Gent'lmen.... start yer ENGINES!

[~ N.P.C. ~]

Dockside...Boston.......NIGHT...

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The city of Boston at night was beautiful and frightening all at once. The common life that filled the streets during the day disappeared into the night to introduce a whole other world. At the night, the streets were owned by the big rollers in town. They had a say in everything that occurred, and no higher authority whether it be the police, or even the major had any control over them. It was a kingdom of corruption, with drugs on one corner, hookers on the other, and everything else in between. Thugs spending their hard earned money earned by the same drugs that passed the the Factory on the Hookers that belonged to the Factory, and the strip clubs also owned by the owners of The Factory. Gangs that feuded on the streets all used weapons that at one point passed through the Factory, and the ships filled with Black Market Merchandise that docked at the ports in the bay all belonged in one way or another to those who ran the factory. In Boston, a city filled with violence and corruption by night, in it's own way belonged to Stones. This was an empire of the underground that he started building when he was only a boy. Now at the age of 32, he owned it all. In this town, his word was gold and whatever he says, goes.

Right now though, as he stood on the wide spread outdoor patio on the ground floor Factory, Stones basked in the success of his world. On the elevated platform outside, he watched the crowds of people dancing, the DJ blasting the music, and everybody waited for the signal from him. On one side of him stood Billy, beer in hand and watching the two racers getting ready. Jules was speaking to them both, explaining the rules routinely and handing them both the preprogrammed GPS that were already had the road programmed into it. Jules was the tech savvy one of the bunch, the one who suggested this new method to begin with, holding the master GPS and later projecting it so all the others could watch. Rules were simple, you take the path set for you, and whoever gets back first wins. Once she made everything clear, Jules looked up to nod at Billy that they were set.

Without looking at Stones, Billy nudged him and Stones held up his hand to the DJ. The music lowered drastically and everyone in the area looked at Stones. "We got our first race o' the night ladies an' gents, and it's a beaut. We even gotta special treat for ya all. Ya see we got a member o' our wee family come back to us. I be sure some of ya remember Aideen here." Stones gestured to Aideen with smirk. Murmurs were heard in the crowd along with wolf whistles and many males craned their neck to leer at the exotic beauty. "Oui Mami come home with me tonight eh?" "Come ride wit' me tonight ma." and other various statements were heard from the crowd. Stones chuckled slightly and waved his hand for them to calm down. "She brought us some new meat here. Now we're starting with the biggest bloody race o' the night. Winner o' this walks away wit' 24 grand in their pockets. They no candyasses, so ya might wanna get them a wee bit sauced b'fore ya rob them."

The statement earned some laughter from the crowd, and a couple of people raised their drinks in the air in cheers. "An' now would be the time ta place yer bets folks cause the green lad go by Rictus, an' he be driving some o' the finest muscle I seen in a long time. A '72 Camero Z28, supped up on a custom job. A car like that can only go up against our finest, an' in comes our own Catheld driving his infamous 2008 Aston Martin. He hates the bloody Brits so much ya see that crazy son o' a bitch wreckin' their cars ta smithereens every bloody year," Stones said with a slight chuckle coming from himself. "Race starts in ten minutes. Cliona's over there, an' let the bets start. Good luck ta all ya gents." At those final words, a swarm of people surrounded the bruised up Cliona, all with bills in their hands and shouting who they wanted to bet on. She stood ready with a blue stamp and a red stamp to mark who bet on who.

Stones leaned back and watched the hungry crowd all push their way to Cliona as she took down the amounts and stamped their hands. "Yer boy brought us in some good business lass," he said to Aideen, keeping his eyes on the crowd. "High stakes race, an' fresh meat. Can't be a better combination there." His ice blue eyes slid over to her and he smirked as he looked at his cool and confident lass, the look on her face just as he remembered. "Ya always had a good head fer business lass, among other things," Stones said with a smirk as a wave of memories flowed through him on just what those other things were. It still didn't settle well with him that she was no longer on his arm or free for him to touch, but that would never stop him from threading that line. People's minds changed and they were easily persuaded with the right technique. "Can't wait ta hear what other ideas will leave that hot sexy as hell mouth o' yers," Stones added as he snapped his fingers to bring everyone on the platform another round of drinks.

[Ember]

Rolling her eyes, Aideen looked at her old little toy with a bored expression on her face. "Oh you are just so irresistible with your tasteful compliments. I don't know how I'm able to resist you," she said in a blatant sarcastic tone. She was growing rather bored of these little come ons. Whether it was in good fun or not, Aideen never cared for the juvenile methods of flirtation that most males used. It were lines that worked on cheap tramps and half wits, and Aideen was insulted that a guy would dare demean her to that level.

The calls from the crowd from the idiot guys also were bothering her. It truly astonished her that there were girls that actually fell for that kind of crap. She knew how to handle it though, so it didn't bother her too much. Pushing her dark hair back, Aideen leaned against the wall right between Tracy and Logan, not looking amused in the least bit. "This place is a breeding ground for witless imbeciles," she said under her breath in a plain voice tinged with annoyance. Though it was good to be home, it came with the consequences of dealing with every aspect of her home life. From the low class idiot guys, to the her old boy toy hovering over her, and of course the tramps that decided they hated her for existing. Aideen could deal with it, that was never a problem, it was just an added annoyance to what was supposed to be a relaxing weekend.

The Mead swirled in her glass, taste rich in spices and honey fermented in raspberries as well, while her other hand traced the rim of the glass. She paid no attention to any of the hollers from the guys, but kept her eyes focus on Catheld as she took a sip of the drink of deception. She knew that guy for a long time and despite her better judgment, she found herself slightly concerned for Mason. Leaning against the hedge of the platform, she lowered her voice for Logan and Tracy's ears only. "That guy plays dirty, Mason's gonna have to match him on it to get outta this in one piece," Aideen said in a low voice. She knew he could take care of himself, and there wasn't a move in existence that could physically harm the Corsair Captain, but it didn't stop her from being a tad concerned.

"I say we wish him luck," she said pushing off from the hedge and taking a long sip of her Mead and walking towards the racers. Catheld already had girls swarming him, Aideen just went straight to Mason. "Hey there Captain," she said with a smirk, looking over his car. "Good luck on this, and be careful. Catheld plays dirty, and he may not be able to hurt you, but he could wreak that nice muscle of yours." Her dark eyes slid to the car, admiring the quality and the obvious care that Mason put into that car. She moved her hand to his arm and squeezed his arm for a moment. "Pardon my language but kick his ass," she said smirking slightly and moving her hand off. "If you win though, dinner's on you tomorrow," Aideen added and took another sip of the Mead, the rich spiced honey and raspberry liquid swirling in her mouth.

[HeartString]

"Mason, yeah really. Aideen knows this guy, and I can tell you what he's feeling is a sense of envious rage. Like he wants to win more than just money." Tracy had given her iron armored knight his space, she knew how he was and she didn't want to crowd him at this moment. "It's like he wants to win fame, or no.... not quite that. More like infamy I think, and he's looking at you as the one thing in his way...at least tonight."

She slid up alongside him and wrapped both her arms around one of his her finger intertwining with his as she rested her head against his shoulder. "I know you'll do great, just don't lose yourself in all of this okay?" She looked up at him and smiled sweetly. Her fear was not for Ironclad's safety, but for the safety of this guy he was racing against.

He didn't seem the type to be so very self destructive at a glance. Tracy actually might not have put two and two together if Stone's introduction didn't indicate how reckless the wild eyed Catheld truly was. Her fear was that in trying to take out Mason that the man would wind up dead or worse and she didn't want that on her man's conscience, let alone want to risk using her mutation. The code of conduct that Cyclops had instilled in her would not allow her to ignore the man's pain and she was not only worried for what might happen to Catheld and Mason, but for the rest of them as well. If the shit hit the fan she was pretty sure she could not let someone just die, she knew she would have to step up.

[Ironclad]

Mason's dark gold eyes slid over to Catheld, surrounded by women and looking smug as ever, throwing him daring looks that had an underlying malice behind them. "This is a game where we everyone knows the risks Doll. He knows the risks as much as I do, and we both play it to all we got," he said in a hard voice. "I been doing this for awhile Trace, I ain't worried. None of you should be. I know what I'm doing." Mason wrapped an arm around his girl's waist and brought her forward. This was a vacation for them, and he didn't want his girl to be worried. There was nothing that could hurt him, and growing up in Detroit taught him a thing or two about people.

"Don't worry about it alright? Only thing I want you to worry about is what you're gonna buy tomorrow. I'm gonna have some good cash on me, and I'm gonna treat ya like the Queen I shoulda treated you as the past couple of months," Mason murmured softly in her ear, kissing the side of her head. It had taken him awhile to get used the relationship idea and even longer to accept that this one would actually have a shot at working. He had been doing his best to make it up to her, and she deserved it. He had a girl that was so sweet and patient, understand and the best damn girl he could have ever picked out for himself, and he planned to treat her as she deserved, cause there was no way in hell that he wanted to mess this up.

Mason's eyes moved over to Aideen, a girl that wormed her way into that small circle of friends that he had. His original interest with her was wanting to unravel the mystery behind her stunning good looks and her quiet nature. Eventually, he got to understand her, and she got him as well. Mason trusted her with anything, and he would do anything for her. In everyone's life, people came and left, friends becoming mere acquaintances seemingly overnight or turning into enemies. There were few others he was as sure on as Aideen and Tracy, he knew that they would be in his life for a long time. "I'm good Fox, you know I can play as dirty as the next guy, and I ain't gonna hold back. Think about what ya want for dinner tomorrow," Mason said with a smirk at his best friend.

"Oh and uh, take care of yourself over there. That Stones guy and some from the crowd are way too into you, even for the usual crowd of drooling guys that watch you in school." Though he was teasing, he was also serious. He had trouble containing himself when another guy so much as glanced at Tracy, not for any other reason other than he was protective and knew how guys thought. Aideen was a magnet, not able to walk into a room without turning heads. Not only that, he watched many times guys crash and burn trying to get with her. It pissed Mason off a bit just watching that. He didn't know how Logan was able to deal with it. "Behave Fox, I'll see you after the race, the bets look like they're coming to an end." Mason turned to Tracy and smirked. "I'm expecting a good luck kiss from you doll. Gimme a taste of that," he said and brought her lips to his own, taking his time in getting all the luck he could get out of it.

[~ N.P.C. ~]

Julie smirked as her eyes lingered over the dark haired beauty who's name she now knew to be Mason kissing his girl Tracy. Ah ye' just make me burn in jealousy, "Kissin' yer girl in fronta' another lass just to make her jealous aint very nice," she tutted as she walked past him, tapping him on the back. "Anyhoo me lad, yer race is just about ter start, so ye' better go and get ready. Go shoo, hurry up!" she kept her smirk plastered firmly on her face, before her eyes moved over to Aideen and Tracey. "You two lasses, are comin' with me to the platform." she added, beckoning the lasses to follow her.

The three women made their way to the platform, and as they did so Jules turned around to look at Aideen for a second. "Ye know Aideen lass," she mused turning her head back to face the front, "there aint been this kinda excitement here in a long time. Ye always bring the hot happenins with ya, dontcha?" there was an unmistakeable twinkle of delight in Julies eyes. Jules lead the two girls up the two stairs that lead to the roughly three foot high platform, and lead them to stand in front to give them a clear view of both the projection screen and the gates where the race would start. There was a huge dark wall to their side with a white patch in the center of it where the projection would be shown.

Jules flicked her hair out of her eyes as she made herself comfortable standing. She leaned slightly closer to Aideen, and lowered her tone to a whisper. "He isn't that happy with Cliona, not as happy as he was when he was with you." she said, looking first at her feet and then up at Aideen. "Stones, I canny say I know why he's with Cliona, i never got my head round it, i just usually went with it, but I know, I can see, he misses you loads Aideen. We all do. It aint the same around here without you. I swear even those d*ckhead gangs round here miss ye'." she rolled her eyes, "Yeh gave 'em all summin to do every evenin'. Otherwise they just sit round, bullyin the little fishies in the sea." Jules flicked her hair out again, allowing her smirk to drop and turn into a small sarcastic smile.

[Ember]

It took a lot of her self control to not ball her fists up or show any physical sign that he was angry. "Why am I still hearing about this? I slept with him, that's where any part of being 'with' him ended. We were never together, I didn't even like him half the time," Aideen said in a low voice to Julie and downed the rest of her Mead in a dainty manner. She was getting annoyed at how everyone put that label on her just cause the guy knew how to use his dick properly enough for her to do it again. "He's a cocky, domineering, spoiled ass. I don't give a rat's ass if he misses me or was happier with me." She leaned against the platform and looked around at the crowd that stood on it. They were apart of her for a long time, and they were all her escape from her controlled and insane life with her Uncle, but now... they didn't matter as much as they once did.

Aideen sighed and pushed her thick dark hair back over her head. "Pardon me for snapping at you Jules and believe me when I say that there are nights when I miss this place. I'm not going to come back though, not for good. I'm... happy now. The new life that I have I like far more... and I won't give it up." She looked up at the older girl, probably one of the few people that she really didn't mind in this place. Julie was tough and didn't act like the tramps that frequented the place, and she held her own well in a fight.

"Stones is with Cliona cause shes convenient. The same reason there was ever anything between me and him, because it was convenient for me. As far as I'm concerned it never went beyond that." Aideen turned around and placed her elbows on the stone hedge, looking at the racers. Her mind was forcing her to calm down and to not be bothered. She was famous for keeping a cool head, but she couldn't help but be tense and annoyed that coming back, she was still bothered for things in the past that shouldn't be brought into her present.

[Wolverine]

"Nice speech." Logan said as he stepped up on the raised dais. He placed a hand on Aideen's shoulder and gave a little squeeze. He had taken his time following the girls. He wanted a moment with Mason, needed to share some words of wisdom.

"Ya know this place is crawling with some bad worms kid, better believe ya gotta beat this guy outright. No half steppin' out there, ya go full bore or don't even bother goin at all." Logan had said to Ironclad moments before. "Hey and don't worry about the ladies. Believe it or not they can take care of themselves, but I'll be here too so ya got nothin to worry about. Mind on the race. Foot to the floor. Feed this guy his teeth." He gave Mason a stern look and slapped him on the arm.

Wolverine was never one for a pep talk really, but with all the shit he was hearing with his animal keen ears he had to express something to Mason. He knew the guy didn't need luck, but a kick in the ass always helped a man to recognize what lay before him. That and a reminder to keep his attention where it belonged and the assurance that his little lady would be fine was all Logan thought was needed and all he offered. The look in his eyes had said it all though, his words had been merely an added bonus. It was there that he left Mason, and then that he walked off to join the girls.

[~ N.P.C. ~]

The bet box snapped shut, signalling that there was no more time to place bets and the race was to start. Cliona handed the bet box to Daog, who then nodded his head to Crevan, who just got off the front gate shift. "EY YOU STUPID BLOODY TOSSERS! GET OUTTA' THE BLOODY WAY! DO YA WANNA LEARN WHAT BURNIN' RUBBER TASTES LIKE? GO ON AN' MOVE!" Crevan yelled as he hustled the crowd further away from the cars. Though they crowd was a good distance away from the cars and the gates, there have been accidents in the past. Jules moved over to the projector and hooked it up to the Master GPS.

The second that the image of the GPS showed up on the white screen on the side of the stone wall next to the platform, the crowd went wild. The thrill of the race, the danger and potential violence along with the prospect of winning money gave them a high unlike anything that came from alcohol, drugs or women, especially a high stakes race such as this one. Both drivers had the vehicles fully inspected, were given a full tank of gas and were given the clearance from both Stones and Daog, the main mechanics in the place. Now the racers were ready and the crowd was excited, money flowing and spirits high.

Stones held his drink in the air. "Ladies and Gents, let the game begin!" The crowd cheered as he downed his drink and slapped the rump of a voluptuous red head, Sarah, the winner of the Women's Cage Fighting championship they held every month. She grinned at Stones and took a scarf out of her hair and walked over to the cars. It was tradition that the winner of the monthly events were the ones who started the race. Sarah's heels clicked across the concrete as the cheering of the crowd got louder. She walked between the cars, her fingers skimming across the hoods of their cars till she came to the center of them and turned to face the crowd.

Sarah put her hands up in the air, her every move causing a reaction from the crowd. The scarf billowed in the strong wind coming from the bay for a minute, the roar of the engines rang through the air and the crowd screamed even more. When she got the signal, she brought her hands down, and the cars sped off, the crowd going crazy. The DJ blasted the music loud to bring the excitement up even higher. The race started and the people were in full swing of the mood. Drinks passed around, people dancing to the music, and others yelling in both anger and joy, crushing their bet slips in their hands as they watched the GPS.

Those on the platform, the Clan members, were enjoying the race just as much. A new round of drinks was brought to them, and Stones surveyed the crowd in satisfaction. The more bets that were placed, the more money would run. And the more people had a good time, the drinks and drugs they'd want. Business was good the company was good, and the view was good, at least for Stones who studied Aideen's perfect ass from the distance and smiled to himself. He was very glad to be looking at that again, great race or not. He was sure however that this would be the most exciting race they had seen in a while.

[Ironclad]

The second the red head brought her arm down, Mason took off, his foot pressing hard on the gas, but not all the way. He wasn't going to risk wrecking his car, but he didn't need to press much anyways. With all the work that him and Sean did to this car, it flew right up to 100 mph in less than a minute, and steadily going faster. He followed the direction of the GPS, flying into a turn.

When Mason raced, his head went into another place. His blood pumped so hard and fast that it made everything else around him seem to move slower than it actually did. His heightened reflexes allowed him to maneuver around the cars driving easily, but his disadvantage was that he didn't know the roads as well as Catheld, who pulled ahead of him. When they got down one street, it went down hill. Now's my chance... time it.... Just at the right distance away from the ledge of the hill, Mason pressed all the way down on the gas, making the car jerk forward at a top speed unlike anything he had ever experienced.

The 1972 Camero Z28 flew right over the 2008 Aston Martin and landed with a couple of bumps. Mason had a slight smirk on his face as he kept the incredibly dangerous high speed and could only imagine what this looked like to the crowd back at The Factory. Logan's words ran through his mind, though odd for him to hear from the man who's best piece of advice was usually something along the lines of 'try not to shit yourself.' Nonetheless, he held nothing back as he weaved in and out of the cars, narrowly missing some. Mason was an excellent driver, and his heightened reflexes held a good portion of the responsibility for that. Right now, he wasn't letting up at all and when the Corsair Captain was determined, nothing stood in his way, especially no fancy car with a hot headed driver.