16497/A Question of Psychosis

A Question of Psychosis
Date of Scene:	20 August 2024
Location:	Backyard - Xavier's School
Synopsis:	Alex consults with the Cuckoos regarding their assistance with Lorna's vampire mental foo. They agree to help.
Cast of Characters:	Havok, Stepford Cuckoos

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Havok has posed:
Alex seems to be a man on a mission. Since obtaining new information regarding Lorna's condition he's been doing a bit of reading on people with telepathic abilities. Psylocke was at the top of his list; however her being away and unreachable makes that a bit difficult. Emma is never on his list, he still doesn't trust her that much - even though he understands she's considered on the level and wants to make things right, she still has other goals. Jean has never really shown the ability to do what he's thinking about and Charles is far too preoccupied with other things - plus, Charles and Jean both have considered Lorna a problem in the recent past. So they're out. But then there's the Cuckoos. A group of highly trained and powerful telepaths that can do what he thinks needs to be done. Plus they're accessible. So approaching them is top on his list.

Having discovered they were down by the stables, Alex made it a point to walk down and find them. His mind is filled with urgency and concern for Lorna's mental state. So when he spots the girls, he does his best to focus on seeking their aid.

He approaches, "Ladies, good afternoon. Might I have a moment of your time?"

Stepford Cuckoos has posed:
The four Stepford Cuckoos moved in perfect harmony, their sleek horses cantering gracefully across the field, each movement synchronized with precision. Their matching horse-riding attire was impeccable---elegant, fashionable, and meticulously coordinated. Black, tailored riding jackets with silver buttons, white breeches that hugged their legs, and polished black boots that gleamed in the sunlight. Their blonde hair was neatly tied back, and their expressions were cool and composed, as always.

    Phoebe, Esme, Sophie, and Celeste guided their horses through a series of intricate maneuvers. In unison, they trotted forward, forming a tight diamond formation, their horses moving as one. With a sharp command, they broke apart, each sister executing a flawless pirouette on horseback before regrouping seamlessly. The performance was as much a display of their bond as it was of their skill---a dance on horseback that showcased their unity and control.

    Meanwhile, Irma stood a short distance away, her phone held up to capture the entire scene. Her eyes were fixed on the screen as she live-streamed their performance, her voice smooth and authoritative as she narrated the event like a seasoned influencer.

    "And here we have the Stepford Cuckoos, perfectly in sync as always. Look at that precision, that grace. A flawless diamond formation, followed by a textbook pirouette---these horses are responding to every subtle cue. This, ladies and gentlemen, is how true elegance meets discipline in the riding arena," Irma spoke, her tone a mix of refined confidence and understated pride. The livestream chat buzzed with admiration, and she couldn't help but feel a small, satisfied smirk tugging at her lips.

    As Irma continued to capture the routine, she felt Alex Summers approach out of the corner of her eye. When opened his mouth to speak, she shot him a sharp, vexed look, one hand waving dismissively at him. 'SHHHHH!!' The mental command was firm and laced with impatience, echoing in his mind as she made it clear that now was not the time for interruptions. 'Do NOT ruin my livestream. Wait.'

    Returning her attention to the screen, Irma continued her narration with the grace of a top influencer. "And now, watch as they execute the parallel canter---side by side, their horses mirror each other's movements flawlessly. This level of coordination takes years of practice, but for us, it's second nature. Absolutely stunning, don't you agree?" She emphasized her words with a slight tilt of her head, catching the sunlight perfectly as her sisters completed another perfect round of movements.

    Alex would just have to wait. The show---and the livestream---came first.

Havok has posed:
Alex is shushed and he comes to a stop out of the camera's eye, yet still within a few feet of Irma. He smiles and finds the humor in his shushing but also listens to the commentary of Irma as she portrays the scene as it unfolds. He will turn his attention to the girls on the horses and watch their movements with interest and curiosity. Wondering what they're auditioning or performing for.

Stepford Cuckoos has posed:
Irma held her phone steady, capturing the final moments of her sisters' impeccable routine. The horses moved in unison, their hooves barely disturbing the earth as they executed their last synchronized trot. With a satisfied smile, Irma shifted her gaze briefly to the chat, watching the flood of compliments and awe-struck comments roll in.

    "And that, dear viewers, concludes today's masterclass in precision and elegance. The Stepford Cuckoos, once again proving that perfection isn't just achievable---it's inevitable. Thank you all for joining us. Until next time, stay flawless." With a final, graceful wave to the camera, Irma ended the stream and tucked her phone away, the satisfaction of a well-executed performance still lingering in her expression.

    Only then did she turn to Alex Summers, who had been patiently waiting on the sidelines. Her cool blue eyes met his, and with a raised eyebrow and a hint of her characteristic detached curiosity, she asked, "Now, Alex, how can we help you?"

    As she waited for his response, the rhythmic sound of hooves approached, and her sisters rode over, forming a neat line beside her. Phoebe, Esme, Sophie, and Celeste remained poised atop their horses, their expressions mirroring Irma's calm interest. Their horses shifted slightly, but the Cuckoos themselves were statuesque, their attention focused entirely on Alex.

    Their presence was unified, as always, the unspoken bond between them palpable as they silently awaited his answer, their collective gaze sharp and expectant.

Havok has posed:
Alex was quite impressed with the display of their coordination and equestrian prowess. He was also keen on the educated sounding dialogue presented by Irma. But also wondered why someone else wasn't filming it while she rode with the rest of the girls. None the less, when asked what he needed, Alex answers, "Hey, that was great. As for what I need.... So Lorna was bit by a vampire. Hank purged her of the vamp disease in her blood. However, she's still mentally vexed and I was hoping that you all could take a look into her mind. Maybe help her purge that too?"

Stepford Cuckoos has posed:
The Stepford Cuckoos stared at Alex Summers, their expressions flat and unreadable as his words sank in. Lorna. Bitten by a vampire. For a brief moment, the idea seemed so outlandish, so absurd, that it had to be a joke. Their eyes, all five pairs, locked onto him with identical looks of skepticism, their collective mind processing the information in perfect synchronization.

    Then, almost in unison, their brows furrowed, and they tilted their heads slightly. The disbelief was palpable.

    "Wait, you're serious?!" they exclaimed together, their voices blending into a perfect chorus of incredulity.

    Phoebe was the first to speak up, her tone sharp and disbelieving. "Lorna? A vampire? This has to be some kind of bad prank, right?"

    Sophie, ever the leader, crossed her arms, her expression growing more thoughtful but still skeptical. "Vampires are real, sure, but Lorna? How did this even happen? Wasn't she supposed to be... I don't know, immune to things like that?"

    Irma's mouth dropped slightly, her disbelief evident as she added, "We're supposed to be dealing with world-ending threats, not... vampires biting our friends. This is beyond ridiculous."

    Celeste shook her head, her fingers brushing her forehead as if trying to make sense of it all. "This is insane. A vampire? In this day and age? What next, werewolves?"

    Esme, however, had a glint in her eyes, the disbelief turning into something more like excitement. "Actually... that's kinda cool. I mean, not for Lorna, obviously, but still. Vampires? There's something darkly stylish about it."

    "Wait," Irma interjected, "We DID run into Count Dracula that one time at that one club didn't we?"

    "That's not the point!" The other four girls snapped instantly after.

    They all paused, their collective mind buzzing with thoughts, processing the strange and unexpected turn of events. After a few moments, they exchanged glances, a silent conversation passing between them.

    Finally, Sophie shrugged, and the rest followed suit, a wave of casual acceptance washing over them. "Fine," Sophie said, her voice carrying a hint of resignation. "We'll help. We'll see what we can do about purging the psychological influence. Should be simple enough."

    "But," Irma chimed in with a sly grin, "we have to post about this. Can you imagine the reaction? We'll get thousands of likes, maybe even go viral."

    The others nodded in agreement, their initial shock giving way to a mix of amusement and practicality. Celeste added, "This is definitely going to be a story worth sharing. The Cuckoos versus a vampire curse? It practically writes itself."

    With that, the five sisters turned their attention back to Alex, their decision made. "We'll take care of it. And don't worry---once this is over, everyone will know just how impressive we are."

Havok has posed:
"Well, they didn't turn her. They were just feeding on her..." he pauses with a shudder and a look of disgust mixed with concern. Then he continues with a befuddled look after all those words and the flow of the conversation, "But yeah... how about we worry about purging her psyche first. Then asking her about sharing the story. If anything, keeping names of the innocent out of the story to protect them." Or what ever Detective Friday said. "You all are all correct though. Sharing may lead to others who have been harmed by the dracula nation and seeking a cure - they might seek you all out. But on the opposite side of that coin - you may also be sought out by vampires not wanting their slaves to be cured."

Stepford Cuckoos has posed:
    The Stepford Cuckoos collectively rolled their eyes as Alex Summers told them to "fix her" and then check if they could post about it on social media afterward. The synchronized motion was almost comical in its precision, their expressions conveying a blend of exasperation and mild annoyance. Of course, Alex would try to rein them in---it was so predictable.

    When he followed up with his serious tone, cautioning them about the potential consequences of sharing their involvement with the situation, the girls exchanged glances. Then, with a synchronized shift, they turned their gazes back to Alex, giving him a collective "look." Their expressions were a mix of amusement and disbelief, as if he had just questioned their very competence.

    "Do you think we're amateurs or something?" Esme asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she crossed her arms. "Seriously, Alex. Do you even know how many followers we have? Thousands and thousands. We know exactly what we're doing."

    Phoebe added, "We handle attention better than most, and we can deal with whatever comes our way. Vampires not wanting their slaves cured? Please, we're not worried."

    Sophie smirked, tossing her hair back slightly. "Besides, we're already used to being sought out for all kinds of things. This is just another day for us."

    Irma let out a small sigh, though her lips curled into a faint smile as she gave Alex a slightly softer look. "Look, just shoot us a text when you're ready, okay? We'll handle it. No need for the overprotective boyfriend routine."

    Celeste chimed in with a mischievous grin, "And we expect you to like and subscribe to our content, Alex. Since, you know, we're doing this for you. It's only fair."

    With that, the Cuckoos turned back to their own devices, mentally preparing for the task ahead, but clearly enjoying the playful banter. Despite the gravity of the situation, they couldn't resist making the most of it---after all, it was all part of being them.

Havok has posed:
Alex is scolded. First he was shushed, now he's scolded. He is indeed the protective boyfriend as well as an over protective big brother in this situation not wanting anyone to get hurt or put themselves into a dangerous situation. It's part of his persona - to want to protect his friends and family. They are part of that collective. He gives a nod and accepts that they'll handle it the way they know how. He says, "Thanks. And yeah. I'll text you all. But just know, this will probably be more of an intervention than a request. Lorna's going to deny something is awry. It's in the vamp programming. So it's gonna be hit hard and fast. I'll set it up."

Then he turns on his heel and begins walking off. Knowing that they're off in their own texting universe.

Havok has posed:
He also ponders about how he's starting to see and identify their personalities - even though there's overlap, he is seeing how each have a different vision and take on things. He ponders this while moving away.