Flight, Reprise

[impact]

[ooc: I figured it was time to get us on our way. There is a private log that required Lucas and Gracie to be there one more night so I've gone ahead and edited that they waited until the next morning to fly out. Hope this is okay with everyone. I'm sure we don't need to RP -too- much of the flight but it might be a good chance for Pyro to talk to the new recruits.]

Lucas was ready to go early the next morning, his accustomed intense glare a bit muted today. He looked deep in thought and even more deeply distracted. Occasionally he would murmur to Gracie or look around with that same contemplative expression.

Seeing Pyro join them, he nodded. "Steve's the pilot, you say?"

[Pyro]

Pyro glanced at Lucas. "Yep, and he's a pretty damn good one, too. Impatient SoB at times, but he's a good man."

Lucas had no idea just how hard it was for Pyro to find anything pleasant to say about Python this morning. The two had had what could only be described as a heated row the previous night following Pyro's foolish and impulsive decision to meet with Kitty.

Many harsh words had been exchanged on both sides and Pyro had come out of the argument feeling more upset than should be normal. He'd never really realised just how close he'd gotten to Python. The man filled the 'father figure' void he had constantly tried to replace in his life. First Xavier, then Magneto...

...then Python...

But the conversation they'd had last night had left Pyro seriously wondering if their friendship would ever be the same again.

"He'll get us out of here and back home as quick as a wink," he continued, looking around the assembled group. "Ain't exactly luxury, I'm afraid - a converted cargo plane - but it does the job."

There was a pause.

"So," said Pyro, conversationally. "You and Gracie, huh?"

[impact]

He looked askance at Pyro, then away. Lucas didn't really come off at the type to chat about the women in his life. But it came out his mouth anyway.

"Well... I wouldn't place any bets just yet." Frowning, the nasty looks Gracie had been shooting him since yesterday afternoon certainly told -some- kind of story.

"So where is it we're headed. And is their anything your crew needs? I got a hookup that might be able to lend me some capital if you're interested. Might mean we got a job or three to do in return, but I'm sure you're a businessman." Lucas lit a cigarette and watched the shorter- much shorter- man in front of him.

Pyro huh. Leader of The Brotherhood. Well. We'll see.

[avalanche]

Dom made it to the lobby dressed, as usual lately, to die for. He had two heavy packs slung over his well built shoulders, and he looked particularly chirpy. Today was the day the adventure would really begin, and he'd finally get a chance to make a difference with his skills.

Lucas was easy to spot – much easier than the smaller frame of Pyro who was standing nearby. He made his way forward, and tried to resist the grin that John always brought to his face. It was a fruitless battle, as the smile inched it's way onto his mug like a snake.

"Alright alright alright, let's the fuck outta here." He said, stepping up to them. "I think we're all ready to go, let's bounce."

[recluse]

Digging into her bag for a jacket, Gracie decided against showing that she'd noticed the little moment that passed between John and Lucas, straightening back up when Dom arrived and giving him an odd look. Jesus, he looked chirpy - had he gotten laid the night before, or was he just pleased to be on the move? After all his talk about missing New York the day before, she doubted it was the latter - maybe he'd found some waitress (or waiter, whatever) to give him a bit of a good bye from the city.

"Where's Roy?" Their little party was almost complete; they were almost ready to go. Gracie was much more pleased about getting out of there than most people would have expected.

New York was the past. The Brotherhood was the future.

[Pyro]

Lucas spoke up, catching Pyro's attention easily. "So where is it we're headed. And is their anything your crew needs? I got a hookup that might be able to lend me some capital if you're interested. Might mean we got a job or three to do in return, but I'm sure you're a businessman."

Pyro laughed warmly, although without humour. "Hell, no, I'm no businessman. I never even pretended to be one, either. If you look at the...organisation...as a business, we'd be so far into the red as to be laughable. However, as a non-profit making organisation, we're holding our own. Capital would be pretty sweet, though, I'm all for investment into our little ventures. We'll hammer some stuff out when we get back."

He took a glance around the assembled group. Just Roy to come and they could go. Python was conspicuous by his absence, but he was already at the airport as planned. Pyro was glad he wasn't around. After that row last night, he wasn't in the mood for Python today.

"As to where we're going...well, let's just say that it's not something that's on most maps, but it's home, for now." Pyro's grin broadened. "I'll tell you more when we're underway."

He was nothing at all like the anxious, shy, nervous kid he'd been on the streets. This Pyro was a damn sight less uncertain and a hell of a lot more focused.

He was, for want of a better phrase, more grown up.

[Gunslinger]

Roy made his way to the lobby with a loose grace, his long legs moving him along at a good speed despite the casual appearance. The straps of his duffel were held over one shoulder, the other hand in his pocket, and he grinned at a young woman who walked past before walking through the doors to the foyer.

"Gentlemen - and lady, I think," he said, flashing a good-natured smile at the party, "I'm pretty sure I'm the last one to arrive. What say we throw the rider and beat for greener pastures?"

[impact]

Impact wondered for a minute just how far away from the streets little John Allerdyce had gotten in the last few years. That he hadn't caught on to the use of the word businessman indicated a number of things- like maybe this guy wasn't savvy enough to deal with the kind of business Lucas was offering.

And how he expected anyone to go with him without so much as hinting where they might be going was, well- he was dead fucking wrong if he thought that was going to go off.

Now Lucas had the kind of voice that lent itself well to streetcorner deals- bass, articulate at a low volume, and the sort that told you his bark was just as good as his bite. So when he gestured to Pyro that he might want to come talk to him aside- and outside of the other's view, nudged him a little to tell him he didn't really have a say in the matter- the voice came in to clean up the mess.

"Listen. I know you're the 'leader' and all, but the rest of us ain't idiots. You mean ta tell me you can't let me in on whether we're headed to a different town, state, country?" He gestured to Dom and Gracie subtly. "Those two got piles'a cash and you're not gonna take a thing outta the city with you, right? Right. And I tell you what John..." He looked around a little. "You can either take what I have to tell you seriously, or half this city's gonna be a lot harder for you to do your kind of business in. Now I don't think you want that. So why don't you have a conversation with me before we go any further, eh?"

It didn't sound like Luke was really up to giving Pyro a choice- but at the same time, knew they were on an even level. Lucas needed John, wanted to be in the Brotherhood. But he came with his own set of demands- demands so far, Pyro didn't seem interested in addressing.

[Pyro]

During the time that John had run with Dominic and his gang, a mere three months, four at the outside, almost five years ago, he had come into minimal contact with Lucas. He'd never really had an opinion of the guy other than that he was loud, raucous and...well, obvious. He picked up on the tone in Lucas' voice and felt the hairs on the back of his neck bristle.

"I'm happy to tell you we're leaving the country," he said, his own voice low, even and surprisingly neutral. "As to the exact whereabouts, I'm sure you understand that blurting out something that important in a public place is approximately the same as installing a series of flashing neon signs between here and home saying 'this way, authorities!'. As to...taking things back, well, we have regular supply trade of food, not to mention what's available locally. I personally am not going to embark on a shopping trip. I can neither afford to slip up and buy something traceable, nor risk exposing the people under my protection to the aftermath of such a situation."

He smiled, warmly.

"I am taking you seriously, Lucas," he continued. "But it's early days. One thing at a time. We have something to work on once we get home and after that we can draw up strategies for long-term 'business' relationships back here."

His eyes narrowed briefly, the only sign that he was irritated.

"It's a simple choice. Either you trust me and come back with us now, or you don't. Simple."

[impact]

Lucas crossed his considerable arms over his chest and nodded slowly, considering the smaller man.

He'd made good points and he did so without being an ass. He didn't feel the need to shove his dick up anyone's nose- something seen far too often in Luke's line of work and the one thing that would put you on his black list faster than anything else.

Smirking, he nodded again. "Fair enough."

Turning to flash Dom a bit of a grin, he said out of earshot "Knew I liked that guy."

[avalanche]

Dom nodded at Lucas, a somewhat more serious look on his face. It had crept there during the brief side conversation between Pryo and the big man, and it was difficult getting it to go away. He was glad to see that the two had settled the inevitable play for bounds – at least for now – but that small creep of a belief in the back of his mind that Lucas, at his deepest, didn't play well with others continued to play it's way to the surface.

Then again, he was glad Lucas was there to ask the questions he'd been itching to ask. There was a certain delicacy to their situation that permitted little open conversation about where they were going and what the plan was. For all John knew, they were wired and working for the feds. He had everything to lose, and they had nothing, really. There was no real reason for him to screw them over. He would probably feel more comfortable explaining where they were going when they got there – in safe enough distance for them not to maintain the wire contact. Just in case.

There was also the fact that trust needed to be maintained on both sides. John didn't frisk them, and they had to assume that he would let them know if they needed any special preparations for the journey and the stay at BHHQ – where ever that was.

But Dom was a paranoid man. It had been a while sense he'd really known Pyro, and a lot could have changed since then... hell, a lot had obviously changed. So he was wary, and alert, and ready for anything. If this was some elaborate trap, Dominic Petros did not doubt for an instant that Lucas, Gracie, Roy and himself could fight their way out of any situation.

Further, he had purchased on his shopping trip the previous night a pluthera of personal items for the stay where ever they were going. Not the least of these was a state of the art laptop.

Relieved there was no tension remaining after the two spoke, he joined the others as they went for the car...

(continued in: Air Python, New York Style)