HOME | DD

Description
body div#devskin0 hr { }

It’d been over two years since Adder had started staying with Mason and Ashton. They’d been able to keep her a secret during the rest of their freshmen year. And then, by the skin of Ashton’s teeth they both managed the grades their fathers wanted and were able to look for a flat off campus. They’d found a decent three bedroom one bath flat. Their parents were a tad confused why they were looking for three bedrooms and neither bothered really explaining it. After all they both agreed telling their families they were going to have an underage girl as a roommate wouldn’t go over very well. Adder had kicked in with bills between money she got from fights and she’d managed to find a legal job it just paid under the table. After all she didn’t have any real identification having lived on the streets most of her life, heck she couldn’t even probably tell you what her birth name was anymore. The three oddly enough got along rather well in the apartment. Ashton And Mason had rooms on one side of the shared living space and Adder had the bedroom next to the bathroom on the opposite side of the space. There was occasional arguments in regards to what to watch on television, but they were minor. Tiffany was the only person that knew Adder was roommates with the boys, since Tiffany spent every other weekend and vacations at the flat with Ashton the pair getting rather serious.
having grown up on the streets and having no one in her life birthdays and other holidays just didn’t have the same kind of meaning they did to Ashton and Mason. So she didn’t think anything of the fact that today was her birthday but both the boys were going to be going out. Tiffany had driven over from London for the double date which apparently Mason was being setup on a blind date. Adder did find that part amusing. In Ashton's typical fashion he’d dragged his feet on getting ready which had annoyed Mason causing for him to be delayed in getting ready too. Tiffany had arrived about twenty minutes ago and sat on the sofa crossing her legs wearing a pair of fitting black slacks and white short sleeve top that had an empire waist cut to it. She could hear Ashton in his bedroom and Mason in the shower. “I swear if I didn’t have to drive up from London I’d claim these two take more time than I do to get ready.”, Tiffany sighed shaking her head. Adder smiled from where she lounged on the loveseat watching television. “Ah t’ink t’ey still take longer.”, she joked. The bathroom door had opened and Mason walked out his hair still dripping wet holding a white towel around his waist. He’d lived with a little sister and now with Adder to the point modesty in that aspect didn't really factor into his mind. “I’d have been ready hours ago but someone...Ashton...used all the hot water.”, Mason defending coughing Ashton’s name as he made his way to his room.
Adder turned her head a little to watch Mason walk through the room in nothing more than a towel. When they’d first became roommates she didn’t think twice about either of the boys. She still didn't think twice about Ashton. But she privately did have to admit that Mason was a very attractive guy. “Well excuse me for preferring a really hot shower.”, Ashton shouted walking out of his room in his black slacks and a green dress shirt trying to tie his black tie. Tiffany rolled her eyes. “Old married couple these two. Come here love you are murdering that tie.”, Tiffany teased getting. She walked over to Ashton slapped his hands away and tied the tie for him. “There.”, she said with a nod. Adder laughed and stretched on the loveseat enjoying just relaxing. “I don’t even know why I’ve agreed to this blind date. I’m perfectly capable of getting laid on my own.”, Mason called from his room. “This isn’t about getting laid mate. When was the last girlfriend you had? Eleventh grade? And when was the last date you went on?”, Tiffany demanded. “Are we not counting the month I dated Veronica in grade twelve?”, Mason asked through his door. “NO!”, Tiffany and Ashton said in unison.Adder raised an eyebrow. "Veronica?", Adder questioned. "Horrible girl. If not for concern of being exposed as a mutant and probably arrested I'd have bitten the trollop and watched her die from my venom.", Tiffany grumbled. Mason laughed stepping out of his room in black slacks and a dark blue button up holding a white tie and a silver one. "She wasn’t that....", he tried to defend but stopped getting angry looks from Tiffany and Ashton. "That bird was no good and why you have her time of day I don't know. You even admitted she was a terrible shag.". Ashton said.
Mason shrugged. "Which one white or silver?", he questioned holding the ties up. Adder chuckled and watched the old friends argue over how terrible the ex-girlfriend was. She looked over at Mason and tilted her head. "Silver.", she stated. "Thanks Adder.", Mason said putting the white aside and unlike Ashton got his tie on with no difficulties. "So what are your plans for the evening? Throw a wild party while the boys are away?", Tiffany teased a little. "Oh you know it. Invite people over, drink all t’eir liquor, tras’ t’e place.", she teased. "Really t’ough, mate. Ah might go out an' make some quid.", Adder shrugged. Tiffany laughed grabbing her jacket and tossing Ashton and Mason theirs."Don't drink all my liquor.", Ashton warned getting his jacket on. Mason rolled his eyes getting his jacket on. "Clean up if you trash the place. And don't get in too much trouble, pet.", he teased giving her a kiss on the top of her head. Adder didn’t read much into the kiss because he did that often to her kind of like he often did to his little sister when growing up. Adder chuckled and leaned up a bit, patting his arm. "Promise Ah won't, mate. You two 'ave a good night.", she said settling back into the couch, relaxing. "Stay out all night mate, 'ave some fun in life.", she teased. She waved at them and flipped through the channels. "Go ta t’e fig’ts tonight... Or jus stay home..", she pondered to herself
Tiffany, Ashton and Mason walked down the stairs from the apartment and to the street. “So how long do we give it before we go back in and surprise her?”, Tiffany asked as they walked, looping her arm with Ashton’s. “Let’s go to the bakery and get the cake then you can drop me off and go pick up Ollie and Andy. Then give me about fifteen minutes before you come upstairs.”, Mason explained. Ashton raised an eyebrow. “Fifteen minutes is all you need alone with your pet?”, he teased. Mason rolled his eyes. “It’s not like that I don’t know how many times I can say it.”, Mason sighed shaking his head. “Well she’s legal as of today. Before when you said it she wasn’t legal, so of course you were supposed to say that.”, Ashton said. “Legal or not doesn’t change that she’s still my friend. I wouldn’t think of her like that.”, Mason said hitting Ashton in the side as they walked. “Oh right because you would never think about her sexually. Nope of course not. So just my imagination that you look at her legs when she’s in a pair of shorts, especially when she stretches out on the sofa and puts her legs over your lap.”, Ashton teased. Mason shook his head. “She’s a kid Ashton. And out roommate. Sixteen may be legal age of consent in the kingdom doesn’t mean it’s what I consider legal age. Now drop this talk.”, Mason said as they reached the bakery. Tiffany rolled her eyes. “Seriously these two just need to date.”, she whispered to Ashton. Ashton smiled. “You think? Lord I’m the one that has to live with that tension.”, Ashton whispered back while Mason collected the cake. “Alright so you two go get Ollie and Andy and I’m going to head back to the flat so she gets her gift from us.”, Mason said giving a wave and parting ways with his friends.
He’d only been gone maybe half an hour when he walked back in and hung his jacket up and loosened his tie slightly. Adder look over and raise an eyebrow. "Well, t’at seemed ta crash an burn t’en?", she commented. "Rather quickly. Not sure what Tiffany was thinking. Zero in common, complete bore.”, Mason explained plopping onto the sofa. Adder chuckled and put her legs over his lap, laying down and getting comfortable. "Pretty good game on t’e telly.", she said pointing to the rugby match she was watching. "That so? Who's winning England or Scotland?", he asked looking to the rugby match "Scotland.," she said. "Well that's no good.", he chuckled. "Maybe England can turn it around. You been in your room at all since we left?", he asked trying to be casual. "Not really, just been watching the game. Ya were gone fer like, ‘alf an ‘our mate.", Adder said shaking her head. Mason nodded and glanced at his watch. "Do me a favor and check your room.", he requested. Adder raised an eyebrow but got up. "What's goin on?", she asked, heading over to her room. Mason didn't ask much of her so she figured she should do as he asked.
Mason got up from the couch and followed her leaning on the door jam. On her bed a longish black box with a silver ribbon and a handwritten tag that said 'happy sweet 16'. Inside Mason knew was the dress he'd seen her peering at, every time they passed the boutique up the street. Adder never was really into dresses. But there was just this one she always glanced at when they passed it. She didn't really like dresses at all but something about that one... She liked it. She blinked and walked over, raising an eyebrow. "Happy... Mason.", she said, looking over and chuckling. "Ya didn't 'ave ta. Ah nearly forgot about it myself...", she said as she undid the bow, opening the box and blinking. Mason smiled. "I don't forget my friends birthdays. Ashton, Tiffany and I went in on the gift.", he explained. "And it's not often I see you take an interest in clothes let alone a dress.", he added. "Still mate, t’is was a bit expensive... and Ah don't got a place to wear it..", she said shaking head. He always found ways to dote on her and it was hard to refuse. "We split the cost three ways. So not too bad. And I'll shut the door and you can put it on now.", he smiled closing her door as Tiffany, Ashton, Ollie and Andy entered the flat.
She shook her head and rolled her eyes, but she obeyed. She undressed and pulled on the dress, chuckling that he got the right size. She smoothed it out then headed out, blinking as she saw the people. "Mason, the fuk is goin on mate?", she demanded. "Happy Birthday Adder!", they yelled. Andy and Ollie set their gifts on the table while Ashton and Tiffany held a birthday cake with sixteen sparkler like candles lit. "We surprise you mate?", Mason asked smiling. Adder blinked and looked at Mason in shock as he talked. "Fuck yeah ya did, ya twit!", she said hitting his arm playfully. "Mason, ya didn't... none of ya really needed ta.", Adder said looking at the others. Mason laughed. "You really thought I'd let anyone set me up on a date? Oh pet you haven't been paying attention. Now blow out your candles or do we gotta sing happy birthday.", Mason retorted. "We wanted to Adder. It's your birthday. And sixteen is a big one mate.", Tiffany said "Yeah next big one is 18 when we can get you in the pub.", Ashton teased Adder chuckled and nodded at them, blowing out the candles. Tiffany and Ashton set the cake down to serve up. "Happy birthday mate.", Andy and Oliver greeted with smiles giving her a hug each and offering their small gifts. They weren't exactly sure what to give her. Andy got her a card and just put cash in it. Olivier did try having gotten her a pool stick since he generally lost on pool to her.
“T’anks everyone. Ya really didn’t need to do t’is.”, Adder said shaking her head as she took the gifts. “We wanted to though.”, Tiffany said offering a plate with a slice of cake. “Well Ah admit t’is mig’t be t’e first birt’day Ah’ve celebrated.”, she shrugged setting the gifts down in favor of taking the slice of cake. “Yes well it won’t be the last mate.”, Mason said taking a plate of cake and grabbing two pints from the fridge handing her one. Adder smiled it was odd having friends, having people that actually cared. She wondered if this was how it felt to have family. She knew Mason did random nice things for his sister Gabrielle and his parents, so he was treating her as he treated his family. They say you don’t get to choose family, but for Adder she’d always chosen to not have family since obviously her actual family hadn’t wanted her. But now as she looked around eating her cake, which Mason had gotten her favorite strawberry, she realized that it was weird and unconventional how they came together but this was her family. Even Oliver and Andy were like those cousins that showed up and did crazy things, while Ashton was totally the obnoxious big brother, Tiffany the blunt but fun sister, and then there was Mason. He took care of her, he had helped her find a legit job even if it was under the table pay. He’d saved her skin a number of times. And then he’d offered her a home and treated her as his equal. She wasn’t sure if she would ever be able to repay the debt she had with him.
“Well open our gifts.”, Ollie encouraged. “Oh rig’t.”, she said setting down the beer and the empty plate picking up the card first. She read the card which was rather generic just saying ‘Happy Birthday’, but smiled seeing the fifty note inside. “T’anks Andy.”, she said setting the card and money aside to pick up the wrapped gift. It was an oddly shaped gift. She pulled back the paper and laughed seeing the cue case and popped it open to find a cue inside Ollie had certainly put some thought into it at least as the cue was designed to look like ivory snakeskin. “T’anks Ollie. Ah’ll use it next time Ah wipe the floor wit’ you or one of t’e ot’ers in pool.”, she chuckled putting the cue away carefully. “I’ve been practicing. One of these days I am going to win.”, Ollie said with a smile. “I wish you luck mate. She beats me all the time and I’m better than you.”, Ashton teased. “Yea’ well t’e only one of ya t’at any good at t’e game is Mason.”, Adder said picking up her beer again. Mason shrugged. “I’ve just got skills. You’ve won against me a couple times.”, he defended. “Yea’ but not as many times as Ah beaten t’em.”, she answered. “Well maybe now with your own cue instead of a borrowed one from the hall you have a better chance of beating our dear Mason.”, Tiffany said.
The group chatted and someone turned on some music as they hung out. Adder ended up finding her way to the couch wanting to just sit for a minute. She felt a tad overdressed for just hanging out at the flat. Tiffany walked over and sat down on the couch next to her. “So between you and me, when you going to tell Mason?”, Tiffany asked bluntly. Adder raised an eyebrow. “Tell Mason w’at?”,she questioned. “That you like him as more than a friend. That you’d like to know him a more biblical sense…”, Tiffany said with a smirk. Adder shook her head. “Ya got it wrong mate. Mason my mate, heck my best mate.”, she defended. “Right and you watched him earlier walk from the bathroom to his bedroom in just the towel was a friendly glance?”, she teased. “It’s not like t’at…. Ah was… just…”, Adder tried to find some grounds to excuse herself. “It was window s’oppping. Ah admit Mason a good looking guy. But he’s my best mate, my roommate, he doesn’t see me like t’at, and he’s so far out of my league it ain’t funny.”, Adder settled on just owning it to a point. Tiffany raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean out of your league? What are the parameters for this league?”, she inquired. “He’s well breed, from money, educated, attractive, c’arming, compassionate, and ‘as a brig’t future all lined up.”, she explained.
“And?”, Tiffany questioned. “Ah ain’t good enoug’ for him. Ah’m a street rat, Ah ain’t got no family, Ah don’t even remember w’at my real name is anymore, Ah am a dropout from school, Ah’m not a looker by any means and Ah ain’t got no real future.”, she explained with a sigh. “Adder you know Mason just like I do. He never thinks or looks at that kind of stuff. He doesn’t care about your past. None of us do. And you could go back to school if you wanted. If school isn’t really what you want to do you could just study up and take one of those equivalency exams so you can have that documentation that you’ve finished your education.”, she suggested. “Maybe Ah will. But doesn’t mean Ah’ll be walking up to Mason and asking him out. he doesn’t see me like t’at. Ah’m a little sister type to him. And Ah ain’t lookin to rock t’at boat. So let’s drop t’e subject.”, Adder sighed looking over at Mason who was laughing with Ashton and the boys. Mason looked over seeing Tiffany and Adder looking at him and smiled giving a slight nod of his beer before taking a sip and returning to his conversation. “Well it’s up to you I suppose. But I’ve known Mason almost my whole life and personally I say you’re a good match. But won’t bring it up...for a while at least.”, Tiffany teased.
“Come on we are dressed up nice let’s go somewhere fun.”, Tiffany said standing up. Adder sighed shaking her head getting up. “We leaving now?”, Mason asked seeing them getting up. “Yeah I think we’ve had enough of hanging around the flat in our nice clothes.”, Tiffany said. “Alright well come on then.”, Mason said grabbing jackets. “Wait it was part of t’e plan to go out?”, Adder questioned taking her jacket and slipping it out along with a pair of her heeled black ankle boots. “Yeah. You thought I’d say put on the nice new dress just to lounge around the flat? Come on mate, we’re going to Lava & Ignite.”, Mason chuckled a little tightening his tie again before getting his jacket on. Adder rolled her eyes. “Ah wondered. Rat’er nice dress to wear round t’e flat.”, she teased. Ollie and Andy had already started out the door. Ashton grabbed his jacket and Tiffany’s as they walked out. “Let’s go have some fun.”, Mason said putting an arm around Adder’s shoulders and heading out of the flat locking up as they caught up with the rest of the group and walked the distance to the club. Adder’s hand had to be stamped to indicate she wasn’t allowed to drink. But she still planned to have some fun. Tiffany took her out to the dance floor to dance since Ashton was adamant about his two left feet.
While dancing with Tiffany a couple of guys approached them. “Hey there, two pretty birds like you shouldn’t be out here dancing alone. Want some company?”, one asked smiling. Tiffany shook her head. “Nah mate, my bloke is over at the table. He’s more about watching me dance than making a fool of himself trying to himself.”, Tiffany answered. “Well his loss. Still doesn’t mean you and your friend can’t dance with us.”, the other commented. “Yeah well it means I ain’t gonna dance with you.”, Tiffany stated. “Alright well what about your cute friend? One of those blokes at that table here with you sweetheart?”, he asked turning his attention to Adder. Adder glanced over to the table of guys and looked at Mason then back at the guy asking to dance. “No mate. None of t’em are mine. So why not.”, Adder shrugged agreeing to dance with him. Tiffany wasn’t sure this was that good of an idea, but she couldn’t really tell Adder what to do or not to do. Maybe seeing Adder with someone would get Mason’s attention in a less friend way. Adder at least was enjoying have someone wanting to dance with her. Sure in the darkness it was probably harder for the guy to see the subtle scales on her shoulders.
“You have the most amazing colored eyes.”, the guy complimented. “Um, t’anks.”, Adder smiled. “So I heard your mates talking about it being your birthday. How old are you today?”, he asked as they danced. “Well...sixteen…”, she admitted. “Cool, I just turned seventeen last month. Your friends all look a bit older since they have drinks.”, he commented. “Um yeah they are twenty.”, she said glancing over her shoulder at the table, however it was down to just Ashton. She looked around the room and spotting Andy’s red hair first dancing with a girl and not far from him Ollie dancing with some girl. And she keeping looking around and finally spotted Mason he was dancing with Tiffany. Adder smiled, of course he was dancing with his friend so she didn’t feel alone since Ashton wouldn't dance. “Oh so you run with an older crowd.”, he commented. “Somet’ing like t’at. T’ey are a good lot of friends to ‘ave.”, Adder said looking back at the guy. “Think they’d miss you too much if we ducked out for some air?”, he asked. Adder raised an eyebrow. “Um I don’t really need any air. So you can go if you want. I’ll just head to the table and get some water.”, she said. “Wasn't really a request.”, he stated tightening his grip on her arm. Adder scoffed and laughed. “Really arse’ole? Ya seriously misjudged me. Don’t let my size or t’is dress fool ya. Take your ‘and away and ya won’t get ‘urt. Don’t remove your ‘and t’en Ah’ll remove it for ya.”, Adder warned narrowing her copper eyes at him.
The guy didn’t apparently take her seriously and started to try and pull her to the side door. Mason couldn’t exactly see what was going on from where he was on the dance floor but something didn’t seem right about Adder heading off the dance floor away from their table. Ashton was actually the one with the best vantage point and got up from the table pushing through the crowd seeing the guy trying to pull Adder. “I doubt you are going to try a cause a scene in a public place like this...mutant scum.”, the guy said nodding to his friend who was waiting by the door. “Mutant filth like you are why our church is gaining round. We good god fearing civilized people are done having freaks like you in our towns.”, he said. “Let me go NOW!”, Adder bellowed. Ashton moved around and flanked the one holding the door punching him solid in the face knocking him out. “I’d listen to her mate. She’ll kick your ass before I get the chance.”, Ashton said folding his arms across his chest blocking the exit. “You’d protect this filth? This mutant trash?”, he questioned. Ashton shrugged keeping the guy’s attention on him. Adder brought her other hand around and grasped the guy’s arm digging her nails in releasing a small amount of toxin that wouldn't kill him in the dose she was giving. “Ah told ya to let me go.”, she hissed as his eyes glossed over and he collapsed to the ground. Adder looked around to see if anyone had noticed them, Ashton was just grabbing the collars of the two guys dragging them out the door. Adder followed along behind him.
“So w’at we do wit’ t’em now?”, she asked. “Simple we let the cops take them.”, Ashton said pulling his phone out calling for the police. “Oxford police department what is the nature of your emergency?”, the dispatcher answered. “I’m in the alley behind Lava & Ignite. Two men were trying to abduct a girl. I knocked on out, the other had some syringe or something with a drug in it, he was going to use it on the girl...she...she managed to turn the needle to him...he got a dose of whatever it was and he’s out. His eyes got all glossy. I think he might need a hospital..”, Ashton said his voice sounding frantic though the expression on his face he looked rather bored. Adder tried to not laugh at the difference between his voice and his expression. “We’ll have an ambulance and car sent to your location. Just stay where you are.”, the dispatcher said. “Alright. We will stay right here.”, he said hanging up. “So ‘ow ya plan to explain telling them bout a syringe w’en we ain’t got one?”, she questioned. “Sure we do…”, Ashton said going to the dumpster and leaning in. “Trust the druggies of Oxford…”, he said pulling out a syringe using a handkerchief to not have his prints on it and popping the top off. “Put some of your venom that you used on him in here. Not much just a little.”, he instructed. Adder nodded and did as he asked. With a small amount of venom in the syringe he pushed the plunger mostly down and then stuck it into guy’s arm where her nail had dug in to deliver the venom. Now it looked like he’d described to the dispatcher.
Mason saw Ashton punch someone and with Tiffany made their way to the door stepping outside just as the lights and sirens were pulling up. “What the hell happened?”, Mason asked putting an arm on Adder’s shoulder. “You alright mate?”, he asked. Adder nodded, but as the constable started to walk over she knew she had to play her part in the story Ashton had written and turned into Mason forcing herself to cry some and shake. “So what all this then?”, the officer asked as the medics got to the one with the needle in his arm. “It’s like I called in. these two men were trying to force my friend here out the door there. I stepped in and punched that one. But this one had that syringe full of god knows what in his hand and was going to stick her with it. She fought him back and in the tussle the needle ended up in his arm instead. His eyes went glossy then he hit the ground. I don’t even know what they wanted I just knew wasn’t going to let them take my friend anywhere against her will.”, Ashton explained. The officer looked at Adder. “Miss can you tell me what happened. Mason was certain that Adder was just playing a part and so he played his rubbing her back. “It’s alright pet. Go ahead and tell the officer what happened.”, Mason encouraged.
Adder nodded a little sniffling before turning to the officer. “In t’e club t’ese two came up to me and her and wanted to dance. She is ‘ere wit’ her bloke t’ere.”, she said pointing to Ashton. “So she said no. Ah’m ‘ere celebrating my birt’day so Ah said sure. Ah danced wit’ t’is one.”, she said pointing to the one getting medical attention. “He asked if Ah wanted to go get some air. Ah said Ah would rat’er just go get a drink of water and sit wit’ my mates at t’e table. He grabbed my arm ‘ard and started pulling me to t’e door.”, she said holding out her arm which did have a slight bruising. “His mate was t’ere ‘olding t’e door. Ah yelled for him ta let me go. He told me he’d make he s’ut up and got out t’at needle. My mate stepped in and punched the one guy. And Ah tried to fig’t back to get t’e needle away from me. It ended up in his arm then he just kind of collapsed. T’en my mate t’ere called for ‘elp.”, Adder said still sniffling. The officer wrote it all down nodded. “Well I’m grateful that your friend here stepped in. We’ve had a rash of young girls being abducted here as of late. And because of your bravery young lady we might have finally caught the guys responsible. I hope you can still enjoy your birthday miss.”, he said with a tip of his hat as they cuffed the other and got him into the car and the ambulance took the one who’d been dosed with venom away. Adder took a breath and wiped away her tears. “Alright so I think I’ve had enough excitement for my birthday.”, she chuckled. Mason laughed shaking his head. “Next time we go to a club you dance with me or one of the other guys alright pet?”, Mason stated. “Sure mate.”, she chuckled. “So other girls have gone missing...“, Mason sighed his serious face on. “You want to do something about it?”, Ashton questioned.
“Maybe. I mean I don’t know…”, Mason sighed. “If t’ose are t’e two or t’er church is be’ind it t’ose girls are mutants that got took.”, Adder said. Mason raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean they are mutants? You sure?”, he asked. Adder nodded. “T’at bloke t’at was trying to take me, called me ‘mutant filth’ and said mutants are why his church is gaining round. T’at t’ey ‘good god fearing civilized people are done ‘aving freaks like me in t’eir towns.’.”, she quoted. “Yeah he did ask why I’d want to defend ‘mutant trash’.”, Ashton nodded. Mason let out a heavy sigh. “Alright then we do something. I will not stand by while mutants are getting hurt in my town. Adder you’re on the streets more. Be sneaky, see what dirt you can dig up on this church. Ashton want you to check with your contacts at the local papers, see if there are any stories they are currently writing about these abductions and what they know. I’m going to follow up with the constables and see what I can pull via dad on these two idiots and see what connections they have.”, Mason instructed. “And it begins…”, Ashton sighed. “I’m not staring hellfire. I can’t because I’m not a Shaw. But we’ve got to do something Ash and you know it.”, Mason said looking at his friend. Ashton nodded. “Alright mate. We protect our own and right now Oxford is our home. So let’s take care of some trash.”, Ashton agreed. “Ah’m in. Ah’ll find out anyt’ing Ah can. Ah’m all for taking down more scums like t’ose two.”, Adder agreed. “I may not live in Oxford but I’ll check around back in London see if this is happening elsewhere too.”, Tiffany offered. Mason had been raised with the sense of responsibility to his fellow mutants, his parents and Ashton’s parents had once run the London branch of the Hellfire Club. And Mason had always wanted to relaunch it, to help the mutants in the United Kingdom. But without a Shaw to give the okay to start working under the Hellfire brand he couldn’t. He could however help this way.

Description
body div#devskin0 hr { }

It’d been over two years since Adder had started staying with Mason and Ashton. They’d been able to keep her a secret during the rest of their freshmen year. And then, by the skin of Ashton’s teeth they both managed the grades their fathers wanted and were able to look for a flat off campus. They’d found a decent three bedroom one bath flat. Their parents were a tad confused why they were looking for three bedrooms and neither bothered really explaining it. After all they both agreed telling their families they were going to have an underage girl as a roommate wouldn’t go over very well. Adder had kicked in with bills between money she got from fights and she’d managed to find a legal job it just paid under the table. After all she didn’t have any real identification having lived on the streets most of her life, heck she couldn’t even probably tell you what her birth name was anymore. The three oddly enough got along rather well in the apartment. Ashton And Mason had rooms on one side of the shared living space and Adder had the bedroom next to the bathroom on the opposite side of the space. There was occasional arguments in regards to what to watch on television, but they were minor. Tiffany was the only person that knew Adder was roommates with the boys, since Tiffany spent every other weekend and vacations at the flat with Ashton the pair getting rather serious.
having grown up on the streets and having no one in her life birthdays and other holidays just didn’t have the same kind of meaning they did to Ashton and Mason. So she didn’t think anything of the fact that today was her birthday but both the boys were going to be going out. Tiffany had driven over from London for the double date which apparently Mason was being setup on a blind date. Adder did find that part amusing. In Ashton's typical fashion he’d dragged his feet on getting ready which had annoyed Mason causing for him to be delayed in getting ready too. Tiffany had arrived about twenty minutes ago and sat on the sofa crossing her legs wearing a pair of fitting black slacks and white short sleeve top that had an empire waist cut to it. She could hear Ashton in his bedroom and Mason in the shower. “I swear if I didn’t have to drive up from London I’d claim these two take more time than I do to get ready.”, Tiffany sighed shaking her head. Adder smiled from where she lounged on the loveseat watching television. “Ah t’ink t’ey still take longer.”, she joked. The bathroom door had opened and Mason walked out his hair still dripping wet holding a white towel around his waist. He’d lived with a little sister and now with Adder to the point modesty in that aspect didn't really factor into his mind. “I’d have been ready hours ago but someone...Ashton...used all the hot water.”, Mason defending coughing Ashton’s name as he made his way to his room.
Adder turned her head a little to watch Mason walk through the room in nothing more than a towel. When they’d first became roommates she didn’t think twice about either of the boys. She still didn't think twice about Ashton. But she privately did have to admit that Mason was a very attractive guy. “Well excuse me for preferring a really hot shower.”, Ashton shouted walking out of his room in his black slacks and a green dress shirt trying to tie his black tie. Tiffany rolled her eyes. “Old married couple these two. Come here love you are murdering that tie.”, Tiffany teased getting. She walked over to Ashton slapped his hands away and tied the tie for him. “There.”, she said with a nod. Adder laughed and stretched on the loveseat enjoying just relaxing. “I don’t even know why I’ve agreed to this blind date. I’m perfectly capable of getting laid on my own.”, Mason called from his room. “This isn’t about getting laid mate. When was the last girlfriend you had? Eleventh grade? And when was the last date you went on?”, Tiffany demanded. “Are we not counting the month I dated Veronica in grade twelve?”, Mason asked through his door. “NO!”, Tiffany and Ashton said in unison.Adder raised an eyebrow. "Veronica?", Adder questioned. "Horrible girl. If not for concern of being exposed as a mutant and probably arrested I'd have bitten the trollop and watched her die from my venom.", Tiffany grumbled. Mason laughed stepping out of his room in black slacks and a dark blue button up holding a white tie and a silver one. "She wasn’t that....", he tried to defend but stopped getting angry looks from Tiffany and Ashton. "That bird was no good and why you have her time of day I don't know. You even admitted she was a terrible shag.". Ashton said.
Mason shrugged. "Which one white or silver?", he questioned holding the ties up. Adder chuckled and watched the old friends argue over how terrible the ex-girlfriend was. She looked over at Mason and tilted her head. "Silver.", she stated. "Thanks Adder.", Mason said putting the white aside and unlike Ashton got his tie on with no difficulties. "So what are your plans for the evening? Throw a wild party while the boys are away?", Tiffany teased a little. "Oh you know it. Invite people over, drink all t’eir liquor, tras’ t’e place.", she teased. "Really t’ough, mate. Ah might go out an' make some quid.", Adder shrugged. Tiffany laughed grabbing her jacket and tossing Ashton and Mason theirs."Don't drink all my liquor.", Ashton warned getting his jacket on. Mason rolled his eyes getting his jacket on. "Clean up if you trash the place. And don't get in too much trouble, pet.", he teased giving her a kiss on the top of her head. Adder didn’t read much into the kiss because he did that often to her kind of like he often did to his little sister when growing up. Adder chuckled and leaned up a bit, patting his arm. "Promise Ah won't, mate. You two 'ave a good night.", she said settling back into the couch, relaxing. "Stay out all night mate, 'ave some fun in life.", she teased. She waved at them and flipped through the channels. "Go ta t’e fig’ts tonight... Or jus stay home..", she pondered to herself
Tiffany, Ashton and Mason walked down the stairs from the apartment and to the street. “So how long do we give it before we go back in and surprise her?”, Tiffany asked as they walked, looping her arm with Ashton’s. “Let’s go to the bakery and get the cake then you can drop me off and go pick up Ollie and Andy. Then give me about fifteen minutes before you come upstairs.”, Mason explained. Ashton raised an eyebrow. “Fifteen minutes is all you need alone with your pet?”, he teased. Mason rolled his eyes. “It’s not like that I don’t know how many times I can say it.”, Mason sighed shaking his head. “Well she’s legal as of today. Before when you said it she wasn’t legal, so of course you were supposed to say that.”, Ashton said. “Legal or not doesn’t change that she’s still my friend. I wouldn’t think of her like that.”, Mason said hitting Ashton in the side as they walked. “Oh right because you would never think about her sexually. Nope of course not. So just my imagination that you look at her legs when she’s in a pair of shorts, especially when she stretches out on the sofa and puts her legs over your lap.”, Ashton teased. Mason shook his head. “She’s a kid Ashton. And out roommate. Sixteen may be legal age of consent in the kingdom doesn’t mean it’s what I consider legal age. Now drop this talk.”, Mason said as they reached the bakery. Tiffany rolled her eyes. “Seriously these two just need to date.”, she whispered to Ashton. Ashton smiled. “You think? Lord I’m the one that has to live with that tension.”, Ashton whispered back while Mason collected the cake. “Alright so you two go get Ollie and Andy and I’m going to head back to the flat so she gets her gift from us.”, Mason said giving a wave and parting ways with his friends.
He’d only been gone maybe half an hour when he walked back in and hung his jacket up and loosened his tie slightly. Adder look over and raise an eyebrow. "Well, t’at seemed ta crash an burn t’en?", she commented. "Rather quickly. Not sure what Tiffany was thinking. Zero in common, complete bore.”, Mason explained plopping onto the sofa. Adder chuckled and put her legs over his lap, laying down and getting comfortable. "Pretty good game on t’e telly.", she said pointing to the rugby match she was watching. "That so? Who's winning England or Scotland?", he asked looking to the rugby match "Scotland.," she said. "Well that's no good.", he chuckled. "Maybe England can turn it around. You been in your room at all since we left?", he asked trying to be casual. "Not really, just been watching the game. Ya were gone fer like, ‘alf an ‘our mate.", Adder said shaking her head. Mason nodded and glanced at his watch. "Do me a favor and check your room.", he requested. Adder raised an eyebrow but got up. "What's goin on?", she asked, heading over to her room. Mason didn't ask much of her so she figured she should do as he asked.
Mason got up from the couch and followed her leaning on the door jam. On her bed a longish black box with a silver ribbon and a handwritten tag that said 'happy sweet 16'. Inside Mason knew was the dress he'd seen her peering at, every time they passed the boutique up the street. Adder never was really into dresses. But there was just this one she always glanced at when they passed it. She didn't really like dresses at all but something about that one... She liked it. She blinked and walked over, raising an eyebrow. "Happy... Mason.", she said, looking over and chuckling. "Ya didn't 'ave ta. Ah nearly forgot about it myself...", she said as she undid the bow, opening the box and blinking. Mason smiled. "I don't forget my friends birthdays. Ashton, Tiffany and I went in on the gift.", he explained. "And it's not often I see you take an interest in clothes let alone a dress.", he added. "Still mate, t’is was a bit expensive... and Ah don't got a place to wear it..", she said shaking head. He always found ways to dote on her and it was hard to refuse. "We split the cost three ways. So not too bad. And I'll shut the door and you can put it on now.", he smiled closing her door as Tiffany, Ashton, Ollie and Andy entered the flat.
She shook her head and rolled her eyes, but she obeyed. She undressed and pulled on the dress, chuckling that he got the right size. She smoothed it out then headed out, blinking as she saw the people. "Mason, the fuk is goin on mate?", she demanded. "Happy Birthday Adder!", they yelled. Andy and Ollie set their gifts on the table while Ashton and Tiffany held a birthday cake with sixteen sparkler like candles lit. "We surprise you mate?", Mason asked smiling. Adder blinked and looked at Mason in shock as he talked. "Fuck yeah ya did, ya twit!", she said hitting his arm playfully. "Mason, ya didn't... none of ya really needed ta.", Adder said looking at the others. Mason laughed. "You really thought I'd let anyone set me up on a date? Oh pet you haven't been paying attention. Now blow out your candles or do we gotta sing happy birthday.", Mason retorted. "We wanted to Adder. It's your birthday. And sixteen is a big one mate.", Tiffany said "Yeah next big one is 18 when we can get you in the pub.", Ashton teased Adder chuckled and nodded at them, blowing out the candles. Tiffany and Ashton set the cake down to serve up. "Happy birthday mate.", Andy and Oliver greeted with smiles giving her a hug each and offering their small gifts. They weren't exactly sure what to give her. Andy got her a card and just put cash in it. Olivier did try having gotten her a pool stick since he generally lost on pool to her.
“T’anks everyone. Ya really didn’t need to do t’is.”, Adder said shaking her head as she took the gifts. “We wanted to though.”, Tiffany said offering a plate with a slice of cake. “Well Ah admit t’is mig’t be t’e first birt’day Ah’ve celebrated.”, she shrugged setting the gifts down in favor of taking the slice of cake. “Yes well it won’t be the last mate.”, Mason said taking a plate of cake and grabbing two pints from the fridge handing her one. Adder smiled it was odd having friends, having people that actually cared. She wondered if this was how it felt to have family. She knew Mason did random nice things for his sister Gabrielle and his parents, so he was treating her as he treated his family. They say you don’t get to choose family, but for Adder she’d always chosen to not have family since obviously her actual family hadn’t wanted her. But now as she looked around eating her cake, which Mason had gotten her favorite strawberry, she realized that it was weird and unconventional how they came together but this was her family. Even Oliver and Andy were like those cousins that showed up and did crazy things, while Ashton was totally the obnoxious big brother, Tiffany the blunt but fun sister, and then there was Mason. He took care of her, he had helped her find a legit job even if it was under the table pay. He’d saved her skin a number of times. And then he’d offered her a home and treated her as his equal. She wasn’t sure if she would ever be able to repay the debt she had with him.
“Well open our gifts.”, Ollie encouraged. “Oh rig’t.”, she said setting down the beer and the empty plate picking up the card first. She read the card which was rather generic just saying ‘Happy Birthday’, but smiled seeing the fifty note inside. “T’anks Andy.”, she said setting the card and money aside to pick up the wrapped gift. It was an oddly shaped gift. She pulled back the paper and laughed seeing the cue case and popped it open to find a cue inside Ollie had certainly put some thought into it at least as the cue was designed to look like ivory snakeskin. “T’anks Ollie. Ah’ll use it next time Ah wipe the floor wit’ you or one of t’e ot’ers in pool.”, she chuckled putting the cue away carefully. “I’ve been practicing. One of these days I am going to win.”, Ollie said with a smile. “I wish you luck mate. She beats me all the time and I’m better than you.”, Ashton teased. “Yea’ well t’e only one of ya t’at any good at t’e game is Mason.”, Adder said picking up her beer again. Mason shrugged. “I’ve just got skills. You’ve won against me a couple times.”, he defended. “Yea’ but not as many times as Ah beaten t’em.”, she answered. “Well maybe now with your own cue instead of a borrowed one from the hall you have a better chance of beating our dear Mason.”, Tiffany said.
The group chatted and someone turned on some music as they hung out. Adder ended up finding her way to the couch wanting to just sit for a minute. She felt a tad overdressed for just hanging out at the flat. Tiffany walked over and sat down on the couch next to her. “So between you and me, when you going to tell Mason?”, Tiffany asked bluntly. Adder raised an eyebrow. “Tell Mason w’at?”,she questioned. “That you like him as more than a friend. That you’d like to know him a more biblical sense…”, Tiffany said with a smirk. Adder shook her head. “Ya got it wrong mate. Mason my mate, heck my best mate.”, she defended. “Right and you watched him earlier walk from the bathroom to his bedroom in just the towel was a friendly glance?”, she teased. “It’s not like t’at…. Ah was… just…”, Adder tried to find some grounds to excuse herself. “It was window s’oppping. Ah admit Mason a good looking guy. But he’s my best mate, my roommate, he doesn’t see me like t’at, and he’s so far out of my league it ain’t funny.”, Adder settled on just owning it to a point. Tiffany raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean out of your league? What are the parameters for this league?”, she inquired. “He’s well breed, from money, educated, attractive, c’arming, compassionate, and ‘as a brig’t future all lined up.”, she explained.
“And?”, Tiffany questioned. “Ah ain’t good enoug’ for him. Ah’m a street rat, Ah ain’t got no family, Ah don’t even remember w’at my real name is anymore, Ah am a dropout from school, Ah’m not a looker by any means and Ah ain’t got no real future.”, she explained with a sigh. “Adder you know Mason just like I do. He never thinks or looks at that kind of stuff. He doesn’t care about your past. None of us do. And you could go back to school if you wanted. If school isn’t really what you want to do you could just study up and take one of those equivalency exams so you can have that documentation that you’ve finished your education.”, she suggested. “Maybe Ah will. But doesn’t mean Ah’ll be walking up to Mason and asking him out. he doesn’t see me like t’at. Ah’m a little sister type to him. And Ah ain’t lookin to rock t’at boat. So let’s drop t’e subject.”, Adder sighed looking over at Mason who was laughing with Ashton and the boys. Mason looked over seeing Tiffany and Adder looking at him and smiled giving a slight nod of his beer before taking a sip and returning to his conversation. “Well it’s up to you I suppose. But I’ve known Mason almost my whole life and personally I say you’re a good match. But won’t bring it up...for a while at least.”, Tiffany teased.
“Come on we are dressed up nice let’s go somewhere fun.”, Tiffany said standing up. Adder sighed shaking her head getting up. “We leaving now?”, Mason asked seeing them getting up. “Yeah I think we’ve had enough of hanging around the flat in our nice clothes.”, Tiffany said. “Alright well come on then.”, Mason said grabbing jackets. “Wait it was part of t’e plan to go out?”, Adder questioned taking her jacket and slipping it out along with a pair of her heeled black ankle boots. “Yeah. You thought I’d say put on the nice new dress just to lounge around the flat? Come on mate, we’re going to Lava & Ignite.”, Mason chuckled a little tightening his tie again before getting his jacket on. Adder rolled her eyes. “Ah wondered. Rat’er nice dress to wear round t’e flat.”, she teased. Ollie and Andy had already started out the door. Ashton grabbed his jacket and Tiffany’s as they walked out. “Let’s go have some fun.”, Mason said putting an arm around Adder’s shoulders and heading out of the flat locking up as they caught up with the rest of the group and walked the distance to the club. Adder’s hand had to be stamped to indicate she wasn’t allowed to drink. But she still planned to have some fun. Tiffany took her out to the dance floor to dance since Ashton was adamant about his two left feet.
While dancing with Tiffany a couple of guys approached them. “Hey there, two pretty birds like you shouldn’t be out here dancing alone. Want some company?”, one asked smiling. Tiffany shook her head. “Nah mate, my bloke is over at the table. He’s more about watching me dance than making a fool of himself trying to himself.”, Tiffany answered. “Well his loss. Still doesn’t mean you and your friend can’t dance with us.”, the other commented. “Yeah well it means I ain’t gonna dance with you.”, Tiffany stated. “Alright well what about your cute friend? One of those blokes at that table here with you sweetheart?”, he asked turning his attention to Adder. Adder glanced over to the table of guys and looked at Mason then back at the guy asking to dance. “No mate. None of t’em are mine. So why not.”, Adder shrugged agreeing to dance with him. Tiffany wasn’t sure this was that good of an idea, but she couldn’t really tell Adder what to do or not to do. Maybe seeing Adder with someone would get Mason’s attention in a less friend way. Adder at least was enjoying have someone wanting to dance with her. Sure in the darkness it was probably harder for the guy to see the subtle scales on her shoulders.
“You have the most amazing colored eyes.”, the guy complimented. “Um, t’anks.”, Adder smiled. “So I heard your mates talking about it being your birthday. How old are you today?”, he asked as they danced. “Well...sixteen…”, she admitted. “Cool, I just turned seventeen last month. Your friends all look a bit older since they have drinks.”, he commented. “Um yeah they are twenty.”, she said glancing over her shoulder at the table, however it was down to just Ashton. She looked around the room and spotting Andy’s red hair first dancing with a girl and not far from him Ollie dancing with some girl. And she keeping looking around and finally spotted Mason he was dancing with Tiffany. Adder smiled, of course he was dancing with his friend so she didn’t feel alone since Ashton wouldn't dance. “Oh so you run with an older crowd.”, he commented. “Somet’ing like t’at. T’ey are a good lot of friends to ‘ave.”, Adder said looking back at the guy. “Think they’d miss you too much if we ducked out for some air?”, he asked. Adder raised an eyebrow. “Um I don’t really need any air. So you can go if you want. I’ll just head to the table and get some water.”, she said. “Wasn't really a request.”, he stated tightening his grip on her arm. Adder scoffed and laughed. “Really arse’ole? Ya seriously misjudged me. Don’t let my size or t’is dress fool ya. Take your ‘and away and ya won’t get ‘urt. Don’t remove your ‘and t’en Ah’ll remove it for ya.”, Adder warned narrowing her copper eyes at him.
The guy didn’t apparently take her seriously and started to try and pull her to the side door. Mason couldn’t exactly see what was going on from where he was on the dance floor but something didn’t seem right about Adder heading off the dance floor away from their table. Ashton was actually the one with the best vantage point and got up from the table pushing through the crowd seeing the guy trying to pull Adder. “I doubt you are going to try a cause a scene in a public place like this...mutant scum.”, the guy said nodding to his friend who was waiting by the door. “Mutant filth like you are why our church is gaining round. We good god fearing civilized people are done having freaks like you in our towns.”, he said. “Let me go NOW!”, Adder bellowed. Ashton moved around and flanked the one holding the door punching him solid in the face knocking him out. “I’d listen to her mate. She’ll kick your ass before I get the chance.”, Ashton said folding his arms across his chest blocking the exit. “You’d protect this filth? This mutant trash?”, he questioned. Ashton shrugged keeping the guy’s attention on him. Adder brought her other hand around and grasped the guy’s arm digging her nails in releasing a small amount of toxin that wouldn't kill him in the dose she was giving. “Ah told ya to let me go.”, she hissed as his eyes glossed over and he collapsed to the ground. Adder looked around to see if anyone had noticed them, Ashton was just grabbing the collars of the two guys dragging them out the door. Adder followed along behind him.
“So w’at we do wit’ t’em now?”, she asked. “Simple we let the cops take them.”, Ashton said pulling his phone out calling for the police. “Oxford police department what is the nature of your emergency?”, the dispatcher answered. “I’m in the alley behind Lava & Ignite. Two men were trying to abduct a girl. I knocked on out, the other had some syringe or something with a drug in it, he was going to use it on the girl...she...she managed to turn the needle to him...he got a dose of whatever it was and he’s out. His eyes got all glossy. I think he might need a hospital..”, Ashton said his voice sounding frantic though the expression on his face he looked rather bored. Adder tried to not laugh at the difference between his voice and his expression. “We’ll have an ambulance and car sent to your location. Just stay where you are.”, the dispatcher said. “Alright. We will stay right here.”, he said hanging up. “So ‘ow ya plan to explain telling them bout a syringe w’en we ain’t got one?”, she questioned. “Sure we do…”, Ashton said going to the dumpster and leaning in. “Trust the druggies of Oxford…”, he said pulling out a syringe using a handkerchief to not have his prints on it and popping the top off. “Put some of your venom that you used on him in here. Not much just a little.”, he instructed. Adder nodded and did as he asked. With a small amount of venom in the syringe he pushed the plunger mostly down and then stuck it into guy’s arm where her nail had dug in to deliver the venom. Now it looked like he’d described to the dispatcher.
Mason saw Ashton punch someone and with Tiffany made their way to the door stepping outside just as the lights and sirens were pulling up. “What the hell happened?”, Mason asked putting an arm on Adder’s shoulder. “You alright mate?”, he asked. Adder nodded, but as the constable started to walk over she knew she had to play her part in the story Ashton had written and turned into Mason forcing herself to cry some and shake. “So what all this then?”, the officer asked as the medics got to the one with the needle in his arm. “It’s like I called in. these two men were trying to force my friend here out the door there. I stepped in and punched that one. But this one had that syringe full of god knows what in his hand and was going to stick her with it. She fought him back and in the tussle the needle ended up in his arm instead. His eyes went glossy then he hit the ground. I don’t even know what they wanted I just knew wasn’t going to let them take my friend anywhere against her will.”, Ashton explained. The officer looked at Adder. “Miss can you tell me what happened. Mason was certain that Adder was just playing a part and so he played his rubbing her back. “It’s alright pet. Go ahead and tell the officer what happened.”, Mason encouraged.
Adder nodded a little sniffling before turning to the officer. “In t’e club t’ese two came up to me and her and wanted to dance. She is ‘ere wit’ her bloke t’ere.”, she said pointing to Ashton. “So she said no. Ah’m ‘ere celebrating my birt’day so Ah said sure. Ah danced wit’ t’is one.”, she said pointing to the one getting medical attention. “He asked if Ah wanted to go get some air. Ah said Ah would rat’er just go get a drink of water and sit wit’ my mates at t’e table. He grabbed my arm ‘ard and started pulling me to t’e door.”, she said holding out her arm which did have a slight bruising. “His mate was t’ere ‘olding t’e door. Ah yelled for him ta let me go. He told me he’d make he s’ut up and got out t’at needle. My mate stepped in and punched the one guy. And Ah tried to fig’t back to get t’e needle away from me. It ended up in his arm then he just kind of collapsed. T’en my mate t’ere called for ‘elp.”, Adder said still sniffling. The officer wrote it all down nodded. “Well I’m grateful that your friend here stepped in. We’ve had a rash of young girls being abducted here as of late. And because of your bravery young lady we might have finally caught the guys responsible. I hope you can still enjoy your birthday miss.”, he said with a tip of his hat as they cuffed the other and got him into the car and the ambulance took the one who’d been dosed with venom away. Adder took a breath and wiped away her tears. “Alright so I think I’ve had enough excitement for my birthday.”, she chuckled. Mason laughed shaking his head. “Next time we go to a club you dance with me or one of the other guys alright pet?”, Mason stated. “Sure mate.”, she chuckled. “So other girls have gone missing...“, Mason sighed his serious face on. “You want to do something about it?”, Ashton questioned.
“Maybe. I mean I don’t know…”, Mason sighed. “If t’ose are t’e two or t’er church is be’ind it t’ose girls are mutants that got took.”, Adder said. Mason raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean they are mutants? You sure?”, he asked. Adder nodded. “T’at bloke t’at was trying to take me, called me ‘mutant filth’ and said mutants are why his church is gaining round. T’at t’ey ‘good god fearing civilized people are done ‘aving freaks like me in t’eir towns.’.”, she quoted. “Yeah he did ask why I’d want to defend ‘mutant trash’.”, Ashton nodded. Mason let out a heavy sigh. “Alright then we do something. I will not stand by while mutants are getting hurt in my town. Adder you’re on the streets more. Be sneaky, see what dirt you can dig up on this church. Ashton want you to check with your contacts at the local papers, see if there are any stories they are currently writing about these abductions and what they know. I’m going to follow up with the constables and see what I can pull via dad on these two idiots and see what connections they have.”, Mason instructed. “And it begins…”, Ashton sighed. “I’m not staring hellfire. I can’t because I’m not a Shaw. But we’ve got to do something Ash and you know it.”, Mason said looking at his friend. Ashton nodded. “Alright mate. We protect our own and right now Oxford is our home. So let’s take care of some trash.”, Ashton agreed. “Ah’m in. Ah’ll find out anyt’ing Ah can. Ah’m all for taking down more scums like t’ose two.”, Adder agreed. “I may not live in Oxford but I’ll check around back in London see if this is happening elsewhere too.”, Tiffany offered. Mason had been raised with the sense of responsibility to his fellow mutants, his parents and Ashton’s parents had once run the London branch of the Hellfire Club. And Mason had always wanted to relaunch it, to help the mutants in the United Kingdom. But without a Shaw to give the okay to start working under the Hellfire brand he couldn’t. He could however help this way.