The X-Project

Getting evidence does mean evidence needs to be recorded. Luckily Hope has two eminently suited people in mind. 


A small teapot, steaming gently, was set on the table, accompanied by a dish with various choice bits of seafood and deluxe toast. When the door opened she quickly rose. "Welcome Sharon. Thank you for joining me."

The girl sniffed the air, nostrils flaring as she scented the food. She gave Hope a wary look. "My presence is requested?" she asked, mindful of an ambush.

"Please, have a seat." Hope smiled in welcome, gesturing at the food "I thought you might enjoy this. I have something I would like to discuss with you, but we are waiting for one other party. I do not think it will be long though."

Almost as if on cue, Molly burst into the room. "Sorry I'm late!" she said.

"I was taking a nap and lost track of time."

Sharon nodded with feline knowingness. "This is an acceptable excuse. Sleep is the most important."

Hope quickly reached over, taking up the teapot to pour some of the tea. "I have a request to make which is quite outside normal boundaries." Pausing a moment to put the tea pot down and sipping from her own tea, she took the time to line up her thoughts. "Let me explain some of the background here. In Pennsylvania there are currently several anti-mutant bills in development. And one organization behind this is known as the Right, working with, among, the Friends of Humanity. I believe the best way to explain them is like a small anti-mutant ACLU. They are behind a bill with school funding being tied to only expressing a ‘neutral’ or a ‘balanced’ attitude towards mutants. This would force schools to offer space to anti-mutant organizations for one."

"Outcome is undesirable," the feral agreed noncommittally as she honed in on the smoked salmon, "but activism, this is not for me. Is too oblique. All-important problems may be solved with biting."

"Oh, we will be doing some biting here, Sharon. Only far more subtle. You see... The Right is strictly anti-violence. We know the FOH are not." Hope gestured. "I mean to show them this... and that is where both of you come in."

Molly paused. "You want us to beat someone up?" she said.

Sharon perked up mid hors d'oeuvre. "I may bite? This is more interesting."

Hope could not stifle the smile appearing on her face. "My apologies Sharon, I am afraid there is no biting involved. A volunteer has offered to be attacked by FOH members to get evidence that they are not peaceful so to speak. But we need to create this evidence and that is where you come in. I need your assistance to film the attack. Molly with a drone, Sharon with a camera around her neck."

"Oh. An easy thing." The shapeshifter looked vaguely disappointed. "Well, this is fine also."

Molly's face fell at the idea of NOT getting to beat someone up, but she did get to use the drones so there was some fun in that.

"Wait...who's the volunteer?"

Who was that crazy?

"I will explain that in a moment. But before, I just want to check a few things. Molly, do you have all the equipment you require or do you need to make certain purchases? I have funds available. And Sharon, would you have any objection to taking some measures to make the color of your fur less noticeable?" Hope pulled out her phone, making a quick note.

"Uh...I guess. Depends on if there's a chance it might get damaged," Molly admitted.

Sharon wrinkled her nose. "Dye in one form, this looks strange when I shift to another. But if is necessary it shall be allowed. For a price," she added, leaning forward to claim the entire tray of smoked salmon for herself. Sharon believed in deposits.

"There is a small chance, but I do not think it very likely, Molly. And any damage that might occur will be reimbursed promptly." A tiny smile flashed over Hope's face as she watched Sharon with the tray. "And what might your price be, Sharon?"

The girl paused to lick the her fingers. "Fishes. There is a restaurant. Yelp reviews are most enticing, but cost is unjustifiable. To me," Sharon said, meaningfully. "This is acceptable?"

"Yes, we can do a restaurant visit, with a companion of your choice added. How does that sound?" Hope quickly suppressed a bigger smile.

Sharon returned the smile with the faint curve of her lips. Her own version of a smile, specifically that given by one who hadn't just agreed to pay for all-you-can-eat sushi for two ferals. "My services have been engaged."

"And Molly, as for the answer to your question, because you both need to know beforehand..." Hope swallowed minutely before completing her sentence. "... Kyle Gibney has volunteered to act as bait, so to speak, for this undertaking."

"Hm," was all Molly said at first. "Well, at least he can heal first if they beat him up." She let out a breath.
"I'll go check my equipment and make sure it's all tip top. Can you...uh...send me a calendar invite for the beating?" she added, realizing how completely effed up that sounded.

"I will let both of you know as soon as the final details are settled." Hope simply let Molly's awkward phrasing pass by without a word. "Thank you for your assistance in this uneasy matter and please let me know if you have any further questions."