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Post by CHARLES XAVIER on Jun 1, 2021 5:48:13 GMT
The qualifier was, in many ways, Charles’s version of an olive branch. He was extending a certain amount of faith to Erik- faith that he could make a judgement call, the right judgement call, should a situation arise where he needed to. Because if there was blood tonight, he understood that it would be on both their hands.
”I do.” he assured, when Erik insisted that he must had had a car. Charles actually much preferred knowing he would use his own vehicle than whatever it was Erik acquired, through whatever means he acquired it. He was also happy to know that Erik hadn’t brought an entourage to the school. While, for the most part, he understood Erik’s intentions, there were certainly members of the Brotherhood he wasn’t as.. comfortable being around.
”Sean is as capable of being subtle as you are.” Charles replied. Which was, admittedly, not particularly capable at all. He hadn’t wanted to announce the real reason he wouldn’t accompany Erik alone, more for his pride than Erik’s, but knowing the man wouldn’t leave it be, he relented. ”If I’m going to be scanning the entire building and keeping us hidden, I’m not going to be able to move quickly or focus on where I’m going. I trust Sean to assist me.” It was the nicest way he could say that he didn’t trust Erik to do the same.
His tone calm and measured, he continued. ”I also trust Sean to keep you from going back on your word.” Strategically, that might not have been the smartest thing to reveal, but Charles wanted to make it clear to Erik that he was hiding nothing from him. He never had. With his helmet, if Erik decided in the middle of the night that he wanted to launch a full scale attack on the humans, there would be nothing Charles could do to stop him. And considering Erik had made that decision in the past, he wanted to take every precaution possible. Sean, at least, would be able to physically counter Erik, should the need arise.
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Post by ERIK LEHNSHERR on Jun 1, 2021 6:21:08 GMT
Erik's eyes narrowed slightly at that comparison between himself and Sean. "His ability is unsubtle," he pointed out. But evidently, the primary purpose of bringing Sean was unrelated to his ability to aid them in their purpose. Erik felt something cold run through him at the realization of what this implied. And there was an edge of pain to it. That Charles would think he couldn't trust Erik to protect him. That Charles would think...
It hurt more that he might have expected. Enough that he did turn away, now, under the guise of looking out the window at the darkened grounds. And knowing without a doubt that Sean was along to stop him. Because he was a liability. Because he couldn't be expected to maintain control of himself. He worked this over in his mind, wanting to break it down to its elements. Mold it into something harder, something that couldn't be broken so easily by a single word, a single idea. For so long, he hadn't needed anyone. And then - Charles. Charles, with his belief, with those golden memories pulled forward from the depths of Erik's past, with the bond they'd shared. A bond Erik was beginning to realize he still held onto, after all these years. The idea that the things Charles spoke of might be possible, even for him, that he might reclaim some semblance of happiness. That he might not have to be alone.
"Did you ever really believe that I could be better?" he asked, though he didn't turn back to Charles. Didn't want to see what he would think of this show of fragility. Weakness.
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Post by CHARLES XAVIER on Jun 1, 2021 7:05:19 GMT
”Perhaps you should try to think of people for more than just their abilities.” Charles said, raising an eyebrow at Erik’s rebuttal. ”It’s been five years.” he reminded. ”Sean’s changed… We all have.”
This time when Erik squirmed, Charles felt no satisfaction. He bit down on his lip as Erik turned away from him, immediately regretting what he’d said to cause such a noticeable reaction in the typically stoic man. ”Erik-“ he started, apologetically, but he stopped himself.
It wasn’t Charles who had hurt Erik. It wasn’t Charles who betrayed Erik’s trust. He had every logical reason not to feel safe alone with Erik after the things he had done. He wouldn't apologize for that. But a part of him still felt bad for it. Bad that he couldn’t help Erik, or be what he needed.
He didn’t hesitate for a second when asked the question. ”Yes.” If he hadn’t, none of it would have hurt so much.
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Post by ERIK LEHNSHERR on Jun 1, 2021 14:54:20 GMT
Erik wasn't seeking an apology, and nearly started at Charles' placating tone, though nothing came but his name. It was almost worse. Charles knew, then, that he was still capable of hurting Erik. And all at once Erik hated himself for allowing this to affect him. Charles had made it clear, that day on the beach, that he had no interest in being at Erik's side any longer. Obtaining Cerebro - that was a matter of the convenience Erik's abilities would offer. Nothing more.
Could he make himself believe that? Not quite, no, the line of his shoulders rigid as he battled the part of himself that still wanted to find the path he had been on before facing Shaw. It would have been easier if Charles were more cruel; Erik had never known what to do with kindness.
Yes. But Erik had asked the question in the past tense. He didn't dare ask what Charles must think now.
"I will accept bringing Sean with us. I see that I have no choice. But I can assure you that his assistance with regard to me will not be necessary." His tone was dull, no effort made to conceal his displeasure. He already regretted coming here, and the sooner he could get what he needed from it - the sooner her could escape the way this place confused him - the better.
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Post by CHARLES XAVIER on Jun 1, 2021 16:30:42 GMT
Charles sighed in response to Erik’s obvious shift in demeanor. He knew he had pushed the man away, and it was so very against his nature to do so to anyone, regardless of how they may have wronged him in the past. ”I’m glad to hear that.” Charles said, his tone sincere but professional in regard to Erik’s agreement. He wanted nothing more than for him to be telling the truth.
”I’ll meet you outside the garage then?” He assumed Erik had gone through this much trouble to avoid speaking to any of the mansion’s other occupants, he wouldn’t want to ruin the steak now. Besides, Charles was going to have a difficult enough time explaining this to Sean without him there.
Sean, unsurprisingly, was still awake downstairs with a handful of older students. At least someone seemed to be enjoying their night. Charles tried, but he couldn’t completely keep the concern off his face. ”My apologies.” he said, for interrupting whatever they were doing. ”Sean, could I speak with you a moment.” He gestured for him to step into a more private room.
”Erik came by the house tonight.” Might as well get the most uncomfortable part out right away. ”He’s found evidence that leads him to believe the government is experimenting on mutants, and that they might be using cerebro to find them. If they aren’t.. it’s still the best chance of us finding out who’s responsible for this and where their main base of operations is.”
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Post by SEAN CASSIDY on Jun 1, 2021 20:48:01 GMT
sean was having an important discussion with jubilee. "look, all i'm saying is it'd be kind of fun to be able to buzz in people's ears. and if you're swatted, you die instantly. being shot by hunters would suck," he said, turning to charles when he entered the room. "hey charlie-- would you rather have to spend a month as a fly in louisiana or a rhino in the african savannah?" sean, could i speak with you a moment? apparently, charles wasn't in the mood to play. he got up, walking around a corner and leaning against a wall. "what's up?"
erik came by the house tonight. he groaned. "that toenail? what'd he want?" he asked incredulously. the next part did concern sean and his eyes widened. "oh. wait-- what are we doing, then? i mean, do you know where to look?"
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2021 2:28:25 GMT
“Pfft, seriously? At least rhinos have thick hides, you have a better chance at surviving and running someone over long before you would die.” Jubilee retorted towards Sean. She didn’t know how they got to this moment, but here they were. It was late at night but the young mutant was far from being tired, much less inclined to retire to her room any time soon.
Thus, she had engaged in the most random of conversations to those actually listening.
But, their conversation was quickly cut short upon the arrival of Charles Xavier himself. Her usual big grin quickly formed as she went to greet Xavier but stopped herself when she noticed his expression, causing her grin to turn into a frown. She didn’t often see the professor in such a state that he seemed so serious, perhaps even worried. Though his additional tone suggested something major had just happened or was fixing to, causing Jubilee to keep her mouth shut as she watched the two men disappear around the corner....And gave her reason to tail them quietly to learn exactly what was happening, which was somewhat difficult as many of her fellow classmates were somewhere in the hall or going back and forth to the kitchen for a late night snack or late dinner making it difficult for Jubilee to follow right away and only catching the tail end of the conversation.
Ensuring no one else was about to interrupt her attempts to find out what was happening, the teen carefully moved closer, just barely hearing Xavier mention something about the government and experimentation and Sean inquiring to where. What exactly was that about? Jubilee’s brows furrowed slightly, the gears working overtime in her mind as she considered just letting it go, yet at the same time felt something huge was about to happen, ‘No way am I missing out on this!’
Grinning to herself, she quickly backtracked to where she could hide down another corner, just out of sight while the doorway was still within her own. By then, she had already tugged her yellow trench coat back on and had her fluorescent pink visor glasses in hand, ready to move the moment the older mutants were.
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Post by CHARLES XAVIER on Jun 2, 2021 3:19:07 GMT
On a normal day, Charles might have indulged in Sean and Jubilee’s hypothetical guessing game. He wasn’t above joking around with his students, and it was certainly one of the least destructive things the two of them could do with their time. But Erik’s spontaneous arrival had left him a bit frazzled, and Charles just wanted to get on with what they needed to do.
”Yes.” he said in response to Sean’s question. ”We’re going to go tonight. With Erik.” And yes, Charles sounded every bit as happy about that and you could expect he did. ”I’m sorry to throw this on you without more notice. I’m not thrilled with the idea myself.” But it was the only idea they had that seemed like it might actually work, and if they didn’t go, Charles had full confidence that Erik would destroy the machine before they got another chance.
He only stopped to inform one of the other teachers that he would be out for the night, and that he would appreciate if they could keep an eye on things in his absence. Jubilee managed to evade detection as they made their way to the garage, where Erik was -Charles was relieved to find- patiently waiting. ”Erik,” he nodded, the closest he would come to saying thank you for following instructions, and opened the gate with a passcode.
He hadn’t thought about the seating arrangement. Charles went to open the passenger door, but stopped when Erik moved towards the driver’s side. ”Actually, Sean will drive.” he said, and though there was absolutely no malice behind his words, his tone left little room for argument. ”Please,” he added respectfully towards Sean, though he doubted Sean had any more desire to give Erik control over the vehicle than Charles did.
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Post by ERIK LEHNSHERR on Jun 4, 2021 14:48:52 GMT
Charles' polite tone rankled, but Erik knew that it came from a place of good intention rather than condescendence. That was the problem with Charles. But Erik shut that line of thought down before it could begin, giving a nod. Waiting for Charles to leave before making his own way back out the window. It felt somewhat ridiculous now, but in truth Erik had never been a social animal, and he hardly wanted to hear Sean's initial thoughts about the situation.
He landed near the garage and stood there, a formidable shadow against the dark backdrop of the structure and the trees. Biding his time by running his power over the vehicles within, and then the mechanisms for the garage door, and then noting Charles' approach by his rather distinct metals signature and straightening even more. "Charles," he replied as the pair of them arrived, giving Sean a once-over from beneath the shadows of the helmet, "Sean."
Pleasantries over with, he moved for the driver's side without quite considering any other option. It was only Charles' voice that stopped him, and Erik frowned forcibly in his direction. Several thoughts surfaced in quick succession - that surely Sean was too much of a bumbling fool to drive, that Erik could gain control of the vehicle regardless of which seat they shoved him in - but he thought better of voicing them, instead curling his fingers to open all four doors.
"Will the other one be coming with us?" he asked, because he was fairly sure the pair of earrings that had followed them out of the school belonged to a person.
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Post by SEAN CASSIDY on Jun 6, 2021 12:54:32 GMT
sean was pretty sure Charles was high. Regardless of the man’s current status of sound mind Sean could not let Charles go on a kamikaze mission with Erik alone so he was following them to the car. His nose wrinkled as his eyes scanned Erik. ”halloween, already? What are you— a robotic GI Joe?” the helmet sure looked like it.
Okay, so he’d told Charles he’d try to be polite with Erik. He’d tried really hard for a few seconds.
He nodded when Charles requested he take the driver’s seat, getting right in. will the other one be coming with us? he furrowed his eyebrows, looking behind them in search of the body Erik was referring to. He opened his mouth to ask for elaboration before he figured it out and smirked. ”yes, Charlie didn’t tell you?” he asked before shooting a look at Charles.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2021 17:15:16 GMT
Living on the streets for a time seemed to play to Jubilee's advantage tonight. She was able to avoid Xavier and Sean spotting her as they headed towards the garage, and her powers allotted her a natural defense against the professor's telepathy, unless he was specifically looking for her brainwave patterns. Though to be fair, Xavier seemed...frazzled that night, which was odd and was perhaps what caught the young teen's attention the most.
So, when they had gotten some distance ahead only then did she tail them towards the garage, slipping behind some of the other cars teachers and students often used. Peering around the car she hid behind, she was surprised to see a man she had never met before in her time at the institute. He looked and gave off an air of seriousness and being quite an imposing figure. And he seemed to know her two mentors, causing her to tilt her head quizzically. Old friend perhaps? Whatever the situation, it seemed quite tense and unpleasant between them, making her wonder if it was so wise to be following after all. Not that she got much of a chance to reconsider before Erik remarked about a fourth presence.
How had he known?
Oh well. Busted anyway, Jubilee quickly emerged, rolling with the fact there was no hiding she had been following them. "Heck yea I am! I just wanted to test you myself!" Okay, that was probably the must unbelievable thing she could have come up with, but she only gave a wide albeit sheepish grin. "Okay, no, it wasn't a test, but I might as well go since I'm here. I don't know the whole story, but sounds like you guys could use the help." She spoke, tone easily dismissing the chance for protest from Charles as she approached the car as even Sean seemed to support her coming along. Then again, he was pretty lenient to these sort of things compared to some of the other mentors she had. "Mean that's what we're here for right? Helping people? What better way to learn than getting that hands-on experience." Not that Jubilee knew the whole story, only that it was something big enough to worry one of the most composed men she knew.
Decision made for them, the brightly dressed teenager made her way to the passenger side back seat and hopped right in. "Lets get rolling!" She prompted impatient enthusiasm.
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Post by CHARLES XAVIER on Jun 6, 2021 19:11:52 GMT
Charles should have known Jubilee wouldn’t let Sean run off in the middle of the night without so much as a question to what was going on. He wasn’t thinking clearly tonight, and that was going to be a problem if he couldn’t get it together before they made it to the CIA facility.
Normally Charles wouldn’t have allowed any of the students to come along on a mission like this. It had the potential to be dangerous even without the added unpredictability and tension of having Erik with them. But when Jubilee made a point about how they were there to help people, he grinned slightly despite himself, and exchanged a knowing look with Sean. ”Well said.” Charles agreed. Maybe she was what they needed after all.
”My apologies for not mentioning it sooner. Jubilee is quite talented when it comes to getting into places she’s been explicitly forbidden.” he explained to Erik, though he looked at the teenage girl with an expression that clearly indicated they wound be having a long talk about this later. ”I think you’ll find she’ll be an asset to our team.”
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Post by ERIK LEHNSHERR on Jun 10, 2021 2:13:47 GMT
Erik gave Sean a deadpan look from within the helmet. In truth, he had no idea what a G.I. Joe was, though he could infer that it was some insulting implication about his appearance. He might have pointed out that his armor was bulletproof and his helmet prevented any telepath from rattling about in his head, but he saw no point in egging the boy on.
He regretted this choice to show restraint in the moments that followed. But first, was the rather interesting appearance of the girl. Erik cast a glance in Charles' direction. He was a polite telepath, far more so than Emma, but to not even notice one of his students trailing him? Because it was clear that Charles had not been aware; Erik knew a lie when he saw one. Possible the girl's abilities had allowed for this - an intriguing idea, that had him smiling as she insisted she'd merely been testing him before admitting to the fib in nearly the same breath.
"I've no qualms with including another," he drawled, moving to the back seat on the driver's side. If he would not be allowed to drive, then he would be a constant and looming presence at Sean's back. From here, he could also keep an eye on Charles. His lips twitched in amusement at Charles' words, which seemed to mask an admonishment that would surely be delivered later. Still the same old Charles, really. "What is it you can do, Jubilee?"
He managed to get into his seat with a modicum of grace, draping the length of his cape over his lap and pulling the seatbelt across his chest without the use of his hands.
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Post by SEAN CASSIDY on Jun 19, 2021 4:29:01 GMT
ooc: i completely forgot about this thread tbh but i still blame nick for not telling me i owed here
i've no qualms with including another. "can someone tell him he's not speaking to the queen?" the guy sounded so... british. it made sean want to vomit. god, everything erik said made him want to vomit.
"oh, jubilee's freakin' awesome. tell him," he said with an eager grin, glancing back at her quickly before returning his eyes to the road.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2021 20:31:01 GMT
Jubilee beamed slightly as she seemed to make a valid enough point for Charles to allow her to accompany them, as well as the praising for her skills to get in and out of things. Although she didn’t miss the look he cast at her, a gaze she knew well enough from her parents and the Professor at this point. There would be a long winded lecture in her future once they arrived back, but for now she was able to push it to the back of her mind as she pulled her seatbelt on.
Though she couldn’t help but stare in interest when Erik didn’t bother using his hands to put on his. What sort of power did he have? Controlling metal? Plastic? She opened her mouth to ask before Erik seemed to beat her to the punch, causing her to pause briefly before her intrigue turned to a full-blown excited grin from ear to ear. “I can create fireworks of course!” Opening one of her gloved hands, a brilliant multicolored sparkler effect emitted from her palm, giving off soft whistles like a sparkler on Fourth of July, “Well, least that’s what I call it. I’ve been told they’re explosive plasmoid gobules I can control with my mind, something harmless like this to being able to blow through a few inches thick metal wall! Oh! And I can shape it a bit too, but that’s still a work in progress.” Jubilee seemed to launch into her explanation with almost no pause and great enthusiasm, seeming to love her abilities than most. “And my mind seems to be full of static like a tv without a working antennae, so unless someone like the Professor knows what to look for I’m a walking telepathic blocker.”
Though, Pandora’s box was only just opening...
Inching a little closer and leaning in slightly closer to Erik as if expecting to hear a brilliant story, her attention was soon fully focused on the Master of Magnetism with little time given to sink in everything she had just said. “But more about me later, I want to know more about you.” She barely took a breath before the flow of questions commenced, “Sooo, who are you anyhow? Do you have a cool codename too?What sort of abilities do you have? Did you use them to find out how I was following Sean and Professor Xavier? What’s with the weird armor and helmet? Is the cape just to be fancy or is it part of the aesthetic? Are there other mutant groups like at the school you’re involved in? Are you always so serious and scary looking? And how do you know Sean and Professor X? Are you guys like, old drinking buddies or something? Or just a long distance teacher we have never met before?” A Jack Russell terrier wouldn’t hold a candle to the hyperness Jubilee gave off in that moment only stopping as she felt the air leave her lungs after the long winded questions, taking a moment to catch her breath.
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