16106/It's Only the End of the World

It's Only the End of the World
Date of Scene:	07 March 2024
Location:	Harry's Hideaway (Bar), Salem Centre
Synopsis:	What began as Rogue drowning her sorrows turns into an informal business meeting, and a threat of ass kicking.
Cast of Characters:	Rogue, Sinister, Phantasm (Drago), Wolverine

---

Rogue has posed:
It's early evening on some random day in the middle of the week. Rogue's been doing her due diligence of surveying the mansion ground for a while now, so tonight it seems she's taking a break to just relax. Sitting at the bar with a glass of whiskey in front of her that she's been nursing for a little bit, every once in a while looking back to the door. Especially when there's a loud sound like a motorcycle's engine, or the door simply opens to someone else coming in. Each time she huffs a scoff and turns back to her glass to take another sip. There's a pack of cigarettes next to her drink, one smoldering away in the ashtray just aside her as well.

Sinister has posed:
Sinister has been known to arrive by motorcycle. Today is not one of them. He took ordinary transport around Westchester, checked in on certain things going on and paused to surveil the landscape as it were, before heading out. That's what lead him to a blip on the local 'radar' and he stops just outside Harry's hideaway with a look up at the bar's frontage and his head on one side.

He's dressed in business casual, polo-neck, smart lines, but nothing super fly, so to speak. Rose coloured spectacles adorn his nose, hair tied back, eyes distinctly grey as they often are when being 'human'. "Someone's gruntle is definitely dissed," he muses, checks his pocket watch (has Big Ben and the houses of westminster on its brass front) then with a look left and right down the street, heads in. He may or may not be expecting a Drago. The likelihood is rather more to the negative. It'll be a surprise.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
May or may not, Sinister ends up getting a Drago but not by the traditional means. Nick doesn't have a car. Nick doesn't have a motorcycle. Hell, Nick doesn't even have a license.

But he does have some travel perks which is apparent when he just walks around the side of the building. Spotting Sinister, his steps slow for a moment before giving a nod of greeting. "Oh. Well hello there."

Rogue has posed:
Rogue finally downs the shot in front of her before taking up the cigarette to continue smoking on it. It's very possible she orders another round of the whiskey, and further when she hears the door open once more, she turns her head to look. Not the person she was expecting, but it /is/ a familiar face. Actually, two familiar faces. One less so than the other. Her brows lift for a moment and then she turns back to her smoke and drink. Maybe she can play invisible. Maybe. Mayyyyybeeee....

It's Sinister, you dolt, he likely knew you were here from ten blocks away.

Still, the one who's gruntles are certainly a bit dissed right now makes no motion to greet friends or acquaintances, and instead continues with her smoke and thanks the bartender when her glass is refilled.

Sinister has posed:
"Hello. Fancy seeing you here. It's a co-inky-dink, I'm sure. Miffed southern belle at the bar..." nodding in the direction of Rogue, Sin puts on a smile and moves to order. "Grilled cheese and tomato soup?" is asked of Nick, before he's nodding in reverse to Harry. "Gin and tonic with a lemon twist and a pint of guiness, please. And another whiskey." He nods toward Rogue, slides onto the stool and turns to look at Nick once again.

Expectent look, insert --> Here <---

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
It's been awhile since Nick was last at Harry's. Last time around his company consisted of a winter soldier and two service dogs. This time around it is apparently a doctor. And hopefully this trip will be slightly less awkward.

The last time around the server mistook Bucky for a terminator and that led to an interesting exchange.

As the pair make their way in, Nick takes note of a rogue person in the bar. Something Frozen related.

... Anna. By the time he places the name, Sin's question causes him to look back to the doctor. "I really need to change up my orders more." He comments, indirectly confirming that is indeed what he was planning to order. The Guinness part. Well- that's a given.

Being that he knows the other two, Nick follows suit to take the seat to the other side of Sinister. opting not to crowd the one he's only met twice.

Granted one time they were kind of swimming in the nexus of realities.

Strange has a weird house.

Rogue has posed:
There are only a handful of people who are allowed to call Rogue by her actual name. Nick isn't on that list. Strange might be. Nathaniel is. Though she's not aware of the one trying to remember the name she doesn't go by and instead side-eyes the one who sat in the stool next to her. "Suppose I can't call it a happy accident that you just happened to come here while I'm sittin' and fumin'." She says this in as casual a tone as she can manage while finishing off her cigarette and smushes it into the ashtray that is now between her and Nathaniel. She then shifts to glance just beyond and offers a, "Hello...Nick right?" To the other one before she settles back and looks to Nathaniel again. "What's new?"

Sinister has posed:
Puppy? Hah. She can be a bitch when she wants to, but she ain't no puppy.

A gestures gets made to Nick, indicating the man's on his tab. "Grilled cheese and tomato soup, too. And a bowl of nachos with melted cheese on them aaaand... a serving of mozza sticks, please kind sir." With a smile to Harry, all that's going on within minds nearby is being cheerfully ignored.

"Pure happenstance, Rogue. I was in the neighbourhood, checking up on a couple of things but you, my dear, look like someone went and kicked your kitty." A sidelong look is given then.

"Rogue, Nick. Nick, Rogue. Nothing new under the sun, but currently the ball is in Betsy's court. On things. And potential new memberships." With a subtle nod to the man on his other side, he fishes out a tin of tobacco roll-ups and sets about lighting one.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick nods in confirmation to his name. Resting his hands on the bar. "...Can't speak for him but I wasn't planning on running into people I know."

Although he probably should. He just keeps running into all sorts of people.

The introductions lead to him leaning a bit against the bar, glancing around Sinister to look to Rogue. So... preferred nickname then? "Hey again." He greets, glance shifting back to Sinister as he speaks of memberships.

Right, he probably should come up with a decision sooner rather than later.

He glances forward, blinking as 1 and 1 are put together. Unfortunately he doesn't catch himself before the words come out of his mouth. "The attack puppy?"

Rogue has posed:
"You're always just /in the area/ catching up on things..." Rogue chides to Nathaniel with another light scoff before lifting her refilled whiskey to take a sip of it. As Nathaniel mentions how she looks, she can't help but to smile and let out a little laugh. It's not the happy kind though. More like this side of annoyed at the idea. "Yeah well... to be fair, my kitty ain't been kicked for a little while now. Ain't seen or heard from him since we had /another/ talk about wantin' to do more together and spend more time together. We have these talks and then..." She sort of just waves a hand as if things just blow away in the wind. "Fuck nothin' but hot air it seems these days. And some how it'll likely be -my- fault." Griping to gripe, supposedly, or maybe she just trusts Nathaniel enough to speak her truth. Though the last thing Nick says has her raising a single eyebrow. "Attack puppy?"

Sinister has posed:
"Oh dear, well that's never good. And it's the truth though -- I'm in the area checking on things and boom, people. Sometimes I avoid people you know, honestly I do. But there was a vibe..." Guiness is set before Nick and the gin and tonic before Sinister when -those- words register in his ear, as the glass was being lifted to lips. It pauses, he stares over it at the register then he drinks anyway and lowers the drink to its coaster.

"Sweet as cherry pie, cute as a puppy, dangerous as a sack full of cats when she's pissed. Attack puppy. Blame the devil for the puppy thing. I attached the 'attack' moniker."

And that's MOSTLY the truth, as he looks sidelong and slightly longer than is strictly a /glance/, to Nick.

"Sometimes, people don't know what they've got, until it's gone. And then, all there is are tears and remorse. It seems like -his- kitty needs be kicked."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
I takes a moment. But it comes with the thunk of a glass of Guinness on the counter. Nick's brows raise as he just... keeps looking forward.

Fuck.

He said that out loud, didn't he?

He can just feel the glance that is longer than a glance.

"...Can we stop talking about kicking kittens?"

...

Is Betsy SURE she wants him in X-Force?

Rogue has posed:
There's a moment. Perhaps more than. Nathaniel may be staring daggers at Nick but after that longer-than-a-moment passes, Rogue just bursts out laughing. "Oh my good goddess... that's a good one. Your Devil came up with that? Puppy? What, like I follow you around all lost and wounded. Please, sir, I want some more? You can tell him to rightly go fuck himself, but adding the attack to the beginning of that ain't far from the truth. I got a bark -and- a bite... and you best never forget it." Then she leans over to look at Nick a bit better. "Don't worry your pretty head over that slip. I've been called far, far worse..." Plus, it somehow broke her mood a little bit. So there's that.

Then there's another pause. Then a breath. "Also. Charles came back." A breath. "For a momentary time any way..."

Sinister has posed:
"Well, certainly we could, but the alternative is rather more vulgar, Nick..." Sinister murmurs, waiting for the other shoe to drop. When it comes out as a whole lot of laughing, there's a small smile and a nod. "I shall be sure to avail him of your reply, my dear."

Crisis vaguely averted, the mozza sticks and sarnie-and-soup combination are brought out and set infront of their respective parties. After all, those don't take long.

The refresher whiskey also arrives, just in the nick of time.

"I felt something of that ilk. I'm a little surprised that I haven't been mentally examined yet, but he's kept his distance."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
While the assurance that Rogue isn't going to leap over one of his uncles to get to him is nice, that what he said was somewhat awkward does register. And while he was aware they weren't talking about actual kittens. There's just... other ways of saying it without bringing up mistreating meowing mousers.

Oh look!

Things that can go into the mouth to prevent talking.

Nodding his thanks, Nick tugs the plate holding soup and sandwich towards him a bit more. After giving a cursory glance for the napkin and spoon, he grabs one sandwich half and proceeds to dip the corner of the triangle into the soup.

Besides, he doesn't know which Charles they mean.

The one in charge? The one with Angels? The one with the golden ticket, the one who owns a white beagle with black ears...

Rogue has posed:
"Probably too distracted by all the visitors to his office now that he's back." Rogue offers this in response to Charles and then reaches to steal a mozza stick off of Sin's plate. He got them for the both of them right? Cause whiskey and empty stomachs never do mix well.

Even if you are a superpowered mutant.

Biting into the mozza stick, she chews thoughtfully for a moment and then takes a breath. "I don't mean to speak ill of Logan. I love the guy, I truly do. We just need to get our calanders in better order. And I'm just... I don't know. I miss him when we seem to pass eachother like ships in the night." Saying that much more as she chases mozza stick with a sip of whiskey. "Speaking of the X-Force stuff. Any closer to figuring out the next steps in that regard?"

Sinister has posed:
The one in charge of a school. That one. Wheels.

"She means Professor Charles Xavier, by the by..." Sinister helpfully supplies Nick-ward and watches whilst his mozza stick is kidnapped. Tsk tsk! One of his own is dipped in the marinara that's supplied and carefully snacked on.

"I wouldn't dream of guessing what's got him occupied though, given that there could be a veritable mountain of things." Bite, dip. "But yes. On the topic of X-force, I have a means to correct the synchronization of the machine. Then it can actively be used properly... the fixing of that is currently in Betsy's court though. After all, I'm the Q in this arrangement, you all are MI-5."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Sinister providing the full name is helpful. "Mmmmhmm." Nick responds with a closed mouth as he currently has a bit of tomato soaked cheesy bread being masticated in his mouth. RIGHT. The guy whose name is on the school he got dropped into when the dream world he was traveling through collapsed. Thoughts of a service dog in a dorm room that looks an awful lot like one of the dogs in the prior thoughts of his last visit to Harry's comes to mind.

The sandwich is brought back to the bowl to dip once more.

Rogue has posed:
Rogue dips the non-bitten end of her stolen cheese stick into the marinara sauce that came with it and bites off that end as well. "If you have the means to fix the machine and do all the things... does this mean you won't need me anymore? I've been waitin' for you or someone to come around sayin' I'm needed and it ain't happened..." Offering this, but in a lazy sort of manner as she then pops the rest of the cheese stick in her mouth to chew and swallow. It's chased by the shot of whiskey that's been served to her. "As for Logan. It's anyone's guess. He's been served a few pieces of humble pie lately which ain't been sittin' with him well. Add that to the fact that Charles came back and Logan felt some sort of way like he's failed the professor... and that's just a mixture of all no good things when it comes to the Lumberjack."

There's half a thought to steal another mozza stick, and then she decides against it and looks up and over. "Harry? Can I get a cheeseburger and fries?" Not like the man will say no, but she's gonna ask it anyway and then wait for the food to appear before her. "I guess in the end of things I'm just wonderin' if you really need me or not."

Sinister has posed:
"Well, to say that I need you specifically for your gift is a no. I don't. Manipulating everything using your ability directly would've been enormously risky to a lot of people, but you -were- the inspiration in the eventual solution, which was how your brain works in relationship to your gift, which I replicated a little of technologically as it were, to enable me to stimulate and awaken another's brain to the area on the genetic code and neurological pathways, that make my technomancy work. So, you were the solution, just not the physical one." Sinister replies, pauses, stares at the back wall as he replays it in his head. "Aaah, that is to say I made a EEG smart device, encoded with artificial gene-code activation ability, to mirror your leeching ability as if you'd borrowed from me."

There's a pause as he watches the dipping of the mozza stick, takes his own and delicately dips it, looks to Nick and back to Rogue. "You're still necessary to the solution, because I need to be focused on keeping my gift active and not split up into multiples and the machine has to be retuned in a very narrow window. Multiple people need to work simultaneously on a complex design -- thus me figuring out, through you, how to allow everyone else to see the machine like my brain sees the machine, thus and therefore... what's wrong with it and how to retune it properly so all versions are in harmony."

Another pause.

"You know, I've never really pegged Logan for intelligent, much. Cunning and evasive at times, but he's sometimes as smart as a box of rocks. He'd do well to remember what he's got and to not hero worship quite to the degree he does. Mnnnneh, I should shut up."

Mozza stick. Occupy mouth.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick blinks as Sinister goes into a lengthy explanation for Rogue's influence in the making of a device that's supposed to help explain to others how to set up their respective machines in a short time window. And apparently in the time window... or maybe one prior he's assuming they're going to get a memo about what's about to happen so the people in question are actually near their devices during the other narrow time window.

He's still curious about what the plan is regarding that part is. As he chews, he looks over to Sinister curiously. A questioning look is given. But, considering the doctor's a bit of a mind reader. There's probably much more information given than what was in that look.

He dips his sandwich into the soup again.

Rogue has posed:
Rogue gives a shrug and then a smirk. "Well. Whatever you need me for, just let me know when. I guess. Ain't sure what all you really need me for aside from inspiration...but I'll do my best to help." Listening further as Nathaniel goes into explanations on the aspects of what he's working on but it very soon falls on deaf ears. She can't handle the technical gutturals - barely able to handle it from Beast. So listening to Sinister drone on is a sure no go.

In fact. She reaches the smile and nod phase of 'listening' and then turns to her drink when it's filled again. Food will take another moment. She also pulls out another cigarette and lights it, offering the pack over in case either Sinister or Nick wants one.

Wolverine has posed:
As if on cue, or plain old coinky-dink as Sinister put it, Logan slips into the bar. He'll order himself a beer. "Non-domestic or local stuff," Logan thinks commercial American Beer tastes like some form of pisswater. Breathing out, he closes his eyes and tries to center himself for a few moments. Honestly, it takes a few moments before familiar scents run up his nose. Oh, this night got a hell of a lot more interesting.

Sinister has posed:
There is a certain sensation in mind when one can perceive the 'Nod and smile' social nicety. There is a sigh from Essex, mostly because he actually caught himself in the middle of that and really did try and put it down to laymen's terms. But then?

Oh, that's a familiar feeling, of unspoken questions. And that's also a familiar feeling approaching -- it's very hard to get the drop on him usually, because paranoia is a watchword and sometimes they really ARE out to get you. Even yourself is out to get you.

He gazes briefly at Rogue, "Extra hands." He says, looks at Nick and is about to tackle this when Logan arrived. He tracks the man to the bar, gazes steadily at him for a few moments and then: "...I swear..." with a glance around and at the points where cameras would be located, or invisible angels hiding out... "...Uriel's mercy..." muttered.

And then there's a nod to the Wolverine and an attempt at a smile.

Turning to Nick. "I think I need to do dry runs with everyone, make sure you can handle the device on a day less important. Shouldn't be a problem." Answering what wasn't said.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Getting the slight visual of cigarette being offered over in his direction. Nick gives a closed mouth smile but shakes his head, refusing the offer.

Nick swallows his bite of sandwich but doesn't put the soup soaked next bite in. Instead the bitten triangle of grilled cheese bleeds back into the red filled vessel of tomato-y gore.

He glances around to the mention of Uriel before cracking a smile, looking to Sinister as he thinks back to another conversation.

Angels don't just make themselves show up for just anyone. And counting those working the bar, there are several reasons not to be known.

"Perhaps you were overdue for a meeting." He jokes slightly, before biting back into the sandwich, glancing over to the nodded to Logan.

Hmm.

Wasn't he at the adoption event?

Hair like that is hard to forget.

Rogue has posed:
Rogue hears the door open, since she's been listening for it even with the discussion she's been having with Sinister - and occassionally Nick. As she glances and sees Logan, she sort of waits to see what will happen. And he just goes to the bar - on the other end from where she is - and sits to order a beer. With narrowed eyes, she slips off her stool and walks over towards where Logan is sitting. Her hands go to her hips and she stares him down. "Really? You just waltz in here, not even figuring there's anyone here you know and ignore us? You and you're...impeccable scensing...what the hell, Logan?"

Wolverine has posed:
Logan doesn't nod at Sinister. He just knows Sinister is a man of civility. So, there is some kind of nod or a wave. Something. Logan was just centering himself.

Yep. There's Rogue. "I wasn't ingoring ya, I was centerin' myself first," Logan turns toward her. "Also bringing down instincts. Been huntin'. Someone ran off wit' a large amount of adamantium. Thought it might've had somethin' to do with the program I was in," he has some other theories, but that's the one that makes the most sense.

"Didn't want to hunt down people that didn't deserve it at the moment," mainly Sinister. His blue eyes look at Rogue for a moment. "I wasn't ignorin' you. Sorry I gave that impression," he says honestly sincerely. Oh, Logan knows this might go very pear shaped soon.

Sinister has posed:
"Or maybe we're just meant to bear witness," Sinister muses to Nick, glancing up at the ceiling again, as if that might have an answer. It doesn't of course. If they're watching, they're watching. After all, there's an entire cast of the buggers whose title is 'the watchers', so....

He dips another mozza stick, orders another gin and tonic and silently helps himself to one of Rogue's cigarettes whilst she's gone off to share a piece of her mind. Munch. Sip. Drag.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick looks curiously to the odd couple for a moment before it registers that a couples quarrel is going on. Yeesh. Turning his head back to his plate. He shakes his head. "If I'm not looking directly at it, I can't be a witness."

He bites into the sandwich.

Hmm. Wonder where Rowl is right now...

Rogue has posed:
"You rememeber us havin' a conversation about communication. I mean I know I ain't the best at it, but it's still a two way street. You could have -said- something, Logan... there are times I would not want to interfere with what you're doing." Yes. Things could go pear-shape. But Rogue is trying her best to not blow her lid at every opportunity. She takes a breath and sits on a stool next to Logan. "I get it. You got busy... but... damnit you and I both hate being in the dark. So quit leavin' me in the god damn dark, Logan."

She then turns and leans over. "Nathaniel, my friend, would you kindly send me my drink and cigarette please? Thank you!" And then she eyes Nick who is really interested in his soup and sandwich at the moment. "Sorry if our coupling offends you, Nick. Don't worry. It always works out in the end..." And since she's not blowing her top off...it might be better already.

Wolverine has posed:
"I've been 'round. Where have ya been darlin'? We've been missin' each other. Then when ya were around I was hunting," Logan runs his hand over his face and through his hair before turning in his seat.

Logan's quiet for a bit as he sips his beer. "Alright. Tomorrow night. I know what we're doin'. You think of the bet. Cause yes, there's gonna be a bet," Logan says look at her for a moment. "Unless yer chicken to think of somethin'," and then he smirks and takes another drink.

And that's what Logan thinks of, even if he keeps some of his findings back a little bit. Hidden.

Sinister has posed:
Sinister obliges by floating all of the things that are Rogue related down the bar, hovering only about an inch off the surface. Behold, TK bussing. He glances sidelong at Nick, then almost voicelessly chuckles, barely heard.

Second Gin and Tonic follows the first, albeit slower. He shaves the cherry on his cigarette.

"I am so glad right now, that I'm not a gambling man."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick glances up, mouth full. To the mention of offense he shakes his head. "mmphh. mmph." There's a thumbs up.

Yes. Such a CLEAR message there.

A curious glance is given to Sinister as his position immediately to the side of him allows for the slight chuckle. Musician ears. Huh.

Nick swallows, "Gambling on what?"

Rogue has posed:
Rogue smirks. "Right then. I'll think of something and you just make sure you can pay up when the time comes. I look forward to it." She says this and turns, because her lit cigarette has been delivered to her, which she picks up and takes a drag of. "Nathaniel was talking shop a bit ago. Seems he has a way to have everyone somehow get to each device that needs fixing and fix them, but we need Betsy to hit the green light and say go. I was also bitching about you, but I suppose that's tits up now that you're here and explained what was going on. And Nick here, he's just been enjoying food and conversation that's gone awkward as a bystander at times. Like a cat inna room full'a rockin' chairs." She smirks.

"Anyway. I got food on the way, and your beer is on me, Logan. Just tell me where to meet you tomorrow. I'll be there. But for now. I suppose the most we can do is enjoy some food, drink and companionship, yeah?"

Wolverine has posed:
"So, talk shop. Talk about me. Why is the new guy important?" Logan knows that this guy just isn't here by chance. there has to be a reason for it. "Talk, Rookie," and he looksa t Rogue, "And yer gonna lose," then he looks at the woman with a smirk before his face slips back to business. "N' why we waitin' on Betsy's go?" he asks just making sure that he's on the same page with everyone.

Sinister has posed:
"Because it's her team, Logan? I am just the finance and gadgetry department with a big resource pool. And because she's glue. I'm universal solvent..." Sin looks to Nick and clucks his tongue. "Nick is..." fully capable of speaking out for himself, Nathaniel "...assisting...amongst other things." He nods toward the couple.

"That could have gone either way."

Sure. The smile seems believable anyway. He finishes off his G&T and works then on enjoying the last of his cigarette.

"I mean, tell me I'm wrong, Logan." Still grinning.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick looks between Rogue, Logan, and Sinister. "Honestly I came here because it's been a long while since I last came to Harry's. But there's been an uptick in running into people I've met before. Small world I suppose."

The sandwich gets dunked into the soup again. "I'm... just a generally helpful person with some quirks."

Another drop of soup falls off the sandwich into the bowl before he takes another bite.

Maybe once he's sure what assistance he's doing around them he'll share more. But... what is he going to tell them? He magicked a feather?

Rogue has posed:
"Okay, but sort of on Logan's point...why are we waiting for Betsy to say go in order to fix the machines? Are we hoping that as soon as she says go and the machines get all fixed something will happen?" Rogue asks this just as her food is being delivered and she takes up a fry to munch on. "I mean, I get it, to some degree... but also... THAT ball feels like it's more in your court, Nathaniel. Maybe Betsy's waitin' on you to get shit done."

She says all this, grins, and then lifts up her cigarette to finish it and smash it out so she can focus on enjoying her food. Her attention returns to Logan for a brief moment. "Also. I don't lose, love. I win. And I will win against you...just you wait." Giving a smile and then crunches on her fry in a sort of violent manner as if to...somehow...prove her point?

Wolverine has posed:
"Threat's gonna happen, regardless of whose team it is," Logan points back. Then he looks back to the group for a moment. "If she's got knowledge on how to work it all, then she needs to teach a backup or we need to get a backup. Now," he says knowing that it could force them into an awkward position.

"You sure you wanna ask me a question like that?" Logan points out to Sinister. Given his recent view of Sinister, Logan points out that he may not want to give Logan a question like that. Logical, or not, Logan may still put Sinister in the negative light.

Logan smirks at Nick, "'N ya got pulled into this madness. Sorry, kid," he genuinely means that.

"Can't wait til' I get to brag 'bout my win six months from now," Logan smirks back at her and then he will drink at his beer. Then his gaze goes to the others as Rogue devours those fries like Gojira destroys buildings.

Sinister has posed:
"Not particularly. It was mostly a rhetorical question," Essex shrugs his shoulders lightly, sets his empty glass aside and stubs out his cigarette neatly. A fresh one, a clove, is selected and groomed for being lit.

"I don't want to step on her toes, Rogue. That and I suppose I expected more recalcitrant stubborness and hackles from Logan, but that's just a given. I'll have to show you all how to use the EEG transmitters then. And study the algorhythm to work out when the next universal 'tick' is going to tock." There's a shrug as he lights up the clove, glances to Nick and back to the couple in question.

"You can blame Betsy for that one. I... usually just drag Nick into all manner of confusing mystical mayhem and celestial shenannigans."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Pale eyes observe the couple's antics, smiling softly to the pair. The brief flash of a concert setting with a woman with a snowy white owl mask, with a white painted jaw jutting out from underneath comes to mind.

Logan's response to Nick shatters the recollection as his eyes focus upon the man. The smile falters slightly before he processes what was said. "Oh- while I might have quiet days, my life is anything but normal." Nick replies back, a small smile returning. "But it is what it is."

He shrugs, glancing back to his food but not making the move to bite off the sodden bit of sandwich.

When Sinister shifts the blame for his being present in the conversation, he gives a nod of confirmation. Nick's at least aware enough of the situation that these people are privy enough to have that bit of information. "Technically I'm still deciding on the official part." He adds in. Just to be upfront. "But I've already been helping."

Rogue has posed:
Rogue glances over to Nathaniel and then shrugs her shoulders. "Whatever helps you sleep at night I guess. Do you really need me there for calibrating things? It still feels, from the sound of it, I ain't got much to contribute to the actual anything except the idea of how to do the fixin'." Which may not make any sense to anyone else but to Nathaniel and Logan - fellow mutants and friends - they might be able to figure out what she's saying.

"Six months from now you'll be onto the next thing and forgetting about who kicked yer ass from here to the moon..." She then turns and says to her beloved without seeming to miss a beat. Then there's the consuming of fries. With ketchup. And the drinking of whiskey. "Hey Harry. You still got cola on tap? Can I get a glass? Without ice." Because she needs something besides the grease to settle the whiskey in her belly.

There's a final look to Nick, and just the look on her face seems to apologize for...everything? In a silent sort of way. "Well, if you're already helpin' then it sounds like most of you has already made the decision. You best let the rest of you catch up lest you feel like a scardy cat inna room full'a rockin' chairs, sugah..."

Wolverine has posed:
"Normally, I'd say 'wait.' But time may not be on our side. It can't afford us some luxuries," hence his hastiness explained a little bit. Then he looks back to Sinister, "Why do ya drag the kid around? He yer assistant?" Logan asks and just gives Nick a once over. A few gears turn, but those are kept close to the chest for now.

"Yhe next way to beat yer ass, I know," Logan smirks at her and then he just drinks at his beer. Savooring the taste. A moment later, he takes another pull from it. He let's the others speak for a moment as he tries to make a little more sense of it all.

Sinister has posed:
There is consideration given then, to both Nick and Rogue both. Eyes get narrowed on the latter, merely acknowledging the words of the former with a small half-smile. At length: "Well, I need at least five pairs of hands. There's five other calibrations that need doing, although one I believe is simply going to be unplugged from existence. I think that -might- have a detrimental effect on the causality that it's actually in, but that will resolve itself, if I'm correct in my calculations."

He probably is. Maybe. No, definitely. Right?

Pause. "She's like as not right, Nick." Dragging on the smoke, he smiles as the ash dances in a little whirl of motion, before settling. His attention darts sidelong again then, focusing on Logan. "No. Not an assistant. He's helpful, but he's not subordinate to me, or on my payroll. He moves in a different circle to the rest of us -- it's occasionally extremely useful. But that's a whole story that isn't mine to actually tell. If you two are genuinely interested. Suffice to say... Nick has a knack with the spoken word. At the moment, that doesn't seem to have been very apparent, as, as per usual, I talk the hind leg off a donkey and that's enough to fill the air with. I would not have been able to create the infinite improbability drive without him, or the assistance of the Celestials. So. I shall arrange a dry run soon, to practice with the EEG transmitter. And then we shall be in business, because there really isn't time to faff about like lolligaggers."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick sighs. "You're probably right." Nick allows of Rogue's comments.

And yet he hasn't gotten around to outright saying 'yes'. Perhaps, he's just a bit wary of things turning out completely different than initially advertised.

The smile fades. "You guys have my help with this particular matter until it reaches some resolution." Nick offers. "That's the best I'm going to do tonight. Something else comes up? We'll talk about it then."

He listens to Sinister providing more detail to how he helps, giving another nod of confirmation to the listing before glancing to the other two. "I have my moments..." He pauses, glancing to Harry and to the others not part of the immediate group that happen to be in the area. Nick considers them and then what has already been said out loud. "It's a long story and I don't even know all of the particulars." He finally allows, "But...my background is apparently a lot more complicated than I thought it was a few years ago."

Rogue has posed:
Rogue glances to Nathaniel and just gives him a nod. "If you really need me, let me know. But by all counts of it, you got enough hands without me havin' to actually be part of it anymore." Then she shrugs, Harry brings her a soda, she washes down what she's already eaten.

Logan's gone quiet, so her focus turns to Nick and she gives a smirk. "Believe me, sugah, we know complicated. Maybe not in the same ways. Actually, likely not in the same ways... but if you think us mutants have lives that are ordinary, you need to come have a walk around the mansion and meet some folk." She shrugs then, pulling out her wallet to take out a couple 100s and puts them on the bartop. "Harry. This is all on me. If that ain't enough, just add it to my tab... y'know I'm good for it." She reaches over the bartop itself to snag a box and piles her food into it. This is when she turns to Logan.

"I'm too drunk to fly. Please tell me you got yer bike or my car..."

Wolverine has posed:
Logan is going to say something about Sinister and Nick, but that's dickish, even by his own standards. so, he stays silent about that part. "All anyone can ask fo anyone else," Logans ays about Nick wanting to help until everything is solved. That's a simple enough request.

Logan just works on his beer for a moment. "Mutants ain't exactly normal," they're like regular people. However, one person can keep everything else cold and another cook without needing a fridge or a stove. So, there's a weirndess, or wackiness, that can acocmapny it.

"I got my bike. Yer good," he says knowing Rogue is probably not in the best space to fly. Logan's happy to be D.D. in this instance.

Sinister has posed:
"It did rather, didn't it?" Sinister actually chuckles to Nick there, glancing oh-so-briefly to Logan, then beyond to Rogue.

"Keep a weather eye on the road, hmm?" if it's said slightly fondly, please forgive him. It might just be a glitch in the matrix. There is a nod to Rogue, because certain proximities to people when under stress, is something that probably shouldn't be risked if it isn't necessary.

"Shall we?" said the demon doctor to the Phantasm, with a gesture to the door.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Ooooh he's aware of the mansion.

Worst kept secret in all of Westchester.

"I'm not saying yours aren't." Nickd acknowledges, "I'm just more indirectly saying the long story would be getting even longer if there was an attempt to tell it.

Hell, the last time around, one of the listeners did the equivalent of hitting a fast forward button to get to parts he wanted.

To the mention of a mutant cooking without needing a fridge or a stove, he cracks a slight smile, "Like the one at Fred's- Back before they fixed the damn cooktop. He'd just light it up himself. Learned real quick to sit near the window if I didn't want to get the hibachi effect while eating."

The rockstar glances over to Sinister as he gestures to the door. Nick looks to his not quite finished food and his not quite finished drink before looking to the not quite arrived to the bar with, doctor. "...I'm going to finish this first." He finally responds, gesturing to the plate, "But I'll swing by afterwards, alright?"

With everyone making their eventual departures, Nick is left alone to enjoy his sandwich and soup.

Yum.