driftfleet | (no subject)

[As news started to filter out about the incident with Winter and the list of those who got hurt got named, Mystique had held off being involved with any of it, sticking back and just taking in any information on what had happened as she came across it. It was through that same long grapevine of info that she had heard several of the injured was returning to their ships, leading her to board the Heron and sort out at least one of the individuals.

Was it out of concern? Maybe in a way, at least in regards to how Charles had impacted her time there. He certain made it more tolerable, able to speak more openly with him than anyone else she had been able to for a long time. But a big dose of this was curiosity, and what kind of individual could injure both he and Erik so badly.

Stalking her way through the ship, she came across them both together, moving to rest a hand on her hip and gaze at them through slightly narrowed eyes.] How the hell did you two get hurt so much?

[ Charles has the good grace to look a bit sheepish. ]

It's a long story.

[Erik, on the other hand, wasn't anticipating this Mystique coming to call. So there is a moment where he just stills, taken aback. He hadn't thought his identity would stay off her radar for long, especially given he's stopped going by Blade as a name. This isn't the most ideal time to be confronted, however.

After a few moments, he straightens slightly, crossing his arms. He ignores the cast on his left arm; there's no point hiding it.]

It isn't. Mistakes were made. That's the essence of it.

[Yes Erik, she knows, but luckily for you she had gotten most of her rage out against your existence thanks to Kurt, and a little with Charles. Yet she still leveled her gaze on him as she moved further into the room before allowing it to slide away, looking at the two younger men as if they were disobedient boys. As if she was talking to the Brotherhood boys, children who were trying to sit at the adults table.]

A telepath who I don't doubt is one of the world's, if not the world's most powerful, and a metal manipulator, surrounded by metal and against an opponent with a metal arm. [Yes, she's judging you, maybe not as harshly as she once would. In fact it was a little amusing. A little.] I'm starting to think I overestimated you both.

[ He frowns. Not that his pride smarted in any way. ]

The element of surprise works on all mutants, even powerful ones. I wanted to help Winter, not completely incapacitate him.

[He's not about to admit that Winter's arm has never been within the sphere of his power. That he suspects the augment has dampened his ability in select areas, to stop him having too much control over the ships and people around him. So, he lifts a shoulder in a half-shrug.]

I wasn't immediately in the mood to kill the captain of our ship.

Well, when you put it that way. [She would had shot him in the head.

Ok, maybe in the kneecaps. But first instinct would had been in the head, right between the eyes. Then again, you didn't make friends by murdering their friends. Sadly.]

I take it you are both on the mend then.

[ He gives her a warm smile. ]

We're fine, thank you. Ribs are a little sore but nothing time and a little rest won't mend.

[Erik just nods. He's hardly going to complain about his injuries. Far worse things could have happened.]

[There may had been part of her that both appreciate Charles' smile to her question, but also think he was an idiot for showing such a reaction to her when so many would just dismiss her as trying to manipulate him. Then again, it was taking a lot for her to learn there wasn't that same need to use others to get to a goal in this place, or that despite similarities this wasn't the same person she knew back in her world.

Which only drew her attention more to Erik's silence, gaze resting on him as she answered.] All part of it, I suppose. [There was still such a temptation to strike out at him, or to patronize him, to make him hurt for what his alternative self had done to her. It was a burning hate that wasn't about to die anytime soon, even if she had to swallow it down and pretend it never existed for years. After all, differences or not, how different was this Erik to the one she knew? Was it only a matter of time before he did something similar, that he would betray that snarky younger version of herself? Whatever it may be, all it did was draw her attention to the feel and weight of one of her guns she kept hidden on her person.]

Part of what, exactly?

[ He keeps an eye on her and Erik. Just in case. ]

Part of recovery. [He assumes. He's aware of the intent look Mystique is casting on him. So he meets it, unflinching. If he gives an inch, it's the same as giving a mile. He doesn't know this Mystique - maybe he wouldn't have been so wary upon meeting her if his own recent past hadn't involved such a catastrophic encounter with the one in his own world. But it's done now, and the first impression is set in stone. Unfair, perhaps. As unfair as not saying who he was when they first spoke. He never was the most fair man in the world.

After a moment, he continues.] How long have you known? [It's a question for Mystique, addressing the unspoken issue in the room.]

[Mystique inclined her head towards Erik, acknowledging that he had guessed what she meant correctly, even if it was lost on Charles. The question though, that was a different matter. She was tempted to play it up, to ask what he meant, to make him spell it out, but again she had to remind herself this was not the Erik she knew and... she guessed she should give him some leeway.]

Since the dance, someone outed you. [Her eyes narrowed a little towards him but she was able to keep a smile on her face, yet somehow this didn't seem any more reassuring, maybe even the opposite.] Considering how you introduced yourself to me when I first arrived here, I was not happy to find you lied to me. However, I won't discredit the fact you did so, would be very hypocritical of me now, wouldn't it?

It also possibly saved your life. [Blunt and out in the open. Mystique wasn't going to hide that, there was no point now and despite the attitude that sat behind her words and body language she was actually trying to be polite and reach out. To show that she was trying and that, provided he didn't cross her, he would be safe around her.]

[ He sighs. ]

Erik has no interest in starting a fight, Mystique. And neither do you.

[Unlike Charles, he prefers the straightforward manner, even if it involves the hint of a death threat. That's a language he's fluent in.] I didn't lie; Blade is my name, no less than Erik or Magneto. But I won't deny I lied by omission. [Not revealing his identity to her had been exactly that. Had Charles arrived before Mystique, things could have been quite different. Being the sole representative from his reality had lead him to more caution than he displays now.

He lets out a short breath, acknowledging Charles.] No, I'm not interested in a fight. Doing that in closed quarters is beyond dangerous.

[And that was maybe why she and Erik use to get on so well, to be able to see eye to eye, and why it was so easy to follow his plans for the future of mutantkind. It was something she use to respect about him, that there wasn't a need for riddles or manipulation. At least until he had betrayed her, multiple times.

Mystique aimed a glance to Charles as he spoke up, staying quiet as Erik spoke to him before once again she found herself agreeing with him.] Agreed, and I feel I have said my part in this all, even if it was with using 'scary thunder', as your Raven had called it. [Yes, yes, Mystique didn't hide it, she used a decent dose of fear to gain control over a situation. And it typically worked.] Considering we are all stuck here it seems pointless to fight.

Short of you doing something stupid. [Ok, that may had been less subtle, but needed to be said. She would not be a pawn again, to this Erik or any others. She would not be thrown under the bus to advance his own position. And she would not allow her children to be hurt by him again.]

[ He rolls his eyes. Short of laughing, this was a fairly subtle reaction. Neither Mystique or Magneto have been the pinnacle of good decision making skills. ]

I'm glad we're all on the same page then.

[What counts as stupid, really, in the scheme of things. He has his own list; he imagines it mostly aligns with the other two. There are always differences of opinion there, though. He shifts his weight on his heels, nodding.]

I can accept that. [For all parties.]

[Oh look at them being all civil, hell must had frozen over. Good, she hopes Azazel freezes there.] Good, [It was said with hint of a smile, but once again it was difficult to tell if it was a good one or not.] Seems we have this all settled then.

I didn't think it wasn't.

Of course you didn't. [Ever optimistic, Charles. It does cross one lingering concern off Erik's list, at least. He's essentially left the name Blade behind in the Fleet now. There can't be more than one or two people who still only know him by that moniker.

Uncrossing his arms, he shrugs one shoulder.] As to the healing, we've been informed that all should be fine within a couple of weeks as long as we don't engage in anything strenuous.

[There was that twitch of a smile again to Erik's comment before she caught herself. The way he spoke and his attitude to this all, combined with his younger features, it was all too easy to remember better times... before everything went to hell.]

Good. I do however suggest as you progress to look at some level of rehab to build up the muscles in the injured areas again, having them immobilize for too long will not do them any good. [Her golden eyes glancing to Charles.] That includes you, there is plenty of upper body exercise that will help in your recovery.

[ He smiles, touched. He tilts his head in acknowledgement. ]

That's good advice. I'll be sure to follow up on it.

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Closed to Charles and Erik

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