8602/Undercurrents: We Might Be Friends

Undercurrents: We Might Be Friends
Date of Scene:	31 July 2019
Location:	Mutant Town, New York
Synopsis:	A member of the Family in Bushwick talks with some X-men about working together.
Cast of Characters:	Beast, Elixir, Nightcrawler, Shredder
Tinyplot:	City Fall
Tinyplot2:	Undercurrents

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Beast has posed:
Henry McCoy has become aware that people are now being attacked in Mutant Town expressly as a message to himself. After some quiet contemplation of things told to him by Cyclops, by Jubilee, and others, he decides to come to town. Asking those around for help, he drives Josh and Kurt into town with two aims: to approach those attacked for offers of medical and financial assistance to them as needed, and to post flyers offering rewards for information leading to the capture of members of the New Hope Project gang.

Beast is in a suit, freshly cleaned and trying to look as immaculate as he can, as he strides slowly, with purpose, down a city street, leading Kurt and Josh to the next attack site.

Elixir has posed:
Josh is watchful as they walk along, but in a decent mood. There are not many things he enjoys more than getting to use his abilities to help people, and this is a good cause. Perhaps a tiny bit of redemption, too. He is dressed casually, jeans, a golf shirt and loafers. He does not actually own a suit, so this is about as good as it gets.

"I think people get it," Josh says and runs a hand through his hair. "I mean, New Hope have been dicks before. And you're like, Dr. McCoy."

Nightcrawler has posed:
    In the blacked out suit, kevlar and plates, Kurt follows behind. Tail hanging and only shifting as needed for balance. The news of the ganger killing himself, because of what Kurt did to him weighing heavily on the acrobat's mind. He lingers at the rear of the group, walking in his customary slouch, eyes on the ground.

Beast has posed:
Henry McCoy nods to Josh. "Thank you. They know who I am, but I don't think the gang knows who I am yet. They task me. They task me and I shall have it. I shall chase them round the moons of Nibia and round the Antares Maelstrom and round perdition's flames before I give them up." He makes a fist briefly, before slowing his stride just enough to drop back with Kurt, who gets a hearty slap on the back. Fortunately Kurt's wearing Kevlar. "Don't beat yourself up. I know you're going to anyway, but it's not your fault he felt guilty about what he's done."

Elixir has posed:
Josh gives Kurt a sympathetic look. He heard about what happened and felt for his fellow X-Man.

"He was going to Hell way before he met you," Josh adds quietly. "Fact he checked in early? Not your fault, man."

Shredder has posed:
    Ever feel like you're being watched? Well, they are being watched. Just behind them, from a diner, the old bell rings as a large man opens the door. He's about 6'8" and built like a tank. Fittingly, he has a tank top on, and the spikes that protrude from his shoulders indicates that he probably tries to go with this type of shirt often. He has a close buzzed mohawk, and he winces a little as he calls out. "Hey, blue buddies," he says. He is carrying a sandwich in one hand that only has a few bites left in it. His knuckles likewise show spikes. It's clear that he's a mutant.

Nightcrawler has posed:
    "He killed himself, any life can be redeemed and be welcomed to the kingdom of heaven if they seek it. He can't. I drove him to it." brows knitting, Kurt looks to the others, face pinched. "How -" he pauses at the big man stepping out, turning and canting his head to the side, expression changing little.

Beast has posed:
Henry McCoy will want to talk more with Kurt later. But for now, Hank gives Kurt's shoulder a squeeze, before he steps right up to the tank of a man addressing them. Fixing his jacket, he steps right up, and offers a hand. "Hank McCoy. Good to meet you buddy," the blue professor takes the lead to grin. "That gang been giving you any trouble? My friends Josh and Kurt are with me this morning to help out anyone they hurt."

Elixir has posed:
Josh turns and and his eyebrows go up at the size of the man coming to talk to them. He takes his cue from Hank though and smiles. Even if he moves aside just a little so he and Hank are not in reach of a single charge. Josh stuffs his hands in his pockets and watches.

Shredder has posed:
    The large man smiles, a clear limb to his gait as he tries to quickly catch up to the trio. "You guys, you been lookin' for the New Hope Gang, right?" he asks. "Heard about ya, good on you guys, I've been wishin' I could run into you." He starts to extend a hand, wait, it's holding a sandwich. He passes the sandwich to his left, then brushes crumbs and any mustard off on his jeans before holding it out to shake. "Rocko," he introduces himself, glancing at Josh a second. "Oh man, you're that healer guy from the news, right?" he says with an approving grin. "Good stuff." He seems the friendly and bouncy type, perhaps contrary to his appearance as a big intimidating musclebound man with spikes on his shoulders.

Nightcrawler has posed:
    Flinching at the shoulder squeeze, Kurt's glaze flashes to Hank and then to the big man, head tipping to the side. Not sure what to expect yet, the bavarian keeps on edge, as if expecting things to go suddenly down hill and fast. Tail flicking he only bobs his head to the big man, trying to look friendly despite his actual feelings.

Beast has posed:
Henry McCoy will shake hands with no problem, though he's going to be careful not to get any of the remaining crumbs on his jacket. Discreetly though. "Rocko. Yeah, that's why we're here today." Going into a jacket pocket he pulls out one of the flyers, and unfolds it. "I'm offering a reward too, for information leading to their capture."

Elixir has posed:
Josh shakes hands with the huge man after Hank does. "Thanks, just glad to help anyone I can," Josh replies to Rocko with a grin. He takes a distinctly second position to his mentor though, letting Hank lead the conversation.

Shredder has posed:
    "Hey, I think that's fantastic," he says, "You aren't just waiting for the Family to deal with it, but you're going out there and becoming a part yourself. When this first started, we were able to handle the usual riff raff, the streets were a lot safer, but our allies that kept the Sentinels out, well, with all the stuff in the news, it's kinda called on a lot of their attention to keep us safe. I guess we gotta give'm a break, giant robots are definitely a priority over street thugs." He gives a chuckle, as if everyone should know what he's talking about. "But anyway, we could use guys like you. Who will stand up for the community. We are trying to get as many mutants on the same page, all organized so that we can stand against the oppression and bigotry."

Beast has posed:
Henry McCoy nods to Rocko. "The Family, huh? Maybe we ought to have a chat, and coordinate our efforts. I'm hoping to resolve this as peacefully as possible. After all, we have to meet the standards we're trying to establish. Just let the people in this neighborhood live ordinary lives."

Shredder has posed:
    "My dad was a preacher," Rocko says. "He used to quote Romans 12:18 to me all the time. As far as it depends on you, live peacably with all people." He tilts his head. "But some people don't want peace. Some people just want to sate their fears." He points down the street. "Cultural Museum, that's where we're based in the neighborhood. I volounteer there on my days off. Dunno if you've been in it yet." The museum is new, a reclaimed building wedged along a brick line of structures. "Oroku Enterprises put it together when he did that job fair at the beginning of the year. You won't find any FoH or New Hope Gang members going near that. I'm all about peace where we can," he says. "Sometimes resolving things quietly is the next best thing, though, right?"

Nightcrawler has posed:
    "FoH? They're the other gang causing trouble... do you know where they typically gather?" Kurt pipes in, head tilting as he makes his inquiry. It would be a step towards clearing things up, Family or no.

Beast has posed:
Henry McCoy listens intently to everything Rocko has to say. "We hadn't been that way this morning, no. But I do think it's a good idea for us to go that way. Thank you Rocko, and I hope to talk with you again soon."

Elixir has posed:
"Totally," Josh says with a smile. "And you okay? You've got a real limp going. Can help you out if you want."

Shredder has posed:
    Rocko finishes his sandwich to free his hands, a bite a little larger than what might be considered appropriate. He chews for a second, giving a nod as if to indicate that he has a response for Kurt. After he swallows, he speaks. "Gather? Well, thanks to our friends, they have needed to be pretty discreet around here. Guess they get a little shy when their congregation disappears." Ominous, perhaps. "When we first started, they were the big obstacle, but in the neighborhood, there aren't any actually living here anymore, not that I'm aware of. Then again, if I was, they wouldn't be, so catch 22, right?"

    He doesn't push the conversation when Hank makes the move to close it, but he does respond to Josh. "Oh? He smiles a little. "Yeah, just got shot a couple weeks ago, still buggin' me a bit." He arches his brow, "But it was worth it. Totally got an autograph from Alison Blaire. Some dickheads tried to kill her. Playin' the hero has its perks. Pretty nice lady."

Nightcrawler has posed:
    "So then it's only New Hope Gang then?" Kurt inquires, watching the man's limp, studying his stance and expression. "And this 'Family' is the group that did it... Doesn't that make it just another gang?" his woes forgotten for the moment, concern for the shift in the cycle growing as he approaches a step or two.

Beast has posed:
Henry McCoy leads the group from Rocko, looking back for a friendly wave after Josh does his thing. Once out of earshot, he leans to Kurt. "The Family does sound like a local gang. I'm not going to sanction anything they do that's out of bounds, but we at least can get information from them. Let's ask?" And it won't be that long before they make their way to the Cultural Museum to start nosing around.

Elixir has posed:
"You were the guy that jumped in to save Blaire? I heard about that! Dude, least I can do is help you out," Josh says with a grin and offers his hand to Rocko again. When he takes it, Josh's hand glows golden and Rocko can feel a sort of syrupy warmth spread through him and gather around his wound. First any soreness or pain disappears and then... It feels just fine.

"Thanks for looking out for her. She means a lot to everyone, you know?" Josh says to Rocko after.

Shredder has posed:
    "Angry Angels were a gang," Rocko points out. "I mean, by that you'd have to call every neighorhood watch program a gang. We look out for each other, we communicate, and move problems that are above us up the ladder for attention by people who can do something we can't." He laughs, "Heck, you could say the Avengers and X-men are gangs, too. We may not be as well financed, but it's the same idea. I'm not out to see anybody get hurt that doesn't have to, we're just trying to stop people from getting bullied by the bad guys." He shrugs, unapologetic.

    "Not gonna make anybody take part who doesn't feel it," he says. "So don't think I'm gonna be that guy that hounds you all the time, but you wanna get stuff done, you wanna find that gang? Puttin' our heads together can make it happen."

    As Josh heals his wound, Rocko seems to recognize it immediately. "Oh snap," he feels his gut, and then raises his t-shirt to reveal the bandages that cover the wound. He presses on it a few times, then pulls off the bandage with an adhesive rip. No wound, just some rock hard abs underneath. "Look at that! Oh man, thanks! Yeah I just did what I could Was right there, had to act, y'know?"

Beast has posed:
Henry McCoy watches as the two talk business. "You could say, Rocko, that we have our own, uh, family going. Based up in Westchester. Man named Chuck is in charge. Very powerful with his mind." Tapping his forehead. "But I'm here on his behalf since he's in a wheelchair and can't always get out here easily. I'd like to arrange a meeting so our organizations can work together. Is that something you could help us with?"

Shredder has posed:
    "Oh yeah?" Rocko seems encouraged by the idea of there being another group like theirs. "Yeah, that'd probably be great!" He smiles a toothy grin, and tosses the old bandage into a public trash can as they pass it. "Oh, this could be really good. I just figured you moved here recently and I didn't know you. Up in Westchester, huh? Nice area." He opens the door for them at the center.

    It isn't fancy. The building was once a small apartment structure above a store front. The first level has a desk which is currently unmanned, and a guest registry facing the door. A donation jar for admission, and past that, a series of displays that talk about the history of the X-gene, it's presence and the development of mutant culture, oppression, and other such factors. There's even a torn piece of an old X-man costume in a glass case, probably from some long forgotten battle. He leads to the second floor of the building, which has been opened from being an apartment, only leaving the necessary pillars to support the roof. In one corner is a small office, which he takes them in. It's not fancy, cheap but new office chairs.

    "So, Family works like a network. Cell groups. So it's hard to squash it, think of Fight Club. Except we don't beat each other up for fun, and we aren't terrorists."
    He grabs a binder with a simple series of explanations. "Unlike a cell group, we got some help. They aren't mutants, but they support mutant causes. I'm not EXACTLY sure about all that they have their hands in, but they are all over the Hook problem in NYC. They got their hands in a lot, but they help us, because they want a clean New York. Unlike the cops, they don't have a bunch of red tape."
    "What we do, is we ward off people that mess with mutants, help get information and pass it on. We enforce it some, sure, but sometimes we got stuff above our paygrade, y'know? So we call our friends. With me so far?" Sounds like his standard introductory speech for a recruit.

Beast has posed:
Henry McCoy does mess with his phone a bit, out of habit. A speech by Magneto in the press gets his attention, brow furrowing, as he saves that for later. The jar for admission gets a 20 from Hank after the phone is put away. "Yeah I gotcha. And Westchester is nice. Chuck's rich, and he has a nice house up there, so we go where he is. You don't know who everyone is, and I don't need to know who everyone is. I wouldn't ask you to breach your security, and I wouldn't want you to ask to breach ours. It's a dangerous world, and you're right in the thick of it."

Elixir has posed:
Josh gives Hank a slightly alarmed look, but defers to his mentor and senior X-Man and puts on a polite smile for Rocko.

"Makes sense to me so far! Nice to know we got people on our side, you know? Seems like everyone else is against us," Josh says. He goes to look at the X-Gene history display while they are talking.

Shredder has posed:
    Rocko nods. "Yeah, but it works out. The folks that help us, they are a bit more..." he searches for the word. "Cautious. They have to fight the seedy underbelly of what goes bump in the night. Glad I don't do that myself. But if your buddy Chuck wants to talk about joinin' up, they'd probably want to meet with you guys. I'm gettin' the vibe that you are more interested to see if we could team up rather than merge, and that's completely fine with me. But trust me, they are gonna want specifics before they go down that road."

Beast has posed:
Henry McCoy folds his arms and leans on a wall, as Rocko continues to explain. "That's right. We've been at this a long time. We're not looking to merge. But we're all mutants to a man, and we care deeply about making sure mutants are treated correctly. If we have to prove ourselves to your bosses, we can find a way to do that. I mean, it should say something when that gang is that mad about us, right? We want to put a stop to the attacks."

Elixir has posed:
Josh shifts uncomfortably but keeps quiet. He inspects the literature some more and watches the conversation out of the corner of his eye.

Shredder has posed:
    "Hey, that sounds pretty good. You might even teach us here a few things, so good on ya." Rocko grins broadly. "Okay, so I can get with their people and see what time works." He opens the drawer on the basic desk, and pulls out a business card. Rocko Michaels, and it has the contact of the Cultural Center under it. He grabs a cheap pen off the desk and flips it over, writing a new number on it. "Okay, so this is my cell," he says, "Find me a few times, I'll let people know on this side, and we can find something out, how does that sound?"

Beast has posed:
Henry McCoy will take the number looking at it, then putting into an inside jacket pocket. "Thanks a lot Rocko. Some folks in this neighborhood have nothing else going for them, nad nobody else to speak up for them. This matters."