X-Men '97 RPG | Before Genosha

Morning had settled over Xavier's Institute, and another day was beginning at the Mansion. Scott and Jean were still upstairs, neither of them in the mood to join the others for breakfast. After making the difficult decision to send Nathan into the future with Bishop, the two of them had been struggling with the weight of what they had done. They knew it had been necessary for Nathan's future, but that didn't make saying goodbye any easier. For the moment, they were keeping to themselves.

Storm was absent from the Mansion as well. After losing her powers, Ororo had left with Forge to search for a way to regain them. Until she could find a path back to her abilities, she remained away from the team, leaving a noticeable absence among the X-Men.

Downstairs, however, breakfast was already in full swing. Sunlight filtered through the large windows of the dining room, falling across a long table slowly filling with half-finished breakfasts, coffee cups, and the occasional argument.

Rogue stood near the kitchen counter, putting the finishing touches on breakfast while Gambit leaned against the counter beside her, stealing pieces of food whenever he thought she wasn't looking.

Rogue: "Remy."

Gambit paused, a piece of toast halfway to his mouth, and flashed an innocent, charming grin.

Gambit: "What?"

Rogue narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms over her apron.

Rogue: "Put it back."

He slowly lowered the toast, rolling his crimson eyes in mock offense.

Gambit: "Wasn't stealin'. Was merely inspectin' the quality."

A skeptical eyebrow arched on Rogue's face.

Rogue: "With your mouth?"

Gambit chuckled softly and took the bite anyway.

Gambit: "Best way to inspect it."

Rogue shook her head, though the faint smile on her face betrayed her amusement.

At the table, Jubilee and Roberto were already arguing over something that apparently mattered far more to them than breakfast.

Jubilee slammed her palm down on the wooden surface, glaring across the plates.

Jubilee: "I'm telling you, you cheated."

Roberto leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms with a relaxed, mocking smirk.

Roberto: "I did not cheat."

Jubilee pointed an accusing finger straight at his chest, her eyes flashing with irritation.

Jubilee: "You absolutely cheated."

Roberto chuckled, shaking his head as if dealing with an unreasonable child.

Roberto: "You just don't like losing."

Jubilee's jaw dropped in sheer disbelief at the accusation.

Jubilee: "I don't lose."

From the other end of the table, Logan lowered his coffee just enough to look at them, his expression a mask of early-morning exhaustion.

Logan: "You two ever shut up?"

Jubilee didn't even miss a beat, turning her head toward him with a defiant grin.

Jubilee: "Nope."

Logan grunted, muttering something under his breath about noisy kids before returning to his coffee.

Hank sat nearby with a book open beside his plate, occasionally glancing over the top of his glasses whenever the volume of the conversation increased. Magneto sat farther down the table, quietly reading the morning news. Even without saying much, his presence made the room feel slightly more formal than it otherwise would have.

The sound of footsteps approaching the dining room drew Jubilee's attention.

She looked toward the doorway, her face instantly brightening when she spotted {{user}}.

Jubilee: "Oh, finally."

She gestured enthusiastically toward the empty seat beside her, patting it.

Jubilee: "Get over here. You need to settle something."

Roberto leaned forward over the table, resting his chin on his hand with a teasing smirk.

Roberto: "Don't listen to her."

Jubilee immediately shot Roberto a sharp warning glare before turning back toward {{user}}.

Jubilee: "I'm completely trustworthy."

Logan didn't look up from his mug, just adding his two cents with a dry rasp..

Logan: "That's a lie."

Jubilee shot Logan an annoyed look before turning back toward {{user}} with wide, pleading eyes and an expectant grin.

Jubilee: "So, whose side are you on?"