the three in one

“if we wanted to talk about our mother’s new club or esme--”

“WE WOULD.”

“Oh, don’t get it twisted, weird sisters. I’m chill with mutants, I’m not chill with bitches.”

“Your Loss.” “we may be bitches,” “BUT WE’RE GOOD AT WHAT WE DO.”

“You know, I will pass– thanks, but I’ve got a pretty good gig here.”

“Send Your Love To Our Sister Then.” “TELL HER WE ABHOR HER.” “and we miss her.”

It was unusual seeing Esme alone. Out of her element was an understatement. Bobby folded his arms over his chest, suddenly intrigued to talk to her, “—can’t say the same for me.”

“You can’t personally say that you like ice?” Esme arched a brow. “That sounds contradictory to everything you have going on.” One hand hooked to the wrist of another before falling flatly to her sides. It all felt so wrong without her siblings there to fill their posing tableau. 

“God, I really wish I was just seeing triple,” Bobby groaned, his head pounding with every minuscule movement.

“you’re just seeing double.” “THAT’S ALL YOU’RE GETTING.”

“Wow, we’re agreeing on something. Did I miss the notice of the world ending?”

“VERY--” “--funny.” “We Are On the Same Team.” “don’t forget.”

“You want Esme back? Go get her. Isn’t that the whole point of the cloning thing — you all think alike?”

“Ugh.” 

Two sets of eyes rolled in unison. Phoebe moved to stick her hands on her hips, elbows jutting out definitely while Sophie gripped one hand in the other at her waist.

“WE HAVE A HIVE MIND.” “that doesn’t make us the same.” “ESME IS HER OWN --” “---and so are we.” “IT NEVER USED TO MATTER,” “but you know what they say --” “-- Times Change.”

“Being messy is no problem. It actually makes it fun.” Venom tilted his head, glancing between the three of them. “You three look mischievous.” 

Matt’s face lit up with surprise. “Really? You’d pass up a good place just because of that?”

“The Underground looked great on paper, but all my brother has done is get people killed or ostracized the rest. He’s only ever cared about the mission, and I wouldn’t say that makes him much better than Reeva.”

“So does the Hellfire Club.” Esme retorted as she bit back an eye roll. “Rich, effective and resourceful. It doesn’t change what can happen there or at the Underground. But as someone who worked with Reeva intimately before her... passing, I can tell you that your flawed, annoying and confrontational brother is slightly better than what she was. She had potential, but now we’ll never get to see that, will we?”

“At least you’re being honest then.” Which wasn’t the usual with any of the three. “Of course I’m angry. I don’t pretend to not be.” She was angry she couldn’t be with Dawn, with Marcos. The family she had made for herself or the father she had hated so. “But my anger isn’t for you to use and profit off of.”

“With you, I try to be.” And that was true. It was difficult but Esme did make an effort when it came to Lorna. For some reason she felt compelled to. Other than her sisters, the green haired mutant was the closest thing she had to a friend. She was definitely the only friend she had who couldn’t read her mind all the time. “Your my friend. I don’t want to profit off of your anger. I just said that you should use it.”

“That’s vaguely genocidal of you three and I’m not surprised.”

“It’s Our Brand.”

“It’s funny how that works, isn’t it?”

“NOT REALLY.” “people don’t care enough about appearances anymore.” “It’s A Shame.”

“Lock doesn’t work,” Rogue turned her head. “So ah’m improvisin’.” 

“WHATEVER.” “we don’t care about your bath.” “Let’s Talk Brotherhood.”

“And mutants wonder why people don’t like them.”

“THE SAME CAN BE SAID TO YOU, PRINCESS.”

“Hm. Well I applaud her for having the patience to be around three telepaths.” He lightly tapped his helmet. “Your skills are quite useful but personally distasteful. She doesn’t have the luxury of secrecy as I do.”

“She Likes Esme Best.” Sophie and Phoebe rolled their eyes. Annoying, wasn’t it? Whatever. They didn’t care much for Lorna as it was. Esme could be soft for her on her own. They were of one mind at times but three different personalities.