An Invintation

There were many scary insane people down the alleys of Downtown New York, these days. From old men trying to find someone to spend a night, to women just looking for spare change, people got weirder and weirder. Neal just happened to be one of those weirdos. He stood at the entrance to an alley near at the Mel's Diner, waiting for Eris while staring at a poster.

Neal read aloud,

Neal angrily ripped the poster, balled it and threw it away at the garbage bin. He looked up suddenly when a lady flew down an alley across the road. "There she goes." He murmured. Suddenly however, he saw someone who was obviously in the wrong place. A man crept down the alley towards the lady. He had no doubt this man had bad intentions for this lady.

Pulling his hood up, he swept across the road, and down the other alley. Coming up behind the man, he whispered in his ear. "Do you have a problem with my prey?" He asked as he winked at the lady, and saw the man look stunned and frightened. It wasn't only among humans and the 'good' side of the mutants that were afraid of him. Even the dwellers in District X, and lowly criminal mutants were afraid also. He had a bad reputation and Neal took pride in his illegal accomplishments, even if they were strange.

The man spun around, recognizing the voice, he bowed to Neal. "Sorry! Sorry, I thought... I... I didn't know... She was your friend. I thought she was unattended!" He said and without another word swept out of the alley.

"Alright, " He said gently. "Let me get straight to the point eh, why I want to talk to you? Today at 4:13 P.M." Neal looked at his watched and proceed. "I want to share my plan with you and I hope after I said all these things to you, you'll change your alliance eventually."

Eris looked up to see Neal behind the man that decided to follow her. Smirking at Neal's wink, she then stares at the man with blazing gold eyes whilst he ran away. ''Goddamn humans. Perverted fucks.'' A growl rumbled in her throat and she tightens her leather jacket around her body almost for protection but knowing how Neal reacted to the man; she was in safe hands. ''I take it this is your territory.'' She mumbles, rubbing her hands on her thighs.

Laughter erupted from her as she realizes what Neal said. ''I'm your prey now am i? I thought it was the other way around.'' She told him with a teasing smile. Listening to him, she tilts her head with an interested glaze in her eyes. ''Very well...May i ask why you want me to change my alliance?'' Eris inquires before looking around. Smiling at how quiet things had gotten, she placed her hand on the wall which was near an fuse box and leaned on one foot crossed over the other.

Neal looked at the lady when she hinted that it was his territory. "It's OUR territory Eris. Every mutant has to move, run and grab as many places as they can to enlarge the mutant settlements because everything we take now will stay ours." He said as he watched the lady, rubbing her hands on her thighs. She had delicate hands, long fingers tipped with toned nails perfectly kept.

"Between ourselves it must be clear that there is no room for both species together in this country. We shall not achieve our goal if the humans are in this small country. There is no other way than to kill those humans - all of them. Not one village, not one tribe should be left. Unless they are resigned to live here as slaves." He said smiling gently at the lady. "That's why we urgently need some mutants who can help the Brotherhood to fulfill this plan."

As Eris leaned on the wall, Neal smirked, pulled out a deck of cigarettes and offered her one. When he lit up Neal said, "So I expect, you'll come with me?" He blew a stream of smoke toward the sky and looked at the lady again as if he was going back a long way.

Neal didn't know why he liked the lady to be part of the Brotherhood. Maybe it was because she had facial feature that were hard but could still understand a twisted man like Neal, even a little. Maybe because she handed Neal some words that were nice to listen to. Maybe it was because Neal was tired of finding and Brotherhood's cave was a cold, empty place, while here he had a damsel to convince to. Whatever it was, he liked her to become one of them.

Eris tilted her head. Our territory...Sounds perfect. She thought to herself and smiled. ''I like the sound of that...So basically. Your plan is take over.'' She raised her eyebrow. She was getting more and more interested. She took the cigarette and snapped her fingers causing a ball of fire. Lighting it up, she took a drag and tilts her head. ''Yeah i'll come with you. Don't expect me to be all chummy with the other members. I stick by you and you alone.'' She breathed out a puff of smoke, it turning into a circle.

Changing alliance was the best thing that came to Eris' mind. She liked the man before her and was intrigued by the plan to get rid off the humans. It'll lessen the customers but i'm sure mutants wouldn't mind me being a stripper among them. She smirked at her thoughts and looked up at Neal. ''Yeah...I'm with ya.'' She took another drag and bites her lip.

Neal smiled at the lady, and taking a quick look around, he was careful to pull his hood back up. "Take over and control" He said glancing at her, and looking away again.

"Mutant species shall reign, while all the remaining ones are despicable and hateful. All property of humans belongs to us, which consequently is entitled to seize upon it. Well hell you know, mutants are not bound to observe principles of morality towards those filthy humans. We may act contrary to morality, if profitable to ourselves or to like-minded mutants in general." He said in a soft clear voice after he took a deep inhale then exhaling it a second later, watching the smoke curl around his head.

"I believe you're going to like them!" He said giving her his arm. He was confident in his gentleness and charm to appease to her, and Neal believed she already trusted him in the simple way she looked at him and talked to him.

Eris smirked. ''Become leaders of this hellhole sounds...divine.'' She said in a smooth voice. She raised her eyebrow whilst listening to him carefully. ''Humans are pathetic. We are better yet their tiny minds think they stand a chance against us.'' She growled out, shaking her head with disgust.

Looking around, she taps the fuse box causing a loud hissing noise to erupt. People screamed in the building beside them as all power went out and some things began shaking with a power overload. Taking Neal's arm, she tilts er head. ''Only time will tell...but knowing me, i won't.'' She said bluntly. She'd stand by him only. He was powerful and had charm. He easily won her trust by that alone. Glancing up at him, she winks and smirks.

Neal grinned at the lady, and gently lead her up the alley, "We are gods indeed." His arm held firmly around her.

"Yeah Eris. We are so much better than them. They don't realize that all of us will have a part in the future world while them will be sent down to hell." Neal was still talking to the lady when there was a flat echo of a sudden pop that were drowned out by the startled yells of the people inside Mel's diner. "I love it when you're doing that." He said while the cigarette moving to his lips and let it fall down to his side, without even looking, he flicked it over towards a trash can, where it landed lightly and went out.

Leading her up the street, he glanced around her as he picked a piece of paper and showed it to Eris. The man in the picture was startlingly handsome and a little skinny truthfully. Neal felt as though justice had been done to his facial features, they had gotten his good side. "So now, I am wanted?" He said to himself.

Eris gracefully walked with him and smiled. ''Gods among the humans. I think we'll have to find our...throne.'' She mused, taking another drag. ''What will be my part?'' She asked raising her eyebrow. Eris' mind was on a tangent thinking of all the things she would do to the pathetic ants called humans. Watching as people run out of Mel's diner, she laughed manically. ''I love it when i do it too...'' Biting her lip, she looks up at him.

Watching him as he grabs a piece of paper. Holding it in her hand, Eris tilts her head with mischief in her eyes. Neal was certainly a handsome man but she viewed him differently. This man in the picture had nothing hidden in his eyes but as Eris looked up into Neal's, she saw mystery and it made her intrigued. Concentrating on the hand holding the paper, it heated up and the paper set alight. ''A wanted man? That only makes everything more fun.'' Eris mused with a smirk.

Panic ensued as people spilled out on the street after the power went out. Neal caught Eve's eyes while she watched the people ran. "Want to save the country from their oppression? Don't just push for the removal of the humans, we'll go after the those mutants who help them as well." He said, frowning.

"So what if those humans is gone but X-Men remain?" Neal noted that terrorism had been practiced in New York and elsewhere, as mutant's cryptic expressions had been voiced against humans and their government. But all those actions would be futile, even if the Brotherhood ruled and their initiative would lead to something that would scrap the human government, if those who had raised their hand and swore to help and support mankind would remain in this country, Neal lamented in his thoughts.

"We're going to discuss our parts in the meeting that I am going to set up in the Brotherhood Mansion." He said as he looked at Eris was looking at the picture Neal had shown her. It seemed the photo interest her.

Neal raised an eyebrow when Eris looked up into Neal. It seemed she wanted to read his mind or feel his emotions. Neal was one of the few persons who chose to keep their mouth shut so it was completely natural for Eris to feel something weird towards him. Mystery is formed around silence. However, it seemed Neal's silence challenged Eris to know more about him. On the other hand, Neal would certainly hold her off. As the old adage goes, better to be thought a fool and be silent than to open your mouth and remove all doubts.

As they traveled along the dark roads of Downtown, they finally reached a small abandoned store. Neal quickly kicked the door, and gently pushed the lady into the house in front of him. He shut the door behind him and locked it, and turned around, turning on some lights while at the same time pulling his hood down, and smiling at the girl. "Please, come in here." He said, leading her into the living room. He hoped she wouldn't mind how dusty things seemed.

"Sorry about the mess. I'm not really staying here, I am staying at Brotherhood Mansion but the bitch Lakai is there. And that's DISASTER! I am not returning there until she leaves. And certainly, she will soon... As I'm going to dispatch her. I just can't trust a lady with that kind of punky hair. I can't help but picturing bats flying in there and I find it disgusting." Neal said laughing. "So having said that, I don't have much of a chance to clean up if you know what I mean!" He said, a lame excuse, but it would do.

Eris smiled and nodded. ''Sounds perfect..'' She said softly, looking back up at him catching his eye. ''We get the ones who are against our cause.'' Her voice vibrated with slight anger but quickly brushing it aside, her smile returns. As her mind went off on random thoughts, his voice broke through and her eyes snapped up towards him. ''Very well...'' Nodding, she ran a hand through her hair.

Thinking about the picture, she sighs and notes that he stared at her causing her to become even more curious. Shrugging the thoughts away, she felt herself get pushed inside a building. Catching his smile, she gladly returned it and followed him. Eris laughed at his words and touched a shelf. Dust caught on her finger and she shook her head. ''No need to be sorry. I've been in worse conditions.'' She admitted and then frowned. ''Wait...The wolf girl? Lakai? I've heard of her. Killed someone in brotherhood didn't she?'' Eris inquired with a furrow of her brow. Laughing along with him, she grins and looks around. ''Yeah i know what ya mean. I stay in a room at the top of a club and it's a mess. Then again, i barely stay there.'' Her mind went off thinking of Archard's mansion and then she began thinking of Archard. Eris knew he'd leave her when she switches alliance and deep down, her heart broke a little. He was like her brother. Snapping out of her thoughts, she looked back at Neal with a smile.

"Very well, take a seat," Neal said when Eris assured to him that she's fine. "Actually, I also have a small house somewhere in District X."He said as he went to the kitchen.

"So tell me more about you." Neal said curiously as he brought brownies on a tray. "Are you currently part of any group?" He asked, in a calming voice.

"Eat one." He said tapping his nose, which did look quite bent out of shape.

"Oh and about that bitch. No she didn't kill anybody. Well, as far as I know. Lakai just attacked me with no specific reason at all. Probably because I called her fat and I declined to have sex with her." He smiled at her and leaned back in his own chair, taking a brownie off the tray and eating it.

"By the way, hope you don't mind writing your number on this." He said as he took a piece of paper and a ballpoint pen in the coffee table. "I'm going to contact you when will the meeting be."

Eris' face suddenly filled with anxiety or sadness. Let’s face it, most folks loved to probe: "Why?" or "What now?" to "Is there any problem?" to "Are you okay?" These were some of the frequently asked questions that pop once friends saw something like that. But Neal didn't ask because he really didn’t need to know. It’s none of his business. Neal wanted to respect the boundaries and just listen to what Eris was willingly shared.

Eris sat down, placing one leg over the other with a slight grace. She then smirked. ''Is that one cleaner?'' She teased and laughed a little. As he comes back, she sighs getting in a better position to tell her story. ''No family at least i don't think so. Abandoned when i was one on the streets leaving me with a bracelet saying my name. Homeless people looked after me passing me around from time to time. Hid me from people who wanted to take me away. I grew up on the streets, my powers came out and some kid trained me and we became fast friends. He became my brother and i love him endlessly although...once he knows about me going to the Brotherhood he'll probably leave me behind like everyone else has. I needed money...so i began dancing at clubs. The Alliance of Evil found me as i killed a guy for no reason. Really should've covered up my tracks...'' Eris ran a hand through her hair.

''Then i got into more fights, involved with the crime business and that's pretty much it. Nothing interesting. Just killings, robbery and dancing. Standard.'' She winked and took a brownie, biting a small piece off. ''This Lakai chick seems like a big ass whore...and that's coming from a stripper.'' She smirked and grabbed the pen writing Chaos in curved writing and her number. ''That's my private number. Only you and my friend has it. I'll know it's you then. Call me whenever ya need me.'' She points out and smiled, staring at the man in front of her.

"It is clean! I soaped and washed them before I serve." He said, laughing as he went back at the kitchen. Neal was fixing something in the fridge as Eris began narrating her story. Neal paused for a while. He did experience abandonment. And unfortunately, his experiences did not came few and far between and were as awful as those endured by some mutants and perhaps Eris too.

Neal was now thinking about his biological parents, he sometimes tried to rationalize everything yet Neal was really bothered that many parents did get away with this cruel behavior, robbing others to have a real family -- free of over-wariness, fear, intimidation, torment, pain, and even loss of self-esteem.

Eris had finished her story. Brushing his thoughts aside, he yelled out so that she could hear. "Are you thirsty? I could get you something to drink? How about some tea?" He yelled. He had already gone and come back in the space of five seconds, and was back in the kitchen. Neal watched the kettle boil, and made two cups of tea. After bringing them back into the front room, he sat down and looked at her.

"Thanks" He said smiling at her as he took the paper where Eris wrote her number.  "Have some tea." He said pushing the cup towards her, as well as the sugar bowl. "Humans, according to my principle, may be killed and robbed practically without restriction." He said smiling at her gently and taking a sip of his own tea. Blowing on it first to cool it off.

"And you're dancing?" He smiled at her, showing a row of clean white teeth, before he took another sip of his tea. "You reminded me of..." He smiled at her, and pushed her cup closer again. "Never mind." He said smiling at her, and taking another brownie off of the plate and taking a large bite out of it.

Eris laughed at his words, sounding more carefree than usual. She listened to him do things in the kitchen, hearing him pause for a while. Must be memories.. She thought to herself and ran a hand through her hair. Leaning back in the chair, she laughs lightly as he yells. ''Tea would be great, thanks!'' She calls back still laughing.

Watching as he walked back in and takes the tea. Putting in some sugar, she warms up her hands making the tea much hotter. Sipping it, she smiles. ''Thank you.'' Grinning, she leans forward, resting her elbows on her knees. ''Yeah i'm a dancer...'' Eris shrugged softly and tilts her head at his pause. ''Who do i remind you of?'' Placing her cup down, she walks over to him and sits beside him with a smile. ''Don't go nevermind..'' She teases. ''You've sparked my curiosity!'' Laughing, she takes her own brownie and bites it, staring at Neal's cheek tempted to be cheeky.

"You reminded me of Loika." He finally said, leaving her as Eris leaned closer to Neal. He went to T.V. and sat in a wooden chair, staying on the local New York channel. So far nothing odd had happened. The weather channel said a cold front was moving into the area and they could expect an early frost this year.

"She's my first girlfriend. I met her in X-Institute. Yes. It's a shame! I was an X-Men before. We broke up because she believed I dumped her ass and when I came back, I found out a kielbasa that doesn't belong to me was been hiding in Loika's Farm basket." He said as he went back to Eris' place just to scarf down a brownie.

So Neal told her from beginning, he did leave some things out. He believed he already put the piece of the picture in a framework that would contain something understandable. There was no anger in the way Neal was thinking now, and he dindt expect it. Maybe, he was starting to learn how to move on.

Neal tried CNN and caught a flurry of national stuff and the day's sports. There was nothing about a billion-dollar drug bust. "So?" Neal coughed. "Where are you living right now?" He asked not looking at her.

Eris smiled and turned her attention to the weather channel for a short while. Biting back a growl of annoyance at the news of the early frost, she looks back at Neal. Listening to him talk, she frowns. ''You were at the institute? How odd. From the x students to the brotherhood.'' Raising her eyebrow for a short while before listening to the rest. ''Well that girl is definitely missing out.'' Eris tells Neal with a bright smile. The one that enticed most men.

Watching as he walked back to her old seat, she stares at him whilst he spoke. Looking at the channel change, she listened to everything around them. The cough that came from Neal caused her head to snap back to him. Sipping more of her tea, she sighs. ''I live in my dressing room at the club i work at but i may move soon.'' Eris told him with a quick shrug. Most of her movements were quick but graceful.

Neal sighed as he stood up. He stretched out on the couch. He was tired and sleepy, wishing for this lady to stay here even just for tonight. He was alone for the time being.

Neal was bit frustrated, both sexually and mentally. There's a chick in this room and he was not sure if he could made her kiss him. He hadn't had very good prey for a while, and he was pretty much pissed off at the world.

Neal let her eyes rest on her until the count of five, and then said quietly, "It's late?" He asked. "Are you going back to that dressing room?" And then he paused, looked away, and then came back to her.

Eris watched his every move like he's her prey. Smiling at him as he stretches, she gets up. Putting her hands above her head, she stretches ignoring the fact her stomach was on full show. Looking at the clock, she nods. ''That it is..'' Sighing at his question, she shook her head. ''Not allowed. There's this private party happening at the club and my boss said 'If ya ain't one of the dancers, ya ain't staying over'.'' Eris rolled her eyes with annoyance. ''So i'll probably just sleep on the streets near the club or sneak into my boss' place again.'' She shrugs and ruffles her hair. ''What will you be doing?'' She asks with a raise of her eyebrow.

Eris got up. It seemed she was ready to leave.

Neal immediately stood. "It is safer here than the streets, baby." He asked, feeling suddenly very dangerous, walking up behind Eris. He looked dangerous, his eyes were dark, and he felt himself wrap his arms around her waist, drawing her to him. He could feel the tension in his body that longed for release, and he was growing agitated, seeing this lovely woman.

The backdoor to any kind of romance. Have a one-night stand with the woman you want. Obviously, Neal liked her. Hopefully, he could successfully convert their bond to friends with benefits. And at the right time, he might use the "Where Is This Going?" if this works. Hopefully, that should lead to something more intimate affair.

"Why don't you give me a nice night?" He asked, his voice dark, his eyes darker, reaching forward and slowly taking her hand. "Even just for now..." He could feel his grip tightening as he smelt her hair, burying his face into her shoulder.

Eris stared at him with slight shock as he called her baby. Raising her eyebrow, she felt his arms wrap around her waist. Pressing her back against his chest, she sighed. ''Perhaps it is but the streets are home..'' She breathed out with uncertainty. She knew there was no escape. She was trapped.

Urging to burn him, she couldn't lose an ally like him. ''I don't fuck other people. Only one person.'' She admits turning so her golden and electric blue eyes pierced him. As he took her hand, she heated it up with fire. Frowning as he smelt her hair and buries his face in her shoulder. ''Sorry...But if ya wanted a good night, you could just ask a prostitute...'' She mutters softly, unsure of how to react to his touch. Her heart was beating fast with something she never felt before. Fear. Turning around in his tight grip, she looked up at him with doe like eyes.

"Streets are not home." He growled into her ear. "But you may call this home, if you want." He went pressed against her from behind, and one hand moved up her side, to her arm, and then up to her shoulder, before gently grabbing the side of her neck, touching the flesh there.

"Don't you want to run an experiment?" He asked, growling into her ear again, his other hand dipping from her waist to gently rub along her hip, holding onto her neck still, running his fingers lightly over the soft skin that graced her perfect throat. He didn't like the way she emitted heat from his hands as it was a sign of apprehension.

Neal could feel himself bristling. He hated when he got into these moods. Eris then turned around and looked at him. Neal's eyes were glaring into hers, watching as she noticed his bad mood, and still angering him further about the fact she said she's already taken. Jealous flared in his eyes.

"Come on, let's do this... I had never paid for sex in my life." He growled, looking exactly as dangerous as the pictures around town made him out to be. "No one will know..." He whispered, eyes staring hard into Eris'.

Eris glared. ''The streets are home.'' She growled out and shook her head feeling his hand against her neck. A swarm of memories built up in her mind and her body gradually began heating up with anger, fear and annoyance. ''What experiment would that be?'' She inquires tensing as he rubbed her hip.

Staring into his eyes, she growled. ''Why me!? There are some other ladies willing to have sex yet you pick the one that's taken? Tough luck, sweetcheeks.'' She wriggles out of his arms and stares at him, wary. ''We ain't doing shit. I can get one of my colleagues. She's a lot prettier than me and she'll actually be willing.'' Eris says to him with a glare but there was a look of pride in her odd eyes as he wanted her. Standing up straight, she tilts her head at him.

Neal's eyes flashed, face-to-face, he ran his fingers over her neck in a lazy manner, she was not  giving into his touch. "Alright, alright..." He growled, suddenly grabbed her arm and used her wrist to spin her around, and pin her against the wall.  His face dipped down to very gently nibble at her throat, tasting the skin there, Neal felt the anger and annoying that flaring through her. "I'm not going to continue this." He whispered.

"If you don't want, it's okay." He growled against her throat, gently nibbling at the skin there, his teeth raking over the exposed skin. He removed his mouth from it's assault on her neck, and he leaned back to stare at her, his eyes raking her face for any sign of lust. He saw and admired pride in her eyes. "You may go now." He whispered as he moved farther, went to the door and opened it.

"Just don't forget our meeting." He said. Neal had realized just how frustrated he really was. His need to kiss something had been overwhelming. But maybe, he would just find other prey.

Eris groaned as he pinned her against the wall. She let him assault her neck with great reluctance but she couldn't help feel pride. It was an instinct for her. Cracking her neck as he opened the door. Her body radiated heat as she walked past him and she stood in the doorway, looking over her shoulder. ''Now you know how Lakai must've felt when you refused to have sex with her. Damn that must sting.'' A smirk formed on her face and she reached up touching his cheek.

Using the electricity around them, she made sure to cause a spark where she touched. Learning from past experience, it enticed men for more as she stared into their eyes and bit her lip. Leaning up, she softly kissed his cheek. ''I won't forget sweetcheeks.'' Her soft voice vibrated with a slight hint of cruelty but her eyes shone with pride. She then handed him another slip of paper that had her club name on it and a number. ''Call 'ere and you can get any prey ya want and if you need me, just ask for the Goddess of Chaos.'' Eris smirked, obviously a pride filled woman.

Neal took the paper that Eris gave to him. He crumpled it and threw away then looked at her. He couldn't help but smile even wider at her look of pride. Her eyes were sparkling and he embraced her around her neck. "Come on leave now before I changed my mind" He kissed her hair and laughed, pulling her onto her feet and wrapping his arm around her waist, pulling her close to him, and taking her hand in his, gently rocking back and forth. "Bye for now Chaos." He swung her around, laughed, opened the door as he gently pushed her outside the chamber.

"Yes and about the meeting... We will be fearsome, the world will cower before us! We will take over, and we will exact our revenge!" He laughed merrily, his eyes twinkling as he held the door knob. "Good Night!" He said excitedly, and then leaned down, capturing her lips in his and then closed the door.