it's not our fault it's an april mingle

[ladybro]

Who: S.S. Blameless
Broadcast: N/A
Action: Yes, for crew-mates and any visitors!
When: Month of April

[ aww mingle, no. ]

Comments

[axiomed]

[ He claps his arm warmly as he wheels along. ]

Well, I expected nothing less. When would you like to go?

[beathach]

[he's so excited at this prospect he actually forgets that he's supposed to be hiding]

I - it isn't like I'm doing anything, so whenever's good for you? [which is a little dumb to say considering Hank would drop literally everything for Charles regardless]

[axiomed]

Really? So you're not hiding in your lab?

[beathach]

. . . I didn't lock the door.

[axiomed]

Should I be impressed?

[ r e a l l y ]

[beathach]

[he huffs a little]

I'm trying, okay? I'm hiding but I'm not - inaccessible.

And this is a little different from running into you or Erik in the morning before I reach the lab.

[axiomed]

Is this about the serum or about . . . earlier?

[ Aka the angriest mutants with no manners. ]

[beathach]

[he drums his claws against one of the tables, before he stops himself and takes a deep breath]

The serum is the least of my concern. For once. No one's going to attack me, that I know of.

[he shrugs, and his shoulders sag with his sigh] I'm just very overwhelmed by - everything.

[axiomed]

I would ignore it if I were you. It's not even a possibility.

[ Charles is not gonna budge on this. ]

[beathach]

[he quirks a brief smile]

I know it isn't, Charles. I'm not worried about that.

[axiomed]

Fine. Is there something you're worried about?

[beathach]

[he looks at Charles for a long moment before he drops his head, sighing. It comes out half a tired laugh]

You might not have noticed, but I'm a little blue today. You know what sort of baggage that comes with.

[a breath] I worry about everything. I worry about you, about Erik - about the other mutants and if I really should hide until they get used to the idea that I'm not who they think I am. I'm especially worried that I'm going to walk out that door and no one's going to bat an eye, and I have very little idea of how to handle that.

[a longer pause, and he winces] I'm overwhelmed and - taking it out on you. I'm sorry, professor.

[axiomed]

[ Oh, Hank. ]

No, it's fine. It is rather overwhelming.

[ The only reason Charles isn't quite overwhelmed yet is because he hasn't mustered up any sense of caring. He has the spiel, the facts, he's ready to move on. Though . . . his students are here. Even though they're not actually his and he doesn't know what to make of that. Or Mystique.

But he can't change their minds about him and he might not even try. ]

But it's better to express it.

[beathach]

[oh don't worry, he purposely glossed over Mystique]

Sometimes, maybe. [he rubs a hand over his face, takes a deep breath . . . ]

How are you doing? Have you met up with Erik yet?

[expressing how he feels is one thing, but distractions tend to work better]

[axiomed]

I'm fine.

[ He really is, few issues notwithstanding. ] I had an easier welcome.

[beathach]

I'm glad for that. [it's earnest; after Kyriakos, after everything that happened back home, Charles deserves an easier time] You've already beat me to piloting a shuttle, I think I'm a little envious.

[axiomed]

Try it. I wasn't very good at it.

[beathach]

I could fly you back. [he shrugs a shoulder] It can't be all that different from a plane, or - the jet.

[axiomed]

That's sweet of you, Hank, but I'm sure I'll manage.

[ But Charles wouldn't make him a glorified chaffeur. ] Let's head down to the planet sometime in the weekend. Take some time to get used to the ships first.

[beathach]

[like Hank would actually mind]

Mm, that's a good idea. I can . . . I don't know, see what I can get my hands on to make this lab a little more decent in the meantime.

[axiomed]

Let me know if you need anything.

[ Charles probably has some money already. They could easily pool their resources for SCIENCE ]

[beathach]

[SCIENCE!!]

I will. [he hasn't exactly checked that, but given everything, he probably already has some too] Will you be coming here to work, then?

[axiomed]

[ He pauses. ]

I suppose I could. I haven't taken a good look at the Golden's labs yet.

[ For. Obvious reasons. ]

[beathach]

It would make sense to keep everything in one place, as well.

[he offers as a legit and logical excuse]

[axiomed]

[ He grins. ]

Well, I'd have to agree.