2772/A Friend in Need...

A Friend in Need...
Date of Scene:	09 October 2017
Location:	Unknown
Synopsis:	Summary needed
Cast of Characters:	Siryn, X-Man

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Siryn has posed:
Theresa's meeting with Lucifer was.... well. It started off great! And then she figured out who he was. And she thinks she brazened it out pretty well, but that bolt of raw terror that went through her lapsed-Catholic little soul awakened a link that she's been told would be there. The presence of company, even if it was only mentally, made meeting Lucifer and accepting a JOB from him ... marginally less terrifying. But quite frankly? Terry is a shaky mess.

She left the meeting, called in to the office to let them know she'd be doing some research for the new client in her portfolio, and promptly went down into Hell's Kitchen, where there are bars where people don't even CARE to find out your name. She sits at the bar with a glass of what is laughingly to the Irish called 'beer' in this country along with two shot glasses in front of her. One of them is empty.

X-Man has posed:
As promised earlier, Nate has been keeping an 'minds eye' on Terry since their last meeting. There are very few people in this new World that has an instinctive connection with, and she happens to be one of them. As the raw emotion ran through Terry's mind, Nate easily picked it up, and immediately reached out to her across the City. His first message was confirming she was ok, his second message was to let her know he would be there if she wanted, and then he let his presence linger in Terry's mind just enough in case she changed her mind

When she left, Nate could still feel her concern, and decided to track her down. When a close friend (even if it was another World) needs someone to talk to you show up for them... plain and simply. As he walks into the bar his left eye glows softly, and no one gives him a second glance. Without needing to look around, Nate makes his way to the bar, and takes the stool next to her. He gives a half-smile, concern obvious, "Hey Terry. What's goin' on? I thought you might've run into Apocalypse himself earlier..." He glances at the drinks, the Bartender asking if he wants anything, he says "Same as her."

Siryn has posed:
Terry didn't know he was coming... but she should have. And she should have picked up the phone as soon as she got out of her meeting and called Jimmy, too. And she didn't do that either. The shock to her system was a big enough one that she turned to what she knows dulls the extremes and steadies her nerves the best -- whiskey. Before answering him, she picks up the shot glass that's still full in a hand that trembles visibly and downs it expertly. "OH, no..." she tells him in her lyrical Irish brogue. "No. Him, I coulda handled. The Divil Himself, now... that's a right different kettle right there."

X-Man has posed:
"The Devil?" Nate asks, not quite sure of the reference here, and the Bartender drops off the set of drinks. "Thanks." Nate replies with a smile, and the Bartender walks off with a smile of her own. "I didn't go deep when I felt you were worried..." Nate adds, hoping the fact that he connected at all wasn't a violation of her trust in him. "...I don't know who it was, but I know it 'caused you a ton of concern. So I came out here, and see if you wanted to talk 'bout it."

He takes the first shot like a champ, letting the drink slide down, and following it up with a long drink from the beer. He takes a moment, gathering his thoughts, before he speaks, "Whiskey's not bad, but..." Nate shakes head, "...not sure I'm sold on the beer." He glances around the bar, adding, "Good place to go if you don't want to be found, though."

Siryn has posed:
"American beer is piss," Terry tells him bluntly. She pushes the small glasses away with a concerted effort of will. She's determined she's not going to fall down the rabbit hole again. She's NOT really a drunk. She's a social drinker. At least back home, that's what they call it. A pint at lunch, a pint or two at night. That's her usual pattern. "Th' Divil, lad. Lucifer. Th' first Fallen Angel of God?" She looks at him with bright blue eyes and then remembers where he comes from. "Ya didn' have church where ye came from, did ya?

X-Man has posed:
Nate watches Terry with his own currently mismatched eyes, Blue and Gold, and shrugs a shoulder in acceptance of her assessment. "Haven't been anywhere else yet, but if it all tastes like that then yeah... I'd have to agree." It's obvious there is no judgement in his eyes at all, whether she's drunk or not, just concern over what has her upset. "Nope, no church other than those that worshiped Apocalypse, his Horsemen, and the rest of his scumbag crew." Nate replies evenly, "I'd heard of some people who prayed to one God or another in the darkest parts of the night. Whatever helped them get through their hell of a life I'm all for it." He takes the next shot, again no flinch, but maybe the slightest brightening of his eye if she's paying attention. "Lucifer. First Fallen Angel of God. I understand what that means to you, but I don't know why. Did he threaten you?" A furrowing of the brow, narrowing of the eyes, "What happened today?" His voice shows concern, trying to understand the reaction, but missing the background to understand the significance.

Siryn has posed:
"NO!" Theresa replies immediately. "He didn' threaten. He didn' even... act like th' Divil," she admits. "But... ye have t' understand. He's a Fallen Angel, Nathan. Someone I was raised t' believe is a divine bein' whose sole mission is t' tempt ye off th' path of righteousness so ye can go t' his fiery hell." She's actually ... maybe not explaining it well enough. "And he acted like a simple businessman. Aw, sure'n, I just want ye t' see if ye can acquire me these paintings, lass. I've ... been in th' presence of my admittedly very lapsed religion's biggest boogieman in th' world!"

X-Man has posed:
"Ok..." Nate nods, processing what she's telling him, a million different ideas flashing through his mind "This is someone from your beliefs. Like a trickster god?" He knows he's missing more context, Terry can feel his confusion mentally even though he isn't trying to push it her way, "I don't understand completely.." Nate admits, his voice calm and steady "...but I /think/ I understand comin' face to face with a demonic being from your beliefs. It's somethin' you never expected to happen, and then it's dropped right in your lap without any warnin'"

Even though Nate looks young, it is easy to forget he has seen the Worst that most Worlds have to offer, and his experiences in the horrific outstrip most people decades... maybe even centures.. older than him. "So, he's playin' his role then? Come across as somethin' that throws you off? Not so bad, but it's the first step." He continues to watch her, thoughtful, adding "Do you want to do work with him? Do you trust yourself to know a line that you shouldn't cross? You can always count on me to listen, and give you my honest thoughts. I don't know him, it, whatever... from anythin' else, but maybe I can be an objective party, right?"

Siryn has posed:
Sipping from the beer in front of her, Theresa considers. "Well... at this moment, there doesn't appear t' be an ulterior motive," she says. Her nerves a pleasantly fuzzy now. "So... yes, I'm goin' t' keep th' job. He's a big-name client, isn't he?" She says this in the same way an American would say 'you know?' And then there's a little twinkle to her gaze. "An' well... he's frightfully well funded, I'd imagine. Think what we could do wi' a few jobs from him under our belts. We'd have a way t' start doin' our own work t' keep yer world from happenin', wouldn't we?"

X-Man has posed:
Nate offers a lopsided grin after a moment, "Well, ain't that his whole point. I'm guessin' if he's everythin' you've been told, he'd be pretty good at hidin' what he really wants." He takes a drink from his own beer, sliding it back and forth on the coaster, "Good. Keep the job, but do it for yourself. This is 'bout what you want to do, not what anyone else needs.." He waves his hand at the people in the bar to encompass 'anyone' "...I know we've not talked much, but i have a sense you've got the same fire in you. You're not goin' to let anyone, Fallen Angel or not, run over you." He shrugs, as if that's more than enough reason to trust her.

"Eh, if we need money I can get it whenever we want..." He pauses, considers how that sounds, "...well, I can make a ton of money real fast without hurting anyone." His easy demeanor grows as he keeps talking, "I'll do whatever it takes to keep this World from becomin' like mine, but more important is takin' care of my friends. You all are the top of my list. We'll get there, it doesn't have to be quick, and it doesn't have to put you in a spot that you're uncomfortable. Ok? I'd rather fight a thousand Lucifers than have you in a spot you're not comfortable in."

Siryn has posed:
Theresa chuckles softly at his assertion that he can get it quickly. "Nate... lad, can I ask ye... whit was I in yer world? Because in this world? I grew up in a household where I found out my uncle was a thief... an' then he trained me. I guess ye could say tha' if Lucifer's lookin' t' take my soul, it's already been on the fast train. But... I asked him if I had t' sign anythin' in blood. And he looked distinctly put out." The memory, flashing across her mind, is vivid and finally she is laughing. "Dear God, boyo... he was like 'whit? O' course not. Can ye think whit th' health department wid do wi' tha'??'"

X-Man has posed:
When Terry asks him about herself, Nate takes a loooongg drink from his glass, and sets it down. There might be just a touch of color to his cheeks, and he bites the side of his lip as he seriously considers the question. "Hmm, I haven't had much luck when I've talked about or shown people from my World, Terry.." his voice is quiet, obviously nervous, "...I know things are different here. People are different. Made different choices in their lives." He realizes he is rambling, takes a breath, and says "Ok."

"You never knew your parents. That's not uncommon in my World. You were raised by two very loving Humans who treated you like their own daughter..." He can't look at her in the eyes as he continues, "...you were on a train, sent to the culling factory to be harvested. I couldn't save them from Apocalypses men." He takes a breath, looking back up to Terry, "You never knew until you saved me that you had powers, were a mutant. and I brought you with us because you had no one else left."

"You were opinionated, stubborn, and had quite the temper..." Nate continues, a grin spreading across his face to wipe away his previous disappointment in himself, "...and you were smart, with a kind soul, and had a way of making the World seem a little bit brighter. No matter how bad things got you were always there to let me know we were makin' a difference." Now there is definitely a blush, taking another drink before continuing, "I have a lot to make up for, and I just want to return even a little bit of the friendship I was given freely to someone that might need it from time to time."

Siryn has posed:
Theresa listens. It's another world, after all. It's not what happened here. But it helps her understand... somehow in that other time and place, as screwed up as *IT* was, she herself was less messed up there than here. Greeeat. She simply nods to Nate, though. "I didn' really know my parents here either. M' Da -- he didn' know I existed until Uncle Tom and me and Uncle Cain got arrested. An' then he called in me Da t' try to keep me oot of jail." She shrugs. "M' Da and I have a rather hands-off relationship. He tries, but..."

Taking a long sip of her drink, she says, "I hope ye realize tha' yer Theresa was probably ... a better person than I." Terry slants her blue eyes at him, though, assessing that blush. If there *was* more there, that's something she won't dig into. It's not her right. "Ye don' owe me anything, boyo."

X-Man has posed:
There's a sense of relief that flows from Nate pretty strongly, despite the fact that he covers it up with a stoic (somewhat) expression. "What I've learned is that it's not blood that makes family, but who is there for you when you need it." Finishing off his beer, he slides it next to the shot glasses, "Family is where your Heart is, and they'll be there for you even if what you did isn't exactly right."

He runs a hand through his hair, getting a bit shaggy since he hasn't had it cut while he's been on this World, "Terry, we've all got our issues. It's not 'bout who is better or not, but 'bout who your friends are. I've killed people, Terry, mostly bad, but some just tryin' to make a livin' to help their families. I know it, and I live with it, and if I could change some of them I would. In this World they'd lock me up forever, because I'd tell them it is what needed to be done." Again, that old look in his eyes for a face too young, "and you're right. i don't owe you anythin', but that's not what I'm here for. Whether you believe it or not, I think you're a good person. I think you've done the best you could with the life you have. So, as a friend, we don't keep score. Just like you don't owe me anythin' for the Terry of 'nother World did or didn't do. If you don't mind, I'd like to meet the Terry of this World, and be a friend when you want it."

Siryn has posed:
Theresa nods slowly. She pulls in a deep breath. "Aye, I'd like tha' quite a lot, I'm thinkin'," she tells him softly. She has friends, but it crosses her mind that Jimmy's fond of tellin' her tha' her friends don't seem to amount to much when it came to lettin' her turn into a sloppy drunk. She doesn't think she agrees with his assessment. She's in control of it now, anyway. "So tell me whit ye wanna know. Ask me anythin'," she invites with a smile. She needs 'normal' right now to round off the settling of her nerves.

X-Man has posed:
Nate gives Terry a smile, a geniune smile, maybe even the first one she's seen from him. "Good. That makes two of us that would like that quite a lot." When the Bartender comes over to pick up the glasses, she asks if there's anything else, and Nate says "Sure. Orange juice, please. Thanks." to which the Bartender pauses, but offers a small shake of her head and a smile to him, "You?" she asks Terry.

"Tell me about your Uncle Tom and Uncle Cain. Sounds like Family if they're willing to go to Jail with you." Nate asks, his attention focused on her, curiosity and interest coming from him, "I didn't have Uncles or anyone, but happy to tell you that after I hear about you."

Siryn has posed:
Theresa downs the swill that passes for beer, shudders gamely, and then tells the bartender, "Another beer, please." She waits until the young woman is gone and considers his question.

"Right... well, Uncle Tom is me uncle by blood? M' Da's brother. But... apparently there was some kind of ballyhoo aboot things when me mum died, an' Da did ... somethin'. Ended up maimin' me uncle, didn't he? An' so Uncle Tom didn' tell Da aboot me. No' til I was aboot 13 or 14, when we got pinched on a job. Da's a cop an' managed t' get me special treatment." She rolls her eyes.

"An' then we came here t' th' school an'... well, it just got complicated. Uncle Tom's still in prison. Uncle Cain, though... now he's a different kettle, isn't he? He's a man-mountain, literally. Seein' as how ya might run int' him, I suppose I need t' tell ya... he's aboot I dinnae. 9 or 10 feet tall. My hand t' God." Terry looks solemn. "He helped take care of me sometimes. Although ... well, tha' kinda drove Da nuts."

X-Man has posed:
"Ahh.." Nate nods his head in understanding, "...so blood Uncle. Your Uncle and your dad got into it eh?" He considers this, and nods head slowly. "The people I ran around with had their issues too. They fought all the time, fought with me, with each other. But they would kill for each other if it was needed."

"So... the Mansion..." Nate grumbles, but shakes head, "Different topic." he gives his half-smile again, his confusion grows at the thought of someone 9 or 10 feet tall. "Huh... ok... that shouldn't be hard to miss. I haven't seen or felt anyone like that around the Mansion."

The Bartender brings over the drink, and Nate thanks her again. He takes a drink from the OJ, "I'd like to meet them some day, and hear what embarrassing stories they have..." he chuckles a little, some of his previous tension easing, "...You went to School somewhere else for awhile, right? Where was that, and what did you learn?"

Siryn has posed:
Theresa takes the beer and sips from it slowly, considering. "Aye... well, I ran off from th' school a number of times." A lot of them, really. That's a long story, and one that it's easy to see she doesn't want to talk about. "Tom an' Cain were in an' oot of jail a few times. Met up wi' them. Th' last time, though, I wound up doon here." She gestures around them. "There was a group o' ... mixed kids. Some 'talented' an' some just tryin' t' get by. I stayed wi' them fer several weeks until Jimmy found me. An' then I came back a few more times. Jimmy came after each time and brought me home again." Sensing a theme. "But th' last time he found me, I'd been picked up on a camera stealin' drugs from a pharmacy. It ... was somethin' of an embarrassment up there. Me Da was outraged, even though I was stealin' it fer a good reason. An' he asked th' Professor t' send me back t' Europe. T' a friend who runs a research place. Isolated enough I couldn' get into much trouble, he figured."

X-Man has posed:
As Nate listens his excitement is tinted with understanding followed by an undercurrent of aggravation (not directed towards her) towards the end of her story. "Sounds like Jimmy is a good friend too." Nate adds, trying to keep a smile on his face despite what his emotions are conveying. "I've been there... kind of... in the Slave Pens. There were a group of humans being bullied.. in disturbing ways... by mutants. It's not pleasant in the Pens, but I couldn't stand by and let them get... abused." Nate's voice tries to remain level, old memories better left buried.

"You were taking the drugs for the kids that needed them." Not a question, his perception of her and not something he uses telepathy to determine, "That's..." aggravation turning to anger, "...just not ok." He eventually says, "So you were sent off to fend for yourself? While everyone else gets to hide, and pretend the World is roses?" He shakes his head, and for a moment she hears in her head <Not the time or the place..> A quick blush, "Sorry. I've got to focus or it slips away from me." He finishes the OJ, and decides another beer is a good idea.

"Did you get a chance to learn something you wanted while in Europe? I've always been interested in the Stars, because in some of the desolate lands you could see them easily at night, and always wondered what they were... how they got there... how we got to where we were."

Siryn has posed:
"Aye," Terry replies, sipping her drink. "One of them came doon sick an' he wouldn' have survived without antibiotics." His anger surprises her. "I don' think anyone thought it was roses." She considers. "I think... they didn' know what t' do wi' me. I was pretty mad. An' a rather large mess," she admits.

"I did wind up wi' a degree in art history. Moira insisted on continuin' school. An' I guess I didn' have much t' rebel against while I was there." She pauses and asks softly, "Nate... did ye learn t' read there? I'll bring ye books on any topic ye want."

X-Man has posed:
"Why didn't anyone talk to you? Why didn't anyone sit down, and ask you what you were angry about?" Nate replies, his voice surprisingly calm, "I'm not saying they knew the answers, but I was always told that you should work to figure out what the problem is, and then see if there is an answer. Whether it's an attack on a fortified position, or a friend that has lost someone... something special to them. It's not that hard to just ask." Nate says, voice strong with conviction.

As the beer is brought over, he takes a drink from it, before nodding his head to Terry, "Yeah, as far as I can remember I could always read. I pick things up pretty quick. Languages, Using Weapons, Engineering, Tactics and Strategy..." His mouth quirked to the side, trying to figure out how to explain, "...I just know things sometimes. Not sure where it comes from or how. Just always been there it feels like." He thinks for a moment before nodding, "I'd really like that. Anything on stars or studies about the stars... Astronomy right? Sounds right in my head."

He leans back on the stool, considering his next question, "Let me know if I get too nosy. I'm tryin' to avoid topics I think are too sensitive for new friends..." He scratches his chin, and finall asks "...What's your favorite part about Art History? It must have drawn your attention for a reason... I didn't even know anything about Art until I came here. I didn't know that drawings and pictures could be used for anything other than a battle plan, or reconnaissance of a facility."

Siryn has posed:
Theresa shrugs a little bit at the queries he throws at her, her shoulders hunching slightly. "I ... maybe they did ask? Or maybe it was finally just one time too many? Or .. perhaps me Da just gave an order. I really don' remember much aboot all that," she admits quietly. "I ... occasionally drink too much, an' I was already pretty mad at th' way Jimmy just dropped me off an' left." She shrugs a little. "Twasn' his fault... he'd just lost his family an' I didn' even know aboot it. An' he still came after me. He didn' know they'd send me packin'."

Pulling in a breath, Theresa looks back on that time, her memories holding a lot of hurt and rage. And then she pulls her attention to the other question. "D'ye want t' know th' real answer? It won' put me in a pretty light."

X-Man has posed:
Nate thinks on that for a little bit, spinning his glass on the coaster again, "Could be. I can't speak to it not bein' there, and what everyones reasons are at the end of the day." He takes a drink, then let's out a long sigh, "Our Life, the choices we've had and the decisions we make drive who we are... I just know that I've blown up factories, decimated towns, destroyed maybe an entire World for people I only know in passing... would be a cold day in any version of Hell before I'd let a friend be left on their own." and there is little doubt he means every word of it.

He glances up form his drink, looking over to Terry, "Remember earlier when we talked about friends not keeping scoring or judging. I'm not goin' to do either. You do what you do, and you have your reasons. We may not agree, but that's not gonna change the fact we're friends. I may tell you my opinion, but hopefully you won't hit me... I bruise easily.." A chuckle is followed by his grin, "So, what's the real reason?"

Siryn has posed:
Theresa toys with her glass. "Tom an' Cain were thieves. I learned a *lot* about tha' world. How t' identify valuable versus fake, didn't I?" She pulls in a slow breath. "There's a lot of money t' be made wi' th' right clients in the art world. An' I don' want t' be beholden t' anyone anymore. So I took what I knew, expanded on it... an' I figure at some point, it's possible I'll take on some shady deals."

X-Man has posed:
Nate watches and listens to Terry as she explains her reasons for getting into the Art business. He can sense her hesitancy, and in response he moves his stool closer, and places a comforting hand on her arm, "Hey Terry, I'm not sure what other people you've talked to or been 'round, but there's no reason for you to be worried 'bout talkin' to me." His concern for her is felt mentally as well as easily seen on his face, "So you have somethin' your comfortable with, and you decided to get better at it. You learned somethin' that would empower you. If people can't accept that, screw them." He squeezes her arm, again to emphasize his thoughts, "You do what's right for you. If people care 'bout you they'll only watch out so you don't get hurt, and support you so that you know you're not alone."

Siryn has posed:
Theresa's smile is faint. "Ya sound like Jimmy," she informs him, sipping from her beer. Pulling in a slow breath, Terry tells him quietly, "I've been wi' th' X-Men, I've done th' heroin' business. But sometimes I think bein' a hero is less about savin' th' world and more about savin' th' people in it. An'.... sometimes I think tha' th' Professor is very busy colorin' inside the lines." She shrugs slightly. "I don' think colorin' inside their lines is goin' t' fix what's broken, Nate."

X-Man has posed:
"Terry, who's to say anythin' is Broken?" Nate's replies back, his eyes thoughtful, "You've had a hard life. There are things I wish you didn't have to go through, but that doesn't mean anything other than you're a Survivor. What I see here, sittin' in front of me, is a strong person, that's smart, and knows what hasn't worked for her. None of us know what tomorrow is goin' to be like, or what life is goin' to bring our way. Hell, I know I don't have any answers, 'specially in this place and this time, but I do the best I can. That's all anyone should ask for from you." He waves his hand, a vague motion in the direction of the Mansion, "You don't worry 'bout them... You worry 'bout you, and what you need. Life is 'bout bein' inside anyone elses lines but your own. I promise if there's somethin' that worries me, I'll figure out a way to talk 'bout it while tryin' to not get blasted through a wall..." He grins at her, a shadow of a good memory from a bad place in his mind.

"So, I've asked a lot about you.." Nate adds, changing topics a bit, "..anythin' you want to know 'bout me?"

Siryn has posed:
Terry laughs quietly. "Whit did ye do tha' I blasted ye through a wall?" The immediate question just begs to be asked. "An' if I told ye tha' I wanted t' do what I've done most of m'life and help people, I just don' want t' do it wi' th' X-Men anymore... would ye be interested in perhaps doin' things a little differently and stickin' wi' me?"

X-Man has posed:
Nate whistles between his teeth, taking his hand off her arm, and again running it through his hair (definitely a nervous gesture). "Eh..." He reaches over, and takes another long drink from his beer. "...so... We'd been on the run for maybe a week. We'd just hit another train headed for a harvestin' factory. It was a pretty nasty fight, but we saved as many humans as we could. In order to give them some space we led the trackin' crews in our direction..." Terry can start to feel the anxiety, concern, weariness of the memory from him, "...eventually got to a place we could rest. It was an old warehouse that happened to have running water still. I told her to get cleaned up, and I'd watch for the tracks..." His face colors a little, "...I thought it'd be funny to play a bit of a joke, probably 'cause I was a little loopy. So, after I heard the shower runnin' I turned all the water to cold..." even still he snickers a bit, "...well, she didn't think it was funny AND she heard me laughin'... She was still gettin' used to her powers. So, when she screamed at me..."

In Terry's mind she can hear and feel, to a much smaller extent, her voice without the same accent scream ~DAMNIT NATE!~ and then Nate being blown through the first, second, and outer wall. Things go dark, and then next moment his vision clears, and that young version of Terry is standing over him, hair wet, and concern on her face. "Hey, Nate, ya ok?" Groggily Nate lifts a hand with his thumb up, and then... she slaps him.. hard.. .followed by "Asshole.." but the mirth is felt from both of them as she walks off.

"Yeah... not funny. Never tried it again." Coming back from the shared memory, Nate nods his head, "Yeah Terry. I'll always be there when you need me. Happy to figure out doin' somethin' different, and figurin' out the road ahead with you."

Siryn has posed:
When he shares the images, Theresa goes still. Because it's not just that he's showing her his world's version of her.... he's showing her his perspective of what happened. Which by default rather means she gets to see his PERCEPTION of that world's Theresa, how he sees her. And sense the affection, the loss, of her. The shared laughter over the situation tells her a great deal more about Nathan Grey than he might want her to know. She does grin at him, though. "Kind of funny... but aye, not th' best plan wi' abilities like mine," she agrees on a chuckle.

She looks back down at her glass, and there's a subtle withdrawal from him, the sense that she doesn't want him to *see* her... if he does, he won't feel the same way. Jimmy's the only who has ever really seen through the facade of Theresa Cassidy to the heart of the girl, broken and damaged as it is. "Your world had its moments of levity. Tha's a good thing. I'm glad."

X-Man has posed:
"Nope... not goin' to work..." Nate says with a smile, slowly reaching over to move the glass, and then taking a hand to slowly lift her chin so she's looking back at him. There is a knowing flicker in his eyes, and he sends to her an honest and open connection if she accepts it. The type of link is one that he can't hide, opening himself to her so that she can see into his mind, and know without a shadow of doubt.

"Terry, I was born a Slave. Abused, beaten, to be turned into a Weapon. They tried to Break me. Make me Hate. Make me feel the need to Kill..." If she follows the connection she can feel the simmering anger tied to a deep resentment of what he endured. "But I met people who taught me more. Friendship. Family. Love..." those darker emotions are chained, heavily, by the memories and thoughts of those he left behind in hopes of making a better place for them. "I just need you to trust me. We've all got scars, scars that shape who we are, but they don't /define/ us. I'm not goin' to be scared away, disappointed, or think less of anyone... especially you... for livin' your life. I just want to be there for you."

Siryn has posed:
When he tips her chin upward, the blue eyes are wary on him. Theresa doesn't trust as easily as it might appear -- for all that the X-Men are her family, there are a ton of telepaths there! Mental privacy is something you'd have to fight for.... if they were interested enough to look that deep. They weren't. She doesn't (metaphorically speaking) throw her mind open to him, but she doesn't retreat further either. She searches his face for a long moment as he holds her chin.

The rage, the resentment... she knows those intimately. They resonate in the darkest parts of her. The things that hold those emotions in check for him are the things missing in her. Or rather, they're overshadowed and conflicted -- she loves her father and hates him in equal measure. The people at the mansion who took her in, she trained and fought with them for years -- she loves them. And part of her hates them, too. And then there's the one person who's always been there for her --- who she cares for, who loves her... and yet, he got her sent away. For years. She's so raging mad at him that she can't even admit it to herself. It's no wonder the young woman is an alcoholic. Abandonment issues run amok.

"I don' know if I quite know how t' do tha', Nathan," Theresa tells him softly, reaching up to grasp the hand that cradles her chin. She's starting to realize that maybe WAY more people can see through her than she realized.... and it's a terrifying feeling. Like being naked in the street with all her weaknesses and flaws laid bare. She expects him to hurt her. "I only know I have promises t' keep. People t' find and protect, if I can."

X-Man has posed:
Terry will discover that Nate's abilities are unlike anything she has experienced before, and while he lacks any formal training them his intuitive control is something of a marvel. With the connection made she knows that her ability to see into him is one way. She can sense from him neither the want or the need to break through any of her private barriers. His emotions are conflicted, accepting and understanding that she is an entirely different person. Concern that he won't know how to help her see that he is there for her, and not for himself. Conviction that he will not let her deal with this alone. Trepidation that she will push away when all he wants is to help her see herself through his own eyes.

Nate shares another memory, not one of Terry, but one of Forge... his Foster Father... The anger and Rebellion he felt as Forge constant told him to control his powers. They were more than anyone knows. Frustration on what Nate felt he could do to help more, and when he did how it brought the attention of Apoclypse and his Hunters. Devastation at finding the broken body of Forge with Sinister standing over him, saying "Stop Wasting my Time and DO What YOU ARE MEANT to DO!!" Still to this day, the Self Loathing, buried deep under everything else that if he listened maybe Forge would be alive.

"Then let's figure it out, hey?" Nate says, his own voice soft, choked a little at reliving Forge's death, "I just wanted to show you that we all have choices we wish we could change. I'm not goin' to force you to do anythin', think any way, change who you want to be. I just want to help you see the person I see. You are a good person. I know it. We've all got burdens to carry. I'm offerin' to help you carry yours. Promises and all."

Siryn has posed:
Oh, Lord, the self-loathing is an old friend. But Theresa doesn't let OTHER people feel that, and she squeezes his hand. "Ye take on more than yer own share of tha' guilt," she tells him softly. "An' nothing I say will change whit ye feel. And I don' want whit happened t' ya there t' happen t' anyone else ever here. So... let's work on both goals, hmm?"

X-Man has posed:
The ever present smile on his face slowly returns, Nate nods his head, "Yeah. I'd like that." his voice taking on his normal tenor. He holds and squeezes her hand in return, "I'm an open book to you, Terry. You don't ever have to wonder why or what I'm thinkin'. We're not always goin' to agree, but you will /always/ know where I'm comin' from." He takes a deep breath, and she will feel a release of his tension and apprehension. The commitment to her is there, and it she can tell there are no additional ties to it. A sense of Happiness comes through tied to a Hopefulness that at least the initial barriers have been brought down between them. "You feelin' a bit better?" the question is honest, and she can tell he hasn't looked inside her to see for himself.

Siryn has posed:
Pulling in a breath, Theresa looks down at the bar. "Aye, I think so... now tha' I'm done shakin' in my boots over meetin' th' Divil." She grins a bit. "Ye know.... whit is this world comin' to, tha' I can say those words out loud an' it seems entirely normal?" Or ... well, not normal, she supposes, but it's just the way the world is. Gods, aliens, fallen angels! "I jist have t' figure a way no' t' turn t' jelly in me shoes every time I have t' meet th' man. And.... meanwhile, I guess it might be time t' allow ye t' get back t' whitever ye were doin' before I apparently so rudely interrupted, now, don't ya know?"

X-Man has posed:
Nate stands up, considers something for a second, and decides to pull Terry into a hug. She can feel the tension return just slightly, "Any time you need or want to talk to someone I'm here. Never rude, and you're never interruptin'." He let's her go after a moment, and steps back. He places a hundred dollar bill on the table, and winks at her "Seems I'm good at gamblin'...." He waves to her one final time, "..Take care, Terry. I'll see you soon."