14946/For Your Own Safety

For Your Own Safety
Date of Scene:	17 April 2023
Location:	Apple Park - Salem Center
Synopsis:	A social outing quickly turns to chaos as robodogs attack punk mutants. And who keeps attacking Jean's mind?
Cast of Characters:	Phoenix, Cyclops, Firestar, Emma Frost, Kit Killovarras, Copycat

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Phoenix has posed:\<br\>It's a lazy Saturday afternoon that brings sunny skies, gentle winds and cheerful laughter to Apple Park. Jean was eager to show Scott a popular new Icecream store that hosted numerous superhero themed ice cream flavours. It was also a chance to introduce him to Angelica, the newest member, as well as catch up with Emma on some things. Today the ice cream parlour is also having a sale which is good because it's the first really warm spring day of the year.\<br\>\<br\>She smiles as she clutches Scott's arm, guiding him along the park trail, "I can't believe you've never tried this ice cream parlour, they make the best ice cream in the country!"

Cyclops has posed:\<br\>The taller man chuckles staying arm in arm with Jean. "Come on Jean how often do I get out and about to enjoy myself? How often do we?" He asks teasingly as they stroll along. "So how was your night last night, get any good shopping or anything done?"

Firestar has posed:\<br\> Ice cream is never bad. A chance to meet with Cyclops makes it a no miss opportunity, so of course she agrees. Angelica enjoys the walk through the park, mostly thinking. She smiles a little bit as when a couple walks past. The smile fades after a second though and her thoughts are back to forefront.

Emma Frost has posed:\<br\>Emma Frost despises nature. She'd be much happier in a world of chrome and concrete and glass, without all the pesky insects and dirt. Plants can be nice, so long as she's not responsible for caring for them. She's not a farmer, after all. And gardens should be pruned, shaped, be made aesthetically pleasing. Parks are just barely trimmed chaos. The gardening equivalent of a buzz cut.\<br\>\<br\>She's wearing a pair of stylish jeans that cost more than a used car, heeled boots and a white cashmere sweater with an oversized collar, letting her tuck her hands in the long sleeves, hugging herself. Her hair is glossy and cut just short of her shoulders, an angular bob that accents her features perfectly, of course.\<br\>\<br\>"Please, for the love of god, can we get down to business so that I can call a car to get me out of this place?"

Kit Killovarras has posed:\<br\>An ice cream shop that does super hero themed treats? Yeah, this is going to get the attention of a particular yeen pretty easily. Couple that with a text inviting him to meet up with Jean and the others and yup! Queue the occasional strange looks or stifled gasps that tend to happen whenever Kit shows up somewhere when he's not actively trying to blend in with a crowd.\<br\>\<br\>He's on full display with his hood down and his tail untucked. He's still wearing his signature baggy jeans and a hoodie though, as well as the bandages he typically wears beneath all baggy apparel. \<br\>\<br\>As he approaches the others, Kit gives a little wave and a warm smile and while he was likely going to greet the others? Emma's comment causes the aardwolf to just chuckle and shake his head, musing, "Enjoying nature, are we?" with a playful little grin.

Copycat has posed:\<br\>Copycat Grumbles to herself.. " Me and my stupid ideas," She grunts.. She's in the back right now of course, thinking she screwed up.. Rubbing her head as she complains to herself, mind you .. " Low on many suurrre .. Hey, thiers a mutant kid that can freeze stuff. I know " \<br\>\<br\>\<br\>     She sighs and looks at the vat extending her hand.. " Ask your friend who owns a ice cream shop.. he said he gets like 3 or 5 clients max an hr.. it's a pretty easy cash... you can open a pop-up in my store " . \<br\>\<br\>     She pokes her head out .. winches, and goes back inside " This is not 3 or 5 an hr, damnit." Grabbing the tub and grunting as she is half dragging it out " Finished the Superman Blueberry! " The girl behind the counter looking frantic " Thanks, boss! I dunno how you're popping them out so fast " . . CopyCat only gives a Tired smile and looks at the not going down at all line.. " yeah. "Mutant-powered ice cream is WAY tooo popular.. mental note NEVER AGAIN..

Phoenix has posed:\<br\>Jean Grey smiles warmly at Scott, leaning in to him as they walk along, "I did actually get some shopping done..Got a surprise for you too..But I'll have to show you later." she smiles and winks playfully at him as she guides him along. His next question causes her to hesitate, not wanting to ruin this nice day but..\<br\>\<br\>"Mm, well I stopped by Harry's hideaway on the way back home to get some takeout..Rogue and Logan were there..Chatting with Sinister.." she frowns a bit, shaking her head, "But we can talk about that later. I don't want to ruin a lovely Saturday afternoon." she gives his arm a reassuring squeeze as she looks around, spying Angelica first and giving her a little smile and wave, beckoning her over.\<br\>\<br\>"Angelica, I'm so glad you could make it! I would like you to meet my boyfriend and leader of the Xmen, Scott!"\<br\>\<br\>Annd, of course the day would not be complete without grumpy Emma to counter everything. But Jean needed to ask her something as well. "Emma, relax, we're all here to enjoy ourselves for a change, get in some team bonding. I just know you'll love this ice cream store.." she pauses thoughtfully, "Do need your help in analyzing that Crystal from Sinister later, but it can wait til tomorrow.."\<br\>\<br\>And of course there is Kit, whom she has met a small handful of times but does not know well enough. She smiles and waves him over as well. "Hello Kit. Good to see you again.."\<br\>\<br\>Vanessa, was she supposed to meet them too? Or was she working today? She glances around for her. "Hmm, I'm not sure where Vanessa is.." but they are nearing the ice cream store..And there is already a long lineup outside..Fuuun..

Cyclops has posed:\<br\>Scott Summers chuckles and smiles back. "I can't wait to see..." He trails off and his face gets the look of someone who's tasted something bitter or rancid. "Sinister....was here??" He asks eyes flashing angrily for but the briefest of moments behind ruby quartz shades. "And Logan and rogue were chatting with him, clearly keep your distance isnt an order, but merely a suggestion." He grumbles before shaking it off again Later Scott, deal with that bastard later. "Yea later, and I'll be making sure to let Sinister know in no uncertain terms he's not welcome here, Rogue and Logan, I'll deal with that later too." He grunts before taking a few deep breaths. "Boyfriend is that all I am to you?" He asks Jean playfully gesturing to the Emerald ring. "Hello Angelica, Scott Summers, Admissions director, and Auto shop teacher, and of course field CO and leader of the team." He offers his hand out before glancing around. "Hello Emma, and Kit you've come out too."

Emma Frost has posed:\<br\>Emma Frost makes her way over to the ice cream stand with the others, drumming manicured nails against her arms as she makes an exasperated and most certainly exaggerated sigh.\<br\>\<br\>"I don't know why you all insist on these outings. Yes, yes, bonding, the school is a family, other such nonsense. I already have a family and I hate most of them, so it's not as attractive as you might think."\<br\>\<br\>She bites back a remark about all the orphans at the school. Not their fault, she supposes. She just wishes they weren't so sad and pathetic. It ruined the vibe.\<br\>\<br\>She acknowledges Kit with the barest nod of her head and she doesn't know Vanessa t all yet. "Dear me, Jean, you do know everyone. I suppose it's all this petty mingling. As for Sinister, whatever his problems, we should be forever grateful he isn't trying to rip out all of our DNA and making us into strange chimera, as is his wont. Unstable or stable, whatever he's become is an improvement."

Firestar has posed:\<br\> Snapped out of her mental monologue, Angelica blinks when she hears Jean address her. She smiles a bit when she looks that direction. Noting Emma's...distress, she considers her for a moment with that smile still in place. She offers the woman a polite nod if they meet gazes and then moves to meet with Jean and Scott. Before she engages them, she notes Kit's presence and offers,"Hello Kit." \<br\>\<br\> Her attention moves to the extended hand and takes it to shake a few times,"It's nice to meet you Mr. Summers. Sorry it's taken so long to cross paths. It seems like we're both on the run a lot." She releases his hand and settles into a somewhat comfortable stance, comfortable for someone with mild anxiety about new people and well...people at times.

Copycat has posed:\<br\>While the girls working the counter are all lovely girls, they are sweethearts when you get to know them for sure.. they are also rather dolled up .. Yes, they are in aprons and normal uniforms for the shop, but these girls do kinda stand out.. Then again, Vanessa tended to hang out with the more street crowd.. so her friends were from the other side of the tracks.. Though it is causing some happy dads and angry mums .. \<br\>\<br\>     One girl standing with a rather vapid look on her face and a Big sign marked Superhero Ice Pop up! I.e the pretty girl with the advertisement sign standing outside.. She blinks " Oh ummm, hello, is one of you called jeans.. or jeans.. was it jeans " She frowns. Any scan of her brain will find it hauntingly empty... with the every once and a while < VV asked you to look out for somebody.. >\<br\>\<br\>     Even the girl's eyes look empty as she blinks," she said look for a guy with funny red glasses are you jean? " she asks Scott.

Kit Killovarras has posed:\<br\>Angelica gets a warm smile and a wave with the typical, "Hey, good to see you." before he gives Emma a glance and an amused little chuckle before once again just shaking his head. Then he takes note of the growing crowd and the possible strife of the employees of the suddenly over-popular ice cream shop and just tilts his head for a moment before he gets this playful little look.\<br\>\<br\>Aaand then he's given a reason to act on that devious little scheme of his, since for some reason or another, Sinister gets brought up and there's a sudden, ever so slight ripple of violet energy over his fur. The yeen walks over to the counter, obviously not in line and flags down an employee, offering a simple, "Want a bit of help with the customers?" as that violet energy flickers through his eyes.

Phoenix has posed:\<br\>Jean Grey chuckles, clearly distracted herself, "Sorry love, still trying to get used to that new aspect of our relationship.." she gives his arm a gentle squeeze, but frowns softly as Scott speaks of further lecturing Rogue and Logan, "Well, I think emotions were already running high with those two since their last altercation..Let's talk more about it later in private before approaching them about it please.." She may not be team leader but she is the gentler of the pair.\<br\>\<br\>She notices Angelica's anxiety and offers her a gentle reassuring smile. "We are happy to have you, Angelica. We have not had a permanent physics teacher in a while.." to Emma she just chuckles, as she leads them all to the line up. This might be a bit of a wait..Emma is given a rather sympathetic nod, "I am sorry that your birth family was not what you needed. I hope that the Xmen can be a better family to you." is all she says.\<br\>\<br\>Further mention of Sinister causes her to tense a bit, glancing sidelong at Kit as if she senses some related tension there..But says nothing for now..\<br\>\<br\>As she spies Vanessa and her friends working the ice cream parlour, Jean smiles and waves to her cheerfully, "Hey there, Vanessa, didn't realize you were working this kiosk?" she chuckles. Maybe ice cream will improve everyone's mood..\<br\>But even as they wait in the lineup, something is happening across the street. Three punk kids are using graffiti to deface a large building side. Heck, their art work is pretty good, but it's still vandalism. The store owner has not noticed yet..But someone else does notice, watching them from afar but as yet undetected. However, a large metallic robo dog creeps around the corner, it's red eyes aglow as it focuses on the three kids. It is soon joined by seven others as they quickly surround the kids. "Targets acquired. Mutant signatures detected." one of them states in a robotic voice that sounds rather odd on a dog perhaps..

Cyclops has posed:\<br\>Scott Summers shakes his head with a chuckle. "It's fine Jean, and sure we can discuss it later, my mind won't change though." He says softly before looking to Emma his face hardening. "You don't know Sinister, not like I do, not as....well...I promise you there is no good in that....I'd call him a moster but that'd be an insult to monsters." He grumbles shaking his head back and forth as if to rid himself of dark memories long repressed, he looks to Angelica. "Oh no need to worry, welcome aboard honest were glad to have you...I'll fill you in later on why....the last guy isnt...coming back for a whi...." He trails off hearing the robo voice. "Shit Jean Kids...In trouble!!" He shouts charging toward the robodogs!

Firestar has posed:\<br\> One moment the three of them are talking, niceties meeting the leader. The next moment Scott is off and running. Firestar watches Scott run towards the robodogs recently arriving. She frowns and looks around the area, getting a feel for those around them and looking for a potential second wave. \<br\>\<br\> She starts the same direction as Scott does though, keeping to the ground for now just running,"Go home he said, it'll be fun he said. Yeah." she mutters. Scott is the team lead, so while she goes towards the kids to get them away from the robodogs she does stay mindful for the sound of his voice.

Emma Frost has posed:\<br\>Emma Frost sighs at Scott, "Yes, dear, I know he's wronged you personally and, as a vengeful harridan myself, I perfectly understand your desire to see him burn in proverbial hell. Although since he's dating Satan, I guess that's neither unlikely nor even a bad outcome from his point of view. How very dreary," she says.\<br\>\<br\>"I admire his genius. His mind is...eerie and terrifying, like a haunted mental hospital, an asylum of peculiarity. But yes, he is a bad, bad, terrible man and I support you in your desire to violently exterminate him. See, I can be supportive. Team solidarity."\<br\>\<br\>She gives Angelica an acknowledging nod, the two old acqwuaintances having recently, if not patched, at least loosely stitched something resembling a detente after their past conflicts. Emma really is just doing incredible redemption work, she deserves more credit.\<br\>\<br\>She approaches the ice cream stand warily, when the robot dogs arrive. "Ugh. Combat. Gross. French vanilla, ground cinnamon in a cup. No cones, nothing that will drip," she says in disgust, then turns to watch the others do hero things while she watches, taking a quick moment to turn into diamond, her gleaming, invulnerable self absolutely chuffed to see the X-men in action, especially when she doesn't have to break a sweat. If she has to fight, she is going to be very put out.

Kit Killovarras has posed:\<br\>The robo-doggos immediately get Kit's attention and his ears lay flat as he murmurs, "I'll help out if you guys want, but give me a second first.." before he turns and starts towards the scene of the vandalism and impending robotic stupidity.\<br\>\<br\>Before he can take more than a few steps, a pair of nearby trashcans suddenly lift from the ground and hurl themselves towards the metal mongrels, trying to get their attention onto a bigger 'target'. After all, he's not hiding what he is...

Copycat has posed:\<br\>What's a very sad way to get a line up to disappear.. unfortunately for the very intolerant usa, it's simply a bunch of mutants displaying thier powers, and boom, you have people screaming, shouting, and running.. \<br\>\<br\>     a few brave or stupid stand their watching slack-jawed with their phones out trying to capture what's going on.. hell one or two are " yo you check it out .. we got muties.. tune in folks " . \<br\>\<br\>     For her part, Vanessa is really thankful" SHOPS CLOSED!!! EVERYBODY RUN " She looks to the girls " it's the fuzz! " they of course, scatter really fast. As she Jumps up and runs over to join the others, her skin slowly changes, moving from the normal color ot her pale blue.. her hair seems to bleed color till all that's left is her white hair and red eyes.

Phoenix has posed:\<br\>Jean Grey blinks, tensing slightly as she senses the rebel teens before seeing them..And then there is the robo doggo threat and...Something else. She's already reaching out, about to create a telekinetic barrier around the three kids - before *something* attacks her, much like before, causing her to shriek, collapsing to her knees, clutching her head. "Not..Again.." she grins her teeth, "Lsave me..Alone..!" but right now the psychic interference is too strong for her to be of much use in this battle..\<br\>\<br\>The robo-dogs do not hesitate, two of them snarling at the distraction of trash cans, cleaving through them like butter with red laser beams emitting from their eyes. They snarl and leap towards Kit, razor sharp claws unleashed!\<br\>\<br\>Two more robo dogs approach the kids, one of them spewing a large sticky net, catching the three kids in the sticky webbing and slowly dragging them towards it..One other robodog unleashes a broad wave of laser beams from its eyes towards the approaching Xmen, trying to push them away while the remaining robo dogs quickly close in on the mutants, their primary targets..

Cyclops has posed:\<br\>Scott Summers chuckles reaching for his shades. "Ah you want to play laser games?" He ducks, tucks, and rolls under some lasers before lifting his head and aiming removing his glasses and there it is a full force concussive optic blast heading straight for robo doggos. The issue is without his visor they're all full force!

Firestar has posed:\<br\> "Son of a..." is all Angelica mutters as her feet leave the ground finally and she rises above the incoming fire from the robodogs. She sighs and aims one shot at the top of the top of the webbing to melt it in hopes it falls away. \<br\>\<br\> Her other hand moves in the direction of a robodog Cyclops didn't blast. A sigh as she moves more skyward,"One thing about New York..." she mutters,"...it's never a dull moment." Mindful of the fallout that happens around her, she focuses a tight beam right at the thing's head.

Kit Killovarras has posed:\<br\>The robo canines that come at Kit just get a little chuckle as the yeens arms cross and their claws slam harmlessly into a nearly invisible barrier of unstable energy. "Need to be better.." he says as his arms uncross, his claws carving eight slender lines of energy in the air that suddenly dart into motion, swirling around the yeen for a moment before each flies in, aimed at the back of the robo-doggo's neck!\<br\>\<br\>If that doesn't fully stop the mechanical creature, for good measure the trashcans from earlier would fly over and slam into the canine until it finally stops moving.

Phoenix has posed:\<br\>The robo dogs are pretty tough but the Xmen are arguably tougher..Scott wastes no time in cutting into several of them, shredding them to mere ribbons with his superior laser beams. He opens the way for Angelica to blast and melt away the sticking webbing, and the three young mutants stagger to their feet, and start to flee the scene..\<br\>\<br\>Although three robo dogs are hot on their trail. By this time,three dogs have been already reduced to molten steel by Scott's superiorly powerful laser beams, leaving five remaining. One is easily cut down by Kit, leaving the other faster one too dodge his attack, countering with another laser beam sweep at his face.\<br\>\<br\>Four remain, one leaping at Kit with deadly claws outstretched, one running at dizzying speeds after the fleeing mutants, shooting laser beams at their feet..One rushes at Scott, shooting another beam at him..And the remaining one pauses a moment, red eyes glinting briefly green as it sends out a semi transparent pulse over the various Xmen..\<br\>\<br\>~Scanning targets for data..Data updated for analysis..Heading back to base..~ it turns and flees in the opposite direction, around the opposite corner of the wall, and starts to climb *up* the wall...

Cyclops has posed:\<br\>Scott Summers grunts as he does get hit by a beam this time, it hits his left shoulder clean through and through blood flows before being quickly cauterized. Growling he turns the Doggo who shot him and unleashes a blast as he opens his eyes...dog with the kids or dog that scanned and is fleeing it takes but a millisecond for Scott tk decide his head turns and that massive blast goes for the dog chasing the kids!

Firestar has posed:\<br\> There is a moment where Angelica is divided as well, but when Cyclops turns and goes at the one chasing the kids, she turns her attention towards the one that did the scans and turns up the speed. Though she never has checked how fast she flies, she is beyond fast. \<br\>\<br\> She starts to draw her power to fry the thing pauses a second. She stays on it, but thinks outloud,"Might be able to follow it back where it came from..." She shakes her head and focuses a tight, laser like beam of energy at the machine and attempts to bisect it from nose to tail. At the very least, it's getting a slag treatment.

Kit Killovarras has posed:\<br\>When the second canine comes at Kit, his reflexes kick in and while they are nowhere near super-human, they are incredible. He quickly bends to dodge and side-step, then whips his hands together and begins drawing a design in the air in a trail of crackling, violet energy. \<br\>\<br\>As the symbol is being drawn, every tiny piece of debris within a thirty foot spherical reach of the aardwolf suddenly hovers to life, their sharpest, most jagged edges suddenly spinning to face the remaining machine before suddenly converging. The particles - equaling just shy of a hundred pounds in total mass - fly in by the thousands, trying to puncture, prod or bludgeon the robo-doggo in an attempt to get inside and do as much damage as possible.\<br\>\<br\>When you grow up in the desert, you learn very quickly how absolutely devastating even a moment in a whirling cloud of tiny, jagged and abrasive particles can be.

Copycat has posed:\<br\>Blinks her thought is only to the kids she spots the kid running and that super super fast one that's climbing.. she's not sure she can hit it she's scared unsure for a moment.. her brain still overloaded from the pop up.. but she looks over her eye's starting to glow all of a sudden and BLAST very very familiar blast lances out .. while not as refined as scotts she dosn't have the visor she's able to launch them outwards towards the robot chasing.. Cutting it with the same level of skill that scott has! quickly turning to fire some short blasts towards the rest ont he ground not wanting them to hurt anybody even as she runs

Phoenix has posed:\<br\>Jean Grey remains incapacitated, kneeling on the ground, clutching her head much like before...What is going on...? "~Everyone..Find the source..~ she manages to broadcast mentally to the rest of the team before focusing on her own inner battle, trying to psychically push back whoever or whatever is attacking her mind..\<br\>\<br\>Scott's target really hasn't got a chance as he blasts it clean through, reducing it too to molten metal. The teens barely hesitate and continue to flee, vanishing round a corner, free to graffiti another day!\<br\>\<br\>Firestar's target seems to receive pretty much the same treatment, quickly reduced to molten metal as she slices it clean in half..\<br\>\<br\>Kit fares about the same, sliding into his target with a hundred chunks of metal, the force of a hundred pounds or more. Enough to stun but not annihilate his quarry..But now it seems the remaining four Robodogs have given up on attacking as something more important overrides their circuitry. \<br\>\<br\>All four turn and flee, now heading up said wall towards...Something else more important..The wall is sheer but there's a fire escape ladder along the wall too..Although Copycat does manage to blast one down...Only three left..But where are they headed anyway?

Cyclops has posed:\<br\>Scott Summers quickly places those shades on. "Letem go for now, we don't have the Intel, better to turn back, regroup and live to fight another day." He calls out rushing to Jean's side. "Jean, Jean are you ok love, come on let's get out of here." He says. "X-Men, students, and teachers fall back and get some place safe."

Firestar has posed:\<br\> Since she is up in the air, Angelica looks around the area, searching for anything out of the ordinary besides the robodogs. It's only now that she notices that Jean is down. She frowns thoughtfully and starts that direction, but when Cyclops calls to fall back she looks once more over the area for potential danger in the retreat.

Kit Killovarras has posed:\<br\>-Need a direction- The thought is loud and somehow crystal clear, coming from what otherwise would feel like a chaotic rotation of a half dozen different minds.\<br\>\<br\>The aardwolf of course heard the call to fall back, he heard it loud and clear given how well his ears work when they aren't being covered, but that doesn't stop him. Couple a love of parkour, a fire escape and a talent for seemingly disappearing in the chaos of the scene and the yeen seems to otherwise vanish in how quickly he brings himself to the rooftops, trying to follow the robotic canines in their retreat.\<br\>\<br\>'Get somewhere safe', he won't be defying an order if he's never spotted, right?

Copycat has posed:\<br\>Copycat For her part she runs back over kneels down and grabs jeans arm.. in a moment Jean will feel double her power.. even though Vanessa groans and shivers.. she directly copies Jean and pours her power into her.. letting her control it but it should be more than enough power to help with what ever this is she hopes!

Phoenix has posed:\<br\>The remaining robodogs flee to the rooftop..Should Firestar follow, she will see a man in a white lab coat and greying hair beckoning them. He seems odd, almost as if he is in a trance,. But as the dogs come to him, he climbs on one of their backs and flees the scene, gone in an instant..Wow those dogs can move fast..\<br\>\<br\>Jean meanwhile, seems under some sort of mental attack..But as Scott helps her to her feet, she sighs and leans against him for support.."Ugh..Scott..That alien mind again..Attacking my mind.." but it's too far gone now, having fled, and she shakes her head helplessly at Kit, while still making mental calculations. "Is anyone hurt..?"\<br\>\<br\>Thats when she spies Scott's wound, and she gasps, reaching for her scarf, "Scott! What happened?" she's already busy wrapping up his wound, all else forgotten for now..\<br\>\<br\>Kit's question goes unanswered, shaking her head helplessly at him..

Phoenix has posed:\<br\>Jean Grey smiles faintly at Copycat! feeling her strength return a bit. "Thank you Vanessa.."