"Gonna See This for Myself"

[JJ Johnson]

JJ's heard the latest news. Even in Kalispell they got the national news. Which meant that he, like most of the town, had heard about the group known as SPECTRE, known that there was some kind of "task force" out to get mutants. JJ only saw opportunity in this: he could use this stupid ass group to get a little personal revenge. He knew plenty of mutants that he'd just love to turn in, and he was betting that the government would just love to know that the little school had unleashed superpowered freaks on the world. Sure, JJ was one of those himself, and he knew damn well how much better they were than the normal class of people. Soon everyone would, especially if they kicked SPECTRE's ass.

And no, JJ didn't see the contradictions there.

So the officer had decided to visit his alma mater on his day off. He wore a leather jacket over a button up shirt and a pair of jeans, all practically clinging to his impressive physique. He'd heard some rumors, something about enhanced security and the students getting stuck on campus. But JJ didn't trust rumors, didn't trust what people said. Hell, those same rumors said something about some kind of specially trained mutant death squad. That was what the buzz was now: that the school held these tryouts for special training, taking the dangerous mutants and making them more dangerous.

That JJ could get behind.

He just needed to do a little information gathering first. Which meant finding some scrub and pumping them for information. Hell, maybe he'd check in on some of the other stuff he'd heard too: stuff about an illegal merchant smuggling goods in and out of the school or about a "mutant gang" of hooligans. JJ almost hoped to find that second one; wouldn't that be fun?

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

Walking around aimlessly, Erika kept her hands in the pockets of her coat. It was still too cold to walk around without one, but the telekinetic used the fact that it was 'nearly' summer to pull out her dresses, high heels and the usual spring/summer wear. She felt as if she had been wearing jeans and jackets far too long, and it was about damn time she went back to her regular 'dresses only'-policy. So, despite the somewhat chill weather, Erika had picked out her royal blue coat, black dress and a matching pair of black shoes before venturing out of her room.

For a moment, things actually seemed like they were going to calm down; She had nothing to do today, which usually made the brunette feel rather restless, though right now? Right now she appreciated the silence. For once, she was in a good place, in a good mood and it was refreshing. She no longer felt like sulking inside her room, or going somewhere to get drunk. Sure, this would probably change in a heartbeat, but she was going to enjoy it as long as she possibly could.

As she walked around, Erika's eyes settled on a male, who in her opinion looked a little out of place. He looked like he was too old to be a student and she didn't recognize him as part of the staff. Of course, Erika didn't know every single face of the school, but it was enough to make her suspicious. Walking over, Erika plastered on a grin on her lips, locked her eyes on her target and offered the man a wave.

''Oi! Can I help you with something? You look a little...'' Misplaced. ''Lost.''

[JJ Johnson]

JJ heard the voice and he turned. No sooner had he done so than his eyes were raking down Erika's body in a manner usually reserved for twelve year old boys who were seeing their first swimsuit model for the first time. He chuckled and rolled his shoulders, straightening almost immediately, practically swelling like some kind of puffed up creature, which was actually a fairly accurate description of the guy. He smiled at her, an expression that looked a strange combination of slimy and predatory.

"Hey there," he said, taking a few steps closer. "I'm sure you could help me with a lot of things, sweet looking girl like you," another rake of the eyes, and JJ was thinking that he'd definitely found something else he could get behind in so many ways. His next words were practically addressed to Erika's chest: "I'm checking up on a few rumors I've heard. Nasty stuff," he raised his brows, shifting. "But you don't have to worry none. That's what I'm here for: making sure that you all feel nice and safe."

He did finally look up from her chest as he finished there, giving Erika full exposure to that sleazy smile of his. It was quite clear that one thing he would not be interested in protecting was someone's virtue... assuming there was any to protect, which JJ seriously doubted. Hot pieces of ass like this usually lost it young. Only meant that she'd be more... experienced, which JJ could always appreciate.

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

Unimpressed was probably the best way to describe Erika's immediate reaction, and some would probably even go as far as describing it as bored. Arching an eyebrow slightly at the brute, Erika silently cursed herself for having stepped forward in the first place. Sure, she could take it as a compliment, the way his eyes...travelled, but even she knew better than that. ''Mh-hm,'' was all that left Erika's lips at his first comment. The dull expression remained as she crossed her arms over her chest, ''What kind of rumors?'' She sure as hell hoped he wasn't part of SPECTRE, because if that was the case... Well, in that case then they were all bark and no bite.

''You're going to protect us?'' She asked, a smile caressing her lips as her eyebrows lifted in disbelief. This brute was going to keep the entire mutant population safe? Well, they probably had better chances surrendering to SPECTRE right away. ''Aren't you brave,'' she mused.

Well, at least he was good looking, so he had that going for him. He looked like a jock copied directly out from a crappy high school movie. Heck, he even had the sleazy smile to fit into the picture. Tilting her head to the side and leaning her cheek against her index and long finger, the telekinetic pursed her lips into somewhat of an amused smirk, ''Hm, well. I guess you've come to the right place then; High schools are filled with rumors,'' she said, the smirk growing, ''Which you'd known had you ever attended one,'' the last part was said in a low murmur, and chances were he probably didn't catch it. Not that it mattered, of course.

[JJ Johnson]

JJ probably would've answered the queries about the rumors, except that Erika had made the near fatal mistake of directing the conversation in a "JJ"-centric direction with other questions and with ego stroking. He shifted his position, giving his muscles another purposeful flex and looking away. "Yeah, I'm actually a member of the local law," he said, and he somehow managed to puff himself up a little more. "So this sort of thing is what I do on a daily basis."

Which was actually true, and probably the only reason why JJ still was employed by the Kalispell Police Department. They needed big guys to absorb plenty of punishment and to put between the good officers and the bullets. Didn't hurt if the big guy was a "mutant hire" too, since they knew they'd have to deal directly with the Academy.

Right place, and of course JJ didn't hear Erika's other comment. "So are you, like, the prom queen or something? You certainly look like you could be," he said this last dripping with, well, you can imagine, I'm sure. "I was totally prom king when I was younger," and lo, there was more posturing. He was practically posing at this point, honestly.

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

''Local law, huh? Well, isn't that... Boring,'' Erika mused. The smirk still very much plastered on her lips, but she still pulled back a little in a bored manner, fixing her attention elsewhere. Erika knew better than to hang around cops, especially with her night time activities. And considering who they hired -- this seemingly large ball of slime -- she'd rather not end up meeting any cops in an dark alley. She'd rather take her chances with a thug.

An amused chuckle escaped the eldest Bellefonte daughter's lips as she turned her attention back towards the boy hiding in a man's body. Well, thank God she wasn't as naive as she once had been, or else the flattering might have worked on her. Now, she was left with two choices; 1. She could blow him completely off and amuse herself in the process, or 2. she could play along only to do the same thing later. Ack, choices.

''Prom queen? No, not yet, but I guess we'll find out at the end of the semester.'' Not that she'd actually sign up or anything. No, that was more Ellen's thing rather than Erika's. ''Oh, you were? Who did you pay to make that happen?'' Erika shot back, smiling innocently as she tilted her head to the side, ''Or was you just the only candidate?'' She had a hard time seeing this guy being even remotely close to winning something like that, but she also didn't know how old he was, or even what school had been like back then. But somehow, she doubted it had been all that different.

[JJ Johnson]

"You might think that," said JJ, again puffing a little, "but I'm the one they call whenever one of the idiots from here does something phenomenally stupid in town. Kid blows up or something, and I'm the first person on the scene, ready to save lives. It's dangerous, but I love it," more like he loved the attention and the fact that his own stupidity and recklessness kept him employed despite his obvious deficiencies. He'd never have kept a job anywhere else... well, maybe the military, but he'd had enough of that for the time being. Predicting pathetic people got boring after a while.

Not prom queen yet? They must be putting it off this year. Then again, with all those death squads they had running around, that made sense. JJ was just about to flatter Erika further, saying that obviously the other girls didn't stand a chance in hell, when she threw some truth at his lie. The words died in his mouth, tasting like ashes as they went up in flames. His brows narrowed and his nostrils flared, anger replacing the lust that had been mounting since he'd first eye-fucked the girl.

"Didn't have to pay anyone," he said, practically spitting the words, "'cuz everyone knew better. It was vote for me, or else. A few guys who were 'competition,'" yes, he really did make air quotes when he said that, "had an unfortunate early date with my fists. Now," he took a step closer, his swelling less a display of puffed up seduction and more a display to terrorize and intimidate, "why don't you tell me about these special squads your school is training, huh? Or maybe I should take you in for being suspicious; bet we could get a lot.... questioning done if we got alone."

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

Looking away, Erika found herself being incredibly bored by the constant ego boosting, and instead of saying anything at all, she remained silent and nodded her head every now and then as if to show him that she was listening, even if she wasn't. He didn't exactly strike her as the sharpest knife in the drawer, so maybe if she was lucky, she'd even manage to pull it off. And he might even have been a little more interesting had he not been so... Well, had he been more modest.

However, when his behavior changed into something more hostile, Erika started paying further attention. An amused smirk formed on her lips and she arched her eyebrow, almost in a impressed manner, ''So, basically... The only reason you won was because you threatened them, not because of your looks or your... 'Charming' personality. Gotcha,'' she almost chuckled. Unable to keep the smirk off of her lips, Erika crossed her arms over her chest, ''Aww, no more charm and lame pick up lines? Considered me in awe!'' Erika mused, chuckling a little, ''Well, if you were the genius detective you oh so clearly claimed to be, wouldn't you already know? I mean, come on. Someone with a mind like yours should be able to figure this out on your own, yeah?'' Leaning forward, Erika patted the top of his head, almost like she was petting a puppy. ''Don't worry bae, I'm sure you'll figure it out soon enough. And if you don't, I'm sure your mother will still give you a gold star for the effort.''

With that, Erika turned on her heel and started walking back towards the school. No, she had no further interest in rolling around in the mud with this guy. If he wanted help, he had to find someone else to do his dirty work.

''Oh yeah, that reminds me...'' she said, turning to look at him over her shoulder, ''If I see you harassing any other students, I'll personally see to it that you never set a foot around here again.'' Ah, sometimes having the power of a Bellefonte was sweet, sweet juice indeed.

[JJ Johnson]

JJ's glare only increased as Erika picked apart his winning strategy. "Hey, I was the king of this place!" he declared, thrusting his arm out to point, the veins starting to bulge at his neck. Nice side effect of his powers: rage issues becoming more prominent and the like. JJ could already feel the adrenaline starting to pump into his veins, making him want to do what he always wanted to do: punch someone or fuck someone, or, right now, a little of both.

Because if it was one thing that could spoil a pretty girl like this, it was a smart mouth. "I'm investigating, bitch, and you just moved up the suspect list," he growled, pointing at her. "You like the idea of ending up in jail for suspicious behavior? Hey!" she had turned and started away from him, obviously done talking with him. He gestured and took a few steps closer. Clearly his "charms" hadn't worked (because Erika was not drunk, stupid, or desperate). In fact, he soon got a threat, one that had him laughing.

"What do you think you're gonna do?" JJ asked, spreading his arms wide. "Arrest me? Sic the dumbasses from security on me? Who you think the government's going to ask about mutants and shit when this all comes down? You think they're going to work with a bunch of known freaks? Or maybe they head straight for the police and I start naming names," JJ smiled cruelly. Oh, he totally thought that SPECTRE was fucking retarded and that mutants were going to kill them. Didn't mean he couldn't use them while the using was good.

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

Now, if he thought such a puny thread as him being the king because of prom was going to scare her, he was sadly mistaken. Heck, she could easily dismiss it and she had to admit that blurting out something along the lines of sharing her last name was incredibly tempting simply to shut his arrogant mouth up. But she wouldn't, and she wasn't. No, she wasn't going to stoop that low. No, no. He wasn't worth it, and Erika had already made it clear on several occasions that she did not agree on using her last name to further herself up the pyramide. (And yes, she was aware over the fact that she had taken advantage of it numerous times.)

''Oh, I'm terrified,'' Erika mocked, a faint chuckle escaping her lips. Okay, so maybe she was enjoying this far more than what she should have. It had been too long since she had been able to toss herself at a match based on pure sass and impeccable untasteful words. Needless to say, she was amused. Not because of him, of course, but because of the situation.

Swirling around, the brunette couldn't keep the amused smirk off of her face as she waited for his ramblings to end. When he finally did so, she held up her fingers, putting one down for each point she made, ''One; I can't arrest you, because had you not been too busy thinking with your dick, you might have noticed that I'm not a cop. Two; The dumbasses from security has better things to do than deal with a scum such as yourself. No offense of course.'' The last part was added with a sugar sweet smile. ''Three; Most likely someone with a little more power, like I don't know... The headmaster, your boss, the government offical- Well, actually just about anyone but you would do. And five, please remember to mention my name. I would love to have a chat with the-- Oh right. Since you're here, that means you don't know my name or any of the members of the security squad. 'Tis a real shame is it not?''

Taking a deep breath, the telekinetic offered the man yet another sugar sweet smile before turning around, again. Really, she didn't see why he bothered. But that was what you got when producing a baby who hadn't learned the difference between thinking with his head and his ass. ''Tata~''

[JJ Johnson]

Now JJ was stuck. He was used to strong women, sure. He seemed to have this knack for running into them and getting his head handed to them. He just normally could bully them into at least, well, fearing him, or maybe worrying about him. This girl acted like she had absolutely no reason to care about his bluster or his threats or, well, anything that came out of JJ, be it via his words or other things. She hadn't just torn him down, she'd done so systematically, with numbers no less. JJ followed; he wasn't quite that stupid, but he could only stand there, dumbstruck, trying to figure out some kind of response that would actually work.

She could call authority figures. She had confidence. She looked good. She was on the Security Squad, or at least heavily implied it, which meant she had some power. She was comfortable wielding power too, which meant that she had it for most of her life, which meant that she'd always been in a position of power.

JJ stared at girl's retreating ass for a few moments, as if that could confirm the idea he was struggling to produce. He finally decided to take a stab at it. What the hell, not like he had anything to lose: "So which Bellefonte are you?" he called, grinning that wide, feral grin. Oh, he so had her. She'd say or do something. Or at least turn around, and JJ was already digging his phone out of his pocket. He could match a photo later, and who knows who might be interested in a little information about a mutant's habits and such?

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

The brunette had to admit that it was rather amusing to watch the man seemingly lose contact with earth and drift away someplace far, far away. Not only did she manage to tear him down, she also shut him up. Erika hadn't expected that to happen. She had actually expected another long line of words, a few more threats and maybe even some cussing.

...This was disappointing.

''Bravo,'' Erika said, but alas, she did not turn. She was actually surprised it had taken him this long to figure it out. Maybe he had to get over his little hissy fit before getting his brain working again, and surprisingly enough; He did actually have one. ''You're the cop; You tell me,'' she mused, still without turning around. Chuckling to herself, Erika did a toss of her head; She didn't really mind him knowing her last name. If anything, maybe that'd tell him to back off, or even show some manners.

If he wanted information, he'd better figure out another approach than this, because obviously it hadn't worked too well for him. Not that she'd really mind standing here all day throwing one snarky comment after the other, she didn't really see the purpose of it. Her first attempts had already sent him into somewhat of a frenzy, and in the fear of sounding a little cocky; Erika did enjoy a challenge. A challenge he did not seem to bring to the table.

[JJ Johnson]

"You're one of the old ones!" JJ tried, gesturing futilely. He didn't know enough about the Bellefonte and his little surprise wasn't having the affect he wanted. She wasn't turning around, wasn't acknowledging his presence or his superiority. Hell, he didn't think she'd even broken step, just kept right on walking away as if she owned the school. Definitely a Bellefonte, and one with a fine ass.

And one on the death squad.

Yes, JJ could certainly report it as that. That there were snobby people on the hill who thought they were fucking untouchable, and they had power and money and all that shit that annoyed people. They were even led by one of the fuckers who had the same name as the school: Bellefonte or something. Wouldn't be hard to figure out which Bellefonte she was either. They had their pictures up at the goddamn website, and JJ had figured out how to use a computer a while ago (free porn).

So he smiled as he turned. She'd won the battle. But fuck the battle. JJ was going to win the fucking war.