MINGLE ∞ LOG — June 2025

[thediadem]

Mingle ∞ Log

No Lifeguard on Duty

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Jump ⇅ :: Intro — Prompts — NPC Interaction

Summary

What's going on?

An unexpected heat wave in mid-June, coupled with the cycling shutdown of all air conditioning units in motels across the Blocks, has made the summer unbearable. Meanwhile, the ever-eager storm chaser, Felix Bjurstrom, has uncovered a fancy resort with a pool in a diffusion zone only 1 hour out from Panorama. Lucky, right? Well...kind of. It's got some quirks.

When is this happening?

June 10 - 30

What should I know?

• This area is one of many diffusion zones that appear throughout the planet.
• A storm chaser is someone dedicated to studying the cosmic phenomenon in the Diadem. Felix is a pioneer in his field.
• A winding highway filled with old empty barrels will take you to the zone.
• Characters can travel with a friend to save on gas! Parking's limited, so it might not be a bad idea.
• At any given time, there's max several dozen visitors. Most work long hours, some are traveling through the diffusion zones, and others prefer not to risk the drive or waste precious gas, so it won't draw a huge crowd (but there's still a crowd!).
• This is a mingle rather than an event. Plot-heavy elements will be minor. The game's first proper event will be posted in July!

What does my character know?

• Having lost his phone, Felix will spread the word using good old-fashioned printed posters that he's put up around Panorama. A young woman is seen helping him. They appear to be close. Some say that's his daughter.
• Though the timing is impossible to predict accurately, Felix believes that due to this zone's unusual proximity to an anchor point, it has a high chance of persisting for 2-3 weeks.
• Directions are printed on the posters, though characters are also free to stumble across the zone by accident.

∞ Links ∞

Travel — Map — Setting

Introduction

The resort looks like your typical upscale vacation spot: a beautiful pool, lovely cabins, and plenty of pool chairs. The sky is perpetually nighttime and there are two moons. One moon is smaller than its sister and glows purple. The other looks like the Earth's moon. The weather is pleasantly warm. In fact, conditions are almost too perfect.

Other fluxdrifts are here, too, and you might come across them, all of whom are taking advantage of the pool. They'll converse superficially with you and will come and go randomly. You'll want to keep a close eye on your belongings. Other than cooling off, this isn't a bad place to start making connections. Life in the Diadem is better when you've got allies if not friends.

Just outside the resort is a spacious parking lot, designed for visitors. Nobody's following parking rules so put your car anywhere it fits. If you get blocked in, well, that's a problem for when you leave.

At the end of June, the diffusion zone will flicker and morph into an unremarkable overgrown park, long abandoned to the decades.

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Prompts

As you wander around, you discover deactivated androids in many of the poolside huts. These androids cannot be mistaken for any organic species: their chassis is metal, and their heads are shiny. Circuits and wires are visible. But each is dressed distinctly human in a way that borders on disturbing. You spot lipstick drawn on some of the metal faces, as though they're playing dress up...or as if they don't realize they aren't human. One android is frozen in place with a diary clutched in its hands. Another has a hairbrush for its nonexistent hair.

Something seems to have destroyed them—perhaps a powerful EMP wave that knocked them all out. All except one.

The Bartender

The poolside bar is at the eastern end of the resort. There are plenty of seats. A few are occupied by deactivated androids. The bartender is also an android and appears to be the only functional one in this place. He speaks with a modulated voice and has a neutral accent. He exhibits the following behaviors if you sit at his bar:

• Icebreaker. Whether you're alone or with a companion, he'll try to get you all to be friends, asking random self-generated icebreaker questions. He'll be visibly disappointed if you don't play along.
• Bartending. While cheerful, he can't make the correct drink: it's always too strong, incredibly weak, added salt instead of sugar, messed up the ice. He's obviously doing his best, but it's just not working. The harder he tries, the worse he performs until it becomes a comedy of errors with stuff falling over, ice dumped in your lap, champagne corks flying, and any number of slapstick mishaps. You can help him out by mixing the drink yourself.

If you're nice to him, he'll introduce himself as Thomas Lustras. He's happy to tell you about his son. Strange, you think, but who says androids can't have paternal instincts? Yet, when the android takes out his wallet to show you a photo of his son—named Edward Lustras—the picture is that of a human child, roughly 5 years old, in the arms of his human father.

The driver's license in the same wallet confirms that Thomas is (was?) a real person. The picture on the license matches the human male in the photo. A half-scorched business card states that Thomas was a consultant at Outer Rim Resettlements. Thomas believes he's on a company retreat and wistfully declares he's eager to return home to his son.

Maybe don't look too closely. After all, this place will soon disappear. And so will he.

The Grill

It's not a vacation without a grill! Not a grillable item is in sight, though, so you'll have to rely on what you can bring out of Panorama. Some of the visiting drifters will pitch in to share, unloading hotdogs (some synthetic, others authentic, and some far past expiry), burger patties (same) and buns, and "kebabs" made of blocky frozen vegetable squares. The squares vaguely resemble corn, mushrooms, and pineapple. The texture is passable, like a flavor-infused block of tofu.

Fire up the grill and take turns grilling. You'll also have to manage the propane. The grill's also prone to sputtering out, requiring regular minor repairs to get it back up and going. Any loose bolts or screws can be taken out of the dead androids to replace the rusty ones in the grill. You're unsure if you should feel uncomfortable doing that or what, but it is a solution.

Parking Woes

Like any crowded event, the parking lot can get chaotic, and the lawlessness of the diffusion zones doesn't help. While some are happy to help barbecue, others are more interested in picking fights over who got to the parking space first. It won't take much for a fistfight to break out, and a knife fight isn't out of the question, either, though nobody'll be killed (this time).

You can let the troublemakers beat each other, or you can try to intervene if somebody who doesn't deserve it is getting harassed. Just avoid causing too much of a scene. Breaking noses is acceptable; gutting someone head to toe is not. There are Enforcers visiting the zone, and if you interfere with their nice pool time, they won't hesitate to haul away everybody involved and make you sit in jail for a few days.

Questions? Ask here

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Comments

[opticular]

It's free.

[ The shirt, he means. He wouldn't wear this either if it isn't. And since most of his stuff were just thrifted or scavenged and have holes in them, Scott will take what he can get. Anything he can get here for free, he'd take it.

But two could play this snark game, which is par for the course with them, anyway. ]

Try it. Might look good on you. [ No, it won't. Scott's sure of it. But that's the beauty of it, isn't it? ] Bring some color to your life.

[ Not that Scott particularly cares if he does or doesn't. But it's hilarious to imagine Logan in some yellow spandex or whatever. Like some honey badger or something. Although, Scott finds living next door to him and the Professor isn't so bad, if he only focuses on the fact he's doing this for Charles and no one else. Sure Logan brings home stuff for them (even if he's mostly the last on the list which is mutual by the way) and he has been "cooperative" to say the least. But old habits die hard. In fact, they don't die. Like Logan. ]

[carcajous]

[ Uh-huh. Hard to do when Scott's existence sucks all the colour out. He huffs under his breath and pours himself another drink. He's gonna need at least another bottle if Scott insists on bothering him.

Speaking of. ] What d'you want, Summers?

[ 'Cause he doubts Scott's here for a friendly chat. So let's hear it, what's this about? The Professor? Another X-Men thing that only Scott thinks is important?

Or has the heat eaten away at Scott's brain and he really is coming by to play nice? Which Logan doesn't want, by the way. And he can tell himself it's 'cause the man's a dick except that's not the truth, is it? Don't get him wrong, Scott is a dick, but there's the other part, too, the part where at some point, Logan's going to tell him everything. When he figures it out, he will. And he knows it won't matter a damn what he says or how, it won't be pretty. Scott will fucking hate him for it. For what he did to Jean. Would be right to.

Just seems easier to keep things how they are now. The distance. ]

[opticular]

Checking to see if you're not getting yourself in trouble.

[ Scott has that teasing smile on his face while he looks at Logan, like a babysitter who's waggling the house rules in front of The Baby. He looks around for a bit, then back to Logan. ] So far, so good.

[ He gives a faux impressed expression while he stands there, hands on his little hips. Scott lets that teasing sink in, savoring it for a bit because being a dick to Logan is always satisfying, before he crosses his arms over his chest, eyes slipping to gaze around the place. ]

You gonna stay around here for a bit? I think it's good for the Professor if we do.

[carcajous]

[ Logan's expression stays flatter than a pancake. He pops a toothpick between his lips. Eventually, he'll restock his cigars, but right now, he's out again. ] You keep this up, I might just start some.

[ He reaches over the counter and helps himself to another crystal tumbler. Yeah, he's staying. The Professor don't need a babysitter, by the way, but he gets that Charles misses people—his students, Hank, Raven, the school—and so he's been sticking around when he can.

He doesn't need Scott to tell him that. He's been by Charles' side for a long time.

A double shot of whiskey, poured neat, clinks onto the counter in front of Scott. It's not an invitation, alright? But Scott's doing his hovering thing, and Logan fuckin' hates it when he hovers. Like your asshole teacher checking up on your homework. The least he can do is sit down with a drink, same as everybody else. ]

Here. Maybe this'll flush that stick out of your ass.

[opticular]

[ Understanding Logan has become one of Scott's many challenges. It's a good thing he's good at reading situations and reading people; key traits one should possess if they ever want to be good leaders. So with how little Logan communicates through his words, Scott chooses to observe his actions instead. So far, he has never read Logan wrong. The man is still very predictable to him.

So, this time, what he's getting is he'd stay with the Professor. Good. It's just that, in his time, Logan's still very much a lone wolf. Going off and disappearing for a while, using his bike by the way, to be on his own. So, Scott still feels it's up to him to tell Logan to stay. (To be fair, he's also just being a dick. Both can be true.)

But he has to hand it to Logan, he knows how to make him laugh. Like that time when he gave him his middle claw. So those last few words pull a small chuckle out of Scott. Grabbing the glass, he sits down beside the other mutant. ]

Is this why yours is very loose? [ And he drinks to that. Just a sip because he doesn't do hard alcohol. Have to stay alert at all times. ]

[carcajous]

[ Logan squints. Okay, he's—gonna not dignify that with an answer, actually.

Watching Summers take his dainty little sips might kill him. What would he prefer, a Shirley Temple? Logan refills his glass a third time, stuck between not caring enough to make Scott fuck off but also not giving a shit about chitchat.

Still, there is something on his mind. ]

The Professor fill you in on how we met fifty years ago?

[ The time travelling bit. The Sentinels. By now, Charles must've, right? He's aware Charles must know a lot, if not everything—the way he went through Logan's memories—and he's also aware it means Charles has chosen to keep quiet on a few details, too. Rogue, as well.

Maybe they're waiting for him to make the first move. ]

[opticular]

[ Okay good, they're back to business talk. While he knows he can stand his ground snarking back and forth with Logan, depending on his mood because sometimes he just prefers to walk out on him, it's always ten times better to talk about business. X-Men stuff.

Putting down his glass on the counter, Scott's glance returns to Logan as he nods. ]

Time travel. He told me about machines that will try and exterminate us in the future. So your mind was sent back in time, in 1973, to try and stop that from happening.

[ There's a pause on his end, as his brows crease at that particular dilemma they'll inevitably face. He remembered telling Charles the future doesn't sound so promising. So there's one question that's been on his mind ever since - ]

Did you succeed? [ If Logan can actually see his eyes behind his glasses, they're now boring into him, thirsty for answers. ]

[carcajous]

[ His fingers rest on the rim of his glass. Water splashes in the distance. That's the million dollar question, isn't it? He's the only one who can answer it, and he doesn't know. He doesn't fuckin' know. ]

I drowned. Woke up on this damn planet. [ He pauses. ] They said whatever happened, there was no predicting where the new timeline might send me. When it first spat me out here, I thought that's how it had to be for the rest of the world to be put right. Then you showed up. Rogue...Charles. [ He tosses back the rest of his drink. ] So you tell me.

[ It sure as hell doesn't look like success to him. If anybody lost out on that insane gamble of a plan Charles and Erik made, it was only ever supposed to be him. Not anyone else. The only thing he can say is at least there aren't any Sentinels roaming around, no governments hunting them down to lock them up or kill them all, but there're still too many questions. What about the others? Storm, Bobby, Kitty? And where the fuck is this world?

It feels bigger than just what he did or didn't do. Maybe that's why he's got no idea where to start. The Professor being here is what messes him the most. He could've let himself believe things were fine wherever Charles might be out there; Charles has always been what they all needed, to bring them together. But Charles isn't somewhere out there. He's been tossed into this bullshit, too—still fifty years behind—and Logan's not sure where that leaves the rest of the mutants they were trying to help. ]

[opticular]

[ Scott's still wondering what's happening with him during this future they keep alluding to, but he has enough ego to never suspect he died. To be fair, there's no other mutant they can send their consciousness back in time than Logan's knowing he's old as fuck. He might've also given the green signal, who knows?

What he does know is he's not sure if his timeline is the altered one or not. Scott's leaning on the latter more since this is all news to him. Time travel complicates things, though, so he really can't be certain.

He's silent for a moment, gaze dropping to the glass he placed on the counter. After a while, Scott breaks his silence. ]

For what it's worth, thanks for trying. [ To do something to save everyone. They spoke briefly about how Logan's in teams in the future, and personal feelings aside, Scott's thankful for that. Anything for a better future for all mutants.

He pauses for a fleeting second before speaking again. ] What I can tell you, though, is I don't think my timeline is the altered one.

[carcajous]

[ It's also, maybe, easy to assume they got split up. World fell apart—hell, he thought Rogue was dead, too, 'til he ran into her here, realized she'd been held captive the entire time. And he kinda hates himself for not looking harder, for just accepting she was gone for good, but God knows not one of them was in a position to search for a body.

Logan shrugs, uncomfortable with gratitude as ever, whether from Scott or another. Doesn't feel like he did much worth thanking over. He wasn't even the guy they wanted to send. Just the only one who could make it in one piece. ]

No, [ he agrees. ] It isn't. Not sure what difference it makes, anyway, now that we're all mixed up. Could really use the Furball for answers.

[ Hank would have a hell of a better shot at knowing where to begin. ]

[heavymetals]

[ Just as they're done having their little moment, Erik walks into the scene. Ever since Charles told him of the other mutants here, he's almost been playing a game of dodge, trying to avoid any run-in that could lead to a confrontation. For the most part, it's not even a conscious effort, since his night shifts at the warehouse mean he keeps strange hours and isn't as easy to cross paths with others around. He knows it'll happen eventually, though, especially with him staying at the same motel they all are.

Charles did mention a Scott. Somehow, Erik didn't make the connection to the Scott he has met already, who stayed over in his room for a couple of nights. It just now dawns on him how stupid he was not to realise it, when he comes across them and sees Scott with Logan.

For a moment he even ponders just turning around and leaving, but it's a little too late when both men look straight at him across the distance. So... this is happening. ]

[opticular]

[ None the wiser, Scott never really placed two and two together, even while he was staying with "Henryk." He always had the suspicion that the guy looks familiar, but unlike with Charles where he had seen photos of him when he was younger around the Institute, Scott has no point of reference. The Magneto he knows in his head is an old man, and that image has been etched in his mind for so long, he doesn't know what Magneto looks like in his younger years.

Once he sees Erik, though, Scott smiles, grabbing his glass and lifting it a bit for the other man to see, reminiscent of when he gave Scott a glass to drink, too. ]

Hey, Henryk. Come on, have a drink with us.

[ Then, to Logan: ] This man was kind enough to let me stay with him for a bit.

[carcajous]

[ They sure as hell do make eye contact. Here's the rub: Logan's got every intention of not saying a damn word. One, he promised Charles he'd leave Erik alone as long as Erik wasn't pulling his usual bullshit and stayed out of his way. Two—okay, there is no two, Charles is the sum total of his tenuous restraint. But he does assume Scott must be on the same page. The Professor told each of them about Magneto and Mystique. Logan's sure of that.

Then the name Henryk comes out of Scott's mouth. Logan nearly swallows his toothpick, gaze snapping up. He blinks twice. Sorry, what? Stayed with who? That's when he realizes: Charles might've said something, but it isn't as though the man could pull a sketch outta his back pocket of Erik in 1973. Erik can't know who Scott is, either.

And apparently, as God's biggest fuckin' joke of the century, Scott's decided they're buddies.

A huff of a laugh escapes his nose. Jesus. Even Erik looks caught. Which is funny, by the way. Sorta rare to see Magneto on the back foot. ]

You, uh— [ Logan gestures across the bar with his glass. ] —might wanna ask Henry over there what else he goes by.

[heavymetals]

[ There are many other points in his life, and many different circumstances, where he would not give a damn about finding himself in this situation. But then, under such circumstances he wouldn't have cared to introduce himself under another identity, or pretend that he was a plain human.

Funnily enough, Logan's reaction is the one he's worried about the least. He already knows the guy doesn't like him, there's no love lost there, but there's at least some sense of familiarity. He knows what to expect from him (and apparently there's an interesting change here that's puzzling Erik, but he doesn't bring that up just yet). But he liked meeting Scott. He seemed like a decent guy, maybe a possible ally with time. Well, not anymore, he has a feeling.

He sets his jaw, more apprehension than anything else. His eyes close for a moment, and he takes a deep breath before flicking his gaze to Scott. ]

My actual name is Erik Lehnsherr. [ So, you know. Your new buddy pal is Magneto himself. ] I'm sorry, Scott. I didn't mean to trick you. I didn't know who you were.

[opticular]

[ Scott's brows furrowed when Logan told him to ask Henryk about what other name he goes by, and for a moment, he was about to reply with something sarcastic or snarky to defend his newfound friend Henryk. Logan can be such a jerk to people he doesn't know, and for a brief second, he thought he was just being an asshole to someone Scott befriended.

But then, Henryk tells him who he actually is that all of that drops from Scott's mind, immediately replaced by shock. Every little kindness Henryk showed him for the past nights he stayed came rushing to him, before memories of the Magneto he knows terrorizing both mutantkind and humanity also came flooding in.

Shock gives way to anger, and it shows by how Scott lifts a hand to his temple, near his visor. ]

You're who?! [ Scott bellows, adjusting his visor. ] You- [ He grits his teeth. ] You manipulated me into thinking you're kind, didn't you? Thought you'd gain my trust by pretending to be my friend. Like I'd believe you don't know who I am.

[ To be fair, in hindsight, that's probably the most believable thing. Erik, at this age, most likely doesn't know him. Charles, who's probably as young as this Erik, only knows him through Logan's mind (it makes sense now - young Charles so of course a young Erik too.) But, as it is, Scott's not operating on logic right now as his anger gets the best of him. ]

Stay back or I'll shoot. [ His visor begins to faintly glow red. ]

[carcajous]

[ In retrospect, he should've seen this coming. Truth is, the term loose cannon just doesn't cross his mind when it comes to Scott. That's his role, thanks, something Scott's never failed to remind him of. Frankly, Logan's not bothered by it. One of them needs to be the predictable good boy, and it sure as hell ain't him.

Obviously, he doesn't know Scott as well as he thinks. Guess he should've realized that, too, seeing as how little time he got with the man. Either way, Logan's just watching at first, figures Scott will bitch his heart out as usual and walk it off. Then that visor starts heating up, and it strikes him that the first of them to start a scene is about to be Scott fucking Summers.

Goddamn it.

Logan grabs Scott's arm. ] Whoa, hey, hey— [ Chrissake, what's he doing playing mediator? ] Sit down. How's he gonna know it was you, you were still colouring outside the lines in '73.

[ Listen, far be it for him to defend Erik of all people, but also? As much as this planet doesn't seem to look twice at folks who are a bit (a lot) different, he learned a long time ago how fast the wind shifts direction, especially when one of their own can blow holes in the pool by blinking. They don't need that kind of attention. ]

[heavymetals]

[ Erik, on the other hand, has no expectation on what might happen, but he is absolutely prepared for the worst. He doesn't even blink when Scott reaches for his visor (though now he has the answer as to why he had that on indoors), only lifting an eyebrow in mild surprise. He knows he was a fucking asshole in this (supposedly potential) future, but he didn't expect an X-Man to outright attack him without any provocation whatsoever.

He is even more surprised that Logan even steps up for his sake. Maybe Logan's smarter than he gave him credit for, and realises the complications that would come from an incident like this— or maybe he made a promise to Charles, too. Either way, he's relieved for it. The last thing he wants is a fight but he worries that he would be pushed in that direction if Logan wasn't here right now. ]

Do you see me getting closer? [ He lifts both his hands, but it's a placating gesture, almost a surrender. Granted, it could turn into self-defense in a heartbeat. ] Believe it or not, I don't really want to fight you.

[opticular]

[ Logan trying to stop him with that grab on his arm and those words receives only a passing glance from Scott. The guy's right, and he's slowly beginning to realize that while his judgment is currently clouded by both anger and the instant reaction to protect himself and others from Magneto. His visor is still glowing red, though, not exactly lowering his guard down anytime soon. Not that he'll shoot Logan of course, or Erik if he stays where he is, but it's a good warning in place.

It does disappear when Erik raises both his hands in a gesture to appease him. But his hand is still on his visor, just in case. Scott's anger is also easing down, as his role as a boy scout leader helps soothe the immediate anger he has for Magneto, and the way he was tricked by him (unintentionally, the other mutant says, but he doesn't buy it.) ]

Big talk for someone who has a history of using and hurting fellow mutants to get what he wants. Remember when you dropped a whole stadium on the Professor? [ He spits out with venom, definitely referencing the future this Erik has yet to live. He remembers what Henryk told him - he's a factory worker in Poland. Scott almost scoffs. He's sure that's also a lie, even if he should've clocked it at metalwork. Mentioning he dropped a whole stadium on Charles is probably just one of the many atrocious things this Erik did in his past. Maybe that's why he felt the need to befriend him. Maybe that's why he had to conceal his identity. Who knows, but that's typical Magneto. ]

Do anything like that again and it's a fight you're gonna get. [ Scott doesn't give him an opportunity to answer, though, because before he loses his temper again, he storms off. So much for that drink, Henryk. ]

[carcajous]

[ Sorry, what? Did he just say Erik dropped a stadium on Charles? During—?

Logan snaps his gaze between Scott, then Erik. When he lets go of Scott, there's a strong implication that if Scott hadn't walked off right then—if he'd gone for the throat—Logan wasn't gonna stop him a second time. But Scott does stomp off, and it leaves just him and Erik across the bar. His fingers twitch.

Jesus. Some things never change, huh? Except they do. He's seen it. A long time from where Erik and Scott are, he's seen it. And he knows Charles believes in it. The truth is, he wants to believe, too. Just isn't always sure he can. Moments like these make it real hard.

Their little commotion's drawn eyes, though. Logan huffs—can't believe he's letting things be with this jackass—but if Erik's not throwing shit, it's. Fine.

Also, he can feel Charles buzzing in his head. Yeah, yeah. He's leaving. Not before he snags a bottle, though. ]

[heavymetals]

[ It's enough to render Erik speechless. Not the kind of information that he'd expect Scott to have, or to drop into the argument out of nowhere— but he can't really counter it, because it is the truth. It hasn't even been that long since it happened, and he's certainly in no position to defend himself against it. Because while all of the other things that Scott might remember about him are things he himself hasn't done yet (and might not ever), that one he definitely can't deny.

His lips press to a thin line instead, shoulders drawn tensely. He hopes it doesn't lead to a fight, not with Scott or with Logan, but at this point, he doesn't know what to expect from either of them. It seems entirely plausible that Logan would come at him after hearing that— from the look on his face, it's evident that Charles hadn't told him about it. But obviously he thought it safe to tell Scott. Well.

He lets his hands fall as Scott walks away, holding Logan's stare with a heavy one of his own. He doesn't glance around but he can feel that people are staring, not that he's ever cared about having an audience, but there is some amount of relief that Logan simply leaves. This won't be the last they speak about it, he imagines— but at least he doesn't have to do it now, and he can retreat to a quiet corner of his own, and handle his own emotions in a way that doesn't translate into complete chaos. ]