[ Despite the fact that he knew Erik was joking, Charles couldn't entirely hide the way his expression fell a little.

He hadn't spoken with Tony since the day he'd left StarkTech. Another friend lost to ideals and while Charles accepted the necessity of it; it never failed to sting.

He shook it off with a sip of his tea and pushed on to another topic of conversation. ]

This isn't about the Foundation, Erik. It's about you pursuing an area in which you feel like you could make a difference.

[ Lifting the mug to his lips again, he added a small rejoiner from behind the porcelain. ] And if it saves the wood trim yet another re-doing ...