↳ commons area

@Orion Blackwell ᵍ Straying away from the guard to peer around the showers, he grimaced uncomfortably at the information but nodded as he walked back over to Orion. “Alright. That’s not as bad as it could be, I guess.” Optimism, that’s what he had to have. This would be fine! He didn’t need to do ual favours, he’d just make sure he was done within ten minutes! The look on his face in no way matched the way he tried to hype himself up in his head. “I’m sure they do, poor them. I can do plenty of complaining though, to even things out, don’t you worry.”

@Sage Solomon ᵐ "Sure, sure," Orion said with a roll of his eyes, heading to the shower rooms. The showers were separated by walls and curtains, and there was a male and female room, as well as one gender-neutral single shower room that could only be accessed with a key. "You get ten minutes," Orion said simply. "The water will shut off after that. A guard can reset the timer and give you more, but like I said, some guards genuinely don't give a and won't budge on it. Worst case scenario you finish washing your hair or self off in a sink." Orion shrugged. "The girls mostly complain about the timers."

@Orion Blackwell ᵍ Blinking at the sudden seriousness, the mutant slowly nodded. “Fine, whatever, I won’t get myself beaten up by the guards either. Even if I think the coldness with us is stupid.” The hair on the back of his neck prickled with discomfort. He’d find a quieter time to make friends, when his appearance was less exciting to people. “You’re just the easiest way for a decent tour,” Sage grumbled in response, sparing the gathered mutants another glance before he followed the guard once again. “Are there set times when we can shower? You mentioned being able to get people extra shower time earlier, how long do we usually have?”

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@Sage Solomon ᵐ "Yes, well I don't suggest talking like this to the other guards," Orion said, voice hard. "I may not like mutants, but there are some guards who genuinely hate your kind and will use every opportunity to enact whatever violence they want on you." The guard faced forward again in the common room, looking at all of the other inmates in the commons area. Orion snorted when Sage introduced himself, shaking his head. "Aw, attached to me already?" He smirked. "I'll show you to the showers, then. Come on." He jerked his head, walking into another hallway.

@Orion Blackwell ᵍ Sage shrugged. “I knew the guards probably have some kind of superiority complex, it’s probably in the job description that you have to have one.” Walking back down the corridor, the man continued to peer around, slowly trying to note down things to memorise what he could see of the place. Getting lost on his way back to his room wouldn’t be fun. He paused, suddenly feeling smaller when he felt the eyes turn onto him. He crossed his arms over his chest, trying to conjure the most neutral expression that he could. He didn’t want to pick fights with funny looks, or turn off potential friendships in the people that he wanted to like him. He looked across at Orion briefly, then smiled lightly. “I’m Sage,” He announced, then looked back towards the guard. “Anywhere else, or are you abandoning me here? I don’t think I like the staring so much.”

@Sage Solomon ᵐ Orion shrugged. "I enjoy putting the powerful into a position of submission. Why do you think I applied for this job?" The guard would have added that it was far away from his home in England, but the mutants weren't supposed to know where the institute was so he shut his mouth. He waved the taller into his room and waited at the door, checking his watch so he could watch the time. Once Sage came back out Orion pushed off the wall, heading back down the hall that opened up into a wider room with multiple chairs and tables in the room, mostly facing the TV hung high on the wall in a glass cage of sorts. Heads turned as they came in--everyone loved to see who the new meat was.

@Orion Blackwell ᵍ “Seems simple enough,” Sage murmured, nodding. His eyes widened slightly at that though. “I’ll be careful with who’s wrong side I get on. Maybe a few strong friends could be good, even if I don’t plan on trying to pick fights with anyone.” Blinking dismissively, the mutant nodded slowly. “You look like the type to enjoy it, you called me ‘mutant’ instead of my name on purpose when I got here.” He shrugged, backing into his new abode. “See you in a couple minutes.” It didn’t take long for him to slide behind the door. The whole room was investigated - he could be more thorough when he got back - and he lifted his shirt to run his fingers along the metal belt lightly. Nope. There was no trying to pull the thing off. With a disgruntled sigh, he lid back outside. Keeping busy would keep the realisation of where he was at bay. “Let’s go see my new friends then.”

@Sage Solomon ᵐ "If you need something, you ask me to get you something out of the cleaning closet. From there, we discuss our terms." Orion shrugged, looking around the hallway. "Maybe. All I know is they took this one guy who came in out to the exercise yard one day and we found him dead a few hours later. No one ratted, but it was obvious enough. Unfortunately the warden doesn't care if anyone dies. So long as they're not in the general public." Orion grinned. "Oh, I wouldn't test me. I attend training multiple days a week for that very reason. But I don't mind beating mutants when needed." Orion eyed the male. "Settle in, then. I'll be waiting out here. Once you're done I'll take you to the commons area where the rest of the inmates are."

@Orion Blackwell ᵍ Staying in his position close to the doorframe, Sage leaned in. “Where will I find you if I want to offer you a deal of that kind then?” He wasn't desperate, he didn’t have too much of a high libido, and it didn’t seem like he’d need much other than what was provided. But things like that were always appealing - and it was better the attractive short guard than someone else, right? A hum of agreement left him. “That’s true, but maybe that’s what you want from the prison experience, to be part of the best, biggest group of people.” He shrugged. “Mhm, if there was a riot, you’d have to do your job instead of getting ‘favours’ from people, I’m sure you’d love that.” He straightened up again. No need to stay so close, he was still thinking about whether he needed anything. Not right now, maybe. “I will, I will.”

@Sage Solomon ᵐ "Transactions of favors." Orion leaned against the doorframe. "I can get you extra shower time, extra snacks, more phone call time, any other supplies you might need like underwear or toothpaste. And in exchange I receive either money, or favors of a more physical kind. Usually ual." The guard flashed the other a wicked smirk. "Oh, bullies exist everywhere. People love to group up and see others as the enemy. Unfortunately there are plenty of mutants here who are strong and scary all on their own without any of their abilities in here. I've also seen them try to recruit people, if your mutation is strong enough. Not that it matters. They're probably hoping for a riot or something." Orion waved a hand dismissively. "Just be wary of who you trust."

@Orion Blackwell ᵍ “I wouldn’t be surprised about that, either.” Sage moved towards the door when it swung open, the hovered in the doorway, intrigued by the comment. “What kind of transactions do you do?” He looked at Orion for a long time, then took a further step into his new room, a hand hovering on the doorframe. “A job? You’re right, it’ll be better than nothing. It would be a good pastime too, I’ll look into it, thanks. And, noted. If anyone asks, I already have an idea of what to tell them. I think keeping to myself for the most part will be the best. Maybe one or two friends, in case you find bullies in a charming and beautiful place like this.”

@Sage Solomon ᵐ "Either it's working or people don't care enough to do anything about it." The guard lifted his hand with a shrug. "Then we don't have an issue, do we? Besides, it's not like I take without giving. I'm only in the business of transactions." Orion opened the door to the male's room with a swipe of a card, the door swinging open soundlessly. "Meal times are posted in the cafeteria. You can apply for a job if you want. You don't get paid well, but it's better than nothing. I would also take advantage of exercise yard hours. Be careful who you befriend and uh...from what I've seen, it's best not to tell others what your mutation is."

@Orion Blackwell ᵍ Sage shook his head once more. “It’s not even a good illusion. Or maybe it is, if it’s been working so far. If I didn’t live here now, I’d have been none the wiser as a passer by.” Straightening his back, he paused in front of the room. It wasn’t as bad as it could be, he decided to himself. “I’m not a rat, I wouldn’t report . I suppose people around here get desperate with that kind of thing and want to take the chances they can get with attractive people.” The belt hadn’t gotten any more comfortable, but he was guessing it was something you learned to switch off being bothered by. It wasn’t like it was coming off anytime soon, from what the guard had told him. “Alright, I’ll keep that in mind. Keep the snacks hidden. Is there anything else I need to do or know before I get settled in?”

@Sage Solomon ᵐ "You didn't get the memo? You're not being punished, you're being helped." Orion rolled his eyes. "I don't like the whole 'school' facade either, don't get me wrong. The people who built this place, they think you're all bad. Like it's ingrained. They're just scared of you, which I'm sure you knew already." Cackling, Orion didn't bother denying the touching. It was hardly a secret around here that he was willing to do favors for the mutants in return for, well...favors. "Why, you planning on reporting me?" Orion stopped in front of the male's assigned room. "No, it's not. But breakfast is only from seven to nine, and if you miss it you're out of luck. Unless you have money to buy commissary. You can keep snacks and the like, but some people here like to steal, so I wouldn't let people know if you get them."

@Orion Blackwell ᵍ Sage paused a moment. Then he shook his head. “And? I don’t see how that screams equality to you, us all being powerless together, the only thing people should be punished for is their crimes, right?” He waved a hand lightly, not wanting to fall into some kind of humans vs mutants debate with the man. He didn’t really care how people saw each other. He only used his powers to get away with petty little crimes, anyway. “I /knew/ you were touching me,” He grumbled under his breath as he followed after the guard. “You’ll never get to see it, Guard Blackwell. There’s gotta be something against that, right?” Sage’s head inclined lightly as he continued to walk. “Those rules seem fair enough. Is getting up at six compulsory? I’ll start every morning crying if that’s the case.” He took in his surroundings as he spoke. He was sure he’d have a chance to familiarise himself with it at some point. He’d probably be there a while.

@Sage Solomon ᵐ Orion nearly snorted. "Good? You're a mutant. As far as I'm concerned, not only is there no such thing as good or bad, it doesn't matter. You're all the same in here. Locked up. Powerless. Just like the rest of us." The little guard let out a low chuckle. "I can put a collar and cuffs on you if you want, but they'll be leather instead of metal," he said in a coy tone. Orion winked before turning. "I'll show you to your cell--dorm--whatever. You have to be in your room by nine. Lights out at eleven. Doors open up at six, just before breakfast. You'll have another two uniforms in your room, along with some underwear and a set of pajamas." Orion lead the male through the institute, down a hallway of doors.

@Orion Blackwell ᵍ Jaw set in an angry line, the mutant held still for the guard to put the belt on. He was right about it not being comfortable, and Sage didn’t like that grin at all. Not the way he could’ve sworn the hands lingered for a few moments longer than necessary on his waist. He held in a huff. It was his first day. He was just paranoid and upset to be there, the short guard wasn’t touching him in a way to be suspicious of. “That seems a little unfair, what if I’m good? I’m sure there are worse people than me here, you’ve probably seen them come in yourself,” He grumbled. He hadn’t done anything too badly! There was just.. a few favours he’d forgotten about. Forgotten on purpose. Maybe prison was safer. “Thank you so much! I’m feeling so much better now! Shall we put the collar and cuffs on too, just for fun?” His voice was laced with a ridiculous amount of fake joy, mixed with sweet sarcasm. He inhaled, then exhaled. The belt wasn’t comfortable. “It’s been a long day. You know my name already, but nice to meet you I guess. Where do I go now?”

@Sage Solomon ᵐ Orion blinked. Even if he answered, it wouldn't have been the truth. Best that the mutant didn't listen to him. "Belt it is," the guard decided brightly. He grinned wickedly at Sage as he pulled the device out, stepping forward to tug Sage's shirt up so he could place the belt around his waist. "Nope. Once it's on, it's on. Only way it's coming off is if you somehow get out of here...or you die. Easy as that." Orion snapped the closure on the front, where a light lit up on the center clasp to signal it was working. Orion's hands lingered a second too long against the male's skin before he let the shirt fall back down. "There. You won't be morphing anytime soon." Orion smirked. "My name is Orion. I'm one of the guards here. You may also call me Guard Blackwell. Whichever."

@Orion Blackwell ᵍ They got to pick what they had restricting them. How fancy, he got to pick his poison. The ‘uniform’ was the last thing he wanted to be wearing. But it would be best to hold his tongue on complaining. He was angry still - every so often it would bubble up inside him, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth like he’d eaten something foul. Deep breaths, self control. Irritable though he was, he bit back the snide comment on his tongue and smiled simply, coldly. If none of them were comfortable, he was left with a difficult decision.

The cuffs could get in the way while he was trying to go about his daily life. The collar - well, he wouldn’t complain about it, but it would mean hands near his throat, and did he really want that from anyone, even a guard, this early? Maybe not. It might pinch his skin too, and that would only sour his mood more. The belt seemed simple enough. If it wasn’t too skin damagingly tight, he could always wriggle to find a place where it sat without leaving marks in him. Sage took a moment longer deciding. He didn’t want to be speedy, he’d take his time with what he wanted. “Which is the least uncomfortable then?” He quirked a brow, not expecting an answer. “I’ll take the belt. Can I change my mind if it’s not to my tastes?”

@Sage Solomon ᵐ Orion /loved/ taking in new prisoners. Perhaps it was seeing new faces when he was stuck in this place just like everyone else. But more likely it was getting to push the "oh-so-powerful" mutants up against a table to handcuff them before putting on their collars. This mutant had already undressed and gotten into his prison garb--oh sorry, "uniform", that's what the warden called them--and all Orion had to do now was fit his collar.

"Metamorphosis huh?" Orion hummed as he looked at the mutant's file. He whistled as he let it hit the table before he pulled open a drawer. "So what are we feeling, mutant--or Sage, was it?" Orion smirked. "Collar, cuffs, or belt? None of them are comfortable. I can promise you that much." He was pretty. Orion hoped he picked the collar. But if he picked the belt, it meant Orion would get to lift his shirt up...oh, both were good.