Thread: Jason, Jean and Calvin Who: Jason Wyngarde, Jean Grey, Calvin Rankin. What: A little street magic. When: December 03, 1975. Rating: PG-13. Status: Completed Log.
bigpimp The trick was simple. Pull a volunteer from the audience, cover him with a cloth, pull the cloth off, and voila – vanished. The “invisible man” trick. Of course there was a lot more garnish to it, he’d have to ‘hypnotize’ the man first, babble about some ancient Aztec or Egyptian or Voodoo magic he had learned on his travels to make this trick possible, throw in a story to go along with it, all while his lovely assistant strutted around. The audience would ooh in awe like the sheep they were. It was glorious.
“And if my lovely assistant could kindly reveal….” Jason spoke grandly and gestured to the cloth covering the man. With a flourish, Jean pulled the blanket clean off and the man had vanished. In actuality, he was still standing right there… slightly dazed and dumbfounded that no one could see him as he waved his arms around. This was pretty far out! He couldn’t believe it! After a bit of stage play (Jason got the “invisible man” to remove one of the audience members hats), he covered him back up, and with some fruity hand movement and another flourish, he reappeared. The trick was simple, really, his illusionist powers were in full play, and the coin was flowing into the fedora. Times were hard but not for an entertainer.
The amazed gasps and applause filled his small corner, Jason – calling himself “Nikos the Entertainer” was quite popular for his mentalist tricks. He kept his eye out for those who paid more attention to his assistant than his magic, knowing he could fish them later on and maybe sell ‘em on a girl. “That you, thank you…” He bowed, glowing in the limelight. “Now for my next trick…”
copycat_ Unlike the crowd, Calvin was not going to be taken for a fool. With that particular set of skills that playing in some toxic materials had granted him, He could smell that the performer wreaked of that of a mutant and not typical magician. However, He gave a light applause just to show face. How could someone just stand there and watch such things without being interested in some way?
Well the way that Calvin was interested wasn’t just like the average spectator, no not at all. He was interested because he wanted to use this mutation in some way, right there on that same corner. It only took him a few seconds until the idea flashed across his brain, and grinned as the metaphorical light bulb went off in his head. Aha! This was going to be quite interesting, he thought to himself with a brief laugh.
Cal concentrated on the fellow just at the front of the crowd to whom was being applauded and talked about amongst the crowd like a plague. In a split second, those faces in the crowd had mirrored his image right back to him including his own. Not just his face but his clothes, facial expressions and everything too. “How about that trick?” He said silently to himself so no one else can hear, as the grin on his face disappeared to blend in with the crowd.
bigpimp Jason’s smile slightly faltered, but he worked hard to keep it plastered to his face. He scanned the crowd, lip twitching in mild annoyance and alarm to see the entire audience filled with chattering Jason Wyngardes. Someone was ruining his act, cramping his style, and it definitely wasn’t his doing. “Ah hah! Splendid! Now you are all the most blazin’ man in all New York City. Groovy baby, far out.” He waved his arms about as though he were responsible for it. “Enjoy your new faces, for they should only last a moment.” Or so he hoped.
Jason turned to Jean quickly and muttered under his breath, “What’s happening? Who’s doing this?” If there was something amiss, Jean would know, and use her telepathy to dispel it. His eyes remained bright while his smile was large and false as the audience glanced around, touching their new faces and tugging at their clothes. Mastermind didn’t like this stunt at all, but he smiled and laughed on, prepared to ad-lib another Aztec story to explain this ‘trick’. “Shatter it if you can, baby, this witchcraft I wont have it, ya dig?”
copycat_ “Now that’s not very nice.” Cal thought to himself as the man acted as if he were responsible for it. Regardless of what they were actually doing, the crowd of Jason's’ stood at attention(Military baby) with their heads back looking at the “magician” with anger, disapproving of his lies. Now that’s groovy. It was a luxury to be able to mimic a mutants powers to the extent that the subject had learned without even an ounce of practice. This was much more fun than he had expected it too be, hopefully it wouldn’t be short lived..
crotchfire The events of the evening began to take a turn for the worst, as their “magic act” was beginning to be infiltrated by some unknown source. Redd, the woman previously known as Jean, who under Jason’s watch was quickly becoming one of the world’s deadliest was dressed like a five dollar tramp -- feathers, sequence, and even a shade of green eyeliner drew and played with her fire red hair, and it’s complimentary color. She stood next to Jason, holding the blanket within her grasp only to drop it at the sight of Jason’s image being reflected across the whole audience. Though, the Phoenix was much smarter than Jason, and wouldn’t attribute it to witchcraft -- instead, it was someone who was just like the two of them. A mutant.
“We are not the only ones with abilities here.” Jean said, eyeing Jason to watch his next move. Jean would mirror it if she could; though she was much stronger and independent than she led on to be. Closing her eyes, Jean sighed, and decided to save Jason’s ass once again. She broke the silence, and began to head toward the front line of the crowd, slowly moving her arms about as she spoke. “And for our final act, you will all be able to witness something spectacular. Something so great, it will fuck your mind over. Ready?” She asked, before she sent a surge of psychic energy outward to a nearby vehicle, levitating it with her mind. The car stood a good six feet off the ground. Redd’s hand rested against the temple of her mind, and then she turned to the audience once more. “I bet someone would like to check for strings.” She said, smirking before the car was dropped, landing back to ground with a loud crash.
“Its time to leave.” She motioned to Jason as Jean quickly headed toward a rather dark alleyway.
bigpimp Jason was sweating a bit under the glares, but he grinned through it like a true performer. Jean would have this all fixed up in a jiffy.
Well shit.
His smile disfigured while biting back a cringe. He opened his palms in a motion to simmer down the crowd. “Just a bit of magic!” He assured them. A car! A whole car!? Was this absolutely necessary? “Illusion my dears! Merely illusion~ no need to be alarmed!” But the audience was freaking out, half-amazed, half-petrified. And they still all looked like him! Curses. “Tibetans, my lovelies, they have such a wonderful..” Jason glanced sidelong and noticed Jean was already taking off! “…way with levitation. Ancient practices an’ all that!” He spoke quickly, trying to usher the set to a close. “And with that!” Before the police arrived. “I bid you all adieu~” He picked up his hat, but didn’t bother to pocket the cash, just scrambled to hold it shut while he packed up his tricks into a brown leather suitcase.
He kept his eyes on the crowd while he moved quickly, trying to keep his eye out for the perpetrator, and hopefully move fast enough to pack up his shit and catch up to Jean before he lost sight of her. Her power was too great and he needed better control over her. Perhaps a mental manipulation session was in order tonight. “Adieu! Adieu, parting is sweet sorrow an’ all.” He muttered under his breath while he struggled with the latches on his suitcase.
copycat_Of course, the red head would have to be some kind of telepath and a strong one at that. It wasn't exactly necessary for her to pick up a nearby car and let it smash back down to not only scare the crowd, but break his concentration as well. “Well ain’t that a bitch?” He muttered to himself while watching the crowd of Jason’s turn back to their normal shapes and sizes. Not to mention Calvin wasn’t digging this guys jibber jabber either. That was sum of his fun for the day, which sadly ended in a bang -- literally.
However, Cal was stubborn and didn’t move from his spot on the pavement as the people ran around him and almost through him to get away from the corner. Instead, he just watched the “magician” try to gather his things very closely as the red head took off into a nearby alleyway. He took a few steps forward, swimming through the people and stopped just shy of him. By the look of the magician, he was scared. It could’ve been the thought of cops or maybe it was caused by Calvin himself, either or he couldn’t help but laugh.
“What? You didn’t like my show?” He asked while folding his arms over his chest. “Personally, I’d like to see what I can do with her power.” He added while turning to face the direction in which she had went and actually contemplated the thought of going after her. Cal was almost certain there was a mutant nearby who had the crazy ability to run at blinding speed that he can mimic to catch her but decided not to. He just stood there and looked back at the man with a grin waiting to see what he would say.
bigpimp “Your show?” Jason looked up as the culprit revealed himself and the crowd had dispersed. “Hah, that just won’t fly daddy-o.” Although whether he meant tampering with his set or the threat to copy his assistant’s powers, Jason didn’t specify. “Can I help you? I don’t take kindly to set crashers.” Jason was one part annoyed, one part amused. He was a smug prick, and after taking one look at this guy, he wrote him off as being a chump. An attention-seeking chump. He picked up his suitcase, ready to go at a moment’s notice with a quick illusion if the guy wanted to create trouble. “This isn’t the way to get my autograph, you know.” Jason took out a pen from the inside of his jacket pocket and clicked it, “Where should I sign?”
copycat_ A warm welcome was obviously out of the question, and Cal could tell the guy was pissed, which made him chuckle once more. He didn’t speak a word that was until he was offered an autograph. Not that everything else the man had said got his attention, because it did but didn’t sting as much. “Look at me, do you think I want an autograph?” He said, looking down at the man intently in the eye while speaking. “Let alone an autograph from you? Now if you were Houdini or something I would consider it but, you’re a mutant.” He said with a grin.
bigpimp “Oh, good for you! Brava!” Jason drawled, rolling his eyes in annoyance while resisting the urge to clap his hands. “Would you like to say that louder? I don’t quite think the Sentinels heard you. Or did you want to be arrested?” True, although Jason’s magic acts relied heavily on his illusionist abilities, that didn’t mean he wasn’t a magician at heart and he truly did take some offence to the remark. “It’s just a day job, buddy, a man’s gotta put bread on the table the honest way.” He decided not to think about the irony of that statement, there was nothing honest about what he did, day or night. One day though, chumps like this guy wouldn’t be able to make fun of him, not when he was in deep with the Hellfire Club. Jason had his sights set high to climb those ladders.
He glanced over his shoulder to see if he could see Jean, but the alley she had ducked into was dark and he couldn’t see too far around the corner. “How did you do that, anyway?” Was it possible the other man had illusionist gifts as well? Telepath, more likely, at least that’s what Jason wanted to believe. He liked to think of himself as a unique and shining star, it would have been awful if someone shared his ability. That wouldn’t do. Jason grabbed his suitcase and made a motion to leave. “Are you coming or are you waiting for the police to blame you for the car?” He wanted to find out more about this man.
copycat_”Everyone is talking about these sentinels, oh no the big bad sentinels!” He shook his head from left to right. “I’d like to meet one personally and see what they are all about.” Calvin only knew little details about them from the media when he was in jail. The papers, T.V. did a good job dictating what was going on just across the river, but probably only told the “good, patriotic” things they were doing and not covering the complete story. “You know, there are plenty of other ways to put bread on the table. I personally like to forge checks” he said in a quite voice. That was one thing he didn’t want anyone to hear aside from the man in front of him.
“That was your only freebie. I’ll fill you in on the details a little later. Right now, I don’t trust you as far as I can throw you and I’m sure that feeling is mutual, so lets leave it at that, you dig?” He replied, following the man into the alleyway. Just a few steps in, the illusion of a fake store front went up to block off the alley. It wasn’t anything special, just tall and wide enough to look like a legit business at the mouth of the alley, with fake patrons inside and the like. “Let’s see how long it takes the cops to find out that’s fake” He motioned behind him with his left hand, pointing at the illusion with his thumb.
bigpimp Jason wished the man would stop using illusions. “If it were my illusion, the cops would never figure it out!” Wyngarde boasted as he scoffed and continued down the alley. Where in the bloody hell was Jean?! He couldn’t lose his trump card. Why hadn’t she waited for him? Curses. And now he was stuck with this joker. “I dig, I dig.” Jason muttered, not amused with his current situation. “Now listen up, chump, close the shades and give me the lowdown, because you’re wasting my time.” In truth, Jason was a bit of a coward and he wasn’t quite sure what the other guy was capable of. Being in an alley wasn’t the best advantage point either, but Jason was a weasel and confident he could worm his way out of this one. Big Daddy J had a gun on him, of course, but he hadn’t made a motion to reach for it yet. He kept his distance, but he was curious. The guy had mentioned forging checks, that information wasn’t lost but stored away in Jason’s mind. So what was the deal? Criminal types? Goons? Whatever the case, Jason didn’t wanna find out.
Another storefront illusion went up on the other side of the alley, boxing them both in. The detail was almost unbelievably lifelike and accurate. Visually it was perfect, the textures were seamless, and Calvin would be able to smell the food from the kitchen and hear the faint clanging of plates as well as the murmured walla from the kitchen staff. Jason gave a confident grin, “I don’t like playing games with amateurs, I’ll warn you once that you’re going up against a Mastermind.”
copycat_Calvin didn’t have a response to that. Of course, He wasn’t as savvy with the illusions but it still got under his skin and his impatience was bleeding through every word he spoke. However, The arrogance was given a cold grin. He wanted to assert his dominance over the assumed Mastermind. It was his metaphorical trump card, considering the man knew nothing of his abilities where as Cal knew he was the master of illusion. Obviously the man wanted a response, but Cal delayed such. He did so by just standing there and folding his arms over his chest.
“All right.” He muttered, after just standing there for a few minutes looking at the man. What did he want to know? Probably not all the details but just enough to fill in the gaps.“I already demonstrated a little bit of what I can do, but the truth is you can’t comprehend everything else that I’m capable of Mastermind.” His facial features showed his excitement. “You see, I wasn’t born with my abilities...playing in some of my fathers chemicals fixed me, granting me the ability to mimic humans and mutants alike.”
Cal took a few steps forward toward the man, lifting his hands up in the air in reference to all the residents of Mutant Town. “This place is filled with endless possibilities for me.” His face lit up in a wide smile, like a kid in Schwartz Toy Bazaar.. “I can be a very valuable asset to the right people.” He nodded, letting his arms drop to his sides. “I think the Hellfire Club could use a guy like me with my special talent, don’t you?”
crotchfire The sight of her loved one not with her was a cause for concern to the red haired woman, enough so that she slowly found her way back to what had been the sight for mischief and mayhem as Jason dazzled and amazed onlookers. She crept around the corner, hovering the shadows, checking to make sure the coast was still clear -- after all, Mutant Town as a hub for “would be” authority, specifically the Sentinels. However, in place of the once faintly illuminated corner was now home to a series of new shops and storefronts which were seemingly new additions to the street.
“Jason.” She commented under her breath, assuming the storefront was merely the product of one’s overactive ego. Redd was almost used to these obvious displays of “manliness”, and gave recognition through one overtly exaggerated eye roll.Clearly it was time to get her child, and put a stop to the bullying and power displays the two men were engaging in.
Making her way toward the front door, it somehow opened on its own in a wave of force so strong, it was propelled off of its hinges. “Knock knock.” Redd said sarcastically, annoyed that the situation had already escalated to this point. Though, she had just entered into the room, the sight she witnessed was the stranger, Calvin, within a few feet of Jason, flailing his hands. Without warning, and through an act of protection to one of the only people she cared for, Calvin soon went the way false door -- and was thrust telekinetically into wall of their illusion. “Didn’t you hear?” She asked, making a few steps forward into the room. “The show was over once I had left.”
She kept Calvin in his place, her arm extended with her hand pointed at his form, as she bridged a telepathic barrier between her and Jason while looking at him. "Darling, pray tell why you’ve decided to waste any amount of effort on this..." She paused, taking a second to glance back at the tattooed fiend against the wall, before looking back at Jason. "This obvious waste of sperm and egg. Would you like me to dispose of him? I do not want to be late for the Barbara Walter’s Christmas Special." Despite the fact that she usually looked to Jason for strength, and his opinion, Redd quickened the conversation with Calvin, instead of waiting for her ventriloquist to give her the right away. “I bet you never thought that tonight you’d be dying, huh? Isn’t it funny how life works like that? One minute you’re trying to be all macho; and the next you’re thrown against a wall, helpless as a cockroach -- and about to be crushed. God, don’t you just love friday nights?”
copycat_ The sound of the redheads voice as she blew through one of the fake store fronts at the opposite end of the alley as like music to his ears. For being as skilled as she was, she wasn’t very smart, having left the man far behind. So far in fact, Calvin could have done what he wanted to him and been off to fetch dinner before she had even noticed. “Master, I’m home.” He shouted through a grin while watching her move closer toward them.
Before he even can even comment on the over the top entrance, He was picked up and thrust up against one of the illusions like a piece of rubbish. Cal could feel himself being pushed into the fake image, and to be quite frank it felt springy. Now what the hell was she up to? This was completely unnecessary. They were having a nice conversation and things were going well but she had to ruin it. Cal didn’t have a choice but to watch her and listen to her boring threat.
“Of course, this would be coming from the assistant of a mutant who is passing as a fake magician.” Even though he couldn’t move he still had his voice, and he used it. “I didn’t know that your word was gold.” If Calvin could, he would shake his head in disapproval. “Hey Jason, you should have her do this to everyone you see on the street, but instead turn them upside down so their change falls out of their pockets…You might actually make an honest living!”
By now, she probably felt that she had the upper hand but boy she missed one hell of a conversation. Specially, the part where Cal told the stranger in which she is defending that he could mimic other mutants’ abilities. So he wasn’t scared nor did he feel threatened to the least bit. In all actuality he was in a comfortable position – on his back. Quite the innuendo but the reason being, if he really felt threatened all he’d have to do is mimic her power but that would be far too easy.
“Babe, there’s no denying from the moment you’re born you have an expiration date but let me tell you something.” Cal grinned, paying no mind to the mentioning of cockroaches or being called macho. He simply leaned forward just an inch off of the wall to draw closer to the little hot head in front of him. “You won’t be given the luxury of taking my life today, you dig? You’ll have to get in line and wait your turn….” He paused for a brief second to inhale another breathe of air before continuing. “Oh wait, but that won’t work with you now will it? You’ll probably use your telepathic ability on them to let you skip to the front of the line just like you do in line at the grocery store.” .
bigpimp Jason was about ready to waste this loser until he mentioned the Hellfire Club..! It was obvious now that the man who stood before him was propositioning him. “Is that, right?” He asked skeptically, with warring gangs in the city, one had to be cautious. Jason was relieved to see his little squeeze enter the scene, he felt better when he knew someone had his back, and Jason got a little tingly when he heard his love talk about crushing men like cockroaches in those click clacking boots.
“Fake!?” He sputtered suddenly, “I’ll have you know I’ve travelled around Europe! I have dazzled thousands with my abilities!” Before he ever came to this stinking city! “Don’t insult me or I’ll have her stop your heart, you hear? I’ll warn you once, you little worm! You’re out numbered here.” Jason was willing to wave it all off and let his girl decimate the man. He had about enough of this fellow mocking him, mimicking him, but his powers seemed useful and now that he knew what he could do… the cogs started turning in Jason’s mind. “You’re outnumbered, friend.” Jason informed him with a confident smirk. “And if you think my lovely assistant uses her abilities to cut in front of lines at the grocery store, than you obviously don’t have the brain power to comprehend the potential for that type of power, or your own.” This is why Jason was the brains behind the operation. Always thinking, oh yes.
Long had he wanted to overthrow Shaw, and he would use the corrupted Jean Grey to do it. Since this man sought him out, knew of the hellfire club, and was soliciting himself as an asset, Jason could potentially use this to his advantage. Although he should have been more wary of favors from above, even if Calvin was an enemy to the Hellfire Club, he’d be an ally to Jason in the end. Everyone could be bought and bribed for a price. Jason made all kinds of deals, that was his other job, one he very much enjoyed and was very, very good at – no illusions necessary. He noticed Calvin’s subtle movement, but Jason knew if Jean really had him under her control, he wouldn’t have been able to push against her telekinesis even marginally. Another mimicking of powers? Perhaps. How interesting…! But Jean’s was a power he didn’t want Calvin to have. Time to smooth this one over.
“Release him, Redd, he is of use to us.” Jason rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward, “Because you see, I’m a deal maker, a lover not a fighter, and I think we can work something out between the three of us.”
crotchfire “You must enjoy being handicapped.” Redd sneered, eyeing Calvin as he remained helpless against the false wall of the illusion. Was he really serious? He was at risk of losing his life -- and the best thing he could come up with were just a few jokes which really, really sucked? Redd had thought she knew how the world turned, but apparently tonight, all of her expectations were completely proven wrong. Some people really do mock at the face of danger.
“Of use? I hope you’re not talking about his mental capacity. He’s about as bright as a fucking rock, my darling.” She commented, but ultimately the decision was made -- and for once, Jean listened. Though, she didn’t let him go so nicely, and instead, dropped her hand to her side which in turn immediately released Calvin. However he chose to respond to the 8 foot drop back to the store’s floor was on him. She was just so annoyed she had to succumb to Jason, and his command. "I do hope you know what you’re doing." Jean said telepathically, rather annoyed, with a facial expression to match. It was through prior experience she would often have to question otherwise.
copycat_ At this point, He was starting to grow tired of the whole affair. Those pale blue eyes shifted from the telepath back to the magician with his eyebrows knitted closely together, showing a little confusion. It didn’t take much effort to completely disregarded the comments about seeing the world and all that rubbish. That was then and now, he was stuck in Mutant Town just like everyone else, Calvin included.
“That’s not very nice...!” He said, following him intently. Of course Calvin couldn’t help but to grin at the thought of actually dying. He chose not to say anything else until she obeyed Jason’s command. Once he felt the grip of her telekinesis, he mimicked it to safely slide down the wall onto his feet. “Well, this fucking rock....” He began, while dusting himself off. “Is a lot ‘brighter’ than you think.” His eyes lifted up and settled on the woman in front of him.
Calvin walked forward, pushing her a step to the side with the newly acquired telekinesis, and stopped just in front of the magician. What he wouldn’t give to smack her silly with her own gift, but he couldn’t the little shove would have to suffice. “So, what do you say we get the hell out of here and go some place safe so we can talk about business?”
bigpimp‘I always know what I’m doing, darling, you must trust me. Daddy knows best.’ He ensured her. Honestly! Women should be seen and not heard. Jason approached Calvin with outstretched hands to show that he wasn’t hiding any tricks up his sleeves. “Fantastic... Absolutely magnificent…!” Jason whispered to himself. Just as he suspected, Calvin was able to mimic Jean’s abilities and use them to float down to safety.
He could see clearly now that the potential was ripe for the taking. He only had to play his cards right. This man wanted to get in with the Club (well who didn’t?) and Jason most definitely had a use for this man. He could tell that this was going to be the beginning of a wonderful partnership. “I believe we can both come to an agreement like civilized men, mister....” he trailed off, never having caught his name. Jason largely ignored the telekinetic shove towards Jean, he had other business to attend to now. “Come! I know just the place.” He made a motion for the man to follow him, “Jason, by the way, Jason Wyngarde, and this is my associate.” He gestured briefly to Jean, but didn’t offer her name.