To a tower of souls

[excessivehubris]

WHO: Charles Xavier and OTHERS (PP or PM me if you need/want a starter!)
WHERE: Various
WHEN: Various through the month
WHAT: A catch all for February
WARNINGS: Shouldn't be necessary but will be in subject lines if necessary!

Comments

Erik - Post France but Pre Perestroika

[excessivehubris]

[ One of his first acts upon returning from France was to mentally scan Nonah for any sign of Erik. Primarily to see if the man had returned safely and also due to certain level of curiosity as to how things had gone in Russia.

If Erik had made it that far.

Using either telepathy (if Erik was within range) or his device, Charles extended an invitation for dinner. It was a neutral sort of invitation, as Charles wasn’t sure what sort of mood he’d find Erik in. They had parted under terse circumstances but it certainly wasn’t their worst argument to date and from what bits and pieces he was picking up, Erik should have had the opportunity to work his aggression out.

Well that could be something they discussed over dinner. Charles wasn’t sure how he felt about his own efforts, he was still trying to process the entire experience and part of that process would work itself out while he talked with Erik. They might not agree on many important matters, and in fact looking back Charles realized they rarely ever had. But perhaps that was an important cornerstone of their relationship, challenging the views that could so easily become tunnel vision. ]

Re: Erik - Post France but Pre Perestroika

[incogneto]

[ Erik is home. Billy is home. Gogo is home. Miles is home. And unless they've got a second LACKEY in the wings, they're all safe for the time being. Relatively. At the very least, they're not up to their necks in Antarctic Ice anymore. He had been taking a bath to nurse the mild cold-rash on his leg when Charles's familiar telepathic nudge came in; he wonders sometimes if he takes it for granted. After all, he had assumed that Charles had made it back from France safe and sound. He hadn't even thought to check.

He'd agreed to dinner, though what he brings over are raw ingredients. He notices from the amount of salads that Charles makes that he might need a few pointers in heating up food without both a microwave and instructions. He's in a better mood this time around, so he knocks first before letting himself in (and no, he's not in a good enough mood to let Charles come to the door instead.) ]

Make some tea?

[ He asks this, as he places grocery bags on the counter and unpacks them as if he lives there. ]

[excessivehubris]

[ Yes, Erik thank you he's fine.

In fact, when Erik first came through the door (it had been locked, he hadn't expected it to bother Erik) he wouldn't have immediately seen the telepath. Erik would make it all the way over to the counter, putting down the grocery bags and talking about tea before Charles would put in appearance.

Rolling from the hallway that lead back to the bedrooms, he had a towel around his neck from where he'd been working on drying still damp hair. ]

Yes, alright.

[ He answered without so much as pausing to ask what Erik was doing in his kitchen. It was true, that unless he went out Charles had been living on things he could just add hot water too, microwave or salads. It was probably considered bad manners to ask someone to dinner and not have an actual dinner but then it was bad manners just to walk into someone's house.

Seems they both knew each other better than that. ]

What have you brought over then?

[incogneto]

Something that's going to be chicken piccata and roast root vegetables.

[ He's also got the fixings to make surprise dessert, which will totally only take like five seconds. He doesn't even like sweets, he just figures that he should show up with something nice. You know. Because he sort of yelled at Charles mentally the last time they talked.

So, right. He can't make it up to him with scotch anymore. Might as well go for chocolate instead. ]

How was your trip?

[ And did he bring back souvenirs... ]

[excessivehubris]

Tiring.

[ Charles answered and since this was Erik, he didn't bother trying to hide it. For the most part, he did his best to maintain his independent attitude and outlook but it was ... harder now. Whereas traveling had once been no thought whatsoever, now it was a bit more of a production and without Hank around to help?

It had been a long trip and it showed in the dark circles under his eyes. Perhaps, had the trip been a rousing success that might have alleviated some of the exhaustion but at the moment, Charles just wasn't sure what sort of result they may have managed. The French had been hard to read.

So it was just a long, difficult, exhausting trip with very little to show for it. ]

Chicken piccata sounds wonderful. Least I can do is make coffee, if you'd rather than tea?

[ He'd get into the souvenirs (or lack there of) once there was a mug of tea in his hand. ]

[incogneto]

Tea is fine. Don't think you're getting off easy, you're helping me cook.

[ There is a reason Erik bought the prepackaged chicken breasts, otherwise they'd be busy trying to butcher a whole chicken. Really though, it's not difficult, but he thinks maybe they should start... small. Walk before they run.

First things first. ]

I'll wash these if you peel them.

[ He might have gotten extra veg. You know. For leftovers. He's very thoughtful when he tries. ]

[excessivehubris]

You know, there's a perfectly nice restaurant that will deliver.

[ Charles offered, looking less than enamored of the idea of cooking. Not that he honestly expected to get out of it, once Erik had set his mind to something and all that.

However, of the two evils currently being laid out on his counters, the vegetation was definitely the lesser. So he rolled his chair over towards where he kept the rubbish bin. ]

I'm not sure I even own a vegetable peeler.

[ He hadn't yet bothered to rummage through all the drawers or cupboards. That was the bad news. The good news is, a drawer held a peeler. ]

Tony - Post France but Pre Perestroika

[excessivehubris]

[ If asked, Charles would have to own up to being curious about what had happened with Tony’s efforts after he (Charles) had answered the call for diplomatic efforts. It had been a little difficult to leave the more exciting work Tony had been engaged in but Charles had genuinely believed in giving his best efforts towards diplomacy and he’d been given a chance to put his money where his mouth was, and so had gone.

The questions they had been challenged with in Paris were still rattling around in his head and Charles was also interested in the point of view of a long time imPort. Edgeworth and Fraser had both offered excellent insight but apparently Tony was someone Charles would work with back home in some line of the future. That made it worthwhile to talk to Tony here and now, especially with their circumstances becoming so tenuous.

So Charles had offered dinner in exchange for getting the chance to hear how things had progressed after he’d left the team … oh and … the chance to pick Tony’s brain about a couple of things. ]

[liverletdie]

[ It's weird, being offered dinner.

Not because normally Tony Stark does the asking (although he does) but because most people don't really offer to buy dinner around him. They expect him to pay no matter the occasion. So while Charles might offer... Tony Stark has a platinum credit card and more money than he knows what to do with.

Actually, most of it's ended up paying for more expensive parts for suit upgrades. Like he needs it.

When he strides in the restaurant, it's with half a mind on work, and half a mind on the problems at hand. Doused in numbers and figures, an organic -- human -- quality touches the near-robotic cant to his head, when he made his way toward Charles's table. At least he's recognizable, even with the hair. Although with as long as it was, he'd be better suited if he'd just shave it all off already. ]

Professor! Good to see you again, how was France?

[ Two old friends catching up after one was on vacation? Close, but no cigar. ]

[excessivehubris]

[ Well, offering dinner was more polite than 'I want to pick your brain about something' and as Tony well knew, sometimes it was all about appearance.

Given that Charles did not cook, by any stretch of the imagination, one of the first things he'd done upon settling into Nonah was to scope out the best restaurants. There was the very excellent home cooking eatery that he often ordered in from and while the food was spectacular the decor was perhaps a little ... rustic. So for tonight he'd chosen something a bit more upscale in terms of presentation as well as food.

It was true that at this point he did not have a platinum credit card, which was a bit of a change in life style all it's own (seriously what was budgeting??) Somewhere in the universe Raven was laughing at him. But he did his work and he had his stipend, so he was fully prepared to pay.

Not saying he was going to fight Tony for the check though, particularly if Tony wracked up a bar tab.

Seated at a table, dressed nicely enough, Tony would have earned himself a firm stare had that comment about his hair been made verbally. Leave his hair alone Apocalypse will take care of it soon enough. As the man approached, Charles sat up a little straighter in his chair and extended his hand. ]

Mr. Stark, it's a pleasure to see you. I'm sorry we didn't get the opportunity to say hello, properly, the other day.

[ Hmm. So this was the man who caught Emma Frost's attention. ]

[liverletdie]

[ Thankfully, as soon as they sat, Stark went for the water, and didn't even look at the bar. That didn't mean he didn't consider it -- the mind of a recovering alcoholic would always circle around to the drink eventually, but other than a cursory thought toward the liquor on the wall, he disregarded it, and didn't think on it again.

Instead, he focused back on Charles, his grin easy and comfortable, when he settled in his own chair. It was obvious he'd come from the office, gray slacks, black shoes, red silk shirt, no tie. If anyone could sell "relaxed businessman" right now, it would be Tony Stark.

Interestingly enough, he was anything but relaxed. He took a drink of water. ]

It's perfectly alright. I think we had a lot going on, didn't we? [ He gestured, to the waitstaff. ] I looked at the menu on the way over, did we want to go ahead and order? [ So they wouldn't be disturbed, when they were talking business?

he had no disillusions. He expected this to be about Something. After all, it was Charles Xavier, and he knew the man was just as crafty as he was. ]

[excessivehubris]

[ The mind of a recovering alcoholic. Oh but did Charles know that struggle. This restaurant had an amazing top shelf and he couldn't not notice it, but like Tony, he was keeping his eyes strictly away from the bar. A glass of water sat in front of him and after dinner it would be tea, rather than an Irish coffee.

As Tony made himself comfortable, Charles leaned back in his chair, following the gesture of his hand and also, perhaps, the direction of his thoughts. The telepath nodded to both. ]

Of course. [ He agreed in an affable manner, also glancing to the waiter who made his way over with a polite smile and ready note pad.

Charles ordered along the lines of a classic 'networking meal' line. He choose a dish that was neither the most expensive, nor the cheapest. One that was tidy (nothing worse than getting sauce down the front of your shirt) and on the whole, nondescript. He didn't give any 'special instructions' for it's preparation though he did go ahead and order tea to come after the meal had been served.

Letting Tony give his order, Charles went about shaking out his napkin, setting it to his lap and the utensils back in place while waiting for the waiter to withdraw. ]

Have things been settling back to routine?

[ He asked, picking a fairly neutral sort of topic, kind of on point with 'business' but vague enough for Tony to play off as best suited him. While asking the question, Charles leaned his elbow on the arm of the chair, resting his chin in his palm, fingers along the side of his head.

There would be a polite sort of brush against Tony's mind, words coming behind it but no sense of intrusion. Nothing that Stark couldn't block back out if he so wished; surely Emma had shown him a trick or two and Charles wasn't trying to push.

Just being discreet. ]

While the diplomatic route was an uncomfortably eye opening experience, I have to admit, I'm more interested in what further steps you were able to make after I had to leave for France?

[liverletdie]

[ Stark's order was nearly the same. Fish, vegetables, no sauce -- and water for the rest of it -- although he upgraded his to a Perrier, but people expected him to opt for the wealthier options -- and tap water certainly wasn't his thing. He'd always thought that taking care of himself started with even the basics, like water.

Then again, when you could heal any damage, and injected yourself with experimental nanoviruses, maybe that sort of philosophy was only for show, rather than tell. ]

It comes pretty easily, I'll admit it. You know how it is, like riding a bike.

[ But his head told a different story. He wasn't unused to telepaths and the odd way they spoke. He didn't block him out either, confident in the sheer incomprehension of how his brain worked to humans (and mutants) that it would likely be difficult to figure out what wasn't concrete and focused.

He may underestimate such a young Xavier, though. His brain worked in maths and programming languages, all numbers, but the thoughts forced themselves to the surface, concrete and firm in only the way structure could ensure. It was a little bit like talking to a computer.

Albeit, an alcoholic computer. ]

I'm sure. It was, unfortunately, mostly fraught with failures. We gave the government our results -- of which I'm sure they're most appreciative. [ A snippet of correspondence with the government, mostly Stark trying to involve himself more in a place they didn't want him. Registration was the theme there. Over and over again. ]

We assumed they'd keep close to home, once we knew they weren't in the stars, but... we were apparently very wrong.

pre-occupation

[maglevflash]

[It's been a few days since the rescue, and after two days of enough real food to make her sick, and finally getting clean of nine days of grime, she was eager to get back to her life.

Unfortunately, she realizes after she's already gotten to Nonah for a long due boxing session, broken ribs do not help the least bit for any of her normal habits or schedule.

Lost for what to do, chest aching far too much to try and walk back home right away, Gogo sits for a few minutes to rest and think. Leg, arm, even her nose, but she's never dealt with a broken rib before. Talk about inconvenient.

After a few moments, she gets an idea and makes her way to one of the houses, knocking briskly.]

[excessivehubris]

Just a moment!

[ Came a call from within the house. Then there was silence as Charles marked his place in the book he was reading and set it aside.

He rolled silently across the floor, this particular house designed for his needs and allowing him to navigate with fairly little effort. Though he still bumped into the occasional wall.

Sending his mind ahead, he peeked just enough to identify Gogo, which was a pleasure but at the same time a curiosity. He hadn't talked to the young woman since his initial arrival. Of course, none of them had slowed down much since his initial arrival.

The sound of a lock being thrown and then the clattering of a door knob would herald his arrival, the door pulled open and he was already smiling up towards her. ]

Hello, my dear, to what do I owe the pleasure?

[ As he asked the question, Charles pushed back, pulling the door wide in an unspoken invitation for her to enter if she wished. ]

[maglevflash]

[She smiles, waving a hand in the air.] I was in town, figured I stop by and see how you were holding up.

[Taking the invitation, Gogo steps past him, glancing him over to make sure nothing happened to him while her and the others were captive. She knows very little about what was going on outside of that cramped cell. But he seems to be okay.

It's almost a miracle considering all that happened last month.]

I'm not intruding on anything, am I?

[excessivehubris]

[ He was more tired than he used to be when traveling, a by product of everything being just a little more logistically difficult with his disability. However, it was nothing compared to the trials and challenges those who had been kidnapped and their rescuers had faced. ]

Not in the least, I was just catching up on some reading.

[ He'd studied a lot about the current geo-political landscape while preparing to speak in Paris but there were still books to be followed up on. Very dry reading, actually. ]

It's kind of you to look in but I assure you, I'm quite well. However, would you like some tea?

[maglevflash]

[She wouldn't envy him the task. Politics are not her strong suit. She can read the driest of mechanical manuals, but give her history or sociology and she ends up drawing in the margins of the books.]

Sure, thanks, if it's alright that I stay a bit.

[excessivehubris]

[ He navigated the door with one hand, shifting his chair back with the other to let her in, closing the door behind her. ]

Please, help yourself to a seat.

[ He motioned to the modest living room. His house was a complete open floor plan, with living room and dinning room made out of one large room. The kitchen was an open galley style, taking up one wall with a large range island helping to mark it off from the living and dinning area.

Over all, the house was small but tidy for the most part. There was a two person couch and an arm chair, with a coffee table upon which sat the dreaded political tomes. The couch and the chair were each pointed towards the kitchen, which was where Charles headed to put on the kettle. ]

How are you doing, Gogo?

[ He asked as he puttered about. He'd heard that she had been one of those held but he stamped out the urge to 'take a peek', preferring to hear what she would offer of her own accord. ]

Pre-Occupation - Skye

[excessivehubris]

[ Charles had been to the grocery store because despite popular urban myth, ramen noodles did not actually reproduced in your pantry cupboard. After being out of the country for a few days, he was in need of some staples, such as flavored noodles with too much salt and tea.

There may have been some apples and oranges in the bags tucked around him on the wheelchair as he rolled along back towards home. He'd made himself 'walk' to the store in an effort to actually work at his arm and upper body strength and while it was tiring, the fresh air was a good change from having been caught up in committee meetings for days.

As he came around the corner of the street where his house was located, the sidewalk had a slight incline to it, which allowed him to coast, which was nice. As he closed the distance to his house, he realized there was a familiar figure lurking about the stoop and with a wince, he set his hands down on the wheels of his chair to slow his approach. ]

Skye?

[ He called out, using his voice, rather than telepathy. ]

[morethan084]

[Surprisingly this had been her first time porting by herself and Skye had been quick to realize why Registering had its benefits. She had forgotten about needing permission in order to use the porter and had to go to the military base in order to do so. It had been simple enough, considering she had nothing on her record. Still, a bit more of a hassle.

There were two reasons Skye had come to Nonah. The main reason was to check up on Charles, and the other, which she was keeping to herself, was to get away from Heropa and Jesse for a little while. Things had quickly took a turn for the bad and she would rather just get away from that for now.

Quickly realizing that Charles want home, Skye had been about to leave when she heard Charles speak up from behind her. Turning around, Skye gave a weak wave.]

Hey, um, sorry for not actually calling you. Just figured I would check up on you after everything that's been happening.

[excessivehubris]

[ Strange how timing worked, because Charles was beginning to understand the appeal to not being registered. Though in truth he'd already understood that appeal before he'd gone ahead and done so. He had his reasons, and creature comforts was actually not that high on the list.

Though he had to admit, it would have been hard to try to manage alone in accommodations not set up for his particularly disability.

He was coming up the walk way now, the wheelchair stopping just a foot or so away from her as he offered Skye a warm smile. ]

Did you? That's very thoughtful of you, Skye. [ The words, by themselves, may have sounded trite but his tone was nothing but genuine. ] As you can see, I'm doing well enough. Would you like to come in for a spot of tea?

[ British to the end. ]

[morethan084]

[Skye's instinct was to help him with the groceries he had bought but she stopped herself. Clearly he wouldn't have done it if he couldn't handle it.

A genuine smile came to her face when he asked if she'd want some tea. Immediately reminded of Jemma.]

Sure. That'd be nice.

[Realizing she was in his way, Skye quickly stepped out of the way.]

I'm glad you're okay. Things have gotten pretty crazy.

[excessivehubris]

[ Stepping out of the way was appreciated and when she moved, he wheeled towards his front door, shifting to dig his keys out of his pocket. Glancing over his shoulder, his expression was a little more somber as he nodded in agreement with her last statement. ]

Quite honestly, it feels as if things have been crazy since I got here. [ He admitted, getting the key in the lock and the door opened. Rolling through first, he pushed the door wide for Skye to follow him. ]

Tell me, was it ever not like ... this? First there was the that young man, Pan and then the very strange astronaut training and the weird weather and then kidnapping and war.

[ As he talked, he rolled into the kitchen and started to lift the bags out of his lap. The kettle was checked and deemed full enough so he set the heat and began to unpack his groceries. ]

[morethan084]

[Following him into the house, Skye looked around although she kept pace with Charles so she didn't come off as though she was snooping. If he wanted to give her a house tour he would.]

Nice set up.

[Skye complimented once she was in the kitchen. Standing there, Skye placed her hands in her pockets.]

My guess? Probably not. I only remember being here since November and it's been basically non-stop crazy. Guess that's why they want powered people here. To protect them.