April System Mingle

[thespaceopera]

Who: Everyone!
Broadcast: Possibly!
Action: April System
When: Month of April!


[Welcome to the Belt, a huge asteroid belt that's been terraformed for life. Here you can explore the different asteroids, become a rock star, race on some ATVs, enjoy not being underwater.

In other words, it's a mingle! Get in everyone!

> System Info ]

Comments

[exothermia]

Well, it will always be useful, planning ahead.

[He turns off the path a little, and moves to sit on a bench nestled between more glowing formations. With a tilt of his head, he watches Charles in the soft light.]

What kind of plans have you already written?

[axiomed]

Oh! Well, I thought I'd work on some peer-to-peer interaction first. Let the students meet each other, get to know each other. Sometimes, that's more important than the teacher because students who can support each other make the difference.

After that, I might introduce some guided questions. Consider different applications of powers in our daily lives.

[ He'll keep going, you realize. ]

[exothermia]

[Erik knows that full well. But he can interject when necessary.]

So asking them to think outside of the box?

[axiomed]

Mm, yes. The idea of the school was to dispel the notion that . . . [ He pauses briefly. ] That we're alone in what we are. In what we can do. Our powers may be different, but our feelings, our desires — they don't set us apart.

[ You're not alone. Of course that would be Charles' philosophy, the backbone of his work. ]

[exothermia]

[He has to smile at that. It isn't as though he's never known the reason. It was that same feeling that convinced Erik to stay all those years ago, when he was about to leave the CIA and Charles came after him. Regardless of his own belief that mutants are apart from humans, what Charles is fostering among the younger generation will only make them stronger.

It's a lesson worth learning.]

[axiomed]

[ Feeling a little self-conscious, he touches the back of his neck and clears his throat. ]

Anyway, nothing is quite set in stone. These aren't mutants and it will be very different. I'll have to adjust a lot of my thinking.

[exothermia]

As you said, it could give you new ideas for the future too.

[axiomed]

That's my hope.

[ But now that they're on the topic. ]

What about you?

[exothermia]

What do you mean?

[axiomed]

You're coming back to the school. Do you ever think about what you plan to do there?

[ Charles avoids mentioning himself in that statement. ]

[exothermia]

[Erik falls silent for a moment, and his first impulse is to avoid the question. Thinking ahead isn't something Erik engages in often, for fear of the regret it tends to bring. Sometimes it's hard enough thinking about the present. Coming back to the school was his plan for the future... or it had been in the weeks before he made that commitment.

After a moment, he shuts his eyes and makes himself consider it properly. He looks at Charles again.]

Not often. [He rubs at his knuckles absently.] Do you have anyone to manage the gardens?

[axiomed]

[ He blinks before lapsing into a more thoughtful mood. Not often. Was Erik already having second thoughts? ]

I have a part time gardener who comes in every few weeks or so.

[exothermia]

[Of course there would be someone. Still, it's something.]

Well, I can be full time. [Pause.] And on-call for any trees your students blow up.

[axiomed]

That was one time, Erik.

[ But he huffs, pushing away his negative thoughts. ]

But I'd like that.

[exothermia]

You can't deny it's a possibility.

[That and other damages yet to be imagined.

He lets out a breath all the same, relaxing slightly. It's long troubled him, the idea of what he would do at the school. There was nothing worse than the idea that he would do nothing but take up space there. And yet, he's not a student, or a teacher. He doesn't want to be a charity case either. Managing the grounds, though... that's something he can do. That's useful. It brings to mind something that has occurred to him the last few weeks.]

I did want to ask. Where in the school would I stay?

[axiomed]

I wouldn't dream of it.

[ But Erik's question pulls him up short and for a few minutes, Charles visibly flounders. Biting on his lip, he replies. ]

Ah, well. There are plenty of rooms in the school. We have a staff wing. But I mean, you could always have your own apartment if you want.

[exothermia]

[Too late he realises that might have been an awkward question, all things considered, and he runs a hand through his hair. The apartment comment makes him wrinkle his nose.]

No... I don't want that. I wanted to be around you and the others.

[The idea of living in an American apartment seems ludicrous, after everything else. Besides which, he could do that on his own. And that's the opposite of what he wants.]

[axiomed]

[ Wanted. Not often. He knows he's letting his doubts carry his thoughts down paths he does not want to follow. So much for his vaunted hope. He tugs at the bracelet Wanda gave him before coming to a decision. ]

I know you do. And I believe you, Erik. But you don't sound sure yourself.

[ He restrains the old urge to fidget. ]

If you feel it's not fulfilling, that's fine too. The school is always open to you.

[exothermia]

[There's a momentary pause, as Erik tries to parse what's happening here. Maybe he didn't sound certain but there's a reason for that. He reaches over and puts his hand on top of Charles's.]

Charles. I want to come home with you. If I sound unsure, it's because I'm still-- working out what the future even means for me.

[axiomed]

[ He unconsciously relaxes, squeezing his hand back. ]

My apologies. I guess . . . I got scared.

[exothermia]

[Curling his fingers around Charles's, Erik lets out a weak huff.]

Then that makes two of us.

[Even if it's half a joke, it's not nothing that Erik would admit to fear. Especially after how it went last time.]

[axiomed]

[ He rubs his thumb over Erik's knuckles quietly. ]

You know you can talk to me, right?

[exothermia]

I know. I'm not always able to.

[And that's less about Charles than it is about himself.]

[axiomed]

[ It stings a little, but Charles knows it's not personal. With a faint smile, he pats Erik's hand. ]

When you can then.

[exothermia]

[He nods, and places his hand on top of Charles's again.]

It's getting better, you know. We are.

[There's a world of difference between how they were in the earlier days, compared to the talks they've had lately. Maybe it's still not enough, and there's still some paths they haven't tread. But it isn't a chasm anymore.]