A gentleman will walk but never run

[excessivehubris]

WHO: Charles Xavier & OPEN
WHERE: De Chima & Nonah (I’m open for other locations, just shoot me a PM)
WHEN: Various points during May
WHAT: Some specific scenes set in May but also some open prompts for the month of May. I’m also up for setting up a prompt if you want something specific!
WARNINGS: None of note but will update if necessary



Meeting with Lord Aral Vorkosigan in De Chima sometime after May 11th

[ As discussed when they met earlier in the week Charles and Lord Vorkosigan had been in contact to settle on a time and place for a more quiet meeting in which to continue their conversation.

Timing had worked out for an evening meet up at a restaurant close to StarkTech. The restaurant had good reviews and in particular that the setting was conducive to things like business talks or just talk talks.

Charles had made it a point to get out of the office on time, so he could secure a good table before too much of an evening rush crowd had arrived. Ordering himself a glass of soda water with a twist of lime, he otherwise left the menus sitting politely on the table as he waited for Aral. ]



Meeting with Hermann and Newt at their apartment in De Chima

[ While there had been a bit of strife in trying to make schedules work between the three of them, Charles was certainly looking forward to this meeting. Hermann and Newt had amused him during their conversation over the network and both men promised to be absolutely brilliant in their fields of research as well. He was looking forward to talking with them, not only about their personal situation with Newt’s power, but also their work; if the opportunity arose.

For now, he was rolling into their apartment building after having stopped off to pick up a bottle of wine. What? One did not go over to the abode of another without a proper offering, even if Charles didn’t drink anymore.

Navigating his chair into the lift, he punched in the appropriate floor and waited for the elevator to deliver him. He’d gotten better about navigating elevators and his chair and it was with little effort that he backed out of the lift and rolled down the hallway to the appropriate door. Reaching up, he rapped smartly and waiting for whomever would answer. ]



StarkTech building 3am-ish for Erik and or Tony

[ Most nights, Charles tended to stay late at work.

This was partly due to being a hopeless workaholic, partly due to the matters weighing on his mind and also due to not wanting to go home to a quiet house. So he haunted the halls of StarkTech, got to know the names of all the janitorial and security staff and stayed up late working.

Some of it was proper work, focused on innovative ideas in the field of biophysics and genetics which he then passed on to Tony for placement and production. Also known as Charles’ contributions to the Stark coffers. Some work was on the Foundation’s projects, still mostly ground work with the governments of allied countries and the US, making forward progress, step by step. Slow but progress at least.

In the late hours, though, Charles spent time on more personal projects. He was still working to draft the schematics for Cerebro and when he took a break from that detailed work (seriously the physics were almost beyond him, even with Hank’s help) he spent time working on his powers. He’d slip off to as high a floor as his clearance would allow, find an office with a wide bank of windows and settle in to stretch and train his mind.

Sometimes he’d lose hours to either Cerebro or his own training, only to surface and realize he had enough time to go home, shower and change, before having to come back and start a new day. ]



Nonah – Out and About & Open

[ Every now and then Charles did spend an entire day in Nonah taking care of basic household chores. It was an exciting life of grocery shopping, laundry and evicting rotten vegetables from the refrigerator, though he had gotten better about that last one.

Sometimes he called for a cab but if the weather was good he simply rolled to the local store and back, enjoying the exercise and the chance to enjoy the city. Every so often he’d get side tracked by a local yard sale, where he would mostly be on the lookout for books but now and then a small bookcase would catch his eye.

Today being one of those days.

So it was quite possible to come across him as he navigated his chair along a sidewalk with a two shelve bookcase balanced across his lap. Well, technically it was balanced across the arms of his chair but every so often he had to stop, re-position it and then continue.

The things this man did for a love of books. ]



Nonah – The Gym & Open

[ In the end Charles had chosen a gym that had a state of the art therapy pool with the bars and equipment necessary for him to safely get in and out of the water on his own; or at least with minimal supervision. The heated pool had been an added benefit, no doubt and that it was designed with a resistance current helped as well.

Working with a native doctor and a coach at the gym, Charles had designed a set of routines, so he didn’t have to follow the exact same exercises each session but covered the basis for good health and to strengthen his ability to manage on his own. The one constant in all the routines was time in the pool, which was where he could almost always be found, pursuing various aquatic exercises, some a little more ridiculous looking than others.

And no, he did not sport a Speedo for any of this. Proper swim trunks were required. ]

[ooc: None of these open starters suit? Please feel free to hit up the post with something completely different or contact me me on plurk or through a PM and we can set something specific up! ]

Comments

[mathemagier]

[After a brief scuffle and a muffled, if authoritative 'Newton, please', Hermann opened the door and stood back to admit their guest. Smile a bit forced, and worrying a bit about Newton's behavior.

Because while the man was very conscientious of his own condition, he still had a tendency to muck it up on occasion- at least verbally. Nothing serious of course, but he wasn't certain how sensitive Charles might be about it.]

Glad you could make it, Dr. Xavier. I do apologize for some of the scheduling conflicts, but we have tea as promised and were just discussing ordering delivery if you have any preferences?

[driftsintobuffetline]

Dude, what the hell. I can open doors--is that wine? [To Hermann] Qubit's never brought us wine. I'm demoting him. Charles is now our designated science-invitee.

I mean hi.

I hope you're not allergic to cats--did we mention we have a cat?--we have a cat.

[excessivehubris]

[ Charles tried to keep his chuckling to a modest level but it was like stepping right back into that conversation from the other day.

Giving Hermann a grateful nod, Charles rolled on through the doorway, pausing by Newt and holding out the bottle of wine, with a smile. ]

It is wine and I appreciate my new status as science-invitee but I'm perfectly willing to share that designation with Mr. Qubit.

Cat's are fine. [ He was also quick reassure Newt before glancing over to Hermann. ]

No apologies necessary gentlemen, we all know how the work goes. As for dinner I'll be alright with whatever you put before me, though someone said tea?

[mathemagier]

[Hermann closed the door, shaking his head at Newton. Oh yes, their cat.. Well that's alright then. He locked it up, then moved toward the sitting area where the furniture had been rearranged to allow Charles to park around the coffee table without hindrance]

Yes, tea. We have the usual suspects: Earl Grey, Green, Oolong, Jasmine, Chamomile, and a few others. I'll go put the kettle on and Newton can order dinner for us, then.

[driftsintobuffetline]

Thanks! [Newt examined the label and made a impressed expression (to be fair, he knew little about wine) at Hermann.]

I'll get Chinese then. Nobody dislikes Chinese, right--well, nobody dislikes pizza, but pizza and tea sounds kind of weird, so we'll go with Chinese. [He poked at the app on his phone, placed the order, and then held out the bottle of wine to Hermann.] If you're going to the kitchen, babe, you wanna take this that way?

[use_everything]

[The man the waitress lead to the table didn't look more stuffy for having changed from the slacks and t-shirt of the Lucky Cat Cafe, as Charles had last seen him. In fact, if anything, in a green dress military uniform, he looked quite a bit more at easy, even with the heavy conversation on the menu for the evening.]

Professor. Thank you for having me.

[The greeting is warm enough, and in lieu of a more American handshake, waits politely at parade rest for the invitation to sit.]

[excessivehubris]

[ Sometimes clothes, even formal clothing, were like a comfortable second skin. Charles himself was in a relaxed suit coat, slacks and a button down shirt open at the throat. It was hard to tell if he'd even bothered with a tie for the day or not.

Eyes up, he saw the moment the hostess lead Aral towards the table. It was difficult, not standing politely, and Charles made up for it by sitting up a little straighter and smiling warmly. ]

Good evening, Lord Vorkosigan. It is my pleasure. [ He exclaimed with a genuine welcome in his tone. ] Please, have a seat, I've only just settled myself, would you like something to drink?

[use_everything]

Thank you.

[He pulls the seat back to sit, and for a brief moment gives the wine menu a once over before a simple.]

Coffee to begin, I think.

[excessivehubris]

[ The waitress had been politely just off to the side and she smiled as she made a note on her pad and then stepped away to let the gentlemen settle in while she got Aral's coffee.

For his part, Charles let the man sit and get comfortable before he continued. ]

I should have said earlier, please call me, Charles. My students, when I had them, were really the only ones who called me Professor; well and my sister but she was being a bit silly at the time.

[use_everything]

Charles, then. [There's a slight nod at that. It was a bit odd to use, but he appreciated what seemed to be an effort to keep footing even. Though the next question has a little more curiosity than small talk.]

So you've not taken students here?

[morethan084]

[Desperate to get away from Heropa, even if it was just for the day, Daisy went to Nonah in the hopes that maybe Charles would be free. If he wasn't she figured this would be a good time to just get to know the other states a bit better.

When she arrived, Daisy took out her communicator to call him.]

[excessivehubris]

[ Charles was in the grocery store, considering a box of cereal. It was, unfortunately, on a shelf he couldn't reach and he was trying to decide if he asked for help or just went with something on a lower shelf.

When his communicator rang, he pulled it out, checked the ID and then quickly answered. ]

Daisy, my dear! How are you?

[morethan084]

Oh, you know...

[No he didn't, but she left it at that.]

Just happened to be in the neighborhood, wondering if you're around.

[excessivehubris]

[ Daisy, not to make too fine a point of it but the last time you were 'in the neighborhood' it was due to something being amiss.

Charles had never figured out what that thing was (and he hadn't cheated with a peek) but he'd known she was upset over something during her last visit.

For now, however, he merely looked at his small basket of groceries and then at the front of the store. ]

You've caught me on a day off, I'm happy to report. I was just finishing up some errands. Would you like to meet somewhere for a bite to eat?

[morethan084]

[Surprise surprise, it's happening again. Only this time she's broken up with Jesse and is a wreck inside, but at least she has a job now?]

That would be great. Uh, any place you'd recommend? I haven't been here much.

Starktech, 3 AM

[incogneto]

[ Erik wakes up from a dream, the first he's had in months, thought lingering into reality in his half-asleep state. He crashed early today, out of exhaustion probably, a long string of deprived sleep finally catching up and tripping him full-force into bed. But then he wakes up at 2 AM, groggy, feeling both like he got too much sleep and no sleep at all.

It's hot underneath winter covers he hasn't put away for the spring due to the slight dip in temperature from last week, so he escapes his room for a walk. He thinks, maybe he should go to the gym. Or maybe he should open the garage extremely early, and when people trickle in at their usual time, act like he's only been there ten or so minutes. Half an hour maybe, but then he'd have to clock out early.

No, he passes by Stark Tech and decides on impulse to get some of that done instead. It'll give him enough time to focus on his thoughts, go for a morning jog, and still show up to work "oh I've only just been here ten minutes" early.

He's both surprised and not to find that the place isn't empty, and when he approaches Charles, he places down the mug of coffee he'd helpfully fetched for the man he expected to find instead. ]

You're here late.

[ And yes, it's a question. ]

[excessivehubris]

[ Charles was sitting in front of the window of his office, this particular night, and it might have looked as if he were asleep sitting up. His eyes were closed, hands resting lightly on the arms of his chair (rather than lifted to his temple) and his expression was decidedly neutral.

In truth, it was focused.

However, as Erik approached, set down the coffee (definitely more Stark's style there) and spoke, the corners of Charles' lips lifted. ]

Perhaps I'm just here 10 minutes early?

3am - Starktech - late in the month

[liverletdie]

[ It's probably not surprising that Stark is there late. He always is, it seems -- if he isn't out for the night, he's at work all night. They can never say the CEO doesn't work for the money he rakes in, at least. Just because the owner of the company did plenty on the business end didn't mean he didn't spend considerable time in the labs. More frequently, these days, than before.

He had things to work on, after all. He had plenty to do.

But even cyborgs needed coffee breaks, right? He slipped through, noting the activity in Charles Xavier's labs, as well. He didn't even have to look in, with the security system, but... Of course. It was probably typical of the man that he was still here, although... Well. Even telepaths probably needed a coffee break.

Five minutes later, with two mugs, the doors slid open, and there he was, walking in like he -- well, he did -- owned the place. ]

I think you're working too hard.

[ He said, in greeting. ]

[excessivehubris]

[ Charles had been down in his lab for most of the night, actually immersed in actual research work. He hadn't done so much in a lab since his thesis back at Oxford, mostly staying out of Hank's way back home but some skills really are like riding a bike and Charles found he enjoyed the disciplined work.

Tonight he was recording results from tests he'd been running for the past six weeks. Bent over a microscope set down at his level, he had his eyes on the scope, making notes with his hand off to the side. Focused on the work, with his shields at full he actually startled when he heard Tony's voice, having missed the man's approach. ]

What, huh ...

[ His head came up blue eyes blinking rapidly as he adjusted from the micro work to peering at Tony in the shadows. Wait, when had he lost the light??

Sitting back, he reached up to rub at his eyes over the bridge of his nose. ]

That's rather like the pot calling the kettle now isn't it? [ Tossing his pen towards his journal, Charles peered at his watch and his eyebrows lifted. ]

What are you doing here at this hour, Tony?

[liverletdie]

This might surprise you, Charles, but I can work long hours. Companies don't run themselves.

[ A pause, then, and he walked closer, to offer him the mug of black coffee. He knew what long nights in the lab needed, certainly. Although, with the way Stark brewed coffee, it was obvious he added more coffee than necessary, and brewed it black and heavy. He needed the caffeine surge just as much as the next man who worked for long hours in his lab did.

He paused, and his eyes flicked to the notes. ]

I've been working on my own projects. You know how it is...you work so hard on everything else, and then you've got no time for the things you want to work on that...

Well. We have to find time where we can, right? Even I can make sacrifices to work more than go out and have fun.

[excessivehubris]

[ Charles took the mug with a soft 'thank you' and lifted it close enough to catch a whiff of the strong brew. For someone who was used to drinking tea, it was like getting smacked in the face with sensory overload and Charles gave a small shake of his head. ]

This is the sort of assertive brew Erik appreciates. [ He remarked before bending to take a sip.

It was the move that had been drilled into both of them at a young age, unless Charles missed his guess. The 'someone does something polite, you return the polite gesture' rule. Even if the coffee nearly ran down his throat and into his system like a punch to the gut.

Charles cleared his throat and nodded towards the microscope and notepad. ]

I'm afraid I have to admit that I'm working on company work at this hour, having been distracted by more personal stuff earlier. This is research on that genetic marker I told you about, the one to help identify susceptibility to late age on set illnesses?

I needed this piece of the research to work on the paper. I should have something to publish in a month and after that you can move forward with whatever release platform you want for this.

[ It should turn StarkTech a handy little profit. But Tony mentioned personal projects and that caught the professor's attention. ]

Should I ask you what personal project has you caffinating with damn near pure adrenaline at [ he glanced at his watch ] three thirteen in the morning?

The Gym (let me know if this doesn't work!)

[insinerate]

[Some time had passed since last Yuri had set foot within Nonah's gym, the injury he'd sustained fighting Ken Kaneki having prevented him from engaging in his usual fitness routines for far longer than he would have liked. However, while there was still significant healing left to go, Yuri felt confident in his ability to return to some semblance of the way things were before. More importantly, he felt an overwhelming need to preoccupy his waking mind and prevent his thoughts from retreating again into the dark corners where his memories of that night—and his guilt—were both buried.

Even so, he was physically limited, the placement of his wound inhibiting his ability to submerge himself in the pool where, at least today, it seemed there was hardly anyone around. A coach with a middle aged man—an imPort, if Yuri's memory served—and a small rabble concluding their exercise and making for the pool's ladder. It was a peaceful place to relax after a moderately grueling workout in another corner of the gym, and the poolside chairs provided a most comfortable place for Yuri to sit.

Less comfortable was, perhaps, having little else to watch besides Charles in the water. How he would have liked to dive, to smother the sounds of the outside world and the fire perpetually burning within him...if only for a few moments.]

Looks good to me!

[excessivehubris]

[ When he was in the water, Charles couldn't help but push himself, more so than when he did his other exercises. Memories of running along the side of a ship and diving into the water were hard to escape when he swam and Charles let the physical exercise become an emotional one as well.

After all. He'd never run along anything or dive into any body of water again.

So when he finally surfaced, it was with a breathlessness that suggested pushing a little too hard. He navigated himself to the side of the pool, lifting his arms up over the edge and crossing them as he anchored himself and let his lower body drifted. The position happened to place him just a few feet away from where Yuri was perched and out of automatic politeness, he gave the man a nod of his head and friendly smile. ]

Hello.

[ It was a casual sort of greeting, the thing you did to be polite in a public space. ]

[insinerate]

[While Yuri was not a man given to small talk of any kind, he possessed a fondness for those who demonstrated civility and was inclined to return any politeness he was shown. Charles' casual hello was thus reciprocated with a nod and a modest smile, the sort he'd practiced many years as a judge.]

It must be nice.

[Referring to, and indicating with a glance, the entirety of the pool and all the freedom Charles had now that it was virtually unoccupied. Which said a good deal about the man catching his breath—a good deal more than was obvious at a glance, at least. At this hour, the pool was often reserved for those who required rehabilitative assistance. Charles, a man Yuri had never spoken with but whose face he faintly recalled having seen on the network (though in what context he simply doesn't remember), was almost certainly without the use of his legs...

Ah. Might that be why Yuri finds him familiar? There was, a short time ago, a man asking about gyms with pools in the Nonah area. To think the professor would have decided upon the very same one Yuri had once frequented, and hoped to frequent again.]

How are you enjoying the facilities here? Charles...isn't it? I do hope I'm not mistaken.

[excessivehubris]

[ Still wiping water out of his face, and getting his hair back out of the way, Charles briefly looked confused at Yuri’s initial comment. The gesture towards the pool saw him looking back over a shoulder and it all clicked as he turned back with a soft chuckle. ]

I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a little easier when I don’t have to try to avoid people.

[ His legs afforded him a very minute ability to balance and shift and the rehabilitation coach he worked with was helping him develop as much of that minute ability as he could. But they would never been capable of providing him a rudder or propulsion to get around people in a pinch.

Yuri’s use of his name also came as a surprise and for a moment Charles looked taken aback, since he didn’t recognize the man and couldn’t think how he had his … oh … oh right of course; the network.

Giving his head a nod, he smiled in a friendly manner and confirmed what Yuri had assumed. ]

I’m afraid you have the advantage of me? [ He turned the words into a question, politely inquiring after Yuri’s name. He’d come back to an answer about the facilities, once proper manners had been observed. ]