Welcome to Gaia! ::

Omega: Catalina – Liquid Confidence Comes at a Price

“You know, nothing makes you look less awkward at a party than standing next to a 6-foot tall redhead,” she said in response to him, giving a soft grin as he turned his attention from her to glance at the still retreating girls down the beach. His comment about actually following after them seemed to put her in a more somber mood, though on the outside it was only visible by a quick glance down at her ever emptying cup. However, before she could really think of anything witty to say, Jackcontinued on, bringing up a point against pursuing this trio of giggling gals. She placed one hand on her hip, shaking her head at him slightly.

“You honestly don’t think girls look at you? Oh come on Lurch, you’re a walking muscle. Women have a weakness for bulk, you know. It’s instinctual. There are plenty of other girls like giggles over there that are just too intimidated to do anything but gaze from afar and hope you’re a gentle giant with a soft spot for petites,” she said with a grin, tossing her hair over her shoulder as she took another drink. Nothing that she said was meant to be harsh, though she had a feeling that her obvious distaste for the passing girls, and his considering going with them, was showing through more than she intended. All she knew was that most of what she felt was instinctual. He seemed like a guy that just might be able to keep up with her, and who seemed to be available to boot. Better than her previous option. Unfortunately, Kerrigan had just never really been good with flirting and obtaining male interest. However, she felt eyes on her once more, though by the time she lifted her gaze once more, he was looking past her, the redhead tilting her head to the side slightly when he said she had her own admirers. Turning and careening up to try and follow his gaze, she did indeed see a few boys looking in her direction, Kerrigan letting out a slight laugh. It was funny how some men thought her an Amazon to be tamed and others thought her too intimidating to approach all together. Neither situation was her idea of a good match, thus perpetuating her lack of romantic conquests.

“If those boys knew I could drop them with one hit, I doubt they would be as interested. Funny how strength and independence are prized in men, but not necessarily in women.” It was more a glimpse into herself than most got, revealing a little more than she actually intended to. She had always been confident, even proud, of the way she could handle herself and not have to ask for help in almost any situation, but she had been told over and over by her Mother that men liked something they could protect – something that needed them back. It was a role that she wasn’t sure she could necessarily play, but was willing to work at it. The strangest part of it all was that she already kind of felt that way when she was around Jack – another thought that would need to be locked in the vault for now. That seemed to be the theme of tonight, and reinforced the dangers of alcohol consumption when engaged in a thrilling game with a guy you could potentially really like. Did already like. Wow, she would really have to be careful the rest of the evening.

“Anyways, who said I was concerned? I’m just trying to figure you out is all. You’re not exactly the easiest person to read,” she said honestly, giving a shrug as she drained the remains of her drink from the cup, determined that this was going to be the last of the evening. She was nowhere close to drunk, her form sturdy as ever and speech clear and crisp as it always was. It was the content of speech and her willingness to divulge that made this situation so dangerous. While she had the confidence from a little liquid courage to not feel like she had to be the vixen from across the room, revealing too much too quickly could very well intimidate him like the other guys she failed with.

ALPHA Relocation is a good thing

Wilbur started to bring Leion up the hill. He knew nobody would be up there except Eli and Petra maybe. It didn't seem as if anyone on the actual beach were going to the hill, as this had been suggested a while ago. To Wilbur, that was the safest place for his drunk friend. In his mind, keeping him at the party, but away from the action was a kind favor, instead of completely removing him like a child. All of this was going well and good when Shandra, high and mighty adult, took control of Leion. He was frustrated at her tone, which he took as condescension, but he gave him up freely.

Wilbur narrowed his eyes as she discussed with the other veteran students as to the best plan of action for Leion. He eyed the rest of the group and wasn't too impressed with what he saw. He didn't know any of them, really. He wasn't exactly prepared to fight with them yet. if that's what they actually did at school. He was really trying to get into the action. This whole vacation thing was not part of his plan, but he couldn't really do much about it now. The only one's he trusted at the moment weren't really around. He noticed Hoshi still there. He trusted her.

He went up to the side of her and spoke quietly so as not to disturb the others.

"Hey, um, I'm not exactly having fun anymore. I was gonna go up the hill. Did you want to come with? I think Eli and Petra are up there too." He turned back around when he heard Alek's idea get shot down as well. What was up with all of these kids and Alek. So far as he saw, Alek was a good kid. Just trying to help, same as everyone else. Wilbur noted once again that he would have to investigate into the story of Alek when they returned to the mainland. Wilbur noticed how eager Alek was to help Leion once he kissed Jacen. May not be completely telling, but it was interesting. He turned back to Hoshi, slowly. "Yeah, will you please come with me? I can fly us?" He held out his arm, desperate to get out of the thick air. He was also ready to go sit with the other newbies. He wasn't sure how Hoshi felt, but he didn't want to go alone.

=b]Omega-jibber jabber"Good" He nodded at hearing that she had made it out fine. So Cissa had helped the other group before finding him and Shandra, that was interesting, but unimportant. He was certain that she was just there to watch, at least he hoped she did not think she would need to get involved. He would assume that since they had been on Cissa's team for over three years, she would trust them to be able to take care of themselves. They would get in trouble of course, that is what one did when they were Omega, but he and his lovely redhead were quite capable of getting out of trouble.

It was then that Sophia opened her heart to him, her voice hoarse as if she was about to break into tears at any second. His brow furrowed in worry. He knew that she did not think much of her powers after the nice chat that they had in Limbo, but he had no idea that her thoughts extended to her own person. He paused for a second, he wanted to talk to her, to try to convince her otherwise, but she looked like if he said one wrong word, she would break down. His kind heart won out though, he just hoped he would be able to help her. Just as he helped his teammates in the past, including Derrik when he had first joined the X-men.

"No need to call me m'sieu, Antonio is fine. I am not that much older than you." He chuckled, trying to get her to laugh at what was honestly a terrible joke, but it was better than nothing. His voice sobered as he took a deep breath before continuing. "Now Sophia, here is my advice to you. You have identified your weaknesses, but you cannot let those bring you down. Everyone has weaknesses, even someone as amazing as me. If we only look to those, we will get trapped in depression. What you need to do is look for your strengths, find the things that you can do that no one else can."

He smiled at Sophia, trying to cheer her up. "Yes, you are not a soldier, but you are not alone in that. I have been here a while, I have seen countless potential X-Men come and go. There are very few who are like Gideon when it comes to battle, that can match the pure heartlessness of Cissa. Disregard for taking a human life is not what defines an X-men. Quite the opposite is true. Though recently it seems like we have forgotten, we should consider all life to be equal, and treat it as such. You might not be the best in combat, but you serve what I consider to be a greater role. You still have pure morals, untouched by injustices served to you. If you disagree with what is being done, you need to speak up about it, you will find that many people think like you do, they just are afraid to speak up."

Antonio paused for a second. Collecting his thoughts once more. "Believe it or not, I have seen several people in the position you are in right now, thinking that they do not have what it takes to be an x-men. Soon after they all left. You have a choice, do you want to be like them, or are you going to fight, work to be better. I will help you become stronger, more confident, if you will let me."

Omega: "Light-bulb"
Varian had taken post not to far from Petra and Eli. He really didn't feel the need to be part of this party, the spin off to the main event, where he was supposed to be. He was here to keep an eye on things, make sure things didn't spin way out of control. He didn't know, however, that the conversation he would unintentionally eves drop on would bring forth his own inner demons, the cause for much of what he was today. Eli spoke of his mother. Varian could tell the alcohol played a part in the confessions and heart felt conversation, but it still happened nonetheless.

Tears boiled in his eyes as he buried his face to his knees as the world seemed to close in on him, distorting his vision and muffling the sounds around him. His heart ached for his parents. He had never truly understood how to move on, he had been learning piece by piece since he had joined the Omega's but he had just be able to push the issue aside. Narcissa was a great distraction from his own pain, but now that she was gone nothing held it back as the sorrow filled him up again.

He wasn't sure whether he could speak or not, but he did. He had silently walked up behind Petra and Eli. His powers allowed much stealth these days. Making him seem weightless. No sound made when he walked. "How... do you cope with something like that?" Varian had asked.

He truly didn't know. His brother, Victor, had not helped much. His brother closed off the world and everyone in it, except for Varian. They had each other, and that was all they needed. Or so he was led to believe. This lie was beginning to show its ugly face as time had progressed. Much of what Varian had been led on to believe was no longer true. If they needed only each other how did Emma come into play for his brother? Why did Varian need Narcissa? Why did Victor seem so distant? Everything Varian had learned to believe was just... not so. He felt like an alien on a new planet. Unsure of how to really trust others... to love another. To care.

"How can you forgive your parents for just leaving you all alone."

Alpha - Boldness

He partially grinned and hid it behind a sip of the glass. Jack brought his gaze down to Kerrigan and stared quite blatantly with nothing to hide or rudeness intended. " Well I'm not intimidated." He said following her answer to his question. By the staring and the tone, he meant it. and he continued to watch her. She was loose, more so then him. As big as he was Alcohol took abit more then the few he's had to get a real effect. He wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed but he was observing. And what he saw was mostly self explanatory. " I wouldn't know about that. Strong Women are valued. It just takes a stronger type of man to get along with.". He said and lifted his gaze to look back at the crowd. The dancing masses seemed hypnotic in a way.

Then he smirked in consideration of what she said. " Well I'm sure that's a plus. In some amazonian culture. Droppin a guy is just one of those unique skills.". His tone rang with sarcasm and amusement. The next bit threw him off but he quickly recovered and shot back. " Thats a load Xena. Nothin of me ta figure, and as simple a book as ABCs. Buuuut if ya need help translatin..." He was going to have his fun and confuse her beyond most doubts. A hand under her chin and bend at his waist and he brought his lips to hers, a lingering and harmless kiss sudden and gone within moments. He patted her head and stood his full height then smirked as he side stepped her to seemingly follow the gigglers. Heading off in that direction was just coincidence, as he wanted another drink. He was making this dangerous for himself, but it was so much more fun with abit of fire.

He wanted, was hoping she'd come after him, to whatever effect. He was preparing things in his head, hoping. He was obviously into the redhead, she need only to follow through. Secretly in the back of his mind he was reflecting on what he just did and how enjoyable it was. He'd have to do it again. He sighed as he stopped at a trash can to toss his empty cup away then turned in the other direction towards the drink stand.

---

Jack's clone had been leaning on a tree thinking for sometime then shrugged exasperated. He looked around and saw Eli, Petra, and Varian? all sitting together and talking. Well, since it was officially a crowd he decided to go over. Fourth wheel made a car and all. Hands in pocket he didn't be discreet with his heavy foot steps. He wasn't going to startle them, his sheer size could do that alone if they weren't expectant. " Howdy one and all... Whatcha doin? Room for one more?", He just grabbed a drink as he passed behind them and started gulpign it down not caring what it was. Even though aware, it was easy for him as clone to forget that he would cease to exist at some point. Made it difficult sometimes to discern.

Alpha - A Real Fight For Love

To say Jack was off guard was an understatement. He only turned only to be rotated a few more degrees by a mean hook that connected with his lower jaw. He caught himself and straightened up holding his jaw with one hand, and barely smirking, as his right hand grabbed Kerrigan by the wrist before she got too far. Before she had time to pull away he pulled sharply and picked her up over his shoulder and carried her off towards the water. any protest or hitting she might be giving his backside would then be interrupted as he let go and shrugged her off from his full height in the shallow water. " your awfully cute when your angry." He sounded amused which he didn't need to guess was the opposite of what she wanted when she slugged him. He cocked his head and spat out then wiped at his jaw watching her, expectantly as she got up.

He took a a grounded stance an it was obvious at this point they were both sizing each other up. Her powers could be passed off as her simply being the schools super athlete, and he didn't need to use his. So as far as the few people watching before it would eventually turn into a crowd, it would be nothing but two people having a very physical argument. " Alright red. You wanna get Froggy? Can ya hop like this? come on!", He waved for her to come at him, but the tone he had was obviously playful. He knew at some level he deserved that cross, to his face. Now he was just looking to have some fun and get some exercise. Let her blow off abit of that steam, and maybe cool down.

For what would be the audience it would be a simple entertainment, until some one likely one of the team leaders decided to break it up. He could except responsibility for it. Between the two of them it was more or less a fair competition. Enraged and all she would tire out quickly, and even if he took some punishment he felt it would be worth it. Whoever wrote this script is a sadist, making him out to be a glutton for punishment.

Omega: Company

Responding to Eli's comment about power mastery, she challenged with her own broken theory, "But in time. You grow stronger in power than me. May break my hold on it. But it is all theory."

The conversation led to more company coming along the way. Part of her was a little disappointed, she found that she liked the company of Eli if for anything else than fascination over his mutant power and well, him. A little more vodka and she might have gotten a bit more friendly. The appearance of Varian in their company had definitely given her a jump. She didn't expect him showing up and his movement was near silent for her.

She wasn't exactly good at expressing her own emotions as she was taught very young to bite her tongue. But part of her felt bad for Varian. He was very raw at the moment. She opened a bottle of whiskey and listened to what Eli had said as well. They all seemed to have their family issues. Part of her almost felt bad for not feeling bad about her parents and their cold graves.

She put a hand on Eli's back instinctively as he leaned over her to grab the vodka. After he took the bottle, she let the hand fall to the ground beside her. With whiskey now on her breath, she returned the sphere of metal back into it's tray form and added her two cents, "I find that I cope with my family being gone by just living. I cannot control the fate they made. It is... eh, out of my hands. I can only control what I do."

Petra probably would have said more but she often felt limited by her vocabulary. Whenever going into longer diatribes, she often found herself going back to speaking Russian which wouldn't help the situation. Soon after her inane mutterings, Jack came onto the scene. She smiled and answered his question, "Always room while drinks flow. Are you original or clone?"

Omega - Dancing? Who'd have thunk it?


“I sure as heck didn’t,” Christian said to Raine as they parted company with Sophia. Her mood didn’t change, which bother him slightly, but he knew it would take some time for her to get over her troubles. In a way, he hoped that she didn’t think any different of him due to his actions in dealing with those louts.

In all honesty, Christian was just ‘putting on the face’. He was wanting to enjoy himself here during this little bonfire shindig, but knowing a friend of his was that upset troubled him. And it wasn’t that she was upset, but that it was because of something he did that really sat wrong on his shoulders.

He was following Raine roughly half a pace behind her, noting the volume of the music gradually getting louder and louder until it seemed his eardrums were going to shatter. When they got to the actual dance party, Christian immediately had a drink thrust straight at him. Naturally, he passed it to the fetching blonde who was dancing at arm’s length from him. He didn’t like alcohol, save a beer or two, nothing too heavy.

“I think the chances are slim and none,” Christian hollered back at Raine, “But I can sure as heck try.” Again, more drinks were handed off to him, and again, he kept passing them off to the other revelers until he got a red cup with a familiar liquid. He didn’t waste any time as he took a sip and let the barley and hops cascade over his taste buds. How long had it been since he had enjoyed something as simple as a cold beer?

When he pried the cup from his lips, he watched as Raine motioned towards the direction that Gideon had carried Cissa off in. “Gonna be a helluva lot of hellfire and brimstone,” Christian said nonchalantly before taking another drink from his cup. With each other cup that was handed to him, he tested it, trying to find a non-alcoholic beverage to hand to his friend. He wasn’t getting anywhere until he caught a glimpse of the guy pouring the drinks.

“Hey! No booze in that!,” Christian yelled at the guy, watching him intently. The ‘barkeep’ shrugged his shoulders and poured a glass of straight chaser before handing it down the line towards Christian. Just as it was about to get to his hand, he felt Raine’s arm slipping around his.

“Like one cup of sauce ain’t enough to loosen me up?,” Christian replied with a wry grin and a laugh, “Be warned, Sparkles, I’ve got more than two left feet!” The beer did enough to at least subdue his worries for the moment about Sophia, but as he was dragged out onto the sandy dance floor, he looked back towards the grassy hilltop and saw Antonio talking with Sophie. He shook his head momentarily before following Raine’s lead.

The song that they danced to was rather frenetic and frantic. Christian had trouble keeping up, but it wasn’t for a lack of effort. The song that they were dancing to was winding down, and Christian was a little winded. Perhaps that was the effect of the alcohol. Just when the next song was about to start up, he felt a sharp poke on his slightly burned left shoulder. He winced and turned to see a rather annoyed kid holding a cup… full with a non-alcoholic beverage. Christian laughed and thanked the guy quickly as he passed the cup to Raine. “Wouldn’t you know, seems like I hit a lucky streak,” Christian said with a smile, before knocking back the rest of his beer. With the beer finished, he knew that would be all he’d want, and so he resumed dancing with his friend, trying to remove his troubles from his mind and conscience.