Mark, Amanda, and Wanda. Backdated to Wednesday lunch.

[x-pressive.livejournal.com]

Amanda and Wanda explain the true purpose of Snow Valley to Mark. Looks like X-Force has a new member on its hands.


"And here I was thinking sunlight'd make you shrivel up and die," Amanda announced with a grin as Mark approached their table. It was one of the small cafes near the Snow Valley offices, not too up-market but not a greasy spoon either. This time of day it was busy, but mainly with take-out orders so they had their privacy. "Child of the night and all. Pull up a pew."

"Like I'd be able to maintain this complexion by staying in a dark nightclub twenty four-seven," Mark replied as he slid into a seat next to Amanda. "I'm just full of surprises, baby." He chuckled, pulling off his sunglasses and winking at her.

Wanda looked amused as she glanced at the pair over her glass of water. They hadn’t been there long enough to either order food or wave off the wait staff while they waited on Mark. “With club technology these days,” she mused, “I’m surprised the lights in there do not give you a tan.”

"With lasers? I'd get, like, little splotches of tan all over. And that's awful." He took a sip of his water and his expression took a slightly more serious tone. "Okay, so. Snow Valley. What the hell."

Amanda glanced at Wanda, preferring to let the older woman take the lead. Especially since she had a tendency to open her mouth a little too much.

Nodding, Wanda waited for the waiter to take their orders and leave before turning back to the conversation at hand. “Everything we’ve told you about Snow Valley is true, in some form or another,” she started off, leaning back and sounding every bit the researcher and professor. “But you were right in that there is an underlying meaning. We were formed to deal with mutant issues just…not as much on the surface as a think tank might. Our group handles things very much like what we came across the other week—taking practices like slave ring down. It would have been very difficult and time consuming to go through the legal channels; convincing the police to investigate, finding the evidence to handle a sting, all of it…too much time wasted. We cut out that time.”

"Basically there's bastards out there who can get away with what they do because they have the money and power and the rest," Amanda added. "We remind them that there's someone watching them who won't let that get in the way of stopping them. Which is why all the secrecy." She shrugged. "Hard to take the bastards down when they know who you are and where you live."

Mark nodded. "So you circumvent the legal process - and all consideration for the law, at that - in order to do what you think is necessary." He raised an eyebrow, a silent question of confirmation, though his tone was neither mocking nor judgmental. "Snow Valley Memorial Center for Ends Justifying Means?"

Wanda made a sound that was half a laugh, half a cough. “Oh, not all consideration for the law,” she mused. “I’m certain there are some laws we simply won’t be breaking unless anyone on the team has a fetish for donkeys.”

"I got that kinda vibe from Remy . . ." Mark muttered.

Amanda had looked uncomfortable at Mark's statement about ends and means, but snorted softly at the donkey remarks. "Like I said... there's some people who use their power and position to get around the law and do what they like. And a lot of the time, that tends to involve doing bloody horrible things to other people." Her fingers played with the napkin, folding and re-folding it. "There was this bloke in Germany, scientist type. We got word he was using mutant DNA for some fucked-up experiments, did some digging and came up with some pretty ugly news. But we couldn't just turn him into the German government - he'd spent too much time covering his tracks and getting in with the right people for them to pay much attention to us. So we broke into his labs, stole the samples back, destroyed what research he'd done." Her face hardened. "And that was where we found Sarah. She's got a healing factor, a pretty good one, so what they were doing was taking organs whenever they liked, letting her grow 'em back, and then cutting 'em out again." With a shrug, she added. "We backtracked the people who nabbed her to those bastards working out of your club. So, yeah, maybe we are letting the ends justify the means. But sometimes that's what you have to do. Because there's people out there who don't play by the rules and it's the little people they're hurting."

It was something of an epiphany, saying that. Pete's actions of last year clicked into place for her.

Mark just nodded. "So, do I have to, like, turn in a resume or an application or something? I don't need to write a cover letter, do I? I fucking hate cover letters."

“God, I hope they’re not waiting for a cover letter from me, it really is a hassle.” Wanda shook her head and laced her fingers under her jaw. “No, if you’re interested the only thing you need to do is to speak with Remy or Pete Wisdom, though probably Remy since he’s had direct contact with you.”

"Or Betsy," Amanda chimed in. "She's the official face and all, but the three of them are the brains behind things. Or more the sneakiness."

"You think if I bring Remy a donkey then he'll let me in easy?" Mark asked, half-joking. Remy creeped him out a little bit, and he wasn't sure why. There was just something off about him. Mark hoped he'd never have to figure out what.

“Only if you ask very nicely as well,” Wanda said, laughing. “Do you have any more questions for right now?”

"Well, I saw on the website that the two of you have actual jobs. Cover, yeah? Does that mean I get to join in? I already have a part-time gig, obviously, and it pays pretty well. What kind of benefits do you offer? Health insurance? Liability? Accidental death and dismemberment?"

"Full benefits and training," Amanda offered. "Pay's about what you'd expect for the sort of job we do - that's the cover, not the other - but there's a lot of travel and the like as well." She grinned, mischievously. "We'd have to find something for you to do in the Centre - looks like you might have to do that resume thing and all any way."

"Fuck resumes," Mark declared, smacking the table for emphasis. "But if that's the cost, well . . ." He sighed melodramatically. "You guys'll back me, right? I mean, Remy seems like the kinda guy who'll give me a hard time just because, but you'll vouch for me? I really really want in. Scratch that. Need in. The things you're doing for our people need to be done, and I can't sit by and just not do it."

"I threw you into a dumpster," Wanda said dryly, "of course I'll back you. If only to make sure I can help train you so you don't have that happen to you again." Actually, she was rather impressed by Mark so far. Was he inexperienced? Yes but not everyone had the opportunity to go to Xavier's. Determined and passionate? Oh yes and that could be worked with.

"Hey, you had my back in that warehouse - that's enough for me. And you didn't cut and run when things got tough. Might take some talking, but yeah, I'll back you." Amanda broke into a grin. "Of course, you might have to put up with Silver being the official Snow Valley and friends party venue, but somehow I don't think you'll mind a dozen very pretty people turning up regular-like."

"Fuck, you're just paying my salary," Mark said, laughing. "You know, this might almost make me look sort of respectable. Mark Sheppard, mutant consultant." He pointed at Wanda, mocking an ambulance-chaser ad. "We will fight for you!"

Wanda very calmly face palmed and then took a drink of her water. "I don't know any of you," she sighed.

Amanda snickered. "Aw, don't be like that, Boss Lady. I'll bring you donuts tomorrow?" Glancing over at Mark, she winked at him. "See, you'll fit right in - you're as mad as the rest of us." At that point the waiter appeared to bring them their appetizers. "And now for the fun part: Abusing the Expense Account. It's an ancient and noble tradition, but I'm sure you'll catch on in no time."

"Now that's a job responsibility that I could perform quite well," Mark asserted. "Should I put that skill on my resume?"

“Let’s just assume it’s a natural ability,” Wanda grinned, sitting back as they placed the appetizers in front of them. Her stomach rumbled just a bit and she sighed happily. Good food, amusing company, the only thing missing was a glass of wine.

Oh, never mind, there it was.