16570/A Thanks

A Thanks
Date of Scene:	15 October 2024
Location:	Frontyard - Xavier's School
Synopsis:	Alex thanks the Cuckoos for trying to help with Lorna.
Cast of Characters:	Havok, Stepford Cuckoos

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Havok has posed:
Alex is found driving up toward the garage in his black two door jeep. He has been on a few errands for the day and now he's coming home. He parks, cuts the engine, sets the hand brake, and gets out. Moving around to the back of the jeep, he opens the swinging cargo door to reveal several open top boxes. He's been to CostMart and bought food. Lots of it. There are at least 8 large boxes.

Stepford Cuckoos has posed:
The Stepford Cuckoos were deeply engrossed in their latest social media endeavor, each sister fully committed to capturing the perfect shot. They had transformed the garage into an impromptu photoshoot location, taking turns as the model and photographer. One of the sisters---Celeste, with her keen eye for detail---was currently behind the camera, phone angled just so as she gave precise directions.

"Chin up, Sophie. There, just like that," Celeste murmured, her voice carrying a tone of authority. "And maybe drape your hand over the hood. It's all about looking effortless."

Sophie struck a pose beside a sleek, unfamiliar car, her expression perfectly poised as she leaned against it with the air of someone who owned the vehicle. The other sisters were on standby, adjusting their own outfits, preparing for their turn in front of the camera.

Irma, waiting for her moment, watched with a critical eye, giving a little nod of approval. "Okay, now turn just a little to your right," she suggested from the sidelines.

Phoebe and Esme stood by, both deeply engrossed in selecting filters and framing techniques for the next round of shots. To them, the cars were simply props, the luxurious machines nothing more than backdrops to accentuate their style and presence.

They were entirely absorbed, moving seamlessly between directing, posing, and capturing, unaware of Alex's arrival and completely unbothered by the fact that none of the vehicles belonged to them. For now, the garage was their domain, a stage set perfectly for their influence to expand, one carefully curated post at a time.

Havok has posed:
Alex noted the girls when he pulled up and expected that they were too self involved to want to help him with the boxes. So he initially carried on with his life. He would recruit other people. He grabbed a box and walked it into the front entrance of the mansion. And, in a few moments, he emerged with NPC students who would be responsible for carrying the rest of the boxes inside and unloading them. The bevy of students did just as they were instructed. Grabbing boxes and moving them inside like a row of ants carrying sugar cubes.

Meanwhile, Alex decided to approach the girls during their 'photoshoot'. He remains out of frame. He intones, "Ladies." in a greeting before launching into what he has to say.

Stepford Cuckoos has posed:
The Stepford Cuckoos all paused in perfect unison, their heads turning toward Alex as he approached, his greeting cutting through their focus. For a moment, they simply stared, expressions blank, almost as if they were synchronizing their thoughts. An awkward silence hung in the air as they exchanged glances, communicating silently in that eerie, wordless way of theirs.

Finally, Celeste broke the quiet, a sly smile forming on her lips. "Hello, Alex," she replied, her tone cool and casual.

Phoebe chimed in next, leaning against the car they'd been using. "We were actually just talking about something."

"Yes," Sophie nodded, her gaze flickering to Alex's jeep. "We think your jeep would be perfect for our next shots."

"We'd only need it for a few minutes," Irma added, as though they were already anticipating his approval.

Celeste tilted her head slightly, her eyes gleaming with that characteristic Stepford intensity. "So, what do you say? Would you mind lending it to us for photo purposes?"

Havok has posed:
He hears the partial request, looks back at his jeep and shrugs appearing not to have any issue with their notion. "Yeah. I got no problem with that." He pulls out the key fob and will offer it to the closest Cuckoo. Then he'll note in a quiet tone of appreciation and consideration of the world around - the students who are finishing up grabbing the boxes, "Oh, and I just wanted to say thanks for trying to help with Lorna. So, thanks."

Stepford Cuckoos has posed:
The closest Cuckoo, Phoebe, stepped forward and took the offered keys with a quick, practiced smile. "Thanks, Alex," she said smoothly, before exchanging a glance with Esme. The two sisters slipped away, heading toward his jeep with a confident stride, already discussing angles and lighting for the next round of photos.

The remaining three Cuckoos exchanged a brief look, taking a moment to recall the situation Alex had mentioned. Recognition flickered in their eyes as they remembered the day they had probed Lorna's mind.

Sophie was the first to speak, her tone clinical. "Oh, Lorna. Yes, we remember now."

"She's not... quite herself," Irma added, her expression thoughtful, as if weighing her words carefully. "There's something in there. It felt broken. Disrupted, somehow."

Celeste nodded, her gaze fixed on Alex. "You might want to have her looked at. There's a presence that feels... concerning. If it's left unchecked, it could lead to something worse. Undesired results, if you will."

Their words hung in the air, cool and matter-of-fact, before they each gave a brief nod, signaling their piece was said. They then turned back to the photoshoot, their attention shifting seamlessly back to their social media endeavors, as if delivering such news was just another routine part of their day.

Havok has posed:
Alex nods in agreement, "It's a matter of pinning her down to do just that. She takes off for days or weeks. Only coming back when she's more lucid in our reality. I can't match her speed or her flight abilities. So grabbing her... well, it's not really a thing. But I appreciate what you did. It helped jar her mind. And, it's now a matter of finding someone who can address the problem. When and if she's around."

Stepford Cuckoos has posed:
The Cuckoos exchanged glances, a spark of mischief flickering in their eyes as they considered Alex's predicament.

"Maybe you should set a trap for her," Phoebe suggested, a sly smile crossing her lips. "Like a rabbit."

"But nothing too obvious," Esme added, folding her arms as she thought aloud. "Nothing made of metal, obviously. She'd tear right through that."

Sophie tilted her head thoughtfully, tapping her chin. "Something to keep her in place... maybe a distraction she couldn't resist?"

"Or a place she'd willingly stay long enough for help to arrive," Irma mused. "Something that catches her attention and makes her want to linger."

Celeste's eyes brightened, and she leaned forward. "What would that be, though? A room with some kind of powerful magnet? Or maybe... you'd need something she can't manipulate." She glanced at Alex, waiting to see if he had any thoughts. "But what could keep her attention long enough?"

The Cuckoos continued to ponder aloud, their ideas flowing one after another, each trying to outthink the last. For them, this was a puzzle---a challenge to unravel, each suggestion more creative than the last, as they considered just how one might trap someone as powerful and unpredictable as Lorna.

Havok has posed:
Alex hears the suggestions and he chuckles deeply while gently shaking his head. "I can only see anything like that going very badly. Except.." and he thinks of something that attracts her attention, "She's been into death goth music lately. Whatever the hell that is. But it calms her and makes her stand and sway. But the environment is also a factor. Dark gloomy club scene with a bunch of emo goth people... yeah. Not conducive to keeping her there, especially for whomever I find that can fix her brain. But you all have good ideas. Lemmie think on it."

Stepford Cuckoos has posed:
The Cuckoos exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of passive interest and mild amusement.

"Sure, let us know when you figure it out," Phoebe said with a casual shrug, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.

"We might not be able to help directly," Esme added, sounding almost bored, "but we'd hate to miss out on the drama."

Sophie nodded, her gaze flicking back to her phone. "It's always entertaining to see what happens when things get... complicated."

Irma offered a faint smirk. "And if there's one thing Lorna's good at, it's making things interesting."

Celeste gave Alex a brief nod, as if to finalize their collective thought. "So, keep us posted," she said nonchalantly, already slipping back into their usual preoccupation as they turned their attention back to the photoshoot. For now, the Cuckoos were content to leave the matter with Alex, but their curiosity lingered, always ready for the next twist in the story.

Havok has posed:
Alex reflects on everything they've just said and he smiles. But it's best not to comment on the level of drama that follows Lorna around - or that she creates. So he keeps his mouth shut. He says, "Will do. Oh, and when you're done with the jeep, just leave the keys in it." He turns on his heel and says, "Enjoy your day." and he'll head back toward the house leaving the girls to their photoshoot.