introverat

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#face.

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@sentinelscarlett​

When Vera mentioned Alice she almost snorted. Saying that Alice enjoyed planning social events was, perhaps, the understatement of the year. Scarlett didn’t know the woman as well as others did - they didn’t get along - but her flair for event coordination was clear as day. Personally, Scarlett couldn’t think of anything worse than being in charge of something like that. She’d never been very organised at anything, apart from the Sentinels, and even then the more mind-numbingly boring side of it she delegated wherever possible.

“I’m sure they’ll be great like they always are. I don’t think the universe would want to get on Alice’s bad side.” The side of her mouth lifted slightly as she shifted in her seat, suddenly feeling uncomfortable under Vera’s gaze. She couldn’t hide much from her; Vera noticed everything. Most of the time Scarlett liked that because they had it in common. But there were times, like now, where she wished there weren’t so many questions.

She was silent for a beat before lifting her eyes to meet Vera’s. “We can handle it. They might need some extra support but… it’s nothing we haven’t done before. You’ve got a lot going on here so we don’t expect any decisions about security clearance overnight.” She tried to keep her voice light and unbothered, and conveniently ignored the question of whether she was taking care of herself or not. Most of the time Scarlett liked not to think about herself or what she might need. There was always too much to do. Like now - the mutants currently being checked over back at headquarters seemed alright, apart from one. There was just something off about him that Scarlett couldn’t quite put her finger on.

She wanted to ask Vera’s advice but found herself rapidly shrinking from the idea. After all, it would only add an extra issue onto Vera’s substantially full plate, and perhaps it would make her question Scarlett’s judgment in the future. Suddenly, she wanted desperately to get away from the very subject she’d come to talk about. “Anything special planned for the gala this year? Tenth anniversary and all. Maybe Weston will want to come this time.”

Scarlett had intentionally ignored her question concerning her own wellbeing, and they both knew it. Vera gave a stern look. Scarlett should have known better. It was more telling than if she had simply said that she was fine. Vera was already making plans for an inspection of the Sentinel headquarters. Maybe Scarlett found it easy to omit answers from her, but if she asked the other Sentinels their opinions on Scarlett's wellbeing then perhaps they would give her a more honest response. After all, she was aware that they cared about Scarlett, and since they worked so closely with her then they were sure to have noticed any concerning behaviours. 

Vera had hoped that, after so many years had passed since the end of the war, Scarlett would have at least gotten better. Instead it was like she was stuck in the same, persistent loop of self neglect. Vera only hoped Scarlett would realise that her behaviours affected not just herself, but everybody close to her, too. Especially given her position within the Sentinels. It came with so much responsibility. Vera had to wonder how Scarlett expected to do the best for others if she couldn't even do what was best for herself. She had a lot of faith in Scarlett, and supported her with most of her endeavours, but recently Vera was starting to wonder if she was placing too much trust in Scarlett. Vera loved her, but love would play no factor in deciding what was ultimately best for the Citadel. If Vera had to place Scarlett on restrictive duties then she would.

“I’ll see what I can do for you,” she said, eventually. Vera flipped open a small black notebook, wrote down a reminder, then closed the book again. "Would you like to speak with the head of security, or shall I?”

Vera almost didn’t answer any questions regarding the upcoming social events. It was late, she was tired, and she didn’t want to talk about ordinary things right then. Especially because she knew that Scarlett didn’t really want to be making light conversation either. Not here, not at this time of night. But the mentioning of her son softened her resolve a little, and the strict way she held herself relaxed some. 

“Weston...” 

For once, she hesitated. He had been having a lot of troubles, of late. He tried to hide it from her, but, well, of course she noticed. She noticed everything.

"I hope he comes,” she said quietly, with a touch of vulnerability. She looked away from Scarlett, at the pen on her desk, and took a moment to straighten it. “If you’re free at some point, you should come and visit. I’m sure he would like to see you, and maybe you’ll be able to persuade him to go.” 

In a way, Vera was asking for Scarlett’s help. If Weston was going to listen to anyone, it would be Scarlett.

#sentinelscarlett #scarlett niles

[introverat]

@sentinelscarlett​

As soon as Vera gave the go-ahead she walked in, keeping a somewhat leisurely pace as she shut the door behind her and sank into the chair opposite the Citadel’s founder.  Scarlett was no stranger to sitting and waiting for Vera to be done with one thing or another; luckily she was one of the few people Scarlett could extend her usually limited patience for.  She let her eyes wander around the room, taking note of the neatness of everything. It was a stark contrast to Scarlett’s own office, which was perpetually covered in clutter, but then again she didn’t have to hold important meetings with serious people in hers. 

Her eyebrows raised ever so slightly as the hand sanitiser was offered, but still, she took it, the tiniest smirk edging the corners of her lips. “Don’t worry, when I have the time I do use soap and water. Or at least water.” The cap clicked open and she watched the blood become fainter on her skin as the pungent smell of ethanol hit her nostrils. That reminds me, she thought, I want a drink after this. 

“I didn’t expect to see you here this late. Lot of work going on? With the markets and the gala.” She was, technically, about to add to Vera’s workload, but not out of choice. There were currently three mutants residing in the Sentinel headquarters, being checked over by the resident medical specialist after being retrieved from a rogue facility. They would need to be vetted, and given accommodation, and provided with support - Scarlett tried to get as much of it done herself as possible, but security clearance wasn’t really up to her, and nor was providing a place to live. Headquarters had some basic rooms for those that they rescued, but they weren’t very comfortable, and certainly not practical for living long term. 

“We’ve been busy,” she started, leg beginning to bounce up and down. “Got some new residents. They’re fine for tonight - well, besides the obvious - so… we can handle it for now. I just thought you’d want to know.”

Vera’s nose wrinkled faintly. She wanted to explain why water alone wasn’t enough to wash a person’s hands, but for once she was too tired, and she had a headache growing across her frontal lobe that was beginning to make her eyes hurt. She had a feeling she would need to start wearing glasses sooner or later, with how much time she spent staring at computer screens. She made a mental note to get her eyes tested. Prompted by that thought, she turned off her screens and raised a hand over the tops of her brows. 

“There must have been some part of you that was expecting me to be here, otherwise why would you have knocked on my officer door?” She rubbed at her forehead, trying to soothe the tension out of it. “Alice has offered her help with the preparations for the markets and the charity event. She seems to enjoy those kinds of things.” Her friend had been a great help in the past couple of weeks, as they got ready for the winter month. Vera trusted her judgement and was, in truth, relieved that she could give the responsibility to somebody else. “I’ve never been very good at organising social events.” When she met Scarlett’s eyes, she almost appeared amused.

But it didn’t last long. Vera glanced at Scarlett’s bouncing knee. She was restless. Nervous, for some reason? Stressed? She couldn’t decide. “Can you?” Handle it. She gave a levelled stare, watching closely. It was unfair of Vera to ask the question, really. Scarlett had been running rescue operations on her own for a while now. She knew what she was doing. Vera merely worried. Scarlett’s judgement could be clouded sometimes. Hypocritical though it was for her to state it, but Scarlett worked herself too hard. Vera, at least, knew her limits. Scarlett never seemed to care. “Are you taking care of yourself?”

#sentinelscarlett #scarlett niles

[introverat]

Vera went for walks when she was in need of some respite from her work at the tower. She had worked all through the night, and now the winter sun was creeping over the edge of the skyline. As always, she spent some time reading the names on the memorial wall in the foyer of the tower. She had memorised all of their names. Nobody would be forgotten.

It was cold outside. Vera wrapped her coat tighter around her and tucked her face into her scarf. People were only just beginning to step out of their houses to head to their jobs. They paid her no mind as she walked towards the square, where they were already setting up the stalls for the winter markets. It would begin soon, and she was looking forward to seeing the lights. Christmas brought people together. Even ten years after the war had ended the sense of normalcy events such as this brought would not be taken for granted by the people. They needed it. A lot of them had come here during the war.

She stopped by the fountain in the centre of the square, and peered up at the Christmas tree. It was partially covered by a white sheet in anticipation for its reveal on the first of December, but they hadn’t completely finished decorating it yet. Weston was not so interested in Christmas any more. He had no sense of wonder, and she supposed he had gotten that from her. Still, it did make her sad to know that her boy was growing up. Perhaps a little too fast.

Vera realised someone was standing beside her, looking up at the unfinished tree too. She glanced sideways at them. 

“It’ll look nice one it’s finished,” she said, the air so cold that her breath came out as mist. Her eyes drifted down the sides of the tree, at the wires keeping it sturdy and in place so that it wouldn’t fall. She noticed that one of the wires wasn’t as taut as the rest and narrowed her eyes at it, wondering, a little too late, why it was so flimsy. Just seconds before she realised the error, the hook in the ground broke, releasing the wire. It snapped free, flying snakelike into the air. Vera’s face paled as the tree, hidden under its white sheet like a giant ghost, gave a huge groan and began falling straight towards them.

“Move.”

#citadelstarters #ta-da!

[introverat]

@sentinelscarlett​

@introverat​

It was late; too late for either of them to still be working, and yet both were. Scarlett found herself feeling annoyed at Vera as she approached her office door, wondering what on earth she was still doing in there, before realising the hypocrisy in it. She had no room to criticise anyone on extended working hours when she hadn’t taken a true break for going on five years. At the very least it was convenient because now she could turn in a report.

She noticed a streak of dried blood on her hand when she reached out to knock on the door, and first tried in vain to rub it away before deciding it wasn’t worth fussing over. Three sharp knocks were rapped on the door before she pushed it open a crack, not stepping fully into the room until invited.

“Hey. You busy?”

The war had ended ten years ago, yet she was as deep in her duties as director as she had ever been. Each day there was something new for her to tackle, and each day she handled it with an impressive diligence. She had anticipated it all, of course. In some form or other. It was what she did. She made the appropriate calculations, the probable outcomes, and assessed what was best for a majority. People were happy with her leadership because she bore no obvious biases. She promised no corruption, and no nepotism. She was not ambitious, or power hungry. She had proven her capability to be able to run a sanctuary such as the Citadel, and no one had yet contested it. Of course, inevitably, somebody would, but she did not think that would be any time soon. 

Vera was typing an email to the head of Citadel security, Raleigh Ward, when Scarlett appeared at her office door. She lifted her gaze from her computer screen for a split second in acknowledgement, with the only telltale signs that she was focused on her work being the faint line between her brows, and the soft downturn of her lips. “I am,” she replied, “but come in, I’m almost done.” The quick taps from the computer keyboard filled the silence between them. Vera wasn’t looking at Scarlett, but she could see from the corner of her eye that she had entered now that she had been invited in. When she had finished the email, she hit send, then sat back in her chair and gave Scarlett her full attention. It didn’t take her long to notice the blood on her hand.

Vera opened the desk’s top drawer and took out a new bottle of hand sanitiser. She held it out for Scarlett to take. “Here,” she said. “Wash your hands properly when you can, please. With water and soap.” She meant it.

#sentinelscarlett #scarlett niles #:)

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cm meme ▷ (¼) outfits

#face. #big eyes emoji #i see you miss vera

[introverat]

𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐀 𝐊𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘., 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐋.

𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝

Title: Doctor

Name: Vera Olivia Romanenko Keneally

Birthdate: September 15, 1978 

Age: Forty Three (43)

Gender & Pronouns: Cis woman, she/her

Faceclaim: AJ Cook

Time in The Citadel: The Start

Occupation: Founder of the Citadel

BACKGROUND

Before it all began, Vera was an agent for the Mutant Secret Intelligence Unit (MSI) tasked with gaining information and intelligence on prominent figures at Morgana Academy.

Vera took a significant interest in the politics birthed from the revelation of the existence of mutants back in 2011. She became a cautious advisory regarding, first and foremost, the safety of those within the academy, but also on the ever growing tensions between certain new factions, their intentions, and the plethora of potential consequences. She warned those willing to listen of an all out war, and more imminently the prospect of a cold war, of which she believed they were about to nose dive in to.

After the attack on the academy by the upstart extremist group, the AMO, who had gained an overwhelming amount of traction in a short amount of time, Vera began to aid in the rescuing of kidnapped mutants from AMO facilities. As a consequence to these rescue missions, the Mutant Resistance was born. Vera did not have much to do with the MR, who were seen as working more “alongside” those from Morgana Academy than as a genuine integration of the two, and she eventually cut ties with the MR once it was clear that they intended to meet extremism with more extremism. Vera did not share their beliefs, or goals.

With the relationship between those from the academy and those of the MR growing fraught, Vera turned her attentions to safeguarding those in need of a haven who were desperate to escape the war between the AMO and MR. She busied herself with the creation of the Citadel.

With the help of a few select people, she also drafted the first concordat which would later be read out, and agreed to, at the peace talks.

Vera continues to be the active director of the Citadel, although in more recent times she has set her sights less on the active safety precautions and preparations for wartime, and more upon the development of the Citadel as a flourishing community. 

Not that she has entirely forgotten the probability of the horrors of the past coming back to haunt them. History always repeats itself, after all.

HEADCANONS

Vera has high functioning autism and has difficulty comprehending some social cues. She may get overwhelmed easily and therefore prefers to be alone, or somewhere that is quiet.

People do not often warm to her easily due to her standoffish nature, but she has a big heart and wants to help others.

Vera is incredibly wry. She enjoys telling jokes, but they are often missed or nonsensical to those who don’t know her well enough as a person.

Her favourite animal is a penguin.

Vera has a twelve year old son named Weston.

She has killed somebody by snapping a plastic lunch tray in two and sticking it into their throat before.

Vera’s power is “bone manipulation”, meaning that she is able to contort, or break, the bones in a person’s body at will.

Whilst she might not talk as much within a group setting, she revels in the company of those she is closest to and trusts. She has a great many loved ones who know that she cares for them, even if she doesn’t openly say it or even show it in the “normal” ways people often would.

#about. #citadelintros

[introverat]

I was settled into nothingness; a kind of non-being, and I accepted it. It didn’t make for an interesting person. I didn’t want to be interesting, it was too hard. What I really wanted was only a soft, hazy space to live in, and to be left alone.

Charles Bukowski (via wnq-writers)

#about.

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#face.

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#face.