Time: Late Evening
Continued from Passing Through... Or Not

---

Alex had no time to catch his breath or react in anyway other than gasp, as the enigmatic Mr. Tyde popped around before grabbing his leather jacket and teleporting them away.

He'd been five years old when his mother tied him and his big brother together with her belt, quickly fastening a parachute on Scott's skinny back and telling them to hold tight, for God's sake hold tight to each other. The rushing wind and the out of control spiral as the world moved towards them too fast, too damn fast. This was like that. The sudden shock of it all as the ground fell out from under him, and the dark night changed feature and color. In the midwinter chill, the wind made it hard to breathe. His abductor was pressed against him, and no doubt would be able to feel the slight feverish temperature of Havok's body.

The world stuttered to a staccato stop, Alex's mind not prepared to deal with the unprepared for and almost instantaneous change in location, and the blurring bubbling of reality left him dizzy, close to vomiting like he'd been on a bender. He didn't stumble though, didn't fall, merely locked slammed a fist full of super heated plasma out at the man chest to attempt to throw him off him.

*****

Julian teleported from the sidewalk he stood and in front of the man. “Boo.”

Quicksilver opened his silver blue eyes wide and his mouth fell open. "Boo?" he gasped, "What manner of foolishness this is?" he demanded in his accented pomposity.

And then the man was gone, and Pietro's head snapped towards the diner. The man reappeared and snatched Alexander off the stoop of the greasy spoon. Pietro narrowed his eyes, "I think not," he growled.

He brought his wrist up, checking on the locators that Alex had insisted on their wearing, and very quickly got a lock on Summers. All the way across the bridge into Manhattan... Central Park. "Impressive," Pietro muttered, "But not good enough, interloper. There is no place too far for Quicksilver."

And, then he was a blur and the world turned beneath his feet. He hit the bay at top speed, not taking the Brooklyn Bridge, for fear that it would not withstand the pounding that his passing would lay upon it. He was in the park in 27 seconds, even as Summers and his kidnapper were just appearing in this reality. Pietro, whose temper was no less rapid than his feet, swung his fist for the man's head. His punches could drive a hole through concrete. Luckily he was not trying to kill this man.

Just defend his team leader and friend.

Julian landed under a green tree in the blink of an eye after grabbing Alex. Julian knew that an attack was imminent. He tensed his muscles ready for something, anything. Just as they landed Julian felt a powerful thrust upon his chest. His chest burned as he saw the white beam hit him. He was knocked back about ten feet, falling to the ground.

Julian landed with a thud, knocking the wind out of him. He looked up smiling as Alex struggled to regain his whereabouts.

"Lets see how quick it takes your friend to get here." Julian said to Alex.

He stood up, glancing over at the lake that resided in the park. He noticed the wind gliding over the waters, small ripples being created moving from west to east.

He grabbed his chest and rubbed it. "You pack quite a punch." Just like you're brother. Julian thought.

Julian turned to his left and saw only the briefest movement of the tree branches east to west. He gasped, knowing that speedy mutant was heading for him. Julian quickly teleported out of the area of which he was sure Quicksilver would invade.

He reappeared on a bench about twenty yards away to see Quicksilver punch the air. "I was right... you're Quicksilver."

Havok recovered, quickly, though he still felt faintly ill. His abductor was tossed back and Alex's glowing hands balled into fists. The heat around him rose and his hair was blown by the warming waves of rising air. He felt the rising wind pushing from the south east and he knew that his teammate and friend was on his way. His lips twitched in a bit of wicked pride as the man picked himself up and commented on the strength of his attack.

"That was just a shove, pal," he said, tightly, "Bunny hop me again and you'll see how much of a punch I can give you when I'm angry."

Pietro arrived then, all fists and fury and fast, and Alex felt the urge to check his watch in curiosity. It seemed Pietro was running a little slow, perhaps their locators needed to be recalibrated. Mr. Tyde, which Alex was now pretty damn sure wasn't this character's real name, bounced away like a Hallowe'en imp, and called out that he knew who Pietro was. That was not a good sign, not a good sign at all.

Pietro, after all, was not only a former terrorist responsible for millions of dollars worth of property damage in Connecticut, he was also the son of the foremost dangerous mutant in the world. Maybe there were others more powerful, but there was no one who would use his powers more towards the annihilation of humanity than Magneto. On top of that, it was quite possible that both Maximoff and his sister were undocumented aliens, since Alex sincerely doubted Mags had taken care of that minor detail.

"Quicksilver, hold off," Havok said, adopting his best leaderly command, "I'm all right."

The white haired speedster was at his side in an instant, the two of them looking out at where Mr. Tyde had reappeared. Pietro favored Alex with a glance and muttered, "I merely follow your orders."

"We'll talk about how sweet it is that you rushed to my aid, fists a-flying when we get home, Lover," Alex teased under his breath, amused, despite the situation at Pietro's harrumph of indignation. "Mr. Tyde," Alex called, staying back from the man since he had no great urge to follow the bouncing ball, but not banishing his powers, "There is no need for this, you know. We're not your enemies unless you make us your enemies."

Julian observed the teamwork behavior between Quicksilver and Mr. Summers. He could sense slight tension between the two. He also wondered whether Quicksilver wanted to be there at all. He seemed alittle slow... Julian thought.

He strained his ears to listen to their whispers, but the wind rushing around him blocked their voices. Julian glanced up in the skies and could tell it would rain soon. The moon was no longer visible, but he knew it to be around midnight.

He began thinking of what he wanted. Quicksilver is wanted by the government. I work for the government. I might be able to use him in the future. Alex, if he is anything like his brother, would be a good ally. If he wanted to fight them in order to gain their trust, he had a very odd way earning trust. I need to test them... see if they are worth my time.

The wind around the night skies seemed to pick up. Julian felt a single drop of water fall on his cheek.

"There is no need for this, you know. We're not your enemies unless you make us your enemies." Julian heard Alex speak.

Julian smiled hearing him emphasizing the word 'make'.

"Mr Summers..." Julian began as he stepped forward, off the steel bench he stood upon. "I know full and well how you work. I know that I am not your enemy."

He took one more step, locking eyes with Alex. "I know more then you think."

With that brief comment he made his move. "Bench!" Julian screamed sending his hand forward towards Alex and Quicksilver. Did they have what it takes to earn Julian's trust? As Julian said the word, the bench that Julian was standing on disappeared in a faded shimmer and reappeared twenty feet from Alex and Quicksilver, moving at about thirty miles per hour. The bench did a small flip in the air, and if Alex or Quicksilver didn't do anything, they would surely be hit.

Had Alex known that this was a test, he would have been furious. He had no interest in earning this man's trust, no interest in being his friend. He wanted his town safe, his people safe, and this man, with his suspicious behavior and wanton use of his powers was doing everything he could, apparently, to make that an impossibility. Who was Alex, really, a man whose codename was Havok for Pete's Sake, to demand this man show some control and responsibility?

He was a man trying to be more than a rogue mutant, that's who.

"Mr Summers..." Julian began as he stepped forward, off the steel bench he stood upon. "I know full and well how you work. I know that I am not your enemy."

He took one more step, locking eyes with Alex. "I know more then you think."

"I frankly don't care what you know, Mister," Alex snapped, "All that matters is what I know, and, I know that you're a menace. You might have a good reason for hanging out and scaring people. You might have a good reason for teleporting around like a jack in the box. For all I know, you're the damn mutant Messiah, but all I see is an irresponsible mess, and we don't need that. We have enough of it coming from humanity, we don't need to prey on our own."

Pietro, standing beside his team leader, glanced at Alex with a faint look of approval, very faint. He understood Summers's sentiments, though he wished he'd learn to be more eloquent in his passion. Mr. Tyde shouted something and suddenly there was something hurtling towards them. He swept forward, lifting Alex out of the way of the deadly projectile before there was even a question of it hitting them.

Havok, his breath stolen for a moment, as he was rescued from sure death, threw out one fist, aiming it for Tyde. Quicksilver put his hand out, catching his friend's arm, high up, not wishing a serious burn. "He wants this, Havok," he said, lowly, "He wants us to fight him. His reaction to your reasonable though clumsy speech is irrational and overly violent for its nature."

Julian smiled as the steel bench was hurled through the air. He kept his hand out in case they didn't respond, of which he would recall the bench. but as he predicted, they responded. Not as he expected, however. He thought that Quicksilver would avoid the hit while Alex Summers would use his powers on the bench, probably melting it.

He was shocked at Quicksilvers reaction, more specifically his protectiveness of his teammate. Julian made a mental note that Quicksilver may not be as... wild as he once thought. Julian's brief study of the speedy man made him realize that, he was wrong. Quicksilver could be a good potential teammate.

He observed their behavior, and expected Alex to retaliate, even Quicksilver. Alex, as expected, was fixing to retaliate. Julian began to think that Alex was like his brother in more ways then just his attitude. If that were true, he knows that Alex would be a loyal teammate.

Julian couldn't deny, part of him missed the Xavier Institute and way of life.

He was shocked a second time. Quicksilver stopped Alex from retaliating. Quicksilver saw through Julian's tactics, and Julian was sure that Quicksilver would be a wonderful asset.

His ability to see through people, his quick response, and willingness to protect teammates... perfect.

"Quite intuitive there slick." Julian said loudly. He teleported away, and reappeared in a slightly invisible Shimmer ten feet from the duo. "My apologies for the bench." Julian said waving his hand in the direction of the bench, while at the same time, the bench disappeared in a shimmer and reappeared where it belonged.

True enough, Quicksilver was very intuitive. He had kept an ace in the hole, waiting, watching, analyzing. Hiding behind the protective cover of an improvised cloaking device he had developed three days prior was Madison Jeffries, who had reported to Central Park as soon as Quicksilver had located Havok after the teleporter whisked him away.

In his right hand was a hand-held contraption the size of a pocket calculator and was in fact modified from a calculator. What it did was something wholly unique, however: it analyzed energy signatures and calculated the precise electromagnetic wavelength required to temporarily scramble them.

And to that end, Madison pulled out an average-sized flashlight from his jacket pocket and extended a small length of wire from the back end. He plugged the wire into the "energy calculator" and flipped the switch.

With a sound similar to that of a defibrilator paddle, the device goes off, saturating the air with ionized particles of the correct electromagnetic frequency required to prevent the stranger from continuing with his "teleporting jackrabbit" strategy. It also had the side-effect of shorting out his cloaking device.

"I'd recommend against trying that teleport trick, pal," Madison says calmly as he shuffles his gear back into his pockets, "unless you're curious as to how bad the feedback would hurt."

Alex glanced at Pietro and frowned. How had Pietro developed a sense of rationality? He lowered his fist and muttered, "Stop making sense, you white haired son of a--"

Pietro merely smirked.

Mr. Tyde brought the bench back into place and apologized. Alex narrowed his eyes. "Is this some kind of game to you? Yeah, you're exactly what I expected you to be."

At that moment, Box made his presence known, and he very quickly shut down Tyde's happy bouncing powers. Alex smiled. Damn, this was almost like a real team. Scott would've been proud. "Thank you, Box," he said, banishing his powers. He put his gloved hands in his jacket pockets, as a symbol of his refusal to fight further. "Now, Mr. Tyde, you and I are going to come to an agreement here, and we are going to stop acting like a pair of schoolyard bullies rolling around in the dirt."

Havok, his two team mates flanking him, did not perhaps give the impression of a leader, perhaps seemed more like a menace himself, but he clearly was a leader, who had learned to not only delegate responsibility but knew when to step out of the spotlight. He shrugged and said, "Or, you can try to bounce around our town again and see what happens. We're willing to listen, Mister, if you're willing to talk."

Julian Pyke sighed. He knew they wouldn't be happy, but he wasn't happy as well. They made him lose his contact. He was sure tonight would be the night he found the mutant he was looking for. He just had that feeling.

"Look, you're the one who threatened me." He began. But he was rudely interrupted by a new mutant. The X-Men sure hadn't changed in his opinion.

Box, the new man, made his appearance and held a calculator in his hands. He rolled his eyes, how would a calculator stop him?

"Seriously man, you gonna multiply me to death?" Julian said sarcastically. He looked back to Alex and in Alex's changed frame. He was confident now, alot more confident. Maybe Julian should be worried.

He looked at the three mutants flanking him. "You don't want trouble..." began Julian, "Yet you flank me with this maneuver." He looked around.

Julian closed his eyes and decided that it was more then he planned for. But he still needed to make sure the X-Men didn't realize Julian was back in town. He did not have the time to avoid them and refuse to join them over and over again. Perhaps Professor Xavier knew that a part of him missed the Institute. Julian always knew he will one day be back at the Institute... but not today.

"Listen, I am merely in this town to find a mutant. Don't worry about me... I have a job to do. You do yours well." Julian said finally addressing Alex, staring him hard in the eye. "I have one too... and you pretty much ruined my chance of finding the mutant I'm looking for tonight by making that entire diner get up and leave."

Truthfully, Alix had no interest in the electronics- it wasn't that they weren't fascinating, or that what they could do meant nothing to her.. it was just.. well, While Madison was greatly in-tune with the workings of objects and technology.. Alix was just as so with the human mind. Which was, in part, why she'd made the choice to come as well. She'd naturally and easily picked up Alex and Pietro- both of their minds something that she'd studied to the extent that it was rather easy to pick up when something was.. wrong.

The moment Box's device kicked into effect, Alix stepped forwards, silently moving to Pietro's side.. almost looking, as always, mildly out of place. It didn't matter however- by the time she was by Pietro's side The fact that she belonged was clear just by the manner in which she carried herself; she might've been a great deal smaller and a great deal delicate looking- but her subtle interactions with the ones next to her made it clear enough.

But none of that was her purpose at the moment. With her strange eyes closely focused onto Mr. Tyde, closely monitoring whatever signals she could manage from him, she observed. Barely, she shifted her weight as he explained things. It was almost amusing, his reaction once he was backed into a corner; though her features remained completely and utterly emotionless.

::Of course you were flanked. You teleport our team leader, instigate a fight, spout knowledge you shouldn't know-:: Ironic for her to honestly mention this- ::And expect us to just do nothing? Your understanding of things is mildly misguided.::

"If I wanted you dead, you'd be dead, kiddo, simple as that," Madison said with a simple shrug of his shoulders. He simply gave a small nod to Havok in acknowledgement. Keeping the boss and the teammates safe was part of what he considered his job to be while he was with X-Factor, and he'd be damned if he was going to let some upstart punk jeaopardize that.

He didn't mention that the charge will last only another ten minutes, and that he won't be able to do the trick again. One pulse is enough to kill the battery completely, and that was what he had done. But he suspected that the problem would be resolved by that time anyway, so it doesn't bother him.

He also decided against speaking any further. This was the boss's gig, not his. He didn't think adding any more words would help regardless, so he simply stayed quiet. Quiet, but ready.

He knew from experience that just because someone was temporarily depowered didn't mean that they weren't still dangerous. And as far as he was concerned, this "Mister Tyde" was a cornered animal and that made him far more dangerous than he should be.

All around the city, the bite of winter was felt: the bitter wind, the snow, and the darkness; it was the season of slumber… all around the city, except for one rooftop where the season and climate were as fluid as … quicksilver.

Pietro had left Wanda in her tower, which was actually the roof of their gym-turned- X-Factor HQ, saying that ‘My darling, Alexander and I will see what this unpleasant business is all about. There is no need to disturb you with this’ and she had stayed behind.

Today, the air was warm with a hint of apple blossom and Wanda on the green patch of grass that covered part of the roof. The summons in her head was a voice she’d heard before, the girl with the black and white hair and eyes… rather than surly voices of demons and fear. She listened to the soft mental voice of the quiet girl.

Shoeless, wearing faded jeans and a simple shirt, she stood on the grass and gazed in the direction of Central Park. Their building was too low and the huge park was too far away anyway to see it but that didn’t matter.

Logic said that the shortest distance between two points was a straight line, however, recently some mutants have penciled in that creating portals can fold that line. Some do it by popping from one point to another and others do it by traveling to another dimension… Wanda was no longer on speaking terms with logic and didn’t pay attention to what it had to say… she teleported –consciously- with the use of spells and charms but unconsciously by telling reality that the distance between her and where her brother was did not exist. Thus, one step brought her from her pleasant rooftop garden to a chilly Central Park.

She stepped into being among the dormant trees deep without the Park, hidden from the prying eyes of the city in the dark. Wanda’s milky gaze took in her brother, Alex, Madison, and Alix, all facing a wretched yet defiant man, all of them looking tense.

“Alex… in would save trouble if he was a turtle… turtles do not cause trouble, they eat lettuce. Pietro,” she said crossing through the combatants to get to her brother as though they were merely mingling at a party, “do you remember at the store there was a little pool for wading in… you could bring one and we could make him a little pool on the roof,” she said, clearly warming to the turtle idea and one glance into her insane eyes would tell anyone that she was not bluffing, not threatening as a coercion tactic… his new life as something small, green, and carrying his home on his back was rapidly becoming a stone cold fact.

Havok listened to the man speak, and he couldn't say he was sorry about making him miss his prey. Whoever he was looking for, and for whatever reason, no one menaces the people of Mutant Town anymore, and as his team teleported, blinked, strolled, ran into place around him, he never more felt like... like Scott, he supposed, like a leader. They each piped up, one after another, and he was very proud to be associated with X-Factor at this moment. He felt a sense of accomplishment, and that was not something Alex was accustomed to. With their three potential new recruits that he'd talked to at the wedding, it was very likely that this was going to be team worth their weight.

Wanda appeared last, even though Pietro had not wished her here, concerned that her powers would be exploited by this unknown entity. But when the Scarlet Witch took it into her mind to do something, she did it, which made her talk about turn Mr. Tyde into a turtle all the more disconcerting. Pietro smirked, and extended his hand to his sister, pulling her to him where he could protect her should their surrounded opponent attempt to lash out. Alix was at his other side, and Pietro was pleased by it. He was by far the best prepared to protect these two ladies. He knew his sister was stronger than him powerwise, and that Alix could likely use her abilities to shut an enemy's mind down, but he could pretend that he was being valiant this way and his gypsy sense of honor was sated. "An interesting idea, my sister, but I have a suspicion he'll be continually teleporting out of his pool and getting underfoot. He would likely make a very poor pet indeed."

"Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch," Havok said, warningly, not looking away from Mr. Tyde, "I don't think it will be necessary to turn anyone into a turtle tonight. I think we're going to come to an understanding. Mr. Tyde came into Mutant Town looking for someone, and didn't know the way things should have been done. Let's start over. Mr. Tyde, my name is Havok, as the chosen representative of the three block square area of Brooklyn known as Mutant Town, I am requesting information on what you are doing, and offer my assistance in whatever you need so long as it is not detrimental to the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness of the people X-Factor is sworn to protect. You're looking for someone, we get that much. Who are you looking for, why are you looking for him, and what makes you think he is in Mutant Town? No more games, Mr. Tyde. Playtime is over."

Julian grew weary at all the new mutants arriving. His plan was working, but the arrival of some mutants made him nervous. More specifically, the Scarlet Witch. He knew there was no reasoning with her, and the only way to get to her was through the leader. He strained his ears to listen to Quicksilver's sister over the continuous wind rushing between them. He couldn't quite decipher what she was saying, something about a turtle. He had no idea what she was capable of, but he knew she was very unpredictable. he drew back to his first thought, focusing on the leader. That is how you gain control.

Julian kept his eyes on Havok the entire time. He knew Havok was the leader, and none would act without him. He did, however, glance at Scarlet Witch. He knew her, had seen her fight before. He kept a file on her, she was alittle insane. He continued looking at Havok in the eyes, his face emotionless, all game.

He listened to Alix talk to him using her mind and smiled, it worked. She fit the description, and all his research paid off.

He turned his eyes to stare at all of them. His demeanor was quickly changing from that of a helpless victim to in control. However, it was merely confidence and the feeling of accomplishing a task. He never did find Alex, rather, like he expected, Alex found him.

It did worry him however, that Alex found him. He wanted to find Alex, because finding Alex, found the mutant he needed to gain contact. It also kept Julian from the Xavier Institute, and their knowledge that he still knew of what went on there, much more then he should. Maybe not as much as he use to, but he knew what was important.

What worried him about Alex coming after Julian was the humans fear. Fear was taking over the nation, and something wasn't adding up within the government. Money was disappearing over time, slowly and secretly. He often wondered if the governments settle hints of eliminating the mutant threat were becoming a reality.

He looked back at Alex and began speaking in a tone he hoped Alex would pick up on. The tone of a leader to a leader, of the required transfer of information. "I came here in search of a mutant. My presences scared the people of Mutant Town and I never meant any harm. I am here on official business, and unfortunately I cannot talk about it, as it goes against the code I must follow."

He looked back at Alix, staring at her. He hoped she would listen to his thoughts, ::Don't be scared.::

He turned his head back to Havok and spoke again, "Forgive me for my games, but it was the only way for me to find the mutant I was looking for. I am looking for that young girl right there," Julian said pointing at Alix.

For a moment, Alix shifted to look towards Wanda, giving Pietro a light apologetic smile before quietly looking back towards Julian- rather quietly showing the barest hint of surprise.

Someone looking for her. What about? Briefly, she looked towards her team members, listening to Julian speak about what he'd come for. For a second, she shifted.

::I'm not scared.:: She didn't lie- from her emotionless, absolutely quiet voice to her expressionless features- it was obvious that whatever she felt beneath her barriers, it obviously wasn't fear. She had no reason to fear. He could do nothing- and whatever he could do, she could easily by pass it. At least; in her mind she could. Confidence was not something telepaths were known for being without.

When he pointed towards her, she straightened, looking towards her teammates with marked analysis before shifting back towards Mister Tyde. ::They will know exactly what you're saying. you may not talk about it, but it will be broadcast to each of them.:: She might've been small- and really, she did often trust too quickly; but not someone who'd started confrontations in Mutant town; meaning to or not.

She inwardly was mildly nervous over what he wanted; she could read his thoughts to find out, but really... what was the point in that? She wanted to hear him say it, since.. well, she was at least trying to attempt at some sort of normalcy. Would it be something that the people to her side would judge her for? For a brief fraction of a second, she feared it.. only to relax. They all knew what she came from, they all knew she'd come above that.

::What is it you want.. from me?:: Just barely; her confidence wanned, but was just as quickly restored. She could trust them.

Due to his own mechanical protection from telepathy, Madison had no clue as to what Alix was saying, one of the drawbacks to his necessary protection. He couldn't risk it. Not yet, at least. The USA had no business knowing about Department H, about Alpha Flight, and he'd keep it that way. Maybe after some time he'd be able to fine-tune the device to allow communicative broadcasts to be received, but for now he'd have to settle for not being able to hear Alix's broadcasts.

"I think you'd best keep looking," he said, slipping his hands into his jacket pockets and fiddling with a Nintendo DS that he kept around for whatever purposes he might need of it. As of right now, it was nothing, but who knows what he might need to improvise later?

But at this point in time, his chief concern was the unknown this nutbar represented. He wanted the kid for some reason. Whatever that reason was, it couldn't be good. So he would do what he could. If she went willingly, he was in no position to argue. The girl could do what she wanted, that was her prerogative. But if this yahoo was going to try to force her into doing what he wanted, he'd quickly find the business end of a plasma cannon in his face.

Pietro Maximoff did not like this Mr. Tyde. He thought him a fool. To dismiss Wanda's suggestions as idle rambling of a madwoman, or to pretend they were inconsequential was a great mistake. Alexander Summers knew it well, and his sharp bark of disapproval showed how much he knew it. He'd seen Wanda turn grass into metal and summon blood from the clouds. Havok did not lightly treat the Scarlet Witch, daughter of the infamous Magneto, and it was that respect that colored his tone that kept Pietro from goading his sister into demonstrating just how consequential she could be. Havok lead, because Pietro trusted him. He would not break that trust by going rogue.

He entwined his fingers through his sister's and suggested, instead, "The wind is hampering his hearing your words, my love. Perhaps your spirits might redirect the air to carry your warnings directly to him. I think he would find you have some important things to say if only he had the sense to listen."

Alex continued to watch Tyde, not impressed and not intimidated. He was military at the very least, of that Havok was certain, military intelligence, SHIELD maybe, though how a mutant managed to hide in the government was something to think about. He said he couldn't tell them his mission, he said couldn't reveal who he worked for, but that was all just bullshit anyhow compared to what he said next.

Alix? He wanted Alix?

Havok stepped forward, putting himself more in a position of leadership over this team, knowing that they were ready should this get even uglier than it already had. "Pretty damn convenient you just happened to find her with us then, isn't it? Especially considering you had no idea where to look before. X-Factor's pretty visible, and, my team mate there doesn't exactly blend into a crowd. I'm going to need a hell of a lot more information than you're giving me before I let you take one more step towards her."

OOC: Delete this post if I am suppose to wait for Wanda. I don't know the order and if Wanda is suppose to post again.

BIC:

Julian stood listening to all of the mutants, observing their stance, the emotions they emitted. He took notice of the mutant with the calculator... that little twitch, the waiting of action. What did that mutant plan to do?

Julian looked into Alex's eyes as he took the position of the leader. He listened to his words and just smiled. This person was very protective, and at the same time very naive. Did he not realize that Julian couldn't speak of his mission? Even though Alex would find out why he was there from Alix, of that he was sure, he had to be able to tell the government it was not from him should they find out.

::Alix, I need you to trust me. I know you can hear my thoughts, so please, listen to them. This has to do with your involvement in the Bennett Family Murder. And you know as well as I do that the more that are involved, the more dangerous it becomes.::

At the same time Julian was thinking of his words to say to Alix, he was speaking to Alex. Staring Alex in the eyes he simply said, "Yes, she does not blend into a crowd. But I thought it better to talk to her with people she felt safe around, rather then approach her outright." Of course he had many other reasons for putting on this game show, but that was for Julian to know.

He continued talking to Alex Summers, waiting for Alix to speak up. "I am sure if you were on some X-Faction mission, X-Team mission, or on a mission from the Xavier Institute," he continued, revealing to the crowd that he did indeed know about them. "That you could not speak of some of those missions for safety of your crew, for private reasons, and because it was just the golden rule. You must be aware I cannot speak to opposing parties until after I speak to my main objective." Julian paused, noticing a confusing look on some faces. "It's as if me asking you to give me all your files of every mutant you know, their powers, and their every day activities. You wouldn't. You're asking me to reveal information I can't. While it may not be as extreme as the example I just provided, it is important to not speak of my mission."

Julian finished his speech. Civilians always did annoy him when they wanted to know every detail. Did they not realize, every detail of everything is a danger to them?

::you've no idea the dangerous qualms of Bennett.:: There was something biting about that remark- the sudden, almost abrupt switch into something a bit more emotional. She relaxed, however- and looked towards Alex silently; of course he'd know about the events with the Bennetts, and what exactly had happened- after returning, she'd not been as secretive- and had made brief mention of what had happened.

Briefly, she looked towards Alex; silently shifting a bit; he knew the whole story already, really. And while she'd not ever directly told Pietro or his sister.. it wasn't exactly unknown anymore that she had some sort of dealing with the Bennett family murder.

What was obvious, however, was that she didn't quite believe the 'there's some things that are best for you not to know" bullshit. She was a telepath; the very embodiment of wanting to know everything. Really, this wasn't expected. Of course the government would've eventually connected her to things. At least they weren't digging Cole up out of his hiding (or whatever it was that he was doing) and into the limelight. They'd not catch her anyways; this she was absolutely confident of.

::it's about the Bennett family.:: her voice echoed into Alex's head. This guy could hunt her down all he wanted, expect her to do whatever it was he wanted.. But what he'd have to understand is that while at one time Alix would've easily and without qualms handled this on her own... she was on a team now, and if she was going to get trust from anyone over anything, she'd have to give her own trust. And that meant no secrets.

::what is your mission, then? I'm listening to you..:: she stared quietly and emotionlessly forwards, analyzing him.::but I prefer direct thoughts. Your mind is not my playground. It's not fair for me to expect you to figure out what I want from my actions, so it isn't polite to expect me to do the same.:: She could have- of course- no one would doubt that. But proving that she could this quick into things was a sure way to exploitation. So right now- she simply held her ground. Quiet, extremely shy.. but when it came down to situations where she had the upperhand- which she was completely certain of from the information she'd been given on this man in front of her- a strange new sort of bold confidence was easy to notice.

If it was important that your mission remain secret, you shouldn't have mentioned that you had a damn mission, moron, Madison thinks to himself, and takes a deep breath, huffing it out sharply. Got about five minutes left until the effect wears off, it might not be a bad idea to knock this guy out before that happens. At least it'd save us from his inane babbling.

"The more he talks, the more I think the turtle idea was pretty damn good," Madison grunted, but made sure it was audible. This wasn't working. This Tyde guy was clearly off his rocker, and a sloppy agent at that. He wasn't sure what was worse, though. Just because you're off your rocker doesn't mean you don't have your shit together. But this guy couldn't stop flapping his gums. And if he wanted Alix to work with him, that talkiness could get her hurt... or worse. To Madison, this guy was just plain bad news.

He wasn't sure if Wanda actually could turn a man into a turtle, but if she could, that was clearly something to be respected. Perhaps moreso than anything else on this team, that was a skill worthy of respect.

Mr. Tyde went on and on about his mission and why he couldn't talk about it, and he continually dropped hints that he knew about the X-Men and the school, which disturbed Havok more than a little. Scott was many things, and Mina too, but the one thing they most definitely were not was careless. There was no way this guy knew as much as he did without having some sort of prior connection to the school, and if he did, well, there were ways of finding it out. As it was though, whether or not Tyde knew something, if he was so interested in keeping his knowledge secret, he probably shouldn't be dropping hints left and right about it, yes?


::it's about the Bennett family.:: Alix's voice echoed into Alex's head.

Alex nodded once so that Alix understood that he got her message. Alix had been extra-ordinarily forthcoming about what she had been forced to do. It had been hard for the girl to tell him, but maybe that was the benefit of an organization like X-Factor. Most of them had similar stories. Wanda had drowned people in blood. Havok had blasted them with super charged blast, roasting them alive. Quicksilver had beaten the men who killed his mother to near death. Anger, manipulation, fear.... they had all been lead in dark places, and so would never begrudge the trials they had each been through.

Box piped up and Pietro snorted his agreement, "He is a man much in love with the sound of his cryptic tones. There are secret police in Latveria and parts of Transia. He would fit in well with them I think. Perhaps we shall pack his little turtle body into a box and ship him to Doomstadt. The Emperor may enjoy a nice soup."

Havok held up his hand, and said, "Enough." He looked Tyde directly in the eye. "And, enough from you. My team mate goes nowhere, answers no questions. You wish to speak to her, you make an appointment with our secretary, and go through the proper introductions. Unless you have a warrant for her arrest, which I doubt, or else this little "beam me up, Scotty' routine wouldn't be necessary. We are leaving, X-Factor. Good bye, Mr. Tyde. You know how to reach us."

He was not posturing, and his team would know it. He's done. They're done with this.

Julian nodded. It was the best he could do. He confirmed Alix was apart of the X-Factor, proved to her that he was willing to put himself at risk and that he did not want to harm her in any way. He looked directly into her eyes and thought, ::When you're ready to talk, please let me know. I will give Alex my card.::

He looked back to Alex and nodded. He turned to the other mutants and announced in general, "Thanks for your time. Sorry for the scene." He knew they would not know why he did nay of this, and would think he was crazy. He was... but his thinking was pure logic and his end goals were always succeeded.

Julian turned back to Alex and grabbed a card out of his pocket. He handed it to Alex saying, "Please contact me Mr. Summers when Alix is ready to talk. You are welcome to come, but the less people the better."

The card read:
Mr. Theodor Tyde
Private Investigator
Special Cases

He lifted his head towards Box and simple said, "So, what does that calculator do?" He paused, "I would like to get out of here... but if you want to give me a display..." He didn't finish his sentence.

She wasn't quite sure what he'd proved- except for the fact that he wasn't above pulling extravagant stunts to speak with her, but she kept silent. Her gaze shifted to Alex and the others in quiet understanding, falling characteristically quiet after the exchange was done. Her observances on Julian both becoming more and more certain.

It wasn't that she didn't trust him for being him- it was more.. well, Alix was a telepath, a telepath who happened to have had the short end of things more often than not. Naturally, that made her weary of most people- especially people who didn't just.. talk. He might've not meant it as an attack, but his actions before she'd arrived definitely looked like attacks, and naturally.. that put her on edge. Even if it hadn't been her.. she was on a team. A group. She'd defend them to the ends of the earth.

With Alex's words, she turned to leave, fully accepting of Alex's statements without a question. Really, that alone was a change from the way she used to be, since in the past she would've been more than ready to simply stay on her own. But- she as learning, and so when the team left, she would leave too.

Madison glanced down at his calculator for a moment before putting it away once again. It kept track of "Tyde"'s energy signature, so they'd be able to know if he got within a certain radius of their headquarters. The man was bad news, Madison knew it.

He willed the Box backpack off of its holster on his back and to the ground in front of him as he walked over to the nearest roadway. It quickly and silently reformed itself until it was roughly the size and shape of a sedan, and it hovered a foot off of the ground.
"You four gettin' in or what?" He asks Maximoffs and the two Alexes, both Alex and Alix as he steps into what would be a driver's seat. It's really just a hollow core with rudimentarily formed seats - it's the hovercraft tech and Madison's own will that propelled the vehicle as opposed to any real mechanisms.

"Oh, Summers, it'll need a bit of a boost to get the height I'm lookin' for, not to mention to be able to engage stealth mode. Been itchin' to try that one out for days now." A relatively hand-sized port opened up near the back, approximately in the same area where the gas cap would be. "This is gonna be a hoot and a half."

"Please contact me Mr. Summers when Alix is ready to talk. You are welcome to come, but the less people the better."

Alex took the card, read it quickly and tucked it in his jacket pocket. "Ted Tyde." He smirked. "We'll be in touch, Ted. It's been a pleasure, really, and by that I mean not at all." Only now did he turn away from the man. "X-Factor, let's get out of here. He made me miss happy hour."

Jeffries resculpted the Box robot in that disconcerting but pretty cool way of his and Alex's lips twitched, "Nice. I wasn't interested in catching a taxi back to Brooklyn. This thing has stealth? Sweet. I don't know if Scott's jet does. Don't take it too high though. I'm not a huge fan of flying." Of course, he wasn't. Falling out an airplane when you weren't old enough to tie your shoes properly can affect a growing lad. They had apparently chosen to ignore Tyde for now, which signaled the end of this 'meeting.' Alex glanced back at him, wondering what it was he really wanted. This was awful elaborate a for a murder investigation, especially if Alix was the suspect, and if she was, why the hell was a mutant PI after her and not New York's Finest?

Yeah his story didn't jibe, but whatever. They'd find out soon enough. He waited for Alix to get in the "car" before he turned and looked at Pietro, "You flying or are you and Wanda taking the Maximoff Express."

Wanda turned to Pietro, and wrapped her arms around his neck, and Pietro lifted her as if she weighed less than nothing. Not even a word had to be spoken between the two. How often had Pietro carried her in that way? Probably every day since their mutations had changed their lives forever. "I think my beloved has answered that," Pietro said, looking into his sister's dark eyes, "Once around the park, dearest? Take a breath." And, then, they were gone in a swoop of silver and scarlet.

Alex smirked and climbed into the hover car, assuming by Jeffries's instruction that he was to supply the extra energy that Box needed. He put his fist into the port and hoped Madison knew what he was doing.

He fired his powers, and sure enough, in seconds, only the teleporter remained in the park.

ooc Julian, go ahead and post a closer if you want, but, for everyone, good work X-Factor, drinks are on me tonight... like they are every night.