Sinister. "And to hell with your blindfolds. They weren't that clever to begin with."

Sinister has posed:
Sinister drops his attention to his chest when the blindfold is yanked down, looking up a second later and blinking once. Lucifer is given a sidelong look and ... he reaches out, gently even, to touch the perhaps-celestial-being on the shoulder, to squeeze. There's a nod and a small smile, nothing more, but it says volumes.

He then lets his hand to his face, briefly smooths his eyebrows and looks squarely at Cyclops. "You really don't remember, do you?"

There's a shake of his head. "Oh well. Hopefully Jean does. Everything has an origin, mister Summers. And nothing begins evil. By many books I am worse than Joseph Mengeler, but having watched that man and having stopped his hand once or twice, I can tell you he was worse than I." He waves the hand that smoothed to dismiss more of that. "I'm not myself. I'm pontificating, Lucifer..." a sigh. "Suffice it for you to know, my dears, that I began my existence trying to cure cancer, before anyone knew what that was. And to stop the innocent from having to die from congenital heart failure. They laughed then, nobody laughs now. But now... it's someone else's problem."

Cyclops has posed:
Scott Summers shakes his head. "Remember what?" He steps back and shakes his head. "As I said even if I wanted to I can't allow it, Jean is in charge of all of that, that's up to her, but truthfully my votes no. Jean will probably over ride me though as she's a little more soft hearted than i." He looks to Lucifer the ruby quartz in his visor glowing red. "One wrong move and I blast you."

Wolverine has posed:
"And I'd vote for it. There's a devil we can trust n' a devil we can't. The devil we can't is gonna gest worse the more we just stand here n' twiddle our thumbs," Logan speaks firmly on that one. He's going to be obnoxiusly honest on that one.

"Though, one day you two should take," Logan says about Scott and Sinistr. It feels like there is some kind of unresolved Daddy issues between them. He won't get inbetwen that one.

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer raises a brow at Scott. "And ruin the carpet? Your little beam blast won't do a damn thing to me and just leave you with a hefty repair bill. I wouldn't want that for you." Saying this before he glances to Sinister. "I'm about ready to just call it. It's obvious that they think helping you will ruin everything they've worked for. Their precious, perfect lives will all fall apart because they helped save a handful of innocents." He shrugs. "Ah well..."

Then there's a shifted glance to Logan. "Oh, if you think these two have Daddy issues... you and I should sit down and talk one day." He grins then. "Besides. I'm sure there are other ways we can go about this than what involves standing here and wasting everyone's time..."

Phoenix has posed:
"Such noble intentions.." her voice has a note of gentleness in it but it is guarded too. And perhaps Scott was right. She is a bit more soft hearted than some of the others, perhaps more willing to give even villains a second chance.

Jean Grey steps into the hall, dressed in her green Phoenix uniform, dressed for battle, or perhaps diplomacy. Hopefully the latter.

Olive eyes peer towards the two visitors, one an unknown, the other known perhaps better than she would have hoped. "I know of your need, but given your history, Mister Sinister, I am sure you can understand my colleagues' concern."

Her gaze focused primarily on Sinister, and there is a distant pain in her gaze, only too well aware of his past exploits. "However, Professor Xavier has never turned down anyone in need, even his enemies. I hope to do the same but first, I ask that you both open your minds to me that I might know your intentions are honest and sincere. Only then may we discuss the use of our..Machine.."

Sinister has posed:
"Hence, my dear Jean, why we are being patient, including in that observation the previous blindfolding," Sinister responds, gesturing with his palm up and open for her to lead the way. "I would just warn you not to probe too far in Lucifer's mind. I did that once and nearly passed out. He has, to quote the song, been around for a /long/ long time."

Did he wink at the devil? Maybe.

Cyclops has posed:
Scott Summers shakes his head back and forth. "Your call Jean, I don't like it, I don't trust either of them." He says crossing his arms over his chest. "But when it comes down to the school and Cerebro I leave it to you." He says though it's clear what his thoughts are He still respects whatever decision his Fiancee makes.

Wolverine has posed:
Hearing the clacking of heels against the solid floor catches Logan's eye. The voice that follows holds that attention. And the unifrom sours that attention. Bad things tend to happen when Jean wears that uniform.

Right now, there's a lot of bad things on his plate. Mister Sinister becoming a colder monster without a conscious. A man that's probably the literal, biblical Devil. And a side order of Scott. He does not want to add Jean probably tapping into cosmic forces (again).

Howver, Jean is agreeable. And then comes her stipulation. "Ya sure ya want in either of their heads? Ya might not like where ya go," he tries to warn the woman. The intentions are extremely noble. He just worries about the playing field. Particularly of the winking flirt.

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer glances around a moment and then his eyes land on Jean. He lifts his shoulders in a shrug and gives a sort of pish-posh gesture with a hand. "I've nothing to hide...but Sinister is correct. Probing into my mind may cause momentary lapses of reason. I mean...there's lifetimes upon lifetimes in there. Yet if you are simply searching for the truth of our words, again, be my guest. We have not lied."

Phoenix has posed:
Jean Grey sighs, peering long and hard at Sinister. Oh yes, she felt that tingle in the back of her mind..It causes her to jerk her head up, narrowing her eyes at Sinister, pausing for only a moment as she leads the small group to the staff meeting room, less squishy than the office. Less cozy too. Just a large room with a big table and lots of chairs.

"Please, take a seat.." oh she considered the brig of course but wanted to at least try things peacefully first. A nod is given to Logan and Scott to watch them as she sits at one of the tables, still staring thoughtfully at Sinister, frowning softly.

"There is..Something different about you, what is it that made you change..?" for a moment, she glances at his friend, arching a curious brow at Lucifer. Was he the catalyst...?

Sinister has posed:
Sinister demures in a shrug, hands spreading as he takes a seat. "Once more, this time with feeling..." he murmurs to himself, taking a deep breath. "Most of my mind isn't in my head, Jean. Being capable of compartmentalism yourself, I'm sure you know how it can be when parts of you are walled off away from others." Oooof. But oddly? No spite or self-satisfaction in his tone. "I am operating on a previous iteration of myself, I suppose." He says that quite quietly, looking from her to Lucifer with the faintest of brow beteling, then an equally faint smile -- strangely fond, equally strangely bittersweet.

"Vulnerability is not something I like to entertain and that's something that has always been the case. But I suppose in this instance? My motivations are not /entirely/ selfish. True, I want my mind and most of my memories back. But I also don't want it to harm a myriad of people, mutants, inhumans and otherwise in the process. What would be the point?" That last statement doesn't ring entirely true. It's ... hiding a different emotion.

Cyclops has posed:
Scott Summers shakes his head softly with a scowl still on his face. "I don't know Jean, I don't buy it. After all the things he's done, all the crimes and such, now he wants his mind back, if in fact it is lost. Partially to protect people? It makes no sense, but I digress its your call, my vote remains unswayed."

Wolverine has posed:
Lucifer voices the reason for Logan's concerns. That man has lived literal thousands of years and a healthy amount as the King of Hell. Angel, or not, those sights may not be something a human can take. Logan views it as poking a bear while standing -right- next to it.
Logan takes it as the Devil he knows versus the one he doesn't. Out of all the lies, Logan suspects a few bits of truth. Thse truths are about showing up to the Mansion so openly. No weapons about them either. And the fact that Sinster's conscious is changed. Anything else is questionable.

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer rolls his eyes and glances to Scott. "We get it. You don't like him, because of all the past things he's done. He's tried to even remind you of things he's done for the greater good of people, and you give him a deaf ear. Then there's me. You don't know me, but because I came with him, I'm automatically lumped with the bad guys and hated." Then he looks to Logan. "And then there's you. Who has, a couple of times now, pointed out that I am the literal Devil and if that's so, then based on a book written by man I shouldn't be trusted. Because I'm the King of Liars, the serpent, the sin starter. Who could trust one like the Devil himself? Well I could give you a list, sir, a very long list of very well known people from days before the turning of the books, to very recent times. Of names of people who have put their faith in me. Not because of a book, but because they have met me. I do not lie. I do not give false hopes and empty dreams. I am merely the broker of the pawn shop that is life."

Finally he looks to Jean. "What Sinister has said is truth. Something happened. His mind was ejected. It now roams free and we know not what it is doing. What or whom it might be harming. Sinister believes that using this...Cerebro...and myself as a sort of catalyst we can find where it is. That's it. We use this machine, we find what we're looking for and we're gone. Simple as that. No games. No tricks. No wars. No fights. Just two men trying to achieve a goal. If that makes us criminals in this moment then so be it. But I implore you to trust - as hard as that may be for some - in the words we are saying and the promise that we give. We are not here for any ill will. I just want to help Sin, but I cannot do that without a little help from you."

Phoenix has posed:
Jean Grey nods in agreement to Scott. "Nor do I, however, he is right in one way, and that is that if there are other..Aspects of Sinister somewhere out there, those could be doing more harm than good.." as if they didn't have enough to worry about with aliens and yetos and runaway kids.

"Firstly I want to know how exactly that even happened. Secondly, what role do *you* play in all of this?" Lucifer is given a pointed look as she says that.

"And thirdly, should we actually find these other aspects of Mr Sinister, what is to be done with them? should they be used to restore him, what is to stop him from revertong to his former, twisted self, even if that is not who he was originally, even if there might yet be a chance for him to redeem himself of his past.. sins?"

Okay, perhaps poor choice of words given present. company but..

Sinister has posed:
Sinister tilts his head, birdlike -- a wave of words that must all be pecked at and digested, perhaps. Or maybe to view the speakers askew. Then, however, there's a flow of words out of Lucifer that have him gazing that way once again, his lips wry by the end of it, but swiftly fading back to neutral.

He holds up a finger "To the first: Your guess is as good as mine, but there was an alien device involved and unfortunately... another of me. I have made enemies of myself of late, because I'm changing the game plan on them. Again, believe or do not believe. I can't force that issue."

He holds up a second finger: "Not a single person in this room is a dimensional walker, that I'm aware of. You are also not liable to want to estabilish a mind-link with the likes of myself, given how little you trust me or my intentions. I was a genius once. I suppose you can consider me a madman now, with Orwellian mores. However, I think you can generally agree, I'm smarter than your average nut -- I can use Lucifer's psyche to dimension surf and find where the blazes the rest of me went and ..."

Third finger goes up: "Unless you have a means of containing my psyche inside of something in a manner that means it cannot escape, I suspect you'll be wanting it to either be destroyed entirely, or assimilated. Either by the original host of its consciousness, myself, or in gestahlt. Wouldn't that be lovely? You'd all get a slice of me."

Cyclops has posed:
Scott Summers shakes his head and throws his hands up. "Look it's, clear that he's not honest, he's proven that a thousand times over. You..." He points to Lucifer. "I don't think you're really that Lucifer, but no I don't trust you, namely cause I don't know you, secondly you throw in with him you can't be any good." He then looks to Jean. "Even if this is true, is it worth the risk? And if we do help this mad man and his friend, we should destroy it not reintegrate it."

Wolverine has posed:
Logan is just quiet at the moment. Right now, it's the battle of inches between Jean Grey, the devil and Mister Sinister. Despite how this sounds like a country song (sor of), Logan just watches the trio. Scott is voicing his own opinion.

Right now, everything is beyond him in terms of skill. He's better use to gut someone if they get out of line. He voiced himself from the beginning. Repeating himself would be beating a dead horse.

Lucifer has posed:
There's a flash of pain that crosses over Lucifer's face - gone in an instant - as everyone speaks of destroying this bit that is Sinister. His Sinister. The one he's fighting to get back. The complete lack of trust, based on past moments, being the focal point of the argument. "I'm sorry. But can I bring us back to the reason why we came into this room? Jean wanted to look into our minds to gauge our truths. We simply asked she did not dig too deep. If she actually took the moment to do such a thing, we could get the yes or no we need."

He takes a breath and then sighs. "Rather than beating around and around the topic... it's really coming down to will you let us, and let us. Or tell us no and we'll find another way. Sinister has not been doing anything to you all for quite a while. And in truth, he speaks fondly of most of you." His hands go up as if in surrender. "But...answer as you are truly willing. But please answer soon. We're losing time. Which, as I have stated, is of the essence...and becoming more critical as we ping pong this topic around."

Phoenix has posed:
Jean Grey's eyes widen in alarm, clutching the desk tensely. "Wait, there is another of you? A physical manifestation?" okay, things just got a lot more complex. "So, not merely are aspects of your mind missing but have formed a complete and separate other entity." the explanation of 'some alien device' gets a tired sigh and nod from her. Of course, what else? Those seem to be going around lately.

When he explains Lucifer's 'part' in all of this, Jean's frown only deepens. "That sounds incredibly dangerous.." her olive gaze narrows once more upon the apparent 'devil himself' attempting to merely..Skim his mind, get a 'feel' for who, or what he is...Perhaps the otherworldly cosmic entity residing in her own mind can make sense of it if she cannot. But she is careful not to pry too far at that, heeding their warnings. Just enough to gauge the truthfulness of his words.

Looking back to Sinister, Jean nods, "I see. But of course, it would be cruel and inhumane to deny you the right to be complete again, however, I am uncertain of the man you will become once that is done..." She nods again to Scott. "You're right. Should we locate this other Sinister, it would be safer to keep it separated from the one standing before us. I hate the idea of keeping a person from becoming whole, but we simply cannot take the risk. Should we find him, we will have to..Contain him at the very least..And if the we deem the threat too great.."

She sighs and nods in agreement to Scott.. She really does not like the idea of destroying or taking a life, even if it's moreso a psychic 'aspect' of another, but the risks are simply too great. Jean glances towards Logan and Scott to see if they have anything else to add before continuing. "It seems our decision is clear. We must work together to stop this threat, however, I cannot allow you to reassimilate this more dangerous aspect of yourself. Therefore I will allow you to use Cerebro under supervision, as long as you agree that the fate of this other Sinister is for the Xmen to decide." she looks towards Scott and Logan, "Is that agreeable to you all?"

Sinister has posed:
Sinister looks from person to person, swayed by rhetoric and bound and determined. And then? "Right. One of these days, i should really just accept that I'm right a lot of the time and stop second guessing myself..." he looks irritated for a moment, then calm the next, looking sidelong to Lucifer. "You suppose you've heard enough?"

He slowly moves his hands to the small of his back, standing at a kind of casual but notable 'parade rest' in a way. "I never would have expected this to be an easy ask, but there's a difference between effectively surrendering myself to your mercies and a favoured asking. You also just went and proposed the worst potential proposition of a deal, to the King of Contracts." he nods to Lucifer, looks that way and holds his breath. "If you're making any deals with me at your mercy, he's going to legislate it in a way that's unbreakable. Just... thought I'd make you very aware of that."

Cyclops has posed:
Scott Summers grins wryly shaking his head he's frustrated, irritated and clearly exasperated. "Jean I've given you my opinion and my vote, my opinion has yet to be swayed by what are clear falsehoods. I told you I'd back your play, and I will, though in truth I'm not sure the professor would go this far, though you of course know him better than I, in that respect." Looking to Sinister and Lucifer and back to Sinister. "You've heard her terms, I'm not negotiating for any better for you, nor am I letting anything other than these terms be agreed to. I let her make the decision to help you, but the team and safety of this school falls on my shoulders

Wolverine has posed:
Sinister has a point. Logan gives pause because that would be a heck of a contract. A favor is easier, more nebulous. A contract with a devil is the plot to so many movies and the ending is rarely good for the signee.

"MAke sure ya woord this properly, Red. Sinistr has a point. I hate to say it, but he's got a good point 'bout the contract," Logan speaks. It's just something that makes him shudder inwardly. Those ocean blue eyes looking toward the room for a moment. Logan can understand everyone's side. Howevr, this is going to be a battle of wills. He fears that nithr side will yield.

Lucifer has posed:
Even a brief glean within the mind of Lucifer gives way to the fact that he has, as always, been truthful. About everything. Jean is greeted with the vision of a towering throne of Obsidian - high as mountain peaks perhaps. Atop it is a reddened burnt-fleshed figure with black feathery wings. The Devil. Lucifer Morningstar.

No matter what anyone says. He has been truthful. He -IS- the Devil true.

A glance is given to Sinister as the man speaks calmly and honestly about the experience so far. Is Lucifer going to just let these people decide what happens to the part of Sinister that will make the man whole again? He considers a moment. Then he looks to Jean in particular.

"Have you ever lost memories? Pieces of time that you cannot recall no matter what? Have you ever looked into the eyes of your lover and while you can feel the familiarity of them being such... you cannot recall, fully, all the ways you have loved? All the moments, fleeting and full, that fill you every day and keep that relationship going?" He pauses. Likely for affect. "And now you stand here, and tell me, that even though I have been patient and understanding here, the best you can do is tell me that Sinister can no longer have that? The memories of our moments together? The friendships that he's made while keeping his time with me. Letting me help him become the better of himself. Since this is your choice. Your 'deal'...then allow me..."

He steps forward, eyes flash with hellfire and then he grins. "I, Samael Lucifer Morningstar, enter into contract the use of the X-Men's Cerebro with ones Doctor Nathaniel Essex and the team called X-Men. In return for the use of this machine, and the finding of Doctor Essex's other form, and the ability for the X-Men to decide what to do with him we will owe, to the X-Men, a favour. This favour will be granted to the one known as Jean Grey. It can be called upon at any time. And it will be done by myself and myself alone. I will also be present at the time the X-Men make their final decision to what is done to this Other Sinister and bear witness to the execution of such decision." He looks directly at Jean then. "The acceptance of this contract is final. It is valid until the end of time, or upon such time as it's holder requires the favor done. None can break this contract except upon certain, proven death of Jean Grey. Do you accept this Contract?"

Phoenix has posed:
Jean Grey nods to Scott. "And I cannot turn away someone in need. However, as I've already said, we will not allow him to reabsorb that dangerous aspect of himself. I leave the fate of this..Other Sinister in your hands."

Talk of a contract however, has her a bit nervous. Logan is given a slow nod of agreement. And then back to Lucifer as she gazes into his mind..And shivers at his greatness and vastness. So. This is what it's like to stare into the mind of the devil himself. If she were anyone else, she might just faint at fear at the sight of him, but she is afterall, The Phoenix, and nothing to scoff at.

"Very well, I have looked into both of their minds. I think a compromise is fair considering all things. I do not plan to rob you of your..Friendship with Mr Sinister, but Scott is right, we must consider the safety of our students. I can attest to the fact that they are telling the truth and are honest in their intentions, that much I know. But I stand firm on our price. The Xmen, specifically Scott, as tactical and field leader, shall determine the fate of this..Other Sinister. That is only fair."

Phoenix has posed:
Jean Grey hmms, considering something else. "We can only say more once we find and encounter this other Sinister and determine the threat level."

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer interjects. "As it states in the contract I just posed, Miss Grey. You can decide what is done. I merely wish to be there when it is decided. That is in the contract."