BATTLE. ...or maybe just talk.

[soul_sword]

ACTION

[A lonely little flower in the middle of a cold and imposing room. Illyana, standing with her back turned towards the entrance to the Battle Dome, waited - quietly, patiently - just beside the glimmering features of the central control panel. In comforting solitude, she did not seem to be doing much in particular; none of the customizable rooms were in use, not as early in the morning as it was, and for long periods at a time, she would simply stand in a certain spot and stare at the walls. Then she'd move to a slightly different part in the center of the room and resume her staring.

Revealed through gaps in her blackened attire, portions of her lean, athletic body and fair, smooth skin could be seen, illuminated briefly whenever she walked beneath the overhead lighting. She was certainly fit; every small shift of her body, every little move she made, illustrated her strength and poise as tiny, layered muscles shifted visibly. Lengths of her blonde hair cascaded down along her shoulders and back, and they remained heavily in place with no wind to carry those thick locks.

A small, unremarkable sword hung from her hip - it was a rather bland, simple steel in a very unexciting design, but all that had been immediately available at the shop. She'd have to return later and see if anything more suitable could be found.

Illyana wasn't necessarily looking for a fight, but if one arrived? That would be just fine.~]



Player Name: Robin
Are you new?: Yes!
Character Name: Illyana 'Magik' Rasputin
Character Fandom: Marvel Comics

Comments

SHRIEKS omg a 'yana hi

[calmbeforethe]

[It was not often that Ororo was in the Battle Dome so early in the morning. That was more of a habit of Logan's. But since she wanted to speak to him about something or the other - and since the man never carried around his journal - there was nothing else she could do but fly over to the Dome herself. Turns out she got there too soon - there was no one else around, save for the youngish girl walking around the facility by herself.

Ororo wondered if perhaps she did not know how to operate the rooms, and was just passing the time waiting for someone to assist her. She approached her carefully, not wanting to startle.]

Excuse me, miss.

Ororororororo

[soul_sword]

[Illyana didn't respond at first; she just kept her eyes glued upon the distance for a few lingering moments. Slowly, then, she inhaled, holding that gulp of air over a second or two before calmly releasing it again, her modest chest rising and falling.]

Time for my first appointment already?

[Turning, she wore a sly smile on her face to greet the new arrival, but...it vanished - instantly - once she saw who that person was.]

You. [Magik points her sword at Ororo.] Tsk. If you're here, who's off running your little school?

hello precious snowflake

[calmbeforethe]

[The cautiously friendly smile she'd had for the girl faded just a touch, giving way to a look of surprise, and some confusion. This girl seemed to recognize her, but Ororo couldn't say the same.]

Pardon? [A pause, and then:] Do you mean Professer Xavier's school, perhaps?

Re: hello precious snowflake

[soul_sword]

[And just like that, her own smile was back, still perfectly impish. If things turned out like she hoped they would, this would be a pretty interesting bout.]

If you still want to call it that, sure - there's no need to fight over a name.

[Magik turned her head slightly off to the side; something seemed to have occured to her.]

So, what. Just because we're both here, you're going to pretend you don't know me?

[calmbeforethe]

[Ororo tilts her head curiously.]

Well, as far as I am aware there have been no changes to the Xavier Institute's name, or even plans to change it. [And she's sure it would have been run by her, if ever.]

[In any case, she takes a step forward once the girl faced away. How rude.] I'm sorry that I do not recognize you. This world, Luceti, works in curious ways. Are you a student of the Institute in your own world, perhaps? [And hopefully that might clue Illyana in, about the nature of this place.]

[soul_sword]

[Equally as rude was the sound Magik made next - a sort of SNRK! as she made an effort to muffle the bit of laughter that came as her reply.]

'Am I a student'. I suppose that's one way to put it.

[But that seemed to have been sufficient. With her own passport stamped by crossing a few planes of reality in the past, meeting alternate versions of familiar faces was nothing new, so Illyana visibly relaxed...a little. At least she lowered her sword, but her expressions remained cemented.]

Fine, then we don't know each other. And I guess that means you're not here to kill me.

[calmbeforethe]

[Eyebrows raised at this new information, Ororo gave the girl another once-over, as if to reassure herself that she was not an old foe she didn't recognize.]

... I am not, no, even if you were here to kill me. I am not sure how or why we are adversaries on your world, but that does not necessarily have to carry over here.

[After all, Ororo has a very specific view on killing. That much was constant between worlds.]

[soul_sword]

[Illyana sighed, sounding a tad frustrated. The sword was promptly sheathed again at her hip.

...we're not adversaries. We didn't have to be, at least.

[There was a clear look of reluctance on her face as she stood more at ease then, looking at Ororo and studying her features. As interesting as the fight would have been, Illyana would never have admitted out loud that it was a relief not to have her as an enemy - she might have been reluctant to kill, but that didn't make her any less dangerous.]

I'm...sorry. [Ugh. Such a bitter word.] But it is true, we're not exactly on speaking terms back home.

[calmbeforethe]

[Her words and actions give Ororo hope. The fact that they were unwilling enemies was promising, at least. Ororo held out her hands, that universal gesture that showed she meant no harm.]

I'm sorry to hear that. But I am not the woman you know, in your home. Perhaps, then, we take this as a chance to start over? [She smiled, hoping to put her at ease.] My name is Ororo.

[soul_sword]

I know who you are, Storm.

[Illyana made an extra effort to emphasize her name - her mutant name, and her eyes narrowed a little at that specific moment. But then another look of hesitation flashed across her face as she realized that perhaps she shouldn't be so divisive.]

I am Magik. Illyana Rasputin...maybe you know my brother, Piotr? Colossus?

[snikting]

Beat it, kid. I got an appointment with Chamber Six.

[That's right. Logan was beyond uninterested in her standing around the Dome. She was blocking the panel and he needed to get there. So there he stood, arms crossed and with a cigar hanging from his mouth.]

[soul_sword]

[With such a polite, well-mannered introduction to the conversation, how else could she possibly respond except to, without even turning to look, raise her sword and point the tip of it towards the source of that snarling little voice.]

What's your hurry? Maybe we can work something out...together...

[Her words came out more slowly at the end once she turned and regarded her visitor. When she realized who it was - though she smell probably should have given it away long before - her sword was drawn back into a more defensive position.]

I wondered. I mean, I knew it was only a matter of time before you and I had it out, but I was really wondering when.

[Illyana smiled - the kind of smile that only a very determined person can wear, even when they know they're about to have a very bad day.]

[snikting]

[Logan balked at the woman for a good second. Oh, sure, when the sword was pointed at him, he was moments away from popping out the claws and ripping her apart. But when she lowered the blade and kept babbling on, he could only be confused and mildly irritated.]

You mind doing your 'wondering' somewhere else? I ain't had enough coffee to start being social.

[He knew he should have added some whisky to his coffee this morning.]

[soul_sword]

[Taken aback more than a little, Magik visibly recoiled in surprise; was...was he really being so...casual? Even after she sided with Cyclops? Regarding him strangely, she did her best to maintain a confident look, if only to maintain some sense of advantage in the fight she continued to anticipate.]

Feel free to drop the act, hairy. I've never known you to be the sort to bluff anyway - it doesn't become you.

[Then, lowering herself into a battle-ready stance, she stared daggers at the man, her eyes suddenly gaining a faint, white glow.]

[snikting]

[Great. Someone who wanted to kill him. She was either from his forgotten past or some enemy he gained from one of his counterparts. He should be annoyed.

But he suddenly found himself feeling good about this. Real good. He didn't know who the hell she was, but he'd been itching for a real, no bars held fight for a long time.

The claws popped out with a familiar snikt.]

Lady, I'm gonna give you one chance to back down. But honestly, I'm really hoping you won't.

[soul_sword]

[And THERE it was - so much more familiar, the feral look in his eyes whenever those claws emerged and the intensity he seemed to radiate before a battle. Strangely, seeing this was what made Illyana feel more comfortable, as if everything made sense and all was right with the universe once more.

Flipping the hilt of the ordinary sword upside-down, Magik suddenly raised it high above her head, then jammed the blade straight down into the floor beside her, burying it up to the guard. That was the weapon she needed, so it was best to set it aside for now.

In its place, materializing quickly, was a much more ornate, much thicker and much more impressive weapon; a stout white blade, as sterling as snow, with coal-black etchings down its length. It glowed softly, and with it firmly clutched between her iron grip, she pointed it towards him and grinned.]

Come along then, 'professor' - teach me a lesson.

[snikting]

[So, she was well armed. Anyone crazy enough to fight him would have to be. The glowing weapon was cause for interest, but it did suggest to him one important thing. If she was relying on a weapon, she was going to be fighting him on a physical level with a reliance on a weapon to even things up. That meant he wouldn't be dealing with someone who could move him with her mind or happened to be invulnerable.

He was going to take a lot of beatings figuring this girl out. But his guess was that he'd be able to take those blows while he worked out how to take her down. She wouldn't have the same luxury.]

I thought you'd never ask. But before I make with the mincing, you want to tell me who you are?

[Eager as he is for the fight, he ought to know who she is. Inform the next of kin and such.]

[soul_sword]

[Magik's eyes fluttered briefly, her face and features tensing visibly - this whole 'ignorant' attitude was clearly beginning to fluster her. She wanted this fight; as a warrior, she craved this palpable sensation, this meeting of two worthy combatants, and here he was, being difficult about it!]

You know who I am. It's hardly been a few months since we saw each other at Utopia. [A sneer curled across her lips.] I knew you were getting soft, but I had no idea it was this bad.

[snikting]

[This Logan does have some distinctions from hers. Different hairstyle, less sideburns, a few extra inches of height, and with marginally better hygiene. All the same, he looks genuinely like he has no idea what she's talking about.]

Never heard of Utopia. Much as I'd enjoy the fight, you've got the wrong Wolverine.

[soul_sword]

[Oh. This business again - this odd world bringing together different versions of the same individual. Though she clearly looked as if she were trying to reason this out in her head, Magik continued to glare at 'this' Logan, the tip of her enchanted sword staying pointed straight at his chest.

Well, now she had no logical reason to fight him. He apparently wasn't here to kill her, and managing to kill him somehow would not help the cause of her chosen side in the least. More than likely, she'd just end up getting hurt in the end.

...but then why, pray tell, did she continue to grin madly at him?]

Alright then. Maybe I'll just settle for you.

[Then, with a powerful leap forward, she rushed him, taking a very fast swipe at his throat.]

[snikting]

[Well shit. So much for reason. Not that he's upset. In fact, he about expected this. Which is why he has his claws up just in time to send her blade off target. Just enough to place that swipe somewhere less inconvenient to heal from. It still hurts, but it doesn't disable him. And it gives him a chance to counter attack, aiming a second pair of claws towards her side. He's aiming for somewhere painful, but won't kill her.

Can't ask questions if she's dead.]

You just made a big mistake.

[wildbluevagner]

[Kurt also finds reason to be in the Battle Dome so early. He has what he thinks is a cunning idea to try to operate the Battle Dome and find a way to alter Logan's training program into some kind of prank. Maybe turn the enemies into flying sausages or something. He'd have to figure it out.

But as he bamfs into the dome - with the distinctive noise, cloud of smoke and brimstone smell - he catches sight of the unfamiliar girl. Can't hurt to make a new friend, especially one who didn't seem too far off from his age. So he approaches her with a smile and a wave.]

Hi there! You look like you're new in town.

[soul_sword]

[Facing away from the new arrival, Illyana's eyes narrow - the sound and smell were more than familiar, and having caught her attention, she sniffed at the air for a moment before wheeling around very quickly.

He's...younger. But the shape and figure were still unmistakably the same, prompting her to suddenly gain a very strange, curious expression.]

...weren't you dead?

[wildbluevagner]

[He's taken off-guard by that - it has to be the most unusual way Kurt's been greeted. And even with the people from that "other" world who say they've known him, he's never been told that specific detail. But at the moment, all he can manage is confusion. He takes a step back and raises his arms defensively.]

W-what? I'm pretty sure I'm alive. Always have been.

[soul_sword]

[She chuckled a little at his answer. Whether her amusement came from his joking response or from the odd truth of the matter, though, was anyone's guess.

Still, it was odd to see him here, no matter what the case. She hadn't been here long, but already whispers had reached her about individuals from alternate realities - this must've been one.]


...no, you're right. I must be thinking of another blue, fuzzy thing with pointy ears and a tail. [Her tone was playful, but a little biting.] So what brings you out here?

[wildbluevagner]

[He gave a nervous smile, even though there was some odd, hollow feeling within him. Could there be another version of him out there who's... dead?]

Apparently we're more common in these worlds than you'd think. [After all, Mia's world apparently had a whole group of people that looked somewhat like him.] And you know, what teenager wouldn't wake up feeling up for some early morning simulations?

[soul_sword]

[Another curt laugh.]

I don't buy it, little elf. [Not with that silly tone in his voice, at least. He was definitely not the same man - the Kurt she lightly knew was a warm soul, but his voice never rang with such childish timber.]

But by all means, go ahead. I'm just waiting.

[wildbluevagner]

Hey, this is a face you can trust! [But the use of "elf" as a nickname does make him wonder if she truly knows him - or rather, "a" him.]

But I'm not in much of a rush. What exactly are you waiting for at this hour?