And We Danced (Masquerade Overflow!)

[thespaceopera]

The Captcha is upon us, but the party isn't over! Feel free to continue your threads here, start new ones, and continue the dance party!

- Original Mingle
- OOC Post

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hank mccoy

[beathach]

[for threads new and continuing! Original top level is over here]

mystique.

[beathach]

[from here;

It's an anger that Hank understands well. He can't help but frown himself, some of the anger peeking through as he makes an agreeing noise mixed with a low growl. It was both similar and different from Kyriakos, because at least there, you knew when people went home; here, it's a guessing game whether or not they did]

I haven't seen a pattern either, and that's about what I've heard, too. It's a little frustrating to think about.

[only_skin_deep]

[A growl coming from the figure that he was now compared to when Mystique first saw Hank had so much more impact and seemed far more fitting, though she was sure he wouldn't appreciate that comparison. So Mystique kept it to herself, allowing a raised brow at the grumble before focusing on his words.] Yet currently out of our control, so pointless to dwell on what can't be changed and only focus on what can. Maybe a way to use their own technology against them, either as a resistance or a way to communicate with our worlds and find a way back, for those who want to go. It's outside my realm of expertise, but maybe not yours.

[beathach]

You're giving me a bit too much credit. [it comes out wry, his lips quirking briefly. But it isn't denial; he'd be lying if he said that wasn't something he wanted to find out, or didn't have plans to see exactly what he could manage with what they were allowed. Hell, Charles, Erik, and he have already discussed it.

After all, they were used to being trapped]

But it is something worth looking into.

[only_skin_deep]

If you do, I do hope I would be kept in the loop. [At least in regards to the resistance side of it, she had little use for heading back home now. Being dead there took some of the heat out of needing to escape.

Letting her form melt back into the blonde woman who had entered the dance, Mystique let one corner of her mouth lift in a light smirk at Hank.] Don't stay out too long, Hank, all this 'fresh air' can't be too good for you.

[beathach]

[he can't help but stare at her for a moment, before he has to look away, huffing out a noise] Of course I'd keep you in the loop. If I find something. [he adds the last part, because without it, he just sounds . . . he isn't sure. She's still Mystique, he has to remind himself.

He glances back as she changes back and makes a face] I won't. Try to enjoy yourself, Mystique.

[only_skin_deep]

[That smile increased at the face he made, wondering if the reason for it was for her use of powers or her comment. It would be so funny if it was the former considering their first talk, his apprehension to his serum running out. Yet so unnecessary now with the mutant standing in front of her, a man who was so clearly mutant.] You too, Beast. [That smile a little teasing as she headed back inside.]

kate.

[beathach]

[from here;

Hank smiles back, but he shakes his head, crossing his arms]

I don't know, if you ask me I'd say that's equally as impressive - if not more.

[ladybro]

Sure, it's impressive. But it still doesn't seem fair. [ ... ] The world loves an unpowered human superhero, but then freaks out over mutants -- when you guys are super impressive. Literally.

[beathach]

[ah, so her world freaks out over them, too. That seems to be a common theme.

The smile turns lopsided and a little wry]

It seems like no world can make up its mind when it comes to mutants.

[ladybro]

They've certainly had a hard time of it. With or without their powers.

[beathach]

Mm, it's definitely not easy. Even for those of us who have ways of - fitting in or looking normal. It doesn't seem to matter in the long run.

[ladybro]

As if looking normal was ever an appropriate prerequisite. I don't know -- people can be so ungrateful. There are good mutants and there are bad mutants, but only in so much as there's also good non-mutants and bad non-mutants. It's the way of the world.

[beathach]

[he huffs a little]

Mm, and all it takes is a couple of the bad ones to ruin it for everyone else. At least, in my experience.

hermoine.

[beathach]

[from here;

That's a good way to put it. He knows because if he tries to think about it too hard, as he's done in the past, he was going to lead himself right into a terrible headache] It's definitely a paradox.

He's careful to move with her, and while he's about as relaxed as he's going to be in the middle of a dance floor, his movements are still careful. He has to watch his strength, his claws, all while tuning out the louder noises that make his eardrums ring. Later, it'll exhaust him enough that he'll pass out the moment he hits his bed, but for now, he's still doing pretty well.

He smiles back at her and nods] I have no doubts that we will. [it's earnest and honest. Hermoine's bright and intelligent; and even if they didn't figure it out, they'd enjoy themselves trying.

At the nudge he jerks his head up, blinking a few times at her before grinning apologetically]

Technically I am focusing on you - just, you know, your feet. [he huffs a little, good-natured] I never said you were tiny. Now you're just putting words in my mouth.

[brainiest]

I don't think I can bear thinking about it right now. I think I need a break from it for now - all the time travel I've been tied up with in the last few years is just... Too much for anyone.

[ Hermione is careful with Hank, too, mostly so that she can make it easier for him - she shifts away when she thinks they might step on each other and she's careful with her hands, her eyes glancing up to look at him again with a small, fond smile, the kind she can't disguise. ] It's nice to be around someone that actually wants to do that sort of thing with me. I haven't had that since I was bound to my Servant.

[ Perhaps best not to ask about that, she thinks to herself, even if her Master mark is a burned mark on her hand.

His grin makes her brighten, though, and she lifts her head. ] Then focus on my face, you're going to give me a complex. [ She shakes her head. ] But at least I'm not on my tiptoes anymore.

[beathach]

Mm, and I wouldn't ask you to. It generally tends to lead to headaches and those aren't fun at parties. [and it's prying, he feels; not that he doesn't think Hermoine would explain if he asked, but it's still not a line he feels like he can cross just yet.

But even if he isn't quite looking directly at her, he echoes the fond smile - chances a brief glance up at her to meet her eyes properly before they're back down] Excluding Charles, it's sort of new to me, honestly. And we were busy before coming here, so it's been . . . a while. [they talked of starting something of a lab in Kyriakos, but never got around to it. It was nice to be able to do that here - with Hermoine, with Charles, with the others who've shown interest. It was an excitement he hasn't felt since he first was hired at the CIA.

Both eyebrows shoot up, but he resolutely doesn't look back down this time] Only because I'm leaning over. [he looks like he's trying not to laugh] I'm sorry if I'm giving you a complex, but I did warn you.

[brainiest]

Lots of things aren't fun at parties. The one I went to last time had my adopted dad die, and then I think a few people were murdered... [ She frowns, thinking for a moment, trying to remember the events of Samhain. Last time she had still been recovering from her own dip into murder - a thought that makes her quite ill - and the scarring on her face. After that there were too many other things to worry about to even consider the thought of a giant ball.

Still, she tilts her head and makes sure she keeps her eyes on Hank, mostly to set an example that he can't avoid. ] A while that we have to make up for, then. Maybe you, Charles and I could look at things from the moon together - and I definitely want to see what you think of the potions I want to try and brew, to see if you can do something with science just in case the magic fails. I want to try, of course, but there's no promise that what I want to do will work here on the fleet.

[ Because Atroma is a terrible thing and she already feels some gentle resentment bubbling in her chest.

At least Hank manages to brighten her quickly enough and she shakes her head. ] It's alright, I know it's just gentle teasing. If I was really upset you'd have canaries flying at your face.

[beathach]

[he should be surprised, he thinks, but all he does do is frown. Parties that ended in murder or involved murder? That was sadly normal to him] Sounds like the last competition I was in, before I went home. [he hadn't died, but Charles and Erik had, and Viva had given up her immunity and it had been the worst couple of days he could remember in a long time. He'd gone home after that, and even a month after that still hadn't caught up on all the sleep he lost in Kyriakos]

I think that's a great idea - Charles especially would be interested. [of course he'd encourage Charles participating in nerdy things. But he knew Charles had a good friend who was a mage back in that other place, so maybe the magical side was of interest because of that, too] I'd be happy to give it a shot if the magic doesn't work, I'm sure the three of us could come up with something. [he's confident in that much, anyway.

He blinks at her, and he can't help but give a quick glance up before he looks back to her, as though they were already there, waiting to swoop in] Canaries? Really?

winter.

[beathach]

[from here;

His own grip is firm, albeit in a careful way, as if he isn't quite sure of his own strength yet]

It's nice to meet you in person. [admittedly, he thought a lot of his conversations on the network would end there, so it was nice to run into people he'd already spoken with. He considers Winter for a moment] Are you here with anyone?

[the other man didn't seem the type to come here on his own]

[reconstitution]

Likewise. [ Wouldn't you know it, it's a lot easier talking to people on the network, first. It's a really nice primer. He nods to the ballroom where his 'date' is undoubtedly mingling. ]

Peggy Carter.

[ He would not have come under his own power. ]

[beathach]

[it's true, albeit some of his second encounters were more interesting than the first. Then again, he wasn't blue when he first arrived]

Ah, I haven't met her yet. [the name doesn't sound familiar, either] I'm here with Kara Danvers.

[reconstitution]

[ He wasn't going to comment, don't worry. ]

I'm not familiar. [ They haven't met, and he's admittedly not paid very close attention to the network since they landed. ]

[beathach]

[you're a bro, Winter]

You'd know if you've met her. She leaves an impression. [a good one, judging from his tone]

[reconstitution]

I'll keep an eye out, then.

[ He's not at that 'actively seeking out strangers' phase just yet. If he happens to cross paths, sure. Anything outside of network communication is still questionable. ]