|
|
Post by The Man on Apr 5, 2009 0:58:27 GMT -5
::Xavier did not wish to have this discussion at this time; he needed to rest, he needed his solitude.:: "I realize that, but I acted from obligation in the beginning. You know that."
|
|
|
|
Post by Mystique on Apr 5, 2009 1:00:44 GMT -5
Raven nodded. She knew he didn't want to discuss this with her, not right now. He hurt too much right now. "What can I do?" She wanted to help lessen his pain, and support him.
|
|
|
|
Post by The Man on Apr 5, 2009 1:05:48 GMT -5
::There was nothing that would truly rectify this knowledge. If there was a way for Xavier to get through it and retain his interest, only time would tell. Direct intervention, he knew from past experience with trauma, achieved little.:: "Tell me if anyone gives you grief. Beyond that, there is nothing you can do at this point."
|
|
|
|
Post by Mystique on Apr 5, 2009 1:10:31 GMT -5
Raven nodded. Her hand reached out to pat his gently. "I will, Charles. And remember that I love you." She acknowledged his need for space, his need for solitude, when one might otherwise be hurt or offended by it.
|
|
|
|
Post by The Man on Apr 5, 2009 1:13:28 GMT -5
"I know," ::Xavier said quietly. He did know that, but it did little to change that she might well not have had they known then what they knew now.::
|
|
|
|
Post by Mystique on Apr 5, 2009 1:18:06 GMT -5
Raven was miserable, but that wasn't likely to change for a while. She patted his hand again, and rose from her seat on the bed, to get the clothing she came here for.
|
|
|
|
Post by Everyone Else on Apr 5, 2009 1:34:50 GMT -5
*********
It was about two weeks after that that Abigail saw Erik. She had met him before, of course, but had never been told what his powers were.
Erik was out on the grounds, playing with metal. It was to take his mind off of things, chiefly his loneliness. Charles was avoiding him, the last person he had thought would do so. And so he had saved a piece of sheet metal from being thrown out, and was molding it to his will. And it was during his process of lifting the metal bench and toying with that that Abigail saw him from her window. He was too far away, and had his back to her. But immediately she became excited. Was this someone her Dad knew, and could teach her?
She hurried downstairs to her father's office and knocked on the door, her excitement evident without the metal that rattled everywhere.
|
|
|
|
Post by The Man on Apr 5, 2009 1:37:34 GMT -5
::Half the objects on Xavier's desk began to rattle, announcing Abigail's presence. It was difficult for him, to not think of her as his daughter.:: "Come in, Abigail."
|
|
|
|
Post by Everyone Else on Apr 5, 2009 1:41:09 GMT -5
Abigail opened the door, and closed it behind her. "Hi, Dad!" She said, smiling. She was happy to see him. The pencil holder on his desk fell off again, and she went over to retrieve it and it's contents. "How are you?"
|
|
|
|
Post by The Man on Apr 5, 2009 1:42:06 GMT -5
::This past month, Xavier had become far better at lying to people he loved. As such, he replied,:: "I am fine. What has you so excited?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Everyone Else on Apr 5, 2009 1:48:25 GMT -5
"I saw a man outside," She began, dancing with excitement. "And he controls metal! Just like me!" She said, beaming. "I wanted to ask if you knew him, and if you could ask him to help me with my powers."
|
|
|
|
Post by The Man on Apr 5, 2009 2:08:17 GMT -5
::Only with the innocence of a child could one question bring so much pain, and yet no fault could belong to her. She certainly could not know that the man she saw was none other than Erik Lehnsherr. Did Xavier know him? Erik was the first other mutant he had ever known. Erik had been his lover for a sum total of decades over an almost fifty-year period. Erik had taught at the Institute beside him, and had helped him recover from the car accident before their relationship had dissolved. Erik had been his closest friend and arch nemesis. The man had left him to die several times, had once nearly used him as a tool for genocide. Erik had helped him design and build Cerebro. Erik had been the reason he and Raven had begun their liaison. Erik had been the reason Abigail had been conceived...because he was her...father. That thought alone pained Xavier.
Erik had been harsh about her birth and through Raven's pregnancy, and Abigail barely knew anything about him..from before this past month. Xavier had wanted to tell him, not borne from desire but from a sense of obligation; yet now that the opportunity presented itself, he was hesitant. Surely if he did not say it outright, simply meeting her and learning her powers would be enough for the other man to make the connection...He suppressed a sigh and replied,:: "I do know him...but I believe training with me is a more effective strategy."
|
|
|
|
Post by Mystique on Apr 5, 2009 2:12:06 GMT -5
Abigail nodded, though she did look a little crestfallen. "Okay. But do you think maybe later, after I learned the basics that he could teach me some neat tricks?" She would accept his suggestion, and she did genuinely look forward to the extra time they would have together, as he trained her to use her powers.
|
|
|
|
Post by The Man on Apr 5, 2009 2:13:49 GMT -5
::Raven would disagree with this decision, Xavier knew, but if she disagreed with him so avidly, she would have to play the "she is not your child card," and if she dared do that, he would lose his calm. He realized he could not keep Abigail from Erik forever, and thus he nodded,:: "After you learn basic control, I am sure he could teach you several tricks."
|
|
|
|
Post by Everyone Else on Apr 5, 2009 2:16:22 GMT -5
Abigail grinned. "That's awesome!" She jumped excitedly, and the metal objects on his desk began to rattle once more, along with the metal fixtures in the room. She walked over to where he sat and embraced him. "That's why you're the best. I love you, Dad."
|
|
