nextgenerationmarvel | ((Open to Reactions))

Marcelo Jaoquim Alencar da Silva had been bothering the doctors to clear him for doing a press conference ever since he got the toll the Purifier attack had cost him. The damage to his business and building didn't even make him bat an eye. The loss of life among his employees drove him into a quiet, determined shell. Foremost on his mind was getting his own word out.

The doctors finally relented on letting him join one of their daily press conferences to the media since the attack on Veridian. He hoped his presence speaking would renew the press at this point. He wanted attention on what had happened.

After making sure copies of security footage was safely in the Brazilian embassy in Washington DC and the consulate in New York, he requested a pair of pants. He might not get to wear a shirt and have to be wheeled to the press conference in a wheel chair, but he was going to do it in pants.

At the appointed time in the afternoon, he was wheeled down to the media room where a table had been set up. A couple doctors were there, too, to give updates on the other patients. He had worked it out so he started the press conference.

Marcelo adjusted his medical gown a bit. Then he leaned slightly toward the mic. He winced ever so slightly when the motion pulled on his wound. He might have been paler than normal, but he wasn't sure anyone would notice.

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen," he started levelly. He fought internally to keep himself calm.

"As you know a few days ago, a group of men in powered armor and one raving lunatic attacked my offices of Veridian Dynamics.

"Nineteen hard-working employees were killed in coldblood.

"Eighteen of us are still here for medical treatment. Which does not include the twenty-seven of my employees that had been treated and released.

"Law enforcement agencies are continuing to investigate. I expect an updated report shortly." He paused slightly to drum up the words that came next.

"I condemn this attack, this terrorist attack by Vargas and the Purifiers, in the strongest possible terms. They came into a workplace and opened fire on innocent people because I do not condone or support their viewpoint. They killed people because I refused to discriminate." He glanced at several cameras pointed at him.

"I give my deepest condolences and sympathies to the victims and families of those killed. I honor their service and bravery. From the toughest member of security to," his voice caught. He blinked away the tears the next words caused. "To the sweetest of secretaries. All of them were amazing people taken too soon by malice.

"I would also like to thank the X-Men, who showed up to help distract and contain those Purifiers so the death toll would not be higher."

With his bit said, he let the doctors take over the medical updates. He hoped the incoming questions weren't too hard. He was not on pain meds until he went back to his hospital room. He needed to be as clear-headed as possible.

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Alexander Aaron's life was a madhouse these days. His designs got some exposure when a few starlets took a chance on him and now his name was all over New York City and even in a couple of places in Europe. His time was spent sketching new outfits and making sure his business got off the ground.

Money came in quickly and Alexander felt like he was accomplishing something that his godhood had no part of. He enjoyed his work and looked forward to coming in on a daily basis. Ironically, now that he had things to share the people in his life were scarce.

Roxanne was busy. Joe was on some sort of mission for the human authorities he worked for and Alexander hadn't heard from Brooke in some time. The last one was disheartening even though Alex did not lack for female company.

During a rare moment of introspection, Alexander turned on the television to find out what was going on in the world and caught the end of the press conference. He saw Marcelo, injured and discussing an attack on his offices. Alex remembered reading something about that in the paper a few days ago...

well, Marcelo was Stephanie's lover. Stephanie was Brooke's friend. Alexander was Brooke's...friend. He picked up his phone.

"I'm leaving the office for the rest of the day. I'll be back in the morning." he told his assistant. He hung up the phone and stared at the television for another moment and vanished.

He reappeared outside Marcelo's hospital room and knocked on the door.

Marcelo had managed to get back to his room, have both dressings changed, and get his pain meds. He blinked at the knock on the door. He hadn't expected anyone.

Maybe it was one of his father's hired Symkarians giving him the not needed update.

"Come on down. Or in. Or how does that work again?"

Alexander tested the door and attempted to enter the room. He reminded himself that humans don't just teleport through doors; they knocked.

"Marcelo, I saw the news. I'm sorry about your employees that were injured." Alexander said. He meant it. He tried not to draw attention to how Marcelo might feel right now, between the pain and the sadness.

"I hope my showing up isn't an issue. If Stephanie is on her way, I can make myself scarce but I thought I'd check in on you and make sure you're all right."

He tilted his head slightly when he saw who was visiting. Definitely not that brusque Symkarian.

"Obrigado," he replied quietly to the sympathy. It did hurt, but he was trying to be hospitable in the hospital. He tried to not wallow in it. Marcelo could do that at home.

His brow knit as he tried to remember where Stephanie went. "I think she went to go smuggle me in some decent food. Have a seat."

Alexander sat and watched Marcelo intently.

"This insanity with the hating of mutants has got to stop. I never quite understood why hu--people felt the need to hate each other because of things they have no control over." Alexander said.

"But you stood up for your principles and that's admirable. The person responsible for this deserves punishment to the fullest extent possible." he said.

He quirked an eyebrow at the wording stumble. "Well, the hu--people are probably scared, but there's no easy way to make us plain old humans let go of our fears. Personal experience with mutants puts me at a leg up on most."

He found his mutant cuddly. Even if he was getting the sinking feeling he was her weak spot. He settled back and winced as the motion pulled on his wounds a bit.

"Stephanie told me Vargas was given to the Avengers for detainment. Law enforcement can take him from there."

"And you believe the law is sufficient to handle him? Did this man not evade the law for some time before he was caught?" Alexander asked him.

"Being able to avoid the law does not make it any less applicable to him. I think the Avengers are sufficient to contain him. If not, then I will find the right avenues of justice to take." Despite his vigilantism, he always left the thugs and drug dealers for the police to handle. It was a little easier in America to find honest police officers. Marcelo never saw himself above society, just bracing up parts that needed a hand.

Alexander nodded at Marcelo's judgment. He'd made his mind and Alexander hoped it the right choice.

"As a get-well sort of present, I think I will design clothing for you and Stephanie. This situation has put you both through a lot. I'd like to help ease that distraction." Alexander said.

"That seems a little propitious for me," he said with a small wince as he shifted slightly. He lifted his hand to almost touch his chest and then thought better of it.

"Apparently, having me get stabbed through has made Stephanie want to get married sooner rather than later." Marcelo wasn't quite sure how to feel about the sped up nuptials yet.

"She's afraid." Alexander said. "Of losing you, I mean. She came close. Do you blame her?" he asked.

Pause.

"You don't sound thrilled about the idea...or not as thrilled as you should. May I ask why?"

He shook his head slightly. "I don't blame her. I love and adore Stephanie more than life itself."

Then it was his turn to pause. He had to be careful what he said. He had varied reasons, but whatever he said could get back to Stephanie through an extended game of telephone. Also, he had a secret identity to maintain.

"I just had employees and people I care about slaughtered in front of me. People who looked up to me and expected me to give them a safe work environment. I'm not exactly thrilled about anything at the moment."

"That is understandable. But take your comfort where you can, Marcelo. The dead deserve respect but you survived. Take comfort in that when you can." Alexander said.

"I'll contact you about a fitting. I'd like to make sure you aren't overworking yourself as a way of not dealing with everything. Forgive me, but you seem like the type, my friend." Alex said gently.

"Sometimes surviving is no comfort," he said before rubbing his face. He couldn't keep the hollow bit of experience out of his voice. Though he did blink and try to move on. Or at least not think about it more.

"I try to stay busy. This sitting in a hospital bed is killing me." Macelo gave a wan smile.

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