Witching About

[Mystique]

((OOC: This is a Halloween Thread))

While she had been pregnant with Abigail, and immediately after while her daughter suckled her breastmilk, Mystique had been unable to practice her rituals; after all, she wanted no harm to come to her daughter. Mystique was a witch, and one devoted to her clan's ancient rituals.

Her family had fled western Europe in hopes that America would be better and less restricting. Several generations later, Mystique found herself still practicing her rituals in secret. However, there was a plus that she had realized upon coming to live at the mansion: they were isolated and surrounded by woods. In the woods, she could go late at night and practice and meditate without anyone bothering her. All the better for everyone. Now that Abigail was no longer breastfeeding, Raven found herself able to go out and devote herself to her practices and magic that was as present in her blood as it would be in Abigail's, once she was able to be taught to use it properly.

Unable to use her abilities against the threat of Wideawake and Nathaniel Essex, Raven found it an opportune time to get rid of the New Humanity and their affiliates, for the betterment of mutantkind and for the Institute. So that night she told Charles she would be out drinking, claiming she needed a change of scene for an hour or so, and she reassured him she would be safe. He need not know any more than that.

With her proper accessories, she made her way out in the darkness to a small clearing in the woods. Then she set about drawing the protective circle and setting up. It would not take longer than an hour or so.

*******

When she had finished, she walked back in to the Institute quietly, setting her items back where they had been previously, the candles, glass, etc. Then she went to bed, satisfied that her work would be done.

[The Man]

::Xavier's evening had been not quite as productive. In fact, it had been infuriating. Raven had desired a change of scenery, which left him to bide his own time; it resulted in a chess game with Erik, who had returned to the Institute. That had led to the other man losing the game and flinging the chess board across the room. The Arthurian chess board Erik had *given* him for a birthday eighteen years ago. He had told the man to clean it himself, had wheeled out; and regretted being unable to walk, as wheeling out lost the effect that storming out and slamming a door could produce. After checking on Abigail, he had taken a sleeping pill and retired early.::

[Mystique]

It was not too late when she came back to the bedroom and retired, but Charles was already asleep. Tired, as her rituals took a lot of energy, Raven crawled into bed beside Xavier and fell asleep rather quickly. She dreamed pleasant dreams, knowing that her and mutantkind's enemies would soon be taken care of.

[The Man]

::The next morning, Xavier and Raven had gone about their usual routines, he unaware that anything was amiss. After breakfast, he went to teach his classes and then later do a Danger Room session.::

[Mystique]

Raven spent the day tending to Abigail, who was getting bigger by the day. At a year old, she was healthy and very curious. She and Charles couldn't ask for more. It was later that night, when they were watching the news that a particular segment caught her attention. Pastor Olsson from the church of New Humanity had died suddenly. As he was a popular figure, it made national news. A heart attack, and it had been fatal. There was speculation on whether the New Humanity would continue to thrive without their leader, and whether it would fall apart.

[The Man]

::Xavier frowned during the news report; he had no affection for the man's beliefs or his actions, but he had been only forty-five, far too young for a fatal heart-attack. And as Xavier was who he was, he could not wish death on anyone.::

[Mystique]

"How interesting," Raven commented, looking over at Charles. She was no telepath, but she knew it was unusual for a man less than fifty to suffer a fatal heart attack.

[The Man]

::Xavier continued to frown, particularly at her choice of phrasing. It was how Erik had responded to Senator McCarthy's death.:: "The loss of life is a tragedy."

[Mystique]

"It always is," She agreed, though silently to some extent. "I wonder how New Humanity will fare without him."

[The Man]

"Poorly, I assume," ::Cults rarely continued after the deaths of their leaders; only those with sufficient lines of succession, and those tended to be organized differently, from what limited experience Xavier had.::

[Mystique]

She nodded; it was expected, as the cult hinged on Olsson's abilities and his charisma. With him gone, New Humanity was most likely done for. It certainly was no longer a threat, not now. "Do you mind if I go dancing again tomorrow night?" She asked. She had much that had to be done, though she couldn't attract too much attention.

[The Man]

::Xavier contemplated another evening spent with Erik accusing him of cheating; he would prefer to avoid it. However, he was not Raven's keeper, and she was free to go out as she wished.:: "If you come back late, please do not wake me."

[Mystique]

"I promise I won't," She told him. It would be better for them both if he didn't awaken when she returned, anyway.

[The Man]

"Enjoy yourself," ::Xavier told her. She should enjoy the youth she still had.::

[Mystique]

Since they were alone, Raven leaned in to kiss Charles' cheek. "I will," She promised him. "Perhaps next time we can go out on a date together," She suggested. She didn't want him to think she was slowly drifting away. In fact, they were as close as ever, still connected. And she worked so that they would remain so for years to come.