Here He Comes, Here Comes Speed Racer! (OPEN: HIVE)

((OOC: Don't be frightened of the 'open' sign guys. 0_0 ))

No one knew where that damn groundskeeper of theirs was recently, but in light of his absence, it hadn't been a good idea to share personal capabilities with the teaching staff. Such as a proficiency with wiring. Hugh crouched on top of the oil platform now taking a pair of wire strippers to one of the exposed hidden weapons platforms for a bit of maintenance. He shivered with the wind and pulled his jacket closer around his body. This was not student work. If his parents knew he was here, Headmaster would so be getting a letter from them.

Setting down his tools for the moment, Pix looked shore-wards to prevent his eyes stinging from the spray. What he saw was not usual. Someone, running on the water. Considering he didn't know anybody currently at H.I.V.E. would could do this, what it meant was obvious. Guests.

The work panel was slammed shut and tools kicked across the floor as Hugh dashed for the lift. Skidding to a halt inside, he hit the activation button. The doors sealed shut and he was soon being transported back down into the facility.

That was close. Almost got made to do the welcome gig again.

The lift suddenly came to a jarring halt. Pix held himself steady in a corner as a TV screen descended. With his ability he stripped the glass of its pixels and sighed in relief. Whatever that was about, it couldn't have been good. Now he just needed to slip back down the elevator shaft himself and quickly run-

“Ahem. Just because you can't see me, doesn't mean I can't see you – Pix.”

“Eep! Headmaster! I-I... didn't know there were cameras in here.”

“A visitor has just arrived. I want you to see to him. Ask him what he wants." On cue the elevator hummed back into life and continued on an opposite trajectory, “Is that okay?”

“Totally. Done it before.” ( ^_^; ) The now pixelised student resisted the urge to slam his head against the metal walls and composed himself. By the time he was back above sea level, his posture was at its most formal. Stepping out, he regarded the stranger with a pestered look (>_>).

“You really shouldn't have been in such a hurry." The gruff remark was said without much effort to be heard, "Who sent you out here? And what're you looking for? Fair warning - getting off of this platform isn't as easy as you'd think.”

Malharon rose through the platform behind Manic noiselessly. He had to focus hard just to move a piece of dust so the wind just blew through him. Malharon looked at Manic and asked in his usual harsh angry voice."Did this bird have a name or are things going to get uncomfortable." Mal drifted back a little more crossing his arms his features a grey blur besides the shining black pools that were now his eyes.

Malharon knew the threat would hit home with Pix who was among his favorite students now. He was unsure how the new kid would react to a ghost.

It was immediately apparent that getting off the platform would be a doddle for this particular guest. Hugh always found dealing with speedsters tricky, they left you no thinking time. When this one began invading his personal space there wasn't even enough of an instant to shrug his shoulders. Damn, and they'd just gotten rid of the last one. Driven the speed demon away with long queues and slow elevators. Because if there was one thing these speedsters hated, it was delay.

Once more faced with the guest, Pix took a bracing step back from his all-too delightful grin. (0_0) Well so much for trying to be intimidating. Right now it was Pix who was concerned. If this stranger had come to fight, there wouldn't be a lot he could do to stop him. Certainly wouldn't be given chance to improvise a tactic.

To his dire relief Malharon showed up. Their resident dearly departed. Hugh didn't understand how he was still around, and didn't spare it much thought. Weird stuff just happened at a supervillain academy. Heck, he opened a door the other day which lead into a freefall pit. After closing it again he didn't mention it to anyone.

"He's on a really good diet. Listen bub, we're not interested if you don't have a recommendation or an upfront payment. So why don't you go start looking for Davey Jones' treasure trove now, and we'll watch you until the bubbles stop."

Malharon didn't like this student already, and that was saying something as he hadn't had a problem with even Hydra and her constant Harry Potter references. Mal would enjoy making this student sit still in class, or he'd wind up with detentions where sitting still was required. Malharon said in reference to what Pix said. "If it makes you feel better I'll go down with you, it won't be hard since one of us doesn't have to breathe any more."

(sorry its short)

This oaf just wasn't getting it. Or -alternatively- maybe he got it completely and was making a complete mockery of them. The H.I.V.E. Academy was suppose to be secret, and yet so many villains found their way here with little more than a nudge in the right direction. It could be said the H.I.V.E.'s biggest marvel was still somehow managing to keep their location unknown to the Titans. Though not the Nighthawks. Lousy Lantern...

At this stage in the game, they had to start being wary of spies. Especially given H.I.V.E.'s history under Brother Blood, and their recent fiasco with Malharon's face stealer. They couldn't let just anyone in, especially someone who had proven tough to contain. A down payment might help loosen their suspicions and win a bit of trust. Especially when Pix fully intended to sneak a few dollars from such an off-record deposit.

As for Malharon, he'd offer to put a coin under his tongue maybe. The Ferryman could row him to and from the oil platform in future, "Business pitches are all about making a profit. You come back tomorrow, or the day after, having robbed a bank, we'll see what we can do. Until then." Not finishing on a strong note, Hugh just shook his head at the lad.

Malharon watched Manic reappear and crossed his incorporeal arms unimpressed. He said seriously. "Any two bit thief can pick a pocket, the bank robbery is a show of power it doesn't really have anything to with the money, I need proof that you are capable of more than a snatch and grab understand?" Malharon drifted around Manic struggling to speak.

(ooc: waiting for dart but it sounds exactly like what mal would expect doesn't it lol)

What was most astounding about a speedster wasn't how fast they were going, but their acceleration. From naught to 'error reading' in no time. A blast of wind jolted Pix as their trespasser left, having had the last word. He knew this wasn't over, but Pix intended to become unreachable in the event of this lad's return. From his body fell the layer of excess pixels he'd begun coating himself with. Just enough to grant him one platform.

"It's a nice day, Teach. I'm going to go see if I can grab a couple spray paints. Then graffiti the Titans' statue in central park. If anyone asks about wiring, tell them... son of a gun - he's back already!" Probably to complain the banks were shut or something. Damn newbies didn't always understand that a 'closed' sign need not apply to them.

Surprisingly his return was one of valiance. The speedster had collected a nice assortment of money bags, which Pix immediately fell upon to check contents ($_$). They could have petty cash anytime with this guy around. No more being caught short of change.

To Manic's argument, Pix coughed, "He has a point. Versatility. To every man his task. Brute force, pickpocket, tutor. Accountant." This time his pixels rearranged themselves into a wedge-shaped shovel. They scooped underneath the spoils before lifting them from the ground. Pix began counting some cash already in at hand with great due care and attention. (^_^)

Mal drifted toward the young man his eyes intimidatingly detailed while his body was vague and hard to make out. Mal hissed out steadily an arm poking through Manic's chest. "You do not impress me, to me you have no presence, without my say so you will not enter this building. I am an instructor here, now return with at least six marked bars and a dye pack from a vault." Malharon would not be swayed on this he wanted to see that the child was capable of accomplishing a mission, able to follow orders, it had nothing to do with ability really. His test was one of obedience to leaders.