4615/The New Mutants: Beginnings. (and Pizza)

The New Mutants: Beginnings. (and Pizza)
Date of Scene:	09 June 2018
Location:	Xavier's School
Synopsis:	Emma gathers some select students at Xavier's to a pizza party, and challenges them to become a team. Surprise! They're making the pizzas.
Cast of Characters:	Emma Frost, Rage, Speed, Twitch, Hellion, Erddrache

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Emma Frost has posed:
Word was left that the meeting was going to be in the kitchens. It seems that when Emma said there would be pizza she had ommitted several details. So it is that when the students she'd tapped (and a couple who'd heard rumours and boldly invited themselves) arrived, they find the kitchen set up for a pizza... making party.

There's a rather smug looking Emma watching as the students arrive, waiting for the numbers to be about what she's expected before she moves and closes the doors, and invites everyone to gather near the island station where fixings for pizza have been left out.

"So, I imagine all of you are wondering exactly why I've invited you. Delightful. We'll begin with this. Everything you need to make tonight's meal, for this meeting, is before you. Your task is to work together and make it happen."

She smiles her usual chill little smile, though there are hints in the blue of her eyes that perhaps she's a little more amused by or invested in this than she's letting on.

"I'm merely resource. I think you're all capable of figuring out what to do."

And indeed, you should be able to. Most anything you might want for a pizza has been provided. And, perhaps in a gesture of sympathy, the dough is already made.

Rage has posed:
Heading into the kitchen after receiving the invitation, Andrea is curious as her eyes sweep about the pizza making table. Tonight she is wearing a pair of low rise shorts that are destroyed, and a floral print kimono over a sparkling silver top. Tucking some brown hair behind her, she heads to the sink to wash her hands first, then dries them off on a towel. "Hi there Miss Frost. I love pizza. Thank you." She pauses, then glances to the door to see who else is joining them tonight.

Speed has posed:
Food will always bring a speedster to the yard, or well in this case the kitchen, Tommy walks in to smell melted cheese and hot pies but finds ingredients instead. What?

Of course it's Emma doing all this so there's not a word of protest from Tommy, just a skeptical look at the 'pizza' then straightening up, and nodding, "Sounds fun," he remarks, he says leaning up against the wall and giving an up-nod to Andrea in greeting.

"Hey," he says. "Okay, so I hope nobody here is a vegetarian, because a pizza without meat is a crime against humanity, or well, in this case mutantkind."

Twitch has posed:
Tyler greets everyone with a wave upon entering, "Hello Ms Frost. Hey guys." After a brief smile that shows he's glad to be with everyone else despite not knowing what the hell is going on, he looks over the pizza ingredients with a degree of skepticism on his face. When Andrea washes her hands the young man falls in line behind her and does the same, taking care to make sure they're well scrubbed before drying off. Then he approaches the pizza stuff and stands over it, ready to be put to work, "I don't think I met everybody yet. I'm Tyler, I just started here the other day." Another smile appears on his face. Then he looks over towards Tommy, "There might be enough stuff to make more than one pizza, but I definitely want one with meat on it. I'm starving."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma supervises from her perch upon a tall stool just off to the side where she can both watch the students and keep an eye upon the door for latecomers. She makes no noises as to whether or not she thinks pizza should or shouldn't have meat. And, yes, there are enough fixings and dough for more than one pizza. It looks like today it's not going to be a case of fighting over not enough choice, but one of fighting over too much choice!

Rage has posed:
At the mention of being a vegetarian, Andrea says, "Well, tonight is Friday, right? It's my cheat day from my quasi vegan diet so I'm okay with meat, as long as it's not sardines and no pineapples. That's gross." She smiles at Speed and Tyler with a wide grin on her face. "So, the goal is to make a single pizza? That's it? Let's start with the foundation. The sauce. Do we all agree on red sauce is okay or is anyone a fan of pesto or garlic?"

Speed has posed:
Right. Hand washing. Tommy detatches from the wall and heads over to the line for the sink. He gives Tyler a once over and once he's seemed to have met some standard or another a nod. "Hey, Tyler, I'm Tommy," he says extending a hand to his fellow mutant.

"Think so," Tommy says about the date. "And with you on the sardines, but," handwobbles on the pineapple. "It works with some stuff,"he says.

When it comes to sauce, "Always go red,"he says. "Well unless white sauce is an option." He scans the ingredients to see if it is.

Twitch has posed:
Taking Tommy's hand Tyler gives it a firm, friendly shake. No macho grip squeezing or any of that sort of mess. "Well, let's start with one pizza to make sure it comes out okay. Then we can assembly line this if the first one works. I mean, I can usually eat most of one on my own." Then he looks at the ingredients again and says, "Alright, the first thing we gotta do is smooth out a thing of the dough into pizza shape." He lifts a pizza pan and says, "We got this so we don't screw up it up too bad." The pan is placed down on the counter again. "Who wants to give the dough a shot? Remember not to excite the gluten."

Emma Frost has posed:
White sauce.. very much an option. In fact, it looks like if it were ever tried on a pizza.. it's there. (okay, maybe not that generous a selection of toppings, but it's pretty impressive).

For her part, Emma settles back, an emery board in one hand, and she gives a close inspection of the fingers of her other. For all intents and purposes, bored as can be with this little endeavour...But don't let looks fool you. She's paying attention. Very much so.

Rage has posed:
"I'm fine with taking over the dough. I had a sculpting class once and I'm pretty good with a monkey fist technique." Andrea says with a grin as she steps up to the dough, taking a bowl in her hands after dashing her fingers with some flour. She gives the ball some kneading as she smooths it out quickly with her hands before placing it over a pan after making sure she gets closely the right size, then slides it down for one of the boys to take over.

Speed has posed:
Tommy looks a touch out of his depth with exited gluten and monkey fists, but he does note the white sauce. "'Kay, Andrea's got the dough, you seem to know what you're doing Tyler, with all that talk about gluten and things, how about you tell us what's what through the process?" he asks. "Also, two things, what do I do? And I'm putting in a vote for white sauce."

Twitch has posed:
"You got it, Andrea. You look like you know what you're doing," Tyler tells the girl with a smile on his face. Looking over towards Tommy and nodding his head the young man explains, "I took a cooking course at school one year. We made bread a couple times and we had to learn not to mess with the dough too much or you excite the gluten and it gets too sticky or something." Then he quickly shakes his head to clear it and says, "Alright Tommy, you go ahead and sauce it. Since you're the sauce guy we'll go with white for the first pie. If I remember correctly from watching pizzas get made in the past you don't want to use too much sauce, just the little ladle full, and make sure it's spread even over the dough. Then I'll put the cheese on."

Rage has posed:
After working the dough on to the next pan, Andrea heads down the line to step in front of the toppings as she takes a long look at the assorted flavors. "Here is where the real test of our friendship comes in." She says with a grin to them. "I'm a basic bitch so I'm okay with just pepperoni and sausage. A classic."

Emma Frost has posed:
Nothing but a quirk of brow from Emma as Andrea curses - she doesn't even truly look over, merely casting a quick glance that way and going back to her nails. Each one being filed first to perfection, then buffed to a gleaming shine. Whatever it is Emma expects or plans, she's being close-mouthed so far.

..there is that glimmer of amusement hovering at the corners of her lips, though. Just a glimmer.

Speed has posed:
Tommy shoots Tyler a thumbs up and opens up the white sauce, he zips to the utensile drawer and back again to sneak a spoon in and give it a taste. "Mm. Not bad.," He zips the spoon to the sink. "Anyhow hit me up when the dough's ready."

The toppings question earns a smirk. "No comment," he says about Andrea being a basic bitch. "Dunno, if we're going white sauce we may need to be inventive with this shit. I know it sounds weird but I had a slice from this place in Brookyln, Gino's or something, had potato on the pizza with white suace. Really good. Shame about the beer though..."

He remembers Emma's in the room. "Or so I hear."

Twitch has posed:
It takes a second for Tyler to process Tommy's speed, but once he's done it's back to business. "White sauce is also bangin' with tomatoes and green bell peppers on it, too. I say we do it with pepperoni and sausage on this first one and then we'll do one with the veggies and potato on it, too," Tyler suggests as he moves to the cheese station and looks over the selections. "I'm thinkin' mozzarella on this, then after the pie is cooked we dust it with parmesan and romano and crushed red pepper. If that's good with you guys."

Rage has posed:
"Ah. I think he's right. White sauce is the catalyst here. Let's be crazy for a change. Screw the system! Throw them potatos on there, and maybe some diced white chicken and tomatos. That way we each get a topping that fits the foundation of white sauce." Andrea sings out as she slips her phone out of her pocket and puts it on the table, pressing play to Star Pilots top selling single, In The Heat of the Night. "You could be, my destiny, in the heat of the night! I'll find a place, a place in time! Beneath the city liiights! Cuz' tonight I'm gonna start a fire, I'm gonna lose my self control! Yeah I know what I want! Nothing's gonna stop me noooow!" She sings out with her powerful voice, giving a bit of a dance as she grooves with hips moving left to right as she nudges the toppings forward, then gives Tyler a swat on the backside as she passes him.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma looks up and murmurs, "Remember, if you make it, you have to eat it."

Speed has posed:
"Could work, could work, I say we keep the sausage for a little spice," Tommy says of the toppings with a smile at Emma's remark. "No worries, I'm a speedster, I can eat almost anything."

The song and the singing gets a roll of Tommy's eyes. "What no speed metal on there?" he asks, teasing.

Though the slap on Tyler's ass makes him chuckle. "So are you guys a thing or something?" he asks.

Twitch has posed:
As Andrea gets to playing and singing music Tyler looks at her for a moment, smiling as she moves. Unfortunately, he looks away before his butt gets smacked and he jumps a little bit and turns quickly to see what hit him, halfway to a fighting stance in the blink of an eye. Upon seeing it was just Andrea playing around he shuts his eyes for a moment, shakes his head, then grins sheepishly. "Sorry about that. I'm a little twitchy," he explains, looking like he's about to apologize further when remembers he's making a pizza and gets back to it. The cheese goes on top of the sauce, a bunch of mozzarella sprinkled evenly, if maybe a little thick. After that it's onto the fixings and his hands dart back and forth between the tomatoes, chicken, sausage and diced potato and the top of the pizza. "Okay. Now we gotta turn on the oven and cook it until it's ready."

Rage has posed:
"We're packmates." Andrea answers Tommy with a grin in regards to his question. She tips a wink to Tyler. "Three fifty for eighteen minutes should do the trick. At least it's what the box always says when I pull one out of the freezer, but if you want a crispy crust we can go for twenty two. I don't mind a little black on the ends." She hums along with the song, then taps the screen a few times to put on some Dragonforce for Tommy.

Hellion has posed:
     The sound of Dragonforce has Julian walk in with an air guitar to the song. A bit late it seems, but the telekinetic grinning while doing so. "Oh yeah, that's the stuff." He chimes, still grinning from ear to ear.

Emma Frost has posed:
"How kind of you to join us, Julian," Emma murmurs without looking up from her nails. "One of the others will fill you in."

Speed has posed:
"Ah," Tommy says with a grin.

"And glad someone remembers that stuff, I have to check the box like five times before I turn on the oven," he admits.

The music change, earns a slight tilt of Tommy's head before he grins approvingly. "Yeah, I can did this."

His bobs his head to the high speed guitar riffs as Jules makes his entrance. "Very Wyld Stallyns, there Julian Keller Esquire," he grins. "Making za. Tyler's leading. Andy's the DJ."

"And T," he says to Tyler. "The quick moves? That your thing?" he asks about the prior twitchiness.

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jgrCKhxE1s

Emma Frost has posed:
As it turns out, the pizzas come out of the oven, one by one, in perfect condition... Or at least near enough to perfect that nobody can really complain. The students are gestured to take up seats where they may, and soft drinks are provided, leaving Emma to regard them all, one by one, in turn.

"So. What did we learn from this?"

Twitch has posed:
Heading over to the sink to wash his hands again after getting them covered in toppings, Tyler looks at the newcomer and lifts his chin at them. "Hey man, I'm Tyler." And apparently he's leading, which causes him to smile faintly as he turns on the over to preheat it. "We'll just leave the oven on while we make the next pie." Then he focuses on Tommy and nods, thinking for a moment before he says, "I've got suped up reflexes." A shrug.

And soon enough he's eating his pizza and drinking a soda with the others. When Emma asks her question Tyler remains thoughtful for a few seconds before he answers her, "That we..." He trails off for a second. "Um. We learned to work together and to compromise so that everybody could be happy with the pizza."

Hellion has posed:
     "Thanks Thomas S. Shepherd!" Julian responds, giving a Would Stalyns guitar salute. "Yo, Julian." The telekinetic offers back, a nod as well.

  Julian takes a seat with the rest once the pizzas are out, and everyone has sat down. "I learned that entrances are important!" He jokes, though is sure it may not have worked out as well as he thought.

Speed has posed:
Tommy air guitars back. "And together we're Wyld Stallyns!"

So Bill and Ted was on the other night so sue them.

Tommy nods "Cool," he says of Tyler's powers.

When the pies are out and they're seated, Tommy takes a bite. "Mm, good stuff," he says. "We learned Tyler knows how to make a pizza, our Pop Princess does indeed know good music, and Jules, is as always, fashionably late," he says grinning around a mouthful of pizza..

Erddrache has posed:
The ground shakes and shivers as if in urgency, and for those who know the school, that ment only one thing! Boris was near!

or more accurately he was jogging through the door and into the kitchen. Sliding to a halt, the stout mutant was gasping, out of breath. His face was so red, it clear he was embarressed "Sorry! Didnea mean ta be late!" he HATES being late!

On the bright side, when he taking a moment to catch his breath, the ground shaking turns down to a barely notcible rumble. Much like standing near an old school dryer. He looks around to see who was present. Some folks he recognized, other he didn't.

Emma Frost has posed:
"Boris," Emma intones, gesturing him to come inside and join the others. "We were all just telling one another what we learned from this exercise. I'll be interested in hearing what you've learned shortly. I don't consider being late to the party as sufficient excuse to avoid the question."

She nods to the the others, shaking her head and giving Tommy a pained expression for his efforts.

"Is there anything else anyone wishes to add before we hear from Boris?"

Rage has posed:
As she eats, Andrea gives a lick of her lips, "I think that if we think clearly without ego and remain calm, we can accomplish goals quickly and efficiently."

Twitch has posed:
"Nice to meet you, Julian," says Tyler with a smile before devouring some more of his pie. Based on the way he consumes it it's either delicious or he's super hungry. Could be both, perhaps.

"I've got some other powers, too," Tyler says when it's confirmed that his powers are 'cool' and he doesn't need to be cautious about showing off. "I'm super agile and when I throw things I don't miss." Nodding at Tommy he says, "Your powers look pretty awesome, though. I'm going to want to try sparring with you some time if you're cool with that."

At the entrance of the bearded fellow who seems to shake the Earth around him, Tyler gets wide eyed in surprise for a second, then raises a hand in a little wave.

Speed has posed:
"Engh, they've got good and bad points," Tommy says of his powers, before tucking into a bite of his pie. "But we can totally spar sometime, hard to find someone quick enough," he says with a complete lack of modesty.

The tremors do tell the tale of Boris' arrival, he waves, "Hey B," he says between bites of his pie, smirking a little to find the freshman is not to be spared answering Emma's question.

Erddrache has posed:
Boris bristles, his beard growing thicker and his furred tendril like whiskers more visible! "Ms. Proffesor Frost! ye be woundin meh! Ah vould nevar use tardiness as an excuse!" which was true. He lumbers on in after making sure he got ahold of himself and joins the others. Though he doesn't touch the soft drinks or the pizza. This was originaly largely a social event for himself. Though by the way he forward a brow and listen to everyone, he may have also taken that as a challenge

"Well let see. Ah hauf learned we be havink two new students! Greetinks, ah be BorisZ!" he waves to Tyler and Andrea a bit shyly, especialy when he saw Tyler surprised look. "Further me, this was nit actually a party...bit an excerise as deduced by yer own words. Judging by whit the other say...and the fact this seem to be exclusive event judging by the fact some of me other friends were not 'invited', this may infact be an offer ta perhaps start a new club" he considers speed and Tyler answer "A type of mutant wrestling club perhaps, if ah had to be takink vee guess." another look around "And so...the pizza may infact be more of a team building excerise." speculation....but he was using what he got. taking bits and peices of clues "...kin ah hauf da stone cutting board?" rumble rumble goes the grumble of a stomech wanting food.

Emma Frost has posed:
There's a soft, almost laugh from Emma, "Well, this certainly wouldn't be a wrestling club, or I do believe you'd need to be looking to Professor Logan for that." She inclines her head to Boris. "Well done for arriving late. Actually, well done all of you."

She's put away the emery board by now, and has stood up, pacing about the spaces where the students are eating.

"So. A team building exercise. Where, presented with near maximum choices, but a limited manner of using them, you were required to determine how to prioritize your choices in such a way that everyone was happy, as well as to explore new avenues of interaction. Have I missed anything?"

Another regard with a quirk of brow.

"Good. Then I shall continue with what you may have missed. For example, the option to make smaller, more personal pizzas was there. And yet, you worked with one another to create larger pizzas. This tells me thngs." She doesn't say what. "And yet, not one of you inquired what I wished upon a pizza."

Another of her infamous cool smiles.

"That also tells me things."

Twitch has posed:
"I hope I can keep up with you. I have trouble finding someone who can lay a hand on me when I'm training," Tyler says to Tommy with big grin, seemingly pleased to have a challenge to look forward to. Then the bearded guy introduces himself and Tyler grins at him, "Nice to meet you, Boris. I'm Tyler." He's doing his best to seem like hes completely cool with what's going on and mostly succeeding. When Frost goes on about what they did and didn't do, though, Tyler focuses on her. Nodding his head as she speaks. Her little smiles, yeah, they make his fade completely and he gulps deep in his throat. "Sorry about that, Ms Frost."

Hellion has posed:
     Julian had been taking in a good amount of pizza before Emma reveals her last bit of information. "Wait, really! No one?" Shit. They dropped that ball there.

  Julian keeps focused for now, keeping on the task at hand.

Speed has posed:
"We'll see if I can manage it then," Tommy says to Tyler when he mentions the challenge of finding someone who can touch him.

Emma's comments get a visible flinch out of Tommy. "Sorry, Ms. Frost, guess we should have asked if you wanted any," he says. "Jeez, way to throw us under the bus Jules," he says lightly.

Erddrache has posed:
Boris doesn't seem very worried about Emma not getting pizza. He was taking n the words curiously. This wasn't an ordinary gathering if all this was going on. That or Emma was REALLY into teaching through alternative methods. "...ah be more curiouse about what vese vings be tellin yer Ms. Proffesor Frost. Be vis some kindo psychological analysis. Und if so, whit be the results?" he crosses his arms, his expression with those honed in eyes were clear. He wanted to know what was going on...which may an ongoing reaction to being late. His mind was still on that.

Emma Frost has posed:
There's something of a shrug from Emma. "It's less a judgement than an observation. While you all showed admirable ability to work together, you all failed to take assessment of the larger picture. In the future, this will be something to work upon. Details are important, but if you can't see the forest for the trees, you're failing. Just as the forest should not ever prevent you from seeing the trees."

Emmma allows, "As it happens, I've asked you all here because I see potential in all of you that I think is going unmet. I would like to propose to all of you that we try a little experiment here at Xavier's and see if we can't work together to create something bigger than ourselves. What I'm proposing is a student body that may or may not branch out to something greater than that, and into a working team.."

She holds up a hand. "Before you get all excited and pat yourselves on the back, I repeat, may or may not. At this time, the consideration is may not. You are in no way, shape, or form ready for such. But.."

And again she holds a hand up, index finger aloft, "With hard work, and diligent attention to your abilities, and to those of your teammates, it may be possible. The question is, how many of you think you might be up to that challenge?"

Speed has posed:
"Hmm, good point B," Tommy remarks when Boris asks about the experiment and its results.

The mention of the group, team, whatever does have Tommy's attention. His eyes sweep the people in the room before coming back to Emma.

"I think I am," he says raising his hand, his expression says clearly, he's not expecting this to be a cake walk.

Twitch has posed:
When Frost speaks, Tyler listens, trying to keep focused on the lady as she speaks to the group of assembled youngsters. Her words have an effect on him. Tyler finds himself first looking surprised, then smiling at the suggestion of a team. He remains quiet until the teacher is finished speaking, then for a few seconds more in case she forgot to add anything, then takes a deep breath and raises his hand, "I'm up for it." The hand lowers after a moment.

Erddrache has posed:
Boris bristles, and the shaking strength lightly, as Boris rubs his arm. "Experiment eh?" he says in a tone that was not the happiest, it held distrust and uncertainty. Mostly because of past experince of being part of an experiment by force just a few weeks back.
    But than Boris looks around. Speed was a friendly fello, who despite their rocky start, where getting along. And Julian was also becomming something of a friend.. He was unsure of the other two yet
    But still. He had more questions, as he tries to figure out this puzzle he has blundered into. But if this did help him control his abilities better...and perhaps do something more than hide, how bad could it be? "....Fine. Ah will go along wif this experiment of yers" he says with all the uncertainty, curisoity and desire to take on a challenge.

Hellion has posed:
     "No sorry, it wasn't meant to be that, Tommy." He says to his bud. once Emma finishes her little introductory speech, he raises his hand as well. "I'm all in." He says, a flash of his green energy surging through his eyes.

Rage has posed:
Furrowing her brows as she soaks it all in, Andrea has remained quiet throughout the lesson. She plucks a piece of chicken off a slice of pizza, chewing on it for a few moments before swallowing. "Wolves have to run in packs." Her smile tugs at the corner of her lips. "I'm in."

Emma Frost has posed:
The smile Emma offers next is one that actually seems to hold a true place upon her features. It isn't *quite* warm, but it appraoches it enough, that for Emma, the difference is negligable.

"Good. Then I shall leave you all to finish your meal and to get to know one another better. For our next meeting, I want you all to be able to tell me something about what your fellow teammates can do. Be it mundane, or mutant, I expect you to have a firmer understandig of one another. We shall continue our team building and trust building exercises."

She pauses at the doorway long enough to impart, "As with any extra curricular at Xavier's, should your grades fall below passing, you will be asked to leave the team. I will add an extra caveat, that should your grades fall below an A, you will be on probation. This team counts on you giving your best to one another. I will not accept less than that."

She looks almost to leave, but turns at the last moment, "For the record, I prefer a plain pepperoni pizza. Light on the sauce. Two weeks time, students. I expect answers. Now, enjoy yourselves without a teacher present. The kitchen will be spotless before you leave."

And so saying, she turns and Emma takes her leave.

Speed has posed:
"No problem, bud," Tommy says to Julian. "Mostly just yanking your chain."

"Wait? A's?" Tommy says jaw hanging open. "Uh. this starting next school year?"

It was weeks to grad and Tommy was at a solid C+ average.